Suikoden hero Kumonryu underway. (Horimatsu)

Some shading and the color is all that remains now. Soon.

Laconia Bike Week 2011, June 11 to 19 Event Schedule

Laconia, New Hampshire is home to one of the biggest and oldest rallies in the United States., dating back to 1923 and drawing crowds of 400,000 to ride in the beautiful New England countryside. Wherever you look, there are bikes on the scenic highways between Laconia and Loudon.

This year's rally is June 11 to 19, 2011.


June 11 - Swap Meet in Ashland, NH - at L.W. Packard Bell Field. Free to attend. Vending spaces $35.


June 11 - 4th Annual Rally for Kids in Crisis - 8:30am start at the 1st Assemble of God Church - 45 Myles Drive in Auburn, NH. This is a 100-mile scenic regional ride. $25 rider fee and $10 passenger fee includes lunch. Details: ManchesterAssembly.org

June 11 - 5th Annual Peter Markris Memorial Ride Around The Lake - Starting point 11am to 1pm NASWA Resort and Beach Bar in Laconia. - details at http://www.naswa.com/


June 11 - Blessing of the Motorcycles at Laconia Bike Week - 3 to 4pm on opening day of the rally at United Baptist Church in Lakeport, followed by 4 to 5pm church service and a spaghetti dinner, 5 to 7pm for $10 donation.

June 11 - Laconia Kickoff & NHMRO 35th Anniversary Party at Deerhead Sportsmen's Club in Hooksett, NH - 1 to 9pm with good food and live music.

Enjoy a beautiful ride to Kancamangus Trail and Mt Washington.
Mt. Washington "Ride to the Sky" - Mt. Washington Auto Road is celebrating a 150th anniversary in 2011. Open every day during Laconia Bike Week - Motorcycles Only on Monday, June 13th and Thursday, June 16th. "Ride To The Sky" Motorcycle Ride with guide vans for extra passengers and vendors begins at 10am June 16th.

Jagermeister Promos - Laconia Bike Week Jun 11 - Jun 19, 2011
Rally Headquarters - 11am to 5pm - Broken Spoke Saloon - 5 to 7pm - Bullwinkle's in Ashland - 7:30 to 9:30pm every day of the rally.

Flat Track Races at Big Daddy’s Speed Bowl in Rumney, NH - Three shows will be available, daily - plus bike wash, massages, music, food, and beer.

Biker Build-Off at Lobster Pond - June 13 to 18 - six shops competing for prizes. Builders include Irish Choppers (Dudley, MA), Pitoniak's Custom Cycles (Belchertown, MA), Ready Customs (New Hamptom), Vintage Custom Cycles (Sandown, NH), Deadwood Choppers (NY), and Masshole Moto (Cape Cod) - according to the official rally website: http://www.laconiamcweek.com/

Koi & momiji sleeve finnished. (Horimatsu)

Another sleeve have been completed. Now coloring and shading needs to be done on the oppsing arm. We will complete this set of arms within a couple of weeks.

18th Miracle Ride Around the Indy 500 Track

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway is celebrating 100 years of racing that will include the 18th Annual Miracle Ride on June 5th to raise money for the Riley Children's Hospital. More than 5,000 motorcyclists will enjoy the magic of riding around the historic Indy 500 track in a Sunday morning parade lead by the Indiana Motorcycle Drill Team. The Miracle Ride is a two-day event that includes a poker run and bike show on Saturday, as well as an auction, raffle and concert on Sunday.

"Over the past 17 years, the Miracle Ride has raised over $3 million for Riley Hospital and hopes to bring in another $400,000 in 2011," said Holly Farabough, director of marketing and sponsorship for Miracle Ride Foundation.

James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children is Indiana's first and only comprehensive children's hospital, saving lives and helping thousands of children every year. Many of the life saving programs at Riley are ranked as some of the top programs in the nation, setting a benchmark for other programs that help children. Riley is a not-for-profit hospital, so it relies heavily on donations from outside sources.

The Bob & Tom Show - nationally syndicated radio show presents the Miracle Ride.

On Saturday the 4^th the Miracle Ride kicks off with six poker runs with starting locations all over the state of Indiana. All poker runs will end at the Wyndham Indianapolis West Hotel, where the winners of each poker run will compete for six major prizes. The Wyndham will also be host of a Miracle Ride bike show and silent auction. Vendors will be available and there will be live music until Midnight.

On the morning of Sunday June 5^th, 5,000 plus Miracle Ride participants will gather at Allison Transmission. Bob & Tom from the Bob & Tom Radio Show will be on stage introducing guest speakers, giving some special presentations, and of course making everyone laugh. The Indianapolis Motorcycle Drill Team will perform and then participants will rev their engines for a very big parade ride.

The ride will leave Allison Transmission for a lap around the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway. It will then go past Riley Hospital for Children where doctors, nurses, families, and the children who are able, wave to all the riders and hold up signs of gratitude. This is a very touching moment that can bring you tears and definitely makes you feel good for supporting the cause.

The ride will end in Shelbyville, Indiana outside Indiana Live! Casino. Every participant will receive a complimentary lunch. Then Bob & Tom will do a live auction, announce the winners of the grand prize and most money raised prize, and the totals for the weekend will be announced. To end, anyone over 21 will be invited into the Casino to determine the winners of the Miracle Ride Raffle items.

It is a $50 minimum pledge per person to participate in the Miracle Ride. With this minimum pledge, adult participants receive access to all events both days, Sunday lunch, Saturday night camping, and an event t-shirt. Participants will also receive one chance at the grand prize, which is a 1200cc Harley-Davidson Sportster. For each interval of $50 donated, participants receive a chance at this grand prize. The individual who donates the most money to the Miracle Ride will receive a 2011 Harley-Davidson Sportster 883. Children who pledge $25 are eligible for a TTR 110 Yamaha or an Agility Kymco 50cc Scooter. Children under eight are free and children 8-15 pay $25 to participate.

Major sponsors of the Miracle Ride include: Lucas Oil Products, Inc.; The Indianapolis Colts; The Bob & Tom Radio Show; AAA Insurance; Allison Transmission, Inc.; UAW Local 933; Indiana Live! Casino; and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Please visit http://www.miracleride.net/ for more information or to pre-register.

Chushingura project continued. (Horimatsu)

Pro snowboarder and local, Anton Gunnarsson, completed a few more sessions on our Chushingura project last week. The tribal in the neck is getting covered after we capture photographs of his finnished irezumi back.

Red Friday Rally - Petawawa, Ontario

On May 6th 2011 (The Red Friday Ladies) Karen and Lisa will host another rally @ the Petawawa Legion to celebrate FIVE YEARS of supporting our troops & wearing red!!Once again we are proud to be hosting the finish line for the Commissionaires Ottawa RUN FOR MILITARY FAMILIES http://www.runformilitaryfamilies.ca/

It is our hope that you will come, wear your red and celebrate our troops and their families ...

we have guests coming from long distances,lets show the how PETAWAWA and THE VALLEY shows our support!!!

JOIN US …(RED) FRIDAY MAY 6, 2011 PETAWAWA LEGION 3583 Petawawa Blvd.Petawawa, Ontario EVENT BEGINS: 11:00 a.m.MAIN PROGRAM (stage): 12:00-2:00 p.m.Help us cheer on our troops ... and the “RUN FOR MILITARY FAMILIES” runners too! Come out and meet the people of Petawawa, the troops, their families and so many more.Witness the pride and support of our military community. Show Canada your support and pride. ** SPECIAL GUESTS and ENTERTAINMENT **Please feel free to contact us for more information

Lisa.troopsupport@gmail.com or Karen.troopsupport@gmail.com

CLICK HERE TO RSVP ON FACEBOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**** The Red Friday Ladies encourage you to bring your folding chairs ... pack a lunch and snacks ... there will be lots to see and do so come out early ****NOTE: updates and special information will be added as it is confirmed so keep watching

Seki No To cover-up project completed. (Horimatsu)

Yesterday we finally completed this piece. 7 1/2 hours of coloring in what is probably the longest session I've ever done. Now we have to wait a month or so for photographs of the healed result.