thunder roads texas february 2011

Also Inside: Three Twisted Sisters in November Organizing a Dinner Ride Birds of a Feather Ride Map: Lampasas-Comanche LoopThunderRoadsTexas.com

The MOST Comprehensive Event Listing Published in Texas!

February 2011

Remembering aTexas LegendThe Musician & The Man

Mean Gene Kelton1953-2010

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On the Cover28 Remembering a Texas Legend: Mean Gene Kelton - The Musician & the Man

This Month8 Three Twisted Sisters in November14 Organizing a Dinner Ride15 Birds of a Feather

Regular Features6 From the Editor10 Points Across Texas Snapshots12 PigTrails: The Month of Love16 TheScoutReport:TheSlimePortableTireInflator26 Monthly Ride Map: Lampasas-Comanche Loop32 ThunderCam34 Joker’s Wild

Resources19 Event Listing CENTER - Pull-Out February 2011 Calendar 36 Biker Friendly Listing

On the cover: Mean Gene Kelton. Picture provided by Joni Kelton. Photographer unknown.

Contents

February 2011

Thunder Roads Texas Bob Cooney & Shelly Horan State Edition Owners 4631 Cashel Glen Drive Houston, TX 77069 281.866.8149 ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Thunder Publishing, LLC Toni & Brian ShearonNational Founders1528 Matlock Drive Chapmansboro, TN 37035615.792.0040 ThunderRoadsMagazine.com

Thunder Roads Magazine® is Trade Marked and may not be used in any way without consent from Thunder Publishing. Thunder Roads Magazine of Texas is published by Thunder Roads Texas. All rights reserved. No part of its’ content may be reproduced without written permission. Publisher assumes no responsibility and is not to be held liable for errors beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error, slander of any group or individual, failure to produce any issue as scheduled due to reasons beyond our control, any and all suits for liable, plagiarism, copyright infringement and unauthorized use of a person’s name or photograph. Opinions and claims made by advertisers and authors are their own and do not necessarily represent the policy of Thunder Roads Magazine®, Thunder Publishing, or Thunder Roads Texas. Publisher does not promote the abuse of alcohol or other drugs. Ride & live responsibly. Thank you. Thunder Roads Magazine®, Thunder Publishing, and Thunder Roads Texas.

Thunder Roads Texas is a wholly separate entity from Thunder Publishing LLC and Thunder Roads Magazine editions in other states. As such, content that runs in other states’ editions has no relation to the content in Thunder Roads Texas. Unless specifically stated, Thunder Roads Texas does not endorse, and is not responsible for, any content in other Thunder Roads Magazine editions.

Houston & Margaret Pruett - Victoria; Kitti Kluna - Houston; Ron Blansett - Houston; Linda Morris - Houston; Mark Appenzeller - D/FW; Joyce Siegert - D/FW; Ken Foster - D/FW; Brian “Native NYer” - D/FW; Travis “Blydawg” Blythe - D/FW; Dean Downey - Amarillo; Meghan Heller - Austin; Linda Nilsson - East Texas; Chantelle Sandberg - East Texas; George Darcy - Midland/Odessa; Glenn “Gambler” - San Antonio; Kim Ferris; Pamella Jody - Houston; Sir Richard Vance - Corpus Christi; Randy McCamey - West Texas; Butch Hayes - Houston; Pete Martinez - Houston; Jason English - Piney Woods; Sean Kester - D/FW; Roger Bowles - Waco

CORRESPONDENTS

OWNERSBob Cooney, CEO/[email protected]

Shelly “TX Dragonfly” Horan, [email protected]

Thunder Roads Texas Main Office 281.866.8149 [email protected]

Reynolds Mansson - Statewide [email protected] 210.259.9916

Bill “Shovelhead” Barnes - [email protected] 321.960.6161

Travis “Blydawg” Blythe - DFW [email protected] 940.435.8226

Bonnie Estes - Austin/Hill Country [email protected] 512.673.6679

Linda Morris - Houston [email protected] 713.897.9109

Angela Epperson - Waco/DFW [email protected] 254.493.3830

James Williams - San Antonio/Hill Country [email protected] 830.708.6198

Laura Mae Benson - Houston/Galveston [email protected] 979.481.9642

Manuel A. Valladares - DFW [email protected] 214.245.6217

Amy Conklin - Houston [email protected] 832.498.6693

Bob Engler - Plano/DFW [email protected] 302.229.4156

Bill “Moe” Moore - Rhome/DFW [email protected] 940.399.9679

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MONTHLY FEATURE WRITERS

“Crazy Al” - PigTrails; Elm “Scout” Valle - The Scout Report

IN MEMORIAM

Mean Gene Kelton 1953-2010

Feature Writer - Black Leather Blues Thunder Roads Texas 2009-2010

It’s almost that time… riding season begins soon! Are you ready? I am!! While it’s not been that bad of a winter weather-wise (at least not like last year), it has been a bumpy ride for me personally over the last few months. But good riding weather is on the horizon and I’m sure that getting back out on the open road will fix my world!

One of the things that went terribly wrong… we lost our dear friend Mean Gene Kelton. We dedicate this issue to him, to his music, and with prayers and thoughts for the family. You can read our sentiments and some of our readers’ who were close to him on page 29.

There are a lot of great things happening this year. We’re continuing to grow! We have more correspondents and sales people across the state – some of whom came in for the 2010 Lone Star Rally to help us with the booth. It was great to put faces to names. We are always on the lookout for more help from across the entire state. It’s difficult to cover a state this large, but we can because of those who help. We will also continue to support rallies and local events, growing our reach this year even more. We are incredibly thankful for our Thunder Roads Texas team and are looking forward to a great year!

We are always open to ideas from our readers. Some ideas we can use; some we want to, but can’t logistically… but all are considered and discussed. If you have an idea, please feel free to let us know. We really do make this magazine for our readers and want you to be happy with what you’re getting.

And a call out… you all know we’re a free publication to the reader. As such, we must have some form of revenue in order to continue producing the magazine. We’re not independently wealthy (gosh, I wish I were!). The only source of revenue for a free publication is advertising. We always need more advertisers. With more advertisers, we can provide more content, do more contests with really great prizes, have more freebies to give away, introduce new programs such as our popular Points Across Texas reader rides program, and more. It’s not cheap to run a magazine, but damn, it’s a lot of fun! So, if you’re a business owner please consider advertising in Thunder Roads Texas motorcycle magazine. If you frequent businesses that are not currently advertising (any kind of business that welcomes bikers), tell them about Thunder Roads Texas… you are our best resource for advertising leads – you are our best testimonials. At this point in time, we are the ONLY magazine dedicated solely to Texas motorcyclists, destinations and events. We are truly Texas based (Houston), Texas focused (all content must have a Texas connection), and Texas PROUD! Today, Thunder Roads Texas is the ONLY magazine to reach the majority of Texas riders. Our content is not manufacturer specific and is designed to appeal to a wide variety of people, regardless of gender, religion, bike, club affiliation, etc. We don’t focus on the bike or the technical aspects of a build. We focus on the people who ride – where do you go – what do you do – and who is interesting?

Now that all my plugs are over, we hope everyone has a good February; taking advantage of the breaks we get in the weather to get on that bike and ride!

Ride Safe & Ride with THUNDER!

Shelly “TX Dragonfly” HoranEditor / [email protected]

Find us, Befriend us, Follow us, Join us!

I’m Ready for Riding Season...

H February 2011 ThunderRoadsTexas.com

February 2011 H Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

It was a brisk 39° when we left Garland for Leakey (pronounced: Lake–e) around 9:00 a.m. on the Friday after Thanksgiving (2010). What better time to go? I got

an extra day off and didn’t have to take a vacation day to boot. This is just about the first time we actually left on time. Usually we run a few hours late; ok… I run late. It is just so hard trying to figure out what kinds of clothing to take this time of year when the temperatures can swing so drastically. I packed everything from thermals and leathers to short sleeved T-shirts and a denim jacket. I figured if nothing else I will be wearing the denim when I am not on the bike. Since it was so chilly we opted to trailer the bike.

We had a very interesting drive since we don’t drive this way very often. We went through Fort Worth, Benbrook, Granbury, Stephenville and then on to Dublin the home of Dr. Pepper. Dublin even has a Dr. Pepper museum. I would have loved to stop and see what that was all about. It is a quaint old town with lots of Irish Pubs; makes sense with the name like Dublin. This is definitely one of those small town USA locations that are sparse enough for bike riding without lots of traffic or congestion.

As we drove through Comanche County, prior to arriving in Comanche proper, there was an abundance of peach and pecan orchards in the outlying areas. I know where I am going to be next spring, although fall would be good for the pecans, too. I also noticed the trees were either dwarf or they kept them this way for easier picking. We also saw a lot more cacti from Comanche on south.

We drove on further through Menard on Highway 190 and started seeing more of the rolling hills. It is just about parallel with Salado but further west. Also be prepared for sticker shock when you stop for gas in Menard; it was 30 cents higher than it was in Garland. I guess it is due to the lack of easy access to/from the interstates and I guess smaller towns can charge more with the lack of competition like the big cities have. What was $2.52/gal in Garland at that time for unleaded cost us $2.89/gal in Menard. At least Menard had a Wal-Mart.

After Menard there were miles and miles of tall fencing. I guess to either keep the deer in for controlled hunting or to keep them out of the roadway. I have a feeling it is more the first option but since I am not a hunter I have no clue and didn’t take the time to ask anyone. The scenery was lovely. It reminded me of going back home to Arizona with all the rolling hills and cacti. The only thing missing was the mountains since I once lived in the mountains of Sierra Vista.

Once in Leakey we filled up with gas and started wondering where this place D’Rose Cabins and Inn was located. We didn’t have to wonder long; we looked right across HIghway 83 and there it was. It was not at all what I expected, although I had seen pictures of it -- so much for having a certain vision in our mind’s eye. I thought it would be a little bit more off the beaten path than it was; a bit more in the country. I also thought the inn part of it would be at least a two-story building and not ranch-style. The only thing I really knew not to expect was the standard bed

& breakfast routine.

Although it is biker only and they frown against kids (nice), the pricing was a little higher than I expected. Maybe it is more worth it in the warmer months or when a bike rally/ride is going on. We checked in just before Deb Rose was getting ready to close. In lieu of business cards she gave us two D’Rose koozies. That is a pretty unique idea. But then, why not, for a bunch of bikers who drink beer? We rode around looking for our cabin which wasn’t far from the office. Unfortunately for us, since we ride a Harley, we had the (ahem) Honda cabin.

Once inside, our cabin had a queen bed, small round table, two chairs, an end table for the coffeepot, a side chair by the door and a bathroom/dressing room to the right. We also had an air conditioner/heater that really kicked out the heat. It was great having the heater since it was chilly. We definitely didn’t need the extra blanket they included in the room. I would have expected more, at least a kitchenette, but that is just me. The room did offer a micro-fridge and coffeemaker. Other than the lack of a kitchenette the cabin interior was quite nice and homey.

Out front we had our own picnic table, grill, and even a hose to wash your bike. Deb provides a lot of the extras which is great especially if you are biking down. There is a room called the Pit Stop where you can get BBQ briquettes, lighter fluid, foil, plates, plastic utensils and various spices to name a few items. Within the compound there is a fire pit, swimming pool and a pavilion that also provides WiFi


Three Twisted Sisters in NovemberBy Joyce Siegert, TRT Correspondent

should you need it for mapping out trips in the area from a computer or data device. This is a great addition since I found out there is no data available via 3G in the area, at least not via AT&T.

First impressions can be misleading and I wondered how this place could have been voted in another magazine as one of the top 10 in Lodging for the past 4 years, but the longer you stay the more you see the qualities it abounds in and start to understand exactly why. I can imagine it is hopping during the Three Sisters Rally and the Veteran’s Day Ride, just to name a few.

Leakey’s high only got up to 48°F our first day. This may be a sign of our ride tomorrow. Either way, we are going. We didn’t come down here just to sit in a cabin all day.

The next morning when we woke to go out and un-trailer the bike we found a note on the Jeep’s windshield in regards to parking trailers in front of the cabins (big no-no). We hurriedly removed the bike and moved the car and trailer over by the dumpster (the assigned parking) to the side of the Inn. Deb definitely sticks by her rules and regulations which really isn’t a bad thing.

We then rode the Three Twisted Sisters consisting of Ranch Roads 335, 336 and 337 between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. It was nippy riding so we donned on our leather jackets, chaps, and gloves, as well as our helmets. I also put on thermals. I was quite toasty. Not too hot and not at all cold.

It was a great ride but not the same as Talimena. Talimena has more switchbacks and definitely more hairpin curves. The Sisters doesn’t have any hairpin curves although they had plenty of ribbon roadways, as well as “S” curves, in addition to Left and Right curves around the rock cliffs and formations to even out the ride. There was also some changing of the leaves along the ride. I was hoping for more color but when you are south I guess there just isn’t that much; I imagine a lot of them were evergreens. Along our ride we also saw six deer, luckily none of them jumped out into our path and there were ranches with rivers or cliffs on them. A lot of these properties have hundreds of acres for controlled hunting (which by the way, it was deer hunting season), and there was also at least one stocked exotic game ranch on our ride. Interesting note: as we drove by one of the tall brick fences they had broken glass bottles secured as a way to deter poachers.

Once we finished the Sisters we swung by the Bent Rim Grill and Frio Canyon Motorcycle Shop on Ranch Road

337. They are all housed in one location with a breezeway between the two for seating and eating. The bike shop has lots of Three Sisters souvenirs. They had shirts, shot glasses, and patches just to name a few.

After we finished the sisters we headed out on another part of our trek starting on Ranch Road 337 east to Boerne (pronounced Bernie) for Javelina Harley Davidson. On our way we drove through Bandera. That is one cool town. I would love to have had more time to spend there. On our drive through there was one cool club, Bandera Saloon & Grill, that I would have liked to have been able to stop and visit for a bit for a few brews. It had a great patio to sit out on and sip a few brews and then they had bands that played there, too. The county courthouse was truly something to see especially when we drove through it on our way back while the sun was setting. Once we got to the Harley-Davidson shop we had to buy one of their cool looking Javelina T-shirts and shot glasses.

We headed back to Leakey close to 5:00 p.m., and good thing since the sun was getting to that point where it was hard to see and drive. We were driving west directly into the sun and boy were we glad to see the cliffs and hills since they acted as a barrier against the sun. After the sun had set it got colder and colder. My nose, chin, and fingers were getting cold. I was so glad to get back to our cabin which was about a two hour ride from Boerne.

We had a great time but it was time to wake up and get headed on down the road back to Dallas. The rooster across the way in the trailer park pretty much woke us up anyway. Definitely there was no need for an alarm clock when you have roosters. These guys started at 4:30 a.m. this morning. Egads!

Before going home we headed south on Highway 83 past Garner State Park to the Red Barn Steakhouse for breakfast at a friend’s suggestion. She said the breakfast burritos were really good. We had the kitchen sink burritos which had just about everything in them. They were so full you couldn’t even roll them. I just ate off it as if it were a plate. I loved the interior of this restaurant. It hasn’t been open very long and has great possibilities.

We finally left for home. We drove along Ranch Road 337 east all along the Guadalupe River through Vanderpool and Medina up Texas Highway 16 through Kerrville and on to Fredericksburg, where we picked up Highway 290 to Johnson City. In Johnson City, we caught Highway 281 to Marble Falls (which by the way, the Blue Bonnet Café

closes at 1:30 p.m. on Sundays) and Burnet. We headed over some other back roads till we hit Interstate 35 in Salado. From there we drove I-35 back to Dallas. Boy, from Temple to Waco the traffic was wicked. I guess it is to be expected for a holiday weekend. Luckily we were going northbound; southbound looked much worse.

It was a long and tiring drive but well worth all the back roads and small towns. Still though, I am looking forward to going back and doing more of the Hill Country Loops.


Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop

D’Rose Inn & Cabins

Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop

NEW Destination, Plus Q&A

It’s only a month into 2011 and as with last year, we already have submitted pictures! Donal Ryan & Gloria Ingram have the honors this year for being the first to

submit for the 2011 program! Another great start to our Points Across Texas reader rides program!

Announcing a NEW Gold Level Destination Point (worth two points!):

14343 Liberty Street Montgomery, Texas 77356

936.449.5285 RetreatHill.com

This month we answer questions that have come up since introducing the 2011 program in our December 2010 issue.

Q. Explain the “only one picture per location is eligible, even if it falls in more than one category” rule.

A. Basically, a picture can only be worth one point. If there are multiple qualified destinations within a single city, as well as the city itself, then you must submit specific pictures for each. There is a more detailed example in the online Destination List and Log (ThunderRoadsTexas.com).

Q. I tried to send a picture to the new email address provided in the December 2010 issue but it bounced.

A. I messed up and didn’t have the email up and running in time. It’s there and working now. Please use [email protected] to send all communications regarding the Points Across Texas program.

Q. Do the pictures have to include me?

A. Not necessarily. However, the pictures do need to include either you or your bike. We understand some motorcyclists ride by themselves, so they can’t be in the picture. But there is no reason their bike can’t be. And remember, add a recent copy of Thunder Roads Texas motorcycle magazine and you increase the chances of your picture being used in a future issue.

Q. What about safety?

A. Thunder Roads Texas always encourages safe riding practices. We don’t want to hear about anyone being hurt on a bike for any reason, much less participating in one of our activities. We have every expectation that while riders participate in the program, they are doing so with safety at the forefront of their minds. So, please be safe… a picture isn’t worth it if you’re harmed in anyway while trying to get it.

Q. I ended 2010 with some extra pictures, not making the next level. Can I roll these into 2011?

A. No. Each year’s program is different, with new locations to visit, and revising the rules and rewards. So each year is a stand-alone program in regards to the pictures submitted.

Q. I notice a different image is being used. Will the patch for 2011 be different from 2010?

A. Yes! Each year, a new image and patch will be created for the program. So, everyone can participate year-after-year and get a different patch. So, if you earned a 2010 patch – it’s time to ride again!

Hope that clears up a couple of your questions. We can’t wait to see the pictures of the new destination points!


hat do you love? Traditionally this is the time of year you take your special someone out to

dinner. Buy that big box of chocolates. Roses double in price and diamonds become a girl’s

best friend. You don’t have to buy the farm to make it special. Sometimes the little things mean just as much. I think the best idea out there is a homemade coupon book! There are a million things you can put in this little book that will put a big smile on your lovers face. A free back scratch! Nothing is better than that. Free hugs, kisses, a new teddy bear, or even a nice cup of hot chocolate. The list goes on and on. Instead of going out to dinner put your chef coat on and make her dinner. Besides no one knows more about what your partner likes to eat than you! Here is another cheap one… Promise her you will lift the toilet seat for the whole month. Take out the garbage with a smile! I have been married

fourteen years to the best wife that ever walked the earth. One thing I am going to do to start off the month of February is to simply give her a big hug and tell her that I love her! Paula you are my world.

This month of love is not just for your significant other. When I was thinking of what I was going to write this month I was thinking of all the things that I hold dear in my life. I say spread the love! I know that I love my kids. They are all so precious to me. I have more fun with my kids than I ever imagined. When you are raising kids I think most people want to get to a point when it’s not all about shouting out rules and what is best for them. I think the ultimate goal is that when your kids get older they actually like you. Well I have all that and more! My kids are my best friends. It’s a pure joy to see that they all turned out to be good people. I do believe this year I am going to send both my girls a Valentine’s card and a box of tissue! Treasure, Tabatha, Darren, and Michael, you make my world a better place. I love you!

Don’t forget about the dogs! My wife and I are dog people.

We have a big Labrador named Shadow and a little Red Healer named Daisy. At least twenty times a day I look at my dogs and think to myself how much fun and enjoyment they add to our life. Our dogs are spoiled for sure. We have been told that we cannot control our animals. I’m not sure if it’s because they have no rules or that they know that we don’t enforce the rules. We don’t have any kids in the house any more so we treat them as if they are our children. Who says that can’t lay on the couch. Most of the time they take up the whole couch! I’ll sit on the chair. I can’t tell you how many times I have been awakened in the

middle of the night by the snoring of a big puppy with her head on the same pillow as mine! God I love that. Or the times I am sitting at the computer and realize she is sitting to my side just staring at me with this look of total love. We call our little Daisy the “tan bullet”. Sometimes she can’t get one of us to play with her so she runs from one corner of the house to the other at 100 MPH. We just sit back and enjoy the show. Our big ole Shadow girl seems to like the box that the toys are kept in more than the toys themselves! With one swift motion she empties all the toys and proceeds to give the toy box a lashing like no other! You got to love a good dog! They add a thousand smiles to my daily life!

Ok folks you knew I was going to get to it sooner or later! Yes we are talking about the love of our motorcycles! The

Steel Horse, the King of the Road, the Master of Disaster, the Blue Pig, the God of Thunder! And the list goes on and on! I’m sure I will think of more as I go along. I spent four hours detailing my Harley the other day and I am here to tell you there was a lot of love going on there! Every square inch was scrubbed to the point that dirt did not even exist as a word. The polish came out and was applied as if it were my own baby that was getting a bath. As I went through this process every part was special to me. I found myself talking to each part and letting it know you are one bad ass starter! What an incredible fender. My tour pack is

the greatest one that ever graced a Harley. Before I claimed that I was finished I would stand back a foot or two and look for even a smudge. This machine deserves the love given to a true King! By this time you probably feel that I have a pretty strange fascination with my motorcycle.

I do! Don’t you? It is my best friend, my constant riding buddy, my drinking partner (well I put my beer in the drink holder when I am cleaning the garage). I love telling people how the motorcycle changed my life forever! I love going for an incredible ride

with good friends and then spending hours going back over every detail of it when the day is done! Life begins when you get one!

Ok let’s sum this up! Love your wife and always make her feel special. After all they have to put up with guys like me. Love your kids because they belong to you! At the end of the day all you have is family. Love me some dogs! From puppy breath to when they fall asleep in your lap there is no better feeling. And being a biker will add love to your life. The love of the open road, the smells, the sights, and sounds! I hope I get to ride forever! And of course the adventure of riding is to ride another day!

The Month of Love


For most of us the infamous dinner ride isn’t about the destination so much as it is about the journey. Of course if there was an organized ride to some

local McDonalds or Dairy Queen I’d probably have to pass without bothering to look into the route. Since my discretionary budget for eating out is limited my idea of an organized dinner ride doesn’t involve an eating establishment I can go to anytime.

But what does it take to put on a well-executed dinner ride? I can’t speak for other groups but for the one I usually ride with the dinner rides begin with an idea for a destination at our monthly meeting. If the idea is a good one we agree to do it, determine the date, time, and meet up location. Most of our dinner rides are on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Then someone qualified has to volunteer to lead the ride. Next, the ride is posted in our MeetUp.com group. [INSET MEETUP.COM BLURB] But the ride doesn’t end there, as a route for the return trip has to be planned even though most of the riders drop out of the return ride when they reach a turn for their home trip.

With just a few exceptions, our club president Chris Rice has planned the route, handled the entire MeetUp information and led most of the rides this year. That’s a real chore especially since we never know how many bikes and riders will show up. Even though we have an RSVP for the ride things do happen and someone doesn’t show up or they forget to RSVP and just show up (which is a real treat because we end up with more bikes).

On a recent ride, we left Al Lamb’s Honda dealership (Dallas) at 5:15 pm. It was the hottest part of the day at 104F so only the most hardcore or foolish of us showed

up. We were headed to Snuffers in Rockwall, which from the dealership was only an easy fifteen-minute ride to the east, by highway. However Chris had other plans because who wants to just spend fifteen minutes riding? So we headed north on Highway 75 to McKinney and worked our way through its scenic downtown area. I can’t remember all the roads in McKinney we were on but we ended up on the way to the airport before turning right on FM 546 then turning right on FM 3286, crossing lake Lavon. Eventually we reached a light at a three-way intersection. We turned left on Southview Drive, then another left on FM 2514, which took us into scenic Wylie. After a quick stop for water, we continued, taking a left on Highway 78, then a right on Highway 205 which took us into Rockwall. There we took the fork to FM 740 then right on Laguna Drive and into Snuffers parking lot. It was about an hour and a half ride in the heat and we were all ready for the air conditioning!

Even with the heat and a low turnout we still had a great time. After a wonderful dinner with friends we split up and three of us made our way back home stopping for a well-

deserved ice cream before saying good-bye.

Putting on a dinner ride takes a lot of work and planning before the kickstand goes up. The weather doesn’t always cooperate and rider skill levels vary, as does the turnout for the ride. But spending the evening doing what we love with like-minded friends makes the thankless behind the scenes work worth it.


Organizing a Dinner RideBy Ken Foster, TRT Correspondent


It’s a bird…It’s a plane…no, it’s definitely a bird…Yes…No…Yes…now what the *%$!#* did I just see? A fellow biker running through the gears like a bat out-a hell (pun

intended) with what looks like a bird sitting on his shoulder! I’m serious; this dude is running 70 MPH with a bird riding on his shoulder! Inquiring minds want to know. So I follow this combo to their destination – the Strand and the 2010 Lone Star Rally in Galveston.

Once parked, I introduce myself to John Clark and his bird. I ask how he manages to ride with the bird on his shoulder. John replies, “It’s his bike! - - just kidding! I’ve been riding with birds for years. People will always ask how they stay on my shoulder and I tell them Superglue or he just landed or something crazy like that.” I ask if he is used to all the attention he gets with the birds. John replies, “Most people want a picture because it is so unusual. People are always inquiring about the bird on my shoulder when I walk up and down the street. Even then, they are surprised when they learn the bird rides or when they actually see the bird riding with me.”

John actually has two birds that ride with him, Ricky and Lucy. Both are multi-colored green Quaker parrots he adopted when the original owners decided they no longer wanted them. Being social animals, Quakers bond with humans fairly easily. John said, “It took very little to train them. I started out driving slow just to get them used to the sound and the noises. They just seemed to know to get close to me and hold on.

Lucy will put her head inside the collar of my shirt. Ricky is the daredevil and will put his head up behind mine and ride for miles.”

“While the fact that these birds ride motorcycles is very unique, what else have you noticed about the Quakers”, I ask. “Because of their social nature, these birds have distinct personalities. They are quite jealous of each other and will get mad if one is left at home”, says John. The birds can talk a little and we managed to get a few words

out of them during our visit. Beyond just the bikes at Lone Star, these birds were a sight to see.

John is a soft-spoken native of the Texas Gulf Coast. He rides there a lot and even up into the east Texas Piney Woods. “The open road is a great stress relief and it gives me a sense of freedom,” says John. You can say that again, brother. As evening approaches, John wants to get the birds home before it starts getting cool. He straddles his powerful steed and rides off into the sunset with his trusted companion by his side…err, I mean, his faithful bird on his shoulder! Adios, my friend. I look forward to seeing John and

Ricky and Lucy somewhere along the road again next year. And if you happen to be along the Texas Gulf Coast and see some guy riding with a bird on his shoulder…it’s OK. What else would we expect from “Ricky and Lucy”!

Birds of a Feather

By Randy “Harley Doc” McCamey, TRT Correspondent

his past December (geez it’s already 2011?), I had a Slime tire inflator as one of the recommended gifts for Christmas for that special biker. Well, I ended

up getting one myself, but got a slightly different model. In fact Slime, has about ten different types of portable air compressors that can be used for the motorcycle and even a sports utility vehicle. Slime is known for their green color and quick repair tire sealants, but who wants to fix a flat tire?! What they are not known for is their cool line of portable air compressors. The specific one I got was the 12-Volt Tire Inflator with Gauge & Light! I ordered mine from Amazon.com but they are available in Wal-Mart as well.

Upon receiving it, I quickly unpacked it, and took all the components out. I was pleasantly surprised with how light it was. The air tube itself was self contained in a compartment; meaning it can be stored safely inside the air compressor. It came with three different adapters so you can inflate almost anything. This air compressor also had an emergency LED light. The switches were pretty sturdy and worked well. Lastly, the gauge on the side was easy to read, and shows the current pressure in a tire. Overall, this little machine was built well.

This 12-volt version I bought, claimed to be a 300 PSI compressor, so I had a couple of test in mind already. I quickly headed to my garage and looked around to see

what I can start inflating. I then realized that it can only plug into the 12-volt sockets in cars – there was no regular 110 plug power adapter. So I was forced to plug the compressor into the 12 volt socket located in the trunk area of my SUV. Once it was plugged in, I turned it on. Wow! It was quite loud for such a small machine. I put an adapter on it and inflated a soccer ball first. Within seconds, the ball was full – it should be, with 300 PSI right? Next, I decided to inflate the low tires on a bicycle. Again, it worked pretty fast. No complaints so far. Time for the bigger vehicles! I knew my motorcycle tires were a little low because of the cold weather, so it was next. Once I hooked it up on my motorcycle tire, the gauge showed it was about 32 PSI and I needed 40 PSI for maximum inflation. This time the story was a slightly different as it took about 3-5 minutes to inflate my motorcycle tire, but still it worked like a charm. At this point the machine felt warm and air hose felt hot. I decided to push it to its limits.

This time I hooked it up the SUV! The gauge read 28 PSI and the tires needed 38 PSI; a difference of 10 PSI. Without going into too much detail, it took 10 minutes to cover the 10 PSI difference. So in effect, it took 1 minute per 1 PSI to inflate a tire on the SUV. All four tires were 10 PSI lower than full, so it took 40 minutes to fill all four tires! However, it did fill all four tires up and the gauge was accurate indicating the current pressure. My SUV has a digital gauge on the pilot console and it read the same as the analog gauge of the tire inflator. I was quite happy that the tire inflator did not explode or burned out due to the heavy usage. Despite it being hot to the touch, it kept on working.

Bottom line is that this wonderful little machine works! It is works decently on motorcycles but a bit slower on cars and trucks. It does make a lot of noise but what air compressor doesn’t? And at a low price of just $28.99, having one at home is much more attractive than paying $1.00 to use the air compressor at the gas station (whatever happened to getting free air at the station?). Every time I go to the gas station, I feel rushed trying to beat that darn timer on their air machine or someone is waiting on me.

Specifications:Inflates standard car tire in 8 minutes • (P195/65 R15 to 35 PSI)Powerful 12 Volt, 300 PSI compressor• Plugs into 12 Volt accessory outlet• Bright light for night-time emergencies• Accurate and easy-to-read gauge• Ball & raft inflation adapters included•

Measurements: 3.13” L x 7.13” W x 7.38” H• Weight: 2.53lbs•

Pros:Small size• Cheap price ($29)• Multiple air adapters included• It Works!•

Cons:Not very quiet• Not very fast for inflation• The air hose connections get pretty hot after a few • minutes of usePower Source is only uses the power outlet in a car [12 • volt] no regular plug adapter.

Conclusion:I really like this little machine and am very happy with it. The Slime Power Sport Tire inflator is the world’s most versatile, compact inflation system. It features interchangeable power adapters that allow for multiple power sources. Everything stores easily in the rugged carrying case. The SLIME Power Sport Smart Spare offers a compact, portable flat tire repair system for autos, motorcycles, ATVs and more! For more information visit Slime.com and see their product line. So as always, ride safely and “See you on the high ground!”

The Slime Portable Tire Inflator

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Thunder Roads Texas does not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided and cannot be held liable. Things change, there may be typos, and weather happens. So before you climb on your steed and ride to one of these events, contact the organizers and verify the latest information. Remember, all events listed in Thunder Roads Texas qualify for the Points Across Texas™ reader rides program! Just have to prove where you are, so find a sign and send a pic. For updates with events that don’t make print, two weeks worth of events provided every week to your email inbox - subscribe to our FREE Web-zine. Visit us online at http://ThunderRoadsTexas.com. NOTE: All car shows listd promote “motorcycles welcome” or at least one motorcycle category.

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EPIK Super Bowl Ride EPIKRideTexas.wordpress.com Allen Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

St. Valentine’s Day Massacre MassacreRally.com Boerne Region: Hill Country Metro: San Antonio

Mean Gene Kelton Benefit & Blues Marathon MeanGeneKelton.com Baytown Region: Gulf Coast Metro: HoustonDoors open at 10:00am for live blues all day long! All kinds of ways to donate – buy a BBQ plate ($8/each), pre-purchase a brisket ($40/each), particiapte in the 50/50 drawings, buy a baked good, purchase something from the live and/or silent auctions (live @ 3pm), or participate in the fun run ($25/hand, includes T-shirt; first bike out @ 11am; last bike in at 3pm). All takes place at Rocky’s Pelican Junction: 1307 S Hwy 146, Baytown, TX 77520.

Houston Monster Energy Supercross SupercrossOnline.com Houston Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston

FTLOG Rally 512-898-1125 Thrall Region: Hill Country Metro: Austin

Choppers hosts Thunder Roads Texas BIKE NIGHT ChoppersSportsBar.com Spring Region: Gulf Coast Metro: HoustonFirst Thursday every month at Choppers (18419 Kuykendahl, Spring, 77379). This month – live band is BogarTBuilt by bikers, for bikers, this large new venue in NW Houston offers plenty of bike parking with cameras on the parking area, live bands, $1.50 domestic draft, $1 jello shots, door prizes, vendors, and more.. Rain or shine, we party like bikers anyway!

Texas Music Cares Concert Benefitting Texas Honor Ride TexasHonorRide.org Austin Region: Hill Country Metro: Austin

8th Annual Chilly Willy Fun Run SCRCConroe.com Montgomery Region: Piney Woods Metro: Houston

Slinging Ink Tattoo Expo SlingingInkTattooExpo.com San Antonio Region: South Texas Metro: San Antonio

Poker Run to Benefit Fallen Brothers & Sisters 361-774-9165; 361.549.7809 Corpus Christi Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Corpus Christi

Fort Worth Bikers’ Lifestyle Expo and Swap Meet TexasScooter.com Ft. Worth Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort WorthThe swap meet will be held at Will Rogers Memorial Center’s small exhibits building at 3400 Harley Avenue in Fort Worth. Doors open at 10:00 am. Admission is $8.00 for adults. Military personnel and kids 5 to 14 years of age get in for $5.00. Vendor fees are $40.00 for a 10 X 10 space. There will also be music and door prizes. For more information call (254) 687-9066 or visit our website.

37th Annual Rod & Custom Car/Motorcycle Show TXShowCar.com Ft Worth Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Texas Open Chili Championship benfitting Texas Honor Ride TexasHonorRide.org San Antonio Region: South Texas Metro: San Antonio

Combat Veteran’s MC Benefit & Delmer’s B-Day Bash HawgStop.com Houston Region: Gulf Coast Metro: HoustonParty begins at 10am. Red Cap Band 1-3pm. San Jacinto High Rollers Annual Chili Cook-Off. Join Delmer for all this fun at his birthday bash and support a great group of men – our Veteran’s.

2nd Annual Mardi Gras Party/Crawfish Boil 512-965-4807 Austin Region: Hill Country Metro: Austin

TMRA2 Fish Fry TMRA2.org Dallas Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Choppers hosts a Thunder Roads Texas BIKE NIGHT ChoppersSportsBar.com Spring Region: Gulf Coast Metro: HoustonFirst Thursday every month at Choppers (18419 Kuykendahl, Spring, 77379). Built by bikers, for bikers, this large new venue in NW Houston offers plenty of bike parking with cameras on the parking area, live bands, $1.50 domestic draft, $1 jello shots, door prizes, vendors, and more.. Rain or shine, we party like bikers anyway!

Texas Independence Day Bash TheHOTRally.com Groesbeck Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Waco

Daytona Bike Week DaytonaBikeWeek.com Daytona, FL

The Texas Hoedown TheHoeDown.com New Caney Region: Piney Woods Metro: Houston

Rockdale Downtown Assoc Auto/Bike Show & Swap Meet RockdaleDowntownAssociation.com Rockdale Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Killeen/Temple


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Houston Swap Meet TexasScooter.com Humble Region: Gulf Coast Metro: HoustonHeld at the Humble Civic Center, just Northeast of Houston. Doors open at 10:00 am. Admission is $8.00 for adults. Military personnel and kids 5 to 14 years of age get in for $5.00. Vendor fees are $40.00 for a 10 X 10 space. There will also be music and door prizes. For more information call (254) 687-9066 or visit our website.

Klein Forest FFA Booster Club Car Craft Motorcycle Show KleinForest.FFANow.org Spring Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston

Arlington ABATE Bikers Ball 2011 817-633-2838 Arlington Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Cossacks MC St Paddy CossacksMC.net Ft Worth Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Texas Vietnam Vet. Welcome Home Run TexasWelcomeHomeRun.com Perryton Region: Panhandle Metro: Amarillo

“The Original” Thunder Roads Texas BIKE NIGHT ThunderRoadsTexas.com Houston Region: Gulf Coast Metro: HoustonOur monthly (third Thursday) biker party with a few hundred of our closest friends! Let’s make it a GREEN BIKE NIGHT - it’s St. Patty’s Day! Wear green for special stage contests. Held at Concert Pub North (2470 FM 1960 West, Houston, 77069. Co-hosted by Outlaw Dave. Live music, vendors, stage games, door prizes, and MORE! LARGE reserved motorcycle-only parking, with plenty of cage parking, too. Rain or shine… the BEST and longest continually held bike night in Houston!

South Texas Motorcycle Show TXBikeShow.com San Antonio Region: Hill Country Metro: San AntonioMore stunts, a tattoo expo, contests and special services are added to the already wildly successful kick-off to the 2011 riding season. Swap meet by Texas Scooter Times (TexasScooterTimes.com; 254.687.9066). Bring your bike into the special services section to trick out your bike. Tickets are only $15 for the weekend; Kids 15 and under FREE. Visit the website for a coupon. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas Motorcycle Magazine.

Arizona Bike Week AZBikeWeek.com Scottsdale, AZ

Thunder in the Hill Country BikerRalliesOfTexas.com Bandera Region: Hill Country Metro: San AntonioAn ever popular Bandera event! Enjoy the beautiful Texas Hill Country during prime spring flowering season. Great rides around Bandera, great fun at the rally, held in Mansfield Park. Activities include live music concerts, bike show, biker games, wet T-shirt contest, naughtie nightie contest, tattoo contest, burn-out pit, vendors, food, and more fun! Get a free event t-shirt when you pre-register. $35/person for the entire weekend. RV sites are going fast, at only $35/weekend, so reserve your spot today.

April 7-10Carts, Bikers & Babes Rally CartsBikersAndBabesRally.com Somerville Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Bryan/College Station“Let Out Your Bad!” at Big Creek Park & Marina. Last year was so successful Damon Dave is doing it again! A Cart & Bike Rally, plus some babes! Live music by Blues Crew, Blues Brothers (tribute), national acts for Friday and Santa headliners: Black Oak Arkansas and Blackfoot. Also: vendors, camping, cart & bike contests and parades, biker games, fun runs, and more – truly something for everyone! Sites & tickets on sale now. RV sites will go fast. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas Motorcycle Magazine!

April 8-10TMRA State Rally TMRA.org Comanche Region: Prairies & Lakes

April 91st Annual Steel Horse Round Up WeathervaneFoundation.org Cypress Region: Gulf Coast Metro: HoustonThe Weathervane Foundation is a Texas Non-Profit Corporation supporting breast cancer patients and raising funds for research for a cure. This is their first annual benefit ride and event, starting and ending at the Northwest Forest Conference Center (12715 Telge Rd, Cypress, 77429). Kick stands up 7:30am. After the ride, enjoy a tasty lunch while shopping the Weathervane Corral Vendor Fair. Return that evening for the Wild West Casino Night, including games, raffles, dinner and dancing. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas Motorcycle Magazine!

April 13-17Angel City Rally AngelCityRally.com Unadilla, GA

May 12-14Texas State HOG Rally TXStateHOGRally.com Beaumont Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Beaumont

May 13-21Myrtle Beach Bike Week MyrtleBeachBikeWeek.com Myrtle Beach, SC

May 146th Annual Ride for Troops SARide4Troops.org San Antonio Region: South Texas Metro: San AntonioBenefiting The Fisher Houses, a non-profit organization that provides a home away from home for military families during a time of medical crisis. $25/person, includes 2011 rocker. Check-in 8:00am-9:00am. Previous years’ rockers can be purchased for $5. 100% of all registration fees will be donated solely to the San Antonio Fisher Houses. 50/50 Raffle and door prizes at the finish point. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas Motorcycle Magazine.

May 19-22The Aspen Cash Rally MotorcycleRally.com Ruidoso, NM

June 9-12Republic of Texas (ROT) Biker Rally ROTRally.com Austin Region: Hill Country Metro: Austin

June 11-19Laconia Motorcycle Week LaconiaMCWeek.com Laconia, NH

June 20International Ride to Work Day RideToWork.org International

July 14-17Bikers Adult Rally BikersAdultRally.com Alvarado Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

August 8-1470th Annual Sturgis Bike Week Sturgis.com Sturgis, SD

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September 2-4Summertime Bikes & Blues Festival FreeportBluesFestival.com Freeport Region: Gulf Coast Metro: HoustonIt’s all about the BLUES! Live blues music all weekend long, brought to you by the VFW Post 4341 and Freeport Main Street. Raffle with grand prize of a 2011 Harley Softail Heritage Classic. Tickets are on sale NOW (visit the website for more information). Bike wash, bike games, food, vendors, giveaways, and new this year, a Swap Meet by Texas Scooter Times (to be a vendor, visit TexasScooterTimes.com or call 254.687.9066) and a classic car show. More fun for everyone. Great for families. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas Motorcycle Magazine.

September 8-10Hot Springs Rally TheHotSpringsRally.com Hot Springs, AR

September 8-11The Texas Rally TheTexasRally.com Somerville Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Bryan/College StationIt’s a Luau and Biker Bash at Big Creek Park & Marina! Free Luau dinner Saturday night. Great live entertainment, biker games, bike contests, feasts, parades, and CASH giveaways! Proceeds benefit the Texas Biker Relief Organization (T-Bro). The Zoo (RV camping) sells out quickly – better reserve today! Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas Motorcycle Magazine!

September 14-18The Golden Aspen Rally MotorcycleRally.com Ruidoso, NM

September 16-18The Oldest Town in Texas (OTT) Rally OTTRally.com Nacogdoches Region: Piney Woods Metro: TylerIt’ll be another great year in the East Texas Piney Woods and historic Nacogdoches! Plans are underway for live music, stunt exhibitions, vendors, camping, bike show, and loads of fun! Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas Motorcycle Magazine!

September 24Texas Honor Ride Fundraiser TexasHonorRide.org Conroe Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Houston

September 28-October 1Bikes, Blues & BBQ BikesBluesandBBQ.org Fayetteville, AR

September 28-October 2Myrtle Beach Fall Rally MyrtleBeachBikeWeek.com Myrtle Beach, SC

September 30-October 2Texas National Motorcycle Rally TNMRally.net Baytown Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston

October 7-9Boo Benefit BooBenefit.org Jefferson Region: Piney Woods Metro: Longview

October 13-16Biketoberfest Biketoberfest.com Daytona, FL

November 3-6Lone Star Motorcycle Rally LoneStarRally.com Galveston Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston

November 12Texas Honor Ride - The Ride TexasHonorRide.org Houston/San Antonio Region: Gulf Coast/South Texas Metro: Houston/San Antonio

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I have a daughter, Kim, in Virginia who rides an 880 Low. She and I go to Rolling Thunder every chance we get but haven’t been able to go for the

past three years. Having not ridden my own bike in over a year because of either weather and/or health issues I finally reached the point where the dizzy spells were gone so I grabbed the opportunity to ride! This was my description to her. She thoroughly enjoyed the story and was elated that ol’ Dad was back on the road again. So I am sharing it with the readers of Thunder Roads Texas – a great mag!

The weather forecast sounded nice ... 60 degrees by mid-afternoon, mostly cloudy. Having not been on a decent Harley ride in over a year I kept thinking it might be a good day to charge the battery and work some of the kinks out of the old Softail. It cranked, reluctantly, after having spent the winter in the cold garage but finally sputtered to life on the second attempt with some extra shots of gas into the carburetor venturis. Camera in the rear bag, GPS too, just in case I decide to alter course on a back road and get myself turned around. Couple of 19-oz bottles of Ozarka... yeah, I think I’m ready.

I headed west on US 190 into Lampasas, took a right onto US 281 North towards Adamsville, Evant, and Hamilton.

This stretch of 281 teeters on the Lampasas/Coryell/Hamilton county lines and you’re never really sure which one you’re in. Slowing down to 55 MPH to negotiate the “blink of an eye” called Adamsville, I notice the Luke Jones Music Hall is intact and appears to still be in use. If you want to sit in on some of the finest Country & Western and

Bluegrass, Luke Jones Music Hall is the place to find it! No drinking, no smoking ... just good clean fun and free potluck smorgasbord! Strangers who walk in get treated just like the home folks. Try it, you’ll like it!

Just past Adamsville the morning coffee starts to talk to me a little. I’m not one for stopping at the gas station unless I need gas, so I pull into Hines Cemetery and head for a distant cedar. You know, that’s the best way to deal with “pit stops” in Texas. Seems the old family cemeteries are more plentiful than gas stations, well marked, and just about all are off the beaten path. No running water of any sort but a pocket-sized bottle of Germ-X

from the windshield bag fits the bill. I pull back out onto 281 North and still feel the 20 MPH southerly wind at my back. Now that makes for great cruising. How comfy can it get! But then it suddenly dawns on me that this same southerly wind will be my worst enemy during the return trip. Oh, well... just part of the biking game.

I twist the grip and level off at 70 MPH as the wind continues pushing me towards the southern edge of Hamilton. Turn left at the Hamilton County Courthouse onto Texas 36 and accelerate west towards Comanche. The Texas Highway Department dedicated State Highway 36 as a memorial to the 36th Texas Division in 1944 following the Division’s capture of 175,806 enemy troops while suffering 27,343 casualties. I am reminded of my days providing logistical support to the 2/112th Armor Battalion, 36th Division, during

Lampasas-Comanche LoopBy Jim Baines - Reader Submission


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late 2004/early 2005 at Camp Taqaddum, Iraq. Most of the National Guard troops there were from around Fort Worth.

I first saw the “COMANCHE” sign on US 183 when returning from the Texas HOG Rally in Abilene in May 2006. I vowed to ride over there someday but kept it on the backburner. This was the day! On the way, Lamkin is another “blink of an eye”; displaying a Lamkin historical sigh adjacent to the Texas 36th Division Memorial Highway sigh, then on to Gustine. That southerly wind has become a cross-wind now and leaning the Harley to the left at about a five degree angle. Occasional gusts from semis and large vehicles are a nuisance but not as bad as a strong headwind.

Just east of Gustine is the infamous “Deep Shit Cattle Co.” It’s nothing spectacular other than the sign at the entrance to the ranch which most folks find amusing and take the time to stop and photograph. Just as I approached the shoulder of the road the lighting changed in my favor, the clouds fluffy white with patches of gray. I popped off a few shots, several pretty decent, so patted myself on the back and jumped back into the saddle for Comanche. Not a bad ride. I occasionally stopped to capture a few windmills and old ranch houses. Pulled into the dusty main drag of Comanche and started looking for the local Dairy Queen ... it’s a Texas “thang.”

While inhaling my Hungerbuster Jr. I can’t help but notice that the weather is changing. The sky is becoming much darker shades of gray and the wind seems to be picking up as well. So I wolf my meal on down, score two points at the trash can on my way out the door, while simultaneously thinking of the headwinds in my immediate future. I mount up and pull into the local Shell station before getting out on the road. I turn left onto Texas 16 and head south towards Goldthwaite. This is a beautiful stretch of road and I’m wishing it was later in spring so there’d be more color and a tad more warmth. This section of Texas 16 is part of the Mills County Redbud Trail.

I pull off the road a couple times before I reach Priddy to capture a few more windmills. Oh, this is a beautiful road ... gently rolling prairie with mesas in the distance. The winds seem to be getting stronger. I shoot the last windmill for the day and hang the speedometer on 75 MPH. This quickly becomes a “white-knuckle” ride. 75 MPH ground speed and 25 MPH headwind equates to a 100 MPH ride anyway you want to look at it. I don’t care how big your windshield is, your body will be fighting some wind. The grip on the bars gets tighter, knuckles get whiter, and you lean farther forward in the saddle. After about 30 minutes of this your right fingers, hand, wrist, and elbow start to lockup from lack of circulation and muscle tension. Soon, you’re not sure which way you should turn the throttle to slow down. After about 45 minutes of it your entire body becomes tense in an effort to stay relaxed. At that point it doesn’t matter if you’re traveling 60 MPH or 120 MPH, your body doesn’t seem to be able to detect the difference.

Supposedly, wind chill doesn’t come into play on your exposed skin until the temp drops to about 40-45 degrees. Well, rest assured that at speeds equivalent to 100 PMH on a 55 degree day you are going to feel a chill! You will soon discover that cold air is swirling around body parts that you didn’t even know you had! I’m talking about places that weren’t even discussed during anatomy class! One technique is to lean your body forward over the gas tank and hunker down as low as you can behind the windshield. Then throw your head back 90 degrees so you can look straight to the front and use your peripheral vision to catch anything that’s gonna clobber you from the sides. See how much of that you can stand ... I only last a few minutes!! Also, while hugging the gas tank like that when you hit a bump you feel that large Harley ignition switch trying to imbed itself into your sternum; another reason not to stay there too long. You might as well let someone smack you with a hammer and chisel. For some reason I can’t figure out, women riders don’t seem to experience this “ignition switch in the sternum syndrome”. Also, at those speeds the wind tends to lift the helmet off your head. Helmets are supposed to fit a little on the snug side and when they move they also jiggle the temples of your glasses making them bob up and down. Now, in addition to everything else you feel like your head is riding atop a pogo stick!

I was actually able to relax for a minute as I cruised through Priddy at 35 MPH. But as I passed the Priddy General Store on the south end of town I regained my momentum and misery. Keep in mind this will last all the way to Lampasas! That’s about a 70 mile run without any decent excuse to stop, unless you’re just a wimp! Just as I had regained the 75 MPH ground speed plus whatever the winds were now, I see something in the road ahead. I can’t tell what it is but it is on the center lines. As I

get about 100 feet away I notice that it is a well camouflaged adult sheep blending in with the gray pavement and just standing there gawking at this loud machine moving towards it at high speed. This is a BAD THANG! There is just no way to predict what any animal will do in any given situation, especially one where its life is in danger. Suddenly,

the sheep rears up on its hind legs and simultaneously wheels around to head back in the direction it had come from. As I whizzed past I heard a series of loud bleating four-letter sheep words that only sheep can understand. “Whewwww! Thanks, fella!” The last time that happened to me a small dog-sized whitetail deer decided to commit suicide between my front wheel and engine while I was moving 60 MPH. I only felt a small jolt and as I looked into my rear view, the deer was sliding down the road in the direction it had come from; instant death.

I get a little reprieve from the winds as I cruise slowly through the Goldthwaite business district then resume my misery again. Although numb at this point I still have enough of my senses to see the hawks in the tree tops every now and then. It seems the winds have even slowed them down today. I look across a huge pasture and see a small whitetail running full speed towards the distant tree line. What’s up with that? Maybe he takes exception to the trademark “Harley sound”. As I ease through Lometa in comfort I notice a banner advertising their “Diamondback Jubilee” on the last Saturday of March. Having been to it twice, I may have to check it out again this year if the winds allow it. Last year was so windy the vendors couldn’t get their tents and booths set up.

Ahhhhh ... the final stretch! Lampasas to home. Eighteen miles of cross-wind but a welcome relief from the non-stop headwinds. This time I get to lean five degrees to the right! That should balance out the wear pattern on my tires! I finally pull into my driveway, dismount, and just stand there for a minute to see if my blood is still flowing. EVERY hair on my body is tingling ... you can’t get this at a health spa! And look at the bucks I’m saving! Yep, that was one helluva “white-knuckle” ride coming south! The only thing that could have made it more exhilarating ... the dreaded RAIN!


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Mills County Redbud Trail, described by Texas Parks and Wildlife: “It meanders through much of the county, and is best viewed in late February or early March. See the streets and towns of this area draped in a profusion of pink and purple blossoms. Once in full bloom, the redbuds radiate with an explosion of color, marking the onset of spring in Texas.”

As many of you have already heard, we lost our friend and feature writer, Mean Gene Kelton, in a fatal automobile accident on December 28, 2010. While he had just announced, in the December 2010 issue, that he was forgoing a monthly feature article in Thunder Roads Texas, he also committed to submit articles when he could and would remain part of our team.

We first met Mean Gene and Joni (“Even Meaner”) when we took over the magazine with the January 2008 issue. He was on the list of “distribution points” we inherited from the previous owner. We knew that he was a guitarist with a popular band and following, but we also knew he didn’t have a “shop” to distribute from. So we wondered how he got to be a distribution point. Loving to meet new people and vowing to get our “ducks in a row” with regards to distribution (among many other aspects of the business), we set up to meet Gene and Joni in Baytown early in our tenure as owners. Turns out, he was more than just one distribution point – he was many! He took the magazines with him wherever he traveled to play, often going through his allotted quantity early in the month.

We found the couple very down to earth, wonderful people; enjoying the lunch so much that we felt fast friends from that point on. His name “Mean” had absolutely nothing to do with who he was a man. Anyone who knew Gene knows that he leaves behind a legacy of sharing and supporting those who needed more than he. He liked (and deserved) to get paid for his musical talents, working very hard for many, many years to get to the point that he was worth what he asked for. But, you could always find him playing a benefit for free… and not just one or two – but many. He

had a very soft heart, he was a very kind man. No, the “mean” was given him by another musician after hearing him play a “mean guitar”.

After about a year of supporting us and our supporting him, he offered to write a monthly feature article for us. The theme would be, obviously, biker bands in Texas. He always had a unique and humorous take on the backside workings of what a band goes through and experiences in the biker community as seen from the stage. We often read his articles before publishing – laughing our asses off.

In December, he was thrilled to play as an opener for ZZ Top. The concert was in Midland-Odesssa. This represented 25 years of hard work… as it was his dream to open for the legendary Texas band. You see, Mean Gene had become a Texas music legend himself. It was about time! The concert was awesome and Mean Gene was on a huge natural high. Not long after that, his book, Gigs From Hell, hit the stands (you can get your copy from Amazon.com). And this Spring/Summer, his first movie appearance is to be released. Originally titled “Marfa Red”, “The Passage” promises to be a true treat for Mean Gene fans. When speaking with Joni, she commented on the change in name of the movie, “how wild is that?” It seems almost a foretelling of things to come. Watch Mean Gene’s website and/or Facebook page for updates on the release of the movie. Who knows, Mean Gene fans may get a special treat.

Joni promised a funeral fitting of Mean Gene… and she pulled it off! It included an escorted ride from the funeral home to Houston Raceway Park in Baytown. Mean

Gene was carried by Black Diamond Motorcycle Hearse and followed by hundreds of bikes. The “eye-in-the-sky” camera focused in tight on the casket, which could be seen through the glass sides of the hearse, and one could see that it was covered with hundreds of signatures… all relating personal sentiments and farewells to Mean Gene. What a sight and definitely affecting the emotions of everyone who knew Gene; he would have loved it. The memorial service concluded with hundreds still hanging out until Mean Gene’s casket was placed back on the hearse for a ride back to the funeral home. The next day, Gene was laid to rest with family and close friends only in a small private church cemetery.

There will be many benefits in the coming months and Thunder Roads Texas will do its best to make sure our readers know the details. Two have already been set and is sanctioned by the Keltons. Being a musician, Mean Gene was self-employed. That means, he didn’t have insurance to help the family out with final preparations. So these benefits are needed. Additionally, an account has been set up at Beacon Federal Credit Union (BeaconFed.org), for those who can’t make one of the benefits.

In talking to Joni, it is obvious that she is not going to let Gene be forgotten, nor his name tarnished or abused. “He worked hard to achieve the level he did and I’m not going to let anyone take that away,” she says, adding, “I got the name of ‘Even Meaner’ from fans watching me dog club owners and not take any shit... now they’re seeing me get even meaner so the legacy of Mean Gene Kelton goes forward without blemish.”


Remembering aTexas Legend

The Musician & The Man

Mean Gene Kelton1953-2010

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Joni plans to re-release some of the music Gene loved so much, completing projects that were planned and partially executed before Gene’s death. One such project is Texas Red Dirt Country: Americana, offering some fresh recordings untouched and raw made just before his passing. “Gene’s voice, just pure Gene,” Join says. Another is a “rewrap” of Mean Guitar, compiling the “best of” Mean Gene over the years. And yet one more is the long-awaited release of the Southern Fried 4th of July 2009 DVD. Joni is hoping to make these available in the next couple of months.

If you know Mean Gene’s music, you should be familiar with “Crusin’ Texas Avenue”, a song about cruising up and down the popular route in Baytown, a long-time favorite weekend pastime. Baytown adopted the idea from the song and, with Gene’s help, started an annual event, “Cruisin’ Texas Avenue”, a weekend long celebration of Baytown. It was one of their big gigs of the year, with Mean Gene Kelton and the Die Hards always the headliner. This year, the Die Hards will still grace the stage on April 9. On April 10, Gene’s birthday, the Hawg Stop will host the Mean Gene Kelton Music Festival. It’s an all day festival of music, formerly known as the Hawg Stop Music Festival, that now continue in Gene’s name yearly. More information is available on MeanGeneKelton.com.

Joni would like everyone to know how grateful she is for the support and love she has received from all over the world. “I feel so blessed. There are a lot of arms around me, supporting me,” Joni comments. She said the support has come from as far away as Australia, where a radio show dedicated an entire episode to Mean Gene Kelton and his music. She’s received emails from Europe and even third world nations. “Gene never realized how many people he touched in his life,” Joni says.

As for the charity work that was such a big part of Mean Gene’s life, Joni vows to “continue on our mission, supporting our favorite charities, Harley’s Angels, Texas

Equusearch, and St. Jude Children’s Hospital.” Additionally, Joni plans to donate to and support the Houston Blues Museum, “there is so much of Gene’s life and legacy to share with the rest of the world.”

We could write more, we loved the man and the music. But we are not the only ones suffering this particular loss. Mean Gene touched so many lives – literally thousands – and it would simply be selfish to only tell our story. So we reached out on Facebook and asked for stories and pictures, which we share here (below and next page). Thank you to all who submitted. To Joni and the family… and to all feeling this loss… you are all in our prayers.

My name is Bucky “Two Notes” Bishop, friend and assistant road manager. In 2006, for some reason the promoters for the Lone Star Rally had the two headliner bands, Mark Farner (formerly of Grand Funk Railroad) & John Kay (formerly of Steppenwolf), set up to play in the state park in Bolivar. Friday, Gene & the Die Hards were the opening band for Mark Farner’s Band. Needless to say, because of all of the bullshit people have to go through to get on the ferry, hardly any people from the Galveston side showed up. There were about 50 people at the show. Mostly campers. Damn shame, people missed out on what was one of Gene’s favorite lines .... “Ten dollars for a million dollar show”

Pictured left to right: Die Hard bassist,Wolff (two f’s), Gene, Mark Farner and Die Hard drummer, Russell “The Steamroller” Shelby

Bucky

I met Mean Gene Kelton in Mississippi, at Ground Zero Blues Club, where I ran sound when I wasn’t on the road, myself. We struck up a friendship that eventually brought me here to play with him as one of the Die Hards. Since that time I have grown by leaps and bounds as a musician and met the most wonderful people, including my amazing wife, here in Texas. The conversations we’d have on the road, the experiences we had, the things I learned, and the music we made will stay with me for my entire life.

I think the high point for our friendship, for me at least, was having him as one of my groomsmen at my wedding to Cherye-Ann. It was Halloween and we went all out for the theme. (Kind of an Undead-Pirate thing). I was worried that it might be a little too “out there” for him. Imagine my surprise when he agreed to the full-face makeup involved in the costuming. Being the good sport and showman he was, he completely embraced the role 100%.

There were two sides to him: Mean Gene Kelton, the artist and Gene, my friend. It was an honor to know the artist, but it was a great privilege to have the friend. For that, I am eternally grateful.

Wolff DeLong

I had a benefit for my father who has colon cancer back in March. I wrote him [Mean Gene Kelton] an email out of nowhere in need of a band/entertainer, knowing he was booked the day I needed. His show cancelled somehow and he told me that the picture of me and my dad touched him and he would love to. He didn’t ask for anything from me, he didn’t expect anything. He was a great help to the success of my benefit and helped my father earn the money to pay for many doctor visits since then and a medical deposit for high risk insurance. He [Gene] really touched my heart and it breaks my heart that someone that was a part of prolonging my father’s life has passed. Passed before the person I was trying to save. I think of him as my friend even though we didn’t know each other. He came into my life when he was needed like a miracle, like a friend.

Here’s him and I, and a picture that I sent him that day.

Kelly


More stories next page...

PERSONAL STORIES AND PICS...

I am sure some of you are tired of my Gene Kelton posts [FB] so I want to tell you why. Even if I did not like his music I would support him. It’s his spirit that I support, the will to follow your desires no matter what the cost. To put it out there, your passion, and remain true to it. A trait not many of us show. The human spirit against all odds and reason.

Richard

There are so many [stories], but there are three occasions with MGK that stand out most to me.

The first is recalling seeing him at one the first Thunder Roads Texas Bike Nights at Norton’s. He got up to sing “My Baby Don’t Wear No Panties” and all my gal pals and I just bombarded him with panties… panties were flying right and left… hanging from that famous hat and dangling from his guitar… an absolute riot! From granny panties to those edible ones, I believe they were all represented that night.

The second “highlight” was on March 21, 2009 at the Hawg Stop. It was my first date with this guy I was really interested in. MGK was playing and the guy I was with had known Gene and Joni for many years, so I got an introduction. I immediately felt like I had seen old friends. You know that kind of friend that you haven’t seen in 20 years but you can pick up where you left off when you see them again? That’s how it felt to be with Gene and Joni. There were no airs, no pretentiousness, just this kindness about the two of them that permeated me. I knew that day I had met two very special people. It was a special day all around.

Well fast forward about a year or so. The “Crowning Jewel Highlight” was when I asked Gene to play for my upcoming wedding to that special guy (Ken) from the Hawg Stop date. He said “Mary, I’d be honored to play at yours and Ken’s wedding”. And so he did. He rocked the place. I believe I saw my 80 year old Baptist Sunday school teacher mom tap a toe or two. He made a lot of fans that day… people who hadn’t heard of MGK now have him jamming on their iPods. Sweet Mean Gene was there for our first date and there for our most important, our wedding. Gene gave Ken and me the best wedding gift anyone could have and it will forever be one of our most cherished memories. He was a great man, a devoted husband to Joni and a good friend. My life will be forever changed for knowing him. RIP MGK

Mary Rhodes

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Want to see YOUR mug in our mag? Send pics to [email protected].


There is a factory in Northern Minnesota which makes the Tickle Me Elmo toys. The toy laughs when you tickle it under the arms. Well, Lena, an adorable but scatter-brain, is hired at The Tickle Me

Elmofactoryandshereportsforherfirstdaypromptlyat8:00am.Thenextday at 8:45 am there is a knock at the Personnel Manager’s door.. The Foreman throws open the door and begins to rant about the new Employee. He complains that she is incredibly slow and the whole line is backing up, putting the entire production line behind schedule.

The Personnel Manager decides he should see this for himself, so the twomenmarch down to the factory floor.When they get there the lineissobackedupthat thereareTickleMeElmo’sallover thefactoryfloorand they’re really beginning to pile up. At the end of the line stands Lena surrounded by mountains of Tickle Me Elmo’s. She has a roll of plush Red fabric and a huge bag of small marbles. The two men watch in amazement as she cuts a little piece of fabric, wraps it around two marbles and begins to carefully sew the little package between Elmo’s legs.

The Personnel Manager bursts into laughter. After several minutes of hysterics he pulls himself together and approaches Lena, “I’m sorry,” he says to her, barely able to keep a straight face, “but I think you misunderstood the instructions I gave you yesterday…”

“‘Your job is to give Elmo two TEST tickles.”

After being married for 44 years, I took a careful look at my wife one night and said, “Darling, 44 years ago we had a cheap apartment, a cheap car, slept on a sofa bed and watched a 10-inch black and

whiteTV, but I got to sleep every night with a smokin’ hot 20-year-old girl. Now, I have a $500,000 home, a $45,000 car, a comfy king size Sleep Number bed, and a LED/high-def/60 inch Flat-screen. But I’m sleeping with a 65-year-old woman.” It seems to me that she was not holding up her side of things.

My wife is a very reasonable woman. With no hesitation whatsoever, she gentlyencouragedmetogooutandfindthehottest20-year-oldgalpossible,and she would make damn sure that I would once again be living in a cheap apartment, driving a cheap car, sleeping on a sofa bed and watching a 10-inch black and white TV. I truly believe the ability to compromise is the reason we’ve lasted so long. (sigh)

A man and woman had been married for more than 60 years. They had shared everything. They had talked about everything. They had kept no secrets from each other except that the little old woman

had a shoe box in the top of her closet that she had cautioned her husband never to open or ask her about.

For all of these years, he had never thought about the box, but one day the little old woman got very sick and the doctor said she would not recover. In trying to sort out their affairs, the little old man took down the shoe box and took it to his wife’s bedside. She agreed that it was time that he should know what was in the box. When he opened it, he found two crocheted dolls and a stack of money totaling $25,000.

He asked her about the contents. “When we were to be married,” she said, “my grandmother told me the secret of a happy marriage was to never argue. She told me that if I ever got angry with you, I should just keep quiet and crochet a doll.”

The little oldman was somoved; he had to fight back tears. Only twoprecious dolls were in the box. She had only been angry with him two times in all those years of living and loving. He almost burst with happiness. “Honey,” he said, “that explains the dolls, but what about all of this money? Where did it come from?”

“Oh,” she said, “that’s the money I made from selling the dolls.

Three men were getting married.

ThefirstmanmarriedawomanwhowasPolish.He toldher thatshe was to do the dishes and house cleaning. It took a couple of

days, but on the third day, he came home to see a clean house and dishes washed and put away.

The second man married a woman who was Italian. He gave his wife orders thatshewastodoallthecleaning,dishesandthecooking.Thefirstdayhe didn’t see any results, but the next day he saw it was better. By the third day, he saw his house was clean, the dishes were done and there was a huge dinner on the table.

The third man married a woman who was Irish. He ordered her to keep the house cleaned, dishes washed, lawn mowed, laundry washed, and hot mealsonthetableforeverymealtime.Hesaidthefirstdayhedidn’tseeanything, the second day he didn’t see anything but by the third day, some of the swelling had gone down and he could see a little out of his left eye, andhisarmwashealedenoughthathecouldfixhimselfasandwichandload the dishwasher

A youngwomanbringshomeherfiancé tomeetherparents.Afterdinner,hermothertellsherfathertofindoutabouttheyoungman.Thefatherinvitesthefiancétohisstudyforadrink.

“So what are your plans?” the father asks the young man.

“I am a Torah scholar,” he replies.

“A Torah scholar. Hmm.” the father says. “Admirable, but what will you do to provide a nice house for my

daughter to live in as she’s accustomed to?”

“I will study,” the young man replies, “and God will provide for us.”

“And how will you buy her a beautiful engagement ring such as she deserves?” asks the father.

“I will concentrate on my studies,” the young man replies, “and God will provide for us.”

“And children?” asks the father. “How will you support children?”

“Don’tworry,sir,Godwillprovide,”repliesthefiancé.

The conversation proceeds like this, and each time the father questions, the young idealist insists that God will provide. Later, the mother asks, “How did it go, honey?”

The father answers, “He has no job and no plans, but the good news is he thinks I’m God.”

A couple had been married for 50 years. They were sitting at the breakfast tableonemorningwhenthewifesays,“Just think,fiftyyears ago we were sitting here at this breakfast table together.’”

“I know,” the old man said, “We were probably sitting here naked as a jaybirdfiftyyearsago.”

“Well,” Granny snickered, “let’s relive some old times.” Where upon, the two stripped to the buff and sat down at the table.

“You know, honey,” the little old lady breathlessly replied, “My nipples are as hotforyoutodayastheywerefiftyyearsago.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised,” replied Gramps, “One’s in your coffee and the other is in your oatmeal.”

Joker’s Wild


Biker Friendly Listing

BIG BEND*Barnett Harley-Davidson 8272 Gateway East on I-10 El Paso, TX 79907 800.453.1513 BarnettHarley.com

*Legacy Harley-Davidson 12100 W Hwy 80 East Odessa, TX 79765 800.788.6921 LegacyH-D.com

GULF COAST*Alamo Bar & Grill 7846 Fallbrook Dr Houston, TX 77086 281.537.7647 MySpace.com/HoustonsAlamo

*Awesome Cycles 281.293.7663 AwesomeCycles.com

*Ball Insurance 416 S Main St Highlands, TX 77563 800.444.7014 BallIns.com

*Big Mike’s Apparel 5014 Louella Deer Park, TX 77536 281.542.9938 BigMikesApparel.com

*Choppers 18419 Kuykendahl Spring, TX 77388 281.288.5595 ChoppersSportsBar.com

*Concert Pub North (formerly Texas Rock Tavern 2470 FM 1960 Houston, TX 77068 281.583.8111 TheConcertPub.com

*Corpus Christi Harley-Davidson 502 Padre Island Dr Corpus Christi, TX 78408 361.854.3146 CorpusChristiHarley.com

*Cowboy Harley-Davidson Beaumont 1150 IH-10 South Beaumont, TX 77707 88.839.4464 CowboyHarley.com

*Eagle Cycles 11800 Jones Rd Houston, TX 77070 281.955.0064 EagleCyclesTX.com

*Farrar & Ball LLP LAW TIGERS 1010 Lamar, Ste 1600 Houston, TX 77002 888.LAW-TIGERS (529.8443) LawTigers.com

*Goe Harley-Davidson 1350 S 288B Angleton, TX 77515 281.383.1000 GoeHarley-Davidson.com

Haley Insurance PO Box 8787 The Woodlands, TX 77387 888.4.BIKERS (424.5377) HaleyInsuranceOnline.com

*Harley-Davidson of Kingwood 111 Northpines Dr Kingwood, TX 77365 281.358.0457 KingwoodHarley.com

*Hawg Stop 11335 Sheldon Rd Houston, TX 77044 281.456.7867 www.HawgStop.com

*Houston Motorsports North 9550 FM 1960 West Houston, TX 77070 281.890.2020 HoustonYamaha.com

*Jackel Motorsports West 3719 Hwy 90 Brookshire, TX 77423 281.934.4444 JackelWest.com

*Jailhouse Saloon 310 Preston Spring, TX 77373 281.288.0255 JailhouseSaloonTX.com

*Mancuso Harley-Davidson Crossroads 12710 Crossroads Park Dr Houston, TX 77065 281.970.9700 MancusoCrossroads.com

Mullis Air & Heat Houston Area 281.468.5819

*Noah’s Ark Bar & Grill 4438 Boulevard Bacliff, TX 77518 281.339.2895 NoahsArkBarAndGrill.com

*Potterosa Cycles & ATVs 19447 FM 1485 New Caney, TX 77357 281.689.0400 [email protected]

*Ron’s Relay Retreat 36009 Howell Rd Waller, TX 77484 979.921.0771 RonsRelay.com

*Stitches 1308 Hwy 6 South Houston, TX 77077 281.558.8572

*Team Mancuso Powersports - Gulf Fwy 10222 Gulf Fwy Houston, TX 77034 281.486.4604 TMPGF.com

*Team Mancuso Powersports - SW 7537 SW Freeway Houston, TX 77074 713.955.9944 TMPSW.com

* VIP Apparel 504 25th St Galveston, TX 77550 VIPBikerApparel.com 409.457.8316

*West of the Brazos Bar & Grill 23220 Hwy 36 Damon, TX 77430 979.742.3100 MySpace.com/WestOfTheBrazos

HILL COUNTRY*D’Rose Inn & Cabins 527 Hwy 83 Leakey, TX 78873 830.232.5246 DRoseInn.com

*Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop & Bent Rim Grill 657 West Ranch Rd Leakey, TX 78873 830.232.6629 FrioCanyonMotorcycleStop.biz BentRimGrill.com

*Gruene Harley-Davidson 1288 Loop 337 New Braunfels, TX 78130 830.624.2473 GrueneHarley.com

*Javelina Harley-Davidson 29078 I-10 West Boerne, TX 78006 800-860-9696 JavelinaHarleyDavidson.com

*Phantom Rider Choppers 6535 West Hwy 46 New Braunfels, TX 78132 830.228.4606 PhantomRiderChoppers.com

*Scooters & Shooters 525 E Hwy 29 Bertram, TX 78605 512.355.8070

*Southern Metal Choppers 11116 Middle Fiskville Rd, Ste E Austin, TX 78753 512.833.5044 SouthernMetalChoppers.com

PANHANDLE*Affordable Leather 3302 N Midkiff Rd Midland, TX 79705 432.699.0775 Affordable-Leather-WTX.com

*Bully’s Grill 8542 Seymour Hwy Wichita Falls, TX 76310 940.689.9195

*Flying V Creations 1903 College Ave Snyder, TX 79549 325.436.0197 MySpace.com/FlyingVCreations

*Lubbock Custom Motorcycles 11804 South University #A Lubbock, TX 79423 806.745.7167 LubbockCustomMotorcycles.com

*Midessa Motorcycles 8100 West Highway 80 Midland, TX 79706 432.563.4109 MidessaMotorcycle.com

*Rolling Thunder Bar & Grll 6441 County Road 2173 Fluvanna, TX 79517 325.573.HAWG (4294) RollingThunderBarAndGrill.com

PINEY WOODS*Cycle Heaven 3770 Hwy 69N Lufkin, TX 75904 936.634.8404 CycleHeavenTX.com

*RPMs Bar 26210 FM 2978 Magnolia, TX 77354 281.259.7789

PRAIRIES & LAKESDragonstar Motorcycle Transport Bryan, TX 77806 281.935.8890 GetARide.net

*Frisco Custom Cycles 6427 West Main St Frisco, TX 75034 214.387.0650 FriscoCustomCycles.com

*Harley-Davidson of Waco 1524 I-35 South Waco, TX 76706 254.753.0393 HDWaco.com

*Horny Toad Bar & Grill Cranfills Gap, TX 76637 254.597.1100 HornyToadBar.com

*Longhorn Harley-Davidson 2830 West I-20 Grand Prairie, TX 75052 972.988.1903 LonghornHD.com

*Moto Liberty 11441 N Stemmons Fwy Dallas, TX 75229 972.243.5995 MotoLiberty.com

*Snook Watering Hole FM 2155 Snook, TX 77879 979.272.3715 SnookWateringHole.com

*Thunder Alley Cycles 416 NE Wilshire Blvd Burleson, TX 76028 817.295.0955 ThunderAlleyCycles.com

*Yankee’s Tavern 10328 FM 244 Carlos, TX 77843 936.873.3314 YankeesTavern.com

SOUTH TEXAS*Caliente Harley-Davidson 7230 NW Loop 410 San Antonio, TX 78245 210.681.CALI (2254) CalienteHarley.com

*Cowboy’s Alamo City Harley-Davidson 11005 IH 35 North San Antonio, TX 78233 800.397.7875 CowboysAlamoCityHarley.com

*Insurance Lady Agency 642 W Rhapsody, Ste A San Antonio, TX 78216 214.403.2216 InsuranceLadyInc.com

*Joe Harrison Motorsports 9710 I-35 North San Antonio, TX 78233 210.656.9400 JHMS.com

*Kent Powersports 15664 I-35 Selma, TX 78154 210.656.9400

Biker Friendly ListingListed here are businesses that are SERIOUS about serving the Texas Motorcycle Community. The list is sorted byRegion,asprovidedbytheTexasTravelGuide.An“*”meansyoucanfindThunderRoadsTexasat theselocations. Additionally you can find us atALLHarley-Davidson dealerships, andCycleGear andRenegadeClassicslocationsinTexas.VisitThunderRoadsTexas.comtofindafulllistingofdistributionpoints.Tell them you saw them in Thunder Road Texas!


KentPowersports.com

Mission Wrecker 4535 FM 1516 N Converse, TX 78109 MissionWrecker.com

* Motorcycle Tire Shop 1917 S Hackberry San Antonio, TX 78210 210.533.BIKE (2453) Motoorcycle-Superstore.com

*Yamaha of San Antonio A Kent Powersports Company 15664 I-35 Selma, TX 78154 210.655.2625 KentPowersports.com

STATEWIDEOutlaw Dave Show 9*5*0 AM in Houston 950KPRC.com to listen online. OutlawNation.us

Texas Riding Maps Motorcycle-Maps.us

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