Freedom RINGS, and it REVS...

Freedom time is here and it is important that the biker community celebrates and embraces the freedom that we get over the summer months and support the very ideas that we hold dear to our hearts, the types of freedoms that tug at our very souls. The sense of freedom that tingles the tiny hairs on your body when you let that clutch out for the first time, the first sunset you chase, the first breath taking view you found or the first exhilaration that shocked your wrists as you ran through the gears, blowing past the telephone poles, the fields, farms, and vistas. Ramping up to cruising speed, your left toe in perfect synch with your clutch hand, giving it zero thought as instincts take over while you clear your head.

Motorcycles have always been associated with freedom. There is something incredibly liberating about hitting the open road on two wheels, feeling the wind rushing past you and drinking in the beauty of the world around you. And for those who ride motorcycles, July is a particularly special time of year. This month brings with it an annual celebration of motorcycle culture…an opportunity to come together as a community to embrace the joys of riding.

For those who love to ride, there is really nothing quite like the experience of touring small towns on a motorcycle. There is a sense of adventure that comes with exploring the lesser-known corners of America, and doing so on a motorcycle adds an extra layer of excitement to the experience. You never quite know what is around the next bend, and that makes every ride feel like a mini adventure. This might be my favorite thing about riding in Iowa. Of course, there is an amazing and supportive biker culture across the Hawkeye State, I have written about it many times in this world class publication. So many small towns economic engine is fueled by the riding community, they welcome us with open arms, cold beer, and great food. Few things I like more than finding a new “joint” I have never been to and being treated like family and making new friends while riding. Well, finding a new road with tons of curves, great views, and decent pavement rank up there rather well too.

Our freedoms (of course) are not free and we must be diligent in protecting what we care about and with riding it’s no different. Hard to believe, but not everyone shares the same views when it comes to the riding experience. There are some who believe that helmets should be mandatory for all motorcyclists, while others argue that wearing a helmet should be a personal choice. Those who support the idea of no helmet laws argue that wearing a helmet can actually be more dangerous in certain situations. For example, if a rider is forced to make a quick evasive maneuver, a helmet can limit their vision and make it more difficult for them to avoid an accident.

There are also those who believe that no helmet laws are an essential part of preserving the freedom of the riding experience. For many riders, being able to feel the wind rushing through their hair as they speed down the highway is an essential part of the experience. It is a symbol of freedom and independence, a reminder that we should be able to make our own choices when it comes to our well-being. Choice is the very cornerstone of what we need to protect. Thankfully there has been a groundswell of support and other states are now giving riders the chance to make their OWN personal choice.

I am not, nor will I go down the path about motorcycles being risky or the pursuit of our passion being any more dangerous than about anything else. Look, everything is going to kill you. Nothing is 100% safe and guess what, I think that is a good thing. There should always be a bit of a risk in no matter what you do, because that just makes the reward that much sweeter.

You can sport of lid if you want to, nobody is stopping you, I will support you, but at the same time I am going to continue to support the rights and freedoms not to do the same nor will I force anyone else to comply. Not super big in the entire “compliance” gig, super not my jam.

But allow me to close with this.

We are already running out of summer and the riding season will be a memory sooner rather than later and that means you have no excuse NOT to get out and enjoy the freedom of the road.

There is something about the riding experience that simply can’t be replicated in any other way. It’s a chance to connect with the world around us in a way that feels intimate and real, to experience life in a way that feels wholly authentic… hidden reaches of the countryside, and charming small towns. Motorcycles may be an inherently risky endeavor, but the rewards can be worth it tenfold, as long as riders take all the necessary precautions. So, this summer it’s time to grab your bike, head out on the open road, and experience the freedom that comes with riding. And, as always, stay safe out there.

How many times have we talked about sitting down over the cold weather months when the bike is under a blanket, the battery is on a tender, and all you have might be some photos on your phone of past summer rides? I don’t have access to the Thunder Roads Iowa research team to check for sure, but I know it’s a lot, I mean a shit load of times for sure and myself…guilty. I too have dealt with the regret of not riding enough, slowing down enough to enjoy a ride, or going out of my way to try a new joint in a small town. Actually, that last part is never true, I am always up for that adventure, but hopefully you get the point.

Get your ass in the saddle and embrace the freedom of not only the weather but the open road, at least while we still have a chance to enjoy it.

Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa

Iowa Bike Nights and Dinner Rides

Wednesday

Back Forty Bike Night at the Barn Des Moines (2nd Wed May-Sep)

Bea’s Place Baxter

Cruise Night Britt (3rd Wed Jul-Sep)

Pete & Shorty’s Clarksville

Supper Rides Harley-Davidson of Carroll (7-19, 8-16,9-13)

Dinner Rides Zylstra HD Ames

Thursday

Edwards Bikes on the Hundred Block Council Bluffs (3rd Thursday)

Roar Into Harlan (3rd Thursdays)

Stumpy’s Bar & Grill Duncombe

Metro HD Cedar Rapids (2nd Thursday May-Sep)

East of Omaha Bike Night Griswold (1st Thurs MaySep)

VFW Post 9662 Des Moines (Every Thurs Apr-Oct)

Screamin’ Eagle Waterloo (Jun-Aug)

Chommy’s Bar/Grill Eldon (3rd Thursday)

Thunder N2 Atlantic Bike Night Atlantic (2nd Thurs Jun-Oct)

Tip Top Lounge Ames (start Jun 1)

McGrath Powersports Cedar Rapids (Last Thurs May-Aug)

Maggie’s Rumble Room (1st and 3rd Thurs)

Friday

Bondurant Bike Night at the Rails (4th Friday

Apr-Sep)

American Legion Post 232 Polk City (2nd Friday

May-Sep)

Thunder Nites Newton (2nd Friday Jun-Aug)

Off Point Pub Davenport (Every Friday)

Burt’s Dog House Boxholm (Every Other Friday)

Renegade Night Chariton (1st Friday Jun-Aug)

Mean Machine Grub Run Elkhart (1st Fri-May - Sep)

Saturday

Dirty Biker Design Winterset (Jul 15, Aug 12, Sep 9)

I-29 Dragway with LHHD Pacific Junction (Aug 26, Oct 14)

Happening’s Bar Steamboat Rock (3rd Sat May-Sep)

Kilroy’s Redfield (2nd Sat May-Sep)

Carlisle Bike Night (3rd Saturday)

Ambro’s Roadhouse DeSoto (1st Sat – Oct)

Sunday

Just 1 More Jamaica (Starting in May)

Tavern 36 Mitchellville (Last Sunday)

This list is what we have found and what has been submitted. Before heading to any event, please check weather and make sure the event is not cancelled. Not responsible for misprints and typos. If you have any other events to list, please email vernon@ thunderroadsiowa.com

2023

Jun 23 The Final Salute-Unclaimed Veteran Escort Waterloo

Jun 24 Teufelhund Veterans Group Veterans Support Ride

Anamosa

Jun 24 Summer Kickoff Party Zylstra HD Ames

Jun 24 Veterans Memorial Park Fundraiser Poker Run Vail

Jun 24 Running Over Lupus Ride Jewell

Jun 24 Chains Interrupted Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids

Jun 24 Vets 22/ALR Blackjack Run Council Bluffs

Jun 29-Jul 1 ABATE of Iowa Freedom Rally

Jun 30-Jul 2 Iowa Hog Drags and Nostalgia Reunion Humboldt

Jul 1 Logan Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association

All Vehicle Poker Run Logan

Jul 4 Bikini Bike Wash Dirty Biker Design Winterset

Jul 7-8 10th Annual Combat Vets Chapter 39-3

Benefit Ride Elkport

Jul 8 16th Annual Freeman Ride Avoca

Jul 8 Chrome For Kids Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids

Jul 8 Rally Ready Rendezvous Zylstra HD Ames

Jul 8 17th Annual Angel Ride to Save the TaTas

Fort Dodge

Jul 8 Carfest / Truckfest / Bikefest Dedicated To Epilepsy

Awareness Ankeny

Jul 14 2nd Annual ALR Golf Scramble Council Bluffs

Jul 15 BBQ Open House RT 65 HD Indianola

Jul 15 D18 Hospice Ride Burlington

Jul 15 10th Annual Ride 4 Time Annual Poker Run Baxter

Jul 15 Bikers for Backpacks Carroll

Jul 15 Caleb Solberg Memorial Poker Run Moorhead

Jul 15 VFW Post 9662 Poker Run Des Moines

Jul 15 11th Annual Memorial Ride & Drive Evansdale

Jul 16 Rumble to Recovery Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids

Jul 21-23 British Biker Cooperative 42nd Rally & Show

Blue River, WI

Jul 22 6th Annual Cruizin for Cure Cystic Fibrosis Benefit

Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids

Jul 22 Solid Ones MC Annual Car Wash Des Moines

Jul 22 Goozman’s Westside Annual Fun Run Harlan

Jul 22 1st Annual Freedom Ride Quasqueton

Jul 28-30 CMA Heartland Rally by the Christian Motorcyclists Association Oskaloosa

Jul 29 5th Annual Bike & Car Show Big Barn HD

Jul 29

Des Moines

Solidarity Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids

Jul 29 Christmas in July Scavenger Hunt Walford

Jul 29 5th Annual Pine Lake Festival Motorcycle Show

Eldora

Jul 29 39-1 CVMA Patriot Poker Run Polk City

Jul 29 2nd Annual Keith Titus Memorial Ride Elma

Jul 30 Logan Rustan Ride for Autism Bevington

Aug 4-13 Black Hills Motorcycle Rally South Dakota

Aug 12 LT Ride for Babies Metro HD Cedar Rapids

Aug 12 AtlanticFest Bike Show Atlantic

Aug 13 5th Annual Cancer Sucks Car, Truck, and Bike Show Council Bluffs

Aug 13 5th Annual Benefit the Vets Worthington

Aug 18 1st Ever Corydon Old Settlers Bike Night Corydon

Aug 18-20 19th Annual BTW Trike In Kellogg

Aug 19 BBQ Open House RT 65 HD Indianola

Aug 19 2nd Annual Support Our Veterans Ride Livermore

Aug 19-20 Baxter Cycle 4th Annual 40th Annual Open House Marne

Aug 20 D18 Quad Picnic Blakesburg

Aug 26 2nd Annual Support our Veterans Ride Livermore

Legion

Aug 26 Kyle’s Mile 9 Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids

Aug 26 7th Annual Shayla Bee Fund Black Tie Black

Leather Affair West Okoboji

Aug 26 8th Annual Randy Hagle’s Sidetracked Memorial Ride Creston

Aug 26 3rd Annual Craig’s Ride and Drive Amvets Riders

Hudson

Aug 31-Sep 2 52nd Annual Motorcycle Swap Meet Davenport

Aug 31-Sep 3 Redneck Revival Conesville

Sep 10 Motorcycle Hill Climb Anamosa

Sep 10 1st Annual Car & Bike Show Amvets Riders

Cedar Falls

Sep 16 BBQ Open House RT 65 HD Indianola

Sep 16 Fall Hog Roast Zylstra HD Ames

Sep 23 D18 Toys for Tots Ride Burlington

Sep 23 Bike Night & BBQ Cook Off Stuart

Sep 1-4 Midway Tavern’s 25th Annual Soldier Valley Poker Run, BBQ/Dance/Concert Soldier

Sep 16 Mean Machine “Smalltown Throwdown” Burnout Contest & Stereo Battle Elkhart

Sep 17 17th Annual World-Famous Butterfield’s M-C Parts Hot Dog Daze Omaha, NE

Sep 17 Concours de’ Cornfield Earlham

Sep 23 22 Veteran Suicide Awareness Association Poker Run Pacific Junction

Oct 1 Toy Run HD of Carroll

Oct 15 39th Annual Fall Auto & Motorcycle Swap Meet Monticello

Oct 28

Screamin Saturday Chili Cookoff and Halloween Event Zylstra HD Ames

Nov 4 Pancakes for Patriots Zylstra HD Ames

Nov 4 Solid Ones MC Clubhouse Day of The Dead Party Carlisle

Nov 10-12 Iowa Steam Waterloo

Dec 9 Brrrrunch Party and Santa Stop Zylstra HD Ames