I trust everyone had an incredible Memorial Holiday weekend. Vivian and I had a great time at the AHDRA races in Commerce on Saturday and Sunday. Somehow after walking all over the place up there this weekend I ended up on crutches.  Seems I may have re-injured an old break in the ball of my left foot. Guess the bones get even more brittle at 50.Just went to a 24-hr clinic on Monday (3-1/2 hrs) so I have to wait until they have the x-rays read before I know for sure. Got some shots of real heavy duty pain meds though.
    Congratulations to Eddie Lee and the entire Southwinds Race Team. They crushed the Pro Stock field with an emotional victory on Sunday. Long time friend and sponsor Rick Phillips passed away suddenly at the end of 2008. This win on their home track was for Big Rick. We couldn't be more thrilled for the team to get this huge victory at this time. Eddie and some of the crew and sponsors will join us on Thursday night to celebrate and sign autographs at the Taco Mac Bike Night in Douglasville. Congratulations again!!! We really love you guys. Also, on Thursday night another Mableton, GA boy, JB Walker and The Cheap Whiskey Band will be performing at Taco Mac. And I just found out that "Nobody" and Redneck Engineering will also be coming by on Thursday night with some of their incredible creations. More details below in bike night info.
    I hope you all got to spend some time on Monday recognizing the men and women that died for our country. Steve (Psycho Dad) Naylor from our staff attended what I understand was an incredible ride. The Ride for America went from Monroe,GA to the Court House in Madison for the ceremony. I spoke to organizers, Gary Lemond and Stan Mauldin on Tuesday to congratulate them on a great 10th Anniversary event. There were 700 motorcycles signed up and the whole day went incredibly smooth and safe. Great job guys and thank you to all that attended.
    This week and the upcoming weekend have a lot going on as usual. The June magazine is hitting the streets today and should be in all locations by the weekend. I do want to mention one of the rides that I am really excited about. The biggest ride to hit Alabama this year is coming this weekend. The Alabama State Trooper Memorial Ride leaves starting points all over the State and ends at Garrett Coliseum for a concert event with Blackfoot and Molly Hatchet. Details are below. If you've got the time to spend for an incredible event come check this one out. Redneck Engineering and Don Gray Customs will both be displaying at the Coliseum along with several other vendors and builders. Following the Memorial Ceremony, GRIP is coming over from Atlanta to play outside before the main concert. Warhorse Band will also be rocking the venue. Two years ago the event drew 3,000 people. This year the coliseum seats nearly 8,000. Let's pack it and really support the AL Troopers Association and all they do for the families of fallen troopers.
    On Sunday Vivian and I will drive back from Montgomery for the ABATE D4W Christmas in June event at Fat Cats in Austell, GA. Bike Show, Battle of Bands & Membership Drive. From there we're off to Birdies in Hiram (4-8pm) to close out a busy weekend.
    Whatever you do, ride safe. Hope to see you this week.

BIKE NIGHTS
Tuesdays beginning in June
Cocktail Cove (formerly American Pie)- Sandy Springs, GA sponsored by Steve Murrin “The Original Biker Lawyer”
All You Can Eat Crab Legs - Door Prizes

Wednesdays
*Luby’s Bar & Grill - Lawrenceville, GA: Bikini Bike Wash - Live Music- Full Bar - Great Menu with Kevin Holmes and Ric Elias.

*Tony’s American Grille & Tap - Roswell, GA begins officially in June but we're already hanging out there. Sponsored by Steve Murrin and Chuck Watwood's Lawbike.com
Giveaways- Food/Drink Specials- Trivia/Live Entertainment- Pool Tables- Darts- Beer Pong

Thursdays
Taco Mac - Douglasville, GA with Cindi "Twin Peaks" Spann and Derek "Thong" Spann along with FT Editor's Randy and Vivian
sponsored by Harley-Davidson of Atlanta, Lawbike.com, Miller Lite and Full Throttle Magazine - Also this week Southern Steel Cycles will be joining us as a guest sponsor.
Food/Drink Specials- Giveaways- Live Entertainment - 50/50 for Bikers for Boobs - STARTS AT 6PM, MUSIC AT 7PM WITH 50/50 ABOUT 9:30.
THIS WEEK JB WALKER & THE CHEAP WHISKEY BAND IS ROCKING THE HOUSE.
FRESH OFF AN AHDRA PRO STOCK WIN - SOUTHWIND RACE TEAM'S EDDIE LEE WILL BE SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS!!!
REDNECK ENGINEERING WILL BE COMING BY WITH THEIR INCREDIBLE RIDES!!!
Don't miss the Kick-Off for the search for Ms Harley-Davidson of Atlanta and the Bikes that will fill the new 2009 calendar. Is your bike worthy? Bring it out for early photo shoots as we get ready for the upcoming BIKES AND BABES competition.

Tom’s Place - Cartersville, GA with Cajun Karen
Biggest Deck in Town- Raffles- Specials- Live Music

Sunday afternoons
Birdies #3 Wings Sports Bar & Grill - Hiram, GA with Cindi Spann
Party on the Patio with Live Music- Giveaways- Food/ Drink Specials

These are only the bike nights we are contracted to be at but there are others all over the Southlands. Check the June issue for Bike Night listings and expect to see more of the staff all over Atlanta.

THE WEEKEND AHEAD!!!

May 29-31 Spanish Fort, AL. L.A. Road Rash Rally, Bike Show and Poker Run. Held at Junk Yard Bar and Grill, Hwy 31 N. Limited primitive camping. $10 advance tickets. $15 at door. Kids under 12 free. Live music each night, vendors and games. No one under 21 after 5pm. Call 251-463-9040.

May 30-31 Sweetwater, TN. Magnuson Hotel Spring Bash. Blue Grass Band, Free Tickets to Lost Sea. $58 one person/$10 extra person with a 2 night minimum. Call 800-647-3529.

May 30-Jun 1 Alpharetta, GA. In Country VETS M/C & American Legion Riders 201 2nd Annual "Old School Biker Rodeo". $15 single/$25 couple includes camping and hot showers, breakfast on Sat. and poker run. Rodeo after poker run with weenie bite, slow ride, traffic cone weave, ride the rail and more. Meal tickets available for lunch. Dance Sat. night at American Legion Post. Benefits American legion scholarship funds. Email Jim at hdsoftailclasic@yahoo.com

May 30-June 1 Higgston, GA. Higgston Hawg Fest. (Formerly Dead River Bike Fest). All Bikers welcome. See ad in Full Throttle or visit www.higgstonhawgfest.com or Call Ramon Powell at 912-245-8992 or 245-0983 or 293-1694

May 31 Starting Points Throughout State, AL. Alabama State Trooper Association Memorial Ride.Statewide ride in honor of State Troopers killed in the line of duty. See ad for starting locations. Ends at Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery. Riders $30/passengers $20. $10 for ASTA members. Activities begin at noon. Memorial Service 2pm. Concert featuring Molly Hatchet and Blackfoot 7pm. Vendors and exhibitors. Call 334-265-2782 or visit www.alabamatroopers.net to pre-register.

May 31 Athens, GA. Merph's 3rd Annual Poker Run. Benefits Project Safe of Athens for at-risk woman and their families. Register 11am at Time Out Sports Bar, 4030 Lexington Rd. FBO 12 noon/LBO 1pm/LBI 6pm. Southern Soul Band, barbecue, drinks and chips for sale, and great raffle prizes. Call Merphis Ellis 706-614-1542.

May 31 Athens, TN. Tent Revival : Biker Style 6pm at Franks place 155 County Rd. for info: 423-745-4119

May 31 Bay Minette, AL. Benefit for Danny Bonnell. 8am-4pm at Halliday Park, Hwy 59 Across from North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce. Plate Lunches served 11am. $6 Fish or Chicken. Auction 12:30pm-2:00pm. Benefit Motorcycle Ride 2:00pm. $15 per biker. Benefits Motorcycle Accident Victim. Call Jim Ferguson 251-580-0548.

May 31 Buford, GA. 1st Annual Hogs for Critters Motorcycle Ride. Benefits Humane Society of Hall County. Register 9-10am at Frazier’s H-D, 4699 Friendship Rd. (just off I-985). $25 bike/$10 passenger. Departs 10:30am. Call Gwen Trimmer 770.532.6617 or visit http://humanesocietyhallcounty.com

May 31 Chattanooga, TN. FACES Ride 4 Smiles. Sponsored by Bud's Sports Bar and Full Throttle Magazine. FBO of Bud's Sports Bar, Brainerd Villeage at 10:30am. LBO Noon. Poker Run, Bike & Car Show, Vendors, Stunt Bikes, and Vehicle Wash. $25 Preregistered/$35 Day of event includes lunch, photo on your ride, 3 poker hands, ride pin [to first 100 registered], and door prize ticket To preregister call 1-800-3FACES or visitwww.faces-cranio.org or RandomFox.com.

May 31 Chattanooga, TN. American Cycles May Bash. From noon to 6pm. Located at 3208 Rossville Road. Call 423-698-2850.

May 31 Columbia TN. 2nd Annual Southland Cycle Jam & Swap Meet. Call Melanie/Sterling Hurst 931-826-3528 or visit
Southlandcycleshow@yahoo.com.

May 31 Ducktown, TN. Riders Resort Grand Opening Party! Brand New Motorcycle Destination. Live, music, food, beer, raffles, bring your friends! Riders Resort is a private resort for motorcyclist and antique cars/trucks offering annual memberships or day passes. Visitwww.ridersresort.net Hwy 64 Ducktown, TN. Call 423.496.0065

May 31 Fairburn, GA "A Fresh Start Charity Ride" @ BlackJack Motorcycles. Registration @ 9:30 am - 11:00 am. $20/ motorcycle. Ride Leaves @ 11:00am. Backroads to New Vision Church in Fayetteville. 75 FREE T-SHIRTS.

May 31 Griffin, GA. Southside Riders Asso. 1st Annual "Spring Fling" Trivia Poker Run. Register 10am at Buffalos Southwest Grill on Hwy 16. FBO 11am. Trophies to Best & Worst hands. Bike show and games for adults/children. Benefits the children's charities that Southside Riders support. Call Mark Barnhouse 674-588-1377 or Ron Bishop 770-358-1500.

May 31 Grovetown, GA. Rouges 10th Ann. Party @ The Hideaway. Live Music, Tatoo contest. For info 706-869-1080.

May 31 Locust Grove, GA. 1st Annual Ride for Christ and His Work. Register 8:30am at Locust Grove United Methodist Church, 211 Peeksville Road. Register 8:30-10am. Departs 10:30am with stop at Old Mill Motorcycle Museum, lunch and T-Shirt while supplies last. Proceeds will be used to purchase church bus. Contact Todd 770-775-0448

May 31 Pinson, Al. Ride of the Valley Poker Run. Register at Pinson City Hall next to Wachovia Bank. FBO 10am. $20 Rider/$10 Passenger includes lunch and ride pin. Peoples choice Bike Show, Games, Food and Music. Benefits Pinson Valley High School & Rudd Middle School Bands. Email sonicboomenter@charter.net

May 31 Rome, GA. Benefit Fundraiser for Mr. Robbie Green @ OPIS Bar & Grille 11:30am Live Music, Bike/ Car wash. $15 per bike. Bikes out at 12:30.

May 31 Roswell, GA. Killer Creek Harley-Davidson’s Swap Meet. 10am-4pm. Individuals and vendors welcome with pre-registration. Ccontact Mandi at mharris@killercreekharley.com or 770-777-1000. 11480 Alpharetta Highway, Roswell, GA.

May 31 Savannah, GA. 2008 Ride For Ronald Poker Run. Regrister 9-11am at Armstrong Center. $15 rider/ $10 passenger. 1st place $500/2nd place $250/ Worst $100. Benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities. Email caroldobbs@gmail.com

June 1-30 Dalton, GA. Design a T-shirt Back Contest. Are you an artist? Put your talent to work and help Mountain Creek H-D come up with a new custom design for the back of our H-D T-shirts! Contest runs all month long. Designs are due by June 30th. Designs will be put on display and voted on. Winners to receive $200 gift certificate for 1st place, $150 gift certificate for 2nd and $100 gift certificate for 3rd. Call 706-370-7433. Or visit www.mountaincreekharley.com.

June 1 Austell, GA. Abate D-4W Christmas in June Battle of the Bands, Bike Show & Membership Drive. Benefit for The Center for Children & Young Adults. All day event at Fat Cats, 2523 Veterans Memorial Hwy. Battle of the Bands entry $5 donation or gift cards (for kids age 1 to 18). Music begins 12 noon. Bike show registration 11am-1pm. $10 entry, $5 for Abate members, join Abate & entry is free. Vendors welcome. Call Mark Carter 404-788-4516. Bands call Greg Estes 770-745-9944.

June 1 Bogart, GA. Cycle World of Athens Ride-In for RFK. Meet 7:50am at Cycle World of Athens and ride to North Point Mall for the Ride for Kids. Call Mike Newall 706-548-3300.

June 1 Dallas, GA. ALR Post 111 3rd Annual Poker Run. Registration at 11am. $20 rider/$5 passenger. $10 extra hand. Free shirt to first 30 riders.

June 1 Helen, GA. Chattahoochee Biker Gear Grand Re-Opening Party. >From noon til 5pm with giveaways, raffles and food. 60 Chattahoochee St. Call 706-878-0076.