‘Choppers’ set to ride into town
Rev up your motorcycles, boys and girls, the Orange County Choppers are cruising into town.
The Teutuls – Paul Sr., Paulie and Mikey – along with the entire crew from the immensely popular Discovery Channel reality show, “American Chopper,” will be roaring into the Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, July 28 through 30.
“We’ve never been to the Northwest,” says Paul Teutul Sr. (known to fans as “Senior”) from his office in New York state. “We’re really looking forward to coming out.”
Spokane is one of only four stops on the “OCC in America 2006” live stage show tour.
Teutul, a former RVer, recently sold his Prevost motor coach because of time demands related to the skyrocketing success of the television show and numerous personal appearances.
“I fly now,” he says. “It’s unfortunate because I really enjoyed RVing. It was a lot of fun.”
Over the years Teutul owned several rigs, “but the Prevost was the nicest,” he says.
“I would take it on business trips to bike shows or drive down to Myrtle Beach and spend a week,” he says. “It allowed me to take along my dog, Gussy, a bull mastiff.”
The 7-year-old Gussy and a recent addition, 10-month-old Marty, are “the loves of my life,” says Teutul.
Blue Crick RV at OCC
“We’re very excited about being at the OCC Tour show on the fairgrounds,” says Clay Schueman, business manager at Blue Crick RV in Airway Heights.
“I was telling a friend, who doesn’t watch cable TV, about the popularity of the Teutuls,” Schueman says.
“I said: ‘Think about being in high school and the rock band you wanted to go see was in town, but the tickets were all sold out. The Orange County Choppers are bigger than that.’ They are larger than life.”
For the OCC show, Blue Crick RV is bringing a dozen of its Keystone sports utility line including fifth wheel and travel trailers.
These “toy haulers” range in size from 23 feet to 37 feet. Prices start at $24,000 for the Kargoroo 23-foot to the mid-$50,000s for a full-scale Raptor.
“Each has a garage of one form or another that can hold motorcycles,” says Schueman.
The Raptor is the top of the line, a 37-foot fifth wheel with an enclosed 12-foot garage in the back.
“There is a door between the garage and the living quarters,” says Schueman, “so you don’t have to smell the gas. It is really slick with four slides.”
It can be pulled with a 3/4-ton truck with either a big block gas or diesel motor.
“A very large majority of the Raptors are sold to Harley Davidson and Gold Wing riders,” says Schueman. “Many riders like to take their bikes out to rallies but they don’t like to ride them that far. They need some capability of towing them.”
Information
“ To catch a glimpse of the OCC crew prior to their arrival in Spokane, tune into “American Chopper” on the Discovery Channel on Monday at 10 p.m. (cable channel 9 in Spokane, 28 in Coeur d’Alene). Or go online: http://dsc.discovery.com/fansites/amchopper/amchopper.html.
“ The Orange County Choppers store and service center are located in Montogomery, N.Y. To reach the retail store call toll-free to (866) 601-7319; call the service center at (845) 457-5670; www.orangecountychoppers.com.
“ Blue Crick RV, 13915 W. Sunset Highway, Airway Heights; (509) 244-5888; www.bluecrickrv.com.
OCC Tour events
In addition to the Teutels, the OCC tour show features the entire crew from “American Chopper” – including Vinnie, Rick, Cody, Jason, Nick and Christian.
The weekend will be crammed with events including:
“ OCC Live Stage Show – a reincarnation of the “American Chopper” television show, except they build a custom chopper with the Spokane audience’s input.
“ OCC Garage – workshops on Saturday and Sunday for ardent motorcycle enthusiasts, featuring “how-to” tips by the various cast members who specialize in specific bike-building areas.
“ OCC’s Theme Bike Collection – a multimillion-dollar assortment of the show’s latest theme bikes.
“ OCC Band – daily performances by guys who actually work in the shop.
“ OCC Motorcycle Ride – Northern Quest Casino to Spokane County Fair and Expo Center, 9 a.m. on July 29. Contact the Road House in Post Falls, (208) 457-1150 or online at www.rdhse.com.
“ British-born rock singer Paul Rodgers performs July 29 in one of only seven concerts in the U.S. this year. The platinum-selling musician has led four bands to global success: Free, Bad Company, The Firm and The Law.