10,032 Reasons To Say We Love You And Thank You

[Hunters Friend]

IRIP 11 is only a memory now. Beer bottles tossed, cigarette butts swept up, and too much damn heat to deal with now.

 

Every IRIP has it's highlights but clearly the auction for the Children's Hospital has become the centerpiece for IRIP. (Wilson would have the greatest smile ever) Ten THOUSAND and thirty two dollars was raised for the Shriner's far surpassing even what was raised from last years staggering grand total of $5,700.

 

We had put in a request and a prayer with the almighty for good weather, safe riding, and lots of laughs. Eh... 2 out of 3 wasn't bad.

 

Total registration for this years rally was 121, down from previous years. The odd thing with this year though was the early arrivals and the early departures. On the first Friday and Saturday we had 20 or so people who just came down for the opening party but all of them had to leave. Many of them came in with Gregory Polaris. (Rob himself and many people who had bought motorcycles from his dealership) At one point the Polaris Indians outnumbered the Gilroys 80/20.

 

In regards to the Polaris/Gilroy bikes, gotta say - the new Indians were very very well received. In a short amount of time many riders have already customized their bikes to themselves giving them a clear "ownership" if you will. I was able to look at one and say "That's Efird's bike" on another it would be McMahon's, or Steve Smith's, or Denny's bike and so on. I can also say I met only one single rider who was not ecstatic with his bike, preferring his Kings Mountain to the Polaris. Beyond that, every single other person was completely in love with their new ride and I am very happy for them.

 

Weather - what can you say. Like I said, we put in a request but it was not given. Literally there was rain on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, light rain on Thursday and Friday. To make matters worse, it was unseasonably cold with nighttime temps dipping down into the 30s. Groups would be huddled around campfires in hoodies and blankets. Campfires are great for hunting trips, not so much for bike rallies. By Thursday riders began to depart by the droves having withstood enough. The daytime high for Thurs did hit 57.

 

Those who remained behind partied on and we did have a nice group still remaining (66 for the meal on Thursday night with probably 10 more who passed on the meal) and about that many who came for the auction on Friday.

 

In discussion for IRIP 12, when I announced the dates for next year of the 9th through the 16th of May, there was a generally not well received response. (In truth, I groaned when I looked at what day Memorial Day fell on) A discussion ensued, with the riders, the Village of Indian Point, and my neighbors and we arrived at an agreeable change 30 May to 6 June, 2015.

 

One rider said something that was hard to argue with "I can ride in rain if it is warm, but it is a whole 'nother deal if it is cold" . That rung true for me and I clearly understood. Plus, there is nothing worse than seeing a bunch of your friends huddled in a room together due to king shit weather. So... 30 May to 6 June it is. (One week after Memorial Day - first time ever)

 

Some of the amazing highlights

 

All of the new rides and their new owners. Congratulations on your bikes. They are very nice and we are incredibly happy for you.

 

For 4 years I have been making payments on a bike that many of you know - the POW/MIA bike out of Paducah, KY. On Tuesday the 13th I took ownership of it. We intend to use the bike in a respectful manner much in the same way Ed did when he had the bike. For any veteran who wanted, I had no problems handing them the keys. It is as much a bike for them as it is for us. Thank you Ed for selling it to me and to my wife for helping us to get it.

 

Byron and Cindy Efird - God what did I do to deserve such an awesome couple? From the moment they blessed our lives last year to this, no one can surely deserve a better couple in their lives. Their karaoke gig on Tuesday night in the convention center was the most successful music gig we have ever had. The center was packed, the dancing was great, and the alcohol was over the top. Yours truly got the biggest drunk on in the past 15 years. It took me till 3 p.m. the next day just to uncross my eyeballs. But whatta party....

 

Danny and Mary Flucke - Every once in a while someone comes along that you just know is remarkable. From almost the very first day I ever met Danny, I could tell he was an over the top dynamo. Wicked funny, unpretentious, and benevolent almost beyond any person I had ever met. That was 8 years ago and he still is the same person but even more so. Danny has really hit his stride with this auction and his calling as a Mason. We are just immensely fortunate to be a part of it. 10,032... incredible.

 

And then there was Denny Graham... AKA Dennymusic. You ever watch one of those American Idol episodes where the next singer walks up to the microphone and causes the crowd to go into dead silence? Wednesday night was one of those moments. That is a man who is talented beyond words. Then he blew up the backyard with his one man band with fireside playing. For 3 nights Denny entertained the hell out of anyone who would roll up a chair. IRIP now has 2 talents on guitar - Indian Al and Denny Graham.

 

The Smith brothers for taking guests on rides. Mark Moses and Justin for the great meal and donation on Thursday night. Again, if you want to know how to do it right - look no further than Mark Moses. The best of the best.

 

To ALL of the donations we received from everyone for the auction THANK YOU! From walking sticks to to artwork to t-shirts to custom powder coated signs. The items were beyond belief and will be cherished forever. THANK YOU ALL!

 

Phil and Karen Erby, you singlehandedly impacted the auction like no one would ever believe. You are the dearest couple and we love you both and thank you for all you do.

 

And then there is my wing man, best friend and right hand lady - Handan. God bless her and all the help she gives me. From picking up and organizing the t-shirts to buying supplies for the meals to pecking on me to get busy on the banners, tipi, ordering the kegger, scheduling the employees, etc. God bless her and all of her help with pulling this together.

 

I probably shouldn't do this, but I think I owe a thank you to the moonshine as well. After embracing it, many riders were going "Cold? What cold?"

 

And as Paul Harvey would say "Now for the rest of the story..."

 

One of the very first items up to bid was a guitar strap. Pretty non descript, but the moment Danny looked it over he broke into a huge grin. Signatures on the strap included Rene Watson, Kevin Vaughn, Danny Worley, Charlie Daniels, and..... ACE FREHLEY! (I think the audience knew the inside story)

 

So the bids take off, with people clamoring for a chance to own ACE's autograph (there were other celebs right?) and it quickly escalated beyond my comfort level. As the bidding was going once, twice my wife busts in there and shouts out "$250!" and we took it home. Now, I would like to add that while I think Ace's signature is cool, I am a celebfreak for all things Gene "God of Thunder" Simmons.

 

After kissing my wife and thanking her for the surprise, I begin hearing Ronn Wilming shout my name from the back of the room telling me to get back there. He had been talking with the guy who donated the strap and was dying for me to meet this guy.

 

Jim - "Congrats on winning the strap"

Me - "Thank you for donating it"

Jim - "My friend here tells me you are really into KISS"

Me - (smile) "Yeah, I have a small obsession"

(Ron interjects - "You have got to see the shrine he has in his office of all his KISS shit. The dolls and guitar...")

Jim - "Well that's cool. I have been with KISS for 10 years...."

(Stay upright Mike, don't get lightheaded, he's just a carbon lifeform who has been in the same vicinity as the God of Thunder)

Jim - "Yeah, I drive Gene's tour bus. Have spent the night at his house with Shannon and the kids"

(Stay upright Mike, don't get lightheaded, he's just a carbon lifeform who has been in the same vicinity as the God of Thunder)

Jim - "Here, you want to see some photos?"

(Stay upright Mike, don't get lightheaded, he's just a carbon lifeform who has been in the same vicinity as the God of Thunder)

Jim begins to flip through his phone with photos of him and Gene, Doc McGhee, Roy Clark, and on and on and on...

Jim - "Let's keep in touch. When they are in Tulsa I will see if I can't setup a meet and greet with you and Gene.

 

@#$%^&*()(*&^%$#$@ YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Indian Motorcycles saves the day again!!!

 

[Brock]

what an awesome write up for an outstanding event....and the charity work is one to be commended. God Bless you all.....

[Scalper38]

Outstanding Mike, sorry we couldn't make it this year! (BTW, can you bring about 100 of your Indian buds to meet Gene?????)

[Scalper38]

Speaking of the God of Thunder, KISS and Caleb (one of the final two on American Idol) just performed together. How's that for a young up and coming rocker who's never even recorded a song!!!

[Micmac]

I think next year we should have a web cam and paypal set up so the slack asses who don't come and choose to stay in their nice warm, dry, living rooms can bid. With all the money they save staying home, I bet we could double the money earned. I also think

RickkciR should get an honorable mention. He was spending money at the auction like a Kevin, Micah I mean drunken sailor. I bet at least 2k of that 10 came out of his pocket.

[RickkciR]

ha! Only reason I spent what I did was Byron allowed me , writing a check and I paypal'd $ to him !

 

Charities are a good thing.. we were blessed to be in the Ozarks and riding Indians. The least we can do?

[rockarosa]

ha! Only reason I spent what I did was Byron allowed me , writing a check and I paypal'd $ to him !

 

Charities are a good thing.. we were blessed to be in the Ozarks and riding Indians. The least we can do?

Most everyone on this earth would tell you there would only be a couple of people they meet in their lifetime they could actually trust with their worldly possessions!! ..... ( Us Included)....Then we bought a 02 Scout a couple of years ago after owning several other Brands that Cendy was never happy with.......I was hunted down by Steve Smith and Turbo at that point....When they first spoke to us about the Iron Indians and the Indian Rally I told Cendy.....Hell No....I'm not into Gangs or Clubs....LOL....They assured me this was not the case and after several lengthy phone conversations we decided we would check this event out....Heaven on Earth......We are so Blessed.... We have met so many great people over the last two years that we now consider Family....Rick after our conversations and Rides during the Rally we now know YOU are an Awesome person (Family) and we can add another to our growing list of Awesome people we could trust with our livelihood!! Steve and Nan Danford thanks for traveling from so far away!!! Even though you knew you just had a couple of days and had to be back to support your Daughter....Without you two showing up the Rally would just not be the same!!! We absolutely Love our Indian Community of Awesome people!!! Thanks for finding us!!!! Love you guys!!!

[Micmac]

I couldn't get that fucking ATM machine to work at the store that won't let us piss in there anymore, that's why I was only bidding up to $210 on everything. The Bank of Moses offered to rescue me, but I'll just haft try one one of Grizz's signs next year. Plus, Ms. Micmac would hand my ass to me if I brought anything home in the middle of this move. The Habitat for Humanity truck drivers and I are on a 1st name basis now. I keep finding shit for them to come and get. 30 years is a long time in a house.

[homer]

Sounds like fun. Thanks for the call. Was good to hear some "Indian" voices again.

Maybe next year...