Thunder Mountain M.C. Pennsylvania

Bike Night 08

Bike Raffle

Ruhrpott Run

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Lehighton Bike Night 2007

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Tomorrow is Bike Nite in Lehighton, an annual event which has netted tens of thousands of dollars for the Lehighton Police Department, Fire Department, and borough in its eight-year history.

The ninth annual event is dubbed by the Lehighton Bike Nite Committee as "the premier one-day motorcycle event on the East Coast." It gets underway at 11 a.m. and wraps up by 9 p.m.

According to the Bike Nite Committee, headed by Bud and Louise Stofik who own The Bike Shop in Lehighton, last year's event attracted over 20,000 bikers.

Last year over $18,000 was raised, with $17,000 split between the Lehighton Fire and Police Departments and $1,000 going to the borough of Lehighton.

Louise Stofik said there are 52 registered vendors for Bike Nite.

"The good news is, we have a co-sponsor," she said. "Hell Bound Custom Cycles of Shoemakersville will pay for tee shirt printing and for two radio stations to have commercials."

One radio station, WZZO of Easton will broadcast live from Bike Nite.

Councilman Robert Moser praised the Bike Nite Committee for proving "volunteerism is not dead."

One of the highlights of Bike Nite is the annual Poker Run, which is held 1-5 p.m. throughout the Pocono Mountain area.

Once again there will be competition for Miss Lehighton Bike Nite. The contest is open to all women and applications can be accepted at The Bike Shop.

Another major event at every Bike Nite is the Bike Show, during which various custom made vehicles, antiques, and the newest technology is put on display.

Three bands will be performing in the Lehighton Band Shell. They are:

* Back Flash will entertain from 1-3 p.m.

* Mike Stanley Band will perform from 4-6 p.m.

* Crisis will be playing from 7-9 p.m.

A new feature this year will be a "Kiddie Korner," which will provide games and entertainment for youngsters age 2-7.

Bike Nite has free admission for the general public.

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Lehighton Mayor Donald Rehrig was impressed with what he saw at Lehighton's Bike Night, held all-day Saturday at the Lehighton Park.

"More and more families are coming out," he said. "That's the way it started and it's continuing. People of all ages are here. It's not just for the young."

Diversity was the norm for Bike Night, which was attended by several thousand people and bikers.

Since there is no admission fee charged, the actual attendance wasn't known. Bike Night organizers feel the 10th annual event was a success, although financial figures won't be known until the group meets and all bills are paid.

"It's a great thing to the community," said Rehrig. He said his only suggestion would be to have more children. "Decorated bikes and other events would be great for children," he said, noting that such activities proved very popular in past celebrations in the borough.

Bike Night, arguably the most attended annual social event in Lehighton, featured a motorcycle show, competitions for motorcycles, a Miss Bike Night competition, and a poker run.

Geno Giunta, a member of the Bike Night Committee, said ideal weather conditions factored into the good turnout. "You couldn't ask for better weather," Giunta said. It was a warm, sunny day; a perfect day for riding motorcycles.

Rich Brunell of Bath brought his 1960 FLH Harley Davidson to the event for showing. He said the bike, which has been in his family for about 30 years, has been completely restored. His father owned the motorcycle for 25 years and then Brunell got it.

My father told me, 'Restore it and it's yours,'" Brunell remarked. "I worked hard and restored it."

Brunell said he was supposed to come to Bike Night with a friend, but the friend changed his mind.

"I worked too hard on getting my bike ready to change my mind about coming," he stated. "I spent seven hours cleaning it."

Dave Petrich of Philadelphia said this is about the fourth time he's been at Bike Night.

"This is really a nice event," he said. "It's run well, the people are friendly, and you can have a good time. I enjoy coming up here."

There were all makes and models of bikes at the event: Harleys, Hondas, Yamahas, Suzukis. There were bikes with side cars, motorcycles with unique designs, and some with small mascots such as Teddy Bears.

The vendors were as varied as the bikes and bikers. There were local stands run by Lehighton Fire Department, Parryville Fire Department, churches, and organizations such as Lehighton Pool Pals and the Carbon-Schuylkill Marine Corps League. Sold were french fries, ice cream cones, motorcyclists' apparel, bike parts, strawberry shortcake, and, of course, hamburgers and hot dogs.

Last year's Bike Night netted $18,000, which was split equally between the Lehighton Fire Department and the Lehighton Police Department, with an additional $1,000 going to Lehighton Borough for park maintenance.

Among the stands which made its debut was one by the Leni Lenape Native Americans. Jane George of the Onondaga Reservation in upstate New York said the stand was to raise money for the Lenape Homeland Project. The Lenapes are hoping to purchase a piece of land and live there.

"We hope to keep our culture with languages and ceremonies," she said. Sold at the stand were such ethnic foods as fry bread and Indian tacos. Also manning the stand was Joel Keiser of Mahoning Township, chief of the Lenape Tribe.

George noted that the Lenis were also planning a Pow-Wow at Blue Marsh Lake, Berks County, on Oct. 20 and 21.

Also present was an informational stand by the Carbon County Friends of Animals, based in Jim Thorpe. Kim Mulik of the Friends of Animals said the stand sold chances to raise money for Friends of Animals.

"We try to raise money any way we can," she said, noting that her cat shelter is filled to capacity. She added that the stand also was to make people aware of Friends of Animals and what they do. Mulik said the shelter is reopening today after being closed for several weeks for maintenance work.

Police said Bike Night went very smoothly with no serious problems reported.

Lehighton Toy Run

October 15, 2006

Two major components were missing in the 11th annual toy run, conducted by Thunder Mountain Motorcycle Club, to benefit the Toys for Tots program.

The event always begins at the parking lot of Country Junction in Forest Inn. This year, instead of starting at the entrance to the World's Largest General Store, the fall foliage run began in front of the pile of ruins where Country Junction had stood.

Earlier this month, the Country Junction store was leveled by fire. Despite the business loss, the owner of the business allowed the motorcyclists to utilize his parking lot to begin the annual ride. Nearly 300 bikers and several classic car clubs took part in the event.

Another loss this year is that the founder of the Toys for Tots Toy Ride was forced to miss his first run. Bud Stofik, who was very seriously hurt in a motorcycle accident in August, is still recuperating from those injuries. His wife, Louise, greeted the bikers and said Bud intends to be back for next year's fall foliage ride.

Toys for Tots is a program run by the Carbon Schuylkill Marine Corps League during which toys are collected, and then distributed at Christmas to needy families.

The run began at Country Junction and concluded at Blue Mountain Ski Area where refreshments were served and a band played music. In addition, there was a blood drive held at Blue Mountain on behalf of Stofik.

About a dozen members of the Marine Corps League, wearing their signature red jackets, collected several large bags of new toys from the participants. Brian Snyder, representing the Marine Corps League, said all funds raised are put into the Toys for Tots campaign.

Gary Grauvogel, of the Thunder Mountain Motorcycle Club, said the club members decided to carry Stofik's "colors" on the ride. His jacket was carried on the bike of one of the lead participants. Of the Toy Run, Grauvogel said of Stofik, "He did every one with us."

Heading the long line of bikers was the Pa. State Police.

The riders, after departing the Country Junction lot, which was bustling with activity of the business's huge Pumpkin Patch, traveled on Route 209 to Trachsville, then over Reservoir Road to Route 903 in Penn Forest Township, down through Jim Thorpe to Route 209, then through Lehighton to Route 248, and east on 248 to Palmerton.

Although the ride benefit the Toys for Tots programs, the members of the motorcycle clubs and the Marine Corps League didn't forget Stofik.

Besides the blood drive at Blue Mountain Ski Resort, there also was a basket raffle held to help raise money to assist him with medical bills and heating costs.

It was also noted that a poker run for Stofik will be held on Sunday, Nov. 5, beginning at 10:30 a.m. in the parking lot of the Bike Shop in Lehighton. Stokik is the owner of the Bike Shop.

"We're trying to do everything we can to help him," Grauvogel said regarding Stofik.

Lehighton Bike Night

August 12, 2006

www.lehightonbikenight.net

Over 30 000 Biker at Lehighton Bike Night

Thanks TMMC Member for your help

The annual gathering of motorcyclists and motorcycle enthusiasts held
Part of the reason was that the weather for the eighth annual Bike
"The weather this year is great," said Louise Stofik of the Bike Night
For most of the event, people were shoulder-to-shoulder. Literally
One cyclist who netted a lot of attention was George Burns of
Burns said it has a 400-horsepower, LSI Corvette engine. He added that
"This is the only one in Pennsylvania and possibly the entire East
John Medvic of Upper Southampton, Bucks County, said this is his
"And there's never any trouble," interjected his brother, Joe, who
Bernard Edwards of Palmerton proudly showed off a first place trophy
The proceeds from the Bike Night benefit the Lehighton Fire
Bike night committee member Gino Giunta said there will definitely be
He thanked everyone involved, giving special thanks to Ed Finney Jr.,
Giunta also praised the sponsors. Although co-sponsored by Lehighton
"What's really great is that you meet some of the nicest people at
Vendors were pleased with business at the Bike Night. Rodney Rehnert,
Chris, who was one of eight members of a group calling themselves the
For Louise Stofik, Bike Night was bitter sweet. She couldn't be any
Louise said Bud worked hard to make this year's event a success. "It's Saturday in Lehighton was unquestionably the best attended ever, even though official counts of the people aren't taken.
Night was the best since the event began.
Committee. "Everything went extremely smooth. There were thousands more in attendance this year than in years previous."
thousands of motorcycles were parked on North Street, South Street, and Second Street. Bikers came from New Jersey, Maryland, and New York.
Lafayette Hills, Mongomery County. Burns brought a Cheetah Chopper, a trike manufactured in Indiana by Cheetah Trikes which has wide rear wheels, a radiator on the back of it, and a silver, external gas tank which is positioned laterally behind the seat.
he has had the 2006 model vehicle for about three months.
Coast," he said, adding, "Maybe there's one in Virginia, but I'm not sure."
second year attending Bike Night. "It was a lot hotter last year," he recalled. He termed Bike Night "one of the best" such events in Eastern Pa. "A lot of people show up," Medvic said. "Riding is good through the mountains."
came with him to the event.
he won in the "slow ride" competition. He said this is the first year he competed in the event, cautiously balancing his 1987 Sportster for a straight ride at the slowest speed of all the competitors. The rule is simply to keep your balance without putting your feet down.
Department, Lehighton Police Department, and the borough.
a profit this year for the borough's services. "This is definitely the best attendance ever," Giunta said. "This is wild. This is the best weather ever and it's just a great crowd."
who started Bike Night in 1989. Finney resigned because of a conflicting work schedule after coordinating the event for several years and is no longer involved in the planning of the event. Giunta said, "I still want to thank him because with him, we wouldn't have this today."
Borough and the Lehighton Bike Night Committee, also adding sponsorships were the Jaindl Turkey Farm and Lehighton Ford and Lehighton Mercury.
these events," he said.
who was helping the Lehighton Fire Department at its stand, was busy dishing out ham and cheese and roast beef sandwiches. "Business has been real good," he said.
"Wild Bunch" from Willingboro, N.J. (he wouldn't give his last name), said he and his friends came to Bike Night because "we heard there's always a nice turnout." He said the group attends a lot of biking events and one thing that really stands out with the Lehighton event is "the people are real friendly."
prouder the way the event turned out. But what had her sad was that her husband, Bud Stofik, who is president of the Bike Night committee, couldn't attend. Bud had been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident only a week ago when another vehicle pulled from a side street into his path. He is in stable condition in the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Salisbury Township.
really hard to keep my composure," she said at Bike Night.

TMMC Delle Friendship Ride 2007 It was a nice Saturday. Good weather, fine food, cold drinks and most important, riding around with friends. Thanks for attending the run. Spezial greets to Bunker MC, Silencer MF and HD Thunderteam. Pictures in the gallery section.



Great American Night

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