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/.

I'm BACK!

Hi All...yes IHG is still alive and kick'n. I've been helping my sister and bro in law with their new bundle of joy! Sydney Allyson is one adorable little girlie! I'll post a pic or two soon! I have some info to get on here about some rallies and rides coming up in the near future. If you have anything you'd like to have me post online please send it to motorcyclesandskulls@yahoo.com.

Have a great night!!!

XO
IHG!



Sydney about 2 wks old. CUTE!

25 hours later...

Sydney Allyson Ketels was finally born this morning at 1:35 am. She weighs 7 lbs. 4 oz. and is 20 inches long! I can't wait to hold my new little niece! Congrats Margo and Tim!!! Welcome to the world little Sydney!!

Circle of Pride M/C 2008 Hog Wild Rodeo

This rally will be held May 15,16, & 17 in Conesville, IA. Ticket prices are $35 in Advance and $40 at the gate. There is also a $20 fee for RV and Camper passes. Entertainment includes the following: We Ain't Right Band, The Randall Zwarte Band; Hank Rotten & Allen Ross, Bag Lady Sue, Mudd Puppies, Jefferson County Green Band, Inch 75, The Untamed Shrews(comedians) and Dani Lynn Howe Band. Bob the Bull will be at the rally and there is a $100 Prize to the toughest man and woman who can ride Bob for 8 Seconds. The All Harley Outlaw Drags will be held with cash prizes. $1,000 for the Fastest Sportster and Big Twin and they are even letting the Foreign Bikes in on the deal with a $500 prize. There will be index racing and three Nitro Bikes featuring "The Flying Farmer" Allen Peterson. And to make it even better there will be tons of Vendors, Extreme Fighting featuring Dennis Reed, Ride in Bike Show, 100% payback poker run and Saturday night there will be a fireworks display. Oh my...I almost forgot the Famous "What?? T Shirt" Contest.

This rally is located 3 miles north of Columbus Junction, IA on Hwy 70. To order tickets by Mail send Money Order or Certified Check with a SASE to Circle of Pride M/C, PO Box 87, Columbus Jct., IA 52738 no later then 5/9/2008. You can also buy tickets at various locations - visit the Circle of Pride website at http://www.circleofpridemc.com/ to find these locations and if you love XXX rally photos...holy wow! LOL!!

This rally is a wild one so if you are easily offended you should probably stay home!

Garage Party and a Few Other Thoughts...

I'm always up for anything having to do with motorcycles. Well a couple weeks ago I got this invite to the Garage Party for Women Only at Big Barn Harley Davidson. I thought I'd check it out and I'm glad that I went. There were about 45 women there from various backgrounds and with various motorcycle experience. It was good to find out that there are a few women out there just like me...motorcycle license but no motorcycle...and they are still riding 2 up. The evening began with introductions. We met the staff and met one another. After filling out a couple questionares we were put in groups and sent down on the floor of the Big Barn to our various stations. There were 4 Stations in all. The group I was with began with motorcycles. A few members of the sales staff told the group about the different families of Harley Davidson motorcycles. There are 5 in all: Sportster, Dyna, Softail, VRSC, and Touring. They of course spent all their time talking to us by the Sportsters which they told us was considered the starter Harley Davidson. One of the sales staff did say though that you should buy the bike that makes you feel the most comfortable instead of thinking that you should begin with a Sportster. After they told us everything that they knew about motorcycles they let us walk around and check out the bikes. I think the 2008 motorcycles are some of the best looking rides that HD has come out with. I love the new custom paint options and new bikes that they have created. The Rocker and the Softail Cross Bones are wicked looking scoots. After about 5 minutes of letting us wander around the bikes we were sent on to Station 2. This station was back in the service department where you drop off your bike for service. We all got the opportunity to learn how to lift a fallen bike. That was something I really needed to learn. We didn't learn that in the motorcycle safety course for some reason. I thought that they should have taken us into the shop were they actually work on the bikes. They may not have because of safety but it would have been interesting to me. Sometimes I wonder though if I'm not normal and I'm the only chick that might care about seeing that. After a quick break with refreshments and Harley Davidson trivia for prizes we were sent back down for the final two stations. Station 3 was Parts and Accessories. We learned how to remove a bike seat and got to see the new LED tail lamp. Station 4 was Motorclothes and our final station of the evening. We got to see the latest in leather, boots, and helmets. We all got together one final time and filled out another questionare and they drew a name for a door prize. We also received schwag bags which were minus really any schwag. Well we got a pen. All in all it was something that I would recommend to any woman out there that is interested in the sport of motorcycle riding. For a first timer it would be a real learning experience. For a more seasoned gal that has riden 2 up for a lot of years, there are interesting things to learn and it's fun meeting new people.

I did leave the Big Barn a little sad. My Crimson Denim Street Bob dream bike had been sold. It better not be to the guy I put a hex on. It better have been to an amazing chick rider that will love her just as much as I would have. When I noticed that she was gone I said to the P & A guy that my bike was gone and he was so understanding of my broken heart that he told me they could get another Crimson Denim Street Bob and he could help me make her even prettier just for me. How sweet was that! :) Ok...so here is hoping that in 2009 or 2010 they are still making that bike. Well by then they will probably have come up with something even more rock'n!

My father will love this! Hey Dad...remember that Literature Text book you bought way back when I attended Wartburg for a term? Well I've decided to finally read it. LMAO!

My final thought for the day...I'm so excited because my new little Niece Sydney is going to be born any day now! I can't wait to hold her!

Please continue to keep our Troops in your prayers!! God Bless America!

Have a great night!

IHG! :)

This cracked me up!!

I was goofing around on the internet today and found a site that gives you your Outlaw 1%er biker name. Mine is Bitch of the Sons of Santa! OMG that is too funny!! Kind of goes along with the Old Dirty Biker thing. Cracking me up!! You should go and try it...

http://www.ratbike.org/motorcycho/outlawname.php

A book in my life has been closed...

I wasn't going to post this but I just have to. Suicide is a crazy thing. Something that is so selfish. I understand that people hurt...I hurt! I just can't understand why someone would believe life is so bad that they would have to end it...they leave behind people who love them so much and it's just such a selfish act. I guess I shouldn't judge because I've never been that low that I've even remotely had those thoughts. Anyway...the entry below has brought closer to something I've wondered about for a very long time.

Once upon a time their was a 17 yr old naive girl that met a 21 yr old bad boy. They had a relationship full of drama but the girl stayed with the bad boy for about 5 yrs. One evening in the Central High School parking lot the naive girl now 21 and the bad boy now 26 sat and talked about the future. The bad boy told the naive girl that it would never work because her parent's disliked him so greatly. That was the last time the naive girl ever saw the bad boy. She thought of him from time to time wondering what ever became of his life. He had always been in trouble and she hoped by him moving to Texas he could get his life together. One day the not so naive 39 yr old woman found his cousin's name on Classmates.com and thought she would e-mail him. She asked how the bad boy was doing. A few nights later the not so naive woman visits Classmates.com and finds a response from bad boy's cousin. What she would read in that reply would hit her like a ton of bricks. She was in complete shock. The bad boy had commit suicide in 2004. Finally the book can be closed because now she knows what happened to him and she won't need to wonder anymore.

2008 Capital City Customs Swap Meet & Show

The 4-H Hall at the Iowa State Fairgrounds was packed with bikers enjoying the sites of the 2008 Capital City Customs Swap Meet & Show. Upon arrival at the venue I couldn't believe the line of people waiting to get in. There was excitement on their faces even though there was that February chill in the air. When you entered the hall you were hit with the sites and sounds of a full blown bike show. There were vendors, dealers, custom bikes, babes, beers, and food. It was like a mini rally of sorts minus a band. You could feel the energy of the attendies as you pushed your way through the aisles.

The first booth that caught my eye was the TwisteD Choppers booth. This group of builders were from Sioux Falls, SD. These cool looking tattooed builders had some wicked looking rides.





I immediately was drawn to this rusty chopper. I love bikes that are raw...they have such character. One of the spokesmen from TwisteD Choppers told me that when they want to give the bike a boost of color they take it outside and let it sit in the rain for a day or two. I thought that was so awesome! I would have to say of all the chopper dealers that were at the show, TwisteD Choppers had some of the coolest bikes there.

Another builder that caught my eye was Z Co. Their style reminded me a lot of Exile Cycles with the industrial look of their bikes.


I can't imagine sitting on this seat on a long run but it really is wicked looking.

I headed on over to the area where the bike show entries were. Below are the rides that caught my eye.









There were a number of motorcycle clubs present at the event selling their support gear and socializing with the crowd of event goers. I had to laugh at how far away they put the Iron Warriors from the 1%ers.


I headed past the Outlaw bikers to the swap meet. If you were looking for a part for your scoot there were boxes and boxes of items to look through.



What bike event wouldn't be complete without a few biker babes showing their stuff. I got a couple pictures of the girls for you guys out there that follow my blog. I apologize for not taking too much time in getting anything good since it's not really an area of interest for me. LOL!



This was definately a welcome event for a bitterly cold February day. I was on motorcycle overload the entire time I was there. I marveled at all of the people in attendance. It's great to be around so many like minded people who are enjoying a great event like this Swap Meet and Customs Show.





We need more events such as this in Iowa because it was proven today...Iowans love their motorcycles and there are a heck of a lot of bikers in Iowa!

Spring is almost here!!! I'm sooooooo ready!

:)
IHG

Thank you Guardian Angel

So I've always felt like I have a Guardian Angel that watches over me and keeps me out of harms way in life. I've always thought that my Guardian Angel is my Godmother Celia Boom. I never knew her because she passed away when I was very young but for some reason I've always thought it is her. She definately stepped in this evening on my way home from work and helped me so I didn't get in an accident with the car in front of me. I was watching my speed because the road I was on was snow packed and in places there were patches of ice. I crested this hill and was slowing to stop and the car in front of me began to slide out of control...thank god I'm pretty good at winter driving and I pumped my brakes and counter steered my car and got around the car in front of me instead of hitting it. My heart was pounding a million miles a hour and I waited for the car that started the whole thing to go by me so I could get back in the lane to turn. As the car passed the lady in it and I looked at each other with that Thank God we didn't crash look and we went on our ways home, driving even slower then we had before. Instantly I was like...thanks Celia for saving me yet again. Can I say it again??? I'm so ready for SPRING!

Goodnight!

XO - IHG

VOTE FOR SASHA MULLINS - MISS STURGIS 2008

I found out about Sasha Mullins when I was searching for books about Biker Chicks. I found her BikerLady book and discovered one amazing chick. I'm a follower of her blog Down the Road a Peace and am so excited because her new book Chrome Cowgirl's Guide to Motorcycle Life is coming out in July of this year! I was reading her blog tonight and saw that she is entered in the Miss Sturgis 2008 contest. Go vote for this crazy cool chick at www.misssturgis.com. Best of luck to Sasha! She should be Miss Sturgis 2008. She is a biker chick, an amazing writer, singer, and fabulous soul! She has inspired me to follow my dreams and I thank her for it!

Best of luck Sasha!!!

:)IHG

More Snow....ARGH!

Wow...it just keeps snowing. We've had snow here in Iowa since November. It's the most snow I've seen in years. It's coming down pretty steady tonight. I measured the snow in the drive and it was about 3 inches. ICK! Tomorrow morning should be a treat getting to work. Our Iowa winters sux worse every year! I think it's because I'm getting older, have to drive in the crap and don't ever get a snow day like we did when I was a kid. I also think it's because there is this pretty Street Glide sitting in the garage freezing to death and wishing she was on the road. Poor Zippy Pickle is probably as sad as I am and hoping for spring!!

One good thing happening this weekend is a motorcycle show and swap meet at the fairgrounds. I can't wait. Chrome, paint, sexy bikes, vendors and hopefully cool swap meet finds. I'm hoping to get some pictures to put on here and show people that motorcycles really do exist in Iowa.

Well...that's all for now. Hope everyone is doing well out there and wishing for spring as much as I am!

Goodnight! IHG :)

Crimson Dreaming!

Well it's Thursday night...I'm sitting here refreshing my e-bay auction and thinking about spring. It's getting so close. Pretty soon Zippy Pickle will be out of the garage and zipping down the road happy again! And I'll be happy again. Went to Big Barn last Saturday. Had the urge to look at the pretty bikes and continue dreaming. I'm still in love with the Crimson Red Street Bob that is back by the parts department. Sat on her...got off of her...watched some guy looking at her and put a hex on him so he'd leave her alone. I kept thinking to myself...dude...it's a chick color...walk away! Walked around the dealership again...sat on the Nightster...I seriously love that bike but it's not practical for what I want. Sat on a Sporty again and very much decided that I would hate it after a couple days...too little. Looked at the over priced clothing and then made my way back to her again. I stood for a moment checking her out...walking around her. Gosh she's so pretty...I would look so awesome riding her. She would look great with all the rockin' accessories I'd prettier her up with. I sat on her again...lifted her up. Imagined myself one with her and the road. I want that bike so bad. Someday I'll be on my own...the wind blowing through my hair. I'll be one with the road rather then one with the one on the road. Did you get that? I did...LOL! So anyway...It's Thursday night and I'm dreaming of that Crimson beauty yet again and wishing she was in my garage!

Think Spring! Don't forget to say a prayer for our Troops, Vets, and Fallen Heroes!

Goodnight!
XO - IHG

Tuesday Ramblings...

Wow...did you see the moon tonight? It was amazing!

What happened to the Packers? I'm still scratching my head wondering why the Giants beat them. Guess that the Pack didn't listen to the Tim McGraw song "How Bad Do You Want It" before they went out on the field. I'm not really too excited about the Super Bowl...I mean seriously...do you think the Giants can really beat the Patriots? Ummmmmm....NO!

Heath Ledger dead at 28. How sad is that? What is with the Hollywood crowd? Will Britney be next?

I'm officially over Winter and ready for Spring!! It's 13 degrees and supposed to snow yet again. Enough already!!

It sounds like the Army Wives on Lifetime will be back on in the Spring! Can't wait! It was such a great show last year!

Ok...I'm rambled out! Night!!

XO - IHG

Random Stuff

It's January 12th, 2008. Have you broken your resolutions yet? My biggest resolution besides getting back to the gym is to treat everyone with respect and kindness. I don't think it's fair to judge someone until you get to know them...at that point you can decide if you want them in your life or would rather not go there with them. I've met some really awesome people through the years by living that way. I have such a variety of friends that I'm never bored! LOL

We spent Christmas Day in Dyersville with my sister and her husband and the families. Since we live in South/Central Iowa we usually have warmer weather then Northeast Iowa. Wow did they get the snow this year. I took a couple pictures of some cool snow drifts in front of my sister's place. It's snow art!





Dyersville doesn't just have the Field of Dreams. It also has the Basilica and this amazing shrine to Mary and Jesus just randomly on the end of a street. Tim, Margo, Dan, and I went driving around looking at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve. I took a picture of the Shrine. It's very beautiful. If you drive around on the country roads in this part of NE Iowa you will see these Shrines on the edge of the road. It kind of makes the saying "Is this Heaven? No it's Iowa!" really make you feel like you are in God's Country. People knock Iowa all the time but honestly it's a great state. I will admit that there is a lot of corn during the summer and empty sad looking fields in the winter but the borders on the East and West sides of the state are amazing. Rolling hills and breathtaking views. And a great place to ride your motorcycle!



Last weekend we had some pretty nice weather for January. It got up in the 40's so Dan just couldn't stop himself. He was on the Zippy Pickle in a flash and took her for a scoot. I was a little jealous because I was going to go run an errand but I figured I'd let him have his time and enjoy the moment. I can only imagine the feeling of being on the open road alone with just your thoughts and the wind in your face. It must be amazing for sure! Someday it will be me and I won't have to ride b#$@h anymore.





Hope you are all having a great New Year and that you are enjoying each and every moment. One really cool thing...I've been nominated for a Blogger Award by the Biker Chick that writes Biker Chick News! I've put a link so that you can all check out her great blog! Thanks again to everyone that follows my blog! I've met some great people because of it and have read some great blogs that they've created. I think it's great how close knit the biker community is. I feel most at peace when I'm with a group of bikers. I always try to be myself and bikers take you for who you are. Have a fabulous weekend!!!

:) IHG

Happy New Year!

Ok...Can you believe this...I'm 39 and my folks are in their 60's. They got home at 2:15 am and I was asleep by 11:30. How funny is that? WOW!

Last year was a rough year for Dan and Me and I'm hoping that 2008 will be much better! I'm thinking positive that it will be!!

Last night I was watching Dick Clark's New Year's Rock'n Eve and I have to say...Dick made me cry. I wish this dear man would face the truth that he needs to just hand it over to Ryan and call it a day. It was so depressing seeing someone that I grew up with so...I don't even know how to describe it. It just made me sad. You want to remember things a certain way and when they change it can be depressing.

I'm super excited because my new Niece will be here in a few months! Little "Pinky" Ketels will be born in March! I can't wait to introduce her to the happy shiny world of Harley Davidson! LOL!

Wishing everyone that follows my blog a very Happy and Healthy New Year! Maybe this year we'll run into each other out on the road. Hopefully not literally but you knew that right!??!! LOL

XO - Stephanie aka IHG

Need I say more...

This is my favorite David Mann print...

Amen to this quote....

I found this quote on East Side Girls' blog and I stole it!

No presents this year!
All these silly, shiny things
Don’t say “I love you”

Her family...like mine...agreed to opt out of gift giving. What is gift giving anyway...it's not the real meaning of Christmas. At least it's not to me and I'm not just saying that because I'm broke...I've truly always felt that way!

Merry Christmas to you all. May you and yours have a wonderful time together, sharing the love of the season!

:)

Merry Christmas

Cut and past the link below into your web browser and get ready to smile! This is the cutest thing I've ever seen!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1509819767

America's Legendary Daredevil...

has passed on. Evel Knievel died today at age 69.

Alive Day Memories

I just watched a documentary called Alive Day Memories. It's a must see. James Gandolfini interviews 10 Soldiers that became disabled because of the Iraq war. It made me love our Troops all the more. We need to stand by them and support them forever because they have given such a huge sacrifice for us and our country. The show will rip your heart out but I feel everyone should watch it.