Happy birthday to all motorcycle riders who celebrate in February, and there are a lot of you. Happy birthday to my good IHR girlfriend, Sandi Long, in Pocatello, Idaho. Happy birthday to former Santa Cruz H.O.G. members Mike Golden, Dennis Heekin, Walt Nagle and Beci Ladson Vigil. In San Jose, happy birthday to Frank Calabro and Ed Martinez. Happy birthday to Iron Steed H.O.G. members Keri Clements in El Sobrante, Dodie Dillon and Bobbie Jo Hurst in Vacaville, to Hot Chocolate gang members Arnold Cain, Wayne Harrison and Dave Heppner in Santa Nella. Happy birthday to Diana Rohrer in Sacramento, to Jim Snawder in Freedom, Kathy Statham in Spearfish, South Dakota, and Peter Donovan of the Intermountain H.O.G. chapter in Boise, Idaho. Happy birthday to Allen Aldridge, co-manager of Jamestown H-D, to celebrity riders John Travolta, Peter Fonda and Travis Tritt, and last, but never, ever least, happy birthday to my other half, Jack Munoz. This is where and when I would normally wish a happy birthday to friends Linda and Ernie Vasquez in Coarsegold, but they have sold their bikes and given up two-wheeling. Oh, what the hey! Happy birthday to Linda and Ernie—one last time… If you want to see an over-the-top website for motorcycle riders, take a look at Frank Strouse’s www.motorcycleroads.us. This website will take you down most any road you can ask for. Then, just for fun, click on Biker Wisdoms; they are outrageously funny and accurate. They range from the well-known like, “Only a biker knows why a dog sticks his head out of a car window,” to the lesser-known like, “You only need two tools: WD-40 and duct tape. If it doesn’t move and it should, use WD-40. If it moves and it shouldn’t, use duct tape.”… The 10th U.S. Army Cavalry was established in 1866. We all know it by its nickname, “Buffalo Soldiers.” It was a segregated unit of black soldiers formed to fight in the Indian Wars. In fact, it was the Indians who gave them their nickname. The story goes that a wounded black soldier held off a large group of warriors to become the last man standing. The Cheyenne were very impressed and compared him to a buffalo because the soldier had fought like a cornered buffalo, and although he had suffered many wounds, he, like a buffalo, would not die. The Cheyenne also said that the soldier even looked like a buffalo because he had a thick and shaggy mane of hair. I don’t know whether this is a true story, but it is a fact that Buffalo Soldiers are fierce fighters. The 10th Cavalry itself has been deactivated and reactivated ad nauseam. Since its activation in 1866, it was deactivated in 1944, reactivated in 1958, deactivated in 2000, reactivated in 2003, deactivated in 2004 and reactivated in 2007. They fought in the Civil War, World War II, Vietnam and Iraq. This is quite a legacy to live up to, but if you think you are up to it, you may want to get in touch with the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club. They are nationwide, and there is a chapter right here in Sacramento. One of the nicest things about this club is that they are not segregated. A majority of the members are black, and the predominant motorcycle is a Honda Gold Wing; however, they don’t discriminate because of age, race, creed, religion or sex. Yes, women are welcome. The only bike requirement is that your bike is registered and able to maintain highway speeds. To learn more about them, look them up at www.bsmcsacramento.com… The 2014 FLHTCUTG Tri-Glide Ultra Classic, the 2014 FXSBE CVO Softail Breakout and the 2014 FLSTNSE CVO Softail Deluxe are being recalled by Harley. They have an incorrect clutch release plate that can prevent the clutch from disengaging and making the bike difficult to slow or stop. If you own one of these, go to your dealership. This defect has caused crashes and injuries… Bike blessings are typically held in February. The First Baptist Church of Galt is conducting one on the 15th. Pastor Brandon Willette is also a member of the Iron Horse Ministries in Auburn where his brother, Micah, is president and Brandon is the chapter’s chaplain. Their father, Tim, is the national chaplain. For more information, contact bwillette@gmail or call 530.852.2328. In Hollister, the Top Hatters are having their 20th annual Bike Blessing at the Sacred Heart Church. For more information, call 831.630.0284 or contact hog_rider_80 @yahoo.com.
