So did everyone have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year? I certainly hope so. I don’t know about you, but I’m really looking forward to the 2008 riding season. Rides, rallies and events get pretty scarce in the upper Midwest this time of year; but fortunately, it’s a great time to install that new chrome Santa left you under the tree, or tinker with your engine to give it just a bit more power before heading out this spring to your first rally. And speaking of which, can you believe the first day of spring is only about two months away (Thursday, March 20)? Therefore, you’d better start making your 2008 travel plans now and booking your rooms before you get left in the dust!
When it comes to travel, do you go back to the same places each year or do you enjoy venturing into unknown territories and checking out new rallies and events? Personally, I’m stuck somewhere in-between. I mean, I would never dream of missing our yearly road trip to Sturgis; however, I also find it exciting to check out new rallies and hit the road to places I’ve never been.
New adventures can be a wonderful experience, so I encourage you to gather your riding buddies around the computer for a beer and check out our US Rally & Event Locator Page to figure out where the gang wants to ride to this year. If I had never taken a chance on something new, I’d have never experienced what it’s like to spend Halloween in New Orleans during the Steel Pony Express (pre-Katrina), or all the great times we’ve had in Fayetteville, Arkansas during Bikes, Blues & BBQ. Sure, I’ve had my share of “less-than-memorable” adventures; however, they are greatly outnumbered by the unforgettable ones. So, with that said, get off your butt and try something new. Who knows; you might just start a New Year’s tradition!
I’d also like to take this opportunity to welcome The Burly Earl Bar & Grill as our newest Thursday night bike night advertising partner in the Birmingham, Alabama.
• • •
 On the Cover
Cover Page Reviews -- 2008 Suzuki B-King GSX1300BK & Cover Model Aly.
Features
A Helping Hand - Stripe visited Santa Claus at Gail's Harley-Davidson in Grandview, Missouri, while Jim Austin rode in the 3rd Annual Dallas County Toys for Tots Ride in Buffalo, Missouri. Down in Macon, Georgia Tommy Pittard participated in the Hephzibah Children’s Home Toy Run, which was for a very worthwhile cause.
Band Reviews - Check out some of our best local biker bands.
Bike Club Reviews - Find out more about your local and national bike clubs and organizations.
Bike Night Reviews - In Birmingham, Alabama Lynn Reynolds visits the Birmingham Race Course and explains how Alabama’s Newest Bike Night Goes to the Dawgs!
Bike Reviews - Looking for a new motorcycle? Check out the models we've road tested this year!
Business Reviews - Chris Hess visited with Eli Geiger and his staff at Riverfront Harley-Davidson in Lawrence, Kansas to find out more about one of the area’s newest dealerships!
Product Reviews - Find out everything you ever wanted to know about these featured products.
Rides, Rallies & Events Recap - Stripe made his annual pilgrimage to Sparks, Oklahoma for their Halloween Biker Bash and also rode out to Grandview, Missouri for the Fall Fashion Show and Heads or Tails for a Harley events at Gail's Harley-Davidson. In Birmingham, Alabama, Lynn and Leigh spent some quality time at the 3rd Annual Barber Vintage Festival.
Readers & Their Rides - Dave Miller introduces us to Chris Warren and His '01 Turbo Suzuki Hayabusa.
Scenic Rides & Destinations Reviews - If you’ve never been there, the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley, North Carolina is certainly worth a stopover!
Writer's Block - Stripe’s article entitled Rodeo Reflections will get you all pumped up and ready to participate in some of this year’s motorcycle field events. I’m not sure what you were doing on New Year’s Eve, other than the obvious; however, if you had your TV tuned to ESPN you may have seen Robbie Maddison shatter the motorcycle jumping distance record on his Honda CR500.
Departments
Ask the Jackass - No such thing as a stupid question? Wrong! If there's something on your pea-sized brain and you don't know whom to turn to for advice, just ask the Jackass.
Biker Humor - Our weekly publication of jokes and cartoons are sure to bring a smile to your face and tear to your eye. We encourage you to submit jokes and cartoons, and each month, we'll draw a name out of the helmet for a free Cycle Connections cozie!
Cool Bikes & Hot Babes - Check out our photo collection of cool bikes & hot babes! New photos are added each day. This is a members-only page, so sign up now for your FREE online membership and check them out today!
E-mail to the Editor - We've received lots of great feedback and information from our readers that we want to share. Drop us a line and let us know what's on your mind.
In Memory Of - Please stop by and pay tribute to Mike Johnson, who died on December 27, as well as our other fallen brothers and sisters, who are greatly missed.
Safe Riding - If you prefer to ride year-round, make sure to check out our tips for safe winter riding.
Spoke to Spoke - Goldie gives us some great Christmas shopping ideas for the biker on your Christmas list
Tech Tips - In this month’s issue, Dave tells us how to prepare your motorcycle for winter storage.
Veteran Riders - Eric Rossiter joins the Patriot Guard Riders to welcome home Mission Spc Dalton Howard, and Tommy Pittard tells us about the Wreaths Across America Ceremony in Milledgeville, Georgia.
Join our Team
Now Expanding – Do you love motorcycles, photography, and making a few extra bucks while working your own hours on a full-time or part-time basis? Are you active in your motorcycle community and enjoy participating in local rides, rallies and events? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you! Cycle Connections Online Motorcycle Magazine is expanding quickly, and we are seeking motivated self-starters to assemble a team of account representatives and photojournalists to sell advertising and cover events in your area. If you would like to help expand Cycle Connections into your area, please e-mail your resume to mikes@cycleconnections.com.
• • •
We strive to make Cycle Connections Online Motorcycle Magazine your number one source for motorcycle-related information, so please drop us a line and let us know how we're doing. We are here to serve you and the local motorcycle community, so please let us know what you like, what you don't like, and what you'd like to see added. Plus, if you know of any motorcycle-related businesses, rallies, events, or organizations in your area that we don't currently have listed, let us know so we can add them! All comments and suggestions are appreciated and will be answered.
Mike Schweder
Editor-in-Chief
Cycle Connections Online Motorcycle Magazine
Click here
to update your e-mail and personal informationr.
|
