Nine months into the year that I never thought I would ever make it to see! 2025 always seemed so damned far into the future that I would never even still be alive to see it, but I’ll be damned, here we are, killin’ it! September is to me one of the best months of the year to ride, with the other 11 being a close second! I really enjoy this month as I really enjoy riding with some cooler temperatures, but still, some heat. I do not mind changing riding gear a couple of times a day to stay comfortable, and September usually brings you that. Cool mornings and evenings with still some scorchers in the afternoons and the ever-changing views of the Iowa countryside are amazing. I thoroughly enjoy the changing of colors throughout the year of the Iowa landscape, and I love the greens of summer, but appreciate the cycle of life we can see daily in this great state. The crops turn from vibrant greens, then start to pale, then yellows, then browns, then gone. We just must remember those large pieces of equipment that start to be out and about on the roads this month, and some of the debris they can drag onto the roadways and be wary of that. Get out and put some miles on while you still can. Football has started, school is in session, kids/grandkids are busy as hell and need chased around, but don’t forget to take some time for yourself and keep on riding and racking up some more miles, before we do not have that opportunity here before long.
more all the time, we all do! That is why we need to support one another and encourage the people in our circles to do the things we have always wanted to do. We never know when our time will be up, so take advantage of the time we have left and enjoy life as much as you can. You only live once, so make it damned cool while doing it!
Another note, another idea, another challenge to you going into the late riding season, add up the number of people considerably younger than yourself that you rode with. Whatever that number is, try and increase that for next year. Use the fall and winter to encourage more younger people to either hop on and ride with you or get more younger people on motorcycles in general. There are not “apps” for riding a motorcycle, no game controllers for riding a motorcycle, no social media applications to use while riding, so maybe that is why the youngsters are not as interested in riding but let us see what we can get done to change that. If you enjoy the freedom of the road, try to get more people of the younger persuasion interested in riding one way or another. The future of our sport, our lifestyle, our way of life depends on it. If no one is here to buy the bikes, advocate for rights, and be leaders of our chosen preferred mode of transportation, it will falter and fade away. Let us work together to encourage younger riders to become active in our world and get more riders on two wheels!
Another reason that September riding is my favorite time of year is that I usually try to do an Iron Butt ride in later September. My birthday is the 23rd, and somewhere around that time I try to take off for a day and hit my 1,000 mark. I fully intend to do this as long as my bike and my body will allow. The bike is the least worried about part of the equation though. It is not that I am broken down and unable to do it by any means, but I feel the years and miles
h
I thank every one of you reading this and for following us over the years. I thank the sponsors of the magazine that help keep our doors open. I also thank the organizers of the rides, rallies, bike nights, swap meets, and everything else biker related for doing what you do so we can do what we love! Take a part of some Labor Day events, enjoy the fruits of your labors, appreciate and show reverence to the American workers! Take care all, see you on the road!
Vernon Schwarte vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com
Changing seasons are just around the corner, and this month’s cover features Natanic’s Pin-ups calendar girl Seantae. She looks beautiful as ever in the fall foliage, standing along-side Natanic’s 1938 Knucklehead. See more of her at Natanic.com
Proud Editor/Owner Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa
Proud Owner Thunder Guns and Thunder Guns West
IMDA Board Member
COC Liaison
Quote of the Month: “If we want people to fully show up, to bring their whole selves including their unarmored, whole hearts — so that we can innovate, solve problems and serve people — we have to be vigilant about creating a culture in which people feel safe, seen, heard and respected.” — Brené Brown, “Dare to Lead?
We had just slung our legs over our bikes when Mark started talking. “Oh, great!” I heard him groan. “Talk about bad timing! This had better not be anything serious.” By then he realized I was giving him the side-eye so he paused his harangue to explain. “Weird codes that I’ve never seen before popped up on my screen.” Ah. Now I understood. The motorcycle version of the dreaded “check engine light”. We sat a minute longer to make sure the normal codes were going to cycle through and disappear before we took off
We have bit of a history with vehicle codes and lights. When we got my Dodge Journey, I was delighted to find that it had a nifty remote start that was soooo nice when it was cold out. As long as I remembered to leave my setting on “defrost” when I got home from work, the next morning I could stand in the kitchen, point the fob at my car in the driveway, and like clockwork, it would start up and be semi warm and sortof defrosted when I was ready to leave. That was the first year I had it.
The second year was another story. The remote start still worked great – as long as the temps stayed above freezing. Once it got down to freezing, the engine began to shut off after a 15-second run and the check engine light would come on and stay on. Then the light began coming on when I parked pointed up hill. Next, a new light would come on if I stopped too long while pointed downhill. Finally, it decided to stay on all winter long. Mark had some magic formula to re-set the system that involved pumping the brakes and turning the car off and on, but the next time I would drive it – yep. Lights again. (I probably shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up that this magic formula would work, because if it really did work, Mark wouldn’t have “fixed” the check engine light on his truck by putting a piece of tape on the instrument panel to block the light . . . )
Eventually, I got a Durango to replace the Journey and I thought all would be well. Nope. The Durango is newer, but that apparently just means that now I get a story along with the lights when there’s a problem. Within a week of buying it, we were headed out somewhere when a message flitted across the screen, telling us something like “the U-Connect box couldn’t connect” and that we needed to take it in for service – and then it disappeared. Mark frowned and tapped on the screen. The original message didn’t reappear, and now we had a NEW message because the system thought we were trying to change things on the fly. This problem was clearly a job for the professionals.
The lights and codes that our vehicles flash at us are not actually the problem: they’re just notifying us about a problem somewhere in the vehicle’s operating system. We humans also have an operating system - our hearts. Luke 6:45 says, “A good person has good things saved up in his heart. But an evil person has evil things saved up in his heart. So, he brings out bad things. A person speaks the things that are in his heart.”
When I come home from work all angry because I feel like something is unfair, is the problem that I’m in the wrong job? No, my feelings are just my “check engine light”. The real problem is in my heart. If I feel like I shouldn’t have
to put up with any unfairness because I don’t deserve that, that tells me that I’m having a pride issue that I need to go to the Lord about.
When I am envious because a friend always seems able to afford anything they want, is the problem that my friend needs to stop purchasing things? No, my feelings are just my check engine light. My friend may need to shop less, but the real problem is in my heart. I need to be thankful for what God has given me.
When I am peeved because I feel like someone else in the family always gets their own way, is the problem that that person should be put in their place? Not to beat a dead horse, but: check engine light – the only problem I can work on is me.
We need to stop acting like our check engine light is a notification about someone else’s engine problem and stop putting tape over our own check engine lights. Jesus Christ paid the price for us to have new hearts / operating systems* and we need to admit our own issues and allow him to help us.
Blessings - *New operating system available through Karla prayer for limited time only. Not available after death.
Mark & Karla Cornick are with the Christian Motorcyclists Association. Find out more about CMA and God’s plan for you at www.cmausa.org.
The Biker Friendly Business Directory is a list of establishments throughout Iowa that sponsor the magazine. You can pick up your copy here every month. Let them know that you saw them in TRMI. If your business would like to advertise in Thunder Roads Iowa Biker Friendly Business Listing and become a part of the network, please email vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com
Biker Accessories
Dirty Biker Design
61 W Washington Street Winterset, Iowa 50273 www.DirtyBikerDesign.com 515-444-9050
Big Barn Harley-Davidson 81 NW 49th Place Des Moines, Iowa 50313 515-265-4444 www.bigbarnhd.net
Heartland Harley-Davidson
117 S Roosevelt Ave Burlington, IA 52601 319-754-1100
www.heartlandhd.com
Indian Motorcycle of Mason City
Mason City Powersports 12499 265th Street Mason City 641-423-3181
Masoncitypowersportsinc.com
Metro Harley-Davidson 2415 Westdale Drive SW Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404 319-362-9496
Edwards Motorsports and RV’s 1010 34th Avenue
Council Bluffs, Iowa 51501 712-366-8400 fullthrottleia.com
Harley-Davidson of Carroll 1327 Plaza Dr Carroll, Iowa 712-792-1610 www.carrollcycle.com
Harley-Davidson of Mason City 706 South Federal Avenue Mason City, IA 50401 641-423-6007 Harleyofmasoncity.com
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
Catfish Charlie’s On the Mississippi River 1630 E. 16th Street Dubuque, IA 52001 (563)582-8600
www.CatfishCharliesDubuque.com
www.metro-motorsports.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
Towers’ Legendary Harley-Davidson 1327 Plaza Dr Carroll, Iowa 712-792-1610
https://towerslegendaryhd.com
Entertainment
Book Em Dano’s
Club 191
101 Main Street Portsmouth, Iowa 51565
712-743-5535
Club 191 on Facebook
Coffee Cup Cafe 616 4th Street Sully, Iowa 50251 641-594-3765
Coffee Cup Café on Facebook
Desperados
105 E 5th Street Atlantic 712-243-7087
Home of Cold Beer, Good Times, Homemade Pizza
Desperados 403 East St Street Shelby 712-207-2144
Home of Cold Beer, Good Times, Homemade Pizza
Iowa Legendary Rye 707 N Main Street Carroll, Iowa 51401 Iowalegendaryrye.com
Just 1 More 515-570-4206 641-757-0159 309 Railway Jamaica, Iowa 50128
Level B – Bar & Grill 805 6th Street Manning, Iowa 51455 712-655-9290
Level B on Facebook
McCanns Tap NE 14th & 54th Des Moines, Iowa 50313 Bike Parking M-F 2:00-2 S-S 11:00-Close
Mi Casa Family Restaurant 512 Market Street Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-755-2258
Enjoy Drinks at the Full Bar!
Northside Rec 511 Main Street Coon Rapids, Iowa 50058 (712) 999-2337
Find us on Facebook
Papa Joe’s 117 South 6th Street Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555 712-642-9015
33 S Main Street Denison, Iowa 51442
712-263-9818 Mon-Sat 4-2
Dancers Nightly 5-1:30
The Biker Friendly Business Directory is a list of establishments throughout Iowa that sponsor the magazine. You can pick up your copy here every month. Let them know that you saw them in TRMI. If your business would like to advertise in Thunder Roads Iowa Biker Friendly Business Listing and become a part of the network, please email vernon@ thunderroadsiowa.com
Flaming Office 201 W High Street Toledo 641-484-2255
Outdoor Patio, Happy Hour 5-7
Flaming Office on Facebook & Google
Haverhill Social Club 202 1st Street Haverhill, Iowa 50120 641-475-3321
Have you noticed that the Lunatic Leftist Media is desperately attempting to start a civil war between President Trump and his supporters? They are doing all they can to ignite and fan the flames to get people to turn on him. This is nothing new, they’ve done this since the day he came down that escalator and announced his bid for president.
The latest hot ticket item is the Jeffery Epstein client list. The LLM wants you to believe that it’s Trump’s decision to not release the list and he is the only one keeping it from being released... because his name is in it and he’s guilty of crimes against children.
For the record, I am one that does not believe that is the case...
Reason One: The history of Trump and Epstein’s relationship doesn’t lead me to believe this line of thinking. Trump banned Epstein from Mar-a-Lago for allegedly making lewd comments to another guest’s 14-year-old daughter. This is currently a point of contention as some sources (LLM again) are claiming it was because Epstein was poaching employees from Mar-a-Lago to go work on his private island, including one of the high-profile victims. Trump, allegedly, also cooperated with authorities in a sexual abuse case against Epstein.
Reason Two: The Biden Administration had exclusive control over all documents and evidence from the Jeffery Epstein case for 4 years. Obama’s judges and DOJ hold overs, along with Biden’s, held all the cards. During the 2020 and 2024 presidential campaigns, they were trying so desperately to destroy President Trump’s reputation with one scandal after another; collusion, quid pro quo, sexual assault claims, arrest, conviction, felony, etc. And if you believe the conspiracy theories, “they” even attempted to have him assassinated, twice.
Now, despite what the LLM has indoctrinated their followers to believe, we conservatives do NOT support any crimes against children. If there had been any verifiable proof within the supposed files of Jeffery Epstein, the Biden Administration could have simply released the information publicly and I believe the vast majority of Trump’s support would have vanished. If they had the proof that would have destroyed him, why didn’t they use it?
Why didn’t the LLM say anything about the Jeffrey Epstein files during the Biden administration? Because it’s a tool for them. They are not at all interested in the substance of the files. In fact, I’m almost positive that they have zero inside
information about the contents. I mean, if they did, some jackass would have released it so that they could be “the one” that brought you all that information. It’s all about being first, rather than being truthful for them. No, all the LLM is interested in is fostering the divide, nurturing the flames, and hoping for a civil war between President Trump and his supporters.
I don’t believe there is any proof of Trump harming children in those files. Now, I’m not saying that Trump is innocent because I don’t have any proof one way or the other, but I do believe in the thought process that everyone is presumed innocent until they have been proven, beyond a shadow of a doubt, guilty as charged. And Trump hasn’t even been legally charged; he’s only been found guilty in the “court of public opinion” within the collective hive-mind of the Lunatic Left.
There are a lot of people, left and right, screaming about the information being released. The people keep bringing up how Trump campaigned on transparency and they are now using it as a club to beat Trump and his supporters with. “He campaigned on transparency and now he’s hiding the list. He’s on the list!” What these people don’t seem to understand is that Donald Trump cannot just sign on a dotted line and have everything released to the public; there are federal judges involved and they have the final say in what can and cannot be released publicly. Do not believe what the LLM has been telling you; there is a process that needs to be followed. If Trump released the information without the say so of the judges, people would be chanting about his impeachment because he’s not following the law.
I’m just as in the dark as most everyone else is about this supposed list, or files, or whatever the hell they supposedly have, but I do know that I’m not letting some talking heads in the legacy media tell me what to believe. I’ve based my opinions on the research I’ve done outside of television sources and random internet memes. But it seems that there are a lot of people that haven’t done so and will just repeat the things they’ve heard. For instance, I just watched a video where a woman (yes, I am assuming her gender) says, “If you’re a Trump supporter at this point, you like underage kids.” I have to assume she was alluding to the idea that all of his supporters are all pedophiles.
That’s a really ignorant statement to make. That would be like saying all Pitbulls are vicious killing machines or that all Asian people are good at math. It’s a bullshit blanket statement based on limited data and, quite honestly, stupidity. Pedophilia has never been limited to a political party, gender, race, religion, country of origin, social status, educational background, etc. What kind of warped, delusional mind do you have to possess to label an entire group of people? I guess it’s just easier to use that label than to admit that you’re ignorant and easily persuaded.
But hey, if you want to split hairs and rattle off some ignorant shit based on limited information, just because Donald Trump and Jeffery Epstein used to be friends years ago, how about we examine the last 10 years of the Democrat party and what they’ve been doing?
As I stated earlier, the Democrats had the Epstein list for the last four years and said nothing. The judge that blocked the release of that list was appointed by former President Barack Obama.
Democrats have been attempting to legalize and normalize pedophilia for a long time. In 2020, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed a law that would allow judges to decide whether or not to list someone as a sex offender for having anal or oral sex with a minor. This bill was an expansion of a 1944 bill that only applied to vaginal intercourse with a minor and applied to consensual sex with persons between 14 and 18 years of age. Why are we discussing the legality of adults having sex with minors?
Why are people advocating for the normalization of pedophilia? Why should we consider it a sexual orientation? Why is there a TEDx Talk titled, “Pedophilia is a natural sexual orientation” from 2018? Why would we soften the language to assist in “removing the stigma” of pedophilia by calling them a Minor Attracted Person (M.A.P.)? Why is a “licensed professional counselor and sex therapist” from Erie, Pennsylvania going on TikTok complaining about how pedophiles are marginalized.
We’ve had drag queen story hour in public libraries and elementary schools across the nation. There have been drag queen shows in bars where children were encouraged to attend and even participate on stage. There were “Pridefest” parades on public streets where a lot of children were in attendance while leather clad, mostly naked participants walked the streets waving large sex toys and mimicking lewd acts for the children to see.
The vast majority of support for the abortion debate has come from those that are Democrats. They fight for abortions to be as plentiful and as easy to access as a breath of air. Some Democrat lawmakers have wanted to make abortions legal right up until the baby was about to leave the birth canal.
Democrats have been so unconcerned about the safety and well-being of children that an estimated 30,000 illegal
immigrant children that crossed the southern border, unaccompanied, during the Biden administration, are now completely unaccounted for. No one has a clue where they are.
Democrats continue to push policies that have allowed “gender affirming care” for minors. Please explain to me how surgically removing a young girl’s breasts and feeding her testosterone is considered “care.” Or removing a young boy’s twig and berries then pumping him full of estrogen. Seriously, how can anyone that claims to be a rational, sane adult look me in the face and tell me that this is healthcare?
Senator Karen Berg (D) - KY is on video during a hearing discussing the use of child-like sex dolls for pedophiles that she believes, based on the “limited research” she did, would help assist in keeping the actual abuse of children lower. It might be worth noting that Berg is also a physician, professor, and LGBTQ+ advocate.
While Republicans are definitely not the answer to all the problems this country faces, they certainly are not the ones causing all the problems we are facing.
Disclaimer: I believe that anyone that is guilty of crimes against children should be euthanized in the most gruesome way possible, preferably at the hands of the child’s parents, if they are so inclined.
- David McCoy - david@thunderroadsiowa.com - FaceBook.com/TRMIDave - FaceBook.com/TRMINSUR
Yeah we know, the changing color of the leaves isn’t here just yet, but the seasonal colors will be seen in some parts of Iowa before the end of this month! And we’ve been itching to show off these photos of Seantae with fall colors, so here ya go. The golden hues of the autumn leaves are a nice contrast to the red-ish tones of Seantae’s hair, and this high-heeled beauty adds a nice ornament to a 1938 Knucklehead from Natanic’s collection. This smiling beauty appeared in Natanic’s Pin-ups biker babe calendar a few times over the years, and you can fi nd more of her, and Natanic’s calendars from all years, in their online store at Natanic.com
Billie Jo’s Bar and Grill
4 E State Street
Algona, IA 50511
(515) 295-2734
Hours of Operation
Sunday – Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday – Saturday: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Over the 4th of July holiday, while celebrating our independence at the Freedom Rally with Brad and Stacey we decided to venture off the rally grounds in search of some food that didn’t come from a food truck, and maybe enjoy a little AC while we were at it. We took a short ride on the bikes into town and found ourselves at the front door of Billie Jo’s Bar and Grill. Once we arrived, the waitstaff showed us to a table and brought us all tall glasses of ice water. Brad and Stacey had eaten late and weren’t ready for vittles yet, so they sipped cold drinks while Vernon and I looked over the menu.
The menu is jam packed with more appetizers than you can shake a stick at. From mushrooms and cheese curds to fried green beans and broccoli bites, there is something for everyone. We decided to forego the appetizers and get straight to the main event.
with pieces of pulled pork, and potato chips all piled high on a soft homestyle brioche bun. His burger also came with a generous portion of those crispy golden fries. Vernon opted for a tall ice-cold draft beer that perfectly paired with his plate.
If sandwiches aren’t your thing, they also offer salads and wraps, as well as several variations of steaks, ribs, pork chops, chicken, fish, and shrimp. There is truly something for everyone at Billie Jo’s. If you are just looking for cold drinks, well they have those too. A full bar and a large selection of beer on tap is sure to wet your whistle. And remember that sourdough I mentioned on my club sandwich? Well, they have loaves of specialty sourdoughs available for purchase as well.
Delicious food, cold drinks, friendly service…Billie Jo’s has it all. Next time you are in Algona be sure to swing by, grab yourself a cold one, and tell them Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa sent you!
Melanie
If you have a WRTE location for us to visit, please let me know at Melanie@thunderroadsiowa.com.
I wanted something on the cool side, so I opted for the club sandwich with French fries. My sandwich was piled high with turkey, ham, cheese, and bacon, as well as fresh sliced tomatoes and leaf lettuce. The perfect smear of mayo coated the fresh baked and perfectly toasted sourdough bread. My French fries were of the crinkle cut variety and arrived piping hot and crispy with just the right amount of salt sprinkled on top. In addition to my meal, I ordered a black cherry mule. The mule was sweet and delicious and complemented my sandwich perfectly.
Vernon decided it was “Go Big or Go Home” time and he ordered The 4th of July Burger. This burger was a juicy ½ pound burger topped with a grilled hot dog, melted cheddar cheese, sweet and spicy baked beans
A pirate and a sailor were exchanging stories. The sailor pointed to the pirate’s peg leg and asked, “How did you get that?” The pirate said, “Aye, I wrestled a shark and lost me leg.” The sailor pointed to the pirate’s hook and asked, “How did you get that?” The pirate said: “Aye, I fought Red Beard’s crew and lost me hand.” The sailor pointed to the pirate’s eye patch and asked, “How did you get that?” The pirate said, “Aye, a bird came by and left droppings in me eye.” The sailor said, “That’s not as impressive as the other two. …” “Aye,” the pirate answered. “It was me first day with the hook.”
A couple on their first date decide to go to his place afterwards. When they arrive, before he even gets the house keys out of his pocket, the girl says, ‘You know, I can actually tell whether the man I’m dating and I are compatible just based on how he opens the door. If he busts it open, it means that he’s a selfish lover, and that’s definitely not someone I’m interested in. If he drops the keys, it means that he’s inexperienced in bed, and that’s not who I’m looking for either. So how do you open the door?’” “‘Well,’ says the guy, ‘I’ll just lick the lock first if you don’t mind.’”
marvelous instrument designed to be used on a woman, which is, to date, unused.’ Roaring with laughter, the official said, ‘Go ahead, Father. Next please!’”
I grilled a chicken last night. He still would not tell me why he crossed the road.
Marriage is realizing that your wife wants you to be quiet, but also talk to her, but also leave her alone, but also give her attention.
Hooked all my wrist watches together and made a belt. Turned out to be a waist of time.
Wife: I regret buying you that blender. Me, drinking a Pop Tart: Why?
BREAKING NEWS: A tour bus going to Elvis’s Graceland mansion has crashed. No one was injured, but the passengers were all shook up.
The doctor told a man that masturbating before sex often helped men last longer during the act.” “The man decided, ‘What the hell, I’ll try it.’ He spent the rest of the day thinking about where to do it. He couldn’t do it in his office. He thought about the restroom, but that was too open. He considered an alley but figured that was too unsafe. Finally, he realized his solution. On his way home, he pulled his truck over on the side of the highway. He got out and crawled underneath as if he was examining the truck. Satisfied with the privacy, he undid his pants and started to masturbate. He closed his eyes and thought of his lover. As he grew closer to orgasm, he felt a quick tug at the bottom of his pants. Not wanting to lose his mental fantasy or the orgasm, he kept his eyes shut and replied, ‘What?’ He heard, ‘This is the police. What’s going on down there?’ The man replied, ‘I’m checking out the rear axle, it’s busted.’ ‘Well,’ the cop answered, ‘you might as well check your brakes, too, while you’re down there because your truck rolled down the hill five minutes ago.’”
A man goes to the doctor with a carrot up his nose, and a parsnip in his ear, the doctor said, “clearly you’re not eating properly.”
An attractive young woman on a flight from Ireland asked the priest beside her, ‘Father, may I ask a favor?’”
Son: “Dad, did you go to the same school as me?” Me: “Yes, 25 years ago. Why do you ask?”
Son: “Because today Mrs. Brown said she hasn’t seen an idiot like me in 25 years!”
Three couples are trying to get married at the same church. There is a young couple, a middle-aged couple, and an elderly couple. The three couples meet with the priest and discuss when they can get married. “If you wish to get married in my church, you must all go one month without having sex,” says the priest. One month later the three couples return to the church and talk to the priest. He then asks the elderly couple, “Have you completed the month with sex?” “Yes, we have, it was easy,” replies the elderly couple. “How about you?” He asks the middle-aged couple. “It was hard, but we didn’t have sex for the whole month,” they respond. “And how about you two?” He asks the young couple. “No, we couldn’t do it,” responds the boyfriend. “Tell me why,” says the priest. “Well, my girlfriend had a can of corn in her hand and she accidentally dropped it. She bent over to pick it up and that’s when it happened.” The priest then tells them, “You’re not welcome in my church.” “We’re not welcome in the supermarket either,” says the boyfriend.
“’Of course, child,’ the priest says. ‘What may I do for you?’ ‘Well, I bought my mother an expensive hair dryer for her birthday. It is unopened but well over the customs limits and I’m afraid they’ll confiscate it. Is there any way you could carry it through customs for me? Hide it under your robes perhaps?’ ‘I would love to help you, dear, but I must warn you, I will not lie.’ ‘With your honest face, Father, no one will question you,’ she replied. When they got to customs, she let the priest go first. The official asked, ‘Father, do you have anything to declare?’ ‘From the top of my head down to my waist I have nothing to declare.’ The official thought this answer strange, so he asked, ‘And what do you have to declare from your waist to the floor?’ Father replied, ‘I have a
Most people think that t-rexes can’t clap because they have short arms, but really, it’s because they are dead.
Part of being married is asking the other person “where are you going” every time they stand up.
Build a man a fire, and he’ll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he’ll be warm for the rest of his life.
The fact that Jellyfish have survived for 650 million years despite not having brains gives hope to many people.
I told my daughter she needed to check her attitude. She looked at me and said, “For product complaints, contact the manufacturer.”
Why do vegans give better head? They’re used to eating nuts.
What do a penis and a Rubik’s Cube have in common?
The more you play with it, the harder it gets.
How is a push-up bra like a bag of chips?
Once you open it, you realize it’s halfempty.
Two Italian men get on a bus. They sit down and engage in an animated conversation. The lady sitting behind them ignores them at first, but her attention is galvanized when she hears one of the men say the following: “Emma come first. Den I come. Den two asses come together. I come once-a-more. Two asses, they come together again. I come again and pee twice. Then I come one lasta time.” “You foul-mouthed swine,” retorted the lady indignantly. “In this country we don’t talk about our sex lives in public!” “Hey, coola down lady,” said the man. “Who talkin’ abouta sexa? I’m a justa tellin’ my frienda how to spella ‘Mississippi’.”
What do you call a deaf gynecologist? A lip reader.
NASA was preparing for the Apollo project. When NASA was preparing for the Apollo project, some of the training of the astronauts took place on a Navajo reservation. One day, a Navajo elder and his son were herding sheep and came across the space crew. The old man, who spoke only Navajo, asked a question that his son translated. “What are these guys in the big suits doing?” A member of the crew said they were practicing for their trip to the moon. The old man got all excited and asked if he could send a message to the moon with the astronauts. Recognizing a promotional opportunity, the NASA folks found a tape recorder. After the old man recorded his message, they asked his son to translate it. He refused. The NASA PR people brought the tape to the reservation, where the rest of the tribe listened and laughed, but refused to translate the elder’s message. Finally, the NASA crew called in an official government translator. His translation of the old man’s message was: “Watch out for these guys; they have come to steal your land.”
A guy goes to a psychiatrist. “Doc, I keep having these alternating recurring dreams. First, I’m a teepee, then I’m a wigwam, then I’m a teepee, then I’m a wigwam. It’s driving me crazy. What’s wrong with me?” The doctor replies, “It’s very simple. You’re two tents.”
You’re so fat that an origami crane has less folds than you.
So, the Pope is SUPER early for his flight. He asks his driver on his way to the airport if he could drive around for a while because they have time to kill and he hasn’t driven a car since becoming the pope. Naturally, he’s a bit rusty, so he’s driving poorly, when suddenly he sees police lights behind him. He pulls over and when the officer comes up to the window his eyes go wide. He says to the pope “Hold on for a minute,” and goes back to his car to radio the chief. Cop: “Chief we have a situation. I’ve pulled over an important figure.” Chief: “How important? A governor or something?” Cop: “No sir. He’s bigger.” Chief: “So, what? a celebrity or something?” Cop: “More important, sir.” Chief: “A major politician?” Cop: “No sir, he’s much more important.” Chief: “WELL WHO IS IT!?” Cop: “Well actually I’m not sure. But the pope’s his driver.”
A man is walking through his local mall and notices a Mexican bookstore. He decides to go in because he has never seen a Mexican bookstore before. He browses through the store and finally asks the clerk, “Do you have the book on Donald Trump’s foreign policies with Mexico?” The clerk replies, “F*ck you, get out, stay out!” The man replies, “Yeah, that’s the one!”
Two very drunk college boys go to a whorehouse. They ask for women and the madam calls down two of her women. The two women look at the drunks and tell the madam they don’t want to have anything to do with them. The madam says that they have paid a lot of money and orders them to do their job. The women escort the men upstairs and, on the way, up one-woman whispers to the other that she plans to use an inflatable doll instead of having sex with the drunk man. A little while later, both men are stumbling down the stairs and one asks the other how it went and the reply is OK, she was not real responsive and a little strange but OK. The other one says, well you don’t know anything about strange. Just as I was getting frisky, I nibbled on her neck, and she farted and flew out the window.
A government car drives up to a farm and the man driving tells the farmer, “I’m a representative from the Dept. of Agriculture and we are checking on how you treat your animals. We have a new machine that we attach to the animals and lets them talk.” Farmer: Animals can’t talk. DA Rep: Let’s start with the cow. How’s the farmer treating you. Farmer: Cows can’t talk! Cow: He treats me pretty good. Doesn’t wake me up to early, warms his hands before milking me, feeds me well. Farmer: Cows can’t talk!! DA Rep: Let’s check your dog. How’s the farmer treating you. Farmer: Dogs can’t talk!!! Dog: He treats me well. Let’s me sleep inside on cold nights, feeds me yummy table scraps. All is good. Farmer (getting more frustrated): Dogs can’t talk!!!! DA Rep: Let’s check with the sheep. Farmer: SHEEP LIE!!!!!!
“THIRTY-FOUR MILES TO BRUNSVILLE”
Introduction:
I met ‘Wrangler’ at a place where you don’t say who you see there nor what you hear there. He was wearing a ‘Support’ shirt for a 99%er club from Sioux Falls, a club with which I am somewhat familiar. (They’re a bunch of Good Guys doing Good Things for Good People who are in need of those Good Things.) When I asked him if he was a Candidate for Prospect in that club, he proudly proclaimed that he was already a member of another 99%er MC from the LeMars, Iowa area. He told me with welldeserved pride that he was a member of THE INFERNOS. I told him that I was unfamiliar with that club. It was then that Wrangler invited me to join the club on their annual Memorial Ride and Benefit. He told me that if I wanted to know more, I should show up in Brunsville at 11:00am on June 7th. Being the inquisitive fellow that I am, I made the decision to go to Brunsville and to get there a bit early...
The Ride to Brunsville:
I took one of my favorite nearby Iowa roads which is Plymouth County K-18 North from Iowa Highway 12 to Plymouth County C-38. K-18 North is smooth and sweet. It has gentle rolling hills, sweeping left and right curves, and very little traffic. When I turned east onto C-38, the idea came to me that I might be able to write a story about the event. Before I knew it, Dirty Gurl and I were rolling up on Blaine’s Place in beautiful downtown Brunsville, Iowa. Population 129. We were early, 10:30 or 10:45am, perhaps. There were a handful of club members setting up tables, etc. for the day’s events. I backed up to the curb near what appeared to be the registration table, turned off the engine, dismounted and walked up to the small crew who were gathered. I introduced myself as “Alice” and let them know that my intentions were to have maximum fun all day and to perhaps write a story for “Thunder Roads Magazine Iowa”. After a few minutes, a fellow rode up on some kind of Mean, Green, Asian Machine. The other fellows all told me that the rider was the Club President and that he would gladly answer my questions. I thanked them and stepped back into the shade until the President parked his bike and got caught up with his Members. A few more Members, Wrangler being amongst them, rode up and got busy helping the Club get everything set up for the day.
THE Infernos:
I am not always the brightest bulb in the box, but I usually catch on sooner or later. That said, I couldn’t help but notice that all these fellows were wearing matching, tancolored denim vests with matching back patches. All but one. It was immediately
evident to me that all these men were members of THE INFERNOS, save for the one lone Prospective Member. Everyone was pitching in on the tasks at hand. I tried to stay out of the way and watch as more and more riders began to show up for the event. When the moment was ‘right’ I introduced myself to Blaine, Proprietor of Blaine’s Place and President of THE Infernos. Blaine was happy to tell me much about the club’s history (Established 1965) as well as what they’re up to in modern times. His dad was an Original back in the day and had been known to raise hell on Historic Fourth in Sioux City long before it became ‘Historic’. Back in 1967, one Innkeeper invited him to leave his establishment one evening, informing him that there “...would be no Infernos in his pub...” So, to abide by the publican’s request, ‘Dad’ went the embroidery shop the very next day and had the embroiderer prominently add the word “THE” above the main patch. When returning to the pub that evening, the Proprietor said, “I thought I told you that ‘INFERNOS’ were no longer welcome here!” ‘Dad’ proudly showed the innkeeper his ‘New and Improved’ THE INFERNOS back patch and they both busted out in laughter. A Truce was reached and the rest is history.
Prospect to Patch-Holder:
Shortly before “Kickstands Up at Noon”, all THE INFERNOS patch holders gathered around their one lone Prospect and presented him with his Center Patch in front of the 150-plus Riders ready to launch on the day’s run. That was a spectacle I’ll not soon forget! It reminded me of the warm September morning in 2007 when the Montana Legends abducted me into their Antique Motorcycle Cult. (That could be another story for another time...)
Rigid Steel, LE MC:
Before the Ride began, I wandered around Downtown Brunsville, looking for familiar faces, but the results were nil. There were a few riders from Sioux City, but I didn’t really ‘know’ any of them. Then I saw three fellows with matching vests and back patches. I introduced myself to them and told them that I was totally unfamiliar with the route to be taken that day and that I was equally unfamiliar with most of the State and County Roads of the area. They told me they were members of an MC from Hawarden and that they knew those roads like the back
of their hand. I politely asked them if they would be ‘riding with the pack’ or if they would be ‘doing their own thing’. After they informed me of some road construction and detours, they invited me to join them on their ‘own’ route for the day. I was tickled to have the invitation and promptly accepted their offer.
It has always been my preference to NOT ride in the midst of a pack of motorcycles, regardless of whether it’s six machines or if it’s six hundred machines. I especially do not enjoy riding in the middle of a pack of riders if I do not know them or know their riding habits and skills. I have never felt the need to lead a pack of bikes, although I have been asked to do just that on a number of occasions. My preference is to ride with no more than two or three other riders and to always ride in the very back of the pack, regardless. I ride old (slow) motersickels with questionable brakes and as I have aged upwards towards the Big Seven-Oh, I have noticed an ever-so-slight degradation of reflex and response times. No sense in making a fun time unsafe for myself nor for others...
hogging that centerline like he owned it. Vice President Tiny rode the white line in front of me. Sargent-at-Arms Slim was lined up directly behind Matt. These guys were great! We took our sweet time going from stop to stop, always catching up with the riders who followed the suggested route.
Slim claims to have lost nearly 400 pounds and still carries well over 300! I love that guy!
The Rain and The Epiphany:
Somewhere south and west of Hartley, we rode into a bit of a rain shower. Nothing real bad. Certainly nothing like what we over here call a South Dakota Turd-Floater. We only rode in the rain for four or five miles before we pulled into a gas house for motion lotion and an escape from the weather. I sat on the Dirty One until the rider in front of me fueled his sled, then pushed my ride up to the now-available pump. The rain had let up but was still gently falling. After I had Dirty Gurl all fueled up, I pushed her/him/shee-it out of the way for the riders behind me to have their turns.
These three riders took this Old Man under their wing with Admiration and Respect. They put me on the white line (my preferred location) staggered formation of the back of the Pack of Four. Road Captain Matt took the point,
By the time I walked back into the C-store, I was pretty well soaked, as were the other fellas.
On the ride back to Brunsville, I had an Epiphany, an Astute
GraspoftheObvious: “Ittakesquitea
Grasp of the Obvious: “It takes quite a bit more time to get dry while riding a motorcycle than it does to get wet while riding a motorcycle.” I had known this to be true for several decades, but never gave the idea its full recognition until that day.
Memorial:
I would certainly have brought more money with me to the run! (Next year!)
FOOD!
As is often the case with these motersickel club people, food is a Key Ingredient in the recipe for a successful event, and let me tell you, these THE Inferno guys know how to cook! There was pulled pork, potatoes, farting beans, veggies, and more damned sweet dessert treats than a Fat Kid such as myself could eat! Much, if not all of the sweets were homemade and donated by some of the locals. I ate until I was nearly foundered, then walked around downtown Brunsville for a few minutes to make sure I wouldn’t fall asleep in the saddle on the ride back to 57038.
The Ride Home:
The official name of the day’s event was “12th Annual Larry Schlichte Memorial Ride.” Larry was a long-time member of THE Infernos who met his demise way too soon in life. Clearly, the man was loved by Club and by Community.
Bugs, Burnouts, and Benefit:
Throughout the day’s ride, I killed thousands of tiny little hard-shelled airborne shit-eaters, most of them with my eyebrows, ears, cheeks, nose, lips, and riding glasses. I have no idea what sort of bugs they were, but they sure did smart!
And then there were the burnouts... Suffice it to say that Ol’ Blaine has a soft spot for burnouts, especially the burnouts which were provided by his Lean Green Yamaha XV 1700 Warrior! Blaine describes the machine as having a very sticky front brake and more throttle than what it actually needs. (Understatement!) Burnouts were the Order of the Day, all day long! Every time I turned around, I couldn’t see that bike for all the smoke rolling off it rear tire. At the day’s end, back in Brunsville, the rear tire, rear drive belt, and the rear fender were all trashed. Victims of Mister Blaine’s Heavy-Handed Throttle Antics. I must say that was the best show of Burnout Skills I’ve ever witnessed. Thanks for the memories, Blaine!
The whole purpose of the day’s event was to pay tribute to a fallen brother, but in an equally large way to generate monies for a few local families in need of assistance for compounding medical bills, etc. It is my understanding the THE Infernos have raised more than $100,000 over the first eleven years of producing this event. Respectable effort, Fellas! From an outsider’s point of view, it looked as though every local and ever resident for miles around made it to the fundraiser at the end of the run. Much cool prizes. Much monies generated by freewill donations, raffle tickets and the 50/50 raffle, which, by the way was a 100/100 fundraiser! Had I known about all the firearms and beef raffles,
As is often my preferred method, I followed the exact route home (in reverse, of course!) as I chose for the ride to Brunsville. The ride back was every bit as sweet and easy as the ride over was. (When I was but a wee lad, our local Little League Baseball team would travel to Brunsville for lessons in playing the game. The Brunsville Boyz were always a force with which to reckon, as were the Sunnyside Sluggers.) My head and my heart had plenty to smile about on that 34-mile jaunt back to my humble abode. The sun was almost touching the Northwest Horizon as I rolled off K-18 and onto IA-12. the last five miles gave me cause for much Gratitude and much Joy. I rode into their town as a Stranger from the West but rode out with a whole litany of new friends and new memories.
Love and Respect, Alice (LS) ((Landshark))
Thanks to Wrangler, Blaine and all THE Infernos.
Thanks to Matt, Tiny and Slim (Rigid Steel LE MC)
Special Thanks to Bill Wilson and the HP
The Only Person to be Pissed At?
Terrible thoughts running into my damaged melon when I am working in my office this morning, terrible. Okay, some context I suppose would be helpful. Not terrible as in, “whoa, my life sucks wildebeest balls” or “Er my god, what I am gonna do and how can I go forward”. No tis not in the manner, it’s just a feeling of something not making me completely happy, something I haven’t finished or have had the chance to do. Sure, I have “issues” like everybody else, but each of our “issues” are our own and we feel they are the most important issues around, because they are, well…our own. I will be the first to admit that most (okay many) of my issues are a direct result of not living a life protected with a helmet.
I have had a SHIT TON of head trauma over my lifetime. Long term damage? Um, maybe? I don’t know. I just know the way I have lived my life, the way I have had “things” happen, I should just know that maybe my brain has taken way too many blows. I am not a washed-up boxer, not to that level, but sometimes I wonder WTF am I thinking!?
What got me was a near perfect weather morning in August. You don’t normally get amazing August mornings, when you think of August, you don’t think, “gosh, that weather in Iowa sure is nice”. But this was an outlier of a morning. I have to get up early, stupid early to be out of the house, almost always before sunrise, it’s the path I have chosen and I am not complaining in any way, shape, or form. I love the stuff that I do and like most, I have a metric ass ton of stuff that needs to be done all the time and have deadlines, places to be, tasks to complete, and just get stuff done as a part of life. It’s what we all do, again, not complaining but I do what I do because I am not pretty enough to be an Only Fans model, ain’t nobody out there giving me money for pictures of my feet. or my keister. I mean, I have a nice ass, I must, because my wife says all the time, “What an ass”. I am positive that is a compliment, or at least I am gonna run with that for personal affirmation.
damn fun. Sadly, there are many days I need my pickup for work stuff, so that cancels out riding, and we have had a really wet summer thus far, I am not sad about that, happier than dealing with the drought we have endured the last few years, regular rain, bring it. I knew I wasn’t taking a 2000-mile road trip to the “Hills’ of the Rally, schedule wasn’t lining up, getting my ride or die’s schedule to dial in with mine is difficult at times, so we decided to punt this go around. Again, it’s only about 2k towards my goal, not anything I cannot overcome, but not making that trip wasn’t a big deal in my brain until it was going on and I was on the socials and saw so many photos, that is when it bummed me out about not going.
But that wasn’t what was going on in my head, I didn’t have tremendous regrets about our choice, we have so much going on with work, life, we knew it wasn’t dialed in. It’s a bigger feeling about just how my entire year is going in a sense.
Sure, part of it is I haven’t had time to get a pork tenderloin at some legendary spot in Iowa with the boss of bosses at Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa, an award winning motorcycle publication that I am wickedly proud to be a part of, I mean he is up to owing me around three maybe four sammiches now and I have lost count of the amount of beer he owes me, but that will happen in due time.
A quick reset, at the start of this year, I set a personal goal of how many miles I wanted to get on my bike this year, it’s not something I haven’t achieved before, but it was a good target to shoot for. I get to ride to my studio, warehouse, and retail location a decent amount and when I do, it’s a decent number of miles in the saddle, plus it’s so much
My old man died in 2009, 16 years ago and he has one best friend that is still alive. His buddy Don is an old school, legit bad ass by every single definition and has been a mentor of mine for as long as I can recall. Don and his family are to me, the first people that I remember as a child that were not related to me. We did all kinds of adventures with him and his kids and they are still friends of mine to this day. They (dad and Don) were tight. A very cool, tight bond that we all should be so lucky to have or be a part of. I could write a book about the stuff they did together, and then another book about what we did together as families, just painting a picture, (poorly I am sure) but I love that dude like an uncle and his kids, well they are like extended family. So, when I learned he had an issue and was going to be laid up for a bit, I knew I had to get my ass up to see him, no matter how busy I “think” I am.
I cleared my schedule for a day, middle of the week and did just that, got my ass up to see him. Dude is 80 something and legit, still a bad ass.
I left my house at 6:15am on a Wednesday, pointed the Wing north and headed to Minnesota, not far into Minnesota, but north of the border nevertheless and I took roads that I have not been on for decades, heading towards my old stomping grounds from the very area I cut my teeth riding on, not 50 years ago. I smiled about that riding up on that soon to be very hot morning. Corn sweat was a bitch that day as it is many days during the summer in Iowa and it was just 90 miles north of my homestead, at Sioux City when I came to a conclusion.
A black t-shirt was a terrible fashion choice this day.
Traffic was smooth, the roads were good, the construction only gave me a small detour in Sioux Center and I made really good time so I was able to catch up with him just after he finished his morning rehab walk. I recognized the rehab equipment all too well and had instant flashbacks to a summer 15 years ago when I was in a similar situation, I know what he is going through, I know the road he has ahead of him, I was in my 40’s however, he is over 80 and is a MACHINE.
We sat and chatted, talked family, outdoors, BS I knew, kids, and more with him and his boy Dan and another family friend Gary. Gary’s Dad, long since passed as well, was in one of those circles of friends with Dad and Don, it was almost like we picked up where we left off the last time we were together. Only able to stay about 90 minutes because of rehab, lunch, and other stuff he had to do, I grabbed lunch with the other two, we talked about all the cool stuff our dads did, what a great life they gave us, and how we all are just the luckiest bastards in the world because of those dudes.
I jumped back on my Wing and headed back south, wondering again why I was wearing a black shirt and didn’t stop somewhere and BUY A COOLER SHIRT, but I powered on with it being 96, temp and humidity, but rolled back into my driveway by 4:30, changed, and hit the golf course with some buds to cap a long day.
Dialed in 400 miles, no biggie, was an easy ride, glad I did it.
On the way home I started thinking about my goal this year, wondering why if I’m “so smart” how come I can’t plan more rides, more adventures, or even find time to cash in on my pork tenderloin debts.
That cool morning a few weeks later reminded me, I am not getting any smarter, just passing days away when I could be doing what I love more.
I am not pissed, just mad at myself, I need to do better. I have no advice; I don’t know anything, but I know I am going to do better doing what I love. Life is too short.
Until Next Month.
Enjoy The Journey. Todd “Crash” Davis
Proud of Iowa!
Iowan’s making an impact in Sturgis!
I have had the opportunity a few times to go to the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame Inductee Breakfast, and this year was even more special for several reasons. For one, I was invited personally by a beloved friend, Charlie “Chopper” Gilmore of Northwest Iowa. He has been a long-time friend and supporter of Thunder Roads Magazine
of Iowa as well as his blood brothers Slider and Tator, as well as a ton of his club brothers. Their group and our group seem to run in some of the same circles and I was honored to be invited by Chopper to witness him accepting his award. Charlie grew up on a grain and livestock farm in Northwest Iowa, where he developed a deep appreciation for life and freedom. His passion for motorcycles ignited in the early 1960s when he, his brother Slider (a Sturgis Hall of Fame member), and Tator (a twin-engine drag racing champion) got their first Harleys. Over the past 60 years, Charlie has ridden countless miles across the U.S., Europe, Alaska, and to the Sturgis Rally every year.
A graduate of South Dakota State University with a degree in Agriculture, Charlie is also a U.S. Army veteran. He served as a combat platoon leader with the 101st Airborne in Vietnam. While stationed at Fort Benning, he began
honing his skills in repairing and restoring Harleys—a passion fully supported by his wife, Toni.
Charlie is a founding member of ABATE of Iowa’s District 8, an ordained minister, and a former National Chaplain for the Sons of Silence. He is a familiar face at motorcycle conventions and a tireless advocate for motorcyclists’ rights. His powerful “Price of Freedom” presentation is legendary within the community.
As a skilled builder and restorer, Charlie has created twinengine choppers displayed in the U.S., Germany, and Sweden, and has restored hundreds of motorcycles featured in museums— including the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum. He also served as a pit crew member for his brother’s championship drag racing team and now supports his nephew, Cody Gilmore, a former motocross racer competing in Harley Bagger Pro racing.
Charlie’s contributions have earned him numerous honors, including the Motorcycle Riders Foundation’s John “Farmer” Eggers Award (2010) and the NCOM Silver Spoke Award (2022). He truly embodies the spirit of freedom and unwavering dedication to the motorcycle community.
Another Iowa Inductee that I got to meet and hang with for a bit is Darren McKeag of Cedar Rapids. As one of the younger of the inductees, he has cut a wide swath all over the globe in his artistic career. The art of Darren McKeag is a compilation of motorcycle influenced art, which has been highly steered by legendary David Mann. All of his enamel paintings are done by hand, with a brush. He also enjoys working in other mediums, such as acrylic, pen and ink, colored pencil, and limited-edition screen-printed posters. Ranging from complete motorbike paint
jobs, helmet paint jobs, pinstriping to t-shirt and event poster designs and even logo designs. Tattoo work is also in his wheelhouse, with work known worldwide. Darren grew up in the Midwest during the 70’s. He totally dove into the culture of motorcycles, hot rods, Easy Rider mags, minibikes, tattooed people, and live music at a very young age, which inevitably shaped who he and his art are today. Darren’s work is not only inspirational but he is one of the most talented and hard-working artist in the biz today.
Yet one more Iowa tie to the Museum is Lacey. She is originally from Eastern Iowa but has found a passion in the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and is currently the Museum Manager. Many of the unique displays of motorcycles, parts, and art are her work, and for such a young lady, she has a flair for making visually appealing displays that tell a story in and of themselves. She is also a giant fan of Chopper and never misses an opportunity to chat with and throw a hug his way at the museum.
The morning after the breakfast, the Museum also hosted a meet and greet of the inductees and I got the chance to tell Heidi from the museum and Lacey both some stories about Chopper and riding in Iowa, and chat with them about the Museum. It is a great place that they are now actively working on getting the word out and about even more, and maybe even looking to get some more space to expand the collection of motorcycles and art. If ever in the area, stop by and visit and support them. They can be found at 999 Main Street in Sturgis, or online at www.sturgismuseum. com, check them out!
Vernon Schwarte with an assist from Sturgis Motorcycle Museum, Lowbrow, Darren, Chopper, and Lacey.
Aug 22-24 21st Annual BTW Trike In What Cheer
Aug 23 Kyle’s Mile 11 Metro HD Cedar Rapids
Aug 23 9th Annual Shayla Bee Fund Black Tie Black Leather Affair West Okoboji
Aug 23 Scott Schroeders 1st Memorial Ride Elkader
Aug 23 Antique Motorcycle Show & Swap Meet Pacific Junction
Oct 4 Handle Bar Jockeys 21st Anniversary/End of Summer Party Jefferson
Oct 12 41st Annual Fall Swap Meet Motorcycles, Cars, Trucks Monticello
Nov 7-9 ABATE of Iowa STEAM Council Bluffs
Nov 11 Veterans Day Pancake Breakfast Metro HD Cedar Rapids
2026
Feb 12 ABATE of Iowa Lobby Day Des Moines
May 2 15th Annual Sleeping Angels Fun Run Boone
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa Iowa Bike Nights and Dinner Rides Dinner
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
Tuesday
Johnny’s Pub Lake Park (Mid May-Sep)
Wednesday
Back Forty Bike Night at the Barn Des Moines (2nd Wed May, Jun, Jul, Sep)
Benolas Baxter
Cruise Night Britt (3rd Wed Jul-Sep)
Whiskey Throttle Bar & Grill Cherokee Dinner Rides Zylstra HD Ames
Thursday
Bikes on the Hundred Block Council Bluffs (3rd Thurs)
Roar Into Harlan (3rd Thurs)
Metro HD Cedar Rapids (2nd Thurs May-Aug, 3rd Thurs Sep)
East of Omaha Bike Night Griswold (1st Thurs MaySep)
Friday
Cruze N’ to Corydon Bike Night (3rd Fri May-Aug)
Bondurant Bike Night (4th Fri Jun-Aug)
Wet Spot Runnells (Every Fri)
American Legion Post 232 Polk City (2nd Fri MaySep)
The Station Slater (May 29th then 3rd Fri Jun-Oct)
