Cycle Connections

For my annual Sturgis trip, as with nearly other trip, there are always last minute preparations, mainly stemming from procrastination.  On the Wednesday afternoon before the trip, I noticed that there the brakes on my Durango appeared to be overheating.  No problem—this could wait until after Sturgis.

Check out this year's photos of Sturgis bikes..  Watch for more pics to be added.

Check out this year's photos of Sturgis babes..  Watch for more pics to be added.

People who attend the annual ABATE of Iowa Freedom Rally at Algona always have plenty of entertaining activities to choose from.  In fact there are so many, it’s almost impossible to take them all in.  One that is certainly worth making a priority is the tattoo contest held each year in the food court area.  Picnic tables at the south end of the area become the stage on which all kinds of amazing tats are judged in various categories, 

Check out this year's photos of Sturgis bikers.  Watch for more pics to be added.

Last year a large group of bikers were devastated by the announcement that a local Missouri motorcycle rally they had all attended together for many years would be no more. Then Robert Carr and a large group of his friends decided to put together one themselves, and Bobstock was born. Their ideas, work, and dedication led up to the 1st Bobstock Rally, which was held July 13-16, 2017.

Mecum Motorcycle Auction held a Motorcycle Auction on June 2 & 3, 2017. The auction was held at the South Point Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, where more than 600 motorcycles rolled across the auction block.

Every summer bikers come from all directions to get together at Sparks America Campground near the tiny town of Sparks for Oklahoma Bike Week. The dates for this year’s event were June 15 through 25. Bike Week always features live music on stage every night, bike shows and Woody’s auction of chainsaw artworks and furniture on both Saturdays, and lots of bike and people games. There are fun themes for most nights of the rally.

Lots of awards are handed out every year at Oklahoma Bike Week  The lovely awards presenter was the reigning Miss Sparks America, Lana Morrison-Miller.  Our apologies to any winners we missed with so much activity going on.  Here is a list of the bike show awards for the second weekend.

Saturday, June 10, was a busy day for me. After participating in the annual Bikers With a Mission (BWAM) ride for the homeless that concluded at Gail’s Harley-Davidson in Grandview, Missouri, I headed for Lakeside Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas, for the flat track races on the 4/10-mile dirt oval. I arrived in time to spend some time hanging around the pit area.

It was a beautiful day as we got up on Saturday morning April 22, 2017 to head over to the Veterans Brotherhood where they were hosting the “Bond Slaves” annual Blessing of the Bikes.

The 23rd Annual Fly Your Flags over Hoover Dam Run was held on May 28, 2017. The staging/meet-up area was on the Arizona side of Hoover Dam. 2,500 bikes showed up for this historic run, and Vietnam Vets/Legacy Vets MC (VVLVMC) President Arrow was very pleased with the turnout of so many patriotic Americans!

On Memorial weekend, May 27-28, 2017, the 4-States Event Center in Eureka Springs, Arkansas hosted a fundraising weekend to raise money for Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.).

On August 11, 2002, tragedy struck when 24-year-old Ryan Consolver lost his life in a motorcycle accident in Kansas City. As Ryan’s birthday approached the following June, his family wanted to do something special in Ryan’s memory. They came up with the idea of a charity ride. Since Ryan loved motorcycles, and parties, it seemed a perfect way to honor him. Since Ryan had chosen to pursue a career in the construction business, money raised by the ride would be used to provide scholarships for young people to further their education in the fields of construction and engineering.

The 28th Annual Bikers with a Mission (BWAM) Ride began at City Union Mission on the morning of Saturday, June 10. High temperature and strong wind were the prominent weather features for the day. More than 230 riders, passengers, and motorcycle enthusiasts participated in the fundraiser for City Union Mission to help with programs and services assisting the area’s homeless and working poor. Proceeds help the Mission’s clients with needs over and above those the organization typically budgets for, including utility assistance, eyeglasses, dental care, bus tokens and baby formula.

84 bikers came out in support of veterans on a beautiful sunny morning on May 13, 2017. The riders started from either the Independence, Missouri American Legion Hall or from Yeager Cycle in Sedalia, Missouri and met in the middle for a celebration honoring veterans in the parking lot of the Holden Community Activity Center in Holden, Missouri.

Panama City Beach Florida rolled out the “sand” carpet for the bikers from May 3-7, 2017. This being the spring rally, most people expect this one to be a little on the HOT side; some even opting to wait until October for the fall rally when it cools down. Apparently, Mother Nature didn’t get the memo this year!

Each spring since 1999 the congregation at Heart of God Fellowship in Buckner, Missouri, has welcomed members of the motorcycle community to a special worship service. April 23 was the date for this year’s Biker Sunday. Parking in the large lot on the south side of the church was reserved for motorcycle’s only. A huge tent provided ample room for the hundreds in attendance.

The 4th Annual Radar's Run took place on Sunday May 7, 2017. The memorial ride and poker run is held in loving memory of our friend C. Brent "Radar" Estep who passed too soon in 2014 at the age of 45, as well as many other friends we have lost, with all proceeds donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Radar was loved and respected by many during his years as a motorcycle parts guru in Kansas City.

What could be more challenging than taking a bunch of brave/slightly unhinged men and women, blindfolding them, leading them into the Sahara desert in Morocco and telling them they have to get to a destination on the Atlantic Coast, 1000km away, six days later on tiny motorbikes more suitable for children than adults? How about taking them and their bikes to Peru?