By Lulu

Thunder Beach Rally occurs in the spring and in the fall…no matter the weather the view from our hotel room at the Holiday Inn Resort is always magnificent! The main stage this year moved to Frank Brown Park and the crowd for the headliners and bikini contest was huge! The headliners included Jasmine Cain, Confederate Railroad, Kentucky Headhunters, Eli and Skid Row. A great line up by anyone’s standards. Mustang Sally rocked the stage at the Harley dealership while we were there. Bike shows featured Baggers and awesome creations both days. Of course, there were vendors everywhere. Harley-Davidson of Panama City Beach and the Indian showrooms and parking lots were packed. What sets this rally apart from many is the large venues such as Pier Park and Frank Brown Park which provide interesting space for bands, bike shows, vendors and contests. And then obviously THE BEACH, unlike the Atlantic this beach has white soft sands and clear blue waters. If you get off the beach and take a ride out to the country, there are plenty of traffic free roads to explore. So, if you haven’t taken a trip to Panama City Beach put this on your calendar for May 2-4th. Hope to see you there…we wouldn’t miss it.

By Lulu

As anyone that rides in for a Daytona bike rally knows, a must stop visit is the massive Harley dealership on US 1 called Bruce Rossmeyers Daytona Harley-Davidson. The Rossmeyer family have worked their buns off to keep Bruce’s hard work alive. With concerts including Jackyl, foxy bartenders, vendors of all types, arm wrestling contests, bike shows and, of course, a showroom full of Harleys and all the gear to go with one, it takes a full day to see it all.

There is always something going on at their dealerships here and in New Smyrna…so check out their website at BruceRossmeyer.com to keep up with the current events!

By Lulu

Favorites of those on two and three wheels are world famous Boot Hill Saloon on Main Street in Daytona Beach and Roadside Tavern in Port Orange on Nova Rd. Boot Hill Saloon is known worldwide for great music and must have T-shirts to commemorate Bike Week and Biketoberfest. In 2017 Roadside Tavern reopened and riders were once again able to enjoy the huge outside deck and great tunes and food at Roadside Tavern. Don’t forget to check out Boot Hill’s Bike Night on Wednesdays with live music!

By Jeani G.

OB’s Restaurant and Lounge in DeLand hosted Russ & Bob’s 16th annual Panhead/Shovelhead Party on November 12th … this year’s was one of the most successful yet! What started out as a gloomy morning turned into a beautiful day attended by hundreds of old-school motorcycle enthusiasts!

With so many beautiful vintage Harleys, our esteemed panel of judges: Marshall, Walter, Cap and Bo certainly had their work cut out for them … and they did a great job selecting the day’s winners:
Stock Panhead trophy – Mark 1958 pan
Custom Panhead trophy – Steve 1965 pan
Stock Shovelhead – Don 1973 shovel
Custom Shovelhead – Marty 1979 shovel

The People’s Choice trophy was awarded to Steve for his 1973 custom shovelhead.

Thunder Roads Magazine sponsored the Best of Show trophy which was awarded to Ron with his beautiful 1965 Panhead with sidecar!

There was live music by Penta, including a heartfelt guitar solo of the National Anthem in honor of our Veterans, many of whom were present for us to personally thank for their service to this great country of ours! Mark from Cycle Fever TV filmed the festivities – whenever you see his drone flying above, be sure to smile and wave.

Super model, Kristie O’Brien signed her glamorous cover of the November issue of Thunder Roads Florida Magazine for many avid admirers. And an awesome buffet was provided by OB, Tina, Kristie and Ashley … great hospitality is always served up by the wonderful O’Brien family!

Be sure to come out to OB’s for their Wednesday Bike Nites – starting at 6 pm, featuring live music and food and drink specials … great service, great people and lots of fun! Hope to see you there!

By Lulu

Photos by Scott Peterson

First off, I need to state that I hated to miss this event, but we had to be at Thunder Beach Rally in Panama City Beach and then the Lone Star Rally in Galveston, Texas. I called on an old friend from my high school days in Ocala, Scott Peterson, to join the Thunder Roads Florida team to represent us and grab some photos! Thank you so much Scott!

The final bike night of 2017 at Tilted Kilt was rocked by Tobacco Rd Band out of Jacksonville. They happened to be playing a few days before in Pensacola Beach at the Southeast HOG Rally, so I can testify they are really very good! Of course, the spirits flowed and the food was awesome at the Kilt brought to you by the pretty lassies dressed in their little plaid skirts!

The bike nights at the Kilt start early April and run through November on the first Saturday of each month. So, when the cold weather is chased away by the Ides of March, warm up your engines and take a ride to Ocala for great music, food and fun!

By Lulu

Well the years march on!!! Glenn, owner of the Dog Pound Saloon has been one of my dearest friends, way before he owned the Dog Pound. I spent many hours on a bar stool at his old bar Mother’s in Flagler Beach and at his other bar in Palm Coast, Smiles. But my day to relax and take a few deep breaths after running around during Biketoberfest is Sunday afternoon on the back porch of the Dog Pound. Free BBQ and good live music are a certainty…along with a stiff Crown! This year we also spent a few hours with friends at his anniversary party…14 years and counting!
It is always great to see old friends at the Pound, and this year I was thrilled to run into Mike Miller and his sweet wife! Dog Pound has different things going on each day of the week…so ride in to the Pound…don’t worry no one bites there!!

By Lulu

A favorite stop for bikers during Bike Week and Biketoberfest is just south of Daytona on US 1 in Port Orange. Where some bars saw decrease in crowds during Biketoberfest First Turn enjoyed a robust business!! That is due to Denise and Rick always searching for great entertainment and having an awesome deck. Everyone knows motorcyclists love to be outside. Their famous sizzlin’ steaks are another reason to visit First Turn anytime of year. They do a bike night on Tuesdays for the local riders or anyone riding to their part of the state. And Denise welcomes poker runs with open arms as she loves helping those in need!

By Lulu

Bikers know the Cabbage Patch Bar in Samsula, famous for coleslaw wrestling during Bike Week and Biketoberfest. But the bar is a great party spot all year long. We went to their Ugly Christmas Sweater Party and had to snap a few shots as some of the patrons went all out! One, young in spirit, gentleman even shared part of his costume with TJ which was piles of dog doodoo. A great guitar player, Johnny Reed from Nashville, sang his heart out to well known country songs. Ride out to the “Patch” for the free BBQ and live music on the third Sundays or their car and truck show on the first Sundays…or just anytime you are in the mood for a bit of fun!

By Lulu

Tucked in off US 1 in New Smyrna is a great local hang out with simply awesome owners Barry and Jan! The staff and patrons are always involved with local charities and make events a really good time. Often, they have live music and when we rode in for a recent event Mistreater was rocking the place and a giant colorful bra was onsite to help raise funds for Breast Cancer!! Stop in and see the crew at Bay 3…they have incredibly great beer prices and are always happy to hear bikes roll in!

By Lulu

Tony and Dar owners of The Boat Bar in Port Orange love to throw a party and during Biketoberfest 2017 they threw not one but two. They had a kick off party the weekend before and another at the end. Live music and lots of peeps on two and three wheels filled the parking lot. No one went home hungry and we all had a great time. Make sure you stop in The Boat all year long for their GREAT beer prices and awesome staff!

By Lulu

We have friends come in from out of town for the rallies and we all seem to end up drinking a bit too much. One of our favorite watering holes is always with the girls at Chris’ Lounge. A stiff drink and great friends are what you can count on every time you walk in their door, even if it is your first time in…so ride on in any old time and make yourself at home…just like we do!

By Phoenix and Metric HD

Veterans Day is officially observed annually on November 11th, to honor all Veterans that have served in the military no matter when or for which branch of service. Veterans Day coincides with Armistice Day and Remembrance Day which are celebrated in other countries that mark the anniversary of the end of World War I. Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, when the Armistice with Germany went into effect. The United States previously observed Armistice Day until it was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

As an old guy (born before 1960) and a Vietnam “Era” Veteran I feel it is fitting that I write this article. The 1960’s and the Vietnam War changed the way the world and even Americans viewed our Veterans. In the 1960’s a lot of family values changed and not for the better. My favorite show on television is “BLUE BLOODS” but not for the drama. The story behind the story is the traditional values of the family. The traditions that stem from their careers, their faith, down to the family dinners they have every Sunday is what makes the show GREAT! The show also reflects that while family members may not always agree, everyone has a voice and is respected. Nothing is stronger than “FAMILY” and the “BROTHERHOOD” they share. That same “Brotherhood” can be found in all Veterans and the Biker community. I ride with a diverse group of “Brothers”. We have a Korean War Veteran, I am from the Vietnam War Era and the rest of my Brothers are from the Desert Storm/Shield (OEI/OEF) Era. However, we all have one thing in common we are “ALL” Veterans!!!

This Veterans Day weekend we had the privilege and honor to be part of the escort and the ceremonies surrounding the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall in Ft. Meade, Florida. If you have ever had the opportunity to be part of an escort or have seen the wall, you will know how emotional it can be to be part of something so humbling. The escort started on Wednesday and the display for the wall was available throughout the weekend until the following Monday. What a “GREAT” way to spend Veterans Day.

In a lot of the communities around this nation Veterans Day was observed on Friday November 10th, for convenience. Veterans deserve more respect than a twenty-minute parade followed by a half hour speech. Our hope is that as a nation we will return to the past and continue the traditions of honoring and respecting “Future” Veterans and ALL Veterans for their service to this country. Everyday should be Veterans Day for without our Veterans we would not have the freedoms we have today. GOD BLESS AMERICA AND ALL VETERANS!!!

By Lulu

Whether you are looking for great music, a stiff drink, a cold beer, a cool T-Shirt or yummy beef tips…everyone who comes to Daytona rides in to the Iron Horse Saloon! Some even ride in to see their favorite bartenders like Sherry or Diana…I am sure there are others…I just happen to know these two crazy girlfriends! If you are brand new to motorcycling or simply haven’t made the trek to Bike Week or Biketoberfest you need to find this treasure on US 1 in Ormond Beach. Make sure you check out their T-Shirts. No matter what state I travel to I run into guys and girls with Iron Horse T’s!

By Tony

It’s three years into the business and it’s time to cut the ribbon. Nancy and Sean, owners of Stargazer Embroidery did just that, with an open house at the shop with food, music, beverages and even a couple of guest bartenders.

As T-Rex and I roll in, the plaza is full of bikes and cars. The music’s going courtesy of Laura’s Juke Box and tables are set up out front with food from DIYM catering from Titusville. The guest bartenders Shana and Karli from H-D Roadhouse were busy pouring beverages for the crowd. Inside the shop, local businesses donated gift baskets and gift certificates to be raffled off. If it wasn’t for the beverages, food and music, it looked like a regular day at the shop, with people placing orders and buying patches and Nancy and Sean sewing them on vests. But then 5 pm hit and it was time for the ribbon cutting ceremony which Nancy has been waiting 3 years to do. The Cocoa Beach Chamber of Commerce brought the scissors and Nancy and Sean cut the ribbon. The party continued into the evening hours with bikes showing up way into the night.

We met Nancy and Sean a few years ago when T-Rex was looking for some new ink and I wandered off into their shop. First thing I heard was machinery running (sewing machines) and they got my attention. I asked about a custom patch, she asked how many? I say one, she says no problem. I’m sold. She does all my sewing now.

So, three years later, twice as many machines and they will still make me one custom patch if I ask. If ya check out Sean’s shorts you will see he’s been doodling on them with those sewing machines and does some cool work. Even here at Thunder Roads Florida we have had Stargazer do custom hats for us. If you’re looking to have some embroidery done…they are my #1 choice. And if you’re looking to get patches, shirts, hats, etc…etc… check out Stargazer Embroidery in Sharpe’s Plaza on U.S.1 in Cocoa…tell them T-Rex sent ya.

P.S. and a Happy 1-year wedding anniversary to Nancy and Sean from all of us at Thunder Roads Florida Magazine!

By Lulu

The last Sunday of Biketoberfest was a bit hotter at Main Street Station than other parts of Daytona when Twisted Tea sponsored the Miss Main Street Station bikini contest. Any of the girls could have easily walked home with the money in their skimpy little suits. All week Main Street Station had their stages rocking with great music. And if you are in town on a Wednesday night you need to “be there or be square” as $1 longnecks and awesome tunes draw huge crowds! If you still haven’t tried a Twisted Tea you really should, it is not carbonated so you don’t get that bloated feeling, it has caffeine, so you don’t get sleepy and it really is refreshing!