By Lulu

19 years and even with COVID-19 still going strong! Once again OB’s in Deland was packed with extraordinary vintage motorcycles. Crashrocket rocked the stage. The adorable staff were slinging drinks as fast as they could. Five judges including Willie from Tropical Tattoo had their hands full trying to hone in on the best in each class. This event is always mid-November so make sure you look for their ads and come out for a great day. Next month the bike show winner Steve Coe who was a vintage racer will be a featured article. Kristi at OB’s has something going on all month long…every month. This month check out one of their Bike Nights on Wednesday or their Valentine Surf & Turf in their newly remodeled inside bar!!!

The Southwest Chapter of ABATE hosted its annual ride to the Douglas T. Jacobson State Veteran’s Home on December 20th. More than 100 riders and passengers registered at Sun Sports Cycles for the ride to Port Charlotte. Participants were asked to bring sundry items (underwear, shirts, socks and shaving gear) in addition to the $5.00 token registration.

Special thanks to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office for providing escorts all the way to the Home.

Unlike years past when the riders and Veterans mingled together, shaking hands and so forth because of COVID-19 19 the participants kept their distance and exchanged pleasantries. The riders, some of whom are Veterans themselves, thanked the Veterans for their service and voiced Christmas greetings.

Under the direction of the Home’s new Administrator Renee DelMonico, the staff positioned each of the ambulatory Vets in one of the parking spots outside of the building, easily 6 feet apart. All the Vets and most of the riders were masked.

The Home is home to 120 Veterans, 112 men and 8 women. Were it not for this home some of these Veterans would be out on the street. Sad to say the visit by the riders will be the only visitors some of the Vets will get all year.

ABATE is a motorcycle and motorcyclists’ rights organization.

By Lulu

One of my best events to attend this year was my first trip to “The Swamp” located in Groveland, the home of the Nam Knights MC. One of the members known as Reply started this toy drive 7 years ago and incorporated it into their Christmas in the Swamp which was started one year earlier. The Lake County Chapter has 14 members and 1 prospect. What a difference 15 people can make. An amazing free Christmas dinner was served in the afternoon for a donation of one unwrapped toy. MC’s from all over were in attendance along with individual riders. This event was amazing in the number of toys under their tree. With Covid-19 I wouldn’t think people could be so generous, but that wasn’t the case in The Swamp. The need was surely greater for the children of Astatula, Mascotte and Groveland and Santa came in the form of generous bikers answering the call of The Nam Knights to be good little elves!

Vietnam Vets are Americans of the best kind!!! I know many so I can say this with my own personal knowledge. Not only did they fight in jungles in a far away land, watching many of their “brothers” lose their lives fighting; then due to civil unrest and spoiled brat college kids, they faced criticism and hate upon their return. Most people would be bitter and have hatred in their hearts, but no, they love this land we call home. They love the freedom that they fought to provide for South Vietnam. And now they spend their retirement still giving of themselves. I am honored to have spent the day with these guys and their friends. If you live in the Leesburg/Clermont/Orlando area look for this event next year…take a day to get to know these good men and be Santa for a child in need. You will be glad you did…

The Nam Knights have 15 Florida Chapters and 74 Chapters through the U.S. and Canada. They continue to serve their country through community service. 2021 Christmas in the Swamp is scheduled for Saturday, December 11th.

So, 2021 is here. We all hope for a better year than last. The reality does not look so promising, frankly. 2020 brought us Covid-19 and lockdowns, the spring and summer brought us BLM and ANTIFA riots that seemed to have the blessing of the left and the leadership in those liberal cities and communities, the fall brought us voting fraud accusations and the loss of the election for us Trump supporters who are now being silenced by big tech and told by TV journalists we need to be deprogrammed! Last year was a circus. The vaccines gave us hope for 2021 and spoon-feeding stimulus checks tried to keep people in need afloat. I suppose they also think handing checks out to the rich is only fair, as the deficit soars. I just heard Governor Cuomo wants to legalize recreational pot to balance their budget. Guess that is something for the left to look forward to. If they are stoned, they will not notice the tax increase Biden will be handing out. Good thing they cannot silence me here, I keep getting notices from Facebook that I go against their doctrine. Geez I feel sorry for my children and grandchildren. 2021 will begin the four-year March toward Socialism…Google, Facebook and Twitter have taken the first giant step for mankind in the wrong frigging direction! Oh, I know my liberal friends and relatives think I am wrong. I hope the hell I am. But on the horizon, I see higher taxes, higher gas prices, masks, infiltration of immigrants, more homeless, more riots by people who think we do not need police yet hide between seats in the Capitol waiting for the police to save them and then put razor fencing up to keep WE THE PEOPLE away from them, homes to be built without windows, and people hiding guns that our constitution guarantees our rights to. Not thinking 2021 will be better. In my humble opinion, it will be worse because I will have to watch Biden fumble for words and Pelosi gloat that she retains that damn gavel.

On a positive note, spring is coming, and we still are free to ride! We have so many fun events coming up. Treasure Fest in Stuart, Midwest Motorcycle Party at the Beaver Bar in Ormond Beach, Thunder by the Bay in Sarasota…guess there will not be much time to watch Biden and Pelosi! Get on your bikes and explore new parts of Florida, join us on a Mystery Ride sometime this year and don’t forget your sunscreen.

By Raven

Cruzin Eddie’s on the river at 850019 Highway 17, Yulee, held their 2nd anniversary party on November 1st. Big Engine rocked the house, and a food truck was on hand for all who were hungry. Ed and Jane Redmond, the owners, were on hand greeting old and new friends. Come on out and enjoy the outside TV or the fire pit, with live bands on Sundays. And in case you didn’t know, they have great sunsets!!

By Lulu

Thought we would run some more winners of the Biketoberfest Chopper Time 2020 to remind all that on Thursday, March 11th the spring bike show is a not to miss event!! Come out and enjoy great music, awesome bike art and beer. Proceeds benefit Willie’s favorite causes! And you just might want to get a tattoo from the best artists anywhere!!

By Lulu

I have been blessed in life with healthy children and grandchildren. I can not imagine what parents go through when their kids are diagnosed with serious medical problems…add to that if they can’t really afford needed care for them. Angel Flight gives wings to people who have medical needs in distant cities or states, and they can’t afford to fly to the transplant, treatment or procedure. Each year Heather and the staff at Dirty Harry’s has continued to put on the Angel Flight Ride that started years ago at The White Eagle. Rue & Ziffra law firm has continued to sponsor this worthy cause. Other sponsors include Daytona Estate Jewelers, Miller Lite, Daytona Sportswear, Worldwide Safety, The Rock of Daytona, Gabby & Co. Salon, Debbie Clark, and K. Doll Koating. The ride started this year at the Beaver Bar with the yummy $5 breakfast buffet which happens every Sunday morning. Next stop was Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona Harley-Davidson, a little confusion occurred at this stop when people were trying to check in at Saints & Sinners and have a beer, but the actual stop was inside the Harley dealership. A stop at The Ice House in Bunnell and Cheyenne Saloon in Palatka kept the masses from being thirsty! Then we stopped at Renegade’s on The River in Crescent City for cocktails and music by the St. John’s River. Dale’s Ales in Orange City was the final stop for us where Adam Jaymes was rocking the new stage out back. The final official stop was Dirty Harry’s for their free BBQ and music by Diesel, we had a prior commitment that night and could not make it, but more pictures are posted on our Facebook page at Thunder Roads Florida.

By Lulu

The guys and gals behind Twisted Evolution Motorcycle Shoppe in Bushnell must be doing something right! In spite of a steady rain, the street was lined with motorcycles that rode in to celebrate the shoppes anniversary with a fabulous BBQ by Sticky Fingers Smoke Company. The owners were throwing the party to thank their customers, yet those in attendance were telling me how thankful they are that Twisted Evolution is in the business of keeping them up on two wheels with throttles cranking. The owner of the BBQ company, Sam Thompson, had just moved down from Ohio and said, “there is no one else I would trust my bikes with”. Add to that, they are just really nice people. The shoppe is kept clean and orderly and there are always bikes up on the lifts. They provide routine service and repairs on Harleys from 1984 and up. Twisted Evolution is a family run shop. Fred Rudat and Neil Fullilove are both graduates of Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in Orlando, along with Crystal and Adam they keep the place humming. They offer discounts to military veterans and first responders. Extended warranty work is not a problem and Twisted Evolution keeps most common size tires for your Harley-Davidson motorcycle in stock. Located at 212 N. Main Street in Bushnell. Twisted Evolution has no delusions of grandeur or of being that custom build shop, they just want to wrench on bikes and make your riding a safe pleasure. They are closed Sundays and Wednesdays. Hours of operation are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 9a-6p and Saturday 10a-2p. Stop in and visit if you are in the Bushnell area. The phone number for Twisted Evolution is 352-617-5224

By Lulu

In conjunction with Leesburg, Janice at Stormy Hill Harley-Davidson in Clermont threw a fall bike fest complete with vendors, live music, demo rides and bikini bike wash girls. After months of being locked down to varying degrees people were itching for a reason to ride and there are beautiful roads to ride in central Florida. The showroom at Stormy Hill was full of shoppers and the bands out back were conveniently located next to the full liquor bar…good stuff! Stormy Hill always has monthly events so check their ads in Thunder Roads Florida or follow their calendar at StormyHillHarley.com.

By Lulu

Jan and the crew at Gator Harley-Davidson in Leesburg went the extra mile to pull off a rescheduled Leesburg Bike Fest substitution! The spring rally was closed out due to Covid-19 and then was planned to be rescheduled for the fall. When plans for that did not materialize, Jan put her rally hat on and pulled off a great 3-day weekend with live music, vendors, food, and full bar. The property was packed. Not only were the vendors and bands thrilled to have a place to try to recoup some of the lost revenue from the lock down of 2020; the riders were chomping at the bit to have someplace to go!! Thank you, Gator for trying to give us a sense of normalcy to end the year!!