Well, I can say with an extremely high degree of certainty that you won’t hear any of the “new year, new me” type of bullshit coming out of my corner of the world this month. Not that I am disparaging anyone that subscribes to that sort of thinking, but just saying it is not for me. I usually try to make an effort to make the positive changes in my life as I go, to some varying degree of effectiveness, but when I do such, I do it along the way. I steer the boat in the direction of travel and let ‘er rip! Life is an ever-evolving series of challenges and triumphs, and both should be grasped for what they are and live, learn, love, and move along into another moment, hour, day, week, month, and year. Don’t just think of 2025 as something in the distant future as it has seemed for so long, but as your next opportunity to make shit work on your own terms. Make it happen. Happy New Year to one and all, we wish you the best of luck and much success this year!
As we are rolling into this new month and year, I am excited for the upcoming event, bike show, and swap meet season to start. Not a show or swap, but an annual gathering of like-minded souls shakes out this year on January 11th at Metro HD in Cedar Rapids. Their winter sucks party is happening, and they usually have some cool stuff being rolled out for the 620 Foundation at this shindig that should not be missed. The theme for the party this year is “Peace, Love, and Winter Sucks!” Hope to see ya there!
Thunder Roads Magazine of Iowa loves this time of year getting out and about to events and seeing old friends and meeting new ones. The first slated show event is the Midwest Cycle & Motorsports Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet. Tator is back this year in a different zip code and is dead set on making the show work in a place that welcomes bikes. The show is on the left side of the river in Sioux City, NE on January 25th and 26th. I know that TRMI will be there with bells on and camera in hand. I know that it is disappointing that his show is not in DM like normal, but sometimes you just need to make lemonade from lemons and do the best you can with what you have to work with. Best that can be done is to still support the shows and swap meets when they are happening and keep moving forward. Hope to see a whole batch of you in Sioux City!
In February it may be of interest to bikers to try to attend the ABATE of Iowa Lobby Day on February 5th. There may or may not be some very important things to talk about with your lawmakers on that day. We all need to take an active part in our freedom, and it starts right here, so please make a point to attend if you can.
On March 2nd in Cedar Rapids, we will be hanging out with Joe, Kim, and company for the Parts Girl Promotions swap Meet. This is an awesome one-day event that brings in more parts than you can shake a stick at, and it brings an amazing crowd.
After that show, we will be going back west to Fremont, NE to join the Omaha Chapter of the AMCA for the 46th Annual Antique Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet. This is the closest place in the Midwest to get antique motorcycles judged and is quite an interesting thing to watch. That on top of some cool ass folks and bad ass old iron, it is a great place to check out on March 22nd and 23rd.
Then we move on to cross the eastern river and go to Rock Island, IL for the Parts Girl Promotions show there on April 6th. We always love to see our eastern Iowa peeps for this event and make it a couple day trip to try to catch more people and cool stuff on that side of Iowa and beyond.
Also, on the 6th and 7th of April will be a Chopper Show at Mason City at the North Iowa Events Center. Bring in your choppers, old or new. Chew the fat, tell some stories of days gone by, talk about your builds, and just have fun with some awesome people. There very well may be a Gilmore sighting or two at this show, and the winner will get a custom best Chopper Award presented by Charlie “Chopper” Gilmore himself. That alone is worth the price of admission!
Well, there is a list of things to keep you busy for the next few months until the weather breaks. Hope to see a ton of you out and about at these events! Don’t be afraid to stop by the booth and say hey!
Be safe, Happy New Year!
Vernon
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