By Billy “Kneecap” Braddock

July is one month that I get really irritated. I know it should be a joyous time with BBQ’s, parades, and fireworks but I look around and I see our schools indoctrinating instead of teaching. Polls have shown that 30% of our teens have no idea why, and from whom, we declared our Independence. (21% believe that the sun revolves around the earth). Even college students when asked about Independence Day know little or nothing at all. They weren’t taught that in 1776 we declared independence from an oppressive government. We are far more dependent and oppressed by this Imperial Federal Government than we were by Great Britain. We are taxed higher and regulated more.

I make no apology for being a patriotic American. Many Americans have forgotten or never knew what the Fourth of July is really all about. They never have been taught that a group of men signed their names to the Declaration of Independence knowing that it could cost them everything including their lives. Would you be willing to sacrifice yourself and your family to sign a similar document declaring independence from Obama tyranny? The Fourth of July is about our freedom in America. We are losing more and more freedoms daily. Patriotism is dying. It’s no longer taught in government schools. It’s more important to teach how to put a condom on a cucumber.

Even when I was in my one room K-8 school writing with a piece of coal on the back of a flat shovel or with a quill and ink on pulp paper, my teacher would encourage us to read as much as we could. When I finally went to high school, where we had electricity, I was instructed to read two books that have made a deep impression on me. One was “1984”, a dystopian novel by George Orwell that was about an omnipresent government surveillance and public manipulation dictated by a political system that persecutes individualism and independent thinking as “thought crime”. The other was Ayn Rand’s “Atlas Shugged” that depicts a dystopian USA wherein many of society’s most prominent and successful industrialists abandoned their fortunes and the nation itself, in response to aggressive new regulations, whereupon most vital industries collapse. Sound familiar?

Our founding fathers despised democracy. That’s why they referred to the USA as a Republic. Democracy was once explained as “a pack of wolves and one sheep discussing what to have for lunch”. Time has changed. We now have the minority of the minority telling the majority how they should live. Since Bruce Jenner, aka Caitlyn (he to she) (if the surgery when going from she to he is called “adadicktomy” is going from he to she called “loseadicktomy”) and Rachel Dolezal (white to black), we now have to accept transgender, transethnicity (cisacism), transracialism, transanimal (otherkin).

I was once told that if you can’t beat them join them. So I did. When I got up this morning I felt like I was a female, so when I went to pee, I sat down. When I went to the gym, I told my trainer that I was still feeling like a female and would it be all right if I showered with the girls? He said “Just because you have a nice set of moobs (man boobs) and a beer belly that looks like a baby bump, that does not entitle you to the female shower room. The dumbbells are over there dumbbell”.

Someone once said I was pessimistic. Could a person who was married 12 times be a pessimist?

See you on the shiny side up tomorrow

By Dave Twitchell

We are never at a loss for events this time of year in Florida. However, after a work week that leaves its mark on the Mind & Body, an early Saturday ride may be easier considered than done. Organized rides with scheduled times and briefings were not on my radar, just give me flat asphalt and two huge cylinders firing in perfect rhythm was the needed prescription.

When it comes to events within the Cycle community we tend to pick our events with skepticism knowing that some gatherings will be a disappointment. Who or what crowd is going to be there? We ask ourselves those questions because time is limited. Will it be Cruisers, Harleys, Sport bikes, a Poker Run, or custom Chops? In the case of the Ride Into History Concours d’Elegance hosted by the World Golf Village every niche of the Motorcycle legacy was represented which made for an agreeable scene no matter what you ride.

A showing of three-hundred restored and preserved Vintage motorcycles from all corners of the United States assembled in one place for a two day event to benefit exhibition. Pick your flavor and it was there including Milwaukee Hogs and the original Indians beside Ducati joined by Soviet-era models, BMW’s galore and every Moto Guzzi wowed the crowd. Kawasaki, the innovator in motorcycle technology, stood beside Honda with their strong line-up of 1970’s bikes still running to reinforce their reputation of producing an engine that refuses to quit.

The benefactor for this year was K9’s for Warriors. They are a voluntary non-profit organization that links Veterans to rescued service Dogs with a high success rate of rehabilitation for both the Soldier and the Canine. Last year’s Ride Into History contributed $40,000 to K9’s for Warriors. It may be the struggling Veteran or damaged Dog that was abused and discarded but a new partnership of unconditional servitude repairs wounds that resonates a positive change throughout the Community. Since the beginning of Ride Into History the foundation has donated over $350,000 to various charities.

Instead of aiming the camera at every bike I found it was refreshingly nostalgic to just listen to people from all over our Country tell a short story about a certain Make, Model, and Year of a bike they were now seeing again like a High School reunion. It’s a religiously intimate connection we have to our bikes; the ones we ride now and those we racked up the miles on. Which one did our family member have or what color was the hottest thing you remember from a decade past? Many made your Heart thump and like all loves a few were wrecked leaving their marks like distorted tattoos. These are the tales from those days that had to be lived to be understood – the low-speed turns and the high-speed falls that we’ve experienced because of the freedom to hit the road on two wheels.

www.RidingIntoHistory.org
www.k9sforwarriors.org

By Lulu

Friends come and go in life…some impact our lives so deeply that we just wouldn’t be the same person without having them in our lives. Occasionally it is someone that you really haven’t known long or even that closely. Just the small amount of time they travel down the highway of life with you changes you. My friend Bill Gruber was one of those men! He died last year tragically on his motorcycle traveling up north to watch a graduation of one of his grandkids. He is missed by his wife Nancy, his family, his fellow Rolling Thunder family, by many friends and by me (one of his biggest fans!). This month Rue & Ziffra law firm, Veteran’s Assistance Coalition and Rolling Thunder Chapter 8 held a ride in Bill’s memory to support veterans . Bill worked tirelessly in his neighborhood helping those in need, helping veterans and working with Rolling Thunder Chapter 8.

Bill convinced me a few years back to ride to D.C. with their Chapter and that was one of the life changing experiences I credit him for. I have always loved the men and women who protect our country, but I had an eye opening respect hit me in the face when I saw how the Vietnam veterans work to keep our current veterans from ever experiencing what they went through.

The other was when Bill asked me to go on a day of moving homeless veterans into housing. I watched a group of “way past middle age” men spend HOURS each week moving, packing and unpacking to put one more person into a home and off the streets, providing all the essentials needed to make a safe homey place for someone that 24 hours earlier had basically what would fit in a knap sack.

This is how Bill spent his life wasn’t enough to have served our country in the military. He continued to do so right until the end. I was pleased when I heard about the ride to help veterans in his memory…nothing would have made him happier than to know the work he loved being a part of he was still impacting.
Thanks to Rue & Ziffra for being such loyal supporters of great community causes, to Beaver Bar for being the host for this event and to Rolling Thunder 8 and Veteran’s Assistance Coalition for all their tireless work. And to each and every one of you who rode with us in Bill’s memory!

By Deborah Speicher

For some people Memorial Day brings to mind a three-day weekend, barbeques, a day at the beach, and the Indy 500. What should be remembered is the reason for this holiday, which is to thank the veterans of this country and the families of those who have fallen.

Every Memorial Day, Florida National Cemetery (Bushnell) holds a ceremony to honor those buried there and their families. Even in times of high gas prices and economic turmoil, the Florida motorcycle communities were out in full force to support this event. Several military riding organizations participated. With approximately 350 bikes, the largest group riding into the cemetery was the Defenders MC (Tampa Bay Chapter). The Defenders MC is a group comprised of active and retired military, law enforcement, emergency services and public safety professionals.

The Defenders’ ride was coordinated by Colonel Ron “Paladin” Rook, USMC (Ret.), who has done so for the past several years. Local HOG and other riding groups were invited to join the Defenders for this ride. Thanks to a police escort and the excellent road captains from the Defenders MC, this 30+ mile ride went off without a hitch.

The ceremony had many poignant speakers, patriotic music and a “missing man” flyover by Ye Mystic Air Krewe. While the actual meaning and traditions of Memorial Day may have been forgotten by some people, those attending the ceremony came out to remember, honor and salute those who had defended our country as well as to those currently keeping our country and citizens safe. Once again, the group “Flags for Fallen Veterans” and a couple of thousand volunteers made sure that 120,000+ flags were placed on the grave sites. A big THANK YOU to this group and all the volunteers that came out the day before to make this happen.

By Lulu

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Blue Knights Chapter XXII hosted the 2015 Law Enforcement Ride out of Flagler County. It began with a brief ceremony and then a beautiful 65 mile escorted ride which ended at Bulow Campground for a BBQ lunch and raffles. This ride is held each year in memory of those officers who have died in the line of duty. This year a special thank you to Rue & Ziffra for their sponsorship of this worthy event.

By Deborah Speicher

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The 8th Annual Harley-Davidson MDA Women’s Ride went on as usual during this past Daytona Bike Week. Unlike prior years with hundreds of ladies participating, we only had 62 riders. In light of the marketing campaign by the Daytona Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau aimed at women riders this year, I found it odd that the MDA numbers were down.

As Daytona Bike Week approached, I found that at almost every click of my mouse, I would see ads enticing women riders to attend this rally. Did it work? YES! I believe I did see an increased number of women on their own motorcycles this year at Daytona. That was probably also due in part to how many women are now riding their own bikes; but, nonetheless, it was evident. However, more women riders attending Daytona Bike Week did not equate to an uptick in participation at the H-D MDA Women’s Ride.

I see the lack of participation for the MDA ride as being two-fold. One is that there were some changes in staffing at MDA and planning got underway later than usual. Secondly, there was very little mention in any of the trade magazines or online event sites about the ride. As a contributing writer for Thunder Roads Florida Magazine, I know that this magazine and many others will put an event on their calendar for FREE. Ditto for the online event sites including www.womenridersnow.com who did a great job of promoting Daytona Bike Week to women riders this year.

I would also like to give a shameless plug to the ladies from the Old Town HOG chapter who had nineteen ladies riding for the cause this year. These ladies have continually supported this event from the start.

As in the past, the ride was led by Karen Davidson, great granddaughter of one of the Harley-Davidson founders. Our ride started at the Daytona Speedway and ended at Destination Daytona. We had a partial police escort which was at the very beginning and end of the ride, and reserved parking upon reaching Destination Daytona.

By Deborah Speicher

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How to do top nine prior years of entertaining the ladies with a fun-filled day? Well Gator Harley-Davidson did it again. I believe most of it comes from listening to their customers (via surveys) and ingenuity.

As always, I was impressed with the vendors and speakers for the day. Local skin care expert J. Scott Berry was back. Makeovers were in order! J. Scott also carries a line of makeup which I found works great even when riding my motorcycle. Another one of my favorite speakers was back — Mike the head mechanic at Gator Harley. Mike also did his “tech talk” downstairs in the Service Department. I always walk away with priceless knowledge about my motorcycle and riding from Mike.
Other speakers included Rita Lorleberg, the local District Manager from H-D Motor Company, and Josh from “That Gun Shop.” Rita spoke about being a woman in a male-dominated industry; and, in addition to guns, Josh spoke about other safety devices.
After a busy morning, it was time for lunch and the fashion show. Harley-Davidson continually proves that their clothing is not only fashionable but utilitarian for riders.

The main event featured “dueling pianos” and you really had to be there. Words are not enough for these two guys who are entertainment machines.

This year’s theme of the day was “denim and diamonds” and the second floor was transformed to reflect just that. Who knew that a pair of blinged-out jeans could be used as a centerpiece! Shopping was brisk during the day as ladies were once again given a 20% discount. Kudos to Alex Malik and all the other ladies at Gator Harley – great job!

By Billy “Kneecap” Braddock

At my age it is normal to get up before the sunrise and sometimes even go to bed before sunset. I realized I was getting old when my overactive libido switched places with my underactive bladder. I kind of got used to getting up, taking my daily dose of Geritol, making my oatmeal, and taking my arthritis medicine with a shot of prune juice. I would tell people that the reason I took Geritol was because I had tired blood. The truth was I found out it was 12% alcohol. Now, that’s an eye-opener. The prune juice is self-explanatory. However today, I don’t need the prune juice. All I need to do is turn on the morning news and I instantly have a bowel movement.

I’m old enough to remember the riots of the 60s. When I turn on the TV and see the riots in Ferguson and Baltimore and hear the rhetoric spewed out by Obama, Holder, and that race baiter Al Sharpton blaming the police, I shudder. After 55 years I still don’t understand why when you’re mad at somebody, you go home and burn down your own house. WTF.

On May 8th hundreds of people gathered at the National World War II Memorial to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of conflict in Europe. Many of the Veterans needed canes, walkers, and even wheelchairs. Where was Obama? He again was showing his disdain for the military by not showing up. He felt his meeting with Nike in Oregon was more important than honoring our World War II veterans. He didn’t even send his court jester Joe Biden. Or is that spelt Joke Biden. Guess who he sent? Susan Rice, who is famous for making the rounds on the Sunday morning news shows lying about the reason Americans were murdered by Islamic terrorists in Benghazi. Just another kick in the ass of our Veterans. His administration is intentionally weakening and gutting our military and is always ready to insert liberal rhetoric of “hate and intolerance” as an excuse for his cultural Marxist cause.

Obama likes to compare himself to Abraham Lincoln. The only thing they had in common was that one time they both lived in Illinois. Lincoln was a Republican and a strong social conservative. Obama is a hard left Democrat. Lincoln ultimately united a nation brutally divided, while Obama brutally divides a nation once united. Hello “Hope and Change!”

He also likes to parallel himself with Harry Truman. Truman dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ordered the airlift that broke the Berlin blockade, and produced the Marshall plan and NATO. I personally cannot see the association.

I also like what Harry Truman told Douglas MacArthur in a telegram when MacArthur asked about political correctness. “Political correctness is a doctrine, recently fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and promoted by a sick mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a piece of shit by the clean end!”

I read the other day that there was a dangerous virus called “Weekly Overload Recreational Killer (WORK) is currently infecting lots of people. If exposed go quickly to the nearest “Biological Anxiety Relief (BAR) establishment and get the antidote “Bothersome Employer Elimination Remedy” (BEER). It’s great to keep informed on the Internet.

See you on the shiny side up tomorrow.

By Ron Cox

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) in concert with the Florida Harley-Davidson Dealers Association (FHDDA) hosted its Inaugural “Ride for Life” on Saturday, May 2nd in Ft. Myers.

According to MDA’s Executive Director Erin Randall Ride For Life (RFL) has been operating successfully in Pennsylvania for 28 years. When H-D Corporate suggested it be tried in Florida, Six Bends H-D stepped up and offered its new 16.5 acre property to hold the event. HOG Chapter riders and others came from all over the state. Chapter rockers seen included Miami, Naples, Sarasota, Jacksonville, St. Augustine and Brandon. In total more than 500 riders and passengers participated, raising $54,221 for MDA. SWFL HOG Chapter member Fred O’Hara won the raffle for a 2015 H-D Street Glide Special. Arian Hidalgo from Miami won the $1,000 first prize for “Best Bagger.”

Top Rocker Field served as the central venue including registration, food and refreshment stands, vendor booths, the silent auction tent, best bagger judging and the main stage. The band Live Wire kept things rockin’ most of the afternoon until the “tough enuff” Fabulous Thunderbirds took the stage and closed the day’s activities.

MDA is the world’s largest nonprofit health agency dedicated to finding treatments and cures for muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other neuromuscular diseases.

HDDA is comprised of 33 authorized dealerships in Florida.

All the money raised by Ride for Life Florida stays in Florida to help local individuals and their families living with any of the 43 different muscle diseases, including ALS, that are covered under MDA’s program.

Given the success of this event, look for the 2nd Annual Ride For Life to benefit MDA sometime next year.

By Jacquelin Ketola

The Poker Run for Child Help of Volusia County was held Saturday, May 2.  The ride was a great success, considering this was the first year and there were two other rides the same day.  The Chrome Diva’s of Daytona Beach dealt all the hands at the designated stops on the route. Main Street Station hosted and co-sponsored the event with Iron Horse Saloon, Finn’s Beachside Pub, Lagerheads Bar and Grill, Frank’s Place, and BFFAR.  Food was donated and prepared by BACKYARD BOYS BARBECUE following the ride. The Poker Run was organized by long time child advocate and resident of Volusia County, Constance Jones. A special thank you to all riders that made this a success!!

By Deborah Speicher

For those of you living in the Tampa Bay area, mark your calendars for the third Thursday of each month so you don’t miss Bike Night at Scooter’s Saloon at Brandon Harley-Davidson. I attended the inaugural event on April 16 and, despite threatening rain, it was still packed.

Between the bike show, the Miss Daisy Duke contest, music by Soul Circus Cowboys, lots of good vendors and Scooter’s over-the-top food, you couldn’t go wrong. So come on over to Scooter’s Bike Night and find out what everyone’s talking about!

By Lulu

Each month unless bad weather raises its ugly head, bikes ride out of the Bruce Rossmeyer dealership in Ormond Beach to a different dining experience. Occasionally it is even an overnight trip, but in May it was to Beach Front Grille in Flagler Beach on A1A where I happen to tend bar on Monday days. With Mandy Rossmeyer leading her posse we had a QUICK trip through the loop to A1A just in time to enjoy the beautiful ride up the coast. This event is always the last Friday of the month and leaves at 6pm. They do like you to call the office to give them a head count so that the restaurant can be prepared. We had a lot of fun and I got to make new friends and spend some time with Mandy which is always fun! Thank you to Peter for letting me ride on his backseat!

By Lulu

The folks at JP Cycles and Rue & Ziffra, law firm hosted a workshop for lady riders. The recent increase in women on two wheels has certainly become obvious as you watch the stream of bikes pass during major rallies anywhere in the country. And many women even though they have completed the motorcycle endorsement class, often do not have the years of knowledge about bikes that most men grow up with. The workshop at JP Cycles was very informative covering things such as types of helmets, and how to get the proper fit. Also covered was windshield types and how to measure for correct shield, seats and suspension, accessories, oil change, cleaning your bike and then a fashion show. The day started with coffee and donuts and included lunch. The finale was attorney David Sweat from Rue & Ziffra discussing insurance and accident information. I was very impressed with the attendance and the interest of the women who participated particularly since it was held during Leesburg Bike Fest. A special thank you to the crew at JP Cycles, David from Rue & Ziffra, and Stephanie from WHOG radio not only for their time and effort on putting on this event but also for recognizing the need for education opportunities for lady riders.

By Eric Darrow

The Tommy Mac band has always been one of my favorites, regardless of the venue. They have always been a positive band. And it was by chance that we showed up to their every Thursday gig. Among the many places you can catch this classic act include, the First Turn, Main Street Station, the Boot Hill Saloon and bunches more.

Last night was the first time in a long time since we’ve seen them and to quote a friend, “WAPOW”! They were totally on top. No one was ignoring them, you couldn’t. We were dancing in our seats and rockin’ to the beats. People outside could hear us in the street. The Tommy Mac Band gets you movin’. Your feet won’t lay flat and non dancers and dancers alike seem to dance in every space, regardless of where the designated dance floors are. The play music from the 60’s and 70’s, like classics from the Stones, Zepplin and even newer stuff. They call it classic rock and blues and I agree. Oh yeah man, The Tommy Mac Band, I am a fan.

By Lulu

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The last day of Bike Week or Biketoberfest you won’t find me on Main Street or at any of the larger bars in town. I like to ride out to Bunnell on 100 to my friend’s bar the Dog Pound Saloon. It is a great local biker bar with a nice outside deck and backyard, a cool old building and a GREAT staff. The beer is always ice cold and the music awesome. This Bike Week the Chance Gardner band treated us to a full day of awesome music, including a horn player who could blow two at a time!!! See their ad for the daily happenings here and at Smiles in Palm Coast.