Riding in August is a great time to actually rack up some miles. Simply due to the location of some of the events, it is a great way to watch the odometer add up. The events in August can be a ways away even across state lines, or even across the state, but riding to them is the best way to keep from getting too hot. Slow moving or city traffic can cook motors and people, but being out on the open road feels much better this time of year. Get the miles on while you can, because August is also the start of the end of the riding season. Not that there is not plenty of good riding in September and October, but after school starts, harvest gets rolling, and the days get shorter, it is harder for people to get out and about on two wheels. The trips in the fall must be much better planned out, so enjoy August riding and get out and about. August is the last month of the Tall Corn Run for 2017, and there is no better reason to put on some miles and hit up different areas with Check In spots that you have never been to before. There is still plenty of time during the whole month of August to get out and about to hit more spots and get even more Check Ins! If you have not gotten a card yet, you can still get one of those as well and get started! Look on the TCR pages in the magazine or on thunderroadsiowa.com or on the Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa Facebook page for Registration and Check In Spots. With your TCR Ride and Win card, you can Check In up to once per week to get chances to win monthly prizes, as well as chances to win the grand prizes at the end of the year drawing. This year that drawing is at Big Barn Harley-Davidson in Des Moines on September 9th from 1-2 pm. The monthly prizes are drawn and posted, but
to win the grand prizes at BBHD, you must be present to win. Ride around, Check In, and win prizes! What could be better? While you are out riding, do so safely. Keep aware of your surroundings and always ride defensively. As the riding season progresses, people tend to get complacent, and that is something that we simply cannot do on two or three wheels. There are far too many motorcycle crashes, hell, even one would be too many, but we need to try to take better care of ourselves. Some crashes are caused by cages, but some are due to our own shortcomings as riders. Riding impaired, not taking care of our equipment, riding beyond our abilities or motorcycles, and not paying attention can also contribute to bad things happening. Watch yourself, watch those around you, and live to ride safely another day. On a parting note, I would like to wish a Happy Anniversary to my wonderful wife Melanie on August 31st. She has been a wonderful part of my world and a growing part of the magazine. Since we got hitched by Scary Jerry at the Rally in Soldier, it has been a fun ride, and hopefully it keeps up for many years to come! Enjoy your August, enjoy your ride, and enjoy your loved ones! Vernon and Melanie Quote of the Month: “The most important thing is to have a good relationship with the bike... you have to understand what she wants. I think of a motorcycle as a woman, and I know that sounds silly, but it’s true.” Valentino Rossi
On the Cover
Ashley took a break from her duties behind the bar to showcase the Midway Tavern’s big fall party poster! The party is larger than life just like the poster she is showing off! On Labor Day Weekend, Sunday September 3rd, the place to be is Soldier, Iowa for their 19th Annual Soldier Valley Run. The Poker Run that day is just one portion of the day, as there is also a BBQ, Street Dance, and Concert. The day features live music, helicopter rides, food vendors, biker interest vendors, and the run that rolls through the scenic Loess Hills of western Iowa. Don’t miss a great party! 4 - TRMI AUGUST 2017
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CMA Notes
It’s about time again for the Mother of All Rallies – Sturgis! Hundreds of thousands of riders will soon be making their way from all points across the US and Canada to South Dakota with the goal of enjoying the bike shows and bands, riding the hills and canyons, shopping for bike parts, and just relaxing. For me, part of the fun at any event is the opportunity to do a little “people-watching”, and the Sturgis rally attracts a wide variety of people to watch. Some that stick out in my mind: the girls who were headed to work for the evening, all dressed up except that they were wearing sneakers for the 6-block walk to their jobs; the old boy driving the trike that looks like a John Deere tractor (anyone know where he has been the last couple of years? Hope he’s ok.); the young vendor girl who had dragged herself all the way there from Florida where she had been set up the previous week and was talking to her worried mother on the phone. “It’s all right, Ma, we’re in a really safe place here. We’re set up next to some Christian biker people and they’re keeping an eye on us!”; the innocent tourist families who just wanted to see Mount Rushmore and got to see half a million bikers as a bonus. And of course, there are all the different groups of bikers displaying patches. I’ve seen MC patches from 1%ers to law enforcement as well as brand patches and charity organization patches such as GWRRA, Eagle Riders, Patriot Guard riders, BACA. One of the things that always surprise me is the number of HOG members in attendance, both from the US and from other countries. When a person becomes a HOG member, they are provided with some benefits such as the HOG magazine, free bike towing, patches, and of course, pins. With the Sturgis Rally being an official “pin stop”, there always seems to be a steady stream of members in line to pick up their rally pins. However, I doubt most of the guys and gals became members just for those bennies. Judging from the laughter, storytelling, sharing of food and drinks, they became members for the comradery, for the companionship on the road, for pointers on how to perform a successful DIY oil change, for discussing the latest upgrades available. In short, they join HOG so they can be in a relationship with other people who love to ride, with the opportunity to both help and be helped. A new member would miss the point if he thought the membership was just about the pins and patches and didn’t realize he could be part of something bigger than just tucking a membership card into his wallet. 6 - TRMI AUGUST 2017
Yet, it’s surprising how many people do exactly that with salvation. Yes, they know there are benefits: you avoid hell and get to go to heaven instead. But there’s more to it than that. Salvation enables us to be in a relationship with God through his son, Jesus Christ. God invites us to talk with him, to join him in his work, to share in his blessings. He invites us to join his family of believers for companionship on the Christian walk and to learn to take care of each other. Philippians 2:1, 2, & 4 says it this way. “Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship . . .? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” If you’ve never ventured any further into your relationship with the Lord than a salvation prayer muttered under your breath, it’s not too late to get to know him better. If you don’t know any Christians to talk to, find a church that says they believe the Bible and check it out. It might take several tries before you find one that “fits”, because churches have personalities just like people. If that sounds too hit-and-miss, find a CMA chapter near you and get to know the CMAers. They would be glad to help out because that’s how they grew as Christians - by someone else being willing to hang out with them and help them find answers to their questions. Blessings to you – Karla Mark and Karla Cornick are Area Reps with the Christian Motorcyclists Association. Find out more about CMA and God’s plan for you at www.cmausa.org.
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The Biker Friendly Business Directory is a list of establishments throughout Iowa that sponsor the magazine. You can pick up your copy here every month. Let them know that you saw them in TRMI. If your business would like to advertise in Thunder Roads Iowa Biker Friendly Business Listing and become a part of the network, please email vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com
Biker Accessories CoolBikerStuff.com 1606 P Avenue Milford, Iowa 51351 877-816-2200 Follow us on Facebook!! Crispy’s Biker Apparel Cedar Rapids, Iowa Find Us On Facebook 319-241-0916 Leather & Hawgs 316 Main, Hornick, Iowa 121 1st St, Soldier, Iowa leather@wiatel.net www.leatherandhawgs.com
Churches Rebels In His Hands 600 16th Avenue Council Bluffs, Iowa Mark and Lora Schiller Pastors 712-329-9901
Dealers
Ernie’s Harley-Davidson 2613 Hwy 18 East Algona, IA 50511 515-295-7951 www.erniesharley.com
Celebrations DJ & Karaoke Services Newton, IA 641-521-8036 Any Occasion /Rally or Event EmCee Facebook/Ray Johansen(Celebrations) Specializing in Weddings & Receptions
C&L Sandbar 103 North Noyes Street Mondamin, IA 51557 712-646-2300 or 712-216-0975 Hours Daily 11-close
Fenders Cycle and Motorsport 1500 E Army Post Road Des Moines, Iowa 50315 515-256-9062 www.fenderscycle.com
Marshall County Hangmen DUO ACT AVAILABLE Bike Nights, Bars, Private Parties Large Events & Small Dave Gray 641-691-0822
Calvin Rockett Bar & Grill 2013 South Center Street Marshalltown, Iowa 50158 641-328-1033 Open 7 Days a Week 11 – Close
Fenders Honda 100 South 16th Street Ames, Iowa 50010 info@fendershonda.com 515-233-4727
National Motorcycle Museum 102 Chamber Drive Anamosa, Iowa 52205 319-462-3925 Nationalmcmuseum.org
CJ’s Bar and Grill 105 E Marion St Monroe, IA 641-259-2222 & Facebook M-F 11am-Close, S-S Noon-Close Homemade Food-Live Entertainment
Loess L Hills Harley-Davidson 57408 190th Street Pacific Junction IA 51561 712-622-4000 loesshillshd.com
Okoboji Classic Cars Museum and Restoration Shop 810 Jeppeson Road West Okoboji, Iowa 51351 712-332-8029
Metro Harley-Davidson 2415 Westdale Drive SW Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404 319-362-9496 www.metro-motorsports.com
Food and Drink
Nishna Valley Cycle HONDA – YAMAHA – KTM Atlantic, Iowa 50022 1-888-577-6406 www.nishnavalleycycle.com Okoboji Harley-Davidson 1005 Eastview Avenue Okoboji IA, 51355 712-332-7700 www.erniesharley.com Route 65 Harley-Davidson 1300 S Jefferson Way Indianola, Iowa 50125 515.962.2160 www.route65hd.net
Baxter Cycle 311 4th Street Marne, Iowa 51552 712-781-2351 www.baxtercycle.com
Uptown Motors Sales, Inc 310 Cleveland St Muscatine, IA 52761 563-263-2944 www.uptownmotorsales.com
Big Barn Harley-Davidson 81 NW 49th Place Des Moines, Iowa 50313 515-265-4444 www.bigbarnhd.net
Wiebler’s Harley-Davidson 55320 Corporate Park Drive Davenport, IA 52807 563-355-6437 www.wieblers.com
C&C Custom Cycle 130 E Lincoln Chariton, Iowa 50049 641-774-7494 www.cc-cycle.com
Zylstra Harley-Davidson 1930 E 13th Street Ames, Iowa 50010 515-232-6223 zylstrahd.com
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
Ambro’s Roadhouse 917 Guthrie St De Soto, Iowa 50069 515-468-2236 Great Food! A Ambro’s Roadhouse on Facebook American Legion Post 46 1301 S 6th Street Marshalltown, Iowa50158 641-752-3612 Open to the Public 7 Days a Week American Legion Post 111 1101 W 4th Street S Newton 641-792-3353 O Open to the Public 7 Days a Week Newtonamericanlegion111.org Amigo’s 280 North 1st Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 515-576-0142 Amigosfortdodge.com Barn Town Brewing 9500 University Avenue WDM, IA – 515-978-6767 Good Beer & Biker Friendly! Barntownbrewing.com Barney’s 203 S Mill Street Wadena, Iowa 52169 563-774-2525 Barney’s Wadena on Facebook Baxa’s Sutliff Store & Tavern 5546 130th Street NE Lisbon 319-624-2204 Cold Beer, Delicious Food, Good Music & Great Times!
Entertainment Book Em Dano’s 33 S Main Street Denison, Iowa 51442 712-263-9818Mon-Sat 4-2 Dancers Nightly 5-1:30
Bootleggers of Millville Awesome Stop, Great Staff, Fantastic Food Tops in Scenic River Rides Check us on Facebook 563-252-7775
Culvers Marshalltown Car Shows & Bike Nights Thurs Nites April-Sept 5-Dusk 16 Iowa Avenue W Desperados 105 E 5th Street Atlantic 712-243-7087 Home of Cold Beer, Good Times, Pizza & Wings Eddies Tavern 407 D Street Sergeant Bluff, Iowa 51054 Open 11am 7 Days/Week 712-943-9924 Ferg’s Bar & Grill 806 Hwy 30 Grand Junction, Iowa 50107 515-738-5416 Where Good Friends Meet Firehouse Bar 1211 5th Street Downtown Sioux City, IA 712-224-1020 Open Daily at 12:00 Fore Seasons Golf Bar 6232 HWY S-74 South Newton, Iowa 50208 641-792-1246 Open to the Public 7 Days a Week Greencastle Tavern – Mingo Outdoor Patio – Friendly Service Wed Bike Nights – Fri Steak Night Coldest Beer in Central Iowa Greencastle Tavern/Ryan Maher on FB Grinnell Eagles Club 616 4th Avenue Grinnell, Iowa 50112 Open 7 Days a Week Check Us on Facebook Grinnell Pub 909 State Street Grinnell, Iowa 50112 641-260-8003 Grinpub@aol.com
fullthrottleia.com or edwardsrvs.com
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Goozman’s Westside Bar & Grill 1019 7th St Harlan, Iowa 712-755-2259 Goozman’s Westside on Facebook
Lampe’s Pub 608 Iowa Avenue Dunlap, Iowa 51529 712-643-5781 Open 7 days a week at 11 AM
Pines Steakhouse Oinkers Lounge & Grill
1500 E 7th Street Atlantic, Iowa 50022 712-243-3606 M-F 11AM-, S-S 4PM-
Sundown Bar and Grill 112 W State Street Williamsburg, Iowa 52361 319-668-2994 Patio Bar and Brick Oven Pizza
Happenings Bar 508 W Market Street Steamboat Rock, Iowa www.happeningsbar.com 641-868-2000
Main Street 519 S Main Street Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 712-256-3613 Open 7 Days a Week
Pizza Ranch DENISON 510 HWY 39 North Denison, Iowa 712-393-3333 Check Us Out on Facebook Open 7 Days a Week
Team 36 Bar & Grill 1 2nd Street NW Mitchellville 101 515-957-0360 S Sunday Funday Summertime Stop Open 7 Days a Week, Weekend Breakfast
Haverhill Social Club 202 1st Street Haverhill, Iowa 50120 641-475-3321 Mon-Sat 10-2, Sun 12-12
McCanns Tap NE 14th & 54th Des Moines, Iowa 50313 Bike Parking M-F 2:00 Sat & Sun 11:00
Hog Stop BBQ 2327 S. 24th Street Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 712-EAT-BBQS Hog Stop BBQ on Facebook
Mi Casa Family Restaurant 512 Market Street Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-755-2258 Enjoy Drinks at the Full Bar!
Ickey Nickel Bar & Grill 4700 41st Street Sioux City, Iowa 51108 712-239-2772 The Ickey Nickel Bar & Grill on Facebook
Midway Tavern 206 1st Street Soldier, Iowa 712-884-2230 www.midwaytavernsoldier.com
Iron Saddle Saloon 39 S Main Street Dayton, Iowa 50530 515-547-3311
Minden Bowl Café & Lounge 209 Broadway Street Minden, Iowa 51553 712-483-2937 Minden Bowl on Facebook
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
Montgomery Street Pub 207 East Montgomery Street Creston, Iowa 50801 641-782-2165
Jerrys 100 W Washington Exira, Iowa 50076 Jerrys Exira on Facebook “The Party Lives On”
Mudders in Minburn Coldest Beer in Dallas County Bar Food-Wings-Pizza-ETC 515-897-9223 Open M-Sun 11AM Facebook Mudders
Johnny’s Pub Lake Park, Iowa Bike Night Tuesdays Thru September Find us on Facebook
North 40 Bar Magnolia, Iowa 402-301-8234 Look Us Up on Facebook Come Have Fun at the GYM!
Just 1 More 515-570-4206 403 3rd Ave Under the Water Tower Jamaica, Iowa
Old Timer Tavern 401 S Center Street Marshalltown Mon-Sat 6am-2am, Sun 12pm-2am Outdoor Patio-Live Entertainment 641-753-9854 and Facebook
KC’s Tavern 120 N Main Street Bridgewater, Iowa 50837 Mon-Fri 4:30-Close, Sat-Sun 1-Close Find Us on FB 641-369-2017
Outsiders Pub 207 N. Main Street Roland, Iowa, 50236 515-388-4443 Outsiders Pub on Facebook
Knickers Saloon 2186 Central Avenue Dubuque, Iowa 52001 563-557-0887 365 Days a Year Knickers Saloon on Facebook
Papa Joe’s 117 South 6th Street Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555 712-642-9015
L&S Knuckleheads Anamosa, IA 319-462-6999 Like on FB Knuckleheads Pub & Grub Open 11-2 Seven Days a Week-New Ownership
Pearl Street Social Club 110 Pearl Street SW Shellsburg, Iowa 52332 319-436-7100 Find Us On Facebook!
Pizza Ranch HARLAN 613 Court Street Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-755-2262 Check Us Out on Facebook C Open 7 Days a Week Red Oak Tap 419 E. Reed Red Oak, Iowa 51566 712-623-4788 Riverside Tavern 450 E Main St Lehigh, Iowa 50557 515-359-9998 Email:riversidetap@gmail.com RJ’s Bar & Grill 228 High Street – Kellogg Mon-Sat Lunch and Dinner 6 AM Breakfast Sat-Sun 641-526-9911 Sambetti’s Bar and Grill 1430 2nd Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50314 515-245-9780 Mon-Sat 11a-2a, Sun 11a-7p
The Buck Snort Restaurant & Sports Bar 25 Scott Street Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503 712-328-2825 TheBuckSnortrestaurantandsportsbaronFB The Buck Snort 419 Sharp Street Glenwood, Iowa 51534 712-520-6454 Buck Snort Glenwood on Facebook The Buck Snort 113 4th Street Neola, Iowa 51559 712-485-9090 The Buck Snort on Facebook The Buck Snort Oakland 310 Dr Van Zee Road Oakland, Iowa 51560 712-355-5315 The Buck Snort Oakland on FB
Sidetracked 206 West Union Street Creston, Iowa 50801 641-782-8534
The Dog House 402 Main Street Colo, Iowa 50056-7720 Open 1st and 3rd Saturdays 641-485-8425
Southside Lounge 408 2nd Street Dedham, Iowa Open 4-Close Weekdays Open 3-9 Sundays 712-683-5664
The Edge 3157 Joliet Avenue M Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555 712-642-2229 The Edge on Facebook
Sportsman Bar & G Gr Grill ril ill 103 1st Street Pisgah, Iowa 51564 712-456-2222 FOOD, FUEL, FUN
The Lounge 1005 Chatburn Ave Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-755-5050 The Lounge Harlan Iowa on Facebook
Stumpy’s Bar & Grill 423 Main Street Duncombe, Iowa 50532 515-543-4222 Stumpy’s Bar & Grill on Facebook
The Lucky Pig Pub & Grill 113 W Walnut Street Ogden, Iowa 50212 515-275-9946 The Lucky Pig Pub & Grill on FB
Suds –N- Jugs Bar & Grill 807 Iowa Avenue Onawa, Iowa 51040 712-433-4880 Nightly Food Specials
The Place2B! 116 N. Federal Ave Mason City, IA 50401 M-F 3p-2a S-S 2p-2a Find Us On Facebook The Roadhouse 105 Washington Marne, Iowa 51552 712-781-2272 Home of the Marne Burger
Good Lunch Specials, Cold Beer
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The Back Forty 317 Main St. Macedonia, Iowa 51549 712-486-2687 facebook.com/thebackforty
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The Sawmill Bar & Grill Now with a Full Menu 401 Main St New Market, IA 51646-3079 712-585-3601 The Still Templeton, Iowa 712-669-9445 Check Us Out on Facebook Web Page Coming Soon! Thirsty’s on 3rd 2202 W 3rd, Davenport 563-424-1143 Follow Us on Facebook Daily Thirst Quenching Deals T.J.’s Pourhouse 100 E. Washington Street Exira, Iowa 50076 712-268-2353 Open M-SAT.@11, SUN.@ NOON Tobey Jacks Mineola Steak House Mineola, Iowa 712-526-2078 Open 7 Days a Week Check Us Out on Facebook 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
Pistol Pete’s Guns and Ammo Services Eldora, Iowa 641-858-6878 pistolpetesgunsandammo@gmail.com A+ Affordable DISCOUNTS for ABATE Members Heat, Air, Refrigeration & Geo Thermal Eric Ross & Steve Eggleston 22274 Old Lincoln Hwy Crescent, Iowa 51526 Stand Your Ground 712-329-9901 Firearms Sales and Service 2820 N Broadway Action Towing Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503 Council Bluffs, Iowa 712-435-9042 712-325-8235 Discount or FREE Wendl’s Weapons Motorcycle Towing 529 N East Street Carroll, Iowa 51401 AMSOIL Iowa Synthetics 712-775-2338 Iowa’s Leading Wholesale Distributor www.wendlsweapons.com Guaranteed Low Prices 641-751-2893 Hair & Beauty www.iowasynthetics.com Cutters Cave Hair Salon BCS Computers Call for Appointment-Walk Ins Welcome 100 Industrial Road 2820 N Broadway Guthrie Center, Iowa 50115 Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503 641-747-3344 712-322-2129 www.brubakercomputer.com
Insurance & Financial Farm Bureau Financial Services 208 Faith Ave Underwood, IA 51576 Shane.baker@fbfs.com 712-310-7475 or 402-379-3237 O’Malley Weatlh Mgmt. 5623 NW 86th Street Suite 400 Johnston, Iowa 50131 515-490-0930
Legal
Wilson’s Tap and Recreation 1008 Story Street Boone, Iowa 50036/ 515-433-1395
Hupy and Abraham sc, pc Lawyers for Bikers 800.800.5678 Hupy.com
Wobbly Boots 1301 114th St Clive, IA 515-223-5700 Great BBQ! Open Daily at 11:00
IowaBikerLawyers.com Leehey Olson Law, PC Riding & Defending Your Rights for Over 30 Years 877-209-9452
Guns and Ammo
Walker, Billingsley & Bair 208 N. 2nd Ave. West Newton, Iowa 50208 Corey@WalkLaw.com 641-792-3595
JLM Shooters Supply 6931 Doublas Avenue Urbandale, Iowa 50322 jlmgunshop@gmail.com 515-331-1577 2A Firearms Training Training to Protect Your 2nd Ammendment Rights 641-439-6660 Craig.2aft@gmail.com McCunn Specialty Firearms 74980 Richland Road Massena, Iowa 50853 www.mccunnsguns.com 712-779-GUNS
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Lodging/Food Laid Back Manor 312 Parker Street Green Mountain, Iowa (870)484-2561 “A great little place to ride to!”
Irwin Locker & Catering 502 Ann Street Irwin, Iowa 51446 712-782-3215 irwinlocker@gmail.com Southwest Iowa Sandblasting Mike Magers 65162 Oxford Rd Atlantic, Iowa 50022 712-249-3995
Shops & Fabricators Bent Wrench Cycles 911 7th Street Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-235-2453 Bent Wrench Cycles on Facebook Bigfuuts Paint & Repair Baxter, IA 515-577-6730 Custom Paint & Fabrication After Hours Service & Parts Stereos-Electrical-Repairs Butterfield’s M.C. Parts 8025 Blondo Street Omaha, NE 68134 402-391-3768 Chuck’s Cycle Service and Repair S&S and Drag Specialties Dealer 714 East 7th Street Washington, Iowa52353 319-461-5278
Photo and Art Ullrich Photography PO Box 1842 Clinton, Iowa 52733 563-243-8715 www.natanic.com
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Creative Concepts Collision 422 Market Street Harlan, Iowa 51537 712.755.2231 Cycle Clinic 2209 ML King Pkwy Des Moines, Iowa 50314 cycleclinicdm.com 515-288-6954
Cycles Plus Bikes, ATVs, Snowmobiles 300 Walnut Street Atlantic, Iowa 50022 712-243-3987 F & J Racing 701 N 3rd Ave Marshalltown, Iowa 50158 641-752-8651 www.fandjracing.com 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 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, Cycle Works & 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 712-243-3076 M-F 8-6 Most Sat 9-12 Or Call Weeks Manufacturing & Powdercoating 2235 400th Street Walnut, Iowa 51577 402-651-6977 weeksmanufacturing@gmail.com
Tattoo Skin Mechanix INKorpar8ted 117 No. 16th Street Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 712 256-2847 Check Us Out on Facebook
TIRES Sandbothe Firestone 1106 Main Street Griswold, Iowa 51535 712-778-2223 Sandbothe Firestone 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
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TR T MI A UG GUST T 2017 - 15 TRMI AUGUST
the boring stuff
homeowners coverages
Well if you can believe it we are already into August! For a lot of you that means Algona is over and reality must set in again. I know adulting sucks!!
Below is a list of losses covered.
If you have been reading this series then you know we have covered about everything we can regarding motorcycles and insurance. It is time to move on to the dreaded homeowners Insurance. Yes, there is a large difference between policies and I can bet with all the recent storms some of you are dealing with this right now!! In fact, did you know some insurance companies will use a SINGLE DEDUCTIBLE for a loss where your home and vehicles are damaged in the same storm? The company I work for in fact has this option. Think of how much money that could save you!
Damage from electrical current
Let’s go ahead a define what a peril is. Peril is for specific dangers that could cause damage to your property. For instance, a burst pipe, fire, hurricanes or tornadoes are all perils. Named perils means the perils you are covered for that are specifically mentioned in your insurance policy. Here is where you need to pay close attention to what you are paying for. If you are covered for all perils except those mentioned as exemptions, you are getting an open perils policy.
Water damage from plumbing, heating, or air conditioning overflow
Lightning or fire
Hail or windstorm Pipe freezing Damage caused by aircraft Water heater cracking, tearing, and burning Explosions
Riots or civil disturbances Damage from the weight of snow, ice, or sleet Smoke damage
Volcanic eruption Keep in mind all insurance companies are different. We must adhere to the same rules but we may change the word- Damage caused by vehicles ing. Make sure you understand what the wording is. Falling objects To start there are primarily two different kinds of homeTheft owner’s policies. HO3 and HO5. Now keep in mind as I dive into this every insurance company may have a slightly Vandalism different take but they should all resemble the information below. Neither of these policies will cover flood or earthThe HO3 policy is the one most agents will quote because quake. it is usually cheaper than HO5. Let’s face it as an agent you want to win the sale, most people want to know the price so HO3 insures your owner-occupied home, private structures they quote you the HO3 policy. Remember again price in located on the premises, unscheduled personal property on the insurance world should not be the factor you use to purand away from the premises, and loss of use. Personal lichase your policy. Make sure you read your homeowners ability coverage and medical payments coverage are also insurance declarations pages to know what kind of coverage provided by this policy. Coverage for your home, related you have. structures, and scheduled personal property is on an all risks basis, while coverage of unscheduled personal property is HO5 policy, both personal property and your home are on a broad named perils basis. Losses to your home and oth- covered under an open perils policy. Thus, if you have a er structures are paid on a replacement cost basis, with no claim due to anything that causes damage to your personal deduction for depreciation. Losses to personal property are property or your home, you wouldn’t have to prove that it paid on an actual cash value (ACV) basis, unless amended happened because of a named peril. For instance, let’s say by endorsement. Remember your personal contents are what you have a pipe break in your ceiling and it causes $30,000 falls out of your home if you were to pick it up, turn it updamage to your kitchen. Most companies will cover the reside down and shake it. pairs under an HO5 but they cannot fix the pipe that broke. If the peril is not specifically excluded, you are covered. So, what does this mean? Most HO3 policies will cover This policy is more money but not much and it covers so your home on a replacement cost basis as well as your per- much more. sonal contents. If you have an actual cash value policy then chances are there is work that needs to be done before it can How about the liability portion of your policy? Liability be insured for replacement cost. Trust me when I say all in- insurance will be on either policy. You can choose different surance companies want to insure you for replacement cost. amounts according to your needs and that amount is good per occurrence. If you or another insured are found responThe real difference between HO3 and HO5 is what your sible for someone else’s bodily injury or property damage, home is covered for. Most HO3 policies are named 1-10 or your personal liability coverage may kick in and pay the 1-16 perils. 16 - TRMI AUGUST 2017
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damages. If the person injured decides to sue you, your insurance company may also pay to defend you or any other insured named in the lawsuit. Remember that you’re typically covered only for negligence (carelessness); you aren’t covered for intentional injuries and damage. The liability part of your homeowner’s insurance covers you and the family members who live with you both at home and away. It protects you against many types of accidents and occurrences, including slip-and-fall injuries on your property, dog bites to the letter carrier, and damage done to your neighbor’s siding by your son’s baseball. Read your policy carefully to find out what’s covered. Medical insurance is also standard on both policies but do you know how it covers you? If conditions are met and there are no exclusions, your insurance company will pay the necessary medical expenses of someone injured on or through your property. This coverage doesn’t apply to your own medical expenses and the medical expenses of your household residents, except for your household employees. I know so many of us have a maid, right???? Injuries that take place away from your premises are also covered, if you, another insured, a household employee, or your pet caused the injury.
Medical expenses may include reasonable charges for medical, surgical, X-ray, dental, ambulance, hospital, and professional nursing services, as well as prosthetic devices and funeral services. How many of you have spoken to your agent about scheduling your personal property? Wedding rings, other jewelry, guns and many other high value possessions should be scheduled. Take for example the wedding ring. You know the one you gave up half a year’s income for??? Did you know if you schedule it and the diamond falls off, or it is lost that it would be replaced based on the appraisal? No deductible no other requirements just replaced. If you have not done that and were told your homeowners covered it, do you know the limits of your policy. I would bet most are about $1000 to $2000. There is so much information with these types of policies that it is hard to convey them in an article. I would welcome questions at any time. I cannot always tell you what your policy covers but would love to help in any way I can.
Shane Baker….Rider and Agent…2012 Road Glide….shane.baker@fbfs.com
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99 counties to tour on the bike, 99 counties to tour, take one down, drive on around, 13 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 curiosity for our state of Iowa.
Taylor County
fishing, including catfish, bass, pan fish, and walleye. So if camping or fishing is your kind of fun, just take N64, then east on County Road J20 for a mile, then head south on Utah Avenue and you are there! Besides fabulous camping, food and drink, and a pretty cool round barn, Lenox has a bit of Hollywood history, as the town was the filming location of the 2010 movie “The Crazies”.
Taylor County is located in the southwest corner of Iowa. The population hovers around 6,300 residents, making it the fourth-least populous county in Iowa. The county seat is Bedford, and was formed in 1847. Taylor County is named for President Zachary Taylor. Taylor County has a total area of 535 square miles. Approximately 3 squares miles of that is water. A portion of Taylor County at one time was part of Missouri.
After canvasing Clearfield, we backtracked a bit down N64 south and J23 west into Sharpsburg. Now upon first glance, we were honestly going to shoot right on by this microscopic dot on our trusty map, but we figured we would jet down the main drag anyway since we were there. Never before have we been so wrong about a town on one of our trips. The first thing we saw upon stopping was a sign. After taking care of some morning business we The sign simply said “Site of started our tour of Taylor County by Taking J23 Joe’s Station”. In the adjoining directly into the small burg of Clearfield. At first empty lot were a couple of guys glance, there wasn’t much going on, but upon entering loading/unloading stuff from Gordy’s Bar and Grill on the main drag, we soon the back of a pickup, so we discovered otherwise. Local patrons were happy decided to ask them what the to give us a little Taylor County history, as well as sign actually meant. We were an ice cold drink. In addition to Gordy’s, Clearfield told a story of a local man who has a small café, a quaint historical museum, and is ran the gas station for years, also home to the Lyon’s Club Shuttle service. The deemed the first “self-serve” Clearfield Lions Club has provided a shuttle to station around…so self-serve in fact, that while the people at the Iowa State Fair for over 50 years, and owner was out fishing, he left the doors unlocked it continues to do so the entire week of the state fair. and patrons made their own purchases, wrote down All work is volunteered by Lions Club members. The what they had procured, and paid for it later…the shuttle requires 64 drivers for one day of use. The men honor system at its finest. We were then encouraged have the job of running the shuttle while the women to stop by the only business in town, across from help load passengers with shifts changing every two the historical sign, the Spring General Store. Upon hours. With traditions like this, Clearfield is certainly entering the store we found more antique and unique the picture of small town steadfastness. items than we thought possible, the store is also where locals can find everything from saltines to laundry From Clearfield we jumped back on to J23 and caught detergent. We perused the isles and the longer we up to N64 for a short jaunt north to Lenox. Lenox is looked around, the further back in time we seemed to home to 1,400 Taylor County residents, and has some go. Then we walked up front where we found Linda cool places to visit. On the main drag you will find Spring and her mom Phyllis Breach cleaning up after The Office…a small town diner that is a great place serving locals their daily special….not only is this to grab some vittles. Our waitress was full of piss place a mercantile, but they serve up home cooked and vinegar, so she was right up our alley as well. meals and cold drinks as well. We spent a good Just a couple doors down is The Dallypost Saloon, chunk of our afternoon inside the Spring General owned by Jesse and Abby Sheeley, and a great place Store chatting with these ladies, and as we did, they for a cold beverage and a good time. Lenox is also periodically helped out some local children with home to Wilson Lake, a 50-acre site with a 20-acre their purchases (they even keep track of the kiddos’ lake. There are 10 modern camp sites and additional money in individual containers on the counter). While primitive camping as well. The lake also has great chatting, Linda’s husband stopped by to chat, and we
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all had a great time swapping stories….Phyllis, the guys still want to come back and convince you to go for a ride on the bikes! I am sure that we could have spent the entire day inside that store, but we still had lots of county to cover and little time left to do it, so we hopped back on and headed south past Conway and Gravity to Bedford. Bedford is the county seat and has a population of 1,440. Lake of Three Fires State Park is located a few miles northeast of Bedford, and is a popular spot for fishing and camping. The community is believed to have gotten its name from Thomas J. Bedford who was the first west bound Pony Express rider to deliver the mail to Oakland California. He operated Bedford’s Store and Trading Post in 1848 within the city limits, but later moved to California during the gold rush. The community was formally established as the county seat in 1853, with the present Taylor County Courthouse being built in 1893. Bedford is also home to the Taylor County Historical Museum, the Bedford House, and favorite destination of bikers throughout the area, the Across the Border Raid the first weekend in August each year. A great place to eat when you are in the area is the Junction Café, whether you are looking for breakfast, burgers, or famous strawberry shortcake, the café has it all. From Bedford we grabbed Hwy 2 and headed west towards New Market. New Market is a small town of about 400 people that was originally platted when the railroad made its way through southern Iowa in the late 1800s. Today, at 401 Main Street you will find The Sawmill Bar and Grill, a biker friendly establishment with ice cold beverages and hot delicious food. New Market hosts the New Market Miner BBQ Bash in the park each year, and is entertaining for all who attend. You can also find a good camping area at Windmill Park if you’re in the area, including a playground for the kids and boating on the 20 acre lake. Our Taylor County adventure yielded us some amazingly unexpected treasures, and while we could have continued to explore, we had all but used up our Saturday and needed to head for home. We jumped the county line and took Hwy 71 north towards home. Taylor County was a great addition to our tour of Iowa, and next month we will pay a visit to Taylor County’s neighbor to the northwest, and see if Union County can outshine this month’s visit. Melanie J Schwarte Melanie@thunderroadsiowa.com Sources available upon request Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
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July 2017 AMCA Road Run
The AMCA whole way was formed to Spencer around with a 60 years temperature ago for the between preservation, 61-63 restoration and operation degrees. The heat had subsided of old-time motorcycles.” for that day, almost like someone There are different was smiling on the antique bikes chapters of the Antique that were going to beat around the Motorcycle Club of lake for the day. We arrived at the America located across motel to find a plethora of slab and the country. We have nose cone Shovelheads and a few one chapter right in the heart of Iowa, Panheads to round out the group. Chopper the Two Rivers Chapter. There are a showed up with his birthday girl daughter handful of other chapters that are just Lynette on his custom aluminum block 215 outside of our Iowa border, and they also V-8 trike to enjoy her day on. It was pretty accept members from Iowa. One of these cool to see the almost 60 year old and newer would be the Omaha Chapter, which motorcycles on such a gorgeous day! encompasses membership from all over the Midwest including Iowa. I have run into and become good We took off from Spencer to head north to Milton friends with quite of few of these guys from the Omaha Cycles. This place is located by Fostoria on Highway Chapter. Quite a few of their vintage 71 on the west rides have been seen at the Omaha side of the World of Wheels TRMI Motorcycle Show road. Steve the past couple of years. I am guessing has run this you may see even more of their cool place for quite old rides next year. a number of years, and Each chapter has different events such has many as meetings, dinner rides, and some examples and do what they call a Road Run. These knowledge events are usually 3 day events, and of the metric the Omaha Chapter tries to get out and European and about to new areas to experience cycle history. new places and see new things. This He showed year their chosen destination was the us around Okoboji and Spirit Lake areas. They and then we coordinated with a Spencer area antique bike guru, had a tight schedule so we headed to Okoboji Classic Charlie “Chopper” Gilmore. No one appreciated the Cars. Toby Shine and crew have a truly world class vintage iron more than Chopper, and considering he facility here, and we took the tour of the place with is from the area, would be a great host to a bunch of many shining faces in antique riding bikers. The Road Run was set and all the crowd. On top of they needed was to wait for the dates of July 7th-9th to being a top to bottom arrive. The group left the Omaha area on Friday and restoration shop, they traveled to the Spencer area for some food, drink, and have many vehicles old motorcycle tire kicking. On Saturday Chopper on display, many for had quite the itinerary spelled out for the group sale, and the largest around the Iowa Great Lakes, and Sunday the group mural in the world. A headed for home. private collection of old motorcycles is As my father in law Mike and myself happen to also also in the mix, with get into old bikes, we were invited along for the the oldest example Omaha Chapter’s Annual Road Run. We happen to being over 100 years know Chopper, people on some of the stops at the old! This place in lakes, as well as quite a few of the Omaha Chapter West Okoboji is a must see if in the Lakes area, or even people, so were honored to be asked to join. Sadly, worth the trip if you are not! due to time constraints, we were not able to take the full three days to ride old bikes up to join the group, Next on the list we visited the Abbie Gardner cabin but got approval to do a one day trip, and bring our and site of the Spirit Lake massacre. The chilling story late model baggers to be able to join up with the from the Pioneer days reveals a lot more than the group for most of Saturday. savage murder of dozens of people at the hands of the Native Americans. This is another worthy stop in the We left Kimballton at 5 am to head north. With a ton lakes area. of construction between here and there, and an 8 am departure time from their Spencer motel, we wanted to Next up we went to hang out with our friends at make sure to be on time. The heat earlier in the week Okoboji Harley-Davidson. This group welcomed us was a bit of a concern, but that morning we rode the in with open arms as Justin and crew were gracious
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hosts and made sure the group had everything we needed. We got to look around at the new and old bikes on display here, do a little shopping, and give Justin some grief, so then it was time to move on to the north. Just before the stop sign on highway 71, we were going to turn into the Indian Motorcycle factory. Someone in the group missed the turn, so we got to see the back side of the building when the group had to do a U-turn to head back south to the driveway. No motorcycles or riders were harmed in the stop, so someone caught a lot of grief for this. Not saying any names, but it is someone with a nickname that is also a moniker for a helicopter, a type of knife, or a type of motorcycle. Dick “Slider” Gilmore was then able to join us for the trip up to Indian after leaving OHD, and he sure got a kick out of the detour. After we got settled in under the canopy, we got to speak at length with Garrett of Indian Motorcycles. A tour of the plant was originally on the agenda, but due to expansion and renovation, that was not possible today. Garrett gave a great synopsis of
the brand history both old and more recent, as well as some insight into the Polaris and Victory worlds. He also hopped on a new Roadmaster to take us on a scenic bypass to avoid crazy traffic on a busy Highway 71, and got us back to Arnold’s Park. Next on the agenda was a nice ride around West Okoboji on the Queen II. This boat and its predecessor have quite a bit of lake history itself, as well as being a great excursion to get off of some warm motorcycles in the heat of the day. A trip through the Maritime Museum rounded off the visit at Arnold’s Park. Sadly this is where Mike and I had to part ways with the group to head for home. With magazine deadline looming in a couple of days, I had played long enough with the group for today. Huge thanks to the Omaha Chapter for inviting us to join in on their trip, and to Chopper and Slider Gilmore for being wonderful hosts and tour guides of the Lakes area. If you want any information on that chapter, you can go to omahachapteramca.org or antiquemotorcycle.org for the national page. Ride safe! Vernon
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My ride this year was a lime green Kawasaki 750 four wheeler. What a beast this thing was. I spent at least 12 hours a day on this thing. Working security, you never really go off shift. Believe it or not, we actually keep the crowd of 7000 people under control with just a dozen chiefs of staff plus Doug and I. Why do we do it? No it’s not for the comp ticket, or the chance to ride around on the wheeler. We do it to help make your rally an experience you’ll never forget, by keeping people safe. Let’s touch on that a bit. Keeping this mob of partiers in check, for the most part is relatively simple. The vast majority just want to party. Most of the time, a handshake is all it takes to resolve just about everything we deal with. But, unfortunately, part of our job is assisting our fantastic first aid staff. We do what we need to do to get them to the victim, and back out again. We can This month, I’m going to do something a little different. be a bit aggressive, but don’t take it personal. With the Freedom Rally having just taken place in Algona, This year, on Thursday night, we had a scary storm roll I’m going to give you the perspective of one of the many through. With the crowd we had in the park, there was volunteers who work their butts off to bring you the party of the year. Actually I’m gonna give you my personal view. potential of injuries and damage. While the park buttoned I’m not stepping on ABATE of Iowa’s toes here, just giving up for the onslaught, we stood in the highest point in the park and waited. Once the wind quit, every vehicle and my view. every member of security and maintenance did a quick ride Day 1 for me started the moment I put the kickstand down through the park. A few awnings, tents, and trees took a hit, but no injuries. I’m told we canvassed the park in 13 on my bike after checking in at the front gate, and making my way to my campsite. Set up and prep work still needed minutes. Not bad for a bunch of misfit bikers. This was accomplished because of this dedicated group of volunteers. to be done. This year I had taken on a new position, after being a security chief for what seems like 100 years. This We have our rules. Rules that have come about from 33 year I was assistant head of security, working for my dear years of bringing this rally to you. They are proven, and friend and brother, Doug Smith. He says I don’t work for although a lot of attendees think a lot of our rules suck, him, but with him. they’re in place for a good reason. Instead of arguing with us, this could end badly for someone who does, relax, take a breath, and do what we ask. About Saturday afternoon, our patience is pretty thin. That is not a threat in any way. Just follow the rules, do what we ask, and the party goes on. We’ve been labelled the fun haters of the rally. Yeah, maybe. But someone has to do it, and the dedicated individuals who have stepped up, wear that badge with honor. Here’s a suggestion. Next year when you come back , and we hope you do , when you see one of them 4 wheelers with a security tag on the front , stop and chat with the person . We don’t bite, unless need be. We’re actually a pretty cool bunch. We pride ourselves on the job, and the commitment to giving you a safe weekend at the most kick ass party in the country. On behalf of Doug, myself, and our crew, thanks for coming to the rally. It is, after all, your rally. We hope you come back. And even when you don’t see us, we’re there. Wildman Gary Emery
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Troopers & Indians The Iowa Motor Vehicle Department worked at enforcing the state traffic laws from 1919 until 1935. Inspectors and agents as they were referred to did their part to try to keep the Iowa traveling public as safe as possible. In 1933, there were 15 Motor Vehicle Inspectors that patrolled Iowa’s highways due to the fact that with paving of the roadways, injuries and deaths were skyrocketing. More was needed though to try to keep the traveling public safe. The Secretary of State at the time, Ola Babcock Miller, helped establish the Iowa Highway Safety Patrol. She believed that this new unit was needed to help curb the recent death and injury rates that were continuing to grow on Iowa’s highways. Her motto was “Save Lives First”, and even as the name of the organization has changed in both name and focus, that is still the foundation of the Iowa State Patrol.
do, promoting motorcycling and the safety of motorcycling are high on the priority list. An opportunity to meet and chat with Pat Hoye came up and the IMDA had to jump on the chance. Pat Hoye is the Bureau Chief for the Iowa Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau and is also in the business of keeping travelers on Iowa’s roadways safe, including the two and three wheeled varieties. After a meeting with him at the Oran H. Pape building that is located jjust west of the capital building, he showed the group this 1937 Indian Motorcycle. This is a sole survivor of that era of law enforcement of the two wheeled persuasion. The Indian Chief Motorcycles were purchased to use for patrol due to their speed, handling, and dependability. Top speed was reported by patrolmen of almost 100 miles per hour, and with an initial cost of $400.00, they did not break the bank.
Miller was behind the formation of the IHSP, and in 1935, the Iowa Highway Safety Patrol was formed. It included 50 new officers that were equipped with 37 cars and 12 motorcycles. Cars were Ford V-8’s, Chevrolets and some Pontiacs, while the motorcycles were Indian Model 74’s. On a hot July 28th in 1935, the fifty patrol officers headed out on their first day of service to Iowa. This little history lesson is done in part due to our membership in the Iowa Motorcycle Dealers Association. With urging from Mike and Aly DeMoss from Indian of Des Moines/Fenders Cycle as well as Dan Moellers at Big Barn Harley-Davidson, Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa is a part of this organization. Of the many things that we 28 - TRMI AUGUST 2017
The motorcycle patrol started with 12 motorcycles, and in 1942 the last two were retired from service. No one knows for sure why the motorcycle patrol went by the wayside, but possibly it was due to the increasing level of equipment that the patrolmen carried, and this was not feasible with a motorcycle. This fine example from days gone by had been in the basement of the State Historical Building, but Pat had them bring it to be placed on display. Although the motorcycle patrol was short lived, there is at least this shining example of the machines used by what is now the Iowa State Patrol. Worth a visit to the lobby of the Pape building to check out if you are in the area. Sources are available upon request. Vernon Schwarte
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Being a guy that ALWAYS follows the posted speed limits, I of course would never have this conversation with a law enforcement officer. I mean, after all, laws are the laws and posted speed limits are important and on a curvy by-way, where is SAYS the speed limit is 35, but you KNOW that it’s really only for cars and your bike can take that at 60 without even bumping the pegs, after all, it was a beautiful day and the stereo was jamming my go to song, and the sun was just right, and she was holding me close and looking damn sexy.
road right away I made my choice. Headed out to my big two wheeler I was tired of my own voice.
Ever hear a song and it brings you back to a ride? Or a view? Of course you have, just like a certain song can bring back a memory of that “special first time”, a love that is gone or whatever the case might be. Music is a part of our soul.
I’m coming down, coming down like a monkey But it’s alright Like a load on your back that you can’t see Oh, but it’s alright Try to shake it loose, cut it free Just let it go, just get it away from me, oh ‘Cause tonight, tonight, tonight, oh I’m gonna make it right Tonight, tonight, tonight
I know you cannot ignore sure basics when it comes to riding, you must have staples, AC/DC, ZZ Top perhaps, Guns and Roses, Metallica or the likes of Steppenwolf, Allman Brothers, Skynrd. All great, legendary stuff and can fit almost any ride. All of which bounce in and out of my playlists.
I can move from a 70’s artist to a newer rock band pretty smooth as well, fire up Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, anything from Kid Rock, Theory of a Deadman, Hailstorm, Save the Wait, I got lost in the moment again for just a Hero and just ride. brief moment and it’s a moment than anybody that has ever swung a leg over two wheels, More years than I can remember, I was riding through we are always seeking, or even searching for Iowa’s State Capitol; don’t even remember why I was in that bliss when it all comes together and, as in town. It was a hot summer night, had a great day riding, life, often times, music plays an integral part heading across town to my hotel and on comes a song by of capturing that moment. Genesis
I’ve been thinking about song playlists a lot lately for several reasons, nothing really important, just part of the weird thought process that travels thru my f*d up brain on a normal daily The full, 8 minute album version. Yea, I know, Genesis, basis and if there is a main thing that has always been a part but that moment, that song. I didn’t know if I was in Des of my career that I learned early, it’s this. Moines or filming a scene on an episode of Miami Vice! Whenever that comes on and I am riding, boom, takes me MUSIC IS FLUID back to that moment. What I mean by that is your tastes are always ebbing and flowing. I have different songs that I listen to for different situations all the time. I don’t think I could ever program a riding playlist that would be the ultimate riding playlist the rest of my life. Damn, that would suck anyway! Music ties us up emotional when we ride and different bands, artists, songs, era all mean different things to each one of us, and that is actually an awesome thing. One rider might love a deep cut from Deep Purple, and yet another is twisting the throttle to Beck, for some damn reason. My personal tastes reflect on my current mood of course, or sometimes I dig into a favorite artist and just load up on them I really love Def Leppard and have for years, the band always kicks ass, I have been around them several times and they are always cool as hell to me and my family, at times they figure heavy into my choices, but then, I might go a spell without listening to them. Bob Seger recently (finally!) released all of his music to digital spectrums, I’ve been a Pandora user for some time, but recently moved to Amazon Unlimited and I’ve been really getting into some classic Seger. He takes me back to a lot of my early years in riding, to those moments in life when choices were made. Some good, some bad. Who HASN’T been on a long and lonesome highway, East of Omaha, or been here: Took a look down a westbound 30 - TRMI AUGUST 2017
I have the same issue with Phil Collins of Genesis, his solo “In the Air Tonight’ as a young man, riding through Sioux Falls SD one night, leaving an apartment I wasn’t supposed to be at in the first place, but that is better kept quiet, a silent part of some misspent youth. That I have NO REGRETS OVER… heheheeh. Like I said, music is very fluid for all of us and there really isn’t a right or a wrong when it comes what moves us. I have heard Boston “More Than a Feeling” Eleventy million times, but if it’s an early morning, and I’ve turned on some music, to start my day, my blood, soul and RPM’s can quickly be pumping. I might have songs or bands you hear me talk about and you think, wow, his music sucks. To you, maybe it does, but to me, it’s my personal connection to what gets my motor running. One thing I hope you noticed, not ONCE did I mention playing Nickelback or any of that shitty Bro country crap like Florida Georgia Line! Now, excuse me while I que up The Cult and lean into this 35 mph posted speed limit curve. Todd “Crash” Davis
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different building to greatly increase their abilities. Thanks to everyone that has attended in the past and helped to make projects like this possible. Don’t miss the Party September 3rd in Soldier Iowa. More info can be found online at midwaytavernsoldier.com
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Ashley had to show off her new to her Sportster in the new to them Soldier Fire Department. The fall party at the Midway has been helping to fund Soldier Valley Fire and Rescue Departments to buy needed equipment and vehicles. This year Jordan/Soldier Fire Department was able to buy a
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TRMI’s Very Own... Tina Thornburg Council Bluffs 2006 Electra Glide
Kathy Redding Pacific Junction 2007 Softail Standard
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Riding a motorcycle is a great deal of fun, but as with most activities, it is more fun when you have some friends to join in your shenanigans. While riding with friends is fun, riding in a group does however bring its own set of challenges to the table. Despite the challenges, we all enjoy a good day riding with friends, so let’s take a look at a few key points to consider when riding in a group that will help ensure we all return home happy and in one piece. The first thing to consider is communication. Everyone knows that it is difficult to talk to other riders while you are riding, unless everyone has an Intercom system. Therefore it is important that everyone in your group have a set of basic hand signals to guarantee effective communication on the road.
to refocus. You can also discuss any issues and/or changes to your riding plan during breaks. Another problem while riding in a group is keeping said group together. Things such stop lights and other vehicles on the road tend to create chaos for the cohesive nature of a group. There will be instances when a group may be broken up into smaller groups, but what can the leader do to try and keep this from happening? When approaching a light that is about to change, slowdown and let the light change before the group arrives. If you don’t have this opportunity, you can always pull over after passing the light or slow down so that the rest of the group can catch up. When passing slower traffic, do not pass until there is enough room for all riders to pass.
Finally, know the group you are riding with. Ideally, you will know and trust the people you ride with, but if you find Second, take a minute before you throw your leg over and yourself in an unfamiliar group of riders, give yourself plenty discuss where you are going, how long you will ride, how far of margin until you discover your companions’ habits. If you you can go between fuel stops….just the basics to get every- have given it some time, and you still aren’t comfortable with one on the same page. It is easier to sort out concerns before what others in the group do, drop out before it causes trouble. heading out than over the crackle of the throttle. There is no harm in keeping yourself safe and comfortable Choose a lead rider, as well as a sweep rider. The lead rider out on two wheels. is in charge of telling the group what’s coming (weather issue, road debris, etc.) and the sweep rider sets the pace for All of us love to spend an afternoon out tearing up the pavethe group. Everyone else should fall between, with the least ment with friends. And all of us will encounter group riding experienced of the group behind the leader, letting the more concerns at some point in our lives. We are responsible for experienced riders line up behind them and lend a watchful our own actions and choices, but unfortunately we cannot eye. control what others do. The social aspect of group ridOnce you hit the highway, don’t go rogue. When travelling in ing is a great feeling when a group, there is no benefit to anyone when someone decides things go as planned. There to showboat or goes full on renegade. Avoid competitions is also security in numbers with your group mates, tailgating, and passing other riders. should the unexpected happen. Always be alert to Always try to stagger your riding formation. This is someyour surroundings, to old times the trickiest part of group riding. You need to always riding partners and new… maintain a tight group so you are easy to spot, but at the same you may learn something. time ensure you have enough of a space cushion to avoid ac- Gathering as a group and cidents. The best way is to stagger is as follows… the leader adjusting to your companrides on the left side of the lane, the second rider stays one ions riding styles and prefsecond back and on the right side. The third rider stays one erences is worth the effort, second behind the second rider and on the left side, and so on. because in the end if you If you can avoid it, you don’t want to ride side-by-side since find someone that you enjoy this will limit your maneuvering space if you need to swerve riding with…you have typiquickly. On curvy or deteriorated roads, you may want to go cally found a special bond single-as well as when entering the highway, turning at inter- not shared outside the biker sections, or in bad weather. realm. Next, make sure you are taking plenty of breaks. Stop and stretch, drink, and regroup. Always take in to consideration your weakest rider when planning stops….not everyone can go full bore for hundreds of miles before needing a break. When you do take a break, make sure that everyone has pulled completely off the road, and is taking a minute 38 - TRMI AUGUST 2017
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Justin a.k.a Winch grew up admiring his grandfather, who was an Army service member and saw time in WWII. His Grandfather told Winch that he didn’t have to serve, because he had; but if Winch was going to join up he should enlist with the Air Force or the Navy “because those branches will take care of ya”. Winch always felt that his grandfather walked with pride & confidence because his service protected the ground he walked on, grandfather had fought to protect those sidewalks. After losing his grandfather in high school, Winch decided he’d honor his grandfather’s h ’ lif life bby ddoing i the h complete opposite of what his Grandfather had suggested. Wanting to emulate his grandfather and hoping to find that confidence & pride that lived within his elder; Winch joined the Army right after high school.
sstates and 2 major bike rallies). H He sure has come quite a long w ways from tooling around on a C Cushman Scooter as a lil shaver aand has many future plans to add eexponentially to the miles under hhis belt.
W Winch also has two other delights th that he holds dear to his heart. T The first is his passion to teach bbeginning riders how to safely m maneuver on two wheels. He has ta taught many new riders the rules oof the road, including the likes of a hi higher h up iin one off the h llocal riding entities. Knowing the benefits first hand of being able to head off on two wheels with no plans & no reservations, he strives to pass on his riding abilities to anyone with the desire to ride. “Being able to get back to your roots, just go & be gone helps all the wheels and cogs get put back where they belong, like puzzle Winch began his service career in infantry and his first pieces that get shuffled around in the day to day of life. I want deployment was to Kosovo. Not entirely feeling his to teach others about safe riding so they too can experience adrenaline needs fulfilled, he went on to become airborne and their puzzle being completed.” He humbly declared. spent a good amount of time jumping out of perfectly good airplanes. That still wasn’t challenging enough to scratch the The second passion that keeps the blood flowing within adrenaline itch; Winch joined the Special Forces Community. Winch’s massive body is the Disabled Vets located in When the tragic events unfolded on 9/11/01, the hunger Southwest Iowa, as he was a founding member and to to defend our country and the streets his grandfather once this day remains as dedicated as he was on day one. The walked upon hit an all-time high. Winch was among some organization is a 501(c)3 non-profit that holds events and of the first men to cross into Afghanistan from Uzbekistan in collects donations benefitting all local disabled veterans. 2001 and the missions he was part of only grew in importance 100% of all proceeds and donations go directly to the local from there. Winch was wounded during his 3rd tour but DV community, meaning that when an event is held, the wasn’t ready to hang up his military belt quite yet. Rounding overhead (cost of bands, renting venues, food, etc) comes out his military career, Winch served in instructor positions solely out of the pockets of the members. This group is in and advisory roles, wanting to help the next generations of no way, shape or form associated with the other group who soldiers become the best American soldier they could be, shares a similar name and the members strive to let all of finally achieving retirement in 2013. our readers know that when you donate to this LOCAL organization, every penny will help a LOCAL disabled vet. Despite his ‘retirement’, Winch keeps himself very busy. This is a strictly Iowa based, only Iowa benefitting entity. Between a full time job, tending to the love of his life, Missy Every branch of the military is represented within the group, (also a veteran who served with the 101st Airborne, serving 6 including both combat and non-combat veterans. Within this years total and still working for the Army as a civilian), and diverse group of individuals, at least one member has served his two teenagers, Christina & James, he’s trying his hand at in every conflict that the USA has been deployed to including a little bike building and is currently finishing up a “Ratted- & since the Vietnam War. Winch is very modest about his Out Chopper/Bobber” project clad in flat black paint with service to our country and moreover his continuing service accents of copper and brass. Although this bike is what he to the people of our great nation. I’d like to take a second deems the first of many projects, he also can be seen cruising to thank Winch for exiting his comfort zone and allowing around town (and the country on one of his annual mental me the chance to tell his story. Though words will never be health trips) on a 2007 Street Bob. Due to these mile packed enough, Thank You for your continued dedication to our mental health trips he’s looking to get onto a bagger simply country, Winch!! so he can pack more stuff on his average 5,000 mile trips (2016’s adventure totaled 5,146 miles in 6 days, hitting 12 ~Pinky 40 - TRMI AUGUST 2017
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The riding season is rolling through Iowa way too fast in my opinion. Iowa Bikers, welcome to August the month that cat tails mimic antlers and the corn bores are big enough to leave a bruise.
This could be the beginning of getting some of the Cell Phone Morons off the Iowa roadways. Unlawful use of the electronic device is now considered a moving violation, 3 of those in 12 months will be enough for the DOT to revoke your driving privileges. Sounds like a CPA support group in the making, Cell Phone Anonymous welcome to Iowa.
Something big happened in Iowa this year in July besides the fact that Governor Branstad finally made this state great again by leaving. Before he left he wanted to make sure that he made a good impression on China, so he increased their revenue by making I’m pretty excited about this, especially since it has become TNT legal in Iowa that’s fireworks for you slow readers. And “the norm” to witness cell phone impaired drivers doing that’s why my riding buddy is now called “Stubs”. stupid shit that puts my life in jeopardy every single time I straddle the seat in search of two wheel therapy. It’s not very July also brought about what I hope will make a huge therapeutic to come home pissed off at all the life threatening difference in the lives of Iowa Riders. I am hopeful that idiots on the road. Senate File 234 makes life for the Cell Phone Morons absolutely miserable. Law enforcement now has the authority Fun Fact: In 2016 there were less than 200 citations given in to make the use of handheld electronic communication Iowa to drivers for using their cell phones for texting while devices for writing, sending and viewing electronic messages driving. I’m pretty sure every one of them crossed my path. I while driving, the primary reason to pull your ass over. That’s have high hopes for bigger numbers than that in the remaining right if they suspect you are using the cell phone for anything months of 2017. I tweeted Branstad to see if I could get a other than phone calls, using the map or checking the weather badge and a ticket book, because I’m pretty sure I could you will see cherries in the rearview mirror. It’s too bad this double that number in a week of riding. He must take this law does not require the officer to pose for a selfie with each TNT shit pretty serious because he replied “blow me”. offender and make it mandatory that each offender post these selfies to a Website called “The Iowa Wall of Shame and Since you can still use your cell phone while driving to make Fame”. Then Bikers all across this great state would know calls, access Maps and the weather. I think it is going to who to thank and who to spank. promote Cell Phone Moron to be dishonest about their phone activity with law enforcement, I think somebody should be Such an offense will cost the Cell Phone Moron a whopping teaching them drug dogs how to sniff out liars too. $30 plus court costs Now Senate File 444 which also became legal in July makes killing someone while unlawfully using The other part of Senate File 444 that you probably haven’t your cellphone a Class C Felony, punishable by up to 10 years heard much about is the 24/7 sobriety law. This law can in prison and up to $10k in fines. None of which is nearly require drivers who are driving on a temporary restricted strict enough in my opinion, I kind of like the idea of ending license because they have been convicted of DUI and their thumb exercises by handing them a lit stick of TNT. had their driving privileges revoked, to not only have a breathalyzer but they can be subjected to twice a day sobriety checks. And if they fail a sobriety check, they go to jail for 24 hours and the DOT can withdraw the temporary license. More rules, more laws so that people who don’t understand that DRIVING IS A PRIVILEGE can get behind the wheel of their human exterminator once again. I hope that all these rules and laws help keep the Bikers on Iowa roadways SAFE! Shifty LaRue
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closer to the front wheel than the back, you need weight forward to hold I’ll start by saying that I hope you understand I’m referring the contact patch on the to the bags you load for a rally or weekend trip. You are front tire on the road. probably also scratching your heads about why a guy that Anything you do to alter rides a bare-bones chopper has anything intelligent to offer this important dynamic about how to load a bike for the road. But rest assured, I will make the rear tire spent a fair amount of time touring around the southwest want to pass the front US before returning to Iowa. I learned what works and tire, and that’s just bad what doesn’t, and hope to offer you some sound advice mojo period. So back before you head off to Sturgis or Conesville this year. to that road trip- the next thing that went The idea for this column came in two parts. The first was against me was that a video of a guy that had a fairly heavily loaded bike that the New Mexico highway department had just profiled got a case of tank slappers and crashed that was shared I25 with a pavement abrader. This left long, wiggly lines on social media recently. Several riders chimed in about going the same way I was, sort of. My loaded bike didn’t what they thought caused the crash, and most agreed that have enough forward weight bias, and my front tire riding one-handed while passing a vehicle in a crosswind grabbed every one of these pavement snakes and left me a was a poor idea. I had another observation while viewing miserable shaken mess by the time I got parked. that rider go down that I’ll share later in the column. The second thing that happened occurred while I was doing Now, since we’re on the topic of loading the rear back some roadside research for this column as I watched rest, let’s go back to the guy that crashed on the video. He everybody go streaming home from the Freedom Rally had a couple of large items bungeed to his back rest. Not this week. I saw some bikes that had unbelievable amounts sure what was in there, but it contributed greatly to his of baggage strapped, bungeed and tied all over them. I demise. Here’s my next tip for loading a bike- use nylon might politely suggest that if you need that much stuff you rope wherever possible instead of a bungee. If you slowed might look into a small truck or station wagon instead or at down that video, you could see his tail-loaded bike start to least buy a motorcycle trailer. swing back and forth, and every time, the load behind the bar stretched out the bungees, and swung to the other side. So on to the dirty work here. If you’re planning on loading This made his situation far worse than it could have been. your bike up, there are several important considerations. A nylon rope won’t do that, so teach yourself a trucker’s First, keep the heavy stuff down low. If you look closely at knot and take that potential problem off the table too. factory saddle bags, they all have two things in common; they are mounted down low on the bike, and are almost And finally, there are some intelligent alternatives to riding always centered over the rear axle. That’s exactly how all loaded up that I’ve used over the years that have saved you want your load too. Next, if you have one large item me a lot of white knuckle rides: you can’t live without (say, your favorite cast iron skillet), you have to balance that load in the other bag. If you don’t Mail yourself a box. I have sent myself a box of stuff to have anything else that heavy, make something work. Fill friends before. It was there when I got there, and UPS got a half gallon milk jug with sand if it comes down to it, but to handle it, not me. Saved a lot of space on the bike, and don’t just wing it. kept me safer.
“Let’s talk about your bags”
Now, let’s talk about a really important part of loading the bike. The center rear trunk of most bikes is rated at 25 pounds maximum. I hear people brag all the time about how much they can overload it and “get away” with it. At this point I will share one of my favorite sayings I came up with about riding- “Everything is fine on a motorcycle until it’s not”. I loaded up my Heritage one summer with the goal of riding from Phoenix to Santa Fe. I made it, but by the time I got to the capitol of New Mexico, I would have traded that slug of Milwaukee iron for a bus ticket and a Happy Meal. So what went wrong? Well, several planets aligned that trip that made for a miserable experience. First, I was using a tour pac that went over the back of the factory’s passenger back rest. I won’t state the name lest we get sued here at TRMI, but let’s just say it was Le Bad Design. It had a section for cold beverages, and it went on top, the worst possible place for that extra weight. It also only went behind the backrest. Let me say here and now, if you have a choice between loading ahead of or behind the backrest, always load ahead. Loading up the rear end of the bike greatly affects the front/rear weight bias. There’s a reason that the engine of a motorcycle is 46 - TRMI AUGUST 2017
Buy it when you get there. I know you might be really attached to your Coleman cooler and matching sleeping bag, but they sell those at every Wally World in the country, 24/7. Buy it when you get there, use it, and either give it away, leave it with friends or mail it home. And above all, when riding a loaded bike, do the following: Check tire pressures, you need more air with a load on. Take a damn test ride, with everything and everyone on board, and don’t just go around the block. You have to know how your bike handles with the extra weight before committing to a 200 mile day in a pack of riders. With that said, have a great season touring out there. I’ll be the guy on the chopper waiting for my box at the UPS office. Mark Mullins, President MAG
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ers are double patties and cooked on a flat-top griddle (the old fashioned way!). The burgers also come with their hand-cut fries.
Barn Town Brewing 9500 University Ave., #1110 West Des Moines, IA. 50266 (515) 978-6767 barntownbrewing.com This site was suggested by one of my fellow Thunder Roads Iowa staff. Thanks Ben!!!!! Ben sent me an email letting me know about Barn Town Brewing. Well, with a name like that, it goes without saying my curiosity was piqued!!! First stop... The inter webs to see if they had a website. (I like to see if their menu is available online so I can get an idea of what kind of treats are available!) Once again, Google to the rescue; they have a website!!!! barntownbrewing.com Not only do they have their menu online but they also have a brief history and a page outlining their selection of home brewed beer listed with pictures!!!!
Let me start with the Devil’d Farm Eggs, when I think of deviled eggs, I envision eggs cut in half so 6 of them would consist of 3 full eggs. Well not at Barn Town Brewery! Here the tip of the egg is cut off, the yolk removed and replaced with the finished mixture and the tip of the egg placed beside it. When it says you get 6, you get 6 FULL EGGS!!!!! I was not expecting that. It was a pleasant surprise! If you like your deviled eggs of the dill nature, then these are right up your alley!!!!! The side of their homemade Mac & Cheese was wonderful! The menu says it is made with boursin and white cheddar sauce, finished with Parmesan breadcrumbs in a black iron skillet. I figured that the black iron skillet only pertained to the full order and the side would come in a bowl... Well, I was wrong it actually showed up in the cutest little black iron skillet!!!!! And it tasted every bit as good as it looked!!! The fries are hand-cut and are served in a small metal pail. They are firm to crispy outside with a soft center, perfect!
Now for the Barn Fire burger! When the tray arrived it almost looked too good to eat (note I said almost!!!). I had never had jalapeño relish before and there was a small drop of it on the tray so I actually tried that first... ok, that was warm! I told Lynnette that I wouldn’t Now, before I dive into the menu, I have to tell be a very good conversationalyou I was sold on the place just from a couple of ist until I was done with this pictures on their website. The first one is the picburger. You see, I learned years ago ture of a mural they have on the wall with the outline that if you’re going to eat something of the state of Iowa and BTB in the center all made hot, the best way to get through it is with beer cans!!!!! The second one was a picture of to not stop until it is gone. That way the passenger side of an old Ford pickup!!!!! This I the heat doesn’t have time to kick in just had to see in person!!!! When Lynnette and I arduring pauses. (Now you know one rived we were not disappointed!!! The truck and the of my secrets... You’re welcome!) mural both were as awesome as the pictures led me The mixture of flavors was wonderful and the heat wasn’t as to believe. The barn theme runs throughout with barn boards bad as I had originally thought. Overall it was an extremely on the walls and corrugated steel used here and there. There tasty and enjoyable burger! I don’t want to forget to mention are even a couple of overhead doors! (The signs said the patio the staff; they all were very friendly, attentive, and accomwould be coming soon which helps explain the overhead modating! So much so that since Lynnette has some medical doors.) We were seated in one of their booths with the disdietary restrictions our waitress came back to our table after tressed wood tables. Our waitress brought us a tin trough of we had ordered to verify her needs for the chef! popcorn and took our drink orders. I had iced tea but I have to admit that I noticed too late that they not only brew beer here Looking for some “Home Brew” or just some “Made-Frombut also Root Beer!!! (I did have a free sample of it and it is Scratch” cooking? Look no further than Barn Town BrewAWESOME!!!! Oh, well, next time!) ing!!! Check out their webpage and give ‘em a “Like” on Facebook! Barn Town Brewing; great food, great people, Since I had already perused the menu online, I had a pretty great atmosphere...and in this barn, you don’t have to hide good idea of what I wanted. I chose the Barn Fire burger behind the hay bales from your folks!!!! which consists of a burger patty, chorizo patty, jalapeño relish, pickled red onion, queso fresco, and smoked chipotle Until next month, ride safe and eat hearty! aioli and cilantro avocado spread. I also had an appetizer of Craig Little Devil’d Farm Eggs and an extra side of their homemade Mac craig@thunderroadsiowa.com & Cheese. All of their food is made-from-scratch with locally PS If you have someplace you think we should check out in sourced ingredients used as much as possible. All their burg- your neck of the woods, shoot me an email. 48 - TRMI AUGUST 2017
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Biker Helping Mankind long lo ngg A man on his Harley was riding aalong a California beach when suddenly the sky clouded above his head and, in a booming voice God said, “Because you have tried to be faithful to me in all ways, I will grant you one wish. The biker pulled over and said, “Build a bridge riidg d e to Hawaii so I can ride over anytime time ti m I me want.” God replied, “Your request estt iiss materialistic. Think of the enormous mouus challenges for that kind of undertaking. rtak rt akin ak in ng. The supports required reaching tthe he bottom of the Pacific Ocean, and d the concrete and steel it would take! I can do it, but it is hard forr me to justify your desire for worldly rllddlly things. Take a little more time and nd think of something that could possibly ib bl help mankind.” The biker thought about it for a long time. Finally, he said, “God, I wish that I, and all men, could understand women. I want to know how they feel inside, what they are thinking when they give the silent treatment, .......why they cry, what they mean when they say nothing’s wrong, .......why they snap and complain when I try to help, and how I can make a woman truly happy.” God replied, “Do You want two lanes or four on that bridge?” Unexpected sex – that’s a great way to wake up. If you are not in a prison… A cowboy was taken prisoner by a bunch of angry Indians. They were all prepared to kill him but their Chief declared that since they were celebrating the Great Spirit, they would grant the cowboy three wishes before killing him. The cowboy can do nothing, but obey them. The Chief comes up to him and asks: - What do you want for your first wish? - I want talk to my horse, - replies the cowboy. The Chief allows him to talk to the horse. The cowboy whispers in its ear. The horse neighs, rears back, and takes off at full speed. About an hour later, the horse comes back with a naked lady on its back. Well, the Indians are very impressed, so they let the cowboy use one of their teepees. A little while later, the cowboy stumbles out of the teepee, tucking in his shirt. The Chief asks him once again: - What do you want for your second wish? - I want to talk to my horse, - once again replies the cowboy. Again, the cowboy whispers in the horse’s ear. The horse neighs, rears back, and takes off
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at ffull ull sp ull ul spee speed. eed. ee d A d. About an hour later, the horse comes back with w another naked lady on its back. Well, wi the Indians are very impressed indeed. So, once again, they let the cowboy use one of their teepees. The cowboy stumbles out a little while later. The chief c comes up to the cowboy and asks: - So, S what do you want for your last third wish? wiisshh - I want to talk to my horse, - for the third th hir i d ti ttime ime mee rreplies m epli ep lii the cowboy. He grabs the horse by the ears earss aand ea nndd yyells ells el lls @ it: - You stupid animal, I said POSSE, POSSE PO OS SS SE not nnoot PUSSY!!! Man Man returns Ma r home and screams out loudly: - Honey, Hoon pack your things, I’ve won million today! to oda day Wife comes to the wardrobe and asks: - What W a kind of clothes to take with me? Wh Summer S mm Su m or winter? Man: Maan: n - All Alll off them h and get out of here! Daddy, what is in between mummy’s legs? - A paradise. - And what’s between yours? - The key. - So you should change the lock, because our neighbor has a passkey. Husband: Honey, I have problems at work. Wife: Not “I”, but “we” have problems - since we are married, your problems are mine problems as well. Husband: ok. Then I wanted to let you know that our officegirl got pregnant from us. Why do men name their penis? Because they do not want a stranger to make 95 percent of their decisions. Why do vegetarians give good head? Because they’re used to eating nuts. Why do walruses love a Tupperware party? They’re always on the lookout for a tight seal.
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What’s the difference between your dick and a bonus check? Someone’s always willing to blow your bonus. What do you call someone who refuses to fart in public? A private tutor. What did the O say to the Q? Dude, your dick’s hanging out. How is a push-up bra like a bag of chips? As soon as you open it, you realize it’s half empty. How do you circumcise a hillbilly? Kick his sister in the jaw.
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What’s 6 inches long, 2 inches wide, and drives women wild? A $100 bill.
One day, a little boy and a little girl are fighting about the differences between the sexes, and which one is better. After much arguing to and fro, the boy drops his pants and says, “Here’s something I have that you’ll never have.” The little girl is annoyed and upset by this, as what the boy says is obviously true. So she runs home to her Mom, crying. A short time later, she comes running back with a smile on her face. She goes to the boy, drops her pants and says, “My Mommy says that with one of these, I can have as many of those as I want!”
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What is ABATE PAC and why do we need to fund it?
Therefore, we must rely on the generous contributions of the membership to fund the committee. Over the years this has been accomplished in many ways; events, donations at meetings, a check off on the membership form are some of the different things done to generate cash for the committee to work with. The operations manual requires that legislative fundraising (as in PAC) be a part of each district meeting and event.
YOUR
Over the years ABATE of Iowa has taken different steps in the direction of protecting your right to ride. One of them was the creation of the ABATE political action committee, better known as ABATE PAC. To many members, this is a mysterious entity that they only hear about when asked for another donation of their hard-earned arned money. We hope that this article can help explain its purpose and function,, and why it operates on donations.
The laws pertaining to political campaign donations are a tangled web of rules and regulations that I’m sure even some politicians don’t completely understand. They can only accept a certain amount in corporate donations to their campaigns. While most of us don’t like the money game and how it is played in Des Moines and Washington, we accept the need to be a player as a necessary evil. To be a player we need to be able to donate to campaigns, and that is where ABATE PAC comes into the picture. By forming a political action committee, we are able to pool resources (donations from you, our members) and then use them for things such as donations to the campaigns of candidates friendly to ABATE and the motorcyclists of Iowa. The political action committee can’t accept money from corporations, and because of this it is allowed different limits on donating to political campaigns. This regulation also prohibits the use of money from the general fund of ABATE of Iowa.
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Is your district using any of these ideas to increase donations? Do you have any other ideas you can share?
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How to accomplish that is up to each district. A district PAC officer is a good idea. Some districts incorporate that into the job of the district legislative officer or his/her assistant. One of hi better ideas we have seen is the be to ask for a ddonation at the time that people sign in for the district you have peop recording this at sign in, meeting. By rec you have all the info needed to record the donation on tthe form that is sent to the ABATE PAC treasurer with the donations every month. This also allows the member to receive a pin that shows his support of ABATE PAC at different levels, $25, $50, $75, during the PAC year which runs from August 1 to July 31. Also make sure to put out a jug at district events. Is your district using any of these ideas to increase donations? Do you have any other ideas you can share? A bigger fund in ABATE PAC allows us to pay for our lobbyist and send people to Washington to meet with your congressman without going to the ABATE general fund. Please do all you can to help. Eric Ross ABATEPAC officer
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Jul 22 Jul 22 Jul 22 Jul 22 Jul 22 Jul 22 Jul 22 Jul 22 Jul 22 Jul 28-29 Jul 28-29 Jul 29 Jul 29 Jul 29 Jul 29 Jul 29 Jul 29 Jul 29 Aug 3-5 Aug 4 Aug 4-13 Aug 5 Aug 5 Aug 5 Aug 6 Aug 12 Aug 12 Aug 12 Aug 12 Aug 12 Aug 12 Aug 12 Aug 12-13 Aug 13 Aug 18-20 Aug 18-20 Aug 19-20 Aug 19 Aug 19 Aug 19 Aug 20 Aug 26 Aug 26 Aug 26 Aug 26 Aug 26 Aug 26 Aug 26 Aug 26 Aug 26 Greenfield
CVMA Iowa Chapter 39-3 Bike/Car Wash Davenport Goozman’s Westside Annual Fun Run Harlan Rally Party Hog Roast Wiebler’s HD Davenport Deaf Poker Run Council Bluffs EFMC Ride In Bike Show Milford Rally Party Hog Roast Wieblers HD Davenport Garwin Legion Riders Ride and Bike Night Garwin Habitat for Humanity Bikers Building Hope Ride Fort Dodge Elks Lodge Veterans & Scholarship Charity Ride West Des Moines CVMA 39-1 Ann Patriot Ride and Rally ABATE Land Algona Special Forces Event Big Barn HD Des Moines Paws & Effect Ride American Legion Post 46 Marshalltown Big Barn HD Thank the Seals Motorcycle Ride Des Moines Thank the Seals Motorcycle Ride Bettendorf to Des Moines 10th Annual Brooke Barber Memorial Poker Run Mount Ayr 2nd Annual Volga City River Run Volga 3rd Annual LCF River Run Keokuk 3rd Annual Legion Poker Run Lorimor Across the Border Raid Bedford Too Broke for Sturgis Specials Okoboji HD South Dakota Party Two Wheels Four Paws Poker Run Walford SPC Jordan M. Byrd Tribute to Our Fallen Memorial Ride/ Cruise Davenport Poker Run to Fight Lou Gehrig’s Lake View Open Bike Drag Racing Tri-State Raceway Earlville AtlanticFest Ride In Bike Show Atlantic ABATE D15 Too Broke to Go to Sturgis Rodeo Donahue Mason City Bike Night & Poker Run The Place2B Mason City 3rd Annual Old Glory Ride Marengo 7th Annual Josh Davis Memorial Poker Run Perry Sauerkraut Days “Cabbage Head” Car and Bike Show Lisbon Lost Brothers Fun Run Clarksville CVMA 39-2 Annual A.P.R. Benefit Ride Coralville Car, Motorcycle, & Tractor Show Manilla Annual BTW Trike In Kellogg Boji Bike Rally Okoboji 36th Annual Baxter Cycle Motorcycle Rally Marne Mikey Jones Memorial Dragfest Cordova, IL Tour de Shelby County Motorcycle & Car Scavenger Hunt Harlan Tribute to Our Fallen Davenport Rusty Buckley Memorial Tractor/Car/Motorcycle Fun Run Westphalia Jami Jam VI: Ride For Mental Health Action & Awareness Terril AHeinz 57 9th Annual Ruff Ride Adel Kyle’s Mile Suicide Prevention/Awareness Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids MIC’s M/S Ride and Park(s) Run Mitchelville 2nd Annual Shayla Bee Black Tie Black Leather Affair Okoboji Classic Cars 2nd Annual Legion Riders Post 111 Scholarship Fundraiser Ride Newton Lusco Farms Donkey Rescue Ride for the Donkeys Run LHHD Pacific Junction Smoke Detector Motorcycle Ride Webster City Fire Dept Danly Family Benefit Poker Run Greenfield Fire Department
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Aug 31-Sep 3 Redneck Revival Conesville Aug 31-Sep 2 Chief Blackhawk 46th Davenport Meet Davenport Sep 2-3 Midway Tavern Soldier Valley Run BBQ, Street Dance Soldier Sep 8-9 1st Annual New Hampton Motorcycle Rally New Hampton Sep 9 Make A Wish Poker Run LHHD Pacific Junction Sep 9 Tall Corn Run End of Year Prize Drawing Big Barn HD Des Moines Sep 9 No Nipple Dipple for Hunt of a Lifetime Buffalo Sep 9 6th Annual Warrior Memorial Ride Preston Sep 10 Hill Climb and Swap Meet Anamosa Sep 10 Hogs for Dogs USA The Ride Ottumwa Sep 14 Motor Madness Bike Giveaway Metro HD Cedar Rapids Sep 14-17 End of Summer Rally Keosauqua Sep 15-17 Rumble In The Sand Outlaw Street Drags Conesville Sep 16 WTF Fun Run Harlan Sep 16 New Model Party Metro HD Cedar Rapids Sep 16 11th Annual Cedar County Heroes Memorial Ride and Poker Run Tipton Sep 16 Rock-N-Rollie Ride Onawa Sep 17 Concours deCornfield Penn Center Church Earlham Sep 23 New Model Open House & Demo Rides Carroll HD Oct 1 Toy Run Carroll HD Oct 1 ABATE D15 33rd Annual Toy Run w/USMC Reserves Oct 1 Open Bike Drag Racing Tri-State Raceway Earlville Oct 7 Hell on Wheels Chopper Show Franklin Oct 7 ABATE D18 Toys for Tots West Point Oct 8 Fall Harvest Ride Carroll HD Oct 12 Motor Madness Check Presentation @ Wild Hogs Walford Oct 15 ABATE D3 Toy Run Atlantic Oct 21 HOG Roast Metro HD Cedar Rapids Oct 21 Rumble In The Sand Outlaw Street Drags Conesville Oct 28 Trunk or Treat Carroll HD Nov 10-11 ABATE of Iowa STEAM Nov 17 Ladies Night Out Carroll HD Nov 24 Turkey Run Clinton Dec 23 Holiday Open House Big Barn HD Des Moines Dec 1 Guys Night Out Carroll HD Dec 9 Pictures with Santa Carroll HD 2018 Jan 27-28 Feb 10-11 Mar 16-18 ABATE D3 Mar 24-25 Apr 7-8 Jun 9 Jul 5-7
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Colorado Motorcycle Expo Denver Capitol City Custom Cycle Show & Swap 7 Flags Clive TRMI Motorcycle Show at World of Wheels Omaha Mar 17 Dance and Meeting Exira 31st Annual Donnie Smith Bike Show St Paul, MN 32nd Annual North Iowa Expo Mason City Bell Tower Festival Poker Run, Tour Rides, & Bike Show Jefferson ABATE of Iowa Freedom Rally Algona
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Tuesday Johnny’s Pub Lake Park (Mid May-Sep) Desperado’s Bar and Grill Wheatland Marshalltown Legion Car & Bike Cruise (Last Tuesday Apr-Sep)
Wednesday The Buck Snort Neola Cadillac Jack’s Baxter 2nd Ave Bike Night Des Moines (2nd Wednesday MaySeptember) Thirsty’s on 3rd Davenport OP Clear Lake Ride’s Bar & Grill Ft Dodge Greencastle Tavern Mingo The Pour House, Davenport Suds-N-Jugs Bar & Grill Onawa Mike’s Hilltop Tap Muscatine Amigos Fort Dodge McCann’s Tap Des Moines (Every Other 6-28, 7-12&26, 8-9&23, 9-6&20) Doc’s Lounge Johnston (1st Wednesday) Pete & Shorty’s Clarksville Dinner Rides Zylstra Harley-Davidson Ames
Friday
Thursday
Saturday
Roar Into Harlan (3rd Thursdays) Fenders Cycle Des Moines (1st Thursday May-Aug) Stumpy’s Bar & Grill Duncombe Eddies Tavern Sergeant Bluff (April-November) Calvin Rockett Bar and Grill Marshalltown (Last Thursday May-Aug) Metro HD Cedar Rapids (2nd Thursday May-August) Baxa’s Sutliff Store & Tavern Bike & Classic Car(Last Thursday of the Month, Starting in May) The Back 40 Macedonia (May-August) Barney’s Wadena (May-Labor Day) Des Moines Vintage Bike Night (1st Thurs May-Sep) Mainstreet Bar , Terrill Tip Top Ames (Every Other Thursday) Ottumwa Main Street Bike Night(3rd Thurs Jun-Sep) Culver’s Marshalltown (Every Other Thursday) Trophy’s Des Moines (2nd & 4th Thursdays) Toby K’s Hideaway (Every Other Thursday) Stampedes Prairie City Wilkie’s Garage Prairie City Edwards Bikes on the Hundred Block Council Bluffs (5-18, 6-22, 7-13, 8-17) Brewhouse 25 Altoona City Tap Charles City (2nd & 4th Thursday)
Route 65 BBQ & Open House (Sat after Bike Night) Dinner Rides Hicklin Powersports Des Moines Happenings Bar Steamboat Rock (2nd Sat Jun-Sep) Avenue of the Saints St. Charles Bike night (3rd Sat)
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Outsiders Pub Roland Bike Down to I-Town Indianola (3rd Friday) Centerville Bike Nights (4th Friday of the Month) Monroe Bike Night (4th Friday May-Aug) Hot Rods & Harleys Knoxville (2ND Fri May, Jun, Jul) Thunder Nites Newton-2nd Friday May – September
Sunday Just 1 More Jamaica (Starting in May) Team 36 Bar & Grill Mitchellville Exira Sunday BAND Day (2nd Sunday May-September)
This list is what we have found and what has been submitted. Before heading to any event, please check weather and make sure the event is not cancelled. Not responsible for misprints and typos. If you have any other events to list, please email vernon@ thunderroadsiowa.com
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