By Lulu

Early June at OB’s in Deland the first Americana Bike Show brought in over a thousand people to their huge venue. Well over 70 bikes entered to win the coveted Best in Show prize of $1000 cash and full-page feature in our magazine. I wouldn’t have wanted to be a judge with so many types of bikes, all of which were potential winners in their categories, it was nearly impossible to narrow it down. There were incredible paint jobs and customization with bikes coming from as far as Ft. Myers. Derek Ames had a beautifully painted Eddie Trotta bike I thought could have easily walked away with first place. But in the end, the Best of Show went to a 2015 Road Glide with an incredible amount of etching on every piece of chrome out of Deltona owned by Eddie Cardenas who also took Best Chrome…it was beautiful. The People’s Choice award presented by Thunder Roads Florida went to a trike fashioned to be a fire breathing dragon owned by Jerry Moskowiz.

Along with great music all day and the bike show, OB’s also put on a bikini contest which gave all plenty of photo ops for the day! Allison Richmond of Deland walked away with first prize winnings! Hot day in June, hot bikes, hot chics and did I mention one hot cock? They had chicken shit bingo which is a rooster in a cage with people rooting on their numbered square hoping the cock would do #2 on their square to be a big winner!!! I guess that is as rural American as you can get…although I did hear, in some communities, they do it with cows on a shuffleboard. The rest of the winners are listed below. Hopefully the spelling is accurate as it was hard to make out some of the handwriting on the entry forms.

Lighting: Michael Wyatt Harley Road Glide Special 2017
Chrome: Eddie Cardenas Road Glide 2015
Bagger/Dresser: Richard Cockabur Indian Chief Bagger 2018
Paint: Richard Cockabur Indian Chief Bagger 2018
Rat Bike: Dante Hailing Diesel bike 2015
Sport/Street: David McCreight Victory Vegas 2008
Chopper: Stig Nyrud Kotic Kustom 2006
Japanese: Roger Ryle Yamaha VMax 1990
Evolution: Hiram McCarty Mid 80’s Twin Evo
3-Wheel Trike: William Schippers Indian Trike Custom 2016
Pan/Shovel/Knucklehead: Frank Girod Fl Panhead 1960
People’s Choice: Jerry Moskowitz Dragon Trikes Bond 2018
Best in Show: Eddie Cardenas Road Glide 2015

A special thanks to Rue & Ziffra, P. A. for their continued support of motorcycling, Bill Grotto and Twisted Tea for being so involved in the biking world, SR Perrott for sending out the giveaways and the Miller Lite girls, WHOG Radio for filling this place up and Deland Motorsports. A special thank you also to One Sexy Biker Chick for sponsoring the bikini contest! Radio ads work!! Get your bikes ready for next year’s event and let’s make this party the place to be in late spring every year!

By Lulu

This wasn’t my first ride from Daytona to D.C. for the Ride for Freedom and I hope to God it won’t be my last. I have been lucky enough to visit with the Vet’s three times and of all the motorcycle events across the U.S. that I have experienced, I tell anyone who will listen…it is the best! I had heard that this was to be the last due to the increased financial burden of the event, so I wanted to make sure T. J. had a chance to experience it. We rode with Reggie Lord who took me on my first ride up with Rolling Thunder Chapter 8 from Port Orange and his friend Gary Dellaneve. The trip up was uneventful although quite hot. The event itself was worth every sweltering mile spent on the highway. We attended the Gold Star Mother’s Walk of the Wall the first night. As the mothers who have lost a child walk the wall dressed in white, a torch they carry illuminates the names chiseled into the granite. A very touching and inspirational way to sear into our memory that each name is someone’s child.

I was worried this event may not have the interest after so many years, that the Vietnam Vet’s were getting too old to make the trip and maybe that was why it no longer was a necessity to have the ride anymore. My voice may not matter to those making the call to end this event, but I will tell you what I witnessed. Parents with their children on the ride. Vietnam Vets on the sidewalks in wheelchairs still attending although not on motorcycles. I saw young twenty and thirty-year-old men and women proudly wearing Rolling Thunder vests. The Run is led by Rolling Thunder Inc. National, NJ, followed by the Gold Star Mothers either on their own bikes or riding with Chapter members. What moved me the most was a seventy-year-old mother dressed in white who after leading the hundreds of thousands of bikes rushed to the sidewalk to watch the bikers who rode to honor those lost and still missing. It was 100 degrees hot! She was not young. I tried to tell her there was a tent with refreshments for her, but she said “No, I must watch this. My husband and I lost our son last year in the current conflict. My 70-year old husband, took a motorcycle class and bought a bike to be here in memory of our son.” And she stood there taking a video until she couldn’t stand any longer, then she sat on the curb and watched each bike…hours of bikes ride in 3 and 4 abreast. No one can tell me this isn’t important! No one can tell me the cost is too high.

They have never charged a dime to run on this ride as it is a Memorial Ride. I have heard rumors that Trump has offered to help keep this event alive. God bless him. Walt Sides 1st Sgt retired and founder of Rolling Thunder Washington, DC Inc. is also one of the original four that started the Run in 1988. Sides who also hosts Thunder Alley, the official vendor site for the event hinted that this may not be the last Run. The first Run was the idea of Ran Manzo a Corporal in the Marines, and brought together with the help of Sides, John Holland an Army Sergeant Major, and Ted Sempley Sergeant. They wanted to call attention to the POW/MIAs and started this event with that purpose. The first run in 1988 had 2500 riders. Over the years the event had grown to over 900,000 riders and spectators. The ride from the Pentagon to the Vietnam Wall is only six miles and with as many as four bikes riding abreast it takes about four and a half hours to complete. Bob Schmitt, one of the early organizers predicted “it will sound like Rolling Thunder coming across that bridge” little did he know the sound of the storm would be more than four hours long! Rolling Thunder was also the name of an intense American bombing campaign in 1965 in North Vietnam that resulted in many American pilots being taken as POWs. So, the history of this event…the healing this parade creates, the honor given to those who have served has been a huge gift that the original organizers, the volunteers and the people who have ridden or witnessed on the sidelines know well. I asked one of the Gold Star moms, “Isn’t it painful to be here”? Her answer was quick and crisp. “No, it helps with my pain I have felt since I answered that door and heard the news of my son’s death.”

So, may I say thank you to the sponsors, particularly Humana for sponsoring Thunder Alley, Bayer, GUM and Dr. Scholl for being there to give samples for the riders, to Walt, Ray, Ted and John and all who have helped them with their dream, and to each motorcycle that participated over the years to make that Thunder roll through the streets of D. C. to remind us of the great cost of freedom. And may the Thunder continue so that those who have not had the chance to witness this great tribute have a chance to make the ride.

By Lulu

Wow time flies! Four years ago, Joe, Jimbo and Bob opened the doors to the hottest gentleman’s club anywhere. Grandview Live is located just behind Razzles. I tell my friends who say, “I don’t go to strip clubs”, this isn’t your father’s strip club. It is one of the most sophisticated nightclubs in our three-county area. The lighting, bars, furniture and talent of the girls makes your evening special and entertaining. There are as many women as men having cocktails and enjoying the show. No nudity on stage is permitted. They are athletes doing things that professional gymnasts would find challenging. If you haven’t been to Grandview Live, check out their 3rd Annual Pole Dancing Competition which is every Wednesday around 9pm through October 16th. If have been taking classes for fitness or fun…be brave come enter, each week is a new chance to qualify for the finals.

By Raven

​One of Patricia Trantham’s passions which she was preparing before her death, was an event with Phil Hueneke (of the Tiki Island Tap House).  She wanted a shindig to celebrate her 30 years of Leather Slinging at the Pecan Park Flea Market. ​
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All LEATHER LADY friends, her dearest customers and those she considered FAMILY (pretty much everyone she ever met); helped make that happen June 1st, 2019 with ​Patty’s 30th Anniversary Ride and Event, and all proceeds went to BACA Seven Bridges Chapter to assist in their mission to protect and serve children at risk of abuse right here in Jacksonville.​
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Patty’s favorite blues & rock band HIGHWAY JONES, her loyal loving ladies the Chrome Divas Jacksonville Chapter, and everyone who knew and loved her, made Patty’s wish a huge success! ​

By Lulu

A lot has been happening over the past month so I must apologize that a couple articles that normally would have been in an issue before now, that you may have been looking for, still are not here. I misplaced a thumb drive for the Hero’s Ride, and we have not located those pictures yet. I also was to do a feature on the winner of Ricky Bongo’s Sportster Show and I just was given the contact info for the owner of the bike thanks to Brent, so that will be in the September issue. I also have an article submitted on the horrible accident in New Hampshire and a ride in their honor of those 7 Marines which will be in next month’s issue. Not to use it as an excuse but T. J. and I were in a motorcycle accident coming back from the Rolling Thunder ride Memorial Day Weekend and it has been a struggle with a boot on my foot, doctor appointments and just having the aggravation of not being able to get things done in a normal fashion.

On that note, if you make a trip on two wheels to Savannah, Georgia for a fun getaway…DO NOT RIDE your motorcycle on River Street. The cobblestone is treacherous. Two of the entryways to that riverfront district have motorcycle warnings, but the one we chose did not and it is a one-way street with no escape hatch. Before it was over, we spent the night in the local ER and not the beautiful riverfront Marriott that we had our belongings tucked away in. NOT FUN! T. J. is an experienced cross-country rider. He is an excellent safe rider. But we were no match for that cobblestone stretch of treachery or the 3 to 4-inch solid metal track of an old trolley system that caught us and dumped us on the pavement. Thankfully it is a state that requires a helmet that saved our noggins.

So please look for the articles next month that I haven’t gotten to, keep hydrated and dress for the slide not the ride, and don’t forget your sunscreen!

By Lulu

People who are in business for themselves and are successful have several traits in common, and Hector Coll has them all. Honest, personable, self-motivated, attention to detail, and the ability to deliver what you promise in a timely manner! I met Hector several years ago on a charity event. He generously had donated items and I was introduced to him and liked him instantly. Originally from Puerto Rico he joined the US Army and was in the infantry at first then became a paratrooper. He was in the service for seven years doing tours in Korea, Germany and Panama. After the Army he became a commercial fisherman and ended up in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. Eventually he started a Coll Construction specializing in tile and framing, which his son took over when he headed to Florida for his fourth career in motorcycles. He likes the saying “you aren’t working if you are doing what you love”.

As a 14-year-old boy in Puerto Rico he bought his first dirt bike with money made doing yard work. His first street bike was a Yamaha 400 Daytona Special. Buddies and neighbors helped him tinker on bikes and when he was in New Jersey he would spend time at a friend’s business Unique Cycles where he says he learned a lot. When he realized he was working on all his friend’s bikes to get them ready for the yearly trip to Laconia he would threaten, “I am going to MMI so I can charge you!” And in 2010 he did just that. His son took over the construction business, he packed up and moved to Orlando to get certified in what he loved. He knew no one in Florida and other than his trips to Bike Week really knew little about Florida other than “you could ride all year and that living was cheaper than New Jersey”. Upon graduation he was offered a gig at a Harley dealer, but you had to start out doing oil changes and tires. He wanted more of a challenge, so he opened a shop called Mobile Motorcycle Technician on Orange Blossom Trail. His next step was to open a shop on Ronald Reagan in Longwood and shared it with a scooter shop. It was named Independent Motorcycle & Scooter Repair. He supplemented that by working with the Florida Safety Council from 6a-3p, then off to work in the shop 3p until as long as it took to get the repair work done. After 3 years he and the scooter shop split and he also left the Florida Safety Council to focus on his business.

In March of 2019 he had outgrown the small shop and moved to 747 Fleet Financial Ct. in Longwood. A huge shop with a spotless office is where Independent Motorcycle Repair calls home and the place is packed with work in progress. He already has the Longwood Police Department as his client. Charging $85/hour with a $45 minimum his rates are fair. He does a 3-hole oil change for $65 (primary, transmission and engine). They service all makes and models and carry tires too.

Hector rides with The Lonesome Losers, loves fishing and boating on Lake Monroe and his pet project, as if he doesn’t have too much to do already, is his 1986 32 ft. Wellcraft. He and Debbi like date night at the VFW. Charities that he loves to support are the Paralyzed Veteran’s Golf Tournament as well as being a Shriner’s Zoo sponsor. His shop gives a discount to all first responders and veterans. His personal stable of bikes include a 99 Road Glide, 74 Sportster and a 79 KZ 750.

Hector is fortunate to have Justin Budke, a nice young man and fellow MMI graduate, working with him for the past two years. So, life is good for Hector. If you need repair work in the Longwood/Sanford area be sure to give Hector a call at 407-618-9725.

By Lulu

Under majestic oaks nestled on the banks of Lake Eustis in Ferran Park is a beautiful old amphitheater. The City of Eustis puts on a three-day music festival with free bike parking, vendors including food vendors, a car show and this year also had the Lake County Championship Wrestling Knockout. The music lineup featured Quiet Riot and a huge crowd enjoyed their songs which included hits such as “Come on Feel the Noise”. This wasn’t a cover band it was the REAL DEAL! A local favorite Crashrocket opened for them. The event’s sponsors this year included Budweiser, Advent Health, Bay Pharmacy, Duke Energy, Daily Commercial, Crazy Gator, Lake Eustis Area Chamber of Commerce, Lake County, FL Real Florida, Real Close and the city of Eustis. If you haven’t ridden “The Loop” around Lake Eustis and visited this quaint area put it on your list of rides during Leesburg Bike Fest in 2020!

By Lulu

Another stellar year for Leesburg Partnership, the organization behind Leesburg Bikefest. The crowds were huge, miles of vendors for shopping and too many bands, bikini clad girls and bikes shows to get to see it all. This year the entertainment line-up included Vanilla Ice, Vince Neil and Uncle Kracker. The crowd for Uncle Kracker was one of the largest Sunday crowds I have seen.

The Friday night’s Miss Leesburg Bikefest bikini contest was jam packed with hot scantily clad baby dolls and that night you couldn’t see the end of heads in the crowd! The weather was beautiful, not nearly as humid and sweltering hot as it usually is. I made time to check out the huge parade of semi-trucks which was crazy. The dollar value of the paint jobs alone on these vehicles is nuts. Another crowd favorite by the numbers in attendance is the Mr. Lucky Man contest. The women were packed in like sardines under the tent to see the men line up trying to get the cheers for being their favorite.

One of the best parts of Leesburg Bikefest is the riding. The rolling hills of Clermont, including Sugarloaf Mountain Road, which is the second highest point in Florida, the farm lands north toward Ocala and the many lake front roads (after all it is Lake County) makes this a place to get out on two wheels for a bit while in Leesburg. Always in April, put this on your events to visit in 2020. Leesburg is one of the friendliest cities in the U.S. when it comes to motorcycle rallies.

By Lulu

One of our favorite rallies is Thunder Beach. Hurricane Michael cheated us out of the fall rally, not that so much damage was done to the actual structures of Panama City Beach but the relief workers, construction crews and displaced homeowners needed the hotels and campsites for temporary housing. Mexico Beach and areas just east of Panama City Beach were hit hard.

So, with much excitement we headed to Thunder Beach for bike shows, bikini contests, concerts, tattoo contests, vendors and good food and spirits. Many of our rally friends, including Sick Boy Motorcycles, Custom Lighting EFX, Bill Grotto and Twisted Tea, Ultimate Seats, Steven with Bayer, GUM and Dr. Scholl, and Rally Leathers were all in attendance either at Frank Brown Park, Harley-Davidson of Panama City Beach or at the new venue called Crossroads run by Scott Demonico.

This year’s headliner, Colt Ford and THE LACS played to a huge crowd Friday night. Black Stone Cherry had a bit of bad weather on Saturday night, but the crowds toughed it out. I think the Miss Thunder Beach bikini contest and the H-D bike giveaway might have added to the need to hang tough. As usual, Hammerhead Fred’s hosted some of the preliminaries for Miss Thunder Beach and for the Ms. Thunder Beach contest.

At Crossroads, the tattoo contest was one of the best I have seen. A great bike show was held by Southern Biker Magazine with surfboard trophies. Cartel Baggers walked away with best of show and even Cory Souza was in town for this one and added another trophy to his collection.

The Gulf Coast economy took a hit with the devastating hurricane in 2018, so put this year’s fall rally on your calendar to support not only the businesses in the area but the vendors and organizers of this great rally. The dates are October 23-27 so lock down your hotel reservations now.

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.