Thunder Roads Texas - December 2011 by Thunder Roads Texas

The MOST Comprehensive Event Listing Published in Texas!

Breaking Bread on America’s Back Roads

December 2011 ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Also Inside:

 2011 Fall Rally Season  Ride Map: Texas Hill Country

Lights the Way to Christmas

Contents 

December 2011 On the Cover 26 Breaking Bread on America’s Back Roads With the “Hairy Bikers” of History Channel This Month 14

2011 Fall Rally Season

Regular Features 6

From the Editor

PigTrails: Back Roads, Jingle Bells & Boots

Two Wheel Thunder TV Review: Stinger Windshields

Pink Thunder: Texas Legislative Update for Bikers

Ride Map: Texas HIll Country Lights the Way to Christmas

Snapshots from Points Across Texas

30 32

ThunderCam Joker’s Wild

NE W

Resources 19

Event Listing

CENTER - Pull-Out December 2011 Calendar 35

28 34

Biker Friendly Listing

On the cover: Bill Allen and Paul Patranella of the History Channel’s new show “Hairy Bikers” (in America). You can see them Friday nights at 9:00pm Texas-time. Photo by Bob Cooney.

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

Bonnie Estes - Austin/Hill Country AngelWing1555@yahoo.com 512.673.6679

Reynolds Mansson - Statewide M2Motomedia@gmail.com 210.259.9916

Linda Morris - Houston tatewaci3322@msn.com 713.897.9109

Bill “Shovelhead” Barnes - Houston ThunderRoadsBill@yahoo.com 321.960.6161 Justin Turnage - DFW jtrockone8@gmail.com 254.205.1447

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

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

Angela Epperson - Waco/DFW AJoyEpperson@aol.com 254.493.3830 James Williams - San Antonio/Hill Country James@TexasMotorcycleAdventures.com 830.708.6198

IN MEMORIAM

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.

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

Amy Conklin - Houston TRM.Amy@gmail.com 832.498.6693 Bob Engler - Plano/DFW Trip@BlackBettysBlog.com 302.229.4156

FEATURE WRITERS

“Crazy Al” - PigTrails; Peggy Beck - Two Wheel Thunder TV Reviews; Joni “Even Meaner” Kelton, Brandy “Tex” Valdez, Terri Williams (TMRA2) Calendar Photos & Other Photography Work Lonn Hafferty Black Chair Photography

CORRESPONDENTS 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; Shelly “Cricket” Beatty - Spring Branch; Sir Richard Vance - Corpus Christi; Randy McCamey - West Texas; Don Brewer - Livingston; Pete Martinez - Houston; Jason English - Piney Woods; Sean Kester - D/ FW; Roger Bowles - Waco; Lonnie & Pam Fitch - Galveston; Donny Phillips - LaPorte

Here we are… it’s the end of the year and boy, did 2011 go by fast! As we go to print, we’re still in “warmer” weather here in Houston. But I’m sure by the time this issue hits the shelves the northern part of the state will be well into winter weather. Texas is blessed in so many ways… and year-round (for most) riding weather is one of those blessings. We hope the economy isn’t keeping you from the roads. Be sure to visit our advertisers when out-and-about… and make sure they know you see them in the magazine. For those who frequent places that don’t carry Thunder Roads Texas… tell them they should! We are supported solely by advertisers. Without them, we couldn’t bring this magazine to you FREE OF CHARGE. We close out this year with great expectations for 2012. Our Reader Survey will close December 10th (Midnight), so if you haven’t taken it yet, please visit our website for a link to complete it online. For those who provide their email address and phone number, you will be entered into a drawing for a free weekend at Koyote Ranch in the Texas Hill Country. The survey responses are confidential. They are used solely for helping us plan for the future and understand our readership. All email addresses and phone numbers provided are used solely for the purpose of contacting the winner. No information is sold or allowed to be used by anyone. As we go to print, the preliminary responses are very good. We appreciate the nice comments and the constructive criticism. But one of the coolest things… we like knowing that, overall, our readers really like the magazine! This month, we’re excited to bring you the stars of the newest hit show on the History Channel, Bill Allen and Paul Patranella – the American “Hairy Bikers”! We sat with these guys for a couple of hours and I can tell you – they are the same men in person as they are depicted on TV. These are real Texas bikers that have been riding together for more than 20 years and make the best duo I’ve watched in a long time. If you haven’t seen their show yet – be sure to catch it on the History Channel or through Hulu online. They’re truly fun to watch! We also provide a photo wrap up of the fall events we’ve either sponsored or participated in. We haven’t gotten all the correspondents’ pictures, so we’ll give you more in January. If you have pictures from events, rides, or rallies, please feel free to share. We may use them in an article or we may use them in the Thunder Cam page. We’re working out details of the new, but still ever so popular, Points Across Texas program for 2012. Watch for the new information in January’s issue. In the meantime, check out our Snapshots from Points Across Texas feature to see who won this year’s drawing for the weekend at Koyote Ranch. The drawing may be done – but we still have patches and it’s not too late to earn yours! Check out the details online at ThunderRoadsTexas.com or on our Facebook page (Facebook.com/ ThunderRoadsTexas). We’re excited to announce our new motorcycle mobile app, now available for IPhones and Android phones, coming soon for Blackberry. You can download this app for FREE. For advertisers, this is a new opportunity to reach your targeet audience. Current advertisers are getting access free or at discounted pricing (contact our office for more information - limited time availablility only). Listing of events and advertising specials - all at the toucgh of a finger while on the road! So, as we head into 2012, we wish all our readers a very Merry Christmas and the best of New Years’! Ride safe... and ride with THUNDER! Shelly “TX Dragonfly” Horan Editor / Owner Shelly@ThunderRoadsTexas.com Owner, Top of Mind Marketing Top.of.Mind.Marketing@gmail.com

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December 2011

ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

December 2011

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Back Roads, Jingle Bells, and Boots! ust the words “back-road” gives me visions of the road less traveled; the kind that you might pass a single car every 20 minutes. The kind where the landscape is better than a garage sale oil painting! The home of Texas longhorns and occasionally you get a good look at a heard of magnificent buffalo. Rolling hills that put a smile on your face because you know the road ahead is about to turn into your own personal playground! Some twist and turn, some swoop and sweep, but all of them will make you forget all about the water bill that was due two days ago. I love the roads that climb upward till you reach the crest. Once there it looks like you can see the whole State of Texas. If the spot is just right I will usually find a place to pull over and take a nice break just to take it all in just a little bit longer! The air is fresh and clean. The smells are like standing in a pineapple field. It smells so sweet you can damn near taste it! Even that pasture smell ain’t bad. It basically means that you are nowhere near the city! Which is fine by me! It’s called country. I love being in the country. Texas has it all when it comes to back roads. You have the mountains of Big Bend National Park. My favorite road would have to be 170. It runs from Terlingua, heading north up to Presidio. The beautiful Rio Grande is to your left and the mountains are on your right! This road will take your breath away. The countryside in this area just makes you feel like you have traveled back in time to the old west. Can’t wait for the next trip to the Bend! If you live in Texas you have to take a ride to the Hill Country. There are so many great roads in this area you could write a travel book on how to hit them all. One of my favorites by far is one of the smaller ones. It’s called the Willow City Loop. Just north of Fredericksburg on Highway 16, there is a small turn off on to 1323…. you are now on the Loop! It’s a small road and you can’t travel very fast. This is the kind of road where you want to take your time and just take it all in! It’s as crooked as a snake, with great twists and turns. There is even a water crossing or two but they’re not deep at all; it just adds to the excitement. Cattle is free to roam out here, so it’s not uncommon to come across a bull or a cow taking a nap right in the middle of the road… Awesome! If you haven’t already, you have to hit the Loop next time you’re in the hill country – or ride it again. Christmas is coming up soon! I think Santa Clause road a Harley-Davidson. Because the best time of the year to get free stuff is when it’s cold outside! Hell yea let’s start making out our wish list! This is a very simple task for bikers. There are a few things that you can never have too many of. Gloves, vests, jackets… but there are a few things I feel should be on the top of every cold weather rider list, like a tube turtle skin neck and face warmer. Greatest gift I ever received! They only run about $12 and are number one on my stay warm list. The rest of your body might be a little chilly but not your face! How about a new pair of flannel-lined blue jeans? I find most bikers don’t even know about them! With a good pair of these you can save the chaps for the really cold days. They are soft and comfortable beyond belief. All I have to do is feel even a chill in the air and I am headed for the closet! Best place to pick these babies up is either Cabela’s sporting goods store or Bass Pro Shops. Believe it or not Page 8

December 2011

they are not that expensive compared to the designer brand jeans out there. Mine cost me around $35. I am obsessed with gloves. I have a pair for every type of weather you are going to encounter. Nothing feels better than a great pair of gloves. Gloves can expensive but this is one area of riding gear that I would take the hit and spend a little more money. Think about it… it’s what you hang on to your bike with. About a year ago I got my first IPhone. I found out real quick that you cannot control an IPhone with gloves on. At first I was devastated but at that very moment the red neck engineer side of my brain kicked in. At first you would think this is a stupid idea but in the end it was brilliant! Drum roll please! I took some older gloves and cut a tiny piece of the end of one of the fingers off. I could market these… IPhone gloves. Don’t go telling a bunch of people because this is my idea. Okay, you can cut your own gloves if you want. It’s still my idea dammit! Last but not least let’s talk boots! If you’re from Texas it is un-American not to own a pair of boots! They are as comfortable as any pair of tennis shoes you will ever own. Spend the money here! Cheap boots will make you pay for a bad decision. Expensive boots will be with you for a very long time. Cowboy boots make incredible motorcycle boots

but you have to make sure and get the right soles. My wife bought me a pair a couple of years ago. She was smart because she got together with the salesman and explained to him exactly what I was going to be doing with them. I ended up with a very classic pair of awesome cowboy boots but they have a great rubber sole like a work boot. No slips and no slides. Ya gotta love boots! I do wish all of you a wonderful and safe holiday season! I hope you get all the new toys on your Santa Clause list. I hope you get to spend time with the people you love the most. I pray that all the toy runs generate huge crowds to benefit the less fortunate. And I hope you get to RIDE! The best thing about living in the great State of Texas is it can still be 79 and sunny on a late December day! And as always the adventure of riding is to ride another day! Happy Holidays! From Crazy Al #55 and Paula

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ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

December 2011

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Stinger Windshield for Harley-Davidson Motorcycles ikers are as hard to please about custom parts on their motorcycles as musicians are about their music. Our colleague Rick Fox is both an avid rider and musician. He is the former key board player for David Bowie and current music supervisor for the movie “Easy Rider: The Ride Back”. We asked Rick to assist us on this review and he really said it all when he summed it up, “This thing is really cool!!”, but he said so much more… The physics involved in the quest for the perfect windshield make it almost impossible for just one style to do all things. In order to get the drop dead gorgeous looks of the Stinger you may have to give up a little of that “long road trip” comfort. But once you see the way the Stinger looks on the bike, it’s hard to take it back off. Rick says, “Rather than do that I just wear my helmet with the face visor on it and I’m good to go.”

is removable in just seconds, without tools, thanks to National Cycle’s Quick Release Mount Kit! The highly regarded Quick Release Mount Kit is the same for the SwitchBlade® and Spartan® Windshields, so you not only have a choice between riding with or without a windshield — you also have a choice between completely different styles of quick release shields! And what do riders like almost as much as chrome? Freedom, variety, and options! For security, the exclusive SwitchBlade® Keylock is featured on all SwitchBlade 2-Up®, Chopped™ and Shorty® windshields for Harley-Davidson® motorcycles. So when your SwitchBlade is on your bike and you’re not,

The Stinger has great quality materials and finish. Actually it is the toughest windshield material available! It is 4.0mm Lexan® dark tint polycarbonate with FMR hard coating for excellent scratch resistance. It is DOT/ABE approved and covered by National Cycle’s 3-year unbreakable warranty. The Quick Release Mount Kit is made from stainless steel and chrome plated steel hardware. It couldn’t be easier to install and the spools, washers, etc. could have been put right on a custom bike. They look great. It fits your front end like a glove. The fitment is perfect as a result of the rake adjustment. You can make it sit right in the sweet spot. Whether it’s slammed back or raked up, the Stinger’s sleek styled lines capture the spirit of Harley. Its jet streamed looks come from National Cycle’s attention to aerodynamics and precision forming. He was concerned that putting this on the bike would mean giving up the stock windshields, but the screws that were included with the spools were long enough that the stock rubber Harley “spools” fit right up against the Nacelle and put the Stinger “spools” on top of them. This provides the option of switching between the Stinger and the stock Harley windshield in an instant. The windshield

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simply lock the windshield in place and remove the key! National Cycle has been around since 1937. It began in Chicago, Illinois as National Cycle Center, founded by Mr. Gordon Willey (1903-1988). They are the world leader in windshield manufacturing, with more distribution than any other in the world. They are original equipment manufacturer (OEM) supplier to BMW, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, Polaris, Suzuki, Triumph, and Yamaha. For more information on the Stinger and other quick release windshield options offered by National Cycle, visit their website at NationalCycle.com.

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ThunderRoadsTexas.com

EVENT

Texas Legislative Update for Bikers Terri Williams - TMRA2, State Secretary & Legislative Task Force

he Texas Motorcycle Safety Coalition (TMSC) includes many groups and state agencies like The Texas Transportation Institute, Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT), Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) Motorcycle Division, Motorcycle Rider Training groups, motorcycle rights groups like the Texas Motorcycle Rights Association (TMRA2), and independent riders. The TMSC met in November to discuss positive changes to move the agenda forward to help reduce motorcycle injuries here in the state of Texas.

We are finally off the helmet issue and onto preventing accidents entirely. TXDOT has announced their 2010 statistics. These show that since the passage of SB1967 deaths and injuries have decreased in Texas. You can also thank the US Defenders for their many calls to action to enforce the law if someone kills a biker. This means for the first time in Texas history we are actually reducing our accidents involving bikes two years in a row. Job well done! Now it’s on to saving more lives, because even one death on a bike is too many.

then go take the test and get your license. However, for those with a trike, you have to take the riding course, then mail in a statement to the state with documentation of the course, indicating that your vehicle is a trike. After several weeks, you finally get a new license with the endorsement. The suggestion that the TMRA2 will work on next year is to change the code internally through the DPS process, so there is no need to reopen the Motorcycle Safety Law SB1967. You can visit the Texas State Legislature website for details legis.state.tx.us.

We are pleased to announce that the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) received four grants for various motorcycle safety issues. A total of $733,000 in grant money was received for the TTI to use and do crash studies.

Another issue discussed at the TMSC meeting was the round-about way of obtaining a motorcycle endorsement from the DPS when you ride a trike. Currently, it’s not as easy as getting one for a bike. For a regular bike, you take the motorcycle course (now required for the endorsement),

If you want more information on what you can do to help change the laws to make it safer to ride the Texas roadways, visit TMRA2.org.

TTI Motorcycle Projects FY 2011-2012 Evaluation of the Measures and the Development of a Plan to Reduce the Number and Mitigate the Severity of Crashes Involving Motorcyclists on Texas Highways The goal of this project is to develop a broad-based plan that includes countermeasure and outreach activities to prevent and/or mitigate motorcycle crashes and associated injuries and fatalities in Texas. Project tasks include a review of ITS technologies; analysis of crash data; identifying outreach strategies to promote safe riding; identifying countermeasures to reduce motorcycle crashes; and develop a plan for TXDOT to effectively measure and track implemented countermeasures and programs. Statewide Motorist Awareness and Motorcyclist Safety Outreach Under this grant, TTI will conduct a statewide public information and educational outreach campaign geared toward motorists and motorcyclists. Activities include updating outreach materials; re-ordering promotional materials for the “Share the Road” “Ride Safe” and Drink.Ride.Lose. campaigns; providing support for the Texas Motorcycle Safety Coalition; maintaining the state motorcycle safety website, LookLearnLive.org; printing and distribution of “Share the Road” yard signs; outreach activities to promote motorist awareness of motorcycles and motorcyclists safety at public events and motorcycle gatherings; and evaluating the effectiveness of the outreach activities.

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Texas Law Enforcement Motorcycle Safety and Enforcement Training Course: Web-based Conversion TTI will assist TXDOT in expanding the course messages to a larger number of law enforcement agencies more efficiently. To that end, TTI will convert the course curriculum (developed under a previous grant) into a web-based training program Increasing Recruitment/Retention of Motorcyclist Safety Training Instructors TTI will work with TX DPS Motorcycle Safety Unit and TXDOT to deliver eight regionally diverse professional development workshops; produce four on-bike training videos; and prepare a working demo for a web-based instructor certification program that provides the instructor access & the ability to issue a “certificate of completion”. There are many other things involving motorcycle accident prevention the grants will cover and all the information will be reported at the Texas Motorcycle Safety Forum. The Forum will be held in College Station in February of 2012. For more information on the grants and other efforts to educate drivers, go to LookLearnLive.org

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ThunderRoadsTexas.com

EVENT

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

December 2011

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The Fall 2011 Rally Season was very busy for Thunder Roads. We sponsored 15 events across the great State of Texas and our correspondents attended another 5. Here, we offer just a snippet of our attendance and the biker fun that was in full force this beautiful fall. ENJOY!

Sponsored by

een twelve long hours in the sadddle pard’

My mount’s frame is rigid an’ ‘er tail is hard An I need a fire fer my coffee pot An’ to give ‘er a rest, so I pick a spot

slept by the fire & it shore wuz fine

Curled all up in that bedroll o’ mine

An’ this mornin’ wuz cold to my hoss’s heart Took three solid kicks to make her start

1,300 bikes led by Outlaw Dave, “Chibbs” from the Sons of Anarchy and Shelly Horan with Thunder Roads Texas; Landing at the reserved parking on Harborside at the Lone Star Rally; Raising more than $20,000 for the Stevens & Pruitt Ranch.

ut she came to life fer a day on the trail

I believe, if I asked her, she’d take me thru hell She’s a trusty critter thru thick an’ thin

Tho’ a bit on’ree ever now ‘n then ut a twist to ‘er ear is like a slap on ‘er ass

You can hear ‘er heart beat as miles go past

Yeah this beauty I’m a ridin’ is as flesh & bone Just two foot tall at the saddle an’ she’s full grown Linda Nilsson, TRT Correspondent, attended her first “adult” rally; Most photos can’t be printed (!); Vendors; bands; Fun & naughty contests; A weekend full of fun!

a’ see - Milwaukee Iron is the hoss I ride Can’t be beat, tho many have tried

Some say I’m a modern cowboy with the wind in my ears I ride fer a day & then sip a few beers

n’ the life that I live - nomadic at best Watchin’ the sun as it comes to a rest

An I do put faith in my trusty ol’ steed The cowboy & the biker - brothers indeed

 Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

Derek Anderson Duncan * “The Texas Tumbleweed” 606 Mollie Lane, Marshall, Texas 75672 903.930.5115 * TexasTumbleweedPoetry.com December 2011

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EVENTS Page 18

December 2011

ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Event Listing

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

DECEMBER m

Progressive International Motorcycle Show MotorcycleShows.com Dallas Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

San Angelo Toys for Tots Motorcycle Run TexasGreenKnights.org San Angelo Region: Panhandle Metro: San Angelo

11th Annual Parker County Toy Run 817.800.8158 Weatherford Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Texoma Toys for Tots Bike Run TexomaHD.com Sherman Region: Metro:

13th Annual Motorcycle Toy Run CityOfLewisville.com Lewisville Region: Metro:

December 4

19th Annual Custom Specialists Toy Run 409.935.9873 La Marque Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston

3rd Annual Run for the Hills WildChildCycle.net Saginaw Region: Metro: 44th Annual Monty Mann Memorial Run 210.661.4072 Kirby Region: Metro: 5th Annual Navarro County Toy Run 903.251.9002; 903.641.982 Corsicana Region: Metro: 6th Annual Buddy Oney Toy Run 512.540.2561; 512.446.2821 Rockdale Region: Metro: DFW Toys for Tots Motorcycle Run DFW-TFT-MR.org McKinney Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

12th Annual Blacksheep MC Toy Run 214.384.8796; 214.707.3358 Seagoville Region: Metro:

4th Annual Gruene HOG Toy Run GrueneHarley.com New Braunfels Region: Hill Country Metro: San Antonio 8th Annual Butch Adkison Memorial Toy Run 903.829.2147 Canton Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

12th Annual Wise County Toy Run WCToyRun.com Decatur Region: Metro:

9th Annual Kaufman County Toy Run CossacksMC.net 903.268.5832; 817.225.8046 Tyler Region: Piney Woods Metro: Tyler

23rd Annual Austin Toy Run 512.600.7891 Austin Region: Hill Country Metro: Austin

Toy Run for High Sky Children’s Ranch LegacyH-D.com Odessa Region: Panhandle Metro: Midland/Odessa

28th Annual Johnson County Toy Run JohnsonCountyToyRun.com Fort Worth Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth 32nd Annual SJHR NW Houston Toy Run NWSJHR.com Houston Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston Longriders MC 26th Annual Toy Run LongRidersMotorcycleClubOfTyler.org Tyler Region: Piney Woods Metro: Tyler

10th Annual Mission Road Development Center Toy Run BKTX12.com San Antonio Region: South Texas Metro: San Antonio

Thunder Roads Texas BIKE NIGHT & Christmas Party [NOTE: It’s early this month!] ThunderRoadsTexas.com Houston Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston This month, we’ll have some special activities for Christmas… at our monthly biker party with a few hundred of our closest friends! 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!

Continued on Page 22...

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

December 2011

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EVENTS

Will Rogers Complex. Bargains on motorcycle parts; cold beer, door prizes; parts & party! $8 Adults; $5 Military/Kids 5-14; Under 5 FREE. Show hours: 11am-5:30pm. Vendor booth space only $40. Call 254.687.9066 or visit the website for more information.

Fort Worth Bikers’ Chrismas Swap Meet TexasScooter.com Fort Worth Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

14th Annual Santa Cop Toy Parade CrossRoadRidersOfMesquite.com Mesquite Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

2nd Annual Toys for Tots East TX Toy Run ToysForTotsEastTexasToyRun.com Point Blank Region: Metro:

18th Annual Toys for Tots Toy Run & Bike Giveaway ToysForTotsToyRun.com Pasadena Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston Bring a new, unwrapped toy for a $10 donation and ride in this event benefiting the USMC Toys for Tots Foundation. Bikes meet at Walter Hall Park in League City at 10:30am for a ride to Campbell Hall on the Pasadena Rodeo Grounds. The toy drive runs from 11am-6pm with all kinds of fun activities. The annual drawing to give away a 2012 Harley-Davidson FXDF Fat Bob will be held at the Fairgrounds. Tickets are only $20/each. Limited number available. Sponsored by Thunder Roads!

2-4

3 10 17 24 31

Wednesday January 2012

Tuesday

November 2011

Monday 1

Thursday 2

Friday

Photo by Black Chair Photography * BlackChairPhoto.com

December 2011

Saturday 4

Renegade Calendar Girls Spring

Fort Worth Bikersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Christmas Swap Meet Fort Worth

Sunday

26 29

15 Thunder Roads Texas BIKE NIGHT & Christmas Party Houston

New Years’ Biker Bash Rosharon

NEW YEAR’S EVE

CHRISTMAS EVE

Toys for Tots Toy Run & Bike Giveaway Pasadena

CHRISTMAS DAY

Multiple-day events appear on the first day of event. For details on these and other events, see our Event Listing, Page 23.

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

HOG Toy Run Delivery TheHarleyShopInc.com Longview Region: Piney Woods Metro: Longview Big Texas Toy Run TheBigTexasToyRun.com Fort Worth – Multiple Starting Points Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth New Year Bash 281.595.2121 Rosharon Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston Join the Iron Hawg Saloon to celebrate the coming of the New Year – BIKER STYLE! Live music by Soulful Tears. C over: $25/couple; $20/single. Includes party favors and midnight toast!

EVENTS

Toys for Tots Toy & Poker Run HDWaco.com 254.753.0393 Waco Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Waco

EvenT Listing H

... continued

NEXT YEAR

January 15 Swap Meet & Chopper Show TexasScooter.com Dallas Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth Admission only $8 adults; $5 kids (5-14) & Military; Kids under 5 FREE. Lots of vendors! Booth space goes fast, so reserve today. Only $40 for 10x10 space and includes one admission. Mail payment to Texas Scooter Times, 124 West Main St, Itasca, TX 76055. Payment must be received one week in advance. Walk-in vendors are welcome, but beware… reserve early to guarantee space. March 9-18 Daytona Bike Week DaytonaBikeWeek.com Daytona, FL March 16-18 South Texas Motorcycle Show TXBikeShow.com San Antonio Region: Hill Country Metro: San Antonio SPONSORED BY THUNDER ROADS TEXAS – more information to come. March 6-18 Blowouts Biker Bash BlowoutsBikerBash.com Hitchcock Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston SPONSORED BY THUNDER ROADS TEXAS – more information to come. March 28-April 1 Arizona Bike Week AZBikeWeek.com Scottsdale, AZ April 12-15 Carts, Bikers & Babes Rally CartsBikersAndBabesRally.com Somerville Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Bryan/College Station SPONSORED BY THUNDER ROADS TEXAS – more information to come. April 13-15 TMRA State Rally TMRA.org Comanche Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Abilene May 3-5 Texas State HOG Rally TXStateHOGRally.com Fort Worth Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

May 17-20 The Aspen Cash Rally MotorcycleRally.com Ruidoso, NM May 11-20 Myrtle Beach Bike Week MyrtleBeachBikeWeek.com Myrtle Beach, SC June 7-10 Republic of Texas (ROT) Biker Rally ROTRally.com Austin Region: Hill Country Metro: Austin June 9-17 Laconia Motorcycle Week LaconiaMCWeek.com Laconia, NH June 18 International Ride to Work Day RideToWork.org June 30 Allied Memorial Remembrance Ride AlliedRide.org Fort Worth Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth August 6-12 70th Annual Sturgis Bike Week Sturgis.com Sturgis, SD September 7-10 The Texas Rally TheTexasRally.com Somerville Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Bryan/College Station SPONSORED BY THUNDER ROADS TEXAS – more information to come. November 1-4 Lone Star Rally LoneStarRally.com Galveston Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston About Our EventListing: Basic Event listings are FREE. Premium Event Listings (bold and up to 75 word description) are only $45/month. Send your event to: events@thunderroadstexas.com. To be included in the print version, information must be received by the 10th of the month prior to the month in which the event is scheduled or the month before you wish a Premium Event Listing to appear. Events must have some motorcycle element. 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. You can always visit our website to download a list of the “next two weeks” events. 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.

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December 2011

ThunderRoadsTexas.com

EVENTS

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

December 2011

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Te x a s H i l l C ou n t ry

RIDE

MAP

By: Shelly Horan, Editor

t’s Christmas time and for most around the nation that means putting up the bikes and sheltering in place as the snow and sleet falls. Not in Texas… especially not in the Hill Country. With daytime temperatures well within riding range most of the season, we offer you the 12 Hill Country Destinations of Christmas. These communities participate in the annual Texas Hill Country Regional Christmas Lighting Trail. On our map we also include San Antonio and Austin. It’s the holiday season, so more is better, right? We’ve provided the route in the order of a round trip, starting and ending in San Antonio. There are plenty of hotel, bed and breakfast and/or guest house options in the Hill Country. So take a few days and enjoy all of these wonderful places full of small town charm and hospitality.

San A ntonio

If you haven’t been to San Antonio during the holidays, you are truly missing out on a treat. The Riverwalk is ablaze with lights dripping from the trees over the waterway and luminaries lining the walks. While walking the river wonderland, experience more than 185 school, church, company, and civic groups ringing in the holidays with traditional Christmas carols on cruising boats. Ford Holiday Boat Caroling: Nov 26-Dec 18, 9:30pm Ford Fiesta de las Luminaria: Dec 1-18, 7:00-10:00pm VisitSanAntonio.com

Bandera

The Old Bandera County Courthouse is lit to the hilt. Through most of December take pleasure in many different holiday activities, such as the Holiday Parade; the Cowboy Capital Christmas; the Annual Shoppers Jubilee, that sets up in front of the courthouse with shopping, children caroling, and a Living Nativity scene; “Singing in the Saddle” – Christmas caroling cowboy-style, on horseback and in wagons; and “Cowboys on Main”, offering strolling entertainers on Saturday afternoons. Cowboy Capital Christmas & Shoppers Jubilee: Dec 4, 4:30pm-9:00pm BanderaCowboyCapital.com Page 24

December 2011

igh ts t h e way to Boerne

Stroll through the quaint historic district of Boerne and enjoy turn of the century architecture adorned in shimmering lights. Partake of merriment at the Dickens on Main community event. Watch beautiful lighted floats proffered by community groups in the Wihnachts Fest Parade. And shop at the Boerne Market Days. Dickens on Main: Dec 2-3, 5:00-10:00pm (DickensOnMain.com) Weihnachts Fest Parade: Dec 3, 6:00-9:00pm Boerne Market Days: Dec 10-11, 10:00am-5:00pm VisitBoerne.org

Kerr v i l le

Along with the beautiful lighted displays that make this town part of the Texas Hill Country Regional Christmas Lighting Trail, enjoy “Christmas Like it Used to Be”. The Bank of the Hills offers the sights and sounds of the season presented by local artisans, complete with a roaring fireplace, cider, eggnog and fresh-baked cookies. And shop in an oldfashioned market on the square with over 75 vendors, just in time for Christmas, at the Kerr County Market Days. Kerr County Market Days: Dec 17, 9:00am-2:00pm Christmas Like it Used to Be: Dec 19-23, 12:00pm (830.895.2265) KerrvilleTexasCVB.com

Freder ick sburg

No trip to the Hill Country is complete without a visit to the “Heart of the Texas Hill Country”, and they know how to do Christmas; full of events and decorations flavored by the German heritage of the area. During the Christmas season, the Marketplatz (the town square, located at the heart of Main Street) is adorned with a 26-foot tall wooden Christmas pyramid, handcrafted in Germany; a Germanthemed Christmas tree; and an outdoor ice skating rink. Keeping with years of tradition, the buildings along Main Street in the town’s historic district are outlined in white lights. Fredericksburg is a Christmas shoppers’ paradise offering the unique St. Nikolausmarkt, a traditional German Christmas market.

C h r i st m a s

Christmas Parade: Dec 2 St. Nikolausmarkt at the Marketplatz: December 2-3 Christmas Home Tour: December 3 42nd Annual LBJ Tree Lighting at Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) State Park: December 18 VisitFredericksburgTX.com

Llano

The Christmas Lighting Committee and the City of Llano host “Starry, Starry Nights” on the banks of the Llano River. Stroll the lighted Christmas Park (Badu Park). Enjoy the thousands of lights and multitude of animated displays. Santa and Mrs. Santa visit the park Fridays and Saturdays. Sit on the curbside of the Courthouse Square and enjoy the Lighted Christmas Parade full of decorated floats offered by the local community. Or simply take the “Evening Christmas Stroll”, visiting the downtown churches. Starry, Starry Nights: Through Jan 15, 6:00-10:00pm Lighted Christmas Parade: Dec 3, 6:00pm Evening Christmas Stroll: Dec 7 LlanoChamber.org

Burnet

The Burnet County Courthouse lights up with thousands of twinkling white lights, along with giant garland, wreathes, and bows… just like a big Christmas present. Enjoy their Annual Christmas on the Square, complete with shopping, music, entertainment, and an evening parade. The ancient city of Bethlehem comes alive. Stroll its Main Street and witness what life may have been like in the village at the time of Christ’s birth. Authentically costumed townspeople bargain at the city market, draw water from the well, bake bread, and pay taxes to the tax collector. Travel to Fort Croghan and step back in time to the Fort’s first Christmas of October 1849. Experience the “settlers” as they offer music, merriment, and hot apple cider while you roam the luminary-lined paths. Annual Christmas on the Square: Dec, 10, 9:00am Christmas Parade: Dec 10, 5:30pm Main Street Bethlehem: First two weekends of December (FBCBurnet.org) .... more... ThunderRoadsTexas.com

“Catch the Spirit” at Ft. Crogham: Dec 10, 5:30-8:30pm BurnetChamber.org

M a r b l e Fa l l s

Imagine over one million twinkling lights on 130 sculptures reflecting on the sparkling waters of Lake Mable Falls. Meander the shoreline and enjoy the spirit of this smalltown community. This is the incredible Walkway of Lights, a self-guided winter wonderland tour. The lighting extravaganza is developed each year by hundreds of dedicated volunteers. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Then visit the local shops for more gift shopping! Walkway of Lights: Through Jan 1, 6:00-10:00pm MarbleFalls.org

Aust i n

The sight to see here is the Zilker Tree in Zilker Park. Started in 1967 by Mrs. Alden (Mabel) Davis, the tree was designed by City of Austin electricians. The tree stands 155 feet tall; is 380 feet in circumference at the base, with a diameter of 120 feet; has 39 streamers from the top, each holding 81 multi-colored, 25 watt bulbs and totaling 3,309 lights. At the top, a double star that measures 10 feet from point-to-point displays 150 frosted bulbs. A very impressive sight to behold.

Zilker Tree Lighting: Dec4, 6:00pm Holiday Sing-Along, Downtown Stroll & Capitol Tree Lighting: Dec 4, 6:00pm ci.Austin.TX.US/Zilker/zhtree

Dr ippi ng Spr i ngs

Best known for their Christmas Home Tour…. many of the residents in historic houses from the early years of Dripping Springs participate. They dress inside and outside for visitors’ enjoyment. And what small town isn’t complete without a Christmas shopping festival full of goodies and gifts? This year, they host their 7th Annual Christmas on Mercer Street. 7th Annual Christmas on Mercer Street: Dec 3, 10:00am-5:00pm Christmas Home Tour: Dec 10 (call 512.858.7825 for details) CityOfDrippingSprings.com

Johnson Cit y

This town offers the most light displays in the state, with millions of twinkles adorning local homes, businesses, and churches. Enjoy carriage rides through the illuminated streets of town and the Living Story of Christmas offered by the United Methodist Church. The current Blanco County Courthouse will be lit up with more than 100,000 lights and a short trip to the Pedernales Electric Co-op Headquarters with more than 1,000,000 bulbs. Living Story of Christmas: Dec 2-3, 9-10; every half hour 6:30-8:30pm JohnsonCity-Texas.com Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

Blanco

Visit downtown and enjoy the lighting of the shops on the square and the Old Blanco County Courthouse. Local musicians offer Holiday Music on the Square. More shopping opportunity abounds at their Annual Christmas Market Day. Then the community gathers for the annual Christmas Parade and an Evening on the Square. Holiday Music on the Square: Dec 3, 6:30pm Annual Christmas Market Day around the Square: Dec 10, 9:00am Christmas Parade & Evening on the Square: Dec 10, 6:30pm BlancoChamber.com

Wimberley

Celebrate an old fashioned Christmas in Wimberley with decorated shops and galleries, along with the traditional Lighted Christmas Parade. Shop the Lion’s Club Market Days and at the Winter’s Eve that also includes music, food, and other entertainment. End the evening at EmilyAnn Theatre and Gardens for their Trail of Lights display. It’s a magical place where nature and Christmas meet. Join others to warm up by the Yule Log while roasting marshmallows and singing carols. Trail of Lights: Through Dec 31, 5:00-8:00pm Lighted Christmas Parade: Dec 3, 6:00pm Lion’s Club Market Days: Dec 3 Winter’s Eve: Dec 10, 5:00-10:00pm VisitWimberley.com

New Braunfels

Enjoy another German-based community celebrating the holidays through their heritage. Like Wassail? Do you even know what Wassail is? It’s a mulled spice cider drink, served hot. You can try a variety of samplings offered along with entertainment and food, while strolling through decorated downtown at the “Wassailfest”. Nearby, more shopping at the Old Gruene Christmas Market Days Festival with the town lighting ceremony that includes shops, restaurant, entertainment, and craft vendors. Take kids to visit the “German” Santa at the Sophienburg Museum. Enjoy a Christmas Gospel Brunch with a Texas Twist at Gruene Hall. Or participate in the community gettogether, Caroling on the Plaza.

MAP

Along with the tree, Zilker Park is home to Austin’s Trail of Lights, a one-mile walk through brilliant lighted displays. And you can’t miss the offering of outrageous and quirky lighting displays on 37th Street; a walking wonderland!

RIDE

A replica Moonlight Tower becomes the “trunk” of this popular holiday spectacle. Moonlight Towers are a product of Austin’s first modern street lighting, one of the first American cities to do so. They get their name from the soft moonbeam effect. The tower lights were so effective, citizens claimed to be able to read their wrist watches from 1500 feet away! Today, 17 of the 31 original Moonlight Towers remain. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places and have been designated Historic Landmarks by the State of Texas.

Wassailfest: Dec 1 Old Gruene Christmas Market Days Festival: Dec 3-4 Christmas Gospel Brunch with a Texas Twist: Dec 11 Caroling on the Plaza: Dec 15 ci.New-Braunfels.TX.US If you haven’t noticed, aside from the Christmas display theme, there is also the theme of shopping! These destinations offer the last minute shopper the most nostalgic and magical way of completing family wish lists. So climb aboard your Steel Steed, decorated in Christmasbest; join in all the fun activities, sights and sounds, the Texas Hill Country Regional Lighting Trail has to offer. PS – SEND PICTURES!!

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Breaking Bread on America’s Back Roads

By Shelly Horan, Editor

So… you want to do a biker foodie show where two guys ride around looking for the most unique food and experiences America has to offer. How do you cast that?

With America’s “Hairy Bikers” stars Bill Allen & Paul Patranella

Paul is a classically trained four-star French Chef, having attended Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Austin. He’ll tell you the truth… “The law was on my [his] heels” as he headed straight to Austin after graduating from high school. His pedigree doesn’t stop there. After selling his own Bryan-based restaurant, he took a spin at the George Bush Presidential Library as head of catering. Yes, he’s served the former president and Barbara Bush, considering it one of the highlights of his career. Today, he has a bait and tackle shop in Bryan, where much of his family works with him. He brings the show culinary takes on the food they are presented. He’ll be the first to tell you he’s learned a lot of cooking techniques from this new show that differ greatly from his culinary education; what Bill calls “backyard cooking”. These two did not know each other growing up, but you’d swear they’ve known each other

You go to Texas and find Bill & Paul. Talk about the perfect pair! One is a long-time certified Harley-Davidson mechanic with his own shop. The other is a classically trained chef. Both ride, love food, and have been great friends for more than 20 years. Being Texas’ best motorcycle magazine (really, the only one that covers only Texas and/or Texas-based riders), we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to bring their story to our readers! “You know you’re making waves when you appear on South Park,” says Paul Patranella as he entered the shop the place was buzzing as we arrived to do our interview with America’s “Hairy Bikers”. They were spotted on the popular adult cartoon, South Park just the night before. So we were whisked away to a computer station to watch the snippet a friend had recorded for them. The scene: a young kid sitting in front of the TV, his dad telling him to change the channel to something more educational. The TV switches to the History Channel showing previews of upcoming shows and highlighted were Bill and Paul of History Channel’s new show, “Hairy Bikers”. The comment from the cartoon kid… “eewww”. If you’ve seen the show and enjoy Bill and Paul, know that they are the same in person as they are depicted on TV. These are not seasoned actors playing a part. These are down-home, Texas bikers from the Bryan/College Station area, doing what they love to do – ride and eat; meet and greet. Bill owns Bill Allen Motorcycle Company located on College Avenue in Bryan; just a couple miles away from Aggieland (my alma mater). He is a Mechanics’ Institute Florida alum and specializes in servicing Harley-Davidson motorcycles. His work ethic is obvious – he cares about the motorcycles he works on, cares about his customers, and is serious about doing “top notch work”. When asked about his shop, he told us about opening day – September 11, 2001. The only thing to be said… it was a rough opening day. He is an admitted foodie, being the more adventurous “taster” of the two. Page 26

December 2011

Filming the “On Fire” episode at the Alabama Ice House in ThunderRoadsTexas.com

forever. Well… I’m guessing for some of our younger readers, 20+ years IS forever. When asked how they met, you can’t tell a better story! Bill is in a “punk rock” band, Street Pizza. He’s been in the band for more than 20 years (yes, there are still punk rock bands out there!). Neither man can tell you exactly their first meeting, but their first memory of being friends was at a party where Street Pizza was playing. During a break, they were out on the patio in line for beer. The place was on a lake and the water was lapping at the un-railed deck. Bill remembers Paul at the edge of the deck with a fresh beer. He heard a splash and turned to find Paul climbing back up on the deck with a cup full of lake water. Being the friend that he was, he got Paul a fresh beer and they kept on partying. So where does the “biker” come in? They both grew up with bikes. Bill recounts memories of wanting a small bike back in the 70’s… back when “Boys Life” magazine had an ad for a 50cc Indian. The price was out of his reach, so he worked to save up enough money to buy a one-out 80cc Suzuki dirt bike and remembers riding it until it had no compression and wouldn’t even start. And eating? “Who doesn’t like food,” they both say. And they believe that sitting around a table full of good food is the great equalizer. They enjoy riding the back roads of America, finding new folks to talk with and regional foods to try. Along the way, they make a lot of new friends… all through “breaking bread”. The History Channel sets up the locations to visit, but Bill and Paul aren’t always satisfied with sticking with the schedule. But that’s probably why the show works so well. The producers let Bill and Paul get away with some unscheduled stops and detours along the way; let their personalities shine. Quite often, they get off the bikes, walk up to strangers, and just start talking. In one episode, they park on the side of the road, walk out into a field to discuss local produce with the farmer picking lettuce. Not only do they learn some of the history of the area, they walk away with a Dutch oven (promising to return it), and some of the local produce they, themselves, pick. Additionally, they’ve gone off with just the camera crew to do some local riding, such as the Tail of the Dragon in North Carolina and the Natchez Trace in Mississippi. They’re not ones to miss out on great riding when it’s so close by. Their excuse, “we need riding shots, too!” Walking away with “gifts” seems to be one of the unique aspects of the show, but there are so many more. Bill and Paul are introduced to local fare, using local ingredients. They learn about the area, how the dish they try developed, and how it relates directly to the history of the area. Additionally, the History Channel adds subtitles with related historical trivia. Not only do the guys learn about the recipe, they help from the very beginning – harvesting and hunting for the ingredients all the way through to cooking and eating. Often, there’s a challenge thrown down between Paul and the cooks they’re visiting. Paul says, “It is always a tie.” At many of the scheduled cooking stops, the guys use ingredients they received at previous stops along the way, like wheat they

n Houston.

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Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

BACK ROADS BIKER RECIPES

Chile-Lime & Shrimp Stuff Avocado Paul Patranella – “Hairy Biker”

8 avocado cut in 1/2 and scooped out 1 pound shrimp peeled and cut up into small pieces 2 shallots minced 4 cloves garlic minced 3 Serrano chilies minced 1/2 stick butter 1 bunch cilantro 1 lime juiced 1. Lightly brown butter in skillet over high heat 2. Quickly add shrimp, followed by the shallots and garlic, stir and toss quickly 3. Cook 1 minute then add lime juice to de-glaze a little, add the chilies and toss 4. Cook 1 minute and remove from heat, chill 5. Add to avocado and add chopped cilantro, re-stuff avocado husks A Biker Beverage Bob Cooney, TRM Owner/CEO - Houston Bud Light - bottle 1. Chill 2. Open 3. Serve 4. Dispose of bottle when done Biker Road Kill Chili Shelly Horan, Owner/Editor - Houston 2 pounds Ribeye or Sirloin Tip Roast (or road kill, if you dare!) 2 cans stewed tomatoes (chopped) 1 can tomato paste 1 can Rotel tomatoes (drained) 1 each green bell pepper, red bell pepper, red onion Cumin (1/4 cup or to taste) Garlic (2 Tablespoons) Salt/pepper (2 teaspoons each) Tabasco – I like the Chipotle flavored (2 teaspoons) Cayenne pepper (1 teaspoon – makes “mild” – increase for more “alarms”) Shiner Bock Beer (half bottle or any dark beer) 1. Cut meat into small, bite sized cubes. Brown (to a very medium rare) & drain. 2. Meanwhile… start the stew base in a large pot: • Add all tomatoes and tomato paste • Chop veggies and add • Add seasonings (to taste) 3. Add meat to stew base 4. Stew on low for 1 hour for eating that evening or stew for 30 minutes and place in fridge to reheat next day. Makes makes about 8-10 servings. Don’t forget the beer… it helps tenderize the beef. Cajun Crabby Sticks! Crazy Al #55, Feature Writer - Fort Worth 1. Take a head of celery and cut your sticks about three inches long. 2. Take Imitation crab leg meat (the long ones) and slice into strips. 3. Place the crab meat into the celery sticks. 4. Take (whipped) cream cheese and spread it to cover the crab meat. 5. Take large olives and slice each in half. Place into the cream cheese. 6. Here is the magic! Take Cajun seasoning and sprinkle on top of each stick. The combination of these flavors is odd. But the outcome is awesome!

Shrimp Scampi with Pasta (of your choice) Brian Scott, Correspondent 12 oz. to 16 oz. of thawed, raw, shelled, deveined shrimp 2 tablespoons of olive oil 2 teaspoons or minced garlic 1/2 (4 oz.) stick of butter 8 oz. pasta of your choice 1. Cook pasta as instructed on package 2. In large skillet, add butter, garlic and olive oil; Cook over medium heat 3. When the garlic in your pan starts turning brown, add your shrimp in a single layer. Fry the shrimp on each side about two to two and a half minutes then turn over and cook the other side 4. When your pasta is done, drain in colander, don’t rinse 5. While the pasta is still in the colander, add the shrimp to the top of the pasta then pour the remaining garlic, butter and olive oil mixture from the pan over the shrimp and pasta in the colander then mix 6. Serve while hot Feeds at least two hungry people but as many as four. Mississippi Sin Dip James Williams, Sales - New Braunfels 16oz sour cream 8oz cream cheese, softened 2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded 1/2 cup chopped ham 1 green onion, chopped 1/4 tsp hot sauce 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce Salt Pepper French bread loaf 1. In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients, except French bread; stirring until well blended. 2. Cut a thin slice from top of bread loaf; set slice aside. Using a gentle sawing motion, cut vertically to, but not through, bottom of the loaf, 1/2 inch from the edge, to cut out center of bread. Lift out center of loaf. Fill hollowed bread loaf with the dip. Wrap loaf with foil. 3. Bake dip at 350° degrees for 1 hour. Serve with reserved bread cubes, crackers, or potato chips. Ham and Potato Bake Laura Mae Benson, Sales & Correspondent - Rosharon Canned Ham (diced) Canned Diced Potatoes (drained) Onion Soup Mix Canned Carrots (drained) Chopped Green Peppers Garlic Salt and Pepper Grated Cheese 1. Brush heavy foil with butter. 2. Add veggies and diced ham. 3. Seal the foil into pouch. 4. Put on hot coals, turning often. 5. Bake for about 25 minutes. 6. After opening pouch, sprinkle with cheese. This can be assembled beforehand hand kept chilled until ready to cook.

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It’s year-end and almost time for this year’s Points Across Texas program to end. We’ve had great success again and thank all for participating! The deadline to enter the drawing as November 15th. And the winner… drum roll please… is Donald Ryan. With 470 qualified photos spanning the entire year and from across the entire state of Texas, it really is no wonder. Some of these photos have appeared before and we offer you a few more here that hit the ball out of the park. With him, his riding partner, Gloria Ingram. Congratulations guys! Enjoy your FREE weekend stay at Koyote Ranch! We thank D’Rose Inn & Cabins for sponsoring this year’s program – again! And we offer her and Bob a long and wonderful marriage! We are working on the 2012 program, taking in the feedback we’ve received from those who participated. Find out more in our January issue. In the meantime, 2011 isn’t quite over yet. You can still send in photos of your visit to the qualified locations to receive a FREE 2011 Points Across Texas patch. Deadline to get your patch is January 15, 2012. Just ten locations. I bet most of our readers have enough to get it!

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December 2011

ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Breaking Bread on America’s Back Roads helped harvest at one place to brew a local beer at the next stop or fresh frog legs they use in a Redneck Gourmet cook off. Many times they try foods that are not in most folks’ daily diet, such as “Lamb Fries”, fried lamb testicles. Bill says, “Yummy, but they must be well done”. And we can’t forget about the nutria they hunted and cooked. If you’re not familiar with nutria – it’s a 20 pound Louisiana swamp rat. I won’t recount here Bill’s description of the aroma when cleaning that “varmint”; you don’t want to know. What they bring to the screen most of all is their unique and fun-loving personalities; they’re just plain fun to watch! We asked about a favorite experience from the show. They had a hard time choosing just one for many reasons. They feel all the folks they’ve met along the way are now friends and are a little uncomfortable choosing. We won’t say this is their favorite, but when asked to provide a sample of what they experienced, they offered the “Guerrilla Cuisine” episode. After learning a little more about it, I have to admit, I would love to try it out! Guerrilla Cuisine, founded by Jimi Hatt, is a South Carolinian event company that specializes in exclusive one-of-a-kind “Low Country” food, music, and art events. Each event they plan features a different set of popular local chefs, local live music, and local talented artists. An email goes out to over 2,000 members for an event. A limited number of tickets are sold on a first-come, first served basis; keeping the numbers at an “intimate” level (20-50 depending on location). Ticket holders are not told where the event will take place until 24 hours in advance. They receive an email with the address, directions, and more information about the event they’re going to partake in. “Hairy Bikers” crashed one of their events in August. The featured chef was Nathan Thurston from Charleston’s The Ocean Room, along with four other chefs that created an exceptional meal. The “old school menu” included Frogmore Stew, Geechie Boy Mills’ “Big Grits”, Keegan

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Filion Farms Heritage Pork Liver Mush, and Coconut Layer Cake. The event was held on the private Crosby Family dock. Paul added that when they ran out of crab for the stew, they simply went to the edge of the dock and caught more. Both Bill and Paul enjoy learning new things, meeting new folks, and simply enjoying what the American way of life has to offer. This is probably what the producer, Dawn Fitzgerald, saw when she first met Bill. Ever wonder how to get your own reality TV show? You be the right person(s), in the right place, at the right time. Bill organized a ride to a Junk Gypsy show filming (coming soon to HGTV) by their friend Amie Sikes, Junk Gypsy founder. They know Amie from her time attending Guerilla Cuisine event Texas A&M University (yes, another Aggie). During the in North Carolina shoot, Bill left their mark work. The basis of the show is all on Dawn. It wasn’t too long about exploring the best of what the after that initial meeting country has to offer, with a historic that Dawn contacted Aimie twist. You can’t do that in America for Bill’s phone number. with British riders. It needed to be She had been looking for cast with “good ole boy” American the right bikers to cast for bikers! the American version of “Hairy Bikers” and liked Dawn had considered others, but Bill Bill’s style. She asked and Paul seemed to be perfect. They Bill if he cooked. He said helped by providing Dawn with some Jimi Hatt and “no, but my riding buddy video of them interacting and riding. Paul does.” He went on to Chef Nathan Thurston Additionally, the producer sent a film explain Paul’s background team down to do a test reel to make and the experiences they sure this was the team. The entire shared on the road. The show is very popular in the UK. process took about a year before they hit the airwaves. But simply bringing that show to the US wasn’t going to The first episode aired October 14, 2011 and the entire series is 12 episodes long.

It isn’t all fun and games. Most people don’t realize how much work goes into filming a show. Bill, Paul, and the crew put in what Paul calls “doubles”; 14-16 hour days. There were 11 travelers, going a total of 8,000 miles, visiting 46 cities, in just 65 days. That’s two months away from home and family, working like crazy. To top that off… only about 26 seconds of every hour of film is used. Calculating that out for a 30 minute show, it comes to just shy of 24 hours of filming to get a single episode. When asked about recovering from this grueling schedule when they got home, Bill quickly answered with “it was two weeks before I was right.”

“Hairy Bikers” film crew (L-R): Dan DeForest, Lee Ostner, Paul Patranella, Ryan Pavlesky, Mark St Marie, “Cool Daddy” Jack Sparks, Andy Lipson, Bill Allen, and Amanda Tinpson Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

I asked what their normal riding is like and Paul said, “riding from bar to bar.” Sounds like our kind of riders! But they also both add that there is nothing better than getting paid to go out and do something you love to do. Bill comments “I’m just taking it as it comes and feel blessed”. Paul added, “We get to do what we love most… ride, meet folks, and eat!” They have the time of their lives in the show, you can tell. They’ve gone shrimping, lobstering, crabbing, giggen frogs, boar hunting, and more. And you can go along with them. Visit HistoryChannel.com for more information on their show and tune in Fridays, 10:00 p.m./9:00 p.m. Central to watch

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Want to see YOUR mug in our mag? Send pics to Shelly@ThunderRoadsTexas.com.

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December 2011

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Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

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End of Year Thoughts… * Why is it that bad decisions always make for really good stories? * You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you just know that you aren’t going to do anything productive for the rest of the day. * Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you’re wrong. * I keep some people’s phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call. * I totally disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Bud than Kay. * How many times is it appropriate to say “What?” before you just nod and smile because you still didn’t hear, understand… or really give a damn? Dear Santa, Do you see us when we’re sleeping, do you really know when we’re awake, like in the song? Love, Jessica Dear Jessica, Are you really that gullible? Good luck in whatever you do. I’m skipping your house. Santa Dear Santa, I really, really want a puppy this year. Please please please PLEASE PLEASE could I have one? Timmy Timmy, That whiny begging shit may work with your folks, but that crap don’t work up here. You’re getting a sweater again. Santa Dearest Santa, We don’t have a chimney in our house, how do you get into our home? Love, Marky Mark, First-ly, stop calling yourself “Mark-y.” That’s why you’re getting your ass whipped at school. Second, you don’t live in a house; you live in a low-rent apartment complex. Third, I get inside your pad just like all the burglars do, through your bedroom window. Sweet Dreams, Santa Q: Why doesn’t Santa have any children? A: Because he only comes once a year, and when he does, it’s down the chimney.

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How To Tell If You Are A Grinch (test) 1. You reuse last year’s Christmas cards and send them out under your own name. (5 points) 2. You steal light bulbs from your neighbor’s outdoor display to replenish your own supply. (5 points, 10 if neighbor’s whole light sets or lighted Santa goes out) 3. You have dressed a dog or cat as Santa Claus, elf helper, or reindeer. (10 points for each; if you dressed an endangered species, 5 extra points)

One year, a particularly harried husband decided to buy his mother-in-law a cemetery plot as a Christmas gift. The next year, he didn’t buy her a gift. When she asked him why, he replied, “Well, you still haven’t used the gift I bought you last year!” Helpful Holiday Diet Tips 1. If no one sees you eat it, it has no calories. 2. If you drink a diet soda with a candy bar, they cancel each other out. 3. If you eat standing up, it doesn’t count!

4. You put out last year’s stale candy canes for children. (1 point for each piece of sticky candy. If you put out a chocolate or marzipan Santa also, add 10 points.)

4. STRESSED is just DESSERTS spelled backwards.

5. You enclose a shoddy and inferior gift from Target, Walmart, or K-Mart in a Bloomingdale’s or other prestigious box to impress your friends. (5 points for each infraction).

6, Cookie pieces contain no calories because the process of breakage cause calorie leakage.

6. You make collect long distance phone calls to your family on Christmas day claiming you are stuck in a phone booth. (5 points, 10 if from a cell phone), 7. At the office Christmas party, you horde huge stockpiles of goodies for later consumption at home. (5 points; 15 points if you use this stuff for your own party) 8. You steal the wreath from a parked car to use on your own (5 points) 9. After an invitation to a friend’s house, you bring a commercially produced fruitcake and try to pass it off as home made. (5 points; 15 points if the fruitcake is from last year). 10. Any stealing from the Toys-for-Tots collection bins is a definite no-no. (20 points) -------------------Evaluate your score on the “Grinch Scale” from 20 to 100. 20-30: You are just a cheeseball. 30-50: You are an apprentice in Yuletide larceny and are probably wanted by the police for overdue parking tickets. 50-100: Grinch, move over. The Meyer Lansky of Christmas crime has arrived. A man came to visit his grandparents, and he noticed his grandfather sitting on the porch, in the rocking chair, wearing only a shirt, with nothing on from the waist down.

5. If you eat the food off someone else’s plate, it doesn’t count.

7. Food used for medicinal purposes have no calories. This includes: any chocolate used for energy, brandy, cheesecake, and Haagen-Daz Ice Cream. 8. When eating with someone else, calories don’t count if you both eat the same amount. 9. Movie-related foods are much lower in calories simply because they are a part of the entertainment experience and not part of one’s personal fuel. This includes: Milk Duds, popcorn with butter, Junior Mints, Snickers, and Gummi Bears. Christmas Statistics There are currently 78 people named S. Claus living in the US and one Kriss Kringle (You gotta wonder about that kid’s parents). December is the most popular month for nose jobs. Weight of Santa’s sleigh loaded with one Beanie Baby for every kid on earth: 333,333 tons. Number of reindeer required to pull a 333,333-ton sleigh: 214,206 -- plus Rudolph. Average wage of a mall Santa: $11 an hour. With real beard: $20. To deliver his gifts in one night, Santa would have to make 822.6 visits per second, sleighing at 3,000 times the speed of sound. At that speed, Santa and his reindeer would burst into flames instantaneously. A New Year Prayer For the Elderly

“Grandpa, what are you doing sitting out here with nothing on below the waist?” he asked.

God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, The good fortune to run into the ones that I do, And the eyesight to tell the difference.

The old man slowly looked at him and said, “Well...last week I sat out here with no shirt on, and I got a stiff neck. This here is your grandma’s idea.”

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

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Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

December 2011

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December 2011

ThunderRoadsTexas.com

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

Bars & Restaurants * Alamo Bar & Grill 7846 Fallbrook Dr Houston, TX 77086 281.537.7647 www.myspace.com/houstonsalamo Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston * Barbed Rose & Burger Bar 113 Sealy St Alvin, TX 77511 281.585.2272 www.BarbedRose.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston * Boll Weevils 16003 FM 1236 Needville, TX 77461 979.793.6163 www.Facebook.com/Boll.Weevils Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston * Concert Pub North 2470 FM 1960 West Houston, TX 77068 281.583.8111 www.theconcertpub.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston * Curtis Lowe’s Bar 11800 FM 1960 E Huffman, TX 77336 281.324.7400 Find us on Facebook! Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

* 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 Points Across Texas GOLD Destination * George’s Bar & Grill 2031 Plantation Dr Conroe, TX 77301 Region: Piney Woods Closest Metro: Houston Points Across Texas GOLD Destination * Loading Dock 504 25th St Galveston, TX 77550 409.765.5155 www.theloadingdockbikerbar.com Region: Gulf Coast 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.WestoftheBrazos.com 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

Dealerships & Shops

* Noah’s Ark Bar & Grill 4438 Boulevard St Bacliff, TX 77518 281.339.2895 www.noahsarkbarandgrill.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

* 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

* Rolling Thunder Bar & Grill 6441 County Rd 2173 Fluvanna, TX 79517 325.573.HAWG (4294) www.rollingthunderbarandgrill.com Region: Panhandle Closest Metro: Lubbock

* Cycle Heaven 3770 Hwy 69 N Lufkin, TX 75904 936.634.8404 www.cycleheaventx.com Region: Piney Woods Closest Metro: Tyler

* RPM’s Bar 26210 FM 2978 Magnolia, TX 77354 713.557.1103 Region: Piney Woods Closest Metro: Houston

* 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 * Mancuso Harley Davidson - Crossroads 12710 Crossroads Park Dr Houston, TX 77065 281.970.9700 www.mancusocrossroads.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

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

December 2011

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Biker Friendly * 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 * 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

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December 2011

* Yamaha of San Antonio 15664 I-35 Selma, TX 78154 210.655.2625 www.kentpowersports.com Region: South Texas Closest Metro: San Antonio

Entertainment/Bands * Mean Gene Kelton 901 N Gaillard Baytown, TX 77520 713-866-4872 www.meangenerocks.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

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 * 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 Walker Texas Lawyer 1924 Portsmouth

Houston, TX 77098 713.552.1117 www.walkertexaslawyer.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

Lodging & Campgrounds * D’Rose Inn & Cabins Highway 83/Market St Leakey, TX 78873 830.232.5246 www.droseinn.com Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: San Antonio Points Across Texas GOLD Destination DUBL-C Guest House (Vacation Rentals by Owner) Kerrville area: Located on Hwy 39 between Ingram & Hunt Ingram, TX 866.427.8374 http://www.vrbo/385945 Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: San Antonio SPECIAL: Stay 2 nights, get 3rd FREE

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

Continued... Riding Gear/Leather * 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 * The Hog Pound 13710 RR 12, #4 Wimberley, TX 78676 512.847.3444 www.thehogpound.com Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: Austin

Miscellaneous * Barry Claffey - Mullis A/C Houston, TX 281.468.5819 Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston Outlaw Dave Productions PO Box 25028 Houston, TX 77265 Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

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Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

December 2011

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