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I begrudgingly have to admit that hatt th ha this his iiss probably the most difficult Letter teeerr ffrom rom ro m the Editor article that I have ever veer written. That is quite a statement en nt considering this is the 120th issue suue of the magazine that we have published to date. So, the fact that after all that time, I am at a loss must mean something. I know that I have started typing almost two dozen times, only to hit the delete button due to not liking king in ng the words that came out of my he heaad head d at all. I normally try to be upbeat beeat at and positive, but in the midst off the current situation our Country, our State, our County, our town, and our household is in, it is becoming increasingly difficult to put a smile on every day. Not everything is doom and gloom by any means, but there is enough negativity in the world right now to choke a horse, or a herd of horses. I have been trying to remain optimistic for the future while also not blindly following everything that can be seen or heard in a variety of different mediums. This “thing” that has been thrust upon us will forever change the way of the world. For some already, life has ended, life has changed immeasurably, businesses have folded, jobs have been lost, and the long-term effects of this pandemic and the response to the pandemic will be felt for decades. When you add the political climate of the United States of America with this “disaster”, you have a perfect recipe for a shit sandwich that we all are being forced to take a bite from. I myself do not like to take bites of sandwiches like that prepared by others. I guess I prefer to have to eat my own mistakes as opposed to others. We don’t have a lot of choice about some of the things that are thrown our way right now, but we do have a giant choice about how to respond to things. I am not a giant conspiracy theory type of cat, but feel that there are many more things here at play than what we know. I ask that each and every one of you don’t simply get your news from social media. By all means don’t just “share” a post or a meme from someone else without checking to see if it is actually true, by more than one reliable source. Don’t just take one doctor’s word, don’t just take one public
health nurse’s word, don’t just take ONE person’s word on anything. Do more research for yourself. Everyone that talks on the radio, on the television, on podcasts, and on shared videos is doing so for a reason. Try not to “listen” as much to “what” they are saying, but “why” they may be saying it. Most that are talking are doing so for a reason, and that is not always a reason with your best interests in mind. Be a student of life and how it works, because now may be more important than ever to be wary of yourself and your surroundings. I generally try to get this done about a week before deadline day of the tenth of the month, but here I sit at the proverbial eleventh hour on deadline day getting things done. It is April 10, 2020 and I am drafting the May 2020 issue Letter from the Editor for Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa. We are sitting at three and a half weeks post initial business shutdowns, with a short three weeks until the end of the expanded closings. I have no clue what is going to happen in the timeframe from typing this until it gets to your eyes, but I am hopeful for the future. I am hopeful that we can get past what all of this has been and has become, and that we can work on things together to move forward as a nation. I am hopeful that we can become United once again in these States of America. Ride Safe. Wash your damn hands. Be good to other humans. Vernon Quote of the month:” Remember the hours after Sept. 11 when we came together as one! It was the worst day we have ever seen, but it brought out the best in all of us.” Secretary of State John Kerry
On the Cover
The Bell Tower in Jefferson is the backdrop for this month’s cover. With some bikes in the foreground, it seemed like a great way to showcase the Greene County Motorcycle Charity (GCMC) that is looking forward to their 12th Annual Poker Run and Cycle Show on Saturday, June 13th. This year the run and show will go on as planned. It has been held in conjunction witht the Bell Tower Festival in the past, but the BTF has been postponed for now. Come join this die hard group of riders for a run and show and have a great time. More information on pages 14-15.
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An unusual and unprecedented start to the ride season to say the least. As of the penning of this article, the bike events on our list are falling like flies, dominos or anything else that gets knocked over. I hope you were able to take advantage of the earlier swap meets and got to see some of the friends and associates not seen during the colder months because it’s yet to be seen how Covid-19 will affect the later events - the 80th anniversary of Sturgis being the big one. I have always told our kids to “enjoy what you have when you have it because it will change”. At least during the few nice days we have experienced so far we’ve been able to get out on the scoots with much enjoyment and appreciation.
Lord, is the future. This When we do get the opportunity to be out on those all-too- is something rare and wonderful rides, we can look on it as a chance to that I think practice our staggered, social -distancing formations rather applies to us than the handle bar to handle bar ones. The bad thing is now and is that those of us with seasonal allergies are really looked a good thing on with great suspicion. I guess if you are hacking and for all of us coughing for whatever reason, it would be good to slap a to remember. bandana on your face and ride sweep. This too shall pass. Scripture tells us in 2nd I have to admit the social distancing is not all bad as the Timothy 1:7 that God has not dog and I spend a lot of time at the cabin in the woods. It’s given us a spirit of fear, but pretty amazing to me to see how much he and I have in of power and of love and of a sound mind. In Isaiah 41 we common. Karla has been saying the same thing for quite are told: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, a while though because of different attributes than I would for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes; I will help list. He has been a good buddy to hang with as he enjoys you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” The most all the things that I do. The ATV rides, running wild important thing to remember is that if you are a believer in through woods, hunting, shooting, playing in the creek, Jesus Christ all the things that he experienced before and looking for sheds, naps, all the same TV shows, especially on the cross were for you. The sin, sickness and eternal Forged In Fire, though he has a tendency to stand up and separation from God was covered by his sacrifice for us. bark at some of the commercials. He is always up for a May we all turn to him. good back or belly scratch and he eats all the burnt parts of the barbeque as well as licking the dishes {cleaning} And last, as that famous Canadian philosopher Red Green before the dishwasher gets them. (Editor, aka Karla: He is fond of saying, “Remember, we’re all in this together”. had better NOT be licking my dishes!) You can’t ask for much better than that unless I can train him to get on the Blessings, Mark scent of morel mushrooms. Something to aspire to I think. Mark and Karla Cornick are with the Christian Anyway all this uncertainty reminds me of the 1942 Motorcyclists Association. Find out more about CMA and wartime piece written by C.S.Lewis (of Chronicles of God’s plan for you at www.cmausa.org Narnia fame) where he imagines a conversation between Satan and Jesus. Satan:” I will cause anxiety, fear and panic. I will shut down business, schools, places of worship and sports events. I will cause turmoil”. Jesus: “ I will bring together neighbors, restore the family unit, I will bring dinner back to the kitchen table, I will help people slow down their lives and appreciate what really matters, I will teach my children to rely on me and not the world. I will teach my children to trust me and not their money and material resources.” C.S. Lewis wrote that almost 80 years ago but it’s true now as it was all the way back to the original fall in the Garden of Eden. Also makes me think of how Pat Robertson, the founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network and 700 Club, had an encouraging word from the Lord years ago as he was facing much uncertainty, hardship and doubt. He felt that God was telling him not to worry about the future because he, the 6 - TRMI MAY 2020
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Edwards Motorsports and RV’s The Biker Friendly Business Directory is a list of establishments 1010 34th Avenue throughout Iowa that sponsor the Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 magazine. You can pick up your 712-366-8400 copy here every month. Let them fullthrottleia.com or edwardsrvs.com know that you saw them in TRMI. If your business would like to Indian Motorcycle of Des Moines advertise in Thunder Roads Iowa 1500 E Army Post Road Biker Friendly Business Listing and Des Moines, Iowa 50315 become a part of the network, 515-256-9062 please email Indianmotorcycleofdesmoines.com vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com
Biker Accessories Coolbikerstuff @ The Old Bait Shop 2103 Okoboji Ave MILFORD, Iowa 51351 712.338.8888 & 214.914.4555 Crispy’s Biker Apparel Cedar Rapids, Iowa Find Us On Facebook Leather & Hawgs 121 1st Street Soldier, Iowa leather@wiatel.net (712) 884-2701 www.leatherandhawgs.com
Dealers Baxter Cycle 311 4th Street Marne, Iowa 51552 712-781-2351 www.baxtercycle.com Big Barn Harley-Davidson 81 NW 49th Place Des Moines, Iowa 50313 515-265-4444 www.bigbarnhd.net Carroll Cycle Center 1327 Plaza Dr Carroll, Iowa 712-792-1610 www.carrollcycle.com
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Indian Motorcycle of Mason City Mason City Powersports 12499 265th Street Mason City 641-423-3181 Masoncitypowersportsinc.com Loess Hills Harley-Davidson 57408 190th Street Pacific Junction IA 51561 712-800-3500 loesshillshd.com Metro Harley-Davidson 2415 Westdale Drive SW Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404 319-362-9496 www.metro-motorsports.com Nishna Valley Cycle HONDA – YAMAHA – KTM Atlantic, Iowa 50022 1-888-577-6406 www.nishnavalleycycle.com Route 65 Harley-Davidson 1300 S Jefferson Way Indianola, Iowa 50125 515.962.2160 www.route65hd.net Storm Lake Honda 3040 Expansion Blvd Storm Lake, Iowa 50588 StormLakeHonda.com 712-732-2460 Zylstra Harley-Davidson 1930 E 13th Street Ames, Iowa 50010 515-232-6223 zylstrahd.com
Entertainment Book Em Dano’s 33 S Main Street Denison, Iowa 51442 712-263-9818 Mon-Sat 4-2 Dancers Nightly 5-1:30 Celebrations DJ & Karaoke Services Newton, IA 641-521-8036 Any Occasion /Rally or Event EmCee Facebook/Ray Johansen(Celebrations) Specializing in Weddings & Receptions National Motorcycle Museum 102 Chamber Drive Anamosa, Iowa 52205 319-462-3925 Nationalmcmuseum.org Okoboji Classic Cars Museum and Restoration Shop 810 Jeppeson Road West Okoboji, Iowa 51351 712-332-8029
Food and Drink
(Popular Poker & Fun Run Locations) Ambro’s Roadhouse 917 Guthrie St De Soto, Iowa 50069 515-468-2236 Great Food! Ambro’s Roadhouse on Facebook American Legion Post 111 1101 W 4th Street S Newton 641-792-3353 Open to the Public 7 Days a Week Newtonamericanlegion111.org Amigo’s 280 North 1st Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 515-576-0142 Amigos Bar & Restaurant on FB Bea’s Place 108 N Main St Baxter 641-227-2080 Check Us Out on Facebook Food, Live Music, Bike Nights
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Bloodline Irish Pub 214 Public Square Greenfield, Iowa 50849 Bloodline Irish Pub on Facebook Catfish Charlie’s On the Mississippi River 1630 E. 16th Street Dubuque, IA 52001 (563)582-8600 www.CatfishCharliesDubuque.com Desperados 105 E 5th Street Atlantic 712-243-7087 Home of Cold Beer, Good Times, Pizza & Wings Firehouse Bar 1211 5th Street Downtown Sioux City, IA 712-224-1020 Open Daily at 12:00 Flaming Office 201 W High Street Toledo 641-484-2255 Outdoor Patio, Happy Hour 5-7 Flaming Office on Facebook & Google Goozman’s Westside Bar & Grill 1019 7th St Harlan, Iowa 712-755-2259 Goozman’s Westside on Facebook Haverhill Social Club 202 1st Street Haverhill, Iowa 50120 641-475-3321 Tues-Sat 10-2, Sun 12-12 Iowa Legendary Rye 707 N Main Street Carroll, Iowa 51401 Iowalegendaryrye.com J.R. Willie’s Gateway to the Beautiful Hill Country Colesburg, IA 563-856-5095 Open Daily Mon-Sun 11AM Home of the Willie Whopper
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Johnie’s Tap 112 NE 2nd Street Stuart, Iowa 50250 515-523-1146 Mon-Sat 9:00 AM-Close
North 40 Bar Magnolia, Iowa 402-301-8234 Look Us Up on Facebook Come Have Fun at the GYM!
Rumors Bar & Grill 400 F Ave Cedar Rapids, IA Live Music & Food 319-286-0806
The Pastime Lounge 114 S 4th Street Cherokee, Iowa 51012 712-225-0219 Facebook/Patio/Food
Just 1 More 515-570-4206 641-757-0159 309 Railway Jamaica, Iowa 50128
Old Timer Tavern 401 S Center Street Marshalltown Mon-Sat 6am-2am, Sun 12pm-2am Outdoor Patio-Live Entertainment 641-753-9854 and Facebook
Sandbar 103 North Noyes Street Mondamin, Iowa 51557 712-646-2300 Facebook Sandbar Mondamin
The Place2B! 116 N. Federal Ave Mason City, IA 50401 M-F 3p-2a S-S 2p-2a Find Us On Facebook
KC’s Tavern 120 N Main Street Bridgewater, Iowa 50837 Mon-Fri 4:30-Close, Sat-Sun 1-Close Find Us on FB 641-369-5010
Papa Joe’s 117 South 6th Street Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555 712-642-9015
Sidetracked 206 West Union Street Creston, Iowa 50801 641-782-8534
The Yankee Clipper 312 SW Maple St Ankeny, Ia 50023 515-964-9484 yankeeclipperbar.com
Pearl Street Social Club 110 Pearl Street SW Shellsburg, Iowa 52332 319-436-7100 Find Us On Facebook!
Sportsman Bar & Grill 103 1st Street Pisgah, Iowa 51564 712-456-2222 FOOD, FUEL, FUN
Pines Steakhouse Oinkers Lounge & Grill
1500 E 7th Street Atlantic, Iowa 50022 712-243-3606 M-F 11AM-, S-S 4PM-
Stumpy’s Bar & Grill 423 Main Street Duncombe, Iowa 50532 515-543-4222 Stumpy’s Bar & Grill on Facebook
Polk City Pub 217 W Broadway Polk City, Iowa 50226 515-984-9388 Open @ 11:00AM / Closed Mon.
Sugar’s Diner & Lounge 2725 E Kanesville Blvd Council Bluffs, Iowa 712-322-3600 Check us out on Facebook
Ralph’s Moorland Tap 508 Front Street Moorland, Iowa 515-549-9702 Here For the Beer!
T.J.’s Pourhouse 100 E. Washington Street Exira, Iowa 50076 712-268-2353 Open M-SAT.@11, SUN.@ NOON
Red Oak Tap 419 E. Reed Red Oak, Iowa 51566 712-623-4788
The Exchange 171 S Elm Street Avoca, Iowa 51521 712-343-2609 Lang’s Pizza, Cold Beer, Sports
Kippy’s Place 364 NW Main Street Elkhart, Iowa 50073 515-367-3104 Open at 11 Daily..find us on FB McCanns Tap NE 14th & 54th Des Moines, Iowa 50313 Bike Parking M-F 2:00 Sat & Sun 11:00 Mi Casa Family Restaurant 512 Market Street Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-755-2258 Enjoy Drinks at the Full Bar! Midway Tavern 206 1st Street Soldier, Iowa 712-884-2230 www.midwaytavernsoldier.com Montgomery Street Pub 207 East Montgomery Street Creston, Iowa 50801 641-782-2165
Newt’s Place 403 East St Shelby, Iowa 51570 712-207-2150 Newt’s Place on Facebook
Riverside Tavern 450 E Main St Lehigh, Iowa 50557 515-359-9998 Email:riversidetap@gmail.com
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The Open Road Bar & Grill 501 Ann Street Irwin, Iowa 51446 712-782-4545 The Open Road, Bar and Grill, LLC on FB
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Twisted Corn Tavern 1405 Walnut Street Dallas Center, Iowa 50063 515-992-3868 Twisted Corn Tavern on Facebook Vic’s Main Tap 304 Broadway Audubon, Iowa 50025 712-563-2122 Opens Sun-Fri 2:30, Sat 9:30 Whiskey Barrel Pub and Eatery 112 E Jefferson Street Prairie City, Iowa 50228 515-630-9639 Whiskey Barrel Pub and Eatery on FB Wilson’s Tap and Recreation 1008 Story Street Boone, Iowa 50036/ 515-433-1395
Guns and Ammo JLM Shooters Supply 6931 Douglas Avenue Urbandale, Iowa 50322 jlmgunshop@gmail.com 515-331-1577
Insurance & Financial O’Malley Wealth Mgmt. 5623 NW 86th Street Suite 400 Johnston, Iowa 50131 515-490-0930
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State Farm Clark Ahrenholtz, Agent NMLS# 1679997 2114 12th Street Harlan, Iowa 712-755-5724 Clark.ahrenholtz.jb69@statefarm.com
Legal Hupy and Abraham sc, pc Lawyers for Bikers 800.800.5678 Hupy.com TheBikerLawyers.com The Biker Lawyers, P.C. Riding & Defending Your Rights for Over 30 Years 877-209-9452
Photo and Art Ullrich Photography PO Box 1842 Clinton, Iowa 52733 563-243-8715 www.natanic.com
Shops & Fabricators Butterfield’s M.C. Parts 8025 Blondo Street Omaha, NE 68134 402-391-3768 Chuck’s Cycle Service and Repair S&S and Drag Specialties Dealer 714 East 7th Street Washington, Iowa52353 319-461-5278 Cycle Clinic 2209 ML King Pkwy Des Moines, Iowa 50314 cycleclinicdm.com 515-288-6954
F & J Racing 701 N 3rd Ave Marshalltown, Iowa 50158 641-752-8651 www.fandjracing.com
Road Rage BikeWorks 401 High Street Avoca, Iowa 51521 712-307-6111 Road Rage BikeWorks on Facebook
Mean Machine Cycle Parts Elkhart, Iowa 50073 Stereos, Bars, LED Lights, Air Ride Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat 9-12 515-367-7336
The Vic Shop DeSoto, Iowa 515-339-4313 Facebook.com/TheVicShop VICTORY & INDIAN ONLY
Motorcycle Medic 3176 Highway 30 Woodbine, Iowa 51579 712-647-2818 Open Tues-Sat Noon-6PM
Thunder Road Cycles 4106 Rockingham Rd Davenport, Iowa 52802 563-323-3172 Thunder Road Cycles on Facebook
Nelson Machine & Forge General Machining, Ornamental Iron, Weld/Fab 70 Washington Street Marne, Iowa 51552 712-781-2220
Tires Sandbothe Firestone 1106 Main Street Griswold, Iowa 51535 712-778-2223 Sandbothe Firestone on Facebook
Trailers Lacaeyse Trailer Sales 4192 HWY 146 Grinnell Trailers & Truck Accessories 641-990-2674 www.lacaeysetrailers.com
SHOP EQUIPEMENT Shop Tools Outlet Powersport / Auto Lift Supplier Marshalltown, IA 50158 888-288-6657 www.shoptoolsoutlet.com
To buy ad space for your business or service in our directory, give us call at 712249-5630 or email vernon@ thunderroadsiowa.com
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Greene County Motorcycle Ch
The Greene County Motorcycle Charity (GCMC) is looking forward to their 12th Annual Poker Run and Cycle Show on Saturday, June 13th as it continues to grow in popularity, drawing participants from all corners of Iowa and near-by states. Even though the 2020 Bell Tower Festival has been postponed until later in the summer, our event is still going to be held if possible. The GCMC Poker Run will travel to the northeast in 2020 with stops at: Old Towne Road Pub (Gowrie), Riverside Tavern-#1 Dive Bar of the Year 2020 (Lehigh), Iron Saddle Saloon (Dayton), Lucky Donkey Bar & Grill (Boxholm), 209 Main (Paton), 30 Yard Line (Grand Junction) and ending at Just One More (Jamaica). Registration will be held at Jefferson’s Spare Time Lanes which is located at 118 South Chestnut
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Street. Registration can be done on site Saturday, June 13th from 8 am to 12 pm. The entry fee will be $25 per participant, and will include a Poker Run T-shirt (while supplies last), raffle ticket and a poker hand. Additional T-shirts and challenge coins will be available for purchase as well. Riders may leave any time after 8 am, with last bike out by noon. All riders must be back by 5 pm. Poker Run prizes of $500 (1st place), $300 (2nd place) and $200 (3rd place) will be awarded to the best hands drawn. A free motorcycle show at Just One More in Jamaica will be included with the activities. Registration will be from 11 am to 1 pm, with the show starting at noon and ending at 4:00 pm. Show classes will include Metric, Vintage (pre-1990’s), Peoples’ Choice, Trike, Custom, Bagger, and Late Model. Plaques are to be
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Charity Poker Run & Bike Show
awarded to winners of each class when the judging concludes at 4 pm. Special GCMC charity fundraising raffle tickets are available for a cost of $10 each or 3 for $25, while 200 tickets last. Items on the raffle include an awesome Henry 22 Golden Boy rifle, four concert tickets to a concert of your choice at Jefferson’s Wild Rose Casino & Events Center, and a $100 gift card at Hy-Vee. Just One More of Jamaica is again the 2020 Challenge Coin sponsor and will provide special promotions for Poker Run coin holders. Other valued sponsors this year include: T-shirt sponsor – Greene County Agronomy Services, Gold sponsors - 209 Main/ Tool Bar, Dan’s Spicy Barbecue Sauce, Neese Inc., Hamilton Redi-Mix, Jefferson A&W, Spare Time Lanes, VanWall, Pemble Digging & Drainage Service, and Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
Trophies Plus. Silver sponsors - Oly’s Corner, Tech Zone, Jefferson Hy-Vee, Wild Rose Casino, and Shadran Industrial. As always, proceeds for this year’s event will go to the Raccoon Valley Kiwanis Aktion Club of Jefferson. Last year the Aktion Club was the recipient of $1,500 and with your help, even more will be available in 2020. More information about the Greene County Motorcycle Charity events can be found at www. btfcycle.info. Please watch our Facebook page (https://www. facebook.com/btfcycle) and website for updates if COVID-19 causes us to postpone or cancel the event. We hope to see you in Jefferson ready to have some fun on June 13th!
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Kelly Malani 2003 1200 Sportster Pleasant Hill Sharon Dawley 2015 Fatboy Low New Sharon
Chris Lapour 2008 Honda Shadow Spirit Custom Des Moines 16 - TRMI MAY 2020
We want you on our pages! If you are an Iowa Girl of Thunder, send us a quality image, your name, year and model of bike, and where you are from to: vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com
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that I got nothing done at home in that timeframe. I left my job with the intention of traveling, but also with high-hopes to spend more time in the garage working on my own bikes. But so much time on the road, combined with working bike shows on the road for my photography business, had left very little time at home. That’s a lot of weekends and evenings missed out on simple repairs aand keeping things clean and organized around the house too.
This is the recap of an Iowa boy’s attempt to ride all the lower 48 states. If you haven’t read the previous 8 chapters, I advise you to find the back issues of TRMI to take in the full story. Enjoy… I left my fulltime job in June of 2018, with about $3500 in my savings and a couple credit cards. My intent was to focus on my photography aphy work on a fulltime basis, and wrench on bikes at rallies for parttime income. Although Natanic’s Pin-ups calendar keeps itself afloat, it doesn’t yield a profit to live from, so my photography intent was to get back into weddings, senior pictures, personal shoots, commercial projects, etc… Which brings in a whole new story that I don’t need to get into here, but after my trip to the Pacific Northwest, I quickly realized that people sincerely believed I had retired. I never made any mention of retirement, but people tend to make their own assumptions I guess. In my mid-40’s, hell yeah I wish I could retire, but that financial aspect in my life is very far from the truth! So after my practice run at retirement, here’s the reality of my first attempt… Yes, it’s pretty cool to say I’ve ridden through all the lower 48 states, but bragging rights was never my intent, I just truly love to ride and see new places. My travels have completely wiped out my savings and left me with over $20,000 in credit card debt. I did manage to travel on a very low budget through it all, but not having a steady income for nearly 2 years has left me relying on credit cards for a lot of daily life at home. This brings on another reality, in
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I wish I could say that these travels are one of those stories where “I found myself,” but that’s not the case. After Sturgis last year, my travels became a huge burden, and I have yet to realize if, when, or how badly this is going to affect my financial well-being for the future. Therefore, my non-retirement is over, and I’m currently on the job search again. All that aside, whether I found myself or not, I have come to realize that I truly have the world’s greatest friends, and I feel some of them are worth mention again… Eryka, who has helped out more ways than a person can imagine, housed me in Colorado for a few days, and then moved to Daytona and let me use her new place before she even moved in. And she’s always good for making sure I had food and a cold beer too! Longtime friend Mary Jo also kept my tummy full and made sure I had refreshing beers while I was in South Carolina for a few days. I finally had the pleasure to meet social media friend Shannon Hayes, who has followed my photography career with biker magazines since the beginning, when I was working with national publications. I also have to mention the Facebook Bunk-a-Biker page, where I met some great folks who invited me into their homes for a place to lay my head for a night. Shane Ellingson was one such person, who put me up in Loveland CO, and even supplied needed parts for my Road King. Longtime friend Joe Tracy, and his wife Kim, put me up on Reno for a couple nights, and too offered some good grub, cold beer, and took me sightseeing around Lake Tahoe. Joe hails from the Dubuque area, and is one of the few people I know that has
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seen a lot more on 2-wheels than me, so between him and Kim, they gave me a lot of insight on good rides in the Northwest region. I only saw a small portion of what they mentioned, but I will surely be back to visit!
I’m also asked what my highlight of all this, and there’s really not any one thing I could say was the highlight. I can say that my first goals of seeing the Bonneville Salt Flats and Pacific Ocean both for the first time were definitely highlights, but finally getting out and visiting friends all Harlan, my old biker friend from Tipton, IA. most over the country was probably the true highlight overall. definitely deserves a nod, for without him riding along, the For years, I’d often times talked to friends all over about New England leg of my journey would not have happened. riding out to pay them a visit, and finally made an effort to Plus he’s been a supporter of my work for roughly 20 years, do so. And seeing how different people live and partake in and always finds something new in his shop as subject everyday life throughout different regions of the country matter for my calendar photo-shoots! was somewhat of an eye opener too. It’s pretty amazing to live in a country so vast, and with so many different people, I can’t continue without a mention of my amazing with different beliefs and a different way of living, but we wife Theresa too, as these adventures likely wouldn’t have all still call the United States of America “home!” happened without her support and encouragement! In the days before leaving for any long journey, the uncertainty Regardless, I gotta count my blessings as I didn’t have any of what might happen to me, my bike, or back at home major breakdowns through it all. Only some hardware while away always leaves some doubts on my decision to and a shifter arm vibrating off the bike, a bad battery only take off. And a few days before my planned departure for 100 miles from home, and a nail in my rear tire outside of the Northwest in 2018, my friend Hollywood was killed Sturgis, which was convenient enough considering I was in a bike wreck in North Carolina. This journey was not changing tires during the rallies! I went through 2 rear tires, mentioned in my story line, but Pat Jones and I rode down 1 front tire, 7 oil changes, 4 primary/trans fluid changes, to Winston/Salem for Hollywood’s funeral service on July and a broken exhaust pipe, which happened while at home 4th, 2018, which was my original planned departure date for anyway. And for anyone that hadn’t figured out the math the first leg. We were only away from home for 64 hours already, I logged over 20,000 miles on the odometer in the to pay our respects, but it set me back 8 days. I already had process! uncertainties about the future after walking away from my fulltime job a couple weeks earlier, and the mental struggle A BIG “Thank You” also of trying to decide if I really needed to do this weighed goes out to all of you heavy on me. Day by day I kept putting off my departure that have been following date, trying to convince myself that I needed to tend to along in Thunder Roads other things before leaving, and considered just riding out Magazine of Iowa, it to Colorado, then up to Sturgis for a much abbreviated truly gives me that warm version of what I had planned. But, Theresa finally told me fuzzy feeling inside to quit putting it off and just go, otherwise this was likely to hear from people I never gonna happen again, and I’d hate myself for giving up meet out in public that the opportunity. I knew all this, but after losing a friend, I have been reading my really needed that assurance from her too! ramblings for the last 9 months! Now… Why Mushy stuff aside, I’m often times asked what my next the hell can’t I find any travel plans will be, and I honestly don’t know at this time. toilet paper anywhere??? I have hopes for some other adventures, Alaska being one of them, but that’s a few years down the road, unless my Nate Ullrich finances take a stark turn for the better. The Northwest www.Natanic.com region is high on priority to see more in-depth, and I’d sure like to ride out to Phoenix to visit friends someday too. I still wanna ride to the Florida Keys and ride the Gulf back up to New Orleans, but who knows if and when any of these will happen?
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Brotherhood B h h d Versus V the Patch If you find yourself questioning who is around your club for the brotherhood, or around to just have a patch. Just sit back and watch. They will reveal themselves easily enough. Take a trip. Ride to the coast. 2,000+ miles. Knees in the breeze. Rain. High wind. Cold. Heat. Storms. Tornados. Yes. It’s gonna make you sore. It’s gonna make you tired. But who truly is complaining. Is the trip worth it? I’ll get back to that. Let’s see. Being on the road, riding pins to pegs. Keeping it tight. Riding and getting lost. Wrong turns. Right turns. Stopping to stretch. The people you meet. The conversations you have amongst each other. The laughs. Getting to the hotel and figuring out where to eat and drink at the same time. More new faces. More laughs. Waiting to get into Arlington Cemetery to visit the grave of one of your Brother’s sons. Seeing the anguish on his face. His wife and son’s faces. Them wishing for one more moment with their son and brother. Placing a coin on his grave to let him know you were there. Seeing all the other Veterans and families visiting. Stopping a lady with her two kids at her other son’s grave. Just to listen to her story of her son. Visiting the Beirut memorial because of one of your other brothers was there when it was hit in ‘83. The reality that you may have never known this man or his family. Watching this 6’4” man come to his knees with emotion from brothers lost. Placing another coin.
bbrothers th who h ffought ht bby your side, id th h pain, i sweat, t through and blood. Those who would drop everything to be right back by your side, and you for them. The humility sets in when you think of all the others there riding in this “parade” with you. What they probably went thru as well. Riding home, you catch the memories of the last few days. You get back to the hotel. Tornado sirens are going off as you are sitting by the pool drinking. Some of your brothers go out and watch the storm. Outside, feeling the high wind as it blows the rain horizontally so that everything can get soaked. You can see the storm, clouds, and tornado thru the lightning strikes. Realizing its only blocks away. Some of you stay by the pool. “If it’s our time, it’s our time.” You grab a brother and throw him in the pool and you all laugh. You go to grab another and he takes you in with him. You laugh even harder, and as it turns to panic you realize you still have your cell phone and wallet in your pocket. Doesn’t matter. Again, as you ride out the last few miles, again hitting rain. You still can’t help but think back, smile and be humbled all at one time. The miles you can’t get back. But the memories you made, they will remain. The break downs. The unexpected stops. The little quirks and idiosyncrasies of your brothers. So…was it all worth it? Hell yes! All day long. I’m still smiling at the jokes, the memories we made. Because that’s what the brotherhood is about. Only one “brother” complained the whole time. Do you honestly care if he did? It’s his loss, not yours. Did his negativity drain you to the point of not having fun? The one that complained about everyone and everything on the trip….just doesn’t get it. Clueless. He will just never understand the difference between brotherhood and a patch holder.
Then to be a part of Rolling Thunder in D.C. A ride from the Pentagon to the Vietnam War memorial to remember those who fought and those who never made it home from that war. All the different clubs. All the egos put to the side. One mission. The same mission. Enduring the unrelenting heat. To thank the ones who stood up and -A Veteran’s Perspective said I’ll go. To say welcome home, we know you really didn’t want to go, but you went anyway. Thank you. You take the time to reflect on your own tours. The brothers that you talk to infrequently but miss daily. The same 26 - TRMI MAY 2020
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From: 1959 Enthusuast Fr
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hat a spring it has been with everything that has been going on across the country and in our state. May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. Since we are out on the roads again, remember to make sure you are safe in your riding and looking out for other vehicles, because as we know all too well, they may not be looking out for you.
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ext, the biker community has always been a giving community, and with businesses being shut down some of them may be struggling. These businesses have always supported us throughout the years, so now it is time we return the favor by helping to support them. Let’s try to stop in while we are out riding and show them the support that they need.
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e at ABATE are also being asked if we are still having the 36th Annual Freedom Rally. We want you all to know that we are still moving forward with the rally, and as of today it is going on as planned. So wash your hands often, stay home if you are sick, stay safe, and get your tickets to the best biker party in the Midwest…the ABATE of Iowa 36th Annual Freedom Rally on July 2nd, 3rd, and 4th 2020.
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David Duffy “Duff” State Coordinator ABATE of Iowa
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A farmer buys a young rooster. As soon as he brings the bird to the farm, it rushes & fucks all 150 hens. The farmer is impressed thinking about all the eggs the hens would hatch. At lunch, the rooster again screws all 150 hens. The farmer gets a bit worried now. The next day, he finds the rooster fucking the ducks, geese, and a parrot too which is now scaring him. Later that day, he finds the rooster lying pale, half-dead with vultures circling over its head. The farmer says, “You horny bastard, you deserve this.” The rooster opens one eye, points up, & whispers, “Shh! Don’t shout, let them land!” Three old women were sitting on a park bench. A flasher ran up and whipped open his coat. Two of the old ladies had a stroke and the third couldn’t reach. A mother comes home from work to find that her kids are hiding behind the couch. She asks what’s wrong, and the kids reply that aunt Sally was in the house naked. So, she goes to her bedroom to investigate, and she finds her husband lying on the bed naked and sweaty. She asks, “What’s going on?” He replies, “I’m having a heart attack.” She says “I’m going to call 911, while I’m really looking for my sister.” She discovers the aunt in the bathroom closet in the nude, and gives her a slap, “How dare you! My husband is having a heart attack and you’re running around scaring the kids!”
Pedro lives in an orphanage. One nee d day ay P Pedro edro ed ro h is heading towards town with his hands clasped together, when the padre who runs this orphanage asks Pedro, “What do you have in your hands and where are you going?” Pedro replies, “Father, I have horseflies and I am going tto o town to get horses.” Sure, enough gh later Pedro comes back with two wo beautiful Arabians. Next day Pedro edro ed ro walks past the priest again with the he ssame amee am question, “Pedro, what do you ha have ve iin n your hand and where are you go goin going?” ing? in g ” g? Pedro replies once again, “Father er I ha have ve butter and I am going to town to o get butterflies.” Sure, enough Pedro returns with beautiful monarch butterflies. The veryy next day Pedro is headed towards ow owar war ards ds town once again when the Priest st as asks ks the same question, “Pedro what do do you you have in your hands and where are are you you going?” Again, Pedro replies, “Father I have Pussy willows-” “Wait, Pedro!” says the Priest, “I’ll go with you!!”
Two sperms are racing to reach the ovule. After a minute, one asks the other, “Hey, how much longer until we reach A sailor drops anchor in a port and heads into the nearest the ovaries?” The other answers, “Keep swimming, fool! pub. Everyone in the pub is whispering and pointing at him We haven’t even passed the tonsils yet!” because of his odd shaped body; he has a very muscular body, but a very tiny head on his shoulders. As he orders his drink, he tells the bartender, “I’ll explain. I get this in A woman seated herself in the psychiatrist’s office. “What every port and town I visit. I caught a mermaid and she seems to be the problem?” the doctor asked. “Well, I, uh,” granted me three wishes if I would release her back into she stammered. “I think I, uh, might be a nymphomaniac.” the sea. So, I told her I wanted a yacht and, sure enough, “I see,” he said. “I can help you, but I must advise you that she came through for me. Next, I asked for a million bucks my fee is $80 an hour.” “That’s not bad,” she replied. “How and now I am set for life. Last of all, I asked her if I could much for all night?” have sex with her and her response was, ‘I don’t know how you can make love to me with your type of body.’ So, I asked her, ‘How about a little head?’” An old man and old woman got married and went on their honeymoon. They were in bed getting ready to have sex for the first time and the old woman said, “I should tell you I A husband says to his wife, “I bet you can’t tell me have acute angina.” The old man says, “I hope so. You sure something that will make me both happy and sad at the don’t have cute tits.” same time.” The wife thinks about it for a few moments and replies, “Your dick is bigger than your brothers.” A representative for a condom company is on her way to a convention. While rushing through the airport, she drops In a tiny village lived an old maid. In spite of her old age, the briefcase carrying her samples of condoms all over she was still a virgin. She was very proud of it. She knew the floor. As she is stuffing all the condoms back into her her last days were getting closer, so she told the local briefcase, she notices tourists giving her crazy looks. “It’s undertaker that she wanted the following inscription on ok, she says, “I am doing a huge convention.” her tombstone: “Born as a virgin, lived as a virgin, died as a virgin.” Not long after, the old maid died peacefully, and the undertaker told his men what the lady had said. The There was a young rabbi, who on Sabbath Eve announces men went to carve it in, but the lazy no-goods they were, to the congregation that he will be leaving for a larger they thought the inscription to be unnecessarily long. They congregation that will pay him more. There is a silence. simply wrote: “Returned unopened.” No one wants him to leave. Cohen, who owns several car dealerships, stands up and announces, “If the rabbi stays, I’ll provide him with a new BMW every year, and his lovely wife with a Range Rover, to transport their children!” 34 - TRMI MAY 2020
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The congregation sighs and applauds. Feinstein, the entrepreneur and investor stands up and says, “If the rabbi stays, I’ll double his salary, and establish a college fund to guarantee the college education of his children!” More sighs and applause. Old Mrs. Horowitz, aged 96, stands and announces, “If the rabbi stays, I will have sex with him!” There is a silence. The rabbi, blushing, asks, “Mrs. Horowitz, whatever possessed you to say that?” Mrs. Horowitz answers, “I just asked Mr. Horowitz what we could do to make the rabbi stay. Mr. Horowitz said,” Fuck the rabbi.” One day a farmer wakes up to go check on his cheese cow. He walks up and finds her dead in the grass. The man is so upset he kills himself. Then his wife wakes up. She finds her husband dead and goes to the lake and kills herself. Next the first son wakes up and notices everybody is dead. He goes down to the river and sees a mermaid. She swims up to him and says, “Having a bad day, huh? I’ll tell you what. If you make love to me ten times in a row without stopping, I’ll bring everyone back to life. But if you don’t, I will kill you.” He tries to do it, but doesn’t make it. She kills him. Then the second son wakes up and after seeing his dead parents, also goes to the river where he sees his dead brother. The same mermaid swims up and tells him what she told his brother. He asks, “If I make love to you 20 times, what will you do?” She tells him, “If you are able to perform 20 times in a row, I will bring everyone back and make you the richest man alive.” He then asks, “Well if I do it 20 times in a row, what’s stopping you from dying? That’s what happened to the cow.” A nurse walks into the doctor’s office where a very sick man has been waiting patiently. She approaches him with a clipboard with all of his information attached to it. As she greets him, she pulls a rectal thermometer out of her shirt pocket then says, “Oh great, some asshole has my pen.” A penguin takes his car to the shop, and the mechanic says he needs an hour to check it out. So, the penguin goes across the street to the 7-Eleven to kill some time and get an ice cream. Since the penguin has no hands, the poor little guy gets the ice cream all over his beak. He returns to the mechanic and the guy tells him, “Looks like you blew a seal.” “Oh no,” says the penguin, “this is just a little ice cream.” Three guys survive a plane crash in the desert. They wander for days, starving and thirsty. They finally come across a lone house and knock on the door, desperate for help. A crusty old lady answers, and says she’d be happy to help if one of them will agree to satisfy her sexually first. After a quick discussion, one of the guys decides to take one for the team. He walks in to her bedroom while the other two wait outside the house. He tells her to close her eyes and open her legs. He quickly runs to the kitchen and grabs the first penisshaped thing he can find, an ear of corn. He shoves it in her, and throws it out the window. Grabs another, rams it in and throws it out the window. She is finally satisfied and agrees to cook for them. He goes outside to get his friends, and they exclaim, “We’re actually not hungry anymore. We just ate some delicious, buttery corn on the cob!” Two guys are at a bar. One of them looks to the other and says, “I had the best time last night. I had sex with twins!” The other asks, “How could you tell them apart?” “Well, Jessica had long, beautiful, blonde hair, and Alex had a goatee.” A naked man broke into a church. The police chased him around and finally caught him by the organ. Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
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It’s been an interesting side effect of having so many things shut down. Interesting to the point that we have done more family activities than we have in years. All the girls (we have teenage daughters in our domicile) that, like so many other kids are constantly busy and always What will YOUR return to Normal Look like? going. Club volleyball, overlapping with golf, softball, cheerleading, friends, a massive time eater from any A really long time ago some philosophers said “May you family time, then with a flip of a switch…nothing. It was live in interesting times”. The phrase has been bastard- all gone. They closed the schools, canceled everything, ized (like most things) many times over the years, deand they are home for dinner. Every single day. It was cades, and centuries to fit whatever situation it’s needed weird at first, now it’s awesome. Not that they are being in, and holy SHIT enough already with the interesting held hostage away from activities, their friends, boytimes! friends, and making memories that they would cherish for a lifetime, think about that, all the kids that would be I am not going to sit and pontificate on when things will doing the stuff we did and took for granted, gone. But get back to normal, or to even fathom what normal may now we are talking more, hanging out, working on projlook like when we get to that point. We all know it will ects, teaching them to cook, discussing world events, never be the same and so many things that we have how to protect, prep, and watch out for one another. With taken for granted will be gone and never to return. I am all the bad crap that has been going on, this has been not going to dive into what personal freedoms we all frankly, awesome. rolled over and gave up without blinking an eye. A while back I mentioned a comparison to 9-11 and how we sud- But you can only be inside and hanging with the same denly, willingly gave up so much because “it was for the people, no matter how much you love them, for so long good of the country”. Remember when it took a court before we all need a release. As Rodney Carrington order for the Feds to actually listen to our conversations once said, “I love regular M&Ms but every once in a godor monitor on-line traffic? Good times, right? Good times damn time I need a PEANUT M&M!” Variety is the spice indeed. Or the last time your grandmother didn’t get of life, right? strip searched just trying to fly to Arizona? Sure, you pay extra for a good strip searching at a club in Sturgis, but We get an emotional connection to riding. While you can seeing grandma going behind the curtain at the airport? lose yourself, you are also keenly aware and awake like We don’t even blink. nothing else can do for you. The vibration, the smells, the sounds, the way your body and machine become Don’t gather in groups of 10 or more. So, what you are one fluid unit, cranking out mile after mile, seeing things telling me is our 1st Amendment right to gather is shred- that you can only see from the perspective of the saddle. ded like a single ply wad of toilet paper we had to grab at a dollar store since all the good stuff was hoarded like There is a romance to it, a centering, a Zen if you will Easter Eggs by a 5-year-old. Wait…they canceled Easter about getting the hell out and away on your bike. Sure, this year, remember? we can’t go anywhere, at least anywhere that is open. You can curbside pickup, hell, depending on where you We have entered a new normal where we BEGGED our are, you likely can’t even have a picnic without a badged politicians to shut us down. We begged to be told to type writing you up a ticket. Remember, it’s for the good stay home, to wear a mask, to not shop certain stores, of all, people need to listen…picnics are bad. Think of not gather in crowds, to cancel everything. I said a while humanity! back, this cancel culture shit is really getting out of hand! But the hell with it, we still begged to be shut down I need my time with a bike between my legs now more because it was for the good of us all and without due than ever before. I want to spend a Saturday hitting a process, the agreement of lawmakers, “Leaders” stood bevy of small towns supporting a cause on a poker run. up at daily pressers said what businesses, which indus- I want to find a curvy blacktop I didn’t know was there. tries, what stores were of essential needs and we logged I want to go way the hell out of my way to see a scenic on daily and not only agreed but demanded more. Pick overlook and on the way back, find a killer small town a state, pick a reason, things were closed. They closed bar with a basket of wings and a burger so damn good I campgrounds. Why? Why in the hell would you close get a food coma. Is that too much to ask? campgrounds? You are not allowed to ask questions. Private club where a few gather, CLOSE IT DAMMIT! I have no idea what the new norm will be on the other Some states closed the damn lakes and rivers to fishing. side of this, but I can promise you I will find a town with California closed the damn ocean. Sorry, even if you are wings, a burger, a beer, and some friends on my bike. nowhere near another person, you can’t socially disThat is my return to normalcy. tance on a paddleboard in the ocean. And we nodded and said, “it’s for the best”. Oh, and since my kids are being homeschooled, I decided to set a positive example and looked up that phrase. As of right now, by the time this lands at your fingertips, but as of this very moment the ultimate in Social Distanc- “May you live in interesting times” ing, riding a damn bike is still legal. (Dammit, I really hope it’s still legal because I might be arrested for tellIt’s actually a Chinese curse. ing a LEO bad, bad things. And as you know, I always try to be a shining example of cheeriness!) Me, Mr. Cheery. Of course, it is. Okay, that might not ring true but dammit, I find myself glued to my bike more and more than before. Todd “Crash” Davis
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Before heading out for any of the scheduled events on our dinner ride/bike night list and our events listing, please call ahead to make sure they are still happening. With all of the closures happening as of late, many events have been forced to reschedule or even cancel all together. But with or without events to attend, tearing up some pavement has always been a bikers preferred form of social distancing. Ride safe and ride often!
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa Iowa Bike Nights and Dinner Rides Saturday
Wednesday The Buck Snort Neola Bikes and Cars (2nd Wed) 2nd Ave Bike Night Des Moines (2nd Wed May-Sep) Amigos Fort Dodge American Dream/Hangout Omaha Bea’s Place Baxter Twisted Corn Tavern Dallas Center (1st Wed) Cruise Night Britt (3rd Wed Jul-Sep) The OP Clear Lake Whiskey Barrel Pub & Eatery Prairie City (Apr-Sep) Supper Rides Harley-Davidson of Carroll (5-20,6-10,78,8-19,9-9) Dinner Rides Zylstra Harley-Davidson Ames
Thursday Edwards Bikes on the Hundred Block Council Bluffs (3rd Thursday) The Buck Snort Harlan Bikes and Cars (4th Thursday) Roar Into Harlan (3rd Thursdays) Stumpy’s Bar & Grill Duncombe Wild Hogs Saloon & Eatery Walford (3rd Thursday) Metro HD Cedar Rapids (2nd Thursday May-Oct) Des Moines Vintage Bike Night (1st Thursday May-Sep) McCann’s Tap Des Moines (Every Other Thursday) Harley-Davidson of Carroll (1st Thurs May-Sep)
Happenings Bar Steamboat Rock (3rd Saturday May-Sep) Ambro’s Roadhouse DeSoto (Last Sat May-Aug) Route 65 BBQ & Open House (3rd Sat ) Road Rage Dog Daze Open House (2nd Sat May-Sep)
Sunday Just 1 More Jamaica (Starting in May) Road Rage Fun Run at The Exchange Avoca (4th Sunday May-Sep) Oakland Acres Golf Club (Start in May) This list is what we have found and what has been submitted. Before heading to any event, please check weather and make sure the event is not cancelled. Not responsible for misprints and typos. If you have any other events to list, please email vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com
Friday Centerville Bike Nights (4th Friday May-Aug) R Place Pub & Pizza Kelley (2nd Friday May-Aug) Stampede’s Mason City J&P cycles Anamosa (Jun 19, Jul 17) Firehouse Bar Sioux City (Jun 19-20)
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Vintage Torque Fest Dubuque Combat Veterans Chapter 39-3 APR, Benefit, Ride, Cruise Elkport Jul 11 7th Annual Ride In Bike & Hot Rod Show Milford Jul 11 PGI Support Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Jul 11 13th Annual Freeman Ride Avoca Jul 11 Cubs Run Big Barn HD Des Moines Jul 11 14th Annual Angel Ride to Save the TaTas Fort Dodge Jul 11 Benefit Ride for Marsha Cedar Rapids F&J Racing 25th “Blessing Of The Bikes” Grand Finale Jul 18 Ice Cream Poker Run Big Barn HD Des Moines Marshalltown Jul 18 Chloe Ann Memorial Ride Elk Horn Chrome Diva Awareness Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Jul 18 Ride for Time w/Friends of Mine Baxter Blessing of the Bikes Shrine of the Grotto of the Redemption Jul 18 4th Annual Cody Willis Memorial Ride North 40 Magnolia West Bend Jul 18-19 “Ride In” Bike Show Des Moines CMA Hearts for Christ #1376, Run for the Son Ride/Fundraiser Jul 25 9th Annual Sleeping Angels Fun Run Boone Mason City Jul 25 Union Trades Solidarity Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids 2nd Annual Pearl City Disciples/1st Baptist Church Bike Jul 25 Harley and Hot Rod Summer Celebration Bike and Car Show Blessing Muscatine Big Barn HD Des Moines Tent Event Big Barn HD Des Moines Jul 25 Pine Lake Festival Motorcycle Show Eldora Swap Meet & Flea Market Conesville Jul 25 Volga City River Run Volga PGI Riders Blessing of the Bikes Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Jul 26 Jones Co Toys for Tots Christmas in July Anamosa Spring Hog Roast Zylstra HD Ames Jul 31-Aug 2 Heartland Rally by Christian Motorcycle Association of Iowa Bike Blessing & BBQ Open House Rt 65 HD Indianola Fort Dodge ABATE D 16 Annual Motorcycle Awareness Ride Cedar Falls Aug 1 Largest Female Ride Ever (World Record Attempt) HarleyRedneck Revival Rally (Over 21) Conesville Davidson of Carroll Hellfighters Bike Blessing, Iowa Falls Aug 1 CVMA 39-2 Patriot Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Midway Tavern Veterans Memorial Day Weekend Poker Run Aug 7-16 80th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally South Dakota Soldier Aug 8 LT Ride for Babies Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Bike Blessing Northwest Christian Church Council Bluffs Aug 8 ALR (Ames Legion Riders) 2nd Annual Show & Shine IVH Memorial Day Freedom Rock Ride Denison Marshalltown Harley-Davidson of Carroll Rock –N- Ride Carroll Aug 14-15 Rumble & Truck Yeah Conesville Boys and Girls Club Chrome for Kids Ride and Raffle Aug 15 Baxter Cycle Open House & Auction Marne Metro HD Cedar Rapids Aug 15 Cancer Sucks~Car, Truck & Bike Show Council Bluffs Rally in the Hills Loess Hills HD Pacific Junction Aug 15 TJ Memorial Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Ride for Darcy Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Aug 16 Western Iowa Bikers Winner Takes All Poker Run Dow City Purple Heart Tour Ride for Our Service Men & Women Green Aug 21-23 16th Annual BTW Trike In Kellogg 4th Annual Thank You Is Not Enough Ride IronHawkCVMA Aug 22 Kyle’s Mile 7 Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Chapter 39-5 Mt Pleasant Aug 22 5th Annual Hell On Wheels Chopper Show Franklin 11th Annual Veterans Benefit Ride American Legion Riders Aug 23 Rumble to Recovery (620 Fund Ride) Metro HD Cedar Rapids Post 166 Shellsburg Aug 29 Cruising for a Cure Metro HD Cedar Rapids 5th Annual Suicide Awareness Ride & Drive Waterloo Aug 29 Corn Dog Classic Poker Chip Run hosted by JAVELAN LHHD Riders for Thrivers Annual Poker Run for Project Pink’d. Pacific Junction Omaha NE Sep 3-6 Redneck Revival Rally (Over 21) Conesville ABATE D21 Blessing of the Bikes Fulton, IL Sep 3-5 Motorcycle Swap Meet Davenport IronHawk CVMA 39-5 APR Keosauqua Sep 4-7 Midway Tavern 22nd Annual Soldier Valley Fundraiser Poker Spring Open House Big Barn HD Des Moines Run Soldier Chrome at the River Ride In Bike Show Omaha Sep 5 MS Moments Heid Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids IronHawk CVMA 39-5 Bike Build Off for APR Keosauqua Sep 10 Metro Motor Madness 620 Foundation Motorcycle Drawing 12th Annual Bell Tower Festival Poker Run & Cycle Show Metro HD Cedar Rapids Jefferson Sep 12 WTF Fun Run Harlan Steve Martin Ride for a Cure ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Sep 12 9th Annual Warrior Ride Preston 6th Annual Children’s Hospital Fun Run Council Bluffs Sep 12 2nd Annual Operation 22 til Freedom Poker Run Council Roar Into Harlan Fun Run Harlan Bluffs Willie’s Whopper Run Colesburg Sep 12 Teufelhund Veterans Group Support Ride Anamosa Rumble In The Sand Conesville Sep 18-19 Rumble In The Sand Conesville Sugar Run (Diabetes) ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Sept 19 Chrome Diva BOCA Ride Cedar Rapids 1st Annual Bruce Thysen Memorial Ride Elk Horn Sep 19 5th Annual 22 Veterans Suicide Awareness Association Poker ABATE D14 36th Baldy Memorial Fremont Run Council Bluffs 7th Annual Hometown Heroes Memorial Ride Rockwell City Sep 19 Joyce’s Joyride Metro HD Cedar Rapids 8th Annual Chasin’ Tails Fun Run Roland Oct 8 620 Foundation Check Presentation to Children’s Hospital ABATE D14 35th Anniversary Party What Cheer Metro HD Cedar Rapids Midway Tavern All Iowa 100 Day Poker Run Soldier Oct 9-10 Swap Meet & Flea Market Conesville 10th Annual Vintage Rally National Motorcycle Museum Oct 16-17 EOY Drags Conesville Anamosa Oct 31 Halloween Spooktacular Big Barn HD Des Moines Ride for the Dogs Kellogg Nov 6-7 Veteran’s Day Event Big Barn HD Des Moines Legion Riders Post 111 Annual Veterans Assistance Ride Nov 11 Veteran’s Day Breakfast Metro HD Cedar Rapids Newton Nov 27 Black Friday Event Big Barn HD Des Moines Chains Interrupted Ride Metro HD Cedar Rapids Dec 5 Chrome Diva SLD (Santa’s Lil Divas) Cedar Rapids Running Over Lupus Jewell Dec 12 Santa at Metro Metro HD Cedar Rapids ABATE of Iowa Freedom Rally Algona Dec 12 Holiday Open House Big Barn HD Des Moines
Before heading out for any of the scheduled events on our dinner ride/bike night list and our events listing, please call ahead to make sure they are still happening. With all of the closures happening as of late, many events have been forced to reschedule or even cancel all together. But with or without events to attend, tearing up some pavement has always been a bikers preferred form of social distancing. Ride safe and ride often! May 2 May 2 May 2 May 2 May 3 May 7-9 May 8-9 May 9 May 9 May 16 May 16 May 21-24 May 23 May 23-25 May 24 May 24 May 30 May 30 Jun 5-6 Jun 6 Jun 6 Jun 6 Jun 6 Jun 6 Jun 6 Jun 7 Jun 12 Jun 12-13 Jun 12-13 Jun 13 Jun 13 Jun 13 Jun 13 Jun 13 Jun 13 Jun 19-20 Jun 20 Jun 20 Jun 20 Jun 20 Jun 20 Jun 20-21 Jun 26-28 Jun 27 Jun 27 Jun 27 Jun 27 Jun 27 Jul 2-4
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