Review: Big Dog's Smokehouse BBQ

Many bikers ride through Cicero because of the scenic ride out historic 8^th Street from Anderson, or for the view of Morse Lake. But now there’s another good reason to ride or drive to Cicero: Big Dog’s Smokehouse BBQ, located at 29 East Jackson Street, just east of IN 19. The historic building was recently a Motorcycle repair shop, before being turned into an eatery in late 2011. The building retains historic brick walls, now covered with Coke memorabilia and other antique signs. But the fun atmosphere is not the best part. The energetic and fun staff is glad to suggest different menu combinations. You can go all-you-can-eat, or just single portion menu items. The half rack of ribs was $12.99 including two homemade sides. I had potato Salad and creamy cole slaw, both very tasty and fresh. The ribs had a pronounced smokey flavor, which I found very good. I chose ‘Original’ from their range of sauces (Simply Sweet, Outrageous Original, Mustard Tiger, Smokin Hot, Flamethrower, and Lincoln’s Ghost)  and enjoyed the just right seasoning in a tomato sauce- it was some of the best BBQ I have ever tasted.  I also was able to wrestle some brisket away from my wife, and it was extremely tender and had outstanding flavor. We were not so lucky when we took ½ of my generous portion of ribs home with a few bones in a doggy bag for our big dog, Lili, an 84 lb. Lab-Sheppard mix- she not only got the bones from the doggy bag, but snarfed down my few leftover ribs before we could we could wrestle it away from her! (No joke!) We will definitely have to return to try their smoked sausage, pulled pork, and BBQ chicken. The smoked BBQ, fun atmosphere and staff make Big Dog’s a destination for your ride (or drive!)

Review: Big Bamboo's Dockside Grill

Celina, Ohio, about 35 miles southwest of Lima, Ohio, is an area destination on account of its 8 mile across lake, Grand Lake St. Mary’s. But it also is home to Big Bamboo’s Dockside Grill, which is on the Northwest corner of the lake, just south of OH 29 on OH 127. Residents can dock their boat and walk the few yards across the street. The view is perfect, and the whole front is open air, with an upstairs, and a bar inside. The grill is always on, and there are daily specials. If pulled pork is the special when you go, you won’t want to miss it, it’s outstanding in flavor, tender and moist. The bourbon chicken is also a great flavorful dish, and the dinner is $9.95, including a side of beans and rice.  The menu is broad: burgers, chicken, seafood, steak.  The help is friendly, and they keep busy, as this is a popular spot, including their share of bikers. The front is especially suited for bike parking, as it is paved.  With two trips to the grill so far, I look forward to returning to try out more of the menu.  Don’t miss this great spot- it would fit well in Miami, but, we’re glad it’s close by in western Ohio!

Southern Ontario Ride

 










I was so ready for my first ride to another country!  It was a quick two-day trip to Southern Ontario, but the sights were well worth the 880 miles, round-trip.  I headed out  with a cool breeze around 65 degrees (F). Though it would push 80 degrees later here in central Indiana, it was cool enough heading north through semi-wooded central and eastern Michigan, that I never had to remove my riding leathers.  Leaving parched Indiana fields, Michigan’s greener fields and forests were a welcome change.  I met up with my riding buddy Leigh at Lansing and we headed east toward Port Huron to cross the Michigan-Canada border, I on my Nighthawk, and Leigh on his Hayabusa.  If you cross the border here, don’t forget to bring your passport. It’s $3 to cross into Canada, and $3.25 to return. It was a long hot wait in line on approach, but the view of Port Huron from the Blue Water Bridge was incredible!  The bridge, built in 1938, widened and improved in the 1990’s, over the Saint Claire River is over 6100 feet in length. You can easily see Lake Huron to the north, and the beautiful Saint Claire River leading to Lake Saint Claire on the South.  The view was good enough for me to stop on the American side on the way back. (see picture)

I expected a few British names of towns, but had to laugh out loud when we crossed the Thames River halfway from the border to London, Ontario. The countryside was often gently rolling, with very green abundant crops.  The Scala Rider in-helmet audio communication system proved very useful for the 100 miles between the border and our destination, about 20 minutes east of London, and not far from Woodstock. Beyond just talking through navigation information, like upcoming turns, I was able have an on-going conversation, asking all the tourist questions about what we were seeing, and hear the history of the area, including which farms had dairy cattle, chicken, and crops I hadn’t seen on this scale, like acres of peas, alfalfa, and Romano cranberry dry (‘soup’) beans.  I had no idea how useful the communication system would be.   

Breakfast the next morning was at Dean Michael’s Griddlehouse, a converted old school in Woodstock. My baked eggs with ham, parmesan, spinach and a sauce, was very good. After a brief stop for oil at (no joke) Honda-Davidson's in Norwhich, Then it was time to start back west toward Michigan, but not before a stop at Rocky’s Harley Davidson in London, and lunch at Boston Pizza. London’s Boston Pizza served a great lunch of Pasta with garlic bread, and very friendly service. The ride back gave me one more chance to enjoy the rustic 100-200 year-old farms, with modern windmills and more recent construction.

Southern Ontario is a trip worth taking, so get your passport, get some Canadian currency before you go, (or arrange with your credit card company, there will be an exchange fee) and take the ride to London!

Review: The Red Pepper

A  trip through Madison, Indiana, would not be complete without stopping by one of the local favorite eating spots, The Red Pepper. Their huge assortment of meal choices has become so popular that they had to spin off their pizza into a whole different restaurant across the street, The Red Pepperoni. Located at 902 West Main Street (IN-56) it was formerly a Standard Oil Gas Station (see picture.) Don’t be surprised if you see a few motorcycles out front, I haven’t seen it without any. The menu is mind-boggling: signature sandwiches, grinders on fresh baked buns, panini’s, wraps, salads, soups, and, don’t forget a side of the red beans & rice. If you want their famous pizza and a beer, you’ll now have to go across the street to the Red Pepperoni. And, if you want a beer with your sandwich, you can join those who get their sandwich from the Red Pepper, cross the street with food in hand, order a beer and stay there.  It’s ok, they don’t mind. Prices are average, about $ 6-$ 7 for most items, including chips, but not drink. The Vampire Slayer Panini (Pastrami, Swiss, Garlic Cream Cheese, grilled on Rye) and the chicken Pesto Wrap (Grilled Chicken, Pesto, cream cheese, rice, tomatoes, onion, parmesan cheese & lettuce in flour wrap) are both very tasty, but, I think that any choice from this wide menu would be good to great.  If you are one of the many riding through Madison, IN, don’t miss the Red Pepper. Or, the Red Pepperoni!  

Review- Halo's Bar and Grill

Alexandria, Indiana is a small town with (at least one) great destination for Bikers: Halo’s Bar and Grill. Located at IN 9 and Water Streets, it has been extensively remodeled in biker theme, with a large covered patio overlooking a tree-shaded lawn and stream. Many go to Halo’s for a drink, or a stop on one of the many charity rides or poker runs, but it’s also a great food destination. Either lunch or dinner is a treat with appetizers, sandwiches, hand-pattied burgers, and, their famous Giant Tenderloin sandwich. I chose to have my tenderloin breaded, but you can get it grilled. It’s fresh cut, and it really shows! My breaded tenderloin was so thick (3/4”) and juicy, I will be sure to return. The burgers are 12 oz, but an 8oz is also available. Kelly was our waitress, and she was prompt, friendly, knowledgeable of the menu and beverage selection, and really made us feel right at home. If you’re even just going thru Alexandria, the take-our menu allows you to pick up a delicious meal at reasonable prices. For example, my giant Tenderloin, with all the toppings, plus one side, was just $7.75.

I highly recommend this biker bar!

Memorial Day Ride 2012

Our friend, John, invited us to join him on his Police Bike on a Memorial Day ride. We met up at the Markleville Police Department with the Police Chief, Sam, his father Jack, and friend Ben.  The hot breezy day was a great backdrop for a ride to a local eatery a few miles south of Wilkinson, Gas America. Please no jokes ('Eat Here-Get Gas.') What better name for a place to eat on Memorial Day?!  The food is plentiful and tasty. The Greek skillet is really worth a try! Then we took a leisurely ride through the countryside, with streams, cows and woods a peaceful backdrop. Not a long ride, but just right for a friendly trip!

Southern Indiana Loop

Medora Covered Bridge

Story Inn

What beautiful scenery we have here in Indiana, if you know where to go! My wife and I rode 360 miles today through Southern Indiana. From Hagerstown to Lawrenceburg, the landscape rolls gently while the streams skim the road, winding until you meet the Ohio River. Meandering along the river is peaceful, while beyond the beauty of nature, the shops and cafes of Madison caught our attention, as did the friendly hellos of the townsfolk, including a greeting from the Mayor of Madison. The southern counties hills, trees, and curves keep bringing before you scene after scene of awesome unspoiled nature. Heading back north toward Brown County, we just had to take a little detour and see the US’s longest covered bridge, near Medora. It's 460 feet long, built in 1875, and is the only triple span covered bridge in Indiana. It was in service until 1972, and still is open to foot-traffic. (see photo) There are a few spaces to park, and even one picnic table. The sharp curves of IN 135 are the riders delight, but not for beginners, especially around the town of Story. Story is the town that time forgot, (See photo) and we’ll have to get back there to eat or stay, the accommodations are enough to make you want to stop and unwind for awhile, and Motorcycle parking with a paved strip is available, be it in a gravel parking lot. Returning through hills so familiar to Hoosier bikers around Nashville (IN) was also scenic, but as the time on the road approached, we heard our beds calling out our name! So we did not stop this time at the leather shops, including the famous Pit Bull Leather Company, where leather jackets, chaps, Motorcycle luggage, and other clothes and accessories are in good supply and competitively priced. But this route through the Southern part of our state is one that we will come back to for sure, and maybe break it up with a few nights stay!