By Lulu

Riding in Florida is flat! The only hills we really have to climb are a few rolling hills in Clermont. So, when we rented a bike from Cowboy Harley Davidson in Austin, Texas it was with the intention of exploring the old towns near Austin/San Antonio. A night or two of Blues music and great food in Austin, turned into hundreds of miles of highway.

Rolling hills, quaint old Texas towns and vistas everywhere made the trip to San Antonio more than just the Riverwalk and the Alamo. Visit Texas! Rent a bike and hit towns like Fredericksburg, Gruene and Luckenbach for a wonderful few days on two wheels. Make sure to ride up to The Oasis on Lake Travis outside of Austin on a sunny day, the view is amazing. A special thank you to our New Braunfels friends Paul and Yolanda for playing tour guides and opening their home to us, and to our good friend Pete for riding up from Padre Island to share some saddle time with us.

By Lulu

As you pull on your boots (And even though it is Florida WEAR THEM on your bike for safety sake!) and try to decide what your agenda for the day is, you might want to check out some of the following destinations. We are famous for a few roadways in the Daytona area. Of course, the World-Famous Beach riding is one. If you haven’t taken the bike out for an ocean front ride you really should, but be certain to wash the sand and salt off as soon as you get back on the highway. The Loop ride, starting at Beach St. and ending on A1A is a must do. The ocean ride from there up to St. Augustine is a great ride.

In this issue is an article about riding out to Crescent City off 17 and the country roads out that way are great. Blackwater Inn on the St John’s River and Williams Landing is a great stop when you are traveling Rt 40 through the Ocala National Forest. If you make it as far as Ocala have lunch at Ocalahan’s. If you travel out toward Palatka stop in and see Donnie and Amy at 3-D Saloon for a cold one.
Deland Bike Festival is a one-day rally, while you are out that way be certain to stop in and see the new owner of Dale’s Ales. Stephanie Perras has been busy making improvements both inside and out and loves to throw a party with live music, see their ad for the entertainment schedule. OB’s is doing an after party and has live music scheduled all day and lots of other stuff going on during the rally. The last Friday night of Bike Week in Deland, the Burning Bike happens at Volusia County Fairgrounds and that is something to see. A bikini contest also occurs that evening.

In Port Orange one of the favorite food and music stops is First Turn Steakhouse. Their huge tiki bar is perfect for chilling an afternoon away. The Dog House on Nova Rd. is bringing in bands including Confederate Railroad and Molly Hatchet. Mark’s Sports Bar in South Daytona, The Boat Bar in Port Orange and Bay 3 Bar in New Smyrna are known for great prices all year long. Cabbage Patch is Samsula will feature Coleslaw Wrestling, bike shows, vendors and bands.

The US 1 corridor features lots of our clients. Rudy’s Bar & Grill is run by one of the most patriotic immigrants I know, Chris’ Lounge bartenders are known for their drink making abilities, heading up north from there is the World Famous Iron Horse, Boot Hill Outpost, and the Broken Spoke all MUST DO stops. Of course, a stop or two at Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona H-D is a Bike Week necessity. Up in Bunnell we have Ike’s Saloon and Crossroad Tavern both stops for locals and travelers.

Hard Rock Hotel has some of the nicest views of the ocean that you can ask for and is only a short hop from Main Street and everyone will make a stop at Main Street Station and Boot Hill Saloon for cocktails and T-shirts.

For those who want to put a few more miles on, ride up to St. Augustine and check out the new Adamec H-D dealership, or ride down I-4 to Seminole H-D. Even Gator H-D in Leesburg and Stormy Hill H-D in Clermont have events scheduled during the rally check out everyone’s ads in this issue.

And finally, if you need new boots check out Skip’s Boots on International Speedway for their large selection of Harley and cowboy boots. Remember no flip flops. I broke my foot last summer wearing flops for a short ride in Savannah BIG MISTAKE!!

By Lulu

Just north of the crossroads in Bunnell is Scott and Judy McNitt’s motorcycle repair business. The two have owned Tri City Cycles for twenty-two years. To be in any business for that length of time is a big deal, but to have loyal customers who followed them to their new location in 2018 shows they are doing everything right. Timely service, great prices and excellent service work is what makes people make the trip to Bunnell for their service and maintenance on bikes and trikes. The business was named Tri City Cycles in 1980 because the original owners planned on servicing bikes in Flagler Beach, Palm Coast and Bunnell. Tri City throughout its history has been family owned and operated for 40 years.

Denise Sarfde was the owner when Scott and Judy purchased Tri City. When Scott and Judy bought the business in 1997 from Denise, they kept the name, even though their clients drive from cities including Orlando and Jacksonville. Some clients visit every Bike Week when they are in town. The mechanics are Buzz Martin and Kyle Rieger who seem to stay busy with a smile, tinkering on the lifts out back. Denise is retired now, but still helps part-time with the books and Judy helps during events.

Tri City Cycles works on most makes and models. They have a huge selection of reasonably priced tires and batteries. They do brakes, fluid flushes and major repairs…but Scott really encourages routine maintenance to keep those major repairs from being necessary and to keep you safe on your ride. When I asked had the move off the beach to Bunnell helped or hurt his business he answered quickly, “We had our best year ever and had to hire another tech after the move!” During Bike Week Scott runs extended hours starting the first Friday of Bike Week running through the last Saturday. His hours will be 9-6 every day during the event to try to keep everyone up and riding! Call 386-437-7000 if you run into trouble with your bike or to schedule service. They do provide pick up if needed. Tri City’s address is 306 N. State St., Bunnell.

WOW I can’t believe it has been 13 Bike Weeks since our very first edition of Thunder Roads Florida!!! What an insane ride this life of motorcycling has been! I reflect on all the great people I have met and particularly those who no longer ride this Earth with us, and I am in awe at the sheer number of friends this magazine has graced me with.

For those of you who have known me since the first edition I want you to know I still miss Bull and his zest for life. No one loved the lifestyle of two wheels more. I only wish he could have seen what the magazine has become. I must thank Bull when I cross over to the other side for all the friends this magazine created. It took T. J. at the reins to make it financially sound…I must admit I wasn’t good at the financial part of the business as I simply couldn’t seem to do it all by myself. Writing, photography, events, etc. were a piece of cake but sales, billing, collections, and distribution were a struggle for me. With T. J.’s help we were finally named Publishers of the Year!

For those of you visiting our state for Bike Week please remember we have lots of critters on our roads and it seems they are getting braver each year…deer and bears are often racing across the highways even during the day. The police are another critter to watch for…I say that lovingly as one of my favorite nephews is a police officer. But they are only doing their job when they pull you over for running with blue or red LED lights, no sunglasses, loud pipes, ape hangers over the height limit, etc., but these reasons for pulling you over can lead to a DUI if you over imbibe…so drink responsibly and don’t ruin your trip. Drinking responsibly also means drink plenty of water.

And finally, as I always close my Pony Tales, wear sunscreen. Even when it isn’t out the sun can fry your skin and since we don’t have anything to shield us while we ride the Sunshine State, sunscreen is a must.

We have lots of new ad clients who are responsible for us being able to bring this monthly free magazine to you so please use the Motorcycle Friendly Directory as you travel the state and spend your money with those who truly are Motorcycle Friendly!!!

Visit the Bayer tent at Iron Horse or Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona H-D and thank them for the free samples, sign up for information at the Concealed Carry booth too and as I already mentioned don’t forget your sunscreen!

By Tom Taylor and Brenda Pierce

The American Legion Post 359 has always had a strong focus on helping our veterans. As part of our ongoing effort, the entire Post 359 Legion family, including the Legionnaires, Auxiliary, Sons of the American Legion (S.A.L.) and the Legion Riders set their focus on helping PROJECT: Vet Relief, whose mission is to “provide a legion of support for our service men and women as they transition into civilian lives.” Additional information on Project Vet Relief and their activities is available at https://www.projectvetrelief.org.

Post 359 members worked for the month of January, holding fundraising events and donating 100% of the proceeds to PROJECT: Vet Relief. Events were kicked off with a brunch buffet on New Year’s Day and continued throughout the month with the Legion Rider’s January Bike Day, Auxiliary Steak Shoot and spaghetti dinner, and a poker run and rib dinner sponsored by S.A.L. as well as daily lunch specials, drink specials ,raffle baskets and 200 specially designed challenge coins to commemorate the effort.

We ended the fundraising month with a catered dinner for the American Legion National Commander Bill Oxford and other dignitaries on January 31st. Astronaut High School R.O.T.C. provided an outstanding program and tribute to our fallen veterans as part of the event, which concluded with presentation of a check in the amount of $21,000 for PROJECT: Vet Relief to our Dept. of Florida American Legion Commander Rick Johnson.

Many thanks to every volunteer and to those who helped plan, coordinate and carry out these many events. Because of the success of this event, we are dedicated to choosing a charity on a quarterly basis to continue this assistance to our community.

By Lulu

Let’s Ride started in a small storefront in 2008, moved to US 19 in Port Richey in 2010 and now has two locations totaling over 6,000 sq. ft. Lisa and Bob Contorno said, “When we purchased the business in 2016 it was in the red. It took an overwhelming amount of work, advertising, and every cent we had or could borrow. When you put it all in, it’s scary. Your security is at risk, so you don’t count hours worked, just the measure of results, it’s a win or lose deal.”

They have always loved motorcycles, owned and ridden them. Bob was involved in two past dealerships, J & J Cycle and Liberty Harley-Davidson, both were in Ohio. Florida is much different, it’s an all year riding climate Bob said. According to Bob they have met so many great people from their motorcycling. Both Bob & Lisa are very active helping others, with sponsorship of so many events and worthy causes. They are members of and support the Sun Coast Brotherhood because they are a group that stands for Biker Rights and help so many in need, including children.

Lisa said, “Motorcycling is not just transportation, it is all about a common love for freedom”. Let’s Ride Retail on State Road 52 in Hudson, Florida makes and supplies patches, vests and riding gear to many organizations, clubs and people. “It’s self-expression” she said, “Making patches and sewing is rewarding!”

Bob added, we now have our service center open. Located at 6151 Springer Drive in Port Richey, Florida with trained mechanics, the five-lift center is “state of the art”. Bob said, “Nothing goes out unless it’s correct. We are taking pride in the trust people place in Let’s Ride to service their motorcycles. The labor rate is $85.00 per hour. Not abusive like most other dealer’s rates.”
Lisa also wants everyone to know that autos and trucks are for sale at the retail store, and at the service center they sell new and used motorcycles. Expanding into more facets of the industry is giving Let’s Ride the opportunity to grow. Bob and Lisa also want to thank the people who have made this possible. “Thunder Roads Florida has been great covering our events. The Fran Haasch Law Firm has always supported us and the motorcycle community. Other local “Biker Magazines” have helped and our customers have become family. Without these people, we would not be here.” Please drop in and meet the staff, and hopefully you will find “your new motorcycle store”. PS Let’s Ride is working on its first new franchised location. More to come soon. Let’s Ride!