Thunder Roads Texas - March 2011 by Thunder Roads Texas

The MOST Comprehensive Event Listing Published in Texas!

A Cart & Bike Rally...

Don’t laugh... at least they admit it! Also Inside:

  ThunderRoadsTexas.com

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Silent Heroes South Texas Motorcycle Expo Rolls Into Alamo-Town It’s a Mean Gene Thing Ride Map: Cleng Peerson Memorial Highway

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March 2011

ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

March 2011

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Contents 

March 2011

On the Cover 38 A Cart & Biker Rally... Don’t laugh, at least they admit it!

This Month 16

Silent Heroes

21 South Texas Motorcycle Expo Rolls into Alamo-Town

It’s a Mean Gene Kinda Thing

Regular Features

From the Editor

From the Road: Letters to the Editor

Points Across Texas Snapshots

PigTrails: Time to Ride!

The Scout Report: Tour Master Cortech Overpants

Texas’ Best Bike Nights

35 Monthly Ride Map: Cleng Peerson Memorial Highway 40

ThunderCam

Joker’s Wild

Resources 23

Event Listing

CENTER - Pull-Out March 2011 Calendar 44

29 34

Biker Friendly Listing

On the cover: The Carts, Bikers & Babes Rally, April 8-10, 2011 in Big Creek Park & Marina in Lyons, TX on Lake Somerville. Photos by Bob Cooney. Layout by Shelly Horan of Top of Mind Marketing.

OWNERS Bob Cooney, CEO/Photography ThunderRoadsBob@yahoo.com Shelly “TX Dragonfly” Horan, Editor Shelly@ThunderRoadsTexas.com

ADVERTISING SALES

Thunder Roads Texas Main Office 281.866.8149 ThunderRoadsBob@yahoo.com Reynolds Mansson - Statewide M2Motomedia@gmail.com 210.259.9916 Bill “Shovelhead” Barnes - Houston ThunderRoadsBill@yahoo.com 321.960.6161 Justin Turnage - DFW jtrockone8@gmail.com 254.205.1447 Bonnie Estes - Austin/Hill Country AngelWing1555@yahoo.com 512.673.6679

Linda Morris - Houston tatewaci3322@msn.com 713.897.9109

Manuel A. Valladares - DFW MValladares@saferis.net 214.245.6217

Angela Epperson - Waco/DFW AJoyEpperson@aol.com 254.493.3830

Amy Conklin - Houston TRM.Amy@gmail.com 832.498.6693

James Williams - San Antonio/Hill Country James@TexasMotorcycleAdventures.com 830.708.6198

Bob Engler - Plano/DFW Trip@BlackBettysBlog.com 302.229.4156

Laura Mae Benson - Houston/Galveston Laura.ThunderRoadsMagazine@gmail.com 979.481.9642

Bill “Moe” Moore - Rhome/DFW PassageBikerChurch@yahoo.com 940.399.9679

IN MEMORIAM Thunder Roads Texas Bob Cooney & Shelly Horan State Edition Owners 4631 Cashel Glen Drive Houston, TX 77069 281.866.8149 ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Mean Gene Kelton 1953-2010 Feature Writer - Black Leather Blues Thunder Roads Texas 2009-2010

Layout & Design Shelly Horan Top of Mind Marketing 832.585.4045 Top.of.Mind.Marketing@gmail.com Thunder Publishing, LLC Toni & Brian Shearon National Founders 1528 Matlock Drive Chapmansboro, TN 37035 615.792.0040 ThunderRoadsMagazine.com Thunder Roads Magazine® is Trade Marked and may not be used in any way without consent from Thunder Publishing. Thunder Roads Magazine of Texas is published by Thunder Roads Texas. All rights reserved. No part of its’ content may be reproduced without written permission. Publisher assumes no responsibility and is not to be held liable for errors beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error, slander of any group or individual, failure to produce any issue as scheduled due to reasons beyond our control, any and all suits for liable, plagiarism, copyright infringement and unauthorized use of a person’s name or photograph. Opinions and claims made by advertisers and authors are their own and do not necessarily represent the policy of Thunder Roads Magazine®, Thunder Publishing, or Thunder Roads Texas. Publisher does not promote the abuse of alcohol or other drugs. Ride & live responsibly. Thank you. Thunder Roads Magazine®, Thunder Publishing, and Thunder Roads Texas. Thunder Roads Texas is a wholly separate entity from Thunder Publishing LLC and Thunder Roads Magazine editions in other states. As such, content that runs in other states’ editions has no relation to the content in Thunder Roads Texas. Unless specifically stated, Thunder Roads Texas does not endorse, and is not responsible for, any content in other Thunder Roads Magazine editions.

MONTHLY FEATURE WRITERS

“Crazy Al” - PigTrails; Elm “Scout” Valle - The Scout Report

CORRESPONDENTS Houston & Margaret Pruett - Victoria; Kitti Kluna - Houston; Ron Blansett - Houston; Linda Morris - Houston; Mark Appenzeller - D/FW; Joyce Siegert - D/FW; Brian “Native NYer” - D/FW; Travis “Blydawg” Blythe - D/FW; Dean Downey - Amarillo; Meghan Heller Austin; Linda Nilsson - East Texas; Chantelle Sandberg - East Texas; George Darcy - Midland/Odessa; Kim Ferris; Pamella Jody - Houston; Sir Richard Vance - Corpus Christi; Randy McCamey - West Texas; Butch Hayes - Houston; Pete Martinez - Houston; Jason English Piney Woods; Sean Kester - D/FW; Roger Bowles - Waco; Lonnie & Pam Fitch - Galveston

Magazine Distribution and Shamelss Plug It’s March and “officially” the start to our riding season in Texas. As of this writing, I have yet to place my butt in a seat this year. Between the cold, nasty weather; kiddo activities (AKA finding time to ride); and now rodeo (I volunteer as a Gatekeeper for the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo and simply get absorbed for about a month)… I just haven’t had the opportunity. But I promise you – next nice-weather day, I’m there! Each year, we pull motorcycle registration information from the Texas Department of Public Safety. There was a slight increase in registered motorcycles 2010 over 2009 – a steady increase over the last five years. We use this information to determine our distribution. The Thunder Roads Magazine® National Founders have long used the tag line: “Where there’s bikes, there’s going to be Thunder!” Well… we take that to heart – where the bikes are registered is where Thunder Roads Texas magazine is going to be! For example – 27% of all bikes registered in Texas are registered in the Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan area. Accordingly, we match that ratio and distribution with 27% of all our magazines distributed in that area. We also attempt to match the ratio in the individual counties. We are always asked to add distribution points. Being a free magazine to the public, there is no shortage of distribution points! We drive traffic to these locations every month. To help us with the cost of distribution (our second highest cost next to printing), we ask distribution points to participate in our Biker Friendly program. More than just being a distribution point – these advertisers get an entry in the printed and online Biker Friendly listing; a full listing (not just name/location) in our published distribution list, including a link to their website; and are guaranteed to be a distribution point during the term of their subscription. The cost of only $149/year simply covers our cost of shipping… we don’t make a profit on this program. So if you want to see us in your neighborhood shop or bar, tell them to call and we’ll get them going! Now, in true Mean Gene Kelton fashion, a shameless plug… My company, Top of Mind Marketing, has been working with Thunder Roads Texas motorcycle magazine for the last three years. I’ve done everything from marketing, to graphic design (ads and laying out the magazine), to social media, to email marketing and more. I put all other projects on hold, until now. I like to think of my services as the “poor man’s marketing department” – offering reasonable rates (especially on a monthly retainer – on call) – to small businesses that can’t afford their own marketing person, much less a department. I come with a marketing and public relations degree and more than 17 years proven marketing experience; an award-winning marketer, specializing in creating and managing brand image. If you have a small business and would like to have somebody on your team without paying a large marketing salary – call or email me. You can reach me through Thunder Roads Texas or through Top of Mind Marketing (832.585.4045; Top.of.Mind.Marketing@gmail.com). Not just projects in Houston – but anywhere in Texas! This month, our “Original” Thunder Roads Texas BIKE NIGHT falls on St. Patrick’s Day! We’ve got some great plans going to make it a GREEN day with special stage games and fun. So if you’re in Houston, on your way through Houston, or just want to come in for the party (not unheard of!) – join us Thursday, March 17 at Concert Pub North (FM 1960 W @ Kuykendahl). Fun starts around 7:00 p.m. We’re proud to say it’s the longest continually running (we party through the winter months, too) bike night in the Houston area. As we go to print, our thoughts and prayers are with Crazy Al (PigTrails) and his family as his wife, Paula, recovers from a major AVM burst in her brain that put her in critical condition mid-February. She is recovering, but the process will be slow. We’re just thankful she’s still here with us... and with Al. Ride Safe & Ride with THUNDER! Shelly “TX Dragonfly” Horan Editor / Owner Shelly@ThunderRoadsTexas.com Owner, Top of Mind Marketing 832.585.4045 Top.of.Mind.Marketing@gmail.com

Find us, Befriend us, Follow us, Join us!

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March 2011

ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

March 2011

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Just to let you know the weather has been perfect this last week. Today will be the third day I have turned Colonel Mosby loose on the streets of Houston. I have a tad over 21,000 miles on Mosby, most of which has been done on the back roads of America. I have ridden old Mosby in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Georgia, and both Carolinas. All of which have provided unique riding, beautiful scenery, great food and the most extraordinary people one could ever hope to meet. However, after only two days of riding in Houston I have learned that there is a lot of difference between Americas back roads and the busy city streets in H-Town. One cannot get the same experience on the Blue Ridge Parkways of the Carolinas, or the scenic rides in the Texas Hill Country that you get on the streets of Houston. Houston, I am convinced is full of illegal drivers that have very little knowledge of the driving laws, no insurance, but own a cell phone. They run red lights, stop signs and are continually swerving from lane to lane like some crazy roller coaster that has escaped from Disney World. Add to that the fact that most businesses do not post a visible address. When looking for an address, some drivers just stop in the middle of the street as if they have some special privilege that the rest of us are not blessed with, this causes moments of sheer panic to the motorcycle following behind the car.

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The desire to stay alive presents a challenge to the motorcyclist who must always accept a position of defensive driving. It is apparent that the four wheel drivers cannot see motorcyclist, the first thing they always say after an accident is, “But officer I did not see him”. Even though Houston is blessed with the most beautiful women, the finest architecture in the world, unusual landscaping, all types of bars and restaurants, and many laws that govern the how and way we drive. There is no such thing as riding along enjoying the scenery on a motorcycle in Houston. A Houston motorcyclist must have a defensive driving attitude. Watching for vehicles is not enough, a motorcyclist must look at every intersection, must look for approaching vehicles, must watch the drivers and check to see if he or she is on the cell phone, must look at the tires to get and indication of which direction they may take; must watch for trash, potholes, bad railroad crossings, and all the other things that are hazardous to a rider. In general there is no sightseeing while riding in Houston. But it is a challenge, it is exciting and if you manage to survive you can make claim to being a great motorcyclist. Pay attention and remember the Harley Quote! Screw it! Let’s Ride! Duncan Chapman

LookLearnLive.org offers the latest information on Texas laws governing motorcycle riding as well as resources and information to ride safe in Texas. Their newest addition is the “I Ride for Tomorrow” program. In this program, riders are encouraged to understand the risks inherent in riding and pledge to ride responisbly, ride sober, ride smart, and ride safe. Take a look. Share the information with your riding buddies and with your cage driving family & friends... it’s all about awareness on the road by all parties. To send a letter to the Editor - email Shelly@ ThunderRoadsTexas.com.

WINNER of Caption Contest: “To GENE!” (cue sound of Viking horn) submitted by Wolff DeLong

ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

March 2011

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Sponsored by

Are You Riding Yet? GOLD DESTINATIONS (Each Worth 2 Destinations) D’Rose Inn & Cabins PO Box 720 Leakey, TX 78873 830.232.5246 www.droseinn.com Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop Bent Rim Grill 657 West Ranch Rd Leakey, TX 78873 830.232.6629 www.friocanyonmotorcycleshop.biz www.bentrimgrill.com Frisco Custom Cycles 6427 Main St Frisco, TX 75034 214.387.0650 www.friscocustomcycles.com Goe Harley-Davidson 1350 S 288B Angleton, TX 77515 281.393.1000 www.goeharley-davidson.com Goe Kawasaki 1350A S Hwy 288B Angleton, TX 77515 281.393.1000 www.goekawasaki.com Retreat Hill Cellars 14343 Liberty St Montgomery, TX 77356 936.449.5285 www.retreathill.com

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March 2011

Tommaso’s Italian Grill 507 N Gordon St Alvin, TX 77511 281.331.6262 www.tommasositaliangrill.com QUALIFIED MARCH EVENTS Choppers 18419 Kuykendahl Spring, TX 281.251.1673 www.chopperssportsbar.com 1st Thursday every month; Thunder Roads Texas BIKE NIGHT Concert Pub North 2470 FM 1960 West Houston, TX 77068 281.583.8111 www.theconcertpub.com 3rd Thursday every month; Thunder Roads Texas BIKE NIGHT Mean Gene Kelton Benefit Rons Relay Retreat 36009 Howell Rd Waller, TX 77484 713.204.8333 www.ronsrelay.com

t’s riding time and we expect the Points Across Texas email (pat@ thunderroadstexas.com) to explode! Our new sales representative, Bob “Trip” Engler clocked one at a GOLD Destination, Frisco Custom Cycles (in Frisco). Donald Ryan and Gloria Ingram have already earned their patches, plus three additional entries for the end-of-year drawing. Leslie Kian has already hit five of his ten locations. And Monica Clark took a group of nine on a ride, hitting destinations from our Points Across Texas program as well as two other riding programs in a trip to San Antonio last month. Their group will get a Certificate of Appreciation, as well as each individual earning their patch and a drawing entry. The drawing prizes will continue to be collected throughout 2011. (If you have a business and want to donate a prize drawing for a little PR, contact us). Currently, we have a weekend cabin stay (Queen bed) at D’Rose Inn & Cabins (our sponsor) and a weekend stay in a cabin at Koyote Ranch, both in the beautiful Texas Hill Country.

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South Texas Motorcycle Show San Antonio, www.txbikeshow.com

ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

March 2011

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Time to Ride! e got some winter here in North Texas! Lots of snow and ice; fire places blazing. Coffee was the liquid of the day. I spent more time looking at my bike than riding it. Luckily, Texas gave us a few days of 65 degree weather (as it always does) to get out and enjoy the roads. I did get together with some good friends and put in one incredible day of riding as we headed down to Stephenville for some killer food at Hard 8’s BBQ! If there is one within 200 miles of your hometown it is well worth the trip. As you get in the chow line you step up to the first of four massive BBQ pits. All the meat is by the pound so be careful what you order. I went for two ribs, half a sausage, and two chicken poppers! Never in my life have I tasted BBQ this good. And I’m from Texas! I’m not sure who ever started this habit of the “Dinner Ride” but it never gets old! The plan is to get together with a few good friends at a meeting spot in the morning. Have a series of awesome country back roads to forget about life on! Always plan a couple of good stops along the way! These pit stops are by far one of the most important components to making a good group ride! The first question asked at the stop seems to always be “Did you see that?” It may have been a dear, a cool house, or even one time I thought I saw a bear! It ended up being a black cow. I will never live that one down. It’s now called the bear-cow syndrome. Oh

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shut up! Sure looked like a bear to me! Finding the roads for these day time adventures is still one of my favorite things to do. Earlier this year I was introduced to Google Earth. Now I am obsessed! This is one awesome tool for getting you off of the same old path. I used to have all my favorite roads and never seemed to explore once I was on the good ones. This is where I was doing it all wrong. I had been passing up collections of killer roads that were right there in front of me! I have made so many awesome discoveries; and all of this without going hundreds of miles out of the way. I love the names of roads. Sometimes the names do not fit the road at all. Like Hill Top Road that never goes up hill! Mountain View Lane? What mountain was I going to view? This is North Texas! Valley View Lane that does go uphill! Love it! My favorite one is a road I found here recently called The Right Road. And by all accounts this baby ended up being the RIGHT ROAD! How about Twisty Pines that is a very straight road with no trees in sight. Do yourself a favor and get off the beaten path and find yourself the Right Road. Do not get to the eat spot and then pick a straight line home! Group ride foul for sure. Stay away from the turkey it makes you sleepy about thirty minutes later. Never ever shorten the route! Don’t do it! If someone ever asks you,

“how much farther?” point them to the nearest freeway and ban them from the ride. There is no complaining on group rides either. You can complain at work but never on a ride. Always ride at your own skill level. It’s never a test of your ability to see how fast you can run the sweepers. Besides if you do end up crashing all you end up doing is slowing down the whole ride! Now we have to scoop your ass up off the pavement and arrange for someone to get your bashed up

ThunderRoadsTexas.com

motorcycle. Nobody smiles for the next hour or so. Actually, the only thing I care about is that everyone has a safe and fun day of riding. I always say the adventure of riding is to ride another day! I mean that with all my heart. Never go down is my motto! I want this passion to always be a part of my life. Try to think back to a time when you did not own a motorcycle. My mind goes blank. What the hell did we do? Don’t know and don’t care. I just want to ride! There are no rules when it comes to group rides. Cars are even ok on my rides! My buddy Pat Brady

has a Mazda MX-5 and is now my official chase car. He always has a cooler, always has an extra Green Monster, he even gave me a blanket on the last ride because it was kind of cold. You’re the man Pat! Who says you have to go to a restaurant? Go for a picnic! Pick out a cool lake with a great view and break out the brown bag special. I have had some of the best times ever doing this. Last but not least don’t be a brand hater! I still own and love my Honda; 200 thousand miles on my “Red Bull”. One of my good friends Kenny rides a bright yellow scooter. Goes 100 MPH! All that matters is finding the time and spending the day doing what we love most. Got a group? Than go for a ride!

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

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As many of you already know, Al’s wife, Paula, had an AVM burst in her brain last month. The result was a major stroke with time in the ICU. She is recovering, making steady strides every day. As of going to press with this issue, she was no longer in critical condition, awake and alert. Prayers are working and Crazy Al wishes to thank the Thunder Roads Texas family (readers and staff) for all the good wishes and prayers. Check our website and our Facebook page for any updates and news about any benefits that may be held to help out this very loving couple.

March 2011

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Silent Heroes By Dean Downey, TRT Correspondent

s of August 2010, more than 4,400 U.S. troops have been killed in Iraq. Texas has seen her fair share of lost sons and daughters. We feel the need to honor these fallen heroes and support families grieving their loss. There are many motorcycle groups dedicated to providing this support. Recently, I had the opportunity to meet a group of individuals from the Childress area that does an outstanding job in remembering fallen soldiers and honoring the families. They are called the Iron Soldiers Motorcycle Club and their mission is to support families living in the Panhandle. Their inspiration comes from the memory of Private Michael C. Reeves, U.S. Army, who, at the age of 18, lost his life in a vehicle accident in August 2007, only two weeks from deployment to Iraq. His outstanding courage to join our military and fight for our freedom has given him the right to be honored, remembered, and his memory to be carried on forever.

soldier, date of birth, and when they lost their lives defending our country and our freedom. Every plaque also includes their photo. The Iron Soldiers presents the plaques to the families either by taking to them to

EVENTS

So far, 15 fallen soldiers and their families have been honored with a plaque presented by the Iron Soldiers listing the name of the

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ThunderRoadsTexas.com

dinner or to a sports event. According to Rick Tipton, Vice President, they love to do the presentations at sporting events offer opening ceremonies that include the pledge of allegiance and prayer. Their goal is to create a large organization of members where members will choose a fallen soldier from any war and dedicate to carry that soldier with the honor and respect that he or she deserves and let their families know they will never be forgotten.

would like to donate, volunteer, or support them in their efforts, please contact:

The Iron Soldiers activities are strictly supported by donations, including travel expenses. If anyone has a fallen soldier or know someone who does, they are encouraged to contact the organization so they may be honored. If you A special thanks to Rick Tipton and all the members for giving me the opportunity to meet them and learn more about what they do in remembering those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we have every day. It was an HONOR for me!!! Archie Sharp, President and Founder; 940.585.9807 Rick Tipton, Vice President; 940.585.1958 IronSoldiersSilentHeroes@yahoo.com

Until next time, Ride Free and Safe Always.

ď &#x2DC;

IronSoldiersMC-SM.com Donations can be made through their website, using PayPal.

EVENT

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

March 2011

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Tour Master Cortech Overpants s I write this review, it is literally freezing outside and sleet is falling on the city of Houston. The past couple weeks have been brutally cold and as a result not many motorcycles are seen on the roads. Every morning, when I head to work at 5:00 a.m., the bitter cold hits me direct on. Every piece of my winter gear is a godsend. I do not think I would have made it past this winter without this specialty gear. My Cortech Overpants have literally kept my “butt” from freezing. I have had these now for almost three years and I have failed to review them. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity since it is appropriate given the weather conditions.

Comfort/Visibility. The Cortech Overpants have reflective piping cover the length of the pants on the sides to give the rider nighttime visibility. They actually work well as the Phoslite is designed to reflect the same amount of light hitting it d i r e c t l y.

Protection. Sometimes I see riders down the road wearing leather chaps, but chaps do not offer the protection as dedicated riding pants like that offered by the Cortech Overpants. Chaps do not cover the entire legs, groin, or rear area of a person. They have no padding and most of all [my opinion of course] they look like Village People paraphernalia. I am sure I just lost some fans. All joking aside, though, chaps simply will not protect you as dedicated riding pants. The Cortech Overpants are made of a 600 Denier Carbolex shell and has 1680 Denier Ballistic knee panels. Wow, those are some big numbers – but what does that mean? The 600 refers to the thickness and tensile strength of the fabric. As a reference the U.S. Army utilizes a 600 Denier Kevlar construction on their ballistic vests. Now this does not mean the pants are bulletproof; it simply means they are tough as nails and can take a good beating, especially to protect you from road rash. In addition, the pants are padded in all the right places such as the hip and side of the legs. CE-approved knee armor is present but can be removed for more comfort. Personally, I keep mine in. Utility/Weathering. Since they are called overpants, they can be simply worn over regular clothes; which is great for my commute to the office. I usually just wear my casual office clothes underneath and I do not need to change once I get to my destination. However, they can be worn by themselves just as regular riding pants. They are perfect for all weather usage as the pants are breathable but at the same time water proofed with Rainguard. They will protect the rider from the wet weather for some time but eventually the water does soak through. I have found that they have to be re-treated with the Rainguard spray every month to keep them waterproofed. This is not a big deal since a spray can be obtained at any local Wal-Mart for five dollars. For those cold winter days, a removable inner lining is available for added warmth. In contrast, ventilated zipper panels that also waterproofed are easily accessible for those hot summer days. One word of warning… it will still get pretty hot if worn over jeans. In fact it is very hot to wear in the summer time, even with all the ventilation – maybe because it is colored black?! The overall utility of these pants is what you would expect from a Tourmaster product. Page 18

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The pants themselves are very comfortable to wear. There are expansion panels at the rear waist and above the knees for increased flexibility. The waistbands are elastic and have an adjustable belt to ensure a snug fit. They are very easy to get on and off, even over jeans or street pants, which makes them good for commuting trips back and forth to work. They have a smooth nylon lining, so they slide on and off nicely. The bottoms of the pants have zippers that expand them so they can also be put on and off even when wearing boots or shoes. Lastly, they are quality constructed and I have had no problems with the stitching, zippers, or Velcro. Specifications: • Constructed with a 600 Denier Carbolex® Plus shell and 1680 Denier Ballistic polyester knee panels • Overpant designed to be worn over street clothes • Rainguard® waterproof/breathable barrier • Phoslite® reflective piping for increased nighttime visibility • Waterproof zippered thigh vents provide ventilation • Double-stitched construction throughout • Dual-elastic panel waistband with adjustable waist belts • Waterproof, accordion-style expansion panels at

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the rear waist and above knees for increased flexibility Two zippered hand pockets Removable CE-approved knee armor with Tour Master’s Three Position Knee Armor Alignment system as well as removable soft hip armor Full length, waterproof side entry leg zippers and zippered side entry allow for ease of dressing Features 8” pant/jacket zipper attachment with the jacket sides included

Pros: • Versatile in utility and all weather wear • Very durable and strong • At $129 MSRP, one of the best values for overpants Cons: • Waterproofing needs to be retreated monthly • No Styling - Only available in black color • Can get very hot in the summer Conclusion: Over the past three years, these pants have been used mainly in winter, because they are very hot for Texas summers. They have been faithful these cold months and especially in the rain. I do not think I would have been able to ride year round without them. I recommend these pants for those who are avid year round riders. For more information visit TourMasters.com to see their product line. So as always, ride safely and “See you on the high ground!”

 ThunderRoadsTexas.com

EVENT

South Texas Motorcycle Expo Rolls into Alamo-Town

he 8th Annual South Texas Motorcycle Expo is coming to the Freeman Expo Hall, Friday, March 18 – Sunday, March 20. Bringing back all your favorites:

• Vendors, shop til you drop. • Stunt competitions & exhibitions, participate or watch, either way, it’s a thrilling time. • Motorcycle service area, where you can get those new accessories installed, get the oil changed, or get new tires installed. • Tattoo Showcase, featuring Johnny Jackson of Texas Body Art in Houston, along with seven of San Antonio’s top artists. Get new ink or refresh what you have. • Returning for three full days, the Texas Scooter Times Swap Meet. Your spouse need you to get rid of some of those extra parts in the garage? Need to purchase parts for your ride? This is the place! Entrance to the Expo includes free entry to the Swap Meet. If you want to sell at the meet, contact Texas Scooter Times (TexasScooter.com) for reservation information. Walkups are welcome, but no guarantees regarding space availability.

New this year:

EVENT

• This year, the Motorcycle Expo welcomes the South Texas Classic Car Show – all under the same roof. The motorcycle show will feature major lines of domestic and international manufacturers and the classic car show is considered the hottest 4-wheel show in Texas! • Performing at the show is professional street stunt rider, Clint Ewing, who has been featured on SpeedTV, Discovery and NBC. He is a guides World Record holder for riding through a 200-foot long tunnel of fire. He performs all over the nation for events such as the AMA superbike, National Hot Rod association (NHRA), and various rallies. • The Expo includes a return visit from the International Bikini Team, with photo ops, autographs, and the bikini bike wash. Featuring the Texas State Finals Model Search. Registration is at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. $1,000 prize money goes to the top five contestants. Winner receives $500 and an all-epxnse paid trip to the U.S. Finals in the Bahamas. Visit InternationalBinikiTeam.org for more information. • Kimmi Cruz, “The Rock” from Little Rock, AR, will be onsite all three days for photo opportunities and autographs. She has been intensely involved in the motorcycle industry for more than ten years. From her start as a sales representative for Thunder Roads Magazine (Arkansas) in 2002 and The Ride Mag in 2004, she began traveling all over the USA, covering anything and everything that has to do with two wheels. Fun for the entire family! Tickets are $15 per person for the entire weekend of festivities. A coupon is available on the website. Kids 15 and under are free. Free parking for motorcycles. Friday, March 18 3:00pm – 8:00pm Saturday, March 19 10:00am – 7:00pm Sunday March 20 10:00am – 6:00pm Visit TXBikeShow.com and SouthTexasCarshow.com for more details. Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

 March 2011

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EVENT

Event Listing

The MOST comprehensive motorcycle event listing published in the State of Texas!

MARCH

Fish Fry TorosMSA.org Universal City Region: South Texas Metro: San Antonio Klein Forest FFA Car, Craft & Motorcycle Show KleinForest.FFANow.org Spring Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston

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Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

Wild Hog Explosion Rally & Run WildHogExplosion.com Bandera Region: Hill Country Metro: San Antonio Mansfield Park in Bandera. Poker Run preregistration $15 6pm March 18 @ the Longhorn Saloon; onsite registration $20 9am March 19. Last bike out at Noon. Free El Jacalito taco breakfast. Wild Hog Patch (first 200 registrants).

Feeling Lucky? Tent Event IndependenceHD.com College Station Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Bryan/College Station Free burgers & beer (while it lasts); live music; bikini bike wash; Big Bore installation demonstration; and in-store specials. All purchases include free entry to a drawing for a Weekend Ride, including 2-night stay at Koyote Ranch and $100 prepaid credit card.

3rd Annual Classic Car Show & Motorcycle Rally OilfieldHelpingHands.org Tomball Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston Biker Ball 817-633-2838 Arlington Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

13-15

Spring Thing MySpace.com/42Taillights Kilgore Region: Piney Woods Metro: Longview

Houston Swap Meet TexasScooter.com Humble Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston Held at the Humble Civic Center, just Northeast of Houston. Doors open at 10:00 am. Admission is $8.00 for adults. Military personnel and kids 5 to 14 years of age get in for $5.00. Vendor fees are $40.00 for a 10 X 10 space. There will also be music and door prizes. For more information call (254) 687-9066 or visit our website.

“The Original” Thunder Roads Texas BIKE NIGHT ThunderRoadsTexas.com Houston Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston Our monthly (third Thursday) biker party with a few hundred of our closest friends! Let’s make it a GREEN BIKE NIGHT - it’s St. Patty’s Day! Wear green for special stage contests. Held at Concert Pub North (2470 FM 1960 West, Houston, 77069. Co-hosted by Outlaw Dave. Live music, vendors, stage games, door prizes, and MORE! LARGE reserved motorcycle-only parking, with plenty of cage parking, too. Rain or shine… the BEST and longest continually held bike night in Houston!

18-19

Bike Blessing 903-312-5756 Canton Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Tyler

Victoria’s Voyage Fun Run 832.768.4345/832.768.4349 Galveston Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston $500.00 best hand; Registration 10:30-12:00 at Renegade Classics Houston or VIP Apparel Galveston. $10.00 per hand; max 2 hands per person. Hands will be drawn at The Oaks Club in Dayton. Last bike in at 4:00pm. Live Music, Stand up Comedians, BBQ Sandwiches for sale, 50/50 drawings, LCD Flat Screen TV drawing, Auction, and more. 100% of proceeds will be donated to Victoria’s Voyage (VictoriasVoyage.com). Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas.

Texas Vietnam Vet. Welcome Home Run TexasWelcomeHomeRun.com Perryton Region: Panhandle Metro: Amarillo

Texas Run to the Wall RFTW.org Weatherford Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

18-20

4-13

Daytona Bike Week DaytonaBikeWeek.com Daytona, FL

3 3-6

Texas Independence Day Bash TheHOTRally.com Groesbeck Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Waco

Mean Gene Kelton Benefit MeanGeneKelton.com Waller Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Houston Live music all day, visit Facebook.com/ ThunderRoadsTexas for a link to the event page. Also, BBQ Plates ($2/plate to family), Beer & Setups; Vendors; 50/50 drawing & raffles; silent and live auctions throughout the day; and bikini bike wash. Fun Run: KSU @ 11am - $25/hand includes “Die Hard Mafia” T-shirt. Joni Kelton will be signing “Gigs from Hell”, as well as selling Mean Gene Kelton & the Die Hards’ CDs, Shirts, and more. Guitar raffle tickets on sale now and at this event. Drawing takes place April 10th at the Mean Gene Kelton Memorial Music Festival. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas.

South Texas Motorcycle Show TXBikeShow.com San Antonio Region: South Texas Metro: San Antonio More stunts, a tattoo expo, contests and special services are added to the already wildly successful kick-off to the 2011 riding season. Guiness Book of World Records holder, Clint Ewing. Kimmy Kruz, and the International Bikini Team. Swap meet by Texas Scooter Times (TexasScooterTimes.com; 254.687.9066). Bring your bike into the special services section to trick out your bike. Tickets are only $15 for the weekend; Kids 15 and under FREE. Visit the website for a coupon. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas. 36th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Rally 830-488-3494 Del Rio Region: Big Bend Metro: San Antonio 5th Annual Thunder On The Colorado ThunderOnTheColorado.com Smithville Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Austin

Continued on Page 27... March 2011

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EVENTS

Chopper’s hosts a Thunder Roads Texas BIKE NIGHT ChoppersSportsBar.com Spring Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston First Thursday every month at Choppers (18419 Kuykendahl, Spring, 77379). Built by bikers, for bikers, this large new venue in NW Houston offers plenty of bike parking with cameras on the parking area, live bands, $1.50 domestic draft, $1 jello shots, door prizes, vendors, and more.. Rain or shine, we party like bikers anyway!

11-13

Thunder Roads Texas does not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided and cannot be held liable. Things change, there may be typos, and weather happens. So before you climb on your steed and ride to one of these events, contact the organizers and verify the latest information. Subscribe to our FREE Web-zine for updates with events that don’t make print, two weeks’ worth of events are provided every week to your email inbox. NOTE: All car shows listed promote “motorcycles welcome” or at least one motorcycle category.

Tuesday

Multiple-day events appear on the first day of event. For details on these and other events, see our Event Listing, Page 19.

Monday

March 2011 2

Wednesday

Choppers hosts a Thunder Roads Texas BIKE NIGHT Spring

Thursday 4

Friday 5

Saturday 6

Houston Swap meet Texas Scooter Times Humble

Sunday

Ash Wednesday

25 Choppers Outlaw Bikefest Spring

March 31-April 4 * Bandera

15 22

14 21

February 2011

5 12 19 26

11 18 25

March 18-20 * San Antonio

South Texas Motorcycle Show

Victoria’s Voyage Fun Run Houston/Galveston

Mean Gene Kelton Benefit Rons Relay Waller

18 Wild Hog Explosion Bandera March 18-19

Thunder in the Hill Country

“The Original” Thunder Roads Texas BIKE NIGHT Concert Pub North Houston

Calendar Sponsored by Walker Texas Lawyer * 713.552.1117 * WalkerTexasLawyer.com

St. Patty’s Day

1 8

April 2011

Daylight Savings Spring Forward

EVENTS Page 26

March 2011

ThunderRoadsTexas.com

2011 Police Memorial Ride BlueKnightsTexasChapterXI.com Waco Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Waco

Bobarosa Biker Bash 325-718-9571 San Angelo Region: Panhandle Metro: San Angelo

30-Apr3

Arizona Bike Week AZBikeWeek.com Scottsdale, AZ Thunder In The Hill Country BikerRalliesOfTexas.com 409-995-0073 Region: Hill Country Metro: San Antonio An ever popular Bandera event! Enjoy the beautiful Texas Hill Country during prime spring flowering season. Great rides around Bandera, great fun at the rally, held in Mansfield Park. Activities include live music concerts, bike show, biker games, wet T-shirt contest, naughtie nightie contest, tattoo contest, burn-out pit, vendors, food, and more fun! Get a free event t-shirt when you pre-register. $35/ person for the entire weekend. RV sites are going fast, at only $35/weekend, so reserve your spot today.

Lone Star Classic-Antique Motorcycle Racing TheLoneStarClassic.com Cresson Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

25-27

Choppers/Outlaw BikeFest ChoppersSprotsBar.com Spring Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston 12th Annual 3-Day Thaw LongridersMotorcycleClubOfTyler.org New Summerfield Region: Panhandle Metro: Amarillo 2nd Annual Chisolm Trail Run 361-275-4509 Hallettsville Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Victoria

h APRIL h

Helping Hands Benefit RCCGC.org Santa Fe Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston

1-2

Brandi Sander Memorial Scholarship Run 830-822-4478 Coldspring Region: Piney Woods Metro: Houston

1-3

3-26 to 3-26

Bluebonnet Rally GoldwingAustin.org Fredericksburg Region: Hill Country Metro: Austin

1-3 2

26-29

Annual BBQ Cookoff Car & Bike Show 254-749-0631 Waco Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Waco

25-26

Lone Star Campout CircuitRidersCFM.org Gary Region: Piney Woods Metro: Longview

Bikes, Beer & Babes BigMikesApparel.com Pasadena Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston 11am-5pm. Big Bad Fun Run 50/30/20 split; First bike out @ 11am; Last bike in by 3pm. Wet T-shirt contest; winner receives $20; judging @ 3pm. Free beer, food, music, vendors and big discounts in store and much more. Music by Big Daddy Doug. 4425 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena. 713.941.8080. 10th Annual MARC Run 512-540-2561 Rockdale Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Temple/Killeen Arlington Monster Energy AMA Supercross SupercrossOnline.com Arlington Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth Billy the Kid Rides Again BillyTheKidMuseum.com Hico Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth Texas Motorcycle Expo & Bike Show TexasMotorcycleExpo.com Dallas Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth Chopper’s hosts a Thunder Roads Texas BIKE NIGHT ChoppersSportsBar.com Spring Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston First Thursday every month at Choppers (18419 Kuykendahl, Spring, 77379). Built by bikers, for bikers, this large new venue in NW Houston offers plenty of bike parking with cameras on the parking area, live bands, $1.50 domestic draft, $1 jello shots, door prizes, vendors, and more.. Rain or shine, we party like bikers anyway!

Find us, Befriend us, Follow us, Join us!

Fool’s Gold Rally 361-386-0506 Austwell Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Victoria

Continued on Page 28... Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

March 2011

Page 27

EVENTS

St Paddy Party CossacksMC.net Ft. Worth Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

31-Apr4

TACC Quilt Show/Car Show/Motorcycle Run/Arts & Crafts ThorndaleTX.com Thorndale Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Austin

19-20

Bikers Against Road Rage HanksTexasGrill.com McKinney Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Riders for Rights Bikes & Bass Rally TMRA2.org Point Blank Region: Piney Woods Metro: Houston

2-3

St. John’s Scholarship Rally SaintJohnsLodge51.com McKinney Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Lone Star Rod & Kustom Round Up LoneStarRoundUp.com Austin Region: Hill Country Metro: Austin

6th Annual Crawfish Boil ArmadilloCycleClub.net Cleburne Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Ride For A Child Benititing Child Abuse Prevention RideForAChild.org Killeen Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Temple/Killeen

St. Patricks Day Rally Brotherhood-of-Bikers-Toledo-Sam.com 409-787-4566 Hemphill Region: Piney Woods Metro: Beaumont

CONTINUED...

18-20

EvenT Listing

8-10

Fenix Autism Awareness and Bike Rally FAABR.com Weslaco Region: South Texas Metro: McAllen

1st Annual Steel Horse Round Up WeathervaneFoundation.org Cypress Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston The Weathervane Foundation is a Texas Non-Profit Corporation supporting breast cancer patients and raising funds for research for a cure. This is their first annual benefit ride and event, starting and ending at the Northwest Forest Conference Center (12715 Telge Rd, Cypress, 77429). Kick stands up 7:30am. After the ride, enjoy a tasty lunch while shopping the Weathervane Corral Vendor Fair. Return that evening for the Wild West Casino Night, including games, raffles, dinner and dancing. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas! 11th Annual “To Hell and Back” Biker Rally Facebook/SanAntonioVAMC Kerrville Region: Hill Country Metro: San Antonio

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March 2011

Motorcycle and Car Show BayshoreFineRides.net Baytown Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston Rescue Run 903-243-1247 Cooper Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Three Sisters Spring Fling ThreeSistersRally.net Camp Wood Region: Hill Country Metro: San Antonio Live music, games, contests, JENGA, organized rides through the beautiful Texas Hill Country. $20 online registration; $30 at the door; and $10 Saturday only pass. Entry fee includes tent & selfcontained RV camping. Free Rally Koozie with online registration. Held at Rocky River Camp in Camp Wood. Some of the proceeds benefit Hero’s Night Out, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing wounded warriors and their families dinners, sporting events, amusement park trips and more during their recovery from injuries.

Ride for the Red SacredCross.org New Braunfels Region: Hill Country Metro: San Antonio Mean Gene Kelton Memorial Music Festival MeanGeneKelton.com Houston Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston Benefitting Mean Gene’s charities: Texas Equusearch, Harley’s Angels, Houston Blues Museum, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital. This is not a benefit for Gene’s family. Watch the website for updates. Event will be at the Hawg Stop.

TMRA State Rally TMRA2.org Comanche Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Other

CONTINUED...

2nd Annual Titty Twister Run ChromeDivasCentralTexas.com Spring Branch Region: Hill Country Metro: San Antonio

Carts, Bikers & Babes Rally CartsBikersAndBabesRally.com Somerville Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Bryan/College Station “Let Out Your Bad!” at Big Creek Park & Marina. Last year was so successful Damon Dave is doing it again! A Cart & Bike Rally, plus some babes! Live music by Blues Crew, Blues Brothers (tribute), national acts for Friday and Santa headliners: Black Oak Arkansas and Blackfoot. Also: vendors, camping, cart & bike contests and parades, biker games, fun runs, and more – truly something for everyone! Sites & tickets on sale now. RV sites will go fast. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas!

Not 2 Hot Run 214-552-8278 Alice Region: South Texas Metro: Corpus Christi

EVENTS

7-10

EvenT Listing

Little River Swap & Drag Texas Scooter.com Temple Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Temple/Killeen Held at Little River Dragway. Used parts, new parts, cheap accessories, “off season” leather deals, and lifestyle necessities. PLUS the Spring All Bike Drags; 32 Harley classes; $20 entry. Admission just $10; $5 for military and children 5-14; under 5 free. Gates open at 9am; track opens at 11am. Visit the website for more information. Cruisin For Casa Of Collin County CASAofCollinCounty.org McKinney Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

h FUTURE h May 12-14 Texas State HOG Rally TXStateHOGRally.com Beaumont Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Beaumont

May 13-55 Myrtle Beach Bike Week MyrtleBeachBikeWeek.com Myrtle Beach, SC May 14 6th Annual Ride for Troops SARide4Troops.org San Antonio Region: South Texas Metro: San Antonio Benefiting The Fisher Houses, a non-profit organization that provides a home away from home for military families during a time of medical crisis. $25/person, includes 2011 rocker. Check-in 8:00am-9:00am. Previous years’ rockers can be purchased for $5. 100% of all registration fees will be donated solely to the San Antonio Fisher Houses. 50/50 Raffle and door prizes at the finish point. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas. May 19-22 BUB Rally BUBRally.com Houston Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston Held again at the Hawg Stop; BUB stands for Broke Urban Biker… so tickets are only $25/weekend pass and $15/day pass. Bike games, bike show, nightly contests. FREE tent camping. FREE self-contained RV site w/ purchase of 2 weekend passes. FREE T-shirt with prepaid registration. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas. Mau 19-22 The Aspen Cash Rally MotorcycleRally.com Ruidoso, NM May 28-29 South Texas Biker jam & Expo SoTXBikerJam.com Houston Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston The South Texas Biker Jam & Expo rolls into Houston at Reliant Arena. For two days only, motorcycle enthusiasts will find, shop and discover all the latest gear, parts, and information relating to the exciting sport of motorcycling. It does not matter what you ride ….it’s the thrill of the road. Visit our website at for more information. Tickets are available online at TicketMaster.com, Reliant Box Office or click the link on our website. Inquiries for booth space or volunteer opportunities contact Christine at 281-241-7333 or by email at christineb@nfinitepromotions.com or C.J. at 832.359.2708 or by email at cjvanwart@nfinitepromotions. com. FREE MOTORCYCLE PARKING! Promotional Partner: Thunder Roads Texas!

Basic Listing is FREE. Upgrade to Premium for only $25/month! Email: Events@ThunderRoadsTexas.com for more information.

Continued on Page 30... ThunderRoadsTexas.com

It’s a Mean Gene Kinda Thing By Shelly Horan, Editor

he legacy that Joni “Even Meaner” is working to build for Mean Gene Kelton is felt strongly among his family, friends, and fans. On February 12, the first of two “sanctioned” benefits to help the family was held at Rocky’s Pelican Junction in Baytown. The bar sits a little of the road, just past a curve to the right, with a small unassuming sign that gets lost against the large billboard nearby. You have to know where it is and slow down or you’ll drive by it on a normal day. This day, however, as we approached the curve, you couldn’t miss it if you tried! At least a half mile before reaching the entrance to Pelican Junction was a line of cars on both sides of the road. As we searched for a parking spot, u-turning back after going past and spotting an almost empty parking lot across the street, another half mile of cars just past the bar – again, both sides of the road. Easily many hundreds of bikes were there that afternoon, with thousands of people there to listen to great music, honor one of our favorite Texas musicians, and raise money to help Joni and the family.

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

On March 12, the second benefit will take place at Rons Relay Retreat in Waller. You can get information through our Facebook page (www.facebook. com/thunderroadstexas). It, too, is slated to be a huge success! It’s never too late to make plans to have a vendor spot or donate something for one of the auctions/ drawings. On April 10, Joni is carrying on with plans they had made with the Hawg Stop to put on a music festival, now called the Mean Gene Kelton Memorial Music Festival. This year, it falls on Gene’s birthday and Joni says she will keep the event around his birthday in coming years. This event is not a benefit for the family, but a fundraising activity for the Kelton’s chosen charities: Texas Equusearch, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Harley’s Angels, and the Houston Blues Museum. And now, in conjunction with the Summertime Bikes & Blues Festival and The Texas Rally, Thunder Roads Texas is pleased to be a part of the Mean Gene Kelton Memorial Sturgis Run. Joni is riding and I’m trying to work out the

details so I can ride as well. If you want to make the trip with Joni and the sponsors, visit www.MeanGeneKelton. com or our Facebook page.

EVENTS

We did our part… tried to win something in the silent auction, shopped the vendors, and purchased various raffle tickets. We went to Rooster’s Steak House, a small 50’s architecture building in historic downtown Baytown for dinner. We were doing the “Mean Gene” tribute drive through Baytown, eating at the place he hosted a music set on Tuesday evenings for the last three years and “Cruisin’ Texas… Cruisin’ Texas… Criusin’ Texas Avenue”. The day ended with a personal call from Joni with news that we won the $5 signature guitar! She asked if we wanted to keep it or donate it back. I told her we’d love to keep it, but would donate it back if they could earn something more from it.

But Joni told us she wanted us to have it… touched my heart more than you know. I promised her that we would use it somehow to help out the family and their favorite charities in the future.

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March 2011

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EvenT Listing July 2 Allied Memorial Remembrance Ride AlliedRide.org Fort Worth/Palestine to Terrell Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth One Ride, Three Nations: United in Remembrance of Our Fallen Heroes. The Royal British Legion (UK) in assocation with the American Legion Riders (US) and the Canadian Veteran Freedom Riders (Canada) are riding on the same day. They ride in remembrance of those in the allied forces, past and present, who have paid the ultimate price in pursuit of the freedom and security we enjoy today. Join them – or start your own. Contac George “Tank” Sherman today: 682.597.7469; g.shermanf-16@ hotmail.com. All profit from the US ride benefits the Terrell Veterans Memorial Fund. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas.

EVENTS

Jun 9-12 Republic of Texas (ROT) Biker Rally ROTRally.com Austin Region: Hill Country Metro: Austin June 11-19 Laconia Motorcycle Week LaconiaMCWeek.com Laconia, NH

CONTINUED...

June 20 International Ride to Work Day RideToWork.org July 14-17 Bikers Adult Rally BikersAdultRally.com Alvarado Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth August (dates TBD) Mean Gene Kelton Memorial Sturgis Run MeanGeneKelton.com Houston to Sturgis Join Joni “Even Meaner” Kelton, folks from the Summertime Bikes & Blues Festival and The Texas Rally, and others for a fun filled-ride to Sturgis. More details to come, but reservations at the Broken Spoke Campground (877.653.6679; BrokenSpokeCampground. com) must be made ASAP – save 10% with the discount code “meangene”. For more information, call Stephanie Brown 979.215.6019 or Damon Dave 979.742.5284. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas Motorcycle Magazine! August 8-14 70th Annual Sturgis Bike Week Sturgis.com Sturgis, SD September 2-4 Summertime Bikes & Blues Festival FreeportBluesFestival.com Freeport Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston It’s all about the BLUES! Live blues music all weekend long, brought to you by the VFW Post 4341 and Freeport Main Street. Raffle with grand prize of a 2011 Harley Softail Heritage Classic. Tickets are on sale NOW (visit the website for more information). Bike wash, bike games, food, vendors, giveaways, and new this year, a Swap Meet by Texas Scooter Times (to be a vendor, visit TexasScooterTimes.com or call 254.687.9066) and a classic car show. More fun for everyone. Great for families. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas. September 8-10 Hot Springs Rally TheHotSpringsRally.com Hot Springs, AR September 8-11 The Texas Rally TheTexasRally.com Lyons (Lake Somerville) Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Bryan/College Station It’s a Luau and Biker Bash at Big Creek Park & Marina! Free Luau dinner Saturday night. Great live entertainment, biker games, bike contests, feasts, parades, and CASH giveaways! Proceeds benefit the Texas Biker Relief Organization (T-Bro). The Zoo (RV camping) sells out quickly – better reserve today! Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas Motorcycle Magazine! September 14-18 The Golden Aspen Rally MotorcycleRally.com Ruidoso, NM

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March 2011

September 16-18 The Oldest Town in Texas (OTT) Rally OTTRally.com Nacogdoches Region: Piney Woods Metro: Tyler It’ll be another great year in the East Texas Piney Woods and historic Nacogdoches! Plans are underway for live music, stunt exhibitions, vendors, camping, bike show, and loads of fun! Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas Motorcycle Magazine! September 24 Texas Honor Ride Fundraiser TexasHonorRide.org Conroe Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Houston September 28-October 1 Bikes, Blues & BBQ BikesBluesandBBQ.org Fayetteville, AR September 28-October 2 Myrtle Beach Fall Rally MyrtleBeachBikeWeek.com Myrtle Beach, SC September 30-October 2 Texas National Motorcycle Rally TNMRally.net Baytown Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston October 7-9 Boo Benefit BooBenefit.org Jefferson Region: Piney Woods Metro: Tyler October 13-16 Biketoberfest Biketoberfest.com Daytona, FL November 3-6 Lone Star Motorcycle Rally LoneStarRally.com Galveston Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston Thunder Roads Texas will once again sponsor this AWESOME event. Make your hotel reservations now… we hear rooms are going quick already. Once again, the rally will honor all forms of the US Military, currently serving, wounded warriors, veterans, POW/MIAs and the fallen. New this year, the rally is working on having a campground near the rally. Watch their website for more information as we get closer. November 12 Texas Honor Ride - The Ride TexasHonorRide.org Houston/San Antonio Region: Gulf Coast/South Texas Metro: Houston/San Antonio

ThunderRoadsTexas.com

EVENTS

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

March 2011

Page 31

Choppers hosts a BIG ASS Thunder Roads Texas BIKE NIGHT 1st Thursday

18419 Kuykendahl Spring, TX 77379 Phone: 281.251.1673 Join the Thunder Roads Team and friends for another biker party! Live music, free wings until they’re gone, $1.50 domestic drafts, and $1 jello shots (unless Tony’s giving them away). Choppers also sports a kitchen putting out good biker bar food. A bar built by bikers, for bikers, this large venue offers plenty of bike parking with cameras on the parking area. All you’ve come to expect from our monthly biker party extended to add a location and another day of the month. Rain or shine, we party like bikers anyway!

“The Original” Thunder Roads Texas @ Concert Pub North 3rd Thursday

2470 FM 1960 W Houston, TX 77068 Phone: 281.866.8149 ThunderRoadsTexas.com Join the Thunder Roads Texas team for our “original” BIKE NIGHT - the one that started it all! Co-hosted by everyone’s “buddy” Outlaw Dave. Live music, no cover, drink and food specials, door prizes, vendors, stage games, and more! Rain or shine, the BEST biker party in Houston! Every third Thursday

Want your bike night listed here? Starting at only $25/month. Call 281.866.8149 for more information.

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March 2011

ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

March 2011

Page 33

The Cleng Peerson Memorial Highway

Getting to Hillsboro/Dublin: • Head south from Dallas/Fort Worth or north from Waco/San Antonio/all points South on I-35. • North from Houston on I-45, exit for Highway 179, toward Teague. Take Highway 84 to Mexia, then Highway 171 into Hillsboro. • From points in West Texas, take I-20 through Abilene, then Highway 6 to Dublin. • Coming out of the Panhandle, take Highway 87 and/or Highway 84 toward Abilene. Catch I-20 East, exiting Highway 6 to Dublin. Continued on Page 36... Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

March 2011

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MAP

his month’s ride is along one of the many Texas farm roads that cut through the central part of the state. To start the ride, I recommend that you begin in Hillsboro (from West Texas or the Panhandle, begin in Dublin and work the route in reverse). From Hillsboro (A on map), take State Highway 22 West through Whitney and Laguna Park. About five miles west of Laguna Park (toward Meridian) Texas Farm Road 219 begins its 70 mile journey in a westerly direction, eventually turning northwest to terminate in Dublin.

RIDE

By Randy “Harley Doc” McCamey, TRT Correspondent

The Cleng Peerson Memorial Highway Continued ...

Just a few miles out of Laguna Park, from the intersection of Highway 22 and FM 219 (B on the Map) you will spot the small town of Womack (est. 1880, C on the map). Or, more specifically, you will spot the spire of the Zion United Church rising high above the landscape. The spire is tall and is visible for most of a mile before you get to town. The windows of the church are worth a stop if you enjoy seeing the color and texture of beautiful stained glass. Another easy five miles and you cross the Bosque River and arrive in Clifton (D on map). Clifton is named after the limestone “cliffs” in that area, many of which are more noticeable as you travel west on 219 or north on Highway 6 toward Meridian. FM 219 in town is called 5th Street but there is no need to make any turns, just keep going straight ahead.

RIDE

MAP

A few miles west of Clifton, a historic side trip is in order and I highly recommend you take a look. Follow County Road 4150 to the community of Norse (E on map). Buildings and houses are scattered throughout the area, so Norse is best described as a community rather than a specific location. TexasEscapes.com lists Norse as a Ghost Town in Central Texas. As you might expect, it is named for the many Norwegian immigrants who settled the area in the mid-1800’s. The most prominent feature in the area is Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Originally constructed in 1878, the tall spire, red brick and stained glass windows are typical of Lutheran churches in Texas of that era. A historical marker commemorating the first Norwegian settlers is on the church grounds at Norse. Many of these early pioneers are buried in the cemetery adjacent to the church. Cleng Peerson was one of the original Norwegian settlers of the region, occupying land granted to him by the state of Texas in Bosque County, and is called the father of the Norwegian immigration to America. Cleng settled the region because the landscape closely resembled his native Norway. He, too, is buried in the church cemetery at Norse. Continuing the ride from the church, take FM 180 south just a few miles to the Crossroads Store where you will re-join FM 219. At this intersection, pull over and read the historical markers that give information about the Norse community and also about Cleng Peerson himself. In 1975, to commemorate his accomplishments, FM 219 was officially designated as the Cleng Peerson Memorial Highway. As you head west out of the crossroads, watch for the longhorn cattle in the fields to the south of the road. Probably the most scenic part of FM 219 is between Norse and Cranfills Gap (F on the map). I was actually tempted to turn around and drive this portion a few times back-and-forth just to take in all the scenery! On the north side of the road you will pass Sugarloaf, Rattlesnake, Gary, Llseng, Rogstad, and Jenson mountains. At least they are mountains by our Texas definition! Non-natives would probably describe them as low rolling hills. There are a number of fun curves along this section of 219 for the sporty types among us, but I suggest that you ride at a leisurely pace and enjoy the spectacular view of the rolling hills, blue skies, and the old barns and windmills that dot the landscape. As you near Cranfills Gap, you will spot what I call a tractor graveyard where there are hundreds of old and antique tractors rusting away with the passing of every season. The route again crosses State Highway 22 at Cranfills Gap (est. 1879) where there is a “gap in the mountain” between Bosque and Hamilton Counties. FM 219 makes a zig-zag through town, so don’t get lost. The small community of about 300 is known by many as just “the Gap”. A highlight for those of you feeling the need to eat is the Horny Toad Bar & Grill right there on 219 as you head out of town. Continuing west, you will eventually pass the intersection that cuts back to Fairy (est. 1884). Past this intersection, the road flattens out and you see more open fields and grassland. Be prepared to stop as you roll into Carlton (est. 1877, H on the map) because the main intersection is blind to both you and cross-traffic. Even though FM 219 has the right-of-way, nobody wants to get hurt so be careful! Just past the church you will turn right toward Dublin. After passing through the small community of Purves (est. 1890, I on the map), you will finish the ride when 219 terminates at Texas State Highway 6 in Dublin (J on the map), just past a small store with a sign that reads, “Work boots, Piñata’s, and Candy” – what a combination! Dublin is the birthplace of golf legend Ben Hogan and home of the Ben Hogan Museum. No trip through Dublin would be complete without a stop at the world famous Dublin Dr. Pepper bottling company. Many local riders use the Shop as a place to meet or as a gathering point before they take off on longer road trips. Take a few minutes to check out the soda fountain at Old Doc’s Soda Shop for a cool drink before you head home. I recommend the Dr. Pepper Float! I hope you will enjoy your ride on FM 219 as much as I do. It is a unique adventure through the cross timbers area. If you live in the Waco direction, you can backtrack on 219 to get home, or take State Highway 6 South through Hico and Meridian. For those of you from the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area, take US 377 North through Stephenville and Granbury.

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A Cart & Bike Rally...

Don’t laugh... at least they admit it!

By Bob Cooney, CEO/Owner

hrough the years, since carts became a popular recreation vehicle, bike rally promoters often looked down on carts and in some cases, even forbade carts to join many rallies. It was felt they were promoting a BIKE rally and the carts just “got in the way”. Well, then Damon Dave came along and realized, “… hey, everyone uses carts, they have become a big part of every rally, let’s make them a part of a new rally!” And so he did! In 2010 the always creative and innovative Damon Dave, and his lovely wife Wendy, created the Carts, Bikes & Babe’s Rally. It was a huge success, right out of the gate! They decided to again use the tried and proven

rally site at Big Creek Park in Lyons (on Lake Somerville) April 8-10. This is a beautiful location surrounded by Lake Somerville with plenty of great camp sites, paved roads, shade trees and a large stage allowing Dave to put on his usual, awesome show. Not only did he feature live music and bike games run by the amazing Blowout, but being true to the name of the rally, included Cart Races as part of the activities! The races were wild, off the wall… and just plain FUN! No one does it quite like Damon Dave! Word has it that I will get to run in one of the races. Not sure what he has in mind, but I am ready and anxious to dig out my old open wheel racing skills and take on all challengers! Bring

them on! The successful rally format from last year returns. Thursday is vendor check in, early arrivals, with music by Charlie Parker. Friday kicks off the rally with bike and cart games, registration for the cart races, with live bands (blues theme Friday) starting a little later in the day. I can tell you that Black Oak Arkansas is set to headline. They are totally awesome. Saturday features the wild cart races and bike games hosted by Blowout. Additionally, there is a burger cook off, a scavenger hunt (I hear cash prizes), and many enjoy the beautiful wooded rides around Somerville.

The Cart Races once again dominate the day. Two cart classes (electric and gas) with 1st3rd place in both. First place gets $200 cash, 2nd place receives $100 and $50 to 3rd place winners. All entries will receive something for participating! Race time is Noon - so don’t miss it! And lest we forget the Cart & Bike Parades... where riders/drivers “dress” their bikes up and parade around the Zoo! Talk about a party! On Saturday night Dave will be asking you to “Let out your Bad” and enjoy good ole fashioned rock & roll music by Bad Company with former lead singer Brian Howe. Dave always goes out of his

way to bring you some of the best entertainment around. As of this writing, I happen to know there are only ten RV spots still available. With some much needed good weather, this rally will be an incredible event. Vendor spots are still available, so pack up your wares and tents and let’s go! The format is unique, fun, and has already been accepted by all of the local bikers. Last year I saw some unbelievable carts, one with 650cc Suzuki engine stuffed into the spot that used to have a little lawn motor engine in there. Another had a sprint car wing on the top, memories from my past…and many of them had lovely babes on them, holding up the babes’ part of the rally

name. Dave and the crew send out their “thanks in advance” to all sponsors (including Thunder Roads), vendors, volunteers, and attendees. All in all it was fun event last year and should be even better this year. Dave has worked out all of the kinks and he hired a witch doctor to dance around all weekend long to scare away bad weather. Personally I think he should just dome the park, but Dave went for the witch doctor. Hope this proves to be a better call. We will see…

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An Irish man shows up in a pub one day and orders three pints of Guinness. He takes sips from each glass until they are empty and calls the bartender for three more. The bartender says, ‘Sure it’s up to yourself, but wouldn’t you rather I was bringing them one at a time? Then they’ll be fresh and cold.’ ‘Nah...’ your man says, ‘ I’m preferrin’ that ye bring ‘em three at a time. You see, me and me two brothers would meet at a pub and drink and have good times. Now one is in Australia, the other in Canada and I’m here. We agreed before we split up that we’d drink to each other’s honour this way.’ ‘Well,’ says the bartender, ‘that’s a grand thing to do, all right. I’ll bring the pints as you ask.’ Well, time goes on and your man’s peculiar habit is known and accepted by all the pub regulars. One day though, he comes in and orders only two pints. A hush falls over the pub. Naturally, everyone figures something happened to one of the brothers. A group of the regulars corner the bartender and finally persuade him to find out what happened. With a heavy heart, the bartender brings the two pints and says, ‘Here’s your pints... and let me offer my sincerest condolences. What happened?’ The Irish man looks extremely puzzled for a moment, and then starts laughing. ‘Oh, no, no, no! ‘Tis nothing like that. You see, I’ve given up drinking for Lent...’ You can accomplish more with a kind word and a shillelagh than you can with just a kind word. Irish Toasts Saint Patrick was a gentleman, Who through strategy and stealth, Drove all the snakes from Ireland, Here’s a toasting to his health. But not too many toastings Lest you lose yourself and then Forget the good Saint Patrick And see all those snakes again. ‘Beannachtam na Feile Padraig!’ Happy St. Patrick’s Day! My friends are the best friends Loyal, willing and able. Now let’s get to drinking! All glasses off the table! Here’s to a long life and a merry one. A quick death and an easy one. A pretty girl and an honest one. A cold pint-- and another one!

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March 2011

Irish Blessings May you be in heaven a full half hour before the devil knows your dead.

Drink is the curse of the land. It makes you fight with your neighbour. It makes you shoot at your landlord-- and it makes you miss him.

May the lilt of Irish laughter lighten every load. May the mist of Irish magic shorten every road... And may all your friends remember all the favours you are owed!

For each petal on the shamrock. This brings a wish your way Good health, good luck, and happiness For today and every day.

May neighbours respect you, Trouble neglect you, The angels protect you, And heaven accept you.

May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks, May your heart be as light as a song, May each day bring you bright, happy hours, That stay with you all the year long.

May the luck of the Irish Lead to happiest heights And the highway you travel Be lined with green lights.

Leprechauns, castles, good luck and laughter. Lullabies, dreams and love ever after. A thousand welcomes when anyone comes... That’s the Irish for You!

Some Guinness was spilled on the barroom floor when the pub was shut for the night. Out of his hole crept a wee brown mouse and stood in the pale moonlight. He lapped up the frothy brew from the floor, then back on his haunches he sat. And all night long you could hear him roar, ‘Bring on the goddam cat!’ An Englishman, a Scotsman and an Irishman each order a Guiness in a pub. Upon being served, each finds a fly in their beer. Repulsed, the Englishman sends his back. The Scotsman gently flicks the fly out of his mug and begins drinking. The Irishman, carefully lifts the fly up by its wings and screams, “Spit it out! Spit it out!” May the good Lord take a liking to you... But not too soon! An Irishman’s Philosophy In life, there are only two things to worry about... Either you are well or you are sick. If you are well, there is nothing to worry about, But if you are sick, there are only two things to worry about... Either you will get well or you will die. If you get well, there is nothing to worry about, But if you die, there are only two things to worry about... Either you will go to heaven or hell. If you go to heaven, there is nothing to worry about. And if you go to hell, you’ll be so busy shaking hands with all your friends You won’t have time to worry!

Irish Wishes

As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction. The greatest love, above all loves, Even greater than that of a mother, Is the tender, passionate, undying love Of one beer drunken slob for another. There once was a fellow McSweeny Who spilled some gin on his weenie Just to be couth He added vermouth Then slipped his girlfriend a martini There once was a fellow O’Doole Who found little red spots on his tool His Doctor a cynic said Get out of me clinic, And wipe off that lipstick you fool! Patrick O’Malley hoisted his beer and said: “Here’s to spending the rest of me life between the legs of me wife!” - and he took home the top prize for the best toast of the night. In bed later that night, he told his wife: “Mary, I won the prize for the best toast of the night.” She said, “Aye, Paddy, what was your toast?” So he told her: “Here’s to spending the rest of me life sitting in church beside me wife.” “Oh,” she said, “that is very nice, dear.” The next day, Mary ran into one of Paddy’s drinking partners in the street. Mischievously, the man said: “Did you hear about your husband winning a prize in the pub the other night for a toast about you, Mary?” She replied: “Aye - and I was a bit surprised. Till now, he’s only been down there twice. Once he fell asleep, and the other time I had to pull him by the ears to make him come”. ThunderRoadsTexas.com

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Biker Friendly

Listed here are businesses that are SERIOUS about serving the Texas Motorcycle Community. The list is set up in categories. Regional and Metro information is included. An “*” means the location is a Thunder Roads Texas distribution point. Visit ThunderRoadsTexas.com to find a full listing of distribution points. Tell them you saw them in Thunder Road Texas!

Accessories & Parts * Stitches 1308 Hwy 6 South Houston, TX 77077 281.558.8572 Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

Entertainment/Bands * Mean Gene Kelton 901 N Gaillard Baytown, TX 77520 713-866-4872 www.meangenerocks.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston Outlaw Dave Productions www.outlawnation.us PO Box 25028 Houston, TX 77265

Apparel & Leather Goods * Affordable Leather Company 3302 N Midkiff Rd Midland, TX 79705 432.699.0775 www.affordable-leather-wtx.com Region: Panhandle Closest Metro: Midland/Odessa * Big Mike’s Apparel 5014 Luella Dr Deer Park, TX 77536 713.941.8080 www.bigmikesapparel.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston * Moto Liberty - Dallas 11441 N Stemmons Fwy, Ste 201 Dallas, TX 75229 972.243.5995 www.motoliberty.com Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Dallas/Ft Worth * PitStop 13028 Hwy 21 West Austonio, TX 75835 936.661.7518 Region: Piney Woods Closest Metro: Bryan/College Station * The Hog Pound 13710 RR 12, #4 Wimberley, TX 78676 512.847.3444 www.thehogpound.com Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: Austin

Bars & Restaurants * Alamo Bar & Grill 7846 Fallbrook Dr Houston, TX 77086 281.537.7647 www.myspace.com/houstonsalamo Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston * Bully’s Grill 8542 Seymour Hwy Wichita Falls, TX 76310 940.689.9195 www.bullysgrill.com Region: Panhandle Closest Metro: Wichita Falls

* Concert Pub North 2470 FM 1960 West Houston, TX 77068 281.583.8111 www.theconcertpub.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston 3rd Thursday BIKE NIGHT is qualified Points Across Texas event. * Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop Bent Rim Grill 657 West Ranch Rd Leakey, TX 78873 830.232.6629 www.friocanyonmotorcycleshop.biz www.bentrimgrill.com Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: San Antonio Also a Points Across Texas GOLD Destination * Hawg Stop 11335 Sheldon Rd Houston, TX 77044 281.456.7867 www.hawgstop.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston * Jailhouse Saloon 310 Preston Spring, TX 77373 281.288.0255 www.jailhousesaloontx.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston * Loading Dock 504 25th St Galveston, TX 77550 409.765.5155 www.theloadingdockbikerbar.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston * Noah’s Ark Bar & Grill 4438 Boulevard St Bacliff, TX 77518 281.339.2895 www.noahsarkbarandgrill.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston * Rolling Thunder Bar & Grill 6441 County Rd 2173 Fluvanna, TX 79517 325.573.HAWG (4294) www.rollingthunderbarandgrill.com Region: Panhandle Closest Metro: Lubbock

* VIP Apparel 504 25th St Galveston, TX 77550 713.478.0592 www.vipbikerapparel.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

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* Choppers 18419 Kuykendahl Spring, TX 281.251.1673 www.chopperssportsbar.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston 1st Thursday BIKE NIGHT is qualified Points Across Texas event.

March 2011

* Rons Relay Retreat 36009 Howell Rd Waller, TX 77484 713.204.8333 www.ronsrelay.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston * RPM’s Bar 26210 FM 2978 Magnolia, TX 77354 713.557.1103 Region: Piney Woods Closest Metro: Houston

* Scooters & Shooters 525 E Hwy 29 Bertram, TX 78605 512.355.8070 Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: Austin * West of the Brazos 23220 Hwy 36 Damon, TX 77430 979.742.3100 www.myspace.com/westofthebrazos Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston * Yankee’s Tavern 8703 Ada Oaks Ln Anderson, TX 77830 936.873.3314 www.yankeestavern.com Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Bryan/College Station

Biker Churches Be the FIRST! Call 281.866.8149 or email shelly@thunderroadstexas.com

Dealerships & Shops * Barnett Harley-Davidson 8272 Gateway Blvd. East El Paso, TX 79907 800.453.1513 www.barnettharley.com Region: Big Bend Closest Metro: El Paso * Corpus Christi Harley-Davidson 502 Padre Island Dr Corpus Christi, TX 78408 361-854-3146 www.corpuschristiharley.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Corpus Christi * Cowboy’s Alamo City H-D 11005 IH 35 North San Antonio, TX 78233 800.397.7875 www.cowboysalamocityharley.com Region: South Texas Closest Metro: San Antonio * Cycle Heaven 3770 Hwy 69 N Lufkin, TX 75904 936.634.8404 www.cycleheaventx.com Region: Piney Woods Closest Metro: Tyler * Flying V Creations 1903 College Ave Snyder, TX 79549 325.436.0197 www.myspace.com/flyingvcreations Region: Panhandle Closest Metro: Lubbock * Frisco Custom Cycles 6427 Main St Frisco, TX 75034 214.387.0650 www.friscocustomcycles.com Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Dallas/Ft Worth Also a Points Across Texas GOLD Destination * Goe Harley-Davidson 1350 S 288B Angleton, TX 77515 281.393.1000 www.goeharley-davidson.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston Also a Points Across Texas GOLD Destination

* Gruene Harley-Davidson 1288 Loop 337 New Braunfels, TX 78130 830.624.2473 www.grueneharley.com Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: San Antonio * Harley-Davidson of Kingwood 111 Northpines Dr Kingwood, TX 77339 281.358.0457 www.kingwoodharley.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston * Harley-Davidson of Waco 4201 S Jack Kultgen Expy Waco, TX 76706 254-753-0393 www.hdwaco.com Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Waco * Houston Motorsports North 9550 FM 1960 West Houston, TX 77070 281.890.2020 www.houstonyamaha.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston * Javelina Harley-Davidson 29078 I-10 West Boerne, TX 78006 800-860-9696 www.javelinaharleydavidson.com Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: San Antonio * Legacy Harley-Davidson 12100 W Hwy 80 East Odessa, TX 79765 800.788.6921 www.legacyh-d.com Region: Big Bend Closest Metro: Midland/Odessa * Longhorn Harley-Davidson 2830 West I-20 Grand Parairie, TX 75052 972.988.1903 www.longhornhd.com Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Dallas/Ft Worth * Lubbock Custom Motorcycles 11804 South University #A Lubbock, TX 79423 806.745.7167 www.lubbockcustommotorcycles.com Region: Panhandle Closest Metro: Lubbock * Mancuso Harley Davidson - Crossroads 12710 Crossroads Park Dr Houston, TX 77065 281.970.9700 www.mancusocrossroads.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston * Motorcycle Tire Shop 1917 S Hackberry San Antonio, TX 78210 210.533 BIKE (2453) www.motorcycle-superstore.com Region: South Texas Closest Metro: San Antonio * Phantom Rider Choppers 6535 West Hwy 46 New Braunfels, TX 78132 830.228.4606 www.phantomriderchoppers.com Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: San Antonio

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* Potterosa Cycles & ATVs 19447 FM 1485 New Caney, TX 77357 832.971.3728 Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston * Southern Metal Choppers 11116 Middle Fiskville Rd, Ste E Austin, TX 78753 512.833.5044 www.southernmetalchoppers.com Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: Austin * Team Mancuso Powersports Southwest 7537 Southwest Fwy Houston, TX 77074 713.995.9944 www.tmpsw.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston * Thunder Alley Cycles 416 NE Wilshire Blvd Burleson, TX 76028 817.295.0955 www.thunderalleycycles.com Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Dallas/Ft Worth * Yamaha of San Antonio 15664 I-35 Selma, TX 78154 210.655.2625 www.kentpowersports.com Region: South Texas Closest Metro: San Antonio

Insurance & Attorneys * Ball Insurance 416 S Main St Highlands, TX 77562 800.444.7014 www.ballins.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

* Farrar & Ball Law Firm; Law Tigers 1010 Lamar, Ste 1600 Houston, TX 77002 713.221.8300 www.lawtigers.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

Mission Wrecker 4535 FM 1516 North Converse, TX 78109 210.341.0333 www.missionwrecker.com Region: South Texas Closest Metro: San Antonio

* Insurance Lady Agency 642 W Rhapsody, Ste A San Antonio, TX 78216 210.403.2216 www.insuranceladyinc.com Region: South Texas Closest Metro: San Antonio

Be the FIRST! Call 281.866.8149 or email shelly@thunderroadstexas.com

n Walker Texas Lawyer 1924 Portsmouth Houston, TX 77098 713.552.1117 www.walkertexaslawyer.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

Motorcycle Safety Clubs & Organizations Be the FIRST! Call 281.866.8149 or email shelly@thunderroadstexas.com

Travel/Tourism Info Motorcycle-Maps.us 1084 Blackstone Rd Sanford, NC 27330 www.motorcycle-maps.us

Miscellaneous * Barry Claffey - Mullis A/C Houston, TX 281.468.5819 Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

Tattoo Shops Be the FIRST! Call 281.866.8149 or email shelly@thunderroadstexas.com

Lodging & Campgrounds * Dâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Rose Inn & Cabins Highway 83/Market St Leakey, TX 78873 830.232.5246 www.droseinn.com Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: San Antonio Also a Points Across Texas GOLD Destination

Motorcycle Towing * Dragonstar Motorcycle Transportation PO Box 444 Bryan, TX 77806 281.935.8890 www.getaride.net Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Bryan/College Station

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

March 2011

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Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

March 2011

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