Dragon Tales
Happy New Year! 2010 is now upon us and what a great year this is
already shaping up to be. Read on in this issue to learn more of the
exciting news that Thunder Roads West Virginia is letting you all
in on for your riding pleasure. I have to tell you that I am amazed
everyday by the responses I am hearing from everyone about the
magazine. I am so pumped to know that you feel the same way about
motorcycling and motorcycling in this fine state we all live in as we
do. There has been one question asked by some that I would like to
pass on to all of you so you know what we are trying to do with this
publication.
What is your mission? What exactly are your goals for the future of
this magazine?
Well, that is a simple question when you think about it but trying to
explain your feelings to another person is somewhat trickier than you
would think so here we go.
Thunder Roads West Virginia is a magazine about anything and
everything motorcycle related in the state of West Virginia. And I do
2 Thunder Roads West Virginia JANUARY 2010
mean everything. From custom Harley-Davidsons and metric cruisers
to sport bikes and dual sports, it doesn’t matter what you ride, just
that you ride.
Gary and I want to strengthen the biking community in this fine
state while helping local businesses grow and prosper. Face it, we
are all just people. We own homes, we drive cars, and we have jobs
just like everyone else. This magazine is a direct pipeline for the
riding public to support fellow biker business owners and businesses
that understand that bikers are a great group of people that are just
that…people. So do your part to support the biking community by
patronizing our advertisers. They’re “biker friendly” folks, and when
you buy from them you help all of us prosper.
Thanks for joining us on our journey. You are as much a part of this
adventure as we are so hang on tight. Here we go….
Ride safe and keep the shiny side up!
Donna
 Thunder Roads West Virginia Letter From The Editor…...................……..4
P.O. Box 606 / Charles Town, WV 25414
www.thunderroadswv.com
Stars-N-Stripes Biker Bash...……………...7
Owner / Editors
Gary Westphalen, Editor-in-Chief S-N-S Highlight: Defying Physics………..10
gary@thunderroadswv.com / 304-616-0102
Donna K. Westphalen, CFO / donna@thunderroadswv.com Bike of the Month…...................…………12

Layout & Design Dressing for the Crash - P art 2...................14

Barbara Laszewski Garner / Thunder Publishing

Ad Layout Center Calendar.……......................……...18

Meredith Hancock / Hancock Graphics
Say Cheese!...........................................…20
Contributors
Charles Coby, Ken Holby, James Irle, Jim “Jammer” Marcum, Moe Vetter
Skin Art…….....................………………….21
Advertising Sales / Distribution
National Accounts Hidden Highways - SH 16...........................22
Donna K. Westphalen - 304-261-1609 / donna@thunderroadswv.com
Harrison, Marion, Taylor C.E.’s Foliage Run…..................………….23
Earl Nuzum – 304-816-2863 / earl@thunderroadswv.com
Northwest WV
The Jokers Wild.................…...…………...24
Greg Vernon 304-616-0249 / greg@thunderroadswv.com
Hardy, Grant, Mineral, Hampshire, Pendleton
Moe Vetter - 304-668-9563 / moe@thunderroadswv.com
Seats & Saddles...............…………………26
Morgan, Berkeley, Jefferson
Dave Luksa - 304-268-1315 / dave.luksa@thunderroadswv.com Winter on Two Wheels..................………..28
Mercer, Monroe, Summer, McDowell
Curtis Humphreys - 276-620-8965 / curtis@thunderroadswv.com TNT...................….................………..........30
Laurie Griggs - 540-353-5695 / laurie@thunderroadswv.com
Jefferson K.I.S.S……………......................................32
Howard “Pops” Evans - 540-327-6588 / popsthunderroadswv@yahoo.com
The High Road…...................……………..33
National Founders
Toni McCoy Shearon & Brian Shearon
PO Box 174 / Chapmansboro, TN 37035 Tribute to Bill Scott.................…………….36
Office 615-792-0040 / Fax: 615-792-7580
email: thunderroads@charter.net
Copyright 2010. Published by Thunder Roads West Virginia, LLC under license from Thunder
Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this magazines content may be reproduced without ON THE COVER
the written permission of the Publisher. The publisher assumes no responsibility and is not
to be held liable for errors beyond the cost of the space occupied by the error, slander of any
group or individual, failure to produce any issue as scheduled due to reasons beyond our
Thunder Roads West Virginia has planned your Fourth
control, any and all suits for libel, plagiarism, copyright infringement, and unauthorized use of July weekend for you! In this issue we are announcing
of a person’s name or photograph. Opinions and claims made by advertisers and authors
are their own, and do not necessarily represent the policy of Thunder Roads West Virginia,
sponsorship of a brand new motorcycle rally right here in the
Thunder Roads Magazine, or Thunder Publishing. The Publisher does not promote the abuse Mountain State. Our coverage begins on page 7.
of alcohol or other drugs.

www.thunderroadswv.com JANUARY 2010 Thunder Roads West Virginia 3

 The past month has been He believed that if the entire biking community of the United

an amazing ride here at Thunder

States of America got stronger, the whole nation would
benefit. That’s why he wanted us to create this rally.
Roads West Virginia. We have experienced the highest of
So we’re calling upon you, the brothers and sisters in the
highs and the lowest of lows. We were one week away from
family of motorcyclists, to come together in our support of
our publishing deadline for this issue when the earth shook
this nation. We are going to use the Fourth of July weekend
under our feet. Here we were, extremely excited because in
at Summit Point to tell our veterans, the families of the fallen,
this issue we are announcing sponsorship of a brand new
and especially those who seek to harm our nation, that we
motorcycle rally in West Virginia. We have huge, unique
motorcyclists stand tall as American patriots.
plans for this event. We were busy up to our eyeballs tying
up as many details about the event as we could, in order to Mark the dates on your 2010 calendar right now, and plan
share our excitement with you. to stand shoulder to shoulder with Thunder Roads West
Virginia as we say “Thank You” to everyone who has stood
The rally is to happen at the Summit Point Motorsports Park,
watch over this nation’s freedom. Bill Scott, a true American
a place that features three world class road racing circuits
patriot, will be smiling down on us.
and over 700 acres of bike rally fun. The entire event was
coming about because of the vision of Bill Scott, the man Gary
who owns the Summit Point facility. Mr. Scott told us that
he wanted bikers to rally in support of our troops, our
nation, our flag. He said he wanted Thunder Roads West
Virginia to put on a world class motorcycle rally on the
Fourth of July weekend, that would show everyone that
bikers are one of the most patriotic groups anywhere. This
isn’t to be just a motorcycle rally – it is to be a rally for
America.
But on Monday, December 7 our world was rocked. Bill
Scott died of cancer at the age of 71. The man who
conceived the idea for this rally is gone. But this motorcycle
rally was the last big plan he was making in a lifetime full of
successful big plans. And we will carry on, asking ourselves
at every turn, “What would Bill Scott do?”
This rally plan fits perfectly into the mission and goals of this
magazine. Thunder Roads West Virginia isn’t just about
printing a magazine every month. We want West Virginia’s
motorcycle community to grow and prosper. From the
largest dealer to the tiniest mom-and-pop establishment
that likes bikers, we want them all to have a great 2010.
We believe that when the biking community gets stronger,
the whole state gets stronger.
Bill Scott believed that, too. But he took it even further.

4 Thunder Roads West Virginia JANUARY 2010

 www.thunderroadswv.com
If you haven’t been there in a while, be
sure to check out our website at www.
thunderroadswv.com. There is a ton of
new and exciting things to explore. For
starters, check out the ever-changing
online only features on the home page.
Click a little deeper for online and
downloadable versions of past issues.
If you want to see more pictures from
the stories in those past issues, head to
the photo section. Here you’ll be able to
peruse more photos related to our stories
than we have room for in the magazine.
The Hidden Highways, Bikes of the Month,
featured articles, stories of rides from all
over the state…they’re all there.
The calendar of events is updated
constantly. Here you’ll be able to learn
details about upcoming motorcycle events
in the Mountain State. If your club has an
upcoming event, you can submit the information here so
everyone will know about it.
Our advertisers are the ones who make
it possible for us to bring this high quality
magazine and website duo to you. From
our website you can link to theirs to
learn more about how they can make
your motorcycling experiences even
richer. Patronize them, and you make the
magazine stronger.
The Thunder Roads family of owner/
editors publishes state-specific magazines
in two dozen other states as well. From
www.thunderroadswv.com you can link
to the websites of those other states to see
what’s happening there.
We are continually working to make the
magazine and website even stronger and
better every day. If there are features you
would like to see, hit the contact button
and send us your ideas. Better yet, write
your own story and submit it along with
accompanying pictures.
Get involved at www.thunderroadswv.com!

West Virginia
One year subscription to Thunder Roads is only $35 a year.
The nation’s largest FREE biker publication
can be delivered right to your door.
Name___________________________________
Address_________________________________
City____________________________________

State_________________ Zip_______________

Make Check payable to:

Thunder Roads West Virginia

Mail check and this form to:

Thunder Roads West Virginia
P.O. Box 606
Charles Town, WV 25414

www.thunderroadswv.com JANUARY 2010 Thunder Roads West Virginia 5

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6 Thunder Roads West Virginia JANUARY 2010

 STARS STRIPES -N-
A L L A M E R I C A
BIKER BASH
by Gary Westphalen
“When you leave my office,
I want you walking on air!” The steely-blue eyes of a man who has
spent a lifetime in racecar cockpits pierce clean through to my soul as
he hands me the opportunity of a lifetime. When Bill Scott, owner of
the seven-hundred acre Summit Point Motorsports Park, tells me that
he wants to see Thunder Roads West Virginia sponsor a patriotic
motorcycle rally on the weekend of our nation’s Independence Day, who
am I to say “no”?
During this meeting, which takes place in his office on November 5,
2009, Bill Scott makes it very clear that he is a patriot. He believes in the
United States. He believes this nation has lost its way. And he believes
that the fraternity of motorcyclists is one of the most patriotic collections
of Americans to be found. Bill Scott believes that bikers just might lead
this nation out of its malaise.
So when this man, this brilliant tactician whose body has been attacked
by the forces of time, says in halting speech caused by his illnesses
that he wants Thunder Roads West Virginia to make this happen, and
happen in a BIG way, I feel kind of like Moses talking to the burning
bush. There is no refusing the offer.
As we leave his office I think to myself that “walking on air” is the
understatement of the year. I think that it’s going to be a rewarding
experience to work with this man. I think we have a tremendous amount
of work to do in seven months time. I think about the amazing venue
we have around which to build a one-of-a-kind motorcycle rally. I think
about vendors. I think about bike parking. I think about fund-raising
rides. I think about military displays. I think about color guards. I think
www.thunderroadswv.com
about bands. I think about a million things so quickly that my thinking is
stepping all over my thinking. I’m thinking about so many things that I’m
not even sure what I’m thinking about………The one thing I never think
about, is the most important thought.
“I will never meet Mr. Scott, again.”
Less than three weeks later, a phone call from one of our partners
brings the news that William H. “Bill” Scott has died of cancer. Instead
of planning this rally with him, we are now planning this rally as a tribute
to him...Bill Scott, patriot. Although we only met him once, we have no
doubt that he would want this show to go on.
So, here we go! The Thunder Roads West Virginia Stars-n-Stripes
All America Biker Bash is scheduled for July 2 – 4, 2010! Now, I’ve
been to many rallies and bike events of all sizes over the years. But I
have never seen anything like the weekend of events we are planning
for you. For starters, you will be able to come in the gates on Friday
afternoon, spend all weekend without ever leaving the race park, and
still not get to see or do everything we have planned. But you will want
to leave the park, because we’ll be hosting several fund-raising rides, as
well as other off-site activities. Oh, and you’re smack-dab in the middle
of one of the most historic and scenic areas in the nation. You’re going to
want to cruise around a little.
As you may have deduced by now (astute reader that you are), Stars-N-
Stripes is going to take place at a race track. But not just any race track.
This place at Summit Point, West Virginia is home to three fantastic
road racing circuits all in one place. There’s also a flat circuit that
can be configured in endless ways using cones. This place will be an
continued on next page
JANUARY 2010 Thunder Roads West Virginia 7
8 Thunder Roads West Virginia JANUARY 2010
amusement park for bikers on the Fourth of July weekend. Here’s what
we know is happening, what we think will be happening, and what we
really, really hope we can make happen.
First of all, The Thunder Roads West Virginia Stars-N-Stripes All
America Biker Bash will open the gates Friday afternoon on July 2. The
party will end with a Fourth of July fireworks display on Sunday, July 4.
In between those two points on the cosmic grid, you’re going to have a
blast! Let’s talk about all three racing circuits at Summit Point, one at a
time. It will help you see the big picture of this amazing weekend.
The Summit Point Circuit is the original race track, opened in 1970. It’s
a two mile long collection of ten turns that also includes a 2900 foot long
home straight. A wicked fast track. For the Fourth of July, you’ll be able to
witness Champion Cup Series motorcycle racing all weekend long. CCS
riders will be practicing and dialing their bikes in all day Friday. Saturday
is qualifying for the big race on Sunday. How’s that for entertainment?
The next track built at the Summit Point Motorsports Park was the
Jefferson Circuit. Opened in 1996, the Jefferson is 1.12 miles. It’s
designed mostly as a training course. It’s where the CCS riders will be
testing and practicing when they can’t get on the Summit Point Circuit.
This should be a good place to watch them work their bikes.
Alongside the Jefferson is an unusual piece of concrete. It’s called a
“triple skid pad”. Basically, it’s a huge flat piece of concrete that has
some grass islands inset in it. From an aerial view it looks kind of like
concrete crop circles. But on this pad, some very cool, hands-on things
will be happening. Interested in sharpening your riding skills? How about
spending some time getting professional coaching? From basic skills to
competent accident avoidance techniques, you’ll go home a better rider.
In the afternoon and evenings, this pad is configured into a go-cart track.
Strap yourself into the cockpit of a 60 mile per hour ground skimming
monster and hang on! One thing is for sure. At some point you’re going
to find yourself going backwards.
OK. I can’t hold on to it any longer. At the Thunder Roads West Virginia
Stars-N-Stripes All America Biker Bash, you will have the chance to
ride your very own motorcycle on the most intense race track of them
all at Summit Point Motorsports Park! The 2.2 mile Shenandoah Circuit
is a technically challenging road racing circuit with 22 turns. There
are numerous crossovers built into the track, which means it can be
configured many ways. In fact, the Shenandoah circuit can be broken
into two or even three separate race tracks altogether. It has only been
open for 5 years, but has already been nicknamed on the racing circuits
as “The Concrete Jungle”. This race track will serve as the main focal
point of the Stars-N-Stripes Bash. Do you believe it, Brother? We’re
going to get to ride our bikes…any bikes…on the Shenandoah circuit!
While you take a break from the track, you can watch your buddies
run the jungle even as you wander around the vendor area. The stage
alongside vendor row is where a variety of biker friendly bands will be
playing in the evenings. Opening and closing ceremonies as well as
some competitions and awards will be presented here. Hey, it’s a stage.
www.thunderroadswv.com
You never know who might show up.
It’s early in the game, so we don’t have everything lined up just yet. But
we do know that West Virginia native Gary Harding, Jr. is going to try to
set a world record “endo”. If you can imagine what it’s like to go about
200 feet with your rear wheel in the air higher than your head, you have
a good idea of what he’s looking to do. He’s putting the word out to other
motorcycle stunters to come to the rally as well, and it will likely result
in a very interesting stunt competition. For more about Gary Harding,
see our Stars-N-Stripes Highlight feature called Defying Physics
elsewhere in this issue.
A full-blown bike show will be another attraction at the Stars-N-Stripes
All America Biker Bash. Bring your custom built, stock, vintage and
one-of-a-kind bikes to the show, and compete for cash, trophies, and
other prizes. Show us what you got, West Virginia!
There will be other bike games and competitions as well, but the
planning is too early to be able to write much about where we stand. Just
know that there will never be a dull moment. Be sure to pick up a copy
of Thunder Roads West Virginia each month between now and rally
time. We’ll provide continuous updates and highlight stories both in the
magazine and at our website at www.thunderroadswv.com.
Now, as I said earlier, the point of this weekend is to support those
who have stood tall for The United States of America. To say “Thank
You” to the brave men and women of all generations who have served
in conflicts overseas in order to protect our freedoms at home. To
remember those who didn’t come home, and the families they left
behind, there will be several rides organized each day to raise funds
for a variety of organizations dedicated to helping veterans and the
families of the fallen. The charity rides are being organized by area
motorcycle clubs in association with the Stars-N-Stripes Bash. The Red
Knights West Virginia Chapter 7 has already accepted the challenge of
organizing one of these rides. They are planning to donate proceeds
from their ride to The Red Cross.
Oh, and I almost forgot…well, actually, I intended not to tell you this until
now. With the purchase of your weekend pass, you are invited to camp
on the Summit Point Motorsports Park grounds all weekend absolutely
FREE! The cost of admission is worth it just for that!
Speaking of the cost of admission…we don’t know yet. But we are
working hard to make sure it is reasonable, and that it includes as
much of the activities as possible. There will be more information about
registration in our February issue.
This is a rally of American patriots who ride. It doesn’t matter of you’re
a Democrat or Republican. Harley or Honda. Cruiser or Crotch Rocket.
The colors to wear this weekend are Red, White, and Blue. If you love
America and bikes, there is no better place to celebrate the Nation’s
Birthday than with Thunder Roads West Virginia at the Stars-N-
Stripes All America Biker Bash.
JANUARY 2010 Thunder Roads West Virginia 9
 STARS-N-STRIPES Stars-N-Stripes
A L L

BIKER BASH
A M E R I C A Highlight
Gary Harding, Jr. is a smart guy. Smart enough to
know that motorcycles have two wheels. Yet, this
West Virginia native just doesn’t seem to think it’s
Defying Physics
necessary to have both of those wheels on the 180-mile-per-hour performance for stunting. “What I’m trying to do is take all that
ground at any given time. Gary, you see, is a stunt rider. power and scrunch it down into just a little bit of useable power. So I can use all
At age 24 Gary Harding is still a young man. But his of the engine and everything that it has to offer. So I put a bigger sprocket on the
experience on motorcycles already spans 19 of those back for torque, and I run a hand brake. I have a shortened clutch lever, which
years. His first taste of motorcycles came at the tender is an easy-pull one finger clutch that MSR makes. Then I have another master
age of five, when his dad gave him his first dirt bike as a cylinder underneath that that works just the rear brake – its own specific caliper
birthday present. Five years later, he went professional. that works just the rear brake from the handlebars so I don’t have to have my
feet on the pegs in order to work the brakes. I can still do over the handlebar
“I started racing full time when I was about ten years tricks and stuff a lot easier without killing myself, you know.”
old,” Harding tells Thunder Roads West Virginia. “My dad told me if I got top
three at the Bud’s Creek Nationals, that he would buy me a brand new bike. I Gary Harding’s attempt to set a world record endo will be part of the events
ended up getting second place in the race, and the rest is history. Got a new bike that you’ll be able to watch at no extra cost when you attend the Thunder
and started winning races and everything just kind of fell in place after that.” “Fell Roads West Virginia Star-N-Stripes All America Biker Bash next July fourth
in place” is Gary’s way of saying that he won the 2003 AMA District 7 Amateur weekend. See you there!
Championship (B Class), and in 2004 he finished second overall in both the 125
Expert (A Class) and the 4-stroke Expert (A Class).
Gary Harding, Jr. felt this success capped his motocross career. There was,
it seemed, nothing more to do on a dirt bike. Then one day some friends took
him to a motorcycle stunt show. Until that day, he didn’t even know such a thing
existed. Gary left that event determined to do for stunting what he had done as a
motocross rider. It was to him, “just another challenge.”
Thunder Roads West Virginia is planning to present a motorcycle stunt
competition at our Stars-N-Stripes All America Biker Bash on the Fourth of
July weekend next summer. The weekend of stunting will include an attempt by
Harding to set a world record for the longest officially recorded “endo”, a rear
wheel in the air maneuver that usually results in a horrific crash for most bikers.
“188 feet is the current record and Andy Bell, who is another professional
motocross rider, has it now,” says Harding. “I did 208 feet last weekend, and
ran out of room. My goal is I would like to beat him by a hundred feet. I want to
set the bar high. I think he could have set it higher and he didn’t, and that’s the
reason he’ll go down.”
Gary says he’ll set the record using his 2008 Kawasaki KFX250 dirt bike. “It’s
completely stock. You could buy it from the factory and do exactly what I’m doing
on it now. That’s what I wanted to do. I wanted to show regular people that they
could do extraordinary things on a regular bike.”
Harding also does a variety of stunts on his street bike, a 2008 Kawasaki
Ninja 600. He has made a few modifications to this one in order to harness its

10 Thunder Roads West Virginia JANUARY 2010

www.thunderroadswv.com JANUARY 2010 Thunder Roads West Virginia 11
 Barker’s Beast
When you stand six-foot-five, finding a bike
you can ride comfortably is a BIG challenge.
For Eddie Barker, a native of Sutton, WV
who now lives in Martinsburg, his search
for a beast large enough to handle his size
meant he had to go where they understand
“BIG” - Texas. This 2006 Lone Star Chopper
was custom built for Eddie by American Iron
Horse of Fort Worth.
But Eddie was thinking even bigger than the
folks at American Iron, when he had them
swap out their standard S&S engine offering
for the monstrous 124-inch version that
boasts 115 horsepower from the factory.
Still not big enough, Eddie augmented the
motor’s breathing ability with an Arlen Ness
air cleaner, Super G carburetion and wicked
Martin Brothers “Medustas” pipes. All that
raw power is harnessed through a three
inch belt and Baker “King Kong” Hydra
Clutch into a Roadmax six-speed gearbox.
And the “BIG” doesn’t stop there. Eddie
next attacked the front suspension by
replacing the stock fork with an American
Suspension “Dragon Slayer” springer with
42 degrees of rake. This gives the bike a
wheelbase of 110 inches – the same as
a Jeep Grand Cherokee! Eddie says that
turning around in a cul-de-sac is a curb-
to-curb experience. He’s got to be careful
when he does this because he wouldn’t
want to scratch those sick “Dragger” wheels
from RC Components.
The paint is House of Kolors Candy “Blood”.
Chrome doodads from Headwinds, Arlen
Ness, Dakota Digital and Big Ed round out
the shiny parts. There’s also a touch of skull
motif apparent on Eddie’s bike. You’ll spot
them on the suicide shift, choke knob and
seat.
Speaking of the seat, Eddie picked up that
handsome piece of leatherwork at a swap
meet. It’s gorgeous, but not comfortable for
long days in the saddle. When he’s chewing
up the miles on this chopper, Eddie swaps it
out with the original seat that’s only slightly
more padded.
And he does eat a lot of miles. Eddie says
most people are surprised by how far he’s
willing to ride on this rigid framed bike.
He’s had it to Sturgis twice. He did trailer
it there once, but the other time he rode
all the way from West Virginia to Sturgis
and back. He’s also gone to Niagara Falls.
Eddie has flogged this horse more than
ten-thousand miles already, and he’s not
stopping there. Look closely the next time
you see a monstrous chopper headed your
way. If you see it piloted by a big guy with
an even bigger smile on his face, you’ve just
met Eddie Barker.
12 Thunder Roads West Virginia JANUARY 2010
 BIKE
MON OF T
HE
TH

www.thunderroadswv.com JANUARY 2010 Thunder Roads West Virginia 13

 The Series

Crash
Last month I told you about a time when I suddenly
found myself crashing. I’ll briefly recap the situation.
An ill-advised left turn taken by an oncoming cage in
front of three cages traveling in the same direction
as me resulted in one of those cages swerving
dangerously close to my left side. Even as I was in
heavy braking to avoid hitting the cage in front of

Part TWO me, I was forced to also avoid the one coming at me
from the side. I was able to avoid contact, but the
combination of steering and braking inputs either
exceeded my ability to control the bike, or the bike’s
by Gary Westphalen
ability to accept the commands.
As I slid to a stop on my left side, I knew this would
be counted as a bad day. As I told you in last month’s
installment, my full coverage helmet kept the noggin
intact. A lesser helmet would have given me the
opportunity to experience facial skin grafting. So far,
so good. But let’s move down to the next piece of
safety equipment I was wearing. Here’s where the
story twists.

The Jacket

Although this crash happened more than eight years

ago, I often still wear the leather motorcycle jacket
I had on that day. It’s a weighty piece of leather,
with extra patches sewn onto strategic places. It
has a heavy duty brass zipper and a couple of
zippable vents. In all, a high quality jacket designed
specifically for bikers.
The left shoulder and arm of my jacket handled
the abrasion of sliding down the street in stride. No
problems there. But where this jacket failed me
was in absorbing the shock of hitting the pavement
in the first place. There is no additional armor in the
shoulder, beyond the thickness of the leather and the
slight bit of padding provided by the liner. It wasn’t
until I stood up and attempted to pick up my bike that
I realized my left arm wasn’t working. Most of the
impact with the pavement had been absorbed by the
bone structure of my shoulder. The collarbone, being
the weak link, snapped like a twig. In two places.
Before I go any further, I have to recount another
crash. It was a similar impact with the pavement

14 Thunder Roads West Virginia JANUARY 2010

while wearing an entirely different style of jacket. This
time I was in a textile motorcycle jacket, complete
with armored shoulders, elbows, and back. While
stopped at a traffic light, I was rear-ended by an idiot
in a cage. The impact caused my bike’s front end
to rear up like a stallion and slam into the trunk lid
of the car ahead of me. This caused the front end to
bounce even higher in the air. At this point, gravity
took over and my steed and I hit the pavement hard
on our right sides. It was enough to do about $7,000
damage to the bike. I was uninjured even though my
shoulder hit the tarmac at least as hard as it had in
the previous crash, if not harder.
Obviously, it isn’t possible to draw scientifically
accurate comparisons between these two crashes
because they were not conducted under controlled
conditions. But having been the crash test dummy
inside both of these jackets, I am quite certain that
the armor in this second jacket saved me from having
a matching set of collar bone breaks.
Does this mean that I believe textile armored jackets
are superior to leather? No, not at all. But in this
instance the armored textile jacket performed better.
Leather would probably perform best in a crash
that involved a lot more sliding on the pavement.
And judging from the results of the Thunder Roads
West Virginia Safety Gear Survey, most of you are
as conflicted about motorcycle jackets as I am. Of
the respondents so far, 32% say they usually wear a
leather motorcycle jacket when the weather is nice.
11% wear textile motorcycle jackets, and about 10%
wear a jacket that is not specifically designed for
bikers. The remaining 46% say they wear no jacket at
all, leaving most of their vital organs, especially skin,
essentially unprotected.
Almost every respondent who discards the protection
of a jacket said they make this choice because
jackets are too hot. There’s no denying that a black
leather jacket on a hot summer day is an oven. Most
textile jackets are as well. Since they are generally
waterproof, it means they are nearly air-proof as well.
Unless a jacket has a terrific system of vents, you
can measure human roasting times in mere minutes.
But there are choices on the textile racks at your
local shop that face the heat problem head-on. Mesh
jackets, marketed by virtually every jacket brand, can
be very comfortable on a hot day. I find that my mesh
jacket actually keeps me cooler than riding without
a jacket. It keeps the sun off my skin while allowing
as much airflow as if I were wearing nothing more
than a t-shirt. For me, the added benefit of sporting
hard shell armor on the shoulders and elbows makes
the mesh my jacket of choice for everything over 70
degrees.
But this series of stories is all about choice. My
choice is mine, yours is yours. So, regardless of
which type of jacket you chose, here’s how to make
a wise choice.
www.thunderroadswv.com
it off my throat. Collars with flaps that snap down to
the side of the neck tend to be more comfortable.
There are some very expensive leather jackets that
claim to be waterproof. I can’t attest to that, but I do
know that most leather jackets get very heavy when
they are wet, and can take a day or more to dry out.
In questionable weather, leave the leathers at home
or have a very good rain suit to put over them.
A removable liner is also a must have for leathers.
It extends the acceptable temperature range
dramatically. Look for a good quality insulator like
Thinsulate® or a similar brand. The liner should zip
or snap into place around the torso and at the ends
of the arms. If you like to ride in cold weather it’s
a good idea to buy a jacket that’s large enough to
accommodate a sweatshirt or heated vest.
Leather
There’s a laundry list of reasons that the leather
jacket has been a biker’s best friend since the
dawn of the motorcycle. It provides great protection
from wind, cold temperatures, and the abrasion
of sliding down the highway in a crash. But just
because a jacket is made of leather doesn’t mean
that it will make a great motorcycle jacket. Most
leather garments sold at retail clothing stores may
be fashionable, but they are useless as a motorcycle
jacket. Skip the mall stores, and head to your favorite
bike accessories shop. A good bike jacket is made
of leather at least a millimeter thick and has an extra
layer of hide at critical points like elbows.
Textile
The thickness of a good leather jacket also hinders
movement. That’s why high quality bike jackets have
articulated or pre-curved sleeves to compensate for Of the respondents to our survey, little more than ten
their rigidity. Good sleeves also taper towards the percent say they prefer a textile motorcycle jacket.
end to keep them from flopping in the breeze. They Personally, I find this perplexing because there is a
should have a zipper at the end of the sleeve to wide array of fabric jackets that are comfortable, wind
make sure they close snugly around your wrist. and water proof, very well ventilated and, best of all,
heavily armored. They may not exude the macho
styling of leather, but they are a whole lot more
versatile.
Pay attention to the neckline of that leather jacket
you are considering. Mine has a short mandarin-style
collar that looks and feels great as long as I’m not
moving. But when I get in the wind, the snap at the
center of the collar pushes against my neck with so
much force that it actually chokes me. I have learned
that I have to wear a bandana under the snap to keep
continued on page 17
JANUARY 2010 Thunder Roads West Virginia 15

One of the greatest advantages of textile motorcycle
jackets is their ability to sport CE armor pads that are
tucked into pockets in strategic areas. With armored
elbows, shoulders and back, you stand a far greater
chance of surviving impacts. Most textile jackets
also have removable liners and generally have even
more venting options than leathers. Of course, don’t
forget the fact that most are also waterproof which
eliminates the need to carry extra rain gear.
MOTORCYCLE
ACCIDENTS
www.thunderroadswv.com
One of the big knocks against textile jackets is
that they are hot. It’s true that they can feel like a
portable sweat box on a hot day. But the advent of
the mesh jacket has eliminated this concern. The
open weave of a mesh jacket makes them extremely
comfortable on hot days. I find that since the mesh
protects my skin from direct contact with the suns
rays, it is actually cooler than wearing no jacket as
I tear, um, tool down the byways. On the hottest of
days I even pour some water on my mesh jacket
at stops. The evaporation of this water while riding
provides a wonderful cooling effect.
So here’s what to look for when you shop for a textile
jacket. First of all, be sure that it is waterproof. Even
many mesh jackets have removable waterproof
liners. The front closure system should have flaps
that seal securely over the top of the zipper. This
is a good place for hook and loop fastening, but in
my experience, stay away from sleeves that use a
hook-and-loop fastening system at the end. This stuff
works nice for a couple of weeks. But just about the
time you get your jacket broken in, the hook-and-loop
strips will give up the ghost. I have a jacket that is
perfect in every way, except for the straps that cinch
down the ends of the sleeves. They are supposed
to stay secure with hook and loop patches, but it’s a
joke. They invariably let loose within minutes of being
cinched down. Zippers or snaps are the only secure
ways to close the sleeve ends.
PERSONAL
INJURY
292-LAWYER
(304.292.4381)
S. J. Angotti (1924-1987) • David J. Straface • John R. Angotti
JANUARY 2010 Thunder Roads West Virginia 17
Improving your visibility on the highway is another
area where textile jackets excel. Most leathers are
black and rarely have any reflective surfaces. Textile
jackets at least have reflective piping around the
seams and usually even more than that. This added
visibility is not a bad thing.
Au Naturel
Nearly half of the respondents to the Thunder Roads
West Virginia survey say they prefer to wear no
jacket at all when riding their motorcycle. It’s clearly
a real choice, but one that comes with major safety
trade-offs. Unprotected riders leave themselves open
to threats ranging from sunburn to skin grafting.
Bare human flesh brought into sliding contact with
pavement never fares well.
A high quality jacket designed specifically for
motorcyclists is the second most important piece of
safety gear choice you make, next to the helmet.
Choose wisely.
In the February issue of Thunder Roads West
Virginia, we’ll round out this tour of motorcycle safety
gear. In addition to a story looking at pants, gloves
and boots, we’ll publish the final tally of answers to
our Safety Gear Survey, which closed at the end of
December.
AUTO
ACCIDENTS
CALL NOW FOR
FREE INITIAL
CONSULTATION
AT OUR OFFICE
...OR WE’LL
COME TO YOU.
 SAY CHEESE!

through this process. This afternoon Donna and I are meeting up with James at a
shop where we can get two very cool bikes and two girls. Two calendar shoots in
one day. That’s a lot to get done, but James has worked with these girls before, so
things should go well.
The shoot is at Tommy Sullivan’s place, TRS Fabrication, just outside Berkeley
Springs. Both are bikes that Tommy painted, and one of them comes with a
matching pick-up truck. As Donna and I roll up, James is already looking over
wardrobe choices for Ayden and Precious. Ayden’s dark features and Precious’
blonde coloring call for very different wardrobe choices. Whoah. Not my territory.
It’s a good thing Donna is along. So as Tommy, James and I work on getting the
bikes positioned just right, Donna and the Girls head inside to finalize wardrobe
and make-up. Before long, Donna is bonding with Precious’ daughter as James,
Ayden and Precious are doing their thing while the rest of us stand back.
Okay, not quite. Everyone stood back except me. I couldn’t resist the temptation
to give you this little behind the scenes look at the making of our November, 2009
and January, 2010 calendars.
Publishing a biker rag is a tough business. Take this one particular day in early
October, for instance. After securing my first cup of coffee, I drifted (stumbled?)
into the office, and flipped on the computer. This was calendar day. The first thing
I had to do was sort through a collection of pictures that photographer James Irle
had sent me. Pictures of girls. Pictures of bikes. Pictures of bikes and girls. Let’s
see, does this girl have what it takes to be the calendar girl for next month? Would
that girl look good with this bike? How do we get the green bike, the blonde girl,
and James all in the same place at the same time to make calendar magic? Like I
said, a rough life.
But those pictures are for the next month’s shoot, and I don’t have all day to get
20 Thunder Roads West Virginia JANUARY 2010
S
K
I
N
A
R
T
www.thunderroadswv.com JANUARY 2010 Thunder Roads West Virginia 21
 Hidden Highways
State Highway 16
There are three kinds of roads in the State of West Virginia. Some highways
are bold. They zigzag wildly up one side of a mountain, dance on the crest for a
moment or two, and rip back and forth down the other side.
Some highways are sneaky. They hug the bottom of a mountain, waiting like a
coiled snake for their chance to strike. And when you least expect it they make a
hard turn uphill, charging over the rising turf before you realize what’s happening.
Then there are the crafty roads. They take the path of least resistance to get where
they are going. Instead of blazing their own trail over a mountainous obstruction,
they follow in the footsteps of those who came before. Usually, that means they
patiently hang along the banks of a river that has already carved the path between
mountains. Rather than challenging the big rocks, these roads chose the paths of
least resistance. They simply go around impediments.
22 Thunder Roads West Virginia JANUARY 2010
State Highway 16 is not only one of those crafty roads…it wrote the book. Look
at a map of Clay County, in West-Central West Virginia. Slicing up the middle of
this roughly diamond-shaped county, you’ll see a road that looks like someone
dropped a soft spaghetti noodle on the map. That wriggling, twisted line does its
best to represent Highway 16.
16 actually starts somewhere in Virginia and runs north, all the way through our
state. I’ll ride the whole road someday, but on this day, I jumped on at Belva. It’s
that Clay county squiggle that I’m interested in. The squiggle doesn’t disappoint.
These aren’t vertigo-inducing switchbacks one usually encounters when going
up and over a mountain pass. They’re the kind of twisties generated by the Elk
River we’re following between the mountains. In places the river becomes so
meandering that the road nearly doubles back on itself. If you ride with a good
sized group you just might see the tail end of it on the stretch of road you covered
a minute or so ago.
This is a fun road that slices through some pristine West Virginia
countryside. The road runs close enough to the river that you can catch
numerous glimpses of the beautiful waterway. Traffic is light and the road
is in fine condition. This is a good road for riders of any experience level.
The only scary point on my run came when I stopped at the end of the
bridge in the county seat of Clay, and looked at the structure beneath
its rough surfacing. Yikes! I wouldn’t want to drive over that bridge in a
heavy truck.
Although the road runs due North all the way to the state line at Saint
Mary’s, I ended my run on State Highway 16 at the I-79 interchange,
about 40 miles Northeast of Charleston. That’s about a fifty mile stretch of
grin-inducing byway. I’ll be back for more.
C.E.’s Foliage Run
Photos by Charles Coby
The intense colors draped across the mountains of the Potomac Highlands make
fall one of the best times of the year to be a biker in West Virginia. The only
problem is that the fall colors season is extremely short. Peak colors usually hit for
only a few days and can be taken down without notice by something as simple as
a rainstorm or a windy day. But the C.E.’s Helping Hands m/c is helping us extend
the fall colors season for you with these pictures from their October run.
The route for this ride encompasses some of the most luxurious scenery this
amazing state has to offer. From Moorefield, they headed south on 220 to
Petersburg where the run jumped onto Highway 28 bound for Seneca Rocks.
Heading west on Route 33 to Elkins, the riders and their bikes rolled up the sides
of mountains that soar to well over four-thousand feet at their summits.
www.thunderroadswv.com
From Elkins they headed south on Highway 250, and went to prison. Well, only
to the gates of the Huttonsville Correctional Center. After a short break the
group saddled up – no one was left behind at HCC – and headed southeast on
awesome Route 250 through the heart of the Monongahela National Forest.
At Bartow, they jumped back on 28 and headed north to Judy Gap. From there
Route 33 east goes up and over a fantastic mountain pass with unrivaled views to
the north and west of an entire valley blanketed with patterns of colors that only
nature can create.
The group picked up riders as it went along, and at Judy Gap the group disbursed
into smaller rides and made their way back to their own starting points. Thanks go
out to the C.E.’s for sharing this beautiful day with us.
JANUARY 2010 Thunder Roads West Virginia 23
 I was down in southern Louisiana and an old man was sitting on his
porch early one morning when he looks out and sees a young boy
walking along the road carrying a roll of chicken wire.
The old man yells out at him, “Hey boy, whatcha got there.”
The boy yells back at him, “Its chicken wire.”
The man asks, “Whatcha goin’ to do with that.”
The boy replies, “I’m going to catch me some chickens.”
The old man just shakes his head and mutters, “Damn fool, you can’t
catch chickens with chicken wire.”
Late that evening about sunset the old man looks out and sees the boy
walking back stringing the chicken wire behind him with about 10-12
chickens caught up in it.
Early the next morning the old man is back on his porch again and
he sees the same boy walking up the road with a roll of tape under
his arm.
The old man yells out at him, “Hey boy, whatcha got there.”
The boy yells back at him, “Its duck tape.”
The man asks, “Whatcha goin’ to do with that.”
The boy replies, “I’m going to catch me some ducks.”
The old man shakes his head again and mutters, “Damn fool, you can’t
catch ducks with duck tape.”
Late that evening the old man looks out and sees the boy walking back
up along the road with the duck tape strung out behind him dragging
about a dozen ducks along with him.
The next morning the old man is back on the porch and this time he
sees the boy walking up the road carrying a long reed with a thistle
on the end.
The old man yells out at him, “Hey boy, whatcha got there.”
The boy replies, “It’s a pussy willow.”
The old man stands up, and says “Hold up there now, lemme’ get my
hat.”
A little boy was sitting on the curb with a gallon of turpentine and
shaking it up and watching all the
bubbles. A little while later a Priest came along and asked the little boy
what he had.
The little boy replied, “This is the most powerful liquid in the world, it’s
called turpentine.”
The Priest said, “No, the most powerful liquid in the world is Holy
Water. If you take some of this Holy
Water and rub it on a pregnant women’s belly, she’ll pass a healthy
baby.
The little boy replied, “Oh yeah, well, you take some of this here
turpentine and rub it on a cat’s ass and
he’ll pass a Harley-Davidson.”
A few questions going into 2010 ? ? ? ?
Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They’re
both dogs!
24 Thunder Roads West Virginia JANUARY 2010
Who was the first person to say, “See that chicken there? I’m gonna
eat the next thing that comes outta it’s ass.”
Do illiterate people wonder about the funny shapes in their Alphabet
Soup?
Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog’s face, he gets mad
at you, but when you take him on a car ride, he sticks his head out the
window?
Why do people point to their wrist when asking for the time, but don’t
point to their crotch when they ask where the bathroom is?
If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that Acme Co. crap, why
didn’t he just buy dinner for himself at a 5-star restaurant?
Why does your OB-GYN leave the room when you get undressed, only
to sit down in front of you and see all you got to see in plain view, when
they return to the room?
If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song about
him?
Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?
A man suffered a serious heart attack and had open heart bypass
surgery. He awakened from the surgery to
find himself with a “Nurse Ratchet” type of woman standing in front of
him with her clipboard.
As he was coming out of his fog, the irritated looking nurse proceeded
to ask him billing questions, regarding how he expected to pay for his
treatment. She asked if he had health insurance.
He replied, in a raspy voice, “No health insurance.”
She then asked if he had money in the bank.
He replied, “No money in the bank.”
The nurse asked, “Do you have a relative who could help you?”
He said, “I only have a spinster sister, who is a nun.”
The nurse became agitated and announced loudly, “Nuns are not
spinsters! Nuns are married to God.”
The patient replied, “Good, send the bill to my brother-in-law.”
A guy out on the golf course takes a high-speed ball right in the crotch.
Writhing in agony, he falls to the ground. As soon as he could manage,
he took himself to the doctor. He said “How bad is it doc?.....I’m
going on my honeymoon next week and my fiancée is still a virgin
in every way.” The doctor told him, “I’ll have to put your “willie” in
a splint to let it heal and keep it straight. It should be okay in about
a week.” He took four tongue depressors and formed a neat little 4
sided splint, and wired it all together; ..an impressive work of art. The
guy mentions none of this to his girl, marries her, and goes on their
honeymoon. That night in the motel room, she rips open her blouse
to reveal her beautiful, huge, round breasts. This was the first time he
had seen them. She huskily proclaims, “You’re the first; no one has
EVER touched these breasts.” He immediately drops his pants and
exuberantly proclaims. “Look at this…...it’s still in the CRATE!”
www.thunderroadswv.com JANUARY 2010 Thunder Roads West Virginia 25
 Seats & SADDLES

26 Thunder Roads West Virginia JANUARY 2010

Winter on Two Wheels
It’s a ritual I maintain every New Year’s Day. I must ride. I fire up the bike, and hit the
road in celebration of the year ahead. I have participated in several New Year’s Day
“Polar Bear” rides. In reality, this first ride of the year is usually not a very long one.
It has been as short as going to the end of the driveway and back.
I don’t install studs in my tires, so I’m limited to dry road conditions. I never ride
when the possibility of snow- or ice-covered roads exist. Even with this self-im-
posed restriction, it’s possible to squeak out a few rides most months of the year.
But it’s not as simple as throwing on an extra layer and hitting the road. There are
special preparations for both you and your bike.

PREPARE YOUR BIKE

The first step in prepping a bike for winter riding is to install a windshield. Many
bikers always ride with a windshield, so it’s not an issue for them. But I seem to be
allergic to windshields. I just don’t like them. However, when those cold blasts of
arctic air come rolling down the mountainsides, I find my opinion changes.
Bikes generally require a less viscous oil in the cold temps, so an oil change might
be in order. Check your manual or ask your mechanic. If your bike is liquid cooled
you need to be certain that the antifreeze is up to the job. Have it tested if you
haven’t changed it within the past year.
Cold weather puts additional strain on every part of your bike, so be sure to inspect
all the working parts regularly to be sure everything is in top condition. That includes
the battery, tires, belt or chain, cables and lights. Speaking of tires, check the pres-
sure often in winter.

PREPARE YOURSELF
Know the weather forecast. Even though they don’t always get it right, every bit of
knowledge you can arm yourself with is a good thing.
Wind is your enemy when riding in winter. Exposed skin at highway speeds can
lead to hypothermia in no time at all. You need to do everything you can to keep
sealed up against it. Full face helmets, neck and face masks, and gauntlet gloves
are all critical gear to keeping frostbite away from your precious skin cells.
Many riders pile on layer after layer of warm clothing. But multiple layers can restrict
your ability to move, making control of your bike just that much more difficult. This
is a passive form of keeping warm that works for only so long. Another option is
active heating in the form of electric clothing. Electric gear is much thinner than mul-
tiple layers and generates plenty of welcome warmth. It dramatically extends your
comfort zone and riding distances. For more information about electric motorcycle
clothing and how to install it on your bike, see our story in the November ’09 issue
of Thunder Roads West Virginia.
No matter how you chose to stay warm, be aware that you are still breathing cold
air in and exhaling your body’s warmth. You will eventually start feeling cold. This is
where things can get dangerous. As you get cold you lose situational awareness,
reaction time, and physical skill. It’s a good idea to keep constant tabs on your abil-
ity level and know when to stop for a warm-up. Even this is tricky because you may
begin to sweat under all those layers of clothing. Then when you go back out on the
bike, that sweat will begin to do its job of cooling you off just when you don’t want it
to. Strip off a few layers while you’re inside.
ADJUST YOUR RIDING STYLE
Even when you and your bike are ready to make that mid-winter jaunt, there are still
some issues you need to keep in mind as you head out on the highway. One of the
most annoying aspects of winter riding is the continual fogging of your face shield.
Wrapping your head and neck in warm gear usually means there is a decreased
flow of air through your helmet. Couple that with the fact that there is warm, moist
air being exhaled inside the shield and cold air on the outside and you have the per-
fect recipe for millions of microscopic droplets of water to condense on the inside
of your face shield – you’re fogged. Some full face helmets have a breath deflector
mounted atop the chin bar to push that moist air down and away from the shield. A
couple of brands of face shields claim to be designed to combat fog, and the ones
we’ve tried do seem to work fairly well. There are commercial anti-fog solutions
available. Rubbing a thin layer of soap film inside the shield also helps. If you en-
counter a fogging issue while on the road and none of these options are available,
cracking the shield open a hair should clear up the problem, but be prepared for
cold wind blast on your face.

28 Thunder Roads West Virginia JANUARY 2010

 Plan shorter trips. You might be perfectly comfortable riding hundreds of miles a day in
summer. But with the elements of cold weather and bulky clothing working against your
stamina in winter, a fifty mile road trip may be all you can safely accomplish. Shorter runs
also help you guard against getting caught by unexpected bad weather. Hey, at least you’re
out there.
Now let’s talk tires. If you’re just a bit crazier than me, you can get studded motorcycle
tires which will allow you to ride under almost any road conditions. But even I don’t log
enough miles in winter to make such a purchase necessary. With regular street tires, you’re
basically restricted to days when the roads are clear. Bear in mind, though, that your mo-
torcycle will behave differently in winter, even on a clear road. Your tires generate traction
when the rubber gets warm and soft. The warmer the road surface, the better your tires will
adhere. You simply won’t have the same traction you are used to on summer roads. Slow
down and take the corners quite a bit easier than you normally would.
Sand and other “treatments” that have been laid on the roadway during previous snow-
storms are an added hazard. For a biker, this stuff can be as treacherous as ice. Ride
squarely in the tire tracks of the cages that came before you.
An extra level of awareness of the cars around you is essential. As much as they don’t
pay attention to bikers in summer, they certainly don’t expect to see you in winter. Assume
that every cage on the road is oblivious to your existence and will do something stupid that
endangers your life.

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS

Even on a clear day you might find yourself confronting unwanted patches of snow or ice.
Roads that go through forests or around the north side of a mountain may not receive the
melting benefits of direct sunshine. If you come across a patch of ice, don’t panic. Keep
your hands “soft” on the bars and ride it out. Go straight across without braking or ac-
celerating, and the gyroscopic effect of your spinning wheels will likely keep you on track.
Finally, if you do get caught in a snowstorm, slow down and be calm and smooth with your
control inputs to the bike. Getting home safe and sound is more important than getting
home quickly.

www.thunderroadswv.com JANUARY 2010 Thunder Roads West Virginia 29

 TNT

30 Thunder Roads West Virginia JANUARY 2010

www.thunderroadswv.com JANUARY 2010 Thunder Roads West Virginia 31
 THUNDER BALLS ....... 2010 PARTY STYLE polenta and cook for 2-3 minutes until thickened, but not too thick. Stir in
1 - 14oz. Can Jellied Cranberry Sauce the butter and cheese and season with salt & pepper.
1 - 12oz. Bottle Heinz Chili Sauce To serve; fill large, shallow bowls with polenta, making a well in the center.
1 - 2 Pound Bag of Frozen, Cocktail-Size Meatballs Fill up the well with delicious, hot chili. Mix your finely chopped fresh dill,
parsley & chives into your sour cream and add a big fat dollop of this on
Combine sauces in a large saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, top of your chili to melt down into it. Serve w/ hot, crusty bread and honey
stirring until smooth. Add meatballs. Cover and cook for 15 mins. or until butter. OMG! This is killer!
meatballs are heated through. You can also make these in a crock-pot:
Place meatballs in pot, combine sauces and pour over top, cook 4 hours
on High, then switch to Low or Warm. These taste fantastic! and are great
BELOW ARE VARIOUS STYLES OF SPREADS
on a bun with melted cheese also.
TO JAZZ IT UP FOR 2010!
HUNGARIAN-STYLE CHILI w/POLENTA
CRANBERRY MUSTARD
compliments of: Rachel Ray website - Perfect for a Cold or Rainy Day
Stir together 1 Cup or 1 Can of Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce, 1/3 Cup of
2 Tbls. Extra Virgin Olive Oil Dijon Mustard and 1/4 tsp. Dried Crushed Red Pepper.
2 Pounds Coarse Ground Sirloin *Great served on New Year’s leftover ham sandwiches with White
1 Red Chili Pepper; Seeded & Finely Chopped Cheddar Cheese.
1 Red Bell Pepper; Chopped
1 Large Onion; Chopped CREOLE APPLE BUTTER MUSTARD
4 Cloves Garlic; Finely Chopped
Salt & Pepper to Taste Stir together 1 Cup of Apple Butter (in Peanut Butter & Jelly section of
1-1/2 Tbls. Chili Powder grocer’s), 1/4 Cup Creole Mustard.
1-1/2 Tbls. Smoked Sweet Paprika *Great served over pan-fried pork chops.
1 tsp. Dried Marjoram or Oregano
1/4 Cup Tomato Paste LEMON-Rosemary MAYO
1 Quart Beef Stock Stir together 2 Cups Mayonnaise, 2 Tbls. Chopped Fresh Rosemary,
1-1/2 Cups Chicken Stock 1-1/2 Tbl. Lemon Zest and 1 Garlic Clove; Minced.
1-1/2 Cups Whole Milk * Serve on Roast Turkey Sandwiches.
1 Cup Quick-Cooking Polenta
2 Tbls. Butter CRANBERRY CREAM CHEESE SPREAD
1 Cup Shredded Smoked Gouda Cheese
Stir together 1 Pkg. Softened Cream Cheese, 2/3 Cup Sweetened Dried
1 Cup Sour Cream
Cranberries, 1/3 Cup Orange Marmalade and 1/2 Cup Finely Chopped
Finely Chopped Fresh Dill, Parsley & Chives for Garnish. Walnuts.
Heat a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the beef and brown, apprx. Chill at least 3 hours.
8 mins. Add the hot pepper, bell pepper, onion & garlic and season with * Great on Ciabatta Bread or English Muffin, as it seeps down into all the
salt & pepper. Cook to soften the vegetables, 8 mins. more. Stir in the chili nooks & crannies. Add turkey, lettuce & tomato and you’ve got it made.
powder, sweet paprika and oregano, Add the tomato paste to pot and stir
all to combine, 1 minute. Add the stock to the pot and bring the chili to a
boil. Reduce the heat to simmer and cook for 15 minutes more. Happy New Year!
In a separate pot, bring the chicken stock and milk to a boil; whisk in the

TO ALL OUR BRAVE, PROUD TROOPS... YOU’RE IN OUR THOUGHTS & PRAYERS DAILY. God Speed You Home.

32 Thunder Roads West Virginia JANUARY 2010

 By Jim “Jammer” Marcum
I hope that 2009 was a prosperous year for you and has left you with many great accomplishments and fond
memories. As we progress through 2010 I’m sure there’s going to be some difficult times and every day won’t go
as smoothly as a fresh coat of wax on your bike, but guess what?….even in those times we have the promise that
God is always in control and will supply our every need. Therefore, we should rejoice in the good times and the
bad. We should keep in mind the following scripture, “This is the day that the Lord hath made, I shall rejoice and
be glad in it.” Our attitude and outlook as we face each day can have either a positive or negative effect on the
final outcome of the entire year.
We should be thankful every day for the Bible says, “In all things give thanks.” What New Year’s resolutions have
you made? What goals have you set for this year? Maybe a better paying job, maybe overcoming a habit or just
simply wanting to increase your faith and trust in the Lord. As it is said, “We have not because we ask not.” The
Bible says, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them.”
Let’s move into this new year with the hope and expectations that it’s going to be a great year! As a matter of
fact, I’m sincerely praying for each and everyone of you that God will make this year more prosperous than the
last, that He will continually pour His blessings out upon you throughout the year and that He places a hedge of
protection upon you, your family and your loved ones.
Be blessed and be a blessing!
Jim “Jammer” Marcum resides in Charleston and has been involved in motorcycle ministry for
nearly 15 years and serves as Clergy within Highways and Hedges Motorcycle Ministry.

www.thunderroadswv.com JANUARY 2010 Thunder Roads West Virginia 33

 BIKER FRIENDLY DIRECTORY
ATTORNEYS
Angotti & Straface, L.C.
274 Spruce Street
Morgantown, WV 26505
(304) 292-4381
www.angottistrafacelaw.com
Colombo & Stuhr, PLLC.
1054 Maple Drive
Morgantown, WV 26505
(304) 599-4229
www.colombostuhr.com
BARS & RESTAURANTS
3rd Base Sports Bar & Grill
22 Virginia Avenue; US Rt. 220
Up from the stop light
Petersburg, WV 26847
(304) 257-2273
Email: calt2@rocketmail.com
Bee Hive Tavern
463 Morgantown Avenue
Morgantown, WV 26554
(304) 282-8196
One block from Thinkin Ink Tattoo
Dakota Tavern
Route 19 North of Fairmont
(304) 288-4893
Friendly Atmosphere and Good Food
Est. 1964
Iron Horse Bar & Grill
HC 84 Box 33 (Cutoff Road)
Keyser, WV 26726
(304) 788-7533
Longshots Billiards
76 Wolfcraft Way
Charles Town, WV 25414
(304) 724-1975
www.longshotsbilliards.com
Magic’s Bar & Grill
3 Moran Circle (Across from Pickup City)
Fairmont, WV 26554
(304) 363-9227
34 Thunder Roads West Virginia JANUARY 2010
Nan & Pops Place
3485 Winchester Avenue
Martinsburg, WV 25405
(304) 267-2007
www.nanandpopsplace.com
Road Hogs Saloon
415 Clayton Street
Rivesville, WV 26588
Steve’s Broken Spoke Bar & Grill
14977 SR 55
Needmore, WV 26801
(304) 897-7706
Email: sbosley@hardynet.com
Stray Dawg Saloon & Grill
Route 9
Hedgesville, WV
(304) 754-3361
BIKER ACCESSORIES, APPAREL,
LEATHERS & GIFTS
Anthony’s Specialty
Biker Apparel – Leather – H-D Boots & More
112 Davis Avenue
Glen Lyn, VA 24093
(540) 726-3080
DFM Special Tee House “The Biker Shack”
Helmets – Shirts – Chaps - Jewelry
162 Nancy Jack Road
Gerrardstown, WV 25420
(304) 229-7609
Email: dfmdbikershack@aol.com
East View Variety Shop
We have everything from A – Z, Old and New
715 Philippi Pike
East View, WV 26301
(304) 622-6710
Evel Speed Custom Machine
& Motor Sick’l Shop
Full Line of Accessories – Ride in Style
7323 Winchester Avenue
Inwood, WV 25428
(304) 229-0987
www.evelspeed.net
Insane Leather Apparel
37 Eastship Road
Dundalk, MD 21222
(410) 491-0020
Email: insaneleather22@yahoo.com
www.insaneleather.org
CUSTOM ART
Art by Weeze
Custom art on bikes, leathers, helmets, auto,
canvas & murals
Martinsburg, WV
(304) 264-4604
Email: sheila@artbyweeze.com
www.artbyweeze.com
CUSTOM PAINT
& FABRICATION
TRS Fabrication
Custom Painting & Collision Repair
109 Rainbow Hill Road
Berkeley Springs, WV 25411
(304) 258-0816 or (240) 674-2985
Email: trsfabrication@aol.com
DEALERS & SERVICE
Evel Speed Custom Machine
& Motor Sick’l Shop
Full Line of Accessories – Ride in Style
7323 Winchester Avenue
Inwood, WV 25428
(304) 229-0987
www.evelspeed.net
JT Cycle & Hoodlum Motorcycle Garage
Aftermarket & Custom Parts & Accessories
Authorized Big Dog &
American Ironhorse Service
486 Ragland Road, Beckley, WV 25801
(304) 255-2468 www.jtcycleparts.com
M&J Motor Company
Lehman Trike Conversions
1000 S. Queen Street
Martinsburg, WV 25401
(304) 262-6200
www.mjtrikes.com
 BIKER FRIENDLY DIRECTORY
O.B.’s Motorsports
LODGING Hot Rods Roll Back and Towing
1019 7th Street Specializing in Motorcycle Towing
Parkersburg, WV 26101 274 Bedington Road
Smoke Hole Caverns & Resort
(304) 420-0910 Martinsburg, WV 25401
Open All Year Round
Motorcycles Shipped FREE (304) 267-5586 Visa & MC Accepted
HC 59, Box 39
www.obsmotorsports.com Email: hotrodstowing@yahoo.com
Seneca Rocks, WV 26884
(800) 828-8478
Romney Cycle Center
www.smokehole.com WEB DESIGN
51 Industrial Park – Off Route 28
Romney, WV 25757
MOTORCYCLE PARTS Meridian Websites
(304) 822-3933 55 Meridian Parkway, Suite 101
Email: romneysales@frontiernet.net Martinsburg, WV 25401
CycleMart - Your Motorcycle Parts Store
www.romneycycles.com (304) 263-1000
All Makes All Models
202 Elkins Street www.meridianwebsites.com
Skip’s Honda
Fairmont, WV 26554
580 South Mineral Street
(304) 366-8119
Keyser, WV 26726
www.cyclemart.net
(304) 788-1615
PHOTOGRAPHY Clubs & Organizations
Smitty’s Suzuki, Kawasaki, Yamaha
Rt. 33 E. Corridor H
Vetter Photo
Buckhannon, WV 26201 C.E.’s Helping Hands (Old Fields, WV)
1675 Cold Spring Road
(304) 472-4824 is a non-profit organization enlisting the
Moorefield, WV 26836
Email: smittys@cebridge.net help of other good hearted people wanting
(304) 530-6855
www.supersmittys.com to contribute to the cause of helping others
www.vetterphoto.com
in need. Recent donations have gone
The Little Shop of Harleys
SPORTING GOODS to local families with serious health and
Service & Accessories financial challenges. The organization holds
HD Certified Mechanic monthly meetings and several fundraising
Doug’s Sport Shop
44 Bay Berry Lane rides every year. Donations are always
New and Used Guns, Sporting Apparel,
Berkeley Springs, WV 25411 appreciated. For more information visit our
Aigner Products and Reloading Supplies
(304) 258-3909 website at www.cehelpinghands.com.
220 North Main Street; 743B Hawse Plaza
Moorefield, WV 26836 (304) 538-6496
Tri-County Honda Highways and Hedges Motorcycle
Email: dougssportsshop@frontiernet.net
135 South Main Street Ministry (South Charleston, WV)
Petersburg, WV 26847
TATTOO STUDIOS For more information email Jim “Jammer”
(304) 257-4420 Marcum at: harley4me2@verizon.net
www.tricountyhonda.com
Smokin’ Guns Tattoo
2986 Robert C. Byrd Drive
The Twisted Spoke
Beckley, WV 25801
Custom Builds, Motorcycle & ATV Repair
(304) 250-6020
97 Milford Street
www.sgtattoo.com
Clarksburg, WV 26301
(304) 326-HOGG (4644)
VEHICLE SERVICES
www.thetwistedspoke.com
Bob’s Tire Service Inc.
812 East Moler Avenue
Martinsburg, WV 25401
(304) 267-2797
www.bobstireservice.net

www.thunderroadswv.com JANUARY 2010 Thunder Roads West Virginia 35

 William Henry“Bill”Scott IV
1938 – 2009

The West Virginia motorsports community lost one of its pillars this past month. Bill Scott lost his race with cancer at the
age of 71, on December 7th, 2009. Mr. Scott had owned the Summit Point Motorsports Park in Summit Point, WV for the
past three decades, as well as a professional driver training company, BSR, Inc.

Roger Lyle is President Emeritus of the Mid-Atlantic Road Racing Club, a motorcycle racing organization based at Summit
Point. He has been a friend and colleague for many years, and prepared this tribute to Bill Scott:

William Scott succumbed to a lengthy illness on December 7, 2009, at age 71. He lived a life of courage and uncompromising
integrity. He graduated from Franklin and Marshall College with a BA in geology and received his PhD in geophysics from
Yale University. He chose to follow his passion for auto racing, however, rather than pursue a university career.

His success in racing included the 1968 European and U.S. Formulas Vee championships, the 1969 Formula Ford world
championship, the 1970 Formula Vee world championship, and the 1971 and ’72 Formulas Super Vee U. S. pro series
championship. In 124 races between 1965 and 1972, bill won 42 times and finished on the podium 77 times. Bill Scott Racing
Inc. also won three consecutive SCCA GTR-3 national titles as a team in the late 70’s.

A racer’s life is short lived and Bill had a vision to train drivers the skills that he learned from racing. In 1980, he purchased
the ailing Summit Point Raceway and, over time, transformed it into a premier racing facility. Summit Point Motorsports Park
has evolved into four tracks, several firing ranges, a new 13-acre tactical training center for the U.S. State Department, and the
Summit Point Training Campus. BSR trained thousand of drivers from private security companies to government agencies, but
Bill was most proud of his life-saving Accident Avoidance classes for young drivers.

Bill had his own explanation for success, “The competitive spirit is still there. I want to be so much better than any other
business that does our type of training, so that it goes without saying that the best clients come here. Second place is not an
option.”

Bill carried this same spirit of excellence into his private life. He was an active supporter of the Music Conservatory
of Shenandoah College and established the SPARC Foundation Fund, a part of the Eastern West Virginia Community
Foundation, for the support of educational opportunities in Jefferson County, WV. He was a member of the Sports Car Club
of America, Road Racing Drivers Club, American Society for Industrial Security, Horticultural Society of West Virginia,
International Motorsports Association, Rotary International, and was a former board member for the Hill School.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Scott, his sister, JoAnn Scott of Forest, VA, his children William Henry “Jens” Scott of
Marshall, VA, Alexandra Scott of New York City, Joella Wilson of Atlanta, GA, Laura Kinsman of Williamsburg, VA and
Frans Hansen of Annapolis, MD, and five grandchildren.

Those whose lives he has touched are many. He was a loving husband and papa. Of all his interests, family was the most
important. The twinkle in his eye brightened the day of all who saw it.

His was a life well-lived.

-Roger Lyle

36 Thunder Roads West Virginia JANUARY 2010

www.thunderroadswv.com JANUARY 2010 Thunder Roads West Virginia 37