By Lulu

In Hudson on SR 52 Lisa and Bob threw a Christmas Kick Off event complete with two great bands Jetter and Grindstone. Vendors, food and beverage were onsite. A bike show with trophies and $250 for best bike had some sweet rides. But the Christmas sale was what got my wallet out! I had to get some blinged out dew rags and a Christmas present or two. Along with a showroom full of retail items including boots, leathers, collectibles and more…Lisa specializes in custom patches and embroidery. Bob on the other hand opened a full service and repair shop at a second location on Springer Drive with a garage full of lifts and bikes in various stages of repair. Luckily, they both survived a horrible car accident this fall, and both are on the road to recovery!! A special thank you to Fran Haasch for her support of Let’s Ride and providing the trophies for the bike show.

By Lulu

A new group of riding buddies live and work on the west coast of Florida. Our friends Kay and Barry who visit us often, live in Wesley Chapel and bar hop on a regular basis. Their friends met up with us at Rebar in Brooksville for a day of riding. This crazy group followed us to Let’s Ride Christmas kick-off in Hudson. We caught back up with them at a new bar in New Port Richey on the west side of Grand, The Garage on Grand. This is a newly remodeled cool bar and right next door is another brand-new bar I had hoped to stop in but wasn’t open for business yet called the Dirty Mullet. Guess we will have to make another trip over to check out owner John’s second bar. He also owns a great bar in Hernando Beach, the Drunken Mullet. Next stop was one of our favorite bars on the west coast, Little Corona Cigar Bar. TJ loves a good cigar, so the walk-in humidor makes him happy, but the real reason we love this bar is the staff. Tom was behind the bar this trip and took great care of the house full of peeps. The owner Tim rides and was a fire chief before opening Little Corona. Little Corona has been a loyal supporter of Thunder Roads Florida so please stop in and visit them when you are in the New Port Richey area. Our final stop of the night was Horse and Crown in Hudson on 19, a few in the group love to karaoke and entertained us with their vocal skills. Can’t wait to visit with our new friends and explore more of the Nature Coast.

By Dennis Hernandez

A Florida Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

The beautiful weather in Florida makes it a great state to own a motorcycle, but Florida roads can also be dangerous. Constant highway traffic, year-round tourists, and frequent rain lead to a high rate of annual motorcycle wrecks.

COMMON CAUSES OF FLORIDA MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
The leading causes of Florida motor vehicle accidents are negligent and reckless driving.

Negligent driving includes:
• Distracted driving
• Driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Texting or talking on the phone while driving
• Driving while tired
• Driving while injured or unable to see/hear properly
• Operating an unsafe or broken vehicle
• Reckless driving includes, among other things, road rage, speeding, and ignoring the Florida traffic laws while driving.

Our motorcycle accident lawyers are dedicated to providing justice for crash victims.  We will go the distance through trial to fight for the compensation you deserve.

INJURIES CAUSED BY MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS
Motorcycle crashes can lead to devastating injuries. A motorcycle accident can cause physical and mental damage, and death is not an unlikely consequence.  Common motorcycle injuries include bruises and cuts at a minimum. A motorcycle victim may likely suffer from lacerations that require stitches. Without the proper gear, one can expect broken bones, brain or head injuries, and PTSD. Riders in Florida sometimes neglect to wear a helmet because of the weather. As you can imagine, this leads to disaster in a motorcycle accident.  Motorcycle crash victims can spend days or even weeks in Florida hospitals immediately following their accident. This doesn’t include the ongoing treatment and recovery for their injuries. Healing from a crash injury can lead to time missed from work, loss of ability to perform job duties, or even loss of employment.  Damage and injuries caused by a motorcycle accident can lead to a long road of setbacks and recovery.

WHY YOU NEED A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
After a motorcycle accident, the insurance company is not your friend. The defense will begin to build a case against you, and it will use anything it can find to undermine the severity of your injuries.

You need the guidance and experience of a personal injury law firm to collect evidence and prove negligence. Financial compensation from the guilty party won’t completely make up for physical damage, but it can ease the burden of medical bills and lost wages after an accident.

CONSULT AN EXPERIENCED MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER
At Dennis Hernandez & Associates, our injury attorneys in Tampa, St Petersburg,

Sarasota, Bradenton, Ft Myers, and Orlando, understand how difficult finances can be after a motorcycle crash. Because of this, we offer a free initial consultation. There are no fees or costs unless we win. We understand that your accident has caused you enough stress, and we want to make the legal process easier for you. You may be tempted to tackle a seemingly straightforward claim on your own. But it is so easy to be taken advantage of by large insurance companies.

We can build your case to demonstrate your need for compensation for physical, emotional, and financial damages caused by your motorcycle crash. Contact one of our five Florida offices, and we will send a representative out to you anywhere in the state to begin working on your motorcycle accident claim

If you or a loved one has been the victim of a Florida motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation. At Dennis Hernandez & Associates, our expert accident attorneys are committed to helping victims of motorcycle wrecks. We can send a representative to meet you anywhere in Florida to begin working on your case, and we are also conducting telephonic consultations and signing contracts electronically for the comfort and safety of our clients. Contact us today for a free case evaluation and to begin the motorcycle accident claim process at (855) LAW-DENNIS. DennisHernandez.com

By Lulu

Due to Covid-19 the June Americana Custom Bike Show had to be rescheduled to October. Often rescheduled events just do not get the turnout from in the past, but OB’s was packed once again and plenty of great looking rides filled the show lot. Add to the excitement of the show Crashrocket playing the stage and the Miss Americana Bikini Contest with a stage full of beautiful skin and you have a day made in OB heaven. Leigha from Winter Haven walked away with the $1000 cash from the sponsors Deland Motorsports although the judges had to have had a hard time picking! Best in Show was Mark Stevens. He won the $1000 cash prize sponsored by Rue & Ziffra, PA. People’s Choice was Rusty Bozzi.

2020 Americana Winners

Street: James Weisele

Chopper: Mark Stevens

Evo: Richard Garrito

3-Wheeler: Shireen Fletcher

Pan/Shovel/Knuckle: Mark Stevens

Rat Bike: Shane Scarumellino

Paint: Insane Cycle & Muscle Cars

Bagger/Dressed: David Fletcher

Chrome: Mark Painell

Sound: Karl Biancardi

People’s choice: Rusty Bozzi

Best in Show: Mark Stevens

 By Lulu

Americana Best in Show Winner Mark Stevens bike is remarkable. The Winnebago Sea Mist color offset by all the chrome makes it eye catching. Every detail of this bike makes it Best in Show! In Mark’s words is a bit of information on the creation of his ride and specifics for those of you who know way more about motorcycles than I do!

“After Bike Week 2019 I got a bug and got motivated to build another custom bike, maybe my last. I already had one 47 knuckle and decided, why not another using the iconic Harley motor? I proceeded to start the process of procuring parts. I had a fairly good idea what I wanted as the final outcome: a rideable vintage chopper/bobber. A true representation of a 1960’s style custom to be built and ridden right here in central Florida next to the Atlantic Ocean. A build that would have the same parts available during that era in time. I built the complete bike in my one car attached garage which is located 600 yards down the street from A1A and the Atlantic Ocean. So close you can hear the waves crashing against the beach. And it just so happens one of the nick names of this area is “surf coast”, hence the bikes’ name Surf Coast Knuckle. The bike was built with the idea that no modern technology would be used as part of its manufacture, just hand tools similar to what was available in the 1960’s. The paint scheme represents the colors you would see as you stand here on the beach, teal color turning deep blue at the horizon. Small white pinstriping around the flames represents the breaking wave color.”

Owner/Builder/Fabricator: Mark Stevens
Bike Name: Surf Coast Knuckle
City: Daytona Beach
Year/Make: 1946 Harley EL Knucklehead
Build Time: 1 1/2 years
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Engine
1946 stock specification 74 cubic inch Knucklehead-builder: DC Choppers
Air Cleaner: Custom Mark Stevens
Exhaust: Paughco upsweep
Primary: BDL 1 1/2″ with V Twin tins
Carburetor: Linkert 74B
Magneto: Morris
————————————–
Transmission
Year: 62
Make: Harley
Shift: 4 speed Ratchet top, Oem
——————————————-
Frame
Year:1946/47 bull neck
Make: Harley
Rake: 30 degrees stock
——————————-
Forks
Type: 46/47 Harley Springer offset
Stock length
————————————–
Wheels, Tires, Brakes
Front:  21″x 3. star hub, Oem drum brake
Rear: 18″ x 4. Star hub, Oem drum brake
——————————-
Painting
Painter: Brian Boan. Devil Candy Customs
Color: Winnebago Sea Mist
Type: DuPont (Axalta)
———————————–
Accessories
Bars: Custom 11″ stainless apes Arie at Vee Choppers
Risers: Custom bent dog bones. Mark Stevens
Grips: Prism supply
Grip collars: Custom Mark Stevens
Shifter: Custom jockey, twisted stainless Mark Stevens
Fuel Tank: High tunnel Wassel. 2 gallon
Rear fender: 4″ Mantra. Lowbrow
Seat: Custom Bates style. Mother Road Customs
Seat Rail: Mark Stevens
Hand Controls: Ultima internal throttle with Bates linkage.
Foot Controls: V Twin 1946 replica
0il Tank: V Twin 1946 replica
Oil Filter: V Twin replica
Head Light: aftermarket 4 1/2″
Taillights: Custom After Hour Choppers
Sissy Bar: Custom, Stainless Mark Stevens
Floorboards: Bass Metals
Chrome: Atlas Plating
—————————–

By Lulu

Some folks choose to wrench their own creation, and some find someone they trust to create their dream. Rusty Bozzi reached out to Marshall Greene in Deland to help create his ride. Not that Rusty didn’t put his own touch to it, he just went to Marshall’s shop for guidance. Rusty even created the leather work on his tank to match the seat a custom upholsterer Avery Phillips created. I guess a butcher at Publix for years should be pretty damn good at carving up leather! The bike was built from the frame up with a 93-inch Delkron motor. The transmission was an Andrews and most of the parts were hand crafted. The rear fender was from a front FLH turned backwards and cut down. The speedometer is G P S (no cable connected). The oil filter, battery and voltage regulator are all tucked in behind the trans leaving the open space behind the motor. The primary is a 3-inch open belt. Rusty is one of the few native Floridians I have met he grew up and still resides in Deland, so it was nice that the attendees at OB’s voted the local boy’s ride People’s Choice!

By Lulu

In Port Orange on Nova Road The Dog House sits on a huge piece of property just waiting to entertain you. Rhonda keeps the place hoppin’ with great music, food and parties. The Wednesday evening of Biketoberfest Big Engine rocked the stage, and the crowd was packed with lots of members of “The Freak Patrol”! Twisted Tea gave us lots of koozies, bandanas to throw to the crowd. We also had a scavenger hunt for prizes and a biggest fat boy contest. This is a perfect spot to cool your pipes or to run a poker run through. The Dog House loves to help those in need. Stop in anytime for a cold one or follow their ads in the magazine for future events.

By Lulu

One of bikers’ favorite perches is First Turn Steakhouse and Lounge on US 1 in Port Orange. The huge, covered deck perfect for all weather, amazing steaks and seafood and all types of great music has them riding in by the droves all year round, but Biketoberfest and Bike Week they come in from all over the country. We stopped in for a unique and world-famous entertainer, Ben Prestage. He plays everything from drums, banjos, homespun guitars even one made from an old door. I do not know when Denise gets a chance to get out and listen to bands, but she always manages to find GREAT new acts for her patrons. The Tuesday night bike night with the Blues Jam has become a favorite for locals so if you ride into the Daytona area check out Bike Night!

by Jeani G.

God smiled down on us with a sunny day for Jerry “Tennessee” Breeden’s celebration of life at Fred and Penny’s home in DeLand on October 31st. Jerry lived life to the fullest, always with a warm smile that could light up a room, and he never met a stranger. He was a faithful believer in God, truth and the American way. He could often be spotted wearing a Trump 2020 hat and thoroughly enjoyed riding his Harleys and making new friends. On display at the memorial was Jerry’s 1982 Shovelhead that he purchased brand new. Behind his Harley hung a “Tennessee for Trump” flag which all his friends signed. We were also blessed with the presence of Jerry’s sister Linda, her daughter Heather, son Dylan and his girlfriend Hadyln. Jerry, we will all miss you so much, but you will always be in our hearts!

The day included a frightening Halloween party at Copperhead Row hosted by Fred and Penny and their daughter Melissa and husband Mike. There was delicious food galore – wings and Italian sausage with green peppers and onions, sloppy joes, mummy Stromboli, finger-shaped sugar cookies and of course, tons of side dishes and desserts. If you left hungry, it was your own fault. There were some great costumes: Penny was almost unrecognizable as a wicked witch and Melissa was a cute, sassy pirate. Jerry’s sister Linda looked adorable as Rizzo, the leader of the Pink Ladies in Grease.

We rocked all day with music by Derek Trull and Easystreet who played an awesome mix of classic rock, blues, R&B … and finished out their set with an amazing Hendrix-style version of the Star-Spangled Banner. There were fun games to play including corn hole, dingle-balls, toilet toss and apple-bobbing. It was a great day and a nice memorial event held in Tennessee Jerry’s honor. You can find a special video of the day on Mark Hall’s (drone Mark) Facebook page…and see additional pictures on Thunder Roads Florida Facebook.

By Lulu

Jan and Barry at Bay 3 Bar in New Smyrna on US 1 throw a Breast Cancer Bash each October to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer. The male patrons are even known to don a frilly or sequined brassiere to help Jan raise some cash for the cause. Even TJ got in the act. Bay 3 Bar is a friendly place and boy do they love football here. So, get on your bike and ride down for an ice-cold beer in a really cool joint!

By Lulu

So, Iron Horse Saloon was the party hub for Biketoberfest 2020! Not that it isn’t always the must do bar during Bike Week and Biketoberfest for more than one reason…steak tips, David Allan Coe and T-Shirts! This year though, since Main Street was not permitted to be wide open with outdoor stages and vendors, it seems to me more peeps stayed on premise longer at the Iron Horse this rally. We were there for the night of Cowboy who does a great job of covering Kid Rock! Of course, we always must stop in for Craiger’s beef tips and to visit our favorite bartender Sherry!

By Ron Cox

When Benji McGuigan turned two years old he was diagnosed with leukemia. One year later, after rounds and rounds of treatments the medical bills have gone through the roof!!!

The McGuigan family turned to social platforms reaching out for help. The Hades Hounds LEMC answered the call and set up a Ride for Benji on November 7th. The biker owned and very biker friendly Sea-Craft Waterfront Tiki served as the host venue in Marinatown in North Ft. Myers. In addition to local riders, Hounds came from as far away as Georgia and North Carolina to participate.

Local merchants pitched in with merchandise, gift cards, bottles of liquid refreshment and so forth to be used in the raffle and silent auction.

We do not have a current status for this little man, but we ask for your prayers for Benji to live a long and healthy life.

By Lulu

The yearly Ride for Children was quite a bit different this year. Bruce Rossmeyer started this ride 26 years ago! The Rossmeyer family was not about to let something like COVID-19 stop them from fulfilling their yearly pledge of helping Camp Boggy Creek! For anyone who does not know, the Camp is in Eustis and allows critically ill children to attend a real camp with all the activities healthy children would partake it. They bring medical staff to camp to assist in the care these children can not do without. A chance of a lifetime for kids to forget they are ill and to just be kids! The parents do not pay for this gift!

Normally there is a VIP night prior to The Ride but because of social distancing they skipped that. Dunkin Donuts and coffee started the day, Miller Lite quenched our thirst and Colt’s Pig Stand filled our bellies with great BBQ. The ride had two celebrity riders this year, NASCAR’s Rusty Wallace and the fireman Tim Duffy in the famous photo riding his bike in full gear through the aftermath of the destruction on the first Twin Tower, only to have the 2nd tower collapse on him. The total raised by the sponsors and the loyal Boggy Creek riders despite COVID-19 was $330,440!! In Mandy Rossmeyer’s own words, “I still can’t believe it…I want to thank our presenting sponsor, John Hamlin with Hamlin & Associates and everyone that supported the ride this year!” A special thank you also must go out to Deborah Elaine Ringhaver for her donation of a servi-car that was auctioned off for tens of thousands and then was auctioned off again, as the winner allowed the second place bidder to buy the bike for his bid! Just an amazing event!!! Thank you to each generous soul who keeps this event alive! Bruce was certainly smiling on all of us that day!