By Lulu

Gator Harley-Davidson in Leesburg picked up the ball for the Leesburg Bike Rally when Covid closed many rallies across the U.S. and has continued to put on a major event in the spring and in the fall. This year the Leesburg Partnership was only allowed to have a one-day rally downtown but it didn’t keep the crowds away. I suppose since anyone who wanted to ride over for it, converged on the town, so 4 days of people filled the streets for only one day. Needless to say, the streets were packed that Saturday for the bands and vendors. Gator was packed to the brim with vendors, three full liquor bars staffed by Veterans or First Responders as a benefit to their charities. Great live bands played all day. The thing I like most about the Leesburg rally has always been the riding to spots that include Eaton’s Beach on Lake Weir, Big Bass Grill in Lake Panasoffkee, and Lake Harris Hideaway. Downtown there were bike games in a parking lot and I caught a shot of a guy leading in the slow ride whose bike took a tumble and he went for a concrete roll! The date for the Gator’s Fall Rally is November 10th-13th and spring 2023 at Gator is April 27-30, haven’t received confirmation that Leesburg will be doing the spring rally as a 4-day event yet, will keep you posted when we know. ! It really is a fun time so get on your bikes and ride!

By Phoenix and Metric

“BRAVO” to the newest members of the Veteran-in-Arms VMC family. Bravo-1 Chapter have hit the ground running by participating in Patriot Guard missions and supporting other local Veteran charities in the area. Their most recent adventure was their first of many “RED SHIRT FRIDAY” bike nights. For this being their first “RED SHIRT FRIDAY” bike night they hosted a great event. The VFW Chapter 2420 in Lake Wales welcomed the additional activity at the post. The BBQ experts from Bravo chapter provided a delicious BBQ dinner for all. The beautiful ladies from SNAZZY SUDS Bikini Babes were a perfect addition to the event. Everyone was entertained with some of the best karaoke singing I have heard recently. Keep an eye on BRAVO-1 of the VIAVMC for more great events to come. Check out all the Veteran-in-Arms VMC chapters activities on Facebook at: Veterans in Arms VMC. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND OUR VETERANS.

By Lulu

In the business of putting a magazine out we get to know a lot of great people, but two of our favorites have a full liquor bar in Palatka, Dammit Donnie & Amy. These are hard working people who love their customers, and particularly bikers. My only wish is that we were in their city more often to spend more time on their barstools! Their first day in business was April 1st, 2013, and every April they throw a big feast for their friends and customers to celebrate. The band Lazy J & Company rocked the place with classics we all love. Stop in whenever you can to support these two, check their hours in the ad as it may be a bit of a ride depending on where you start! This bar like many had a few tough years with the Covid lockdowns AND lack of employees, so any dollar spent is really appreciated. And we wish you a great 10th year and many, many more!

By Lulu

The newest dealership of the collection that the Adamec family has is the perfect place for a major event. A huge outside parking lot for bike shows and vendors is completed by a beautiful stage for live bands. This year we scooted up to hit their Alleyway Custom Bike Show and featured not only some great looking bikes but some beautiful old cars! Live music during the week included tribute bands with the sounds of Guns & Roses, Motley Crue & Aerosmith. The day I was there the music was by Hated Cook & Wes Cobb. Earlier in the week they had Ives Brothers Wall of Death and during the week the South Fl Xtreme Pro BMX Stunt show wowed the crowd. Inside T. J. did a little birthday shopping for me and I went home with a brand new rainsuit! Check this dealership out when you are cruising the state, they have comfortable places to relax while waiting to have your oil changed!

By Lulu

The first Saturday of every month Ocalahan’s on Silver Springs Blvd. in Ocala has a great bike night with top rate entertainment. We picked a night to ride over when Bobby Friss was to take the stage, terrible weather was expected so the weather God made us all have to fill the inside. As always Bobby and his band were off the charts with great music. Lots of dancing and drinking kept the weather from dampening the night, although few bikes were in the parking lot…mostly cages. The entertainment in June is Torn and REL in July. So, get on your scoot and join the fun. Thank you to Fran Haasch for sponsoring the Bobby Friss Bike Night! And a personal thank you to Nefty and Dave for supporting the biker community and Thunder Roads Florida Magazine!

By Lulu

Our monthly ride from The Boat Bar in Port Orange took a longer trip than normal. Headed first to Tavares for a stop at The Dog House and Hemingway’s Cigar & Wine Bar. Some peeps took the time to grab lunch at the Dog House and our food was awesome! If you haven’t explored the little city on the lake, it is really cool, complete with brick streets, a beautiful lake and is known for the seaplanes landing there! Our next stop was in Lake Panasoffkee. Big Bass Grill is owned by bikers and they really have a wonderful set up there. They even blocked off the bar on the deck for our group, maybe because they expected us to misbehave! Those who ate there loved the fried fish and BBQ Sloppy Joe’s. The final stop was Gator H-D for their bike rally and live music got Steve & Sherry up on the dance floor. I didn’t get to start or stop at The Boat as I was covering the bike rally, but I heard T. J. won the pot! Join us on the next one we have a lot of fun. You pay $10 and food at The Boat is included and a chance at the 50/50!

By Lulu

The Space Coast is known for rockets and speed. Space Coast Harley is the perfect name for the Harley dealership located in Palm Coast as they not only sell fast bikes, but they also know how to throw a rocking good time! Bike Week their lot had all types of things going on including live music, food trucks, full bar, Ryno Dyno Shoot Out and a stunt show by Hi Def Racing & Stunts. The headliners for music this year was Bez Believe and FJ Outlaw. If you haven’t stopped in their dealership, it has a large, beautiful show room full of bikes and apparel. Stop in they would love to send you home with a new bike!

By Lulu

Always known for live music and great food…and bike nights, Shane, owner of First Turn, has totally gutted the inside and made it very upscale inside, which includes two grand pianos. The inside will now be Daytona’s Steakhouse & Wine Bar at First Turn, and features Dueling Pianos at 9pm on Friday and Saturday. We went for the first Dueling Pianos and it was a lot of fun. That same night Hayfire was playing to a full house. Thursdays from 7-10pm is ladies’ night and ladies drink free!!! And don’t forget their brunch on Sundays from 10:30am-1pm!

By Lulu

This year the weather god didn’t smile down on Tropical Tattoo. But none of us let the torrential downpour spoil our time. We had way too much to celebrate with Willie. After surviving a horrible hit and run by a drunk driver last year…Willie is damn lucky to be walking with the living. A weaker man would have stopped putting on Chopper Time and the tattoo contests at Iron Horse and OB’s for Yuengling during Bike Week. But Willie is tough as nails. He may have had to take a knee of praise to God for saving him, but he wasn’t about to let the Veterans Coalition down. This is their one big fundraiser and once again Willie made it happen! Thank you to the sponsors, the bike builders, the vendors, the volunteer bar staff who give their tips to the Coalition and to everyone of you who show up to make this the best damn show in town! Got to see some old friends, made some new ones, dressed ourselves in trash bags to weather the storm and listened to Big Rick and the Troublemakers while we slugged down our Twisted Tea! A special thank you to Rue & Ziffra for always helping a great cause and our friend Willie!

By Lulu

Heavy Kastrul puts on one hell of a party each spring celebrating another successful year in business! This year was no exception. Beaver Bar once again was packed helping Midwest to celebrate 28 years. Lots of sweet bikes entered his yearly show. 25 classes won trophies that were hand made one of a kind…just like their bikes. The music this year included Ed Wolford, Circus and Twisted Minds. More photos of the day and winners accepting their trophies can be found at Thunder Roads Florida Facebook! This event is always in mid-February…see you there in 2023!

By Lulu

Of course, the world-famous Cabbage Patch Bar in Samsula is known for women wrestling around in a pit of coleslaw during the major rallies, but this bar has history dating back to the days of motorcycle drag racing on the roadway in front of the bar. Camping, vendors, bike shows and great live music inside and outside complete the rally experience here. Radical Randy put on two awesome bike shows and a sound competition. Two favorite rally bands Big Engine and Joe Santana played to the crowds. One of our favorite events of Bike Week is the last Sunday spending time with friends and fans of Joe Santana under the tent rain or shine! This bar is always happy to host poker runs and cool off those out for the day on their bikes with ice cold beer or a strong cocktail or two!

By Lulu

Bike Week 2022 was huge. Even with the shortage of new bikes available this year. It appears Bruce Rossmeyer’s had plenty of gorgeous bikes to fill their showroom and the salespeople were busy! Vendors filled the huge parking lot. Bands including Jackyl filled the air with their tunes. Sexy women mixed up drinks and popped tops for thirsty patrons. Bike shows everyday under the pavilion included the Flying Piston Benefit Builder’s Breakfast and Rusty Wallace and his son Steve were on hand with some of their awesome creations built under their brand Southern Country Customs. The Revelation Ladies Bike Show and one bike totally blinged out. Saints & Sinners is under new management, and with Princess Patty at the helm, there are lots of new things including extended hours. So, check their new ad in this issue and join in for some fun!

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.