Stuff this weekend

Well for one thing you should start seeing your favorite and the best damn motorcycle magazine around hitting the streets. Then tonight is Bike Night at Geo's wings in Belleville, IL on West Main sT the weather looks great so hopefully we'll see lots of you folks out for this. It is also bike night at Fat Boy's in Desoto, mO and you really need to check this out the bikini contest is awesome. The rest of the weekend shapes up like this:

31st Iron Horse Ride by Freedom Riders ABATE Chapter
sign up at Hoffman House from11:30 to 12:30 benefits Lakota Therapeutic Horsemanship call (618) 267 - 2087 for info

31st Benefit for the Family of Michael Lovsey
at the Hamel Community Building in Hamel, IL call (618) 656-8912 for info

31st 1St Annual ABATE Rodeo
at the Wentzville, MO VFW sign up from 10 to 12:30 rodeo events, bike show and tattoo contest

31st 3rd Annual Freedom Ride
sign up at The Outside Inn 423 West Hanover New Baden, IL from 10:30am to 12:00pm

31st 2nd Annual Voice for the Victims Poker Run
first bike out from Poor Boys Lounge 300 E Raymond St Harrisburg, IL leaves at noon

June
1st Motorheads Kenny Hoffman Memorial Poker Run
at Phyls Chet and Roses in Marine, IL from 11 to 1 PM

1st H.A.W.C. Charity Poker Run
Sign Up at Fast Eddies from 10:00 am to 11:30 am. For more information visit http://web.mac.com/scarter3336/HAWC_Poker_Run/The_Ride.html or call (314) 780-5511 H.A.W.C. stands for Hemophiliac Adult Weekend Camp

1st 3rd Annual 100 Miles for Arthritis Ride
sign up Show-Mes on Lacledes Landing from 11 to 12:30 PM

Stuff this Week

All of the usual events will be going on this week. Oh there is a new one today is Bike Day and Night at On Broadway Bistro Zoo on North Broadway. Stop in and say hi to Jessie and check out the great specials she has for those who ride in oh and by the way Saturday is Bike Day also. Tomorrow is of course Bike Night at Geo's Wings in Belleville and at Fat Boy's in Desoto, MO. At Fat Boy's they dispel the notion that bikini contests don't work in a big way. Friday I am sad to say we will not be hosting the Weekend Kickstart Party at Jack's Iron Horse. We are in the process of looking for a new home for this event and if you have any suggestions we would love to hear them. This weekend is the Springfield Mile in Springfield, IL at the Fairgrounds if you have never experienced the thrill of watching folks tearing around a one mile oval on Sportsters exceeding 140 MPH down the straights and with just inches separating them you owe it to yourself to visit these awesome races. This is also the weekend for the Mid-America Freedom Rally at Buckhorn right down I-44 this is a lot of fun and was one of the first events ever covered in the magazine. See you out on the roads.

Forwarded Email from the President of the Piasa ABATE Chapter Regarding Grafton and the River Road

Hello Piasa, (My ABATE Chapter)

It's Hoop (President)! Word has it that the I.S.P. And Jersey County
are going at it again. The River road and around Grafton, IL are
being targeting again this year. Especially during Memorial Day and
throughout our riding season.

So be Safe this year.....

But if for some reason, you do get stopped, please let me know. We
are keeping track of the number of motorcycles being stopped and for
what reasons.

Please send me documentation with the following information:

1. Occurrence time

2. Occurrence date

3. Occurrence place (IE, county, city, and state)

4. Officers name and badge number.

Our main goal is to see if motorcycles are being profiled. If you
hear of any other bikers being stopped that are not ABATE members
please give them my e-mail and have them drop me a line also.

My e-mail is: hoop1945@yahoo. com

Please put in the subject line ticketed.... .
------------ --------- --------- --------- ---------
I thought that this was worth sending to all who may ride Illinois
roads. They are looking at add-ons, pipes, noise. If you go, have
your paperwork in order. Above all, Be Polite.

We also are doing a Boycott of Grafton. Meaning, if you are running
the River road through the town of Grafton, IL, please just ride through the
town. We want to let them know that if we aren't welcome, neither is
our money. No loud pipes, No erratic behavior, Just ride through.

Thanks, Crazy

A Sadder Note

A member of our staff, Kathleen, lost her daughter to cancer after a long battle. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her, her family, her friends and the husband and daughter left behind. Please take a moment and say a little prayer for all affected. Thank you.

A little about what is going on in the motorcycle world this weekend

I look at the calendar and see that the days should be getting warmer and drier but they are not. But the forecast for the weekend looks good so lets all go to SEMO, the picture here shows people enjoying last year's field events or on the Vietnam Vets Ride in Illinois, the Stone Celts Cancer Ride, ride up to Quincy for a weekend of motorcycle events centered around Kelly's Tavern or any of the other events going on this weekend. Heck hit a few they are all fun. And of course tonight is Bike Night at Geo's Wings in Belleville,IL and also at Fatboy's in DeSoto, MO. Tomorrow night is still looking good for the Weekend Kickstart Party and though I will not be here, on my way to SEMO, the magazine will be well represented by Monty.

16th - 17th Illinois STAR Riders State Rally
at the Collinsville, IL Holiday Inn for information visit www.star275.org

16th - 17th Hardin County Illinois Country Music Jamboree
at the hogrock campground. It is a family event with something for everyone. check us out at www.hogrock.com/jamboree.htm we are still located over by Cave in Rock, Illinois. the whole weekend is only $30 per person. mustang sally; little texas; marion deaton as willie nelson; and much more

16th - 17th M.S. Family Fun Days
at the VFW Grounds in Highland, IL Friday Night features rides and a band Saturday that and much more including an all vehicle cruise-in and also an equestrian clinic great fun for a good cause


17th and 18th Kelly's Tavern in Quincy, IL on Saturday the ABATE Motorcycle Awareness Poker Run this ride is so big they split it into two routes and they have some great riding up in this area. Then on Sunday the 18th The Annual Bike Show at Kelly's on Broadway in Quincy, IL you know you will see me and the misses here.

17th Armed Forces Day Poker Run
sign up 10 to noon at the Caseyville, IL Moose Lodge 8550 Bunkum Rd. appearance by Bag Lady Sue at the end $500 prize to first place hand sponsored by the Vietnam Vets MC call (618) 398-4477for info

17th Armed Forces Day and Blood Drive
at Hooters 11835 Lackland Rd St Louis from 10 AM to 3 PM

17th Armed Forces Day Poker Run
sign up from 11 to noon at the Herrin, IL VFW Club 309 N 16th St proceeds to assist Veterans' stationed Overseas

17th Bike Wash for Bikers for Babies
at Legacy Harley Davidson in Effingham, IL

17th Abate for Missouri James Gang Chapter 1st Annual Poker Run
Check-in At Stables Grill I-35 and 92Hwy Kearney,mo 9am-12Noon

17th 5th Annual Bike Blessing and Run
from Mooseheart Child City and School and is a run from Mooseheart (Batavia area) to the Mount Morris, IL Moose Lodge

17th 2nd Annual Ride for Life
sign up at First Southern Baptist Church Parking Lot Leasburg, MO morning ride starts at 9:30 afternoon at 1:30

17th - 18 th SEMO Run What Ya Brung Field Events
outside Lesterville, MO see flyer in magazine for info

17th Armed Forces Day and Blood Drive
at Legacy Harley Davidson in Effingham, IL

18th 13th Annual Stone Celts Hog Chapter Cancer Run
sign up at Frieze Harley Davidson on Green Mount Rd from 10:30 to 12:30

18th Dream Weavers Motorcycle Clubs annual Rodeo
sign-up at Ted's Motorcycle World, Alton, IL or at the Jerseyville American Legion 10:00 a.m.- 12:00 noon; rodeo takes place at Jerseyville American Legion at 1:00 p.m.

18th Veterans of Foreign Wars District 14 Poker Run for Fisher House
registration 11:00-noon at the Carlyle, Illinois VFW

Weekend Kickstart

Don't Forget tonight is Bike Night at Fat Boy's in Desoto, MO and I heard that last weeks bikini contest really rocked. Tonight is also Bike Night at Geo's wings on West Main in Belleville, IL and this is always a great place to hook up with friends and to make new ones. Then tomorrow night is the Weekend Kickstart Party at Jack's Iron Horse on St Charles Rock Rd in St Louis this has all the earmarks of one of the best parties around.

Motorcycle Safety Checks

I got another email tonight from a friend. This what it said:

There is a rumor out, but it came from a very reliable source, that there WILL BE MOTORCYCLE SAFETY CHECKS THIS WEEKEND.

I'm not sure how large an area it will cover, but be aware.

We all know what Motorcycle Safety Checks mean keep the noise down and the speed otherwise the revenue agents, oh I mean law enforcement officials will lighten your wallet because grabbing money is all these things are about. If it was really a concern for safety they wouldn't write tickets. Also I've heard that Illinois is going to writing tickets as part of their "Click It or Ticket" program. That is also a money grab. I think the logic goes we can't get you for anything else well then we'll write you a ticket for not wearing your seat belt. The next thing you know you won't be able to smoke in a bar in Illinois. Oh crap that already happened.

Invented Email

Earlier today someone forwarded me an email. This person wanted me to know once again entities were following in The Biking Life's footsteps. And if they continue down the path they have follwed so far I assume they will soon be claiming that they invented email but heck we all know Al Gore did that when he invented the internet. I some times wish someone would come up with an idea I might want to copy but it hasn't happened yet. I sometimes feel like I should get paid from these entities for showing them how run a business, or for setting up their photo shoots but for now I'll have to settle with the knowledge that we are the Best Damn Biker Mag around. That is why we are imitated and followed.

Stuff Coming Up This week

Well Tuesday is the first Bike Night of the year at TJ's Bar and Grill in Pevely, MO. This always fun place is pictured here and several members of our staff will be here for the first night. Then Thursday is Bike Night at Fatboy's in DeSoto, MO and reports have it that the first bikini contest was off the charts fellows this is one you want to check out. Also Thursday Night is Bike Night at Geo's Wings on West Main St in Belleville, IL this is always a good time and I am almost always here if you have something you want to say to me. Friday night is the weekend KickStart Party at Jack's Iron Horse and this week it is a rain or shine event. Please come out and support these I think you'll be glad you did. Then this weekend there is lots going on again and here is what we know about:

8th - 11th Traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Walther Park
Desoto, MO activities are ongoing while the Wall is here

10th 12th Annual Ride for the Cure
The first 1,500 registrants will receive a t-shirt and ride packet which should be picked up on May 8 at Northwoods Mall, or at Federal Warehouse in East Peoria on May 9. Ride kickoff is at Noon at The Shoppes at Grand Prairie

10th 5th Annual Spring Fling to Save Babies
sign up at Shady Jacks on North Broadway between 10 and 11 AM

10th Cycle Saints CMA Chapters Run for the Son
sign-up at Ted's Motorcycle World Alton, IL 11:00 a.m.-12 noon.

10th 2nd Annual Christopher Jaycee Fireworks Display Poker Run
sign up s and S 223 West Market in Christopher, IL from 11 to noon

10th 1st Annual Sons of Silence Poker Run
sign-up from 10 to 1 PM at Chaps Bar in Litchfield, IL

11th Moose Ride for Illinois Special Olympics
registration 11:00-noon at the O'Fallon VFW, 223 West First Street, O'Fallon, IL