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!

By Lulu

One of the oldest party spots in the greater Daytona area is the world-famous Boot Hill Saloon. Known for great music and kick ass partying during major rallies, they also have awesome entertainment every week. Wednesday evenings they have great bands for their Bike Nights. We happened to make their bike night when they featured three bands! Inside Clayton Sturgeon and the Cello Shots. I was thrilled to have had the chance to hear Clayton’s sultry voice accompanied by his cello player Petar Kecenovici. If you get a chance to see them you simply must. Outside, Crush was killing it and Debbie announced it was her last time to perform as a single girl, running to Vegas to get married! The night was closed out with the rocking sounds of Fracture. Mind you it was because Rockville was happening that weekend in Daytona that Boot Hill went all out for a Wednesday night. But any Wednesday night you will always find great musicians at The Boot!

By Lulu

Ethan and the crew at The Inn Between in Deland, have the most spectacular property to throw an old-fashioned chili cook off. The huge oaks give plenty of shade, the stage with music by J W Gilmore Band set the mood for a good time, lots of crock pots full of scrumptious chili was there to devour and ice-cold beer or stiff drinks to wash it down made the day complete. A friend of ours won the BEST chili although I have no idea how anyone could decide they were all good. First place went to Cindy Jerome, 2nd to Chris Eames and 3rd to Raymond. The Inn Between is a full liquor bar and a great destination ride for a good time…anytime!

By Lulu

10 days in Daytona during Bike Week can be overload!! At least once during Bike Week we gather up peeps some old and some new and head on a LONG ride in the country. This year we had some repeat peeps that rode with us last year and our numbers are growing a bit, although we tend to lose a few along the way! We started at The Hideout in Holly Hill, went north to Ike’s in Bunnell, then to 3-D Saloon in Palatka where the hungry ones ran next door to the pizza place for lunch. Headed out to Swashbuckler’s, which was the old Hermit’s Cove, Cowcatcher’s Lounge in Satsuma, The Hideaway, and finished at Renegade’s on the River. The storms came in and had us duck into a gas station for a bit but we all arrived home safely for a great day on the bike. When in Daytona explore Volusia, Putnam, Lake, and St. Augustine counties plenty of cool watering holes and nice roads to glide.

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!