I love this time of year—especially this year with the weather being all over the map. It’s also the time I go on my mini-vaca with my sis and a couple of friends. So, guess what; I love my month of May! And it’s made all the more special by all the May happenings in the biker world. So to kick it off, in no special order, let’s start with a cool ride sponsored by the great folks out at Quaid Harley-Davidson in Loma Linda. It’s the 7th annual Eagle Run on May 18—check-in and registration is from 8:00-10:00 a.m. This ride has a hefty $500 high hand for the poker run; the low is $100. Also on tap is music by the Royal Blues Band, lots of raffles, vendors and a bike show. I always have a great time at Quaid events, and I expect this to be no less!… For you Brad Wilson fans, he’s finally got a few SoCal appearances, as well as a couple just north of SoCal. Look for him at Three Rivers at the River View (a great place!) on May 5, he’ll be in Clovis on May 10 at the KSEE Concert Series and, finally, down to SoCal on May 18 at the Café Boogaloo in Hermosa Beach… The Desert Riders are sponsoring their 7th annual Poker Run on May 4. Registration is at Palm Springs H-D between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m. This event is held in honor of National Police Week and proceeds will benefit the families of fallen officers. For more info call Ken Blackburn at 509.980.3100… Hearing good stuff about Wyatt Chyrchel at BC Cycles! More than one rider friend has recently recommended them. So if you’re looking for a new repair shop for your V-Twin, here’s their number: 909.949.8100… Here’s my last chance to mention, via my riding pal Cindy Gano, the 2013 Highway Workers Memorial Run and fundraiser. Held on May 1 and 2, there are several departure points to the end destination in Sacramento. For info on those points, shoot Cindy an e-mail at FLHRLB@yahoo.com… Heard from Cecil Shockley recently—thanks for sending me photos of your 7-year-old grandson Dakota Shockley’s first race on a junior speedway bike at the Pirate Speedway in San Berdoo—wow! He just keeps on, doesn’t he? Some of you might remember me talking about him several years ago when he was riding motocross on training wheels. He’s sure stepped up now!… Had a great time at Ron Vanyo’s impromptu birthday at Kishi in Upland—thanks for the invite, Christine!… Nice to hear from Sherrie of Gypsy Rebel!… One of my customers, Danny Thomas, recommended the new and improved 1Down Biker Supply House at 512 East Redlands Boulevard in Redlands. I chatted with a rep from the shop in a previous incarnation (different owners) and found the experience lacking in the expertise I expect from a biker shop. The new owner is “Goldie” DeWitt, and he is trying real hard to improve on the reputation the last owners garnered. Goldie asked me to tell you about the Biker Blues event at his Upsidedown Bar in Montclair on May 26. It sounds fun; I just might try to make that one… And not far down the street from 1Down Biker Supply is the all-new Wyatt’s Paint and Body. They’ve opened a shiny new location at 1120 West Redlands Boulevard in Redlands for all your crash needs. Hope it goes well for you guys… The International Female Ride Day is on May 3. I got an e-mail from Genevieve Schmitt on this event and, as a chick rider, this does sound attractive. The Palm Springs Escape, the first of the three tours, is scheduled for May 2–6, 2013, and is still taking reservations. The five-day tour experience, called the “All-Women R, R and R Tour” (standing for “ride, relax and rejuvenate”) will use beautiful, balmy Palm Springs as its home base. The “R, R and R” experience includes three leisurely day rides through the mountains and deserts of Southern California on EagleRider rental motorcycles (or your own, of course). “This all-women motorcycle tour is based out of the Spa Hotel in downtown Palm Springs, so guests are within walking distance of world-class boutiques and spa treatments, something they can indulge in after each day’s ride,” according to Schmitt. Daily rides include the Palms to Pines Scenic Byway, along with visits to Joshua Tree National Park, Anza-Borrego State Park, and the mountain towns of Julian and Idyllwild. Sound like something you gals might enjoy? I am unfortunately already booked, but it sure sounds like a good time to me!… I know lots of you are planning on attending the Run for the Wall between May 5-27, so keep it safe. As always, you’ll get the gamut when it comes to the weather riding across the country… Here’s a bunch o’ birthday wishes for lots of readers and friends: Hank Eylicia, hope your May birthday is a good one. Same for Tom Mennig and Richard Heller! Peggy Boyar, here’s a toast for your birthday—hope your day is awesome! Danny Bagley, you have a fun day, too! Mitch Bergeron, you also have a fun birthday! And Halle Fetty, happy birthday, my friend! I hope your day is fabulous. Congrats on your recent mini-vacation. I know how hard it is for you and George to leave Valley V-Twin, even for a couple days! Maricruz Trevino, you have a great birthday, girlfriend! ABATE 19’s own Lynette Snyder is celebrating a birthday in early May; hope it’s a good one… Dave Gedigian is also having a birthday this month. I have no doubt Tami and your daughters will have something special planned! Mike Reese of the CREW is celebrating his birthday on the same day as Dave. And right at the end of the month—Bob Ewing, hope your day is peachy!… Tim Morrison is one of the instrumental forces behind the San Dimas 4th of July Parade, which organizes hundreds of bikes to take part in the event. Tim recently lost both his mom and his sister within weeks of each other—I am so sorry to hear of your loss, Tim… May 18 is Armed Forces Day, and that finishes up my month. See you all next month. Keep on sending me your “stuff.” You know just what I want—the biker-friendly shops, salons, hotels, motels, stores, vendors, birthdays and the rare anniversaries. I like ’em all! See you all next month; until then—enjoy your ride!
