Contents
February Issue 153
Ad Index
Features Sisters Centennial Motorcycle Ride Rob Brooks-Ride Naked Thunder By The Bay’s Success Award Winning Team Tampa Triumph American Flat Track is Coming Fastest Man in the World
9 19 25 35 48 61
Columns
25
Woman’s World-Linda Dalton Craven Moorehead-Christmas Spyke & Mike Christian Motorcycle Association
60 69 73 79
Departments Ride Safe, Ride Smart Everywhere Eddy-Is Everywhere Biker Movie Review-Road of Death BTR Events Update Born To Ride Kids
49
8 45 71 74 79
On The Cover
Tampa Triumph 2017 Bobber Bonneville www.TampaTriumph.com
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AAA 6 Affordable Motorsports 58 Al Estes Bail Bonds 70 Allstate - Jeff Ard 16 All World Lift Truck 31 Angel City 53 Attorney Fran Haasch IFC, 7, BC Bellissimo 32 Barney’s of Brandon 22 Biff Burger 3 BTR Facebook 78 BTR Free on Three 16 BTR Radio 68 BTR TV-This TV Tampa Bay 5 BTR TV-Great 38 74 Charlottes Webb 59 Christy Byers Realtor 60 CJ Seats 60 Copperhead Lodge 51 Cycle-Rama 52 Dirty Harry’s 29 Find It Now 54 Five Reasons To Advertise 24 Fort Myers Bike Night 7 Fun Bike Center 33 Heat Up 67 H-D Crystal IBC H-D Florida 11 H-D Lakeland 15 H-D Seminole 40 H-D War Horse IBC International Female Ride Day 80 JT’s Roadhouse 46 Love Jugs 58 Lucky U Cycles 30 Media Design Shop 46 Midwest Motorcycle 12 New Hope Ministries Rally 55 Nothing But Hawgs 18 Overhead Door 52 Party Under The Bridge 56 Peggy’s Corral 17 Prestige Real Estate 57 Racing for Orphans 64 Ride for Nemours 43 Ride Smart Florida 38 Rivers Edge 31 Saddle Creek 54 Sam Swope Charity Ride 28 Screwie Louie’s-Scooter Haven 32 Shakes, Rattles, Rides & Rods 47 Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q 42 Stitch On Time 70 St. Pete Bike Fest 4 Suncoast Chili Cookoff 72 Tampa Triumph 34 Thunder Beach Rally 44 Tropic Trailer 56 Ultra Bright LED Lights 78 Wildwood Bike Rally 76 Wings-n-Weenies 77
BORN TO RIDE Magazine
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RIDING AT NIGHT
Off-Ramp Diver
You are riding along an urban freeway, in the far right lane. Just as you approach an off-ramp, a car in the lane to your left dives in front of you, braking hard to make the off-ramp at the last possible moment. You have very little room to brake or swerve, and a crash may be imminent. Strategy: When you see an off-ramp ahead, glance around you and evaluate the situation. Do you see any cars around you that might exit? Are you doing anything that might cause other drivers to expect you to exit? Since you are riding along in what is the exit lane, other drivers may assume that you are going to exit as well—an assumption that might affect their movements. Off-ramps (and onramps) are prime locations for vehicular conflicts. When approaching a ramp, it is often a good idea to move out of the exit/entrance lane. Take steps to avoid riding in the blind spots of cars traveling around you. In this situation, the driver might not have known that you were even between him and the exit, if you were in his blind spot. For more information go to www.msf-usa.org
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Photos by: Christina Shook
2016 is the 100th anniversary of Augusta and Adeline Van Buren’s courageous and unprecedented ride across the United States on motorcycles. The Sisters’ Centennial Motorcycle Ride was July 3-23. It honored and celebrated the female motorcycling heroines of the past, as well as promoting the growth of women motorcyclists in the motorcycling community. Alisa Clickenger is the brain child behind this amazing event. “I’m a moto traveler and motorcycle journalist. I used to lead motorcycle tours for a large company,
and I now run my own motorcycle touring company, focusing on motorcycle tours for women. I led demo rides for Kawasaki 15 or so years ago and I’m part of the team that leads them now for BMW.” I was curious to know why she came up with such a powerful and immense event. Laughing, Alisa said, “I must have been crazy! Several years ago, a colleague and I came up with this idea to do a women’s empowerment motorcycle tour. What we would do is teach them HOW to go on a tour. We had lots of support for these
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women. Each day we had a seminar for the women; how to pack a bike, how to pick up a dropped motorcycle, the importance of hydration, etc. I have wanted to lead a group of women across the United States who didn’t think they could do it. I’ve had this idea for years. I bumped into the story of the Van Buren Sisters – again – and that’s when it went “ding!” These ladies are my heroines and I wanted to do this in 2016 – since 2016 marked the 100th anniversary of their historic ride. It all just started coming together – in pieces. It came together BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 9
because it was supposed to. Everything was falling into place in ways that I couldn’t even imagine. I’ve never done an event like this ever before. My paradigm is small, wellrun tours. I’ve never put together a coast to coast tour before.” In 1916 the Van Buren Sisters were the first women to cross the continental United States, each on her own motorcycle. They became the first women to reach the 14,115 foot summit of Pikes Peak each on her own motorcycle. In 2002 the Sisters were inducted into the American Motorcyclists BTR 10 | BORNTORIDE.COM
Association Hall of Fame and in 2003 they were inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum & Hall of Fame. Alisa and her group of Sister’s Centennial travelers journeyed from Brooklyn, New York, to Springfield, MA, to Latrobe, PA, to Columbus, OH, to Anamosa, IA, to McCook, Nebraska, to Colorado Springs, CO, to Pikes Peak, CO, and ended up in San Francisco, CA. Two charities will be funded as a result of the Sisters’ Centennial Motorcycle Ride’s event efforts:
FINAL SALUTE, INC., A National women’s veterans’ organization which provides temporary and permanent housing for the over 500,000 homeless female veterans in the United States. WOMEN’S COALITION OF MOTORCYCLISTS is an organization providing funding for motorcycle train-thetrainer scholarships. This program helps enlarge the number of female motorcycle instructors and coaches for road, dirt and track. Alisa continued, “I feel like I am doing
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exactly what I’m supposed to be doing. I personally believe that when you are completely aligned with mind, spirit, body and soul, the Universe lines up with you. Every step of the way it has felt like this is what I’m supposed to be doing. This was a huge leap of faith for me. I had no funding for this event nor did I know what this would entail. This whole thing is amazing and I am filled with gratitude. I’m so grateful for all my volunteers and staff who have signed on to ride with us! I’m so appreciative that everyone has come together and realized the same vision as I do!” BTR 14 | BORNTORIDE.COM
Where does Alisa’s inspiration come from? “I have a lot of inspiration that comes from colleagues and from people I meet out of the blue. I also get purpose from meditation and helmet time – ideas just come to me! I’m really fortunate that this was meant to be. I’m hearing more and more people saying we are making history. So shall it be! Some days I just feel like I am holding on just like when I am dual sport riding saying, ‘I can do this! I can do this!’ Motorcycling has helped me embrace those things that are challenging and just power through them!”
This ride has been blessed with a nice amount of Sponsors that have seen the value and importance of the ride. “BMW is our title sponsor. They stepped up and made this event happen. Then more and more companies came out and helped us. It’s interesting to see who gives lip service to this idea of women and motorcycling and who doesn’t. It’s a lot of work but totally worth it!” Thank you, Alisa, for sharing this great story with the readers of Born To Ride magazine! Congratulations on this powerful and immense accomplishment! Susan Hurst Share your Travel Story with Born To Ride, call us to talk about it before you go. 888-795-5779
Some years ago, I picked up a nonrunning 2001 Suzuki SV650 from a guy who just wanted it out of his garage. The poor bike had been abused and neglected, by numerous previous owners. My only reasons for taking it off his hands were (1) I got it dirt cheap and (2) I saw it as a fix/flip. After some wrenching, the SV was running again,
and I soon found it a hoot to ride. I held on to it for awhile, enjoying thrashing it around in the countryside south of our home in north Georgia. Eventually, a younger friend of mine begged me to sell it to him, so I obliged. It’s been several years now, and he’s still rocking on that SV. Maybe I should have kept it. ...
First introduced in 1999 as Suzuki’s answer to the Ducati 620 Monster, the SV650 is considered by many to be among the first of what’s now called the “naked” or “street fighter” class. A true doeverything motorcycle, with a throaty v-twin growl and fantastic power and handling, dealerships couldn’t keep the bikes in stock
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on their showrooms. Equally embraced by beginners and veterans for its ease of use and maintenance, the SV was at home as a commuter, corner-carver, or track day toy. There are even some amateur racing classifications exclusively for the SV. They are easily discernible at the track, with a low, throaty v-twin roar amidst the screaming fours and triples. Suzuki had beaten Ducati at their own game. The SV650 (and big brother 1000) is already being counted among the great bikes in Suzuki’s illustrious history. With various improvements over its years (save the illfated Gladius iteration), the SV has stayed wildly popular among new and seasoned BTR 20 | BORNTORIDE.COM
riders, young and old(er), guys and gals. After a hiatus for several years, the beloved SV650 is back in 2017, very much resembling the original, yet with modern amenities such as a digital dash (speed, gear, tach, miles to E, etc), one-touch “Easy Start,” Low-RPM Assist, and optional ABS, to name a few. Much has already been written on the specs and performance figures of this bike, so I’ll not rehash those. They are easily found on the Suzuki website (suzukicycles.com) and in any Suzuki dealership. I’ll endeavor to give my own riding impressions and recommendations. I had arranged in Buford, Georgia to sign out a 2017 SV for an afternoon check
ride. The late December day turned out perfect, with abundant sunshine and temps hovering in the low 60s, somewhat unusual for us this time of year. Accompanied by one of my riding bros Mike Wood, we picked up the bike and took off for a few hours, me on the SV, Mike on his classic Honda 750 Nighthawk. We planned to ride the bike in thick commuter traffic, out on interstate, and along hilly, curvy country roads, all of which are readily available in our area. I’ve ridden many street motorcycles, across many years, under many circumstances, but I wanted Mike’s impressions too, being a relatively new street rider, having ridden dirt much of his life.
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We found ourselves firstly in choking holiday shopper traffic around the Mall of Georgia, and I found the SV to be light, well-balanced, and very easy to maneuver through the congestion. I’m 5’8” tall, about 155lbs wet weight, and the SV fit me perfect. The seat felt a bit firm, but I’ve got a thinly padded posterior, which may have contributed. The footpegs are well-placed, enabling me to flat foot easily at stops, with no impediment of the foot controls. Handlebars give me a slightly forward lean but not aggressively so. It’s a mostly upright riding position, with my legs only mildly bent. It’s as if the engineers at Suzuki built the SV for folks like me in the 5’-something range.
The bike fits me like a glove. Hitting the highway, I opened it up, running hard up through gears to merge with interstate traffic. The SV’s throttle response is instantaneous, and acceleration is thrilling for this type of bike. The 90-degree v-twin mill makes solid power across the powerband in each gear, and I love the sound of these stock pipes! Throatier than previous SV 650s, the exhaust already has a nice v-twin rumble, but it absolutely roars above 4000-5000 rpm in each gear. We were running in the upper double digits most of our interstate stint, and the SV is planted, feels solid, and slices along through the atmosphere with minimal wind
buffet on my helmet and chest. I never felt like a parachute, trying to hang on with no windshield. I felt some vibration in the bars, footpegs and at my knees hugging the tank, but I expected and actually liked it, being a v-twin. I felt connected to the bike. Mike and I finally exited the highway toward the North Georgia foothills, taking the SV for some flogging among the rolling hills and curves away from the bustle of North Atlanta. It’s out here that Suzuki’s SV 650 really shines. With good ground clearance to accompany the great handling, the bike practically leans itself into corners. I actually never felt the need to lean off excessively. The steering is very neutral, the bike feels
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very light and is quite flickable, as I found on several roads with quick switchbacks. One particular section of blacktop started with several wide sweepers, then a fairly sharp descending left curve, down a straight quarter mile, followed by a fairly sharp right hander at the bottom of the hill. I affectionately call it “the roller coaster.” We took turns gunning the SV down and back up several times each, mainly to test the bike’s suspension and handling under those circumstances, but also for the sheer delight of it. And what a delight it was. I was howling in my helmet each time I blasted
down and back up this section, feeling like Marquez (a little) with the thrill of deep corner leaning and sharp roll-on acceleration that is so easily achieved on this bike. Mike said he absolutely loved the SV, quipping, “I love my Nighthawk, but man, I could sure have some fun on this cool bike!” A great commuter … check! A capable highway runner … check! A hilariously fun curve carver … check! As the sun began to set on our short but beautiful December day, Mike and I pointed the bikes back toward the dealership. We rode out of the foothills,
and throttled hard back down the interstate, chasing the sun toward Buford, Georgia. I reluctantly returned the SV to the dealer with three parting words, “I want one!” This renewed iconic Suzuki checks all the boxes for me. A very comfortable, neutral riding position, sharp throttle response, decent brakes, fantastic handling, and that v-twin sound! I for one, am very happy Suzuki has resurrected the SV 650. Whether you are a new or veteran rider, cruiser or sport, wanting a do-everything bike or an addition to your stable, the SV 650 is well worth a consideration. Rob Brooks, Dacula, GA BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 23
THUNDER BY THE BAY’S SUCCESS IN LAKEWOOD RANCH
This year’s 19th Annual Thunder By The Bay Motorcycle Festival was held in Lakewood Ranch, FL and its new location proved very successful! Ancient Oak Gun Club kicked things off with a strong turnout during Thunder’s Sporting Clay Tournament followed by over 200 guests attending the “Born To Be Wild” Kickoff Party at Polo Grill & Bar. Despite one day of inclement weather, over 25,000 attended this year’s “Rockin & Ridin at The Ranch” Festival held at The Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch. This year’s new location enabled Suncoast Charities for Children to expand and refresh the event with plenty of parking available. The number of vendors tripled, new demo acts and displays were added, along with a brand new “Taste of Thunder” tented
area. “SMR Lakewood Ranch, Manatee Sheriff’s Office, and the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, were extremely welcoming and helpful to organizers with only four months to plan this year’s Festival. “Thunder By The Bay is Suncoast Charities for Children’s biggest annual fundraiser, and I received positive feedback from our vendors, attendees, musicians, and most of all our generous sponsors. I can’t help think about how much better we can make next year’s event with a year to plan ahead”, said Lucy Nicandri, Executive Director for the charity. Plans are already underway for the Festival’s 20th Anniversary next year scheduled for January 4-7, 2018 at the same locations. To get involved, and for Festival updates, be sure to visit: www.thunderbythebay.org
Proceeds Benefit Suncoast Charities for Children. For more Festival Info: ThunderByTheBay.org
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Proceeds Benefit Suncoast Charities for Children. For more Festival Info: ThunderByTheBay.org
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AWARD WINNING TEAM Hundreds of motorcycle enthusiasts have gathered at Tampa Triumph on a Friday the 13th that promises to be one of the coolest January nights the North side of Dale Mabry Highway has ever seen – and it has nothing to do with temperatures. There’s more than 35 bikes parked out front, but it’s the unveiling of new takes on four modern classics inside that have drawn the eager crowd. The party is a culmination a year and a half in the making. It’s a celebration for a brand and a brotherhood. Elliott Dorsch had a vision. He wanted to take the motorcycles that made the likes of Marlon Brandon, James Dean and especially Steve McQueen look cool and get them on the roads of Tampa Bay. On September 29, 2015, he and his brothers, Jordan and Nick, opened Tampa Triumph at 7000 N Dale Mabry Highway. It was the first and only Triumph flagship store in Florida. “My brothers, who are my two business partners, when I believed in the Triumph
vision they did too – with some coercion,” Elliott said. “But they love the Triumph brand.” And Triumph Motorcycles Ltd. loves Dorsch Inc. as well. In November 2016, the Tampa Triumph store became the top Triumph dealer in North America for retail sales. Together, with their sister store, Fun Bike Center Motorsports in Lakeland, 25 percent of Triumphs sold in Florida went through their company. And to top it off, the business received a top service ranking as well. “I can’t ask for a better representative for the brand than these guys,” said Chris Henderson, regional manager for Triumph who met Elliott and signed him as a dealer in 2013 in Lakeland. “Everyone has really bought in and it really shows by the way they take care of the customers.” Which brings us to the party. Current customers and potential customers canvassed the Tampa Triumph store. Inside, while some of the newest bikes remained
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under cover, they got a glimpse of a few in the existing inventory while dining on some Tampa favorites – Cuban sandwiches and empanadas. Outside, Serafin De Cuba Cigar Company hand-rolled cigars while 81Bay Brewing Company poured its Lightning Lager. Then, DJ MINi C from Polk County, who was spinning tunes all night busted out the entrance song made famous from the world champion Chicago Bulls of the late 1990s and it was time for the first unveil. WORLD’S FIRST THRUXTON R TURBO Justin Hood had long worked on cars such as Mercedes, BMW and Lamborghini doing what he could to make them even cooler than they already were, but he missed working on motorcycles. A 2002 graduate of the Motorcycle Mechanics Institute, Hood was tapped to figure out a way to customize the Thruxton R, a high-powered café racer known for its high performance. “I asked him to go easy on it,” Elliott said BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 35
after claiming the bike for his personal use. The crew from Tampa Triumph fired it up on the showroom floor and the crowd immediately heard what four months of custom labor from Hood sounded like. A bike that approaches 100 HP at high power output, now reaches approximately 160 HP thanks to Hood’s ingenuity. “It’s a lot of hard work and dedication because everything is so much smaller,” said Hood. “You have a lot less real estate to actually work with.” The British have spruced up a Triumph or two with a super charger, but never before has a turbo system been adapted to this bike. Hood decided to place the intake behind the engine, instead of closer to the ground where water and street debris would be more apt to get sucked up. Fabricating his own jigs along the way, he built a custom intercooler – which cools the air before returning it to the engine – all the while trying not to make it look too radical. “At first, I didn’t know where to put the turbo,” Hood said. “Everything is so compact.” COOL FACTOR: Ryan Reynolds owns a BTR 36 | BORNTORIDE.COM
Thruxton. In fact, when he shot the movie “Deadpool,” he insisted the motorcycle be a Triumph, instead of the originally slated Ducati. If you think a turbo-charged bike exudes a certain coolness factor, ask about a custom post-sale add on from Tampa Triumph. A MORE CAPABLE AND STYLISH STREET SCRAMBLER Triumph Motorcycles, the largest British bike manufacturer, have come a long way since the company started in 1902. The brand was re-established in 1984 after the original company went into receivership due to fierce market competition from the Japanese. One of the things that sets Triumph apart in its market, is how its motorcycles are ready to personalize and the new Street Scrambler, the second bike to be unveiled, displays this notion first-hand. With a new chassis and suspension, a highlevel exhaust and wide bar, this model offers the rider sure handling on the open road. A couple years ago, Triumph made a big commitment that it was going to release 25 new and exciting models to change
motorcycling by the year 2020. Last year, we saw the introduction of the new Triumph Street Twin, Thruxton, Thruxton R, Bonneville T120, and Bonneville T120 black that resulted in record sales and approximately three dozen industry awards. There’s no reason not to believe the Street Scrambler will soon follow in those footsteps. COOL FACTOR: Henderson points to Triumph’s heritage, racing history and long list of celebrities like Brad Pitt who can be seen riding one of its bikes. “We’re very different,” he said. “You’re going to stand out in a crowd but still have more performance and capability. You are better able to accessorize and be part of a family that stands apart. No other brand has that.” THE 2017 BONNEVILLE BOBBER, STRIPPED AND STRONG DJ MINi C belted out “Hells Bells” from AC/DC and before you knew it, the third motorcycle of the night was unveiled: the latest Bonneville Bobber. Innovative and elegant, the engineering behind the Bobber harks back to a thrilling
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time when this hot rod defined its category of bikes. Tracing its bloodline back to the 1940s post-war boon, Bobbers have been known as the bike you want when you want to go from dead stop to flat out FAST – with nothing getting in the way. These bikes are literally stripped bare, including its short fenders. Nothing unnecessary is on the frame except a heavily-tuned motor designed simply to go fast. Some of the many iconic yet minimalist features of this ride include: A hallmark hard tail, a signature straight line exhaust pipe run with a hidden cat box that produces the sound you expect and rider-focused technology. COOL FACTOR: A floating aluminum seat pan allows you to adjust your riding position. Choose up and forward for roadster riding or down and backwards for traditional cruising. The new Bobber comes in four premium colors: ironstone, Morello red, a competition green/frozen silver racing twist or jet black. SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST, THE
STREET TRIPLE RS The final unveil featured the RS version of the Triumph Street Triple, which is also available in S and R models. Named for its unique three-cylinder engines, this model is celebrating just 10 years of existence and the Street Triple RS has only been on the market for a matter of weeks. With three explosive and agile models, Triumph wants to give you exactly what you want – as much as 765 CCs and 123 HP. The latest Street Triple is the lightest, most powerful and most electronically specked out motorcycle in the decade-old line. Throughout the night, cowbells rang out – no that’s not one of the more than 150 accessories available for Triumph bikes. A cowbell interruption indicated somebody had placed a $500 refundable deposit on a new Triumph motorcycle. Interestingly enough, the first one wasn’t even for a new unveil, it was for a Bonneville T-120 that was already on the showroom floor. COOL FACTOR: The Dorsch’s Tampa Triumph store was only the second North American city to see the unveiling of this new motorcycle that had a concurrent
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Miami/London inauguration just a few days prior. Earlier in the night, a store associate took the bike in the front parking lot creating a thrilling, smoking burnout cloud display of coolness. You could still smell the burning rubber coming from the tires 30 minutes later when they brought it inside the store. Tampa Triumph said it is slated to get a shipment of the newly-unveiled motorcycles by the end of February or early March. Elliott Dorsch said they are all so cool they would look good in your garage … or living room. As Henderson wrapped his 6th unveiling event, he once again affirmed the lineage between a Triumph brand that is known to be distinctive, cool, authentic and premium and its brand ambassadors in Tampa. “Our customers expect better service these guys know the sale doesn’t end when the customer rides off the lot,” Henderson said. “They truly understand it. They know each individual customer.” By the end of the night after the last cigar was rolled, the final photo taken on the back of a Triumph bike and the last cowbell rung, Elliott joked the event was “Low Key.” Now that’s pretty cool, huh? BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 37
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American Flat Track is Coming!!
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), located in Pickerington, Ohio, is the world’s premier member-driven motorcycling organization whose mission is to promote the motorcycling lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling. From the street, to the track, to the trail, millions of Americans enjoy motorcycling. Some ride to work every day. Others ride for pleasure on weekends. Many ride off-road, or journey to places near and far. Still more seek the thrill of competition. Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international BTR 48 | BORNTORIDE.COM
governing organizations and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. Through its Motorcycle Hall of Fame, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. AMA members receive money saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. The AMA is everything motorcycle. In 2008, the American Motorcyclist Association announced the sale of certain parts of its professional racing properties to AMA Pro Racing, based in Daytona Beach, Fla. The move was brought about by the need for the association to place
the management of professional racing in the hands of a well-resourced motorsports entertainment company. The rules packages introduced by AMA Pro in 2009 have been subtly refined to provide technical stability and rules consistency, which has shifted the focus of the sport to the compelling battles on the track among a magnificent group of athletes. DAYTONA BEACH, FL - An exciting change is happening to one of Daytona International Speedway’s (DIS) most popular Bike Week events. Daytona International Speedway is proud to announce that American Flat Track will debut its 2017 season inside the “World Center of Racing” on a one-of-a-kind .6-mile TT course. The DAYTONA TT, scheduled on the evening of Thursday, March 16, will feature powerful, twin-cylinder motorcycles in the AFT Twins class, while spirited single-cylinder machines
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It’s Action Packed “Don’t Miss It!”
will battle it out in AFT Singles. With a racing schedule that includes the DAYTONA Supercross By Honda, Ricky Carmichael Amateur Supercross, the all-new DAYTONA TT and the famed DAYTONA 200, DIS will play host to the ultimate festival of motorcycle racing in 2017. American Flat Track has been reenvisioned and the DAYTONA TT marks the dawning of a new era for America’s most historic form of motorcycle racing. The championship features the broadest spectrum of brands competing in any form of motorcycle sport, and will serve as a battleground for the great American war between Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycles in 2017. The big factories will be competing head-to-head on the race track for the first time since the 1950s, and the battle of the brands will begin at Daytona. “Daytona is the spiritual home of
motorcycle racing and we are delighted to be bringing the intensity of Flat Track racing and the spectacle of a TT to complete the show,” said Michael Lock, CEO of AMA Pro Racing. “2017 marks the start of a new golden era for our sport and we are excited for our legions of fans.” Many flat track races are held on dirt ovals, but the TT moniker indicates turns in both directions and a jump have been incorporated into track design for the DAYTONA TT. To showcase the high speed and intensity of the sport, the track design will feature a fast, sweeping left hand turn alongside the frontstretch of the famed circuit. The track’s unique characteristics are perfectly suited for the fast and furious nature of America’s longest running motorcycle racing championship. “Staging the DAYTONA TT inside the motorsports stadium will expose a new group
For more info: www.amaproracing.com/flat-track • Call: 386-492-1014
of guests to the many amenities available following the recently completed $400 million frontstretch renovation project,” DIS Track President Chip Wile said. “It’s also going to be a great opportunity for racers in American Flat Track to compete inside the Speedway battling for a coveted Daytona trophy as part of Bike Week.” Tickets to the DAYTONA TT will go on sale Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 9 a.m. and can be purchased at www. daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. Reserved seating in the newly-renovated grandstands will start at $35 and general admission tickets will be available for $25. Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas and just $10 in reserved seats. Info: www.amaproracing.com/flat-track Call: 386-492-1014 BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 49
Thursday March 16th American Flat Track Daytona International Speedway Daytona Bch, Fl Info: 386-492-1014 Saturday March 25th American Flat Track Georgia Short Track Dixie Speedway Woodstock, GA Info: 386-492-1014 Saturday April 1st American Flat Track Charlotte Half Mile Charlotte Motor Speedway Concord, NC Info: 386-492-1014
May 13: Arizona Mile – Turf Paradise, Phoenix, Ariz. May 20: Sacramento Mile – Cal Expo Fairgrounds, Sacramento, Calif. May 27-28: Springfield Mile I* – Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ill. June 3: Red Mile – The Red Mile, Lexington, Ky. June 17: OKC Mile – Remington Park, Oklahoma City June 24: Lima Half-Mile – Allen County Fairgrounds, Lima, Ohio July 8: Rolling Wheels Half-Mile – Rolling Wheels Raceway Park, Elbridge, N.Y. July 29: Calistoga Half-Mile – Calistoga Speedway, Calistoga, Calif. Aug. 6: Buffalo Chip TT presented by Indian Motorcycle – Buffalo Chip Campgrounds, Sturgis, S.D. Aug. 8: Black Hills Half-Mile – Black Hills Speedway, Rapid City, S.D. Aug. 13: Peoria TT – Peoria Motorcycle Club, Peoria, Ill. Sept. 2-3: Springfield Mile II** – Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, Ill. Sept. 9: Williams Grove Half-Mile – Williams Gove Speedway, Mechanicsburg, Pa. Sept. 23: Lone Star Half-Mile – Texas Motor Speedway, Fort Worth, Texas Oct. 7: Perris Short Track – Perris Auto Speedway, Perris, Calif. Next Up: American Flat Track will kick off the 2017 season during Daytona’s Bike Week on Thursday, March 16 with the all-new DAYTONA TT, built inside the trioval at the “World Center of Racing.” The DAYTONA TT will mark the dawning of a new era for America’s most historic form of motorcycle racing, and will serve as the first battleground for the great American war between Harley-Davidson and Indian Motorcycles in 2017. For more information: www. amaproracing.com BTR 50 | BORNTORIDE.COM
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SAVE THE DATE! Saturday May 6, 2017 International Female Ride Day Rides beginning at War Horse Harley-Davidson and Crystal Harley-Davidson to Rock Crusher Canyon for a world record attempt at the largest gathering of women and motorcycles! Australia holds the record for 1,002 at a single motorcycle event. Come be part of history in the making! There will be $1000 prize awarded to the largest group of women in an organization to pre-register and ride in together, also 10 $100 prizes and so much more! The Hampton Inn in Crystal River has special rates just call them at 352-564-6464 and tell them you are with the Road Queen USA group. To pre-register go to www.roadqueenusa.org or call Road Queen USA 352-586-3504. • $25 Pre-registration includes an event shirt, event patch, a drawing ticket for awesome prizes including • $$$, a chance to win a 3-night cabin stay at Copperhead Lodge in Blairsville, GA, Saturday morning breakfast and a concert featuring Jasmine Cain at Rock Crusher Canyon! Invite your friends … Road Queen USA’s version of International Female Ride day for Women that ride and the men that support us! A fun day is being planned for everyone! Pre-Register, call Road Queen USA 352 586 3504 We’re out to set a World Record this year, be a part of it!
Glenn H. Curtiss
The fastest man in the world ... bullets are his only rival! - 1907
“The fastest man in the world ... bullets are the only rivals of Glenn H. Curtiss of Hammondsport.” - 1907 newspaper headline Wearing a leather cap, a well-manicured moustache and a steely gaze, Glenn Hammond Curtiss stares out of a time-worn black and white postcard-like photo. In the background, frothy waves splash the beach, the very hard packed sands upon which his experimental V-8 powered motorcycle will transport him into the history books as “The Fastest Man in the World.” The day was Thursday, January 24, the year 1907 and the place, Ormond Beach on the east coast of Florida. The record … 136.3 mph, a land speed record that would stand for 11 years and then only surpassed by an automobile— the Blitzen Benz hitting 141 mph. It would not be until 1930 that a motorcycle would best Glenn Curtiss’s feat of daring-do and mechanical design.
“Ormond Beach on the east coast of Florida. The record … 136.3 mph, a land speed record that would stand for 11 years and only surpassed by an automobile ...” The surfside setting for the famous blast down the beach had its origins a few years earlier when in 1902 influential Ormond Beach residents began promoting racing on the local beach with an inaugural automobile
speed run. The sport grew in popularity and even Henry Ford showed up for an event in one of his early cars, and slept in it. At the time, he couldn’t afford a hotel room. Another “celebrity” to take up residence in Ormond Beach was John D. Rockefeller. Rockefeller wanted to live to 100 and was looking for the perfect healthy environment in order to reach the century mark (he made it to 97). Ormond Beach became a playground for the rich and famous … and those feeling the need for speed. Case in point, one Glenn H. Curtiss, a true American hero and a larger than life personality whose exploits inspired a popular series of youth books “The Adventures of Tom Swift” penned by Victor Appleton. And yes, there was one volume circa 1910 titled “Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle or Fun and Adventures on the Road.” Curtiss was always looking for new adventures on, or off, the road. He knew
Did You Know: On January 26, 1911, Curtiss flew the first seaplane from the water in the United States, which he designed.
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MOTORMAN’S TEST RIDE
he could find the fast lane he needed to break the existing record at Ormond Beach. It was at Ormond Beach in 1904 where Charles Schmidt drove his Packard Gray Wolf to a world record in the kilometer at 76 mph and where, William Vanderbilt, Jr. set the world record for the one-mile, reaching 92 mph in a 90-horsepower Mercedes. These races put Ormond Beach on the speed map and brought it fame as home to 30 years of land-speed records eventually evolving into the now famous Daytona Beach 500 and the founding of NASCAR. Back in 1907, the 29-year old Glenn Curtiss had already invented or developed many of the more than 500 designs and components he would use during his lifetime. He had a hand in the development of the Wright Brothers first airplane and additional aeronautical experiments. He also partnered BTR 62 | BORNTORIDE.COM
with Alexander Graham Bell that included developing and patenting the aircraft aileron now universally intrinsic to controlled flight. Whether it was propeller powered or rolled on wheels, Glenn was always pushing the envelope. Although his lasting fame would rest with aircraft, it all began with motorcycles. As a result of his experiences as a bicycle racer, Western Union bicycle messenger and bicycle shop owner Curtiss became interested in motorcycles. In 1901, he began motorizing bicycles with his own single cylinder internal combustion engines, initially fashioned from tomato cans. He not only talked the talk, he walked the walk, racing what he built and earning the accolade in 1903 as the “First American Motorcycle Champion” by reaching 54.6 mph. By 1905, he set the world speed records for one, two, and three-mile events. Aside from piloting
2012 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SWITCHBACK
his speedsters he tinkered out a number of advancements including the handlebar twist grip throttle control and a triple cylinder engine designated the W-3, essentially a V-twin with a third cylinder which Curtiss himself called the fastest production motorcycle in the world. How such ingenuity arose is one of those mysteries of nature for Curtiss was raised in near poverty and lost his parents when very young and subsequently only attained an 8th grade education. As Trafford Doherty, Director of the Curtiss Museum explains, “Curtiss was incredibly intuitive and incredibly mechanical. He was also extremely athletic and in the1890s was virtually unbeaten as a bicycle racer. He was very competitive and that competitive nature appeared first with bicycles, then motorcycles, and then with his business ventures. While of a serious Did You Know: Alexander Graham Bell regarded Curtiss as “the greatest motor expert in the country”.
demeanor, a man of relatively few words and not comfortable with public speaking, he was also known to be congenial among his fellows. His contributions were legion and rightly earned him the accolades as “The Henry Ford of Aviation” and “The Fastest Man in the World.” On a cool overcast day in 1907, Glenn Curtiss made his mark, at least in the history books of motorcycling. He had been designing and building a variety of engines including singles, V-twins and inline fours, but he literally made his mark with a lightweight air-cooled V8. The power plant came into existence due to the everincreasing demand for more powerful aircraft engines for the burgeoning production of early 20th century flying machines. The recordbreaking motorcycle itself was basically a rolling, but not quite flying, test bed for the BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 63
The overall design looked ungainly with its 4,000 cc engine suspended in what was a heavily beefed up bicycle frame with a 64-inch wheelbase.
new Curtiss 40 hp “monster” motor. The configuration was based on a very square 3.25 x 3.25 inch bore and stroke that displaced a potent 269 cubic inches. While his preceding engines were primarily single cylinder and 50-degree V-Twins, Curtis went to a 90-degree design featuring cast iron F-type heads, as utilized on his smaller displacement power plants. Moreover, it dispensed with head gaskets, thanks to the quality of its design and manufacture. Inside the massive hunk of metal lurked a solid billet steel crank while internal lubrication was handled via a dry sump and random splash system. Under the valve covers, inlet valves were activated by atmospheric pressure while pushrods actuated the exhaust valves. Fed by twin carbs, also Curtiss designs, the throttle cables were hidden inside the handlebars. The electrical system relied upon jump-spark Ignition energized by dry cell batteries. Although it looked ungainly with its 4,000 cc engine suspended in what was a heavily beefed up bicycle frame with a 64inch wheelbase, the overall design benefited from a power to weight ratio (one hp per 6.8 pounds) that was advanced by any standards, especially by those of 1907, the bike tipping the scales at merely 275 lbs. Once the machine was unloaded at Ormond Beach, Glenn Curtiss surveyed the salt-sprayed four-mile course. It was divided into a two-mile section for reaching top
speed, a third mile for timing purposes, and last but not least a “slow down and stop” mile. As the bike was shaft-driven with no clutch and but one tall gear, it was an all or nothing proposition. One kept twisting the throttle and let the speed build while the screaming unmuffled pipes scattered sea birds for miles.
Did You Know: 1906 Curtiss writes the Wright brothers offering them an aeronautical motor!
As the Curtiss Museum director comments, “It must have sounded like the Wrath of God!” Assisting Curtiss were Thomas Baldwin and longtime friend, the aptly named, “Tank” Waters. Their brawn was used to push start the machine to life. They needed to be hale and hearty fellows, and stout they were, since the bump start method often required as many as ten or more attempts to get the V8 burbling and barking. Curtiss climbed into the saddle, positioned his goggles and gripped the handlebars, perhaps glancing down once more at the Goodrich tires biting into the beach sand, and then nodded. Fortunately, it was not the horrendously humid Florida summer months, and the two men hurled Curtiss and his V8 two-wheeler down the beach and into the history books. Taking the two miles to reach full speed, Curtiss was clocked at 136.3 mph in the timed section of the course. He would be the first man to travel one mile in 25.25 seconds, a feat of mechanical design and personal courage that earned him the title of the “fastest man on earth.” Ironically, the record was considered unofficial due to a potentially fatal mechanical problem that precluded it from running the course again under official observation. In other words, the bike broke down after only one completion through the course. The skilled and coolheaded rider that he was, Curtiss was able to bring it to a halt from the 90mph—at which BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 65
moment parts had begun flailing about. The matter was reported in the February 9, 1907 issue of Scientific American (and we quote): “THE FASTEST AND MOST POWERFUL AMERICAN MOTOR BICYCLE. What is unquestionably the most powerful as well as the fastest motor bicycle ever built in this country made its appearance at the races at Ormond Beach recently; but owing to the breaking of a universal joint and subsequent buckling of the frame, this machine made no official record. It was built by Mr. G. H. Curtiss, a well-known motor-bicycle maker, with the idea of breaking all records. The machine was fitted with an 8-cylinder air-cooled V-motor of 36-40 horsepower. ... The total weight of the complete machine was but 275 pounds, or 6.8 pounds per horsepower. In an unofficial mile test, timed by stopwatches from the start by several persons who watched through field glasses a flag waved at the finish, Mr. Curtiss is said to have covered this distance in 26. 25 seconds, which would be at the rate of 136.3 miles per hour - a faster speed than has ever been made before by a man on any type of vehicle. Unfortunately, before this new mile record could be corroborated by an official test, the universal joint broke while the machine was going 90 miles an hour. ...” BTR 66 | BORNTORIDE.COM
In addition, armchair pundits of the day reportedly snorted with disbelief espousing their firm belief that is was a hoax or fable since no mortal man could breathe at the reported speed. It would be the V8s one and only day in the sun, the only time Glenn Curtiss would take it up to speed. But once was enough. On July 23, 1930, at age 52 Glenn Hammond Curtiss who had so often slipped the surly bonds of Earth, did indeed breath his last breath succumbing unexpectedly to an embolism after successful surgery for appendicitis. The heart attack was also linked to the stress from ongoing litigation. His body now rests in his birthplace of Hammondsport, New York, in Pleasant Valley Cemetery. As for his vaunted V8 motorcycle, a bolt for bolt replica of the ferocious machine was built by the Mercury Aircraft Co. and is now on display at the Curtiss Museum. If you want to see the real McCoy, you’ll find it at the new Smithsonian Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center located adjacent to the Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, VA (www.nasm.si.ed.u). As a poignant postscript, we are told by the Curtiss Museum that several of the engine’s internal parts were recycled by Curtiss into other projects, so in a way it lives on as does
the almost legendary achievements of Glenn H. Curtiss. Curtiss Museum: Located on Lake Keuka in Hammondsport, New York, the museum’s 57,000 sq ft features the full spectrum of Glenn Curtiss’s contributions. On display are his many aircraft designs as well as his bicycles and motorcycles including a faithful reproduction of the record breaking V8. For more information call (607) 569-2160 or contact the Museum Director Trafford Doherty via trafford@linkny.com. Thursday, January 24, 1907. Ormond Beach, Florida. Glenn H. Curtiss, age 29, sits astride the test bench for his new V8 269 cubic inch aircraft engine. When all was said and done, Curtiss was clocked at 136.3 mph in the timed section of the course, a feat of mechanical design and personal courage that earned him the title of “The Fastest Man in the World.” As the Curtiss Museum director Traff Doherty comments, “It must have sounded like the Wrath of God!” By Paul Garson
Photography courtesy of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, The Glenn H, Curtiss Museum, Roy Kidney and Jack Carpenter
Craven Moorehead Memories of the Simpler Days
Curiously, I don’t have a lot to write about this month. My inspiration often comes from memories, travels and events that have impacted my life in one way or another, whether those particular events have a positive or negative outcome doesn’t really matter. Usually, I would consume a few beers before I begin to structure a story but today I just started out dry – kinda like one of those empty chalk boards that seriously require chalk to send their message. So, while I am on the way to the house to get some chalk (read beer) the content may continue to improve or perhaps not. You as readers of my column know that it is like one of those fancy boxes of chocolate and you never really know what you are going to get. Sure, the images on the box in some cases tempts you to purchase it but often when you actually open the thing, the photographic representation may be off by several percentage points. This is the very reason that I only eat Kit-Kat bars. They are consistent in their ingredients and always yield a crunchy - chocolate flavor that always stays the course without variation. I have recently discovered that I am not the only aficionado of this treat and it seems that this item is the ‘drug of choice’ for a lot of folks. But my addiction to candy, albeit a little-known fact for most, is probably less entertaining than some of the other crap that I write about. It is often said that I am not easily impressed or satisfied for that matter, but lately I have become more and more focused on simple things. Things like having a place to live, something to eat, a cold beer in the fridge and an endless highway to terrorize – I mean to ride on. … I also enjoy playing music, hosting the occasional
bike night or charity event and doing radio. Mine is not necessarily a life of fame and fortune. Making lots and lots of money would be nice, but I have learned to pretty much live without that luxury. I usually get enough dough to survive for the most part, but it is a vivid fantasy that I would one day be able to get some stuff that I need. You know, simple stuff like a decent car, a new motorcycle, a new computer to terrorize – ooops I meant entertain my readers with – or perhaps a heater for my shop. Man, it’s cold out here! But I am eternally grateful for all the things I DO have. Plus the Daytona 500 marks the return of NASCAR for the season and the Superbowl is right around the corner. This technically is a great month for my usual pastime of watching TV due to the aforementioned events and the fact that they are on local broadcast channels which I can actually get here in the trailer park is a gigantic bonus. Life is good all the way around – but wait – there’s more! A lot of people don’t do what I do (watch aired or cable television) and most people use their mobile devices or tablets to get their information and entertainment. One day I was at the Born To Ride office and Ron and myself were discussing the future of multimedia, the Internet and trending technologies that people are using. After a few hours of brainstorming, groveling and decision making, Ron and Born To Ride decided to launch a LIVE radio program that features everything that is related to the biker world. This programming is truly unique because it bonds together the key features of both radio and television. Yeah, you can actually see us doing the show while we talk to you on the studio line. It’s a great format that you can take with you anywhere, on any device and because it touches upon everything of interest to bikers and the lifestyle that we love it is a must-see program! I know that most of you have seen the advertisements in the magazine regarding this show and hopefully more and more of you will call in, participate and be part of the excitement that is Born To Ride Radio. I am very grateful to be able to co-host this show with Ron and we expect this format to continue to excel in the arena of biker related entertainment. This program airs live every Tuesday night from 8PM until 11PM and you can be part of the action by calling the studio line at 813-756-6444. See the live feed and recorded videos at www.borntoride.com www.pirate-radio-network. com and a few other sites. Technology itself has demanded that we embrace new ideas and concepts so perhaps it may be time for me to upgrade from my old flip-phone. I know that being old-school is sometimes cool, but if I must move forward I often wonder what little piece of the past I should take with me. I suppose that maybe it will be only memories of the simpler days. CRAVEN
Let us know what you think of Craven Moorehead, info@borntoride.com
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Biker Movie Review
Another and perhaps one of the first in a long line of biker exploitation films created in the 70s. Hang on for the ride as I try to make some sense of this mess. While five of the bikers wait for their ‘leader’ Mack to show up, Jack decides that he wants to be the leader of the ‘club’ and promises to kick Mack’s ass whenever he arrives. But Mack is having problems
of his own with his ol’ lady and he and another member tie her up with a rope and put her on the back of his bike. After she jumps off he drags her in the dirt for a short distance and eventually arrives at the gang’s meeting place in the woods. Jack completes the task of kicking Mack’s butt and takes Mack’s girl and subsequently passes her around to the rest of the group as Mack rides away delivering the one-finger salute. Meanwhile the (plot) turns to a bar scene where we are exposed to more poor acting, and two full song performances by The Joe Banana Thing, complete with a giant Chiquita banana prop. Then we are exposed to a bunch of make-out sessions and when the two band members and their girls go to a picnic, things get a little weird. The remainder of the ‘gang’ arrive to where the two band members are partying with their girls and eventually knock the two guys out and rape their girls. But- one of the bikers drops his wallet. When the bikers leave to terrorize another part of the country Frank looks at the ID and locates the hotel where Jack is staying. He stabs him and returns home. The next day he returns to find a ransom note instead of his girl. He immediately goes out and buys a gun. Once again somewhere in the woods, one of the bikers shoots at Frank but misses. Frank eventually shoots them all and steals one of their bikes and goes back to Jack’s apartment to rescue his girl. He finishes Jack off by throwing him out of the second story window to his death. Written and directed by René Martinez Jr. This is one of the most torturous films I have had to endure lately. Allegedly, this piece was filmed in Tampa, FL but it was difficult to recognize any of the roads or locations, as most of the film features vintage ‘choppers’ being driven on dirt roads and grass. The fake fight scenes are terrible, the continuity was awful and the only redeeming factor was the occasional glimpse of vintage Harley Davidson choppers and the very rare boobie slip. The DVD I received for review clearly stated that it was “Adults Only” but I suspect that the reason for that statement is simply because the extra cuts at the end feature mostly 70s porno and other promotions regarding adult material. I will rate it ‘R’ for ridiculous. The Phantom
Do you have a favorite Biker Movie we don’t have? Let us know: info@borntoride.com
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Spyke & Mike How about this winter we’re having my BTR readers? While all our northern friends and relatives are sending us pictures of the deep snow, frozen roads, and ice build up Mike keeps sending them pictures of us riding in the sun, him sitting on the beach in shorts, or attending our favorite bike nights wearing a BTR T-shirt. Mike told me yesterday, “It don’t get no better than this. Let’s hope February stays the same.” That reminded me of my birthday this month (Feb. 14th) and I was wondering what Mike has up his sleeve for me. I’ll be 24-years-old and it’s counted just like human years. He hasn’t done much in the past except for when I turned 21. He and his friends threw me a huge party and he was the designated driver. Thank goodness for that as I got to meet the Captain, Jack Daniels, and his cousin Jim Beam swimming around in ice-cold Coke. Mind you, it was just a lick for me ‘cause I can’t get my chicken lips around a straw. Mike warned me about the dangers of drinking from his experiences like: consumption of alcohol will lead you to think that people are laughing WITH you and will be the leading cause of unexplainable rug burns to the forehead. Man, that shindig was that a blast! I better remind him ‘cause he has a bad case of C.R.S. (Can’t Remember Shit). From behind me I hear, “Why are you always throwing me under the bus Spike? You’ve got to stop making me look like I have an intellect rivaled only by that of garden tools. People really believe everything you type. I get questioned all the time when we’re out. I’m always having to explain your stories and hear about what abuse I put you through. You’ve even cost me a few jobs and relationships. You’re supposed to be reporting about bike activities not Mike activities.” I cackle, “First you shouldn’t sneak up on me when I’m working on the story. Second, you really think they believe everything a non-speaking bird can type? Third, it’s because of Mike’s activities at bike activities I can give our BTR friends something to chuckle about.” “Ok, Ok Spyke, I get that.” Mike replies. “We all have read how other writers tell about their adventures at certain events, on the road, and in their personal lives. It’s usually so dull and boring most people don’t finish the article. Unlike Panhead Randy, Craven,
You Should go Slowly
and you, most other writers lead dull and boring lives. Because you are Spyke the biker bird, you make boring impossible and everything else in between very believable. When people see us doing wacky things that make them smile, take pictures, and remember an event or situation, they read next month’s article and believe everything you type. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m not being mean, disrespectful, or insulting. I’m actually thanking you for your bird’s-eye view in being so creative, dramatic, and witty. But sometimes you’ve just got to leave out a few details and definitely stop making some up. So, about your birthday, what do you want to do? From what I just heard, I can’t seem to please you unless it’s off the chain.” I screech, “Alright Mike, remember a few weeks ago when we were in Gibtown for that awesome event and I met another biker bird? Well, I want you to set me up on a date with him. He was handsome, a good kisser, and a little aggressive, but I kinda liked it! I’ve had a few dreams about that moment since then and I think it’s time for me to ride with a feathered brother from another mother. Maybe he could even come back to the Sanctuary?” “Well hold on there Spyke.” Mike screams. “This is all new and we need to take it one step at a time. You should go slowly, break a few nuts and drink some juice with this fellow painted blue and yellow. Squawk at each other awhile. Hear about his favorite tree top stops and perches. Let him impress you with his chicken dance. You just can’t bring any winged Tom, Dick, and Harry back to the Sanctuary. You might get taken for more than a ride if you know what I mean!” I cackle, “Come on daddy, it’s what I want for my birthday.” Mike replies, “Ok Spyke, you’ve been such a great bird and have so many admirers that if word got out I didn’t get you what you wanted for your birthday people would unfriend me, or worse. ... Let’s make like a bread truck and haul buns. We have to find that biker bird.” I squawk, “Even though I make everyone believe you forgot to pay your brain bill, I like the way you’re thinking now. Pick me up and plop me on the Fat Bird. Let’s get your knees in the breeze, my wings in the wind, and its wheels rolling down the road in search of my first boyfriend.” SPYKE
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www.B Events Friday, February 3 Lakeland, FL Lakeland H-D New Harley Giveaway. For the month of February purchase or test ride a motorcycle to get entered to win a new Harley-Davidson. Drawing to be held 3/4 (must be present to win). 863-802-1971 Saturday, February 4 Gibsonton, FL River’s Edge Bar and Grill Sobriety X live. 813-671-9196 Greenacres, FL 4th Annual Forgotten Soldiers Outreach Run 10:30am Moose Lodge 994. All proceeds from poker run will benefit Forgotten Soldiers Outreach. 561369-2933 Pinellas Park, FL Spin Wurkz Motorcycle Grand Opening 10am 6pm. Bike show, Dyno runs, DJ Rico Smooth, free BBQ, raffles and more. 727-592-4600 Plant City, FL Plant City Bike Fest 5pm - 9pm Union Depot Station. Live music, 8-class bike show, vendors and more. info@plantcity.org Tampa, FL LAMA 12th Anniversary 12pm - 5pm Teamsters Union Hall. Bike show, games, music, 50/50, vendors and more. 813-299-4482 Sunday, February 5 Palmetto, FL Peggy’s Corral Sunday Fun Day 12pm - 4pm (every Sunday). Live music and $2 Bloody Mary’s and more. 941-729-5442 Tampa, FL The Big Game Party JT’s Road House. Free food, free draft from kickoff to first score. 813-6924440 Monday, February 6 Gibsonton, FL River’s Edge Bar and Grill Pool Tournament. 813-671-9196 Tuesday, February 7 Tampa, FL Born To Ride Radio 74 | BORNTORIDE.COM BTR 76
There Thereare aresome somegreat greatevents eventscoming comingup, up,sosoget getout outthere thereand andmeet meetup upwith withold oldfriends! friends!
BornToRide.com/events s, Rides & Destinations 8pm - 11pm radio live streaming (every Tuesday) live@borntoride. com. See it and hear it live with Craven Moorehead and Ron Galletti; music top 10, special events, interviews, places to visit, what’s hot, special guests and more, call in and tell us what’s on your mind 813-756-6444 Thursday, February 9 Sarasota, FL Applebee’s Bike Night Thursday 2nd Thu. BTR magazine shoot, food and more. 941-355-1400 Sunday, February 12 Clearwater, FL Racing for Orphans 1pm 13800 US Hwy N (just north of Ulmerton Rd). Join the fun and attend the party. All proceeds (100%) will go to the Florida Sheriff Youth Ranches. Friday, February 12 Wauchula, FL (2/17 -2/19) Charlotte’s Webb 19th Annual Mardi Parti. Live music, pig roast, jambalaya, crawdads & more. 863-735-8887 Saturday, February 18 Moore Haven, FL 8th Annual Party Under the Bridge 11am FOE. Food & beverages, live music, 50/50 drawing, silent auction, bike show, old car display and more. For more info call 863-254-8115 Sunday, February 19 New Port Richey, FL Suncoast Brotherhood 5th Annual Chili Cook-off 12pm VFW Post 6180. Tasting starts at Noon $5 per bowl. For more info call 727359-6112 Ormond Beach, FL 22nd Anniversary Antique & Custom Bike Show 9am - 9pm Midwest Motorcycle. Food, music, swap
meet, vendors and more. 386257-6265 Friday, February 24 Naples, FL 2nd Annual First Responders Appreciation Event & Bike Night 6pm - 9pm Naples Harley-Davidson. Live music, vendors, food trucks, beer & more. 239-594-5504 Saturday, February 25 Jupiter, FL Iron & Clematis Vintage Motorcycle Festival 11am - 8pm downtown. VintageIronClub.org Lake City, FL American Legion Post 57 Chili Cook-off and Car Show. Cost at the gate is $5 to sample the chili. AmericanLegion57.org Naples, FL LAMA (Naples) 3rd Anniversary Party 12pm 5pm. Live music, food, drinks, raffle, 50/50, vendors, talent show competition and more. LamaNaples.com Tampa, FL Shriners Motorcycle Scavenger Hunt 10am Egypt Shrine, kickstands up at 11am. Food, music, prizes, fellowship and fun; Shriners ride so kids can walk. 813-884-8381
Sanford, FL Seminole H-D Bike Night Bike Week Kickoff Party with Nova X 5:30pm. 407-328-1212
MC Biker Rodeo and Party 3pm Angels Landing. Cone race, slow race, keg roll, and more; cost is $10 per person. 386-345-0562
Saturday, March 4 Sanford, FL Seminole H-D Presents Pat Travers 4pm. Contests, prizes and more. 407328-1212
Saturday, March 17 Cocoa, FL Buffalo Soldier’s Bike Week BBQ Bash Fundraiser 11am - 6pm F. Burton Smith Park. Lunch, games, music and all-day Bike Show. 321-626-2076
Friday, March 10 Daytona Beach, FL (3/10 - 3/19) 76th Daytona Bike Week Saturday, March 25 Officialikeweek.com Naples, FL New Hope Ministries Motorcycle Rally 9am - 2pm. The Daytona Beach, FL (3/10 - 3/19) 5th Annual New Hope Motorcycle Bikeweek at Dirty Harry’s. Bobby Rally is our opportunity to give Friss, Hairball, Jasmine Cain, back to the community. Come join Wayland, Wet T-shirt contests & us, tickets are $20. 239-348more DirtyHarrysDaytona.com 0122 Sanford, FL (3/10 - 3/19) Seminole H-D Bike Week Party. Live music, poker run, meet & greet, bike show and more. Visit SeminoleHarley.com for list of all events and bands. Saturday, March 11 Fort Myers, FL Downtown Fort Myers Bike Night 6pm - 10pm. Lots of vendors and live bands. RiverDistrictEvents.com
Sunday, March 12 Daytona Beach, FL 9th Annual Sam Swope Memorial Charity Sunday, February 26 Ride 8:30am Volusia Top Gun. Palmetto, FL Peggy’s Corral Ride from Daytona Beach to 50s Sock Hop & Dance Party 12pm - 4pm. Fonzi, Laverne & Sanford (Rain or Shine). Police Shirley Look-alike contest, Best escorted ride ends at Seminole 50s outfit contest (cash prizes) & H-D, $30 donation. Shriners ride so kids can walk. 888-267-8251 more. 941-729-5442 Friday, March 3 Brandon, FL (3/3 - 3/4) Barney’s of Brandon Huge Truckload Event 9am -5pm. Huge clearance selection up to 90% off, free food, live music and more. 813-628-9418
Woodstock, GA American Flat Track Series Atlanta Short Track Dixie Speedway. DixieSpeedway. com Friday, March 31 Ocala, FL (3/31 - 4/1) Ocala Bike Fest & Fundraiser. This is for ARC Marion which provides services for the developmentally & intellectually disabled. Live music, vendors, food, adult beverages, poker run, games, bike & car show, tattoo contest, fashion show, Dog Dayz rescue & show and more. 352-351-9048
Saturday, April 1 Brandon, FL 3rd Annual Shakes, Rattles, Rides & Rods 12pm 5pm Brandon Harley-Davidson. Live music, bike show, Jeep show, vendors, food from Thursday, March 16 Portillo’s, cost is $15 per person. Daytona Beach, FL American Flat 813-810-5001 Track Series Daytona TT Daytona International Speedway Charlotte, NC American Flat DaytonaInternationalSpeedway. Track Series Charlotte Half-Mile com Charlotte Motor Speedway Edgewater, FL Leather & Lace CharlotteMotorSpeedway.com
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Christian Motorcyclists Association If I Stopped Worrying
of the road, combined with a rental bike that had anti-lock brakes, which I had never used previously. It was more about hanging on than enjoying the wind. Then something changed and I realized that everything was fine, the road was great, and I was on a bike that was more than capable to handle anything the road threw at it! Instead of being worried, or anxious, I relaxed and let the ride unfold into a great experience. The only thing standing between a great ride and a fear filled ride was where I put my focus. It was up to me to decide what kind of day it was going to be, so I dismissed the fear and claimed a wonderful riding adventure for my wife and myself! In the Bible, in Philippians 4:6, it reads, “Do not be anxious about anything!” We need to understand that God loves us, and He not only wants the very best for us, but He is infinitely capable of providing us with the same. We so easily get caught up in negative expectations, worrying and fear, for little or no reason. I read a few years back that over 90% of the things that people worry about can’t be fixed by worrying, so why ruin a perfectly good day focusing on what could go wrong? I realized that Jesus had me, and that I was on a well traveled road that could be an awesome ride, if I stopped worrying. You know what happened, we had a blast!! We saw the beauty that had been made by God, and enjoyed every minute of the day. If you have fear messing up your day, dismiss it. God has you, all the way! In The Wind, Denny Dingler Check out BornToRide.com for more articles from Christian Motorcyclists Association BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 79 The cooler weather reminds me of a great ride my wife and I took in the mountains of California. We flew in a few days before a business convention with the express intent of renting a bike and exploring the area on two wheels. When we arrived we discovered that the temperature on the destination mountain was very cold, so we consulted a local map and headed to a town called Julien. That small place is known for their apple pies (boy they were good!!). Anyway, we picked up the rental and cruised up the California coastline for a while, which gave me a chance to familiarize myself with that bike. Being from Florida, I had no idea what the road would be like that day. Let’s just say that it was quite an adventure. The road was full of twists and turns, as well as a number of blind curves that didn’t offer a clue about what was going to happen next. Being that it was more than I had expected I found butterflies in my gut and my grasp on the bike’s grips growing tighter by the minute. We also faced some shadows that made it hard to clearly see the entire surface