Capital City Customs Swap Meet and Show

Finally something biker related enters my life like a warm breeze blowing through my hair. The Capital City Customs Swap Meet and Show was a much needed oasis from the 52+ inches of snow that we've had since December. As I walked through the doors of the 4H building I breathed in the smell of leather, I saw the beautiful motorcycles, and I spotted other bikers who needed this relief probably as much as I did. I've attended this show for a few years and I'd have to say I was most excited about it this year.

Dan and I spotted Big Swag at a table, signing autographs. Brett Wagner aka Big Swag is the host of the Speed Channels show Pass Time. He is also in a new movie called The Crazies which will be released on February 26th.

There were some great looking bikes as there always are every year.




I especially liked these two choppers by Siouxicide Choppers out of Sioux City, IA. Check out the tank on the one...Full...1/2...F&%k. Very original!





I talked to two of the nicest bikers I've probably ever met, Doug and Dave. They were at the show promoting their club, Mid Iowa Star Chapter 210. They both were so passionate about their club that for an instant I started thinking about becoming Iowa Star Girl. I erased that from my thoughts quickly but dang, those guys rocked! Seriously, if you are looking for an organization to join they are ranked right up there in my book. They both joked that they are a photography club with a motorcycle problem and they proved it with the great photos in the calendar I purchased from them. Anyway...can't say enough good things about those guys and the enthusiasm they both had about riding and their club! Thanks for making me smile! I was walking on cloud 9 at that point of the afternoon. I love when I find people with the same passion about motorcycling as I have. I walked a few steps down the aisle and stopped at the Abate of Iowa District 4 booth. As I'm walking away these ladies from Abate say to me, Are you Stephanie, Iowa Harley Girl? I was stunned for a minute. Yes...Yes I am. WOW!!! I've never actually had someone ask me if I was, so I was a little thrown off for a second. They thanked me for the great post I did on their toy run that I rode in a couple years back. I have to tell you that topped my day, so Thanks Ladies from Abate District 4.

This bike touched my heart. It's a tribute to all of the Men and Women from Iowa that have lost their lives serving our country.



The swap meet was bigger then I remembered it being in past years. Maybe because this year I was actually looking for the bottom covers for my passenger foot boards. No luck.


I'd like to thank Dan for tagging along with me. He doesn't enjoy this kind of stuff as much as I do. I bought some new stickers for my helmet, including one that says TROUBLE and one that says WHATEVER! I also purchased a POW-MIA t-shirt that I will proudly wear this summer. Support your local Vietnam Vet M/C. I was a little disappointed that I didn't see Possum from the Circle of Pride M/C. I wanted him to autograph my I RIDE video.

I had a great time and can't wait for the riding season to get here! I truly miss riding. I'm sure many of you out there agree. This has been the craziest winter I've seen in years. Thanks Capital City Customs Swap Meet and Show for helping this biker chick quench her motorcycle thirst!





Other upcoming events in Iowa...
B.A.D. Ride Chili Cook-Off @ Porky's Pub in Des Moines on February 27th. Go to BadRide for more information.
Bike Down to I Town is the 3rd Friday of each month from April to September. Go to Bike Down to I Town for more information.
Iowa Thunder Run is May 23. The ride begins in the Southridge Mall parking lot in Des Moines at 1pm.
The Freedom Rally in Algona, IA is July 1,2,3. For more information go to Abate of Iowa.
Newton Professional Firefighters' Fun Run for Blank Children's Hospital is July 24th starting at the Izaak Walton League. For more information contact the Newton Fire Department.

Heroes of the Heartland Charity Bash

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR IOWA’S MILITARY MEN, WOMEN AND FAMILIES
SEPT. 27, 3-10 P.M.
COME SEE MOTORCYCLE BUSINESSES FROM ACROSS IOWA, ALL FOR CHARITY
BENEFITING:
The State Family Program Office in Assisting Iowa military service men and women in deployment and their families by providing meals, travel accommodations, appliances, mental health professional guidance, reunion and reintegration services and basic overall needs.

A special BASH to end the summer on Saturday, September 27, “Bike Down to I-Town,” the Midwest’s largest monthly bike night event partners with Throttler Motorcycle Magazine for a special end of summer night event on the town square of Indianola, home to the famous “Bike Down to I-Town” venue.

See motorcycle businesses from all across Iowa show off their stuff.

Entertainment
Matt Woods and the Thunderbolts who will play that evening, has received critical acclaim, and
finished in the top five of the International Blues Foundation’s “Best Self-Produced Blues album” category in 2006 in Memphis, Tenn. Opening band TBD.

Giveaway and raffle door prizes
Participating motorcycle businesses will raffle door prizes for charity as well as other freebies to the first 5,000 people.

*RAIN OR SHINE

DON’T MISS THIS END OF SUMMER BASH WITH YOUR FRIENDS FROM THROTTLER MOTORCYCLE MAGAZINE AND BIKE DOWN TO I-TOWN!

Raffle tickets will be sold prior to and during the event. The raffle of all door prizes will begin at 8 p.m. on the stage. 100 percent of the raffle proceeds will go to The State Family Program Office.

Motorcycle Events of Interest

B.A.F. Spring Fling and Blessing of the Bikes - April 5th, 2008 at Party Town 1820 E Army Post Road in Des Moines, IA. The event begins at 3 pm and music starts at 5 pm.(Music by *Gilmore James McIntosh*Rukus*Calous*Second Side* There will be music, vendors, food and door prizes. B.A.F. is a great organization that helps bikers and families of bikers in need.

Fun Run / Bike Blessing - April 13th, 2008 at Flanagan's in Des Moines, IA. The ride starts at noon. Flanagan's is located at 2120 Ingersoll Ave. If you have questions about the event please contact Jodie Carlson @ 515.490.6316 or Abe @ 515.210.5668. Stop by the Abate web site for more details and directions. http://www.abateiowa.org/districts/d04/eventsched.html

Bike Down to I-Town - Bike Night in Indianola, IA. This event is a blast! It happens the 3rd Friday of each month from April - September. Visit the I-Town Bike night website at http://www.bikedowntoitown.com/. If you see me there make sure you stop me and say hello! I would love to meet the actual people who read my blog! :)

The Original Bike Blessing - Road Runners MC - Sunday May 4th, 2008 from Noon - 5pm. Blessing of the Bikes @ 2 pm. Admission is $10 a person * $18 a couple. There will be FREE BEER. This event is held in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Visit http://www.roadrunnersmc.com/ for more information about this event.

Valhalla MC Nebraska Lost Brothers Poker Run - Saturday June 7th, 2008 Sign up from 11:00 am - 1:30 pm at Joe Bananas 1022 South 10th Street in Omaha, NE. $10 per hand and the top 2 hands will get a pay out. Last card will be drawn at Anchor Inn Freedom Park in Omaha, NE. Proceeds go to Juvenile Diabetes and Prosthetic Rehabilitation. Support Your Local Valhalla MC.


Four Seasons Festival Bike Night - Friday July 25, 2008 on the Square in Polk City, IA. This event is from 5 - 11 pm. This event includes a Street Dance, Food, and Beer. Live music by Free Style. Ride across the mile long bridge and help Polk City celebrate their first ever BIKE NIGHT!

The 6th Annual Sandhills Rally will be held in Johnstown, NE on July 11th - 13th. Visit http://www.sandhillsrally.com/ to get all the lowdown on this great event. This one looks like a really fun Rally!

J & P Cycles Cruise Night - May 20, June 17, July 22, Aug 19, and Sept 9. The evening begins at 5:15 pm. This event is held at J&P Cycles in Anamosa, IA. For more info go to http://www.jpcycles.com/.