By Lulu

I am not a cigar aficionado…never even puffed one, but when Bill Grotto from Twisted Tea invited TJ (a fine cigar loving man) and myself to attend The Great Smoke we took the long ride down the coast to Lake Worth for a new experience. The event was held at the American German Club hosted by Abe a local cigar expert. For the purchase of a ticket (base price is $150) you receive a purse size cooler and then you go “Trick or Treating” to sample 41 cigars. Some of the proceeds go to a children’s cancer charity. A great variety of free food and alcohol was served and a good band played. Girls from the Spearmint Rhino were on a pole entertaining the masses and allowing photos. So, for men it was a perfect playground…hot girls, good food, cigars and music. And for me it was a wonderful afternoon with two of my best guys and 3 new friends! If you enjoy cigars and have never gone to one of these events check it out next year it was a great time!

Whether your taste for Bike Week is bikini contests, racing, bike shows, live music or free food there is too much to do and too little time. We have tried to condense the list of events that might spark your desire to get on your bike and ride!

Thursday, March 9

WHOG RADIO REMOTE-PORT ORANGE, Roadside Tavern, 3400 S. Nova Rd., 7-9p

HAYFIRE-PORT ORANGE, First Turn Steakhouse, 7p

ORANGE AVENUE-DAYTONA BEACH, Main Street Station

Friday, March 10

LIVE MUSIC BY DEADLANDERS-NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Bay 3 Bar, 2810 N. Dixie Freeway, 6-10P

MIKE HARD LEMONADE PROMO-PORT ORANGE, Roadside Tavern, 1-6p, samples, games, giveaways

SAUCE BOSS-PALM BAY, Space Coast H-D

Saturday, March 11

2017 SUNSHINE NATIONAL MEET-NEW SMYRNA BEACH, 625 Tomoka Farms Rd., celebrating 60 years of the Sportster, field games, antique motorcycle show, swap meet, low country seafood boil, AMCA judging, SunshineAMCA.org

MIKE HARD LEMONADE PROMO-PORT ORANGE, Roadside Tavern, 1-6p, samples, games, giveaways

MUSTANG SALLY-PALM BAY, Space Coast H-D

CONFEDERATE RAILROAD-ORMOND BEACH, Iron Horse Saloon, 9:30p

MONSTER ENERGY SUPERCROSS-DAYTONA, International Speedway

LIVE MUSIC BY MAX “Q”-NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Bay 3 Bar, 2810 N. Dixie Freeway, 5:30p

ARM CRUSHER 2 ARM WRESTLING TOURNEY-ORMOND BEACH, Destination Daytona, Russ Brown Pavillion, BruceRossmeyer.com

ROCK OF DAYTONA REMOTE-PORT ORANGE, Roadside Tavern, 3400 S. Nova Rd., 2-4p

Sunday, March 12

MISS TWISTED TEA CONTEST-DAYTONA BEACH, Main Street Station, 316 Main St., 1pm, Twisted Tea Chopper and builders, Bearded Brothers 3p

WAYLAND-PALM BAY, Space Coast H-D

2017 SUNSHINE NATIONAL MEET-NEW SMYRNA BEACH, 625 Tomoka Farms Rd., celebrating 60 years of the Sportster, field games, antique motorcycle show, swap meet, low country seafood boil, AMCA judging, SunshineAMCA.org

MUSTANG SALLY-ORMOND BEACH, Iron Horse Saloon, 9:30p

9th ANNUAL SAM SWOPE MEMORIAL CHARITY RIDE-ORLAND/DAYTONA BEACH, Volusia Top Gun, 2900 Bellevue Ave., 8:30-10:30a, $30 day of ride, grand prize 2017 Heritage Softail, live music, lunch, www.samswopecharityride.org

BIKE WEEK PARTY-PORT ORANGE, The Boat Bar, 5395 S. Ridgewood Ave., 2-6p, BBQ, live music by Red Gate, 386-333-9909

WARREN LANE’S TRUE GRIT PRE-77 BIKE SHOW-ORMOND BEACH, Destination Daytona, Russ Brown Pavillion, 10a-6p, BruceRossmeyer.com

NY ROCKABILLY ROCKETS CONCERT-ORMOND BEACH, Broken Spoke, US 1, great rockabilly music, 1pm

BIKE WEEK KICK OFF PARTY-PORT ORANGE, The Boat Bar, 5395 S. Ridgewood Ave., live music by Red Gate 2-?, free BBQ, 386-333-0009

RAT ROD INVASION-ORMOND BEACH, Broken Spoke, 1151 N US Hwy 1, 11a-4p

Monday, March 13

NY ROCKABILLY ROCKETS CONCERT-ORMOND BEACH, Destination Daytona, US 1, great rockabilly music, 4-8p

MUSTANG SALLY-ORMOND BEACH, Iron Horse Saloon, 9:30p

MEGAN KATARINA BAND-PORT ORANGE, First Turn Steakhouse, US 1, 6p

MIKE HARD LEMONADE PROMO-BUNNELL, WHITE EAGLE, 1-6p, samples, games, giveaways

MORNING RIDE-DAYTONA BEACH, Main Street Station, Main Street

Tuesday, March 14

NY ROCKABILLY ROCKETS CONCERT-DAYTONA BEACH, Boot Hill Saloon, Main St., 7-10p

CYCLE SOURCE BIKE SHOW-ORMOND BEACH, Broken Spoke, 1151 N US Hwy 1, noon-4p

MARK BRODE’S PEOPLE CHOICE AMERICAN V-TWIN BIKE SHOW-ORMOND BEACH, Destination Daytona, Russ Brown Pavillion, 10a, awards 3p, BruceRossmeyer.com

MIKE HARD LEMONADE PROMO-BUNNELL, WHITE EAGLE, 1-6p, samples, games, giveaways

MEGAN KATARINA BAND-PORT ORANGE, First Turn Steakhouse, US 1, 6p

KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS-ORMOND BEACH, Iron Horse Saloon, 9:30pm

BUDWEISER TRADITIONAL RIDE IN BIKE SHOW-SAMSULA, Cabbage Patch Bar, Tomoka Farm Rd., Reg 11a, $20 per class

Wednesday, March 15

NY ROCKABILLY ROCKETS CONCERT-ORMOND BEACH, Destination Daytona, US 1, great rockabilly music, 4-8p

PEREWITZ PAINT BIKE SHOW-ORMOND BEACH, Destination Daytona, Russ Brown Pavillion, 10a-1p, awards 4p, BruceRossmeyer.com

GOAT-PORT ORANGE, First Turn Steakhouse, Goat from Full Throttle, 7p

COLESLAW WRESTLING-SAMSULA, Cabbage Patch Bar, Tomoka Farm Rd., noon

CYCLE SOURCE ANNIVERSARY PARTY-ORMOND BEACH, Broken Spoke, 1151 N US Hwy 1, 7p, Twisted Tea Bike Reveal 9p

BIG ENGINE-SAMSULA, Cabbage Patch Bar, Tomoka Farm Rd., 7-11p

KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS-ORMOND BEACH, Iron Horse Saloon, 9:30pm

Thursday, March 16

LEATHER & LACE BIKER RODEO-EDGEWATER, Angels Landing, $10 pp, 3p, 386-345-0562

BON PARTY-ORMOND BEACH, Broken Spoke 1151 N US Hwy 1, 4p

OUTLAWS-ORMOND BEACH, Iron Horse Saloon, 9:30p

WHOG BREAKFAST-DAYTONA BEACH, Main Street Station, Main St., 8-10a, free biscuits & gravy

MIKE HARD LEMONADE PROMO-SAMSULA, Cacklebery Campground, Tomoka Farm Rd., 1-6p, samples, games, giveaways

HARLEY-DAVIDSON RIDE IN BIKE SHOW-ORMOND BEACH, Destination Daytona, Russ Brown Pavillion, 11a-1p, BruceRossmeyer.com

WOMEN’S MDA RIDE-DAYTONA BEACH, International Speedway, KSU 10a, ends at Destination Daytona, BruceRossmeyer.com

DAYTONA TT RACING-DAYTONA, International Speedway, flat track racing

CHOPPER TIME- ORMOND BEACH, Tropical Tattoo, 825 S. Yonge St., bike show, live music by NY Rockabilly Rockets noon-2p, 11a-4p, 386-672-1888, tropicaltattoo.com

NY ROCKABILLY ROCKETS CONCERT-PORT ORANGE, Roadside Tavern, Nova Rd., 9p-midnight, great rockabilly music

BURNOUT CONTEST-ORMOND BEACH, Broken Spoke, 1151 N US Hwy 1, 8p

TIM DUGGER-PORT ORANGE, First Turn Steakhouse, US 1, 6-10p

BATTLE OF THE BAGGERS-SAMSULA, Cabbage Patch Bar, Tomoka Farm Rd., Reg. 11a, $25 per class

BAGGER SOUND OFF-SAMSULA, Cabbage Patch Bar, Tomoka Farm Rd., Reg. 11a

Friday, March 17

8th ANNUAL BOARDWALK BIKE SHOW-DAYTONA BEACH, free to public, 11a-5p, 727-935-4875

TIM DUGGER-PORT ORANGE, First Turn Steakhouse, US 1, 6-10p

THE BURNING BIKE-DELAND, Volusia Fairground, live music all night, burning of the bike, Miss Burning Bike Bikini Contest, $5 admission

NY ROCKABILLY ROCKETS CONCERT-ORMOND BEACH, Destination Daytona, US 1, great rockabilly music, 4-8p

ST. PATRICK’S DAY BASH-PALM BAY, Space Coast H-D, 21 musicians

LIVE MUSIC BY DEADLANDERS-NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Bay 3 Bar, 2810 N. Dixie Freeway, 6-10P

BADDEST BAGGER DAYTONA BIKE SHOW-ORMOND BEACH, Destination Daytona, Russ Brown Pavillion, 10a-1p, awards 4p, BruceRossmeyer.com

FIREBALL BIKINI CONTEST-DAYTONA BEACH, Boot Hill Saloon, Main St., 9pm

TATTOO CONTEST-SAMSULA, Cabbage Patch Bar, Tomoka Farm Rd., 4-6p

OUTLAWS-ORMOND BEACH, Iron Horse Saloon, 9:30p

MIKE HARD LEMONADE PROMO-SAMSULA, Cacklebery Campground, Tomoka Farm Rd., 1-6p, samples, games, giveaways

Saturday, March 18

GOODBYE PARTY-PORT ORANGE, The Boat Bar, 5395 S. Ridgewood Ave., 2-6p, live music, free food, 386-333-9909

TATTOO CONTEST-DAYTONA BEACH, Boot Hill Saloon, Main St., 4-6p

MIKE HARD LEMONADE PROMO-SAMSULA, Cacklebery Campground, Tomoka Farm Rd., 1-6p, samples, games, giveaways

COLESLAW WRESTLING-SAMSULA, Cabbage Patch Bar, Tomoka Farm Rd., noon

4 PLAY-PORT ORANGE, First Turn Steakhouse, US 1, 2p

TIM DUGGER-PORT ORANGE, First Turn Steakhouse, US 1, 6-10p

BAD COMPANY’S BRIAN HOWE-ORMOND BEACH, Iron Horse Saloon, 9:30p

45th ANNUAL RATS HOLE BIKE SHOW-DAYTONA BEACH, Indian Motorcycle, 290 N. Beach St., ride in show, emceed by Radical Randy, tattoo contest, www.ratshole.com

GLAD YOU CAME PARTY-PORT ORANGE, The Boat Bar, 5395 S. Ridgewood Ave., free BBQ, music by License to Steal, 386-333-9909

LIVE MUSIC BY MISTREATER-NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Bay 3 Bar, 2810 N. Dixie Freeway, 5:30p

OLDEST T-SHIRT CONTEST-DAYTONA BEACH, Boot Hill Saloon, Main St., 3pm

Sunday, March 19

21st ANNUAL PORT ORANGE POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE MC FUNDRAISER-SAMSULA, Cabbage Patch, 549 Tomoka Farm Rd., $20 for ticket to win 2016 Street Glide or $14,000 cash and 10 $100 winners, only 3000 tickets sold, drawing at 1pm, 386-506-5877

NY ROCKABILLY ROCKETS CONCERT-DAYTONA BEACH, Boot Hill Saloon, Main St., 2-5p

WORLD FAMOUS SURVIVOR PARTY-BUNNELL, Dog Pound Saloon, 1406 E. Moody Blvd., free BBQ, live music by Southern Chaos 1:30pm, 386-586-0200

By Lulu

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It has been awhile since we had the time and energy to just get out and play. But the weather has finally just been awesome to get on the bike and the need to dance just got the best of me. We made it out to see Penta at St. John’s River Grille for their bike night and the band filled up the place, lots of dancing was going on. You should ride out to Deland for this Wednesday night bike night…go hungry…they have a full menu and the food is great!

On Friday night, we went down to Foxhead Lounge in Osteen. We wanted to check out the band NY Rockabilly Rockets that have an ad in this month’s issue. They are great musically and fun to watch, even if you don’t know much about rockabilly music you will know all these classic tunes. See their ad for the locations and dates for March.

We snuck in at the end of a poker run that ended at Rudy’s in Holly Hill on Sunday for their Police tribute run. We had a great time seeing old and new friends and now that Rudy has liquor this Crown drinking girl was happy. Be safe while you are out and about this Bike Week, lots of critters on the roadside and road construction everywhere you look…don’t be a hot shot…be careful…ride like you are a target on a video game because we are!

You can find more pictures of you and your friends on Facebook Thunder Roads Florida. Like and follow us there!

By LuLu

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Unlike 2016 the field was dry…no mud in Frost Park! In 2016 they had 24 hours of rain the day before, but the show still went on. The weather was perfect this year. And the crowd as always was huge. Sam from RampLess Trailers hardly got a moment to visit with us, as he was busy answering questions and showing off his product. Jillian at Hellcat was feverishly pinstriping helmets. The band was rocking the crowd and the lines at the beer and food vendors moved quickly. This is always an enjoyable afternoon. Lots of great bikes, vendors and people to photograph. I always love to try to catch someone playing the bike games with the game getting the best of them…nothing better than the cup of water on the head game!!! More photos can be found on Facebook at Thunder Roads Florida go tag yourself!

By Lulu

Any night at the Boot Hill Saloon is a good night, great music…nice folks, add to that doing something good for your community and suddenly you have a Twisted Tea/Thunder Roads Party for the local food banks. The owners and staff at Boot Hill are always quick to help with local runs and other charity events so when we asked, Karen quickly agreed to host it. She served up all kinds of food, according to TJ the tacos were great!!! We raised 86 pounds of food and $56.00 to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank. Thank you to all our regulars who show up month after month…I am so glad that Bella finally won the $50 raffle as she has spent way more than that over time entering each month! And a very special thank you to Twisted Tea for the giveaways that help make it a fun night!

By Danny Martin (American Cycle Auto & Truck)

Well the spring and summer riding season is coming into full swing with poker runs, charity rides and all. What this means is you’re going to be pulling into a lot of parking lots, many which are sand and gravel, and maybe you want to feel just a little more comfortable when you put your feet down. Let’s just say you got rid of that Softail, Wide Glide, or Sportster and got yourself into something a little heavier with some saddle bags. You don’t have to be a 5’2” vertically challenged rider to want your bike a little bit lower or to want a firmer foot placement, so let’s learn how to lower your touring bike.

To start off we’re going to use a drag specialties #1304-0091 Burly rear kit. You should be able to pick one of these up from your local independent Drag Specialties dealer & be able to walk out the door for about $100 bucks. Now I know you have seen those $50 kits sitting there in eBay that promise to lower your bike 3 inches, but trust me ya really can’t just lower your bike three inches. Lots more stuff comes into play than just sticking on a couple of pieces and BAM! you are three inches lower…not worth the saving of the money. Okay now that we have our part from our local dealer and back at the house, we must find a way to support the center of the underside of the bike. A simple scissors jack will work, you can pick up a small jack at any of your local discount tool houses. We’re ready. Start by removing your saddlebags, loosen the top shock bolts, but don’t take them out yet.

Now go ahead and remove the lower shock Bolt, put the kit piece in its place and secure it tightly with your thread locker and the supplied Allen Bolt, put the spacer and the lengthened Bolt from the kit back through the lower shock Bolt, tighten up a little bit not all the way, take out the top bolt, put in the spacer, use the longer bolt with the washers, (the reason I say leave stuff loose is because you may have to lift up the jack a little bit or adjust just ever-so-slightly to get those bolts to line up to go back into their holes) now put everything back in its spot, remembering to use a dab of thread lock, repeat on the other side.

Check the air pressure in your air shocks if you have them…and you should on an FL model double check to make sure all your bolts and nuts are tight and you have no clearance issues with your saddlebags, at this point you should be ready to ride. The comfort and security of a lower bike will add to your confidence and the best part about it is you did it all in about an hour.

I like to think that doing this little piece helps everybody in more ways than one: in that it gives you the confidence to work on your own vehicle and that it’s helping us to support our local and independent Drag Specialties and parts dealers. We’re meeting new friends and doing new things. As always if you feel I’ve left you out or didn’t address something that you wish to be covered please contact the magazine, the owners of this magazine are indeed bikers and longtime members of this community they are committed to you, thanks for playin’ in the box…AMCAT

By Lulu

Most everyone would rather just get on their bike and ride to their destination, but time, weather and aches and pains can make long hauls impossible. The thought of loading your bike on a ramp of any kind or into the back of a pickup truck can be frightening. Too many trips, even just to a repair shop, I have seen become nightmares when the bike being loaded tipped over damaging the bike and even the rider. So, when I watched the video on Rampless Motorcycle Trailers website I was impressed. Even more impressive is seeing it live! They will be set up during Bike Week inside Bruce Rossmeyer ‘s Daytona Harley-Dealer one of their distributors.

SAFE, FAST & EASY to load…your feet remain planted firmly on the ground, as the trailer bed lowers to the ground! You can tow with confidence! No danger to you or your bike! And it is a one woman (or man) operation. The entire load or unload is done while hooked to your vehicle!

The trailers are made in Ft. Lauderdale with domestic steel, DOT compliant and come with a VIN. Wiring is internal in the tubular frame for protection. Self-locking front wheel chocks are made in the USA by Condor Products, #1 rated nationwide. The trailer colors can be customized with powder coat, aluminum wheel upgrades, stone guard or a spare tire kit. These trailers are built to last.

The company began in 2016 when Dan Scott acquired the patent and formed a partnership with Sam Graffeo, owner of SG Steel. Dan and Sam are both avid riders and fell in love with the ease of this product. They perfected the trailer for single, double, ATV and Trikes. The company is rapidly expanding and distributorships are now available.

They are based in Ft. Lauderdale at 850 NW 61st St. Call them for more information at 954-218-6611. Visit their website RampLess.com. You won’t meet nicer peeps, so stop in and check out Rampless during Bike Week at Bruce Rossmeyer’s Daytona Harley-Davidson, buy yourself a trailer and take the worry out of hauling your pride and joy!

By Lulu

What an absolutely beautiful day to ride! We left Port Orange on the Ultra with leathers on but by the time we arrived at the VFW Post #505 in Winter Springs it was just perfect weather to be on a motorcycle. The major fundraiser for the Seminole County HOG chapter is billed as a Valentine’s Poker Run, lots of women and men had on pink, red or hearts. The stops included Shay’s Airport Hangar, Rockin’ Rhonda’s, Casselberry’s Patio Bar and ended at The Green Parrot. Hundreds of folks rode for their cause which includes the Orlando Bahia Shrine, Orlando Veteran’s Homes and Wreath’s Across America. A 2017 Heritage Softail or $10000 was being raffled off as part of the festivities. I believe all 1000 tickets were sold! The Bobby Friss Band that I love were putting their heart and soul into the celebration. Live and silent auctions were an additional stream of money for their charities. This was a very well organized event and I loved that ALL the stops I have never been to. Thank you SCHOG and to all of you who spent your day helping them to help such worthy charities!!!

By Lulu

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A combination of celebrating that 2017 was about to arrive and the anniversary of The Rock of Daytona (104.7 FM WORD) had people partying the night away at Boot Hill Saloon on Main Street in Daytona. The City of Daytona Beach closes the streets to traffic for New Year’s and celebrates with a ball drop and fireworks at midnight. There were costumes, stilt walkers, music, and cake!!! Boot Hill took the time to honor the military calling branch by branch to the stage.

By Lulu

In a world where businesses come and go, there are few that have history…Tri-City Cycles in Flagler Beach has been in it for the long haul! Started 36 years ago, in 1980 by Fred Hambleton in Bunnell, he moved to the current location a year after opening. After five years in business he sold Tri-City Cycles to Ed and Denise Sarfde. They built the business and reputation over their 11 years at the helm until Ed passed away. Current owners Scott and Judy McNitt were friends of the Sarfde family and Scott had dreams of changing from his 20 years in the auto repair industry to motorcycles, but didn’t want to step on the business of his friends. So, it was only an answer to prayers for both Denise who needed a buyer and Scott who wanted a business for the ownership change. Two years after leaving Tri-City Cycles Scott hired Denise back and to this day it is “home” to both Denise and the McNitts. Denise is originally from Lowell, Massachusetts and Scott from Jamestown, New York, but their hearts and years in Florida make them true Floridians.

By Lulu

10 years ago, I walked into Mother’s in Flagler Beach and into Kneecap’s world. Bull (the original owner of Thunder Roads Florida) and Kneecap became instant friends. Too many hours were spent on bar stools and quite a few hours were spent on motorcycle seats by those two. So, when Bull decided to start Thunder Roads Florida, Kneecap volunteered to write a monthly article which became Nobodies Opinion.

Sadly, these two characters are gone now, if you believe in heaven maybe despite their sins they are back together riding the clouds. Kneecaps article from the onset has always been the page that garnered the most comments, both negative and positive. Kneecap certainly made us think, reminisce and laugh. He loved to ride. He loved to tell tall tales. He loved to drink. He loved his friends. He loved me. And I miss him.

I am grateful for his friendship, his support during times of great sadness after the loss of Bull and his contribution to Thunder Roads Florida. Kim hosted a memorial party at Annie Oakley’s and a final toast could not have been a more appropriate way to say my goodbyes to my friend. Thank you, Kim, Irv, Annie Oakley’s, to all his friends for coming and to all of you who have sent letters in complimenting his thoughts and “Opinions”.

By Lulu

Tony and Dar played Santa to their bar family, with gifts, dinner and a visit from Santa. Each customer received a gift for sitting on the jolly old man’s lap! Included in my gift was a coffee tumbler, lottery ticket, and a shot of something to warm your insides. They have great beer prices so you need to put this bar on your list of places to visit in 2017. The owners and bartenders are all super nice and really appreciate your business!

By Lulu

Rudy was kind enough to throw a Twisted Tea Party in December at his bar Rudy’s Bar & Grill in Holly Hill to help fill the shelves at Second Harvest Food Bank in Volusia County. We raised a pool table full of food! Plus $100 in cash! Our Twisted Tea girl, Emmy, was busy sampling Tea to the thirsty crowd. Sherry was busy with the raffle tickets. And TJ and I were busy taking photos. Rudy is thrilled to announce he now has a full liquor bar and invites you to join his bike night on Thursdays!

By Lulu

This year tragedy struck a few friends with the loss of beloved young family members on bikes. Isaiah was the grandchild of Kim from the Iron Horse and as you can imagine the family is devastated. The Iron Horse threw a memorial ride to offset some of the unexpected expenses associated with the sudden loss of a young man. More important than the funds raised, the love shown to Kim and her family was very healing. Thank you to BFFAR, First Turn, Boot Hill, Chris Lounge, Iron Horse Saloon and to all of you who spent your day on two wheels to show Isaiah’s family “the love”.

By Ron Cox

When it comes to helping Veterans, the motorcycling family comes together like no other. And so it was when the Southwest Chapter of ABATE sent out its notice for their annual ride on December 18th to the Douglas T. Jacobson State Veterans Home in Port Charlotte. The Home is home to 120 Veterans, 112 men and 8 women including a 98-year-old female Vet who is pictured here.

There were many patches on display, too many to list here, but attendance was guesstimated at 175 riders/passengers.

Sun Sports Cycle and its spacious parking lot served as the marshaling point. Registration was only $5 (to cover the cost of insurance for the event) and there was an all-you-eat pancake breakfast for a modest $5. In addition to monetary donations the riders were encouraged to bring sundry items such as socks, underwear, razors, toothpaste and brushes.

Veterans Home Administrator “Liz” Barton spoke to the riders and thanked them for their continued support. Sad to say the bikers visit will be the only visitors some of these Vets will receive all year.

Ms. Barton, a rider herself, took up a spot in line just behind Santa on a trike. At the appointed time, kickstands went up and an escort from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office led the way. At the Lee/Charlotte county line units from the Punta Gorda PD took over the escort duty.

Many of the ambulatory Vets were seated outside waiting to welcome the riders. Needless to say, many of the riders were Veterans themselves and gave each Vet a heartfelt greeting.