By Lulu

Leesburg Bikefest did not disappoint!! It was back full steam finally!! The bands were great, crowds were huge and the vendors plentiful. Best part the weather was nice! Not too hot as it has been at times. This year 15 bands on two stages entertained the huge crowds. This year’s headliners were Lo Cash, Sugar Ray, and Austin Snell. We caught Sugar Ray who looked and sounded just the same. Full Throttle put on a bike show and Jody Perewitz was on site. Bike games and the Central Florida Motorcycle Drill Team were part of the weekend. John owner of Chicago Fire & Brewery and The Warehouse had live music too. We will feature a story in August on a Cool Joint in Leesburg, Dirty South Saloon that featured pudding wrestling and a late-night bikini contest. What I love about Leesburg is the riding! A ride out to Eaton’s Beach or south to Lake Harris Hideaway and Sugarloaf Mountain Rd. in Clermont is a must do! We also make sure to catch a meal at Big Bass Grill on Lake Panasoffkee and The Fish Camp in Tavares. Another area to ride while in town is Mount Dora and catch the waterfront area in Tavares to check out our advertisers The Dog House, Hemingway’s Cigar Bar and Legacy Cigar Bar. You almost need more than the three-day weekend to explore Lake County and the surrounding areas. Thank you to the sponsors that bring this event to central Florida: Discover Lake County, Gator H-D, Florida Man Radio, WJRR, ESPN Orlando, US 102.3 FM, and of course Budweiser!

By Lulu

One of the best parts of having Thunder Roads Florida is the new adventures. There are always the yearly events we attend which we love seeing the family of rally peeps that work the circuit, but occasionally a brand-new event crops up and we have the opportunity to investigate a new area, meet new people and experience a new event. So, it was in April when we covered the 2nd Vintage Iron Rally that Ed Hunt has organized. We had visited Scooter Haven in the past with a friend Cap. We knew cabins with and without AC are available, RV spots and tent camping was available. We opted to get a tent space although we have a bed in our van, so no tent was needed. There are showers and toilets, food trucks and full liquor available. The bands this year were Big Engine, Devious 4 and Jeff Vitolo & the Quarter Mile Rebels all of which kept the grounds rocking! Bike games including the Weenie Bite and stage games such as vibrator races got the crowd involved. Friday the bike show was Chopper & Bobbers, but Saturday was the Vintage Iron Show with very well cared for old bikes. All the photos from the weekend and photos of the show winners are on Thunder Roads Florida Facebook. If you have an old scoot or just like to spend a few days at a cool old school weekend, check this one out next spring! We LOVED it.

By Lulu

Lake Eustis puts on interesting things at the park including music festivals, Veteran’s events including hundreds of paratroopers landing in the lake, but this year we were able to catch the Spring Showdown. Southern Outlaw Drag Boat Association put up a $12,500 purse to entice competitors to put on the heat. Hundreds of people lined the lake in Ferran Park to watch the races. Vendors and children’s events were also part of the day’s activities. Sponsors for the event included, Eustis Florida, Duke Energy, Rod Van Dykes State Farm, AWP Site Development LLC, Liles Land Management LLC, Crazy Gator, Turf Tech, Shelley’s Environmental, Grow with the Flow Irrigation & Landscaping LLC, Crossroads 44 Music & Sports Bar, Time Machine, Foxtail Coffee Company, Mortgage Financial Group Inc, Yooper Lube & Wash, All American Construction Services, Central Home Roofing and Solar, and American Services. Eustis is a beautiful lake front city that uses the pretty Ferran Park and amphitheater to bring entertainment to all.

By Jeff Gordon

Saturday, April 20th weather was perfect for riding up to St. Augustine with friends, The destination was the new location, the Classic Car Museum, for the 24th Annual Riding into History. This year’s feature was motorcycles of Japan. Oh, what a show. Featuring motorcycles that most of us grew up learning to ride. From the Honda 250 to the Trail 70 and a full line of CBs. One of my personal favorites was a Suzuki RM500 that if you weren’t careful would have run you right up a tree with a ¼ twist of the throttle! All of which looked like they just rolled off the showroom floor, even though all were well over 40 years old.

The show also featured motorcycles for everyone’s taste. The first bike as you walked through the gates was a beautiful Cleveland. Also included were plenty of Harleys, BMWs, Nimbus, Guzzis and others.

Put this on your calendar for next year. Don’t forget it is always a beautiful ride up A1A to get to St. Augustine that we sometimes take for granted living here with the unobstructed view of the Atlantic Ocean most of the way there.

Editor’s Note: Since Jeff authored this article, we received a press release with the following sad news which is, they have decided 2024 Riding into History was the final one. Along with putting on one of the finest antique motorcycle shows, the staff and volunteers raised funds for charities. The following is an excerpt from the press release about the 2024 event being their last.

It was a long, fun ride! It (Riding into History) brought together so many diverse people from different socio-economic backgrounds and motorcycle marque/club affinities. We brought together hundreds of volunteers from numerous motorcycle clubs/chapters from all across Florida to work together to put this show on every year.  Together we donated an estimated $738,000 for Charity! We started with the Susan G Koman Foundation back in 2000, then supported Buddy Check-12, Wounded Warriors, and K9s for Warriors.

A JOB WELL DONE BY ALL WHO SUPPORTED THIS EVENT THROUGH THE YEARS. Thank you to all and to the owners of the beautifully maintained motorcycles for being part of “HISTORY”! Lulu

By Lulu

The oldest party spot in Daytona is by far The Boot Hill Saloon. Having just celebrated their 50th Anniversary in 2023 they have been rocking Main Street in Daytona Beach far longer than anyone. Known for their live music, Bike Week we caught bands such as Soul Fire, Guilty by Nature, and Last Stand. Live music also rocked their US 1 location, the Boot Hill Outpost. Make sure you check out their Main Street location for Wednesday Bike Nights!

By Lulu

Joe V, Jimbo and Big Bob keep the party going 7 days a week all year long! But for Bike Week, it seems like every performer in the United States fills the bar and strut their talents! The athletic ability of these HOT women is nothing short of incredible. Full Throttle puts on a nighttime bike show filling the parking lot with Hot bikes. Whether it is Race Week, Bike Week, Spring Break, or a party for some bachelor, Grandview Live is always happy to entertain. Ride in anytime to add a little spice to your life.

By Jeani G.

The 2nd annual Saddle Up for St. Jude Poker Run and Music Fest took place on Saturday, April 6th at the World-Famous Iron Horse Saloon in Ormond Beach. God blessed us with beautiful weather and the fundraising committee: Sherry, Gator Ken & Jeani, and Scott & Jen; with the partnership of our main sponsor Rue & Ziffra and Iron Horse owners Sally and Melissa, organized a spectacular event! Over five hundred riders, along with special guest NASCAR Hall of Famer Rusty Wallace, enjoyed breakfast at the Iron Horse before riding off into the sunshine. Stops included the Dog House, Cabbage Patch, a wild card at Sorry Charlie’s, Boot Hill Saloon on Main Street, then back to the Iron Horse for lots more fun!

The overwhelming generosity of riders, sponsors, local community donations, auctions, raffles, and the efforts of over thirty-five volunteers enabled an overjoyed committee along with Lisa of Rue & Ziffra to make a loving donation in the amount of $78,105 on April 29th to Dawn of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital … simply incredible! As you may know, since opening more than 62 years ago, St. Jude has helped push the cancer survival rate of children from 20% to 80% and families never receive a bill for treatment, travel, housing, or food.

The fundraising itself began many months earlier with live guitar auctions during Biketoberfest and Bike Week (autographed by musicians Colt Ford, Eddie Montgomery, Hairball, Whey Jennings, Corey Smith, and Chris Cagle), raffle ticket sales for a metal alligator sculpture hand-crafted by Howard, Skylar’s lemonade stand sales, securing sponsorships, and collecting baskets and auction items donated by local businesses and restaurants. Everyone in the community was so eager to join in and the outpouring of love was simply outstanding!

The day’s festivities included non-stop music by exciting and talented local bands: LA Robinson, Panic Station, and Gun Shy. Beth and Jeff emceed the party and kept things rolling with live auctions of fabulous items such as a Twisted Tea beach bike, SWAT experience with Volusia County Sheriff’s Dept, 13-foot gator head by John Walker Taxidermy, Lee Greenwood guitar plus Soldier Valley bourbon and American Poly Furniture surfboard table with stools. Attendees also enjoyed a cornhole tournament, 50/50 raffle, gun raffles, dice game, t-shirt sales and bidding on silent auction baskets. Chris Rhoads with WHOG did a live radio feed. Food vendors included Tacos Land, hot dog cart, Skylar’s fresh lemonade, Wild Nut House, and Iron Horse’s kitchen. In a very touching moment, Suzette the mother of a St. Jude survivor, shared her family’s journey beginning with her son’s diagnosis, fighting strong through the years, and winning the battle!

A huge THANK YOU to all of the riders, volunteers, auction participants and event attendees who shared their day with us and also to all of the Sponsors, without whom this event would not have been possible: Rue & Ziffra, Hot Action Sportswear, Iron Horse Saloon, Southern Country Customs, Barton & Barton Feed & Supply, Veterans Support Fund, Red White & Blue Heating and A/C, Boot Hill Saloon, OB’s Restaurant & Lounge, Jeep Beach, Twisted Tea, A-OK Guns, United Rentals, Hard Rock Hotel, Beery Roofing, Custom Dynamics, Hook’s Charity, MGN Contracting and J&J Corner Storage, as well as countless monetary donations.

Gator Ken summed up the day’s event in five simple words “It’s all about the children!”
Thanks again for everyone’s support and to view more photos of the day’s event and guitar auctions, please go to Thunder Roads Florida Facebook and look for albums of St. Jude Run as well as Bike Week and Biketoberfest.

By Lulu

Coleslaw wrestling, vendors selling their wares, bike shows, and sound offs are mainstays at Cabbage Patch Bar in Samsula for Bike Week. Great bands including Joe Santana & The Kingfish and Derek Trull & Easy Street to name a few of our favorites entertain the masses all 10 days! The bartenders are always friendly as they sling drinks as fast as they can! The crowds for the Coleslaw chicks were many peeps deep! The champion, Cookie, retained her belt! Cabbage Patch is a great stop for poker runs or charity benefits. Check their events in the ad in Thunder Roads Florida for live music, et al.

By Lulu

Teddy Morse’s huge property was PACKED with bikes vendors and shoppers! Saints & Sinners stage was rocking the crowds. Budweiser’s Clydesdale Parade was a crowd favorite. The Pavilion had bike shows including Full Throttle’s, Hardcore Cycles, Flying Pistons Builders’ Breakfast, Bike Show Mafia’s Trike Show & All Class Bike Show, Harley-Davidson & Renegade’s Babes Ride-in Bike Show, Godfather of Bass Sound Off and Kory Souza’s No Class Bike Show. Stunt riders were featured in Urias Family Globe of Death and on the property the Drifter’s Collection Stunt Show. A free bikini bike wash had bikers lined up! And the big band this year was Jesse James Dupree! The Miss Teddy Morse’s Daytona H-D Bikini Contest once again had beautiful bodies on stage. Inside the dealership lots of shoppers were milling around and new and used bikes were being sold. DEFINITELY Teddy Morse’s Daytona H-D rocked Bike Week 2024!!!

By Lulu

There is always a party happening at OBs in Deland. March was no exception with Deland Bike Rally, Bike Week, the Burning Bike After Party, OB’s birthday party complete with a bikini contest, Yuengling’s Tattoo Contest with Willie from Tropical Tattoo running the show and their Wednesday night bike nights! Oh, and a bike show! Add to that great music is a mainstay with bands such as Deadlanders and the Matt O’Ree band to name a few. Coming up in June is the Americana Bike Show on June 23rd, complete with Miss Americana Contest! So, saddle up and see you there!

We have had a great spring! Now we are headed for the Dog Days of Summer and lucky enough to be spending a bit of it in cooler temperatures. In June we will be on a cruise to Alaska, followed by a week in Cape Cod with friends, in August, Gator Ken and Jeani have a house rented in Clyde, N.C so we will be visiting Bobarosa, a cool biker bar on a river that we found last year and enjoying some of the prettiest riding anywhere. Sounds like our life is a vacation…but we have spent countless hours putting the magazine together and attending motorcycle rallies all spring, and at age 70 I am worn out!!! I need retreads!!

This summer we still have lots on the events calendar. In June, OB’s Americana Bike Show with $1000 cash for Best in Show and $1000 for Miss Americana bikini contest happens on Sunday, 23rd. Boot Hill Saloon will be rocking Independence Day! And Pirate’s Pub has their Too Broke For Sturgis Party the 1st Saturday of August. I heard through the grapevine that Patti Miracle is the new co-owner of the old Steel Around Tavern in Astor. After a complete remodel, it will return to the original name, Forest Tavern, on Rt 40 just east of Drifter’s on the River.

We are also waiting impatiently for the huge tiki bar at Drifter’s to get the city’s permission to open!! That is one awesome tiki! Stay hydrated this summer with more water than alcohol, kiss your loved ones often and don’t forget your sunscreen.

By Lulu

Each spring, right as Bike Week kicks off, the Antique Motorcycle Club of America Sunshine Chapter celebrates biking history with a 3-day event. The bike show is AMCA sanctioned, and beautifully restored antique bikes are there to compete. A giant swap meet filled the huge venue at Municipal Stadium on LPGA Blvd. Friday night there was a banquet with Corky Coker. While walking through the swap meet, I snapped a shot of Daren Bennett working at a booth. On a sad note, he passed away during Bike Week a few days after I shot his smiling face!! Next year the event is moving to Volusia County Fairgrounds and the dates are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday February 27, 28 and March 1, 2025.

By Lulu

If you haven’t experienced Broken Spoke Saloon yet you are missing out. I call it the Disney of biker bars. The beautiful, majestic oaks that give the gift of shade to the masses, also house the twinkling lights at night making it a magical place. Every day bike shows, car shows, a bikini contest, or bands, keep the property hopping. 1st Saturday it was the Rat Rod Bash, 1st Sunday Warren Lane’s Antique Gathering, Tuesday Cycle Source Custom Bike Show, Wednesday Perewitz Custom Paint Show, Friday Dennis Kirk’s Garage Build Bike Show, 2nd Saturday the 1st Miss Broken Spoke Bikini Contest (featured in the May issue, photos can be viewed at Thunder Roads Florida Facebook), and the 2nd Sunday a Vintage Car & Bike Show. Day and night bands including the famous Hairball, ROCK the huge property. Other bands included Bobby Friss, Loose Lips, Kiss America, Stone Senate, and Buckshot. A favorite of all who visit the Spoke is Southern Country Customs with their amazing builds, Rusty & Steve Wallace are often onsite to answer questions and even sign an autograph or two! Of course, beautiful bartenders are happy to sling a cold one or pour up your favorite spirits. Add to all that Bike Week and Biketoberfest the bands signed guitars that went up for auction to raise much needed funds for the Veterans Support Fund and for the Saddle Up for St. Jude’s event in April. Have to love a bar that works hard to show the people a good time and finds time and energy to help good causes!!

By Lulu

The spectacle to see each Bike Week is at Volusia County Fairgrounds. You can sign the monstrosity built with wood in the shape of a motorcycle and biker early in the week, but on the last Friday of Bike Week the entire thing goes up in flames, lit by bearers of torch flames. First though to get the heat started they have a slew of girls in skimpy bikinis vie for the cash prize and title of Miss Burning Bike! The top three girls Sandi, Nickie and Jazzmyn walked away with the trophies! And Sandi the crown! Had to be hard for the judges to choose! A definite must do and the crowds are insane so get there early!! There is a fee to enter, but I think it is well worth the ticket!

By Lulu

The old Dog Pound Saloon had a change of hands quite a while ago. Under the new ownership of Tom & Lisa, 1405 Saloon is an old school party during Bike Week! They put on one hell of a show with a wet-tee contest that had men bidding on the chance to wet a bevy of girls that were not afraid of showing them a good time! Live music on the outdoor stage, full liquor and a great staff makes this a cool joint for a bit of biker fun! Anytime you are in the Bunnell/Flagler area check this bar out at 1405 Moody Blvd.