THUNDER ROADS MAGAZINE OF IOWA
Letter from/to the Editor .................................. 4
A US VETERAN OWNED COMPANY
99 County Tour ................................................. 6
www.thunderroadsiowa.com P.O. Box 29 Kimballton, Iowa 51543 (712) 249-5630
Military Rider ..................................................... 8
Owner/Editor Tina (tt) Schwarte (712) 249-5582 tt@thunderroadsiowa.com EDITOR
CMA ................................................................... 9 Biker Friendly Listing ..................................... 10 Handlebars ...................................................... 12 Girls of Thunder.............................................. 14 Will Ride to Eat ............................................... 15 Calendar .......................................................... 16
Vernon Schwarte (712) 249-5630 vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com EVENT CORRESPONDENCE/SALES Susan Mast SC/SE Iowa 319-931-4546 susan@thunderroadsiowa.com Richard (Murph) and Annette Murphy West Central Iowa 641-524-4808 vizslaboots@yahoo.com Harv and Sue Hunter Central Iowa 515-205-7410 harv@thunderroadsiowa.com
Thunder Cam .................................................. 18 KISS ................................................................. 21 Day Trips with Doc ......................................... 22 Tattoos ............................................................. 24 Joker ................................................................ 25 COIR................................................................. 26 Blast From The Past ....................................... 27 From the Woman’s Seat ................................. 30 TRMI Event Listing ......................................... 31
ON THE COVER
Mark Swearingen Council Bluffs/Omaha Metro 402-651-2471 mark@thunderroadsiowa.com
This month we have Emily Hetzler from Cedar Falls. We wanted to show a gorgeous young lady with this “traditional” Hot Rod, and I think we hit the nail on the head. Emily was a trooper for the shoot sporting her sexy self in a pin up type of motif. She adorns Chuck The Barber’s 1974 Harley Sportster. Not every bike was put up for the winter, and he rode this to the downtown Waterloo shoot that 35 degree day! Thanks Chuck and Emily!
CONTRIBUTORS Netty Kawecki Copy Editor Nate Ullrich natanic@hotmail.com Craig & Lynnette Little-Will Ride to Eat craig@thunderroadsiowa.com Day Trips with Doc 515-975-3893 Poppa45doc@yahoo.com NATIONAL FOUNDERS Toni McCoy Shearon & Brian Shearon 1421 Chapmansboro Road Chapmansboro, TN 37035 Office: (615) 792-0040 Fax: (615) 792-7580 thunderroadscharter@charter.net
All rights reserved. All content is covered by copyright and ownership of said right is retained by Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa. Photographs may be purchased on www.thunderroadsiowa.com Neither magazine or website materials may be reproduced, distributed, altered or posted to any other websites without the express written permission of Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa LLC. Publisher assumes no responsibility and is not to be held liable for errors beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Slander of any group or individual, failure to produce any issue as scheduled due to reasons beyond our control, any and all suits for liable, plagiarism, copyright infringement and unauthorized use of a person’s name or photograph, opinions, and claims made by advertisers and authors are their own and do not necessarily represent the policy of Thunder Roads Iowa Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa LLC, Thunder Publishing LLC. Publisher does not promote the abuse of alcohol or other drugs, advocate any unsafe practices, or encourage breaking of any laws.
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI FEBRUARY 2012 - 3
February is here and that means for me, yet another year older, and I certainly hope wiser. We are rapidly approaching the 2012-riding season, but for some, the 2011 riding season never ended. This winter has been one of our more mild ones. Iowa has been blessed with the above normal temperatures, but I am afraid that according to the Farmer’s Almanac, February will bring below normal temperatures. That will put a kink in the works on our riding plans for sure. As February is a transitional month, we know that Spring is just around the corner, hold on tight, it will be here before we know it. Both the Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa bikes have been at the painters since November first. One set of tins are at Lockridge, Iowa with the artist/ painter Sue Hopper from Signs and Wonders by Sue. The other set of tins are in the hands of artist/painter Matt Riha from the Fort Dodge, Iowa with MWR Designs. These two talented artist were voted by the readers as the
4 - TRMI FEBRUARY 2012
top two contestants on the Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa Facebook page. They have been working their magic on the tins to come up with a paint job that has the TRMI Logo, a Military Theme, and an Iowa feel. That was the only direction given to the artists, and the rest is up to them. Each bike will be on display for the very first showing at the Capital City Bike Show and Swap Meet February 11th and 12th at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. They will be side by side for a reader’s vote for Number 1! Come on out and check out the bikes, and help to crown the winner of the Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa Best Custom Painter contest. The swap meets and bike shows coming up that we will be at are Parts Girl Promotions Swap Meet in Rock Island, Capital City, Monticello, Parts Girl Promotions Swap Meet Cedar Rapids, World of Wheels/All American Motorcycle Show by Werner Cycle Works, and then Mason City. If you have not gotten your latest copy of Thunder Roads, stop by our table and grab one. These shows and swap meets will take us right up to April first, and hopefully we can ride to a few of them! See you out and about soon.
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
From the Woman’s Seat this month is kind of a diversion from normal, and not for just the ladies. The entire piece this month is the Biker’s Creed from an unknown author. That is too bad, because we would like to shake the author’s hand sometime if possible. Riding/motorcycling/bikers are all words that mean something different to everyone, but this sums it up rather pointedly for any that ride. Live by these words and the rest all sort of falls into place. We hope you enjoy it as we did. We would like to send out a heartfelt thank you to all the readers and the wonderful comments that keep pouring in. We have kept plenty busy this winter getting out and about to as many spots as we can, and always love to meet new friends in the biker world. If you ever see us or any of our crew around, come up and say hey and introduce yourself. Tell us a story, let us take your picture, share with us your adventures. That is exactly what this magazine is for, to be About Iowa, For Iowa, and From Iowa. We want to know more of Iowa! Hit up our advertisers whenever you are shopping/eating/ partying or whatever. They are the reason that we are here, and we value them greatly! Thanks to all of our supporters! Let them know that Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa sent you. Have a safe and wonderful February. See you at the shows and on the road soon. Semper Fidelis tt
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI FEBRUARY 2012 - 5
promises to the Sioux Indians.. The Sioux Indians 99 Counties to tour on the bike, 99 counties to tour, take one started to push back k down, drive on around, 78 counties to tour on the bike. A killing the settlers few years back, a summer riding goal was to ride through in hopes that the each and every one of the counties of Iowa, and what was settlers would leavee found was a wealth of interest and beauty. Each month we ,it is estimated to will feature a different county, and new things to go see, and be greater than hopefully spark a little touring curiosity for our own state. eight-hundred settlers. The fort Clay County remained intact with no battles everr Clay County is located in the Northwestern portion of reaching the structure. The blockhouse is still standing near Iowa. The county received the name after a gentleman the original location of Second and Park Streets. called Henry Clay, Jr. an American politician and soldier from Kentucky. Henry was the third son of a United States On November 16, 1901, in the small town of Greenville, Senator/Congressman named Henry Clay, and his mother a Mr. Brown entered the bank to open up for business and was Lucretia Hart Clay. Henry Clay, Jr. graduated from found the vault door had been blown off. The robbers Transylvania University in 1928, and then he attended removed the vault door by removing the handle and then West Point. After graduation, he returned to Kentucky “to packing explosives into the handle opening. The three men read law.” This allowed him to take the bar in 1933. An believed to be responsible were later tracked to Spencer, interesting point comes with the phrase “to read law.” “To then to Webb, and finally in Albert City. Cornered in the read law,” was a common practice to learn the law when depot a gunfight broke out. One bank robber is buried in there were no Law Schools. At this time, Henry married an unnamed grave in Fairfield Cemetery in Albert City. Julia Prather and produced five children. In 1835, Jr. served The other two captured and sentenced to life terms in Fort two terms as the elected member of the Kentucky State Madison. Sixty-four empty shells were picked up from the House of Representatives. When the Mexican-American floor inside the depot after the fight. War threatened, Clay raised a regiment called the second Kentucky Volunteers. Clay led his regiment in support of A notable native of Greenville is Colonel Merlyn Han Zachary Taylor’s invasion of the Battle of Buena Vista. Dethlefsen of the United States Air Force for earning the Zachary Taylor later became our 12th President of the Medal of Honor. Major Dethlefsen was flying the F-105 United States. This would be Clay’s last battle. Clay died aircraft in a fire suppression mission to destroy a key February 23, 1847 leading his regiment into battle. antiaircraft defensive complex that housed surface-to-air missiles. The target area designed to protect the North A town called Peterson established in 1856 is located in the Vietnam industrial center that was the second objective of the southwestern portion of the s bombers. When the first part of the mission was completed, county. This town offers some the bombers could complete the second strike. Major c hills h and curves with inviting Dethlefsen pressed on with his mission even with an injured views. Peterson is one town v plane that continued hail of antiaircraft fire, deadly surfacewhere you can definitely see w to-air missiles, and counterattacks by MIG interceptors. He how h the glacier has carved remained true to his fight and completed his mission. the tthh land. Some history; in 1862 a fort was built by the 1 Leaving Greenville I stopped at a stop sign on B53 as a settlers for the protection of s windmill took my eye to the north corner then I glanced the th town due to the Dakota south seeing Gillett Grove. Feeling the urge to check out War W of 1862. This war began this town a business called Dead Heads caught my eye. I because of much hardship, b learned from the very welcoming business owners, the monies promised, and broken Scott’s, an interesting story of a father and son looking for m
99 Counties on the Wall
6 - TRMI FEBRUARY 2012
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
a getaway to enjoy the company of the fellow man. From then on a business started to grow with one bike then another. This business offers paint, repairs, fabrications, and even some engineering. The shop has grown from the original convenience store beginning to now include gear and even trailer options for the bike. Stop in some time and you will definitely get a small town welcome. There is a rich wetland area located in the northeast area of Clay County called the Barringer Slough. This area has been reconstructed from the remnants of the Des Moines Lobe. The Des Moines Lobe is the southern border of a multi-state glacier that was present greater then twelve thousand years ago. This area is also fed by some underground water but mostly from above ground precipitation, which is why the water may last longer in this area. Total area covers 1,526 acres. The area vegetation entails cattails, coontails, sedges, marsh marigold, and duck weed. Muskrats, herons, pelicans, and ducks are also plentiful. Pheasants and deer use the vegetative cover during the winter. When high water is present it is said one can canoe from Lost Island Lake on the north outlet to the south end through a narrow channel. My last stop for the day was Everly Iowa to visit a friend. She owns a store with one of the most extensive embroidery patch collections, leather riding gear and clothing. All of this can be found at the Backroads Biker Leather Shoppe. Tara is the owner and she shared with me an interesting fact that on May 3, 1934 the First National Bank of Everly was robbed. Not just by anyone the robbery was by Bonnie & Clyde. No one injured in this robbery. They made out with seven hundred dollars. This robbery took place just weeks before they were killed in an ambush down in Louisiana. There is so much more to tell you about this county. Clay County is definitely a county to explore further. One final mention I have heard by many that the Clay County Fair is known as The World’s Greatest County Fair and something that should not be missed. See you next month as I explore Clayton County. efe feereenc nces ces es aare re aavailable vail va ilab able le uupon ppoon re requ q es qu est. t. References request. tt
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI FEBRUARY 2012 - 7
MILITARY RIDERS
This month we bring you Scott Tudor from Des Moines, Iowa. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corp, following in his father’s footsteps. While on duty his rank was Corporal and he served from 1981 through 1986. Scott served as a 5811 Military Policeman, at Camp Pendleton, California and Camp HM Smith in Hawaii. Scott’s family is no stranger to duty and sacrifice for our great US of A and includes considerable Military service: “my uncles were in the service, my brother and nephew are now serving in the Air Force, as well as my father was in the Marine Corps for 13 years.”
my own. More importantly, in a weird way, allows me to have him with me still today. My dad would have loved the bike!” On top of the awesome paint, he plans to have the leather tooled with a USMC theme; this is just another portion of the constant work in progress that has become Scott’s USMC Road King! Scott belongs to a Marine Corp Veterans Group, the USMVSFMA - Iowa Alpha Company. Plans for trips include a yearly trek out to Sturgis, and sometime would love to ride Route 66 to the coast.
Scott’s riding history includes owning a Kawasaki 440 LTD, Kawasaki Specter, Yamaha V-Max, Honda Shadow ACE, and now a Harley Davidson Road King. He got out of the sport of motorcycling for a few years because he states, “When I was younger, I was doing crazy things on my 440 LTD, I woke up one morning and decided I needed to sell the bike before I killed myself. That lasted about 3 years.” He got back into two wheels because he felt the need for the freedom and adventure of the open road, something many of us cannot live without. His current bike is a Harley Davidson Road King that he picked up at Route 65. He said it was time he finally got the bike he always wanted. His Road King is painted with a USMC theme. This is a tribute to his late Father and his service to the Corp. Scott states “My dad passed away 12 years ago. Everything about the paint on my bike salutes my dad and his service in the Marine Corps as well as
8 - TRMI FEBRUARY 2012
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
If you see Scott out and about on his United States Marine Corp labeled Road King, give him a nice Veterans wave, and if you get a chance, shake his hand and thank him for his service. Ride Free Thanks to our Military!
CMA Notes
The swap meets are coming! The swap meets are coming! It is 55 degrees in January! It may be premature but then again we can pretend we have turned the corner on winter and are heading towards the light. A new year, new beginnings, and new direction. A new bike, I wish, but I’m afraid the old Road King, or Road Kill as I call her, is going to have to make it through 2012.
As I sit in the garage polishing the bikes and longing for spring riding, I reflect on last season and have started to plan my strategy for the year. I don’t like the whole resolution idea as it doesn’t mean anything more than, say, making a wish over some birthday candles. Really, no one expects to remember - let alone keep - those nasty resolutions. However, there is something about planning and dreaming that gets the heart pumping. I know that last year we didn’t get to go everywhere or do everything we wanted, so what can we do differently this year? How can we squeeze another trip out of the old budget? What will the year have in store for us and will something we do make a difference in someone’s life?
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God”. 2 Cor. 1:3,4 Blessings, Mark Mark and Karla are Area Reps with the Christian Motorcyclists Association. Find out more about CMA and God’s plan for you at www.cmausa.org.
The more time passes, the more I realize it’s the people that are important. Yeah, it’s great to go to Sturgis or Daytona, to Laconia or to ride the Smoky Mountains. As awesome as those things are, it’s important to make one’s self slow down, look around and interact with those around us; kind of like the saying about it’s the journey being important not just the destination. It’s hard when focused on the afternoon’s ride or the next big event at the rally to be aware that the person next to you may be dealing with some big issue that life has thrown at them. God has a way of putting things in our path that he has equipped us for through our own trials and experiences, which then gives us opportunities to help others. What’s funny is that it seems when I step up and try to help someone, they end up being a blessing or a help to me. Sometimes I recognize the situation and act accordingly but many times I’m too focused on what I am doing and blow it terribly. Afterwards, I regret my actions and purpose to do better. Give someone a hand up, a can of gas or that spare spark plug. The book of Galatians tells us that when we help bear one another’s burdens we are fulfilling the law of Christ. Every year mortality raises its ugly head,we lose brothers and sisters from the riding community, so take the time to enjoy the people and the things we have now while we have them. Things are guaranteed to change. The relationships and the camaraderie that take place on this journey are the things that will last a life time. Count your blessings, give thanks, and work at being content in the here and now, not just dwelling on the “gonna do” things.
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI FEBRUARY 2012 - 9
Biker Friendly Directory It’s important for you to know who your friends are out on the road! The Biker Friendly Directory is a list of establishments throughout Iowa that want you to know that they’re here for YOU. Whether it’s a bike dealer, service shop, restaurant, bar or any other type of business that welcomes our biking community, you can count on our family of friends to always welcome you in. The staff here at Thunder Roads greatly appreciates our advertiser’s support each month. WE WOULD NOT EXIST WITHOUT THEM! So please give them the support that they truly deserve for being with us & drop by to see them for a visit. Let them know that you saw them here in Thunder Roads. If you know a business that would like to join our Thunder Roads family of Biker Friendly Places, please email vernon@ thunderroadsiowa.com
Bail Bonds Doc’s Bail Bonds Your 24/7 Prescription to Freedom in Minutes Adel, Iowa 50003 515-993-4773
Jose’s Custom Leather 2715 Kanesville Blvd Council Bluffs, Iowa 712-256-5579 joses_leather@yahoo.com
Whipp Sales and Service, Inc 701 S 8th Street Clarinda, Iowa 51632 1.800.477.0195 www.whippsales.com
Leather & Hawgs 316 Main, Hornick, Iowa 121 1st St, Soldier, Iowa leather@wiatel.net www.leatherandhawgs.com
Food and Drink
The Mule 2715 Kanesville Blvd Council Bluffs, Iowa 712-256-6939
Dealers Baxter Cycle 311 4th Street Marne, Iowa 51552 712-781-2351 www.baxtercycle.com Brown Motorcars 330 NW 49th Place Des Moines, IA 50313 www.brownmotorcars.com 515-282-0123 Carroll Cycle Center 1327 Plaza Dr Carroll, Iowa 712-792-1610 www.carrollcycle.com Dillon Brothers Harley-Davidson & Motorsports 174th and Maple Omaha, NE 68116 402-289-5556 www.dillon-brothers.com Fenders Cycle and Motorsport 1109 E Army Post Road Des Moines, Iowa 50315 515-256-9062 www.fenderscycle.com
Iowa Bail Bonds 200 4th Street Des Moines, Iowa 50309 515-243-4411
Hawkeye Harley-Davidson Coralville, Iowa I-80 Exit 240 319-545-7495 www.hawkeyehd.com Open 7 days per week
14th Street Tavern 3418 East 14th Street Des Moines, Iowa 515-266-3446 M-F 8-2 Sat 10-2 and Sun 11-2 Amigos 280 North 1st Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 515-576-0142 B&M Bar and Grill 110 @ Main Street Panora, Iowa 50216 641-755-2455 Beer Barn and Grill 226 State Street Kirkman, Iowa 51447 712-766-3395 Open Mon 4, Tue-Sun at 11 BJ’s Bar & Billiards 110 Ida Waterloo Iowa Home of Full Throttle Thursdays 319-234-9810 Boxer Barbeque 722 Creek Top Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503 712-325-4227 Tuesday - Saturday 11 - 8 pm www.boxerbbq.com Cheers II 100 North Franklin Dow City, Iowa 51528 712-674-3746 Coldest Beer Around! Corner Tap 921 Main Street Adel, Iowa 50003 515-993-993-2240
Crazy Lady’s Café Mt. Vernon, Iowa 52414 Crazyladyscafe.com Werner Cycle Works 319-389-5427 Road Exit 440 I-80 Mobile Unit for Catering & Events Biker Accessories 14410 Frontier Omaha, NE 68138 Doc’s Roadhouse 402-894-3050 Backroads Biker Leather Shoppe 309 East 7th Street www.wernercycleworks.com 305 N Main Street Logan, Iowa 51543 Everly, Iowa 51338 712-644-3636 Nishna Valley Cycle 712-834-2999 Open 365-8 am to Close HONDA – YAMAHA – KTM www.backroadsbikerleatherAtlantic, Iowa 50022 shoppe.com Double R Bar and Grill 1-888-577-6406 Quick Ricks Rib Joint www.nishnavalleycycle.com Crispy’s Biker Apparel 209 East Erie (Highway 30) Cedar Rapids, Iowa Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555 www.bncbikerwear.com 712-600-6441 319-241-0916
10 - TRMI FEBRUARY 2012
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
Do Drop Inn 403 3rd Avenue Under the Water Tower Jamaica, Iowa 50128 515-314-0783 Good Sons 2815 Beaver Ave Ste 102 Des Moines, Iowa 515-681-5375 Haverhill Social Club 202 1st Street Haverhill, Iowa 50120 641-475-3321 Mon-Sat 10-2, Sun 12-12 Huffy’s Mule Barn 802 Main Street Anita, Iowa 50020 712-762-9995 www.huffysmulebarn.com Keasey’s Hideaway Lounge 911 Court Street Adel, Iowa 50003 515-993-3001 Lampe’s Pub 608 Iowa Avenue Dunlap, Iowa 51529 712-643-5781 Open 7 days a week at 11 AM Midway Tavern 206 1st Street Soldier, Iowa 712-884-2230 www.midwaytavernsoldier.com Montgomery Street Pub 207 East Montgomery Street Creston, Iowa 50801 641-782-2165 Nitro’s Bar & Grill 310 Main Street Gravity, Iowa 50848 641-418-0004 Home of Sunday-Funday Off Sides Pizza 1119 Thomas Street Redfield, Iowa 50233 515-833-2900 Papa Joe’s 117 South 6th Street Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555 712-642-9015 Phil’s 20oz Prime Rib Friday Nights 9956 Swanson Blvd Clive, Iowa 515-270-0959
Pines Steakhouse Oinkers Lounge & Grill 1500 E 7th Street Atlantic, Iowa 50022 712-243-3606 M-F 11AM-, S-S 4PMHARLAN-Pizza Ranch 613 Court Street Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-755-2262 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 Sambetti’s Bar and Grill 1430 2nd Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50314 515-245-9780 Mon-Sat 11a-2a, Sun 11a-7p The Sawmill Bar & Grill 401 Main St New Market, IA 51646-3079 712-585-3601 Screaming Eagle American Bar & Grill 228 East 4th Street Waterloo, Iowa 50703 319-235-8865 www.partyattheeagle.com Shorty’s Playhouse 210 Mulberry Street Little Sioux, Iowa 51545 712-649-2138 Open Noon-2:00 AM 7 Days/Week
Mineola, Iowa 712-526-2078 Open 7 Days a Week Check Us Out on Facebook
Guthrie Auto Body John Beer owner 1804 State Street Guthrie Center, Iowa 50115 641-332-2484
Southwest Iowa Sandblasting Mike Magers 65162 Oxford Rd Atlantic, Iowa 50022 712-249-3995
Where You Can Grab a Rack, And Not Get Slapped! Venture Inn Blencoe, Iowa 712-452-2205
Joe’s Custom Signs 104 South Main Lenox, Iowa 50851 641-333-2675 Award Winning Custom Airbrushing
Ransom Graphics By Willie Ransom Irwin, Iowa 712-579-5075
Tobey Jacks Mineola Steak House
Wet Goods Food & Lounge 113 N. Chestnut Street Jefferson, Iowa 50129 515-386-2111 Wilson’s Tap and Recreation 1008 Story Street Boone, Iowa 50036 515-433-1395
Guns and Ammo Shooter’s Outlet 114 Main Street Arcadia, Iowa 51430 712-689-2772 Tues-Fri 2-7, Sat 8-3 www.shootersoutlet.net Dales’ Guns Buy-Sell-Trade-Gunsmithing 109 @ Main Street Ute, Iowa 712-885-2671 rustyshot2000@yahoo.com
Photo and Video Ullrich Photography PO Box 1842 Clinton, Iowa 52733 563-243-8715 www.natanic.com
Shops and Fabricators
Sidetracked 206 West Union Street Creston, Iowa 50801 641-782-8534
Bike Pit Motorcycle Services 2694 5th Ave, Building B-Unit 2 Marion, Iowa 52303 319-651-8835 Jason.Bikepit@yahoo.com
Sparetime Bar & Grill 136 West Main Street Ute, Iowa 61060 712-885-2226
Butterfield’s M.C. Parts 8025 Blondo Street Omaha, NE 68134 402-391-3768
The Lounge 1005 Chatburn Ave Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-755-5050
Doubletake Cycles L.L.C. 2632 9th Ave Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 712-355-1961 www.doubletakecycles.com
The Sandbar 103 N. Noyes Mondamin, Iowa 51557 712-646-2300 Open 7 days a week at 10 a.m.
F & J Racing 701 N 3rd Ave Marshalltown, Iowa 50158 641-752-8651 www.fandjracing.com
J & S Custom Cycles 3630 Merle Hay Road Des Moines, Iowa 515-779-4632 M&M Garage 408 Market Street Audubon, Iowa 50025 712-563-2425 mmgarage@iowatelecom.net Metal Ink 911 7th Street Ste 102 Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-235-2453 www.metalink.org Nelson Machine & Forge General Machining, Ornamental Iron, Weld/Fab 70 Washington Street Marne, Iowa 51552 712-781-2220 Throttle Shop LLC 1988 Arion Avenue Arion, Iowa 51520 712-674-3325 throttleshopllc@gmail.com XTreme Cycle & Off Road 206 E Main St Panora, Iowa 50216 641-755-4288 xtremecycle@netins.net
Tattoo Crave Tattoo 201 S 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 51501 515-576-8289 FB Crave Tattoo, Inc.
Events Across the Border Raid Bedford, Iowa August 2-4 2012 Bike Down to I Town Indianola, Iowa 3rd Friday Apr-Sep Circle of Pride Conesville, Iowa Hog Wild Rodeo May 25-27, 2012 Cornstalk Music Festival June 29-30, 2012 T.I.T.S Aug 30-Sep 2, 2012 Iowa Grand Motorcycle Rally Newton, Iowa July 26-29, 2012 Mississippi River Motorcycle Rally Davenport, Iowa Jun 14-17, 2012
Services
Nitro’s Bike Rally Gravity, Iowa July 12-14, 2012
BCS Computers 100 Industrial Road Guthrie Center, Iowa 50115 641-747-3344 www.brubakercomputer.com
Parts Girl Promotions Motorcycle Swap Meets for the Harley Enthusiast Rock Island, IL Feb, 5th, 2012 Cedar Rapids March 4th, 2012
Hippie Boy Designs World of Wheels/ Graphic Design/Website Design All American Motorcycle Show 712-898-5220 Omaha, Nebraska hippieboydesign.com March 23-25, 2012 Joe Karsten-Authorized Dealer Cornwell Tools 329 West Street Manning, Iowa 51455 712-310-0765 mobile
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
To buy ad space for your business or service in our directory, give us call at 712-249-5630 or email vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI FEBRUARY 2012 - 11
I seriously like this winter we are having, 60° at the beginning of January! All I can say is if it keeps this up, we will be riding in no time. I’m sure a lot of you readers and riders have their bikes tucked neatly away for the winter like myself so that you couldn’t get out and enjoy that day. Well for those of you that did let it be known there were many jealous dreamers out there (including myself and a certain couple of editors I know lol). Wherever your bike is I’m sure no matter what you are still thinking of things you like to change to improve it. This month I’m going to touch on something to make it a more comfortable ride. Do you ever find yourself getting a lower back ache from reaching to far forward for your handlebars or your arms and hands fall asleep from being in the wrong position. If you have then you need to stop by your local shop and get some new handlebars. Now I’m not saying you need to go crazy and get some 20” apes and have to let go of one side of the handlebars to make a turn in a parking lot. With today’s companies out there you can get just about any bend, height, and style you wish. The most popular thing lately is the 12” – 13” apes on the batwing baggers. They are an excellent bar to go with. They position your arms just under your shoulder position and leave a bend in your elbow to help the blood flow better. They do place your hands just above the fairing so for those of you with a Street Glide you would have to get some different mirrors because those fairing mounted ones just won’t cut it.
12 - TRMI FEBRUARY 2012
Harley just got in to doing these for the baggers. There bar is a 12” high and is made out of a 1” bar. These are nice for a little more cost effective price but I personally like the aftermarket completion better. Cycle Smith was the first ones that I saw to come out with this style of bar so I tend to stick with them a lot. Their bars are available in 13” and 16” and 1 ¼” thick to help run all of those ugly wires through them. If you’re a little taller than average rider then you may be looking for a 16” ape. These would be the tallest I would run; simply because, if you start getting bars taller than this you can have problems with the law and even some mobility issues with your motorcycle. I was even a little leery on 16’s at first because I had been used to drag bars so much. After I spent a day on a 07’ Street Glide that had them I was sold. They had my arms at just the right height and I couldn’t ask for anything better. (Yes Dad I’m talking about the day I stole your bike ha-ha) Harley has yet to come out with a 16” for a bagger but they have recently released a 16” ape for many of the other bikes. Quality is second to none and the price kind of shows that, but you do get new risers and handlebar clamps when you purchase them unlike some of the aftermarket company’s bars that won’t fit into the stock Harley risers. For those who are a little shorter rider and just want a bar that comes back a little more, than the Harley-Davidson reach bars are the ones for you. I have sold numerous sets of these to help bring the bars back a couple inches without raising the height at all. With so many choices out there nowadays the options on what you want are limitless. If you are having pain and comfort issues though this is one of the best places to start. The worst part about bars is the cost of replacing all the cables. I think everyone knows the bars
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
are the cheap part. Now when you go to do this do cheap out and get the bottom of the line cable. I’ve seen these fail ever couple of years on bikes before simply because the rider didn’t want to spend the extra money. You get what you pay for people. I’d rather spend a little more money on a quality cable and know that it’s not going to break on me going down the road and not only that it’s going to look better too. Even the cables are getting new designs and finishes to them. Everything from the standard vinyl coated to the classic braided to the newer sterling chromite and the latest black braided. There is a setup waiting for you to design it. So before we get to into the riding season stop into your local shop and see what they an do for you. Tony Darveau
TRMI FEBRUARY 2012 - 13
of Iowa Lori Richter 2001 Chrome Yellow Fatboy Marne, Iowa
Ann Kirchner Kleen 2003 Harley Fatboy Marne, Iowa
Diane Warren 2005 Custom Sportster Pleasant Hill, Iowa We want you on our pages! If you are an Iowa Girl of Thunder, send us your name, year and model of bike, and where you are from to vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com 14 - TRMI FEBRUARY 2012
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
Pagliai’s Pizza 5312 Merle Hay Road Johnston, IA 515-253-9800
Open Daily 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM Family Owned Pizza Palaces Since 1953
will ride to eat prefers thin and crispy crusts and I like thick crusts so we compromised with the double crust (I think the main reason was that we both wondered how you could have a thick and crispy crust at the same time). The crust consisted of a bottom that is what I would imagine the thin and crispy crust resembles and another layer of softer crust added on top of it making a crust two layers thick (hence the name “double” crust... pretty clever, huh). After the crust was decided upon came the hardest decision... the toppings. We could have gone with one of their specialty pizzas but we decided to really test the flexibility of the staff. Our order was a large two topping pizza with pepperoni over the entire pie and green olives for the second topping on one half (Lynnette’s half) and sausage as the second topping on the other half (my half). It also bears noting that the sausage is all made in-house! Our waitress was more than up to the challenge and when our pizza arrived we were in the presence of awesomeness! The crust was done to perfection; the cheese was evenly melted to that gooey consistency that leaves strings behind as you move your slice from the platter to your plate. The toppings were second to none and in sufficient quantity to ensure a burst of topping flavor with every bite!
Let me state for the record “I have a new favorite pizza place!” That being said let me explain. During one of my emergency trips to one of the Will I return for more? YOU BET YOUR BIPPY!!!! home improvement stores (I say emergency since Should you stop if you’re in the area? ABSOLUTEit was one of those trips where the next day you LY!!!!! If you find yourself in the Grinnell area you can are meeting with a group of people to do a project visit that location as well. only to discover the night before that the tools and material that you “thought” you had - and I would also encourage you to visit their website did have at one time - you no longer have in your at www.pagliais.com, check out the “About” secpossession... you’ve been there I’m sure), Lynnette and I decide to eat out. But what are we hungry for? tion which has the history of this fine establishment. You will understand what I mean when I say “Family Most of the places in the immediate area are fast Owned Pizza Palaces Since 1953”! food chains so we decide to take a tour up Merle Hay Road. This stretch of road not only has the auto Until next month, ride safe and eat hearty! dealership mile but also a fairly decent variety of eating establishments. Every place we went by just Craig Little didn’t sound appealing and I was about to abandon hope and bail for a fast food joint when I spy a sign craig@thunderroadsiowa.com along the road... Pagliai’s Pizza. Sounds like a plan to me... Lynnette agrees (it seems she has seen PS If you have someplace you think we should check their commercials on TV and actually knows how to out in your neck of the woods, shoot me an email. pronounce the name, “Polly-eyes”) so it’s in we go. Once inside we were seated by the hostess and handed our menus. A quick perusal of the menu reveals that pizza, although the benchmark of the establishment is not the only food offered. Listed in the menu are several different kinds of bread appetizers, salads, calzones, pasta dishes, sandwiches and of course pizza. Now, I’m not one to base my initial impression of a pizza house on their spaghetti (which I’m quite certain is delicious) so it was determined that we should sample the foundation upon which the empire was built! The first choice when ordering a pizza at Pagliai’s is the crust. They offer two different kinds of crust; thin and crispy (their specialty) and the double crust (thick and crispy). Lynnette www.thunderroadsiowa.com TRMI FEBRUARY 2012 - 15
18 - TRMI FEBRUARY 2012
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI FEBRUARY 2012 - 19
20 - TRMI FEBRUARY 2012
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
K.I.S.S. page composed & edited by: Toni McCoy Shearon of Tennessee
SO SIMPLE SHRIMP LINGUINE FOR TWO 1 Bag of Bertolli Frozen Shrimp Linguine (in the frozen dinner section of any large chain grocery store) 1 Bag of X-Large, Pre-Peeled Frozen Shrimp 1 Cups of Half & Half 1/4 tsp. of Nutmeg 1/4 stick of butter or quality margarine. Get your shrimp thawing by placing in a colander under cold running water, as per directions. After totally thawed, remove tails. The reason you’re doing this is the shrimp that comes with the dinner are small and if you add x-large shrimp, it really gives this dish a Wow! factor. Follow the directions on Linguine package. Add in 1 cup of half & half when all ingredients are defrosted in skillet and the sauce is flowing easily. This will just make more sauce to compensate for the extra shrimp you’ll be adding. Add your nutmeg also. Next, add your shrimp and butter and keep stirring until shrimp are hot throughout, apprx. 3 minutes on medium-high. Serve with crusty bread and a fresh salad and you’ve got a sexy Valentine’s Dinner for Two that took all of 15 minutes to make! EASY SHREDDED POTATOES au GRATIN 4 Cups of Refrigerated, Shredded, Hash Brown Potatoes or Frozen Bag; Thawed 2 Cups of Heavy Whipping Cream 1-1/2 Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese; divided 1/4 Cup of Diced Scallions Salt & Pepper to Taste 1/4 tsp. of Nutmeg 1 Cup of Panko Breadcrumbs (Japanese breadcrumbs in same aisle as regular breadcrumbs in any large chain grocery store) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray (1) smaller casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Combine thawed, uncooked, hash brown potatoes, cream, 1-1/4 cups of Cheddar cheese, scallions, salt & pepper in a large bowl. Mix it up good. Spoon mix into casserole dish. Top w/ remaining cheese and Panko on top. Bake until bubbly and golden brown; apprx. 40 mins. So delicious!
CHOCOLATE KISSES NEVER MISSES 1 Pre-made Roll of Sugar Cookies in your grocer’s biskit & cookies cooler 1 Bag of Hershey’s Kisses chocolate drops Pre-heat oven to recommended temp. on the sugar cookies wrapper. Take a large sheet pan and spray generously with cooking spray. Cut your cookie batter log when it’s good and cold as it’s easier to work with. Cut thin slices; about 1/4” size. Place a Hershey’s kiss in the center of one sliced round, then place another cut round over top and pinch the sides together. Bake as instructed and man alive, these are so easy to do and fabulous with that chocolate surprise filling. Serve with quality, home-made style vanilla ice-cream and a few slices of strawberries in the bowl and baby, this is a very romantic dessert. 5 MINUTE POACHED PEARS DRIZZLED IN CARAMEL OR CHOCOLATE SAUCE 2 Cans of Halved Pears (buy a quality brand) 1 Bottle of Either Caramel or Chocolate Sauce (near the ice-cream aisle in any grocery) 1 Shaker of Cinnamon So simple.....just place your pears flat side down in a glass casserole dish, along with the juice that comes with them. Bake in 325 degree oven for only 10 minutes. Sprinkle generously with cinnamon. While pears are poaching, pour your jar of either chocolate or caramel syrup into a small saucepan and heat till good and hot. Remove pears, place 2 in each bowl and drizzle with hot sauce. Again, serve w/ ice-cream or whip cream is desired. LEMON CAKE DRIZZLED W/ CHERRY PRESERVES 1 Pre-made Lemon Cake or Pound Cake at the deli section of your grocer’s. Sice it up if not pre-sliced Place slices on cookie sheet; heat thru at 325 degrees for 10 minutes Heat a bottle of quality cherry preserves in a saucepan and pour generously over slices of lemon cake or pound cake. You can literally think of 100 toppings for these cakes. Get creative!
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI FEBRUARY 2012 - 21
day trips with Doc Greetings Brothers and Sisters, I guess Mother Nature is really messing with a few heads this winter! She just can’t decide which direction to go! And since I have my ride lodging in a shop, torn down somewhat, and looking pretty dejected in her pieces parts, not to mention screaming at me to be on a road somewhere! After the last couple of winters it was anybody’s guess as to “WET or WHITE”? So far it has stayed wet, and of course I grit my chompers every time I see others riding in this Mild Winter blessing!
of Marshalltown and east of Melbourne off the diagonal, just a little berg, with a claim to fame from Edel Historic Blacksmith shop, look for them signs and you won’t have a problem finding the place! Those D6 members do have fun now, and they laid out a table of grub fit for a King. I made my way in and found Mike and his message center…I mean girlfriend Ann at the jukebox, and made introductions, along with some others who were close by, got a cold one and found a place to relax!
Now I know, this isn’t a typical DTWD kinda story, but there is a point to it! And that point is this, there are a lot of Bikes, a lot of Bikers, and a butt load of things to do, on a bike, with a bike, or with fellow Bikers, and it doesn’t have to be when the weather is favorable, or on a bike, although there’s not much sense or fun to it if ya can’t “ride” to a biker function! But, when there is one, don’t just sit on yer buttums and say” I oughta went to” or “we should have gone to”, get up, get off the duff, and GO! Hell you may even find yourself having a good time, maybe even crack a smile or two, or meet a new friend you I have mentioned before of the guys up in never knew you had! But if you just “do nuthin” you Marshalltown who have now invited me twice to will most assuredly miss something good! And that ride, Good Friday, we got drenched before we got my fellow “ENTHUSIASTS” is how you get through there, then later this summer for the Iowa Cares Benefit, and that damn shovel was in the shop after a winter in Iowa when you can’t ride! I know with the type of weather we have had, many of you are the Western Iowa ride, all them copper bee-bees invading the electrics, but I did take a couple of care still out rolling up the miles, I know I would be too, packages up to them, some leftover copies of your but I have a project in progress right now, and I am working on a fresh look for this next spring! And favorite Iowa biker magazine, and DTWD T-shirts. That’s when I realized that I hadn’t even met these like said, I will be getting some pics on here to show how progress is going! people yet, but they sure are an active bunch, whenever they can get together, they got something going on!!! So when Mike, my original contact from It’s all in the month of renewal (what the Native Americans called February)! If you don’t believe Good Friday turned ”drenched good “on Friday, me, look at the trees as they start to bud out and called to invite me back up to their D6 party, I then you will see! So keep it safe out there, shiny couldn’t pass it up, I had to meet some of these folks, shake some hands, tell some stories, and yes, side up, and stay encouraged to know that winter is almost over! The roads will be clear and the weather knock back a few bottles of liquid bread! warmer soon enough, thanking God to have made The Haverhill Social club was the venue, and the place was lively. It was cold as a well diggers dirt catcher, so no bikes this night, but as it were, that’s a long haul from where I live, and I planned on tossing a couple down soooo, I jumped in the truck and headed in a northeasterly direction! The social club is an out of the way place south www.thunderroadsiowa.com 22 - TRMI FEBRUARY 2012 Oh well, too late to put it back together now, so forward we roll with the new paint and repairs, like a kid doin the pee-pee dance, cause he knows something good is about to take place, but don’t wanna miss it… to go…well…pee! Like my pops used to say, Go Big or Go Home, so big it is, and here’s to a new look this spring for my ride! I may get a pic. posted every now and then to show progress, and to convince me that something IS getting done on it!
it through another Iowa season of cold! Hope to see you out on the road sometime this summer! Till the tanks run out of gas! Doc Hey YOU! Yes YOU! What road holds your best ride memory? Do you know of a private shop, maybe a nut job of a builder with a crazy sense of what a bike should look like? Maybe It’s just a hole in the wall type of joint where you know the grog is cold and the food is better than average? Drop me an e-mail or give me a call at poppa45doc@yahoo.com 515-975-3893 I’m waiting to hear from those with a ride, story, or a special mention. Let me know what’s out there! Till the tanks run out of gas! Doc
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI FEBRUARY 2012 - 23
A man was sick and tired of going to work every day while his wife stayed home. He wanted her to see what he went through so he prayed: “Dear Lord: I go to work every day and put in 8 hours while my wife merely stays at home. I want her to know what I go through, so please, allow her body to switch with mine for just one day. Amen. “ God, in his infinite wisdom, granted the man’s wish.
The boss of a Madison Avenue advertising agency called a spontaneous staff meeting in the middle of a particularly stressful week. (This is one pretty sharp boss!) When everyone gathered, the boss, who understood the benefits of having fun, told the burnt out staff the purpose of the meeting was to have a quick contest. The theme: Viagra advertising slogans.
The only rule was they had to use past ad slogans, originally written for other products that captured the essence of Viagra. Slight variations were acceptable. About 7 minutes later, they turned in their suggestions and created a Top 10 List.. With all the laughter and camaradeThe next morning, sure enough, the man awoke as rie, the rest of the week went very well for everyone! The a woman. He arose, cooked breakfast for his mate, top 10 were: awakened the kids, set out their school clothes, fed 10. Viagra, Whaazzzz up! them breakfast, packed their lunches, drove them 9. Viagra, The quicker pecker picker upper. to school, came home and vacuumed the entire 8. Viagra, like a rock ! house; upstairs and downstairs, took the cat to the 7. Viagra, When it absolutely, positively has to be there vet, and stopped at the bank to make a deposit, but overnight. ended up having to go inside, went grocery shop6. Viagra , Be all that you can be. ping, loaded up 12 bags of groceries and then drove 5. Viagra, Reach out and touch someone. home to put away all the groceries, paid all the bills 4. Viagra, Strong enough for a man, but made for a woman. and balanced the checkbook. Drove to the Post Of- 3. Viagra, Home of the whopper! fice; cleaned the cat’s litter box and bathed the dog. 2. Viagra, We bring good things to Life! Then it was already 1 P.M. and he hurried to make And the unanimous #1 slogan: the beds, do the laundry, dust, and sweep and mop 1. This is your peepee... This is your peepee on drugs. the kitchen floor and sweep off the front porch and use the leaf blower and blow off the back deck and refill the ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ bird-feeder. There is a factory in Northern Minnesota which makes the At 3:30 drove to the school to pick up the kids and got into Tickle Me Elmo toys. The toy laughs when you tickle it an argument with them on the way home, which was added under the arms. Well, Lena, an adorable but scatter-brain, is stress. He never dealt with the kids on this emotional level hired at The Tickle Me Elmo factory and she reports for her before; it was very strange to him. At 4:00 he set out milk first day promptly at 8:00 am. and cookies and got the kids organized to do their homework, then actually got to sit down for a minute on the couch The next day at 8:45 am there is a knock at the Personnel and watch t.v. while folding 3 baskets full of laundry and Manager’s door. The Plant Foreman says the new emplyee then running around to various rooms putting folded clothes is holding up the entire assembly line. The 2 men march in various dressers and hanging up shirts, pants, etc. At 4:30 down to the factory floor. When they get there the line is so he began washing vegetables for salad, breaded the pork backed up that there are Tickle Me Elmo’s all over the facchops and snapped fresh beans for supper and cooked the tory floor and they’re really beginning to pile up. At the end supper. After supper, he cleaned the kitchen, ran the dishof the line stands Lena surrounded by mountains of Tickle washer, folded even more laundry, bathed the kids, read them Me Elmo’s. She has a roll of plush Red fabric and a huge all stories and put them to bed.At 9 P.M. he was exhausted bag of small marbles. and, though his daily chores weren’t finished, he went to bed where he was expected to make love, which he managed to The 2 men watch in amazement as she cuts a little piece of actually stay awake through but then passed out; comatose. fabric, wraps it around two marbles and begins to carefully sew the little package between Elmo’s legs. The next morning, he awoke and immediately knelt by the bed and said: “Lord, I don’t know what I was thinking. I was The Personnel Manager bursts into laughter. After several so wrong to envy my wife’s being able to stay home all day. minutes of hysterics he pulls himself together and approachPlease, oh Lord please, let us trade back, I beg of you.” es Lena . The Lord, in his infinite wisdom, replied: “My son, I feel you have learned your lesson and I will be happy to change ‘I’m sorry,’ he says to her, barely able to keep a straight things back to the way they were. face, ‘but I think you misunderstood the instructions I gave you yesterday....’ You’ll just have to wait nine months, though. Apparently, you got pregnant last night.” ‘Your job is to give Elmo two TEST tickles. www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI FEBRUARY 2012 - 25
C.O.I.R. Report Coalition of Independent Riders Here We Go Again. By Peter A. Sieben C.O.I.R. of Iowa, Lt Commander ABATE of Iowa District 20 Legislative Officer
It’s another year, another legislative session, and another potentially devastating attack on our liberties. One of the Gannett companies (www.press-citizen.com) is again pushing a helmet agenda. Evidently a high school senior fell down riding a moped and her classmates have “committed themselves to changing Iowa’s helmet law in her memory”. “Iowa is one of three states in the nation that does not have any helmet regulation. . . The Iowa Dept. of Transportation promotes helmet use through education; drivers younger than 18 are required to take a 15 hour motorcycle safety course”. Her friends’ goal is to require up to three years of riding with a helmet to help to “develop the habit for a lifetime”.
parents being parents? I don’t need or want the government i.e. Big Brother, to take care of me or my family. That’s my job; period. How do we maintain our liberties? Know your state representatives and senators. More importantly, make sure they know you. How do we do that? Meet them and let them know what you think. How do we do that? ABATE of Iowa sponsors a Lobby Day each year. It’s an excellent and non-threatening way to meet your elected state employees – representatives and senators. Everything is set up for you. There will be plenty of folks like me there willing to do the talking if you are not comfortable doing it yourself. We’ve learned the system and are happy to pass what we know on to you. It’s EASY: go to www.abateofiowa.com and click on Lobby Day. Enter your information and ABATE of Iowa will have a name tag with your representative and senator’s picture and name on it waiting for you at the Capital. Plenty of ABATE of Iowa folks are around to show you the way. Are you still not sure? Shoot me an email. peter@ riderpromotions.com. Lobby Day is March 8th, I know it’s a Thursday, take the day off work now. The legislators aren’t there on the weekend. These folks notice when we take a day off to talk to them. After years and years of interaction, my legislators come and look for me. It’s important, and it’s the right thing to do.
State Representative Dave Jacoby has agreed to sponsor the bill in the Iowa House. Right off the bat let me say that I’m sorry for their loss, but let me also point out that while Iowa has no law requiring helmet use we also have no law prohibiting anyone from wearing one either. No one is saying that anyone who wants to cannot wear a helmet, or for that matter, a suit of armor, if they want to. What it comes down to is – Freedom of Choice. The last thing we need is more laws limiting liberty. Make your own decisions and be responsible for the outcomes. We don’t need or want the government to decide what is right for us. As adults, that’s our job. There is no law requiring that my kids are home or in bed by 10:00pm on a school night, but at my house it’s my law. Whatever happened to
26 - TRMI FEBRUARY 2012
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
I sat and chatted with Gene and Rose Richardson about their motorcycle interests one day last fall. Gene and Rose are members of the Two Rivers Vintage Motorcycle Club, which is a chapter of the Iowa Antique Motorcycle Club. Little did I know that my chat with a cool couple would end up being a stroll down “restoration memory lane” and fit well with one of the magazines new features Blast From the Past.
with his buddy. Gene has done some wonderful restoration work, resulting in some beautiful vintage rides, all done with a labor of love.
On top of restoration of the older bikes, they also love to see this great country of ours. Their travels have been documented on a map in the family room that has different colored lines tracing the different trips they have taken. Their first trip was to Sturgis, in 1975, on that 1952 Panhead that Gene rebuilt. Gene on the bike, Rose in the car, cuz she had to haul the oil and tranny fluid that the bike needed, because it leaked so badly. The bike was so raked and raised that the bike only managed to get to about 40. They make it to Sturgis and proceed to have a grand time with no further incidents. But then again, there were only 11,000 people there that year! The trip home however, brought all kinds of unwanted adventure. It was 111 degrees and Rose has the FLU. Not the brown bag type folks, but the real down and dirty FLU. Then they had not just one, but two blow-outs. Gene has learned his bikes from the early years when you After getting the first blow-out fixed, the drive chain went had to work on them all the time and the phrase, “leaker” out. Then Rose said, “The next thing I remember, Gene wasn’t uncommon. He started out right out of high school saying, is watch out we’re going down”! Another blow-out! with his first re-build being a 1952 Panhead that he Wow, talk about an eventful trip; amazing they ever took a assembled in the living room of the trailer house that he and second one. Rose said that their children looked at them like Rose moved into after they married. Each of their vintage they were strangers when they got home! I couldn’t help bikes has been refurbished by Gene, causing an attachment from laughing, as I had a mental picture of how that must that I’m sure we can all understand; probably why they still have gone over! have them. Gene has only missed three trips to Sturgis but has been I have to admit, Gene gave me all the details on the bikes, 33 times. They said their two favorite things about their when he got which one, how long he spent restoring that travels is; the simple mode of travel, and the people. Their one, along with some great anecdotes about a few of them. bike, their trailer loaded with their clothes, tent, outdoor But, I was so busy gawking and listening, I didn’t take very cookware and tools, cruising in the wind. They stop when many notes. I did, however take some great photos, after I they want, preferably outdoors, set up camp and rest and finished wiping the drool off of my chin. Just a few details relax and ready for the next day of doing the same. They about them that I did manage to get down. The white beauty say that it’s rare that they meet unfriendliness on the road. that must be Gene’s “lone wolf” bike is a 1942 45 cu. in. Tinkering with the old, riding the new, being part of the Flathead. That gorgeous orange 1947 FL Knucklehead with biker lifestyle the side car was a restoration project that was extended 2 is what Gene years just getting the sidecar ready; when his buddy told and Rose are him he found one for the Knucklehead, he didn’t tell him all about. what shape it was in! Gene and Rose do have a cruiser; it’s Keep an eye a 2012 Ultra Limited. They purchased this bike on the way on the events back from their Sturgis/California trip this past summer, listing for when the bike they left on blew the motor on the way home! their club A very helpful HD dealership down in Missoula helped events this them get traded out to this one and they were on their way year. home with only 2 days delayed! One bike that I did not get a photo of was a Simplex, which is a future restoration Annette project of Gene’s. The last, but most definitely not the least, Murphy was a 1942 45 cu. in. Flathead Bobber. This bike belonged to a very close friend of Gene and Rose’s who died last vizslaboots@ year. Gene has been slowly rebuilding this one. He said it yahoo.com. seems to be taking longer to rebuild something these days, but I think that maybe it’s his way of spending more time www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI FEBRUARY 2012 - 27
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI FEBRUARY 2012 - 29
From the Woman’s Seat
The Bikers Creed
I ride because it is fun. I ride because I enjoy the freedom I feel from being exposed to the elements, and the vulnerability to the danger that is intrinsic to riding. I do not ride because it is fashionable to do so. I ride my machine, not wear it. My machine is not a symbol of status. It exists simply for me, and me alone. My machine is not a toy. It is an extension of my being, and I will treat it accordingly, with the same respect as I have for myself. I strive to understand the inner-workings of my machine, from the most basic to the most complex. I learn everything I can about my machine, so that I am reliant upon no one but myself for its health and well-being.
I strive to constantly better my skill of control over my machine. I will learn it’s limits, and use my skill to become one with my machine so that we may keep each other alive. I am the master, it is the servant. Working together in harmony, we will become an invincible team. I do not fear death. I will, however, do all possible to avoid death prematurely. Fear is the enemy, not death. Fear on the highway leads to death, therefore I will not let fear be my master. I will master it. My machines will outlive me. Therefore, they are my legacy. I will care for them for future bikers to cherish as I have cherished them, whoever they may be. I do not ride to gain attention, respect, or fear from those that do NOT ride, nor do I wish to intimidate or annoy them. For those that do not know me, all I wish from them is to ignore me. For those that desire to know me, I will share with them the truth of myself, so that they might understand me and not fear others like me. I will never be the aggressor on the highway. However, should others fuck with me, their aggression will be dealt with in as severe manner as I can cast upon them. I will show respect to other bikers more experienced or knowledgeable than I am. I will learn from them all I can. However, if my respect is not acknowledged or appreciated, it will end. I will not show disrespect to other bikers less experienced or knowledgeable than I am. I will teach them what I can. However, if they show me disrespect, they will be bitch-slapped. It will be my task to mentor new riders, that so desire, into the lifestyle of the biker, so that the breed shall continue. I shall instruct them, as I have been instructed by those before me. I shall preserve and honor traditions of bikers before me, and I will pass them on unaltered. I will not judge other bikers on their choice of machine, their appearance, or their profession. I will judge them only on their conduct as bikers. I am proud of my accomplishments as a biker, though I will not flaunt them to others. If they ask, I will share them. I will stand ready to help any other bikers that truly needs my help. I will never ask another biker to do for me what I can do for myself. I am not a part-time biker. I am a biker when, and where-ever I go. I am proud to be a biker, and hide my chosen lifestyle from no one. I ride because I love freedom, independence, and the movement of the ground beneath me. But most of all, I ride to better understand myself, my machine, the lands in which I ride, and to seek out and know other bikers like myself. Author Unknown
30 - TRMI FEBRUARY 2012
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
Feb 3-4 Feb 5 Feb 11-12 Feb 12 Feb 14 Feb 25 Feb 25-26 Mar 2-4 Mar 4 Mar 8 Mar 11 Mar 23-24 Mar 23-25 Mar 23-25 Mar 24 Mar 31 Mar 31-Apr 1 Apr 14 Apr 21 Apr 21 Apr 27 May 4-5 May 5 May 5 May 5 May 19 May 24-27 May 25-28 May 26-27 May 26 Jun 1-2 Jun 1-3 June 2 June 2 Jun 3 Jun 8-10 Jun 9 Jun 9 Jun 9 Jun 14-16 Jun 14-16 Jun 14-17
Thunder on the Syrup Races Mason City Parts Girl PromoƟons Swap Meet Rock Island, IL Capital City Show and Swap Des Moines Road MC Breakfast Brayton Valen ne’s Day ABATE D16 26th Annual Wild Game Feed Evansdale O’Reilly Rod & Custom Bike/Car Show Mon cello World of Wheels Chicago Parts Girl PromoƟons Swap Meet Cedar Rapids Lobby Day at the Capital Des Moines Road MC Breakfast Brayton Donnie Smith Bike/Parts Extravaganza St. Paul, MN World of Wheels Omaha, NE Heartland STEAM Omaha, NE Road MC Dance Rec Center Exira ABATE D14 27th TGIS Party O umwa North Iowa Motorcycle Expo Mason City ABATE D25 Blessing of the Bikes Ames Make-A-Wish Leather & Lace Gala Council Bluffs ABATE D25 New Moon Run Boone Iowa Motorcycle Safety Forum ISU Ames TorqueFest Maquoketa ABATE D25 Awareness Ride Boone CMA Run for the Son O umwa CR Chrome Divas Motorcycle Awareness Ride Miracle Rally for Children’s Miracle Network Farley Hog Wild Rodeo Conesville Iron Horse Bike & Music Fes val Sabula Midway 14th Fun Run, BBQ, Street Dance Soldier Sgt JJ Bonnell Poker Run Fort Dodge MAG Motofest III Clear Lake ABATE D25 Rodeo Nevada Carroll Cycle Center Rock-N-Ride Carroll Jaster’s 7th Annual Ride for Life Elkader, Iowa Hill Climb and Swap Meet Anamosa Thrills in the Hills at Wes air in Council Bluffs The Freedom Run Sco y’s Saloon Grundy Center ABATE D25 Bike Show Boone Bikes at Blackhawk Lake Rally/Rodeo Lake View Awesome Biker Nights Sioux City Iowa State HOG Rally Des Moines Mississippi River Motorcycle Rally Davenport
Jun 18 Jun 23-24 Jun 23 Jun 29-30 Jul 5-7 Jul 8 Jul 12-14 Jul 14 Jul 21 Jul 21 Jul 21 Jul 26-29 Aug 2-4 Aug 6-12 Aug 17-18 Aug 25 Aug 24-26 Aug 26 Aug30-Sep1 Aug 31 Aug 30-Sep 2 Aug 31-Sep 3 Sep 1-2 Sep 7-8 Sep 7-9 Sep 7-9 Sep 8 Sep 14-16 Oct 6 Oct 6 Oct 14 Nov 9-11 Nov 23 Dec 1 Dec 12
Ride Your Motorcycle To Work Day J&P Cycles Open House Anamosa ABATE D14 28th Baldy Memorial Ride What Cheer Corn Stalk Music FesƟval, Circle Of Pride Conesville ABATE Freedom Rally Algona Yellow Ribbon Run Werner Cycle Omaha, NE Nitro’s Rally Gravity 3rd Annual Co’s Memorial Fairfield 4th Annual Woman’s Fun Run Atlan c George O. Spain Jr. Healing Run by NW IA ALR Le Mars Landmark Depot 4th An Show & Shine Rockwell City Iowa Grand Motorcycle Rally Newton 5th Annual Across the Border Raid Rally Bedford “Event” in South Dakota American Victory Rally Spirit Lake Warriors Across Iowa to Benefit WWP Des Moines 8th Annual BTW Trike In Kellogg Childrens Miracle Network Poker Run Ida Grove Davenport An que Motorcycle Rally Vintage Flat Track Motorcycle Races Davenport Circle of Pride Thunder In the Sand Conesville Iron Horse Bike & Music Fes val Sabula Midway Soldier Valley Run BBQ, Street Dance Soldier AMA Pro Flat Track Grand Na onals Knoxville ABATE D25 Pufferbilly Days Bike Show Boone Hogs 4 Dogs Benefit Weekend & Ride O umwa Ride for the TaTas Run w/Cheshire Grin Kirkman State Line End of Summer Rally Keosauqua ABATE D25 Biken For Tikes Run Boone CR Chrome Divas Breast Cancer Awareness Ride ABATE D4 29th Toy Run Des Moines STEAM Marshalltown Turkey Run Clinton CR Chrome Divas “Santa’s Li le Divas” Christmas 833rd Chopper Raffle Party O umwa, Iowa
This list is what we have found and what has been submi ed. Before heading to any event, please check weather and make sure the event is not cancelled for some reason. Not responsible for misprints and typos. If you have any other events to list, please email them with Date/Name of Event/Loca on to vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com
www.thunderroadsiowa.com