One of my jobs here at K and G Cycles is to find interesting content to share with all of our motorcycle enthusiast friends. I recently asked our Facebook friends if there was anybody planning an extended, interesting trip this riding season who would like to have it shared via K and G Cycles Facebook Page , our Metric Blog,  our V-Twin Blog, Google+, and Twitter. I sought individuals from the Metric World as well as The V-Twin World and received a few handfuls of submissions. I sifted through those and chose what I felt was the most interesting of them. After contacting these individuals, I learned more about their pending trips and collectively we decided how to pass the the experience onto you, our friends. As often as possible, both adventurers will report to me with a briefing of the days travels, any pictures taken that day, and give road reviews of campgrounds, motels, hotels, and any eating establishments patronized along the way.

The Metric Team consists of Greg Turp, his wife Melanie, and their Mobile Security Detail: Gypsy the Puggle. Heading out from Yuma, AZ this team’s ultimate goal is The Arctic Circle. The Ride is in fact a Fund Raiser for The Eldridge Childrens Home in Eldridge, AL.   Expecting to take approximately 6 weeks and cover almost 13,000 miles, this should prove to be an interesting read.

First Check -in Thursday 6/6/13 9;20 P.M.

Wednesday 6/5/13 – In April my wife Melanie, our Puggle Gypsy, and I began the first leg of Fund Raising Tour for Eldridge Children’s Home in Eldridge, AL. After returning to Yuma, AZ we prepped for our June 4th departure date. During that time, we were contacted by Don at K and G Cycles about chronicling our ride, an exciting prospect that we agreed to. As we embarked on our trip to the Arctic Circle we were already experiencing the large range of temps we were due to encounter. Our hope was to head out of Arizona and into cooler weather, however by the time we had traveled north of Las Vegas the mercury had risen to 104° and it was only 11 A.M. The bright side is the day was clear and as we reached higher elevations the temperature had dropped to a comfortable 82°. We decided to make camp for the night at The KOA in Beaver, UT making our first day 540mi long. We love to camp, especially while traveling on the motorcycle because it allows us to meet many different people and here tales of the road. Point in case, about an hour after we set camp, an old H-D Panhead Chopper pulls into camp and we strike up a conversation exchanging stories from the road. It turns out in his many years of riding, he has had many great journey’s into Alaska via The Alaska Marine Highway and offered some great tips on camping in The Last Great Frontier – Alaska.

Thursday 6/6/13 – Rise and Shine! Another beautiful morning, 46° here. We decided stay in the area and take in some of the local sites. Heading out UT 12 to Bryce Canyon National Park, one of my all time favorite parks, we prepared to have our senses overloaded from the amazing display of colors that seem to blend together to create a huge work of art. Catching up to UT 148/143 we then traveled through Cedar Breaks National Monument and found ourselves sitting at 10,500 ft with some snow still in the shadows. This beautiful detour had us clocking another 242 miles.

Stay tuned for more coverage of my ride provided by K and G Cycles….Everything Motorcycle. Online

Well I am happy to report we have another report from the road. It looks like Team Turp is really putting the miles behind them.

Friday 6/7/13 – What a great way to start the day, beautiful clear blue skies and 59°. We are heading to Pocatello, ID today to meet up with a friend and discuss plans on working in town in July. Ugh! What a crazy ride thru the Salt Lake City interstate corridor for about 50 miles. Not exactly my favorite part of the ride, but then again I don’t do cities too well. Pulling into Pocatello I noticed that the trailer lights are out. Not a tough fix, it ends up being a short on the frame of the bike. After it is fixed its time for something to eat at Texas Road House for salmon for me and ribs for Melanie, and a couple if bones for Gypsy. All in all it was a very good 360 miles.

Sat 6/8/13 – We head out for Helen, MT for a couple days with Melanie’s sister. The day is a ditto day and we take I-15 north which is a great ride as far as interstates go, great scenery, elevation changes, sweeping curves, and very little traffic. If you are going to travel by Interstate, this is the one to hit.  320 miles for the day and relaxation tomorrow. It will be a good weekend.

Also, for those interested, you can follow my trip is being tracked using SPOT. Real time, 10 minute interval updates can be seen by clicking this link http://www.wandrrmotorcycletours.com/Eldridge-Ride.html and then selecting the current segment of the trip. You will look for the 6/1/13 – 9/12/13 leg of the trip.

Stay tuned for more reports from the road and more pictures of our travels. See ya soon………

Mon 6/10/13 – The visit with family is done. We get started fairly early to a beautiful sky and temps in the upper 40′s, hop on I-90 west, and another great interstate ride headed to Coeur d’Alene. We follow the Coeur d’Alene river as it crosses our path several times on our route. A quick stop at the famous 50000 Silver Dollar Bar to check it out. Really just allowing a good stretch and not much more. After arriving in Coeur d’Alene we head for the beach and park area downtown, the city’s public area, and much to our dismay Gypsy is not welcome, “No Pets Allowed” signs all over the place. Time to go and see our friends. Miles today, 300.

Tuesday 6/11/13 – The bike is loaded with the promise of another fantastic day of riding ahead. Getting out of town is easy and we make our way north toward Canada on ID 95, which is a good road that is becoming better with less traffic as he head north. The scenery is great and we are on high alert looking for large animals,(large meaning Moose, Elk, and Bear) but not a one. We stop just south of the border at a little general store / restaurant about 5 miles from the border.  The female proprietor of the store tells a story of how the government border enforcement agency is harassing the American citizens in the area by coming onto their property and telling them to spend LESS time outdoors. On THEIR own property. UNBELIEVABLE. We head out for one of the easiest border crossing we have ever encountered. We declare everything, including the shotgun we brought for personal protection, and within 10 mins, after filing our paperwork and paying the $25 fee, we are on our way. The ride continues on 95 and the Canadian Rockies are absolutely majestic. Within 10 minutes we have spotted an elk and a mountain goat, at least we know where the animals are. As we head toward Fort MacLeod over Crowsnest Pass the weather starts to change, cold and cloudy, the start of what’s ahead for the next several days. We spend the night at the Red Coat Inn with weak WiFi, but good rates. A couple of motorcycle club guys pull in on their H-D’s and don’t seem to notice I said Hi when they parked next to me. What can I say.

Wed 6/12/13 – Our luck with the good weather has ended, at least for now. Woke to cold and rainy conditions this morning. We are on the road to Calgary to Blackfoot Motorsports for a new front tire installation. I have the tires with me and, if I take off the front tire, it can be done immediately. If not we wait as all the lifts have bikes on them. The front tire gets changed quickly and we are back on the road! The weather is turning bad with swirling winds and threatening rains – yikes. We are heading north as one of our favorite roads, the Icelands Parkway thru Banff is predicting snow. By the time we arrive in Red Deer the skies are ugly with gusting winds, and a Motel 6 (no charge for Gypsy) looks good right about now. On the news that night it shows snow in the mountains, temps in the 20′s, and tornados touching down to the north. Some great pizza for supper and a rainy night. Let’s see what tomorrow brings.
200 miles.

Stay Tuned and play the daily pool to see how often Gypsy will be denied Lodging. Also find out exactly what Melanie has going through her mind…..

 Friday 6/14/13 – Well, another day of bad weather on the Iceland Parkway from Banff to Jasper kept us grounded again. Friday morning rolled around and we decided to ditch the parkway ride this time. We rode it about 3 years ago, and if you ever get the chance to ride it, I highly recommend you do.The scenery is great, the riding is easy, and hot springs, glaciers, beautiful lakes, are all there. We headed to Rocky Mountain Home in the rain and then turned north toward the east aide of Edmonton, Alberta Beach, to visit with some friends. Good conversation, wonderful food, music, and a GOOD scotch are on the agenda tonight.
185 miles.

Saturday 6/15/13 – Today was more of the same with wind, rain, and cold. Could somebody please let Canada know it is nearly summer? We toured the lake and stopped to see a guy who has made saddles for Professional Rodeos for over 50 years. His son has the business now. His name was Less Ertman of Less Ertman’s Saddle Shop in Onoway, Alberta. This was some of the finest hand worked leather tooling I have ever seen. His saddles can sell for as much as $5500, and are worth every penny. Tomorrow we will leave to head north towards Dawson Creek, come hell or high water, and by the way it’s raining…

Stay tuned to see if Team Turp will endure any High Water crossings or if the sun will shine anytime soon.

Sunday 6/16/13 – We decided to brave the rain early Sunday morning and leave Alberta Beach. We put Gypsy’s new rain cover on and hit the road. We are always looking for unique places and usually find them. Today we stumbled onto a giant beaver – Another great Photo op! Of course this one was in front of Beaver Lodge. The weather is clearing by the time we reach Dawson City – YEAH! One of our Must Stops is Mile Marker “0″ on the AlCan Highway. We stop at the visitor center and as usual, we seem to have several curious passersby asking about our bike and Gypsy. She gets her picture taken A LOT. Fort St. John is the goal for today. Still keeping a vigilant eye for wildlife, riding on the back gives me lots of opportunity for enjoying the scenery. I get to point out things Greg would miss having to keep his focus on riding the bike. We have decided to set up camp at Charles Lake and find a Rotary Campground next to the lake. Luckily, we have a Pub within walking distance so after setting up, we head over for a burger and beer, Ahhh!. Fathers Day started a little chilly but ended with a glorious sunset albeit at 10:15 pm.

Monday 6/17/13 – Sunrise came quickly at 4:15 A.M. but we were ready for another great day of riding. While breaking camp, a woman from Alaska walked by and couldn’t help but stop to ask where we are headed, we oblidged and informed her. Pulling out early, we stop for breakfast at Shepards Inn. Great home cooking and friendly people. As we travel onward, We pass LOTS of RV’s and see several motorcycles. We seem to play hopscotch most of the day. We are starting to climb and the scenery is improving with each and every mile. We catch sight of a Grizzly off the road, thankfully a long way off. Next we see a Momma Black Bear and 2 Cubs right in the road ditch. Seems our drought in wildlife has ended. Later in the afternoon we hit Summit Lake and see Big Horn Sheep sitting high on the rocky cliffs. We are exposed to some absolutely breathtaking country. Some of the prettiest so far. I love being free from the worries of driving and really get to enjoy the entire experience. The sights and smells on a motorcycle with a 360 degree view is unbeatable by car. Tonight we have a cabin on the Toad River that has agreed to let Gypsy stay. Unfortunately, it’s raining again. Sunshine would be much appreciated.

Well it looks as if people are becoming more accepting of Gypsy, she hasn’t been denied access for a few days now. Greg and Melanie seem to be racking up the miles, and getting closer to their goal everyday. Stay tuned as K and G Cycles (www.kandgcycles.com) continues to bring you reports from “Team Turp” as they pour in.

If you made it to Daytona Bike Week and saw us at K and G Cycles Thunder Alley, you know we had with us ArtbyDirt creator James “Dirt” Dorner. Being a huge supporter of Children’s Charities, Dorner created a sculpture designed after The Special Olympics Logo and donated it to be raffled off with 100% of the proceeds going to The Special Olympics. Although this piece generated a lot of interest, we did not manage to sell all of the 500 tickets available. Because we felt the need to present the full $5000 to the charity, we decided to offer the remaining raffle tickets online to those of you that weren’t able to make it to Daytona. Not only will you get a chance to own a beautiful one of a kind sculpture created from 100% American Motorcycle parts, you will also be helping out an amazing organization whose main focus is providing year-round training and competitions to more than 4 million children and adults with intellectual disabilities.

ArtbyDirt creator James “Dirt” Dorner is no stranger when it comes to charity, over the last 7 years he has created numerous sculptures that were donated specifically to Children’s Charities as well as Veterans Charities for them to raffle/auction off and in that time his contributions have netted those various charities over $60,000. When you purchase your winning ticket/tickets you will have the opportunity to own a fascinating piece of art, but better still your donation will help those Special Olympic Athletes realize a dream.

The Special Olympics “stick figure” is an abstract but humanistic form designed to convey the impression of movement and activity. The logo is a symbol of growth, confidence and joy among children and adults with disabilities who are learning coordination, mastering skills, participating in competitions and preparing themselves for richer, more productive lives. The spherical appearance of the logo is a representation of Special Olympics global outreach.

If you would like to purchase a raffle ticket or tickets please follow the link “ArtbyDirt Special Olympics Sculpture Raffle” and the instructions. As soon as the remaining tickets are sold the winner will be contacted and announced on our Facebook, Twitter, and Google + media pages. With the limited number of tickets remaining, they will surely go fast. So pick up yours today!

As racing fans witness the top riders battle for victories during the thrilling and action-filled motorcycle events during 2013 Daytona 200 Week, biker enthusiasts will also find to plenty of other activities to check out during their visit at Daytona International Speedway.
The “World Center of Racing” has several fan activities on tap during Daytona 200 Week, which runs Saturday, March 9 through Saturday, March 16:
• Free demo rides: Outside of the famous Daytona International Speedway, motorcycle enthusiasts can test-ride the latest and greatest motorcycles from top manufacturers with free demo rides March 9-16. Riders must have a DOT-approved helmet and motorcycle endorsement on their driver’s license in order to demo.
• Motorcycle Marketplace: Hot Leathers is the now the Official Bike Week Apparel and Accessories Provider for Daytona International Speedway. Bikers and fans can find the nation’s top parts, accessories and apparel companies throughout the Hot Leathers Motorcycle Marketplace display area.
• K&G Cycles Thunder Alley at Daytona: Head to K&G Cycles Thunder Alley at Daytona with your friends for a cold Budweiser and great food at the Budweiser Cool Your Pipes Zone. Located in the Midway outside Turn 4, K&G Cycles Thunder Alley will also showcase entertainment, games and contests.
• Hooters Bikini Contest: The annual Hooters Bikini Contest is back and will take place in K&G Cycles Thunder Alley outside of Turn 4 at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 16.
• Hot Leathers Fashion Show: Do not miss the showcase of the most up-to-date styles in motorcycle apparel. Don’t miss the Hot Leathers Fashion Show in K&G Cycles Thunder Alley at Daytona outside of Turn 4 on March 16 at 1 p.m. • The Indian Motorcycle Spring Dash at Daytona: Experience the ride of a lifetime- take your own bike for two laps around Daytona International Speedway’s 3.56-mile road course. The eighth-annual dash around Daytona on Saturday, March 16 runs immediately after the Daytona 200 (approx. 4 p.m.). Tickets are $30 per bike and include a commemorative patch. Professional photographs are available.
• Cycle Social: Stay up to date during Daytona 200 Week with the most recent information by following Daytona International Speedway on Facebook and Twitter (@DISUpdates) using hashtags: #DAYTONASX, #DAYTONAFLATTRACK and #DAYTONA200.
For more information on the activities off the track during Daytona 200 Week, visit www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP.

Perhaps it was the appeal of hard sand, warm winter days and the excitement of that first motorcycle race on the beach, that made Daytona Beach the home of Bike Week. Maybe it was the spirited activities surrounding the event that have kept people keep coming back. Whatever the case, Bike Week has been a tradition since January 24, 1937 – the inaugural running of the Daytona 200.

The first race took place on a 3.2 mile beach and road course, located south of Daytona Beach. Ed Kretz of Monterey Park, CA was its first winner, riding an American made Indian motorcycle and averaging 73.34 mph. Kretz also won the inaugural City of Daytona Beach trophy.

The 1937, race course ran approximately one and a half miles north on the beach; through a 1/4 mile turn where the sand was banked, and then onto the paved, public roadway portion for the trip south. Coming back on the final turn, another high sand bank awaited riders as they raced on the hard sands of the beach. Interestingly enough, starting times for these events were dictated by the local tide tables. The races continued from 1937 to 1941. In the early years the Daytona 200 was also called the “Handlebar Derby” by local racing scribes.

In 1942, the Daytona 200 was discontinued because of World War II. Its sanctioning body , the American Motorcycling Association (AMA) solemnly noted it was “in the interests of national defense” that the event was canceled. With the war, came a general rationing of fuel, tires and key engine components. Even though the racing event was “officially” called off, people still showed up for an “unofficial” party called Bike Week.

On February 24, 1947, the famous motorcycle race resumed and was now promoted by the legendary Bill France. Newspaper stories of the period recount that the city fathers asked townsfolk to open their homes to the visiting motorcyclists because all hotel rooms and camping areas were filled to capacity. The 1947 Daytona 200 featured a record 176 riders.

In 1948, a new beach – road course was used because of developments along the beach. Organizers were forced to move the event further south, towards Ponce Inlet. The new circuit measured 4.1 miles. The last Daytona 200 to be held on the beach – road course took place in 1960. In 1961, the famous race was moved to the Daytona International Speedway.

Bike Week has always had a flavor of its own. Some time after the war, the event began to take on a rugged edge. While the motorcycle races on the beach were organized, events surrounding the race were not. As time passed, locals became afraid of the visitors and law enforcement officers and city officials were less than enthusiastic about what some termed an “invasion”. Relations between the Bikers and law enforcement officials continued to worsen. When things appeared to be at their worst (after the 1986 event), a special task force was organized by the city in cooperation with the local chamber of commerce to improve relations and change the magnitude and scope of the event.

Today Bike Week has transformed into a 10-day festival that expands throughout Volusia County. There are hundreds of events for motorcycle enthusiasts to enjoy.  Bike Week now welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and is enjoyed by locals and motorcycle enthusiasts world wide.

As riding season starts to unfold I thought it was time we have a refresher course to give us pointers that will help us in our travels. K and G Cycles (www.kandgcycles.com) wants you to keep in mind this is not a list that is a sure fire way to keep you safe, but if we practice these steps, and ride smart, they will certainly keep us out of harms way more.

For those who’ve stored their bike for the cold winter months, spring is an exciting time, the warmer weather, the budding flowers, and the longer evenings.  All that is begging you to get out riding again. But let’s not be too hasty!  We know you are itching to ride, but let’s not forget one of the most important thing – Safety First. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month for just that reason.  People are anxious to get out of their cooped up houses and get on the road but they may get too excited to remember some basic motorcycle safety practices. Here are ten motorcycle safety tips that can keep you alive and well this season:

1) Make Eye Contact -  Why? Never assume others see you. Always try to make eye contact with drivers who may be about to pull into your oath.

2) Read “Vehicle Language” -  Why? – Even when pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers do see you approaching, they will often misjudge your speed and distance.

3) Watch out for left-turning vehicles – Why? – Getting hit by an oncoming vehicle that is turning left is the most common type of motorcycle/vehicle accident.

4) Check behind when turning left from a Highway – Why? – The drivers behind you may not notice your brake or turn signals so make sure you watch your mirrors and have plenty of space between you and those behind you.

5) Look out for hazardous road conditions – Why? Wet Roads, Fluid Spills, Sand, Gravel, Highway Sealant,  Railroad Tracks, Pothole, and other road surface hazards significantly decrease available traction, and this could lead to an accident.

6) Take it easy on those curves – Why? – Curves are a hot spot for accidents. You might overshoot your lane and cross the center line, resulting in an accident. Curves are also subject to a lot of the hazards mentioned in #5. Watch the road ahead, slow down, and choose the correct lane position before entering a curve.

7) Wear a good quality Helmet – Why? – In recent studies, it has been shown Helmets prevented head injuries in almost 68% of the accidents studied, and prevented fatalities in 29% of the crashes studied.

8) Wear Protective Clothing designed for Motorcycles – Why? – Proper riding gear can provide protection during an accident, as well as shield you from the weather and flying debris. The right gear can also keep you warm and dry, allowing you to stay alert, focused,and coordinated. You will also want to dress in layers so you can adjust to the changing conditions. For those of you daredevils, shorts offer no protection, and blue jeans are sketchy at best.

9)Protect your Eyes and Face – Why? – Constant wind can make your eyes water, decreasing your ability to spot road hazards. Insects, dust , and debris can hurt, especially when you get hit in the eye with one or more of these items. If you subscribe to #7, than just make sure you have enough coverage and a good fit.

10) Be Visible to Others – Why? – It is best to wear bright colored, reflective clothing. If you want to add to it’s effectiveness, you can add a reflective vest too. You may also choose a brightly colored helmet. Ride in the lane position that allows other drivers to easily see you and gives you room to move. Make sure you avoid riding in their blind spots.

At K and G Cycles (www.kandgcycles.com) we want to do more than be your place for motorcycle parts, we also want to bring you safety awareness. Stay safe, be alert, be seen, and make wise decisions.

You’ve been in a ton of motorcycle shops and seen countless motorcycles over the year and have seen “Guardian Bells”  and wondered what they are. and what they mean. K and G Cycles (www.kandgcycles.com) is going to share with you The Legend of The Guardian Bell, so sit back and enjoy.

Many years ago, on a cold December night, a crusty old biker was returning from a trip to Mexico with his saddlebags filled with toys and other assorted trinkets for the kids at a group home near where he worked. As he rode along that night thinking how lucky he had been in life, having a loving riding partner that understood his need to roam the highways and to his trusty old pan that hadn’t let him down once in the many years they had shared the road together. Well about 40 miles north of the border, in the high desert, lurked a small group of notorious little critters known as road gremlins. You know, the ones who always leave little obstacles like, one shoe, boards, and pieces of old tires on the road, and also dig those dreaded potholes for bikers to run over and crash, thus giving the road gremlins a chance to rejoice over their acts of evil.

Well, as the lone wolf of a biker rounded a curve that moonlit night, the gremlins ambushed him, causing him to crash to the asphalt and skid before coming to a stop next to one of his saddlebags that had broken free. As he lay there, unable to move, the road gremlins made their way towards him. Well, this biker, not being one to give up, started throwing things at the gremlins as they approached him. Finally, with nothing else to throw but a bell, he started ringing it in hopes to scare off the dirty little gremlins. About a half a mile away, camped in the desert, were two bikers sitting around the campfire talking about their day’s ride, and the freedom of the wind blowing in their faces as they rode across this vast country. In the stillness of the night air they heard what sounded to them like church bells ringing, and upon investigating, found the old biker lying along the roadside with the gremlins about to get him. Needless to say, being part of the biker brotherhood, they preceded to ward off the gremlins until the last ran off into the night.

Being grateful to the two bikers, the old road dog offered to pay them for their help, but as all true bikers do, they refused to accept any type of payment from him. Not being one to let a good deed go unnoticed, the old biker cut two pieces of leather from his saddlebags tassels and tied a bell to each one. He then placed them on each of the biker’s motorcycles, as near to the ground as possible. The tired, old road warrior then told the two travelers that with those bells placed on their bikes, they would be protected from the road gremlins and that if ever in trouble, just ring the bell and a fellow biker will come to their aid. So, whenever you see a biker with a bell, you know that he has been blessed with the most important thing in life – friendship from a fellow biker.

The Purpose of the Guardian Bell

Many of us have heard the story about Evil Road Spirits. They are little gremlins that live on your bike. They love to ride, and they’re also responsible for most of your bike’s problems. Sometimes your turn signals refuse to work; your battery goes dead, the clutch needs adjustment, or any of several hundred things that can go wrong. These problems are caused by Evil Road Spirits. These Spirits can’t live in the presence of the bell, because they get trapped in the hollow of the bell. Among other things, their hearing is super-sensitive, so the constant ringing of the bell and the confined space drives them insane. They lose their grip and eventually fall to the roadway. Have you ever wondered how potholes are formed? The bell has served its purpose.

If you pick up a Guardian Bell of your own, the magic will work, but if your bell is given to you, the power is doubled, and you know that somewhere you have a special friend helping tolook after you. So, if you have a friend who doesn’t have a bell, take a look at the great selection of bells offered at K and G Cycles (www.kandgcycles.com) and give them one? It’s a nice feeling for the recipient to know you care. The bell, plus a good preventive maintenance program by the bikes owner, will help eliminate Evil Road Spirits.

Polishing the Guardian Bell

It has been a tradition among some of us for a long time to attach a brass bell to our left swing arm, to remember our brothers and sisters who have gone down riding. It’s a small thing, but the reason a brass bell is chosen is that, as we ride, it gets dirty and tarnished. Every time we get down to wash and polish it, we are reminded of friends lost, and our thoughts turn to the meaning of being in the wind. As we ride and hear the bell ring, we know that our brothers and sisters are riding with us, and how easy it would be to join them with a single mistake. And maybe, just maybe, the next time a situation comes up; they will be there to help us…as long as we remember them by polishing the bell.

The Legend of the Guardian Bell is one of unknown origin, and such fantastic lore that we can’t help but be drawn in. Who wouldn’t want to fend off evil spirits? Who doesn’t like giving or receiving a gift? Who doesn’t like to dress up their bike? Who doesn’t want to take a minute and remember a loved one that has passed before them? Head over to K and G Cycles (www.kandgcycles.com) and pick up a bell for that special someone.

Every fall tens of thousands of bikers descend on Daytona Beach, Florida for the annual Biketoberfest Motorcycle Rally to see and be seen. If it is a unique bike you want to see, it is sure to be in Daytona. If you want to people watch, this is a great place. K and G Cycles (www.kandgcycles.com) had a crew on the ground to rub elbows, check out the amazing bikes, promote Bean’re and his book, as well as his charitable side – $1.00 from every copy sold through K and G Cycles will be donated to The Special Olympics. Now it wasn’t all work for our crew, they did get to sample plenty of the foods offered in and around the Daytona Beach area, and a few refreshing beverages too. They were kind enough to grab some footage of the events taking place and the bikes in attendance. For those of you that couldn’t make it, we have compiled a video highlighting our crews footage from various events and popular hang outs.

As we all know, Daytona Beach Biketoberfest  has something for everyone. If you are looking to purchase a new bike, accessorize the one you have, party like a rock star, eat some awesome food, or simply be a camera hound, it all takes place in beautiful Daytona Beach, Florida. Some of the local dealerships use this as a customer appreciation event, or as a way to capture impulse sales, but all in all it’s about who can attract the most people, provide the best time, and bring in the bikes. Walking around is an endless bike show that is sure to have something for everyone.So why not click the link, set back and enjoy the video our K and G Crew (www.kandgcycles.com) shot for you and see just how many bikes you’d love to have, or places you’d like to hit. Enjoy! Biketoberfest Daytona Beach 2012.

It is never a good idea to call someone an Iron Butt, unless you are referring to a group of motorcyclists that have earned the right to be called that. The minimum commitment to wear that badge is the SaddleSore 1000 which requires riders to cover 1,000 miles in 24 hours or less. Sure it sounds easy, 41.67 miles an hour, but there is a lot more to it. Safe, long-distance motorcycle riding is what the 50,000+ members of the Iron Butt Association dedicate themselves to. Despite being based in the United States, thousands of enthusiastic members are located around the globe. One of the groups more popular slogans is, “The World Is Our Playground.” Hosting several rides annually, the most notable is the 11-day, 11,000+ mile Iron Butt Rally. Additionally, the Iron Butt Association hosts:

*The Saddle Sore 1000 -  a 24 hour 1,000 mile ride.

*The Bun Burner 1500 -  a 1,500 mile run completed in 36 hours.

*The Bun Burner Gold – 1,500 miles in 24 hours.

*The 50cc Quest – Cross Country in 50 hours or less.

*The National Parks Tour Master Traveler Award -  visit 50 parks in at least 25 states.

*The coveted 10/10ths Challenge – 10 consecutive 1,000 mile days.

*The 100k Club – 100,000 miles or more in one year.

The Iron Butt Association (IBA) doesn’t have membership in the traditional sense, no yearly dues, formal meetings or even a monthly newsletter. The IBA is a little more loose knit than most clubs. Generally speaking there are several ways to earn membership. The most notable is to be a finisher of the Iron Butt Rally or a successful finisher of one of the other rides sponsored by The IBA, such as the Saddle Sore 1000. Endurance riding not your thing, rally workers and supporters are granted membership status.

According to The Iron Butt Association, “A great Long Distance rider can do very well on a mediocre motorcycle. “It’s the rider, not the bike” is a romantic notion within the Long Distance Riding Community, but reality suggests it is really both. A well-prepared, well maintained motorcycle can make a huge difference in the outcome of competitive riding events. That’s why most top Long Distance riders use motorcycles that are designed specifically for long distance riding, and then perform modifications to their machines to better handle 1,000+ mile days. Auxiliary lighting, increased fuel capacity, more comfortable saddles, heated clothing, GPS navigation systems, modified windscreens, hydration systems and many other modifications can increase the comfort and efficiency with which long distances can be covered on a motorcycle.”

So if you are looking for membership in a club that has no walls, prepare yourself for your first 1,000 mile day and all the adventure it will have to offer. Maybe, just maybe, you might even work your way into The 100k Club. Until then, get out there and ride.

Recently I was out looking for some cool pictures to post on Facebook when I came across an interesting photo of a vase full of flowers, made entirely from motorcycle parts. I had to know more about this unbelievable creation and how it came to be. In the meantime I posted that picture and the response was crazy. Almost 2600 people have seen my post on it, just shy of 130 “liked” it, and 75  shared it from our page. I know you’re thinking that’s not a lot, BUT, I can only track the activity at my page, I am pretty sure this was shared, liked, and forwarded a few more times after that. Well after doing some digging, I found the “Dirt” on this beautiful creation and the story behind it, and feel the need to share it with you.

Our story begins about 8 years ago in a grage in Champaign, Illinois when James”Dirt” Dorner an electrician by trade took his welding skill and combined it with his love of motorcycles and appreciation for art and started creating works made entirely of resurrected Harley-Davidson motorcycle parts. Initially a creative outlet and avenue of stress relief, as each piece emerged from the pile of  parts, James imagined creating bigger, more intricate pieces. As his pieces started to overwhelm his workshop, family and friends encouraged him to share his work with the public.

This is where the story takes a turn and becomes an amazing tale. As we all know, motorcycle riders have enormous hearts and are very charitable, especially when it comes to children and military. When the motorcycle club James belongs to began supporting charity events, he decided donating his artwork for raffles or auctions was going to be his way of contributing  to the causes, many of them taking place at The Pink House Tavern in Ogden, Illinois.. Over the years, James’ art has raised an astonishing $60,000 for Children’s and Veteran’s charities. His highest earning item netted over $4000, with many items dotting the landscape between $1000 and $3000.  The pieces range from smaller flowers to large eagles with their wings spread, with dogs, cobras, crosses, and prayer roses in between, as well as dream catchers and bouquets and vases. With the tremendous response to his labors, James decided it was time to up the ante’.

Recently I had the opportunity to meet James and was given the opportunity to watch a piece take shape right before my eyes, it is evident he has many hats on his head. Calling him an artist is not enough, he is also a craftsman, philanthropist, community activist, motorcyclist, broad shouldered down to earth guy, and Dad. Being invited into his shop I was given a first hand look at some of his creations and allowed to stare in amazement while I identified the various components incorporated in each work of art. During my time spent in the shop, he made one of the smaller flowers and put some finishing touches on an eagle someone had purchased. As we chatted, James shared some stories related to parts acquisitions, and some of the pieces stories. One amazing example was friends of his (Husband and Wife) had gotten killed on their motorcycle, and the family donated the wreckage to James with the simple request of a couple of pieces be made from the bike to be given to the family with leftover parts be used for future charity pieces. Stories of the recipients of these creations range from tears of gratitude to energizing recovery and healing processes. As a matter of fact there are a few pieces residing in area Children’s Hospitals that are said to have genuinely made a difference in the lives they have touched.. That does bring up a curious question – Where does he get all the parts for his works? Initially fellow club members started donating their old motorcycle parts. Needing more parts, a friend of his, Bob Cleary owner of Mid State Cycles in Champaign helped out as much as he could, offering up the free run of his junk parts bin.  Though it provides a sizable cache of parts, Dorner is looking to for additional resources for the supplies he needs to create these breathtaking works.  Swap meets are another source of materials, but buyer beware! James told me how one time he bought some fenders and a fuel tank and when he got home, found out the had been full of Bondo and were unusable.

The day I met James, he already had plans to participate in a ride that when done was going to see one of his pieces auctioned off. It was amazing to see the groups excitement as they talked with him about the piece and the possibility of having him create one for them personally. His gesture added almost $500 to the amount raised for Veterans that day.

Having surpassed his goal of raising $50,000 for charities, Dorner has decided to see if the sale of his art can support him. Rest assured he will still be donating work for charitable benefit, but will follow a dream of being a professional artist/sculpture. Not many of us get an honest chance to make a difference or make a living via our passions, James Dorner is one of the lucky ones. You can take a look at many of his pieces by logging onto his website - www.artbydirt or if you are on FaceBook look him up and friend him. I’ll let you ask him how he got the nickname “Dirt”.

*As stated in the story, James is looking for take off Harley-Davidson parts such as mufflers and heat shields, motor parts, tins, grips, pegs and so on. Why not avoid the hassle of selling your extra parts on line for a meager amount of money and let them support a charitable individual. Contact Don at dkopach@kandgcycles.com to learn more.

Every fall tens of thousands of bikers descend on Daytona Beach, Florida for the annual Biketoberfest Motorcycle Rally to see and be seen. If it is a unique bike you want to see, it is sure to be in Daytona. If you want to people watch, this is a great place. K and G Cycles (www.kandgcycles.com) had a crew on the ground to rub elbows, check out the amazing bikes, promote Bean’re and his book, as well as his charitable side – $1.00 from every copy sold through K and G Cycles will be donated to The Special Olympics. Now it wasn’t all work for our crew, they did get to sample plenty of the foods offered in and around the Daytona Beach area, and a few refreshing beverages too. They were kind enough to grab some footage of the events taking place and the bikes in attendance. For those of you that couldn’t make it, we have compiled a video highlighting our crews footage from various events and popular hang outs.

As we all know, Daytona Beach Biketoberfest  has something for everyone. If you are looking to purchase a new bike, accessorize the one you have, party like a rock star, eat some awesome food, or simply be a camera hound, it all takes place in beautiful Daytona Beach, Florida. Some of the local dealerships use this as a customer appreciation event, or as a way to capture impulse sales, but all in all it’s about who can attract the most people, provide the best time, and bring in the bikes. Walking around is an endless bike show that is sure to have something for everyone.So why not click the link, set back and enjoy the video our K and G Crew (www.kandgcycles.com) shot for you and see just how many bikes you’d love to have, or places you’d like to hit. Enjoy! Biketoberfest Daytona Beach 2012.