The 2010 Bob’s Garage Tours have come to an end but…. there will be more of these in 2011 thanks to the enthusiasm of all those that joined me for some serious motor head fun, good food and riding. Over 70 people signed up, paid and participated in the four events held this year. That participation assisted in me in raising over $3,000 (net) for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation plus quite a few participants handed over additional donations because they understood and embraced the concept and the mission to fund research and find a cure for this crappy disease.

Each event started as announced at a casual car show in Burtonsville, MD on Sunday mornings that was strategically located adjacent to a Starbucks so one could grab a cup of coffee or even a light breakfast and stroll the parking lot while enjoying some very cool machines. And there have been some very cool machines and the mix is always varied.

At the final event on November 21 a very cool, quite lowered (as in basically touching the ground) 1978 Cadillac that had been built over a 6 year time frame arrived to enthusiastic approval. Suicide doors, custom interior, a flawless body covered in an amazing purple pearl based black exterior and a very clean engine compartment that showed off the serious frame modifications and leaving the wheels exposed. It even had two separate systems to send flames out the exhaust one being blue and the other yellow! The young man (mid 20’s) who did all the work was all smiles showing it off.

Our group of 21 riders on 17 machines hit the road slightly late this time due to a dead battery issue on a otherwise beautiful 1984 Last edition R100RS. Once jumped thanks to some cables in the trunk of another rider’s Goldwing (yes we welcome all brands just as the dealership does) we were on our way. The roads and the traffic treated us all fairly well and I managed to make a direct 25 minute ride last about 75 minutes because of the very back roads route. Kudos go to the riders in our group for staying close and not getting separated. Except for one intersection we were a very impressive two wheeled procession accompanied by one sidecar rig and one car.

Upon arrival lunch was already waiting for us and our hosts location Dennis and Peg had it all set up on the second floor of garage one of two on the property. We enjoyed gourmet pizza, sodas, water and some good cookies. This was the working garage where rebuilds, restorations and just service took place. Upstairs model trains, a beautiful Ducati, tons of amazing wall art and a very comfy lounge allowed us to enjoy lunch while vintage race car videos played on the large flat screen. Downstairs there were a few more motorcycles including our host’s regular ride a very nice K1300GT (acquired from Bob’s of course) and a few very sweet cars including a Porsche, a Bentley, an MG A and at least two others I can’t recall the exact models on.

Following lunch and a demonstration of one amazing model train layout with multiple engines heading in different directions, around cities, through tunnels and similar fun we walked over the more serious enthusiast’s garage. Talk about a wow factor --- slate floors, peaked ceiling, serious paint schemes and graphics all took your breath away --- and then you see the cars: Ferrari’s, Jaguar’s and many other toys in this magnificent garage/showroom. Every detail was there to enjoy including comfy chairs which helped make it clear that this owner loved to spend time with his cars and motorcycles even when he was not exercising them.

In addition to taking in more automotive and motorcycle art there were hood ornaments and special event posters, beautiful display cases and even a few pieces of commissioned arts on the walls. Then hoods opened up and what was underneath was every bit as spectacular as what was covering them up. I’ll stop writing so you can enjoy the photos and be enticed to join us down the road --- there are more of the special collections nearby to be shared and I’ll do my best to open a few more of them up.

There will be more Bob’s Garage Tours in 2011 and I am working on them right now; it takes time to find, inspect and then convince the owners to open up their private garages and share their collections. My responsibilities include arranging for lunch to be delivered as well as putting together a decent group ride route so I can then ask you for money to give to a worthy cause and yes I know there are many out there but this one has my energy and heart ---finding a cure for pediatric brain tumors. I’m thankful everyday that my family, those of my staff, friends and neighbors are not affected personally.
I promise that the 2011 locations will be every bit as fun as those in 2010 were --- better if I can make that happen. I am considering making one of the destinations a ride to a hidden away concourse if the organizers will agree. And another could even involve an overnight stay and longer ride. So again, stay tuned to the website and be sure you get the Bob’s e-newsletter.

Thanks again to everyone that participated this year.
Bob Henig
Owner, Rider, Enthusiast, FUNdraiser
Bob’s BMW Motorcycles