BREAKING

Event Reports

Mountainfest 2015

Article By: Tim Stull

Photos By: Heather & Amelia

Originally Published In The April 2016 Issue Of Cycle Source Magazine

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I sit here bracing for the biggest snow storm the East Coast has seen in quite some time, my mind thinks back to the warmer, sunnier days of the summer. I thought about the many places I have traveled on my wandering journeys aboard some antique out dated cobbled together motorsickel; that I for some reason or another seem to enjoy riding. The trip that popped into my head first was my adventure last summer to MountainFest in Morgantown WV. I made the trip on my recently acquired 1952 Pan Head Long Bike Chopper that had been assembled in 1970 something. After trucking up to Morgantown I steered my trusty steed towards the event grounds. I bumbled my way thru the front gate and located the Cycle Source Crew then I found a spot to park the Honey Suckle Rose (my 1970 something). After chatting with Chris, Heather, and Killer I began to wander around the event stopping in to see the many vendors and displays that were set up. MountainFest is held at a Mylan Park, a large event complex/fair grounds that has lots of space to park bikes and allows people plenty of room to take in the sites.

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I check out the schedule for the fairly extensive list of great musical acts that were playing the event and was excited to see several of my favorite performers. The line-up included the legendary Marshall Tucker Band, the one and only Charlie Daniels Band, and country music Icon Travis Tritt -WOW! There are not many places you can go to see three great bands like these all in one place. I was beyond excited! Then I noticed that they had midget wrestling! What more could you ask for!!! So as I waited for the first headliner to begin, I decided to go check out the wrestling match, and who do I run into: none other than the greatest Emcee in the motorcycle world JACK SHIT! He was also on his way to the wrestling event and told me on our walk over to the ring, that they had a booth where you could rent a paint ball gun and shoot at the Midgets! This I had to try! This was definitely shaping up to be a great event! As evening approached I headed to the main stage to stake my claim on some prime real estate for night’s entertainment and get ready for the Cycle Source Magazine Ride on Saturday.

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After waking up pretty early Friday I took off on a short ride through the mountains to head Sabraton Station a local joint, the kick off spot for the annual Cycle Source Ride. A lot of great bikes showed up, and I had the chance to see some really neat hand-built creations! After helping Chris and Heather sign up riders and, get everyone ready, I was asked by Chris to carry something very special to him and his then bride to be on the back of my bike, their daughter Killer. I made sure she was up to the challenge of a ride on a rigid chopper, and with a big smile and a “Hell Yeah!” it was time to depart. We were led by RJ Powell, a local bike builder and great friend. Then we were off to tour the countryside of Morgantown and see the wondrous sites. We rode up in the mountain air and took a swim in the cool mountain water at one of the stops. This was a great ride and I highly recommend it. After the ride it was time to head back to Mylan Park for another night of killer music but had to call it early on so I could be ready for the big day.

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Saturday morning came a little too early for me as we had to be ready to rock n roll for the “Ride in Bike Show” that is hosted by Cycle Source each year. As the day broke and we got ready for the show, the bikes began to roll in around 8am. I started to see all kinds of cool hand built bikes, Choppers, Bobbers, Mild customs and all out show bikes. There were also quite a few of my favorite type of bikes “Old Skool Choppers”! All makes and models showed up. As Chris and I walked around looking at all the bikes and selected the winners of each category, he commented on how he has been attending this event for many, many, years. He told me that “It just keeps getting better and better” and the amount of custom bikes that the readers of Cycle Source like to see just keep growing! Finally it was time to announce the winners of the show and to hand out the coveted hand-made and, hand lettered trophies that everyone hopes their bike won! As we announced the winners and got to meet the people who built these machines, it was nice to see that quite a few were younger men and women. The younger generation is key to keeping this culture alive and thriving. One young man named Zack Conway of DiamondsNRust Cycles had built a show stopping Panhead that just blew me away! It was my kind of bike and, the best of show trophy couldn’t have gone to a more humble young man, whom I’m proud to call my friend.

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As I look out the window at the snow piling up inch, after inch (33 Inches total) my mind begins to wander again: I’m thinking about all the places my bike will take me this coming summer. MountainFest will definitely be on the list of must attend events. Well, back to reality- its cold, the snow needs to be plowed, the bikes need to be worked on, and new project needs to be finished! I hope to see everyone at MountainFest 2016 both new and old friends. So in closing get the creative juices flowing, and build the bike of your dreams, you will be amazed where it will take you………… NOTE TO ALL-This summer Mountain Fest will be held July 27th through the 31st, 2016. Check out their Facebook page and visit www.wvmountainfest.com for a full schedule of events and awesome bands!

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