Born To Ride Motorcycle Magazine, Georgia #41 - June 2016

Contents

June Issue 41

Ad Index

Features Honoring Their Courage & Sacrifice Generation To Generation My Father’s Son Angel City Rally Copperhead Lodge-Thunder in the Mts Legendary Route 66 RGR Motorsports, Power to Burn

4 6 12 16 23 30 44

Columns

4

Women’s World-Lea Martinez The Motorcycle Law Group Craven Moorehead Christian Motorcycle Association

40 51 53 56

Departments Test Ride-Indian Chieftain Dark Horse Ride Safe, Ride Smart Born To Ride Events BACA Born To Ride Kids-Happy Fathers Day

8 14 46 56

Reports

6

Gena Franklin McLeod 27 4th Annual LCPL Steve Sutton Run 49 Biker Movie-Werewolves on Wheels 55

On The Cover Get your Kicks on Route 66 By: Paul Garson

AAA IFC All Balls Dirt Drag Team 54 Biker Barn 49 BornToRide.com IBC BTR TV @ BornToRide.com 46 BTR Facebook 34 BTR Lifestyle 52 Copperhead Lodge 26 Cycle World of Athens 31 Dirt Floor Cycles 54 Find It Now GPS 54 Georgia Motor Trike 11 HD Falcons Fury 28 HD Killer Creek 15 HD Thunder Tower West 3 Hour Glass Cycles 21 Indian Motorcycle Savannah 7 Insta Motorcycle Tow 11 Kentucky Bike Rally 10 LawBike.com 1 Love Jugs 22 Mid State RV 41 Motorcycle Law Group 50 Nooga Strong 52 ProRider 32 RGR Motorsports 43 RockCity Cycles 34 Saddle Creek 22 Sales Reps Wanted 52 Sand & Sass 42 Stefanie Drake Burford 14,BC Toys Wanted 34 Wagon Box Inn 52 Xtreme Rider 54

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888-795-5779 Start Born To Ride TV and Magazine in your city! Call 888-795-5779 The information contained herein is provided by Born To Ride Magazine or by its advertisers. BTR makes every effort to present accurate and reliable information in the issue. Born To Ride Magazine does not endorse, approve, or certify such information, nor does it guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, timeliness or correct sequencing of such information throughout this magazine. Use of such information is voluntary on your part, and reliance on it should only be undertaken after your independent review. Reference herein to any specific manufacturer, company, commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement of or recommendation of said by Born To Ride Magazine.” “Born To Ride Magazine (including its employees, contributors and agents) assumes no responsibility for consequences that may result from the use of the information herein, including the use of the information obtained at www.borntoride.com and it’s linked sites, or in any respect for the content of such information, including (but not limited to) errors or omissions, the accuracy or reasonableness of factual or scientific assumptions, studies or conclusions, ownership of copyright or other intellectual property rights, and the violation of property, privacy, or personal rights of others. BTR Magazine is not responsible for damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on such information. No guarantees or warranties, including (but not limited to) any express or implied warranties are made by BTR Magazine with respect to such information contained throughout the site.” No part may be copied without written permission of the publisher, Born To Ride, Inc. P.O. Box 3021, Brandon, FL 33509. 888-795-5779, Fax 813-689-2996. ­­

HONORING THEIR COURAGE AND

June is here and let’s not forget Dad. Father’s Day is a day honoring fathers, celebrated on various days in many places around the world. It compliments Mother’s Day. Happy Father’s Day to all the father’s reading this ad and Happy Father’s Day to all the mother’s reading this if you are a sole parent, mom and a dad of the family. Grandfathers, step-dads, uncles, brothers and sisters, you all deserve to be noted for what you do to be a figure in a child’s life. If dads not there someone who steps in as a fatherly figure. As the originator we have only one father but it’s up to life to keep it all together, life, family, growing up in a household that’s strong and loving.

Happy Father’s Day to my dad!

A Marine and Ex Police Officer for 28 years. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me in my life. I admire you for who you are and how you always provided for the family. I love the way you love your grandchildren and I’m proud they love you back! To anyone reading this, call your dad and tell him Happy Father’s Day. And if you’re not speaking, now is the time to start speaking to your father again.

Ron Galletti BTR 4 | BORNTORIDE.COM

My Uncle “Gee” was my dad’s father figure in his life for many years because his father worked many hours. He came from Italy and worked with marble but then later became ill and couldn’t do much with my dad. That’s when Uncle “Gee” stepped in and helped my dad in life as a father figure. So in this month of June, as a special Father’s Day tribute, we would like to honor my Uncle “Gee” Fidel Galletti who was a real WWII war hero pilot who flew B-17s. Most of all, he was my dad’s hero. This story is courtesy of The 390th Memorial Museum and my cousin, Marie Galletii Mitchell.

Ron Galletti As Marie Galletti Mitchell and I corresponded regarding her story in the Sq. J, I found myself reflecting on how I enjoy talking with and writing to our descendants. They are special people … people who realize the importance of what our 390th did during WWII. Allow me to quote from one of Marie’s letters: “What a group of good-looking, virile young men in Dad’s crew! Dad is first on the left in the front row. Laverne Dillow was killed in action. What a waste of life it was for him to have died so young!

When Dillow went missing, his mother wrote to my mother to ask for news of her son. My mother has kept that letter in her wartime scrapbook ever since. Now that I’ve gotten older (age 61), I realize how many years and how many of life’s chapters young men like Dillow have missed.

So true…and today we honor those living and we memorialize those who have passed on to their reward.

Heroes all ... and we hope that this story adds yet another chapter to their lives … let it be so!

THE WARSAW AIRDROP OF 1944

On September 1, 1939, Nazi tanks rolled into Poland and started World War II. By September 18, 1944, the Polish resistance, which had bravely fought Hitler’s military might for five long years, was trapped in Warsaw with food, ammunition and other supplies running dangerously low.

The Poles called upon the Allies to provide supplies by airdrop. The Allies agreed, and airmen of the 390th, along with the 95th and 100th, were called upon to replenish the patriots of Warsaw with the supplies they desperately needed.

There was a catch, however. Warsaw is situated west of the Vistula River from Russia, and the Soviets had an unstated plan: Joseph Stalin wanted to weaken Poland in order that Russia could add this formerly sovereign nation to its empire once WWII was over. So while Stalin orally agreed to the Polish Airdrop, he kept delaying it by refusing to allow Allied planes to land on Soviet soil. (At that time, B-17s could not carry enough fuel to fly from England to Poland round trip.) Meanwhile, the Poles were getting weaker, and thousands died fighting Nazi soldiers on the streets of Warsaw. Finally, in September

1944, Stalin relented, giving the Allies permission to land about one hundred B-17s at some makeshift airfields in Russia.

On September 18, 1944, my father, First Lieutenant Fidel Galletti, along with his crew of eight men, climbed into their Flying Fortress to complete their 23rd mission of WWII. These airmen would fly for 10 hours that day to provide the Poles with the supplies they desperately needed.

My father’s log for that day reads, “We were to drop supplies to the Polish partisans holding parts of the city.

Load was 10 containers and 2,800 gallons topped off.

Bombing altitude was to be 14,000 feet. We ran into weather about 50 miles west of target and did several 360s trying to get over it. Colonel Tuesdale [command pilot of the lead plane] gave up trying to get on top and decided to go under as the base of clouds was at 12,000 feet. We got to the IP [Initial Point] and started on the run when fighters hit us. We were flying 565 #2 in the high of the high and out of position as they hit us. They came out of the clouds, and the tail, waist and ball opened up on them. Nine of them attacked from six o’clock level, and Rogers [tailgunner] had the best shot at them. He got the fourth coming in. Two 20 mm shells hit in the cockpit alongside of Spencer [co-pilot], and the oxygen started burning.”

Behind the pilot and co-pilot were two oxygen tanks. Flak from the German ammunition pierced both tanks, setting the highly volatile gas into a blaze which quickly spread throughout the cabin. The co-pilot, William Spencer, found himself sitting next to a three-foot hole in the side of the plane, with oxygen burning all around him. His only option was to jump from his seat, through the hatch and into the nose. Before he leapt from the cockpit, he used the interphone to order the crew to bail out.

At the same time, my father pulled away from the formation so that his plane, if it went out of control, would not bring down any other B-17s. He then set up the autopilot and hit the alarm bell. Both my father and the co-pilot were unaware that the fire had eaten through the communication lines, rendering it impossible for the crew to hear the orders to bail out of the crippled aircraft.

Meanwhile, the interior of the airplane continued to burn, and the plane was filling with smoke. The airmen, while still able to breathe through oxygen masks, were unable to see through the dense smoke. The crew would have to act quickly if they were to save their lives and those of the Polish people they had flown so far to help.

Top Turret Gunner Eduard H. Daly, reacting quickly to a five-foot hole and a fire in the waist of the plane,

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grabbed a fire extinguisher, put out the fire in the rear of the cockpit, then passed the fire extinguisher to my father. My father worked on putting out the fire up front, all the while knowing that if any flak were to nick the nearby primer fuel line, the plane would explode.

The primer, next to the punctured oxygen tanks, was constantly charged with gasoline. Whenever fighter planes and ground antiaircraft artillery hit a plane, shrapnel can boomerang around inside the aircraft and hit anything or anybody in it, including, of course, the primer line.

Fortunately, once the fires were extinguished, the worst was over. The primer was never nicked, and no one but the pilot sustained even minor wounds.

However, danger still threatened the aircraft and its crew.

The right tail elevator, necessary to stabilize the aircraft, had been almost torn off, and the cables to the tail section were nearly severed. One of the duties of a pilot is to keep his plane stable, but the damaged tail elevator pulled against my father, physically moving him back and forth as he tried to control the aircraft. In effect, the damaged tail was working against him for control of the plane.

In addition, my father was concerned that the torn tail cables, which had been shredded into wires, would get caught in the pulleys through which they threaded on their way from the control stick to the tail. Fortunately, this was not the case and finally, almost miraculously, after what must have seemed like hours of German attack, the Flying Fortress set down as scheduled on an improvised landing field in Mirograd, Russia.

In spite of fire and the damage to the plane, bombardier Harry Evje had been able to drop the supplies on target, thus fulfilling mission #23 of my father’s crew: to assist the Polish dissidents in resisting the Nazi army.

In August 2005, a CNN documentary, “Warsaw Rising,”

filmed from Warsaw during the airdrop, shows the B-17s approaching the city. They looked so heroic as they flew in to the rescue! In the words of narrator David Ensor, “Suddenly, in the sky – a miracle!”

In the same documentary, Nina Januszowska Thiessen, a Polish underground courier, recalls of the airdrop: That was the most wonderful picture, when the American planes came. They were very, very high, so you didn’t see anything; you just heard the mmmm [sounds] of the heavy bombers. Then, all of a sudden, there was –like flowers. The parachutes were multi-colored, you know.

And those multicolored flowers brought hope that Warsaw would live another day.

Over 2,500 years ago, Herodutus, “The Father of Western History,” declared that the purpose of written history was to memorialize glorious deeds. The Polish Airdrop of 1944 is one of modern history’s glorious deeds.

America can be proud that the crew of B-17 #565, along with hundreds of other young American airmen, bravely risked their lives to take part in this gallant operation.

Galletti Crew #95 Pilot – Fidel Galletti Co-pilot – William Spencer Top Turret – Eduard H. Daly Radioman – John Dudar R. Waist Gunner – Franklin Mesmer L. Waist Gunner – Laverne Dillow Ball Gunner – Virgil Burton Tail Gunner – Arthur K. Rogers Bombardier – Harry Evje Navigator – John J. Vitou

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GENERATION TO GENERATION In

a house which becomes a home, one hands down and another takes up the heritage of mind and heart, laughter and tears, musings and deeds.

Love, like a carefully loaded ship, crosses the gulf between the generations.

Therefore, we do not neglect the ceremonies of our passage: when we wed, when we die, and when we are blessed with a child; When we depart and when we return; When we plant and when we harvest.

Let us bring up our children. It is not the place of some official to hand to them their heritage.

If others impart to our children our knowledge and ideals, they will lose all of us that is wordless and full of wonder.

Let us build memories in our children, lest they drag out joyless lives, lest they allow treasures to be lost because they have not been given the keys.

We live, not by things, but by the meanings of things. It is needful to transmit the passwords from generation to generation.

They say apples don’t fall too far from the tree.

Alan Bernard of Santiago Chopper has followed in the footsteps of his forefathers; he is a fourth generation bike builder and rider. Thanks to Alan, Born To Ride is proud to present four generations of bike-building Bernard’s.

A poem by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Fernand Bernard - Great Grandfather 1904

Roger Bernard - Grandfather 1932

Gaston Bernard - Father 1957

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Alan Bernard, Santiago Choppers - Son 2008

Happy Father’s Day from Born To Ride to All the Fathers out there reading this.

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Motorcycles are in my blood, in my DNA. I’ve seen them under a microscope, floating in my blood stream, riding the highways and byways of my veins and arteries. Microscopic sport bikes, cruisers, old classics, inherited from my father, racing through my circulatory system, dodging in and out of the red cell traffic, avoiding the white cell cops.

I was “born to ride.”

Okay, so “in my blood” may be a bit of a stretch, but I came from a motorcycle riding family, and riding is one of my great passions, my favorite pastime. My father was a rider back in his youth, a “greaser” in the late 50s, riding a stripped-down ’54 Triumph Tiger with my mom hanging on for dear life. The original “Fonz.” The bike had chopped fenders, a chrome frame, removable baffles, and BTR 12 | BORNTORIDE.COM

Riding with your Dad must be a great memory to have forever. Do you ride with your Dad?

a pink peanut tank, he told me. He sold the bike before joining the Air Force, and no photos remain of it. Pity. Dad even rode while stationed on the island of Okinawa in the early 60s, hopping up Cushmans and running aviation fuel in them, blasting along rough roads between the base and local villages and towns.

As kids, my brothers and I saw various bikes come and go in Dad’s workshop—a ’72 Triumph Trophy TR6, a ‘68 Bonneville, and enough extra parts hanging from pegs on the walls to practically build another.

We rode mini-bikes, then dirt bikes, cutting miles of trails through the woods behind our north Georgia home. I even got to ride the old Trophy up and down the street when I was old enough, under Dad’s watchful and Mom’s worried eyes.

Hunting, fishing, camping, motorcycle riding—it was the ideal boyhood.

Once I got my driver’s license, Dad helped me buy my first car, and I left behind two wheels for four. Girls, cruising, graduation, college, grad school, marriage, children— motorcycling became a faded memory, fond recollections from a storied childhood. The dirt bikes eventually collected dust and rust in the corner of Dad’s garage, and he eventually sold his old Triumphs and all the parts with them. Dad’s garage spent years filled with cars and trucks, as he serviced and maintained the vehicles of Mom and us three sons.

Years rolled by, into decades. Eventually the itch to ride returned, demanding to be scratched. I started riding again in 1996, and

soon I coaxed Dad into “throwing a leg over” as well. He eventually picked up a Harley Super Glide, re-upped his moto license and started honing his riding skills again. Mom even geared up and started riding along with him, just like in their days of youth.

For the first time in my life, my father had also become my “road brother.” We went on to ride many miles and several road trips together, which I’ve chronicled in photos, journals, and the annals of my memory.

Our first road trip together took in the Tail of the Dragon, the Cherohala Skyway, and the southern section of the Blue Ridge Parkway across a week. Being on two wheels, riding

alongside Dad, taking in some of the most beautiful roads in North America was an experience I will always cherish. We have since taken that trip two more times together, even bringing Mom along on one, switching between riding with me and with Dad. We took a trip across northeastern Alabama and southern Tennessee, visiting the famed Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, riding the Talladega Scenic Drive and the Lookout Mountain Parkway, and taking in a “falls” tour

Let us know? Thank you Rob for sharing this wonderful story with Born To Ride.

of DeSoto and Little River Falls. Mom rode with us on that one too, snapping photos from her perch on the back of Dad’s Harley, by this time an ’03 Heritage Softail Classic.

We’ve ridden the mountain roads above my north Georgia home many times, as well as the rolling hills of dairy country toward the center of the state, where they live. I have relished the miles, the hours, and the memories made with my father, sharing this common bond of a love for motorcycling. Dad still rides, though not as often or as far anymore. His sight and hearing are not what they used to be, his strength is waning some, and his reflexes are losing a little of their sharpness.

But throwing a leg over his big Hawg, Dad can still ride circles around many I’ve seen out on the roads today.

My only regret is that I was not more interested in learning the mechanics of working on bikes as a younger man, as I could have learned much, and enjoyed even more time with Dad in those early years. My father has been a master mechanic his entire life, able to tear down, repair, and rebuild nearly any type of petrol-powered motor imaginable. I arrived at the motorcycle mechanic table rather late in life, only in recent years acquiring some (limited) skills with the help and encouragement of Pops. He has aided me on several projects, rebuilding and repairing multiple old motorcycles I’ve acquired and sold. We don’t get to ride together as often, like we enjoyed for about a decade, but I savor the times we now share wrenching on bikes, in his garage and mine.

So I guess I’ve come full circle. Turns out, I truly am “my father’s son.”

Rob Brooks BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 13

PASSING OTHER VEHICLES

Search: Traveling again along a two-lane state highway, you approach a slow-moving vehicle and make a decision to pass.

Passing on a motorcycle is not substantially different than passing in a car, though (as is always the case on a motorcycle) taking steps to ensure your own visibility is more important when you are riding. Take every possible step to be sure the driver you are overtaking is aware of you.

Evaluate: Make sure there is a good opportunity to pass. Check for oncoming traffic, and gauge whether or not there is sufficient clear roadway available to complete the passing maneuver safely.

Execute: Once you have determined that it is safe to pass: move to the left portion of the lane, at a safe following distance. This will increase your line of sight, and also make you more visible.

Signal and perform a final traffic check, remembering to glance in your mirrors and also make a head check to look for traffic approaching from behind. Move into the left lane and accelerate.

Select a lane position that maintains a sufficient space cushion between you and the car you are passing, but that also leaves you the space to avoid hazards that may appear in the oncoming lane. Signal to return to your lane, and check your mirrors and perform a head check to make sure you won’t cut off the car you just passed before returning to your lane. Resume SEEing.

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“A Motorcycle Rally like No Other”

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Angel City next Rally Sept 14-18, Vendors, Campers & all info: 478-627-3168

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For more Motorcycle Rally Events & News go to: www.BornTo Ride.com

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Angel City next Rally Sept 14-18, Vendors, Campers & all info: 478-627-3168

Nestled high in the North Georgia mountains there is a rally, a ride, and a resort that is gaining national notoriety. Known as “Thunder in the Mountains,” the 3-day event is hosted

by Copperhead Lodge, just outside Blairsville, Georgia. Into its 5th year, “Thunder” attracts riders across much of the USA, from such locations as Michigan, Maine, Arkansas, and the southern tip of Florida. Founded as a small, intimate gathering of enthusiasts for the spectacular riding and beautiful scenery that is North Georgia, the event has grown into a major regional rally. Hundreds of riders attend, many of whom returning year after year. Thunder has come to include numerous vendors, multiple rock bands across the three days, daily guided or self-guided tours of the “Gauntlet,” bike and hot rod shows, and a variety of “biker entertainment” (think tattoo contests, wet t-shirt, a$$-less chaps, treasure hunt rides, etc.).

Ride the Mountains with Michelle Evans on a guided tour like no other. Copperhead Lodge

BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 23

Birthed in the brains of Michelle Davis, owner and proprietor of the Copperhead Lodge, and Brad Betters, owner of the Biker Barn store in Blairsville, Thunder in the Mountains has been a true labor of love for these two friends and avid riders. I had the privilege of attending the rally this year for BTR and found the whole event had a unique flavor and friendliness that larger rallies often seem to lack.

That is intentional, according to Michelle. “At so many other rallies, bikers show up to camp, party, get drunk, listen to bands, and then leave. Our rally attracts riders—those who, yes, like to have a good time in the evenings but who come here to ride. So we show them a good time, of course, but we also show them the best in riding up here. That’s what we’re all about. This is a rider’s rally.”

The popular Copperhead Lodge plays headquarters to the ever-expanding rally, and Michelle is the central figure. After purchasing the lodge at an auction in 2009, she has since transformed the establishment into a world-class motorcycle resort, with plush rooms and amenities, beautiful rental cabins with bike garages and Jacuzzis, splendid dining, and spacious bars, patios, and covered motorcycle parking. There is even a large pool, for those hot Georgia summers.

“I wanted to create a place that appeals to women as well as men, since there are more women riding now than ever before. I’ve been in the motorcycle community myself for many years and honestly, stayed at some pretty crappy places while riding. I wanted a place that women could feel comfortable, and men would want to bring their women too.”

Not exclusively for motorcyclists, the lodge hosts weddings, anniversaries, reunions, graduations, and various other gatherings. “We all know that motorcycling doesn’t always happen in the winter up here, so we’ve had to diversify a bit. But that’s the kind destination I envision this being.” We believe she has realized her vision.

One of the key features of a Thunder in the Mountains rally is the opportunity to ride the vaunted Gauntlet, a 3.5-hour, 133 mile, multi-road loop through the North Georgia mountains. The route, rapidly gaining popularity nationwide on par with the likes of Deals Gap, Cherohala Skyway, and the Blue Ridge Parkway, The Gauntlet includes the tight and technical as well as the relaxed, scenic riding variety. Among the roads on the course are the famous Richard B. Russell Scenic Byway, the Georgia section of Hwy 129 known as the “Baby Dragon” (personally, it’s better than the “mother”), Hwy 180 (also called Wolf Pen Gap Road), and “Twisty 60.” Copperhead Lodge and Biker Barn are considered Gauntlet Central in North Georgia. The BTR 24 | BORNTORIDE.COM

Find out how you can own the lifestyle of Copperhead Lodge, Call: 706-835-7433

Gauntlet was conceived by Brad of Biker Barn back when he opened the store with his wife Lori in 2012. Brad says, “We wanted to create a ride that would rival the Tail of the Dragon in popularity and challenge. So I mapped out some of my favorite roads up here, connected them into a big loop, and when we approached Michelle about it, she said, ‘That looks like quite a gauntlet.’

So the name stuck.” People from all over the country come to ride the Gauntlet, and both Michelle and Brad often lead guided tours of the route from their respective establishments. “It’s pretty curvy in places,” warns Michelle, “so the name sounds cool but also describes the ride for those not used to riding up here.” Spanning 133 miles, the Gauntlet takes in the best of North Georgia motorcycling, from beautiful mountain vistas (including Georgia’s highest point, Brasstown Bald), to wide sweepers, from tight curves to open valleys. Both Michelle and Brad advertize the route at their establishment, as well as on the web (gauntletga.com) and Facebook.

Thunder in the Mountains this year dealt with heavy rains on Thursday and much of Friday, so most patrons stayed in for the days. Michelle was unable to lead a guided ride across the Gauntlet but provided great entertainment both afternoons. A few brave (i.e. crazy) souls took to the roads in the

rain, and I had the “joy” of riding through solid rain and wind for two of the three hours it took me to arrive on Friday afternoon.

I was met with a bright smile, a warm handshake, and a clean and ready room to begin my weekend. I soon met several riders in for the rally, from those who’ve attended every year of Thunder to those who just decided earlier in the month to ride in. I met Tom Gibson, an 81-year old BMW rider from Ohio, in for the weekend. “Same age as Elvis,” he quipped. Tom met Michelle back at a motorcycle show in 2012, bought two of the cabins for personal use and as an investment—and recently has invested in a third. Returning every year since buying in, Tom said, “I wouldn’t miss this time for anything. I’ll keep coming back as long as I’m able.” I also met Emily and Randy, who were attending the rally and staying at the lodge for the first time. From Portland, Tennessee, they discovered the rally in issues of BTR at an Indian Motorcycles dealership and decided to cruise in. Asked what they thought of the rally, they both said, “This is actually our first-ever rally, of any kind. It has been the best we could have hoped for. We’ll be making our reservations for next year before we leave.”

The rally this year featured several regional acts such as The Wide Open and Topper, doing their “Voices of Rock”

www.thelodgeatcopperhead.com • Michelle and her staff know how to make you feel at home.

tribute show. The Wide Open is a folk rock, unplugged-style 3-piece band based out of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and Topper is a classic rock cover band, with many of their own numbers, from Atlanta, Georgia.

Both were outstanding, with great sound and crowd involvement. I talked briefly with lead singer and guitarist for The Wide Open, Season Ammons, about their time with the Thunder rally. “This is our second year doing the rally,” she informed me. “We were performing in Destin, and Michelle heard us and booked us. We love this rally!” Asked what they enjoyed so much about Thunder, Season replied, “it’s the people. There is just a magic to this area, and now we have fans up here who have been waiting for us to come back. There is so much hype around the event now, we couldn’t wait to play here again.” Find Season and the boys at www. wearethewideopen.com, and Topper at www. topperlive.com. Thunder in the Mountains has expanded into a bi-annual event, with spring and fall rallies to accommodate its growing popularity. Make your plans now to join Michelle, Brad, and friends this colorfilled fall, the weekend of October 27-30, 2016, and mark your calendar for next year’s spring rally, April 27-30, 2017.

Find out how you can own the lifestyle of Copperhead Lodge, Call: 706-835-7433 Rob Brooks BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 25

International Female Ride Day© (IFRD) is a campaign for women motorcycle riders across all cultures of the sport, with the purpose of highlighting and profiling the large number of women riders enjoying the activity.

It is an all brands, all forms, and all styles worldwide ride.

Each year, Michelle Evans, owner of Copperhead Lodge, hosts a ride in conjunction with International Female Ride Day© (IFRD).

This years’ ride was held on May 7, 2016. The riders left Copperhead Lodge and enjoyed a scenic guided ride through the beautiful North Georgia Mountains. The ride traversed

the roads between Copperhead Lodge and Lake Burton, through Richard Russell Scenic Highway and Six Gap. The ride stopped for lunch alongside beautiful Lake Winfield Scott, in the valleys near Suches, GA off of Hwy 180. Copperhead Lodge staff met the riders with a cookout of hamburgers, cold drinks, and all the fixins.

The group enjoyed a relaxing afternoon by the lake before returning to Copperhead Lodge for the annual Kentucky Derby party and live music.

Ladies rode from all over North Georgia and as far away as the Alabama line to participate

in this epic event. Many of the ladies were riding for a more special reason—their friend and fellow lady rider, Gena McLeod, had been killed just a few short weeks before.

Make plans now to join the 2017 ride hosted by Michelle and Copperhead Lodge.

Save the date May 6, 2017. #justride Copperhead Lodge is a mountain resort with a hotel, rental cabins, and a full service restaurant & bar, catering to motorcycle enthusiasts in the North Georgia Mountains.

Home to some of the greatest riding roads in the USA, and “The Gauntlet.”

Watch for Motorcycles, Gina Franklin McLeod. You are deeply missed and always in our hearts.

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H A LT A N D P S A F O S E IL M 8 4 2 ,4

IN K

Route 66--the fabled ribbon of asphalt and concrete still winds its way across the country from Chicago to L.A. And it has also wound its way into the very soul of America. Although superseded in the 1970s by the Interstate freeways, the magic and mystic of the Mother Road has never died. Within the pages of the superbly illustrated book is a colorful illustrated history of the road and its landmarks of the famed RT 66.

Put that together with Jim Bush’s story of devotion and passion as he has dedicated a true epic of ink to the legendary RT 66 on his body to show tribute for all to see. We at Born to Ride are thankful and excited to tell both sides of the story.

ABOUT THE BOOK: It started in the heartland and originally ended in Los Angeles (not, contrary to myth, at the ocean). It carried truckers crossing the country, Okies fleeing the Dust Bowl, vacationers seeking the sun. It was Americas Main Street, the Mother Road, the Will Rogers Highway, and, at its dangerous curves, Bloody 66. Get your kicks on Route 66 with this wonderfully illustrated tribute to the best-loved highway in this car-loving nation. Michael Witzel shares his expertise and wealth of personal, archive, collector, and contributing photographer images in these pages, offering a nostalgic tour of the charms and oddities of this road through American cultural history.

Starting in Chicago and running to Santa Monica, this book

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highlights the sights along the highway with historic and current photos in then-and-now pairings, and includes Route 66 postcards, road signs, trinkets, maps, brochures, and advertisements.

Here we see Route 66 as it was in its heyday and as it is now, the neon glamour of yesterday versus the ghost towns of today.

Witzel and his wife, Gyvel Young-Witzel, recount the highways history, its role in popular culture, and its demise, as well as the individual stories of famous sights. Several profiles of those with close ties to the Mother Road, including the woman who played Ruthie Joad in the The Grapes of Wrath film, are included.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Michael Witzel and Gyvel Young Witzel are some of the best known American car culture historians.

Michael is the author of Route 66 Remembered as well as a dozen other pop culture histories, including with co-author Gyvel, Soda Pop! and The Sparkling Story of Coca-Cola.

Michael Witzel and Gyvel Young-Witzel reside in Austin, Texas.

BOOK SPECS: Title: Legendary Route 66: A Journey Through Time Along America’s Mother Road Author: Michael Karl Witzel and Gyvel Young-Witzel ISBN: 978-0-7603-2978-8 Published: October 2007 Publisher: Voyageur Press Page Count: 256 Images: 252 color & 298 b/w photos

About one minute into listening to Jim Bush’s bike and tattoo story I knew it traveled beyond the norm, if norm is ever used in the world of tattooing and custom bikes. The Bolingbrook, Illinois resident is a walking and talking monument for a major slice of American culture. He’s covered, figuratively speaking, with nearly 2,500 miles of ink stretching from Chicago to Los Angeles. To be specific, he’s paved in the history of the famous Route 66. Route 66 is America’s first

transcontinental roadway and the subject of countless stories, books, and songs -- not forgetting that famous 1960s TV show of the same name.

Before we head down that road, a background check on Jim reveals that while he’s an engineer by training he’s an expert in “Loss Prevention” for commercial and industrial Fortune 500 companies. He adds, “It’s a career that pretty much will put you to sleep. It involves engineering work for an

insurance company that insures factories against business interruption.” Jim says its best to leave that explanation as it stands without delving further, and I agreed! My interest was his ink and bike story. The ink motoring down his arms is an incredible profusion of indelible images.

It all started years ago when Jim decided to get his first tat, something patriotic. “I was just going to get a little American eagle and that was going to be it.” He began researching

Did You Know: U.S. Route 66 (also known as the Will Rogers Highway, “Main Street of America” or the “Mother Road”)

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tattoo artists for that one and only tattoo, but a chance meeting between two motorcyclists set things spinning in all together different direction.

“My wife Robyn, who rides her own 100th Anniversary Deuce, and I travel all over the country on bikes. One day I happened to be riding my ’87 Softail when I pull up beside a guy riding a 1990 Fatboy. We say hello, and he gives me his card saying he had just opened his own tattoo shop.”

This may not have been a chance

happening but Fate. Jim pockets the card and brings it home. His wife looks at it and notices the name. It rings a bell, turns out she and Larry Brogan grew up as kids. Jim shows up at Tattoo City in Lockport, IL, gets his eagle tattoo and says good-bye to Larry who replied, “You’ll be back in six months.”

“Yeah, sure,” said Jim. Larry’s “prediction” proved accurate and Larry returned first for some religious imagery, two sacred hearts, followed in sharp contrast by four outstanding pin-up girls on his legs

including one of Betty Paige. “Larry turned out to be an outstanding artist, and I’m completely loyal to him. He’s done all my work.”

Now it’s time to get to the pies de resistance, Jim’s arms. “When I was nine years old I took my first trip on Route 66 with my grandparents, and that was the genesis for my artwork. As I grew up I lived near Route 66; even though it’s long been decommissioned I still use parts of it with my work.”

After Larry had tattooed Jim over a

six-year period the Route 66 project began percolating. “I wanted to do a project on a grand scale, focusing on one theme, one topic and it was going to be on my upper torso. While people had done pieces about Route 66, nobody had ever thought of doing the entire route from Chicago to L.A.” After seeing the cover of a Route 66 enthusiast magazine From Pier to Shining Pier, Jim decided to begin the project. The unofficial starting point for Route 66 was

Chicago’s Navy pier and it’s termination point was the Santa Monica pier. “That was it. I’m going to start on my left wrist with Chicago and go through the eight states. I’ll pick all the icons, the hotels, the gas stations, the Mom and Pop restaurants, and go across my back and end at my right wrist with the Santa Monica pier.” That was the concept, but it took years for Jim to select all the myriad components, then took Larry about 18 months to draw up the entire project. He first took

contact paper and measured the dimensions of Jim’s arms and back, then composed all the hundreds of images. Each arm took twelve hours for the outlining, each completed in one day’s session. Then Jim began sitting for the coloring-in process, a true epic of ink. He sat one full day a week for a year straight. Jim counts 105 hours for his left arm and 95 for his right. In addition, his back is still a work in process and not yet unveiled.

It would take a book or TV documentary to go

Did You Know: U.S.66 was officially resigned on June 27,1985. The D.O.T. decided the route was no longer relevant.

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through all the images but here’s some highlights. On Jim’s left arm there’s a turquoise ’55 Chevy with a license plate that reads 2448 that commemorates Route 66’s total mileage. The Standard Oil gas station attendant on his right arm is the image of his grandfather. “That filling station opened in the early 1950s on Route 66. It’s still there, owned by my family.

My grandfather’s sons still work there with my cousins.” And if you look carefully you’ll find a Ferris wheel on Chicago’s Navy pier.

Walking up to that Ferris wheel, Larry has drawn the figures of Jim, his wife, and his youngest son. Jim’s art is amazing but Jim also has an award show winning Black Pan, but that is another story for a future issue.

Do you have a memory of Route 66?

Tell us about your Route 66 story. Email info@borntoride.com or call 888-795-5779.

Paul Garson BTR 36 | BORNTORIDE.COM

Did You Know: Route 66 served as a major path for those who migrated west, especially during the 1930s.

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Attorney Fran M. Haasch isn’t just our attorney, she’s yours as well! 1-866-LAW-FRAN

Did You Know: It is no longer possible to drive Route 66 uninterrupted, but much of the original route are still drivable.

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Women’s World

well as up and down the east coast—were places that we went to race.”

In 2007, Lea started riding the Suzuki Hayabusa. “I got much more involved in racing and went to as many events that I could attend.

If there were events in Florida, we tried to make as many of them as we could.”

Then tragedy struck.

Lea was diagnosed with ductal carcinoma.

Mammary ductal carcinoma is the most common type of breast cancer in women. It comes in two forms: invasive ductal carcinoma, an infiltrating, malignant and abnormal proliferation of neoplastic cells (abnormal growth of cells) in the breast tissue, or ductal carcinoma, a noninvasive, potentially malignant, neoplasm that is still confined to the milk ducts, where breast cancer most often originates.

“It was devastating. You don’t know what’s going on, what’s going to happen. It’s just plain scary. I was extremely lucky they caught it so early. With the diagnosis and them catching this early, I elected to have a double mastectomy.

Two weeks later, the test results come back telling me whether I have to go through chemo or radiation. I was beyond lucky! I didn’t have to have either chemo or radiation!”

This is why Lea is so passionate about her racing and spreading the word about breast cancer and the importance of yearly mammograms and self-checks. “I raise awareness because that mammogram saved my life! I went ahead and pushed on with the reconstructive procedures which took quite a bit of time. Now, I am cancer free!”

Lea makes it a point to attend as many events as she possibly can to promote her racing and her cause. “Just recently, I was at Quaker Steak and Lube for the Bikers Raising Awareness events (BRA). I brought my race bike and talked to people about my racing and more importantly, bringing awareness to breast cancer and that both women AND men get it. I love BRA because they help those you can say she’s keeping her passion alive via There is a very cool woman that has inspired that really need the help. When I was sick, I her family’s love of the sport! “This has been many people that cross her path. If she’s not couldn’t get food stamps because my husband something I’ve always been interested in. I out on the drag strip racing her Hayabusa, made too much money at his job. I couldn’t finally have the opportunity to do that and, most she’s out and about promoting the importance even get temporary disability! My employer had importantly, having someone to support this of breast cancer research. Lea Martinez is a even called unemployment to try and help my passion of mine. “Lea and her husband started name I will not forget, nor will you. She’s a case.

They still denied it.

I ran into brick walls cancer survivor and a remarkable human being! going to the racetracks and meeting people everywhere I went.

I tried to do whatever I that were into the sport of drag racing.

She So, how did you get involved in motorcycling, could.

It was very difficult.”

Lea? “I had moved down to Florida in 2004. I got some great pointers on what to do on the Lea has an interesting race she’s going to met my husband here, and together we decided racetrack, how to handle her bike, and all the participate in! “I’m going to be involved in a good stuff that comes along with drag racing. to buy a motorcycle. Within 6 months I was “At the time, I knew nothing. I got involved into race in July that a friend coordinates. It’s held learning how to drag race!” within another race called, ‘Paint the Quarter AMA Drag Bike Series. Whenever we could As a child, Lea’s dad used to race pro stock Pink.’ All funds from this event will be given to afford to go to these races, we would go. cars, a brother who races motorcycles, and a Orlando, Lakeland, Bradenton, West Palm—as stepsister who races motorcycles. So, I guess

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We will see more of Lea with Reverend Jim’s Racing for Orphans. “The Salt is Calling”

Lea Martinez, Women’s World cont.

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the breast cancer research foundation. I’m the only survivor involved in this race. This event will be held in Maryland on July 21–22.”

Lea is a public speaker, discussing her racing and her devotion to finding a cure for breast cancer. “A friend of mine got me to speak at a women’s event in Daytona. They have a ‘Women Ride’ feature and it’s not for women only. I spoke about being a survivor of breast cancer and my motorcycle racing. It was a lot of fun and I met some great women. Whenever I get the opportunity, I will talk to people about raising awareness. Prevention is what helped me. In actuality, I skipped a year in getting my mammogram. I’m so lucky this was found. It could have been a lot worse. Statistics say that 80% of breast cancer can be cured if found in time.”

Recently, Lea had a fundraiser at FJ Motorsports in Tampa. “This was an event to raise money for the breast cancer research foundation and Martinez Racing. FJ Motorsports is one of my sponsors. The cost of getting to these races is very high. FJ Motorsports is helping me along this route so that I will be able to attend the Maryland race and provide money for the breast cancer research foundation.”

Lea has been fortunate to win various trophies over the years. What’s exciting is that every year, more and more women are coming into the staging area for racing! Lea added, “I was in a money round and the race got rained out at Orlando Speed World. I was the number 1 qualifier at another event. I do what I can to get my name out there! I went to North Carolina. I was on my 2nd qualifying pass and blew my motor. There was a huge hole in my motor block. It was devastating. The following month, I went to another racing event because they were doing a memorial for a friend who passed away. While I was there, I spoke with a good friend of mine, Larry ‘Spider Man’ McBride. He told me ‘I’m going to help you. I’ve known about you, your racing, your bike problems, and you’re a breast cancer survivor. I’m going to call all of my sponsors and see if we can get your bike put back together.’ Not only did he get all the parts I needed to put my bike back together, it’s now a bigger motor than it was before!”

In closing, Lea shared with me the following. “A lot of good has come out of the bad. For me, all the angels and race family have brought me back on track with my racing and bringing awareness to breast cancer.

More and more men are coming up with breast cancer now. It’s not just a women’s cancer anymore. I have to stress that getting a yearly mammogram is crucial! It will save your life.”

Thank you, Lea, for an inspiring and motivating story!

Susan Hurst www.LeaMartinezRacing.com, Sign-up for Women’s World at www.BornToRide.com

POWER TO BURN

A RACE-BRED V-TWIN Based on the Project 156 racer that competed at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, Octane’s 1200cc V-twin uses 4-valve heads, dual overhead cams and liquid cooling to make 104hp. Geared for acceleration, Octane™ ran a quarter mile in 12 seconds and hit 60 mph in under 4 seconds.

A CAST-ALUMINUM FRAME A light and rigid cast aluminum frame transmits every horsepower directly to the pavement. Sharp steering geometry and 32-degrees BTR 44 | BORNTORIDE.COM

of lean angle deliver agility previously unknown to American motorcycles. Cast aluminum 10-spoke wheels are sized for sure-footed handling.

CHROME WON’T GET YOU HOME That’s why there’s so little shiny stuff on Octane™. The chassis and powertrain are blacked-out, and Matte Super Steel Gray bodywork creates a modern, monochrome look.

LEANER AND MEANER Octane™ is the most aggressive

Victory motorcycle ever built, styled with harder lines, sharper creases, and other subtle details that make Octane™ look leaner and meaner than any other American motorcycle. The bullet cowl is standard equipment and proves this bike is built for speed.

Specifications dry weight: 528 lb. (240 kg) displacement: 1179cc engine & drivetrain transmission/final drive: 6-speed/ belt exhaust: dual slash-cut mufflers

RGR Motorsports, 594 Veterans Memorial Blvd. Cumming, GA 30040 www.RGRMS.net • 678-455-6460

VICTORY OCTANE

with common volume fuel system: sequential fuel injection with single 60mm throttle body compression ratio: 10.8:1 horsepower (hp): 104 hp @ 8000 rpm valve train: dohc, 4 valves per cylinder torque: 76 ft-lbs @ 6000 rpm final drive ratio: 2.536: 1 bore x stroke (mm): 101.0 x 73.6mm engine type: liquid-cooled 60째 v-twin

suspension rear suspension: twin shocks with dual-rate springs, adjustable preload; 3.0-in. travel front suspension: 41mm dampertube forks with dual-rate springs; 4.7-in. travel drivetrain clutch type: wet, multi-plate brakes rear brakes: single-piston front brakes: dual piston caliper, 298mm disc brake system type: conventional tires / wheels

Next month Rob Brooks Test Rides the 2017 Victory Octane here in Born To Ride.

front tires: 130/70-18 63h rear wheel: 17 x 4.5-in. cast 10-spoke front wheel: 18 x 3.5-in. cast, 10-spoke rear tires: 160/70-17 76h dimensions seat height: 25.9 in. / 658 mm wheelbase: 62.1 in. / 1578mm rake/trail: 29.0째/ 5.1 in. / 130mm fuel capacity (litres): 3.4 gal. / 12.9 ltr overall vehicle length: 90.9 in. / 2286mm lean angle: 32 degrees BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 45

Events www.B June 2 Morrow, GA Thunder Tower H-D Bike Night 6PM - 9PM, every 1st Thursday.

For more info call 770-960-6000 June 2 - June 5 Helen, GA Annual Southeast Victory Rally Bavarian town of Helen. For more information 229-506-0641 or visit victoryrally.com June 3 – June 5 Roswell, GA Interested in learning to ride or want to brush up on your basic riding skills? Join us for the KCHD-U Basic Rider Course in partnership with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation in Alpharetta. If you are active or retired Military personnel or First Responder you could qualify to take this course for free!

This is a license waiver class. Cost is $320 per person. Class times: Friday 6:30-8:30pm at KCHD; Saturday and Sunday 7:45am-6pm at MSF. Killer Creek Harley-Davidson is located at 11480 Alpharetta Highway. FMI or to register call 770-777-1000 June 3 - June 4 Boone, NC Boone Bike Rally High County Fairgrounds. Live Music, Bike Games, Wild Contests, Vendors and Lots More BYOB, No Colors, No Glass Bottles, No Attitudes, No Pets...No Problems. MUST BE 18 YEARS OLD. For more information call 828 733 8060 June 3 - June 4 Lincolnton, NC Hog Happenin’ BBQ Cook-off Rally & Poker Run Downtown Lincolnton. Hog Happenin’ is a regional bike fest and Kansas City Barbeque Society Sanctioned North Carolina State Championship BBQ Cook-off that brings motorcycle owners and Barbeque teams together in downtown Lincolnton. This is a unique event that draws visitors from across the Charlotte Region and the Southeast. While there are many hog events throughout North Carolina, Lincolnton was the first to combine the animal with the mechanical. For more information visit hoghappenin.org June 4 Sanford, FL 5th Annual JOSH Shake the Lake Motorcycle Rodeo and Concert 12PM The Barn. Proceeds will benefit Just Our Soldiers’ Helpers (J.O.S.H.) a nonprofit organization that supports Soldiers who are deployed to locations where it is difficult for them to purchase hygiene items and snacks/food. Donations

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Borngreat To Ride market, promote, and your next event; There are Let some events coming up, so getadvertise out there and meet up call with404-788-3907. old friends!

s, Rides & Destinations BornToRide.com/events of Greenville. The run will benefit a and more. Get a chance to win a local food pantry operation, God’s new Honda motorcycle. For more info 800-253-6530, curethekids.org Pantry (http://gpscupstate.com/), which operates 12 volunteer food pantries across the upstate of South June 4 June 9 - June 12 Buford, GA Silent Partners for Cleveland, GA Hooters on Scooters Carolina.

Kids 9th Annual Ride to Hillside Motorcycle Rally at Mountain Creek June 12 Children’s Hospital 8AM American Grove. For more information call Roswell, GA Speed date a Harley at Legion Post 127. Full police escort; 706-865-6930 Killer Creek Harley-Davidson Come after party 3PM. Live music, raffles, to Demo Day and test ride the new bike show, food, bikini bike wash June 11 2016 Harley-Davidson line-up 12:30and more. For more information call Athens, GA Cycle World of 4:30PM. Free, weather permitting.

676-617-9340 Athens Open House Party 10AM. Celebrating 41 years; tattoo contest, FMI or to register, call 770-777-1000 June 4 Miss CWA model search, music by Cumming, GA Forsyth County SMAC, Stunt shows (11AM/2PM), $5 June 16 - June 19 Sheriff’s Motorcycle safety Day BBQ, $2 beers and more. For more Cookeville, TN Junebug Boogie Motorcycle Rally. This is an adult 10AM - 2PM Cumming Fairgrounds. information call 706-548-3300 rally you must be 21 yrs. or older to Bring your bike for a free inspection, enter. I.D. required. 2016 will be our earn your class M license from June 11 15th Anniversary of Junebug Boogie.

DDS, challenge a cop on a law Conyers, GA Falcons Fury H-D enforcement cone course. For more Customer Appreciation Day & Party Bike games, contests, and lots of information motorcyclesafetyday@ 12PM - 4PM. For more information entertainment. We have vendors of all types (event merchandise, jewelry, forsythco.com call 770-979-7999 food, clothing, etc). Its $40 per person, No hidden fees, No support June 4 June 11 vehicle fee, Free hot showers, and Evans, GA Annual Deputy JD Paugh Leesburg, GA LCpl Steve Sutton Memorial Ride & Concert 10AM at Memorial Dice Run Annual Memorial town is only 12 miles away from Antebellum Pavilion. For more info Ride for Fallen Marine. Registration event. If you bring a golf cart there is a $20 fee. For more info check out jdpaughmemorial.org 9 AM Depart 10 AM Lee County our website junebugboogie.com Courthouse. For more information June 4 call 229-894-0598 June 17 - June 19 Jasper, GA Georgia Riders 5th Midway, GA Soldiers United MC 6th Annual Fundraiser 12PM Lee Newton June 11 Anniversary & Bike rally at Barrett’s Park. Ride leaves at 1PM ($20 per Newnan, GA Biking Dead Tour bike, $5 per plate) then it’s time 9AM - 11AM Coweta Veterans Club. Lake. Food, music, vendors, charity for great food, beverages, and live Tour of filming sites of “the Walking ride and more. For more info call 912-270-1662 music. For more info 770-893-8786 Dead.” This is a self-paced tour with guides at each site. Admission June 17 - June 18 June 4 is $15 per bike donation. Bloody.

Rockingham, NC Smoke Out Rally Elon, NC 10th Annual Tricky Ricky BomberGirlsLRC@gmail.com 17 Rockingham Dragstrip. The Ride & Music Festival 10AM 3 Smoke Out is a Chopper party. It is Stooges Cycles. Benefits Sam’s June 11 about celebrating chops with killer Wish Fund & Kids Path of Hospice- Swansboro, NC Fisher House providing wishes to NC children in Poker Run 3PM - 8PM Sidewinders music, drag racing, bike shows, chopper vendors, mini bike racing, Kids Path of Hospice Care. Ride Speakeasy. This is a One Stop mini drifting trikes and so much admission includes a raffle ticket, Poker Run which means cards more. The event is two days to lunch and admission to the music will be drawn every 30 minutes look at fine chops, listen to good festival at 4PM; coolers, tents, & at Sidewinders Speakeasy. There music, relax, catch up with old lawn chairs welcome at the music will also be a 50/50 drawing and festival; seven great Bands, live silent auction. All proceeds go to the friends or make new friends, eat good food, take a couple nice puts auctions, raffles, 50/50, event Camp Lejeune Fisher House. For in a pretty countryside, drink some shirts, and performances by our more info call 910-325-7535 beer, shop the vendors wares and special kids path kids. For more info more. Meet The Horse Backstreet call 336-584-8833 June 11 Chopper magazine team including Mauldin, SC Rotary club Charity Hammer, Englishman, Edge and all June 5 Poker Run. The run will start at Cumming, GA Atlanta Ride for Kids the Mauldin Cultural Center (101 E. the crew. For more information visit 8AM at Cumming Fairgrounds. Enjoy Butler Rd, Mauldin), follow a scenic smokeoutrally.com a fun ride, food and entertainment. route of 70-80 miles through rural Cheer our stars, local children South Carolina with stops in several June 18 Conyers, GA Falcons Fury H-D Vet fighting brand tumors. Fundraiser to quaint southern towns with Rotary earn incentives like T-shirts, Jackets Clubs and end at Harley-Davidson Fest Day & Veteran Appreciation Party 12PM - 6PM. For more of auction items will be greatly appreciated! For more information visit justoursoldiershelpers.org

To Send submitinand eventomore events visit www.GeorgiaBikeEvents.com yourview events info@BornToRide.com, help us help you.

information call 770-979-7999 June 18 Cornelia, GA Veterans Wall of Honor Ride 9AM - 1PM VFW Post 7720.

Ride to benefit Veterans Wall of Honor Park. All proceeds will go to finishing construction of this Park.

After a 1 1/2 hour ride there will be a BBQ lunch served to all that ride. For more information call 706-778-4224 June 18 Monroe, GA Run for Dolly Braveheart 11AM American Legion Post 64.

Native American celebration and bike blessing. For more information call 770-601-6203 June 18 Morrow, GA Thunder Tower H-D BBQ, Beer & Bikes 12PM - 3PM. Demo rides all day, live music and more. For info call 770-960-6000 June 18 Roswell, GA Join Killer Creek Harley-Davidson for our Cruise ’N Blues Party from 12-5pm. Live music, lunch by the Killer Creek H.O.G. Chapter, vendors, drinks at The Broken Arrow Bar, and more. Free admission. Please drink responsibly.

FMI call 770-777-1000 June 18 Asheville, NC 2016 Poker Run Benefiting RIDE FOR KIDS 8AM Schroaders Honda ending at the Asheville Outlets Brevard Road in Asheville. Drill team @ Noon, grand prize is a pair of Shinko tires, there will be trophies for 1st 2nd and 3rd place Live music, door prizes, 50/50, drawing and more. For information call 828-693-4101 June 18 Gaffney, SC 3rd Annual Dice Run to Benefit Cherokee County Meals on Wheels. Start at Cherokee County Veteran’s Appreciation Park, Registration begins at 10AM. First bike out at 10:30AM, $25 per bike/ $15 per passenger/$10 extra card, 5 stops appx 100-mile ride ends at Holly Grove Catering in Blacksburg, SC; Last bike in at 3:30PM; 50/50 drawing, raffles, foods, drinks, music High Score $300, Low Score $100; vendors welcome. For more information call 864-487-2730 June 18

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www.BornToRide.com/events Turtletown, TN Thirsty Turtle Grand Opening. Come and celebrate our Grand Opening Saturday, June 18.

Play for free Pool – Horseshoes – Cornhole; 1st place winner in each wins 100%. Entertainment provided by Electric Circus Band, Safe – Friendly Atmosphere.

For more information call 423-496-5221 June 20 Ride Your Motorcycle to Work Day June 20 Easley, SC Honoring Their Service Motorcycle Event 11:30AM JB Owens Recreation Complex. Several hundred motorcycles escort 30-40 local Marines and Wounded Warriors from Easley, SC to Salem, SC where they spend several days of fun activities and general R&R with local families. For more information about the event visit honoring-their-service.org June 22 Roswell, GA Killer Creek Harley-Davidson is hosting Bike Night on Wednesday from 6-9pm. It’s ladies night, so ladies drink for free! There will be Cajun Po-Boys

by Adele’s on Canton, drinks, and raffles including a 50/50 raffle. Please drink responsibly. FMI call 770-777-1000 June 25 Warm Springs, GA The Cool Ride 10AM Xtreme Rider. Hosted ride from Warm Springs to cool mountain air of Georgia. Rider pick up and lunch stop at Knucklehead Cafe in Rockmart, GA. Ride ends at Copperhead Lodge in Blairsville, GA. Welcome reception with free food, beverages, gift bag, and more. For more information call 706-835-7433 June 25 Worldwide Steel Cowgirl Day 7AM 11:59PM. A day to celebrate the sisterhood of women riders and remember those we have lost. Women worldwide, get out and ride, dine, cocktail, laugh, hug, chat or anything else that you want to do, this is your day! Post photos of your day to our Facebook page, Steel Cowgirl Apparel, to get featured in the video!

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June 25 Conyers, GA Falcons Fury H-D Grill N Chill. A laid back BBQ fundraiser. Come join us for an afternoon of Burgers, Brats, and Dogs. Call 770-979-7999 or visit falconsfuryhd.com

July 14 - July 17 Sturgis, KY Kentucky Bike Rally.

Live music, games, contests, vendors, showers and more. For more info call 270-333-7244

supports the families of police officers slain in the line of duty and is sponsored by Blue Knights Georgia XVI, Gunners LEMC, Concerns of Police Survivors and the Georgia Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates. The ride begins and ends at Frazier’s Harley-Davidson in Buford.

Live music, food and beverages (nominal fee), vendors, sales and raffles! For more information call 678-898-2735

July 16 Chattanooga, TN NoogaStrong Memorial Ride 9:30AM July 2 Sportsman’s Warehouse. Let’s Conyers, GA Falcons Fury H-D 4th of July Weekend Blowout Tent come together to remember the 5 brave American Hero’s & to Event 12PM - 6PM. For more honor the sacrifice that they made information call 770-979-7999 to ensure the safety of all of us, not only here in Chattanooga, but August 14 July 8 – July 10 Roswell, GA Interested in learning across America. For more info visit Roswell, GA Speed date a Harley at Killer Creek Harley-Davidson.

NoogaStrongRide.com to ride or want to brush up on Come to Demo Day and test ride your basic riding skills? Join us for the new 2017 Harley-Davidson the KCHD-U Basic Rider Course July 22 line-up. 12:30- 4:30pm. Free. in partnership with the Motorcycle Tracy City, TN Thunder on the Rock Music Festival. For more info Weather permitting. FMI or to Safety Foundation in Alpharetta.

If you are active or retired Military thunderontherocksmusicfestival.com register call 770-777-1000 personnel or First Responder you August 20 July 29 - July 30 could qualify to take this course Athens, GA Ride for the Unborn Cave Spring, GA Cave Spring for free! This is a license waiver Motorcycle Rally. Poker run, bike 9AM Cycle World of Athens. For class. Cost is $320 per person.

Class times: Friday 6:30-8:30pm show, beer, food, music, vendors, more info call 706-548-3300 raffles, and primitive camping at KCHD; Saturday and Sunday available. For more information visit September 9 - September 10 7:45am-6pm at MSF. FMI or to Douglas, GA South Georgia BBQ cavespringmotorcyclerally.com register call 770-777-1000 & Outdoor Festival - Poker Run & Motorcycle Show at Central Square August 12 – August 14 July 10 Roswell, GA Interested in learning Complex. Event will include a Roswell, GA Speed date a motorcycle show and poker run, to ride or want to brush up on Harley® at Killer Creek Harleyyour basic riding skills? Join us for car show, GBA sanctioned BBQ Davidson®. Come to Demo competition, popular bands on the KCHD-U Basic Rider Course Day and test ride the new 2016 Harley-Davidson® line-up. 12:30- in partnership with the Motorcycle Friday night, arts & crafts, outdoor vendors and more. The South 4:30pm. Free. Weather permitting. Safety Foundation in Alpharetta.

Killer Creek Harley-Davidson. FMI If you are active or retired Military Georgia BBQ & Outdoor Festival or to register, call 770-777-1000 personnel or First Responder you is open to the public Friday, September 9th, 1pm-10:30pm and could qualify to take this course Saturday, September 10th, 9amfor free! This is a license waiver July 14 - July 17 5pm. Call 912-383-0277 class. Cost is $320 per person.

Commerce, GA Georgia State Class times: Friday 6:30-8:30pm SCRC Rally. Come join us for September 15 - September 18 some great riding, great friends & at KCHD; Saturday and Sunday Cleveland, GA Hooters on family, and a great time, all while 7:45am-6pm at MSF. FMI or to Scooters at Mountain Creek Grove. register, call 770-777-1000 benefiting St. Jude Children’s Fall Hooters On scooters is an Research Hospital. Rides, Runs, annual event held at the beautiful August 13 Music, Raffles, and a whole lot Clothing Optional / Lifestyle more fun stuff. All proceeds benefit Buford, GA Ride for the Fallen Resort. Meet & Greet, Rides, 11AM Frazier’s H-D. Ride for the St. Jude Children’s Research Games, Music, Parties and Lots Hospital. For more information visit Fallen is a police escorted ride More. For more information call through North Georgia around scrcga.com 706-865-6930 Lake Lanier. This memorial ride

4th Annual

LCPL Steve Sutton Memorial Dice Run

WILLIE NELSON READS BORN TO RIDE

Lance Cpl. Steve Sutton’s death led to a tremendous outpouring of support from the public toward his family.

The 6 ft. 7 in. 24-year-old Marine and former Lee County Georgia High School football player was killed during combat operations in the Helmand Province in May 2012, in what Marine Corps officials described as a roadside bomb explosion.

On June 6, Sutton’s funeral procession left a church in Leesburg headed for Albany’s Crown Hill cemetery and for 16 miles, passing thousands of onlookers on both sides of Highway 19, who honored Sutton and his family by waving American flags, holding signs and paying their respects to their fallen local warrior.

Along the route were a convoy of police vehicles, fire trucks and motorcycle escort from over 250 Patriot Guard and other organizations; ending at the cemetery with utility trucks with buckets, booms, and ladders extended—draping flags from their heights—in a salute to the fallen Marine.

In 2013, his father, Gene Sutton, an avid motorcycle rider in the Independent Harley Riders Assn., organized a ride in memory of “Big Steve” and all those fallen service members, which continues each year on the 2nd Saturday of June.

This year will be its 4th year in which the proceeds support the wounded and fallen of the armed forces, the Steve Sutton ROTC scholarship fund, Purple Heart Outdoor Tour and donations to other related veterans activities.

The ride will be Saturday, June 11. It starts at the Lee County Georgia Courthouse, registration 9 AM, leaving at 10 AM to the Albany VFW on Philema Rd. LBI 1:30 PM, for memorial ride shirts, food, music, auction and 50-50 drawing.

The entry is $15, $5 for the passenger.

Paul Murray

Rider Training & Education Contributes Little to Motorcycle Safety (According to U.S. Safety Experts) By Matt Danielson, The Motorcycle Law Group

Many reputable groups within the highway safety community have taken the position that motorcycle rider training and education contributes little to motorcycle safety. It is their position that rider education does not have a discernable impact on motorcycle safety, and that universal helmet laws are the only reliable method of reducing motorcycle fatalities. Do not take my word for it. Here is what the experts have to say: “While basic rider courses teach important skills, the effectiveness of training as a safety countermeasure to reduce motorcycle crashes is unclear.” (Traffic Safety Facts, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – March 2010) “There is no scientific evidence that motorcycle rider training reduces crash risk and is an adequate substitute for an all-rider helmet law.” (Lethal Loopholes, Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety – January 2015) “Laws requiring all motorcyclists to wear helmets are the only strategy proved to be effective in reducing motorcyclist fatalities.”

(Motorcycle Safety: Increasing Federal Funding Flexibility and Identifying Research Priorities Would Help Support States’ Safety Efforts, U.S. Government Accountability Office – November 2012) “Helmets are the only safety measure

proven to save lives.” (Motorcycle Safety: How to Save Lives and Save Money, Center for Disease Control and Prevention – June 2012) Before I start to get angry emails concerning the value of motorcycle helmets, let me be clear that my purpose in writing this has nothing to do with riders wearing or not wearing motorcycle helmets. I am merely questioning a position shared by many within the highway safety community that dismisses the value of rider education.

Let’s take a look at statistics which can be found on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website: Between 2005 and 2012 motorcycle registrations have increased 36 percent nationwide while motorcycle fatalities per 100,000 registered motorcycles have decreased 20 percent.

Additionally, motorcycle vehicle miles traveled have increased 104 percent during that same timeframe, while motorcycle fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles traveled have decreased 47 percent.

Is there an explanation for this sustained decrease in fatalities during this time frame?

We know that between 2005 and 2012 not a single state promulgated a universal helmet law. In fact, one state, Michigan, repealed their universal helmet law. What else could

Have you been injured in an Accident? Contact our Law Firm1-800-321-8968

be responsible for this decline?

One possible explanation is that during this time frame there has been an increased emphasis on motorcycle training and education. In fact, 47 states currently have state legislated motorcycle training programs in place, with the remaining three having private programs. I believe that it is likely that having more motorcyclists trained to ride properly and defensively naturally leads to less crashes.

So to all the training instructors out there please accept my hearty thanks for making motorcycling better for all of us.

Matt Danielson McGrath, Danielson, Sorrell & Fuller The Motorcycle Law Group 1-800-321-8968 MotorcycleLawGroup.com Matt Danielson is a partner at the Motorcycle Law Group, a personal injury law firm whose attorneys all ride motorcycles and practice in VA, NC, SC, GA and WV. Matt has successfully represented clients in cases from simple property damage to complex multi-million dollar personal injury claims. He is also a lobbyist, adjunct professor and works with motorcycle rights organizations.

To learn more about The Motorcycle Law Group, visit MotorcycleLawGroup.com

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Craven Moorehead Angry April, MAY be better…

“Anger – he smiles towering in, shiny metallic purple armor.”

According to the late Jimi Hendrix, and although the song was titled “Bold as love” there has been very little love shared around here lately. We all have our ups and downs but it’s been a sort of a weird month. April may be known for “April fools day” but debauchery and deviance seem to be afoot in the trailer park. Fools live forever evidently … I am above mentioning names! Hang on for a hell-ride of weirdness that will (sort of) be explained in this, another article written for you, my dedicated readers.

Terror in the Tech-mode In an effort to support my beer and cigarette habit, I went back to work at Cody’s American Motorcycle doing my usual thing—working on motorcycles. I’m not necessarily the fastest or the greatest, but I did realize that I am better than most. Due care, concern, and maintenance must go into your ride and if you are not personally capable of performing the required repairs and service, you must bring it to a reliable and competent shop. Seriously folks, I have a huge electronics background and a seriously vast knowledge of the inner workings of all motorcycles (especially Harleys) to extents that I would not attempt to explain. Today’s case was that of someone making a serious mistake by engaging an entity other than a qualified technician to perform a vital repair.

A simple customer complaint that included turning the handlebars to the left causing half the electrical system to shut down turned into a 5-hour search for a bad repair in the main wiring harness. Please don’t risk your life using a crimp-on butt-connector on a main power feed that can and will shut down everything on your bike including YOU! The correct way to fix an important harness (especially the main) is to find the break, cut, twist, solder and heat shrink that thing so it doesn’t come loose again. A nice simple crimp-on connector may work great for fixing the taillight on your Ford Pinto but it ain’t good for your bike! And, I know mini apes on a bagger look cool and a lot of people love it, but if you’re gonna go that route—make sure your technician follows the above advice! TechMode column OFF!

Social Media Meltdown I know that a lot of y’all follow all my junk on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and a host of other ‘social media’ sites that are out there.

There is a plethora of ways to waste your personal time banging away at your computer or (phone nowadays) gawking at, viewing or otherwise perusing someone else’s crap that particular person posts to—whatever social media site. If one had a mere modicum of sense, perhaps they would turn their eyes and minds away from the addictive and damaging effects o f this so called ‘social’ stuff and go back to the simple way of life. I admit that I am certainly guilty of wasting too much time on these platforms but all of us are pretty much the same. The only difference is that I do NOT attempt to do any of this social media crap on my cell phone. It’s ridiculous. I would be lucky if I could get a call or a text message out much less try to do any of this on a hand-held device. I’m not downing any of you that do, but I can’t afford a really cool phone that does a lot of fancy crap. I’m really pretty much ‘old school’ and perhaps I’m stuck with a secondary carrier, but I would really rather sit at the computer and use a real keyboard. My fingers and thumbs are too fat to do anything right on the phone that I currently have! I will say that one of the good things about social media (there aren’t too many) is that through the efforts of people involved in this wasteland, Spyke and Mike are now reunited as discussed in last months article. Since we all do it, let’s make it positive!

Facebook Fiasco I have been involved with this particular ‘social’ site for around 10 years. Facebook at least allows more than 140 characters in a post unlike some of the other platforms. I have always had somewhere in the neighborhood of 5,000 friends on that site—which is of course is the maximum limit. Some of those people love me, some of them hate me and recently a lot of rat-ass bastards have been taking hits at some of my posts and attempting to get me shut down. Well, they finally succeeded in their ridiculous hatred and got my account cancelled. This was somewhat interesting to me because now that I am not able to see what my friends are up to or to post promotional information regarding my live music performances, bike nights, radio shows and etcetera, I have extra time to clean my guns and work on motorcycles and electronic stuff. But the anger is still there. Why is it that in this technologically advanced world can’t people just be real men and women and step up from behind the keyboard? Why is it that everyone is a giant when they are hiding behind the computer or their fancy smart-phone? Be real people! I know as bikers we are absolutely real and aren’t afraid to enjoy a face to face conversation or confrontation instead of a Face-book fake-out! Anyhow, hate isn’t going to make a positive change in the world whether it’s on the road, at the local tavern or in cyberspace. Everyone needs to simply be righteous and enjoy each day we live, as the time here on earth and in this life is short! I will continue to fight the good fight with the Bots at FB but should I succeed then you may once again enjoy my un-savory comments, images and humor. If not, well, it wasn’t like I didn’t go out fighting! This alas, is my life and I will continue to live it as I always have. Anger mode OFF!

Let us know what you think of Craven Moorehead, info@borntoride.com

CRAVEN

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Biker Movie Review

Werewolves on Wheels. And where should I begin. … This film borders on the edge of, well, I’m not sure. Possibly a horror movie, and certainly a classic example of “biker exploitation” pieces, Werewolves on Wheels has it all for those of you who seek the alternative to ‘A’ List films.

The story begins as most ‘exploitation films’ do with a group of motorcycles cruising down a desert highway. But WAIT! These are real “period” Harley-Davidson choppers! Cool! One star for authenticity. … These wonderful old machines are ridden by ‘actors’ that could possibly be (real) bikers. Or perhaps I should say the cast doesn’t feature actors that you may have heard of. As it goes along, these folks calling themselves “The Devil’s Advocates” participate in the usual acts of violence seen in other biker exploitation films, such as roughing up rednecks, and creating havoc wherever they go. The group is led by “Adam” (whom you may have seen in Motor Psycho or Peyton Place) who is a tough and somewhat charismatic character, often seen accompanied by Helen, his old lady.

At one of their stops, another member of the gang “Tarot” begins his card reading, which brings some of the other members of the

gang almost to the point of fear. This curiosity of the unknown brings them to follow Tarot to the place where he says, “It’s at.” This place, as it turns out is an old church that is currently occupied by sect of satanic monks. The gang wanders through a wooded path to the courtyard of this church, where the Monks feed them bread and wine. Woops! Bad idea. Beware of monks bearing drugged gifts! All the bikers pass out, and one of the monks takes a single strand of Adam’s hair. Later they take Helen, and as the bikers sleep, the head monk, known only as “One” throws a heck of a party. Uh, I mean ritual— which features the sacrifice of a cat, and subsequently Helen doing a naked snake and skull dance near the fire. Great stuff and one extra star for good looking naked girls!

None of this makes sense until the bikers awaken and go inside the temple to retrieve Adam’s old lady. The monks are each struck down by the bikers, but they touch each biker as they fall with some greasy looking stuff. I suppose this puts some sort of curse on them, but it is Adam and Helen that end up getting hairy! They escape the temple, and head back out into the desert.

The next night, the gang camps out, and the usual party ensues with drugs, sex, alcohol, and the insinuation that everyone is having a great time—a really great time until Mouse and Shirley are killed by a couple of werewolves. The group discovers them in the bottom of a ravine and assumes that they had fallen and broken their necks, and then attacked by coyotes or other wild animals. Close, but no cigar!

On another campout near an old junkyard, a gang member known as “Movie” is attacked by a fuzzy friend, and thrown into the fire. Little does the gang know the attacks are being carried out by Adam and Helen! Some of the members come to Tarot to see if he knows what the heck is going on. The gang believes the monks are attacking them, and the decision is made that they will go back to the temple, and beat up all the monks.

The gang camps out near the temple. While the fire burns, Adam and Helen change into werewolves, and begin attacking the members. The bikers all grab sticks and fashion makeshift torches with which they attack the werewolves. Fire always seems to make werewolves pissed off. I haven’t figured out why. Anyway, shortly after Helen gets burned up, Adam still smoldering takes off on his motorcycle. The gang follows with torches blazing and eventually he crashes and burns–literally.

The gang returns to the temple to finish off the monks, but as each biker tries to strike, the head monk “One” stares at them and they all fall under the spell. The closing credits roll as the bikers ride into the camera, leaving the viewer to think ...

Should I sing “Werewolves of One-Done,” or “Hey Hey We’re the Monk- JEEZ.” I’ll give this one 3 out of 5 stars for the reasons mentioned above. I’ll go take a shower now. I guess I’m a “wash and wear-wolf” ... Till next month.

The Phantom

Do you have a favorite Biker Movie we don’t have? Let us know: info@borntoride.com

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Christian Motorcyclists Association One thing you notice when seeing bikes on the road is that they often ride in groups. When you see 10, 20, or more bikes going down the road together they are likely to be either running a staggered or a side by side formation. One purpose for this is there is safety in using a formation; it keeps the cages from getting in between the bikes and cutting visibility. When traveling in formation it is easy for the Road Captain to signal the riders behind, who in turn pass along any information. A good Road Captain will also notice, and point out, road debris or dangerous road conditions. You never know what is up ahead. It has been fascinating over the years to think back on all the crazy road hazards I have seen and had to maneuver around to stay safe.

One great aspect of traveling in groups is that it seems to cut down on distracting cagers who might want to harass a lone rider.

Rarely will a car driver take on a whole group of riders. We have all seen video clips where a car takes on a single bike and how exposed to danger the single rider can be. Likewise, we’ve seen BTR 56 | BORNTORIDE.COM

clips that show a group of bikers tightening formation to prevent a pushy motorist trying to push into the formation or simply try to cut off individual bikers. The bikers work together to keep things safe. In the case of an accident or emergency bike repairs along the way there is far more help and backup in a group. Everyone watches out for one another; there is strength in numbers!

On the other hand, there’s nothing worse than being broken down, alone in the middle of nowhere, wondering how to get some help! That lone biker may not be able to lift up a fallen bike, make needed mechanical repairs, or just figure out where a wrong turn led him to be. That’s when it is so good to have fellow riders to hold each other up and overcome the weakness of being alone.

In the Bible, in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, it reads, “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their labor.

For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.”

This reminds me that Jesus is always there to lift us up and to help us. With Him by your side, you never have to worry about being alone. He is ready and able to help you in any situation you may find yourself. Isn’t that better than walking alone?

All you need to do is to ask Him to be your Savior! Have you asked Him to walk with you and to lift you up when you stumble? Call on Him today and He’ll be there!

In The Wind, Denny Dingler Check out BornToRide.com for more articles from Christian Motorcyclists Association