Thomas Matt Michel

Thomas (Matt) Michel





November 29, 1963 to October 29, 2009



Our friend Matt Michel lost his battle with Leukemia in the early hours of October 29, 2009. He was president of tri-county ABATE and a member of BACA. He was an avid motorcyclist. He was also a community activist participating in many fund raisers and benefits. He was an iron worker who worked for Hussman for close to 20 years. He had many close friends and is survived by his sister Beth and Tony Cirami, 3 nephews and his mother and father, Gail and Glen.



We are organizing rides before the visitation on Sunday Nov 1st leaving at noon from Chariots of Fire. Viewing is from 2-9 at Baue Funeral Home on Jefferson St in Old Town St Charles. We are planning a ride in Matt’s memory at noon with plans to arrive at the visitation at 3.



Funeral services are planned for 10am at St Peters Catholic Church on 3rd St in St Charles. We are leaving at 8 am promptly from Chariots of Fire for the procession to meet the family at Baue and follow them to the church for the service. After the service, we will be following Matt to the cemetery.



A celebration of Matt’s life will follow the burial at Tattooed Lady’s in Moscow Mills. Please join his friends and family. If you are able, they are requesting that you bring a covered dish.



If anyone one has photos of Matthew, we are collecting them for Matt’s family. Please reply to this email with the photos attached. Also, memorial patches have made and will be available at the dinner celebration at Tattooed Lady’s after the services. There will be someone there to sew them on if you need.



As we said, Matthew was an avid motorcyclist and we want to remember him by getting as many bikes as we can to ride in his honor. Please join us if you can for one or both rides!!

A Halloween Treat from The Biking Life

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Free Wings at Fairview Heights, IL Show-Me's

Yes Wednesday is almost upon us and that means only one thing time to hang out at Show-Me's with your friends and enjoy some of their fine wings and they are even better from 7 to 9 PM because if you ride in or you are wearing biker gear they are free. Of course I will be there and Joy too school work permitting. We hope to see you there

Rumors

I was just informed that there is a rumor circulating that Shady Jack's suffered a fire sometime in the last few days. This is blatantly untrue. I just left Jack's and the place is as nice as ever and preparations are well underway for tomorrow's festivities. I am planning on dropping in there briefly before heading over to Geos Wings for their Customer Appreciation Day.

I went to Jack's because someone called and told me I was the source of the rumor--news to me! This is the third time this year I have heard about people claiming to be me and attempting to start rumors. The first occurred shortly after our swap meet in Collinsville, Il. At that time I was supposedly calling bars in Illinois and telling them that the Illinois helmet law had been overturned. The second was when Dan Kleinhans called me to tell me that someone claiming to be me had called his advertisers and made claims. Now this latest-- and these are just the ones I have heard about. For all I know there are others of which I am not aware.

Those of you who read the magazine or this blog know I am not above taking shots, in fact I have been chastised for it. But you also know that when I take a shot, I sign it. I let everyone know that I take responsibility for what I write and say. There is truth in everything I say or write. Sometimes this truth is stated to make my point, but I do not do it anonymously nor do I whisper stuff in the shadows. No, I put it right out where all can see it AND see who said it.

If you hear someone saying things that seem outlandish about me or my staff members, feel free to contact me and I will deal with you in a straightforward manner because that is the way I believe everyone should act.

Geo's Customer Appreciation Day October 24, 2009

We would like to invite all of you to Geo's Customer Appreciation Day on Saturday. There is going to be a bike show, music, vendors, contests. Plus all the friends and fun that make Geo's your favorite bike night hangout.

But as if all that wasn't enough to show their appreciation for your support Karen and george are going to be offering pulled pork sandwiches for only $1.50 plus domestic long necks will be only $1.50 unless you are a Stag or Pabst drinker in which case they are only $1.00, I'll bet you won't find deals like that anywhere else. Just another example of the ways Karen and George go out of their way to thank their customers/family

Let's Roll

I just got back from a short ride and tomorrow looks like another fine day to ride motorcycles. I hope many of you join us at Show-Me's in Fairivew Heights for their free wings for riders, they say it starts at 7 but lets get there early and see what happen

Harley-Davidson Sets Focus on H-D Brand and Closes Buell

Last week Harley-Davidson announced they are shutting down the Buell brand for good after losing money for the last decade. They are also looking for a buyer for MV Augusta, the Italian sportbike maker they bought last year.

Information about the Buell Motorcycle Company in East Troy, Wisconsin and company news.
Check it out at Company | Buell Motorcycles

Doc's Harley Davidson

Is holding their Fall Open House today and I am getting ready to head that way take some pics and say hi to the folks. You should to also tonight is the Illinois Motorheads MC Annual Halloween Party this year it is Catholic War Vets on ILL 159 south of Belleville. We'll be there

Free Wings Tomorrow Night

I just got off weather.com. They say tomorrow night will be cold but dry so do not forget that Show-Me's is offering free wings for all riders between 7 and 9 PM then of course Thursday is bike night at Geo's Wings and we invite you to come out and hang with your friends no matter what the weather is.

Tonight, Last Night and more

Though the weather was a little iffy we had another nice turnout for the free wings at show-Me's last night. Now this evening is of course Bike Night at Geo's Wings in Belleville while the weather may not be perfect come enjoy food, drink and fun with friends and then off to PTs

The Rat Run

Was awesome. You folks turned out in droves and showed that once again bikers of all types and from all groups can come together and have a good time in a peaceful atmosphere. The day was fantastic, the music was excellent especially after Hush took the stage or at least the concrete. I thank everyone that came up and said hello and look forward to seeing many of you either at Roctoberfest in Columbia, MO featuring Molly Hatchett on Saturday Night or else I will see you at Bikers for babies on Sunday. At either place stop in and say hello. And finally thank all of you for making us part of your biking life.

Free Wings Again

Just a quick reminder as my internet has been down for a while there will once again be free wings at the Show-Me's on Lincoln Highwyin Fairview Heights, IL on Wednesday night from 7 to 9 PM for all who ride their motorcycles there. Courtesy of Show-Mes and your friends at The Biking Life

Triumph Rocket III Production Secrets

Rat Run

The Truck is loaded and now I am off to the rat Run see you there. We have t-shirts for $10, men's and women's and our 2007 and 2008 DVDs for $3 each or both for $5

Stuff To Do This Weekend

There are several fun things to do this weekend the weather isn't awesome so far but remember we are into October and the great days for riding may get farther and farther apart. At any rate the benefit tonight and the Marble Run party should both be fun and the benefit is for a very good cause. Tomorrow is the Bike and Badge Ride leaving St Louis Honda, and the Rat Run from Jack's Iron Horse as well as the Memorial Ride for Big Bitts leaving out of Main St in Waterloo.

3rd Benefit for Darrell and Christina Hart
OFallon, IL VFW from 5 to 2 AM

3rd ABATE Marble Run Party
VFW, Highland, Illinois, 6:00 p.m.-midnight

4th 1st Annual Memorial Ride for Big Bitts
leaves Main St in Waterloo, IL at 1:00 PM

4th Ken Hodges Memorial Poker Run
registration from 11:30 to 12:30 sign up at AAA Missouri 12901 N Forty Dr, St Louis cars and bikes welcome


4th 5th Annual Dave Mungenast Memorial Bike and Badge Ride
sign-up 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Dave Mungenast St. Louis Honda Motorsports, 5935 South Lindbergh

Rat Run

The Rat Run is happening tomorrow it may end up being somewhat different but Jack's Iron Horse will be open there will be vendors and this is America and a business has the right to be open and we have the right of assembly. This also gives us an opportunity to make it more like it was intended to be.

October Issue

I had a problem with my desktop computer this month, seems the power supply shot craps so the magazine will be hitting the streets a little late however you can read it online now at this link. I thank you once again for making us part of your biking life.

Geo's Wimgs

I am looking at weather.com and while they say there is a huge chance for rain, it looks to me like it is past us now unless the wind shifts. I think it will be another great evening to go to Geo's and Joy and I hope to see you there.