Gophers and Cheese

There are a few events worth noting this month.  This weekend is Vintage Torque Fest down in Iowa.  I've never been but the photos always look awesome.  I wish Dubuque was just a little closer to the Twin Cities.  Make the trip if you can. Also this weekend and much closer to home is Dirty Rotten Bikerfest .  Free camping behind a bar sounds like fun to me. Next week is First Thursday at Dulono's Pizza and the return of Moto Mania at the Uptown VFW . On May 16th, you can check out the Oil & Ink Motorbike Print Expo at Konawerks.  I went last year ( click here for blog post) and the prints on display (and available for sale) were really cool. Then at the end of the month, Ton-Up Minneapolis will host their Rockers Spring Social.  I went the past two years and it's definitely worth checking out if you like cafe racers.  Embarrassingly, I still haven't posted my photos from last year (I am so behind!) but you can see my 20...

I haven't forgotten about the hundreds of Mama Tried photos I took (I'll get back to them) but wanted to knock out a few more recent and upcoming things first.  The 50th Annual Spring Flood Run was just over a week ago.  Not only was it a beautiful day, but I got to spend it with my wife on the bike as we had our babysitter booked all day.  This was my 12th Flood Run (7 Spring & 5 Fall). We started our day at Bob's Java Hut in Minneapolis. After enjoying some coffee, we headed to the Beach Bar for the start of the run.  However, we didn't stop because I got yelled at for attempting to park where I wasn't supposed to.  I know he was probably a volunteer and I was probably the hundredth person he had to tell not to park there but I just rolled up and I've parked in that same spot nearly every year without issue and his tone just pissed me off.  We headed south and through the large crowd in Prescott and stopped in Maiden Rock. While I nor...

I don't know much about this one but bike show + swap meet + live music + free camping behind a bar sounds like a good time.  Of course, the last time I camped behind a bar, it was the DicE party at the Kung Fu Tap & Taco so I have fond memories. The 2nd Annual Dirty Rotten Bikerfest is this Saturday (5/2) in Oak Grove, MN.  More details here and here .

I haven't been posting much over the last 2 months but that should hopefully change soon.  I have been riding, going to shows, and taking photos so I have no shortage of content.  This photo was taken at Psycho Suzi's last month before it got cold again. There are two main reasons for the lack of posts: Layoffs at work :( I bought a van :) First, there were some serious layoffs at work last month and, while I made it through, I wasn't sure I would and many friends and co-workers weren't so lucky.  Those couple of weeks were rough so I really didn't feel like posting.  Things are better now but still not quite back to normal. Second, just before heading out to Mama Tried, I bought a van!!!  I've been spending most of my free time lately fixing it up and modifying it.  While I wish I could say it's an awesome 1960s Ford Econoline or something vintage from the 1970s, it's not (maybe one day).  I was originally looking for a late 90s / early 20...

The 8th Annual Freedom First Riders Bike Show is this weekend on both the 11th and 12th in Alexandria, MN.  I've attended the last two years and posts are tagged Freedom First Riders if you want to see what the show is like.