Thunder in the Valley - 2008

We don't have as many pictures of Johnstown, Pennsylvania's Thunder in the Valley this year due to the weather. But we hope you enjoy the ones we do have.

Thunder in the Valley Events - Thursday, 26 June 2008

Judges for the Nanty Glo Bikini Contest in the front and contestants for Miss Thunder in the Valley are in the back row. Events in Nanty Glo were a new venue for 2008.

One of the contestants shakes hands with the judges.

Ebensburg Wheels and Wings -- this event grows larger every year.

http://www.ebensburgmainstreet.com/events/wheels_and_wings.html

The view of the crowd along Center Street in Ebensburg from the Dauntless Fire Company Aerial Truck.

Vietnam Veteran's tribute bike built by Robert Harris, a Vietnam Veteran who served in Vietnam in 1965-66 with 173rd Airborne.

On the side of the bike is this M79 40 mm grenade launcher, affectionately known among Vietnam Vets as the "Thumper" or "Blooper".

Military hardware mounted on the side of the bike.

Headlight array with heralds of the different military services.

Robert Harris.

Boss Hoss Trike -- Around here this bike is worth a small house and several acres of land.

Women Bikers.

Thunder in the Valley Events - Friday, 27 June 2008.

Brand new demo bikes sitting out in the rain getting wet.

U. S. Army bike built by Orange County Choppers.

Local band Night Train entertaining the crowd on a somewhat damp Friday afternoon.


This is Shonnie Robb of Bellefonte, PA doing a burnout on her Mutant built by Mike Masullo.

Getting a little artsy with this four-wheeler built by Keystone Choppers.

Doing a burnout on a nitrous assisted scooter is brother Bean from Extreme Custom Cycles.

Street Vendor.

Yes, we did have a bit of rain.

The Desperados.

Circus Una was a new feature this year at Thunder in the Valley.
http://www.circusuna.com/

Yes, boys and girls, they are upside down! It's three revolutions for the ladies.

Shonnie's Mutant sitting out in the rain.

Just another vendor.

Thunder in the Valley Events - Johnstown, PA - Saturday, 28 June 2008

At least for me, taking one of these Kymco scooters out for a spin was the highlight of the day. I rode a Grandvista 250 up Route 53 and down Route 403. At one point I hit 76 mph. The only reason I couldn't go any faster is because I caught up to the demo ride leader shown here.

Our neighbor, Gerry Stanek, was one of the featured entertainers at the Biker Mall area in downtown Johnstown, PA.

Check it out!
This Triumph Speedmaster has a shifter on the side.

Two first time visitors to Johnstown asked me to take a picture of them so that they would have something to show of their trip to Thunder in the Valley. The boys told me they will be back again next year. They enjoyed the area, and the hospitality.

Thunder in the Valley Events - Cambria Summit Chapter A.B.A.T.E. Campground at the Cambria County Fair Grounds located in Ebensburg, PA - Saturday, 28 June 2008

Big Al Kalvin travels throughout the country going from show to show with his trusty Singer sewing machine.

One of the prettiest bikes in Ebensburg was this "old school" Yamaha chopper.

First bikers had their rat bikes, now we have our rat scooters. The times they are a changing.

Wearing out the rear tire on a Dresser during the burnouts in Ebensburg.

And taking first prize in the burnout contest is Don Sollenberger from Altoona, PA. Don built this custom chopper himself.

Just making smoke!