By Lulu

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A recent run in the memory of Pete Isaac started at the Bunnell AMVETS 113. The proceeds raised that day went to Westside Baptist Kids for Christ for their school bus needs. Other stops included VFW Post 2391, AMVETS Post 45, the Iron Boot, Three Fingers Charlie’s and then back to the AMVETS in Bunnell for a wonderful spread of delicious food and music by Walt from Those Guys. Thanks Don for sharing your backseat and thanks to all who rode in Pete’s memory!!!

By Billy “Kneecap” Braddock

February is the month of love. This year instead of giving flowers, candy, or jewelry give someone a life. “Your life”! If you are a cigarette smoker you are taking away from your loved ones the presence of your life. Let me explain my opinion. I’m not one that runs around screaming down with smoking. As a matter of fact, I disagreed with the law that takes away the right of a business owner to run his business like he wants. I hated it when they said that businesses that serve more than 10% food have to ban smoking. I’m sorry Mr. Obama that small business owner did “build that” and should be allowed to run his business in a way he feels fit. A smoking section in a restaurant was like having a peeing section in a swimming pool.

The reason I’m discussing this is that in December just before Christmas I lost my stepmother that I dearly loved. This awakened a lot of memories. January 11, 1964 the United States Surgeon General announced that cigarette smoking causes lung cancer. By that time, I’d already been smoking for eight years. I wasn’t just a normal smoker. I smoked anywhere from 3 to 4 packs a day. I inhaled so hard that smoke came out of my big toenail. When I farted there would be smoke rings and I think those stains on my shorts were from nicotine. Cigarette companies even offered coupons that you could turn in for luxury items. If you could collect 10,000 coupons you could get an Iron Lung. All this did not dissuade me or anybody in my family from smoking. My grandfather died of heart failure brought on from smoking, my father died of throat cancer. My wake-up day came after 48 years of smoking when I woke up one morning couldn’t breathe and coughed myself until I almost blacked out. I went to the doctor who told me I had diminishing lung capacity and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). I’m not asking for sympathy I’m just explaining a point that this all could have been avoided. All statistics in the world will not get you to quit smoking. That has to come from you. All the helpers, medications, patches, and gums will not help until you get your mindset that you’re going to quit.

Cigarette smoking has been identified as the most important source of preventable mortality and premature mortality worldwide. Smoking-related diseases claim an estimated 433,000 American lives each year. Smokers die significantly earlier than non-smokers 13.2 years for men and 14.5 years for women. If you don’t care about your own life, think about the lives of the people around you. The ones who love you. The ones that will have to care for you when you no longer are able to care for yourself. The son or daughter who will not see their daddy or mommy at their wedding or at the birth of the grandchild. If you decide to commit suicide, don’t do it with cigarettes, it takes much too long.

They tell me that if you’re really afraid of spiders one will show up in your bedroom. I’m very afraid of Carrie Underwood.

Read more on my website nobodiesopinion.com

See you on the shiny side up tomorrow…

By Lulu

Main Street Station has been known for their $1 beer bike night on Wednesday evenings, but during the holidays they decked the halls a bit and had a great crowd in spite of some cold temps. A charity event was hosted that evening and toys were collected by x that benefited X. One of my favorite musicians rocked the house…I will follow Brad Sayre just about anywhere!!!

By Lulu

Every year Howie, owner of the White Eagle, and his crew put on a charity event that puts some great golfers out on the course with some great people that should probably stay home. A good time is had by all, money that is always appreciated by the charity is raised and other than a few deeper than normal divots the course remains somewhat unscathed!!! This year the monies raised went to the Children’s Home Society and Feed Flagler.

I had the pleasure of golfing with David Sweat a well known celebrity in the biker community for his expertise in representing motorcycle accident victims…he is certainly awesome in the courtroom, but he needs help driving a golf cart as we ended up stuck in the mud! Look for this event next fall…it is a best ball scramble so your level of ability on a golf course is judged more by the amount of Bloody Mary’s you can consume!!! It is a lot of fun and always for a good cause!

By Lulu

A new kid is on the block!!! And doing one heck of a job filling up a beach front neighborhood bar everyday! The food includes great burgers, pizza, homemade soups wraps, wings and deli sandwiches. The bar has been remodeled to include a large bar that faces the ocean with one hell of a view. Lots of large screen TVs makes it the perfect place for NASCAR or sports watching! An outside deck with tables and umbrellas gives you a place for outside drinking or dining.

Happy hour is 3-6 pm weekdays and $2 beer beach side is a great deal. During the grand opening everyone was dancing the night away to Capt. Nick. There was standing room only and I think the owners are thrilled that their new enterprise is so well received by the locals. The owners, Jaime and Butch, seem to really enjoy meeting everyone and Butch rides so this will be a biker friendly place!!

I am tending bar for my friends here on Mondays 11a-6p so come say hello your next ride down A1A. It is south of Flagler Pier and north of the Flagler Beach water tower on A1A, a really great ride on two wheels!!

By “Kneecap”

In typical Biker generosity when the community heard that a friend needed money to ensure he could have a liver transplant, they stepped up. Anybody who knew Big Earl knew that he got his name not for his size but for his big smile and pleasant attitude. He was always one that would give to anybody a nice word or a helping hand.

When the bikers learned that he needed money for unending medical bills they stepped up to the plate. When asked if they would help they said “Hell Yeah” and organized a poker run. The run started at the White Eagle Lounge went to Scary Mary’s, the Circus 2, The Beaver Bar, Annie Oakley’s, and ended back in the White Eagle that had a huge barbecue and entertainment by Big Engine.

There was a Chinese auction, raffles, 50-50, and the biggest basket of Cheer I have ever seen. At last count I understand that they collected $3750. Bikers never stop amazing me with their generosity and their loyalty to the community.

For cards, letters, donations…etc the address is: Earl Jeffries c/o Gabriel House of Care 4599 Worrall Way, Room #113 Jacksonville, FL 32224

By Lulu

A sunny day was perfect for the Rock in 2015 event at Gator Harley-Davidson in Leesburg. This year the Bobby Friss band was the great entertainment that we were treated to. Each year the folks at Gator treat those who ride in to a great day of music and vendors to start off the New Year!!

By “Kneecap”

The Beaver Bar was definitely the place to be in December. Normally, the Beaver Bar located in Ormond Beach has a fun filled week. Starting with Sunday all-you-can-eat $5 buffet breakfast. Monday brings in a $.35 wing night. Tuesday is free pool all day. Wednesday beer Pong with $1 specials. Then 1-2-3 Thursday with $1 tacos/ $2 Coronas/$3 BVR-Ritas.

I guess the owner Leslye Beaver decided that all that wasn’t enough fun for the holiday season, so she scheduled a bunch of parties for the month. On the 20th there was the ugly sweater Christmas party. On the 24th we had Granny’s 65th birthday party. On the 27th there was a benefit for 20 month old “Lana” who is fighting childhood cancer. On the 28th it was a great stop for Big Earl’s poker run. They ended the month with a New Year’s Eve party. I can’t figure out how they put so much fun in one month, but then again I’m a regular customer mainly because of all the smiling faces and laughter. Visit them soon and I’m sure you understand what I’m talking about.

2015

JANUARY 30-FEBRUARY 1
PROGRESSIVE INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE SHOW-OHIO, MOTORCYCLESHOWS.COM

FEBRUARY 6-8
PROGRESSIVE INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE SHOW-MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA

FEBRUARY 13-15
PROGRESSIVE INTERNATIONAL MOTORCYCLE SHOW-CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

MARCH 6-15
BIKE WEEK-DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA

APRIL 29-MAY3
THUNDER BEACH-PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA

JUNE 13-21
LACONIA BIKE RALLY-LACONIA, NEW HAMPSHIRE

AUGUST 3-9
STURGIS-STURGIS, SOUTH DAKOTA

OCTOBER 15-18
BIKETOBERFEST-DAYTONA BEACH

OCTOBER 21-25
THUNDER BEACH-PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA

NOVEMBER 5-8
LONE STAR RALLY, GALVESTON, TEXAS

NOVEMBER 5-8
30TH ANNIVERSARY ROSCOE’S CHILI CHALLENGE-LAKELAND, FLORIDA

By Eric Darrow

A little back ground music please…

This is the largest toy run in the world and it is for the benefit of The Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital. with toys and cash of nearly 25 million dollars from a one day event. The ride involves 250 police officers including one in a Lamborghini, four helicopters, 5 or 6 ladder trucks, 26 miles of clear no traffic highway, 30 thousand bikes and fans of the ride line the streets and the highways for 3 and a half hours. The first bike out was at half past nine. Last bike in was supposed to be around 12:30 pm but they were still rolling in at 2 pm.

The volunteer police shut down highways 95 and 595 allowing bikes to cruise at 90 mph with police as an escort. Unlike most escorted rides the majority of police sat on the side of the road so again there was no traffic to contend with and you could open it up as you liked.

Upon arrival at Markham Park you really had a great appreciation as to how many bike were involved as all you could see was a sea of machines. Entering the gate there were 4 tractor trailers to haul the toys, three of them had been loaded and gone before 5 pm.

The place was packed with three separate areas for food, libations and entertainment which didn’t stop. Headliners included the Blues Brothers, Brian Howe from Bad Company (dang he likes to hear himself talk) and CHARLIE DANIELS who rocks like he did when I first saw him in 78.

The weather was beautiful, Warm and Sunny.

You can see the lines of bikes in this area swell from two lines, each a half mile long to over twelve rows and that is just in staging area 3.
I would describe the final stop as Daytona’s Main Street on steroids!

By Deborah Speicher

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It was billed as “The Show That Changed The Powersports Industry” and it certainly earned bragging rights! Running the same four days as Biketoberfest (October 16-19), I decided to spend two days at the Orange County Convention Center before heading to Daytona Beach for my requisite t-shirt and turkey leg.

There were 501 vendors which featured most of the major motorcycle manufacturers as well as many upstarts, along with apparel, accessories and just about anything related to the power sports industry. There weren’t just demo rides – there were on and off road demo rides! With 864,444 square feet of vendors, it was like being a kid in the candy store. What is trending? Electric motorcycles, scooters and all things vintage (real or made to look old!).

The vendors alone could have kept me busy but I also took time to attend some of the AMA events which were simultaneously being presented at the Orange County Convention Center. Great speakers/presenters were brought in on that Friday and ended that evening with the AMA inducting industry greats into their Hall of Fame. The highlight of the evening was William G. Davidson (a/k/a Willie G) being honored as an AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Legend. Willie G is an icon in the world of Harley-Davidson enthusiasts but also recognized worldwide as a major contributor to contemporary motorcycle styling. I also got to meet actor/motorcyclist/AMA Board Member Perry King. Perry attended the AMA luncheon and was then the Master of Ceremonies for the induction ceremony.

The AIM Expo will be back October 15-18, 2015 and I highly recommend you make your way over to Orlando for this not to be missed event!

By Billy “Kneecap” Braddock

Christmas should be a time of joyous celebration and remembering the reason we have Christmas. I hear there are some that would like to take the Christ out of Christmas. If that was the case there would be no Christmas because we celebrate the birth of Christ. If there was no Christ why do we base our calendar on his birth? I’m not going to get into a discussion of religion at this time. I want to address a more serious problem, my belief in Santa Claus. I’d like to tell you a little story about how I was brought up in the great traditions my home had at Christmas. I’m sure we all have stories about our Christmas as a child. The one I’m going to tell you now, is one I’d love to relate because this instilled in me the permanent believe in Santa Claus. Our family never put up our Christmas tree until the children went to bed. That’s when the tree would come out, get decorated and the presents were placed underneath. After the adults had recovered they would come and awaken the children and proclaim Santa had been there and had left his goodies. The excitement was unbearable. I would run as fast as I could to the tree and start ripping the decorative paper off my gifts. Even though I had to pee badly, I wouldn’t stop until all the gifts were unwrapped. After breakfast we would get dressed and go to church to thank God and Santa Claus for all that had been blessed upon us. To me Santa Claus was as real as anybody else in my family. However, when I started school there was this wise ass kid who told me “there is no Santa Claus“. I was devastated. When I got home, with tears in my eyes, I told my folks. They assured me there was a Santa Claus and because Christmas was only days away it would be proven to me. On Christmas Eve, I did as I was expected, and went to bed early and fell asleep dreaming of all the presents that Santa Claus would bring me. Then in the dead of the night by mother came in my bedroom yelling at the top of her voice “Billy, Billy, hurry get up grandpa has caught Santa Claus”. I ran as fast as I could with the fog of sleep still in my eyes to the room to where the Christmas tree was located. There stood my grandfather with a large piece of red felt in his hand. He looked at me and said “Billy, I had him but he was too strong. With the help of his reindeers he pulled away and this is all I could get, but at least now you know, Santa Claus is real”. When I returned to school, I beat up the wise ass for lying to me.

To this day “I still believe in Santa Claus”, because I know my grandfather would never lie to me.

There is a big difference between Santa Claus and myself. He stopped with three hoes.

There’s an update to this story go to my website nobodiesopinion.com for what Paul Harvey used to say “for the rest of the story”.

See you on the shiny side of tomorrow.

By Marta Rosa

On November 30, 2014 over 200 bikes gathered at Harley-Davidson of Panama City Beach for the 20th Annual Cops ‘n Kids Toy Run.  Bikers brought unwrapped toys and games to the ride’s ending destination, Wicked Wheel.  The toys were delivered to families shortly before Christmas.

By Lulu

Early December there was a run held for Bobby, a.k.a. “The Sound Man”. Unlike the guys in a band that are known for their music, voice or overall stage presence…a sound guy is generally behind the scene. Somehow though Bobby developed a group of people that love and respect him…and knew he could use “a little help from his friends”! He has battled cancer and the run they help was named “Fuuk” Cancer Run. Pardon the language but I think all of us can identify with the feeling behind it.

Often more important than money raised…the thought that friends old, new and often some that don’t even know the person the run is for…take their time and money out of their pocket to show moral and financial support when you need it!!!
Particularly at Christmas.

Thanks to the bars that participated: Mark’s Sports Pub, Roadside Tavern, Iron Horse Saloon, Dirty Harry’s, Chris’ Lounge and First Turn. And a special thank you to Mick for my ride!! And to all of you fabulous riders that showed up!!

By “Kneecap”

Family Renew Community unites people from diverse backgrounds and circumstances to alleviate homelessness among families with children in Volusia County Florida. On December 7, which most of us know as Pearl Harbor Day, the Ormond Beach Moose sponsored a poker run to help Family Renew. It started out in one of the most beautiful Moose lodges I have ever been in. The donation included a great breakfast and ended with a free BBQ at Dirty Harry’s in Daytona. In between The run stopped at the Beaver Bar, Bull Creek Fish Camp, Iron Horse Saloon, Circus11, and Main Street Station. Even though the day was a little blistery, they had a great turnout. Goes to show you when a community comes together what it can do. I’m looking forward to the 10th Annual Family Renew run next year.