By Lulu

Almost 153 riders took flight to help raise much needed funds for Angel Flight! Angel Flight is an organization that flies people in need of transplants, medical procedures, etc. who are unable to afford a flight to their care. The pilots use their private planes and donate their time and Angel Flight helps to defray the cost of gasoline. Heather and the crew at Dirty Harry’s hosted the event and the band Crashrocket rocked the house! The ride started at Beaver Bar, then rode to White Eagle and Finn’s. Chris’ Lounge had one hell of a spread with sandwiches and baked ziti…and baked goods. When we got to Dirty Harry’s we couldn’t even eat a bite we were so full! The sign up, raffles and 50/50 raised a grand total of $4086.00. Thanks to each and every one who took their Sunday to work the event or ride for this great charity…not only did you give wings to those in need…you earned some of your own!

By Metric and Phoenix

Open Roads in Arcadia is the best Biker Bar in town. Every weekend Open Road has something going on. One weekend it may be Lady’s Biker day or Old School Biker day, whatever it is you can bet you will have a great time. Recently, Fire and Rick hosted a VETERANS APPRECIATION DAY. The event was to recognize our HEROES and support the riding groups that help our Veterans and active personnel in times of need. Our Government as well as the VA has neglected our Veterans for far too long and Veterans Organizations and Veteran motorcycle clubs have had to pick up the slack and fill the gaps. Thanks to Open Road and all the Veterans organizations that participated in the event to raise money to support their local Veterans Charities. Special recognition to Open Road, Veterans Fundraising Assoc., Steel Horse Life, Gator Guns and the Veterans-in Arms VMC for sponsoring the event. In addition to the sponsors thanks to Moccasin Wallow for keeping us entertained throughout the day. Remember November 11th is the official Veterans’ Day, but everyday should be Veterans Day. If you are a Veteran “THANK YOU, BROTHER” for your service. If you see a Veterans, tell him or her THANK YOU!!!!

By Billy “Kneecap” Braddock

I always said that I wouldn’t live long enough to see the country destroy itself. However, I think I might be wrong this time. When I watched an NFL football game on Sunday I was speechless. In a sport that supposedly represents the United States of America, the sport instead Disgraced it. To see a professional football player not stand up for our national anthem, broke my heart. We have lost respect for authority, respect for our country and mainly respect for ourselves. I grew up with a country in disrepair “Sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll”. If you could remember the 60s, you weren’t there. The hippies protested everything and some were right. Now, these people are running our country. I never have seen the country so divided.

America is going to hell! Can you imagine me saying that? I consider myself so patriotic that I pee red, white and blue beer. This really freaks my doctor out especially when he found some blood in my alcohol stream. There’s a great example of what’s happening to our country in a column I read by Wayne Root. Imagine buying a beautiful home, in a wonderful, safe neighborhood with great schools. Then, through a combination of incompetence, ignorance, arrogance, and purposeful intent, that home becomes a garbage ridden, graffiti covered crack house. In short order, the entire neighborhood goes to hell. The good people escape. Drug dealers and welfare addicts move in. The streets become dangerous. The schools become cesspools of crime, drugs, gangs and teen pregnancy. Then the landlords who allowed this to happen, have the nerve to complain about how the neighborhood has gone downhill.

Does Detroit come to mind? The same socialist policies that destroyed the economies of Greece, Spain, Portugal, Italy and even France have turned Detroit into a Third World hellhole in the middle of America. Didn’t Obama say we should be more like France? Taxing, over regulating, increasing the debt, non- stop spending and an ever-growing government. Let’s take a look at our landlords.

1. President Barack Hussein Obama – charming, charismatic, narcissistic, intellectual sociopath, with disregard for our Constitution, and winner of the “Liar of the Year” award. Hillary is next.
2. Vice President Joe Biden – suffers from foot in mouth disease and once said, “I never had an interest in being a Mayor ’cause that’s a real job. You have to produce. That’s why I was able to be a Senator for 36 years”.

Just because you don’t take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you.

I do a lot of charity. Every morning I donate my opinion.

“A U.S. Govt. survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population”.

To all my friends who have sent me get well cards, Best wishes, Angel letters, etc. promising to bring good luck Stop. All that crap didn’t work. Next time could you please send Money, vodka, chocolate, or wine. Thank you.

I started out in life my goal was to go for broke, and I achieved it.

See you on the shiny side up tomorrow

By Lulu

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As we travel around our beautiful state we come across places that make us go WOW! And on our stay in Starke we had to find a place to lay our heads for a couple of nights. TJ hadn’t experienced a bed & breakfast and I wasn’t sure how he would take to the idea, but we were both pleasantly surprised. Not only was the bed comfortable, the sheets dreamy, the view and sunsets beautiful…the breakfast was scrumptious!

Upon check in there were cookies and we were told “cold beer is in the fridge”, a place can’t be more biker friendly than that! Hampton Lake is an 850-acre cypress lake that is great for swimming, fishing and boating. Paula our host is friendly and accommodating.

It was great having breakfast with other bikers from the west coast of Florida here for the rally. The house has 5 bedrooms ranging from $99 to $169 a night, free Wi-Fi, a huge fireplace in the living area which we didn’t need in August but it made me think it would be a great destination stop for a cold winter ride!

To book a stay call 800-480-4522 or visit http://hamptonlakbb.com.

By Lulu

For those of us who love to shop…there is nothing more exciting than a brand new showroom with outrageous items to browse. Skip’s Western Outfitters has been in business since 1979. In 1983 they opened their first location in Downtown Osteen. Owner, Skip Patsos, recently moved his Daytona location to a fabulous 25,000 square foot store on International Speedway directly across from NASCAR’s Speedway next to Best Buy. The address is 1900 W. International Speedway Blvd. Suite 400.

This “SUPERSTORE” is a must see! With a western themed interior, it even has a jail, poles and power lines and a bar for party nights that completes the feel of the Old West. After all, this tremendous store is the largest western indoor city in the world! Skip is definitely a “hard work equals success in America” story. According to Skip, “Skip’s had its humble beginnings, just me and my wife with a truck load of boots and shoes working at flea markets every weekend at 6 am.” A real American success. Now along with the two showrooms he has a web store that allows him to be “family owned, locally operated and servicing the USA”!

With a seemingly endless collection of boots including Ariat, Wolverine, Thorogood, Georgia Boot, Timberland Pro, Durango, Dingo, Laredo, Dan Post, Corral, Karman Roper and Lucchese, Skip’s covers all your needs including work, western and hiking boots. However, MOST importantly Skip’s has transformed into a major motorcycle headquarters from head-to-toe comprised of the largest selection of motorcycle boots in the Southeast. An entire section of the store is dedicated to Harley Davidson Boots for men and women!!!

Stocked with over 15,000 boots, it’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before… jaw-dropping, extraordinary and beyond stunning. Want to turn heads? Match their Scully custom leather products with any of their motorcycle boots for a bold, fierce biker look. As if this isn’t impressive enough, you’ve really got to tip your hat to Skip’s for having so many cowboy hats you could have a different one for everyday of the year! They have Resistol, Justin, Larry Mahan’s, Stetson, Charlie Horse, and Bullhide just to name a few. I must admit I had to buy one! Living here in Florida we all know protection from the sunshine is a must.

Skip’s has a line-up of Costa, Ray Ban, Maui Jim, Oakley, and Salt Life Optics all ready to shield you and with a little help from Sun Bum’s sunscreen, lotions and lip balms the sun won’t stand a chance. Though sunglasses are always the perfect accessory, they also have purses galore, Nocona belts, wallets and Montana Silversmith jewelry to make your outfit complete. Ladies, if that doesn’t make you get your charge card out… you will after you try on their great selection of Miss Me, Affliction, and Grace in LA jeans. They also have Wrangler, Guy Harvey, Sperry, Reef, Topless Hooker gear and a beautiful collection of Salt Life and Heybo for the outdoor adventurers. They even have Engel Coolers to help beat the heat and keep your drinks cold and frosty! This will certainly be a place I go Christmas shopping!

Business hours are Monday-Saturday 9:30am-8:30pm, Sunday 10am-6pm. Call them at 386-255-0455 or visit the website skipboots.com. Get on your bike and visit this store! A bad biker needs a bold boot. Do your motorcycle boots match you?

By Lulu

The rain forecast wasn’t good and the band plays outside at the Tilted Kilt first Saturday of the month Bike Night. I wasn’t sure if anyone would be there for our Twisted Tea party, so I was pleasantly surprised when the outside deck was full of people. Nefty and the girls kept us entertained; Nefty with games that included Musical Chairs and toilet paper & plungers! The girls with their tiny little kilts and great smiles! The band 4 Play was amazing! Plenty of folks tasted Twisted Tea for the first time! War Horse Harley-Davidson gave a $500 gift card away and John Atwater was thrilled to be the winner! The Tilted Kilt bike nights are the first Saturday evening from spring through November and the final one will feature Bearded Brothers Band who are awesome! As part of Twisted Tea Bike Night, we raised a bit of food and $76 cash for the food pantry of Marion County. Thanks to Nefty, the staff and the great peeps of Ocala for joining in on the fun!

By Ron Cox

Two hundred fifty riders/passengers signed up at Black Widow Harley-Davidson in Port Charlotte on August 7th to ride in the Inaugural Black Widow Fallen First Responders Poker Run.

The 40-mile ride started and ended at Black Widow with card stops at Ace Hardware in Cape Haze, Leverocks Restaurant in Placida and the Englewood Events Center in Englewood. Angelina Connor won the Poker Run and a $200 Black Widow gift card with a full house 9’s over queens. Stephen Byrne “won” the $100 gift card with the worst hand of an 8 high nothing.

Breakfast, a swag bag and t-shirt was included with the registration fee. Charlotte County Sheriff’s Deputies put on a riding skill and K-9 demonstration and showed off some of their equipment.

Before the riders headed out there was a bike blessing. Upon their return there was an all afternoon after ride celebration.

Charlotte County Sheriff Bill Prummell spoke about how first responders appreciate this kind of support for the work they perform.

Funds raised ($4,500) will benefit the Charlotte County Explorer Unit and Concerns Of Police Survivors(C.O.P.S.) an organization that provides emotional and financial support to families that have lost a loved one in the line of duty.

by Katie Donzanti & Sara Brady

Photo Tina Branan & Nickolas Wolf

Orlando-Harley Davidson’s “Hogs for Hope” ride more than doubled its fundraising goals last week when more than 500 motorcycle riders drove past the Pulse Nightclub to show support for the victims of the June 12 tragedy and raise money for the OneOrlando.org fund.

The ride raised $45,500 more than double its original $20,000 goal. Accompanied on Sunday July 24th by Orlando Police, more than 500 riders came together and rode through downtown Orlando, stopping briefly in front of the Pulse Nightclub, the site of the June 12 tragedy that left 49 people dead and more than 50 others wounded.

“I am enormously proud of Orlando Harley-Davidson and our motorcycling community for coming together to help the Pulse attack victims and their families,” said Anne Deli, owner of Orlando Harley-Davidson and who organized the ride. “As we rode past Pulse and the Honor Guard we had posted there, it was an incredibly emotional moment. The victims and their families have so many needs due to the injuries or trauma caused by the accident. The amount raised was more than double our expectation which shows the love and unity of so many to help and support their long term needs.”

The parade ride departed from Camping World Stadium (formerly the Citrus Bowl) and traveled to the Orlando Harley-Davidson Historic Factory Dealership at 3770 37th St. Orlando. The parade was led by 49 flag bearers representing each of the victims, and escorted by the Orlando Police Department and its newly introduced “Orlando United” SUV Patrol Car. Riders rolled through downtown Orlando passing the Pulse Night Club where an American Orlando H-D’s HOGS FOR HOPE Ride Greatly Surpasses Fundraising Goals for ONEORLANDO Fund by Katie Donzanti & Sara Brady photos Tina Branan & Nickolas Wolf Legion Honor Guard stood at attention to honor the victims and their families.

The post-ride event included remarks from honored guests, City of Orlando Commissioner Patty Sheehan and Commissioner Regina Hill, both who participated in the parade. Also riding in the parade was Orlando Police Department’s Deputy Chief Orlando Rolon and Lt. Jim Young, Orlando Police’s newly appointed LGBT Community Liaison. Local band, Three Forks Road, entertained guests with an afternoon of music while they enjoyed food, drinks, a silent auction of vendor donated product in an atmosphere that was uniquely Orlando Harley-Davidson. Rounding out the afternoon was a series of dance showcases by local performers who have performed at PULSE, previously.

In addition to event proceeds including ticket sales, food contributions and silent auction, Orlando Harley-Davidson contributed $500 from Touring Motorcycle sales during the week of 7/17-7/25, then expanded to all motorcycles for the event, to the OneOrlando Fund

By Billy “Kneecap” Braddock

I don’t normally respond to Letters to the Editor, that’s the editor’s job and she does a great job. However, since only .001% of readers will ever write a letter to the editor, the letter in the August 2016 issue from Rob “Bad Dude” Edwards needed my attention. His comments didn’t offend me, mainly because I tend to offend not be offended. I’ve been writing for newspapers and magazines since school. I’m well-educated I spent 12 years in school, 2 in the 1st, 3 in the 2nd, 4 in the 3rd and 4 in the 5th. My best subject was math. I would have gone to college but I already knew how to flip hamburgers. I tried radio but I sounded like Foghorn Leghorn. TV didn’t work either since I look like Phineas T. Bluster from the Howdy Doody show. By the way, I sat in the peanut gallery as a kid.

Comment that got my attention was “he has no business trying to write a political/ social column in a magazine that we read for entertainment and news of the latest motorcycle happenings in the area.” Rob, I hate to tell you but bikers are interested in more than “beautiful cycles and biker babes”. They’re not just people who want to have a nickname and ride around on motorcycles. They are concerned citizens, that know what politicians do can influence their income, health care, immigration, firearm rights, privacy protection, traffic laws, etc. They are not “delicate snowflakes” who need safe spaces, code words, trigger warnings, or micro-aggressions. Keeping an open mind is essential to the success of the American system of government. Democracy is fragile and demagogues are always lurking. Good citizens start with placing a premium on open minds, informed voting and demanding that politicians offer practical solutions, not scapegoats or pie-in-the-sky promises. They don’t treat their politics like their sports teams. They think, they just don’t root.

Let’s look at Rob’s remedies: “put a muzzle on old “Kneecap” and take away his editorial privileges”. Sounds like Rob is in favor of censorship. A force that represses ideas, free speech, impulses, and feelings. Anyone for Russia, North Korea, China, Iran, or pick your favorite communist country. Another remedy was to put him in charge of obituaries and or recipes. My editor has already put me in charge of an obituary, my own which I have skillfully written. I’m also a very good cook so if you want recipes Rob I’ll send them to you. At least he didn’t insult me by calling me normal. Rob, you need to pay attention to happenings like the Patriot Guard, Rolling Thunder, and 9/11 Ceremonies, to see how patriotic and political bikers are. “OOHRAH”. Rob, keep reading and learning from my column and we will both be happy.

I see we have a woman running for president. If she is elected her first act upon entering office should be to put the toilet seat down.

Remember, Obamacare only works if you don’t.

I just read a statistic that said criminals commit less crime after being shot.

Maybe ISIS will stop beheading people if we explain to them they should be focusing on climate change.

What makes America great, is that you can be a gutless, useless, freeloading parasite who pisses on America and everything it stands for, and still get a check from the government every month and that’s true even if you are not the president.

Check out my website “nobobiesopinion.com”

See you on the shiny side of tomorrow…

By Jim Moran

A Charity Benefit for Soldier Songs and Voices was held at Mango Jo’s in Ruskin on July 23rd. Soldier Songs and Voices is a national nonprofit organization that began in Austin, Texas with a mission to help veterans heal from the trauma of battle through music. Soldier Songs and Voices provides musical instruction, instruments and songwriting workshops to help veterans express their feelings and experiences of war. Founder of the Sarasota/Manatee chapter Ray Hodges and singer songwriter Debbie Hood did a fantastic job with the event and Cathy, owner of Mango Jo’s was a perfect host. The event raised over $1,200 for the cause which will be used to purchase guitars for veterans and to create CD’s of veterans’ music to sell at future fundraisers. Among the performers were Ray Hodges, Debbie Hood, Dean Johanesen, Bill Vinhage and Gerry Bell among others. Special thanks to all of the American Legion Riders, Riverview, and Nam Knights who came out to support the cause and to Dragon for smokin’ the chicken and sausage.

For more information on Soldier Songs and Voices, visit www.soldierssongsandvoices.org/ssv or call Ray Hodges at 941-448-0952

by Lori “Shutta Bitch” Mobouck ~ Fire & Iron

MC-Station 10 Secretary and Region 1 Secretary

It seems like most mornings we wake up to some kind of tragedy these days. Recently, I was honored to join a group of bikers riding for the Pulse victims and their families. I woke not knowing how the day would go, knowing that day changed so many lives. I was asked to write an article, but to tell you the truth, didn’t realize how hard it was going to be because I wanted to honor all that were directly affected on that day. The day was emotional but with everyone there, we all stood together for the same reason.

The turnout was amazing. The ride visited different places, police stations, fire departments (some of which were on scene that morning) and various others establishments that had contributed with donations.

As I approached Pulse, there were a few people already at the memorial site. It was so quiet but you could hear what they were thinking. I could only imagine the shock and horror each person must have felt not knowing why this was happening and which way they should run to feel safe again. Overwhelming emotions changing the survivors’ lives and the victim’s families lives forever.

As the world watched in shock as the story unfolded, we prayed for them with hope in our hearts. Hope for this world not be filled with so much violence.

Wishing you all “wicked” safe and fun travels!!!

By Lulu

Sadness isn’t something young people expect to deal with. But when Eli Holley and his passenger died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident, sadness hit their young friends and family hard. A run was organized in his memory and the Boot Hill Saloon was packed. I saw lots of young riders who probably hadn’t been on a run for someone they knew and loved before…in a perfect world you would hope they wouldn’t have to again, but as we older riders know…tragedy strikes without warning and losses are something we simply endure. But rides like this one for Eli are healing, the smiles of his friends telling stories about Eli are the beginning and if there is a heaven above I know Eli would be smiling along with his friends for remembering him…