Thunder in the Valley

[Jeef]

Seems like they is some interest to hookup and ride over to Johnston. We are planning ride over for the day Saturday. Anyone planning on staying the weekend? Normally we would stay, but can't find a hotel within forty miles of Johnston. Wanna make plans to meet and ride there together from the Pittsburgh area?

[CaptnGus]

Jeff,

All of the hotels are booked up already??

Gus

[VTX1652]

Jeff,

I'll meet up with you in Elizabeth Township or in West Newton.

Carl

If I can get a kitchen pass, or if the wife wants to try to get someone to watch the little one (might be too early for a babysitter?) I will be there! I'll get there one way or another. I'd love to meet up with you guys and cruise on up. Keep us informed. Take care.

Brian

[Jeef]

I checked aorund a month or two ago looking for rooms, didn't find anything within 40 miles or so. I'm aready half way home by then.

Any ideas on which route people would like to take? I rode out via the Turnpike the last time, but I really didn't like the ride with the construction, single lanes, jersey barriers, and 18 wheelers. Jerry and I came home 281, excellent rode, long @ss ride home though.

Maybe head out route 30 or something?

[cookieman]

hey guys, as of yesterday 5/7/04, there are a couple of rooms left at the holiday inn in somerset, I know this may sound too far away or stange, but we will spend our spair time (nights partying at seven spings). This no place in Johnstown or close to say, well maybe the camp grounds on the ground has some room but that is no way to live anymore. lol The year before last there wern't very many VTX'S maybe 4 or so, last year I lost count--- I think 15 or 20 In the parade, so I hope to see more. I am trying to think of a place all the X'ers could park and meet but I don't think that can be done easy, because it is so crouded with bikes it becomes fist come first served. I am going friday ofter work and will end up in seven spings, there really hasen't been anything going on in johnstown friday night---well maybe the local bar with the harley guys, so the best day is sat. and if you go sun. you are looking for any deals the vendors want to get rid of--- but it's all fun. :D
get back to me, maybe we can figure a time and place where we all can meet. pm me on what everyone is thinking.

Looks like the wife and I will be going. We will try to meet up with you guys. Let us know where you are meeting. Maybe we could all park in front of Burger King in Johnstown. We parked there last year and had a good spot for the parade.

Brian

[vtxhdcii]

Hey Guys - help me out - what is Thunder in the Valley?

It's a weekend bike gathering in Johnstown, PA. There are vendors there, food, entertainment, and a parade on Saturday. There's also a vintage motorcycle exhibit. It's a fun time. Lots of bikes!

Brian

Any new updates on meeting places?

[CaptnGus]

No, I wanted to go, but there aren't any rooms left close by.

Gus

[VTX1652]

How about meeting on Saturday 6/26 at 10am in West Newton at the Yough River Trail parking lot next to Korber's Bicycle Shop. We'll then take Route 31 through Mount Pleasant to Johnstown.

Carl

[Chris Belle]

Hey guys ...... only just signed up today. Good to see PA stuff here and spotted this thread straight off. I live about 30 miles from Johnstown (Nr Bedford) ... so it's an easy run to get there on 26th. Will hope to be there on my VTX1300C4 .. and hopefully my son will join me on his VS Intruder.

You may know of course but ... another great run over here is the Windber ''Dog Run'' .... last year had a staggering turnout and a great day .... haven't got date yet but someone else might know. I shall try and find out but it's later on anyways.

How about meeting on Saturday 6/26 at 10am in West Newton at the Yough River Trail parking lot next to Korber's Bicycle Shop. We'll then take Route 31 through Mount Pleasant to Johnstown.

Carl

Carl,

We can take 31 to 711. Cross over 30 at the fort and catch 271 right into Johnstown. We went this way last year and it was a beautiful ride. Let me know what you think. Take care.

Brian

[VTX1652]

Brian,

That's the way I went the past three years. I couldn't remember 271 but that was the last main road before Johnstown.

Carl
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris,

Welcome aboard! We'll try to setup a meeting spot in Johnstown and let everyone know.

Carl

[monty7562]

Roger Bourget is scheduled to be at thunder this year with some of his custom bikes. I really like his work, his bikes have the shape and profile of the VTX. I'm only 15 mile from Johnstown, but would like to hook up with some of you for thunder. I live right off RT. 219. if anyone is coming that way.

[CaptnGus]

Do any of you guys from the Johnstown area know of any possible places to try for a hotel room? I can't believe that everything in the vicinity is taken.

Thanks!
Gus

[Chris Belle]

Cap'n ...... depends what you mean by ''the area'' .. I would imagine there'd be something available down my way .. it's about 30 miles other side of mountain. There are one or two real reasonable motels .. then medium ones like Super 8 ... all ways up to Holiday Inn. if you want me to check out for you let me know .. same for anyone else. I can try and get some phone numbers if you like.

Somerset too might have rooms .. that too is approx 30 miles away to West.

[CaptnGus]

Thanks Chris!

30 miles away would be fine with me. I would appreciate any numbers or addresses you could get. Someone had posted that there weren't any rooms left within 40-50 miles! I couldn't believe that.

Gus

[Chris Belle]

Cap'n ...... OK let's start with these few ......

Cheapest I know of is ''Janey Lynn Motel, Bedford - (814) 623 9515 .. by all,accounts clean and OK .. around $30 IIRC these days. It's just a very short way outa town in business 220.

Super 8, at Bedford Interchange .... (814) 623 5880

West Vu Inc ..... (814) 839 2632 ........ haven't a clue on this one, and yet it's not far from my home ... it might be useful cos 10 miles nearer to J'Town .. which from here for me is 25, 26 or so.

Shawnee Motel, Schellsburg .. (814) 733 2828 .... this is on route 30 .. and about same distance from me as Bedford so a bit further ... again may be worth a call.

Oh and, there's an EconoLodge in Bedford too .... 800 424 4777


There are more of course but I think this'll kick you off for now. Try em out, get prices etc .. and if the one near me is OK go for it .. saves mileage. In fact it'd enable us to meet up and ride over together maybe, depending on timing and day.

Get back with progress.

Best, Chris

[Jeef]

Carl,
Sounds good to me.

How about meeting on Saturday 6/26 at 10am in West Newton at the Yough River Trail parking lot next to Korber's Bicycle Shop. We'll then take Route 31 through Mount Pleasant to Johnstown.

Carl

Carl,

Do you think 10am is early enough? I don't remember what time I left last year. We had a good choice for parking and across from Burger King worked out well.
I know I'll have at least one more bike coming with me. We'll hook up with you guys in Mt. Pleasant somewhere. Can't wait. Wife is very excited to get back on the bike after having the baby and her gall bladder surgery. Especially since it's the new bike and she has only been on it once for about 5 minutes. Take care.

Brian

[VTX1652]

Brian,

What time do you suggest? Are you planning in riding in the Parade that starts at 12 noon?

Carl

Brian,

What time do you suggest? Are you planning in riding in the Parade that starts at 12 noon?

Carl

Carl,

No I'm not riding in the parade. I just wanted to make sure we got there early enough to get a good parking spot for the parade. I also wanted to be there before the parade so we don't have to fight the parade while trying to find a spot to park. I think we left at 8am last year. Whatever you guys want to do is fine. Let me know.

Brian

[jerry]

Brian,

What time do you suggest? Are you planning in riding in the Parade that starts at 12 noon?

Carl

Carl,

No I'm not riding in the parade. I just wanted to make sure we got there early enough to get a good parking spot for the parade. I also wanted to be there before the parade so we don't have to fight the parade while trying to find a spot to park. I think we left at 8am last year. Whatever you guys want to do is fine. Let me know.

Definately earlier than 10:00! I would say 9:00 at the latest. Hopefully my buddy from WV will meet me at my place. We need to get to Thunder early before it gets TOO crowded!...Jerry

Definately earlier than 10:00! I would say 9:00 at the latest. Hopefully my buddy from WV will meet me at my place. We need to get to Thunder early before it gets TOO crowded!...Jerry

That's all I was saying too Jerry. Be nice to get a good spot to park. Look forward to seeing you guys again. Take care.

Brian

[VTX1652]

We will meet at 9 AM in West Newton at the Yough River Trail parking lot next to Korber's Bicycle Shop.

Carl

We will meet at 9 AM in West Newton at the Yough River Trail parking lot next to Korber's Bicycle Shop.

Carl

We'll meet you guys in Mount Pleasant at the Exon station heading out of town. (Top of the hill after the railroad tracks). We'll be there at 9. Filled up and ready to go. No use riding 20 minutes to West Newton to turn around and go back. Take care.

Brian

[silver1800r]

I didnt read the entire thread, so this might be repeated, but I ride this route a lot to see a buddy in Somerset.

If you know where Monongahela is, take rt 136 from Monongahela to West Newton. Just after passing thru West Newton 136 makes a left. You want to go straight on rt 31. Rt 31 goes thru Mt Pleasant and a few other towns to Somerset. Takes about an hour from Monongahela to Somerset, maybe a an hour and a half if you take your time. From Somerset get on 219 and run up to Johnstown. About 30 miles I think. Get off on 56 West and about 4 miles later your in downtown Johnstown. REALLY nice, easy ride. Mostly scenic with a few towns here and there.

Im gonna try to make it, but I have a wedding to go to on that Friday. So we'll see.

[monty7562]

I live about 15 miles outside of J-town. right off of RT.219.between J-town and Somerset. would like to hook up with any other fellow VTX'rs coming past this way on Fri. or Sat. for thunder in the valley. send me a pm if interested.

[Zman]

So where is everyone meeting on Saturday. I'm coming from the Lancaster area on Friday but not sure when. Maybe we could go for a ride after the Parade with some people that know there way around. Hope to see you all there.

[PITVTX]

Man, I wish I could be with you guys tomorrow. Hope you have a great day and a safe ride. And Brian, if you find yourself passing a slow Black C model, think of me will ya. :cry:

[VTX1652]

George,

What's up for Friday, July 2nd?

Carl

[PITVTX]

Carl, I'm open for suggestions. Give me a call. If you get the answering machine and want to get me right away I have a pager now and I keep it with me all the time. 412-280-1377. If it can wait just leave a message and I'll eventually get back to ya.

Man, I wish I could be with you guys tomorrow. Hope you have a great day and a safe ride. And Brian, if you find yourself passing a slow Black C model, think of me will ya. :cry:

Wish you could make it tomorrow too, George. Oh well, maybe one day this year you'll get to see the MAGENTA MAULER in action. :D :D :D
Take it easy bro.

Brian

http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/500/194Neo10-med.JPG

[Chris Belle]

LOT of bikes there today ... Saturday 26th!!!!!! Downtown was awesome .. so many bikes and hardly two that looked the same! Great weather, great turnout. Feast for the eys (and ears!!). Weather was great - we lucked out.

I went with wife ... on my C4 1300 ... and met my son on his VS Intruder. We did the parade .. great crowd there to watch. We assembled in large parking lot off Broad Street for departure at 12 noon. This pic was well before we departed ... lots of folks. This is year 7 and it's reckoned that total turnout could be 7,000 - 8,000 bikes!


http://www.acbsystems.com/boards/thr/img_assd/titv-pre-parade01-s.jpg


Hope to go along tomorrow and go on Poker run from Zepka's Harley place on Eisenhower.. about noon. Saw plenty of VTX's but sure as heck didn't know who was who ... tho seems quite a few of you Pittsburg guys came along.

This is me on my steed other day .......

http://www.acbsystems.com/boards/thr/img_assd/cb-vtx.jpg

[VTX1652]

Chris,

I led about 20 bikes out (mostly Xers) and I'm sorry that we didn't setup a meeting place. We got there at ~11:00 and left at ~16:30.

Carl

Carl,
Sorry I didn't recognize you off of your bike. Saw you pull in. Knew it was your bike. 80 lbs. DAMN! We had a good time yesterday. Didn't realize we were going to have that many bikes!! The wife is running to Wal-Mart today to get some pictures developed. I'll post them later when I get off work. She took some of the whole pack riding up 271.

Jeff & Jerry,
Good to see you guys again. We'll definately have to hook up again sometime.

Silver1800R,
Nice to meet you bro. It was cool that you knew my friend's girlfriend and her family. Let me know the next time you head out my way.

Hope everybody made it home ok. We need to set up another ride for some Saturday. Maybe go somewhere to sitdown and eat. Somewhere in another state.

Take it easy.

Brian

[VTX1652]

Brian,

It was good seeing you again. It was also my first time for seeing Jerry (or as George would say Jeff (:>) ) and Carrie this year. Sadly I started mixing and matching the ladies names now because of George.

I know everyone made it safely to West Newton after that they headed to Jeff's for a picnic. I didn't go because I was concerned about my son's bike sitting in my garage. About a half hour after I left to lead the "pack" in the morning he got it started. Unfortunately it would start again this morning and we didn't go back to Johnstown like we wanted.

It was good to meet Silver1800R and his girl.

Carl

Well got the pics back. Unfortunately, the wife didn't take any pics of our bikes. Just of us riding and a couple at Johnstown. We have to finish the other roll of film and we will see what is on there. Everyone take care.

Brian

Heading out of Mount Pleasant
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/503/194Thunder_04-1-med.JPG

Hitting the road
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/503/194Thunder_04-5.JPG

Big picture of us at the light at Fort Ligonier
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/503/194Thunder_04-4.JPG

[Chris Belle]

Brian .... all you guys. Pity I couldn't find a way to I/D some of you and meet up Saturday or Sunday ... so many folks, so many bikes ... it would have hard to meet anyone without a prior meeting place. I did tho have my wife on board and met up with my son and his BIL ... so had company!

Great show tho - and trust everyone enjoyed it. CaptnGus ..... never heard back from ya after my accomodation info - hope you got fixed up somewhere.

Couple more pics .... first is a shot taken downtown .. to give a slight ''flavor'' ... man, were there ever a lot of bikes around. If my guess is anything like close, I'd say 7,000 or more ... and this in cash terms means maybe $100Mil in hard value!! :)

Second pic ... taken today (Sunday) ... first stop on the Zepka's Poker run . Jean Bonnet Tavern down where Routes 30 and 31 intersect... hell of a good run this was ..... and great weather again.


http://www.acbsystems.com/boards/thr/img_assd/zoom-street-02-s.jpg


http://www.acbsystems.com/boards/thr/img_assd/jeanbonnet-01-s.jpg

[Jeef]

Excellent ride, couldn't beleive all the bikes that we picked up along the way.
Rich-Nice to meet you and your misses.
Brian- Good to see you again.
Carl - Nice job of leading the pack. Should stopped for dinner. Kim made some good eats.
Cookieman-Glad we saw before we left. Got to get one of those seats.
Moon dude? lol, Sorry I could remember you name, good talking to you also.
Yeah Jerry, How's it going? Did you ride yesterday?
Wish we had time to shoot the breeze little more before we all got lost in the crowds.
Maybe next year we should put together some sort of area where we all would know where to meet in town. I'm definately staying over night next year.
We gave my buddy Rich some slack for not keeping up on the HD. LOL

[VTX1652]

Jeff,

I thought only the young lady on the Rebel 250 had problems keeping up (:>).

Carl