Here's a recap of last year ...
The old adage goes “the third time’s a charm.” And for the Quad-City Knuckle Dragger’s third rally, the charm came courtesy of LeClaire, Iowa. For three days, scooter enthusiasts of all stripes took over the little river town, taking advantage of winding rural roads, eclectic eats, unique shopping and surf punk into the early morning hours just feet from the mighty Mississippi.
Friday night started with registration in the basement of Sneaky Pete’s. Rally packs were handed out and, in addition to the essential patch and tee shirt, included a kickass tool pouch – handmade by club member Louie Adrales – and a packet of Anti Monkey Butt Powder. Upstairs, people were feasting on awesome grilled cheese sandwiches, cowboy steaks and a salad bar served up in an old claw-foot tub. Club member Heidi Hernandez – who created the artwork for the rally shirts – was having an art opening at the Bucktown Center for the Arts in Davenport, Iowa … a short 15-mile ride along the riverfront. Following the art exhibit, the Friday Night Ride eventually led back to LeClaire.
Saturday morning was gray, rainy and chilly, but not unbearable. The Mississippi Valley Welcome Center, perched high on a bluff offering a sweeping view of the river, was the meet up spot for the morning ride. The welcome center lived up to its name and greeted some soggy riders with hot coffee, orange juice, fresh fruit and assorted breakfast baked goods. (Side note: It was here we learned Corn Soap does a great job of cleaning wet-leather-stained hands.)
With the rain subsiding and the sun making a showing, the Saturday ride departed just a bit behind schedule. After a few miles of rural roads through some of Iowa’s finest corn, we did a loop through the 1280-acre Scott County Park. Shortly after, the Saturday ride took a break at the Walnut Grove Pioneer Village, a cross-roads settlement and stage coach stop of the 1860s. Among the attractions were an old train depot, a one-room school house and a Chicago, Burlington Quincy Caboose 14353. A highlight for many was the ice cream cones in the Soda Fountain Shop … A generous scoop for $1.
On the way back to LeClaire, we stopped at Go Fish Marina Bar and Grill in Princeton, Iowa. Their typical crowd is a mix of bikers and boaters, but we took it over. Looking like a giant concrete block washed ashore, Go Fish has indoor/outdoor bars with balcony views of the Mississippi both upstairs and down. A few topped off their tanks at the lone gas pump. The charred-black pavement suggests burnouts are tolerated and a few people with souped-up rides indulged in putting on some smoke shows.
Nearing lunch time, the group headed back to town for pizza. Happy Joe’s, a Quad-City area homegrown favorite, delivered their signature taco, BBQ chicken, vegetarian and several other pizzas. The afternoon hours could be considered rally hiatus. There were unconfirmed reports of a scooter-riding gorilla handing out bananas around town. Attendees were turned loose on the town, several taking part in the color chase contest. Rally folks took the card from the rally packs and hit the shops of LeClaire, randomly picking markers and coloring squares on the card. Each color had a point value and the highest point total won a laptop bag from rally sponsor Corazzo.
People showed of their skills and scoots in the early evening hours during the Gymkhana, Slow Ride and Show & Shine. Chris Walsh, of Wisconsin, caught the eye of the local media with “Tiki,” his fully restored Lambretta. There was an abundance of sweet vintage on hand, as well as plenty of modern scoots ... All bikes are welcome and treated equal.
Saturday night the Backyard Boozers (backwoods rockabilly … self-described as “two guys bring you their brand of Half-Assed Honky Tonk”) and The One Night Standards (Ventures inspired surf and, as they put it, “music that will rip your face off or break your heart”) played into the early hours on bank of the Mississippi. Anti Monkey Butt Powder everywhere. Dancing, drinking, raffle drawings and a gorilla doing a burnout on stage ... In a nutshell, everyone had a blast.
People split up after this. Some hung out on the riverbank. Some guy peed in the bushes by the hotel (and got busted by the police). Some hit the town. Some wandered over to the garage of Antique Archaeology. Some went to bed.
Sunday morning, a few of the Knuckle Draggers met at The Faithful Pilot for breakfast, feasting on dishes like Buttermilk pancakes or Poached eggs, toasted baguette, andoullie sausage, smoked gouda, and spicy hollandaise. Shortly before noon, the scoots fired up and headed out, saying goodbye to LeClaire and the 2009 Knuckle Dragger Scooter Rally.
But we’ll be back. The Knuckle Draggers Scooter Club Rally 2010: An Ape Odyssey is June 11-13 in LeClaire, Iowa. Check
www.kdscrally.com for details.
