Put on your Jingle Bells. It is time to celebrate the birth of Christ, the giving of love and gifts, and the end of 4 years of Biden. That is the last thing my Democratic friends will have to read about that! Seriously, December is a time of giving. I am the first to tell all my “friends before biking” how generous motorcyclist are…generous tippers, first to pull $10 out of the wallet for any charity, and always willing to come to the aid of a motorcyclist down on their luck. Well in this economy if you are able dig in those pockets a little more this Christmas season DO IT! So many on both the east and west coast had severe damage and are still trying to recover from their losses. Christmas for some children…and adults will be tough this year. Add to that the rotten economy, less people will be able to be generous to the red buckets with the bell ringers at the store entrances, or to toy drives. I would be surprised if everyone reading doesn’t know someone who had serious storm damage. TJ’s son had water in his home up to the toilet seats, had to carry his dog out of the neighborhood on his shoulder to let him find a dry spot to “go” on. He doesn’t have kids so he is fine, but if he had a houseful of children I am sure it would be harder to fill their stockings after replacing furniture and all that was lost. Even Food Banks could use some love! Thank you all for reading and putting up with me through the election. I am not joyous, but I am relieved and praying for our country and the world for a prosperous and peaceful 2025. Give your loved ones a giant bear hug, buy a stranger a drink at your local watering hole and don’t forget your sunscreen!

By Lulu

So, all who came from near and far for the Coleslaw Wrestling at Cabbage Patch were out of luck this year. Back-to-Back hurricanes damaged the cabbage and made the event impossible. In fact, Cackleberry Campground across the street wasn’t able to open at all due to the flooding and I heard through the grapevine that Roger almost didn’t open the Patch. Thankfully he was able to be open and the vendors, bands, and bartenders were able to put a little in their pockets thanks to the crowds that came to town and to the Patch! We always make it to their Survivor Party featuring Joe Santana and Kingfish for a finale night of music and friends. Earlier in the week Scott Demonico threw a fundraiser for Rebel Tyler who was paralyzed in Sturgis and needs funds to fly him back to Florida. A guy from Pennsylvania presented a check for $1000 given by Injured Motorcycle Riders! Auction items, pizza and 50/50 helped raise funds for Rebel. Mr. Twisted Tea himself, Bill Grotto, went home with the cool Harley tank turned clock! That night Derek Trull’s band rocked the house. Some peeps only know Cabbage Patch for coleslaw wrestling. This bar is more like Cheers, where most of the bartenders have been there forever and know their clients as family, and love to hear those bikes pulling in. Keep this spot in mind for Poker Run stops!

By Lulu

During Biketoberfest Sorry Charlie’s had live music featuring Jasmine Cain, Deadlanders, Joe Payne, Professor Messer, Keg Country Band & Lucy Spotts. They even had full liquor sponsored by the All American Club and this year threw in a wet T contest for cash. Verifiably insane I entered, and at age 70, WON! I know it was only because I knew more people, so I donated the prize money back to Charlie and Amie’s charity the Humane Society. It actually was fun, but my sister is probably calling the people with white coats on me! Bike Week is coming so get ready to ride to Charlie’s for the party, but before that he has his anniversary bash coming on February 8th with Crashrocket and Whey Jennings!! Don’t forget to order his humongous pork loin sandwich when you are there, it is awesome!

By Lulu

Each Wednesday before Biketoberfest and during Bike Week, we take friends and people visiting Florida, sometime for the first time, out to our clients in outlying areas. The Hideout on Derbyshire Rd in Holly Hill is our meeting spot. This year our posse was less than usual; we have had as many as 45 bikes. But no matter how few or how many, we are a happy band of road warriors when we take off for our adventure! Our first stop was to a cool dive bar on the St. John’s River, the Gnarly Gar in Satsuma. By the time we hit here everyone was thirsty! Our second stop was 3 Bananas where we ran into the Steve and Rusty Wallace crew having their lunch. At their table were two of the guys that flew helicopters into the ravages of Hurricane Milton in North Carolina. Everyday heroes! Our group ordered a great lunch and then off we rode. Look at the picture of the yummy dessert they serve! The next stop was The Hideaway Bar & Grill in Pomona Park where Lisa always has a balloon arch celebrating different occasions, this time it was all for Breast Cancer Awareness. Ready for a bit of Crown Royal, we stopped next at Renegade’s on the River, where Stacey, (the owner) was onsite and posed for a photo with T J. Our final stop was back in Ormond Beach for the Chic Built Chopper Show during the weekly Shovelhead Night at The Other Place on Nova Rd. It was winding down by the time we arrived, as it is a long loop with kickstands up at 11am. Join us next year! It will be February 26th as Bike Week starts early this year. Might need your leathers!

By Lulu

There are people you meet in life that you have no idea who they are or what they will be in the threads of your life. Mike Jones is the owner of a small gun shop in New Smyrna on US 1, which is LOADED with guns of all types, and ammunition too. A perfect place for Christmas shopping. So, in that respect he is a Santa. He rides motorcycles, not a sleigh. He has a girlfriend. He has lots of friends actually. He likes to drink a bit; in fact, he sent me a meme a week ago that said 30 days sober…not in a row or anything!

But what really makes him a Santa is the charity work he takes his time, and sometimes his staff’s time to be involved with. I have seen him do gun auctions at Sorry Charlie’s and Chopper Time for veterans and at Iron Horse for St. Judes. Hell, I even won a 9 mm pistol at Sorry Charlie’s for the $20 donation. I never won a thing in my life before that. Yes, he takes the cost of the guns out, but he works the events, raffling as many guns as the crowds will allow and the profits go to the charity. He sells a deck of 52 playing cards; you get a 1 in 52 chance to win. Willie from Tropical Tattoo dresses up like Santa and delivers Christmas to the vets at Emory Bennett Home. I am sure some of the two gun raffle events he participated in for Veterans helped with their Christmas shopping…so Mike’s a Santa too. My reason for wanting you to know Mike is that he isn’t just a Thunder Roads Florida ad client; he is someone I am proud to call a friend. So…if you are looking to purchase a gun, ammo, optics, or accessories as a gift or for a Christmas present, go see Santa Mike at A OK Guns! Located at 648 N. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach. They also buy single pieces and estate gun collections. And always remember…Big Things Happen in Small Places!!

By Lulu

Due to the storms and just a crazy fall rally season we weren’t able to head up to the Panhandle. Lucky for us we met Tom Revis, a great guy that was going, with a better camera and eye than us! He kindly covered our ad client’s event at the Hideout in Ponce de Leon. We visited over the summer and this bar is really cool. Large covered outside seating, band stage with live music, biker games and a fountain pouring out of a motorcycle from the stage to WET the girls! The bands at this rally were Eazy Rider, Mark Kelley, Tennessee Outlaw, and Poison Whiskey. They are known at Hideout for “great food, loud pipes and good times.” It’s only a few miles off the exit, so if you are traveling on I-10 through the panhandle stop in and see these guys. Tell ‘em Thunder Roads Florida sent you.

By Lulu

Just north of Daytona is a great full liquor bar called 1405 Saloon Saloon at 1405 Moody Blvd. (Rte100) Bunnell, Fl. They have definitely brought back old school partying to Biketoberfest. The wet-t contest was fun for all, contestants, and spectators alike. 1405 are known for their great front and back porches, live music, and they have a bike night on Wednesdays so if you haven’t found this gem…get on your bike and ride!

By Lulu

Even though two major storms damaged a lot of our sunshine state, Biketoberfest happened! And the heart of Biketoberfest is definitely the property of Teddy Morse’s Harley Davidson in Ormond Beach. Vendors, bands, bartenders, and the rest of those who work the motorcycle rallies needed this boost to their economy, so with great effort the crew at Daytona Harley-Davidson made the rally happen. Lots of bike shows including Bike Show Mafia’s All Class Bike Show, the Godfather of Bass Sound Competition, Kory Souza’s No Class Bike Show, and the V-Twin Visionary Performance Motorcycle Invitational gave the throngs something to gaze upon. The Miss Teddy Morse’s Bikini Contest is always a crowd pleaser. Demo rides and bikini bike washes were available daily. At Saints & Sinners there were 11 days of 18 bands, definitely a place to sit drink, eat and enjoy great music!

By Lulu

John, the owner at Dale’s Ales talked me into brushing off the cobwebs and bringing back the monthly Twisted Tea Thunder Roads Florida Bike Nights. Dale’s Ales is a full liquor bar in Orange City at 2400 N. Volusia Ave. The new owners John & Elizabeth own several other bars, and John has been in the business for years! Their bike nights are on Tuesdays from 7-9pm in November they featured $1 wings, and $3 Twisted Tea so it was perfect for our party! The band on the stage outback was a Jam session hosted by X3. Out back is the Shack Out Back which has great food. The pool table inside kept our friends entertained as tonight was a bit brisk outside for our Florida blood. Check their ad out in this issue, ride out to one of their bike nights and help support their Toy Drive for Volusia County in December!

By Lulu

What started out as 4 fun days outside playing kick ball by two friendly bars, Cabbage Patch Bar and Sorry Charlie’s Corner turned into a grueling competition and a final playoff for the title, nut kicking trophy and the $200 donation to the charity of the winners choice. In the end after the first 2 wins by Sorry Charlie’s, then 2 wins by Cabbage Patch, there had to be a tie breaker which Cabbage Patch won 8 to 3. Charlie, not to be outdone, ended up giving his charity more than the $200 we donated to Cabbage Patch’s charity! Sorry Charlie’s charity was the Humane Society! This was actually a terrific way to spend Saturdays. Hope they do it again next year!

By Lulu

Well, other than the field where the bike games normally play being flooded, Howlin Wolf was none worse from either Hurricane Helene or Milton, so the Throttles & Bottles Ride in Bike Show went on as scheduled. Seemed to me that people were happy to have a place to forget the storm of last week!! The band Duval County Line rocked the afternoon away! Great band! We missed the games, which had to be played on the pavement. The burnout contest still made for great photos! This ride in bike show is one of our favorite events we ride to each spring and fall. Gainesville Harley needs a word of thanks for being a trophy sponsor! Always a great time, cool bar and excellent music! Put the spring event on your not to miss list for 2025!

By Lulu

One of the largest gatherings of motorcycles for an event in quite some time. Beaver Bar hosted the registration and put on their Sunday breakfast spread. Hideaway Bar & Grill in Pomona Park was the second stop, and I feel certain it was the largest crowd they have seen, and they handled it like pros! Next, we were off to Renegade’s on the River who are always not only a stop but are also a Platinum Sponsor of this event, and then we stopped at Bimini Bar in Bunnell on Hwy 100, where a swing hanging from a tree had some of our guys acting like kids! 1405 Saloon in Bunnell, another Platinum Sponsor and the final stop, had Duval County Line on the stage ready to entertain us when the rain gods made it necessary for the band to gather their equipment in a hurry to save it. For those not aware of what Angel Flight does, pilots provide their service and planes to fly medical flights for those with financial or emergency needs. Angel Flight events raise funds for fuel. Sponsors of this year’s event were Platinum: Debbie Clarke, Tom & Lisa Moravec, and Renegade’s on the River. Other sponsors were Sea Gate Homes, Miller Lite, Duval County Line, 1405 Saloon, HOG Radio, Politis & Matovina, Prime Care Urgent Care, Lisa Gentile, Del’s Garage, Mangano, Daytona Sportswear and Enforcers MC. Thanks to all who took their day to ride for those who may need air travel for lifesaving care!!!

By Lulu

On Sunday, September 8th the Knights of Inferno and the Punishers MC hosted the 18th Annual 9/11 Ride and ceremony. I am still amazed every year when I enter the Flagler County Courthouse parking lot at how many still WILL NOT FORGET! This event has been free each year with the help of sponsors Politis & Matovina, 1405 Saloon, Monster Motorcycles and Flagler County. This year the weather was much nicer than years past. The ride is escorted by police and deputies from three counties. It went north through Putnam County to St. Augustine, rode A1A south from there, took a ride through the Loop in Volusia County and ended back in Flagler at 1405 Saloon. Tom and Lisa provided a great BBQ lunch for all and live music by Branford Highway entertained the crowd. Thanks to the sponsors, to Joe Vece and his Knights of Inferno, the Punishers and all the officers who led us safely. The ceremony included a flyover by a helicopter with a huge American flag, a gun salute, presentation of the colors, prayers, speeches, bag pipes, and the ringing of the bell, and a wonderful singer of patriotic songs, who I believe is the mayor of Palm Coasts daughter, and of course Taps! A beautiful way to commemorate all the lives lost on 9/11. A very special thank you to each and every one of you patriots who gave their Sunday to REMEMBER those so tragically lost that day.

By Lulu

A beautiful day in October over 240 saddled up to ride from AMVETS Post 1992 in Mt. Dora to Gator Harley-Davidson. Jan and the crew at Gator always go all out for a good cause. This year Jan was moved to tears when a group F4K (Friends for Kids) presented her with checks in the amount of $24,967 that they raised by having a competition between organizations (Lake Co Eagles Aerie #4273, American Legion Mt Dora, American Legion Fruitland Park, Eagles Eustis and Eagles Umatilla ) for a trophy and a plaque for the group who raised the most cash! Lots of baskets were in a raffle, 50/50, the registration, T-shirt sales and 3 silent auction items helped fill the kitty! Reverend Al Paquette made a metal table that raised $500, the table featured a metal cross in the center of wrenches. The open wrenches represented the people on the right and left talking, but the cross in the center is the answer!!! You know he is one caring human! Thank you to the sponsors AMVETS Riders Post 1992, AMVETS Auxiliary Post 1992, AMVETS Post 1992, Sad Sacks of Amvets Post 1992, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 35/Mt Dora, AMVETS Sons Post 1992, Casino Party Planners, Dirty South Saloon, Crossroads 44, Firefighter Charity Alliance, Central Florida Cruisers, American Legion Riders, Al Paquette Ministries, ABATE, Fran Haasch, US Military Vets, Sea2Sea4PTSD, Pissin Frogs, Sunlake Estates, All Florida Wall Systems, and of course Gator H-D. Oh and a thank you to Lake County Sheriff’s Office for the escort! The bartenders and the band donated their tips to the cause too! Great music entertained us all day by Zack Denby Band!!

So, I know this issue may alienate a few, but Pony Tales and actually, the magazine itself, is an extension of ME. And having watched the rich elitist donate millions to Kamala and watch her speak about her watching the backs of her middle class infuriates me. If we give that woman the power of the White House, she will continue to fund illegals, approve our hard-earned tax dollars for sex change operations for all, even those locked up for crimes, and she will make a federal abortion law which means we will be paying for abortions too! This woman who claims to be some great attorney helped raise bail money for those that burned our cities in protest, causing death, mayhem, and millions in damages to businesses. Trump may not come from humble beginnings like Harris claims she does. Vance certainly does. But Trump worked hard, still works hard, and appreciates people that work hard! Kamala has no idea what work is. I have heard from those in DC that her staff basically all quit and that she treated them hatefully. Those that hate Trump will say he is a tyrant and that some bailed on him after the “incident” in DC in January, but MANY still think he was right. And after 4 years of being accused of the Russian Hoax I am certain he was FED up, as were those who decided to protest at the Capitol. We watched as the lefties burned cop cars, police stations, took over cities in America, and NO ONE was held accountable for that. Do we really expect Kamala to turn a page, which sounds like Obama promising “a change”. Boy that certainly wasn’t a change any of us actually were helped by! November is here folks. Get out and vote. Make sure your family and friends in Swing States have a way to the polls. Volunteer to drive any that can’t get there.

Sorry if this offends those who are die hard liberals and cannot choose what will help people in America and strengthen our country again for the world, but this is MY opinion. Your vote matters, but this is not the time to throw your vote to a candidate who hasn’t ever accomplished anything in politics! Not the border, not the economy…not even getting votes when she ran for President the first time. Geez PLEASE think hard about this. You may not like Trump just like you may not like a mean surgeon, but in the end, you want the person that will deliver the best results. We need strength right now. We need common sense right now. That woman has NEITHER!!