By Deborah Speicher

The weather could not have been more perfect for the Cotee River Bike Fest. As I rode over to downtown New Port Richey from Tampa, I realized that the temperature and humidity were down and fall had arrived in western Central Florida!

This year the Cotee River Bike Fest was jam packed with people and nonstop entertainment from start to end. Friday night started out with various bands including AC/DC tribute band “Highway to Hell” plus a Daisy Duke contest. Saturday featured more good music in addition to a ride-in bike show and a pizza eating contest. Sunday there was another ride-in bike show and a poker run sponsored by Fire & Iron Station 43 MC which benefitted Children’s Burn Foundation.

During all three days of the event you could also catch shows by stunt rider Jesse Toler and the incredible Orlando H-D Drill Team. Event Coordinator Dan Sullivan did a fantastic job of putting this multi-faceted event together – it really did incorporate something for everybody!

By Miserable George

Spooks may not be the most “hell raising” type of biker party in Florida, but, when you head down that long hill into the camping area, it kinda gives one the feeling of contentment and relaxation, something I look forward to every year about this time. It’s autumn, it’s Halloween, the weather is perfect, and that huge tree canopy is all you need for some really nice camping! This whole thing started back in 1980 as a memorial tribute to Hillsborough pres Jim Hill, who was lost in a motorcycle accident. It’s now a time to remember ALL riders lost…both men and women…and sad to say, the list in the Memorial Chapel grows longer every year. Folks…BE CAREFUL!!

Now, there IS a brighter side to this event, including live entertainment, a host of vendors, food, the infamous “coffin” beer coolers, biker games, and of course, a “beauty contest”!! As a big bonus this year, there is a huge, new, all steel pavilion, under which the very moving opening ceremony is held, where a “dead” biker is put in a coffin and transported to the chapel. En route, folks toss flowers on the casket…I saw lots of tears at this point…very moving indeed. Also, Sunday morning, is the annual Memorial Ride to remember folks we have lost on the highway. I can’t think of a better way to honor those we love who have been lost, than to get together with friends and other riders at an event such as this. Join us next year…Oct. 11, 12, 13, 2013, and you’ll see what I mean! In the meantime…ride safe, support our troops, and ABATE, and, God Bless you all!!

On a very sad note, we would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of ten year vendor Joy Thomas who died in a tragic accident at Spooks. May she Rest in Peace…

By Miserable George

The party, with a Halloween theme, was scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Oct. 26, 27, 28, 2012. Monday, the weather was beautiful, but, by Friday, it turned horrible, with the onslaught of Hurricane Sandy, a scant 250 miles off the Florida east coast. So, what did the bikers do…? They just turned it into a (what else) HURRICANE PARTY!!

Considering the weather on Friday, the turn-out was pretty good, Big Daddy was grinding out the music in the big outside tent (a God-sent), there was food, beer stations all over the place, lots of tables and seats, vendors, and hotties galore. I got there late in the afternoon, so if I missed any bands, please forgive me! As the storm blew by, it got cooler, sending most revelers inside, where a super-hot band, “Fast Forward”, had the whole place ROCKING!! I mean, some of those ladies were…well, you know…!

OK, Saturday, things cleared somewhat, no more rain, just a cool breeze! Live bands most of the day, plenty of good food and drink, and now, the bikes started to roll in, quickly filling up the front lot. Before the bikini contest, we managed to corral some of the girls out front for an impromptu photo session on some nice custom HOGS!! Later out back in the big tent, 5 little honeys strutted their stuff in tiny bikinis, the winner being Rachel!! It was a close call, but she squeaked in…! She was our February cover girl 2012, with sis, Tayla…lovely!! A little later, the costumes were judged; with the winner being that TV “Insurance Girl”…you know who I mean!! That one too, was a hard one to call…lots of good, original costumes! Papa Chuck closed out the night on stage with a packed house tearing up the dance floor!!

Sunday was the custom bike show in the rear lot. Nearly 25 beautiful machines on display. Sorry, I never got the names of the winners, but a lady got People’s Choice with a big white Bagger…nice! Hey, that’s the best I could do! A BIG THANKS goes out to Harry and Debbie Vigliano, and their staff, who worked so hard to present this event against impossible odds, and to Jayme, the coordinator, who kept everything running smoothly, all the beer and Jell-O girls, the security guys, the traffic guys (Saints MC) out front, and all the adjoining businesses who provided parking. Kudos too, to WRN-23, there with their new mobile unit, broadcasting live! Without you people, it would have been a real disaster. Stay tuned for the dates of NEXT YEAR’S party!! Thanks again to all, and ride safe…

By Ron Cox

This year, more than 35,000 people will participate in March of Dimes events across the country. Bikers for Babies (B4B) allows riders and enthusiasts to demonstrate their support about the seriousness of premature birth, birth defects and infant mortality.

The Southwest Coast Division of the March of Dimes held its 12th Annual Bikers for Babies over the weekend of Oct.12-14. More than 1,300 riders and passengers registered to participate in the ride which covered 35 miles from Naples to Ft .Myers, raising more than $105,000. Other B4B rides will take place in Florida later in November in Jacksonville and Cocoa.

In this B4B’s the honor of leading the police escorted procession goes to the club that raises the most money the preceding year. Therefore the Ronin Riding Club led, followed by SW Florida HOG and The Chrome Divas, Ft.Myers/Cape Coral Chapter. Next year, the sequence will be the same as the Ronin Riding Club led the way again with more than $12,000 raised. Honors for being the individual raising the most money went to SWFL HOG’s Mary & Steve Robison who chipped in with more than $4,000.

Numerous sponsors stepped up; wanting to be involved led by H-D Ft.Myers, Arthrex, Suntrust Bank, Coca-Cola and Budweiser.

The March of Dimes is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is to improve the health of babies through its Prematurity Campaign, and by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Research funds will be used to find out why 1 in 8 babies are born prematurely in the United States. Founded in 1938, the March of Dimes funds programs of research, community services, education and advocacy to save babies.

By Raven Van Pelt

The Jacksonville Landing was the place to be Sunday, October 14th, for the 1st Annual Mind Ride Cycles Custom Bike Show, along with Swamp da Wamp for the Tour of Duty Concert Series, benefitting the Veterans Aide Foundation. A rainy start to the day finally cleared to a beautiful afternoon with many people coming to show their support for the bike show, as well as, the band. Put this on your event calendar for next year. And a special thanks to Mind Ride Cycles for bringing this event to Jacksonville.

By Lulu

Peggy and the hardworking crew at Gator-Harley believe in community involvement. This is one dealership that strives to participate in supporting the good works that bikers are known for. In September we rode over to Gator for a day of chili tasting.

At this event different clubs or individuals cooked chili onsite and for $5 you could taste and vote on all the different recipes. The proceeds benefit the Lake County Professional Firefighters Charities. Sponsors included Wendy’s, Hurricane Dockside Grill, Victory Casino, Buzzard Beach Bar, Care Plus Health Plans and lawyer Brent Miller who handed out the trophies. Wendy’s, Hurricane and Victory Casino even had chili booths although they weren’t part of the 11 to vote for.

My favorite Eagle Riders didn’t win, although it was DELICIOUS. The Neon Truckers rocked the pavilion all afternoon and the weather Gods were good to us all that afternoon and we managed to stay dry. For a first time event I have to say it was well organized, all the chili was good, and I am certain the Firefighters Charities will put the contributions to good use!

By Billy “Kneecap” Braddock

To be able to write this column, I have to say on top of the latest news and politics. Even though I tend to be a pretty good BS artist, the BS coming out of Washington makes it too easy for me to come up with a new topic each month.

I just read a new study about civility in America. The study found that two thirds of Americans are tuning out political advertising, and 54% are tuning out election coverage altogether. Maybe it’s because we have lost respect and hope that our political parties will discuss matters civilly.

The Congress hasn’t passed a budget in four years, and we’re 16 trillion dollars in debt. The only way to improve this is to elect people who share your vision and will work together. I hope this year people will become energized and pay attention to who they vote for in this election.

There are more important things in your life than watching American Idol and paying attention to celebrities such as Kim Kardashian. I remember reading the Dunning-Kruger effect; the basic theory said incompetent people are inherently unable to judge the competence of other people. If this is true in this election, the incompetent and uninformed electorate would be incapable of knowing who the truly qualified candidates are.

When we realize that we are a Republic nation of laws and not a democracy, we might elect statesmen instead of politicians. “The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter” Winston Churchill. This election in November will probably be the most important one in your lifetime. Florida is a very important state in this election, but sometimes I worry about the voters. Some people live in a fantasy world, and you can’t spell Florida without the “DA”. Make your vote count.

Lately, we’ve been hearing a lot about Bullying. According to Wikipedia the definition of bullying is a use of force or coercion to abuse or intimidate others. The behavior can be habitual and involve an imbalance of social or physical power. It can include verbal harassment, physical assault, or coercion. Before we wussified our children, we taught them to stand up to bullying. When I was a kid, the first experience I had with bullying was with a neighbor who kicked the dog squeeze out of me. When I got home my grandfather kicked the rest of the dog squeeze out of me for losing. The next day I kicked the dog squeeze out of Johnny, because I was afraid my grandfather would pop me again.

We moved quite a bit, so I attended many schools. Each time I would start a new school, the bullying would surface. When I told my grandfather that this kid wanted my lunch money, he told me, give it to him. Take a roll of nickels place them in your fist and hit him in the choppers and that would be the last time he would ask for your lunch money. Probably, he wouldn’t be able to eat anyhow. He taught me to stand up for myself and have self respect. Once the bully realizes that you’re going to stand up to him, he’ll leave you alone.

By the way, I learned the secret of life. I would tell you but then it wouldn’t be a secret.
Hope you had a safe Biketoberfest.

For Sale-a 1985 Honda Gold Wing with California style sidecar. Only 50k miles! If interested e-mail me at kneecap@cfl.rr.com

Remember, I write the column/my editor writes the apologies.
See you on the shiny side of tomorrow…

By Raven Van Pelt

I have been talking for awhile now about going to the Keys, and this week I finally got the chance to go, thank you Lulu. I will definitely say it was a long trip from Yulee, but well worth it. My boyfriend, roommate and a good friend and I had a great time. We arrived at Peterson’s Harley-Davidson store for the 40th run to the Keys, early Friday morning. Needless to say many had arrived there even earlier.

We headed out for the Keys stopping at all five of the poker check points to draw our cards, ending in Key West sometime in the early evening. We checked in to our hotel, dried off (yep we caught some of the rain) and passed out, only to be back on the road early Saturday morning.

We hit Duval Street early, parked the bikes and off we went. For those of you who may have not been to Key West for this event. They close the street to auto traffic. Nothing but bikes! We walked around stopping in all the little shops, and then hit Schooner’s Wharf Bar for their tattoo contest, with Lea Vandetta from Ink Masters as one of the judges, all were winners! Best in Show went to Mike Turan, with the back piece of turtles.

Our next stop was Coyote Ugly where we had a few, and then off to Mallory Square where you will never see a better sunset or street performers. We then hit Rick’s/Dirty Harry’s Bike Show. Morris Corbitt won for People’s Choice by 401 votes!

At Cowboy Bill’s Saloon they had the Texas Hold ’em grand finale where a 50/50 was won and Miguel Castellanos won the best poker hand. Half a million dollars was raised for Juvenile Diabetes! Before leaving at 1am we got to watch some sexy ladies ride the mechanical bull.

Sunday morning it was pack up, eat and hit the road for home, along with the thousands of others heading the same way. Would I do it again….hell yeah!!!

By LuLu

This month our Bull’s Eye is someone people all over the USA may know or recognize. Bill Grotto is the National Special Events Manager for Twisted Tea. Although he resides in the Fort Lauderdale area now, he is originally from Long Island, New York. His career with Twisted Tea moved him to Florida (along with the “12 month riding season”) to be the Regional manager in 2004. The job takes him to all the exciting events we plan and save for! His itinerary starts with Daytona Bike Week, to Arizona, to Leesburg, to Panama City, to Ohio, to Americade in Lake George, New York, to Iowa Grand, to Sturgis, to Thunder Beach, to Biketoberfest and then to Lonestar in Texas. Needless to say at the end of the “ride around America’ a lot of people are Tea drinkers!

Bill is 42. He has a degree in hotel/restaurant management that he received from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. He had the typical story of starting with minibikes to Mopeds and moving up to motorcycles. His first bike was a Honda Nighthawk at about 18 years old. Little did he know that he would end up owning 4 bikes and being the person responsible for the Twisted Tea Baggin’ Wagon a 1968 restored Servi-Car. His own garage contains a 2003 Roadking, 2000 Heritage Springer, 2006 “Bare Knuckle” Chopper and a1989 custom Softail Bobber.

After college Bill did a 4 year stint in the Navy as a “hash slinger” stationed in Philadelphia, PA on the USS Detroit. It must have been there that he developed his love of cooking and GIRLS…Bill is single and one of his past times in making his own candy!!!! Such a sweet thing! He loves his bikes, riding and playing guitar.

Bill enjoys riding the restored Servi-Car, talking motorcycles to customers and making friends along the way, but he said the best part of his job is when someone tries a Twisted Tea for the first time and says “This really does taste good!” If you see Bill out and about at events please go up and say hi, he is just a super guy that loves the motorcycle community and he’ll be happy to introduce you to Twisted Tea!

By Lulu

By the time you read this our final Twisted Tea featured Bike Night will have occurred and the $500 cash will have been handed out. But September we had a blast getting Twisted at Dirty Harry’s.

They definitely put out a great spread as you can see by the serving line picture. The band Tri Maris rocked the place and then there was a guest appearance by Elvis.

Historic Main St. in Daytona Beach is the heart of Bike Week and Biketoberfest and Dirty Harry’s, Full Moon Saloon and Banks & Blues are there year round ready for you to come and party!!!

By Amy Poole

The 2nd Annual Tracy Dillon Mammogram Fundraiser Poker Run and In House Poker Run was a huge success. Tracy Dillon, announcer on WHOG radio and breast cancer survivor, started this fundraiser to assist men and women in Volusia and Flagler counties who are in need of a mammogram or other breast cancer detection. We all understand how important it is to get checked, but sometimes the funds are short and we put this obligation on the back burner.

The Iron Horse held an in house poker run event all day. Peoples came out to show support by bobbing for boobs, ax throwing, tricycle racing and wearing our best pink while doing it! Willie’s Tropical Tattoo was on site donating free pink ribbon tattoos which I think was a very nice gesture.

Sign up was at BFFAR with free breakfast and you could have your hair, beard, mustache or whatever you wanted sprayed PINK by Inflicting Beauty girls for just a donation. Many of you gals and guys participated in this! Our poker run stops included Finns, Pork Chop’s Alibi Bar, White Eagle, and Saints & Sinners and ended at the Iron Horse for live music by Big Engine and Anthony Wild. We had a delicious and fresh lunch that was provided by Sloppy Joe’s friendly staff. The best part was raffling Sherry off for $150 so Shane and Micah could dunk her…twice!!

We have so-o-o many sponsors and some new ones coming on board to support the community like J&P Cycles that donated gift certificates to be raffled and Sloppy Joe’s. From raffles, live and silent auction, poker hands and donations…the monies raised were…$8,000.00!! We would like to thank the many sponsors… Politis and Matovina, Twisted Tea, WHOG radio, Budweiser, Miller Lite, Tracy Dillon Fundraiser, Iron Horse Saloon and to everyone who participated!!

By Lulu

This year I lost a dear friend, one that I have experienced some pretty magnificent moments on the highway with. Sharon rode next to me in the Badlands…in LA…on the stretch of bridges to the Keys…bar hopping in Daytona. And quite by accident, her life briefly collided with mine and I am thankful for each adventure I had with her. But in loving someone there is the missing them that hurts. I know all of us have had that deep ache of missing someone terribly, and I must remind myself it is only because their being here was so magical that we yearn for them.

Another free spirit passed recently, Gloria Disher Acierno, whose Celebration of Life will be at BFFAR on November 10th at 3pm in Holly Hill. Many of you know Froggy (Steve) and Gloria as they have always ridden in charity events for fellow bikers, and in fact, when Bull (the original owner of Thunder Roads Florida) passed away she made black ribbons to wear for everyone on his run. I barely knew her at the time, but they showed so much compassion and love by being there. I know Steve is feeling that burden of missing someone so much it hurts.

As November is the month to honor our Veterans, I must ask all of you to remember the Veterans whose sacrifices, of time away from their families and often personal harm, have given us the freedoms we often take for granted. Ride on the Salute to Veteran’s ride in Leesburg on November 10th out of Gator Harley, join us at OB’s for the Veteran’s Day Celebration presented by Rolling Thunder Chapter 8, or find an event in your area to honor our veterans!!!!

Say thank you to our veterans, say a prayer for a lost loved one and don’t forget your sunscreen!

By Lulu

Although the eleventh Memorial Ride in Flagler County started with a heavy downpour of tears from heaven, over 400 bikes still safely made the 60 mile ride to show respect and honor for the lives lost on 9/11. The rain and cloud cover actually made this event, to some degree, more pleasurable as it wasn’t nearly as hot as years past. All of us that attended were treated to a moving memorial service that allowed us to remind all that we must never forget!

For me personally it is just a day of television horror as I did not personally know anyone who was directly affected and I simply sat glued to the television in pure disbelief eleven years ago. But for those families who lost loved ones I can’t begin to imagine how permanently this time of year has changed for them. For them, what was the beginning of the change of season in New York, Pennsylvania and DC it is now forever a time of sadness and loss. What use to be a time to ready for football, homework, shopping for winter clothes; it is now a time to visit graves, to cry and to wonder what would life have been if only that day had been a normal September morning.

A special thanks must be given to the wonderful team at Rue & Ziffra, PA for their dedication to making this a hugely successful memorial. Also thanks to the White Eagle Lounge in Korona for once again feeding the masses and I have been informed by many that the chicken was delicious! Joe Vece, President of the Knights of Inferno, says without the great men and women at the Flagler County Government Services, FCSO Motor Squad and the other agency’s that helped out this event could not happen.

The newly formed Knights of the Inferno in Palm Coast managed to “dot the I’s and cross the T’s” on this event and certainly put on a well organized ride. Please put this event on your rides to attend each year, ride with us and remember!

By Amy Poole

Two of our most historic bars and two of our long time advertisers, in St Augustine, tag teamed on the same day in September and had their big anniversary parties!

Chris, owner of Bar None, celebrated their 14th anniversary and their new deck. There was a crew of friends and newbie’s that showed up to help celebrate and many of those pals brought heapings of food for this hungry crew. By the way…the food was fabulous!! And if you ate a little too much…no worries…Hooch had many of us dancing the afternoon away out on the NEW deck.

A bit later in the day we made our way to see Jeanne, owner of the Sandbar, for the 21st anniversary party where plenty of congrats were in motion along with cold ones, music and food. Forget the food…the desserts were amazing!! The chocolate cake was like 3 layers and to die for! The complimentary fountain of mimosas was flowing continuously. If you are a Gator fan, you would love this bar being it is Gator territory with Gator flags and little orange and blue lights twinkling around the bar.

Make these 2 places a must stop while you are out on your scoot cruizin’. Check the Thunder Roads Florida calendar for their upcoming events. Thanks Chris and Jeanne…you guys throw a hell of a party!!!

By Raven Van Pelt

The Ground Pounders Riding Club and the Florida State College Foundation presented a police escorted ride and rally to provide scholarships for wounded veterans and their families to attend college at Florida State College at Jacksonville.

The ride was held Saturday, September 22, 2012, at the Adamec Harley-Davidson on Baymeadows Road in Jacksonville. Before and after the ride, there was a Military Vehicle and Weapons Display by the Friends of Fort Clinch History of the American Soldier. There was also a military aviation flyover, 50/50 raffle, door prizes, food, and live entertainment by the Deck Dogz. If that wasn’t enough to keep you entertained there was also vendor exhibits, retail booths and a bike show.

Richard Nunn was a guest speaker and Jaxson De Ville played a mean set of drums. This was the second year this event was held, and hopefully this event will be held for years to come as the cause is definitely a worthy one.