Jeff Ryan's Biker Blog Updates

btf '11 action, Main Street, Daytona Beach, Fl

2011-10-20T05:16:00.000-07:00

...did we see this kid ride down Main St in Sturgis too?

..daytona's boardwalk empire.

view on main street, daytona.

...I love this bar..

2011-10-19T07:28:00.000-07:00

Main Street, Daytona, Biketoberfest 2011:

west end girls

More Cool Bikes! How about a "Ural" for Christmas?

2011-10-15T06:56:00.000-07:00

BTF Pix!

2011-10-15T06:40:00.000-07:00

Biketoberfest, 2011

Daytona Beach

Main Street-Beach Street

Boardwalk Bike Show-Daytona Beach-2011

2011-10-15T06:27:00.000-07:00

Beachside Bike Show!

Biketoberfest, Daytona Beach

October, 2011

Biketoberfest '11 "Chopper Time" Ride In Bike Show:

2011-10-14T05:09:00.000-07:00

Bikers from around the world represented at Choppertime Bike Show:

Beautiful bikes, and the people who build 'em, free admission!

2011-10-09T06:05:00.000-07:00

Bad A-- Bikes!

For those who crave originality, find it at one (or all) of these shows. First two are the best, but don't discount the rest. Never know what you'll find just under the radar..told ya to get here early!

Thursday, October 13th:

Limpnicke Lot-Old school bikes, stone edge skate park, us-1 south, near the "last resort". Dudes/Dudettes will be riding that afternoon, with a stop for lunch in Flagler Beach. Try the local oysters. After lunch, they'll hook up and ride to Willies for the CT show.

Chopper Time! Willie's Trop Tatt, US-1 North, (across from Publix supermart) Noon-4pm, a must attend event to see bikers who make their "own" parts! Want to see one of America's best? Don't miss this one. You won't be sorry.

Trike/Rad Bike Show: Flea Market, us 92, from speedway, pass under I-95, take next two lefts. Hot pretzels are delicious, plenty of fresh fruit, tees, arts, crafts, etc.

Chopper Show/Swap Meet: Volusia County Fairgrounds, US-92 or just off I-4, near Deland.

Friday, October 14th:

The "Boardwalk" Bike Show-Oceanside boardwalk, at the end of Main Street. Keep going until you hit salt water, you're there. (warning: ape hanger danger!)

Hidden Treasure Bar: 4pm Chopper Contest. Give it a try, or come to look-see.

Brit/Euro Bike Show: Daytona Flea Mart (see above for directions)
Sidecar/Trike Show/Swap Meet-Volusia Co Fairgrounds-(see above for directions)

Saturday, October 15th:

World Famous Rats Hole Bike Show: Daytona Lagoon, 2 blocks north of Main Street

Broken Spoke: Ride-in custom bike show

Antique/Classic Bike Show: Daytona Flea Marklet

Antique Bike Show/Swap Meet: Volusia County Fairgrounds

ABM inadvertently snaps pic of California Condor!

2011-08-31T09:47:00.000-07:00

After a 350 mile ride in Colorado, Utah, and Arizona:

We were relaxing in the tent, going though some pic's shot during the trip, and noticed a "spot" high above an unusual rock formation. Taking into account how far in the air this bird was flying, and having seen them effortlessly gliding over the Grand Canyon a few summers ago, we're 99% confident this is an endangered California Condor!

To locate, look at the center of the photo, just above the "V" notch in the rock, and blow it up a few times until you can make out the huge wings. We're highly confident this bird is indeed, a Condor! You never know what adventure awaits when you saddle up and blast off to see the world.!

This Labor Day weekend, get on your bike and ride!

(and don't forget to take your camera or cell pic fone!)

Park Grill Pork Ribs!

2011-08-31T09:25:00.000-07:00

Campground Cuisine:

After frying up the 50th rainbow trout, we figured it was time for a little variety on the picnic table top, so a nice St. Louis cut rack of ribs was located at the local grocery for less than 8 bucks. Bikers without extra space to haul stuff like condiments, and tin foil can always "borrow" what's needed from the RV campers. (Just promise them a rib or two!)

(1) Wash, and rub with fresh garlic cloves, then salt, pepper, sage rub.

(2) Burn down your wood (or "borrowed" briquettes) until not much is left except hot embers. Place the ribs, bone side down first, and let the juices drop onto the coals, giving you that "smokey" flavor. Watch for flare ups, as burnt ribs suck. The bone side should get about 2/3 the total cooking time. When the meat begins to shrink away from the bones, turn over, and brown the meat side, being careful not to burn the protein.

(3). Apply some cheap bbq sauce. We did a 99 cent bottle of hickory flavored. Rub on with a plastic spoon, first on the bones, put back on heat, and do the meat side. Flip over, and keep on going until the sauce begins to "hold" onto the meat.

(4). Get about 2 feet of tin foil from the neighbors. (By now, they're real interested in the biker buffet, and are very cooperative.) Wrap the ribs tightly in the foil, leaving no exposed meat. Press down to eliminate any air pockets, and put back on over the coals. Figure on at least an hour in the foil, turning every 15-20 minutes.

(5). Pull 'em out of the foil. This is what they should look like!

(6). Avoid the urge to cut them all up at once. Slice off a few at a time with your pocket knife. (You DO carry a pocket knife, don't you?) The rack will keep cooking itself from the heat on the remaining bones.

Bonn Appetite!

Giant Black Slugs Disrupt Hippie Mushroom Fest!

2011-08-26T10:32:00.000-07:00

Telluride, San Juan Range, SW Colorado:

Wet weather spawns bumper crop of slugs!

Find a clump of mushrooms, and you'll likely find one or more of these ugly suckers, munching away like there's no tomorrow! About the size of a large pocket knife, these slimy black tubes are on the move, slithering about in search of the noble 'shroom. Here's what they look like en route:

Dude, ABM is not a slug expert, but we think those two pointy things are eyes...

euewwww!

Pic is worth a thousand words..local fans of the "highly" regarded "shroom" are freaking out!

Only ABM could bring you a late-breaking story of this magnitude!

Rock newspaper might be as old as 2,000 years!

2011-08-22T09:22:00.000-07:00

Canyonlands Nat'l Park, Utah:

You can't find a six pack. No worries. The scenery will leave you breathless.

This "newspaper" might be as old as 2,000 years.

This rock had to be some sort of a meeting place. It's nestled in the bottom of a deep cottonwood tree infested canyon.

Mesmerized by the intricate etchings, you stare and try to envision the meaning of each symbol.

From afar, you might walk right by..

We're impressed with the scenery that went with our trek to "Newspaper" rock:

Geologic volcano formation: The hard magma remains, the softer pumice worn down, exposing the core.

About time to fire up the bikes, and make a run for it.

This area is very prone to flash floods, and if you wait too long, your wait may include an "overnight stay" under the stars!

We're outta here, for now!

The motorcycle "doctor" is in. Cure for common leg cramps? You bet!

2011-08-20T10:55:00.000-07:00

What's a "Charlie Horse"?

A dead leg. After a long day in the saddle, and a night on the old air mattress, these ultra-painful leg cramps may last anywhere from a few seconds to an hour or two. We almost never get 'em at sea level. When camping out at the 8,000'-10,000' level, they're a 'mare in the middle of the night. The last one was so painful, I'd have shot shot my leg off but the .44 was out of reach...(only partially kidding..)

Quinine Water?
Dude, it works!

A couple of weeks ago, bought a six pack of Canada Dry "TONIC" water at the local supermarket. Hit it every other day while in Sturgis. We put on over a thousand hard miles on each bike during the rally, and never had a single cramp.  Didn't know how long a bottle would last, so for you, the motorcycle-loving public, did the Guinea pig thing, and went without. First night in the four corners, the aforementioned (above) left leg muscle below the knee went off about 3am.  Thought I was gonna die, and couldn't get a bottle of Tonic water down fast enough. That was a week ago, and even after a 400 mile ride into Utah, no cramps. We're sold on Tonic water.

Diet or regular? Name brand or brand X?

Didn't seem to matter.  Canada Dry at Sturgis, no name store brand down here in the desert, both work great. Diet or regular, your money, your call. Drink well ahead of the anticipated malady, at least 12-24 hours.

Don't spend another night in pain. If you're planning to log even a short hop of 200 miles or less, and you're a regular customer, I'd slug one, what could it hurt?

Utah, life "elevated"

Man, you can say that again. From the state line forward, it's up, up, up.  This is the tourism Rodney Dangerfield of states. Slice it right down the middle, and head for the eastern half. If you've never been to Moab, etc, you and your motorcycle are missing sights you'll never see anywhere else. It rocks.

Newspaper rock, unlimited canyons, mesas, mtns!

Here's just a sample. Come on back for the rest later on!

these are the mild pix, it gets way better!

..This place is so far off the beaten path, animals don't know they're supposed to be afraid of humans.

75-Year Old Ladies Take Over Biker Bar!

2011-08-17T10:13:00.000-07:00

Four Corners Area, Colorado, USA:

ABM's been a regular customer at this, the only bar in town, literally speaking. First year we walked in, patched over club members were at one end of the bar, locals, like rancher dudes at the other. Now, the bar seems to have been taken over by retired ladies, and they ain't turning this joint into a rest home.

What-th-..?

Maybe it's the dark brewskies on top of the daily meds, maybe it's the fresh air, maybe it's the sound of bikes, but these social security lovin' ladies like the biker atmosphere, and hit the place regularly, especially on their weekly gathering, on Wednesdays.

Dude, T.M.I.!

My bud says...you should see 'em when they get up and dance on the bar!
OMG...This is Wednesday.

ps: ABM is testing out preventive medicine for the common "charlie horse", a malady experienced by bikers after a 300 mile + day in the saddle. Ahead of the big Labor Day week run, it's valuable biker info. What's worse than a charlie horse? The stuff comes in a bottle, and is cheap. Film at eleven..

Wyoming SP Lives Up To It's Rep:

2011-08-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

Biker "ticket" bloodbath!

Running out of yellow forms?

Could be. Rt 85 runs south from Wyoming I-90 thru New Castle, and on south. It's the favored route for bikers returning home from Sturgis to Denver, all the way to San Diego. Beautiful riding, canyons, bluffs, antelope by the hundreds. It's also a 65mph zone, and after blasting down I-90 at 85 (the locals preferred speed), it's almost impossible for any bike, especially the newer six speed Harley Davidsons to keep to the limit. Wyoming cops know this, and use the opportunity to create a biker bloodbath.

We tried to warn bikers blowing by our 70mph like we were standing still, most to no avail. At least ten of 'em were nailed by the Wyoming SP. Even county mounties got in on the all you can write feast, proving that good guys don't always wear white cowboy hats.

Worst of all?

I got nailed in '09 for ten over, and believe it or not, my fine was $65.00. In dixie, it woulda cost me five times that much. For a state with only 500,000 residents, they sure got a lotta cops!

ps: ABM's soft cat paws have landed in the San Juan mountain range, 1.5 hrs above the 100 degree desert floor, at 8,000 feet, base camp, 70 degrees here, and the rainbow trout are ferocious!

American Bikers: Hard working, hard playing, above all, honest, trustworthy.

2011-08-12T09:37:00.000-07:00

For ABM, twice this rally, biker honesty was put to the test. Both times, we won!

Case #1:

One of ABM's bros left his GOLD watch near the bathroom shower stall. A few hours later, as he prepared to head for Sundance, Wyoming, blood drained out of his head when suddenly, the reality of the whereabouts of his expensive timepiece dawned. Running into the bathroom, he was flabbergasted as he picked up the watch, in exactly the same spot where it had been left, despite probably 20 or more people had used the facility after him.

Case #2:

ABM's intrepid interview guru, "Sandi" was bouncing around the Buffalo Chip campground after a hard day of gathering sound clips for American Biker Minute. Arriving at the campsite, her face turned to an "ashen" shade of gray (or grey?) when she gazed at the open zipper of her sissy bar's tour bag. The field recorder, microphone, and all the other stuff was missing! Frantically retracing her ride from the dollar hot dog and dollar beer pit, she spotted her hair brush laying in the dirt, and stopped to ask if anyone had seen her solid state recorder, and mike. Sure enough, a kind biker pointed her to a group of campers gathered around a tent, under a friendly shade tree. When asked, they proudly presented her with the missing mike, recorder, and over 100 interview files, without which, we would have been royally screwed. As the group holding our valuables hailed from Canada, I guess we'll have to include Canadian bikers in the group of North America's most trusted, honest, individuals.

Where else in the non-biker world could you associate with people this absolutely caring, honest, and trustworthy? No where I know of, and I've been halfway around this damm world.

Until our next blog, "Biker On"!

Rats Hole #2: Old Skool Rules!

2011-08-12T09:17:00.000-07:00

Buffalo Chip, stage right:

Good taste never goes out of style!

Free is good. Free food is even better!

2011-08-12T09:00:00.000-07:00

Porkers come out to play grillmaster..We came to eat!

We finally found 'em. Pork loin grilled to perfection.

(They got a new bbq grill..we like it..can we have one?)

Next FREE PORK SANDWICH 'Que?

(according to one of the pork ladies...)

Saturday, 10am-3pm at Lyn's Dakota Mart

(halfway down lazelle, near the post office)

2011-08-12T08:49:00.000-07:00

HD not afraid to spend bux at bike weeks:

Massive Footprint:

New Harley-Davidson head honcho Keith Waddell has given his blessing to a massive redistribution of bucks aimed toward attracting bikers at various venues. HD had a an XR-1200 dyno shoot out. You get on one, your bud on the other, the light tree counts down, and it's off to the races! What better way to familiarize yourself with the awesomoe power of the XR1200 without having to dodge cages on Lazelle Street? To lure you into sending your old mill off to Milwaukee for reconditioning/refurbing, they had a few examples of "before" and "after" so you can see how nice and shiny (inside and out) the engine will be after they take it in for a few weeks.

Brainstorms like this exhibit sell bikes. The biker may not buy a Harley here, but you can bet your a-- that they'll be thinking about something they saw under the tent most of the way home! A tip of the ABM hat to HD. While others, like Honda have elected to severely curtail their rally display over the past few years, Harley has decided to say "screw the economy", bikers will always be bikers. We agree.

2nd Sturgis '11 Biker Fatality: This time it's a cage.

2011-08-12T08:26:00.000-07:00

Hit and run lowlife flees accident scene..

Nebraska Biker, 44, hit & run off road by cage.

Rt 79, Near the "county line"..a cage, reportedly weaving in and out of traffic at a high rate of speed, hit the Nebraskan from behind, sending him into the ditch. It doesn't get any lower than being hit from behind by a cager. How do they get off with an "I didn't see him"? Kill a biker, go to jail. At last report, this scum is still at large. Sturgis accident fatalities for the year now stand at two.

Stevie Nix mike stand blows over:

As a sudden front moved over the Buffalo Chip campground just as the show began. No big deal for the girl, who bikered on. Tunes reminiscent of CCR flowed next, as JC Fogarty rocked the mike. Rain held off for the main show.

Is this the wettest Sturgis?

From a standpoint of a little dose each day, we'd have to say it's one of the moister, but not a duck-drown er. Those who rode the higher elevation, like Custer, etc were far more likely to catch the drops than those who camped/stayed near town.

Is this a down year?

When compared to last August, we think so. Take a look at the local McDonalds. Last year, the waiting line stretched almost to the door. This morning, I got a sausage and egg biscuit in less than 2 minutes. Vendors aren't running out of cash register tape, but they don't seem to be complaining. Gas station people who jacked their premium price from $3.85 to $4.14 had to change their signs back to the threes. The very last days of any rally are for bargain seekers, but as of today (Friday), we aren't seeing too much discounting. This too, will change. Who wants to take back a gazillion tee shirts to the local flea market every weekend until next August?

ABM's take? Who cares how many bikers showed up. We're having a great time as usual. The roads will always be packed, sidewalks always crowded, and there will always be at least one person in line ahead of your morning constitutional or shower session. Sturgis would fold without the bikers. We see new construction, the shelves of every grocery store (including WalMart) are half empty by mid afternoon, and we had to wait 2 days for a quart of Royal Purple (engine oil). The Black Hills are far from empty, and we personally think there are more people here than in 2009, but not as many as last year, a blowout crowd.

Thunderdome for "Sale" or "Rent":

...any takers?

That massive permanent tent, right across the street from the Full Throttle Saloon, known as the Thunderdome, has hosted bike shows, exhibits, all the while surrounded by vendors like Rick Fairless/Dallas Strokers, who brought up an entire bar from the Lone Star state. He, and the others who book spots there were no where to be found this year. What all this means to the Full Throttle, is no competition from across the street. They, and the Buffalo Chip continue to do well this year, while others are flat to down. Half the battle is correct market positioning, and both venues seem to get that.

Rat's Hole Show-2011-Sturgis: Every one's a winner! Gurl pix too? Whoa..!

2011-08-12T07:55:00.000-07:00

..and our gratuitous girl pix of the day...

Hells Angels, Mongols Throw Down? First Fatality, Sturgis Happenings:

2011-08-11T09:37:00.000-07:00

First 2011 Rally Fatality:

Dude riding back down the mountain from Deadwood to Sturgis, missed a corner, hit the ditch. So far, the only rally related death. The '09 rally was fatality free, due to a slower rally.

Here say, or the real deal?

We're hearing reports of a Hells Angels - Mongols throw down near the HA clubhouse late last night. No shots fired, no one seriously injured, (or so we hear). Tomorrow is "Sons of Silence" day at Sturgis. Hmmm..

Loaded down bikes still arriving:

...thinking this Big Dog dude could use a sissy bar..nothing better than a rear fender strut bar for strapping down the old bags..

...we bet the kitchen sink is in there somewhere..

This setup rocks. A place for everything, everything in it's place. The US Army duffel bag makes a dynamite lumbar support.

Ditto this setup.

SD Pork Council's free sandwich schedule..FUBAR.

We try to obtain at least two sources for info passed along to you, the valued radio listener, so when the free pork sandwich people failed to show in Sturgis yesterday, we were upset for having you go out of your way for a freebie, to no avail. Late yesterday afternoon, we personally spoke with one of the managers at Lynn's Dakota Mart, half way down Lazelle, in Sturgis. She said the free sandwich giveaway was TODAY, and SUNDAY. Figure on being there either side of noon for some tasty free pork loin sandwiches, and sorry we trusted the schedule from their own website.

What's going on today:

Full Throttle: Burnout contest, 2pm, followed by "midget bowling" between two and four. Hey, the little people got to make a living too, ya know? Drop in around six pm for the "Biggest Beer Belly" contest. (the Milwaukee Tumor).

Loud American burnouts: Lazelle and Fourth St, 3:30pm. (I'd like to see them do something like this on Main St, Daytona..)

Tonight's Tunes: Buffalo Chip, Jeff Bridges..yes, Jeff Bridges, John Fogarty, and Stevie Nicks. Full Throttle: Jackyl.

Skynyrd fans not happy:

We spend a lot of time inside the Buffalo Chip, working, and playing. We've got to know a thousand people or more in the decade of Sturgis trips. Yesterday, most of them were highly p----d off because Skynyrd couldn't make the show, due to Johnny Van Zandt being out of commission. It is what it is, we just wish it could have been like the last time when the missing act was Chuck Berry.

Most of the ABM Florida crew is headed down to Denver. Guess they like it there. We said our goodbyes this morning, and "we'll see ya in a month". The four corners area is more to our liking. Denver is a nice town, but not too motorcycle friendly, and at times the air can be like sucking the tailpipe of a school bus. Gimme Durango any day.

Come on back from time to time..both while we're in Sturgis, and after we head out for the San Juan mountain range. After a shower or two this afternoon, the rest of the Sturgis rally will have some of the best weather in the country, especially this weekend. We're here!

Sturgis 2011 Rocks! Vids, pics, an' interesting tidbits..

2011-08-10T09:01:00.000-07:00

What's that smell?

Old petrol, "enhanced" gasoline, or 86 octane in your tank?

Smelly could be you. First station we hit last Friday, near the 2nd Sturgis I-90 exit, had a red and white sign which rhymed with "pentex". 91 octane supposedly non ethanol went into the ABM tank, cranked her back up, and after a mile, she began to vibrate, and sputter like one of the spark plugs was cracked.

Why bad gas, especially early on in the rally? Sturgis merchants do 90% of their business during August. If this joint didn't sell much gasoline during July, it's old stuff. Fresh doesn't just apply only to sliced bread. Old gas, or bottom of the tank gas makes your bike run rough, and smell like the crankcase bearings are burning. We've been powering both the Harley and the S&S with 91 octane pure gas at the "Rev Limit", on Junction ave. Big yellow building, half way between Lazelle and the eastern I-90 exit. Worth your while. They also have some 110 octane. We've seen the white station near the town pond/park also selling "JET" fuel. Ride on.

Queens of the Roller Derby:

These ladies compete in a star-studded knock down each night thru the 13th at the Buffalo Chip campground. Sexy athletes in the full contact action packed sport of women's flat track roller derby..(their words). The girls are hot...MY words.

T.K. Blows 'em away:

Toby Keith nailed the Buffalo Chip crowd with hit after hit last evening. The crowd responded to the sometimes outspoken country-rock performer with a lot of love. Poison rocked the house as opening act for TK.

Lots going on at the other venues, too. $25 got you in to see uncle Teddy Nugent at the Full Throttle last night. Outlaws, Jackyl, and Marshall Tucker lined up for the rest of this week. They park a lotta bikes at this place. This morning, I rolled by the joint at 8:10am, and the lot was a third full of motorcycles. WTH---, are they serving breakfast? haha..

At the county line, rt 79, a few miles down past the chip turn off, they've had Little River Band, .38, & Foghat. Tonight's act, Firehouse.

Dungeon Bar, & "Bear"

..like many bikers at Sturgis, "Bear" works part time to pay off a good portion of his trip expenses. He's the door guard at the "Dungeon", an eclectic cellar bar on Main Street. (they have "breakfast" cans for two bucks).

John Deer Trike???

Smokes like a mobile bbq pit when he takes off..beauty, eh?

Random Sturgis Shots:

Hey, where did I park?

..We shot from one end of town to the other. As you can plainly see, the party is on!

Sturgis 2011 Rocks: Pix!

2011-08-09T10:12:00.000-07:00

Local paper's "loud pipes" debate:

Front cover of Rapid City Journal, big debate over whether "loud pipes" save lives. With the world's population rushing out to buy IPODs jamming 130 db into the listener's ears for 8 hours a day, we're worried about a few motorcycles, for a few months out of the year, causing "hearing" loss? Gimme a break. ABM holds no grudge, they're in the business of selling papers, like we're in showbiz. The rational person would choose a bike over an ear bud any day..

Hoodies, extra blankets, and leather:

ABM's motley crew of seven was rained out on the way "up" to the "heads" (Mt Rushomre) yesterday. We stopped just shy of 20 miles from the famous attraction, and I asked some locals when it was going to snow. Dude, it felt that cold, like in the forties. Hey, not complaining, but it's August, isn't it? Last night it was in the upper forties, and today's high in Deadwood is 66. The humiture is 113 back at the ABM compound. Comparitively, far western South Dakota feels like a meat locker.

New arrivals, more fun!

Buffalo Chip seen as home of the big crowd:

No big surprise. Mr. Woodruff has been honing his welcome bikers biz for 30 years. Woody knows how to throw a party. Good to hear Buckcherry again last night. Hard rock, hard language, excellent set. Our first time with Def Leppard. Classic guitar riffs that define their 30 years of rock 'n' roll were precisely delivered. Edgar Winter opened up Friday. Best we've ever heard his band sound. Next nite, Alice Cooper, again, top shelf, and man, loud sound system. Others rocked the Chip, but these were our favorites.

Well, that sucks: Skynyrd show cancelled. Johnny Van Zant hospitalized.

HOT item with the chicks..they love this dude. We see him riding around everywhere, always in costume!

While in Deadwood yesterday afternoon, we were inundated by "Big 'n' Rich's" entourage, part of a charity ride. This is what it looked like after the 300 bikes swept through town:

Back tomorrow with more pics, news from Sturgis 2011.

Sturgis 2011: They're Here.

2011-08-08T08:46:00.000-07:00

Less Crowded is Good.

Most vendors we spoke with agree the crowd is no where as huge as the 70th Sturgis of 2010, exactly what we expected. The in and out from downtown is still bumper to bumper at times, with bikes everywhere. Most campgrounds in the immediate area are doing well, and bikers are walking around main street with bags filled with tees and souvenirs.

Weather has been a lot more enjoyable than the past couple of years when temps soared into the triples. Most days it's been in the mid-eighties to mid-seventies, depending on riding elevation. Friday afternoon we made a mad dash for Spearfish (and overshot the exit, nearly winding up in Wyoming..), and got clocked by a few hailstones on the ride back to Sturgis..ouch..we can do without that. One rider in the storm was reportedly struck by lightning in Wyoming last week, and passed away before they got him to the ER. Learn to watch the first moments of a passing storm with care..many times hailstones fall just before the first drops of rain. Best bet is to get your a-- indoors until she passes through.

Canadians, eh?

Yes, and LOTS of 'em. We're surrounded by license plates that read "Manitoba", and they got money...lotsa money. Does this have anything to do with the fact that their debt is rated higher than the good old USA? Friendly enough, but if I hear it's all "A-BOOT" ....the ride one more time, I'm freaking out.

Gen X', Y, etc..

Seeing quite a few bikers in their 20's, 30's, 40's..which is good for our sport. Most are sitting atop cruisers, although this Sturgis has plenty of go-fast rockets blended in with the potato-potato-potato crowd.

What? Blame it on the little bottle of silver Patron..

Went to post some pic's of the action, realized we didn't transfer them from disc to stick. Bros and ABM doing the loop today, needles, the canyon, the works. Promise to take along the cameras, will be back with lots tomorrow.

Let me make it up to ya..Free Food, (or for those so inclined)..Free Shots?

First the libation: Sturgis Liquors, Lazelle Street had a smokin' hot Jack Daniels lady handing out shots of "Tennessee Honey", and "Long Island Iced Tea" at the store, no purchase necessary, and the honey was pretty tasty.

Now the food: Each year the Pork Council of South Dakota grills thousands of pounds of fresh pork loin right over the coals, at several locations. It's an all you can eat, so you big boys (and girls) can get your fair share.. here's where and when to go!

Aug 10: 10-3pm Krulls, Hill City SD
Aug 10: " " Belle Forouche Dakota Mart

Aug 11 10-3pm Sturgis Dakota Mart, Lazelle St, Sturgis

Aug 12: 10-3pm Deadwood, "Schade Winery"

Aug 13: 10-3pm Sturgis Dakota Mart, Lazelle St, Sturgis

We're big fans of these free sandwiches, and ABM bets you will be too.

Bon appetite!

I-29 detours, first arrivals fill watering holes:

2011-08-05T09:06:00.000-07:00

Bad News for Bikers using I-29:

A sand bagged interstate?

It's an unreal scene. Water on both sides of the interstate, from St. Joseph, Mo, on north all the way up to Omaha, Ne, including the eastern bank of the swollen Missouri river. Louisiana, Mississippi bayou country has nothing on the lowlanders here. Farm houses, barns, etc, sit on pinnacles of wet island, surrounded by thousands of acres of prime farm land, underwater. You'd need a boat to get to them.

For bikers, this means time costly delays in getting to Sturgis from the southeast, south, and some of the western areas of the country. Bottom line: Avoid I-29 from St Joseph to north of Omaha/Council Bluffs like the plague, or be prepared to visit little towns like "Tarkio", home of an 1800's one room school house, and some very tasty deep fried fish 'n' chicken.

Two Sturgis bars packed last evening:

Full Throttle: You couldn't park another bike in the lot. It looked like the sales picture of Barnett HD in El Paso. The new kid, EasyRider's steakhouse is hard to miss, slap on Lazelle, at the busy intersection, it fronts right up to the street, and features three levels, with two balconies where you can gawk at the bike traffic. The two balconies were full of people.

9am this morning, It's on:

I wouldn't call it packed on Main, bikes are just beginning to park down the middle of the street. Traffic jam on Lazelle, with bikers heading out to to the many natural attractions. I took a few shots to compare before and after. We'll get them to you when the crowd arrives. Meanwhile, we'll be gathering biker audio, vids, and pics.

Oh yeah, the weather is really fine. A little humidity today, but not enough to complain about. Unlike at the ABM compound, you can actually go outside and not sweat through your shirt in 10 minutes. Future temps are predicted to be in the 80's and even a few 70's..with lows down into the 50's. This could be the best Sturgis riding weather in the past ten years.

One more thing:

The town has installed portable traffic lights at a few intersections. When you see one, there is bound to be a cop parked nearby. Forewarned.

ABM pronounciation guide: Don't let 'em know you're a Sturgis Virgin!

2011-08-02T04:34:00.000-07:00

drum roll, please...?

-1- Pierre, South Dakota's capitol. Say "pier", like in fishing pier.

-2- Belle Fourche, rt 85, just north of Sturgis. "Bell Fooshe", like in douche.

-3- Lead, few mi north of Deadwood. "Led" like your daily dose of Zeppelin.

Moral of this lesson?

Remember "pier" as you watch for deer, get the "led" out, and don't be a douche as you blast through Belle Fourche!

Sturgis Web Cam Mania:

2011-08-01T13:14:00.000-07:00

Use this link for live pic's.
http://sturgiszone.com/sturgis-web-cam/

Sturgis, Crazy horse, I-90, Rapid, Spearfish, Sundance (Wy).

...which goes to prove that some bikers like to stake out their turf early on..

Pure Gas Availability in Meade County, South Dakota:

2011-08-01T04:00:00.000-07:00

Sturgis Area Non-Ethanol Petrol:
(courtesy of Pure-Gas.org)

Deadwood-
Packhorse Liquor, 95 Sherman Street, Amoco.
(unsure of octane rating)

Rapid City-
Big D, (1) 3010 West Main, (2) Campbell Street
Safeway Grocery Store, 730 Mountain View Road
(87, 98, 91 octane)

A couple of shot glasses full of octane booster such as the new Lucas product, or even an older competitor like "STP" will take care of any minor skips in performance with the lower octanes. Add the booster just before you fill up, and never use it without mixing with gas. At five to six thousand feet of elevation, most bikes will run fine on 91, and probably 89 non ethanol straight gas. Air cooled v-twins, with 10:1 or greater compression, especially the older, carb'ed scoots, run cooler, get far better mileage, and last longer when fed what the engines were made to fire on. Until manufacturers design motorcycles to run on ehtanol-blended petrol, it is what it is..

*Footnote:

There has traditionally has been a spot or two in Sturgis with available pure gas, one with 100 octane for sale. Follow us. We'll hunt 'em down soon as we get there.

Backroads cruising to Badlands Nat'l Park:

2011-07-28T05:18:00.000-07:00

Taking the road less travelled?

Interstate 90 will get you to the Badlands, quickly, efficiently, but is that what a cool ride is all about? If you like wide open spaces, and few cages, head from Sturgis/Rapid City the back way!

From Sturgis, head for Rapid City. Beware the "urban" deer. Last Sturgis, ABM's group of five bikes was "jumped" by an equal number of deer. Yes, in the city. They bounded out from behind a car wash, near a fast food joint, likely working off a hamburger-gut-bomb-gas attack. This wasn't one of those far away deals..we slid to a halt, brakes locked to the max.

On the east side Rapid, on I-90, exit south onto N Elk Vale Road. This takes you up over a domed ridge, and to the intersect of rt 16/79 and rt 44. Take a left onto rt 44, and head east until you reach "Scenic", a tiny speck of a town. Scenic is your jumping off point for southern entry to the Badlands National Park.  For a libation, and perhaps a freshly ground buffalo burger to go with it, drop into the little bar on the right side of rt 44.  The roof is adorned with skulls, you can't miss it. Across the street, and down a bit, is the only gas station for miles. You may have to wait a bit in a motorcycle lineup, and the gas is anything but primo. Don't expect anything over 87 or maybe 89 octane.

Blow thru Scenic, and keep on rt 44 until it branches off to the left on rt 387, which leads into the park. Although there are several days each year when entrance to the park is free, bike week isn't one of them.  Bikers over the age of 62 can purchase a lifetime national park pass for a one time charge of ten bucks.  For the rest of the biker nation not wanting a yearly pass, it's ten bucks a bike, and should you wish to return, it's good for a week. Now that you have your money out, look for the town of "Interior", then you'll see 387. Once inside the park, many make the mistake of taking 240 back up to the I-90, and miss 90% of the park. Hang a left onto 240 west at the fork, and it will take you all the way back on the highest ridges overlooking the spires, canyons, and bluffs.  Keep going, and eventually, you'll end up in Wall, SD, home of a famous biker-tourist trap, "Wall Drugs". It's a huge drug store with cheesy souvenirs too numerous to count. If riding two up, it may take some time to extricate from the joint.. it's like fly paper to the fairer sex!

When in the park, please show some respect. Candy wrappers, cig butts, riding your bike on the trails, speeding, all possibly come with a price to pay.

Badlands National Park is home to nearly a quarter million acres of mixed grass prairie, spires, and pinnacles. Keep your eye open as you cruise, looking for the occasional sharply eroded bluff for a perfect photo opportunity!

Warning:

Last August, the meadows surrounding rt 44 were awash in grasshoppers. Bikes were absolutely covered in a weird smear of green and yellow, which for lack of a local car wash, baked into a powdercoat. Clouds of the suckers, and if you don't own a windshield, it's like being shot over and over with rubber bullets.. To be fair, it's the first time in our ten trips to the Black Hills that this ever happened.

Getting Hitched in Sturgis?? ABM makes it easy to give up half of everything you own..

2011-07-27T06:38:00.000-07:00

(1) What's it going to cost us? $40.00

(2) Where? Sturgis-1425 Sherman St (next 2 the library). 605-347-3930
                   (valid id required, no blood test)
(3) Why? Because we bikers have every right to be as miserable as non bikers!
                (it's a joke..ha ha..)

(4) Pop the top on a bottle of cheap champagne, stick a candle in a donut,
      consumate..

...Now pronounce you...Mr. and Mrs.. (fill in the blank!)

2011-07-27T06:23:00.000-07:00

Each August, we see happy, (nervous) couples wanting a marriage license. They're usually with vendors, and people who've been issued a ticket or two. Is marriage in your immediate future? Why not do the dirty deed, done dirt cheap, in Meade county, and avoid the florist, photographer, dj/band, and expensive country club? Cash saved can pay for the trip out and back, and have enough left over for a used HD Sportster! (trust me, I know!)

Hot-Cold-Middlin' Temps: Sturgis has them all!

2011-07-17T05:06:00.000-07:00

107 high, 34 low?

Headed for a week or two in the Black Hills, and you're unsure of what gear to drag along? Take our advice. Pack a set for 107 degrees, and a set for 34 degrees.

"But Jeff", she said.. "It's August, we don't need two changes of stuff."

Oh, what a difference ten years makes. In those ten, we've been pelted with torrential rain, sleet, baseball size hail, and had it so hot, the main street sausage 'n' onions vendors could have turned off the gas and let that pile of food cook in the sun.

2004: We're camped, primitive style (no electricity or water), I'm making coffee at sunrise. It's pretty chilly, but I figure that's from not being used to sleeping in a tent. What looks like falling ash from a distant fire is recognized as snow flakes. Yes, snow. In August. In South Dakota. Four or so years later, we're on main in Sturgis, 2pm, and it's 107. Forget this is your brain on motorcycles ad, you coulda cooked an egg in a drinking fountain.

What have we learned here today? In a week or ten days of enjoying all the Black Hills has to offer, it's likely you will be rained on, sleeted on, get cold enough so that your teeth chatter, and maybe see the temp land somewhere between 100 and 107.

Oh, and Sturgis will be basked in a balmy 100 degrees of sun tomorrow.

Sturgis 2011: Lots to see, lots to do!

2011-07-16T06:22:00.000-07:00

Backstreet Chopper Show:

Monday, Aug 8, Full Throttle Saloon. Free admission. No registration or entry fee. For those who seek hand made parts and do-dads of every sort and description. Must see for those who enjoy Willie's in Daytona.

Many Sturgis events are listed at this link. www.sturgis.com

If you venture into the Buffalo Chip to camp, or drop by for one of the many shows, make sure your stop includes a visit to see Michael Lichter's art, along with some outstanding iron. http://www.buffalochip.com/

Unhappy Campers?

Fed bickering could shut down fed owned campgrounds as soon as Aug 2:

Some of the surrounding Black Hills parks provide free tent camping for bikers so long as we're no further than 300 feet from the road, and/or 100 feet from any stream or body of water. Washington DC bickering may well close our national parks if a budget agreement is not reached by August 2nd. Our advice is to put in place a solid backup plan just in case neither side blinks. A trend in place, recently seen, involves chasing hard working Americans who've saved all year in order to enjoy a week or two in the wilderness, only to be driven out as our outstanding state and perhaps, now, federal government closes parks and recreation areas. As we said, have a backup plan in place just in case..

Hoka-Hey Extends Registration Deadline:

Hoka-Hey exec Beth Durham informs ABM that the registration deadline for it's Phoenix to Nova Scotia run has been extended. This year, partcipants will be tracked via USFleet Tracking GPS. HH informs us that if you register for the run after July 25, or are having problems installing your tracking device on the bike, no sweat, they'll provide reps from the company at Chester's HD/Phoenix starting point right up to the green flag. www.hokaheychallenge.com ABM is planning interviews as the participants lay over in Sturgis, but there are a few hoops to shoot through this year.

Hoka-Hey $1,000,000 MC Challenge Announces Changes!

2011-04-22T04:08:00.000-07:00

Relax, the basic run for a million bucks is unchanged! Here's the new:

(1) San Diego has been ditched. The run now begins in Phoenix, Az.
(2) Big Sponsor: Harley-Davidson finally woke up and smelled the coffee.
(3) Sturgis Layover: Broken Spoke Campground gets the coup.

Our thanks to Beth Durham for the info. For more on this year's $1,000,000 Hoka Hey Challenge, go to www.hokaheychallenge.com

The Sheer Magnitude of Saturday's Leesburg BF Crowd Blew Us Away.

2011-04-10T04:12:00.000-07:00

Police Blotter: Seven Saturday accidents, no deaths reported.

It's more than just the main drag, longer than Sturgis and Daytona combined, it's the combination of off street parking lots, plus a half mile of bikes parked roadside far beyond the 10 block area of the town's center. As a free ride in, it's hard to quantify the numbers of bikers who made the bikefest, but this year was obviously far and away, larger than 2010. Add to this, the sight of area bars with packed parking lots, and one begins to appreciate the enormity of this, the world's largest three day biker event. How does ABM know it's the world's largest? Because we've interviewed bikers from around the world. They are blown away by the size of our "Meetings". (yes, meetings). One to five thousand is a blowout crowd anywhere else. In America, it's a disappointment. The USA has the finest bikers anywhere, and runs like this one prove it.

Yes, we saw cops, like several FHP mc's on patrol, one pointing a laser device down #441, but no customers, as several pick up cars and bikes down the road idled under a Spanish moss-soaked oak tree. Since we've been here, we haven't seen one biker get a ticket, an arrangement which seems to work well for both sides.

ABM took a midday break from doing what we do to sip a cold draft under a big tent, crowded with bikers from all walks of life, including 1%'s from a famous American club. All were enjoying themselves as if it was a family reunion (without the usual family reunion drama).

We have no idea what's in the water down here (our only complaint, the h2o tastes like a--s), that seems to mellow everyone out. Probably has nothing to do with the water, and everything to do with being welcomed by townspeople who sincerely appreciate the biker. We're so used to being hosed for our bucks, then shoved aside for the next victim, that, at times, this one is nearly a surreal experience. Enough gushing, you get the idea.

Soon it will be time to blast back through rural central Florida for the 140 miles back to the ABM compound. Hopefully we'll find some ripe tomatoes and a big head of lettuce in the garden. I could eat a ton of it. This is a great year to start your first garden. You'll save a hundred bucks (or more) a month and the fresh veggies are so good, they give you a vitamin buzz. But I digress. One more swing through town, and we're on the road again, and like we say every single trip,

"We're always smilin' on the way home from Leesburg."

Kids! Please do not attempt to duplicate at home!

2011-04-10T03:31:00.000-07:00

Taking a pair of Eric Buell's finest to the next level!

BIKES IN THE RAT'S HOLE: LBF-2011-

2011-04-09T13:22:00.000-07:00

BIKER ART

Leesburg Bikefest 2011 People & Bike Pics, Great Times, Real People

2011-04-09T12:13:00.000-07:00

SHOULDA BEEN HERE! LIVE, LOVE LIFE!

Leesburg Bikefest Saturday Happennings: Free Is Good!

2011-04-09T04:22:00.000-07:00

Congrats for gettin' offa th' couch!

Let's do some biker stuff!

Bikers are attracted to Leesburg for the usual reason, to "do what we do". You can roll into town with ten bucks in your pocket, and roll out 12 hours later with ten bucks still in your pocket. This is a "gouge-less" event. Riding a wide trike, too "new" for heavy traffic, or (gasp!) you're a cager? Ride in to the party in the street. Take the Leesburg Bikefest Park n'ride Shuttle. One way for a buck. "Da Bus" in Sturgis costs ten times more..do we sense an evolving theme? www.ridelakexpress.com

Here are a few highlights from today's schedule. See one, or see 'em all, free of charge.

Biker Games: Noon-2pm, Rat's Hole area, 5th and Magnolia. Do we sense a "weenie bite" contest?

Rat's Hole Custom Bike Show: (1 block off the main drag, Magnolia Street) 10a-5pm today.

Ride Like A Pro HD Skill Show: (parking lot adjacent to the Rat's Hole lot) every half hour on the hour, 11:30am through 4:30pm. See how the experts ride a bagger like it's a Gixxer.

Team Extreem: (across the street from Rat's Hole) Sport bike stoppies, wheelies, stunting taken to the next level. Cool dudes on hot bikes. A real crowd pleaser. Five shows today, 10:30a, 3p, 6p, 9pm.

Beauty and the Beasts Grin 'n' Win?

Ms. Gator Harley Bikini Contest, Gator HD, 1pm on the dealership stage.

Miss Rat Mate Contest: Rat's hole 4pm, Rat's Hole lot.

Mr. LuckyMan hot body contest: Bud Main Stage, 5:30pm. (Do the ladies love shaved chests?)

Bands: All day, evening, all weekend: 44 bands, playing six stages throughout town.

Saturday Headliner: Georgia's Jackyl, stars of Sturgis BW. See 'em here free, 9:30 tonight, heart of town.

Ride safe, but ride! Life is short.
(Don't forget your sunblock and h2o)

Leesburg Builder's Cool Trike: Where's the gas tank..There it is!

2011-04-09T03:13:00.000-07:00

Leesburg Rocketeer?

2011-04-08T13:59:00.000-07:00

ABM has been alerted by a local eyewitness, (corroborated by a second eyewitness), who both say they saw a sport bike performing high speed wheelies past their work place, right on us# 441, (a local heavily travelled six line, between Leesburg, and Tavares). Their account had the runaway stunter hooking a hard left into a nearby shopping mall, then back out onto 441, in the opposite direction, all the while with an 8 cop posse in hot pursuit. We were told he dumped the stolen rocket and fled into the woods, and remains at large.

Leesburg Bikefest '11 Pics!

2011-04-08T11:05:00.000-07:00

This morning (Friday) 10:30am.

How early do we have to arrive to find a spot to park?

What's a bike event without a poochie shot?

Nothin' like a fresh tangerine!

Real Deal Meals...for the frugal biker!

2011-04-08T04:47:00.000-07:00

If saving $10, $20, or $30 bucks on a big meal for two sounds like a good idea, take a look at these opportunities!

Free?
Yes, free breakfast(s)!

Saturday: Stormy Hill Harley Davidson, 2480 Hwy 27, Clermont, Fl. Close by. 352.243.7111
Each year they throw a free pancake breakfast at the dealership. This year, it's 8:00-10:30am.

Sunday: Leesburg Christian Center, 2508 Westside Drive, Leesburg. 352.787.6392
Free pancake breakfast, fellowship. Breakfast, 8:45am, worship 10am.

Damm Near Free:

East Main St. Eats, 949 East Main, Leesburg. 352.326.8353
Nixon-era breakfast tab? Eggs, bacon or sausage and grits....$1.29!
99 cent beers. Lunch/dinner specials.

Pretty Cheap Considering:

Spillway Grill and Marina, 10432 CR 44, Leesburg. 352.504.0237
Friday: All you can eat fish fry-$9.95. Saturday: All you can eat prime rib, $10.95.
We paid $17.00 for two boney, skiny T-Bones from the supermarket last week, so it's on!
Until our next Leesburg report, so long for now from the shoreline of Lake Harris!

Leesburg Bikers Arrive Early

2011-04-08T03:34:00.000-07:00

Groups of riders seen throughout Florida. At times, as many bikes as cages, especially out in the countryside. Count on them to shift toward downtown Leesburg today through Sunday, the party is on!

Gator Bay Marina gas, down to 30 gallons: Gator Bay Marina, not to be confused with Gator Joe's, site of the famous FBI shootout with Ma Barker, is one of three spots we mentioned as a good place to get non ethanol gas is having to close their pump, not because there is no gas, but because the pump rings up a max of $4 per gallon, and they need to be getting more than that to make a profit! Best bet, one of the other two listed in our last blog. While at Gator Bay, a couple of Ohio bikers rolled in, and they couldn't stop gushing about how nice the weather is. Come to find out, it's been snowing up there, yes, in April. Ps..The place was packed. They were sipping drafts, gazing out over the cat tails and water, waiting for fried fish.

Hungry? All you can eat sound good? Like fish, like say.. flounder? Try Cedar River Seafood, rt 441, between Leesburg and Tavares, next to the cage dealers offers all you can eat of the flatties. Early bird special, before 4pm, $7.99. And there's no place like the deep south to sink your teeth into a big old side of deep fried okra. Burp..

Headed to Leesburg? Wear plenty of sun block, and cover up during the ride. Sun's pretty intense, and we're going for 89 up into the lower 90's before this one is history. Increasing humidity means you should sip a big bottle of water, especially if you're experiencing signs of dehydration, like sleepiness during midday.

Look for ABM's intrepid interviewers on the streets of Leesburg throughout this weekend. We'll bring reports, including pics and vids to this blog as time, equipment, brain cells permit.

93 Octane, No Ethanol Pump Gas, Leesburg!

2011-04-02T06:53:00.000-07:00

Where to find clean gas in/around Leesburg:

Leesburg is surrounded by lakes and little towns, very close together, so we're talking perhaps 2-10 miles from the center of town to any of these three. Farther away, any boater's marina will have non ethanol gas. Since this is "Lake Country", the marinas are numerous. Visit the marinas during late morning/midday hours as they get busy when the boats are launching (early am) or trucking out (late midday to dinner hour). They're happy to have your business so long as you don't interfere with their regular boat customers who need to get out there and catch some bream!

(1)

Harris Oil Co. (NOT a marina)

93 OCTANE, BABY!

This stuff will make a tight engine sound like someone's snappin' a piano wire!

close to Leesburg

21901 US #441

Mt. Dora, Fl.

352.383.2322

m-f, 9-5

sat 8-noon

CLOSED SUNDAY.

Marinas, usually open 7 days a week, breakfast to dinner time:

(2)

Venetian Cove Marina
(closest to Leesburg)

250 Ballpark Road

352.728.9870

(3)

Gator Bay Marina

(northeast of Leesburg)

10320 CR #44

352.365.2177

'74 Ironhead Sporty Needs New Home! (it tried to stay here)

2011-03-18T06:06:00.000-07:00

100% Original? Yes!

Nothing changed, altered or removed. Totally intact, right down to the muffler mounting bracket.

Check it out...

...and then..."Time to go home, sporty...Awwww..isn't that sweet? She doesn't want to leave!"

After 30+ kicks, an' three pushes down the driveway, we finally figured out she wasn't getting any gas. Bad accelerator pump. Pulled choke out all the way, and off she went.

(yeah, its got a starter. the batt was dead.)

Ride In Bike Show: Not a loser on the lot!

2011-03-11T06:50:00.000-08:00

This is gonna be tough:

...we didn't see one bike we didn't want to ride!

Hat's off to the founder, Willie of Tropical Tattoo. He's the dude who looks like Billy Gibbons.

...in order to enter, you and your bike have to be rollin' in, make it to your space, otherwise, it's a long wait 'till Biketoberfest.
Check out the kid! How cool is his pop?

More ride in shots-We'll try to get them all to this site evntually, but here are a few more to whet your appetite!

Green Hornet?

2011-03-10T07:56:00.000-08:00

Cop Magnet, or FROG BAIT?

TriaBusa 3 Wheeled Oriental Chop?

2011-03-10T07:53:00.000-08:00

Tria-Trike, twin turbo 'Busa Rocks!

..seen at the Daytona Int'l Speedway:

Cole Slaw Throwdown!

2011-03-10T07:47:00.000-08:00

Cabbage Patch Bar-Daytona Bike Week 03-09-2011:

YA GOTTA EAT YER' VEGGIES!

Cabbage Patch Stuffed with Bikers!

2011-03-09T12:13:00.000-08:00

Parking Lot Full at 11am

By 1:30pm, a big (for a Wednesday) crowd surged toward the fence as the tractor shredded head after head of fresh grown Florida cabbage. After that, on went the oil, and of course, it was the girl's turn to mix it up. ABM will post pic's first thing in the morning. Back at the campground, we need nothing more than a cold one and some shade.

Tough to estimate the crowd, which looked to be maybe 10,000 or more. Food vendors were going full bore with everything from sirloin tips to eggrolls. The lemonade people were having a tough time moving the fresh donuts, but everything else was selling well.

ABM had a great time passing out biz cards, and we welcome our new listeners via Twitter.com/abmrocks, or Facebook.com/americanbikerminute. To hear a show, simply click on a link or two, and our daily show will be auto loaded onto your mp3 player. Ten days of interviews await from Daytona Bike Week. We hope you enjoy, and return often.

Cop update: Much better, dudes. Yesterday was sheer overkill. The bikers are really behaving themselves this year. We see almost no examples of stupid stuff, so there should rightfully be almost no tickets issued. Times are tough, every penny counts.

Look for our pics of (1) Cole Slaw Tourney (2) the "Triabusa Chopper", and (3) The Green Hornet. If the mouse doesn't fall off the treadmill, they'll be up tomorrow morning.

FYI: We tried to film some HD of the slaw, but our Flip-cam was fogged up from a couple nights of heavy dew. We'll try to roast the h2o out of it tonite.

Till then, ride safe.

Pix! 70th Daytona Bike Week:

2011-03-08T08:35:00.000-08:00

main st, daytona bike week, 2011, yesterday(mon), 1:30pm:

Monday afternoon, 1pm:

Daytona Bike Week: The Perfect Storm?

2011-03-07T09:16:00.000-08:00

Or is it business as usual?

Good Signs:

(1) Bikes were all over the place way early this year. Main Street was packed on Thursday.

(2) Bikers are lining up to drop cash. One bar in South Daytona is advertising "Dom", $250 a bottle-what?

Not So Good:

(1) Oil hits $107 bbl. That's enough to scare the hell out of anyone, even bikers.

(2) Bikers from the northeast, and Canada are snowed in. We've heard the stories from their family and friends who left early. The stay behinds can't get out of the driveway. We didn't believe it until seeing tv this morning.

and something REALLY WEIRD?

(3) One of the foreign dude vendors is blowing out..Hoodies, 2 for$25. That is not a beginning of the rally price. They know what they're doing, so it makes you wonder.

One thing's for sure, the bikers are out riding their buns off. Biz at the usual locations is way off in the mornings, but comes roaring back in the afternoon &evening. For example, yesterday's high was 80 something. Everyone in the campground is sun burned, wind burned to the max. We used spf 100 and still came up lookin' like a ripe mango!

Where to get non-ethanol gas in Daytona!

2011-03-03T09:14:00.000-08:00

Why The Concern?

Ah, we wish our only concern was poor mileage, lousy performance. Alas, older bikes, and those tuned for peak performance may overheat and die from an E-10 mix, and E-10 is all you can get here in Florida, UNLESS you get gas from a dealer who sells the pure stuff. Usually, this means visiting one of the many area marinas, or..

Daytona Gas 'n' Grills

201 North Ridgewood Avenue

(Close to Main and Beach Street)

386-255-7705

Non ethanol gas: $3.759/gallon, good deal.

We checked this morning, and they're open for business. Hours are Monday-Friday 8-5:30, Saturday 9-2pm, and they are CLOSED ON SUNDAY.

If your motorcycle is not used to running an ethanol mix, this or any area marina is where you should be filling up your precious motorcycle.

Fried Indian!

2011-03-03T06:58:00.000-08:00

Don't Let This Happen To You! Allegedly a bad "Heartland" ignition..wrench says this is not uncommon.

Dude bought the bike last month. Cheap insurance co only gave him $3800 for all this work, and just days before bike week..? The pain..

(ABM tip of the kickstand to "Mel" & "Scary Larry" at Jax Biker Gear for these pic's!)

Daytona Primitive Tent Camping Hot Spots!

2011-02-26T09:08:00.000-08:00

Don't need a hot tub an' cable tv?
Have we got deals for you!

-Primitive Tent Camping-

$10 per person, per night:

Daytona 200 MC campground: Located halfway between Daytona and Deland, on rt92. Ten bucks per night, for three people. Thirty bucks w/or not you bring 3. Huge indoor clubhouse with kitch, big screeen tv, open 24 hrs. During a huge rainstorm, we were able to escape the tent to spend the night where it was dry and warm. Nice people, clean place. NO CAGES! 386-677-2061

$15 per person, per night (plus tax)

ABATE of Florida: Off rt 92, a little farther west then the above spot, located on the Volusia County Fairgrounds. 24 hour security. Clean, hot, portable shower setup. The name ABATE says it all. 386-943-9610.

Bulow World (CABBAGE PATCH) Campground: Samsula, about 20 minutes south west of the Speedway. This one belongs to the brother of the dude who owns the cabbage patch. He told us "daddy" left his brother the "gold mine", and he got the crappy lot. No problemo. He's turned it into his own little gold mine. Two sep lots, both sides of the road, surrounding the world famous Cabbage Patch, home of unlimited female cole slaw wrestling. If you want to be with party people, this is a great place to drive your tent stakes into the sand. Huge vendor scene, great food, decent beer prices..$2/draft last Biketoberfest. $15/nite/per biker. Shady lots, first come first serve.
Caveat: This place becomes extremely congested with traffic when the girls go to fightin'!
800-RV-BULOW

Moonshine Campground: Just north of Destination Daytona on US1, the lot used to be a swamp before someone filled it in, so keep that in mind. Traffic congestion (and cop congestion) is a given here. After a few days of it, you may wish to elect to take the opposite direction to get to Daytona as it gets P-A-C-K-E-D. Still, $15/nite/person is a pretty decent rate, yes? 386-677-1550

New Smyrna Bch Campground: Right across from the little New Smyrna Speedway. ABM likes camping south of Daytona, especially when we get that occasional chilly day or two. This area is closer to the water, nice folks, and the price is right. 386-527-6010

$25 per person, per night (plus tax)

Thunder Gulch Campground: Located just north of Bunnell, Fl, on US1, this place has it all...Think we caught Blackfoot there a couple back. Everything from brew to food to washing machines. Biker oriented, eclectic crowd, much like the cabbage patch. 800-714-8388. At double the money, it's your call..

New Smyrna KOA: Again, nice place, but 25 bucks for a patch o' dirt? Hell, this is 2011..still, if you feel the need for whatever it is that the KOA has which people pay up for, have at it. We haven't used a KOA since our old camping days in the Fl Keys, and they were $20/nite for two. Those days are gone forever. 386-767-0095

$80per night for 2, (plus tax)

Flea Market Campground: Wish we had better things to say about this place, but we don't. Guy told us $65 for a site with electric, which we needed, because it was freezing cold for a few days last spring..when we got there, all fried out to the max, the price went up $15/nite. The lot wasn't too bad, but the showers were in worse condition than those in a Gulag. No kidding dude.. there may not be a worse place to camp in all of Daytona, unless you're in one of those huge rolling RV's, and you don't need anything more than electric and a place to park where you won't get stuck. Even though it's minutes from the speedway, and has a "stocked" fish pond, two thumbs down. Lose the phone number.

Looking for a hotel? Wait until the LAST MINUTE, and use the internet. Don't forget to secure your trailer. Daytona has an unattended trailer law, even if you leave it in the shopping mall lot for 30 minutes, you're gonna pay a hefty fine + an impound fee! Check out the airport, or speedway, where we think you can leave it for around $50 a week, with e-z cum and go.

Is it that time again? 70th Daytona Spring Bike Week? HELL YEAH!

Sixty Days, and It's History!

2011-01-17T11:45:00.000-08:00

Daytona Bike Wk: March 4 - 13.

Scantily-clad women, bikes, brewskies, and bands. If you haven't tried it yet, you haven't done it all. Listen for your ABM camping guide to Volusia County. Why pay too much for dirt?

(Beats the hell out of plowing snow)

Leesburg's 15th Annual Bike Fest First Week of April.*

New for this year, an in-town campground, sponsored by ABATE/Fl. $15/nite, hot showers.

Whata deal!

Free Entertainment on the Steps of City Hall:

Friday Nite..."Slaughter"

Saturday Nite..."Jackyl"

*This is an ABM five star event. You won't find a kinder reception anywhere on biker earth.

Juicy oysters, all you can eat 6.99 fish dinners, hot Disney girls, and sidewalk cocktails.

Only 7 Weeks To Go!

2011-01-14T04:11:00.000-08:00

..Will they find my tongue stuck to a flagpole?

Better half tells of the "service engine soon" light on the chev 4x4, and she takes the 2nd truck for the day, leaving your faithful servant to fend for himself on the corporate chopper. Left at 10:30am, and it's 34 degrees. I need either (1) a windshield, or (2) one of them DEA face masks. Four more rides that day, and the temp never got above 46. Needless to say, the 50's are now a cake walk.

Our thanks to "Butch", who, for a bag of fresh grapefruits, carried in a brief case and a hook up for the truck's diagnostic jack. Within minutes, he was able to define a problem with the oxygen sensors. His suggestion (use at your own risk), for owners who experience a tick tick tick in their tappets, is to drain out the old oil, leaving in the filter, put in 3 quarts of transmission fluid, and drive the truck for a block or two, return, drain and change back to regular 5w-30. One tappet in my 6-liter beast has been slightly noisy on start up for the last 3 years, but on the morning he shows up, it purrs like a 10wk old kitten..

Speaking of which:

Now we know who's boss around here. After the old age demise of 2 of my three pets, just 3 months apart, swore I'd never bury another, after the last passes. Two weeks ago, the "half", and her best friend conspired to sneak a little all-black kitten into the compound, and of course, the little b----rd loves me. What's not to like :} ?? Here we go again.

Cold Weather Making you miserable?

Daytona Bike Week: 49 Days!

Female Bikers Stronger Than Dudes?

2010-12-24T04:50:00.000-08:00

Six AM: 31 Degrees, off she goes..

Besting me by a total of 12 degrees, little fur pooch adorned with Christmas jingle bells atop her 30 inch sissy bar, off for a 15 mile ride in the dark. I'm shamed, and that's fine. 31 degrees is too cold for even beer.

Cave in to the dark side: Rent it?

For many years, ABM has split fire wood for the compound pit by hand, using only an ax, sledge hammer, and wedges, both iron and wood, which some, would say is a daunting task. This year, gave into the dark side, and rented an engine driven log splitter, maybe the best 57 bucks we ever spent on energy. Within four hours, a cord of neatly stacked oak was at the ready. Probably saved a week's worth of hard labor. The worst part was a half hour drive to return it to Sunbelt rentals.

Considering A Christmas Day Ride?

Why not..? Christmas eve traffic will be terrible. Come tomorrow morning, no one will be on the road...(except us). A bro's club does a yearly New Year's Day ride. They're all excited about the road being clear of snow..hope it holds. Sure beats a dip in the water off Coney Island.

One of the nation's top ten shopping destinations?

For some odd reason we can't understand, or maybe someone involved with the survey has a drinking problem, my town has been voted one of the "ten best mall shopping areas" in the USA. What? Postman says shoppers are coming in from all over the south to gawk at "Tiffany's". Hmmm.. A Gold Ring or a Gold Wing? A classic diamond, or an Elektra Glide Classic? I just don't get it.

Merry Christmas!

Deep Freeze!

2010-12-07T09:02:00.000-08:00

Makes Oranges Sweeter..

Sunshine state's in the cooler. My town couldn't make it to fifty yesterday, or today. For this early in the season, this cold weather is insane. Opt for "Florida Oranges" this year. The colder the wx, the sweeter they are. California citrus ain't even close.

Buzzards Circle ABM's Garden..

We picked so many green tomatoes, every window with southern exposure in the house is loaded with 'em. 20-pc stems of cherry tomatoes look like holiday decorations. Half the garden is toast, we move on to protecting the citrus trees with a little water early in the morning.

Look on the bright side..

Too cold to ride with jeans on, and while rummaging around, located a heavy set of leather pants we bought at a Daytona Spring Bike Week sale, for...are you ready..? $19.95. I don't even mind that they're a size 40 waist, and I'm a 36, they're warm, and that's all that counts.

Also Bright..

There's nothing like ice cold air to make the bike run like it's brand new, although the rebuilt S&S111 in our corporate chopper is nearly new, after last summer's rebuild, and man, does it run sweet. Now if I could just remember to use the "enrich" (that's a "choke" for you fuel injection types).

...Is this the last day...

2010-11-30T10:56:00.000-08:00

...Of 80 degree fall weather?

With a high of only 60, forget Phoenix, ditto California and the west coast. How about 82/partly cloudy. The air feels like summer.

Biker dude bro, "Slash", who recently moved to Portland, Or, had better like wet 'n' cold.

For all the crap Florida gets about being too hot, too humid, even too flat, we got it goin' on, at least for one last day..The riding this fall has been incredible. The shops heavy into leathers are starving to death.

ABM's fall garden is going ganbusters. A couple of tomatoes are almost the size of them little watermelons they sell at the store. If you can make it on over to the compound before 6pm, we got a nice roast going' over the kingsford's, plus a tasty side of linguine with fresh eggplant sauce..

Iced down oysters roasting over an open fire...

2010-11-26T04:48:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving: What Turkey?

Gimme that horseradish sauce!

Pity the poor postman who couldn't make it over for yesterday's ABM's annual "save the poor bird" feast. His old lady had him on lock down the entire 80 degree day. The family motorcycle doctor made the scene, and with his better half, and mine, managed to destroy most of a bushel of fresh roasted oysters, and a 10 pound pan of home made eggplant lasagna. Of course, there's always room for a fresh pumpkin pie with the secret crust recipe. burp..burp.. The wrench was so stuffed, he had a rough time bending over to tie up his shoes.

Regrets:

That our Thanksgiving show didn't mention using this opportunity to take a short ride, where possible. The main drag we live about one mile from, hosts over 200,000 vehicles a day, but not Thanksgiving morning. We rode 7 miles without seeing a single cage. It was like the aftermath of a neutron bomb, with us, the only survivors. Country riding in the middle of a city of one million, doesn't get better than that.

ABM's 12 Biker Days of Christmas, Dec 14 - 25, promises shopping biker interviews, cool gifts for not a lot of money, including the new HD WII riding across America platform. We also host a tribute to redneck bikers, the original recyclers, and how you can decorate your tree with shotgun shell lights, and your door with a toilet seat wreath. We wrap it up with a look at how 2010 has been for American Bikers, and present our top 5 resolutions for 2011.

Has anyone seen my wife?

The ABM compound came to life at 2am this morning, not even 3 hours after your faithful servant hit the sack. "Goodbye, I'm leaving now". Uh, okay..? Maybe she has a boyfriend..anyway, I'm too tired to care, and drift back off to sleep. 4:40am, the phone rings, and she's wanting to know if i want an extra one tig hard drive from Target? We almost hit the door on the way out to find the fone..40 minutes later, phone rings again, and she's at some crappy department store, all excitied, yelling she just got $80 worth of bed pillows for $18. What in the hell was wrong with the old ones? After all of the food and drink yesterday, how she does it is beyond me, but that's women, can't live with 'em can't live w/o 'em.. roger that?

Riding Weather Doesn't Get Any Better Than Now:

2010-11-21T08:37:00.000-08:00

Got 5 days?
(if you won't be missed..)
Come on down!

Back in October, we thought the weather couldn't get any better than it was for Biketoberfest. Ditto, Veteran's weekend, although it started out cool. For Thanksgiving week, what better early winter break than to ride your scoot into the sunshine for 5 or 6 days.. 80 degree highs are expected most of next week, before a weekend cool down. You don't have to go all the way to Miami.. It's warm every where on Florida's east coast. So, if you don't have plans to stuff yourself next Thursday, consider a ride down into the sunshine, and record breaking temps. This year's Fl fall riding is the best it's ever been.

Fl's Oldest Biker Bar Celebrates Veterans Week:

2010-11-05T06:44:00.000-07:00

Warm, Florida partying before the inevitable?

The White Eagle Lounge, arguably Florida's oldest biker bar will again host a weekend of bands, camping, and veteran brotherhood at their compound, about 15 minutes north of Daytona, on US1. We spoke with "Howie", one of the WEL's owners. He recommends arriving early for the festivities, including vendors, and all day/night music. This is a working man's establishment, and we can't remember seeing any posers at this property. The joint is donating a portion of the proceeds back to veteran's groups, and if last year is any indication of what's expected this time around, (11/12 - 11/14), the rational person would conclude that they'd better pull the old pup tent out of storage one more time. PT's power trio, headed by local talent Pat Travers never disappoints. The boy can play, and sing, that's for sure. Scheduled for 7pm Saturday night. Are we going? Are you kidding? I'll bring a spare air mattress this time..

Cold, Damm Cold:

After 5 weeks of warm sunshine, and not a drop of rain, central and north Fl temps are headed for Christmas this weekend, with lows in the upper 30's some spots. Next week we rebound back to the normal 70's and 50's. Nothing like waking up in the morning and your water bottles are frozen solid. Next weekend we should be back to normal.

Where are the weekend replacement Fl Bikers?

2010-10-18T04:21:00.000-07:00

For some, biggest BTF ever:

One vendor said it was his best fall rally ever.

Remember we were amazed at the number of NY, PA, etc plates? Having to be back at work this morning, as they cleared, a lot of NC, KY, AL, Ga, etc plates took their place. By Sunday afternoon, you could tell things were winding down. For some odd reason, the usual Sat-Sun rush of Florida bikers didn't materialize, like, for instance, last year. Destination Daytona was almost empty yesterday afternoon.

All week, vendors selling tee shirts, long sleeves, and hoodies were shall we say, "reluctant" to lower asking prices, likely figuring that the last day or two would bring in some fresh meat. They were wrong, and this spring, they'll have a ton of tees to try and push off on us as "vintage" shirts. Don't feel sorry for them. It hasn't rained at all this month in central/north Florida. The weather was perfect for the rally, they just got a little greedy at the end. $3, anyone? Do I hear 2$?

Heartbroken from South Carolina: The poor dude, (and poor us), who dropped in to the "Bantam" fish fry (see previous blog) for a monster example of carbs stuffed with piscatorial delight. The place was.. closed, something we don't remember happening on Sunday. Maybe they ran out of fish? On the way up there, we were nearly run over on the 95 by an 18-wheeler carrying a load of..you guessed, it.. seafood. Man he sure was in a hurry to get to Daytona.

ABM is working on a week of shows dedicated to America's veterans. Soon as we sort out all of the audio, we'll attempt to bring you some pic's of BTF.

Check out this week's ABM's to find out more about how the federal government is offering police departments a nice little $350,000 grant, each, if they promise to use the fund "exclusively" to target.. yep, you guessed it, US. Today, tomorrow, and Wednesday, on your local American Biker Minute affiliate, or online at twitter.com/abmrocks or facebook.com.americanbikerminute.

Not as big as Spring, but just as much fun!

2010-10-16T06:47:00.000-07:00

Biketoberfest, baby!

(momentary lapse of communication--VFW internet perpetually down, and I kid you not, squirrels ate thru the library's fiber optic line!)

(excuses, excuses..this will bring you up to date.)

Thursday:

Tropical Tattoo: The TT ride in bike show had, in this reporter's humble opinion, more cool iron than last springs blowout. We're thinking that dudes (and dudettes) have, on average, more spare time to tinker with barn finds in their garages, so more old bikes are being chopped, or restored. Some of the Japanese tired iron (back when they came with metal fenders and such), looked like they'd be a bast to ride around town, and you'd have to go back in time to find more shovels. The old HD shovel heads were wall to wall. Pretty cool. We took lots of pics. Look for some at www.americanbikerminute.com after we get back to the studio and sort it all out.

US1/Iron Horse Saloon: Bike parking nearly full, bikers relaxing on the many decks in the bright Florida afternoon sun, great atmosphere, terrific people, but gees, $4.50 for a Corona?

Main Street: Few parking places available at 10am, and the party doesn't "officially" start for 24 hours? If you want a pkg place, get there early. 10am is not out of the question, but 11am is.

Millers/Limpnickie Lot/Last Resort: A few bikers, but the big crowd for this area of town is Sat-Sun. We;ll hit it today for sure.

Friday:

Destination Daytona: Our thanks to the cops and owners for allowing the chop in so S&S could give me a couple tips on adjusting my roller rockers. Much appreciated. Good crowd, not quite as many vendors. Didn't find the HD truck on Beach Street, expected maybe it was at DD, no truck this year? Speaking of Beach Street, we hear that the original Daytona Harley Davidson store has been sold. On this morning's ride, noticed that Bruce Rossmeyer's name was still on the sign, but locals tell me the rumor is true. It changed hands. No where near the usual crowd in their back lot, but the new owner(s) is probably still sorting everything out. Speaking of DD, the I-95 signs seem to have been changed to read.."World's Largest Destination". I have no idea why. You tell me.

Speedway: Plenty of vendor action, not quite as many opp's for "test" riding new bikes, and lots and lots of bikers walking, gawking.

The "Lyndhurst" Boarding Home: $1 draft Bud, $1 hot dogs, always a hit with the frugal biker. Front porch was packed with hungry, thirsty road dogs. Eclectic, happy to be there crowd. Many new friends. The sign on this joint reads something like "$15/a night, visitors, $5, and a time limit. Hmmm...? We're paying $10 to rent a patch of sand, but I'm not complanin'. Look for the big white building with long front porch filled with sipping bikers, right across the street from the back lot of the old Harley store on Beach Street, Daytona Bch.

Saturday:

Just gettin' going. We've seen more NY license plates than about any other state, except FL. We're thinkin' the NY weather must be stinkin' to drive so many south to BTF. Today and Sunday is when the locals come out to play, and with this weather, we expect the crowd to finish strong.

Cabbage Patch: World famous Cole Slaw Wrestling wit de ladies! It's been a good year for both females and cabbage, and we expect a blowout battle this afternoon. Contestants from all walks of life...bank tellers, and school teachers included.

Nation's Oldest City, Oldest Fort=Cool Cruise

2010-10-14T02:46:00.000-07:00

50 mi north of Daytona...

Castillo de San Marco?

Don't taze me on the spelling job, man, but this is one cool place to visit. Cannon, dungeon, and three foot thick walls, overlooking historic St. Augustine's harbor. A national monument, the old Spanish fort is open daily. Also here, tourist-trap stuff like the wax museum, Ripley's and the alligator farm. (want to see "an alligator"?--go to any area pond, or deep puddle of standing water, and keep all digits inside your pants pocket, it's been dry and they get hungry.) St. Augustine has plenty to keep you busy all day, but when you've had your fill...

Fish Sandwich, anyone?

ABM used to use the service of a wrench whose shop was in Bunnell, Florida, a little town up about 10 mi north of Destination Daytona on US1. While he was working, we'd head to near the town's southern stoplight, (there are only 2), for a little hole in the wall called "The Bantam". If you've ever craved a po' boy stuffed with deep fried oysters, or, say a fish sandwich so big, many couples split one to share, this is your spot to stop and sit at the picnic table for a spell with the locals. Thirsty? Florida's oldest biker bar, the "White Eagle", is a half dozen miles down the road in Korona, yes, Korona, on the big curve. It's a bike week all it's own, with vendors, bands, and camping bikers. For some reason, they always seem to run out of Coronas during bike weeks. I never quite got that.

Last hot Daytona day, high near 90. Tonight, 50's, then around 80. No rain last two weeks, and none expected for another week. Leave the rain suit packed, you won't need it here. As the locals come out to play, this F-S-S is expected to be a blowout, with bikes e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e.

Million Dollar Sunrise...For the price of a gallon of gas.

2010-10-13T08:55:00.000-07:00

Get up and smell the coffee!

Sunrise: 7:25am. This is where you want to be. A1A, the little two lane which hugs Florida's First Coast, settled 400 years ago when Spain colonized St. Augustine, our nation's oldest city, but more on that tomorrow. You need to be up and at 'em, and on the road no later than 6:30am. Head out of Daytona on A1A. Little or no traffic this early. Point your front donut north. Pass thru little towns like Flagler Beach, Beverly Beach, Crescent Beach, all before you reach St. Auggie. At some point, you'll simply have to stop and click a pic of the sun breaking over the horizon. Something about the sun rising over the ocean that is simply awe inspiring. We've been seeing this for 30 years, and it never gets old. When you've had your fill, keep heading north, and when you get to St. Augustine, you'll find plenty of opp's for two over easy and a cup of joe.

Got a few more miles in ya?

Good. You won't be sorry. Stay on A1A out of St Augustine, hard right at the "Merry Go Round", and over the Porpoise Point skyway, then hard left, still on A1A north. After about 10 miles of beach front property, it's all park almost all the way to Ponte Vedra Beach, (lower Jacksonville Beach). Guana State Park has areas where you can put the kickstand down, but do not park on the roadside. St John's county boys love to write them 50 dollar pkg tickets. Use the rest areas clearly marked on the west side of A1A. On a weekday morning, you and the honey may be the only two people on the beach for a mile in either direction. Coquina sand, crystal clear blue surf, and for bikers with good eyes, fossilized shark's teeth. They look a little bit like a "T", with a pointed bottom.

When you've had enough, don't forget your history lesson, and a a fish sandwich that'll make burger king's "whopper" look (and taste) like cardboard on a bun! (tomorrow's post).

HAVE FUN! :}

Oct 12 Direction Correction: Blue Springs!

2010-10-13T03:24:00.000-07:00

Our directions to Blue Springs, in the Ocala Nat'l Forest should have directed you to pass over Rt 17, then take a right on Rt 19. (we said Rt 17 twice). We get all excited just thinking about all of the bass, bluegills, and mullet swimming in and around that big blue hole. Worth your while! If your camera will survive being immersed in h2o, you'll have a pic worthy of framing!

Hurricane "Paula" No Threat to Florida's BTF:

2010-10-13T02:58:00.000-07:00

Caribbean Storm:

Hurricane Paula, a cat 2 storm expected to skirt Cuba's southern coast, bringing showers and unsettled weather to south Florida. Daytona will remain dry, with an approaching cold front lowering current 85 degree temps to a more comfortable 75 to 80.

Happy Campers?

You bet! If you're paying more than ten bucks a night per biker to pitch a little pup tent, you're getting hosed. Prices have fallen quite a bit since '07, and now campgrounds are happy to have as little as 10 or 15 bucks a night, per person, quite reasonable if a hot shower is thrown in to seal the deal. Rent your personal patch of sand for a few days, or a whole week for mouse bucks, speaking of which, don't expect the same ten dollar deal in Orlando. Look for campgrounds which require a 10 or so mile putt to and from Daytona. They will have the best deals, and most amenities. ABM recommends avoiding campgrounds (and motels) near the speedway. The one that sounds like BOA is way too expensive, and the one across the street upped the price they gave us over the phone by 20 bucks a night. Spring was the last time they saw my smilin' face.

Next: The most beautiful sunrise you've ever seen.. just up the road..

Biketoberfest Beautiful Weather Loop-1-

2010-10-12T03:38:00.000-07:00

Ready for some fresh water? A gazillion gallons a day?

Blue Springs, Ocala National Park:

Locals call it.. "The Grotto".

Swim wear is in order, along with a cheap mask, so you can peer into the "grotto", a big blue hole with millions of gallons of 68 degree water spewing into a shallow stream which feeds Lake George, Florida.

Get there early! The park often fills to capacity on weekends, and special event periods, plus the water feels a lot warmer in the morning than in the afternoon. Grab a place near the spring if you happen to arrive early. Munchies? About 10 miles north of the park, in Salt Springs, there's a grocery store, and diner.

Jeff, we're sold! How do we get there??

From Daytona, Head north on I-95, one exit to west on Rt 40. After 20 mi of country riding, you'll cross over Rt 17. Keep on going thru the little town of Astor, the beginning of the Ocala National Forest. You're in the sticks now. Maybe you shoulda gassed up in Astor? Another 8 miles or so, and you're at the intersection of Rt 40 and Rt 17. Hook a right, and head north. After a dozen or so miles of green way, begin looking for a right into "Blue Springs State Park". Pay the man (or woman), and jump right in! On the way back, check out "Wildcat Lake", on the right after you get back on Rt 40, just before Astor. Beautiful lake. Boat launch, swimming area, and small dock. One fourth of July we were the only boat on the water.

2 weeks 'til Florida's Biketoberfest!

2010-09-27T05:42:00.000-07:00

Hot Sun, Cool Fun!

. BIKES-BIKES-BIKES!

Old School Ride In Chopper Show:

Young and old alike show off their one of a kind creations..last few years, we've seen $500 metrics made into works of anarchy. Street cred is not in short supply here. Thursday afternoon, we say get there early, this one is packed to the rafters, US1, across from Sonny's bbq, and the Publix shopping center. Ask anyone in town how to get to "Willies Tropical Tat Parlor".

Boardwalk Bike Show:

Always a fave, see mouth-watering custom bikes parked under the palms. Smell the salt air as you stroll among some of the best at the beach. Friday on the boardwalk. If you're on main, head toward the breakers.

Rat's Hole Custom Show:

Saturday, Daytona Lagoon, (water park). 1 of 3 Florida Rh's each year. One bike we saw at Leesburg last spring, a 'Nam era tribute, sported two "Huey" rocket pods.

Leonard Skinner, band's namesake, RIP:

2010-09-22T02:55:00.000-07:00

Jacksonville, Florida:

A midnight bowl of ice cream, before passing away at 2am.

"Big Leonard" was a no nonsense, you kids get a haircut coach at Robt E. Lee high school, before eventually owning a few bars, after retirement. He was a reluctant rider on the Lynyrd Skynyrd band's bus of fame. He had no taste for rock 'n' roll, but enjoyed the notoriety that being a namesake provided.

How'd they get the name?

Skinner disliked long hair on men almost as much as rock music, once sending some kids to the principals office for violation of "school rules" for longhairs. (can you believe we once had a "no-bell bottom" jeans rule?) The gym teacher had a negative impact on the young dudes, and when one of them formed a band, they decided to poke a little fun at the stoic coach, thus.. Lynyrd Skynyrd. The rest is history.

F. Leonard Skinner: 1933-2011. Good run, but no rock 'n' roll? Ugh..

4Corners Hospitality Draws Bikers In-

2010-09-04T08:04:00.000-07:00

Great Weather-Incredible Riding-Friendly Cops..What more could you wish for?

True: They want us here, that's for sure. Durango rolling out the red carpet, even bringing back their traditional "Biker Parade" after a two year hiatus. Camped out along rt 550, the "Million Dollar Highway", we could hear pack after pack of two wheeled drifters headed even farther north, toward Silverton. Along with the bikes, there's a lot of old, restored cages running the 6% grade up toward those 180 degree twisties.

Perfect Wx:

10% humidity, morning lows in the forties, highs in the 70's low 80's. Your leathers get a workout, only to be bungeed onto the sissy bar after 11am.

Hotel Fear of Bed Bugs?

Lots of us have decided to sleep in our own bedroll, and leave those little critters to someone else. It probably didn't help any when that west coast dude who was rushed to an emergency room made national headlines. Many bikers still don't know that camping is free inside some of the national forests. The only rules are to set up within 300' of the highway, and no closer than 100' to a stream or lake. It gets pretty cold at night, and the bears can get a little too friendly at times, but that's all part of the great story you'll take home to tell.

Ignacio Bike Week:

Down from the old days of 100,000 or more bikers, and reports of lawlessness, the town had some cops strolling down the sidewalk, something we hadn't noticed before, just one here and one there, usually riding inside a patrol car. Friday started off with a light crowd, before the bikes began arriving toward 2pm. The new Southern Ute casino is finished, and even has an rv park. We really miss "Moon's Cycle Shop". Locals tell me that the family was forced to move to California when his brother became ill. We wish them the best.

Musta been one heck of a Sturgis?

The plethora of cheap leftover shirts didn't make an appearance at Ignacio this year, yeah, they had a few, but most everything was bought up in the Black Hills. S-vendors we spoke with didn't buy the 700,000 crowd estimate. ABM thinks it was more like 550-600 thou, but bro, that is still one large biker crowd. We've been going for years and years, and never have we seen so many campers at the Buffalo Chip, never.

Bear Dukey?

Just down the hill from our campsite, near a lake. He got into some coolers, passing up on the beers, preferring full blown Cokes. Got a sweet tooth, we suppose.

Holy Crap, Lookit the Elk!~

Yesterday, we're following trucks & cages, when out of nowhere, 5 fuzzy-horned (male) Elk bounded across the road, nearly wiping out a couple of cages! There had to be a half ton of steaks between them, they were as big as cows, only taller. Good thing the 5th decided to turn around.. he woulda been a problem.

Awwww...do we have to?

Ugh. Soon it will be time to return to the beach. We leave knowing this place may have a few weeks of decent weather left, and then it's the deep freeze plunge. We'll be riding all winter while these bikers suffer. ABM hits Daytona Beach for biker paradise, and one big last run ahead of the cooler weather for "Biketoberfest", mid October. We'll cover it both on the blog and on our fine affiliates throughout America.

Meanwhile:

Summer is fading fast. Make this the weekend you get out and RIDE! Safety first.

Frozen-Thawed-Baked-Washed,and Refrozen?

2010-08-25T09:51:00.000-07:00

400 Mile Loop, 4 wx changes-

Woke up at 7am to 41 mountain degrees, that's February weather in Florida, so we froze all the way down the mountain. Leathers didn't come off until we were nearly into Mexican Hat, Utah. Scorching heat in the mid to upper 90's in Monument Valley. On the way back up into the San Juan mountains, we hit the mutha of all thunderstorms, and the temp dropped almost 40 degrees. If it's okay to freeze meat, then thaw it, then bake it, wash it, and re freeze, guess we'll be okay..

Friend of the show competing in "MC Cannonball Run"

Dale Axlerod, friend to "Butch", and "Scary", competing in that big coast-to-coast mc cannonball. Big deal, you say, we do this all of the time, ala Hoka Hey, right? Wrong! This one is for pre-1915 motorcycles only! How cool is that? All the best to the competitors. Don't store 'em, don't scrap 'em, RIDE 'EM! (Dale currently owns an '07 Curtis, and a pair of 1928 HD's.

"Shroom" Festival rules in Telluride!

A wet year up here in southern Colorado. The forest is ablaze with all sorts of mushrooms. One dude brought back a bushel basket sized puff ball. I recognized a couple varieties of mushies from the old days when I'd go out and pick some with my dad. Toss some sliced onion in a pan with 'em, and fry up a dinner fit for a king. The town of Telluride, Co, is going "shroom" crazy this week, with their annual festival. We might have to camp overnight if we go.. ya know..?

Are you crazy RE prices?

Picture an old two story farm house, ala upstate New York, Iowa, or any rural community, worth maybe 100 grand, including a small lot. Now see the same property for sale in Telluride, Colorado..are you ready? $1.8 million, and there isn't five feet of property on any side of it. $14 million buys you a private swimming hole on the Animas river, both sides. This river continues to amaze me. The portion which flows directly through Durango rivals the streams in Glacier Natl' Park.

Trout Poisoning?

We have to eat the half dozen on ice before going out for more. They're big and fat this year. Been playing catch and release with all that aren't in the 13 to 15 inch range. Those will just fit in the big old fry pan. The river we fish had a total wash out from a freaky-large snow melt last spring. The thaw came all at once, and seems to have washed out all the larger brown trout, leaving the rainbows to grow big and fat. We'll roast those six over an open fire of mesquite tonight.. should be pretty tasty!

Sturgis Stories You Ain't Heard..

2010-08-23T09:29:00.000-07:00

From the ABM Vault of Rally Observations:

Weird Weedwhacker?

Imagine a brown field with here and there, tufts of sweet alfalfa, about one foot squares, springing up, amongst mainly dry grass. ABM is on the way to a morning shower, and notices a dude with a motorized weed whacker, trimming the alfalfa sprouts! Never having even considered taking a garden tool to an MC run, we are baffled by this one..

Kid Rock Detests "American Idol"?

During a stop 'n' chat at the BC's Tuesday eve sold out show, Kid mentioned having been approached by "American Idol". We guess he meant as a "judge", ala Steven Tyler? Kid said his friends..(and we get "agent", from that), told him he was crazy to turn it down..that 30 million people watch the show every week. Kid says.. "I don't give a ---- about them 30 million people, I want the 270 million of 'em that know the show sucks." (his words, not ours). One could get the feeling that there may be some sort of slight animosity between Kid & Tyler?

It'd be funny if it wasn't so stupid:

We meet mc couple in campground. They start talking about Sturgis, and how "300 bikers died there" this year. What? How do you get to 300 deaths from the official count of 9? They reply.."A nurse told us so." We tell them we go every year, give them the rundown on how there were no deaths last year, and that Daytona leads the way in mc related rally deaths with an all time high of 16. They decide that it's time to go back to their campsite. Man... I'm tellin' ya..

Seen sitting "Indian Style", atop a bluff overlooking Tec Nas Pas:

Far northern Arizona. Apache country. Morning sun breaking across a freshly washed desert landscape from the previous night's rainfall. Lone, he sits, gazing out across the sun splashed sand, mesas, and mini ravines..

A lone Apache.

Sturgis Run: In need of more police protection?

2010-08-20T08:54:00.000-07:00

Brrrr!

If you've ever wanted us to suffer, this is your lucky day!

ABM was prevented from roaming out into the desert yesterday, by a "flash flood" warning for Mexican Hat, Ut. Good thing we paid heed. By 6pm, that front had reached our campsite far up in the mountains. Rained cats 'n' dogs, 4 straight hrs. This morning, we woke up to 41 degrees. Chrome on the bikes looked like brushed aluminum. They steamed for a few minutes after we cranked 'em up for the ride down here to where it's 20 degrees warmer. Still better than 99 Florida degrees!

Sturgis Run: Do we need more cops?

The record for bike week fatalities was back in 2006, in Daytona when 16 bikers lost their lives. Since we were there, ABM can testify that if police presence were a mitigating factor, there would still have been 16. We're reading "biker" notes begging for more police "protection". We wonder if these are really bikers, or someone else with a bone to pick, or with some sort of vested interest..

Sturgis Mishaps: The Big Three Factors-

(1) Altitude Sickness/Euphoria:

Flat landers living at sea level, or a couple thousand feet above, come to Sturgis, and they're suddenly up nearly a mile high. (4500'). Unless you're used to the elevation, it takes 2-3 days to acclimate. If you took only one week off, and had travel time to and from of 2-4 days, you'd hardly be used to the altitude before it's time to leave for home.

(2) Trip Tired:

The hassle and excitement of getting ready to leave, then the long road trip. ride or haul, when you get there, you're a mess. Time zone changes, countless hours of road fever, so when you finally arrive, the last thing on your mind is relaxation..what to do..? Go for a ride. Never mind the possibility of judgement errors.

(3) Sturgis Virgins:

ABM has never seen as many new riders, as Sturgis2010. Nearly 2 out of 3 bikers we interviewed for the show were fresh meat. Many reported that their home business or employer's work week had been reduced to the point where they now had that precious extra time to take off and head for the Black Hills. A silver lining in the recessionary cloud, so to speak. Even more time to run off the road while gawking at the scenery, the emergency call blasting from the ranger's two way radio even as we were forking over our ten bucks for admission to Custer Park.

So...would doubling the police presence make any difference?

The short answer is likely "no". Daytona experienced nearly twice as many fatalities at a rally with 200,000 fewer bikers. As reported from Sturgis by ABM, the main cause of Sturgis proper traffic jams was the inability of many bikers to simply do the speed limit. Many, no doubt out of total respect for safety, chose to do 20mph in a 40mph speed zone, mucking up traffic into accordion-like snakes of disgusting stop-n-go. We suffered through it for a whole week. Some couldn't do more than 10 or 20mph on a gravel or dirt surface. Doing 20 in a 40? How about 10 in a 30, or 60 in a 75? You're gonna get passed, often. Weirdest is that this was happening where there was little or no police presence, just a few of those little white trailers which tell you if you're speeding. That's how I know they were doing 20-25.

One biker fatality is one too many, and we feel awful for their loved ones. Would an extra 50 or 100 cops have prevented these accidents? The short answer is no, but you can bet that if people in high places have their way, we're probably gonna get them.

800 mi from Sturgis. 8 Miles High?

2010-08-19T13:18:00.000-07:00

The San Juan Range:

Last reported sighting of the Colorado Grizzly was here. An outdoor person's paradise. 60' Blue Spruce trees rise straight as an arrow toward the sky. Twisty roads, granite cliffs, and scurrying critters everywhere. We're 40 mi from any kind of phone line or internet connection, so we communicate whenever possible.

Buffalo Chip Disturbed:

Last Friday of the Sturgis run, & we catch "Disturbed". Their core fans up toward the front were nearly out of control. These dudes have a dedicated following. At the end, they were in sync, yelling.. "Disturbed", "Disturbed", etc.. Pretty cool.

Scorpions Sting at the Chip:

Headline act, HUGE vid screen, tight synch to the tunes. Scorp's run a screen showing they pulled 385,000 back in the 80's.. They're pretty good, and with no offense to our German bro's, they are German, so it's sort of like listening to Col Klink in between songs when they smooze with the crowd. The Scorpions, freaked out on the size of the crowd, as did most of the bands who performed there during Sturgis week. We like both of Friday's lineup, especially Disturbed.

App's to Mr. Rod Woodruff:

Owner of the Buffalo Chip campground, Sturgis, SD. ABM was obviously under the influnce of the Blue Agave Monster when we screwed up and wrote you in as Ron. Our bad, no offense intended. (AC/DC next year, Rod?)

Next Time:

He Weed Whacked His Buffalo Chip CG Site? Yeah.. we swear.

700,000 Bikers!

2010-08-17T08:43:00.000-07:00

The Biggest Sturgis Run....EVER?

One really large rally. Officials estimate over 700,000 bikers from all over the world made this one the biggest yet. Compared to last year's 450,000 count, we nearly doubled the 69th.

All week long, we kept freaking on how packed the Buffalo Chip CG was, easily more bikes, tents, rv's than the 65th. Not all had the same level of success as the chip. County line at Bear Butte looked a little empty, and they couldn't have been too happy with the Drag Pipe Saloon, just across the highway, offering Free Camping to all. Still, vendors, locals, and municipalities made out like bandits on this, the largest Sturgis Run ever.

What we don't like to report:

Emergency Room Visits: 21. 27 admitted for rally-related incidents. Nine dead in the Sturgis area. None last year.

After years and years of attending this event, ABM honestly believes that half of those accidents were avoidable. We see people who obviously have little or no riding experience come to this rally, and be packed in like sardines. In just one day, the 2 of us helped pick up 3 downed bikes. Ride 'em all year, not just a week in August. In most cases, it's a matter of common sense. Of course, some are unavoidable. You have nearly a million extra residents in a town of 6500. Somethings got to give. Danger, living on the edge, and excitement make our sport great, but there's always a chance that someday, your ticket will get punched.

Ozzie, Aldean, and Jose..

2010-08-13T07:46:00.000-07:00

Nearly Sold Out:

The Buffalo Chip ticket counter was open, still, a lot of people packed in for last night's show. Jason Aldean was wearing a cowboy hat. Otherwise, you wouldn't know they're slightly on the side of a little bit, (and we mean a very little bit) country. To us, they're a rockin' long neck band. For the last tune, they went all the way with their rendition of Kid Rock's "Cowboy". Well done, ABM recommended.

Ozzie was right on time with a set of his stuff stretching back 40 something years. Black Sabbath, right up to today's stuff. Some performers get the idea that Sturgis bikers aren't as rabid as fans should be at an event like this, but they should remember that we've been ridin' & partyin' all day, for several days. For 90% of us, it ain't like we've been s---, showered, and shaved inside a 60 foot bus. Still, Ozzie's fans went nuts for his stuff. The dudes right behind us were about to blow a 50 amp fuse, and all around, appreciative fans rocked to the O man's incredible band. Although we sorta expected more in the way of theatrics, ya know, Alice Cooper sort of stuff, the set was tight, and the Blizzard that is Oz was well worth the trip. ABM recommended.

This week's sleeper:

Bob Dylan. Looking back over some shot vid's of his 2 hour set, we were impressed for the second time. Every once in a while, you get to see an icon who still has the chops to give it a go. We can mark that one off our bucket list. Dylan/Kid Rock night will be the one by which this run is remembered fondly. Both, ABM recommended.

Weird Stuff Noticed:

*No speed traps. Nada. In Sturgis, on the way to Deadwood, a fave hangout for the SD cops, and nary a squad car the whole length of Spearfish Canyon. Everything happens for a reason. We wonder what's behind this one. It would sure be nice if the Florida HP would take a cue from SD..

*Seismic Activity. Early in the week, the normally flat line from the needle to the paper took a big jump. A precursor to the big one? We'd hate to lose this place.

*SOA big bucks banner. Promoting the Sons of Anarchy's new season. Flies all day Thursday thru Sunday.

*The Liver is Evil--It must be punished. Dudes who swig tomato juice and beer first thing in the morning have to be the bravest of the brave. How do you keep it down?

This will likely be our last day of blogging from Sturgis, SD, as we ready to break camp and head for Colorado. Keep up with us on...

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