title: Shovelhead Redemption: The Ride Back from Hell
author: Abby Clabough
description: People have asked, "Where's the Shovelhead?" If you're looking specifically for a Shovelhead, it's on the cover. Here's the Shovelhead story that was edited out of the book. Why? I don't know. Lots of things got chopped in order to keep the book moving, and I'm told it moves well. <br /><br /> When I owned the bike shop with Jimmy in the early eighties, we had a customer who paid to have a running bike built. Not a flashy bike. Nothing that would turn heads or win trophies, but a running motorcycle. In those days, a Shovelhead was considered a late model Harley-Davidson. Jimmy was throwing it in a swingarm frame and putting it together with whatever parts he had laying around or could pick up at a low cost. The customer was not paying for nor had asked for anything more. However, his girlfriend thought it should be nicer than that. She didn't like the seat. She didn't like the footpegs. She didn't like... anything, basically, and why these guys even listened to anything she said, I don't know. <br /><br /> Those were the days when I liked to party a lot, and swap meets were always a good time to indulge. Not too long into the day, I ran into the girlfriend and got into her face about her demands. I got pulled away, and that was that. Or so I thought. I still don't know for sure, but I'm guessing that this chick I thought was a friend suggested I come out back with her. I did, and the girlfriend was waiting for me. I was even more wasted at that point, and I was an easy target. Someone finally pulled her off of me when she was slamming my head into the concrete. <br /><br /> Fast forward to 2010, and I started dating a guy with a Shovelhead (among several other bikes). He was a decent guy, and his Shovel was cool, and I was writing the book. That's when I came up with the name "Shovelhead Redemption." Everyone liked the title and it stuck. But the story came out, which left people wondering where the Shovelhead is. <br /><br /> So that's the story! Lots of Panheads, a few Twin Cams, maybe a Knuckle or two, but no Shovelheads. It's still a good story, and I'm sure that if you like Shovelheads, you'll like the book.
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  # The Scenic Route
  
  
  ### A woman rider's colorful journey through life  
  
  
  Abby Clabough
  
  
  Copyright © 2011 Abby Clabough 2nd
  
  
  Edition published March 1, 2014 All rights reserved.  
  
  
  ISBN: 0615981844  
  
  
  ISBN-13: 978-0615981840  
  
  
  The Scenic Route was initially published under the title Shovelhead Redemption
  in 2011.
  
  
  
  
  
  Biker Chick Books bikerchickbooks.com
  
  Many people have read this book under the original title and have loved it,
  and I thank them for their encouraging words. I assumed it would only be
  popular with women, but some tough old bikers have also given me great
  feedback. People tell me that the book makes them laugh and cry and once they
  start reading, they can't put it down. It has encouraged people to take that
  trip they've dreamed about for years and given others the strength to make
  life-changing decisions. It's also great entertainment. I'm positive you'll
  enjoy it too.
  
  
  ### Prologue
  
  
  It’s been a particularly long psychotic break, starting on 