By Billy “Kneecap” Braddock

This is not what I was originally going to write about, but I saw an advertisement that said we should “Celebrate 9/11”. In the dictionary celebrate is defined as: to “commemorate with festivities”. It’s hard for me to celebrate the death of 3000 people who died from the hijackings of American Airlines Flight 11, United Airlines Flight 175, American Airlines Flight 77, and United Airlines Flight 93 that subsequently crashed into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and hallowed the ground in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. This should be a day of reflection and mourning for the lives lost to the violent acts of Islamic extremists. For many Americans the pain and anguish of 9/11/01 will remain forever. The loved ones, friends and family of those who died on that day will never be able To “Celebrate” a wedding, anniversary, birthday, or birth without remembering what they have lost.

Since 2001, millions of Americans come together on 9/11 to honor and remember those lost. In 2009, Congress designated September 11 as a National Day of Service and Remembrance. There will be ceremonies and a moment of silence for many Americans to fill their thoughts with personal remembrances and prayers. However, the most important thing to remember on 9/11 is that the world is still a dangerous place. Evil still exists. 9/11 was neither the first nor the last time that Muslims have killed Americans on U.S. soil in terror attacks. 61 people in 36 separate attacks have been killed since that day. On September 11, 2012 we had another attack on America. This time it was our embassy in Benghazi, Libya. The Islamic extremists killed four Americans, one of whom was a U.S. Ambassador. In less than every five hours, somewhere around the world a Muslim is carrying out a fatal jihadist attack. Some 1,800 deadly Muslim terror attacks happen each year, amounting to about 150 a month and five a day. Approximately 9,697 people have been killed from 1970 to the present in these attacks. The attacks should remind us all of the tragic consequences of disregarding threats. The American capabilities have declined since the defense budget is slashed and this administration refuses to admit there is a problem. They even called the massacre at Fort Hood in 2009 that killed 14 (one a pregnant woman) and injured 31 “workplace violence”. What about 4/15/13 in Boston that killed 3 and injured 170? There are so many questions and so many victims, living and dead, but there’s only one answer. “WE MUST NEVER FORGET OR SURRENDER”

I would join twitter but the only thing that ever follows me has blue lights on it.

One of the best Tweets out there this past week…something to the effect that George Zimmerman was going to change his name to Ben Ghazi so that he could be sure the main stream media would never mention him again.

I read the other day that since the Pfizer Corp.’s patent has expired you can now order Viagra by its generic name “Mycoxafloppin”.

See you on the shiny side of tomorrow…

By Amy Poole

One of the best parts of having our Twisted Tea events is that it brings out faces we may not have seen in awhile…and it sure did during this bike event. The AMVETS’ Post 59 Twisted Tea Event started out a bit soggy, but that did not dampen the party as food for the food bank was brought by many, the Twisted Teas were selling like crazy, and the giveaways were handed out quickly! The new faces that we all got to meet were excited to try Twisted Tea and to also receive a “Twisted” giveaway of their choice. It was very hospitable that team AMVET made their own sign for the bike event and placed it in their window for all to see which I feel helped bring in 80 lbs. of food for the food bank at a Flagler County church! While you are out and about take a scenic ride up A1A to AMVETS Post 59 and have a cold one in a pleasurable and friendly atmosphere. Thank you AMVETS for the warm welcome!!! And a special thanks to Troy and Joe for playing the night away.

By Amy Poole

Bike night at the Iron Horse this month was WET, but there still was a decent turnout…enough for the drenched guys to get entered in the bike show, display their bikes and receive their trophies. The bike show and the trophies are hosted and presented by Willie’s Tropical Tattoo, located down on US 1. This month a new twist was added to the event…a $100 gift certificate to JP Cycles for the burnout contest. One brave soul entered the cage for that gift card and allowed his tire to smolder for 1:26 seconds!! Hopefully next time it will be somewhat drier or we may have to start a kayak competition since we ALL participate rain or shine!! Ha ha ha!!! Hope to see you all at the next one or stop in before to play corn hole or enjoy .25 cent wings on Tuesdays!!!

By “Kneecap”

Bob McNamara was born in Philadelphia and grew up hanging around his father’s car shop. At the age of 15 he bought his first Harley which most of the parts were in a basket. With the help of his dad he built it from the ground up, and within six months he was riding. After graduating high school he realized he wanted to make a career in motorcycles. The next several years were spent working at Harley Davidson dealerships in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He became experienced in sales, parts, and management.

He came to Florida in 2002 and attended Motorcycle Mechanics Institute in Orlando. After two years he graduated top of his class and became a factory certified Harley-Davidson technician. He then spent a couple years working for Seminole and Orlando Harley-Davidson dealerships. He told me that what he really wanted to do was open his own shop. He wanted a place where everyone knew your name and actually cared about you and your bike.

In 2009 he opened Tough Love Cycles Inc… The name was a tribute to his late father who he and his brother affectionately called “Tough Love”. After a few years and a couple of moves he has built it into what it is today. Bob loves what he does. He claims it’s not work but a passion.

He doesn’t only do routine service and repairs but also performance motor work, customization, fabrication and complete builds. He is extremely experienced and keeps up with all the latest technology.

He and his family live in Port Orange and look forward to many years of success. Stop by and see what Bob McNamara and Tough Love Cycles can do for you. They’re located at 415 Oak St., Suite 1, Port Orange. And check out his website toughlovecycles.com.

By Lulu

Kids are returning to school. Change of season is approaching. And life perpetually changes. You can’t stop it, even when you want to. A man called this morning in tears over the loss of his brother-in-law in a motorcycle accident this week. I simply had no idea how to comfort him. Bruce Rossmeyer’s grandson was in a motorcycle accident recently and although injured he will be fine. I believe an angel was protecting him. Accidents happen. Being on two wheels without a shield of armor around us, we are fragile. Please ride with care and as if the other’s around us are gunning for us. We as riders are our only defense!

LADY RIDERS PLEASE READ!!!

I am so excited about an event occurring the first weekend in October for lady riders. Iron Horse Saloon, J&P Cycles, Twisted Tea and ROAR Motorcycles are hosting a weekend to honor the largest growing riding population, WOMEN. Billed as “Hear us Roar”, I hope that ladies from all over the state will try to ride in to Daytona. There are limited to rooms at the hotel where we will throw a pool party Saturday morning with live music. See Iron Horse ad for the info. When I say limited rooms, I mean less than 40 so hurry and sign up. The La Quinta is the secondary place to stay on the beach and there is always the hotel at Destination Daytona, although since Sunday is the huge Camp Boggy Creek Ride for Children rooms will go quickly there also. This weekend will feature a private Meet & Greet at the Iron Horse Friday night with free wine and cheese, then a live band and it will open up to the men folk. There will be raffle prizes for lady riders. Saturday the pool party will kick off the morning, then a ride out of J&P Cycles who will have some tech tip demos for ladies. The ride will be a self ride through the loop but our Grand Marshalls Jody Perewitz (fastest lady on two wheels) and CEO of ROAR Motorcycles Kathleen Tolleson will be on hand to meet everyone. The ride will end at ROAR, with our final destination to be Iron Horse for their Saturday Bike Night featuring a bike show with prizes, live music. Please plan to stay for the two day event and if you haven’t ridden to Camp Boggy Creek it is a fabulous cause and a GREAT event.

Remember to be kind to those you love, ride safe and don’t forget your sunscreen!

By Amy Poole

The Twisted Tea Bike Event at Dirty Harry’s Pub was an hour delayed because of the rain; however, that didn’t halt most of us from riding in or any of the activities throughout the party! The event was held next store in the sister bar, The Bank, where quickly the pile of food grew to lbs.

Liquor Boxx was a new band to many of us and very impressive…so much it kept most of us out of our seats! One of our girls, Sherry, won the $50 cash raffle and donated it back to the food bank…again!! So with the 75 lbs. of food and the $56 cash, we fed quite a few families in Volusia County.

This also took place during the 1st Sunday of every month BBQ. John, manager at Dirty Harry’s, and his crew dished out heaping plates of BBQ to the lively crowd and they washed it down with a Twisted Tea in hand. Our focus during these events is to lend a hand to charities in need, support our advertisers during their monthly events and we strive to do so!!

Thanks Dirty Harry’s for all you do for the community!!

By Phoenix and Metric

While there is nothing like being at Sturgis, the next best thing is to be at Sturgis in Florida. Thanks to our friends from Treasure Coast Harley-Davidson in Stuart we had the best of both worlds, three fun filled days without ever leaving Florida. Friday night’s kick-off party started with a big bang. The lovely ladies from Southern Bike Night, along with beautiful ladies from all over, got the party started with a Hot Body contest; and no, Phoenix didn’t win. Like Sturgis, the party in Stuart never ends.

All day Saturday and Sunday the air was filled with sounds of great music, the taste of delicious food and the smell of burning rubber. The great bands from all over SW Florida kept the crowds dancing. Our taste buds sampled some of the most delicious food found anywhere around the state. The boys from Bad Boy Toys entertained the crowds with their fantastic stunts and burn outs. Treasure Coast HD’s own Ruby provided a priceless service for all bikers with her Bikini Bike wash, even if you didn’t get your bike cleaned. The weekend was filled with a bike show, games, raffles, silent auctions, and one lucky biker won a free trip to New York City during the anniversary of the terrorist attack on 9/11.

While Sturgis of Florida only comes around once a year the staff of Treasure Coast H-D host fantastic events throughout the year and customer appreciation days on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Stop by and tell them that “Metric” from Thunders Roads Magazine Florida sent you and you will be treated like family!!!

By Lulu [autoviewer id="263" width="600" height="600" ] They say there is nothing more “American” than baseball and apple pie, but what makes Americans who we have been blessed to be over the past 237 years are our military men and women who have made incredible sacrifices to give and protect our freedom. I was honored to attend an event at Jackie Robinson Stadium in Daytona Beach on the 4th of July. The guys from Rolling Thunder Chapter 8 were dedicating a stadium seat to remind all of the POW/MIA issue. The seat happened to be used in the movie that came out this year “42” which was Jackie Robinson’s number and the movie is about Jackie crossing the race barrier and playing as the first black in American baseball, just making it all the more fitting that it ended up in Daytona Beach at the park named for him. Rolling Thunder Chapter 8 entered the ballpark on their motorcycles for a sold out crowd as part of the dedication ceremony. John Trask addressed the crowd, Senator Dorothy Hukilla long time supporter of Rolling Thunder FL 8 and Veterans spoke briefly and Viet Nam Veterans provided the color guard. After the National Anthem was sung by Rondi Pepper the crowd cheered as the American and POW/MIA flag was raised for the first time at the ball field, so appropriately on the 4th. The chair has been painted with the POW/MIA logo and is displayed on extended legs made of a bamboo looking material representing the time spent by too many in the jungles of Vietnam. The empty chair will be permanently displayed to remind all that the cost of freedom is great. It will remind us of those that have been held as prisoners of war and those who have are still missing after wars…that the 83,000 heroes who still remain unaccounted for since WWI missed out on so much, such as watching a baseball game with their young sons. The normal day to day living that we all enjoy our military often miss, just by being stationed away from home. These sacrifices of daily living are huge, and families everyday endure that cost with the dread that much worse could happen to their loved ones as they stand guard. God bless America and those who have sacrificed so much to make us and to keep us free! Rolling Thunder member Rich Malfitano wrote: “We long for the day when these great souls will be reunited on American soil. Remember our current and only active POW in Afghanistan, SSG Bowe Bergdhal captured June 30, 2009. Negotiations continue for his release.” Thanks to the following organizations that made this day possible: Rolling Thunder Fl. 8 Port Orange, the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1048 Daytona Beach, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 84 Holly Hill and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1590 Daytona Beach. We would also like to acknowledge Decorative Electro Coatings, Dave’s Furniture Refinishing, Dick Pacheco, BD Custom Inc., Sharky and Great White Welding and PDM, Inc. A special thank you to Jim Kreinest and Gary Benson for the leg work to make this happen. Without their help and donations this POW/MIA chair display would have been extremely difficult to realize. Read the rest of this entry »

By ValGal

First, I would like to thank my daughter, Jessica, for all her help with the photography at this awesome event...thanks Jess. It was a hit or miss type of day weather-wise, but, at least, it didn’t rain real hard. As I walked around Wickham Park, I never realized just how many people appreciated this event. Both young and old, were searching the Wall for the names of loved ones they have lost, some, never even having met that person...a Grandfather...an Uncle...a Father...taken before their time. I had spoken to a veteran the previous week-end as they were erecting the Wall, and, with tears in his eyes, he told us something he had never told anyone else...about being left at a helicopter pick-up point on the battle field, watching many of his friends being air-lifted out of the chaos. He said it took him 12 years before he managed to visit the Wall...now, he will never miss it again! The emotion is overwhelming; the uncommon mix of pride and sorrow, showing on every one’s face! God bless our soldiers...past and present! A big thanks to all the vendors, bands, and to Doc Holiday, for helping to make this event the success it always is! But, most of all THANK YOU to our fighting men and women...past and present...for their dedication and sacrifice for our great country... Read the rest of this entry »

By Raven Van Pelt

July 15th, 2013 Boots on the Ground was held and what a success it was with 88 bikes and 123 riders. Not bad for a 1st Annual Run. Julie Mixon Bargeron is the director of the foundation Mothers of America's Military Fallen, and the mother of Kelly Mixon, who fought and died protecting the freedoms of those he loved so dearly. Kelly graduated from Fernandina Beach High School. The run started at Post 54 in Fernandina Beach, then off to Post 9, Post 283, the Seabreeze Lounge, with lunch for all registered riders, and then back to Post 54, where raffles, 50/50 and live entertainment by Confederate Grey were held. Today Kelly's legacy lives on through his foundation benefiting deployed American troops, families of the fallen and remembering America’s heroes. For more information about this foundation, please check out www.mothersofamf.com. Read the rest of this entry »

By Billy "Kneecap" Braddock It's August and it's hot. Is it because of global warming? I don't think so. I think it's because it's summer. If it wasn't hot in summer, we'd really be in trouble. Another great government agency is the Environmental Protection Agency, better known as EPA. A better name for them would be Extreme Pain in the A**. When this administration finds it difficult to get something passed through Congress, they do an end run and go to the EPA for new regulation. With the hoax of man-made global warming they tried to pass Cap and Trade. When it failed they went to the EPA and told them to come up with enough regulations that would shut down all coal fired electric plants and suppress the use of all fossil fuels. Even Patrick Moore who is one of the founders of Greenpeace has said “no scientific proof” that mankind was causing global warming. He believes that it “has a much better correlation with changes in solar activity then CO2 levels.” The environmental movement “abandoned science and logic in favor of emotion and sensationalism.” They are inventing doom and gloom scenarios. It's just an anti-industrial campaign. What they want is global governance, a one world socialist government. After the old Soviet Union collapsed the Communists and Socialists needed a home. They found the environmental movement and the global warming crowd fit their needs. If we stop using fossil fuel by 2020 as Al Gore proposes, at least half the human population would perish. There wouldn't be a tree left on the planet within a year, as people struggled to find enough energy to stay alive. You can't change reality with words. Who is running this country? Moe, Larry, and Curly (3 Stooges). It's surely not Manny, Moe, or Jack (Pep Boys); they were capitalists. New sign over my door “Due to the price increase of ammunition... Don't expect a warning shot! Thank you for understanding.” See you on the shiny side up tomorrow… Read the rest of this entry »

By Amy Poole

The weekend of 4th of July was BOOMING at Dirty Harry’s!!! The party started the day before the 4th at The Bank and Blues with an awesome band Crashrocket. The Budweiser Clydesdales joined the crowd and marched down Main Street to celebrate our independence. Following the 4th of July beach fireworks there was more sparking entertainment each night!! We can’t have a 4th of July without some grub so ending our festivities was the free BBQ, catered by Hog Heaven, and more summer activities are scheduled so don’t miss out! Join Dirty Harry’s for the Twisted Tea / Thunder Roads Party on Aug 4th!! Thanks Dirty Harry’s!!!! Read the rest of this entry »

By Amy Poole

The Iron Horse Saloon is known for their Tuesday’s; you come up for cheap wings, drink specials, and engage in corn hole contests…for cash prizes. It’s one of those nights that is easy on your pocket but an abundance full of fun, Twisted Teas always a buck fifty and when we add a Twisted Tea Bike event to it…you see a Twisted side! Numerous peeps attended to corn hole and also partake in donating 250+ pounds of food for the food bank…even a Jacksonville fellow rode in. Our buddy, Dale, won the $50.00 cash prize and donated the money and Sherry bought more food for the food bank…what a guy! We also had the guys from Gulf Coast Sledz ride in on some awesome bikes to get to know everyone; they have just opened up on US 1 in Bunnell. Another great turnout, the Twisted Tea girls did not get lost, and thank you to all who participate. Come join the games on a Tuesday, eat awesome food, and get Twisted!! Read the rest of this entry »

By Lulu

This month’s Bull’s Eye is Derek Tipton. Born in Elkhart, Indiana and raised outside of Detroit, he landed in Ft. Lauderdale in 1988. Like most men who end up loving motorcycles he started early, his first bike was a Honda CVR 500 at 15. Then he had a Kawasaki 454 LTD at 16. While living in south Florida, Derek would spend the weekends riding with friends and during one of these excursions he lost a dear friend from a motorcycle accident. He took 17 years off and vowed to never ride again. His livelihood has been from auto restoration and consignment vehicles. His specialty is ground up restorations. He loves muscle cars, Detroit, motor heads and the Classics. Hence the name Detroit City Customs which is based in Ocala. The sister company is City Collision in Gainesville and Ocala. Under the same roof in Ocala is Auto Doctors who take care of all mechanical upgrades during restoration. Their facility takes up a city block and the cool cars and trucks on property were just amazing. I think there was nearly 100 vehicles in various stages of being rebirthed! He loves doing specialty custom work and that has evolved into his love of motorcycles. Derek developed a friendship with a biker named Chooch who was living in Ocala. When Chooch was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2008 he decided to get back on two wheels and rode twice with Chooch before he passed, and Chooch was right, once he was back on the pavement…it was back in his blood. In memory of Chooch he created the “Mobsta” whose theme evolved from his love of mobster movies. The bike is a rolling chassis with an 80 inch EVO punched out over 10. The custom look include swoop fenders giving it the 30’s-40’s Mob look. The transmission is a 6 speed knock off of a Baker and the pipes are “skirt lifters”. A definite “Good Fellas” theme throughout, including a sweet paint job. This bike has taken “Best in Show” and the reason is obvious. Derek’s Detroit City Customs is a thriving business in central Florida and if you need your hot rod, truck or bike restored or customized check him out. He and wife Antoinette are friendly and love to share their staff’s talent on the next project through the doors. Read the rest of this entry »

By Lulu

Well, just when I think I have seen it all at any dealership, Gator Harley-Davidson in Leesburg offers a self-defense seminar. And women and men signed up for certified instructor Cliff Robinson to teach them a thing or two about personal protection! They even had pink self-defense items…just for the feminine side of self defense! The NRA was on hand if you are inclined to want to join. The Steele’s owners of Pat’s Pawn and Gun Shop from Leesburg had quite a display of personal protection items. And the parking lot was full of vintage cars from The Villages’ Vintage Car Club. As always we had a great time with the folks at Gator H-D! Read the rest of this entry »