By Janice Patrice Catoggio

Marc and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has become part of our 5-year journey at Crossroads Tavern. Each and every one of you walked in as a customer and when you left, you left as our friend. Over the years we have focused on building this friendship with each and every one of you and focused on making each day fun, exciting and different that any local watering holes in Flagler County. Some days are crazier than the next but the sound of laughter, seeing everyone smiling makes each day worth it when we turn the key every day to open our doors. Your dedication and support are the reason we celebrated our five years of being open and we were not just celebrating Crossroads Tavern we were celebrating you! Thank you everyone we are looking forward to many more years ahead.

We enjoyed a day of food, karaoke, games and most of all laughter and more memories made with all of you.
Thunder Roads Florida was out of town during the event, so I asked Janice to send me something and when I read what she sent I was touched and knew it was meant from her heart and those of you who know Janice and Marc know part of their passion for Crossroads Tavern is having a vehicle to do good things for others and the community! And she mentioned the word laughter a time or two above…there is no better laugh than Janice’s! Love this girl! Congrats on a great 5 years and living the dream! LULU

By Lulu

Jan and the crew at Gator Harley-Davidson in Leesburg have this dealership rally thing down to a science with a property full of vendors, full liquor bars, live music, and food. This year there were over 60 vendors, 3 full bars and live music for 4 days. Before the fall rally Gator will be celebrating the Dirty 30 Party for their 30th anniversary on July 8th from 10a-5p with hot bod contest for men and bikini contest for women with $500 cash prize, bike show by Full Throttle and live music from 11a-4p by Hypersona. And bring your bikes in dirty since they have bikini bike wash girls from 10a-3p.

By Lulu

While we were in town for Leesburg Bikefest and Gator H-D Spring Bike Rally we took the time to visit some of our clients’ establishments and check out a few new places. Rode out to Sumter County for lunch at a really cool waterfront restaurant on Lake Panasoffkee, Big Bass Grill. GREAT food and really sweet bartender! This is a must ride to spot if you are anywhere near central Florida. Another day took us for dinner to Fish Camp on Lake Eustis in Tavares. Driving up you think this is a small place but looks are deceiving. Great seafood with inside or outside dining. Breakfast was being served to bikers at VFW Post 9986. They served up generous portions of breakfast fare for $7! One of TJ’s favorite spots is in Tavares, Hemingway’s Wine, Beer and Cigar Bar. Andy the owner wasn’t in, but the place was packed when we stopped for a smoke and Twisted Tea. Across the street is The Dog House Tavares. They always have great food there. It was packed, so we had a bit of a wait…well worth it though. Ski Beach off Canal is new and owned by the same folks that have Eaton’s Beach in Weirsdale. We listened to music and had great cocktails there, although the weather washed out the bike show we came for. Another new joint is across from Gator H-D, the old Jessie Blacks had been purchased and opened as Dirty South Saloon and they are putting on a great time! Music, line dancing, bikini contests, who could ask for more? One of my favorite parts of Leesburg is the rides to surrounding spots! If you haven’t been before or didn’t know they are back into the rally business, schedule a trip here next year! Lake County is known for its Lakes, you could stay 2 weeks and never see all the waterfront stops.

By Lulu

2023 saw the post Covid return of the 3-day bike rally in Leesburg, Florida. The quaint downtown district once again shut the streets to cage traffic and filled blocks with vendors, 2 stages with live music and lots to see and do. Chrome Cigar and Sanity Jewelry seemed busy when we stopped in to see them so even though the weather gods shared a little rain on the party it wasn’t miserably hot as in the past. The main stage area was packed, and I neglected to get a press pass so I couldn’t really get close enough to do justice to the bands that filled the park. This year the headliners were Buck Cherry, Warrant and Whey Jennings! I was worried after not having the full rally last year that they wouldn’t draw the vendors or crowds but that was not the case at all. Put this on your 2024 list of To Dos!

By Lulu

Each spring in Ferran Park they throw a free music festival with kid’s activities, vendors, and lots of bands. This is a beautiful park with lots of big trees for shade on Lake Eustis. This year they featured bull riding and had a cops v/s firemen competition. The cutest thing there was a little motorcycle track made of bales of pine straw. The kids LOVED it, and it definitely was breeding a younger generation of bikers. The music included Subliminal Doubt, Greye, Paradigm, and Hardwired. Food trucks for empty bellies were available and craft vendors lined the park. While there a couple asked me to snap a shot of him proposing. I took the photo without telling her to run! Good spot to ride during Leesburg Festival if the dates coincide next year which it has in the past.

By Lulu

For those of you who love old bikes in mint condition you simply must check out Riding Into History 2024!! This is an event each spring with a beautiful lakefront setting at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine. Not only is it a place to view beautiful bikes and check out vendors, but it also benefits K9 for Warriors!! This was the 23rd Riding Into History. The Grand Marshalls were Brian Stark AMA Hall of Famer and Vicki Smith Motogiro Hall of Farmer. The Honorary Grand Marshal was Mary McGee. We got caught in terrible 195 traffic, so we arrived in time for trophy presentations and all photos are on Thunder Roads Florida Facebook page. Rid

By Lulu

Bill Grotto gave me a heads up that Hurricane Dockside was kicking off Leesburg Bike Fest with Twisted Tea girls, including my good friend Amanda so we came over to Leesburg a day earlier than normal. Lots of Tea was flowing and met some really great people some of which were “Villagers.” Bill was shooting a new commercial up north, so he missed out on Leesburg this year. Everyone was asking about him!!! Tank and Bill are superstars! And super hardworking!! If you haven’t tried Twisted Tea you really should the caffeine from the tea makes it a bit of an energy drink for me, and not being carbonated you don’t get that bloated feeling of some drinks! Party on and see you next rally!