Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa Iowa Bike Nights and Dinner Rides TUESDAY Teufelhund Veterans Group Anamosa 5-19, 6-23, 7-28, 8-25) The Gypsy Highway Davenport (3rd or 4th Tuesdays)
Wednesday Back Forty Bike Night the Barn Des Moines (2nd Wed May, y, Jun, J , Jul, J , Sep) S p) p) Benolas Baxter The Honkytonk Clarksville Dinner Rides Zylstra HD Ames
Thursday Bikes on the Hundred Block Council Bluffs (3rd Thurs) Roar Into Harlan (3rd Thurs) Metro HD Cedar Rapids (2nd Thurs May-Aug, 3rd Thurs Sep) Se S ep) p) East of Omaha Bike Night Griswold (1st Thurs May-Sep) Capt. Roys Vintage Bike Night Des Moines (1st Thurs) Iowa City HD Coralville (3rd Thurs May-Aug, Sep 24) Fireside Lounge Atlantic (4th Thurs) Hide’s Inn Camanche (Last Thurs Jun-Aug)
Friday Bondurant Bike Night (Last Fri May-Jul) Centerville Bike Night (4th Fri) American Legion Post 232 Polk City (2nd Fri May-Sep) Silver Eagle HD Waterloo (Select Fridays)
Stick & Balls Indianola (2nd Fridays) Saturday
Colfax Saturday Night Cruise (5-2, 6-6, 7-11, 8-1, 9-12)
Sunday Just 1 More Jamaica (Starting in May)
2 - TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
Ride early and ride often! Seems like pretty sound advice, right? Well, as we are now rolling into the glorious 9th month of the year, early doesn’t really fit as far as riding time of the season. A vast majority of events have come and gone, and most that are left are not in Iowa…at least anything more than one-day or partial-day types of happenings. It is not a bad thing that most events are in our rear-view mirror, as I hope you have acquired as many cool memories and racked up some miles, but just noting that we have to make sure we get out as many times as we can on the few remaining days of the 2026 riding season that we have left. As always, I will keep hopping on as long as possible and never really “winter” the bikes, but the chances to be able to go for a full tank ride are getting slimmer by the day. Get out and about on two wheels and enjoy the sometimes hot as hell days, and cool evenings while we can! Riding this time of year is sort of bittersweet, with some great riding conditions, but also some significant things to keep in mind when twisting the wick. When you do get out and about on two or three wheels in the month of September, make sure that you are watching for all of the road hazards we encounter this time of year. As harvest gets into full swing, we always have to watch out for slowmoving vehicles including, but not limited to agricultural equipment on the roadways. That equipment sometimes drags mud, dirt, and field debris onto roadways which can also be hazardous. When the crop-eating machines are
running r ru around the tillable til til ti acres, the wildlife becomes be uprooted from fr fr their feed plots tth h farmers graciously the provide, pprr so keep an eye out o for critters on and ou crossing crr the roadways. As A always, watch out for ffoo the dipshits driving distracted di di in normal vehicles ve ve as well. Ride defensively, de de ride safely, and a keep your head on a an swivel. sw sw Also, plan for at least llee three seasons worth off riding in a single day, because be it is September in Iowa. We can see cold, great temperatures, and hotter than Hades as well as the entire gamut of wet to dry all within a single day. Gear up and ride accordingly. Also, in September this year I am turning 55 years old. It doesn’t seem possible to have acquired this many tic marks next to my age, but here I am, still acting like I am five years old most days, just ask Melanie and she will tell ya! With the ability to attain this age, I am even more thankful and blessed to have so many people that I love and cherish to be a part of my world. I have acquired more love than years in this lifetime, and for that I thank each and every one of you for being a part of my world. I dig what we have built here with Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa over the last 17 years and also the last nine years at Thunder Guns and Thunder Guns West.
I don’t know exactly what I am going to do to celebrate the anniversary of my birth this year though, as usually I do a birthday timeframe 1,000-mile ride. I want to keep doing those as long as I can, and have done more than a couple of dozen of them in my life. This year though, I checked that off early in May when my boy Matt and I rode to DC for MRF Bikers inside the Beltway. Maybe we can do another one when we ride to Milwaukee at the end of September for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation Meeting of the Minds? A frame turned into a build out of a small shop in Des It is only half way to 1,000 though to get there, would have Moines. Ryan Kenens built this bike from the frame up and to make one hell of a detour. Maybe on the way home on was painted by Joe Miller. This bike got its name Helter that Sunday we can do that? Weather this time of year is Shelter, after the name of the building it was created in. HS always a factor though, so we may have to play it by ear. is a small private owned skate park on the north side of Des At least I don’t have to worry about getting one done this Moines. This 1999 Buell S1 lightning motor is one of a kind. year, and don’t NEED to make it happen. I hope that I can When I asked Ryan what made him build it, he said “the see some of you in Milwaukee September 24th through the reason I built Helter Shelter is that I’ve always wanted a 60’s 26th at Meeting of the Minds. If you are at all concerned style traditional chopper. After seeing a few buddy’s builds about our rights as motorcyclists, and you certainly should and studying others builds I liked, I finally came up with the be, this would be the place for you to be! More information inspiration I needed. I wanted the exhaust to stand out and and registration information can be found at mrf.org under flow with the frame. My favorite parts on the bike are the the events tab. gas tank and the mud flap I made. This bike was a learning experience, and showed me what I was capable of building, Be safe, enjoy this glorious month of September! I guess. This bike just fell into place with collecting all the Vernon parts and making some others.” When selecting a location for the photoshoot, Helter Shelter seemed totally fitting, vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com and our model Makayla Miller brought these images to Proud Editor/Owner Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa life. Photos by Sierra Grace Koder with Sierra Grace Proud Owner Thunder Guns West and Thunder Guns Photography out of Central Iowa. She said “I’ve been IMDA Board Member capturing this bike from the start once it was done getting Iowa COC Legislative Officer painted it only felt right to photograph it in its home.” Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook www.thunderroadsiowa.com 4 - TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026
On the Cover
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026 - 5
fellow optimists who had thought this was a good day for a ride. He decided to take advantage of the break to smoke a cigarette, but his hands were shaking so hard that he had a difficult time getting the lighter to meet up with the end of his cigarette. It was at that moment that something floating caught my eye and I thought, “No, it can’t be!” But it was. Snow had just begun to fall.
Is anyone besides me ready for the 5th season to be over? You know: road construction season? I At that moment, I had some pretty evil thoughts toward know, I know – the new the road crew that was lollygagging in comfort while we routes will be faster and froze in the hard dirt. But in all our construction delays, the new surfaces will be it never crossed my mind to blame the engineer that first smoother. But I still hate having to kill our bikes and visited the site, then sat in his office, designing the roads. I be stuck roasting on the hot was pondering that recently, as we pulled a U-ey to avoid pavement in the blazing sun, yet another stretch of construction. I wondered, “If I don’t inhaling everyone’s exhaust. blame the engineers for the daily problems their plans cause, why do I blame God for the way his plans are executed?” Another thing that really burns my biscuits is when We’ve all been stuck in some nasty “construction” problems the construction signs and that have affected our lives: parent problems, kid problems, barricades force the traffic spouse problems, job problems, health problems, vehicle from two lanes into just one lane and after you have problems. And the list goes on. We’ve ended up being renearly gotten rear-ended by routed into life situations we never would have chosen on the idiot who didn’t merge in time and you’ve crept along, our own. And who do we usually ultimately blame? God. dodging cones for miles, you’re finally allowed back to two Not the construction crew. God. But we shake our fists at lanes and find out that there was no construction to be seen the sky and say, “How could a loving God allow . . . ?” anywhere! What spiteful road crew ever thought THAT up? Jeremiah 29:11 says this: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and I think one of the most memorable construction delays we not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” In had was in Montana, up on Bear Tooth Pass. Mark and I spite of the pain, the loss, and the fear that accompany our found ourselves in Yellowstone one year around the 2nd week of August. We decided to take a day ride and try out personal construction crews, our Engineer has better plans for us. John 3: 17 tells us that he sent his son, Jesus, not the much-touted pass. We started off wearing some extra to condemn us, but to save us. Like the pilot car, Jesus layers, and as the highway rose, the temperature dropped. negotiated this path first and experienced a death that he did We finally stopped at a scenic outlook and put on our insulated coats, heavier gloves, and neck gators. That made not deserve so that we could be reconciled to God. God’s ultimate goal is for us to have a restored relationship with the rest of the climb barely bearable, and I have to admit him. Because of sin, the only way that can happen is by us that I was REALLY looking forward to getting to the top, accepting Jesus’s payment for our sin-debt. checking the box of “Been there - Done that” and heading Life is hard and the roads may get bumpy again. There may back down to warmer climes. Then, we saw the dreaded be more detours. But the Engineer and the driver of the sign: “EXPECT CONSTRUCTION DELAYS”. pilot car know the way. We came around the next curve, and there it was. A nice highway made of . . . dirt. The drop hammers and hydraulic Blessings – Karla breakers had done their jobs fracturing the concrete, the Mark & Karla Cornick are with the Christian Motorcyclists backhoes had cleared away the rubble, and there was no Association. Find out more about CMA and God’s plan for pavement to be seen in either lane. It became quickly you at www.cmausa.org obvious that calling this a “delay” was being too kind. A “STOP HERE - WAIT FOR PILOT VEHICLE” sign was leaned against a scraggly pine. Dozers and dump trucks loaded with gravel idled by the side of the road, their operators sitting in the cabs, sipping hot cups of coffee. The windows of the vehicles in line ahead of us were steamed over, indicating that they had been turned off for quite a while. Great. Just great. As we sat there, another hapless biker pulled up alongside us, wanting to chat with 6 - TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026 - 7
8 - TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026 - 9
The Biker Friendly Business Directory is a list of establishments throughout Iowa that sponsor the magazine. You can pick up your copy here every month. Let them know that you saw them in TRMI. If your business would like to advertise in Thunder Roads Iowa Biker Friendly Business Listing and become a part of the network, please email vernon@thunderroadsiowa.com
Biker Accessories Dirty Biker Design 61 W Washington Street Winterset, Iowa 50273 www.DirtyBikerDesign.com 515-444-9050
Fireside Lounge 504 W 7th ST Atlantic, IA 50022 712-243-2426 Open Daily at Noon
Route 65 Harley-Davidson 1300 S Jefferson Way Indianola, Iowa 50125 515.962.2160 www.route65hd.net
Flaming Office 201 W High Street Toledo 641-484-2255 Outdoor Patio, Happy Hour 5-7 Flaming Office on Facebook & Google
Storm Lake Honda 3040 Expansion Blvd Storm Lake, Iowa 50588 StormLakeHonda.com 712-732-2460
Haverhill Social Club 202 1st Street Haverhill, Iowa 50120 641-475-3321 Closed Mon-Tues, 4-Midnite Wed-Thur-Fri,
10-Midnight Sat, 11-Midnight Sunday
Entertainment Book Em Dano’s 33 S Main Street Denison, Iowa 51442 712-263-9818 Mon-Sat 4-2 Dancers Nightly 5-1:30
Hell Bent Hotrods Kickass Designs, Quality Garments Shirts | Hats | Gear | Attitude www.hellbentapparel.com Hell Bent Hot Rods on Facebook
Dealers
Metro Harley-Davidson 2415 Westdale Drive SW Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404 319-362-9496 www.metro-motorsports.com
Iowa Legendary Rye 707 N Main Street Carroll, Iowa 51401 Iowalegendaryrye.com Just 1 More 515-570-4206 641-757-0159 309 Railway Jamaica, Iowa 50128
Food and Drink (Popular Poker & Fun Run Locations)
Baxter Cycle 311 4th Street Marne, Iowa 51552 712-781-2351 www.baxtercycle.com
Busch’s Duck Stop Tavern 608 Inman Street Mallard, Iowa 50562 712-425-3384 Facebook: Busch’s Duck Stop Tavern
Big Barn Harley-Davidson 81 NW 49th Place Des Moines, Iowa 50313 515-265-4444 www.bigbarnhd.net
Catfish Charlie’s On the Mississippi River 1630 E. 16th Street Dubuque, IA 52001 (563)582-8600 www.CatfishCharliesDubuque.com
Heartland Harley-Davidson 117 S Roosevelt Ave Burlington, IA 52601 319-754-1100 www.heartlandhd.com
Desperados 105 E 5th Street Atlantic 712-243-7087 Home of Cold Beer, Good Times, Homemade Pizza
Indian Motorcycle of Mason City Mason City Powersports 12499 265th Street Mason City 641-423-3181 Masoncitypowersportsinc.com
Desperados 403 East St Street Shelby 712-207-2144 Home of Cold Beer, Good Times, Homemade Pizza
10 - TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026
Level B – Bar & Grill 805 6th Street Manning, Iowa 51455 712-655-9290 Level B on Facebook Mi Casa Family Restaurant 512 Market Street Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-755-2258 Enjoy Drinks at the Full Bar! Papa Joe’s 117 South 6th Street Missouri Valley, Iowa 51555 712-642-9015
Riverside Tavern 450 E Main St Lehigh, Iowa 50557515-359-9998 Riverside Tavern on Facebook Shootout Saloon 3571 310th St Dexter 1 Mile West of Bonnie & Clyde Shootout
712-249-0041 Secluded Bar in the Woods Sidetracked 206 West Union Street Creston, Iowa 50801 641-782-8534 Stumpy’s Bar & Grill 423 Main Street Duncombe, Iowa 50532 515-543-4222 Stumpy’s Bar & Grill on Facebook The Buck Snort Restaurant bucksnortrestaurants.com All 4 locations Neola, Glenwood, Harlan, Council Bluffs The Yankee Clipper 312 SW Maple St Ankeny, Ia 50023 515-964-9484 yankeeclipperbar.com Vic’s Main Tap 304 Broadway Audubon, Iowa 50025 712-563-2122 Opens M-F 2-Close, Sat 9-Close, Sun 2-Close Western Iowa Ice 514 East Street Shelby, Iowa 51570 402-681-6521 Ice Delivered to Your Location
Pearl Street Social Club 110 Pearl Street SW Shellsburg, Iowa 52332 319-436-7100 Find Us On Facebook!
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
Guns and Ammo
Shops & Fabricators
Trailers
Iowa that sponsor the magazine. You can pick up your copy here
Thunder Guns 201 4th Ave Portsmouth, Iowa 51565 712-249-5630 Find us on Facebook Thunder Guns West 1101 Chatburn Ave STE 103 Harlan, Iowa 51537 712-235-2632 Find us on Facebook ONLINE SALES www.tgwia.com
Insurance & Financial State Farm Clark Ahrenholtz, Agent 2114 12th Street Harlan, Iowa 712-755-5724 Clark.ahrenholtz.jb69@statefarm.com
Legal Hupy and Abraham - S.C., P.C. Lawyers For Bikers $ BILLIONS COLLECTED $ 1.800.800.5678 www.hupy.com TheBikerLawyers.com The Biker Lawyers, P.C. Riding & Defending Your Rights for Over 30 Years 877-209-9452
Photo and Art Ullrich Photography PO Box 1842 Clinton, Iowa 52733 563-243-8715 www.natanic.com
Butterfield’s M.C. Parts 8025 Blondo Street Omaha, NE 68134 402-391-3768 Chuck’s Cycle Service and Repair S&S and Drag Specialties Dealer 307 E 5th Street Washington, Iowa52353 319-461-5278 Cycle Clinic 2209 ML King Pkwy Des Moines, Iowa 50314 cycleclinicdm.com 515-288-6954
Lacaeyse Trailer Sales 4192 HWY 146 Grinnell Trailers & Truck Accessories 641-990-2674 www.lacaeysetrailers.com
The Biker Friendly Business Directory is a list of establishments throughout
every month. Let them know that you saw them in TRMI. If your business would like to advertise in Thunder Roads Iowa Biker Friendly Business Listing and become a part of the network, please email vernon@ thunderroadsiowa.com
Grizzly’s Motorworx 102 2nd Ave SE Altoona, Iowa 50009 grizzlysmotorworx@hotmail.com 515-967-0898 Lehman Chompers Jeremy & Donna Lehman Des Moines, Iowa 515-201-8866 Lehman Chompers on Facebook Mean Machine Cycles Elkhart, Iowa 50073 Custom & Full-Service HD Repair Mon-Fri 9-6, Sat by appt only 515-367-7336 Motorcycle Medic 3159 Highway 30 Woodbine, Iowa 51579 712-647-2818 Open Tues-Fri 9-6, Sat 8-12 Road Rage BikeWorks 401 High Street Avoca, Iowa 51521 712-307-6111 Road Rage BikeWorks on Facebook Thunder Road Cycles 4106 Rockingham Rd Davenport, Iowa 52802 563-323-3172 Thunder Road Cycles on Facebook
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026 - 11
12 - TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
From 1941 Indian Sales Order Book Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026 - 13
not so USELESS RAMBLINGS The Measure of a Man I asked people from different walks of life one simple question. Honestly, I expected to find division; instead, I found surprising agreement. “What does it mean to be a good man in 2026?”
Honesty, integrity, compassion, responsibility, and kindness aren’t masculine virtues. They belong to all of us. A good woman is measured by many of the same qualities as a good man. But I still believe the question is worth asking because every generation faces its own challenges, temptations, and distractions. Every generation of men must decide for itself what kind of men it intends to become.
In a time when it seems like people can’t agree on much of As more responses began coming in, I found myself doing anything, I expected wildly different answers. I assumed politics, something I hadn’t expected. I wasn’t looking for differences religion, age, and personal experience would shape completely anymore. I was looking for patterns. The wording changed from different definitions of what makes a man “good.” Instead, person to person, but the themes rarely did. something unexpected happened. One person wrote, “Your word is your bond.” Another simply said, “Trustworthiness, integrity, reliability.” Several people The answers were remarkably consistent. talked about working hard and providing for their families. Others spoke about standing up for what is right, even when it Not everyone used the same words, but they kept pointing comes with a personal cost. One man said a good man should toward the same ideas. Integrity. Responsibility. Keeping your help those who cannot return the favor. Another said he should word. Taking care of your family. Standing up for what’s right. share his knowledge freely because he genuinely wants the Helping others without expecting anything in return. Learning best for others. A woman described her father as a good man— from your mistakes. Living with honesty. not because he was perfect, but because he learned from his mistakes, worked hard, and always kept his word. The more responses I read, the more one As I read through every thought kept nagging at response, something me. Maybe we’ve spent quietly remarkable so much time arguing happened. I had expected about what a man should people to define a good be that we’ve forgotten man based on politics, something much simpler. religion, wealth, status, Maybe most of us or success. Instead, they already know. kept returning to the same timeless ideas. At twenty-five, I would have answered that Integrity. Responsibility. question one way. At Humility. Reliability. fifty-three, I answer it Courage. Service. differently. Somewhere Family. between those two versions of myself, life People from different has a way of sanding off backgrounds, different the sharp edges. Success ages, and different life begins to look different. experiences weren’t Priorities change. The describing different kinds things that once seemed so important slowly give way to the of men. They were describing the same man. things that actually matter. As I sat back and reread every response, another realization As I make my way through the dash between the dates on slowly began to take shape. It wasn’t just what people said that my own headstone, I find myself measuring life less by caught my attention. It was what they didn’t. accomplishments and more by impact. Not one person told me a good man drives an expensive truck. One of the first responses I received came from a woman Not one person mentioned a prestigious career, a corner office, who challenged the premise of my question. She suggested or a six-figure income. No one talked about how many followers that perhaps we shouldn’t be asking what makes a good man he has on social media, how many trophies sit on his shelf, or anymore, but what makes a good human being. Honestly, that’s how many people know his name. a fair point.
14 - TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
In a society that spends so much time measuring success by wealth, influence, appearance, and status, I found it fascinating that ordinary people measured a man very differently.
funny way of rearranging priorities. Today, I find myself asking different questions.
When my name comes up in conversation, what comes to mind? Can my family depend on me? Does my word still mean They measured his character. Whether or not his word meant something. Whether he accepted responsibility for his mistakes. something? Do I admit when I’m wrong? Am I willing to help someone who has nothing to offer me in return? Does my Whether he loved his family. Whether he could be counted on when life became difficult. Whether he quietly did the right thing presence improve the lives of the people around me? when no one else was watching. Those aren’t questions anyone else can answer for me. They That last one kept resurfacing in different forms. One gentleman don’t appear on a résumé, a bank statement, or a trophy shelf. wrote, “Do the right thing, even if nobody is paying attention.” They’re answered one decision at a time, one conversation at a time, one ordinary day at a time. Another spoke of standing for what’s right regardless of the personal cost. Different words. Same principle. Perhaps that’s why character is so difficult to define, yet so easy to recognize. We know it when we see it. More importantly... The more I thought about it, the more I realized that none of The people closest to us know when they don’t. these qualities can be purchased, inherited, or faked for very long. Character has a way of revealing itself over time. It shows As I’ve gotten older, I’ve stopped worrying about whether I’ll up in the promises we keep, the responsibilities we accept, the way we treat people who can do nothing for us, and the choices ever make a difference in the world. That’s a burden none of us can really measure anyway. But I can measure something else. we make when no one is keeping score. I can ask whether my wife is glad she shared her life with me. Perhaps that’s why so many of the responses sounded Whether my daughters learned more from what I did than remarkably similar. Deep down, most what I said. Whether my grandchildren grow up knowing their of us already know the difference grandfather loved them. Whether my friends knew they could between success and significance. count on me. Whether the people whose paths crossed mine are Success is often measured by what just a little better because they did. we’ve accumulated. Significance is measured by the lives we’ve influenced. The measure of a man isn’t found in what he says about himself. Those aren’t always the same thing. It’s found in the stories other people tell about him. The older I get, the less interested I become in impressing strangers and the In the grand scheme of things, I don’t need the world to remember my name. I want my world to remember me. To me, more interested I become in earning that’s the measure of a man. the respect of the people who know me best. It’s easy to create an image. It’s much harder to build a reputation that survives David McCoy familiarity. david@thunderroadsiowa.com FaceBook.com/TRMIDave As I reflected on all of those responses, I found myself returning FaceBook.com/TRMINSUR to a familiar place. The mirror. It’s easy to evaluate other people. It’s easy to point out someone else’s failures, poor decisions, or shortcomings. Looking inward has always been the harder task. The longer I thought about the question, the more I realized I wasn’t really asking strangers what it means to be a good man. I was asking myself. At twenty-five, I probably would have measured a man by different standards. Confidence. Independence. Toughness. Maybe even success. Those things certainly have their place, but age has a Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026 - 15
16 - TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026 - 17
20 - TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026 - 21
parted ways with that group to go get some vittles off the run route and ended up at a place I had heard about in Charter Oak called The Cob. On top of ending up mid afternoon with no vittles yet at that point, we were all hangry as hell and walked into the right place! Mel was an amazing host and this small-town Iowa place was uber friendly and inviting. She described some cool stuff about the place and herself, and then we got some food going. As it was not a busy time, she was there by herself, but certainly knows how to get things done on her own including bar, food, and attentiveness to customers.
The Cob Bar & Grill
29 Main Street Charter Oak, IA 51439 (712) 269-8441 On Facebook: The COB Charter Oak Bar & Grill Mon Closed Tue Closed Wed-Sat 11 am - 10pm Sun 10 am -3 pm Well, we had some pretty cool riding plans on a Saturday in June with Brad and Stacey, and then we got delayed at the gun shop and out of there late, and then didn’t have enough time to get where we wanted to be, so we changed it up. We headed toward Dunlap and then to Soldier to try to catch a run out of Dow City. Following along? Well, it gets worse. We met up with that group in Soldier and then when we took off from there, some stupid shit happened just west of town and that plan then also got switched. Some significant road rash is all that it amounted to for a rider, and a bike stashed until a trailer could be had. We got everyone all squared away and everyone and everything taken care of so we kept on the road. We
Our food included an All-American Burger, The Club, a Brisket Mac n Cheeseburger, and of course, I got a tenderloin. As far as sides, we ended up with half naked cheese curds, tator tots, and French fries. The over half pound All American Burger came with cheese and a fried egg to order, and all there was done just right and the way it should be. Tator tots were perfectly crisp on the outside and hot and soft on the inside the way they should be! The halfnaked cheese curds were very lightly breaded as the naked moniker indicated and were composed of a wonderfully light white cheddar cheese that hit the spot. The club was toasted just right with good cold cuts and crispy bacon. The Brisket on top of a cheeseburger is just awesome to begin with, and then topped with some Mac N Chesse put it over the top. That was Stacey’s meal, and we knew she would never eat the whole thing. Just kidding, she ate all that and some of our leftovers as well like normal! Smoky brisket, cheese pasta on a burger? What could be bad about a combination like that? I opted for the loin and Mel suggested adding cheese to the critter, which I was initially reluctant to do, but ended up glad I did. The crispy hand breaded tenderloin was served on a hoagie style roll which really makes a ton of sense, considering the size of some of the tenderloins you get in places, always more meat than bun, and Mel figured out how to take care of that problem. The cheese added a creamy component to the crispy breading and complimented it well. Stopping by The Cob was well worth the side trip from another side trip that we were on, from our original trip! When we were chatting with Mel during our visit, she commented also about the popularity of her Sunday Brunch and regular menu options. Since there is a shortage of places to be able to grab breakfast anymore, especially on Sunday mornings, we turned right around the next day and went back for breakfast! Also, well worth the trip! If you end up in Charter Oak during their open hours, you would be a fool NOT to swing by and grab some vittles! If ya do, let them know Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa sent ya! Vernon If you have a WRTE location for us to visit, please let me know at Melanie@ thunderroadsiowa.com.
22 - TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026 - 23
My wife and I went to the auction mart at Tralee the other week and one of the first exhibits we stopped at was the breeding bulls. We went up to the first pen and there was a sign attached that said, ‘THIS BULL MATED 50 TIMES LAST YEAR.’ My wife playfully nudged me in the ribs ...... smiled and said, ‘He mated 50 times last year, that’s almost once a week.’ We walked to the second pen which had a sign attached that said, ‘THIS BULL MATED 150 TIMES LAST YEAR.’ My wife gave me a healthy jab and said, ‘WOW~~That’s more than twice a week! ...........You could learn a lot from him.’ We walked to the third pen, and it had a sign attached that said, in capital letters, ‘THIS BULL MATED 365 TIMES LAST YEAR.’ My wife was so excited that her elbow nearly broke my ribs, and said, ‘That’s once a day...You could REALLY learn something from this one.’ I looked at her and said, ‘Go over and ask him if every time was with the same old cow.’ My condition has been upgraded from critical to stable and I should eventually make a full recovery.
man on the roof, ‘God will grant me a miracle’ The water continues to rise and is up to the man’s knees. Another boat comes along but he refuses to get into it saying, ‘I am a man of faith and God will grant me a miracle’ By this time the water is up to the man’s waist then a third boat comes along and he still refuses to get in and still insists God will grant him a miracle. The flood water is now up to his neck when a helicopter arrives and drops down a rope ladder. He refuses to climb it as he still believes God will grant him a miracle. The water covers him and he drowns. On arrival at the pearly gates, he starts shouting at St Peter. ‘I am a man of deep faith and trusted in God but you let me drown, all my beliefs are now gone! St Peter replied, ‘We sent three boats and a helicopter…what more did you want?’
A man walks into a restaurant with a full-grown ostrich behind him. As he sits, the waitress comes over and asks for their orders. The man says, “I’ll have a hamburger, fries, and a coke,” and turns to the ostrich, “What’s yours?” “I’ll have the same,” says the ostrich. A short time later the waitress An American soldier, serving in World War II, had just returns with the order. “That will be $6.40 please,” and the returned from several weeks of intense action on the German reaches into his pocket and pulls out the exact change man front lines. He had finally been granted R&R and was for payment. The next day, the man and the ostrich come on a train bound for London. The train was very crowded, again and the man says, “I’ll have a hamburger, fries and so the soldier walked the length of the train, looking for an a coke,” and the ostrich says, “I’ll have the same.” Once empty seat. The only unoccupied seat was directly adjacent again, the man reaches into his pocket and pays with exact to a well-dressed middle-aged lady and was being used by change. This becomes a routine until late one evening, the her little dog. The war weary soldier asked, “Please, ma’am, two enter again. “The usual?” asks the waitress. “No, this is may I sit in that seat?” The English woman looked down her Friday night, so I will have a steak, baked potato and salad,” nose at the soldier, sniffed and said, “You Americans. You says the man, “same for me,” says the ostrich. A short time are such a rude class of people. Can’t you see my little Fifi later the waitress comes with the order and says, “That will is using that seat?” The soldier walked away, determined to be $12.62.” Once again the man pulls exact change out of find a place to rest, but after another trip down to the end his pocket and places it on the table. The waitress can’t hold of the train, found himself again facing the woman with the back her curiosity any longer. “Excuse me, sir. How do you dog. Again, he asked, “Please, lady. May I sit there? I’m very manage to always come up with the exact change out of tired.” The English woman wrinkled her nose and snorted, your pocket every time?” “Well,” says the man, “several years “You Americans! Not only are you rude, you are also arago I was cleaning the attic and I found an old lamp. When rogant. Imagine!” The soldier didn’t say anything else; he I rubbed it, a Genie appeared and offered me two wishes. leaned over, picked up the little dog, tossed it out the winMy first wish was that if I ever had to pay for anything, I dow of the train and sat down in the empty seat. The woman would just put my hand in my pocket and the right amount shrieked and railed and demanded that someone defend of money would always be there.” “That’s brilliant!” says the her and chastise the soldier. An English gentleman sitting waitress. “Most people would wish for a million dollars or across the aisle spoke up, “You know, sir, you Americans do something, but you’ll always be as rich as you want for as seem to have a penchant for doing the wrong thing. You eat long as you live!” “That’s right. Whether it’s a gallon of milk holding the fork in the wrong hand. You drive your cars on or a Rolls Royce, the exact money is always there,” says the the wrong side of the road. And now, sir, you’ve thrown the man. The waitress asks, “One other thing, sir, what’s with the wrong bitch out the window.” ostrich?” The man sighs, pauses, and answers, “My second wish was for a tall chick with long legs who agrees with “Two hillbillies walk into a restaurant. While having a bite everything I say.” to eat, a woman eating a sandwich at a nearby table begins to cough. After a minute or so, it becomes apparent that she An elderly lady phoned her telephone company to report is in real distress. One of the hillbillies looks at her and says, that her telephone failed to ring when her friends called and “Kin ya swallar?” The woman shakes her head no. Then he that on the few occasions when it did ring, her pet dog alasks, “Kin ya breathe?” The woman begins to turn blue, and ways moaned right before the phone rang. The telephone reshakes her head no. The hillbilly walks over to the woman, pairman proceeded to the scene, curious to see this psychic lifts up her dress, yanks down her drawers, and quickly gives dog or senile elderly lady. He climbed a nearby telephone her right butt cheek a lick with his tongue. The woman is pole, hooked in his test set, and dialed the subscriber’s house. The phone didn’t ring right away, but then the dog so shocked that she has a violent spasm, and the obstrucmoaned loudly and the telephone began to ring. Climbing tion flies out of her mouth. As she begins to breathe again, the hillbilly walks slowly back to his table. His partner says, down from the pole, the telephone repairman found....1. “Ya know, I’d heerd of that there ‘Hind Lick Maneuver’ but I The dog was tied to the telephone system’s ground wire via a steel chain and collar. 2. The wire connection to the ground never seed nobody done it. rod was loose. 3. The dog was receiving 90 volts of signaling current when the phone number was called. 4. After a There is a massive flood and a religious man is on the roof of his house. A man rows past and says, ‘Get in’ ‘No’ says the couple of such jolts, the dog would start moaning and then 24 - TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
urinate on himself and the ground. 5. The wet ground would complete the circuit, thus causing the phone to ring. Which goes to show that some problems CAN be fixed by pissing and moaning.
caddy moves to the green or farther down the fairway and again I play the ball towards his voice.” “But how do you putt?” asks Tiger. “Well,” says Stevie, “I get my caddy to lean down in front of the hole and call to me with his head on the ground and I just play the ball towards his voice.” Tiger: Jim had been a religious man all his life. When rushed to “What’s your handicap?” Stevie: “Well, actually, I’m a scratch the hospital his family called a preacher to stand with them. golfer.” Woods, incredulous, says to Stevie, “We’ve got to As the preacher stood next to the bed, Jim’s condition applay a round sometime.” Stevie: “Well, people don’t take me peared to worsen and he motioned frantically for something seriously, so I only play for money, and never play for less to write on. He was lovingly handed a pen and paper and than $10,000 a hole. Is that a problem?” Woods thinks about Jim used his last gasp of energy to scribble a note which it and says, “I can afford that; OK, I’m game for that. $10,000 he handed to the preacher and then he died. The preacher a hole is fine with me. When would you like to play?” Stevie thought it best not to look at the note at the time and placed said, “Pick a night.” it in his jacket pocket. At the funeral, as he was finishing his eulogy, he realized that he was wearing the same jacket as A man with a winking problem is applying for a position as he had at the hospital. He said “You know, Jim handed me a sales representative for a large firm. The interviewer looks a note just before he died. I haven’t read it yet but knowing over his papers and says, “This is phenomenal. You’ve graduJim I’m sure there’s a word of inspiration there for us all.” ated from the best schools; your recommendations are wonHe opened the note and read out loud “Hi minister. You’re derful, and your experience is unparalleled. Normally, we’d standin’ on my oxygen.” hire you without a second thought. However, a sales representative has a highly visible position, and we’re afraid that A ventriloquist was advised your constant winking will scare off potential customers. I’m by his doctor to take a sorry.... we can’t hire you.” “But wait,” the man says.“If I take break so he found a little two aspirin, I’ll stop winking!” “Really? Great! Show me!” So, farmhouse that did bed & the applicant reaches into his jacket pocket and begins pullbreakfast and booked in ing out all sorts of condoms: red condoms, blue condoms, for fo a week. On his first day ribbed condoms, flavored condoms; finally, at the bottom, he the finds a packet of aspirin.He tears it open, swallows the pills, the farmer and his son were him sshowing sh ow win ing h hi im round the farm and he and stops winking. “Well,” said the interviewer, “thats all decided deeci cide ded de d to have a little fun with the well and good, but this is a respectable company, and we will simple s mp country folk. So, when not have our employees womanizing all over the country!” si they “Womanizing? What do you mean? I’m a happily married th heyy went into the barn the ventriloquist spoke to one of man!” “Well then, how do you explain all these condoms?” vent ve nt the “Hello, Daisy!” he “Oh, that,” he sighed. “Have you ever walked into a phart e cows. th c said. macy, winking, and asked for aspirin?” said sa id d. “How do you like living on the th farm?” And he threw his voice A young woman brings home her fiancée to meet her vo oic icee and a made the cow reply, “Well, it’s fine most of the time. I parents. After dinner, her mother tells her father to find out just wish the farmer would warm his hands before he starts about the young man. The father invites the fiancée to his milking me!” The farmer and his son were utterly astonstudy for a drink. “So what are your plans?” the father asks ished by this and as they left the barn the ventriloquist could the young man. “I am a Torah scholar,” he replies. “A Torah hear them whispering. Next, they went into the henhouse, scholar. Hmm.” the father says. “Admirable, but what will and the ventriloquist did it again. He asked one of the hens, you do to provide a nice house for my daughter to live in as “How do you like living on the farm?” and made it reply, she’s accustomed to?” “I will study,” the young man replies, “I’m not happy at all - how would you like it if somebody “and God will provide for us.” “And how will you buy her a kept coming and taking your children away?” More whisper- beautiful engagement ring such as she deserves?” asks the ing between the farmer and his son. Now they were walking father. “I will concentrate on my studies,” the young man retowards the field where the sheep were kept. The farmer’s plies, “and God will provide for us.” “And children?” asks the son was looking nervous and when they reached the gate he father. “How will you support children?” “Don’t worry, sir, suddenly turned round and said, “If that lamb says anything, God will provide,” replies the fiancée. The conversation proit’s a damn liar!” ceeds like this, and each time the father questions, the young idealist insists that God will provide. Later, the mother asks, Tiger Woods & Stevie Wonder are in a bar. Tiger turns to “How did it go, honey?” The father answers, “He has no job Stevie and says, “How’s the singing career going?” Stevie and no plans, but the good news is he thinks I’m God.” replies, “Not too bad. How’s the golf?” Woods replies, “Not too bad, I’ve had some problems with my swing, but I think Betty was lying in bed one night. Art was falling asleep but I’ve got that right, now.” Stevie: “I always find that when my Betty was in a romantic mood and wanted to talk. She said: swing goes wrong, I need to stop playing for a while and “You used to hold my hand when we were courting.” Wearily not think about it. Then, the next time I play, it seems to be he reached across, held her hand for a second and tried to all right.” Incredulous, Tiger says, “You play GOLF?” Stevie: get back to sleep. A few moments later she said: “Then you “Yes, I’ve been playing for years.” Tiger: “But -- you’re blind! used to kiss me....” Mildly irritated, he reached across gave How can you play golf if you can’t see?” Stevie: “Well, I get her a peck on the cheek and settled down to sleep. Thirty my caddy to stand in the middle of the fairway and call seconds later she said: “Then you used to bite my neck....” to me. I listen for the sound of his voice and play the ball Angrily, Art threw back the bedclothes and got out of bed. towards him. Then, when I get to where the ball lands, the “Where are you going?” Betty asked. “To get my teeth!” Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026 - 25
was assigned to get my motor-less motorcycle to a (Part Two of the Story About the Day I Became Legendary) shop in East Mizoo to have a motor The engine of my Old Forty seized up after Pete began his mount casting trip down the hill and back to Missoula. welded back onto the frame. Not good… (Thanks, Montana Legend Magoo!) What to do NOW!!!??? More than a thousand miles from When we all rehome. Seventy-five miles back to Missoula. A motor gathered at Chris’ stuck tighter than a toad’s ass. Well, Rat Feces! My first garage, I got busy suggestion was that Mac, Jimmy and Beth continue on cleaning every to Glacier while I get a ride back to Mazola, buy a cheap bit and piece that pickup, retrieve the bike, and catch up with them in the James would be park. They wouldn’t hear of such nonsense. “We rode out taking to the MT here together and we’re riding back together” was their H-T shop. Mac, unanimous decision. How could I argue with that logic? of course, was of great help to me I called Chris back at Montana H-D and he immediately in that task. Beth dispatched a truck and trailer to scrape up the remains of and Missus Chris my Old Chief and deliver them to his house. Mac, Jim, busied themselves all day in preparing a feast for all the hardand Beth followed the rescue rig back to Chris’ home where working men. Great Ladies, both! I do believe they may we unloaded the Pile and rolled it into the garage to assess have washed a couple loads of clothes, too. James returned the situation. (I have never been fond of ‘situations’.) The with the freshly-rebuilt rotating assembly just before we garage was a mess and totally void of tools, save for a couple broke for supper. We dined like the Kings that we were, then garden rakes and a snow shovel. First Order of Business: returned to the garage to get that motor/trans/primary unit Turn the derelict garage into a Motor Rebuilding Shop. back into one piece. Think M*A*S*H. (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) While Mac and Jim began re-arranging the contents of the garage, I When we were disassembling the engine, we left the heads dropped the oils from the oil tank, motor cases, transmission, intact to the cylinders and the pistons were disconnected from and primary drive gallery. Chris scared up a couple saw the rods and remained in the cylinders too. These genius horses, a short section of an old aluminum extension ladder, maneuvers saved us the trouble of trying to find head gaskets and a few scrap pieces of plywood, and VOILA’! we had an and piston rings for an Indian Chief in Missoula, Montana Operating Table! on a Saturday afternoon. Additionally, we would not need to ‘run-in’ a new ring set on the motor. As I recall, I made new Before long, we had the motor/trans/primary drive unit on the cylinder base gaskets from a paper plate, carefully cutting and makeshift table. There was one tool that neither Jim, Mac, fitting with a pair of scissors and a utility knife. Necessity, as nor I had packed with us for this monumental trip. That tool it has been said, is the Mother of Invention. Before midnight, was a six-point half-inch drive socket suitable for backing off we had the powerplant completely re-assembled and set into the nut which held the motor sprocket in place. Pete made a the chassis. At that point, James retired to the domicile for a few calls, and a couple hours later, Montana Legend Tomato well-deserved shower and a good night’s sleep. Tom showed up with the socket and an electric impact wrench. Within minutes, we had the flywheels/rods/drive, Mac and I continued to put the Old Chief back together under crank, pinion pins (rotating assembly) out of the crankcases the watchful eye of Montana Legend Pete. Finally, around and on the bench. I remember Jim rolling the assembly 0200 AM in the morning, Mac called it a day and dragged across the garage floor, telling us that is how the Instructors his tired old hide to the basement for a few hours of sorelyat the H-D Factory Training School taught him to true the needed shut-eye. flywheel assembly. Of course, we all laughed our asses off at his comic display. Shortly after the ‘truing’ exercise, we Pete hung with me as I connected all the oil and fuel lines, got back to bidness. Jim created three separate lists, one for as well as each and every wire, chain master link, bolt, Mac, Me, and for James himself. These lists were made up nut, screw and washer. Shift linkage, clutch linkage, brake for all the ‘shopping’ we were going to need to do in the fast- linkage, almost everything... ALMOST everything! It was approaching morning hours ahead of us. 0530 AM in the morning and the Eastern Sky was beginning to get light. The fuel tanks still had Friday’s fuel in them. At this juncture, it was decided that we all get a couple hours The oil bag and motor cases had fresh SAE 50 Valvoline of rest before the local shops and stores opened for business. GT Racing Oil installed in the proper amounts. Primary and transmission cases filled to their proper level with SAE Next morning, we all took off in different directions. Mac 20W50 Valvoline GT Racing Oil. The ONLY thing left went to the auto parts stores, rounding up everything from unfinished at that time were the two quarter-inch screws Go-Jo to disposable hand towels to carburetor cleaner to which held the dash cover onto the dash plate. Two screws. whatever else Jimmy had put on his list. Jim went back to the That’s it. H-D store to make arrangements to gain unfettered access to any and all areas and equipment in the shop later that day. I I told Pete that I was just too tired to turn in those final
Day of Abduction
26 - TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
two screws. I invited him to find a place to lie down in the garage, backyard, or even in the basement with the rest of us. He declined the invitation and decided to return to his East Missoula home and maybe catch up with us sometime later in the morning. I cleaned up my hands and face and retired to my fart-sack on the basement floor where I immediately fell asleep.
one look at Mac to know he was the culprit. He can’t hide his Lyin’ Eyes! We all had a good laugh at my expense. We bade Chris and Charlie our final ‘Good-bye’ before they headed back down the hill on the late-model BMW. Once again, it was a Party of Four. Three old bikes. Four grateful souls. Northbound. Up that hill!
Somewhere between Bigfork and Kattlesmell, I saw It seemed like it was only a minute later that Jim was something lurking in the shadows. I stomped on the brakes (gently?) kick-starting my ribs with his boot. “C’mon, Shark! and immediately turned around in the road and headed back You gotta get up! I’ve been upstairs! I can see that your bike a half-mile or so. Jim and Mac pulled off the road, turned off is back together! Get’cher ass outta that sleeping bag! We their machines in disbelief and just watched me. I can only gotta get them bikes up that hill!” (Referring, of course, that imagine what they were thinking. After a few minutes, they we needed to get to Glacier National Park before the day fired up their sleds and rode back to the shadows of the side was done.) With great reluctance, I crawled out of the bag road where I was parked. and dragged that bag and my tired old ass up the steps and into the garage. I didn’t even get to grab a cup of coffee as I When they pulled up, they saw what I had seen… walked through the kitchen. NOT a great way to start a new day! Be sure to look for Part Three of “Day of Abduction” in next When I walked into the garage, I could see that Mac and Jim month’s issue of Thunder Roads had been so thoughtful to have carefully piled up ALL of my Magazine of Iowa! gear behind my motersickel. I begged someone to PLEASE go to the kitchen and get a cup of coffee for me. Just as I Thanks to Bill Wilson and the was finishing turning down those last two screws, the coffee H.P. was handed to me, and in the very same moment, Jimmy Rest in Peace, Mac and Jimmy. yanked it out of my hand! “No coffee for you until I hear the Ride Forever! (expletives deleted) motor run!” I had no choice but to open Love and Respect to Vernon, the fuel valve, let the carburetor bowl fill up with gas, close Melanie, and all of you Faithful the choke, open the throttle, and give it a couple/three primer TRMI Readers. kicks. As soon as I could see gas dripping out of the bottom of the air filter cover, I open the choke, then pushed it down Alice (LS) aka ‘Landshark’ two clicks, close the throttle, then open it a crack, retard the spark and turn on the ignition switch. I took a deep breath. Then another. Then I stepped vigorously on the starter pedal. That Motorscooter fired RIGHT up, about halfway through that first kick! Now, it was my turn to speak, “Gimme that effin’ coffee, Jim!” We all hooted and hollered a bit, then I took the machine for a quick ‘shakedown’ ride around a couple blocks in the neighborhood. When I returned, they told me, “Pack your gear. We’ve got some riding to do!” Within thirty minutes (and about three more cups of coffee) we said our most sincere ‘Thank-yous’ and ‘Good-byes’ and were back on the road. Out of Missoula. Through East Missoula. Back onto the very road we were on Friday afternoon when that engine got tight. As we rode past the exact spot where the motor locked up, I pointed down at the skid mark on the pavement with my bird finger and yelled some sort of horrific obscenity that fails my memory today. I’m sure it was appropriate, though. We rode past Seeley Lake, Comdon, Swan Lake, then stopped in Bigfork. Chris and his oldest son, Charlie, had followed us up the hill that far. We all got off our bikes and took a break at a watering hole. When I came back out of the joint, I couldn’t help but notice a fairly large puddle of oil under the engine of the Old Forty. (A tablespoon of oil looks like the Exxon Valdez Spill when it’s under YOUR motersickel, especially when you consider what we’d all been through over the previous 72 hours.) I only had to take Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026 - 27
28 - TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026 - 29
I actually had a professional bass fisherman tell me that information over coffee before we sat in on an outdoor forum. It was around 2000-2001 and it just stuck with By Crash Davis me. This guy fishes for a living…on the professional bass We are turning the corner on the riding season in Iowa, the fishing circuit…and he works so damn hard all the time. His schedule was insane and in an era before digital calendars near perfect time of the year to ride. Legit, who doesn’t love warm Fall days in the saddle when the colors begin to and reminders, he did it all with an old-school Daytimer. The key for him was to write everything down and track it change. The leaves are getting ready to say goodbye, the deer are on Kamikaze missions, as you are cresting a hill at all, and then he would block out time for himself. He told the new state highway speed limits, you are suddenly on the me that if he didn’t set time away, he would never have ass end of a grain cart or a combine moving from one field any time. Once that time was blocked, it was his to do with as he wanted. Sometimes, he would do a full day on the to the next. It’s awesome. golf course, sometimes fish with his buddies (he never got to do that normally because fishing was business), or he Sure, sarcastic? Maybe a little, but those are the outliers would take a couple of riding in the autumn season and I promise you I of days and get lost have never (nor will I ever) bitch about a farmer on in the Ozarks on his the road. I don’t care about them feeding the world, bike, ride to some I love the world I live in, we have the best food to place that rumored to be found, and they are amazing stewards of the land. have legendary ribs Seriously, we worry about shipping oil here or there. or brisket (actually If we stop shipping food…those dumbasses will riding for food was come around pretty quick. There isn’t enough supply his favorite) But around the world to make up for our American either way, he planned Farmers feeding all those ungrateful pricks. Farm it and executed the machinery belongs on the road as much (if not plan. more) than we do, so keep an eye out for them, wave, be nice, and give them space. Don’t complain Recent conversations about farmers when you go to bed at night with a in my circle jerk have full belly. been about not getting any long rides in this Adulting shit tends to get in the way of us doing summer and how it’s, the cool shit we like to do. I have said before, we well, bullshit. Many chase 80% of our lives to enjoy the 20% that truly of my riding buddies makes us happy. Seems more like a 90/10 split for have been riding me, but I do try and embrace the 10 or even 15% daily, adulting shit for when it becomes available. Sure, from time to time much of my summer when I try and get away it blows up in my face work has demanded that I wise, but that’s pretty much the same for everyone. drive my pick up for Just to clear something up, you might have read work, but I have still my statement and thought “There is iron in Crash’s words” saddled up and knocked down 60-80 miles a crack when it’s about the 80/20 quote. There is science behind it. The work-related. But that long, all-day ride to someplace cool 80/20 rule has its connections in many areas of life. 80 hasn’t happened…yet. percent of your business will come from 20 percent of your clients. Group projects many times have 20 percent of the One night on the patio, the topic of travels turned in to a people doing 80 percent of the work. It is not my creation; conversation about an Iron Butt, or because we have the
But it’s only a Thousand Miles…
30 - TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
mentality of 14-year-old horny boys, Iron Butt Stuff. Which, center of the state 3 times or some weird thing, but there is does just kind of roll off the tongue a little smoother. Iron an entire extra level of involvement to monitor and track Butt Stuff. you. F that. I, for some reason, figured Iron Butt Stuff has to have been around for generations. My myopic mind thought for sure this was some old-school hard-core biker shit from like 1955. When you were lucky to get 1000 miles out of a bike before they broke down, let alone get 1000 miles in 24 hours. Nope, I had to look it up.
I always thought it was cool but not that big of a deal, many MANY hardcore riders have done it without trying or come close.
So, you can have the freedom to ride 1000 miles in 24 hours, but you know it doesn’t count unless you register it and by registering it, they mean give them money. Granted it’s not that much money, $45-$55 depending upon the package you want from a quick search. You can also do an “All Iowa” butt thing that is all four corners, cross the
Maybe 1000 miles in 24 hours is in your wheelhouse, maybe that idea seems just dumb as hell to you, that is the beauty of what riding is truly all about, and I don’t care what bike you do it on, but as fall is upon us, watch out for and respect our American Farmers.
Twice in the last five years I clocked 987 and 985, not thinking that I just needed 15 more miles to do it. Wouldn’t have counted anyway because I didn’t take any pictures or 1984. Yup, 1984 is when it started but it was 1991 or there get any gas receipts to turn in (which is a requirement if you abouts when it really became a legit thing. want the patch). If patches are cool, the certificate as well, oh hell yes, you should do it, I do think it’s a cool thing, I might be pissing in the wind here, but one of the things even if I would have done the correct course of action, I we love about bikes the most of course is the freedom that don’t know if I would turn it in or not, I guess I haven’t riding gives us. The people that get it don’t judge what kind given it that much thought until we were talking about it this of bike you ride, just that you do indeed ride. I am still “in past summer one evening on my patio. awe” for lack of a better term when I see people get their butthole puckered about somebody NOT riding what they I am always down for a cool adventure. I think most of ride. Wait, I need to conform to your set of codes to be us that saddle up are, even if it’s to hit two towns over for considered a rider? I think you are missing the point amigo, a basket of wings or a Pork Tenderloin. Riding gives us a if it’s got handlebars, we all should be good here. They are connection to the past, allows us to seek adventure, to shove way more of those anti-riding fractions than of us riders, so off the rules, and taste whatever sense of freedom we have why would you split the team even more? left.
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026 - 31
MRF
by” visits to those offices to drop off information and chat with lawmakers or staff if they have the time. All of this coordination is needed to make sure all offices are hit and that the mission is completed by the end of the day.
Bikers Inside the Beltway ABATE of Iowa sends some people, The Iowa COC sends
some people, and some go along on the trip on their own time and their own dime to be a part of the cause. All of the attendees from a particular state need to have their poop in a group so that there can be a coordinated effort with great communication with the lawmakers. The MRF puts together packets with prioritized topics of discussion for everyone to take to their respective lawmakers’ offices on that Tuesday, and that certainly helps to keep the flow of information organized. Leaving the information lets the legislators or their staff refer back to see what the MRF and riders’ priorities are for the current session and beyond. Our group consisted of Slider, Matt, Tom, Gator, Loots, Mark Winslow, Chris, and myself.
My boy Matt and I were asked quite some time ago by the legendary Dick “Slider” Gilmore if we would be able to go along out to Washington DC with him and others for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation event called Bikers Inside the Beltway. This year the event landed on May 18th and 19th, but is always around that time of year. I had heard plenty on this event over the years from many different motorcyclist rights people, but was never able to attend. BITB is a flagship event for the federal level motorcyclist’s rights organization and lobbying entity and can make pivotal impacts for riders individually, state motorcycle rights groups, and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation. The first event was held in 2008 and was organized by the late MRF Vice President Michael “Boz” Kerr. Since that time, the event has been growing in size and impact. As this is the only national level motorcyclist lobby day that occurs in Washington D.C., we were honored to get the invitation from Slider and we graciously accepted. There are a lot of considerations before being able to go to and have a successful event such as this. The coordination of attendees and supporting people is immense, and there may have been a few phone calls and emails to make sure that the Iowa people heading to DC would have a successful trip. Gator who was at the time the ABATE of Iowa Legislative officer had contacts and made the appointments with the Iowa lawmakers in DC. This alone is one of the single most important aspects of the trip, because appointments with the legislators and/or their staff are the primary purpose of walking the halls of Congress. On the main day of the event, all 100 Senators offices, and all 435 Representatives offices are visited by attendees of the event. If people from each state are in attendance, the appointments that have been made are completed. Some states do not have representation there to visit lawmakers, then some in the MRF group in attendance pick up the slack and do “fly32 - TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
Slider gave us some pretty good direction on events and timelines, since he has been going for quite a number of years, so we took as much lead as we could from a BITB guru of sorts. He said the main gist of the events in DC was to be at the motel in Alexandria, VA on Monday afternoon for meetings and to get our information packets and directions. Then on Tuesday, head to the capital to make the appointments that had been previously set up. Other than that, he advised that any extra time that could be spared would be well spent looking at the sights of our great nation’s Capital. Matt and I planned for leaving on the Saturday before, at 0-Dark-Thirty to try to get as far as we could the first day, and then have a short trip in on Sunday to get to the motel and meeting place in Alexandria. Then we would have the rest of Sunday and part of Monday to take in some sights and explore some of our county’s history. On the way out we were lucky enough to have some pretty good Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
weather. At times a little cool, but pretty damned nice for midMay traveling that far. Full gear is sometimes your friend, and in this case it sure was. Matt had never done 1,000 miles in one day and he wanted to do so, so we figured why the hell not? We wanted to get within 150 miles or so of the DC area, and we did just that. Ride, fuel, ride, fuel, and repeat a few times over and before ya know it, we were in Cumberland, Maryland for the night. We got a room and then found a place for some vittles and a cold drink, and then made our way to the bunk for the night. Slept pretty well I must say! Not trying to make an Iron Butt sound easy, because they certainly are not, but with proper planning, many riders can do these types of things. The next morning, we grabbed some breakfast to fuel our bodies for the day, and got some gas, and ran into Ryan and Paulette from Illinois at the gas station! They just happened to be going to the same place as us for exactly the same reason! We hit the road then maybe a little later than we should have, but we thought with only like 150 miles left, it should be easy peasy on that Sunday. I guess we were wrong with that thought process, as the traffic and roads are awful interesting the closer you get to the coast. We arrived short of noon on that day after a few hours of riding. It seemed to take forever with slower traffic and hold ups, which for a Sunday was strange to us. We got there and checked in and decided to take off and start seeing some stuff while we waited for Slider to get into town via the airport. Slider had given us the key points of what we needed to get to where we wanted to go, which is a totally different type of thing than traveling or commuting in Iowa. Taking the motorcycles was not even an option at all due to traffic and parking issues, but they have a great bus and train system there, so we went ahead and utilized those transportation means to go where we wanted to go.
some excessive walking, a Pentagon Police car watching us with no sense of humor about us being Iowan’s, (at this point, yes, Idiots Out Wandering Around) we got back to the Pentagon transit system and was able to finally grab some vittles. We also got to harass some secret service guys by the White House, see some of DC around that area of town, had a fiasco on the subway system putting us back on a bus that got stuck at the back of the airport for like 90 minutes, using port a pots at the airport, and Uber ride to the motel, and the train system shut down for maintenance, it was quite a memorable experience. This was enough to learn that things in DC are way different from Iowa, and that getting somewhere in your own car is an art of its own, and most people if they even own a vehicle, take mass transit anyway so they don’t have to deal with it. The trains are great most of the time, but when they shut them down for work, it makes a mess of the city in a hurry. Slider dealt with this as well trying to get into town with late flights, and then difficulty getting from the airport to the motel due to overloaded buses and other transit means with the train down. We opted then as it was beyond supper time to just go a half a block down the street to walk to break bread with some friends. Slider, John, Chris, Matt, Mark Winslow, and I got a chance to break bread and hear some interesting stories from the past about efforts in DC. Mark is also a legend in the Motorcyclist’s Right world, as he has been making trips to DC as long as I have been alive. In the early 70s when the Feds passed legislation to strong arm the states to pass mandatory helmet laws, Mark was one of three guys that borrowed suits and made the trek to DC to attempt to talk to lawmakers on behalf of all bikers. That is what I also call legendary, and we thank Mark for paving the way for what we are doing today! This Sunday evening breaking of bread was a pretty Flip the page...
Matt took the initiative to find where we needed to go and we got our card for the train, and then looked at the maps, and decided to then ditch the train idea and go down below and take a bus, or a few buses and end up by the Pentagon. I must say that is a sight to behold in and of itself, but Matt using his stupid iPhone didn’t help for directions or knowing what was open on a Sunday in the DC area. With Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026 - 33
Aug 28-29 Old School Biker Party Algona Aug 28-29 Bootleggers & Bandits Car, Bike, & Big Rig Show Colfax Aug 29 End of Summer Bash Route 65 Indianola Aug 29 11th Annual Sidetracked Memorial Ride Creston Aug 29 A Ride for Their Rides Nate Allen Benefit Smithland Sep 3-5 55th Annual Chief Blackhawk Antique Motorcycle Swap Meet Davenport Sep 3-6 Redneck Revival Conesville Sep 4 Vintage Flat Track Racing Davenport Sep 5 5th Annual Poker Run for Autism Des Moines Sep 5 ABATE Remembrance Run Algona ep 12 Mean Machine “Smalltown Throwdown” Burnout Contest & Stereo Battle Elkhart Sep 12 Tenth Souls M.C. Clean and Sober Poker Run Nashua Sep 12 Jess “Jesster” Baker Benefit Ride Shenandoah Sep 13 620 Golf Tournament Metro HD Cedar Rapids Sep 13 Hill Climb Anamosa Sep 19 2nd Annual Suicide Awareness Run Colo Sep 19 Abate D 18 Toys For Tots Mediapolis Sep 19 2nd Annual David Mann Chopper Fest Kansas City, MO Sep 19 Annual Tony Webb Memorial Ride Cumming Sep 19-20 Rumble In the Sand Conesville Sep 20 41st Annual World-Famous Butterfield’s M-C Parts Hot Dog Daze Omaha, NE Sep 20 Two Rivers Vintage Motorcycle Club Concours de’ Cornfield Earlham Sep 24-27 42nd Annual MRF Meeting of the Minds Milwaukee, WI Sep 26 CFMC End of Year Party & Ride Cedar Rapids Sep 26 Applefest Car & Bike Show Woodbine Sep 26 Mark Elm Memorial Ride Clutier
34 - TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026
Oct 3
2nd Annual Aidan’s Ride Iowa North Point Cedar Rapids Oct 3 Handle Bar Jockeys End of Summer Party Jefferson Oct 11 42nd Annual Fall All Vehicle Swap Meet Monticello Oct 17-18 Rust Resurrection & Burn Conesville Oct 31 Tenth Souls M.C. Clean and Sober Halloween Dance Waterloo Nov 6-7 Veteran’s Day Event Big Barn HD Des Moines Nov 6-8 ABATE of Iowa STEAM Des Moines Nov 11 Veterans Day Pancake Breakfast Metro HD Cedar Rapids Nov 27-28 Black Friday & Orange Saturday Big Barn HD Des Moines Dec 12 Holiday Open House Big Barn HD Des Moines Dec 12 Santa at Metro HD Cedar Rapids
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
amazing couple hours of time spent with some great friends priority list including things like motorcyclist profiling, and a couple of legends in the motorcycle community. right to repair, the motorcycle caucus, and a few other items. Monday morning, we met up with Slider and went to the MRF board meeting for a bit to sit and witness the goings on of the organization. Then Slider wanted to take us around town to some of the “must see” types of places in DC. We took the subway to Arlington to see the Arlington National Cemetery, then walked across the bridge to the Lincoln Memorial, then by the Reflecting Pool, on to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Washington Monument, the Capital, the National Archives, and everything in between that we had time for. It was a short amount of time to do any sightseeing, but I would say we will be back and take in more sights on subsequent visits. Everything that we saw that day running around with Slider as a tour guide was awe-inspiring and certainly makes you appreciate our history even more. We got back to the motel and went to our meetings with the other Iowa people and got our packets, directions for the next day, and networked with people from all over this great nation. It is so incredibly interesting to see how different parts of the country are having some different concerning issues with motorcyclist’s rights and how they deal with them. This is certainly a time to listen with two ears and take in all of the information that you can from others who may have fought the fight already and willing to share how they did it. We got our marching orders and timelines for the big events on Tuesday, as Gator set up appointments first in the House with all four offices, then onto the Senate with both of those offices. The appointments spanned almost five hours, but that did not leave a lot of dead time in between considering the extensive foot travel between some of the meetings. The packets included papers on a handful of items on the MRF Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa on Facebook
Tuesday morning Mark and Chris took off and did a dozen or so “fly-by” appointments, and the other six of the Iowa delegation hit office after office spreading the word of bikers’ rights and making friends. The entire day was interesting seeing the halls of Congress and chatting with the people that run the country from the legislative branch. We were well received and even the MRF lobbyist Rocky pointed out the buzz in the buildings as the black shirt and leather wearing crowd is obviously in the house and we stood out from the suits and dresses for sure. It was amazing to be a part of something like this, compounded by the fact that we just happed to be in town the week the Highway Bill was being discussed. There is verbiage in there about some things near and dear to us, but we wanted some language added as an amendment, and this very thing got done while we were there! It was amazing to be able to be a part of the process and to see first hand how we can effect change with our collective voices. If anyone else from Iowa, or anywhere for that matter wants to come along in the future, we would be glad to have you and will show you around as best we can. I will definitely be going back, and will continue to carry the torch. Thanks again to Slider for the invitation. It has been a life changing experience. The event was certainly a worthwhile usage of our time and resources as well as being memorable to spend time with people that I love and respect the hell out of. I have the utmost faith in the MRF looking out for our rights at the Federal level for sure. The other flagship event is coming up the end of September in Milwaukee. Meeting of the Minds is September 24th through the 27th. It would be great to see some new faces there, and then we can tell you all about Bikers Inside the Beltway! Hope to see you in Milwaukee! Vernon Schwarte
www.thunderroadsiowa.com
TRMI SEPTEMBER 2026 - 35