By Lulu

$$$126,128…can we say WOW!!!! That is what Sherry and the volunteers, musicians that auctioned their guitars, businesses that donated items, sponsors like Rue & Ziffra Law Firm, Barton & Barton, Hot Action Sportswear, JJ Amusements, Beyer & Brown, Suck Bang & Blow in Myrtle Beach, Broken Spoke Saloon, Iron Horse Saloon, Food Supply, AOK Guns that raffled guns, Drifters Riverfront Bar & Grill and individuals that purchased raffle tickets, guitars, poker hands, played in the cornhole tournament, raised for St. Judes. Great BBQ was served by Feed the Obsession for those who rode on the ride. Every single person who gave of their time to ride Saddle Up for St. Jude, or work the event, and the countless hours of planning the team spent, all made this HUGE!!! Crashrocket was rocking the stage when the riders completed their run. Stops this year included Sorry Charlie’s Corner, The Turn, Boot Hill Saloon on Main St. A personal thank you to Dunkin Donuts for the coffee and donuts since I was running late and was in a caffeine deficit! And on a final note…THE GOAL WAS ONLY $100,000…CAN WE SAY WOW!

By Lulu

The weather gods were smiling on us in Leesburg! It didn’t seem like it was as hot, and I don’t remember any rain. The crowds were large and the night concerts were totally packed. My friend, George from Chrome Premium Cigars, had a spare VIP ticket so he invited me to the tent where we were treated to Sonny’s BBQ and adult beverages. The headliners this year were Sister Hazel, Lita Ford, and Everclear, although bands rocked the 3 stages everyday all day. Great Chicago Fire Brewery had a tent right in the parking lot, so a scrumptious hot dog came with good entertainment and beer! Frank’s Rack & Grill is a good spot right next to one of the stages to hang out. Hundreds of vendors lined the streets of the pretty downtown area. Stunt riders, a Full Throttle Bike Show and stilt walkers gave the crowds photo ops. My favorite part of the Leesburg Rally is the ride out to spots like Big Bass Grill, Eaton’s Beach, and Lake Harris Hideaway. Pretty roads to explore! Oh, and of course visiting our friends at Gator H-D and Dirty South Saloon. Special thanks to Progressive Insurance for their sponsorship! Google says the dates for next year Bikefest is April 24th-26th. So, get your reservations now and come to central Florida to play!

By Lulu

Our two favorite trips each year are the treks to Thunder Beach Rally in Panama City. The water is beautiful; the sand is pure white sugar and usually the weather is perfect. This year we had one bad day of rain, but it didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits, in fact, probably more alcohol was consumed wherever peeps got rained in. This rally has several spots that are on your Must Do List. Harley-Davidson of Panama City, Indian Motorcycle, The Salty Goat for the fun staff, Wicked Wheel for the Nashville chicken sandwich, Miss Newby’s for great cocktails, the brand-new Tootsies Orchid Lounge which is stunning inside and the ocean view, Hammerhead Fred’s for the Miss Thunder Beach contest, and a ride out to The Hideout in Red Bay.

We also made a stop at Bike Rack for the Twisted Tea Strong Man & Woman contest which will be in next month’s magazine, along with our day at The Hideout. At Frank Brown Park there are adult beverages and our friend Bill Grotto with the Twisted Tea girls are onsite, Heather and Chris from Cycle Source put on old-school bike games, Shannon’s Baker Act Custom bike show, lots of vendors were busy selling their wares and live music was enjoyed by the crowd. We ran into Jasmine Cain at the Twisted Tea tent and Tony and Big Engine were on the stage. Our last day we had dinner with Chris Anderson from the Thunder Beach Rally at the new McGuires Irish Pub. It was beautiful and the food was delicious. Make sure to come to the fall rally in 2026. The dates are October 21st-25th!!

By Lulu

Leesburg was hopping this year. The downtown park was packed like sardines for the headliners at night. Gator always has great bands during the day and this year we were able to catch two of our favorites Bobby Blackmon and Hayfire. Barfly, The Domino Effect, Hollywood, Propaganhah, Kelly Jarrard and Hypersona filled the four days with music at Gator. Tattoos by Country were available inside and he hosted a tattoo contest with cash prizes. My friend Tony from Full Throttle Magazine entered the beer belly contest. He didn’t get 1st place but he took home some dough. On Saturday, nine smoking hot girls competed for the title Miss Gator Harley 2026 and the beautiful Holly won! Gator H-D will be hosting their annual fall rally in November on the 14th and 15th, so hope to see you there!

By Lulu

I was a lucky girl at Gator H-D during the spring rally and got to be up close and personal with some beautiful ladies, as I emceed their Miss Gator bikini contest. The girls first took the stage in biker wear and they all looked stunning in their strappy black outfits. After Hayfire played their set, they took the stage again dressed in teeny, tiny bikinis leaving little to the imagination. I wouldn’t want to be a judge as they are all gorgeous, sweet, and FUN! Thanks to the sponsors Born to Ride For 45, Spray Mobile Tanning, Wallace Health Care, All Touch, Inc., Midnight Movers, Atlantic Site Development, Director of Possibilities, Advanced Infusion Center, and RWC, who helped put this thing on! First place went to Holly!

By TJ

Many of you are probably familiar with Venom Custom Choppers & Cycle Works on U.S.19 in New Port Richey for their 10 years of bike nights back in the day, and for hosting bike shows at Cotee River Bike Fest and others. For those of you who may not be familiar, you need to check this place out the next time you need your bike worked on. My friend Minh Mai is the proprietor and over the last 20 years he has built his business and reputation on honesty, fairness, and trust. His customers keep coming back for that exact reason. They know that the job will be done properly the first time, and in the rare event that something isn’t “just right,” Minh will make sure that it is corrected. That’s solid customer service!

It’s been a long road since the young 9-year-old Minh immigrated to the U.S. with his family from Vietnam in the late 70’s to become Americans and pursue the American Dream. They came to Florida by way of N.Y. and N.C. Minh completed school, eventually became a U.S. citizen, married his wife Lori, had a son, and got to work. He began with a body shop and a bar/restaurant along the way then transitioned full time into the motorcycle world. The tech guys at Venom have been there for years, which isn’t always the case at a lot of bike shops. They are proficient with performance upgrades, service, repairs, new parts, tires, and maintenance issues on all makes and models with Harley-Davidson as a specialty. Venom can also help you with your extended warranty work. Minh has owned and ridden Harleys, Ninjas, Slingshots, and other bikes over the years so he’s a real motorcycle guy that knows his business. Give them a call for your next job and tell ‘em Thunder Roads Florida sent you!

Recently a business owner in Florida that everyone seemed to like committed suicide. In July 2006, Bull the original owner of Thunder Roads Florida, a guy that loved life and motorcycling…who was leaving the next Tuesday for his first trip to Sturgis shot himself. A week before that trip! He also was looking forward to an all-expense paid trip to the Playboy Mansion the following month. None of that mattered that Tuesday night. I can instantly think of at least 15 people that I knew well who tragically took their own life, one was just a child of 14, another a young cute girl in her 20’s hung herself. And the reason that I am writing this is: 49,000 people end their own life on average each year. 132 in the USA a day! 22 veterans a day! When I first wrote of Bull’s death, I wanted people who think of taking their life to know the pain they are trying to end is like a torch passed to those they leave behind. Their mothers are in shock. Their loved ones in total grief and disbelief. Their children have forever lost a parent they need! I lived it. Suicide totally changes those you leave behind. Reach out to someone if you need help dealing with despair. I Googled how many suicides a day in the US and a recording came on instantly before the information telling me to call a hotline for help 988 is the number to call! Or tell a friend. Depression is real…it is draining…and those that suffer feel hopeless. Another sunrise is only a phone call away.

Hold your friends close, call your mom and don’t forget your sunscreen…

By Lulu

If you are coming to Leesburg Bikefest in 2027 (scheduled for April 23rd-25th) and you like camping, good music and adult fun…you should definitely give Windy Acres a call! It is a very short scoot to Gator H-D and downtown, located at 1350 Miller Blvd, Fruitland Park. Even if you don’t camp you can get a day pass for old school partying. Lawless Intent was the band and they rocked the place. The line of women lining up for the wet T contest was LONG!!! Everyone that camps here comes back every year and the place seems like home to them. For reservations go to WINDYACRESFESTIVITIES.COM!

By Lulu

A great bike show each spring is held at the beautiful Broken Spoke Saloon on US 1 in Daytona as part of Bike Week. Dennis Kirk, known as a leader in aftermarket parts and accessories with same day shipping, puts this event on. His show always brings out some great garage-builds. Dennis Kirk gives these builders an opportunity to display their talents. A few of the bikes and builders are featured here but you can go to the albums on Thunder Roads Florida Facebook page to see all the winners from the day. Check out DennisKirk.com for parts!!

By Lulu

Daytona Bike Week has a night of amazing sights at the Volusia County Fairgrounds. Burning Bike Night came complete with fire performers, the torching of the giant wooden bike, a flaming hot bikini contest and great live music all in a huge fairground with vendors and booze!!! A perfect place to spend the last Friday of Bike Week. If you haven’t been, put this on your event plans for spring 2027! Troy and his crew at Fastlane Campground bring this event to us and they do a fantastic job!

By Lulu

Bike Week wouldn’t be complete without a trip or two to the World-Famous Iron Horse Saloon. Iron Horse is known for great T-shirts, Craiger’s Beef Tips, The Wall of Death, and David Allan Coe, along with other great musicians. On a sad note, David Allan died in April, you can’t believe how many people before his death asked if he was performing each rally. He definitely was an icon. Whey Jennings filled his boots and does so much to help our local veterans by actively participating in auctioning off his hats, guitars and even jackets for the Veterans Support Fund. For those living in Daytona or just riding through, you need to check out the live music they are featuring outback every Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

By Lulu

Can’t recall exactly how many years we have taken friends and visitors to Florida for “our” Ride to the Country Bike Week and Biketoberfest. But this was by far one of our best. LOTS of new faces and some friends from states far away that join us every year now! The weather couldn’t have been better, one of the few we haven’t been rained on. We start at Sandrine’s bar The Hideout Lounge on Derbyshire in Daytona. after one of their famous Bloody Mary’s we saddled up for a bit of a hike to The Oasis in San Mateo where owners Tina and Larry got on their scoot and joined us for a few stops. Next a quick little jaunt to everyone’s favorite, the Gnarly Gar, with an amazing deck right on the river. We have to make the next stop Long’s Log Cabin in Welaka to visit with our friends Waylon and Tonya! Hungry riders walked next door for a bite to eat at Shrimp-R-Us, and some waited to sit on the back porch of 3 Bananas in Crescent City for their quesadillas. But before they could chow down at 3 Bananas we stopped at The Hideaway in Satsuma where Lisa goes all out for those who come to visit with a sex swing for photos in the oak tree, balloon arch for couples photos inside…you really never know what she will be up to next. Then after our dinner stop at 3 Bananas, the final stop was The Other Place for their Shovelhead night. Gina owns it and Chris’ Lounge and was there hosting a PACKED house! We always have room for more so next time you come to town for Bike Week or Biketoberfest and want to get out of dodge and enjoy some of our favorite spots, join us!

By Lulu

This is an awesome event that gets bigger every year! This year it was perfect as it was held in the new, huge Tiki Hut that we have all been waiting for. Boats arrived and pirates walked the plank to unload and invade the crowd. Sword fighting women put on a bit of a show. Prizes for best female, male and couple pirates were awarded. Even a Twisted Tea bass boat invaded the party with my friend Gary Coleman and his wife.

If you haven’t been to Drifters on the St. John’s River in Astor, the food is fantastic with generous portions for hungry bikers. A wonderful view of the river makes it a great stop. Coming on July 4th is their next Tiki event which is a celebration of 250 years of the USA! Dress patriotic and come out and join us!

By TJ

The Wheel In is back in Brooksville! Two years ago, Alan, Paul, Kirk, and Mark all decided to chip in and take over the property that housed The Wheel for many years while they were growing up but then became Rebar for a bit. These lifelong friends have breathed new life into the popular local spot known for its lively atmosphere, live music, karaoke, and poker nights. To me, the biggest improvement made is the construction of a huge, covered pole barn with a stage and a fire pit that provides a friendly, casual atmosphere to have a few drinks with your peeps.

I was fortunate to spend a recent Saturday afternoon at a fundraiser for a beloved friend in the community, Bobby Boatwright, who is fighting an illness. It was obvious by the turnout that everybody loves Bobby. The outpouring of support was nice to see, and Bobby really enjoyed himself. Paul played auctioneer for countless donated items and DJ/Karaoke Bubba kept everyone rockin’ all day with his tunes. I really enjoyed the day and getting to know everyone better was a bonus They are a good group of folks!

“The Wheel” is always available and excited to host poker runs, private parties, special events, reunions, birthdays etc. There is also a food truck to fill up your belly. Oh, and if you feel inclined, feel free to drop off all of your beer/soda can tabs. They collect them, and the proceeds go to The Shriners. One gallon jug of tabs is worth $200, and they are working on a 5-gal jug now, so help fill it up!
The bar is located at 10123 Broad St (Rt 41) in Brooksville. The best part of a visit to The Wheel for us bikers is the ride out there. The area is surrounded in all directions by miles of beautiful country roads that will lead you right to it. Go check out the Wheel In and tell em Thunder Roads Florida sent ya.

T. J.

I was happy to be able to attend Let’s Rides 10th anniversary party to help my friend Lisa celebrate her milestone. We were at their first anniversary party 10 years ago and the store has come a long way since moving from the old store on19 in Port Richey to the current location at 7422 SR 52 in Hudson in 2017. This store has a welcoming feeling when you enter and is very neat, clean, and organized. She has all kinds of new and second-hand motorcycling gear. Helmets, leather jackets, jeans, gloves, hats, glasses, etc. …you get the picture. If you need anything biker, check Let’s Ride first before you go and pay dealership prices. Let’s Ride also features a consignment section. I think Lisa’s specialty is custom made patches for your jacket, hat, or vest. Those embroidery machines are running like crazy all day long.

This day was to thank Lisa’s loyal customers and friends. Her mom, kids and grandkids were also there helping with the duties of the party, but also to enjoy the festivities. The band Wallace Blvd was very talented and rocked the house on a beautiful sunny afternoon. Their set list was a great mix of Rock and Roll, Blues, and a bit of Country. Cold beer was available for a donation, and the outside grill was busy cooking up burgers and hot dogs for the crowd.

A bike show presented trophies to the best entries picked by the judges, and they had tables full of raffle baskets with some beautiful prizes. I got lucky and took home a half gallon of Fireball, just what I need. Tony and Melissa manned the Fran Hasch tent and had birthday cake for Melissa’s big day. A few vendors scattered around the property displayed their wares for sale. All in all, it was a perfect afternoon even though I had to make the three-hour ride home afterward. It was worth it! I raise my glass to another 10 years for Lisa and Let’s Ride!