By Phoenix and Metric-HD

Most of us know that the “Brotherhood” of the motorcycle world is deeply rooted in the origins of the military. All of those who have answered our nation’s call have a special bond with our fellow veterans. For those in the “Special Operations” family that bond grows a little deeper. Members of the 75th Ranger Regiment know that bond all too well. Out of the Ranger Regiment grew an elite motorcycle club made up of current and former special operation soldiers called The Killer Man’s Sons MC. Recently, the Killer Man’s Son MC wanted to raise money for a PTSD support dog. In true military fashion the Veterans-in-Arms VMC took up the task of putting together a poker run in Desoto County to help raise the much-needed funds. The ride originated at Fire’s Open Road in Arcadia and traveled through some of the curviest roads in the county.

At the end of the day, all the money raised went to sponsor “VICTORY”. Victory is a very young but beautiful Golden Retriever. Victory is still in basic training but already on duty. Victory is diligently standing watch over his surroundings. It was evident that Victory is going to be a great asset. Victory is taking a bite out of PTSD every minute of the day. God bless Victory and all the other service dogs that assist our Veterans.

By Marc Pica and Raven

On Saturday, May 11th the American Legion Riders Chapter 9, Flamingo Lake RV Resort and Dick’s Wings hosted the 7th Annual Boots on the Ground Poker Run and Concert to support K9sFor Warriors Foundation, The Florida Fallen Heroes Memorial Fund and Trees for America’s Troops. With over 1,000 people registered to ride and well over 3,000 people in attendance it was another great year of supporting these great Veterans organizations.

The weekend started on Friday with over 80 volunteers onsite to set up the Boots on the Ground, America Remembers Memorial Display which consists of over 3,000 boots, each with a picture of a Fallen Soldier or First responder that has perished since 9-11-01, their information and a flag. Friday Night kicked off the Pre-Ride party with about 300 people attending, with Fratello rocking the house.

On Saturday, the day of the Poker Run, KSU for the bikers was announce by a flyover by the Dreamland Squadron, a Hot Rod Car Show hosted by Callahan Cruisers and Golf Cart Poker Run added to the festivities. Dozens of the best biker gear vendors were on site as well to support. Saturday’s music line up was The Jacksonville Fire Fighters Pipes and Drums at 9:00AM, Creatures of Habit at Noon, Neon Whiskey at 3:30PM and Don’t Call Me Shirley at 7:00PM until 10PM. Once again, Staff Sgt. Tim Chambers, AKA the Saluting Marine from Rolling Thunder, was onsite to salute the riders as they left the Resort. Over 30 Vendors were on site and hundreds of great auction and raffle items were available to win. Make sure that you mark your calendars to be part of this great event each year. It is always the Saturday before Mother’s Day.

By Lulu

We define and write about “Cool Joint’s” based on unique settings, fancy food and specialty drinks, unusual bartenders or weird, fun events…but sometimes it is just the people who own and run the place! We went in June to a five-year anniversary party in New Smyrna at a very COOL JOINT Bay 3 Bar. The place is called Bay 3 because it is in an old garage, it is also a local icehouse that still sells ice! Being a beer and wine bar, owners Barry and Kay keep the beer ice cold which is VERY COOL, particularly in the heat of summer.

The other COOL factor about Bay 3 is great prices. You won’t find $3-4 domestics at Bay 3! If you are a Steelers fan this is your place to be during football season, but even us Patriot fans will sneak in to watch a game or two! The free peanuts keep you drinking, and the bartenders love anyone who walks in the door. During Bike Week and Biketoberfest their parking lot is full of thirsty riders particularly since they don’t raise their prices, but all year long it is a favorite spot for those on two wheels to COOL their pipes. Jan and Barry also are community minded and are involved in breast cancer awareness in the fall and love to be a stop of poker runs for any good cause.

By Lulu

Funny how in life you gain friends in odd ways. Friendships grow from things as simple as your kids playing ball together or as happenstance as riding on a poker run for a cause you have similar interest in. On our trip to the Ride to the Wall in D.C. an extremely friendly person checked us in, and T.J. offered her a ride on the motorcycle, he probably never dreamed she would jump at the chance…but she did.

And off she rode on her dinner break for a 30-minute two wheeled ride around D.C. while I sipped on cocktails at the bar with my best friend Sherry. Since then we have become friends on Facebook and we have similar political interests and she loves motorcycling. On Facebook I read Grace’s trip to Cuba was being cancelled due to the political problems of our times, so I typed come visit us in Florida. I love this free spirit’s spunk…she typed right back I will come in August. My point in this article is to be open to new friends.

They are the threads that create the tapestry of your life. I cherish my old friends and some I seldom talk to as they were “BMC”…before motorcycling…back when I was in Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, on the Hospital Board and involved in local politics. Still LOVE those peeps. Every once in a while, I hear from girlfriends from those days which seem like a lifetime ago. But when they call it is as if no time has passed and as if nothing has changed. I am sure they think I have fallen off the face of the earth and lost my mind for being involved in motorcycling, but they love me just the same.

I miss them bunches, but I wouldn’t change my life’s evolution because I have met so many people that I love too…Sherry, Allison, Amy, Ann, Bella, Bonnie, Cheralyn, Cheryl, Christie, Claudia, Crash, Dar, Dawn, Debi, Denise, Dora, Flea, Gina, Holliann, Jamie, Jan, Janet, Janice, Jeannie, Jen, Jessica, Jodi, Jody, Judy, Julie, Karin, Kay, Kim, Kitty, Kristi, Lilly, Lisa, Liz, Loopy, Lorrie, Mal, Mandy, Martine, Mary Ann, Micki, Missy, Neela, Neeltje, Nina, Patti, Patty, Paula, Pauline, Peggy, Phaedra Lee, Rachel, Raven, Rhonda, Roxanne, Sandy, Sharon, Shelley, Shelly, Suzi, Tammy, Tator, Tina, Toni, Tonya, T Rex, Vicki, to just name drop a few! And now Grace! Most of these new friends (new as in after motorcycling) I don’t really get to see much. The magazine keeps me busy and they are busy in their lives too, but they all add a richness I wouldn’t have known without them. Oh, and there have been plenty of men too!

So don’t forget, we need new people in our lives to create interesting times and memories. As much as I dislike things about Facebook I do like that we don’t lose contact with someone after we walk out of their door. Offer a stranger a ride, buy a drink for a First Responder or Vet and don’t forget your sunscreen!

By Ron Cox

Riders and passengers from all over Southwest Florida registered at the SWFL Military Museum in Cape Coral to ride and raise funds for the museum to support its programs and services.

Riders started out in Cape Coral with additional card stops in St. James City and North Ft. Myers before ending up back at the Museum.

After a hearty meal followed by desserts and beverages a score of raffle prizes were given away. The winner of the poker run was James Carley with a hand of four fives.

This is the largest military museum in Southwest Florida with more than 30,000 square feet. The Museum also provides space for representatives from the Disabled Veterans Association (DAV) and Veterans Service Organization (VSO).

By Deborah Speicher

On the first Saturday in May of every year, lady riders are told to “just ride” to commemorate and celebrate being just that – a lady rider! Across the world, several organized rides have started with some events claiming over 1,000 riders. Florida is now hosting numerous International Female Ride Day events across the state. I got on my Purple Pony, met up with other lady riders and we rode over to New Port Richey Harley-Davidson for a day of riding, shopping, live music by the Papa Crawdaddy band, food and camaraderie.

To give us some more riding, the dealership organized a poker run; the proceeds of which benefitted the Suncoast SPCA. In addition to great prizes, there were informative short clinics and vendors to complete our day. It didn’t end there – there was an after-party held at a local sports bar, Apps & Tapps.

Kudos to New Port Richey Harley-Davidson and especially Kim Ray, Malinda Johnson and her Open Road Girl riding gear, and the rest of the sponsors for organizing this over-the-top day just for the ladies.

By Lulu

Each year in May in Saint Augustine at the World Golf Village there is a celebration of vintage motorcycles. The setting is around a beautiful lake creating a pleasant stroll to study the meticulously kept pieces of motorcycling history. This year the grand dame of motorcycling, Gloria Struck was the featured celebrity, lthough each person displaying their pieces of historic art help create this special event and are celebrities in my mind. K9’s for Warriors was the charity who benefitted from this year’s Riding into History. This was the event’s 20th year celebration of motorcycle history and we were honored to be part of it.

Story and photos by Stormy Hill H-D Staff

Stormy Hill Harley-Davidson encourages all riders to join us on our sponsored monthly dealer rides! Stormy Hill Harley-Davidson Service Manager Alyshia Sargent was inspired to organize these rides by working with her community through the South Lake Chamber of Commerce Young Professionals Club. At these meetings she met more young professionals like herself and wondered how she could not only get Stormy Hill Harley-Davidsons name out in the community more, but also give back while doing so. The plan developed to organize a monthly ride during which any and all motorcycle riders meet at the dealership, enjoy a scenic ride through Lake County, ending at a different local restaurant each month, sit down and get to know one another and support the community!

These monthly rides have grown and evolved over the past two years, beginning as simple dinner rides but when summertime hit, changed to breakfast rides to avoid the heat. Our rides have taken us throughout South Lake County and to awesome restaurants such as Texas Roadhouse, Devenney’s Irish Pub, Hurricane Grill & Bar, Graffiti Junktion, Lake Harris Hideaway and more. The monthly rides are a great way to meet phenomenal people and enjoy the motorcycling lifestyle. In addition to monthly rides, Stormy Hill Harley-Davidson holds regular Bike Night events and other special events to support great organizations such as the American Legion, New Beginnings, Toys For Tots, Aaron Strong Foundation, Homes For Heroes, Disabled American Veterans (DAV). These rides and events are always winners for everyone involved! Come out and join the next ride, all bikes and riders are welcome, and they’re always a good time on the last Saturday of the month, with breakfast rides beginning in June and dinnertime the rest of the year. Check out dates and times for these and all other Stormy Hill Harley-Davidson events at https://www.stormyhillharley.com/events, on Facebook @StormyHillHarleyDavidson, Twitter, and Instagram.

By Lulu

Looking for a perfect place for a weekend getaway? Pack your gear and head to Crescent City! If you are lucky enough to own an RV, there isn’t a more impressive RV resort anywhere. Beautifully maintained complete with a swimming pool, laundry, full restaurant, clubhouse with pool tables and flat screen TV, full liquor tiki bar, store and boat spots…this place has it all!! No RV in your future…don’t worry, they have cabins to nestle into! Throw a change of clothes and a toothbrush on your bike and you are all set. They even have a house that sleeps multiple families. This outdoor utopia, located at a beautiful spot on the St. John’s River, is also accessible by boat. But be warned, the cabins and RV spots fill up quickly so book your dates way in advance by calling 386-524-4179.

In the tiki bar you can find some of the best live music around on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, Mr. Natural brings karaoke to the tiki on Tuesday from 7-10pm and Sunday from 1-5pm. Biker Sunday includes incredible prices with domestic drafts at only $1.75, $2.25 for domestic bottles and $2.75 for wells. Bucket prices are event better with 6 bottle buckets of domestics being $11 and imports $15!!! The owners Donnie and Lisa have a Harley, although running a busy place like Renegade’s they don’t get much time on two wheels!
If all that isn’t enough to get you out to Renegade’s, the food should! T. J., a pizza junkie, had to try their FRESH Tuscan Style pizza and declared it “the best pizza I’ve ever had”. Their gator tail was very tender and awesome too. The restaurant is closed on Monday, but the tiki bar has a limited menu on Mondays to satisfy your hunger.

Stacey, John, all the management and staff couldn’t be more welcoming. This is a great day ride, overnight getaway or a stop for a poker run. Visit their website at renegadesontheriver.com and keep reading Thunder Roads Florida for their upcoming events and entertainment.

A special thanks to Jonnie and Candace for providing the pizza photo. T. J. got a pizza craving just from seeing it!

By Deborah Speicher

After last year’s Women’s Conference, I was wondering what Gator Harley would do to surpass that event – but this year’s Moulin Rouge theme was fabulous! Once again, the decorations and entertainment were over-the-top.
Really informative speakers from the past were brought back – head mechanic, Mike Williams, and leathersmith, Marge Williams. Gene Toole from US Law Shield gave us great information about how to protect yourself “legally” when trying to protect yourself. If you shoot an attacker, they can in turn sue you and/or attempt to have you criminally charged.

We all enjoyed Brea and her “sexy bingo.” Lots of fun and great prizes. Brea and several others were our vendors for the day. There was a unique selection of vendor products and services.
Once again, the fashion show exhibited how H-D offers clothing that is stylish for all ages and sizes. Getting a 20% discount on all motorclothes was also a bonus for attendees!

The highlight of the day was the Kissimmee Queens with their rendition of various songs with the Moulin Rouge theme. We all sang, danced and laughed along with these queens (drag that is!).

Kudos to Jan Wilde Wideman and the Gator Harley staff, Gourmet Today for breakfast and lunch, and all the vendors and speakers.
See you next year!

By Lulu

You know a bar is biker friendly when a brother goes down on their ride and an event is hosted to help him out! The R Bar in Lake City on East Duval St. is just that kind of place. Scott and Stacy Parsons pride their bar on being happy to have two and three wheeled vehicles in their parking lot! Scott rides and is a veteran. In March, we took a ride over to Lake City for an event they hosted to help a young man Gary Davis, Jr. out in need of a bit of help. They had live music, raffles and a live auction to raise a bit of funds. A special thanks to North Florida Sales, Budweiser, Sonny’s BBQ and others for their contributions. And, of course, to everyone who gave up their day and dollars from their pocket to help a brother out! Another event was held in March for Hunter and it also was a huge success.

The bar has a great pizza, is full liquor, ice cold beer and is THE place to party in Lake City. They open at 1pm so sleep in, get on your bike and head over to visit the R Bar!

By Lulu

A trip to southwest Florida included attending a party celebrating that business is good at Biker Life! And in celebrating a business devoted to motorcycling…we celebrated bikers in general. Free beer, food, prizes and great music by Toledo Blade made the day a fun party. William is friendly and the shop is filled with boots, helmets, apparel, jewelry and motorcycle gear. No wonder he filled the lot up with motorcycle enthusiasts! Vendors and a bikini bike wash added to the day’s festivities. The business is located at 3265 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte, but he also has a complete shop online check them out at BikerLife1.com.

By Lulu

David and Kitty Barakat are natural entertainers, loving to host your evening out whether it is for a pint of their award-winning beer that is brewed onsite in their 15 BBL (barrel) system, a delectable meal or a party for 60 in their banquet room; Tomoka Brewing Company is eager to make your evening perfect. Kitty was born in Westchester, PA, but moved to South Daytona in the second grade, she has spent most of her life in the service industry working at the Marina Bar & Grill, Stock Exchange, Froggy’s, White Eagle and the last 18 years at One Eyed Jacks. Kitty was ready to tackle ownership of an establishment. So, with her husband by her side they dove into ownership of the Tomoka Brewing Company in Port Orange. David was born in Portville, NY and has also spent most of his life in service…in The United States Army!!! He did 2 tours in Bosnia and 5 3 tours in the Middle East. Upon retiring from 24+ years in the Army, Kitty and David made their home in Florida.

Kitty enrolled in the Culinary Management program and just received her degree; it was important to her to better understand the inner workings of her “gastro pub” kitchen. She plans on continuing her education with a Bachelors in Supervision & Management focused on Hospitality.

Their “Pub” isn’t your parents pub. The food is hand crafted, flavorful and beautiful with large portions. The pizza is made with fresh homemade dough infused with their beer, and on Wednesdays, a two topping 8-inch pizza is only $4.99. Their draft brew list is extensive with over 30 beers brewed yearly, with 20 of them on tap daily. Tomoka Brewing Company is the most award-winning brewery in the county with 9 award winning beers. Their beer is distributed through SR Perrott to many local bars including Boot Hill or can be purchased at ABC Liquor stores, Total Wine, or Publix or directly to include kegs. Their top beer Oceanside a White IPA is loved by their patrons, other favorites are Hazy Sunrise, Lunar Eclipse, Mutha Fuggle…even a Hops of Thunder, Thunder Roads Florida Magazine must love that one!!! Peter the Great is one of their high-end brews with 12% alcohol. The bar became full liquor in March and on Friday-Sunday they do themed cocktail flights for $12.95. Kitty just started having a Bloody Mary bar on Sunday’s during Brunch with 35+ treats to add to your vodka creation.

Tomoka Brewing Company offers a host of interesting evenings for their patrons, First Wednesdays they do specials for First Responders, third Wednesday the same for the military and there is even an evening for deaf patrons as David is studying to be a deaf interpreter. They are deeply involved in the community, particularly veteran causes such as the Purple Heart Society to help fund a memorial being built at Veteran’s Park by the Orange Ave. bridge and Kitty had a basket auction at their anniversary party which raised $800 for the Daytona Shores Benevolent Fund. Once a year Elvis invades Tomoka with Elvis karaoke, impersonators and a special Elvis inspired Imperial Stout, the “King” a peanut butter and banana flavored just like Elvis’ favorite sandwich!

The brewing business is ever changing and has changed in the last six years, just in Florida, the number of breweries has grown from 60 to 300! Craft beer isn’t going anywhere! Make sure to check out Tomoka Brewing Company; Kitty and David are working hard to make your time there all you could hope for. So, ride in for a cold one, come hungry and let them tell you all about the perks of becoming a Tomoka Tribe Member and leave your prints on the wall!

By Ron Cox

About 140 riders and passengers queued up at Everglades Motorcycles in Naples on March 30th to register for the Third Annual Southwest Florida Wounded Veteran Poker Run. Card stops included Alamo Gun Range, Buffalo Chips Restaurant, Rockstar Harley Davidson before ending at the very biker friendly Chicago Boys Bar and Grill in Ft. Myers.

Southwest Florida Wounded Vet is a non-profit organization created in honor of CPL Vincent Mannion-Brodeur. The Corporal was wounded on March 11, 2007 in Tikrit, Iraq. He is currently at Tampa VA Polytrauma Center and has undergone 47 surgeries including the complete removal of his cranium.

The Poker Run offered a rather unique prize, a box of Glocks!!! Three 9MM pistols (G-17, G-19 and G-43) Rockie Lynne was the lucky winner. Lindzy Frost won the poker run with 4 eights and donated half the prize money back. There was also a live and silent auction. After the proceedings Siren Says Rock band set up and played into the night.

The proceeds of the run $3.300 will be equally divided between SWFL Wounded Vet Run, Rolling Thunder FL-5 and the Naples Chapter of LAMA.

By T.J.

Talk about HOT…Troy at Fastlane Campground at Volusia County Fairgrounds in Deland has the hottest show in town. The last Friday of Bike Week he burns down a monstrous wooden bike complete with rider, reminds you of the movie Ghost Rider with Nicholas Cage as Johnny Blaze. I cannot even make you understand with words how big this thing is! Along with the HOT burning of the bike, Hot Tasha puts on a bikini contest with smoking hot girls! All this happens the last Friday night. During the week camping is available, vendors, live music and bike shows. So, if you are looking for a nice place to camp with unique entertainment call Troy at Fastlane!