On July 17th, Pudge & I drove down early in the morning to set up a booth at DC Cuisers in Gaithersburg, MD for their Cooks, Books, and Bike Show. This was about a month before our Poker Run & Bikini Bike Wash, so it was a great way to continue to get the word out to some riders that were a little further away.

You guys have already heard all about DC Cruisers from their shop tour, and this show wasn't any different than the many that they have held in the past in the fact that they have a very loyal following of riders that come to any of their events just to hang out. The thing that makes this fact special is that DC Cruisers doesn't have any HOG chapter or other club affiliation - these are just riders from the area that like their shop that much!

The Cooks, Books, and Bike Show was a great day. 98 Rocks, a local radio station, helped them to bring in nationally renowned chef Biker Billy, who had lots of audience help in whipping up some great biker meals that everyone loved. The female participants were helping to taste testing hot peppers, but I think that the guys that he picked were shedding a few more tears than the women!

Also present for a book signing was legendary photographer and author Tom Zimberoff, who produced the book that ended up being one of Pudge's Christmas presents, 'Art of the Chopper'. The book takes you through many of the famous and the only-famous-in-the-biker-community builders to give a history of who they are and what they have built. If you don't have a copy of this masterpiece yet, make sure that you get it soon - many bikers can be seen carrying it with them to shows to ask for a builder's autograph in their section.

There was also live music by Bone Daddy, a barbecue by the Laytonsville Fire Department, the DC Cuisers own Chopper Chicks and the Cancun Cantina Girls to help out through the day, and many vendors.

DC Cruisers does many events like this through the riding season, including a weekly free Biker Barbecue and a ride to a local restaurant or bar, as well as drawings to win merchandise or gift certificates. If you haven't had the opportunity to visit them yet, head on over to Gaithersburg, or check out their site at www.DCCruisers.com.