I tried to count the number of motorcycles at Leon’s Garage Thursday night during its second Bike Night of the year, but by the time I had got around to counting I had already thrown a cosmopolitan, a margarita and another drink I think was called My Redeemer Liveth down my neck, so my final number may have been off by several hundred bikes and/or people.

But by any account, Thursday Bike Night at Leon’s Garage was an unqualified and rousing success, what with the legion of  bikers and cagers from all over Central Ohio descending on the northwest corner of 5th and Oak to enjoy adult beverages of every sort, a real-live rock ‘n’ roll show from Hott Lucy (who took a swing at covering “Won’t Get Fooled Again” without the use of a synthesizer and knocked it out of the park), take advantage of a variety of giveaways, earn chances to win some big time prizes (think motorcycles and road trips to Sturgis) and the opportunity to raise money for our own IMPACT60.

Q-FM96 (officially known to the Federal Communications Commission as WLVQ-FM 96.3, but no in dyed-in-the wool classic rock-n-roll fan from Central Ohio calls it that) sponsors the Thursday Bike Nights, and for the last several years have been using various venues for the events.  But, at last, Q-FM96 and Bike Night has now found a permanent home, that being Leon’s, which sports a new indoor stage and lots of room with a lot more room coming as they continue to make renovations to the front of the house.

Q-FM96’s Kristie Kemper, who has been a part of Q-FM96 for 31 of its 45 years of existence, has been acting as the emcee for the Bike Nights for years and is thrilled that they now have a home to conduct runs, hold rallies and lay road rubber for various motorcycle clubs and their charities every Thursday. And now that they have an indoor stage, Ms. Kemper said, the Bike Nights, and the monies raised by MC clubs that sponsor charities such as Veterans services and breast cancer research, can go on every Thursday, rain or shine. With live bands. And Real American fare. And Artisanal brews on tap. And right next door to a shelf full of world-class bourbons (and other potent potables) at the House of Spirits.

Welcome Home, Thursday Bike Night.

But it didn’t stop there, at least it didn’t last night.  After owner Rick Crago finally ran all of the staff and customers off in the wee hours of this morning, another big-time Central Ohio radio station, WCOL (92.3 on your FM radio dial) brought The Wake-UP Call show to set up for broadcast from Leon’s Garage at 5:30 a.m. today. And with it they brought a buffet, a lot more chances to win some heavy-duty prizes (four words: Luke Bryan in Vegas), 100 t-shirts that disappeared in the first 45 minutes, their own brand of whimsy and a huge following of their own – Mr. Crago said there were 30 people waiting in line when he got there at 5:30 a.m. – who hit the buffet and were knocking back Bloody Marys and mimosas right and left until the show went off the air at 10 a.m.

Dan Zuko, who makes up one third of The Wake-Up Call trio with Kayla Hanley and Dylan (who apparently is so famous he needs but one name) said that this morning’s broadcast from Leon’s was simply the kickoff to their “World Tour” which will take their show to places as remote as the wilds of Grove City.

Dan Zuko talks about Leon’s

Mr. Zuko said that WCOL’s The Wake-Up Call, given today’s turnout and enthusiasm of those present may again make an appearance at Leon’s this summer, with the details now being worked out (people have to call their people, who have to call their people, who have people to call and so on) but Thursday Bike Nights are here to stay through the summer with the big prizes – a 2022 Rebel donated by Honda Motorsports, and a road trip for two to the Sturgis Rally with 2,500 clams in your pocket to spend on knickknacks or pin striping, both which will be given away in September. At Leon’s. On a Thursday Bike Night.

This fact puts a big smile on Ms. Kemper’s face. Just as she said earlier this week, now that Bike Night has a permanent residence, you have “no excuses” not to come out, support your local bands and businesses and pitch in for a good cause. A pretty good deal all around.

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