Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa January 2011

Thunder Roads® Magazine of Iowa www.thunderroadsiowa.com P.O. Box 29 Kimballton, Iowa 51543 (712) 249-5630 tt@thunderroadsiowa.com

Owner/Editor Tina (TT) Schwarte (712) 249-5582 tt@thunderroadsiowa.com Editor Vernon Schwarte (712) 249-5630 vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com Josh (Stampede) and Pam Brown Regional Sales Representatives (SE Iowa Area) 563-571-1617 josh@thunderroadsiowa.com

Letter from the Editor...........................................2 99 Counties: Boone County................................4 Turkey Run 2010...................................................6 Joker’s Wild..........................................................8 Military Riders.......................................................9 Biker Friendly Directory.....................................10 Girls of Thunder..................................................12 Will Ride to Eat...................................................13 Events Around Iowa...........................................14 KISS in the Kitchen............................................15 ThunderCam ......................................................16 Center Calendar..................................................18 Reflections on 2010............................................20 NCOM News Bytes.............................................22 ABATE Update....................................................24

Richard (Murph) and Annette Murphy Event Coverage/Magazine Distribution/Ad Sales vizslaboots@yahoo.com

Contributors Photography Kandi Schlensig kandi@thunderroadsiowa.com 712-249-0713 Photography Thunder Illusions Rich thunderillusions@gmail.com Craig Little-Will Ride for Food Dude craig@thunderroadsiowa.com Layout and DesignLayout and Design Meredith Hancock National Founders Toni McCoy Shearon & Brian Shearon 1528 Matlock Drive Chapmansboro, TN 37035 Office: (615) 792-0040 Fax: (615) 792-7580 thunderroadscharter@charter.net ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF ITS CONTENT MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION. 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 MAGAZINE OR THUNDER PUBLISHING. PUBLISHER DOES NOT PROMOTE THE ABUSE OF ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUGS.

CMA.....................................................................25 Fron the Woman’s Seat......................................26 Antique Motorcycle Races................................28 Winter Projects...................................................30 Geneva Puzzle....................................................31 Subscription........................................................32 TNT.......................................................................33 Kanti Rocks.........................................................34 Skin Art................................................................35

The knockout blonde on this month’s cover braved Iowa’s frigid winter snow, donning nothing but a new bikini and a teeth chattering smile. Carrie Rohde is her name and surprisingly, the winter shoot idea was the bombshell’s own undertaking. With her good looks and rock hard body, she made Nate Ullrich’s Heritage Softail look like nothing fancier than a well-oiled moped.

If this snow bunny’s frost bitten lips aren’t enough to chill your bones, then get this; she also agreed to pose for these photos on her ex-husband’s bike. Yeah, her and Nate had a night of drunken disobedience many years ago, which ultimately led to a long hung-over explanation, not much more than 24 hours later, to undo their drunk and disorderly deeds.

All’s well these days though, now that Carrie is happily married to her husband Jason, and many folks around Iowa know that Nate and Theresa have been together for years. Carrie spends a lot of time in the summer months riding with Jason on their Dyna, but it still seems Carrie might still be a little hung-up on some feelings from that 24 hours of heavenly bliss many moon ago…

The two couples are all good friends these days, but while hanging out at the bars in eastern Iowa, Carrie can’t seem to keep her hands off Nate’s luscious long locks.

Yeah, he’s one of them long haired biker type, and Carrie’s still got a soft spot for that “rock star” look, so after a couple cold ones, the pair still bicker at each other like the old days, while Jason and Theresa just sit back and laugh. Better yet, many times they meet at a bar, and Jason tries to make a quick escape, leaving Nate there to baby-sit his ex. But, Nate’s quickly learned to keep an eye on the doors when he arrives, because face it Jason, you’re the one who signed the papers this time.

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January is hitting Iowa and with that we are all that much closer to spring. I say bring it on, get it over with, and let’s move on to more important items, uh, for instance riding. Some have been able to get their bike out on the open roads up to the middle of December but winter has finally hit this wonderful state of ours. I, myself, rode to work one night for my twelve hour plus night shift.

I know some of you are shaking your head as you read. : ) The next morning at 0800 hours I bundled up for the ride home and this included scraping off the frost from my seat. The frost was a little thick, and did not leave the seat very warm, but I proceeded to thoroughly enjoy my ride home. No matter warm or cold getting on the bike twisting the throttle, smelling nature around me, and letting go to live is what it is all about. When it is a little colder my speed is a whole lot slower, even noticed I was slightly under the speed limit. Sure I got looks, but was way too focused to notice, and we all know what they were thinking anyway. “Who the heck was that crazy person riding?” Well maybe not in so many words and with more or less descriptive adjectives used instead. Even a friend, Laurie Allen admitted to seeing me and could not tell it was me due to the layers of clothing and head gear. When she heard it was me I saw the head nod of “Yes I completely understand now.” As you know riding does something for the soul that is unexplainable.

This brings me to the down to earth, friendly, and easy going group of riders over by Clinton, Iowa that travel the Mississippi River every year on Black Friday for the Turkey Run. Check out more details about the ride inside this issue. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of this and next year I will be off work so I can take my bike across the state to enjoy the ride with you. Ok weather will have a part in this too for me to travel 300 miles on the interstate to get to the starting point. Ok 286 miles to be exact, but who’s counting.

With this issue we have some exciting events happening all over this state of ours. Make sure to check out the most comprehensive event listing for 2011 thus far and we promise to only help make it grow. Now days with all the choices of things to do available for riding we have a listing so you can plan your calendar for the 2011 riding season. If you do not see your event or if you hear of a motorcycle event in your area let us know and we will make sure to include it in the future. I am available via text, email, Facebook and through the website. If I am working then I will return messages as soon as possible. For all of you

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that do not know we both work full time jobs to support us and have the privilege to provide this magazine to all of you in our spare time.

While out and about around the state, we have been very privileged to meet some of the people running some wonderful businesses out there. We love to help promote the truly “biker friendly” places that make our shopping and travels so much more enjoyable. This magazine could not be done without their support, and we greatly appreciate that fact. There are some businesses out there that just want to make a buck, but I am very honored to say that the advertisers included in this publication have strong beliefs in customer service, and are truly the “biker friendly” type. Next time you stop by one of the advertisers in the magazine, thank them for supporting the motorcycling community, and tell them you saw them on our pages. A simple thank you goes a long way.

2011 brings many things to the table. First we have been working with and researching many of the area events to help make your riding season much more enjoyable. Stay tuned to each monthly issue for some exciting things to come. Also we have been working with some very talented people to help bring our website into the 2011 era. We hope to be on line with the new site sometime in January. Until then my home made web site will

still be available. Let us know your thoughts and suggestions that would make things easier for you. With this new, improved, and updated site we plan on posting all the pictures, ok most of the pictures (some are a little more then PG), we have taken at Iowa events, places and just on the road. For your convince; if you find a memory in one or more of the pictures and want to get a digital copy that you wish to keep they will be for sale. Otherwise looking never costs a thing. At least that is what I hear. I find if I look, well I usually come home with it or figure out a way to save up for it if it is something I really want.

Reflections on the past year…..wow another year has passed and we have seen many changes, exciting moments, and interesting people with great stories. I feel that I need to take a notebook where ever we go to keep things documented.

Possibly even a recorder is in my future. Even going out to a new restaurant with Craig & Lynnette Little (Craig writes the “Will Ride to Eat” monthly feature) we have met some interesting fellow riders that provide entertainment along with great food. One such place is Belluci’s in Boone, ran by a fellow biker. Great pizza in a unique atmosphere, read about it in this issue. Our most recent place was the Flying Mango in Des Moines, Iowa. The owner Mike that runs the joint is easy going and has a way to include everyone around him with great service and a joke or two. Not to mention he rides too, so he is our type of guy. Bonus!

We also have the privilege of hearing the Reflections of

Jodie Keasling for 2010. Jodie wrote about her induction to motorcycling and how life events have played a key role. Very interesting that hits a lot of areas that people struggle with in life. A good way to help others to know they are not alone in their feelings. I especially love the phrase “You can’t be afraid to live.”

That is something I live by in my own life.

I have met some amazing people since we began this adventure with Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa. I have listened to some amazing stories of your travels and would love to share with others in Iowa. :) I welcome all the wonderful stories and if you’re not sure how to write them up give me a holler and we will get it down on paper. This is the time of year to reflect and help keep the passion alive for what we know will be here sooner then we think. Don’t be afraid to share with others why you love the freedom of two wheels!

Hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and created some lasting memories. This time of year always brings a little sadness to my heart because of some of the past, but as it has been said that life is meant to be lived, and we should bury the dead. They just stink up the joint, as an old cliché tells us. We can’t change the past and we only have the power to proceed into the future. Take your memories and life experiences that have forged us into the people we are today, and add our new experiences and become the people of our own futures. See you in the wind. Safe travels! tt

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99 Counties to tour on the bike, 99 counties to tour, take one down, drive on around, 91 counties to tour on the bike. A few years back, a summer riding goal of ours, also our summer vacation that year, was to ride through each of Iowa’s counties, and what was found was a wealth of interest and beauty. Each month we will feature a different county, and new things to go see, and hopefully spark a little touring curiosity for our own wonderful state.

BOONE COUNTY

While Boone County was named after the Boone Family, as you would expect, it isn’t named after the infamous Daniel. It is named after his youngest son, Capt. Nathan Boone. Capt. Nathan Boone traveled through the area as he took part in the expedition that marched from Old Fort Des Moines to Wabasha’s village in Minnesota. Capt Nathan Boone and his comrades started their trip on June 7th, and 1835 with the purpose of befriending Wabasha, the great Sioux Indian Chief. By the time they were heading back on their return trip on June 23, 1835, the ground they had camped on had already been named Boone County.

Boone County has definitely produced its share of notables: Mamie Eisenhower; Jerry McNertney, MLB player for the Seattle Pilots/Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates; Hap Moran, an All American basketball player and New York Giants football star; Chad Rinehart, an offensive lineman for the Buffalo Bills, and Ray Lyman Wilbur, United States Secretary of the Interior.

Boone County is bordered on the north by Fort Dodge, on the east by Ames and on the south side by Des Moines. Conveniently located close to the cities, but with all the beauty of the country, Boone County lists towns, such as Ogden, Pilot Mound, Woodward, Beaver, Moingona, Fraser, Berkley, and of course, Boone, which is, of course, the county seat.

Not only does Boone County have HISTORY, it has numerous tourist attractions with many opportunities for all types of activities.

There’s Seven Oaks Recreational Area where they offer downhill fun in the coldest of climates!! There are Ledges State Park, Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad, and Kate Shelley High Bridge just to mention a few of the places to visit. There is also an Arboretum, Snus Hill Winery, and Ogden Oktoberfest!! Too bad we missed that one!

Just 5 miles southwest of Boone, outside the town of Moingona, you will find the Kate Shelley Memorial Park. Kate Shelley, a young girl of 15 in July of 1881, single-handedly prevented one disaster and summoned help for those who were involved in a disaster. On a stormy July night, around midnight Kate Shelley inched her across the ties of the railroad bridge that spanned the Des Moines River to bring word to officials that an engine had crashed into Honey Creek when the trestle gave way in flood waters. The lives of 4 men were in her hands. After making her way across in the wind and rain with thunder and lightning crashing around her, she arrived at Mongoina’s Chicago and Northwestern Depot and warned of the danger ahead for the

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passenger train arriving later in the night. She became an almost instant hero and was given a medal by both the State of Iowa and the schoolgirls of Dubuque. The Kate Shelley Memorial Park and Railroad Museum marks the site where Kate Shelley arrived at on the evening of July 6 1881. A railroad depot museum, furnished as a depot would have looked during Kate Shelley’s life, and a passenger car from the old Rock Island Rocket line are located at the park. You can see a video about the Kate Shelley story inside the depot. Hiking trails run through the park and lead to the ruins of the Des Moines River Bridge.

What a gal!! Another railroad related spot would be the Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad and Museum. This was one of the first spots we hit when we got to the area. Located in the town of Boone, at 225 10th St., the depot probably looks just like it used to in 1893. The rail line on which the Boone and Scenic Balley Railroad operates got under way in 1893 and was mainly used to transport coal. In order to preserve the scenic portion of the railroad, a group of residents spearheaded the Boone Railroad Historical Society and acquired more than 11 miles of track, including bridges for $50,000. The Railroad purchased the last commercially-built steam engine in 1989, which was built in Datong, China. The Boone and Scenic Valley Railroad has rides for all ages. There are themed rides throughout the year and there is also a Dinner Train, which has a two-hour ride and features a scenic ride through the Des Moines River Valley and elegant dining. The perfect place to take the little woman for the next anniversary!! She gets to get dressed up and have her fancy meal, and you get your excitement as you travel across the bridge over the Des Moines River Valley!!

Seven Oaks Recreation Center located just west of Boone on Highway 30, offers a variety of activities throughout the year.

Skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, full service canoe, kayak and river tube floats, paintball, tent camping, hiking and mountain biking are all activities available to visitors. There is a Lodge with full facilities and the Coal Creek Lounge can provide the nice warm drinks to keep you warm in the winter or the shaved ice beverage during those hot summer days!

We entered Boone County on Hwy 169 from the south and took Hwy 30 heading east on our venture, we pass the Boone Speedway. Wrong time of year for any action there, we need to come back any Saturday night from April through Labor Day to catch the excitement there. If you do catch the races there sometime, don’t forget to visit the Vibe Night Club, they have some great drink specials with your wristband. A quick turn north at the 4-way stop at the south edge of Boone, travel to the corner of 6th and Story and stop in for a beverage or a meal at the Gigglin’ Goat. After a quick warm up we decided to head towards Ledges State Park. As we have a tendency to look for the roundabout way or the smaller country roads, we got out the map to determine if there were any alternative routes. We found a couple different 2-lane county highways that looked promising and decided to take R23 south off of Highway 30 just east of Boone. What a gem!! We loved this road, it had little traffic, gentle curves, and beautiful countryside scenery. The only thing we didn’t like about it, was that it was not near long enough: } it runs into E57 which is another great road, although this one was fairly straight, it was still a great ride. When we arrived at Ledges State Park we were extremely disappointed to see signs informing us the lower canyon road was closed due to high water.

Ledges, named for its unusual rock formations and fossilized trees, formed approximately 13,000 years ago by melting glacial water cutting through the sandstone and forming the park’s cliffs and valleys, consists of a total of 70 acres of restored prairie and wildlife habitat. There are 13 miles of hiking trails up and down steep slopes of overlooks and through the beautiful Pea’s Creek Canyon. The park lists 95 campsites; 40 with electrical hookups, 42 non-electric and 12 hike-in sites. Man, I can see myself trying to get lost up there for a week or two! Unfortunately, dealing with a time limit meant we had to leave, but I was really looking forward to our next stop, too. Onward to the Arboretum! Out the gates of Ledges State Park and south on R27, cross E57 and follow the signs to the Iowa Arboretum. And what, you ask, is an arboretum?, that’s what we wanted to know, but all you have to do is drive onto the grounds and I think it kind of explains itself.

Since I can’t refrain from showing off, here it is; a tree cultivation area. What an understatement! The Iowa Arboretum, founded 40 years ago, includes more than 300 acres of native Iowa natural woodlands, 40 acres of horticultural collections and 4 acres of

prairies along with self-guided trails. It has been described as a “Library of Living Plants” and as a “Librarian of Books” how could I not love it?! It was a nice quiet time on one of the trails, where we took a short walk. You could hear other people here and there, but we never saw very many people, you just knew they were there.

When we headed out from there, we were starting to wind down for the day, but I was ready for one more stop. I just didn’t know if I could talk the ol’ man into it. To my surprise, (all that nature must have really mellowed him out), he agreed to stop at the Snus Hill Winery. Neither one of us is much for wine, but we thought it might be a kick to go check out. We pulled out of the Arboretum and headed south on Highway 17 towards the town of Madrid, (pronounced Mad - rid, go figure!). Once we entered Madrid we looked for Highway 210 or 330th St., Highway 17 takes you right by it. Turning east on 330th Street, we went approximately 2 miles to turn back north on Violet Ave. At Violet Ave. it turns into gravel, so be prepared, but it’s just a little over a mile to the winery. Following the signs we quickly found the winery. We couldn’t have been more pleasantly surprised. When we entered the winery, we were greeted by James, who proceeded to fill us in on the happenings that were going on and then took us on a tour of the building and its facilities. Snus Hill Winery is an awardwinning, family owned business that occasionally partners with a neighbor who runs a catering business. Outside the winery there was a five piece string band playing while people all around were occupying tables on the big porch or up on the decks. There were even some people with picnic baskets and blankets on the grass.

James informed us that normally by this time of year it would have been too cool for the music outside, but he said as long as the weather holds out, so would they with the outdoor entertainment.

We left the winery just as the sun was setting, with just a few sample sips under our belts and thoughts of returning next year when we could enjoy the outdoor setting again! Well, the sun is setting on our Boone County trip and it seems kind of fitting that we were actually riding into the sunset at the end or our journey! : } I think I will leave it at that, and leave y’all to journey to Boone County yourself and make some discoveries of your own. Bye for now, Annette and Murph Sources: www.wikipedia.boonecountyia.com

www.co.boone.ia.us

Destination: Boone County Iowa, 2010 pub

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Turkey Run 2 0 1 0 Clinton, Iowa

It’s funny how some of the best ideas come out during brainstorming sessions while tossing back a few cold ones. Back in ’98, a few friends had just such a “great” idea when they decided that Black Friday was a perfect day for a ride! Yeah, as in the day after Thanksgiving, when most women are up before 3AM to start their Christmas shopping. You know, the day that most husbands and fathers are stuck at home recovering from a turkey hangover or watching the little ones as they tear apart the homestead. So what better day to call up the babysitter, and get the scooter out for one last ride of the year?

Yeah those of us from Iowa know all too well that the weather in late November is not typically ideal for riding on two wheels, but in the same breath, folks seem to take to it just fine on a snowmobile!

Therefore, many layers are typically piled on, and for a few lucky souls, hopefully the heated handgrips don’t get too warm!

But regardless of the weather outlook, the Turkey Run has continued on Black Friday every year since ’98!

November 26th marked the date for the 13th annual ride, and just like every year past, the ride left Lyon’s Tap in Clinton, Iowa at 10 AM. As one might imagine, the weather can take a toll on the number of riders each year, and past years have pulled off a couple 60-degree days, which easily puts numbers around 150 bikes. So this year’s 10AM estimated temp around 25 degrees

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dropped the numbers considerably, but roughly 50 bikes stilled showed up at Lyon’s Tap for the send off.

For the first time, this year’s ride was in memory of a good friend and staple of the Clinton area… On October 23rd, a well-known friend, father, and husband, “Flyin” Phil Hiene passed away, and in his memory a handful of friends painted their bikes camouflage to match Phil Russian Ural, which is also painted camo. Phil was the type of guy who could jump on any motorcycle and pull the front wheel off the ground in an instant. But in recent years, he’s been known around the region for tooling around in his Ural with the sidecar that grabbed attention everywhere it went!

Especially considering Phil’s size and stature.

The ride left Lyon’s Tap with all the camo bikes up front, and Phil’s long time friend Rocco leading the way on Phil’s Ural. The ride followed Highway 67 north out of Clinton, with the first stop at Lucky 7 bar in Sabula, where hand warmers were a hot commodity, literally, and the bar owners had the wood burning stove stoked up. 10 or so more riders joined in before the ride followed Highway 52 north along the Mississippi River to the Frontier Inn in Bellevue, Iowa. Luckily stops aren’t much farther than 15-20 miles from each other, which is plenty considering that the skies clouded over and the day’s estimated high temp of 32 degrees was never reached.

The ride continued over the hills north of Bellevue, where high crosswinds didn’t help out much, but the warm soup and lunch at Kalmes’ in Dubuque helped to thaw riders out. Riders then pointed their wheels east across the Mississippi into southwestern Wisconsin, where Lou and Kelli greeted everyone with a smile at the General Store in New Diggins, Wisconsin.

But, before reaching Diggs, Phil’s Ural ran out of petro, but a couple chasers ran to the next gas station to help out Rocco. Not a huge set back, considering that after leaving New Diggins; the rear end in the Ural was shelled crossing the bridge in Galena, Illinois. But any one who knew Phil could still hold a smile on their face, knowing that with his sense of humor, Phil was sitting with the big man above and laughing!

While arrangements were made to get the Ural home, the rest of the ride continued with a stop at Bootleggers in Hanover, Illinois, where we found out that the local police aren’t very fond of smoke shows in their jurisdiction. So, after they chased us out of town, the ride continued south along the river to the Iron Horse in Savanna, Illinois, where Jerry and Vicki had free chili nearly boiling and a free drink to all turkeys on the run. One last Illinois stop was made at Large 1’s Pub in Fulton, before crossing back into Clinton, where the ride ended with a small benefit for Phil’s wife and children. Turkey Run T-shirts featuring Phil, patches, and memorial rockers were for sale, with all proceeds going to Phil’s family, along with a 50/50 drawing and raffles. Live music opened up with local musicians Joe Smith and the Axle Bundies, while Chicago based favorites The Krank Daddys rocked the night out. If you ever get a chance to see these guys, it’s highly recommended! They boast a high energy beat into a very entertaining show, which goes well beyond the Rock-a-Billy sound, and defines the term “Psycho-Billy!”

Many long time attendees of the Turkey Run made it clear that this year’s Turkey Run was by far the best yet! Definitely not the warmest to date, and not even necessarily comfortable riding, but after the loss of Flyin Phil, people turned out in droves for his memory, especially for the party at Legends! This event was merely a small gesture in Phil’s memory, while trying to help out his family in a small way, and an official benefit is slated for sometime in April.

But even this “small gesture” still managed to raise nearly $3000 in Phil’s memory!

Hardly small numbers, and everyone who attended the event should give themselves a pat on the back… Their help and consideration was greatly appreciated!!!

Next year’s ride will again take place on Black Friday, come rain, sleet, or snow. FYI… Like every year in the past, the ride leaves Lyon’s Tap at 10AM. But, if you need more details and directions, give Patrick a call at 563-212-3347, or check out www. tristateturkeyrun.com It might actually be updated by then! And one more thing to keep in mind… If you actually work in Clinton, and you’re late for work the following day, you can always run to work if you’re bike won’t start!

Nate Ullrich (www.natanic.com) Photos by: Danica Baker and Nate Ullrich

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A Canadian salesman checked into a futuristic hotel in Tokyo, Japan . . .

Realizing he needed a haircut before the next day’s meeting, he called down to the desk clerk to ask if there was a barber on the premises.

‘I’m afraid not, sir,’ the clerk told him apologetically, ‘but down the hall from your room is a vending machine that should serve your purposes.’

Skeptical but intrigued, the salesman located the machine, inserted $15.00, and stuck his head into the opening, at which time the machine started to buzz and whirl. Fifteen seconds later the salesman pulled out his head and surveyed his reflection, which reflected the best haircut of his life.

Two feet away was another machine with a sign that read; ‘Manicures, $20.00’.

‘Why not?’ thought the salesman. He paid the money, inserted his hands into the slot, and the machine started to buzz and whirl. Fifteen seconds later he pulled out his hands and they were perfectly manicured.

The next machine had a sign that read, ‘This Machine Provides a Service Men Need When Away from Their Wives; 50 Cents.’

The salesman looked both ways, put fifty cents in the machine, unzipped his fly, and with some anticipation, stuck his “wanker” into the opening. When the machine started buzzing, the guy let out a shriek of agony and almost passed out. Fifteen seconds later it shut off.

With trembling hands, the salesman was able to withdraw his tender unit...... which now had a button sewn neatly on the end.

Harley received a parrot as a gift.

The parrot cussed like a drunken sailor.

Tried as he might, Harley could not get the parrot to stop cussing so raunchy and acting out.

Finally, after an all-day fight and lecture to the bird, Harley, in desperation, threw up his hands, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer.

For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked on the door. Then, suddenly there was total quiet.

Fearing that he’d hurt the parrot, Harley quickly opened the door to the freezer. The parrot calmly stepped out onto Harley’s outstretched arm and said “I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I’m sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my unforgivable behavior.”

Harley was stunned at the change in the bird’s attitude.

As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird inquired, very softly,.......

“May I be so bold as to ask what the turkey did?”

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‘Bless me Father, for I have sinned.

I have been with a loose girl.’

The priest asks, ‘Is that you, little Eddie Hunter?’

‘Yes, Father, it is.’

‘And who was the girl you were with?’

‘I can’t tell you, Father, I don’t want to ruin her reputation.’

‘Well, Eddie, I’m sure to find out her name sooner or later so you may as well tell me now.

Was it Tina Minetti?’

‘I cannot say.’

‘Was it Teresa Mazzarelli?’

‘I’ll never tell.’

‘Was it Cristi Capelli?’

‘I’m sorry, but I cannot name her.’

‘Was it Cathy Piriano?’

‘My lips are sealed.’

‘Was it Rosa DiAngelo, then?’

‘Please, Father, I cannot tell you.’

The priest sighs in frustration. ‘You’re very tight lipped, and I admire that. But you’ve sinned and have to atone. You can not be an altar boy now for 4 more months. Now you go and behave yourself.’

Eddie walks back to his pew, and his friend slides over and whispers, ‘What’d you get?’

‘Four months’ vacation and five really good leads!.’

We were dressed and ready to go out for the New Years Eve Party.

We did our usual ritual before going out.

We put the cat in the backyard and called a cab.

The taxi arrived and as we’re leaving the damn cat runs back in the house. When we go out we always have to make sure the cat is in the back yard as he has a tendency to attack the bird’s cage and gets the bird all upset, who then squawks all night and upsets the neighbors.

My wife goes out to the taxi, while I went inside to catch the cat and return it to the back yard.

The cat runs upstairs, with me in hot pursuit.

Waiting in the cab, my wife doesn’t want the driver to know that the house will be empty for the night, so, she explains to the taxi driver, ‘My husband will be just a minute.....he’s just gone upstairs to say goodbye to my mother.’ The driver nods.

A few minutes later, I get into the cab. ‘Sorry I took so long,’ I said, as we drove away. ‘That stupid bitch was hiding under the bed. I had to poke her with a coat hanger to get her to come out! She tried to take off, so I grabbed her by the neck. Then, I had to wrap her in a blanket to keep her from scratching me. But it worked! I hauled her fat ass downstairs and threw her out into the back yard!’

The cab driver then hit a parked car.

Military Riders man, as was his father, and has an uncle that served in the Army.

Riding and service to this country are a common theme with his family.

Dominique started riding on a 1979 GS550 that his father gave him. He later upgraded to a 1997 Honda Shadow 1100 that he rode for about 5 years, then getting his current bike. He now rides a 2003 GSXR 750. He found it from a private seller in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and loved the burnt orange color on the sport bike that he wanted. He loves the unique color, as you do not see many sport bikes with this unique hue. In the future he plans to have the wheels dipped to match the orange color on the bike, and is currently working on customizing the exhaust. Other than that, he loves it just the way it is.

He spends a lot of time on two wheels with his friends form the 100 Ryderz and others from the area. His club plans on attending many annual parties this coming riding season in Omaha, Kansas City, Minneapolis, and bunches of events here in Iowa. They may even also trek out to Vegas for the National Round up. Locally they attend many local Des Moines area bike nights and their club supports the community with canned food drives, sponsoring families for Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well out giving out scholarships to local seniors that are graduating.

If you see D-Nyce out and about, give him a nice Veteran’s wave, and if you get a chance, shake his hand and thank him for his service. Ride Free Thanks to our Military!

This month we bring you Dominique E. L. Strode, A.K.A. “D-Nyce” as the featured military rider of the month. He lives in Des Moines, Iowa and is the Road Captain with 100 Ryderz MC based out of Des Moines, Iowa. He is also a 32nd Degree Master Mason with North Star Lodge # 2 in Des Moines. As far as a family, Dominique adds “I have a very special woman in my life that I hope to one day make my wife. She’s a flawless diamond, a great mother, my best friend & truly an exceptional woman across the board in all aspects of her life. I think it’s cool & a blessing to have someone so special in my life.” His family ties carry farther than his special lady as well. His love of the sport of motorcycling comes from Grandfather, Father, and many uncles that have always owned and ridden bikes. He spent a lot of time around these guys growing up, and D-Nyce always knew he would someday ride, it was just a matter of time.

Dominique served our great land in the United States Army from 1998 until 2002. He attained the rank of E4-SPEC. in the 101st Airborne Division Air Assault. His tour included service locations in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Fort Polk, Louisiana, Fort Gordon, Georgia, and Fort Jackson, South Carolina. His primary duties at these assignments was as a 31F Electronic Switching Systems Operator Maintainer. He was a communications specialist using line of sight antennas and satellites to provide communications to ground forces in the field. He got his love for riding from his family just as his call for service. His Grandfather was an Air Force

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Biker Friendly Directory It’s important for you to know who your friends are out there when you hit the road! Welcome to our Biker Friendly Directory. The following is a list of our 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 through their doors, 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- they are the sole financial supporters of this magazine.

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 give us a call tt at 712-249-5582 or email tt at tt@thunderroadsiowa.com or Vernon at vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com Services Nelson Machine & Forge General Machining, Ornamental Iron, Weld/Fab 70 Washington Street Marne, Iowa 51552 712-781-2220 Leather & Hawgs 316 Main, Hornick, Iowa 121 1st St, Soldier, Iowa Leather@netins.net www.leatherandhawgs.com Doc’s Bail Bonds Your 24/7 Prescription to Freedom in Minutes Adel, Iowa 50003 515-993-4773 Ulrich Photography PO Box 1842 Clinton, Iowa 52733 563-243-8715 www.natanic.com Iowa Bail Bonds 200 4th Street Des Moines, IA 50309 (515) 243-4411

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Metal Ink 911 7th Street Ste 102 Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-235-2453 www.metalink.org RJM Trucking Cedar Rapids, Iowa 319-360-5433

Southwest Iowa Sandblasting Mike Magers 65162 Oxford Rd Atlantic, Iowa 50022 712-249-3995 BCS Computers 100 Industrial Road Guthrie Center, Iowa 50115 641-747-3344 www.brubakercomputer.com Crispy’s Biker Apparel Cedar Rapids, Iowa www.bikerwear.com 319-241-0916 Thunder Illusions Photo and Video From Mild to Wild Des Moines, Iowa thunderillusions@gmail.com www.thunderillusions.com Dealers and Shops Batt’s Cycle American V-Twin Service 1006 Linn Street Boone, Iowa 50036 515-298-0375 Battman69@mchsi.com www.battscycle.com Twisted Grip Cycle Your Dynojet Center 2444 L Avenue (I-29 & 25th St. Exit) Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 712-256-7323 Aaron@twistedgripcycle.omhcoxmail.com Throttle Shop LLC 1988 Arion Avenue Arion, Iowa 51520 712-674-3325 throttleshopllc@gmail.com

Trustworthy Cycles 3781 Balk Road Fulton, Illinois 61252 563-249-1777 Specializing in Making the “Old Iron” Trustworthy Guthrie Auto Body John Beer owner 1804 State Street Guthrie Center, Iowa 50115 641-332-2484 F & J Racing Fred & Jackie Ingraham 701 N 3rd Ave Marshalltown, Iowa 50158 641-752-8651 www.fandjracing.com XTreme Cycle & Off Road 206 E Main St Panora, Iowa 50216 641-755-4288 xtremecycle@netins.net Baxter Cycle 311 4th Street Marne, Iowa 51552 712-781-2351 www.baxtercycle.com J & S Custom Cycles Des Moines, Iowa 515-779-4632 M&M Garage 408 Market Street Audubon, Iowa 50025 712-563-2425 mmgarage@iowatelecom.net Werner Cycle Works 14410 Frontier Road Exit 440 I-80 Omaha, NE 68138 (402) 894-3050 www.wernercycleworks.com Carroll Cycle Center 1327 Plaza Dr Carroll, Iowa (712) 792-1610 www.carrollcycle.com

Biker Friendly Directory Bars, Restaurants, Lounges & Clubs

Sparetime Bar & Grill 136 West Main Street Ute, Iowa 61060 712-885-2226 Doc’s Roadhouse 309 East 7th Street Logan, Iowa 51543 712-644-3636 Open 365-8 am to Close Off Sides Pizza 1119 Thomas Street Redfield, Iowa 50233 515-833-2900 Thomas Street Tap 1109 Thomas Street Redfield, Iowa 50233 515-833-2379 Montgomery Street Pub 207 East Montgomery Street Creston Iowa 50801 641-782-2165 Sidetracked 206 West Union Street Creston, Iowa 50801 641-782-8534 Wet Goods Food & Lounge 113 N. Chestnut Street Jefferson, Iowa 50129 515-386-2111 Do Drop Inn 403 3rd Avenue Under the Water Tower Jamaica, Iowa 50128 515-314-0783 ToJo’s Jamaica Bar & Grill 408 Main Jamaica, Iowa 50178 641-429-3007 sellinsuds@yahoo.com Pearl Street Social Club 110 Pearl Street SW Shellsburg, Iowa 52332 319-436-7100 Nitro’s Bar & Grill 310 Main Street Gravity, Iowa 50848 641-418-0004 Home of Sunday-Funday Rusty Duck Bar & Grill 723 Marshall Street Dexter, Iowa 50070 Tue-Sat 4-10pm 515-789-4142

Quick Rick’s Rib Joint 406 East Lincoln Highway (Highway 30) Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555 712-600-6161 Tue-Sun 11:00am-8:00pm

Rumours Sports Bar & Grill 309 South 12th Ave. Place Marshalltown, IA (641) 752-5477 Steve Priske-Owner

Beer Barn and Grill 226 State Street Kirkman, Iowa 51447 712-766-3395 Open Mon 4, Tue-Sun at 11

14th Street Tavern 3418 East 14th Street Des Moines, IA (515) 266-3446 Open Weekdays 8am-2pm Sat 10am-2pm and Sun 11am-2pm

Phil’s 20oz Prime Rib Friday Nights 9956 Swanson Blvd Clive, Iowa 515-270-0959 Sambetti’s Bar and Grill 1430 2nd Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50314 515-245-9780 Mon-Sat 11a-2a, Sun 11a-7p Texas Roadhouse 8744 Northpark Drive (I-80 at 86th street exit) Johnston, Iowa 50131 515-251-4597 Escape Lounge 8843 Northpark Ct, Johnston, IA 50131 515-276-2209 RJ’s Lounge 109 North Main Street Conrad, IA (641) 366-2687 Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-2am Sunday 12pm-12am Corner Tap 35 North Center Street Marshalltown, IA (641) 753-9925 Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-2am Sunday 12pm-2am Goat Ranch Saloon 105 South Main Street Baxter, IA (641) 227-3502 O’Kelly’s 106 North Main Street Baxter, IA 50028 (641) 227-3013 Screaming Eagle American Bar & Grill 228 East 4th Street Waterloo, Iowa 50703 319-235-8865 www.partyattheeagle.com

The Haverhill Social Club 202 1st Street Haverhill, IA 50120 (641) 475-3321 Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-2am Sunday 12pm-12am Riverside Tavern 450 E Main St Lehigh IA, 50557 515-359-9998 Email: riversidetap@gmail.com Good Sons 2815 Beaver Ave Ste 102 Des Moines, IA (515) 681-5375 Papa Joe’s 117 South 6th Street Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555 712-642-9015 Midway Tavern 206 1st Street Soldier, Iowa 712-884-2230 www.midwaytavernsoldier.com

Tattoo Bad Girlz Ink 1217 Willis Perry, Iowa 50220 515-465-2205

Attorneys Richard Lester www.on-a-bike.com 800-on-a-bike To buy ad space and list your business or service in our directory, give us call at 712-249-5582

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Girls Of Thunder Julie Mathison Stanton, Iowa 2006 883 Sportster

Gretchen “g” Carroll and her pony Thunder Holstein’s Harley Davidson 2001 Fat Boy

Tammy Winter Manning, Iowa 2002 Harley Dyna Wide Glide

Are you from Iowa?

Are you a Girl of Thunder?

Email us your pictures (highest resolution possible) to vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com Be sure to include the year, make, and model of your ride and what town you are from!!!

Look for more Girls of Thunder next month.

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Cindy O’Neill Harley Davidson 2007 Fat Boy Sioux City, Iowa

Belluci’s Pizza House 824 Story Street Boone, IA 50036

Lunch Wednesday 11:30-1:00 Dinner Tuesday thru Sunday 5 PM to Close Closed Mondays

Good Old-Fashioned Hand-Made Pizza!

Belluci’s Pizza House, serving Boone since 1965, is located downtown just two stores north of the movie theater. This is not a chain pizza place, this is a real live family owned and operated business, somewhat of a rarity in this day and age. Walking up to the storefront begins a trip back in time, you can actually watch the pizzas being made through the front window.

Stepping in the front door completes the time warp as you are now inside a quaint little shoppe complete with booths and decor from decades ago. A note on the seating, the booths are the old-fashioned turquoise vinyl type, geared for groups of 4 or less, if you have more than a party of 4 you will end up in multiple booths or if you get there early enough there is one circular booth all the way in the back that appeared that it would seat 6 comfortably. It appears as though a large part of their business is take-out and delivery as when we arrived the front counter was covered with open pizza boxes awaiting fresh pies and outside the door is a reserved parking space for the Belluci’s Pizza delivery vehicle.

The pizzas on the menu come in 3 sizes, small 10 inch, medium 12 inch and large 14 inch. They vary in price from $10.50 for a small one topping to $21.50 for the large Belluci Special. The crust is a crispy, flaky thin crust with an inverted lip. These pizzas aren’t cut into traditional slices but instead are cut in a grid form. The toppings are all fresh and applied in generous helpings. We had two of their specialty pizzas, the Belluci Special which is their version of a deluxe pizza and the Vic’s Special which is an italian sausage, onion, green peppers and cheese pizza, both were exceptionally tasty with large chunks of meat and garden fresh vegetable chunks and their scrumptious tomato sauce and cheese. Pizzas may be their namesake but are not the only things offered on the menu, they also have a variety of cold and hot sandwiches including some specialty sandwiches such as the Yogi Burger, a sandwich consisting of ground beef with bacon, cheese, pickle and dressing on a round bun, and the Thompson Special, a long bun sandwich made with ground beef, bacon, green peppers, green olives, onions and cheese. Prices of the sandwiches vary from $5.00 for the cold sandwiches to $10.50 for the Thompson Special. A couple of salads also grace the menu for those wishing something more green and leafy. Appetizers are also offered in the form of Garlic Bread, Cheese Bread and Tomato Bread. We

had the Tomato Bread which consists of a long bun with some of their delish tomato pizza sauce applied and cheese melted on top... kind of a cheese pizza bread! We also had the Garlic Bread which is also on a long bun and was mighty tasty in it’s own right.

Belluci’s Pizza House would make a great destination for a dinner ride as evidenced by it being a frequent destination for Zylstra Harley Davidson/Buell in Ames dinner runs.

Belluci’s Pizza House, eat in, take out or have it delivered... any way you can get it, it’s worth getting!

Until next month, ride safe and eat hearty!

Craig Little craig@thunderroadsiowa.com PS If you have someplace you think we should check out in your neck of the woods, shoot me an email.

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THUNDER BALLS ....... 2011 PARTY STYLE

1 - 14oz. Can Jellied Cranberry Sauce 1 - 12oz. Bottle Heinz Chili Sauce 1 - 2 Pound Bag of Frozen, Cocktail-Size Meatballs Combine sauces in a large saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring until smooth. Add meatballs. Cover and cook for 15 mins. or until meatballs are heated through. You can also make these in a crock-pot: Place meatballs in pot, combine sauces and pour over top, cook 4 hours on High, then switch to Low or Warm.

These taste fantastic! and are great on a bun with melted cheese also.

BELOW ARE VARIOUS STYLES OF SPREADS TO JAZZ IT UP FOR 2011!

CRANBERRY MUSTARD

Stir together 1 Cup or 1 Can of Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce, 1/3 Cup of Dijon Mustard and 1/4 tsp. Dried Crushed Red Pepper. *Great served on New Year’s leftover ham sandwiches with White Cheddar Cheese.

CREOLE APPLE BUTTER MUSTARD

Stir together 1 Cup of Apple Butter (in Peanut Butter & Jelly section of grocer’s), 1/4 Cup Creole Mustard. *Great served over pan-fried pork chops.

LEMON-RASBERRY MAYO

Stir together 2 Cups Mayonnaise, 2 Tbls. Chopped Fresh Rosemary, 1-1/2 Tbl. Lemon Zest and 1 Garlic Clove; Minced. * Serve on Roast Turkey Sandwiches.

CRANBERRY CREAM CHEESE SPREAD

Stir together 1 Pkg. Softened Cream Cheese, 2/3 Cup Sweetened Dried Cranberries, 1/3 Cup Orange Marmalade and 1/2 Cup Finely Chopped Walnuts.

Chill at least 3 hours. * Great on Ciabatta Bread or English Muffin, as it seeps down into all the nooks & crannies. Add turkey, lettuce & tomato and you’ve got it made.

HUNGARIAN-STYLE CHILI w/POLENTA compliments of: Rachel Ray website * Perfect

for a Cold or Rainy Day

2 Tbls. Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2 Pounds Coarse Ground Sirloin 1 Red Chili Pepper; Seeded & Finely Chopped 1 Red Bell Pepper; Chopped 1 Large Onion; Chopped 4 Cloves Garlic; Finely Chopped Salt & Pepper to Taste 1-1/2 Tbls. Chili Powder 1-1/2 Tbls. Smoked Sweet Paprika 1 tsp. Dried Marjoram or Oregano 1/4 Cup Tomato Paste 1 Quart Beef Stock 1-1/2 Cups Chicken Stock 1-1/2 Cups Whole Milk 1 Cup Quick-Cooking Polenta 2 Tbls. Butter 1 Cup Shredded Smoked Gouda Cheese 1 Cup Sour Cream Finely Chopped Fresh Dill, Parsley & Chives for Garnish.

Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef and brown, apprx. 8 mins. Add the hot pepper, bell pepper, onion & garlic and season with salt & pepper. Cook to soften the vegetables, 8 mins. more. Stir in the chili powder, sweet paprika and oregano, Add the tomato paste to pot and stir all to combine, 1 minute. Add the stock to the pot and bring the chili to a boil. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook for 15 minutes more.

In a separate pot, bring the chicken stock and milk to a boil; whisk in the polenta and cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened, but not too thick. Stir in the butter and cheese and season with salt & pepper.

To serve; fill large, shallow bowls with polenta, making a well in the center. Fill up the well with delicious, hot chili.

Mix your finely chopped fresh dill, parsley & chives into your sour cream and add a big fat dollop of this on top of your chili to melt down into it. Serve w/ hot, crusty bread and honey butter. OMG! This is killer!

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Bike: Heritage Softail

Model: Carrie Rohde

Photo: Nate Ullrich

IOWA

Looking back on years gone by, my love of motorcycles began at an early age. My dad enjoyed riding motorcycles. I wish my memory served me better on the specifics.

What I do remember vividly is the sudden death of my father in a farm accident in 1977, just after Elvis died.

He was only 26. I was 4 1/2, the oldest of 3 girls. My sister Amy was 2 1/2 and Laura was only 12 days old. It was after he passed that we moved from our Eddyville home back to Beacon, where my mother grew up. It’s one of those towns where everyone knows your name and every other house is related. It was there, with living just a block away from my grandpa that I was exposed to the joy of two wheels on the open road.

My grandpa, Dick Thomas, was a well known business man in the area. He had a love for his toys, from trucks to 3 and 4 wheelers to motorcycles.

It seemed that he was always getting something new to play with. I remember the many motorcycles he had over the years, including a dirt bike he wrecked, not wanting grandma to find out. I remember how all the grandkids would take turns going on rides. Leaving his house, it was just a block from main highway leading us to his usual destination, Eveland Access on the Des Moines River. He would start out slow, pick up speed, play around doing the «weave» motion as he cruised down the road. As kids, 20

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some of us loved that motion while others hated it. (I still love it!) As we got older, the bikes got bigger. The last one I remember had a radio he loved to play loudly. Later on, when he got matching 3 and 4 wheelers, he was willing to teach us how to shift, brake, and to give it gas. He let us ride on our own. Of course, he wasn›t too happy with me my first time out by myself. I headed straight for the big willow tree, in my panic; I forgot how to use the brake. With forgiveness and lots of practice, I got better and better. I could run with the big boys.

That theory has stuck with me to this day. As a kid, I never dreamt that I would one day ride a motorcycle of my own. My grandpa taught me that I could do whatever I wanted. I just had to be willing to put my fear aside and try. Grandpa passed away when I was just 12. I give him credit for getting me started on this journey of freedom and confidence. I think of him and my father often, I know they would both be so proud!!

Years later, not only do I ride but I own two motorcycles. I bought a 2003 Dyna Superglide brand new on Jan 11th 2003. It is black, one of my grandpa’s favorite colors. You would think my favorite color is chrome if you see it! My second bike was bought the day before Valentine’s Day in 2009. It is a 2006 Dyna Lowrider completely customized with a Harley Radical paint set and flames all over! Both dates of purchase have special meanings and memories to me. I also manage the

parts department at Hawkeye HarleyDavidson in Coralville, Iowa. I have 6 1/2 years under my belt and let’s just say being a woman in the parts department has many stories in itself!! Every riding season, I challenge myself to ride further than the last, logging miles with friends, keeping track of every mile on the calendar. Each bike has its own name so I know which bike I rode and how far. Each year’s calendar of events reminds me of fun with friends and memories made. However, this year was much different than any other.

For many riders, motorcycling often gives them freedom, a peace of mind. For some it is therapy, a chance to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Our minds clear as the smells, sights and sounds of the open highway give us reflection on what is important. Unfortunately, my desire to hit the open road was at an all time low this year after the sudden death of my sister Amy. She was only 34 and had a double massive stoke, a life taken too soon just like my father’s. Two young children, left behind to grow up not knowing a part of them. A sad replay of the childhood I experienced. My eagerness to achieve my mileage goal was non-existent. I found myself scared of what could happen. My joy was replaced with too many what ifs? I didn›t ride much. I didn›t keep track of miles. An educated guess would calculate less than 1000 miles for the whole season, my lowest number since I began keeping track in 2003. I didn›t join my friends as I had done in the past. I focused on other goals instead that strayed away from motorcycles all together. Even in my excitement at

saying «motorcycle» every time I was driving four wheels, seeing someone else lucky enough to be on their motorcycle, was gone.

As the year progressed, a phrase that my boss said to me stuck in my head. I was struggling one day at the counter to contain my tears over my family’s loss. Bob approached me and said, “You can’t be afraid to live.” My joy for the road has slowly begun to return. I contribute that in part to being able to share my daily struggles with my Harley family. In a customer service field, you get to know people and share stories of tragedy and triumph.

Many showing support, ensuring me that when the time is right, I will be back on the bike. I have never been very spiritual but each time I throw my leg over the saddle I pray my angels above will protect me, keep me safe, and replace fear with happiness to be doing what I love. As the year anniversary of my sister’s death quickly approaches on Jan. 5, my goal for spring has already been set, new riding friends made. The next time I climb aboard my wild hogs, my ride will be for my sister, my grandfather and my dad! May the inner peace of the road be mine to hold onto until we meet again!

By: Jodie Keasling Hawkeye Harley-Davidson, Parts Manager,

in Coralville, Iowa

We Do Custom: Hats, Can Cozies, T/shirts, Patches etc..

We also Offer Leather Repair & Sewing..

(319) 241-0916

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News Bytes RIDER TRAINING TRUMPS RIDING EXPERIENCE A new study utilizing a motorcycle simulator has found that formal advanced training is better than the school of Hard Knocks regarding how a rider reacts to emergency situations on the road.

A Triumph mounted on a custom rig designed and built at the University Nottingham’s Centre for Motorcycle Ergonomics & Rider Human Factors in England was used to investigate the attitudes, behaviors and skills of different types of riders according to their level of experience and training, with simulation software projecting different riding scenarios onto a large screen in front of the rider.

Three groups; novice, experienced and those who had taken advanced motorcycle training, were put through identical scenarios on the simulator as well as other tasks in the laboratory to test aspects of their hazard perception and behavior.

The researchers discovered that experience on its own does not necessarily make riders safer on the road, while those riders who had taken advanced motorcycle safety training used better road positioning to anticipate and respond to hazards, kept to urban speed limits, and actually made better progress through bends than the other groups of novice and experienced bikers.

“This is one of the most in-depth studies of its kind ever conducted,” said Dr. Alex Stedmon from the Human Factors Research Group.

“Whilst experience seems to help develop rider skills to an extent, advanced training appears to develop deeper levels of awareness, perception and responsibility,” Stedmon noted. “It also appears to make riders better urban riders and quicker, smoother and safer riders in rural settings.”

Amendment rights to due process, equal protection and freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.”

NTSB CALLS FOR STATES TO REQUIRE HELMETS

The National Transportation Safety Board stated on Tuesday, November 19, that all states should require riders to wear federally approved helmets.

Christopher A. Hart, the NTSB’s vice chairman, called motorcycle accidents ”a public health issue.” and said that helmet laws have been added for the first time to the NTSB’s “Most Wanted List” of safety improvement priorities. The list is considered a powerful tool by which the NTSB forces legislative change.

But highway safety laws are largely left up to the states, which have been increasingly resistant to many federal recommendations, and the transportation agency’s appeal comes at a time when motorcycle deaths have actually been on the decrease since 2009.

This is not the first time there has been federal pressure exerted on states to pass helmet laws. In the late 1960s, Congress threatened to withhold highway funding for states failing to adopt universal helmet laws, and within a few years almost every state had a helmet mandate.

But by the late 1970s, political resistance and pressure from motorcycle groups convinced Congress to break the link between motorcycle laws and federal highway funds, and over half the states repealed their helmet laws.

NHTSA STILL PUSHING MOTORCYCLE-ONLY CHECKPOINTS NATIONWIDE

In 1991, Congress decided to try again, offering safety grants to states that enforced helmet and seatbelt laws. States that didn’t enforce such laws had three percent of their federal highway money redirected to their highway safety programs. Still, only two states re-instituted helmet laws and by 1995 the federal effort was again overturned and five more states soon repealed their helmet laws.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has ignored congressional requests to halt or delay a plan to implement and fund motorcycle-only checkpoints nationwide.

Today, only 20 states require all riders to wear helmets, and last year more state legislatures considered laws to repeal helmet laws than to enact them.

The first federally-funded checkpoints, dubbed “roadside motorcycle safety checkpoints,” will be launched by the Georgia Department of Public Safety, via a NHTSA grant to the Georgia State Patrol. NHTSA has implemented the checkpoint funding plan despite being asked by members of Congress not to fund the program until the merits were explained.

Forcing states to implement safety regulations is not territory the safety board want to enter, according to Steve Blackistone, NTSB’s state and local government relations specialist, who said “We are not prescriptive; we cannot mandate implementation.”

NHTSA has requested applications from law enforcement agencies across the country to conduct “safety checks” that specifically target motorcyclists to pull aside for a lengthy inspection of their vehicle, equipment and paperwork.

The New York State Police have been conducting motorcycleonly checkpoints since 2007, often targeting major motorcycle events such as Americade. Seeking a legal remedy to stop the constitutionally questionable roadblocks, Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) Attorney Mitchell Proner of NYC has filed a class action lawsuit against the NYSP and New York State on behalf of ABATE of New York and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM).

Proner believes the Federal Court will agree that the stops are designed primarily for law enforcement purposes as opposed to public safety purposes. “Rather than promoting any legitimate public safety concern, the checkpoints are intended to harass and intimidate motorcyclists attempting to attend motorcycle events thereby depriving them of their First Amendment right to freedom of assembly as well as their Fourth, Fifth and Fourteenth

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But on the same day as the NTSB proclamation, the insurance industry advocacy group Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety called upon Congress to observe the NTSB recommendation and “enact federal legislation that would result in all states adopting allrider helmet use laws.”

NEW JERSEY ESTABLISHES STRINGENT GUIDELINES FOR NEW RIDERS A measure sponsored by Senator Nicholas J. Sacco, chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, which would establish safety guidelines for new motorcycle riders in the Garden State was approved by the Assembly recently by a vote of 67-7.

The bill, S-736, would enact several motorcycle safety regulations, including a tiered licensing provision. Under the bill, if a person is issued a motorcycle license for a vehicle with a smaller-size engine -- less than 231 cubic centimeters -- they would be legally prohibited from operating a motorcycle with an engine displacement of more than 500 cc. Senator Sacco said that this provision would ensure that new motorcycle riders are restricted from operating vehicles with engines

News Bytes

that are too powerful for that driver’s skill level.

Among other provisions, the bill would also require all applicants under the age of 18 to complete a motorcycle safety program as a condition for licensure or endorsement.

The bill was approved by the Senate by a vote of 31-3 on August 23, but must be returned to consider Assembly amendments which were largely technical in nature. If approved in the Senate, it would head to the Governor to be signed into law.

MOTORCYCLE SALES DOWN, RIDERSHIP UP Motorcycle sales continue to be hard hit, despite the declared end to the recession, but according to the Motorcycle Industry Council there are other indicators that point to a brighter future for the twowheel industry.

Although year-to-date market data reveals an 18.3% drop in new unit sales, tire sales are up 6.6% in 2010 versus 2009, indicating motorcyclists are still enthusiastic about the sport and riding.

In addition, motorcycle miles travelled increased by “approximately 5% last year, some 1.3 billion more miles than in 2008,” according to the MIC’s 2009 Motorcycle Owner Survey.

“In many ways, we are better poised for a comeback than ever,” said Ty van Hooydonk, communications director for the council.

CHINA BECOMES THE WORLD’S LARGEST MOTORCYCLE PRODUCER China has now overtaken Japan as the largest producer of motorcycles in the world. Yearly, 50 million motorcycles are produced worldwide, and China now produces at least 27.5 million of that figure or a little more than 50% of the total world production. China has already taken over the top spot in world automobile production by producing more cars than Japan and the U.S. combined.

Interestingly, some historic American companies like HarleyDavidson are moving ahead for plans to produce motorcycles in China, but whether they will be exported to the U.S. or simply sold in this Asian market is not quite known yet.

The city of Chongqing has become China’s motorcycle production

center, with more than 10 million motorcycles a year coming out of this modern city alone. In fact, four of five of the largest Chinese motorcycle brands that produce over 1 million units a year come out of this city. China has more than 130 motorcycle brands.

Expect to see more powerful and modern motorcycles coming from China as this nation seeks to become the largest and most powerful economy in the world.

WEIRD NEWS: HEAD GAMES In Lagos, Nigeria, motorcycle taxis called “okada” are so dangerous in that local hospitals have special orthopedic wards meant just for people who have suffered accidents while riding them. So you’d think a law requiring passengers to wear helmets would be welcomed.

But it turns out that, for many Nigerians, the only thing scarier than a motorcycle taxi is a motorcycle helmet. Many people refuse to wear them out of fear of juju, or supernatural powers. Some fret that previous passengers may have put nefarious juju spells on the helmets to steal someone’s good fortune, or to make a person disappear in order to be used in a sacred ritual.

“Our people are quite superstitious about anything dealing with their head,” says Ralph Ibuzo, who created the “Original Lapa Guard”, a cloth cap that he claims can protect wearers from disease and sudden disappearance. “People believe that if you put on a helmet, [others] can take away your brain, or your good luck,” he told the Wall Street Journal, so the hygienic cap provides a thin layer of separation between the head and a helmet full of potential trouble.

Aside from preventing paranormal paranoia, Mr. Ibuzo also has the law on his side as this sub-Saharan city enacted a traffic regulation last year that requires okada passengers to don helmets. But despite efforts at enforcement by city officials and traffic police, most passengers refuse to wear them out of concern about juju, widely feared throughout West Africa.

QUOTABLE QUOTE: “The two enemies of the people are criminals and government, so let us tie the second down with the chains of the constitution so the second will not become the legalized version of the first.”

Thunder Roads® Magazine 23

ABATE

Update

Even in the winter months our freedoms are at risk. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is compelled to stomp on our freedoms and we need your help.

We have all heard the argument, “I have to wear a seatbelt so you should have to wear a helmet”. Put it to rest fast. The two have completely different sets of circumstances that happen in crashes. Head trauma is the number one cause of death in an auto accident. That is not the case in motorcycle accidents.

Blunt force trauma is the leading cause of death for motorcycle fatalities.

Then we have the argument that vehicle insurance is high because of motorcyclists. First off, auto insurance and motorcycle insurance are determined from two different pools.

One has nothing to do with the other. No state has ever raised its insurance rates after repealing a helmet law. I have been unable to find were any state lowered their insurance rates because of the seatbelt or helmet laws. Where are all the savings going to they say would come from these laws being enacted?

I don’t care if a motorcyclist wants to wear a helmet. It’s up to them to decide for themselves. It bothers me that some individuals want to impose their will upon me. Something to consider, a 4-pound helmet traveling 55 miles per hour becomes a 220-pound weight on your neck if you’re stopped in your tracks.

Not sure if I can still lift 220 pounds so I know I can’t with my neck.

I am not completely naive about the facts that a helmet could save my life in certain circumstances. But so could changing my diet, and so on and so forth. There is little to do anymore that is considered safe, from food to fun and from the view point of our government to my view point on anything.

Helmets can prevent some injuries but can also inflict and intensify injuries. Each rider should be able to decide for themselves the benefits vs. the risk imposed. Helmet laws do not prevent crashes. Rider education and auto driver awareness prevent crashes. ABATE of Iowa has these topics covered.

ABATE of Iowa’s Share the Road program has been required in Iowa drivers education classes since 2006. This course is a tool in teaching young drivers tps on what to look for so they see us out on the roads. Although we have had different people in charge of this program from its inception back in the early 90’s with DC (Bear) Richardson, RC Adams, Jack and Carolyn Gordy, Bill Gillespie, Wayne Wierson, and now DL Petersen, our message has always stayed the same. “To reduce accidents

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between motor vehicle drivers and motorcyclists by seeing, respecting, and understanding a motorcyclist’s needs and rights on the highway”.

As a biker, our rights continue to be threatened and not just by helmet laws. Noise ordnances, illegal profiling for unjustified traffic stops, medical insurance coverage being denied, or even the banning of motorcycles using roadways comes to mind. Are you ready to help stand up for your rights?

As a freedom fighter I am always amazed that so few help with so much going on around us. If you ride we need your voice.

Some may say we are too political and to that I would say, yes we are. We shouldn’t have to fight to remain free to do something that doesn’t harm anyone else, but we do. Our government pushed the seatbelt law through by blackmailing the states, our government pushed through the no smoking law by imposing their own ideas on how a business should be run by removing the owner’s voice completely from the spectrum. What do you want to see go next?

Now is the time to join ABATE of Iowa, www.abateiowa.org and allow your voice to be heard. There is strength in numbers and we need your voice. Remember, it’s not what you ride; it’s why you ride that is important. And by being a member it’s a great way to meet new friends and receive discounts to many events. Join today.

Kent Clemons ABATE of Iowa PR Director pr@abateiowa.org

Winter has arrived with a howling north wind. We were at a party last night with a bunch of bikers, and I was bemoaning that fact that it is too cold to ride now. The guy I was talking with grinned. “Well,” he said, “you can still ride. It just isn’t as much fun!”

With the dark, cold months upon us, ‘tis the season to . . . rebuild the motor, put in that big-bore kit you’ve been saving up for, or replace the cam chain tensioners. Some of you will send your bikes off to the local bike shop for the work, but others will be working on them at home - preferably in a warmly heated garage and not in the middle of the wife’s kitchen!

A friend of ours was forced prematurely into his winter project when his bike quit before the riding season had ended. He’d been nursing the bike along, but right in the middle of a charity ride it totally quit. After getting the bike home, he cleared out a space in his garage, dragged out the bike manual, called an acquaintance that had done a lot of bike work, and began the tear-down. Not having torn the bike down that far before, he was very careful to lay all the parts out in the same order in which he had removed them, hoping that this would save his bacon when it was time to reassemble it all. Needless to say, no children were welcome near the tray, as one careless move could have sent pieces everywhere.

Sometimes we have unexpected repair projects in our lives. We’ve all had times when something wasn’t running along quite right - maybe our marriage or another family relationship; maybe our job; maybe even some part of our lives that was supposed to be fun but turned sour instead. We keep nursing things along, hoping that somehow the issue will resolve itself, but instead, things take a turn for the worse.

We can follow the same pattern of repair for our lives as our friend followed for his bike. First, get out the manual that tells how we are supposed to order our lives. It’s called the Bible. A lot of people think that the Bible is just a bunch of fun-killing rules and regulations, but think about this: it’s a lot of work to change the cam chain tensioners. What kind of kill-joy would suggest that you take the time to do that just because you have 80,000 miles on your bike and you’re heading off on a big ride to the West Coast? Maybe someone who knows more about bikes than you do. Maybe someone who cares if you get stranded somewhere in the Nevada desert when your bike breaks down and then you have to spend a big chunk of your trip money on a tow truck, and a hotel for 3 nights while you wait for the parts to be express-shipped to the back side of the desert!

God wrote the book on avoiding un-necessary complications in our lives because He cares about us. Second Timothy 3:16 & 17 says this: “Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another--showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way. Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us.” The Bible contains basic operating principles on almost any subject man can think of, but if a person isn’t familiar with the Bible, finding just the right set of instructions can look like a bigger job than one would want to tackle. In that case, the next step would be to call a friend who has studied God’s manual and has had some experience following its directions in his own life. Having someone walk us through the repair process can be a huge help. It takes time and patience to look over the pieces of the problem honestly, being careful not to slam our hands on the tray full of little parts in our frustration. If we cause the pieces of our lives and the lives of our loved ones to go flying in all directions, we’re worse off than we were when we first began.

If it’s a cold, dark season in your life, don’t put off the job of clearing out your life’s garage so you can tackle your problems. Find God’s manual, call an experienced friend, and get to work.

Blessings to you, Karla Mark and Karla Cornick are Iowa Area Reps with the Christian Motorcyclists Association. Find out more about CMA and God’s plan for you at www.cmausa.org.

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.

Everybody has a story!

SEND US YOUR STORIES AND PICS (highest resolution possible) via email vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com We want to hear your tales of the road. If you would like to have your story published in Thunder Roads Iowa send it our way!

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From the Woman’s Seat

BEHIND HER MAN

By Annette Murphy

When TT approached me about doing this article, I really liked the idea, but was not sure how to start out. So I decided to go back to my first ride.

Wow, that was a really long time ago! I was fourteen and I had a boyfriend who showed up at my house one day with a new, for him, Honda. My father proceeded to pull a leather jacket out of his closet and informed me that this was what he wore when he belonged to a motorcycle club called the Shmoos back in the 1950’s. He told me to wear the jacket and to be careful! Man, I thought I was something else when I hopped on the back of that bike and when he hit the road, I was hooked! I leaned back against the sissy bar, gripped his hips with my knees and allowed the wind fly over my face! When I got home that night, my dad proceeds to tell me about his motorcycle club days on a Harley.

Also informed me that my grandfather rode an Indian in the Army! Whadda ya know, it’s in the blood! Riding behind my boyfriend that night, for some reason, it came to me that I wasn’t just an ornament. I really needed to learn how to be an “extension” of him.

I guess I am what they call “Old School.” My earliest years of riding were on choppers. That was always my favorite seat. I think it was actually called a King/Queen Seat. You rode high leaning back with your knees around your old man’s ribs, or his shoulders, because the foot pegs were a lot higher than those today. You also rode with your hands flat on your legs or knees because that showed you were experienced and did not need to hold on! LOL The problem with being only a rider, however, means that if you don’t have a man that has a bike, then you do not usually ride. Oh sure, you could get a ride, but rides aren’t free. So, as a rider, you have to decide what type of rider you are going to be. Are you going to ride with whoever, just to get a ride? You know that ride’s not free. Then there is the trust factor. I am sure I rode with some that I shouldn’t have when I was too young to know better. But, I guarantee, it was not very many rides, before I was aware that I was handing my own life over to whoever I was behind! Early on, I set my own rules; learning to not put yourself out for a ride. Do not get on behind someone that you would not trust with your life. Let me tell you, that sure thins down the chances for a good ride if you are single and do not have one of your own.

Soooo why do I not have one of my own, you ask? Well, I did try to learn to ride once or twice in my lifetime. The first time was with a boyfriend who decided that he would teach me on his Honda 750; this was his pride and joy.

We started out in the cul-de-sac in the trailer park where he lived. I thought, okay I can start out slow until I get the feel of it. I did not know what was what on that motorcycle. Before I knew it, I had popped the clutch resulting with the bike and I going over! Not at all what I was expecting, but I did a wonderful job of laying her down, if I say so myself. Not a scratch on her, because I did just that, laid her down. While I had lost my balance with the bike I was determined not to scratch it. Let alone break anything. So I managed to hang on to it enough as it was going over that I was able to lay it on the road. Not quite so gently, but almost! Thank goodness for 5 mph, ha ha. I told the boyfriend, I do not think so, not taking the chance of banging up the bike. My next opportunity came when I was in my early twenties. I lived at least fifteen miles from the nearest town.

My first husband and I lived in the middle of nowhere. He worked thirty miles away. We picked up a little 125 something or other. Thus was the beginning of an adventure of learning to ride it. I would ride that little bike to the nearby town for a pack of cigarettes or the five miles to the gate to pick up the mail. I was really just starting to get comfortable with it. When the husband took it to work one day, as I was in need of the pick-up. The next thing I know, I’m getting a call from him to come get him out of jail. That cute little bike that we had bought from a “friend“was stolen! Needless to say, that ended my short stint as a “driver.”

Lack of a motorcycle is not the only reason that I have not learned to drive a motorcycle. I will have to also admit to a lack of desire to learn. To those

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who know me, they may be totally surprised to hear me say that. To those who do not know me, believe this, I am a lifelong “student” in many different ways in my life. So, for me to make this statement, I must also explain what riding represents to me personally.

When we ride together with me on the back, I continue to be ever alert and aware. With him steering the way, he remains ever vigilant, without any sense of me being on the bike with him at all. Then we are as one. I am a strong willed woman who works two jobs. One job I run a business, while the other job I am the equivalent of a third assistant manager. I make this statement, because I want you to understand that when I talk about being a rider, it is not about being submissive. Although after some reflection it is in many ways the act of being submissive. He has to know that I am going to listen to what he tells me to do when it comes to riding. This is because he is the driver. That is just the way it is. I give him that authority over me when we are riding. I know he does know better. He has the responsibility of both of us on that bike. I think I also like riding, because it is the only time that I do give complete control over to anyone.

When I climb on the back of that bike, it is like being able to shed all of the crap of the day. All of the sudden there is only me, the old man, the bike and the road. I lean back, grip his hips with my knees and let the wind fly over my face, knowing that he will take good care of me. Keep in mind that I am speaking from my own point of view, but riding behind my man requires I put total control in his hands. This is not something that I do easily in any other aspect of my life.

When we ride the bike that is the way I have chosen. For me to put this control of my life over to my man is my way of showing the depth of my love and trust.

When you ride behind your man there is a lot more involved than just riding too, believe me. We keep the bike clean together and I get the fun job of helping him keep his leathers in good shape. As the saying goes…no one rides for free.

As a rider I also have a lot of responsibilities. I have to help keep an eye out for those who do not see us. To be alert enough that if he has to take evasive action that I don’t throw him off his movements.

Murph and I have come pretty close to that ‘‘old school feeling” when we ride our ‘82 Low Rider. It is the style I learned on and so far it is still my favorite.

When we got our 2004 Electra Glide Bagger, I was surprised to learn how different a ride it is and I soon realized it was more top heavy with a higher center of gravity than the Low Rider. I was used to swinging my head around to look right as he looked left. I would give him the all clear, but on the bigger bike, I had to learn to minimize my upper body movements, or at least to slow them down.

There is also times when you need to accomplish actions without throwing off your balance. For example when his vest comes unsnapped and is flapping all over in the wind when you are traveling down the interstate at seventy miles per hour. Mind you, I don’t really have a problem accomplishing that but I am in need of about 1 inch longer arms to get around the old man’s belly! Then again, there’s nothing like snuggling up against my man’s back with tucking my hands into his pockets, and laying my head on his shoulder as we’re heading home after a nice long ride.

There have been many new things that I have been experiencing in these awesome middle years of my life that I never dreamed of doing before.

Now I am seriously considering learning to motor a cycle myself! Now, that does not mean that I won’t be riding behind my man once I learn. That is a part of my life that will always be a constant. It is a special bond that I would never give it up completely. As we have had the freedom to travel since acquiring our new toys, I have seen more and more women riding their own bikes. I do know that I want to be better prepared than I was in my youth. I will be taking the rider safety course. I will probably do as TT did in her early seasons of riding and wear a helmet. I definitely come from the school of hard knocks! LOL I have actually started a countdown and hope to be able to buy my own in two years if all goes according to plan. This will give me plenty of time to sit on all those bikes out there to find the one the fits, “just right.” So, until then, I’ll be seeing y’all from the ladies seat…behind her man!

Thunder Roads速 Magazine 27

Antique

Motorcycle Races – Labor Day 2010 Davenport, Iowa

Friday night each Labor Day weekend always has a little something to look forward to… Sure, for most of us working a daily 9-5, it most likely means the beginning of a 3-day weekend to party, but for those of us in Iowa; it’s also a night to take in the amazing sights of antique motorcycle races. The Davenport Speedway is a halfmile dirt track sitting in the heart of the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds in; yep you guessed it, Davenport, Iowa.

The races started 22 years ago, as an event to attract more antique motorcycle gurus to the Antique Motorcycle Swap Meet held at the same time on the fairgrounds.

Racers from all over the Midwest, and beyond, run all sorts of old bikes from Harley Hummers and foot clutch Indians, to banged up British bikes and a number of Japanese flat track racers. And while they’re all very entertaining, the true stars of the show are the pre-1920’s board track racers. These antique beauties are typically seen in museums across the country, but for this one night each year, they’re brought back to life for another round of glory!

And as if all the old bikes on the track weren’t enough to feast your eyes upon, outside the raceway the fairgrounds

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are packed full of vendors selling antique motorcycles, parts, services, and memorabilia. This isn’t your run of the mill swap meet either… There are very little Evo or Twincam parts to be found, and if you’re looking for the latest OCC T-shirt, you’ll likely want to stay home. However, Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz from American Pickers have been regular vendors for years. But these guys understand what this event is truly about, old bikes and the characters that have lived through them over the years.

Everything from Indians, Henderson, flat track racers, hill climbers, choppers, bobbers, trikes, and whatever else you can imagine is on hand. Whether you want a complete bike, a frame to start a new project, a rusted out barn fresh find, or that exact springer for a pre-war Knuckle, it’s sure to be found!

The Chief Blackhawk chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America is responsible to hosting such an amazing event, and you can find out more info about this event, and all their events at www.chiefblackhawk.org Nate Ullrich – www.natanic.com

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It’s hard to believe that this year is coming to a close. Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday we were melting off the snow from the last winter storm. So now, as you sit inside all warm and cozy, you dream of being outside with the warm summer air and wind in your face and you can’t help but think about your bike. Visions of what you want for next riding season and how to make your ride individual, a piece of you.

If the pile of mail on your table looks like mine; you have an abundant amount of ads and information from dealerships and company’s boasting about how they can help you upgrade, trick out, or individualize your bike.

The big trends this season are big bore kits or simply changing your cams and doing a little head work. So many times I’ve heard people complain that out in Sturgis traffic they just don’t have the power to pass in the hills or on the interstate. With so many riders using trailers now that also takes away a lot of your power too and can hold you back from passing that pesky driver in front of you. No matter what, there is a performance package that can be put together to fit your needs the best.

As I mentioned before big bore kits are very popular this year. Not only will you increase the inches between your legs (no pun intended……ok maybe a little bit) but also the overall performance of your motorcycle. A huge trend I have noticed lately is the use of Harley-Davidson big bore pistons and cylinders. To me this the best option because if by the off chance you were to have any engine problems down the road any Harley shop should have the necessary gaskets to do a repair. With the aftermarket cylinders they could require special gaskets among other things. On the other hand, a lot of people are going with aftermarket cams. I’m not going to say that one brand is better than the other. They are all good in their own way otherwise they wouldn’t be around. It all depends on the kind of performance you are seeking out of your bike. Questions like: Do you want better low end performance to get you off the line quicker? Do you want high end to achieve better speeds on the interstate or do you just want a good mid range cam to cover all the bases. A couple of the more popular cams we have been using are the Andrews 37HG gear driven cam and the Thunder Max 575S Red Shift cam. Both are an excellent mid range cam and can be used by themselves or when teamed up with other performance modifications they perform extremely well. Some people prefer to switch to the gear driven cams because they are kind of known to have a longer live versus the chain driven. Not to mention that nice whine that comes from the motor that sounds like a 6-71 blower on a big block Chevy. I personally love that sound. Makes people wonder what exactly is under the cover. Chain driven cams are still a perfectly good choice also. One major thing I will highly recommend if you are going stay with the chain drive is to upgrade your tensioner set up to HarleyDavidson’s Screamin’ Eagle hydraulic cam-chain tensioner plate kit. The tensioner kit will update your bike to some of the new

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technology found in the 96 and 103 inch twin cams. The kit is complete with the cam chain plate with new hydraulic tensioners along with an improved oil pump with will increase flow by 8% and scavenging by 22%. This is an excellent upgrade for those early twin-cam motorcycles out there. Now you do not need this if you have a 2007 and newer bike as it already has this setup.

A couple other ideas to throw around are possible new performance or machined heads and a proper fuel management system. A lot of people don’t realize how much of the performance of the motorcycle is in the flow of the heads. Simply doing a polish job in the head so that there aren’t any rough surfaces can be a huge help. We do this in house now for $250. But you can also go to the next step and have them fully ported and properly flow checked. There are various place that can do this for anywhere from $300 - $800 depending on what all you want to have done. If you want to get away from the stock heads and go to something a little higher performance then you might want to check into some Screamin’ Eagle performance heads or maybe Edelbrock Performer RPM heads. You will get excellent performance from either one and there are other brands on the market that can get more of what you want if these do not suit your needs. As far as the fuel management system goes.

You can go with the Power Commander or the Screamin’ Eagle Race tuner. Both are great units and have little trouble with them.

We have been having very good response from the Thundermax Closed Loop System though. The best part about this system is you can put it on, do a simple download and hit the road. The ECM will adjust it from there. No need to find a shop that has a Dyno and spend the money to have it fully tuned. The ECM is consistently reading itself all the time and one of the biggest benefits is it will also adjust itself to your surrounding whether you are high up in the Colorado Rockies or down at sea level in New Orleans, LA. The price of it can be a little scary at just shy of $1000 but if you look at if you were to spend $400 on a different unit and then pay to have it properly tuned you would be close to the same amount. In the end I truly feel this is one of the best investments for your ride whether it is all stock or has had engine work done to it. I hope throughout all of this you it will help you decide what is best for your ride. (Hey that rhymed.) If you have any questions don’t be afraid to go online or stop in to your local shop and ask. This time of the year is the best time to do these upgrades. Doesn’t matter if its increasing your inches or polishing your heads. Just make sure you do what is comfortable to you and enjoy.

— Tony Parts Manager, Carroll Cycle Center

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TNT

Thunder Roads速 Magazine 33

During a trip to the Cedar Rapids area a short time back, we stopped by Rumors Bar and Grill, and were pleasantly surprised with the entertainment for the night. Rumors is a smaller hangout, but very friendly, and it sort of had a “Cheers” type of vibe to it. Bikers and non-riders alike were having a good old time in this place. The band started to play and the crowd flowed right into the music with Nikki D’s command of the microphone. This lady has some pipes, and sure knows how to use them. With an awesome voice, and great backing music, the crowd was in for a treat. The whole band sure seemed to like to keep everyone involved and having fun, and despite the lack of a large or organized dance area, the whole bar became the place to dance and even sing along. They played a lot of the old classics, and even some of the newer rock that is quite popular. Between sets, Nikki and the rest of the band were quite willing to chat up the crowd, laughing and having fun. They are quite the group, and if you are ever around when they are playing, stop in and check them out.

Band Bio

KantiRocks is a guitar based band featuring seldom heard but not forgotten hit rock music from the 80s hair band era, 90s and current rock scene. Our 5 piece rock band is packed with talent from the Midwest and local Cedar Rapids area. Our lead female vocalist is one of the best in this area and commands the stage with her professionalism and sweet vocals. Accompanied by twin Marshalls for that old school rock and roll punch, heavy drum and bass mix for a combination that delivers an almost concert show.

Come and see us deliver a show you will enjoy and remember. ALL KILLER NO FILLER is our business model.

Contact information www.kantirocks.com or call Mike at 319-431-3717

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S K I N A R T

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Dec 25

Dec 31

Jan 8

Jan 9 Jan 14-15 Jan 22

Jan 21-22

Jan 22-23 Jan 21-23 Feb 6 Feb 12-13 Feb 19 Feb 25-26 Feb 26-27 Mar 6

Mar 13 Mar 11-13 Mar 11-13 Mar 18-20 Mar 18-20 Mar 26-27

Apr 2 Apr 9-10 Apr 9-10 Apr 16 Apr 16 Apr 29

Apr 29-30 May 7 May 7 May 14

May 27-30 May 26-28 May 28-29

Jun 5 Jun 15-18

tt, Vernon, and the Thunder Roads Crew would like to wish all a Merry Christmas Midway Tavern New Year’s Eve Band Byron James Gang Soldier, Iowa ABATE D14 Southern Iowa Motorcycle Swap Meet Ottumwa, Iowa Road MC Breakfast Brayton, Iowa ICE Racing Series Cedar Rapids, Iowa ABATE D2 Winter Bash Mile-a-way Hall Council Bluffs, Iowa Battle at the Barn Coke syrup races State Fairgrounds Des Moines, Iowa Swap Meet Sioux City, Iowa Rod and Custom Show Rock Island, IL Parts Girl Promotions Swap Meet Rock Island, IL Capital City Show and Swap Meet Des Moines, Iowa Hawkeye HD Chili Cook Off Coralville, Iowa AMCA swap meet Fremont, NE Bike and Car Show Monticello, Iowa Parts Girl Promotions Swap Meet Cedar Rapids, Iowa Road MC Breakfast Brayton, Iowa Lefty’s Cedar River Tattoo Expo Cedar Rapids, Iowa World of Wheels Des Moines AMA Arenacross Council Bluffs, Iowa World of Wheels Omaha Donnie Smith Bike Show & Swap Meet St Paul, Minnesota Road MC Dance Uncle Jerry’s Exira, Iowa AMA Arenacross Des Moines, Iowa Swap Meet Mason City, Iowa Blessing of the Bikes Big Barn HD Des Moines, Iowa START 2nd Annual 100 Day Poker Run Soldier, Iowa Iowa Motorcycle Safety Forum ISU Scheman Bldg Ames, Iowa vintage Torque Fest Maquoketa, Iowa Bi-State Motorcycle Awareness Ride Quad Cities Spring Open House Hawkeye HD Coralville, Iowa 3rd Annual Women’s Fun Run Holstein’s HD Omaha, NE Iron Horse Bike & Music Festival Sabula, Iowa Circle of Pride Hog Wild Rodeo Conesville, Iowa Midway Tavern 13th Annual Fun Run, BBQ, Street Dance Soldier, Iowa Anamosa Hill Climb and Swap Meet Anamosa, Iowa Sturgis on the River Davenport, Iowa

Jun 16-18 Jun 18 Jun 25-26 Jun 30-Jul 2 Jul 1-2

Jul 7-9 Jul 9

Jul 9

Jul 16 Jul 14-16 Jul 23

Jul 23 Aug 4-6 Aug Aug 20 Aug 27 Aug 26-28

Sep 1-4 Sep 1-4

Sep 2

Sep 2-5 Sep 3-4

Sep 9 Sep 10 Sep 9-11 Sep 16-18 Sep 11 Sep 9-11 Nov 11-13

Awesome Biker Nights Sioux City, Iowa Spring Open House Big Barn HD Des Moines, Iowa J&P Cycles Open House Anamosa, Iowa ABATE Freedom Rally Algona, Iowa Circle of Pride Independence Day Blowout Conesville, Iowa Nitro’s Bike Rally Gravity, Iowa Motorcycle Rodeo and Ride in Bike Show Missouri Valley, Iowa 3rd Annual Moose Riders Benefit Poker Run Cedar Rapids, Iowa ABATE D15 Taco Run for Charity Iowa HOG Rally Pella, Iowa END 2nd Annual 100 Day Poker Run Party Soldier, Iowa Almont Run Clinton, Iowa Across the Border Raid Bedford, Iowa Dates TBD American Victory Rally Spirit Lake, Iowa ABATE D21 Rodeo Miles, Iowa Fall Open House Big Barn HD Des Moines, Iowa 4th Annual Iowa Lincoln Highway Assn Motor Tour Council Bluffs to Clinton Davenport Antique Motorcycle Rally Circle of Pride Thunder In the Sand Conesville, Iowa Vintage Flat Track Motorcycle Races Davenport, Iowa Iron Horse Bike & Music Festival Sabula, Iowa Midway Tavern Soldier Valley Run BBQ, Street Dance, w/ Hairball Concert Soldier, Iowa Vintage Flat Track Motorcycle Races Knoxville, Iowa AMA Nationals Knoxville, Iowa Davis Motorcycle Rally New Hampton, Iowa State Line Rally Keosauqua, Iowa Anamosa Hill Climb and Swap Meet Anamosa, Iowa Loess Hill Motorcycle Rally, Pacific Junction, Iowa ABATE STEAM Marshalltown, Iowa

Nov 25

Turkey Run Clinton, Iowa

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 for some reason. Not responsible for misprints and typos. If you have any other events to list, please email them with as much information as you have to tt@thunderroadsiowa.com