Thunder Roads Texas May 2013

It’s not about the bike... it’s about the RIDE!

May 2013ThunderRoadsTexas.com

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On the Cover32 Ride Map: Riding with the Texas Rangers

Regular Features8 Letter From the Editor10 From the Road12 Two Wheel Thunder TV Review: Feeling Unbalanced? Centramatic Balancers14 Pig Writes: To Be Alive at All Involves Some Risk18 Pink Thunder: Serving Our Country... and Riding!36 ThunderCam

40 Joker’s Wild

Resources23 Event Listing CENTER - Pull-Out May 2013 Calendar43 Biker Friendly Listing

Contents

May 2013

On the cover: Texas Rangers Hall of Fame and Museum. Special edition custom Texas Rangers motorcycle by LDT Customs. Jim Ryan of the Badland Texas Rangers Frontier Battalion Renactors is on the bike. Photo courtesy of the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame.

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Thunder Roads Texas Bob Cooney & Shelly Horan State Edition Owners 4631 Cashel Glen Drive Houston, TX 77069 281.866.8149 ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Layout & DesignShelly HoranTop of Mind [email protected]

Thunder Roads Magazine® is Trade Marked and may not be used in any way without consent from Thunder Publishing. Thunder Roads Magazine of Texas is published by Thunder Roads Texas. All rights reserved. No part of its’ content may be reproduced without written permission. Publisher assumes no responsibility and is not to be held liable for errors beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error, slander of any group or individual, failure to produce any issue as scheduled due to reasons beyond our control, any and all suits for liable, plagiarism, copyright infringement and unauthorized use of a person’s name or photograph. Opinions and claims made by advertisers and authors are their own and do not necessarily represent the policy of Thunder Roads Magazine®, Thunder Publishing, or Thunder Roads Texas. Publisher does not promote the abuse of alcohol or other drugs. Ride & live responsibly. Thank you. Thunder Roads Magazine®, Thunder Publishing, and Thunder Roads Texas.

Thunder Roads Texas is a wholly separate entity from Thunder Publishing LLC and Thunder Roads Magazine editions in other states. As such, content that runs in other states’ editions has no relation to the content in Thunder Roads Texas. Unless specifically stated, Thunder Roads Texas does not endorse, and is not responsible for, any content in other Thunder Roads Magazine editions.

OWNERS

Bob Cooney, CEO/[email protected]

Shelly “TX Dragonfly” Horan, [email protected]

FEATURE WRITERS

Shelly “Cricket” Silva, Pink Thunder (Feb/May/Aug/Sep) Terri Williams, Pink Thunder (TMRA2; Mar/Jun/Sep/Dec)

“Pig” Meinhardt - Pig Writes

CORRESPONDENTS

Michael Jackson - Galveston; Joyce Siegert - D/FW; Dean Downey - Amarillo; Mary “Ima Ryder” Taylor - Austin; Don Brewer - Livingston; Donny Phillips - LaPorte; Mike “Biker” Boone - Houston/Gulf Coast; Jason English - East Texas; Don McGovern - Terrell/DFW; Jason English - Rusk; Donna Herrin - Edinburgh; Leah Hanscom - Piney Woods; Ann Edwards - El Paso.

Thunder Publishing, LLC Toni & Brian ShearonNational Founders1528 Matlock Drive Chapmansboro, TN 37035615.792.0040 ThunderRoadsMagazine.com

Thunder Roads Texas Main Office 281.866.8149

[email protected] “Shovelhead” Barnes

[email protected] 321.960.6161

Laura Mae Benson - Houston [email protected]

979.481.9642 Traci “Sweet N Low” McClure - East Texas [email protected] * 936.671.9567

Bonnie Estes - Austin/Hill Country [email protected]

512.673.6679Shelly “Cricket” Silva

San Antonio/Hill Country [email protected] * 210.445.2477

Don “DB” McGovern - Dallas/Fort Worth [email protected]

972.896.1919Darlene “Lady Diva” Hanson

Dallas/Fort Worth [email protected] * 817.680.8121

Aaron “HookemHaulin” Gerbert (photo to come)

Austin Facebook.com/hookem.haulin

Chere “FlipFlop” Laine (photo to come) Corpus Christi 361.215.4661

[email protected]

ADVERTISING SALES

Facebook.com/ThunderRoadsTexas

ASSOCIATE EDITOR

Randy [email protected]

It’s May and our annual salute to our military and first responders, including peace officers, fire fighters, and EMTs. It is because of this large group of folks who voluntarily join up to risk their lives to make sure we’re safe and free. Of course, we can’t forget their family who sacrifices as well. We thank you all for your service and time.

Our cover hits both – the Texas Rangers has both military and law enforcement backgrounds in their illustrious history. We have chosen our map to impart this historical information and sincerely thank the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame for their assistance with photos, including the cover. Ain’t it beautiful?!?!

Last month, the rally season really got off to a bang! We sponsored seven events, including the Dawg Fest Rally (April 5-7; Mt Pleasant); Carts, Bikers & Babes Rally (April 11-14; Lake Somerville); Hill Country Holler (April 12-14; Boerne); Oldest Town in Texas Rally (April 19-21; Nacogdoches); Texas COC&I State Rally (April 19-21; Katy); Back the Badge Ride (April 20; Pasadena to Houston); and the Ride to Restore Life (April 27; New Braunfels).

This month, we continue our support across the whole state of Texas: Hill Country Run Motorcycle Rally (May 3-5; Bandera); 12th Annual Ride for the Fallen (May 4; Austin); Texas Honor Ride Fun Run (May 3; Texas City); Run for the Wall (May 15-25; Nationwide); Texas State HOG Rally (May 16-18; San Antonio); and the East Texas Freedom Ride (May 18; Jasper). That’s another six events! If you have an event you’d like Thunder Roads Texas to sponsor, send me the information ([email protected]).

We plan to do a Spring Rally Wrap Up this summer, so send your pictures and thoughts about these events and others to me. Additionally, we remind everyone that our Thunder Cam page is for YOU, our readers. As you ride around or have club meetings – be sure to send us photos to see YOUR mug in our mag!

Another reminder – please let our advertisers know you’ve seen them in Thunder Roads Texas magazine every chance you get! It’s because of these gracious businesses that we can continue bringing great content to the masses! And if you know of a business that is not currently advertising – be sure to tell them they should!

We hope everyone’s riding season has started off wonderfully… and only continues getting better throughout the year!

Ride safe... and ride with THUNDER!

Shelly “TX Dragonfly” HoranEditor / Owner, Thunder Roads Texas and Owner, Top of Mind Marketing [email protected]

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ADORATION!Love Love Love Thunder Roads - It is the best and most informative about the biker world!! Just wanted you to know that!!

Downtown Julee Brown, North Texas

TEXAS RANGERS HALL OF FAME EVENTSWhile these events are not motorcycle-related, we thought our readers might be interested in these at the Texas Hall of Fame and Museum:

May 10th and 11th - The Lone Star History Conference

This free, two-day event will feature presentations by leading Texas Ranger historians, the historian for the US Marshall Service, the Chief of the Texas Rangers and a Texas Ranger reenactment. RSVP your spot today!

May 25th, 26th and 27th – Military Appreciation Weekend

Active duty personnel, retirees and Veterans will receive free admission to the Museum while their family will receive discounted admissions (with valid id or documentation – medals, service records, photographs are accepted).

For More Information: call (254) 750-8631 or visit www.TexasRanger.org

TEXAS STATE HOG RALLY ANNOUNCEMENTAerosmith and Toby Keith will join Kid Rock as headline performers for Harley-Davidson’s 110th Anniversary Celebration in Milwaukee over Labor Day weekend.

TRT STAFF ARE EVERYWHERE!The Lone star Roundup in Austin was AWESOME! It was great to meet one of your photographers there.

Darrell Hearn

[EDITOR’S NOTE: We still haven’t figured out which photographer he met - but all our staff is AWESOME!]

GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE? Send your news, updates, comments, etc. to

[email protected]



any riders remember John Lennon as the English musician, singer, and songwriter. He rose to worldwide fame as a founding member of the

Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. In 1980, with his the new album Double Fantasy just released, he was murdered by an unbalanced fanatic. He released a single Watching the Wheels (Geffen Records 1981)…

“People say I’m crazy, doing what I’m doing…

“I’m just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round… I really love to watch them roll…No longer riding on the merry-go-round, I just had to let it go... Well, I tell them there’s no problem, only solutions…”

OK, perhaps Lennon was a bit extreme, but at least he once said “I can balance!” To bikers, balance is a key issue. If the wheels on your bike are not balanced you can have major safety problems, or, at the very least, you can spend extra time and money on new tires more often than required.

Tire balance, also referred to as tire unbalance or imbalance, is a common problem and usually addressed by adding correction weights to counteract the combined tire and wheel unbalance. But then, who wants to be common?

When a wheel rotates, asymmetries of mass may cause it to hop or wobble. This can cause ride disturbances. It can also result in a wobbling of the forks, handlebars, the overall steering, or the entire vehicle. The ride disturbance usually increases with speed. Some common reasons for tire imbalance are poor wheel balance or imperfect tire or wheel shape.

Tires are inspected in factories when they are made. Tires with high unbalance forces are downgraded or rejected. When the tires aren’t too bad... they are sold to you!

When you buy tires that are mounted and balanced, they are usually tested on a balancing machine and correction weights are applied to counteract the combined effect of the

tire and wheel unbalance. The tire/wheel combination may be rebalanced several times if driver perceives excessive vibration. But what biker wants dull, lead correcting balancing weights on their custom wheels? No one that I know!

Well, leave it up to some Texans from Alvarado to come up with a solution to this problem. They began Centramatic in 1985 supplying the heavy-duty trucking industry in the United States and Canada with a unique “On-Board” balancing system for steering, drive and trailer axles.

1997 was the year Centramatic successfully developed balancers for the American General Corporation’s Hummer which then lead to development of balancers for M-35 and M-5 military tactical vehicles. After testing and evaluating the balancers in 1998, American General wrote a recommendation for the use of Centramatics on all military tactical vehicles.

In 2009, Centramatic begin the development of motorcycle balancers for the Honda GL1800, most Harley Davidson’s. and now they are available for Victory 2007-2013 motorcycles. Even Robbie Knievel’s custom chopper has Centramatic balancers and they look great on his bike. You can see pictures of it on Centramatic’s Facebook page.

With this growth and many years of experience, quality and reliability are of utmost importance, which is why they back their balancers with a Five-Year Unlimited Mile Warranty. Over 1,000,000 balancers have been produced and many are still in service with over one million miles of operation. On display at their corporate headquarters in Alvarado is a balancer with 1,439,716 confirmed miles and there have been reports of balancers with even more miles on them that are still working. Maximizing tire life is a primary goal for

Centramatic, which is why they proudly display a 24.5” steer tire with 221,325 miles and 4 drive tires with 436,235 miles on the original tread.

Why put Centramatic On Board Continuous Wheel and Tire Balancers on my bike? Here are just a few reasons. They are a proven solution designed to smooth your ride and extend tire life. They can increase tire life 35%-50%, reduce vibration to dramatically improving your riding; lower tire temperature thus increased stability, and improve braking. They offer a 5-Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty and a 30-day money back guarantee. They are a Texas-based Company – hey, nothing beats Made in the USA!

Just for the record, when we tested these on our test bike (www.TwoWheelThunderTv.com), the Centramatic product lived up to every claim made the company, passed every test, and looks great on the bike. For a cool video on how this product works, check out http://twowheelthundertv.com/events__videos/v-twin_show_2013_cincinnati

Check out all the Centramatic products at www.centramatic.com. Not sure which balancer is right for your bike? Just call their tech support line at 800-523-8473.

Ride smooth, Ride safe, and we will see you on the roads of Texas very soon.


Feeling Unbalanced?


To be Alive at All Involves Some Risk

reetings to all who ride the two-wheeled-thunder. The title of this month’s article is a famous quote by Harold MacMillian,

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (1957-1963). I like knowing that to truly be alive you have to face some risk in your life. It’s what makes life worth living. Today I want you to pop a top on a cold one and sit down with me for a minute; we need to talk about something important. One of the reasons we ride motorcycles is to experience freedom in its finest form. Another reason is to experience an elevated level of danger we all seek; a risk we choose to take. We deal with the dangers of riding motorcycles every time we kick a leg over the seat. We learn how to deal with road conditions and how to adjust to the changing weather. But the biggest dangers we deal with every time we are out on the road are all those cagers – all those numb-nuts who drive two thousand pound blocks of steel and plastic all the while yakking on a frigging cell phone, rolling out of control, and headed straight for us.It’s a bunch of people who just go on with their lives as though nothing else around them matters. Those are the ones that pose the biggest dangers. No one ever wants to think about the consequences until it is too late. Accidents happen. Sadly, you can never take back what happens nor change what comes next. Most of us obey the laws, but that doesn’t matter when you go up against a car or a truck, you still lose.We all know how I like my articles to be funny and entertaining but for once I need to be serious about something. I want to talk to you about the insurance coverage you have. We’ve all seen the big fancy commercials from all the big companies trying to sell us what we don’t need. But do you have the right coverage? Are you and your family sufficiently protected? If you are a law abiding motorcyclist, then you will have some type of coverage to protect you, and that’s good. You have to have minimum coverage to be able to renew your registration and inspection every year. But during several recent meetings at our local Texas Coalition of Clubs & Independents (COC&I) meetings, attention has been brought forth about how

much coverage we should carry for us and our bike. I have to admit, dealing with insurance is not my cup of beer and I find it all rather boring, so I leave all that crap for Rainman to deal with. But the other day while Rainman was on the couch taking a long over-due nap, I was flipping through Facebook. I saw yet another posting about another accident involving a bike. My mind flashed back to the meetings and what was said about insurance.Since I don’t understand a whole lot about insurance I have to ask myself one question, “How do we know if we have enough insurance coverage”? If you are like me, an average porker, I’m sure you don’t have hundreds of thousands of dollars sitting in the bank to fall back on. That’s the purpose of having insurance in the first place, right? I figured I should ask someone who knows more about this than I do so I would like to introduce you to an attorney friend of mine Mr. William Smith. I asked Bill to help explain some things in a common sense approach; things we should all know about insurance and why. When it comes down to it, how many of us really worry about our insurance true coverage? Most of us just worry about having enough to squeak by on! For once in my life I get to ask the attorney some questions instead of them asking me! This could be a little fun for a change. All of these answers come from a man who does not sell insurance. He fights to protect the rights of bikers. Q. Before we begin, Bill, could I have some background info on you for the folks reading this article?A. My name is William A. Smith. I have been practicing law in Texas for over 30 years. During that time, I have represented bikers and the interests of bikers not only in vehicle accidents, but in cases involving rights of bikers. I attend Confederation of Clubs and Independent meetings throughout the state of Texas and support those in the motorcycling community both directly and indirectly. Also, I received the National Coalition of Motorcyclists Lawyer

of the year award in 2008 for my contributions to the motorcycling community in Texas and nationally. Q. The State of Texas requires us to have what type of minimum coverage?A. Bodily Injury of $30,000 per person, $60,000 per accident (no matter how many people are injured), and $25,000 for property damage. The basic coverage is called 30/60/25.Q. What is “Full Coverage” and when do we need it?A. There is no definition in the law of “Full Coverage”. Most people believe that the minimum coverage plus collision coverage (the stuff that pays for damage to one’s vehicle no matter who is at fault) is Full Coverage.Q. What is “Liability Only” and when do we need it?A. “Liability Only” is that required by statute, the 30/60/25. This covers injuries and damages to others due to one’s negligence.Q. Does Liability Only cover your medical costs in an accident? Let me clarify that question. Does my Liability Only coverage pay for my medical bills if I cause my own accident?A. No, it ONLY covers others who are hurt by someone’s negligence.Q. Are there other types of insurance coverage’s?A. Absolutely. Most people want to insure their vehicle from damage no matter who is at fault so “collision” coverage is important. Also, Underinsured Motorist, Uninsured Motorist (UM/UIM) is extremely important coverage. UM/UIM coverage pays for injuries and medical expenses when the accident is the fault of the other driver and the other driver has no coverage or insufficient insurance coverage to pay one’s full claim. If the other driver has only minimum coverage (30/60/25), it is often inadequate to pay for medical expenses sustained by a biker. Also, approximately 20% of drivers in Texas have NO coverage. If you are hit by someone without insurance, you are


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out of luck unless you have UM/UIM coverage. Also, PIP (personal injury protection) is coverage which pays for medical no matter who is at fault. However, this is very expensive and health insurance is less expensive per dollar of coverage and more comprehensive.Q. Is it a good idea to bundle coverage’s: home, auto, motorcycle?A. Yes, since most insurance carriers give multi-lines discounts. Q. Does Liability Only cover you if you are out of work recovering from injuries? (Day to day living expenses, house payment, grocery bill, etc.)?A. No, Liability Coverage is to protect the other driver if you are at fault. It does NOT protect you.Q. Same question, does Full Coverage cover you when you are recovering?A. No, Full Coverage is to protect the other driver if you are at fault. It does NOT protect you although it will fix your motorcycle, minus the deductible, if you are at fault.Q. Why is UM/UIM not included with your standard policy?A. It is included in every policy issued in Texas UNLESS you decline it in writing. Most people believe it is unnecessary since the other driver is supposed to have insurance. If the other person doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough to cover your claim, you are just out of luck unless you have UM/UIM coverage. Q. What is the best way to protect yourself insurance wise?A. Review your policy yearly to make sure you have the coverage’s that best fit your circumstances.Q. Let’s say a biker is involved in an accident with a cager and it’s the cager’s fault. My question is… How fast can the cager’s coverage be used up?A. The insurance company for the other driver typically will not pay the biker’s medical bills until the claim is settled in its entirety. The claim is not ready to settle until the biker’s doctor has released the patient from further treatment and the biker is aware of any long term or permanent

injuries. Once a claim is settled, the biker can’t go back later and try to recover more money if medical problems arise after settlement. Q. Say there is a multi-vehicle accident (five cars and a motorcycle hit each other on the highway), all caused by one car starting a chain reaction. How does that work, insurance wise?A. It depends on the fact,s but generally the person responsible for the accident is responsible for all damages which flow from their negligence. However, if the responsible driver only has 30/60/25 coverage, it won’t be enough to pay for repair to four vehicles and injuries to at least four people. That’s why UM/UIM is so important. Q. How often do accidents go all the way to a lawsuit?A. Frequently, although they are typically settled before trial.Q. Is the settlement taxable by the U.S. Government?A. Generally speaking, settlements and judgments for personal injuries are not taxable, although there are many exceptions to this rule. Q. This question is one that few people probably ever think of; a biker is killed in an accident and it is the cager’s fault. What can the grieving family expect immediately after the accident (phone calls, people knocking on the door, or what they may receive in the mail)?A. There is no way to predict what will happen. Usually the family is unable to obtain information about the accident and is left bewildered and wondering where to turn for help. That’s where we come in. We investigate the accident and provide a path for the family to take. Q. Should the spouse/family hire or retain a lawyer following an accident? A. Yes, for several reasons. The first is to gather evidence and obtain witness statements as soon as possible and while the facts are fresh in the minds of the witnesses. Also, in the event of death, the vehicles must be prevented from being scrapped since they may contain clues

as to the reason for the accident. Q. What kind or type of lawyer should be retained?A. One who is familiar with issues concerning motorcycles since such cases typically present unique facts. Q. If we got rid of all the insurance in this world, would there still be a need for lawyers?A. Yes, since someone will be responsible for their own negligence and few people will agree to pay for the damages. Q. Why do sharks not eat lawyers?A. Professional courtesy.There you have it folks, straight from the lawyer’s mouth. While Bill was answering my questions, I took a peek in Rainman’s wallet. After I put a twenty in my pocket, I checked his insurance card. It looks to me like we may need to pay a visit to our insurance agent and ask a few questions about our own coverage. I want to thank Bill (Smith & Davis, PLLC in Dallas; DFWTaxAttorney.com) for helping us out with this article. Next month I’ll tell you what we find out when we ask our agent about our own coverage’s. Meanwhile…Ride HARD or Stay Home


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You can contact Pig or Rainman by e-mail at [email protected] For more of Pig’s wild adventures, check out his blog at pigspage.wordpress.com

or follow him on Facebook.com/pig.meinhardt

May 2013 H Page 17Texas-based, Texas-focused, Texas PROUD!

have the pleasure of introducing to you Master Sgt. Shannon Krueger from the Texas State Guard. Shannon has served over 14 years. During that time

she has been a paralegal, process server, and probation officer. I learned from Shannon that a position with the Texas State Guard means you’re a volunteer! Yep, an unpaid member serving our country for fourteen years! However, you do get paid, if you get deployed.

Shannon is an accomplished rider and she well tell you “I ride my own just like my momma did.” She has riding in her blood! Shannon shared with me how riding has been so much a part of her life from early on. Both Shannon’s father and mother rode and shared that love with her. Her mother Rhonda Henderson began riding while married to her father back in 1973. She became a single mom when Shannon was just three years old. Shannon recalls a story about her mom needing transportation after the divorce. Shannon and her Mom went to the Motor Cycle Shop off the Austin Highway. She remembers her mom saying that she couldn’t afford a car. After looking around at several motorcycles she realized she couldn’t afford a bike either. The gentleman helping her was kind enough to cut her a deal.

With transportation taken care of, now began life, “her mom, Shannon… and a bike!” Though not legal today,

back then, Shannon became a passenger at the age of only three! How exciting! Shannon recalls her mom placing her against the gas tank and pinning her to the bike with her legs. Being the only transportation her mother had she learned to brave all kinds of weather. Needless to say she is not a fair-weather rider today! Shannon said she remembers days like missing the school bus and her mom having to take her to school, via the bike. She can remember going to class with her helmet under her arm and kids asking her questions and making comments about how cool it was that she got to ride. This led her on to becoming a rider herself.

Shannon got her first bike at the age of 15. Her mom gave her one of her former bikes, a 1978 Honda CB400. This was Shannon’s first transportation. Together they enjoyed riding. She since has had several bikes and currently rides a 2006 Harley Sportster 1200.

Although her mother no longer rides, Shannon is not alone in her love for bikes. Sorry guys, she’s taken! Her husband\ also rides, he has a 2007 Road King. Shannon’s husband, serving our military for 22 years, is Lieutenant Colonel Harold “Grumpy Bear” Krueger, Jr. Shannon says he’s appropriately named! Which led me to ask what her road name is and she said no one has ever given her one....

Hmmm, I thought. All these years of riding and no road name, we might have to fix that!

“Grumpy Bear” has been deployed for the last two years and this led Shannon to learn more about bikes. She has started changing her own oil and doing small repairs, like replacing a voltage regulator. Shannon said that with him deployed this has become a necessity for her.

I asked Shannon what she enjoys most about riding. Her answer, “Riding the Texas Hill Country, adventures down the back roads, and participating in rides for Fisher House and the Patriot Guard!” She also likes to pass on the love of riding, “Corrupting my nieces and nephews!”

Shannon, from all of us at Thunder Roads Texas, we say, “God bless you and your husband and thank you for serving!”


Shelly “Cricket” Beatty (Feb/May/Aug/Nov)

Serving Our Country... and Riding!


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Lone Star 92.5 Bike Night LoneStar925.com DFW Area Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort WorthIt’s a roaming bike night! Randy James of Lone Star 92.5 hosts an every Thursday bike night at various locations around town. Visit LoneStar925.com for information about upcoming bike nights. Proudly sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas!Arkansas State HOG Rally ARStateHOGRally.com Hot Spring, AR

Three Sisters Spring Fling ThreeSistersRally.net Camp Wood Region: Hill Country Metro: San Antonio

International Female Ride Day Facebook.com/InternationalFemaleRideDay International

Cinco de Mayo Car and Motorcycle Show AlpineCincodeMayo.com/Styled-6/index.html Alpine Region: Big Bend Metro: Midland/Odessa

Cinco de Mayo Run Facebook.com/Events/223702381105410/#!/Events/144783189020324/ Ingleside Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston

Cossacks MC Hog Wild Fest 903.272.6611 Paris Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Forth Worth

Hill Country Run Motorcycle Rally HillCountryRun.com Bandera Region: Hill Country Metro: San AntonioAnnual fundraiser for the Fredericksburg Optimist Club. The fun starts Friday social in Fredericksburg; Saturday includes helicopter rides, live music, stunt riders, Hill Country rides, bike games, bike show, Cowboy Breakfasts; Ending with Sunday services provided by the CMA. Registration is open NOW. Register before April 26, 2013 to receive a T-shirt. $45/per person includes: entry all four days, social “kick-off” on Friday, Cowboy Breakfast Saturday & Sunday, Hill Country rides; bike games, and bike show T-shirt. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas!

Vets & Hawgs Rally 2013 ALR393.com/#!Vets-and-Hawgs-2013 Cleveland Region: Piney Woods Metro: Houston

12th Annual Ride for the Fallen POMF.org Austin Region: Hill Country Metro: AustinPre-registration open online, $35/bike includes T-shirt; Onsite $40/bike. Check in opens at 8am; KSU 10am. Police escorted ride starts at Cowboy Harley-Davidson (10917 South I-35, Austin) and ends at the Peace Officers’ Memorial at the Texas Capitol, where a short tribute service is held. Digital Photo Scavenger Hunt after the service. Enter four photo submissions from a list for a drawing. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas!

Texas Honor Ride Fun Run TexasHonorRide.Org Texas City Region: Gulf Coast Metro: HoustonThe THR Spring Fun Run has moved to Texas City – Memorial Lutheran Church (2021 29th Street North, Texas City). Music, prizes, 50/50, food, drinks, THR merchandise. $20/per bike; $5/passenger. Register online or on ride day. Onsite registraton opens at 8am. First bike out @ 9am; Last bike in by 10am. The onsite festivities start at Noon. Proceeds go to benefit our wounded troops and their families at Brooke Army Medical Center. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas!

Spring Fling Scooter Ride Facebook.com/#!/Events/547400645294178/ San Antonio Region: South Texas Metro: San Antonio

Lone Star 92.5 Bike Night LoneStar925.com DFW Area Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort WorthIt’s a roaming bike night! Randy James of Lone Star 92.5 hosts an every Thursday bike night at various locations around town. Visit LoneStar925.com for information about upcoming bike nights. Proudly sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas!

New Mexico State HOG Rally NMStateHOGRally.com Albuquerue, NM

Myrtle Beach Bike Week Spring Rally MyrtleBeachBikeWeek.com Myrtle Beach, SC

Bikers Against Breast Cancer BABCTexas.org/v1/e_r.html Pasadena Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston

Northeast Texas Bikers Church 3rd Annual Rally NETXBC.com Mt Pleasant Region: Piney Woods Metro: Longview8am-10pm; Bike show, bike games, silent auction, live bands all day, vendors, food and loads of fun. Participate in the Bike Run for $20/bike. Church is located at 749 East 16th Street, Mt Pleasant, TX 75455. Visit their website for more information or call Pastor Dominic at 903.563.0948.

Bikers for Babies Ride for Life 806.231.9134 Amarillo Region: Panhandle Metro: Amarillo

Rose Ride Facebook.com/#!/Events/483553601690782/ Pasadena Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston

Run For The Wall RFTW.org NationwideOne Run – Two Routes (Central and South). The southern route goes through Central and North Texas, with the final destination the Rolling Thunder Rally in Washington, DC. Catch the ride or just visit with the riders at any of their Texas stops and show your support. The Run For The Wall is a 501(c)3 organization and welcomes donations. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas!

Thunder Roads Texas BIKE NIGHT NORTH ThunderRoadsTexas.com Houston Region: Gulf Coast Metro: HoustonOur monthly (third Thursday) biker party with a few hundred of our closest friends! Hosted by Concert Pub North (2470 FM 1960 West, Houston, 77068). Co-sponsored by the Outlaw Dave Show. Live music with no cover or drink minimum, drink specials (big ass beer night!), vendors, stage games, door prizes, and MORE! LARGE reserved motorcycle-only parking, with plenty of cage parking, too. Rain or shine… the BEST and longest continually held bike night in Houston!

Thunder Roads Texas BIKE NIGHT SOUTH ThunderRoadsTexas.com Kemah Region: Gulf Coast Metro: HoustonHosted by Jackie’s Brickhouse on Marina Bay Drive (FM 2094) just west of Highway 146. Co-sponsored by the Outlaw Dave Show. Live music, Big Ass Beer, door prizes, CRAWFISH, and more! Reserved motorcycle parking. Rain or shine!


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... continuedEvenT ListingLone Star 92.5 Bike Night LoneStar925.com DFW Area Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort WorthIt’s a roaming bike night! Randy James of Lone Star 92.5 hosts an every Thursday bike night at various locations around town. Visit LoneStar925.com for information about upcoming bike nights. Proudly sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas!

Texas State HOG Rally TXStateHOGRally.com San Antonio Region: Hill Country Metro: San AntonioHosted by San Antonio this year in the Alamodome! Registration deadline is March 28. Register by January 30, 2013 and be eligible to win a Three Night Stay at the Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk, our host hotel. Saturday night – see the Charlie Daniels Band! Vendors, brothers, concerts, rides and more! Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas!

Hoagy’s Heroes Lone Star Six Shooter Endurance Run HoagysHeroes.org Temple Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Killeen/Fort Hood

Rally in the Crater - Spring Rallys-R-Us.com Mount Enterprise, TX Region: Piney Woods Metro: Longview

The Aspen Cash Rally MotorcycleRally.com Ruidoso, NM

Cleburne Armadillo Cycle Club Annual Campout ArmadilloCycleClub.net/ Cleburne Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

1st Annual ABATE State Rally Facebook.com/Events/223702381105410/ Decatur Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Armed Forces Freedom Ride EastTexasFreedomRide.org Jasper Region: Piney Woods Metro: BeaumontSupporting our Armed Forces of all service branches, including veterans, POW/MIA, KIA, active troops and the families. Ride starts at The Hideaway (320 Hicks St). Registration begins at 9am; KSU 11am. Live music, door prizes, raffles, vendors and a gun raffle begin at 2pm. Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas!

Blue Knights Texas 1 Spring Fun Run BlueKnightsTX1.org Bedford Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Summer Explosion Auto & Bike Show 512.234.6057 Rockdale Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Killeen/Temple

Teddy Bear Run, Kaufman Co. Hero Foundation 214.866.9660 Kaufman Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Gearing Up for Gracie Rally 936.931.2441; 281.788.6942 Waller Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston

Renegade Classics 2nd Anniversary Party RenegadeTheWoodlands.com The Woodlands Region: Piney Woods Metro: HoustonParking lot party with FREE food and FREE beer; Live music by CrossTown Renegades; Renegade Girls; and bikini bike wash.

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... continuedEvenT ListingBikers’ Expo & Swap Meet 254.687.9066 Dallas Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Red River Memorial Day Motorcycle Rally RedRiverMemorialDayMotorcycleRally.com Red River, NM


Talimena Run Rally “Cruisin for St. Jude” Facebook.com/Events/387701431307466/?fref=ts Texarkana Region: Piney Woods Metro: Texarkana

Rolling Thunder XXVI RollingThunderRun.com Washington, DC

Party in the Pines PineRally.com Longview Region: Piney Woods Metro: Longview

Station 87s Memorial Day Run [email protected] Seguin Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: San Antonio

Tennessee State HOG Rally TNStateHOGRally.com 615.255.3442 Maryville, TN


Kay’s Share the Pain Children’s Benefit 832.579.4262 Crystal Beach Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston

Branson Motorcycle Rally BransonMotorcycleRally.com Branson, MO



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Biker Bash 2013 VHMI.org Gatesville Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Killeen/Temple

Laconia Motorcycle Week LaconiaMCWeek.com Laconia, NH

Republic of Texas (ROT) Biker Rally ROTRally.com Austin Region: Hill Country Metro: Austin

Ride Your Motorcycle to Work Day RideToWork.org International

July 6 Allied Memorial Remembrance Ride AlliedRide.org Tarrant Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas!

August 5-11 70th Annual Sturgis Bike Week Sturgis.com Sturgis, SD

August 29-September 2 Four Corners Motorcycle Rally (Previously Ignacio Bike Week) IgnacioBikeWeek.com Ignacio, CO

September 5-7 Hot Springs Rally TheHotSpringsRally.com Hot Springs, AR

September 12-15 The Texas Rally TheTexasRally.com Lake Somerville Region: Prairies & Lakes Metro: Bryan/College Station Sponsored by Thunder Roads Texas!September 18-21 Bikes, Blues & BBQ BikesBluesandBBQ.org Fayetteville, AR

September 18-22 The Golden Aspen Rally MotorcycleRally.com Ruidoso, NM

October 2-6 Myrtle Beach Bike Week Fall Rally MyrtleBeachBikeWeek.co, Myrtle Beach, SC

October 11-13 Boo Benefit BooBenefit.org Jefferson Region: Piney Woods Metro: Tyler

October 17-20 Biketoberfest Biketoberfest.com Daytona, FL

October 31-November 4 Lone Star Motorcycle Rally LoneStarRally.com Galveston Region: Gulf Coast Metro: Houston

About Our Event Listing: Basic Event listings are FREE. Premium Event Listings (bold and up to 75 word description) are only $15/event. Send your event to: [email protected]. To be included in the print version, information must be received by the 10th of the month prior to the month in which the event is scheduled or the month before you wish a Premium Event Listing to appear. Events must have some motorcycle element.

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Each May, we dedicate the issue to our military and all first responders, including police, firefighters, EMTs and others who serve our country and our

communities. With that in mind, we kind of cover both this month, as we ride with the Texas Rangers!

Let’s start with a brief history…The Texas Rangers are the oldest law enforcement organization on the North American continent. In 1821, Stephen F. Austin, the “Father of Texas”, made a contract

to bring 300 families, the “Old 300 Colony”, to the Spanish province that is now Texas. The pioneers faced all kinds of challenges, including “hostiles” in the area. On August 10, 1823 Austin received additional permission from the Mexican government to employ ten men as volunteers to protect the new Texas frontier. Their duties… to “range” over wide areas so as to scout the movements of the renegade Indians. He called them “Rangers”.

In 1835, the “Corps of Rangers” was formally organized with 25 men. At this time, their duties were expanded to

include protection from outlaws and Mexican bandits. For the first time, the pay was officially set at $1.25 per day. Rangers were known by their “uniforms” consisting of a light duster and an identification badge made from a Mexican Peso. Within two years, the organization had over 300 men.

The early Ranger mirrored the multicultural roots of the then typical Texan. Company rolls indicate Anglos, Hispanics, and American Indians served in all ranks, from private to captain. They freely borrowed from each other’s


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experience and equipment. One writer of the time said that a Texas Ranger could “ride like a Mexican, trail like an Indian, shoot like a Tennessean, and fight light the devil.”

Speaking of equipment… the Republic of Texas was one of the earliest customers of New England gun maker, Samuel Colt. The Texas Rangers relied on the relatively new Paterson Colt five-shot revolver. This weapon has been credited for turning the tide in the new frontier, allowing outnumbered Rangers to win even though outnumbered in many cases. However, as with all new inventions, there were some issues and the gun company was suffering. It was a Texas Ranger, Samuel H. Walker, who made suggestions for improving the pistol and Colt listened. The Walker Colt inaugurated the era of perfected revolver design and manufacture and put the Colt gun company back in business.

In December 1842, Texan soldiers, including Rangers, ignored orders to pull back from the Rio Grande to Gonzales and approached Ciudad Mier in Mexico. The Texans were outnumbered by Mexican troops and were forced to surrender. Santa Anna ordered the execution of the prisoners, but Governor Francisco Mexia refused to follow the order. After many diplomatic conversations between Santa Anna and foreign ministers of the US, a compromise was reached… only one in ten would die. To help determine who would die, Col. Domingo Huerta developed the Black Bean Lottery, where 17 black beans were placed among 159 white beans. Officers then enlisted men, in alphabetical order, were required to draw beans and learn their fate. The 17 men who drew a black bean were allowed to write letters home before being executed by firing squad, on March 25, 1843. It is legend that Huerta added the black beans last, so more officers would die.

Throughout the establishment and life of the Republic of Texas (1836-1846), the Ranger organization became better organized. The reputation of the Rangers during this period, through the late 1800s, was heightened and also tarnished. While they were lauded for their successes, they were chastised for their sometimes questionable methods. Indeed, there were many calls for disbandment. In fact, they were periodically abolished, but were always called back into duty. In the end, they persisted.

The Texas Legislature passed a bill in 1874, creating six Ranger Companies (the Frontier Battalion) and one special force unit, the Special Ranger Force. Their duties were basically the same, protection against Indians and to restore law and order to the region. In 1901, the Texas Legislature reorganized the Rangers, with one whole unit, the Texas Ranger Force, divided into four companies. Each company had 20 men. By this time, Indian and outlaw issues were well under control, changing the role to more of a peace officer.

Before the Civil War, US Army Troops eventually took up border protection, making the Rangers relatively obsolete. However, in 1861, Texas seceded from the Union and joined the Confederates in the Civil War. The Texas Rangers went back to work, occupying the forts abandoned by US troops.

During the Civil War, an organization was created to serve with the Confederate Army. The Eighth Texas Cavalry, better known as Terry’s Texas Rangers, were organized under Col. Benjamin Franklin Terry. Many Texas Rangers

and former Rangers enlisted to serve the Confederate cause. Terry was never a member of the Texas Rangers, but his cavalry full of former Rangers, earned an enviable reputation as one of the most effective mounted regiments in the western theater of operations. They never officially surrendered, with individuals and small groups making their way home after losing the battle of Bentonville (March 19-20, 1865). When the Civil War ended, the Ranger force was disbanded by US Military authorities. But the frontier soon became unsafe again.

While not a motto, a long-lasting phrase associated with the Rangers today is “One Riot, One Ranger”. It comes from an incident in 1896, when Rangers were sent to Dallas to prevent the illegal heavyweight prize fight between Pete Maher and Bob Fitzsimmons. According to the story, Captain William “Bill” McDonald was sent alone and was met by the mayor as he got off the train. Upon seeing just one man, the mayor asked where the other lawmen were. McDonald is said to have replied: “Hell! Ain’t I enough? There’s only one prize fight!” The term “riot” was probably used because the Rangers were often called in to put down riots and calm feuds.

In 1935, the Texas Legislature created the Department of Public Safety and the Rangers were shifted to the new organization. They also received their formal new name: the Texas Rangers. The Rangers were reorganized again, becoming six companies (A-F) and commanded by a captain. While organized under the DPS, the ability to alter the structure of the Rangers remained with the Texas Legislature.

Recently (1991), the Rangers were formally organized as a division in the DPS with the Senior Ranger Captain (Chief) reporting directly to the Director of DPS. In 1993, this new format was formally adopted into law. Today, their primary responsibilities include major incident crime investigations, unsolved crime/serial crime investigations, public corruption investigations, officer-involved shooting investigations, and border security operations. Modern-day Rangers, like their predecessors, do not have a uniform, per se, but the State of Texas does provide guidelines for appropriate Ranger attire. Specifically, their clothing must be western and most choose the white

Samuel Walker Colt Revolver

Terry’s Texas Rangers - 1902 Reunion



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shirt and white felt hat or straw hat, boots, and the familiar star in a wheel badge. It is interesting to note that only recently has the familiar design been officially adopted.

The authority of the Rangers is equal to any other peace officer and their jurisdiction is statewide. With a total of only 144 commissioned Rangers, they fall short of one Ranger for each of the 254 Texas counties. However, with the reputation of “One riot, one Ranger”, the Rangers don’t really need a large force.

Texas Rangers have arrested many notable outlaws. The most notorious would be John Wesley Hardin, Sam Bass, and Bonnie and Clyde Barrow.

Hardin was a preacher’s son who reportedly killed 31 men. He was captured by Ranger John B. Armstrong on a train in Florida. After Armstrong boarded the train, his Colt .45 in hand, the outlaw shouted “Texas, by God!” and drew his own pistol. When all was done, one of Hardin’s friends was dead, Hardin was out cold, and three surviving friends were staring at Armstrong’s pistol. Only a single hole in Armstrong’s hat indicated his involvement. Hardin was convicted and sentenced to 25 years. He was released in 1894, only to be killed the following year in a shootout with an El Paso lawman.

Train robber, Sam Bass, was confronted by four Rangers in Round Rock in 1878. A shoot out followed; one of Bass’ gang was killed, Bass himself was seriously wounded, but

escaped. When he was found, he was returned to town and later died from his wounds.

More recently (if you can call it

that), were the infamous Bonnie and Clyde (see our Ride Map Archive online for the Bonnie & Clyde article “Riding in Their Footsteps”). Captain Frank Augustus Hamer had resigned from service in 1933. He didn’t stay gone long! In 1934, Lee Simmons, superintendent of the Texas prison system, asked him to track Bonnie & Clyde after their murderous revenge on Eastham Prison, breaking out fellow gang members. After trailing the couple for 102 days, Hamer and other officers, including former Ranger B.M. Gault, caught up and killed the dangerous couple.

Now to our map…First a note about the map: All Rangers’ gravesites identified here are Texas Ranger Hall of Fame members. There are many, many more Ranger burial sites on this route and throughout Texas.

We start in Waco, visiting the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum (TexasRanger.org). Here, you’ll see exhibits regarding their famous badges (fake or real?), standard issue field equipment, personal items from famous Rangers, and other historical items related to the Rangers.

The museum is actually located at the site of Fort Fisher. Two inductees to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame are buried in Waco: Clint Thomas Peoples (1910-1992; Waco Memorial Park) and Lawrence Sullivan Ross (1838-1898; Oakwood Cemetery). See our Points Across Texas list for

other gravesites and markers in the area.

From Waco, head south on I-35, heading to San Antonio, with a few stops along the way, all right on or just off I-35.

First stop is in Belton to visit the Fort Griffin state historic site. Fort Griffin was one of many serving to protect the region (1867-1891). Originally designated Camp Wilson, the name was changed to honor Gen. Charles Griffin, the commander of the US Army Department of Texas who passed the previous year. Remnants of the fort remain

today and the site is also home to the Official State of Texas Longhorn Herd.

If interested in historic graves, Georgetown is on the way… Texas Ranger Charles W. Lewis (1819-1869) is buried in the Old Georgetown Cemetery.

In Round Rock, visit the Barker-Porter House, childhood home of Texas Ranger Dudley Barker (1873-1928). The home is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. Also in Round Rock, are Sam Bass’ death site memorial; his gravesite; and Seaborn Barnes’ gravesite, a Sam Bass Gang

member killed by a Texas Ranger during a bank robbery in Round Rock. Both gravesites are at the Round Rock Cemetery, next to each other.

John Wesley Hardin (top), Bonnie & Clyde Barrow (middle), and Sam Bass (bottom)


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Next on I-35 is Austin, which will require a day to visit all the sites! At the state capitol building is the Terry’s Texas Rangers monument. A marker for the former military site, Camp Mabry, can be found on West

35th Street. And get ready… the State Cemetery houses the graves of more than 25 Rangers, including the founding father, Stephen F. Austin, and five Texas Ranger Hall of Fame inductees.

The Hornsby Bend Cemetery, also in Austin, has the second most Ranger burials. No one on the list

is Hall of Fame members, but 15 Texas Rangers, along with commemorative markers for four more (buried elsewhere) can be visited. Two more cemeteries in Austin have Texas Ranger Hall of Fame members interred: Oakwood Cemetery and Austin Memorial Park Cemetery.

Continuing on our Ride with the Rangers, we stop in San Marcos. A statue of John Coffee “Jack” Hays was erected at the courthouse. Hays is best known for his leadership of Rangers against Indian tribes, with the battles of Plum Creek and Walker’s Creek and gained further respect as a fighter during the Mexican War. He is buried in California. If you like to visit historic homes, the George Thomas McGehee House is also in San Marcos. McGehee served in Terry’s Texas Rangers.

Our final destination is San Antonio. Five Hall of Famers are buried here: two in the Confederate Cemetery, one in the National Cemetery, one in Mission Burial Park, and one more in the Odd Fellows Cemetery. San Antonio was home of Thomas C. Frost (1833-1903). While he was a Texas Ranger, his claim to fame comes from the banking world as the founder of Frost Bank. He is buried in the City Cemetery #1, has a statue and historical marker located across from the Frost National Bank headquarters in downtown San Antonio (100 N Houston St), and a historical marker at the site of the T.C. Frost Wool Warehouse (117 N Main St). And finally, in the Memorial Hall Museum, a room is dedicated to the Texas Rangers.

For more information about the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and its members, visit TexasRanger.org.

Visit our Points Across Texas web page for a full list of eligible photo opportunities. It’s too long to list here, but we’ve provided some highlights to start with.


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WACO• Texas Ranger Hall of Fame

and Museum

• Fort Fisher (marker)

• Clint Thomas Peoples (grave/marker)

• Lawrence Sullivan Ross (grave/marker)

GEORGETOWN• Charles W. Lewis (grave/

marker)

• ROUND ROCK

• Barker-Porter House

• Dudley Barker (grave/marker)

• Sam Bass’ Death Site (marker)

• Sam Bass (grave/marker)

• Seaborn Barnes (grave/marker)

AUSTIN• Terry’s Texas Rangers

Monument

• Stephen F. Austin (grave/marker)

• Hall of Fame Rangers in State Cemetery:John Reynolds HughesBenjamin McCullochCharles Edward MillerJohn Harris RogersWilliam “Big Foot” Wallace

• Hornsby Bend Cemetery (entrance/historical

marker)

• Hall of Fame Rangers in Oakwood Cemetery

John B JonesJohn “McNelly’s Bulldog” Armstrong, III

• Hall of Fame Ranger in Memorial Park: Francis Augustis Hamer

SAN MARCOS• John “Jack” Coffee Hays

Monument

• George Thomas McGehee House

SAN ANTONIO• TC Frost Wool Warehouse

(marker)

• Hall of Fame Ranger in

National Cemetery: Jesse Leigh Hall

• Hall of Fame Rangers in Confederate Cemetery:

George Wythe BaylorJohn Salmon “Rip” Ford

• Hall of Fame Ranger in Odd Fellows Cemetery: Samuel Hamilton Walker

• Hall of Fame Ranger in Mission Burial Park: John J. “Johnny” Klevenhagen

• Memorial Hall Museum

See our website more qualifed destinations available in relation to the Texas Rangers and this month’s ride map.

Points Across Texas Qualified Destination ListMay 2013 Ride Map

Quick Rules:• Locations/items must be easily identifiable in the photo. Signs are best (cities, events, mountains, parks, etc.), but some are self-explanatory (like Prada Marfa, a mural, the bank

vault, etc.).• Your AND/OR your bike must be in the picture.• Photos must be emailed to [email protected] can be posted on our Points Across Texas Facebook page (Facebook.com/PointsAcrossTexas).• Deadline for 2013 photos is January 15, 2014.

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An officer was on a detached mission and was held up by a storm and flood. He wired his commander: “Delayed by storm send instructions.”

His Old Man wired back: “Commence vacations immediately.”

Off an invasion beach the captain of an assault support ship noticed that one of his assault landing craft was in trouble drawing particularly heavy fire from the enemy. The Captain directed his ship to the craft. As they drew alongside the man in charge of the landing party said, “I’m glad to see you, skipper.”

It made the captain feel good until, with the next breath, he said, “Now the bastards can shoot at you instead of me.”

A biker died in a horrible fire. The mortician thought it was Biker Bill, but the body was so badly burned that somebody would need to make a positive identification. That task fell to Biker Bill’s two friends, Bandit and Shovelhead.

Bandit: “He’s burnt pretty bad, all right. Roll him over.” Bandit looked at the dead man’s buttocks and said, “Nope,

that ain’t Biker Bill.”

Thinking the incident strange, the mortician straightened up the body and said nothing. He brought in Shovelhead.

Shovelhead: “Wow, he’s burnt to a crisp. Roll him over.” Again, “Nope, that ain’t Biker Bill.”

Mortician: “How can you tell?”

Shovelhead: “Bubba had two assholes.”

Mortician: “What? How could he have two assholes?”

Shovelhead: “Everybody knew Bubba had two assholes. Whenever the three of us would go into town you’d hear people say, “Here comes Bubba with the two assholes!”

A flying instructor asked a trainee: “What the blazes are you doing, Hanson, with that bucket full of earth?”

The trainee explained nervously: “I’m taking it up in the plane with me so that I can at any rate keep one foot on the ground.”

An admiral reprimanded a young sailor who failed to salute him somewhere in the street. “Why don’t you salute me, sailor?” he asked severely. “You know I’m an admiral.”

“An admiral?” exclaimed the sailor in unfeigned surprise. “And I thought admirals never walk on land.”

Ralph and Edna were both patients in a mental hospital. One day while they were walking past the hospital swimming pool, Ralph suddenly jumped into the deep end. He sank to the bottom of the pool and stayed there. Edna promptly jumped in to save him. She swam to the bottom and pulled him out. When the Head Nurse Director became aware of Edna’s heroic act she immediately ordered her to be discharged from the hospital, as she now considered her to be mentally stable.

When she went to tell Edna the news she said, “Edna, I have good news and bad news. The good news is you’re being discharged, since you were able to rationally respond to a crisis by jumping in and saving the life of the person you love. I have concluded that your act displays sound mindedness. The bad news is, Ralph hung himself in the bathroom with his bathrobe belt right after you saved him. I am so saddened, but he’s dead.”

Edna replied, “He didn’t hang himself, I put him there to dry. How soon can I go home?”

A retired corporal was telling a friend how he handled officers during his service years. “It didn’t matter if he was a general, an admiral, or the Commander-in-Chief. I told those guys exactly where to get off.

“Wow,” his friend said. “What was your job in the service?”

“Elevator operator in the Pentagon.”




Accessories & Parts* Stitches 1308 Hwy 6 South Houston, TX 77077 281.558.8572 Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

Bars & Restaurants* Bryant’s Ice House 26913 Katy Freeway Katy, TX 77494 281.392.BEER (2337)HoustonIceHouse.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

* Deanville Bar & Grill 1789 FM 60 S Deanville, TX 77852 979.535.7776 Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Bryan/College Station

* Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop Bent Rim Grill 657 West Ranch Rd Leakey, TX 78873 830.232.6629 www.friocanyonmotorcycleshop.com www.bentrimgrill.com Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: San Antonio

* Headwaters Saloon 229 S Ranch Rd 783 Harper, TX 78631 830.377.5034 Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: San Antonio

* Hot Rods and Harleys Bar & Grill 13124 FM 306 Canyon Lake, TX 78133 830.864.2911 www.hotrodsandharleysbar.com Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: San Antonio* Johnny O’s Ole House Tavern 9905 Camp Bowie West Fort Worth, TX 76116 817.874.2535 www.chulachaser.com Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

* Loading Dock, The 504 25th St Galveston, TX 77550 409.765.5155 http://loadingdockgalveston.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

* Noah’s Ark Bar & Grill 4438 Boulevard St Bacliff, TX 77518 281.339.2895 www.noahsarkbarandgrill.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston* Rolling Thunder Bar & Grill 6441 County Rd 2173 Fluvanna, TX 79517 325.573.HAWG (4294) http://rollingthunderbarandgrill.com/Home_Page.php Region: Panhandle Closest Metro: Lubbock

* Tommaso’s Italian Restaurant 507 N Gordon St Alvin, TX 77511 281.331.6262 www.tomasositaliangrill.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

* West of the Brazos 23220 Hwy 36 Damon, TX 77430 979.742.3100 www.WestoftheBrazos.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston* Yankee’s Tavern 8703 Ada Oaks Ln Anderson, TX 77830 936.873.3314 www.yankeestavern.com Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Bryan/College Station

Biker ChurchesNortheast Texas Bikers Church 749 E 16th Street Mt Pleasant, TX 75455 903.563.0948 NETXBC.com Region: Piney Woods Closest Metro: Longview Church service on Thursdays @ 7pm Bible study on Sundays @ 5pm

Dealerships & Shops* Collin County Choppers AKA Frisco Custom Cycles 6427 Main St Frisco, TX 75034 214.387.0650 www.collincountychoppers.com Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

* Cowboy’s Alamo City H-D 11005 IH 35 North San Antonio, TX 78233 800.397.7875 www.cowboysalamocityharley.com Region: South Texas Closest Metro: San Antonio


Biker Friendly These businesses are SERIOUS about serving the Texas Motorcycle Community. The list is set up in business categories. Regional and Metro information is included. An “ * ” means the location is a Thunder Roads Texas distribution point. Visit ThunderRoadsTexas.com to find a full listing of distribution points. Tell them you saw them in Thunder Road Texas! Want to be on this list - it’s only $149/YEAR; $125 for churches, bands, MC clubs/groups, and VFW/ALR Halls - visit our website or email [email protected] for information.


* Cycle Heaven 3770 Hwy 69 N Lufkin, TX 75904 936.634.8404 www.cycleheaventx.com Region: Piney Woods Closest Metro: Tyler

* Harley-Davidson of Kingwood 111 Northpines Dr Kingwood, TX 77339 281.358.0457 www.kingwoodharley.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

* Harley-Davidson of Waco 4201 S Jack Kultgen Expy Waco, TX 76711 254-753-0393 www.hdwaco.com Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Waco

* Hawgs N Dawgs Motorcycle Shop & Café 1333 SE Military Dr San Antonio, TX 78214 210.924.0203 www.HawgsNDawgs.com Region: South Texas Closest Metro: San Antonio

* Javelina Harley-Davidson 29078 I-10 West Boerne, TX 78006 800-860-9696 www.javelinaharleydavidson.com Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: San Antonio

* Legacy Harley-Davidson 12100 W Hwy 80 East Odessa, TX 79765 800.788.6921 www.legacyh-d.com Region: Big Bend Closest Metro: Midland/Odessa

* Longhorn Harley-Davidson 2830 West I-20 Grand Parairie, TX 75052 972.988.1903 www.longhornhd.com Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Dallas/Ft Worth

* Mancuso Harley Davidson - Crossroads 12710 Crossroads Park Dr Houston, TX 77065 281.970.9700 www.mancusocrossroads.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

* Motorcycle Tire Shop Welding/Technical Services 1917 S Hackberry San Antonio, TX 78210 210.533 BIKE (2453) http://motorcycletireshop.synthasite.com Region: South Texas Closest Metro: San Antonio

* Potterosa Cycles & ATVs 18143 FM 314 Conroe, TX 77302 281.572.4774 www.potterosa.net/ Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

* Southern Metal Choppers 11116 Middle Fiskville Rd, Ste E Austin, TX 78753 512.833.5044 www.southernmetalchoppers.com Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: Austin

* Thunder Alley Cycles 416 NE Wilshire Blvd Burleson, TX 76028 817.295.0955 www.thunderalleycycles.com Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Dallas/Ft Worth* Tugs Cycles 19529 County Rd, #2 Brazoria, TX 77422 979.798.6061 Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

* Woods Cycle Country 1933 I-35 East New Braunfels, TX 78130 830.606.9828 www.woodscyclecountry.com Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: San Antonio

* Yamaha of San Antonio 15664 I-35 Selma, TX 78154 210.655.2625 http://www.kps-sa.com Region: South Texas Closest Metro: San Antonio

For the Girls* Coco & Duckie 20 E Main St Bellville, TX 77418 979.865.9393 www.CocoAndDuckie.com Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Houston

GOT GREAT BIKER GIRL GEAR? ADVERTISE HERE! http://ThunderRoadsTexas.com

Insurance & Attorneys* Ball Insurance 416 S Main St Highlands, TX 77562 800.444.7014 www.ballins.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

* Farrar & Ball Law Firm; Law Tigers 1010 Lamar, Ste 1600 Houston, TX 77002 713.221.8300 www.lawtigers.com Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

* Freeway Insurance 642 W Rhapsody, Ste A San Antonio, TX 78216 210.403.2216 http://insuranceladyinc.com Region: South Texas Closest Metro: San Antonio


... continuedBiker Friendly



Lodging & CampgroundsDUBL-C Guest House (Vacation Rentals by Owner) Kerrville area: located on Hwy 39 between Ingram & Hunt; Stay 2 Nights, get 3rd FREE 866.427.8374 www.vrbo.com/385945 Region: Hill Country Closest Metro: San Antonio

*Scoot On Inn Cabins & Camping, LLC 4397 South Highway 83 Leakey, TX 78873 830.232.4442 Office/Home 512.517.5349 Cell-Tim Region: HIll Country Closest Metro: San Antonio*The Overnight Bunkhouse Bed & Kitchen 13132 Highway 90 North Singleton, TX 77831 936.395.2601 Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

Motorcycle TowingCyclone Cycle Rescue 1100 Crane Dr Euless, 76039 76039 817.308.9086 www.MotorcycleTowingTX.com Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

* Dragonstar Motorcycle Transportation PO Box 444 Bryan, TX 77806 281.935.8890 www.getaride.net Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Bryan/College Station

Riding Gear & Leather Goods* American Man Cave 18 E Main St Bellville, TX 77418 979.865.9383 www.american-man-cave.com Region: Prairies & Lakes Closest Metro: Houston

* Motorcycle Outpost, The 103 S College Westminster, TX 75409 972.838.8222 www.TheMotorcycleOutpost.com Region: Prairies & Lakes

Closest Metro: Dallas/Fort Worth

Coppersage Biker Gear 1002 Goodson Rd

Coppersage Biker Gear 1002 Goodson Road Magnolia, TX 77355 281.730.1835 Region: Piney Woods Closest Metro: Houston

MiscellaneousAmerican Legion Post 402 11457 US Highway 190 West LIvingston, TX 77351 936.646.7411

Oklahoma Backroads OKMotorcycleTours.com 405.996.0411 888.785.8733 [email protected]

Outlaw Dave Productions PO Box 25028 Houston, TX 77265 www.OutlawNation.us Region: Gulf Coast Closest Metro: Houston

... continuedBiker Friendly



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Thunder Roads Texas May 2013