This has been an emotionally devastating year for T. J. and me. It started with the loss of his mother Vi in the spring, Willie’s bike wreck, followed by Cap Wilson’s death from a heart attack while riding his bike home, the loss of Big Steve Fritz that same week from a health crisis while riding out of state with friends. All these losses were simply tragic. But one that totally blindsided both of us was the loss of Catherine Connearney, the wife of one of T. J.’s childhood buddies, Brendan. I had just met this extraordinary woman in Sturgis, spent our first day sharing some of the most spectacular sights you can see on earth. Exploring The Badlands I snapped this photo of Brendan and Cat the first stop. I knew they were both lifelong AA & NA members who religiously attended meetings to remain clean and sober. That didn’t stop her from being full of life and just plain fun!! They left a day earlier heading all the way back to Punta Gorda, their new-found southern home. Once home they flew to Massachusetts to visit family and friends. I mentioned last month T. J. and I both came down with Covid. We were easily sick a full 10 days and took much longer to get our strength back. Beautiful Catherine and Brendan also got Covid. Less than 4 weeks later…she was gone. Never came off the ventilator. The reason I am writing of this is two-fold. First if you aren’t vaccinated that is your choice, but this disease just took a woman I had looked forward to spending many great trips with. I was robbed of the joy for living she exuded. Her husband and family and friends are crushed. The second reason I felt the need to share this woman’s story is the tributes that people wrote on her timeline upon hearing she was with the angels. It was something that nears sainthood. She touched so many addicts: mothers, daughters, sons, and fathers that were in the very deepest hole of addiction. Her passion and success for living the good life showed them they could be saved. They could find the strength. Many wrote they must carry on for her. Just cannot fathom why God chose this angel so many still needed on Earth. Live a life like Catherine helping others any way you can, kiss someone you love like it may be the very last time and say a prayer for Brendan.

By Lulu

For the past four years the Rossmeyer’s Harley dealership in Daytona has hosted a Trike Fest. Each year the event has grown. It included a Meet & Greet on Friday night with music by Dina & James, a ride on Saturday, live music featuring Adam James Society in the afternoon, and a breakfast at Beaver Bar on Sunday. There is plenty of free time to spend some time shopping in their state-of-the-art dealership and to bounce around Daytona to local haunts. This year a special feature was renewal of wedding vows by the pastor of Redemption Community Biker Church and cupcakes for the brides & grooms. Saturday night included a fun filled evening of Dirty Bingo by Jeff & Nina. One of the largest groups of riders were out of Jacksonville mostly on Slingshots, Coast to Coast. If you ride a 3-wheel vehicle, make sure you put this September event on your 2022 calendar!

Tony & T-Rex

Ok me and T-Rex are back, been a great three-month vacation. But the boss say’s get on your *farm tractor* and head out to Okeechobee to cover Big Brothers and Big Sisters’ charity event. It is a beautiful Saturday, on September 11th and we fire the bike up and take a 100-mile ride down to C. Scott Driver Park where the pavilion is lined with bikes already.
First up is the ROTC Color Guard from Okeechobee High School and our National Anthem is played by a young woman on a trumpet. After the anthem, Saddle Tramp kicked the tunes up, the beer tub was flowing, the food was on and the raffles were being sold. The event was great with a crowd in the 350 range, plus a 6-category bike show with first in each class receiving a Rough River Metal Work’s whiskey barrel trophy.

But that’s not all they have, CEO Stacey Watson-Mesley is raffling off a custom 2007 Night Train from now until Memorial Day 2022. There are 650 tickets at $100 a ticket plus 3 cash prizes and all the proceeds go to the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of St. Lucie, Indian River, & Okeechobee Counties. It was a great turn out for a great cause. And for the ride home you guessed it rain, but all for a good cause…

Ride Safe and Stay Dry

By Phoenix and Metric

Each year the folks at the Wreaths Across America organization take on the monumental task of placing a beautiful wreath on every veteran’s grave in over 1,600 locations across America, over seas and at sea. In 2018, the mission went to the Normandy-American cemetery in France placing over 9,000 in that one location. Over 1.8 million wreaths were placed across the United States, with over 250,000 wreaths placed at Arlington National Cemetery alone. To accomplish such a task, it takes an army of volunteer organizations. National Wreaths Across America Day ceremonies occur each December to Remember, Honor and Teach Americans the cost of freedom.

The US Military Veterans MC “Highlanders” Chapter 11 in Highlands County is one of those organizations that go above and beyond to ensure that every veteran has a wreath. Recently, they hosted a poker run that ran from the south side of Polk County to the south side of Highlands County, with some great stops along the way. The poker run was just one of the first events in the efforts to raise money for the Wreaths Across America program, so if you get a chance to participate in one of their events it is well worth your time and the money raised go to a worthy cause.
If you or your organization would like to sponsor a wreath or get involved search the web at: www.wreathsacrossamerica.org for details.

I added some photos of my friend Glenn Iannillo laying wreaths in Arlington. He said it was one of the most moving events of his life. Lulu

By Lulu

Every year as I prepare to ride to Bunnell for Joe Vece’s 9/11 ride I worry that bikes won’t show up. I have never been disappointed by the turnout, not even in terrible weather. The patriotism is obvious by the roar of motorcycles streaming under the giant flag hoisted high over our heads. The ceremony is complete with songs, prayers, bag pipes, the ringing of the fire bell and speeches. All a great tribute to those who died 20 years ago in the ghastly attack on America, and those who continue to die and suffer from the aftermath. This year the weather God was good to us. Only a few drops of rain to remind us of the tears shed on 9/11. A special thank you to Joe Vece and the Knights of Inferno, The Punishers MC in Flagler, Politis & Matovina, Monster Motorcycles, Flagler County, and Tropical Enterprise for their hard work and sponsorship. The ride ended with a free BBQ served by the crew at Ike’s Saloon in Bunnell and great live music.

By T.J.

Gator Harley-Davidson in Leesburg has always been supportive of community and veteran’s causes, and their sixth annual Hops 4 Vets was a testament to that dedication. They joined forces on Sept 18th with St. John’s Hops and One Team One Fight to raise PTSD awareness. St. John’s Hops helps veterans with PTSD reacclimate into society by providing a peaceful therapeutic environment that helps them cope upon returning home. They supply Florida’s brewers with quality ingredients necessary for their brewing process.

The day began with the Florida4Warriors 6-mile Ruch March through the streets of Leesburg. These participants literally walked the walk for their cause! No lip service here! The afternoon was full of music and friendship as Southern Branded with Pete Hunt took the stage to entertain the crowd. Lots of vendors, a 50/50 raffle and live auction combined to raise a nice chunk of change for the vets. An awards ceremony followed recognizing the Nam Knights M/C “Green Swamp Chapter” and the Firefighters Charity Alliance of Lake County for their donations. And one of the coolest versions of the Star-Spangled Banner I have ever heard was played perfectly on a violin.

Keep up to date with Gator’s fun events all year round in Thunder Roads Florida. They are too good to miss.

By Lulu

Tragedy struck Volusia County this summer when a handsome young police officer was shot by a thug with total disrespect for authority. Officer Raynor was clinging to life when our local community came to his aid in many ways through candlelight services and events to help his family with bills. Rhonda and the folks at The Dog House in Port Orange held a Christmas in July event with a tree decorated with hundreds of gift cards donated my local merchants. Jeff & Nina who do a fun event at local bars also held Dirty Bingo that night and donated their entire event’s profits. A spaghetti dinner was served for $5 and that money was also given to Officer Raynor’s family. The firefighters and police officers all showed up to show their support. The entire event was just awesome! Cliff Morris provided music during the evening. An incredibly sad note is that Officer Raynor did succumb to his injuries and the community and his family are still grieving the loss of this bright young officer. Thank you Dog House and the entire Volusia County family for your support of THE BLUE and this young man.

By T. J.

If you are a gun enthusiast and believe in the 2nd Amendment, then you need to meet our friend Mike Jones at A-OK Guns on U.S. 1 in New Smyrna Beach. Mike has been around guns since he was a child when his dad, who is also named Mike, traded a trike for 9 guns. Mike senior began buying, selling and trading guns. It wasn’t long before he opened Jones Gun Shop gun shop in White Mills, Pennsylvania in 1974. A second shop, Northeast Firearms followed in Honesdale, Pa in 1984. Young Mike took over the Honesdale gun shop in 2001 when Dad moved to Hudson, Fl and opened Ol’ Time Gun Shop on State Rd 52. Junior worked his butt off 7 days a week at Northeast and did up to 40 gun shows a year for 19 years until he sold it and made the move to Florida last October and opened A-OK.

He bought his first motorcycle, an ‘85 Sportster in 1999 and immediately became an avid rider. Several bikes and years later, he now rides a 2016 Freewheeler around town. I said, “You must know everything about guns”? He replied, “Nobody knows everything, if somebody tells you they do, they’re lying”. His ongoing education in the school of “Gunocology” continues but suffice it to say Mike can answers all your questions and assist you in the purchase of your next gun. If you’re going shooting, they have what you need at A-OK. Mike’s tag line in his ad is “Big things happen in small places”, and although the square footage may be limited, the place is packed with guns. There are 400 guns in stock, but they don’t just sell. They buy, and trade all types of new and used pistols, rifles, and shotguns. There is also a huge supply of ammo, optics, accessories and cleaning supplies available. Mike also loves to see collectibles come into the shop.

Mr. Jones is also very community and charity oriented. He is member of the Masonic Fraternity since 2007, as well as a member of The Fraternal Order of Eagles since 1994. It comes as no surprise that he is a lifetime member of the NRA and involved with local youth groups.

Hours at A-OK are Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri 10am – 5:30pm and on Sat 10am – 3pm. A-Ok is closed Wed and Sun. I recommend that you stop in and see Mike and the staff for all your firearm needs. Tell em Thunder Roads Florida sent you!

For those of you who haven’t lived the rally circuit you simply can’t understand the extended family that grows across the miles. Having tended bar at one of the original biker bars The White Eagle in Daytona Beach, working the rallies in Laconia, Texas, Sturgis, Ohio Bike Week, Myrtle Beach and of course Bike Week and Biketoberfest you get to know so many people that you see year after year.

Facebook makes it easy to keep up with their lives and that is the one thing Facebook is good for. I worked for 5 weeks in Sturgis at the Easy Rider Saloon (now The Iron Horse) several years ago, and I saw many of the girls we hired from back in the day at Sturgis this year. Whether it is vendors, Doug from Sick Boys, Billy from Twisted Tea, other magazine owners or bar owners it is just like a family reunion at every rally.

My 4th trip up to Sturgis and I still find the riding to be amazing and the vistas spectacular. Sturgis was awesome this year! Weather-picture perfect. Camp Kristen is like coming home! Thank you Wade, Kristen and Billy. The first weekend the crowds were huge. The Kid Rock concert had to be attended by 70,000! It quieted down quickly going into the second weekend. Their Governor Kristi Noem not only rode her horse around town, but she also rode her brand new Indian! Kenny, T.J., Jeani and I made it home safely although we both have spent most of September recovering from Covid.

I sure wish Sturgis wasn’t so far or so cold in the winter I would move there in a minute!!! Check out the calendar as there are so many local events across our state that you shouldn’t miss!
Schedule a trip to Sturgis, say a prayer for the folks left in Afghanistan and don’t forget your sunscreen!

By Ron Cox

Conflicts overseas may be winding down, but the unseen injuries are ever present. So, the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association (CVMA) hosted a poker run to raise funds and awareness of PTSD among returning Veterans.

The run began and ended at Latitude 78/Gator Mike’s in Cape Coral. In support of CVMA’s run, Wolfhounds Legacy and PTSD Awareness Summit both had a presence with information about their programs.

After registering at Gator Mike’s and drawing the first card, riders set out to card stops in St. James City, Cape Coral, North Ft. Myers before returning to the starting point for the last card. Dirk Dennis won the $100 Best Hand prize with 3 Kings. Mike Myzak “won” the Worst Hand with a 9 high nothing. Proceeds from the run will be donated to PTSD Awareness.

Donations can be made at www.wolfhoundslegacy.com or
www.PTSDAwarenessSummit.org to support these agencies doing invaluable work.

By Lulu

A great destination ride during Biketoberfest for cocktails or a cold one with a relaxing view of the Atlantic is on A1A just south of the Flagler Pier. A sweet girl, Jayne Harris, is the owner and she has had a bit of a rough year with the new business! She opened Hang Ten in December 2020 right smack in the middle of a pandemic that has continued to plague bars & restaurants. Not only did they have the fear factor for clients and their staff, but they also had the government paying people not to work! All this made her first year more difficult than it might have been. Now with beautiful riding weather upon us, I know motorcycle enthusiasts always love to come to the aid of people! So put this on your list of places to stop in during the fall riding season. The outside tiki bar is always open 7 days a week. Their hours are noon to 9pm Sun-Thurs, and noon to 10pm Fri & Sat. The bar is full liquor and they serve ice cold beer. A full menu includes house specials Beef on Weck. It’s roast beef piled high on a kummelweck roll with au jus and horseradish on the side. Another must try: Jayne’s Wipeout Burger, a half-pound prime rib burger on a lightly toasted bun with sauteed onions, bacon, lettuce, tomato and a Hang Ten signature sauce. They rope off bike parking during the rally for you, so they like to see two & three wheelers ride in. On Tuesday evenings they feature Trivia, Wednesdays Karaoke, Thursdays open mic and then Fri & Sat evenings live music which they also have in the afternoons Sat & Sun. Let’s make October Jayne’s best month of 2021!!

By Lulu

Denise and Rick Hilliard have been in the bar/restaurant business their whole life. Even as a kid, Denise’s mom had The Flame on International Speedway and Rick’s parents owned the property that became the First Turn in Port Orange after moving from the Speedway. Rick, Denise, and Lee Hilliard started the First Turn near the Speedway on International in 1984. Volusia County has reaped the benefits of not only their great food & music, but also their charitable giving back to the community that kept their business thriving in good times and bad! But as the saying goes, “Nothing stays the same!” and after 33 years at First Turn on US 1 in Port Orange, the Hilliards have sold the bar and are retiring to be full time grandparents and part-time farmers! Shane Snipes is now at the helm of First Turn. His plans are to do some remodeling and keep the First Turn venue pretty much the same; lots of good live music, great steak and seafood meals, and continue the Tuesday night Bike Night. So, ride in to the First Turn for a great time!

Lulu

Well, thanks to Suzy and Royce I have some photos to share of the Too Broke for Sturgis Bash that they have been throwing in Paisley for years! We were in Sturgis this year so TJ and I didn’t make the bash. This party is always well attended and the ice-cold beer they are known for was flowing. I heard Suzy was a bit hungover the next day. This is a cool place to ride out to. Pretty country roads in the Paisley area. Since I am not a beer drinker, the fact that they are full liquor makes me a happy camper when we stop in to cool our pipes. Along with a classic car show on the 2nd Saturdays, they have bike days every Saturday with bucket specials and on the 15th of January beginning at noon they will be throwing their big anniversary bash and we plan to attend…you should too!!