thunder roads virginia magazine - september '07

THUNDER ROADS MAGAZINE 2

1920 Centerville Turnpike, Suite 117-270 Virginia Beach, VA 23464

Offi ce phone: (757) 831-2264 Email:[email protected]

Website: www.thunderroads-virginia.com

OWNER / EDITOR SALES:

Kelly Werrell

Special Thanks to: Warren Ells - our wonderfully talented layout guy who designs our pages & puts all the pieces together for us each month, Rod The Magnifi cent - for his killer ad designs & Troy Uhl, our webmaster, who keeps our site rockin on the web. Also many thanks to all of our readers, advertisers & those of you out there that spread the word or pass a magazine to a friend who’s

never heard of us before - You ALL are what keeps the Thunder rolling through the Mid-Atlantic!

Warren Ells, Art DirectorThunder Publishing

[email protected]

Layout & Design

Correspondents

On Eagle’s Wings Writers

Garth [email protected](540) 234-9120 or (540) 746-0747

Reverend Rock Rick Saunders

Mid-Atlantic Thunder RoadsMid-Atlantic Thunder Roads

Sales / Correspondents

Beth Albert - Sales [email protected]

Phone: cell (804) 536-1299 offi ce (804) 265-5166

Thunder Roads Crew

WEBMASTER [email protected]

Rod the Magnifi centAd Design

Mic [email protected]

(434) 258-9171

Ed & Faye [email protected]

(757) 871-8840 - Ed(757) 871-8839 - Faye

Lorree & Randy Kidder [email protected]

(304) 268-3719

MySpace Manager: Stacie Bennett

Bo Albert Cindy Mease

Tim Wilmoth Ricky Derby

Matt Allan Dave Sutton

Cathy “Bzgal” Clare Chris “Tigger” Rockhill

SOUNDCHECK

DeAna Borza [email protected]

(804) 698-9627

BZgal, Tigger & Apehanger

LETTER FROM THE EDITORWhat an incredible summer it’s been – we couldn’t have

asked for nicer riding weather, even though we did have a few storms & killer hot days…all in all, it was pretty darn good! The kids are all back in school now & those of you who have youngins can breathe a little easier during the daytime now. As we roll into the Fall months, you’d think that the rides would slow down a bit…NOT! The calendar keeps packing them in so if you didn’t get to ride much over the past few months, you’ll defi nitely get your chance as the temps start to ease up & the crazy schedules level out somewhat.

As I’d mentioned last month, Thunder Roads has dedicated the month of October as Biker Appreciation Month, affectionately known as – “B.A.M.!”. This was started to encourage the communities to show their appreciation to the riders of our region for all that they do throughout the year to help others. If you look in any motorcycle calendar of events, online or in a magazine somewhere, you’ll see that nearly every weekend of every month of the year, has a fundraising event of some sort scheduled to raise money for those in need. Our biking friends spend a lot of their hard earned money each year & make many personal sacrifi ces, hosting & participating in these types of events. I’ve been keeping my eyes open all year long, watching to see if anyone would ever come up with some sort of “thank you” to those who give so much of themselves throughout the year – YOU, the riders. Well, I haven’t seen a thing, so we’re going to get something started that we’re hoping to take off like wild fi re & will become sort of an annual “Biker Holiday” month. To get things kicked off, “B.A.M.” will offi cially be born the Fall of 2007 in the month of October with the motto – THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO! We are encouraging all Biker Friendly businesses & organizations to do “something” for the Bikers within that month, whether it be a Biker Night, specials on food or drinks, discounts on their services or goods within their shops or just whatever they could offer to send a message of thanks. We’re really hoping that the word will spread quickly & that you all will have a little something special to enjoy in October from those who really appreciate all that Bikers do to make the world a better place. Hey, we’re kicking it off here in the Mid-Atlantic & hoping that other states will jump onboard as well.

We’ll be down in Myrtle Beach for the Fall rally with our Corporate Owners/Founders, Toni & Brian Shearon along with some of our fellow Thunder Roads Magazine owners & staff from across the U.S. It should be a cool time & we’d love to see you stop by – maybe even go for a ride too.

We all wish you much love in your hearts, peace in your lives and all the wind in your faces that you can stand! Be safe out there & we’ll see you soon!

Kelly

CALENDAR OF EVENTS...............................................4

PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN.................................6

HOT SHOTS...................................................................16

TITTS (TAKIN’ IT TO THE STREETS)..............................36

THE JOKER’S WILD....................................................38

BIKER FRIENDLY DIRECTORY................................42

ON EAGLES WINGS...................................................50

CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS.....................................53

NATIONAL FOUNDERSToni McCoy Shearon & Brian Shearon

1421 Chapmansboro RoadChapmansboro, TN 37035

Offi ce: 615-792-0040 Fax: 615-792-7580e-mail: [email protected]

© THUNDER ROADS MAGAZINE IS PUBLISHED MONTHLY BY THUNDER PUBLISHING. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NO PART OF ITS CONTENT MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION. PUBLISHER ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY AND IS NOT TO BE HELD LIABLE FOR ERRORS BEYOND THE COST OF THE SPACE OC-CUPIED BY THE ERROR, SLANDER OF ANY GROUP OR INDIVIDUAL, FAILURE TO PRODUCE ANY ISSUE AS SCHEDULED DUE TO REA-SONS 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 MAGAZINE OR THUNDER PUBLISHING. PUBLISHER DOES NOT PROMOTE THE ABUSE OF ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUGS.


If you’d like your event listed in our calendar, please drop us a line @ [email protected]. Be sure to list your event in the subject line & then type in the body of the email, exactly how you’d like your event to appear (date, name of event, city/state taking place in & all the particulars). Our deadlines are the 15th of each month for the following month’s issue. It’s never too early to send them in so as soon as you have all of your info…send it on!

SEPTEMBER 2007

Aug 31st, Sept 1st & 2nd

7th Annual Outer Banks Bike Show – Grandy, NC Friday – Biker Steak dinner special, Welcome party, Burnout contest, Tattoo contest, Music by Triple Shot. Saturday – Bikes Breakfast Buffet, Poker Run registration begins at 10am – largest purse in the state $5000, Slow Ride at 2pm, Live Band. Sunday – Bikes Breakfast Buffet, Bike Show registration begins 10am. 12 classes - $100 cash + trophy for each class, Live Music, Awards, Auction. Huge Deck on Currituck Sound. Best Biker Steak on the East Coast. Ice cold beer/full service bar. Sponsored in part by Barry’s Walnut Island, Sam’s Club & Budweiser. To benefi t the Victory Junction Gang. All bikes & bikers welcome. No attitudes, colors, dogs or weapons. For more info call 1-866453-2261 or visit www.outerbankbikeshow.com. email [email protected]

Sept 1st

PIRATE’S RUN OUTER BANKS H-D – Elizabeth City, NC Will your key open THE TREASURE CHEST? WIN THE $1000 GRAND PRIZE! Live Music “Southern Thunder”-Food-Vendors-Bikini Contest Blowout Tent Sale!! Pirates will take any trade argggh-We are walking the plank on 07 pricing!! For more info visit www.outerbankshd.com or www.harleybay.com

Sept 1st

Combat Veterans of America Motorcycle Club (CVAMC) Fall Poker Run – Dale City, VAPlease join the Combat Veterans of America Motorcycle Club (CVAMC) for our Fall Poker Run (rain date September, 8th) Registration: 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Last Bike out 11:15 a.m. $10.00 per hand. Prizes awarded for best hand and worst hand. There will also be Door Prizes and a 50/50 Raffl e. Run will start at VFW Post 1503, 14631 Minnieville Road , Dale City , Virginia . Profi ts go to support the Spinal Injury Ward at McGuire Veterans Hospital in Richmond and other charitable and non-profi t organizations. ALL BIKERS WELCOME! View our website at www.cvamc.com.

Sept 1st - 2nd

Nat’l Fallen Biker Memorial Run - Cheltenham, MD 5th Annual Nat’l Fallen Biker Memorial Run Saturday, September 1 - 2, 2007 American Legion Youth Camp 9201 Surratts Rd Cheltenham, MD 11:00am - 12 Midnight Vendors, Food, custom bikes, music 50/50 raffl e Info: 301-893-2900 www.fi reupthundrout.com Bikers With Heart FoundationSept 5th

“Bike Night in the Burg” Bike Show - Fredericksburg, VA 6:30-8:30 @ Big

Daddy Leather 1900 Princess Anne Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401. Food Music, Door Prizes, 50/50 Raffl e and more!! For more info call 540-899-0048 or email [email protected]

Sept 7th - 9th

Thunder in the Smoky’s Rally - Maggie Valley, NC Come join us for the 5th annual Fall Thunder in the Smoky’s Rally and ride the Great Smoky Mountains. We offer a free tour ride, variety of vendors, live music concerts, People’s Choice Bike Show with a $500 prize, the funniest Bike Games you’ve ever seen and so much more! Check out our website at www.HandlebarCorral.com for pics and more info!

Sept 8th

5th Annual F.O.P Poker Run – Tazwell, VABegins 9:00a.m,Departure at 12:00noon(travel as group)Tazewell Moose Lodge, across from Sonic Drive Inn, Tazewell,Va. $10.00 individual,$15.00 couples. Poker Run to raise money for the Shop with a Cop program. $500.00 & plaque - Best hand. $20.00 & plaque - worst hand. Bike Show, Peoples Choice, Free Food at end of ride, Soft Drinks and ABC on premise for purchase. All Bikes, Cars & Trucks Welcome. Contact Biker Bill for more [email protected] or 276-979-1939

Sept 8th

2nd Annual “Bike Night in the Burg” BIKE OFF - Fredericksburg, VA Time TBA @ Big Daddy Leather 1900 Princess Anne Street Fredericksburg, VA 22401. Food Music, Door Prizes, 50/50 Raffl e and more!! For more info call 540-899-0048 or email [email protected]

Sept 8th

1st Annual – Fall Bikers Bash - Virginia Beach, VA Presented by Motorcycles For The Cure & Poppa’s Pub. Rain or Shine. All Bike Welcome. All proceeds go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, in tribute to Jeri Estenson of Poppa’s Pub. Poker Run Registration starts at 9am @ Poppas Pub 2105 Diamond Springs Road, Va Beach, VA www.poppas-pub.com. $20 Rider, $5 Fender Bunnies. Ride leaves around 10am, stops to be announced at regist., ride ends at Poppa’s Pub. Live Music, 50/50 Raffl e, Silent Auction, Raffl e, Door Prizes, Burnout competition & Bike show. Prize for Best Hand, Worst Hand, largest group & most traveled to attend. For further info contact “Roadblock” (757) 961-9787, [email protected] or www.M4TC.org Sept 9th PONY RUN-TO BENEFIT THE COROLLA WILD HORSE FUND – Harbinger, NC KITTY HAWK H-D-2 miles N Wright Memorial Bridge Outer Banks, NC. Collector’s Pin to the fi rst 150 riders, Live Band “ Frozen Head & The Squirrels”-Food-Music-Fabulous Door Prizes from Corolla Wild Horse Fund-Kitty Hawk Kites and Dreamcatcher Tattoo! For more info visit www.kittyhawkhd.com or www.harleybay.comSept 11th PATRIOT DAY - a holiday to honor the victims of the attacks on that day. The resolution signed by Bush calls for government

buildings to lower fl ags to half staff and for Americans to observe a moment of silence in remembrance for the nearly 3,300 people who died in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania in the Sept. 11 hijacking attacks. - It is a way to honor those who tragically lost their lives during the terrorist attacks against the United StatesSept 13th - 15th

Delmarva Bike Week - Berlin, MD More than 120,000 people in one location enjoying free concerts, free bike parking, corporate show rigs, famous bike builders, hard-working bike builders, 170 MC related vendors, free thrill shows, contests, games, rides and all 4 miles from Ocean City, Md. Major supporters include Harley-Davidson of Ocean City, The Grand Hotel, Tri Supply & Equipment, Coors Light, The Beachcomber and DelmarvaNow.com, Teaser’s Dockside Bar & Grill and Harley-Davidson of Seaford, Del. Contact Bruce Bennett(410)629-1560 or visit www.DelmarvaBikeWeek.com

Sept 14th

Friday Night Cruise In - Richmond, VAGangster Choppers, 216 east Belt Boulevard, Richmond VA 23224 (804) 230-0123. 2nd Friday of every month.

Sept 14th

5th Annual MISTER WHIPPY ICE CREAM RUN – Ocean City, MDPresented by Maryland Chapter 3 of the Red Knights International Motorcycle ClubIn Association with Delmarva Bike Week. Leaving from Harley-Davidson of Ocean CityUS Route 50 and Seahawk Road Promptly at 1pm On Friday September 14th 2007. Please register at the information booth on the grounds of DELMARVA BIKE WEEK®$10 / person. *RIDE PINS TO THE FIRST 300 REGISTERED* This ride takes you down the scenic back roads of Worcester County’s Eastern Shore To the beautiful Island of Chincoteaque, Virginia. Thank You for supporting the Red Knights Motorcycle Club.

Sept 14th

Thunder In Heaven – Stanardsville, VACome on out to Heavenly Acres Friday, September 14th, 6:00 to 10:00 for dancing under the stars to “Acoustic Thunder.” Mokey and Hector will be taking center stage to entertain our guests in town for the Southern Cross Conference, on Saturday, Sept 15th. $10:00, bring your own beverage, camping included! (Saturday’s conference is separate as meals are included) 2010 Madison Road, Stanardsville, VA 22973, visit heavenlyacres.net for directions. Sponsored by the SCC, hosted by ABATE of VA, Culpeper chapter.

Sept 14th – 16th

Southern Cross Conference – Stanardsville, VA Located at Heavenly Acres Campsite, 2010 Madison Road, Stanardsville, VA 22973. Staff on hand beginning noon on Thursday (September 13, 2007). Cost is $40.00 per person or $75.00 per couple if purchased in advance. $45 per person if purchased at the gate.* Campsite is at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains http://www.heavenlyacres.net/ FRIDAY AGENDA September 14, 2007: Registration All Day. Social 6:00pm til…….. Live music from ‘Acoustic Thunder’. SATURDAY September 15, 2007: Registration


cont. page 12

9:00 AM Opening ceremony: 10:00 AM (Introductions), Guest Speakers 10:30 AM. Break… Lunch. Work Session 2:00PM - 5:00PM. Discuss Federal Issues Detail SCC Goals for the Next Year Determine Host State for 2008. Auction 5:30 PM. Dinner 7:00 PM. SUNDAY September 16, 2007: Breakfast and Wrap Up 8:00 AM. * Registration fee includes conference attendance, fi eld camping and meals. If you prefer a cabin, caboose, or a private tent site you will need to make reservations with the campsite (434-985-6601). You will be responsible for the cost of these accommodations in addition to the registration fee. Contact Penny at 540-539-9300 for additional info on the conference or write to [email protected]. Cost is $40.00 per person, and $75.00 per couple in advance. $45 per person if purchased at the gate. To register, send in Name, address, city, state, zip, phone #s, with money order or check payable to VABA to: VABA c/o SCC, PO Box 1591, Hillsville, VA 24343. No one associated with this event accepts responsibility for accident, injury, loss of life, property, or property damage. Everyone is responsible for his/her self, agents, and all property connected. No exceptions. By submitting your registration, you are in agreement with this paragraph.

Sept 15thFlaming Knights M/C Norfolk Chapter 5th Annual Trophy Party - Norfolk, VA 9pm - 2am, Elk Lodge # 38, 1231 Type Ave, Norfolk, VA 23502. $15 donation. BYOB, food available, 50/50 raffl e, Trophies, Cash. Host Hotel Best Western930 North Military Hwy, Norfolk. For more info contact Doc Savage (757) 589-8795, Big J (757) 435-0687, Jay Deuce (202 ) 409-5776, Dlegend (757) 535-3108, Kingfi sh (757) 270-1608, Jewel (757) 270-5718.

Sept 15th

Ride to Remember 9/11 – Danville, VASponsored by The Blue Knights Chapters VAXIII and NCVI. Registration starts at 9:00am @ Thunder Road Harley Davidson in Danville, Va & Davis Harley Davidson in Burlington, NC with rides leaving at 11:00am going to Mayo Lake Park, Roxboro, NC. Registration $15 per person. Ride pins to the fi rst 150 registered at each location. All proceeds go to benefi t Blue Knights Charity projects. Food, refreshments, and entertainment. Door Prizes, Raffl e, and 50/50 drawings. Contact Person: Keith Johnson, Danville, VA 434-429-2531

Sept 15th

Hartwood Volunteer Fire Dept. 2nd Annual Motorcycle Show and Open House - Fredericksburg, VATen classes and one best of show. $15 entry fee, The cut off will be at 1:00. It is a judged event and all of the proceeds go to the HVFD. There will be live music by “The Believers” lunch will be available. There will be a 50/50 raffl e, Door prizes, A some house simulator, K-9 demo and an Air care standby onsite. It will be September 15th 2007 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Raindate September 22nd 2007. Address 67 Hartwood Church Rd. Contact Charlie: (540)379-6533

Sept 15th

POW/MIA Awareness Run To The National D-Day Memorial - Bedford, VA

1:00 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. Coordinated by: ROLLING THUNDER®, INC., Virginia Chapter 4, with participation by Chapters from Virginia, North Carolina & others. Rolling Thunder®, Inc. Chapter 4 of Virginia will present a POW/MIA Program at the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford Virginia. A Procession will depart Liberty High School at 11:45 a.m. The ceremony will begin promptly at 1:00 P.M. at the D-Day Memorial. Registration for the event is a donation of $15.00 per vehicle/motorcycle. Pre-Register by fi lling out the reverse side of this fl ier and mail it to the address shown above by September 8, 2007, including your check for $15.00 made payable to “Rolling Thunder® Virginia Chapter 4.” Registration at Liberty High School the day of the event from 8:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. (Cash Only). Proceeds will be divided between the National D-Day Memorial Foundation and the Salem VA Hospital patients. For more information, contact Mickey Harlar at [email protected] or call @ 434-851-8829 or check out our website at www.rollingthunderch4va.com.

Sept 15th

Rip’s B.A.D. (Bikers Against Diabetes) Ride - VA Multiple Start Sites including: Bayside Harley-Davidson, Outer Banks Harley-Davidson, Kitty Hawk Harley-Davidson, Boneshakers, Knuckleheads, Kiln Creek Shopping Center, Yorktown, VA. Check In Time: 8am-9am. Start Time: 9:30am-10:30am (Start times will vary by location)Festival Site Finish: Suffolk Executive Airport for entertainment, bike show, bike games, and more! Minimum Donation: $35 ($20 for 2nd rider). Online Registration Available at www.ripsbadride.com. More Info: 757-424-6662 x3269 [email protected]

Sept 15thHeather & Dad Poker Run – Chesterfi eld, VA(see our ad in this issue) Charity Poker Run for Heather Baker who has Huntington’s disease. Sponsored by Brigman’s Auto Body & Paint & Absolut Cycle Worx. Pre-registration locations (stops on run) River City Diner, Talons, Blue Fox Café, Murphy’s II, Sportsman, Brigman’s Absolut Cycle Worx. Cost $20. Day of ride $25 - $10 passenger. Have breakfast & register at River City Diner, Huegnot location – reg starts 10am, 1st bike out 11am. Winner receives custom bike paint job by Brigman’s Auto Body & Paint! Other prizes will be awarded + 50/50. Music by Parrish Bros. Catering by Blue Fox Café. For more info call Jason Kincaid (804) 497-7000

Sept 15thValley Thunder XV at Shenandoah HD – Staunton, VAFood Vendors, Live Music, Huge sales & the 2008 Models on parade. (see our ad in this issue). For more info visit us at www.shenandoahhd.com or call (540) 213-RIDE

Sept 22ndThunder Roads Harley-Davidson Open House – Danville, VAFull Metal Attraction. Bike Show – register 9am-11am $20 – trophies at 3pm. Live Band Fubar at 11am. Fashion Show 12:30. Silent Auction 11am. Food & sales on selected items. For more info visit www.thunderroadhd.com or call (434) 822-BIKE 4960 Riverside Drive – Danville. Rain date Sept 29th.

Sept 21st & 22nd

14th Annual “Fall Festival & Country Music Showdown” - Rockahock Campgrounds, VA Featuring Nashville’s Chart Climbing Group, “ Emerson Drive”, Country Music Legends, “Shenandoah”, Rockahock’s Favorite High Energy “Kick Ass” Country Music sensation “The Poverty Neck Hillbillies” & more !!!!!Sept 22, 2007Grove’s Winchester HD 2008 Model Open House – Winchester, VAGrove’s Winchester Harley-Davidson/Buell, Inc., 140 Independence Drive (Route 50 East), Winchester, VA (540) 662-4468

Sept 22nd

Sgt David Alan Ruhren - Memorial Ride – Woodbridge, VAArmy Natl Guard - Operation Iraqi Freedom Location: Garfi eld Senior High School - Woodbridge , VA 22193. Time: 12 noon. The purpose of this ride is not only of Remembrance but to fulfi ll another dream of Davey’s & myself. It’s been a long time coming & I now know I have the strength to do it. My one dream for my son was for him to go to college - it was the only thing I ever wanted & expected of him. Obviously - it’s not a dream that I can fulfi ll - at least not physically - but I can make sure that he can have his name go - So we are accepting Donations where 1/2 will go to “David Alan Ruhren Scholarship Fund”. One of Davey’s biggest passions in life were children - there wasn’t a child he came across that didn’t fall totally in love with him. So with the other 1/2 of the donations - I want to start a foundation called “Children of Fallen Soldiers” also in Davey’s name. Not every soldier has a lot of life insurance or other means set aside in case something happens & their children are left behind without as many resources had it been if their father or mother came back home. This fund will be for all fallen soldiers children who don’t have enough money for proper school clothes or take special classes for their talents or needs or even if they just want to go to camp. If we can help one child - that’s good enough & I know Davey would have a smile on his face. Pre-registration for the ride is preferred. Please contact [email protected] for information and registration.

Sept 22nd – 23rdAHDRA Jim McClure Nationals – Petersburg, VA Virginia Motorsports Park. 220 Nitro Harleys! For race info call 336-924-2095 or visit www.ahdra.com. For more track info call 804-862-3174.

Sept 23rd

EPC ABATE Family Picnic - Falling Waters, WV www.epcabate.org

Sept 23rd

Charity Ride for the family of “Ryan Oyster” – Amissville, VA He was released last year from the Marines on disability after 7 years of service. He came down with cancer after he returned from Iraq and lost his battle with it on July 21,2007, leaving a wife and 4 children. The ride will be through the beautiful hills of Rappahannock County and Fauquier County. It will be under 100 miles and is starting and

THUNDER ROADS MAGAZINE 6THUNDER ROADS MAGAZINE 6

“Darkside Chariots has been building the baddest custom bikes in town for the last 4 years. It was no overnight process. Mike Paletta started with just making custom motorcycle seats and then the busi-ness grew from there over the years. We’ve expanded into custom bike builds and into full blown hand fabrication for our bikes. All “Darkside” bikes are hand fabricated from scratch. We use all of our own frames, tanks, fenders, bars, mounts, seats, front ends…nearly everything is handmade in the Darkside shop. No mass produced frames, no stamped gas tanks ordered from a catalog. We put our heart and soul into our bikes and ensure the customer is happy with-out compromising our aggressive one off style. Customer satisfaction is number one in our books. If the

customer isn’t happy, we’re not happy. As a bike builder, we know that our customers are our advertisement, so it is our job to ensure they are happy, so the real world can see the awesome build that we’ve completed or just the fabricated pieces we build to go on their already made bike.

Darkside keeps a small shop. 2 Employees, the master fabricator, Mike Paletta, and his apprentice, Spike. This means that everything is done by the two and that means absolute total quality control. Every piece is touched by someone who truly cares about the build process and what the fi nished products will look like.

When Shawn came to us last year to build him a custom bike, we were excited about building a bike for a United States Marine. SPiKE’s brother is in the Army and was deployed to Baghdad at the time (after a 16 month tour he fi nally returned home safely). We at Darkside have a deep respect for those who are brave enough to stand up and fi ght for our freedom and for freedom around the world. We were happy to make a deal to take care of the people who take care of us at home. “WE ARE PROUD TO SERVE THOSE WHO SERVE AND PAY THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR OUR FREEDOMS.” Without the Marines and other armedservices, we know we wouldn’t be doing what we love to do and that is build bikes in a safe secure country. We are proud to have Shawn and the other two Marines as customers and fi rst and foremost FRIENDS.

Shortly after Shawn had ordered his bike, he came to visit, and brought 2 friends of his who were also marines that wanted bikes, Joy and Will. Now, the single Marine had turned into a trio, and it was a good feeling to start the process of giving them the baddest bikes that they’d ever seen.

We began the builds, and not too long after we began, our custom-ers were deployed to the Middle East. After that time we had limited contact with the trio and had lost touch. While they were at war, Darkside had it’s own share of troubles. Late in 2006 Mike Paletta shattered his ankle in a skateboarding accident and had to have sur-gery. A permanent plate and 6 screws later Mike was out of surgery, but was unable to walk or work for almost six months. Bringing work, in the Darkside shop, grinding to almost a complete halt, leaving only SpiKE, the apprentice, to work.

Once Mike was nearly recovered, it was decided that the Darkside shop would be moved to better (and warmer) climates. So we moved to beautiful Naples, Fl. and it has been a mad dash to the fi nish line since then. A frenzy of work trying to make up for lost ground while Mike was unable to walk, and getting our new customers straightened out... all without loosing as little time as possible on our previous customers deadlines.

In July of 07, our Marine friends returned home safely from the Middle East and have been apart of the build since then. The three U.S. Marine Bikes are 80% complete and will be delivered to them in NC personally by Mike and I at no cost. We are really excited to see

DARKSIDEDARKSIDEC O M E TO T H EC O M E TO T H E

Shawn USMC: Darkside 2008 Phantom-VengeanceFrame: Darkside PHANTOM Frame 6”up 4”out 53 degree in the neck. 6” stretched rear end.Right Side Drive 300 rear tire. 21” front tire DNA 80-Spoke Chrome Wheels6 Speed trans. w/ hydraulic clutch100” S&S engine, 3” Open Belt Primary.18” over custom springer front end.Darkside Vengeance sheetmetal.HHI Custom 4 piston Sprotor setupHouse of Color custom Darkside Green Mix Paint

Note from Shawn: The United States Marine Corps has been the best thing to ever happen in my life. The men and women of the Marines are constant professionals and make selfl ess sacrifi ces everyday as do the men and women of our sister services. I am proud to be an American and I am proud to be a United States Marine. What does my future hold: It holds me being a Marine as long as our good Corps allows me to serve America. SEMPER FI to God, Country and Corps.Shawn

Shawn D. Dixon, Chief Warrant Offi cer 2, USMC26th Marine Expeditionary UnitChemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear Defense Offi cer


our Marine friends’ faces when we unveil the bikes in their honor for serving us and allowing Mike and I to build custom choppers and not worry about someone coming to our shop and blowing us up. “We sleep well at night knowing United States Marines like Shawn, Will Klumpp and Joy are on watch.”

Joy USMC (Female Marine): 2008 Darkside NO-LOVE BURGANDY PAINTFrame/Front End: Darkside No-Love Drop Seat Frame 3”up 2” out 50 degree neck. 6” stretched rear6” over front endDriveline: 6 Speed Left side Drive. 80” EVO Motor, Closed Primary250mm rear, 21” front wheel - DNA 80-spoke chrome wheels Darkside NO-Love Sheetmetal House of Color custom mixed Burgundy Paint.HHI 4 piston brakes

Will USMC: 2008 Darkside Bobber MENACEFrame/ Front End: Darkside Bobber MENACE - 2”up 0” out 45 degree rake 2”rear stretch 4” over custom springer front end.DRIVELINE: 6 speed Left Side Drive Tranny, 80” EVO motor, 3” open belt primary 200mm rear wheel, 21” front - DNA 80-spoke Chrome WheelsDarkside Custom sheetmetal HHI custom 4 piston sprotor setup House of Color California Suede Black paint.

ALL FABRICATION AND PARTS BY DARKSIDE

Owner: Mike Paletta

MIke with builder Spike


My 911 BikeMy 911 BikeBy Timothy SchaakI bought my bike used from a friend of mine Lt. Bobby Burnette. He is a lieutenant with the Chesterfi eld Fire Depart-ment. It’s a 1998 Harley Davidson Classic. When I bought my bike I told Bobby that I wanted to do something spe-cial for the brothers that we lost during 911, so that when people saw the bike they would remember the people who gave their life so others may live. So, Bobby and I sat down and started to look for a painter who could help us with the theme of the bike and could paint it for me. We found Andrew at Canyon Custom Painting. Andrew was just as exited as we were about the project. We designed the bike. The entire bike is painted with true fi re. The front fender has a fi refi ghter at ground zero sitting on the ground with his head in his hands. The front ferring has an eagle, the symbol of freedom and strength. The gas tank has “We Will Never Forget” written across it. Underneath that, it has the number 343 in ghost paint so when the sun hits it, the number will come out. On top of the gas tank has a plaque with the names of the 343 fi refi ghters who died on 911. The right saddle bag has the lost fi refi ghter memorial with a pair of boots and a helmet and the American fl ag. The left saddle bag has the three fi refi ghters raising the American fl ag at ground zero. Across the back has the New York skyline with the twin towers displayed with light. We then went through the bike and changed everything to diamond plate from the grips to the footboards. I think that we hit a home run. The bike has sent chills through people who see it for the fi rst time. I would like to thank Bobby and Andrew for helping me make our vision come true, and to honor the men and women who gave all on Sept. 11th. I promise that “ We Will Never Forget”.


Eddie Trotta Gets Thunder RoadsShouldn’t You?

To get Thunder Roads Magazine In The Mail Send Check Or Money Order For $39.00 ($3.25 - S & H per issue) Made Out To:

Mid-Atlantic Thunder Roads 1920 Centerville Turnpike,

Suite 117-270 Virginia Beach, VA 23464

NAME________________________________

STREET______________________________

CITY____________________ZIP___________

Outer Banks Speedway News: Thoughts and Prayers for Belinda Floyd

Please keep Belinda & Kevin Floyd in your thoughts and prayers as Belinda was involved in a wreck at OBS during our Bounty Hunter race on Saturday night. She is cur-rently at Pitt Hospital receiving care. We thank everyone that helped out in the rescue effort and pray for Belinda to have a speedy and full recovery.If you would like to help Belinda and Kevin with a dona-tion to Belinda’s medical fund, you can mail it directly to the address below. You can also contact Elaine VanHorn at 252-337-7378 or 252-562-2206, or Wendy Curling. If you do not see them at the track you can see me, I will make sure it gets to the account. Also Jennifer will be ac-cepting donations too.

Please make checks out to Kevin Floyd and mail to:

Gateway Bank C/O Heather Sawyer 1404 West Ehringhause Street Elizabeth City, NC 27909

Sent to us by one of our friends…Burke

FLY THE FLAG campaignOn Monday, September 11th, 2007, an American fl ag should be displayed outside every home, apartment, offi ce, and store in the United States. Every individual should make it their duty to display an American fl ag on this fi fth anniversary of our country’s worst tragedy. We do this in honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11, their families, friends and loved ones who continue to endure the pain, and those who today are fi ghting at home and abroad to preserve our cherished freedoms. In the days, weeks and months following 9/11, our country was bathed in American fl ags as citizens mourned the incredible losses and stood shoulder-to-shoulder against terrorism. Sadly, those fl ags have all but disappeared, as I had predicted they would! Our patriotism pulled us through some tough times and it shouldn’t take another attack to galvanize us in solidarity. Our American fl ag is the fabric of our country and together we can prevail over terrorism of all kinds. Fly an American fl ag of any size on 9/11. Honestly, Americans should fl y the fl ag year-round, but if you don’t, then at least make it a priority on this day. Thank you, friends and family, for your participation. God Bless You and God Bless America!

Burke!


Lake Ridge RV ResortJump on your bike, or load up the car and discover the best kept secret in southwest Virginia. Leave the hustle and bustle behind and enjoy one stop camping and recreation on your great escape. Lake Ridge RV Resort offers 112 acres of spa-cious wooded campsites in the beautiful Blue Ridge Moun-tains. Lake Ridge is one of fourteen Legacy RV Resort scattered throughout the United States offering FIVE STAR accommo-dations. The facility includes a 16,000 sq. ft. entertainment complex, clean restrooms, rental cabins, convenience store, laundromat and 3 covered pavilions. Firewood, ice and pro-pane gas are also available.There is fun for all ages with a large game room, live enter-tainment, movies, bingo and ceramics. Outdoor activities include swimming in their spacious outdoor and kiddy pools or taking a ride down their 400’ water slides! Their beautiful 4 acre lake offers outstanding fi shing, with no license required. You may launch a paddleboat or kayak. Other recreational amenities at Lake Ridge include , basketball, softball, horse-shoes, 18 hole mini-golf course, bocce ball, shuffl eboard and volleyball. In addition the children will love their newly expand-ed playgrounds and the free daily hayrides.Check their “theme” weekends by going to their website at www.LakeRidgeRV.com. October is sure to spark your inter-est with a spooky weekend to remember!Lake Ridge RV Resort is very “Biker” friendly. They have hosted the VABA event, Thunder on The Mountain for two years and we look forward to returning next year! So enjoy your ride through the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and stay awhile!!!!! Call for reservations (866) 513-1773 General Infor-mation (276) 766-3703 (Take 81S to Exit 89A – follow State Route 100 for 13 miles to Lake Ridge Resort)

~ Beth ~

GREAT PLACES TO RIDEGREAT PLACES TO RIDE


ending at American Road Motorcycles. It will cost $20.00 per person and all proceeds will go to his family. Checks can be made out to Rachel Oyster or Ryan J. Oyster Children Educational Fund. We are sponsoring the event. Registration starts at 11am, bikes leave approx 11:30. We will have food for sale at end of ride and prizes donated from other business’s. 50/50 drawing and Music by “Envy Insane. Even if you can’t ride you can send donations to American Road Motorcycles C/O Rachel Oyster 14828 Lee Highway, Amissville,VA 20106 540-937-9896. Rain date Sun. Sept 30th.

Sept 28th - 30th Third Tradition MC Fun Run Rendezvous - Seneca Rocks, West VAFun Run Rendezvous in Seneca Rocks, W VA. Starts: 9/28/2007 Ends: 9/30/2007 An end of season, multi-club event centered around the campground at Yokum’s Vacationland, Seneca Rocks, WV Route 28, 1 mile north of Rt.33. 800.772.8342 Clean and Sober Fellowship, No Drugs, Alcohol or Bad Attitudes! Recovery Meetings, Music, Bonfi re Meeting Saturday Night, and SOG service Sunday morning. Yokum’s has a heated Pool and horseback riding. Each club or individual is responsible for their own food and lodging. Rooms, effi ciencies, cabins, and camping More Info: Send email or snail mail address to [email protected]. Bullet (TTMC): 804-305-7851 After 9PM JoJo (About 12): 410-451-0885

Sept 29th

Damon & Company Benefi t For Cerebral Palsy – Gloucester, VAWIN AN ORANGE COUNTY CHOPPER!!! Tickets on sale NOW! Join us for a day of lots of fun & excitement. Meet some of the staff from OCC & be here for the drawing of the winner of one of their custom built choppers. For more info visit us on Rt 17 in Gloucester, (804) 693-7218 or www.damonsbar.com or www.bikeforcp.com

Sept 29th

7th Annual Heart Of Virginia Bike Fair – Farmville, VAFive County Fair Grounds. Please help us to help Make A Wish to give a child his or her wish! Poker Run with 2/$250.00 Purse. Bike Rodeo. Bike Show. 50/50 Drawing. Vendors. Dealers. Pro-Street Cycle Dyno. Tattoo Artist. ABC On. The Overtime Band Concert Live from 4 to 8 PM. Proceeds to Benefi t Make A Wish Foundation. Check us out/ www.ccusa30.com

Sept 29th

MARCH OF DIMES RIDE-SAVING BABIES- Portsmouth, VABAYSIDE H-D. Also the new line of motorclothes is here! Great new styles and colors! Don’t forget to check out the 105TH Anniversary bikes and other 08’S which are arriving daily!! For more info visit www.harleybay.com

Sept 29th & 30thRock In at Rockahock – Rockahock Campgrounds, Lanexa, VA Presented by the Virginia Confederation of Clubs. Gates open at 10am. Open to the public – everyone is invited. Bikes, bands, vendors, MC members from throughout the Commonwealth of VA. For more info & updates visit www.coc-va.com. For

campground reservations or directions visit www.rockahock.com or call 804-966-8362

Sept 30th

Charlie Fisher Foundation Run – Portsmouth, VA Police escorted ride to support Firefi ghters & Law Enforcement Offi cers. Registration: Bayside H-D/Portsmouth VA. 9:00am Departure: 11:00am. Donation: $10 per rider/$5 passenger. Southern Blend-Door Prizes-Food-Vendors. Bike Show-Bikini Contest. End: Route 17- High St. Portsmouth,VA. [email protected]. [email protected]

OCTOBER 2007

Oct 3rd – 7th Myrtle Beach Fall Rally – Myrtle Beach, SC www.myrtlebeachbikeweek.com

Oct 3rd - 6th

Cruise-In Harley- David son of Ocean City four days of classic and hot rod car shows partnered with Cruise-In Ocean City Car Show. Food, live music, trophy, cool cars. Early bird Oct. 3 from 3:30 to 6:30; Oct. 4-6, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Visit www.hdoceancity.com for more information

Oct 4th – 7thSmoky Mountain Bike Week/Fire in the Mountains – Fontana Dam, NC Fontana Village Resort. Live concerts, Bike contests, Poker Runs, Vendors, Parties. Ride the Dragon & Hellbender! For more info visit www.fontanavillage.com or call (800)849-2258

Oct 5th - 7th

Dreamcatcher Rally 2007 - Aberdeen, MD HUGE 3 Day Motorcycle Rally! Steppenwolfe’s Farewell Concert, plus 38 Special & FogHat. Meet G. Gordon Liddy & Mondo “The Godfather of the Chopper.” Athena “The Vagabond Chickie” Don’t miss the Fashion show by our beautiful Dream Catcher Girls, Contest, Give Aways & Activities for all. Custom Motorcycle Rally (www.dreamcatcherrally.com) Over 200 Vendors. Best in Show Contest. Helmet Contest. Grunge Contest. Fashion Show. Custom Motorcycle Raffl e. Children’s Games and Things to Do. Portion of proceeds to be donated to “The Boys and Girls Club”. Ripken Stadium - home of Hall of Fame Shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. Log on website for additional information and forms. www.dreamcatcherrally.com

Oct 6th

Harley- David son of Ocean City Summer Concert Series sponsored by BIG Classic Rock, WMDT and the Worcester County Times. Free concert features The Daryl Davis Band from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Visit www.hdoceancity.com for more information

Oct 6th

CURE THE KIDS BENEFIT BASH – Smithfi eld, NC 11 AM UNTIL 9 PM. Shadow Hawk Smithfi eld, NC., I 95 EXIT 93. Follow signs... 7 Miles East. 50/50 Raffl e, Live Band, Entertainment, $1.00 Hot Dogs, Giveaways, Kids Corner, Bike Show, Bike Wash, Bike

Blessing, Pig Plate $6.00. Benefi ting PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION.

Oct 6th

Departure Bike Works 35th Anniversary Party & Open House – Richmond, VACome join us for a fun fi lled day. We’ll be replaying the Biker Build Off episode that we were featured in, drive-in style on the side of the building. 5216 Hull Street, (804) 231-0244

Oct 6th

Brandon’s Truck Stop Party – Virginia Beach, VA 7:00 October 6th. 5792 North Hampton Blvd at the truck stop. Donations a must. Blue Lords, Hot Mess, Billy DJ, So Far

Oct 7th

Wings Wheels and Ducks - Stafford, VAThis event is one of the biggest in our area. Originally the Rappahanock Duck Race, draws in motorcycle groups, riders, and show bikes to the Stafford Airport on October 7, 2007. This all day celebration includes a bike show, airplane fl y-in, car show, and duck drawing worth up to a $1,000,000 dollars. There are also great prizes including a Harley Davidson motorcycle, and many other must-have prizes. I participated the last two years and found the event the best in the area.Great sponsors like Waugh Harley Davidson have already signed up and are giving away some great prizes to include a brand new Harley. The event is a great way to give to a good charity and have alot of fun. We have a spacious family atmosphere which welcomes riders. For more information, or if you would like to participate please call Carl at 540-654-5075

Oct 7th

Virginia British Motorcycle Club 17th Annual Rally – Leesburg, VA Ida Lee Park, 60 Ida Lee Drive NW, Leesburg, VA 20176 – Route 15 Business just north of downtown Leesburg. British & European Cycle Show. Swap Meet/Auto Jumble. Cool Trophies, Door Prizes, Great Vendors. Free badges to bike show entrants. 10am – 4pm. $9 admission, with no additional fee to enter your bike in the show. Kids under 12 free. $25 Vendor spaces. If you’ve got a European bike, there is a place for it here. Vintage, Modern, Chopper, Race Bikes, Scooters. Rain or shine. AMA sanctioned. Food & commemorative rights reserved. No pets or camping.

Oct 12th Friday Night Cruise In - Richmond, VAGangster Choppers, 216 east Belt Boulevard, Richmond VA 23224 (804) 230-0123. 2nd Friday of every month.

Oct 12th – 14th

“RUMBLE THROUGH THE TUNNELS” – Norfolk/Portsmouth, VABayside Harley-Davidson. Largest escorted motorcycle event in honor of our Armed Forces.Registration: 8am Harbor Park, Norfolk, VA. End: Bayside H-D Portsmouth, VA. Advance Ride Tickets $10. Active & Retired Military Ride for Free. LIVE MUSIC-FOOD-BIKINI CONTEST-VENDORS. Special Tattoo Show & Contest Sunday. 757 397-5550, www.baysidehd.com,

Oct 14th

Suffolk Swamp Roar – Suffolk, VA

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6th Annual Motorcycle Rally. Sunday, October 14, 2007; $20 donation per person. Ride the scenic 80 mile perimeter of the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Bike staging starts at 9 a.m. at the Suffolk Executive Airport on Highway 13. Ride departs at 10:30 a.m. Event tee-shirt, door prizes, enjoy a VIP reception and a complimentary parking pass to Peanut Fest and Concert at 3:30. Proceeds benefi t Great Dismal Swamp educational programs. Log onto www.Suffolk-Fun.com or contact the Suffolk Visitor Center at (757) 923-3880 or 866-SEE-SUFK toll free.Oct 15thValley Thunder XV - Staunton, VA Shenandoah Harley-Davidson/Buell is hosting Valley Thunder XV! Join us for bands, a bike show, and entertainment for the entire family. We will also have our 2008 Harley-Davidson and Buell bike premiere! Join us for the fun! Contact Courtney (540) 213-7433 or visit www.shenandoahhd.com

Oct 18th - 21st Biketoberfest® - Daytona Beach FL Annual Motorcycle Festival held in the beautiful Daytona Beach area. Ride with us before the cold of winter sets in. Many, many great events countywide! Sponsored by Daytona Beach Area CVB. Contact: Janet Kersey, (866) 296-8970, Fax: (386) 255-5478. Email: [email protected]. www.Biketoberfest.org

Oct 20th

8th Annual Wheels That Heal Car Club’s Cruise for a Cause – Harley-Davidson Ocean City, MD Open to all makes & models of cars, trucks, & motorcycles. Registration fm 10am – 12 noon at K-Mart Shopping Center, Route 50 & Tilghman Rd. Reg. cost is $20 or whatever you feel is appropriate in Salisbury. Cruise leaves K-Mart at 12:30pm arrives at Harley-Davidson of Ocean City at 1pm. Over $2000 worth of door prizes (restaurants, gas cards, prepaid VISA cards & more) and bake sale from 1 to 3. Presentation to the families at 3. All monies raised from this event will help the medical expenses of Brandy Cullen & Robbie Joyce. Brandy is a 15yr old Deal Island girl who is suffering from bone cancer of the spine. Robbie is a 42 yr old Bishopville woman who is suffering with a brain tumor. This event is open to the public. More details call Steve Mixter (410) 749-5746 or see www.wheelsthatheal.com. Sponsored by Clarence Sterling & Son.

Oct 21st

Marine Corps League Toys For Tots Ride – Harley-Davidson Ocean City, MDHarley-David son of Ocean City to Salisbury . Registration from 10 a.m. Visit www.hdoceancity.com for more information

Oct 26th - 28th

5th Annual Virginia Fall Classic - Newport News, VA www.VaFallClassic.org

Oct 27th

3rd Annual Orphan Run – Williamsburg, VAOrphan Run...there has never been a better reason to ride. Join hundreds of bikers as they make a difference in the lives of forgotten children. The 3rd Annual Orphan Run takes place Saturday, October 27, at Colonial Hills Estate in Williamsburg. Festivities will

begin at noon and include live music, great food, bike show (trophies), giveaways, 50/50 drawing, and vendor displays. Stage from one of three convenient locations: Bayside Harley Davidson, Hampton Roads Harley Davidson and Richmond Harley Davidson at 9:30 am with rides departing at approximately 11:00 am. Cost: $15 single / $20 couple. The event benefi ts Orphan Helpers, a Christian outreach organization dedicated to helping orphaned, abused and incarcerated children in Central America. Colonial Hills Estate is located at 262 Thompson Lane, Williamsburg, VA 23188. For more information visit www.orphanhelpers.org or call Roma 757.722.6940.

Oct 27th

Inaugural Poker Rally – Woodbridge, VAPlease join our inaugural Poker Rally on 27 Oct 2007 from the Motorcycle Factory in Woodbridge Virginia . This is not your average poker run! Modeled after the long distance road rallies, we give you the destinations, you determine the route! We’re hoping to use this event to raise awareness on congenital heart disease through The Congenital Heart Information Network (www.tchin.org). The event starts and fi nishes at the Motorcycle Factory Inc, 3820 Prince William Pkwy , Woodbridge VA. Registration occurs 9 – 11 Am. Last bike out 11:15 am; last bike back 4:30 pm. For more information, please contact Calvin Hagan, 703-897-9719, email [email protected].

Oct 27th

Red Knights Maryland Chapter #7 Poker Run – Galena, MDGalena Vol. Fire Dept. Rt 290 E #90 East Cross St, Galena, Md. Registration 9am to 11am $10 per hand to play. We will also be having bike games, food, 50/50, and door prizes. Area car clubs, and vendors on locations. Including 2 Wheel Apparel, Harwood V-Twin, Stone Cycle, All In One Artistry, and more. For more info. contact Jeff at 410-708-7698 or Gran at 410-708-1535.

Oct 28th

SHERRI PARKER MEMORIAL POKER RUN & BIKE SHOW – Suffolk, VABenefi ting the Sherri Parker Memorial Fund, Inc. $20.00 Donation per person includes a complimentary T-shirt for the fi rst 250 registrants. Poker Run Registration 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM at Driver Volunteer Fire Dept. 4869 Bennett’s Pasture Road OR Knuckleheads Road House 400 N. Witchduck Road, VA Beach. Parade of Bikes will stage at Sleepy Hole Park in Suffolk at 12:30 prior to ride into Driver. Bike Show Registration 12:00pm-2:00pm in Driver. Bike Show Trophies, Poker Run Prizes, Door Prizes, Vendors and 50/50. Live Music, Food, Crafters, Children’s activities and exhibits at Driver Days Fall Festival. Poker Run & Bike Show Rain Date is Sunday, Nov. 4, 2007. For more info Contact Holly Hoffl er at (757) 538-3944 or Eddie Boyce at (757) 538-2848Sponsored by Boyce Performance Cycles, Hollydays! Inc., Knuckleheads Road House, Image Screen Printing, Precision Powder Coating, the Law Offi ce of Tom McGrath, and Suffolk Division of Tourism.

NOVEMBERNov 3rd

Mid-Atlantic Toy Run - Fort Washington, MD 5th Annual Mid-Atlantic Toy Run Saturday, November3, 2007 Harley Davidson of Washington (301-248-1200) 9401 Livingston Rd Ft. Wash, MD Registration: 10am - 12:30pm Ride Departure: 1pm Minimum Donation: $15.00 or gift Certifi cate/Toy of equal value Vendors, Food, bikes, cars, music, 50/50 raffl e Info: 301-893-2900 www.fi reupthundrout.com Sponsored by HD of Washington & Biker With Heart Foundation

Nov 4th Daylights Savings Time Ends – Fall Back - Set your clocks back 1 hour! Dang! Lose an hour of daylight riding time…Nov 10th Vietnam Veterans of America’s 25th Anniversary Parade - in celebration of the dedication of “The Wall” on Saturday, November 10, 2007. If you were there in 1982, you know why you should be back for the 25th. If you weren’t there in ’82, then this is the one to attend, because it is being held by us, for us. Come feel the healing power of “The Wall” and show our fallen brothers and sisters the honor and respect they deserve. The Opening Ceremony - on the Mall 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. The opening ceremony will start at 10:00 a.m. and will take place on the Mall at 3rd Street, between Jefferson and Madison Drives. The Parade - 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Immediately following the opening ceremony, the parade with thousands of participants, military vehicles, fl oats, veteran motorcyclists, and marching bands steps off. Along side the reviewing stand will be limited bleacher seating for those veterans and members of the general public who wish to view the parade. Washington Monument Grounds - 12 noon until 6:00 p.m. Parade participants and the general public can enjoy a variety of activities and street vendors. If you have a group, or as an individual are interested in joining the parade, then you must fi ll out an application form. Call toll free, 1-800-VVA-1316 x151 or for more info visit www.vva.org/25thEvent/event_info.htm.Nov 10th Second Chance Day, at Harley- David son of Ocean City, MD Bike Show, Bike Ride, Bike Games, live music, food and lots of fun. Visit www.hdoceancity.com for more informationNov 11th Disabled American Vets Mobile Services Vehicle at Harley-Davidson of Ocean City, MD DAV personnel will be contacted by mail. Visit www.hdoceancity.com for more informationNov 11th York 2007 Motorcycle Swap Meet - York, PA Presented by Cycle Promotions. 1 day only. Parts, Accessories, Apparel. For more info call (336) 252-3101 or visit www.cycleprousa.com Nov 22nd HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

DECEMBERDec 25th MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

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If you’ve got some “Hot Shot” pictures you’d like to share with us, please send them to thun-If you’ve got some “Hot Shot” pictures you’d like to share with us, please send them to [email protected] . Pictures must be high resolution (300 dpi) in order to print clearly. [email protected] . Pictures must be high resolution (300 dpi) in order to print clearly. All are welcome but please keep ‘em somewhat clean so everyone can enjoy!All are welcome but please keep ‘em somewhat clean so everyone can enjoy!


To Ape or Not to ApeTo Ape or Not to ApeBy: Houndog

Yep....to Ape or not to Ape, was the question that I struggled with for a couple of years. Was it nobler to keep the stock handlebars on my Road King, or to go against the grain and outfi t it with a set of “apehang-ers.” I had already decided that this will be my last scooter. I love everything about it and have no desire to replace it with something newer or faster. When the paint wears off of the sheet metal, I’ll have it repainted. When the motor wears out, I’ll rebuild it. But, that doesn’t mean I won’t make subtle changes to it now and then. Over the years I’ve seen thousands upon thousands of motorcycles in every shape and color imaginable. One thing that always catches my eye is a set of nasty big apes. I’m not sure why....maybe because (to me anyway) it looks so “outlaw biker” and just down right COOL. I’ve spoken to lots of people and heard all the pros and cons about apehangers. Some say, “Oh you loose some control of the bike when you run apes.” Others will tell you, “Your arms get tired faster because your hands are above your heart and all the blood drains out of them.” And of coarse there is a law on the books in Oklahoma that says handlebars over a certain height are illegal, but coming across the border without a per-mit is too....and they don’t enforce that law! On the other side, those who do run apehangers will tell you how much they love them and how comfort-able they are. If you hit them with one of the negatives mentioned above, they usually fl ash you a grin that indicates they know something that you don’t know. In the end my curiosity got the best of me and I decided to “ape up.” Now the decision was what size to go with....16’s, 18’s, 20’s, or 24’s? Did I want to go big with 24’s, reach for the sky while throwing all caution to the wind? No, I decided to go with what was comfortable on my bike, a set of 18’s with a 1 ¼ inch diameter. By do-ing so, I didn’t even have to replace the throttle cables, just the clutch cable and the front brake lines (as well as extending the wiring harness for the handelbar con-trols). I haven’t had the opportunity to take it on a long ride yet, only around town. So far I haven’t been pulled over by the cops or experienced any tingling sensations in my hands or arms either. I have gotten a new found enjoyment out of riding my Road King though. And if you come up to me and ask me if I like my apehangers, I’ll probably just give you that grin I spoke of earlier. Hmmm....I almost wish I had gone with 20’s though.


I’m telling you that working at the Wall is a tough job...but somebody has to do it!


Pics Of A Fun & Crazy Day At The Hooters West Broad Street Show Pics Of A Fun & Crazy Day At The Hooters West Broad Street Show July 28th, 2007 – By Cathy & Tigger (and Lil’ Apehanger)July 28th, 2007 – By Cathy & Tigger (and Lil’ Apehanger)

Freedom RidePortsmouth/Virginia Beach, VAAug 12th, 2007Hundreds of riders participated in this ride from Bayside HD to Knuckleheads in Va Beach. For several months, the USO of Hampton Roads & MAX-Fm radio sta-tion have sponsored this fundraiser to raise money for the USO. Everyone who regis-tered got a chance to win a custom chopper that was built by Iron Core Custom Motorcycles (Va Beach). The lucky winner, David Outten of Yorktown, couldn’t have been happier when he accepted the keys to his new ride from the Max-FM crew. Congrats Dave!!!


Saturday August 18th, 2007

There are many “non profi t” organizations in our com-munity today and one such is the Genieve Shelter for Battered Women.

On Saturday the 18th of August 2007, the Prospect Suf-folk Chapter of the Boozefi ghters Motorcycle Club hosted a Benefi t Event to include a Poker Run, Bike Show, Burn-out Contest, and Bike Rodeo to show their support for this shelter.

Riders from all over the state of Virginia and as far away as North Carolina attended this event to show once again that Bikers of all backgrounds can and do band to-gether for a good cause. The attendance was overwhelm-ing and the money raised for the shelter far exceeded expectations. There were on-site vendors available, each stating they had a very profi table day and that they were looking forward to attending next year’s benefi t event scheduled for Saturday, August 16th, 2008.

A sample of the clubs showing their support were; Iron Tribe MC, Salty Dawgs MC, Pathfi nders MC, Sons of God MC, Southern Riders MC, Rough Riders MC, Flaming Knights MC, Illusions MC, Tidewater HOGS, Blue Knights MC, Goodfellas RC, Star Association, Longshoremen, and Christian Motorcycle Association. There was also a very large showing of independent riders.

The Vendors present were; Mike Finley of EFX, Wolf Tattoo and Piercing, Ghostriders Inc, Mr. D’s Leather, Reeps Riders, White Diamond Metals Polish, Boyce Performance Cycles, and Premier Designs Jewelry by Jeanette Perry.

Special thanks go out to Randzz Pub in Suffolk for host-ing the event. Randy White, owner of Randzz Pub, stated he had a record day for sales. Very special thanks go to the Boozefi ghters who attended this event from as far away as Petersburg VA, Waynesboro VA, Richmond VA, and Charlotte NC.

~ Sandy Adams, MC Event Coordinator ~


Sizzlin’ Summer StreetsSizzlin’ Summer StreetsI don’t know where you’ve been riding but all I run into is heat! Usually a cold front slips down from Canada to give us a few days relief here in the Rockies but no… and the rain only comes in buckets so there’s no salvation either. When it hails on you next… open your jacket and keep some ice for down the road.There are limits and I felt that running across Kansas in August with 100+ day-time temperatures. I decided to wait out the afternoon heat and ride at night - a much better idea. The heat lightning was dancing in a full circle around the night sky so it was an exhilarating light show. Wind was gusting from every direction as the heat created that whirling dervish effect slamming you one way and then the other – the entire landscape was in motion. A few showers and some light hail got my attention but it was too hot and dry that night to open up in a big way. Further north into the Dakotas and in Minnesota they were getting some real storms. Most of that died down during Sturgis week this year, which was better than last year when it stormed every day.When the temperatures are so high you begin to wonder about your tires popping or your oil turning into kool-aid. I bought a liter of Gatorade and drank it all down every time I stopped for gas and did not suffer any dehydration during the big ride. I took the advice of veteran Iron Butt riders and did without coffee during the 1,750 mile trip. This was smarter than usual for me and I did not “crash” on the downside of a caffeine spike. Consequently, I rode through two nights stopping only for a couple of hours to sleep in rest areas.The Indiana rest areas on I-64 were not friendly about me sleeping on their picnic tables. I spoke with the attendants and made friendly noises but to no avail… so I simply laid back against my bike pack to get some rest. In all other states along I-64 and I-70 headed to Colorado there were no problems resting on a picnic table. In west-ern Kansas I passed through a cold front and found much better night time temperatures so I put the leathers back on. Sleeping on a picnic table, I awoke to fi nd a large spider resting on my helmet windshield looking expectantly at me. The spider’s dead and I like sleeping with my helmet on even more.When doing long distance rides, you have these really deep thoughts that raise your consciousness and change your life. I want to share one with you for men over 50… with a common affl iction - what do you call it? A prostate pull-over, a wet sump stop or a bladder blast? It was really important at the time. It doesn’t hurt (well, yes it does) to ride with a full bladder because it keeps you alert. The other option would be to insert sharp objects under your fi nger nails to maintain the momentum while riding long distance.

Safe travels… life’s best just cruisin’Matt Allan

Matthew Allan is a moto-jour-nalist living in Colorado and West Virginia. He keeps a ride

in both places to placate the road demons that haunt him. He is the

author of The Zen Guide to Motor-cycle Riding. He lives in the internet

world at www.motorcycletraveler.com


2nd Annual Hawgs, Hosses & Hinies Festival 2nd Annual Hawgs, Hosses & Hinies Festival Rockahock CampgroundRockahock Campground

Aug 17th & 18th, 2007

Rockahock does it again – with plenty of Hawgs, Hosses & Hinies! What a great place to renew old frendships and make alot of new friends. The weather was great for the bike show and bike events along with lots of vendors. There was a load of great entertainment with Blackfoot, Molly Hatchet & the Kentucky Headhunters as well as several local bands. Hope to see you all soon ~ Ed & Faye ~

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BIKERS RALLY TO SAVE SAFETY FUNDING When word got out that the US House of Representatives was considering a transportation appropriations bill in late July, and an amendment to eliminate funding for motorcycle safety funds was being proposed, the biker community rallied to the call and succeeded in saving $6 million in grant money provided to 44 states for motorcycle safety programs. After being reminded by scores of concerned riders across the country that saving lives is more impor-tant than saving a few dollars, the amendment by Texas Rep. Jeb Hensarling was never introduced and the Sec-tion 2010 motorcycle safety funds remained intact as the $104.4 billion dollar FY2008 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations bill (HR 3074) went on to pass by a vote of 268-153.

TRAFFIC DEATHS REACH HISTORIC LOWS, WHILE MOTORCYCLE FATALITIES CLIMB Declining traffi c deaths has lead to the lowest highway fatality rate ever recorded, announced the National Highway Traffi c Safety Administration. The number of people who died on the na-tion’s roads fell by 868 deaths last year, the largest drop in total fatalities in 15 years representing a 2% decline that contributed to the historic low fatality rate of 1.42 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled (VMT), reported U.S. Trans-portation Secretary Mary E. Peters. But while total high-way deaths fell from 43,510 in 2005 to 42,642 in 2006, the lowest level in fi ve years, motorcycle fatalities continued to escalate for the ninth consecutive year following a de-cade of steadily declining fatality rates. Data from NHTSA’s 2006 Annual Assessment of Motor Vehicle Traffi c Crash Fatalities and Injuries shows that 4,810 motorcyclists were killed on America’s roadways last year, an increase of 5.1 percent over 2005. Motorcycle rider fatalities now account for 11 percent of total fatalities, exceeding the number of pedestrian fatalities for the fi rst time since NHTSA began collecting fatal motor vehicle crash data in 1975. Many blame the increase on the rise in popularity of motorcycles, with states experiencing record numbers of registrations and dealers selling record numbers of new bikes year after year for over a decade. Other experts cite the aging rider-ship, bigger bikes, changing traffi c mix, miles traveled and other factors. A comprehensive study into the causation of traffi c accidents involving motorcycles is expected to begin later this year at the Oklahoma Transportation Center at Oklahoma State University, the fi rst such motorcycle-crash study since the Hurt Report in 1980. The National Trans-portation Safety Board conducted a motorcycle safety fo-rum late last year to explore safety concerns in that sector of transportation. While driving has never been safer in the U.S., internationally the United States ranks 42nd of 48 countries measured in the number of highway fatalities per

capita. And although the fatality rate has plummeted since 1970, when the U.S. led the world in road safety with the lowest death rate among industrialized countries report-ing data, it now ranks 11th in fatalities per distance driven. Safety experts say the reasons are many. Bella Dinh-Zarr, the North American director of Make Roads Safe, a non-profi t organization based in London, said other countries have stricter laws, better enforcement, more accessible public transportation, greater awareness, public support and more rigorous training and licensing standards. But expert after expert said the real problem was one of cul-ture. With personal freedom being a cornerstone of the United States, many states are loath to pass legislation that curtails them, even when it comes to road safety. So while the governments of other countries can easily pass laws to make driving safer, like a national ban on hand-held cellphone use, those laws here are left up to the states to impose, and that is often not so easy. Fred Wegman, managing director of the National Institute for Road Safety Research in the Netherlands, said attitudes were different in Europe. There, he said, safety is not just about the indi-vidual, but is the responsibility of society as a whole. “Euro-pean countries fundamentally pay more political attention to road safety,” he said. HELMETS DON’T SAVE LOUISIANA MOTORCYCLISTSDespite passing a mandatory helmet law in 2004, motor-cycle fatalities in Louisiana are on a record pace and on course for one of the worst totals in the country, Highway Safety Commission executive director James Champagne told attendees at a safety summit in Baton Rouge. The summit, produced by the Louisiana Motorcyclist Safety and Awareness Committee and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission was convened to decrease the number of motorcycle fatalities and injuries in Louisiana. Achieving that goal is urgent. Champagne told summit attendees that more motorcycle fatalities are projected for this year in Louisiana than in any other year in the state’s history. If the trend continues, we will have not only the state’s worst year, but also one of the worst totals in the country. At the Louisiana summit, safety offi cials pinpointed reasons for the alarming increase in motorcycle fatalities. One is lack of professional training. Champagne says training should be required before a cycle owner or rider can apply for a li-cense. Ultimately, according to Champagne, almost all the factors that contribute to the problem can be reduced by new legislation, enforcement of existing laws - and man-dated education. LOUD PIPES TICKET DISMISSED The fi rst and only tick-et that police have issued to a motorcyclist under Denver’s controversial new noise ordinance has been dismissed. At-

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torney Wade Eldridge, himself a biker, challenged the law on behalf of his client, Stuart Sacks, who was pulled over in LoDo and ticketed for having an “unlawful modifi ed muf-fl er,” records show. “The offi cer neither inspected his bike to see if it had the stamp nor did he use a sound meter,” El-dridge said. “So the most they would have had was the offi -cer’s gut feeling that it was too loud, which is not enough.” Designed to curb motorcycle noise, the controversial new ordinance took effect July 1st and limits noise levels to 82 decibels from a distance of 25 feet, and requires mo-torcyclists with bikes made after 1982 to have a muffl er with an EPA noise-certifi cation stamp. Eldridge, who is the Aid to Injured Motorcyclists (A.I.M.) Attorney for Colorado and legal counsel for the Confederation of Clubs of Colo-rado, also claims the noise ordinance is unconstitutionally vague. The law “lends itself to arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement,” he told the Rocky Mountain News. “The police can stop you for whatever reason.” Eldridge said the law leaves enforcement up to the “unfettered discre-tion of the individual offi cer,” adding that his client was told he was stopped because his pipes were too loud. Police Capt. Eric Rubin, who used to head the Traffi c Operations Bureau, didn’t know the details of that stop but said offi -cers are using their training and experience in the fi eld “as reasonable suspicion to briefl y stop the rider” and check for the EPA stamp. But the city’s decision to drop the case highlighted a fundamental fl aw in the law - Denver police aren’t equipped with the $1,000 noise monitors needed to make the charge stick, said Eldridge, adding that, “In any case in which it’s properly challenged, the city has an im-possible burden.” The reason Assistant City Attorney April Snook cited in her motion to dismiss the case was the city was “unable to prove charge beyond a reasonable doubt.” Ellen Dumm, spokeswoman for the city’s Environmental Health Department, said an “oversight” caused the case to be dismissed. “The police offi cer did not inspect the pipes for the required (Environmental Protection Agency) stick-er,” she said, adding that the dismissal was a “one-time” thing and that the ordinance’s enforcement will result in quieter streets. Eldridge points out that even police bikes may be louder than Denver’s allowable limits. According to court documents, tests conducted by the city on police motorcycles found sound levels at redline of 81.3 decibels and 81.7 decibels, and since the accuracy of the sound meters the city used is within plus or minus .5 decibels, police motorcycles may be in violation of the new noise law, Eldridge said.

PATCH BAN AT STURGIS BAR SPURS BOYCOTT, POSSIBLE LEGISLATION A beef with Hells Angels could inspire legislation to protect wearing motorcycle-club “col-ors,” a state legislator told Rapid City Journal columnist Bill

Harlan during Sturgis Bike Week. One-Eyed Jacks saloon on Main Street was boycotted during the rally because it is the only bar in town that bans motorcycle club insignia, and they even barred South Dakota State Representative Jim Putnam from entering while wearing the colors of his own dangerous motorcycle club, the Lawmakers. “this per-sists, I’ll consider it,” said Rep. Putnam, R-Armour, who sometimes wears a Sturgis motorcycle rally necktie during the legislative session. “Putt” is not only a long-time mo-torcyclist himself, but is also a long-serving member of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists Legislative Task Force (NCOM-LTF), and anti-biker discrimination legislation is on their agenda. Putnam added that legislation protect-ing motorcycle attire passed the state House in the early 1990s. It failed in the Senate, he said, but a similar Min-nesota law has survived court challenges. Now, Putnam supports a boycott of the saloon. “I’m not going in there,” he told the Journal. But One-Eyed Jack’s owner Ray Gold is just as adamant about keeping his new ban on “back patches,” which he told the newspaper is to keep out the Hells Angels, whose Sturgis headquarters is near the bar. But the ban on patches also angered Louis Nobs of Hib-bing, Minn., who was barred entry wearing his Soldiers for Jesus colors. “You can’t ban patches for just one group,” he said. “You ban them for motorcyclists you have to ban them for bowling teams, the Knights of Columbus -- ev-eryone.” Nobs is on the board of the National Coalition of Motorcyclists, and he helped distribute 60,000 fl iers calling for the boycott. ChiPS STAR NEVER GOT MOTORCYCLE LICENSE TV biker cop Erik Estrada has revealed he never passed his motorcycle test. Estrada played California Highway Patrol motorcycle cop Ponch in 1970s hit CHiPs, reports The Sun. But he never actually had a motorcycle license for real. Estrada, now 58, had to hurriedly arrange a bike test when he was assigned to the California Highway Patrol for a new reality TV show. And it took him three attempts to pass before he could appear on “Back To The Grind”, a show that gets actors to try their TV jobs. WEIRD NEWS: A motorcycle was once plucked out of the Los Angeles sewer system. It’s the largest object ever found in there! QUOTABLE QUOTE: “Knowledge is power (Nam et ipsa scientia potestas est).”Francis Bacon (1561 - 1626) English statesman and phi-losopher


143 Million Orphans In The World...and Growing!

Major news sources recently reported on Middle Eastern women turning to prostitution to support their families. The husbands can’t fi nd work and the women are torn up about their kids. So, they sell themselves and tell their husbands they’ve landed a job as a maid. How does something like this happen? There are stories of starving families in Africa who decide which of their children they will eat. They’re all going to die anyway, so does it really matter who goes next? There are 143 million orphans around the world and the number grows daily. Does anybody care about these things? Is anybody going to do something? YES!Seven years ago, Greg and Libby Garrett of Yorktown, VA, founded Orphan Helpers, an organization dedicated to helping orphaned, abused and incarcerated children around the world. Today, Orphan Helpers is working in govern-ment-run orphanages and juvenile detention centers in Central America helping a generation of forgotten children. The Orphan Helpers’ mission is to provide for the physical, emotional, spiritual, and educational needs of these chil-dren. Orphan Helpers implements its mission by employing an in-country staff of more than 50 teachers and caregiv-ers who support the 1,200 children we work with on a daily basis. The staff offers vocational training, basic education and discipleship classes in 12 centers. On Saturday, October 27, bikers will have the extraordinary opportunity to help these orphans by participating in the 3rd Annual Orphan Run...A Reason to Ride. Three convenient locations have been designated as staging locations: Bayside Harley-Davidson (Portsmouth), Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson (Yorktown) and Richmond Harley-Davidson (Glen Allen). Staging begins at 9:30 am with the ride departing each location at 11:00 am heading for Colonial Hills Estate in Williamsburg. From Noon to 4pm, Bikers will enjoy live music, BBQ lunch, bike show (“People’s Choice”), vendors, raffl es and 50/50 drawing.

Bikers are Different

What is it about bikers that set them apart within society? Bikers are defi nitely “different”. They don’t care much about what other people think. They aren’t out to impress anybody…unless it’s a judge at a bike show. Their bike pretty much says to the world, “This is who I am.” Fiercely independent, they know that independence requires freedom and that freedom is born from liberty. Liberty has a high price. Many bikers have paid more than their fair share to keep the liberty handed down by those who preceded them. The spirit of the biker is the same spirit as the freedom fi ghter. During peacetime, the biker “rides to live, lives to ride.” When their liberty is under fi re, they fi re back. They fi ght. They defend. You know what bikers believe? …that there ought to be “liberty and justice for all.” The true “spirit” of the biker can’t tolerate injustice. They don’t like to see people taken advantage of. Bikers take up for those who can’t take up for themselves. That’s why riding for kids’ causes can turn out hundreds, even thousands of bikers. By now you are already “getting it” about the connection between bikers and orphans. Orphan Helpers serves kids nobody cares about…nobody even KNOWS about these kids. They’ve been beat up, kicked out, put down, raped and mutilated. The families reject them, the gangs kill them and society can’t help them. But, their potential is enormous. Orphan Helpers is raising up a generation of world changers. Do you know where we get many of our staff? …right in the orphanages and juvenile detention centers. The orphaned, abused and incarcer-ated children we serve turn out to be the best Orphan Helpers in the world. Our motto is “Today’s Orphans, Tomor-row’s Helpers.” Ride to change their lives…and yours. See you on October 27th.

3rd Annual Orphan Run – A Reason To Ride3rd Annual Orphan Run – A Reason To RideSaturday October 27th, 2007, Colonial Hills Estate – Williamsburg, VA

Visit our website www.orphanhelpers.org for ride details

with BZgal, Tigger & Apehanger


GET ON THE BUS! We just can’t get enough Bad Ace! Audiences feel a connection with this band because Bad Ace enjoys the interaction with the people they entertain. They consistently deliver the loud, kickass rock music we love to hear when we are having a good time. Friend-ships have formed within the audience and with the band over the past twenty years. Their ever-growing fan base follows the band’s sched-ule around Hampton Roads. When they play clubs and events out of town, these loyal fans and friends have been known to rent a huge passenger van, dubbed the “The Bad Ace Party Bus” so they don’t have to go a weekend without some good classic southern rock from their favorite local band. Jeff Abbott, the lead guitarist, started Bad Ace back in 1985 with two other musicians while they were in high school. The band has seen a few changes in musicians over the years. These familiar faces have been known to pop up here and there. Beaver Boggs, a crowd favorite because his raspy vocal style, is suited so well for the hard rock tunes such as AC/DC, has been with Bad Ace since 1986. Kevin Hornsby is a talented lead vocalist with a wide range of music styles. Since 2003, Todd Jenkins has carried the phenomenal rhythm for their rock music as Bad Ace’s drummer. Clyde Royals has been their sound man since 1998. As professional hobbyists, they do not yearn to make it to the “big time” as megastars. They enjoy entertaining us. They appreciate the fan dedication in the local community, clubs and biker events, which is defi nitely okay with us too. Jeff updates the band’s schedule regularly on their website, www.badace.com. You can contact Jeff & all the guys of Bad Ace at Email: [email protected], or (757) 989-5559, (757)218-7467. Be sure to mark your calendar for Saturday, Sept. 29, 2007 when they will perform at Damon’s Orange County Chopper Cerebral Palsy Benefi t. See ya there!Tigger, BZgal and Apehanger

From left: Jeff, Clyde, Kevin, Todd & Beaver

by: toni mccoy shearon aka “Whistle”

Sturgis, South Dakota, population: 6,682, but during the week or so cited above, close to half a million bikers descend upon this normally, sleepy hollow of a town, located at the base of the famous Black Hills of this region. I hadn’t been since ’75, the year after my brother died. I attended then to pay homage to the person who inspired my love and respect of motorcycles. In all honesty though, very little is of a concise memory that rally, that year. Hence the saying, “if you can remember it, you probably weren’t there.”All the hoopla that surrounds today’s Sturgis Motorcycle Rally (which one vendor told us is quickly becoming Sturgis Bike Month) all began back in 1936, when a group of motorcycle racers calling themselves the Jackpine Gypsies, began their time honored, yearly racing rituals. Since then, akin to anything that withstands the test of time, it has become more about the commercialism than about the actual origins. It’s a total rush and fun as hell, though, for whatever reasons you attend. South Dakota has the thousands upon thousands of open land as far as the eye can see, even in an airplane. Rich, rolling plains with tens of thousands of rolled hay dotting

the landscape. There are few trees on the open plains, which reach for the majestic hills that give this state its notoriety. There’s almost a quiet reverence as you stand and look upon so much open land. You can vaguely see the wispy, gauze-like, s w e e p i n g

ghosts of Indians on their painted horses, soldiers in full dress uniform and buffalo in herds of thousands, as they thundered across these very same plains. The land survives and has outlived them all. This is land that legends are

made from, movies made of, and songs written about. We stayed in Wall, SD, the eve before actually going onto into the rally. Wall is apprx. an hour outside of Sturgis. It’s good enough to support the rally overflow, what with great little cabins w/ air for rent, a drug store, grocery and several small mom/pop restaurants. Most who come to Sturgis already have an itinerary planned out that includes bu-ku riding time and scoping out the local landscape, so taking in the different venues and vendors set-up in the actual town of Sturgis is always a full-day gig. Thus, staying on the outskirts is very advantageous in terms of budgeting your dineros and having access to the targeted land rush. First thing I’ve got to forewarn you regarding Sturgis is……flies. Mega flies. I’m talking like while we’re having a bike rally they’ve decided to have a larvae rally. We got out the huge-ass rally fan though and that problem was solved. Blew their little black asses up into the Black Hills, where they belong, up there on buffalo ass. That problem having been rectified, once set-up we took a quick tour around the Thunder Road venue, directly across from Full Throttle Saloon, looking for our newest best friend, Barb Elmore, the woman behind the venue and master Event Coordinator. Barb told us to go down to Boss Hoss’ set-up and check out their V-8 / 302 h.p. barstool with straight header drag pipes appropriately nicknamed “Hoss Fly”. Brian, of course, had to take a demo test run. He throttled that baby up and actually got a first gear chirp and that little steel pony actually reared up for him. Cost was in the neighborhood of $13k but it had

definite eye appeal w/ scads of always, cool looking, chrome. Sweet neighborhood. There’s going to be so many stories submitted about “the Sturgis experience”, by all of our State Editor/Owners that showed up to work the rally with us (OK, MI, MO, CO), but



this one is mine, so I’m going to write about what was valuable to my memory hard drive, as opposed to playing it safe and assuming the role of tour guide. The day before our particular venue, Thunder Road, was to open for business, Brian and I took a ride out towards the Petrified Forest, en-route to another venue to check on a Ridley that’d I’d seen in town. We stopped at a convenient store to grab a beverage and when I came out there were two small concrete tables on the walkway with umbrellas over them. Brian was at one, where I joined him. At the other was an old biker that just had that look of old school, been there sage-ness, to him. I said, “Hey, where you hail from?”, to which he replied that he “called home St. Pete, Florida.” I just thought that was so ironic. The first person that we end up engaging in conversation and he’s from the same place that Brian and I first met, the place where I grew up since I was 11 and called home. So, although I rarely discuss my past or people of my past, I said, “yeah, my older brother, Johnny, and his buddy, Stoney, owned one of the very first custom chopper shops in the entire state of Florida, in a small town not 5 miles on the outer perimeter of St. Pete., back in 1971. And sage-biker dude says, “yeah, I bought the last bike Stoney ever built. (Stoney did carry on the biz after my brother passed and alas, then too climbed the stairway to Heaven) Sage-biker said “I sold it and it’s in some small bike museum/exhibit down in Tennessee”. Hello... now,

this is just way to bizarre-o, as Brian and I now live in TN. But, the more we talked the more I realized that he actually knew of all of my brother’s hell-raiser buds, as he named them off slowly, having to truly scan the old memory chip, and sage-biker had hung out at all the beach bars that my brother frequented, and my brother would then hold a captivated audience of shop visitors and vendors the next day, recalling what transpired the night previous, at all the infamous watering holes. Who was thrown out by the proprietor, or just plain red-necktified, and thrown thru a window. Sage-biker did not necessarily run with my brother’s pack, but knew all the same “other’ brothers. So, it had come full circle for me. Having come here initially to sort thru my brother’s death, and then ironically running into sage-biker dude on this most recent trip, many years later, who had easily evoked my brother’s spirit so vividly that it left me with a lingering good vibe. It’s the little moments in life that will fill you up, but you’ve got to be present and accountable to recognize them, because they’re fast and fleeting. Back at the Rally we were set up across from SCC (South Central Choppers) out of Washington, TX (979-836-6822), which is a family owned and operated business (Dad; Buddy, Mom; Kim and daughter; Heidi), who build the most jaw-dropping splendorous choppers ever imaginable. You must see these to believe them. Kim shared with me the fact that several of the “heart ones” that Buddy’s built out of pure love of the craft, he’s actually been offered top-dollar for, but literally can’t seem to part with them. He does however, (and am sure Kim says thank God-fully)


not have a problem with taking a chunk down, building one to your specs, then non-resistively handing you the keys upon completion. We worked the Rally all week long and met the most phenomenal people from all over the country and some outside; Australia, Canada, England, even a guy from Moscow. It was so gratifying to talk with so many people with one common denominator amongst us all……….the love of motorcycles and they way they make you feel. M.B. (Brian’s dad; 75 y.o.) rode out to the Badlands one day and put in close to 300 miles for the day and said the rock formations and striped rainbow of colors embedded in the rock clusters was the likes of which he never knew existed. He said the ride itself just there and back was “freeing” and made for a good winding down type of therapy. Riding does that for a soul. Went to a great Meet n’ Greet thrown by Michael Lichter, famous photographer of the biker lifestyle, Brian and I had a good, long chat with Jay and Clay Ridley. Clay is the founder and designer for the famous, innovative, automatic motorcycles of the same name. That’s one sharp and stylin’ bike, and so is this dynamic duo of father and son. Their home base is out of Oklahoma City, but there’s dealerships throughout the USA. If you want to read a truly remarkable shortie-bio on someone, google Clay Ridley. That cat’s done stuff. Also one night during the rally week, we went across the street to Full Throttle Saloon, Michael Ballard, the founder/owner, is from Dyersburg TN and we met Michael the year we started the magazine and became friends ever since. He’s a super great guy and sharp as a tack in business. On any given night of the actual Bike Week, at peak-time, which is anywhere between 8pm and 3am, he probably serves between 7 to 10,000 thirsty bikers. It is mind boggling. Brian and I took the golf cart up on the hill overlooking the saloon and 20 acre spread one night and it was staggering the amount of bikes parked in row upon row, with all the bikers milling about like little ants in one of those glass, grade school science projects . You can stand on any part of Hwy. 34 (which goes long forever) and just watch a line of bikes literally 20 miles long just waiting to enter the Saloon and find “their” spot. How the hell do you go have a few, get a mini-buzz generated, and then proceed to find your bike amongst a virtual maze of motorcycles? No two are identical once they’re purchased and the owner’s personalization added, but come on! Oh, well, I guess cowboys always knew their horses out of

hundreds in the herd. Friday, since so many of us were packing it up and headed home on Saturday or Sunday, we all decided to just stock the tables with everyone’s magazines that we had left, and leave it to the crowds to grab one if they so chose, and all of us would go on an excursion thru the great Black Hills. It was without a doubt the most incredible riding experience we’ve ever done, and don’t you know, we’ve done some rides. The neat-as-a-pin small towns, general stores and cafes that you encounter on your way to the Black Hills are just as unique as the hills themselves, and stand their own. Ate lunch at the stately manor that once belonged to former President Coolidge, which was in itself an interesting piece of history and real estate. Rode thru tunnels formed into the mountainside rock which could barely accommodate those in cars, but easily accepted bikers. Saw Mount Rushmore without having to pay to go up on platform, as it’s so humungous it’s just out there for all to see, but if you want a close-up you have to pay. We were all satisfied with scoping it out from a distance. Rode thru a buffalo herd of over 100 that was a true highlight of the adventure. They are HUGE! Some over 6 feet tall and topping out the scales at over a ton. Incredible creatures. We got so close to one on our bike that we could have touched him, but you don’t dare, just by the stare in their glassy black eyes. They’ve been here through it all and have probably seen too much. It was, after all, originally their land and then the Indians by process of elimination took it from them, and then, we stole it from the Indians. Evolution…a conveniently packaged term for what is in essence, a fuc-tionary deliberate act.Standing on a wide cliff ledge, looking out and down at mega-zillions of tall, proud pines, it’s easy to see why the clusters of them, being the dark, dark green that they are, gives the illusion of being black.....hence, Black Hills. Brian and I both noticed though that the forests there are not dense whatsoever, as are the woods in TN. There’s ample room between trees and the ground is covered with the brightest watermelon green grass that looks as so soft and lush that you want to lie on it like a quilt. The cowboys, Indians and animals, would all have easily had room to move about freely and lay down camp. Wide open spaces…...just like the song says. We said good-bye to all our State Editor/Owners at the end of the day and know that we had all experienced a great day together. Good people, scenery and memories.


Brian’s custom chopper, that he built himself, had thrown out a bearing on the way to John (Chief or Hound Dog; he answers to all three) & Tracey’s (Thumper) (TRM OK) RV camp. We rode Super B.’s Road King and Trace rode bitch on her ’06 Street Glide with Chief. She said the musical bikes actually worked out better for taking pics. At the end of the day we got some Lock-Tite that we needed for a certain bolt on the wheel of the custom. John, Brian and Rick (and Penny) the great RV-ing neighbors next door (a retired engineer….very handy indeedy), put the wheel back on and I sat my ass on the rigid-ass frame, with my little 5”x7” butt pad for my already sore ass…we had gone 2 days earlier to purchase the butt pad from a downtown vendor, Brian had innocently and earnestly looked at the butt pad and questioned, “hey, babe, do you think we ought to buy two?”, and I was like, “hell, let’s just buy four for my fat ass” I did my best to mentally prepare for the hour long journey back to base. This is the spirit that won the West, ladies. No crybabies need apply. Lost a day on Sunday needing a part for the RV on our way home. Stopped at Horseshoe in Illinois to kill some time and Brian won $400. Ca-ching! Naturally, I took my obligatory bookkeeper’s percentage. We made it home safe and sound with the knowledge that our first time out to Sturgis representing Thunder Roads Magazine was truly an “our cup runneth over” journey that we’ll never forget. For any of you whom have never been, you sincerely have no idea what you’re missing. It’s magical, proud, really loud, and filled with history. Don’t even wait till Bike Week to experience it; just go to absorb their culture, cuisine and breathtaking panoramic vistas. It will most assuredly have you replaying your DVD of “Dancing With Wolves” (filmed at Fort. Hays), just outside of Sturgis. Till the next big rally needs reporting, this is “Whistle” saying, keep your face in the pie and just try to smile.


Have you ever come across a cool shop, bar, restaurant or interesting place while riding, that you’d like more people to know about? Well, each month we feature places such as these that have been found by our readers so that others can go check out these gems of the road for themselves. If you’d like to turn us on to someplace neat that you’ve found… email us at [email protected] & we’ll be there!

Welcome to THAT’s A BURGER & MOREHave you ever searched and searched for that perfect little restaurant that has true home style cooking? Well, I have and my search is over! That’s a Burger & More not only has the best burgers and homemade fries, but when it comes to pork chops, or Catfi sh...all I can say is WOW! The atmosphere is so friendly… clean, super clean, with lots of park-ing for cars, trucks and motorcycles. Open Monday through Friday 11am - 9pm and Saturday 7am -9am. You’ll love their breakfast menu too. I think the “local people” have been keeping this secret long enough - we just have to let everyone know. This is the best food around!Loretta and Tim Lewis bought this restaurant 2years ago and have enjoyed every minute! Located on the Historic Route #1 South (Boydton Plank Road). They are just south of the Virginia Motorsports Park, Petersburg, VA and the town of Dinwiddie, VA. Loretta and Tim ride a beautiful Harley Davidson and love to support charity rides. They want everyone to know they are available as a poker run stop…just give them a call, (804)469-7716. They will even open on Sunday to help a charity or special event.So if you are out for a ride and could use a good meal and a cold beer, take a trip south on Route #1 and visit Loretta , Tim and the staff. Oh ya, tell them we said hello and we’ll see them for dinner!

~ Beth ~


THUNDER ROADS MAGAZINE 38The Joker’s WildThe Joker’s Wild

The Joker’s WildThe Joker’s WildA teacher asks her class, “If there are 5 birds sitting on a fence and you shoot one of them, how many will be left?” She calls on Little Johnny. He replies, “None, they will all fl y away with the fi rst gunshot.” The teacher replies, “The correct answer is 4, but I like your think-ing.” Then Little Johnny says, “I have a question for you. There are 3 women sitting on a bench having ice cream: One is delicately licking the sides of the triple scoop of ice cream. The second is gobbling down the top and sucking the cone. The third is biting off the top of the ice cream. Which one is married?” The teacher, blushing a great deal, replies, “Well, I suppose the one that’s gobbled down the top and sucked the cone.” To which Little Johnny replied, “The correct answer is ‘the one with the wedding ring on,’ but I like your thinking.”

Little Johnny was sitting on a park bench munching on one candy bar after another. After the 6th one, a man on the bench across from him said, “Son, you know eat-ing all that candy isn’t good for you. It will give you acne, rot your teeth, and make you fat.” Little Johnny replied, “My grandfather lived to be 107 years old.” “Oh?” replied the man. “ Did your grandfather eat 6 candy bars at a time?” “No” replied Little Johnny, “he lived such a long life cause he minded his own f*#!ing business!!”

One day, during lessons on proper grammar, the teacher asked for a show hands from those who could use the word “beautiful” in the same sentence twice. First she called on little Suzie, who responded with, “My father bought my mother a beautiful dress and she looked beautiful in it.” Very good, Suzie,” replied the teacher. She then called on little Michael. “My mommy planned a beau-tiful banquet and it turned out beautifully.” The teacher responded, “Excellent, Michael!” Then, she reluctantly called on Little Johnny. “Last night, at the dinner table, my sister told my father that she was pregnant, and he said “Beautiful, just f*#%ing beautiful.”

M.B. went to the doctor to get a physical. A few days later, the doctor saw M.B. walking down the street with a gorgeous young woman on his arm. A couple of days later, the doctor spoke to M.B. and said, “You’re really doing great, aren’t you?” M.B. replied, “Just doing what you said, Doc: ‘Get a hot mamma and be cheerful.’” The doctor said, “I didn’t say that. I said, ‘You’ve got a heart murmur; be careful. A young guy walks into a post offi ce and sees a middle–aged, balding man standing at the counter me-thodically placing “Love” stamps on bright pink envelopes with hearts all over them. He then takes out a perfume bottle and sprays scent all over them. His curiosity getting the best of him, the guy goes up to the man and asks him what he is doing. “I’m sending out a thousand cards professing my love, signed, “Guess who?” “But why?” Asked the young guy.“Just a bit of P.R …….I’m a divorce lawyer,” the bald man replied.

Little Johnny returns home from school and says he got an F in arithmetic. “Why?” asks the father.” “The teacher asked, ‘How much is 2x3?’ I said 6,” replied Little Johnny. “But that’s right!” says his dad. “Yeah, but then she asked me, ‘How much is 3x2?’” “What’s the f*%!ng difference?” asks the father? “That’s what I said!”

A couple in their nineties, BeltDrive and Betty, are both having problems remembering things. During a checkup, the doctor tells them that they’re physically okay, but they might want to start writing things down to help them remember. Later that night, while watching TV, BeltDrive gets up from his chair. “Want anything while I’m in the kitchen?” he asks Betty. “Will you get me a bowl of ice cream?” “Sure.” “Don’t you think you should write it down so you can remember it?” she asks. “No, I can remember it.” “Well, I’d like some strawberries on top, too. Maybe you should write it down, so’s not to forget it?” He says, “I can remember that. You want a bowl of ice cream with strawberries.” “I’d also like whipped cream. I’m certain you’ll forget that, write it down?” she asks. Irritated, Belt-Drive says, “I don’t need to write it down, I can remember it! Ice cream with strawberries and whipped cream - I got it, for goodness sake!” Then he toddles into the kitchen. After about 20 minutes, BeltDrive returns from the kitchen and hands Betty a plate of bacon and eggs. Betty stares at the plate for a moment, stares up at BeltDrive and says, “Where’s my toast?”

A Blonde’s Year in ReviewJanuary - Took new scarf back to store because it wastoo tight. February - Fired from pharmacy job for failing to print labels.....Helllloooo!!!.....bottles won’t fi t in printer !!! March - Got really excited.....fi nished jigsaw puzzlein 6 months.....box said “2-4 years!” April - Trapped on es-calator for hours ..... power went out!!! May - Tried to make Kool-Aid.....wrong instructions....8 cups of water won’t fi t into those little packets!!! June - Tried to go water skiing.....couldn’t fi nd a lake with a slope. July - Lost breast stroke swimming competition.....learned later, the other swimmers cheated, they used their arms!!! August - Got locked out of my car in rain storm.....car swamped because soft-top was open. September - The capital of California is “C”.....isn’t it??? October - Hate M & M’s.....they are so hard to peel.November - Baked turkey for 4 1/2 days .. instructions said 1 hour per pound and I weigh 108!! December - Couldn’t call 911 ..... “duh”.....there’s no “eleven” button on the stupid phone!!!

Lots of folks can’t understand how we came to have an oil shortage here in our country. Well, there’s a very simple answer. Nobody bothered to check the oil. We just didn’t know we were getting low. The reason for that is purely geographical. Our OIL is located in Alaska, California, Coastal Florida, Coastal Louisiana, Kansas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas. Our DIPSTICKS are located in Washington , DC !!!!


THUNDER ON THE MOUNTAINTHUNDER ON THE MOUNTAINTHUNDER ON THE MOUNTAIN THUNDER ON THE MOUNTAIN By VABA Miss PennyPhotos by Beth Albert

If you missed the Virginia Bikers Association’s (VABA) Thunder on the Mountain event, you certain-ly missed a good one! It was held at the Lake Ridge RV Resort in Hillsville, Virginia on July 21. Many of us traveled from out of town and spent the weekend there. I highly recommend this resort! Camping and cabins are also available.The event started Saturday morning with a choice of two Poker Runs, “Texas Hold ‘Em” style. As best I can determine, this is the reason we only got two cards on the run. I drew the queen of hearts and the queen of spades - and I thought that sounded pretty darn good until I fi gured out we were only drawing two cards. When we got back from the run, Wes drew fi ve cards and we were allowed to choose the best three that would complete our hand. Did I mention I suck at poker? I can’t remember all fi ve cards he drew, but I do remember the three that he said were the best for my hand - two aces and a jack. According to him I had a jack high pair. Sounded good to me. But apparently not good enough to win anything. I was cool with that. I was just in it for the ride anyway. But hey, give it up for Evonne Vest for winning the best hand! The bike show event was next and VABA took an interesting approach - each entry rode up and back down a “runway” of sorts for all to see exactly what they were voting on. It was organized by class and each entry in that class “strolled” down the runway before the next class was called. I honestly thought it would take forever when I fi rst heard about it, but in reality it didn’t take long at all and it was interest-ing and fun watching everyone hotdog for the crowd. I didn’t get a list of the winners, but there were 8 categories with 26 entries. A plaque was awarded to the fi rst place winners in each category.We decided to take a break and gobble down some of the best burgers I’ve ever eaten, but as a result I missed the Rodeo, darnit. I had planned to enter a couple of events that allowed trikes, and I was fairly certain I could fi nd someone a little more enthusias-tic and coordinated than my dear husband to partner with me. I was more than a little disappointed that I missed the whole thing. But I did manage to get a list of the winners Congratulations to: Buck Frazier - Cone Drill; Buck Frasier - Slow Ride; Tony Dean - Bucket Pull; Buck Frazier - Road Kill.I did make it down to the pavilion in time to enjoy the Back Kountry Band. Wow - these guys rock! And so did we. Lots of dancing and singing along and just good old partying. If you ever get a chance to hear the Back Kountry Band play, don’t miss it. VABA cer-tainly outdid themselves fi nding this band - in fact, VABA outdid themselves on this entire event! Mark your calendars for Thunder On the Mountain next year. You won’t regret it!


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 establishments throughout the Mid-Atlantic

states 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 the advertisers in this issue can be found, in bold, throughout this listing – they are here for you, making a special showing to give you the fi nest in everything

that they have to offer. Most of them ride too, so they know exactly what you want & need. The staff here at Thunder Roads is greatly appreciative of our

advertiser’s continuous support each month - they are the sole fi nancial 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 of a business that would like to join our Thunder Roads

family of Biker Friendly Places, please give us a call (757) 831-2264 or email thunderroadskelly@yahoo.

com. We are the # 1 Free Biker Publication in the Mid-Atlantic giving you our best. “Where There’s Bikes….There’s Going To Be Thunder….THUNDER ROADS”

DEALERS & SERVICES

Maryland

All American Harley-Davidson8126 Leonardtown Rd.Hughesville, MD 20637

(888) 833-2REVwww.allamericanh-d.com

Harley Davidson of Washington9407 Livingston Rd.Ft. Washington, MD

(888) HDFEVERwww.hdwash.com

Harley-Davidson/Buell of Ocean City10716 Ocean Gateway

Berlin, MD (410) 629-1599

Harley-Davidson/Buell Shop of Williamsport10210 Governor Lane Blvd - Suite 2004

Williamsport, MD 21795(301) 223-1800 or (301) 416-3900

Harley-Davidson of Maryland Inc7010 Troy Hill DriveElkridge, MD 21075

(410) 796-1044www.harleydavidsonofmaryland.com

Haus of Trikes12636 Sunset Ave. Unit F5

Ocean City, MD (410) 213-2421

www.hausoftrikes.com

North Carolina

Curly’s Harley-Davidson/Buell 3825 Reidsville RoadWinston-Salem, NC

336-722-3106

Davis Harley-Davidson2215 Hanford Rd.

Burlington, NC 27215(336) 227-1261

www.davishd.com

Kitty Hawk Harley-Davidson8739 Highway 158

Harbinger, NC 27941(252) 491-2091

www.kittyhawkhd.com

Nag’s Head Harley-Davidson4104 S. Dare Trail

Milepost 13 (Highway 159 Bypass)Nags Head, NC 27959

(252) 255-5922www.nagsheadhd.com

Outer Banks Harley-Davidson1223 U.S. Highway 17 South

Elizabeth City, NC 27909(252) 338-8866

www.outerbankshd.com

Virginia

Absolut Cycle Worx5016 Old Midlothian Tnpk

Richmond, VA 23224(804) 497-7000

Email: [email protected]

Al’s Towing & Nicky’s Custom5570 Raby Rd

Norfolk, VA 23541(757) 407-2735 or (757) 407-2696

www.alstowing.com

American Legend Custom Motorcycles10611 Wards Rd

Rustburg, VA 24588(434) 821-5303

www.americanlegendcustomcycles.com

Bayside Harley-Davidson3403 High StreetPortsmouth, VA (757) 397-5550

www.baysidehd.com

Black Wolf Harley-Davidson18100 Black Wolf Lane

Abington, VA 24211(276) 628-5822

Boyce Performance Cycles 3057 Kings Highway Suffolk, VA. 23435

Phone (757) 538-2848

Burcham Cycles, Inc.333 B Industrial DrivePetersburg, VA 23803

(804) 526-2300www.burchamscycles.com

Catlin Kustom Cycles1909 Boulevard

Colonial Heights, VA804526-2208

www.ckccustoms.com

Chix Custom Cycles3745 Shore Drive

Virginia Beach, VA(757) 363-2453

www.chixcustomcycles.com

Classic Twins19363 Brandy RoadBrandy Station, VA

(540) 829-0313

Coleman Power Sports 435 S. Washington St.

Falls Church, VA(800) 888-3619

www.wherethepoweris.com

Coleman Power Sports 14105 Telegraph Rd.

Woodbridge, VA (703) 497-1500

www.wherethepoweris.com

Colonial Harley-Davidson/Buell1701 Temple Parkway

Prince George, VA (804) 861-4700

Departure Bike Works5216 Hull St

Richmond, VA(804) 231-0244

www.departure.com

Devil Dawg Custom Cycles14512 Lee Road Units C, D & E

Chantilly, VA 20151(703) 378-4115 or (888) 550-9810www.devildawgcustomcycles.com

East Coast Harley/Buell17975 Main Street

Dumfries, VA(703) 221-3757

Full House Cycles100 Full House Drive

Winchester, VA 540-667-0088

Gary’s Automotive Again23220 Airport Street

Petersburg, VA 23803(804) 733-8644

Gator Hole Powersports342 Mecklenburg DriveChase City, VA 23924

(434) 372-1771

Grove’s Winchester Harley-Davidson/Buell, Inc.140 Independence Drive (Route 50 East)

Winchester, VA 22602(540) 662-4468

Hampton Roads Harley-Davidson/Buell6450 George Washington Memorial Highway

Yorktown, VA(757) 872-7223

Harley-Davidson of Lynchburg20452 Timberlake Road

Lynchburg, VA434-237-2381

Harley-Davidson of Wytheville 430 Lithia RoadWytheville, VA 276-228-9000

HOPAR’S21771 Timberlake RoadLynchburg, VA 24502

(434) 455-2143&

5411 Williamson RoadRoanoke, VA 24012

(540) 362-0140

Iron Core977 Chimney Hill Shopping Center


Iron Sports Custom Cycles 3520 Williamson Road

Roanoke, VA (540) 366-0042

Jim McClure’sMaster Performance Cycles

3707 Rochambeau Dr.Williamsburg Va. 23188

757 566-0544 Fax [email protected]

King’s Restoration36 Cloverdale Pl.Cloverdale, VA(540) 966-3911

Mark Long Cycleswww.marklongcycles.com

68 Cool Springs RdFredericksburg, VA

(540) 899-6700&

22890 Quicksilver DrDulles, VA

(703) 661-8600

Nicky’s Custom Auto & Cycle5570 Raby Rd.

Norfolk, VA 23502(757) 461-7097, (757) 455-6667

Nicky’s cell: (757) 407-2696www.alstowing.com

Outkasst Cycles3907 Bellson Park DrMidlothian, VA 23112

(804) 744-7848“SCREW STOCK”

Outlanders4768 US Highway 211 West

Luray, VA 22835(540) 743-2040

www.outlanders.wsemail: [email protected]

Patriot Harley-Davidson9739 Lee Highway

Fairfax, VA(703) 352-5400

ProStreet Cycles8075 Jefferson Davis Hwy

Richmond, VA 23237(804) 271-7766

www.prostreetcycles.net

Revolutionary Harley-Davidson6401 Richmond RdLightfoot, VA 23090

(757) 565-5122

Richmond Harley-Davidson10441 Washington Highway

Glen Allen, VA(804) 550-9280

Riders, Inc 928 Cycle LaneSouth Hill, VA877-913-1379

www.ridersinc.net

Roanoke Valley Harley-Davidson/Buell1925 Peters Creek Road

Roanoke, VA 24017(540) 562-5424

Rob’s Used Harley Parts2617 Fox Mill Rd.Reston, VA 20191

(703) 476-6607www.robsusedharleyparts.com

Rocker Originals441 Grafton Drive

Yorktown, VA 23692(757) 898-RIDE

www.rockeroriginals.com

Rocket Rogers Old 97 Choppers 2830 Riverside DriveDanville, VA 24540

434-792-3132www.rocketrogersmotorcycles.com

Shenandoah Harley-Davidson/Buell213 Rolling Thunder Lane

Staunton, VA(540) 213-7433

www.shenhd.com

Southside Harley-Davidson/Buell, Inc.385 North Witchduck Rd

Virginia Beach, VA (757) 499-8964

South Richmond Harley-Davidson Shop10011 Hull Street

Richmond, VA(804) 745-3445

Thunder Road Harley-Davidson4960 Riverside Drive

Danville, VA 24541-5630(434) 822-BIKE (2453)

www.davishd.com

Tidewater Motorcycles Inc.4324 Godwin Blvd

Suffolk, VA (757) 255-4200

Tom’s Custom Cycles7203A George Washington Memorial Hwy Rt17

Yorktown, VA (757) 898-7702

Velocity Motorcycles – Eagle RidersSALES & RENTALS

1202 North BoulevardRichmond, VA 23230

www.Velocityvintage.com (804) 353-3456

Waugh Enterprises385 Waugh Boulevard

Orange, VA(540) 672-5550

Whitt’s Harley-Davidson/Buell Sales, Inc.9321 Center Street

Manassas, VA(703) 369-7077

www.whittshd.com

West Virginia

Busted Knuckles Custom Cycles9478 Winchester AveBunkerHill, WV 25413

(304) 229-9360www.bustedknucklescycles.com

Cole Harley-Davidson 1804 Bland St.

Bluefi eld, WV 24701(304) 324-8116

Mike’s Harley-DavidsonHighway 119 Preece Bottom Rd

Delbartown, WV 25670(304) 426-4241

PAINT & GRAPHICS

Virginia

Dye Art Custom Airbrush & Graphics200 Commerce Circle, Suite L

Yorktown, VA 23693(757) 596-1867www.dyeart.com

Hollywood Signs (vehicle graphics, decals)23202 Airport St.

Petersburg, VA 23833(804) 733-8956

LEGAL SERVICES

Epstein, Sandler & Flora P.C.413 W. York StreetNorfolk, VA 236101-800-9-THE-LAW

The Law Offi ce of Tom McGrath1-800-321-8968

www.motorcyclevirginia.com

BIKER ACCESSORIES, APPAREL, LEATHERS & GIFTS

Virginia

Diva Customs501 17th St.

Virginia Beach, VA 23451(757) 428-DIVA

www.divacustoms.com

Fast Lane Biker Gear & Accessories166 S. Rosemont Rd. Ste. G

Virginia Beach, VA 23452(757) 340-4446

Harley-Haven1920Atlantic Ave


Mr. D’s Leather & Novelties

9902A Warwick BlvdNewport News, VA

(757) 599-4070

Reeps Riders3601B E. Ocean View Ave

Norfolk, VA 23518(757) 362-3971

www.reepsriders.com

Renegade Classics14575 Jefferson Davis Hwy

Woodbridge, VA 22191703-499-9533

www.nova.rcosva.com

Route 17 – The Rider’s Highway3403 High Street (Hwy 17)

Portsmouth, VA 23707(757) 967-8268

[email protected]

The Shade Tree www.myshadetree.net

757-435-2457

The Leather Shack10 Weems Lane

Winchester, VA 22601(540) 678-3900

www.theleathershack.com

West Virginia

C & A Bike Accessories1615 Winchester Ave. Unit B

Martinsburg, WV 25401(304) 263-8229

www.cabikeaccessories.com

INSURANCE

Clark Insurance Agency4709 Mason Rest Ct.

Richmond, VA (804) 271-1961

BARS & RESTAURANTS

North Carolina

Barry’s Walnut Island Restaurant, Lodge,Sports Center & Marina169 Walnut Island Blvd

Grandy, NC 27939(252) 453-4153

www.outerbanksbikerally.com

Dirty Dick’s Crab HouseOn the Bypass, Hwy 158

Kill Devil Hills, NC(252) 449-CRAB

Krazy’s SaloonRt 1 South

Rockingham, NC 28379(757) 327-1837(910) 610-3839

Mako Mike’s Restaurant MP 7 – US 158 Bypass

Kill Devil Hills, NC252-480-1919

Virginia

Boneshakers Saloon1297 General Booth BlvdVirginia Beach, VA 23451

(757) 961-8382www.boneshakerssaloon.com

Club Car Café18497 Dunne Ave

Parksley, VA 23421(757) 665-7822

The Cactus Steakhouse & Saloon 6401 George Washington Memorial Hwy Rt 17

Yorktown, VA(757) 898-8500

Damon & Company Sports Bar & Grill7104 George Washington Memorial Hwy

Rt. 17 NorthGloucester, VA(804) 693-7218

www.damonsbar.com

Dirty Dick’s Crab HouseRudee Inlet

Virginia Beach, VA(757) 491-DICK

HOOTERs of Chesterfi eld 1211 Huguenot Rd

Midlothian, VA(804) 378-9464

Hoss’s Deli 806 Old Oyster Point Newport News, VA

(757) 596-9104

Marilyn’s Hot Rod Café4207 Wards RdLynchburg, VA(434) 832-1555

Knuckleheads Roadhouse401 North Witchduck RoadVirginia Beach, VA 23462

(757) 644-6200www.knuckleheadsvb.com

Mary Jayne’s Lazy Horse Bar & Grill565 Cedar Road

Chesapeake, Va 23322(757) 549-0367

Randzz Restaurant & Pub6001 Holland Rd.Suffolk, VA 23437(757) 657-9331

EVERY NIGHT IS BIKE NIGHT!

Talons Sports and Spirits11800 Hull St. RoadMidlothian, VA 23112

(804) 744-9541Suits to Sleeveless

EVERYONE’s Welcome Here!

MOTORCYCLE RENTALS

Virginia

Bayside Harley-Davidson2211 Frederick Blvd I-264 Exit 5

Portsmouth, VA 23704757 397-5550

www.baysidehd.com

Eagle Rider Motorcycle Rental 14159 Mariah Court

Chantilly, VA703-802-9860

1-866-268-6782www.eagleriderdc.com

Harley-Davidson/Buell of Ocean City10716 Ocean Gateway

Berlin, MD (410) 629-1599

Kitty Hawk Harley-Davidson8739 Caratoke Highway

Harbinger, NC 27941252 491-2091

www.kittyhawkhd.com

Shenandoah Harley-Davidson/Buell213 Rolling Thunder Lane

Staunton, VA 24401(540) 213-8026

www.shenandoahhd.com

FUN PLACES TO STAY

North Carolina

Barry’s Walnut Island Restaurant, Lodge,Sports Center & Marina169 Walnut Island Blvd

Grandy, NC 27939(252) 453-4153

www.outerbanksbikerally.com

Comfort Inn Oceanfront South 8031 Old Oregon Inlet Road

Nags Head, NC(800) 334-3302

PHOTOGRAPHY

Fisher Productionswww.fi sherproductionsonline.com

Motorcycle & Auto portraitsLeading the way in Sport Photography

(804) 720-1049

SPORT FISHING

CHARTER BOAT “AMETHYST”Indian River Inlet, Rehoboth Beach, DE Tuna * Dolphin * Shark * King Mackerel

Sea Bass * Croaker * FlounderSince 1984 1-800-999-8119www.atbeach.com/amethyst


TATTOO STUDIOS

City Limits Tattoo & Piercing, Ltd.119D Boulevard

Colonial Heights, VA 23834(804) 504-0600

www.citylimitstattoo.com

Two Feathers Tattoos“Art With A Pulse”(757) 575-5977

BANDS

Bad AceContact Jeff Abbott [email protected]

(757) 989-5559 or (757) 218-7467

Southern Attitude BandCountry * Southern Rock * Classic Rock

For Bookings Call Ben Duncan (757) 713-2088

The Rhythm PigsContact: Timmy Fodrey

(757) 286-6001www.rhythmpigs.com

10 Foot 6 Contact: Sonny Bowen

(757) 236-5345 or (804) 642-2707Email: [email protected]

TOWING

Al’s Towing of Virginia – 24 Hour Service5570 Raby Rd.

Norfolk, VA 23502(757) 461-7097, (757) 455-6667

Al’s cell (757) 407-2735www.alstowing.com

Peaco Towing, Inc. 24 HOUR SERVICE6906 School Avenue

Richmond, Virginia 23228

REAL ESTATE

Bob Chapman – The Biker’s Realtor926-A J. Clyde Morris BlvdNewport News, VA 23601

(757) [email protected]

TRAILER SALES

Segeleon Racing LLC(757) 651-7451


Trailer World1982 George Washington Memorial Highway

Gloucester Point, VA 23062www.vatrailerworld.com

Virginia Trailer Sales, Inc.486 Maury River Rd.Lexington, VA 24450

(540) 464-1006 phone(540) 464-3244 fax

[email protected]



VIRGINIA BIKE FEST VIRGINIA BIKE FEST Petersburg, VAAugust 19th, 2007

Track photos by Fisher Productions www.fi sherproductionsonline.comAll other pics by Thunder Roads staff

There was Thunder in Virginia as convoys of trailers, packs of bikes & other vehicles rolled into the Virginia Motorsports Park for their annual Virginia Bike Fest. With the roar of engines & the heavy scent of rubber & fuel in the air, the folks in Petersburg knew that something major was going down at the race track that Sunday. It was quite a day of fun & excitement for all motorcycle enthusi-asts of all ages. This event had it all!

The need for speed action on the track was non-stop all day long & the feature event really drew the crowd’s when the race teams of Sampson/Ray Price & Bill Furr went up against each other in the Nitro Harley Match of the year. Kendall Johnson was there also with his terrifi c crew & gave the other guys a real run for their money. It’s always so amazing to watch these bikes shoot down the track at lightning speed & keeps you on the edge of your seat through each run. Way to go guys!!! Some of the other events that took place were the Nitro Harleys, All Harley/Street Bike/&Super Bike Shoot-Outs & Stunt Bike competitions. The huge Bike Show & the Big Dog Rodeo games were run by ABATE of Virginia Iron Horse Cavalry members – they did a fantastic job keeping everything running smooth & made sure they all had a great time & everyone was safe. Pastor Steve, one of the club’s mem-bers, performed the Blessing of the Bikes with his inspira-tional message that touched the hearts of everyone who participated.

Throughout the day, everyone enjoyed live music from the stage in between some of the events on the “Cat Walk” which included a “Best Jeans” contest, both short & long pants with the ladies. With more & more women tak-ing the bold move from being a passenger to saddling up in the driver’s seat, the park is fully aware of this & made history this year by opening it up to the Men in their own contest…yes, the guys got their chance to strut their stuff too & the ladies thoroughly enjoy that!

The vendors fi lled the Midway with just about anything you’d ever need or want to add to your love of motor-cycles. One of the other features of the day was the Thunder Roads Cruise Lane. The lane went through the Midway & down around the track for riders to enjoy a nice leisurely cruise on their bikes (helmet was optional). A favorite stop & refuge from the scorching sun & heat was under the big tent where the Suck-Bang-Blow Nitro Sa-loon was set up for those who wanted to stop in for a cold one. Thunder Roads was in full force also under the big tent supporting the riders as they passed through & had plenty of magazines for everyone to enjoy. It was a cool way to not only show off your bike a little but it allowed you to pass by all the exciting things that the Virginia Mo-torsports Park had to offer that day. The big tent was also


home to a very lonely Burnout pit...well, it remained untouched with no takers until we realized fi nally towards the end of the day that we all couldn’t go home leaving the pit with fresh cleaned pavement. After passing the word to a few friends about it, the 1st bike rolled on in to the pit & as the screaming of the bike began, smoke starting to roll & the odor of burning rubber fi lling the area, the other bikes started to roll over to the pit for their shot at making their mark & trying to bury everyone in a blanket of smoke. Even one of our friends on 4 wheels gave it his all, with a little help from his buddy, to burn up a little rubber from his ride. They all had a great time & it’s funny how big their smiles all were leaving the pit when most had their back tires nearly falling off the rims…they re-ally didn’t seem to mind – true “burnout junkies”!

The day wound down with the presentation of trophies for the bike show & event prizes. We watched as everyone packed up & headed to their bikes, cars, trucks & trailers with their goodies from the day & we gave them all a big thumbs up to have a safe ride home. We’ll defi nitely be looking forward to the next Virginia Bike Fest coming in the Spring of 2008 – see you there!!!

Blessing Of The BikesBlessing Of The Bikes

Iron Horse Cavalry running the Iron Horse Cavalry running the fun & gamesfun & games

Nitro SaloonNitro Saloon

Cruise LaneCruise Lane

Some of the Thunder Roads CrewSome of the Thunder Roads Crew


HOT PlateHOT Plate

BIKER PALS - Do you have a pet that loves to ride? If so, email us a pic of your “Pal” along with their name, what they ride & owners name(s). Pics must be high resolution (300dpi) in order to print clearly. Send to: [email protected]

Beware, new biker...aka - Leg Humper


July 17, 2007 Kyle, his wife Pattie, and father Richard lead nearly 300 riders, friends and supporters into the Valley to scenic Shenandoah Harley Davidson for a lunch stop on this year’s 2800 mile ride down the east coast. They stopped after leaving Gettysburg Pa, Tuesday morning on there way to Homestead Resort, Hot Springs Va. for the night. Bob Ladd supplied riders and supporters with a hearty Va. BBQ lunch with a wide assortment of ex-tras and stepped to the podium to welcome quest, hand out gifts including a Custom pair of Chick Baldwin boots, hand painted H-D leather jacket to Kyle Petty and ac-knowledged Denny Morris and family’s donation of $1000 to the Victory Junction Camp, and the Valley’s #1 Kile

Petty fan Janet Good from Stanley. The Victory Junction Camp opened in June 2004 to enrich the lives of children with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses by providing life changing camping experiences that are exciting, fun, and empowering, in a medically supervised environment. This is the fourth year Chick-fi l-A has been title sponsor and Company president Dan Cathy and his family have gone on the cross-country rides. For more info and a ride virtual tour check the web site: www.chick-fi l-akylepet-tycharityride.com or www.victoryjunction.org

~ Garth Hinz ~

K Y L E P E T T Y R U NK Y L E P E T T Y R U N


The fourth annual Virginia southern cruisers state rally rolled into Bedford, Virginia the weekend of August 16 – 19. The beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains served as the scenic backdrop for the rally. The Super “8” hotel in Bedford served as rally headquarters and was completely booked. Gail Hamlett, hotel manager, said she has never had such a great group. The Southern Cruisers were always welcomed there and she hoped we would return. Perfect weather, along with 250 motorcycle enthusiasts, came to Bedford for a weekend of fun. There were groups from Tennessee and North Carolina who also attended the Virginia State Rally this year. The Bedford County Sheriff’s offi ce offered support all weekend as far as blocking traffi c to support the riders going out of head-quarters for Saturday’s rides.

This year’s rally offered a variety of events and activi-ties. Rides to historical Appomattox to visit the surrender grounds entertained the history minded riders, and the Famous Roanoke star overlooking the valley gave breath-taking views for other members. Places like Smith Moun-tain Lake, the D-Day memorial and the famous Peaks of Otter Lodge were all just minutes away for the rally participant’s enjoyment. Biker games and great food were in store all weekend. Amanda Joyce of Roanoke provided the entertainment Saturday night as the cruisers danced and reminisced about the year way into the night. The Star City chapter #32 from Roanoke, VA hosted the event for the fourth year and went completely overboard to make it a total success. A lot of man hours and time goes into planning an event this big. The Roanoke chapter and all of its members worked diligently toward making this a success.

The Southern Cruisers Riding Club is a No Dues, “Fam-ily Oriented Club” Southern cruisers promote family and safe riding throughout its organization.

The SCRC have a national charity which is supported by all Southern Cruiser riding clubs. It is the St-Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. At the awards ceremony Saturday night, Assistant State offi cer Alan Ward made it offi cial. The 13 chapters in Virginia raised a total of $15,000 for the St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Southern Cruisers Riding Club Virginia State Rally 2007


Rocky is an ordained minister, a Vietnam vet, and an outpost leader for Pointman International Ministries. He serves as a counselor and a staff member at Dominion Counseling and Training Center at the East Gate of Richmond. Rocky is a graduate of the Elijah House School of Prayer Ministry and is a board member of the Richmond Area Coali-tion of Men’s Ministries. He and his wife Donna live in Chester,Virginia and together have fi ve children and twelve grand children. Rocky is the Business Manager for South Richmond Harley-Davidson and rides a 2002 Heritage Softail Classic.He and Donna belong to Cornerstone Assembly of God Church and is a member of the Christian Motorcy-clist’s Association, the South Richmond HOG’s, and the Patriot Guard Riders. He is also associated with the Richmond International House of Prayer, “ At Ease Ministries” of Fort Lee and can be seen weekly on Comcast TV on “ Beauty From Ashes” with Bertha Hinson. A veteran’s advocate, Rocky invites your participation in this article. Share your experiences, thoughts, and your heart with us here “ On Eagles Wings” where Jesus is Lord.

Pointman PerspectiveMore Post Traumatic Stress Disorder I spoke briefl y in my last article about Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, better known as PTSD. I suppose every-one has heard of PTSD, but do you know what it really is? I am not a doctor or a psychologist, maybe a little psychotic, but I do have a personal account of the devas-tation PTSD can have on a person, especially when left untreated. Imagine, if you will, witnessing a terrible accident in which lives were lost. How did you feel? Everything hap-pened so quickly and you did not have time to process what just happened. You stuff it deep down inside of you and go on with your life. Then in the middle of the night you wake up screaming. You can’t explain what is hap-pening to you, you just hurt. You cry for help but nothing seems to be able to take away the pain and you begin a long search to fi nd an escape from the hurt. Sometimes the escape is alcohol, drugs, or anything else that will al-low you to forget for a while. That was one incident, and as bad as it may have been, imagine seeing it on an every day basis as in a combat zone. Whether you are under fi re or just trying to relax for a moment, you have to be constantly on alert, you can not let your guard down. Someone next to you is killed, a tank blows up, a helicopter is shot down, a sniper bullet fi nds it’s mark. There is no relief. However, you have to keep go-ing. There is no time to process what is happening. There is no time to grieve. What do you do? You stuff it inside. You are a big strong GI, you can not cry, you keep going. Imagine living through this for an extended period of time. You are on your way to becoming a “time bomb”. After your tour of duty, you come home to an ungrateful nation. There are no parades, no pats on the back, no “ job well done”. If you do not want trouble you will keep quiet and try to adjust back into your former life. Then the night mares begin. You have an inner rage that sends friends and family running for cover. They do not know how to deal with you. On minute you are on top of the world and the next you are screaming and cursing the very people that love you the most. You fi nd a temporary solution with drugs, alcohol, maybe both. You do not care as long as it takes away the pain, even for just a little while. Some withdraw from family, friends, society, they want to be left alone to wallow in their misery, believing that no one understands their pain. Some become violent, even to those that love them. They hurt everyone that reaches out. They feel there is no hope. Oddly enough, in my situation, I never thought I had a problem. Everyone else had a prob-lem and I did not want to hear about their problems. I just wanted to be left alone. I could handle anything that came my way. Unfortunately the way I handled everything was to fl y into a rage and threaten to do “bodily harm” to anyone who got in my way. That was pretty bad talk for a guy that is 5 foot 7 inches tall and 150 pounds “dripping wet”. I was

a “terror” at times. As you can imagine, life was absolutely miserable for me and all those around me. Looking back I regret that period of my life with all my heart. I was almost totally out of control, and I do not know what would have happened if I had not allowed several Christian brothers into my life. I know now that I am here only because of the grace and mercy of my Lord and savior Jesus Christ. If I may, I would like to tell you more about my bout with PTSD in my November article along with more on “Wreaths Across America”.

May the road rise up to meet you May the wind always be at your back May the rain fall gently on your fi elds Until we meet again may God hold you in the hollow of His hand

Via Con Dios Reverend Rock

Contact Reverend Rock with your stories, comments, sug-gestions, or snide remarks at [email protected] and please drop by my website at www.pointman.homestead.com

Club DirectoryClub DirectoryABATE of Virginia welcomes all riders to join in the fi ght to protect your rights. No matter what you ride, we want YOU! For more info contact Douglas Findlay at 202-250-0799 or [email protected]. Stay on top of the latest ABATE news and events by visiting www.ABATEofVA.com . ABATE Coalfi eld Riders Chaptermeets 7pm every 3rd Sunday at Little Big Horn Steak House, in Deel Fork, Grundy, VA 24614. Everyone welcome. For more information contact Steve Stacy at 276-935-2484 or [email protected]. ABATE Culpeper Chaptermeets 7pm every 2nd Thursday at Al’s Bar in Culpeper, VA(call for address). Everyone welcome. For more information contact Wayne Stephens at 540-937-5568 or [email protected]. ABATE First Capitol Chaptermeets 9am every 1st Sunday at Moose Lodge 757, 5429 Richmond Rd, Williamsburg VA 23188. Everyone welcome. For more info contact Gene Spare at 757-369-0755 or [email protected]. ABATE Iron Horse Cavalry Chapter of Lynchburg & surrounding countiesmeets 7pm every 1st Tuesday at Mary Jane’s Café, (Kemper Street Station) Lynchburg VA Everyone welcome. Coordinator Tony Tronco (434) 944-1177 ABATE Lonesome Pine Chaptermeets 6:30pm every 1st Tuesday at Mosby’s Restaurant, 205 Ridgeview Rd, Wise VA 24293. Everyone welcome. For more info contact Shag Meade at 276-565-4541 or [email protected]. ABATE Mason-Dixon Chaptermeets 8pm every 2nd and 4th Tuesday at John’s Place, 11104 Lee Hwy, Fairfax VA 22030. Everyone welcome. For more information contact Bob Seoane at 703-206-0571 or 703-309-6605 or [email protected]. ABATE Olde Dominion Chaptermeets 8pm every 1st Monday at JV’s Restaurant, 6666 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA. Everyone welcome. For more info contact Nick Mursin at 301-633-0917 or [email protected]. ABATE River City ChapterStarting Saturday, July 7 we will meet at Talons (11800 Hull Street Rd., about 1 mile east of Rt. 288) on the fi rst Sat. of each month at 11am. Everyone welcome. For more information contact Steve Skeens at 804-389-8293 or [email protected]. ABATE Virginia Cruisers Chaptermeets 1pm every 1st and 3rd Sunday at Moose Lodge # 1119, 2307 60th St, Hampton VA 23661. Everyone welcome. For more info contact Donald Cournoyer, 757-723-2019 or [email protected].

American Cruisers Motorcycle Club Chapter 54 - Chesapeake, VAPresident Jack Wright (757) 465-8578, [email protected] www.americancruisers.us

American Cruisers Motorcycle Club Chapter 57 - Va. Beach,Va. President Brian Brooner, E-Mail [email protected]

Army of The Lord, Virginia (Virginia Beach) Christian Riding GroupMeets 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month. 7:30 pm Overseer: Rich “Sluggo” Segarra 757-450-4190 [email protected] www.armyofthelordva.org

Bayside Hog – Meets 7pm on 3rd Friday at Bayside Harley-Davidson

Outer Banks HOG – Meets 2pm, 1st Saturday at Outer Banks Harley-Davidson

Bikers with Heart Foundation, Inc. 501 ©3 Non-Profi t Organization, National Fallen Biker Memorial Weekend, P.O. Box 291 Bryantown, MD 20617, Offi ce: (301) 893-2900 Email: [email protected] Website: www.fi reupthundrout.com/bikerswithheartMotto: We Ride Because We Care

Blue Knights Virginia Chapter IIIRichmond, VA (804) 379-0578

Blue Knights Law Enforcement MC/VA Chapter V – Hampton RoadsMeets 4th Wed every month 7 pm, 110 Kempsville Rd, Chesapeake, VAClub President – Susan Taylor (757) 531-1224 [email protected]://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze4sw29/bkva5.htm

Blue Knights Law Enforcement MC/VA VIIwww.bkvavii.org Pres. George A. Cipra

Blue Knights Law Enforcement MC/VA VIIIMeets on 1st Wed at the Charlottesville FOP Lodge Info: Willie Barnett (804) 589-1824

Blue Knights Law Enforcement MC/VA Chapter XYorktown, VA www.blueknightsvax.com

Blue Knights Law Enforcement MC/VA XIII Danville, Virginia meets on 13th of every month Club President - Keith Johnson www.blueknightsvaxiii.com

Blue Ridge Christian Riders CMA Chapter 264Meets 3rd Monday of each month at 6:30pm Roanoke Valley Harley-Davidson dealership. Contact: Steve Lemay (540) 721-1969, Graffan Reynolds (540) 588-6191, Dave Miller (540) 362-3962

Bone Shaker’s Social Club ( BSSC)We meet the fi rst Tuesday of each month at Boneshaker’s Saloon, 1297 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. All meetings are open to the public and all are welcome. P.O.Box 3077, Virginia Beach, Va 23457(757) 961-8382

Buell Owners in the DC areaMeets 1st Sat, 10 am at H-D

Castaways Riding Club - Tidewater, VAMeets 3rd Weds of the month. Wherever your mind wonders…ride after it!www.castatwaysrc.com or email [email protected]

Central Virginia Chapter of the Victory Motorcycle ClubBill Robinson, Chapter President Email: [email protected]: (804)339-3784 Home: (804) 737-7910

Central VA Trail RidersMeets 7 pm on 1st & 3rd Tues.At a Richmond Rest. Info: (804) 272-8038

Christian Motorcyclist Association Northern Virginia Chapter 348www.nvcrcma.com NVCR meets 3rd Sat each month @ Old Country Buffet in Manassas @ 9:00 am, President – Rick Saunders, [email protected]

CMA/Blue Ridge Christian Riders (Roanoke area)Meets 3rd Mon. at RVHD 1925 Peters Creek Rd, Roanoke, VAInfo: (540) 588-6191

Concours Owners GroupCOG – Northeast Area www,concours.org/ne Mid-Atlantic Region Luray, VA #1887 Patrick Sprague (540) 743-4874Email: [email protected]

Down By Law 757 MC Clubwww.downbylaw-mc.com President – “Quiet Storm”Email: [email protected]

EZRR Club, Inc. Richmond, VA Info: (804) 932-4784/www.riders-inc.com

GWRRA chapter K of RoanokeMeets 3rd Thursday, Holiday Inn AirportWeb address: http://www.communities.msn.com/GWRRAVAKChapter Directors: Jerry & Linda Hall (540) 387-0897

GWWRA Chapter D of Richmond VA2236 Cedar Crest Rd. Richmond, VA 23235

GWTA THE LOONEY TOON RIDERSMeets at 460 Western Sizzlin, 2nd Sat each month at 2 pmFor more info call (540) 265-2986

Hampton Roads Southern Cruisers Riding Club Chapter #26Website http//bikers.crusading.org/ “Cruiser” Mosher 1st Offi cer [email protected]

Heaven Bound Bikers Meets 2nd Sat. each month 9am riders in South Hill (434) 372-3785 a great ride after each meeting

Heaven’s Saints Motorcycle Ministry4181 Worsham Rd. Powhatan, Va 23139 (804) 598-9026; [email protected] Riders Club (HRC), Appalachian M/CMeetings & open rides on 4th Sundays, 11 am at Loudoun Motorsports in Leesburg, VA Info: (703) 777-1652

Honda Riders Club (HRC)Manassas Honda Rider’s Club Meets 1st Tues 7:30 pm Stonewall Jackson VFD7814 Garner Road, Manassas, VA Info: (703)361-2233

Indian Riders GroupVA Beach Indian Riders Info: (757)449-6017 www.vabirg.com

Iron Horse MinistriesMeets the last Friday of every month at 7:00pm; room 235 in the LCA building at Thomas Road Baptist Church on Candlers Mountain Rd. in Lynchburg VA. We also have a Biker Bible Study every Sunday morning at 9:30 in the same room. For more information contact Pastor Steve at [email protected] or call him at (530)305-4095.

LadyRiders, Inc. Motorcycle Club - Northern Virginia Area Meets 2nd Monday of the month, schedules rides 4th wked of month See www.ladyriderinc.com or write [email protected]

Queen Beez Motorcycle & Social Associationwww.queenbeezmsa.com P O Box 35396 Richmond, VA 23235 [email protected]

Richmond Riderswww.richmondriders.com 2nd Sunday every month meets for Bikes in the Bottom 9:30am Poe’s Pub on Main St. Contact Jason [email protected]

Rolling Thunder® Inc. - Chapter 4 VAMeets 3rd Monday every month @ Moose Lodge #715, located at 2307Lakeside Dr., Lynchburg VA. Public welcome. Website: www.rollingthunderch4va.com

Rolling Thunder,® Inc. - VA Chapter 5Meetings are held every 2nd Sunday of the month @ American Legion, Post 2,820 Winfi eld Road, Petersburg, VA 23803Mike Walton, President (804) 640-1333

Shenandoah Valley HOGMonthly meeting @ Verona, Va. Moose alternates 2nd Sunday next month 2nd Tuesday. hog hotline (540) 946-9992, www.shenandoahhog.com

Sisters of Chrome Women Motorcycle Club/MarylandWomen Content to grabbing the handlebars and steering our own motorcycles. www.sistersofchromemc.com . Contact Sugar Bear – [email protected] or (410) 477-5557.

SONS OF THUNDER MOTORCYCLE MINISTRIES1509 Chesapeake Ave, Chesapeake, VA 23324 www.sonofthundermm.com [email protected] meet every fi rst Saturday of each month at thunder alleyCall for directions 757-543-1857 or 757-619-4073. Also we have JC’S Fellowship Church where bikers are welcome. Come as you are – meeting place: Thunder Alley. Times: Sunday 9 am & 6 pm; Wed. 7 pm; Thurs.(Recovery Program) 7 pm. All our runs go to JC’S Recovery House – All people that we help through this house are by application and acceptance based on they’re desire for help.

The Southern Cruisers Riding Club - Hill City Chapter of Lynchburg, Va. meets the second Wednesday of every month @ Vinny’s Italian Restaurant @ 7:00pm. Please contact the following if interested. Phil Stanley-First Offi cer @ [email protected]. Rhonda Moyers, Second Offi cer: [email protected]. Please visit our web site www.hillcitycruisers.com

Southern Virginia American Legion Riders We are open to all bikes & all Veterans’ & family members of Veterans. P O Box 57 Colonial Heights, VA 23834, (804) 526-4167, email: [email protected]

Star Touring & Riding Chapter 1885461 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23462 http://vbstar.mav.net email:[email protected], contact Lisa Laufer @ (757) 646-6738 or (757)[email protected]

Star Touring & Riding Chapter 208 - Richmond, VaMeets the 3rd Thursday each month, check the website for more info.http://startouring.org/chapter208/ Contact: Bob Gagne (804)458-4759 [email protected]

STAR touring and riding chapter 260 Winchester VA, meets 2nd Saturday, 9am at Golden Corral in Winchester,VA on 522. 4th Sunday rides also. Email: [email protected] for info

TAMA – TIDEWATER ALBEMARLE MOTORCYCLE ASSOCIATION. ALL clubs or any organization that hosts rides/events are welcome to attend. Come out & meet some good people from all around the area. We’re all working together so that each one our rides/events can be scheduled not to confl ict with others & then we can all have a successful turnout. Our meetings are held @ 7PM on the 3rd Thursday of every month (except December) at the Golden Corral, on the corner of Volvo Pkwy & Battlefi eld Blvd in Chesapeake, VA

Virginia Bikers Association Inc.P. O. Box 1591, Hillsville, VA 24343, www.vabikersassoc.org, email: [email protected]

Virginia Freedom RidersP O Box 1387, Suffolk, VA 23439-1387 www.vfr.race.com President: Bernie Adams Email: [email protected] Membership Offi cer: Sandy Cartwright email: [email protected]

V MAX Owners AssociationEric Ellerman- Regional Director, 8009 Robincrest Ct., Fuquay Varina, NC 27526 (919) 567-1991 home, (919) 244-4660 cell, 150*132514*24 Nextel Direct ConnectJimmy Rey - Chapter Leader Virginia/District of Columbia, 5901 Atteentee RdSpringfi eld, VA. 22150-3906, Day: 703-560-0600 x 15, Cell: 703-618-2333 Tony Waterman - Charlotte, NC Chapter Leader, 6144 Roseway Ct., Harrisburg , NC. 28075-6509, Eve: 704-454-5753

Williamsburg Riders MC ClubWe meet at the Capitol Pancake and Waffl e House at 800 Capitol Landing Road, Williamsburg, VA on the 2nd Sunday of each month (except May which is on the 2nd Sat. due to Mother’s day) at 9am for breakfast & leave by 10 am (unless earlier time is set by ride leader). We are usually headed off for a ride of about 75 – 300 miles depending upon the weather and who shows up to ride. The club is open to all makes of motorcycles and all abilities are welcome. Contact John Heckman www.williamsburgriders.org

Wings Over HistoryGold Wing Road Riders Assoc.Appalachian Region N. Virginia District Georgia & Ken Sladak, Directors, 9612 Alfaree Rd., Richmond, VA 23237

Women on Wheelswww.womenonwheels.org NOW FORMING VA CHAPTER Call (800) 322-1969 or email: [email protected]



Harley-Davidson of Seaford drag racer Ronnie Fensick went to Bristol, TN Aug 10-12 for the AHDRA Thunder in the Valley Nationals. Bristol is one of the nicest facili-ties that the All Harley-Davidson Drag Racing Associa-tion travels to and the Harley-Davidson of Seaford Rac-ing Team looks forward to going there every year.In the V-Rod Destroyer class Ronnie qualifi ed 9th out of 21 bikes and won his fi rst two rounds. In the quarter fi nals he lost to Doug Horne by .012 seconds and Doug went on to win the event. Ronnie still holds on to third place in national points behind L E Tonglet and Doug Horne. In the Super Gas class Ronnie qualifi ed #1 out of 28 bike with a 9.700 pass in the 9.700 index class. In the fi rst round he was upset when he left early giving the win to the other racer. Ronnie is currently 10th in na-tional points in the Super Gas class.Bob Malloy was unable to attend the Bristol race with the top fuel bike and is currently 12th in national points. Our next race is Sep 21-23 in Richmond Virginia.

SEAFORDRacingRacing


Straightening Out Life’s CurvesStraightening Out Life’s Curves

When it comes to riding a motorcycle, just driving through a curve or a turn is complex enough. If you add coming to a stop or slow-ing down to avoid something in the roadway that just made it more dif-fi cult. Riding today is tough enough

but let’s face it - the amount of vehicles on the road now is greater than ten years ago. This just increases the chanc-es of you having an incident where you could go down or off road. To reduce the percentages of this happening we should try to train ourselves to react in a manner that will allow us to come out of it safely. One of these techniques is braking while in a turn or curve.The fi rst thing you need to realize is that braking while in a turn and being in a lean position is dangerous. You must get your motorcycle upright and in as straight a line as possible. If you try to apply brakes in a position where the front and rear tires are not in a straight line, you will possibly loose traction with the roadway and go down. An-other thing to remember is that being a forward looker is very important. You should constantly be scanning when it comes to going around a turn or curve let alone braking

in it. You need to remember that you should always look where you want to go. Head and eye placement is a very important part of going through a turn or curve. If you tend to look directly in front of your motorcycle you’ve already passed where you’re looking. With all these things in mind, let’s think about the proper way to get your motorcycle in an upright and in as straight a line position as possible. This is achieved by squaring your handlebars so that the bike is upright and the tires are in line with each other. You can do it a couple of ways. Steer into it or apply a little pull to the side of the handle-bars that is on the downward side. This is an unnatural feeling technique but to get the motorcycle upright and straight quickly this is the fastest. Keep in mind you must practice this maneuver repeatedly to make it work in an emergency situation. Just keep processing your environ-ment while you’re trying to slow or stop your motorcycle until the situation has resolved itself. Even if it didn’t go exactly the way you might have wanted it to, as long as you’ve avoided going down and got through it, learn from what happened and know how to improve on it. Riding and reacting to everyday situations is a continuous learning process. You never stop learning from things that are posed to you on a daily basis. You should just catalog them into your memory library and use them to avoid be-ing a crash statistic. Everyday on a motorcycle is a good day when it ends with you parking it and being in one piece unharmed.

Happy Motoring!Timm Faesi

thunder roads virginia magazine - september '07

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