Stories from drivers
I want to share with everyone the stories that were emailed to me about last years ride to Sturgis and how these people feel about RDOH. Everyone has seen my blog post about it so I have not included what I wrote.
Henry Dorame aka “Buzzard” (Co-founder)
How did the road dogs on hogs come about, you would like to know. Well if I were to tell the truth I would have to say they came about by accident during the first part of 2008. A lot of drivers have moved to satellite radio for the convince of not having to look for a station every few miles on regular radio. In doing this we also discovered the trucker channel on Sirus radio.
During one of there programs [the ‘Freewheelin’ show to be exact] their topic for the day was ‘what are your plans for summer once it gets here.’ Since it was one of those weeks that no matter where you went you had bad weather, I figured why not call in and let every one know of my plans. I called in and told them that I was going to take my bike and go to the bike rally at Sturgis, SD, as I had been doing for abut the last 35 years. Lol! Yep that’s right 35 years. While listening to the rest of the show I heard white rose, aka, Cindy Morgan, call in and say that she had just moved from the back of the bike to the front that year and that going to Sturgis was a dream of hers, but that she didn’t think that it would ever happen because of personal safety issues that she has had since she had returned from Iraq. Since I had her number I called her up and told her that if she really wished to go that she was welcome to go up with me and the group of riders that I knew and that we would keep an eye on her and see that she was safe.
A couple of days later she called me back and told me that she had a crazy idea and wanted to run it by me and see what I thought of it, lol, another crazy trucker idea. She ask me what I though about the idea of inviting any other of the drivers, that also road, to come and go along with us to Sturgis, Hell, I’ve been involved in crazier things than that, so I told her why not. She and I started calling in on the Road Dog channel of Sirius and talking up the idea of getting drivers together to go to Sturgis that year. I think, to everyone’s surprise we got a larger response than we ever dreamed of getting. Over the next few weeks Cindy and I were contacted by other drivers that had an interest in going and offers of help to get it going. The rest is history and to long of a story to tell here, but I do wish to give my thanks to the drivers that stepped up and gave there help to make it all happen, “Slider”, “Harley Cowboy”, “Black Hawk”, “Idaho Hunter”, and all the others that came forward with offers of camping and staging areas.
A great time was had by all and we are looking forward to doubling the number of drivers that go this year. Oh, just for the record with only about 6 months to plan all of this we still had over 40 drivers show up for Sturgis.
BUZZARD
RIDE TILL THE WHEELS FALL OFF
Walter Twohorses (Council Member)
Ok so you want to know why I joined the Road Dogs on Hogs, well it’s a long story so pull up a chair and have a cup a coffee with me and I’ll tell you. Um it seemed like the thing to do at the time, na just kidding. There I was sitting out in the oil fields of Colorado loading up another 180bbls of our finest crude oil, thinking about the up coming weekend and where I’d be riding to. After getting loaded I turned on my Sirius, Chris T and Meredith were talking to “Buzzard” and White Rose, and I hear about this group forming, as the week goes on I hear others such as “Slider” and “Beirut Bob and “Jimmy the Junkman” and a whole bunch of others, to many to list here, talking about the Road Dogs on Hogs forming and everyone riding to Sturgis. Ok so now I’m interested but still had some concerns, I liked what I heard about drivers that ride bringing back the camaraderie and the old ways, like how it used to be when I first started driving truck and the way it used to be when I road with a bike club. I began thinking about things and this is what I really missed, and so I decided to join. Fast forward to Sturgis bike week I rolled into town and up to the Iron Horse campground and within 5min I was greeted by two other RDOH members, they helped me set my tent up and gave me a green bandana for my bike. Ok I’m impressed. Then all the other RDOHers started rolling in. Even though we had never met, it was like instant family. The friends I made at Sturgis last year have remained true to their words. I pray that these friends that I have met will last the rest of my life.
Walter TwoHorses (mitakeye oyasin-all my relations)
Tim Burke aka “Bowtie Man”
We followed a dream about riding our motorcycles to Sturgis, S.D.
Here is how it came to be. We drive a tractor trailer like many other folks out here on the Interstate. With the help of a Sirius satellite radio and the Road Dog channel 147, the journey for many truckers has begun some not even knowing, here is our story.
The kick start to this event came with a question by one of the hosts on a show called Freewheelin.” What are your plans for the summer, when winter is over? “
One of the Road Dogs a man named “Buzzard” replied by saying, “the same as the last 18 years Sturgis.” Well that started the ball rolling with other drivers calling in saying that would be cool and heck even fun. White Rose called in and expressed her thoughts and desire for this great adventure we have come to know as Road Dogs on Hogs to Sturgis. Mind you that all truckers with any means to get there were invited. Ya, you did not need to have a Harley to fit in.
A council of drivers got formed to plan this ride out, White Rose, Buzzard, Harley Cowboy, Idaho hunter, Blackhawk and Slider. They each had an assignment in making this get together a reality, knowing how truckers are not being able to agree on anything. You could shout out what time is it and you would get ten different answers, which way is shorter truckers simply agree to disagree.
This was going to be a challenge but the council believed that it could be accomplished so on they all went, each one with a task to do. Campgrounds to be found, rally points, routes to travel to Sturgis, and communication. White Rose, she did the web thing and got the Road Dogs on Hogs site going, nice. “Buzzard” being the most experienced participant with Slider’s help, got the campground, Iron Horse Campground to be exact. We even had a chef and kitchen, thanks Buzzard.
While all the planning was going on the word had to be spread and info shared, this was mainly done through Sirius Radio Road Dog 147 and the Freewheelin show,of course it spread to other shows like Jonesey, the C.B. radio, telephoning of friends but the word did get out, truckers coming together from all parts of America, Wow.
The Road Dogs on Hogs group had drivers coming from all over the U.S.A. We had a driver, Jimmy the Junkman, pick his bike up in Arizona travel to Mississippi to ride up to Sturgis via Nebraska with White Rose who has not slept without a locked door since Iraq. Showing that the trucker community can and will be there for each other. That was over 2800 miles of biking to help out the needs of someone else.
Welcome, Mn was a meeting place for truckers on bikes. The host here was Old Dogg and his lady Joyce. Bowtie man came from eastern Iowa and Mutt, Thumper and Kool-Aid drove in from local city’s in Minnesota. Another group met up at Buzzard’‘s house for the journey to Sturgis, S.D.
The day was Saturday everyone out of bed get ready to roll, it was time for truckers on the bikes riding together to meet 2nd group at Mitchell, S.D. As bikes roared and support vehicle trailed hauling a bike for another driver meeting us at Mitchell. Sliders bike dubbed trailer trash. We pulled into local fuel stop and low and behold we were not the first to arrive it was Bubba on his Harley. We waited around had lunch went outside and after some time waiting, we saw the second group pulling in. Wow this was getting exciting for us the vision, Road Dogs on Hogs, becoming a reality.
Buzzard, Jimmy the junkman, White Rose, Slider, Loose Nut, his wife Strychnine and kids, Becky and Buzzard’s support truck, Azzitude’s dually and camper trailer, it was a very good site to see. We hung around there for a while making sure to fuel up and get organized. With Buzzard being the most experienced Sturgis goer he was put in charge of getting our group safely to Sturgis. He got dehydrated on the way and to go by four wheeler but he did an excellent job.
Road Dogs on Hogs were moving and riding in formation with our green bandana’s tied to back of bikes a symbol of the Road Dogs and Sirius 147. Stopping a few times along the way for gas and hydration we made our way, thanking the troops at one fuel stop for their service to our country. Some wished they were riding with us but they had their own job to do too.
Stopping at the last rest area before getting off to downtown Sturgis, Buzzard was well enough to get back on his bike and lead us thru and to camp. Iron Horse Campground was our place of residing while at Sturgis. It was dark when we arrived but it was awesome riding with this group of fellow truckers who never before, collectively done this.
Checking in at main gate took a little time but we came this far and it was worth every minute, including setting up tent by flashlight, headlight of car, pickup or bike. We accomplished our mission, arrive Road Dogs on Hogs to Sturgis. There were already a few truckers set up and that was cool.
The next morning came and intros were shared. A couple of us took a ride to see Devil’s tower and that was a very cool ride over there. Scenery was excellent, bikers passing along a friendly wave, biker style low and off to the side. We stopped at an old building set up as a bar on the back and that was cool, good food and a very refreshing beverage to wash it down with. Then, back to camp after that.
The night came to life with drivers talking and helping each other out with camp set up. Beverages passed around and even entertainment found over at the camps shelter. A live band and a couple of contest have to be seen and seeing was believing.
The next day came and breakfast was cooked or bought how ever and what ever your pleasure was. Buzzard was up to the task no matter what it took. Then the big plan, a group ride either Rushmore or Deadwood. Rushmore won the vote and off we rode as a well tuned parade of truckers. Rushmore was just awesome to see and sharing this with new found friends was even better. After that we rode back to camp. Let me tell ya that took some time too. Streets were packed with all biker after biker and other traffic heading to a concert very near our campsite Iron Horse.
As most everyone showed back up supper being cooked at camp and drivers just shooting the breeze, it came to me that the next day I was heading back out for home with things to do there. I knew I would miss being there the rest of the week. But friendship and brotherhood among truckers has grown because of this ride and I would never regret it for a moment. I would encourage any driver to join the Road Dogs on Hogs for a trip, a ride or even a get together how ever they do it because being united as a group was a lot better than being alone driving down the rode just wondering who and what is my fellow trucker like.
“Bowtie Man”
Tim Burke
Dubuque, Ia
1880 miles on trip
Dallas Hughbanks
My wife {Sarah} and I pulled into the Iron Horse camp grounds asked the staff at the gate where the RDOH’s were camping they told me down the hill and I would run right into them, we have never meet any of them so didn’t know what to expect. So we pulled into the camp site, before I even got my kickstand down there was a tall gray haired guy walking to us, he came right up and shook our hands and introduced himself as Idaho, wow I meet my first Road Dog, we B S for a while and Idaho helped us sit up our camp, by the time we were done a bunch of Road Dogs, White Rose, Buzzard, Slider, Loosenut & family, Old Dogg, Mutt, Thumper, Jimmy the Junkman, Azzitude, and more I cant remember all of them, came riding into the camp, we met them all, they were all great people. I’ve been counting the days until Sturgis 2009, My wife and I are planning to be in Sturgis for the whole week this year, I cant wait to see all the first year RDOH and meet all the new RDOH in Sturgis this year.
Dallas & Sarah Hughbanks
Casper, WY
Kristy Bishop aka Pit Bull
My name is Kristy aka: Pitbull. I went to Sturgis last year. I meet so many great people there and have made some great friendships as well. It was so nice to be able to just kick back and forget the worries of everyday hustle and bustle and leave work behind. It was nice to sit around and joke and eat and camp with people who are real people and understand what my life and work life is like and can totally relate.
We all helped out holding the canopy together when a storm blasted thru the camp ground and the wind tried to blow over all the tents and Crystal and Becky and Buzzard was trying to finish cooking spaghetti and serving all of us that had made it back to camp before the storm hit. We all went around and tried to collapse the tents so the wind wouldn’t break the poles and tear the tents, a few weren’t so lucky. But Buzzard had brought extra tents just incase such an occasion were to occur. We had all helped reset all tents back up afterwards.
There were different rides we could go on as a group, such as the one I tagged along on that went to Mt. Rushmore and on the way back we stopped in Dead Wood and also in Rapid City, SD. I had a total Blast! I can’t wait for the rally this year! I am already planning my trip as well a purchase of a bike.
Brian Palmer aka Harley Cowboy (Council Member)
I was driving along one day listening to the Carl P and P team and herd a lady call in and said that she would like to go to Sturgis but she was alone and would be afraid to go, another driver called in and said he would watch her back so I was interested in doing this also. Hadn’t been to Sturgis for 28 years and decided to give it a try. Called into Carl P and talked to him about it and this is how the whole thing started. Everyone says that there isn’t any camaraderie any more with drivers in the United States. We proved them wrong again.
There were about thirty drivers that showed up for this get together and I personally had a blast and met several drivers and their families. Took my darling wife with me so she could see just what a bunch of trashy truck drivers would do when they didn’t have to worry about getting a load or talking to dispatchers for a whole week. I think that Road Dogs on Hogs was one of the best things to come around for fellow drivers and their families, can’t wait till next August so we can
see just how many can have this much fun.
Bryan Palmer Sr.
AKA Harley Cowboy
ROBERT COER aka Old Dogg
THE FRIDAY BEFOR WE SET OFF FOR STURGIS WE HAD SIX OF US AT OUR PLACE IIN WELCOME MN GETTING SLIDERS BIKE LOADED UP ON THE TRAILER I HAD PICKED IT UP IN PA PUT ON MY STEP DECK AND LOADED IT UP ON THE BIKE TRAILER TO BRING IT TO MITCHEL SD FOR HIM TO MEET US AND PICK UP HIS BIKE. I HAD PUT A SIGN ON THE BACK OF THE TRAILER (TRAILER TRASH) AND EVERYBODY HAD A GREAT LAUGH ABOUT THAT BUT WHAT REALY GOT EVERYBODY GOING IS THAT I LOVE SHIRMP ALL I CAN GET JOICE HAD PUT A BIG TRAY OF IT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TABLE WE HAD A COOK OUT FOR THE GUYS AND GALS AND I SAT DOWN IN FRONT OF THE TRAY OF SHRIMP AND SAID ALL MINE, MINE, MINE AND GRABBED THE TRAY AND SLID IT TO ME FAST THE SHRIMP SAUCE LANDED IN MY LAP I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET IT FROM JOICE I JUST TOOK SOME SHRIMP AND DABBED IT IN MY LAP AND I WAS CONTENT.
SO I NAMED MY TRUCK THE SHRIMP SAUCE EXPRESS!!!!!!!!
OLDDOGG
SINCERLY YOURS BOB COER
Mike Morgano aka Slider
Well I guess it all started one day listening to freewheeling on sat radio, I believe the topic was what are you going to do for vacation this year. I heard buzzard call in and start talking about how he always goes to Sturgis bike week every year for the past 35yrs. I got the thinking what it would be like to live another lifestyle like that in the biker theme. I had always respected the American biker for there uniqueness and there own outlook on the world, They seem to have a passion to ride and just go down the road and not think about anything but the ride. I went as far as to buy several copy’s of Easy Rider and watch it over and over thinking I can do this and try it. I watch that movie gosh at least half dozen or more times. The next day I spoke to buzzard about getting a bike and wanting to join the brotherhood that we were creating as we spoke about getting together and riding out to Sturgis. I started searching for a bike and came across one at a salvage yard that I really like and bought it. from there the rest is history in the making, I learned to ride and then I went to Sturgis and met the best bunch of drivers and lifelong friends I could ever meet. We all had the time of our lives and got to see alot of pretty country, of course I will be going back this year to meet up with all my friends from last year as well as meeting new drivers this year. The best thing that came out of this was the brotherhood we have created and the extended family we have created through this organization, We as in the Road Dogs On Hogs are truly lifelong friends thanks to the efforts of other drivers coming together to make a good change and build a strong relationship. I will continue to ride and meet new drivers as time goes by and make Sturgis and any other bike week place a new vacation spot to enjoy the free spirit of riding and feeling the wind in my face and feel the freedom of the motorcycle.
