Roanoke Valley HOG members Justin Gray plus Owen and Alice Vogt await the start of Rolling Thunder XXII in the Pentagon North parking lot on May 24, 2009.  A number of RVHOG members attended this year's Rolling Thunder and we're asking any member who went to send us their photos so we can build a photo gallery of the event. Send your photos via email to our webmaster.

The June members newsletter is online. Read it here (login and password required)

RVHOG member Rabbit passes out samples of "HOG chili" Saturday at the annual Chili Cook-off on Salem Avenue in downtown Roanoke.

With the roar of Harleys announcing the chili's ready, the crowd flocked to the RVHOG "biker chili bar" and quickly gobbled up the samples, with most declaring that the RVHOG chili was, as usual, the best of the lot.

The National Weather Service kept talking about the threat of thunderstorms but the it was more threat than reality and HOG members and tasters alike baked in the hot sun to sample the chili and enjoy music and a good time for charity.

So who won? We did, taking First Place with the judges, People's Choice and the awards for best booth and best presentation..

If you weren't there you missed good chili and a good time.

Motorcycles, Veterans and Rolling Thunder

RVHOG webmaster Doug Thompson offers two looks at the relationship of motorcyclists and Veterans. He and his wife produced a 2002 documentary that examined the Traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial. He also rode in the early Rolling Thunders and returns this year after an 11-year absence. View the documentary and read his thoughts on his last ride in 1998.