THUNDER ROADS MAGAZINE OF IOWA
Letter from the Editor .........................................4 Biker Photography Aint for the Faint of Heart6 Biker Friendly Listing ...................................... 10 A Date With B.A.C.A. ...................................... 14 CMA ................................................................... 16 99 County Tour ................................................. 18 Road Ramblings................................................ 21 Leather & Hawgs .............................................. 22 Making it New, Almost .................................... 25 Vintage Rally ..................................................... 26 Calendar ............................................................ 28 Starr’s Two Wheel Tap ..................................... 30 Girls of Thunder ............................................... 34 From the Woman’s Seat ................................... 35 Will Ride to Eat................................................. 36 Military Rider English River Outfitters ......... 38 Thunder Cam .................................................... 42 Blast From the Past ........................................... 46 I’d Eat That ......................................................... 49 Joker’s Wild....................................................... 50 COIR .................................................................. 52 TRMI Events/Bike Night Listing .................... 56
www.thunderroadsiowa.com P.O. Box 29 Kimballton, Iowa 51543 OWNER/EDITOR Vernon Schwarte (712) 249-5630 vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com
EVENT CORRESPONDENCE/SALES Eryka Driscoll Eastern Iowa 563-506-0389 eryka@thunderroadsiowa.com Susan Mast SC/SE Iowa 319-931-4546 susan@thunderroadsiowa.com Richard (Murph) and Annette Murphy West Central Iowa 641-524-4808 vizslaboots@yahoo.com Harv and Sue Hunter Central Iowa 515-205-7410 harv@thunderroadsiowa.com Bob Colbert Knoxville 515-579-1343 thomasrcolbert@yahoo.com David McCoy Mason City 641-420-1171 david@thunderroadsiowa.com Patricia Kemner Dubuque 563-580-3292 patricia@thunderroadsiowa.com
CONTRIBUTORS
Jeff Sigwarth Dubuque 563-451-9225 jeff@thunderroadsiowa.com
Netty Kawecki Copy Editor Nate Ullrich natanic@hotmail.com
Humphrey Western Iowa He May Stop in to Say Hey
Craig & Lynnette Little-Will Ride to Eat craig@thunderroadsiowa.com
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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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 thunderroadsfounders@yahoo.com
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Heck, you may even be able to make both of them! The first big things in May are: Vintage Torque Fest in Dubuque on May 3-4, F&J Racing’s 18th Annual Blessing of the bikes in Marshalltown, and the Summer Kick Off Party at Papa Joe’s in Mo Valley . Ride along with me if you want to, as I will be hitting up all four of those events that weekend. May is here! With that, this marks the 36th issue since we May 18th in Marne, Baxter Cycle is hosting a spring open took over the magazine. It is hard to believe that we have house and the Hog Wild Rodeo in Conesville is now back been at this for three years already, but it has been one hell to the original date, so party it up in the sand May 16-18, on of a ride! We have met so many good people, been to so the way home you can hit the Pearl Street Social Club on many cool events, and have gained so many cool customers. Sunday May 19th for a bike show and party. Then Memorial We truly value all of the friends that we have had the Day weekend you can hit Main Street Bikes and Trikes pleasure of working with, riding with, and partying with. Open House on May 25th, and then the Midway Tavern’s We would like to thank each and every one of the readers Fun Run/BBQ and Street Dance in Soldier May 25th and and advertisers for helping make this magazine what it is 26th. The first today. We will strive weekend in June to keep it on par and go brings the Carroll into yet another year of Cycle Center’s publishing your Iowa annual Rock N biker magazine. Ride on June 1st. Always a good Also we can say the time in Carroll! riding season is here, finally! It has been a May 18th is Armed long time coming, with Forces Day, so a winter that would not be sure to thank quit, but we can get out those that are and about now. Please serving, so that we be safe, watch out for can be free to do that road debris, farm what we want to equipment, and the do! Thanks to all ever dangerous cages those that are or that are still not used to have served in the seeing us on the road. Military from all We would like to wish of us at Thunder everyone a safe and fun riding season, have fun racking up Roads Magazine of Iowa. the miles! If you don’t know where to go or what to do, check out the FREE event listing to see what is happening Ride it like there is no tomorrow! and where. This listing is on these pages so that everyone can see what is going on and to get to the events they Vernon want. If you have any events that are not on the list, or any bike nights that we do not have on the list, email them to Quote of the Month: If you really want to know what’s Vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com; we will get them added for going on, watch what’s happening at least five cars ahead. the next issue. Ride safe, ride often, ride on. To round off the end of April, on the 27th, there is Fender Cycle’s Open House in Des Moines, as well as the Sleeping Angels Run in Boone, both events worth checking out.
ON THE COVER Suzanne Werner graces the cover this month. She is standing in on a smoke show, mixing gorgeous and horsepower! What more could ya want? She is standing on the burn out area on the dragstrip at the rally grounds at Conesville. Outlaw drags, music, wrestling, and tons of other fun will be happening there May 16-18. Don’t Miss It!
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“Oh you have such a TOUGH job; looking at half naked women all day long through your camera.” If Nate Ullrich had a penny for every time he’s heard that, he’d be a very rich man. True, Nate spends much of his free time looking thru the camera at beautiful, scantily clad ladies, but for him it’s not all fun and games. Nate recently let me follow him around on the set of a photo shoot for his 2014 Natanic’s Classic Pin-ups Calendar and I found that out first hand. I’ve modeled for Nate before (and plan on it again) being on the set numerous times with him I have realized that for Nate this is work, plain and simple. Not only does he have to deal with lining up vehicles, working around the owners’ schedules as well as his own “real job” schedule, ensuring wardrobe/hair/
make-up choices are spot-on for the models, dealing with equipment malfunctions, choreographing the entire scene and hoping everyone shows up on time as scheduled; but he fights mother nature and the constant changing weatherwhich is the hardest, because that is the one aspect he can’t control. He works in the snow, rain, frigid temperatures and extreme heat to ensure that your walls will feature some of the area’s most beautiful girls next door. The first shoot I did with him, we fought the rain all afternoon; on location for 8 hours, actually shooting for maybe 2 hours. The second shoot was on a wind whipping, freezing October day. I was wrapped up in my warmest winter coat between shoots, while Nate constantly wiped the sweat beads from his forehead. He really works hard to capture that ‘perfect’ shot and being on location with him, that fact is ever-apparent.
like so many others claim to be, but Nate has an eye for finding the beauty where others may not even think to look. After shooting photos for over 20 years, he’s learned that using good equipment is a must, but the camera is only one small piece of the puzzle. Anyone can go out, buy a $1,000 camera and call themselves a photographer; even though they th have no eye for what is art. a Nate started out shooting with w a Pentax K-1000 and over time, he has been able o to upgrade his camera and purchase other photography p equipment. But again, it’s e not n that equipment that makes him a photographer, m it is his distinct eye for great scenery, his ability to g track down the hottest local tr gals g and coolest pre-evo motorcycles and the way he m makes them all mesh together m to create an end result that any a motorcycle enthusiast would enjoy. w The T taking of the pictures is only part of the process. On a typical photo shoot, Nate shoots between 300-1,000 photos. ty Then he has the daunting task of searching through those T pictures and selecting the few (one to four) that he will p actually use in print. Once those pictures are chosen, he a has h to edit them. I say edit and you hear Photoshop, right? The T easy answer to that is NO! When he edits a photo, it is to filter light, convert a file from color to sepia or black and white, adjust coloring, smooth out any color deformities, w and a occasionally remove the rogue bird or fly that may end up u in the shot. Nate’s natural ability to capture the perfect angle makes the need to photo-shop the model nearly nona existent. e Another challenge of the job is constantly having to turn A down ‘helpful’ people. Nate has an eye for the perfect d scene and knows EXACTLY how he has envisioned the s photo before he even arrives on location most times. p Unfortunately, when he is doing a shoot in a public location, another factor comes in to play: John Q Public. As long as people respect what he is doing, keep their personal cameras in their pockets and their opinions to themselves
If you have been lucky enough to see any of his work, you’ll notice that the difficult task of capturing the perfect shot seems to come natural to Nate. He is a photographer, 6 - TRMI MAY 2013
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things will go smoothly; when he is shooting he is doing his job and deserves the consideration of such. He has had to turn down offers from friends and strangers alike who think they’d like to be his ‘assistant’ for the day. And we all know, having to tell your buddy “no” is never an easy task. I guarantee that if any of those people making the helpful offers realized what hard work it actually is, they’d rescind the offer in seconds. Over a majority of the year, Nate travels the Midwest, selling his calendars and single photos at swap meets and biker rallies. If you ever have the chance when you’re out and about, I urge you to stop by and take a look at his hard work that he has turned into amazing art. Visit his website at www.lyfebehindbars.com to see what the hype is all about, I promise you won’t be disappointed. There you can choose from a variety of single photos to adorn your walls or pick up your very own copy of Natanic’s Classic Pinups Calendar. Nate will be introducing his 2014 calendar at Vintage TorqueFest in Dubuque, May 3 and 4. He has promised to have models on hand to personalize your calendar and take pictures with his customers. With all that he has going on, I was forced to ask Nate the question, “When do you ever have time to ride?!” His answer is simple, “Whenever I make time for it!” Pinky
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Biker Friendly Directory It’s important for you to know who your friends are out on the road! The Biker Friendly Directory is a list of establishments throughout Iowa that want you to know that they’re here for YOU. Let them know that you saw them here in Thunder Roads. If you know a business that would like to advertise in Thunder Roads Iowa Biker Friendly Places, please email vernon@ thunderroadsiowa.com
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 Find Us On Facebook 319-241-0916 Leather & Hawgs 316 Main, Hornick, Iowa 121 1st St, Soldier, Iowa leather@wiatel.net www.leatherandhawgs.com
Convenience Stores/Gas The Pit Stop Convenience Store 421 Main Street Jamaica, Iowa 50128 Gas, Beer, Tobacco & Grocery 641-429-3101
Dealers Baxter Cycle 311 4th Street Marne, Iowa 51552 712-781-2351 www.baxtercycle.com C&C Custom Cycle 130 E Lincoln Chariton, Iowa 50049 641-774-7494 www.cc-cycle.com
Dubuque Harley-Davidson 145 N. Crescent Ridge Dubuque, Iowa 52003 www.dubuqueharley-davidson.com 563-557-3735
Beaver Hut Pub Happiness is a Wet Beaver 307 East 7th Logan, Iowa 51546 712-644-6100
Fenders Cycle and Motorsport 1109 E Army Post Road Des Moines, Iowa 50315 515-256-9062 www.fenderscycle.com
Beer Barn and Grill 226 State Street Kirkman, Iowa 51447 712-766-3395 Open Mon 4, Tue-Sun at 11
Holstein’s Harley-Davidson 4940 S. 72nd St. Omaha, NE 68127 402-331-0022 www.holsteinsharley.com
BJ’s Bar & Billiards 110 Ida Waterloo Iowa Home of Full Throttle Thursdays 319-234-9810 Buck Snort 113 4th Street Neola, Iowa 51559 712-485-9090 The Buck Snort on Facebook
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 Uptown Motors Sales, Inc 310 Cleveland St Muscatine, IA 52761 563-263-2944 www.uptownmotorsales.com Werner Cycle Works 14410 Frontier Road Exit 440 I-80 Omaha, NE 68138 402-894-3050 www.wernercycleworks.com¬
Captains Quarters 807 Main Adel, Iowa 50003 M-F 2-12, Sat 10-2, Sun 12-12 515-993-4417 Dew Drop Inn Bar & Restaurant 109 Main Street McClelland, Iowa 51503 712-566-9360 Mon-Sat 11:30-Close Dexfield Diner & Pub 904 1st Street Redfield, IA. 50233 515-833-2927 www.dexfielddinerandpub.com
Whipp Sales and Service, Inc 701 S 8th Street Clarinda, Iowa 51632 1.800.477.0195 www.whippsales.com
Entertainment Book Em Dano’s 33 S Main Street Denison, Iowa 51442 712-263-9818Mon-Sat 4-2 Dancers Nightly 5-1:30 Ossy’s Show Club 1215 Plaza Drive Carroll, Iowa 51401 712-792-9102
Food and Drink
Carroll Cycle Center 1327 Plaza Dr Carroll, Iowa 712-792-1610 www.carrollcycle.com
14th Street Tavern 3418 East 14th Street Des Moines, Iowa 515-266-3446 M-F 8am-2pm Sat 10-2 and Sun 11-2
Dillon Brothers Harley-Davidson & Motorsports 174th and Maple Omaha, NE 68116 402-289-5556 www.dillon-brothers.com
B & M Bar and Grill 110 W. Main Street Panora, IA. 50216 641-755-2806 Open Daily @ 11:00 am
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Doc’s Roadhouse 309 East 7th Street Logan, Iowa 51543 712-644-3636 Open 365-8 am to Close Double R Bar and Grill Quick Ricks Rib Joint 209 East Erie (Highway 30) Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555 712-600-6441 Doyle’s Place 403 East Street Shelby, Iowa 51570 712-207-2150 Mon-Sat Open 3 PM Do Drop Inn 403 3rd Avenue Under the Water Tower Jamaica, Iowa 50128 515-314-0783 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 Goozman’s Westside Bar & Grill Harlan, Iowa 712-755-2259 Goozman’s Westside on Facebook Greaser’s Drive-In Hwy 52 South Guttenburg, Iowa 52052 563-252-1027 Open Tues-Sun 11-9 Haverhill Social Club 202 1st Street Haverhill, Iowa 50120 641-475-3321 Mon-Sat 10-2, Sun 12-12 Hawkeye Bar & Grill 110 North 4th Street Mapleton, IA 51034 712-882-1226 Mon-Sat 10:30 a.m. ~ Sun 12:00 p.m. Hazard County LoungeIowa’s Premier Night Club
(above the BBQ Shack) 203 Main St. Lohrville. Iowa 51439 Open M-S 4pm-close. Sunday 12pm-close (712)-465-3278 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 Lamp-Liter 143 South Grove Street Walcott, Iowa 52773 563-284-4061 Lugger’s 201 N Main Street Kimballton, Iowa 51543 712.773.8620 Master Griller/The Field House 142 S Chestnut Earlham, Iowa 50072 Mastergriller.com 515-782-5850 Midway Tavern 206 1st Street Soldier, Iowa 712-884-2230 www.midwaytavernsoldier.com
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Millerton Café
Screaming Eagle American Bar & Grill
10 Miles S on Hiway 14, 1 Mile East J22
228 East 4th Street Waterloo, Iowa 50703 319-235-8865 www.partyattheeagle.com
Chariton, Iowa Tues-Sat 630am-8pm Sunday 630am-3pm 641-897-3536
Wet Goods Food & Lounge 113 N. Chestnut Street Jefferson, Iowa 50129 515-386-2111 Where You Can Grab a Rack, And Not Get Slapped! Venture Inn Blencoe, Iowa 712-452-2205
Shenanigans Nightclub/Event Center
Larsen Equipment Aaron Larsen PO Box 126 Kimballton, IA 51543 712-310-1762 Smith Urndustries 3615 300th Avenue Dickens, Iowa 51333 712-260-9638 www.smithurndustries.com
Montgomery Street Pub 207 East Montgomery Street Creston, Iowa 50801 641-782-2165
1805 Maime Eisenhower Ave Boone, Iowa 50036 515-298-0435 www.partyatshenanigans1.com
Lamp-Liter 143 South Grove Street Walcott, Iowa 52773 563-284-4061
Slaby’s Bar & Grill 6020 New Liberty Road Plainview, Iowa 52773 563-843-9678
Wild Hogs Saloon & Eatery 350 Commercial Drive Walford, Iowa 52351 319-846-4476 Open 7 Days a Week
Off Sides Pizza 1119 Thomas Street Redfield, Iowa 50233 515-833-2900
Sidetracked 206 West Union Street Creston, Iowa 50801 641-782-8534
Wilson’s Tap and Recreation 1008 Story Street Boone, Iowa 50036/ 515-433-1395
Papa Joe’s 117 South 6th Street Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555 712-642-9015
Sparetime Bar & Grill 136 West Main Street Ute, Iowa 61060 712-885-2226
Guns and Ammo
Southwest Iowa Sandblasting Mike Magers 65162 Oxford Rd Atlantic, Iowa 50022 712-249-3995
Pearl Street Social Club 110 Pearl Street SW Shellsburg, Iowa 52332 319-436-7100 Find Us On Facebook!
Tailgators Bar & Grill 621 Willow Street Oakland, Iowa 51560 712-482-6269
Dales’ Guns Buy-Sell-Trade-Gunsmithing 109 Main Street Ute, Iowa 712-885-2671 rustyshot2000@yahoo.com
Traci Davis Real Estate Specialist 319-400-2000 traci.realtor@gmail.com Skogman Realty
Locked and Loaded Outfitters 422 Market Street Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-235-4867
Certified Lead Abatement Contractor
Pines Steakhouse Oinkers Lounge & Grill 1500 E 7th Street Atlantic, Iowa 50022 712-243-3606 M-F 11AM-, S-S 4PMPiranha Club 1215 Plaza Drive Carroll, Iowa 51401 712-792-9184 Piranha Club on Facebook Pizza Ranch DENISON 510 HWY 39 North Denison, Iowa 712-393-3333 Check Us Out on Facebook Open 7 Days a Week Pizza Ranch HARLAN 613 Court Street Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-755-2262 Check Us Out on Facebook Open 7 Days a Week Red Oak Tap 419 E. Reed Red Oak, Iowa 51566 712-623-4788 Riverside Tavern 450 E Main St Lehigh, Iowa 50557 515-359-9998 Email:riversidetap@gmail.com Sambetti’s Bar and Grill 1430 2nd Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50314 515-245-9780 Mon-Sat 11a-2a, Sun 11a-7p
The Home Plate Diner 304 E. 30th Street Des Moines, Iowa 50317 515-262-7000
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The Lounge 1005 Chatburn Ave Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-755-5050 The Lounge Harlan Iowa on Facebook
The Middle of Nowhere 112 Main Street Cumberland, Iowa 50843 712-774-5425
Third and Main 301 Main Street Manning, IA 51455 712-655-2304/712-210-2304 www.thirdandmainmanning.com facebook.com/thirdandmain T.J.’s Pourhouse 100 E. Washington Street Exira, Iowa 50076 712-268-2353 Open M-SAT.@11, SUN.@ NOON Tobey Jacks Mineola Steak House Mineola, Iowa 712-526-2078 Open 7 Days a Week Check Us Out on Facebook Vic’s Main Tap 304 Broadway Audubon, Iowa 50025 712-563-2122 Opens M-F 3, Sat 10, Sun 3
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TVC Home Improvements 1422 Farnam Davenport, Iowa 52803 866-322-1754
Shooter’s Outlet 114 Main Street Arcadia, Iowa 51430 712-689-2772 Tues-Fri 2-7, Sat 8-3 www.shootersoutlet.net
Shops and Fabricators
Healthcare/Wellness
Chuck’s Cycle Service and Repair 714 East 7th Street Washington, Iowa52353 319-461-5278
Sandra Grace Health Care Team 2884 AAA Court, Bettendorf, IA (563) 343-5344 sandragracehealthcareteam.com Massage, Hypnosis, Reiki & more Will travel to your event or office
The Sawmill Bar & Grill Now with a Full Menu 401 Main St New Market, IA 51646-3079 712-585-3601
Sound and Service Bike/Car/Home Audio and TV 712 Quint Avenue Carroll, Iowa 51401 712-792-5403
Butterfield’s M.C. Parts 8025 Blondo Street Omaha, NE 68134 402-391-3768
Photo and Video
Creative Concepts Collision 422 Market Street Harlan, Iowa 51537 712.755.2231
Ullrich Photography PO Box 1842 Clinton, Iowa 52733 563-243-8715 www.natanic.com
Dead Heads Eng, Fab, Repairs & Sales 426 Railway Street Gillett Grove, Iowa 51341 deadheadsmceng@gmail.com 712-835-3353
Services BC’s Custom Wood Floors Brian Christensen 1908 8th Street Harlan, IA 51537 712-755-2098 BCS Computers 100 Industrial Road Guthrie Center, Iowa 50115 641-747-3344 www.brubakercomputer.com Joe Karsten-Authorized Dealer Cornwell Tools 329 West Street Manning, Iowa 51455 712-310-0765 mobile
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Elite Auto Upholstery & Embroidery
Specializing in Motorcycle Seats 1313 Walnut Street Des Moines, Iowa 50309 515-276-4392 F & J Racing 701 N 3rd Ave Marshalltown, Iowa 50158 641-752-8651 www.fandjracing.com Flying Eye Psycol Circus 512 Main Street LaPorte City, Iowa 50651 319.495.8016 flyingeye@mediacombb.net
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Shops and Fabricators Continued Metal Ink 911 7th Street Ste 102 Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-235-2453 www.metalink.org Main Street Bikes and Trikes 522 Main Street Granville, Iowa 51022 712.727.3515 www.shopmsbt.com Moser’s 4-Way Service Center Motorcycles.ATVs.Jet Skis Harley-Davidson Certified Luxemburg, Iowa 563-853-3390 Moser4way@iowatelecom.net Nelson Machine & Forge General Machining, Ornamental Iron, Weld/Fab 70 Washington Street Marne, Iowa 51552 712-781-2220 Pike Run Services 320 Main Nichols, Iowa 52766 Shop 319-723-4244 Cell 319-330-4541 Revolution Cycles 120 South Main Street Baxter, Iowa 50028 641-507-9250 www.rev-ia.com Steffens Cycle Shop LLC 1311 E 7th Street Atlantic, Iowa 50022 712-249-5876 M-F 9-5 Most Sat 9-12 Or Call
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Strip Club Choppers Nebraska/Iowa 2023 North 11th Street Omaha, NE 68110 402-342-4054 Throttle Shop LLC 1988 Arion Avenue Arion, Iowa 51520 712-674-3325 throttleshopllc@gmail.com Top Gun Customs 607 South Main Street Garnavillo, Iowa 52049 563-964-9899 Top Gun Customs on FB XTreme Cycle & Off Road 206 E Main St Panora, Iowa 50216 641-755-4288 xtremecycle@netins.net
Tattoo Crave Tattoo 201 S 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 51501 515-576-8289 FB Crave Tattoo, Inc. Dubuque Tattoo Club 150 JFK Road Suite 5 Dubuque, Iowa 52002 563-845-0767 To buy ad space in our directory, call 712-249-5630 or email vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com
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A DATE WITH B.A.C.A. You know I love a good cause, especially ones that involve children, and I do believe this organization has got to be the ultimate. B.A.C.A. is short for Bikers Against Child Abuse. I have heard of them, but had never had the opportunity to meet anyone from the organization. The opportunity came at the Capital City Bike Show/Swap Meet, although I was unable to visit with them while I was there working that weekend, I made sure to get some literature to check out later. After reading their pamphlet, I was even more intrigued; these riders sounded pretty intense, and I was hoping that they would talk with me about their organization and themselves. I soon found out that they were very willing to share their story and I had an interview set up with Pacman and an invitation to attend an event they were helping to host at The Keg Stand in West Des Moines on Westown Pkwy, where the Flippy Cup Tournament was set to play out!
or to ensure no harm comes to him/her! Empower is a big word for them. They want “their” children to know that they are there for them, and only them, and they will be there until they don’t need them anymore! The primaries are the ones who decides when the child is at that stage. Besides their physical presence and emotional support, they also help provide counseling or therapy for these children. Many of the children are between the cracks of yet another system, the mental health system, and cannot afford it, nor do they qualify for assistance to receive it. Almost every dime raised by B.A.C.A is put towards either supplies for the children, or to pay for counseling for them. They are a 501(C) (3), which means they are a legally registered non-profit organization. No one gets paid for what they do. They work in conjunction with local and state officials and will do what it takes to protect the children they are given to care for. As with any organization, there are criteria to join. Anyone can come to a meeting. In Central Iowa, there is a meeting every 2nd Sunday o of the th month at 3:00 pm at Immanuel United Un nited d Methodist at 2900 49th St., D Dess Moines. There are two levelss of membership m and each cha chapter apte e has its own criteria; in n Iow Iowa w you can be a sup supporter p by first attending 3m meetings, be accepted b by the Board after a b board meeting, then pass a background check that includes local-state-federal. If you wish to become a Full-Patched Member you must attend meetings for a year, g go to 80% of required ev events v and meet the Bo Board’s a approval. Only th then hen will w you be allowed to becom bec e a child’s primary. become
As we stood at the bar trying ryying to decide what to drink, I realized I was staring at a wall with taps 3 rowss deep! Hence, the name of the establishment! The old man m n and I didn’t even have a chance to take a drink before the whirlwind, that I soon came to know as Pacman, came through the door. There was no mistaking that he was with B.A.C.A., as he wore the symbolic vest with the distinctive patch of a fist breaking a chain. Right behind Pacman was the President/Child Liason off the Central Iowa Chapter, r r, A- Train and his wife Sassy. ssyy. A- Train came from Missouri so ou uri to Every year ye e to ensure continued start a Chapter here in Iowa, owa, wa, while e contact wit with their kids, B.A.C.A. Pacman carries the responsibilities of being has a party at Christmas time and a Picnic the spokesperson to the public for B.A.C.A., so we sat during the summer. At this time they bring together down and he proceeded to educate me about their those that were, and those that are, a part of their organization. family. B.A.C.A. is one of the most diverse groups of riders that I have ever encountered, but that means Aware that the “System” had a shortfall when it came nothing to them. It only makes their family that much to keeping children safe, John Paul “Chief” Lilly, more interesting! a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist, founded B.A.C.A. to do just that. The Knowing that most people who become committed children are referred to B.A.C.A. by Social Services to to a cause such as this have similar backgrounds the parents, caregivers, or guardians. The child is then themselves, I was a little reluctant to ask Pacman assigned to members who become the child’s primary how he came to become involved in B.A.C.A.. As I contacts and an adoption ride happens to that child’s thought, he was a product of the system from the age home when they take on their case. I would just love of 12 to 16. His story turned out good, and he said to be witness to that ride! The primary contacts will that B.A.C.A. is his way of giving back. He’s Primary stay in touch, call, visit or whatever might be required now for a young gal, who, on top of everything else in of them to ensure that that child feels safe. They have her life, was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. been known to physically post a presence outside of Getting ready to go to her first treatment, Pacman a home, if that’s what it takes to empower that child, said, “You could tell she was nervous, but she was 14 - TRMI MAY 2013
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trying to be brave about it”. The day was gloomy and cold to boot. All of a sudden you could hear a dull roar getting louder, and louder. Pretty soon, up the street came 20 bikes, all ready to escort her to her treatment and home again! They were there for her last treatment and for her last Dr. appointment where they informed her that her tests came back clean. Pacman said that gal had the best attitude about beating her cancer and the look on her face and how she is doing now (back in school!) is why he does what he does. By this time, things were starting to get busy and people were starting to sign their teams up for the tournament. This was my cue to let Pacman get busy and get his team together, as he was determined that they would win First Place; a Keg Party there at the bar on night of choice! The keg for the party was donated by the owner of The Keg Stand, as well as the keg for the tournament that night. Apparently, we had happened onto an annual fund-raising event that was well known. They ended up with approx. 20 teams that night with 5 on a team at $10.00 a person. They raised some good money for their fund. Good going guys. While everyone was busy having a great time, they were raising awareness and money for the cause. No way am I going to forget to mention Renatta and her Ladies! They were the ones keeping the pitchers and cups filled for the tournament. They were 3 very busy ladies. Imagine my surprise when I realized that two of them had already been in the magazine! Now, if Vernon, ( my editor), will just print the pic’s of them I took that night!!, see if you can remember which month they were in! The old man and I had a great time and we met a lot of great people; it was easy to see what a close family this group of people are. I did ask about everyone’s nickname and whether they got to choose it themselves or if it was bestowed upon them. Cherokee told me that some, such as hers or Sarge’s are obvious, but there are those that end up with a given nickname. Like the guy who showed up at Conesville for the weekend, with nothing but his bike. His nickname is I.P. (ill prepared)! We went home before the tournament was over, but, I did get some shots emailed to me of the winning team! Looks like everyone had a great time! So now we know a little bit more about B.A.C.A., and Murph and I got to make some new friends! Now, if you see someone sporting the vest with B.A.C.A. on it, you’ll know what they’re about and give them a howdy, a handshake, or a hug. Whichever you’re inclined to do, but you might think about thanking them for being there to do what they do. For more information: Central Iowa Chapter of B.A.C.A. Inc., P.O. Box 41605, Des Moines, IA. 50311, or you can email: centraliowabaca@gmail.com; their Helpline # is 515-789-0101. I encourage you to go online and check out what their full mission statement is and find more information than I could begin to give you here. Their website is www.bacaworld.org Annette and Murph+ Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
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CMA Notes
Like many of you, Mark and I were raised to respect folks who served in the military. In the generation ahead of us, both our dads and several uncles served. From our generation, it was cousins and in-laws. As our children’s generation of the family grew up, we contributed four more members to the military. So we’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for those who have sacrificed so much for the safety and comfort of others. We’ve prayed for them, thanked them for going, and sent them care packages. However, our polite respect for them didn’t make any demands on our daily lives.
But now, our son is in the military. I have discovered that I only thought I cared about our military before! The negative effect of sequestration on military families has become a concern. I’ve struggled to sort out strange acronyms- and then wished that I didn’t know what EOD meant, since that’s what our son is training for. I’ve pored over articles interviewing vets and cruised the Internet looking for info that will inform new military families on what to expect. Our daughter-in-law is probably sick of me texting her with tidbits of info like, “Did you know that if you live on base that you’ll have to get your dogs micro-chipped?” Both Mark and I and the other set of grandparents are trying to supply practical help by baby-sitting and helping with house projects. This is beyond “respecting the military”. This is support, and the reason for the difference is because we now have skin in the game. This
isn’t about some far-away family. This is about our family! We can’t wave a magic wand and speed the separation period up, but we can be there with them while they go through it. I used to view the Lord God as sitting up in heaven, uninvolved and unimpacted by my daily struggles. (Stinky job? Marriage in turmoil? Health problems? Buck up, camper!) Having set the universe spinning, he moved on to other things, only showing up for Christmas and Easter. And I was pretty sure he kept track of all the times I blew it. But God has proven that he is more than just vaguely interested in our lives. John 3:16 says, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” He sent his son Jesus on a mission that would end in certain death so we could have safety for our souls. And God didn’t stop with that. He provided the Bible to inform us about what to expect in life so we wouldn’t be completely un-prepared and caught off-guard. He has provided extended “family” through other believers to help ease our loneliness. And while he’s not going to wave a magic wand and give us a perfect life here, he is faithful to meet our needs. Finally, he promises that we will be together with him in heaven when we reach life’s end. Realizing that the Lord really cares has helped me approach him with my life’s issues, whether it’s losing my cool when the To-Do lists pile up or stressing about big problems that I can’t fix. He’s right there with me in my daily struggles and he’s willing to be there for you, too. The Lord God doesn’t want to be kept at a polite distance where he can’t impact your daily life. He has skin in your game. Won’t you honor that sacrifice by asking him to be involved? Blessings – Karla Mark and Karla Cornick are Iowa Area Reps for the Christian Motorcyclists Association. Find out more about CMA and God’s plan for your life at www. cmausa.org
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99 Counties on the Wall 99 Counties to tour on the bike, 99 counties to tour, take one down, drive on around, 63 counties to tour on the bike. A few years back, a summer riding goal was to ride through each one of the counties of Iowa, and what was found was a wealth of interest and beauty. Each month we will revisit each county as a featured article. We will tell you about new things to see, places to ride, and give you a little spark of touring curiosity for our state of Iowa. Fremont County
trying to make the area from Omaha to Kansas City a viable economic force. Twila Larson heads the tourism subcommittee for MINK and rides a trike with her husband. She spoke to me about the organizations plan to develop bike trails all through the corridor especially in Fremont County. I really look forward to what they accomplish in the future. Keep your eyes and ears out concerning the MINK Corridor and feel free to contact Twila Larson with questions and updates at fredco@iowatelecom.net. Another great place to check out while on the western side of Fremont County is the Waubonsie State park. You can rent a
In the very southwestern corner of our fine state you will find a little slice of heaven called Fremont County. Fremont County is not flashy, they don’t have a ton of residents, but what they do have is pride. There is a deep-seated, easygoing pride in its people for each other and the communities in and around the area! Fremont County has 517 square miles of land. It was formed in 1847 and named after John C. Fremont. It has eight great little towns: Farragut, Hamburg, Imogene, Randolf, Riverton, Tabor, Thurman and Sidney is the county seat. They have a wonderful state park, the Loess Hills, active civic organizations, lots of rodeo cowboys and cowgirls, and listen up gentlemen; more women than men make up the 7.441 residents in this county!
cabin if you would like to stay a night or two and swim and fish, take in the views, have a picnic or stretch your legs with a short hike. On the eastern side of the county you can grab Old Hwy 2/ O JJ32 out of Shenandoah and take that south down M16, it was rrepaved about a year and a half ago, so the weather and Iowa winters haven’t given it too much trouble yet! If you have a w moment, it is worth grabbing a paper and reading the article m bby Leanna Field Driftmeir. She was known for creating the Kitchen Klatter radio show that ran from 1926-1959 and K
This month I had the pleasure of chatting with Lee Ryherd from the county engineer’s office and he mentioned several handy routes that I went and checked out! First and foremost he sent me to the west side of the county and the Loess Hills Scenic Byway, L44, the Bluffs Road. The only other place in the world to see land formations like these is in Shaanxi, China. The Scenic Byway is a seal coated road that is smooth and beautiful. To your right you have the Loess Hills and to your left you have massive expanses of prairie, dotted with the Forney Lake Wildlife Management Area. When we are not in a drought situation Fremont County is very well known for their waterfowl hunting. People come from all over the country just to shoot their dinner. A relatively new nonprofit organization in the county is, MINK Missouri River Corridor Inc. They are a dedicated, passionate group of people from Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas. They are 18 - TRMI MAY 2013
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the magazine of the same name carried on until the early 1980’s by her daughter and granddaughter. The information was so “spotgran on”, that the local paper still reprints her on helpful hints today. If you are looking for some hills, then jump on J34 that runs from Sidney over to Nebraska City. While in Sidney you will have to stop on the square and grab a wil bite to eat at Whip’s. They serve up a mean Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
th the trees look a little funny, a good share of the town was ddestroyed by an E2 tornado in April of 2012. The trees are to topped off and it always makes for eerie landscape viewing. W Whichever way you choose to get here it is important to take so some time to actually ride down here to check things out. Y You will be treated well and taken care of, and if by chance yo you get a sniffle or a cough, you can always stop in at the lo local pharmacy, Stoner Drug in Tabor and Hamburg for a m magic elixir. N Next month brings warmer weather, better riding and a trip to G Greene County! S Sources available upon request. prime rib and you can still throw your peanut shells on the floor! After dinner walk down the street to Chaps and have a drink, they are locally owned and operated.
DRring DRing@thunderroadsiowa.com
If you are lucky, the Sidney, Iowa Championship Rodeo will be in town. This year is their 90th anniversary and will feature nationally known entertainment and cowboys. The “One Armed Bandit� will be doing his trick riding and the bullfighter styling of Rockin Robbie Hodges will entertain the crowd. It is a sanctioned PRCA event that is now run by the American Legion Post. This seems like an excellent patriotic pairing of cowboys and veterans! When you are on the northern edge of the county you can glide across J18. It is a long flat stretch of road that will take you through Imogene, Randolf and drop you down into Thurman. While traveling around Thurman you may notice Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
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Road Ramblings random thoughts of a scooter tramp I saw a bumper sticker i k the h other h dday that h said id ““Ride id Fast and Take Chances”. I figure this time of the year, at any speed, if you’re riding, you’re taking chances. After pondering this around in my warped mind for a couple of days, I decided to write the following letter to the state of Iowa. There is no guarantee my influence will make it happen, but at least I tried.
the prisons no longer make license plates; maybe you could put some of those folks to work with a big, long, hard handled broom. I think 1-800-Big-Stik should be easy for us to remember.
Idea #5 – We are going to need one more hot line number on that Road Hazard card. We vow to call in or text message the license plate info of all cage drivers that To the State of Iowa, Department of Calendar and Holiday are vision impaired when it comes to seeing bikers. This Makers, includes drivers that pull out in front of a motorcycle, make abrupt turns without signaling their intentions, whip I am writing on behalf of the 1000’s of motorcycle a U turn directly in front of a bike, drivers who don’t enthusiasts that enjoy the roads in Iowa. We have just understand the value of visible working brake lights, survived biker withdrawal or as the calendar makers call drivers more interested in their phones than driving or it “winter”. We were very excited to see that you put those who decide to roll through traffic signals without “spring” on the calendar again this year but we are now first looking for motorcycles. All license plates reported experiencing a few hazards with riding the Iowa roads. I on “Road Hazard Awareness Weekend” should have their don’t want you to think this is a complaint letter because driving privileges suspended until they have successfully it is actually loaded with good ideas that the biking completed a 40 hour Motorcycle Awareness Course. This community would like to have implemented. course should be specially designed to make sure the cage driver becomes more accommodating to the motorcycling Idea #1 – How about a holiday for bikers? May 3rd is open, community. So start the course by handing each participant a live chicken, then push them out of a 2nd story window. it happens to be a Friday and bikers love to spend 3 day weekends riding. With a biker holiday on the calendar When they hit the ground, be sure to ask them if the the Iowa Bikers could spend 3 days riding in search of chicken helped them fly. Maybe then they will understand road hazards. We could call it “Road Hazard Awareness that the wings on our backs represent freedom, they are Weekend”. I’m sure 1000’s of bikers would volunteer their not intended to help us fly over the handlebars. services for 3 days to search for reportable road hazards. That would also give bikers 2 three day Holiday weekends To make sure these cage drivers understand how a biker for riding in the same month which never happens during feels when a moron pulls out in front of them, cuts them riding season. off or tries to run them down, they need to be educated. Sometime throughout the course, sneak up on each Idea #2- We are going to need some hotlines set up to participant and hit them in the chest with a set of fully handle the call volume of the road hazards that bikers find charged defibrillation paddles, that ought to wake them up. while riding during “Road Hazard Awareness Weekend”. So please issue each Iowa Biker a “Road Hazard To get a full understanding of the quick decision Awareness Day” card. Nothing fancy, just photocopy the making skills bikers must have in order to avoid bigger “Get out of Jail Free” card from a Monopoly Game onto catastrophes, the course should also include a 30 foot road construction orange paper and add the following simulated road rash slide. I would recommend just tying hotline numbers to the backside. a rope around their ankles and pulling them down the concrete at 60 MPH. For the slow learners in this section Idea #3- The first hotline number needed will be someone of the course, you may want to drag them through a couple to call about the potholes we find along our routes. I’m of the “Big Holes” I mentioned earlier in my letter. I think sure motorcycle enthusiasts across the state would gladly the hotline number 1-800-CME-NOW! would be fairly report the exact GPS coordinates of potholes big enough easy for bikers to remember. I believe this line is going to to have their own zip codes. Bikers like things easy, yet be extremely busy so you may want to plan for 1-800-Assmemorable, so it would be great if you could use 1-800Hole as a back up. Big-Hole. I could probably talk a few riding buddies into helping Idea #4 – We are also going to need a hotline so that we teach the course. can report where the sandy, dangerous intersections are located. Motorcycle enthusiasts would really appreciate Ride Safe, it if you would clean up the sand left behind from winter. I realize the state has been forced to make cutbacks due Shifty LaRue to the economy. Maybe you should relocate the sand by moving it the lakes and parks that bikers love to visit or at least sweep it up and use it again next year. I understand Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
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If you ever end up rolling around west central Iowa in the Loess Hills, there are a couple of places that are a must stop for a biker. Leather & Hawgs has two locations, the mother store in Hornick, and the satellite store in Soldier. Both of these locations offer some of the best selection of biker gear that you could want, and backed with a personal guarantee and service with a smile. You can find leather goods, patches, head gear, shirts, biker bling, leather accessories, and even a sewing machine to get those new patches sewn on. The inventory in both locations is staggering, as they want to offer bikers the best gear at great prices. Greg and Gerri Crook are the proprietors of the business, and are two of the coolest people you could ever meet. Greg comes from an education background having worked as a teacher and administrator, but wanted something
fun f to do as a sideline, and s when he retired w from teaching. f In I November of o 2002, they started Leather s & Hawgs in their basement as a b
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hobby, but that soon developed into so much more. Within 6 months, their basement was so jam packed with inventory that they could not even get around down th there. I was It time ti for G Greg and Gerri G to expand, e so s they bought b a building b on o the main m drag d in Hornick. H The T first few years y they th were only open in the s summer working around Greg’s school s work schedule, but it got busy b enough that they needed to hire on help to open up while Greg G was working at school. Being B busy enough to need more m help is a good problem to have! h Three years ago, Greg retired r from the school system, and now runs the store in Hornick April through December. Gerri works a full time job on top of running the Hornick store on the weekends. You can find them at the Hornick store on Wednesday through Sunday, 11am-5pm. Down the road a bit, nestled in the Loess Hills is also the little town of Soldier. Soldier is one of the most popular stop and pass through point when riding the hills, so Greg and Gerri decided to open an branch store here four years
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Where Customers Become Friends! a ago. This store is open on Saturdays and Sundays, April through October 11am-5pm. This branch site A ccaters to the weekend travelers that come through Soldier to get some leather, or stop by the Midway S Tavern to wet their whistle. T N only do they run a successful business, but they Not aalso like to do good for the biking community. They rrealize that the bikers of Iowa support them, and they give back what they can by sponsoring and th ssupporting many poker runs and charity events. In the past they have helped raise monies for Cystic th Fibrosis, the Hornick Volunteer Fire Department, F
cancer survivors, and the Hornick Library. This year the benefit run is for NOVA, which is a treatment center for teens, Leather & Hawgs is a biker owned business as well, as Greg has ridden since 1964. I wonder what the kids at school thought of Greg rolling up for class on two tw wheels? He has ridden many different brands, and m put p on many a mile. His current ride is a Kawasaki c Vaquero, which most V Saturdays and Sundays S can c be found outside the Soldier store. S At A Leather & Hawgs, the th job is simple, Greg states, “We treat people l the h way we want to bbe treated, d and we back our products.” They have made many friends through the business, and developed the motto, “where customers become friends”. Stop in to see them at one or both locations on your rides this year. June 22nd is the annual Charity Run out of Hornick, or stop by anytime. In Soldier you can find them on site on any Saturday or Sunday, and don’t forget to stop by during the Soldier Bike Rallies on Memorial Day weekend, May 25-26th, and Labor Day weekend, August 31-September 1st. Vernon
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of good quality referrals so you can be comfortable and confident when needing specialized service. For those looking to put some shine on your rusty, dull, worn out Well my faithful readers it is once again another month parts and pieces; I have a couple of with spring acting more like winter. We are going from 75 options. First is, Industrial Plating degrees and beautiful to calling for snow… lots of snow. I guess this is Mother Nature’s way of punishment for giving down in Omaha, NE. We have us such a long riding season last year. We still need as much used these guys numerous times moisture in the ground as we can get and it also gives me a for old chrome parts and have always been impressed with the little more time to get the ole iron head ready for the road. quality of work and fairly quick turnaround. Secondly, is Sioux Plating in South Sioux City, NE. I personally have not worked with these guys, but I have been told that there quality is second to none by numerous people including my father who used them back when he was in the body shop.
This month I’m going to concentrate on the refinishing of old items and trying to make sure you get the quality you desire. Recently, one of our mechanics sent off a cylinder head to get a little work done. Needless to say it came back to us in worse shape than what it was when we sent it went out. Frustrated and disappointed, I had to order him a new set of S&S Super Stock heads for his Shovelhead. I can remember a couple of years ago pulling a wheel out of a box that we had sitting around here for five or so years and when I pulled it out all of the chrome was bubbled and peeling off. Come to find out it was done by a company out in California that is no longer in business. Now if that happened just by sitting on my shelf, what do you suppose happened to the ones out there on the road. Moments like that, make a person leery on where to send their parts to get rebuffed, fixed or refinished. Advantages of my job and experience, I learn quickly which companies are up to par. I’m going to give you a couple Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
If powder coating is what you seek, then Premier Powder Coating in Boone, IA is one of the best in the state. I personally had them powder coat parts on my Night Train and I just received this last batch of parts for the iron head. I took something chrome and made it black but before you get too worked up about, I only took off stuff that was old and rusty. The new chrome stuff that I have been putting on her is staying that way for now. I am impressed with the quality of work these guys put out and the quick turnaround they have. If I’m going to pay good money to get something refinished I want it to withstand daily wear and tear and show its value. Companies who have been around for years and have earned the respect they deserve. It just goes to show that just because the look of some parts are a little rough does not mean that they are destined for the scrap yard. Being able to refinish and reuse some old parts can be the greatest things you can do to preserve your ride. As my Iron Head project gets closer to the being complete, I can smell the roses… Until then, think warm, sun and no more snow!! Tony Darveau www.thunderroadsiowa.com
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Stage is Set for Vintage Rally 2013 Anamosa The National Motorcycle Museum’s annual event showcasing new exhibits, motorcycling heroes, a great swap meet, two bike shows and a vintage ride is June 8 & June 9, 2013 in Anamosa, Iowa. While the Museum in its new location holds over 400 great motorcycles from Ariel to Zundapp and thousands of great pieces of art and memorabilia, the bike shows at the third annual Vintage Rally weekend bring to you even more fine machines for review. Be part of the dedication of the new Allstate Motorcycle Dirt Track Heroes exhibit and take in over 20 great Grand
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National Championship dirt track racers plus steel shoes, helmets, leathers, photos, posters and vintage dirt track film footage. Scooters from around the world will be featured in the new SCOOTERS! exhibit along with related artwork. You’ll also be able to check out new additions to the National Motorcycle Museum’s international collection of motorcycles which is always changing and expanding. Dirt track racers, tuners and other Hall of Fame inductees like Bobby Hill, John Tibben, Dick Klamfoth, Mike Wilson and Bill Tuman will be on hand, enthusiastic to sign autographs and tell you their interesting stories. Listen to characters from racing’s past, racers, tuners and collectors during the entertaining and informative panel discussion. Evel Knievel’s bike painter, George Sedlak will talk about his Wrecking Crew painting and his experiences with Evel Knievel. Best in Show 2012 Dirt track racing artist Melva Triumph of Randy Baxter of Murphy will be on hand to talk Marne, Baxter Cycles about her colorful pro racing paintings from the 70’s. Meet and talk with author and two-time Cannonball Endurance rider Cris Simmons.
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Saturday Bike Show judging will result in nearly 40 awards for owners of the best machines, including best original unrestored bikes for the Preservation Award. Enter your vintage bike, street, competition, custom, even mini, 1988 or earlier in the bike show; D Dirt Track Racers and S Scooters will be featured. B Bike show awards are ssponsored by Motorcycle Classics magazine. Got C a nice cafe racer? The A Ace Cafe, London will ssponsor the special ACE C Cafe Racer Award during tthe bike show. W Walk the swap meet and ppick up parts for your pprojects or add to your m memorabilia collection. Or reserve your own swap O meet space if you need to m ttrim your collection. And yyou can sign up for the Sunday morning vintage S motorcycle ride and lunch m hhosted by Motorcycle Classics magazine. C Mark your calendar and plan to attend June 8 and June 9, 2013. Watch the National Motorcycle Museum website, www. nationalmcmuseum.org for entry forms, further event details, the activities schedule and lodging information as they are finalized. If you need more information, call the National Motorcycle Museum at 319 462 3925. Mark Mederski
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Models: Suzanne Werner and Jennefer Coleman Bikes: Just a couple of the Street Legal Outlaw Drag Bikes that Can be Raced During the Rally. Bring it, Run it, Win it!
Mother’s Day
Memorial Day
Starr’s Two Wheel Tap
is the exact type of bar Quad Cities Area bikers you’d find if you were and beyond, listen up! looking There is a new biker for a biker bar on Rockingham Road in Davenport and bar in when the doors opened downtown in March, Amber Starr Chicago,” couldn’t have imagined quoted Natanic the turnout to be any (fellow better. Walking in the contributor corner door of Starr’s Two Wheel Tap, you’ll to this fine notice the copper patina magazine). walls, a support column We rocked it out all night to great tunes, sent thru the speakers covered in old license at a low enough volume that you can carry on a conversation plates and plenty of but loud enough that you can still enjoy it. While Amber and random motorcycle the rest of the crew kept the drinks flowing smoothly inside parts hanging on the and an impromptu burn out contest materialized out front, we walls. The old-time, were reminded-WINTER IS OVER….TIME TO BREAK dark wood & mirror OUT THE BIKES AND RIDE!! back rail gives you the feel of a saloon from out in the wild-west. On top of offering many signature drinks, including “Harley Whore” & Starr’s Two Wheel Tap is open Monday thru Friday 1pm to “Starr’s Dirty Secret”, the centerpiece of the bar is definitely 2am and 11am to 2am Saturday & Sunday, with great drink specials every day of the week. Stop by on Friday for Bike the custom designed beer tapper. The cold frothy stuff we Night and treat yourself to Happy Hour prices all night long all adore flows from a keg, thru chilled lines hidden within (as long as you are wearing your biker gear). One Saturday a Harley Davidson engine and arrives safely in your cup at a month has been designated Gentlemen’s Night, with great the perfect consuming temperature of ice cold. The Harley Distribution System may have been part of the previous bar, drink specials for the guys and drinks served by some of the area’s finest looking models in the role of ‘guest bartenders’. but Amber’s husband Mike Poggenpohl, owner of Convict Custom Choppers in Rock Island, IL, donated the left over parts and motorcycle memorabilia that adorn the walls of the With the spot on motorcycle décor, laid back ambiance, tavern. Mike and Amber have been involved with and around delicious drinks, and amazing patrons, Starr’s Two Wheel Tap is the perfect refreshment stop for anyone who holds the bikes for so long that this was the next logical step in their passion to be on two wheels. Stop by, check out the new bar, quest to live a full life. get a draft beer from the ‘Harley Distribution System’ and make some new friends- don’t forget to tell ‘em Pinky from When I asked my husband to accompany me on my visit, Thunder Roads Iowa sent ya! he was hesitant. Being a small town, farm raised fella, he was not excited about “the long trip to the city to go to a bar full of people I have nothing in common with and listen to their loud beat-bumping music”. He walked in the door and immediately that ill-conceived perception was erased. This is a true ‘whole in the wall’ bar, not full of twenty-something’s on a never-ending quest for extreme annihilation, but a welcoming bar, full of smiles upon the faces of people that could have very well been from our own riding group. “This
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Vicky V Vi i k White Wh hi Tama 2000 Sporster 1200 custom
Lori Johnson Harlan 2010 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Trike
N Ni ikk ki Hill H lll Hi Nikki Waterloo, Iowa 1993 Softail Custom
L D k i Fenimore F i Lauren Dekovic Ames 2007 Softail Deluxe (otherwise known as Hazel)
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Women riding motorcycles is not new. Women wanting to ride with other women and share the adventure of riding are also not new. In 1940 Dot Robinson and Linda Dugeau founded a ladies riding group The Motor Maids so that like-minded ladies could ride together and have adventures around the country. Their stories are fascinating and worth a read. I had the opportunity to meet several Motor Maids at an Event in Florida; it was pretty cool to be meeting ladies from the oldest ladies riding group STILL in existence ce today. You will recognize them by their white vests with a blue shield patch of Motor Maids. Today there are more women riding and new riders joining in all the time. There aree also ladies riding groups and clubs all over to unite lady riders in this common passion.. Just 2 months after I moved to Florida in 2010 010 I happened to go to the minor league baseball field on the night they hosted Bike Night before the game. They had a parade with motorcycles around the infield. When the field was full the bikers stood for a bit so you could look at the bikes and bikers. I went down close to the infield to check it all out when I saw 10 or so ladies in black vests with a patch that said Diva Angels Tampa Bay. They were laughing and having a blast and honestly all those women on their bikes with that Diva Angel Patch was COOL! I introduced myself and asked if they had a card or something. One of them gave me a card and they spoke with me a minute. I got a really good feeling from these ladies and wanted to find out more. All of them left but one lady named Cheryl who wanted to see the game. I was able to talk to her quite a bit and that has its own story I will share with you another time. Needless to say I was very excited in finding them and, well,…we joke now that I was her personal stalker that night. I got ahold of the Director of the Tampa Bay Chapter who invited me to a meeting. I went and was blown away with this awesome group of ladies right away. I do not go a joining every Quilting Bee out there but I was absolutely going to belong to this group of women. From that point forward I have had some of the top adventures of my life. We rode; we had Bike Night and our Diva Table at it once a month. We have celebrated and mourned together. We have helped Divas who are new riders get the confidence they need to get out on the road. We raised money for women, children, and animal causes. We volunteered at Biker Build Offs and Blues Festivals having a blast the whole way. Last June I moved back to Iowa and had to say goodbye to the Diva Angels Tampa Bay Chapter. It was heart breaking for me to think that I would be riding along again without my sisterhood by my side. I quickly decided that I know enough ladies that ride in Iowa to form our own chapter. I had to bring this experience Thun Th under unde un der Ro der de Roa Roads aad ds Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
to share with my women riders here. So, via Face Book I organized several friends for a meeting and January 7th 2013 The Diva Angels Iowa Chapter was formed. We have 11 members already mostly from the central Iowa area. I cannot wait to get out there with the ladies and get some seat time! The Diva Angels Gulf Coast Chapter was formed in late 22004 by Marsha Wolak along with Susan Goslin and Sandy Brandt in Sarasota Florida. Since then there is Tampa Bay, Pasco, Nomad, and now Iowa Chapters. P The Diva Angels is not a Club but a ladies Th social group with riding as our activity. In short, our Mission Statement is: To share in the love of biking and develop a special bond and camaraderie solely unique to women. Assist in that is sole empowering and enabling other women to ride and help them experience the joy that biking brings. Promote safety and responsible driving and set a good example in the community. Help others who are less fortunate than ourselves through fundraising events. And never, ever forget the fact that WE ARE HERE TO HAVE FUN AND RIDE! Quite honestly I still get jazzed up when I see a pack of Diva Angels. I would love to have Diva sisters all over Iowa with your own chapters, having your own events, and having rides and events with other chapters. So if you find 3 ladies in your area or if you want to Nomad, go to the national web site Divaangels.org and they will help you set a chapter up. I will also be happy to get you up and going or join my chapter Diva Angels Iowa Chapter by contacting me through our Facebook page Diva Angels Iowa Chapter; we would love to have you! You do not have to have any particular brand of motorcycle to join. You do not have to own a motorcycle at the time you join. You just have to promote biking and you’re fellow Diva Angels in our passion. I learned to ride on a Kawasaki 100 at about 11 years old. Old school learning,…here’s the throttle, the brake, the gears and and the clutch, don’t dump it. I bought my first bike in 1989 after encouragement from my friend Phil. Since then I have had 3 Sportsters and in 2011 I finally bought a Heritage Softail Classic, something of a dream come true. I am ready for weather to break and be riding and meet all of you out there in the wind and reconnect with old friends that I have not played with for a long time. Let’s get out there and Ride! Ruthie www.thunderroadsiowa.com
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Runts Bar & Grill 100 Main Street Smithland, IA 51056 712-889-2924
will ride to eat
This month I thought I’d take a departure from what I usually look for. You see, normally I seek out ea ng establishments that have something they are known for... a specialty burger of some kind or a “you have GOT to try this” food they prepare. Some mes you’re just cruisin’ down the highway in the middle of nowhere (pre y much describes rural Iowa!) and you come upon a small town. As you tool through that small town (don’t blink, you’ll miss it) you note a nice looking place si ng alongside the highway and you say to yourself “self... that looks like a nice place to stop... they aren’t too busy and I’m hungry... let’s stop!” (Yes, I talk to myself... some mes I even let Lynne e par cipate in the conversa on... like I did this me.) So we wheel into Runts Bar & Grill in Smithland, IA to see what culinary delights might await us beyond the door.
burger and was told the following story: You see the former owner of Runts was a man of smaller stature whose nickname was Runt (hence the establishment name). He determined that some people just don’t want a full sized burger so he made a smaller one called... The Runt. Well, smaller is not in my vocabulary when it comes to food so I se led on the Philly Cheese Steak. For a side I went with the curly fries. Lynne e had the Ca ish Strips Dinner with a baked potato. The Philly Cheese Steak was very tasty. The meat was well done and juicy. The requisite peppers tasted so fresh they could have been fresh picked that morning and diced during prepara on. The most unique part of the sandwich was it came on Texas Toast instead of the usual Hoagie Bun which was a pleasant surprise. Lynne e said the Ca ish was very good as well. In fact it was so good that she asked for the breading recipe! The food was very good,
Here is one thing I found very unique about the place, the gentleman (I didn’t get his name... some reporter huh) that waited on us sounds EXACTLY like Vernon! Looks like him? Not so much (which is probably a good thing! Sorry boss!), but if you close your eyes you will swear Vernon is standing there! Anyway, he was very friendly and helpful. He told us about the special which, since it was Saturday night, was a 12 oz. Charbroiled Ribeye. We inquired if they had specials every night but they only have Friday night fish and Saturday night ribeye as the two permanent specials. He did add that they have specials every day but it varies by what the cook wants to make! LOL I decided to skip the special and try something different. The menu listed a “signature” burger called The Runt, I inquired what was special about that 36 - TRMI MAY 2013
the por ons nicely sized (even I was full when I finished!) and everything was very reasonably priced. For both meals and two lemonades we paid just a smidgen over $20 plus p. I have been to some places where that wouldn’t even cover the appe zers! Runts Bar & Grill in Smithland, it’s not a big place and they don’t have a “Super Spectacular Special”. But if you’re looking for good food, reasonably priced and friendly service, you’ll be hard pressed to do be er than Runts! Be sure and “Like” their Facebook page! Un l next month, ride safe and eat hearty! Craig Li le craig@thunderroadsiowa.com PS If you have someplace you think we should check out in your neck of the woods, shoot me an email.
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MILITARY RIDERS
Nestled between rolling hills and a gravel road, on 23 acres of pure Iowa land lays English River Outfitters; a creation of Chuck Geertz’s located just outside of Washington, IA. Chuck retired from the service after 23 years of active duty with the Marine Corps & the Army. His last assignment while on active duty was to assist newly returning vets in completing paperwork for the VA. Through his job, he realized that these men and women needed more than assistance filling out the mounds of paperwork, they deserved something more; whether it was going along to a doctor’s visit or standing by their side while the discharge interviews took place, Chuck went the extra mile for anyone he could. He also realized that these brave men & women deserved to be given the opportunity to find their happiness once again. Chuck set out on a mission of his own. In 2008, after completing a business plan for his initial retirement plan of building and running his own for-profit outdoors retreat, he took a left turn. Chuck founded English River Outfitters, a nonprofit 501(c)3 outdoors retreat that aims to provide a safe outdoors experience for veterans while helping them realize their strengths and independence at little or no cost to the veteran or their families. ERO desires to honor all veterans: past, present & future, with high priorities on veterans with physical disabilities as well as invisible injuries. At the lodge, they strive to foster a healthy readjustment back
to civilian life through positive outdoor experiences. The lodge also provides the family a safe place to reintegrate after a long period of separation.
I was first at ERO as a stop along a VFW poker run. When I was there in 2009, on the property there was a small trailer, a bonfire pit, an outhouse & a man with a great big dream that he was chasing down. The lodge was staked out, but there was no foundation or walls and a pile of building materials sat off in the distance. Today, they offer a pine board walled lodge, complete with a living room/dining area, a kitchen, a handicapped accessible bathroom & can sleep up to 10. Stepping outside of the lodge, there is a bonfire area, a porch equipped with a tiki hut and lounge chairs, a fishing pond & miles of trails. English River Outfitters offers the mildly disabled veteran many outdoors activities that they may have never had otherwise. There are hiking trails (also set up for ATV’s), fishing excursions, and a variety of hunting expeditions. Aside from hosting hunts at the lodge, Chuck also takes Iowa veterans out of state, to be part of hunting non-Iowa native animals. Funding for English River Outfitters began out of Chuck’s personal savings account. Even though he began this endeavor in a challenging economy, there was never a time that Chuck doubted his own dream. He attributes his theory of not spending what he doesn’t have to his continued growth. If that means that a fundraiser doesn’t bring in the money expected, they cut down on the spending equally. Thankfully as word quickly spread more people became aware of the great that is happening at ERO, more donations were made. It costs about $500 to accommodate 1 Iowa soldier hunting for a long weekend (upwards of $1000 for an out of state vet) and ERO charges the soldier nothing. If the veteran needs hunting clothing, the lodge storage room has it; if they don’t have a fishing pole or tackle, the lodge provides it. Much like the passion fueling English River Outfitters, the passion to be on two wheels has been within Chuck for many years. Getting his motorcycle license in 1973,
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while still in high school, Chuck tooled around the Muscatine area on a Honda 250. These days he has opted for more comfort and enjoys time on his completely rebuilt 2006 HD Street Glide. Last year Chuck went head long against a deer while out for a ride, ironic that the animal he leads hunts to kill attempted to take him out. The deer ended up in pieces and Chuck ended up with a line of staples in his head and a mangled bike. That accident didn’t curb his enthusiasm for riding motorcycles and didn’t hold him back from expanding at the lodge either. He stood up, brushed off the dirt and continued plugging forward.
from the mere 12 veterans they served the first year, only 5 years ago. Thanks to the gracious donations of many people, they hope to keep expanding so EVERY member of our military can have the opportunity to enjoy Iowa’s outdoors. Currently the only reason there is a waiting list is due to not having the proper equipment to assist more severely disabled men & women; which is another hurdle that Chuck is devoted to overcoming. His goal for 2013 is Because that drive to give our soldiers the ultimate outdoors to not only provide a great experience for over 350 veterans, he hopes to raise enough money to purchase an “Action experience shines so brightly within Chuck, he has been able to gain a Trackstander”, an all - terrain wheelchair that converts from a sitting position to a standing position for any visitor to use multitude of backing from as needed. corporate sponsors and It is the desire to honor our military men & women that you have the chance private donors keeps Chuck’s dream alive. And to pitch in as well. On May 25th & 26th, English River alike. From Outfitters will hold a special projects weekend and they donations are looking for man-power. Chuck is hoping to improve of hunting the pond, build a handicapped fishing dock, plant wildlife clothing, food plots as well as constructing an obstacle course & ammunition and taxidermy permanent hunting blinds over this weekend. If you are interested in helping out this great cause continue to support services to our military men & women, please contact Chuck at English crock pots, River Outfitters. Also, the Circle of Pride Motorcycle Club furniture & décor; Chuck has pledged to donate $1 of every entrance fee during The Hog Wild Rodeo to English River Outfitters- so go party, is now able to serve over it’s for a great cause!! And while you’re there, stop by the 350 veterans ERO booth at the gate and tell Chuck that Thunder Roads Iowa sent ya! ~Pinky each year. That number For more information please visit has grown exponentially www.englishriveroutfitters.org
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blast from the past
From April 1954 Enthusiast
Sometimes you run across people that just scream of the old school biker world. People that are throwbacks to a time that was much simpler, much easier even maybe. We ran across a guy in Portsmouth, Iowa that fits this bill. This cat’s name is Don Sondag, aka Chop. It was Chopper Don, and then shortened to Choppy, then just to Chop. He is kind of a jack of all trades in that he runs the repair shop at a trucking company called Panama Transfer, in none other than Panama, Iowa. He also farms a bit, does a little work on some motorcycles, mainly his own now, and just tries to live life the way he wants. He does what he needs to do to get by, and seems perfectly content with that.
dude. He also owns a bike that he affectionately calls the “Rat”, a 1964 Pan/Shovel in a ridged frame. This old ride he picked up and basically keeps it on the road. It is not a show piece, it is a daily driver. One thing for sure with the old girl, the oil that seeps out of it will keep it from rusting! His fourth and final bike is a 1960 Panhead project that he works on as he has time. It is in multiple pieces as of now, but it will breathe again someday. All of these motorcycles have stories and a place in his heart and mind. I think it will take an act of god to part with any of them.
Chop started off in the motorcycle world in June of 1984. He had always wanted a Harley-Davidson, but it was the time and place right then and there when he bought his first bike, a 1977 XLH Sportster. He damn near rode the wheels off that bike, and it may be a little worse for wear now, but that bike is still in his possession. That is something that I know I wish I would have done, kept my very first motorcycle. Hind sight is 20/20 though, we all know that. He still has this ride, despite needing some work before being on the road; he keeps it in his shed safely on a shelf so that nothing can happen to the ol’ girl. He says that someday he will get her running and get her on the roads again.
time. Try finding parts on the road in
Not only does Chop have the first bike he ever bought, he has all of them. Right now he owns four different motorcycles, and there are a couple of cool things about his collection. For one he has never paid any more than $3,000 for any one motorcycle. He has known what he has wanted, kept he eyes peeled, and found them within his budget. Another cool thing is that his newest bike is a 1975 Police Special FLH. None of that gas and go of the modern day for this
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The stories that come along with chatting with an old school biker like this are so amusing and sometimes even enlightening. Never pass up an opportunity to chat with an old graybeard about riding stories, you will laugh, and you may even learn something. Chop can tell you about a trip with Arnold way out west, that on the trip, both of their old Shovelheads dumped a head gasket at one
Wyoming. Other stories of a battery crapping out and trading batteries with Joe to get both bikes home. I guess it beats waiting on the side of the road. One of the cool things that he used to do was to host Choppy’s Run for Fun. This he did for quite a few years until busy got in the way. It was not a poker run really, just kind of a group of friends that got together and rode a route. It was part fun run, part scavenger hunt, part trivia contest. He would have a route to run, had a handwritten note of questions about the route as you went, and then a bit of a party at the end. This was nothing huge by any means, just some bikers going for a ride, having fun, and being a little competitive. The one at the end that answered the most questions right, and hit all the spots, won! This was the epitome of old school biker fun, no hype, just hanging around and riding with new and old friends.
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So keep your eyes peeled for those old graybeard bikers, they may teach you a thing or two, or at least entertain you for a while. Vernon Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
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from her, and speak in a normal conversational tone and see if she hears you. If not, go to 30 feet, then 20 feet, and so on until you get a response.” So that evening she’s in the kitchen cooking dinner, and he’s in the living room, and he says to himself, “I’m about 40 feet away, let’s see what A little boy and his grandfather are raking leaves in the happens.” “Honey, what’s for supper?” No response. So yard. The little boy finds an earthworm trying to get back he moves to the other end of the room, about 30 feet away. into its hole. He says, “Grandpa, I bet I can put that worm back in that hole.” The grandfather replies, “I’ll bet you five “Honey, what’s for supper?” No response. So he moves into the dining room, about 20 feet away. “Honey, what’s dollars you can’t. It’s too wiggly and limp to put back in for supper?” No response. On to the kitchen door, only 10 that little hole.” feet away. “Honey, what’s for supper?”. No response. So he The little boy runs into the house and comes back out with a walks right up behind her. “Honey, what’s for supper?” can of hairspray. He sprays the worm until it is straight and “For the FIFTH time, CHICKEN!!!!” stiff as a board. Then he puts the worm back into the hole. ************************************************ The grandfather hands the little boy five dollars, grabs the A guy gets home early from work and hears strange noises hairspray, and runs into the house. Thirty minutes later the grandfather comes back out and hands the little boy another coming from the bedroom. He rushes upstairs to find his wife naked on the bed, sweating and panting. five dollars. The little boy says, “Grandpa, you already gave me five dollars.” The grandfather replies, “I know. That’s from your grandma “ ************************************************ The Scuba Diver While fishing an old rock quarry, I noticed SCUBA divers were diving at the other end of the pond. When I hooked a fish, one of the divers came over to watch me fight it. After about ten minutes my line became hung up. I was about to break the line when the diver said he would go down and see what I was hung up on. So in he went. After several more minutes he came up and said, “Man ... You’ve hooked the biggest catfish I ever saw! Why, it’s as big as a man. But there are some old cars down there and it went inside one and hung you up.” “Well,” I asked, “why don’t you take a stick and drive it out of the car.” “I tried,” he said, “but each time I poked at him with the stick, he rolled the window up!”
‘What’s up?’ he says. ‘I’m having a heart spasm,’ cries the woman. He rushes downstairs to grab the phone, but just as he’s dialing. his four-year-old son comes up and says, `Daddy! Daddy! Uncle Ted’s hiding in your wardrobe and he’s got no clothes on!’ The guy slams the phone down and storms upstairs into the bedroom, past his screaming wife and rips open the wardrobe door. Sure enough, there is his brother, totally naked, cowering on the wardrobe floor. ‘You jerk,’ yells the husband, ‘my wife’s having a heart spasm and you’re running around with no clothes on scaring the kids!’ ************************************************
************************************************ I met a Genie who said she would grant me one wish. Immediately I said, “I want to live forever. “Sorry,” said the fairy, “I’m not allowed to grant eternal life.” “OK,” I said, “Then, I want to die after Congress gets its head out of its ass!” “You crafty bastard,” said the Genie.
A boy was walking down the street when he noticed his grandpa sitting on the porch, in the rocking chair, with nothing on from the waist down. “Grandpa what are you doing?” he exclaimed. The old man looked off in the distance and did not answer him. “Grandpa, what are you doing sitting out here with nothing on below the waist?” he ************************************************ asked again. The old man slowly looked at him and said, “Well, last week I sat out here with no shirt on, and I got a stiff neck. This is your Grandma’s idea.” An old man decided his old wife was getting hard of hearing. So he called her doctor to make an appointment to ************************************************ have her hearing checked. The Doctor said he could see her in two weeks, and meanwhile there’s a simple, informal test the husband could do to give the doctor some idea of the dimensions of the problem. “Here’s what you do. Start about 40 feet away 50 - TRMI MAY 2013
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Women are like phones: They like to be held, talked to, and touched often. But push the wrong button and your ass is disconnected.
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C.O.I.R. Report
Coalition of Independent Riders AMMUNITION SHORTAGE By Peter A. Sieben free roaming radical. Question: Has anyone noticed that for the last couple of months, you can’t find any 22 or 9mm ammo at all? In addition 45ACP, 40, 38 special, 357 magnum and .380 are hit or miss at best. Why? Well, I’ve been doing some research. I’m not ordinarily a conspiracy theory kind of guy, but I’m starting to look out for the black helicopters. Here’s what I’ve learned: Fact 1: Over the past 3 months the Federal government via the Dept. of Homeland Security has bought up 1.5 billion rounds of handgun ammunition. None of this ammunition has been purchased for the military. The federal government employs approximately 100,000 armed employees, such as Dept. of Homeland Security, FBI, Secret Service, etc. If you do the math, that’s 15,000 rounds per employee. WOW.
completely anti-gun and would just as soon eliminate the 2nd amendment. The president has noticed that congress, mainly because of the lobbying efforts and members of the NRA, NAGR, 2nd Amendment Coalition, among others, are unwilling to limit our constitutional freedom. It is my opinion that the administration has ‘found another way’. If they can’t ban the guns they’ll just buy up all the ammo. Which, will in turn, drive up prices. Next thing you know, they’ll create a new $1 a round tax to pay for more reckless government spending. Conclusion: The Constitution was written to be the ‘rule book under which the government operates’. As time has gone by the executive branch of the federal government has increasingly grown their power by ignoring the ‘rule book’. It is critically important that we do our due diligence to protect our guaranteed liberties for the next generation. What you’ve just read is my opinion. Thank God, so far the administration hasn’t taken away my right to have one. Care to comment? peter@riderpromotions.com
Fact 2: Our current administration is totally and
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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 Apr 27 Fenders Cycle Open House Extravaganza Des Moines Apr 27 Sleeping Angels Ride Boone Apr 27 Memorial Run to Benefit JDRF Muscatine Apr 27 ABATE D15 Spring Run Off Davenport Apr 27 Non-Denominational Blessing of the Bikes West Bend Apr 27 19th Spring HOG Roast Zylstra HD Ames Apr 27 Bike Blessing Route 65 HD Indianola Apr 27 Jane Tucker Poker Run Fundraiser Soldier Apr 28 9th Annual Sgt James C Kearney III Memorial Run Emerson May 3-4 Vintage TorqueFest Dubuque May 4 F&J Racing 18th Annual Blessing of the Bikes Marshalltown May 4 ABATE Bi-State Awareness Ride Moline, IL May 4 Summer Kickoff/Patio Party Papa Joe’s Missouri Valley May 4 7th Annual Motorcycle Awareness Ride Cedar Rapids May 4 Give a Ride to a Vet Benefit Ride Dubuque May 11 Roughnecks MC Charity Poker Run Gravity May 11 Eagles Poker Run to Benefit Veterans Cemetery Des Moines May 11 Kim Coonrod Observation Run/Metro Open House Cedar Rapids May 11 SW Iowa Motorcycle Rider Charity Poker Run Gravity May 11 Tim Duve Cancer Benefit Ride Dubuque May 16-18 Hog Wild Rodeo Conesville May 18 1st Annual Spring Open House Baxter Cycle Marne May 18 National Armed Forces Freedom Ride Iowa Council Bluffs May 18 B .A.C.A Annual 100 Mile Ride and Party Des Moines May 18 ABATE D15 Blessing of the Bikes Davenport May 18 Crazy Carl’s Poker Run McGregor May 18 Maiden Voyage 10 Poker Run Dillon Bros HD Omaha May 18 Logan Classic Car and Bike Show Logan May 18 Crush Cancer Car and Motorcycle Show Des Moines May 18 Mooseheart Blessing of the Bikes Batavia, IL May 18 Roller City: Relay for Life Event May 18 Super Saturday BBQ Route 65 Indianola May 19 Iowa Thunder Veterans Ride Des Moines May 18 4th annual Armed Forces Day Toy Run Legion NO Spencer May 19 Pearl Street Social Club Bike Show and Party Shellsburg May 25 Main Street Bikes & Trikes Open House/Poker Run Granville May 25 4th Annual Poker Run for Pink Ponca, NE May 25 Moose Riders Memorial Veterans Ride Iowa City May 25 Freedom Flight Bike Ride/Poker Run/Hog Roast Ames May 25-26 Midway Tavern Annual Fun Run, BBQ, Street Dance Soldier May 27 2nd annual Memorial Day Poker Run Foxy’s Osceola May 31-Jun 2 ABATE D25 Rodeo and Bike Show Boone May 31-Jun 2 Iowa Grand Rally Newton Jun 1 Carroll Cycle Center Rock-N-Ride Carroll Jun 1 Loess Hills HD 1 Year Anniversary Party Pacific Junction Jun 1 Jaster’s 8th Annual Ride for Life Elkader Jun 1 3rd Annual Charity Bike/Car Show Kimballton Jun 1 Vietnam Vets M/C Bike Blessing/Poker Run VA Hosp Iowa City Jun 1 4th Annual ALR Charity Ride Shellsburg Jun 1 VFC “Freedom Run” Dubuque Jun 2 Hill Climb and Swap Meet Anamosa Jun 8 Bubba Shuffle Run Book Ems Denison Jun 8 Sharp 9- Brain Aneurysm Awareness Ride Lampe’s Dunlap Jun 8 5th Bell Tower Festival Poker Run & Cycle Show Jefferson Jun 8 Easton Memorial Run Dillon Bros HD Omaha Jun 8 HOH Summer Bash Clinton Jun 8 Iowa City Eagle Riders #695 Poker Run Iowa City Jun 8 6th Annual Backpacking to School Ride Cedar Rapids Metro Jun 8-9 500 Challenge Sioux City to Anamosa Jun 8-9 National Motorcycle Museum Vintage Rally Anamosa Jun 12-15 Rally on the River QC Davenport
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Tuesday Desperado’s Wheatland Gathering on the Grounds Fairgrounds (Selected Dates) Lynch’s Bar Rockwell City Outfield Richland Tallyrand Keota Krazee Kafe Des Moines Missippi Brew Muscatine Wednesday Do Drop (Under the Water Tower) Jamaica Beer Barn and Grill Kirkman Quaker Steak & Lube Council Bluffs Rusty Duck Dexter Joe’s Night Hawk Waverly OP Clear Lake Cadillac Jack’s Baxter Rides Bar and Grill Fort Dodge BluePort Junction Davenport Shenanigans Boone Wild Hogs Walford Shuey’s Shueyville Thursday Roar Into Harlan (3rd Thursdays) Screaming Eagle Bar & Grill Waterloo The Buck Snort Neola BJ’s Full Throttle Thursdays Waterloo Beach House Humboldt Ducky’s Lagoon Taylor Ridge Il. Kings Korner Grand Mound Daytonas Des Moines Throttle Thursdays Dillon Bros HD Omaha (1st Thursdays) McGrath Cedar Rapids (Last Thursdays) The Wagon Wheel Washington Crossroads Tavern Kelley Brooklyn’s in Ottumwa inside the Bridge City Bowl Dexfield Diner & Pub Dexter The Wagon Wheel Washington Crazy Coyote Burlington, (3rd Thursdays) Krazee Kafe Des Moines Crossroads Tavern Kelley (every other) Jesse’s Saloon Silvis, IL Friday Avenue of the Saints (2nd Friday) St Charles Spanky’s Bar & Grill Emerson Knoxville Bike Night (1st Friday) Knoxville Captains Quarters (2nd Friday) Adel Bike Down to I-Town (3rd Friday) Indianola Thunder Nites in Newton - Second Friday May thru September Woody’s Roadside Tavern Albion last Friday Starr’s Two Wheel Tap Davenport Saturday Winterset Bike Night (3rd Saturday) Winterset Von Tuck’s/Dave’s Place Oelwein The Buck Snort-Biker Breakfast Sat AM- Neola Rumors Mt. Pleasant Sunday Scooter Sunday 411 Main Griswold Haverhill Social Club (3rd Sunday) Haverhill Team 36 Mitchellville Broadway Sports Bar & Grill Des Moines The Bonneville Lounge Danville
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