Photographs and write-up by JR Allas - VROC #1585

This page was last updated Sunday, September 18, 2005 08:41 PM

The following article was published in the Good Times Owners Club's "Roads" magazine. This helped
VROC recruit even more members. The really cool thing is that a few VN750 riders that I met at the
event, told me that they found out about the rally by visiting this web site... It's a good feeling to know
this site has helped other VN750 owners enjoy their Vulcan 750 as much as I've enjoyed mine.

Believe it, or not, I was ready to roll... As you can see by the position of my duffle bag,
I wasn't very comfortable... I didn't realize why until I saw this picture... Enough said!

Moments before my departure...

To think, less than a month earlier, this bike was in pieces on this very patio...
Of all the days to wrap up a year of work - 9/11/01 was a good day for me...
Though terrorists sought to bring our nation to it's knees that day, I felt that there
was only one way I could do my part. After hours of watching television in disbelief, in
the safety of my apartment in New Lenox, IL, I decided that I had to finish my motorcycle
so that I could enjoy myself. This page is a tribute to the many souls who suffered and died
in New York and Washington D.C., the brave heroes aboard Flight 93 who saved countless
numbers of lives by giving their own in the face of danger, and the many Fire Fighters and
Police Officers who did what they do best - Protect the lives of their fellow Americans... 

They can destroy our buildings, but they'll never break the American spirit!!!

To the memory of almost 3,000 innocent Americans
who perished needlessly because of anger and hatred
they could never understand... May their souls find peace...

I left my place at about 3:00pm to meet Rick "Wolfman" Jakubas on I-57, South
of Chicago. From there, the two of us rode about 2 1/2 hours South to Champaign, IL, to
the home of Darrell "Ghost" Kasper. There, we met Johnny Yocco, Jeff "Buck" Rogers,
Brandon "Flip" Caldwell and his wife Dina. Darrell had a kick-ass dinner laid out for us. We
ate and discussed our riding/route plans for the next day on Darrell's deck. Thanks again to
Darrell and his lovely wife, Julie, two great hosts I look forward to spending more time with.

group pictures, we saddled up and headed out at about 6:45am.

It was a pretty uneventful ride, except for St. Louis. We had stopped for gas just East
of the city, and discussed that we would stick close together, and ride a little slower so
that traffic wouldn't split us up. We even decided on a place to meet West of the city
if we got separated. As we rode along at about 60 mph, I overheard a trucker on my CB
radio mention that he found out what was causing a traffic jam. My heart sunk as I
listened for the details, as I did not want to have to creep along in traffic up ahead.
That's when I heard him mention that there were six motorcycles riding in the center
lane, and no one would pass them. I quickly looked in my mirror, and saw a wall of traffic
behind us. The truckers joked about running us off the road, so I interrupted them and
mentioned I was one of the motorcyclists. I apologized for us inadvertently causing the
back-up, and pulled ahead to inform Brandon Caldwell to let Buck know to speed up.
Brandon looked back, quickly figured out what I was signaling about, and pulled ahead to
inform Buck. I chatted with the truck drivers a bit, and they were very nice. They asked
where we were going, and mentioned how it was a beautiful day for a ride. They were
right! At our next stop, I heard the horror story from Ghost about getting pelted with
gravel from a few of the trucks that were riding along side him during the back-up.
Ghost had originally estimated our Eureka Springs arrival time at about 3:00pm, but we
quickly found that when you've got six bikes, keeping all of us together at stops and
keeping them short is quite a challenge, but we still had lots of fun, joking around and
comparing notes since our previous stops. When we got off I-41 in Missouri, we stopped
again to fill up, and when we were ready to head out, two Vulcans pulled in. It turned
out to be Sidewinder, his lady friend, and another friend. Now we had eight Windy City
VROC'ers, in all, to ride into the Iron Horse Stables. We arrived at about 6:05pm. The
registration had just closed, and we learned that wrist-bands for the GTOC dinner on
Friday were going quick, so we made a note to sign up first thing Thursday morning.
Upon arrival, I quickly realized that I didn't see any familiar faces from last year, so
I stuck close with the Windy City guys until I got to know people better.

In this pic, you can see my windshield in the lower right corner. Above that is Wolfman,
and behind his right hand is Johnny Yocco, who appears to be walking toward
Jeff "Buck" Rogers, in the white hat.
Picture taken by Roger "Hightech" Hester

My VN750 is on the bottom-left with the white helmet on the seat. I'm out there, somewhere,
watching Toa after he climbed on the roof to get this great pic of the VROC crowd.
Picture taken by Alan "Toa" Sciascia

About this time, Johnny Yocco and I decided that we'd better get our tents set up,
because it looked like it was going to get dark quick. The problem was finding someone
in the office that could let us know what we needed to do. I finally found Janie Jackson
relaxing on the deck out back. She quickly made me feel at home, and surprised the hell
out of me when she showed me that I was on their reservation list, even though I had
not reserved a site. All I did was send them an e-mail Feb 17, 2001, asking about
sites. Now that's service! We got our tents set up, and decided to meander about.

Home Sweet Home for four days.  All it needs is a garage...

Here, you can see Johnny Yocco, Buck Rogers, and myself behind the
gentleman in the center with the white T-shirt.
Picture taken by Steve Molander

Buck Rogers talks while I hide out behind him...
Picture taken by Steve Molander

Then we stood in line to enjoy the Pot Luck dinner...
Picture taken by Rick "Wolfman" Jakubas

Toa and I had the same idea this year. Instead of doing a lot of riding,
we decided to hang around and get to know people. Here, Toa talks a fellow
VROC'er into taking our photo. Toa is presently working on a VN750 project
bike for his lovely wife, Blondie... They live in Howick, Auckland, New Zealand.
It should be noted that Blondie won the award for the longest distance traveled to
the rally, because she sleeps on the West side of the bed - "Piper"
Picture courtesy of Alan "Toa" Sciascia

While I was checking out some of the bikes, I saw an interesting looking VN750
with the ears removed, and K&N filters on the carbs. "Holy Shit", I said... That's
Trent's bike. I know it well from the pics he's sent me for his Ear Shaving article.
Trent and I had shared a lot of info over the past couple years. I didn't even know
he was going to attend the rally, but now I was looking forward to meeting him.
I spent the remainder of the evening trying to find out where he was. No one knew
where he was, but I learned that he had worked the Potluck Dinner. I had never met
Trent before, and never seen a picture of him, so I decided to stay on the side of the
parking lot where his bike was, and talk with people. Somehow, he got on his bike and
left for his motel without me seeing him. I guess I really get into my conversations, or
I can blame Toa for distracting me. It was around midnight by then, so I decided I
better get some sleep so I could get up early to register.

Kawasaki GTOC hospitality tents at the Victoria Inn.

Though I have no lack of respect for our fellow fallen bikers, I wasn't much up for
any Remembrance rides while at the rally, so I opted to check out the Pea Ridge Civil War
battlefield with Johnny. It was a pretty interesting history lesson. We were preparing to
leave the Military Park, but first wanted to get our pictures taken with our bikes.

Pea Ridge National Military Park

While I was posing with my bike, a big pickup truck with a trailer pulled in, and it turned
out to be Gator. He was looking for someone who had supposedly broken down West of
Eureka Springs. I found out later that it was Bucky. Apparently she lost an acorn nut off
her exhaust header, and when a fellow VROC'er happened by, he actually had a spare on him.
She was rescued before Gator could even find her... Now that's roadside service!!! On our
way back through Eureka Springs, we pulled over to let traffic clear behind us, and I got a
glimpse of a 100 ft observation tower. I thought it would be cool to check out the sights
from up there, so Johnny and I paid a buck to get through the extremely tight turnstile,
and climbed to the top. Unfortunately, there wasn't much to see except trees, so I got the
following picture of our bikes from 100 ft in the air.

Johnny's VN1500E, and my VN750 from 100 ft high... 

We went back to the Iron Horse Stables and ran across Darrell Kasper and Brandon & Dina.
Everyone was getting hungry, so we all decided to head down to the Victoria Inn, hook up
with a few others and check out a barbecue place that someone had seen. On the way out
of the Victoria Inn parking lot, we got separated by traffic, so John and I and a couple
Police Officers from Missouri, Jeff Westbrook and his buddy, pulled over to find directions
to the place we were looking for. John realized the place was closed already, so we looked
for another place. We found a small place, got some good food, and listened to funny stories
from the Columbia, Missouri Police Department. We headed back to the Iron Horse Stables
and enjoyed lots of laughs, snacks, and drinks left over from the Pot Luck dinner. I was
standing around talking with some people, and they were talking about the remembrance ride
they had done in the morning. Trent's name was mentioned, so I asked where he was.
Apparently, he was there, but no one knew where he was. Finally, a fellow VROC'er came
to get me, and said he found him. As I approached Trent, I realized I had seen him several
times, and never knew it was him. We spent the remainder of the evening talking and
sharing more information. We sat on the back deck with Johnny, Juan and Isabel Alcantara
from Mexico City, Toa, and a few others until 2:00am, talking about all kinds of stuff. I had
a blast. I finally got to bed by about 2:30am, and while I laid there waiting to drift off,
it started to drizzle on my tent. Fortunately, it was a little warmer, so I looked forward to
waking up with warm feet.

See how I just slip in front of a camera...
Picture taken by James "Bo" Bryant

Eating breakfast with Toa, Jack & Barb Foree, Jazzman and Joe Nomad
Picture taken by James "Bo" Bryant

Enjoying some conversation on the deck as it rains
Picture taken by James "Bo" Bryant

Since few people were out riding, due to the rain, a bunch of us gathered on the
back deck of the Iron Horse Stables. We were treated to Loren Fiedler playing
some classic rock songs on the guitar for us. It definitely helped pass the time.
It finally stopped raining about 1:30pm, and I was getting stir-crazy. I decided it
was time to go check out the bikes lined up for the Cruiser Bike Contest. There were
a lot of nicely customized Vulcans there. 

Cruiser Bike Contest at the Victoria Inn

Cruiser Bike Contest at the Victoria Inn

Each entrant got a free digital photograph of their bike, and the judges included
staff from Thunder Mfg., Muzzy, JusCruisers, and Motorcycle Cruiser Magazine.
As I was standing on the side, conversing with Bucky, she was told that they needed
to tally up all the votes as quickly as possible because the winners would be receiving
plaques with the photo of their bike on it. This meant that we would have to delay
the VROC group photo. Bucky asked me if I could go to the Crescent Hotel to inform
Michelle Bigney that we'd be delayed about 30-45 mins. How could I pass up a
mission like that? I finally found Michelle, and informed her of the delay, then
relaxed for a while because the dinner wasn't going to start for over an hour.

Passing time, chatting about VN750's with a fellow VROC'er at the Crescent Hotel
Photo taken by Jim "Tarkus" Dirkes

While I was standing around, doing nothing, at the Crescent, I recalled that I had
wanted to get as many VN750 owners together as possible for a group owner/bike
photo. I thought that the best way to do that was to ask Michelle to announce during
dinner for all VN750 riders to contact me before leaving the dinner. So, after
dinner, she mentioned that there were a few people who wanted to make a few
announcements. Then she asked me to come up to the microphone. I was suddenly
very nervous because I don't know very many VROC'ers, I don't know how many
actually give a crap who I am, and I didn't want to make too much of a scene. I've
always wanted to keep this web site as an informative addition to VROC, and fear
that some might think I'm trying to separate us VN750's from the crowd. So, I was
afraid I'd say the wrong thing up there... To tell the truth, I don't even recall what
I said up there. I remember Trent yelling at me while I was up there, but that's
about it. I must have gotten the words out, because before the night was over, there
were about seven of us who had decided to meet at the Iron Horse Stables by
9:30am. Dinner was great, I had a good time with everyone, and even helped Jake
and Sidewinder poke fun at Darrell "Road Rash" Kasper. I think he took it well. Lots
of great gifts were distributed, and my name even got called. I was pretty happy to
win anything, but when they gave me a three foot long VULCAN CLASSIC sign, I
realized there was no way I was going to get it back to the Iron Horse Grill, let alone
get it home to Illinois. I wasn't interested in any dancing, so when the tables were
going to be cleared, I went outside, and it seemed everyone else did, too. I was talking
with Gunslinger on the steps, and anyone else who walked by on their way out. Phil
mentioned that he had his truck with him, and could take the sign back for me, so I
asked him what kind of bike he had. When he said "Classic", my next words were,
"It's yours. I have a VN750, so why would I want a Vulcan Classic sign?"
I never saw any of the other VN750 guys come outside, so I figured they slipped
past me. I decided I better get back to the Iron Horse Stables, buy some patches
and some T-shirts from Piper and get some sleep.

Left to right - Dwight Shoup, Trent Mills, Jim Wilson, Ron Murray, and me, JR Allas

I had hoped to get more of us together at the same time, but I was content
that I now had a record of five VN750's photographed together. The rest of
the guys went on their way to do some riding, and I hung around to see if any
others would show up. About 10:00am, Dee Kaiser, a VN750 rider I ran across
at the Victoria Inn lot on Thursday, 10/4, had shown up. He and I decided
to get some breakfast, and by about 10:30am, we had gathered another
four VN750's together. I slipped my bike back in for another shot of
five VN750's together.

Left to right - Steve Gladfelter, Juan "Python" Alcantara, "Raven" Pifer, JR Allas, and Dee Kaiser

Dee Kaiser and I talk about our VN750's.
Picture courtesy of Steve Gladfelter

Still talking to Dee Kaiser as Juan "Python" Alcantara approaches
Picture courtesy of Steve Gladfelter

JR & Trent - Note: Trent has a beer behind him (breakfast!)

If there's one thing you can count on, it's a VROC'er willing to take your picture
with your camera! We had two volunteers for the 2nd group. So, we had a total of
nine VN750's at the rally, To think, I never saw another VN750 from the day I
bought my bike in October, 1989, until I joined VROC in 1998. I thought I was an
outcast for buying my bike, but I love it!!! Since I had some free time, I checked
out the leather shop. Since I had four new patches to put on my jacket, I asked
if he could put them on. He did a great job, and only charged me about eight bucks.
After a while, Trent returned, and we decided that we had to do some riding. Since we
had a bunch of VN750 bikes in one place, I suggested we get as many of us together, as
possible, and go for a ride to check out a wooden bridge Chunk Kiesling had told me about
two days earlier. Everyone seemed real interested, so we headed out West and enjoyed
some twisties together. I'm by no means an expert rider, but I'm not afraid to crack it
open and lean hard into turns, so I did my best to stick close behind Trent, with Dee Kaiser
close behind me. We had a blast, but unfortunately, we got separated from the rest
of the riders. We eventually found them all, and we decided to get together for dinner
at the Bavarian Inn in Eureka Springs, that evening. I went back to the Iron Horse
Stables, and found John Yocco looking for me. He informed me that he had gotten
a room for the last night, and assumed I'd want to split it with him. He was right!!!
I invited John to come to dinner with us and we went about taking down our tents
and packing for the next morning's departure. After we put everything in the room,
I was wandering around talking with people when Jake's lady friend asked me if I
could give him a hand pushing his Nomad into the back of his van. I got to joke and
B.S. with Jake for a bit while he prep'd his bike for loading. I said good-bye to Jake,
and found John again. We headed into Eureka Springs to find the Bavarian Inn.
We arrived and found some VN750's already in the lot. When we entered, Trent and
some of the others had already put in a reservation for a table, and we didn't have to
wait long before we were seated. I took a tip from John Yocco, and ordered a dish
I can't recall. All I know is that it was some kick-ass food. We spent the hour, or so,
joking and listening to each other's stories, then went outside to say good-byes to
Trent, Raven & Karen, Juan & Isabel, Dee Kaiser, Dwight Shoup, and Charles.
John and I headed back to the Iron Horse Stables and even though we needed
lots of sleep for an early rise, and a long ride home, I had to sit outside and B.S.
next to the campfire with a bunch of VROC'ers whose faces I remember, but names
escape me. I know I saw Margot, Dark, Buck Rogers, Chunk, and many others. I
went inside, about midnight, set my watch for 6:00am so that we'd be ready to leave
with Darrell Kasper at 7:30am. I passed out in a warm bed after a great day.

Safe at home as the sun is setting.  Hey, it looks like a Harley was parked there while I was gone!!!

I didn't see my truck, so I knew the wife wasn't home. As I was getting my things off
the bike, I heard a vehicle pull up, and it was her, right on time. I went inside, laid on the
warm couch and rattled off everything I could remember before I passed out. Fortunately,
I took the next day off work. My butt needed the rest.

I Can't wait until my next VROC reunion!!!

If you enjoyed this write-up, then please check out
JR's VROC 2000 Adventures

jrallas@yahoo.com

I'd love to here from all my fellow VROC'ers