Gophers and Cheese

At one point, Tom Rad was hosting two really fun motorcycle shows per year.  One was Ma Rad's Rumble on the Deck in Stillwater, MN and the other was just across the river at Bass Lake Cheese Factory in Wisconsin.  While I missed a couple, I attended most of the ones between 2010 and 2016.  I'm still really happy with the cheese-shaped awards I managed to take home at Extra Sharp.  Photos I took at both of those events have been added to video slideshows on my YouTube channel .  The slideshows pair nicely with a little wine and cheese so go check them out.

Another show from deep in the archives... 2016 was the 7th and last Rad's Extra Sharp Bike Show.  The following year, it was was held under another name.  "Rad" of course refers to Tom Rad who would typically hold not one but two bike shows per year, Ma Rad's Rumble and Extra Sharp.  I would often attend both but I loved Extra Sharp because it was smaller, low key, held at a cheese shop in Wisconsin, and my wife and kids would typically attend.  I would ride but they would follow me in the car.  My '04 Sportster has taken a few awards at the show over the years and in 2016 it took first place in the Sportster class... probably only because Brett showed up too late with The Gypsy.

My favorite bike at Rad's Extra Sharp Motorcycle Show was this one.  It was completely over the top and loaded with details from the meticulously painted frame to the insane intake and exhaust.  The seat reminds me of a chair my parents had back when I was a kid.

Even though it's a relatively small show, there are always a lot of cool bikes, cars, and trucks that show up. Back to the bikes...  Here's an evo, a shovelhead, a panhead, a flathead, and even a panshovel! I'm saving my favorite for last.  Check back tomorrow.

The 5th Annual Rad's Extra Sharp Motorcycle Show was held yesterday at the Bass Lake Cheese Factory in Somerset, WI.  It was my 4th consecutive year attending the show and I really like this one because I usually bring the family (they follow in the car).  Also, what's not to like about the combination of cheese, beer, and motorcycles?  It was a chilly morning but the sun was shining and it warmed up in the afternoon. I rode my Sportster and was bummed that I couldn't enter it in the show as it didn't fit in ANY of the available categories.  In each of the previous 3 years, I entered and won trophies in the Sportster and Mild H-D classes (whichever was available).  My rear fender section is much-improved over last year.  Would I have taken home a 4th trophy?  We'll never know. If there was a Sportster category, Kevin's and Ryan's could have given me a run. Kevin's new blue tank looks great and his bike has a great lean. ...

We still have 2-3 months of riding weather left but the number of events is getting smaller.  Here are some highlights for the month of September.  As usual, you can see lots of blog posts and photos of these events using my Guide To Local Events page. 9/4: First Thursday at Dulono's Pizza / Moto Mania at the Uptown VFW This Thursday!!!  This year, I've been parking at the VFW and walking back and forth between these simultaneous events.  Overall, it's the biggest local bike night by far so don't miss it. 9/5-9/6 24th Annual SCVR Chili Feed I haven't been to Chili Feed since 2011 but I want to go back.  It's the SCVR's annual fundraiser and it's a really fun time.  Bring your tent and eat all the chili and drink all the beer you want on Saturday.  Live music, bonfire, mechanical bull, etc. etc. etc. 9/6: 4th Annual Konawerks Bike Show This event is held at Grumpy's in downtown Minneapolis.  I went last year and there were a lot of...

For the third year in a row, I entered my Sportster in Rad's Extra Sharp Morotcycle Show and for the third year in a row, I took home a trophy.  This year, I took 2nd place in the Mild H-D class.  I'm not actually sure which bike beat mine.  I was just excited to take 2nd. Here's my bike: Last year, I took 1st place in the Sportster class and in 2011 I took 1st place in Mild H-D.  The aluminum trophies in 2011 were really nice.  Tom says they should be back for next year but the frisbees are cool too.  I still love the fact that the only trophies the bike from Gophers and Cheese has won are all cheese-themed. There were a few other Sportsters there.  This green custom was practically a rolling Kuryakyn billboard but the pieces looked nice together so what can you say?  I was VERY close to buying those same Python 2-into-1 pipes at one time.  The owner clearly takes pride in a clean and shiny bike.  Neither one of my bikes...