Thunder Roads Texas - February 2015 by Thunder Roads Texas

It’s not about the bike... it’s about the RIDE!

February 2015 ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Also this month:

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A Heroe's Christmas I Saw the Real Christmas I “Wheelie” Like You!

Thunder Roads Texas * Page 2 * February 2015

Thunder Roads Texas * Page 3 * February 2015

Contents 

February 2015 On the Cover 30

The Choske Biker Wedding

Also This Month

A Heroe’s Christmas

I Saw the Real Christmas

I “Wheelie” Like You!

Regular Features 6

Letter From the Editor

Two Wheel Thunder TV: Increase Your MPG: Dynacycle Oil

Pig Writes: Embracing the New Year

Ride Map: Give Her the Precious Metals Loop

32 ThunderCam 34

Joker’s Wild

Resources 17

Event Listing

CENTER - Pull-Out February 2015 Calendar 37 35 28

Biker Friendly Listing

On the cover: Photos by Connie Wunderlich, TRT Sales & Correspondent. Cover montage by Shelly Horan, Top of Mind Marketing.

OWNERS

ThunderRoadsTexas.com Facebook.com/ThunderRoadsTexas ADVERTISING SALES Thunder Roads Texas Main Office 281.866.8149 Shelly@ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Bob “Just One More” Cooney CEO ThunderRoadsBob@yahoo.com

Shelly “TX Dragonfly” Horan Managing Editor Shelly@ThunderRoadsTexas.com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Points Across Texas Administrator

Randy McCamey Harley.Doc@hotmail.com

Bill “Shovelhead” Barnes ThunderRoadsBill@yahoo.com 321.960.6161

Monica Clark Monica@ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Laura Mae Benson - Houston Laura.ThunderRoadsMagazine@gmail.com 979.481.9642

FEATURE WRITERS

Traci “Sweet N Low” McClure - East Texas Traci.McClure@yahoo.com * 936.671.9567 Shelly “Cricket” Silva CricketGOC@yahoo.com * 210.445.2477 Chris Hensley chrishensley.ch@gmail.com 210.912.7852

“Pig” Meinhardt - Pig Writes Two Wheel Thunder TV - Product Reviews

Raymond Meinhardt meinhardtray@yahoo.com * 210.410.5783

CORRESPONDENTS

Annette Smith AnnetteSmith7@yahoo.com * 979.324.5995 Jason Kinsey J.Kinsey@yahoo.com * 817.965.6780 Raquel Gonzalez RaquelMG1969@hotmail.com * 281.837.8101 Connie Wunderlich cwunderlich@stx.rr.com * 830.377.6155 Jill Chatman 936.648.4178 * jillers1968@gmail.com

Thunder Roads Texas Bob Cooney & Shelly Horan State Edition Owners 4631 Cashel Glen Drive Houston, TX 77069 281.866.8149 ThunderRoadsTexas.com Layout & Design Shelly Horan Top of Mind Marketing 832.585.4045 Top.of.Mind.Marketing@gmail.com

Joyce Siegert - D/FW; Dean Downey - Amarillo; Shelly “Cricket” Silva San Antonio; Don Brewer - Livingston; Donny Phillips - LaPorte; Mike “Biker” Boone - Houston; Jason English - East Texas; Don McGovern - Terrell/DFW; Donna Herrin - Edinburgh; Leah Hanscom - Piney Woods; Raul Carrasco - San Antonio; Diannia Clawson - Cedar Creek; Alice Cates - Houston; Garrett Stanley - Photographer; Todd Harmon Kerrville Elaine “Ridin’ Around” Fields - Dublin. Thunder Publishing, LLC Toni & Brian Shearon National Founders 1528 Matlock Drive Chapmansboro, TN 37035 615.792.0040 ThunderRoadsMagazine.com

Thunder Roads Magazine® is Trade Marked and may not be used in any way without consent from Thunder Publishing. Thunder Roads Magazine of Texas is published by Thunder Roads Texas. 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 occupied by the error, slander of any group or individual, failure to produce any issue as scheduled due to reasons beyond our control, any and all suits for liable, plagiarism, copyright infringement and unauthorized use of a person’s name or photograph. Opinions and claims made by advertisers and authors are their own and do not necessarily represent the policy of Thunder Roads Magazine®, Thunder Publishing, or Thunder Roads Texas. Publisher does not promote the abuse of alcohol or other drugs. Ride & live responsibly. Thank you. Thunder Roads Magazine®, Thunder Publishing, and Thunder Roads Texas. Thunder Roads Texas is a wholly separate entity from Thunder Publishing LLC and Thunder Roads Magazine editions in other states. As such, content that runs in other states’ editions has no relation to the content in Thunder Roads Texas. Unless specifically stated, Thunder Roads Texas does not endorse, and is not responsible for, any content in other Thunder Roads Magazine editions.

It’s February and there is so much going on already! In Houston, it’s about rodeo time. In Galveston, it’s Mardi Gras. In Hondo, it’s Massacre time. And, of course, it’s Valentine’s Day! All the love gushing about… how do we deal with it? This month, we highlight a couple more toy runs. Bikers have the biggest hearts and we continue to show it year-after-year in a variety of forms. Our own Bob Cooney went along with Yankee (of Yankee’s Tavern) on their annual Lake Loon Toy Run that starts at Snooks Tavern (another Yankeeowned bar), located in Snook Texas (just south of College Station/Byan). The other, a reader submission, the Freedom Cruisers Riding Club adopted a special warrior family this past Christmas. There are plenty of charitable rides coming up this year, many of which Thunder Roads Texas will, once again, sponsor. So get ready… here we go! On our cover, a biker wedding. It is always so cool to see the non-traditional weddings and biker weddings top the charts in our book! It was a beautiful day, a beautiful bride and bikes lining the aisle. How can you go wrong? We also offer a couple of biker love stories. It’s interesting to hear how couples meet. Add a bike in the picture, and sometimes it just gets crazy. Always good, either way. We are sponsoring some really great events this year… starting with this month, the St. Valentine’s Massacre Rally at the Medina County Fairgrounds in Hondo. This is hosted by the Gypsy Motorcycle Club, Alamo City Chapter out of San Antonio. It’s their 38th year running this charitable rally. Our own, Pig and Rainman will be there… will you? Also this month, is the new Mardi Gras Rally in Liberty. This is a new one from Biker Rallies of Texas. All adult, all fun… full of music, biker games, and more debauchery than should be allowed. There are more coming in March… so stay tuned! If you have anything to share with our readers, we encourage you to send it our way! We love to have reader submissions! Tell us somewhere interesting you’ve visited. Have a great ride/road? Send it! We do everything possible to get these submissions into the magazine. So share! As always... please visit our advertisers. We can’t do this magazine without them! When you visit, let them know you saw their ad in Thunder Roads Texas! Ride safe... and ride with THUNDER! Shelly “TX Dragonfly” Horan Co-Owner and Managing Editor, Thunder Roads Texas and Owner, Top of Mind Marketing Shelly@ThunderRoadsTexas.com

A BIG CONGRATULATIONS to the San Jacinto High Rollers Named American Motorcyclist Association’s 2014 Club of the Year! Page 6

February 2015

ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Thunder Roads Texas * Page 7 * February 2015

Avon Tyres of North America is no cliché that the only thing a motorcyclist has between the rider and the road is two tires; nothing but two small areas of rubber surface that actually touch the pavement at any given time. Two small areas that provide the friction on the roads to GO and to STOP! How much does the average motorcyclist know about their motorcycle tires? Most Bikers understand they need to keep the tires inflated. But when the tread wears down, do they know to replace them? We have seen far too often that riders don’t even do replace tires as often as they should! We have seen dry rot on the tires, under inflated tires, and even dangerously poor tread on tires. It concerns us to even ride beside other motorcyclists with questionable tires. We understand that it is easy to forget the tires… once they are mounted and inflated, you don’t see much of them while you are riding. They don’t make a lot of noise and all you have to do is make sure they have air in them once in a while. When choosing new tires, the simplest route to is to install tires identical to those you’re replacing. This is fairly easy if you’re riding a motorcycle manufactured within the past 10 to 15 years. Did you know that motorcycle manufacturers will go to great lengths to develop a motorcycle’s handling performance around a tire of particular construction? In fact they work with only one or two tire manufacturers to assure that the bike they build handles just the way the bike builder intends. But what if you want a better tire? A bigger tire? A raked front end? You know… to get just to get that look you want? Selecting a tire with different dimensions, even marginally different than the tire fitted as original equipment, can dramatically alter the way a motorcycle steers, stops, or accelerates. Additionally you need to know that you DO have options! In fact, you have a lot of options! You may choose to go with a tire that gives you extended mileage or tires that provides you with a better grip for performance or smoother ride. With all the manufacturers out there, how do you know which one to trust? You understand Page 8

February 2015

that your life depends on your selection, right? Avon motorcycle tires have some of the world’s most advanced tire technology. Avon has been developing and manufacturing tires since 1885 and the technology they use has been painstakingly developed and tested over the years. This means that, regardless of what type of bike you have and where you ride or how you ride, you can have absolute faith in your tires. We bet our lives on Avon Tyres!

for the development of a cling rubber tread compound for car and motorcycle tyres, greatly enhancing wet road grip.

Avon Tyres have developed motorcycle tires for just about every purpose: Ultra High Performance, High Performance, Sport Touring, Cruiser / Touring, Street Bias, Adventure Sport, Classic, Distanzia Supermoto, High Performance Scooter, and Non-DOT Race Tires.

2003 Supermoto takes off as an international sport. Avon responds with a range of Supermoto tires for both amateurs and professionals.

You know how we like to promote out local manufacturers… Avon Tyres of North America is located right here in Ohio! Check them out: Avon Motorcycle Tyres North America in Stow, Ohio. Their phone number is (800) 624-7470 or (330) 928-9092 or to locate a dealer just go to their web site http://www.avonmoto.com/ contact-us Just take a look at a few of their milestones that caught our eyes: 1914-1918 Avon products are built and used for almost every type of military vehicle. 1933 Avon shares are issued on the London Stock Exchange.

1997 Avon Tyres Limited is acquired by Cooper Tire and Rubber Co. of Ohio, USA. The creation of Cooper-Avon Tyres Limited marks the beginning of a new era for the company. Cooper-Avon Tyres Ltd. was also the first tyre manufacturer in the world to gain the prestigious ISO 9001 quality award.

Today With superbikes becoming ever-more super, Avon introduces its most advanced road and track tire range to date, the VP2 Now is the time of year to check over your bike; to fix it, maintain it or even upgrade it for the spring and summer riding season. And don’t forget to look at your tires! There are no bragging rights to say your tires are the original ones that came on the bike, particularly when your bike isn’t new! With years of experience, years of research, and all the years of surviving our up and down economy, Avon Tyres of North American is certainly worth looking in to and they definitely have the endorsement of Two Wheel Thunder TV!

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1941 World War 2 – Avon operates at full stretch to support the war effort with a total of 2,500 employees in all its enterprises. 1958-63 Glory years; every solo world champion, including John Surtees pictured here, rode to victory on Avon motorcycle tires. 1961 Avon hits record production with 1.5 million tyres per year. Wide acclaim is won ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Thunder Roads Texas * Page 9 * February 2015

Broken Hearts and Dead Batteries reetings Piglets, I hope and trust you’re all set for Valentines Day this year. Have you got your eye on the perfect love themed gift for your lady yet? Are you hoping you can afford it, and she will love it? Yes, it’s that time of year when love is in the air and the ladies are anticipating red roses, sweet candy, and the taste of fish tacos. Our adventure today starts back in November, Thanksgiving day to be precise. Rainman put a ham on the smoker, the beer was flowing, and the air was filled with the heavenly aroma of smoked meat. While I didn’t choose, nor would I eat what he had on the smoker, it did smell wonderful to him for the holiday; I’m sure all the neighbors were quite jealous as well. It was about that time when Phil text messaged us wanting to go for a ride in the Hill Country on Friday. It was a plan that sounded good to us, so we set up the time to meet. It had been about two weeks since the last time we rode the bike so Rainman thought it would be a good idea to crank up the bike and let it run for a bit. A turn of the key, a twist of the throttle and a push of the button...nothing happened. Silence; the bike just sat there. The lack of multicolored lights on the dashboard told the story, it was a dead battery. Rainman flipped on the LED’s and saw just the faintest of a glow. He plugged in the battery tender and began to recharge the battery. A few hours after dinner he tried once again to start the bike. The battery had barely charged up at all and started to look like this was going to take awhile. The next morning, we tried the key once again. The headlight came on with the turn of the key but as soon as we touched the starter button the bike cranked over very slowly and then stopped. It didn’t look like we were going anywhere that day. What pissed Rainman off the most was the fact that the battery was only two years old. Y’all remember we replaced the battery when we did the St. Louis trip thanksgiving week two years ago. We spent the night in Bentonville, AR and woke up to 26 degree weather with a dead as a doornail battery. We had to have the local bike shop come over and install a new battery. So why was this battery trying to pull the same BS? Rainman pulled out all the stops; he pulled the seat off and hooked up the bigger charger and began to apply some amps to that puppy. Instead of riding with Phil, we spent a very lovely day charging the battery. It finished charging about 3 pm and the Page 10

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bike fired right off. Cool. A ride around the block and everything was fine. We rescheduled the ride for Sunday and, as a precaution, Rainman kept the battery tender plugged in. The ride Sunday went without a hitch. It was good to get back out on the road and feel the wind. All was perfect in our world. Five days later, Rainman went to crank up the bike again, only this time it cranked just barely enough to start the engine. “Uh, Houston, we may have a problem” starting here rattled in my head. We were one week away from the toy run and this battery is giving us some trouble. What do we do? All of our extra money had been donated to the toy run. To replace the battery now, while it would not wipe us out, it would take a big bite out of the budget that we did not need. We found that if the tender was on the battery everything was fine. But still, there was that point of uncertainty that had Rainman worried. Why would a two year old battery start going out so soon? A trip over to our good friends at San Antonio’s world premier motorcycle repair shop, Quick’s Performance Cycle, gave us the answers we were looking for. Now when you say answers from a motorcycle shop, one must always remember the question while talking to a motorcycle mechanic, a conversation with a good wrench turner can bring up all kinds of stories related and unrelated to the task at hand. The guys over at Quick’s are no different than any other place. When Rainman and I stopped by Quick’s, it was four days before the toy run and the countdown had begun. Not a whole lot of time to be playing games at this point. Perfect timing though, as it was lunch time for everyone. We sat at the picnic table there in the shop and had a lovely conversation with the boys. Quick must have been real hungry that day as he took a huge bite out of his burger as I began to question him. Quick was just too much interested in his lunch, however, as he had that “ahhhh beef” smile on his face. (Thank God it was hamburgers today, I would have not wanted to see what happens if it was pork!) So Dustin stepped in to answer my questions. My first question was did they think we could hold off on buying a new battery ‘till after the toy run? Of course Quick, being the answer man he is, immediately answered my question before Dustin could speak his wise words of wisdom. “Now Pig, you know t is better to be safe than sorry. You know good and well that you guys will make it to the toy

run, but I can guarantee you one thing for sure will happen”. “What’s that Quick” I asked in return. That was when his smile grew bigger as he began to speak, “When it comes time to start your bike in front of over two hundred bikers, you know damn good and well that sucker won’t turn over one bit. And right there in front of those men, do you think you will ever live that one down?” I felt the veil of embarrassment in my gut; Quick was right. Just as sure as God made little green apples, our luck would run out at and we would never live that one down. Plus, just think of all those brokenhearted children of the toy run if Santa Claus wasn’t there? OK Quick, I have to grant you that you’re right on that one, so go get us a battery. While Quick went to look up the replacement battery, Dustin and I had a chance to talk. He filled me in on why that battery went dead two years to the day it was installed. Well it seems that the battery manufacturers have battery life down to a science. Batteries only have to last just so long so they can be able to sell you new one without using any warranty. How can you make a battery last longer than the designed life span? You can use a battery tender, especially during the cold weather periods. Lower temperatures drain batteries of their “Cold Cranking Amps” Those are the needed amps that make the starter motor spin and colder temperatures use more amps to start the bike. There is nothing more heart breaking than a dead battery when you want to go ride. Here is another important fact about bikes and batteries, the more accessories you run on your bike is the more drain you place on your battery. Here is why, the stator (Charging system) will recharge the battery once you start the bike. However it doesn’t recharge it right away, it takes a little time for the battery rebuild back up. The main purpose of the stator is to keep the engine running, without drawing power from the battery (i.e., power to the coil, computer system, etc). Add the load of the headlight that comes on automatically, use the brake lights and turn signals, and you have just about everything the stator is designed to run. Turn on the stereo, LED’s, side lights, charge the cell phone, G.P.S., now the charging system has to work even harder to keep up with everything on the bike. So, how do you make sure you are achieving full life from his battery? Use a battery tender when the bike is sitting. This will help keep the battery fully charged and ready for the next ride. This is particularly true if you run a lot of accessories on ThunderRoadsTexas.com

your bike. This is very important during the winter months when you may ride less. The colder temperatures will rob the battery of needed amps to turn the engine over. Now, on the other hand, the extreme heat is just as harmful on a battery as well. To better protect the bike when it is not being ridden, I would suggest keeping the bike indoors – the dinning room should work well for this purpose! Move those tables and chairs out to the back patio and roll that bike indoors. The constant interior temperature of the house will make it easier to extend the life of the battery. Plus, you may have more plugs to choose from for the battery tender! Storing the bike indoors is also better for protecting the finish of the bike from the elements, thus keeping the bike in a better condition. Also, storing the bike indoors allows you the watch the game on TV while you do oil changes or maybe some detailing. This is also more effective since you will be closer to the kitchen to get you a cold beer while working on your bike too! If your wife objects to this storage solution, she will just have to understand how important it is to protect the bike from the elements. After all, won’t she want your bike to have the best level of protection? I would think so. Ride HARD my Friends.

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You can contact Pig or Rainman by e-mail at pig8080@LIVE.COM For more of Pig’s wild adventures, check out his blog at pigspage.wordpress.com or follow him on Facebook.com/pig.meinhardt

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

February 2015

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Give Her the Precious Metals Loop

B Randy McCamey, TRT Associate Editor

RIDE

MAP

he month of February is here and love is upon us. St. Valentine would be proud of all of us who selfishly share that love by participating in various toy runs and veterans benefit rides and rally’s. It can be an expensive month for us guys, however, as our girls are always in need of a few simple pleasures in life. Usually, those “simple pleasures” seem to have something to do with Silver and Gold! So this month, let’s saddle up and find a little Silver and Gold right smack-dab in the middle of Texas. We’ll start our ride in the Heart of Texas and the geographic center of the state, Brady. Known for the Goat Cook Off every Labor Day, Brady epitomizes small town Texas. North from Brady on US 377 takes us to our first stop in northeast McColloch County, Mercury. One of the closest towns to the actual geographic center of the state, Mercury is one of many small towns built for the railroads in the early 1900’s that then died a slow death through the rest of the 20th Century.

East on FM 765, right on FM 45, then left on FM 500… the road goes to through Regency. A ghost town now, Regency has a sordid past as the center of vigilantes and crime mobs (yes, mobs!) in the 1800’s. For some of the more adventurous of you, an interesting side trip is to see the Regency Bridge that crosses the Colorado River, one of the last remaining suspension bridges in the state. The bridge is about 5 miles off on a caliche road, but take it slow and steady and you’ll be fine. dual sport riders will have a blast, but fear not touring riders, the big bikes make the short ride hundreds of times every year – just don’t try it after a big rain!

Continue east on FM 500 takes us just north of San Saba where we turn north on Highway 16. We strike gold in Goldthwaite – the Gateway to the Hill Country. Llano, to the south, is the Deer Capital of Texas but if you have ever been to Goldthwaite, I think the citizens of Mills County would beg to differ! Deer are everywhere, even immortalized James and Karen Stovall in bronze on the at Brady Courthouse courthouse square. You will be treated to Christmas in July if you happen to be riding through during the middle of the summer, and the Parade of Lights if your ride takes you through town in December. Riding northwest from Goldthwaite on Highway183/Highway 84, a wide 4-lane that lets us pack in some serious miles at cruising speeds as we roll through Zephyr, Early, Brownwood, Santa Anna, Bangs, and Coleman. It would be criminal to mention riding through Brownwood without saying that everyone needs to have a meal at Underwood’s Bar-B-Q. Not only do they have great beef steak barbeque, they were

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rated third in the state for their fried chicken by the television show “Texas Country Reporter”, based on viewer voting. About 14 miles north of Coleman, just off Highway 84, we find the small town of Silver Valley and just a few more miles north and we strike gold a second time in Goldsboro. According to the Handbook of Texas, Goldsboro “developed with the construction of the Pecos Valley and Northern Texas Railway in 1910–11. It was optimistically named for gold-colored stones in the neighboring hills.” Too bad there wasn’t any real gold in them-thar hills! With the bikes pointed north, we ride through the small town of Lawn and on in to Tuscola and then turn southwest on Highway 83 through Ovalo, then Winters; taking FM 384 West toward Bronte. For you Texas history buffs, some 14 miles north of Bronte is Fort Chadbourne. Chadbourne is noteworthy in Texas history for many reasons, but most notably because it was both one of the line of forts on the Texas frontier (1852-1873) and it was also a Butterfield Overland Stage stop. Fort Chadbourne is privately owned and, contrary to what we might think, it is also one of the most well preserved forts in the state with possibly one of the best restored Butterfield stage stops on the Texas frontier. I highly recommend this destination any time you are in the area. Learn more at FortChadbourne.org. Continuing out of Bronte on Highway 158, into Robert Lee. Many references claim that Robert Lee was named after the famed General of the Civil War, Robert E. Lee, but noted historian A. C. Green, Jr. claims this is not true. North of Robert Lee, we loop around Lake E. V. Spence on Highway 208, to the small town of Silver. This little spot in the road was one of many Texas towns built, not by the railroads, but because of the discovery of oil in the area. Taking FM 2059 South out of Silver, we join Highway 158 West to our next destination, Sterling City, the county seat of Sterling County. Hey, everybody knows that the best kind of silver is “Sterling” silver! Need we say more? We head southeast on Highway 87, another wide 4-lane to San Angelo. Again, for those interested in Texas history, a visit to Fort Concho ThunderRoadsTexas.com

is a must! As with Fort Chadbourne, Fort Concho is one of the best of the restored Texas forts. You can take a walking tour of the fort any time of the year but a visit on the first weekend in December you will get to be part

Fort Chadbourne

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

At this point of the ride, we have visited all the Mercury, Silver, and Gold locations, so I hope you ladies were able to get your precious metals fix by this point! From

San

To get home after stuffing your gut, take FM 1929 East to Highway 83 South. Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll ride through Paint Rock into Eden. Here, take Highway 87 East, back into Brady. While you are out and about this year, I hope you will take the scenic and historic tour of West Central Texas on this Silver to Gold loop. Have a great 2015.

Angelo February 2015

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MAP

of their Christmas at the Fort celebration â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a great time for Christmas shopping next December!

Fort Chadbourne

RIDE

Fort Concho

we could make the easy ride back to our starting point in Brady on US 87, but let me offer an alternative. As my byline states, I like to travel the backroads, but secondly, I like to eat! From San Angelo, we head north on US 67 about 32 miles to Rowena where we turn south on FM 381 to Lowake. You want to make a beeline for one of the few businesses in the little community, the Lowake Steak House at the corner of FM 381 and FM 1929. The Steak House is a little spot in the road that has been around for years and serves what is arguably the best steak in Texas! Sometimes I even think of changing my byline to Ride-to-Eat, or maybe, Will Ride for Food!

A Heroe’s Christmas I am sending you this in hopes not to " toot" our own chapter's horn, but to hopefully share with your readers who are members of other MCs & RCs that want to share the holiday giving spirit to deserving people but do not know how what to do. I cannot think of a better type of person to bring this to than one of our wounded veterans that have given so much for our country and our freedom. I have also included below a little information about our wounded veteran. Thanks, Mossy VP - Chapter 44 Freedom Cruisers Riding Club

ere is a little information on our wounded service man:

Andy Toppin was born in Sandy, UT. Early in his childhood, his family moved to Columbus, GA for a few years, before eventually settling Dickinson, TX. Andy lived in Dickinson until he joined the US Army in August 2007. Upon completion of One Station Unit Training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO to become a Military Policeman, he was assigned to Camp Casey, South Korea, where he spent a year. After Korea, Andy was assigned to the 4-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team (“The 4-2”) in Ft .Lewis, WA. He deployed to Iraq with The 4-2 in September 2009. On December 12, 2009, he was driving the lead Humvee in a four-vehicle convoy in Iraq when the vehicle was struck by an explosively formed penetrator. The vehicle immediately caught fire. Despite the explosion, Specialist Toppin was able to bring the vehicle to a stop and attempt to get himself out of the burning vehicle and away from the scene. He collapsed as he exited the vehicle due to severe fractures to his legs. Toppin's team Page 14

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leader pulled him away from the vehicle, and his squad applied tourniquets to his legs and called for medevac. He was rushed to the field hospital at the Balad Air Base, where his right leg was amputated. Once stabilized, he was transported to Germany, and then back to the Unites States. In addition to losing his right leg, Specialist Toppin suffered severe damage to his left leg and burns to his face and arms. Specialist Toppin received the Purple Heart, Combat Action Badge, Iraq Campaign Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Achievement Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, and National Defense Service Medal. Andy’s experience with a prosthetic leg began in March 2010 in San Antonio, TX, at the Center for the Intrepid. He then went through about two years of rehab, relearning how to walk before being medically retired from the Army in January 2012; at which time he moved back to the Houston area.

camaraderie, and support from their community that sadly, just isn’t being met; fueling his drive and passion to become a part of the Houston Amputee Society. As a member, Andy hopes to be a positive force in the amputee community, providing both new and more experienced amputees with a positive, supportive, passionate, and unbiased advocate on their behalf.

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Since his retirement, Andy Toppin has seen the growing need for all amputees, combat related and otherwise, to have a sense of unity, ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Thunder Roads Texas * Page 15 * February 2015

Thunder Roads Texas * Page 16 * February 2015

EVENTS

Event Listing

The MOST comprehensive motorcycle event listing published in the State of Texas!

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

6-8

Patriot Poker Run & Concert Facebook.com/events/304433553075015 Pasadena

Wind & Fire MC 3rd Annual Chili Cook Off 214.629.7231 Dallas Thunder Roads Texas BIKE NIGHT ThunderRoadsTexas.com Houston Our monthly (third Thursday) biker party with a few hundred of our closest friends! Co-hosted by the Outlaw Dave Show at Outlaw Dave’s Worldwide Headquarters (6502 Washington Ave, Houston 77007; cages, please park behind I-Hop). Outlaw Dave broadcasting LIVE! Cages, please park behind I-Hop. Live music with no cover or drink minimum, drink specials, door prizes, and MORE! Reserved motorcycle-only parking.. Rain or shine… the BEST and longest continually held bike night in Houston! Continued on Page 18...

February 2015

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EVENTS

Wednesday Bluez, Rock n Red Dirt with Wild Rabbit Salad Band EVERY Wednesday 8pm-10pm WildRabbitSalad.com Houston Hosted by the Red River Ice House on Main Street (10308 Main Street, Houston 77025 located just outside the loop 610 near Reliant Stadium). Find Wild Rabbit Salad in Facebook!

St. Valentine’s Day Massacre MassacreRally.com alamocitygypsy@yahoo.com 210.601.1932 Hondo 38th Annual St. Valentine’s Day Massacre hosted by Alamo City Gypsy MC. Back in Hondo, TX! Come join us at the Hondo City Park and Fairgrounds located at 733 FM Rd 462 N. Plenty of camping and room for self-contained RV’s. Food & merchandise vendors; Run Pins for the first 1000; Fun run w/ cash prizes; Live music all weekend! For info visit our website or call (210) 601-1932. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas!

WEEKLY RECURRING EVENTS

Quaker Steak & Lube – League City Bike Nite – EVERY Wednesday TheLubecom League City The best weekly Bike Nite on the planet! Live entertainment, theme nights, contests, giveaways, food & drink specials & much more! Like us on Facebook (search for Quaker Steak & Lube League City) for updates and specials!

FEBRUARY m

Stubbs Harley-Davidson Health Fair StubbsHD.com Houston Blood mobile & the St Christus mobile screening for bloodwork Brazoria County Cavalry 7 Year Anniversary Facebook.com/events/392242880900673 Lake Jackson

MARCH Daytona Bike Week DaytonaBikeWeek.com Daytona, FL

Facebook.com/ThunderRoadsTexas

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Mardi Gras on the Trinity BikerRalliesOfTexas.com WARNING: Adult Content Liberty Biggest ADULT Mardi Gras Party in Texas! $40 weekend pass; $20 Saturday day pass. Live music, golf cart & bike lighted parade, campsite contest, Mardi Gras costume contest, bike show, wet t-shirt contest, tattoo show, pole dance contest,m vendors and more! BEADS, BEADS and more BEADS! Laissez les bons temps reoulerâ&#x20AC;Ś Let the good times roll! Saturday late night party... FREE beer while it lasts and no dress code! Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas!

6-15

Fort Worth Bikers Lifestyle Expo and Swapmeet 254.687.9066 Fort Worth

... continued Stagecoach Run 830.249.0300 Boerne Registration begins at 9am and KSU at 10am. Benefiting Stagecoach Ministries, providing food boxes, diapers, and clothing to over 100 families living in Welfare, Waring, Sisterdale, Fredericksburg, Comfort, Center Point, Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt, Bandera, Pipe Creek, and Boerne. $25 per bike; $35 for couples; includes ride, patch, and lunch. Live music provided by The Flipside 1-4pm. For event information, contact Mike 830.249.0300. 2015 Arlington ABATE Bikers Ball ArlingtonABATE.com Arlington

EVENTS

27-March 1

EvenT Listing

Rough Riders Veterans Run Rough-Riders-MC.com/RRMC El Paso

Continued on Page 24...

ThunderRoadsTexas.com

EVENTS

Thunder Roads Texas * Page 19 * February 2015

... continued

Thunder Roads Texas BIKE NIGHT ThunderRoadsTexas.com Houston Our monthly (third Thursday) biker party with a few hundred of our closest friends! Co-hosted by the Outlaw Dave Show at Outlaw Dave’s Worldwide Headquarters (6502 Washington Ave, Houston 77007; cages, please park behind I-Hop). Outlaw Dave broadcasting LIVE! Cages, please park behind I-Hop. Live music with no cover or drink minimum, drink specials, door prizes, and MORE! Reserved motorcycle-only parking.. Rain or shine… the BEST and longest continually held bike night in Houston!

20-22

Blowout’s Biker Bash BlowoutsBikerBash.com Hitchcock Bike games; special contests, including best leprechaun nighty contest; best dressed leprechaun; best St Patty’s Day themed campsite. Live music all weekend, with headliners Point Blank (Friday) and Sid 17 (Saturday). Adult rally; 21 & up only. Held at the Galveston County Fairgrounds. $35 weekend pass includes FREE tent camping. $140 Self-contained RV sites include 2 FREE weekend passes. Preregister by March 3, 2013 and get a FREE T-shirt per weekend pass. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas!

12-15

EvenT Listing

4th Annual Route 49 Biker Rally Route49Rally.com Jefferson

Wild Hog Explosion All Bike Rally & Hill Country Poker Run WildHogExplosion.com/Bikerally.htm Bandera

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EVENTS

About Our Event Listing

Basic Event listings are FREE. Premium Event Listings (bold and up to 75 word description) are only $15/event. Send your event to: events@ thunderroadstexas.com. To be included in the print version, information must be received by the 10th of the month prior to the month in which the event is scheduled or the month before you wish a Premium Event Listing to appear. Events must have some motorcycle element.

Thunder on the Colorado ThunderOnTheColorado.com Smithville Riverbend Park located off of Highway 71 along the Colorado River. Come out and join us for a roaring good time. Live music, parade through historic downtown Smithville, a fun run, bike games, and the Miss Thunder Pageant. Adults age 21 & up ONLY. Camp sites are available. Camp site or RV reservations contact Smithville Parks and Recreation at 512-237-3283 Ext. 7. For more information call 512-2372313, email chamber@smithvilletx.org. And LIKE us on Facebook.

Stubbs Harley-Davidson Open House StubbsHD.com Houston Food, vendors, music, and more! Continued on Page 24...

ThunderRoadsTexas.com

EVENTS

Thunder Roads Texas * Page 23 * February 2015

EvenT Listing 3rd Semi-Annual Cricket 4 a Cure Facebook.com/ events/1547285288861398 Channelview

April 24-26 Oldest Town in Texas Rally OTTRally,.com Nacogdoches

June 11-14

5th Annual RDA Car and Motorcycle Show RockdaleDowntownAssociation.com Rockdale

May 1-3 Hill Country Run Motorcycle Rally HillCountryRun.com Luckenbach Annual fundraiser for the Fredericksburg Optimist Club. The fun starts Friday social in Fredericksburg; Saturday includes helicopter rides, live music, stunt riders, Hill Country rides, bike games, bike show, Cowboy Breakfasts; Ending with Sunday services provided by the CMA. Registration is open NOW. Register online now… $50/per person includes: entry all four days, social “kick-off” on Friday, Cowboy Breakfast Saturday & Sunday, Hill Country rides; bike games, and bike show. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas!

Steel Horse Sisterhood Summit SteelHorseSisterhood.com Loveland, CO

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Arizona Bike Week AZBikeWeek.com Scottsdale, AZ

26-29

ABATE & Legislative Seminar Facebook.com/ events/1039425016073283 Lake Dallas

EVENTS

... continued

Thunder in the Hill Country BikerRalliesOfTexas.com Bandera

MARK YOUR CALENDARS April 9-11 Louisiana State HOG Rally LAStateHOGRally.com West Monroe, LA April 9-12 Carts, Bikers & Babes Rally CartsBikersAndBabesRally.com Somerville BRING OUT YOUR BAD… Join Damon Dave and the crew for a weekend full of music and fun at Big Creek Park on beautiful Lake Somerville! Live bands all weekend, RV Sites (book NOW), free tent camping (with entrance fee), bike & cart games, vendors, and more. The party never stops with the Battle of the After Hours Campsite Parties! Registration is open now. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas! April 10-12 TMRA State Rally TMRA.org Comanche Comanche City Park; Gates open Friday at Noon. Pre-Registration by March 24 $20/ person. Gate $25/person. Under 16 free. Tent camping included. Weekend on site RV parking $25. Friday: Hobo Stew, Jam Session. Saturday: Fun Run, Bike games, Bike Show, Silent Auction, and much more. Awards Presentation 7pm Saturday. CMA Services Sunday. Please check website for updates. Page 24

February 2015

May 2 Bikes & Bugs VII– Main Event BikesAndBugs.org Sugar Land Join Los Guys MC for the MAIN EVENT (time and place to be announced). Live music, 5,000 pounds of crawfish, bikini bike wash, Outlaw Dave emceeing. Silent Auction. Prizes offered all day long. More information to come as it becomes availalble or visit their website regularly for updates. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas! International Female Ride Day Motoress.com International May 9-16 Myrtle Beach Bike Week Spring Rally MyrtleBeachBikeWeek.com Myrtle Beach, SC May 14-17 Texas State HOG Rally TXStateHOGRally.com Tyler The Aspen Cash Rally MotorcycleRally.com Ruidoso, NM May 24-25 Rolling Thunder XXVI RollingThunderRun.com Washington, DC

Republic of Texas (ROT) Biker Rally ROTRally.com Austin

June 13-20 Laconia Motorcycle Week LaconiaMCWeek.com Laconia, NH June 15 Ride Your Motorcycle to Work Day RideToWork.org International June 18-20 Arkansas State HOG Rally ARStateHOGRally.com Hot Spring, AR August 1-8 70th Annual Sturgis Bike Week Sturgis.com Sturgis, SD September 9-12 New Mexico State HOG Rally NMStateHOGRally.com Las Cruces, NM September 16-20 The Golden Aspen Rally MotorcycleRally.com Ruidoso, NM September 23-26 Bikes, Blues & BBQ BikesBluesandBBQ.org Fayetteville, AR October 10-12 Oklahoma State HOG Rally OKStateHOGRally.com Poteau, OK October 15-17 Biketoberfest Biketoberfest.com Daytona, FL November 5-8 Lone Star Rally LoneStarRally.com Galveston

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Thunder Roads Texas does not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided and cannot be held liable. Things change, there may be typos, and weather happens. So before you climb on your steed and ride to one of these events, contact the organizers and verify the latest information.

ThunderRoadsTexas.com

EVENTS

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

February 2015

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I Saw the Real Christmas... by Bob Cooney, CEO

all places to find an over flowing feeling of the ‘real’ Christmas… would you believe in Snook Texas? They have a population of 503 people, two building in the downtown area, with one of them a bar called “Snooks Tavern”. My good friend Yankee, the owner of Snooks Tavern and also owns Yankees Tavern in Carlos, TX, called me one day and sald “ Hay Bob, you might want to come out for our 28th annual Summerville Lake Loon Toy Run on December 20th. You might enjoy seeing what we are doing”. I knew about this event for years, but had never been there to actually see what was going on. I said “Okay Yankee, yes, thanks for the invite. I would love to be there”. So at 9:30am on that cold, damp, misty Saturday morning, I pulled into Snooks downtown to see a long line of bikes staging alongside Snooks Tavern. I expected to see 30, maybe 50 bikes. But no, there were between 140-150 bikes in line. Look around, I know that every one of them was anxious to head out for their annual run. They had coffee and droughts setup outside the tavern and everyone seemed to be having a great time. I wondered around a bit then saw Yankee talking with his friends. I walked over and Yankee yelled out “Hello Bob, I see that you did make it”. I said hello and was immediately introduced to several of his really good friends. Many of them were people that have been involved with this ride for a lot of years. As we chatted more bikes pulled into line, making a very fine showing for this otherwise cold and miserable day. I noticed that in the front of the line was a large trailer FILLED with wrapped Christmas presents and another trailer just filled with bikes. I kept thinking, that’s going to make some people very happy. Yankee introduced me to his right hand gal Jody who runs Snooks Tavern, as well as this rally for the past 14 years. She was standing in the back of a pickup barking out orders to everyone, telling them the route and what to expect along the ride and other useful information. And then… it began. Kickstands up at 10:00 and approximately 150 bikes went roaring down the road to the first stop. Jody had told me they were making 7 stops that day and would end up back at Snooks. I found myself wondering what they would actually do next.

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ThunderRoadsTexas.com

After about a 20 minute ride, we came to the first stop with 150 bikes parking in front of a small house spilling out into the street. A number of small kids were wandering around bursting with eagerness to see what was going on. After the bikes finished parking, each one of them went to the trailer, picked up a few boxes, then got into line. They all stood patiently in line waiting for their turn to drop off packages in the family’s living room, in front of their tree. Quickly the room became very fill and overflowed with love from this large group of hardened bikers. That is when I met Rusty, their annual Santa Clause. He has been playing Santa since the very first year. He told me when they first started the Santa suit would not fit the guy that planned to be Santa. So Rusty tried it on, it fit… and he has been doing it ever since. He is a great guy and the kids loved him. When that was done, they all fired up their bikes and road on to the next stop, another very needy family. This one was a grand mom taking care of her grandkids all by herself, because their granddad had been killed earlier in the year, leaving her to take care of everything. Seeing each biker get into line, grab gifts and patiently work their way into the house to leave their packages of joy was truly amazing. There is no doubt these kids had the Christmas of their lives. Don’t let anyone tell you that the average biker is anything like what they are portrayed as in that popular TV show. Nothing could be any further from the actual truth. Each one of them gave up an entire Saturday to ride around and make sure that these seven families had a very Merry Christmas. It was then, right there that I knew… “Today I saw the real Christmas”. The thanks for all of this goes to Yankee his friends, Jody as well as her Lady Loons and Rusty. They put all of the work into making this happen, including six months of screening various different families making sure they were all truly in need. Along the way they raised many thousands of dollars that was all put into use for the gifts and expenses to put on this toy run. There is no way that anyone could not be truly moved by this huge offering of love. Yes, today I saw the real Christmas, and I was truly impressed.

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Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

February 2015

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I “Wheelie”

Like You!

Early Sunday morning in November 2008, I checked my BON messages. A big ole biker dude named SHARPSTEEL politely asked me if I wanted to go for a ride that day. I checked his profile and saw he had worked for a stable company for 30 years, had his own home, and had various hobbies like riding his motorcycle across this great country of ours. Like all over!! It said he'd been to Sturgis 5 times?! He must like that place I thought!!! So I called him mid morning and told him I had sold my bike that I had not ridden in a while but I'd love to go for a ride! We met at the Y in Oak Hill. I parked my car and hopped on the back of his bike after our introduction. He took me to the Shade Tree Saloon. We had a burger and then he brought me back to my car. It was a safe ride and more importantly...no hanky panky! I liked that! I called him the next morning and have driven him Three Sisters at Coyote Ranch! Every

year

crazy ever since then! The next weekend we went to our first rally - The we plan a new adventure so that we can explore this great country together! I never thought that I would be doing it on a motorcycle with my best friend and we are so blessed to be able to do so! Cat and Garland; Round Rock

Todd and I met at a bar through a mutual friend, Greg. They had been out riding all day and I just popped in to see who was there. Greg was trying to get his phone number into my phone (we were both technically challenged) and Todd stood there laughing at both of us. He then grabbed our phones and did it for us. (This is the same guy who has not a clue how to turn on the dishwasher!) Everyone left, Todd and I were left behind. I asked him if he danced, he said some. Well… yes the guy can dance very well. We left when the bar closed, went our own way. NO phone numbers exchanged, just “bye”. I looked him up on My Space and friend him. That next Friday night I went out but left my phone at home, missing calls and texts. Todd called my phone using our friend’s phone. No phone… I had no idea. In my usual bar hopping fashion I went over to the bar he had been the week before just to check it out. All of a sudden this biker comes running around the bar toward me. It is Todd. He asks, “Did you get my call?” I said, “No I don’t have my phone on me.” I told him I would not have answered because I did not want to date Greg. That was over five years ago! Unfortunately, Greg passed away three years ago in a motorcycle accident. He would have enjoyed this story. Connie & Todd; Kerrville

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ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

February 2015

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ON THE COVER

The Choske By Todd Harmon, TRT Correspondent Photos by Connie Wunderlich, TRT Sales

set the stage for this event, we need to go back a few years and meet the bride and groom. A little biker chick (Dawn ) in Minnesota loads up her personal belongings, including her bike, and heads south to Texas landing in Spring Branch. I present to you the bride. After settling in, she decides to meet a friend for a drink at The Shade Tree in Spring Branch; a biker bar, go figure! In walks a smooth talking man of many words (Carl) who has found his way to Spring Branch by way of Illinois. I present to you the groom. Story has it that there was a connection between the two of them that night but the real spark does not happen until sometime later. Those of us who know Carl and Dawn know Page 30

February 2015

the first year was full of ups and downs, good times as well as bad. Sometimes even the bad times can make a relationship grow stronger when love is allowed to run its course. As time marched on, with God and Love leading them through life, it become clear that the two would be joined together to face life as one. Now you may be asking, how did I come into the picture? Well, that is a story in itself. My girlfriend, Connie, and I went to a meet and greet at The Shade Tree bar in Spring Branch where Carl and Dawn just happened to be. The conversation was of normal things bikers would talk about and was at a more-or-less normal voice level. That is until I arrived. I grabbed a chair and slide it up in the middle of the crowd. Not being one to let a conversation go stale,

I started telling my stories. The look on Dawn and Carl’s face was priceless…but we became friends anyway! As fate and God would have it, cupid’s arrow hit its mark with Carl and Dawn and the wedding plans started brewing. Dawn started the list of things to do; putting in a swimming pool, building a deck, assembling the gazebo, patching the driveway, clearing out a sitting area on the property, and practicing cooking a pig in the ground. You all know the things a bride starts planning before her wedding! Carl starts wondering what he has gotten himself into, but he’s a trooper and marches forward. After many months of hard work, it was time for a trial run party. Good friends, cold beer, and a cooked pig; it was a great time. I think we are ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Biker Wedding ready for the real deal. The wedding took place on a Saturday in September. On Friday night before, in normal Carl and Dawn fashion, there was a little party to kick things off. The head cook, Raymond Rainman Meinhardt, has the pit smoking and the briskets slowly cooking. Dawn’s son Patrick was picking some great tunes on his guitar and the fireball whiskey was flowing fine. What a great night it was and everything seemed to be in just the right place for a wedding. Saturday morning came and the bikes start filing in. Being an outdoor wedding, motorcycles were lined up making the isle for Dawn to walk. The two rows of bikes must have been at least seventy five feet long. It was a beautiful site. With all of the family and friends gathered around, Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

the wedding begsn. Guests blow bubbles as the wedding party walked down the aisle of iron horses. The bridesmaids were Deborah Montelongo, Janet Trevino, and the maid of honor was the bride’s daughter, Cassidy Steele. The groomsmen included the best man, Amos Trevino, the bride’s son, Patrick Steele, and Rainman Meinhardt. Andy Garcia officiated. The bride was given away by her son, Patrick Steele. The reception was held on the couple’s property under a huge party tent complete with BBQ and all the fixings. Liz Villegas made the delicious cake which was decorated with a biker theme including a replica of a motorcycle and adorned with flowers and butterflies in honor of the bride. With margaritas flowing and good

cold beer, everyone had a great time. Even a little shower of rain did not slow down the party. When a double rainbow appeared in the sky, it was obvious this was a very special day indeed! The party continued into the night with everyone dancing to D.J. music and visiting with friends. Patrick once again got his guitar out and sang a few songs along with his sister, Cassidy. I even joined in a time or two. Of course, at the end of the evening, I was the last to leave; it was hard to leave a party that was so much fun. Connie and I were grateful to be there and share the day of love. Congrats to the couple and many years of happiness. Ride safe and hope to see you down the road.

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Want to see YOUR mug in our mag? Email your photos to Shelly@ThunderRoadsTexas.com Page 32

February 2015

ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

February 2015

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A man and his wife were having an argument about who should brew the coffee each morning. The wife said, “You should do it, because you get up first, and then we don’t have to wait as long to get our coffee.” The husband said, “You are in charge of the cooking around here so you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee.” Wife replies, “No, you should do it, and besides it says in the Bible that the man should do the coffee.” Husband replies, “I can’t believe that! Show me.” So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him at the top of several pages, that it indeed says, “HEBREWS.”

a little extra in the offering plate. He said that whoever gave the most would be able to pick out three hymns. After the offering plates were passed, the pastor glanced down and noticed that someone had placed a $1,000 bill in offering. He was so excited that he immediately shared his joy with his congregation and said he’d like to personally thank the person who placed the money in the plate. A very quiet, elderly and saintly lady all the way in the back shyly raised her hand. The pastor asked her to come to the front. Slowly she made her way to the pastor. He told her how wonderful it was that she gave so much and in thanksgiving asked her to pick out three hymns. Her eyes brightened as she looked over the congregation, pointed to the three handsomest men in the building and said, “I’ll take him and him and him.”

Attending a wedding for the first time, a little girl whispered to her mother, “Why is the bride dressed in white?” “Because white is the color of happiness, and today is the happiest day of her life.” The child thought about this for a moment, then said, “So why is the groom wearing black?”

This is the story of the blonde flying in a two-seater airplane with just the pilot. He has a heart attack and dies. She, frantic, calls out a May Day. “May Day! May Day! Help me! Help me! My pilot had a heart attack and is dead. And I don’t know how to fly. Help me! Please help me!” She hears a voice over the radio saying: “This is Air Traffic Control and I have you loud and clear. I will talk you through this and get you back on the ground. I’ve had a lot of experience with this kind of problem. Now, just take a deep breath. Everything will be fine! Now, give me your height and position.” She says , “I’m 5’4” and I support Mayor Ford.”.. “O.K.” says the voice on the radio.... “Repeat after me: Our Father Who Art in Heaven.......”

One Sunday a pastor told the congregation that the church needed some extra money and asked the people to prayerfully consider giving

Little Emily was at her first wedding and gaped at the entire ceremony. When it was over, she asked her mother, “Why did the lady change her mind?” Her mother asked, “What do you mean?” “Well, she went down the aisle with one man and came back with another one.” Struggling to make ends meet on a first-call salary, the pastor was livid when he confronted his wife with the receipt for a $250 dress she had bought. “How could you do this?!” “I was outside the store looking at the dress in the window, and then I found myself trying it on,” she explained. “It was like Satan was whispering in my ear, ‘You look fabulous in that dress. Buy it!’” “Well,” the pastor replied, “You know how I deal with that kind of temptation. I say, ‘Get behind me, Satan!’” “I did,” replied his wife, “but then he said, ‘It looks fabulous from back here, too!”

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY, all you sexy bikers! Remember, if you want to RECEIVE, you must be sure to GIVE. Treat each other with lots of LOVE.

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Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

February 2015

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Thunder Roads Texas * Page 36 * February 2015

Biker Friendly These businesses are SERIOUS about serving the Texas Motorcycle Community. The list is set up in business categories. Regional and Metro information is included. An “ * ” means the location is a Thunder Roads Texas distribution point. Visit ThunderRoadsTexas.com to find a full listing of distribution points. Tell them you saw them in Thunder Road Texas! Want to be on this list - it’s only $149/YEAR; $125 for churches, bands, MC clubs/groups, and VFW/ALR Halls - visit our website or email Shelly@ThunderRoadsTexas.com for information. Accessories & Parts

* Stitches 1308 Hwy 6 South Houston, TX 77077 281.558.8572 Bands

Page.php

* West of the Brazos 23220 Hwy 36 Damon, TX 77430 979.742.3100 www.WestoftheBrazos.com

* Yankee’s Tavern 8703 Ada Oaks Ln Anderson, TX 77830 936.873.3314 www.yankeestavern.com

Wild Rabbit Salad Great Party Band! Houston Contact Bucky Goldberg Facebook.com/buckygoldberg Reverbnation.com/wildrabbitsalad Bars & Restaurants * Dots Burgerz & Brewz 31623 FM 306 Spring, Branch, TX 78070 830.885.2377 DotsBurgers.com * Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop Bent Rim Grill 657 West Ranch Rd Leakey, TX 78873 830.232.6629 www.friocanyonmotorcycleshop.com www.bentrimgrill.com *Garrett Road Ice House 14303 Garrett Rd Houston, TX 77077 281.456.0440 Facebook.com/pages/Garrett-Road-IceHouse/268480946517754 * Pivo’s Ice House 1564 FM 1291 Fayetteville, TX 78940 979.732.2290 Find us on Facebook: Pivos-Ice-House *Drink Texas (formerly Road Hawgs Saloon) 31138 I-10 West Boerne, TX 78006 830.755.6449 www.roadhawgssaloon.com * Rolling Thunder Bar & Grill 6441 County Rd 2173 Fluvanna, TX 79517 325.573.HAWG (4294) http://rollingthunderbarandgrill.com/Home_ Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

Continued on Page 38... February 2015

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Biker Friendly Biker Churches *Northeast Texas Bikers Church 749 E 16th Street Mt Pleasant, TX 75455 903.563.0948 NETXBC.com Church service on Thursdays @ 7pm Bible study on Sundays @ 5pm Dealerships & Shops * Bill Allen Motorcycle Company 3607 S College Ave Bryan, TX 77801 979.822.4294 Facebook.com/BillAllen.Motorcycles * Cowboy’s Alamo City H-D 11005 IH 35 North San Antonio, TX 78233 800.397.7875 www.cowboysalamocityharley.com * Gulf Coast Trikes 1907 Lawrence Rd, Ste 200 Kemah, Texas 77565 832.864.2085 GulfCoastTrikes.com Hours: Tues-Fri 9am-6pm Sat 9am-3pm * Harley-Davidson of Waco 4201 S Jack Kultgen Expy Waco, TX 76711 254-753-0393 www.hdwaco.com * Javelina Harley-Davidson 29078 I-10 West Boerne, TX 78006 800-860-9696 www.javelinaharleydavidson.com Kent Motorsports 1575 IH-35 North New Braunfels, TX 78130 830-624-3000 www.kentmotorsports.com Facebook.com/Kent-Motorsports

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Kent Powersports of Selma 15664 IH-35 North Selma, TX 78154 210-655-2625 www.kps-sa.com Facebook.com/KentPowersports * Legacy Harley-Davidson 12100 W Hwy 80 East Odessa, TX 79765 800.788.6921 www.legacyh-d.com * Longhorn Harley-Davidson 2830 West I-20 Grand Parairie, TX 75052 972.988.1903 www.longhornhd.com * Mancuso Harley Davidson - Crossroads 12710 Crossroads Park Dr Houston, TX 77065 281.970.9700 www.mancusocrossroads.com * Southern Metal Choppers 11116 Middle Fiskville Rd, Ste E Austin, TX 78753 512.833.5044 www.southernmetalchoppers.com * Woods Cycle Country 1933 I-35 East New Braunfels, TX 78130 830.606.9828 www.woodscyclecountry.com Insurance & Attorneys * Farrar & Ball Law Firm; Law Tigers 1010 Lamar, Ste 1600 Houston, TX 77002 713.221.8300 www.lawtigers.com * Freeway Insurance 642 W Rhapsody, Ste A San Antonio, TX 78216 210.403.2216 www.FreewayInsurance.com

... continued Lodging & Campgrounds DUBL-C Guest House (Vacation Rentals by Owner) Kerrville area: located on Hwy 39 between Ingram & Hunt; Stay 2 Nights, get 3rd FREE 866.427.8374 www.vrbo.com/385945 *Scoot On Inn Cabins & Camping, LLC 4397 South Highway 83 Leakey, TX 78873 830.232.4442 Office/Home 512.517.5349 Cell-Tim Motorcycle Towing Cyclone Cycle Rescue 1100 Crane Dr Euless, 76039 76039 817.308.9086 www.MotorcycleTowingTX.com Riding Gear & Leather Goods * Motorcycle Outpost, The 103 S College Westminster, TX 75409 972.838.8222 www.TheMotorcycleOutpost.com Miscellaneous * American Legion Post 402 11457 US Highway 190 West Livingston, TX 77351 936.646.7411

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BIKER FRIENDLY ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION $149/basic or $199/premium

ThunderRoadsTexas.com

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Thunder Roads Texas * Page 40 * February 2015