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Exciting times are upon us my friends! Spring is here, riding season is here, and it is time to put some miles on two wheels! Sunshine, warmer weather, cleansing rains cleaning off the roadways, and finally it is time to get out riding once again. I was out every month over the winter, but not very damn much at all. That is all behind us now, with the full season ahead of us to look forward to. Time for the spring cleaning and making things better, cleaner, bigger, and cooler! Change is inevitable, and not always a bad thing. We are always looking for ways to make the magazine better, and the TRMI family is all over the state and working on things of interest to readers, sponsors, and supporters of the magazine. We love to hear from people on what they would like to see on the pages. Reach out to us with contacts on the staff page, or shoot us a message on the Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa Facebook page, or hit us up when you see any of the staff out and about at events about what you would like to see in the magazine. Even if you have no ideas, never be afraid to say hello and shake our hands, we love to meet the people that make this possible. Without the readers and sponsors, we could not make this thing go around, and we thank you for that! As you get out and about on two wheels, make sure that you pay extra attention to your surroundings. There are many things that can really mess us up on the roads, and this
On the Cover This month Elizabeth Sander graces the cover with Randy Lund’s Bourget Chopper. Randy thought that she would look great with his bike and we must say that we agree. She came out to the show and dolled up just for us to admire. She was not even too shy about snapping some photos right on the show floor before the Midwest Motorcycle Show started hopping. Thanks Elizabeth!
time of year there are more than normal amounts of BS to deal with. Cages are not used to seeing us, road debris from the winter, spring brings farm equipment onto the roadways, animals start to run around more, and of course the weather can change at the drop of a hat. On top of external factors, don’t forget to do a complete preseason check of your bike. Many things can falter on your ride over the winter, so check it out, clean it up, and make sure it can safely hit the road. We want as few mishaps as possible for our fellow riders, and taking preventative measures and paying a little extra attention to our surroundings can help get us home safely to our families. Spring is the time of year for the bike blessings, open houses, and the first of the hard core rides. This year brings us plenty of cool things to see and do. March 28-29 at LHHD in Pacific Junction you can go to their Grand Opening. The new owners have been doing a lot of things to improve that location, and want to welcome everyone in. On April 4th, Metro HD in Cedar Rapids is having an Easter Egg hunt. This is cool as all get out in my world, because it is not a “Spring” Egg Hunt, which is awesome to me in this overly politically correct world. April 11th brings the Dubuque HD Anniversary Party. They are celebrating a milestone of being there for 6 years, and want to thank everyone that made it possible. April 18th in Conesville they are having the first of a series of Outlaw Street Drags. This event is new and is a car deal mainly, but many seem to love the races on this site. Also on the 18th is the Bike Blessing at Big Barn HD, always a great time and a great turn out for an early season event. The 25th brings the spring Open House at the Carroll Cycle Center. Stop by and say hey and see what cool stuff Terry and crew have in store for you. On April 25th, the first big run of the year starts in Ames. The Sleeping Angels Fun Run starts at Zylstra HD and hits some cool spots in central Iowa and is one of those “must attend” events. Some of the TRMI crew will be there, and word is Joey may even let us lead a leg of the run. Should be a great time! See you on the road soon. Be safe, and keep it real. Vernon Quote of the month: The connection to place, to the land, the wind, the sun, stars, the moon... it sounds romantic, but it’s true - the visceral experience of motion, of moving through time on some amazing machine - a few cars touch on it, but not too many compared to motorcycles. I always felt that any motorcycle journey was special. Antoine Predock
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TR T RM MII A PR P RIL IL 22015 00115 - 5 TRMI APRIL
Peter A. Sieben
Letter from the Crew – GAS TAX On Sunday March 1, 2015 a 10 cent per gallon addition to the state’s fuel tax took effect. Just for the heck of it I thought I would do a little research and find out how much total tax we are paying for fuel. According to the American Petroleum Institute, the Iowa total State plus Federal Excise Tax before the increase was 40, that’s 40 cents per gallon. So right now you, I, and everyone else pay 50+ cents per gallon in gas tax in Iowa. This of course only applies to ‘on highway fuel’ as ‘farm fuel’ is exempt from paying the taxes. In case you wanted to know, the National Average is just over 48 cents per gallon. Think about that. Fifty cents out of every gallon of fuel that is bought is taxes. Now add to that the income tax we pay, sales tax, property tax, and every other special little excise tax they sneak in and you come up with a pretty big number. We’re not done yet. Now add the cost of your license plates and every license you have from the State or County. All of these things exist to generate money for a group of elected people to make rules that restrict our freedoms. Something here is just not right. Our elected officials just ‘voted themselves a raise’ which equals ‘spending more of our money’.
discounting the gas tax per gallon by 8 cents. Sounds to me like they could have just eliminated the subsidy instead of making all of us pay more. I TRULY HATE SUBSIDIES.
I know some of you will label me ‘anti-farming’ given my overall dislike of ethanol; however, nothing could be further from the truth. Five of my uncles were farmers and so are many of my wife’s relatives. I’m just anti-subsidies. When I was a kid I remember smaller 2 wd tractors pulling wagons or 2 ton tandem farm trucks. Nowadays I see giant 4 wd tractors and tractor-trailer rigs. Seems to me that this newer, heavier equipment is what is slowly destroying our rural bridges and roads. Maybe farmers could contribute by paying a little road use tax on the fuel they buy. 10 cents a gallon or maybe the eight to make up for U.S. citizens subsidizing the fuel they Promises of better roads and bridges have been produce. Just sayin’. Before long I won’t have anything made. I kind of wonder what they spent all of the rest left in my pockets for the politicians to take. of the money on. By the way, what I said before about how we all have to pay the tax, keep in mind that Questions or comments: peter@riderpromotions.com Iowa artificially subsidizes ethanol pricing here by
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CMA Notes
We also have to value the fact that we are and have always been Ever feel like a coyote caught “One nation under God”. We need to pray for our leaders, that they in a trap, like you want to chew your leg off just to get would again look to the Lord as the light for our country’s path. God is out? Kind of like waiting for the snow to be gone and about restoration and through His the ride season to begin. The son Jesus we can personally and closer it gets the more agony nationally be whole, healthy, and to endure. Hopefully we will enjoy His blessings. make it through, limbs intact. Now that I think of it, we do James 4 says to “humble yourselves have a friend named Coyote in the presence of the Lord and He will exalt you”. Our current culture from the Crazy Coyote Bar seems to get these things turned and Grill in Burlington that around and out of order, forgetting only has one leg. I always thought it was an industrial that it is we who are supposed to do accident but - hmm, makes me wonder. the humbling of ourselves and the Lord who does the exalting. “God In the meantime, there are a few things that can help ease resists the proud but gives grace the pain and we’ve been hitting as many of the winter events as possible to do just that. The Capitol City Custom to the humble.” Submit to God. He will then be able to guide and Show was great as usual and it was good to see so many brave the bitter cold and wind to attend. Another diversion direct your path and keep you from burning what you may think is just the scrap wood of your we were able to participate in was a Harley Dealer’s VIP life. Tour in Milwaukee, courtesy of the Heartland HD and the HOG group in Burlington. The VIP Tour took our group Blessings, to the headquarters, the engine plant, and the museum; a Mark very full couple of days and quite enjoyable, except again for the travel in the snow and ice. Our tour was led by one Mark and Karla Cornick are Area Reps with the Christian of the museum staff archivists and I was very impressed with the amount of history Harley Davidson has been able Motorcyclists Association. Find out more about CMA and to preserve. They recognize the importance of their legacy God’s plan for you at www.cmausa.org . and their place in history and they take great care to protect it. They know the importance of where they came from and how it affects where they are going in the future. But being human we are subject to failings like the contractor that was working for Harley Davidson doing remodeling in the 50s. The original 10 x 15 shop was accidentally burnt by an individual thinking it was just scrap wood. That’s a big oops. How would you have liked to be that guy? He was a good example of not understanding the importance of that piece of history – and not asking anyone else about it because he thought he knew. We likewise should take great care to preserve our country’s Christian heritage and history. We live in very uncertain times where both heritage and history are in jeopardy. We have those who want to rewrite, pervert, erase and would destroy, if possible, the very things that enabled us to be a great nation. In the past we have been blessed to have had leaders both politically and militarily that understood our history, acknowledged our Godly beginnings and took a stand to honor God publically. So, can we do anything and if so, what? I think we have to begin with those who are closest - our families - and then work outward, like a ripple on a pond. Just like the archivist at the museum that shared pieces of the past with us, we have to preserve and be the archivist for our time. We have to remind our children, family, friends and neighbors that God loves us and Jesus is the way. The book of Psalms tells us that “His Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path that shows us that way”.
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TRM TR T RMI MI A PR P PRIL RIL IL 22015 00115 - 9 TRMI APRIL
The Biker Friendly Business Directory is a list of establishments throughout Iowa that sponsor the magazine. You can pick up your copy here every month. Let them know that you saw them in TRMI. If your business would like to advertise in Thunder Roads Iowa Biker Friendly Business Listing and become a part of the network, please email vernon@thunderroadsiowa. com
Biker Accessories CoolBikerStuff.com 1606 P Avenue Milford, Iowa 51351 877-816-2200 Follow us on Facebook!! Crispy’s Biker Apparel Cedar Rapids, Iowa Find Us On Facebook 319-241-0916 J&P Cycles 13225 Circle Drive Anamosa, IA 52205 www.jpcycles.com 800-318-4823 Leather & Hawgs 316 Main, Hornick, Iowa 121 1st St, Soldier, Iowa leather@wiatel.net www.leatherandhawgs.com Nunnikhoven Art Stone 405 Wapello Street Mediapolis, Iowa 52637 319-394-3553 Ninnikhovenartstone.net
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Dealers Baxter Cycle 311 4th Street Marne, Iowa 51552 712-781-2351 www.baxtercycle.com Brenny’s Motorcycle Clinic 4426 State Street Bettendorf, IA 52722 (563)359-7222 www.BRENNYS.com Carroll Cycle Center 1327 Plaza Dr Carroll, Iowa 712-792-1610 www.carrollcycle.com Dubuque Harley-Davidson 145 N Crescent Rdg Dubuque, IA 52003 563-557-3735 www.dubuqueharley-davidson.com
Metro Harley-Davidson 2415 Westdale Drive SW Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404 319-362-9496 www.metro-motorsports.com
Wiebler’s Harley-Davidson 5320 Corporate Park Drive Davenport, IA 52807 563-355-6437 www.wieblers.com
Nishna Valley Cycle HONDA – YAMAHA – KTM Atlantic, Iowa 50022 1-888-577-6406 www.nishnavalleycycle.com
Zylstra Harley-Davidson 1930 E 13th Street Ames, Iowa 50010 515-232-6223 zylstrahd.com
Okoboji Harley-Davidson 1005 Eastview Avenue Okoboji IA, 51355 712-332-7700 www.erniesharley.com
Entertainment
R/J Performance HWY 63 North Ottumwa, Iowa 52501 641.684.8400 www.rjperformance.com
Fenders Cycle and Motorsport 1109 E Army Post Road Des Moines, Iowa 50315 515-256-9062 www.fenderscycle.com
Leer’s Cycle Center 101 Fletcher Avenue Waterloo, Iowa 50701 1-800-870-6058 www.leerscyclecenter.com
Whipp Sales and Service, Inc 701 S 8th Street Clarinda, Iowa 51632 1.800.477.0195 www.whippsalesandserv.com
Olsen’s Outdoor Power 2800 E 7th Street Atlantic Iowa 50022 712-243-4867 www.olsensoutdoorpower.com
Ernie’s Harley-Davidson 2613 Hwy 18 East Algona, IA 50511 515-295-7951 www.erniesharley.com
Fenders Honda 100 South 16th Street Ames, Iowa 50010 info@fendershonda.com 515-233-4727
Loess Hills Harley-Davidson 57408 190th Street Pacific Junction IA 51561 712-622-4000 loesshillshd.com
Uptown Motors Sales, Inc 310 Cleveland St Muscatine, IA 52761 563-263-2944 www.uptownmotorsales.com Werner Cycle Works 14410 Frontier Road Exit 440 I-80 Omaha, NE 68138 402-894-3050 www.wernercycleworks.com
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Book Em Dano’s 33 S Main Street Denison, Iowa 51442 712-263-9818Mon-Sat 4-2 Dancers Nightly 5-1:30 Celebrations DJ & Karaoke Services Newton, IA 641-521-8036 Any Occasion or EventCelebrationsdjiowa.com Facebook/Ray Johansen Knoxville Raceway 1000 N Lincoln Street Knoxville, Iowa 50138 www.knoxvilleraceway.com 641-842-5431 Okoboji Classic Cars Museum and Restoration Shop 810 Jeppeson Road West Okoboji, Iowa 51351 712-332-802
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Food and Drink 4 Way Good Eats Where Friends Meet Wed - Sun 7 a.m. to close Luxemburg, IA. 563-853-3451 Full menu of All Homemade Goodness!
Barney’s 203 S Mill Street Wadena, Iowa 52169 563-774-2525 Barney’s Wadena on Facebook Baxa’s Sutliff Store & Tavern 5546 130th Street NE Lisbon 319-624-2204 Cold Beer, Delicious Food, Good Music & Great Times! Beer Barn and Grill 226 State Street Kirkman, Iowa 51447 712-766-3395 Open Mon 4, Tue-Sun at 11 Bikerz 313 Main Ave. ClearLake, IA 50428 641-440-4255 Noon-2am 7 days a week Breezy Hills Winery 31735 Tamarack Rd. Minden, IA 51553 712-485-2083 www.breezyhills.com
Buck Snort 113 4th Street Neola, Iowa 51559 712-485-9090 The Buck Snort on Facebook
Chopper’s 601 Rhomberg Avenue Dubuque, Iowa 52001 563-556-9666 Open Noon-Close 365/Year
Come for the Food, Stay for the Scenery
Buck Snort 310 Dr Van Zee Road Oakland, Iowa 51560 712-482-6881
Coon’s Corner 302 Front Street Neola, Iowa 51559 712-485-2068 Coon’s Corner on Facebook
Do Drop Inn 403 3rd Avenue Under the Water Tower Jamaica, Iowa 50128 515-314-0783
Crescent Roadhouse Bar and Grill 634 Old Lincon Highway Crescent, Iowa 51526 712-227-0101 www.CrescentRoadhousebar.com
Durango Depot 736 Burtons Furnace Road Open 3 to close Best Scenic Road With the Best Food! 563-552-2291
C&L Sandbar 103 North Noyes Street Mondamin, IA 51557 712-646-2300 or 712-216-0975 Hours Daily 11-close Cadillac Jack’s 106 Main Street Baxter, Iowa 50028 641-227-3611 Cadillac Jack’s on Facebook
Dam Riverview Sports Bar The Rivers Closest Watering Hole Guttenburg, IA 563-252-4400 Unbeatable Views, Drinks, & Food!! Enjoy our Deck over The River!!
Dolly’s Bar & Grill 109 N. Pine Street Auburn, Iowa 51433 712-688-2220
Fro’s Pub ‘N Grub 309 Cedar St, Wilton 563-732-3977 Fro›s Pub n Grub on Facebook A Surprise Around Every Corner
Catfish Charlie’s On the Mississippi River 1630 E. 16th Street Dubuque, IA 52001 (563)582-8600 www.CatfishCharliesDubuque.com
Desperados 105 E 5th Street Atlantic 712-243-7087 Home of Cold Beer, Good Times, Pizza & Wings
George And Dales Bar & Grill Downtown East Dubuque,IL Open 11 am 7 days a week Wed Bike Night 815-747-8810
Cede’s Bark Bistro 519 W. Main St. Sac City, IA 50583 712-662-8072 2 Wheel Thursday $2 Beers
Doc’s Roadhouse 309 East 7th Street Logan, Iowa 51543 712-644-3636 Open 365-8 am to Close
Goozman›s Westside Bar & Grill Harlan, Iowa 712-755-2259 Goozman›s Westside on Facebook
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Haverhill Social Club 202 1st Street Haverhill, Iowa 50120 641-475-3321 Mon-Sat 10-2, Sun 12-12 Hawkeye Bar & Grill 110 North 4th Street Mapleton, IA 51034 712-882-1226 Mon-Sat 10:30 a.m. ~ Sun 12:00 p.m. Huffy’s Mule Barn 802 Main Street Anita, Iowa 50020 712-762-9995 www.huffysmulebarn.com Iron Saddle Saloon 39 S Main Street Dayton, Iowa 50530 515-547-3311 J.R. Willie’s Gateway to the Beautiful Hill Country Colesburg, IA 563-856-5095 OPEN M-F 10AM S-S 7 AM Home of the Willie Whopper Keasey’s Hideaway Lounge 911 Court Street Adel, Iowa 50003 515-993-3001 Kelly’s Irish Pub & Eatery 563-344-0000 2222 E 53rd Street #10 Davenport, Iowa 52807 Great Food, Great Service, Great Atmosphere
Knickers Saloon 2186 Central Avenue Dubuque, Iowa 52001 563-557-0887 365 Days a Year Knickers Saloon on Facebook Knuckleheads Anamosa, IA 319-462-2724
Papa Joe’s 117 South 6th Street Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555 712-642-9015 Pearl Street Social Club 110 Pearl Street SW Shellsburg, Iowa 52332 319-436-7100 Find Us On Facebook!
The Knucklehead Burger “Git IT IN YA”
Lampe’s Pub 608 Iowa Avenue Dunlap, Iowa 51529 712-643-5781 Open 7 days a week at 11 AM Midway Tavern 206 1st Street Soldier, Iowa 712-884-2230 www.midwaytavernsoldier.com Minden Bowl Café & Lounge 209 Broadway Street Minden, Iowa 51553 712-483-2937 Minden Bowl on Facebook Montgomery Street Pub 207 East Montgomery Street Creston, Iowa 50801 641-782-2165
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The Home Plate Diner 304 E. 30th Street Des Moines, Iowa 50317 515-262-7000
Pines Steakhouse Oinkers Lounge & Grill 1500 E 7th Street Atlantic, Iowa 50022 712-243-3606 M-F 11AM-, S-S 4PMPizza Ranch DENISON 510 HWY 39 North Denison, Iowa 712-393-3333 Check Us Out on Facebook Open 7 Days a Week Pizza Ranch HARLAN 613 Court Street Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-755-2262 Check Us Out on Facebook Open 7 Days a Week
The Lewis Place 506 W Main Street Lewis, Iowa 51544 712-769-2290 Come Relax in the Beer Garden The Lounge 1005 Chatburn Ave Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-755-5050 The Lounge Harlan Iowa on Facebook The Onion Grove Bar & Grill 502 Lombard St, Clarence (563)452-3030 Check out our fun on Facebook!! The Roadhouse 105 Washington Marne, Iowa 51552 712-781-2272 Home of the Marne Burger
Red Oak Tap 419 E. Reed Red Oak, Iowa 51566 712-623-4788
The Sawmill Bar & Grill Now with a Full Menu 401 Main St New Market, IA 51646-3079 712-585-3601
Riverside Tavern 450 E Main St Lehigh, Iowa 50557 515-359-9998 Email:riversidetap@gmail.com Sambetti’s Bar and Grill 1430 2nd Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50314 515-245-9780 Mon-Sat 11a-2a, Sun 11a-7p
Like on FB Knuckleheads Pub & Grub
Open M-F 11-2, S-S 10-2
TC’s Pub 921 N 3rd Ave Marshalltown, Iowa 641-752-0551 TC’s Pub on Facebook
Screaming Eagle American Bar & Grill 228 East 4th Street Waterloo, Iowa 50703 319-235-8865 www.partyattheeagle.com Shenanigans Pub-Dubuque 3203 Jackson Street Dubuque, Iowa 563-513-4001 Open 364 - 3 pm - 2 am Sidetracked 206 West Union Street Creston, Iowa 50801 641-782-8534
The Wagon Wheel 521 E 7th Washington, Iowa 52353 319-653-3637 Wagon Wheel Tap on Facebook Timerz Pub & Eatery 324 E 7th Street Logan, Iowa 51546 Timerz Pub & Eatery on FB Food & Fun Available 7 Days/Week T.J.’s Pourhouse 100 E. Washington Street Exira, Iowa 50076 712-268-2353 Open M-SAT.@11, SUN.@ NOON Tobey Jacks Mineola Steak House Mineola, Iowa 712-526-2078 Open 7 Days a Week Check Us Out on Facebook
Sportsman Bar & Grill 103 1st Street Pisgah, Iowa 51564 712-456-2222 FOOD, FUEL, FUN Stumpy’s Bar & Grill 423 Main Street Duncombe, Iowa 50532 515-543-4222 Stumpy’s Bar & Grill on Facebook
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Uncle Harley’s Bar & Grill 202 W Mayne, Blue Grass (563)381-1717 Great Pizza & Food Bikers ALWAYS Welcome Vic’s Main Tap 304 Broadway Audubon, Iowa 50025 712-563-2122 Opens M-F 3, Sat 10, Sun 3
Wilson’s Tap and Recreation 1008 Story Street Boone, Iowa 50036/ 515-433-1395 Woobies 134 W. Main St. New London, IA 52645 319-367-2211 Woody’s Roadside Tavern 100 West Jefferson Albion, Iowa 50005 (641) 488-2220 Woody’s Roadside Tavern on Facebook
Guns and Ammo 2A Firearms Training Training to Protect Your 2nd Ammendment Rights 641-439-6660 Craig.2aft@gmail.com Locked and Loaded Outfitters 612 Market Street Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-235-4867 www.LockedandLoadedOutfitters.com Shooter’s Outlet 114 Main Street Arcadia, Iowa 51430 712-689-2772 Tues,Wed,Fri 9-5, Thurs 9-7, Sat 8-12 www.shootersoutlet.net SR Gunsmithing AGI Certified Gunsmith Scott Rule Council Bluffs, IA 402-850-5787 scottrule@q.com
In sur ance Matt McCall Insurance Agency State Farm Insurance 102 East South St, Tipton 563-886-6120 www.mattmccall.net
Legal Hupy and Abraham sc, pc Lawyers for Bikers 800.800.5678 Hupy.com IowaBikerLawyer.com Pete Leehey Law Firm, P.C. Riding and Defending Your Rights for Over 30 Years 977-209-9452
Photo and Art Ullrich Photography PO Box 1842 Clinton, Iowa 52733 563-243-8715 www.natanic.com
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Services BCS Computers 100 Industrial Road Guthrie Center, Iowa 50115 641-747-3344 www.brubakercomputer.com
Southwest Iowa Sandblasting Mike Magers 65162 Oxford Rd Atlantic, Iowa 50022 712-249-3995
Shops & Fabricators
Ben Franklin/Radio Shack 106 N Wilson Jefferson, Iowa 50129 515-386-4122 Hometownvarietyinc.com
Bent Wrench Cycles 911 7th Street Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-235-2453 Bent Wrench Cycles on Facebook
Decker Trucking 877-2-Decker Drivedecker.com
Butterfield’s M.C. Parts 8025 Blondo Street Omaha, NE 68134 402-391-3768
Hoker Trucking NOW HIRING Dixon, Iowa Hokertucking.com 563-843-2763
Chuck’s Cycle Service and Repair 714 East 7th Street Washington, Iowa52353 319-461-5278
Dead Heads Engineering, Fab, Repairs & Sales 426 Railway Street Gillett Grove, Iowa 51341 deadheadsmceng@gmail.com 712-835-3353 F & J Racing 701 N 3rd Ave Marshalltown, Iowa 50158 641-752-8651 www.fandjracing.com HetzStudio.com (563)263-2803 Muscatine, IA Full Custom Paint, Pinstriping & Airbrush Main Street Bikes and Trikes 522 Main Street Granville, Iowa 51022 712.727.3515 www.shopmsbt.com
Peebles Plumbing & Heating Luxaire & Mitsu 613 Main Street Griswold, Iowa 51535 712-778-2417
Creative Concepts Collision 422 Market Street Harlan, Iowa 51537 712.755.2231
Nelson Machine & Forge General Machining, Ornamental Iron, Weld/Fab 70 Washington Street Marne, Iowa 51552 712-781-2220
River Street Auto - 118 River St. Iowa Falls - 641.648.5004 Motorcycle Tires & Auto Repairs We Fix Everything Except a Broken Heart
Cycle Dynamics 511 23rd Ave Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 712-256-8866 Specializing in American V-Twins
Pike Run Services 320 Main Nichols, Iowa 52766 Shop 319-723-4244 Cell 319-330-4541
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Revolution Cycles 120 South Main Street Baxter, Iowa 50028 641-507-9250 www.rev-ia.com Steffens Cycle Shop LLC 1311 E 7th Street Atlantic, Iowa 50022 712-243-3076M-F 9-5 Most Sat 9-12 Or Call Waderich’s Towing 420 S Main Street Denison, Iowa 51442 Phone 712-263-3687 Cell 712-263-9685 To buy ad space for your business or service in our directory, give us call at 712-249-5630 or email vernon@ thunderroadsiowa.com
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I can remember growing up and riding with my dad dad. He was full of knowledge about bikes and it always made me feel pretty esteemed to be riding on the back with him. I also recall random comments about riding in the rain, or when the weather was a little on the chilly side. Being of the “old school” category of bikers (and a bit of a smartass), my dad certainly had his views on what was cool in the biker world, and what pegged you instantly as a pansy. As I have grown, I have heard many theories on riding, and what to do when the weather catches you off guard. Some feel that it’s never too cold to ride, and as long as the streets are clear, you can certainly endure the cold…if you’re a “real” biker. Others park their bikes when the temps hit 60, and they don’t partake in any two-wheeled therapy until they rise again the next season. I have to say, riding in perfect weather is optimal, but when you just gotta get out and ride…staying warm is essential. While staying warm is obviously a comfort issue, it’s actually much more than that. It is a serious safety issue that many overlook. It’s easy to throw on a stocking cap and gloves and head out, but is that really enough? Exposure is cumulative and what you can handle at the start of a ride might force you off the road a couple of hours later. While at times the temperature may seem “ok”, remember that you will be facing average wind chills of at least 70 mph as well. Combine that with reduced temps, and any exposed skin could be subject to frostbite. If you are riding and your exposed skin begins to feel like it is being pricked by needles… frostbite is on its way. Any area of skin that takes on a white or waxy appearance and feels numb or hard requires immediate medical attention. In addition to frostbite, hypothermia could become a problem for cold weather riders as well. Hypothermia occurs when your core body temperature drops below the minimum temperature required for your body to operate. Hypothermia causes mild confusion, sluggish and/or incoherent behavior, and poor muscle coordination. None of these makes you an able bodied rider. To be able to ride safely in cold weather you need to be able to understand how your body deals with cold. That being said, in cold temperatures your body’s primary goal is to keep the brain and other vital organs warm and will therefore direct warmth to those areas at the expense of other less crucial parts, notably the extremities. So not only must we cover our heads, hands, and feet, but we need a 18 - TRMI APRIL 2015
way to keep our core warm keep warm. You have two options options…keep your butt inside and sip a cup of cocoa til the sun shines, or do a little research and find yourself some good heated gear. I know, I know… “But wearing all that stuff makes me look like a pansy!” I grew up thinking the same thing… then I rode 2700 miles in April…in cold…in rain…in snow. Heated gear is the gnat’s ass! Without the gear I would never have been able to make that trip as comfortably as I did. Heated gloves, heated vests or jacket liners, heated pant liners, even heated insoles or socks are available (in both plug in and battery operated versions). They range in quality and price, and you should do some research based on your individual needs. If you are totally opposed to wearing the heated gear, heated grips and heated seats are available as accessories for your bike. While these modifications will provide you with some additional warmth, keep in mind that they are rather limited, because they only offer small isolated areas of heat to your body. If you still think heated gear is strictly for nancies, there are some traditional ways that riders can keep from freezing to death. Layers…well planned layers that are moisture wicking work well and can easily be layered under warmer fleece options. Get a windshield for your bike… self-explanatory. Facemasks can cut down a lot of the bite dished out in colder temperatures. If you wear a bucket…choose one with a full face for cooler days. And finally…chaps and a leather jacket. These are standard issue for most bikers. You basic leathers will go a long way in keeping you warm and road worthy. There are endless possibilities when considering how to approach your cold weather riding. With spring here we are all itching to get out and about. Before you set out this season be sure to plan ahead. Our beautiful state offers us many exciting opportunities to ride, just remember that Mother Nature is a fickle creature. Keep yourself warm and safe, and enjoy your ride! Melanie Schwarte
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99 Counties to tour on the bike, 99 counties to tour, take one down, drive on around, 41 counties to tour on the bike. A few years back, a summer riding goal was to ride through each one of the counties of Iowa, and what was found was a wealth of interest and beauty. Each month I will revisit each county as a featured article. I will tell you about new things to see, places to ride, and give you a little spark of touring curiosity for our state of Iowa. Lucas County Iowa
34 which took me through the burg of Lucas and into Chariton. I was a little early so I went and checked into the Country Cabins on the east side of town. Don’t be confused, this place is amazing! They have a hotel, a few cabins, and RV hook ups. My room was a Harley Davidson suite that slept eleven comfortably, there’s a party waiting to happen! Nick Cattell and his wife run Country Cabins, the history and Nick are so cool! Be sure to ask him about the roulette wheel that they found in the walls during the remodel…man if those walls could talk?!
Lucas County, Iowa is in southcentral Iowa and is not very big. There are only about seventy miles of paved roads in the county and no stop lights. What they lack in I was hungry so pavement they make my tour guide up for in hospitality. (Lyle Assell Hospitality, that single word describes Lucas County, and his lovely Iowa. The people, the attractions, the ability to scoot wife) recommended that I eat at the Market Grill on freely about the county make this little bit of Iowa a the square in Chariton. We met Gary Chipp and Greg treasure. Chipp for supper and they told me all about their local businesses. Gary runs Fat Baggers and Greg along with Lucas County came to be in January of 1846. The county his father run C&C Cycle. A bit of a family dynasty has was named after the first Governor of the territory, been built. Gary and his crew build and modify custom Robert Lucas. There are only a few small towns in Fat Baggers for the likes of the Saudi Arabian Prime the county, Lucas, Derby, Russell and Williamson. Minister, while C&C is one of the biggest dealerships The center of all of the “action“ in Lucas County is I have been Chariton, in. They have which is buildings upon also the buildings of all county kinds of great seat. things to spend your money I began on. Greg was my so welcoming, county taking the time adventure to show me coming around. They in from are working on the west a putting in a on Hwy dirt track for
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remote control cars; they are pretty darn diversified at C&C and worth a peek. They are both busy men and I hope Gary and Greg can find some time and get out on two wheels again soon! Getting back to the Market Grille, we were treated to amazing food and incredible service. The chef even came out and chatted for a bit. The Market Grilles are a new venture that Hy-Vee is putting into a number of their stores and as standalone restaurants. The finishing touch to the meal came in the form of the best handmade mint that I have ever had. Turned out they were made across the street at Piper’s Candy. The owner is keeping the old fashioned five and dime type store alive! After a great night’s sleep it was time to really hit the actual roads and see what the rest of the county had to share with me. While looking at the map and deciding where to go I noticed a strange anomaly, a paved road that just ended, turns out this was the “road to nowhere” as the locals call it. The official name is H32 and it really is a nice ride and not too busy. The story goes that a long time ago the school superintendent and the county engineer were good buddies and things worked out to pave the road on out to his place but no farther, that is some serious hospitality, at least for that superintendent. Since I was touring in a cage I went ahead and took the gravel south to Hwy 34 and back west to S56 and south on into Russell and the Last Chance. This place was really cool. It is a convenience store, restaurant, live music venue, and bike night party hang out! They have quirky decor and a huge burn out wall. Rick, the owner, is a rider and just like us he is good people trying to do something good for his community. Interesting fact: the mounted mountain lion on display at the bar used to be his pet, he might even still have a bear, I don’t think too many people are going to ever break into his place! I swung back across Hwy 34 and north up Hwy 14 and on into Williamson to grab lunch at the Williamson Tap. I was welcomed in with open arms and upon flashing a few copies of Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa around to some of the locals I was asked for my autograph. I have had the pleasure of writing for TRMI for over two years now and no one had ever asked me for my autograph until I came to Lucas County and it actually happened at two different places! By the way, if you ever get to the Williamson Tap you need to order a hamburger, so simple and yet done so amazingly well. With so few miles of paved roads in the county you could zip on through in an hour and a half but that would be a shame. The people of Lucas County really want you to come in and say hello. They want you to come in and discover what they already know, that Lucas County is a peoples’ kind of place and they are glad to see you! With spring comes change. Next month we will be fully immersed into the beginning of riding season, the birds will be tweeting, the grass will be greening up but the bugs won’t be too thick yet! This will be my last article as I will be signing off as the 99Counties Chic. Never fear the article will continue to go on with another fabulous writer at its helm! I want to thank everyone for the friendship and support from along the way. y I wish nothing but the best for of you. See you on the road and all o al good g go o luck on your journey! Sources Available Upon Request DRing D Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
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In the earliest days of motorcycle production the biggest players in the industry remained the bicycle manufacturers. They began adapting their designs to accommodate the up and coming internal combustion engine. As engines became more powerful and designs began to outgrow their bicycle origins, the number of motorcycle producers increased. With so many people trying to succeed in the motorcycle industry, many of the 19th century inventors inevitably moved from motorcycle development to automobiles. Survival of the fittest at its finest, and at the turn of the century the first major mass production firms were established.
Company began selling motorcycles to the public in i Coventry, England. (Excelsior would also operate a company in the U.S. from 1905 – 1931) 1898 presented us with a U.S. development in the industry, when the Orient-Aster was built by Charles Metz at his factory in Waltham, Massachusetts.
At this point in the game, many names that have become household standards 1894 marked the year of the he first began to b production motorcycle in emerge. The e Germany. Hildebrand and d first familiar Wolfmüller developed name in the “Motorrad”. They motorcycles appeared out of the bicycle era in even patented the 1898…Triumph. Triumph extended its production Motorrad engine, a ffocus to include the motorcycle, and by 1902 had revolutionary 1488 cc model, successfully produced its first model for sale. The but only a few hundred bikes were ever completed. first Triumph was essentially a bicycle fitted with a At the same time the term “motorcycle” was first used Belgian built engine that boasted a whopping 2.2 in the English language when it appeared in materials HP, and a short year later Triumph had emerged promoting machines developed by E J Pennington. as the largest producer of motorcycles boasting Sadly, Pennington’s designs never progressed past an annual production of over 500 units. Clearly not the prototype stage. In 1896 The Excelsior Motor considered “mass production” by today’s standards, but in 1902?? Triumph was kicking some serious ass in the motorcycle revolution. By 1907 Triumph had perfected a new 450 cc 3.5 HP engine and was producing 1,000 units annually. 1901 was tthe birth year for the famed fam Indian Motorcycle Mo Manufacturing Company. The love child of two former bicycle racers, Indian quickly became (and b has h remained) a beloved name in motorcycles. Their first design was the “diamond framed” Indian Single. Its engine was built by the Aurora Firm in Illinois per Indian’s specifications. The Single was made available in one color…Deep Blue. Indian also increased its production to over 500 bikes by the close of 1902, making Indian a strong competitor for Triumph. Along the way, Indian pushed the evolution of the motorcycle in several ways…in 1902 Indian produced the first chain driven bike sold to the 22 - TRMI APRIL 2015
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public, as well as released the first American V-Twin in 1906 (which remains the most popular motorcycle engine today). 1907 brought the first police unit to NYC (Indian bikes were chosen by all), and by 1914 Indian had created the “loop frame” positioned gas tank, swing arm and leaf spring suspension, and the world’s first electric lights and starter. No more need for a flashlight, or parking your bike at dusk… diehards could now ride all damn night! Indian would continue to rise in the production game as well, up to 32,000 units per year (its best ever) in 1913. 1901 also brought an eager young man by the name of William S. Harley into the biking world. At the age of 21 he completed his first blueprint of a bicycle engine. In 1903, William and his partner Arthur Davidson produced their first motorcycle in their meager 10 by 15 foot factory. Henry Meyer of Milwaukee bought the original 1903 model directly from the founders… Meyer obviously had no idea what a lucky bastard he was! In 1904 the first Harley dealership was opened in Chicago, Illinois by C. H. Lang, where one of the first production models was sold. In 1907, Harley becomes a corporation and builds a new, larger factory. In 1908, the first HD motorcycle is delivered to the Detroit Michigan PD for Detroit’s first motorcycle patrol unit. The following year, for the first time ever, spare parts for the HD V-twin were made available for sale…makes me wonder what the hell you did before that if your bike broke down?? By 1914 Harley had introduced the world to the renowned bar and shield logo, begun production of the “F-Head”, and brought us sidecars…the beginning of the tag-along rider (insert apology here). By this time, mass production was in full swing, and competition was in full force. Experimentation and innovation were taking over and being further driven by the growing sport of motorcycle racing. A powerful incentive to produce tougher, faster, more reliable machines was on the rise. While initiated for the racing world, these enhancements were to quickly infiltrate the public’s machines as well. Remember that mention of the U.S. Excelsior Motor Company? Well those cats can be thanked for being a huge driving force behind why that bad ass bike parked in your driveway does more for you than just take you from point A to point B. We will delve into our need for speed next time… Melanie Schwarte melanie@thunderroadsiowa. com
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April has finally made its way into Iowa and along with it comes the much anticipated and much needed riding season. As I prepare for the first ride of the season it sparks a curiosity about
the bike out every Memorial Day and put it away every Labor Day”. Wow, I had a whole different idea of why they call him “Anal”.
The next thing that comes to mind is the ritual of firing up the bike for the first time of the season. Do some riders simply fire up the The first thing that comes to mind is how do Iowa bike, swing a leg over it and ride away? Do others riders decide when the time is right? It doesn’t show meticulously perform a pre-ride inspection ensuring up on a calendar, the government doesn’t declare it that everything is in proper working order? Does this a holiday; it isn’t broadcasted on television or talked include checking the fluids and testing the brakes? about on the radio. There is no mass text message Do you make sure that the headlights work, turn sent out. It even leaves Siri speechless and she has an signals blink and brake lights illuminate? Have the answer for everything. rubbers been inspected and properly inflated? Do some take the time to wash the winter dust off? While I have heard a variety of explanations from riders others like it dirty? about how they determine its time to for the first ride of the season. Some of these make good sense even Next up on my list of curiosities is the destination. to my warped mind. Such as “when the temperature Where does the first ride of the season take you? How gets up to a certain degree”, that’s reasonable far do you go? Do you opt for a quickie? Or wait for a because it should be warm enough to ride safely. If full day of riding? Can you be satisfied with an hour it’s too cold brain freeze will cause impaired reaction or two? Or do you need to travel across the state? Do time and poor judgment. This time of year, there are you take it around the block? Cruise through town? plenty of bad drivers on the road, a brain freeze buzz Or hit the open road? Do you map out a route? Or isn’t worth becoming one of them. just go wherever the road takes you? Do you ride out solo? Or take along a passenger? Are the bags I have also heard “after a good rain washes away the packed with items you might need? Or does that sand”, sand free surfaces does make for primo riding. happen after you have been caught in the first rain However, if you stay alert and are prepared for the storm? consequences of riding curves and trying to stop when riding on sand it’s not absolutely necessary. Last but not least, does anybody think about food? Does the first ride of the season include a food stop? Or how about “not until all the snow has melted”, Does every ride include food? Or is stopping for food that’s debatable. There can be days warm enough the last thing on a bikers mind right now? for riding while there is still plenty of snow on the ground. Enjoying two wheels while the ditches are full I’m not a genius but I’m pretty sure that all across of snow kind of creates a feeling of winning the battle Iowa there are some Happy Bikers. The first ride against old man winter, it’s a lot like giving his old of the season is about to have its cherry popped. lady Mother Nature, the finger. Whenever you decide the time is right, however you do that, regardless how far you go, what you ride or One of dumbest that I have ever heard is “not until its what you eat when you get there, be safe, make sure warm enough to ride in shorts”. Seriously dude, if you you are seen and enjoy the ride. can only ride in shorts, you obviously can not blame your poor judgment on brain freeze. Buy some pants! Shifty LaRue the decisions other Iowa riders are making regarding the coveted first ride.
Have you ever heard this one? “I don’t ride until after all the pot holes are filled in” seriously, that happens in Iowa? And lastly one of my all time favorites, “I get
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February 27-March 1st in Omaha was the Midwest Motorcycle Show. This event is a subsection of the larger World of Wheels Show, so needless to say there is plenty of eye candy to check out. Werner Cycle Works of Omaha hosts the bike show part every year, and this year there were some of the best rides around on exhibit. It does not matter what your style, sport bikes, cruisers, touring, vintage, or whatever, some of each were on display for the thousands of people that came around. Tom and crew at Werner host a great show, and one that is worth a visit, or even an entry of your own next year.
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The Midwest Motorcycle Show, sponsored by Werner Cycle Works in Omaha, seemed to be the ideal spot to grab this months calendar photo. Randy Lund’s 2001 Bourget Chopper is made to look even sexier with Elizabeth Sander standing aside the fine ride in that sexy blue dress. She picked the perfect color to accentuate the bikes paint if I must say so myself. More bikes from the show can be seen on another page of the magazine as well.
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SO… YOU THINK THIS IS EASY?! I’m standing in the middle of some of the most beautiful machinery you can imagine, and from behind me I hear someone say; “Shooot, puttin’ on a show/ swap meet is easy, I could do it, no sweat”! My first instinct was to turn around and give him my “incredulous” look, and laugh at him. But, I stopped and decided to let this comedy play out. The whole time that I’m listening to this guy rattle on about how he would do this, do that, and knew so and so in such and such business that would do whatever for him; I’m starting to create a mental picture of what he looks like. It’s obvious that he knows nothing of which he speaks, and I am starting to giggle to myself. If I don’t stop listening to this fool, I’m going to start laughing out loud. Not wanting to confirm the staff’s thoughts that I am off my beam, (just a tad), I decide to get a look at the ohso-knowledgeable person who had so many capabilities, according to him, and subtly turned to my left with my camera held up to my eye as though I was preparing to snap a picture. Yes, I’m old school! I actually use a camera to take my pictures, and I use the viewing lens, not the itty bitty screen. I finally catch the owner of the voice that has been grinding in my ear for the last 5 minutes, and, yep... just as I thought! This guy was wearing brand new, creased Levi’s, with wing tips on his feet and his jacket was about an hour old. His hair had that windblown look that you can only get with an $80.00 appointment at the salon, and his hands looked so baby soft that I was jealous, heh heh! I decided this guy wasn’t even worth the breath it would take to tell him he was full of shit, but was glad that he had said what he did, cuz it put me on the road to this article. In my other persona, I am the library director of a small, rural library, and we have created, and/or implemented a number of programs every year, and let me tell you, it is NOT easy! Even on the small scale that we do, and using our own facilities, it has to be an endeavor of love. Otherwise, you would never do a second program.
by the vendor means he will be looking at paying money to put up his booth in a place where he is going to make some money. You now need some entertainment; live bands do not come cheap, but if they’re not good, the people remember, so you part with a chunk for that one. Once you start making some real money, maybe you will hire some sexy gals to present the trophies. Oh yeah, another expense, and chore to be accomplished. You need trophies for the bike show and tattoo contest. You have to also set your contest parameters, your classes, your rules, your fees, and your judges. Whew, another project done, what’s next? Publicity, so the People know about it, and will come, and spend money, and have Fun! Next…Food and Drink. Two very important items on any Bikers’ list of things to buy when at a Show. Okay, you have everything planned, organized, and implemented. What? It’s over, and everyone is starting to pack up and pull out. Now, the fun really starts! “Hey you, you can’t start that up in here!” “No, No, don’t do a burn-out!” Crap, too late! Now, you’re gonna have to either scrub the rubber up off of the floor and the wall and the table that was behind the burn-out, or lose a chunk of deposit. You also have to stay until everyone is gone, and you have had a chance to check the facility over to see if and how much damage is coming out of your deposit. “Hey you, are you planning on staying the night, or were you going to start loading up your…stuff?!” Man, this is going to be a loooong night. So, do you really think that putting on a Funtabulous Bike Show/Swap Meet is Easy?! See y’all out and about and around. Annette
So, here we are looking at creating, organizing, and implementing an event that doesn’t have just 1 main event, but 2. It’s a swap meet, a bike show, and oh yeah, while we’re at it, a tattoo contest! So now that you know what you want to do, you have to figure out where you want to do this, and who you want/need to help you create and perpetuate this wonderful dream of yours. Next, you have to get the word out to the people, and the vendors. You want vendors with quality goods, as well as known reputations; without them, you won’t be drawing people, who won’t be there to spend money. No money earned
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Tell them to put plain English on the handicap placard. And please write a thank you to: Hon. Josh Byrnes 1479 380th St. Osage, IA 50461 Representative Josh Byrnes is the Chairman of the Iowa House of Representatives Transportation Committee. He’s an up and comer, and is trying to make a difference in our state. He’s already launched a campaign to get slower traffic to move right on the interstates, and he’s investigating eliminating the front license plate from Iowa Motor Vehicles, which would save the state millions. We only had a rear plate in Arizona, it worked just fine. Please tell Representative Byrnes you want to get home alive, and you’d like his help getting the junk and permits out of Iowa windshields so not only motorcyclists, but OK, by now you’re all getting tired of me writing on pedestrians, bicyclists and other motorists are as safe as this topic. But I’m not going to stop until we make more possible. He’s on board with us on this one, and thinks we progress. And we’re really close to breaking through for have a valid point. This guy is a rocket, if we had twenty a win here. If you want me to get back to writing funny more like him at the capitol we could send everybody else stories about guys like Motor-Mouth Mike (TRMI March home. Please write a thank you note to him, or extend a 2015). You’re all going to have to help with this issue. I’m friend request on Facebook. He’s out there a lot, listening back beating the drum about obstructed windshields in to Iowans voice their concerns and comments. Don’t Iowa. And I’m not going to stop, because we all deserve miss the opportunity to thank him please. It is utterly every chance to get home alive. If we can get pulled over refreshing to see a state legislator that is visible, in contact for having loud pipes, or God forbid you leave a bar after with constituents in the latest and most high tech means midnight with a license plate light out, it shouldn’t be too available, and making a difference. much to ask to have people pulled over for obstructed vision. Because last time I checked neither of those first Still not convinced? Then do the following- the next time two infractions ever killed anybody. This is a damn noyou drive bring an envelope. Stop along the way and hold brainer. it up the long way under your mirror. Now imagine a motorcycle has parked on the shoulder, and they are doing My mom just got her Iowa Handicap Parking Permit (she what we’ve all done dozens of times- getting out a jacket, had a stroke on the 4th of July, 2014). Now I’ve written taking off a jacket, getting a cold drink out of the bags, about this before- I’ve long wondered how the Iowa DOT what have you. You can’t see them can you? puts this permit in service- what does the DOT tell you about proper usage, and does it come with an owner’s If that didn’t give you goose bumps then I don’t know manual? Well I now have the answer- nothing. The what else I can do. I’m asking the biggest and strongest mystery is solved- they hand it to you at the courthouse. motorcycle organization in the state, ABATE, to get on No freaking wonder nobody pulls it down to drive. On it board with this. I’m asking the CMA, the Clubs, and is written the following: “Unauthorized use of this placard everybody else that throws a leg over the saddle and as indicated in Iowa Code chapter 321L may result in a puts a family member behind them to get on board with fine, invalidation of the placard, or revocation of the right this. We can win this. Let’s get the windshields in Iowa to use this placard. This placard shall displayed only when cleared up so we can all enjoy our bikes and get home the vehicle is parked in a persons with disabilities parking alive. Let’s move to make a change for the better of place or in a parking place not designated as a persons Iowa motorcyclists without having to name a law after with disabilities parking place if a wheelchair parking cone somebody that died on a bike. Thank you, is used pursuant to Iowa Code section 321L.2.A. Mark Mullins Are you effing kidding me? Pardon me while I go get a President lawyer to interpret this. Why use three words- “REMOVE MAG of North Iowa WHEN DRIVING” when SEVENTY FIVE words will suffice? This is stupid beyond all measure, and I promise You can get online at https://www.legis.iowa.gov/ you I’m one of the first people that ever read the whole committees and look up the members of the transportation thing. How hard can this be? committee members. A full list of names and contacts can be found at the North Iowa MAG Facebook page as well. So- this is how we do ithttps://www.facebook.com/NorthIowaMAG
“We can win this one”
Please write to: Iowa DOT Office of Vehicle and Motor Carrier Services P.O. Box 9278 Des Moines, IA 50306-9278 34 - TRMI APRIL 2015
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Wandering around a rally with a camera around my neck has proven to have its benefits. One of the best benefits is the opportunity to meet some cool Iowa bikers and this particular rally offered no different. While gallivanting in the sand and taking in all that this particular rally had to offer, I was asked to be.… a wedding photographer… I am not trained in photography and was up front about that, but these bikers had it set in their minds they were FINALLY going to tie the knot this day and they needed someone to capture the moment for them. And so began my friendship with Mike “Gaby” Pollock and his bride Michele “Mouse”. Not only was I able to capture all those special moments just like they’d hoped, I witnessed the love between two people who the day before were mere strangers to me and from that day have become some great friends of ours.
After receiving his discharge papers, chasing down the freedom of the road, Gaby picked himself up a Sportster to tool around the streets of Marion on. Despite the fact that he’s been riding since the day he bought that bike, he’s only owned one other motorcycle. We laughed as I mentioned he must be the “long term relationship type of guy” considering how we met. Gaby eventually realized that to be able to really rack up the miles he needed a larger, more comfortable bike, so he picked up a 2004 Dyna Wide Glide from a private owner in his neck of the woods. Loving to throw a leg over his ride and go for miles and miles, Gaby has a trailer he pulls behind the bike for those long distance trips. But aside from adding that trailer hitch, he has no desire to do any modifications, loving his ride just the way she is. Every year he tries to make at least a few long distance trips, finding any reason he can to accumulate the miles. Last summer they took off and ended up in El Paso, TX and this year he’d like to get back to that area. Now calling Cedar Rapids home, Gaby spends his most of his time cruising the roads of Iowa alongside his brothers from the Marines M/C and attending a few of the bike rallies held right here in his home state.
Despite his dad’s prior service in the Army during the Korean War, Gaby says it wasn’t a strong family military history that drew him into the Marine Corps. He wanted to learn a trade and do some traveling while obtaining a strong base for his future, so he enlisted directly after graduating high school in 1979. During his time of service, Gaby saw a fair share of Asia serving in Korea, on the island of Okinawa, and at Camp Fuji along the base of Mt Fujiyama as a logistics vehicle system operator, transporting The crew of Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa, myself equipment and supplies (quite a fancy name for a truck included, thank you for your service Gaby! driver, isn’t it?). Holding true to a decision he made over 35 years ago, Gaby is still employed at UNFI in the world of ~Pinky logistics and transportation.
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pepper cheese, Swiss cheese, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, kosher pickles, mustard, miracle whip and Tuscan Italian dressing on an Italian hoagie roll. Oh... and you’ll have one more choice to make... do you want it hot or cold? I recommend heated, it really brought out the flavors! I also chose to make it a basket which added fries and a choice of potato salad, macaroni salad or coleslaw. I, of course, chose the potato salad. The whole thing was delivered to me over the counter wrapped in white butcher paper (what else I have expected????). Lynnette had the Seasoned Rib 2001 SE6th Street, Des Moines, IA 50315 should Eye Steak sandwich also in a basket with macaroni salad. Hers was delivered in the white butcher paper as well. A (515) 243-7607 trip to the beverage cooler was followed by stopping at the Tues - Fri 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM, checkout counter. From there we retired to the eating area which was kind of a new experience for us.You see there Saturday 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM are no tables and chairs here (I guess that keeps the old guys from playing checkers there all day!), there are short Heading out of the metro downtown we are traveling on walls all lined by counters with stools under them. Find a streets that get progressively smaller until we are on good spot, pull out the stool and have a seat. Simple and perfect! old-fashioned 2 lane streets. We travel past homes that are old but built well enough to stand the test of time (they don’t We sat down and un-wrapped our meals. When they say build ‘em like that anymore). Often next to these pockets of basket they mean basket! Both meals were packed in a cardboard basket with the fries in the bottom of the basket Americana are areas of “urban revitalization” also known and the sandwich and side on top. The fries are, in my opinas empty lots waiting for a new “multi-family dwelling” or ion, perfect!; lightly crispy outside with soft white insides. whatever the latest “trendy” housing fad is. (If you can’t My sandwich can only be described as AWESOME!!! The tell I’m not necessarily a fan of some of the things that meats, cheeses and condiments mixed together to create a “progress” has given us) We finally reach our destination, flavor explosion in every bite. This is definitely going to be one of the last vestiges of an era past. A true family owned my go-to sandwich on subsequent visits!!!!! The potato salad business, owned and operated by the same family since is definitely homemade and delicious! Lynnette’s Rib Eye it’s opening in 1922. B&B Grocery, Meat & Deli is a living reminder of how good and simple things used to be; a testa- Sandwich was served on a toasted, buttered bun. She had the option of having it with Heinz 57 or A1 steak sauce howment to the kind of businessmen and people that grew the ever she chose to have it plain so as to enjoy the flavor of city of Des Moines from dirt streets to metropolis. the steak. The steak was seasoned to perfection with a salty seasoned rub and grilled thoroughly. The bun was large but Stepping inside I fully expected to see some elderly the steak was larger hanging out on all sides leaving plenty gentlemen sitting around a card table playing checkers of tender meat in every bite. The macaroni salad was just and talking local politics. (I’m not saying they don’t exist like your grandma would have made. Over all the food was but they weren’t in attendance the day we stopped by!) As wondrous and the atmosphere took you back to a simpler you wander past the isles of grocery items and gaze upon time and place. the vast array of sports memorabilia on the walls you are instinctively drawn further into the store until at last you find Take a trip back in time and visit B&B Grocery, Meat & Deli! mecca. The meat counter appears with coolers full of various cuts of meat and other items, the walls are adorned with This is the kind of business that built this country and as if that wasn’t reason enough to visit the food produced there posters listing the different meat packages available and the prices. Behind the counter owners and employees alike is beyond compare!!! Like their Facebook page and visit prepare packages of meat to hand over the counter to wait- their website bbgrocerymeatdeli.com where you can read all about their history, their sandwiches and other fun facts ing customers. And then there’s the deli counter, the home of the Killer’s Sandwiches. Take my advice and spend a few about B&B Grocery. minutes going over the menu on their Facebook page beUntil next month, ride safe and eat hearty! fore going. This is a fast paced environment and having an Craig Little idea of what you want ahead of time helps. (To their credit they were incredibly patient with me as I was overwhelmed craig@ thunderby the choices!) roadsiowa. com I ended up PS If you having the have Dad’s Killer Sandwich. This someplace is the deli meat you think lover’s dream; we should it comes piled check out in with roast beef, your neck of turkey breast, the woods, smoked ham, shoot me an email. corned beef,
B&B Grocery, Meat & Deli
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As we all know, riding a motorcycle can be dangerous. We also know it is extremely fun, so lucky for us motorcycles also come equipped with the ability to keep us from crashing. Bikes have extremely powerful braking systems, excellent handling, and we also have the luxury of unobstructed vision while on two wheels. With the capabilities of today’s motorcycle and our own intelligence we should be able to avoid some of the most common motorcycle accidents.
brake before swapping brake for throttle. Since you’re already on the brakes and the bike’s weight is distributed forward, compressing the front suspension and increasing the size of the front tire’s contact patch, you can then tighten your line by applying a little more brake (or widen it by letting off). Doing this will help you avoid obstacles (such as gravel) in your path.
Next, you have entered a corner too fast and now it has become somehow extremely tight…you’re just simply not going to The best way to avoid becoming a statistic is to get educated. make it around. How can you avoid this? Don’t be asinine… All new riders should complete a basic rider’s education course only ride as fast as you can see, and always use the visual clues before ever hitting the road on two wheels. You can register around you, like telephone poles and signs, to help you judge for a course from Abate of Iowa, many dealerships, and things like road direction even when the road disappears over a community colleges in nearly all areas of the state. After your blind crest. If you do find yourself going into a corner too fast, course and getting licensed, hook yourself up with some safety the best thing to do is just trust your bike and try to ride it out. gear. Jackets and chaps can protect you from road rash, while Take as much lean out of the bike as possible, look where you wearing bright colors makes you more visible to other drivers. want to go, and be as smooth as possible on the controls. Don’t If you choose to wear a helmet, ensure it fits well and doesn’t hit the brakes, chop the throttle, or do anything else that will cause any obstructions to your line of sight. upset the bike and make you lose traction. Look for the corner exit and ride it out. One of the most common accidents involving motorcycles is a car turning left in front of you. This occurs when a car Any time you are in traffic, the possibility of someone fails to see you, or judges your speed incorrectly, and turns turning into you exists. Suddenly a car in the lane next to you in front of you at an intersection. Blame whatever you veers into the space that you are occupying. Remember, a want…blind spots, distraction, or the driver looking for cars motorcycle can fit into a blind spot with ease, and most drivers simply recognizing the absence of cars and not the presence are looking for other cars, not motorcycles. You can avoid of a motorcycle. Regardless of the reason why, here is how this by being aware at all times where those blind spots lie, you can avoid it…You have to see it coming. Part of the and spending as little time as possible in them. If you can see motorcyclist’s responsibility is to develop a hyper-awareness a driver’s eyes in their mirrors, then they can see you too. Be to his/her surroundings. Look for signs that someone may aware of situations that make lane changes more prevalent… turn in front of you: a car waiting at an intersection, a gap in Is highway traffic slowing down, or is one lane faster than the traffic, driveways or parking lot entrances. In these situations, other? Drivers are going to want to be in that lane, so don’t be slow down, cover your brakes, and be prepared to take evasive where they want to be if you can avoid it. Look for signs that action. When in a situation like this, do not look at the car, but a car is going to change lanes (turn signals, wheels turning, instead look at its wheels…the wheels will give you the first the drivers head moving). Be aware of these things in all cars clue of movement. Check your surroundings…If you need to around you, and you’re in good shape. make an evasive move, where is the safest place for you to go? You don’t want to slam on the breaks to avoid a turning car, Another way accidents occur is when you lock the front brake. only to be hit from behind by a tailgating pickup. What is the As Iowans, we know that this commonly occurs when our road surface like…can it handle your full force brakes, or are beloved wildlife enter the highways and stop traffic. You grab they going to lock up? You should never try to “lay your bike your front brake and before you know it, you are on the ground down” intentionally. Your best chance of survival comes from watching helplessly as your bike slides down the street. How shedding as much speed as possible before a collision occurs, does one avoid this? Learn to use your front brake correctly. It and you can do that best from an upright position, using both may sound silly, but the front brake is the most powerful and brakes. Even if you are only able to drop your speed 20 mph difficult to master component of your two-wheeled machine. or less, it could mean the difference between going home with It is capable of altering your speed much quicker than your minor injuries and not going home at all. engine. Whether you are just learning to ride or have never actually mastered it, do yourself a favor and find an empty Another common accident can occur when you’re out riding parking lot and start practicing. From a set speed start braking a stretch of twists and turns when, seemingly out of nowhere, at a certain mark, then repeat until you’ve reduced your braking you round a corner to find a patch of loose gravel, built up distance as much as possible. You should be able to feel the sand/salt left over from winter, or whatever in your path. You tire on the very edge of locking up and the rear wheel trying put your front tire in it and wipe out. How do you avoid this? to lift. Continue to practice at continually higher speeds until Above all, don’t hit it in the first place…ride at a pace that you have mastered this braking technique. Or choose the easy allows your reaction time and ability to take action fit within route, and buy a bike with ABS! your range of vision. Enter a corner wide at an easy pace to A very common way accidents occur is weather related. increase your vision. You can pick up the pace on the way out, You’re out and about minding your own business, when out of once you can see all the way through. Trail braking is a slightly nowhere it gets wet and wet equals slippery! Don’t panic! Does more advanced skill that you’ll need to learn and practice. your bike have decent tires on it? With reasonable tires your Using it, you brake all the way to the apex using the front bike has amazing ability to grip the road in wet or even snowy 42 - TRMI APRIL 2015
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conditions. Just slow down and stay as smooth as possible on the controls. Be aware of oil on the roads (avoid rainbows) and manholes can become pretty slick as well. Generally the first hour or so of rainfall can be the most dangerous, after that most of the oils and whatnot have been washed away. Be aware of your visibility as well, sometimes other drivers can’t see you as well while the wet stuff is falling. A highly avoidable source of motorcycle accidents is unfortunately still common. You are riding with idiots. We have all either seen it happen or know someone who has…a group is out for a ride and someone isn’t paying attention… BAM! You just ass ended your buddy. You can avoid this by riding in staggered formation…a very simple technique. By riding in a staggered formation you increase vision and move bikes out of line with each other. How does this help? It means that a momentary lapse in attention won’t result in a collision. Get your riding buddies to adopt a staggered formation, or maybe find some new buddies. The last accident is regrettably the most common bike accident. The results of the largest study ever conducted on motorcycle accident causation were included in the 1981 Hurt Report. The results were simply this… alcohol is a factor in 50 percent of all bike wrecks. How can you avoid this? Simply don’t do it… don’t drink and ride! With all of that being said, get yourself educated and out on the road. Keep your eyes open, and we’ll see you soon…riding season is upon us!
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We want you on our pages! If you are an Iowa Girl of Thunder, send us a quality image, your name, year and model of bike, and where you are from to: vernon@ thunderroadsiowa. com
Dolly Ortner 2007 Softtail Deluxe Auburn
Linda Breeden 2011 HD 883XL Sportster Altoona
Deb McDonald 2009 Street Glide “Betty” Jefferson
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A hard core biker bro is sick of his crumb catchers lying to everyone and wants to teach them a lil lesson. So the bro buys a lie detector robot that slaps people when they lie. He decides to test it out at dinner one night. Pops asks his boy what he did that afternoon. The boy says, “I did some schoolwork.” The robot slaps the boy. The boy says, “Ok, Ok. I was at a friend’s house watching movies.” Pops asks, “What movie did you watch?” Boy says, “Toy Story.” The robot slaps the boy. Boy y says, “Ok, Ok, we were watching porn.” Pops ssays, ays, ay s, “What? At your age I didn’t even know what porn oorrn was.” The robot slaps him. The ol lady laughs and d says, “Well, he certainly is your son!” The robot slaps her. Robot for sale
Take T Ta ke a sock puppet to dinner with you. When the waiter ke cco comes o to ask you what you want, consult the sock. When the check comes argue with the sock loud enough so everyone can hear you about who will pay the bill, throw him down and say “Fine you pay!” then leave. Signal that a conversation is over by clamping your hands over your ears. Disassemble your pen and “accidentally” flip the ink cartridge across the room. G Give a play-by-play account of a person’s every action in a nasal Howard Cossell voice. To really annoy people, stand on a street corner, pointing a hair drier at passing traffic, and watch it slow down.
A guy goes to pick up his date for the evening. She’s not ready yet, so he has to sit in the living room with her parents. He has a BAD case of gas and really needs to relieve some pressure. Then, the family dog jumps up on the couch next to him. He decides that he can let a little fart out and if anyone notices they will think that the dog did it. He farts, and the woman yells, “Spot, get down from there.” The guy thinks, “Great, they think the dog did it.” He releases another fart, and the woman again yells for the dog to get down. This goes on for a couple more farts. Finally the woman yells, “Dammit Spot, get down before he shits on you.” Q: What’s the job application to Hooters? A: They just give you a bra and say: Here, fill this out. Here are some ways to really annoy people big time... Sing the Batman theme incessantly. Specify that your drive-through order is “to go”. Learn Morse code, and have conversations with friends in public consisting entirely of “Beeeep Bip Bip...”
Sometimes being a blonde isn’t easy, especially if you’re cooking... MONDAY It’s fun to cook for Bob. Today I made angel food cake. The recipe said beat 12 eggs separately. The neighbors were nice enough to loan me some extra bowls. TUESDAY Bob wanted fruit salad for supper. The recipe said serve without dressing. So I didn’t dress. What a surprise when Bob brought a friend home for supper. WEDNESDAY A good day for rice. The recipe said wash thoroughly before steaming the rice. It seemed kinda of silly but I took a bath. I can’t say it improved the rice any. THURSDAY Today Bob asked for salad again. I tried a new recipe. It said prepare ingredients, then toss on a bed of lettuce one hour before serving. Which is what led up to Bob asking me why I was rolling around in the garden.
If you have a glass eye, tap on it occasionally with your pen while talking to others.
FRIDAY I found an easy recipe for cookies. It said put all ingredients in Amuse yourself for endless hours by hooking a camcorder to your bowl and beat it. There must have been something wrong with this TV and then pointing it at the screen. recipe. When I got back, everything was the same as when I left. Push all the flat Lego pieces together tightly. Start each meal by conspicuously licking all your food, and announcing its your property. Leave the copy machine set to reduce 200%, extra dark, 17 inch paper, 99 copies. Stomp on little plastic ketchup packets.
SATURDAY Bob did the shopping today and brought home a chicken. He asked me to dress it for Sunday (oh boy). For some reason Bob keeps counting to ten. SUNDAY Bob’s folks came to dinner. I wanted to serve roast. All I could find was hamburger. Suddenly I had a flash of genius. I put the hamburger in the oven and set the controls for roast. It still came out hamburger, much to my disappointment.
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GOOD NIGHT DEAR DIARY This has been a very exciting week. I am eager for tomorrow to come so I can try out a new recipe on Bob. If we could just get a bigger oven, I would like to surprise him with Chocolate Moose.
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and attended Boys Town in the 1940s. He bought his first motorcycle when he was 19, but the Korean War cut short his new hobby. After the war, Payne moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and went to work part-time for a HarleyDavidson dealership. There he began to modify his bikes and he quickly earned a reputation as having one of the fastest Sportsters in the Midwest.
famous ‘Turnip Eater.’ When Leo went 200 at
Bonneville, Harley Payne began racing and winning lomade a poster of the accal drag racing events, which helped complishment. We had that framed spread his reputation. He was one of and hanging in the living room of the the first motorcycle drag racers to use flophouse where I lived with a bunch of the burnout method of warming his rear other deadbeat Sportster riders.” tire. These tire-smoke-filled pre-race rituals often psyched-out his opponents. Payne won numerous titles and set countless records in the often inforPayne became known for his lightning- mally sanctioned motorcycle drag races quick reaction times. He claimed the of the 1960s. Payne was noted for his quick reactions came from his job at consistency on the drag strip where his Quaker Oats, where he would sharpen runs rarely varied by more than a few his sense of timing by pitting his reac- hundredths of a second. He won with tions against the start-stop lights of single-engine bikes during an era when box-filling machines. dual- and even triple-engine dragsters came into vogue. One of Payne’s As a mechanic, Payne was especially secrets was shaving a great deal of skillful at modifying carburetors for weight off his Sportster-based dragdrag racing. He helped support his rac- sters. He eliminated all unneeded parts ing by rebuilding carburetors for hun- and removed enough metal to get the dreds of Sportster owners. This attract- normally heavy Harleys down to just ed the attention of popular aftermarket over 300 pounds. performance company S&S Cycle. George Smith, of S&S, contacted Payne was featured in a number of Payne about helping his company build motorcycle magazines in the late a performance carburetor. The Payne- 1960s and early 1970s. One feature, designed S&S carb became a big seller written by Cook Neilson for Cycle for the company and further cemented Magazine in 1969, gave an account of Payne’s status as a leading builder. Payne’s successful run at the Bonneville Salt Flats that year. It was in 1969 Payne had a habit of naming his racing that Payne’s Turnip Eater set several bikes – Quarter Horse, Drag Sport and records, including hitting a top speed of the most popular of them all, the Turnip over 201 mph, en route to an average Eater. The name of the bike, which of 196.512. His trap speed of 201 made started life as a 1957 Harley-Davidson Payne the first rider in history to push Sportster, was said to be a reference to a non-streamliner to over 200 mph. His the American-made machine eating up bike was towed up to 70 mph before FROM: AMA Hall of Fame Website British-made brands on the drag strip. he fired it up to begin the run. To save Leo Payne was a leading drag racer and His bikes had the engraving of “In God weight he used a single-speed transmisWe Trust” on the clutch covers. No one sion, which meant he had to slip the top-speed record racer from the 1950s clutch up to about 110 mph. That year through the 1970s. He was a drag racing knew for sure if it was a show of religious faith or a humorous statement on he broke the existing class record by a champion and set numerous records on what it was like to race one his intimi- margin of 43 mph. his highly modified Harley-Davidson dating fuel-burning racers. Sportsters. His custom-built machine, Payne continued to be involved in dubbed “Turnip Eater,” was also the first Popular television personality and felracing through the 1980s. He helped non-streamliner to go over 200 mph at many young riders get their start in the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1969. Payne low Hall of Famer Dave Despain was drag racing. Payne died from cancer on was a master at building special carbure- an early fan of Payne’s. September 18, 1991. He will always tors to run a nitromethane and gas com“Some of my earliest racing memories be remembered for squeezing more bination. Payne’s designs helped S&S Cycle launch a successful line of racing are of Leo,” Despain recalled. “When I horsepower and speed out of Harleywas in high school, we went every Sat- Davidson Sportsters than anyone ever carburetors. urday night to the drag strip in Kahoka, thought possible. Missouri, which always ran a bike Payne was born in St. Louis on March 10, 1931. He was raised in Flora, Illinois, class. Leo was the big gun, riding his Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
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ABATE of Nebraska is continuing to work hard to convince their legislators to modify their state’s helmet law to allow for adult choice. They are asking those of us who live in other states to send an email to: abateofne@ aol.com to respectfully explain why those of us who feel strongly about freedom of choice, choose NOT to ride in their state. What they’re trying to do is show their elected officials the tourism dollars they are missing out on because of their liberty limiting law.
Congratulations to ABATE of South Dakota
Keep in mind folks that nobody says that you can’t wear a helmet if you want to, and by all means, do so if you choose. All we want is our right to choose returned to us. The law at present requires riders to wear a DOT approved helmet, but there’s no law requiring boots or pants for that matter. In addition, no law exists requiring ATV or UTV rider to wear a helmet – care to explain that one to me?!
The State of South Dakota has passed SD85 to remove the restrictions on handlebar heights for motorcycles. The old law dictated that handlebar height had to be at or below shoulder height. The new law removes that restriction.
In case you hadn’t guessed I classify myself as a constitutional conservative. If the Constitution does not explicitly endow the government with the power to do something then I believe that it’s not their job to do it. We’ve got a guy in charge on the federal level who has appointed himself a Sturgis attendees will no longer defacto dictator. He has a pen and be harassed by the police for a phone and totally ignores and handlebars. South Dakota joins disrespects the U.S. Constitution. 13 other states like Iowa with no Personally, I am ashamed of him. handlebar height restrictions of I am equally disappointed that any kind. Keep in mind however, seemingly the population of my that South Dakota still requires country has collectively through helmet use for minors and still apathy allowed the government requires eye protection regardless to expand its role in our lives. I of whether you have a windshield wish to be left alone to live my or not. life and make my own decisions. I’ve come to the realization that the only way it can The death of the handlebar restriction is directly a result of happen is for folks like us to get involved and work to the fantastic South Dakota ABATE Lobby Day. Now all take our liberty back. Get involved. It’s not difficult to of us who travel to Sturgis for the rally may, once again, do and you might just find that you enjoy it. You’ll have enjoy the freedom to decide for ourselves what handlebars the opportunity to meet and work with freedom loving we want. Personally, I’ve never understood why it is, that patriots, my kind of people! elected people, most of whom don’t ride a motorcycle or even understand why anyone would want to, feel the need Questions or comments: peter@riderpromotions.com to tell those of us who do what we have to do, have, or how we are required to dress to utilize a perfectly legal form of transportation.
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Tuesday
Friday
Desparado’s Wheatland Century Bar Alta
Wednesday The Buck Snort Neola OP, Clear Lake Cadillac Jack’s Baxter Ride’s Bar & Grill Ft Dodge Quaker Steak & Lube Council Bluffs Fro’s Wilton George and Dales East Dubuque Amigos Fort Dodge
Thursday
Thunder Nites Newton-2nd Friday May - September Knoxville Bike Night (1st Friday) Knoxville Dubuque Harley-Davidson (Last Friday May-Aug) Bike Down to I-Town (3rd Friday) Indianola TC’s Pub Marshalltown (4th Friday) Woody’s Roadside Tavern Albion last Friday Des Moines Vintage Bike Night (1st Friday May-Sep) Monroe Bike Night (4th Friday of the Month) Main Street Ames Bike Night with Zylstra HD (6-19)
Saturday Winterset Bike Night (3rd Saturday) Winterset
Sunday
Roar Into Harlan (3rd Thursdays) Beer Barn & Grill Kirkman Crossroads Kelley (Every Other Thursday) Metro HD Cedar Rapids (2nd Thursday May-August) Screaming Eagle Bar & Grill, Waterloo Crossroads Bike Night Featuring Zylstra HD (5-7,6-4, 7-2,8-13,9-10) Maingate Bar & Grill Calvin Rockett/Zylstra HD (Last Thursday)
Haverhill Social Club (3rd Sunday) Haverhill This list is what we have found and what has been submitted. Before heading to any event, please check weather and make sure the event is not cancelled. Not responsible for misprints and typos. If you have any other events to list, please email vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com
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Mar 28 Kick Off to Spring Party Dubuque HD Mar 28 ABATE D6 WTHWDOH Ride Marshalltown Mar 29-29 Grand Opening Loess Hills Harley-Davidson Pacific Junction Mar 28-29 28th Annual Donnie Smith Bike Show St Paul, MN Apr 4 Easter Egg Hunt Metro HD Cedar Rapids Apr 11 Anniversary Party Dubuque HD Apr 11 Prepare to Tour Workshop Wieblers HD Davenport Apr 11 Bike Blessing Route 65 HD Indianola Apr 11-12 North Iowa Motorcycle Expo Mason City Apr 12 Hill Blazers Hill Climb Logan Apr 18 ABATE D4 Blessing of the Bikes & Chili Feed Des Moines Apr 18 Outlaw Street Drags Race Series Conesville Apr 18 Bike Blessing Big Barn HD Des Moines Apr 18 Super Saturday BBQ Route 65 HD Indianola Apr 23 Mens Boot Camp Big Barn HD Des Moines Apr 24 Motorcycle Safety Forum IA Events Center, Des Moines Apr 25 Sleeping Angels Fun Run Zylstra HD Ames Apr 25 Spring Open House Carroll Cycle Center Apr 25 Spring Open House Wieblers HD Davenport Apr 25 ABATE D8 Two Wheel Trauma Alta Apr 25 CVMA 39-2 APR (Annual Patriot Ride) Coralville Apr 25 Heartland HD Spring Open House Burlington Apr 26 Balltown Ride Wieblers HD Davenport May 2 Zylstra HD HOG Roast Ames May 2 International Female Ride Day Worldwide May 2 ABATE D14 Charity Ride/30th TGIS Party Washington May 2 ABATE D6 Down Biker Ride Marshalltown May 2 CMA Run for the Son Ottumwa May 2 Blessing of the Bikes Sioux City May 3 9th Annual Blessing of the Bikes Blue Grass May 9 F&J Racing 20th Annual Blessing of the Bikes Marshalltown May 9 Mother’s Day Event Dubuque HD May 9 Pancake Breakfast Metro HD Cedar Rapids May 9 Fenders Cycle Open House Des Moines May 9 Demo Day Wieblers HD Davenport May 9 Heartland HD Cruise Night #1 Burlington May 16 Baxter Cycle Spring Open House Marne May 16 Cycle Dynamics Open House/Swap Meet/Ride Council Bluffs May 16 6th Annual Armed Forces Freedom Ride LHHD Pacific Juntion May 16 Super Saturday BBQ Route 65 HD Indianola May 16 Rosslyn’s Ride Anamosa May 16 Marty Davidson Bike Show Oskaloosa May 16 B.A.C.A. 100 Mile Ride Des Moines May 16 Ride for Peanut Walford May 17 ABATE D 4-14/VNV Rabbi’s Iowa Thunder Ride Des Moines May 21 Womens Garage Party Big Barn HD Des Moines May 21-23 B.A.C.A. Legacy Run Adel May 22-24 Redneck Revival Conesville May 23 Kickoff Summer Bikes & BBQ Wieblers HD Davenport May 23 J.J. Bonnell Memorial Ride Fort Dodge May 23 6th Annual Poker Run for Pink Ponca, NE May 23 MSAA Bandfest Parade Mason City May 23-24 Midway Tavern Annual Fun Run, BBQ, Street Dance Soldier May 25 Rolling Thunder 2015 Washington DC May 30 Marty Davidson Memorial Ride Oskaloosa May 31 Cruisin’ for St. Jude Winterset Jun 5-7 NC Victory Motorcycle Club Regional Meet WCW Omaha, NE Jun 6 Carroll Cycle Center Rock N Ride Carroll Jun 6 1st Annual Freedom Rock Ride LHHD Pacific Junction Jun 6 Suicide Awareness Benefit and Ride Waterloo Jun 6 10th Annual Jaster’s Ride for Life Elkader Jun 7 Hill Climb and Swap Meet Anamosa Jun 13 7th Annual Bell Tower Festival Poker Run & Show Jefferson Jun 13 Men’s Night Dubuque HD Jun 13 American Legion Riders Blackjack Run Council Bluffs Jun 14 MSAA Autism Ride-Light it up Blue Clear Lake Jun 15 National Ride your Motorcycle to Work Day Jun 16-17 Indian DEMO Truck Brenny’s Bettendorf Jun 18-20 21st Annual Rally on the River QC Davenport
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Jun 19 Jun 19-20 Jun 20 Jun 20 Jun 20 Jun 20 Jun 20-21 Jun 27 Jun 27 Jun 27 Jun 27 Jun 27 Jun 27-28 Jun 28 Jul 2-4 Jul 4 Jul 10-12 Jul 10-11 Jul 11 Jul 11 July 11 Jul 11 Jul 11 Jul 12 Jul 12 Jul 17-18 Jul 18 Jul 18 Jul 24-25 Jul 25 Jul 26 Jul 30-Aug 1 Aug 3-9 Aug 8 Aug 8 Aug 8-9 Aug 14-15 Aug 15 Aug 15 Aug 15-16 Aug 16 Aug 21-23 Aug 22 Aug 22 Aug 22 Aug 22 Aug 23 Aug 29 Aug 29 Aug 30 Sep 2 Sep 3-5 Sep 4-6 Sep 5 Sep 5 Sep 5-6 Sep 6 Sep 9 Sep 11-13 Sep 11 Sep 12 Sep 12 Sep 12 Sep 12 Sep 13 Sep 19 Sep 19-20 Sep 23-26
Relay for Life by Windbags Atlantic Victory DEMO Truck Brenny’s Bettendorf Ernie’s Harley-Davidson 40th Anniversary Party Algona Vintage Rally and Bike Show Anamosa ABATE D14 31st Baldy Memorial Ride Fremont/What Cheer ABATE D14 30th District 14 Anniversary Party What Cheer Outlaw Street Drags Race Series Conesville Roar Into Harlan Poker Run Harlan 28th Iowa Iron Butt Ride Ottumwa Hawgs Dogs & Heroes Ride Waverly Rigid River Run Dubuque Ride It Out For Amber Sarcoma Ride & Drive Polk City J&P Open House Anamosa Nishna Valley Wings of the G.W.T.A. Fun Run Emerson 31st Annual Freedom Rally Algona MSAA Parade Clear Lake English River Outfitters Motorcycle Jamboree Brighton CVMA 39-3 APR (Annual Patriot Ride) Elkport Goozman’s Westside Poker Run Harlan Angel Ride to Save the TaTas Fort Dodge 8th Annual Freeman Ride Avoca Memorial Ride & Drive For the Girls Evansdale Heartland HD Summer Biker Bash Burlington 3rd Annual Bike Show Rehabilitation Center Hampton MSAA Toys for Tots Ride Mason City Victory Demo Event Werner Cycle Works Omaha, NE IBEW Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids 2nd Annual Ride for Time Cadillac Jacks Baxter WMDRA and Inside Drag Racing at Eddyville Chrome Divas Ride for a Cause Metro HD Cedar Rapids Teufelhund’s Xmas in July Anamosa 8th Annual Across the Border Raid Bedford South Dakota Party AtlanticFest Ride In Bike Show Atlantic CVMA 39-1 APR (Annual Patriot Ride) Des Moines ABATE D15 Too Broke for Sturgis Donahue American Victory Rally Spirit Lake Mighty Mississippi HOG MDA Hope Ride Dubuque HD ABATE D8 Rider Ed Run Laurens 34th Annual Baxter Days Marne MSAA Hospice Ride Mason City 11th Annual BTW Trike In Kellogg ABATE of Iowa M.A.R.S. Eldora Werner Cycle Works 7th Anual Car & Bike Show Omaha, NE MSAA Ag Days Bike Show & Parade Manly 4th Annual Jami Jam Terril Iowa State Fair Motorcycle Day Des Moines Spydermania II Atlantic ABATE D6 Honoring Our Heroes Vets Ride IA Vets Home Marshalltown Childrens Miracle Network Fun Run Ida Grove New Model Party Metro HD Cedar Rapids 44th Davenport Fall International Meet Redneck Revival Conesville 9th Annual Cedar County Heroes Memorial Ride Tipton Run For The Kids Madrid Midway Tavern Soldier Valley Run BBQ, Street Dance Soldier ABATE D 8 Biker Bash 2015 Lake Park Heartland HD Cruise Night #2 Burlington Davis Motorcycle Rally New Hampton MSAA 911 Memorial Ride Mason City No Nipple Dipple Ride Buffalo Broken Spokes Ride For U of IA Children’s Hospital Davenport Waukee Legions Riders 7th Annual Toy Run Waukee Teufelhund Support Ride Anamosa Hill Climb and Swap Meet Anamosa Sidney’s Wish Poker Run Des Moines Outlaw Street Drags Race Series Conesville Bikes Blues & BBQ Fayetteville, AR
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TRMI APRIL 2015 - 55
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