It is May already, just put most of the major rallies in Florida in the history books! May brings us pretty weather to get out and ride, not too hot and usually not too much rain. We are throwing an event at Drifter’s Riverfront Bar & Grill in Astor on Rt 40, it will be Saturday, May 21st 3-7pm. Ronnie and Mechele, the new owners, have been friends of mine since the first issue of Thunder Roads Florida over 15 years now. They bought the Blackwater Inn in September and have remodeled it. Ronnie had Drifters in Daytona, McHenry’s in Flagler, Deadwoods in Ormond, County Line in Bunnell, McHenry’s in Keystone Heights and now is at the helm of a beautiful 2 story St. John’s River waterfront bar and restaurant. The food is GREAT! Come out and enjoy our pirates and bikers’ bash! Giving $50 to best pirate and best biker outfits. Come by boat, bike, or cage for a fun afternoon of Twisted Tea giveaways, Twisted Tea girls, and live music by Grass Campers!!

Also in May is a big event to honor Vietnam Veterans. Heroes Honor Festival is May 27& 28th at Daytona International Speedway. Special guests include Colonel Ollie North, Ann-Margret, Lieutenant General Jerry Boykin, and Major General Patrick Brady. Music acts include Creedence Clearwater Revisited, Craig Morgan, Justin Moore, and Toby Keith!!! Vietnam vets get in FREE!!! Proceeds benefit Heroes Honor Festival & Back2Basics Outdoor Ministry.

Get out and enjoy the highways, take time to honor our fallen heroes Memorial Day weekend and don’t forget your sunscreen!

By Lulu

The dealership in NewSmyrna has been a busy place. During Bike Week they had the demo truck for test rides and an AMCA Ride in Vintage Bike Show. They have replaced their monthly Bike Nights with a Block Party the second Saturday of every month with free burgers, hot dogs, and beer. Oh, and music! So, ride in and join them May 14th! And check their website for other scheduled events at BRUCEROSSMEYER.COM

By Lulu

What makes all those bikes turn into Iron Horse Saloon? Craiger’s Steak Tips, The Wall of Death, ice cold beer, stiff drinks, a favorite bartender, great music by the likes of Bobby Friss, Highway to Hell, Whey Jennings, Cowboy Kid Rock Tribute, Tim Dugger and Eddie Montgomery, hangover kits handed out by Bayer at the entrance, T-shirts, Yuengling’s Tattoo Contest emceed by Willie from Tropical and Roadside Marty…we all have our reasons for LOVING this bar. The owners have really done some major improvements including revamping the middle bar out back and the big stage.

By Lulu

This place was jamming all day and all night the entire 10 days of Bike Week 2022. Between daily bike shows, smoking hot bartenders.. even a male one, a beautiful setting and amazing live entertainment there is just no way you can’t end up on the property more than a few times! Of course, Hairball is the main draw, but Bobby Friss, Cowboy Kid Rock and my friends band The Groove Pipes lit up the stage too. Another reason folks came to visit Broken Spoke was Southern Country Customs, who had their custom-built bikes set up, and legendary NASCAR champ Rusty Wallace and his son Steve who is the master builder were on site to answer questions and sign memorabilia if asked. And of course, we all love world famous and infamous emcee and past Broken Spoke developer Jay Allen of motorcycle racing fame. My only hope is that the owners can find a way to keep this bar open on a regular basis or at least the two rallies so we can enjoy this venue more often!

By Lulu

The oldest party spot in Daytona Beach for Bike Week partying is world famous Boot Hill Saloon. Great rock & roll, Bike Week T-shirts and the oldest Bike Week T-shirt contest are just some of the reasons people converge every rally to the Boot. Bearded Brothers, John Nicholoff and Matt O’Ree band rocked the place when we were there, Now Boot Hill Outpost on US 1 is the new spot to wet your whistle in Ormond. They had Joe Santana on stage when we stopped in and it is a great place to watch the crowds go by. Don’t forget that all year long the folks at The Boot have live music almost every night and Bike Night on Wednesdays.

By Lulu

OB, Ashley, and the staff at OB’s pulled off another great 10 days rally. They had the parking lot with stunt riders doing wheelies and burn outs to entertain us all, Yuengling sponsored a tattoo contest with Willie from Tropical Tattoo running the show, a bike show and lots of amazing music as always. Don’t forget they have delicious food and a Wednesday night bike night with food specials and live music!

By Lulu

Every bike rally has its own personality. Thunder By The Bay at the Sarasota Fair Grounds is no exception. Billed as a music & motorcycle festival it is more like a concert in the park with vendors, great music all weekend, food, and bars. Add an amazing bike show Choppertown put on by Ron Galletti from Born to Ride…what more could you ask for in a bike rally. They had even more. Budweiser was a major sponsor and the Clydesdales were on display. Also, a burnout contest and motorcycle sound off made it a definite motorcycle rally. We missed the Patriotic Motorcycle Charity Ride as we had to be back on Sunday for a big bike show at Beaver Bar in Ormond Beach. The ride completes the week and adds to the kitty for their charity.

The bands this year included Slippery When Wet, Tobacco Rd. Band, Free Fallin, Diary of an Ozzman, 30ot6, The Verge and Bobby Friss. Ending with the headliner Firehouse. All were well worth the small entry fee which benefits Suncoast Charities for Children. This event is well worth putting on your 2023 to do list. Full service on-site camping is available.

By Lulu

Occasionally an event really surprises me! I was lucky enough to be able to make it out to Howlin Wolf in Melrose for their yearly B.D.B.S. Throttles & Bottles Bike Show which was really an old school bike event complete with excellent pole dancing, burn outs, food vendors and great looking motorcycles. The live music by Higher Ground kept the crowd singing along with a lead singer that resembled Charles Manson. The owners of Howlin Wolf, James and Mark have really worked to make this bar old school fun! The bar has a Thursday night bike night and now that it stays light longer, we may have to jump on the bike and check it out soon.
Flags made by Truett, owner of Lit’l Caesars Dive Bar in Interlachen, were raffled to raise funds for Scooter Long recovering from a major motorcycle accident. Thanks, Truett and all who purchased tickets.

For anyone who doesn’t know, the BDBS stands for Bikers Doing Biker Shit. On a sad note, the founder Big Tim Myers died this fall and this was the first event that his wife Alisa organized alone to keep his bike show going. She did an excellent job and I know it meant a lot to her that everyone had an amazing day in his memory!
More photos from the day’s event are on Thunder Roads Florida Facebook.

By Katye Roberts

Hey guys!! It’s that time again, where I get to show off another one of Justin’s beautiful motorcycles!!! This 1973 Shovelhead happens to be one of my favorites out of his collection.

He saw this beauty on Facebook Marketplace and knew it belonged in his garage!! It was less than a day and we were headed 2 hours to go get her. Took her for a spin and away she came with us! She needed a little love but nothing Justin couldn’t fix. Including making a bracket for the headlight because if fell off while we were riding down 77, dangling by the cords Justin had to ride, hold the headlight and shift all at the same time. He also rebuilt the carburetor and put a clutch in it, because it broke and he had to ride it home without one, among other minor things. But that’s what vintage bikes are all about, trial and error. The adventure, the break down, & bringing them back to life is all a part of the passion and love for motorcycles. If we learned anything, it’s helps to have a mini tool kit on hand at all times!! Now she rides better than ever. Even though I ride on a fender, on a bedroll, I have the best seat on the bike! No foot pegs either so I wrap my legs around him. Most of the time people can’t believe that’s how I ride it, but it is, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The more old-school vintage and bad ass  the better! She now gets to come to bike shows and rallies with us. Winning a couple awards along the way. Including best shovelhead at the Iron Horse in Sturgis, the Cap Wilson award at OB’s in Deland.

SPECS:
Vintage Performance Machine rear brake caliper
Vintage Unity Co spotlight head light with high low
32 ford break light
Rich Phillips custom leather sprinter seat  (bikesaddles.com)
Custom hand-built high pipes
Custom hand-built copper tubing still type oil cooler
32 ford spare tire cover rear fender with hand-built struts
S&S super E
Electronic ignition

Katye did such a nice job with the write up of Justin’s Shovelhead I decided to run what she submitted. But I do want to make a note that the Cap Wilson award given for the first time at OB’s Russ & Bob Panhead/Shovelhead Show was given by Thunder Roads Florida in Cap’s memory and I don’t believe he would have picked any other bike. He loved guys that rode the old school stuff and he also always loved a pretty girl. Thank you, Justin and Katye for showing this piece of art and for loving the biking lifestyle. Lulu

By Ron Cox

Remembering one of its oldest and most loyal members, the SWFL Wanderers held its annual Wayne Throckmorton Memorial (Mini) golf outing in Cape Coral. The duffers who showed up to play a round proved once again they should stick to motorcycles!!!

Several years ago, Wayne was returning home from a ride with a friend when he suffered a seizure. Wayne crashed his bike and never regained consciousness, a few days later he succumbed to his injuries. Neither speed nor another vehicle was involved.

Wayne was the quintessential “good ol’ boy” with his pronounced Southern accent, wit, and wisdom. We used to tease him by saying the Veterans Administration doesn’t count service in the Confederate Air Force towards Veteran’s benefits. Wayne never failed to laugh at that, no matter how many times he heard it. Wayne was quick to laugh at a joke or himself.

Wayne always enjoyed the mini golf outing so in his honor the Wanderers named the event after him.

Anyone who has read my article over the past 15 years knows that I rave about the goodness and generosity of bikers. They also know that I write by an alias because my adult children don’t really love that their mother is living on the wilder side of life in my golden years. They think my lifestyle is dangerous and a bit crazy. So, when my precious daughter-in-law called and said, “I have a biker story that will warm your heart,” I just had to share it.

Her youngest son Luke had recently turned sixteen and was taking his car on his first 10-day road trip from Pensacola to Gainesville to spend time with his sister Dana who is teaching in Gainesville. To say my son and daughter-in-law are amazing parents would be an understatement. Maybe they would even be called a bit overprotective by some. So, they were very anxious as Luke left for his first road trip. While driving on I-10, his small car started making a load racket from under the front of the car. He pulled off around Defuniak Springs into a Waffle House parking lot, called his parents and said he didn’t know what it was. They instantly got in their car heading to him about 2 hours away. While sitting in his car waiting, some “Bikers” approached and asked him did he need help? He would never have allowed them to assist without making the call to his parents, who knowing my respect for those on two wheels, gave the go ahead to take off the hanging parts that had been gnawed on by squirrels, which solved his loud noise problem. Luke’s parents still had him wait for them and switched cars, allowing him to take their brand-new BMW SUV for his 10-day excursion.

My reason for sharing this is in hopes that although Luke didn’t get their names or even where they were from, that maybe they would read this and know how thankful Luke, my son and daughter-in-law and his Mimi (ME!) are for really good souls that came to a young boy’s aid. I am not the least bit surprised…I know how good our community of motorcycle enthusiasts are! And I am happy my family got to see it through the actions of a few that represent us all!

Let the road lead you to do some act of kindness for a stranded motorist, give a hug to someone you love and don’t forget your sunscreen!

By Lulu

The expression diamond in the rough comes to mind after the first time I made a visit to Big Bass Grill on Lake Panasoffkee. Situated near 301 it is a 20-minute ride in the country from Inverness, Leesburg, Ocala, or Ridge Manor. It is only a few miles from Bushnell and Webster. A beautiful lake front setting with some of the best food made with a flair of their own. Serving over 300 pounds of catfish a week, the owners are proud of their food and their staff! The food is made to order so don’t expect instant gratification, come to relax and enjoy the surroundings, have a cold one or mixed drink and wait to be surprised not only by the taste but also the size of your meal.

The bar has bike night on Thursdays, now that the clocks have been moved forward allows you to ride out for the live music and $10,99 New York strip dinner with potatoes and corn. I ordered the sloppy joe with potatoes and was surprised that it was a delicious huge serving with a BBQ taste…yummy! If you are up for Leesburg rally this month, take a ride to the country. They open at 11am every day, close at 9pm Sunday through Thursday and open until 10pm Friday & Saturday. Every Saturday and Sunday they have live music and Friday night is karaoke night. The owner, Glenn & Cissy Lofley, both ride Fat Boys. Cissy’s is a 1992 and Glenn’s 2003 Fatboy and they have a motorcycle sitting right inside the bar! They purchased the property in January 2020 right before Covid hit. Finally got the bar opened in September of 2020. Previously they owned Hog Pen Saloon in Tampa for 14 years with Glenn Sr. who passed away in 2014. These two are well loved by the riding community and it is no surprise as they are both genuinely nice, motorcycle riding, hardworking folk.

By Phoenix and Metric-HD

When it comes to helping Veterans, few organizations work harder than the folks at the American Legion Post 69 in Avon Park. Under the leadership of the American Legion Department Project VetRelief, Chairman Larry Roberts and their entire post family, they pulled off their best Veterans Expo of all time. The day started with a twenty-two miles escort of the Vietnam and Global War on Terrorism Walls by the Patriot Guard Riders, the American Legion Riders and about three hundred riders from across the state. We would like to thank both the Polk County and Highlands County Sheriff Officers for a safe escort. When we arrived at the post, we were greeted with a delicious breakfast provided by the Sons, Auxiliary and Post members. The day was filled with activities, food vendors, a car show, and a poker run. Adam Martin and his band “BLACKBIRD ANTHEM” provided some awesome music throughout the day. All the proceeds from the event went to “PROJECT: VETRELIEF” to provide awareness to the twenty-two (22) suicides of Veterans every day. At the end of the event the post raised over $8,000.00 to assist local veterans. Thanks to everyone that made this day a great success. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND OUR VETERANS!!!!!

By Lulu

Superbowl Sunday now for two years in a row we start the afternoon savoring every kind of chili you could taste. Last year we entered and the competition was just too good. This year the chili, cornbread, peanut butter sandwiches and desserts made us so full I should have slept through half time LOL. If you haven’t throttled down to find Bay 3 Bar on US 1 in New Smyrna Beach you will love the owners Jan & Barry. I better warn you they are Steeler fans, but you have until the fall to give up on the Bucs and put on a Steeler jersey. This is a great locals bar with reasonable beer prices and they know how to keep it ICE cold!

By Lulu

The tradition of celebrating panheads, shovelheads and antique bike survives at OB’s in Deland. For 20 years they have put on one hell of a bike show in November with some of the best maintained, or in some cases, restored pieces of motorcycle history you can see anywhere. This year the weather was a bit sketchy but the crowd was still overflowing. The band Papa Wheelee entertained the huge crowd all day. At the time of being ready for print I do not have the winner’s list but more photos are on Facebook for any that you may not find here. This was the first year for the Cap Wilson award which was created as a masterpiece by Squirrel…thank you so much for that. Rue & Ziffra, PA have been a major supporter of this event each year and we thank the law firm for actually being “in our community and on our side”!