By Lulu

One of my favorite events which happens twice a year is the Thunder Beach Rally in Panama City Beach. I lived over 30 years in Pensacola so the first rally I ever attended was Thunder Beach! The beaches and our hotel are amazing. We stay at the Holiday Inn Resort which have added a lazy river Gulf side since our last visit. The bands at Frank Brown Park this year weren’t the big headliners they usually have but the city only gave them permitting last minute to due Covid fears. So, groups like Big Engine and Jasmine Cain rocked the crowd. Vendors were busy selling their wares and the Harley and Indian dealerships parking lots were packed. Radical Randy had an impressive bike show and probably the best attended event was the sound competition. At Hammerhead Fred’s lovely ladies competed nightly for the Miss Panama City Beach title and on Saturday afternoon they had the Ms. Event for ladies a bit older. All and all the event had beautiful weather and a great crowd even with late notice that the “show will go on”! Put this on your list for 2022!!

By T. J.

We always look forward to one of our favorite annual Florida rallies, and this year, after skipping 2020 because of Covid concerns, Cotee River Bike Fest came back to life and did not disappoint. It was a jam-packed weekend of fun, riding, music and bike shows. I had a little set back, however, that cut my weekend a bit short. My truck had an overheating problem during the Fire & Iron poker run and I had to drive back to Daytona in the middle of the night Saturday/Sunday morning. The 2 days I did get to spend kept me running from the main stage at Sims Park to the downtown stage on Grand Blvd. to my favorite watering hole, Little Corona’s Cigar Lounge. Around and round I went taking it all in.

The Fire and Iron poker run is always a highlight with a celebrity Grand Marshall. This year it was Matt Bradley from the popular TV show The Deadliest Catch. He was a real down to earth guy that was happy to mingle and share a few laughs with the riders. The registration is always at New Port Richey Harley-Davidson and stops were at Starkey Market, Drunken Mullet (where my van blew up), and Get Hooked Grill, finishing up at Sims. The music lineup for the weekend was awesome. Tons of great music by tribute bands Kiss America, Diary of an Ozzman, Kid Kentucky and a number of local Florida bands. Molly Hatchet was the headliner on Saturday night, and it was packed SRO.

This weekend event is hosted by Team Farrell with a portion of the money raised going to charity. This year’s recipients were Children’s Burn Foundation of Florida and Pasco County Safety Town. Put the 2022 Festival on your calendar, it’s a must-see event!

By Lulu

Rock N Roll is alive! And there is no bar in town that brings live rock n roll to their regulars more consistently than Marks! They had a lady rockers weekend and Dina with Sesame Plexer sang her heart out for her birthday night on Friday. An extra special event featured Crush for a spectacular reunion night with Debbie rocking her fishnets and the crowd one night. Packed house!! Stop in on any weekend for great music and a solid good time.

By T.J.

There is a small group of good people doing great work in Stuart, Florida. House A Vet is a Veterans Service organization that aids in quality-of-life issues. Many of our U.S. Veterans need help readjusting to society and real life after returning from serving around the world, and House A Vet is striving to make a difference with those in Martin, St. Lucie, and Palm Beach counties. Their office at 490 S.E. Monterey Rd. in Stuart is led by Director Kevin Donahue with 5 full time staff members and 12 additional volunteers. Together they maintain a food bank, serve a weekly luncheon on Wednesdays, provide temporary housing, and constantly raise funds to keep the program alive. The food bank provides canned and dry goods, fresh vegetables, frozen meats, and toiletries for up to 65 families monthly. Another of their programs has enlisted several local restaurants to take turns delivering meals each week to a transitional home for families awaiting permanent housing.

Over the last 8 years, House A Vet has received tremendous support from the local community but can always use more. They get no government assistance of any kind. Their recent fundraising effort included the 2nd annual poker run which I attended. The stops were at 4 American Legion Posts and 1 VFW Post. The ride ended at Treasure Coast Harley-Davidson with a party out back at the tiki park. Three bands played for the crowd, and they unveiled a beautiful brand new 2021 883 Iron. The bike was built by renowned bike builder Sonny Heflin and painted by Richard Baker. It is a beautiful build being raffled off with the winning ticket scheduled to be pulled Memorial Day weekend. Only 2000 tickets will be sold so go to the website www.houseavet.org to get tickets ($25 each, 5 for $100)
If you would like to help House A Vet with donations of canned goods, gift cards, frozen meats, or monetary donations of any amount, please visit their website for information.

An old dear friend of T. J.’s passed away in a tragic motorcycle accident in New Smyrna Beach this month. T. J. has known Pee Wee Graves for about 40 years from back in the Froggy’s days. A quiet guy who often spent his afternoons in The Boat Bar or Bay 3, he spent hours on his bike. We are riding today on the Mystery Ride in his memory. Just friends hitting his spots raising a beer to the heavens. It is hopefully the final sad event of 2021! Dylan, Walter Gross’ son, was also in a terrible accident the same week. Luckily, it appears his life was spared. But between Covid and all the life’s snubbed out in a shocking way this year…sadness abounds. T. J.’s mom Vi, Bobby Rebello, Steve Fritz, Cap Wilson, Pee Wee, Catherine Connearney, Kathy Shaughnessy…friends all lost. I really cannot remember a year with so many unexpected deaths. Add to that Willie’s near-death experience from his hit & run on Main St., Waylon’s near death Covid illness, this has been a year we should have all just stayed at home in bed, but life is for living I suppose.

I miss Cap every time I get on a bike, Big Steve when I drop off magazines at Iron Horse…I think of Cat and Kathy when I hear of Covid on the news. Everyone reading this has some loss that hit home this year. Some from suicide, drug overdoses, wrecks, covid, disease. But at 67 I was told you will be going to a lot of funerals now because your friends are getting old. Only T. J.’s mother was age related. The rest were unexpected. Just shocking.

So, on my knees I prayed for them to be riding high with angels after lighting a candle in the cathedral in St. Augustine last night. But my prayers for all of us still on this side of living is that 2022 can be kinder and gentler for us all. That Suzie, Brendan, Tommy, Debbie and all of us missing loved ones will see their way through the process of grieving and that brighter days are ahead.

A safe and healthy 2022 to us all, kiss your momma if she is still with you and if not take a moment to thank her for the life you are living and don’t forget your sunscreen!

By T. J.

Let me tell you about my favorite place to hang out on Florida’s west coast. I love the Little Corona Cigar Lounge in downtown New Port Richey. Owner Tim Fussell, Tom, and Heather (Carla) are the best. You feel like family the minute you walk in. Being a big cigar smoker, I love the walk-in humidor with a vast selection of smokes and being a big beer drinker, the more than 50 beers, drafts, and wines are more than enough to quench anybody’s thirst. When we are at Cotee River Bike Fest, Little Corona has become home base for Thunder Roads Florida. We have met many new local friends there and that’s where we have all our home friends meet up with us when they come over. There is plenty of indoor bar seating and a nice little outside covered patio area to hang out. 7 TVs are inside to watch the game. Tim retired from the Newport Richey Fire Dept. and he’s an old school biker, still riding an old hard tail 1950 Panhead Chopper to work. He’s always happy to see bikers pull up and come in for a smoke and or a beer and share a story. When you stop in tell ‘em we said hi!

By Lulu

My friend Heavy from Midwest Motorcycles on Beach St. is a man of many talents. I always thought his nickname Heavy was a joke because he is thin. Turns out it is he is a great drummer in mostly “heavy” metal bands. During Biketoberfest the folks at Boot Hill provided a venue for him to play for his friends. The Matt O’Ree band and Heavy did a Robin Trower Tribute set “Day of the Eagle”. I must say I was impressed! Matt O’Ree also played with Bon Jovi. Boot Hill has always been known for great music and mostly keeps it true rock n roll. Don’t forget they still do a Wednesday night Bike Night join in for the music and fun!

By Lulu

The coleslaw and beer were flowing out in the back pasture. Roger was throwing the cabbage heads into the grinder and the staff was mixing the oil to make it nice and slippery. The brave girls entered the coleslaw pit with no fear! So go the days at the Cabbage Patch Bar in Samsula on the last Saturday of Biketoberfest and on Wednesday and the last Saturday in March. The bar is open all the time and is a favorite spot for poker runs and just to stop in to wet your whistle or warm your buns! So saddle up and stop in for a stiff one!

By T. J.

On Saturday during Biketoberfest I made my usual trek down to Space Coast Harley-Davidson in Palm Bay. It’s a nice hour and a half motorcycle ride and it takes me away from the madness of the Daytona area crowds. They always have good stuff going on…live bands, a couple of bars set up, a bike show, a motorcycle stunt riding team smoking and blowing up rear tires, lots of vendors including 2 of our advertisers, Chip with Everything Biker Consignment and Michelle from Yankee Babe Apparel, and tons of Harleys for sale. Inside the showroom there were several Tattoo booths set up creating a type of Tattoo convention. They also recently introduced a new concept, an off shoot of plain old Harleys. Space Coast Speed Werks is a high performance and customizing department that tricks out your stock ride and takes it to another level. It’s something for all you speed demons out there to check out. With so much to see, it’s very easy to spend the better part of an afternoon down on the Space Coast being entertained. On the way back I stopped in at their sister store in Titusville, Miracle City Harley -Davidson, for a beer. It is a very cool dealership with a huge tent outside in the parking lot with live music playing and cocktails flowing. There was even a little dancing going on. So, if you’re looking to get out of town for a day during Bike Week take the ride down to see our friends in Palm Bay.

Bishop from Space Coast H-D and Bad Influence Kustoms will be having a BikeNight at Bender’s Bar & Grill on January 15th including a professional model shoot and honoring Veterans. Take a selfie with the girls. Live music at 2pm, ride in bike show 3p, photo shoot 4:30-6:30pm, and winning photo will be in March issue of Thumder Roads Florida.

By Lulu

If you haven’t made the time to stop in the newest addition to the fleet of Adamec dealerships you just must. Located at 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. they have plenty of comfy seating to spend time while your significant other SHOPS. A huge outdoor stage is perfect for bands. During their fall rally they had one of my favorites Joe Santana on stage. Follow their website for monthly events!

By T. J.

Most of us use carwashes to keep our rides clean without thinking too much about it. But keeping our cars and bikes clean is a necessary evil of vehicle ownership. Since our friend Eric started advertising his Super Wash in Thunder Roads Florida, I have spent some time over at his Holly Hill location and learned that a carwash is not just a carwash. Super Wash on Nova Road has a reverse osmosis water system that soaps and rinses your bike with “spot free” water throughout the entire process. Then you easily blow it dry with handheld blow dryers…no toweling off necessary. How easy is that? There are three separate washing bays and one touchless automatic bay for cages. Super Wash carries only the highest quality soaps and waxes by Quest, as well as vending machines that contain tire shine products, fragrances and much more.

Eric moved here from Washington State in 2018 after retiring from a 35-year Merchant Marine career and soon after purchased Super Wash. A motorcycle rider since childhood, and currently riding a 2006 H-D Ultra Classic and Can Am Spider, he has succeeded in making bike washing simple and convenient. Super Wash is open 24/7 with plenty of night lighting and security cameras all around the property.
As a special treat on property during Biketoberfest he had a bikini bike wash with some cuties from Orlando wiping things down. I’m hoping they are back for Bike Week 2022. Eric is always happy to meet new folks, so stop in and say hi from Thunder Roads.

By Lulu

This year Jeani and I flew like an EAGLE to Sturgis. We both had deadlines to meet that didn’t allow us the luxury of days on the road. Our men, TJ and Gator Ken trailered the bikes with stops in Nashville and a night at my sisters in Louisville. Thank you, Jen and Kerry for opening your bar and kitchen to them!!! Once arriving in Sturgis, we were welcomed to Camp Kristin, where Wade had arranged a wonderful RV for our extended stay. The weather was spectacular and made me want to move in with our Sturgis family. Our friend Bill from Twisted Tea had arranged the hook up for our Sturgis homesite last year and it couldn’t be more perfect. We came bearing gifts of Groggery Grillin’ Stuff, homemade cookies, wine, and amazing beef jerky by Grizzly & Linda…oh and Gator Claw key chains!!! We made it to all the famous and infamous stops: The Badlands, Needles Highway, Crazy Horse, which was a first for me, Mount Rushmore, several trips through Spearfish Canyon, all the way to Topless Tuesday in Montana (don’t put this on your list it was a waste of time), and Deadwood with a stop in to visit Doug at Sick Boys. We witnessed Twisted Tea arm wrestling at Knuckles Saloon, Burn Out competition at Iron Horse Saloon, and saw the largest crowd ever at Buffalo Chip when we went to check out Kid Rock! Sherry talked me into emceeing Dirty Bingo at the Steel Pony Campground. I guess she thinks I can be a Dirty Little Girl from time to time. We had a great time, and if you are looking for a place to camp next year check them out. The cabins and RV hook-ups are great! If you haven’t made it to Sturgis, you simply must. The wildlife and nightlife are amazing…but the riding is what we all venture there for. So, get ready for Sturgis 2022!!!

By Lulu

Biketoberfest was awesome this year. One of our all-time favorites during the spring and fall rally in Daytona occurs at Tropical Tattoo on US 1. After Willie’s terrible accident in the spring, I was worried this event wouldn’t happen, but Willie is tough as nails and “the show must go on” as the saying goes. This old school chopper show includes great music, vendors and one-of-a-kind creations made by bike artists! The front parking lot is crammed full of bikes and every time I think there can’t be anything I haven’t seen, Chopper Time proves me wrong. This event is sponsored by Twisted Tea, Cycle Source and Rue & Ziffra, great friends of Thunder Roads Florida Magazine. Other sponsors included Hot Leathers, Bikernet.com, Blings Cycles, S & S, Renegade Magazine, Church of Chop, RCBC, Grandview Live, and B & D Customs. The alcohol proceeds go to the Veterans Support Fund. Willie has always loved our VETS! Roadside Marty emceed the event as usual spewing his comedic instructions at the crowd. The list of winners is below. More photos of winners are on our Facebook at Thunder Roads Florida.

Winners List

Best Knuckle – Garret Madalone
Best Old School – Garret Madalone
Tropical Tattoo Choice – John (no last name given)
Willie’s Choice – Antique
Best Twin Cam  – Bobby Colella
Cycle Source Choice – Shadd Reed
Best Sportster – Lashonda Donckey
Best British – Frank (no last name given)
Best Panhead – Brandy Dozer
Best Japanese Import  -Blake Ingram
Best Shovelhead Drew Cemer
SmokeOut Choice  -Billy Flash
Best Classic – Ken Napier
Best Evo – Mike DiPreta
Roadside’s Choice – Mad Pen Cycles
Rev Al Award – Dozer
Tarball’s Choice – Tino
Tino’s Choice – Ron Zuk
BD Custom’s – Zackery Zdrodokski
Trailer Trash – Choice Hatch

By Phoenix and Metric

Thanks to the City of Eustis, the Lake County Chapter of the Nam Knights MC and the Patriot Guard Riders, the Lake County Vet Fest 2021 was once again an event to remember. The older I get the more I realize how important events like this must be shared with the younger generations. As evil around this country try to erase our history, it is more important than ever that we share their sacrifices.

While Veterans Day events are for all veterans, we must not forget the sacrifices of those who never returned home from the battlefield. The Vet Fest was a weekend filled with fun, food, music, and patriotic activities all around the county. The Vet fest included parades, bike rides, walks/runs, bed races and escorts to the walls.

However, the highlight for me was the patriotic ceremony held at Ferran Park on Saturday. The Patriot Guard Riders had both the Vietnam Memorial Wall and the Global War on Terrorism Wall on display. The two guest speakers gave a stunning recall of their experiences. The first speaker was John O’Kelly a born and bred Leesburg resident. He gave a chilling recall of the Lake County residents whose names appear on the Vietnam Wall. The second speaker was Carey Baker, a resident of Eustis, who served in the Global War on Terrorism. He gave a detailed description on the terrorism that we face today. We must remember “All gave some and some gave all” for all of those who have served in our military. Thanks to their service we are the “Home of the Free, Because of the Brave.”

Riding out of 2021 and into 2022 I am filled with mixed emotions. Can things in our country get any worse? We have so much to be thankful for in this great nation but it seems the people in charge don’t have a clue they are running us off a cliff of “no return” . But I was lucky enough to spend time with Lee Greenwood twice this fall and the people who showed up for his Meet & Greets were such awesome, patriotic Americans…it just gave me faith that we can still save ourselves from the fools that elected our current administration. The polls for the administration give added hope! The problem is we will have to suffer through three more years of the antics of Biden and Harris. It would be a blessing if anyone but Kamala was second in command.

Add to that this constant cry of racism the media and thugs in the street spew. Rittenhouse didn’t shoot a black man, yet without proof every left-wing station claims he is some sort of white supremacist. Anything to arm themselves with fuel to divide and conquer. Yet while at Thunder Beach we stopped in a bar where an exceptional black man was on stage singing his heart out. He stopped and started a Let’s Go Brandon chant to the packed bar. Then said “I lived through the 60’s, we survived the turmoil of moving beyond racism. What in the hell are these people unhappy about? I have a great life. Friends of every color. Let’s all just get along!” The crowd went crazy with cheers. Please God why can’t his message be what we hear anywhere other than on FOX News Channel?

Well, when we raise our glasses on New Year’s Eve let’s toast our great nation and the men and women who gave some and those who gave all…and be prepared to defend our liberties at the poll! If you didn’t vote…you must! If you did find five more to go with you! 2022 is the year we MUST be united and strong for our country.

Ride on a Toy Run, call an old friend at Christmas and don’t forget your sunscreen.