Legends Ride - Celebrities

Bert and Lisa Baker of Baker Drivetrain:

For the need of profound improvements for our American V-Twin drivetrain, a misguided transmission mastermind at General Motors stepped forward. With a fanaticism for tinkering with his bikes and then pushing their limits while riding them, Bert Baker’s road led into Michigan State University’s Mechanical Engineering program where he met what would be his future wife, Lisa. The market has been longing for some significant new innovation for decades before BAKER Drivetrain. Bert noticed that this custom bike vibrated like mad with its big-inch motor. So he tried the standard solution by switching to a 61-tooth rear pulley which did reduce the vibration, but killed the performance. With the knowledge gained from working with the latest models of GM cars, Bert comfortably applied it to the Harley-Davidson transmissions. The idea was simple, but the execution took expertise - his expertise. Over a period of 8-months, he hammered-out some prototypes that proved the 6-speed concept to work brilliantly. The news of a man and his elegant solution to excessive big twin vibration spread across America. BAKER Drivetrain will always be dedicated to premium drivetrain standards and is steadfast against the foreign agents as one of the few companies that keeps the purity and integrity of a legendary motorcycle known as the AMERICAN V-Twin.

Tom Binyon of Baggerworks:

Over the past few years, while all the rage (thanks to the TV bike shows) has been about custom built pro-street bikes, choppers, and bobbers, Tom Binyon chose a different path - to build custom touring motorcycles (“baggers”) for those people who want the form (craftsmanship) found with a custom built bike with the function (rideability) of a touring bike. So, in 2005, Tom formed BaggerWorks to do just that. While the industry has addressed the new found enthusiasm about baggers with mostly bolt on solutions, Tom’s bikes are built from the ground up using proprietary frames, and feature extensive hand-crafted sheet metal and fiberglass work, hidden wires and control cables, and utilize only top-of-the-line components. From his cutting-edge cross-over springer/bagger, the BOSS, to his all-new 250mm right side drive B2 (double balanced) model, the Dakota (the 2008 Kids & Chrome bike), Tom has proven to be a true innovator when it comes to building unique custom baggers. Tom’s award-winning bikes have been featured in American Bagger, American Iron, and Hot Bike magazines. For more information about BaggerWorks, log on to www.baggerworks.com or to talk with Tom, call 316-239-6201.

Rupert Boneham of Survivor Pearl Island:

Rupert Boneham is best known for his accolades on two seasons of the CBS hit reality series, Survivor. Competing on both Survivor: Pearl Islands and Survivor: All Stars, Rupert quickly became the all time favorite competitor in the series. Known for his huge beard, tie-dyed shirts and his never say die attitude, Rupert used his winnings from the show to create Rupert’s Kids, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping troubled teens, especially those mired in the juvenile court system. “There’s nothing like riding in the beautiful Black Hills with all your friends and raising money for a good cause,” says the gentle giant, and we couldn’t be more excited to have him participate in this year’s inaugural ride.

Roger Bourget of Bourget Bike Works:

Phoenix, AZ by Roger and Brigitte Bourget. Roger’s childhood infatuation with motorcycles turned into a full blown passion for him in his adult years. By the late 1980’s Roger had done everything “custom” possible to a 1984 softail and was still unsatisfied. His background in engineering for Sea Ray boats along with his natural born talents for design inspired him to start from “scratch” and build his own custom motorcycle.

Bourget’s Bike Works, Inc. consists of Roger Bourget, Brigitte Bourget and a team of the best fabricators, machinists, and assemblers Phoenix, AZ has to offer. Bourget’s Bike Works, Inc. has grown and prospered in the last fifteen years and has earned a reputation for building high quality, performance oriented, uniquely styled motorcycles and unheard of customer service for the industry. Each Bourget bike is built to customer specifications and no other manufacturer offers the high performance options, signature Bourget style, and second to none quality found in a Bourget motorcycle. Roger and Brigitte Bourget and the Bourget’s Bike Works team are well respected in the industry and are recognized as one of the leaders in after market American Made Motorcycles. For more information on Bourget’s Bike Works and Roger Bourget call (623) 879-9642 or log on to www.bourgets.com.

Steve Broyles of Stevenson’s Cycle:

Stevenson’s Cycle located in Wayne Michigan and is owned and operated by Steve Broyles Sr. and his son, Steve Broyles II. Steve Sr. has been repairing, building and, customizing motorcycles since 1969. Stevenson’s Cycle is known in the V-twin industry for their extensive performance and incredible engine work. The most noted example is “Switched” a bike in which they place the front head and cylinder of a shovelhead motor on the rear and the rear head and cylinder on the front. In doing so Stevenson’s Cycle has created what is truly called one of the first reverse flow V-Twin engines. In addition to “Switched” Stevenson’s Cycle has received wide industry recognition for several other bikes and was the Grand Prize winner of the Biker-Penthouse Biker Build Off, which took place at Sturgis this summer. He has won several Easyriders bike shows and has been featured in Easyriders, Biker, V-Twin, The Horse Backstreet Choppers, and Freeway. For more information go to www.stevensonscycle.com or call at (734)641-2200.

Jerry Burrow of RoadHawgs:

Synonymous with the term “one-off” bike building is master builder and designer Jerry Burrow and his talented crew at RoadHawgs, in Chicago Heights, Illinois. Jerry is fueled by his faith in life and builds his bikes according to his passion for the art and true design of the motorcycle. Keeping to his belief that a motorcycle can be radical but it still needs to look like a motorcycle his designs show commitment to form and function but blast past the traditional by using innovative technology in both the engineering and artistic areas of production to create one of a kind bikes.

Jerry’s designs have won him and his crew industry respect and many awards including, 2007 Bike Builder of the year, 2007 Easy Rider Best in Show, 2006 1st place Rats Hole-Sturgis, 2008 Centerfold Tour winner; for the bike Clear and Present Danger, 2004 Fabricator of the Year; for the bike Kama Sutra, 2009 Centerfold Tour winner; for the bike Breaking Point, as well as numerous magazine features and covers. He is the designer of the first “gear driven primary” and is known for his design of clear polycarbonate part housings used for the first time on a custom build.

Jerry’s immediate future includes scheduled bike builds for Lucas Oil & Jagermeister and he is currently at work on his newest design for the Artistry in Iron build-off in October.Look for these designs and many more as Jerry continues to expand the custom end of his business. Most days you will find Jerry riding on his first ever photographed bike, the “POW MIA” bike dedicated to his father, Leonard Burrow. Jerry’s eye is to the future but he always stops to remember. www.road-hawgs.com

Chica of Chica Custom Cycles:

Although Southern California is home to many venerable names in custom bike building, one of “SoCals” most creative and artistic builders is none other than Yasuyoshi Chikazawa or “Chica” as he is known in the motorcycle community. Chica hails from Osaka, Japan and became interested in motorcycles much like his American counterparts, pouring over the pages of Easyriders magazine. Working as a mechanic at a Honda dealership and later for an independent Harley-Dealer in Kyoto, Chica honed is mechanical and fabricating skills while dreaming about coming to America where unlike Japan, Harley parts were cheap and people could do whatever they wanted to with motorcycles. In 1997, Chica accepted a job offer from a motorcycle shop in California and the rest, as they say, is motorcycle history. Over the past decade, Chica has become one of the world’s foremost customizers creating unique, two-wheeled masterpieces correct in balance, design and symmetry. For more information on Chica and his shop, Chica Custom Cycles log on to www.chicacustomcycles.com.

Christian Eiroa of Camacho Cigars:

At 35-years old, Christian Eiroa of Camacho Cigars is a very busy, yet happy man. He joined his father’s company - Caribe Imported Cigars - in 1995 on a temporary basis, but that short-term job turned into a vocation and a calling. Twelve years later, he is now president of the company, which changed its name to Camacho Cigars to reflect the popularity of its flagship brand. In 2000, Christian debuted the Camacho Corojo to immediate success and started a trend for stronger cigars. Not only is he fully involved in revitalizing the Camacho brands, but he has carved out more time to return to his true passions: blending new cigars and spending time with his family.

Jeff Clark of the Cycle Xchange:

Reining burnout king, Jeff Clark of the Cycle Exchange is proud to be one of the participating master builders joining an all-star lineup of celebrities and motorcycle industry icons for the first annual Legends Ride. Hailing from Southeast, North Carolina in the heart of Nascar country, Jeff started out with weekend positions as the jack man for Robert Yates Racing and over the next 18 years became known as an engine specialist amongst the NASCAR community by working for drivers like Davey Allison, Ernie Irvan, Dale Jarrett, Rusty Wallace, and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

In 2004, his life-long passion for motorcycles got the best of him. He recruited his family, Sue and Dale (mom and dad) to assist with the administrative responsibilities and his brother, Brian; to oversee Operations and The Cycle Xchange (TCX CUSTOMS) was born. Jeff wanted to have a top shelf shop and build beautiful, powerful bikes. He also wanted to compete in national bike shows.

The Cycle Xchange is sponsored by Anheuser-Busch Budweiser Beer, S & S Cycle, Baker Drivetrain & Mechanix Wear. They perform at national bike rallies with The Budweiser Burnout Bike. TCX has combined the world of racing with the motorcycle world. They burn rubber NASCAR style and perform pit stops with a custom motorcycle that has a NASCAR rear tire. With the same enthusiasm and hard work that guided him through 18 years in NASCAR, Jeff is determined to establish TCX Customs as a leader in Custom Motorcycle Industry. For more information on Jeff and his team you can check them out at: www.tcxcustoms.com

Jerry Covington of Covington’s Cycle City:

Swing open the doors at 2424 Oklahoma Avenue, Woodward, Oklahoma, and you'll find yourself face to face with some of the classiest customs on the planet. Covington's Cycle City, the command center for Jerry Covington, has grown from a one-man show to a mega-operation covering a full city block. Jerry Covington started all this back in '93 after leaving southern California. He professionally crafted hot rods there for 14 years before turning his attention full time to two-wheelers. Now there are 18 employees working side-by-side with the man that made it happen. Chips fly and metal takes on some wild and wonderful new shapes here. There are showrooms filled with the finished products, there are fabrication shops, there's a full paint and body shop, a CNC machine shop and of course there's custom bike assembly areas, lots of them. There's also a full production line manufacturing the five models of Covington's Cycle City Motorcycles, turnkey customs offering something for everyone. There are straight-up/bare-bones little bobbers, 300-tire Softails and everything in between.

Michael “Balls” Farabaugh of Michael Farabaugh Studios:

With more than 40 years and a million miles on motorcycles, Michael “Balls” Farabaugh has done much in his career for motorcycle culture. Included on his repertoire are decades of dedication to the American Motorcyclist Association, ABATE and the Motorcycle Riders Foundation as well as being awarded the “Dud Perkins Award”, the “John E. Harley Award” and being inducted into the National Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame in 2002 in Daytona, Fla. Farabaugh and his wife, Debby of nearly 40 years also co-founded the Miracle Ride, an annual event in Indianapolis, Indiana that raises funds for the Riley Hospital. The Miracle Ride is now in its 15th year and has raised over $2 million for Riley kids. In addition to these achievements, Farabaugh is also a master photojournalist who has collected imagery from the saddle of his motorcycle and really captured the essence of both passions. Some of his work has been featured in Paisano Publications Monthly and professional art galleries in 6 states.

Manny Ferrero of Ashton Distributors Inc:

The Ashton name has become internationally recognized and respected for its commitment to the manufacturing and distribution of the finest premium cigars. The Ashton cigar is the realization of Robert Levin's dream, a second-generation tobacconist from Philadelphia whose idea for Ashton came from years of experience in the industry, not only as an importer and retailer of cigars, but also as a true connoisseur of the world's finest cigar blends. Levin created Ashton cigars in 1985 and today, with the manufacturing expertise of the world renowned Fuente Family, Ashton cigars have become one of the most sought after premium cigars in the world. Ashton cigars are offered in six very different and distinct blends. To help celebrate its 20th anniversary, Ashton introduced the Ashton Estate Sun Grown (ESG), a spectacular, limited edition cigar blended by Carlos Fuente Jr. with a proprietary blend using wrapper grown exclusively on the Chateau de la Fuente farm. No matter which Ashton cigar is chosen, one can expect unsurpassed quality, consistency and pleasure beyond expectation.

Eric Herrmann of Eric Herrmann Studios:

Eric Herrmann paints what he knows and after spending over 40 years on the back of a bike, he definitely knows motorcycle culture. With an education in Graphic Design and a passion for things “loud and fast”, Eric has become a world-class artist. From his studio in Cave Creek, AZ, Herrmann creates some of the finest works in motorsport artwork with only his brush, canvas and acrylic paints. Eric’s paintings which portray the essence of speed, metal and all things biker have even been commissioned by the likes of Jack Daniel’s, The Indianapolis Motor Speedway and The Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction. His art has also frequently found its way into such publications as Easyriders, American Rider and Hot Bike. Eric’s art has been featured in The American Motorcycle Association Museum in Ohio, The San Diego Automotive Museum and in exhibits at all of the major motorcycle events.

Gard Hollinger of L.A. County Choprods:

Gard Hollinger is the owner and creative force behind L.A. County Choprods.
His bikes have been described as "retro-modernistic" and have been featured in numerous national and international motorcycle magazines.

His early years took him from California, where he caught the "Motorcycle Bug" at the age of 8, onto Hawaii, Argentina and Friday Harbor, Washington in the San Juan Islands where he finished High School, Eastern Washington for a college degree, finally landing him in the Seattle area where he started his first motorcycle related business in the early 80's. He has a
24 year old son, Trevorr, and currently lives in California with his wife, Sharon.

Gard's client list has read like a Hollywood "A" list party and has included Governor Schwarzenegger, George Clooney, and Dennis Hopper, to name a few and he's currently building a bike for Film Star Keanu Reeves. He's been the creative force responsible for designing, supplying or building the motorcycles for successful television series such as "The West Wing" "Six Feet Under" and the theatrical release "Terminator III". Not surprisingly he has an acting background of his own, which includes having been a member of the Actors Circle Theatre and the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum. He is a member of AFTRA, SAG and the Director's Guild of America.

Please check out www.lacountychoprods.com for more info on Gard Hollinger.

Jon Huber of CAO International Inc:

In December of 1994, Jon Huber purchased a copy of Cigar Aficionado magazine and discovered the world of premium cigars. That magazine would spark a newfound passion for cigars that would eventually compel him to make the industry his livelihood. In the winter of 1995, he wrote a letter to CAO Founder Cano A. Ozgener that would change his life for the next decade.
Huber began his career with CAO International, Inc., in April of 1996 as manager of the then-fledgling company's shipping department. Within six months, Huber managed to secure a weekly spot as the on-air "cigar expert" at a local rock-format radio station, and was quickly promoted to Director of Promotions and Public Relations. He became an integral part of the development of CAO's marketing department that would become renowned for its innovative packaging, elaborate parties, and involvement with Hollywood's elite.
Today, the CAO Director of Lifestyle Marketing lives in Nashville and is the proud father of his 7-year-old son, Liam Vaughn Huber, whom he refers to as, "the coolest kid on the planet."

Jim Nasi of Jim Nasi Customs:

Originating from a long blood line of craftsman rooted deep in the Motor City, Jim Nasi like many of his counter parts began customizing Harley-Davidsons and building his own one-off creations in his garage. After building a select number of handcrafted motorcycles, with dozens of unique parts and original sheet metal, Jim soon gained the reputation of being one the top builders in the world being featured as one of the Camel Roadhouse Master Builders. With countless industry accolades and national media spotlight, Jim continues to let’s his bikes and his line of premium parts speak for themselves. With the debut of the “Afterlife” Jim’s version of the ultimate production-custom motorcycle, Jim Nasi Customs continues to push past the boundaries of technology and design, with the sole focus to build bikes and unique components for leaders, not followers. For more on Jim Nasi Customs log on to www.jimnasicustoms.com.

Host and MC:

Dave Nichols of Easyriders and V-Twin Magazines:

Not only could Dave Nichols pass as the infamous captain Jack Sparrow, he’s also one of the most influential and respected men in the V-Twin industry. As editor of two of America’s leading motorcycle publications, Easyriders and V-Twin, Dave has extensive knowledge and experience of the world of custom motorcycles and those who build them. In addition to authoring two books for Motorbooks International (Top Chops and Biker Shaman: The Life of Indian Larry) Dave has been tapped for numerous television specials for A & E, the History Channel, Discovery Channel and has hosted his own show on Speed Channel entitled V-Twin TV. The Legends Ride is proud to announce Dave will be the host and master of ceremonies for this year’s inaugural event.

Sathya Levin of Ashton Distributors Inc:

Sathya Levin of Ashton Distributors Inc. has been working in the cigar industry full-time for the last 4 years.
He works alongside hisfather, Robert Levin, who founded the Ashton brand in 1985. Sathya grew up in the cigar business, and watched eagerly from the sidelines as Ashton slowly grew into one of the world’s premier cigar brands. Nowadays, Sathya couldn’t be happier being fully immersed in an industry he loves and helping contribute to the growth and success of his family’s business.

Chris Maida of American Iron Magazine:

Chris Maida has been the editor of American Iron Magazine, the best selling Harley-Davidson mag on the newsstands, for over 12 years. Before that, he was the editor of Light Plane Maintenance, which covered the repair and upkeep of fixed wing aircraft. Chris also was a contributing editor for Powerboat Reports, testing and evaluating powerboats and marine gear. Chris has been riding and fixing motorcycles for over almost 40 years. He also had a custom motorcycle shop just outside of New York City for five years before getting into aircraft and becoming a certified mechanic.

Bruce Mullins of Skunkworx:

For the last 7 years, Ohio native, Bruce Mullins of Skunkworx Custom Cycle has been creating show winning original custom bikes such as the 2005 Easyriders Invitational winner “Panhandler” which also garnered the VQ best custom fabricated bike of the year at the bikers ball in Daytona. Most recently their new bike “rust belt special ” was picked top 6 in the Easyriders Invitational making Skunkworx one of 6 in the Easyriders Centerfold Tour for 2009. They also received their second VQ award this year for best custom painter of the year. For more information on Bruce Mullins and Skunkworx call (614) 372-0316 or log on to www.skunkworxcc.com.

Rocky Patel of Rocky Patel Premium Cigars:

In an industry built on name recognition and reputation, Rocky Patel’s passion has brought his brand to heights unseen by most boutique cigar manufacturers. A survivor of the cigar boom, Patel has outlasted his competition with unrivaled persistence on his quest for perfection. With a grueling travel schedule, office responsibilities and production, Rocky still maintains the enthusiasm that he has had since day one. Rocky Patel has created a company that has out shined even those created by multimillion dollar corporations, and he’s doing it one customer at a time. Yearly, he logs more than 300 days on the road and over 150,000 miles in order to win over new customers and introduce more people to the Rocky Patel brand. Due to Rocky’s charisma, enthusiasm and personal approach, the cigar industry has definitely taken notice. However, while his company is thriving, Rocky is still on his quest for perfection. His greatest wish is to create the optimal tobacco mixture that makes his cigars ‘immortal’. Building name recognition is always an uphill battle, but Rocky has already created a brand with a great reputation that people truly respect. Rocky Patel’s hard work is paying off, as he is building a brand that is being recognized everywhere.

Michael Prugh of Michael Prugh Designs:

Michael Prugh started in the motorcycle industry 5 years ago and has become an industry leader in both his product designs and his bike building abilities. His new company Prugh Design was started in 2006 and is just the place for his industry changing style to flourish. Known for his stylistic, clean flowing lines and his technical engineering, Michael received two 2nd place awards in the American Motorcycle Dealers World Championships in 2004 and 2005. Prugh’s keen sense of artistry and multiple engineering degrees enable him to start with the conceptual design and follow it all the way through to the final stages of production and assembly. Because of these traits he was honored with Frame Designer of the Year in 2006 by V-Twin Magazine. Prugh also designed a feature bike for the Discovery Channel’s Biker Build-Off in 2006. Recognized not only in the motorcycle industry through television and print, but is known for his involvement in various automotive road race series as well. Prugh was a Race Engineer on C5 Corvettes and GT3R Porches for the Speed Channel World Challenge Series, a race mechanic for Vintage Race Cars, American to British, and also the Continental and Atlantic Series of Open Wheel Racing. His passion and fascination with mechanical machines, of all forms is what keeps him progressing to the next level of design. www.prughdesign.com

Bruce Rossmeyer:

Bruce began his career in the motorcycle industry with the opening of Daytona Harley-Davidson in January 1994 on Daytona Beach’s Beach Street. He followed it up with the addition of several more dealerships. The largest dealership to date, Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona Harley-Davidson, is a 109,000 square foot dealership, which opened in October 2005 within the confines of another Rossmeyer project called “Destination Daytona.” Destination Daytona is a 150 acre biker and traveler’s paradise which includes an amphitheatre, restaurants, bars, and retail shops which offer biker apparel, leather clothing and accessories, tattoos, cigars and a huge vending areas during events such as a monthly biker night and antique car cruise.

In 2002, Bruce added a custom motorcycle shop to his empire by partnering with Arlen and Corey Ness - creating Arlen Ness Custom Motorcycles, also now located in Destination Daytona. Each fall, Daytona Beach hosts another bike event called Biketoberfest® that Bruce helped to enhance. He serves on the Biketoberfest® Development Committee and works closely with the Daytona Beach Area Convention & Visitor’s Bureau to promote the event. In its early years, approximately 5,000 motorcycles would assemble in Daytona Beach. Today there are well over 150,000 attendees. Bruce is credited with creating the Bike Week party on Beach Street and throughout the community.

Bruce’s charitable endeavors are widespread but most notably he is a co-founder and serves on the Board of Directors of Camp Boggy Creek, a Division of The Hole in the Wall Camps originally founded by Paul Newman. The Camp’s biggest fundraising event each year is Bruce’s “Daytona Harley-Davidson Ride for Children”. For more info, visit www.BruceRossmeyer.com and DestinationDaytona.com

Blake Sabers of Sabers Specilaties:

Born and raised in Mitchell, SD, a young Blake Sabers had already installed his first set of hydraulics on a Mazda pick-up by himself at age 16. Blake was into bikes at that time as well. After high school, Blake went to WyoTech in Laramie, WY for Street Rod building.

Upon finishing, Sabers decided he wanted to work with motorcycles and sent resumes out to many bike shops. He worked for a custom motorcycle shop, starting out as a metal fabricator and leaving as one of the lead technicians. Sabers returned to SD and tried building bikes at night. He worked in a body shop during the day and started to build a custom bike and set-up a business in the corner of this body shop. He had only one bike lift, a sign with a logo and name, a shelf with a few parts and fax machine.

Blake eventually got an investor, found a building in Mitchell, and decided to open Sabers Specialties when he was only 22 years old. Saber Specialties officially opened July 1, 2005. It took some time to start getting customers and proving himself as a legitimate builder. Now in their 3rd year, Sabers is busier than ever. They have won many awards for their custom bikes and have been chosen two years in a row to build the official Sturgis Rally Raffle Bike.

Roland Sands of Roland Sands Designs:

Roland Sands was only 5 years old when Perry Sands, founder of Performance Machine, introduced him to two wheels and a throttle. Sands took his love for speed on two wheels to the professional level for ten years. He has multiple track records in the U.S. and Europe and the 1998 AMA 250GP Championship under his belt. After 32 broken bones he decided to trade in his leathers for paper, pencil. With no formal training, just raw talent, Sands focused his efforts on the Performance Machine product line as VP of R&D. In 2005, Sands founded Roland Sands Design and has been shaking up the industry with his performance minded customs and aftermarket parts for V-Twins, Metrics and Sportbikes. In an age where choppers ruled and bad geometry was the norm, Sands built wildly designed bikes that performed as well as they looked. This amount of detail and design thought was rarely seen in functional bikes prior to Sands’ onslaught of race bread custom bikes. He and the RSD fleet of custom motorcycles have been featured in over 300 magazines world-wide and over fifty magazines covers and attend most major American motorcycle rallies and events year round.

David Sather of Drew Estate Cigar Company:

David Sather began his career in cigars as a casual smoker playing poker in college during the boom years. He started his fraternity’s Smoking Club which continues to this day. Beginning in Washington D.C. he moved to New York in 2000 to pursue a career in Marketing and Advertising. After only a few months he ended up crossing paths with the highly energetic Drew Estate Cigar Company. Captivated by Drew Estate’s creative marketing he found his home with the company and moved with them as they grew. He has now been with Drew Estate for 8 years. David has spent considerable time learning all aspects of the tobacco business honing his craft through a constant pursuit of knowledge. Moving up through the ranks with his creativity and hard work, David is now the Sales Director in the office in Miami.

In addition to working in the office, David spends about half the year travelling around the country promoting the Drew Estate lines through events and the company’s grassroots marketing campaigns.

For more information on Drew Estate and their cigars log onto www.drewestate.com

Kyle Shorey of Shadetree Fabrications:

Kyle Shorey of Shadetree Fabrications in Dallas, Texas cut his teeth in the late 90's on Shovels and Knucks with his mentor Fast Eddie of Dixonville Cycle in Roseburg, Oregon."Old bikes have a soul" This philosophy carried over into his builds when he moved to Dallas and opened Shadetree in early 2004. Over the past 4 years Kyle has carved a niche into the motorcycle industry and become known for his unique old school style! Although relatively new to the Industry Kyle's bikes have been showing up in motorcycle publications across the world! "I want someone to look at my bikes in twenty years and say" That's what a motorcycle should look Like" Kyle's attention to detail and love for truly classic design is bringing him national as well as international notoriety! Shadetree now plans to expand into production of their own uniquely styled Bikes!

Erik Stokkebye of Villiger Stokkebye International:

Villiger Stokkebye International combines many generations of two families and more than 240 years of experience in the tobacconist's art into one company. The Villiger family of Switzerland and the Stokkbeye family of Denmark have long been recognized as world-wide leaders in the cigar and pipe tobacco businesses, respectively. Erik Stokkebye is a 4th generation tobacco man. Worked in weekends in his grandfathers factory at 8 years old and worked his way through the world of tobacco since then. This included a year in the leaf tobacco fields in the U.S., spent time in a cigar factory in Denmark and learned the skill of rolling a cigar. Spent many years in the pipe tobacco factory in Denmark and finally running the sales and distribution company in North Carolina - Villiger Stokkebye International. For more information on Erik Stokkebye and Villiger Stokkebye International log on to www.peterstokkebye.com.

Jeff Cochran, Donny Loos & Christian Clayton of Sucker Punch Sallys:

Founded in 2002, Sucker Punch Sally's continues to stay true to their traditional biker values by providing the best stripped-down bobbers and choppers at the most reasonable prices. The old school no-nonsense style of bikes that started Sucker Punch Sally's are the bikes they still build today, only now with the convenience of modern manufacturing practices. The Traditional and the 66 Bobber both received industry awards for 2007 and are the two models that the company was founded on. They have the capacity to build 100 bikes a month at their manufacturing facility in Scottsdale, AZ, including the widely anticipated Swinger. Their model line has been built up to six different models, with the additions of the stealthy Slim and the retro-styled Hot Rod. Sucker Punch Sally's continuously growing dealer network throughout the U.S. showcases the wide variety of bikes they have available, all of which exude SPS style. For more information on Sucker Punch Sally’s log on to www.suckerpunchsallys.com.

Kirk Taylor of Custom Design Studio:

Kirk Taylor is the owner and driving force behind Custom Design Studios. He specializes in one of-a-kind custom creations for the motorcycle enthusiast that is looking for something different.

CDS was established in 1988 after seeing a need for custom paint work in the area. Kirk grew up in a machine shop that his father owned and had always been around motorcycles as a child. With a mechanical background and artistically bent, he saw a natural blending of mechanical art, or two-wheeled canvases as his path in life.

CDS now has a full paint department as well as a fabrication shop and a service/assembly and parts operation. CDS can handle all the needs of the riding public from oil-changes and tires to beautiful one of a kind customs.

Kirk’s personal preferences lean towards retro style choppers and bobbers, but he is just as comfortable building a wide-tire 21st century pro street bike as well. He doesn’t believe a builder should limit them self when it comes to expressing their vision of art. For more information on Kirk Taylor log on to www.customdesignstudios.com or call (415) 382-6662.

Steve Teachout of V-Twin TV and Your Job Rocks:

Like Dirty Jobs? Well take that TV show and add the cool factor to it and you have the new show Your Job ROCKS! with Steve Teachout, coming to your home this January 2009. Originally hailing from Canada, Steve is also currently the co-host of the hit TV show V-Twin Motorcycles on the SPEED channel, soon to be syndicated this fall. The show's content includes a look into the shops of custom motorcycle builders, various motorcycle events and the history of motorcycles included in the "V-Twin Vault". Among other things, Steve’s involvement in the motorcycle world has landed him at Paisano Publications (Easyriders magazine) and in a starring role in three recent GEICO motorcycle commercials. Steve has a passion for both kids and safety and therefore spends time being a local youth leader. Steve’s quote: “Dream as though you'll live forever, live as though you'll die today.”

Rod “Woody” Woodruff of the Legendary Buffalo Chip:

Rod "Woody" Woodruff is owner of the Legendary Buffalo Chip, the premier entertainment and travel destination in motorcycling. Around age 3, he inexplicably started pestering his folks for a motorcycle. The gave him a toy he still has. It may be the only bike he's ever owned that he hasn't fallen over on.

It was about 1980 when a serious movement began in Sturgis to eliminate the rally to keep the approximate 20,000 "riff-raff" out of town. The Buffalo Chip was conceptualized so that bikers could have a place to party outside the City of Sturgis. The nearby countryside was searched and the present site was selected because of its natural amphitheater. The business was created in 1981 and the world's first biker campground was in operation for the 1982 rally.

Woody, when asked, says "The Best Party Anywhere" is a natural evolution of a high school kegger. It grows because new friendships are formed at the Chip every year and then meet those new friends again next year to share dreams and the sense of freedom only bikers can get by cruisin' through the beautiful Black Hills. There are no better riding roads anywhere.

Kurt Van Keppel and Scott Almsberger of XIKAR Cigar Accessories:

XIKAR prides itself on supplying a full-range of the finest in cigar accessories. The company’s founders, president Kurt Van Keppel (left) and vice-president Scott Almsberger (right), started off designing premium cigar cutters in 1995 when they found the cutters on the market underperformed. Van Keppel brought his MBA to the mix while Almsberger contributed his degree in Industrial Design and prior experience in sales. The Xi cutter was launched in 1997 with the finest in functional design and styling. Production started out in Kurt and Scott’s garages and had expanded to serving the entire retail tobacco market by 1998. Van Keppel now serves on the associate advisory boards of the RTDA and TAA while Almsberger has become an expert in designing a wide variety of men’s luxury tools.

Fabian Ziegler of Drew Estate Cigar Company:

It’s been a long learning process for Fabien Ziegler since entering the cigar industry in 2001. Starting with only the basic knowledge that one end of the cigar is cut and the other is lit, Fabien has now made his way up in the ranks taking on the positions of Regional Manager and National Events Coordinator at Drew Estate Cigars. Before working at Drew Estate, Fabien was a manufacturing rep for many other cigar companies for all of California such as Beach Cigar Group, Cojimar and Xikar. Fabien had this to say about working in the cigar industry, “I have learned a lot on the job and my favorite part of this job is to meet new people and to enjoy a good cigar with good people.” The Drew Estate Cigar Company has their operations based in Esteli, Nicaragua because it is home to the most highly acclaimed tobacco in the world. The company prides themselves on offering a diverse range of some of the most exotic cigar blends. Of these, Fabien’s favorite cigar is the Natural Dirt.