By Lulu

Each Wednesday, right before Biketoberfest, we invite friends and strangers to join us to explore Lake, Putnam, Volusia, or St. John’s County. Everyone who comes to Bike Week or Biketoberfest knows the usual watering holes and events, but if you want to find out the cool spots that are a short motorcycle scoot from Daytona Beach you should join in the fun. This year we met at The Hideout on Derbyshire known for their Sunday Bloody Mary’s, next stop, and most with us were hungry so they ordered up delicious food at Drifter’s on the River. This is a beautiful St. John’s River front bar and full restaurant, known for good portions of delicious vittles. After our bellies were full, we rode to The Hideaway an old historic bar in Pomona Park. The owners Lisa and Sheldon always strive to find things to entertain those who ride out to visit whether it is sex chairs hanging from the old oaks, a motorcycle to beat the crap out of with a sledgehammer, or balloon arches to kiss under Lisa goes the extra mile for her patrons. A short ride from there is Long’s Log Cabin in Welaka where the bar is owned by a vet and biker Waylon Long, and his wife Tonya. This bar is known for great music, I don’t know where they come up with the bands they find but for a bar out in the middle of Welaka you won’t find better music, unfortunately usually at night, but there are overnight cabins available nearby. Next stop was the Gnarly Gar one of the coolest riverfront stops, probably best described as a “dive bar” in the past the owners have made just enough improvements to make you feel at home in the bar. And the view, and particularly if you catch a sunset are just awesome! Our friends Tia and Larry have had their one-year anniversary recently of being the owners of Oasis in San Mateo. If you are traveling Rte.100 toward Palatka, take a left on 17 and it is less than a mile. Final stop we made was the bike night at The Other Place Gina’s bar, which has quite a well-attended weekly bike night which locals and peeps from near and far with panheads and shovelheads love to ride into. We will be doing this again in the spring so join us!!