What's Going on Motorcycle Wise in the Days Ahead

Oh no doubt at some point in time a competitor of mine will claim that they are on the cutting edge because they then have a blog. I guess they don't really understand that you can't be blazing the trail when you are standing in someone else's foot step but enough of that. Here is some of the awesome stuff coming up soon. We will of course be at Geo's on Thursday and maybe at Jack's on Friday depending on the weather. Also the new issue is on the web but there was a small problem. Also this Saturday is TJ's Anniversary Party and I know you don't want to miss that. Although me and the misses will be in Southern Illinois for a kids Ride and then in Cape on Sunday for the Veteran's Benefit oh and my mom's birthday. So here is what is going on.

2nd - 4th Niehaus Motorcycle Sales Customer Appreciation Days
at Niehaus Motorcycle in Litchfield, IL see flyer for more info

3rd TJs Bar and Grill Anniversary Party
at TJs Bar and Grill Hwys 61/67 and Z in Pevely, MO this will be fun and an allday affair

3rd Run for the Son Ride and Family Picnic
ride leaves Ferd B Land Park in Arnold, MO at 9:30 lunch is at 12:30 great picnic

3rd Cycle Saturday
with Lone Star Steakhouse and some great local bands

3rd Bikers For Kids
sign up at Steves Customs in Johnston City, IL

3rd Blessing of the Motorcycles
from 9 to 2 PM at Kitchell Park in Pana, IL visit www.motorcycleblessings.com for info

3rd Illinois Special Olympics
at SIUE Track Field 8 AM

4th 2nd Annual Reach Out and Ride for Cardinal Glennon NICU Poker Run
sign up at Fabick Cat from 10:30 to 11:30

4th Bikers Helping Veterans Poker Run, Show and Auction
poker run starts at L and D Patio McClure, Il at 9 AM the rest of the events take place at the Cape Girardeau, MO Vets Home

4th TJs Bike Show
at TJs Bar and Grill Hwys61/67 and Z in Pevely, MO

4th Missouri Mules Annual Charlie McDonald Run
sign up at Jacks Iron Horse on St Charles Rcok Rd from 11 to noon

Chic Riders Poker Run Sat April 26

The Chic Riders are having a poker run to benefit the Arthritis Foundation on Saturday April 26. The ride starts at WFO Motorsports in Pontoon Beach with registration from 1:00 to 2:30 PM. The ride ends at Cruisen Rt 66 on Watson Rd in St Louis. For more information take a look at their flyer here or click on their logo.

What is goin on motorcycle wise this weekend.

First off thanks again to everyone who came out for the AHDRA races and our bike show last week. The turnout was awesome and the bike show was once again the biggest one in the area. Well tomorrow night is bike night at Geo's Wings on West Main St in Belleville, IL. The turnout last week was fantastic and though the weather looks a little iffy. they still serve some of the best wings around and it is always fun to hang out with friends here. Then Friday night we will hopefully get the Weekend Kickstart parties started at Jack's Iron Horse on St Charles Rock Rd. I will be at both of these locations and always look forward to seeing my friends and readers here.

As for the rest of the weekend this is what is going on:
5th Trivia Night Sponsored by Blue Knights Chapter 14
at The Fairview Heights Elks Lodge 9480 Old Lincoln Trail doors open at 6 starts at 7 $100 per table for more info call Tony Weck (618) 972-5234

26th 3rd Annual LCPL KYLE PRICE MEMORIAL RIDE
REGISTRATION 7-9 AM, OPENING CEREMONY 9:30 AM, DEPARTURE 10 AM WE WILL RIDE FROM WOODLAWN VETERANS MEMORIAL, WOODLAWN, IL AND MAKE AN APPROX. 140 MILE LOOP

26th 2nd Annual Bike Xtravaganza and Family Fun Day
this is bike show and rodeo sponsored by American Legion Riders Post 429, the event will be held in downtown Lovington, IL and registration starts at 9 AM for info call (217) 972-0500

26th 2008 Lincoln Circuit Ride
start at 8th and Capitol (just North of Abe's Home) in Springfield at 9:00 AM. (Register at 8:30 AM). This is a historical ride to the County Line Markers and courthouses where he actually practiced law

26th ABATE Top Gun
sign up at Ted's Motorcycle World on Humbert in Alton, IL from 11 AM to 3 PM

26th Lions Club 3rd Annual Ride For Sight
sign up at House Springs, MO Lions Club more details to follow

26th Annual Benefit Poker Run IAVA Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America
registration 11:00-noon at Lyle Fischer's Tavern, 1201 East Main, Belleville, IL; $20/rider or $25/couple, door prizes, 50/50, silent auction, wheel barrel of booze raffle, last stop at Catholic War Vets, live band and food available, hosted by Boozefighters MC Chapter 96, for more info call 618-593-8843

26th 3rd Annual Columbia, IL Kiwanis Poker Runt
sign up from 11 to noon at Top Shooters in Columbia, IL for more info visit www.kiwaniscolumbia.com

27th Bush Pilots Poker Run
sign up at Ted's Motorcycle World on Humbert in Alton, IL from noon to 2 PM

27th 14th Annual Motorcycle Swap Meet
at Shadow Rock Park at junction of Hwys 76 and 160 east of Branson, MO For info call (417) 334-0775

27th 17th annual Bike Blessing
at Bald Knob Cross at Alto Pass, IL chili at noon message at 1 PM

27th Gallagher's Getaway March of Dimes Benefit BBQ and Poker Run
sign up from11 to noon at Gallaghers Getaway 102 S Richland Freeburg, IL

3 Rd Annual LCPL Kyle Price Ride

I invite all of you to come out and join me for this ride through Central Illinois to celebrate the contributions our Nations Veterans have made to our way of life and to celebrate the life of one young man who gave all for his country. This ride is organized by Kyle Mom and Step dad to memorialize all the things that were important to their son. Things like Boy Scouts, Veterans Groups and a scholarship in Kyle's name. We really need to get a great turnout for this years event so please if you can make it join me on this ride.

All Harley Drag Races

Oh my gosh bikes flying down the quarter mile track at speeds in excess of 240 MPH. The largest Bike Show in the Midwest, of course sponsored and hosted by the best damn biker magazine for bikers by bikers. What could it mean? It means that the Gypsy Rendezvous Nationals AHDRA Event came to town. This annual event brought to the local area by the Surdyke Family of dealerships surpassed all previous years in attendance and total buzz. I thank all of you who came out to support this event and who took part in the show. It was all of you who helped make this a major success.

I also want to personally thank each and everyone of you who contributed to the gifts I was given today. To know that I have touched so many lives in a positive way is truly humbling and gratifying to me. That some of you recognized the contributions that the magazine has made to local charities and events is truly rewarding so once again I say thank you.

First Bike Night of the Year

Ladies and Gentlemen Boy and Girls children of all ages. I along with George and Karen thank you for coming out tonight to celebrate the first bike night of the motorcycle season at Geo's Wings on West Main Street in Belleville, IL. Yes The Biking Life is starting our Sixth year of bike nights, we were not only the first around but we are also the first every year. But it is only truly by your support that we can make these things happen so again I thank you. There is still more fun to be had this week with the first Weekend Kickstart Party at Jack's Iron Horse if the weather is rainy things may be scaled back some but we will still be there and invite you.

Also I was remiss in my previous blog entry I didn't mention the Booze Fighters MC Annual Spring Fling on Saturday night at Crehan's Irish Pub on North Belt West in Belleville, IL. Oh and I thank the Booze Fighters for coming out tonight, as well as the Road Raptors and all my independent friends we also had more sport bikes which I think is awesome.

Motorcycle Stuff This Week

Wooo, wooo here is is the third week of April and the activities are really heating up. This week we start two events with our co-sponsoring with local businesses the first is Thursday and it is a Bike Night at Geo's Wings. You know how much fun we had here last year and this year promises to be even better. I invite you to come and join us for the first one and then stick around all summer long. There will always be someone from The Biking Life there and you know how much fun we had getting together at this place where you can sit and see your bike along with all the other badass rides that show up. Friday is the first weekend Kickstart at Jack's Iron Horse this is rain or shine and we have a lot off awesome stuff lined up to entertain you.

Then this weekend is the Harley Drags and of course The Biking Life Bike Show we gave away some great trophies last year and if you want to see how your bike stands up against some of the best in the area this is a can't miss event. There is only biggest bike show in the region and it is The Biking Life Bike Show at Gateway International Raceway. I know we'll see bunches of you there.

These are some of the other events happening this weekend:
19th Demo Day
test ride the 2008 models and get in gear for Spring at Legacy Harley Davidson in Effingham, IL

19th Red Knights 1 Night Poker Run
sign up at Ted's Motorcycle World on Humbert in Alton, IL from 4 to 6 PM

19th Poker Ron for Illinois Center for Autism
sign up from 11 to 1 at the Illinois Center for Autism 548 S Ruby Ln in Fairview Heights, IL

20th Alton HOG Poker Run
sign up at Ted's Motorcycle World on Humbert in Alton, IL from 11:30 to 1:30 PM

20th Paderborn Rat Pack Spring Ride and Poker Run
sign up at Karban's Knotty Pine in Paderborn, Il from 11 to 12:30

20th Poker Run Benefiting the Missouri Veterans Homes
starts at Shooters 141 at Hwy 141 and Marshall Rd in Valley Park, MO at 11

Vote For BACA in Oprah's Big Give

Bikers Against Child Abuse (BACA) is one of the finalists in Oprah's Big Give in the Shreveport, LA area. The local television station is taking votes and the winning charity will get $10,000. Please show your support for our fellow bikers and the good work that BACA does by voting. Voting is open through April 13. They will only tally one vote per IP address so vote from both home and the office. It might be slow if there are a lot of people voting at one time but please keep trying.

Thanks and here is the link to vote. http://www.ktbs.com/layouts/Oprahs-Big-Give

For more information about BACA http://www.bacausa.com/

I Am the Ghost Rider at Least on Halloween

Or at least I was last Halloween for a scavenger hunt they held in Livingston, IL. I posted some pictures of that as well as some pictures from the Skyriders costume party. Check out our photo section you never know who you will find there maybe even yourself.

Finally Some Motorcycle Riding Weather

Could it possibly be? After what seemed like an endless winter Spring may truly have arrived. We spent Saturday traveling to Dale's in Mt Vernon and then making new friends with Donald, Jackie, Chris and Rhonda from Pana, IL. We also found some pretty cool biker hangouts one being T-Teez in Irving, IL you need to check out the mural on the side of their building and the other was Emil's in Nokomis but you'll learn more about those places in the May issue. You'll also learn about how the terrific temps on Sunday brought bikers out all over the area. The picture here was taken at the Blessing of the Bikes at Jack's Iron Horse one of the best attended ever and the other major hot spot was TJ's Bar and Grill in Pevely, MO where they staged their first bike show of the year. I envy all of you who were out riding my scoot is still in the process of going back together but hopefully will be mobile before the weekend.

Best Motorcycle Magazine On-Line

Hi All, For those of you who read the magazine online, it is now available to be read by clicking on the front cover. Doing that will open up the pdf of the whole magazine. We will be efforting to get the excerpts on the front page in the next few days. Thanks for your continued to support and we hope to see you this weekend either at Doc's on Saturday where Patty will be celebrating a birthday but you get the presents or at the Blessing of the Bikes at Jack's Iron Horse on Sunday and another event you do not want to miss is the first bike show of the year at TJ's Bar and Grill in Pevely, MO.