By Lulu

With back-to-back hurricanes affecting not only the entire state of Florida, Georgia and North Carolina, attendance at Florida’s fall rallies took a hit also. Although the crowd wasn’t as large as in the past there were still lots of peeps at Gator H-D in Leesburg for the 3 days of bands, bikes, drinks, and vendors. This year the place was rocked by Rock Hard, Time Machine, Bobbie Blackmon, Swamp Juice, and Jeff Vitola & The Quarter Mile Rebels. A sound off contest by Elite Baggers had some awesome bikes with amazing speaker systems. Coming up next will be their Anniversary Bash. check out gatorharley.com for their events and let’s make it a big one.

By Lulu

For 23 years in November, OB’s in Deland has put on one of the largest Pan/Shovel Shows in Florida. Even with the two hurricanes and a tough economy, peeps came from near and far to SHOW their bikes and to SEE the bikes! The Best in Show Winner, Ron Herman, came from Largo with his 1937 Indian Chief. I would hate to judge these bikes. They all looked great to me! Music by Split Personality entertained the huge crowd. Then the Vintage Ladies Bikini Contest for contestants over fifty happened on stage. Last year over thirteen contestants, this year it was like pulling teeth to get 4 on stage. But the ladies were good sports and Barbara by far had the best attire!!! They all went home with some prize money!! If you haven’t ventured out to OB’s in Deland, they also have a great bike night on Wednesdays with live music and food specials, the Americana Custom Show is in June and next November it will be the 24th Russ & Bob Show so get those basket builds show ready and come out for the party.
2024 Winners
Custom Panhead-Jay Wright
Stock Panhead-Justin Krol
Custom Shovel-Sheldon Lucas
Stock Shovel-Jim Miller
Rat Bike-Biker Bob
Knucklehead-Tinker
Iron Head-Ed Coggades
Flat Head-Russ Cavalari
Cap Wilson Thunder Roads Pick-Paul
Best Ladies-Tricia Kennedy
Best in Show-Ron Herman

By Lulu

Some photos provided courtesy of AB3 Visuals-Taylor Paul

This was our first St. Pete Bikefest since they moved it off the beach! I didn’t really know what to expect since it is basically a rally on premise at OCC Road House & Museum and Bert’s Barracuda H-D in Clearwater. First, let me say, if you haven’t visited OCC, it is really an impressive venue. Large inside restaurant with a museum of the bikes and memorabilia of Orange County Choppers. The bikes are something to see, but I also really enjoyed all the photos and the wall of badges! Then there is the outside venue with two stages under the massive pavilion, outside seating and during the rally, a bunch of vendors. A huge area outback was the site of the headline concerts and the bike show. Bert’s Barracuda next door was jammed full of bikes, apparel, and Harley merch. While we were inside the dealership, I saw two bikes going home with women who had just signed the contract for their brand-new rides! You go girls!! Every day, scantily clad girls were very busy washing bikes. We didn’t arrive until Friday, so we missed Thursday’s bands Scotty Austin of Saving Abel and Signs of Sacrifice, the Creed tribute. But the headliners Molly Hatchet on Friday night and Hinder on Saturday night did not disappoint! Other bands daily, throughout the weekend, included Tony Tyler Band, Sunset Strip, The Lost Boys, Shovelhead and Full Throttle Band. 3 great days of music for all to enjoy! An artist, Debra Filipelli, was skillfully painting faces and body parts of the young and old. On Saturday afternoon, while the bike show was going on, Rock & Wrestling simultaneously entertained the masses with 2 matches and even kids from the audience were allowed to go in the ring for a bit to play with the wrestlers. Mechanical “Bull” Shark riding got some of our favorite peeps bucked to the mat. Sadly, we missed the Reign Bikini Contest as we thought it started an hour later, and it was over when we arrived. Later, on Saturday night, in front of the main stage 2 custom builds were unveiled that were to be auctioned off for charitable causes. My favorite part of the weekend was the burnout show which included eight bikes from the dealership, in the pit, burning the rubber right off, all at the same time! Amazing! Great burnout show! The ride in bike show trophies were sponsored and presented by Fran Haasch Law Group. Paul Teutle, Sr. led the Sunday morning Sunshine Skyway Ride. Hundreds of bikes made the ride and returned to the festival later. Closing out the 4-day party was a raffle drawing for a brand new 2024 Heritage. The lucky winner was a local resident who they called live on the phone to notify him that he had won, but he didn’t arrive before we packed up and headed out. Every rally we attend has its own personality. This one was fun for us as we met lots of new peeps, saw bikes we haven’t seen in the show, loved the 3 days of music and the entire event seemed organized and even family friendly! If you haven’t experienced the OCC Roadhouse and Museum and Bert’s Barracuda H-D complex, you must do it. It’s worth the trip just to see the American Flag that flies 200 feet high above the property. This 100’x 60’ symbol of patriotism is the most awesome I have ever seen. Bert’s GM John Dempsey called it a “gift to the community.” My response, “that is a gift to America”! See y’all there next year!

By Lulu

Charlie and Amie at Sorry Charlie’s Corner in Samsula have really brought back old school fun. In November they threw a Chopper Show and I was completely surprised by how many bikes entered! Along with the bike show they had a Sexy bra and panties contest with a nice cash prize. Kudos to the girls willing to strut their stuff! I tricked some guys into thinking they were going to be on stage to help the girls with their panties and judge, only to find when I handed them each a bag of ladies’ panties, that the first one to put on all 8 would win a bar tab! If you haven’t found Sorry Charlie’s yet. Get on your bike and ride. Their 3rd Anniversary Bash is on February 8th with Whey Jennings, Crashrocket and Sam Lowe. See more photos from the Chopper Show at Thunder Roads Florida Facebook, go to Albums and look for your friends!

Seems like 2024 has too many tragic moments and MANY near misses. My friend Shaun was a recent near miss. He still isn’t out of the woods as back surgery is in his future, but he was riding with friends, and his “CHEAP” front tire blew out cruising the highway at 90+MPH! The eyewitness account is that he maintained control of the bike until he tried to leave the pavement, then things went to hell in a handbag! Lucky for Shaun he didn’t end up in Hell that day! Michael who was riding with him was scared to approach him lying there looking like he was dead, but by the GRACE OF GOD just like Willie he was able to survive for another ride. This picture is Shaun in a back brace on the bike. I feel quite certain this would be against medical advice!!! The reason for this Pony Tales is to remind us all to check your bike for safety. Don’t buy cheap tires and then ride like a bat out of hell! And those of us older peeps including Shaun need to realize we don’t mend as quickly as in the past. Lastly, I will give Shaun credit for wearing a helmet or the situation could have been much worse!! Hug a friend (maybe not Shaun as he is still sore), buy a stranger a drink and don’t forget your sunscreen.

By T.J.

In October during Biketoberfest, Space Coast Harley held a 4-day event billed as Beer, Bikes & Beaches. We took the 85-mile ride down I-95 from Daytona to check it out and had a lot of fun. The dealership is beautiful and packed full of beautiful machines. The event featured the H-D demo truck, bikini bike wash girls, vendors, a full bar, live music, and the Ink & Iron Tattoo event. This is a very active Harley store so check out their website for upcoming music and event schedules at SpaceCoastHarley.com.

By Lulu

Our second Twisted Tea Bike Night was hosted by The Other Place on Nova Rd in Ormond Beach. Twisted Tea swag giveaways enhanced an already great weekly Wednesday night bike night, featuring delicious $5 Smashburgers, $2 longnecks, and $2.50 Twisted Teas!! What a bargain! It turned cold that day and a bit wet. The peeps that braved the weather on 2 and 3 wheels showed up in chaps and leathers! Elaine Holt was collecting toys and cash for her Christmas charity. Frog showed up in a Twisted Tea yellow colored antique pick-up truck. Even Steve Coe came for a bit, although he had to run to his girlfriend’s home to catch himself on the TV show American Pickers! Gina, the owner of The Other Place and Chris’ Lounge, stopped in and it was wonderful to see her looking beautiful and HEALTHY after a health scare in the fall! Our next Twisted Tea featured bike night is Wednesday, January 15th at Boot Hill Saloon. Join us for $3 Twisted Tea, live music by Alias and giveaways!

By Lulu

Each November Rue & Ziffra law firm has hosted a ride out of J&P Cycles in Ormond Beach to honor our first responders, veterans and those who work in medicine. This year the event benefited the Deltona Professional Firefighters Union. After a service at J&P Cycles, donuts and coffee, the bikes followed the police escort to OB’s in Deland for live music by Crashrocket and lunch. This event is to “honor valiant first responders who courageously step forward when disaster strikes putting their own lives on the line.” Join us next year for this ride. It was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday and makes you feel good that you took the time to personally say thank you to those who serve!