Paul Thorn performs Saturday night at the seventh annual Rumble on Noble. It was the final show of his current tour. (Anniston Star photo by Bill Wilson)
Though both are Anniston natives, Don now lives in Atlanta while Steve lives in Foley, making visits between the two difficult. Their mutual interest in motorcycles, however, provided them with a solution.
“Since we live so far apart, this (event) is good for us to get together and visit in our own home town,” Steve said.
The brothers were just two of hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts who turned out Saturday for the seventh annual Rumble on Noble. Bikes of every color and model could be seen scattered about in the streets and parking lots downtown while leather-clad visitors walked up and down Noble Street.
While many visitors checked out one another’s machines and traded stories, others took time to shop at the many vendors lining the street, sample the local cuisine or just listen to the live music.
Everyone in attendance also took a few moments to honor the memory of fallen Anniston police Officer Justin Sollohub with a moment of silence. Sollohub was shot and killed in the line of duty Wednesday. Many of the Anniston police officers providing security for the event were allowed on stage to show their appreciation to the community for its support of the Police Department.
Growing up in Anniston, Don and Steve got their interest in motorcycles at early ages.
“When I grew up here, you could still get a motorcycle license when you were 14,” Don said with a laugh.
Dan Forrest of Georgia has been riding motorcycles for years and currently owns a Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic. He said he enjoys riding a motorcycle for the freedom it provides.
“Primarily it’s the freedom you get while riding and it’s a stress reliever and it puts you in touch with your surroundings,” Forrest said. “You get that much closer to your environment.”
Forrest was one of the several vendors at the event, selling various biker paraphernalia. He also owns a bike shop in Warm Springs, Ga., called Xtreme Rider.
“This is my fourth year out here … we try to do events within a 100-mile radius mainly for advertising,” Forrest said.
Forrest said he enjoyed coming to the Rumble on Noble each year.
“This has been a good event for us,” Forrest said.
Still, he thinks the Rumble on Noble could be even better if visitors were allowed to ride their bikes down Noble and right up to vendors like at some other biker events he’s been to over the years.
“That’s a big detriment … guys like to park and show their bikes off,” Forrest said. “They don’t like to leave them.”
A Lincoln resident who prefers to go by the biker name Louie Louie was at the Rumble on Noble for the fourth time this year.
“It’s a pretty nice event,” he said. “I wish it could be bigger.”
Louie, who currently owns a Harley-Davidson Softtail Classic, said he’s been riding since the 1970s.
“It’s just the thrill of the road,” he said. “And the wind … you don’t get wind in your face in a car. There’s nothing like getting wind in your face.”
Star staff writer Patrick McCreless: 256-235-3561.
