Mario Kart for the Wii, go get it now You will love it.

I need to say I love the Christmas Holiday season. Maybe a bit too much, what I mean is each year I get caught up in the video game craze, I talk to all the kids in the neighbor hood and the guys at work, and find out what is hot and what is not. Then I have to have it. This year is Mario Kart for the Nintendo Wii I just have to have it, from me, and no one else. I have searched high and low and I was able to find a copy at a local store tonight. Lucky for me, but if you are not so lucky there is still hope if you want to pay a bit more. Amazon has sellers that still have it available and you can still get it for Christmas, or you can turn to ebay, and pay your money and take your chances.


And if you get this game I think you need an extra wheel or two.

The Wii is still one of the best game system around, our family loves it and the kids get a work out when they turn it on and try to compete at an Olympic level. The Wii game console is available this year so if you don't have one you should consider it. I even saw one at a store tonight, sitting behind the counter ready for sale, unlike last year, but that's another story. You guessed it last year I had it have it ended up with two and lost 100 bucks selling the extra one. Oh well live and love.

November riding in Northern Utah in the rain.

Today was a picture perfect Salt Lake City day, it was warm and sunny and clear this morning. For winter it was warm about let say about 45 degrees, very warm for November 13th. The was shinning which made it feel like it was 10 degrees warmer, and the blue sky was clear. Very nice, I could not pass up chance to take the Road King to work. I jumped on the motorcycle and I was off. I loved it, I immediately felt cool (cold but I was being way cool junior), and excited to be free on my Harley. I was cautious the roads are full of sand a dirt. I definitely got some wind in my hair. Lunch was even nicer, wow for a November day this was a not an ordinary day. I cannot remember any days like this in the past years, I have had put my bike to rest well before Halloween other years, except the one year I rode to work on Halloween in the snow, as the motorcycle and gear were my costume. Well anyway after lunch I got back on my Road King and off to work I went. All was well until I came out of the building in the Dark and o 6 pm. It was raining uggg, and wet end to a fantastic day ride. I certainly can’t complain but sunny and warm beats cold, dark and raining any day.

So tonight I started looking for a cover. Wow did I ever find a deal, or it sure seem like it to me. This looks like a full size cover, that is light enough to be able to carry it around with out it being to big and in the way all the time plus it's water resistant.

This cover is only 28 bucks, plus shipping, which brings the total to about 37. I think this sound pretty good, I know I sure could have used it today. It would have saved me the extra hour it will take in out in the cold trying to get the rain and grime off my bike before I store it for winter.

Friday 5:36 pm we are off.

It's GO time kids. The bike is washed and waxed, the oils have been changed, the bags packed, the Kids are off to Grandmas house. The Burgers are cooked the dog is fed, the cows are munching their cud, the flog is sleeping, my wallet is full of cash and gas prices are on the decline.

I should take a serious tally this year. Do I spend more on gas or beer for a Week long road trip across the west and back? I bet it's to a close tie. At 5 bucks a beer, that is about the same as 5 bucks a gallon, but your mileage may vary.

I am waiting for the silly commuter traffic to die down before I head north out of SLC on a Friday night. I am waiting for the monster serious down pouring of rain. Each year right when we try to leave for Sturgis it rains then an hour later it's nice and we zoom out. This has happened 4 or five time out of nine.

Did I say Nine. Nine Years? We have gone on this adventure 9 year in a row, I guess we like it.

Well see ya at the pond at the Chip.

Ian

Friday Night at 4:00 pm, we start.

That's right kids we are headed to the the big biker bash known as the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. The Black Hills ralley, the mother of all western biker events, the big daddy, well you get the idea. The official Strugis countdown says 5 days, my count down ends Friday Aug 1st after work, let's say about 4:00 o'clock Utah time. We have planned an excellent route this year, and welcome riders to joins us or just wave along the way. SLC to Logan Utah for the night on Friday. Then Saturday morning up through the back woods of Idaho into Jackson Hole Wyoming. We will stop in Jackson for lunch and then north into the parks we go. We plan to wander around the roads of the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone for most of the day Saturday and camp at either Lake Village, or Canyon Village. After a cool night with the bears, we are headed north once again out of the park and over Bear Tooth pass into Red Lodge Montana, via Crooke City. From here we will turn east and follow the green roads across Montana and see how far we cam make it. Stopping to camp along the way Sunday night. Then Monday we will make the final zoom into Strugis via Belle Fourche.

We will be staying at the Buffalo Chip to see Kid Rock on Monday night and then we will just see what happens, we will probably only stay about 2 nights and head for home. The fun of this trip is getting there, the journey and not the destination.

Canadian Motorcycle Auction and Canadian Biker Buildoff

I got some information about this and thought I would pass it on, so I am posting it to my blogs. I have no other info than what is here, so check it.

I know that this will be of interest to you all because the auction will be showcasing award-winning bikes from some of Canada’s top custom chopper builders including: Canada’s 2007 Champion of the Canadian Biker Build Off, Georges Thomas, Concept and Design Cycle with the “Alien”, Zeel Design with the “General Lee,” the winner of the International Biker Build Off, “Silver Lining” by Sinister Custom Choppers, award winner at the Toronto International Motorcycle Show, “Nitmar” by Precision FramWorx, winner at the Calgary World of Wheels and many more.



This auction will be one that bike lovers and fanatics won’t want to miss out on. It will be a huge event that, in years before, have had thousands of buyers, builders, sellers, and bike lovers attend for the sole purpose of ooh-ing and ahh-ing at stainless steel beauties. Add to that some beer and biker bunnies, and who could ask for a more perfect way to spend a weekend? Can’t make it? That’s too bad, but just for those who, sadly, cannot make it out to the auction, they will have the opportunity to bid online for a piece of motorcycle history.



The Great Canadian Motorcycle Auction and Canadian Biker Buildoff has already garnered media coverage from all over the world but we would like to reach out to the Internet fan base of bike enthusiasts and send them a heads up about this great event. Any posting, email blasts, or news you could put up about this auction on behalf of the charity would be greatly appreciated by us and bikers everywhere.



please visit http://auctionwire.ca/buildoff/ for full details.

Motorcycle ride the annual MDA Ride for a Cure

Salt Lake City Utah to Wendover Nevada

Make a note mark your calenders Saturday June 7th. Make it a short planning session and let's go. We need to wash our bikes and sign up for the ride yet, yes we are going. Getting a baby sitter was the hardest part.

The ride is a fund Raiser for the MDA Muscular dystrophy Association. Every year they rally a lot of biker on motorcycle of every size and design and raise a lot of money. they put on a great event. The ride is about 100 miles due west on I-80 from Salt Lake City to Wendover Nevada. Once in Wendover the fun begins, a concert with Night Ranger. Then you can gamble all you want and hit the tables for an all night money winning festival. You can't loose.

The ride is sponsored by some local radio stations and the SLC Harley Davidson Stores. It's a big event with close to 3000 bikes each year spanning the road for a 100 miles. The group is lead by the local Motorcycle Police squads and they are not scared to lead on at 80 miles per hour. Just ride safe and have some fun.

See at the Harley shop at Noon on Saturday for all the fun.

67 Days until Sturgis

67 Days until Sturgis, I am trying to get ready now.

I was thinking august was coming soon so the count down to Sturgis is on. I wandered around a bit and found this on the net. The count down timer on Sturgis.com.
So for all of you who are going to get ready or think you will miss it, start planning now I know you have enough time. The trip will be upon on us soon and I mean very soon. I was thinking about all the different ways to travel to Strugis, Please ride your bike. The Motorhomes are taking over, so please in this year of high gas prices ride that 50 miles per gallon bike vs. that 8 mile per gallon Motor home.

See ya on main street for a beer at Bertha's

SLC Utah Dead Man's Run 2008

May 17, 2008 Murray, Utah
Dead Man's Run 08
Sponsored by Vulture Club
Registration begins at 9:00 am at Barbary Coast Saloon, 4242 South State Street in Murray. The ride leaves at 11:00 am and ends with music. Ride fee is $25.00 for the rider and $10.00 for a passenger. For more information call Mike at (801) 598-9022 or click here to send e-mail.

Not sure of the details, but this sound's like a fun time for all.

My Dyna Low Rider gets a new look.

I was able to upgrade my bike this past week in hopes that the Summer touring season will bring lot's of sun and long days out on the highway. I got new saddle bags and removed my old rack and drivers back rest. I opted for official Harley Davidson Saddle bags, and then we custom built blinker relocation brackets. The bags are bigger and self contained, they are like little plastic suitcases, with the option for a quick release mount. The official Harley Description is" Leather Saddlebags for Dyna Models 09369-02 This product retails for $599. Ouch that is a lot of money, at least I found them on ebay brand new for a lot less. This kit does say it t fits ’02-'05 Dyna models (except FXDWG). (Does not fit with Rear Axle Covers. Not compatible with Layback Licence Plate Kits P/Ns 59817-00, 59822-00, 60134-01.) Requires Turn Signal Relocation Kit P/N 68732-02A (U.S.) or 68733-02A (international).

Like I said we were able to fabricate our own Blinker relocation brackets, I also saw a cheap set on ebay for about 20 bucks, the Harley turn signal relocation kits is chrome and cost about 80 bucks, too much in my opinion. I'll take a close up pictures of the relocation brackets when I get a second. For now just take a look at my ride with the fancy new bags, and the clean rear end.

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Collectibles

After doing some research and sending out a few emails I finally found the Sturgis 2006 Collectible Beer Can!

Jody Wyse did the art work on this can and has been doing the art work for the Sturgis's Beers since 2004. Here is a link to tell more about the 2006 art work.

http://www.cycleconnections.com/articledetail.asp?TypeID=2&ID=1174

Now I just need to find one of these cans for my own collection.

It's raining it's pouring, the bikers are soaking.

Sweet Mullett Batman It's not summer today, spring is springing and rain is raining. I just got home for lunch and I am soaked. I even rode my dirt bike today, knowing it may rain and not wanting to wash my Road King if it did rain. Well it did, hail actually I got really cold and wet. One thing to note about riding in the rain, visibility is really reduced and so is stopping speed, so I stayed on the side roads, thus taking longer to get home so I had more time to get cold and wet. I am amazed at the difference between a DR350 and a Harley Road King. The DR350 will go 70-75 but it's screaming it's brains out doing it. The Road King on the other hand is just purring at about 70 and screaming to go 80 or more. I know this is not a fair comparison, as the Road King won't scale a 10,000 foot mountain trail, but for general commute, both of them got me to work and back.

Sturgis Rally Beer Can Collection

I don't think to many people know about the Sturgis 12 oz Beer Cans that are produced for the Rally? I have been to Sturgis in 1991, 1994, 1995, 2000-07, I started collection them on my first trip however 2000-2005 I did not get one, due to stupidity and some of these years, I heard, there were no productions made. So my collection is still in the completion process.
These beer cans are great collector items!

I've listed below the items marked on each of the cans. It's interesting to see how each can is different! All my cans are unopened and full of Beer.
1991 Sturgis, Black Hills Rally Heavy Beer, 12 fl. oz. (355ml).
On the side of can: Union Made, Government Warning.

Brewed and filled by Joseph Huber Brewing Co., Inc. Monroe, WI 53566, All Aluminum-Recycle.




1992 Sturgis, Black Hills Harley-Davidson Motorycycles Limited Edition, Heavy Beer, 12 fl. oz., (355 ml).
On the side of the can: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Offical Licensed Product, Harley Davidson 1992, Ride Straight, Government Warning.

Brewed and fillled by The Joseph Humber Brewing Co., Inc. Monroe, WI 53566.
(I didn't go to Sturgis this year. I got this can from an "After Sturgis Party" given by Ceasar of "Ceasar Motorcycle Empire", Midvale, UT)

1994 Sturgis, Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Beer, 12 fl. oz. (355 ml).
On the side of the can: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Offical Licensed Product, Harley Davisdon 1994, Ride Straight, Government Warning.

Brewed and filled by The Joseph Huber Brewing Co., Inc. Monroe, WI 53566.

1995 Sturgis, Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Beer, 12 fl. oz. (355 ml).
On the side of the can: Harley-Davidson Motor Comapny Offical Licensed Product, Harley Davison 1995, Ride Straight, Government Warning.

Brewed and filled by The Joseph Huyber Brewing Co., Inc, Monroe, WI 53566.

(This beer doesn't have a year on it but research I have found says it comes from 2003 but I bought it in 2006 so I have to find the 2006 beer)
Sturgis Beer, An American Ale, Net Contents 12 fl. oz. (355 ml), Keep Refrigerated.
On the side of can: Government Warning and Recyclable Aluminum.

Brewed and bottled for Sioux Falls Brewing company, LLC by Gluek Brewing Company, Cold Spring, MN.

2007 Annual Rally Sturgis Beer,
"We are Inviting You... to the Black Hills Gypsy Tour and 5 Mile National Championship Races August 12, 13, 14, 15 At Sturgis, South Dakotay", August 12-15 Black Hills Gypsy Tour * August 14-15 Two Days of Racing, Carl's Motel HWY 14-79, Sturgis Artwork, Wigg's Lunch. Net Contents 12 fl. oz, (355 ml).
On the side of the can: Government Warning: Recyclable Aluminum.

Brewed for Sturgis Beer, Sturgis SD. By Gluek Brewing Company, Cold Springs, MN

On the back of 2007 can: Annual 2007 Rally Sturgis Beer, An American Lager, "This 67th annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, join us in celebrating the heart of the rally - the races. With our 2007 commemorative beer can featuring a 1951 American Motorcycle Magazine poster, we honor the 1951 rally with its three days of racing and the addition of Motor Maids recognizing the female biker traveling the farthest distance, and the 1952 expansion of the rally to a full week. Today we thank all the men and women, past and present, who deep the motoryccle racing tradition alive."

I am still in the process of finding Beer cans for 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 for my collection. Once I have them in hand I will post about them.

Here is a picture of Sturgis 2005 beer. I still need this one for my collection.

The picture on this can is Pappy Hoel on his Indian motorcycle in front of his Indian Motorcycle shop, Pappy is the founding father of the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally back in 1938. This product was brewed for Sturgis Beer, Sturgis, SD. by Gluek Brewing Company, Cold Springs, MN.

Here is a picture of Sturgis 2005 & 2004 beers. Now that I have proof of there existance I can now search to buy them.

Here is Sturgis 2004 beer. However I also found a picture of another Sturgis 2004 beer and wonder if it's the back side of the same beer or a completly different beer can? I have some research to do.

Back of 2004 beer.

Sturgis 2003 beer I still need to collect.

Alpha Dog and his new ride!

Here is Alpha Dogs new mid-life crisis ride! 2006 Road King Classic FLHRCI.

It is very comfortable to ride and sounds great going down the road!

Wheeler Machine Ride for Primary Childrens Hospital

Keep your Bike Washed and full for 4 bucks a gallon fuel and join us on a fun and small ride through he Utah Mountains on May 31st, 2008. The money raised is doubled by Wheeler Machine and then donated to Primary Children's Hospital. A state of the art Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City Utah. Breakfast and Lunch will be available and the entry fee is a 10 dollar donation. Sounds like a great ride, and another great cause. The ride is from SLC Utah to Hannah Utah with lunch served in Hanna.

Wendover Utah MDA Ride 2-7-2008.

Mark your calendar for June 7th for the MDA Harley Ride for Charity. Every year we ride from SLC to Wendover Utah/Nevada to make money for the MDA. This is a great ride a and great cause. Ride for the cure.

Once we get to Wendover there is food, fun and a Concert. it's a great event to be a part of.

The Sturgis Bike Week Schedule

The 68th Annual
Black Hills Motorcycle Rally

August 4th - 10th, 2008

In case anyone out in Motorcycle Land did not know the exact date for this years Sturgis Bike Week. August 4th be there.

Slippery Sliding at the Full Throttle Saloon!

Sturgis 2002 has many stories to tell so this is another favorite one. One of my main goals for this Sturgis trip was to go experience the Hill Climb that goes on each year in Sturgis. I have always wanted to see one personally since living in Salt Lake City, Utah I never experience the Widow Maker Hill Climbs. So on one particular day at Sturgis 2002, can't say what day it was they all blend together, I woke up telling my husband today is the day I get to experience the Hill Climbs. He agreed and once the other members of Sweater Vest Hill woke up I told them the plans I made. They all agreed this would be fun but before the hill climb we all needed breakfast to cure our hangovers from the night before. So we hopped on our bikes and headed over to the Full Throttle Saloon for the breakfast buffet.
Once inside the Full Throttle we seated ourselves at the main entrance and chowed down on our feast. While eating I decided to get a bloody Mary to help the hangover and my how fast the first one went down so I proceed to go to the bar again for a second. This time everyone else decided to have a drink to keep me company. After a half an hour had past and 5 bloody Mary’s had found their way to my hand and everyone else had surpassed their first drink we thought it might be nice to walk around the bar before heading over to the hill climb that started in 20 minutes.

We came upon the School Bus Bar located at the back of Full Throttle. At the School Bus Bar you can write your name on it so we all thought it would be a good idea to dispaly our Sweater Vest Hill colors. We all took our turn signing the bus and stepping back to gleam at our masterpiece. Time had pasted and laughter was flowing, we were all having a good time when all of a sudden the heavens opened and unleashed the rath of con - it started down pouring. So we decided to wait the ran out and have one more drink. We sat down and proceeded to sip our drinks while looking out over the landscape of the bar and past to where we could see the Hill Climb 1800 feet away over by Glen Cove Campground. Dang, I thought, this is a great spot to watch the Hill Climb. Everyone agreed so we decided to spend the afternoon here. Captain Tuna stood up and offered to by another round so off to the bar he went. While at the bar the helper was bringing out trash bags to change the trash and something clicked in Captain Tunas’ mind. He challenged the helper to slip a bag on and slide down the

mud that ran down the center of Full Throttle. We were all laughing and egging him on.

If you are not familiar with The Full Throttle Saloon, inside it opens up to a big circle where covered boardwalks line the outside with bars and shops and the middle is a wide open space with a slight incline for at least 300 bikes to drive in and park and for all the people to watch the nightly concerts. So after 20 minutes of down pouring rain it was very, very, very muddy. So with the smarts of the Bar Helper, he passed down the opportunity and Captain Tuna decided he would do it. Captain Tuna bought 5 trash bags and turned to all of us and asked “Who wants to go Slippery Sliding?”

Alpha Dog jumped at the opportunity and they both slipped over their head one of the trash bags. Captain Tuna and Alpha Dog looked at each other, gave a nod and ran down the stairs into the mud and landed on their bellies racing down the very, very, very muddy hill. Captain Tuna was doing circles on his belly while Alpha Dog was going back and forth from this belly to his back. My god they were wet and muddy. We were laughing so hard and people all around the edge of the boardwalk bars were looking, pointing, taking pictures and cheering Captain Tuna and Alpha Dog on. After these two grown men went slippery sliding down the muddy hill at least 20 times people were coming up and buying them drinks after drinks. They had become celebrities for the day!

To this day I still can’t remember how long we stayed at the Full Throttle that day or what we did afterwards. I have yet to make it to a hill climb, but every time I say I want to go to one the memories of this experience makes my cry from laughter!

Oh the Stories I have to tell.

I was laying in bed last night and couldn't sleep and thinking about this blog and the sweatervest hill website. Now that I have started both of these a flood of memories have overflowed my head of the 11 times I have been to Sturgis. Each year has experiences to tell and the bizare things that happen. In Sturgis there is always a talel to tell so I will tell mine. My first experience of Sturgis was in 1991, (on the back of a 1958 rigid frame, suicide shift, panhead chopper over 1800 miles OUCH), 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007. I'm excited to go back through all my pictures and recollect the thrills that took place. So look forward to the tales to come.

Members and their bikes!

Here is my ride a 2002 Harley Davidson Low Rider FXDL. I bought it in August of 2001 the day we left for Sturgis. The day before I visited South Valley Harley Davidson in Sandy, UT and there she was sitting in the window and shining her true blue colors in the sun. She had my name written all over it. So I called my husband and told him I found my bike and the the next day we went to pick her up. They say the first 500 miles you should brake your bike in slow and that's what I did on the way to Sturgis. I was smiling the whole way! Along our route to Sturgis when we would stop and a few people, that were from Salt Lake City, would comment on my bike and ask if that was the bike in the window from South Valley HD? I would grin and say yup! This bike is so comfortable for me to ride all day long. The seat is comfortable for my butt, the height is just right because I'm 5'8" and my feet can be planted on the ground and I can hold the bike up, blue is my favorite color, and the 88cc engine likes to ride at 80mph up and down hills, and it hugs the road nicely in turns. This is a great bike!

Better and Better

Things are looking up for the Sweater Vest Hill website. It's going to be cool and full of pictures. Me and Alpha Dog have been working on it and can't wait to have it looking just right for all the SVH riders.

This is the start of something crazy!

I want this blog to be for all to tell about their wild and wierd adventures from the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally. It will take us a while to get the site to where we really want it, but you just wait and see. Please Tell Us what you think and post your Favorite Sturig story.

Keep The Rubber Side Down,

says's DoubleDown

Sweatervest Hill Here we come. For the 9th year in a row.

110 days until we saddle up and ride like the wind for our 9th year in a row Sturgis trip. Yes friends the Sturgis 2008 Black Hills Motorcycle Rally. Sweet Mullet, I can't wait. Now that spring is starting to almost make it's way to Utah, we are planning and I mean making big plans to head for the "Buffalo Chip" Campground and plop down at Sweater Vest Hill. Once again the center of our trip will be KID ROCK!!!!! at the Monster Outdoor Stage at the Chip, I will not go see him in SLC, but I will drive 750 miles in the wind, rain, sun, and fun to see him rock the stage at the Chip. Kid Rock is Monday night August 4th. We will also see Puddle of Mudd, and Alice Cooper. YES!!!!

So get this, Our Road Captain, hated Kid Rock, didn't want anything to do with him. So about 3 years ago I tried as hard as I could to teach him my favorite Kid rock song. It goes like this. "My name is KID ROCK, N you never met a Motha ..... quite like me." Well all day in his drunken mis guided state he didn't get, then when the concert was finally over, He understood. Since then he loves Kid Rock and can't Wait to see him again. Right Captain?????

State-by-State Motorcycle Laws

Here is a good site to give information about Motorcycle Laws State-by -State.
Make sure you ride safe by knowing your state laws and others.


http://www.amadirectlink.com/legisltn/laws.asp

Sturgis Pictures

2004 "Dutch Touch" with the flamming red hair, member from SLC.

2003 Founding members cooling off after a long day of drinking.
Alpha Dog, Not the Princess, Road Captain

DoubleDown with Billy Lane in Sturgis Aug 2002

Alpha Dog with Indian Larry in Sturgis Aug 2002 right before he died.

Sturgis 2008 - August 2-10

Alpha Dog and I will starting our Sturgis ride Friday, Aug 1st, leaving Salt Lake City around 4pm and ride I-80 East to Rawlings, WY and camp for the night. Then on the 2nd ride RT 287 & 22o to Casper, WY then I-25 North to RT 259 & 387 to Wright, WY. Then jog South on RT 50 to RT 450 East and take the senic way through "Thunder Basin Nat'l Grassland" over to New Castle, WY for dinner. Once back in the saddle, turn North on RT 85 going to Lead and down through Deadwood and reaching either I-90 or RT 14 that takes you into Sturgis. We arrive in Sturgis the night of August 2nd and stay at "Sweater Vest Hill" in Buffalo Chip Campground, located below the swimming pond. We'll stay for Kid Rock on Monday, Aug 4th, and then start our return to SLC on Aug 5th.
If anyone is coming from Utah, lets meet up and ride together. It's always funner when there's a group.

Here's a map viewing route: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/Sturgis+sd/

Sturgis Rally link: http://sturgis.com/

Buffalo Chip Campground:http://buffalochip.com/

Getting Started

Here is the space were we can blog about "Sweater Vest Hill MC". It is designed for members to discuss Motorcycles, Rally's, Rides, Motorcycle Technical issues, keeping intouch, and any other matters.