Thunder Thursdays

Every Thursday night, the roar of motorcycles can be heard across Rathdrum Prairie.

Hundreds of riders converge on Road House Cycles and the Hot Rod Cafe in Post Falls and Cruisers at Stateline. By 7 p.m., sunlight glances off impressive rows of two-wheeled horsepower and a remarkably diverse group of leather-clad riders is enjoying the early summer evening, the music and the camaraderie of fellow bikers.

Janet Catlett and Skip, a member of the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club, say they attend the get-togethers every week.

Catlett, who started riding when she turned 50, says she loves motorcycle-riding and enjoys attending Thunder Thursdays.

“It’s fun, an excellent place to go unwind socially and a great place to see friends,” she said as she and Skip headed toward their Harleys – hers, a 2006 Dyna Low Rider, and his, an ‘89 Springer Classic.

Bob, who also attends fairly regularly, says he goes to the events to see a lot of old friends.

“I ride a Yamaha Road Star but plan to retire next year and use my accumulated vacation and sick pay to buy myself a new Indian,” he said with a John Travolta-kind-of-“Wild-Hogs” look in his eye.

Motorcycling is becoming more and more popular with mainstream America as thousands turn to two-wheelers for the sense of freedom, challenge and adventure they promise.

The sport has been growing since the late 1990s, and today, more than 30 million Americans ride motorcycles, with baby boomers leading the way and female riders increasing by the thousands.

Elizabeth Egger says she hasn’t missed a Thunder Thursday this year.

“I like the live band and the people – the biker crowd is like a family. Everybody gets along and relates,” she said just before she and boyfriend, Scott, roared away on his Kawasaki Vulcan.

While the event in Post Falls is promoted as “a family affair,” the one at Cruisers is geared more toward adults. There, the chance to spot an offensive one-liner T-shirt is a little higher.

Both get-togethers offer live bands and food specials. Many bikers travel between the two events during the evening, and a few take the chance to blast their pipes while driving through Cruisers, the only drive-through bar around.

Carla Hawkins, who rides a Honda VTX 1300, says she and her fiancé attend Thunder Thursdays because “we live close, and it’s a lot of fun.

“Nobody who comes here ever has any problems with anyone, no matter what you ride,” she said. “It’s a safe place – you can drink, have a good time and never have any problems.”

Hot Rod Cafe employee Leslie Koehler, who has worked at a lot of Thunder Thursday events, agrees with Hawkins.

“It’s all positive,” Koehler said. “Thunder Thursday events are surprisingly calm, and the crowd is well-mannered. I enjoy them because everybody is very friendly, and they tip really well. They are very sociable, and they do benefits for a lot of charities.

“People might not think of them like that, but they are really great,” Koehler said. “But they do have fun – it’s a party.”

Thunder Thursdays give riders a chance to meet people with their same interests, and new riders can learn about local motorcycle groups and upcoming rides. Patches, pins, T-shirts, vests, leather jackets and tattoos define Harley-Davidson fans, Gold Wing buffs, Christian bikers and members of dozens of other motorcycle groups.

Each event becomes a huge motorcycle show as bikers pull in and carefully park their bikes in line. Onlookers often stop by to admire the lines of gleaming machines, and many bikers spend time walking up and down the rows of bikes, checking out the competition.

Spokane rider Will Guttromson, a Harley Fat Boy rider, says he attends Thunder Thursdays because of the camaraderie and the chance to see all the bikes. “It’s like a mini-Sturgis,” he said, referring to the huge motorcycle rally held each year in South Dakota.

Everybody is welcome at the Post Falls and Stateline events. Honda Shadows are parked next to Harleys, Big Dogs line up next to vintage bikes, crotch rockets share space with Gold Wings, and Suzukis, Kawasakis and Yamahas sit beside custom choppers.

The success of the two Thunder Thursday events and the rising popularity of motorcycling have sparked other retailers to cash in on the growing sport. Route 53 Diner and One Eye’s in Rathdrum and Hooters in Spokane Valley recently have begun holding regular bike nights.