Letter from the Editor .............................................. 4 THUNDER ROADS MAGAZINE OF IOWA
Blessing of the Bikes .............................................. 6
www.thunderroadsiowa.com P.O. Box 29 Kimballton, Iowa 51543 (712) 249-5630
Biker Friendly Listing ............................................ 10 99 County Tour ...................................................... 16 Military Rider .......................................................... 18
Owner Tina (tt) Schwarte
CMA ........................................................................ 19
EDITOR Vernon Schwarte (712) 249-5630 vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com
Rubber, Rubber, Rubber ....................................... 23
Road Ramblings .................................................... 20 Girls of Thunder..................................................... 26
EVENT CORRESPONDENCE/SALES
Will Ride to Eat ...................................................... 27
Susan Mast SC/SE Iowa 319-931-4546 susan@thunderroadsiowa.com
Northwest Iowa ALR .............................................. 32
Richard (Murph) and Annette Murphy West Central Iowa 641-524-4808 vizslaboots@yahoo.com
KISS ........................................................................ 39
Harv and Sue Hunter Central Iowa 515-205-7410 harv@thunderroadsiowa.com
Joker’s Wild ........................................................... 45
Mark Swearingen Council Bluffs/Omaha Metro 402-651-2471 mark@thunderroadsiowa.com Bob Colbert Knoxville 515-579-1343 thomasrcolbert@yahoo.com
Iowa Care Packages .............................................. 34 Thunder Cam ......................................................... 36 From the Woman’s Seat ........................................ 40 Open House Tour................................................... 42 Ride for the Girls ................................................... 47 WITCC Student Competition ................................ 48 Blast From The Past .............................................. 51 COIR........................................................................ 53
ON THE COVER For June we have some cornstalk bales, corn, and a little country theme going for the Cornstalk Music Festival to be held June 29-30 at Conesville Circle of Pride Grounds. The sexy and stylish Eryka Driscoll adorns this nice old 1982 Shovelhead owned by Richard and Annette Murphy. You can see more of Eryka on Nate Ullrich’s 2013 calendar available now on lyfebehindbars.com See you on the road!
David McCoy Mason City 641-420-1171 david@thunderroadsiowa.com CONTRIBUTORS Netty Kawecki Copy Editor Nate Ullrich natanic@hotmail.com Craig & Lynnette Little-Will Ride to Eat craig@thunderroadsiowa.com Tony Darveau Carroll Cycle Center tonypa@carrollcycle.com NATIONAL FOUNDERS Toni McCoy Shearon & Brian Shearon 1421 Chapmansboro Road Chapmansboro, TN 37035 Office: (615) 792-0040 Fax: (615) 792-7580 thunderroadscharter@charter.net
All rights reserved. All content is covered by copyright and ownership of said right is retained by Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa. Photographs may be purchased on www.thunderroadsiowa.com Neither magazine or website materials may be reproduced, distributed, altered or posted to any other websites without the express written permission of Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa LLC. Publisher assumes no responsibility and is not to be held liable for errors beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error. Slander of any group or individual, failure to produce any issue as scheduled due to reasons beyond our control, any and all suits for liable, plagiarism, copyright infringement and unauthorized use of a person’s name or photograph, opinions, and claims made by advertisers and authors are their own and do not necessarily represent the policy of Thunder Roads Iowa Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa LLC, Thunder Publishing LLC. Publisher does not promote the abuse of alcohol or other drugs, advocate any unsafe practices, or encourage breaking of any laws.
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NTS EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS EVENT EVENTS
June is here, the sixth month of the year and when it concludes, 2012 will be half over. Time flies as they say and this year has been no different. Things get so busy that sometimes we forget to enjoy the miles we put on. I can sure say that from our end. Things are busy and that is a great thing, but gotta remember that we get on two wheels for the spirit, and that we ride because we love to ride. I guess what I am getting at is to take time to enjoy what we do, live it, love it, ride it! Maybe I am getting a little philosophical due to some recent life changes. Things happen for a reason, but we do not always know what those reasons are. When one door closes, others open, so we move onward and upward. I will be taking on more of the magazine responsibilities, so please direct your communications to Vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com in the future. Nothing bad at all, just a new direction for us. Enough of that.
As this issue hits the stands about a week before the end of May, don’t forget the tons of stuff going on Memorial Day weekend, or the reason for the holiday. Remember those who have paid the ultimate price for us to be doing what we love. As we roll into June, the event listing is exploding with things to do. If you cannot find something on the list on the inside back cover, you better check your pulse! Fun runs, rallies, bike nights, and music festivals abound. From the new Thrills in the Hills in western Iowa to the Cornstalk Music Festival in eastern Iowa, to the HOG rally right in the center of the state, there is something everywhere. Take a look at the almost 60 events going on, and hit up some with your riding partners. The prime of the season is here, take advantage of it! As you get out and about, don’t forget to stop in to some of the Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa supporter’s locations. Tell them Thunder Roads sent ya, and that you are at their place because you support Thunder Roads as well. We appreciate all they do for us, as they make this merry go round, go round! Without our advertisers, we could not offer you the “About Iowa, For Iowa, From Iowa” content every month. Thanks to them, and thanks to the readers for keeping us up and going. Always getting bigger and better! Vernon
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ENT
What do you get when you mix a bike show, biker fashion show, a burnout pit, bunches of vendors, and some live music? Well, in Marshalltown you get the 17th annual Blessing of the Bikes hosted by Jackie and Fred of F&J Racing. For years this couple
Marshalltown area and are worthy causes. Jackie’s heart of gold shines through on this day as you can see her care and concern to host a wonderful event for all of the bikers. She believes in the causes that she is helping, and personally takes an interest in them, that helps her make this event a success. The April 28th show was held at the American Legion in Marshalltown, which proved to be a fabulous location, but there were some discussions about a possible later date for weather concerns for the future events. Keep your eyes peeled next spring for the dates for the 18th Annual Blessing of the Bikes in Marshalltown. You can sure bet that Jackie will have an awesome event once again.
has gotten people together for this reason, but this year it was even bigger and better at a new venue. More vendors, more people, and a new location made it for a nice Saturday gathering spot despite the cool overcast weather for a portion of the day. The event is for charity that benefits both the Domestic Violence Alternatives and the Iowa Care Packages (see page 34) organizations. Both of these are rooted in the 6 - TRMI JUNE 2012
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Biker Friendly Directory Jose’s Custom Leather
It’s important for you to Only a Phone Call Away (402) 926-6967 know who your friends Joses_leather@yahoo.com are out on the road! The Leather & Hawgs Biker Friendly Directory 316 Main, Hornick, Iowa is a list of establishments 121 1st St, Soldier, Iowa leather@wiatel.net throughout Iowa that want www.leatherandhawgs.com you to know that they’re here for YOU. Whether Dealers it’s a bike dealer, service Baxter Cycle shop, restaurant, bar or 311 4th Street Marne, Iowa 51552 any other type of business 712-781-2351 that welcomes our biking www.baxtercycle.com community, you can count Brown Motorcars on our family of friends to 330 NW 49th Place always welcome you in. Des Moines, IA 50313 www.brownmotorcars.com The staff here at Thunder 515-282-0123 Roads greatly appreciates Carroll Cycle Center our advertiser’s support 1327 Plaza Dr each month. WE WOULD Carroll, Iowa 712-792-1610 NOT EXIST WITHOUT www.carrollcycle.com THEM! So please give them the support that they Dillon Brothers Harley-Davidson & Motorsports truly deserve for being 174th and Maple with us & drop by to see Omaha, NE 68116 402-289-5556 them for a visit. Let them www.dillon-brothers.com know that you saw them Fenders Cycle and Motorsport here in Thunder Roads. If 1109 E Army Post Road you know a business that Des Moines, Iowa 50315 515-256-9062 would like to advertise www.fenderscycle.com in Thunder Roads Iowa Biker Friendly Places, Hawkeye Harley-Davidson Coralville, Iowa I-80 Exit 240 please email vernon@ 319-545-7495 thunderroadsiowa.com www.hawkeyehd.com
Bail Bonds Iowa Bail Bonds 200 4th Street Des Moines, Iowa 50309 515-243-4411
Biker Accessories Backroads Biker Leather Shoppe 305 N Main Street Everly, Iowa 51338 712-834-2999 www.backroadsbikerleathershoppe.com
CoolBikerStuff.com 1224 Celebrity Drive Marcus, Iowa 51035 Mention TRMI at Events for a Free Gift
Follow us on FaceBook!! Crispy’s Biker Apparel Cedar Rapids, Iowa www.bncbikerwear.com 319-241-0916
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Open 7 days per week Loess Hills Harley-Davidson 57408 190th Street Pacific Junction IA 51561 712-622-4000 loesshillshd.com Nishna Valley Cycle HONDA – YAMAHA – KTM Atlantic, Iowa 50022 1-888-577-6406 www.nishnavalleycycle.com Werner Cycle Works 14410 Frontier Road Exit 440 I-80 Omaha, NE 68138 402-894-3050 www.wernercycleworks.com Whipp Sales and Service, Inc 701 S 8th Street Clarinda, Iowa 51632 1.800.477.0195
www.whippsales.com
Food and Drink
Chop’s Old Bank 400 6th Street Waukee, Iowa 50263 515-987-3000
14th Street Tavern 3418 East 14th Street Des Moines, Iowa 515-266-3446 M-F 8-2 Sat 10-2 and Sun 11-2
Corner Tap 921 Main Street Adel, Iowa 50003 515-993-993-2240
1889 Saloon 118 Broadway Street Carson, Iowa 51525 Find us on Facebook 712-484-3888
Crazy Lady’s Café Mt. Vernon, Iowa 52414 Crazyladyscafe.com 319-389-5427 Mobile Unit for Catering & Events
411 Main Street Bar 411 Main Griswold, Iowa 712-778-4111 Scooter Sundays!
Double R Bar and Grill Quick Ricks Rib Joint 209 East Erie (Highway 30) Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555 712-600-6441
4th Avenue Grill 115 N 4th Ave Logan, Iowa 712-644-3200
Do Drop Inn 403 3rd Avenue Under the Water Tower Jamaica, Iowa 50128 515-314-0783
Amigos 280 North 1st Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 515-576-0142 B&M Bar and Grill 110 @ Main Street Panora, Iowa 50216 641-755-2455 Beer Barn and Grill 226 State Street Kirkman, Iowa 51447 712-766-3395 Open Mon 4, Tue-Sun at 11 Beaver Hut Pub Happiness is a Wet Beaver 307 East 7th Logan, Iowa 51546 712-644-6100 BJ’s Bar & Billiards 110 Ida Waterloo Iowa Home of Full Throttle Thursdays 319-234-9810 Boxer Barbeque 722 Creek Top Council Bluffs, Iowa 51503 712-325-4227 Tuesday - Saturday 11 - 8 pm www.boxerbbq.com Buck Snort 113 4th Street Neola, Iowa 51559 712-485-9090 The Buck Snort on Facebook Captains Quarters 807 Main Adel, Iowa 50003 M-F 2-12, Sat 10-2, Sun 12-12 515-993-4417 Cheers II 100 North Franklin Dow City, Iowa 51528 712-674-3746 Coldest Beer Around!
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Doc’s Roadhouse 309 East 7th Street Logan, Iowa 51543 712-644-3636 Open 365-8 am to Close Excuses Bar 405 Main Street Malvern, Iowa 51551 712-624-8233 Excuses Bar on Facebook Foxys Bar 108 East Jefferson Osceola, Iowa 50213 641-342-3700 Visit us at facebook FOXYS Good Sons 2815 Beaver Ave Ste 102 Des Moines, Iowa 515-681-5375 Grapplers Bar & Grill 508-14th Street Dallas Center, Iowa 50063 Grapplers on Facebook 515-202-0766 Haverhill Social Club 202 1st Street Haverhill, Iowa 50120 641-475-3321 Mon-Sat 10-2, Sun 12-12 Huffy’s Mule Barn 802 Main Street Anita, Iowa 50020 712-762-9995 www.huffysmulebarn.com Keasey’s Hideaway Lounge 911 Court Street Adel, Iowa 50003 515-993-3001 Lampe’s Pub 608 Iowa Avenue Dunlap, Iowa 51529 712-643-5781 Open 7 days a week at 11 AM
Midway Tavern 206 1st Street Soldier, Iowa 712-884-2230 www.midwaytavernsoldier.com
Sidetracked 206 West Union Street Creston, Iowa 50801 641-782-8534
Montgomery Street Pub 207 East Montgomery Street Creston, Iowa 50801 641-782-2165
Spanky’s Bar & Grill 709 Morton Ave Emerson, Iowa 712-824-7410 Spanky’s Bar & Grill on Facebook
Nitro’s Bar & Grill 310 Main Street Gravity, Iowa 50848 641-418-0004 Home of Sunday-Funday
Sparetime Bar & Grill 136 West Main Street Ute, Iowa 61060 712-885-2226
Off Sides Pizza 1119 Thomas Street Redfield, Iowa 50233 515-833-2900 Papa Joe’s 117 South 6th Street Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555 712-642-9015 Phil’s 20oz Prime Rib Friday Nights 9956 Swanson Blvd Clive, Iowa 515-270-0959 Pines Steakhouse Oinkers Lounge & Grill 1500 E 7th Street Atlantic, Iowa 50022 712-243-3606 M-F 11AM-, S-S 4PMHARLAN-Pizza Ranch 613 Court Street Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-755-2262 Open 7 Days a Week Red Oak Tap 419 E. Reed Red Oak, Iowa 51566 712-623-4788 Ron’s Dawg House Sports Bar 2117 E University Ave Des Moines, Iowa 50317 Ron’s Dawg House Sports Bar on FB 515-266-8900 Riverside Tavern 450 E Main St Lehigh, Iowa 50557 515-359-9998 Email:riversidetap@gmail.com Sambetti’s Bar and Grill 1430 2nd Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50314 515-245-9780 Mon-Sat 11a-2a, Sun 11a-7p Tailgators Bar & Grill 621 Willow Street Oakland, Iowa 51560 712-482-6269 Screaming Eagle American Bar & Grill
228 East 4th Street Waterloo, Iowa 50703 319-235-8865 www.partyattheeagle.com
The Home Plate Diner 304 E. 30th Street Des Moines, Iowa 50317 515-262-7000 The Lounge 1005 Chatburn Ave Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-755-5050 The Middle of Nowhere 112 Main Street Cumberland, Iowa 50843 712-774-5425
Insurance United Group Insurance, Inc. 2 East 6th Street Atlantic, Iowa 712-243-6557 507 Main Street Griswold, Iowa 712-778-2575
Motorcycle Racing Eddyville Raceway Park 3260 Merino Avenue Oskaloosa, Iowa. 52577 eddyvilleraceway.com Track Phone - 641.969.5596
Knoxville Raceway www.knoxvilleraceway.com 641-842-5431 Rolling Thunder Promotions Flat Track Motorcycle Racing Iowa State Fairgrounds, Des Moines Iowa Saturday June 23, 2012 515-202-7196
Photo and Video
2 Rivers Customs: Brekkes Custom Paint & J and J Motorcycles
4017 14th Street Des Moines, Iowa 50313 2riverscustoms.com 515-991-8532 * 515-321-2265 Butterfield’s M.C. Parts 8025 Blondo Street Omaha, NE 68134 402-391-3768 Dead Heads Engineering, Fab, Repairs,Sales 426 Railway Street Gillett Grove, Iowa 51341 deadheadsmceng@gmail.com 712-835-3353 Doubletake Cycles L.L.C. 2632 9th Ave Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 712-355-1961 www.doubletakecycles.com F & J Racing 701 N 3rd Ave Marshalltown, Iowa 50158 641-752-8651 www.fandjracing.com
The Sandbar 103 N. Noyes Mondamin, Iowa 51557 712-646-2300 Open 7 days a week at 10 a.m.
Ullrich Photography PO Box 1842 Clinton, Iowa 52733 563-243-8715 www.natanic.com
Elite Auto Upholstery & Embroidery
The Sawmill Bar & Grill Now with a Full Menu 401 Main St New Market, IA 51646-3079 712-585-3601
Services
Guthrie Auto Body John Beer owner 1804 State Street Guthrie Center, Iowa 50115 641-332-2484
Tobey Jacks Mineola Steak House Mineola, Iowa 712-526-2078 Open 7 Days a Week Check Us Out on Facebook Where You Can Grab a Rack, And Not Get Slapped! Venture Inn Blencoe, Iowa 712-452-2205 Wilson’s Tap and Recreation 1008 Story Street Boone, Iowa 50036 515-433-1395
BCS Computers 100 Industrial Road Guthrie Center, Iowa 50115 641-747-3344 www.brubakercomputer.com Hippie Boy Designs Graphic Design/Website Design 712-898-5220 hippieboydesign.com Joe Karsten-Authorized Dealer Cornwell Tools 329 West Street Manning, Iowa 51455 712-310-0765 mobile
Guns and Ammo
Signs & Wonders 101 W Main Street Lockridge, IA 52635-9708 (319) 750-0814 signsandwondersbysue.com
Dales’ Guns Buy-Sell-Trade-Gunsmithing 109 W Main Street Ute, Iowa 712-885-2671 rustyshot2000@yahoo.com
Southwest Iowa Sandblasting Mike Magers 65162 Oxford Rd Atlantic, Iowa 50022 712-249-3995
First Shot Iowa Concealed Carry Permit Classes
Shops and Fabricators
Training That Counts as Much as the First Shot
First Shot Iowa on Facebook Western Iowa 712-579-0869 Central Iowa 515-802-1514
Baggers MC 1611 Avenue J Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 712-256-1791
Shooter’s Outlet 114 Main Street Arcadia, Iowa 51430 712-689-2772 Tues-Fri 2-7, Sat 8-3
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Specializing in Motorcycle Seats 1313 Walnut Street Des Moines, Iowa 50309 515-276-4392
Joe’s Custom Signs 104 South Main Lenox, Iowa 50851 641-333-2675 Award Winning Custom Airbrushing
J & S Custom Cycles 3630 Merle Hay Road Des Moines, Iowa 515-779-4632 M&M Garage 408 Market Street Audubon, Iowa 50025 712-563-2425 mmgarage@iowatelecom.net Metal Ink 911 7th Street Ste 102 Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-235-2453 www.metalink.org Nelson Machine & Forge General Machining, Ornamental Iron, Weld/Fab 70 Washington Street Marne, Iowa 51552 712-781-2220 Revolution Cycles 120 South Main Street Baxter, Iowa 50028 641-507-9250 www.rev-ia.com
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Steffens Cycle Shop LLC 1311 E 7th Street Atlantic, Iowa 50022 712-249-5876 M-F 4-Evening, Sat 8-3 Throttle Shop LLC 1988 Arion Avenue Arion, Iowa 51520 712-674-3325 throttleshopllc@gmail.com Trike Your Bike 503 1st Avenue North Altoona, Iowa 50009 515-957-8920 trikeyourbike.net
Across the Border Raid Bedford, Iowa August 2-4
Nitro’s Bike Rally Gravity, Iowa July 12-14
Atlantic Fest Ride In Bike Show Atlantic August 11
Party In The Park Creston, Iowa June 23
Bike Down to I Town 3rd Fridays
Ride for the Eagle Fun Run Macedonia June 16
5th Annual Freeman Ride Avoca, Iowa July 7th Circle of Pride Conesville, Iowa Cornstalk Music Festival June 29-30
XTreme Cycle & Off Road 206 E Main St Panora, Iowa 50216 641-755-4288 xtremecycle@netins.net
T.I.T.S August 30-September 2
Tattoo
Iowa Grand Motorcycle Rally Newton, Iowa July 26-29
Crave Tattoo 201 S 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 51501 515-576-8289 FB Crave Tattoo, Inc.
Events ABATE Freedom Rally Algona July 5-7
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Iowa State HOG Rally Des Moines June 14-16
Knoxville Bike Nights 1st Friday of the Month May – September
Roar Into Harlan Harlan, Iowa Every 3rd Thursday of the Month May – September Warriors Across Iowa Eddyville Raceway August 25th Wheels 4 Paws Harlan July 28 Winterset Bike Night 3rd Saturdays Woodstock piercing/scarification Coyotefest Bike Rally D’s Place East Dubuque June 22-24
Landmark Depot Show & Shine Rockwell City July 21 Make A Muscle MDA Fun Run Earling July 28
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To buy ad space for your business or service or event in our directory, give us call at 712249-5630 or email vernon@ thunderroadsiowa.com
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A bank robbery gone 99 Counties to tour on the bike, 99 counties to tour, take one bad occurred on March 6, down, drive on around, 74 counties to tour on the bike. A 1885. Two few years back, a summer riding goal was to ride through men with a each one of the counties of Iowa, and what was found was a wealth of interest and beauty. Each month we will revisit horse and buggy for each county as a featured article. We will tell you about new things to see, places to ride, and give you a little spark their getaway entered the of touring curiosity for our state of Iowa. Adel State Bank with Dallas County shotguns and shot the teller. The wounded teller was still able to close the Dallas County vault and turn the tumblers; so instead of the possibility of a third of million dollars being stolen only $267 was taken. has always been a growing The lawyer that had an office on the second floor came down to investigate the noise of gunshots. To his surprise, community, even with the he found the barrel pointed into his very own chest. The robber pulled the trigger but the gun had misfired and the recent 2000 census statics lawyer George W. Clarke ran back up stairs. This particular lawyer was later elected Governor of the State of Iowa; it shows to he was also the grandfather of Nile Kinnick. How history remain a growing area. would have been changed if the gun had fired correctly. It is located The two men were able to get away from town on the just west of buggy but a posse was formed quickly and followed the Des Moines. two men. When the horse was wounded the two men took The Sac and separate paths. One man ended up dying when cornered Fox nation in a barn; the barn was set aflame causing him to come out held these lands until they where he was shot by a famer and then open fired upon by signed a treaty the posse. His body was posed sitting in a chair in front of the bank to show that crime does not pay; later he was on October buried. The other man was captured and jailed. Local law 11, 1842 to enforcement had to protect by doing some quick talking to relinquish towns folk due to the town had formed a mob for lynching. the ground. When the towns people found out all that were shot will The ground live, they dispersed. He stood trial was convicted for twelve officially years, served his time and ended up working in Adel after entered released. All the money was recovered from a ditch where government the men had tossed it in the attempt to flee. hands on midnight of May 1, 1843. Settlers had to wait until the “witching hour� before they were allowed to enter Nile Kinnick the territory to stake their claim. The county formed three was a student years later in 1846. and college football player The county seat has always been located in Adel but at University of the town was not always called Adel. The first pioneers Iowa. In 1939, he originally named it as Penoachand. Adel is on the west won the Heisman bank of the North Raccoon River, with a good supply of Trophy and was waterpower for a flourmill. The mill was able to average a consensus Alltwelve to fifteen bushels per hour with possibility of thirty American. He per hour.
99 Counties on the Wall
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served as a U.S. Navy aviator in World War II, he died during a training flight. In 1951, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. The University of Iowa has renamed the football stadium “Kinnick Stadium” in his honor in 1972. Other famous people from the Adel area include
Boonville is in the southern portion of Dallas County. This was once a thriving community but as with other towns, saw a decline in population with the reduced use of the local railroad. The town currently is composed of a restaurant, bar, a Methodist church, post office, small RV park, and a new addition of a tattoo pallor. The tattoo pallor has a unique frontage and was the starting point to Ride for the Girls that is featured in this edition. Boonville has a boat ramp near the town that is frequently used to enter the Raccoon River. The roads through Dallas County are worth the travel especially during this time of year. The greens are so sharp and crisp. There is so much more for you to discover. Join us next month as we explore Davis County.
Eric Cutler an opera tenor, Charles R. Scott a lawyer and judge, and Ralph Watts a current member of the Iowa House of Representatives. Veterans Day, November 11, 2006, ground was broken for the Iowa Veterans Cemetery at a site located just south of I-80 and slightly north of Van Meter. The somber ride through the cemetery was very touching. I say thank you to all the families that have lost a person in our wars.
References available upon request tt
Waukee, Iowa has some notable people you may be familiar with Joey Jordison the drummer of the band Slipknot, Hal Manders the pitcher in Major League Baseball, and Ken Smith a landscape architect. In the northern portion of Dallas County, you will find Woodward. This town is home to Camp Mitigwa, a camp that serves the Boy Scouts of America Mid Iowa Council, Woodward State Resource Center, and The Woodward Academy which is a boot camp for teenage boys who have been convicted of various crimes. Did you know? That in 2005 Woodward was hit with a F2 tornado. Luckily there were no causalities as this was the only town in the tornado’s path. Going east out of Woodward is a long scenic bridge that is a must travel, says tt ; ). www.thunderroadsiowa.com
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MILITARY RIDERS
Giving a little of ourselves for someone who has given a lot.
In 1970, Steve Ensley, Sioux Rapids, Iowa was more than likely a young, eager 19 year old kid . A kid who had recently became a US Marine. Steve was a young Private who found himself in San Diego, California at a time when a less than popular war was going on in Vietnam. Steve’s career in the Marine Corp was from 1970 - 1971. During his time in the corp., Steve earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Steve is like every veteran past or present; proud of his service, proud of whom he is, and loves God and Country. Steve has, over the years, enjoyed a passion many vets enjoy, motorcycles. Steve Ensley is a Marine and a Biker throughout. A lifestyle that is evident when you first meet him. Skip forward 37 years. Steve is an aging veteran that seems to be forgotten by society. In 2008, Steve suffered a stroke that leaves him with limited mobility on his left side, a condition that ultimately leaves him in a wheelchair. A condition that also forces him to give up a passion that has shaped his life. He had to give up riding his motorcycle, his beloved iron horse sits patiently and quietly in his garage in Sioux Rapids, where it has been since his stroke in 2008. The motorcycle, like Steve, waits for the day when they are traveling down some two lane blacktop, not a care in the world. But for now, both must wait for the former Marine to recover from his condition. Skip again to May 6, 2012. A friend of Steve alerts me to Steve’s condition, his passion to return to the lifestyle only some of us know, and a solution. The Siouxland Chapter of the American Legion Riders, who I and my friend Tim Schroeder are members, Tim being the VP, and myself the President, are suited to help Steve out . Tim sets it up one of our members, Cliff Hinde, has a Honda Gold Wing with a sidecar. Perfect! We show up as a surprise to Steve, and to take our Brother for a ride. We met at the Wal-mart Parking lot shortly before 1:00 pm. We had 21 bikes as we headed north on Business 71, enroute to Steve’s house in Sioux Rapids .
opened up the sidecar. After donning his leather jacket, securing his long silver hair in a pony tail, tying a doo rag to his head, and giving him the sexiest pair of goggles ever seen, Steve was practically carried to his ride for the day. A bigger smile, I have never seen.
Our ride was a 60 mile cruise through some of the prettiest scenery you can find in the area . As we were leaving Sioux Rapids, I glanced in my mirror to see Steve pumping his fist in the air like an eight year old who just received his first BB gun for Christmas. Only difference is there was no warning about shooting your eye out. With the goggles Steve had on, probably wasn’t possible anyway. Upon returning to Sioux Rapids, once again the thunder of the bikes fell silent. When I approached the sidecar where Steve Ensley USMC was seated, I was brought to tears. This grizzled old Marine was silent, but with a smile from ear to ear. When asked what he thought, Steve loudly proclaimed a statement, that I would love to print, but I’m told this is a family oriented newspaper. In a nutshell, Steve may have needed a cigarette. I, along with everyone on this ride that day, spent the next hour visiting with Steve and his family. What a day, 4 years ago something was taken away from Steve Ensley USMC, something he holds dear to his heart but his passion was NOT!!! I would like to hope we gave some of that back on May 6, 2012. Something so minute to us, meant so much to Steve. A few hours of our time has created a memory that Steve will hold in his mind for a lifetime. Something as small as giving some time to one of our veterans, no matter how small it seems to us, can bring a smile to the face of someone that society seems to forget. I did not know Steve before this day; we started this journey as strangers, grew to be friends, but we parted ways as brothers.
I personally challenge everyone reading this to seek out a veteran whom you may or may not know. Shake their hand, thank them, buy them a drink, and buy them lunch. Believe it or not, accept it or not, our nation’s veterans are why we are able to enjoy the freedoms we have. It’s easy to forget We arrived in Sioux Rapids, at Steve’s house, to find him these heroes. We all get pre-occupied with our daily lives. calmly sitting in his chair, with family all around him. Not We all forget what made this country what it is. Not all of quite sure how they kept this a secret, or did they? We didn’t us, for those of us who have been there, we don’t forget. A care and neither did Steve as the rumbling heard of steel and small random act of kindness can be the difference in letting Chrome fell silent in front of his home. Not sure if Steve these heroes know we care, or letting them know they are knew what was in store for him, but the mere sight of all not expendable. No one who has ever worn the uniform those bikes, and the brothers who got off those bikes was is expendable. Steve Ensley, United States Marine Corp, I enough to make this old USMC veteran smile beneath that Salute You Brother. sliver beard . Gary “Wildman” Emery Ok, enough is enough someone finally told him what we Siouxland Chapter American Legion Riders -President were up to, as Cliff pulled up to Steve’s wheelchair and 18 - TRMI JUNE 2012
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CMA Notes We are just finishing up CMA’s annual Run For The Son and I would like to thank everyone who participated in making this year a success. Great cause, good time and renewed fellowship. It’s been pretty wet and stormy but we snuck in a beautiful day, had a big turnout and were able to have the Bike Blessing and ride. It’s good to feel the wind in our face and the bugs in our teeth. Finally, Conesville, the Horse Rally, Moto Guzzi Rally, bike nights etc... are upon us. For us, this means the inevitable multiple trips to a rally site, usually hauling some items in advance with our old beater truck. Our usually reliable pickup isn›t pretty, but it gets the job done. Each summer I get out the grinder, the bondo and the paint with which to attack the rusted fender wells. It›s not a professional job by any stretch, but usually looks half way decent if you squint and are far enough away. The truck isn›t worth the investment to take it to a body shop, so it gets cobbled by me each year. The problem being is that it is a temporary fix that has to be done over and over again. In many ways our lives seem to correspond with the life of my old truck. We start out looking good but because this is a fallen world, sin catches up with us, kind of like rust. We try to cover the rough spots but sin covered up is still sin. Inside we all are broken and needy. Time and close inspection has a way of exposing those imperfections. Even in those who may look successful, there are unmet
desires and failings that we can never imagine and that only God can fill. We may sometimes even recognize the imperfections and try to correct things ourselves, another version of a bondo job. It takes God, the master craftsman who originally designed us, to fix us properly. Unlike bondo, Jesus lasts. The Old Testament priests had to do sin offering sacrifices yearly for the people. But Jesus› sacrifice for us was a never-fade or decay fix, and which covers the past, present and future. The book of Hebrews tells us that Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of those who accept him. For those, He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him. Hearing God›s promises for us produces faith and hope for the future as well as confidence in the here and now. He is the ultimate healer and deliverer. «The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of troubles; and He knows those who trust in Him» Nahum 1:7. Look to Him for the answers to your lives rough spots. Blessing, Mark Mark and Karla Cornick are Area Reps with the Christian Motorcyclists Association. Find out more about CMA and God›s plan for you at www.cmausa.org.
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Road Ramblings random thoughts of a scooter tramp I think the best part of riding in this great state we call Iowa has to include the sights, the smells and the strange things that can be seen along the way. Traveling the hills and byways by bike has many rewards but it also comes with some remarkable, amazing and memorable surprises. I try to pay close a en on to everything and everyone that I pass along each and every ride. Recently a group of us had been out enjoying the sun for most of the day. We had logged quiet a few miles, when I started paying par cularly close a en on to the guy riding directly ahead of me. He is a very seasoned, cordial rider and has spent many years behind the handlebars. I always enjoy following him simply because as he passes road hazards, he points them out to the riders behind him. Then again, some mes he just does things I find fun to watch such as digging treats out of his saddlebags while cruising down the highway. He then strategically speeds up and slows down in order to hand out treats to fellow riders.
Needless to say, this guy shirtless would never, accidently or on purpose be referred to as “eye candy”, especially in this par cular scene. I was then distracted by a li le ole grey haired lady that I nicknamed “Ethel”. She was trying her hardest to be invisible as she hastened her way quietly and quickly through the vast pack of leather bound bikers, one of which was performing some of his greatest dance moves, par ally clothed, while rather loudly expressing a few colorful words mixed in among some of his favorite phrases, all of which I am sure Ethel found offensive. Ethel had her car keys in hand as she made her way past the group nearly unno ced. I thought it rather odd that she was fumbling with keys, as she climbed into the back seat of a Buick. A few seconds later, Ethel exited the safety of the back seat of the Buick, embarrassed and in shock; she climbed into the drivers seat of the Cadillac parked directly beside her. As Ethel’s caddy laid rubber out of the parking lot, she jumped the curb, swerved to miss a tree and nearly clipped a fire hydrant. Sadly, the biker dance had ended and thankfully all that shocking white skin had been covered again. For the next 50 miles, I smiled, chuckled to myself and wondered who had been the most trauma zed today? Was it Ethel or the big fat bumblebee that had deflected off the windshield at 60 MPH then came to from a stunned stupor, to find that he was trapped between a sweatshirt and the tough skin of a sweet old biker?
On this par cular day, from the backside it appeared that he had spent a few too many miles in the saddle. If you spend me riding you understand how a li le shi ing can bring overwhelming relief for a bad case of TB and how reposi oning can provide a whole new outlook when coun ng down the number of miles un l the next pit stop. So he starts shi ing around in his seat, and then lets go of the bars first with one hand then the other to fuss with his jacket. A few more miles down the road, he was at it again. Keep your knees in the breeze and your collars zipped up ght. For a moment I got real excited thinking he was going to take his coat off and stuff it into his saddlebags while riding. I have seen some amazing stunts but I expected this to be one of his greatest moves ever. Disappointment sat in rather quickly, he wasn’t removing his leather a er all. He must just have an itch that he can’t quiet reach. So we con nued down the road, a er about 40 miles of watching him shi in the seat and dig at his jacket, our leader pulled us over for a pit stop, some rehydra on and an opportunity to top off the tanks with a li le petro.
My next experience will bring a smile to my face for a very long me. The rider ahead of me pulls into the gas sta on, hits the kill switch, kicks down the kickstand and leaps off of his bike in one of the swi est, most graceful, single mo on dismounts I have ever witnessed. He then proceeds to quickly pull off his leather coat, not by unzipping it and le ng it slowly and gracefully fall from his shoulders. He pulls his coat off over his head which is immediately followed by the removal of his sweatshirt. While doing so, his hat and sunglasses crash to the pavement. Instantly everyone at the service sta on is exposed to a somewhat bald, tee-shirt tanned, hairy chested, C cup, biker flashing way too much virgin white skin in the parking lot. He then starts “the dance”, leather coat in one hand, sweatshirt in the other, spinning circles, first on one leg then the other, while alternately slapping his coat then his sweatshirt on his concrete dance floor while gracefully avoiding his sunglasses. 20 - TRMI JUNE 2012
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Have you ever been bothered by the fact that you can get 50,000 to 70,000 miles average out of standard car and SUV tires but just can never seem to make 20,000 or even 15,000 out of motorcycle tires? What a lot of people don’t realize is that motorcycles have a higher power to weight ratio than many of the cars we typically drive every day. This is just one of many reasons we all can’t reach that milestone out of a tire. After many years in the biz and research and development, Michelin has released their Commander II series of tires. In a third party test they compared the new Michelins to OE Harley Dunlop tires and also Metzler ME880 series. What they found astonished them. The Michelins not only outlasted them but almost doubled the mileage. This feat is accomplished because of the new compound formulated for long mileage but does not sacrifice the look or feel of the tires going down the road. The Commander II’s also
use a 90 thread ply instead of the traditional 71 thread ply to reduce centrifugal growth when the tire is good and hot rolling down the highway. This also allows for the weight of the tire to be reduced and no sacrifice to the rigidity of the tire. The only downfall is for you riders that like to have the traditional whitewall tire or the thin-white-striped tires are out of luck. Michelin only makes blackwalls as of right now. Even as a black-wall tire; they did well with the sidewall design and just overall aggressive look of the tire. As we are heading into prime riding season be sure to check over your tires… look for uneven ware, tread depth, cracks, bulges and be sure you have correct tire pressure. If you are in the market for new tires check with your local dealer and we will be happy to lead you in the right direction… no pun intended! Get out and ride!!
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of Iowa Suzanne Hansen Council Bluffs 2012 Harley TriGlide
Carol Raner Duncombe, Iowa 2003 Buell Lightning XB9S
Monica Paulsen Waterloo, Iowa 2005 Harley Road King
We want you on our pages! If you are an Iowa Girl of Thunder, send us your name, year and model of bike, and where you are from to vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com
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The Home Plate Diner
will ride to eat
prime rib. I had never tried this before and found it to be an interesting contrast of the smooth taste of the meat and the bite of the horseradish. I’ll be doing that again! I have to say it was one of, if not THE, best prime rib dinners I can remember having. It was very filling, so much so that Sunday 7 AM - 3 PM I had to help Lynnette finish hers (poor me hehe). Once Monday - Thursday 6 AM - 8 PM done our waitress came by and offered desert. Now I was Friday - Saturday 6 AM - 9 PM pleasantly full but I have a very difficult time turning down homemade cherry cheesecake and this was no exception. I know when I think The cheesecake met and exceeded my expectations! The about eating customer service was exceptional, we were asked at least 3 in or around times by separate people (including the gal bussing tables) if they could get us anything or if we needed anything! the state fairgrounds If you’re in the area of the state fairgrounds, forget about the what immediately sticks and the food they carry! Slide into The Home Plate Diner for some good ol’ home cooking! It’s a home run!!!!! comes to mind is corn dogs and almost Until next month, ride safe and eat hearty! anything else you can Craig Little think of “on craig@thunderroadsiowa.com a stick”! Apparently my blinders go on when I go south of the main entrance of PS If you have someplace you think we should check out in your neck of the woods, shoot me an email. the fairgrounds... I mean I’ve been down that street to the auto salvage yards a bazillion times. I never knew there was a diner at the northwest corner of E 30th and Walnut. I guess in all fairness it wasn’t there when I was making my most frequent trips by there, but The Home Plate Diner is definitely there now and serving up some of the best comfort food in the Des Moines area. I had been made aware that they served what was described as the best hot beef sandwich in Des Moines and a statement like that bears investigation! And investigate we did! 304 E 30th Street Des Moines 515-262-7000
Lynnette and I arrived at The Home Plate Diner about 6:30 PM on a Saturday night. We go inside and discover the baseball oriented decor (I’m not sure what I was expecting from a place with a ball diamond on its sign and name The Home Plate Diner... double DUH!!!). If you are a baseball fan this place is your mecca! There are ball jerseys and memorabilia everywhere! We had to wait a bit for a table to be cleaned for us (this place is busy!). Once seated, even though I thought I knew what I wanted all ready, we picked up the menus to peruse the offerings. The menus read like the what’s what of comfort food, some plates have baseball themed names; for instance the breakfast dish called The Bases Loaded recently sampled by a local news anchor. One of the things that impressed me the most is that all the food is homemade right there, just like the neighborhood small town cafe of old! Even though I had hot beef on the brain, their special on Saturday nights is Prime Rib. Lynnette and I both decided we could wait for another trip to sample the “best hot beef sandwich in Des Moines”. Prime rib it is tonight! The prime rib dinner comes with a salad and a baked potato. They cook your meat to order, Lynnette had hers medium and I went with medium well... they nailed both! One thing they offered was horseradish to put on your www.thunderroadsiowa.com
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Model: The incredibly gorgeous and sweet Eryka Driscoll She can also be ssen in Natanic’s 2013 Calendar, available now lyfebehindbars.com! Bike: Murph’s 1982 FX Shovelhead, mill built by Fred at F&J Racing
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“So, what do we call this thing,” one voice called from the end of the crowded table. The other eight leather-clad bikers all looked up from their notes. “We can’t just call it ‘The Poker Run.’ That’s kind of stupid.” Several bikers leaned back in their chairs. One signaled the waitress. The spring 2007 meeting of the Executive Committee for the Northwest Iowa chapter of the American Legion Riders (ALR) was going into it’s second hour.
“but I always have something to give someone in need.” All afternoon motorcycles and cars pulled up to the Chesterfield in Sioux City, where prizes were awarded, totals tallied, jokes told. When it seemed that all the bikes had arrived, Skunk, Bobbo, Snowman and a few others took the stage to draw door prizes. After the door prizes, Skunk remained on the stage and motioned for quiet. “George, can you come up here for a second?”
The retired First Sergeant glanced around, smiling, then got up to make his way to the stage. “Did I win a door prize? If it’s something pink, I’ll give it to Corky,” he said as he “Well, we’re raising money to help cover medical weaved between a couple tables. “He looks good in pink.” expenses,” said Seamus (pronounced “SHAY-muss”), “why As George got to the stage, his white hat covering the scars don’t we call it the Healing Run. I mean, we’re using the from his recent surgery, Skunk leaned into the microphone. money to help people heal, why not just call it that?” A “Between the poker run, donations, and the auction we worried look on the onetime soldier’s normally cheerful raised well over a thousand dollars,” he said. “George, we’d face, he continued, “If this works out, we can really make like to give it to you to help with all the bills you and your a f***ing difference in someone’s life.” As the chapter’s family are facing.” Chaplain for the year, Seamus tended to his tattooed flock of over a hundred souls with the dedication (and linguistic George’s smile slowly faded as the realization sunk in choices) one may expect from a former Marine. that all his friends had come together that day for the sole purpose of helping him. “Are you serious?” he whispered, There were nods from the others. “I like it,” said the gazing at the assemblage. “I thought I was here to help chapter’s President. Everyone in the ALR has military ties; someone else, and you were here to help me.” most are veterans. But Skunk was one of the rare members who was still in the military serving full-time as Sergeant The next year, 2008, the Healing Run was officially Major in the Iowa Army National Guard in Sioux City and renamed the George O. Spain Jr. Memorial Healing Run. It also the Le Mars unit’s First Sergeant on drill weekends - a was a slightly somber event, but the memories of George fact one could see by glancing at the Red Bull patch on his were good. “It’s hard to think of George without smiling,” leather vest. “Let’s go with it.” He ran his hand over his one person commented. shaved head and glanced around the table at his officers. “All in favor, say ‘Aye.’” The Healing Run continues to this day as a way for the ALR to help those in need, always with George in mind. “I was “It’s decided then,” Skunk declared, leaning back in his here to help someone else, and you were here to help me.” chair. “Every year we’ll hold a fundraiser called the Healing Run. The money will go to help someone cover medical This year the event will be held July 21st, with sign-in from bills and take care of their family. And we won’t announce 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the American Legion Wasmer Post 241 who gets the funds until after the run.” The Executive in Le Mars, IA. The ride will end at the Icky Nickel, located Committee packed up their notes and headed outside to their on old Highway 75 on the north end of Sioux City, IA, motorcycles. where there will be plenty o’ food and two live bands. All vehicles are welcome! Please see www.healingrun.com for The Northwest Iowa ALR was a growing organization in more details. early 2007, gaining members every month. But as with many organizations, the larger the membership grew, the Hippie more likely it became for a member to suffer illnesses. This fact was driven home when one of the members was diagnosed with brain cancer. “One day everything was fine,” George Spain quietly explained, “but the next I was having trouble getting my kickstand down. I’d pull into the garage and damned if I just couldn’t get my leg to push the stand down...” The doctors wanted to operate. “Guess I’ll have to shave my head again,” George commented. “Thought I was done with that when I got out of the Army.” Both George and his wife spent decades in the Army, serving in Germany for years as well as serving stateside. Later that year, the first Healing Run took place. All morning motorcycles and cars pulled up to the American Legion in Le Mars. Donations were taken, entry fees processed, jokes told. One car held George, who, in spite of his cancer was determined to go on the run. “I may not have much to spare these days,” he said as he dropped an extra five dollars into the hat, ever-present smile on his face, www.thunderroadsiowa.com 32 - TRMI JUNE 2012
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At F&J Racings Blessing of the Bikes, we had the opportunity to visit with Mr. Ron Fisher. Ron had a booth set up for his organization, as well as donating various items he had been given to the American Legion post where the event was held. One of the items included were United States Flags flown overseas. Ron and Connie had been given these in appreciation for the work that they have done to support the troops overseas and in hospitals. They send care packages to troops to lessen the feelings of being so far away from home, and offer some small creature comforts of being stateside. The idea of sending packages to Soldiers in combat areas started in 1990 during the troops build up, before the Desert Storm invasion of Iraq. A deployed family member of Ron and Connie Fisher’s, called and requested sporting
goods and personal items that would make life less boring and a little more comfortable for him and his buddies. Calls were made to everyone they knew in local businesses for donations, as the word got out what the Soldiers wanted,
donated items started coming in. With the amount of donations, more deployed Soldier’s names and addresses were needed. Several central Iowa TV stations were contacted, after the story aired, an avalanche of donated goods, money and soldiers’ addresses followed. Ultimately nine tons of sporting goods, personal items, food stuff along with letters and cards of appreciation were shipped to deployed troops. Once in a TV interview, Ron was asked, “if his project had a name.” Without knowing what else to say, Ron said “Iowa Care Package.” That entire effort represented a tremendous outpouring of good will from Marshalltown and other communities across Iowa. The letters received from soldiers that shared in the packages were priceless. The whole project was enjoyable, gratifying and short lived since the war was soon over. Now, almost twenty years later, Ron and Connie
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Fisher are mounting another effort to send Care Packages to our soldiers in combat zones and soldiers hospitalized from combat injuries. Today, Iowa Care Package, Inc. is a 501(3)(c) non-profit, public charity, where all contributions and donations are tax deductible. All efforts of Iowa Care Package, Inc. are supported by volunteers, charitable donations and contributions (Iowa Care Package, Inc. does not have employees). All money donated, is used only to purchase postage and/or any other direct expenses involved to package and ship care packages to deployed Soldiers in combat zones or in hospitals recovering from combat injuries. In the event money donations exceed available products for shipment, items will be purchased from partners in the food distribution business at wholesale prices or less (see Partners). Iowa Care Package, Inc. continues to develop Partners that provide monetary gifts along with goods and services at no charge or much reduced cost. The success of this project depends totally on volunteers and contributions. They are always seeking help to keep the project going, as well as always needing addresses for deployed soldiers. To send donations and/or contributions mail to: Iowa Care Package, Inc., Box 1208, 406 South First Ave., Marshalltown, Iowa 50158 You can also find out more information at www. iowacarepackages.com
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K.I.S.S. page composed & edited by: Toni McCoy Shearon of Tennessee
SHRIMP, BROCCOLI & SUN-DRIED TOMATOES LEMON FETTUCCINE 1 Box of Fettuccine 2 Cups of Broccoli Florets Apprx. 16 X-Large Pre-Cooked, Frozen Shrimp in a Bag 1 tsp. of minced garlic from jar in produce section 1 Tub of Philadelphia Savory Lemon & Herb Cooking Creme’ 1 Cup of Heavy Cream Small Palmful of Parsley 1 Can of Sun-Dried Tomatoes or if can only get ones in a bag, reconstitute in unsalted chicken stock. Cook pasta. Remember to add a good amount of salt to the water to flavor the actual pasta. Drain and add to a big skillet along with cooked broccoli, thawed and peeled and de-tailed shrimp and sun-dried tomatoes. Add heavy cream and stir in, then add Philly Lemon Herb Cooking Creme’. Stir until well incorporated. Turn down to low and just let shrimp absorb flavors for about 7 minutes. Serve w/ fresh salad and crusty bread........Delisioso!
A SOUFFLE SO SIMPLE IT’LL CAUSE A SMILE & A DIMPLE 6 Xtra Large Eggs; separated 1 Tub of Philly Chive & Onion Cream Cheese Spread Preheat your oven to 375 and beat the egg whites in a medium ceramic or glass bowl on high speed until stiff peaks form on beaters. Then, beat the cream cheese spread in a large bowl with mixer until nice and creamy. Add egg yolks and beat again until blended and lastly, gently stir in egg whites a spatula-full at a time until well blended and all incorporated. Pour mixture into 1-1/2 qt. souffle style baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Bake for 25 minutes until top is puffed all up and golden brown. Sprinkle with finely shredded cheese of your choice immediately after removing from oven, if you so choose. Once you get this recipe down, there’s a 100 different souffles you can make, all this easy.
PINEAPPLE TOPPED TENNESSEE CHEESECAKE 7 Honey Graham Crackers; finely crushed 3 Tbls. Butter or Quality Margarine; melted 1 Cup + 4 Tbls. Sugar; divided CREAMY COBB SALAD DIP 4 Pkgs. Philly Cream Cheese; softened 1 Large Tub of Sour Cream 1 Cup (tub) of Premium Sour Cream 1 Smaller Pkg. of Crumbled Bleu Cheese 1 Tbls. Premium Vanilla Extract 3 tsp. of Lemon Juice (from those little fake lemons 4 Large Eggs works just fine) 1 Can Pineapple tidbits; drain well 1 Avacado; depitted, peeled & chopped 1/2 Cup of Pineapple Preserves While your oven is heating to 325; mix graham 7 Slices of Thick-Style Bacon; crumbled crumbs, butter and 4 Tbls. sugar; press into bot2 Tbls. of Parsley; if using dried, be sure and ton of 9-inch springform pan. Use the bottom of rub it between your hands as putting it in dish a glass to press it down firm. Bake 10 minutes. to bring the kick back to it. Beat cream cheese and cup of sugar, beat in the 3 Green onions (scallion) stalks, minced sour cream and vanilla. Add eggs 1 at a time as 1 Large, Fresh Home Grown Tomato (large chop) mixing on low speed. Pour blended batter over Mix up all ingredients except tomatoes. But keep pressed crust. Bake 55 mins. or until center is althose in a separate bowl and refrigerate all for apprx. most set. Remove from oven & run knife around one hour to chill well. Just prior to serving, stir up rim of pan to loosen cake; cool completely bethe dip again to revive flavors and add the tomato fore removing rim. Refrigerate for a full 4 hours. In small bowl mix up pineapple and preserves; chunks all over the top as a garnish. Serve with your favorite crackers or better yet, do on spread all over cheesecake just before serving. This is really delicious with homemade whip small slices of toasted, buttered, french bread. cream served on top which is just confectioner’s OuuuuuLaLa, Baby! sugar and heavy cream whipped like crazy with blender. www.thunderroadsiowa.com
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From the Woman’s Seat
Reading your ar cle on women pioneer bikers made my memory go back to 1973 and put a BIG smile on my face. I was 20 years old with my first bike; it was a 1973-380 Suzuki. A lot of my friends went on the weekends for bike rides; I simply wanted to go too. Back then a women on a bike was kind of tabu, so was a woman buying a home. Although I had d excellent credit women were at high risk, I had to double my down payment if I wanted to buy my first home; in order to do that I had to sell my first bike. In me I saved up again and I found my Li le Red Chopper. It had a savior frame,,
telling me, we would get another one for me soon. In 2010 my husband, Tom, bought me this red 1997 - 1500 Kawasaki. It sits low and rolls nice down the road. Tom and I have children, haave ttwo wo o childre reen, n, Bryan an 23 23 and Saraa 19, which are a both gone, nesters. gone go n , so ne so we we are arre empty nest ter e s. Now instead of following myy childre children en in their ac vity’s viit I am following f my m husband h on on my own bike. b k The bi last llaas picture iss a picture of me m and my my 1500 Kawasaki Kaw Ka w aand an nd d Sara, daughter, myy d riding ridi iding with Tom that day. d
twis tw wis i tte ted d chrome chr ch hro rome m twisted been IIt’s t ’ss b e good eexxteensio ons’, king kin ng and an nd extensions’, on to o be be back b q eeeen seat qu seeat and and d a coffi offi ffin queen again. I’ll be 59 in my bike I ’l l l n 55 5 50 H ondaa tank. tan nk Thee 550 Honda picc pi picture with the sleeping October and hope I’ll have many more bike rides to come!! ba bl blanket is coming home Keep Riding Ladies!!! frr from Sturgis in 1977. I didn’t trailer it up; I Gaylene Brouille oui uillllee e rode my bike to Stur u giss Sturgis d back. b k I wouldn’t ld d ’ do d and that today, oh to be in your 20’s again. During Sturgis in 1977 I saw less than 10 women riding their own bikes there. We have truly come a long way baby!! In 1981, I married, with my husband and nd
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The last part of April you can sure bet that you will find motorcycles on the road, and biker establishments offering up some spring open house events. This spring was no different with Fenders Cycle happening on April 28th. Lazer 103.3 was there as well as 93.3 KIOA. Music was playing, and the accompaniment was the sound of a motorcycle on the Dyno Tuner. Fenders is the only authorized Dyno tuning center in Central Iowa. If you want to get your bike’s health checked, or to tune it in, this is the place to go. Motorcycles, music, dyno, and even food! That makes for a good open house! The more I looked around, the more I realized that this wasn’t your typical “motorcycle” shop. There was a lot more available here than 2 wheeled vehicles and accessories. Fenders offers sales and service to many different brands and styles of 2, 3, 4, or 0-wheeled vehicles. ATV’s, Utility Vehicles, personal watercraft, scooters, dirt bikes, street bikes and snowmobiles. Wow, that was a mouthful! They also have an awesome website that has tons of products. There are 6 pages of catalogs that you can browse and order from, depending on the type of bike you have or the name brand of riding gear and accessories. I’m pretty sure that if they can’t get it for you, then it just might not be available! While we didn’t get to meet very many of the staff, due to them being busy helping all the customers, we did get to spend a few minutes with Rand Mecham. He wanted to make sure that we knew about the Warriors Across Iowa Motorcycle Rally and how Fenders Cycle is a sponsor. He told us that the proceeds go to the Wounded Warrior Project. On Aug. 25th, there will be a motorcycle rally at the Eddyville Raceway Park in Oskaloosa. There will be motorcycle drag racing, entertainment, vendors and onsite camping. You can even take your bike onto the track for $20.00! Hmmmm, you get to run the racetrack and benefit a soldier at the same time. A person couldn’t lose with that kind of choice! Our next Open House visit came the very next day. While the skies had only threatened rain the previous day, this day dawned gloomy and raining/misting right off the bat. It didn’t matter; I was headed for one of my favorite places. We spent a long few days at the local campground/lake just outside of Everly a number of years ago and I remember how clear the water was and how peaceful the park was. 42 - TRMI JUNE 2012
As we headed north on Hwy 25 out of Guthrie Center, we decided to make it another day of 2-lane riding as much as possible. Winding through the countryside we came to a lightly traveled 2-lane that took us right into the back side of Everly. Never knowing if you’re going to encounter good surface or not is just one of the chances you take when you go on 2-lane roads like we do, but this time it was a good choice. Nice views, even surface and just a good road to cruise along. As we entered Everly, it didn’t take us long to find the Backroads Bikers Leather Shop on Main Street! The food, people, and bikes were gathered inside and outside of the shop. It seemed only 3 brave souls were taking their chances with the weather today, and I can’t say I don’t blame them, it didn’t look very promising. I was ready for a visit indoors myself and quickly found my way into the store. The first thing I did after stepping inside was to take a big, deep breath and just smelled the leather! Can’t help it, I just like it so much! After meeting Tara and the rest of her staff I checked out all the cool apparel and accessories that they have. Everything from jewelry, to knick knacks, coats, boots, shirts, hair accessories, as well as a wall, (literally) of patches! She even had some leather bib overalls! I’m sure I had to wipe my chin off a few times. Of course, not everything is leather, but there is definitely an abundance of it. As with any small business owner, Tara had her struggles getting her business up and running. For many years, she ran her business as a 2nd job with 1st job priority. Finally, she was able to leave her other job and open her business fulltime. One of her struggles was still there for her to overcome, however. One, she’s a woman, two, she is a biker. Wow, talk about strikes against you. In a rural community of 603, she faced one of her biggest struggles, her own community. Since we are only focusing on the positive here, we will just say, that finally Backroads Biker Leather Shop and the community of Everly will be working together at putting the yearly town celebration together. Due to dwindling attendance, they asked Tara for help. She told them that she would gladly help them out, but they better be ready to feed over 250 hungry bikers!! You go, girl!! Another stereotype will be squashed and all those little old ladies will be asking for rides before the day is over. Well, it was time to go, and after thanking everyone for the great food and the most wonderful welcome, we
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If you don’t want to travel that far, they have the most awesome and user-friendly web site that you can order anything they have and some stuff they don’t have in-store. The next weekend we finally got some good weather and hit the Xtreme Cycle Open
House in Panora. This store used to be a butcher shop/locker that Joel’s family ran for many years. When
and Joel and his staff have a wonderfully huge workshop with organized shelving and 2 lifts with a new tire machine. There were many types of 2, 3, 4-wheeled vehicles, as well as watercraft that were either waiting for servicing or on the show room floor for viewing. It seems that the smaller shops are trying to be as diverse as possible. The head technician at X-treme Cycle couldn’t come with more recommendations. During Nick’s two years at MMI, his wife kept his family and home together knowing what that wall full of certificates was going to mean for their future. Nick’s vast wealth of knowledge, experience, and energy will help X-treme Cycle to realize its full potential. The rest of the staff was on hand that day as well with smiles and an ever so helpful demeanor. The biggest smile there was Joel’s wife Lisa. I’m wondering if it was because she was having thoughts of getting on her trike after all this was over. The whole event just had the atmosphere of family and you couldn’t help but think that these people were really going to be making a name for their shop. Annette and Murph
Joel took over the business, he eventually decided that he wasn’t doing what he wanted to do, but didn’t want to abandon the family business, especially since he still liked doing that also. The end result is X-treme Cycles of Panora. He kept the butcher business, but only at a minimum. Deer season and catering are a big part of that end of the business. Now that part of the building is separated from the shop www.thunderroadsiowa.com
VENTS EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS EVENTS EVENT
headed out. But we will definitely be going back. Maybe we will go for that town celebration!
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Who was the first person to say, “See that chicken there? I’m gonna eat the next thing that comes outta it’s ass.” Do illiterate people wonder about the funny shapes in their t was down in southern Louisiana and an old man Alphabet Soup? was sitting on his porch early one morning when Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog’s face, he he looks out and sees a young boy walking along gets mad at you, but when you take him on a car ride, he the road carrying a roll of chicken wire. sticks his head out the window? The old man yells out at him, “Hey boy, whatcha Why do people point to their wrist when asking for the got there.” time, but don’t point to their crotch when they ask where The boy yells back at him, “Its chicken wire.” the bathroom is? The man asks, “Whatcha goin’ to do with that.” If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that Acme The boy replies, “I’m going to catch me some Co. crap, why didn’t he just buy dinner for himself at a chickens.” 5-star restaurant? The old man just shakes his head and mutters, Why does your OB-GYN leave the room when you get “Damn fool, you can’t catch chickens with chicken undressed, only to sit down in front of you and see all you wire.” got to see in plain view, when they return to the room? Late that evening about sunset the old man looks If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song out and sees the boy walking back stringing the about him? chicken wire behind him with about 10-12 chickens Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane? caught up in it. Early the next morning the old man is back on his porch again and he sees the same boy walking up A man suffered a serious heart attack and had an open the road with a roll of tape under his arm. heart bypass surgery. He awakened from the surgery to find The old man yells out at him, “Hey boy, whatcha himself with a “Nurse Ratchet” type of woman standing in got there.” front of him with her clipboard. The boy yells back at him, “Its duck tape.” As he was coming out of his fog, the irritated looking The man asks, “Whatcha goin’ to do with that.” Nurse proceeded to ask him billing questions, The boy replies, “I’m going to catch me some regarding how he expected to pay for his treatment. ducks.” She asked if he had health insurance. The old man shakes his head again and mutters, “Damn He replied, in a raspy voice, “No health insurance.” fool, you can’t catch ducks with duck tape.” She then asked if he had money in the bank. Late that evening the old man looks out and sees the boy He replied, “No money in the bank.” walking back up along the road with the duck tape strung The Nurse asked, “Do you have a relative who could help out behind him dragging about a dozen ducks along with you?” He said, “I only have a spinster sister, who is a nun.” him. The Nurse became agitated and announced loudly, “Nuns The next morning the old man is back on the porch and this are not spinsters! Nuns are married to God.” The patient time he sees the boy walking up the road carrying a long replied, “Good, send the bill to my reed with a thistle on the end. brother-in-law.” The old man yells out at him, “Hey boy, whatcha got there.” The boy replies, “It’s a pussy willow.” The old man stands up, and says “Hold up there now, A guy out on the golf course takes a high-speed ball right lemme’ get my hat.” in the crotch. Writhing in agony, he falls to the ground. As soon as he could manage, he took himself to the doctor. He said “How bad is it doc?.....I’m going on my honeymoon A little boy was sitting on the curb with a gallon of next week and my fiancée is still a virgin in every way.” The turpentine and shaking it up and watching all the doctor told him, “I’ll have to put your “willie” in a splint to bubbles. A little while later a Priest came along and let it heal and keep it straight. It should be okay in about asked the little boy what he had. a week.” He took four tongue depressors and formed a The little boy replied, “This is the most powerful neat little 4 sided splint, and wired it all together; ..an liquid in the world, it’s called turpentine.” impressive work of art. The guy mentions none of this to his The Priest said, “No, the most powerful liquid in the girl, marries her, and goes on their honeymoon. That night world is Holy Water. If you take some of this Holy in the motel room, she rips open her blouse to reveal her Water and rub it on a pregnant women’s belly, she’ll beautiful, huge, round breasts. This was the first time he pass a healthy baby. The little boy replied, “Oh yeah, well, had seen them. She huskily proclaims, you take some of this here turpentine and rub it on a cat’s “You’re the first; no one has EVER touched these breasts.” ass and he’ll pass a Harley-Davidson.” He immediately drops his pants and A few questions for inquiring minds exuberantly proclaims. “Look at this…...it’s still in the Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all CRATE!” fours? They’re both dogs!
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Ride for the Girls May 12th brought a cool morning start, but the weather cooperated rather nicely
to have an awesome day for the Ride for the Girls. The sun came out and with temperatures in the 70s and only a few clouds, it could not have been a better day for a ride through south central Iowa. The gathering on this day was for awareness and to raise a few bucks to go to Katie’s Crusaders. Ben and Tiff Spencer were the ride
Next on the list was Bruchie’s in Lorimor. Well worth a stop on any ride, this place offers food, drink, and a rustic atmosphere that cannot be beat. From there on to the Montgomery Street Pub in Creston, that is THE biker hangout in that area. Randy knew the crowd would be hungry, so his addition to the cause was to have some loins grilled up and waiting for hungry riders. Food, drink, and a cute smiling bartender makes for a nice run stop. Next was the Buck’N Wild in Macksburg. Off the beaten path just a little, this place makes you feel at home. You can tell that bikers are always welcome here. The group that had been broken up a bit during the day all gathered here and wanted to make a push to the last stop as a group effort. The message went out to the crowd and people started lining up for the large group ride to the last stop at the Gold Star in Winterset. Here there was a huge party with others joining in for the cause and enjoying more food and drink, live music, drawings, and a great time.
With the wonderful turn organizers, and have a personal connection out for the first with the affects of breast cancer. They ride, Ben and decided to donate proceeds from the ride to Tiff will more Katie’s Crusaders, as their way of helping than likely have others with the same issue. Katie’s Crusaders is a non-profit a second annual event next spring. Keep your eyes peeled organization whose mission is to provide ongoing help and and join in on the next Ride for the Girls! hope to local Iowa families who are dealing with breast cancer. The local Iowa based charity is who Ben and Tiff decided to support with their ride. The day started off in Booneville with sign in and some great vittles that were available for the riders. Booneville is not that big of a town, but I am sure they were surprised with motorcycles everywhere. Riders got registered and started to hit the road for the first stop, Tammy’s Truro Tap. Winding along some nice two lane roads, the route took the group on some of the lesser traveled byways in the area. The crew at Tammy’s were glad to see the bikers come in, as bikers trickled into the town and made their first stop. www.thunderroadsiowa.com
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spots. First place went to Kraig Beltz. Kraig is currently employed at Sioux City Yamaha and soon to graduate from with an A.A.S. degree. Second place went to Zach Jongma who is a freshman in the program and is employed at Salmen Cycle Solutions. Third place went to sophomore Dalton Sherlock. Dalton is employed at Sioux City Powersports and also soon to graduate with an A.A.S. degree.
On April 20th Western Iowa Tech Community College hosted the 2012 state SkillsUSA contest for Motorcycle Service Technology. This contest determines which currently enrolled student from a motorcycle technician training program will go on the represent Iowa at the National contest. Contestants perform tasks representative of those
Kraig will now go on to the 48th Annual National SkillsUSA contest held June 23-27 in Kansas City MO. He will represent Iowa and WITCC as the first ever student from the go from the college. These students were trained and lead by WITCC Instructor Shane Conley who he himself has a long history with SkillsUSA. Shane was the first ever student to compete in the Motorcycle Service Contest in Iowa when he went to college in 1994. He won state in
1994 and 1995 with 4thand 2nd place finishes at Nationals.
encountered in a dealership’s service department. Technical skills include performing scheduled maintenance tasks; use of service and parts manuals; precision measurement; brake service; chassis service; fuel delivery system inspection and repair. Judges will look for clean and organized work habits; correct use of reference materials; the ability to follow directions; and good technical skills.
Shane is quoted in saying “My college instructor and SkillsUSA opened up doors and opportunities in my career that I would have never seen coming. Just having the SkillsUSA recognition on my resume caught employer’s attention as I pursued employment. My hope is to pass my knowledge and skills on to these future technicians”. For more information about the contest, hiring these champions or WITCC’s Motorcycle and Powersports Technology Program contact: Shane Conley 712-274-6400 ext 1204 or email: shane.conley@witcc.edu
Western Iowa Tech Community College is proud to announce that students from the Motorcycle and Powersports Technology Program created just last year have finished in all three top 48 - TRMI JUNE 2012
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C.O.I.R. Report Coalition of Independent Riders Dangers of the Road C.O.I.R. Report by Peter Sieben Lt Commander Iowa Coalition of Independent Riders 1) Inattentive Cage Drivers: We’ve all seen it, time and time again. It seems like every time there’s an accident involving a 4wheeler and a motorcycle the vehicle driver says “I never saw him.” The easy question is Why NOT? Just a few of the things I’ve seen this week alone are: drivers eating, drinking beverages, reading the paper, talking to other people in the vehicle, putting on make-up or doing their hair. Recently we have to deal with more and more often with what I call technology distractions. These include talking on the phone, messing with a GPS, operating a laptop or smart phone and worst of all texting while driving. For me this is a straight up deal breaker. There is, in my opinion, absolutely NO EXCUSE for texting while driving. The governor’s safety council recommends that you wear bright clothing while riding to enhance your visibility. I’m not sure if it works, but it certainly can’t hurt. 2) Road Construction: and other road surface issues. When highway construction operations are underway oftentimes temporary detours or
surface grinding that presents no more than a minor inconvenience to someone in a car can present a big challenge to those of us on 2 wheels. The problem is further compounded when the sun goes down. Keep your wits about you and pay attention to the vehicles in front of you. This may provide you with a hint of what’s to come. Also watch for sand, mud or farm debris on the road and remember that immediately after a rain the oils, etc that have settled into the road surface are brought to the top, greatly reducing traction. 3) Animals, birds and especially the dreaded forest rats known as deer. As someone who has, over the years, hit raccoons rabbits, birds and one deer while riding a motorcycle I can tell you that the only way I know of to lessen your exposure to these dangers is to avoid riding at dusk or at night. At least during the day you’ve half a chance to see them coming. If a collision with an animal is imminent, it is my experience that you’re better off if you don’t swerve, especially at speed. The deer I hit fell over and I was able to drive over him and continue. Sure, I was lucky, but years of dirt bike experience driving over fallen logs, etc unconsciously told me what to do. 4) Politicians: Since most don’t ride and many don’t understand why anyone would want to, they try to “keep us safe” by regulating us. A far more effective way to make motorcycling safer is to increase the Awareness of Motorcycles that other road users have. Programs like ABATE of Iowa’s SHARE THE ROAD have proven to be very effective. Let’s promote accident avoidance rather than safe crashing. 5) Impaired Riding: If you’ve been drinking, are on a medication that can impair your ability to operate your machine, or are even over-tired you should not be riding your motorcycle. Face it; on a motorcycle you are more vulnerable to an accident. You’ve got to be on top of your game at all times. Let’s watch out for each other. True, if you tell your friend he’s too drunk to ride he may get mad at you. It’s better than going to his funeral. I know I’ve attended too many funerals. We need to watch out for each other. Comments or Questions? Send me an email. peter@ riderpromotions.com
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May 25-27 May 25-28 May 26-27 Soldier May 26 May 26 May 26 May 26 May 27 May 27 May 27 May 28 May 28 Jun 1-2 Jun 1-3 Jun 1-3 Jun 1-3 Jun 2 Jun 2 Jun 2 Jun 2 Jun 2 Jun 2 Jun 2 Jun 2 Jun 2 Jun 2 Jun 2 Jun 2 Jun 3 Jun 3 Jun 3 Jun 8-10 Jun 9 Jun 9 Jun 9 Jun 9 Jun 9 Jun 9 Jun 9 Jun 9 Jun 9 Jun 10 Jun 10 Jun 13-16 Jun 14-16 Jun 14-16 Jun 15-17 Jun 16 Jun 16 Boone Jun 16 Jun 16 Jun 16 Jun 16 Jun 18 Jun 22 Atlantic Jun 22-22 Jun 23-24 Jun 23 Jun 23 Jun 23 Jun 23 Jun 23 Jun 23 Jun 23 Jun 23 Jun 23 Jun 24 Jun 29-30 Conesville Jun 30 Jun 30
Hog Wild Rodeo Conesville Iron Horse Bike & Music Festival Sabula Midway Tavern 14th Ann Fun Run, BBQ, Street Dance Sgt JJ Bonnell Poker Run Fort Dodge Loess Hills HD Grand Opening Party Pacific Junction Ride For Education Loess Hills HD Pacific Junction Dirty Ernies Memorial Fun Ride Farley Vern Worley Helping Hands Poker Run Clinton 7th Annual Dan Sesker Memorial Poker Run Ogden Open River Ride by ALR 278 New Hampton ABATE D9 Memorial Ride Kellogg 2nd Annual Memorial Day Fun Run Foxy’s Osceola MAG Motofest III Clear Lake ABATE D25 Rodeo Nevada National Vintage Motorcycle Rally Anamosa 3rd Down Home Midwest Biker Bask Savanna, IL Loess Hills HD Blessing of the Bikes Pacific Junction Carroll Cycle Center Rock-N-Ride Carroll Jaster’s 7th Annual Ride for Life Elkader, Iowa 3rd Annual Charity Ride for Veterans ALR 166 Shellsburg Vietnam Vets Chap D Bike Blessing/Poker Run VA IA City Homer Fire Dept Poker Run/Cook Off Homer, NE ABATE D4 Butch Beam Memorial Run Grimes Indee’s Riverwalk Cruise for Make-A-Wish Independence Riding for Mission of Hope Cedar Rapids Tanager Place Car & Motorcycle Show Cedar Rapids 4th Annual Charity Whitetails Poker Run Marble Rock 1st Annual Pre-Eclampsia Benefit Poker Run BeeBeeTown Hill Climb and Swap Meet Anamosa Za Ga Zig Shrine Poker Run Ankeny Winneshiek County Hospice Ride Thrills in the Hills at Westfair in Council Bluffs Fun Run and Hog Roast Excuses Bar Malvern The Ride For Soldiers Scotty’s Saloon Grundy Center ABATE D25 Bike Show Boone Bikes at Blackhawk Lake Rally/Rodeo Lake View Bell Tower Festival Poker Run & Bike Show Jefferson ABATE D10 Fun Rain Run Humboldt Davey & Tammy Memorial Run B.A.B.E Des Moines Wallace Winkie Poker Run Belle Plaine Songs 4 Sarah Poker Run Dexter Garvis Honda Cancer Charity Ride Des Moines Accident Scene Management Class Eagles Grinnell Mississippi River Motorcycle Rally Davenport Awesome Biker Nights Sioux City Iowa State HOG Rally Des Moines Redneck Ramblin Roadshow by Shayla Bee Spencer Ride For the Eagle Fun Run Macedonia Goat Fest Band Festival w/Crave Tattoo Gigglin Goat Good Egg Days Poker Run Stuart Romper Room Ride Earlville War Ride for Juvenile Diabetes Foundation Waukee Prescott Fire & Rescue Poker Run Prescott Ride Your Motorcycle To Work Day Around the Square, Relay for Life Benefit, by Wind Bags Coyote Fest, Battle of Bands/Rally East Dubuque J&P Cycles Open House Anamosa Flat Track Motorcycle Races State Fairgrounds Des Moines ABATE D14 28th Baldy Memorial Ride What Cheer 2nd annual VODEC Poker Run Council Bluffs Fun Run and Party Goozman’s Westside Harlan 5th Annual Ride it out for Amber Indianola 6th Annual Party in the Park Creston Mendoza Scholarship Poker Run Council Bluffs HOPE Hall Cancer Benefit Ride Des Moines Joe Beck Memorial Ride Creston GWTA Nishna Valley Wings MotorCycle Ride Hastings Corn Stalk Music Festival, Circle Of Pride Grounds Roar Into Harlan Fun Run The Lounge Harlan Wounded Soldier Benefit Fun Run Nitro’s Gravity
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Jun 30 Jun 30 Jul 1 Jul 5-7 Jul 7 Jul 7 Jul 8 Jul 10-12 Jul 12-14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 14 Jul 21 Jul 21 Jul 21 ALR Le Mars Jul 21 Jul 21 Jul 21 Jul 21 Jul 25-28 Jul 28 Jul 27-29 Jul 28 Jul 28 Jul 28 Jul 28 Prevention Aug 2-4 Aug 6-12 Aug 11 Aug 11 Everly Aug 11 Aug 11 Aug 11 Aug 17-18 Aug 18-19 Aug 18 Aug 18 Aug 18 Aug 18 19 Aug 24-26 Aug 25 Aug 25 Aug 25 Aug 25 Aug 25 Aug 25 Aug 25 Aug 25 Aug 26 Aug 26 Aug30-Sep1 Aug 31 Aug 30-Sep 2 Aug 31-Sep 3 Sep 1-2 Soldier Sep 7-8 Sep 7-9 Sep 7-9 Sep 8 Sep 8 Sep 10 Sep 10-11
Iowa Iron Butt Ride Ottumwa Relay for Life Show-n-Shine, Cruise Shenandoah “Let’s Ride” Cancer Awareness Ride Hawkeye HD Coralville ABATE Freedom Rally Algona “South by Southwest” Fun Run Foxy’s Osceola Freeman Ride Avoca Yellow Ribbon Run Werner Cycle Omaha, NE VULCAN RIDERS USA National Rally McGregor Nitro’s Rally Gravity 9th Annual Skidmore Memorial Run Spanky’s Emerson Montgomery Street Pub Poker Run Creston 3rd Annual Co’s Memorial Fairfield Ride for Dyamond Antique Acres Cedar Falls The Crew MC Mid Summer Bash/Rodeo Cedar Falls Goozman’s Westside Poker Run Harlan Moose Riders Club Benefit Poker Ride Cedar Rapids Taco Run for Children’s Therapy Center Bettendorf 6th Annual Angel Ride to Save the TaTas Fort Dodge Make A Wish Fun Run Mason City Down Syndrome Fun Run Knoxville Make A Wish Run, stops at 1889 Saloon Carson 4th Annual Woman’s Fun Run Atlantic George O. Spain Jr. Healing Run, sponsored by NW Iowa Landmark Depot 4th Annual Show & Shine Rockwell City Beamer’s Buddies Fun Run Fort Dodge Patriot Ride Quasqueton Benefit Run for Tracy Brunow Underwood Iowa Grand Motorcycle Rally Newton Make A Muscle Fun Run MDA Benefit Earling Iowa CMA State Rally Wheels 4 Paws Fun Run Goozman’s Westside Harlan 5th Annual Brooke Barber Memorial Fun Run Mount Ayr ABATE D10 Tin Butt Run Algona Berkes Bros Memorial Ride for Suicide Awareness & 5th Ann Across the Border Raid Motorcycle Rally Bedford “Event” in South Dakota Atlanticfest Bike Show Atlantic Fall Classic, Show-n-Shine, Ride, Dinner & Street Dance ABATE D15 Too Broke for Sturgis Donahue Hope Ride for MDA Dubuque 2nd Annual Jash Davis Memorial Poker Run Perry American Victory Rally Spirit Lake 31th Annual Baxter Days Marne, Iowa Tom Skaff Memorial Sioux City Bob Ezarski Memorial Run Hampton, Iowa ABATE D10 Bikes for Tykes Run Rockwell City Prison Route65 HOG Chapter Fun Run (Open Event) Indianola Aug Motorcycle Day Iowa State Fair Des Moines 8th Annual BTW Trike In Kellogg Warriors Across Iowa to Benefit WWP Des Moines 4th Annual Ride Your Hawgs For The Dogs Poker Run “Where are we at?” Fun Run Foxy’s Osceola Vic’s Main Tap 4th Annual Fun Ride Audubon HarleysNHotrods Cruise for Kids Antique Acres Cedar Falls Shake, Rattle, and Roll Parkinson’s Benefit Run Rhodes Jami Thielen Charity Poker Run Arnolds Park Shane Scroggs Memorial Poker Run Clarinda Children’s Miracle Network Poker Run Ida Grove Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association Bike Show Clinton Davenport Antique Motorcycle Rally Vintage Flat Track Motorcycle Races Davenport Circle of Pride Thunder In the Sand Conesville Iron Horse Bike & Music Festival Sabula Midway Tavern Soldier Valley Run BBQ, Street Dance AMA Pro Flat Track Grand Nationals Knoxville ABATE D25 Pufferbilly Days Bike Show Boone Hogs 4 Dogs Benefit Weekend & Ride Ottumwa Ride for the TaTas Benefit Run w/Cheshire Grin Kirkman Charity Bike Ride for Sprint Car Museum Knoxville East Central Iowa Side Car Rally Anamosa Cannonball Run Anamosa to Spirit Lake
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Sep 14-16 Sep 14-16 Sep 15 Sep 15 Sep 15 Sep 15 Muscatine Sep 15 Sep 22 Sep 23 Oct 6 Oct 6 Oct 7 Oct 7 Davenport Oct 14 Oct 14 Oct 20 Oct 21 Nov 9-11 Nov 16 Nov 23 Nov 30 Dec 1 Dec 12
State Line End of Summer Rally Keosauqua Thunder Roads Magazine Corn Cob 1000 Ride Amigo’s Bike Show Fort Dodge U of I Children’s Hospital Ride for the Kids Dubuque Carroll Cycle Center New Model Open House Carroll 2nd Jessica Peine Memorial Ride & Music Festival ABATE D8 Toy Run Everly ABATE D10 Toy Run/Auction Fort Dodge Concourse De’ Cornfield Penn Center Church Earlham ABATE D25 Biken For Tikes Run Boone CR Chrome Divas Breast Cancer Awareness Ride Hot Rods & Harleys Car/Bike/Rat Rod Show Hopkinton ABATE D15 28th Toy Run w/USMC Reserves ABATE D4 29th Toy Run Des Moines Carroll Cycle Center Fall Color Ride Carroll ABATE D15 Harvest Run Davenport Carroll Cycle Center Toy Run Carroll STEAM Marshalltown Carroll Cycle Center Ladies Night Out Carroll Turkey Run Clinton Carroll Cycle Center Guys Night Out Carroll CR Chrome Divas “Santa’s Little Divas” Christmas Event 833rd Chopper Raffle Party Ottumwa
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 Date/Name of Event/ Location to vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com
Monday Fireside Grill Altoona Johnny Mac’s Des Moines Tuesday Ron Dawg’s House Des Moines Desperado’s Wheatland Gathering on the Grounds Fairgrounds (Selected Dates) J&P Cycles Cruise Nights (Selected Tuesdays) Anamosa Victory Lane Des Moines Samz Sports Bar Muscatine Brooklyn’s Ottumwa Shenanigans Boone Wednesday Do Drop (Under the Water Tower) Jamaica Amigos Fort Dodge Quaker Steak & Lube Council Bluffs Rusty Duck Dexter Skatterkats Davenport Lynn’s Des Moines Latitude 41 Bar & Grill Johnston Joe’s Night Hawk Waverly OP Clear Lake Cadillac Jack’s Baxter 2nd Avenue at I-80 Des Moines (2nd Wednesdays) Elkhart Pub Ankeny Thursday Roar Into Harlan (3rd Thursdays) Beer Barn and Grill Kirkman Screaming Eagle Bar & Grill Waterloo The Buck Snort Neola BJ’s Full Throttle Thursdays Waterloo Trophy’s Bar & Grill Des Moines Beach House Humboldt Rides Bar and Grill Fort Dodge Cedar River HD (1st and 3rd Thursdays) Grid Iron Grill & Sports Lounge Webster City Tapz Pub Clive Michelle’s Des Moines Woody’s Roadside Tavern (3rd Thursday) Albion AJ’s Des Moines Square One Clive Linden House Lynnville Ducky’s Lagoon Taylor Ridge Il. Kings Korner Grand Mound Daytonas Des Moines Friday Spanky’s Bar & Grill Emerson Knoxville Bike Night (1st Friday) Knoxville Grapplers Bar & Grill (2nd & 4th) Dallas Center Captains Quarters (2nd Friday) Adel Throttle Down to “O” Town Osceola Fatboyz Saloon (2nd & 4th Friday) Grimes Bike Down to I-Town (3rd Friday) Indianola Ferg’s Grand Junction Hicklin Powersports Dinner Rides(4th Fridays) Grimes Newton Bike Nights (2nd Fri, except July) Saturday Winterset Bike Night (3rd Saturday) Winterset Booneville Bar Boonville Von Tuck’s/Dave’s Place Oelwein AMVETS Post 2 (2nd Saturday) Des Moines Sunday Scooter Sunday 411 Main Griswold Haverhill Social Club (3rd Sunday) Haverhill Ickey Nickel Sioux City Team 36 Mitchellville The Edge Missouri Valley
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