Larry and Roy’s Ride to the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame

Story by Larry Ward

As Roy Dyckman and I packed up our bikes Sunday morning at last weekend’s MSTA Mail Pouch Fly-By Rally, we took our time because temperatures were already in the 80s by 10am and the humidity was stifling. Roy mentioned that we weren’t too far away from the American Motorcyclist Associations campus in Pickerington, Ohio, and that he’d like to swing by and check out an item he donated to the museum well over a year ago — a pin vest. And not just any pin vest, but one that is adorned front and back was with pins from nearly every state.

Because of some issues with my bike’s clutch, we decided to take the quickest route, which was Interstate 77 north to Interstate 70 west to Pickerington. When entering the campus of the AMA, you get a terrific feeling of oneness with all motorcyclists. Entering the museum, Roy and I were greeted by an enthusiastic museum employee who answered our many questions. We haven’t been there in at least 10 years.

I’m a fan of road racing and flat track racing. so I headed to that section first, spying the exhibit for Scott Russell exhibit — a master at Daytona. Cal Rayborn and Chris Carr also have bikes they rode on display there.

On the dirt side, there are artifacts for John Penton, Malcom Smith and Don Emde, and there’s even a section for female riders like stunt women and trials champion Debbie Evans.

There are also some neat exhibits that feature just one brand, like the BMWs or the “around the world” HD Superglide driven by Dave Barr.

If you’re an AMA member, you get in free. If not its a nominal cost of about $8 and you literally could spend hours there.

Speaking of the AMA, please consider joining. There’s strength in numbers and we need every motorcyclist to join forces and stand with the AMA to oppose legislation that is counter-productive to motorcycling. To find out about member benefits, call 1-800-AMA-JOIN or visit www.americanmotorcyclist.com.

Dyckman’s One Tank Trips: The 2021 MSTA Mail Pouch Fly-By

Story by Roy Dyckman

Larry Ward and I left Canfield, Ohio, on Thursday, Aug. 26 — making time down Ohio Route 11 towards East Liverpool and eventually turning west onto Ohio Route 7 — to Marietta , Ohio for the 2021 Motorcycle Sport Touring Association Mail Pouch Fly-By weekend.

The MSTA is a diverse group of motorcyclists who don’t care what you ride, but live by the motto, “All the Gear, All the Time.” This is an annual ride meeting friends who we haven’t seen for a year.,

Thursday afternoon was sunny and cloudless, ensuring another 90-degree day of riding in the afternoon. Larry and I decided to visit the Blennerhassett Island and Mansion Thursday afternoon, which required taking a ride on a paddle wheeler. The boat trip to the island was uneventful and, once we arrived, we looked for a cold beverage and had time to think about what to do next. A park ranger gave us a ride to Putnam House, which belonged to one of the more prominent settlers in Marietta. We also explored the opulent Blennerhassett Mansion.

The last ferry off the island left at 4:30 p.m., and we scampered onboard and sat on the upper deck — availing ourselves of the cool river breeze.

Friday morning, Larry suggested a trip to the famous Hillbilly Hot Dogs. We left the hotel and got onto Interstate 77, then crossed over the Ohio River into West Virginia and exited onto State Route 2. The route closely aligns with the south bank of the Ohio River, and we followed the route to Lesage, W.Va., where Hillbilly Hot Dogs is located.

Quite frankly the place looks like a junkyard. But, the old adage, “you can’t tell a book by its cover” applies to this place.

Hillbilly Hot Dogs serves some of the best hot dogs you’ll find anywhere and is situated in a very unique environment. The eating quarters are old, faded yellow school buses with thousands of names scribed on the bus ceilings and walls.

Some years ago, Larry did an in-depth radio report on the Mothman sightings around the time of the Point Pleasant bridge collapse, which took place December 17th, 1967 and killed 42 people.

For a scant $4.50, you can tour a museum on Hillbilly Hot Dogs grounds dedicated to the Mothman phenomenon that features historical evidence surrounding that day.

The town of Point Pleasant has moved on from that tragic day but still embraces the remnants of the Mothman saga. All in all a grand day and it culminated our One Tank Trip.

Aug. 24 Street Scene Power Hour

On this past week’s Armstrong Street Scene Power Hour, Larry Ward interviewed BMW Riders Association editor John Flores and Vice President Eric Ratermann about all things RA, including the site of next year’s national rally.

Check out the podcast of this past week’s show, and don’t forget to check out the show’s new episode every Tuesday.