Thunder Roads Texas - September 2015 by Thunder Roads Texas

It’s not about the bike... it’s about the RIDE!

The Texas Tour - A Motorcycle Adventure!

September 2013 ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Also this month:

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Chrome Divas of Corpus See Us Save Us

Thunder Roads Texas * Page 2 * September 2013

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Thunder Roads Texas * Page 4 * September 2013

EVENT

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Contents 

September 2013 On the Cover 36 The Texas Tour: A Motorcycle Adventure Also This Month

18 15-Page Event Section 33 Chrome Divas of Corpus Christi Shine! 34 See Us, Save Us: A Biker Awareness Campaign

Regular Features

8 Letter From the Editor 10 Two Wheel Thunder TV Review: Liquid Image Cameras Put to the Test 12 Pig Writes: Rainy Days and Toenails 14 Pink Thunder: Texas Legislature Regular Session is Over, But the Work is Not 16 Ride Map: Back to Our Beginnings, Bee Creek Road 38 ThunderCam 40 Joker’s Wild

Resources

21 Event Listing CENTER - Pull-Out September 2013 Calendar

35 34

43 Biker Friendly Listing On the cover: Pam King on her Texas Adventure to visit ALL 254 county courthouses, plus the Texas State Capitol (pictured).

OWNERS

ADVERTISING SALES

Thunder Roads Texas Main Office 281.866.8149 Shelly@ThunderRoadsTexas.com Bill “Shovelhead” Barnes ThunderRoadsBill@yahoo.com 321.960.6161

Bob “Just One More” Cooney CEO ThunderRoadsBob@yahoo.com

Shelly “TX Dragonfly” Horan Managing Editor Shelly@ThunderRoadsTexas.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Points Across Texas Administrator

Randy McCamey Harley.Doc@hotmail.com

Laura Mae Benson - Houston Laura.ThunderRoadsMagazine@gmail.com 979.481.9642 Traci “Sweet N Low” McClure - East Texas Traci.McClure@yahoo.com * 936.671.9567 Shelly “Cricket” Silva San Antonio/Hill Country CricketGOC@yahoo.com * 210.445.2477 Chere “FlipFlop” Laine Corpus Christi 361.215.4661 ChereLaine@ymail.com

Monica Clark Monica@ThunderRoadsTexas.com

FEATURE WRITERS

Shelly “Cricket” Silva, Pink Thunder (Feb/May/Aug/Sep) Terri Williams, Pink Thunder (TMRA2; Mar/Jun/Sep/Dec) “Pig” Meinhardt - Pig Writes

CORRESPONDENTS

Chris Hensley San Antonio/Hill Country chrishensley.ch@gmail.com 210.912.7852 Thunder Roads Texas Bob Cooney & Shelly Horan State Edition Owners 4631 Cashel Glen Drive Houston, TX 77069 281.866.8149 ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Thunder Publishing, LLC Toni & Brian Shearon National Founders 1528 Matlock Drive Chapmansboro, TN 37035 615.792.0040 ThunderRoadsMagazine.com

Layout & Design Shelly Horan Top of Mind Marketing 832.585.4045 Top.of.Mind.Marketing@gmail.com

Joyce Siegert - D/FW; Dean Downey - Amarillo; Mary Taylor - Austin; Don Brewer - Livingston; Donny Phillips - LaPorte; Mike “Biker” Boone - Houston; Jason English - East Texas; Don McGovern Terrell/DFW; Jason English - Rusk; Donna Herrin - Edinburgh; Leah Hanscom - Piney Woods; Ann Edwards - El Paso; Chere Laine Corpus Christi.

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.

Facebook.com/ThunderRoadsTexas

This month, rally season is in full swing. Last month, we sponsored the Biker Pallooza and it was a huge hit! Additionally, in Houston, was CureFest. While not a bike rally – it’s more of a music fest – they do have a motorcycle element and actively promote to local-area bikers. This month, we have the ever-popular Texas Rally & Luau, September 12-15. Damon Dave & Wendy’s Carts, Biker & Babes Rally this past spring was busting at the seams! RVs, tents, and bikes EVERYWHERE! We’re excited to be sponsoring their fall rally again, I think this makes six years of sponsoring The Texas Rally. Additionally, we are sponsoring several one-day events on September 21: 5th Annual Freedom on the Hill Ride in Romayor, hosted by the VFW Post 8953; Erath County Relay for Life “Cruzin’ for a Cure” benefiting the American Cancer Society, taking place at the Stephenville City Park; Revvin’ for the Ribbon Motorcycle Rally & Benefit Concert with multiple starting locations around the DFW area, all ending at the Quick Trip Park in Grand Prairie; and the Texas Honor Ride Fundraiser in Conroe, the biggest fundraiser they have, and the last, before the big ride in November. All are great causes and should be loads of fun! We continue with our Bike Nights here in Houston and are pleased that we were able to bring one back to the north side. MC Shifters on Treaschwig (north of FM 1960, east of Hardy Toll Road). The owner has been slowly transitioning this neighborhood bar into a biker bar and we’re happy to help! We continued at Outlaw Dave’s Worldwide Headquarters, with Bob and me attending a second month in a row. It’s always fun going live on the radio! Down south, Blowout and his team manned our bike night at Jackie’s Brickhouse. Another big turnout! All three locations offer great food & drink specials, motorcycle-only parking, live entertainment, and just plain fun! If you’re visiting – join us! If you’re in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, we continue our sponsorship of the Lone Star Bike Nights, hosted by Randy James of Lone Star 92.5 radio. Tune in or visit their website for information on their weekly roaming bike nights. Whew, we’ve been busy… the fun never ends! And may we never forget 9/11/01. While years have softened the pain, the fight continues on and we will forever remember those lost. For anyone directly affected - our hearts and prayers are being sent your way. On a personal note, I want to thank all my Facebook friends for their continued support as I have been dealing with the death of my father and handling of his estate. The process has been a roller coaster ride of emotions… along with trials and tribulations. All the thoughts and prayers have definitely come in handy! Ride safe... and ride with THUNDER! Shelly “TX Dragonfly” Horan Editor / Owner, Thunder Roads Texas and Owner, Top of Mind Marketing Shelly@ThunderRoadsTexas.com

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Liquid Image Cameras Put to the Test e here at Two Wheel Thunder get very excited when companies give us the opportunity to get our hands on their products, run them through real world testing, and share the findings with our readers. We pride ourselves in our ability to quickly and accurately test any product to its limits and for its designated purpose, but we really enjoy going above and beyond any real world scenario just to see what happens! Liquid Image asked us to test and review their product line of still picture, streaming video, and audio digital recording devices. That was a pretty gutsy move on their part knowing our love for extreme testing. One of the products we tried is the very versatile egg-sized Liquid Image Ego. It wins on size and simplicity. It is very small and lightweight; simple to operate, and it is also shockproof to about six feet. The Ego can really boast about its Wi-Fi control. Inside the little plastic pebble is a Wi-Fi transmitter. Hold down the shutter button for a few seconds and the camera will start its own Wi-Fi hotspot which can then connect to a smartphone. It did not take us long to figure out why Liquid Image was so eager to let us experience their devices. They had absolutely nothing to fear because not only did each device we test perform as claimed, we did not experience as much as a hiccup in the audio or visual performance. The ease of set up and use of their equipment is simple, painless and idiot proof. Operation is also dead-simple. There are just two buttons on the Liquid Image Ego. Tapping, holding, or pressing buttons on each device captures video, changes modes, or sets up the internal Wi-Fi. Please let me reiterate this by telling on myself; I am in my 50’s. I love new technology but, more times than not, I am terrible at adapting to it. I found an exception with this wonderful new line of products. Their most basic camera is smaller and lighter than my cell phone and takes pictures that are not only breathtaking, but they are sharper, clearer images than the bulky thousand-dollar digital camera I own. Since new technology isn’t always my friend, I found

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them refreshingly easy to use. These cameras are not only awesome, they are very affordable. The Ego is a palmsized 1080p camera that shoots video at up to 60 frames per second. Liquid Image makes affordable products that allow you to capture images under water (hence the name and humble beginning), in the woods, on mountain bikes, on the motocross track, zip-lining, water skiing, snowboarding, snow skiing, sky diving, base jumping….you name it, they got you covered. Their cameras can capture images and angles like no other cameras the average adrenaline junkie can afford! They even make cameras and microphones that can be mounted in your goggles. Imagine mountain biking or motorcycling down your favorite gnarly trail and not worrying that your audio/video device is going to be damaged, or worse, will be lost because a low hanging branch removed your camera from your helmet 10 miles back! Best of all, your video images are true to what you are seeing as you tear up the trail or choose your lines on the track. Whether you are road racing or racing off-road, there is generally only one fast line around the track. If you are not within 6 to 8 inches of your marks, you are going too slow. This is where I find my goggle camera priceless. The camera is not mounted 6 inches above my field of view and pointing down at my front fender. The camera is mounted precisely at my point of view, so the camera is pointing where I am looking. Long story short, when reviewing footage after practice, I can tell immediately if I need to change my field of view from mark to mark on each lap. The video makes it grossly obvious if I am concentrating on the wrong areas on the race course! One of the best aspects when I review my footage I get to relive the adventure exactly as I remember it. If I share footage with friends, they, too, get to experience my adventure as if they were in the goggles with me instead of viewing footage from some bizarre or awkward angle.

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ThunderRoadsTexas.com

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Ad imags from Cycle Magazine, February 1973 issue.

Rainy Days and Toenails Live to ride, ride to live… ahhhh the code of a biker. So why is it that when rain begins to fall, it always has to spoil your plans? On one particular Sunday not long ago, that very thing happened to Rainman and me. We had plans to take the bike for a nice long ride in the Texas Hill Country when heavy rain fell from the skies of south Texas in buckets to spoil our plans. The rain all began about half-hour before we were to leave with no signs of letting up ‘till the end of the day. We all know that that is not the way to start a ride. Well, the day was shot to shit and there was nothing to do. The bike was already clean as was the shop. I checked and there was nothing interesting on TV and I certainly was not about to do any chores around the house either! Rainman just shook his head in disbelief, closed the garage door, and wandered off to his bedroom. I assumed he went back there to sort out his sock drawer. I had better things to do since we couldn’t ride so I went into the closet and dug deep for last month’s issue of Miss Coconuts & Other Amazing Mounds. I figured I would do a little light reading on the couch. Apparently mom had beaten me to it and confiscated my magazine once again. She doesn’t approve of my reading list of materials and must have filed it in the circular file once more! But I did find something else equally interesting. It was an old issue of Cycle Magazine dating back to February 1973. The rain continued to pound hard outside, so I curled up on the couch with the old mag and a cold beer. I opened the cover of the magazine and immediately I felt the waves of time travel descend over me. I was lifted from today and transported back to yesteryear. Page after page I turned and saw photos. CLICK, my concentration was interrupted. I realized Rainman had joined me in my travels and was now sitting on the couch. It seemed as though he was done with the sock sorting thing and was now trimming his toenails. It’s sad to face the fact that a fifty year old fat guy can trim his nails and actually launch the cuttings into the air for some distance. The poor guy really needs to find something better to do in his life. Where was I? Oh yeah, page after page I turned and saw photos and articles of biker life back in the ‘70s. I was very confused. CLICK. “Will you stop it?” I shouted at him. The photos didn’t look right. The people depicted in the photos were very different from the people of today. I could not find a single leather clad biker anywhere. I think I’m going to need a little help here understanding bikers from back then. Tell you what I’m going to do, I’m going to post a few pictures from the magazine and ask that someone please respond to what I am seeing and tell me if it is true or not.

Take for example this picture of an ad. Notice the girl in it? I can dig the hairstyle but will someone tell me where she got clothes like that? Where is her leather? Where are her tattoos? She is all covered up and she looks nothing like biker chicks I know. Is she a biker chick at all? Did anyone out there date a chick like this? Is she supposed to be some kind of pure and wholesome girl? I wonder about her fulfillment needs? Do you think she is a virgin? Did anyone out there ever actually ride a Norton motorcycle?

Here is another interesting one. It’s an ad for a HarleyDavidson (AMF) the FX-1200. The bike looks cool and all but what is up with those pants that dude is wearing? I’ve never seen a biker wear anything like that before. I know that I, for one, would never walk into a bar dressed like that, I’d get my ass kicked for sure! Someone please help me with these questions. Did bikers really use to dress like that back then? Did anyone own an AMF Harley back then? If so, what was it like? And ego; just what kind of ego did you have to have riding a Harley back then? I bet ole Harley Doc (Randy McCamey) dressed like that back then. CLICK… Tink. “Dude, you’re really getting on my nerves with that.”

CLICK. A toe nail just whizzed past me. “Dude, what are you doing?” “I’m going for a new world record for distance and accuracy by seeing if I can shoot a toenail into that tea glass from here” said Rainman. I looked over at the tea glass on the table beside the couch. There were two toenail cuttings sitting next to the glass on the table. I swear that guy really needs to get out more.

Here’s an ad with a couple of bikers(?) riding in the Swiss alps. The jacket he is wearing looks like something one would wear to a tea party. I’ll bet anything that those are loafers he has on instead of boots.

You can contact Pig or Rainman by e-mail at pig8080@LIVE.COM For more of Pig’s wild adventures, check out his blog at pigspage.wordpress.com or follow him on Facebook.com/pig.meinhardt Page 12

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Here’s a good one. Who in the hell is Charles Atlas and how many of you actually got sand kicked in your face? Did any of you actually buy the Charles Atlas book and dream you too could have a body like his? Oh, I’m sorry; I forgot every biker out there already had sledgehammer fists and a battering ram punch. Oops, my bad. This black and white photo looks like these guys must really know how to party. Okay gang, how many of you out there have ever ridden a bike wearing a suit like that? Really? Rainman thinks they must be Italian.

Alright, we need a show of hands, how many of you have ridden or owned a Triumph motorcycle? Rainman said he did at one time as well as my uncle Steve, who else out there did?

The rain continued to pour down outside. I figured it would be a good idea to buy more beer and rent some movies. Then we could do as the song says “we’ll just lay around the shanty, mama, and put a good buzz on.” Someone once asked me if I was insane? Let me tell you something, being stuck inside this house with Rainman and his toenails is enough to drive any person – or Pig – insane. Fricking rain!

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Ride HARD or Stay Home

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

September 2013

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Regular Session is Over, But the Work is Not Terri Williams, TMRA2 Legislative Task Force (Mar/Jun/Sep/Dec)

ell the regular session is over and a third special session is still going. There are no issues the TMRA2 didn’t address during the regular session, so our work here continues “behind the scenes”, preparing for future sessions and monitoring how the laws we’ve worked so hard to implement are put in place and adhered to. Now that we have worked the session we now are focusing our efforts on the Federal government to ban “Motorcycle Only Check Points” for good. The US Defenders just completed a second successful Call-to-Action for everyone to contact their federal legislators to sponsor HR1861. We still need calls and e-mails sent in right now. The Confederation of Clubs (COC) has made a great page that gives you all the information you need on the subject including who to contact. Visit TXCOCINews.org to get sample letters and information for making these calls. On a lighter note, TMRA2 is reorganizing and has two fundraisers coming up in October: 1. October 5 - Annual Sputnik Memorial Run located at PorkChop Icehouse in Point Blank near Lake Livingston.

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2. October 19 - Freedom Run put on by the TMRA2 Austin Minutemen. The ride starts at Tombstone Texas in Georgetown and ends at Hanover’s Draught Haus in Pflugerville. They are giving away a motorcycle, 2003 HD Sportster Hugger 883. Door prize drawing is only $10/entry. To get tickets just e-mail us at secretary@tmra2.org. To get information about these two events go to TMRA2.org or TXCOCINews.org, and of course, pick up Thunder Roads Texas for event information. Many thanks to everyone who supports motorcycle rights in Texas with our organization and the others so we all keep going. If you’re interested in getting involved, making your voice heard, visit the events pages in TXCOCINews.org for meetings in your area. Ride Sober, Ride Safe.

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ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

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Back to our Beginnings

RIDE

MAP

By Shelly Horan, Owner/Managing Editor

his month we’re killing two birds with one stone, so to speak. When we first started providing monthly ride maps (June 2009), the first set were very simple and based on what had been reported as great roads to ride. However, these first maps offered no article to enhance the ride with history or stops along the way. Since then, we’ve expanded our maps to include historical information, ghost towns, places to stop and enjoy, and more. Of course this year, our maps are the basis of the 2013 Points Across Texas reader rides program. When I started working on our book of maps, I realized these initial maps need some work to get them up to the quality of additional information we now provide with these rides. So I now start that process, while offering you a closer look at these first routes. This month we go back to that first map, published in June 2009, “Austin Area Twisties”. It offered four different options around Lake Travis: Bee Creek Road, FM 2769/Volente Road, Cow Creek Road, and FM 1431 to Marble Falls. In June 2012 (“A Little Bit of Everything”), we revisited FM 1431, expanding it to a large weekend-long loop that included other roads as well. This month, we’ll focus on Bee Creek Road. First, to get to the start of this ride, head out of Austin on Highway 71 West. You’ll reach Bee Creek Road about 20 miles out (about 20-25 minutes) and you can only go right on this road. The road has been described by riders as “exhilarating”, but they caution to be careful. There are multiple driveways along the way, where cages can find you unexpectedly – so keep your eyes peeled, but enjoy the ups, downs, twists, and turns along the way! Here is where we depart from our original map, extending the ride into nearby Pace Bend Park, by taking a right on Pace Bend Park Road where Bee Creek ends (or becomes the Old Ferry Road). There are a few options to stop for lunch for a break around this area. You can get it to go and picnic in the park… or plan ahead with your

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ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Points Across Texas Qualified Destination List September 2013 Ride Map

Austin City Limit Sign

Bee Creek Road Sign Pace Bend Park Sign Lake Travis Shoreline in the Park Mansfield Dam (not on the map, but qualified as a Points Across Texas submission)

A special note for all you hard core PAT participants: Discussions are in the works to use a “town name letters” theme, similar to that of the HOT Rally, for the 2014 Points Across Texas reader rides program. We’ll update you with the specifics this fall, so keep reading!

Quick Rules:

Lake Travis at Sunset

MAP

own picnic. Pace Bend is one of many parks along the meandering Lake Travis. Located on a U-shaped bend, the park is one of the largest and offers a wide variety of recreational options. There is a minimal fee and the park is open to tent and RV camping. Now we get Lake Travis itself. In 1936, the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) Board chose the Hughes site at Marshall Ford, 20 miles upstream from Austin, as the location for what was to be the Colorado’s main flood-control dam, the Marshall Ford Dam. After a series of setbacks, including a major flooding in 1938, despite the completion of the Buchanan Dam farther north that caused an investigation into the LCRA’s plan, a new proponent of the plan came into political view, Lyndon B Johnson. The LCRA’s chief supporter, Congressman JP Buchanan, suffered a major heart attack and passed. Johnson, as the urging of then LCRA’s general council, Alvin Wirtz, ran for the vacant position. Johnson won, in part, by promising to bring electricity to the rural areas of the Hill Country. Because of these two men, the LCRA was able to amend their plans, raising the Marshall Ford Dam plans from 109 feet to 265 feet, to offer better protection from flooding. The generators at Marshall Ford went into operation on January 27, 1941 and construction was completed in May 1942. In February, 1941, the LCRA Board voted to change the name of the dam to Mansfield Dam, after US Representative, JJ Mansfield (1861-1947). Mansfield was originally from West Virginia, moving to Texas in 1881. Initially, he worked in farm and railroad laboring jobs, but eventually was admitted to the bar in 1886. His place in Texas history is solid… He organized two companies of the Texas National Guard, rising to the rank of captain; established the first Eagle Lake newspaper (his now hometown); elected to mayor of Eagle Lake, the county prosecutor of Colorado County, the served as judge of Colorado County. In 1916, he was elected to the US House of Representatives, serving as the chairman of the House Committee on Rivers and harbors. The dam created Lake Travis. In total, it is 63.75 miles long with a maximum width of 4.5 miles. The lake covers 18,929 acres, with a capacity for more. At its fullest elevation, the lake contains over 380 billion gallons of water with a maximum depth of 210 feet. Because of its meandering shape, it boasts an impressive 270 miles of shoreline. While this route is still a great road, we hope a little additional history has brought it to life just a little more.

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Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

RIDE

• Locations/items must be easily identifiable in the photo. Signs are best (cities, events, mountains, parks, etc.), but some are self-explanatory (like Prada Marfa, a mural, the bank vault, etc.). • Your AND/OR your bike must be in the picture. • Photos must be emailed to PaT@ThunderRoadsTexas.comor can be posted on our Points Across Texas Facebook page (Facebook.com/PointsAcrossTexas). • Deadline for 2013 photos is January 15, 2014.

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EVENT

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EVENT

Event Listing

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

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23rd Annual Schrambo Bash 512.801.9000; 903.353.0519 Seven Points Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Celebration of Freedom Facebook.com/events/360307604035431 Amarillo Region: Panhandle Metro: Amarillo

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

Bikers for Heroes Patriotic Parade TheMotorcycleOutpost.com/24829.html Westminster Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Iron Horse Trail Ride 903.984.5571 Kilgore Region: Piney Woods Metro: Longview Kristi’s Krusaders 4th Annual MS Rally 512.760.0143; 254.813.2194; 254.214.3042 Milano Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Bryan/College Station

7th Annual Brazos Biker Bash BrazosBikerBash.com/ WARNING: Adult Content Axtell Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Waco Live Oak Resort Annual Bike Rally LiveOakResort.com WARNING: Adult Content Washington Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Bryan/College Station 3rd Annual Benefit for Wounded Warrior Project HoustonIceHouse.com Katy Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston Hosted by Wide Open Throttle RC at Bryant’s Ice House (26913 Katy Freeway). Live bands, silent and live auctions, 50/50 drawing, raffle items, BBQ plates, vendors, and more!

Cleburne Armadillo Cycle Club Horseshoe Tournament ArmadilloCycleClub.net/ Cleburne Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth First Responder Teddy Bear Run Facebook.com/events/194711330706668 Lake Dallas Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Texas Gatorfest Gator Run Facebook.com/events/124787444398658 Anahuac Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston/Sugarland

Fire Fest Texas POG-M.com Gun Barrel City Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

MDA Fun Run HDNorthTexas.com Corinth Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

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Lake of the Ozarks Bike Fest LakeoftheOzarksBikeFest.com Osage Beach, MO

17th Annual Run from the Heart 325.513.2755; 325.977.1089 Lake Leon Region: Panhandle Metro: Abilene

Lone Star 92.5 Bike Night LoneStar925.com DFW Area Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth It’s a roaming bike night! Randy James of Lone Star 92.5 hosts an every Thursday bike night at various locations around town. Visit LoneStar925.com for information about upcoming bike nights. Proudly sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas!

4th Annual Water4Life Free Charity Ride Water4LifeRide.com/# Fort Worth Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

EVENTS

The Texas Rally and Luau TheTexasRally.com Lake Somerville Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Bryan/College Station Held at Big Creek Park & Marina on beautiful Lake Somerville (out of Lyons). Always a huge party and always with a Damon Dave surprise! FREE Luau meal on Saturday (while it lasts), Tiki Lounge, Moment of Silence for 9/11, live bands, bike show & games, bike & campsite decorating contests, and so much more! Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas!

Breaking the Chains Across Texas (BACA) 210.646.0499; 512.448.4294 Temple Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Killeen/Temple

VFW Texas State Commanders Ride & BBQ Fundraiser VFWMGTX8.org San Antonio Region: South Texas Metro: San Antonio

Stubbs HD Open House & Lone Star Rally Pre-Party StubbsHD.com Houston Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston Largest dealer event of the year! Visit us at Stubbs (4400 Telephone Rd inside the 610 Loop in Houston). Food available, vendors, live music 11-3 by Leannasaurus Rex, pet adoption, in store specials and more!

California State HOG Rally CAStateHOGRally.com San Diego, CA

2013 East Texas CASA Benefit Facebook.com/events/548870648485079 Longview Region: Piney Woods Metro: Longview Bikes & Boots Motorcycle Run 281.543.2206; 281.757.3644 Pearland Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston

Noah’s Ark Bike Night & Karaoke NoahsArkBarAndGrill.com Bacliff Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston

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16th Annual Convention Ride & Shoot Out GWRRA-TXR.org Lewisville Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Hot Springs Rally TheHotSpringsRally.com Hot Springs, AR

SEPTEMBER m

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Classic Show-N-Shine Car & Bike Show 817.658.2686 Grandview Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth Bikes, Blues & BBQ BikesBluesandBBQ.org Fayetteville, AR

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NORTH – SPRING BIKE NIGHT NORTH HAS A NEW HOME!! Hosted by Shifters Saloon in Spring (5001-D Treaschwig Rd; 77373). Live music, drink & food specials, reserved motorcycle-only parking, and MORE! Thunder Roads Texas staff will be on hand with T-shirts and other giveaways.

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BFMC 64 Annula PIG PARTY BoozefighterPigParty.webs.com Stoneburg Region: Piney Woods Metro: Texarkana

Southern Cruisers 2013 National Rally SCRCNationalRally.com Kerrville Region: Hill Country Metro: San Antonio

Gulf Coast Classic Tattoo Expo Car and Bike Show GCClassic.com Houston Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston Held at Sam Houston Parkway on Beltway 8/Sam Houston Parkway. Features a Car Show & Truck Show; Bike Show & Rally; Body Art Show; vendors, Pin-Ups; music, and more. Visit the website for more information.

18th Annual Pigstye Pasture Party 903.873.6644; 903.456.1551 Wills Point Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Rumble on the River 2013 BikerRalliesOfTexas.com Bandera Region: Hill Country Metro: San Antonio

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CENTRAL – HOUSTON ~NEW~NEW~NEW LOCATION~ Now hosted by Outlaw Dave at his Worldwide Headquarters (6502 Washington Ave, just off I-10 inside the 610 Loop). Live entertainement with no cover or drink minimum, drink specials, vendors, stage games, door prizes, and MORE! Reserved motorcycle-only parking, with plenty of cage parking, too (if coming in a cage, please park behind I-Hop). Rain or shine… the BEST and longest continually held bike night in Houston!

2nd Annual Buzzards Roost “Numb’s Run” LeathersForBikers.com Marietta Region: Piney Woods Metro: Longview

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EVENTS

SOUTH – KEMAH THIS MONTH: Bob & Shelly are here and live music is by one of our faves… Dean Seltzer & the Redneck Mothers. Hosted by Jackie’s Brickhouse on Marina Bay Drive (FM 2094) just west of Highway 146. Co-sponsored by the Outlaw Dave Show. Live music, Big Ass Beer, door prizes, food specials, and more! Reserved motorcycle parking. Rain or shine!

The Golden Aspen Rally MotorcycleRally.com Ruidoso, NM Thunder Roads Texas BIKE NIGHT ThunderRoadsTexas.com Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston One Night - Three Parties! Our monthly (third Thursday) biker party with a few hundred of our closest friends!

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EvenT Listing

ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Erath County Relay for Life “Cruzin’ for a Cure” 254.485.1767 Stephenville Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth Help us raise moneyh for cancer research. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. Registration begins at 9am. First out at 10am. Ride starts and ends at Stephenville City Park. $20/bike; $25/bike & passenger. $5 hot dog lunch (provided by Knights of Pythias). Silent auction, 50/50 drawing, bike game, Best of Show bike contest, and live entertainment!

Texas Honor Ride Fundraiser TexasHonorRide.org Conroe Region: Piney Woods Metro: Houston Held at West Conroe Baptist Church. Police escorted ride. Registration begins at 8:30am; begins and ends at the church grounds; $25/bike; $10/passenger. Also onsite ater the ride… ar who, auction, live music, drinks, BBQ, military display and more! Proceeds benefit the Wounded Warriors at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. A large ride and check presentation take place in early November.

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Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

Bikers Against Diabetes (BAD) 2013 SouthernJusticeMC361.weebly.com Corpus Christi Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Corpus Christi Bread for Life 817.274.5100 Fort Worth Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth Cheyenne’s Rally ShannonHealth.com San Angelo Region: Panhandle Metro: San Angelo Operation Ride for the GI Facebook.com/OutcastsMCMoonshineHill Humble Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston POW/MIA Remembrance Run 972.859.9082; 817.723.2349 Alvarado Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

EVENTS

2nd Annual The Spirit of Children Bike Run Facebook.com/SpiritOfChildren.EastTexas Longview Region: Piney Woods Metro: Longview

3rd Annual VFW Fun Run 972.464.7888; 972.436.5256 Lewisville Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Revvin’ for the Ribbon Motorcycle Rally & Benefit Concert RevvinForTheRibbon.com DFW Area Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth Multiple starting locations throughout the DFW metroplex, ending at the Quick Trip Park in Grand Prairie. Visit the website for details as they become available. All proceeds go to provide the Utlimate Healing Kit to patients at local hopsitals and surgery centers. Vendors, live music, contests, useful information about breast cancer survival and more. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas!

5th Annual Freedom on the Hill Ride 281.592.1692 Romayor Region: Piney Woods Metro: Houston Hosted by the VFW Post 8953 and Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas! Benefit Fun Run – bikes or cars welcome! $20/single; $25/couple. Fee includes meal andpoker hand. First bike out at 10am. Ride T-shirts available fro $20 (pre-order only). Live and silent auctions, 50/50 drawings, raffle. Poceeds benefit the VFW Post 8953. For more informaiton: 281.592.1692. Auction items appreciated, by September 20 – call 281.610.0273 or 713.397.4222.

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Lake O’ the Pines Rallye NTNOA.org/13LOPRallye.htm Jefferson Region: Piney Woods Metro: Tyler Cowtown Round-Up Music Fest & Rally CyclesForACure.com Fort Worth Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth Presented by Cycles for a Cure, a 501c3 non-profit organization. Join them in the famous Fort Worth Stockyards for a motorcycle fun run, live local bands, vendors, food trucks, silent auction, raffle, bike show, and one big party! Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society Patient Navigation Program. Go online to register today! Additional information in their website or Facebook.com/cyclesforacure or chairperson@cyclesforacure.com. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas! 2nd Annual Wilbarger County Breast Cancer Fun Ride WilbargerCancerRide.com Vernon Region: Panhandle Metro: Wichita Falls

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Annual Veterans Resource Center Fun Run Facebook.com/Groups/150119175029399 Dallas Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Combat Veterans MC Chapter 23-1 Annual Fundraiser 469.254.0294 Dallas Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Myrtle Beach Bike Week Fall Rally MyrtleBeachBikeWeek.com Myrtle Beach, SC

Cleburne Armadillo Cycle Club UG Fest ArmadilloCycleClub.net/ Cleburne Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

OCTOBER

Sweetwater Motorcycle Rally and Cook-Off 325.721.2293 Sweetwater Region: Panhandle Metro: Abilene

Bikers for Boxers Charity Ride & BBQ Cook Off AustinBoxerRescue.com Round Rock Region: Hill Country Metro: Austin

Sean Ashford Music Fund Biker Fun Ride AshfordMusicFund.org Lewisville Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Cash for the Kids Trivia Run 903.692.2921 Hallsville Region: Piney Woods Metro: Longview

Stevie Ray Vaughan Remembrance Ride SRVRideandConcert.org Dallas Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth Join a fun-filled combination motorcycle parade and blues concert. All proceeds benefit the Stevie Ray Vaughan Memorial Scholarship Fund! The parade starts at Hooters in Dallas’ West End and ends at Cowboys Dancehall in Arlington for the memorial concert. A 2013 SRV #1 Replica Guitar Raffle - $5/ ticket; need not be present to win. Advance tickets $20 online; $25 day of event. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas!

Boo Benefit BooBenefit.org Jefferson Region: Piney Woods Metro: Tyler A legendrary ride… a Texas-sized cause! Ride with “Boo” himself, attend the ball, buy a raffle ticket to win a new Harley-Davdison. Plus… live music and other entertainment, plenty of vendors, beer and food! 100% of net proceeds benefit Camp I’m Still Me, a camp for burned children. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas! Corpus Christi BikeFest CCBikeFest.com (formerly SPI BikeFest)’ Corpus Christi Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Corpus Christi

Hawg Wild 2013 936.326.2888 Nacogdoches Region: Piney Woods Metro: Tyler Located on the East Texas Motorcycle Enthusiasts (ETME, Inc.) Acres, just 14 miles east of Nacogdoches, on Hwy 21. Live music, bike games, vendors, adult contests & activities, gate prize, raffles/drawings, auction. 21+ only. $20/person; $20 RV camping; Free tent camping. Proceeds benefit Make Wish Foundation.

Red Knights MC TX 14 Memorial Ride 903.715.5679 Paris Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth Titty Twister Breast Cancer Benefit ChromeDivas.com New Braunfels Region: Hill Country Metro: San Antonio

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Thunder in the Pines JacksonvilleRally.com/ Jacksonville Region: Piney Woods Metro: Tyler

Deacons of Deadwood Charity Ball Disco.Concerts.com/2013CharityBall/ Houston Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston

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Rally in the Crater - Fall RallyintheCrater.com Mount Enterprise, TX Region: Piney Woods Metro: Longview

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Denton ABATE Whirly Ball Challenge Facebook.com/events/541300952585488/ Hurst Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

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Roaring Ranger Day Festival RangerCitizenTaskForce.org Ranger Region: Panhandle Metro: Abilene

EVENTS

EvenT Listing

FREE Shine & Show Bike Show Facebook.com/DynamoCycle Corpus Christi Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Corpus Christi While visiting the Corpus Christi BikeFest, join the Dynamo Cycle team Saturday, 10am-4pm. Classes include classic, bobber, vintage, restored, chopper, home built, rate, and race. Bring your ride and show it off! For more information, visit the shop or their Facebook page.

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EvenT Listing 8th Annual UMME Thanksgiving Basket Turkey Run TempleTurkeyRun.com.eventbrite.com Nolanville Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Killeen/Temple

Bumble Rumble Bike Show BumbleRumble.com Burleson Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth Nun Run 2013 ChristusFoundation.org Houston Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston Ride for the Ladies ChromeDivas.com Corpus Christi Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Corpus Christi

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Texas Harley Racers Reunion & Drags TexasScooter.com Holland Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Killeen/Temple Alvin Blue Santa Motorcycle Ride & Bike Show AlvinBlueSanta.org Alvin Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston

MARK YOUR CALENDARS February 7-9, 2014 37th Annual St Valentine’s Day Massacre Rally MassacreRally.com Hondo Region: South Texas Metro: San Antonio Held at Medina County Fair Grounds (733 FM 462 North). Proceeds benefit Therapy for Disable Children through Horses. Live music all weekend, fun run with cash prizes, ride pins for first 1000 registered. Adult and children activities. Free camping (no electric)Pre-register now for only $18; $23 at the gate. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas!

About Our Event Listing: Basic Event listings are FREE. Premium Event Listings (bold and up to 75 word description) are only $15/event. Send your event to: events@thunderroadstexas.com. 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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Sam’s Jam VI RidersForTheCure.org Houston Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston

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DFW Ride for Kids PBTFUS.org Fort Worth Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth Biketoberfest Biketoberfest.com Daytona, FL Lone Star Motorcycle Rally LoneStarRally.com Galveston Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston The best and largest 4-day motorcycle rally in North America. Free admission, lots of free live music on two stages. Hundreds of vendors. Visit their website for updates. Call 832.437.2318 for vendor or band information. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas! Blowout’s Lone Star Campground LoneStarCampground.com Hitchcock Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston It’s a huge party campground for visitors to the Lone Star Rally. Blowout Productions provides a fullblown campsite, complete with live music, vendors, contests, and after-hours partying (21+ only). Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas!

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Chrome Divas of Corpus Christi Shine! By Chere “FlipFlop”, TRT Sales & Founding Director, Chrome Divas of Corpus Christi

erhaps one of the fastest growing demographics around is female motorcycle owner-operators. A friendly, beautiful, proud lady professing “I ride my own” is becoming less and less freakish in our communities. Chrome Divas, Inc is a world-wide social organization comprised of female motorcycle enthusiasts from all walks of life. These fabulous women span the globe to form a sisterhood, serve their communities, raise charitable donations benefitting women & children, and – of course – RIDE! Texas currently has three Chrome Diva groups: Central Texas, McKinney and Corpus Christi. The Corpus Christi Divas appear to have the largest & most active group of the three. Founded in October 2011, they grew to max-capacity within days of starting their trial period. New members were waiting in the wings for their opportunity to join when it was “Chartered” the following May. Corpus Divas’ motto is “Ride-Bond-Give-Grow” and their catch-phrase is “Peace, Love & Pancakes”. These two rules-of-thumb explain their mission and objectives in a nutshell, and have inspired them to join forces with the many other riding groups in the area to promote charitable benefits, safety awareness, and camaraderie. The Divas’ have tons of fun doing it all. Their social calendars has filled up with events such as “Darlin’s of the Reguladores”, “Bikers for Boobs Run”, Thunder Riders MC “Thunder in the Park Rally,” a Booze Fighters MC “Treasure Hunt”, and a Latin Lady’s MC charity dinner dance. They regularly attend U.S. Military Veterans MC Bike Nights, STCoC&I meetings, participate in the local “Do You See Me Now?” rides, and are currently planning their 2nd Annual Bugs-on-Boobs Open Ride scheduled for May 11th. They recently took their popular fundraising Boot Shine Booth on the road to New Braunfels to help raise money for their Regional Director’s medical expenses, and they are very grateful for the many Leatherneck MC members who showed up to support the cause. Not every female biker you see on the road is a Chrome Diva…yet! If you know a lady who might have Diva potential, please suggest she visit the National webpage and check it out. We’re having such a great time Riding-Bonding-Giving-Growing that we’d hate to leave any wonderful woman out!

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SEE US, SAVE US A Biker Awareness Campaign June 22, 2013 * Lubbock, TX

By Randy McCamey, Associate Editor Pictures courtesy of Debbie Turnbow, Jerry Burke, and Cindy Garza Chavez

“A former Killeen resident was charged after a hit-and-run crash resulted in the death of a motorcyclist.” KWTX.com “A woman was killed Sunday when the motorcycle she was riding was hit from behind by a car along I-20 in southwest Dallas County.” CBSDFW.com “A motorcyclist was traveling east about one-quarter mile west of Dublin on Highway 6 around 10:15 p.m. when a pickup veered into oncoming traffic and struck him head on. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.” The Stephenville Empire Tribune

ords we don’t like to write. Words we don’t like to read. Words we never want to hear on the other end of the telephone. Across the state, big city or small town, it does not matter. Every year, hundreds of bikers are killed or injured. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, in 2011 there were 491 motorcycle riders and passengers killed on Texas streets and highways and many more were seriously injured. In 2010, nine motorcyclists were killed in Lubbock nalone, four of those in one week. Rather than sit around in shock and anger, twelve courageous female riders decided to do something. They had had enough and together they took aim at changing the attitudes and perceptions about motorcycles and about “bikers” in the Lubbock area. So the wheels began to turn (pun intended) and a ride was conceived that would increase the awareness of motorcycles, mopeds, and even bicycles to those people driving cars, trucks, and other large vehicles. The twelve women came up with the tag line “See Us, Save Us” and the ride became an event – an event created to bring awareness to the number of motorcycles on the roads in and around Lubbock. According to founder and Board member Debbie Turnbow (of Dirty Goatees), “We want riders in our town to be more visible and vehicle drivers to be more aware that motorcycles are on the city streets, county roads, and major highways. Too many people have negative stereotypes of “bikers” and we want to change that perception. We also know that it is a two-way street. We want riders to get involved and be active in motorcycle safety and awareness Page 34

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by respecting car and truck drivers and by making efforts to be as conspicuous and visible as possible. We have to do our part too!” So, just what is the See Us, Save Us event? According to Debbie, “This is an annual event in Lubbock and the surrounding area to get people to pay more attention to bikes. The fundamental goal of See Us, Save Us is to promote motorcycle safety and awareness. We try to get as many bikes as possible to be part of the event so that the people around Lubbock will see us en mass, thus promoting awareness. In our first year we had about 2,000 bikes participate. We start the event each year in a large, visible area so the public can actually see us. “This year, we started at the South Plains Mall. From there, we dispatched bikes along predetermined routes around Lubbock trying to cover as many of the main streets in the city as possible. We released about 20 bikes at a time because we wanted to be orderly about the event and we didn’t want to block traffic. This helped us promote more of a positive image of motorcyclists. The ride lasted about an hour and bikers were encouraged to smile, give a friendly wave to pedestrians at their homes and vehicles on the roads, and generally to display a happy and upbeat image.” This year, the event ended at the Veterans Memorial Wall and a short sermon was given and prayers offered. According to Board member Molly Harris, “Veterans appreciate our efforts. One rider even brought a wrecked bike on a trailer as a visible showing of just what can happen in a motorcycle crash.” While See Us, Save Us is a grass-roots movement, it takes money to keep it going. “We raise money through the sale of T-shirts, wrist bands, window stickers, yard signs, as well as through monetary donations”, says Molly. “Some of the proceeds are used to support the event but the bulk goes toward the purchase of media and ad space

to promote not just the event, but our primary goals – safety and awareness, safety and awareness, safety and awareness”! Lamar Outdoor Advertising donates signage in and around Lubbock all year long and recently two signs have been placed in Amarillo. “For the future, See Us, Save Us will keep sending the same message of motorcycle safety and awareness”, says Debbie. “This really is a grass-roots effort and we look for support from other clubs and organizations so we can continue the ride each year and continue to have other SUSU events in other cities. We are currently working with a group in Amarillo for a See Us, Save Us ride this fall.” This year, motorcycle accidents related to car and truck drives “not seeing the motorcycle” are down in the Lubbock area. While there is no way to prove the See Us, Save Us event caused this reduction, Molly says, “We hope that our event contributed, even in some small measure, to those lower numbers”. We hope so too, Molly.

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Do you want to host a See Us, Save Us event in your city? The goal of the See Us, Save Us event is to remind car and truck drivers to be more aware of those of us on two wheels and to promote motorcycle safety. The event creates awareness in a community by having a large number of motorcycles blanket the area to make residents more consciously aware of motorcycles on their roads and in the streets of their neighborhoods. The event also helps create a more positive attitude toward the motorcyclist. Debbie Turnbow says, “It takes a lot of local effort to make a SUSU event happen and you need about six months to get the event up and running”. If you are interested in hosting a SUSU event in your city, contact Molly Harris at Molly@seeussaveus.com or Blair Dickerson at Blair@seeussaveus.com More information can also be found on the See Us, Save Us website at: SeeUsSaveUs.com. As rides are created, be sure to send the information to Thunder Roads Texas for our event listing and help promoting the event. We’ll sponsor them all! ThunderRoadsTexas.com

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ON THE COVER

The Texas Tour A Motorcycle Adventure!

It all started with the song, “I’ve Been Everywhere...In Texas” by Brian Burns! I watched the YouTube video and thought “How cool would that be to ride my black cherry 2006 Heritage Softtail Classic, “Reveille”, to those Texas cities”! I thought about taking a picture of my motorcycle in front of each of the county signs, but that seemed boring! Nothing but a green sign and my Harley. then realized that every county has a courthouse so that’s what I decided to do. I was going to take a picture of my motorcycle in front of each of the 254 courthouses in Texas and in front of the state capitol in Austin… and make my husband go with me! The adventure began in March 2012 easily enough since I could ride around my home of Kendall County and get Gillespie, Johnson, Bexar, and the other neighboring counties taken care of in a day’s ride. The task became

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more difficult after I finished those counties close to home. The day trips became overnighters. We would zigzag through the Texas countryside for a day visiting such towns as Bryan/College Station, Austin, Abilene, Junction, and Sweetwater. After a night’s rest, we would move over to the next set of counties and meander our way back home. The overnighters soon became three-day weekend trips to places like Houston, Galveston, Corpus Christi, and Brownsville. Then it became four-day rides to get to areas not yet covered. Each trip took us one route out and another route back to get more courthouses. It took a lot of time to map out the routes, arrange for hotels and meals, and scout for gas stops. Many county seats in Texas, we discovered, have no gas stations and no place to buy food and drinks.

The culminating ride was a six-day, five-night adventure through the Texas Panhandle which took us to 39 not yet visited county courthouses and covered over 2,000 miles. The mission was completed on July 5, 2013. The adventures on those rides were fantastic! We met fellow riders from all over the world. While on old Route 66 we met a group from Europe who had rented Harleys in Chicago to ride to Los Angeles and back. While in Muleshoe, we met up with the Muleshoe Roadriders and joined them in the Muleshoe Fourth of July parade. The 16 months of riding added over 20,000 miles to the odometer, so “Reveille” has now retired from touring. He was replaced with a 2012 red ember sunglow Street Glide named “Clifford” in order to prepare for the next item on our “Bike-It List,” riding through every state in the United States!

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with two glasses of top-shelf Cognac. I enjoyed my birthday lunch tremendously, and had a sweet little buzz going as a bonus. Last week was my birthday and I didn’t feel very well waking up on that morning… kinda’ depressed actually. Feeling no excitement or surprises were left in my life. I missed surprises. I went downstairs for breakfast hoping my husband would be pleasant and say, “Happy Birthday!”, and possibly have a small present for me. As it turned out, he barely said good morning, let alone “Happy Birthday.” I thought… well, that’s marriage for you, but the kids… they will remember. My kids came bounding downstairs to breakfasts and didn’t say a word. So when I left for the office, I felt pretty low and somewhat despondent. As I walked into my office, my handsome boss, Rick, said, “Goodmorning, lady, and by the way Happy Birthday!” It felt great that at least someone had actually remembered. I worked until one o’clock , when Rick knocked on my door and said, “You know, it’s such a beautiful day outside, and it is your birthday, what do you say we go out to lunch, just you and I. I said, “Thanks, Rick, that’s the second greatest thing I’ve heard all day. Let’s go!” So, we went to lunch. But we didn’t go where we normally would go. He chose instead a quiet bistro with a private table. We had three martinis each, shared an appetizer and then capped it off

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On the way back to the office, Rick said, “You know, it’s such a beautiful day... we don’t need to go straight back to the office, do we?” I responded, “You’re the boss, what did you have in mind?” He said, “Let’s drop by my place, it’s just around the corner.” After arriving at his drop-dead, incredibly gorgeous house, Rick turned to me and said, “If you don’t mind, I’m going to step into the bedroom for just a moment. I’ll be right back.” “Umm, okay.” I nervously replied. He went into the bedroom and, after a couple of minutes, he came out carrying a huge birthday cake… followed by my husband my kids, and dozens of my friends and co-workers, all singing “Happy Birthday”. And I just sat there.... On the couch.....Totally naked, totally mortified and totally surprised. This morning on the Interstate, I looked over to my left and there was a woman, in a brand new Cadillac, doing 65 mph with her face up next to her rear view mirror, putting on her eyeliner. I looked away for a couple seconds... to continue shaving, and when I looked back she was half-way over in my lane,

still working on that makeup job. As a man, I don’t scare easily. But she scared me so much; I had to put on my seat belt and I dropped my electric shaver, which then knocked the donut out of my other hand. In all the confusion of trying to straighten out the car using my knees against the steering wheel, it knocked my cell phone away from my ear, which fell into the coffee between my legs, splashed and burned the hell out of Big Jim and the Twins, ruined the damn iPhone, soaked my trousers, and disconnected an important call to my yoga trainer. Damn women drivers! Totally self-absorbed! Two elderly sisters donated $5 to a charity and, to their surprise, won tickets to a football game. Since they had never seen a live football game before, Madge thought the free tickets would provide an excellent opportunity for doing so. “I think so, too,” said Mabel, “Let’s go!” They soon found themselves high in a noisy stadium overlooking a large, grassy expanse. They watched the kickoff and the seemingly endless back-and-forth struggles that comprised the scoreless first half. They enjoyed the band music and cheerleader performance that followed. Then came the second half. When the teams lined up for the second-half kickoff, Madge nudged her sister, “I guess we can go home now, Mabel,” she said, “This is where we came in.”

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Biker Friendly These businesses are SERIOUS about serving the Texas Motorcycle Community. The list is set up in business 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! Want to be on this list - it’s only $149/YEAR; $125 for churches, bands, MC clubs/groups, and VFW/ALR Halls - visit our website or email Shelly@ThunderRoadsTexas.com for information. * Noah’s Ark Bar & Grill Accessories & Parts Biker Churches * Stitches 1308 Hwy 6 South Houston, TX 77077 281.558.8572 Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

Bars & Restaurants * Bryant’s Ice House 26913 Katy Freeway Katy, TX 77494 281.392.BEER (2337) HoustonIceHouse.com 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.com www.bentrimgrill.com Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: San Antonio * Headwaters Saloon 229 S Ranch Rd 783 Harper, TX 78631 830.377.5034 Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: San Antonio * Johnny O’s Ole House Tavern 9905 Camp Bowie West Fort Worth, TX 76116 817.874.2535 www.chulachaser.com Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

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) http://rollingthunderbarandgrill.com/Home_Page.php Region: Panhandle Closest Metro: Lubbock * Tommaso’s Italian Restaurant 507 N Gordon St Alvin, TX 77511 281.331.6262 www.tomasositaliangrill.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston * 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

Northeast Texas Bikers Church 749 E 16th Street Mt Pleasant, TX 75455 903.563.0948 NETXBC.com Region: Piney Woods Closest Metro: Longview Church service on Thursdays @ 7pm Bible study on Sundays @ 5pm

Dealerships & Shops * Bill Allen Motorcycle Company 3607 S College Ave Bryan, TX 77801 979.822.4294 Facebook.com/BillAllen.Motorcycles * Collin County Choppers AKA Frisco Custom Cycles 6427 Main St Frisco, TX 75034 214.387.0650 www.collincountychoppers.com Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth * 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 * Harley-Davidson of Waco 4201 S Jack Kultgen Expy Waco, TX 76711 254-753-0393 www.hdwaco.com Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Waco

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Biker Friendly * Hawgs N Dawgs Motorcycle Shop & CafĂŠ 1333 SE Military Dr San Antonio, TX 78214 210.924.0203 www.HawgsNDawgs.com Region: South Texas Closest Metro: San Antonio

* Southern Metal Choppers 11116 Middle Fiskville Rd, Ste E Austin, TX 78753 512.833.5044 www.southernmetalchoppers.com Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: Austin

* Javelina Harley-Davidson 29078 I-10 West Boerne, TX 78006 800-860-9696 www.javelinaharleydavidson.com Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: San Antonio

* Thunder Alley Cycles 416 NE Wilshire Blvd Burleson, TX 76028 817.295.0955 www.thunderalleycycles.com Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Dallas/Ft Worth

* 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

* Tugs Cycles 19529 County Rd, #2 Brazoria, TX 77422 979.798.6061 Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

* 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 * Motorcycle Tire Shop Welding/Technical Services 1917 S Hackberry San Antonio, TX 78210 210.533 BIKE (2453) http://motorcycletireshop.synthasite.com Region: South Texas Closest Metro: San Antonio * Potterosa Cycles & ATVs 18143 FM 314 Conroe, TX 77302 281.572.4774 www.potterosa.net/ Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

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* Woods Cycle Country 1933 I-35 East New Braunfels, TX 78130 830.606.9828 www.woodscyclecountry.com Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: San Antonio

For the Girls GOT GREAT BIKER GIRL GEAR? ADVERTISE HERE! http://ThunderRoadsTexas.com

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

... continued * Freeway Insurance 642 W Rhapsody, Ste A San Antonio, TX 78216 210.403.2216 www.FreewayInsurance.com Region: South Texas Closest Metro: San Antonio

Lodging & Campgrounds DUBL-C Guest House (Vacation Rentals by Owner) Kerrville area: located on Hwy 39 between Ingram & Hunt; Stay 2 Nights, get 3rd FREE 866.427.8374 www.vrbo.com/385945 Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: San Antonio *Scoot On Inn Cabins & Camping, LLC 4397 South Highway 83 Leakey, TX 78873 830.232.4442 Office/Home 512.517.5349 Cell-Tim Region: HIll Country Closest Metro: San Antonio

Motorcycle Towing Cyclone Cycle Rescue 1100 Crane Dr Euless, 76039 76039 817.308.9086 www.MotorcycleTowingTX.com Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth * Dragonstar Motorcycle Transportation PO Box 444 Bryan, TX 77806 281.935.8890 www.getaride.net Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Bryan/College Station

Riding Gear & Leather Goods * American Man Cave 18 E Main St Bellville, TX 77418 979.865.9383 www.american-man-cave.com Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Houston

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ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

September 2013

Page 45

Biker Friendly... continued * Coppersage Biker Gear 1002 Goodson Rd Coppersage Biker Gear 1002 Goodson Road Magnolia, TX 77355 281.730.1835 Region: Piney Woods Closest Metro: Houston * Motorcycle Outpost, The 103 S College Westminster, TX 75409 972.838.8222 www.TheMotorcycleOutpost.com Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth * Pit Stop Biker Gear 13028 State Highway 21 West Austonio, TX 75835 936-661-7518 www.pitstopbikergear.com

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September 2013

Miscellaneous * American Legion Post 402 11457 US Highway 190 West Livingston, TX 77351 936.646.7411 Oklahoma Backroads OKMotorcycleTours.com 405.996.0411 888.785.8733 blongarborist@wildblue.net Outlaw Dave Productions PO Box 25028 Houston, TX 77265 www.OutlawNation.us Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

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Thunder Roads Texas * Page 47 * September 2013

Thunder Roads Texas * Page 48 * September 2013