THUNDER ROADS MAGAZINE OF IOWA A US VETERAN OWNED COMPANY www.thunderroadsiowa.com P.O. Box 29 Kimballton, Iowa 51543 (712) 249-5630
Letter from the Editor ....................................... 4 Across the Border Raid ................................... 6 2012 HDMC Offerings ....................................... 8 Biker Friendly Listing ..................................... 10
Owner/Editor Tina (tt) Schwarte (712) 249-5582 tt@thunderroadsiowa.com
99 County Tour ............................................... 12
EDITOR Vernon Schwarte (712) 249-5630 vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com
J&P Cycles Open House ................................ 16
EVENT CORRESPONDENCE/SALES Susan Mast SC/SE Iowa 319-931-4546 susan@thunderroadsiowa.com Richard (Murph) and Annette Murphy West Central Iowa 641-524-4808 vizslaboots@yahoo.com Adam Ratzlaff Intern/Ad Sales 712-304-0498 adam@thunderroadsiowa.com Harv and Sue Hunter Central Iowa 515-205-7410 harv@thunderroadsiowa.com Mark Swearingen Council Bluffs/Omaha Metro 402-651-2471 mark@thunderroadsiowa.com Netty Kawecki Council Bluffs/Omaha Metro 402-657-1734 netty@thunderroadsiowa.com CONTRIBUTORS Nate Ullrich natanic@hotmail.com Craig & Lynnette Little-Will Ride to Eat craig@thunderroadsiowa.com Day Trips with Doc 515-975-3893 Poppa45doc@yahoo.com NATIONAL FOUNDERS Toni McCoy Shearon & Brian Shearon 1421 Chapmansboro Road Chapmansboro, TN 37035 Office: (615) 792-0040 Fax: (615) 792-7580 thunderroadscharter@charter.net
CMA ................................................................. 13 H.O,H. Summer Bash ..................................... 14 Military Rider ................................................... 17 Girls of Thunder.............................................. 18 Will Ride to Eat ............................................... 19 Thunder Cam .................................................. 22 Day Trips with Doc ......................................... 26 Joker’s Wild .................................................... 31 Jaster Ride for Life ......................................... 32 From the Woman’s Seat ................................. 36
ON THE COVER This month we bring you a couple of special items on the cover. First is the gorgeous tt with this beautiful 1948 Panhead. She finally agreed to snap a shot for a cover on her own magazine, and it is with this incredible bike. The bike is FOR SALE, and is located in Irwin, Iowa. The bike was owned by Jr. (Delles) Carter from the Irwin area. Jr. cut a wide swath throughout his life whether it be on the motorcycle, shelling corn, or driving truck. Jr. bought the bike from the original owner in 1967 and enjoyed this mostly original machine since that time until his passing. He loved to ride the bike, and give any of his four daughters a ride around on his pride and joy. Jr. always wanted to keep the bike as original as could be, and resisted the urge to strip and refurbish the bike. He loved this motorcycle, and now it is in the hands of his four daughters. None of them ride, and they would like to find a home for this bike, with someone that can truly appreciate a bike over sixty years old that has never been chopped. This BIKE ACTUALLY KICKS AND RUNS! If you are interested in a beautiful 1948 Panhead that runs, call Jack at 712-782-3225. Serious inquiries only please. This bike is a piece of history and is valued at such. 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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disagreement about leaving me on the side of the road, she headed for home on her bike to get ready for and go to work. So now I am standing on the side of the road with full cell phone signal, so the first thing I do is post my location and problem on Facebook. I almost immediately She let me out of the cage again this month, and handed me start getting texts back offering help from biker peeps all a keyboard and said to type up a letter from the editor. Let over the state. As I was about 12 miles from the shop that put on my tires, the Throttle Shop in Arion, I tried to call me tell you that it is an honor and a privilege to be able to chat with you a bit via these pages. We have so much cool Steve and Lisa. Understandably, they were not available, as they themselves were out enjoying the day. I called into Iowa biker stuff to share, but only so much space, so here one of our advertisers, Lampe’s Pub in Dunlap, and talked we go. to Kayla. She said to try Tyler Lampe, but she thought he was out riding, but to holler back if he was not free. Tyler We wanted to pass on something cool that we recently was riding, so called back to Kayla, and she had her folks, found. The biker spirit is alive and kicking right here in Robert and Karen come out with a pickup and trailer just to Iowa. That is right, I was in need, and other bikers bent get me off the road. They were in the middle of something, over backwards to get me the help that I needed. tt and I but dropped everything to get me off the road. We loaded were on the last leg of a trip home, and she had to go to up and headed back toward Dunlap. Robert said that he had work that evening at the hospital, so we did not have a someone with an enclosed trailer lined up to meet in town, lot of time. We were east of Dunlap on 37 enjoying the curves and hills, when a car came flying up on a gravel road and then they could get back to their moving project. Don then met us, and took me the rest of the way. Don even and did not look like it was going to stop. I was thinking made sure I had transportation home and back for the next through plan A, B, C, and D, and maybe watching that morning to come get my bike. By 0820 the next day, I had car a little more than I should have, and right in my line a new skin on the rear, sans one hole from a chunk of critter of travel was about a four day old dead raccoon. It was bone. Steve dug out the chunk of bone from the tire, all one plenty flat, so instead of swerving on a curve, I decided to inch by 1/4 inch diameter piece that could have REALLY go over it. My mistake, as a mile up the road the rear tire ruined my day. Thanks to the Dunlap/Dow City/Arion biker on my bike decided it no longer liked air. I would have crew for the awesome help and service to get me rescued never thought that a half baked dead critter would cause and back on the road quickly! Bikers still do take care of a flat, but sure as hell it did. I waved tt past, and got over each other! safely at an intersection. The clock read 1600 hours and tt had to be heading for Harlan at 1800, so despite her September is my birthday month, and this year on the 23rd I turn the big 4-0! Kind of excited about it because I never really thought I would make it this far. I figure that every day I have on the top side of the sod is a good one! I always wanted a hot cover girl that I could call my own, and this month I am getting the best present I could think of. tt is on my birthday month’s cover! I have had tons of requests for her to be on the cover, and it seemed fitting with this old Panhead. There is nothing sexier than a Pan as far as I am concerned, and this one comes from a family we have known for years. I can remember Jr. on this bike as a little shaver, and thinking to myself, someday I will own a motorcycle and be cool like that. I have had lots of bikes, but still working on the cool part. Jr. has passed away and his girls are looking to sell the bike to go to someone that can truly appreciate it. The Pan does run and will go down the road. It is not perfect, but it is original. Jr.’s brother Daryl even said it is all original, even the grease! More information can be found on this bike if you are interested in the “On the Cover” blurb on the inside front cover. We have been out and about a bit this summer all over Iowa. We have run across a ton of cool paint on bikes of all ages, styles, and brands. We like to ask who painted these bikes when we have the chance, and almost all of them have an Iowa based painter. That gave us the idea to try to promote some Iowa talent. We are having a Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa, best painter competition. More information is listed in the magazine. If you know of a spectacular custom painter here in Iowa, pass on the information and see if they are willing to put their airbrush where their mouth is and make a rolling billboard. The end of the riding season is drawing near. No, it is far 4 - TRMI SEPTEMBER 2011
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from over, but the transition from hotter than Hades to the cool crisp fall mornings is upon us. With this time of year there are both good and bad things worth mentioning. As the Iowa farmers draw closer to harvest, be wary of moving farm equipment on the roads. Also this time of year we have a lot of animal movement, especially from the deer that seem to be overpopulated in every area of the state. There have been too many injuries and deaths this year, so be cautious of the normal hazards and everything else as you get your last few miles in for the year. Some of the good things this time of year include the fall foliage that becomes brilliantly colored, with some of the prettiest rides right here in our very own state. Take a trek out and about to see what you can see, and learn a few things about your land. Bike nights and events are winding down with the last few going on in September for the most part. Say goodbye to summer friends, wish them the best over the winter, and look forward to seeing them in the spring. You can also start to plan what you want to do this winter. Are you looking for parts, a new bike, any accessories, better riding gear? The possibilities are endless! Remember as you check out the pages, our magazine is kept going by our advertisers, so when planning your winter projects, holiday parties, and gift purchases, keep them in mind. Let them know that you saw them in Thunder Roads! Ride Safe! V
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to help us quench our thirst. Wandering the grounds to the tunes of the Barcode Band, I’m having a hard time concentrating on my job “On A Steel Horse We Ride”!! That’s what’s running through my head as we traverse the Avenue of Flags here. The music is and enter the fairgrounds in Bedford on Thursday pulling my feet night. There were already a lot of people there, that way, but couldn’t wait to see what the weekend would bring. I resist and continue into the crowd to meet and greet We were met by Andy at the gate and he took great care of us. Everybody we encountered was in a great with people snapping some shots for Thunder Roads mood, and they were well organized. We heard the 2nd Magazine of Iowa. The first vendor I encounter is Sue half of Str8Shot’s set and my toes were starting to tap. from the Crazy Lady’s Cafe, if you have not tasted I could tell this was going to be a good music weekend this woman’s food, then you are missing out on an essential life experience. If you ever get the chance try and we were looking forward to checking out the something from her menu, make sure you bring either vendors, food and otherwise, the next two days. a huge appetite or a few friends to help you eat it. As Friday brought slightly cloudy skies and the ol’ man and I kept good thoughts of blue skies and sunshine as we headed around the fairgrounds. First event of the day was the Across the Border Fun Run (helmet required). I’ll tell you what; these were some of the nicest riding roads the ol’ man and I have encountered in a while. Not just a patch here and there, but whole highways that are smooth, clean and green for as far as the eyes could see. When we returned to the grounds we had soaked up the sun and were headin’ for the drinks tent! The ladies behind the bar were all smiles and absolutely ready
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I turned from visiting with Sue, I realized there were quite a few other food vendors. Wow, the options were incredible! Making my way through the crowd towards the stage again, I could hear the games being called and I hurried toward the arena. I proceeded to sit back and be entertained and a little awed. Can a person be awed?, maybe amazed, no I like awed! I wonder how many people realize how much skill it actually takes to do these games! The weenie bite was won by 1/8 Band. My feet didn’t stop once they started. I was never so glad for a band break in my life. I needed it to catch my breath. The fun proceeded with a wet T-Shirt contest with the winner taking home over $500.00! Saturday brought even more fun as the previous days with a Poker run around southern Iowa, a bike show, rodeo games, more music, bikini bike wash, lube wrestling, and the favorite parade of bikes. When running around the grounds with the camera, talking to folks to see where they are from, I ran out of fingers before counting all the states represented at this event. People came from all over to the Border Raid, maybe because it is a non-profit event that uses funds raised to benefit local causes. These guys rally to give! Rob Wilson, the President, and his crew, made this rally awesome! Things were well organized; everyone was pleasant and helpful and just wanted to make of an inch, and the Bra Hanger game was a blast to sure that we all had a good watch. The awe came into place when I watched the time. If you want the fun of an riders ride a beam. I think it was a 2X4 but it sure old school motorcycle rally, looked awful skinny from where I was sitting. All this, and the Barcode Band playing some bodacious music, without any of the stresses that come with some of the was making for a great time. The next thing on the big ones, mark your calendar. agenda was the Homemade Bikini Contest and I will leave that one to your imagination! Let’s just say, that In fact, if you go to www. acrosstheborderraid.com you one of the suits consisted of hay bale netting! can see the dates for the next The next round of entertainment came from the comic, 5 rallies. I know what’s going to be on my calendar. See Bag Lady Sue. WOW! I laughed so hard, I can’t you there! believe I didn’t wet my pants. She had the audience roaring and her surprise ending will just drop you. Annette Definitely an act to see if you ever get the chance. A short intermission and it was time for The Curtis Moore
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a cam change. The reason I say that is they increased the motor size but you are still running the same camshaft that came in the 96ci. If you really want to get some increased power and make that v-twin have a bite as bad as its bark I would do a simple cam change. Nothing huge just a good mid-range cam will get you the numbers you want. Other than the motor size there really wasn’t too much It’s hard to believe it’s this time of the year already. Sturgis else they changed about the new models. They upgraded is over, kids are starting school, farmers are getting ready to the wiring harness in the Dyna family to one that is similar get back in the fields and the new 2012 Harley -Davidson of what they did to the Softails a year ago. Another small models are out and at a showroom near you. I recently but effective change was a new oil dipstick for the Touring returned from Anaheim, California models to help extract your stick where the Summer Dealer from the hole without bumping Meeting was held, among the new into the exhaust. bikes that were released where many new P&A, Motor clothes, Now to the fun stuff all the new and Licensed Products. I won’t parts and accessories. There are be able to cover everything this way too many to go over them month but it gives me some topics all so I will highlight those that for the upcoming months ahead. caught my attention. First off I will touch on the new windshields. First off, I will touch on what New this year they released a few the new changes are to the more sizes to the Wind Splitter motorcycles themselves. The first windshields for the fairing models. big change they did is put more Last year they only had the 7” power between your thighs with available for the Batwing models. the 103ci motor going in all of This year they have increased their the Touring and Softail models run to a 4.5” for the person that along with all Dyna models excluding the Street Bob and likes that short streamlined look and they also have a 10” Superglide Custom. Now I know a lot of people will be available if you still have a little too much wind hitting you. excited to see how much better the 103ci performs over the For the FLTR models they increased their size run to a 9” ol’ 96ci. First thing I personally would do with the bike is dark smoke, 12” dark smoke, and a 15” light smoke. These windshields have a great look with added functionality. For you non-fairing Harley riders they released the Ventilator Detachable windshields. These windshields have the traditional windshield styling but have incorporated an adjustable vent on either side to help funnel in a little breeze on these hot Iowa days. Another great heat deflector is the mid frame air deflector the introduced for 2008 and newer Softail models. These have been out for years for the Touring family so I am glad to see them paying a little more attention to the smaller cruisers. A great additional comfort item is the new Premium Detachable Side plate Kit with Adjustable Recline. These new side plates let the passenger
2012 Offerings from the “Motor Company”
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choose from three different positions to fit his or her comfort. As an added item to these great side plates Harley has released a chrome latch kit to replace the black latches that come on your detachable backrest or luggage rack. It’s not a huge functionality item but it is a great way to add just a bit more chrome to your ride.
kit contains two 100 watts per channel amps, two 5 ¼” Boom! speakers, two 2” Tweeters that will replace two gauges in the fairing, two 6 ½” Boom! mid-range fairing lower speakers and two 5x7 full range Boom! saddlebag lid speakers. If you want the best sound out of your bike this is hands down one of the best and they offer a 2 year warranty on it. The sound and looks of this kit are well worth the money.
One of the greatest items that I personally thought they came out with is the new Fairing Lower Quick Flap Magnetic Doors. Have you ever had the problem of trying With so many new items I have to stop here and continue to get the doors on your fairing lowers to snap shut and next month on the just won’t go? These fix that problem in a way that what is all new should have been thought about a long time ago. The and exciting. If quick flap door kit comes complete with new doors that you can’t wait that the bottom fastens to the lower itself and the top simply is long just stop in held shut by to magnets. Perfect for a quick and easy way and I will gladly to retrieve what you have stashed inside. If you don’t feel go over what all like replacing the doors and would rather have a little more came out and if sound from your stereo, Harley released the Boom! Audio you are interested Fairing Lower Speaker Kit. You may have seen these last in the saddlebag year in the CVO Street Glide and HOGTUNES has had speakers we will be this out for awhile. Harley is doing their best to keep up installing them in a with the aftermarket crowd and they are doing it well with bike on our floor so these speaker upgrades. Not only can you get them in your people can hear the Fairing lowers now but they have also released a saddlebag difference. Take speaker kit. This kit contains two 5” x 7” waterproof advantage of the speakers that are angled at the rider for a great “Concert beautiful weather. Hall” sound. With these speakers installed in your saddlebag Ride often, ride you only lose a little bit of room in the lid for storage. If hard and ride safe. you decide that this still isn’t enough ear candy for you they also have now the Boom! Audio Custom Touring System. Tony Darveau This kit is what is on the new 2012 CVO Streetglide. The www.thunderroadsiowa.com TRMI SEPTEMBER 2011 - 9
Biker Friendly Directory
Good Sons 2815 Beaver Ave Ste 102 Des Moines, IA (515) 681-5375
It’s important for you to Jose's Custom Leather Werner Cycle Works know who your friends are 2715 Kanesville Blvd 14410 Frontier Road Exit 440 I-80 out on the road! The Biker Council Bluffs, Iowa Omaha, NE 68138 Haverhill Social Club Friendly Directory is a list of 712-256-5579 (402) 894-3050 202 1st Street establishments throughout www.wernercycleworks.com www.joses_Leather@yahoo.com Haverhill, IA 50120 Iowa that want you to know (641) 475-3321 that they’re here for YOU. Lazy Mule Mon-Sat 10-2,Sun 12-12 Whether it’s a bike dealer, Food and Drink 2715 Kanesville Blvd service shop, restaurant, bar Council Bluffs, Iowa Hog Stop BBQ or any other type of business 4th Avenue Grill 712-256-6939 3621 9th Avenue that welcomes our biking 115 N 4th Ave Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 community, you can count Logan, Iowa Leather & Hawgs 712-EAT-BBQS on our family of friends to 712-644-3200 316 Main, Hornick, Iowa hogstopbbq.com always welcome you in. The 121 1st St, Soldier, Iowa staff here at Thunder Roads 14th Street Tavern leather@wiatel.net Huffy's Mule Barn greatly appreciates our 3418 East 14th Street www.leatherandhawgs.com 802 Main Street advertiser’s support each Des Moines, Iowa Anita, Iowa 50020 month. WE WOULD NOT (515) 266-3446 Ultra Detailing 712-762-9995 EXIST WITHOUT THEM! So M-F 8am-2pm Sat 10-2 and Sun11-2 Larry Hough www.huffysmulebarn.com please give them the support 708 Clinton that they truly deserve for Amigos Dunlap, Iowa 51529 Lampe’s Pub being with us & drop by to 280 North 1st Street 712-592-1720 608 Iowa Avenue see them for a visit. Let them Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 Call for Appointment - Will Travel Dunlap, Iowa 51529 know that you saw them 515-576-0142 712-643-5781 here in Thunder Roads. Dealers Open 7 days a week at 11 AM If you know a business B&M Bar and Grill that would like to join our 110 @ Main Street Larsen's Pub Thunder Roads family Panora, Iowa 50216 Baxter Cycle 4026 Main Street of Biker Friendly Places, 641-755-2455 311 4th Street Elk Horn, Iowa please e-mail vernon@ Marne, Iowa 51552 712-764-4052 thunderroadsiowa.com Beer Barn and Grill 712-781-2351 226 State Street www.baxtercycle.com Midway Tavern Attorneys Kirkman, Iowa 51447 206 1st Street 712-766-3395 Big Barn Harley Davidson Soldier, Iowa Open Mon 4, Tue-Sun at 11 I-80 Exit 135 712-884-2230 Richard Lester Des Moines, Iowa www.midwaytavernsoldier.com www.on-a-bike.com BJ’s Bar & Billiards 515-265-4444 800-on-a-bike 110 Ida Waterloo Iowa www.bigbarnhd.com Montgomery Street Pub Home of Full Throttle Thursdays 207 East Montgomery Street 319-234-9810 Carroll Cycle Center Creston Iowa 50801 Bail Bonds 1327 Plaza Dr 641-782-2165 Crazy Lady’s Café Carroll, Iowa Mt. Vernon, Iowa 52414 (712) 792-1610 Nitro’s Bar & Grill Doc’s Bail Bonds Crazyladyscafe.com www.carrollcycle.com 310 Main Street Your 24/7 Prescription to Free3193895427 Gravity, Iowa 50848 dom in Minutes Mobile Unit for Catering and Events Dillon Brothers Harley-Davidson Buell 641-418-0004 Adel, Iowa 50003 3838 N. Cleveland Blvd. Home of Sunday-Funday 515-993-4773 Crossroads Wine & Liquor Omaha, NE 68116 117 Iowa Ave 402-289-5556 Off Sides Pizza Iowa Bail Bonds Dunlap, Iowa 51529 www.dillon-brothers.com 1119 Thomas Street 200 4th Street 712-643-5336 Redfield, Iowa 50233 Des Moines, IA 50309 Fenders Cycle & Motorsport Mon-Thurs 12-7, Fri 12-8, Sat 10-8 515-833-2900 (515) 243-4411 1109 E Army Post Rd Doc’s Roadhouse Des Moines, IA 50315 Papa Joe’s 309 East 7th Street Phone: (515) 256-9062 117 South 6th Street Biker Accessories Logan, Iowa 51543 www.fenderscycle.com Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555 712-644-3636 712-642-9015 Backroads Biker Leather Open 365-8 am to Close Hawkeye Harley-Davidson Shoppe Coralville, Iowa I-80 Exit 240 Pearl Street Social Club 305 N Main Street Do Drop Inn (319)545-7495 110 Pearl Street SW Everly, IA 51338 403 3rd Avenue www.hawkeyehd.com Shellsburg, Iowa 52332 712-834-2999 Under the Water Tower Open 7 days per week 319-436-7100 www.backroadsbikerleatherJamaica, Iowa 50128 shoppe.com 515-314-0783 Nishna Valley Cycle Phil’s HONDA-YAMAHA-KTM 20oz Prime Rib Friday Nights Crispy’s Biker Apparel Escape Lounge Atlantic, Iowa, 50022 9956 Swanson Blvd Cedar Rapids, Iowa 8843 Northpark Ct, 1-888-577-6406 Clive, Iowa www.bncbikerwear.com Johnston, IA 50131 www.nishnavalleycycle.com 515-270-0959 319-241-0916 515-276-2209
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Quick Rick’s Rib Joint 406 East Lincoln Highway (Hwy 30) Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555 712-600-6161 Tue-Sun 11:00am-8:00pm Riverside Tavern 450 E Main St Lehigh IA, 50557 515-359-9998 riversidetap@gmail.com Ruby's 114 NE 2nd Street Stuart, Iowa rubyspub.com
Thomas Street Tap 1109 Thomas Street Redfield, Iowa 50233 515-833-2379 Wet Goods Food & Lounge 113 N. Chestnut Street Jefferson, Iowa 50129 515-386-2111 Wilson's Tap and Recreation 1008 Story Street Boone IA 50036 515-433-1395
M-F 4, Saturday 10 am, Sunday 12
Guns and Ammo
Rusty Duck Bar & Grill 723 Marshall Street Dexter, Iowa 50070 Tue-Sat 4-10pm 515-789-4142
Hawkeye Firearms Instruction (641) 660-0070 Hawkeyefirearmsinstruction.com
Sambetti’s Bar and Grill 1430 2nd Avenue Des Moines, Iowa 50314 515-245-9780 Mon-Sat 11a-2a, Sun 11a-7p Screaming Eagle American Bar & Grill 228 East 4th Street Waterloo, Iowa 50703 319-235-8865 www.partyattheeagle.com Shorty's Playhouse 210 Mulberry Street Little Sioux, Iowa 51545 712-649-2138 Open Noon-2:00 AM 7 Days a Week
Sidetracked 206 West Union Street Creston, Iowa 50801 641-782-8534 Sparetime Bar & Grill 136 West Main Street Ute, Iowa 61060 712-885-2226 The Lounge 1005 Chatburn Ave Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-755-5050
Shooter's Outlet 114 Main Street Arcadia, Iowa 51430 712-689-2772 Tues-Fri 2-7, Sat 8-3 www.shootersoutlet.net Medical Metro OB/GYN, LLC 201 Ridge Street, Suite 307 Council Bluffs, IA, 51503 (712) 256-8505 Photo and Video Ullrich Photography PO Box 1842 Clinton, Iowa 52733 563-243-8715 www.natanic.com
The Hole On the Greenbrier Golf Course 2519 Highway 71 712-268-2209 The Sandbar 103 N. Noyes Mondamin, IA 51557 712-646-2300 Open 7 days a week at 10 a.m.
2444 L Avenue (I-29 & 25th St. Exit)
Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 712-256-7323 Aaron@twistedgripcycle.omhcoxmail.com
Guthrie Auto Body John Beer owner 1804 State Street Guthrie Center, Iowa 50115 641-332-2484
XTreme Cycle & Off Road 206 E Main St Panora, Iowa 50216 641-755-4288 xtremecycle@netins.net
Joe’s Custom Signs 104 South Main Lenox, Iowa 50851 641-333-2675 Award Winning Custom Airbrushing
Services BCS Computers 100 Industrial Road Guthrie Center, Iowa 50115 641-747-3344 www.brubakercomputer.com
J & S Custom Cycles 3630 Merle Hay Road Des Moines, Iowa 515-779-4632
Hippie Boy Designs Graphic Design/Website Design 712-898-5220 hippieboydesign.com
M&M Garage 408 Market Street Audubon, Iowa 50025 712-563-2425 mmgarage@iowatelecom.net
RJM Trucking Cedar Rapids, Iowa 319-360-5433
Metal Ink 911 7th Street Ste 102 Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-235-2453 www.metalink.org
Southwest Iowa Sandblasting Mike Magers 65162 Oxford Rd Atlantic, Iowa 50022 712-249-3995
Nelson Machine & Forge General Machining, Ornamental Iron, Weld/Fab 70 Washington Street Marne, Iowa 51552 712-781-2220
Shops and Fabricators
Paint By Golden Pin Striping, Airbrushing, Complete Bike www.paintbygolden.com 402-214-1609
Batt’s Cycle 1006 Linn Street Boone, Iowa 50036 515-298-0375 www.battscycle.com
Throttle Shop LLC 1988 Arion Avenue Arion, Iowa 51520 712-674-3325 throttleshopllc@gmail.com
Bike Pit Motorcycle Services
Trike Your Bike 503 1st Avenue North Altoona, Iowa 50009 515-957-8920 trikeyourbike.net
2694 5th Ave, Building B-Unit 2
Three Fires Diner 906 Madison Ave. Bedford, Iowa 50833 712-523-3393
Twisted Grip Cycle
F & J Racing 701 N 3rd Ave Marshalltown, Iowa 50158 641-752-8651 www.fandjracing.com
Marion, IA 52303 319-651-8835 Jason.Bikepit@yahoo.com Butterfield's M.C. Parts 8025 Blondo Street Omaha, NE 68134 402-391-3768 Doubletake Cycles L.L.C. 2632 9th Ave Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 712-355-1961 www.doubletakecycles.com
Tattoo Bad Girlz Ink 1217 Willis Perry, Iowa 50220 515-465-2205 Crave Tattoo 201 S 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 51501 515-576-8289 FB Crave Tattoo, Inc.
To buy ad space for your business or service in our directory, give us call at 712-249-5630 or email vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com
Trustworthy Cycles 3781 Balk Road Fulton, Illinois 61252 563-249-1777 Specializing in Making the “Old Iron” Trustworthy
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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, 83 counties to tour on the bike. A few years back, a summer riding goal was to ride through each and every one of the counties of Iowa, and what was found was a wealth of interest and beauty. Each month we will feature a different county, and new things to go see, and hopefully spark a little touring curiosity for our own state. Cedar County This is tt and I am very excited to return to you this month to share some amazing information about Cedar County. I began my trek through this county on a cool summer morning with the sun starting to rise taking a smooth path East on US 30 to Highway 38 heading South through Tipton. In Tipton, the county seat, I stopped to take some pictures of the Cedar County Sheriff’s House and Jail and very much enjoyed the rustic feel of the town. The jail residence was constructed in 1855 with the jail portion finished in November 1882. This was considered a “mom and pop” jail. That is the mom did the cooking and the pop did the supervision and running of the jail. The jail was built with three separate cells, a day-room for the main cell block and a vestibule area for admitting and releasing of prisoners. As the years passed the jail continued to be ran in this fashion. This has great possibility of being the last “mom and pop” ran jail in the country and definitely is the last “mom and pop” jail ran in the state of Iowa. The sheriff that initiated change to this system I found on record was Keith L. Whitlatch with service from 1977 till 1999. Mr. Whitlatch made changes from the “mom and pop” jail; he hired civilians to serve as jailers and to prepare the meals, this continued until 2001. Also in 2001 this place ceased to house incarcerated prisoners. After much debate on what to do with the jail and house it was agreed to make this a historic place of interest. Application to be admitted to the Cedar County Historian in 1982 with no follow up made until 2001. At the time of application no changes or altercations were made. If you are in the area check this one out. Another interesting fact about Tipton is the Iowa Cow War. In 1931, during the darkest times of the depression, the state started mandatory testing of all cows for Tuberculosis. The farmers complained this was causing abortions in the cows, decreased milk production, and lowered the quality of milk produced. The farmers rode a train to the Iowa Capital in Des Moines to stand up for what they believed and were told that testing would continue. Returning home to Tipton the farmers took matters in their own hands by fighting against the police and veterinarians. Things changed on September 21, 1931 when two veterinarians, convoyed by 65 officers, appeared at the Jake Lenker farm south of Tipton. Violence 12 - TRMI SEPTEMBER 2011
erupted and the following day Iowa Governor Dan Turner declared martial law sending thirty-one Iowa National Guard units to Tipton. All tests were completed with armed guards and the conflict was put to an end. Lenker along with another leader Paul Moore of the revolt were arrested, convicted and sentenced to three years at the Iowa State Penitentiary in Fort Madison, Iowa for criminal conspiracy. Leaving Tipton traveling south on highway 38 which remained smooth easy rolling hills. Turning west on 290th street the road showed some soft curves traveling around and over the river. Just before you cross the river I took a short detour to check out a town called Rochester. This is a very small town with houses only along the river where the pavement turns to gravel and a very large dog kept barking at me. Turning around and headed back I stopped briefly to enjoy the bridge and river view. The flow was constant and very relaxing to the ears. There were multiple large concrete blocks that I could stand on to have even a better view. This county is named after the Red Cedar River that flows through it. This is the only county of Iowa that shares the name of a tree; is what the research shows but I have to ask myself if something is named after a river then why would it be referred to as a tree. I scratch my head on this on. Cedar County is located in the mid-eastern side of the state of Iowa. Population as of the 2010 Census has shown an increase to 18,499 from 18,187. Before the Civil War, areas in and around West Branch, Iowa were stops for the Underground Railroad. John Brown a revolutionary abolitionist maintained his headquarters at William Maxson’s house near the small community of Springdale in Cedar County while he planned his Harpers Ferry raid. Edwin and Barclay Coppock of Springdale participated in the raid. In 1859, the Harpers Ferry raid was unsuccessful but this is where he established his name. Brown was executed later that year after being tried for treason against the state of Virginia. Brown has been called “the most controversial of all 19th-century Americans.” The only American president born in Iowa is Herbert Hoover and the first president born west of the Mississippi River. Herbert Hoover our thirty-first U.S. President was born in West Branch in 1874. He left the area at age nine after being orphaned. He and his wife Lou Henry Hoover are buried at West Branch. There is a National Historic Site that includes H. Hoovers birth house, grave, library, and museum that is a must see. I was fortunate to be there on a day the blacksmith was giving history lessons and demonstrations of blacksmith period work. Each day there is a different trade specialty there during the summer months.
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Interesting facts found about Cedar County was that Mechanicsville, Iowa was named after the large amount of mechanics that were of the early settlers to this area. Cedar County has connections with three U.S. Presidents. I have talked about Herbert Hoover. Hope Malmsbury Hemingway, eighth great-grandmother of Richard Nixon, is buried at the Hickory Grove Quaker Cemetery. Ronald Reagan’s father, John Reagan, lived in Bennett in eastern Cedar County for a few years around 1900. His aunt, Mrs. O. G. Baldwin, reared him for a few years when he was a teenager. The Baldwins ran a general store in Bennett from about 1895 to 1901, when they moved to Waterloo. John Reagan began selling shoes then, and stopped at Bennett often to meet friends and play baseball. Sources Available Upon Request tt A well-built bike is a joy to ride. The frame and handlebars together create a classic t-shaped vehicle, driven by a powerful motor and balanced by the rider. With a good rider in control, the bike is capable of nimble turns, soaring jumps, or even slow ride races. But have you ever had to ride a bike that was cursed with crooked handlebars or a bent frame? A few years back our family’s three-wheeler met with a bit of misfortune (I guess that’s how you’d describe air-borne cartwheels!) at the hands of our teenage son. Our son was fine but the three-wheeler has never been quite the same. Besides the frame exhibiting a new dog-trot, the handlebars also came out losers in that adventure. The rider must now assume a kind of hunchbacked position in order to reach the left grip, which was shoved far forward, while simultaneously trying to avoid being speared by the right grip, which is right under the rider’s rib cage. Not only does the rider now not look cool, but the ride is almost more trouble than it’s worth. If you hit a bump, you’re speared. If you need to curve to the right, you can’t reach the left handgrip because it’s too far away. Instead of getting to roar along the trails with the engine, the frame, and the bars working together, you spend all your time wrestling the problems caused by the cockeyed handlebars that are fighting against the force of a motor that is driving the bent frame forward in a different direction than where you really want to go. Talk about a disappointment! I was thinking recently about how God designed our lives to operate along the same lines as a bike. Everyone has heard of the Ten Commandments, right? Well, the first 4 are all about our relationship with God (No other god
but Him; No “gods” that look like everyone else’s god so that they won’t make fun of your God; No using God’s name in a way that brings shame on who he is; Keep the Sabbath day for rest and for celebrating your friendship with God). The last 6 commandments are all about our relationships with our fellow man (Honor your parents; No murder; No adultery; No stealing; No lies about your neighbor; No drooling over your neighbor’s wife, or house, or motorcycle, or anything else that’s his). Relationships which point vertically to God and horizontally to our fellow man create a classic t-shape, just like the bike. And, just like the bike, if the frame of our relationship with God is bent, the force of our own personalities will only drive our lives off in the wrong direction, even when that’s not what we want. If the handlebars of our relationships to our fellow man are cockeyed, we’ll be constantly struggling to stay inside the white lines of friendship, struggling with constantly jabbing others or being jabbed, and unable to focus on the ride of life at all, much less get to our destination. The good news is this - you don’t have to stay the way you are. Talk to Jesus, who the Bible says is the way to a relationship with God and the new life that you can never bring about on your own. He won’t leave you broken down beside the road. Blessings to you, Karla Mark and Karla Cornick are Area Reps with the Christian Motorcyclists Association. Find out more about CMA and God’s plan for you at www.cmausa.org.
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H.O.H. Summer Bash and fellow club brothers from out of town rolled in for the festivities, which also included various rides and rodeo games on Saturday. The party is always held the 2nd weekend in June, and is open to the public. For more info contact Tramp at 563219-4457. Nate Ullrich (www.natanic. com)
The eastern Iowa town of Clinton is host to the Iowa chapter of the Hells Our Home M/C, who host their own little party every summer in June. They actually moved the shindig across the river, to a not so out of the way location just outside of Albany, Illinois. A person knows it has to be a good time, when upon arrival, an old Chevelle was sitting on the highway outside the gate roasting the tires off! Aside from the smoke show, cold beer and good grub were available all weekend, with live music from Three on the Tree and the Krank Daddies on Friday, along with Hat Trick and Meet the Press on Saturday night. Friends, family,
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J&P Open House 2011 It’s no secret that folks at J&P Cycles know how to treat their customers right, and their Open House is just one way they like to show their gratitude. The event host a whole weekend full of entertainment, which took place on June 25th and 26th of this year. Saturday was host to a huge bike show, with numerous show contestants taking home trophies, and a handful taking home bragging right with the bikes being featured in upcoming issues of AMERICAN IRON and ROAD BIKE magazines. Sunday also featured an antique and bobber show, with one lucky winner scoring their bike featured in IRON WORKS magazine too. Both days were packed full of vendors showing off their latest product, various motorcycle stunt shows, the Daytona Drill Team exhibitions, a motorcycle rodeo, the University of Iowa Cheerleaders, and to top it all off, free food and soft drinks for everyone that attended, along with some killer deals on bike parts. The event will be held June 23rd and 24th next year, so make plans now to head to Anamosa, Iowa for the event. For more info check out www.jpcycles.com Nate Ullrich (www.natanic.com)
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MILITARY RIDERS
This month we bring you Rich Hopper Jr. from Underwood, Iowa. Rich served as an E4 Corporal in the United States Army from 1989 until 1997. His tour included service locations in Fort Sill Oklahoma, Fort Riley Kansas, and overseas for Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991. Rich comes from a long line of military service people and kept up the Hopper tradition. His duties while serving included being an ammunition specialist, track vehicle driver, gunner, commander and recon.
Rich has owned a few bikes in his day including a Honda 650, Suzuki 1500, Harley Fatboy, and a 2003 Victory Touring Cruiser, or TC for short. He has been without bikes in the past for a bit when he was younger, but that was after breaking his arm trying to jump a ravine. Rich got back into riding because he missed it and his friend had a bike at the time and the love of riding drew him back in. He got his latest ride at Sid Dillon and said he picked it because his friend told him about the Victory line and how great they are. Rich loved the looks and style of the TC and had to have it. He loves it just the way it is and has no major changes planned for the bike. His biggest plans this year is riding around with friends when he can, and probably hit the Soldier Poker run. When asked if Rich had anything else to share with the readers about himself or his service to this great Nation of ours, he added “I’m so glad I got to serve my country in combat and I am thankful to every solider out there who has given their all for this great country. God bless us all! If you see Rich out and about on his TC, give him a nice Veterans wave, and if you get a chance, shake his hand and thank him for his service. Ride Free Thanks to our Military! www.thunderroadsiowa.com
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of Iowa Teresa Hurst Denver, Iowa 2010 Victory Vegas 8-Ball 2011 Victory Cross Country “Q Ball”
Molly Robertson Elk Horn, Iowa Harley Davidson 883 Sportster
Tanya Strong Bedford, Iowa 2003 Honda Shadow 750
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Venture Inn 144 County Highway K45 N Blencoe, IA 51523 712-452-2205 4-11 PM
will ride to eat
I received a text message from Vernon a while back wondering if we wanted to go for a ride some weekend. It seems a friend of his, NAPA Wayne, had contacted him about taking a Saturday ride to go check out a little place that has great ribs. Well, he had me at “go for a ride” but the “great ribs” part was definitely the icing on the cake. The agreed upon Saturday rolled around and Lynnette and I met up with TT, Vernon, Mark, Netty and Wayne at Sparky’s in Jefferson. The bikes were fueled up and a westerly heading was chosen on Hwy 30 with a couple of stops along the way. We rode through a lot of the beauty that the Loess Hills have to offer, an area of the state that I can’t ever seem to get enough of. Our final destination was a little burg called Blencoe. Blencoe???? Is that a real town??? Is it even on the map??? It turns out it is on the map and it is a real town! During the planning stages of this ride it was questioned as to whether or not the restaurant would be open due to the flooding of the Missouri River in that area. It turns out our worries were unnecessary, but there was evidence that the flood waters had reached the area recently but had receded. Our path was clear. We rolled into Blencoe on County Highway K45 from the south and found the Venture Inn sitting on the east side of the road towards the north end of town.
orders of Brisket sandwich and Turkey sandwich mixed in. The ribs were smoked to perfection and were best described by Vernon as “Smokey pink goodness!” Now keep in mind everything here is homemade including the BBQ sauce. The sauce had a unique flavor that we decided was Kansas City BBQ meets North Carolina BBQ. It was a sweet sauce with a little kick of heat for an after taste, VERY good! I’ll give you 3 guesses what my 2 sides... oh, never mind... I had BBQ beans and potato salad for my sides (but you already knew that, didn’t you?). The beans were delectably brown sugar sweet and the potato salad... well, the only description I can come up with that does it justice is that I felt like I was back at grandma’s house for Sunday dinner! I also had the opportunity to sample the brisket and it quite literally melts in your mouth, chewing is strictly optional! Did I mention that everything here was homemade? That includes the bacon which I also had the privilege of sampling. This bacon is something that has to be experienced to be believed, it’s that good!!!! If you’re out experiencing the beauty of Iowa’s Loess Hills and you’re in the area of Blencoe (it is on the map), stop in and sit for a spell. Try some of their home cooking. You won’t be disappointed! I know we weren’t! (Thanks Wayne!!!!) Until next month, ride safe and eat hearty! Craig Little craig@ thunderroadsiowa.com PS If you have someplace you think we should check out in your neck of the woods, shoot me an email.
At the Venture Inn they run their specials on Saturday and Sunday nights and they also have a menu you can order from, but I must be honest, I saw Baby Back Ribs with 2 sides for $9.50 on the white board and I needed look no further! It appeared that the majority of our group felt the same way although there were www.thunderroadsiowa.com
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K.I.S.S. page composed & edited by: Toni McCoy Shearon of Tennessee
MOZZARELLA STUFFED MEATBALLS ON THE GRILL Butter Flavored or Olive Oil Cooking Spray 1 Bag of Italian-Style Meatballs (quality, & thawed) Dry Ingredients: (bottle style works great, but if you’re a stickler for fresh herbs, have at it.) 1/2 tsp. Oregano 1/2 tsp. Basil 1/2 tsp. Italian Seasoning 1/2 tsp. Parsley 1/2 tsp. Chives 1/4 tsp. Crushed Red Pepper Flakes 1/2 Cup of Worcestershire Sauce 1/4 Cup of Liquid Smoke 24 Small Cubes of Fresh Mozzarella Salt & Pepper to Taste Place all your frozen meatballs in a bowl and allow them to thaw thoroughly (apprx. 3 hours). Mix all your dry ingredients together in a small bowl. Get your electric grill (or charcoal; your pref.) going on medium and well heated up. Next, take each meatball and press your finger well into it, but not through it, and put one small cube of fresh Mozzarella cheese pushed to the center of meatball, and then gently keep pulling meat to bring it back together as a ball. Pour your Worcestershire Sauce & Liquid Smoke combined, all over your meatballs in the big bowl and make sure each is wet. Take dry hands and a big pinch at a time, place combined herb mixture in your hands and rub together over the meatballs. This helps wake up the flavor of dry spices. Each time you sprinkle herbs on meatballs, get in there with your hanbds and move the meatballs around until all are well coated with spices. Spray grill with butter spray or Olive Oil spray (your pref) and gently place meatballs on grill. You’ll have to watch carefully and keep turning. Have a big bowl shaped piece of aluminum foil on other side of grill and after you’ve obtained the greal grill marks, transfer meatballs to foil, turn heat way down and just lket them continue to cook on grill. The second you see any cheese oozing out of any single one...they’re done. Heat up a jar of chunky spaghetti sauce as a dip. These are fun to make and taste phenom.!!
WARMED POTATO, BACON & SUN-DRIED TOMATOES SALAD 2 Lbs. of Small, Red Potatoes - Leave skins on and quarter them into bite-size pieces Place on stove to over medium heat to got tender, but not mushy. Drain, place in a bowl, sprinkle your bacon pieces all over so potatoes can absorb the flavor, and cover with foil while you make dressing, Dressing: Combine Thoroughly 1 Tbl. Chives (fresh or dry) 1 Tbl. of Top-Quality Olive Oil 1 Tbl. Melted Butter 1 Tbl. Sugar or Splenda Juice from one Lime and Zest also 1 Cup Quality Mayo 1/2 of A Bottle of Sun-Dried Tomatoes- chopped (in any grocery store in canned toms. aisle) 1/2 Cup of Buttermilk 1/2 tsp. Sweet Paprika 1/4 Cup of Grey Poupon (have you any?) 1/2 Lb. of Bacon, fried crisp and chopped into big pieces. 1 tsp. Apple Cider Vinegar (when all mixed up if want to add more, than do) * Remember..you can always add more but it’s tough to take back, in the world of cooking. Mix your dressing up well. I just dump all the ingredients into a canning jar and then shake it up really good. Pour your dressing all over warmed potatoes with bacon, and toss gently with a wooden spoon and serve warm. This has the most incredible tastes and serving it warm just enhances those flavors. Ya’ gotta try this one! GRILL ROASTED PEACHES, PEARS, APPLES, PINEAPPLES & MANGO You truly owe it to yourself to at least “try” fruit off the grill. It takes on such a smoky, unique flavor. You can buy just about any fruit out there, pre-cut and ready for the grill. But peaches, pears, apples, mango, melon, pineapple, panko-dipped bananas. SUGGESTED DRIZZLES:
Warm Honey or Maple Syrup Softened Quality “Homestyle” Vanilla Ice-Cream Heavy Cream Whipped Up To Be Frothy & Light Warm Ranch-Bacon Dressing w/ Honey Added Reduced Down Sweet Balsamic Dressing Ice-Cold Blue Cheese Dressing (great contrast to the super hot, grilled fruit) Get Creative!
day trips with Doc Greetings Brothers and Sisters of the open road, here we are with yet another month of good riding weather upon us!!! At the time of this writing it is early August and all I can say is “You Just Gotta Love August”!!! July was a scorcher; many of my friends have sent their scooters to the shops with breakdowns related to the heat and lack of proper care. My luck has held out with one of my scooters, and we are still on the road everyday! Ok, I will admit that I am not going in the direction I had intended at the beginning of this month, but had I went there, you wouldn’t have anything to read from me, as my e-lec-tronic-al contraption aka laptop from hell, went there!! I had this cool trip planned when a circuit fried and all my work was gone, and, as a result of said bbq on the desk I was forced with the choice of going west with the rest of the scooter tramps of the world, or…keeping you entertained with more Day Trips with me…Doc. Anyway, I felt I have a responsibility to the loyal readers, if there is such a thing? Right? And so it goes, read on: I got a text message from the Editor of this cool rag, asking to make a trip to a place in the southwestern corner of Iowa, to a little berg called Gravity, as they were having a rally at a place called Nitro’s! You know what my first question was, right? Where the hell is Gravity, Iowa?? Are you cartooning me? Is this a REAL place? Is it on the map? Ok, I got out the magnifying Glass and looked…for three hours on the map, and suddenly there it was, bigger than the snoz on my face, yup, Gravity, south of Corning some 20 miles or so! And the coolest part is I remember that part of Iowa from working out on the road with my Pops and brother years back, It’s kind of like the bad lands of Iowa, with a couple of differences. Rolling hills, lots of them, and the farmers are growing something new in their fields, big tall white towers with fans on them! I hear tell they get their light bulbs and stuff to work from them tall white towers! Cool huh?
down there, and found myself in a shady spot in the road called Macksburg, truly a one horse town, actually there was a lady leading a horse with a slew of kids around her waiting for their turn to ride when it happened, My scooter powered down…WTF? I was enjoying the scenery of the land so much I forgot a cardinal rule to tripping out through the country…GAS KEEPS YOU GOING!!! I asked the lady with the horse, where I could find a filling station and she answered in a Scottish accent, again WTF? Did I pass through a time warp, How the hell did I get to Scotland? Uh, no, this is Macksburg, and the next town to get fuel is 17 miles away, reality brought me back to my senses and she informed me to follow her husband down the road a block or two and he could help me out!!! Yup, this IS IOWA! Where a guy could run out of gas in the middle of nowhere and find a ten gallon can at his disposal!! A big thank you to the fine folks in Macksburg, the mayor and his wife, (not really?) but they have my vote, you made the trip a memory not to be forgotten!! Even in a “One Horse Town” as it were!! Till the tanks run out of gas…literally Doc Just a note to those who are interested: Mike from the good Friday ride out of Marshalltown sent me an e-mail, and we are gonna try another ride with the boys from Lennox industries in September… Look forward to meeting up with you guys finally, and if anybody would like to trip it with me…well just sit on your duffs and don’t contact me and you can read about it in an upcoming issue! Otherwise shoot me an e-mail or call for details and let’s ride!
Anyway, the views from some of them rolling hills are Poppa45doc@yahoo.com fabulous with each one of them changing as you ride, and there are many bodies of water providing more recreational 515-975-3893 privileges also, but back to the purpose of my trip, Nitro’s is like a Jimmy Buffet song waiting to be put to words! It sits on top of a hill and when I pulled in, or up to, I was amazed at all the bikes, out front, to the sides, and then I was informed to go to the back of the place through the Alley, and yup you guessed her Chester, more scooters, and the fine folks who pilot them! So I found the place and went inside to get a refreshment; found the folks from TRMI, sat and had a good time meeting everyone plus a few more. I must say that the next time I hear the name Nitro’s and rally together, it will be another ride I will take! The fine people who work there are no slouches to keeping a thirsty fellers whistle wet, and some grub cooked out back got me to quit walking like John Wayne on whiskey, I was as happy as a tick on a coon dog! Because I was not prepared to spend the night tented or not, I had to get back to the real world so after a couple of ice waters and a speech slurring test, I did pass, but with the lowest grade given, I started to roll back towards the old homestead, took a couple of different turns from the trip 26 - TRMI SEPTEMBER 2011
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NEWS BYTES NCOM BIKER NEWSBYTES Compiled & Edited by Bill Bish, National Coalition of Motorcyclists (NCOM) PRESIDENT OBAMA SIGNS REPEAL OF KIDS’ MOTORCYCLE BAN
or passes a safety test, and have $100,000 in personal injury insurance. A sunset provision would cause the ban on helmetless riding to resume in five years, unless the legislature acts again. The heavily-amended measure now moves to the House of Representatives for further action. NHTSA (AGAIN) PUSHES HELMET LAWS
President Barack Obama signed a bipartisan consumer safety bill on August 12 that exempts youth-sized motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) from the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) of 2008 that bans children’s products that contain lead. H.R. 2715, introduced by U.S. Representatives Mary Bono Mack (R-CA) and G.K. Butterfield (D-NC), passed near-unanimously in the House 421-2 on Aug. 1 and was approved by unanimous consent by the Senate later that day. The measure excludes kids’ off-road vehicles from the overly-broad CPSIA lead certification rules, which previously prohibited their sale due to lead content of components such as batteries and brakes. “This law is a win-win for American consumers and the American economy,” said Congresswoman Bono Mack, “and I thank the President for signing this critically important bill into law.”
NHTSA Administrator David Strickland has testified once again before a Congressional committee urging federal action to get motorcyclists to wear helmets. On July 27, during a reauthorization hearing on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Strickland told a subcommittee of the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation that “the most important step we can take to reduce the deaths of motorcyclists on our roads and highways is to assure that all riders wear a DOT compliant helmet.” He further stated that, “A grant program emphasizing the use of motorcycle helmets would be effective in reducing fatalities.” Last year, in response to Congressional testimony from Strickland that increased helmet use is the core component of NHTSA’s motorcycle safety plan, U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) introduced a resolution urging NHTSA to concentrate on motorcycle crash prevention and rider education instead of lobbying for helmet laws.
Be sure to contact your federal legislators and thank them for rectifying the onerous “Lead Law” bike ban, and for supporting the rights of millions of off-road enthusiasts and future motorcyclists. U.S. MOTORCYCLE MARKET RESEARCH ABATE OF MICHIGAN REQUESTS YOUR IMMEDIATE ACTION This urgent Call To Action is on behalf of ABATE of Michigan, requesting the help of all motorcyclists in their fight for freedom.
Research and Markets, a worldwide marketing research resource, has announced the addition of the “Motorcycle Dealers” report to their offering of over 718,000 global marketing research reports, which covers nearly 4,300 motorcycle-related stores in the United States with combined annual revenue of $18 billion.
“Senate Bill 291 passed the Michigan Senate in late June,” writes ABATE President Vince Consiglio. “We are asking all rights activists to send a post card to Michigan’s Governor, Rick Snyder, urging him to support motorcycle helmet choice for adults.”
According to their industry research, no major companies dominate; most companies have a single retail outlet, “The industry is highly fragmented: the 50 largest companies generate just 10 percent of industry sales,” states the report.
Consiglio further advises that; “A postcard from a ‘FREE’ state may help him realize that Michigan loses motorcycle money every day of the summer with a mandatory helmet law. Governor Snyder prides himself on being all about business and helping business. Please urge Governor Snyder to support adult choice.” MAIL to: Governor Rick Snyder, State Capital, P.O. Box 30013, Lansing, MI 48909 or call (517) 373-3400 or e-mail Rick.Snyder@michigan. gov.
Under the “Competitive Landscape” heading, the R&M report says: “Discretionary personal income and interest rates drive demand, since motorcycles are high-ticket purchases and often financed. The profitability of individual companies depends on volume and sales of higher-margin goods like heavyweight motorcycles. Large dealers have advantages in broad inventory selections and negotiating power with manufacturers. Small dealers can compete effectively by providing superior customer service or offering unique services, like bike customization.”
Michigan is one of 20 states with a mandatory helmet law for all riders, but before the state legislature broke for the summer the Senate voted 24-14 on June 28th to repeal their 40-year old helmet requirement for motorcyclists 21 or older, who have been riding for at least two years
The report further observes that, “Major competitors include private market sellers, other recreational vehicle dealers, service center chains, and independent service shops.”
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(800) ON-A-BIKE
Other key topics include: Industry Overview, Business Challenges & Trends, Industry Forecast & Opportunities, and Products, Operations & Technology: For those in the motorcycle industry or starting a motorcycle business, or interested in better understanding the two-wheel marketplace, check them out at www. researchandmarkets.com. R&M has also conducted numerous other motorcycleoriented marketing reports, including a Global Industry Guide and a Global Motorcycle Report, which examines market conditions across Western Europe, North America as well as key emerging countries such as China and India. NEW REPORT REVEALS THAT 1 IN 7 DRIVERS ARE UNINSURED Summer is the time for road trips, long motorcycle rides and making those back-and-forth trips to the playground and pool. Chances are drivers will not be involved in a vehicle accident during these travels, but everyone likely will be involved in at least one car accident in his or her lifetime. Across the United States, chances are roughly one in seven that a driver is uninsured, according to estimates released in April from the Insurance Research Council. The economic downturn is thought to be a major factor in the increase of uninsured motorists, with approximately 13.8% of U.S. drivers being uninsured in 2009 despite laws in most states requiring drivers to maintain minimum coverage. In a new study, “Uninsured Motorists, 2011 edition,” the IRC estimates the percentage of uninsured drivers countrywide and in individual states for 2008 and 2009 based on the number of uninsured motorist insurance claims versus the number of bodily injury claims. In 2009, the five states with the highest uninsured driver estimates were Mississippi, 28%; New Mexico, 26%; Tennessee, 24%; Oklahoma, 24%; and Florida, 24%. The five states with the lowest uninsured driver estimates were Massachusetts, 4.5%; Maine, 4.5%; New York, 5%; Pennsylvania, 7%; and Vermont, 7%.
HELMET AND ACCOUSTICS RESEARCH COULD QUIET THE RIDE After accelerating, most of the sound that a rider can hear isn’t from the bike engine or other vehicles on the road, but from the air rushing over and around their helmet. Noise levels inside a helmet can reach rock-concert levels when traveling at highway speeds, and a group of engineers and psychologists from two U.K. universities have gathered to study how to minimize helmet noise to protect riders from hearing damage and reduce the potential distraction that noise poses to riders. Their research paper, which has been accepted for publication by The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, says that riders experience noise from multiple sources. First is the engine noise, which is a relatively insignificant factor once riders accelerate to highway speeds. Audible wind noise can reach volumes as high as 115 decibels or more, roughly equivalent to what power saw operators without ear protection would hear. OSHA recommends limiting such exposure to 15 minutes or less per day. Turbulent air buffeting off the motorcycle windshield is another source of noise, as is air rushing around the chin bar of the helmet. There’s another type of sound experienced by riders, called body conducted sound. Aboard a motorcycle, this process transmits engine vibrations and the percussive force of the wind through the flesh and bone to the ear. Earplugs don’t stop it, and it can be significant. Another topic under investigation by the Bath group is how sound impacts attention, and one experiment measured how different volumes of sound impaired a test subject’s peripheral vision. While riders and others recognize that noise can be a serious health issue, many U.S. jurisdictions prohibit the use of earplugs or other noise-reducing devices. One long road trip could take a rider through numerous changes in local laws.
QUOTABLE QUOTE: “Useless laws weaken the necessary laws.” Charles de Montesquieu (1689-1755), French philosopher and political thinker
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Boudreaux was out in da field talkin’ wit his friend Thibodeaux. Thibodeaux said, “Boudreaux , you see dat ole barn out dere? Well man, its completely infestered wit’ rats. I tried everything I know an’ can’t get rid of dem.” Boudreaux say, “Thibodeaux, I know zactly how to get rid of dem rats. You gotta get you one of dem bull constriptors.”Thibodeaux say, “Whats a bull constriptor?”Boudreaux explains, “ Man. Dats one of dem big ole snakes and he loves to eat rats and swallers dem whole, all at once.” Well, da nex’ day Thibodeaux went down to Kliberts reptile farm and bought him da biggest bull constripter dat dey got. He brought dat snake to da barn an let him loose right in da middle and just sat dere and watched. Well, Thibodeaux was watchin’ for a long time, I mean long, an dere wasn’t nuttin’ happenin’. Dat big o le snake jus curled up hiself in da middle of dat barn and slept all day. He didn’t even move and dem rats jus run all around. Thibodeaux got real frustrated and he called up Boudreaux on da phone, “Boudreaux, man dats some bad advice bout dat snake. Dem rats play all day long. “Boudreaux say,”Man,Thibodeaux, I know just what to do. Give dat snake some Viagra. “Thibodeaux say, “What! Viagra! What’s dat gonna do?” Boudreaux say, “I was just listening to da radio and de man say dat Viagra is da best t’ing to use for a reptile dysfunction.”
Curtis & Leroy saw an ad in the Starkville Daily News Newspaper in Starkville, MS. and bought a mule for $100. The farmer agreed to deliver the mule the next day. The next morning the farmer drove up and said, “Sorry, fellows, I have some bad news, the mule just up and died last night.” Curtis & Leroy replied, “well, then just give us our money back.” The farmer said, “Can’t do that. I went and spent it already.” They said, “O.K., then, just bring us the dead mule.” The farmer asked, “What in the world y’all gonna’ do with a dead mule?” Curtis said, “We gonna’ raffle him off.” The farmer said, “You can’t raffle off a dead mule!” Leroy said, “We shore can! Heck, we don’t hafta’ tell nobody he’s dead! A couple of weeks later, the farmer ran into Curtis & Leroy at the Piggly Wiggly grocery store and asked. “What’d you fellers ever do with that dead mule?” They said, “We raffled him off like we said we wuz gonna’ do.. ”Leroy said, “Shucks, we sold 500 tickets fer two dollars apiece and made a profit of $898.” The farmer said, “My Lord, didn’t anyone complain?” Curtis said, “Well, the feller who won got upset. So we gave him his two dol- ******************************************** lars back.” Note* Curtis and Leroy now work for the Two great white sharks swimming in the ocean spied survivors of a sunken ship .”Follow me son” the father government. shark said to the son shark and they swam to the ******************************************** mass of people.“First we swim around them a few A blonde decides to try horseback riding, even though times with just the tip of our fins showing.” And they did. “Well done, son! Now we swim around them a few she has had no lessons, nor prior experience. She times with all of our fins showing.” And they did. mounts the horse unassisted, and the horse immediately springs into motion. It gallops along at a steady “Now we eat everybody.” And they did. When they and rhythmic pace, but the blonde begins to slide from were both gorged, the son asked, “Dad, why didn’t we just eat them all at first? Why did we swim around and the saddle. around them?” His wise father replied, “Because son, they just taste better after you scare the shit out of In terror, she grabs for the horse’s mane, but cannot them. seem to get a firm grip. She tries to throw her arms around the horse’s neck, but she slides down the horse’s side anyway. The horse gallops along, seem- ******************************************** A man goes into his local book boutique and asks ingly impervious to its’ slipping rider. the young lady at the service counter . . .“Do you Finally, giving up her frail grip, the blonde attempts to have the new book out for men with short penises? leap away from the horse and throw herself to safety. I can’t remember the title”.....…...........She replies, “I’m not sure if it’s in yet.” The man said, “That’s the Unfortunately, her foot has become entangled in the stirrup, she is now at the mercy of the horse’s pound- one................I’ll take a copy.” ing hooves as her head is struck against the ground ******************************************** over and over. Judge Judy to Prostitute: As her head is battered against the ground, she is “Don’t piss on my leg and tell me it’s raining.....now, mere moments away from unconsciousness when to her great fortune, a biker named “Panhead Phil”, sees exactly when did you realize you were raped?” Prostitute (wiping away tears and sobbing): her dilemma and unplugs the horse. Thank God for “When the check bounced.” Bikers. www.thunderroadsiowa.com
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Jaster Ride for Life Cancer. It’s an ugly word and the disease affects so many people of all ages. Six years ago Lynn and Bern Jaster launched the first “Jaster Ride for Life” which supports the American Cancer Society and is held in conjunction with their county’s Relay for Life. In 2001 their grand-daughter, Calisa, was diagnosed with medulloblastoma (a brain tumor) at the tender age of two. Following her diagnosis, little Calisa endured surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and stem cell transplants. It’s been a long battle, but she has fought hard to overcome every obstacle. In 2008 Calisa suffered a stroke and continues to have mini strokes as a combined result of a narrowing artery and lasting effects from previous radiation treatments. After extensive hospitalization and rehab she relies on the aid of a walker, has speech difficulty and has limited right side functionality. She has proved to be a trooper and remains in good spirits despite her complications. Calisa, now age 12, is the “Ride Ambassador” and a cancer survivor! Like many of us, the Jaster family is no stranger to this disease as they have lost several family members and currently have family and friends fighting this battle as well, which is what makes them so passionate about this event. This ride always takes place the first weekend in June and is rain or shine. Yes, rain or shine. A lot of riders
don’t like to ride in the rain, but I ask that you take a moment and consider what those fighting for their lives endure. Is there any comparison? I met Lynn last year and she invited us to join the ride. This was our second year participating and of course we had a great time. The ride is always very well organized and Lynn and Bern check out the route frequently in the weeks and days leading up to the ride and it’s not uncommon to see the local authorities helping with traffic control. The starting point is always the same, the Fast Trac in Elkader, which is where registration occurs from 8:00 to 10:30 a.m., with the ride starting at promptly 10:30. The ride is also very affordable at a suggested donation of $5 per rider/ driver. The route is different every year, stretching through the rolling, winding hills of Northeastern Iowa. This year’s first stop was Waukon Harley Davidson, where they were gracious enough to provide a meal free of charge as well as a 20% discount on a regular priced motor clothes item. From there we meandered our way through many county roads to New Albin, Lansing, Rossville, Monona and Garnavillo. The ride wrapped up in Elkport with a meal provided by the EMS/fire. There were several winners of donated door prizes as well as the recognition of the eldest rider, Bud (75) from Cedar Rapids and the youngest rider, our son Chase (15). Also receiving recognition was Doug from Louisiana, he was the rider that came the farthest. Eighty-three motorcycles and ten cars came out for this year’s ride. If you want to participate in a beautiful, scenic ride that also benefits a cause that affects so many, mark your calendars for June 2, 2012 and head on over to Elkader, Iowa and join in on the fun of the 7th Annual Jaster Ride for Life! You’re guaranteed to make new friends and have a great ride! If you have any questions regarding the “Jaster Ride for Life”, you can contact Lynn at ljaster@alpinecom. net. Jen Scobee
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THANKS FOR READING! www.thunderroadsiowa.com
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From the Woman’s Seat
Getting on the bike and twisting the throttle is not an easy decision to make. Nor is when to upgrade your motorcycle? What model to go to next? In addition, are you happy with your brand? The number one question asked repeatedly is how I can handle that thing. What if you dump it? Can you lift it back up? On the other hand, from others I have heard oh I could never ride that thing due to the size. As I sit and thoroughly enjoy the food and the atmosphere of the Beer Barn in Kirkman Iowa, I want to telll you the tale of how I have reached the goal of riding a touring bike.
One year ago this month, I was that woman. Asking precisely the same questions and having exactly the same thoughts.. Just trying to lift up Vernon’s ’s bike was, so heavy. My wonderful spouse and a friend said; you need to move up to a bigger bike due to the miles that you ride, the gear that is needed to be hauled for the magazine, and not to mention about the better body mechanics that a touring model would provide. The body mechanics was mentioned because the most comfortable position on my Softtail Deluxe was with my heels hooked onto the passenger pegs. I could ride for hours with my heels in this position. With that said, here is my story. I switched rides with my spouse on one cool September afternoon. Internally I had a wealth of emotions going on. There was a great amount of fear that I would mess up his bike, tension felt about how am I going to get my feet on the ground to stop this thing, and fear of the unknown. With all of that going on in my head I also was thinking that my Vernon had such a belief in my abilities’ to handle an Ultra I decided there and then to put on my big girl panties and going for it. I found
the ride was very much enjoyable. The Ultra limited was quite different and smoother ride then I had experienced thus far. As I ventured down the road I was thinking that with the faring and lowers, I would be able to ride longer into the fall and possibly even into some of our Iowa Winter. The stereo was unbelievably better than the one on my Deluxe. Also with a bonus of a CD player who can pass this up. Before my ride was over, I was sold. I did go on a few more ventures of switching bikes just to make sure I was making the right decision. Up until this point, my Deluxe was going to be with me forever. Walking into Carroll Cycle Center and asking what I could get for a trade and what the bottom line would be was the first step. Here is where we had an offer that could not be passed up. Some of the changes made to fit tt were the seat, horn, and passenger floorboards. With me only being 5’ 3 ½” touching the ground was not as solid as on my Softtail Deluxe. Putting a Streetglide seat on afforded just the added room I needed to touch the ground more firmly. My personal wish was to never mess with the suspension due to fears that would mess the ride up that I so enjoyed. I had just received the Air Horns as a gift from my husband and wanted that to be switched out with the stock horn on my new bike. The final change was the bike came with passenger floorboards that would cut into my calves. Changing them out for Streetglide pegs worked much better. I can even use the passenger pegs to give me that add “oomph” when needed to move my bike backwards. I have overcome many obstacles this past riding year. Number one, I would have to say is parking. When you put your kickstand down remember that you will have to lift it up later. Maneuvering in tight spots, I need to be thinking of my next step. I have learned the hard way, instead of hurrying, I need to stop sometimes evaluate the situation and then proceed with caution. There are times when others will stop or turn in front of you if your tire is turned and you apply your front brake you will go down. This is tough on the pride. Have you ever heard pride comes before a fall? Well I am here to tell you it is so true. The last obstacle I have truly had to face is myself. Do not let my husband know I am telling you this but I can be stubborn and hard headed. I feel that I should be able to do anything I put my mind to. Well, I still believe I can, but there are times I need a hand. I am very thankful for all the ones that have helped me. Thanks for listening tt ; )
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JOSH DAVIS MEMORIAL POKER RUN PERRY, IOWA Son, Brother, Friend, Protector, Patriot, Hero, Marine, and now Angel! Marine Lance Corporal Josh Davis from Perry, Iowa was killed May 7, 2010 while serving his country in Afghanistan. Josh was awarded a Purple Heart. Josh was 19 years old and always left a lasting impression on everyone he met with a smile or cracking jokes. Josh Graduated Perry High School in May 2009, and graduated basic training on June 12, 2009. Josh fulfilled his number one dream since childhood, to become a United States Marine. He will always be a part of The Few, The Proud, forever he will be a Marine. August 13, 2011 sixty-one motorcycles and eighty-nine people gathered at the Perry Elks Lodge to pay tribute, love, and respect to the fallen soldier and his family. The 1st annual “Josh Davis Memorial Poker Run” was to raise funds for the “Josh Davis Award” presented annually to a Perry High School grad by the Davis family. The award has been presented in 2010 and 2011. The route was through some of the best scenic roads of central Iowa. The 1st stop was the Iowa Veterans Cemetery in Van Meter, where Josh is buried. 2nd Ruby’s Pub in Stuart, 3rd Just Ethel’s in Yale, 4th Ferg’s in Grand Junction, 5th Perry Elks Lodge where a meal was provided along with a silent auction and a 50/50 drawing. Over $2000 was raised in Josh Davis’ memory and his family expressed thanks to all involved for the show of love and respect for their son. Jeff Collins
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Iowa Bike Nights Monday Fireside Grill Altoona Johnny Mac’s Des Moines Tuesday Legacy Sports Bar and Grill Waukee Gathering on the Grounds Iowa State Fairgrounds J&P Cycles Cruise Nights (Selected Tuesdays) Anamosa Ron Dawg’s House Des Moines Victory Lane Des Moines Samz Sports Bar Muscatine Wednesday Beer Barn and Grill Kirkman Amigos Fort Dodge Roar Into Harlan Downtown (3rd Wednesday) Harlan O’Kelly’s Pub Baxter Hooters West Des Moines Quaker Steak & Lube Council Bluffs Legacy Sports Bar & Grill Waukee Rusty Duck Dexter Boss Hawgs BBQ Des Moines Skatterkats Davenport Lynn’s Des Moines Spanky’s Bar & Grill Emerson Latitude 41 Bar & Grill Johnston Mullets Des Moines Joe’s Night Hawk Waverly Thursday Trophy’s Bar & Grill Des Moines Daytona’s All Sports Bar Des Moines Screaming Eagle Bar & Grill Waterloo Beach House Humboldt Rides Bar and Grill Fort Dodge BJ’s Full Throttle Thursdays Waterloo Cedar River HD (1st and 3rd Thursdays) JR’s Bronson Grid Iron Grill & Sports Lounge Webster City Tapz Pub Clive Big House Harlan Michelle’s Des Moines Woody’s Roadside Tavern (3rd Thursday) Albion AJ’s Des Moines Square One Clive Ridgemont (BACA) Windsor Heights Linden House Lynnville Friday Knoxville Bike Night (1st Friday) Knoxville Throttle Down to “O” Town Osceola Fatboyz Saloon (2nd & 4th Friday) Grimes Bike Down to I-Town (3rd Friday) Indianola Ferg’s Grand Junction Hicklin Powersports Dinner Rides(4th Fridays) Grimes Saturday Winterset Bike Night (3rd Saturday) Winterset Do Drop (Under the Water Tower) Jamaica Sunday Haverhill Social Club (3rd Sunday) Haverhill Ickey Nickel Sioux City Daytona’s All Sports Bar Des Moines Team 36 Mitchellville
Aug 26 Aug 27 Aug 27 Aug 27 Aug 27 Aug 27 Aug 27 Aug 27 Aug 27 Aug 27 Aug 27 Aug 26-27 Aug 26-28 Aug 26-28 Aug 28 Aug 28 Sep 1-4 Sep 1-4 Sep 2 Sep 2-5 Sep 3-4 Sep 9 Sep 10 Sep 10 Sept 10 Sep 11 Sep 11 Sep 9-11 Sep 9-11 Sep 17 Sep 17 Sep 17 Sep 17 Sep 17 Sep 16-18 Sep 16-18 Sep 18 Sep 24 Sep 24 Sep 24 Sep 24 Sep 25 Sep 25 Oct 1 Oct 1 Oct 8 Oct 15 Nov 11-13 Nov 25 Dec 3
Grinnell Hot Bike Night and Bike Show Grinnell, Iowa Werner Cycle Works 3rd Annual Bike/Car Show Omaha, NE Fall Open House Big Barn HD Des Moines, Iowa Cruise Night Heartland HD Burlington, Iowa Route 65 HOG Chapter First Annual Fun Run Indianola, Iowa Shake, Ra le, and Roll Parkinson’s Benefit Run Colo, Iowa Ladies Only Poker Run Spare Time Ute, Iowa Screaming Eagle Community Ride Waterloo, Iowa Gruelke’s 5th Annual Lost Brothers Fun Run Clarkesville, Iowa Cheers II 9th Annual Poker Run Dow City, Iowa ABATE D23 Rodeo Fredericksburg, Iowa Shorty’s Bar Homecoming Li le Sioux Iowa 4th IA Lincoln Hwy Assn Motor Tour Council Bluffs to Clinton 7th Annual BTW Trike In Kellogg, Iowa QC Ride for the Cure Milan or Parkview, Iowa Children’s Miracle Network Poker Run Ida Grove, Iowa Davenport An que Motorcycle Rally Circle of Pride Thunder In the Sand Conesville, Iowa Vintage Flat Track Motorcycle Races Davenport, Iowa Iron Horse Bike & Music Fes val Sabula, Iowa Midway Tavern Soldier Valley Run BBQ, Street Dance Soldier Vintage Flat Track Motorcycle Races Knoxville, Iowa Wounded Warrior Run Middle of Nowhere Bar Cumberland AMA Pro Flat Track Grand Na onals Knoxville, Iowa Shane Scroggs Memorial Car-Cycle Ride & Cookout Clarinda Anamosa Hill Climb and Swap Meet Anamosa, Iowa Hogs for Dogs Ride O umwa, Iowa Journey for Jus ce Na onal Rally Topeka, Kansas Davis Motorcycle Rally New Hampton, Iowa End of Summer BBQ Leather & Hawgs Hornick, Iowa Annual Cancer Benefit Poker Run & Cheshire Grin Kirkman American Legion Riders Poker Run Council Bluffs, Iowa ABATE D8 Toy Run Newell, Iowa Jessica Peine Memorial Ride and Music Fes val Musca ne State Line Rally Keosauqua, Iowa Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall West Des Moines, Iowa J & P Cycles Swap Meet Anamosa, Iowa Leaf Run The Quarry Davenport, Iowa CR Chrome Divas Fight Like a Diva Breast Cancer Awareness Ride Hammer Run by Combat Vets Motorcycle Assoc. Cedar Rapids Fenders Cycle Customer Apprecia on Day Des Moines, Iowa Motorcycle Show and Field Events Penn Center Methodist Church Dirt Bag Biker Bash Cedar Rapids, Iowa RIP’s BAD Ride Boone, Iowa Toys for Tots Leather & Hawgs Hornick, Iowa M&M Garage Open House/End of Season Discount Day Audubon Hero’s Day Big Barn HD Des Moines, Iowa ABATE STEAM Marshalltown, Iowa Turkey Run Clinton, Iowa CR Chrome Divas “Santa’s Li le Divas” Christmas Event
This list is what we have found and what has been submitted. Before heading to any event, please check weather and make sure the event is not cancelled for some reason. Not responsible for misprints and typos. If you have any other events to list, please email them with as much information as you have to vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com
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