By Lulu

It was a beautiful fall weekend for a trip to Leesburg and the 2025 Gator Harley-Davidson Rally. Full liquor bars, vendors, food trucks, tattooing, live music, bike and audio shows and shopping were the agenda of the weekend! This year the music included Barfly, Rock Hard, Bobby Blackmon, Justin Heet, Rusty Wilmot, and Hypersona. Tony from Full Throttle put on a 12 Class Bike Show with lots of sweet rides to gaze upon and the Audio competition was off the chain. Join in the fun for the spring rally, which will be during Leesburg Bike Fest April 29-May 3. More pictures from the weekend event can be found on Thunder Roads Florida Facebook.

By TJ

An interesting day at Seminole Harley-Davidson was put on by Rafy of NVS Kustoms in Orange City. The show was a Viclas Bike Show. A Vicla motorcycle style is rooted in Chicano roots. Low-and-slow style, vibrant candy paint, intricate engraving on chrome, wide ape-hangers, long fishtail pipes and detailed murals reflect the Mexican American heritage, evolved from the lowrider scene in South California. Along with some amazing looking bikes, vendors, a sound competition by Elite Baggerz and a DJ 4 Shure were onsite. This was a great day. Thanks to the sponsors that brought this to Sanford, AJs Tires, Leo Z Art, A Plus RV & Boat Storage, and Attorney Louis Berk.

by Jeani G.

We had the pleasure of riding to beautiful downtown Crescent City in Putnam County on Saturday, October 25th for their first annual Bikefest, hosted by the Crescent City Downtown Partnership and Mayor Michele Myers. It was a truly fun day and a super successful event with approximately 4,000 in attendance … the streets were packed, the local merchants had lots of new foot-traffic, and the vendors were busy selling their wares and food.

The day’s festivities included a classic car cruise-in, motorcycle swap meet, arts & crafts vendors, 50/50 raffle, food trucks, two bars and a bike wash by Highroller Customs and the Raiders football team. The Sunshine Antique Riders were happy to show off their vintage bikes. The event brought together riders from near and far … the Mystery Riders from the Boat Bar in Port Orange, IMRG (Indian Motorcycle Riders Group) of Daytona, as well as owners and customers of several bars including Hideaway Bar in Pomona Park, The Oasis in San Mateo and Gnarly Gar in Satsuma, to name a few.

We all enjoyed some really great music …Framing the Red drove 13 hours straight from Louisiana to wow the huge crowd with their brand of Southern rock and roll, while local band Gu3 Music got our feet tapping with old country and blues. And a nice surprise was the Thrill the World zombie flash mob whose rendition of the famous Thriller dance was “to die for.”

3 Bananas Restaurant was one of the main sponsors – Pat and Anna and their cheerful staff did a fabulous job serving up delicious food and spirits to the enthusiastic crowd. Thanks also to the many sponsors who made this awesome event possible: City of Crescent City, Florida Main Street, Main Street America, Visit Florida’s Putnam County TDC, A to Z Roofing & Waterproofing, Producers Ace Hardware, Big Dog Shirts & Signs, Cow Catcher Lounge, Animal Health Center, Diamond Motorcycle, HR Customs, HOG Radio, A&D Swap Shop, Midnight FL Land, Parker House Liquor & Lounge, Renegades on the River, Waste Pro, Winn Dixie, Xfinity, Yuengling and The Meet of Volusia County Fairgrounds.

More photos of this epic event can be found on Thunder Roads Florida Facebook page in the Crescent City Bikefest album. You’ll want to add beautiful Crescent City to your riding list and be sure to catch next year’s Bikefest which is scheduled for Saturday October 24, 2026!

By Lulu

Each year a small band of elves and their wives put on one heck of an amazing charity event. Out in the middle of nowhere is an oasis known as “The Swamp,” I call it that because many of these clubhouses that our veterans create are a place of healing for those still living with PTSD from their time spent in conflict. And “The Swamp” is one of the best of those. These guys that should be sitting on the couch with their remotes, are always working on charity events…staffing the bars at Gator H-D to fill the kitty for their charitable giving. THEN they put on the Christmas event filling a whole pavilion with toys collected for the local kids in Mascotte. The day includes live music, an amazing spread of food and some of the best cookies you can eat, all you have to bring is a toy. This year the band was Bad Mannerz that feature “ol school rock with an attitude”! If you can next year, put on your best elf self and show up at “The Swamp” with a toy, it will make you feel good and put a smile on some child’s face Christmas morning. Thank you, “Swamp” creatures,,,LOL for a great event!

Pony Tales Veteran’s Support Fund Bike Auction

For years I have heard about Willie, owner of Tropical Tattoo, playing Santa at Emory L. Bennett Memorial Nursing Home in Daytona using the the funds raised at his “Choppertime.” This is a state-run 120 bed facility for vets. It provides skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care and short-term rehab for eligible veterans and their spouses. Many of these vets have no one to care for them or visit them. Mike Erthal and the crew from Veteran’s Support Fund raise money all year long to provide things that the veterans need or the facility is lacking. At Choppertime volunteers tend the bars all day, all tips and sales proceeds go to the fund. This event really boosts the kitty and helps cover the cost of every veteran getting what they want for Christmas. Gun raffles by Mike Jones, owner of A-OK Guns in New Smyrna Beach, at major events is another fundraiser. On April 18 Ocean Deck in Daytona Beach have a Beach Bike Bar Crawl (this is bicycles not motorcycles) that have 400-500 bikes all for the veterans! Autographed guitar auctions during Bike Week and Biketoberfest at Broken Spoke Saloon and Iron Horse are another way they raise a bundle for the cause. During Bike Week 2026, a donated 1980 H-D XLS 1000 Ironhead Roadster will be auctioned live at The Broken Spoke during a Hairball Concert on Friday night 3/6. The winning bidder for this bike will also receive a signed Hairball guitar. What a great package! All this money matters!!! So put your angel wings on and show up to bid on the bike or guitars, buy a couple rounds at Choppertime and be generous. Our vets gave years of their lives for us; it is the least we can do!

By Lulu

If you get anywhere near Panama City Beach, you must take a ride out to the country and visit The Hideout in Ponce de Leon, located at 8704 SR 81. This is an old school biker joint with GREAT food. The Hideout presently serves ice cold beer and wine. They also have live music scheduled at times. During Thunder Beach Spring and Fall Rallies they schedule bands, have biker games including fat belly contests, wet T contest, bike wash girls, and scrumptious BBQ! Put this on your list of places to visit this spring!

By Lulu

A year ago, the Oasis in San Mateo changed hands. For the past year, friends of ours, the new owner, Larry and Tia, have been growing the attendance of The Oasis! We didn’t get to attend their 1-year anniversary as we were scheduled to be out of town, but the bar was packed. The party was a combination of a birthday event for the bar and Halloween as you can tell from the photos! If you are visiting for Bike Week or just looking for a nice ride to the country, head out 100 toward Palatka but take a left on Rt 17 where you would normally go right and a short scoot up the highway you will find The Oasis. Check out their ad for Bike Week events including a Bike Giveaway!

By Lulu

Out in Orange City is a sound system shop that has been operating for 36 years. Karl Biancardi lives and breathes sound! His creativity or “insanity” has breathed life into a monster bike! His green “Hulk” themed bike has grown bigger and bigger over the years and has gained him national attention! You can view and hear this creation at Hard Rock Hotel on US 1 in Daytona Bike Week 2026 at The Limitless Show, March 7th. The Hulk will be competing there. His masterpiece has won the Extreme Class in Atlanta in 2024 beating out “Zeus.” There he was crowned King Hulk, king of the extreme class and in the world. In 2025 after revamping the motorcycle, he went to Philly to the SOS Top Eight and took the championship once again “the loudest, baddest bike in the world.” Below are the components of what it takes to create a monster with an unimaginable amount of desire, hours, and “insane” creativity. Karl thanks all his sponsors that are listed below for helping him create his vision.
The Hulk weighs 3500 pounds with dual rear axles.
Measures16 ft. long
Thirty-five gallons of resin to build the saddle bags.
Custom steel work
2 Harley frames
$14,000 in Limitless batteries
1 year to build.
Dual car tires in rear
100,000 Watts sound system
SoundMagus Dsp SoundQubed subs & amps
Beyma loudspeaker SounDigital amps
Cost of a monstrosity like “The Hulk” can range between $375,000 and $425,000.

By Lulu

Tom and Lisa, owners of 1405 Saloon in Bunnell, have brought back their monthly bike nights. It is a great venue for a bike night and even if it gets a bit on the chilly side they have fire pits out back where the large stage is located. The night we were there we did the strongest male and female contest with buckets of Twisted Tea! Their next one is February 12th, and Paul Wane of Duval County Line will be playing. Join in on the fun! And check out their ad in this month’s magazine for the Bike Week schedule.

By Lulu

Once again, the place was packed!! This year the weather was perfect. The band Leaving Eden puts on one hell of a good time. Barbecue served by Scooter and his crew from Feeding the Obsession were selling like hotcakes. This show always brings out real lovers of motorcycles, and we get to see lots of old friends and still manage to make new ones!! I have to say that Ashley and the crew are able to keep the large crowd happy, which isn’t always easy with all the testosterone on the property. Below is a list of this year’s winners.
Antique-John Bartman
Best in Show-Wayne Lostan
Caps Choice-Marcus Orabona
Flathead-Marc Cavalari
Ironhead-Lane Matherme
Knucklehead-Keith Shipley
Panhead Custom-Christopher Cord
Panhead Stock-Marc Cavalari
Rat-Tito Sanchez
Shovelhead Custom-Rusty Bozzi
Shovelhead Stock-Jay Wright
Don’t forget that OB throws a Wednesday night bike night with live music! And in June the Americana Bike Show!

By Lulu

So, if you have been to Bike Week or Biketoberfest and haven’t been to Coleslaw Wrestling at “The Patch” then you haven’t actually experienced the rally. Saturday, a bevy of women sign up to try to win the belt and cash! Into the slippery oiled shredded cabbage they go, to give it their best shot! Cabbage Patch also has great live music, vendors, 2 bike shows, a sound competition and hot bartenders serving you with a smile. They close the event with a Survivor Party offering discounted beer and drinks with live music. Don’t wait for Bike Week to visit the Cabbage Patch. This iconic bar welcomes those on 2 and 3 wheels and is a great stop for poker runs!

By Lulu

Known for great music, the Boot Hill Saloon is a crowd favorite! This year Leaving Eden, Rockabilly Rockets, Rex Floyd, Full Throttle, Greye, Vermillion, Rick Monroe & Hitmen, Gunshine, Second Shift, Just Priest, Spread Eagle, Music City Stones played on the outside stage. Inside stage featured Jeremy, Dina, Redline, & Matt O’Ree kept the bar hopping. Live music and vendors were at The Outpost on US 1 for the event. It was great to see Stacy back tending bar! Thanks to Nash Customs, Twisted Tea, Yuengling and Biggins for their support and bringing Bike Rock to Boot Hill. Boot Hill has a weekly Wednesday night bike night with live music and music on weekends. Come to Daytona Beach to play!

By Lulu

Tony, owner of The Boat Bar in Port Orange, is pretty extraordinary. He is not only one of the few bars that still serves $2.50 beer all year long, even when a band and free BBQ is happening which was the case at End of the Rally Bash this fall. He also was insistent about staying for the party even though he was looking very frail and weak. He has been having health issues. When the Budweiser man showed up and took over the mic to talk about Tony. He finally relented to going home. We found out later he had had a heart attack and spent MANY days in the hospital. The Budweiser rep gave a very moving speech about how special Tony is, and that Tony never demands or complains about anything. The rep had tears flowing down his cheek as he spoke of his admiration for Tony, saying he sells more beer than just about anyone (of course it is only $2.50) and never wants a thing. Then he treated the whole bar to a free beer on him! And leis, so everyone got Laid at The Boat! Tony missed the speech and the free beer, but all of us who know Tony and Dar feel the same way about them. They are really good people. Good Lord willing Tony will get healthy before March and you can join us for the Boat Party!

By Lulu

This year Steve and Rusty Wallace had a change of venue for their custom bike display. Their good friend, Dwayne Stanbaugh, is co-owner of Annie Oakley’s and with high visibility on US 1 they created quite a bit of attention from the vehicles stopped in the heavy traffic in front of the bar. Usually set up at Broken Spoke, they had to find a new location due to Broken Spoke not opening during Biketoberfest. I think it was a perfect choice from the new faces that the new location brought in! It is an honor to get to know this team of bike builders, not only are their creations amazing to gaze upon, but they are also made for the road! Add to that they are genuinely down-to-earth nice guys that do a lot of charity work! Check their ad in February issue for Bike Week location and make that a must see stop for 2026!

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS! I want to try to help get volunteers to help with a Daytona Beach project coming up on January 11th from 9am-4pm. This is to help revitalize the Pinewood Cemetery on Main Street. This is an old historic cemetery that has fallen in disrepair, from age and vandalism. “Heavy” Eddie Kastrul at Midwest Motorcycles has met with the city and the police to get them to help with keeping a watchful eye on Pinewood once the repairs are made. Heavy tombstones have been pushed over by vandalism and storms, and we need able bodied male bikers to help put them upright, we need those with yard skills to man rakes, shovels, etc. to clean up debris. We want to make a party out of this and with help from sponsors and the bars across from the cemetery bands and refreshments are going to be offered to make it a work party!!! This should be a place of historic interest for tourist to visit like they do in Savannah, New Orleans, and St. Augustine, but work needs to be done to beautify this and help with the overall look of Main Street, Daytona Beach. Come join us for this community event. Every little bit of muscle helps! And in April there is a poker run TBA to raise funds to re-gravel the road, etc.