Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/693447
60 nJuly 2016n www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS by beryl nitrate SNOHOMISH, WASH., MAY 15—Twenty years is a lot of prac- tice. It's also a milestone to celebrate. The members of Sky Valley Chapter, ABATE of Washington delivered yet another awesome motorcycle show to open Motorcycle Awareness Month in Washington state. Bikes, vendors, live music and blocks of eye candy fi lled this quaint historic town on the banks of the Snohomish River just 40 min- utes north of Seattle. Gray skies and threats of rain through Puget Sound did not stop the determined. Vendors began show- ing up promptly at 6:00 a.m. to set up. Staff was already there to point each vendor to their reserved space. Barricades were in place to mark the event area and to prevent cars from entering the motorcycle-only areas, and friendly staff in tie-dyed shirts were ready to answers questions on where to park. I was up and walk- ing around while vendors set up, and decided that Jake's Café on Second Street was the closest breakfast, only two blocks from the main action. We found a booth right by the kitchen and sat back to watch as the staff at Jake's handled the breakfast crowd with ease. The food was delicious, and the por- tions were hungry biker size. I heard that the biscuits and gravy at Stewart's Place was also popular. With breakfast under control, we walked back down First Street to explore. Staff in tie-dye and high-visi- bility vests directed traffi c and vendors in the right direction, as motorcycles fi ltered past the barricades. Voices crackled over radios as staff jumped to handle the latest issue that popped up. Carefully orchestrated plans came together as vendors unpacked mer- chandise and maneuvered around each other to fi nd their space. The Stacy Jones Band set up on the stage by the public restrooms. A volunteer unpacked the trophies for the 22 cat- egories and arranged them for all to see and dream. BACA had lots of members to get their booth set up quickly, and many also worked the barricades. Bent Bike brought in leathers, doo- rags, goggles, and gloves. Emerald City Harley-Davidson brought a huge infl atable sign to make sure you could fi nd them from blocks away. They recently opened a boutique store on First Street for those of you who can- not be here on show day. Jeff Carney with CyclPath brought out a few cus- tom bikes, including a bagger with a 23-inch front wheel. Tilting Motorcycle Works had Harley-Davidson and Goldwing ver- sions of their tilting trikes on display. Their design is intriguing—you lean the bike into curves as you ride. I might need a test ride one day. Eagle Riders and American Legion Riders had booths to promote their upcoming rides. Mary from Mary's Leathers was busy all day sewing patches on vests and jackets. I talked to her about fi xing two zippers on my jacket, and we agreed that today was just too busy for major repairs. She will also be at Spring Opener in June. Two entire blocks were reserved for show bike entries. Riders were eagerly waiting to register when the booths opened at 10:00 a.m., and bikes rolled in all morning until registration closed. Late arrivals were content to park outside of the show area, in front of the historic buildings. With a choice of 22 categories, deciding which class to enter your bike in could take some time. One staff member confi rmed that the bike runs, while another showed the rider the list of categories to choose from. As I needed to leave early to travel back over a mountain, my riding companions and I did not enter our bikes this year. There were plenty of entries to take my attention as it was. I did not envy the job of the judges on select- ing the best of each category. For some models and brands, I don't have a clue what is stock and what is custom. Pretty paint and graphics catch your eye and leave a smile, but in the long run, I prefer the custom SKY VALLEY 20TH ANNUAL MOTORCYCLE SHOW Celebrating a milestone Bringing out the best of the Northwest See "Sky Valley" page 64, column 1 Laura and Christopher checking out the 2004 Hellbound Hellion custom bike Jon Miller's 1973 Norton Commando won First Place for the European category On a drizzly day, your best buddies will help wipe down your custom bike