As I write this month’s dissertation, Biketoberfest is happening all around me. Daytona is as busy as a beehive with bikes, boobs and over-priced vendors, but the draw has again seeped into all boundaries of Central Florida with the local dealerships offering an alternative to the crowds in Volusia County. Orlando Harley did it a little differently with their Hogtoberfest at the main location on 37th Street, October 19–21. Set up in their parking lot, they had a carnival-like sideshow with beautiful girls, a bike build-off, the Wall of Death and even a Harley Man Cave (shouldn’t that be Wo-Man Cave?) with great deals on bikes and MotorClothes inside… Over the same weekend in Palm Bay, Space Coast H-D pulled out the stops with bands, a bike wash by bikini-clad gals, food, free beer and even a bounce house for the kids that were lucky enough to come along. They offered free shirts and riding glasses with a coupon sent out online, as well… Seminole Harley made their own statement the evening of October 12 with a concert by Great White, one of my favorite bands of a bygone era. This event kicked off their lineup of bands, vendors and daily contests, as well as the Sanford Bikefest, more commonly known as Thunder in the Streets. Last year this event was a washout due to the heavy rains, but I’m told it was revived this year. Still not a competitor in the true sense of a motorcycle rally, but it does offer a nice variety for local riders who are looking for an option to a poker run. The entertainment itinerary this year included the Marshall Tucker Band, Molly Hatchet and Confederate Railroad. As with most of the biker events, there was a bike show, a tattoo contest and vendors offering the latest in T-shirts… Unfortunately, my riding this month was somewhat curtailed due to another pilgrimage to Southern California for surgery from my accident two years ago. This was number seven, so maybe it’ll be my lucky one and I can skip any more. Before I left, I did manage to get a little riding in and ensure the Harley’s battery was primed for my absence… The Saints MC Space Coast hosted their End of Summer Party on September 22 at their clubhouse in Cocoa—just an all-around good time with friends, food and a party atmosphere… The next day, riders congregated at the Iron Horse Saloon in Ormond Beach for a poker run to raise money for local women in need of mammograms. Starting out at Finns and ending at the Iron Horse, the run made stops at Alibi’s, the White Eagle and Saints & Sinners before rolling in for the after-party with music provided by Big Engine and free pink ribbon tattoos by artists from Willie’s Tropical Tattoo… And keeping in the theme of “Saving the Girls,” on October 6 the Ladies of Harley from Clermont H.O.G. hosted their 6th annual Hands & Hearts Poker Run in support of Compassionate Hands and Hearts Breast Cancer Outreach founded by one of our local television news celebrities who is a survivor. The ride started out in Groveland at the Red Wing Restaurant and ended at Stormy Hill Harley… Over in Melbourne area, a group called the Breast Friends of Florida held their 3rd annual Ride for the Girls the next day on October 7. This group was new to me, but they offer a great support team to women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. They match up the new gals with survivors who offer much-needed emotional encouragement. The group also helps with supplies such as bandanas, pillows and other resources. The ride was escorted by Brevard County Sheriffs and covered about 60 miles before ending back at Burton Smith Park in Cocoa. If you or a gal you know could use assistance from this group, their website is www.breastfriends.com… And although our club, The Chrome Angels of Central Florida, chooses to do our breast cancer benefit in January rather than in October as many other groups do, please mark your calendars for Sunday, the 20th. It will be our 10th annual event and we will be rocking Cowboys Country Music Lounge in Orlando. Pre-registration will start online November 1, and we have a great day planned. Please visit our website for more information or to register at www.chromeangelscentralflorida.com… And on a very sad note, as I was about halfway through Texas on September 29, I received a call regarding the death of three members of a local club. Two of them, Dresser and Hormone, were friends. The other, Davey, was just an acquaintance, but nonetheless, sad to hear about the loss of three members of our riding community. Their death was totally unexpected and felt deeply by many. My prayers and condolences to their club brothers and families… On my way back from sunny LA, I managed to stop in at a couple dealerships to do a little retail therapy and feed my need for another H-D shirt. After all, I still had room in my “riding closet,” so I needed to fill it up. One of the places I stopped was Thunderbird Harley-Davidson in Albuquerque where they had a Bikers for Babies run going on in the middle of remodeling the main store. It already looked great from the outside, but the big tent set up in the parking lot was full of goodies with my name on them, so I just had to go check it out. While there, I had the pleasure of meeting one of the sales girls named Rayvun, who was very helpful and encouraging given my physical appearance and limited abilities at the time. She told me they get THUNDER PRESS, so thanks again, Rayvun! That’s about it for now—time to head to Daytona and see what kind of mischief my friends and I can get into. Till next time, ride safe and take care of each other.
