By Lulu

OCC Road House & Museum was hopping in May for the Invitational Bike Show, brought to you by OCC Road House, Bert’s Barracuda Harley-Davidson, Fran Haasch Law Group, Budweiser, and Visit St. Pete-Clearwater. This was an amazing display of artistic talent! Friends of ours from Massachusetts, Picozzi’s Custom Paint, took home three trophies!

The event started on Friday with the vendor and builders’ load-in, and TL Jentgens brought his amazing talent on the drums and singing to the stage. Saturday, the builders’ bikes were displayed inside Bert’s Barracuda Harley-Davidson. There was a ride-in bike show hosted by Fran Haasch Law Group, and some of the winners’ photos are featured here. Then, some of the winners of the Invitational were presented with their awards on stage while Scream Machine entertained the packed pavilion.

Sunday started with the Sunshine Skyway Ride led by Paul Sr. Bert said it was a record number taking the ride on a beautiful, sunny day. The afternoon included more trophies for the builders and the great music of Shovelhed!

If you haven’t visited OCC Road House & Museum or Bert’s Barracuda H-D, it is an impressive venue, to say the least. The food is awesome, and the staff is always willing to please!

Mark your calendars for the 2027 Invitational Bike Show, May 21–23. Plus, coming in November is St. Pete BikeFest, the weekend of November 19–22! Saddle up, mark your calendars, and we can’t wait to see you all there!

St. Pete BikeFest 2026 Event Schedule

November 19–22, 2026

Thursday, November 19
• Vendor Village
• Chuter’s Sunset Jump
• Eat Crowe – Black Crowes Tribute
• Maximum Friction

Friday, November 20
• Vendor Village
• Free live music: Nicaea
• WWN Pro Wrestling
• 90 Surge
• Headliner: Slaughter
• After-party live music with 90 Surge
• Saturday, November 21
• Vendor Village
• FREE Ride-In Bike Show Registration
• Awards Show
• Blackwater Jack
• FREE Mechanical Bull Rides
• Reign Bikini Contest
• Scream Machine
• Headliner: Soul Asylum
• After-party live music with Scream Machine

Sunday, November 22
• Ride Staging
• Sunshine Skyway Ride led by Paul Sr.
• Vendor Village
• Disasterpiece
• 2026 Harley-Davidson Street Glide Raffle Drawing

By Lulu

America is celebrating our 250th Anniversary this year, and at OB’s there was a lot of patriotism in the air! The show was packed as it has been since the first one eight years ago! This year several of the bikini contestants that had registered didn’t show up but the 5 girls that did gave it their all to walk away with $1000!!! This year’s winner was Brandi! The band Megan Gunn and the Pistoleros rocked the place. Owners of other bars were in the crowd including Lisa and Sheldon from The Hideaway Bar & Grill in Pomona Park, Ethan from The Inn Between in Deland and Jim Lynch from Good Fellas and Godfather Custom Cycles in Edgewater. Jim had a motorcycle malfunction on his way out and someone sent a photo of him riding bitch which I just HAD to include in this issue! This year the amazing staff of beautiful bartenders that serve you with a smile…served you with painted tatas! This bar always goes all out to please the crowd. Scooter Joe, of Feed the Obsession served Great BBQ. The 2026 Best in Show winner was Mike Hosmer! A special thank you to Rue & Ziffra for their continued support of this bar’s special events!
The winners and category are below:
Sportster-Billy Rose
Metric-Cody
Bagger/Dresser-Brian Tarantino
Paint-Jason Merrill
Rat Bike-Amy
Twin Cam-Ron Pinto
Tropical Tattoos Choice-David Swartz
Chopper-Russ Sinski
Evo-Shaun Ponte
Best Pan- Toni Mickesh
Best Shovel-Scott
Antique-Keith Shipley
Cap’s Choice-Doug Cooper
Best in Show- Mike Hosmer

The Bike Rack at Thunder Beach Spring Rally is a great venue for vendors, bands, hot bartenders, cornhole, bike shows and sound offs! This year we showed up for the Twisted Tea Strong Biker Contest which had dozens of contestants all vying for cash! The girls even had to have two contests!

As we travel the highways of life, we meet interesting people who impact our lives. Friends, loved ones, bosses, sometimes even strangers can have positive or negative effects on your journey we call life. Often a great medical provider can have the biggest impact! And when that doctor or nurse isn’t just proficient at what they do but are also excited about your health and improving it…that really matters. Colleen Wallace embodies that in her practice in Umatilla…Wallace Health. Not only are Colleen and her husband Ken, running a successful medical practice that focuses on keeping you fit and vital, but they also care about their community and the needs of those they come in contact with. This month at Gator Harley-Davidson Colleen is helping with school physicals at Bikers & Bookbag day on August 1st. She also has been a speaker at Ladies events for Jan at Gator H-D. They are big supporters of St. Jude too! Another absolute fact about the Wallace Family is they are patriots. They love America and our veterans. Recently they arranged for me to meet Joe Biggs who is a veteran that was incarcerated for several years over the January 6th event. After serving ten years in the Army’s 82nd Airborne he received two Purple Hearts. Colleen and Ken met Joe who is from Ormond and heard his CPAP machine he needed for his health and everything he owned was not returned when he was released from prison. He lost everything from that incarceration! Ken and Colleen are members of Born to Ride for 45, in fact Ken is the Florida Chapter Vice President. They both have been to events at Mar-a-Lago. Ken and Colleen decided to help get Joe a much-needed CPAP. Angie from Wallace Health and Ken, along with the help of Pete Frank from Advent Health, were able to get Joe a replacement for his CPAP. Advent Health Respiratory & Equipment, which serves Volusia, Lake, Sumter, and Marion Counties supplied Joe with his brand-new CPAP. This simple act of compassion made a big difference in Joe’s health and sleep!!! That is the kind of medical provider Wallace Health is! They both love making people’s lives better.

Oh, and did I mention that they live LARGE! Neither Colleen nor Ken allow getting older to slow them down. They constantly are working, riding their trikes, working the farm, going to concerts, and are even going hog hunting with Ted Nugent…the real Ted Nugent!

Below is a bit about what Wallace Health offers patients.
The chaos of the emergency room was where Colleen Wallace, AGNP, began working in health care. As much as she thrived on the high energy of that environment, there was something missing.
She wanted to help people heal and live healthier lives–something that wasn’t going to happen in an emergency setting.
In January 2021, she and husband Ken opened Wallace Health in Umatilla.
“He’s my partner in the practice and a big part behind the scenes,” says Colleen.

Since then, Wallace Health has become known for individualized attention in both traditional and holistic care. Patients come for a wide variety of wellness services, screenings and treatment for illness and injuries. In addition to walk-ins and urgent care, the practice also offers aesthetic procedures.
Wallace Health can provide stem cell therapy, Exosomes, Peptides, Biote, Botox, Juvéderm and now has the Artemis T-Shape 2 “The Artemis was developed in Italy and came to the U.S. at the end of 2025,” says Frances Stanley, health coach at Wallace Health who regularly treats clients with the device. “The first Artemis only addressed fat reduction, but this one also addresses collagen rejuvenation, tightens skin, reduces the appearance of cellulite, and provides massage for lymphatic drainage.”

Many people want to see improvement but are reluctant to go “under the knife.” The Artemis T-Shape 2 provides noticeable results without surgery utilizing thermal stimulation, lymphatic activation, and tissue remodeling.

By Lulu

$$$126,128…can we say WOW!!!! That is what Sherry and the volunteers, musicians that auctioned their guitars, businesses that donated items, sponsors like Rue & Ziffra Law Firm, Barton & Barton, Hot Action Sportswear, JJ Amusements, Beyer & Brown, Suck Bang & Blow in Myrtle Beach, Broken Spoke Saloon, Iron Horse Saloon, Food Supply, AOK Guns that raffled guns, Drifters Riverfront Bar & Grill and individuals that purchased raffle tickets, guitars, poker hands, played in the cornhole tournament, raised for St. Judes. Great BBQ was served by Feed the Obsession for those who rode on the ride. Every single person who gave of their time to ride Saddle Up for St. Jude, or work the event, and the countless hours of planning the team spent, all made this HUGE!!! Crashrocket was rocking the stage when the riders completed their run. Stops this year included Sorry Charlie’s Corner, The Turn, Boot Hill Saloon on Main St. A personal thank you to Dunkin Donuts for the coffee and donuts since I was running late and was in a caffeine deficit! And on a final note…THE GOAL WAS ONLY $100,000…CAN WE SAY WOW!

By Lulu

The weather gods were smiling on us in Leesburg! It didn’t seem like it was as hot, and I don’t remember any rain. The crowds were large and the night concerts were totally packed. My friend, George from Chrome Premium Cigars, had a spare VIP ticket so he invited me to the tent where we were treated to Sonny’s BBQ and adult beverages. The headliners this year were Sister Hazel, Lita Ford, and Everclear, although bands rocked the 3 stages everyday all day. Great Chicago Fire Brewery had a tent right in the parking lot, so a scrumptious hot dog came with good entertainment and beer! Frank’s Rack & Grill is a good spot right next to one of the stages to hang out. Hundreds of vendors lined the streets of the pretty downtown area. Stunt riders, a Full Throttle Bike Show and stilt walkers gave the crowds photo ops. My favorite part of the Leesburg Rally is the ride out to spots like Big Bass Grill, Eaton’s Beach, and Lake Harris Hideaway. Pretty roads to explore! Oh, and of course visiting our friends at Gator H-D and Dirty South Saloon. Special thanks to Progressive Insurance for their sponsorship! Google says the dates for next year Bikefest is April 24th-26th. So, get your reservations now and come to central Florida to play!

By Lulu

Our two favorite trips each year are the treks to Thunder Beach Rally in Panama City. The water is beautiful; the sand is pure white sugar and usually the weather is perfect. This year we had one bad day of rain, but it didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits, in fact, probably more alcohol was consumed wherever peeps got rained in. This rally has several spots that are on your Must Do List. Harley-Davidson of Panama City, Indian Motorcycle, The Salty Goat for the fun staff, Wicked Wheel for the Nashville chicken sandwich, Miss Newby’s for great cocktails, the brand-new Tootsies Orchid Lounge which is stunning inside and the ocean view, Hammerhead Fred’s for the Miss Thunder Beach contest, and a ride out to The Hideout in Red Bay.

We also made a stop at Bike Rack for the Twisted Tea Strong Man & Woman contest which will be in next month’s magazine, along with our day at The Hideout. At Frank Brown Park there are adult beverages and our friend Bill Grotto with the Twisted Tea girls are onsite, Heather and Chris from Cycle Source put on old-school bike games, Shannon’s Baker Act Custom bike show, lots of vendors were busy selling their wares and live music was enjoyed by the crowd. We ran into Jasmine Cain at the Twisted Tea tent and Tony and Big Engine were on the stage. Our last day we had dinner with Chris Anderson from the Thunder Beach Rally at the new McGuires Irish Pub. It was beautiful and the food was delicious. Make sure to come to the fall rally in 2026. The dates are October 21st-25th!!

By Lulu

Leesburg was hopping this year. The downtown park was packed like sardines for the headliners at night. Gator always has great bands during the day and this year we were able to catch two of our favorites Bobby Blackmon and Hayfire. Barfly, The Domino Effect, Hollywood, Propaganhah, Kelly Jarrard and Hypersona filled the four days with music at Gator. Tattoos by Country were available inside and he hosted a tattoo contest with cash prizes. My friend Tony from Full Throttle Magazine entered the beer belly contest. He didn’t get 1st place but he took home some dough. On Saturday, nine smoking hot girls competed for the title Miss Gator Harley 2026 and the beautiful Holly won! Gator H-D will be hosting their annual fall rally in November on the 14th and 15th, so hope to see you there!

By Lulu

I was a lucky girl at Gator H-D during the spring rally and got to be up close and personal with some beautiful ladies, as I emceed their Miss Gator bikini contest. The girls first took the stage in biker wear and they all looked stunning in their strappy black outfits. After Hayfire played their set, they took the stage again dressed in teeny, tiny bikinis leaving little to the imagination. I wouldn’t want to be a judge as they are all gorgeous, sweet, and FUN! Thanks to the sponsors Born to Ride For 45, Spray Mobile Tanning, Wallace Health Care, All Touch, Inc., Midnight Movers, Atlantic Site Development, Director of Possibilities, Advanced Infusion Center, and RWC, who helped put this thing on! First place went to Holly!

By TJ

Many of you are probably familiar with Venom Custom Choppers & Cycle Works on U.S.19 in New Port Richey for their 10 years of bike nights back in the day, and for hosting bike shows at Cotee River Bike Fest and others. For those of you who may not be familiar, you need to check this place out the next time you need your bike worked on. My friend Minh Mai is the proprietor and over the last 20 years he has built his business and reputation on honesty, fairness, and trust. His customers keep coming back for that exact reason. They know that the job will be done properly the first time, and in the rare event that something isn’t “just right,” Minh will make sure that it is corrected. That’s solid customer service!

It’s been a long road since the young 9-year-old Minh immigrated to the U.S. with his family from Vietnam in the late 70’s to become Americans and pursue the American Dream. They came to Florida by way of N.Y. and N.C. Minh completed school, eventually became a U.S. citizen, married his wife Lori, had a son, and got to work. He began with a body shop and a bar/restaurant along the way then transitioned full time into the motorcycle world. The tech guys at Venom have been there for years, which isn’t always the case at a lot of bike shops. They are proficient with performance upgrades, service, repairs, new parts, tires, and maintenance issues on all makes and models with Harley-Davidson as a specialty. Venom can also help you with your extended warranty work. Minh has owned and ridden Harleys, Ninjas, Slingshots, and other bikes over the years so he’s a real motorcycle guy that knows his business. Give them a call for your next job and tell ‘em Thunder Roads Florida sent you!

Recently a business owner in Florida that everyone seemed to like committed suicide. In July 2006, Bull the original owner of Thunder Roads Florida, a guy that loved life and motorcycling…who was leaving the next Tuesday for his first trip to Sturgis shot himself. A week before that trip! He also was looking forward to an all-expense paid trip to the Playboy Mansion the following month. None of that mattered that Tuesday night. I can instantly think of at least 15 people that I knew well who tragically took their own life, one was just a child of 14, another a young cute girl in her 20’s hung herself. And the reason that I am writing this is: 49,000 people end their own life on average each year. 132 in the USA a day! 22 veterans a day! When I first wrote of Bull’s death, I wanted people who think of taking their life to know the pain they are trying to end is like a torch passed to those they leave behind. Their mothers are in shock. Their loved ones in total grief and disbelief. Their children have forever lost a parent they need! I lived it. Suicide totally changes those you leave behind. Reach out to someone if you need help dealing with despair. I Googled how many suicides a day in the US and a recording came on instantly before the information telling me to call a hotline for help 988 is the number to call! Or tell a friend. Depression is real…it is draining…and those that suffer feel hopeless. Another sunrise is only a phone call away.

Hold your friends close, call your mom and don’t forget your sunscreen…

By Lulu

If you are coming to Leesburg Bikefest in 2027 (scheduled for April 23rd-25th) and you like camping, good music and adult fun…you should definitely give Windy Acres a call! It is a very short scoot to Gator H-D and downtown, located at 1350 Miller Blvd, Fruitland Park. Even if you don’t camp you can get a day pass for old school partying. Lawless Intent was the band and they rocked the place. The line of women lining up for the wet T contest was LONG!!! Everyone that camps here comes back every year and the place seems like home to them. For reservations go to WINDYACRESFESTIVITIES.COM!

By Lulu

A great bike show each spring is held at the beautiful Broken Spoke Saloon on US 1 in Daytona as part of Bike Week. Dennis Kirk, known as a leader in aftermarket parts and accessories with same day shipping, puts this event on. His show always brings out some great garage-builds. Dennis Kirk gives these builders an opportunity to display their talents. A few of the bikes and builders are featured here but you can go to the albums on Thunder Roads Florida Facebook page to see all the winners from the day. Check out DennisKirk.com for parts!!

By Lulu

Daytona Bike Week has a night of amazing sights at the Volusia County Fairgrounds. Burning Bike Night came complete with fire performers, the torching of the giant wooden bike, a flaming hot bikini contest and great live music all in a huge fairground with vendors and booze!!! A perfect place to spend the last Friday of Bike Week. If you haven’t been, put this on your event plans for spring 2027! Troy and his crew at Fastlane Campground bring this event to us and they do a fantastic job!

By Lulu

Bike Week wouldn’t be complete without a trip or two to the World-Famous Iron Horse Saloon. Iron Horse is known for great T-shirts, Craiger’s Beef Tips, The Wall of Death, and David Allan Coe, along with other great musicians. On a sad note, David Allan died in April, you can’t believe how many people before his death asked if he was performing each rally. He definitely was an icon. Whey Jennings filled his boots and does so much to help our local veterans by actively participating in auctioning off his hats, guitars and even jackets for the Veterans Support Fund. For those living in Daytona or just riding through, you need to check out the live music they are featuring outback every Saturday and Sunday afternoons.