New Year's Eve

Is it the end? Or is it really the beginning??

Spend Your Christmas Money on Biker Jewelry from JewelryHype

So it's the day after Christmas and I'm sure many of you received some coin for your gift. If you are looking to treat yourself to something cool go to JewelryHype.com and check out all of the cool biker jewelry. The reason I'm promoting this site is because I got the coolest bike link bracelet from them and just love it. When I ordered the womens bike chain bracelet shown below, they custom fit it to the size I needed and it's perfect.

JewelyHype boosts that their bike chain jewelry is hand and machine polished and made of industrial strength 316L grade stainless steel. I'm very happy with the craftsmanship of my new bracelet.

Biker Chain bracelets and necklaces are only part of the large variety of jewelry that JewelryHype carries that is geared toward bikers.





Check it out for yourself at JewelryHype . They really do have quality women's and men's jewelry at very affordable prices.

Bottoms Up Bike Fest - Looking for a New Location in Minnesota

Bottoms Up Bike Fest will no longer be held at the Dakota County Fairgrounds. The Dakota County Fairgrounds board agreed to new regulations that will affect all events held on the property, such as “no liquor sales after 9:30 p.m. and events must end at 10:30 p.m.”

If we do not find a replacement location within the next month or two, Bottoms Up Bike Fest will be unable to continue. If you know of a possible location, please contact us ASAP.

We enjoy putting on this event, meeting great people, the bikes, the music, and hearing your feedback on the great time you had at Bottoms Up Bike Fest. Hopefully we’ll be able to find a new location and continue to put on this event.

Visit the Bottoms Up website @ http://www.bottomsupbikefest.com/home

If you have an idea for a new location in Minnesota contact Minnesota Jeff @ info@bottomsupbikefest.com.

Tiger Woods Seen Leaving Estate on a Harley

OK...this isn't true and it's actually the only thing that would even make me care about listening to the news where Tiger is concerned. And really the only thing I would be wondering is what kind of Harley he rides.

Describe me using "ONE" Word...

Ann and B.B.are playing this game so I thought I'd join in too...

Leave a comment describing me using one word that starts with the 3rd letter of your name. Then repost this in your blog. Let's see what people come up with! Be kind! Thanks!

Stitches for Bitches - Are you a Motorcycle Betty?

A few years back I found this great website called "Stitches for Bitches". I was surfing the Internet looking for cool clothing that a biker chick would want to wear. Me being that biker chick! I bought the t-shirt shown below because I loved the saying(We are all the same under our skin) and it had a skull on it!

Since then I've bought more merchandise from Stitches for Bitches and creator Danielle Marinovich. Danielle's Betty character was created to let young people know that it's OK to be who you are. Being I've never fit in a "normal" group I totally related to the Betty character. Below is a picture of Betty in her trademark Skull T. There is also Bitchen Betty, Badass Betty, Punk Betty, Motorcycle Betty, and Skater Betty.

About Betty - taken from the Stitches for Bitches site:
The Betty character is very near and dear to creator Danielle Marinovich. Having Betty arrive in a dream within the first days of her sisters death to breast cancer, Danielle says,”I feel as if Stormy sent Betty to help heal my childhood wounds and give hope for the future.” Betty and all of her personas are based upon Danielle at various times in her life.

Being a teen in the late seventies and growing up in a small town was not easy for Danielle as she experimented with a variety of styles. “Throughout my entire life I have felt judged. It always bothered me that some people would look down on me because of the clothes I choose to wear, the color of my hair or skin, my piercings, my tattoos, or because I ride motorcycles. I believe if a person lives their life being an honest, kind, loving human being, who cares what they look like? Why does society put so much importance on the way we look?”

Donating five percent of the profits from the sales of all Betty- related items, Danielle hopes to not only raise money and awareness for breast cancer research, but to help children and adults learn, “You can find friends in all kinds of places, of all different styles, ages and races.” The skull on Betty’s dress is a reminder that "We are all the Same Under our Skin.

Check out this great site and let the Motorcycle Betty in you come out!
http://www.stitchesforbitches.com/ They have great quality merchandise at great prices! And the best thing of all is that proceeds from the Betty merchandise go to Breast Cancer Research! It's a great feeling helping out other Betty's!!!

Sons of Anarchy

I know that Mr. Motorcycle and Rippin Kitten always post on this but Holy Mother of Biscuits and Gravy. DAMN...that was some finale! There is no way that there won't be a Season 3 unless FX doesn't let it happen! I was talking to the TV, yelling at the TV, freaking out at the TV, and crying at the end. I keep having to tell myself I'm not watching reality TV and that it's just a damn good show about a motorcycle club in California.

Searching for the Good in Billy Lane

I was surfing youtube today and I typed in Billy Lane. The talent this guy has is incredible. Before he got in trouble with the law and sentenced to time in prison he did do good. I found this video from a few years back. He was on his Blood, Sweat, and Gears tour. I really miss Billy being part of the biker world. I wish that all that happened to him never would have. I wish he would have seen the writing on the wall and avoided it. I've said it time and time again where Billy is concerned...we've all made mistakes in life. Hopefully we all learn from them. Hopefully Billy learned from his and will someday do good again like he did in this video! Hopefully he will be humbled and not hardened. Hopefully he will build again.



Here is part of an archived blog post from 2005 about Kristen and Me and our search for Billy Lane.

Kristen and I hung out at the Full Throttle Saloon everyday searching for Billy Lane. We are both fans of his and we made it our mission to meet him and get our pictures taken with him. For me it was like a spiritual experience of some weird kind. I tried to talk to him but the words just came out very softly. I was shaking as he moved in for the picture and after it was all done and I walked away I started to cry like a little girl. I had met him...the artist who makes the most amazing choppers that I've ever seen. And an added bonus is the fact that he is so incredibly good looking and such a bad boy!

I know that readers of my blog may have some strong opinions about this guy and I understand that totally. I just don't feel I can judge to much since I've driven when I should not have. Why am I blogging about him now, well after the trial has been over...well, it's because I was looking at pictures from Sturgis 2009 and there was an RV with Billy's name on it but no Billy. It just made me sad and made me think of Kris and me in Sturgis, during the 2004 rally, searching for him everyday. I still dig the guy.

IHG :)

Sara Liberte's Update on Garage-Girls

My 3 favorite celebrity motorcycle women are Jasmine Cain, Sasha Mullins, and Sara Liberte. I was able to update you on Jasmine and Sasha in weeks past and now I've got an update on what is going on with Sara and Garage-Girls. Good Stuff!


I wanted to fill you in on what Garage-Girls has been up to...
We are working on our Ultimate Biker Makeover 2010, Carlisle Edition... here is a re-cap of 2009 http://www.garage-girls.com/makeover/index.php
2010 is GOING TO BE EVEN MORE AWESOME!!! I can't even begin to tell you the amount or prizes we have lined up for someone very deserving of an Ultimate Biker Makeover.. Last years winners Victoria and Krisitin were so stoked with the loot they won. We did get some sad news from the runner up winner Krisitn, her son Jed has been battling cancer since he was 4, well they found out it's back and he is now on a Bone Marrow Transplant list, he is back in the hospital. This breaks our hearts.... Kristin is such a special lady, so strong and Jed is such a brave guy, they both inspire us so much. You can follow Jed' fight on his blog at http://www.bigjedsworld.blogspot.com/ Of course we have been thinking non-stop about Jed and Kristin.....


We have also been working on more video posts for the site, we got to take a tour of the Mustang Seat Factory and see first hand how those comfortable seats are made start to finish all right here in the USA, watch the video very cool! http://www.garage-girls.com/blog/machine/index.php

we have re- worked our youtube channel, you can check that out here, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQY0mysj4qo

and we are on twitter chatting about what it is we are working on in the shop... http://twitter.com/garagegirls

I'd say the coolest thing going on right now is the Holiday Shopping Discounts that are being offered to Garage-Girls, if your in the market for a new Mustang Seat, or a technology case, like a cool case for your iphone, ipod, blackberry whatever, Otterbox has you covered and both companies are hooking Garage-Girls readers up for some Holiday Discounts, head over to the site to take advantage of the discounts!
http://www.garage-girls.com/blog/machine/index.php


That's about it for now, so much more to come, can't wait for 2010, but looking forward to chillin' with family and friends over the Holidays...

Check out this Motorcycle Video

Yes...I've been posting a lot of Youtube video stuff lately and haven't been writing as much. You've got to check out this video though. Dang...I thought Rush Hour on Interstate 80 was like taking your life in your hands. Check this out...

November is Military Appreciation Month at Harley Davidson

Here is a video that the guys will love! HD and Marisa Miller Salute the Military!

Thank Your Military!

Yesterday was Veteran's Day and I'm sure many of you thanked our Military if you got a chance. Please make sure you thank them everyday if you see them!! Thank you to all the branches of our Military for watching over our great land and making sure we are safe and free!

Happy 234th Birthday, Marine Corp!

I share my birthday with the United States Marine Corp. Semper Fi and Happy Birthday to the Corp!

More about me...

Well now that the worst of it is hopefully over I feel better about writing about what is going on with me. I was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia called "Hairy Cell". Yes, that is really what it is called. Only 2 in 2 million women get this and I was the lucky one. I've been in the hospital since Oct 19th. I've had my chemotherapy. It was 7 days long, 24 hours a day. I'm waiting now for my white blood cell count to go up so that I can be sprung from hospital jail. I'm feeling really good and am hoping for the leukemia to go into remission. I feel very lucky because I haven't lost my hair. That was really freaking me out. So that's what's up with IHG. I will be back and riding again one of these days. For now I'm resting and praying for an excellent outcome to this whole experience.

Get out and ride!
IHG - Stephanie

Me!

Hi All....I might not be posting for a little while. I'll be back though!

Then he asked me if I wanted a ring or a motorcycle….so of course, I took the bike.

Thought I'd follow up with my friend Jasmine Cain and see what she's been up to. She's busy living the DREAM!

Tell me about the awards that you won this year.

Well….it’s not the Grammy’s, but it’s what the Grammy’s wish they were.
Just Plain Folks is the largest awards show in the world honoring all unsigned artists out there worldwide just trying to do it themselves. All winners are chosen by somewhere around 50,000 members of JPF who are singers, songwriters, composers, musicians, and music listeners just like us. You are literally voted in by your peers. This year there were 560,000 song submissions and around 42,000 albums. That’s a lot of songs to screen! All songs are submitted by the artists through the request of the JPF sponsors: Disc Makers, Taxi, and CD Baby. They are then put into categories and all JPF members are free to vote on their favorites. Final nominations are announced and those are voted on again to determine the winners. This year we were nominated in 4 categories: Best Contemporary Song, Best Rock Song, Best Hard Rock Song, and Best Rock Album.
The nominations themselves are such an honor but on top of that, we were the first artist asked to perform at the awards ceremony. We gratefully accepted and packed in 30 of our friends, family, and fans in the Wild horse Saloon in Nashville on August 29th. It was awesome because the whole band’s families got to meet for the first time ever. My mom even flew in from South Dakota to attend!
We were hoping to pull at least one award away that night but we walked away with 6 awards!! Not only did we win the 4 categories we were nominated in, but we also won 2 “Founders Awards”, which included Song of the Year (“Give Me Love”) and Female Artist of the Year. It was such an epic evening and I got to meet some of the most talented people from around the globe.

Are these the most awards you and the band have won?

Not only is this the most awards the band has ever won, it’s the most awards that have ever been given to one artist in the history of JPF. We hold the record on that now. In 2004, our first album “The Inside” won 2 JPF awards and we couldn't believe how lucky we were. This was truly mind-blowing.

What has the band been doing? What gigs have you played?

The band has decided to take a 2 month break during the winter months to kinda regain our sanity and try to stabilize our finances. In 2003 when I recorded my first album, we toured hard to promote that with totally different members in the band and by the end of 2005, we had completely self-destructed because of the grueling schedule we kept. I was a nervous wreck trying to keep my alcoholically enhanced band mates from being arrested because of their antics and I was turning into Superbitch! It wasn’t who we were so I took a break and told the boys to meet up with me in a year and we would pick up where we left off. Nobody showed up but me. So I started a new band and put out another album. Now we are in the same position we were in when I decided to take a break last time, except nobody has lost their mind just yet. I’d like to stop a little before that breaking point and not take as much time off so we don’t completely use momentum. Everyone in the band is still totally onboard but we are all looking forward to the break. We need it pretty bad.
During our hiatus, we will be writing for the 3rd album, doing a few acoustic shows here and there, and trying to secure an position as an opening act for a national touring band. I’m also looking to pitch “Give Me Love” to country artists in hopes that someone can do more with it. It’s a country music hit song if I’ve ever heard one and I’m not the only one that thinks that.
I’ve also decided to pair up with as many powerful hit songwriters that I can convince to co-write with me to kinda stack the deck with our 3rd album. It’s time to take it to the next level.


Are you working on a new album?

I have one more year to pay off the loan from my last album. It takes me 3 years to pay off the $20,000 I take out to do each album. After my last payment is made, I can take the loan out again and do it all over. We have written 4 songs for the new album, but we will end up writing around 50 and choosing our top 10 for the album. A lot of thought goes into the song selection. It all depends on what we want to say. My first two albums were incredibly intense and though provoking. I have to decide whether I want to stay on that path or write in a little lighter way. We are throwing that back and forth right now.
I also have plans to use some of the most stellar producers out there for this album. Jeff Tomei is a close friend of mine from Atlanta who did albums for Matchbox 20, Jerry Cantrell of Alice in Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, and many more. He and I have just always been on different wavelengths when it came to the recording. Every time I was finally ready to buckle down and work, he was involved with something else. This time we have vowed to make it work…even if only for a few songs.
Bob Marlette is my other smoking gun. He produces some of the most monsterous albums out there. Saliva is his pet project. He writes, produces, and even performs a lot of the instruments on those albums. He also works with AC/DC, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Sevendust, and currently is working on the new Filter album. He’s a freak of nature!! Plus, he’s a good ole Midwestern boy from Oklahoma. Who knew?

Why did you decide to change the cover of Locks and Keys?

I changed every bit of the artwork. When I met with the graphic artist I hired to do my artwork, she was working for Gibson Guitars and was really on top of her game. I was very impressed with what she had done. However, when I gave her the photography and artwork for Locks & Keys, she became distracted with other events in her life and I could see that it was HER life she was projecting in the artwork instead of mine. It was dark. Not only did I not have a chance to approve what she had done, but she was 2 weeks late in getting me the file and I didn’t have time to change anything at that point. To make matters worse, she charged me more money than we had agreed on and refused to give me the files until I paid her. It was a nightmare.
I take ALL parts of my album VERY seriously and this wasn’t what I wanted. My own grandmother said she couldn’t listen to the album or look at it because it was so depressing. People started asking me if I was sick or depressed and if I needed help. It was an eye-opener. I’m a very up-beat fun girl, so I decided to change all the photography and artwork to show how I really am instead of what was projected by the graphic artist. Nobody really understood the necessity of that when I did it. It was an additional expense and we couldn't’t really afford it. But every time I tore open an album to sign for a fan, I wanted to tuck it under my arm and take off running to keep them from having to be exposed to that. I didn’t want them to get the wrong idea about me.
After I got the new artwork done, I opened up the first one and popped the CD into my car and just flipped through the booklet….which is exactly what I would do if I was buying a CD myself. For the first time, it actually fit. I worked for me. It shows who I am and it’s fun and colorful. I love it now.

Will you be at the next Sturgis Rally and if so have you worked out any venues?

Good question. I had a pretty tough card thrown my way this year about a month before Sturgis. I lost my home. Broken Spoke decided to “keep things fresh”. They felt like people were getting burned out on Jasmine Cain. I can understand that to some extent, but I’ve learned throughout the years that people come back year after year to see the same bands they saw the year before and introduce their friends to their music. It’s literally how we’ve built our fan base to what it is now. I was heartbroken to say the least and then sent scrambling trying to find a gig in my own hometown!! I booked shows at Monkey Rock that just didn’t work out for us. I ran into an issue with the sound company there because they just couldn’t seem to run their own equipment. They shut my microphone off for the entire show and killed the speakers out front during our performances. It seemed almost intentional. I’ve never had to deal with anything that bad in my life. It was very unprofessional.
Broken Spoke Campground was very gracious and offered us a couple of shows out there but we were rained out for both of those. And the only other gigs we had were in Rapid City for Murphy’s Bar which was just purchased by a couple friends of mine from when I was at Full Throttle.
I’m really hoping to find my new home in Sturgis and I’m thinking that a legendary hometown Sturgis rocker might need to join forces with the legendary Buffalo Chip. We can both be legends together. I was offered a stage from Rod Woodruff for this year but I turned it down because the Broken Spoke still had a hold on me. When they told me to find a new gig, I turned to the Chip but they had filled all their stages at that point. I was too late. I don’t want that to happen again. Besides….if I was there all week I could’ve caught Steven Tyler and kept him from bustin’ his ass and I could’ve sang for Buckcherry when their singer’s voice blew out! They need me there….they just don’t know it yet!! Ha ha ha.

Where will you be playing this fall and winter?

In my room….by myself.

What's been going on in your life besides the music?

I’m glad you asked. For the first time in my life, I’m engaged. Bean’re has swept me off my feet like a knight on a chrome horse. He really does share the secrets of my soul. I’m easily bored so it takes a special kind of guy to keep me guessing and keep me laughing. Bean’re is one of a kind and I’m all over it. I’m not letting this one get away. He cooks breakfast in the morning, he doesn’t mind mowing the grass, he’s hot, he’s hilarious, and there’s never a dull moment. There’s only a few things we have to work on….like leaving dirty socks everywhere and stealing my hairbrush. We had been dating about a year and he said he was going to propose to me. Then he asked me if I wanted a ring or a motorcycle….so of course, I took the bike.

Anything else you would like to add?

Yeah, I got a question. If Bean’re and I have children….would they be Bean’re babies? Just checking. We could make millions on the black market!

Favorite band names:
Goodbye Kitty (as opposed to Hello Kitty which I find annoying)
Violent Hippies (they greet each other by saying “Fuck you, Bro”.)

And…..I think I have the Swine Flu. My eyeballs hurt.

****Follow Up to this interview - Sadly, Jasmine and Bean're parted ways. Did she keep the bike?****

What's Going on in the Life of Sasha Mullins?

Stephanie:

I'm so appreciative that you have posted about my music.

Like I mentioned to Cyril Huze, I didn't wait for any record company. I'm doing this all the nitty gritty biker chick way: soulo. Like a road gypsy riding and camping her way across the country on a passion trip with no particular destination, just doing it because she LOVES to and she must. It's like breathing. The art of writing, music and riding is breathing to me. It's life. No matter what, I'm giving my dreams free spirited life.

My latest single 2 Wheels Move the Soul unexpectedly became an ode to the 40th Anniversary of Easy Riders. Trevor and I wrote the song last November. I had the idea in my head forever and Trevor could finish my musical sentences. It was awesome. Then we moved the concept into our studio and finally demo'd the song. So, we all got to work. Featured on the track is my Patrick on bass and co-producing, he's also the bass player for country artist Tracy Lawrence. Joe Caverly on fiddle, he's the fiddle player for Tracy and has played with many major artists, Trevor is a well known blues artist from Canada and he played all guitars, and brother Mike Holmes rode that B3 home, he's another player with a long list of Nashville credentials. All these cats are riders and gearheads.

I did approach record companies but they were not too receptive because they didn't understand the whole motorcycle, road music thing. I wasn't going to wait for them. No way. So, I just took it upon my own to make it all happen no matter what. It's been a long, hard road. Sometimes, yeah, I'd almost want to give up because the lack of money to tour, not having money to finish recording my music, and then having to work odd jobs to keep the dream alive and a roof over my head was daunting. But I just don't have any quit in me. I keep on keepin on....keep on, keep on...

The support of friends and family in the culture has been a super blessing. That's how the dream will come true.

Thanks, Stephanie, for supporting my dreams.

Love and respect,
Sasha

The aim now is Spring 2010 debut album release and we are so close

Just Married - Frankie and Joy

I work with Joy and a few weeks ago her and Frankie got married. Congratulations to Joy and her husband Frankie! I just love this photo, don't you?

Can u see Dave?

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I'm waiting for the dave matthews band!

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30 Year Military Veteran Dies in Hit and Run Motorcycle Accident

To say that I'm outraged is an understatement on this latest motorcycle fatality. Twenty three year old Orlando David Rodriguez and his Twenty five year old brother Santos Vidal Rodriguez left Casey's General Store without paying for $27 in gas. As they fled the scene in their SUV they hit Bruce James Mundy on his motorcycle. Mundy was pronounced dead on arrival to the hospital. My heart goes out to Master Sergeant Mundy's family and friends. My heart breaks each and every time a fellow rider is lost.

2 Wheels Move the Soul - Sasha Mullins

Ridelicious - Sasha Mullins

Labor Day Weekend Ride

I was really missing my sister and her family so we decided to ride up to Dyersville in North East Iowa with an out of the way detour to Galena, IL and Dubuque, IA. We got on the road and made our way to Galena, IL. We arrived there around 1pm and of course stopped at the Harley Dealership. We missed the turn and ended up turning around in a gas station parking lot. There were a group of Harley riders relaxing behind the gas station and they were laughing because Dan kept saying...where is the Harley Dealer...I'd say right over there...he said...I'm going to ride down this hill here to get over there. Looks like a good short cut. I yelped...nooooooooooooo...and all the guys behind the station busted out laughing.(I know...where is my sense of adventure, huh?) Well we did go back to the road and drove around to the dealership. Nice place, very tiny. After hanging out at the HD Shop we jumped back on the bike and road to tourist central in downtown Galena. If you don't get there early you have a difficult time finding a place to park. We finally found one and left ZP all alone while we got some lunch and walked around this historic town. Everyone was all curious about this bright red Ferrari. I really could have cared less. I did think it would be funny though to jump in it and take off since I was wearing a Jack Daniel's doo-rag and biker clothes. I think Galena would be a great place for a biker only weekend. It reminds me a little of Deadwood...historic and plenty of bars.

We spent about 2 hours or so in Galena and decided to get back on the road toward my Sister's place in Dyersville. We made a stop in East Dubuque, IL and Dan told me it just wasn't the same there. All the party places and strip clubs were gone. LOL Good information, huh? Funny. We road down by the river and hung out there for a while watching the the boats and the people fishing. Thought of LadyR as we were sitting there. DBQ is her hometown as many of you know.

After about a 1/2 hour or so we were back on the road heading to Dyersville. We hung out with my sister and her family that night. I had totally forgot that the Fireman's Convention was in Dyersville and lucky for my sister and the family it was right across from their house. We sat and watched the firemen that had already set up camp, ride around on their vintage fire trucks and party. From what my sister told my mom it was one noisy event all week long and I'm sure they are glad they have left. I think it might have rivaled a motorcycle rally.

Monday Dan wanted to journey through his families past so we road through Colesburg were we got a pix of the ever famous Willies Restaurant and the home of the Willies Whopper. We road by Dan's grandparent's farm(the Maiers), took pictures of corn, and found the school house that Dan's father went to school at. We were lucky that the gentleman that had the old school house on his farm was outside so we were able to walk around and look at it up close. It's pretty run down but it's amazing that it's still there since it was built in 1862. Dan was behind the school and I was walking around looking at the pretty purple flowers that were growing all over the pasture when I heard a noise. I looked over and there were cows coming at me. I started yelling at Dan...Cows...Cows...let's go there are Cows coming. We got out of the gate just in time. I know they wouldn't have down anything to us but there were quite a few. And being more of a city girl then a country girl...I didn't want to find out what they would do.

Monday was really an awesome weather day. It was fun riding through North East Iowa. We stopped in Oelwein for lunch. Dan road out to where he had dj'd back in the day at KOEL and then we road out to Hazelton to the cemetery that Dan's Gram and Grampa Werner are buried. His folks will be buried there too someday, hopefully not anytime soon!

We had a great weekend riding and hanging with my sister, Tim, and Sydney. We saw amazing things along the way. North East Iowa and Galena are very beautiful places to visit. There are rolling hills, bluffs, and the Mississippi River. There is definitely a lot to do up North. Hope that you all can visit sometime! If it works out we might even ride up and show you around!

I've created a slideshow of the trip. The cute little girl is my niece Sydney!

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Season 2 Time for More Bad Boy Action!!! SOA is back!

OMG...I can hardly wait! It's time for Tig and the gang from SOA to start another Season of Sons of Anarchy!

Make sure you visit http://www.rippin-kitten.com/ for all the dirt on the show. Lizzie has been covering the Sons of Anarchy since Season 1 began. She has all the inside scoop about our favorite Bad Boys and Girls!

I LOVE MUSIC

This morning on my way to work the very first song I hear is Talk Dirty to Me by Poison! I was teleported back to the first time I ever heard that song and I was instantly jamming in my car.


The next song that comes on the radio is Skynyrd...Sweet Home Alabama! I'm in heaven I tell ya!!!


And the final stretch of my trip I got a little Nickelback and the song Something in Your Mouth.


Thank you Mr. DJ for making my drive to work so great! I didn't have any road rage on this trip because I was too busy singing! :)

2009 Iowa State Fair

Last weekend I decided to go to the Iowa State Fair to check out the sites, sounds and smells. The Iowa State Fair is one of the best fairs in the United States. There is so much to see and do that it can be a little overwhelming. I took a few photos of the sites that I saw while I was there. From the record setting pumpkin, the 3000+ lb Bull, to the white veranda tents of the Des Moines elite that camp at the fair all week...it is something to see. Bubba Sorenson, the Freedom Rock Guy, was in the Arts & Culture building painting a smaller rock for the fair. I had lots of fun walking around and people watching. I was excited that I was able to listen to a few of the "Sprouts" perform during the Bill Riley Talent Show. I cast my kernel for UNI. And I even found some of the new 2010 Harley Davidson Motorcycles.

My View of the 2009 Iowa State Fair...

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

If you are interested in finding out more about the Iowa State Fair check out the facts on Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa_State_Fair

Poker Run for Brandi Klos - September 19, 2009

**** UPDATE **** Sadly Brandi Klos passed away before her poker run. As far as I know they are still having this event because I'm sure that her family has many expenses. If you would like to donate money please send it to Montezuma State Bank 101 S 4th St Montezuma, IA 50171-7709.

Toots and Spider are from Montezuma, IA and they are bikers with the hugest hearts. Toots e-mailed me and asked me to post about a poker run that they are having for a young lady from Montezuma who has Cancer. Toots wrote a bio on Brandi Klos that I'm sharing below. There are also details about the poker run if you live here in Iowa and would like to attend.

Brandi M. Klos is the daughter of John and Brenda Klos 1200 East Main Street Montezuma,Iowa 50171. I don't know about you, but I am proud to call Montezuma Iowa my home. And so is this family or they would not be here.

Brandi graduated from Montezuma High in May of 2008 she has 3 sisters Cheyene 15 who is a sophomore this year, and twin sisters Lauren and Carmen are 6 starting first grade this year at Montezuma.

Brandi continued her education at MCC, got an apartment and started a job as a CNA(certified nurses assistant) Her dream and education was to be a nurse. We all thought she should be a model, so beautiful. But her dream is to help others.

In October 2008,Brandi noticed numbness in her fingers and toes. On November 1st she said her tongue was very weak and her speech was slurred, so on November 2nd mom and dad got her home from school and took her to the emergency room in Iowa City. Where they did an MRI and found a mass on her brain stem. They said because of the location that is was in-operable,(meaning they cannot operate), or do any kind of biopsy. So it is being treated as if it were CANCER!

She went thru 6 weeks of radiation and 5 weeks of daily chemotherapy, she had double vision and very weak in both legs. And in January things looked good as far as the MRI showed, then Dr'S said she could go back to her apartment and go to work and school. So she went on with life and full filling her dreams. But also had to stay on chemo pills 5 days a month. Mom and dad believed in their daughter and doctor's and let this happen.

Then Brandi had to have and MRI done in April, it looked ok, so she continued on with her chemotherapy pills, taken 5 days in one month.

But in June the MRI showed lots of color, it was wrapping itself around her spinal cord and the madella of her brain. In case you don't know that is not good!
So mom and dad decided to take her to MAYO in Rochester Minnesota. Doctor's wanted to start Brandi on Avastin, a new type of chemotherapy. So Brandy did start it every 2 weeks in an IV and also had 3 infusions in an IV. She had lots of weakness in her left side, hand,arm, leg and foot. She can no longer walk or stand on her own. Her steroids that she takes made her gain weight, and to Brandi this is a major concern.LOL.

On August 11th Brandi seen a specialist in Houston Texas suppose to be the best in the United States and agreed with MAYO Rochester MN, that it is not operable,non-curable but they can try their best to slow it down.

This is hittin home really bad, and I am stepping up to the plate to ask all BIKERS,all MOM's,DAD's,BROTHERS, SISTERS, GRANDPARENTS AND FRIENDS TO DO THE SAME. She's a kid with a big heart, alot of dreams and her whole life ahead of her. This could be one of yours, that just wants to live life to the fullest and help others, Hell that's a dream now let's help her live and then full fill Brandi's dream.


Poker Run - for Brandi Klos September 19, 2009

Sign in starts at 10:30 am at courthouse square in Montezuma, IA
$5.00 per hand or $10.00 for 3 hands with payouts to highest and lowest hand
Last bike out at 11:30 am
Last bike in at 5:30 pm (100 mile run)
1st stop Delta Junction Intersection of HWY 92 & HWY 21
2nd stop Wildlife Bar-n-Grill Fremont, IA
3rd stop All In The Family Raceway (used to be Winds) Oskaloosa, IA
4th stop Scooters New Sharon, IA
5th stop County Seat Montezuma, IA
Dinner and Street Dance -
In front of and hosted by County Seat in Montezuma, Iowa
$10.00 per person - includes dinner and dance, $15.00 per couple
Food will be served from 6:30pm - 8:00pm
CPR will be playing from 8:00pm - Midnight
Several Raffles throughout the night including 50/50
Lodging -
Camping available for free or you can choose the following:
Camping at Diamond Lake for a fee (payable to DNR)
Cozy Country Inn - call for reservations at 641-623-5505

Everyone Welcome!
All Proceeds go to Brandi Klos
Donations also accepted for Brandi Klos at Montezuma State Bank (641-623- 5766)
C/O John and Brenda Klos

Elk's Lodge #98 Poker Run - This Saturday August 29th

Click on picture to make larger!

Funny Little Beard Story

FLHX Dave asked if women like beards. Well this chick does! Love them actually and no they don't scare me.

Anyway...Funny little beard story. Dan and I were in Deadwood and we had gotten a cup of coffee. I kept seeing this cool looking dude with this very cool beard.(no I didn't get a pix...dammit!) Well anyway we were sitting on this bench, people watching as we drank our cups of Joe and this cool looking dude walks by with the amazing beard. I had to tell him...I had to...just had to....so I open my mouth and say..."You have the best beard that I've ever seen." He looked at me and laughed and said, "Thanks." Then he looked at Dan and said..."You better stop shaving sonny!"

LMAO! Too funny! Love it!

The Road Back to Johnston

Friday morning we loaded up the bike and checked out of the luxurious Motel 6. I was ready to leave but yet I wasn't. I knew in the weeks to follow I would end up going through Sturgis withdrawal and it wouldn't be fun. We saddled up on ZP and made our way to I-29. East Bound and Down...yes down that I was leaving Sturgis. Dan was determined to make it home on Friday. We rode and rode and stopped and rode some more. We ended up just outside Sioux City, IA in a little town called Sloan and decided we just couldn't take it anymore. We were tired from the South Dakota wind, sunburned, and our asses were sore so we decided to stay at a nice little motel in Sloan called the Winnivegas Motel.(there is a casino down the road at an Indian Reservation called Winnivegas) I'm glad we stopped. The good nights sleep did us good and we were able to make it home in pretty good time on Saturday. It was good to be home...to be able to sleep in a familiar bed but I still had that pang of sadness that another Sturgis was behind me. I'm still having withdrawal even as I post this. Below are some final pictures of the trip. They are all from the Friday that we left.

Dreaming of Sturgis 70!

Billy Lane - The Verdict

If you are interested in watching the sentencing of Billy Lane click on the link below.

http://gannett.a.mms.mavenapps.net/mms/rt/1/site/gannett-brevard-028-pub01-live/current/launch.html?maven_playerId=brevardimmersive&maven_referralObject=1215195520

Top 100 Motorcycle Blogs

Wow...I got this e-mail today that I made a Top 100 Motorcycle Blogs list and I got to looking at it and a bunch of us made the list. Very Cool!

Keep the Rubberside Down
The Many Thoughts of Harleygirl
Arizona Harley Dude
2 Rat Bastards
Road Captian USA
Glider Rider
Rippin Kitten
Random Thoughts
Road Grits Cafe
Allen Madding's Musings
Midlife Motorcycle Madness
Rides Roads and Ronman
Mr Motorcycle
Lowrider in the Wind
Harley Davidson "Mystique"
Musings of a Contemplative Biker
KT Did
Biker Chick News
Mimi's Motorcycle Journal

http://www.attgophone.net/blog/2009/top-100-motorcycle-blogs/

Lorenzo Lamas and The Burnouts

Well the last day of the trip was spent in Sturgis. We walked around and bought last minute souvenirs and people watched some more. Later in the day we went to see Lorenzo Lamas, the Budweiser Burnout bike, and some major burnouts. Lorenzo Lamas told everyone that entered that he'd buy them a new tire if they blew theirs doing the burnout. I think he bought quite a few tires.

Here is a slide show of the final day in my favorite town Sturgis, South Dakota!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

After the burnouts we decided to head back to Rapid City and pack up so we could head out early on Friday. As we rode away I waved good bye to Sturgis and of course started to cry. I love the Sturgis Rally...I truly feel at home there. It's one of the places that I can be myself...be the biker chick that I love being!

Devil's Tower, The Fryed Brothers Band, and KT Did

Wednesday was a very busy day. We headed out to Devil's Tower in Wyoming. It's simply amazing! Pictures don't do it justice. The road out to Devil's Tower reminded me a little of Needle's Highway. Lots of twisties and high altitudes. It was not a ride for a newbie. I was glad that Dan had many miles under his belt for this trip. You really do put a lot of faith in someone when you are a passenger.

After taking in Devil's Tower we headed into Hulett and No Panties Wednesday. I think everyone that road a motorcycle was in Hulett on Wednesday. The town was jam packed. If we would have gotten there early in the day we would have stopped but parking was miles away from Downtown. We stopped and had lunch in a town called Aladdin, population of 15. It was great because they let the bikers pretty much take over. We made our way back toward Sturgis or so we thought. There was one point that I seriously thought we were lost out in the middle of nowhere. We finally came to a road and a road sign that told us to turn right to Sturgis. I could see Bear Butte in the distance so I knew we were on track again. We passed this couple and later Dan said to me, "Did you notice she didn't have a shirt on?" LOL

We parked on a side street in Sturgis and headed to the Broken Spoke Saloon for a beer. We were both beat and needed a break. After we cooled down and did some good people watching we headed back to Rapid City for a few hours. We headed back to Sturgis later on in the evening because it was the Fryed Brothers Band night. Thanks to KT Did for showing up for a few minutes so that we could say hello. KT is everything I thought she'd be...one cool biker chick! I went and looked for the lead singer of the Fryed Brothers Band, Harry Fryed so that I could give him a pin I had made. I was so lucky because he was walking out from backstage. I walked right up to him and said..."Hi, I would like to give you this pin!" He was like..."What does it say? I can't read it. You'll have to tell me what it says." "Well, it says...I'm an Old Dirty Biker." He laughed and said..."Well Darlin', I'm glad you think I am." OMG...he is so damn cute! Loved the beard and loved the music! If you get a chance go see them...AWESOME!

Before the Fryed Brothers there was cage fighting...ok...I guess there wasn't really a cage but I'm not too skooled when it comes to people beating each other up for money. :)~

I made another slide show so you could see parts of the day. There is only one more full day left after this post of Sturgis 69, it include Lorenzo Lamas and Burnouts! :)

Make photo slide shows at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Deadwood, A Lake, and The Broken Spoke Campground

Tuesday we headed to Deadwood. In 1876 Deadwood was a gold camp and a gambling town. Many historic outlaws spent time in Deadwood, including Wild Bill Hickok, Calamity Jane and Seth Bullock. The entire town is a National Historic Landmark and has around 80 Casinos. You can feel the Spirits of the Wild West as you ride your chrome horse into town and find a place to park so that you can walk around and take it all in.

Main Street in Deadwood is lined with Historic Casinos and souviener shops. We got to town early so it was still pretty quiet. When they finally allowed motorcycles to park on the street it began filling up fast. We got a coffee and sat and people watched for a while. After our coffee we had a mission to find a cigar store Dan had heard about called Deadwood Tobacco and Cigar Bar. Dan loves Cigars. To see photos of the Cigar Bar go to http://www.deadwoodtobacco.com/ . It was a very cool place and I enjoyed watching all the biker men come in to buy their cigars. After we left the cigar bar we decided to walk around one more time and then go for a ride.

We left Deadwood not really knowing where we were going to go. Our ride eventually took us to a town called Hill City. Along the way we pulled over and had some lunch in a turn off to a campground. We watched all kinds of motorcycles go by as we ate and I swear I saw Paul Sr., on a chopper, headed to Hill City. There was a beautiful lake along the way which I believe was Mitchell Lake but I can't be 100% sure. This ride was a first for me so I'm not really sure where we were at. lol After we rode through Hill City we headed back to Rapid City to relax for a few hours before we went to the Broken Spoke Campground.

We took off for the Broken Spoke Campground and the sky was partly sunny. Everything would change in the matter of hours. The reason we made the trip out to the campground was to hear the Jasmine Cain Band play. As alot of you know I love this band. I was so excited when I got their and couldn't wait to hear them. I also had been texting KT Did and we planned on getting together out there. She was going to see 38 Special. While we waited for the band to begin playing we walked around the campground. The bar at the BS campground is huge and the swimming pool is huge too. If you want to check things out go to http://www.brokenspokecampground.com/ . We walked through the Limpknickie Lot and watched the show at the Wall of Death. I was able to meet Bean're who I did an interview with this past year. The clouds kept moving in and there were reports of a severe thunderstorm on the way. About 10 minutes to when Jasmine Cain and her band were to begin they cancelled her show. It was too late for us to leave because it had begun to rain and the lightening in the distance, toward Sturgis, was straight down. We decided to wait it out and hang out at the bar. While we were waiting I kept getting messages from KT Did telling me she was stuck at Mt. Rushmore in a storm. Needless to say we didn't get to see each other Tuesday night. After the storm passed through Dan and I slowly made our way back to Rapid City.

There were a lot of pictures from this day so I made a slideshow...ENJOY!

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

The Road to Rapid City and Sturgis

Monday morning I was up with the chickens. The anxious feelings I was having had gotten the best of me and I think I was showered and dressed by 5:30 am. I went down to the hotel lobby and checked my e-mail and other internet things, waiting for Dan to get up and around. When Dan was ready to go we went to the hotel restaurant and ate our complimentary breakfasts. It was funny because on the menu it was titled the "Senior Breakfast". That cracked me up and I said to Dan that we were honorary "Seniors" for the morning. After breakfast we loaded up the bike, talked to a really cool biker from Ohio, and finally took off for Mecca!

First stop along the way was 1880 Town. We didn't pay to go through the museum but I did take some pictures of the bikers that were stopped there for gas and a little bit of rest.

There was a lot of construction this year on Interstate 90. I do have to give South Dakota a huge compliment though...they have really great roads. I don't think we experienced a bad one the entire trip. The next stop on the journey to RC/Sturgis was none other then Wall Drug. We ate lunch, picked up our free Wall Drug bumper sticker, and then went on a little exploration of the area we didn't get to last year. We forgot to see Wall Drug's Backyard.





We made it to Rapid City and checked into the luxurious Motel 6 for our 4 day stay. This year our room was cleaner so I didn't worry about bed bugs near as much. lol I convinced Dan to ride into Sturgis for a little while to check things out. I couldn't just sit in Rapid City knowing what was only 25 miles away. Thank God he agreed or I would have had to ask for a ride from another biker. As we decended onto Sturgis I was ready to sit in line to get into town for about a 1/2 hour. Nope...zip...zing...right into town. Found a parking place and made our way to Main Street. Our first stop was the Sturgis Webcam where I called my folks and waved at them. They kept telling me that it was really good to see us on the cam. After that we walked up and down Main Street and took a few pictures.








Going east on Main Street I noticed a black building. I was all excited when I realized that it was a mock club house from the Son's of Anarchy. I'm so excited for season 2 to begin in September. Should be a great one!





Dan and I were both very beat so we headed back to Rapid City. Went to Walmart and got some food for the cooler. Went back to the motel and relaxed with a couple beers and Dan smoked a cigar. It felt so good to be there again. We watched the bikers riding west to Sturgis. I felt at ease again. My anxious feelings had finally left me. I was finally there...finally in the place that makes my heart sing. Finally home with my fellow brothers and sisters that understand my wild heart and obsession for riding! Home Sweet South Dakota!