| Central Missouri Sedalia Chapter #2603 Harley Owner's Group |
Illinois State HOG Rally 2010
Thursday June 3, 2010, Mike & Kathy Smith, Frank Rouchka, and I set out for the Illinois State HOG
Rally in O’Fallon, Ill. We got off to a casual start on 50 Hwy and I was surprised by the minimal amount
of flooding along our route compared to the weather predictions for this summer. As usual, 50 Hwy
was a pleasant, laid back kind of ride and we took our time making it to the Junie Moon Restaurant in
Union, Mo., for lunch. The Junie Moon has the highest quality of food vs. price of any place you’ll
dine. The menu has not so regular choices and one must ponder a long time before ordering and the
food is worth the thought! Back on 50 Hwy we ride to 270-255 as we cross over the Mississippi River;
we enter the State of Illinois then soon we are in O’Fallon, population 28,000+-. Our reservations
were at the Country Inn & Suites, an $80 a night fare with top notch rooms, pool, hot tub, computer
library, and a fantastic complimentary breakfast. After check in we rode a couple of blocks down the
road from the Regency where the Rally Headquarters was set up and the events were held. There
were greeters stationed everywhere to welcome guests. A young State Highway Patrol Officer was
kind enough to indulge Kat and I in a little playful photo taking. We were preregistered so we picked
up our pins, shirts and patches and were given a host of freebee’s including a back-bag from Frieze
HD. We then headed to the Texas Road House for a great steak and polished off the evening in our
rooms with some beverages and event planning for the next day.
Friday, we had an early breakfast and headed back to the Rally Headquarters to participate in the
Guided Tour North Bluff River Ride. I parked my bike and hitched a ride with Frank for some
awesome picture taking. Our Road Captain, Evelyn of the Alton, IL. HOG Chapter was a great rider
and friendly host to about 50 bikes. We rode the bluffs along the Mississippi River in a well
organized ride. We had a great view of the River and the boat and barge activity. We also rode
through Pere Marquette State Park, and visited the Lodge & Conference Center which is at the
confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. We stopped for lunch at the Hawg Pit, a biker bar &
grill on the banks of the Mississippi River, with indoor and outdoor dinning & a pretty good burger.
We headed back to the Rally Headquarters and took in the demonstration of “Ride Like a Pro.” Our
instructor a retired Ill. State Hwy Patrol Officer named Jerry Pallidno, who not only does
demonstrations to help riders strengthen their riding skills but has also produced a video which I
purchased, got autographed and took a photo opportunity with him.
Later we caught a glimpse of the Ill State Highway Patrol’s demo while we took in the venders wares.
I did get an awesome pair of sunglass for $10, that’s all I allow myself to spend on sunglasses,
because I loose them, scratch them and have sat on a few.
Then we headed over to the dealer’s party, which was hosted by Frieze Harley Davidson just a few
blocks away. Everyone was as friendly as if we were at the Missouri Rally; we were certainly made to
feel at home. The party consisted of venders, a band, and some displays; we didn’t stay long,
skipped the pricey junk food and headed for The Cracker Barrel for a somewhat home cooked meal.
Then we regrouped in our rooms to plan our events for Saturday.
Saturday, We took in the South Guided Tour, Our Road Captain was Sherry with the Stone Celts
Chapter of O’Fallon. We rode through Prairies and farm land about 120 miles to Prairie De Rocher,
then back to O’Fallon. The road meandered through the countryside around the bluffs and
periodically a gust of ice cold air would belch from the caves we passed. There were probably 10-15
caves along the route and there were about 100 bikes in attendance. We had a near miss with an
idiot on a rice rocket who pulled into our group from a parking lot, cut between the Road Captain and
Frank then made a left turn in front of Kat. Again, we got to practice our trick riding; as usual there is
always a koo-koo head about. Mike ran over a rattle snake on the ride which was totally unavoidable,
I repeat it was totally unavoidable. We headed back to O’Fallon and visited the dealership again then
decided to take in the tattoo contest at the Regency. Ok, so here your thinking beautiful girls,
strutting their stuff, muscled up dudes with tan abs and bulging biceps, fancy tattoos with heartfelt
meanings………….well they were all suffering from chester drawers disease….where your chest falls
to your drawers. So taking off the shirts was a little more skin than we were ready for but, we had
fun. The closing ceremony was held at the Community Park, with the usual vendors, and a great
band, Arbogast. The usual 50/50 ticket drawing, quilt drawing and the special Rally Knife were all
given to happy winners.
Sunday we headed back the same route, bikes a little heavier, a little sunburned, but we had a great
time and I must report I got 53.5 Miles per gallon on the Old Heritage. Another great experience
thanks to our Illinois hosts, good planning and great friends. Ride today, but ride like there’s a koo-
koo head on the loose and thank God for His mercies.
Susan Horton
Thursday June 3, 2010, Mike & Kathy Smith, Frank Rouchka, and I set out for the Illinois State HOG
Rally in O’Fallon, Ill. We got off to a casual start on 50 Hwy and I was surprised by the minimal amount
of flooding along our route compared to the weather predictions for this summer. As usual, 50 Hwy
was a pleasant, laid back kind of ride and we took our time making it to the Junie Moon Restaurant in
Union, Mo., for lunch. The Junie Moon has the highest quality of food vs. price of any place you’ll
dine. The menu has not so regular choices and one must ponder a long time before ordering and the
food is worth the thought! Back on 50 Hwy we ride to 270-255 as we cross over the Mississippi River;
we enter the State of Illinois then soon we are in O’Fallon, population 28,000+-. Our reservations
were at the Country Inn & Suites, an $80 a night fare with top notch rooms, pool, hot tub, computer
library, and a fantastic complimentary breakfast. After check in we rode a couple of blocks down the
road from the Regency where the Rally Headquarters was set up and the events were held. There
were greeters stationed everywhere to welcome guests. A young State Highway Patrol Officer was
kind enough to indulge Kat and I in a little playful photo taking. We were preregistered so we picked
up our pins, shirts and patches and were given a host of freebee’s including a back-bag from Frieze
HD. We then headed to the Texas Road House for a great steak and polished off the evening in our
rooms with some beverages and event planning for the next day.
Friday, we had an early breakfast and headed back to the Rally Headquarters to participate in the
Guided Tour North Bluff River Ride. I parked my bike and hitched a ride with Frank for some
awesome picture taking. Our Road Captain, Evelyn of the Alton, IL. HOG Chapter was a great rider
and friendly host to about 50 bikes. We rode the bluffs along the Mississippi River in a well
organized ride. We had a great view of the River and the boat and barge activity. We also rode
through Pere Marquette State Park, and visited the Lodge & Conference Center which is at the
confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. We stopped for lunch at the Hawg Pit, a biker bar &
grill on the banks of the Mississippi River, with indoor and outdoor dinning & a pretty good burger.
We headed back to the Rally Headquarters and took in the demonstration of “Ride Like a Pro.” Our
instructor a retired Ill. State Hwy Patrol Officer named Jerry Pallidno, who not only does
demonstrations to help riders strengthen their riding skills but has also produced a video which I
purchased, got autographed and took a photo opportunity with him.
Later we caught a glimpse of the Ill State Highway Patrol’s demo while we took in the venders wares.
I did get an awesome pair of sunglass for $10, that’s all I allow myself to spend on sunglasses,
because I loose them, scratch them and have sat on a few.
Then we headed over to the dealer’s party, which was hosted by Frieze Harley Davidson just a few
blocks away. Everyone was as friendly as if we were at the Missouri Rally; we were certainly made to
feel at home. The party consisted of venders, a band, and some displays; we didn’t stay long,
skipped the pricey junk food and headed for The Cracker Barrel for a somewhat home cooked meal.
Then we regrouped in our rooms to plan our events for Saturday.
Saturday, We took in the South Guided Tour, Our Road Captain was Sherry with the Stone Celts
Chapter of O’Fallon. We rode through Prairies and farm land about 120 miles to Prairie De Rocher,
then back to O’Fallon. The road meandered through the countryside around the bluffs and
periodically a gust of ice cold air would belch from the caves we passed. There were probably 10-15
caves along the route and there were about 100 bikes in attendance. We had a near miss with an
idiot on a rice rocket who pulled into our group from a parking lot, cut between the Road Captain and
Frank then made a left turn in front of Kat. Again, we got to practice our trick riding; as usual there is
always a koo-koo head about. Mike ran over a rattle snake on the ride which was totally unavoidable,
I repeat it was totally unavoidable. We headed back to O’Fallon and visited the dealership again then
decided to take in the tattoo contest at the Regency. Ok, so here your thinking beautiful girls,
strutting their stuff, muscled up dudes with tan abs and bulging biceps, fancy tattoos with heartfelt
meanings………….well they were all suffering from chester drawers disease….where your chest falls
to your drawers. So taking off the shirts was a little more skin than we were ready for but, we had
fun. The closing ceremony was held at the Community Park, with the usual vendors, and a great
band, Arbogast. The usual 50/50 ticket drawing, quilt drawing and the special Rally Knife were all
given to happy winners.
Sunday we headed back the same route, bikes a little heavier, a little sunburned, but we had a great
time and I must report I got 53.5 Miles per gallon on the Old Heritage. Another great experience
thanks to our Illinois hosts, good planning and great friends. Ride today, but ride like there’s a koo-
koo head on the loose and thank God for His mercies.
Susan Horton
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