Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/693447
42 nJuly 2016n www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS year. We had 20 Spyders from the Spyder Riders show up. I asked them personally because everyone thinks it's a Harley thing because it's at a Harley dealership, but it doesn't matter. Just ride, drive, I don't care if you para- chute in; I mean it's illegal but do it anyway. Get here however you've got to get here because it is not about the separation of cars, bikes, what you ride, this is all about our troops and their families. It doesn't even matter for the after party if you ride at all. We have a free kid zone. Just come and show up even if you have no money in your pocket. Just being here shows the men and women in uniform, past and pres- ent, that we are here for them." After speaking with Clint I began wandering through the vendor row taking in the sights and running into a handful of friends along the way. One thing I fi nd unique about this event is the broad mix of attendees from all walks of life. You have independents, you have clubs including the Green Knights, Peckerwoods, Top Hatters, Tail Gunners, BACA, H.O.G., Spyder Riders, Riders for Christ, and Black Sheep, to name a few. There are bike builders, vendors, the volunteers, musicians, families, military; there is no limit or requirement for anyone to attend. As Biggs H.O.G. member David Yackel, or as his friends call him "Yack," put it, "There's Joe public and then there's bikers so it's a good mix. If you're patriotic and you love America and you love the veterans, this is the place to be because 100 percent of the proceeds go to veterans' orga- nizations like Operation Homefront where there's nothing taken off the top. It's all done by volunteers. That's what I love about this." I even ran into a friend of mine, Jennifer Hyatt, who's been attending this event for about six years now. Jennifer drove here by car. "It's defi nitely more kid-friendly now. I've noticed that there's a big section for kids. I like the fact that you can come in a car and don't feel like you have to be on a motorcycle to attend. It's a great time. I love it. I love all the vendors and the food and the bands are great." This year the May Ride raised over $12,000. I encourage everyone who can make it to attend this event next year. How cool would it be to raise that number closer to $20,000 next year? It's certainly a worthy cause. 4 May Ride Continued from page 6 A member of the Straight Up stunt team wows the crowd with some serious wheelie action Why Not Do Both? 2x2 Cycles Bicycle Rack 2x2 Cycles 919.590.0707 ride@2x2cycles.com www.2x2cycles.com Reviewed by Rob Campbell For riders who love to get their two-wheeled fi x through pedal power as well as petroleum power, the choice can be tough; do I get my thrill, clear my head, and escape today by burning calories or burning fossil fuel? I'm normally of one mind or the other, and am much more likely to crank the throttle than I am to turn the crank on my bicycle. Doing both in the same day, my mind tells me, lacks focus and commitment. However, several months ago, I signed up for a sprint triath- lon a few hours from home, and it only made sense to fi gure out how to get there on two wheels and still bring my own bicycle for the com- petition. Enter Garrett Blake and 2x2 Cycles of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Garrett is a multi-cyclist, including a mountain bike, a dual sport Suzuki, and a Harley. Getting to trails, Blake realized, would be a lot more fun on a motorcycle than in his truck, and he'd save on gas as well. So I reached out to 2x2 Cycles about getting a bicycle rack for my Victory Cross Country. After a couple of emails and phone conversations I sensed Garrett is a top-notch designer and fabricator, and does not take lightly any of the concerns a serious biker or bicyclist would have. So I pulled the trigger and ordered his kit at the price of around $300. After I installed the rack over my back fender with a 2x2 universal bracket, I took the front wheel off my mountain bike and loaded it up. It helped to watch the YouTube video and stare at the included instructions, but once I grasped it all, it became eas- ier to load and unload. The 2x2 Cycle Rack works by mounting your empty front bicycle fork to the quick-release fork tower, resting the left pedal in the cradle on the extension arm and mounting the removed front wheel. I motored through town to get used to it, showed it off at both Off the Chain bikes, where I got my moun- tain bike, and Hollister Powersports, where I got the Victory, then made my way up to the Hudner Ranch area of Hollister Hills, where I've cycled in the past. Having a 35-pound bicycle loaded on the 17-pound rack does make some difference in the ride, mostly at low speeds and stops, not unlike having a very lightweight passenger or ful- ly-loaded pack on the back. I was sur- prised at how effortless it was on the winding and sometimes bumpy roads that lead to Hollister Hills. Later, on the way to my triathlon, I found I did need to dial back my speed a little from my usual freeway speeds, especially in areas prone to higher winds, but nor- mally not below the prevailing speed. And I defi nitely had my share of excited children waving enthusiasti- cally from their parents' cars. The 2x2 Cycles Bicycle Rack is available for, or adaptable to, most motorcycles, and includes a quick-dis- connect version for Harley models at $379. The design and construction are clean and solid, designed with safety in mind for you, your bike(s), and other motorists. 4