By Lulu

If you have been reading Thunder Roads Florida for long you will know that the Bike Week and Biketoberfest Survivor Party I will be attending is in Bunnell at my friend’s bar, The Dog Pound Saloon. As the saying goes, I will be there “licking my wounds”. The number of events and places we try to attend during the four-day event is exhausting and on the tail of Hurricane Matthew this one was worse than normal, but there is no place I would rather be than in the back yard of the Dog Pound if the weather is nice or sitting on the porch if the rain Gods are busy. Free BBQ, live music and friendly folks on two wheels is what you will find there. This year the band was Southern Chaos and they got folks up dancing. I am always exhausted by the last day of the event, but a few cocktails in and I finally get a chance to relax and unwind. Join us the last Sunday of Bike Week for an afternoon of howling or ride in anytime for a cold beer or two!

By Lulu

Amazingly Rick and Denise Hilliard got lucky and Hurricane Matthew spared the deck and trees at First Turn in Port Orange. Their house didn’t fare as well, but they pulled their boots up and went to work throwing a party for those who didn’t call off their trip to Daytona Biketoberfest. There isn’t a better spot to sit under the stars and twinkling white lights and have a great meal while listening to GOOD music. One of my new favorite bands out of Ocala played and sang their hearts out for their first trip to a major bike rally. If you haven’t heard 4 Play they are extremely entertaining and play a great variety of tunes. Don’t forget their Tuesday night bike nights for some free vittles and live music!

By Deborah Speicher

Once again, “The Show That Changed the Powersports Industry” a/k/a The American International Motorcycle Expo (“AIMExpo”) was back for the fourth and final year at the Orange County Convention Center. It was held the same four days as Biketoberfest (October 13-16), with the first two days open only to media and industry people.

There were 451 exhibitors which featured most of the major motorcycle manufacturers as well as many upstarts, along with apparel, accessories and just about anything related to the powersports industry. Exhibitors represented 49 states and 44 countries. And, as in the past, there weren’t just demo rides – there were on and off road demo rides!

The AMA also had a presence once again. On Thursday night, they held their Hall of Fame Induction at the Convention Center. Gloria Tramontin Struck and other legendary motorcyclists were inducted that evening. The AMA Master of Ceremonies for the evening was actor and motorcycle enthusiast, Perry King. Perry also did a presentation for the AIMExpo with the media and spoke about his motorcycles (he owns 30) and some of his trips (he rode from Mexico to Canada this past summer with other AMA riding buddies).

The AIMExpo piggybacked their event at the same time thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts would be in the area and, despite Hurricane Matthew, I believe it worked as attendance numbers were at an all-time high. This is not the last of the AIMExpo but it will be leaving Orlando and held in Columbus, Ohio next September 21-24, 2017. It was a great four year run for Floridians!

By Lulu

Rudy is not new to the bike bar scene. He had a great bike night every Wednesday night in Deland at Rudy’s Crossroad for years, but when the motel was sold out from under him the week before Bike Week he found himself without a bar. Finally, he found a new spot on US 1 in Holly Hill, used to be Mac’s and more recently One Horse Saloon. He has food, wings, and ice cold beer. Rudy is doing a Wednesday night Bike Night too. He welcomes poker runs and features live music on the weekends. Please be certain to stop in and visit him at his new place, between getting the boot from his last location at the worst time ever and then the hurricane making Biketoberfest weak at best, I know he would appreciate seeing your smiling face!!

By Lulu

A GREAT locals’ bar in Eustis is Pug’s Pub. Owner Patty Fox is just a doll and is loved by her patrons, partially because she gets behind charities with their main benefactor being St. Jude’s. But when Patty and her crew heard Twisted Tea and Thunder Roads wanted to have a party with the Lake County food bank getting the money…they were all in! We raised $140 in cash for the food bank and when I offered to give half of it to their charity, they refused saying hungry families were important too. The magazine gives away $50 cash to raffle off to the food and money donors, and wouldn’t you know it the winner, Doris from the Pissin’ Frogs, donated that to St. Jude’s so both charities were “in the money” thanks to the generosity of the great peeps at Pug’s Pub and Twisted Tea. Twisted Tea is one of Thunder Roads biggest supporters of our efforts to help those less fortunate and we make sure everyone samples the “Tea” while we do our best to improve the lives of families in need.

By Lulu

Mistreater is a well-known favorite Biketoberfest band and they filled and rocked the house at our new ad client Bay 3 Bar. This unique garage bar is a true biker friendly establishment. The entire parking lot was full to the brim with motorcycles. And as most bikers are some of the most patriotic folks I know, it was a pleasant surprise when they kicked their party off with the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem! Put this on your fall list of bars to check out during November. It features ice cold beer ($2.25 for domestics) and wine in a very casual, friendly environment.

By Lulu

The Rossmeyer family managed to get up and running full steam for Biketoberfest despite Hurricane Matthew. Even though the crowds in town were down due to the storm and 16 of the major hotels closed due to damage, the parking lot at Destination Daytona was full and bike sales were brisk. Concerts, vendors and the new addition of Giant Recreation World made sure there was plenty to see and do. Our new client Rampless Trailer was set up right by the dealership and were proudly displaying their trailer that lowers flat making loading bikes super simple for girls, disabled riders and for all who want to store their bike right on the trailer in the garage. And if you need a new seat Ultimate Seat will set you up; they have a permanent showroom on premise at Destination Daytona. Always something going on at the Daytona and New Smyrna dealerships so check out their websites.

By Lulu

Fame is a blessing and a curse they say. Well, Boot Hill Saloon is probably one of the most famous biker bars in the world. They sell more T-shirts than just about anyone. The curse part of the fame, is the crowds sometimes get so big that it is hard to get in, in fact, the year I put their bikini contest on a few years back a few of my contestants couldn’t get on property due to the fire marshal! But even with Hurricane Matthew the party at Boot Hill Saloon still was on! Bikini contest, hot bartenders and great music entertained the masses. Don’t forget to party at the Boot when visiting the Daytona Beach area, they cater to bikers all year long and always have great music going on. They will be hosting the Rock of Daytona Birthday Party New Year’s Eve so toast the New Year on Main Street with us.

By Ron Cox

More than 70 riders/passengers registered at Six Bends Harley-Davidson in Ft. Myers on November 5th to ride in the Inaugural Fallen Heroes Poker Run.

One of the unique aspects of the run was that all the card stops were at police agency headquarters. Riding as a group with a police escort from the Lee County Sheriff’s Department, the riders stopped at the Florida Highway Patrol, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Ft. Myers Police and the Cape Coral Police Department. Each police agency received a framed Certificate of Appreciation, recognizing the efforts of these first responders. Proceeds from the run $2,000
will be held in escrow and divided among the agencies
as needed.

Cape Coral PD patrol cars and motor units continued the escort, safely leading the riders to Mike Greenwell’s Dugout Sports Bar and Grill for the post run festivities. The Pitbull Blues Band out of Ft. Lauderdale provided almost non-stop entertainment.

Loads of door prizes were given away. Ashley Van Buren won $170 in the 50/50 drawing and donated $70 back to the cause. Edwin “Sixx” Hyne was the biggest winner, an Ace through five straight won him a two night stay in Key West for two and round trip transportation on the Key West Express. The prize has a value of $850.

Lost Riders President Mike Mazzoli estimated that this run will become an annual event.

By Lulu

Bike Week is known for certain things at different venues, but everyone who comes to town or who lives here makes their twice-yearly trip to Iron Horse Saloon for the famous, fabulous Crager’s Beef Tips. When it comes time to fill those growling beer bellies almost everyone I know heads to the “Horse”. While there, you can always count on good music in the back lot. This year Mustang Sally, Brian Howe & Jared Blake were the headliners. And for Bike Week history the bikers still seek out David Allan Coe! Add ice cold beer from pretty tub girls and your Biketoberfest is complete!

By Raven Van Pelt

Saturday the 12 of November, Adamec of Baymeadows, held their 8th Annual Ride for Dreams. The First Coast’s only locally based nonprofit organization dedicated to the dreams of children. From age 2 to 18, who are battling life threatening illnesses and have been referred by their doctor. More than 3.500 children and their families have seen their dreams come true.  Dreams range from a trip to Disney, meeting their favorite celebrity, to a cruise and more. Dreams Come True is committed to its goal of never denying an eligible child a dream.

100% of donation, unless stated by donor, are directed to the fulfillment of dreams. Form your own dream team, and help reach their fundraising goal or volunteer your time during a special event.  You can also donate and help make sure no child is denied a dream due to a lack of funds.

By Lulu

Chris’ Lounge and the crew have been entertaining bikers for years. Stiff drinks, cold beer and friendly bartenders are what you can count on year after year. People from all over the country come to Chris’ to visit with old friends from near and far and Gina, Debbie and the crew. They have some major changes coming in 2017 to give us a bit more parking so keep an eye on Chris’ Lounge and throttle in for a drink soon!

By Raven Van Pelt

The  American Legion Riders Chapter 283 on Caroline Rd. once again held their 9th annual poker run.  Thanks to everybody that came out, we raised $25,000+ for 5 Star Veterans Center. The 5 Star Veterans Center helps veterans adjust from military life. The Five Star Veterans Center is a nonprofit corporation whose mission is to make a positive impact in the community and North Florida by offering safe/secure housing to displaced veterans, to alleviate veteran homelessness. The Dreamland Squadron once again conducted a flyover for the poker run. There were several poker stops, and upon return there were silent auctions, raffles and food all while the band Don’t Call Me Shirley rocked the rest of the afternoon. This event is held every September and this year the turnout was just as great with 390+ bikes. It was truly amazing they could raise $25,000+ for the 5 Star Veterans Center.

By Lulu

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As we travel around the state we find some real treasures from time to time and Mickey’s Tiki Bar is one of those diamonds in the rough. The name is slightly misleading…as there isn’t a beach and I don’t believe any palm fronds at all, but the party is alcohol flowing, relaxing, dancing to awesome music and really FUN people!!! We became instant friends with Lisa and Eric. Alan throws BBQs and raises money for charity at some of his parties…so in the parking lot was a car to be bashed donated by his friend Tim from Sunshine Auto Recyclers, for Cystic Fibrosis. We are having our Twisted Tea Party at Mickey’s on November 20th, don’t forget your canned goods as we will be giving $50 cash away and you only need to bring nonperishables to get in for a chance to win!!

By Lulu

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As I arrived for the ride organized by the Knights of Inferno and the Flagler County Blue Knights I was amazed by the crowd! Rue & Ziffra law firm has been a huge supporter of this event for years now and with their help Joe Vece and the organizers continue to make this ride one that stands out. After a moving ceremony the hundreds of bikes put up their kickstands and became a ribbon of metal to let the folks in heaven know they are not forgotten. This year I felt even more emotional as there has been so much disdain for police officers on the national news…NOT in my town…as shown by the respect shown on this ride. There were folks from as far as Orlando riding with us. Children who weren’t even born yet standing patriotically in the crowd! And I thought as I saw them standing there of the children who lost their parents that awful day, parents who lost their children in the day care at the Pentagon or on the planes, and the tragedy for all the lives gone in an instant, just sunk in deeper. The speech today included the reality of how many suffer mentally and have lung disease from the aftermath of living through the carnage. Just terrible that insane souls were driven by a madman into being cold, calculating murderers in the name of their religion! Thank you to all who organized this very important event in my life and to each and every one who gave up their day to honor the dead, the damaged, law enforcement and first responders…and OUR Country!