spring rally wrap up - Thunder Roads Texas Motorcycle Magazine

SPRING RALLY WRAP UP
Blowout’s Biker Bash
March 16-18
Hitchcock
TRT Correspondent: Mike “Biker” Boone
Blowout has been hosting biker games and emceed stages for rallies all over Texas. He finally
decided it was time to host a rally himself. It’s all about celebrating St Patrick’s Day with a
group of rowdy, fun bikers! Even had a Leprechaun handy for photo opportunities! It’s a 21-andup
event with free tent camping, weekend and Saturday passes; RV camping, biker games (of
course – it is Blowout) and cash awarded contests and stage games.
Vendor spots filled up fast and great bands included CrossTown Renegades (see our Biker Band
Corner this month), Chris Low Band, Dimitri’s Rail, Red Cap, JJ Dynomite, and John Epperson
& Driving Blind.
Some comments from rally-goers:
“I SURVIVED BLOWOUT’S BIKER BASH 2012!!! I had an absolute blast with all my peeps!! You
guys rock!!”
“OMG so tired. That means we had an awesome time this weekend. Great job Blowout and Barbara.
“I had a great time! Meet lots of nice and koool people and seen friends that I haven’t seen in awhile. Seen
several badass bikes, golf carts, every campsite we stopped at folks there, next door, across the way, behind
all partying and having fun. Great job Guys!”
Next year is set – March 14-17, 2013. Visit BlowoutsBikerBash.com for more information as it’s added.
Thunder in the Hill Country
March 30-April 1
Bandera, Texas
TRT Correspondent: Shelly “Cricket” Beatty
South Texas Motorcycle Show (STXM)
March 16-18
San Antonio
Photos by: Les Pierce of Barnett Harley-Davidson
This year brought the STXM a new title sponsor, O’Reilly Auto Parts. They joined forces to bring
attendees one big show that included cars and bikes under one roof. Adding to the excitement,
appearances by David LaBrava, “Happy” from the Sons of Anarchy TV show and San Antonio
Roller Derby girls. There were stunt exhibitions, vendors, food, drink, contests, and more. Watch
their website (TXBikeShow.com) for information about 2013… they’ll be celebrating their 10 th Sponsored by
year!
was back in Bandera this spring for Thunder in the Hill Country, one of my favorite rallies. Now dubbed the Little Big Rally by me;
I it’s a smaller rally, but always big on fun.
I arrived to the event on Friday evening to find it packed. Check in at the gate as prepaid is a breeze when you arrive this late in
the evening. I spent my Friday night down town at 11th Street Cowboy Bar, which never disappoints. The bikes were packed in and
thick this year in downtown Bandera. The locals have truly come to embrace our biker community and
welcome us into their businesses.
Saturday, the little town was buzzing with the hum of bikes everywhere. This year I ventured into the
Longhorn Saloon. I actually had to park down a bit to make sure I was getting out when I choose to
leave. I was a first time visitor of The Longhorn Saloon. It’s a neat bar, larger than it looks with a cool
view of the river out back. I met the owner Brian Black, a very nice man, who is busy doing his thing at
his bar and socializing with his customers. I was graced with a plate of amazing crawfish from Crazy
Cajun Cookers now serving Cajun food there. They are actually attached to the bar in the front. Cory,
Christina, and their girls are serving up some great food. If you stop in say hello to Cory and Christina
and tell them Cricket sent you!
This year at the rally, they had venders, a bike show, tattoo contests, a hill country ride, biker games
and of course the night time entertainments naughty nighty and the bathing suit contest. One thing I enjoyed this year was the live DJ outside the pavilion. This gave an after party that
everyone could participate in. There was actually a lot of dancing and some karaoke. I was impressed at how many could actually sing even if they hid behind something to sing. The
only down side was the Rubber Ducky showers price went up. Instead of twenty dollars it’s now twenty five for a wrist band. I have a feeling that this will be the new trend at other rallies
this year.
I finished my visit, as every year at OST Restaurant on my way out of Bandera. The best breakfast in town that I look forward to every year.
Next up for the Biker Rallies of Texas is the Rumble on the River in Bandera in September. Watch their website for details (BikerRalliesOfTexas.com). See you at the “Little Big Rally”
next year!
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Carts, Bikers & Babes (CB&B) Rally
April 12-15
Lake Somerville
TRT Correspondents: Bob Cooney and Don Brewer
For Damon Dave, it’s all about the bands. And this year’s lineup really rocked the rally, including the Texas Blues Brothers (tribute), Pat Travers,
Charlie Parker Band, Signal Rising, Quiet Riot, Victim, and The Mike Elliot Company Band. Also entertaining the crowd, History Channel’s
Hairy Bikers, Bill Allen and Paul Patranella (see our December 2011 issue). Bill is famous for
doing crazy things and the CB&B was no different, offering an audience challenge for the Hot
Pepper Throw Down!
This year’s event was reconfigured a little and included some new
sights, such as the sexy bartenders from Full
Throttle Saloon - for both the guys (Kristi) and
the girls (Chris). They both offered body shots
and eye candy! The event also offered all your
normal rally fare, a fun run, stage games, Pit
Stop Lounge area, cart and biker races and
games, bike and people contests for cash
prizes and trophies, campsite contests, and
even a carnival ride, the Speed.
As with all of Damon Dave’s efforts, proceeds from this
rally go to help support the Texas Biker Relief Organization
(T-BRO). For information on how to help fellow bikers in
times of need, visit TexasBikerRelief.org.
Next up – The Texas Rally (TheTexasRally.com) at Big Creek Park & Marina on Lake Somerville, September 6-9 for their 6th Annual Luau and Biker Bash. And watch CartsBikersAndBabesRally.com for information about next year’s Spring event.
Back the Badge Ride
April 14
Pasadena
TRT Correspondents: Travis and Amy Jacobs
Sponsored by
In 2007, while Bryan Miller was hanging with Outlaw Dave (OD) at Hooters, the 100 club was doing their “Fill the Boot” charity. Bryan
turned to OD and said “we can do more,” Bryan told Dave. He said if you help promote a charity ride for the 100 Club, I will organize it.
Notes were taken on napkins and off they went. The 1st Annual Back the Badge ride took place, April 2007 (BackTheBadgeRide.com).
“There are very few of us that have dangerous jobs. Police officers and firefighters are out there every day
to protect us, and it’s not for the money. If I were doing that job on a daily basis, the question that would
always be in the back of my mind; who would be there for my family and my children? This ride is giving
them back security of what they give to us daily. If we continue to give, then our community continues to be
a better place,” says Bryan Miller
The 6th Annual Back the Bade Ride benefiting the Houston 100 Club took place Saturday, April 14, starting
at the San Jacinto Harley-Davidson in Pasadena. At 2:00 p.m. kickstands were up and police escorted the
hundreds of riders from Pasadena to the Texas Association of First Responders (TAFR) annual Wild Game
Cook-off held Sam Houston Race Park. Police Escorts
were arranged by the Houston Chapter 7 Blue Knights
Motorcycle Club.
One of the escorts, Roger “Crash” Byars (pictured), has dedicated his time for the Back the Badge
Ride since the beginning. This ride is not only important to him for what it represents, but also the
sentimental value it holds to his heart.
“Roger’s late wife Rose was the first person to phone me about the
ride within ten minutes of it being put online,” says Bryan Miller. “We had not even gotten sign-up sheets
ready or printed when Rose came down and met me in the parking lot with a sign-up sheet and a check.
It was the first time I had met her. She jumped in right in feet first” says Bryan.
Rose invited Bryan to visit one of the Blue Knight Chapter meetings to discuss the ride with the
members. Bryan raised his first $1,000 that night, signing up 10 members at $100 per person back then,
to participate in the ride.
Rose Byars passed away December 1, 2007. Bryan had a plaque made in her honor and presented it to
Roger Byars at the 3rd Annual Back the Badge Ride that was dedicated in her honor.
As I was taking a picture of Roger on his bike, I noticed a teddy bear strapped to the back with leather
riding gear and glasses. I asked what his bear represented. “The bear was given to me by my grandson after Rose passed. He told me that he never
wanted me to have to ride alone.” says Roger.
What made you want to be a police officer? “Too lazy to work, too nervous to steal, and the only job that I can ride my motorcycle and enforce the
law” says Roger Byars.
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SPRING RALLY WRAP UP

SPRING RALLY WRAP UP
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Bikes & Bugs V
Main Event: April 28
Sugar Land
TRT Correspondents: Bob Cooney and Shelly Horan
For the past five years, Los Guys Riding Club (RC) team up with the Ragin Cajun and the Wallis Family
Foundation each Spring to host a series of pre-parties (this year, there were seven), culminating in one big
blowout at the Ragin Cajun in Sugar Land. Dominic Mandola (Owner of Ragin Cajun), Mark Wallis (Founder of
the Wallis Family Foundation) and Chris Nelson (President of the Los Guys RC) established Bikes & Bugs in
2007, with their first event held in the Spring of 2008.
Through these events, they raise money for the Wallis Family Foundation. The foundation was established by
Mark Wallis as a commitment to ensure people with epilepsy are able to participate in all of life’s events. They
work to build public awareness of this debilitating disease, as well as fund research to find a cure.
Each of the pre-parties features crawfish by Ragin Cajun, drinks, bikes, live entertainment, and
more. The Main Event is family friendly and includes bouncy games, bikini contest, bike wash, and
Outlaw Dave broadcasting live. Also, at the pre-parties, the team sells raffle tickets for one lucky
person to win a new Harley-Davidson that is given away at the Main Event.
This event is the first ever to be backed by the newly formed Houston-area Harley-Davidson
Dealership group (Stubbs, San Jacinto, Mancuso Central, and Mancuso Crossroads). In their first
year they raised $13,000 for the foundation a solid number for a new event. This year, the number
is well past $85,000 (dollars are still coming in as of our publication date). You can still help by
going to the BikesAndBugs.org website to donate online.
Next year’s Main Event is already set for May 4, 2013, so mark your calendars now. Because
of their growing success, they will have a new home… they simply outgrew the Ragin Cajun
restaurant in Sugar Land. But you’ll still be able to get great Cajun crawfish at the new venue.
Keep watching their website and Thunder Roads Texas for news as next year’s party series comes
about.
Renegade Classics The Woodlands We Fight Like a Girl Parking Lot Party
April 29
The Woodlands
TRT Correspondents: Bob Cooney, Shelly Horan, and Laura Benson
You can always find Stan of Renegade Classics in The Woodlands (RenegadeTheWoodlands.com) up to something at the
store. Most Sundays there is a parking lot party, usually hosting a benefit event or ride starting point. This weekend (April
27-28), We Fight Like a Girl (WeFightLikeAGirl.com) held a multi-location event, ranging
from Nacogdoches, through Point Blank, to Houston. Their mission, to raise funds and
awareness for ovarian cancer. Many of the patients were available at these events and
their stories will truly touch your heart. We encourage you to find out more about this
organization and how you can help.
As for Stan, he’s not done… he is working on a Cancer 2 Cure Ride from Galveston to
Alaska, July 13-August 14, 2012. The lofty goal is to raise $200,000 for MD Anderson
Cancer Research on behalf of Harley’s Angels (breast cancer; HarleysAngels.org) and
We Fight Like a Girl. 100% of the money raised will be donated, no money is being used
to fund the ride in any way. You can make a donation online or even join Stan for the ride
of a lifetime! Check out Renegade Classics The Woodlands website for more information
and to donate.
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Texas State HOG Rally
May 3-5
Fort Worth
TRT Correspondent: Mike Jackson
You know, I have always been a bit impulsive; a fact to which anyone (and perhaps all of my ex-wives) will attest. So it
came as no surprise that at 11:45 a.m., Thursday, May 3, I decided to ride up to the 2012 Texas State HOG Rally in the
historic Fort Worth Stockyards. The Opening Ceremony was scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. I arrived, registered (with the
assistance of Sandra Womack), and was in place with camera in hand with 10 minutes to spare.
The Early Bird Party actually began at 5:30 pm on the “Back Forty”, an open-air area with
seating capacity of 1,000, which was full by-the-way. There was barbeque and cold beer
available. Valerie Ledterman, Regional Manager of HOG took the stage and welcomed all to
the party. After a funny skit involving Miss. Kim breaking a bottle over the head of a cowboy for
threatening to make her ride on a Goldwing, the Eastland Jr. ROTC presented the colors, and a
thankful prayer was given. Then the Dalton Gang Band took the stage, and it was on!
The registration area was open early Friday morning and the Riding Competition Preliminaries, a track of twists and turns
between cones, began at 8:00 a.m. For those more inclined to travel a straight path, maps for 13 Self-Guided Rides
were available, as well as two guided rides, the Big Cat Rescue, and the National Vietnam War Museum Ride. Being a
Vietnam Vet, I chose the latter.
Over 40 bikes left Stockyard Station led by Roy Hinrichs with Bob Corey bringing up drag. They
were two of the many dedicated volunteers on hand which made the rally such a success. We
took I-20 and US 180 through Weatherford in order to arrive at the Museum in a timely manner,
but after the visit, and a break for lunch in Mineral Wells, a more leisurely, scenic route was chosen for the return.
The National Vietnam War Museum is another story unto itself. I would encourage all to visit NationalVnWarMuseum.org to
learn of their remarkable story.
Other activities available throughout the rally included the A-Mazing Chapter Challenge, Stockyard Station Poker Run, Wall of
Ink Contest, Ride-i n Bike Show Competition, Biker Games by the American Eagle HOG and Panther Creek HOG Chapters,
and a Long-Horn Cattle Drive up Exchange Street every day at 4:00 p.m.
For the shoppers amongst us there were dozens of shops from which to choose within the Stockyards site as well as the usual
cadre of faithful bike vendors who had set up shop across the way near the holding pens.
More barbeque and beer became available Friday night as the “Rock the Forty” party began at 7:00 p.m. with the band Déjà Vu providing the music.
Entrants for the Saturday morning Parade of Flags had to be up bright and early for staging and briefing. The parade, with what appeared to be hundreds of happy, smiling riders, was
directed through the adjacent downtown area culminating at the end of Exchange Street.
More guided rides, bike games, Biker Bingo at Billy Bob’s, and other activities were available throughout the day. The Closing Ceremony was held at 7:00 p.m. after which The Monster
Rock took the stage for a final night of musical entertainment. A grand time was had by all and with over 3,000 in attendance that was no small task. Can’t wait ‘til next year!
Fort Worth Harley-Davidson was the main sponsor with supporting sponsors: World Vision, Coors, Harley-Davidson of Dallas, Dallas Harley-Davidson, Michelin, Fort Worth Convention
and Visitors Bureau and Chaney Trucking, according to Kim Briggs, Trail Boss, and General Manager of Ft. Worth Harley-Davidson.
Sponsored by
Hill Country Run Motorcycle Rally
May 4-6
Luckenbach
TRT Correspondent:: Shelly Horan
Touted as “Not just your plain OLE Motorcycle Rally”, the Fredericksburg Optimist
Club takes over Luckenbach each year for their annual fundraiser, the Hill Country
Run Motorcycle Rally. They actually start the event with a “Social” in Fredericksburg on
Thursday night. The highlight of the event is the Saturday Hill Country Ride, checking out
some great stops and roads around the area. There are also live bands, food, vendors,
biker games, helicopter rides, contests, demos, stunt shows, auctions and more.
This year, our editor, Shelly Horan, attended… dragging a couple of her friends (Becky
and Mia) along for the ride! So if you saw a blonde woman with a Thunder Roads Texas
blue jean vest and black hat, you saw her!
A little about the Fredericksburg Optimist Club… it’s a voluntary organization made up
of civic-minded men and women who dedicate time from their busy lives to serve the
community. The Hill Country Run proceeds benefit local children’s activities, such as
T-ball, contests for junior and senior high school teens, scholarships, and more.
Save the date: May 3-5, 2013; some of the activities and schedule are already available
online, check out HillCountryRun.com.
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SPRING RALLY WRAP UP