Just finished a great weekend at Cotee River Bike Fest, the coverage of that event will be in the April issue as the Bike Week (March) issue always fills up with Bike Week event ads, etc. But the fall rally was rescheduled due to the west coast’s hurricane damage and the weather forecaster predicted rain all weekend, but it ended up well attended and decent weather. Tina and Steve Farrell are the organizers behind this charity rally and put their heart and soul into this each year. Gator Ken and Jeani joined us for the first time as she is retired now. They really seemed to enjoy New Port Richey’s downtown area and couldn’t get over the number of bars! This event is two main stages of music for 3 days and 2 side street stages with music too. It is a nice rally on a beautiful downtown river area with a poker run that benefits Fire & Iron and the entire rally benefits charity. Not sure whether they will schedule the next one in October again or change the whole thing to January in the future but should know by the event article. Thunder By the Bay is up next and hope to see some of our friends there in Sarasota!

On another subject, I promised a lady that asked me recently to mention how important screening for prostate cancer is for our motorcycling men! As a cancer nurse from my life before publisher of Thunder Roads Florida, I know that early diagnosis of this is critical for the best outcome. If you are over forty-five, you should ask your doctor about a PSA blood test. My brother is a primary care physician and was diagnosed at age 48, and with robotic surgery he is cancer free and has no post-surgical complications. A test for kidney stones found his cancer very early. Mostly they only tell you to have the test after 50, I think it should be forty-five! We hear all the time how important breast cancer awareness is, how important pap smears are, etc.! Well men, pick up the phone and ask your docs to order a simple blood test. Be safe…not sorry! The old rectal exam fears use to keep men from getting checked for this and the blood test doesn’t come with that worry.

Have fun at bike week, ride a new road and don’t forget your sunscreen.