This is an odd one. A story about a half-dozen grubby bikers on old rusting bikes blazing up the picturesque California coast toward the Ritz Carlton at Half Moon Bay, one of the most lavish upscale hotels and golf courses on the coast, just a few miles south of San Francisco. In an industry packed with runs, bike shows, rallies and events, the Legend of the Motorcycle Concourse D'Elegance was a totally unique affair and appealed to us all, for different reasons.

Billy Lane was invited to be a guest builder and jammed across the country pulling a massive trailer with his 1%er employee from the Warlocks MC, Philz. He hauled his Henderson four custom with a BMW transmission, Indian front end and a Honda shaft-drive system. His riding iron included a 1938 EL Knucklehead and a '48 flathead 74UL.

“That Flathead is the best running Harley I've every owned,” Billy said. His mission was multi-wrapped. He wanted to trade me some '20s Peashooter parts for my 1912 Pope single engine. He also wanted to take some time and visit builders and bike connections along the coast. He's facing the prospects of jail time, and it hangs like a life-interrupting scepter over his head. He's scrambling to put his life in order if he must step out of sight for a few years.

Check this air cleaner by Billy for his Knuck.

On the other hand, Billy is driven like a pitbull with rabies to build every dream machine that crosses his engineering-educated mind. His overall building concept, in a world fraught with excellent chopper competition, is to build running bikes around historic engines, chassis and drivelines, such as the Pope. He also plans to strike a match to the World's Fastest Henderson four.

The Sucker Punch Panhead.

While Billy and Philz rambled across the country, they picked up Christian Clayton, the Boss of Sucker Punch Sally, and his '64 Panhead. Christian had a mission to ride with us wherever the road led and to walk away from the Bonham's and Butterfield auction with a reproduction Crocker Speedway racer. He didn't load up a new Sucker Punch Sally ride with a fresh Evo engine and an electric start. He kept with the theme of the ride–all old kickers.

Goddamnit, shut the cameras off, let's ride!

That left my terrible self and the local boy, Jeremiah, and his '73 Shovel in a made-rigid frame by Ed Walker. Jeremiah and I built that bobber last year during the build of the Assalt Weapan for Bonneville. That bike is tight and runs like a raped ape. It's also a kicker. Jeremiah also had a mission. He's a contractor of sorts and usually has a half-dozen screaming clients breathing down his neck, plus two Xs, three kids and a new girlfriend. He needed to get out of town. So we did.

Here's my 1928 Shovel I took to the auction. It's still for sale. Call (310) 830-0630, if you're interested.

Oh, about my ugly self. I suppose I had a mission to see if my old 60-year-old bones would handle the 400-mile ride to Half Moon Bay on a rigid. We also strapped my 1928 Shovelhead into the back of the Philz trailer for a ride to the auction, to see if I could raise some cash for another similar project.

Christian Clayton the Boss of SPS.

The barroom napkin-etched plan called for rolling into the wind on Wednesday and peeling north, which we did at about 10:00 in the morning. Riding through Los Angeles is always traffic-timed. We could leave at 4:00 a.m. or roll the dice at 10:00 and slip between rush hour and noon lunch breaks. Since we were rambling along right at 60 mph, we peeled onto the freeway out of the harbor away from the Bikernet headquarters, jammed slowly onto the 405 north toward Santa Monica and off the freeway on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). We encountered bumper-to-bumper traffic just past the Los Angeles International Airport, but for only a couple of miles until we could escape toward the coast.

Billy's Knuck.

Billy was riding his Knucklehead and the float bowl began to act up. Christian's Pan sported an early S&S carb without an accelerator pump, and it was occasionally hard to start, plus the fasteners holding the hinged rear fender were on strike and left the scene constantly. Ah, but the sun was shining, the ocean blue and the coast pristine. Whatta ride!

The crew on the Malibu Pier.

We stopped at the famous Malibu Pier, and at County Line leading out of Los Angeles, a biker hangout and noted surfing location. The coast road rolled into agricultural Oxnard and up to the Top Dead Center bike shop, where Andy greeted us and we tried to coerce him into straddling his flathead and scooting north toward The Shop in Ventura, the home of a 40-year-old Indian restoration facility owned by Dave Hanson. There's a decade old cross-town rivalry afoot and Andy bowed out.

The Top Dead Center crew builds some wild shit, including twisted bar stock frames, sorta like Damascus-bladed knives. Andy's son hand-builds components like wrought iron gates, giving his bikes a look we've never encountered before. They also built a Knuckle in a single-loop VL frame that had race written all over it.

Twisted front tubes from Top Dead Center.

The bars on their racy Knucklehead. Very cool.

In rolled Tattoo John, Colorado Hacksaw, Rusty, Brig Brian, all the same guy. John caught up with us from Colorado where he owns several tattoo shops. He got busted during his Desert Storm service time, stealing a hacksaw blade from a hardware store. That simple incident led to numerous brig spells, wire-brushing ships chain links by hand and ultimately his escape to Canada.

Tattoo John's rusting Evo.

The famous Rusting Hacksaw Tattoo John.

Rusty, Tattoo John's velocity stack. No wonder his Mikuni sticks.

John recently returned from El Diablo Run II where he performed a burnout against Teach's hotel room door. The flimsy barrier didn't hold and he burned out into his brother's room and destroyed most of the furniture and broke off his left copper foot peg. Are you getting the picture? We should’ve called him Mr. Mishap.

Billy's Flatty speedo.

“We're burnin' daylight,” I said while we gazed along the busy streets looking for a place to eat. “We need to roll past Santa Barbara before traffic hits.”

Another cast part you'll see in the Choppers Inc. line-up in the near future.

We kept jamming until we had 4 hours and 127 miles under our belts and we slid outta Santa Barbara. As we rumbled along the highway, I thought of additional stops we could’ve made. I reached out to George Christie, the President of the Hells Angels in Ventura, but his attorney was questioning him. We could have swung off the freeway in Ventura toward Santa Paula and the infamous Mike Egan, “Mr. Big Candy,” a friend of Von Dutch, Steve McQueen and motorcycle restoration giants everywhere.

How's this for a rocket air cleaner, on Billy's Flatty.

We grabbed a bite to eat on the outskirts of Santa Barbara and cut inland, where we blasted past the home of Fred Lange, a restoration and reproduction nut who is building a complete re-pop 8-valve Crocker race motor. Another destination stop for another run.

John riding Billy's Flatty and taking shots.

“We need to build one into a Bonneville bike and see what she'll do,” Fred said to me later. Billy and I might take him up on it.

As we motored inland toward wine country through Buellton, the home of pea soup, then Los Olivos toward Santa Maria, it brought back memories of screaming up the coast on my '48 Pan in the '70s or on a Carl's Speed Shop doctored FXR that barely touched the pavement at 5:00 in the morning as I made a midnight run for San Jose and the Custom Chrome factory. Then Tattoo John's bike quit and he soon discovered that there was no spark to be found. Philz helped him load the rusting Evo and away he went on Billy's Flatty.

The notorious King Soto from San Pedro running from all the women in his life.

We pulled into Santa Maria for an easy day and John headed into town in search of a new battery. His rear wheel ground a hole in the back of his battery case and it was dry as a popcorn fart.

The next morning, we cut a dusty trail at about 10:00 again after Jeremiah and the youngun's studied the Santa Maria titty bar scene. Bleary-eyed, the gang peeled onto highway 101 past Pismo Beach and inland again to San Luis Obispo, where we swung toward the coast highway and limited gas stations.

Philz filled his dinky 2-gallon spare gas can and we rolled onto highway 1 into Morro Bay and passed up the chance to visit the chopper legend, Gary Bang, in Atascadero. We instead leaned into curves overlooking the Pacific toward Cambria, the Hearst Castle, and San Simeon. I believe I was running on fumes as we rolled into Ragged Point and found a single gas station and petrol for over five bucks a gallon.

Billy rode the Flathead for a while, repaired the Knuck and made it his home for most of the day, until a wire fried and sent him to the side of the road. A couple of times, he lost a gas cap, but we would always retrieve it and keep moving. We faced 100 miles of narrow winding coastline and speeding Ferraris.

Rare coastal gas station where Phil Z pointed out the error of my ways.

As we rolled into Monterey and what I thought was home, Philz pointed out the error of my ways. The Automobile Concourse D'Elegance has been housed at Pebble Beach for a couple of decades and for some reason, that was my mental destination.

Plan B was to bed down in Monterey, where we ate lunch at Steinbeck's home of Fisherman's Wharf, where the giant sea lions splashed and tourists wandered along the wooden piers. It was a rider's perfect day as we gobbled chowder, fought over the bill and discussed alternatives. We had a little over 100 miles to cover and the afternoon waned.

A tentative saloon meeting with the notorious Scott Long of Central Coast Cycles in Santa Cruz 40 miles north hung over our heads, and Billy's lovely Amy was flying into San Francisco at 9:00. Our mission was etched in stone, so we rolled north through Castroville and Watsonville before stumbling into a biker bar surrounded by strawberry fields as the sun began to set. John and I grabbed a quick Corona. Jeremiah and Billy don't drink.

We rode to Scott's Central Coast Cycles in Santa Cruz and immediately it turned into a pit stop. Billy chased wires on the Knucklehead and fixed it. John's battery went dead again and we attempted to test the regulator. Christian dug around fastener drawers to fix his fender, then we kept moving. We had just another 60 miles along Highway 1 to traverse.

Map check. Too bad I can't read.

The coast was smooth and open, not winding and narrow, but fog loomed along the shore as the sun splashed into the Pacific and temps dropped considerably. No gas stations were open until we rolled into Half Moon Bay and I discovered we had no room reservation. It was dark, cold and we went our separate ways to find hotels, airports and food. We survived, discovered a place to stay and settled in.

Okay, so do you want to hear about the event? Here's what the authorities had to say:

Billy's Henderson four cleaned up for the show.

THIRD ANNUAL LEGEND OF THE MOTORCYCLE BETTER THAN EVER —

San Francisco – 5 May 2008 – The third annual Legend of the Motorcycle Concourse d’Elegance, the world-class event exclusively for motorcycles, enjoyed its third year with enormous acclaim, a star-studded attendance and an incomparable roster of entries.

In attendance at the Saturday, May 3rd event were approximately 6,000 participants and attendees from five continents, admiring nearly 300 of some of the best motorcycles in the world and raising thousands of dollars for charity.

The featured marques were MV Agusta and Norton, with a historic and astounding gathering of the legendary Italian bike and one of the most significant assemblies of competition and pedigree Nortons in the world. From an 1894 Hildebrand & Wolfmueller Replica brought from Germany, to the only Merkel “U” board track racer known to exist, to the Airstream chopper built and unveiled by Jesse James, every facet of motorcycle sport and culture was represented.

Giacomo Agostini, the greatest Grand Prix racer of all time, came from Italy with his family to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was conferred by World Champion Phil Read who came over from England for the occasion.

Actors and motorcyclists Jason Lee and Giovanni Ribisi conferred the Elvis Award sponsored by Lucky Brand Jeans, Chad McQueen presented the Steve McQueen Award in honor of his father, and actor and biker Michael Madsen presented the Best of Show Award, sponsored by Dainese, to a hundred year-old Indian Torpedo Tank Racer in its original unrestored condition.

A private pre-Concours ride with World Champions Agostini and Read and senior executives from MV Agusta and other motorcycle manufacturers kicked-off in Los Angeles with a private tour of Jay Leno’s garage before arriving in Half Moon Bay.

Christian grinnin' over his repo Crocker Speedway Auction score and PhilZ getting ready for the banquet.

Icons of custom bike building Jesse James, Paul Cox and Billy Lane unveiled new creations to the applauding and cheering throngs of enthusiasts and press, as did Japanese sensation Shinya Kimura. MV Agusta unveiled for North America its F4 RR 312 1078 model, and Dainese unveiled its collection of legendary and historic racing suits as well as their collaborative prototype helmet with Agostini.

Following the afternoon award ceremony, Bonhams & Butterfields conducted a sale of 100 motorcycles, including everything from pre-war motor bicycles to modern land rockets and the one-of-a-kind 1928 Shovelhead from Bandit's collection. Then, later that evening, a special fundraising dinner hosted the likes of Agostini, Read, Wayne Rainey, Mert Lawwill and Malcolm Smith.

From racers to builders, executives to owners, enthusiasts to the curious, Legend of the Motorcycle brought together a unique combination of people for a weekend world event celebrating over a century of the two-wheeled machine.

***

Billy's Henderson four before we cleaned it.

It's a trip to watch it run and the exposed lifters fly.

I'm back. Friday we checked in and Billy noticed an alarming transmission/clutch noise. With Amy sitting on the Hotel curb and tool spread all over the parking lot, he pulled the rear wheel and the transmission to find the problem. Five hours later it was back in one piece and running, but without a noise solution. Amy and Billy went for a ride on the Flatty while we polished brass and paint and made the monster shine again.

The next morning a cool mist blew over the vast green field in front of the Tudor mansion-like Ritz Carlton structure and manicured lawns. It was chilly and gray as the show began. Unfortunately, I arrived as the charity auction blared announcements onto the field of classic bikes and we couldn't hear each other as we strolled from bike to bike.

Later in the afternoon, I dodged the $200 a seat dinner and sat out the auction while noting the sale prices in the catalog. Most of the art sold for half the appraised value and bikes varied from ridiculously cheap to a $100,000 Ducati. A strange mix from Mike Corbin's collection of art and motorcycles and rumors why he was selling and an stellar collection of classic Harleys from Santa Cruz Harley-Davidson.

So ended the weekend with Jeremiah sneaking in the servants' entrance, avoiding the $65 gate fee and chasing girls across the lawn. Wildman Tattoo Hacksaw was kicked out of the dinner and 1%er Philz donned a sportcoat to back Billy's play.

The next morning, Billy made another mad dash to the SF Airport, we packed up, and when he returned, we burned out for LA on pure freeways, a straight shot down the center of California to the city and back to the madness.

Helluva ride.

Heavy Bikernet Security pussy.

The FREESTYLE Winners on stage: The teams will compete in the World Championship in Sturgis/South Dakota in August 2008.

Custom Motorcycle Mayhem at Mainz/Germany: With a powerful and extraordinary Bikeshow, dealershow and european Championship of Custombike-Building, the 2008 edition of the CUSTOM CHROME EUROPE DEALER SHOW again topped last years record results in terms of attending dealers, visitors and bikeshow-participants – not to forget the glamourous guest-stars from the US and Germany: Jesse James, Cory Ness, Marcus Walz and Fred Kodlin. The quality of the motorcycles exhibited blew everybody’s mind – as 100 never before seen custombikes premiered at what now is the most excellent bikeshow of europe and the definite highlight in the european bikeshow calendar and a true celebraton of Custom Chrome Europe’s 10th anniversary Dealer Show.

“If you want to see extraordinary Custombikes, it is here,” stated one visitor pushing through the crowd on Sunday noontime. “I’ve been here at the Phoenix Hall ever since the event was moved to Mainz and opened to the public and I never saw the same bike twice!” Europe’s market leader in Customparts-Distribution again has teamed up their show with the AMD European Championship of Custombike-Building to create one of the best Custombike-Shows in Europe. 100 awesome custombikes from all over europe participated, competing for three tickets to the World Championship at Sturgis/South Dakota in August 2008 and prices worth no less than 30.000 €!

Bigger than ever: The Custom Chrome Europe Dealer Show: View on the main hall with the European Championshp of Custombike-Building.

“The quality seen in these bikes is just incredible,” stated both Custom Chrome Europe President Holger Mohr and AMD Show host Chris McGee. In 2008 the show marked the big comeback of the german customizers, as two out of three top FREESTYLE class bikes came from Germany and (almost) every other 1st price was won by a made in Germany Custombike! Top-honours and the prestigious EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP went to Thunderbike at Hamminkeln, authorized Harley-Davidson Dealer, who are well known for their 2006-Bike Spectacula, winning both the European Championship and the vice-world champion title! So Open Mind was in the footsteps and built to win, nevertheless achieving the task in spectacular fashion.

Second place went to Sturgis-experienced french team of Riverside Motocyclettes for a stunning one-off frame sportive lowrider that is as radical as the brake system is dangerous: Bicycle-brakes instead of brake discs. Nevertheless, the radical compact bike caught the attention of the other builders which, along with judges from press and industry, had to select their favourite bikes. Stunning design, advanced technology and the most radical choice of tire one have ever seen on a Custombike won TGS from bavaria the 3rd ticket to Sturgis: Ice-Speedway nails!!! The Seppster shares the name with last year's show-winning creation but is in fact a completely new creation with one off frame, single-side-fork and turbo-charged S&S 96 cubic inch V-twin. The Freestyle class again attracted some of the wildest custom creations from all over Europe, but the Modified Harley-Davidson category, this year with a 31-bike strong field did show some extraordinary craftmanship! The Custom Chrome Motorcycle class highlighted the best bikes build from CCE’s motorcycle kits. Again, TGS scored top-honours in this class with their Spirit-based, Voodoo Child.

This years 10th anniversary had Custom Chrome Europe bring out the best of the best fort he dealer show and the exhibits too: Classic motorcycles from German collectors ????? and Dieter Hofem, painting artist Michael Knepper and more than 50 top-names of brands from the CCE catalogue, most of which were represented by the presidents themself . S&S’s Brett Smith, who will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the engine manufacturer in june 2008, was there to pick the best S&S-powered custom creations and to check out some of the bikes that were built to be part of the 50-bike special exhibition that will highlight this years celebrations: Fred Krugger Bertrand was the first European to finish his project and Germany based shop Custom Garage exhibited the first European X-Wedge powered bike, tributed to the anniversary!

Design- and Custombike-building legend John Reed (front) was honoured with a Lifetime achievement award for his work and life. One of his last achivements before retiring: The V – a radical, 45° V-Twin powered Sportbike, here two interpretations build by Outback Cycles of Germany.

This years Special Guests included West Coast Chopper TV-Star and Bikebuilder Jesse James, Cory Ness and his son Zac, taking Custombike building in the Ness family into the 3rd generation, world renowned Custombike photographer Michael Lichter and former CCE designer and legendary bike-builder John Reed who was awarded with a special exhibition at the event AND received a Custom Chrome Europe Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding work.

“We are looking forward to the year 2008 with great confidence“, said Holger Mohr, “as we have very interesting new products for all Twin Cam riders and our Custom Chrome Motorcycle line is running well. ALL RevTech engines are now Euro-3 approved using carburators – and we have a complete new engine line coming up. Not to forget that we have upgraded our Custom Chrome Europe Motorcycle line to meet European emission standards and the changing trends.” With approximately 3,000 visitors on Sunday, plus the 1,500 CCE-dealers from all over the world, the event was a huge success for both CUSTOM CHROME EUROPE and the Custombike Motrcycle market in general! “It is incredible that already 10 years have passed by,” says Holger Mohr, “but we have come quite a way in those years – and the future has a lot to offer.“

www.custom-chrome-europe.com

Best of Show and European Championship of Custombike Building fort the 2nd time: Team Thunderbike and their stunning Open Mind. Custombuild and one-off details and craftmanship, build by a very dedicated team of motorcycle enthusiasts.

AMD PRO SHOW – CUSTOM CHROME BIKESHOW PRIZESAMD PRO SHOW FREESTYLE CLASS

1. OPEN MIND, Thunderbike (Germany), CCE/DHL 5.000 € Voucher for Sturgis Transport
2. Sugarland Express, Riverside Motorcycles (France), DHL 5.000 € Voucher for Sturgis Transport
3. Seppster, TGS Motorcycles (Germany), , DHL 5.000 € Voucher for Sturgis Transport
4. V-Rage, Odyseey-Motorcycles (France), Baker DD6 Gearbox
5. Half Day, Tribute to S&S, Krugger Motorcycles, Belgium, Rebuffini Elypse Forward Controls
6. Precious, Classic Cycles, Switzerland, Kodlin Triple Tree Set
7. Speedpan, Frank van Geffen, Holland, Spyke Stealth starter chrom8.
8. Project 17, Andreoli Motorcycles, Italy, Avon/Cooper 250/300 tire
9. Just Bike, VAV-Tuninc, Czech Republic, Progressive Suspention shocks
10. Cadbike 33, BMW Bobber, DBBP Design, Holland, MMB digital Speedo

AMD PRO SHOW Custom Chrome Motorcycles

1. Voodoo Child, TGS Motorcycles, Germany, (BSL Hot Rod Exhaust)
2. Checker, Outback Motorcycles, Germany, (Scorpion clutch)
3. Black Angel, Custombike, Italy, (Skull Air Cleaner Cover)

AMD PRO SHOW Modified Harley Class

1. ’48, USM GmbH, Germany, (RevTech Wheel Set)
2. The Apprentice, Frankfurt Harley-Factory, Germany, (DAC MCV Speedometer)
3. Old Gun, School Bar Atelier, France, (B2 Minilift)

Ed Martin Jammer Old School Awards 2008

1. Project 17, Andreoli Motorcycles, Italy, (SJP Fork + Special Trophy by Ed Martin)
2. Pure 93, Independent Choppers, Germany, (Primo Belt Drive Fork + Special Trophy by Ed Martin)
3. Pure Old School, Hells Kitchen Choppers, (Crime Scene Chopper Jacket + LePera Seat Fork + Special Trophy by Ed Martin),

CUSTOM CHROME PUBLIC CHOICE AWARD

1. Fenris, Habermann Performance, Germany, (RevTech 6-speed Transmission)

S&S Brett Smith President’s Pick

1.X-Wedge Dragon, Custom Garage, Germany (96 Cubic Inch S&S TÜV engine, polished)
2.Eckerslike Flyer, Krazy Horse Customs, England, (S&S Toolbox)
3.Sandman, RMF Motorcycles, Germany (S&S Quick Setup-Kit, EU certified Muffler and Teardrop Aircleaner)

I hate writing this story. Not because of anything West Virginia did, but because of what West Virginia is. You see West Virginia is unspoiled. She’s friendly; the natural beauty of both her citizens and the lands that lie within her borders hasn’t been spoiled by hoards of travelers scrambling to, “get there first.” It matters not if you are arriving from the North or the South, what greets you as you ride into her welcoming embrace are well maintained roads and people whose attitudes toward the traveler are not jaded by the huge uncaring influx of people demanding to be, “taken care of first.”

West Virginia is a state struggling to keep her young people home. The factories that once supplied the majority of the work shut down and the children of West Virginia are leaving, looking for jobs to support their new families. It’s time to look at what West Virginia has to offer on the “outside” of her…rather than on the inside of her rocky valleys. Coal mines are here in West Virginia, but why ravage her beauty, when you can take advantage of it and attract tourists?

West Virginia is going after the tourist industry in a big way…and they are doing it by reclaiming the ruined mined lands and turning them into ATV Trails…. also by advertising their best assets, such as the beautiful ski and snow boarding trails in the Snowshoe area, the scenic roads through the farming area to the south. In the central eastern portion of the state, the land boasts of great Civil War history, with landmarks, memorials and architecture. Grand mansions, small historic towns, and railroads abide!

Recently West Virginia played host to 12 moto-journalists…We came from all different motorcycling backgrounds and interests. It was a strange crew, some motley, others quite well kempt, and all of us were looking for something new and wonderful to write about. Let’s face it…we all love motorcycling, but sometimes we need a change of pace. It's a blast to find and write about something and some place we haven’t seen before, new experiences, new friends, new reasons to love what we do and the motorcycles that provide for our lusts, needs and devotions.

We moto-journalists met at the Marriot in Charleston W.V. Our hostess, Jane Bostic of the West Virginia Tourism Board herded us into a saloon, where we soon headed for dinner at the award-winning restaurant in the Marriot Hotel.

Before dinner service began, we listened to the lofty goals the state set for itself and our roles in this grand tourism scheme. Of course, their jobs are to show us the state in such a favorable light, that we could not possibly write anything unsavory… Our job is to write whatever we see and experience as the events pass before us. The die was cast and all accepted our roles. For good, bad or indifferent, we were all here to experience what West Virginia offered us.

DAY TWO: BREAKFAST AT THE GOVERNOR’S MANSION…BIKERS AND SUITS!

Thursday morning found us bikers suited alongside our iron horses at the crack of dawy…it was to be the only morning we could count on everyone being able to attend the early morning call to arms, and ready to leave within a reasonable time frame for our appointed hour.

Our duty was to gain entry to the Governor’s Mansion…THROUGH THE FRONT GATES! Amazing, and it was easy thanks to our host, (Jane) and our tour guide, Joe Tyree. Do you think they would actually let a leather clad, Harley riding horde of journalists through the gates of Government without first arranging it with security?

Pulling up to the front of the mansion, parking in the circular drive, we dismounted, took pictures and made our way to the front door, where we were greeted by the woman who looks after the mansion. I didn’t catch her name. I’m sorry, she led us on a tour of the public parts of the mansion, then led us to the dining area. It was here, we all sat down at the trough with the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Larry Puccio.

There was some lively conversation between the journalists and Larry…You see, Mr. Puccio AND the Governor of West Virginia are avid motorcyclists, and while they are not able to ride as often as they would like, you can bet you will see the Governor and his State Police detail riding the roads and enjoying the best of West Virginia from time to time!

A fine meal it was, but it was over, and Larry headed for his office, and it was time to ride. We marched to our waiting steeds. We were all very excited. We knew our destination wasn't far, just a bit down the highway. We would trade our Fat Boys and Road Kings for side-by-side ATV’s, two wheeled dirt bikes, or four wheeled balloon tired ATV’s.

We were scheduled to meet at “The Little Coal River Trailhead.” We took Route 119 out of Charleston toward Danville and Madison and you came upon the Ranger Station for the trails (28 Big Pinnacle Branch RD. Julian WV. 25529). This particular trailhead allowed us to run a tad over 41 miles of trails…and is commonly known for having the highest percentage of, “easy,” or blue trails!

They took us crazy biker journalists for a bone crashing, eyeball rattling 25-mile, “easy,” trail tour…there were two causalities by the end of the tour…nothing serious…but what would you expect from 12 people chained to desks and laptops more days than not? Yes folks, we did have an excellent time on the trails! I would encourage anyone to find out more about West Virginia’s extensive off-road trail system by clicking on this link! They have the largest ATV and dirt bike trail system on the East Coast…and the trails are rated best in safety all around! Please visit their website: www.trailsheaven.com/ .

By the way, did I tell you the Rangers fed us lunch while we were at their station? I think the wives and girlfriends did double duty to make sure we had enough to eat, drink, and be merry… West Virginia is one of the friendliest States I have ever had the pleasure to ride in!

Folks, the day wasn't over yet…but my tales for this installment are…coming up in the next installment: White Water Rafting, Boy Scouts, VIP housing, bus tours, BBQ feasts, and Snow Shoe Mountain. Believe me…the riding only gets better from here!

Finally, the Governor and his chief of staff caught up with us.

Part II in Wild West Virginia

When I last left you, I thought we were ready to straddle saddles and ride. I was wrong. I have much to tell you about the Hatfield and McCoy Trails. I’d like you to take a few minutes to explain why I like to say: “This is the most fun I’ve had on four wheels!”

Little Coal River Trailhead.

The time I spent visiting the Hatfield and McCoy Trails System at Little Coal River, allowed me to learn there are presently over 500 miles of trails belonging to the Hatfield and McCoy Trails System. It’s the year 2009 and five counties of the projected nine now have trails running though them. Each of the six trail systems are open 365 days a year, and buying a yearly permit to ride the trails, whether you are a resident of West Virginia or not is an inexpensive endeavor, well worth the effort of pulling out your wallet. Permits for residents are $50.00 bucks a year…and not much more for non-residents!

Currently, there are six trails to choose from: They are: Rockhouse, Buffalo Mountain, Bearwallow, Indian Ridge, Little Coal, and Pinnacle Creek. I’ve included links so you can follow them, and learn more about this truly wonderful trail system, the 2nd largest in the U.S. The first largest on the Eastern Seaboard, and the Safest in the country!

Due to the economic downturn and Bikernet battling bean-counters we told Marilyn that she could help with travel expenses by getting a job painting cabins.

It was a fantastic ride from the trailhead to the Songer Whitewater Rafting home port. Narrow, dirt two lane roads meander through, what was once rough coal country. Later gentle rolling hills became farms. We passed through classic dinky coal towns, small lumber bergs, and sprawling farming communities. The road surfaces were maintained and in good condition. There were occasional spots in the road marked for repair, from potholes or just simple and normal road deterioration. The defects were marked in bright orange and quite easy to spot and avoid. Lost in my own little world for most of the ride, I tried hard to remember all the side roads we took, so I could tell you about them, impossible. It’s impossible. You must experience getting lost in West Virginia for yourself. You just don’t know what you’re missing until you do!

Glade Creek.

As we rode down Route 60, we took a small detour. We stopped at Babcock State Park system (Babcock State Park, HC 35, Box 150 Clifftop, WV. 2583,) for a close-up examination of the Glade Creek Mill. It was a reconstructed gristmill dating back from the 1880s. The reconstruction consists of the parts from three mills: one from Stony Creek in Pocahontas County, another from Spring Run Grist Mill, in Grant County, and the third is from the Onego Grist Mill in Pendleton County.

I highly recommend this stop if you are into the workings of 19th century technology. A park range was extremely knowledgeable on the history and the mill machinery. Not to mention, yes once again. This state will knock your socks off with her natural beauty. It’s a grand place to stop and relax for a few minutes! Check their website to learn more about this wonderful piece of history. When you come, take the time to enjoy the tour with a Ranger, you’ll be glad you did!

Kanawha Falls.

Leaving the Glade Mill, our guide took us to Kanawha Falls off of Route 60. This is a beautiful waterfall and public fishing area maintained by the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. This park is well maintained, with port-a-pottys, boat ramps, picnic area, and well-placed trash receptacles. It was a great spot to stop and be refreshed with cold water to drink, and fresh clean water rushing down this natural side of the falls, spectacular.

Len and Lee, from Songer Whitewater Rafting rolled into the parking lot on their softtail smiling, happy to escape business, while rolling down the road enjoying the cool breezes and fresh air of their own state. Len and Lee were there to guide us into Songer Whitewater Rafting.

Upon our arrival at Songer Whitewater Rafting (3069 Miller Ridge Road, Hico W.V.) we were given keys to our assigned VIP cabins, told we had an hour or two before dinner. Len had plans, he wanted to take us down the gorge in one of his rafting buses. After a tour of the Gorge, we were to be taken to this wonderful BBQ joint for dinner, MMMMM Pig.

Overhead coal conveyor belts.

Back to the cabins: Len, has several ways to accommodate guests, who wish to stay the night, or the week. Top of the line is the VIP cabins: We had two stories, the upstairs was appointed with two bedrooms, (the master has a small balcony), and a full bath. Both bedrooms have Full-sized beds. Downstairs, the cabin held an additional bedroom w/bunks capable of sleeping six, a large sofa, an overstuffed chair. The kitchen was fully appointed, with full sized refrigerator, oven/stove, as well as dish and cook wear. The eat-in kitchen with table and four chairs is everything the vacationing wanderer could ask for. The main floor also boasts a full bath to accommodate everyone in the cabin. The entry into the cabin is through a large screened in area where you can climb into your well-maintained and very clean Jacuzzi! If the seating area in the kitchen isn’t enough, there is another dining and entertainment area on the porch, seating four with a glass table servicing your needs.

If this kind of luxury makes you nervous, you can opt to stay in the minimalist cabins. They have no luxury appointments, but are 12 X 12 rooms containing a double bed, an air conditioner, and a bedside table. Everything else you bring with you, including your pillow/and bed sheets. Although, Len and Lee will see to it your comfort is met. Even if you don’t have the bed clothing amenities, they are fantastic hosts!

Last, but not least by any means, is the camping area here at Songer. It seems to be very pleasant. There were many campers during our stay. I did have the opportunity to visit the washhouse for the campers and the minimalist cabins. They were clean, and provided good showers and toilets for your sanitary needs.

Len drove a huge lumbering bus to our cabins, picked us up, and off we went to tour the New River Gorge. After a long touring day, many of us were walking wounded, or just plain exhausted. The bus was a relaxing, comfortable way to see the Gorge, while being treated to a rambling narrative by Len of the history and some rollicking tales of his days growing up in the area and working as a river guide.

New River Gorge.

It was a bit of a strain on some of us, watching as Len stopped at every rock to point out American Indian History. He back-up to point out settler's sagas and to grapple with the many hair pin turns down to the bottom of the gorge. It’s very hard to believe, that as late as 1977, this tiny two lane, (you and I would call it a less than one lane road) serviced this area with big rigs traversing the switchbacks and hairpins. I am sure there was many a traveler on this road who either lost his life, or swore he would never be back.

Whew, it sure would be fun on the correct motorcycle, but by the end of this day, we were all simply allowing Len to do the driving, allowing us to actually look at the walls of the gorge, the narrow twisting, winding road continuously leading and spiraling to the bottom of this very deep gorge. We soon could see the New River Gorge Bridge spanning this deep slash in the earth, amazing. Its really big y’all.

We rumbled onto this steel arch bridge, standing at a height of 876 feet above the gorge floor. It’s length at 3035 feet, as well as its height, gave this bridge the designation of the longest AND the highest of its type in the world for many years. These days it’s only the 2nd highest. Not bad, not bad at all.

Out of the Gorge and onto RT. 19 once more. There she was, the building all would recognize by the sweet smell, a BBQ eatery, wood smoke gently wafting across the road, making its way up our olfactory regions and into the primal parts of our brains. Smoked beef, pork and other wonderful delights, lured us from our comfy bus seats. There we were folks, swaying in our hungry boots, Dirty Ernie’s Rib Pit. A place of wonderful culinary delight that not only included smoked meats, but rather rare to find Italian Gastronomic goodies. Oh lord in heaven, will ya wait till I’m done here, please?

A few hours later, most of the stuffed motley crew of the FAM TOUR, found ourselves up at the High Water Bar with Len and Lee, delighting in the entertainment of Open Mic Night. Some of us crawled home that night. Adult beverages, good music, tall tales, fun, and dancing. What more can a group of lunatic biker journalists ask for?

Morning came early, sigh, that sucked. We dragged our butts out of bed and boarded the dreaded school bus. We were being herded to the river, our next adventure, riding the rapids of the New River. The guides are all certified and well experienced men and women, who ply this river. At no time did I feel in danger, but I certainly felt the thrill of the ride. I was thrown into the river, but was pulled back into the raft quickly and expertly by my guide. Rafting the rivers here in West Virginia is a “MUST DO” on my list. I hope you make it one on yours as well!

We found our docking site, loaded on the bus, and found ourselves back at Songer for a picnic lunch, soon after we were all hugging Len and Lee goodbye.

There are somewhere eight white water outfitters in the New River Gorge area. To find the outfit that works for you, visit: http://www.westvirginiaoutfitters.org/wv_rafting_news.cfm

Next installment: Snowshoe Mountain, The Hut, Covered Bridges, Worm Geared Locomotive Engines, and MountainFest. I may need a fourth installment.

Were the Girls of Bikernet in West Virginia?

What started as a tribute to a woman in a man’s world has remained an early summer South Florida tradition of the ideals biker women desire most; riding, friends, shopping, and sexy men in tight leather and a run where everyone knows your name.

I started Ladies Day Out as a way to get my then boss, Karin Serekas, to come riding with me and then I also saw it as a way to go riding with the increasing population of women riders. Most of my thirty years in the saddle I have been riding with the big boys. My first LDO was held in May of 1999 with 21 women, including myself. We rode from Harley-Davidson of Stuart, owned at that time by Ken and Karin. We rode 45 miles to Boot Country, where we were served ice cold waters and given a discount on western wear. From there, we rode to Rooster’s, then a biker joint in Port St Lucie where we met our husbands and boyfriends for burgers and brews.

The 10th Anniversary proved to be one of the best attended, most carefully crafted, well organized riding event in these parts. Even the rain held off long enough for me to park the Street Glide. I get my camera out and press inside the restaurant Hog Wild where the girls and I and all our new friends would remain for the afternoon hours while the sky fell out. It waited long enough for me to park and persuade the sheriffs we wouldn’t do it without them next year.

Before I tell you what happened inside the bar, let me back up and start at the beginning of this wonderful day. One important facet of Ladies Day Out, are the elements and principles of riding a motorcycle. And for a better riding experience, these women brave road hazards and weather to get there. (only in the later years was I able to fetch a police escort, usually Martin County Sheriffs who step up and help out at no charge.) Ladies Day Out is often the first time that many of these women actually venture out on their own, to ride with someone other than their husbands or significant other. Every year I hear it and I heard it again this time

Any event, mine, yours, requires planning that starts months ahead of actual ride time. From the humble start in ’99, I wanted to keep this run unique. And I have. Every time the ride started at a new spot or went someplace new, or ended anew. Along the way, we shopped. Some of the places we’ve seen and been to in the past ten years include the historic Seminole Inn, Botanical Gardens, Arts and Crafts fairs, Crab Houses, and biker jaunts like Archie’s Seabreeze Café. Through all of the years of this event, the women have come out to play. Only one year, did it rain in the morning, and the pack was reduced to just ten of us dumb and dedicated. We still rode. It is a rain or shine ride, be ready.

Lovely author in the center.

I wanted an event that supported local starving artisans, gardeners, the places that were off the beaten path but still appreciated our money. Finding new places to start is easier than the ending, since we include our men at the end of each ride. A nice way to say we still want you and need you, boys. Looking back, we’ve had doughnuts and coffee, to full breakfast platters served. We have the most fun at our morning gab sessions, getting to know each other, and my way of finding out where these ladies belong in a large pack. Some routes were shorter than others, some longer like last year one hundred miles round trip. This year we did not have a police escort, and take 65 of your closest girlfriends on a 55 miles trip without backup or a chase vehicle, is not an easy feat. So, once again, the girl riders step up and road captained ike you would want to fuck with this pack, anyway!

Every mile this year the sun shone brightly on our iron horses as we pressed on copping a tan, under the Florida sky, not wanting to stop anywhere this year, just ride, I took the girls past the Martin County Correctional facility where we slowed, honked and revved up for those inside. We didn’t dawdle long, as we were headed through Indiantown, and then east again to Stuart, where a small, enduring band of vendors and men folk awaited us.

Hog Wild was the place every town with bikers hang out. The owners were gracious enough to have us this year and vendors could set up and sell their biker wares at no charge. Bar owners gave the ladies drink specials and barbeque. Treasure Coast Harley-Davidson put together a male fashion show for us ladies with very handsome men strutting across the stage for our viewing pleasure. Remember where I said the heavens opened up? We were stuck in this great bar, with gorgeous men, an acoustic duo playing a lot of Doobie Brothers, while outside, it was pouring. The soaked vendors closed up early and went home. Most of us decided to stick around and bond.

For the last two years, I have incorporated a small bike show. Sponsors of this bike show donate the trophies for the event and then they get to pick the best bikes they think a woman should ride. Vagabond Chopper’s own Athena “Chickie” Ransom’s pink chop was Best in Show. Athena rode up from Ft. Lauderdale and for the very first time, I had a “celeb bike builder” friend at the event. Oh, and yeah, she’s a good friend of mine, too. Ladies Day Out celebrates the diversity of women riders with Oldest, Youngest, Farthest Travelled and my favorite, Best Dressed. If you can look as good as you did in the morning by the time we hand out trophies at four in the afternoon, you deserved the title.

The door prizes were phenomenal this year and all the proceeds from this years event goes to our local non-profit animal shelter Dogs and Cats Forever. We didn’t raise enough money, $450 dollars. We did however, have a great ride and no one was arrested, even though we did kind of bully our way around the last traffic light. We started at the shelter’s new adoption center and thrift store, a small complex that took years in the making. When handing the money over to Jay Appicella, the executive director, she reminds me how much dog food that will buy.

Ladies Day Out isn’t the biggest women in motorcycling event, simply put, we think its the best. It's celebration of sisterhood says so. We saluted our veterans who stormed the beaches in France 65 years earlier to the exact day so that we could be free to ride our bikes today and we don’t forget to watch the Belmont Stakes. We are All-American girls on steel rides who are unflinchingly fearless in any kind of weather.

For the past ten years, without whine or slime, I have helped my sisters in the wind enjoy a day to ourselves, without husbands or kids or the worries of work. This was my last year of putting it together since my career path has changed, my calling to become a public school art teacher has taken all of my time. Next year, if there is a next year, is up to anyone who wants to take the time and put out the energies to organize this event, they have my blessings and counsel. It is such a kick ass good time that I just want to be a participant. You try bringing that many bikes in without incident or police and then tell me how it feels.

Everyone here already knows my name.

Friday morning at 8:00 am, July 3rd, was the opening day of the 2nd annual Shasta Salute to America Motorcycle Rally. The atmosphere in Tulelake, CA was electric with anticipation for the fun patriotic weekend, which after months of careful planning was about to begin. Motorcycles and RVs were already lined up eagerly awaiting the green light to check in, get settled and to let the good times roll – bons temps roulee! Having over a football field of the American Veterans Traveling Tributes “Cost of Freedom” and “Traveling Wall” displays laid out on the emerald green lawn with flags fluttering framing the 400’ entry driveway into the manicured Tulelake-Butte Valley Fairgrounds, the patriotic tone was set for the 2nd annual Shasta Salute to America Motorcycle Rally. Countless hours of hard work by our Staff and volunteers was paying off! It looked like we had a nice crowd. Our dream was becoming real.

When it comes to most things in life, including the blueprint for our motorcycle rally, ‘Wings and I subscribe to time-tested wisdom. After many years attending & filming countless events , we think we have most of it figured out.

A great rally must offer bikers the opportunity for great riding experiences. South Bay Biker Productions gives our patrons the Pacific Northwest. Lava Beds Nat’l Park (20 mins), Crater Lake (90 mins), Living Memorial Sculpture Garden (50 mins) & Mt. Shasta (90 mins) and all the beautiful uncrowded back roads & highways that lead to these unique spots.

A great rally must offer a great venue with great camping conditions. South Bay Biker Productions gives our patrons the “2nd to none” Tulelake-Butte Valley Fairgrounds – nearly 100 acres of manicured emerald green plush lawns, plenty of shade trees, immaculate restrooms with hot showers, well maintained buildings and great views in all directions. Toss in PDR’s homemade oil drum fire pits with rebar legs and a supply of Johnny Sanders’ dry juniper and whamo! You got it!

A great rally demands plenty of 1st class all-American eye candy. South Bay Biker Productions & the Wings2Fly Saloon delivers again with the Shasta Rally’s “Hot Wings” – Debbie’s hotties sling drinks with genuine smiles & they wear the skimpiest bikinis we heathens love while they carefully wash our scooters for tips! (see photos on our website!!!) Thanks and hugs go out to Tiffany, Christina, Ashley, Marquie, Jessica, Sin, Dirty Di & of course, Wings2Fly.

This leads me to the next ingredient. A great rally must offer a central place to gather with friends to “bend elbows,” swap stories and listen to living legends up close and personal like Pat Travers and Charlie Brechtel and other great up-and-comers like our kick-ass house band, National Dust and local favorite, the Craig Allen Blues Band; so, we furnish our patrons my gal Debbie’s Wings2Fly Saloon – 12,000 sq ft of air conditioned biker bar heaven right there so no one needs to drink and ride.

A great rally should also offer the creations of gifted builders. SS2AMCR delivers here, too. Not only that, we have these talented folks (& their families) park their rigs and display their creations in our “Builders Garden,” an ideal place inside the venue surrounded by huge shady Weeping Willows and lush flower and rose gardens (1000 years of volcanic ash and duck shit in the soil make everything grow real nice.) This year, our featured builders included Mark Daley – Thunderstruck Custom Bikes, Dave Haze – Haze Custom Choppers, John Bartevian – Perfect Past Customs & Tigard Oregon Boss Hoss dealers Ron & Cindy Tangsrud of Wild Rose Boss Hoss.

Main events for our patrons also included the renowned “Boogieman Bike Games” and “Pinky & Sluggo’s Crusin For Ca$h,” National Champion, Eric Petersen of the Oregon Arm Wrestling Federation ran his Arm ‘Wraslin Contest again on Friday evening. Izzy’s Tattoo Contest & a Ride-in-Bike Show were also on the menu. Nice looking biker trophies for the winners are always SOP. Shasta Rally patrons were also treated to several death defying shows by the ALLinFMX stunt team which they could watch in the shade under the overhang at the EzJ Concert Field grandstands.

When 2 states are in the mix for a major public event, across the board support and cooperation from regional law enforcement had to be in place; this year, it was. Thanks to the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s office, southern Oregon LE, Modoc County Sheriff’s office & the Tulelake PD for working together this year! It was great to see you guys keeping the founders of Operation Gratitude and the escorting biker procession safe as you lead the AVTT escort and rig from the Klamath Falls Home Depot to the fairgrounds on Thursday afternoon, July 2nd .

In year #2, not one problem for law enforcement related to the SS2AMCR…..NOTHING! Thanks & high fives go out to our patrons who were respectful guests AGAIN in the beautiful region.

With the Rally, regional business had an opportunity to glean economic benefits when they “ponied-up” and sponsored the Rally. I always tell everyone involved in our business endeavors that we are “communist capitalists.” This statement gets laughs, but Debbie and I sincerely hope everyone who supports the Rally will make money as a result of their investments. In spite of a “tanked” economy, South Bay Biker Productions is happy to report that nearly all businesses who supported the Rally “made book.” Thanks and gratitude go out to our good friends Doug “Sluggo” & Christina “Pinky” Brown who put their impeccable reputations on the line in their community to successfully gather a huge number of sponsorships from the Klamath Basin & eastern Siskiyou County business communities.

Early reports tell us that Klamath Falls hotels with affordable rates were full or nearly full of Shasta Rally bikers. Big thanks to the ownership at the Shilo Inn, Klamath Falls for seeing our vision and sponsoring rooms for the founders of Operation Gratitude and Pat Travers. In the future, we hope to see the entire Klamath Basin & eastern Siskiyou County business communities lending their unified support to make the Rally a bigger success each year.

After five weeks of riding our motorcycle rally tsunami, Wings and I are temporarily holed up in a biker friendly northern Nevada casino hotel before heading back to headquarters. We are pleased to let the biker community know that biker traditions and tremendous appreciation for our troops from the biker culture are going strong in Tulelake, CA, eastern Siskiyou County and the Klamath Basin. Everything Seth Doulton said in his February endorsement letter to the biker community came true. South Bay Biker Productions’ Staff delivered exactly what Seth said we would. What we delivered was sent straight-up and with no hidden agenda. We are already preparing for 2010! We are grateful to Bikernet.com for believing in our vision and sponsoring our motorcycle rally.

We are requesting that all Shasta Salute to America Motorcycle Rally bikers tell their families and friends about what they experienced in Tulelake over Independence Day weekend. Please write to the biker media to give everyone your impressions. If you have suggestions, or criticisms, we are humble people and we try to listen to everyone. Please send your input to ezj@southbaybiker.com Wings is posting additional photographs on our website as I write this story – www.shastarally.com www.shastarally.com 
 Check ‘em out!

More than ever, South Bay Biker Productions Staff, Debbie and I have our sights set on becoming the premiere motorcycle event in the western region. Thanks.

–Jeff Kraus – EZJ

Birkenfeld, OR~July 24, -26, 2009 –The members of the Southeast Portland Chapter of ABATE are gearing up for the 10th anniversary of their wild and wooly Run 21. The 3-day party from July24-26, held back in the woods near the beautiful Oregon coastline, and well known as the primo party in the Northwest is often compared to California’s notorious Redwood Run. Personally, I think the comparison is a poor one. The Run 21 is way better. This shindig is as old school and raw as it is well put together and fun, and if wild and crazy is in your vocabulary, this is the gig for you.

Situated on a rural 60-acre plot, riders arrive to find a freshly mown field surrounded by trees and bordered by a gently flowing river. Amenities are simple; dry camping only, with plenty of clean port-a-potties, no fires, and semi-truck selling bags of ice is on the property.

Run 21, so named due to the “Adults Only” nature of the run, has a short list of rules mostly pertaining to common sense manners like, “clean up after yourself.” But the most important is “No id, no entry,” so do not expect to show up at the gate with just your good looks and be allowed in. It ain’t happening.

Do, however, arrive with a sleeping bag and a party hat cuz the ABATE folks are gonna show you how it’s done just an hour ride northeast of Portland near the dinky town of Birkenfeld. The vendors will provide you with all the party favors one might need, including killer Bloody Marys and assorted cocktails, hot coffee, and great grub. If body paint becomes an immediate necessity, the air brushers are armed and ready to blast attendees with everything from a patriotic American flag over bouncing boobs, or a delicate flame job over ladies nipples. Plus there are a variety of tangibles available for the shoppers in the crowd.

Do not, however, mistake this for one of those pre-fab, insta-mall of vendor events. This isn’t the case. There are just a handful of tried and true vendors, who show up to cover the needs of the party animals roaming the Oregon backwoods. This gig really is all about the music and biker fun.

The entire venue was deemed a beer garden for the event, so roaming about with your adult beverage in hand into the wee hours of the morning is totally within the rules. By 10:30 p.m., the front gate is locked down in order to eliminate the late night road hazard that plagues so many runs. These Oregonian ABATE folks have figured out how to protect all their party participants, while trying to raise a few buck to help fight for our riding rights.

Games are old skool, fiercely competitive, and consist of the typical biker fare like the weenie bite (women are encouraged to lose their linen with “skin to win” cheers), beer belly contest, the typical wet t-shirt contest where shirts are doffed even before the water shows up, as well as a full roster of other fun adult activities.

Riding games are held on slicked out grass (yes, it does get damp near the coastline, so expect a little rain) and require a bit of skill. The burn out contest is an on-going battle between riders that seems to carry over from year to year. Tires are blown to smithereens as each contender, which includes women riders, takes their turn in the box.

Concerts this year include Foghat, Goldy McJohn and Friends, JR Simms & Texas Special, Saturday Night Orphans, Leon Hendrix Mysterience and others. The woods will be rocking. The best part is that the measly $50.00 ticket price includes your camping, as well as all the music. The profits go to help ABATE continue the fight for our diminishing rights as riders. There are still tickets available on line at www.run21.biz. There will be some tickets at the gate, but there's a 2500 ticket limit. So get your shit together quick and don't miss muster in the hills.

Cycle Source magazine and the Limpnickie Lot crew put on the first annual The Big Mountain Run at Hiwassee Outfitters in Reliance, Tennessee, June 18th to the 20th. Some of those attending met with Chris Callen, the editor and supreme emperor of Cycle Source and rode to Tilley Harley-Davidson in North Carolina where the Gypsy Run part of the event was destined to start. Other riders met on the way.

I opted to meet them at the wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley. This place, owned and built by master Harley-Davidson restorer and dealer owner, Dale Walksler, is so awesome I will write a separate, highly distinctive piece about it. I'm still in awe.

The second day included a stop at Deals Gap and riding the Tail Of The Dragon, which is 318 curves in 11 miles, and then turning around and doing it again before heading off to the event.

One of the younger riders was a tad too aggressive and the dragon bit him. He lost control and slid for 70 feet. He got away with minor injuries, but by the law of the mountain, he was forced to hang a damaged component from his bike the Tree Of Shame, which is a local busted bike part landmark.

Tattoo Duke, who is old enough to know better was having big fun later in the day shooting sparks off his floorboards and also ended up with some injuries. He was able to laugh about it later.

“I was just havin to much fun,” he said.

Hoping ya a quick recovery my friend.

Partying with the crew from Limpnickie is always fun. It reminded me of the old days in Sturgis Park. There were some grey beards there, but more of the younger riders who are keeping the real biker tradition alive.

If you get a chance to attend one of their events you should definitely do so. Yuppies and those who want to talk about how much they spent on their motorcycle are as welcome as is everyone, but probably won't have as much fun as those who wrench their bikes and or have made parts for their ride.

I am looking forward to the next party already.

Couldn't leave without another hottie in the mix.

— ROGUE

Arlen on right with author Buckshot, also show winner in his class.

When “The King” does anything, it’s always first class, an’ this year’s show was no exception. The venue was moved to the San Mateo Event Center, where there was plenty of floor space, and no stairs to hassle with. With plenty of parking, an’ a location that was easy to find, even for this ol’ hillbillies, it was a better place to have the show, all around. Presented by American Thunder Promotions, an’ coordinated an’ judged by Ray’s M/C Show World, there was no lack of experience an’ talent behind this event!

Like the ones before, this show brought builders from all over, vying for cash an’ prizes in around 60 categories.

Donnie Smith, another Bagger master, from Minneapolis.

Donnie Smith was on hand, all the way from the East Coast, to promote the beautiful blue custom bagger he built for a benefit raffle with proceeds to benefit Guide Dogs of America.

Another celebrity on hand was Carl Brouhard, of Carl Brouhard Designs; one of the most talented an’ genuinely nice guys in the business. He’s the one who designed Arlen’s ’57 Chevy bike, an’ many more that you’d recognize instantly. Be sure ya allow plenty of time to visit his website: www.brouharddesigns. I never get away from his site in less’n an hour. Great stuff! He won 1st place in Judges Choice Best in Show, which came as no surprise to me!

My amigo, Rob Moriconi of River Rat Customs took home several pieces of “happy hardware” in several categories. He’s puttin’ together some cool stuff up there in Colusa! Look up the cool scoot painted like a WWII fighter at www.riverratcustoms . Rob’s good people, an’ I look forward to seein’ him at the show next year, if not before!

Buckshot and his winning Shovelhead–not bad.

This year, I decided to enter my ol’ Shovelhead just for the hell of it, an’ when I saw the competition, includin’ a great little blue an’ white bobber by Rocky’s Cycles that’s about as cool as it gets, I wasn’t too sure I made the right decision, but when the dust cleared, I ended up with a First Place in the Shovelhead Mild Custom class, which sure put a grin on my ugly ol’ mug!

Arlen, Cory, an’ Zach were there, signin’ autographs, an’ makin’ sure that everybody felt welcome. I’ve found Arlen to be a really nice, down to Earth guy, though he’s a reluctant icon at times, preferrin’ to be in the shop buildin’ bikes than somewhere bein’ revered for the creative genius he is. Cory an’ Zach are following in those same humble an’ creative footsteps, an’ believe me, they’re some big shoes to fill!

Bikernet was on hand to support the show.

In addition to lots of vendors sellin’ everything from leathers to new inventions, there was a good sized swap meet sellin’ new an’ used parts, so naturally, I found some stuff I just couldn’t survive another day without.

We can leave without featuring at least one trike.

Another thing I really enjoyed was a trick ridin’ show by none other than Jason Pullen, one of the best riders to ever throw a leg over a bike. He was doin’ tricks that defied reason an’ gravity, like sittin’ backwards on the handlebars doin’ burnouts, an’ even more outrageous stuff that you’d have to see to believe! If ya get a chance to see him perform, run, don’t walk to wherever he’s at, ‘cause you won’t believe your eyes!

With the economy in as sorry a shape as it is, I was glad to see the quality an’ number of great custom bikes that showed up for this event. It shows that even in hard times, creativity an’ talent will find a way to shine!

Arlen built classics.

Chief show judge and bike show coordinator Ray Kittel, who does shows nation wide, had this statement about Arlen’s show: “The Arlen Ness Bike Show is one of the premiere bike shows in the country. It is nothing short of being an exposition of the continuing legacy of the custom motorcycle, the industry itself, and one of its greatest legends… Arlen Ness.”

–Buckshot

We spoke to the promoter, Neil Ryan, about the show next year: We are excited to announce that our plans for next year are already in full gear, as we go all out to celebrate Arlen Ness' 40 years in this wild business. As we move forward we would like to know what would help to make it the best show in the west! Don't miss the 40th Anniversary of Arlen Ness Customs at the Arlen Ness Show, April 17 & 18th, 2010 at the San Mateo County Event Center.

Send your comments or suggestions to: Sue.amthunder@integraonline.com

Custom Motorcycle Mayhem at Mainz/Germany: With one of the biggest and most extraordinary Bikeshows, the CCE Dealer Show and European Championship of Custombike-Building, the 2009 edition of the CUSTOM CHROME EUROPE DEALER SHOW once again topped last years record results in terms of attending dealers, visitors and bikeshow-participants – not to forget the glamourous guest-stars from the US and Germany: Arlen Ness, Marcus Walz and Fred Kodlin. 140+ motorcycles signed in before the event and 116 competitors presented their bikes at Mainz/Germany and made ii the most international bikeshow of Europe and the definite highlight in the European bikeshow calendar.

80 Freestyle, 13 Custom Chrome Motorcycles, 23 Modified Harley-Davidson, 6 Competitors of the CCE „Europe’s Next Top Model“ contest and numerous new bikes presented by CCE partners at their booths. Europe’s market leader in customparts-distribution again has teamed up their show with the AMD European Championship of Custombike-Building to create one of the best Custombike-Shows Europe has to offer. 116 awesome custombikes from all over europe and United Arab Emirates participated, competing for three tickets to the World Championship at Sturgis/South Dakota in August 2009 and prices worth something in excess of 30.000,00 €!

“The quality seen in these bikes is just incredible“, stated both Custom Chrome Europe President Holger Mohr and AMD Show host Chris McGee. In 2009 the show saw the second-biggest number of participating bikes coming from 16 different countries. All three top bikes were international entries, with VERONA BIKE EXPO winner Luigi “Gigi“ Esposito of Big Twin Napoli scoring the most points to win the prestigious EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP title.

The “Panster“ is completely handcrafted by the Big Twin Team: Boardtrack “Made in Italy“! The twisted „Indian Larry“ style frame tubes came from Penz Performance: Ever since Anita used “the real thing“ for her Tiki-Chopper, they know how to bend them. The rest of the frame was forged in view of the volcano mount Vesuvio, routing it tightly around the 883 Sportster engine which has been upgraded with 1200 cc cylinders, heads and „Panhead“ covers. In full racing trim, the engine drive pulley is supported by external bearing, the S&S Super-G is breathing through the air horn, exhaust pointing against the airstream. The most eye-catching detail of the “Panster“ certainly is the strange springer fork: Substituting the straight suspented “fork“ against a curved piece, following the radius of the tire, certainly makes even the hardcore customizers look twice. Sheet metal inserts strenghten the much longer part, otherwise, suspension might act completely different. Two more tech-tricks are not visible at first glance: To have the twisted frame tubes out in the open, the tank moved to the left side of the rear frame, just into the triangle which forms the wheel suspention. Rigid, like on a Boadtracker, of course. The fuel is fed to the S&S carb through a fuel pump hidden under the engine. As the tubes are solid steel, there’s no room for the oil either. So where to put it? If you take a closer look to the primary case, this Sportster primary looks a bit „pregnant“. Which is the point: Welded from original two primary drives and perfectly matched, the oil resevoir is hidden INSIDE the primary casing which features an enclosed 2.5 litre of oil. Tricky!

Second place Freestyle.

Second place went to Sturgis-experienced former World Champion 2007 Stellan Egland of SE-Service: His BMW-engined entry is a completly one-off radical design which has never been seen before! Third place went to Andy Niemi from Flying Choppers/Finland with his super-clean Swedenchopper „Cloud 9“ which caught the exe with its pure 70s style lines!Bikeshow-winner Luca Andreoli had also reason to celebrate: As European Champion „Big Twin“ already won his Sturgis-Ticket at Verona, so he will qualify to go to Sturgis too!

The complete FREESTYLE Winners on stage: Four teams coming from Mainz and the European Championship will compete in the World Championship in Sturgis/South Dakota in August 2009

This year´s “Special Guests“ included legendary bikebuilder ARLEN NESS, world renowned Custombike photographer MICHAEL LICHTER and TED SANDS of Performance Machine, one of the new brands that is listed in the new, again bigger, new 2009 CCE catalogue. ARLEN NESS was awarded with a special exhibition at the event AND received a Custom Chrome Europe “Lifetime Achievement Award“ for his outstanding work. He spent hours signing his autograph to dealers and the public. Arlen Ness is only the third person to receive the Custom Chrome Europe “Lifetime Achievement Award“ at the Custom Chrome Europe Dealer Show, several boxes of books were sold almost at once and and autograph cards became rare on Sunday. Visitors and customizers alike stood in line for Arlen’s signature and to see images from the Arlen Ness Museum. Michael Lichter and “Motographer”, Horst Rösler, acted as curator of the exhibition. Arlen Ness and Victory-Europe National Sales Manager/Branch Manager Jan Breckwoldt presented a Ness-design “Limited Edition“ Victory and European Ness-Motorcycle distributor “Bad Boys Cycles” of Chamoson/Switzerland (www.bbcc.ch), now European importer for Arlen Ness Motorcycles, supported the show with a “Speedliner” and “Highliner” bike. Arlen picked 3 of his favourite Bikeshow participants for a special “Arlen Ness Pick”. The short documentation of his career is now to be seen at www.custom -chrome-europe.com, along with the bikeshow-winners and “Europe’s Next Top Model” winners.

The “CCE Dealer Show” was attended by more new brandnames than ever before: Performance Machine, Legend Air, Freedom Performance, Cycle Visions, Thunderbike, Cyron, West Eagle and Joker Machine parts are now listed in the CCE 2009 catalogue and the Spring Update, which came out at the same time as the massive 1.360 pages hard cover book, featuring more than 2500 new products starting from complete kit bikes down to the smallest part to restore, modify or to pimp-up stock Harley-Davidson models.

“We are looking forward to the year 2009 with great confidence, from the response to this show, we don’t see signs of crisis at all“, said CCE Managing Director Holger Mohr, “Bolt on and Ride“ is our theme for 2009 and the new products for all Twin Cam riders and our Custom Chrome Motorcycle line is running great. RevTech introduced TWO completely new engines PLUS the two European top-customizers Fred Kodlin and Marcus Walz have already built bikes around the 125 cubic incher! The Custom Chrome Europe Motorcycle line will be extended by one outstanding machine, winner of the „Europe’s Next Top Model” competition. We are meeting European emission standards and the changing trends with new products and fast availability.“ With approximately 3.000 visitors on Sunday, plus the 1.500 CCE-dealers and vendors from all over the world, the event was a huge succes for both CUSTOM CHROME EUROPE and the custombike motorcycle market in general!“Bolt on & Ride” is this years theme at Custom Chrome Europe and Custom Chrome – and the CCE staff will prove just that!

www.custom-chrome-europe.com

AMD EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP 2009 RESULTS

First Place

Second place

Third Place

AMD EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP “FREESTYLE CLASS“
1.PANSTER, Big Twin Motors (Italy), DHL&CCE 5.000 € Voucher for Sturgis Transport
2.Harrier, SE-Service, (Sweden), DHL&CCE 5.000 € Voucher for Sturgis Transport
3.Cloud 9, Flying Choppers (Finland), DHL&CCE 5.000 € Voucher for Sturgis Transport
4.Ventidue („22“), Andreoli Motorcycles (Italy), BELT DRIVES Ltd – 2″ OPEN DRIVE KIT S/T 90-06 POLISHED
5.Speed Demon, SPS, Netherlands, PROGRESSIVE SUSPENSION – AIR DRAGGER/AIR RIDE KIT w/COMPRESSOR
6.Clearspeed, Riverside Motorcycles (France), D N A – SPRINGER FRONT END FORK
7.— (No Bikename), Anders Göth, (Sweden), S&S – TOOL BOX – COMPLETE w/Tools
8.Don Scalfare, Wildstyle, Czech Republic, BARNETT – SCORPION CLUTCH – FITS BIG TWIN MODELS 90-97
9.Chenz’e Arrenda (No surrender), Bobber Cycles, Italy/Sardinia, FREEDOM EXHAUST – EXHAUST SYSTEM – INDEPENDENCE – SHORTY BLACK
10.Seppster 3, TGS-Motorcycles, Germany, MOTOGADGET – MOTOSCOPE SPEEDOMETER TINY BLACK / POLISHED RING

Fourth Place

Fifth Place

Sixth Place

10th Place

CUSTOM CHROME BIKESHOW SPECIAL AWARDS

EUROPE’S NEXT TOP MODEL
1.Indian Summer, Revolution Choppers (COMPLETE BIKE KIT of the Winning Bike)
2.Good Art, Goldwing Specialisten (REV TECHT POLISHED SOFTTAIL 6-SPEED 2.94 TRANSMISSION)
3.The Sinner, Choppers World (REV TECHT POLISHED SOFTTAIL 6SPEED 2.94 TRANSMISSION)
4.Hot King, Bikers Store (REV TECHT POLISHED SOFTTAIL 6SPEED 2.94 TRANSMISSION)
5.Big Bop, Only Machine, (REV TECHT POLISHED SOFTTAIL 6SPEED 2.94 TRANSMISSION)
6. Martin, Only Machine, (REV TECHT POLISHED SOFTTAIL 6SPEED 2.94 TRANSMISSION)

Ness first place

Ness second place

Ness third place

ARLEN NESS PICK
1.Clearspeed, Riverside Motocyclettes, France (500,– € Ness Voucher)
2.— (No Bikename), Anders Göth, Sweden, (200,– € Ness Voucher)
3.Chinongas, Len Kodlin, Germany (100,– € Ness Voucher)

Jammer first

Jammer second

Jammer third

JAMMER OLD SCHOOL AWARD
1.Lost Knuckles, Classic Bikes, Germany, (TTS Voucher € 1000,00 + Special Trophy by Ed Martin)
2.Krazy Racer, Krazy Horse, England, (LePERA – TRIBAL LARGE SOLO SEAT – Black + ACCEL VOUCHER ($250) Special Trophy by Ed Martin)
3.K-Racer, Christoph Madaus, (MMB SPEEDOMETER 48SM 0-220KM/H CHROME / WHITE LIGHT + ACCEL VOUCHER ($250) + Special Trophy by Ed Martin)

Public Choice Award

CUSTOM CHROME PUBLIC CHOICE AWARD
1.Serpentinata, Sasse van Essen, Germany, (DNA – WHEEL SET – MAMMOTH 21×3,5 – 18×5,5)

First Place

Second Place

Third Place

AMD EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP Modified Harley Class, (Judged by the AMD Juryboard)
1.Build a Billy, Thunderbike, Germany, (BSL – EXHAUST SYSTEM – SHOTGUN BAKER E3 EXH. 70MM S/S POL.)
2.La Fenice, Custombike, Gerrado Chillico, Italy (DAYTONA TWIN TEC – TWINTEC EVO IGNITION KIT)
3.49er, Franz Wielath, Germany (B2 – MOTORCYCLE MEGALIFT (SCISSOR) 400KG)

First Place

CUSTOM CHROME MOTORCYCLES (Judged by the AMD Juryboard)
1. Instellar Overdrive, TGS Motorcycles, Germany, (SUPERTRAPP – EXHAUST SYSTEM PHANTOM PIPE BLACK SOFTTAIL MODELS 2007 up
2. Vampiria, Big Twin Motors, Italy, (ZIPPERS – THUNDER MAX – EFI CONTROLLER ECM w AUTOTUNE – CLOSED LOOP SYSTEM
3. Doc’s Toy, Mainhattan V2 Parts, Germany (KURYAKYN – CHROME BLOODGRVE HYPERCHARGER EVO 93-99)

Second place

Third Place

See ya at the next show.