MAGAZINE ARTICLES

MAGAZINE ARTICLES

A.B.A.T.E. of Louisiana Presents

ABATE SAFETY REPORT

THE WEBS THAT GET WEAVED...I SAY THIS IN REGARD TO THE MANY ARTICLES I READ AND HAVE READ, SOME MAKE ME THINK, NOW THAT WAS A GREAT DECISION. THEN THERE ARE THOSE THAT REMIND ME JUST HOW SMART I AM, AND WE ARE AS BIKERS OR MOTORCYCLISTS ARE, IF JUST THE MASSES WOULD LISTEN! HERE IS SOME READING MATERIALS, FOR WHEN YOU ARE THINKING ON YOUR THRONE!

THE GOOD...Lojack and State Police

Louisiana State Police used a high-tech vehicle recovery system to find three motorcycles, a pickup truck and a trailer that were stolen from various parts of Louisiana and Mississippi but all ended up in LaPlace, a spokeswoman said, when this all came about in May of 2010. Troopers on that Thursday received information from LoJack Inc. that a 2006 Suzuki Hayabusa reported stolen from Shreveport had been traced to a Home Depot parking lot in LaPlace. “At the parking lot, investigators found a Ford F-150 with a Haulmark motorcycle trailer”, said Trooper Melissa Matey, a State Police spokeswoman. They obtained a search warrant and opened the trailer. (Hurray, smart decision!). Inside, they found the Suzuki next to a 2006 Kawasaki Ninja and a 2004 Yamaha R1, both of which were reported stolen from Shreveport on Thursday, Matey said. Troopers later discovered that the truck had been reported stolen in Lafayette on April 10, and someone in Pass Christian, MS, reported the trailer stolen in February. Matey said the recovered property was valued at $45,000. Investigators had not made any arrests in the case by that Saturday but were close to making ONE.

THE BAD...Police officer not looking and watching.

It happens to us all when we don't pay attention! Police officer, motorcyclist injured in charity ride crash, June 5th, 2010 @ 8:46pm, by Sarah Dallof MAGNA -- Two crashes during a charity motorcycle ride, one involving a Roy police officer, sent two people to the hospital Saturday. Sgt. Sheldon Riches with the Utah Highway Patrol says the officer was with other law enforcement leading the pack of riders participating in the 59th annual "Ride for a Cure" for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The riders were on state Route 201 near 6980 West headed towards Wendover when they approached slowed traffic just after 2 p.m. Officer John Frawley swerved to the right shoulder to avoid the stopped vehicles in front of him, but his bike went down. Witnesses say 56-year-old Danny Pierce was just behind the officer and witnessed the crash. "Saw him go down and was watching him and witnesses say as he was watching him, other traffic started to stop," said Riches. Pierce looked up to see the stopped traffic and slammed on his brakes, but he crashed as well. Riches says Pierce was knocked unconscious for a few moments, but a trained paramedic who had been riding just behind him rushed to his assistance. "There was a Davis County paramedic on the ride. He rendered aid immediately and we [flew] that individual to University Hospital," Riches said. Pierce was wearing a half helmet and suffered head and abdominal injuries. He is currently in serious condition. Frawley suffered some road rash to one of his arms was taken to Intermountain Medical Center by ambulance. He was wearing full protective gear, including a helmet. Traffic backed up while the medical helicopter landed, resulting in three minor crashes involving cars. Everyone involved in those crashes was OK.

THE UGLY...Looks as though noise is going to replace helmet issues

OFF THE WIRE, June 16, 2010

This issue is having ripple effects all over the country! http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/police-setsights-onloud-pipes_2010-06-13.html, Posted: 12:00 AM. Police set sights on loud pipes By Amy Calder acalder@mainetoday.com Staff Writer. State and local police plan to crack down on drivers whose vehicles make too much noise, when changes to a state road noise law go into effect July 12. Cindy Dillon of North Anson rides her motorcycle through Skowhegan. A new-law effective July 12 will help enforce laws regulating the loudness of motorcycles. "I do not favor this," Dillon said. I like my pipes and they are not obnoxious." That means if a motorcycle's exhaust system has been modified so it is louder than when it first was installed, a driver is in violation. "This applies to all vehicles, so if someone is issued a ticket for operating a motor vehicle with excessive exhaust noise, it's a $137 fine," said Lt. Brian Scott, commander of the state police traffic safety unit. Waterville police Chief Joseph Massey said police will issue warnings to motorists for the first two weeks the law is in effect, then issue tickets after that. He said his department receives a lot of complaints from people about motorcyclists revving up their engines downtown, where the noise echoes off buildings. They also tend to rev up engines as they go through underpasses, he said. "I think that noise pollution created by motorcycles is a very real issue within the city”, Massey said. "I think it is a quality-of-life issue ... and I think it's really counterproductive to the efforts to make the city more attractive, particularly in the downtown." Massey said people in residential areas also should not have to listen to loud motorcycles. "You can sit in The Concourse sometimes in the evening, and you can hear motorcycles on Kennedy Memorial Drive and Upper Main Street," he said. Massey said he was at a red light recently, four cars back from a motorcycle at the light, and he could hear the motorcycle as it was idling, but not the engines of the other cars. Motorists and others often are startled by loud exhausts, he said. "If we allowed cars to do it, it'd be awful downtown," he said. “You'd have to walk around with ear plugs." Massey said he called District Attorney Evert Fowle to notify him that he would be enforcing the changes to the road noise law and to ask if Fowle would back him on that. Fowle said Thursday that he absolutely supports Massey in the effort to ticket people whose vehicles create excessive noise that intrudes on others. "Those people ought to go to court," Fowle said. "It shows very little consideration for others. I told (Massey) that I support him 100 percent, and my office will prosecute every case when there's sufficient evidence." The current law governing road noise says vehicles must have adequate mufflers that are maintained properly to prevent excessive or unusual noise. Language is being added that says excessive or unusual noise includes motor noise that is noticeably louder than that of similar vehicles in the environment. The law says an exhaust system may not be modified with the intent to make it louder. The upcoming change leaves out the "intent" part and says the exhaust may not be modified if the result is amplification or noise that is louder than the muffler originally installed on the vehicle. Lt. Scott of the state police said vehicles registered in Maine are subject to inspection standards, and someone with a modified exhaust system could be cited for operating a defective motor vehicle. The fine could be $137, he said. Vehicles registered in other states are subject to Maine's noise law, but not to the inspection rules, he said.

A motorcyclist who was ticketed for excessive noise took the case to court and won because he proved to the judge under the current law that his intent was not to make his motorcycle louder, but to enhance its performance, according to Scott.

Excessive noise from exhaust systems is a seasonal issue that also is notable in coastal areas, including the U.S. Route 1 corridor, where there is increased traffic near homes and bodies of water. "It's a significant issue, and I'm glad that steps are being taken to address it," he said. Scott emphasized that many motorcycle enthusiasts are law-abiding and operate their motorcycles responsibly and respectfully. Lynne Dailey, treasurer of the Kennebec County Chapter of United Bikers of Maine, said the organization is watchful about the noise issue and has members who attend legislative meetings about such matters. "We try to have a good reputation with the government and people in the Legislature," Dailey said. "We tell people at our meetings all the time, 'Quiet down. We don't want motorcycles to get a bad name.' Yet there are motorcyclists that do it on purpose." Dailey said she thinks sometimes people have a negative attitude toward motorcyclists, but she added that many are professional people and many work with children. United Bikers raises a lot of money for charities, she said. Dailey questions whether police have the time and manpower to enforce the changes in the road-noise law. Motorcyclist Marc Bizier of Vassalboro said his Harley-Davidson is not modified and that he does not rev up his engine needlessly, but he does not mind hearing loud pipes. "I really love the sound of the modified pipes to increase the horsepower," he said. He said sometimes motorcyclists rev their engines to keep them from stalling and to maintain control of their bikes. He does not approve of changes to the law. "I think it's ridiculous that they would even think of making ordinances like this," he said. "There are too many people in the Legislature making too much noise already."

As required by law changes, state police is convening a working group to study issues relating to highway traffic noise, including noise created when an exhaust system is altered or not properly installed or maintained. The group, of which Scott will be chairman, will include state, local and county law enforcement officials; a commercial motor carrier association; officials from the state Department of Transportation and Maine Turnpike Authority; and a neighborhood or neighborhood association affected by highway noise. The group is to submit a report, including findings and recommendations to the Legislature, by Jan. 15, 2011.

Just my opinion, and we all have one, but I think my loud pipes will help save my own life one day as I'm out riding the roads, obeying the traffic signals. Because the asses, I mean masses, surly don't watch for US, the biker!

Ride safe, ride free. Hope you had a great 4th of July!

Dannie “Rocky” White

Public Relations

CHAPLAIN’S CORNER

I may never see tomorrow

There is no written guarantee and

Things that belong to yesterday belong to history

I cannot predict the future

I cannot change the past

I have just the present moment

I must treat it as my last

I must use the moment wisely

For it soon will pass away

And be lost to me forever

As a part of yesterday

I must exercise compassion

Help the fallen to their feet

Be a friend to the friendless

Make an empty life complete

The unkind things I do today

May never be undone

Any friendships that I fail to win

May never more be won

I may not have another chance

On bended knee to pray

And I thank God with humble heart

For giving me today

White Dove Biker Fellowship Church

2nd Annual National Katelynn Stinnett Child Abuse Awareness Ride

ON JUNE 19, 2010 THE SECOND ANNUAL NATIONAL KATELYNN STINNETT RIDE WAS HELD AT MOLLY’S LAMPLIGHTER LOUNGE IN LAKE CHARLES, LOUISIANA. WE HAD 69 BIKES AND MADE $7,068.00 WHICH WAS DONATED TO CENLA & ACADIAN B.A.C.A. (BIKERS AGAINST CHILD ABUSE)CHAPTERS.

THIS RIDE ORIGINATED OUT OF KENTUCKY BY THE BORROWED ANGELS CHARITY RIDERS AND IS PUT ON IN MEMORY OF KATELYNN STINNETT WHO WAS RAPED AND SEXUALLY ABUSED NOV. 25, 2008 BY AN 18 YR OLD MALE BABYSITTER. SHE SURVIVED A LITTLE OVER A WEEK AND PASSED AWAY DEC.3, 2008.

THE BORROWED ANGELS CHARITY RIDERS DECIDED IT DID NOT SEEM ENOUGH TO HAVE A BENEFIT RIDE ONLY IN KENTUCKY, SO THEY WENT ON A WEBSITE CALLED BIKERORNOT.COM AND ASKED PEOPLE FROM COAST TO COAST TO PUT ON A NATIONWIDE RIDE IN THEIR STATE.

EVERY YEAR THIS RIDE WILL BE HELD THE THIRD SATURDAY IN JUNE. THIS RIDE IS ORGANIZED BY VOLUNTEERS WHO DONATE THEIR TIME AND SKILLS TO HELP MAKE IT A SUCCESS. ALL MONEY RECEIVED IS DONATED 100% TO A LOCAL ORGANIZATION TO HELP BENEFIT CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THIS RIDE GO TO THE WEBSITE WWW.KSNMR.COM.

Article & Pics Submitted by,

2nd Annual New Orleans Bike Fest

WELL, THEY DID IT AGAIN. THAT IS BARRY & KAY FROM NEW ORLEANS BIKE FEST. IT HAPPENED ON OCT 23,24,25 2009 WITH MORE PEOPLE THAN 2008. CROWDS WERE LARGE & HAPPY TO HAVE THIS EVENT BACK IN THE CITY. A CITY THAT HAS NOT HAD A MAJOR BIKER EVENT SINCE "STEEL PONY" IN 2004. I THINK THE IDEA OF A POKER RUN, "THE BIG EASY WAY" IS A GREAT IDEA, YOU CAN RELAX AND RIDE AT YOUR LEISURE.

THE ENTERTAINMENT CONSISTED OF 'PIGPEN & THE PORKCHOPS, GENEVA (WHAT A PAIR), JJ MUGGLER (AN ANOTHER BIG ACT), CONFEDERATE RAILROAD (STILL EVEN BIGGER), CYPRESS BAND AND DANNY ALEXANDER BLUES BAND (NOT A NATIONAL NAME YET, BUT A BIG AND GREAT NAME IN THE N’AWLINS AREA). WITH MANY VENDORS AND CAN-AM DEMO RIDES, DYNO DRAGS AND TIM DYSON FMX STUNT SHOW, THE WEEKEND WENT FAST. LET'S NOT FORGET BARRY & KAY'S OWN KIDS WITH THEIR BAND. THOSE KIDS HAVE A GREAT FUTURE AHEAD OF THEM IN THE MUSIC WORLD. COMLETE THE WEEKEND WITH A GREAT BIKE SHOW AND BIKE GAMES, IT WAS AN ALL AROUND WEEKEND OF FUN.

ON SUNDAY, AMAZING GRACE MOTORCYCLE MINISTRY HAD THEIR BAND OUT TO BRING SOME SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE TO THE CROWD AND FOLLOWED BY A WORSHIP SERVICE. WHAT A WEEKEND!!! IF YOU MISSED IT LAST YEAR, DON'T MISS THIS YEAR'S EVENT OCT 22,23 & 24 AT BAYOU SEGNETT STATE PARK IN WESTWEGO. HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE. UNTIL THEN, RIDE SAFE AND SOBER, AND PLEASE WATCH OUT FOR THE CAGES.

4th Annual Fallen Heroes Run

May 22, 2010, A group of riders gathered at a place called "Outriggers" in Lake Charles La. This would be there 4th annual ride for the Fallen Hero's. It was a ride that was started to raise money to bring home our Fallen Hero's. Memorial Day weekend is not just another weekend it's a time to remember all who have fought and giving there life's for our "GOD" giving right to be an American. Our first stop was the pay our respects to one who lost his life SFC John M. Hennen. His mother and I had a chance to talk about her son John he seems like a great person and there were so many other I would have loved to have talked to and be able to print all there names with this article. I had a chance to hang out with alot of great people. A really beautiful day for a ride, great BBQ which I have to say Kuddos to the cooks. Great job guy you rock..Every year the organization hopes that this ride will grow, but also it with great hopes and prayers that our number in Fallen Hero's will not.

9TH Annual Amazing Grace MM Biker Sunday

WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR A RIDE, NOT A CLOUD IN THE SKY. AMAZING GRACE MOTORCYCLE MINISTRY HELD ITS 9th ANNUAL BIKER SUNDAY. THE EVENT STARTED AT HURRICANE HARLEY-DAVIDSON ON LAPALCO BLVD AND RODE OVER TO WESTWEGO PARK. VENDORS WERE SET UP TO ACCOMADATE THE MANY BIKES & RIDERS THAT SHOWED UP. FOOD WAS DONATED BY SISTER JANICE OF MIRACLE POWER MINSTRY, A HALFWAY HOUSE LOCATED IN THE CITY. OTHER SPONSORS WERE HURRICANE HARLEY-DAVIDSON, BLUE KNIGHTS, LA2, ENTERGY PAIN MANAGEMENT, BIG AL'S SALOON, NEW ORLEANS H.O.G. CHAPTER, JIMCO SIGNS, MONOGRAM EXPRESS, NEW ORLEANS HARLEY-DAVIDSON, RANDY'S PLUMBING & HEATING AND OH YES, I ALMOST FORGOT, THUNDER ROADS MAGAZINE LOUISIANA, (SORRY NAP).

THE AGMM BAND WAS ALSO ON HAND TO PLAY SOME GREAT SPIRITUAL TUNES. THIS BAND HAS BEEN TOGETHER FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND THEY SOUND BETTER & BETTER EACH TIME I HEAR THEM.

THE WESTWEGO MOUNTED POLICE ON IRON HORSES WERE THERE TO ESCORT US SAFELY AND PASTOR WOODY BLESSED THEM FOR SAFE RIDING AND SAFE WORKING CONDITIONS. IF YOU MISSED THIS, DON'T MISS NEXT YEARS EVENT WHICH ALWAYS FALLS ON THE LAST SUNDAY OF SEPTEMBER.

UNTIL THE NEXT TIME, RIDE SAFE AND SOBER & WATCH OUT FOR THE CAGES.

For over six years,Dale Horton has been one of our long time friends and

supporter of THUNDER ROADS,IN.Dale has some fantastic news he

could not wait to share with us.He is now the co-founder of a brand new

biker oriented dating website:MustLoveHogs.com that is having it ’s kickoff

in January of 2010.

Over the years Dale has been just wonderful with the biker community

and a great advocate for our magazine.In January and February of 2006

he built the Mac Tool ’s Chopper for the Chicago Chopper show.In March

2006 he was featured on the cover and the center page spread of our

magazine.The positive feedback he received was great,quote “Every

local bike show I went to people would come up and say ‘Hey,I saw your

bike in Thunder Roads magazine,that ’s way cool man ’” After the promo-

tion of the Mac Tool ’s Chopper with his friend Warren Vesely,Dale was

approached by Gina Woods of Open Road Radio and asked if he would be

interested in helping her with an upcoming event.The event was the start

of something bigger than either of them could imagine.In late summer of

2006,Gina asked Dale if he would provide the tools for six women to build

the first all female breast cancer chopper.“The tool list submitted was so

long that I brought my whole damn truck.I was stunned and honored to be

a part of it.I was more proud of being a part of the breast cancer build than

I was of building my own bike ”.In the course of 11.5 hours,Vivian “Gypsy ”

Charos,JoAnn Bortles,Kate O ’Shea,Katie Putman,Jayme Gray,Athena

“Chickie ” Ransom,and Jena Lewis built their bike from the ground up,had

it custom painted and fired up by the end of the day.Since then,an amaz -

ing seven breast cancer choppers have been built in the name of a cure.

How wonderful is that!

On one of his trips to Sturgis in August,09 ’ Dale came up with the idea for

MustLoveHogs.com;a direct result of a number of friends he has had that

have gone to conventional online dating sites.He ’s states that when his

friends meet girls/guys they ’re interested in and it is established that they

ride motorcycles;more often than not the relationship is not compatible.

The name of the site is a direct correlation to the romance comedy movie

“Must Love Dogs ”.

Dale had the idea that this had serious potential but could not launch it

having virtually no computer skills at all so he contacted a mutual friend

who had her website developed by Jason Robinson.Dale checked out his

work and said,“That ’s the guy I want to build my site.”

Jason owns a web development and graphic design business (www.signa-

turemedias.com).With more than 5 years of experience with such legend-

ary names as the Indianapolis Racing League and Golf Magazine,Jason

brings the technical experience needed to make MustLoveHogs.com not

just another website,but an interactive and unique user experience.

Dale and Jason have done extensive research in identifying the shortcom-

ings of the competition.For instance some sites have not been updated

for more than eight months.One site was forced to change their name

because they included “Harley ” in their title;and five of the other so called

online biker dating services are subsidiaries of the same foreign owned

corporation.They fully intend to remain current with the trends of their end

Their commitment to their customers is that they are of the lifestyle.We

commit to our customers 110%honesty and integrity.That is the primary

reason that our success will be based on the fact that we expect the same

from our customers.If you ’re looking for a casual hookup or a long term

relationship,state your intention.All they ’re asking for is your honesty and

current pictures.

Yellow ribbon service.Any service member deployed overseas can sub-

scribe for free for the duration of their tour.We hope by remembering our

service men and women while they are deployed that they will remember

us when they are able to resume the lifestyle that they protect.

At $10 a month for a one year subscription,I think it is a quality product

at a reasonable price,what have you got to lose?In fact,the first 3000

annual subscribers have a chance to win a $30,000 custom built chopper.

As a single female and a woman who rides,I know I can ’t wait to check it

The Trail of Tears Remembrance Ride 2009

I might be the only touring motorcyclist in this

area that believes there are more important

places to ride then just local events.Anyone can

ride in poker runs were there are a few hundred

motorcycles,but can you imagine being a part

of riding in the LARGEST Organized Motorcycle

Ride in the world where there are THOUSANDS?

Having first heard of the Trail of Tears Remem -

brance Ride near the time of its conception,it

wasn ’t until this year I finally got my opportunity

to participate in what has been going on now for

the past sixteen years.

The extremely wet and difficult riding weather

conditions might have kept many away but that

didn ’t stop what I know had to have been more

than Two Thousand on every kind and brand of

two wheeled motorcycle you could ever imagine,

while they braved the difficult weather and for

them to have rode with such enthusiasm.

I managed to intercept into the Ride at Fayette-

ville,TN where they had stopped for lunch.From

that point on I witnessed groups of people lined

alongside the route,sometimes it was only one

or two,other times mothers were holding their

children waving,young and old alike were sitting

on porches,some had carried lawn chairs close

to the road,while others sat in or on their cars or

on the hoods of trucks.

Some looked as they were baffled by the sheer

number of motorcycles.Thousands of spectators

lined the highway witnessing something that they

would not soon forget.Many carried digital and

video cameras and recorded the event.

My mind was filled with what I was seeing.Trying

to analyze everything and trying to take it all in.

The rain was heavy at times but it didn ’t seem

to faze anyone.Motorcycle engines would rev

from time to time to a delightful cheering crowd.

I was nearly the last of the motorcade when it

arrived at McFarland Park in Florence,Alabama,

approximately 98 miles from where I had en-

tered.This was the end of the main ride,but the

Ride would continue the next morning

going on to Hot Springs,Arkansas and

then going on to Okmulgee,OK.

Everyone gathered in close as they

did the opening ceremonies.Each one

included a ceremonial dance that was

done tastefully and respectfully in the

tradition of all Native Americans.

It was there that I was fortunate to

have gotten to meet and talked with the

founder of the ride Bill Cason.

Unlike the northern route of the Trail

of Tears where there are Auto Tour

Routes signs on modern day highways

following as close or mimicking the way

the actual trail had taken.There were

none along the southern tracks.Bill told

me of his commitment to the two pur-

poses for the Remembrance ride were

to see signs marking those routes,and secondly that all money that is

raised from the ride goes towards Native American College Scholar-

I questioned him,why this year ’s Ride hadn ’t taken the Northern

Route since it was the earlier and most well known of the Trail of Tears

routes.He informed me in years past that they had put together a

Northern Trail Route that had ended at the Trail of Tears State Park in

Missouri.There is still growing support to expand and also to revive

an upgraded Trail of Tears Remembrance Ride taking in the Northern

There is also a great deal that goes on behind the scenes in putting

together a coordinated effort for a ride as large and as well run as this

one has become.Working with communities,districts,Sheriff Depart-

ments,Fire Fighters and a host of volunteers ’ throughout the rides

projected route is time consuming alone.

I have since been in contact and talked with Larry Sweeney who is