By Jeani G.

WOW … so much fun and excitement at the Broken Spoke Saloon during Bike Week, it’s hard to choose where to begin. The beautiful venue under a canopy of magnificent oak trees was packed everyday with motorcycle and car enthusiasts, music lovers and people watchers alike, enjoying the great weather and sunshine.

Amazing bike shows brought lots of eye candy for motorcycle lovers to enjoy. New to the Spoke this year, Kory Souza Originals No-Class Bike Show was a big hit with a fun variety of bikes. Warren Lane’s True Grit Show brought out some of the coolest antique, custom, and vintage bikes. The awesome Cycle Source Custom Bike Show awarded prizes in 28 classes, while fan-favorite Perewitz Custom Paint Show gave us a myriad of gorgeous bikes to drool over. Dennis Kirk’s Garage Build Amateur Bike Show showcased some unique home-wrenched rides. So many amazing and beautiful bikes surely made judging a hard task!

Jay Allen, creator of the Broken Spoke and racer in the 200-mph club, emceed the events all week long. Beautiful women graced the stage in the Twisted Tea Bikini Contest, and Bill Grotto revealed this year’s Twisted Tea Sweepstakes Bike built by Chris of Cycle Source. And for you car lovers, Bad Ass Car Club presented a Vintage Car Display on the final day of the event.

Southern Country Customs brought several of their beautiful high-end super custom bikes to sell. Adding their flair of NASCAR know-how to their builds, Rusty and Stephen Wallace were on site all week to chat with and are always happy to pose for pictures and sign autographs.

Beautiful bartenders and hard-working bar backs quenched the huge crowd’s thirst to the beat of great live music around the clock. Bands included Bobby Friss, Cowboy, Whiskey Heart, Buck Shot, Loose Lips, Dirty Grass Soul, Whiskey Heart, Papa Wheelie, Jess Zimmerman, Are Friends Electric, to name a few. And of course, world famous Hairball rocked the stage 6 nights with their awesome 80’s rock-n-roll party! Patriotic and charitable, Hairball honored veterans bringing them onstage to thank them for their service and the band autographed guitars which were auctioned off to benefit both the Veterans Support Fund and St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital!

Lots more pictures of this year’s event can be found in albums on Thunder Roads Florida Facebook page. Hope to see y’all back at the Broken Spoke in October for Biketoberfest!