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!

By Lulu

If you weren’t in Pensacola Beach and you own a Harley, you missed a great event! HOG membership is all about riding! Each day there was at least one ride, some days two! We attended three of the events scheduled for the 2017 Rally before heading to Texas for the Lone Star Rally. We met great riders from all over the country with one thing in common…they love to get on their bikes and ride.

Music was the highlight of the evening events. Early registration was held at Casino Beach Bar & Grill where you could dance with your feet in the sugar white sands of Pensacola Beach. The band out of Tallahassee was Tobacco Rd. known for great country music. It was Halloween so some of the members came decked out in extreme costumes…did I mention HOG members love a party! Early the next morning we joined them for a ride to Pensacola NAS to watch the Blue Angels dazzle us with theirshow. Hundreds of us rode in groups of 20 led by Road Captains that led us on our merry way.

That afternoon lunch was served at Harley Davidson of Pensacola. And our final night in town we spent listening to great bands and singing along with the dueling pianos at Seville Quarter in downtown Pensacola. I really enjoyed this event and hope to join them again when the rally returns to our state. Next year it is scheduled to be in X so join a HOG family at your local dealership and meet your future riding buddies!

By Lulu

This was my first time to experience Cotee River Bike Fest which has a rich history of entertaining bikers in their unique community park on the Cotee River in New Port Richey. Two stages provided nonstop music. The stage in Sims Park is the center for events, vendors, the bikini and bike contests. Another stage is off a side street with lots of unique restaurants and bars. We loved the Little Corona Cigar Bar and the owner is a Harley guy and fire chief! The two days of bike shows put on my Minh of Venom Cycles had lots of great rides to check out and the winners went home with beautiful trophies. Revolution Roller Derby girls were pushing hard as they twirled around the pavement. And if that wasn’t brutal enough they had ACW Wrestling too.

The bikini contest was the crowd favorite by the sheer number of phones and cameras pointed at the scantily clothed beauties. But MUSIC was constant and extremely good! Most were tribute bands including KISS. One of the area’s favorite, the Bearded Brothers rocked the park. And FireHouse rocked the park! This is a wonderful laid-back event. Each rally we attend has a uniqueness and this one reminded me of a rock fest from back in the 70s, blankets on the ground, shade covered seats, a lazy river running by and beautiful oak trees. The hardworking West Pasco Chamber of Commerce kept things organized and the park sparkling clean!

This is a community event and many of the vendors and supporters of this bike event were locals. A lot of work goes into pulling an event like this off and when the community and Chamber get behind a motorcycle event we as riders should support their efforts and ride in to partake in their party. A poker run was organized by the Gulf Coast Fire and Iron MC for the Children’s Burn Camp and they hit their highest number of riders ever…considering rain was projected that was awesome to hear. If you were in the bike show or attended the event go to our Facebook page and check out all the photos!!

By Lulu

Nestled in Perry, Florida at 210 South Byron Butler Parkway is a quaint watering hole with simply awesome food! Cypress Mill Package & Sports Grill pours a good drink, serves ice cold beer and WILL NOT let you leave hungry! While we were there motorcyclist from south Florida and even Texas were decked out in leathers warming their bellies with great food.

Owners Dusty and wife Suzie welcomes motorcyclists with open arms! And they should as she rides her own 1200 Nightster and he states he has been “riding all my life”. Dusty had his ’97 Springer out in the parking lot and joined us on our trek to Panama City Beach for Thunder Beach Fall Rally. They are adding motorcycle parking in the future and they love to be a stop for poker runs. And for our readers who are vets…Dusty was an Army Pilot and when we came in to eat the place was decked with American flags on the table and a “Missing Man Table” was set.

The establishment has two sides one a restaurant with a full liquor bar featuring steak night on Wednesdays with hand cut ribeyes. Their menu says, “Welcome Friends” and they mean it. On Thursday, they feature fish dinners. Our favorites are their Reubens and burgers, and we have stop in every time we are heading to the Panhandle…it is our “must stop” place! We time our trips for lunch or dinner…and a cocktail! They also have an appetizer that is scrumptious and too much food for one, fried macaroni balls!

The other side is a bar with smoking. They have live entertainment on Friday nights and 12 big screen TVs for college football on Saturdays. Pool tables get worked out here. They also have an outdoor patio. They are also a package store.

Their hours are 11a-midnight Monday-Saturday. Cypress Mill is closed on Sundays. Please stop in and visit Dusty and Suzie they are super nice and “if you leave hungry it is your own fault”!

By T-Rex

I wake up around 7am, make coffee, head into my shop and remember I need a primary gasket for a 1989, 883 Sporty. Wait till 9 and head over to “Steve’s Cycles” because I know Steve has a wall of gaskets and he’s got mine.  I met Steve back in ’09 when I was birding back and forth every couple of months. He was on Rt. 520 then. Now he is off Rt. 1, but he’s been in Brevard for 16 years. Steve started it all off in Rockledge, had a fire in one shop.

Now he is located at 839 N. Cocoa Blvd., Cocoa. Originally from Illinois he grew up working at his family’s saw mill and in his free time was riding and wrenching motorcycles. Steve’s shop can cover most of your needs between the wall of gaskets and brakes. 90% of the time he has what you need in stock or can get it overnight. He’s got a selection of new and used parts. Steve does motorcycle sales and consignment sales, service and repairs on most models.

Yes, they fix metric, BMW and even Triumphs plus H-D’s. He’s also a franchise scooter dealer and V-8 choppers, with all this going on mechanic, Paul Adams, barely has time for lunch. Paul’s been in the business for 6 years now and is very knowledgeable about most bikes with Steve’s experience in the field they can figure anything out. So, I asked Steve what’s your bike of choice, he gives me that look…and I know he owns a new H-D, his reply is his Victory cross country tourer. Well now ya know Steve’s Cycles is still alive and well, so stop in and get your bike serviced. It’s riding time!

By Raven Van Pelt

VW and Friends Oktoberfest Car & Bike Show hosted by Callahan Cruisers of North FLA was held at Adamec Harley-Davidson of Baymeadows in Jacksonville to celebrate Oktoberfest/ Bike Week. Live music and food were on hand, along with vendors, and plenty of bikes and cars on site to view.  Congratulations to all the winners on October 15th! For more info on Callahan Cruisers contact @Callahancruiser they meet every second Saturday at Dick’s Wings in Callahan and 3rd Saturday at Sonic off Normandy.

By Ron Cox

Veteran’s Day saw Six Bends Harley-Davidson host its Inaugural Salute to the Brave to honor all Veterans and first responders at Top Rocker Field. The event began with the assembled Veterans and guests singing the National Anthem (with no one taking a knee), followed by a rousing chorus of God Bless America. At this point volunteers from Avow pinned each and every Veteran with a special pin of two crossed flags, the Stars & Stripes and Harley’s Bar & Shield.

Veterans from all over Lee County, both HOG members and not, plus a large contingent from Naples Harley-Davidson’s HOG Chapter gathered at the entrance of Top Rocker Field for a group photo. Patches could be seen being worn representing all five branches of the military. When each branch was mentioned a loud roar went up with each trying to be the loudest.

The southern rock band Unforgiven gave the crowd a sampling of its tunes, ranging from The Silver Bullet Band to Eric Clapton. Many youngsters were seen dancing to the music.

The hungry didn’t have to go far as food vendors lined the perimeter of the field offering everything from enchiladas to ice cream and strawberry iced tea smoothies. Soft drink and adult beverages were also on hand. Local radio and TV stations set up shop and community organizations like Avow hospice and Collier County Honor Flights had displays.

Rounding out the day was the Olympic style obstacle course with the best time being the winner.

All in all, it was a wonderful tribute to all our Veterans.

By Phoenix and Metric HD

FREEDOM FLIGHT soars to new heights!!!! Each year the Rotary Clubs from Highlands and Hardee counties join forces to raise funds to send our Veterans to Washington DC for a two-day trip. They get an opportunity to visit historical monuments of those who have sacrificed so much for our freedoms. This year the Rotary Clubs teamed up with the American Legion Riders from Post 69 in Avon Park to make the poker run a great success!!!

The run traveled around both counties with stops at the American Legion Post 69 in Avon Park, AMVET Post 21 in Sebring. Taking the scenic route out of Highlands County we traveled over to Herb’s Limestone, up the back roads to Charlotte’s Webb in Wauchula and ending at Pioneer Park in Zolfo Springs. The whole community, headed up by a great group of Rotarians, provide a delicious prime rib dinner with all the fixin’s.

Great music was provided by a super band called “CRUSH HARDEE”. The Rotary Clubs host this event each year in October so if you did not have the chance to participate this year, mark your calendars for next year’s ride. What a GREAT way to honor or Veterans. SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!!!!

By Raven Van Pelt

On Saturday, October 7, the Northside Independent Motorcycle Riders of Duval, (AKA the NIMRODs), hosted their 2017 Fall Biker Rodeo at the Conklin Ranch in North Jacksonville. The NIMRODs are not a club or organization; they are a group of North Jacksonville old school like-minded bikers that love to ride on their own terms and are some of the most generous folks you will ever meet. Each time they host a rodeo, it is in support of someone in need; whether it is a family experiencing hard times, or someone who was diagnosed with a worse-case scenario. This past event was in support of an 11 yearold child name Nicholas “The Brave” Parscale, who has stage 4 inoperable Glioblastoma, a rare and devastating brain cancer.

Over 100 people came out to the private event, partied, swam and enjoyed bikers participating in old school motorcycle rodeo games such as “The Slow Roll”, “The Plank Roll”, “The Keg Roll”, “The Weinee Bite” and more. The NIMRODs cooked an 80lb. plus pig, the American Legion Riders Chapter 9 donated hamburgers and hotdogs and everyone who came brought other main courses and side dishes for a feast to end all feasts with donations for Nicholas accepted. Mail Box King donated a custom brick mailbox, valued at $700, which was raffled off. The winner of the raffle, Phil Reddy, donated the mailbox back with the request that it be auctioned off to the highest bidder and the money be given to Nicholas. There was a 50/50 as well. With everyone’s support, the event raised over $1,600 that day and an anticipated $500 more once the custom mailbox sells at auction. Every penny given to Nicholas. Hopefully this will help him and his family in this sorrowful time of need. In the words of one of the original NIMROD’s called Peckerhead… “It’s what bikers do!”

If you are out and about in Jacksonville, Florida and see someone in a NIMROD T-Shirt, make sure to shake their hand and thank them for their selfless support of the Community that surrounds them.

By Tony

It’s been raining all week. We see some sun on Friday and decide where heading up to Ocala a day early for the 4th Annual Marge Olsen for Hospice Poker Run. Come Saturday morning skies are clear, and I hear a rumble at our hotel. It’s only “Pickles” on her trike coming to get us. We pack our gear and we’re off to “EDT” (English Dart Tavern) for the start and finish of the ride. By 9:30 I’m starting my Bloody Mary and the bikes are rolling in.

By 11am the place is packed, and people are slowly heading out to make the 3 stops then back for food, raffles and an auction. A little back road riding in the morning in horse country is gorgeous, water oaks hanging over the road as our canopy to keep the sun off us. Back by 3 for food and the start of Big Butch’s auction and party on. Butch also does karaoke night 3 times a week at the Tavern. After the 50/50 drawing which was donated back, the band took the stage and as usual Jaybird and the Infuzion Band rocked the house.

To the point where nobody cared about the thunderstorm outside. A big thanks to Mike Wood Up in Smoke catering for cooking the meat and his raffle donations and to everybody that brought a side dish or dessert. A big hand for Curtis Allen owner of the English Dart Tavern and everybody involved in putting on a great day. And a big thanks to “Dallas” from Burnout Alley Cycles for getting me back on the road after I got a flat tire on the “cement mixer” at our last stop. IF I DIDN’T SEE YOU THIS YEAR I BETTER SEE YOU NEXT
Ride Safe and Watch the Water Holes…

By Lulu

One of our favorite watering holes for ambiance and some of the best music in the state is Earl’s Hideaway in Sebastian. This should be a destination ride for a weekend getaway if you love blues! On Thursday nights they have a bike night under the stars and always have music that will get you up and moving. And if you are a pizza lover like T.J. you must have one of their GIANT slices!! Yummy…

And talking about BIG things. When we went down for their anniversary bash Tony and the guys from Big Engine rocked the crowd all night long!! It was great to see them and hang out with the friendly folk at Earl’s. Thank you Franni for all you do in searching high and low for great entertainment!!!

By Lulu

Imagine being a parent and unable to afford to get your child to a life-saving medical procedure because you can’t afford a plane ticket…or because there isn’t a flight in a quick enough time for a transplant procedure for either the organ or the patient…

Well there are pilots who own their own planes that will donate their time, gas and plane to make these life-saving miracles occur! And that group is known as Angel Flight. The great peeps that chose to spend their Sunday riding on two wheels making the loop from Beaver Bar to Cabbage Patch to Fox Head’s to Roadside Tavern and ending at Dirty Harry’s helped give “lift off” to some of those flights. Dirty Harry’s organized a run which, with the poker hand, $5 breakfast proceeds which Beaver Bar donated and raffles, raised $8,190.00. This was donated to Angel Flight, Southeast to help finance jet fuel which can be a burden to those that fly these free flights over and over. The free BBQ and great music by Redline made for a fantastic afternoon. And everyone rode home earning a halo and wings!!! I also want to thank the Rue & Ziffra Law Firm and Rock of Daytona for their help getting the word out about this event and for always being so involved in the biking community!