For the past 5 years, a group of fun loving custom chopper builders, antique bike restorers and all around good natured motorcycle hooligans have gathered in the small town of Franklin, Iowa for the "Hell on Wheels" chopper show and group ride. Toting slogans like "No sponsors, No masters" and "No trophies, No awards, Just Hell on Wheels" they aimed to put on a very grassroots event that was focused on the camaraderie of old bike riders and custom builders without the hassle for trying to outdo one another with trophies and such. The event also began with organizer Nathan Kirchner putting on something in the spirit that his father "Teddy Bear" Kirchner, who had since passed, would have been proud to be a part of, as he had been a big presence in the local bike scene for years. We heard that their 5th anniversary show was potentially going to be their last, so we saddled up with some folks from Indianapolis and hit the highways to jam out to the nearby town of Keokuk, Iowa for some amazing camping and great times with the whole Iowa crew.
The Vintage 1000 now in its 6th year is a pre 1981 "vintage only" motorcycle ride that spans a course of 1000 miles of incredibly diverse terrain that mixes some the most extreme trail riding and gorgeous beautifully paved roads that the Appalachian mountains can offer. Adam and Jamie Sheard of the moto repair shop "Speed Deluxe" out of Chattanooga, TN wanted to bring something exclusive to people who eat, sleep and breathe vintage motorcycles of all brands. Something that could push them out of their comfort zones and test their vintage steeds and willful spirits to a crash course of high and low speed endurance riding all while using only traditional paper maps and handlebar mounted roll charts only.
Just south of Chillicothe, Ohio sits a beautiful landscape of rolling hills and forests that are host to a few incredible hideaways that are like something out of a dirtbike lovers dreams. Imagine an old camp hideaway spot that has a full hare scrambles course laid out along with dirtbike jumps and multiple swimming spots to cool off in after ripping through the woods. This place does exist and it is called Camp Waterlow.
This year, round two of the 2020 Roland Sands Super Hooligan Series lured over 50 racers from all over the country to Primm Nevada, a small town on the border of California, just 40 miles from Las Vegas. There, they bet it all, racing bar to bar on a 1/5th mile asphalt oval. Laid out on a lot beneath the Buffalo Bill's Resort and Casino's Desperado roller coaster, the course looked just as fast and scary as that roller coaster. Half of the course comprised of smooth, clean asphalt while turns one and two were a much coarser, grate-the-skin-right-off-your-ass kind of asphalt.
Dan had never planned on winning the Mint 400. He just wanted to ride and have a good time. He faced a lot of difficulties and mishaps during his first desert race and he graciously took them all in stride. He learned a lot and is already planning on returning next year better prepared for the realities of difficult desert racing.
