The last month has been a busy one, both in the saddle and out. But before I get too deep into my travels, I want to offer up some warm wishes and congratulations. Stormy Hill Harley-Davidson in Clermont celebrated their 11th anniversary on June 2. I remember their first anniversary party. That was the day I bought my 100th anniversary Low Rider right there on the spot. This year’s birthday party featured several good bands, free food and an event pin with a portion of the proceeds going to support their annual Hospice Ride for Angels, which was held the next day and, as usual, was a great success… On June 15, the new Panama City Beach Harley dealership opened with all the appropriate fanfare. The music and entertainment was provided by Jimmie Van Zant and Black Oak Arkansas, as well as several young bikini-clad ladies vying for the $1,000 prize and the title of Miss PCB Harley… Back here in O-town that same afternoon, LAMA (Latin American Motorcycle Association) celebrated their 1st anniversary in the parking lot of Orlando Harley South in Kissimmee. The celebration didn’t end after everyone rolled out of the dealership, but instead continued at the Ramada Inn Maingate just down the street with a big pool party… Congratulations also goes out to EagleRider of Orlando, who recently relocated from Sand Lake Road near Florida Mall to the east side of Orlando at 1150 Jetport Drive. So if you’re looking to rent a Harley for the day, you will need to head towards the beach, which really isn’t a bad thing at all. Once you pick up your ride, just keep on riding in the same direction… On a more personal level, I’d like to share some very cool news. As many of you know, I’m a member of the Chrome Angels of Central Florida Inc. and we were recently singled out and honored by Kevin Lawrence, a very successful businessman who has put together a very exciting riding organization. This organization is not your ordinary motorcycle club, but rather a premiere riding group offering the chance to meet others who share our passion for riding and visiting places the ordinary poker run doesn’t take you. Seems Kevin wanted to share his success with a local charity-based organization and he decided that the Chrome Angels would be that charity, thanks to my friend Melissa. We are so excited and honored to be part of this new and exciting adventure and are blessed that a portion of all new memberships will be donated to our treasury to continue helping women and children in Central Florida. Please visit the website at www.myfloridamcc.com for all the details on membership and a schedule of upcoming rides… On May 26, I headed to a little bar called Hodde’s in Longwood for VetFest 2013 hosted by the U.S. Military Vets MC in support of the Orlando VA Hospital, veterans in nursing homes and homeless veterans. It had been promoted for weeks so I was anticipating a good day. There were several bands listed on the flyer along with a few I’d seen at the Leesburg Bikefest a couple months ago. The list of raffle prizes included a cruise, weekend getaways and pinstriping and airbrushing. When I arrived there were about 10 bikes and about as many cages in the parking lot. I spent an hour or so there and it didn’t get any better. The band onstage didn’t impress me, and except for the Art in Motion tent, the vendors were lacking, as well. It may have improved later in the day, but I couldn’t wait for the flowers to bloom so I decided to get on the road and do some riding. I hope the turnout improved because after all, it was for a very good cause… On June 1, I headed to Leesburg early in the day for an event to support the Children’s Miracle Network. It was hosted by the Lake County United Motorcycle Association and set up in the Wal-Mart parking lot on Highway 44. This is the same store that allows a couple hundred bikes to congregate there in early December every year for the big toy run hosted by the same group. The benefit for the CMN was slated to run from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., but unfortunately the turnout was pretty discouraging while I was there… On the 15th the Borrowed Angels Charity Riders hosted the 5th annual Katelynn Stinnett Memorial Ride to benefit the Children’s Home Society in Volusia County. The ride started and ended at the Beaver Bar, across the street from the famous Iron Horse Saloon in Ormond Beach. There was free coffee and donuts at registration, and the event featured a good 80-mile ride before returning back to the starting point for the after-party. The poker hand was actually held completely inside the bar and not along the ride… I later found myself across the street at the Iron Horse to hear the Sauce Boss crank out some slide-guitar blues while cooking up a big pot of gumbo. I used to go see this fellow 20 years ago at a little blues bar in Orlando. He was good then and he’s still good now, but his gumbo is better—and yes, he still serves up a bowl to those in the audience after his performance… And for those of you down in the New Port Richey area, I heard that Big George is back at your local Harley dealership. He was gone for a little while, but he’s back now so stop in to see him and check out the new rides that recently arrived. That’s about it for me this time. Till next time, ride safe and God bless.
