Tan Lines: October, 2016

This month was a busy one for dealership events here in the Sunshine State. On July 22-24, Stormy Hill Harley in Clermont rolled out a three-day customer appreciation event with big discounts being offered on apparel and gear… On the west coast that day, Harley-Davidson of Tampa hosted their Gears & Girls event, a guest appreciation event on the third Saturday of each month. This event offered free beer, food, bikini bike washes and entertainment by the Jeff Vitolo band… Things were rather quiet for a week or so and then on the 13th, New Smyrna Harley, one of the Rossmeyer dealerships, held their inaugural “Didn’t Make it to Sturgis” party. Free beer, free wings, hot dogs and live music by a local band offered a nice relaxing afternoon to local riders… Then the next day Destination Daytona hosted their Super Swap Sunday for cars and bikes. Vendor spots were only $10 and there was a variety of things available for sale or bartering. Food and drinks were available from vendors or at the popular Saints & Sinners pub. Proceeds from the event will be going to support MDA charities in the area… Here in O-town, that night, Orlando Harley hosted a kickoff party at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts just prior to the Alice Cooper concert. Those attending the concert received a special code that entitled them to a nice discount on the admission to the concert… Destination Daytona hosted a Dog Days of Summer event Thursday night, August 18. Although hot dogs were on the menu for those showing up for the fun, the real purpose was for doggie parents to show off their furry kids. There was a costume parade, a look-alike contest for the dogs and their owners, and even an ugliest dog contest. (I wonder if they also had an ugly owner contest—just a thought.) Several pet rescue organizations were also present to help find homes for the pups that needed a forever home… The one benefit that I supported took place on the west side of town on the 14th. We rode to raise money in support of Debra Nix. She’s been battling a form of cancer for some time and this particular kind has very limited treatment options. Needless to say, they aren’t cheap! Registration was held at the VFW in Winter Garden before we headed out to stop at some biker-friendly establishments in Lake County. On arriving back at the VFW, the after party was sweetened by food and an all-gal band. The winner of the poker run with the best hand took home a cool $200 as did the winner of the worst hand. It was a good day for a good cause… On August 20, the Indian dealership in Orlando celebrated the 76th anniversary of Sturgis at the EagleRiders location on Jetport Drive, offering free food and free bike washes…One last tidbit for those of you in southern end of the state: I’ve heard there’s a good bike night down in Davie, Florida, and unlike most bike nights they have a live band, not just a DJ, with free hot dogs and burgers. And that’s not just for bikes—it’s for cages, bikes, trucks, pretty much anything on wheels. So if you have a bad a$$ skateboard, head on down to 3 Big Dawgs Cafe on Thursday night for some fun… That’s about it for this month. Ride safe and take care of each other.