Have you made your reservations at Bear Lodge the for the B.A.S.T.A.R.D.S. and Boozefighters Ride the Tongue Rally June 20 - 22?   If not, do that TODAY!!  There are still some rooms available in our block, but we need to release unsold rooms by FRIDAY, MAY 23.  Grab your phone and give them a call right now - (307) 752-2444 - and tell them you're with the B.A.S.T.A.R.D.S. & Boozefighters Motorcycle Rally.  You can see more details on the Tongue Rally page.  It's gonna be a blast - we can't wait!

The Spring Bingo Run out of Columbus is today!  You may know it better as the infamous "Ass & Cat Food Run" and last year, we had a GREAT time! Check out the details at greatridesusa.com/Default.aspx

As you know, Rambo went home several weeks ago, and things are progressing pretty well except for one small detail - HE'S BORED SILLY!!!  We all say "let me know if there's anything I can do."  Well, here's something you can do today to make a HUGE difference - go visit!  Give them a call to make sure they're home, then stop out and chat for a while. 

The Roaddogs Annual Field Meet is Memorial Day weekend, May 23 - 25 at Homestead Park in Worden.  The schedule is:

• Friday night party - 7:00 pm
• Poker run Saturday - details to be announced
• Saturday night - music by merger
• Sunday - Party on, dudes
• Monday - sleep on the couch all day!

$20 lets you enjoy ALL the fun for the whole weekend.  The dogs website is roaddogs.org/.  Click on EVENTS, then on the FIELD MEET BIKER BASH & MOTORCYCLE RODEO to check out the poster.

Sunday, June 8^th, is the 16^th Annual Helping Hands Poker Run!!  This is a great ride with a HUGE turnout!  You can enjoy a terrific day in the wind, visit with riders from all facets of the riding community, buy some prizes, and support a tremendous cause at the same time.  You can see a flyer with all the details on the SCHEDULE page, but here are the basics:

• Sunday, June 8
• Sign-up - Bugz’s (Billings Heights) - 10-11 am

This year, all the funds raised are going to the family of a young man from Roberts.  Two years ago, he was boating with his family and was in the water when he was run over by a boat.  His leg was run over by the rudder and injured extremely badly.  After extended medical treatment and therapy, he was back on his feet (literally!) when it was discovered that he has leukemia.  His family does have insurance, but their portion of the medical expenses are overwhelming.  They currently have over $15,000 in medical expenses that have been turned over for collection.  If they declare medical bankruptcy, they will have to sell their small business, and that means they not only lose their income, but will have to move out of Roberts, away from their family and support system, to find employment.

How can you help? 

• Volunteer to deal at one of the stops or help with sign-up
• Donate items for the silent auction

Billee Welk, who produces the ride, would love to hear from you!  Give her a call at 794-6545 to work out the details.  Or, drop your items with Mainard at the parts desk at Beartooth Harley-Davidson/Buell.

• BUY A POKER HAND OR 8 or 10 AND GO ON THE RIDE!!

Thanks for all your help on this run.  We’ll see you there!! 

Did you know that our website is hosted FREE-OF-CHARGE by Rob Brun?  He's also got a website you should check out - greatridesusa.com.  His intention is to have one place people can check for rides and things to do all over the nation.  If you go on a great ride somewhere, post a report about it so others can take the same ride.  If you have an event coming up, post the details so people can come along.   Rob is also the the webmaster at Beartooth Harley-Davdison Buell, so next time you're out shopping for goodies for your scoot, stop by and tell him thanks.  Our website has become an invaluable communications resource, and we appreciate everything he does for us!  Rob would also love a hug, but ONLY from the girls!! 

Saturday is going to be GORGEOUS and that calls for some time on the road!  We've done lots of little rides around the area lately - how about lunch in Bozeman this weekend?  Uncle Buck & Sinamn are going over for an evening event, but if anyone is interested in some extra miles on a beautiful day, we could ride over in time for lunch.  Maybe arrive 1:00 or 2:00-ish, spend a couple hours dining on a deck somewhere, and the Billings-bound returnees would still be back before dark/deer/etc.  Details will be discussed Thursday night.....

From the Sunday, May 11, 2008, Billings Gazette, from Curley, one of our favorite Roaddogs:

Be aware of how to keep motorcycling safe

This is to make you aware that May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. This is recognized by Gov. Brian Schweitzer and also on a national level.

With the rising prices of fuel, there will be more motorcycles and scooters out there. If you do not know how to ride very well, please sign up for the motorcycle safety classes the state puts on in your area. If you know or think you know how to ride, take the course also; you will learn something that you don't know.

For the general population of people who drive cars and trucks, please be aware of the motorcyclists out there. We are so tired of hearing that you don't see us. Please drive alert. Thank you.

Mark "Curley" Helmbrecht
Billings
Copyright © The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprise

GREAT letter, Curley - thanks for looking out for all of us! 

Happy Mother's Day,

ya' B.A.S.T.A.R.D.S!

Update - Wednesday - 6:00 am - this link will take you to the obituary for Renae Lynn Merkel published May 7, 2008, at billingsgazette.com.  Wednesday's hard copy Billings Gazette includes her picture. 

www.legacy.com/BillingsGazette/Obituaries.asp

 Update - Monday - 12:30 pm - Click the link below to see the updated article.  There may have been a second vehicle involved in the accident Saturday night near Strokers. 

www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2008/05/05/news/local/42-wreck.txt

On Monday, the Billings Gazette ID'd Renae Merkel as the victim of the motorcycle accident near Stroker's on Saturday evening.  Our thoughts and prayers are with her family as they traverse this incredibly difficult time. 

May her soul, and all the souls of our faithful departed, rest in peace, Amen.

The Billings community will come together on Saturday, May 10, at the Yellowstone Courthouse lawn at 3:00 pm, for a memorial service for one of our nation's heroes, Capt Andrew Pearson, USA, and his family here in Billings.

Present will be a military chaplain, a bugler, a piper, an Army Color Guard and an Honor Guard, along with many other units and veterans groups, along with the Patriot Guard Riders.  Our very own KB B.A.S.T.A.R.D. will be master of ceremonies.

Capt. Pearson's, father, mother, and step-mother are expected to be in attendance.  We ask your support in attending this service, and showing the world why, in Billings, we are the fabric of America.

The B.A.S.T.A.R.D.S. swept the Antique Motorcycle category at the Roaddogs Show & Shine Bike Show on Saturday!!  Extinct took 2nd with his 1931 VL Bobber and KB took 1st with his 1973 FLH.  Nice job, ya' B.A.S.T.A.R.D.S!! 

Joe Pike was there doing some kick-ass good photography of the bikes and some very pretty young ladies. We've loaded a few of them into the photo gallery.  You can check out his work at

jdp-photo.com/

One of the pictures is of a very pretty blond.  We know it's hard, but if  you look at the rest of the picture, you'll see a pretty nice chopper also.  You can win this bike!  It's a 2005 American Iron Horse LSC with an S&S 124 inch Evo, 280 rear tire and custom paint.  The Roaddogs are selling tickets for $20 each, and only 2,000 tickets will be sold.  That makes your odds pretty good!  The bike will be given away at the 2008 Holiday Jam on December 12th at the Shrine Auditorium.  See your favorite Roaddog to get your ticket!

Effective immediately, Tim Lang (Blu), Hal Lang and Patrick Lang are no longer associated with the B.A.S.T.A.R.D.S. in any capacity. 

 RAMBO'S HOME!!!  We gave him a nice little parade from the hospital, then had a few beers in the front yard while he sat on the front step.  He's thrilled to be able to hold Charlie in his lap, while enjoying the cool breeze on his face.  He had a smile on his face from ear to ear the entire time we were there.  Love you, Rambo!!

There's a good chance Rambo will be going home today!!!!  He's ready and so is Lady Di!  The details are still a little up in the air (Rambo & Lady Di have to learn how to give him a shot twice a day - EEEEEWWWW!!!), and once that's done, he's outa there.  We'd like to give him a motorcycle escort home, but we don't know the time yet.  As soon as we hear anything, we'll post a note here and start a phone tree to get the word out.