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Welcome to August my friends. Usually this is the month that the temperatures start to slowly work their way back down after peaking in July, but this year, who the hell knows! Maybe the weather for August will be more normal. Either way, it is toward the end of the 2016 riding season, so make sure to get out and about and ride as much as you possibly can before autumn hits. We really only have August and September for sure for some good riding and then we get into the hit or miss type of riding with lower temperatures, shorter days, and a lot greater chance of rain. Utilize the good days when you can and ride safe.
to the events and enjoy the open road while we still can.
For some reason this month it has been considerably difficult for me to get some words on paper. I have a pretty good idea what it is about, and I believe that it may be too many thoughts from some recent events. Right here in Iowa some good riders have paid the ultimate price for enjoying our chosen passion to ride. It is always sad when one of our own goes down and never gets back up. RIP to those that have passed doing what they loved to do. Too many riders every year are laid to rest, and quite frequently it is “the other guy” that did something wrong. Inattentive drivers, left hand turns, and the ever so common “I didn’t see them” excuses are prevalent on the list. Not every motorcycle crash is One of the things that you can do yet in August is hit caused by a cage though. There are plenty of things that a bike night. You can find the list of places that have we do all on our own to cause problems. Always ride submitted or confirmed with us toward the back of the defensively, watch out for the other guy, and do whatever magazine as usual. Quite a few of the bike nights run until you can to not CAUSE things to go bad at your own September on their designated evenings, but there are a hands. Keep an eye out on those you ride with as well. few that will have their final bike nights in August. At Don’t be afraid to chat with someone that could be a Metro HD in Cedar Rapids at their final bike night for the hazard to themselves or others. The life you save could be season on August 11th, they will be drawing the winner yours or theirs. Ride safe, ride straight, and ride another of the 2016 customized Street Glide. Proceeds from that day. bike are going the the UI Children’s Hospital. A few more places that have their final bike nights in August are the McGrath trinity of dealerships. Mcgrath Hawkeye HD Keep it between the lines. finishes out their year of bike nights on the 4th of August in Coralville. McGrath Dubuque HD finishes up for the Vernon and Melanie year on August 11th. McGrath Powersports in Cedar Rapids finalizes their bike nights on August25th. On the western side of the state, The Back 40 in Macedonia Quote of the Month: “A general dissolution of principles finishes up their bike nights that will be on every Thursday and manners will more surely overthrow the liberties of evening in August. Check them out while you can. America than the whole force of the common enemy. Maybe make a bike night that is farther away from home While the people are virtuous they cannot be subdued; or one that you have never been to before. On top of the but when once they lose their virtue then will be ready bike nights, there are more events in August than you can to surrender their liberties to the first external or internal shake a stick at! If you cannot find somewhere to go and invader.” Samuel Adams, letter to James Warren, something to do, you must not be looking at all. Get out February 12, 1779
On the Cover Niki wanted to let everyone know about the Midway Tavern Soldier Valley Run, BBQ, and Street Dance Labor Day weekend in Soldier, Iowa. Great people, great riding, and a great time! Worth the trip to the Loess Hills! Niki is standing by with the Raffle Bike for this year. For more information, call 712-884-2230 or go to midwaytavernsoldier.com This rain or shine event has been going on for 18 years, and still running strong! C-U-THERE 4 - TRMI AUGUST 2016
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CMA Notes
Thinking about the lack of navigation brought to mind the lost direction of our country at present. Our society’s compass which was based on Biblical precepts is systematically being dismantled and run over. It’s no wonder that everything Having achieved the big 6-0 is upside down; we have no guide, anchor, Rosetta stone, north star, whatever. We removed prayer and Bible teaching mark the week before the from the schools, the meaning of our constitution is being Freedom Rally brought the sad realization that things are perverted by liberal judges, and our enemies have more civil changing and mostly not in rights than our citizens. Basically it’s like going on a long trip where the signs have been removed or written in a foreign a pleasant way. My bike is heavier, the ground is harder, language. It seems it’s not if but when will we run off the cliff. I don’t seem to be able to ride as hard and fast as I used to and my internal compass Hamilton and Jefferson talked about the purpose of government in the Federalist papers and the Declaration of and multitasking feature frequently malfunctions. The Independence. They asked and answered the question. “Why other day I had three items has government been instituted at all; because the passions to accomplish on my to do of man will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice without restraint.” Godly precepts removed have brought this list; HD shop, bank and very thing about. Jefferson also wrote “And can the liberties grocery store. Of course of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their I made the Harley shop only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that where I got side tracked these liberties are of the gift of God? That they are not to be looking at new pipes which led to computer set violated but with His wrath? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just: that His justice cannot sleep ups etc... I left there and forever.” Our founders were pretty sharp. actually remembered the groceries before getting The book of Psalms tells us (paraphrased) that if we receive home and looking up His words and hide His commandments in our hearts, more pipe set ups while that if we incline our ears unto wisdom and apply our all the time thinking I heart to understanding, that if we cry after knowledge and forgot something. After lunch and my siesta hour, understanding, that if we seek as we would for treasure: then we will know the fear of the Lord and find the wisdom of Oh yeah, have to go to God. He keeps the path of judgement and preserves the way the bank. That’s okay, of His people. plenty of time. I hopped in the car and wondered Our finding our way, our hope for the future lies in our why the car smelled like onions only to look in the reliance on God. We come through Jesus, with the help of the Holy Spirit and our compass, the Bible. back seat to see the ice cream and other groceries cooking away in 90 degree Blessings, Mark weather. (Karla won’t let me live that one down.) It’s also sad to admit that Mark and Karla Cornick are Area Reps with the Christian I am enjoying the GPS feature on my Street Glide Motorcyclists Association. Find out more about CMA and God’s plan for you at www.cmausa.org special. I probably won’t ever figure out how to use it properly short of having one of the grandkids ride along to work it for me. They also have to come over occasionally to get all the remotes to work. But, I have figured out how to keep the map up and it helps to see where I am, especially when traveling new roads away from home. The Street Glide being in the shop again, I took the old Road King to the Freedom Rally. I got my handlebar mount out and installed the small GPS unit next to my compass that was there already. Good to go. By the time we pick everyone up, having our multiple potty and cappuccino stops as well as lunch we are looking at an 8 hour trip to Algona. Of course I hit rain coming and going, the GPS quit within the 1st hour and the compass’s plastic housing vibrated off leaving it dangling from the bars. Best laid plans things I guess. Anyway, running back roads it was nice to have others to help with the navigation. 6 - TRMI AUGUST 2016
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C&C Custom Cycle 130 E Lincoln Chariton, Iowa 50049 641-774-7494 www.cc-cycle.com
R/J Performance HWY 63 North Ottumwa, Iowa 52501 641.684.8400 www.rjperformance.com
Bailey’s Pub -N- Grub 918 E Euclid Ave Des Moines 515-266-6560 Mon-Sat 6am-2am Sun 8am-12am Home Cooked Food
Carroll Cycle Center 1327 Plaza Dr Carroll, Iowa 712-792-1610 www.carrollcycle.com
Route 65 Harley-Davidson 1300 S Jefferson Way Indianola, Iowa 50125 515.962.2160 www.route65hd.net
Barney’s 203 S Mill Street Wadena, Iowa 52169 563-774-2525 Barney’s Wadena on Facebook
Edwards Motorsports and RV’s 1010 34th Avenue Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 712-366-8400 fullthrottleia.com or edwardsrvs.com
Uptown Motors Sales, Inc 310 Cleveland St Muscatine, IA 52761 563-263-2944 www.uptownmotorsales.com
Baxa’s Sutliff Store & Tavern 55546 130th Street NE Lisbon 319-624-2204 Cold C Beer, Delicious Food, Good Music & Great Times!
Ernie’s Harley-Davidson 2613 Hwy 18 East Algona, IA 50511 515-295-7951 www.erniesharley.com
Whipp Sales and Service, Inc 701 S 8th Street Clarinda, Iowa 51632 1.800.477.0195 www.whippsalesandserv.com
Beach Pub Along Highway 22, Buffalo,IA Open Daily 10am-2am Join Us Weekly For HomeCooked Sunday Breakfast
Fenders Cycle and Motorsport 1500 E Army Post Road Des Moines, Iowa 50315 515-256-9062 www.fenderscycle.com
Wiebler’s Harley-Davidson 55320 Corporate Park Drive 53 Davenport, IA 52807 563-355-6437 www.wieblers.com
Bikerz 313 Main Ave. ClearLake, IA 50428 641-440-4255 Noon-2am 7 days a week
Crispy’s Biker Apparel Cedar Rapids, Iowa Find Us On Facebook 319-241-0916
Fenders Honda 100 South 16th Street Ames, Iowa 50010 info@fendershonda.com 515-233-4727
Zylstra Harley-Davidson 1930 E 13th Street Ames, Iowa 50010 515-232-6223 zylstrahd.com
Bill’s Boat Landing Clayton, Iowa 563-964-2112 C Check Us Out on Facebook C Where the River is Calling & You Must Go!
Leather & Hawgs 316 Main, Hornick, Iowa 121 1st St, Soldier, Iowa leather@wiatel.net www.leatherandhawgs.com
Heartland Harley-Davidson 117 S. Roosevelt Ave Burlington, Iowa 52601 www.heartlandhd.com 319-754-1100
Entertainment
Bootleggers of Millville Awesome Stop, Great Staff, Fantastic Food Tops in Scenic River Rides Check us on Facebook 563-252-7775
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 REGISTRATION/CHECK-IN SITE FOR THE TALL CORN RUN S CHECK-IN SITE FOR THE TALL CORN RUN
Biker Accessories CoolBikerStuff.com 1606 P Avenue Milford, Iowa 51351 877-816-2200 Follow us on Facebook!!
Churches Rebels In His Hands 600 16th Avenue Council Bluffs, Iowa Mark and Lora Schiller Pastors 712-329-9901
Dealers Baxter Cycle 311 4th Street Marne, Iowa 51552 712-781-2351 www.baxtercycle.com Big Barn Harley-Davidson 81 NW 49th Place Des D Moines, Iowa 50313 515-265-4444 www.bigbarnhd.net Brenny’s Motorcycle Clinic 4426 State Street Bettendorf, IA 52722 (563)359-7222 www.BRENNYS.com
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Loess Hills Harley-Davidson 57408 190th Street Pacific Junction IA 51561 712-622-4000 loesshillshd.com McGrath Dubuque Harley-Davidson 145 N Crescent Rdg Dubuque, IA 52003 563-557-3735 www.dubuqueharley-davidson.com
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 /Rally or Event EmCee Facebook/Ray Johansen(Celebrations) Specializing in Weddings & Receptions National Motorcycle Museum 102 Chamber Drive Anamosa, Iowa 52205 319-462-3925 Nationalmcmuseum.org
McGrath Hawkeye Harley-Davidson 120 Westcor Drive Coralville, IA 52241 319- 545.7495 www.hawkeyehd.com Metro Harley-Davidson 2415 Westdale Drive SW C 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
Okoboji Classic Cars Museum and Restoration Shop 810 Jeppeson Road West Okoboji, Iowa 51351 712-332-802
Food and Drink
Okoboji Harley-Davidson 1005 Eastview Avenue Okoboji IA, 51355 712-332-7700 www.erniesharley.com
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Amigo’s 280 North 1st Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 515-576-0142 Amigosfortdodge.com
Buck Snort 113 4th Street Neola, Iowa 51559 712-485-9090 The Buck Snort on Facebook Buck Snort 310 Dr Van Zee Road Oakland, Iowa 51560 712-355-5315 C&L Sandbar 103 North Noyes Street Mondamin, IA 51557 712-646-2300 or 712-216-0975 Hours Daily 11-close Captain’s Table Moline, Illinois 4801 River Drive 309-736-9188 Live music Sundays 5-9pm Catfish Charlie’s On the Mississippi River 1630 E. 16th Street Dubuque, IA 52001 (563)582-8600 www.CatfishCharliesDubuque.com Cindi Mae’s 101 Main Street Earling, Iowa 51530 712-747-6262 Cindi Mae’s on Facebook
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Desperados 105 E 5th Street Atlantic 712-243-7087 Home of Cold Beer, Good Times, Pizza & Wings
Knickers Saloon 2186 Central Avenue Dubuque, Iowa 52001 563-557-0887 5 56 365 Days a Year Knickers Saloon on Facebook
Riverside Tavern 450 E Main St Lehigh, Iowa 50557 515-359-9998 Email:riversidetap@gmail.com
The Lounge 1005 Chatburn Ave Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-755-5050 The Lounge Harlan Iowa on Facebook
Dirty Ernies 201 1st Street NE Farley, Iowa 563-744-4653 Ride your Harley to Farley!
Knuckleheads Anamosa, IA 319-462-2724 Like on FB Knuckleheads Pub & Grub Open M-F 11-2, S-S 10-2 The Knucklehead Burger “Git IT IN YA”
Sambetti’s Bar and Grill 1430 2nd Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50314 515-245-9780 Mon-Sat 11a-2a, Sun 11a-7p
The Place2B! 116 N. Federal Ave Mason City, IA 50401 M-F 3p-2a S-S Noon-2a Find Us On Facebook
Durango Depot 736 Burtons Furnace Road Open 3 to close Best Scenic Road With the Best Food! 563-552-2291
Lampe’s Pub 608 Iowa Avenue Dunlap, Iowa 51529 712-643-5781 Open 7 days a week at 11 AM
Scooters on Broadway 475 NE Broadway Des Moines, Iowa 515-288-1053 scootersonbroadway@hotmail.com
The Roadhouse 105 Washington Marne, Iowa 51552 712-781-2272 Home of the Marne Burger
Ferg’s Bar & Grill 806 Hwy 30 Grand Junction, Iowa 50107 515-738-5416 Where Good Friends Meet
Midway Tavern 206 1st Street Soldier, Iowa 712-884-2230 www.midwaytavernsoldier.com
Screaming Eagle American Bar & Grill 228 East 4th Street Waterloo, Iowa 50703 319-235-8865 www.partyattheeagle.com
The Sawmill Bar & Grill Now with a Full Menu 401 Main St New Market, IA 51646-3079 712-585-3601
Fro’s Pub ‘N Grub 309 Cedar St, Wilton 563-732-3977 Fro’s Pub n Grub on Facebook A Surprise Around Every Corner
Minden Bowl Café & Lounge 209 Broadway Street Minden, Iowa 51553 712-483-2937 Minden Bowl on Facebook
Shooters Bar 661 Main Anita, Iowa 712-249-7370 Mon-Fri 3:00-Close Sat-Sun 10:00-Close
Thirsty’s on 3rd 2202 W 3rd, Davenport 563-424-1143 Follow Us on Facebook Daily Thirst Quenching Deals
Goozman’s Westside Bar & Grill 1019 7th St Harlan, Iowa 712-755-2259 Goozman’s Westside on Facebook
Montgomery Street Pub 207 East Montgomery Street Creston, Iowa 50801 641-782-2165
Sidetracked 206 West Union Street Creston, Iowa 50801 641-782-8534
T.J.’s Pourhouse 100 E. Washington Street Exira, Iowa 50076 712-268-2353 Open M-SAT.@11, SUN.@ NOON
Mudders in Minburn Coldest Beer in Dallas County Bar Food-Wings-Pizza-ETC 515-897-9223 Open M-Sun 11AM Facebook Mudders
Sparetime Bar & Grill 136 West Main Street Ute, Iowa 61060 712-885-2226
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. Hog Stop BBQ 2327 S. 24th Street Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 712-EAT-BBQS Hog Stop BBQ on Facebook 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 Daily Mon-Sun 11AM Home of the Willie Whopper Jerrys 100 W Washington Exira, Iowa 50076 Jerrys Exira on Facebook “The Party Lives On” Just 1 More 515-570-4206 403 3rd Ave Under the Water Tower Jamaica, Iowa
Papa Joe’s 117 South 6th Street Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555 712-642-9015
Sportsters Bar & Grill 109 S Madison Newell, Iowa 50568 712-272-4034 11 AM – 2 AM Tues-Sat
Pearl Street Social Club 110 Pearl Street SW Shellsburg, Iowa 52332 319-436-7100 Find Us On Facebook!
Sportsman Bar & Grill 103 1st Street Pisgah, Iowa 51564 712-456-2222 FOOD, FUEL, FUN
Pines Steakhouse Oinkers Lounge & Grill
1500 E 7th Street Atlantic, Iowa 50022 712-243-3606 M-F 11AM-, S-S 4PM-
Stumpy’s Bar & Grill 423 Main Street Duncombe, Iowa 50532 515-543-4222 Stumpy’s Bar & Grill on Facebook
Pizza Ranch DENISON 510 HWY 39 North Denison, Iowa 712-393-3333 Check Us Out on Facebook Open 7 Days a Week
Suds –N- Jugs Bar & Grill 807 Iowa Avenue Onawa, Iowa 51040 712-433-4880 Nightly Food Specials
Pizza Ranch HARLAN 613 Court Street Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-755-2262 Check Us Out on Facebook Open 7 Days a Week Red Oak Tap 419 E. Reed Red Oak, Iowa 51566 712-623-4788
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The Back Forty 317 Main St. Macedonia, Iowa 51549 712-486-2687 facebook.com/thebackforty
Tobey Jacks Mineola Steak House Mineola, Iowa 712-526-2078 Open 7 Days a Week Check Us Out on Facebook 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 Whitetails Bar & Grill 101 N. Main St. Marble Rock IA,50653 641-397-9900 Mon.- Sat. 7am breakfast -2am Close www.whitetailsbarandgrill.com Wilson’s Tap and Recreation 1008 Story Street Boone, Iowa 50036/ 515-433-1395 Woody’s Roadside Tavern 100 West Jefferson Albion, Iowa 50005 (641) 488-2220 Woody’s Roadside Tavern on Facebook
The Home Plate Diner 304 E. 30th Street Des Moines, Iowa 50317 515-262-7000
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Shops & Fabricators
Guns and Ammo
Photo and Art
2A Firearms Training Training to Protect Your 2nd Ammendment Rights 641-439-6660 Craig.2aft@gmail.com
Ullrich Photography PO Box 1842 Clinton, Iowa 52733 563-243-8715 www.natanic.com
Locked and Loaded Outfitters 612 Market Street Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-235-4867 www.LockedandLoadedOutfitters.com
Services
Butterfield’s M.C. Parts 8025 Blondo Street Omaha, NE 68134 402-391-3768
A+ Affordable Heat, Air, Refrigeration & Geo Thermal 22274 Old Lincoln Hwy Crescent, Iowa 51526 712-329-9901
Chuck’s Cycle Service and Repair S&S and Drag Specialties Dealer 714 East 7th Street Washington, Iowa52353 319-461-5278
BCS Computers 100 Industrial Road Guthrie Center, Iowa 50115 641-747-3344 www.brubakercomputer.com
Creative Concepts Collision 422 Market Street Harlan, Iowa 51537 712.755.2231
McCunn Specialty Firearms 74980 Richland Road Massena, Iowa 50853 www.mccunnsguns.com 712-779-GUNS Pistol Pete’s Guns and Ammo Eldora, Iowa 641-858-6878 pistolpetesgunsandammo@gmail.com DISCOUNTS for ABATE Members Eric Ross & Steve Eggleston
I n s u r a nc e
Bent Wrench Cycles 911 7th Street Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-235-2453 Bent Wrench Cycles on Facebook
Cycle Clinic 2209 ML King Pkwy Des Moines, Iowa 50314 cycleclinicdm.com 515-288-6954
CJ Now Plumbing Sewer & Water Specialists 309-786-2002 Serving the Quad Cities Area On Call 24-7
F & J Racing 701 N 3rd Ave Marshalltown, M Iowa 50158 641-752-8651 www.fandjracing.com
Matt McCall Insurance Agency State Farm Insurance 102 East South St, Tipton 563-886-6120 www.mattmccall.net
Hoker Trucking NOW HIRING Dixon, Iowa Hokertucking.com 563-843-2763
Oakland Insurance Agency Motorcycle, Home, AUTO, Commercial, Life, Health Specializing in Teen Drivers Shane Baker 712-310-7475 shane@oaklandins.com
Irwin Locker & Catering 502 Ann Street Irwin, Iowa 51446 712-782-3215 irwinlocker@gmail.com
Hyperformance 5152 E University Ave Pleasant Hill, Iowa 50327 515-266-6381 kingofcubes.com
Sandbothe Firestone 1106 Main Street Griswold, Iowa 51535 712-778-2223 Sandbothe Firestone on Facebook
Machine Shop 6821 Fleur Drive Des Moines, Iowa 50321 515-285-4332 RIDE SAFE
Southwest Iowa Sandblasting Mike Magers 65162 Oxford Rd Atlantic, Iowa 50022 712-249-3995
Motorcycle Medic 3176 Highway 30 Woodbine, Iowa 51579 712-647-2818 Open Tues-Sat Noon-6PM
Legal Hupy and Abraham sc, pc Lawyers for Bikers 800.800.5678 Hupy.com IowaBikerLawyers.com Leehey Olson Law, PC Riding & Defending Your Rights for Over 30 Years 877-209-9452
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Nelson Machine & Forge General Machining, Ornamental Iron, Weld/Fab 70 Washington Street Marne, Iowa 51552 712-781-2220
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Pike Run Services 320 Main Nichols, Iowa 52766 Shop 319-723-4244 Cell 319-330-4541 Road Rage BikeWorks 401 High Street Avoca, Iowa 51521 712-307-6111 Road Rage BikeWorks on Facebook SS Collision, CycleWorks & Graphics 2902 11th Ave SW Spencer, Iowa 51301 712-262-3959 www.sscollision.com Steffens Cycle Shop LLC 1311 E 7th Street Atlantic, Iowa 50022 712-243-3076M-F 9-5 Most Sat 9-12 Or Call
Tattoo Skin Mechanix INKorpar8ted 117 No. 16th Street Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 712 256-2847 Check Us Out on Facebook To buy ad space for your business or service in our directory, give us call at 712-249-5630 or email vernon@ thunderroadsiowa.com
Vape The Fog Zone Vape Store 420 Chestnut Street Atlantic, Iowa, 50025 Facebook.com/fogzonestore 712-243-4024
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99 Counties to tour on the bike, 99 counties to tour, take one down, drive on around, 25 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 we will revisit each county as a featured article. We 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. Plymouth County
for Dr. William Remsen Smith who was a pioneer in the area, and was incorporated in 1889. During prohibition Remsen was a major player in the brewing, transporting, and sale of illegal liquor. Its location made it a prime area for the production of moonshine…rural as can be, yet relatively easy travel to reach major cities. Lucky for all of us prohibition ended and we can consume all the ice cold beverages we can handle, so if you happen to come through Remsen be sure to grab one at the Golden Pheasant (which also boasts some delicious food). Or if This month we will grub is all you need, you can also take a look at Plymouth stop at the Remsen Café for some County. Plymouth has a good old fashioned diner food. respectable 864 miles to From here we took a short jaunt investigate, and around west on Highway 3 through Oyens 25,000 residents, so things to Le Mars. to do are pretty easy to find in Plymouth. The Le Mars is located on the Floyd county was founded in River northeast of Sioux City, and 1851 and its county seat rests in Le Mars. has approximately 9,800 residents. Le Mars was platted in 1869, but We entered Plymouth County heading north on no lots were even sold until 1879 Highway 140, running smack dab into Kingsley. when the Western Transportation Kingsley is a town of about 1,400 people. There is a Company arrived. According long standing debate in Kingsley about where the to town folklore, John Blair and a town actually got its name…some believe it is from J.T group of women arrived to begin Kingsley, a prominent railroad official at the time of settling the area. Upon arrival, colonizing the area. Others John feel it was named for the told the original owner of the town women to choose a name site, Henry W. Kingsley. for their new home, and they Either way, it is a nice town, created an acronym from the with friendly people, so if first letters of each of their you are passing through, names Lucy, Elizabeth, Mary, be sure to stop at Doosky’s Anna, Rebecca, and Sarah. on IA-140 or Scootch’s Bar on Main Street and grab You may have heard of Le yourself a cold one. From Mars, as it is the home of Kingsley we took 140 North the Well’s Dairy. Back in to Remsen. 1913, Fred Wells started a milk route in Le Mars. By Remsen is a city of 1925, Wells and his sons approximately 1,650 had opened an ice cream people that lies just north manufacturing plant. In of Highway 3 in Plymouth 1928 the plant and the Wells County. Remsen was named Dairy name was purchased
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by F Fairmount Ice Cream. Cre Cr e Today Wells iiss the largest producer of ice cream novelties in th the world, best k kn known for its “Blue B Bu n Bunny” brand. The ice cream factory dominates the skyline of Le Mars with a 900,000 square foot plant, sporting a 12 story refrigeration tower on the south side of town. The plant employs around 1,000 people and produces 75 million gallons of frozen treats each year. Another cool thing about the plant is that it uses milk products from local Iowa dairies to produce its amazing treats. With all of these ice cream shenanigans going on here, it’s no wonder that Le Mars is the selfproclaimed ice cream capital of the world. When rolling through you can sample many of their cool confections downtown on the main drag at the Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor and Museum. You can even pose for a picture out front with a giant ice cream cone if the mood strikes you.
From Akron we jumped on 3 again and headed east towards Brunsville. Now, Brunsville may be just a dot on the map, but if you are looking for good prime rib, don’t let the size of Brunsville dissuade you…the Corner Café on Oak Street has some of the best prime rib you’ll find in the area. After Brunsville we headed south towards Merrill. Merrill is along the Floyd River and has 750 residents gracing its settlement. The town was incorporated in 1872 and was named for the 7th
If ice cream isn’t what you fancy when you’re in the neighborhood, there are plenty of other options for a quick drink, or a bite to eat. Archie’s Waeside is on 4th Avenue and is a family owned chophouse that has been serving up killer steaks and seafood since 1949. P’s Pizza is also a popular spot for vittles, as well as 4 Brothers Bar & Grill on Two Rivers Blvd. There are also numerous chain restaurants in town if that is more your style. Leaving Le Mars we chose to boogie up 75 and hit the town of Struble on the northern edge of Plymouth. Struble lies along the west branch of the Floyd River. The tiny burg sports a population of around 75, and has some nice views of the river. West of Struble on C12 we passed through Craig before reaching K18 which would take us south again towards the town of Akron. Akron is a decent sized town with a population of just under 1,500. Akron has no water access or attractions, but if you need some vittles when passing through, be sure to stop at Jo’s Café and grab some tasty diner style grub to satisfy your hunger. Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
governor of Iowa, Samuel Merrill. If you are in need of libations when touring the area, Perera’s Lounge on Main Street should have the cure for what ails ya. Further south along the river valley, we came into Hinton. One of the southernmost towns in Plymouth County, Hinton is home to over 900 Iowans. Hinton is also home to one of the oldest post offices in our state…operating since 1870. While in Hinton, travel down east Main Street and check out Gringo’s Bar & Grill for some south of the border treats and a salty margarita. By this point in the journey the comforts of home were calling, and we made a b-line for the homestead. While I love seeing all that Iowa has to offer, there’s just something perfect about stretching out in my own territory…if only briefly. Next time we will head west and check out what Pocahontas County has for us to explore. Melanie J Schwarte Melanie@thunderroadsiowa.com Sources available upon request www.thunderroadsiowa.com TRMI AUGUST 2016 - 25
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Sarah Callow 1998 Kawasaki Vulcan Classic Mason City
Angie Rhomberg 2006 883 Sportster Dubuque
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 Rhonda Hildreth 2015 Heritage Softail Classic Johnston 30 - TRMI AUGUST 2016
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Niki is gracing us with that sexy smile and then some for August posing with the 2016 Midway Tavern Raffle Bike. This was the original raffle bike in 1998. It is a 1999 Softail with some extra goodies. The proceeds from the raffle will go to renovation of the Veterans Memorial and the Soldier Valley Emergency Responders.
Rolling Thunder – the name itself brings up images of thousands of motorcycles roaring down the highway. The founders of Rolling Thunder conducted the very first Run to the Wall on Memorial Day weekend in 1987. The original purpose was to bring attention to the POW’s and MIA’s from Vietnam that were still unaccounted for. Today, the event has evolved into a display of patriotism and respect for all who defend our nation. There were 2,500 riders the first year. The estimated attendance now is closer to 500,000.
hallowed ground is truly a humbling experience.
We stayed in Leesburg, VA the night prior to the Run. On the morning of, we had about a 45 minute ride to get to the Pentagon parking lot. I had been told to arrive before 9 AM in order to get into Three bikes left Des Moines on a the north parking drizzly morning headed for the East lot. That is the coast. Fellow PGR members Don preferred place Propst and Pete Peterson plus myself to be because the and my significant other, Lori Greiten. We drove out of the organizers are supposed to let the bikes leave in the order rain in about thirty minutes and had smooth sailing for the of arrival (there are two lots – north and south). When we next two days (except for a couple of long interstate traffic arrived the lot was only half full so we thought we were jams!). Our route took us into Pennsylvania and then in good shape. Unfortunately, our day did not turn out that Maryland to visit the Civil War battlefields of Gettysburg way. and Antietam. If you never visited these sites, you should make an effort to do so. The bravery and sacrifices of those To say there were a lot of bikes and people there is an that fought there are absolutely astonishing. To walk that understatement. There were bikes parked in row after row, a virtual sea of color. We even hiked up a nearby hill so we could take in the spectacle. There were merchandise vendors, food vendors, and free water for the attendees. The CMA was giving away free food and drinks. I was impressed by how well organized things were. Everyone there seemed to be in good spirits. There were many greetings of “Semper Fi” and other positive interactions. You could feel the spirit of patriotism in the air.
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The schedule called for the first bikes to depart for the National Mall at noon. We did not get going until almost 2 PM. We had waited darn near six hours and were anxious to experience the ride and see what the crowds were like. Just as we were leaving the Pentagon area, everything came to a screeching halt. There was a serious accident in front of us on the Arlington Bridge. Two bikes had collided and the injured had to be evacuated by Life Flight. The delay was over an hour. Finally, we were off! Unfortunately, by the time we got to the Mall, the crowds had diminished somewhat. There were still patriotic Americans on the sides of the road waving flags and clapping for the riders. We did get to see the saluting Marine, SSgt Tim Chambers. The route took us in a circle around the Mall and then we parked in a grassy field near the Potomac River. We spent the rest of the afternoon visiting the different monuments around the Mall. We saw the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam Wall, the Korean War Memorial, and several smaller monuments in the area. Pete and I left small mementos for lost friends at the Wall. We were going to explore the WWII Monument as well but threatening weather prevented us from doing so. I have friends that have made the Run many times so I had known what to expect before I left. For me, the experience of riding through the appreciative crowds was worth the trip. The display of patriotism is heartwarming to say the least. If you get the chance, you should make the effort to attend this iconic event. Steve Cox State Captain Patriot Guard Riders of Iowa
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For the month of August our featured Military Rider is Jeff Walters, who lives in Ocheyden. Jeff Served in the Army National Guard from 1990 through 2002. He attained the rank of E-4 while serving and worked as a 13B, Artillery Crewman while in the service. He served here in the United States, as well as in Norway and Desert Storm. He has had prior family members with a history of serving the United States of America in the Military. Jeff has also been a rider for a number of years. Owning a Yama V-Max and a couple of dirt bikes in the past, he has been without bikes for a period of time. Getting married and other commitments got him away from the riding world, but he missed his friends and the camaraderie, so he got back onto a bike. He got his latest ride, a Road King from a friend of a friend. It was the bike that he wanted and the time was right. He has plans for a few modifications, but like all of us, the list is longer than the time or dollars to play with. He hits as
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many events and rides as he can and is a member of ABATE of Iowa. Jeff is a rider, a patriot, a Veteran and added “I am who I am, I love my bike, and I am glad to have served my country.� If you see Jeff out and about on his Road King, give him a wave and if you get a chance, shake his hand and thank him for his service. Without Jeff and countless Veterans doing what they did, we could not do what we do. Thanks Jeff!
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I recently decided to partake in a “Fun Run”; I only decided to ride in this event because I am passionate about the cause they were raising money for. Before the haters start bashing my beliefs I want to acknowledge that I appreciate the people who pour their blood, sweat and tears into hosting and organizing riding events all across this great state. I’m not ditching anyone who volunteers for that job! But as I was riding along that day my warped mind just couldn’t get over 2 simple facts that sapped the Fun right out of the Run.
plot out my own destiny for the day. I mapped out a route and headed for a small town in the area that was circled on the map. On my map that’s a secret code for a good place to eat.
It didn’t take long before my route caught up to a large group of riders. As I watched the parade roll up and down the hills ahead of me my warped mind started wandering if this was the follow the leader pack that I had ditched. It really didn’t matter one way or another the Fun of the Run was over for me so I hung back and watched them struggle with Simple Fact number 1: I want a damn map that outlines maintaining formation hill after hill. where the hell we are going! And if maps exceed the organizational budget a scrap of paper or even As I rolled along I watched a number of trikes and a napkin with the name of the towns or the pit stops several Spyders as they struggled with deciding scribbled on to it will do. With that little bit of info, I where they belonged on the road. So picture this two will rely upon my own skills to arrive at the correct trikes running in formation, another trike running destinations. I never leave home without an old straight down the middle of the lane, then a two fashion paper map of the state of Iowa. It has been wheeler followed by another trike running straight wrongly folded multiple times and sadly reflects the down the middle of the lane. So if a two wheeler is miles we have traveled and the places we have seen. trapped between two trikes that are both running I trust it to get me anywhere I need to go; it doesn’t straight down the center of the lane just exactly require good signal strength and the batteries are where does the two wheeler belong in order to be in never dead when I need it. formation? In my opinion, wherever the hell he feels his best chances of surviving the impact are at! Now showing up for a ride with your own map is a genius idea until you realize that the pit stops have not The next cluster f*** had a Spyder that freely roamed been advertised, mentioned or even bragged about. from the edge of the road to the center line and back As the kickstands were going up I quickly realized again over and over. Followed by a two wheeler who that once again I had no idea where my life was spent most of his ride searching for a defensive headed. position each time the free roaming Spyder decided to try out a different part of the lane. All while trying I introduced myself to the guy firing up his engine his best to not cut off the Spyder behind him that beside me and asked him “where are we going”? He never moved from the left hand side of the lane. A simply said “just follow along and try to keep up”. Not little authority in lining up the scooters for that all day exactly the answer I was looking for. Needless to say I game of follow the leader could have been that two followed along for a while and keeping up was never wheelers friend. a problem! However, not knowing how much fuel I needed to arrive at the secret pit stop started messing Fact number 2: Maybe I should write a book for three with my mind. I pulled over for fuel and forfeited my wheelers on how to ride in formation. That day it was position in the all day game of follow the leader. apparent that someone needs to do it! As the tail end of the ride roared past me, I decide the only reason I was there was to donate to the cause which I had all ready done. So I dug through the saddlebags, found my trusty road map and began to
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Wherever the road takes you and whoever you ride it with, Ride Safe! Shifty LaRue
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“They really don’t see you” By the time you read this we’ll be most of the way through our summer riding season. So far, it’s been pretty brutal in our area. We’ve lost a number of beloved local riders. And we’ve lost more than one to the most common of all car/motorcycle collisions, when a car pulls out or turns in front of a rider, later stating that “they just didn’t see the motorcycle”. It’s maddening, heart breaking, and from the stand point of us motorcyclists, an unforgivable sin. We ask “How can they not see us?” We don’t understand it and we get upset by it. We can see each other coming down the road, why can’t they? We can look at a parked motorcycle and see it just fine, why is it so hard to see when in motion? We can’t believe it when they say they can’t see us, but what if it’s partly true? I spent a long time reading over a big report on the “Conspicuity of Motorcycles”. There’s more than ample evidence that we are just not that easy to see coming down the road, but there are some things we can do to improve that fact. Our first step is to learn what we’re up against when we try to be seen: It turns out the human eye and brains don’t work together very well when it comes to seeing certain things, most notably, a motorcycle on a road. If you saw the image that your mind processes from your eye, you might wonder how we manage to see anything clearly at all. Research has proven that the image the eye transmits to the brain is actually upside down. They proved this by putting special glasses on volunteers that turned the image going into the eye upside down. The volunteers wore the glasses for a number of days, until one day what they saw was right-side up. They then removed the glasses, and the world was upside down for a number of days until it was again recognized as right side up once again. Sounds like a perfect way to get sea sick without going on a cruise, and I thank those volunteers that put themselves through this ordeal. I bring this case study up, because it’s important to understand that science also understands what the rest of your brain sees from your eyes, as unlikely as that might sound. What they do know about what our eyes can see and process is actually pretty frightening of you is a motorcyclist. To put it bluntly, the human eye just isn’t worth a shit when it comes to picking out the shape and size of a motorcycle coming down the road.
much information at once for the brain to process. When we are in familiar territory, we don’t have a lot of new information to process, so our brain falls into a more relaxed mode when processing visual information. This is where it gets dangerous for us on bikes. How many times have you sworn that a driver looked right at you and pulled out anyhow? Well they probably did look right at you, and their eyes saw you, but their brain didn’t see you. Sounds crazy I know, but it explains why they look right through you and pull out anyhow. It’s scary and frustrating, but it’s also never going to change because of how we humans are wired. The only safe way to deal with it is to adapt your riding to account for it. I have stated before and will say once again with emphasis, one of the most dangerous things you can do on a bike is to assume that every car that should see you actually does see you. I ride just the opposite way- I assume that a driver doesn’t see me unless I know otherwise. I make eye contact with the driver if at all possible. I make sure the car is at a dead stop. I will honk my horn, flash my headlights or bump my throttle depending on the situation in order to give myself more assurance that this person knows I’m there. I cover my brakes until I know I’m seen, period. I don’t care if this takes extra time or attention on my part, or makes me look like a Nervous Nelly on my bike. I don’t care what anybody thinks, because my plan is to finish my ride on my bike, not in the back of an ambulance. We have a tendency to wear black leather when we ride. Leather is terrific at protecting us when we are sliding down the road. It’s also one of the least visible colors to the human eye. But believe it or not, bright colors worn on vests and clothing only work best to protect riders in urban environments. They actually don’t work as well in rural settings. The theory they came up with is that in a rural setting, there is an abundance of bright sky and sunshine and other light colors that the safety vest has to compete with. The one constant that the study did find was that lighting, not just headlights but passing lamps and daytime running lights were effective during both day and night riding to make the bike most visible.
One of the worst things we’ve got going for us is that the head-on view of a motorcycle is the narrowest view possible. Anything we can do to improve the visual impact of the bike from that perspective seems to make the greatest difference in your safety. The front profile of a bike and how easily it can be distinguished from the surroundings is the number one factor It has been scientifically proven that our eyes have a blind spot in being seen. It is more important than the color of the bike, dead on. They work together with our brain to “see around” or anything the rider is wearing when it comes to being seen. this blind spot by constantly shifting the field of view around So anything you can do to improve this will increase your odds it and comparing it to what was there before. When we are of being seen. This means extra lights, crash bars, a fairing in familiar territory, this isn’t as necessary, because our brain or windscreen are the best things you can add to make you already thinks it knows what it needs to see. Do you know more visible to cars. After I took a hard look at the front of my that feeling you get after driving a long trip into unfamiliar skinny front view my bike had, you might be meeting the only territory? You are mentally exhausted, and your eyes are really chopper in Iowa with a bat-wing fairing the next time you’re tired, that is because your brain and your eyes have been out on the road. Have a safe season out there. working overtime to process all that new information. It’s Mark Mullins, President, MAG. also why we turn the radio down when we’re lost; it’s just too 46 - TRMI AUGUST 2016
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Riding to Remember a Son and Raise Awareness
and surrounding bars and end at Wild Hogs Eatery. Michelle from Wild Hogs provided help in planning the event and entertainment for the dinner Every year four in every 1,000 babies born after the ride. The couple announced that night prematurely pass away from what is more commonly as everyone showed up to Wild Hogs, they were known as neonatal death, caused from a low birth expecting! This is known as a Rainbow baby (Isabella weight or premature birth. For Tim Teel and Hillary Catherine Teel), a baby born right after infant loss. Svestka of Cedar Rapids, this became all too real on So many people showed up to show their support to November 7th, 2014. the family and to help raise awareness in the first year of this benefit that they raised $10,000 for the NICU In May of 2014 Tim and Hillary found out they were and the Ronald McDonald rooms at the hospital. They expecting. As anyone who finds out this news would were able to present the check to the foundation and be excited these two couldn’t wait for their bundle hospital themselves, as well as honor parts of the staff of joy to arrive. At their 20 week ultrasound they at St. Luke’s and the ambulance personnel with the found out they were expecting a little boy. Five weeks Guardian Angel Pin. This pin is a way for families to later Hillary was rushed to the hospital where they recognize staff or personnel who helped make their delivered Timothy Ray Teel II, better known as LT journey easier. where he passed away six days later. Tim and Hillary were so astonished at the outcome As for any parent who has lost a child, Tim and Hillary of the benefit that they soon started planning the were lost and consumed with sadness. After a few event for 2016. This year they kicked it up a notch and weeks of mourning the loss of LT, Tim and Hillary decided that this was going to be an annual event no decided they were going to celebrate the life of matter what and looked into becoming a non-profit their son. They also organization. Not wanted to help knowing what bring awareness this entailed they to Neonatal death began researching and how amazing and asking around. the facilities were at The St. Luke’s St. Luke’s Hospital foundation put in Cedar Rapids, them in contact more specifically the with Elizabeth Ronald McDonald Wilson. Elizabeth Family Rooms in is the person who the NICU. Anyone handled all of who knows Tim and the legalities of Hillary knew exactly becoming a nonhow they would do profit organization. just that. Tim and The St. Luke’s Hillary reached foundation has out the MC world, helped Tim and community, their Hillary though families and Metro every step of their Harley-Davidson benefits. Both to help organize a benefit run. Tim knew that his parties provided guidance to help make this event brothers and sisters in the motorcycle community successful. Everything for the ride this year fell into would pull together to help him and his fiancé Hillary place and with the help again from the motorcycle raise awareness and remember their son. community, local businesses, family and friends they were able to raise close to $7,000 dollars for the NICU With the help of local businesses, friends, family and and Ronald McDonald rooms at St. Luke’s. the motorcycle community a benefit came together. Donations came in from local businesses, family and Tim, Hillary and LT’s little sister Bell are so grateful friends for silent auction items and raffles. This ride for all the support from the motorcycle community, would start at Metro Harley-Davidson, hit some local local businesses, family and friends that help to make this event happen every year. Tim and Hillary really feel that without the help of their families that none of this would have ever been possible. Keep your eyes open for all the details about 2017’s LT Memorial Foundation Benefit. Ride Safe! Mandy James Metro Harley-Davidson Motorclothes Sales (319)362-9496 -work
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From: The Enthusiast, July 1955
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Oinker’s Lounge & Grill
mushrooms, and hand battered onion rings was darned near enough itself, and it was only a half order! Melanie opted for the cheeseburger and I got the Awesome Philly Steak Sandwich. We ordered only one order of French fries to share. The order was in and we waited just a brief bit before the appetizer came and we tore into our starter plates. Supplied with some ranch dressing, the hand breaded onion rings were delicious and plenty in quantity. The mushrooms were huge, and the cheeseballs were natural curd style, not the squeezecheeseprocessedsamesizelame cheeseballs.
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Shortly after finishing the appetizer plate, our sandwiches came out and the cook split the fresh cut French fries between the two plates for us already! The cheeseburger Mon-Fri: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm came with the norSat: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm mal side toppers Sun: 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm of pickles, onions, tomato and lettuce. Atlantic is located at the inThe cheese was pertersection of Highways 6 and fectly melted to the patty and the bun, and the 71. Right in the middle of town burger was done completely, but juicy. It was on the north side of the roads not over seasoned and allowed the beef taste sits Oinker’s Lounge & Grill. It to shine through. A soft and fresh bun acis between the golden arches companied the and a Casey’s gas station, so burger and it it is easy to find. The place fit well with the is sort of unique in that it is fresh cut French two places in one. For private fries. The Awetypes of parties and larger some Philly groups, the upstairs part is Steak Sandwich called The Pines Steakhouse. The lower level is was on my side called Oinkers. Most of the time I am in the lower of the table, portion of the building, the downstairs if you will, and it is thustly as it is a laid back and relaxed Lounge and Grill named that way atmosphere. The menu for both levels is the on the menu same, just a different type of feel to each level. To so it is easy to get into Oinkers, you can park anywhere around find in its own the building in the expansive paved parking lot, and enspecial box. It includes cheese, onions, mushrooms, and ter the door facing the east. A few steps down and you peppers, as well as strips of Prime Rib instead of thin are in an Atlantic landmark easting establishment that has been in operation here since 1939. They are known sliced or chopped meat. I must say that I have never had for a quite a few things here, but namely their own Oink- a Philly with Prime Rib, but I certainly dig it. The larger pieces of meat were tender and melted in your mouth ers BBQ Sauce which is served and sold here, and the Oinker burger. That is a pork burger shaped like a pig. and the accompanying veggies and cheese topped the salty sandwich with perfection. A few French fries and I Kind of a different twist on a burger, and something the was stuffed. Part of a couple of sandwiches and quite a younger bikers get a kick out of. A.J. Poeppe is the few fries were left on the plates that afternoon. Not that owner of the place, and damn good guy to boot! Not there was anything wrong with them, just too much food only does he run a successful business in Atlantic, he is a rider and a Veteran. He even has a Seabee themed to tackle at one sitting. Check out Oinkers if you are in Atlantic, well worth a stop! Softail to commemorate his service and fallen brothers in arms. Sitting in for Big Little this month, Vernon Schwarte. We stopped in on a Thursday for a noon meal, so it was Until next month, ride safe and eat hearty! too early for one of their awesome steaks, but we decraig@thunderroadsiowa.com cided to grab a sandwich and a half order of the apPS If you have a place you think we should check out in petizer to keep it light. Whoops….not so much. The half order of the sampler plate of cheeseballs, breaded your neck of the woods, shoot me an email.
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Three bros were talking over some beers. One said, “I got four boys, one more and d I will have a basketball team!” The second bro said, “Well, I got ten boys, one more and I will have a football team!” The third bro drinks the rest of his beer and said, “I got seventeen girls, one more and I will have a golf course!”
An old woman walked into a dentist’s officce, e, e, took off all her clothes and spread her legs. The dentist said, ‘’I think you have the wrong ong ng room.’’ ‘’You put in my husband’s teeth last week,” she replied. “Now you have to remove them.”
Man returns home and screams out loudly: Honey, pack your things, I’ve won million today! Wife comes to the closet and asks: What kind of clothes to take with me? Summer or winter? Man: All of them and get out of here!
Sex is like racing, the most important rule is not to scrimp on money on the best quality rubber.
A husband and wife have four sons. The oldest three are tall with red hair and light skin while the youngest son is short with black hair and dark eyes. The father was on his deathbed when he turned to his wife and said, “Honey, before I die, be totally honest with me: Is our youngest son my child?” The wife replied, “I swear on everything that’s holy that he is your son.” With that, the husband passed away. The wife muttered, “Thank God he didn’t ask about the other three.”
Yo’ Mama is so ugly, when she ran away from home, her parents called the dog catcher.
Q: What do you call a 90-year-old man who can still masturbate? A: Miracle Whip.
The inmate on death row is scheduled to be put to death by firing squad. He doesn’t request a last meal or anything special for his last day. As he stands before the firing squad he says, “Actually, music is my life. One thing I would really like would be to sing my favorite song, one whole time through, with no interruptions.” The guard nods solemnly and tells him to go ahead. 54 - TRMI AUGUST 2016
The Th T he in iinmate nm starts, “One billion bottles of beer on the the w wall....”
Hey, I’ve got good news. I got back $8,000 on my income tax. The bad news is I’m going to prison.
Bill B has worked in a pickle factory for sseveral years. One day he confesses to his w wife that he has a terrible urge to stick his ppenis into the pickle slicer. His wife suggests that he see a therapist to talk about it, but Bill vows to overcome this rash desire on his own. A few weeks later, Bill returns home absolutely ashen. His wife asks, “What’s wrong, Bill?” “Do you remember how I told you about my tremendous urge to put my penis into the pickle slicer?” His wife gasps, “My God, Bill, what happened?” “I got fired.” “No, Bill -- I mean, what happened with the pickle slicer?” “Oh, um, she got fired, too.”
Yo’ Mama is so fat, when she rubs her legs together, I smell bacon.
Q: Why are there hardly any dental professionals in Arkansas? A: Because it takes 35 patients to make a full set of teeth.
A teacher tells the class if they can get the right answer to a question that will be asked every Friday, they can get the Monday off. The first Friday, she asks the class, “How many stars are in the universe?” No one can answer. The next Friday, she asks, “How many grains of sand are on Miami Beach?” Again, no one can answer. Finally, a boy gets a bag full of ping-pong balls painted black. The teacher on the 3rd Friday says, “Now for your question...” and the boys purposely spills the bag of ping pong balls everywhere. The teacher madly asks, “Who’s the comedian with the black balls?” The boys replies, “Bill Cosby! See you Tuesday!”
A lady boards the bus with her baby. The bus driver looks at the baby and says “that’s the ugliest thing I’ve ever seen!” The lady finds a seat and she is mad as hell. She tells the guy in the seat next to her what the mean bus driver said. The guy tells the lady “ ‘That was really mean! Go up to the bus driver right now and tell him off. I’ll be happy to hold your monkey for you”.
Q: How much does a hipster weigh? A: An instagram.
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Three men, a philosopher, a mathematician and an idiot, were out riding in the car when it crashed into a tree. Before anyone knows it, the three men found themselves standing before the pearly gates of Heaven, where St. Peter and the Devil were standing nearby. “Gentlemen,” the Devil started, “Due to the fact that Heaven is now overcrowded, St. Peter has agreed to limit the number of people entering Heaven. If anyone of you can ask me a question which I don’t know or cannot answer, then you’re worthy enough to go to Heaven; if not, then you’ll come with me to Hell.” The philosopher then stepped up, “OK, give me the most comprehensive report on Socrates’ teachings.” With a snap of his finger, a stack of paper appeared next to the Devil. The philosopher read it and concluded it was correct. “Then, go to Hell!” With another snap of his finger, the philosopher disappeared. The mathematician then asked, “Give me the most complicated formula ever theorized!” With a snap of his finger, another stack of paper appeared next to the Devil. The mathematician read it and reluctantly agreed it was correct. “Then, go to Hell!” With another snap of his finger, the mathematician disappeared too. The idiot then stepped forward and said, “Bring me a chair!” The Devil brought forward a chair. “Drill 7 holes on the seat.” The Devil did just that. The idiot then sat on the chair and let out a very loud fart. Standing up, he asked, “Which hole did my fart come out from?” The Devil inspected the seat and said,”The third hole from the right.” “Wrong,” said the idiot, “it’s from my asshole.” And the idiot went to heaven.
A guy was driving in a car with a blonde. He told her to stick her head out the window and see if the blinker worked. She stuck her head out and said, “Yes, No, Yes, No, Yes...”
My wife came in complaining about me never lifting a finger in the house. So I did - the middle one. Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
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I do not have a ton of miles, but I have ridden quite a few, and over the span of about 25 years I have picked up a few things along the way. I have ridden bikes from 40’s vintage Knuckleheads and Flatheads to my current bagger, a 2014 Harley Limited. I have logged a quarter of a million miles in that time span. A few of those years I was regrettably without any motorcycles whatsoever, but trying to make up for that now. I own a couple now and love them for different reasons. I have different riding styles based on what bike I am on, and I like a variety of makes/models/ styles of bikes. I have had the fortunate opportunity to cross paths with some of the coolest cats on two wheels in Iowa and across the country, and have tried to be a student of the biker life. Some of these are lessons, some of these are observations, and some of them are wholeheartedly my opinion for whatever that is worth. Check it out, and if you have any other pearls to share with the Iowa bike world, email them to me and then I can post them on the Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa Facebook page. There are many roads to the same destination. Some are fast, some are slow, some are smooth, some are rough, but whatever road you choose to take to your selected destination will still get you there.
about while riding in a car, but on a bike it makes for an instant need of a shower and a bike wash. Stay back from campers and RVs leaving camping areas. Sometimes they don’t want to wait for the sanitary dump for black or gray water, and they just crack the valves as they leave the campground. Gross as can be, but I have seen it happen more than once. If you meet or follow one of these rigs, you will probably wish it was simply a bull hauler, not an asshole human hauler too lazy to use the appropriate facility. Sand and gravel can be anywhere, and is always a hazard, not just in the spring and fall. Heavy rains can cause flash flooding and can deposit aggregate in places you would not normally anticipate. Also, on curves on two lane Iowa roads, vehicles and farm equipment can drive partially on the shoulder and drag a lot of gravel onto roadways. Use caution on roads that you KNOW that this happens, as well as extra caution on roads you do not know. Slow for the curve, and drive defensively.
Never ride past your comfort level, and sure as hell don’t try to keep up with a group that is riding beyond your comfort level. That is when bad things can happen. Make Try to avoid following too closely to dump trucks. They sure you know the end destination, and meet them there. If haul a lot of stuff that will do damage to the bike and the they don’t like that you hung back, find a different set of riders. Rocks coming off a dump truck at 55 MPH hurt like people to ride with. a bitch. Even when they are empty, there seems to always be some sort of rock/dirt/debris or whatever that hangs out Bugs can hurt like a bitch, but grass hoppers are a special on the tail of the truck or on the suspension. Keep your form of two wheeled torture. distance. Gloves while riding can save a lot of pain and hassle. Also try to avoid following closely livestock trailers at all Sometimes you go down, and having torn up hands makes costs. If they are full, they generally have a load of animals even the simplest tasks difficult. Save your hands and wear that do not care you are behind them as they decide to let a pair of gloves when riding. number one and two fly at will. This also goes for meeting them on two lane roads. Give them a wide berth. Those You can see, smell, feel, and sometimes even taste some big holes in the of the coolest stuff in the world while you are traveling side of a bull on a motorcycle. “If I have to explain, you wouldn’t rack are for understand” is not simply a cliché, it is a law of riding. more than just ventilation, it You will meet some of the best people in the world while also gives a out on two wheels. Friendships will be formed, and straight shot the definition of “family” will be rewritten in the biker to splatter vocabulary. oncoming motorcyclists. Everyone likes different bikes for different reasons. Let This may be them! Don’t be a bitch and rag on someone else for what something or how they ride. If you don’t like it, don’t look at it, don’t you have not ride with them, and don’t bitch about it. There are tons thought twice of different types of riders and kinds of bikes. Learn to appreciate the technology and respect the engineering as well as the people riding them. Remember, we are all sharing the same roads. Th under Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook www.thunderroadsiowa.com 56 - TRMI AUGUST 2016
Time spent on safety and maintenance issues is never wasted time. It only makes the ride more enjoyable. Not only does this apply to one’s self, but to your riding friends. ALWAYS stop to offer assistance to a biker on the side of the road. Someday it may be you and I am sure you don’t want to get passed by if you need help. Broaden your riding horizons. Ride in different areas, ride with different people, ride different types and brands of motorcycles. This only expands our knowledge and understanding of other things and other areas. This is certainly lacking in today’s world. Step outside of your comfort zone and experience some alternate two wheel fun. Riding in the rain is very memorable. Whether you decide to try to outrun a storm, flank a storm, ride away from a storm, or wait out a storm, you will probably remember the event and talk about it for years. I know that I have some of these stories from all over the country and despite how crappy or scary they may have been, they are locked into my memory for a lifetime.
Keep your head on a swivel and your senses aware. Riding is dangerous and we have to constantly be watching out for the other guy. Use your mirrors to see what is behind you, but also don’t forget to spin your head and check as well. Use all of your senses to watch out for hazards. One uses almost all of your senses when riding if you decide to utilize what you have available. Just buying a bike can be an over powering expense alone. When deciding what to modify or accessorize on your bike or your person, think about the purpose. Is it something for safety or comfort or something to look cool? I recommend going for safety and comfort first. RESPECT is a key in the biker world. Respect other riders, respect other bikes, and don’t do stupid shit and everyone should all have a great ride!
This is by far not a complete list of the lessons learned from riding the past few decades, but simply some things that popped into my head while on a long ride one day. I Be a mentor for a new rider. Remember that they will pick thought that I would share with all of you. If you want up on a lot of your mannerisms and habits, so be good at to share any other bits of wisdom and knowledge with being a mentor. Steer them down the right path of being riders, email to me at Vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com and safe and responsible riders. You may meet them on the I will post them on the Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa road or be following them someday. Facebook Page. Ride safe and ride comfortable in groups. If you prefer staggered, go staggered, if you prefer side by side, go side by side. Just make sure that everyone in the group knows what you are doing and watch out for everyone in the group. Leave together, get home together. Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
Ride Safe! Vernon
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We usually avoid getting too political on our pages, and that is simply out of respect for readers, other people, and the public in general. This is not necessarily the venue to spout our personal political views and we don’t want to submit the readers to that. We also don’t like to spew our opinions on political matters, because some people are so incredibly narrow minded that if one does not think like them, they are all up in arms and don’t know how to react, and usually lash out against others. We don’t care for that kind of drama, but some of the things that have been happening as of late are making now the time we have chosen to speak out a little bit. This is solely our opinion here from the editorial office of TRMI, and Melanie and I do not speak for the rest of the TRMI crew, the contributors, or the biker world in general. What we wanted to chat about here in this issue is the yp and numbers of federal types laws that we tl currently have in the United States of
America The reasons for discussion America. thi topic t i are numerous. For F one, more on this laws mean more government. Not something that we are particularly fond of. Another reason is if there are too many laws, who knows what laws they may or may not be breaking, and thus have no way of following said laws. In 1982 the government enacted a program to find the total number of laws, and that program failed miserably. After a two year period of sorting through at that time almost 23,000 pages of federal law, they only came up with an estimate of over 3,000 criminal laws and not much else for count on other types of laws. It is quite a daunting question, and it gets ever so convoluted the deeper you go into the topic. If you are counting laws, it is about impossible to know what a single law entails. There are different types of laws, and laws have different purposes, so they can be counted differently.
thousand new laws enacted by congress. Do the math on that over the history of the United States of America, and that alone is a mind boggling number. Now when looking at this number of laws passed by congress, each statute passed does not necessarily mean one law. Some are temporary or have a narrow scope. Examples of this may be a bill to deal with a budget for a single fiscal year. Others may repeal other previously passes statutes. Some may make amendments to existing statutes, and some may contain multiple references to laws. So overall the number of statutes cannot be used to count the total number of laws that exist. When we refer to a law, we are really talking about grouping of statues, and their amendments that add to the meaning of the original statue. That way the law is almost a living, changing, evolving thing. y think that simply p y reading g the United States Code One may may be a way to get “h d count” t” off a “head laws in the country. Not so much either. You would think that the chapters and sections may offer some help with the count, but that is also too complex to be able to get a count. be The US Code book is a The il ti off the th generall and d permanentt statues. t t O compilation One law does not simply correspond to a chapter, section, or line number though either. On top of the hundreds of statutes passes every year, there are also thousands of resolutions and other legislation that is mind boggling. Once again, very difficult to get any type of count on what actually makes a law, or makes something illegal by breaking said law.
Administrative and other law is the next type of law. This category of federal laws includes administrative law, case law, and common law. The executive branches make up administrative laws, which is under authority granted by Congress. To find these laws, you can refer to the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations for Statutes are laws that are passed by congress. Every year references to administrative law. there are between a couple hundred and up to almost one
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Now, if you are talking about breaking laws, did you mean something that you have done which is considered a crime? If that is the case, not all federal law makes “breaking” it a criminal activity. A lot of the statues are about how the government spends money and how the executive branch is supposed to operate. A great portion of administrative law regulates commercial activity such as regulating how food is served or equipment that is used for commerce. Some of the sections of federal law create actual crimes, such as murder, bribery, and the like. The number of federal crimes laws is an elusive number that I don’t think anyone has a true idea of. These are probably the laws that we think about when we want to avoid breaking the law and getting into legal trouble. All of the mention of law so far has been about federal law. Top p that with all of our state and local l laws and d ordinances, and the
estimates of total numbers of laws range from the hundreds of thousands thousand ds into the millions. Each state and local jurisdiction can pass all sorts of laws laws, rules, ordinances and us into l regulations, l ti di d the th like lik to t steer t i t submission. Looking at it from this perspective, “The Land of the Free” seems to be more of a concept that was abandoned somewhere in our past. We are governed by laws, and this leaves us wondering just what it says about a society that needs so many damn laws anyway? Do more laws on the books make us better as a society? Do more laws make us safer? Do more laws protect us from evil? It is common knowledge, common sense, and common decency that we should not murder one another, don’t steal from others, don’t start or participate in riots, don’t commit rape, and a multitude of other things. Do we really need hundreds of laws about day to day acts of life? Is the answer to anything in society anymore to pass a new law? How about we wean down the list of laws, rules, and regulations that are no longer needed or used? How about we enforce the laws we have on the books? How about we quit ignoring crime and hold people accountable for their actions?
stirred up these thoughts. One of the most recent is the FBI not recommending any indictment of Hilary Clinton over the email scandal. We have laws on the books to account for what she has done, and yet, nothing is done. The laws are there all ready to be called into action, and due to political corruption, nothing is done. When there are mass shootings that take place, the gun grabbing politicians call for more laws on gun control. I simply don’t understand this logic when they are committing murder to begin with, no one in their right frame of mind would think that a person that is going to do this is going to give a shit about whether their gun, magazine, or ammunition is legal for them to purchase and possess. The shooter at the Florida night club had been scrutinized by law enforcement, but due to political correctness, nothing was done that could have prevented the terrible slaughter of innocent people. Maybe instead of immediately requesting new laws to limit guns, hold accountable the
people who dropped the ball. These are just a couple of examples of recent events showing that we do not need any more laws. laws We need to the that on the enforce f th laws l th t we already l d have h th books. b k We W need to stand up to the oppressive list of hundreds of thousands of laws and quit believing that simply passing a new law will make things all better. This is not a fairy tale; it is the United States of America… Home of the Free…damn it! Vernon
There have been quite a few events recently that have
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Promoting Motorcycling... Motorcycle Riders Foundation Last month we took a look at ABATE and what the organization does for riders, but ABATE isn’t the only organization working hard to maintain our two wheel freedom. Working towards this goal we also have the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. Rather than looking at rights on a state and/or local level, the MRF is chiefly concerned with issues on National and International levels that impact the freedom and safety of American motorcyclists. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is also committed to educating rights advocates to improve their effectiveness on the state and local levels. The MRF works jointly with State Motorcyclist Rights Organizations (SMROs) to assist with state and local agendas as well as working with them to influence government departments and agencies all the way up to the President of the United States. The MRF also works with allies in Europe and Asia concerning vehicle globalization and synchronization in conjunction with the United Nations and the World Health Organization. The MRF also has a historic partnership with the American Motorcyclist Association, working together on a host of issues.
and local legislative, executive, and judicial bodies and with private or public entities regarding issues affecting motorcycles, motorcyclists, or motorcycling. Also, to maintain and improve their capability to be the national information center for motorcyclists’ rights information; and enhancing training of national, state, and local motorcyclists’ rights activists.” These are pretty widespread areas of focus but without a doubt an organization that should be held near and dear by all enthusiasts of the biker lifestyle. So just what endeavors are currently on the MRF’s plate? The primary goals at this time are: To promote safety on American roads for ALL road users, Fight for motorcycle exemptions from Environmental Protection Agency regulatory restrictions, End the discrimination of motorcyclists when it comes to health insurance, to monitor federal legislation for any impact on the motorcycling community at large. Those are some pretty important goals, which are certain to affect members of any biker community. How do we know these goals are attainable? Well just take a look at the MRF track record. What have they accomplished thus far? 2015 FAST ACT passes the US Congress and moves to the President’s desk. 2014
So exactly where and when did the MRF come in to play? In 1985 founders of the motorcyclists’ rights movement in America gathered for a meeting of the minds. At this meeting, the Leaders of State Motorcyclists’ Rights Organizations (SMROs) wanted to expand the state based rights groups by breaking into to the national scene. Leaders knew that riders’ rights had to go national, because the threat to motorcycle rights wasn’t just occurring on a local/state scale, the imposing threat was national. The founders sensed that danger was dead ahead, as a ban on motorcycles in the United States Congress had just been proposed. The founders wanted a staff that was” all muscle and no fat”, driven by a team of dedicated volunteers. The goal was to establish a team committed to the suggested core values. And so, a new front-runner in motorcycle rider rights was born: The Motorcycle Riders Foundation. The MRF quickly established itself as the first motorcyclists’ rights advocacy organization with a full-time legislative and political presence in our nation’s capital. The MRF is the only voice in Washington that is solely devoted to the entitlements of the street rider.
MRF helps New York City avoid EPA Stamp law.
2014 Walberg Amendment passes, retaining the NHTSA ban. 2013
MRF Testifies before the EPA.
2012 National Transportation Safety Board Drops Motorcyclists From “Top Ten” List. 2012 Established the MRF Motorcycle Club Committee to formally recognize the support of Motorcycle Clubs and Confederations. 2012 Established the MRF Industry Council giving aftermarket manufacturers the opportunity to be more involved with the bikers’ rights movement. 2011 MRF met with US DOT Secretary LaHood to discuss backing off of the NHTSA funded motorcycleonly checkpoints and encouraged LaHood to reinstate the Motorcycle Advisory Council.
2011 Former State Senator and MRF Assistant to So the MRF has established itself, but what are the goals Motorcycle Safety, Bob Letourneau of the organization specifically? The Mission Statement testifies before the Highways and reads as follows: “Our mission is to continue developing Transit Subcommittee lauding the an aggressive, independent national advocate for the importance of motorcycle safety advancement of motorcycling and its associated lifestyle programs. which is financially stable and exceeds the needs of motorcycling enthusiasts.” Simply stated…the MRF 2009 Conceived and implemented has got your back. Whatever needs attention in the twowheeled world, the MRF will advocate for. The goals of the the MRF Awareness and Education MRF are numerous, but include maintaining and improving organization. their “ability to act as an advocate before national, state, Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook www.thunderroadsiowa.com 64 - TRMI AUGUST 2016
1987 The MRF, working with grassroots activists, stopped legislation that would ban the sale of “superbikes”. In addition to ensuring that our rights as motorcyclists are maintained and /or improved, the MRF does something pretty cool each year. They provide a scholarship 2009 Participated in the D.C. D C Motorcycle Caucus2009 – each year for young riders. But just what is the Young Met with the RNC for the first time in MRF history. Activist Scholarship Fund? Well let me fill you in…Biker activists have come to recognize that membership and 2009 Held the first national motorcycle lobby day event. leaders are getting older, and the need for young people to become involved in motorcyclists’ rights is growing. In 2009 Actively engaged in debate with the CPSC on the response to this need, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation youth bike ban, which was eventually overturned. Awareness and Education (MRFA&E) created a scholarship fund “to recognize deserving candidates who are a 2007 MRF works with Congress against the NTSB push minimum of 18 years old and not over 30 years of age who for national helmet laws. otherwise may not be able to attend the MRF’s Meeting of the Minds conference.” The MRFA&E has devoted a little 2006 MRF was a key player in creating the National money to the scholarship fund, but donations are always Motorcycle Advisory Council. welcome from anyone wishing to participate in the program. 2006 MRF ushered 44 states into the Federal Motorcycle Since 2004, the program has aspired to activate our youth into defending biker rights for the future. The first year the Safety Program, obtaining grants totaling $6 million per MRFA&E could only afford to send one candidate, but the year for State motorcycle safety programs. program and donations have grown each year, allowing more of our youth to attend the conference and start their 2005 MRF was instrumental in defeat of Senator journey in protecting our rights as bikers. This program Lautenburg’s national helmet law amendment. is really cool, and if you know a deserving individual who would be interested in the scholarship, be sure to visit www. 2004 MRF releases “EPA for the Layman” for highway mrfae.org for all the candidate criteria, as well as the link motorcycles. to submit an application. Nominations are accepted from either state or local SMRO groups, and must be submitted 2001 Health Insurance Discrimination rules challenged. on the MRFA&E-approved application form. Any questions 2000 MRF and New England motorcyclists came together about the MRFA&E Young Activist Scholarship Fund should be directed to MRFA&E Scholarship Committee to stop Helmet Law. Chair Carol Downs at carol@mrfae.org. 1998 MRF and SMROs persuade Congress to include NHTSA Lobby Ban and prohibition of motorcycle bans on As bikers, the Motorcycle Riders Foundation is one hell of an alliance to have on our side. They are in all of the places federally funded roads in Transportation Funding bill. that we as “average joe’s” cannot be. They are our voices when we cannot speak…or when we haven’t been heard. A 1995 MRF and our SMRO great big thank you to the Motorcycle Riders Foundation for Partners succeed in repealing the federal helmet law blackmail all that they do! against the states. Melanie J Schwarte Melanie@thunderroadsiowa.com 1991 MRF was instrumental in removing all references Sources available upon request to “Motorcycle” from the DeDoncini Outlaw Gang Bill. Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
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Jul 23 Jul 23 Jul 23 Jul 23 Jul 23 Jul 23 Jul 23-24 Jul 24 Jul 25-26 Jul 29-31 Jul 29-31 Jul 30 Jul 30 Jul 30 Jul 30 Jul 30 Jul 31 Aug 4-6 Aug 5-6 Aug 6 Aug 6 Aug 6 Aug 11 Aug 11 Aug 8-14 Aug 13 Aug 13 Aug 13 Aug 13 Aug 13 Aug 13 Aug 13 Aug 14 Aug 19 Aug 19-20 Aug 19-21 Aug 19-21 Aug 20 Aug 20 Aug 20 Aug 20 Aug 20 Aug 20 Aug 26 Aug 26-28 Aug 27 Aug 27 Aug 27 Aug 27
Water City Concert Series by Okoboji HD Goozman’s Westside Annual Fun Run Harlan Summer Celebration Big Barn HD Des Moines American Legion Riders Post 111 Ride to Honor Newton Deaf Poker Run Council Bluffs ABATE D9 Scavenger Hunt Ride Sully Riverside Raceway Flat Track Races& Motorcross Winterset American Legion Riders-Nation of Patriots Run Post 37 Ames Indian Demo Rides Indian Motorcycle of Des Moines Central Iowa Hawg Rally Norwalk CMA State Rally Ft. Dodge Solidarity Ride (8 Seconds That Night) Metro Cedar Rapids CVMA Chapter 39-1 Annual Patriot Ride Van Meter Volga City River Run Volga 3rd Annual Garwin Legion Riders Ride and Bike Night Garwin 9th Annual Brooke Barber Memorial Poker Run Mt Ayr 3rd Annual Low Key Bikini Bike Wash Des Moines 9th Annual Across the Border Raid Bedford Mikey Jones Memorial Dragfest Cordova, IL CVMA 39-3 Memorial Run/Fundraiser Davenport Bikers Building Hope Ride Fort Dodge Two Wheels Four Paws Poker Run Walford Hot August Night Car, Truck, Motorcycle, & Tractor Show Jefferson Free Show & Shine during Knoxville Nationals South Dakota Party AtlanticFest Ride In Bike Show Atlantic ABATE D15 Too Broke to Go to Sturgis Rodeo Donahue CVMA Chapter 39-2 Annual Patriot Ride Cedar Rapids 2nd Annual Old Glory Ride Oxford 6th Annual Josh Davis Memorial Poker Run Perry Wish Ride Council Bluffs The Way the Crow Rides Motorcyle and Hot Rod Cruise Dubuque ABATE D15 Too Broke to Go to Sturgis Mex Memorial Fun Run Donahue Water City Concert Series by Okoboji HD Boji Bike Rally Okoboji 35th Annual Baxter Cycle Motorcycle Rally Marne 12th Annual BTW Trike In Kellogg Tour de Shelby County Harlan Baylee’s Bike Run for Lupus Davenport Operation Comfort Warrior Ride Cresco Route 65 Harley-Davidson BBQ & Open House Indianola Vintage Motorcycle Auction Baxter Cycle Marne B.A.C.A. Bike Night West Des Moines Black Tie Black Leather Affair Okoboji Classic Cars ABATE D2 River to River Run Jami Jam V: Ride For Mental Health Action & Awareness Terril AHeinz 57 8th Annual Ruff Ride Adel Ride Your Ass Off for the Donkeys Run LHHD Pacific Junction Kyle’s Mile Suicide Prevention/Awareness Ride #3
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Aug 27 Aug 27 Aug 27 Aug 27 Aug 31 Sep 1-3 Sep 1-4 Sep 2-4 Sep 2-5 Sep 3 Sep 3 Sep 4 Sep 4 Sep 9-10 Sep 9-11 Sep 10 Sep 10 Sep 11 Sep 11 Sep 11 Sep 16-17 Sep 17 Sep 17 Sep 17 Sep 17 Sep 18 Sep 23-25 Sep 21-24 Sep 24 Sep 24 Sep 24 Sep 24-25 Sep 25 Oct 2 Oct 2 Oct 8 Oct 8 Oct 9 Oct 15 Oct 15 Oct 15 Oct 15-16 Oct 22 Nov 11-12 Nov 18 Nov 25 Nov 25 Dec 10 Dec 17
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Metro HD Cedar Rapids Joni’s Roast and Ride Des Moines 4th Annual Ride to Live 4 Gibbie Suicide Prevention Ride Boone Sons of the Tama American Legion Bike Night Tama Make-A-Wish Cruise for Kids Waterloo New 2017 Model Party Metro Cedar Rapids 45th Davenport Fall International Meet Redneck Revival Conesville Midway Tavern Soldier Valley Run BBQ, Street Dance Soldier B.A.C.A. Legacy Run Adel Shooting for HEROES Anita Madrid Labor Day Fun Run to Benefit Muscular Dystrophy Biker Bash Lake Park Vintage Motorcycle/Snowmobile Auction Earlham Davis Motorcycle Rally New Hampton Rustemberfest Pacific Junction 4th Annual Ride for U of IA Children’s Hospital Davenport CVMA Chapter 39-1 Freedom Rock Ride Des Moines Hill Climb and Swap Meet Anamosa Hogs for Dogs Ride Ottumwa Adams Cycles Poker Run Nevada Rumble In The Sand Outlaw Drags Conesville The Hunt of a Lifetime Buffalo ABATE D15 Leaf Run Davenport Route 65 Harley-Davidson BBQ & Open House Indianola “Rock & Rollie” Benefit Ride Onawa Concourse de Cornfield Antique Motorcycle Show Earlham 4th Annual Dubuque Ink & Art Expo Bikes Blues & BBQ Fayetteville, AR 10th Annual Cedar County Heroes Memorial Ride and Poker Run Tipton Carroll Cycle Center New Model Open House Carroll 2nd Cruise Night Heartland H-D Burlington Riverside Raceway Flat Track Races & Motorcross Winterset R/J Performance Fun Days in Eddyville ABATE D15 32nd Annual Toy Run w/USMC Reserves Davenport Carroll Cycle Center Toy Run Carroll Fall Open House Heartland H-D Burlington 3rd Waypoint Gentleman Ride Cedar Rapids Carroll Cycle Center Fall Harvest Ride Carroll Tall Corn Run End of Year Prize Drawing Okoboji HD Rumble In The Sand Outlaw Drags Conesville ABATE D15 Harvest Run Davenport Riverside Raceway Flat Track & Motorcross Races Winterset Hog Roast Metro Cedar Rapids ABATE of Iowa STEAM Marshalltown Carroll Cycle Center Ladies Night Out Carroll Carroll Cycle Center Mens Night Out Carroll Black Friday Metro Cedar Rapids Santa Visits Metro Cedar Rapids Holiday Open House Big Barn Des Moines
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Tuesday Fenders Cycle Des Moines (2nd and 4th May-Sept) Whistling Donkey Woodward (2nd & 4th Apr-Aug) Johnny’s Pub Lake Park Desperado’s Bar and Grill Wheatland
Wednesday The Buck Snort Neola Cadillac Jack’s Baxter Slaby’s Plainview Amigos Fort Dodge 2nd Ave Des Moines (2nd Wed May-September) Thirsty’s on 3rd Davenport OP Clear Lake Ride’s Bar & Grill Ft Dodge Greencastle Tavern Mingo The Pour House, Davenport Harley Corin’s Bettendorf Gravy’s Bar and Grill Davenport
Thursday Roar Into Harlan (3rd Thursdays) Mainstreet Bar , Terrill Stumpy’s Bar & Grill Duncombe Metro HD Cedar Rapids (2nd Thursday May-August) Screaming Eagle Bar & Grill Waterloo Baxa’s Sutliff Store & Tavern (1st Thurs Start April) The Back 40 Macedonia (May-August) Barney’s Wadena (May-Labor Day) Des Moines Vintage Bike Night (1st Thurs May-Sep) Mcgrath Hawkeye HD (1st Thursday May-August) McGrath Dubuque H-D (2nd Thursday May-August) McGrath Powersports (Last Thursday May-August) Crossroads Kelley (Every Other Thursday) Tip Top Ames (Every Other Thursday) Spartans Pub Davenport Ottumwa Main Street Bike Night(3rd Thurs Jun-Sep) Calvin Rockett Bar and Grill Marshalltown (Last Thursday May-Sep)
Saturday Avenue of the Saints St. Charles (3rd Saturday)
Sunday Just 1 More Jamaica (Starting in May) Haverhill Social Club Haverhill (3rd Sunday) 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
Friday Fro’s Wilton (Starting in May) Knoxville Bike Night Knoxville (1st Friday) Bike Down to I-Town Indianola (3rd Friday) Woody’s Roadside Tavern Albion (Last Friday) TJ’s Pour House Exira (2nd Friday of the Month) Centerville Bike Nights (4th Friday of the Month) MX Revival Mitchellville (1st Fri June-September) Monroe Bike Night (4th Friday May-Aug) Thunder Nites Newton-2nd Friday May – September Ames Main Street (4th Friday May-September)
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