Owner / Publisher
RJ & Aly – Email Editor
P.O. Box 1782, Midland, MI 48641-1782
RJ & Aly jumped at the opportunity in September of 2022 to purchase Thunder Roads Michigan Magazine with their own vision of what Michigan’s #1 Motorcycle Magazine could be. As both of them love to ride, be outdoors, and travel on two wheels as much as possible… It was a great fit!
RJ has a background in retail management and has been employed by a few different motorcycle dealerships in the state. His first street bike was a 1974 Honda CB450 that was sold to him by his step father for a penny when he was 17 years old. Over the years he says he has owned numerous metric makes and models and bought his first Harley-Davidson motorcycle in 2014. Currently he is enjoying his 2020 Limited and so is Aly! She rides it just as much as he does! RJ is quick to tell you that he couldn’t be prouder of how well she can ride and handle a large bike just as good as most men, or better.
Aly has owned one metric bike over the years and can say that she has owned a few Harley’s along the way. There’s usually a race to the garage between her and RJ for the Limited and she usually wins.
Erin Fay – Motors/Lakes/Trails
Photographer & Contributor
Email Erin
Erin’s Website: www.madcap.shootproof.com
Thunder Roads® Michigan! If you didn’t read that loud enough, go back and read it again, lol. My name’s Erin Fay, and I am so excited to introduce myself as one of the newest additions to the Thunder Roads Michigan family!! I feel like the timing couldn’t be better with RJ and Aly taking over things in 2023. It’s going to be so much fun sharing this new beginning with them and beginning a new one for myself as-well. As a main contributor for TRM’s Motors Lakes Trails segment, it will give me the chance to show Michigan the extreme division of the off-road addict! I’m excited to show my love for photography with everyone and to challenge myself with writing an article here and there. You can check out some of my photos from that event and past events at MadCap.ShootProof.com. This ride is going to be epic and I cannot wait to get back out there and share the fun with you in Thunder Roads® Michigan Magazine. See ya out there!
Owner of MadCap Imaging – Photographer/Contributor for
AMA District 14 and Thunder Roads® Michigan Magazine
Brent Raquepaw – aka “Rack” Sales/Contributor
Email Rack
Hello my fellow ThunderHeads! My name is Brent Raquepaw, aka Rack. I’m excited to be part of the Thunder Roads Michigan team. What a way to start off the 2023 New Year! I’ve known RJ for some years while working in the auto and motorcycle dealership world together. When he and Aly reached out to see if I’d be interested in coming on board, I responded with a resounding YES!! I have been riding motorcycles (and pretty much anything else with an engine) my whole life. It’s always been a passion of mine and the State of Michigan does not disappoint in offering some of the best riding around, no matter what you’re on. I’ve taught others to ride as an MSF Motorcycle Safety Instructor at a local college here in Mid-Michigan, and I’m eager to teach my son when he’s old enough. I’m a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and enjoy working with my fellow veterans and their families whenever I can. This is sure to be a fun adventure and I’m looking forward to being a part of the Thunder Roads Michigan family and getting to know everyone! Lots of miles, lots of smiles!
Rack
Jim Seymour – Sales/Distribution
Email Jim
It is with great pride, and an honor that I jump aboard the Thunder Roads® Michigan Magazine team!
My name is Jim Seymour coming to you from Northeast Michigan. I originally hail from the Detroit area and have chosen to ride a path that comes as naturally as it possibly could. Thanks to my father, I was born into a love for everything with two, three and four wheels! As an artist, musician, and photographer, I am hoping that my contributions and dedication will find themselves to be significant to RJ & Aly, and all the ThunderHeads out there! I was an original founder of the Alpena Bike Fest, and personally we love the idea of having lent a caring hand to so many charity organizations. I have performed musically for literally dozens, maybe hundreds of bike-oriented charities and rallies. One of them being the Mackinaw City Rally where I took the stage along with my Legacy bandmates.
I’m really looking forward to sharing my Thunder Roads® Michigan Magazine adventure with all of you. It’s going to be great sharing the seasons and what they bring our way through photos, stories, and our time together!
Hope to see you all out on these Michigan Thunder Roads®!
Ben Weirauch – aka “That Bearded Guy”
Sales/Distribution/
Digital Creator
Email Ben
Hello there, my name is Ben Weirauch aka “That Bearded Guy”. I have lived here in Michigan my whole life. I have been on two wheels for just about 15 years, my first bike was a 1988 Honda shadow 600 with a 4-speed transmission. Once I made it through my first riding season I upgraded to a 2004 Yamaha V-star 1100 that started my love of baggers. After a few years of riding, I upgraded to a 2006 Harley Electra Glide with some fun motor work. I am currently riding my “Yacht” as I call it which is a 2017 Harley Road Glide that has a beautiful Laguna Orange paintjob. I started riding motorcycle to have a way to connect again with my father. We have taken many road trips together that have allowed us to see a lot of the east coast and we have tamed the Tail of the Dragon together. My passion for riding has allowed me to see so much of the USA and our great state of Michigan.
My favorite time to ride is when I get to explore new places and try new food. I enjoy having my girlfriend or daughter riding with me. The quality time and relaxation with them is my happy place that allows us to create so many great memories. My hobbies in the summer consist of riding my motorcycle, fishing for walleye and perch, and taking photographs any chance, I get. When the riding season is over you will find me out ice fishing to keep the freezer full and to relax. I have had so much fun working with Thunder Roads® Michigan Magazine at all this year’s events and look forward to many more! I love to meet new people, and this opportunity allows me to interact with so many different people who all share a common interest. I have been enjoying being able to interact with the owners of some amazing bikes and take photos of everyone’s machines. Thunder Roads® Michigan has been working hard to be a part of so many cool events in the state and I am so happy I get to be a part of the team.
If you ever see me at an event or a ride, don’t be shy, come say Hi. I love to meet new people and see the smiles that come with them. I look forward to meeting everyone and hope you enjoy the content I contribute. Thank you and have a great day.
Contributing writers & photographers:
ABATE, Merry “Rabbit” Garrett
Charlie Chaplain’s Corner, Dean “Charlie” Titus
Digital Creator, Ben “That Bearded Guy” Weirauch
Holeshot Promotions, Charles Gray
Hot Rods Topics, “Hot Rod” Beaton
Letter From The Owner, RJ Calles
MadCap Imaging, Erin Fay
OIS Riders, Jason Middleton
Smoke N’ Gearz, John aka “Smoke”
The Motorcycle Lawyer, Jason Waechter
Veterans Corner, Sharon K. Harvey “Red”
Wild and Three, Barb “Red” Wilson
SEASONAL PART-TIME SALES REPRESENTATIVES
Sales Experience Preferred
Positive Attitude a Must!
Contact: editor@thunderroadsmichigan.com