North Alabama Vintage Riders Digest for Dec 8, 2018

[renchinrider]

Hi, Everyone!

Wow!  Yesterday's Christmas banquet was better than any of us could have imagined!  We had special guests who brought three truly extraordinary motorcycles for display in the banquet room (yes, that's correct--Thanks, Justin!) throughout lunch.

Graham shares stories about the vintage racer his team is resurrecting for him to pilot...



RJ shares the decades-long story of the race bike--both the triumphs and the tragedies (there are a number of both)

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This Kawasaki cafe racer built by Shad is an absolute work of art...

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And bike builder Shad (l) discusses the build of his Honda racer with NAVMC member Andrew (r).

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Today's events included a final 50/50 drawing...

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...and Fred Kroeger held the winning ticket!  Later, he rolled his winnings back into the donation package, bringing it to over $200.

Finally, our auction, administered by Auctioneer Extraordinaire Andrew...

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...raised almost $1,400, bringing the total proceeds from today's fundraising activities to $1,649!  All of this will be combined with the proceeds from the previous weeks' 50/50 drawings, and the total will be distributed among a group of Huntsville-area Veterans and their families selected for us by our local Disabled American Veterans chapter.  The chapter's administrator came to explain to us how the candidate families will be selected and how our donations will help them.

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Indeed, today's was a Christmas banquet to remember!  Thanks to all of our special guests, and to everyone who gave so much to make the day an overwhelming success!

But the fun ain't over!  We still have plenty going on!  Here's what I'm tracking:

Dec 15:  Iron Coffins MC is holding their first annual Bikers Ball to benefit St. Jude's Childrens Hospital.  The event runs from 6 pm to 11 pm at Redstone Harley-Davidson.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/49011

Dec 21st:  NAVMC's annual gift-packing get-together, to be held at the residence of Mike and Linda Robinson.  This year's gathering will include movies and pot luck!  Watch our NAVMC page on facebook for late-breaking information.  I'll post a special edition of The Digest when I have additional specifics.

Dec 22nd:  NAVMC's annual gift giving day.  All who have participated in this event have been touched by the outpouring of gratitude by recipients.  Make plans to take part this year!  PM Linda Robinson on Facebook to let her know you wish to participate!

Dec 29th:  Last Ride of the Year to the Stagecoach Cafe, 52860 AL-59, Stockton, AL 36579.  I'm traveling to Stockton this year, and will tentatively be joined by both Mike Ashbaugh and Raymond Cox.  At Stockton, we'll be joined by at least 10 members of MotorcycleAlabama who have posted that they're converging on Stockton from all over the state.  This is gonna be fun!  And, just in case, I have an open invitation from a MotorcycleAlabama forum member who lives ~20 miles from Stockton to spend the night at his place.  He can accommodate up to six riders...

Jan 1:  24th Annual Polar Bear Run in Columbia, TN.  This fundraiser, sponsored by the CMA Knights for Christ, kicks off at 9:30 am at the Senior Citizens Building in Maury County Park.  Proceeds go to the "Shop with a Cop" program.  Entry fee is $25.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/49631

Jan 12:  8th Annual Tennessee Motorama All Indoor Show.  Cars, trucks and motorcycles.  Wilson County Fairgrounds, Lebanon, TN.  http://www.bothbarrelspromotions.com/2018/10/11/2019-tennessee-motorama/
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Jan 26, 2019:  Dania Beach, FL 13th Annual Vintage Bike Show.  I and Raymond Cox are traveling to Florida to join NAVMC member and South Florida resident Bob Brandner for this exciting show.    This show is a real treat--all the more so considering the fantastic South Florida weather!

Feb 22-23:  40th Annual Lincoln Highway AMCA National Antique Bike Show and Swap Meet, at Christiansen Field, Fremont, NE.  https://www.cyclefish.com/motorcycle_event/49605

April 25-28:  10th Annual Spring Shovelhead Retreat, at the Kickstand Lodge, Stecoah, NC.  These are the same folks I met at Shovelfest in Tellico a few months ago, and they're a great group of riders who love vintage Harleys.  Unless anything gets in my way, I'll be riding my Shovel up to Stecoah to participate.  If any of you want to join me let me know, as rooms will likely fill up fast.

July 2019:  Triumph Owners Motorcycle Club's Tri-Fest '19, to be held at Two Wheels of Suches during the week/end including July 13-14.    Go ahead and start working reservations, either at Two Wheels of Suches, or nearby!

WEEKLY GATHERINGS:

--All of our weekly activities are gatherings of motorcyclists and motorcycle enthusiasts.  These are NOT vintage-specific, and you need not own/ride a bike to participate.  Each presents great opportunities to share some food/drink and enjoy a great time in the company of a wide variety of people who enjoy the world of motorcycling.  Give 'em a try!

NOTE:  All of these gatherings continue throughout the winter season, whether participants ride or drive.

Sunday 12pm:  Alan Nicholson's Sunday Afternoon BBQ Rides, originating at noon at Barnes and Noble Booksellers, 2750 Carl T Jones Dr SE, Huntsville, AL 35802.  With the weather getting less predictable, be sure to watch North Alabama Vintage Motorcycle Club's Facebook page for updates on these weekly rides.

Monday 5pm:  El Portal Restaurant in Hartselle, 1901 US-31, Hartselle, AL 35640

Tuesday 5pm:  Straight to Ale in Huntsville, Campus 805 at the intersection of Clinton Ave and Governors Drive.

Tuesday 5pm:  Champy's Fried Chicken, 120 2nd St, Muscle Shoals  (David Owen confirmed this week that this gathering is still OPEN FOR BUSINESS!)  Let's ride up and surprise them!

Thursday 5pm:  Watch for further information about our Thursday evening gatherings.  More to follow as soon as I can confirm details.

Saturday 8am:  Breakfast at the Blue Plate Cafe II, corner of S. Memorial Parkway and Byrd Spring Rd.

Please let me know what I've missed.  See you on the road!

Let's Ride!

MotorcycleAlabama:  renchinrider
Instagram:  renchinrider
Twitter:  @globalrider1966