By Lulu

This was our second trip to The Great Smoke in south Florida. This year they held their 12th event at a new location at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach. The place was packed to capacity. If you haven’t attended a Great Smoke before and you are a cigar afficionado you are missing out on an excellent adventure. This is a cigar smokers dream. For a base ticket of $150 you get a coupon book and a bag to fill up with 45+ great cigars from the different cigar companies in attendance, free food, free drinks, and great music. We had a blast! The Spearmint Rhino girls had games to play and were happy to pose for photos. The following day we even bought tickets to the “Big Delicious Brunch” at The Smoke Inn at Boynton Beach…for $35 we got an incredible buffet of gourmet delicacies in a first class setting AND free mimosas and Bloody Mary’s. We certainly hope to attend both events in 2019. Kids Cancer Foundation benefits from the proceeds and a special thank you needs to go out to their sponsor Baker & Zimmerman, and to Colibri & Oliva for hosting the Big Brunch.

By Lulu

Every county in Florida has assets that set it apart. Lake County states their “claim to fame” in their name. In every corner of the county you will find beautiful lakes and waterways.

Another attribute that makes it a destination for a two or three-wheel ride is hills. You will be pleasantly surprised to find hilly roads to explore in what is generally known to be a flat state. Most of the hills are in the Clermont area. They have the 5th highest spot in Florida on Sugarloaf Mountain at 312 ft. above sea level. Sugarloaf Mountain Road is off 561 near Clermont. It is a must do ride on your way to visit Stormy Hill Harley-Davidson, a family owned dealership in Clermont. In the quaint lake front downtown area of Clermont there is Historic Village Museum. For a $2 donation you can check out the Townsend House built in 1895, The Kern House built in 1883 and a World War II Museum. The museum is open Friday afternoons from 1-3pm and Sat. & Sun. afternoons 1-4pm. Lakeshore Drive is a pretty ride for an afternoon trek and near Sugarloaf is Green Mountain Scenic Byway. Also, in the Clermont area of Lake County is Lakeridge Winery on US 27 which has free tours and wine tasting.

If you ride over to the Mt. Dora area you will find another lake front spot full of restaurants and shops. We checked out the Museum of Speed which houses a rare collection of antique cars in original mint condition. The artful way that hundreds of pieces of related memorabilia is displayed along with the 25 cars, is something the guys from American Pickers would drool over. The curator, Kelly Bogard, has rules though. No motorcycle wallet chains or heavy cameras are allowed inside as there have been a few damaged paint jobs incidents. The car list includes a 1935 Desoto “Airflow” Coupe, a 1966 Shelby GT 350 Mustang Race Car and even a 1920 Indian Motorcycle. For car or history buffs it is a place to spend a good hour or 2. Hours are Monday-Friday 10am-5pm, call first for Saturdays (352-385-0049). The fee to maintain the museum if $15. Also, in Mt. Dora is Renninger’s Flea Market on 441 which hosts Guitars & Cars swap meet the 2nd Sunday of each month.

In Tavares, which has been under road reconstruction for the last year, and at the time of this article is just putting the finishing touches on new brick paved roads, sits on a beautiful lake that offers waterfront dining at many restaurants. Brave souls can even take a seaplane ride.
In Eustis you will find a pretty tree covered waterfront Ferran Park that is the spot for Eustis Music Festival during Leesburg Bike Fest.

The Northeast portion of Lake County is home to Alexander Springs which is a freshwater spring that pumps 70 million gallons of crystal clear water daily. Camping, canoeing, swimming and snorkeling are allowed. They will let you in for 30 minutes to take a potty break, look at the spring and buy a refreshment from their store. Canoeing runs $16 for 2 hours, $24 for 4 hours and $36 for all day. Camping is $24 per site per night. Save your appetite though and head to Blackwater Inn and Williams Landing on 40 in Astor. They open at 11:30am everyday but Monday. Great food with a pretty view of St. John’s River makes for a pleasant afternoon. And if you want to enjoy a 2-hour trip down the river you can catch a ride right at their dock. The boat tour leaves at 10:30am or 2:30pm and it is suggested that you make reservations 866-349-0674. It is $25 pp or $15 for a child.

Returning to central Lake County is Leesburg which is probably what brought you to visit Lake County. Leesburg Bike Fest is one of the largest 3-day festivals anywhere. With 3 stages showcasing over 50 acts, 200+vendors, 6 hot body contests and bike shows, the event covers 30 square blocks. There simply is too much to see and do! This year they have Cinderella’s Tom Keifer, Scott Stapp of Creed, Colt Ford, Bobby Friss, Greg Billings Band, Hypersona and Jasmine Cain!!! Leesburg Harley-Davidson on 441 is also wide open with vendors, music, a bikini contest and BIKES!!!

So, saddle up and join us in Leesburg April 27-29 for the Bike Fest but stay longer than the 3-day weekend. Check out some of the beautiful riding, interesting museums, lakes, parks, great restaurants and places to imbibe!

By Lulu

What can make a cold chilly day seem smoking hot? Chili, BBQ, Bobby Friss and Firemen!!! And the owner’s and staff at Gator Harley-Davidson with Jan stirring the pot put on a great day to help raise funds for the Lake County Firefighters Charities. Gator H-D works hard to bring interesting events to the public and even harder at helping good causes!! This event had two competitions Best BBQ and Best Chili and for a $10 donation you could take and vote on both. There were lots of vendors and competitors filling the large parking lot. Tyler Haney opened the day with Bobby Friss rocking the cold crowd. The Firefighters two causes were to help local firefighters dealing with PTSD & cancer. We had a great time and left with warm full bellies. The winners are listed below and congratulations to them all. I couldn’t have chosen a favorite as all the samples were good!

Chili Cookoff Winners:
1st place Jeff Moore with the Leesburg Partnership
2nd place Paul Croson with JA Croson
3rd place Jason Smith with Cornerstone Building Co

BBQ Chicken Winners
1st David Curry with Advanced Wellness
2nd Paul Croson with JA Croson
3rd Jeff Moore with Leesburg Partnership

BBQ Ribs Winner
1st Show Me UR Butt
2nd Advanced Wellness
3rd Smokin Racks & Sippin Jack

BBQ Pork
1st JA Croson
2nd Smokin Racks & Sippin Jack
3rd Show Me Ur Butt

Best Overall Winner
Show Me Ur Butt

People’s Choice
Smokin Racks & Sippin Jack

So, 10 years ago when Bull and I started Thunder Roads Magazine Florida I was only to write a half page story from a girl’s perspective and we named it Pony Tales. Then after he passed away I was saddled with the whole magazine cover to cover. Now that TJ is my partner and he has taken over the role of writing the monthly Letter from the Editor; I decided to write my old Pony Tales. Our first issue was in March 2007. We have grown in staff, pages each month, advertisers, territory and in distribution spots! I want to thank our loyal readers who at every event come up and tell us they love the magazine.

We have also lost so many dear friends over the years. You never get over the loss of people you love. But at some point, you just enjoy the memories you shared with them and you are just thankful for the times you shared on the highway of life.

Motorcycle living, and it really is a lifestyle, has opened-up doors I would have never experienced had I not jumped on the back of a chopper at Thunder Beach at the ripe old age of 50 for the first time. Riding the Blue Ridge Parkway, two trips to D. C. with Rolling Thunder, bartending at the Broken Spoke in Laconia, two trips to Sturgis, one to work and one to play, the Harley Rendezvous in New York, Myrtle Beach, Thunder Beach, Lone Star Rally in Texas, Peterson’s Poker Run to Key West, Angel City, HOG rallies, Cotee River Bike Fest, Leesburg Bike Fest, Starke Bike Fest and even the Playboy Mansion just to mention a few! Hundreds of poker runs for causes of every kind! But what I have experienced that I never expected that first time I rode a bike was what generous, caring, patriotic and loving people I would meet on two and three wheels. It just wasn’t what most people think when they think of motorcyclists. Dan Hagerty told me once that what he loved about motorcycling was that when you ride the highway you never know if the person you share the lane with is a millionaire or a recent parolee. And it is the truth! He had ridden with many a felon and with Malcom Forbes…he said he had a great time with them all.

So, as I used to say each month…buy a stranger a beer, ride on a run that helps a stranger and don’t forget your sunscreen!

By Lulu

After spending most of their 37 years in motorcycle repair opening the front door of Tri City Cycles in Flagler Beach, they moved from beachside. Scott, Judy and Denise packed up the tires, parts, tools, and office to make the huge move to downtown Bunnell. The new location makes it even easier for all of Flagler County. Plenty of parking, right on US 1 and more space than before are benefits of the move. What a task that move must have been! But Scott and Denise are happy with the move and are open and ready to continue to provide great service Monday – Friday 9am to 6pm. The new address is 306 N. State St. (US 1) just north of the Bunnell crossroads.

After years of wrenching automobiles for work his passion was fixing his and friends bikes. He is Harley & Metric qualified with 19 years of experience!!! They have full time mechanics on duty and work on most makes and models. They specialize in tire replacement. And offer pick up service. This is a true motorcycle parts and repair shop. They have very competitive prices on tires and service. The hourly labor rate is $70 an hour. They are fair and honest! Tri City Cycles tries to have you in and out in one day. The t-shirts they sell state “The Road Goes on Forever and the Party Never Ends”, and for those that ride; it is a motto we live by. Tri City Cycle’s goal is to “Keep them on the Road”!

By Lulu

National Airbrush Muralist DAYTONA FLASH will be set up at the BEAVER BAR located at 1105 US 1 in Ormond Beach, Florida for BIKE WEEK 2018. He is a native of Daytona Beach and has been airbrushing anything from Mild to Wild on favorite rides for 47 years! Go by and see him at the BEAVER BAR for YOUR airbrush needs! DAYTONA FLASH 386-212-7183.

By Phoenix and Metric-HD

Dynamite comes in small packages and when it comes to dynamite food Dutchers is the place to go. Dutchers Diner is a small little restaurant on the corner of Hwy 27 and Main St. in Avon Park with a big menu. If you are starting your riding day off and want a big breakfast Dutchers has what you are looking for, with breakfast served all day. The lunch menu runs the gamut from soup and salad to the best damn sandwiches in town. My favorite is the very best biscuits and gravy in town. John Dutchers has been in the restaurant business most of his life and in the same location for over ten years. John has been an avid car guy and loves to ride his motorcycle every chance he gets. The “Dutchesses” at Dutchers Diner are the sweetest wenches around. They are open daily from 6am to 3pm and they do catering & private parties. So, the next time you ride out here to God’s country, stop in at Dutchers Diner and tell John you heard about his place from THUNDER ROADS Florida and you want the special METRIC-HD discount. RIDE SAFE, STAY ALIVE!!!!