Five Fantastic Motorcycle Santas

Maybe it’s just us, but we can’t get enough of Santa on a bike.  Not to mention the thought of that sleigh towed by eight massive Hogs, instead of tiny reindeer. So this month we decided to highlight a few of the most creative ways that jolly old elf has visited all you naughty (and nice) boys and girls.

1. Full of Hot Air.

This is a popular one in our neck of the woods. Santa lighting up the yard, and tearing up the grass (or snow) in your neighborhood. We especially like the sunglasses.

2. Up Close and In Person

How would you like Santa to roar up to your house with a sack full of goodies for your special event? Or even better, what about having Santa RIDE UP on the bike you’re giving for a gift? Blow your mind yet? If you live in the Dallas area, just call on Motorcycle Santa and Motorcycle Momma.  These folks bring the Christmas and motorcycle spirit to life.

3. All Lit Up.

Here’s a spectacular Harley-reindeer towing a Santa’s sleigh in style. Notice the details of Rudolph’s lighted nose. Sure to be the highlight of the parade.

4. On Parade.

The only thing better than one Santa is unlimited Santas. Santas for everyone!

5. Redneck Santa.

This one may be our all-time favorite Santa ever. OK, not technically a motorcycle Santa…but maybe you can build one into your front yard display next year and send us a picture. Please?

Do you have a favorite motorcycle Santa photo? Post it on our Facebook page! Or let us play Santa any time of the year and let us ship a motorcycle wherever you need it to go.

Five Great Fall Rides

There’s a chill in the air that makes leathers feel great, and the crisp smell of falling leaves reminds us to make the most of every minute we have left to ride. Fall is one of the best times to ride here in the Midwest, but there’s other parts of the country that boast amazing colors and views that open up when the leaves thin out. Here are five routes you may want to consider for your fall rides:

Ozark Mountains

Beautiful any time of year, the winding roads of the Ozarks mean red red blackgum and dogwood, yellow hickory, orange sassafras, purple sweetgum, and flaming maples  in late September and October.  As the leaves fall from the trees, breathtaking views are revealed.

Mississippi Valley

Minnesota isn’t just the land of 10,000 lakes – there are some fantastic routes following the mighty Mississippi. This ride, starting in Hastings and finishing in Cannon Falls gives great views of the river and bluffs almost the entire trip.

Ohio

If you’re a little further south you can leave West Union, OH on Rt.125 and motor east over rolling hills and farmland to Blue Creek. From there, the roads heads upward and curves through the hills of Enjoy the deep forest canopy and peaceful vistas of the Shawnee State Forest.

North Carolina/Tennessee – Cherohala Skyway

What’s it like to ride on a 100 million dollar road? You can find out in North Carolina’s Cherohala Skyway.  Winding up and over 5,400 foot mountains for 15 miles in North Carolina and descending another 21 miles into the deeply forested backcountry of Tennessee, the e road crosses through the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests thus the name “Chero…hala”.

Scenic route to the Field of Dreams

If you’re in the Chicago area, here’s a journey for a long weekend for fall color lovers and baseball fans alike. Follow quiet country roads into Galena, IL, scoot through a corner of Wisconsin, and head for Dyersville, Iowa to visit the Field of Dreams movie site.

If any of these rides are on your bucket list, but perhaps aren’t easy to get to, why not make your next vacation a “fly and ride” destination and have your bikes meet you there? HaulBikes motorcycle transport ships bikes ready to ride! Check out our motorcycle shipping rates online.

All-American Motorcycle Events | HaulBikes

With the 4^th of July only days away, we’re feeling pretty patriotic here at HaulBikes motorcycle shipping and thought you might want to get into the holiday spirit with some of the most all-American motorcycle events and groups we could find. Here are a few that got our red, white and blue blood pumping.

Tour of Honor benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project

The Tour of Honor is a way to hit the open road, honor our heroes, and contribute to a good cause, the Wounded Warrior Project. This group’s aim is to support military service members who incurred service-connected wounds, injuries, or illnesses on or after September 11, 2001. Events, rides and awareness events are are held nationwide, but you can participate and support them on your own by registering for a season-long, self-directed ride to memorials and monuments around the continental U.S. and Hawaii, with more than 25 states participating. Now through October 31, visit as many sites as you want, with any route you choose. Trophies are awarded to the first three riders to visit all of the destinations in a state or region. Register at www.woundedwarriorproject.org.

Patriot Guard Riders

The Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) is a motorcycle club whose members attend the funerals of US armed forces members, firefighters, and police at the invitation of the deceased’s family. Patriot Guard Riders do not make any political statement but  ”Unwavering respect for those who risk their lives for America’s freedom and security.” You’ll see them making the news shielding service members’ families from protesters, and attending funerals for service members with few mourners. This video is a few years old, but it will give you a good idea of what they’re all about.

Rolling Thunder

The Rolling Thunder event in Washington DC  every year is a demonstration of solidarity and respect for all veterans, with special emphasis on remembering prisoners of war or MIA soldiers.  It’s not too early to plan to attend  this unforgettable event for Memorial Day 2013. If you need any additional motivation to get a group together, check out this Why We Ride video.

Cool Stuff

If you want to make a permanent statement of your patriotism, check out this patriotic gallery of custom paint jobs by Pamela Shanteau, or, if a whole new paint job isn’t in the budget, just get yourself a motorcycle flag and ride on!

Rally Shipping Info

It’s time to make shipping plans if you want to ship a motorcycle to the Milwaukee Rally or Thunder in the Rockies this year.

And don’t forget, we offer a motorcycle shipping discount of 10% off for members of the military and service personnel in the police department, fire department, rescue squad and EMS.

Top 10 Great Gifts Ideas for Women Motorcycle Riders

It’s time for our annual holiday gift idea list.  This time we thought we would focus on the top 10 gifts for the real gem on your bike – the lady.

1. Girls Ride Too T-shirt: There is no doubt that girls ride too. Show her you know it with this “Girls Ride Too” Old Skool Design Crew T-shirt. This cool black tee is fitted for women and made in the good ol’ USA.

2. Motorcycle Charm Bracelet: Show her she’s the gem with this bit of sparkle. The “Ride Hard, Live Free” Swarovksi Crystal Charm Bracelet has eight handcrafted motorcycle-themed charms plated in silver and embellished in sparkling Swarovski® crystals.

3. Santa’s Sweet Ride: Give your sugar a little sugar with this motorcycle gift box of cookies and brownies from Mrs. Fields. This sweet ride gives you a swift check off the stocking stuffer list. And hey, maybe she’ll give you a few.

4. Motorcycle Getaway: This gift will be a gift you both can enjoy. Combine a hotel getaway at the award-winning and upscale motorcycle-focused The Iron Horse Hotel in Downtown Milwaukee with tickets to the new Harley-Davidson Museum, just steps away from the hotel. Two places every motorcycle rider should see. Want to ride your own bikes there? Take advantage of our exclusive shipping offer for The Iron Horse guests.

5. Throttle Rocker: Reduce your girl’s hand and wrist fatigue by installing a throttle rocker on her throttle bar. This will make it easier to operate the throttle, especially while wearing heavy gloves.

6. Twenty-Niner Gloves: Speaking of gloves, these gloves are built for hot weather riding. After their name sake, these gloves at $29 offer great features at a low cost, including abrasion-resistant goatskin and mesh back hand.

7. Save Your Back Jack Motorcycle Jack: Give her a lift with this portable motorcycle jack to lift her dropped bike. Gets her up and off the ground safely and quickly.

8. American Borders Book: If your lady is a rider and a reader, this one will fit the bill. American Borders: A Solo Circumnavigation of the United States on a Russian Sidecar Motorcycle by our friend Carla King, a recognized motorcycle adventure author, gives a funny portrayal of a woman’s solo trip around the USA on a Russian Ural motorcycle.

9. Audio iPod Interface: Give the gift of music with this genuine Harley-Davidson accessory which enables full iPod integration into 2006 and later touring models equipped with Harman/Kardon’s Advanced Audio Systems.This device allows access to playlists, artists, songs, and albums using the bike’s audio hand controls, and is concealed within the fairing.

10. Shipping Gift Certificate: Looking for something fast and easy? Give her a HaulBikes gift certificate so she can ship her bike anywhere she wants to go – Sturgis, The Iron Horse Hotel, or she can ship that new bike she bought on eBay. You can have this gift ready to give in minutes.

Also check out this list of 5 Great Gift Ideas for Motorcycle Riders!

*Note: Links to outside vendors is not in support of a specific product or service but only for verification of the product or service.

NEW! Featured Driver of the Month

We think our drivers and staff are the key to making our business run. One of the most common comments we receive is how great our drivers are, so our new Featured Driver of the Month page on Facebook is a special way to thank them. Your driver is the person who will bring your baby (aka motorcycle) to its final destination (your awaiting hands) so if you can take the time, hop on our Facebook page and give our featured driver a note. Has he shipped for you? Do you hope he does? Do you have a driver you want featured? Let us know.

This month, learn more about Paul Moore, our November Featured Driver of the Month. What does he ride? What places does he like to visit? Find out more about our Featured Driver >>

Thanks to all our wonderful staff at HaulBikes. Couldn’t do it without you.

Want a driver to deliver your “baby”? Visit us at www.haulbikes.com.