Apparently October is National Sarcastic Month—how cool is that? Along with that, at last a chance of fall arriving here in SoCal, where the summers last forever. OK, maybe it’s just because I work in San Bernardino at the gates of hell. I know, lots of you like the summer heat. But me? Not so much. And this summer has had more than its fair share of it, so I’m looking forward to the next couple of months while it’s cooling off and before the rain sets in. It’s my favorite time of the year for runs, too, starting with the Veterans’ Day runs and heading right into the Totally Kids Ride. So let’s get this column going by chatting about a couple great rides and why they’re just that… First, from Scott is the Loma Linda H.O.G.’s 17th annual Veterans Ride on Saturday, October 6. Starting at Quaid H-D in Redlands, sign-in opens at 8:30 a.m. This was a well put together ride last year, and I expect no less this year. With In-N-Out providing the food, a $200 high poker hand, a chapter challenge and, of course, great music and lots of friends, I’m sure this year will surpass last year’s fun! By the time you read this, it will be too late for pre-reg, so your entry fee at the door will be $20 for a single rider and $25 for two-up. Proceeds will go to Loma Linda Veteran’s Hospital, so it’ll be fun and for a great cause! How cool is that? And on the subject of this run—great job on the flyers, PR Printing in San Bernardino. Once again you make a run’s advertisement look perfect. PR Printing are experts on your run flyers—give ’em a call at 909.387.0717; you’ll be happy you did. And just in case you need some great tunes to go with that run, they also have Mobil DJ at 290 West Orange Show Road, San Bernardino; you can call ’em at 909.387.0980… Palm Springs H.O.G.’s 10th annual Run for the Troops is on October 13… I know you’ve seen ads throughout THUNDER PRESS, but just one more reminder—Palm Springs Bike Weekend/American Heat is October 19–21… October 27 brings us the 3rd annual Run for Recovery—presented by Sober Riders MC Palm Desert Chapter, held at Valley V-Twin in Indio… And while I’m on the subject of Valley V-Twin, owner George Fetty, along with Allison Getty and Dave Woods from Coachella Valley Motorcycle Training, will all be attending their annual CMSP (California Motorcyclist Safety Program) recertification class in Carlsbad on October 7…I have a few birthday wishes—OK, quite a few, so here goes. Happy Birthday to Amy Broich’s mom Alice Broich! Christine Madruga from the Pet Rescue Center in Coachella—hope your day is special; you deserve it for all the care you give to the critters of the desert! Happy Birthday to Joaquin Murguia, John Pena, Monica Mazet, Cat Minter and Joe Howells, all from out in the low desert area. Hope it’s a great birthday for each of you. Happy Birthday to CREW Members Jamie Francis, Marti Hall on October 5 and my pal Tami Gedigian! Especially Tami, who will celebrating her birthday with the CREW at their annual Group Birthday party October 27. And a very special birthday wish for our own Sam Jones! Have fun, Sam—like there’d be a choice with you! Last but not least, a very happy 237th birthday to the US Navy on October 13!… Nice hearing from Don Hofeldt; its been a while!… Danny Bagley, Halle says thanks again for the hose bibb!… Got my early alert from Honda Ray in September for the Totally Kids ride on Sunday, November 11. And while I won’t give you all the info this month, I do want you to mark your calendars for the sweetest ride of the whole year. I’ll fill you in next month on the rest!… Nice running into Len “Bearwalker” Hodgeson again in September. He had pal Andy Pearl hobbling along for the ride. I’m so sorry about the accident, Andy; keep working on your recovery. I know how long it takes. So sorry about your bike, too… Pete “BluesBiker” Babcock tells us that Bob’s Bandanas, out in the Russian River area, is planning on retiring from his day job and wants to give his Bad Dog Bandanas a full-time go. Best of luck, Bob!… My work friend Jeff Givens is one-third of the Bo Huff Rockabilly Extravaganza Car & Bike Show committee (along with Randy Wyatt from Wyatt’s Paint & Body in San Berdoo, and CeePee, prez of Dead Dog Sleds Car Club). Every year we chat after the show is over, but this year we connected early so I can give you guys a heads up for this cool show and maybe you can even get in for some participation. The show is November 24. I’ll give you more info on it next month… You just never know what CJ and Raylene Massoudi from CJ’s Diner might do if you tell them Halle Fetty suggested that you stop by—if they don’t throw you out, they just might throw something extra on your plate! Stop by CJ’s in Palm Desert; they’re located at 74894 Lennon Place, Ste. H1. I’m told their Monte Cristo Sandwich on weekends is worth the drive from L.A.… Halle, George, Andrew and Lexie, so sorry for your loss. Dad and grandpa Richard Fetty will be missed… Mark Miller from Gypsy Flyer Motorcycle Shop in Ukiah, hope your son JR is recovering from his recent accident… Don Berry, good to see you looking great after your back surgery; glad you’re up on 2 wheels again—keep up the PT!… Alysson Smythe, keep on with the long slow recovery; we’re all wishing you the best!… With that, I’m gonna call this column a wrap. Join me next month and I’ll fill ya in on the first of my favorite toy runs (my god, how is this possible, already?). So see you all soon; you know what I want! Send me your best runs, your biker friendly shops, mechanics you love. Bars and clubs that are biker friendly are always appreciated too! If you want someone to get some extra recognition, bring it! I’m here to spread the word. See you all next month—enjoy your ride!
