BDAC.......

So, the boys from BDAC really put their money where their mouths are........... not only were they one of the first to sign up (and not just one but like 3 or 4 of these guys) but they were one of the first to send in swag.......... these guys are STAND UP in my book.

Thanks again for the help and thanks for adding to the swag pile...............

WOW... Just WOW!!!

Man, the Chop Cult did a write-up on the RfL and Lee....... I don't know what to say..... Bill and McGoo have always been good to us and this time they have topped themselves.... I know it's more for Lee than anything else as it should be but it is rad to see them take something we are putting on as seriously as we are........ on top of that I got the BIGGEST box of swag the other day.........

The guys over at the CC and Biltwell are legit and amazing..... they really put their money where their mouths are.......

Thanks again fellas, without you none of this would be possible!

Later.

More raffle RADness from Bench Mark....

First off, I have to say, there are a bunch of sponsors on the run that I didn't know before we started lining shit up..... Chris from Bench Mark is one of those people..... I've seen his bike and the parts he makes but never met (even online) him......

That didn't stop him from jumping on board with the run 100%.....

It is amazing to get help from so many rad people....

The swag pile is getting bigger by the day......

Anyways, Bench Mark is one of those companies that does what they do in an AMAZING way.... their parts are always classy and under-stated......... not the typical "look at me" nonsense....... they are amazing pieces. Don't waste any more time reading my nonsense.... check out their site it is SICK!

Thanks again.....

Sponsor profile AND RAFFLE Update....

So, I contacted Jason at No School Choppers about being part of the Ride for Lightning..... he said "Yes" before I could even get the question asked..... That was rad enough but when I got the box man, I was stoked......... Jason sent a ton of rad goodies that are all gonna be up for grabs in the raffles..... BOTH online in the ONLINE and the IN-PERSON raffles................... all I know is that someone is gonna hit the mother-load.......


No School is a DIY operation where Jason has taken his love for bikes and brought it to the masses...... Check it out for yourself.















Thanks again!

First up to bat on the THANKS YOUS.......

We are gonna do some sponsor updates....... we want to show our love to those who have shown love to our run and let you guys know who's behind the run...... it's not just us.... without EVERY one of our sponsors we would not be making this work.......



HATED OF THE WORLD.......

I am proud to call Jason, Chris, Brian and Joe friends......

These guys are as stand-up as it gets. I could say more but I don't need to.... if you don't already know them you are missing out...............

Thanks again fellas for all the help and support!!!

Quick UPDATE.... Shirts and whatnot.......

To EVERYONE who has ordered a shirt or hat.....

First off, if you are going on the run your run swag will be given to you at the run (probably at the beginning when we check everyone in)....

Second, we will ONLY have a VERY LIMITED number of run shirts and hats for sale on the run...... why? Well, because we are trying to raise money and every penny we spend, on pre-printing shirts, for example, in the hopes they sell is a penny OUT of Lee's pocket........ SO IF YOU WANT SOME SWAG GET IT NOW.......... Please.

Finally, for those of you who have already ordered swag - THANKS!!!! We will be sending it out in the next few WEEKS....... THANKS for your patience.... the response has been amazing....

Thanks again!!!

A little info.......... Where to stay before the run....

Things are moving quickly......... the word is getting out.... thanks to all of you guys who have signed up already.......... we are stoked.

I have been getting a lot of questions about pre-run accommodations.... Here's the deal.... the run is gonna start in the parking lot for Hooters at 10 AM. There are several hotels/ motels in the area.... here's a list:


View Larger Map


Sleep Inn
1179 13th Ave. Dr. S.E., Hickory, NC‎
(828) 323-1140‎

Comfort Suites
1125 13th Avenue Drive Southeast, Hickory, NC‎
(828) 323-1211‎

Holiday Inn Select
1385 Lenoir rhyne blvd. sehwy 70, Hickory, NC‎
(828) 323-1000‎

Best Western
1520 13th Avenue Drive Southeast, Hickory, NC
(828) 323-1150‎


And there's a bunch more............ take a look and line one up......... we are gonna pre-party somewhere local and then head out on Friday....

The best spot looks like the Sleep Inn... letter "A" on the map... it's located directly behind the Hooters and Waffle House and it has a big parking lots.... perfect place to stand the night before, drink beers and talk about bikes.........

If you have any other questions let me know - tim@deathscience.com

Pre-run info......

I will post up some local motels/hotels so that if you are coming from out-of-town you can sort out a place to stay before the run.......

Don't worry we've got you covered.

If you have any other questions feel free to hit me up - tim@deathscience.com

They're here......

Got the hats and t-shirts sorted.... man, I am stoked!

Don't forget.... you can get a hat or shirt whether you go on the run or not....... $5 from each shirt and $3 from each hat goes right in Lee's pocket..............

Also, don't forget that raffle tickets are on sale..... shit is rolling in......... trust me, the swag is gonna be rad!







Raffle tickets will be on sale until October 13 for the online drawing and until the drawing takes place for the in-person raffle. You will get an email with your ticket number for the online raffle (don't worry we will also have a master list in case you lose the email) and you will get a ticket in person for the run raffle........ In the end you don't need to worry about a thing because if you win the online raffle we'll be mailing your prize out to you..... so, worst case you'll get a sick gift in the mail........ SURPRISE!

Just saw this.... It's SICK....

So, I was checking out Lee's site and saw this..... it's RAD!

California DREAMIN'......

california dreamin from lee bender on Vimeo.

Moonshining History - By josh

One of our pals is doing some research for folks about the routes involved in the Ride For Lightning run coming up this October 15th & 16th. For those not in the know about the south that we know and love, read on. Its quite interesting to understand about our forefathers with their trials and tribulations, and how one item in particular has made the region quite infamous. Story by Josh...

Moonshining History

The "Revenge Run" that Tim and Ralph put on back in April was a good time, no doubt about it. What made it extra special was the fact that it revolved around the stomping grounds of Edward "Blackbeard" Teach, one of the most fearsome pirates to ever swing a cutlass, swill rum, pinch the butt cheeks of saucy wenches anywhere, and generally give the finger to anything resembling any type of authority in his part of the Atlantic. The reason I knew about his level of bad assery (its a word, trust me) was that through four years of college, I managed to make it to a few classes while stuffing my hangover on the back burner. The classes I did manage to make usually pertained to History, and my favorites of those revolved around Pirates. So besides the good friends and swag I got on the last run, I got to finally see a bit of what Black beard called home.

On to the present, Tim and Ralph again decide to start up a run on the other side of the state up in the mountains a bit. Give it a theme, like the RR it had to have its own amount of kick assness ( Yes, "ass" is definitely one of the words in my verbal tool box. Not quite a hammer like "fuck", but probably more of socket wrench), and what better way to celebrate twisty roads and scenic vistas then by having a "Ride for Lightening."

It is pretty awesome if you think about it. A run to celebrate the spirit and essence of the Appalachia's captured in a mason jar. On further inspection, I realized I knew little about "'shine" and the folks who make it, besides the stereo-typical names associated with that type of enterprise, and that NASCAR can trace its roots back to moonshiners tear-assin' through the mountains evading the law. In wanting to use my research skills on a new subject, I thought it might be a good idea to give back to Tim and Ralph and kick some knowledge out to folks, like me who have no clue about "white lightening" and one of the most famous regions it comes from. So I cracked open a few books, J.E. Dabney's Mountain Spirits and Wilbur Millers Revenuers & Moonshiners and a few other sources. This is what I came up with.

To know about "Moonshiners" you have to go back to the very beginnings of this country before it could even be called such a thing. During the initial immigration push to populate this side of the pond between 1730-1780’s, the Scots-Irish out of Ulster left Ireland due to some messed up “rent” schemes. The majority of them pushed through the major ports of Boston, New York, and Baltimore to find decent farm land on the initial frontiers of Pennsylvania. Instead they were subjected to the same “rack-rent” schemes that caused them to seriously haul ass out of Ireland. They were still trying to escape the tyrannies being enforced on them from across the Atlantic and even the “civilized” trappings based along the coast. Think when your landlord screws you around during lease renewal time, only more of on a weekly basis. Leaving Pennsylvania, the Scots-Irish pushed west through the Cumberland Gap, and south down along the Appalachia.

Upon moving to areas like North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Georgia, these people found themselves having to hack a living from the land constantly dealing with toil, disease, weariness, and threat from natives, with nothing but their balls and gumption.They brought the skills of distillation along with them. I know after a day of getting my butt kicked by mother nature and everything else living in the woods, a few drops of the home brew would have definitely hit the spot.

Descriptions of these hardy people are varied and wide. One Dr. Benjamin Rush of the time, described the Scots-Irish farmers as a man who “…cannot bear to surrender up a single natural right for all the benefits of government, and therefore he abandons his little settlement and seeks retreat in the woods.” Years later Teddy Roosevelt asserted that “these Irish Presbyterians were a bold and hardy race is proved by their at once pushing past the settled regions and plunging into the wilderness as the leaders of advance.” They were considered by many to be the archetype of the American Frontiersman.

On the frontier the building block of the mountain community was the family farm. For the most part the farm was considered self sustaining. As on any farm most of the work was considered agriculture-centric, moon shining was just another part of business on the farm. As farming was so difficult, family and extended “kin’” were necessary for thriving in the wilderness. People would travel across mountains for trade and social interaction as well as agricultural support. This support net was usually relatively small. With the addition of “blood ties”, it would make a moonshiner’s network trustworthy and difficult to penetrate. This would prove highly beneficial as time went on and more settlers came into the area.

During the expansion down the Blue Ridge, distilling liquor became a way for landowners to provide a profitable means for paying property taxes; this was considered common knowledge amongst everyone throughout the colonies, and later the newly formed United States. Simple enough, right? Alexander Hamilton using this knowledge after the Revolutionary War was over, took a page right from the “redcoats” and instilled an excise tax of his own (how else were we gonna’ pay off 21 million dollars of war debt). This almost started a second revolution called the “Whiskey Rebellion” before the first revolution had barely been tucked in. Thomas Jefferson probably thought Al was a bit of an ass hat and decided to lift the tax; it would stay lifted for the next 50 years.

By 1862, another war was already raging. The “War of Northern Aggression” would not be kind to ‘shiners on both sides. Governors of most southern states knew the use of corn for liquid refreshment would have better uses for southern forces, and stated their displeasure as such. This did nothing to discount the ingenuity of the intrepid moonshiner as he would use anything that could be harvested to ‘still up a batch of moonshine. On the northern side, the renewed excise tax would have far longer lasting effects. The Act of July 1, would create the “Office of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue.” Ain’t that some shit, the IRS? Can you believe that? All started just because some guys were making a little tipple. So pretty much it was out of hand from the beginning…….awesome.

With the end of the Civil war came Reconstruction and Industrialization. The resources found in the Appalachia were suddenly ripe for the plucking. As far as the moonshiners were concerned the Act of July 1, actually helped their profits. Just think about Northern Californias marijuana farmer and how much his profit will decrease should marijuana become legal for more than just people with a prescription. Moonshiner’s could find lucrative outlets in the company boomtowns that sprang up along rail spurs that hauled away the ore and lumber being plundered from the mountains. Industrialization did not just create a stronger need for ‘shine, it also created a desire for things only to be found at the expansive company stores; matches, printed cloth, commercial dye, kerosene lamps, etc. These things all cost money, and with the effort it took to get the crop to market, all profit was sucked up by “shipping”. Imagine trying to get some unruly ass mules or obstinate oxen to drag a wagon load of corn up, and over a mountain all without trying to fall off of the damn thing. Only to be told that your work and toil is only worth “fuck all,” literally. Your wagon load of corn is only worth $10, a wagon of the “mountain dew” brings in $150. I am no math whiz, but even I get that much about economics.

With the end of “reconstruction”, when moonshining became more of a full time occupation due to the unforeseen “profitability” of the ever continuing excise tax, reasons for producing ‘shine differed amongst many; property taxes were still a concern, entrepreneurs sought higher incomes, and still fathers just wanted to provide for their children’s education. The typical moonshiner like their reasons, was just as difficult to describe; simple farmers, outcasts and criminals, even respected citizenry. Though they may be different, they did share several qualities, skill, ambition, and vigilance. They worked hard to produce in the outdoors, weathering the heat/cold of the season, always on the lookout for betrayal or the law.

When I think of these early moonshiners, I can’t but help see similarities between them and us. Not everyone who made ‘shine did so with profit in mind, neither does everyone who wrenches or rides on a bike do so to see dollar signs. The Scots-Irish settlers who were just trying to find their niche and live a way of life that was free of repression share similarities with a lot of our influences (punk rock, biker mentalities, skaters, limpnickie attitudes, etc.) as to why we ride and the methods we pursue to enjoy it today. The way settlers came together to help each other even if it was just a passerby needing a dry place to crash for the night, reminds us that each one of us on a bike is a part of this community. Even though Lee is a dude I have never met, if Tim and Ralph think he is worth helping, then I say that’s gotta’ count for something.

Next time I am gonna throw some stuff together about where our camp site is and the Trail of Tears. I hope you learned something about these unconventional people, and realize they helped pave the way for us to be original in our own right. We hope you join us on the run to celebrate the spirit of originality with the moonshine “spirit” of the Appalachians.

Joshua

All images found on google under "moonshine"

Registration is OPEN!

So, here's the deal....

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

First off you know the route by now.... if not, look below.

We have lined up nearly 50 sponsors to be involved in the run.... not for the sake of GLORY but for the sake of making a REAL difference..... Lee needs some cash to help with his MS treatment and we are going to make it happen.......




Sick run on amazing roads trying to make things happen for Lee........ don't miss out!

Here's the breakdown....


To go on the run it is gonna cost you $20.... that's $15 for 2 nights of camping and all the break-down help you could ever need AND $5 going to Lee....

We are also selling run swag - EVERYONE can get swag.... you don't have to be on the run... so, if you just want to support the run and Lee then pick some up..........

We are selling shirts and hats for the run.... shirts are $15 with $5 going to Lee... hats are $10 with $3 going to Lee and raffle tickets $3 a piece or 2 for $5 with the whole nut going to Lee.........

The RAFFLES are going to be BOTH online AND in-person.... so, if you are going on the run it's 2 chances to win.... the online raffle will be a jam where you buy a ticket or 20 and sit back... if your number is drawn then we send you your prize... for the in-person raffle, we will do the drawing on the run...... Oh yeah, everyone who registers to go on the run gets one raffle ticket for FREE.......... and we are gonna be raffling off some AMAZING stuff........

There is NO registration cut-off..... you can get in up to the day we leave.... the more the merrier....

Spread the word - this run and the after-party are going to be RAD! At the end of the day the more people who know about the run the more help we are all gonna be to Lee.......... let's make a real difference.......

If you have any questions let me know - tim@deathscience.com

Thanks!

Ok........ Registration begins next week.

Ok, here's the deal.....

We are gonna run an open registration with a $20 fee that will cover camping for 2 nights, chase trucks with gas (which people are gonna need) AND a $5 donation to Lee... We are also gonna run 2 AUCTIONS... one online and one on the run... tickets will be $2 each or 2 for $5 with all proceeds going to Lee. We are gonna sell run swag with all profits from their sales going to Lee as well........ and finally we are gonna print some FUCK MS shirts... once again all proceeds going to Lee.

Our goal is to get Lee to Poland for treatment..... he needs a little over 7G's.......... now, maybe this sounds like a big lump but...... let's make some shit happen..... go on the run.... buy some swag or raffle tickets... it's a couple bucks..... what's the worst you get? An amazing ride or some cool shit and a chance to HELP out! How could that be bad?

Next week we will give all details on the registration and swag for sale.... and each day we will be running a sponsor bio so you can see the amazing swag up for grabs and get a handle on all the RAD people giving up their own product to HELP Lee out..........

For now, check out this slide show of shots from the run route...... I'm telling you this is some of the most AMAZING scenery that I have ever seen..... and the roads are made to ride on a bike!

Popcorn Sutton - Moonshine Legend

With the upcoming Ride For Lightning motorcycle run, we are taking a page out of history by blazing down a few infamous North Carolina mountain roads used in the hauling of moonshine. Long are the tails of racing and running shine, but a few names tend to bubble up, when it comes to the tasty swig of fresh mountain dew. Popcorn Sutton is one of those characters that legends are made of. He defied the revenuers for many years and supposedly offed himself instead of heading to prison for 10 years for making homemade liquor. I like to think that his renegade spirit is still with us as we are blanketed by culturally devoid zombie after zombie. Popcorn's story has been told in a documentary and its one not to miss.

Popcorn Sutton - The Last One - Documentary