The event Nitty Gritty Chopper City is a celebration of all things chopper. This was it’s third year, the first two events were at a bar in Houston called, “Bimbos” and this year it took place at the Backwoods Saloon in Conroe, Texas just outside of Houston.
This event started at the saloon on Saturday afternoon for those of us who wished to camp. $10 got you a camp spot and a wrist band to the event. I arrived there around 1:30 PM, I had stayed in Austin, Texas the night before my ride in was about 171 miles. I was coming in for the event solo from Phoenix, AZ to represent Lane Splitters Garage. Our garage was the tee shirt of the month club for the month of November. I had also never met Danger Dan of MC shop tee’s and Danger Dan in the Talk Shop who also did a podcast with myself at Miguel the owner of Lane Splitters. A couple of people off instagram were nice enough to reach out to myself and say “hey lets hang and ride” cause they knew I was lone wolfing it that weekend- as I often do.@thethresholdexperience and @jason_fxbb were very kind and I knew we would be arriving around the same time on Saturday afternoon.
The camp space was next to an alligator pond or an alligator farm, I heard both but never saw any “gators” luckily. When I arrived and payed my $10 they directed my down a muddy path and said- oh hey be careful it’s slick. I made it town the small hill went to turn the bike to park it and the mud got me- I made an amazing entrance and down I went. The guys came over and helped my pick up my poor scooter, what a nice introduction that was.
Jason was the first person I saw with the Lane Splitters tee shirt on- I was super stoked! When you hear that your shits will be shipped all over the world and the USA it is a great feeling, but to see someone in Texas with that tee shirt on made me so happy! Immediately I started meeting so many wonderful people and talks of tattoo’s motorcycles and everything else in between started flowing. The Backwoods Saloon has a food truck outside and you can order beverages inside from all the nice bartenders. They serve drink orders in a Backwood’s Saloon custom koozie, a really nice touch!
There was a huge campfire that had been built out back by the tents. When we first set up I had a scene a couch sitting on the edge. I assumed that it was to sit on by the fire. We were sitting in the bar which had fairly large windows that looked over the alligator pond. Jason looks out and says something like oh wow that fire is huge and we both commented on how early the fire was lit. We headed out back to the fire, people were riding a couple mini bikes around. We had just missed the most epic jump through this three story building high fire, we saw pictures and video and the dudes whole face and arm were engulfed in flames. I guess a wood pallet was sticking up and it caught his leg and impaired his landing and he broke his ankle, and the couch I spoke of earlier ended up IN the fire, only springs were left and some creepy blue purple flames burning some kind of couch chemicals.
With the fire fading and the night started creeping into early morning we all turned into our tents. Rumors of rain and looking at the weather radar were the nights ending conversation. When I woke up the next morning- the rain was still the main topic of conversation. It was supposed to hit at 9 am- so I packed up my tent and stowed it into the saddle bags hoping it would dry out and I would possibly camp Sunday night as well.
Walking around and the show was starting to come alive even at 9 am. The Bucking Pig BBQ was there- OMG their food is FIRE! They had the most delicious smoked sausage breakfast tacos ever. They also had smoked meat on a Chocolate Doughnut ( I wanted it so bad but did not give in ug I wish I had one bite though). Flash tatoo’s were going down in the bar by Don Shapiro. Live bands were on stage with amazing music!
I was so happy that DeathHawk cycle were selling rain jackets, not only did they look cool but they also served a purpose. All the vendors there were so rad, Cheap Thrills and Chemical Candy were there as well as their choppers on display. Knives Made by Nick- was out there as well. First of all if you guys do not follow him on IG- you better go and do it now. Not only is he a really cool person, his knives are amazing. He had many knives on display but he really loves custom making a knife just for YOU! MC shop Tee’s were there of course too! The main reason we came out and man the best people ever are Danger Dan and his beautiful wife! It just goes to show if you invest in your local motorcycle community and have a vision and a focus what it can do and grow into.
I am not going to go too much into the rain- in my opinion it was not much of a factor. To me at these events- just like at Corn Free the rain makes it that much more fun! Was I bummed that I didn’t get to go on a ride on Sunday and see more of Texas- yes! But that is the beauty, everyone that was at the show all came because they wanted to be there- it was a priority. On the other hand though- you all motherfuckers were kinda stuck there for hours until it cleared slightly. Hearing peoples tales of what they rode through to get to the show- well I love hearing stories from the road, and for me that is what made the event special!
Texas now has a special place in my heart. The welcome to Texas sign reads “Drive friendly-the Texas way. I never thought much of it, but let me tell you hands down the nicest people in any state that I have been to! I was really touched at how kind everyone was to this girl from Arizona! I will be back in 2019 for this one- it tends to be the same weekend in November so everyone mark your calendars!