By Lulu

The property of Teddy Morse’s Daytona H-D was so packed I had to turn around and leave because there was NO parking and I was in a car that day instead of a bike. Vendors seemed busy selling their wares. Saints & Sinners always brings in great live entertainment and Biketoberfest was no exception. This year bands like Planet Hairspray, Duval County Line, Krash Party, Gunshy, Are Friends Electric, Voodoo Dollz, Blake Free Band, Razor’s Edge, Burnside, Old School Banditz, MOLLY HATCHET, Big Engine and Hayfire entertained the masses. There was a bikini contest on Saturday night too that added to the fun.

By Lulu

We attended a candlelight service at the Traveling Vietnam Wall that the American Legion Post 285 escorted to their Post in Edgewater for Biketoberfest. Having been many times to The Wall in D.C. and witnessed how emotional a trip to the wall is for all who visit, I was surprised how this replica affected us all. The evening started with presentation of colors, then candles were distributed to all, prayers and Taps followed. Many tears fell by those in attendance, tears cried for the lives lost. I mentioned this in my Pony Tales last month but certainly feel it is worth repeating as I was shocked by some of the numbers on a photo displayed there.
58,267 names are on the wall
39,996 were 22 or younger
8,283 were 19
33,103 were 18
12 were 17
5 were 16
1 was 15
3 sets of father & son are on the wall
31 parents lost two sons
997 were killed their 1st day in Vietnam
1, 448 were killed their LAST day in Vietnam
8 women are on the wall-nurses
As I read this, I thought those that died their first day at least didn’t have to endure the fear, the swamps, the torture, the loss of friends only to die on their last day before returning home. So, so tragic…and this my friends is the cost of protecting freedom!!!

By Lulu

Each month rain or shine…cold or hot…a loyal group of riders show up at the Boat Bar in Port Orange for a day of riding “somewhere.” And to these folks it doesn’t seem to matter where. Far or short, they just saddle up and head to the stops for the day. The ride in August took us to Crossroads Tavern in Bunnell where our friend Janice was visiting the new owner, Holly. Working in corporate America for most of her adult life, she now proudly is at the helm of Crossroads and is happy to have bikes pull in. Next stop was The Oasis in San Mateo where the owners Larry and Tia came in on their day off just to see us. We then jumped on the bikes for a short scoot to Satsuma to the old Hermits Cove, now the Gnarly Gar, a GREAT waterfront dive bar that has been updated enough without losing what the bar is known for. Long’s Log Cabin in Welaka, owned by dear friends Waylon and Tonya, was the next stop and the misfits in our group saw a children’s mini train ride across from the bar and were able to sneak a seat for a photo without getting arrested!

We then had a bit of a hike back to dinner at The Boat, but no one cared. We were simply happy for the first time in a bit that we didn’t get wet! Mike Jones, from A -OK Guns in New Smyrna Beach won the 50/50 money. And FYI, if you are looking for guns or ammo, the State of Florida is having a tax-free holiday from now until the 31st of December and Mike has LOTS of guns for sale! Come put some miles on your bike with our group next month on Saturday, December 20th so put on your jingle bells and join us.
! We usually have several female riders and of course we love that!! The Boat Bar has $2.50 domestics all year long!!!

By Lulu

Each fall and spring Howlin Wolf in Melrose throws an old school biker party that you should really ride out for! The fall event this year featured games that included Wienie Bite, Plank Ride, Slow Ride, and the Keg Roll. My favorite is always the burn out contest which these guys do on brand spanking new expensive Harleys…insane! The men’s favorite is the sexy biker chick contest which this year featured an amazing pole performer who was able to steal the show. Gainesville and Tallahassee Harley-Davidson were the sponsors and were set up onsite with a great basket raffle. The band once again was Twisted Fate, and they always put on a wonderful day of music. The bike show had some great entries and would have been tough to pick winners. Photos of all the winners and more of the day’s events are on Thunder Roads Florida and if you find yourself there, please like and share!!! Their date I have been given for spring 2026 is Sunday, February 22nd, hope to see you there!

By Lulu

Hard to believe it was 5 years ago we traveled with Waylon and Tonya Long to Sturgis in their toy hauler and what an adventure it was! But even harder to believe is that they just celebrated their 9th Anniversary of “The Cabin”! They throw a big shindig each year, an all-day event with music, BBQ by Hawg Wash, giveaways…lots and lots of giveaways…and GREAT live music. The Long’s are known for finding and bringing some really great music to Welaka. This party was complete with Darrell Rae during the day and Reed Foley band at night. I had to leave to get ready for a rally so I couldn’t catch Reed Foley’s band. But I was really impressed with Darrell Rae. Teddy, who helps us with Thunder Roads Florida, surprised me and rode out from Astor so I wouldn’t be alone as TJ had another event to attend. And as soon as he walked in, he won 2 bottles of liquor. He doesn’t drink so I ended up the lucky one! When you are riding out in the Crescent City area if you haven’t visited “The Cabin” pop in for a cold one. They are full liquor and have some really yummy things for your tummy too! The Cabin really is a gem.

By Lulu

I have been riding on all but one of the rides that Joe Vece has organized to help us show that we WILL NOT forget the lives lost on 9/11/2001. It is so hard to believe that 24 years have passed and that next year will mark 25 years. People are adults, having children that have no knowledge of how we all felt that day. Shocked is how we felt. Sad is how we felt. Angry is how we felt. Afraid is how we felt. Proud is how we felt as people came to the aid of those trapped, proud of the heroes that helped save lives running into buildings that crumbled upon them, proud that we didn’t curl up in bed and instead went on with our lives. I know anyone who boarded a plane in the days that followed 9/11 were anxious, I was. I actually hadn’t flown in over 10 years but decided that I should just show the evils responsible for that day that they hadn’t changed our lives, or America.

Imagine for one second waking up, having breakfast, going up the elevator, saying good morning to those you saw and in an instant your life is snatched away. Imagine their terror, their pain, the loss of those left behind. Thank you, Joe, Knights of Inferno, the Punishers MC, the City of Bunnell and the officers who escort this ride to give us a chance to remember the losses on that day, and those who still suffer with both physical and mental illnesses from that tragic day. And thank you to those who serve as firefighters, police officers, first responders, and our military who face each and every day, each minute of every day prepared to serve our needs when needed and on constant alert to defend and protect.

The ride ended at Lisa and Tom’s 1405 Saloon in Bunnell for a free lunch and live music by Big Engine. The bar and staff did a fantastic job with the large crowd of about four hundred riders. 2026 will mark 25 years since 9/11, please look for a 9/11 event near you or join us for the day. If you rode with us this year, bring a friend. I would love to see eight hundred riders next year!

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!!

By Lulu

We travel the whole country and have been to more bars than most alcoholics on a weekly basis! And we love a lot of them for various reasons: stronger than normal cocktails, cheaper beer than anywhere, prettier than normal drink slingers, risqué behavior, best dive bars, coolest old school events, amazing music…I think you get my point…almost every bar is unique and has their attractions. But occasionally we walk into a bar, and we feel like we are family. Don’t know exactly how that happens, but Tim and his staff welcome us and make us feel like they are happy we sit at the main table for as long as we like, or sit out back and visit with the firemen who frequent Little Corona Cigar Lounge in New Port Richey. We have made it so much our regular haunt that friends come looking for us there, even those who don’t smoke cigars! AND we spend so much time there we have friends from New Port Richey now that we see yearly on the poker run for the Children’s Charity Ride. There is a feisty little bartender there that I still call Carla, although her name is Heather. She reminds us all of the bartender from cheers! Tom and his wife put lots of hours in, particularly during the Cotee River Bike Fest, so much so, my friends think he is the owner! This is a beer, wine, and seltzer bar with a large walk-in humidor. A courtyard outback so the cigar smoke won’t bother most. And the owner Tim, a retired fire chief, rides his motorcycle and often visits Daytona for the rallies. Stop in and see him and his crew, particularly if you are a first responder…you will feel like we do…you will love this bar!

A friend was in a tizzy because she saw something on Tic Tok (which let me be honest here I refuse to participate in), which was a young girl pretending to reach out to churches requesting one can of formula for her infant. According to the girl doing it this was a social experiment to see if churches would be generous to her request. According to my friend only 1 church, which was a Muslim church in Charlotte, agreed to help her with a gift of baby formula and all the big dollar mega churches refused her request.

When I first watched my friend’s reel on Facebook, I thought who would use Tik Tok to beg for formula if your child was hungry…and maybe that is what the churches thought too. But remember I don’t DO Tic Tok, so I have no idea if this is a regular place to request people to fulfill your needs. So, I responded, “If she needs formula why not go to the local food pantry or the local churches. I have never known a church of ANY religion to turn a mother with a baby away! I also said call the pediatrician. When I worked at pediatrics in Ocala, we were given samples for new moms I am sure they would help her rather than see a baby go hungry.

Well, I was informed it was a social test to see what churches would do. Not sure how I feel about any of that, nor does it make me want to run out and follow Tik Tok, but it may be that I am aged out of what the younger generation thinks about making do. My husband and I had our first child at 17. He made $75 a week. We didn’t get our nails done, he didn’t party with the boys, we scraped by. I got a job at a local hospital as soon as I turned 18 for insurance! 6 weeks later a doctor asked me to work in his pediatric office and not long after that I was in nursing school. I probably did ask my mother-in-law for things for the first baby but never asked a stranger.

We did get Food Stamps when my mother-in-law heard about it, and I only got 1 month allotment because I was too embarrassed to use them. My parents had babies too, so they weren’t any real help except as a babysitter, which believe me was a gift. Things are definitely harder now on young people now, things are more expensive…but most of the people I see in line using the food programs have nails, tattoos, and a cell phone way nicer than mine. Things I would never have dreamed of having as a young mother.

Maybe we only succeeded with little assistance because of my mom helping with babysitting, maybe because we never had much material stuff before the baby, who knows. But I am glad I was a parent in the 70s and not today!! I also want to say if there is a mother who needs help ask a local church, Rotary Club, or Food Bank.

One night around Christmas Sherry and I went to Wal-Mart in our PJs to buy a movie we couldn’t find on the TV. As we left the store a faint voice by the door said, “Could I trouble you for some milk?” She didn’t want money; she had a baby about 10 months old in her arm, and a sweet child about 6 at her side. Turns out she came down from up north to live with her sister, and the sister was arrested, so she was without a job or family available to help. I took her in and told her to get whatever she needed, the only other request she had was dog food. We filled the cart up while Sherry took the other child to buy presents for the mom. People are good hearted and will help.

I see it all the time in the biker community!! And I am sure you do too. But put your jingle bells on and buy a present for Toys for Tots, donate something to a veterans’ cause and/or take a bundle of groceries to the Food Bank. The higher powers will smile on you for your good deeds!

By Lulu

One of my favorite people on the face of this earth is Willie, owner of Tropical Tattoo. To look at him, you would pull your kids in the house if you didn’t know how sweet this man really is. Patriotic, veteran loving and just someone who lives and loves the biker community. He was one of the first businesses who took me under his wing and helped me navigate the bike world when the original owner, my boyfriend at the time 18 years ago, died. I have actually been to 36 Chopper Times! Thunder Roads Florida even gave a trophy this year! The band was also one of my favorites, Duval County Line and Paul Wane actually played a whole song on guitar with his tongue, Jimi Hendrix style. His wife must be a lucky girl! Yes, I just said that!

What everyone knows about Tropical Tattoo is they are one of the oldest tattoo shops in Florida and Willie even helped legislate some of the rules for cleanliness in the business. What some who don’t know about Chopper Time, is that this twice a year event helps fund the Veteran’s Support Fund. All the tips and alcohol sales go to this worthy charity. Mike Jones from A OK Guns auctioned off guns to help fund the kitty. This year the weather was perfect. The crowds were not as thick as Bike Week which makes getting around for photos easier.

Lots more photos are on Thunder Roads Florida Facebook. If you find yourself there, please share!! See you in the spring at Chopper Time! A special thank you to Twisted Tea, Rue & Ziffra, Guerrilla Fabrication, Cycle Source, Blings Cycle, J&P Cycles, B & D Customs, S & S Performance, Morris Magneto, Iron Horse Saloon, Prime IV, Harley Davidson, Broken Spoke, Spectro Performance Oils, Realty Pros, Choppers Magazine, Hogridin.com, OB’s, Only Choppers, Hardcore Cycles, Inc., Cochise Chops, F n A, Joker Cycle Works, Renegade Magazine, Rider Now Magazine, and Old School Biker Magazine for their sponsorship. OOPs and I almost forgot to mention Roadside Marty the infamous emcee that keeps the show moving.

By Lulu

Vendors, MUSIC, food, bikini contest, little girl beauty contest, mechanical bull riding, wrestling, beer, cocktails, bike shows all in a beautiful downtown area right on the Cotee River. What more can bikers desire. Two full stages, from Friday night through Sunday, have some of the best free music that you can hear anywhere. This year’s line up included ZZ Top Notch, Wicked Serenity, The Headbang, Flying High Again, Jeremy’s Ten, Maximum Friction, Supply Chain, Signs of Sacrifice, Yaleo Santana Tribute, Bearded Brothers, Cowboy Kid Rock, Vern Daysel & The Burning Breeze, and a crowd favorite Jasmine Cain.

I am telling you there isn’t more music anywhere at a 3-day rally. And then the local spots have stages with live music to entice you to come drink with them! Our friend Mihn from Venom Cycles puts on a great bike show and I think even one on Sunday, although we were only able to catch the Saturday event. The main stage has a bikini contest, and the winner was a patriotic blonde cowgirl. Little girls get to take the stage and learn a bit about stage presence dressed in cute attire.

One of the highlights for me was Wicked Serenity’s show which is an amazing Godsmack tribute, when a little child who lost her dad to suicide got up to sing with the band. Lead singer of the actual Godsmack band, Sully Erna, and the band have a suicide foundation called Scars Foundation which he formed when he lost several friends to suicide. At some point he heard of this little girl, or she heard of the foundation, and they have taken her under their wings. She also feels it helps her heal the loss of her father by bringing attention to suicide. She even sang once with the real Godsmack. Adorable child and you can see the loss of her dad is a deep ache. The guys in Wicked Serenity even visited her when she was hospitalized. Good guys in this band and extremely talented if you get a chance to see them or hire them, DO!!! On Saturday morning there is a ride for a children’s charity out of New Port Richey H-D, stops included Kickin Wings, Wesley Chapel H-D where they served free hot dogs and burgers, Thirsty Buffalo Brew Factory and ended at the park. More photos of Cotee River Bike Fest are on our Thunder Roads Florida Facebook page. Thank you to Tina Farrell, Farrell Cares, New Port Richey, Florida’s Sports Coast, Fran Haasch, Doran, Beam & Farrell, and Venom Cycles for sponsoring this great 3-day event!

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 Jeanie G.

Well, we rode off into the sunset of what must have been a record-breaking Biketoberfest at the World-Famous Iron Horse Saloon this year! The corral seemed filled to capacity every day with lots to do and see. This huge outdoor venue has two deck levels with several bars and plenty of tables and seats to kick back, grab a cold one and enjoy plenty of people and motorcycle watching.

The friendly barmaids and staff were busy slinging drinks to quench your thirst, while the food options to fill your belly seemed endless: pizza, turkey legs, fried bologna, and of course Craiger’s mouth-watering steak tips with potatoes, onions, and mushrooms. Follow that up with some sweet treats from Horizons – gourmet cookies, cinnamon rolls, or variety cakes.

If shopping is your bag, there is no shortage of vendors to choose from. Pick up an Iron Horse event T-shirt, buy some new bling at Marie’s famous headbands, shop for bike accessories, add to your biker apparel, have a new patch sewn on your leather jacket or vest, or get some new ink at Willie’s Tropical Tattoo. And new to the Horse this year, peruse the Church of Chop Motor-Punk Art featuring Scharf’s incredible custom creations to add to your garage decor or mancave!

For those who enjoy the excitement of living on the edge, the California Hell Riders performed their death-defying stunts on vintage motorcycles in the infamous Wall of Death – a show sure to get your heart pounding!

This year’s awesome music roundup included Whiskey Heart, Jess Zimmerman, and Cowboy. Other bands rocking the non-stop party were Bobby Friss, Highway to Hell, Gun Shy, Papa Wheelie, Switch, JB Walker, JW Gilmore, and Danny Charles. Before taking the stage, Whey Jennings and Saliva graciously autographed guitars and Mayor Jason Leslie donated a signed collectible Rusty Wallace clock to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and Veterans Support Fund. Congrats and thank you to the auction winners for contributing to these amazing charities!

Sally, Melissa and Bob, owners of the Iron Horse Saloon, sure know how to throw a great party, and this bar is very involved in the community year-round hosting charity events, poker runs and corn hole tournaments. Be sure to pay them a visit during your travels and come back in March for Bike Week! More Biketoberfest photos can be found on Thunder Roads Florida Facebook page in the Iron Horse Saloon album.

By Lulu

We were invited to join Ken and Colleen Wallace for Casino Night at Gator Harley-Davidson. I gladly accepted for two reasons: one, Jan always throws a great bash and two, as a cancer nurse in my past life I love the work St. Jude Children’s Hospital does…and they can only do free care because of the generosity of people like Wallace Health and all who take dollars out of their pockets to fund the St. Jude Charity. The casino night had great large gift baskets for the top 3 players. I didn’t know there were prizes, or I might have tried harder! An amazing spread of dinner, desserts, and full liquor was served. Thank you for the invite, Ken and Colleen, you guys rock and so does Gator H-D for putting on so many events that help individuals, clubs, local charities, and even international needs such as St. Jude. By the way, for you who may not know, St. Jude is the Saint of Hope and that is exactly what parents receive when their children are accepted as a St. Jude patient!

By Lulu

EVERYONE should do Sturgis at least once in their lifetime! My fifth trip, TJ’s ninth, and Ken & Jeani’s second and every time is simply awesome. Gator Ken and Jeani trailered up and back. We flew out later because of distribution for the August issue. Tommy hauled our bike so we could ride the whole way back with a side trip to Pikes Peak & The Garden of the Gods in Colorado and two nights in the Ozarks. Quite a trip! Staying at Camp Kristen is like coming home! Bill Grotto & Kimmie, Gator Ken & Jeani, Tommy & Susan, Doug & Christine, all called it home for a week or so. It was Bill’s birthday before we got there, so Kristen saved a homemade ice cream Strawberry Shortcake that Bill had raved about, and boy was it delicious.

Sturgis is known MOSTLY for one thing…the riding. Can’t go without hitting Mount Rushmore, the breathtaking Badlands, Spearfish Canyon (more than once), Custer State Park for the buffalo walking on the road like we are in their way, Devil’s Tower, Crazy Horse, and Needles Highway. We even took a day trip to North Dakota for lunch just because it was the only state T.J. hadn’t been to.

The second thing that people enjoy in Sturgis is the party scene! Bars like One Eyed Jacks, Iron Horse Saloon, the original site of Jay Allen’s Broken Spoke, Knuckle Saloon, The Dungeon, and the Gas Monkey are all worth drenching your thirst at right downtown. A short ride out of town you have Steel Pony Campground complete with a pool, the world-famous Buffalo Chip and Michael Ballard’s Full Throttle Saloon. In Downtown Deadwood you have Saloon #10. Obviously if you hit them all, which I think we did, you do a bit of damage to your liver! Music is plentiful, although TJ would rather spend all day on two wheels, have dinner and visit in the garage with our friends. So, we only hit Nickelback at Buffalo Chip. By the way, I had no idea who they were and was impressed by the show. Ken & Jeani were much better at heading out at night, they hit Jackyl and Disturbed at Full Throttle, and Jasmine Cain at Kickstand. They are much better night owls than us.

We visited my friend, Sherry who oversees The Steel Pony when she is not running events at Broken Spoke in Daytona and made a quick dash into see Doug at Sickboys in Deadwood for a present or two. If you make it to Sturgis, you have to see his permanent showroom. Ken and Jeani hit Wall Drug & Hill City for some shopping with friends from Pennsylvania, Joe & Lisa, and Jamie & Shelby. We had our own little posse who came from faraway places to spend some time on the highway with us, Paul & Yolanda from Texas, Brian from Florida Bike Life out of Michigan, and we made a new friend Jen from Thunder Roads Michigan.

Needless to say, the 1100 miles we put on burning up the highways was enjoyable every moment of the way. The 3100-mile ride home wasn’t quite as easy, although I am glad to say I did it. The roads weren’t as well cared for, lots of potholes, chilly rain for a full day, and a back rest that TJ said I broke made for an aggravating few days…BUT Pike’s Peak was awesome, and the Garden of the Gods was too. There was also an amazing ride through Estes Park, the Gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park that had towering walls of rock on both sides of the roadway. Didn’t have my camera charged, so there are no pictures of that. AND you need to know you need a reservation for a timed entrance into the park itself. Take a walk on the wild side if you haven’t done Sturgis or Colorado yet…get on your bike and ride!

A special thank you to Wade and Kristen for their hospitality and friendship, to Tommy and Doug for hauling our bike, to Bill Grotto for introducing us to Wade and for my jacket, and to the church that is walking distance from the house that serves full breakfast every day for donations!