By Lulu

This ride is by far one of my favorite events to ride on. Even though neither TJ nor I are early risers, somehow, we manage to make it to the Atlantic before the sun comes up to meet the folks on the beach for our overnight adventure. After we watched the sun rise, we headed over to Peach Valley on Granada for a quick breakfast and then followed our lead bike to the west coast of Florida. We arrived early enough to check in, grab a ride on a golf cart to find a few watering holes before dinner at Steamer’s to get back to the water’s edge in time for sunset. This year was our second trip to Cedar Key and the quaint Cedar Key Bed & Breakfast. This ride usually is in the late spring and you make all kinds of new friends who love to explore on two wheels! Thanks Mandy and Shelley for going to the trouble of putting these overnight excursions on!

Sometimes I miss having my own bike. It wasn’t a fancy bike or new. It was a 1999 Sportie given to me by Bull. I had it a few years. Rode it all over Sturgis. Never washed it one time. So, I laugh to myself every time we have an event when T. J. spends the day washing his just to get it dirty on the road. Then I realize how lucky I am to have a safe backseat I am usually welcomed to be on. Makes drinking okay, photography from the bike possible and I get to snuggle up to T. J. if I feel sweet. Although I don’t love the back support that keeps me from truly being able to straddle him! We are scheduled to go to the Ladies in Leather Parade in September where only women are allowed to ride. Thinking I will have to try to catch a ride with some hot red head!! T. J. will be so jealous!! Something like this makes me wish I still had my old scoot. But the reality T. J. keeps reminding me of I really suck as a driver even in a car. I REALLY CAN’T DISAGREE WITH HIM! Even my best friend Sherry chooses to drive my vehicle if we are going in my car. So, guess I have resigned myself to being a Back Seat Becky!

For you women who do ride your own, I am envious of your guts and gumption! You live life a bit more on the edge than most. You look good riding them and your independence is fierce. I have several friends who are in Women in the Wind and other ladies’ groups who ride all over the country…sometimes completely alone. BRAVO!

Buy a drink for a lady rider, for God sake do some research on the upcoming candidates…particularly school board peeps and don’t forget your sunscreen.

By T. J.

ATTENTION ALL LADIES!! If you haven’t heard of “Ladies In Leather” I have some good information for you. This organization was founded in 2019 by Mrs. Amber Cohen aka “Mama” in Sour Lake Texas. Her main purpose and goal were to form and develop a diverse family of women that ride, and she has done just that. Women of all races, nationalities, backgrounds, and professions are members and they ride all makes and models. The mission of the ladies is to get away and “just have fun!” The group has grown by word of mouth because of the good times had at a half dozen or so of their local events throughout the year and a more than 10,000 person Facebook following. Here in Florida, Mama hosts a meet and greet during Bike Week so look for that announcement in Thunder Roads Florida for 2023.

Over the past 3 years, Mama has organized and hosted the world’s largest traveling female motorcycle parade. Each year the event travels to a new location. It began in Llano, Texas with 378 registered riders and grew last year to 740 in College Station with 34 U.S. states represented. The 2022 parade is a 3-day event scheduled for next month (Sept 8th thru 11th) and promises to be the biggest yet. It will be held outside the state of Texas for the first time in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Beth and I will be making a mini vacation out of it. We will ride to the Ozarks in Northwest Arkansas, for a few days before rolling into Hot Springs on Friday for the notorious Friday night adult pool party. I hear just about anything goes. Two of the reserved hotels are sold out but The Arlington Hotel and Spa still has discounted rooms available for Rally attendees. Registration is $50 per rider and you receive a patch, pin, and a raffle ticket to win a 2022 Indian Scout Sixty that weekend. Boyfriends, husbands, and others are invited to the weekend festivities, but the actual 7-mile parade is women ONLY. I guess we can have a cocktail while we wait. For more info and details, go to Ladiesinleatherparade.com and get yourself booked in. We look forward to seeing a bunch of you out there in Hot Springs.

By Lulu

There are thousands of crosses in hundreds of graveyards across America that mark a life given for the sake of our freedom! Truett and Trish Duhon, owners of Lit’l Caesar’s Dive Bar in Interlachen, chose Memorial Day honor one of the town’s own fallen heroes. The ride started at Boogerville Hideout with stops at Saloon 17, The Watering Hole at Smith Lake, and the Howlin Wolf. The event included live music by Shack Rattlers and Backwater Jam. Auction items, raffles and 50/50 helped build the kitty for the Memorial Scholarship Fund in memory of Robert Jenkins whose family was present at the event. I witnessed the most moving presentation given by CMDCM (Ret) Ellis about our flag. Had me and even some burly bikers in tears. Other notables in attendance were the Mayor Ken Larson and Putnam County Commissioner Larry Harvey. It was genuinely nice that a local hero was honored and that his sacrifice was remembered through the scholarship!

By T. J.

Many years ago, Jeff and Nina Hayes owned a small beer and wine bar. They also liked to attend bingo nights at local spots around town for fun. One day they decided to start hosting bingo at their own bar, but they couldn’t offer cash prizes because that is gambling, and not legal in Florida. They needed something different and to make it fun. Thinking outside the box, Nina suggested crazy, naughty, and even dirty prizes, and Jeff and Nina’s Dirty Bingo was born!! It became a big hit. So much so that shortly after they sold their bar in 2019, other bar owners were calling to ask if they would take the show on the road to their bars.

In 2 years, Dirty/420 Bingo has exploded. Nina and Jeff are a riot, and along with two other teams are doing Dirty Bingo shows every Tuesday thru Friday at 20 places throughout Volusia and Flagler Counties. I have attended several of these shows and every time it is two hours of fun, laughs and toys! Their huge following travels to the different venues as the family grows. One of the crowd favorites is Nina’s famous pudding/Jello shots they give away as the night rolls on. Each bingo night has other games or contests tailored to the venue.

Not only do the hosting businesses benefit by having large crowds, a few of Jeff and Nina’s favorite charities receive large contributions from the bingo proceeds. VFW Post 3282 in Port Orange receives every penny of the bingo money raised on their night, and the Pawsibilities Animal Rescue Organization in Port Orange, of which Nina is very involved along with her friend and founder Kim, receives nice chunks of cash donations.

Follow and refer to the Jeff and Nina’s Dirty Bingo Facebook page for dates and locations. Cost is $2 per game, and you can play as many as ten games per show. Trust me people, this a show you want to see for fully clothed fun. Tell em Thunder Roads Florida sent ya.

By Lulu

As part of the Heroes Honor Festival Rolling Thunder and Florida American Legion Riders put on a free ride on Sunday from the Daytona International Speedway to Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona H-D where a huge American flag was flying for the large parade of patriotic bikers to ride under. I was incredibly pleased at the large turnout for this ride not only showing their respect for the Vietnam veteran’s being honored that weekend but also for all heroes lost during conflicts. The coverage for the Heroes Honor Festival will be in next months issue, but photos from both the ride and the festival can be found on Thunder Roads Florida Facebook. Thank you to Rolling Thunder, Florida American Legion Riders and to all who took their day to honor our military.

By T. J.

I want to send a shout out and congratulations to our friend Mark Juttelstad, who is the owner of The Alibi in Geneva. This is Mark’s first venture in the bar business and so far, so good. We recently attended the Alibi’s 5-year anniversary party and what a great day it was. Mark pulled out all the stops with live music all day and into the night. The new outside party deck provided the stage for the Acoustic duo Duplexer (Dina Medeiros, Jay Crosier) who started the show before being joined by Slack and Tyler from Murder Hornets to finish rocking out the afternoon session. Then the full Murder Hornets band took over and played the rest of the party. Food trucks were on site to feed the hungry and the Alibi’s friendly staff served up the ice-cold beer and wine. The Alibi is on E State Road 46 in Geneva and a beautiful ride through the woods from anywhere in central Florida. Alibi is open 7 days a week with live music on the deck every Sunday. Their kitchen offers up weekday lunch specials with a free drink. The food is delicious, and the price is right. If you get a chance take a ride out there or plan a ride to check this place out. You’ll be glad you did.

By Lulu

Photos of Kid Rock, Ted Nugent & Travis Tritt by Walt Lumpkin, and WaltPix Motosickle Stuff
Thunder Beach Spring and Fall Rallies have always been our favorite getaway! The music is always good, even with Covid when the city didn’t allow the large stage. The beaches are just beautiful and the view from the balcony of our accommodations at the Holiday Inn Resort in Panama City Beach makes waking up with a hangover tolerable! If you like to get on your bike and ride there are deserted country highways that lead to places like Chainsaw’s Corner to wet your whistle.

This year, the organizers took motorcycle rallies in Florida to a new level! I heard the concert line-up early on and that they were going to be charging admission for the headliners at Frank Brown Park and wasn’t sure what to expect from bikers. Would they pay for top notch entertainment? Well let me tell you, they hit it out of “the park”! Thursday was Travis Tritt playing to a full field! Friday, they brought in Ted Nugent!! I had never seen Sweaty Teddy, he put on one hell of a show. What a guitarist! They killed it on Saturday with Kid Rock who has more energy on stage than anyone I have seen…playing every instrument and “scrubbing” the turn table, going back to his Hip Hop roots. He even played the sax and then gave it to a lucky lady in the crowd! The VIP packages were well worth the money, including T-shirts, a place to sit if you wanted to, although most were on their feet going wild, free food, 2 free drinks and VIP motorcycle parking!!!

Pure genius for the organizers to pick 3 of the most politically conservative entertainers to perform in the Panhandle of Florida! Trump even made a video appearance during Kid Rock! The crowd sang at the top of their lungs to Ted Nugent’s patriotic song and to “We the People” by Kid Rock. The vendors had their largest crowds ever to browse their wares. Harley-Davidson of Panama City Beach gave away a Harley for the event and their dealership was packed when we visited! The Indian dealership also had live music with bikini bike washing! All the local watering holes had their parking lots filled with motorcycles so my bet is the fall rally is one you better get your tickets and rooms for early. The date of the fall rally is October 19-23, CAN’T WAIT TO SHARE THE FALL LINEUP!

By T. J.

Sandrine and the staff at The Hideout Lounge in Holly Hill on Derbyshire threw a 2-day celebration for their customers complete with live music and free food! 10 years of being in business successfully is something to celebrate…add in surviving two of the hardest years in business due to Covid lockdowns and difficulty getting staff…and you really have a reason to celebrate. Sandrine is just an adorable, hardworking bar owner who loves her family of customers. Red Gate rocked the bar the night I was there. The bar has darts, pool tournaments, Dirty Bingo, line dancing, karaoke, and great Bloody Mary’s on Sunday mornings with Tara! Did I say FREE pool on Tuesday nights and all-day Sunday? Stop in for a drink or two and congratulate them on 10 years!

By Lulu

The Antique Motorcycle Club of America has their National Spring Meet in New Smyrna Beach each year. The 3-day event includes a huge swap meet, antique motorcycle show, live entertainment, antique motorcycle field games and even a ride in Chopper Show put on by Chop Doc’s. The actual AMCA judging occurs the Saturday of the event. The overall objective of AMCA judging is to evaluate an antique motorcycle which is in original condition or has been restored to the same state as when the dealer received the motorcycle from the factory. The point system the judges use places great emphasis on using only original parts to bring antique motorcycles back to life. If you get a chance to attend one of their judging events you will learn a lot about the history of motorcycles and meet some wrenching maniacs who love to keep these old scoots road worthy.

A dear friend of mine Ken Gardner owner of Custom Lighting, EFX LLC is battling the BIG C. My parents always said if you live long enough you will lose lots of friends before their time. Don’t know how they knew that since my dad died at 52 and my mom at 66. They weren’t even old in my mind. I am 68 and have already lived longer than either of my parents.

Well, I am writing of Ken’s battle for a few reasons. He could use our prayers! He could use words of encouragement. And if any of you know Ken, he was always one of the very first to throw money at any worthy cause…if you have a generous heart and any extra coin in your wallet, he could use some of that financial love thrown his way. His cancer has spread to both lungs and he has been feeling pretty sick, and unable to work as hard as he usually does. His address for cards or donations is 1170 US 1, Ormond Beach, 32174. He will probably kill me for writing of this. There is also a GoFundMe set up for him, but I don’t like giving the Go Fund Me group a piece of the pie. That is just me though!!! Any way you can help, I know would be appreciated. There may be a poker run planned in the fall but that is still months away.

I love you guys and gals on 2 and 3 wheels! Stay hydrated this summer, wear your sunscreen, and make sure you check in with your doctor yearly!!!

By Horny Dave

Photos by Gilbert Rodriguez

On a perfect spring morning I got together with the boys and took the Harleys for a ride about. Beautiful weather all day and some amazing riding along the St. John’s River. We were just beginning an unforgettable day at Riding into History 2022, the premier motorcycle show in the USA.

The event benefits K9’s for Warriors which provides highly trained service dogs to veterans suffering from PTSD, brain injuries and trauma. They unite around 20 veterans and dogs per year with a five-year waiting list. Last year’s event raised over $55,000 for a total of more than $250,000 donated to this organization. All staff are volunteers with Adamec H-D and Seargent Seats sponsoring the event from the start.

Bikes were on display from the beginning of motorcycles through modern day rides, European, Metric Harley and everything in between. Being able to talk to the owners and listen to all the stories associated with their bikes brings out such a sense of camaraderie among everyone there. Paul Jr. from Orange County Choppers was the grand marshal of the event which handed out trophies for all the classes. Attending an event like this is truly a special time for not only the motorcycle enthusiast and old school bikers but everyone that appreciates looking at the beautiful machines that have shaped what we ride today.

By Lulu

The 2022 season of IMS Outdoors has kicked off. This event series is almost 40 years old. Last fall the event was hosted at the Sun N Fun Campus in Lakeland, Florida. The closest it is scheduled to Florida for 2022 is at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Georgia September 30-October 2. This is a festival like atmosphere with vendors, live music, food trucks, and a Learn to Ride Program for all ages.

And if you get a chance to see their new laser show which, as far as I know, isn’t a part of the IMS Outdoors, you really must. I saw it at the spring rally at Gator H-D in Leesburg and it was spectacular!

By T. J.

Whether you are looking to build your firearm collection, or to purchase your first gun to exercise your 2nd Amendment right to bear arms, I’ve found your place. A-OK Guns on U.S. 1 in New Smyrna Beach is a small building with BIG inventory. Mike Jones has been in the gun business most of his life, and he and his knowledgeable, experienced staff, will help you get set up with whatever you need. I am a relative beginner having only had 2 pistols, but I felt it was time to add on. Mike set me up with a beautiful Ruger AR-556 complete with a 30-round magazine and a Holosun Red Dot Sight. This thing is awesome!! I also picked up a Ruger 380 lightweight pistol with Veridian laser sight for everyday carry. Really cool “piece.”

A-OK stock rotates daily with over 500 items on hand. They carry revolvers, pistols, shotguns, long rifles, and modern sporting rifles made by all the major manufacturers. I saw Glock, Sig Sauer, Smith and Wesson, Ruger, H&K, Kel-Tec, Diamond Back, Henry, and more. It really is impressive to see. If you need firearm accessories, Mike has them all, optics, holsters, cleaning kits, etc. Prices are competitive with anybody out there. If you have guns you would like to sell, A-OK also buys entire gun collections. No collection is too large or too small so stop in and make a deal. Concealed carry classes are available for beginners needing to get licensed to carry. Beth will be going to the class very soon and a new handgun is coming soon.

So, stop in and see Mike and staff for all your gun needs. Address is 648 N Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach. They are open Mon-Fri 10A-5P and Sat 10A-3P. Tell them Thunder Roads Slorida sent you!