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Some days throughout the winter nteer itt ggets ets et ts to to a point of almost being painful wh when hen nw wee are not able to ride. Probably mo more ore r so for Melanie, because I know wI can become an insufferable asss during the winter season. I have been working on it, trying g to be better, but always know there is room for improvement. One example of why I know I still need to do better is when I overhear people out at events asking Melanie “why iss Vernon so grumpy?” She just smiles and responds “PMS” or something along that line. I guess my rambling is all about giving credit to my wife and kids for putting up with my grumpy ass for another winter, and saying thanks to them for doing so. Maybe a statement like that in your house may make the difference in someone’s day, and sure as hell cannot hurt. Trying to be nicer to the people around us could be a new trend!
wash away the IA DOT SCOURS! It sucks when it starts to get warm enough to hop on and ride, only to go a block or two away and see all of the salt, sand, debris, and whatever else is left on the roads. It also sucks to get a 60 degree day and it is raining or drizzling all damn day, but it is a necessary evil to clean the roadways. When you do get out, make sure to be wary of the many hazards on our roadways that we may encounter. Ride safe, ride often, but do so safely so that you can return home to ride another day.
Hard to imagine, but the event listing for this month’s issue has once again exploded! We still need your events though for the list, so if you have a CONFIRMED date, name of event, and starting location town, email it to Vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com. If any one of those three required items is still not set in stone, then just let us know when they are complete and set for sure. Changing event information or dates after going to print causes great confusion for us as well as riders, and does not do your events any good, so please make sure they are good to go before submitting. On that note, the TRMI Bike Night/ Supper Rides Listing is also starting to run in this April issue. We have tried to contact everyone from the past Bike Night List to confirm, but have not been able to reach some places. If you know of a place that has a bike night scheduled for sure, email it to us so we can get it added to the list. For the Bike Night Listing, we need the day of the week, name of the hosting place, and town of the hosting location. Thanks tons for your help on this, as we try to keep the most comprehensive Event and Bike Night listing anywhere.
Quote of the Month “When spring came, even the false spring, there were no problems except where to be happiest. The only thing that could spoil a day was people and if you could keep from making engagements, each day had no limits. People were always the limiters of happiness except for the very few that were as good as spring itself.” Ernest Hemingway
Ride safe everyone, is a message paid for by and brought to you and approved by the Schwarte Clan! Vernon, Melanie, Violet, Soren, and Sabin.
Now that we have gotten through March, and rolling into April, we need Ma Nature to bring the April Showers to
On the Cover
This charitable group of characters is comprised of the individuals who as a team make up the Sleeping Angels Foundation. The Sleeping Angels Foundation is an Iowa volunteer based non-profit organization that will assist families in the State of Iowa who have or will suffer due to loss of a child. Each year the foundation puts on several events aimed at raising money to support Iowa families in need, including their annual Gala where this cool photo was snapped. Your next opportunity to support the foundation will be on May 2nd, 2020 at the 9th Annual Sleeping Angels Fun Run in Boone! See ya there! www.thunderroadsiowa.com 4 - TRMI APRIL 2020
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Yee-Haw! It’s finally spring! And you know what April showers bring – well, maybe May flowers, but also safer streets for riding. All the leftover sand that makes riding so treacherous will be carried down into the storm sewers by the gulley-washers coming our way. Of course, after we’ve had the first couple of storms and the streets are clean again I won’t be so happy if the rains continue and booger up our rides for weeks on end. If you’re one of those ambitious, optimistic souls who love to garden, you know that spring is also time to be working the soil so you can get your taters in the ground on Good Friday. Mark is the gardener in our family, but I’ve picked up enough second-hand info to know that the reason he uses the garden in the fall to burn leaves and brush and branches till there’s nothing left but ashes is because the ashes that are left behind are in the right place to be used as fertilizer the following spring. He usually gets a pretty good crop of whatever he has taken the time to put in.
person is currently producing with their life. Or maybe our ashes are simply an opportunity to bring honor to God’s So, I was recently praying about (ok, maybe I was actually memory by saying, “No, I don’t understand what has happened. brooding over) a situation that had gone south almost overnight and I was mourning the loss of past relationships But I trust the Lord to bring good out of this.” and future adventures when that very term “nothing left but ashes” came to my mind. I suddenly remembered the garden and thought – wait a minute – maybe ashes aren’t Jesus Christ lived on this earth always a bad thing. Maybe even though they represent the as a human so He knows firsthand the pain and misery we end of life as we knew it, they aren’t the end of life. go through in life. The Easter story is without a doubt the ultimate life-from-what-was-dead story we will ever hear. Trees themselves are beautiful, but once reduced to ash, He died a seemingly pointless death on behalf of people they contain most of the 13 essential nutrients that new who didn’t know or even care what was happening. But plants need to get from the soil. So a burned tree has the potential to produce more fruit and a bigger variety of fruit there was a point and because Jesus was willing to trust than a tree left standing. Furthermore, ashes can be used God with His own death and because God was faithful to to make soap, which kills bacteria that really could cause resurrect Jesus, we now have the opportunity for new life, the end of life. And old-timers will tell you that they used too. to sprinkle ashes in the outhouse cut down on the smell I don’t know what smoking pile of ashes you’re looking from, ahem - caca. And you know who makes caca, at today, but if you continue to trust the Lord and wait, right? Everyone. We’ve all been responsible for a bad smell a time or two. Last, one of the more recent uses for He will be faithful to bring meaning and life out of ashes is funeral ashes used for the making of jewelry to be the destruction. Focus on that while you’re riding and gardening and you will be forever changed. worn in honor of a loved one. Some jewelry is designed to hold the ashes while other jewelry actually has had the Blessings to you all – Karla ashes infused directly into the glass itself. Well, as usual, my brain hopped right over to the question Mark and Karla Cornick are with the Christian Motorcyclists Association. Find out more about CMA and of “What does all this mean in spiritual terms?” and I thought of the words of Jesus in the book of Luke, chapter God’s plan for your life at www.cmausa.org 4, verses 18-21: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me . . . to heal the brokenhearted . . . to comfort all who mourn . . . to give them beauty for ashes; the oil of joy for mourning . . . “ This means that if we bring our ashes to God – the ashes of a broken relationship, the unexpected and unwanted end of a career, our failing health, the death of a loved one – He will make something good out of those ashes. I don’t pretend to understand why God allows those painful things in life to happen, but it’s obvious from these verses that it is not His will to leave our wounds open and festering. It may be that the Lord needs to break down our overfocus on ourselves in order for us to be more easily spread in His service to those around us. Or we may need the cleansing effect in our attitudes and actions that only ashes can provide. Maybe the ashes from our own lives will help us be more forgiving of the bad smell that another 6 - TRMI APRIL 2020
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Indian Motorcycle of Des Moines The Biker Friendly Business Directory is a list of establishments 1500 E Army Post Road throughout Iowa that sponsor the Des Moines, Iowa 50315 magazine. You can pick up your 515-256-9062 copy here every month. Let them Indianmotorcycleofdesmoines.com know that you saw them in TRMI. If your business would like to Indian Motorcycle of Mason City advertise in Thunder Roads Iowa Mason City Powersports Biker Friendly Business Listing and 12499 265th Street Mason City become a part of the network, 641-423-3181 please email Masoncitypowersportsinc.com vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com
Biker Accessories Coolbikerstuff @ The Old Bait Shop 2103 Okoboji Ave MILFORD, Iowa 51351 712.338.8888 & 214.914.4555 Crispy’s Biker Apparel Cedar Rapids, Iowa Find Us On Facebook Leather & Hawgs 121 1st Street Soldier, Iowa leather@wiatel.net (712) 884-2701 www.leatherandhawgs.com
Dealers Baxter Cycle 311 4th Street Marne, Iowa 51552 712-781-2351 www.baxtercycle.com Big Barn Harley-Davidson 81 NW 49th Place Des Moines, Iowa 50313 515-265-4444 www.bigbarnhd.net Carroll Cycle Center 1327 Plaza Dr Carroll, Iowa 712-792-1610 www.carrollcycle.com Edwards Motorsports and RV’s 1010 34th Avenue Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 712-366-8400
Loess Hills Harley-Davidson 57408 190th Street Pacific Junction IA 51561 712-800-3500 loesshillshd.com Metro Harley-Davidson 2415 Westdale Drive SW Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404 319-362-9496 www.metro-motorsports.com Nishna Valley Cycle HONDA – YAMAHA – KTM Atlantic, Iowa 50022 1-888-577-6406 www.nishnavalleycycle.com Route 65 Harley-Davidson 1300 S Jefferson Way Indianola, Iowa 50125 515.962.2160 www.route65hd.net Storm Lake Honda 3040 Expansion Blvd Storm Lake, Iowa 50588 StormLakeHonda.com 712-732-2460 Zylstra Harley-Davidson 1930 E 13th Street Ames, Iowa 50010 515-232-6223 zylstrahd.com
Entertainment
National Motorcycle Museum 102 Chamber Drive Anamosa, Iowa 52205 319-462-3925 Nationalmcmuseum.org
Desperados 105 E 5th Street Atlantic 712-243-7087 Home of Cold Beer, Good Times, Pizza & Wings
Okoboji Classic Cars Museum and Restoration Shop 810 Jeppeson Road West Okoboji, Iowa 51351 712-332-8029
Firehouse Bar 1211 5th Street Downtown Sioux City, IA 712-224-1020 Open Daily at 12:00
Food and Drink
(Popular Poker & Fun Run Locations) Ambro’s Roadhouse 917 Guthrie St De Soto, Iowa 50069 515-468-2236 Great Food! Ambro’s Roadhouse on Facebook American Legion Post 111 1101 W 4th Street S Newton 641-792-3353 Open to the Public 7 Days a Week Newtonamericanlegion111.org Amigo’s 280 North 1st Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 515-576-0142 Amigos Bar & Restaurant on FB Bea’s Place 108 Main Street Baxter, Iowa 50028 515-500-1990 www.thebeasplace.com Big Daddy’s 506 W Main Street Lewis, Iowa 51544 M,W,TH,F 4PM-*, Sat-Sun Noon-* Zipp’s Pizza & Big Patio! Bloodline Irish Pub 214 Public Square Greenfield, Iowa 50849 Bloodline Irish Pub on Facebook
Book Em Dano’s 33 S Main Street Denison, Iowa 51442 712-263-9818 Mon-Sat 4-2 Dancers Nightly 5-1:30
Bullys’ Angle Inn 505 US 151 Walford, Iowa 52351 10am-12am Check Us Out on FB
Catfish Charlie’s Celebrations DJ & Karaoke Services On the Mississippi River Newton, IA 641-521-8036 fullthrottleia.com or edwardsrvs.com Any Occasion /Rally or Event EmCee 1630 E. 16th Street Dubuque, IA 52001 (563)582-8600 Facebook/Ray Johansen(Celebrations) www.CatfishCharliesDubuque.com Specializing in Weddings & Receptions
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Flaming Office 201 W High Street Toledo 641-484-2255 Outdoor Patio, Happy Hour 5-7 Flaming Office on Facebook & Google Flat Tire Lounge 304 S Madison Madrid 515-795-4174 Outdoor Patios – Happy Hour 3-9 Flat Tire Lounge on Facebook Grinnell Pub 909 State Street Grinnell, Iowa 50112 641-260-8003 Grinpub@aol.com Goozman’s Westside Bar & Grill 1019 7th St Harlan, Iowa 712-755-2259 Goozman’s Westside on Facebook Haverhill Social Club 202 1st Street Haverhill, Iowa 50120 641-475-3321 Tues-Sat 10-2, Sun 12-12 Iowa Legendary Rye 707 N Main Street Carroll, Iowa 51401 Iowalegendaryrye.com J.R. Willie’s Gateway to the Beautiful Hill Country Colesburg, IA 563-856-5095 Open Daily Mon-Sun 11AM Home of the Willie Whopper Johnie’s Tap 112 NE 2nd Street Stuart, Iowa 50250 515-523-1146 Mon-Sat 9:00 AM-Close Just 1 More 515-570-4206 641-757-0159 309 Railway Jamaica, Iowa 50128
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KC’s Tavern 120 N Main Street Bridgewater, Iowa 50837 Mon-Fri 4:30-Close, Sat-Sun 1-Close Find Us on FB 641-369-5010
Pearl Street Social Club 110 Pearl Street SW Shellsburg, Iowa 52332 319-436-7100 Find Us On Facebook!
Stumpy’s Bar & Grill 423 Main Street Duncombe, Iowa 50532 515-543-4222 Stumpy’s Bar & Grill on Facebook
Kippy’s Place 364 NW Main Street Elkhart, Iowa 50073 515-367-3104 Open at 11 Daily..find us on FB
Pines Steakhouse Oinkers Lounge & Grill
1500 E 7th Street Atlantic, Iowa 50022 712-243-3606 M-F 11AM-, S-S 4PM-
Sugar’s Diner & Lounge 2725 E Kanesville Blvd Council Bluffs, Iowa 712-322-3600 Check us out on Facebook
Polk City Pub 217 W Broadway Polk City, Iowa 50226 515-984-9388 Open @ 11:00AM / Closed Mon.
T.J.’s Pourhouse 100 E. Washington Street Exira, Iowa 50076 712-268-2353 Open M-SAT.@11, SUN.@ NOON
Ralph’s Moorland Tap 508 Front Street Moorland, Iowa 515-549-9702 Here For the Beer!
The Buck Snort Restaurant & Sports Bar 25 Scott Street Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503 712-328-2825 TheBuckSnortrestaurantandsportsbaronFB
Mi Casa Family Restaurant 512 Market Street Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-755-2258 Enjoy Drinks at the Full Bar!
Red Oak Tap 419 E. Reed Red Oak, Iowa 51566 712-623-4788
The Buck Snort Glenwood 419 Sharp Street Glenwood, Iowa 51534 712-520-6454 Buck Snort Glenwood on Facebook
Midway Tavern 206 1st Street Soldier, Iowa 712-884-2230 www.midwaytavernsoldier.com
Riverside Tavern 450 E Main St Lehigh, Iowa 50557 515-359-9998 Email:riversidetap@gmail.com
Montgomery Street Pub 207 East Montgomery Street Creston, Iowa 50801 641-782-2165
Roadhouse 105 Washington Marne, Iowa 51552 712-781-2272 Home of the Marne Burger
Knickers Saloon 2186 Central Avenue Dubuque, Iowa 52001 563-557-0887 365 Days a Year Knickers Saloon on Facebook McCanns Tap NE 14th & 54th Des Moines, Iowa 50313 Bike Parking M-F 2:00 Sat & Sun 11:00
Newt’s Place 403 East St Shelby, Iowa 51570 712-207-2150 Newt’s Place on Facebook North 40 Bar Magnolia, Iowa 402-301-8234 Look Us Up on Facebook Come Have Fun at the GYM!
Rumors Bar & Grill 400 F Ave Cedar Rapids, IA Live Music & Food 319-286-0806 Sandbar 103 North Noyes Street Mondamin, Iowa 51557 712-646-2300 Facebook Sandbar Mondamin
Old Timer Tavern 401 S Center Street Marshalltown Mon-Sat 6am-2am, Sun 12pm-2am Outdoor Patio-Live Entertainment 641-753-9854 and Facebook
Sidetracked 206 West Union Street Creston, Iowa 50801 641-782-8534
Papa Joe’s 117 South 6th Street Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555 712-642-9015
Sportsman Bar & Grill 103 1st Street Pisgah, Iowa 51564 712-456-2222 FOOD, FUEL, FUN
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The Buck Snort 113 4th Street Neola, Iowa 51559 712-485-9090 The Buck Snort on Facebook The Buck Snort Harlan 3002 23rd Street Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-235-2825 The Buck Snort Harlan on Facebook The Buck Snort Oakland 310 Dr Van Zee Road Oakland, Iowa 51560 712-355-5315 The Buck Snort Oakland on FB The Buck Snort Red Oak 322 E Coolbaugh Street Red Oak, Iowa 51566 712-357-1701 The Buck Snort Red Oak on Facebook The Exchange 171 S Elm Street Avoca, Iowa 51521 712-343-2609 Lang’s Pizza, Cold Beer, Sports
The Open Road Bar & Grill 501 Ann Street Irwin, Iowa 51446 712-782-4545 The Open Road, Bar and Grill, LLC on FB The Pastime Lounge 114 S 4th Street Cherokee, Iowa 51012 712-225-0219 Facebook/Patio/Food The Place2B! 116 N. Federal Ave Mason City, IA 50401 M-F 3p-2a S-S 2p-2a Find Us On Facebook The Yankee Clipper 312 SW Maple St Ankeny, Ia 50023 515-964-9484 yankeeclipperbar.com Tobey Jacks Mineola Steak House Mineola, Iowa 712-526-2078 Open 7 Days a Week Check Us Out on Facebook Twisted Corn Tavern 1405 Walnut Street Dallas Center, Iowa 50063 515-992-3868 Twisted Corn Tavern on Facebook Vic’s Main Tap 304 Broadway Audubon, Iowa 50025 712-563-2122 Opens Sun-Fri 2:30, Sat 9:30 Whatcha Smokin? BBQ+Brew 403 Iowa Avenue Luther, Iowa 50152 515-257-7490 Tuesday-Sunday Whiskey Barrel Pub and Eatery 112 E Jefferson Street Prairie City, Iowa 50228 515-630-9639 Whiskey Barrel Pub and Eatery on FB Wild Hogs Saloon & Eatery 350 Commercial Drive Walford, Iowa 52351 Open 11:00 Every Day Check Us Out on Facebook
The Full Nelson 205 West 2nd Street Halbur, Iowa 51444 712-658-2425 The Full Nelson on Facebook
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Wilson’s Tap and Recreation 1008 Story Street Boone, Iowa 50036/ 515-433-1395
Guns and Ammo 2A Firearms Training Training to Protect Your 2nd Amendment Rights 641-439-6660 Craig.2aft@gmail.com
Guns and Ammo JLM Shooters Supply 6931 Douglas Avenue Urbandale, Iowa 50322 jlmgunshop@gmail.com 515-331-1577
Insurance & Financial O’Malley Wealth Mgmt. 5623 NW 86th Street Suite 400 Johnston, Iowa 50131 515-490-0930 State Farm Clark Ahrenholtz, Agent NMLS# 1679997 2114 12th Street Harlan, Iowa 712-755-5724 Clark.ahrenholtz.jb69@statefarm.com
Legal Hupy and Abraham sc, pc Lawyers for Bikers 800.800.5678 Hupy.com TheBikerLawyers.com The Biker Lawyers, P.C. Riding & Defending Your Rights for Over 30 Years 877-209-9452
Photo and Art Ullrich Photography PO Box 1842 Clinton, Iowa 52733 563-243-8715 www.natanic.com
Services Jason Roberts, LLC Haul It, Dig It, Doze It Code931993@yahoo.com 641-740-1411
Cycle Clinic 2209 ML King Pkwy Des Moines, Iowa 50314 cycleclinicdm.com 515-288-6954
The Vic Shop DeSoto, Iowa 515-339-4313 Facebook.com/TheVicShop VICTORY & INDIAN ONLY
F & J Racing 701 N 3rd Ave Marshalltown, Iowa 50158 641-752-8651 www.fandjracing.com
Thunder Road Cycles 4106 Rockingham Rd Davenport, Iowa 52802 563-323-3172 Thunder Road Cycles on Facebook
Mean Machine Cycle Parts Elkhart, Iowa 50073 Stereos, Bars, LED Lights, Air Ride Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-12 515-367-7336
Tires
Motorcycle Medic 3176 Highway 30 Woodbine, Iowa 51579 712-647-2818 Open Tues-Sat Noon-6PM Nelson Machine & Forge General Machining, Ornamental Iron, Weld/Fab 70 Washington Street Marne, Iowa 51552 712-781-2220
Shops & Fabricators
Road Rage BikeWorks 401 High Street Avoca, Iowa 51521 712-307-6111 Road Rage BikeWorks on Facebook
Butterfield’s M.C. Parts 8025 Blondo Street Omaha, NE 68134 402-391-3768
SS Collision, Cycle Works & Graphics 2902 11th Ave SW Spencer, Iowa 51301 712-262-3959 www.sscollision.com
Chuck’s Cycle Service and Repair S&S and Drag Specialties Dealer 714 East 7th Street Washington, Iowa52353 319-461-5278
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Sandbothe Firestone 1106 Main Street Griswold, Iowa 51535 712-778-2223 Sandbothe Firestone on Facebook
Trailers Lacaeyse Trailer Sales 4192 HWY 146 Grinnell Trailers & Truck Accessories 641-990-2674 www.lacaeysetrailers.com
SHOP EQUIPEMENT Shop Tools Outlet Powersport / Auto Lift Supplier Marshalltown, IA 50158 888-288-6657 www.shoptoolsoutlet.com
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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Gina Moore 2014 Harley-Davidson Street Bob Des Moines
Jewels Sandoval 2014 Ultra Classic Electra Glide Underwood
Anna-May Von Behren 2017 Kawasaki Ninja 300 Perry 16 - TRMI APRIL 2020
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Ron from BFE Vintage Motorcycles brought in his bad ass vintage shovel to the Gala allowing Melanie and Callie to take a break from the festivities and pose with the ride to pretty up the SAFR shoot. If you are unable to join the Sleeping Angels Foundation at one of their events, you can still support the foundation from home. Simply go to http://sleepingangelsfoundation.com and click on DONATE to make a contribution. If you prefer to mail your donation, it can be sent to Sleeping Angels Foundation PO Box 165 Boone, Iowa 50036.
This is the 8th and final Chapter of an Iowa boy’s attempt to ride all the lower 48 states. If you haven’t read the previous chapters, I advise you to find the back issues of TRMI to take in the full story. Enjoy… Monday, October 14th, 2019: If you’ve been following my previous monthly rambles, you’ll recall I’ve ve worked with Ian from Fix Cycle in Sturgis, and he was setup at the Rossmeyer Complex in Ormond Beach for Biketoberfest too. His lifts were accounted for, but he mentioned if they got super busy he might have some work for me too. Either way, between Ian and Heavy at Midwest Motorcycle, I had arrangements to help fund the rest of this trip. And Eryka had just bought a house in Daytona, which was vacant at the time, but she offered to let me crash there anyway. There was literally nothing for furnishing, so she warned me that toilet paper would be needed, and I even bought a shower curtain. I was packed to camp anyway, so I had an air mattress to sleep on and a folding chair to relax in with a beer, while watching the baby lizards roaming about Eryka’s living room carpet! Next day I met with Heavy, and with his main mechanic out for should surgery, he was in desperate need of help for preparations of Biketoberfest. I agreed to help out through Thursday, and for those 3 days I did my share of oil changes and basic repairs, but easily spent half my time detailing bikes on his showroom floor and/or for customers shipping bikes in for the weekend. If ya know me, I’m a person who feels life’s too short to be cleaning bikes, so that got old real quick. But I’d agreed to help for the 3 days, and I needed the cash, so I decided to bite the bullet. I’d planned to hang out with Ian’s crew and scrounge up some work with them Friday and Saturday, so I packed the bike and left Eryka’s Friday morning, with the intent to camp with them the next few nights. But once I hit the road with a loaded bike, I just decided I needed to start making my way home.
south” really took hold. Old Civil War era mansions lined the divided road, with trees grown over the road to give a tunnel like feel. Truly a neat sight, but very hard to get pics of it that gave the same feeling. My goal was to find some place to crash around Montgomery, but my social media attempts didn’t pan out (till the next day anyway) so I broke down and got a cheap motel room that night. But it was the only nig accommodations I’d paid for on this trip, so splurged and got a high-class $50 room! The $50 room was every nightmare you could imagine, so I was out early the next morning, as northern remnants of Nestor kept things wet when I left Montgomery. I rode west on Hwy 80 through rural Alabama, where on one side of the road they were harvesting cotton, and on the other side seedlings were popping up. Here in Iowa we don’t see seedlings in October, but I guess they get to grow all year round down there. I made my way into Mississippi (State #45) with the intent to jump back on the interstate to make better time. But beforehand, I passed the Simmons Wright General Store, which has been around since 1884. Very neat old place that’s still in operation and the lady working said it had been in her husband’s family the whole time!
Mississippi was a quick blur on the interstate, but the rest area on the river was pretty neat, with civil war era canons facing the river. I then crossed the Mississippi (river, that is) into Louisiana (State #46) with plans to stay in Winnfield. A fella named Shannon Hayes, who I’m friends with on Facebook, offered his place to crash. Shannon has followed my work with the national biker magazines throughout my entire career. A fan of sorts, I guess. Not that I think my work is all that, but talking with Shannon was a real treat. This guy is a huge supporter of the biker lifestyle and biker magazines, as am I, but it’s safe to say he knows the history of these publications far better than I do. Shannon’s health issues have kept him from riding his Ironhead in recent years, but he is always in high spirits, and stopping to meet him in person was surely the Backtrack to Thursday night, and while at the Boothill Saloon, I’d seen the weather forecast on TV for the highlight of this trip. first time in a week, and it is October in Florida, so sure as Out again early the next day, I was on a direct hell Tropical Storm Nestor was barreling in from the gulf side of the state. Watching the projected track, I felt it was route north to eventually get me home. I used the Bunka-Biker Facebook page for accommodations again that better to head north and get away from it, or chance being night, and rode north on Hwy 167 into Arkansas (State # stuck in Florida longer than I planned. Yeah, that doesn’t 47) all the way through Little Rock, then jumped on Hwy sound too bad for a Midwesterner, but I really wanted to 5 north. I stopped to take in the sights of Greers Ferry be home, and still had plenty of traveling ahead of me. Dam and Reservoir, which President Kennedy dedicated Ian didn’t care if I stuck around or not, so I was heading north on I-95, then west on I-10, to I-75 back into Georgia. 6 weeks before his death. My route took me on a beautiful ride through the Ozarks, with one stop for Cajun shrimp Before reaching Atlanta, I turned west on Hwy 82 and crossed the Chattahoochee River into Alabama (State #44) in Mountain View, Arkansas, but I couldn’t enjoy a beer to wash it down, being in a dry county. into the town of Eufaula, where the feeling of the “deep 22 - TRMI APRIL 2020
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Eddie and Anna Alexander, whom I’d reached out to on the Bunk-a-Biker page, offered me a place to stay for the evening. They have a very beautiful house along the banks of the White River near Norfolk, AR. We talked on their back porch till dark on what was a beautiful day, but weather forecast had a storm front moving in overnight, followed by a cold front. At this point, I’d managed to ride in comfy temps but I was knew what I was getting into heading north. It was warm the next morning after the storms cleared out, but it didn’t take long before I stopped for chaps and thicker gloves. I crossed the state line into Missouri (State #48) for a pretty uneventful day of riding, aside from seeing the Lake of the Ozarks for the first time. Friends Jared and Melissa (insert shameless plug here) same Melissa that’s on the cover of Natanic’s Pin-ups 2020 biker babe calendar, live in Macon, which is only about an hour from the Iowa state line. But they offered a hot dinner, a place to crash, and their dog Dolly was thrilled to see me! Next day, Tuesday, October 22nd, was the first time I’d used my heated gloves on my entire 48 state trip, and I must say they are well worth the money. I crossed back into Iowa on Hwy 63 south of Ottumwa. I continued on through Mt. Pleasant, Iowa City, and Davenport, before putting my kickstand down again at home in Clinton, with 4003 miles on this trip meter this time. I did it… 48 states! Nate Ullrich www.Natanic.com Tune in to next month’s issue of TRMI, as I recap this 48 state excursion.
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Thi month This th Th Thunder d R Roads d would ld lik like tto putt th the spotlight tli ht on a veteran who makes his home in Mediapolis. Rob Adams served our great country via the United States Marine Corps Reserve out of the Rock Island Arsenal from 1988 to 1994. While enlisted, Rob was a 3521 diesel mechanic and reached the rank of Lance Corporal. Rob’s service time was not strictly spent in Rock Island; he went to boot camp in December, with a lasting memory of watching Full Metal Jacket in the squad bay for the Christmas holiday. He also spent some time in North Carolina at Camp Lejeune, Camp Pendleton, and also 29 Palms California. Rob did not grow up a stranger to military service. His dad was in the Army during the Vietnam War, and one of his grandfathers was in World War II, and a great grandfather served in World War I, so serving his country came as a natural decision. His first ride was a Suzuki gs450l in the early 1990’s, but as we see with a lot of riders, kids and other life issues took precedence over two-wheeled companions. Ron said that he got back into riding due largely in part to the Christian Motorcyclist Association that both he and his wife joined back in 2014. At that point, Rob swung a leg over a 1990 Softail Springer. After a couple of years, he updated his ride with a 2008 Ultra Classic. Today you will find Rob scooting around on his 2016 Softail Deluxe that he purchased in nearby Burlington. We asked Rob if he had any big plans for the Deluxe, and
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firstt on his hi list li t is i a sett off ape hangers h as soon as possible. ibl After that upgrade he plans on adding dual exhaust and a set of hard saddlebags to complete his favorite ride. This season is fast approaching and will be in full swing before we know it, and Rob and his wife are gearing up for another busy year serving with the Christian Motorcyclists Association. Rob says he will be attending events including Conesville with C.M.A. They are also planning on participating for the first time this spring in the Sleeping Angels Run. Rob is also looking forward to the Thank You Is Not Enough ride in June. As if that doesn’t sound like his plate is getting full already, Rob and his wife are heading to Sturgis as well. The last big event on Rob’s pre-season list is the C.M.A. State Rally in Fort Dodge. The event runs from July 31st through August 2nd, and may just be one of the only events that I know of that is free to guests, and open to the public…so if you want to go, show up and let ‘em know that Rob invited you! Rob, thank you for your service from all of us at Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa! Melanie J Schwarte Melanie@thunderroadsiowa.com If you or someone you know is a military rider and would like to be featured on our pages, email me for details!
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I
t’s April and the weather is turning for the better. There have already been some nice days in March and I know some of you have already gotten the motorcycle out for a ride or two. Others are waiting a little bit longer to let the sand and salt to be totally off the roads. In the meantime, we are all checking our motorcycles over and getting them ready for the season. When you complete your pre-season once over, remember to check your tires. Sometimes this is overlooked, so take a look at not only the air pressure in them but also the tire tread. There is also another major item to get ready for the up coming riding season and that is YOU, the rider. We at ABATE of Iowa can help you with this through our Rider Education program. We offer many classes to help you with your riding skills, and a great group of coaches that will help train you in these skills. The different classes we offer depends on the skills you might need or want to brush up on. Like our basic rider course (BRC) this course will help riders meet the challenges of motorcycling, and the needed skill and knowledge. The BRC course will give you the physical skills to make your motorcycle perform like an extension of yourself and the knowledge to apply those skills appropriately. This class is for both beginning
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riders and the intermediate rider. Both will gain from this course. Then there is the returning rider class (RRBRC) this is a class designed for riders who possess basic skills, but haven’t been riding in a while, or need to get their license or just want to brush up on their skills. Then there is a basic rider course 2 (BRC2). This is a class for riders who already have basic skills and will also help with your riding skills while out on the road. This is an excellent refresher course for practicing and renewing basic riding skills. Then we also have a trike class (BRCA 3-whreel) for a new rider to start once they’ve made the decision to ride a 3-wheel motorcycle and want to learn the skills for a threewheel motorcycles. Whatever your needs are, there is a rider education class for you. So check out the ABATE of Iowa website or search Iowa motorcycle rider courses and let us help you get ready for the riding season. David Duffy “Duff” State Coordinator ABATE of Iowa
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with fries, but if you prefer a substitution, they are happy to oblige. While I was continually drawn back to looking at the pizza options, I knew I could never down a whole pie on my own, so I made the decision to go with a BLT, and switch out my fries for onion rings in an attempt to sample as many menu options as possible in one fail swoop. Vernon chose the whiskey burger and fries. We placed our order, and out came our appetizer. The cheese curds arrived, heaping in a basket with a side of ranch dressing. No cheap, chewy orange nuggets of processed cheese here, the Whiskey Barrel curds are lightly breaded white cheddar perfection. Just as we were winding down on 112 E Jefferson St. Prairie City the appetizer, out came our sandwiches. My BLT was (515) 630-9639 served with a generous portion of bacon, fresh leaf let4p-11p T-W-TH, 4p-2a F, 11a-2a Sat, Closed Sun-Mon tuce, and THINLY sliced tomatoes! The tomato thing is Just a short ride from the Des Moines Metro in the small honestly a make or break thing for me…if my sandwich arrives and it has ½ inch thick slices of tomato on it… town of Prairie City is a new destination for cold drinks and delicious vittles. On our way back from a day trip to they go in the trash. I just can’t eat them that way, so I was pleasantly surprised that I could actually consume Cedar Rapids, we made a point to hop off the big road a BLT here, not just a BL. If you recall, I opted for onion and make a stop at this new place on the north side of rings as a side. Winner, winner! These rings are BOMB! the downtown square that we had been hearing about. Tiny slices of sweet onion in a crispy cornmeal breadWhen you first step inside, you will notice that the faming left me wishing I had more room to finish off the ily dining area is separate from the bar area, providing generous portion that filled my basket. Vernon’s burger patrons the option of choosing seating in a traditional was nothing to scoff at either. It arrived, cooked to juicy restaurant setting, or perfection and draped in melty smoked cheese and in the bar. We opted bacon. The bun was fresh and soft, and piled high for bar seating, as with traditional burger toppings. The mountain of from where we were perfectly cooked, well- seasoned French fries next to standing, it looked the burger were delicious as well. Oh, and did I fail to pretty cool behind mention the whiskey sauce? This signature sauce is the 21 and over door. a sticky, sweet perfection crafted out of Buffalo Trace Whiskey, and you We chose a table can have it on just and were immediabout anything you ately approached choose. Both of our by our server. She sandwiches came was quick to take with this delightful our drink orders and bring us a menu. While we addition…and a wet checked out the meal choices, we also couldn’t nap for post meal help but be distracted by the Whiskey Barrel clean up. Trust me, themed décor throughout the bar. Tall stools made you will need it. from barrels, large round tables from barrels, lazy suzans constructed of barrel scraps, even the The menu offers sconces on the walls were designed from repurdesert as well, but posed whiskey barrels. The atmosphere certainly with the large quancoveys the owner’s love of whiskey in a stylish, tities of deliciousness we had just consumed, there was modern way. no way we were going to be able to climb that mountain unless we were allowed to take a nap and regroup. I am We must have looked like we were having trouble deciding what to eat, as our server returned and explained already planning my return to try out one of the moutha couple of items on the menu to us. We quickly ordered watering pizza combinations I saw. But Taco Tuesday cheese curds as an appetizer to buy us some more time, looks promising as well…and Wing Wednesday…how and went back to decision making. The Whiskey Barrel about Hot Beef Thursday? So many choices. I have a feeling it will be more than one return trip for us. Stop offers daily specials as well as the regular menu items, by the Whiskey Barrel and tell them TRMI sent you! so when you visit be sure to ask about them. On the Saturday that we stopped by, there was a grilled chicken Melanie J Schwarte Alfredo or a mushroom and Swiss burger option in adMelanie@thunderroadsiowa.com dition to regular menu choices. Sandwich orders come
Whiskey Barrel Pub and Eatery
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A man came home from work one day and told his wife how good his fireman job was when they used a bell system. He explained to her when bell 1 rang they slid down the fireman’s pole, bell 2 they grab their jackets and bell 3 they were on the truck ready to go. He also told her he wanted to use the same system so when bell 1 rang she was to go straight to the room, when bell 2 rang she was to strip naked and when bell 3 rang she was to be lying on the bed with her legs in the air ready to go. When he came home the next day, he rang the first bell and his wife went straight to the bedroom and then he rang the second so his wife stripped naked and then he rang the last bell and she was instantly lying on the bed with her legs in the air. After a few minutes his wife screams out bell 4, bell 4. A confused husband asks what’s bell 4, the wife replies “you need more hose, more hose, you’re nowhere near the fire! What’s the main difference between an Irish wedding and an Irish funeral? 1 less drunk at the party A cop was patrolling at night in a well-known area for “parking.” He saw a couple in a car, with the interior light on. He got closer to the car and saw a young man behind the wheel, reading a computer magazine and a young woman on the rear seat, knitting. Puzzled by this surprising situation, the cop walked over to the car and knocked on the window. “Yes, officer?” “What are you doing?” “Well, isn’t it obvious? I’m reading a magazine.” Pointing to the young woman, the cop asked, “And her, what is she doing?” The young man shrugged, “I believe she’s knitting a pullover.” The cop was totally confused. A young couple alone in a car at night and nothing obscene is happening! “What’s your age, young man?”” I’m 22, sir.” “And her, what’s her age? The young man looks at his watch and said, “She’ll be 18 in 20 minutes.” Marvin had always wanted to be a gunfighter. He grew up in the old West. As a child he read everything about gunfighters he could find. His hero was Billy the Kidd. He dreamed of being just like his hero. One day he went to town and bought himself a black hat, some black clothes, a black horse and two pistols. He went home and every day he went out behind his barn, and practiced shooting. After two weeks he was getting to be quite a good shot. He decided it was time to show off. He put on his black clothes and hat, strapped on his guns and rode into town. When he walked into the saloon, standing at the bar he saw Billy the Kidd. He was so excited! He walked up and said, “Mr. Kidd, I am your biggest fan. I have always wanted to be just like you.” “Look at me. Do I look like a gunfighter?” Billy looked him over and said, “Well, you have the right clothes and you have a nice black hat, and I see you rode up on a black horse. But, can you shoot?” Marvin looked around the room and said, “See that piano player over there?” He drew his pistol and fired, shooting the cufflink off the piano player’s shirt. Billy said, “Not bad. Can you shoot with your left hand? A gunfighter has got to be able to shoot with both hands.” Marvin drew his other pistol and fired, shooting off the piano player’s other cufflink. Billy said, “That’s mighty fine shooting. I just have one piece of advice for you.” Marvin was bubbling with excitement, “What is it? What else should I do?” Billy spoke slowly, “Well, go back into the kitchen there and get a big tub of lard. Take both of your pistols and rub them around in the lard, get them good and slick.” Marvin was puzzled. He asked, “Why is 34 - TRMI APRIL 2020
that important? What good will rubbing ubbi ub bing bi ng my my pistols in lard do?” Billy replied, “It won’t help your shooting at all, but when Wyatt Earp finishes playing the piano over there, he’s going to shove both of your pistols up your ass.” Three boys were out hiking one ne winter day, and heard cries for or help coming from the lake. Rushing ing to see what was the matter, they found fou ound nd d Barack Obama who had fallen through hro roug ugh ug h some thin ice on a lake and was about bou outt to o drown. Quickly the boys formed d a human chain and pulled him to safety. “I’d like to reward you boys with something special for saving me”, said Obama. “Just name it, and nd it’s it’s yours!” “I want a ride on Air Force On One” One”, e”,, e” said the first boy. “You’ve got it!”, ”, sa said id Obama. “I want a medal that I can show h the h other kids at school”, said the second boy. “No problem!”, said Obama. The third boy thought for a moment, and said “I want a wheelchair”. “But why would you want that?”, asked Obama. “’Cause when I get home and tell my dad that I saved YOU he’s gonna break my effin’ legs!”. A strong man barges into a bar feeling all pumped up to take a chick home. He is confronted with this sexy bimbo waitress who falls head over heels for him. The guy shows off his muscles and winks at this girl, she responds with a flying kiss of her own. This continues for a while when finally, the girl invites this dude to sleep with her at her place. He accepts gleefully. In the room the girl is lying on the bed and the hunk starts to strip off. He takes off his shirt pointing towards his biceps and says “Look at them, these are one thousand pounds of dynamite” The girl gets blown away at this sight. Next goes off his pants and the focus is on his thighs, saying “Look at them, these are one thousand pounds of dynamite” Now she’s all ready for the grand finale, as the only thing left are the underpants. Muscle maniac pulls out the jack pot and takes them off. On sight of his dick the girl screams, “Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh........... Get away from me” and she runs away. The guy eventually catches up to her and asks “What the hell happened?” She yells, “Danger! Danger! I had to go; I was scared!” The guy responds, “What do you mean?” The girl says, “Well with two thousand pounds of dynamite and such a short fuse I thought you were about to explode!” A ringmaster runs an ad for a lion tamer and two people show up. One is a retired golfer in his late sixties and the other is a gorgeous blonde in her mid-twenties. The ringmaster tells them, “I’m not going to sugar coat it. This is one ferocious lion. He ate my last tamer so you two had better be good or your history. Here’s your equipment -chair, a whip and a gun. Who wants to try out first?” The girl says, “I’ll go first.” She walks past the chair, the whip and the gun and steps right into the lion’s cage. The lion starts to snarl and pant and begins to charge her. About halfway there, she throws open her coat revealing her beautiful naked body. The lion stops dead in his tracks, then sheepishly crawls up to her and starts licking her feet and ankles. He continues to lick and kiss her entire body
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for several minutes and then rests his head at her feet. The ringmasters jaw is on the floor. He says, “I’ve never seen a display like that in my life.” He then turns to the retired golfer and asks, “Can you top that?” The tough old golfer replies, “No problem, just get that lion out of there.” A patient says, “Doctor, can I get AIDS from a toilet seat?” The doctor replies, “Yes, but only by sitting down before the last guy gets up.” Three babies are in their mother’s womb. One of them says, “I want to be an artist so everyone knows what it looks like in here.” The next one says, “I want to be a swimmer because I get so much practice in here.” The last baby says, “I’m going to be a hunter because if that snake comes in here and pokes me again, I’m going to chop that thing in half!” A super hot chick walks into her church and says to the priest, “Forgive me Father, for I have sinned.” The priest says, “Tell me dear, what’s on your mind?” “Well Father, I am a sex addict, and lately I discovered that I like doing it with priests. I had sex with the one from the church two blocks from here, the one five blocks from here, and also the one from the church nearby.” The priest says, “It’s okay, just pray three times a day for one week and it will all be okay.” As the girl tries to go out, the priest says, “Oh, and don’t forget that I will always be here for you!” One day a man and woman were in their bedroom making love. All of a sudden, a bumble bee entered the bedroom window. As the lady parted her legs, the bee entered her vagina. The woman started screaming, “Oh my god, help me, there’s a bee in my vagina!” The husband immediately took her to the local doctor and explained the situation. The doctor thought for a moment and said “Hmm, tricky situation. But I have a solution to the problem if young sir would permit.” The husband being very concerned agreed that the doctor could use whatever method to get the bee out of his wife’s vagina. The doctor said “Okay, what I’m going to do is rub some honey over the tip of my penis and insert it into your wife’s vagina. When I feel the bee getting closer to the tip of my penis, I shall withdraw it and the bee should hopefully follow my penis out of your wife’s vagina. The husband nodded and gave his approval. The lady said, “Yes, whatever, just get on with it.” So, the doctor, after covering the tip of his penis with honey, entered the woman. After a few gentle strokes, the doctor said, “I don’t think the bee has noticed the honey yet. Perhaps I should try further.” The lady began to quiver with excitement, moaning aloud. The doctor, concentrating very hard, looked like he was enjoying himself. The husband became very annoyed and shouted, “Now wait a minute! What the hell do you think you’re doing?” The doctor, still concentrating, replied, “Change of plan. I’m gonna drown the bastard!” Seven-year-old Lebron was in English class, when his teacher asked him to use dictate in a sen-tence. So he says, “Lass night I heard Daddy askin’ Momma, ‘how do my dictate?’” Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
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May we all have an Uncle John. I love motorcycles. I love all kinds of bikes. What a shocker, a guy that writes for an award winning publication, that publishes content for the motorcycle community, loves bikes. I bet that likely didn’t come across as an amazing enlightening epiphany in any way, shape, or form but I wanted to pass this reminder along because I am asked a great deal of the time about what I ride and why I ride it. I always pause for a moment, asking myself, “why would you ask that?” and “are you judging me secretly because of what I ride?” Usually, that last question is the case, I get judged a shitload because I don’t “ride what everybody else rides” and I really have never understood why that matters or why people care, but here we are in the year 2020 and you assume my rider gender! Actually, I don’t take it personally, and I honestly don’t really care, it’s a nice point of conversation and when I explain why I do what I do, Don’t judge me bro! And now, some back story.
motors and basically turbo charged them. Motors and gasoline ran through his veins. When Tommy was being shipped home, he sent word to have his bike shipped, via rail, from Northwest Iowa to San Diego. Paulie and Uncle John, then rode their bikes from Iowa to Denver to meet up with their brother, returning from the war. These three were all big dudes, with some serious man hands. My ring finger is size 13, larger than average, my dad’s was a size 18, his fingers and hands were MUCH smaller than those three dudes, Uncle John, around a size 20 ring finger. Big Damn Farm Boys. So, you take three brothers, all rode early 50’s era bikes (hell, rumor was they were all late 40’s bikes) military dudes, riding halfway across the country (pre interstate) no cruise control, shitty shocks, slappy chain driven, no windshield bikes… they meet in a bar in Denver, which then was very much the wild wild west and add beer and whiskey. I have never found out the whole truth of what happened. Uncle John still won’t tell me, but grandpa used to tell me it cost him more than a few cattle headed to market to pay for what they did. Epic stories. Hell, my dad, many years younger, never even got the full story.
I was thinking about Uncle John recently, and at 84 he is still kicking ass, but in a sore way while he waits for a I was really fortunate to have some true, All American hip. 84 and getting a new hip…holy shit. You see, Uncle bad asses for uncles that they all influenced me in many John was the one I was always the closest to. Likely beways and formed me into the man I am today. The good, cause I was around him the most because my dad and the bad, the ugly, the opinions, the knowledge and more he farmed together, but also, he was always just cool came from a variety of factors, but they were all great with me. He was chill as hell and always talked to me like “dudes” that drank beer, fixed shit, raised great families, I was much older, in a calm way, almost kidding much served our nation and didn’t know what it meant when of the time. We always just worked so well together if somebody said you couldn’t do something. that makes sense. He was “no longer a smoker” yet hid them in the machine shed. When we would be in a field Especially when it came to anything with a motor. They, combining or something, he would pop into my tractor along with my dad (he was the baby of the family) built cab, chat for a minute, and bum a smoke. Now, I was just some of the most powerful tractors for pulling that dein high school and NOT SMOKING around my dad, still stroyed the competition. So much so that they actually keeping it hidden, or so I thought, but John would never CHANGED THE RULES because they were years ahead rat me out. He caught me a few times being in places I of anybody else. They would frame race cars and power wasn’t supposed to be, doing things I wasn’t old enough them with motors that changed the rules again on dirt to do, and he never said shit about it. tracks in Iowa, South Dakota and Southwest Minnesota. Tweaked guns for long distance shooting competitions Uncle John also rode his ass off. All the time. hunted all over the place and rode old school machines all across the country. Rode their ass off like men that He rode to Upstate New York, rode to Alaska, both trips kicked some ass back in the day. Not a man bun, latte, or he was in his 70’s. He never missed Sturgis. He would beard conditioner to be seen. Well, they did have supple ride to rallies all across the country and rode until he hit beards, but mostly from 10w 40 motor oil. They taught 80. That is when his hips started making it impossible to my old man, they taught me, and they taught some of my hold up a bike. cousins, that to this day are genuine bad asses. Uncle John has had a bevy of brands over the years. I reAnd bikes were always around. member his old Indian Chief, I think it was a 46…it took forever to get started, but once it did, it never stopped Two of my uncles have passed, along with my old man running. I remember BMW’s, Harleys, various dirt bikes, because cancer sucks ass, but their legacy and influand more. But Uncle John was at heart, a Honda guy. And ence on me continues. not just any Honda, but a GoldWing rider. Tommy, Paul, and Uncle John all served in the 50’s. Marines, Air Force, and Army. And they all did bad ass stuff I am not sure what year it was, I think it was an 85 Interwhile serving. state, but it was just a brilliant color and loaded with features no other bikes even dreamed of then. My first Tommy, the oldest, served in Korea during the intense “real” bike was a 1967 Honda 90, which I have talked part of the war. While there, he rebuilt big ass bomber Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook www.thunderroadsiowa.com 36 - TRMI APRIL 2020
about before. By this time, I was in High School and riding a Honda CB360T that was my old man’s, then a 750, which was mine. (Big bike for those days) All paled in comparison to that amazing machine Uncle John rode. It was just stunning and I was hooked. I remember a later model, that had reverse, the first time I saw that in action I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, bike WITH REVERSE. And this was around 1989-ish. I had to have a Gold Wing. Uncle John influenced me in so many great and positive ways, ways I will never be able to repay him for and I am thankful he is still around, I only wish I could spend more time with him. He was always excited about the new technology that the bikes were coming out with and would encourage me to check it out. And his bike was always in pristine, showroom condition. Okay, not everyThunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
thing was passed along! Why do I ride what I ride? Because of my Uncle John. I was lucky a few times to get to ride with him, my old man, my cousin Jake, and it’s funny, those are the days I will never forget and they were forever ago. I am eternally thankful for all that my dad and my uncles all taught me, but I have a special spot for riding because of my Uncle John. My hope, dream, wish, it to someday have a niece or nephew that I have taught half as much. Ride like there is no tomorrow. Todd “Crash” Davis
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Friday Centerville Bike Nights (4th Friday May-Aug) R Place Pub & Pizza Kelley (2nd Friday May-Aug) Stampede’s Mason City J&P cycles Anamosa (Jun 19, Jul 17) Firehouse Bar Sioux City (Jun 19-20)
Saturday Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa Iowa Bike Nights and Dinner Rides Wednesday The Buck Snort Neola Bikes and Cars (2nd Wed) 2nd Ave Bike Night Des Moines (2nd Wed May-Sep) Amigos Fort Dodge American Dream/Hangout Omaha Bea’s Place Baxter Twisted Corn Tavern Dallas Center (1st Wed) Cruise Night Britt (3rd Wed Jul-Sep) The OP Clear Lake Whiskey Barrel Pub & Eatery Prairie City (Apr-Sep) Supper Rides Harley-Davidson of Carroll (5-20,6-10,78,8-19,9-9) Dinner Rides Zylstra Harley-Davidson Ames
Happenings Bar Steamboat Rock (3rd Saturday May-Sep) Ambro’s Roadhouse DeSoto (Last Sat May-Aug) Route 65 BBQ & Open House (3rd Sat ) Road Rage Dog Daze Open House (2nd Sat May-Sep)
Sunday Just 1 More Jamaica (Starting in May) Road Rage Fun Run at The Exchange Avoca (4th Sunday May-Sep) Oakland Acres Golf Club (Start in May) 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
Thursday Edwards Bikes on the Hundred Block Council Bluffs (3rd Thursday) The Buck Snort Harlan Bikes and Cars (4th Thursday) Roar Into Harlan (3rd Thursdays) Stumpy’s Bar & Grill Duncombe Wild Hogs Saloon & Eatery Walford (3rd Thursday) Metro HD Cedar Rapids (2nd Thursday May-Oct) Des Moines Vintage Bike Night (1st Thursday May-Sep) McCann’s Tap Des Moines (Every Other Thursday) Harley-Davidson of Carroll (1st Thurs May-Sep)
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Mar 28 Raccoon Valley Powersports Garage/Mancave Tour Jefferson Mar 28 Summer Ride Book Kick Off Party Big Barn HD Des Moines Mar 28-29 33rd Annual Donnie Smith Bike Show St Paul, MN Apr 4 Fashion Show Big Barn HD Des Moines Apr 4-5 34th Annual North Iowa Expo Mason City Apr 5 Parts Girl Promotions Swap Meet Rock Island, IL Apr 11 Rednecks, Moonshine & Motorcycles LHHD Pacific Junction Apr 11 7th Annual Easter Egg Hunt Metro HD Cedar Rapids Apr 11 ABATE D14 Swap Meet Hedrick Apr 11 ABATE D14 TGIS Hedrick Apr 17-18 Season Opener Conesville Apr 18 Bike Blessing & BBQ Open House Rt 65 HD Indianola Apr 18 Harley Joe’s Invitational #2 Omaha Apr 19 15th Annual Hill Blazers Hill Climb Logan Apr 25 Blessing of the Bikes Big Barn HD Des Moines Apr 25 Baxter Cycle Omaha Grand Opening Omaha, NE Apr 26 SGT Kearney Memorial Motorcycle Run Emerson May 1-2 Vintage Torque Fest Dubuque May 2 9th Annual Sleeping Angels Fun Run Boone May 2 F&J Racing 25th “Blessing Of The Bikes” Grand Finale Marshalltown May 2 Chrome Diva Awareness Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids May 2 American Legion Riders Post 111 Blessing of Bikes Newton May 2 Blesing of the Bikes the Grotto of the RedemptionWest Bend May 3 2nd Annual Pearl City Disciples/1st Baptist Church Bike Blessing Muscatine May 7-9 Tent Event Big Barn HD Des Moines May 8-9 Swap Meet & Flea Market Conesville May 9 PGI Riders Blessing of the Bikes Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids May 9 Spring Hog Roast Zylstra HD Ames May 16 ABATE D 16 Annual Motorcycle Awareness Ride Cedar Falls May 21-24 Redneck Revival Rally (Over 21) Conesville May 23-25 Midway Tavern Veterans Memorial Day Weekend Poker Run Soldier May 24 Bike Blessing Northwest Christian Church Council Bluffs May 24 6th Annual Midwest Motorcycle Ride to the Wall Sgt Bluff May 24 Memorial Day Freedom Rock Ride Denison May 30 Harley-Davidson of Carroll Rock –N- Ride Carroll May 30 Boys and Girls Club Chrome for Kids Ride and Raffle Metro HD Cedar Rapids Jun 5-6 Rally in the Hills Loess Hills HD Pacific Junction Jun 6 Ride for Darcy Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Jun 6 Mean Machine Cycle Parts “Spring Smokeout” Elkhart Jun 6 Purple Heart Tour Ride for Our Service Men & Women Green Jun 6 4th Annual Thank You Is Not Enough Ride IronHawkCVMA Chapter 39-5 Mt Pleasant Jun 6 11th Annual Veterans Benefit Ride American Legion Riders Post 166 Shellsburg Jun 6 5th Annual Suicide Awareness Ride & Drive Waterloo Jun 6 Riders for Thrivers Annual Poker Run for Project Pink’d. Omaha NE Jun 12 IronHawk CVMA 39-5 APR Keosauqua Jun 12-13 Spring Open House Big Barn HD Des Moines Jun 12-13 Chrome at the River Ride In Bike Show Omaha Jun 13 IronHawk CVMA 39-5 Bike Build Off for APR Keosauqua Jun 13 12th Annual Bell Tower Festival Poker Run & Cycle Show Jefferson Jun 13 Steve Martin Ride for a Cure ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Jun 13 6th Annual Children’s Hospital Fun Run Council Bluffs Jun 13 Roar Into Harlan Fun Run Harlan Jun 19-20 Rumble In The Sand Conesville Jun 20 Sugar Run (Diabetes) ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Jun 20 1st Annual Bruce Thysen Memorial Ride Elk Horn Jun 20 ABATE D14 36th Baldy Memorial Fremont Jun 20 7th Annual Hometown Heroes Memorial Ride Rockwell City Jun 20 8th Annual Chasin’ Tails Fun Run Roland Jun 20-21 ABATE D14 35th Anniversary Party What Cheer Jun 26-28 Midway Tavern All Iowa 100 Day Poker Run Soldier Jul 26 Jones Co Toys for Tots Christmas in July Anamosa Jun 27 10th Vintage Rally National Motorcycle Museum Anamosa
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
Jun 27 Jun 27
Ride for the Dogs Kellogg Legion Riders Post 111 Annual Veterans Assistance Ride Newton Jun 27 Chains Interrupted Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Jun 27 Running Over Lupus Jewell Jul 2-4 ABATE of Iowa Freedom Rally Algona Jul 10-11 Combat Veterans Chapter 39-3 APR, Benefit, Ride, Cruise Elkport Jul 11 7th Annual Ride In Bike & Hot Rod Show Milford Jul 11 PGI Support Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Jul 11 13th Annual Freeman Ride Avoca Jul 11 Cubs Run Big Barn HD Des Moines Jul 11 14th Annual Angel Ride to Save the TaTas Fort Dodge Jul 18 Ice Cream Poker Run Big Barn HD Des Moines Jul 18 Ride for Time w/Friends of Mine Baxter Jul 18 Chloe Ann Memorial Ride Elk Horn Jul 18 4th Annual Cody Willis Memorial Ride North 40 Magnolia Jul 18-19 “Ride In” Bike Show Des Moines Jul 25 Union Trades Solidarity Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Jul 25 Harley and Hot Rod Summer Celebration Bike and Car Show Big Barn HD Des Moines Jul 25 Pine Lake Festival Motorcycle Show Eldora Jul 31-Aug 2 Heartland Rally by Christian Motorcycle Association of Iowa Fort Dodge Aug 1 Largest Female Ride Ever (World Record Attempt) Harley-Davidson of Carroll Aug 1 CVMA 39-2 Patriot Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Aug 7-16 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally South Dakota Aug 8 LT Ride for Babies Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Aug 8 ALR (Ames Legion Riders) 2nd Annual Show & Shine IVH Marshalltown Aug 14-15 Rumble & Truck Yeah Conesville Aug 15 Cancer Sucks~Car, Truck & Bike Show Council Bluffs Aug 15 TJ Memorial Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Aug 16 Western Iowa Bikers Winner Takes All Poker Run Dow City Aug 21-23 16th Annual BTW Trike In Kellogg Aug 22 Kyle’s Mile 7 Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Aug 22 5th Annual Hell On Wheels Chopper Show Franklin Aug 23 Rumble to Recovery (620 Fund Ride) Metro HD Cedar Rapids Aug 29 Cruising for a Cure Metro HD Cedar Rapids Aug 29 Corn Dog Classic Poker Chip Run hosted by JAVELAN LHHD Pacific Junction Sep 3-5 Motorcycle Swap Meet Davenport Sep 3-6 Redneck Revival Rally (Over 21) Conesville Sep 4-7 Midway Tavern 22nd Annual Soldier Valley Fundraiser Poker Run Soldier Sep 5 MS Moments Heid Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Sep 10 Metro Motor Madness 620 Foundation Motorcycle Drawing Metro HD Cedar Rapids Sep 12 WTF Fun Run Harlan Sep 12 9th Annual Warrior Ride Preston Sep 12 2nd Operation 22 til Freedom Poker Run Council Bluffs Sep 12 Teufelhund Veterans Group Support Ride Anamosa Sep 18-19 Rumble In The Sand Conesville Sep 19 Joyce’s Joyride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Sept 19 Chrome Diva BOCA Ride Cedar Rapids Sep 19 5th Annual 22 Veterans Suicide Awareness Association Poker Run Council Bluffs Oct 8 620 Foundation Check Presentation to Children’s Hospital Metro HD Cedar Rapids Oct 9-10 Swap Meet & Flea Market Conesville Oct 16-17 EOY Drags Conesville Oct 31 Halloween Spooktacular Big Barn HD Des Moines Nov 6-7 Veteran’s Day Event Big Barn HD Des Moines Nov 11 Veteran’s Day Breakfast Metro HD Cedar Rapids Nov 27 Black Friday Event Big Barn HD Des Moines Dec 5 Chrome Diva SLD (Santa’s Lil Divas) Cedar Rapids Dec 12 Santa at Metro Metro HD Cedar Rapids Dec 12 Holiday Open House Big Barn HD Des Moines
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