It’s summertime and bike nights are in full swing here in the Northeast. My friend Rob Nussbaum of Retrocycle informs me that he and his band Out of the Woodwork kicked off the season at the first of the weekly Mason Jar Biker Sundays. The bar/restaurant has been around since 1997, and quite a few motorcyclists stop by in warm weather, so Mason Jar decided they’d host Biker Sundays from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. every week. There will be live music and, weather permitting, outside dining right near your bike for which they’ve designated special parking. I’ve been told it’s the best barbecue in the metro New York area, plus they offer the famous New York ripper hot dogs with special meat sauce (no beans!). Stop by any Sunday through Labor Day after riding the fabulous roads in that area. Mason Jar is at 219 Ramapo Valley Road in Mahwah, New Jersey, just off Route 17… New York City has been experiencing a big problem with unlicensed, unregistered off-road motorcycles, minibikes and ATVs. In the first half of this year, nearly 700 of these vehicles have been confiscated and many unlicensed, unhelmeted riders arrested. So on Tuesday, May 17, the city ordered that bulldozers crush about 70 of the motorcycles to send a message to “the nitwits and knuckleheads who insist on operating these illegal vehicles on the streets,” said NYPD Commissioner William Bratton… Maryland has become the second U.S. state to pass motorcyclist anti-profiling law. The state of Washington was the first, and we’re all still waiting for federal legislation to prohibit funding for this purpose… The Iron Knights MC held its season kick-off party May 14. The temperature was in the 50’s and it was a little rainy, but a number of clubs, solo riders, friends and family showed up at the IKMC clubhouse in the Ironbound section of Newark, New Jersey. We always put out great food, and for $20 it was all you could eat, music, good friends and good fun. Our next event is our Christmas in July party on July 16 where the donation is $10 or a kid’s gift of equal value. All proceeds will be distributed at our Cookies with Santa event in December. Check out the IKMC Facebook page at facebook.com/iron.knights.9… I’m sad to report that the legendary George Yarocki has passed away at the age of 88. George, a lifelong resident of Torrington, Connecticut, was known as one of the top Indian Motorcycle experts in the world, and has had a hand in building, rebuilding, teaching and consulting about vintage Indians. He has donated and built many Indians for the benefit of museums, such as the Springfield Museum in Springfield, Massachusetts, and the American Police Motorcycle Museum in Meredith, New Hampshire. George loved to share his deep knowledge of Indians with various protégés, students and friends; this amazing, generous man will still be sorely missed… While Diva Dawn and I were in New Hope, Pennsylvania, for the 3rd annual Rock and Ride for the Cure on May 28, we stopped by Route 32 Riding Gear. They’ve been open about two years and the store, at 115 S. Main St., seems to be doing quite well. Stop in and say hi to owner Dominick, and check out their high-quality riding apparel… In a few weeks I’ll be on my way to the 93rd Laconia Motorcycle Week; I hope to see many of you there!
