Cycle Connections

On August 11, 2002, tragedy struck when 24-year-old Ryan Consolver lost his life in a motorcycle accident in Kansas City. As Ryan’s birthday approached the following June, his family wanted to do something special in Ryan’s memory. They came up with the idea of a charity ride. Since Ryan loved motorcycles, and parties, it seemed a perfect way to honor him. Since Ryan had chosen to pursue a career in the construction business, money raised by the ride would be used to provide scholarships for young people to further their education in the fields of construction and engineering.

The 28th Annual Bikers with a Mission (BWAM) Ride began at City Union Mission on the morning of Saturday, June 10. High temperature and strong wind were the prominent weather features for the day. More than 230 riders, passengers, and motorcycle enthusiasts participated in the fundraiser for City Union Mission to help with programs and services assisting the area’s homeless and working poor. Proceeds help the Mission’s clients with needs over and above those the organization typically budgets for, including utility assistance, eyeglasses, dental care, bus tokens and baby formula.

84 bikers came out in support of veterans on a beautiful sunny morning on May 13, 2017. The riders started from either the Independence, Missouri American Legion Hall or from Yeager Cycle in Sedalia, Missouri and met in the middle for a celebration honoring veterans in the parking lot of the Holden Community Activity Center in Holden, Missouri.

Panama City Beach Florida rolled out the “sand” carpet for the bikers from May 3-7, 2017. This being the spring rally, most people expect this one to be a little on the HOT side; some even opting to wait until October for the fall rally when it cools down. Apparently, Mother Nature didn’t get the memo this year!

Each spring since 1999 the congregation at Heart of God Fellowship in Buckner, Missouri, has welcomed members of the motorcycle community to a special worship service. April 23 was the date for this year’s Biker Sunday. Parking in the large lot on the south side of the church was reserved for motorcycle’s only. A huge tent provided ample room for the hundreds in attendance.

The 4th Annual Radar's Run took place on Sunday May 7, 2017. The memorial ride and poker run is held in loving memory of our friend C. Brent "Radar" Estep who passed too soon in 2014 at the age of 45, as well as many other friends we have lost, with all proceeds donated to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Radar was loved and respected by many during his years as a motorcycle parts guru in Kansas City.

What could be more challenging than taking a bunch of brave/slightly unhinged men and women, blindfolding them, leading them into the Sahara desert in Morocco and telling them they have to get to a destination on the Atlantic Coast, 1000km away, six days later on tiny motorbikes more suitable for children than adults? How about taking them and their bikes to Peru?

During the weekend of February 10 through 12, Bartle Hall in Kansas City was the venue for the 57th Annual O’Reilly Auto Parts World of Wheels. The show is part of the Championship Auto Shows series held in various U.S. cities and Canada. Every year, World of Wheels packs Bartle Hall with sports cars, classic cars, street rods, race cars, rat rods, motorcycles, and vendor booths. I got my $16 discount ticket at O’Reilly Auto Parts and headed for downtown Kansas City on Sunday, February 12.

It was overcast, with a little nip in the air on Sunday morning, March 5, 2017 as around 175 bikes rolled into the parking lot at Hardee’s in Pinson, Alabama. Actually, it was in the parking lot next to Hardee’s, as Hardee’s would not have been able to hold all of us.

Bright and early on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5, I was on the road to Lawrence, Kansas, with my buddies B.C. and Cycle Connections editor Mike. We were excited to attend the annual mid-winter bike show sponsored by the Santa Fe Trail Chapter of the Antique Motorcycle Club of America. The theme for the 8th annual show was “Flatheads Rule.”

  I had Friday, February 10, circled on my calendar for months in anticipation of the return of Xtreme International Ice Racing to Silverstein Eye Centers Arena in Independence, Missouri. It had been five years since motorcycles took to the ice on the hockey rink normally occupied by the Missouri Mavericks of the East Coast Hockey League. I had been in touch with the arena’s event manager, Dillan Esco, and with XIIR owner and promoter Anthony “The British Bulldog” Barlow to make arrangements for Cycle Connections Editor in Chief Mike Schweder and I to cover the event. Both men were…

On Saturday, January 7, bikers gathered in the Langmade Room at Calvary University for the 13th Annual Christian Biker Workshop sponsored by Cycle Disciples M/C. Coffee and donuts were provided by the host club. There were 39 in attendance including members of several groups like Christian Motorcyclists Association and Heart of God Fellowship.

Several weeks before the Christmas season, Jim Orr brought an idea to the officers of the Greater Kansas City Chapter, Harley Owners Group. The suggestion was to raise money to help make Christmas, 2016, special for one or more families in need and to do this in memory of Leon Rook, a beloved chapter member we lost on May 22, 2011. Chapter director Chad Schmidt, Leon’s grandson, was very appreciative of the idea, and all of the officers enthusiastically approved. Joining Chad and Jim on the planning committee were Amy Both, Diana Bray, Tammy Edgmon, and Ted Resch.

On Sunday, November 6, it was a chilly 40-mile ride from my home in Lee’s Summit to American Legion LeRoy Hill Post #19 in Gardner, Kansas where registration for the Toys for Tots Ride began at 10:00 a.m. The ride fee was $10 and a new unwrapped $10 toy. By the time the ride began at 11:00 a.m. the turnout had exceeded expectations with more than 50 people participating in the all-Kansas ride. Many were members of Chapter 19 or other area chapters.

The Thunder Beach Rallies have taken on a different “vibe” since the shakeup of the venue locations that used to run up and down Front Beach Road. Some of the older business’s that had been venue locations for years are no longer venues, and a few new ones have been added.

The “Old” Guys made their way to the Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama on October 12, 2016 for the start of the Barber Vintage Festival, presented by Triumph.

The inaugural TNT Poker run was held on October 29, 2016, and Red Rock Harley-Davidson graciously opened their doors early for biker registration. 40 riders participated in the run, which raised funds and awareness for the new Veterans Transition Resource Center in Las Vegas.

The 12th Annual Las Vegas Marine Riders Toys for Tots Poker Run was held on November 5, 2016. The Las Vegas Marine Riders were looking to break the 2015 Toys for Tots donation total of $21,000. Did they do it? Read on to find out!

With so much going on, it’s likely that I didn’t get a photograph of every award winner. Apologies to any who were missed. The bike show award list was prepared from a photograph of the list that was used to announce the winners. It’s a bit sketchy but is the best we have.  Click here to view the Sparks Halloween Bash article.

The annual Sparks Halloween Bash at Sparks America, Oklahoma, always brings out lots of great costumes.  Here is a sample.  Click here to view the Sparks Halloween Bash article.