Wow!  What a show.  I hope you were able to attend the 25th Annual Rod & Custom Show.
  More Bikes, Cars, Trucks and even a Boat.  Fantastic works of art by some of the areas bests.

  Doug Hintz of Big River Customs in Port Byron, Illinois brought a beautiful blue Chopper to the
  show.  It was sooooo long I couldn't get it all in my viewfinder.  Charley Phillips of Charley's
  Ride Free in Colona, Illinois set up some of his shop's wears.  Leathers, T-shirts and he even
  brought a new Bike he's selling called the Colt, which was drawing a lot of attention while I was
  there.  Both local ABATE Chapters, District 15 in Iowa and Black Hawk in Illinois, were
  present selling raffle tickets on new machines and spreading the word about their programs. 
  Gery Schemel of gmaxpro.com and area promoter was there.  He was representing several
  culture magazines; Ink, Quick Throttle and Free Riders Press.  He told me some good news.
  He said he will again in 08 be the announcer at Sturgis on the River.  So while you're walking the
  mid-way this June, check him out.  He'll be the guy in the crow's nest watching out over the
  crowd. 

  There were so many Sportsters in the show this year they could have renamed it the
  "Sportster Show".  I'm glad I don't have to pick my favorite, but one stood out just a little more
   to me.  A Christian Mens Ministry in Woodhull, Illinois started a project when someone
  donated an old Sportster for them to spend some time with.  What a excellent ride they came up
  with.  Upon completion they presented it to their church Pastor.  I can't imagine how proud he
  must be.

  There was a 70's Triumph Chopper that begged me to throw my leg over it.  But I somehow
  resisted.   A 55, I believe, red Buick brought back fond memories of my first opportunity to
  drive a stick shift car.  I was just old enough to see over the steering wheel when I was asked to
  pull it up the driveway.  It so happened that the driveway was on enough of an incline the car
  would roll backwards whenever I released the brake.  I'm sure you've all experienced the same
  learning curve but it was my first! 

  This show is always a pleasure to attend.  It helps brake up the bleak doldrums of winter months
  that seem to last forever.  It renews our faith that there are warm riding days ahead.  What did I
  miss?  I would have liked to have seen more touring Bikes displayed.  After all, customs are
  great but a nice long ride to points unknown beckons us all.