Bike rally shifts into high gear

By BERNIE HORNICK
The Tribune-Democrat

June 26, 2009 12:15 am

— Motorcyclists flooded Johns-town on Thursday as Thunder in the Valley offered something for every taste, including an evening parade.
Beyond the half-covered tattoos, powerful bikes, music acts and leather sales, scores of fans enjoyed wrestling – yelling and fist-pumping at the Biker Mall in downtown Johnstown.
Gary Miller was among them.
“You got ’em Bam Bam!,” the 48-year-old trucker from the West End screamed in between answering a few questions.
Miller is the father of a pair of wrestlers – the Hassel Brothers – but he missed their match when the card was changed. No matter.
“This is about the best thing going,” he said. “It’s exciting and thrill-packed. They come up with something different every time.”
Lloyda Severns of Johns-town said she is related to the family who puts on the matches as the company All or Nothing. Bouts are held monthly at The Grove and at various spots around the county.
“It’s fun and entertaining for the kids,” she said. “It gives the kids someone to look up to and gets them off the streets.”
Under the big top, Sara Whitmore of Conemaugh was vying with four other women to become Miss Thunder in the Valley.
“A friend bamboozled me into it,” the good-natured bartender said.
She wasn’t sure what her duties would be if she were to win, other than, “Smile and wave, smile and wave and wear a tiara.” Whitmore said the favorite parts of running to become the queen of the motorcycle rally were the food and making YouTube when she tripped over her dress.
In all, the contestants raised about $12,000 for their favorite charities through raffles, basket parties and the like.
The pageant was won by Amanda Ault of Armagh, who works at Griffith’s Tavern. The contestants were judged on their stage presence, answers to a few simple questions and crowd participation.
And hanging out on the street corner was Tom Stajduhar of Irwin.
He was pulling a 9 to 9 volunteer shift passing out Bibles to all comers. He was representing the Murrysville Alliance Church, which has a biker ministry.
“We want to reach those who want to be reached,” he said.
Their shift nearly over, he and a colleague had perhaps 100 Free Biker Bibles left of the 300 they had arrived with. Their aim is to hand out 1,000 Good Books through the weekend.
“Most of the time, the bikers just say, ‘Can I have one? Thank you very much.’ And they’re on their way,” Stajduhar said.
As the sun went down, the cycles in the Hot Nights/Cool Lights parade revved up. Participating bikes in the Richland-to-Johnstown review featured LED and after-market lights.
The audience squinted and kids held their ears as some riders gunned it along the city’s Main Street.
“Very impressive,” said retired city police Officer Albert Lloyd. “There’s a lot of money out there.”
The motorcycle rally continues through Sunday.

Photos

The Tribune-Democrat