VOLUME 1 ISSUE 7 JULY 2010
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Wow! What a busy, exciting, and fun filled month. We started it off by meeting a very wonderful, caring, and giving woman, Dana Vincent, with MC Magazines. She is collecting magazines and toiletries to send over seas to our troops that are fighting the fight. She has a huge heart and you can see a more informative section inside the magazine about her and her efforts. They recently held the Red, White, and Blue bash to raise some funds to support the cause. They had a better than expected turn-out even with the chance of rain that day. Dana also wanted to pass on a very special thank you to Senator Bob Krist, “Vito” Spadaro, and the Senator’s Daughter Courtney for coming out and giving us your support! Senator Bob Krist from the Nebraska Legislature District 10 was able to make it out to show his support even getting a tear in his eye during his short speech about the event. Dana lives in Council Bluffs, but managed to garner support from across the river. We have met a ton of interesting people all over this great State of ours. We went over to Cedar Rapids to work with some of our crew, and to go out and about and meet bikers, customers, and try to find things of interest for the magazine. We stopped by Fix Salon. What a unique and very friendly spot in downtown Cedar Rapids. I was able to get a new doo that is absolutely cool, and Chelsea even took the time to explain products, different ways to style, and about how to use my new flat iron. ; ) Chelsea even took the extra time to give my wonderful man, Vernon, a cut, and all for a fair price. We also stopped by VIP Custom Cycles meeting the owner/designer Cory Schneider. Cory took the time to show us around his very interesting shop. If you ever get a chance to stop by and see the décor and get work done it is worth it. He has even started a consignment area for your parts that are too good to throw away. You can plan on seeing more about these guys and their shop in the future. We finished up our journey at Just Jules Bar that has the customer service right on point. The whole time we were there, my glass of soda was never left empty and all the time with a smile on the bartenders face. Talking with the people in Cedar Rapids I have found are still feeling the effect from the flood in 2008. Some have lost almost everything, but many have been able to keep their business going through all of the down turn. My hat goes off to the hard working never giving up people out there. We attended the Rock-n-Ride in Carroll, Iowa. The weather held strong with only one burst of rain during the day. I walked around taking pictures meeting the people. Some were a little camera shy while others would “strike a pose” so to speak. Make sure you check out the pictures in this issue. There are many other events covered all over Iowa that we are lucky enough to have information on from others. I wish I could be everywhere, unfortunately I cannot. If you have a story, pictures, or information that you care to share, send it in and we will use what we can. Your feedback has been great and I thank each and every one of you that have come up and talked to us about the magazine. We have heard that more content would be great and with this issue I am happy to say you will see more. We have gotten some great ideas for future activities and events. Keep them coming. Remember this is an Iowa magazine for the people. Let us provide you with what you are looking for. If you find a place that does not look down their nose at bikers and welcomes you with open arms, let us know. People riding today are from all aspects of life and no matter what I have always found that motorcyclists are caring, quick to strike a conversation and/or lend a hand if needed. Ride Safe! TT
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa www.thunderroadsiowa.com P.O. Box 29 Kimballton, Iowa 51543 (712) 249-5630 tt@thunderroadsiowa.com Owner/Editor Tina (TT) Schwarte (712) 249-5582 tt@thunderroadsiowa.com
CONTENTS From The Woman’s Seat..............................................3 99 Counties On The Wall..............................................4 MC Mags For Military...................................................6 Joker.............................................................................8 Military Riders...............................................................9
Editor Vernon Schwarte (712) 249-5630 vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com Sunshine and Jason Kluver, Regional Sales Representatives (Des Moines Metro) (515) 402-3021 sunshine@thunderroadsiowa.com Mindi Schooley Regional Sales Representative (NE Iowa) (319) 290-4706 mindi@thunderroadsiowa.com Josh and Pam Brown Regional Sales Representatives (SE Iowa Area) 563-571-1617 stampede196@yahoo.com Brenda Carney Regional Sales Representative (Boone and Surrounding Area) (515) 298-2346 Brenda@thunderroadsiowa.com Tim Gessert Regional Sale Representative (West Central Iowa Area) 712-249-0130 tim@thunderroadsiowa.com Randy Nelson Regional Sales Representative (Western Iowa) 402-290-1376 randy@thunderroadsiowa.com
Biker Friendly .............................................................10 Girls Of Thunder.........................................................12 KISS.........................................................................13 Events........................................................................14 CMA...........................................................................15 CCC Rock N Ride......................................................16 100 Ryders Club.........................................................17 Thundercam........................................................20 NCOM News Bytes.....................................................22 Iowa Ride-In...............................................................24 Geneva’s Puzzle Page...............................................26 Sturgis Directory.........................................................27 Rambling Along The River..........................................28
From the Woman’s Seat But, here’s the thing: that forced winter break makes you really appreciate the riding time you do have, so none’s wasted when the opportunity finally arrives. And, if you’ve got plans for major changes to your bike, you can make them in winter so you don’t have down-time during the I’ve often thought it would be nice riding months. to live in a state where the weather 4. We don’t have traffic! A friend in California recently told me that yes, allowed for year-round riding, but they have year-round (almost) riding, but it takes her two hours or more lately I’ve been coming around to the to get anyplace where there isn’t a lot of traffic, just so she can slow notion that having a “winter break” is down and enjoy the ride. I don’t know about you, but I can find a beautiful worthwhile. twisty and low-traffic two-lane just ten minutes from home that’s perfect Since I’ve owned a bike and ridden for a mind-clearing ride any time I need it. I can ride all summer without around a fair bit of this state, I’ve ever once touching the superslab, or I can hop onto the Interstate at a come to realize a few things that now moment’s notice and get myself out of town fast. make me glad I ride where I do. 5. We’ve got great road food! We still have lovely, flourishing small towns 1. We’ve got curves! Sure there are some spots in Iowa where it’s filled with local home-spun restaurants so you can spend your entire nothing but long, flat ribbons of highway. But, it doesn’t take long to find riding life fulfilling your quest to find the best pork tenderloin, or whatever the kind of twisty curves that make riding a blast – Madison County, for your food passion may be. And, as an added bonus, there’s usually a one… eastern Iowa for another… the Loess Hills of western Iowa… and local roadside oddity or historic site to make the day more interesting. much in between. It might be fun to daydream about living someplace warm, where palm 2. We’ve got scenery! Whether you’re rounding a curve as Saylorville trees sway and it’s never too cold to ride. But living in Iowa affords me a Marina comes into view, or cresting a hill on F48 with lush green rolling beautiful view of America’s heartland with plenty of time to enjoy it, and farmland laid out before you, Iowa is a beautiful state. the assurance that I’ll never take my two wheels for granted. 3. We’ve got four seasons! And only one of them isn’t suitable for riding. Five Reasons I Love to Ride in Iowa By Janet Green www.bikerchicknews.com
Crusin’ For St. Judes..................................................29 Bikers At An Elementary School................................30 South 40 Rally.............................................................32
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Contributing Photographer Kandi Schlensig kandi@thunderroadsiowa.com 712-249-0713
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Thunder Roads Magazine 2
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99 Counties on the Wall
Adams County you are a dirt track fan at all, this is one of the “must see” Adams County may be one of the lower populated counties venues in the Midwest. in the State, but that is not to say there is nothing interesting Famed television host and comedian Johnny Carson was there. Quite the opposite, if truth be told, as it makes for a born in the county seat of Adams County, Corning. The nice day trip with some cool historical and recreation sites, house he was born in is still upright, and is in the restoration as well as some nice hilly, curvy, fun to ride routes. Highprocess. The house and museum are yet just another point ways 34 and 148 dissect the county, and despite the top of interest in Adams County. of the world feeling on the north/south route, some of the Frederick Charles Reese provided the community with an better riding is found on the county roads. Due to the rural opera house in 1902. The opera house replaced buildings nature, maybe best to have a map or a GPS unit along, just that were taken by fire a few years previous. Keeping with in case you get lost. Not that being lost when out riding is the business district concept, the commercial establishalways a bad thing. Also, less people living there means ments were to occupy the first floor, while the upper story fewer cars, fewer distractions, and a great way to see some was intended for the Opera House. The Corning Opera more Iowa beauty. House was a live stage theater until about 1914 and by One of the main points of interest is Lake Icaria east of 1921 it had become a movie theater with occasional live Carbon. As the area was settled years ago by a group of performances. The 724-seat house had a 28-foot stage, French Icarians, or utopians, the lake takes its name from wing and drop scenery and had electricity. Today, comtheir settlement. The beauty of the area makes one realize munity members are restoring this historic building in the why a group of Utopians would have like d the area. Lake downtown area. Icaria has a modern marina with boat rentals, ski zone, The Corning Winery is located on the south west corner excellent year around fishing locations and a 300 foot sand intersecting highway 148 and highway 34; but remember beach for swimming with concessions and bathhouse. the entrance is located on highway 148. You will turn and Lake Icaria has over 130 camper sites and 25 walk-in tent go up the hill and the first thing that strikes your attention sites. Cabins are also available for rent. Whether you pack is the 3000 gallon barrel sitting on a deck with lawn chairs on the tent, or just want to pack a day bag and rent a cabin, surrounding it for a place to sit enjoy your wine and enjoy it makes for a nice get away from the hustle and bustle of the view of the vineyard. The pond is in the heart of the everyday. vineyard and there are plans on building a floating wine Another draw to the area would be the Adams County tasting area that will be something to see Speedway. The track runs Saturday night events from April Despite the lack of population, Adams County has a bunch to September, and as there are fewer and fewer dirt tracks to do. Ride through, ride out for a day, or stay and camp all the time, ACS has remained strong with its NASCAR All- for the weekend. You will find something of interest in this American Series sanctioned events. Not the “big boys” but rural Southwestern Iowa area. If you go down for a visit, let as close as you can get on a dirt track. The half mile track ‘em know you read about it in Thunder Roads Magazine of has been through many changes since the early 50’s when Iowa. cars started to go around the track and not just horses. If Thunder Roads Magazine 4
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Hello:
M/C Mags for Military “It’s the least we can do, for what they’re doing for us!” Dana Vincent from Council Bluffs was doing a little house cleaning and organizing one day last fall, and came up with a novel idea. She was trying to figure out what to do over 200 old issues of Easyrider magazine that had piled up. Thinking that there was some better place for these than the recycle bin, she came up with the idea to ship them to troops overseas. M/C Mags for Military was born. With the help and planning of both her Iowa and Nebraska ABATE districts of which she is a member of, the idea began to take on a life all its own. On top of motorcycle magazines, common items needed or wanted by the troops are packed into boxes and shipped overseas. Items needed include non-perishable snacks, toiletries, drink mix, playing cards, phone cards, DVD’s/CD’s, pen and paper, note cards or stationary, paperbacks/puzzle books, bandanas, razors, baby wipes, and hand sanitizer. She has had email and phone correspondence with countless troops thanking her for the efforts, and appreciative of the items not readily available on their BX on base. M/C Mags for Military held a Red, White, and Blue Bash in Missouri Valley on June 12th to raise funds and accept donations of supplies to ship overseas. The event was held at Papa Joe’s and included some great food, a band, and even a visitor from across the river to support the cause. Nebraska Senator Bob Krist and his daughter came out to enjoy the festivities and show their support. The Senator is a supporter of the cause, and is also a retired Air Force aviator. The event was a great success, and now many more magazines and items can be shipped to the troops. Dana and crew are always accepting of items to ship to the troops, as well as accepting sponsoring boxes to be sent. The boxes are sent via the United States Post Office, and one flat rate box will house two dozen or more magazines as well as the personal items. The rate is $12.50 for one, or $25.00 for two to make a nice even number. If you would like to make a donation, or want to know where to drop items off, contact the crew at: Dana 712-325-0707 or Bonzeye 402-2185517 or email: MCMagsForMilitary@yahoo.com They can also be found on Facebook by searching for M/C Mags For Military Special Thanks To: Jim Brewer,owner-Riddler Graphics for logo and 2 dozen shirts donation Terry Conant,manager/bass player-and Byron James Gang Band for EVERYTHING! Rick Whitely-Quick Rick’s Rib Joint for the food Omaha Area Bikers for Donation of Shirts Missouri Valley Times-for the deal on the ad EVERYBODY from-Papa Joe’s for letting us have the Bash there and all you’ve done for us! Senator Bob Krist for all the support Bonzeye-for all you’ve donated out of your own pocket
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I am a motorcyclist, and a mother of deployed military personal at
Camp Lemonier, Djibouti Africa. My daughter, and please excuse my spelling our primary language is Spanish, sent me a link to see your video on the news. To my surprise, I have seen what you are doing and it is awesome
that a lot of people care for our troops, far from home. You will not believe, what this means to them, especially to my 22 year old daughter SPC Reysha Ramos on her first deployment. She is a motorcyclist since she was
in my womb, and receiving magazines of her most precious and enjoyed hobby it is overwhelming. We, our family are thankful to you and all those who have volunteered to help out to keep the troops moral high. People may
think of this, like a small token, but I, being the mother of a deployed soldier I can assure you, that this means the world to them.
I am sending you a photo of my daughter, so that you may know who she
is from the picture that you already have. They, will be come soon, hopefully all will be coming home soon. Thank You, Thank You so much. Litzy Cora and Family Guayama, Puerto Rico
1-65 Infantry Bn Delta Co.
Thunder Roads Magazine 7
Military Riders
Yes, we’ve run this joke a few times before, but please indulge us as it’s just too good not to run every now and again. Enjoy! Two little Southern girls were sitting on the front of a grand, plantation-style Georgia home. One was excessively rich, the other humble and poor. The one little rich girl opens her arms wide as she sits in her perfect hand-sewn, imported silk dress and exclaims, “my Daddy owns all this land.....as far as the eye can see, and then thousands of miles even after that”. The other little girl, sitting and rocking away in her chair in her rolled up bib overalls and tattered tee-shirt calmly replies, “that’s nice”. To which the little rich girl points her finger at the nearby 3-story garage and says, “my Daddy owns some of the finest automobiles, both new and antique, worth millions of dollars”. The other little girl replies, “my Daddy owns an old motorcycle, but your Daddy ownin’ all them cars.....that’s nice”. Then the little rich girl says, “do you see those stables, my Daddy owns most of the finest racing horses and breeding horses known to man. The other little girl says, “we tried to buy a pony once but they wanted too much, but the fact your Daddy owns all them horses, that’s nice”. The one little rich girl is getting really upset that the poor girl is taking everything in stride so she declares, “My Daddy sent me to Charm School and I was taught manners and etiquette by the world’s most charming, aristocratic women”. The other little girl says, “that’s nice, My Daddy scaped together almost 6 months worth of savings and I went to Charm School myself. The little rich girl bout’ chokes as she sputters out, “Oh, really, and what prey tell did they teach the likes of you in Charm School?” and the little poor girl stares directly in the rich girl’s eyes and casually replied, “they taught me how to say “that’s nice” instead of F*#* You!”. Musings of an old biker. Read and Learn: When you’re riding lead, don’t spit. Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul. If you don’t ride in the rain, you don’t ride. Never sell a motorcycle - it is a part of you. Just buy more. Life may begin at 30, but it doesn’t get real interesting until about 120 mph. You start the game of life with a full pot of luck and an empty pot of experience. The object is to fill the pot of experience before you empty the pot of luck. If you wait, all that happens is that you get older. Saddlebags can never hold everything you want, but they CAN hold everything you need. The only good view of a thunderstorm is in your rear view mirror Don’t ride so late into the night that you sleep through the sunrise. Never do less than forty miles before breakfast. Sometimes it takes a whole tank of fuel before you can think straight In the time it takes to play 18 holes, I can be 500 miles away. Never hesitate to ride past the last street light at the edge of town. You will always get to keep your motorcycle in a divorce. One bike on the road is worth two in the garage.
Young riders pick a destination and go. Old riders pick a direction and go. Whatever it is, it’s better to do it in the wind. Two-lane blacktop isn’t a highway, it’s an attitude. People are like motorcycles; each is customized a bit differently. The best alarm clock is sunshine on chrome. A friend is someone who’ll get out of bed at 2 am to drive his pickup to the middle of nowhere to get you when you’re broken down. Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at 70 mph can double your vocabulary. There’s something ugly about a new bike on a new trailer. A long ride can clear your mind, restore your faith and use up a lot of fuel. If you can’t get it going with bungee cords, wire and electrician’s tape, it’s serious. Never try to race an old geezer, he may have one more gear than you. God does not subtract from my life the time you spend riding. Gray-haired riders don’t get that way from pure luck. Bikes parked out front mean good chicken-fried steak inside. You can forget what you do for a living when your knees are in the breeze. Only a biker knows why a dog sticks his head out the car window. Don’t argue with an 18-wheeler (just go faster). Don’t lead the pack if you don’t know where you’re going. I never ride faster than my guardian Angel can fly. Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. The kids filed back into class Monday morning. They were all very excited to relay the results from their assignment. Their weekend assignment was to sell something, then give a talk on productive salesmanship. Little Sally led off: “I sold girl scout cookies and I made $30,” she said proudly, “My sales approach was to appeal to the customer’s civil spirit and I credit that approach for my obvious success.”“Very good,” said the teacher. Little Jenny was next: “I sold magazines,” she said, “I made $45 and I explained to everyone that magazines would keep them up on current events.” “Very good, Jenny,” said the teacher. Inevitably, it was Little Johnny’s turn. The teacher could only sigh and held her breath ...Little Johnny walked to the front of the classroom and dumped a box full of cash on the teacher’s desk. “$2,467,” he said.”$2,467!” cried the teacher, “What in the world were you selling?” “Toothbrushes,” said Little Johnny. “Toothbrushes!” echoed the teacher, “How could you possibly sell enough toothbrushes to make that much money?” “I found the busiest corner in town,” said Little Johnny, “I set up a Dip & Chip stand and gave everybody who walked by a free sample.” They all said the same thing, “Hey, this dip tastes like dog shit!” Then I would say, “It is dog shit…wanna’ buy a toothbrush?” “I used the governmental approach of giving you something shitty for free, and then making you pay to get the shitty taste out of your mouth.”
Thunder Roads Magazine 8
Brian Petersen served our great Country in the US Air Force from 1989-1993. His tour included Basic and Tech School in San Antonio, Ground Defense School at Fort Dix New Jersey, and then assigned to Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado. He served as a Security Police-Law Enforcement Specialist, performing a lot of the same duties as local police officers along with security of air bases, equipment & personnel. He was a member of the base defense/ mobility team as an M-60 machine gunner, and worked in the Security Police Armory managing all weapons & ammo. Military service has been a long standing tradition in the Petersen family as well. Brian’s great-great grandfather was a Kings Guard in Denmark, and after service there, immigrated to America. His great-grandfather served in World War I, and one grandfather served in World War II in the Pacific theatre while the other served in Europe. Brian’s dad is a Vietnam veteran who was a door gunner/electrician on Huey helicopters. Brian himself served in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm and worked security details for tankers and bombers, as well as helping with security for the 1990 Thanksgiving visit by President George H.W. Bush and General H. Norman Schwarzkopf. After the service he became a member of the American Legion Post #556 in Carson, Iowa. Work for Brian is in Manning, Iowa at Ag Processing which is the largest cooperative soybean processing company in the world. He has been here for 14 years and functions as the Safety & Environmental Coordinator. Brian has had three bikes and has been riding since June of 1996. He started out on a 1981 Kawasaki 440 LTD, and currently owns a 2005 Harley Davidson 1200 Custom, and a 2007 Suzuki GSX-R 600. He picked the Sporty because he liked the styling of the Custom, and the price was right. The sport bike he kind of fell in to though. He was at an open house at Olsen’s Outdoor Power in Atlantic, Iowa. He was one of the 15 finalists that got an ignition key to try, and he was number 10. His key worked, and away he went home with a new bike. Brian plans on getting out and about on the bikes to go to a few events, and hopefully be able to break away for a few weekends of riding. This summer he wants to hit Hawgstock in Winterset, and someday ride to both Colorado/Western Nebraska and Kentucky to visit family. A maiden voyage for him to Sturgis may even be in order. If you see him out on either of his rides, give him a nice Veteran’s wave, and if you get a chance, shake his hand and thank him for his service.
Thunder Roads Magazine 9
Biker Friendly Directory Struthers Brothers 5191 NW 2nd Ave Des Moines, IA
It’s important for you to know who your friends are out there when you hit the road! Welcome to our Biker Friendly Directory. The following is a list of our establishments throughout Iowa and Minnesota that want you to know that they’re here for YOU. Whether it’s a bike dealer, service shop, restaurant, bar or any other type of business that welcomes our biking community through their doors, you can count on our family of friends to always welcome you in. ALL of our regular advertisers can be found, in bold, throughout this listing. All of our friends listed are “Biker Friendly” & most of them ride too, so they know exactly what you want and need. The staff here at Thunder Roads greatly appreciates our advertiser’s support each month- they are the sole financial supporters of this magazine.WE WOULD NOT EXIST WITHOUT THEM! So please give them the support that they truly deserve for being with us & drop by to see them for a visit. Let them know that you saw them here in Thunder Roads. If you know a business that would like to join our Thunder Roads family of Biker Friendly Places, please give us a call TT at 712-249-5582 or email TT at tt@thunderroadsiowa.com or Vernon at vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com “Where there’s Bikes...There’s Going To Be Thunder- Thunder Roads”
Zylstra 1930 E 13th Ames, Iowa 50010 (515) 232-6223
Services Iowa Bail Bonds 200 4th Street Des Moines, IA 50309 (515) 243-4411 Mustaine’s Towing and Recovery 401 1st Ave State Center, IA 50247 (641) 691-8869
BCS Computers 100 Industrial Road Guthrie Center, Iowa 50115 641-747-3344 www.brubakercomputer.com Dealers Overdrive Auto Auto Repair, Motorcycle Sales/Consignment 1021 Gilbert Court Iowa city, Iowa 52240 319-354-7503 Owner Shawn Harris
Carroll Cycle Center 1327 Plaza Dr Carroll, Iowa (712) 792-1610 Revolution Cycle 120 Main Baxter, Iowa 50028 (641) 507-9250
Escape Lounge 8843 Northpark Ct, Johnston, IA 50131 515-276-2209
Thunder Roads Cycle 4106 Rockingham Rd Davenport, IA 52802 (563) 323-3172
Riverside Tavern 450 E Main St Lehigh IA, 50557 515-359-9998 Email: riversidetap@gmail.com
Goat Ranch Saloon 105 South Main Street Baxter, IA (641) 227-3502 O’Kelly’s 106 North Main Street Baxter, IA 50028 (641) 227-3013 Roadhog’s Bar 104 East Main Street State Center, IA (641) 483-2126 Tracey and John Abate- Owners Rumours Sports Bar & Grill 309 South 12th Ave. Place Marshalltown, IA (641) 752-5477 Steve Priske-Owner
Thunder Roads Magazine 10
14th Street Tavern 3418 East 14th Street Des Moines, IA (515) 266-3446 Open Weekdays 8am-2pm Sat 10am-2pm and Sun 11am-2pm The Haverhill Social Club 202 1st Street Haverhill, IA 50120 (641) 475-3321 Hours: Mon-Sat 10am-2am Sunday 12pm-12am
Bars, Restaurants, Lounges & Clubs
RJM Trucking Cedar Rapids, Iowa 319-360-5433
Biker Friendly Directory
5th Street Pub 128 5th Street West Des Moines, IA 50365 515-255-4550 Porky’s Pub and Garage 5125 NE 14th St Des Moines, IA 50313 Daytona’s All Sports Café 4875 Merle Hay Rd Des Moines, IA (515) 331-0996 Good Sons 2815 Beaver Ave Ste 102 Des Moines, IA (515) 681-5375 Maingate 2956 E Grand Des Moines, IA
Uncle Harley’s Bar and Grill 202 West Mayne Blue Grass, IA 52726 (563) 381-1717 Murphy’s Bar and Grill 71 East First St Riverside, IA 52327 (319) 648-2888
The Longest Yard 122 5th Street West Des Moines, IA 50265 (515) 274-1710 Tequila Bar Hwy 70 North Columbus Junction, Iowa 319-728-0948 Dave’s Place 111 South Fredericks Oelwein, IA 50662 (319) 238-2324 Events Hawgstock Motorcycle Rally Winterset, Iowa www.hawgstock.com August 19-22 Circle of Pride MC Conesville, Iowa Independence Day Blow Out July 1-3 Thunder in the Sand September www.circleofpridemc.com
To list your business or service in our directory, give us call at 712-249-5582 or 712-249-5630
Thunder Roads Magazine 11
r e d n u h T f O Girls
Susan Moore Hunter Stuart, Iowa Harley Davidson Sportster
Jillian Nauman Perry, Iowa 2006 Suzuki Boulevard c50
Are you from Iowa? Are you a Girl of Thunder? Email us your pictures (highest resolution possible) to vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com
Be
sure to include the year, make, and model of your ride and what town you Amy Gruelke Clarksville, Iowa Harley Davidson Sportster with Custom Pink Flames
are from!!! Look for more Girls of Thunder next month.
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THUNDER ROADS FINGER LICKIN’ “Q” SAUCE 1/2 cup orange flavored olive oil or just add the juice of one orange to olive oil 1/4 cup lemon juice 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 3/4 cup water 3/4 chopped onion 3 tablespoons light brown sugar 1 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons yellow prepared mustard 3/4 cup ketchup 2 tablespoons paprika Pinch garlic powder 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce Freshly ground black pepper Stir all ingredients together in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. The sauce will keep in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 2 weeks. Makes: 3 cups *Now, if some people don’t like a sweet sauce, they prefer a more vinegar-base one, so just cut back on or eliminate all-together the brown sugar. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cut the racks of ribs in half crosswise. Rub ribs all over. especailly meathy side with sauce. Lay meat side down in an 11 by 13-inch baking dish. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake until the meat pulls away from bone; about 1 hour. * You can cook ribs the night before, bring to room temperature the next day as grill is heating up. Preheat an outdoor grill to medium-high heat. Grill the ribs, brushing them with about half the remaining sauce, until they’re crispy and heated through, about 10 minutes., Let the ribs rest for 5 to 10 minutes before cutting them into pieces. While you got the grill good and hot, after ribs done, push to one side and have some pre-boiled corn and lay it on the grill and brush with melted parsley butter or throw an aluminum foil pouch on the grill w/ sliced potatoes, butter and onions until tender. Lip Smackin’
THUNDER ROADS TRADITIONAL CREAMY COLESLAW 1 Bag of Pre-Chopped Coleslaw 1 Small Purple Onion; chopped medium 1+1/2 Cup of Real Mayo 3 Heaping Tbls. out of a bottle of pre-chopped Sweet or Dill Pickle Chunks (your preference) 1 tsp. Apple Cider Vinegar 1 Squeze of Fresh Lime Juice 3 Tbls. of Sugar Sprinkled Round the Bowl 1/2 Cup of Half & Half or Ceam Salt & Fresh Cracked Black Pepper to Taste Mix it all up, cover w/ Saran Wrap and just let it “sit” until ready to serve so it gets all creamy, but still has crunch. So Good! RED, WHITE & BLUE, PROUD AS CAN BE ALL-AMERICAN CUPCAKES 1 Box of Pillsbury Extra Moist Red Velvet Cake Mix Follow Directions to the “T” Be sure and spray your cupcake pans with butter cooking spray or use those little paper cupcake liners Take from oven, take out of pans, let cool and then frost them with one can of Pillsbury Cream Cheese Frosting. Simple enough? Add a drop of blue food coloring to frosting and then stick little plastic flags(buy at the dime store 20 for $2 bucks) on top of cupcakes and you’ve truly got a beautiful and All American delicious treat! Get you one of those huge-ass glass containers with the little spigots for serving up lemonade......makes like 2 gallons, mix up your favorite lemonade, Country Time or Crystal Lite, then add a full bottle of Blue Curacao, which is a liqueor that makes any drink a tropical delight and has a very mild liquor taste! Again, stick a white straw in it, a ripe strawberry floating on top and you’re ready for the party! Have a safe, but FUNtastic 4th of July and remember...... We Live In The Land Of The Free Because Of The Brave.
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July Events 2nd & 4th Friday of Month Wednesday Nights 07/02/10 07/13/10 07/21/10 07/31/10 08/18/10
Fat Boyz Latitude 41 Saylorville Marina Knoxville Bike Nite July *Porkey’s Presents Thunder Roads Biker Babe Contest Roar Into Harlan Bike Nights 6-10pm East Village Bike Night Roar Into Harlan Bike Nights 6-10pm
Grimes Johnston Knoxville, Des Moines Harlan Des Moines Harlan
IA IA IA IA IA IA IA
06/26/10 6/30/2010-7/02/2010 07/01/10-07/03/10 07/01/10-07/03/10 07/01/10-07/03/10 07/02/10 07/10/10 07/11/10 07/10/10-07/10/10 07/16/10-07/17/10 07/17/10-07/17/10 07/17/10 07/18/10 07/24/10 07/25/10 08/12/10-08/15/10 08/19/10-08/21/10 8/20/2010-8/22/2010 08/21/10 08/21/10 08/22/10 08/28/10 08/28/10 08/29/10 09/02/10-09/05/10 09/10/10-09/12/10 09/18/10 09/19/10 09/24/10 09/25/10 09/26/10-09/26/10 12/11/10
Ride it Out for Amber Wing Ding 32 ABATE of Iowa Freedom Rally Circle of Pride MC Independence Day GWRRA WING DING Knoxville Bike Nite Jul (# 15352) Cedar Rapids Moose Riders Benefit Poker Run -3rd annual MotorClothes Department Ride GFD Poker Run- 2nd Annual Iowa H.O.G. Rally Freedom Fighter’s MC Rodeo and Ride-In Bike Show ABATE Patriot Ride Haver Hill Social Club 641-475-3321 Fun Run for Blank Children’s Hospital Cancer Center J&P Cycles Motorcycle Parts Swap Meet Across the Border Raid Bike Rally Hawgstock 6th Annual BTW Trike In American Victory Rally *9th Annual Hemophilia Poker Ride At Papa Joes Haver Hill Social Club 641-475-3321 Harley 2011 Rollout NEW! Tour De Dubuque Adams Cycle Fun Run Thunder In The Sand Davis Motorcycle Rally AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Haver Hill Social Club 641-475-3321 Fall Fest - Silver Eagle Harley-Davidson Roosters Harley-Davidson - New Model Open House Walnecks Swap Meet Christmas Open House - Roosters Harley-Davidson
Indianola IA Des Moines IA Algona IA Conesville IA Des Moines IA Knoxville, IA Cedar Rapids IA Waterloo IA Garrison IA Waterloo IA Missouri Valley IA Quasqueton IA Haver Hill IA Newton IA Anamosa IA Bedford IA Winterset IA Kellogg IA Spirit Lake IA Missouri Valley IA Haver Hill IA Coralville IA Dubuque IA Nevada IA Conesville IA New Hampton IA Knoxville IA Haver Hill IA Waterloo IA Sioux City IA Martinsville IA Sioux City IA
If your event isn’t listed, you didn’t let us know in time! If you have an event that you would like listed on this page e-mail the info to events@thunderroadsiowa.com You can also call us at (712) 249=5582 or visit our website at www.thunderroadsiowa.com All events must be submitted by the 15th of the month prior to the following issue. All dates are subject to change, please check with venue before traveling to confirm. Thunder Roads Magazine 14
Like most of you, our son loves bikes. As a kid, he had a dirt bike that he rode and repaired repeatedly, but he let it be known that some day he would own a Harley. One summer evening, when he was 18 or so, he showed up at home with a funny grin on his face. “I bought a Harley,” he said off-handedly, like he hadn’t been dreaming about this for half his life. “I brought it over in case you’d want to see it.” Did we ever! His dad and I jumped to our feet and hustled out to the driveway. I looked around, puzzled. Nothing there but a couple of big boxes full of bike parts. Uh oh. “Sportster. 883. Lowered. I talked the guy down under $4,000,” our son said proudly. “He said it wouldn’t take much to get ‘er running again.” I searched my mind wildly for something positive to say. “Uh, nice gas tank,” I finally came up with. What I was really thinking was something more along the lines of “Are you crazy? You roofed houses and worked 16hour days to save up for this? Did you spend too much time out in the hot sun?” Before a month had gone by he had the bike running. That was eight years ago and he has ridden that same bike over every highway and back road in our neck of the woods, to rallies, and even has taken a trip to Sturgis with us where we roamed from Needles Highway to Spearfish Canyon and to every other place we could hit in five days. Naturally, the bike has required oil changes and tune-ups as well as tweaking this and chroming that. But he’d be crazy not to take care of a bike that he sacrificed so much money to purchase and so much time to work on. In a way, our stories are like the bike story. Someone named God made a big sacrifice for our lives when we were in a pretty sorry state by sending His son Jesus as a lifepayment for us. Someone named God said he could get us running again. Some of us were in such bad shape that our own mothers weren’t sure we were fixable! Some of us have been bought and re-built, but are ashamed that we’ve needed to have our oil changed and our chains tightened. We need to understand that if God sacrificed so much for us to begin with, He will certainly take care of our repairs and tune-ups during the rest of our time together. Romans 5:8 says it this way: “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” I don’t know about you, but it’s a huge relief to know that in spite of all the times I may leak oil or break down on the highway of life, there’s still a place in God’s garage for me. Blessings, Karla Mark and Karla Cornick are Area Reps with the Christian Motorcyclists Association. Find our more about CMA and God’s plan for you at www.cmausa.org. Thunder Roads Magazine 15
Carroll Cycle Center Rock N Ride On June 5th, the crew at CCC held their annual Rock N Ride event. The event is a blast every year, and this year was no exception. The weather for this event, and many more in Iowa in June was less than spectacular, but the crowd still had a blast. Many people enjoyed the demo rides, bands, food, and just being able to be out and about on the bikes with friends.
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100 Ryderz Motorcycle Club Des Moines, Iowa In August of 2008, a group of local Des Moines area riders founded this club that is now 15 members strong in Des Moines, with another branch chapter in Savannah, Georgia with another handful of members. The group is made up professionals and trades people that include Lawyers, teachers, construction specialists, and quite a few military personnel both active and veteran. The group has been around the block enough to know that they need to keep on the right path and that there is so much more to life than the day to day grind. They wanted to “keep it real” and that is where their name came from. 100 is slang for “keepin’ it real” and the 100 Ryderz are doing their best to live up to their name. To be real, to stay true, and to be genuine is the battle cry of the club. They ride, play, and hang out together but also have a purpose together larger than themselves individually. This club hosts and supports countless endeavors for the community every year. They do things to help out those in need around Thanksgiving, they held a canned goods drive again this June at Fender’s Cycle to benefit area Church food pantries, as well as mentoring programs such as Big Brother and Big Sister. They are always looking for fun stuff to do that integrates their love of motorcycles and riding with awareness of and helping out local causes. They started out as a sport bike club, but are now open to any and all types of motorcycles, as well as open to all sorts of people. This diverse group in background and professions hopes to make the group grow even more. Their next big event is their 2nd Annual Party in Des Moines on July 24th. All are welcome to this event that last year gathered hundreds of bikes and even more people. This year will be even bigger and you can find them at Destination Lounge on 1101 East Army Post Rd from 9pm to 2am. Cook out will be provided by Joeseppi’s with the Holiday Inn on 6th being the host hotel. For more information on the club, or on the 2nd Annual Party check out www.myspace.com/100ryderzmc or email 100ryderzmc@gmail.com
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IOWA
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News Bytes MYRTLE BEACH HELMET LAW OVERRULED The South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously ruled Myrtle Beach’s motorcycle helmet law is invalid because it conflicts with state law and said there is an overriding need for uniform laws across the state. In its ruling, issued June 8, 2010, the court invalidates not only the city’s helmet and eyewear requirement, but also overturned several other municipal ordinances that the city council enacted last year to discourage motorcyclists from attending bike rallies there. The high court decision was in response to a lawsuit filed on behalf of 49 riders who were ticketed during a helmet law protest ride on the first day of the new law, being represented by Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) attorney Tom McGrath of Virginia. Testifying before the bench, McGrath argued that the ordinance was invalid because it pre-empted state law, which provides that anyone over the age of 21 is not required to wear a helmet. The S.C. Supreme Court agreed, adding that conflicting equipment requirements would “unduly limit a citizen’s freedom of movement” throughout the state; “Were local authorities allowed to enforce individual helmet ordinances, riders would need to familiarize themselves with the various ordinances in advance of a trip, so as to ensure compliance.” According to McGrath, the favorable ruling is important because it “sets a precedent by saying that cities, counties and towns cannot supersede state law. Where the state legislature has spoken on an issue, it’s the final word.” Although the ruling dealt specifically with the helmet-eyewear law, the court also found that the city impliedly repealed many of the new laws itself when it repealed its own administrative court ordinance after the court’s chief justices opined that the creation of a special courts system was unconstitutional. As a result, “All the civil ordinances got tossed because there is no administrative hearing process to resolve the citations,” explains McGrath. Only the ordinances involving misdemeanor violations remain in effect in Myrtle Beach, but those include an onerous exhaust ordinance that is far stricter than that enacted by the state legislature. Therefore, on Tuesday, June 15, The Law Offices of Tom McGrath filed suit on behalf of several plaintiffs including ABATE of South Carolina, asking the 15th Judicial Circuit Court to find the muffler ordinance to be unconstitutional and therefore invalid. A successful challenge could affect other cities enacting noise laws and exhaust requirements that are not in accordance with existing state laws. HELMETS STINK Helmet LAWS Suck, but new technology can make helmets smelly too! Helmet manufacturers inform buyers that they should replace their helmet every couple of years because miniscule cracks can develop over time rendering them structurally unsound, or to discard a helmet immediately if it is involved in an accident or even dropped. It’s sometimes difficult to determine with the naked eye when a helmet loses its effectiveness, but researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials in Germany have developed a way for your nose to tell when your lid has outlived
its usefulness. When your helmet is getting past its prime, it will start to smell. If it develops any large cracks... well, your nose knows. The secret lies in odoriferous oils, enclosed in formaldehyde resin microcapsules. These microcapsules are in turn added to liquid polypropylene, which is injection-molded to form the shell of the helmet. When the shell breaks, the capsules rupture, and stinking ensues. The Fraunhofer researchers used a computer simulation to calculate the number of capsules needed, then used mechanical testing to check that they would rupture shortly before complete structural failure. “Smell detection is already in use for coated metal components. We are applying the process for the first time to polymer materials,” stated Fraunhofer’s Dr.-Ing. Christof Koplin. “The cycle helmet is being used as a demonstrator. Work on the capsules has finished and we are now completing characterizing tests on individual configurations.” Possible other applications could include pressure hoses, and water and gas pipes. U.S. DEFENDERS ASK JUDGE TO SEND MANSLAUGHTER CASE TO TRIAL A state district judge in Texas has rejected a plea bargain that would have placed a blind woman on deferred probation in the traffic death of motorcyclist. Judge Ralph Strother of Waco’s 19th State District Court refused to accept the plea deal in a felony manslaughter case that involves a vision-impaired 39-year-old who was driving without a license and was cited at least twice before for the same offense. The U.S. Defenders, a politically-active arm of the Confederation of Clubs, conducted a “Call to Action” and Judge Strother’s office was inundated with 1,200 letters from motorcycle enthusiasts who urged him not to accept the prosecutor’s recommended plea deal. Trena Evette Mitchell, who is legally blind and had four children in her car when she turned in front of Richard Craig Schroeder’s motorcycle last December as he was returning from a toy run, withdrew her guilty plea and her case is now set to go to trial in mid-August. Mitchell had been scheduled for sentencing in late July, but the judge moved up her case after more than a thousand motorcyclists said they would ride to the courthouse to show support for Schroeder, known as “Hat Trick” to his biker friends. “Last year we worked with the legislature to net a minimum fine for those who injure or kill an innocent party by encroaching on their right of way,” said Sputnik, State Chair for the Texas Motorcycle Rights Association (TMRA-2) and Chairman of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists’ Legislative Task Force (NCOM-LTF). “We did not receive a single no vote in the House or Senate on SB 1967. Unfortunately we did not take into consideration a Plea Bargain where they could be given adjudication and end up not being found guilty. It is apparent that we shall have to return to the bill’s sponsor Senator Carona and reconstruct SB 1967 during the upcoming session to make allowances for such an occurrence.” ABATE OF FLORIDA RECEIVES STATE FUNDING FOR MOTORCYCLE SAFETY
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News Bytes As Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed the 2010-2011 Florida Budget (HB 5001) into law on May 28, ABATE of Florida will receive a quarter of a million dollars specifically to promote motorcycle safety and awareness. “The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles recognized ABATE of Florida for our continuing work attempting to make the roadways of Florida safer for all motorcyclists,” said James “Doc” Reichenbach II, President of ABATE of Florida, Inc., and Chairman of the NCOM Board of Directors in a prepared statement. The exact wording from the state budget’s “CONTRACTED SERVICES FROM HIGHWAY SAFETY OPERATING TRUST FUND” reads; “From the funds in Specific Appropriation 2735, nonrecurring funds in the amount of $250,000 are for the purpose of promoting motorcycle safety awareness through public information and educational campaigns. These funds are provided to the American Bikers Aiming Toward Education of Florida, Inc.” This is not the first time that ABATE of Florida has received state funding from the DHSMV. Over the last few years, the state government has recognized ABATE’s valuable Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Program (MSAP) for saving lives of motorcyclists statewide. ABATE’s MSAP program has been presented to local civic groups, schools and public events by 32 ABATE chapters statewide, and an independent audit is provided to ensure that the funds are utilized to enhance motorcycle safety education. SURVEY REVEALS MOTORCYCLE SAFETY PRACTICES Consumer Report’s latest survey reveals the safety habits of motorcycle and scooter owners across the U.S. A little over half of more than 1,300 respondents said they had taken a formal riding instruction course. Nearly 1 in 4 said they don’t always wear a helmet when they ride. Half of the respondents reported regularly wearing protective boots, and less than half said they regularly wear gloves. About 25% said they always wear a leather, or other protective jacket when riding. Fewer than 10% always wear protective pants or clothing in high-visibility colors. Three out of five riders admitted to riding in a short-sleeved shirt, and about a quarter said they rode in shorts. MOTORCYCLE-ONLY CHECKPOINTS CHALLENGED Since 2007, the New York State Police, along with other county and local police departments, have been conducting motorcycle-only police checkpoints on the roadways of New York State, often targeting major motorcycle events. Authorities claim that the purpose of these stops, at which they issue numerous tickets for helmet and exhaust pipe violations, is to advance motorcycle safety. “Being a motorcycle rider myself, as well as the Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) Attorney for New York State, I was asked by ABATE of New York to contest this infringement on the rights of motorcyclists,” said Mitch Proner, who then advised the State Police and municipal authorities of his intent to file suit on behalf of ABATE and the National Coalition of Motorcyclists if the discriminatory roadblocks continued. “My letter was ignored and consequently, with the help of then-President of
ABATE, Robert “Prospector” Boellner, I found class representatives to bring my action against the New York State Police as well as the other municipal agencies and elected officials participating in these stops,” explains Proner. In the first lawsuit of its kind in the United States, the NYC law firm of Proner and Proner is challenging the constitutionality of this unwarranted police action on First, Fourth, Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment grounds in the Federal Court for Northern District of New York. “The United States Supreme Court has long recognized that when a motorist is stopped on the roadway, there is a ‘seizure’ under the Constitution,” Proner notes, adding that “Whether or not this ‘seizure’ is unconstitutional depends on whether or not objective facts indicate that society’s legitimate interests warrant the seizure and the degree to which it intrudes on the individual’s personal liberties.” Although the lawsuit is still in the discovery stages, internal memorandum which police have been forced to disclose as result of the lawsuit indicate that members of the NYS gang unit are assigned to work the checkpoints and Proner thinks the Court will agree that the stops are designed primarily for law enforcement purposes as opposed to public safety purposes. “Rather than promoting any legitimate public safety concern, the checkpoints are intended to harass and intimidate motorcyclists attempting to attend motorcycle events thereby depriving them of their First Amendment right to freedom of assembly as well as their Fourth, Fifth and Fourteenth Amendment rights to due process, equal protection and freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures” he concludes. WEIRD NEWS: WOMAN FINED FOR “NOT HAVING A CLEAR FIELD OF VISION” A woman driver wearing an Islamic face veil was ticketed by French traffic police for not having a clear field of vision. The 31-year-old French citizen was fined euro22 ($29) in early April based on a rule that says drivers should have freedom of movement and a sufficient field of vision, her lawyer Jean-Michel Pollono said. Pollono told reporters that he is protesting the decision, saying a veil is no different from a motorcycle helmet in terms of hindrance to vision; “If the veil is forbidden behind the wheel…then full helmets for motorcyclists should be banned, because you can’t see on the sides.” Following months of parliamentary discussion and government talk about banning veils in public, the case has escalated in the media spotlight. The woman’s husband has since been accused of polygamy and fraudulently benefiting from state financial aid for single parents paid to each of his four wives -- all of whom wear veils. QUOTABLE QUOTE: “Patriotism is easy to understand in America; it means looking out for yourself by looking out for your country.” Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933), Thirteenth President of the United States
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We can’t control the weather when we plan these rides so I’ve had to adopt the phrase a good friend of mine uses in such situations… “It is what it is!” I used that phrase a lot this past weekend as the weather showed no signs of cooperating with the riding schedule. When I was asked by a potential attendee what the rain date would be I answered, “We have people riding in from 3 states and maybe more. Reservations have been made, there will be no rain date… just rain gear!” The afternoon of Friday June 11th found my wife, Lynnette and I deeply involved in final preparations to head out for our annual Iowa Ride In. This is a yearly ride that I, along with the help of many close friends and family, have been putting on for 3 years now. The first 2 years this ride in was based from my home with everyone from outside the area finding their own accommodations. This was the first year we decided to have this at a remote location and make it a multi-day event.
the last two confirmed attendees arrived, Cameron and Kelsey and we all saddled up to head out to supper. I had selected our Friday night supper stop using my most trusted criteria for selection… my gut. While we were out in the area selecting and pre-riding routes I noticed this small, nondescript eating joint as we passed it, called Quick Rick’s Rib Joint. It looked to be an old ice cream shop remade into a BBQ place. Past experience has taught me that often the best food is found in the most unlikely of places and this was no different! I had called ahead to inquire as to the seating capacity of the establishment and the owner told me they normally can seat 25 but given a little notice they can rearrange to seat up to 30. I felt that should fit our needs perfectly! The only word that comes to mind to describe the food there is WOW! Although all kinds of BBQ fare are available there the specialty, as noted by the name of the establishment, is ribs. Ordering the rib special will get you a plate with a generous helping of baked beans, a generous helping of potato salad and a half rack of baby back ribs that literally fall off the bone! Add to that a beverage, I chose lemonade which was also delicious, and you have a meal fit for a king! After gorging ourselves with the wonderful BBQ we head-
the optimist. Our route was to take us on a wandering path through the Loess Hills up to Ida Grove for our lunch stop. We pulled out of the motel and before we could get out of town we found that the night’s storm had left us navigating standing water in intersections and slippery mud along the curbs of the streets. This should be interesting! Once we made it outside of town the roads were much better and in fact, overall, the roads were excellent all day. The storm had, on occasion, washed some gravel onto the road in some of the curves requiring an increased amount of attentiveness in those areas but that was to be expected. All in all the roads were clear and made for great riding. If you ever have the opportunity to come ride the Loess Hills area of Iowa you will not be disappointed! The roads were great, the scenery was spectacular, and it is truly a region that is meant to be enjoyed! If there are any C.W. McCall fans out there you will be interested to know we went through Pisgah and even saw The Old Home Fill ‘er Up and Keep On A Truckin’ Café! We made a fuel and potty stop in Dunlap although I don’t think anyone fueled up. The main activity that was taking place was the removal and stowing of rain gear. You see, the rain had never come and now the sun was threatening
come highly recommended! This is where Tom parted ways with us and headed back home to Ida Grove and we continued south to Missouri Valley. We passed through Pisgah a second time and travelled east on F20 for about 3 or 4 miles to a county road called L23. This road is one of the Loess Hills Scenic Byways and should be ridden if you have the chance. This road took us south, through some of the most beautiful Iowa country side I have ever seen, to the little town of Magnolia (I kept calling it Mongolia and my wife kept informing me that is a different country, darn intercoms anyway!) and then it continues south where it took us back into Missouri Valley. It was a wonderful day’s ride and the weather turned out to be fantastic! The sun came out yet the temperature remained mild. Once back at the motel we had about one and a half hours to kill until the supper ride. Some went to their rooms to nap; most went to the front porch. When the time came we saddled up for our supper run which was a short run into Nebraska and North Omaha to Golden Corral. What a spectacular buffet they prepare there! There is truly something for everyone being served. The rain clouds remained at a distance but we decided not to tempt fate so we took the interstate back to the motel to save time.
After completion of packing and loading the trailer all we had left to do was wait for the arrival of friends T.P., Nancy and Paul that were attending from Minnesota. They were running a little late due to delaying their departure an hour to wait out a rainstorm. Our departure time target was 4 PM, after greetings, a quick swing arm bearing adjustment on T.P.’s bike and an even quicker discussion of our intended route, we were on our way. Actual departure time: 4:07… not bad, the Minnesota crew must have picked up the pace! We rode Hwy 44 all the way to Hwy 30 which we took into Missouri Valley, IA and our motel there, the Oak Tree Inn. This was to be our base for the weekend. The staff there was very accommodating and very friendly. The office of the motel is located in Penny’s Diner which is a 24 Hour restaurant that shares the motel parking lot. Just stepping into Penny’s is like going back in time; it’s designed in a retro theme reminiscent of the old soda shops. Included with your room is a coupon for breakfast at Penny’s. I would recommend this as a preferred place to stay if in the Missouri Valley, IA area. When we arrived we found most of the group already there; Robert and Terry, Kevin and Jody, Jim and Sandy, Fuzzy, and Hoser. After we finished checking into the motel
ed back to the motel and to Penny’s to sample the desert choices available to us there. We were not disappointed! Ice cream, Shakes, Malts, Smoothies, Homemade Apple, Cherry and Peach pies, something for everyone! Now that everyone’s tummies were full it was time to find some place to hang out for the evening. We discovered that the motel has a front porch, complete with rocking chairs, designed specifically for such endeavors. This was to become the hang-out spot for the down times during the entire weekend. During the night, Friday night, we had a bit of a storm blow through. Fortunately nothing strong but enough rain to make those who had put on their bike covers glad they had and those who hadn’t wish they did. Saturday morning the sky looked threatening and the discussion during breakfast at Penny’s was centered around whether or not to push the ride back an hour or two to see what the weather was going to do. I fell back to my saying, “It is what it is.” The ride will begin as planned unless the wind and rain make it unsafe and then we will postpone the start. After breakfast most people began donning their rain suits, since it was a little cool my wife and I did put on our jackets but our rain gear stayed in the saddlebag. I’m ever
to bake all the rain suit clad riders! “It is what it is.” We arrived in Ida Grove and made a fuel stop before going to our intended lunch stop at Pizza Hut. You may think that having Pizza Hut as our lunch stop was kind of a commercial copout but this is no ordinary Pizza Hut, This one is built on a pond that is the home to numerous geese! The food there is the standard Pizza Hut fare but the ambiance is what makes it special! We were met there by Tom who joined us for lunch and rode with us for a while in the afternoon. If you have never been to Ida Grove, IA it is a neat town that has a castle theme going on. After eating we went to the skating rink that is built like a castle for a group photo and then spent some time cruising around town looking at the castle themed businesses and homes. From Ida Grove we set our compasses south and began, once again, meandering in and around the Loess Hills. Among the many small towns we passed through on our journey we made a stop in Moorhead, IA where they have a wonderful little ice cream shop. It’s right across from the fire station at the 3-way stop. As you have probably figured out by now we could never pass up the opportunity for ice cream! It was well worth the stop and their banana splits
Sunday morning once again found us gathered at Penny’s for breakfast, did I mention the food there was great? The radar looked terrible, there was rain in every direction and although we had left Sunday open for doing some short rides to museums, etc., we decided that given the weather it would probably be best if we just headed for home. Once again we loaded up and departed our separate ways for our individual destinations. Some were headed home, some were headed to other relatives, others were headed out… just out. Lynnette and I and Rob and Terry elected to take the interstate home to try to beat the rain. Rob and Terry made it home dry; we ran into light rain about 20 miles from home and stayed in it the rest of the way. T.P. and Nancy ran into a storm on their way home to Minnesota complete with heavy rain and hail. Kevin and Jodi got sprinkled on as they got home. I haven’t heard from the others but pray that they all made their destinations safe and dry and will make it back home again the same way.
Iowa Ride-In 2010 June 11th-13th
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“It is what it is!” Craig Little (Kamikaze VRCC# 23542)
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Sturgis 2010 Directory If you’re looking for a place to stay at Sturgis 2010 during the 70th Anniversary Event be sure to reserve your spot now. Check out these great places and tell them you found them in Thunder Roads. Sturgis 2010 is from August 9th15th, 2010. For more information, go to www.sturgis.com. Bulldog Campground I-90 Exit 37 (none traffic side of Sturgis) 21120 Pleasant Valley Drive Sturgis, SD 57785 877.285.5364 (877.Bulldog) 605-347-8000 Open June 1 - September 15 bulldogresort@aol.com Iron Horse Campground 20446 State Hwy 79 Sturgis, SD 57785 877-700-4766 605-596-4237 www.ironhorsecampground.com ironhorse@sturgiscamping.com Tilford Gulch Campground 13157 Deer Meadow Rd Piedmont, SD 57769 1-800-9495 Pin 1523 605-787-5573 camping@tilfordgulch.com www.tilfordgulch.com Open July 25- Aug. 20
No Name City RV & Cabins 20899 Pleasant Valley Dr. (I 90 Exit 34) Sturgis, SD 57785 605-347-9169 camping@nonamecity.com www.sturgiscamping.com Chris RV Park Campground 701 Christenson Dr. Spearfish, SD 57783 605-642-2239 605-642-2224 chriscamp@blackhills.com www.blackhills.com/chriscampground/ Open May- Oct. Custer Cross Campground 22036 US Hwy 385 Duckmond, SD 57922 605-584-1009 custer@blackhills.com Days End Campground 2501 Avalanche Road Sturgis, SD 57785 (605) 347-2331 (800) 597-2417 www.daysendcampground.com Walking Distance to Downtown Mainstreet
A Family Inn 3737 Sturgis Rd Rapid City, SD 57702 605-342-2892 kitty@rushmore.com www.blackasmenos.com Katmandu RV Park/Campground 12927 Katmandu Lane Sturgis, SD 57785 866-776-0758 driggs@blackhills.com www.katmanducampground.com Open July 1 – Sept. 1 Thunder Roads Magazine 26
Elkview Campground 13014 Pleasant Valley Rd Sturgis, SD 57785 605-347-7620 877-478-5160 elkview@rapidwet.com www.elkviewcampground.com Open May 1 – Oct. 30
Sturgis View Campground I-90 Exit 30 (Sturgis - Deadwood exit) 20497 Avalanche Road Sturgis, SD 57785 Office & Reservations 715-425-9057 Sturgis Office (Only During Rally) 605-347-6338 sturgisview@comcast.net www.sturgisviewcampground.com Open August 2- 16, 2010 Tell them Thunder Roads sent you!!!
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Rambling Along the River First things first. Congratulations to TT & Vernon on their new baby, Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa! May you both enjoy the years to come as you watch your baby grow. I have to thank you for letting me be apart of your baby’s growth. Some of you might know of me already from my writings over the past few years or from the events I host or visit promoting motorcycle events. I look forward to sharing with you the places and the people I meet along the way and the events here in the Heartland that my traveling takes me Out-N-About as I Ramble, Along the River. Things are starting to heat up and NOT from any global warming, although the global warming ISSUE may have helped fuel things. (Was that a pun? Well pardon me!) After chatting with some of the A.B.A.T.E. groups in this area I found out that many of them are having an increase in new members. When asked if they thought it was due to politics, mostly cited it was due to our current political climate. It seems people are getting active due to the way we have been governed and how that governing has becoming more controlling, while costing more with fewer services. I hope it is because they have realized we all have a duty and responsibility as citizens to be stewards. When was the last time you read any of the U.S. Constitution? I will get back to you after you have time to read it. That means you have a month to get it done.
Cruisin’ for St. Jude’s Ride Winterset, Iowa In 2009 Jeff Strong from Country Cycle in Winterset was contacted by St. Jude’s about sponsoring a bike event. He, Vicki Roberts, and Judy Clark organized the first annual St. Jude’s ride out of Winterset. The first year garnered a couple dozen bikes, and raised just about $3,000 for the hospital. This year on May 22nd, they held the second running of the event. They gathered at Winterset at Country Cycles, and then headed out as a group to stops in Martinsdale, Truro, Arispe, Creston, Maxburg, and then back to the Little Dublin Irish Pub in Winterset. The benefit ride and poker run were to raise funds for the cause, and to have some fun riding with new and old friends. Thanks to Nancy for snapping some pictures of the day’s events. Keep this event on your radar for next May as it is sure to grow every year.
The many local Bike Nites are in full swing and the benefit runs have been rolling. Speaking of Bike Nites the MidWest’s largest “Bike Down To I Town” in the historic Downtown of Indianola, Iowa has already seen half of the six monthly Bike Nites held 3rd Friday of April to September. This event has increased in size this year with a new area for vendors, more Bike parking and a larger portable stage which the great local bands fill with music that entertains and gets the crowd, of all ages from zero to ???, dancing all evening long. This is truly a town event, motorcycle riders and true enthusiasts are not the only ones to attend. Having had the opportunity to chat with a large number of people and found quite a few of them that didn’t have nor wish to have a motorcycle. They were just there to see the bikes, enjoy an evening out with others and eat some great food from the many vendors and restaurants. Pretty cool stuff if you think about it. Regular folks enjoying the same town square all from different walks of life. You don’t want to miss the next one this month Friday the 16th I will be there looking for the farthest rider so let me know how far you rode and if you beat my 198 miles. Ok not the same since I have to drive and not ride. Here are a few of the up coming events. September 24 & 25 is the Tri-State Rendezvous being held on the Iron Horse Bike & Music Festival grounds in Sabula, Iowa. If you know where Savanna, IL is then all you have to do is cross the Mississippi River into Iowa and within a few minutes you will be there. Or head north from Clinton Iowa. They will be giving away the huge cash prizes for the Summer Fun Run. This is a 21 and over event. Check out the Big River IL A.B.A.T.E website for more info www.abate-il.org/bigriver Bike Down to I Town Bike Nite in Indianola, Iowa (south of Des Monies 25 miles).Held the 3rd Friday of the month (April to September). This is the Mid-West’s largest! Now this is a Bike Nite where you can check out a few thousand motorcycles of every make & model! This family geared event has vendors, food from both local and traveling restaurants and great live music. www.bikedowntoitown.com Two events will be taking place in Conesville, Iowa. July 1,2,3 and then September 1 – 5. These are most definitely 21and over events. They have the “B’s” covered from beer, babes, bikes, bands and beyond. Don’t forget the drag racing with some very serious racers going all out. On the web at www.circleofpridemc.com Until the next time Ride Safe-N-Strong and cherish your freedoms! Gery Schemel gery@gmaxpro.com
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Bikers at an Elementary School? Hell Yeah!
The Hillis Elementary School in Des Moines had a spring program of riding bicycles to school. The initiative was to spur additional fitness and fun all at the same time for the children. The program at the school got a shot in the arm when Principal Sloan spoke with a student’s parents that ride a different kind of “bike�. She thought that the children may enjoy meeting another kind of biker and the idea was to have a bike show for the kids, and allow those that ride bikes with motors, and those without motors, to meet. Michelle and Kyle Bright are the parents of Michael Bright, a fourth grade student at Hillis. They are also members of the American Legion Riders Urbandale Post 663, and were thrilled to be able to offer something unique for the children at Hillis Elementary. They gathered some of their other Legion Riders, and headed to the school playground before classes on May 21st. Despite the cold and rain, over a dozen bikers showed up to help out with the event. After the bikes had cooled and safe to mount, the kids were turned loose to sit on, honk horns, ask questions about, and just chat and meet with the group of bikers. It was hard to tell who had more fun though, the children, the bikers, or the school staff. The event was a great success, and plans are in the works to repeat the event next year. The American Legion Riders were glad to participate in something to keep the children interested in biking. This is one of the many rides that the American Legion Riders sponsors or help with every year. This group is a branch of the American Legion, and includes Veteran motorcycle riders. This group is no stranger to serving, as all have served active military duty. Their mind for service obviously did not end at the end of their military careers though, as evidenced by the actions of these groups. The school event, escorting Veterans to the races in Newton, participating in parades, escorting fallen soldiers, and volunteering at the VA hospital are among the many things that these folks do in their communities. If you see them out and about, give them a thumbs up, or even shake their hand and thank them for their continued service.
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South 40 Rally The Iowa weather can be great, and it can be a real downer, but for the first South 40 Rally outside of Van Wert, it had some of both. The stage was set, literally, for an awesome party, but the Iowa June weather pulled a number and kept dropping some wet stuff. The moisture did not stop avid bikers who like to party though. Those that came had a great time with friends, meeting new people, and listening to some awesome bands. Thanks to the South 40 crew, see ya’ all next year!
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Backwoods Bash Pictures and Information from Annette Murphy The Backwoods Bash was held on May 29th just off of Highway 6 between Dexter and Redfield. The event was held at Dave’s place, aka the Backwoods, and included 8 different bands and everyone had a blast. Bikes, bands, beer, and friends? What more could anyone ask for?