We’re finally getting some decent riding weather here in the Northeast, just in time for seasonal kickoff parties, charity runs and open houses. I mentioned in the April issue that Black Hills Custom Parts is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year with a big party on Saturday, June 28. The store opens at 9:00 a.m. and the birthday bash begins at 11:00 a.m., with festivities continuing until 3:00 p.m. Owner Ken Puzio is thanking his loyal customers with free food, live music by Blues Chamber, store discounts, door prizes and giveaways from sponsor/vendors such as Accel, Air Hawk, Avon Grips, Drag Specialties, Klock Werks, Küryakyn, Lyndall Racing Brakes, Memphis Shades, Metzeler, Motobatt, Rinehart, Yuasa and more. There will be a swap meet table and special vendor area. Show up and help Ken and his crew celebrate 20 years in business! Black Hills Custom Parts is located at 80 Route 46, Rockaway, New Jersey. Check out www.facebook.com/blackhillscustomparts for more info or contact the store by calling 973.983.0200. I’ll see you there!… Patriot Riders of America had their 7th annual Spring Ride for the Troops on April 27. The ride began at the York American Legion in York, Maine, and continued on a scenic escorted ride ending at Bentley’s in Arundel, Maine. The ride raised money to provide support and assistance to Maine’s military veterans and first responders. The weather wasn’t particularly cooperative, so to help the Patriot Riders raise the $10,000 they were hoping for, contact them through their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/PatriotRidersOfAmericaMaineChapterTwo… A sad farewell to moto journalist Jeff Bahr, 56, of Bloomfield, New Jersey, who passed away on April 10 as a result of a motorcycle accident in West Buffalo Township, Pennsylvania. Jeff was a contributor to Backroads motorcycle touring magazine, and had written for Weird NJ and a number of other local publications. Godspeed to this talented and humorous journalist and all-around nice guy… West Orange, New Jersey, artist Allan Gorman is bringing his Ready to Rumble Road Show to various Harley-Davidson dealerships in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The exhibit involves a series of paintings that focus on the beautiful abstract shapes and designs found on motorcycles. The paintings, as well as limited-edition signed prints, will be for sale, and the artist will be on hand to sign commemorative tour posters at each event. Local motorcycle clubs will receive 20 percent of the proceeds from each poster sale. The rotating exhibit started in May and continues through November. Check out www.allangorman.com/exhibiting for the dates and locations of each Road Show stop… The US Military Vets MC invite everyone to their Blessing of the Bikes II on Sunday, July 13, starting at 11:00 a.m. The event is hosted by the Red River Inn at 450 Main St. in Yaphank, New York, across from the fire department. Along with the bike blessing will be live music, food and drinks, vendors, raffle prizes and more. Preregistered bikes and cards are $20 (day of event is $25), passengers $10, general public $15, and the fee includes lunch and event T-shirt. Proceeds will benefit homeless veterans in Suffolk County. For more info, call the USMVC at 516.523.0258 or email RoadRunner at roadrunnerusmv@gmail.com… Aidan Jack Seeger, son of Elisa and Bob Seeger of Indian Larry Motorcycles, was diagnosed with adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) in 2011 at the age of 6. Sadly, he lost his battle with this deadly disease the next year, at only 7 years old. If he’d been diagnosed at birth, he could have been treated and lived a full life. The Aidan Jack Seeger Foundation was established to help families of children diagnosed with ALD, raise awareness and press for legislation to require newborn infant screening. Indian Larry Motorcycles is hosting Aidan’s Ride N.Y. on June 1 to raise funds for the Aiden Jack Seeger Foundation. Registration for the 85-mile ride starts at 9:00 a.m. at Indian Larry Motorcycles, 400 Union Avenue, Brooklyn, New York, with kickstands up at 11:00 a.m., and the ride will end at the Emporium in Patchogue, Long Island. Preregistration is $40 ($60 on the day of the ride) and includes the ride, entry into raffles and the after-ride buffet and live music. For more information or to register, go to www.indianlarry.com/aidans-ride… While at the Donnie Smith Bike Show at the end of March, I ran into former NFL star Ruben Brown who, every year, conducts a run for the Ruben Brown Foundation, created to raise funds for youth service and enrichment programs. One hundred percent of the proceeds from this year’s Ruben Brown Motorcycle Run, to be held June 21, will benefit the Eden High School Chopper Class. The ride will leave at 11:00 a.m. from WINGS Meeting Place and Pavilion, 3964 California Road, Orchard Park, NY, and return to the WINGS event site for a car and bike show, food and beverages, raffles and 50/50, silent auction, horseshoe tournament and entertainment. Go to www.rubenbrownfoundation.com/proj/ruben-brown-run for more information… On Saturday, May 31, Rob Nussbaum and the crew at Retrocycle will be celebrating their 10th anniversary at its location at 1 Mars Court Unit 3, Boonton, New Jersey. The festivities will take place from noon until 6:00 p.m., and will include live music, a barbecue, raffles, vendors, a parking lot swap meet, antique motorcycle exhibit and more. For more information, find Retrocycle on Facebook or call 973.291.8588.
