HAWGSTOCK MOTORCYCLE RALLY

5-31-2005

A 2005 letter to the residents of Madison County and also to the
residents of the City of Winterset, Iowa from the organizers of
Hawgstock Motorcycle Rally.

We realize that a Motorcycle event, especially one which does use the words “nudity” and
“vulgar language” in its advertising is a very shocking thing to a rural Iowa community.
As bikers (so we are called by many) and also residents of this same community, we feel we
have some explaining or educating to do. We have spoken to many of you already and have
also been approached by many others that are eager to learn about the idea. We realize
that some of you are also offended by such an idea. Therefore we would like to offer an
explanation of what may go on during this event.
Many of you are possibly scared of the thought of “bikers” coming to Winterset, Iowa. Is it
not true that almost daily, motorcycles come through, not only our town but also our county?
During riding season here in Iowa, on almost any given day, it is odd to not see several bikes
on a trip to town. On most weekends you will find motorcycles parked on the square in town,
and the riders inside one of the food establishments located on the square or sometimes
doing some shopping in the unique shops Winterset has to offer. Does this make some of
you wonder if our town is safe?
As a young man Paul Taylor (Chief) grew up 3 miles south of Rippey, Iowa and was exposed
at a young age to his father’s friends coming home from the Vietnam war finding they were
outcasts in their own society. Paul began to see these young men band together with the
motorcycles they owned, bound by the horrors of war only they who participated in the
conflict would understand. Along with this a brotherhood was being formed amongst them.
This motorcycle brotherhood has existed in every generation of Americans whatever the
reason that brought this brotherhood together. Today there are motorcycle gatherings all
across the United States, some all of us have heard of such as Sturgis, others gatherings
are smaller, but the common bond is a motorcycle. “Motorcycle gangs” as many will call
them, or “clubbers” as we would refer to them, all ride motorcycles. The reasons each of us
ride are not important to most of you and vary greatly from person to person. Motorcycle
gangs, or clubbers are also referred to as “patch holders” or those that wear “colors”. You
may recognize some of the clubbers: The Hells Angels, Sons of Silence, Vietnam Vets
Motorcycle Club or even The Christian Motorcycle Association.
We have attended many motorcycle events throughout the years and have never once seen
harm or destruction come to a community where these gatherings of motorcycles are held.
The business people of Daytona, Florida have told us that they would much rather have the
“bikers” than the spring breakers. More often than not a “biker” would be apt to stop along
the roadside to check on a motorist, not to steal from them, but to make sure that flat tire isn’t
to much for them to handle on there own. Or see if they could offer some other form of
assistance. That brings us to a first hand experience which occurred last year while we were
heading to Sturgis, South Dakota on our motorcycle. We were on interstate 680 west our
load had shifted which was tied down on our motorcycle, we stopped along the roadside to
tie it back down. We were passed by 6 motorcycles which seconds later we found were
stopping just ahead of us. The sole purpose of all of them stopping was to check on us, and
make sure we were first off ok, and secondly to see if we needed some assistance. The men
coming back along the roadside to lend assistance if needed informed us we had no
business out on the highway alone and being fairly sure our destinations were similar
suggested that we should ride along with them. We didn’t mind the idea of being in a group,
and off we all went. After several gas and water stops my wife asked “Do you realize we are
riding with Angels?“   My reply was “Yes, and what is wrong with that?” “But they are Angels”
she exclaimed. “Yes, they are. We have no axe to grind with them; nor them with us”. We
rode with those boys right into Sturgis and then went our own separate ways without even
knowing each others names. Later that week, our Angels saw us as new acquaintances and
always made a point to speak to us when our paths crossed, even if it was to shout across
the street “Hey Iowa“. Our response being “Hey, New York”. Some of the riders that come to
our town may wear colors, others will not. These groups are far from the old “stereo typed
gangs”. Keep in mind, these riders my also be doctors, lawyers, dads, moms, amazingly
ordinary folks that like to ride and have found that a day in the sun with the wind in there face
makes for a great day away from the ordinary 9 to 5.
As the promoters of Hawgstock, we ask our fellow residents to welcome the bikers as guests
to the community. We are not asking that you go out of your way to welcome them, however
don’t change your life or walk down the other side of the street because of us or them
(bikers). If we have offended folks because of the use of honesty in promoting our event, we
are very sorry. However having attended many of these events, swearing does seem to
occur quite often and more than once we have seen people express themselves in many
manners none of which seem to be terribly life threatening, but in a manner that would not be
appropriate with children present and would not be appropriate in the general public’s eye.
This does not mean that Hawgstock is a nudist colony! Only that the possibility of seeing
some skin on Hawgstock premises does exist.   Hence, you must be 21 to attend Hawgstock
and “If nudity and vulgar language offend you, stay home”. A motorcycle rally is not an event
for everyone! The statement was meant in the utmost honest form to deter those that might
be offended.   Most “bikers”, are less willing to hide their true feelings, they speak their mind
openly, generally making them outcasts in the general public’s eye. Long hair, beards,
shaved heads and tattoos are often associated with those that ride motorcycles and seem to
be the norm in the biker world. Bikers (those of us that ride motorcycles) also have families,
children, attend church, shop in the same stores as many of you do and usually have
another means of transportation as well. We do often hear “biker” under other peoples’
breathe. How many other groups have been subject to the same treatment? Lets put some
thought into how Blacks, American Indians, Jewish folks and Hispanics have been treated in
the past and to some extent are treated today! Are bikers now a race? Do you treat people
that drive trucks differently than those that drive cars? Maybe its time we all took a good
long look in the mirror. We are all humans with different likes and dislikes. Discrimination is
discrimination and illegal in all parts of the United States. We have all in one way or another
seen it, or heard about it. Even if it wasn’t your own generation it may have been your
parents’ or grandparents’ possibly. Without the understanding of past generations’
differences would never have been overcome.
With that said, we would like to have each of us look at the positive aspects of what
Hawgstock may do for Winterset and Madison county as a whole. A large majority of the
Hawgstock activity (events, music and camping) will be contained on our private property.
The bikers then as tourists may come to town for provisions and to shop at the unique stores
Winterset has to offer. We also have the Bridges of Madison County which a lot of people
have yet to see. We are in hopes that they will see a lot of activity compared to a normal
weekend, allowing others to enjoy them as well. This is a beautiful county and a lot of people
have never seen some of the things this county has to offer. Hawgstock will have bands, its
own security force, Porta Pottys ( exceeding the state limits) and hot showers. Many vendors
will also attend the event selling anything from clothing, riding gear, leather,hats, patches
and Tshirts. Most of the “biker” t-shirts are event t-shirts that note the event and the date it
was held, collectors items for some that ride, conversation pieces for others. Another factor
which seems to be an issue is noise. Yes, we as riders say “loud pipes, save lives” Have
you ever heard the horn on a motorcycle? The fact that Hawgstock will be held on a gravel
road means that bikes racing on there way to the rally is doubtful at best. Anyone riding a
motorcycle very fast on gravel would be deemed irresponsible and crazy by other riders.
There will be some added noise without question. Although there most likely will not be a lot
of riders out in the dark. The majority of the bike noise will be during the day. We personally
have grown to love the sound of the bikes, not unlike some of you that can tell what kind of
tractor or vehicle is coming up the road. More noise, we will do our best to control the bands,
No noise is virtually impossible. By hiring a professional lighting and sound company the
spread of noise will be limited. They tell us they can limit the range of sound with their
equipment, and NO you will not be able to hear our bands on the square. We are in hopes
that the sound will not travel far at all, we are in hopes it is limited to our property, the river
valley and back side of the dump. We will also water down the portion of the gravel road most
heavily traveled several times a day in hopes of minimizing the dust for folks living along that
area.
This rally is not a hasty decision on our part. We have done some careful planning and a lot
of research. Riders would not attend rallies with their expensive motorcycles if they thought
they or their machines were endangered. We would not bring Hawgstock to our backyard if
we thought it would endanger us or the community. Many of you have heard of another rally,
called the Freedom Rally, currently held in Algona, Iowa formerly held in Humboldt, Iowa.
Algona, Iowa has welcomed this rally with open arms. Algona, a small town in northern Iowa
noted a swell of revenue over a three day period, amounting to several million dollars. A
town that was once hesitant now welcomes us (bikers) with free bottled water and a small
newspaper of events that tie in with the motorcycle rally. We do not expect to see those
numbers for several years but quite possibly with your help and understanding Winterset
could. This motorcycle rally could help the community as a whole and get a lot of people
involved in many different ways. In many communities that host rallys, clubs such as the
Lions, Kiwanis, Rotary and even some of the churches host breakfast buffets as fund raisers,
and they do well. These breakfasts are held in halls or church basements. Many of the local
stores allow vendors to use the parking lots and the town people come and browse through
the vendors goods as well and watch the bikes. In some communities there are bike parades
at given times, bike shows for all to see and so many other ideas. Lets keep in mind that
most of these “bikers” are normal people that chose to ride a motorcycle on occasion, no
different than some of you like to boat, snow mobile, have show cars, or ride in the rodeo. It
is their passion.
As an entity Hawgstock will begin a scholarship fund for American Indian students. We are in
hopes that we will have the ability to donate funds to some of our local organizations as well.
Fire, Police, canned goods to the folks less fortunate than ourselves. Many of you have
heard of the annual Toy Run, that sends semi loads of toys and needed items to unfortunate
families in the communities. One rally in eastern Iowa boasts $50,000 a year in charitable
contributions. Some of these things will not be possible without your help and
understanding.
Unkown things are the most feared! If you have more unanswered questions, please call
or write us a note.   Our contact information can be found on the "contact us" page of this
website.   We really are quite normal folks, with a passion for motorcycles, undergoing a
private business venture, hoping to bring some much needed revenue to our town.

             Paul (Chief) & Cathy (Cat)