Heads Up For Motorcyclists Heading to Sturgis

I just received an email containing the notification below I am passing this along for your awareness.

This is a heads up on a possible problem. Spread the word, and please contact Frank Ernst if you have problems.NOTICE I have heard information indicating law enforcement may be conducting a planned stop (sting sounds right) on interstate Highway #90 in Martin county. The areas I believe will be affected are interstate highway #90 and entrances and exits from interstate #90 between exit #87 Sherburn and exit #107 Imogene. This includes exit #93 Welcome, exit #99 and #102 Fairmont.The dates I expect this action to take place are from August 1st to August 5th, 2007. This is a time period I would expect heavy volumes of motorists (read motorcyclists) traveling to Sturgis SD.I believe the plan is to stop those that exhibit any suspicious behavior or appearance (like riding a motorcycle) for further investigation. If you plan to make the trip to Sturgis on interstate #90 you may want to avoid these exits. I expect you might encounter unnecessary delays due to these planned activities.

Request for Information Were you stopped by law enforcement while riding a motorcycle on interstate highway #90 in Martin County MN between exit #87 Sherburne and exit #107 Imogene?

If so, I need your help.

Please send me any information you can on the stop.Agency(s) making the stop and officer name(s) badge number(s)?

Date and time of stop?

Duration of stop and how long were you detained, time of stop to time of release?
Reason given for stop?
Action taken at stop and search, photographs, questions, arrests?
Result of stop and citations or other actions?Names and contact information of any witnesses? (this is very important)Please include any other information you feel may be significant.Data is being collected to learn if stops are in violation of MN Supreme Court rulings.

Please contact:Frank Ernst
840 Cree DriveChanhasen MN 55317
Frank.Ernst@mchsi.com
952-474-9708 - home612-801-2920 - cell

Stuff to do this weekend

There is a lot of stuff going on this weekend once again. The flyer to the left I was just informed of and it seems like a most worthy cause. Then we are also doing a poker run it starts at Shady Jack's on North Broadway and ends with an amateur pole dancing contest sounds like fun. Speaking of pole dancing the Annual PT's run benefiting BACA is also on Saturday and there is a first I believe a mini-chopper rodeo at Sparky's in Granite City, IL they will provide the mini-choppers oh and I am forgetting the Sin City Deciples Annual Pig Roast this weekend.

Sunday there isn't quite as much going on but the Skyriders are having a Poker Run. and sign up is the Bush Pilots Clubhouse on the corner of Central and Union in Alton, IL. These guys do a great job and the food is always good on their poker runs so check it out.

I didn't do a lot of posting this week but that will change next week. I hope you all have a safe and fun weekend and we'll see you down the road.

Need Any New Leather or Other Riding Accessories Before You Head to Sturgis

If the answer is yes or even maybe then you need to visit both locations of Black Jack Leather starting tomorrow they are going to have a huge sale with very nice discounts. They also have the best selection around and provide excellent service. We found out about this too late to get it in the magazine but thought you should know.

Motorcycle Photos Shot in Bi-State Area

I received the 2008 edition of the Harley-Davidson 800 page catalog in the mail today. While flipping through the pages and checking out the new motorcycles, I noticed a lot of the pictures were taken in Missouri and Illinois. The Motor Company is just confirming what we knew all along about our area. The cover photo itself was shot in Granite City, IL at Horseshoe Lake State Park. While I appreciate them listing where each motorcycle picture was taken, I'm not sure I'm ready for Harley listing the GPS coordinates of each location.

Oh and another thing

I am getting reports that the harassment is ongoing in Grafton, IL. If you choose to go there then be very careful. I have been told they are mainly getting people who rap their pipes through town. If you get stopped do not rev your bikes for the officers I have heard of instances in the past where some folks were asked to do this then given tickets. If you are not doing it normally then you shouldn't get a ticket for doing it when a cop asks you to. That seems like getting stopped in a cage then the cop says show me how fast this thing will go and then they write you a ticket for speeding it isn't right. Also if you are ticketed contact ABATE they may be able to help or at least use your cases to show harassment. Finally while I like riding up to Grafton as much as the next person but if they are going to allow us to be harassed, then it seems like they don't truly want our business. Motorcyclists can have a large financial impact on the places we go either by spending or not spending. If you don't like the way you are being treated in a place then don't go there. If they truly want your business things will change.

Vital Information

I have been made aware, actually a couple of times, once by John Skala and now by Kevin Polito of the Shadowriders, that many of you don't know if you click on the cover image of the magazine on the home page then you can page through the entire current issue. We excerpt several stories on the home page with links to the rest of them but not all. So if you are looking for a story that is in the magazine but not excerpted that is how you can find it. I thank all of you who read the magazine and check out the website and keep clicking on those links it helps support the magazine.

Motorcycle Events This Weekend

This is another busy weekend for the motorcycle riding community. Little Sturgis actually starts today and should be fun, then there is also "the Boogie" over in Indiana. Closer to home, the weekend kicks off with the Mr. St Louis Roll Biker Ball at Orlando Gardens. This will happen at the 8352 Watson Rd location call (314) 535-5250 for more info.
Saturday, the Alton LOH Chapter is holding their annual Night Poker Run; this is a good time and sign up is early evening at Ted's Motorcycle World in Alton, IL. There is a big bike show in Jacksonville, IL also on Saturday with builders and sharp bikes from all over competing. You should really check this out; it is a fun event and benefits the local rescue team in the area.

Sunday, is the Vietnam Vets MC Annual Poker Run with sign up at Doc's Harley Davidson in Kirkwood, MO. The club always puts on an excellent run and they deserve our support for what they do currently like supporting groups such as Hartbauer/McBride and other charities, as well as what they have done for all of us in the past. You will see me here. Also, another fine organization, the Statesmen MC, is holding a Bike show at the Desloge VFW to benefit the Ladies Auxiliary VFW. This too is a very worthy cause and this is another organization that does a lot for others, so please come out and show your support.

I have been told that a piece that one of my contributors was a major writer of and that was submitted to a local HOG Chapter's newsletter has been passed along to another publication without his consent. Once again displaying how hard it must be to compete with The Biking Life. I would suggest if they want stories about events perhaps they should send someone who can write as well as point a camera.

Bike Wash at Hooters

Sunday @ Hooters South County

Charity Bike/Car Wash

The Missouri Chic Riders and the Hooters Girls are holding a bike/car wash to benefit the St Louis Variety Club on Sunday July 22 from Noon to 5 PM. Hooters is located at 7517 South Lindberg Blvd. Minimum donation for bikes $5.

This looks like it should be a good time for a worthy cause. Tell them you heard it here at The Biking Life.

one last thing

After you ride your bike to work tomorrow why don't you head on down to Shady Jack's for the Wednesday Night Ride, if my bike is done I will be there. Maybe even if it isn't. don't forget this is the ride that is just for fun, with no one trying to line their pockets, and there are no rules, no fees and no officers. That is right just a bunch of independent bikers getting together to enjoy a ride and have some fun.

This week

Hey it is Tuesday so I will be at the Show-Me's in Fairview Heights, IL on Lincoln Highway enjoying some wigs and other sights with a bunch of my motorcycle riding friends. I invite you to join us. Then tomorrow is Ride To Work Day. In these times of rising gasoline prices this makes more sense than ever and also does some good for others because at least for most of us this will save some gas and maybe if we all did this more often the oil companies would have to reduce their prices. They can't sit around with huge inventories and no where for it to go. Yes those tankers are already full and heading this way.

The weekend Past

It sounds like the Kirkwood HOG Las Vegas Ride was a big success, so I hope everyone that rode it had a good time, even those wayward souls that got a might bewildered as Daniel Boone used to say. Oh, once again I remind you that is what is supposed to happen when one uses someone else's words or ideas. Joy and I has a good time at Rodeo for St Jude's Hospital that was put on by Doit's Village INN in Pontoon Beach, IL Angie and her army of volunteers did a great job.

Ride to Work Day This Wednesday

• 16th Annual Ride To Work Day
• July 18th 2007
  Ride your motorcycle and demonstrate:
  -The number of motorcyclists to the general public and politicians
• -Motorcyclists are from all occupations and all walks of life
• -Motorcyclists can reduce traffic congestion in large cities
• -Motorcycles are for transportation as well as recreation

www.ridetowork.org

Las Vegas or Bust

Jim may be back from Vegas, but now it is time for the rest of us to make the trip. The Kirkwood HOG Las Vegas ride is this weekend. No, it doesn't actually go to Las Vegas, but is almost as much fun. Hermel has but togehter a great route and has tremendous sponsor support with a bunch of attendance prizes in addition to the prizes for the best game cards. It has multiple game stops like a poker run but has a different game at each stop, This ride is open to all riders on all bikes so bring your friends out and join Hermel and me on Sunday. Sign-up is from 9:00 - 10:30 at Doc's H-D in Kirkwood. The ride ends at Ameristar in St Charles with some great riding in between. For additional info go to http://www.kirkwoodhog.com/upcoming/upcomingVegasRide.asp

I would be remiss

I would be remiss if I didn't tell you that another fun and exciting thing going on this weekend is the motorcycle rodeo at Doit's Village Inn on Pontoon Rd. in Pontoon Beach, IL. The rodeo events take place in the eraly evening but there is fun stuff going on all day long call Doit's for more info (618) 931-4497.

Sportsters

Do you have a really cool Sportster? We are looking for examples of very cool Sportsters throughout their history. If you have one or know of someone who does please contaact us or respond to this post. Thanks

Things not to do

I probably am not supposed to do this but if you could click on a link when you are here I would truly appreciate it. Thanks

Back from Vegas

This time it is not Belle Vegas but Las Vegas I have returned from but luckily it was just in time to hit Belle Vegas for the Geo's Wings and More and APMC Bike Night at Geo's on West Main in Belleville, IL. Oh and for those of you who care our event carries on, no cancellations here.

We are coming up on another fun filled weekend. One thing you ought to check out is the 4th Annual Circle of Love Evan's Ride benefiting St. Louis Children's Hospital. All proceeds go toward helping children, such as Evan Fink, who are born with congenital heart defects. We take a leisurely ride through beautiful southern Illinois, seeing all the sites along the way. All trucks/motorcycles/cars are welcome. Bring a smile and a desire to help out a great cause. Saturday July 14, 2007 Sign up at 12pm at The Club at Falling Springs, Dupo, IL Poker Hands are $5 for the first hand, $1 for each additional 50/50's, Raffle, Attendance Prizes, T-Shirts with Cash Prizes for the top Poker Hands Music from 7-11pm at Falling Springs Call 618-286-4440 if you have questions. Piasa-Gateway ABATE is having a rodeo that evening sign up from 4 to 5 at the Cottage Hills VFW. There is also a fundriaser going on for Big Gene from Chester, IL, the festivities revolve around Hawg Mama's in Willisville, IL and this should also be a good time for a great cause call J & G Custom Hawgs in Chester, IL. Also going on Saturday is Thunder Night and all day affair at Hall's HD in Springfield, IL there are poker runs, games and live music call the dealership for more details.

Then on Sunday the Foxy Divas are holding their Annual Summer Splash please check the calendar for details and Kirkwood HOG is holding their Annual Las Vegas Ride, sign up is at Doc's I know they have some different stops lined up this year so this should be a lot of fun and last but certainly not least our friends from the Dreamweaverss MC are having a poker run sign up for this is from noon to two at Ted's Motorcycle World in Alton, IL.

Tonight I know I will be at Geo's where I will be the balance of the weekend is hard to say right now oh and thanks to John Skala for making posts in my absence.

Bike Shows Are Not Just For The Guys

She is not just posing on the bike. This hot chic rides her own custom chopper which she entered in the bike show at TJ's.

(Don't tell Jim I didn't get her name. Sorry, I left that up to Killer Miller and I'm sure he got it.)

TJ's Bike Show

The bike show at TJ's Bar & Grill in Pevely was another great time. In spite of the heat, some really awesome bikes turned out. The folks at TJ's had plenty of cool beverages and delicious food. In addition to all of the trophies for cool motorcycles, there were also trophies for the winners of the weenie bite and slow ride competition. The DJ's kept the crowd entertained with a wide ranginging selection of tunes going all afternoon. The bike wash bikini babes were also on hand to help get your bike ready for the show.

Greetings from Las Vegas!! I have not been overwhelming lucky at the gaming since we arrived but everything else is going well. The wdding was cool and we have toured several of the casinos leaving a trail of money behind us, okay mainly I have left the trail of money. We have also seen some sights including the local Harley Davidson dealer and plan on checking out the Harley Davidson Restaurant on the strip.

Have seen some motorcycles but maybe not quite as many as I would have expected. It is very hot and that bull shit about a dry heat being all that much better is just that. We have the better part of twwo days left here and I just thought I'd say hi to the folks back home. I heard our Bike Show at TJ's was a big success so I thank all those who came out to support it.

This Week in Motorcycling

Well today is Tuesday and if you have seen the cover of the July issue of The Biking Life you cnan see one of the reasons to go to Show-Me's on Lincoln Highway in Fairview Heights, IL tonight. some of the other reasons are good food and friends. If you don't join me there well Shady Jack's Big Bang /bang is going on at 1432 N Btroadway in St Louis, Jack invites all his motorcycle riding and rowdy friends to come down to his place to party and to catch the fireworks. i think I'll be there too after Show-Me's.

Then Thursday there is Bike Night at Geo's wings and More on West Main St in Belleville, IL.

There is lots going on this weekend but I will be at my stepdaughters wedding in Las Vegas, however The Biking Life is the sponsor of the Motorcycle show at TJ's Bar and grill in Pevely, MO and we do have some stuff to give away and the magazine will be ably represented by Kathy, Killer and maybe Dave. I will check the calendar later to see what else is interesting also I will be out of town for a while so I don't know how much I'll write.