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Long before there was a Hard Rock Cafe- heck, long before there was hard rock, there was the Rock Cafe.

This popular roadside eatery in Stroud, Oklahoma has become sort of a local legend. The name describes the stone walls, made of local sandstone dug up during construction of Route 66. The brown stone walls have stood the test of time- and more recently fire.

This popular stop along Route 66 enjoyed a steady business from locals and travelers since opening its doors in 1936. Situated at the halfway point between Oklahoma City and Tulsa, the restaurant's location was a perfect stop for weary drivers.

Vintage postcard from Midway on the Turner Turnpike.Stroud was, and still is, known as Midway to many Oklahomans. That's also a reference to the Howard Johnson's that once stood on the Turner Turnpike near here. In 1955 a sleek modern bridge over the Interstate opened that allowed drivers going either direction on the Turner Turnpike to stop and have a HoJo. This was a companion novelty to the Glass House on the Will Rogers Turnpike.

Several years ago an outlet mall opened also hoping to seize on Stroud's central location. It might have worked if it weren't for that darn tornado. Today on the turnpike there's just the Pike Pass toll plaza and a McDonalds between the highway lanes. But back on the Old Road, the Rock Cafe is still going strong.

Rock Cafe after a devastating fire.
A fire in 2008 nearly closed the Rock Cafe for good. Most owners would have walked away. It reopened one year later.
It wasn't always. The brown stone eatery declined through the Seventies and Eighties until a resourceful girl from Yukon decided to give it a go. Dawn Welch set to work restoring the Rock Cafe, and listing it on the National Register of Historic Places. The original idea was to spend a year to get it up and running, then sell the business to finance a trip to Costa Rica. That was sixteen years ago.

Today the Rock Cafe is frequented by travelers from around the world, discovering America via the Old Road. But the greatest claim to fame came in 2006 when Disney execs working on the movie “Cars” visited the Rock Cafe looking for inspiration. They stopped looking for a burger, but left with a good deal more. Welch inspired the character Sally Carrera, otherwise known as the blue Porsche voiced by Bonny Hunt.


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On April 14th, 2009, Joyce and Butch Drake opened the doors to Roadhouse Motorsports in Tulsa, Oklahoma under their ownership. The shop has been around for a couple years as a Polaris dealer, selling first the Polaris Outdoor line and adding Victory motorcycles when they were introduced.

Joyce and Butch of Roadhouse MotorsportsThe dealership has been through a few owners in the past couple of years and has seen some rocky times, but since Joyce and Butch have taken over they have added Indian motorcycles to the floor, as well as getting the dealership as a whole back in shape. They bring 37 years of successful business experience to the table from the aircraft and automotive industries. Both are avid riders, but more importantly, they are good people with good, honest business practices.

When talking to them about the bikes themselves, you will find that they are passionate about all the lines they carry. As stated earlier, they already carried the popular Victory and Triumph lines and have now added Indian to their floorplan. The Indian name carries a long line of American history with it and looks to be back to stay this time. The current Indian company has done their homework and is one of the better quality production bikes built today, that I have seen. Most people know the Indian name, and also know they are one of the first American brands, but know little of the history. They were in fact the earliest brand of American motorcycle produced in the U.S.A. and are now making beautiful, quality bikes that you have to see in person to appreciate. So, go see what motorcyclists in 1901 and Burt Munro knew all along. Not to mention that you have the Drakes now standing behind their products.

The Drakes believe in everything they sell. Enough so to offer a free 5 year warranty on all 2009 bikes through the end of September. How is that for believing in your product!

When talking to the always-smiling Joyce Drake, it's hard not to get excited about what is happening with the dealership. They are getting ready to break ground on an additional 5,000 ft of space to be used for parts and accessories, which will result in a total of 12,500 square feet of showroom.

Look up their virtual showroom online at roadhousems.com or drop by and check out the new Indian motorcycles in person, you won't be sorry.


Two Wheel Oklahoma

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The 18th annual Ride To Work Day will be held Monday, June 15.

Ride to Work Day 2009Ride to Work is a a non-profit organization advocating and supporting the use of motorcycles and scooters for transportation, and providing information about everyday riding to the public.

Ride to Work Day helps demonstrate how these vehicles make parking easier and help traffic flow better. Studies have shown that across equal distances, commuting motorcyclists reach their destinations in less time than those using automobiles, that motorcycles and scooters consume less resources per mile than automobiles, and that they take up less space on roads. Motorcycle and scooter riders seek improved employer recognition and support for this form of transportation, and more public and government awareness of the positive value of riding.

A weaker economy is causing many commuters to turn to motorcycles and scooters to save money on transportation. These new everyday riders are finding cycles and scooters to be an economical, efficient and enjoyable way to get to work and around town. Because of the world-wide depression, this year is expected to be the largest Ride to Work Day demonstration ever, according to Ride to Work.

According to the United States Census Bureau and the Department of Transportation, over eighty million cars and light trucks are used for daily commuting on American roads, and about 200,000 motorcycles and scooters are a regular part of this mix. On Ride To Work Day, the practical side of riding becomes more visible as a larger number of America's 8,000,000 cycles are ridden to work.




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Oklahoma lawmakers are proposing a resolution this week to help reign in a new law limiting lead in childrens products.

Last year reaction to Chinese toys containing lead resulted in the passage of a Federal regulation named the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. The gist of the law is to regulate the lead content of products intended for children under age 12. But the regulation has been applied to a wide array of products- including motorized vehicles.

Since February 10th, the date the regulation went into effect, the 50cc motorcycle and ATV business has essentially come to a standstill. We visited with one local dealer in Tulsa to find out how this regulation is affecting businesses in Oklahoma.



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Bikers across the Sooner State are gearing up for the 2008 holiday season and the annual slate of toy runs. Here are some notable dates to make note of...

December 7th is the date for Tulsa's first big toy ride- the Salvation Army Toy Run. The ride starts at 1:00 pm from 61st and Riverside Drive. Details>

Tulsa's 29th annual ABATE Toy Run is scheduled for December 14th. I say "scheduled" because last year some extreme weather and falling trees postponed the ride. We're hoping the only thing out of the ordinary this year is the route- it's backwards! For the first time any of us can remember the ride does not begin on Riverside. Line-up begins at 10:00 am on Tulsa's Expo Square. Details>

Up the turnpike, that same day, the folks in OKC will also be hauling toys for the kiddies in the 16th Annual Oklahoma City Toy Ride. Details>

And if you're down south don't miss the Big Texas Toy Run on December 21. It sports three different rides starting from different points in the DFW Metroplex. Details>

For more upcoming toy runs across the U.S. visit the motorcycle events calendar on Places2ride.com. And as always, check our Events Page for upcoming motorcycle events in Oklahoma and surrounding states.

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Ride To Stone Bluff Cellars
Come join the T.W.O. crew for a ride out to one of our favorite spots. Grab a friend and enjoy beautiful scenery along rolling highway with some fellow riders. Not to mention that the owner of this winery and some of his crew are avid motorcyclist!

Sunday, November 16
Ride to Haskell, Oklahoma
Meet at Roadhouse Motorsports at 12:30
Ride at 1:00
RSVP to 918-250-1400
Or sales@roadhousems.com








Two Wheel Oklahoma

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My addiction to Motorcycles started before I reached the ripe age of 5 years. I was one of the lucky ones that had a father that rode and believed that his boys should do the same. From that time, I have ridden all across this country in the dirt, the sand, dried lake beds, racetracks, of course the street and a few places I probably shouldn't mention. Of that time riding, I would guess that I spent 75 percent of that riding with friends and/or family.

Riding solo is more different than most “pack riders” would realize. When riding with others, it allows for a couple of things.

One of the first is Safety. If there is a mishap along the way, and I have had my share, you have somebody you can rely on to help you back up, call for help, explain to you where you are and what your name is, etc. (thanks again Rex). I made it a habit to always have somebody along when taking off in the dirt, whether it be rompin' through the woods or on a Motocross track. I crash far too often in those environments to not have somebody around. It's just what I do. I crash, I get up and try not to do it again.

Brad takes a break during a solo ride on his BMW R1200S.Another is being able to share the whole experience with others both during the ride and after. To benchrace at the end of the day over drinks and a good cigar is not something to be brushed off lightly. I try to attend as many rallies as I can, that involve beautiful roads, new places and friends that I only get to see a couple times every year.

Of course on the other end of that "riding with others" is the testosterone fest that can go on. I see that happen far too often on the street. It might happen in the dirt, but usually, everybody is crashing anyway, so it's hard to tell. I am older now and have used up most of my testosterone. When you don't have much left, you tend to ration it out more carefully.

I swore off riding with large groups a few years back because of my last ride with a large group. The group numbered somewhere around 25 - 30 and had the full mix of bikes, abilities and experience and ended with more than a few broken bones, broken bikes and lots of locals in their freshly pressed uniforms showing up. This same expericence had happened to me before, but something finally clicked in my brain that day and I realized that this was not conducive to my whole plan of not donating any more of my paychecks to the local doctors. That cured me. Now, I stick to groups of 5 - 6 riders that I know.

Now for the other 25 percent of the time. A couple of years back, I decided that I have donated my fair share to the local Orthopedic Surgeons and sold all bikes with knobbies on them. I was not trying to cut off the local doctors completely, but merely cut back on that part of my spending.

Now I try to keep it on the pavement. In the past few years, I have discovered traveling farther than my usual 200 to 300 mile days and have been wandering a little more and attended rallies in other states. Of course, this had me showing up at a rally or two alone, due to the other 4 or 5 guys bailing at the last minute after talking me in to going.

I have to admit that riding alone has its own advantages. There are the obvious ones, such as stopping when you feel like it, riding as slow or fast as you want, detours on a whim, etc., but there is also one that I had forgotten about.

I was reminded of this last one when returning home from a 1,200 mile trip that ended up with the last 300 miles in the rain. I think a friend of mine put it best when I was trying to explain it to him after that trip. He thought it was "that whole Cowboy spirit". Back when a guy would saddle his horse and mosey across the country in search of "who knows what". Riding solo is more different than most “pack riders” would realize.

Riding alone adds to the sense of adventure. If you break down, run out of gas or get lost, there is nobody there to back you up. You have to rely completely on yourself.

Me and you and a wide open road in Missouri.You also get to think. I do not listen to music or have my phone wired to my helmet, instead, I choose earplugs. Most people would be surprised how many brain cells are active when you ride across this country only hearing the muted exhaust of your own trusty steed. In today’s world of constant communication with everything and everybody, silence can be golden.

Got something to figure out? Burned out at work? Throw a change of clothes in a bag, strap it to your bike and leave in a general direction. Everything will become very clear. It might take a few hundred miles or maybe a few thousand, but you will know when it happens.

When you return and people ask you why you are smiling and remark that you seem different, then you can try to explain this to them.



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Ever since longtime Tulsa dealer Atlas Cycle closed its doors last year the rumors have been flying about who will pick up those orphaned European lines they carried. Suddenly there was no local outlet or factory support for Aprilia, BMW, Ducati, Moto Guzzi or Triumph. Not to mention all those forgotten marques that used to grace their showroom: Cagiva, Moto Morini, Husqvarna or MZ.

Atlas owner, Ken Johnson, decided to retire in 2007. He opened the business in 1965 in a storefront on Cherry Street. Over the years Ken carried all the obscure motorcycle, scooter and mini-bike brands. Eventually the shop moved to 11th Street just east of Sheridan.

Paul Rogers of Brookside Motorcycle Company
Paul Rogers

Kathy King of Polaris Outdoors
Kathy King
Just about every dealer in T-Town phoned up Triumph. But most of the conversations ended early- Triumph and their Eurocentric leanings forbid selling alongside Japanese bikes. For BMW and Ducati the most likely candidate appeared to be the Oklahoma City dealer, having already stormed ashore in Brookside with their Vespa shop.

The latest news is some new faces have popped on to the scene, and we're optimistic it's good news for local riders!

Early this year Brookside Motorcycles on Peoria picked up the Aprilia and Moto Guzzi lines. This shop started out as a pre-owned and consignment shop, later bringing in the Johnny Pag chopperettes. They also expanded their showroom last Fall (albeit not their parking lot unfortunately) to make room for the Italian two-wheelers. I spoke with the owner, Paul Rogers today and he assured me that the appropriate signs were on the way. However he would not comment on two other European brands this editor thinks might be landing at his shop in the near future. Keep an eye out for their upcoming Vintage Cycle Meet on April 27th. BBQ and soda provided FREE from 11am-3pm.

Then later today we confirmed with the owner of Polaris Outdoors, Kathy King, that Tulsa's newest BMW and Triumph dealership will be Polaris Outdoors, soon to be known as Roadhouse Motorsports. In addition to Polaris four-wheelers and PWC this store sells Victory, the other American V-twin motorcycles. They are in the process of expanding their showroom and building a new service facility at their present location on US-169 near 61st Street. Kathy went on to say that they have a lot of cool events coming up this year, so watch this space or their website for more information.

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2/8/2010 8:36:52 PM

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Two Wheel Oklahoma is a television travel show featuring Brad Mathison and Rex Brown. They explore the scenic highways and backroads in and around Oklahoma by motorcycle. Come ride along!

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