Thunder Roads Magazine of Oklahoma/Arkansas January 2016 | Page 29

FEATURES

problems within organizations, or getting an
overview of what is going on biker-wise in Canada.
Also offered on Friday was “Estrogen Garage” a
first for this meeting with general maintenance and
techie tips for those who are not knowledgeable
of such things. Not
truly just for women
but great title! There
was also a great
session on how to
plan a DC Lobbying
trip.
That night
was a fundraiser
and folks attended
a barbeque and
concert at the local
HD dealership. This
was well attended
and folks had a big
ball of fun.
Throughout the
next day there were
breaks for awards to
be announced and given. This is where folks who
work hard all year are recognized and some folks
who have worked hard for decades are recognized
and honored. Many of you know “Slider” Gilmore
(Pee for Slider!) and he gave a seminar on “What
Successful People Do” which even now has folks
calling to report that they are working on goals
with ideas gleaned from this session. There were
several sessions related to Transportation, and
Rider Education, and one that outlined your rights
during a traffic stop. Also held was the Sustaining
Motorcycle Club meeting, which is a meeting for
the clubs that have sustaining membership in the
MRF to come and discuss what they are seeing
in their areas, and for the MRF’s Sustaining Club
Representative, Russell Radke of Nevada, to inform
them of what the MRF is planning for the coming
year on issues such as profiling.
This is a 3-day conference with great information
and opportunities to network with folks who are
doing what you might wish to see accomplished
in your state. But in between the meetings is
the FUN! Each year there is a tug-o-war contest
between folks in bib overalls and folks in kilts. Yes,
kilts. These men (and women) suit up and have a

ball trying to knock one another down like bowling
pins. And prior to the match, folks take money
up “for the bibs” or “for the kilts”, proceeds going
to the MRF. Raising money while having a darn
good time. The hosting SMRO not only provides
dedicated
bike
parking
with
security, but also
keeps a hospitality
suite open with
food of all sorts,
an open bar,
plenty of space
to sit and talk. It’s
like romper room
for bikers in there!
There is a store
where all sorts of
cool shirts, hats,
tanks,
shorts,
sweats, geegaws
and whatnots can
be
purchased.
For three days we wander about in a nice hotel,
get into and out of the pool, the hot tub, wander
the gardens beverage in hand, have breakfast with
one another and laugh into the wee hours. All the
while, we are learning things that, when we come

home, we are a better freedom fighting machine
than ever. We wrap it up with a banquet complete
with silent and live auctions. People go home with
some fairly spectacular stuff.
September 22 - 24, 2016 - the Meeting of The
Minds is in Oklahoma City, being hosted by ABATE
of Oklahoma! If you show up, you will definitely be
glad you did, ‘cause this is the place to be!
Thunder Roads Magazine of OK/AR

29