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!!

By Lulu

Can’t imagine losing a child! But Kelli, the mother of Noelle, lost her daughter to the opioid crisis that’s slaying the youth of our country. Her daughter was a young mother of twins! Tragic! Five years later, Noelle’s brother’s life was lost to the same battle!!! The loss of her two children inspired Kelli to form Project Noelle in Ohio where she lives. Other states have formed groups to shine light on the opioid crisis and to “help the smallest victims of the epidemic” …the children left behind! This ride was led by the Lake County Chapter. Stops included Pirate’s Pub, Crossroad 44 and ended at OB’s for a great BBQ. TJ won the best hand and donated the $200 back to Project Noelle. Let’s help grow this event next year, grab a friend and ride for Noelle!

By Lulu

Out in Deland right next to the new Sunrail Station is a great dive bar, The Inn Between. Ethan bought the bar 7 years ago and has turned it into a really cool joint. Not only did they celebrate 7 years of business, but they also celebrated that the building is 100 years old… and still standing even after Helene and Milton! The day had a bit of rain on and off, but the back yard was still packed as Duval County Line played their hearts out, even doing the National Anthem and handing out flags to the crowd! This is a full liquor bar with a great outside area. Ethan, who rides, also owns Brass Rail in Deland. Stop in for a cold one on your ventures!! They are always glad to see bikes pull up front!

By Lulu

Often you meet people that talk big. Not that often do you meet people that live what they preach. Walk the walk! But 2 years ago, we met Donna & John when we rode out of Sanford on their first run for the Eli Seth Matthews Leukemia Foundation. They were introduced to it in Pennsylvania, met Eli’s dad there and decided to bring the ride to Florida. Deciding to tie the knot, they turned their wedding into a ride for Eli’s Foundation. Starting and ending at So-Hoss Bar in Deland, we rode to Dale’s Ales, Cabbage Patch and OB’s. A great BBQ dinner and wedding cake waited for us at So-Hoss, a special thank you to So-Hoss for hosting this. A perfect day of wedding dancing to the tunes of Gunshy! Basket raffles, auctions and 50/50 all helped make the day a day of giving! Look for events organized by Naughty Hog Enterprise, which is Donna & John always helping worthy causes!

By Lulu

This event is on my bucket list for 2025! I had a client’s event that conflicted with this one, but I got up at 5am to arrive at the staging area on US 1 in Port Orange to snap photos of the people who took their day to shine attention on the fact that 22 veterans commit suicide daily. Way before sunup adults, children, veterans, first responders, sponsors, and even a guy with a prosthetic leg anxiously awaited the beginning of their day. Over 140 walked! Many were wearing T-shirts that proclaimed 22 A DAY IS 22 TOO MANY. Dick Steinmeier, a well-known and well-loved veteran, led the 22-mile hike on an adult 3-wheel tricycle. He made the entire journey. So proud of you Dick! Anyone who knows me and Thunder Roads Florida, know that we love our veterans. Many may not know I worked a psych unit as a nurse and even back 30 years ago, long before they used the term PTSD, many of our patients were Vietnam Veterans dealing with things they experienced that no one should have had to. It was often more a survivor’s guilt that they were struggling with, as much as anything else. So, keep an eye out for this event next year and put some walking shoes on! What a simple way to shine attention on a real problem in America and to honor those who have already given their all!! The tentative date for 2025 is the last Sunday of September. Jordan Snipes keep us posted with 2025 date!! Thank you to the sponsors Red, White & Blue Heating & AC, Legacy Mortgage Corporation, and High Profile 4 X4. Check out the events website SpeakUpTomorrowNeedsYou.org!

By Lulu

What a great day at OB’s! The girls were hot, the weather wet, the bikes were all awesome, and the crowd was huge! OB’s staff were all dressed up in matching patriotic outfits. I didn’t get with the owner of the Best in Show Bike to do a feature on him this month, but hopefully I will have that next issue. It was a perfect condition old Indian and he deserved to walk with the $1000. Nikki was the winner of the bikini contest and was happy to pose for the crowd on bikes! Coming up on November 17th is the Russ & Bob Panhead/Shovelhead show complete with a “vintage” bikini contest! Don’t miss this show!