The J & P Cycle Open House and Much More!

Last weekend was the 30th Annual Open House at J & P Cycles in Anamosa, IA. I wasn't sure what to expect since this was my first open house I'd attended there. Friday morning Dan and I rolled out of Des Moines at about 11:30. Even though the heat index was in the upper 90's it wasn't too bad when you were moving down the road at 80 mph. Traffic was pretty tight on Interstate 80 heading east and we had two near misses, once with a Toyota car and once with a big ol' semi. Dan is one awesome pilot of our ZP...he held his own as we rumbled along the shoulder trying to get Mr. Toyota's attention so he wouldn't kill us. After we got by that I was crossing myself and saying Hail Marys like they were going outta style. Geesh...dumb ass didn't even look. We backed off from the semi when I noticed his turn signal go on as we were just beginning to go around him. I gave him a friendly little wave when he finally got back over and we were able to get past. We stopped in Williamsburg to regroup and I suggested that we head on off on Highway 151 through the Amana Colonies. It was a much better trip after that because there wasn't a lot of traffic.

We stopped off at J & P Cycles on our way to my sister and her families place in Dyersville. There wasn't much going on there besides people setting up for the big weekend. It was estimated that there were going to be about 20,000 people in attendance. WOW! I took a few photos of things I thought were cool.





We got to Margo, Tim, and Sydney's place about 45 minutes later and hung out with them for the evening. My niece is 15 months old now and cute as a bug. I should have taken a pix of her so you could see but I know you'll take my word for it. I'm not bias at all! HA!

Saturday we were up and headed out to the J & P Open House. Glad we got there early because it ended up being very hot and there were sooooo many people. It was great though. John and Jill Parham really appreciate their customers. There was free food, free soda, and free water. They were even walking around greeting their guests. It was a real family affair and surprisingly there was no alcohol that I could see. I met the guys from Throttler Magazine and they were super cool...again...no pix. WOW! lol I met Rick Fairless and Michele Smith. I told Michele how much I missed her on American Thunder. She told me that she could have stayed on but not as the host. I can see why she left. She really did make that show. And I do have to say...that biker chick is a Hottie. She was dressed so freaking awesome! It was funny watching men get their picture taken with her. It reminded me of my experience with Billy Lane and not being able to talk. I just had to laugh. Michele has a website http://www.michelesmith.tv/ which I'm sure the guys will all like. I told her about my blog and she wrote down the addy. Don't know if she'll look at it but I'll believe she has already! lol

Rick Fairless was as cool as he always is. I got his autograph a few years back at the Easyrider Bike Show in Kansas City. I told Rick about my blog and he told me to send him a link to it. Cool! Rick is having a huge bike show and parts expo in Dallas at the Dallas Market Center on April 10 - 11, 2010. If you are interested in attending the event visit http://www.rickfairlessbikeshow.com/ or call 952-746-7786. The Strokers Dallas website is http://www.strokersdallas.com/. I took a photo of my favorite Fairless creation. It's the Janis bike...love Janis Joplin. Peace Baby!

We went inside of J & P a few times to cool off and on one venture into the store I was greeted by the Motorcycle Monster. The look on my face is priceless...I'm being jabbed in the head by one of his spikes and he's also telling Dan that I'm pretty cute and then tells me to ditch Dan and hook up with him later. Too funny!


I've made a slide show of the other photos that Dan and I took of our adventures at J & P Cycles. We watched a stunt show where the guy was doing stunts on a sportster. Amazing. There are a couple pictures of Jason Britton the stunt rider in the slideshow too. The Daytona Harley Davidson Drill team was there and did some incredible drills on their big old baggers. WOW! Visit http://www.daytonaharleydavidsondrillteam.com/ if you would like to learn more about them. And the rest of the photos are bikes, bikes and more bikes.

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

We headed back to Dyersville for lunch and then loaded up The Ketels' family Suburban and headed over to Lake Delhi to stay at Tim's parent's cabin. It was lots of fun. Drank a lot of margaritas and I finally got to sit by a bonfire! I was soooooooo excited. I got a pix of my sister and Dan both enjoying beers.

Sunday morning came quick and we headed back to Dyersville and packed ZP for the trip home. We decided to take Highway 20 back and stopped in Cedar Falls to see my folks at a car show they were attending. There just happened to be some motorcycles there to be judged too so I got some more motorcycle photos for you to enjoy. LOL!

What a great weekend we had! J & P put on a great Thank You for their customers, I got to see my family, and I got to ride almost 400 miles on ZP! Who could ask for more? :)

Happy Riding! xo

IHG

ABATE Toy Ride

All summer long I've planned on going to certain motorcycle events and because something has come up I haven't been able to. Well, Sunday was the ABATE Toy Ride and I kept telling Dan...we are doing this...don't make plans...no one is stopping us from going to this. My wish came true and we were able to go! YAY! Dan shined up the Glide and we headed over to meet Monique and RJ...our new riding buddies! They have actually been our friends for a few years but it wasn't until recently that RJ and Monique crossed over to the wild side. I say this because they've always been bikers...just bikers on bicycles. And instead of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally they are used to going on RAGBRAI. Which, if you have ever gone on this 7 day bicycle ride across Iowa, it sometimes is wilder then Sturgis.

It was a beautiful day for a ride on Sunday. After picking up Monique and RJ we made our way to I - 235 and headed east to the Capital. Because of my shear excitement about being able to go on this toy ride I got us there plenty early so we road around a little while and then headed back to the parking lot that is east of the Capital. As you can tell we were still pretty early.


I love Rat Bikes and this one was one of the coolest I saw on Sunday. Thanks to the nice biker that told me I could post it. I'm bad...I forgot to get his name but he did say he enters "Bone Rattler" in Rat Bike shows.



As the time goes by more and more people begin showing up. I decide to walk around and get some pictures and chat it up with some people that I know.



Yes...there is a Santa and Mrs. Claus. And Mrs. Claus wears leather chaps, with fringe. COOL!


I even ran into a reindeer and an elf.

You see so many cool things when you just walk around and look. I was like a kid in a big parking lot candy store. One fun find after another.






This is one of my favorite pictures that I took on Sunday. I want this to be me. I want to always be a cool biker chick until I can't swing my leg over that scoot anymore. You go Biker Momma!

And this is in no way making fun of the Iowa State Patrol but the photo cracks me up a little. These two Iowa State Patrol walking among a whole lotta bikers! Do you see the humor? Come on...you have to see the humor!

I mean, check out all the people that showed up for this event.

I know you are all wondering if we actually went on a ride. Yes we did! At one o'clock on the money the parking lot of steel horses sprung to life as people got in line to ride out of the Capital parking lot and down SE 14th Street. I had no idea what to expect but boy was I in for an amazing surprise!






SE 14th Street had a Des Moines police officer at every intersection so that we could blow through every red light. I know Dan was loving it because he has this red light bad karma thing that follows him so I know he was like, yes...yes...yes! I had chill bumps the entire ride. There were people along the way that were waving and honking. It was the coolest feeling and it was all in the name of helping kids! What better way to spend your Sunday afternoon...riding and donating a toy so that a little child can have a brighter Christmas. Awesome!

I'm really glad that Monique and RJ joined us for this event. I know we all really enjoyed it. The riding season is drawing to an end here in Iowa but I know there will be many more weekends of fun ahead of us!


Happy Riding! IHG :)

The Big Gypsie Show - Swap Meet - Auction September 5,6,& 7

The Big Gypsie
Press Release

The Big Gypsie
Vintage Motorcycle
Show - Swap Meet – Auction

The legendary black hills of South Dakota will become host to the region’s largest ever vintage motorcycle swap meet, show and auction this fall. Slated for September 5th, 6th, and 7th this event will draw from a six state region including North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Colorado and Minnesota. Staged the week after the Davenport, Iowa vintage meet this venue provides an excellent opportunity for vendors migrating back to the North West corner of the country. With 40,000 square feet of indoor space and over five acres of exhibition ground this promises to be an exceptional event for the region’s motorcycle buffs.
The swamp meet is dedicated to pre-1978 motorcycle, parts and memorabilia. A “sale corral” will be available for newer bikes in need of owners. Event promoters Gary Lippord and Coe D. Meyer see the region as teaming with beautiful old motorcycles and related items. Additionally the auction hosted by David Wilson promises to draw out some very special machines. Sturgis and the Black Hills are spectacular in September with lots to do in every direction. “We feel this is a great get away opportunity,” says event promoter Coe D. Meter. Everyone loves the Black Hills and this event affords a great opportunity to experience the area at its best. Who knows… you may just find the motorcycle you wanted in high school?
For travel, lodging, and event information you may with our web site: http://www.thebiggypsie.com/
or call us at (605)490-3632.

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.

Throttler Motorcycle Magazine - for riders, about riders, by riders

There is a new Motorcycle Magazine dedicated to motorcycles and the people who ride them, right here in Iowa! It's called Throttler Motorcycle Magazine and it's a free monthly publication that is distributed all across Iowa at your local motorcycle dealership, bars, banks, restaurants, and convenience stores. To find a location near you click on this link: http://www.throttlermagazine.com/throttlerDISTRIBUTE.html

Throttler promises to cover interest stories on riders, rallies and businesses across the state. They are looking for riders across Iowa to help them cover events and contribute photos. This is the perfect opportunity for the motorcycle communities in Iowa to help keep everyone informed about motorcycle issues and events going on across our fine state.

Throttler also has a website that you should visit. There are links to their advertisers that help make this magazine free to everyone. http://www.throttlermagazine.com/index.html I also noticed that if you are unable to pick up the lastest issue you can read a few of the stories on their website. Make sure you try to find a copy though because the pictures are great and their is a section dedicated to Iowans and pictures of them on their bikes. It's similar to "Snaps" in American Iron but the thing I like most about it was that Throttler let the rider write about themself and why they ride what they ride.

Best of luck to Roderick Kabel and his staff at Throttler Magazine. It's a great looking mag and I look forward to lots of great reading and photos in the coming months.

Take a "Putt" over to Striker's Sports Bar in Pleasant Hill, IA

Join Clutch from 95 KGGO on Sunday afternoon's at Striker's Sports Bar in Pleasant Hill.(655 NE 56th Street) There is plenty of parking for your scoot and plenty of beer to quench your thirst after your leisurely Sunday "putt". We stopped in this last Sunday and had a few brews...the nice bar girls even gave us a couple "free" ones! Bonus! Plus Clutch and his crew were giving away free t-shirts and free tickets to the Bret Michaels' concert.
I also got a few pictures of some cool bikes that showed up at this enjoyable motorcycle event. I love seeing what people do to their rides, how they make them their own. Motorcycles are beautiful machines and events like this one are a great way to show them off.





Check out this biker chick and her ZZ Top inspired bike. I wonder if she likes a "Sharp Dressed Man" or maybe she really loves those Old Dirty Biker types! She was in luck because I heard a little ZZ Top playing and there were plenty of ODBs walking around.
Make sure you check out Striker's the next Sunday afternoon that you are out riding the roads in the Des Moines Metro. We need a fun place to all meet up on the weekends...it's great that Striker's wants to do something for us on Sunday afternoons. Let's help them make it a success!! Hope to see you there sometime this summer!