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bikers' bonanza Motorcycle mania rolls into the 'Burg at weekend expo

February 16, 2006 12:50 am

This weekend, the Fredericksburg Expo Center will house hundreds of custom-built motorcycles, some of the world's most prestigious builders and bikers, and enough power and attitude to plow through the 110,000-square-foot facility.

The Northeast Motorcycle Expo, which kicked off in Salem, N.H., in January and is entering Virginia for the first time, is a cross section of the cycling industry. It's packed with stunts, competitions, biker fashion, even high-octane cooking demonstrations.

Every brand of motorcycle will be represented, according to event manager Kevin Clement.

Cory Ness, son of legendary builder Arlen Ness, will grace the expo with his presence and, more importantly, his bikes.

"Between the two of them, they're probably the most respected bike builders in the world," Clement said.

Ness will bring 15 of his and his father's bikes, including half a dozen prize possessions from his family's personal museum. Ness' creatively tricked-out cycles have earned him his impeccable reputation.

"I always try to do something different," he said in a phone interview. "I always try to take my own route."

Expo guests will be able to see many of the bling-heavy bikes that take his style route.

The Three-Headed Monster, which was featured on the Discovery Channel's Biker Build-Off, is a sleek purple bike with three motors. As if the added power weren't impressive enough, it was built in a total of 15 days, a super-speedy time frame that is "quite a feat," Ness said.

Arlen Ness's automobile-inspired bikes (Ness-Talgia, which resembles a '57 Chevy; and Smoothness, which is reminiscent of a Bugatti race car) also will be on display.

Other super builders will showcase their cycles. Eric Gorges from Detroit's Voodoo Choppers, who went up against Ness in a Biker Build-Off, will be present with the cycle he constructed on the Discovery Channel. Alan Lee from Belgium-based Gangster Choppers will show off his own custom bikes.

In addition to national builders, local bike shops, including Fredericksburg Motor Sports and Mark Long Cycles, will be represented. Local builders will be awarded cash and trophies in a custom bike competition with categories to include people's choice, kids' choice and judge's choice.

Famed cook Biker Billy, also known as Bill Hufnagle, will bring some culinary culture to the event. He will perform his "Cooking with Fire" demonstration, but audience members should not expect to see a grill. Biker Billy's fire is in the hot peppers he uses.

"I set a bunch of people on fire, in a culinary sense," he said in a phone interview. "It's about adding excitement and gusto and adventure to food."

This intrepid philosophy translates into Biker Billy's Harley riding, as well as his cuisine.

"As a biker, I look for a certain amount of freedom and excitement and challenge," he said. "I want to go there and I want to experience it and be immersed in it. When you ride a motorcycle you are immersed in it and I approach food and cooking with that same sort of adventurous attitude."

Biker Billy, who has a jalepeño named after him by the W. Atlee Burpee Seed Company, brings this biker 'tude to his shows. The spicy spectacles, he said, are as intense as the action inside the Roman Colosseum. His demonstrations combine hot dishes, comedy, a motorcycling attitude and audience participation--including throwing food, he said.

"We do everything with food that your mother told you not to," said Biker Billy, who has published three cookbooks filled with his signature spicy recipes.

The expo also will feature indoor stunts by Finnish biker Tommi Ahvala, two-time World Champion in observed trials riding. His stunts include flips, wheelies and jumping his bike onto the roof of his trailer.

Gutsy volunteers will be able to lie on the ground and let Ahvala jump his bike over them.

Hundreds of vendors will hawk the industry's coolest cycling wares, such as bike accessories and biker fashions. Patrons can get their hands on sunglasses, boots and even leather chaps.

In addition to the sheer amount of raw biker essence, entertainment will be provided by the Texas Bikini Team and Southern rockers Cross Cut Saw. Noodles the Clown will deliver child-friendly fun.

Even nonmotorheads can enjoy the revving excitement of the expo.

"For anybody who has any thought about one day owning a motorcycle, it's like a one-stop shopping trip," Clement said.

"You'll get to meet famous bikers, see every model of every motorcycle made and chat with people who have been in the industry for 30 to 40 years. If anybody has the slightest inclination at all, it's the perfect place to be."

To reach KATY HERSHBERGER:540/374-5000, ext. 5617