SEPT JULY 2021 2020#206 #91
Contents
JULY ISSUE 206
AD INDEX
FEATURES
Born To Rides Great American MotoFest 7 Jan Downing - A Legend Gone
COLUMNS
07
36
All Steel Building
26
Allstate - Jeff Ard
All World Lift Truck Boss Hogg Radio
Nefarious James
39
Spyke & Mike
54 55
BTR Facebook Group
BTR Great American MotoFest BTR MotoFest
BTR Radio Live BTR Youtube
BTR TV 25th year
Cherokee Blue Ridge Run
DEPARTMENTS
45 40 18 22 48 28 6
48 50 46 35
Cycle-Rama 40
Contents Page
2
Letter From The Editor Dave Nichols
4
Denver’s Choppers
14
Elite Transmission & Auto
49
Designing Eyes Estrella TV
Movie Review PsychoMania
52
Florida Sheriff Youth Ranches
BTR KIDS
55
G.I. Joe Wanted
36
49
Birdman Mike
Christian Motorcycle Association
All About Leather
ON THE COVER Born To Rides Great American MotoFest Saturday July 24th Boss Hogg Ranch, Plant City www.borntoride.com Info: 888-795-5779
For Two Wheels
Gotta Haveit Insurance
51 51 27 20 49 42
Great American Chopper Show 8 H-D Crystal
56, IBC
John & Heather Show
48
High Seas Rally
Lakeland Antique Mall Leasure Automotive Leather Lid Inserts Metalsport Wheels
Mid-USA Motorsports Mini-Bike Misfits MotoFest Music
26,32 43 42 39 5
24 12 21
Paughco 3 Palm Beach Powersports
34
Progressive Insurance
3
Pop A Beer
Rise Up Against Addiction
Roscoe’s Outhouse Drags Rubenstein Law
Seattle Engraving Center
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The information contained herein is provided by Born To Ride Magazine or by its advertisers. BTR makes every effort to present accurate and reliable information in the issue. Born To Ride Magazine does not endorse, approve, or certify such information, nor does it guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, timeliness or correct sequencing of such information throughout this magazine. Use of such information is voluntary on your part, and reliance on it should only be undertaken after your independent review. Reference herein to any specific manufacturer, company, commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement of or recommendation of said by Born To Ride Magazine.” “Born To Ride Magazine (including its employees, contributors and agents) assumes no responsibility for consequences that may result from the use of the information herein, including the use of the information obtained at www.borntoride.com and it’s linked sites, or in any respect for the content of such information, including (but not limited to) errors or omissions, the accuracy or reasonableness of factual or scientific assumptions, studies or conclusions, ownership of copyright or other intellectual property rights, and the violation of property, privacy, or personal rights of others. BTR Magazine is not responsible for damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on such information. No guarantees or warranties, including (but not limited to) any express or implied warranties are made by BTR Magazine with respect to such information contained throughout the site.” No part may be copied without written permission of the publisher, Born To Ride, Inc. P.O. Box 3021, Brandon, FL 33509. 888-795-5779, Fax 813-689-2996.
Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q Swap Meet
Tropic Trailer Vintage Vinyl
Wildwood Antique Malls
50 44 33
IFC,1,BC 41 47 18 45 49 38
BORN TO RIDE Magazine
PO BOX 3021 Brandon, FL 33509 PUBLISHER
Ron Galletti 813-785-3895 888-795-5779 rg@borntoride.com
CO PUBLISHER
Deb Galletti dgalletti@borntoride.com
Letter from the Editor
DAVE NICHOLS
FROM THE HELM
EDITOR
Dave Nichols editor@borntoride.com
ART DIRECTOR
Peter Soutullo art@borntoride.com
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Erick Runyon
ART DEPARTMENT
Juan Guzman, Jared Hartman, Erick Runyon , Peter Soutullo, Craig Miller, Beatnik Steve Werner art@borntoride.com
WEB DESIGN/ELECTRONIC MEDIA Juan Guzman
OFFICE ADMINISTRATION Nancy Ray nray@borntoride.com
MULTI-MEDIA SPECIALIST Jared Hartman, Craig Miller Jasper Harris
SALES & MARKETING 888-795-5779
ROAD CREW
Vick Velosity, Mark Crowder, Doug Bright, Birdman Mike,
SCENIC RIDE CONSULTANT Steve Finzelber-Finz Finds
ON THE ROAD TEAM
The John & Heather Show
CONTRIBUTORS
JP Brady, Neale Bayly, Susan Hurst, Spyke & Mike, Eric Albright, Eric Vician, Myra McElhaney, Paul Murray, James Gladstone Greg Blackwell, Felicia Morgan, John Sullivan
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Ron & Selena Hawks, Chris Miller, Scott Odel, Eric Albright, Chopper Dave, JP Brady, Erick Runyon, Craig Miller, Vic Lawall
LAW FIRM
Rubenstein Law 1-800-FL-LEGAL BORN TO RIDE OFFICE
888-795-5779 BTR 4 | BORNTORIDE.COM
IT’S MOTOFEST TIME! HOWDY BROTHERS AND SISTERS! July is here! Time to put on your red, white and blue to celebrate America’s Independence Day. Time for barbecues and beer. Time for fireworks. Time to ride your motorcycle to the ultimate biker party… MOTOFEST! Born To Ride’s Ron and Deb Galletti have put together the return of the Great American Motorcycle Rodeo and you are invited! Ride on out to Plant City, Florida this Saturday, July 24th for a motorcycle event like no other! The amazing Boss Hogg Ranch will be transformed into biker heaven on earth with vendors galore, great food and drink, live music, and the wildest biker rodeo you can possibly imagine. Motorcycle rodeo legend Ron Schwellinger of R&R Cycles, famous for putting together the Easyriders Rodeos, knows how to throw one helluva a rodeo party. He’s got all the fun and games prepared for a day you simply won’t believe. He brings his many years of experience to this first annual Motofest. There will be sled pulls and racing action as well as all the tried-and-true biker rodeo favorites such as the weenie bite, balloon toss and a whole lot more. We’re even bringing out the crazy Roscoe’s Outhouse Races, which are literally a crap load of fun! Rooster’s Rod Shop is putting together a killer custom car and truck show. There’ll be a burnout pit, bar stool races, a ride-in chopper show. Cartel Baggers will melt your mind with some ear-splitting custom bagger stereos and Salty RV will be on hand with some amazing products that are ready to move. Top rodeo cowboys will win free tires from Metalsport Wheels and Vee Rubber. Mondo from Denver’s Choppers has an incredible surprise coming as does Steve and Ron from Paughco Motorcycle Parts. While you’re enjoying a day of biker hijinks, stop by the High Seas Rally booth and enter to win an all-expenses-paid cruise of the Caribbean with hundreds of your best biker friends. Win a stateroom for two on the High Seas Rally Cruise!
Join our Grand Marshalls, Fester jenkins, Spyke & Mike and Dave “The Flashman” Morgan for an action-packed day. Best of all, YOU can join in the motorized madness. That’s right, YOU can enter in the motorcycle rodeo games for a chance to win amazing prizes and bragging rights at the first-ever Motofest! Proceeds from this dazzling day will benefit the Florida Sherriff’s Youth Ranches. Help us send kids to camp! Don’t forget to mark your calendar for July 24th and we’ll see you at the Boss Hogg Ranch in Plant City for the ultimate twowheeled fandango, MOTOFEST! This awesome issue will tell you how you can win the legendary gold chopper from the biker film Rough Boys. It’s a pristine panhead from Paughco Motorcycle Parts and Mondo of Denver’s Choppers that YOU CAN WIN! Find out how right here in Born To Ride. Also, don’t forget to join me and my bro Dave Morgan and 2.8 million bikers who follow us every week on Born To Ride Live. It’s an hour of the best motorcycle video content from over 25 years of Born To Ride TV. Check it out every Tuesday at 7pm EST on the Born To Ride Facebook page and on YouTube and Choppertown. Need more maraudin’ motorcycle talk? Check out Boss Hogg Radio on Thursday night at 7pm for Born To Ride Radio. Fester Jenkins and Mama Dukes moderate an hour of live biker talk, interview biker legends and bring you a whole lot of giggles, all for free! This July issue of Born To Ride is dedicated to Jan Downing, who rode on ahead on September 7th, 2020. Jan was a trail blazin’ two-wheeled legend. She and her husband Del owned and operated Tampa V Twin for over 40 years. Read about her incredible life and how she promoted women on motorcycles, right here in these pages. Born To Ride is looking forward to seeing you all at Motofest. Be there this July 24th. — Dave Nichols editor@borntoride.com
MOTOFEST IS HERE!
When was the last time you threw your leg over your scooter and rode out to spend the day enjoying everything that the biker lifestyle has to offer? Well, set aside Saturday, July 24th brothers and sisters, because Born to Ride is proudly bringing you the return of an all-American two-wheeled tradition in the form of a killer Motorcycle Rodeo. Yeah, I am talkin’ about the Great American Motofest. Ride out to beautiful Plant City, Florida for a solid day of biker family-friendly fun!
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“Roosters Rod Shop is led by John Benedict, Jim Cecil and Tim Hahn out of Clearwater, Florida. The boys specialize in traditional American hot rods, custom cars and motorcycles. Who better to bring you a wild custom rod and truck show?” —John Roosterz
Motofest is the brain child of Ron and Deb Galletti, the folks behind Born To Ride magazine and TV for over 25 incredible years. The idea here is to put that nasty virus behind us in the rearview and hang together for a day to enjoy the lifestyle and the people we love. The Great American Motofest, Presented by Rubenstein Law 1-800-FL-Legal, will
take place out at the Boss Hogg Ranch at 906 Sam Allen Road in Plant City. Born to Ride’s Great American Motofest will feature a full day of biker rodeo madness, a ridein bike show as well as Roosterz Rod Shop will present its kickass Thunderstruck Rod and Truck Show. Roosterz Rod Shop is led by John Benedict, Jim Cecil and Tim Hahn out of
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Clearwater, Florida. The boys specialize in traditional American hot rods, custom cars and motorcycles. Who better to bring you a wild custom rod and truck show?
Roosterz has been involved with Born To Ride for quite some time, participating in last year’s Chopparama and Choppertown Live. Come on out and witness the Truck Burnout Box and Hot Rod Roundup! “Hey, it is always a blast to work with Ron, Deb and the crew at Born To Ride,” John says. “Roozterz is definitely looking forward to coming out and puttin’ on a righteous show!” For more info or to check out some killer customs visit www.roosterzrodshop.com or call 727-289-2896. You can also find Roosterz on Facebook and Instagram.
MUD, BLOOD, LUST & DUST!
R&R Cycles’ Rob Schwellinger was the field boss for the famous Easyriders Motorcycle Rodeos and he sure knows how to throw one helluva motorcycle rodeo whoop-dedoo. “I started out with top rodeo cowboy Tampa Bay Ray way back in 1988,” Rob tells us. “And it has been one wild ride ever since!” His R&R Cycles out of Tampa, Florida, is known around the world as the leader in American V-Twin performance. Rob knows how to make serious horsepower and brings his many years of experience and expertise to this first annual Motofest. Rob’s got all the fun and games prepared for a packed day of entertainment like no other. There will be awesome monster trike sled pulls and wild racing action as well as all the tried-and-true biker rodeo favorites such as the weenie bite, balloon toss, and a whole lot more thanks to Spyke and Mike who will be doing the bike games. “I just found out that Roscoe’s is even bringing us the Outhouse races,” Rob proclaims. Come check out the awe and glory of the
This is the 81st Annual Sturgis Rally - August 6th-15th, 2021, sturgismotorcyclerally.com
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“R&R Cycles’ Rob Schwellinger was the field boss for the famous Easyriders Motorcycle Rodeos and he sure knows how to throw one helluva
beefed-up Misfits Mini-bike races. “It’ll be a motorized carnival for the whole family,” Rob laughs. “I have even built some peddle puller bikes so the kids can get involved.” See what we mean? Rob knows his stuff and he can’t wait for you to come out and have the time of your life!
Best of all, YOU can feel free to join in the rodeo fun. Just sign up at the event and get de-doo. His R&R Cycles your rodeo on! The top rodeo cowboys of the day will win free tires from Metalsport out of Tampa, Florida is Wheels and Vee Rubber and Mondo from known around the world Denver’s Choppers has a special surprise as the leader in American coming for the top bike show winners as well. Head honcho Ron Galletti says he’s V-Twin performance. Rob lining up some other prizes that you’ll have knows how to make serious to see to believe and quotes “We are very horsepower and brings his excited to bring The Born To Ride Great American Motofest to Florida Bikers as many years of experience well as help support The Florida Sheriff and expertise to this first Youth Ranches. Boss Hogg Radio Ranch annual Motofest.” is an amazing location for this event. We —Rob R&R are already planning future events that will motorcycle rodeo whoop-
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prove to be great times for all involved! The folks at Boss Hogg are first class all the way! We produce the Born To Ride Radio Show every Thursday night live at 7pm on The Boss Hogg App, Born To Ride TV & Magazine Facebook page and Choppertown Facebook page. I want to thank everyone helping Motofest become a reality.” “Special thanks to Rubenstein Law for being our presenting sponsor. They truly are a law firm that will fight for you and a name you can trust with 12 offices across the State of Florida.” “So come out and have a great time at Motofest!”
If that’s not enough to get your knees in the breeze to attend this amazing event, we’ll have our Grand Marshalls, none other than Spyke & Mike and Dave “Flash” Morgan and Boss Hogg’s very own Fester Jenkins to keep the good vibes goin’ all day long. You might even meet Nefarious James as he has promised to come out and help with the rodeo.
BIKERS DOIN’ GOOD FOR A GOOD CAUSE!
But wait, there’s more! Stop by the FTW pole barn and meet Joe the Welder, Skylar and the FTW Girls. Joe has been a biker all his life and is one helluva welder to boot.
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“We are very excited to bring The Born To Ride Great American Motofest to Florida Bikers as well as help support The Florida Sheriff Youth Ranches. Boss Hogg Radio Ranch is an amazing location for this event. We are already planning future events that will prove to be great times for all involved. The folks at Boss Hogg are first class all the way!” —Ron Galletti BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 17
He has opened his shop and his heart up to a group of young women who are learning how to wrench, weld and fabricate custom bikes with the best of ‘em. Joe and Skylar work with The Red Tent Initiative to help battered women to have a better life. Meet Joe and his easy on the eyes apprentices and check out the amazing motorcycles they have built. “It’s all about getting’ back to what bein’ a biker is all about,” Joe reminds us.
“We can have fun and live the lifestyle and do somethin’ to help people all at the same time.” True that! Plus, catch Joe the Welder and Skylar on Boss Hogg radio every Thursday night a 7pm as part of the Born To Ride Radio Team! All this and a whole bunch more will be rollin’ your way at Motofest! We are talkin’ great grub and suds, plus righteous live music because Motofest ROCKS with Randy Stephens amazing
tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan Double Your Trouble and by Tommy Roxx who cranks up the ultimate Southern Rock Tribute like no other.
You’ll also find all the parts and pieces you need for your next bike project at Motofest’s all-out auto and motorcycle swap-meet. It’s guaranteed the most fun you can have with your clothes on. Plus, one lucky couple will win an all-paid cruise of the Caribbean on the ultimate
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biker cruise, the High Seas Rally. Just stop by the booth and enter to win! Born To Ride is proud to announce that our charity of choice for Motofest is the Florida Sherriff’s Youth Ranches and we will all be helping their awesome program to send kids to camp. It’s all comin’ at ya at Motofest, this July 24th out at the Boss Hogg Ranch in Plant City.
“Joe has been a biker all his life and is one helluva welder to boot. He has opened his shop and his heart up to a group of young women who are learning how to wrench, weld and fabricate custom bikes with the best of ‘em. “It’s all about getting back to what bein’ a biker is all about,” Joe reminds us. “We can have fun and live the lifestyle and do somethin’ to help people all at the same time.” —Joe
Be a part of motorcycle history at the first annual Born To Ride Great American Motorfest! Who knows, you might just see yourself right here in the pages of Born To Ride. Be there, be there, be there!
Attention Vendors: There is still time to be a part of Motofest, Swap Meet Spots as well. Call Mama Dukes 352-573-1164 to reserve your spot. Sponsorship opportunities are still available call 813-661-9402 for more information or check www.borntoride.com
— Dave Nichols
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Be a part of motorcycle history at the first annual Born To Ride Great American Motofest! Who knows, you might just see yourself right here in the pages of Born To Ride. Be there, be there, be there!
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Tribute THE MOTORCYCLE COMMUNITY LOST A TRAIL BLAZER DeBerg who had a career in the NFL as a quarterback. Jan and Del met in 1970 and married within weeks of meeting. Jan quickly developed Del’s love for motorcycles but early on decided she wanted to ride her own bike and not just be on back of Del’s bike. In those days the general opinion was that women did not belong on a motorcycle as a rider. But that didn’t stop Jan.
ON SEPTEMBER 7, 2020 the motorcycle community lost a true trail blazer for women riders with the passing of Jan Downing. Jan and her Husband Del owned and operated Tampa V Twin for over 40 years. Tampa V Twin was one of the largest independent Harley shops in Florida and in its later years was a Victory Motorcycle Dealership. Back in the 1990’s, in order to buy a new Harley from a dealership, you had to place a deposit and then wait six months to a year to get your bike. But Tampa V Twin always had over 30 nearly-new, low mileage Harleys on the showroom floor for sale. Del ran the sales and Jan ran their huge parts and accessory department. They also had a top-notch service department. In those days, the shop was always crowded with customers and you would see riders of all kinds, from one percenter patch-holders to your average rider, to celebrities such as Steve BTR 36 | BORNTORIDE.COM
She had several bikes over the next few years including a 1969 Triumph Bonneville with drag bars and drag pipes that she later turned into a ’70’s era chopper. The bike had a rigid frame, a coffin tank, a girder front end and 21-inch front wheel. Jan painted it white and there was a mural of the Pink Panther smoking a joint on the tank. Later on, Jan had a 1958 Panhead and her favorite bike was her 1984 Harley FXST with both kick and electric start. Riding on the street wasn’t enough for Jan and she developed a need for speed. In the early 1970’s, she began racing motocross on a Yamaha 175 MX. Back then, they didn’t have female classes so she had to race with the men. Racing wasn’t enough. She wanted to win and during her motocross career, she almost always made the podium. Motocross didn’t offer enough speed for Jan so she decided to start dirt drag racing. Del and Jan built her a 1977 Harley XLCR dirt drag bike. Her first race in the East Coast Dirt Drag Racing Association
was at Slade’s Raceway in Surry, Virginia. Jan won first place in the Modified Street Class. Then, in the early 1990’s Jan decided to start racing drag bikes on the asphalt. Del and Jan built her a street drag bike and she joined the A.M.R.A. racing circuit racing quarter mile drag races. Jan initially only raced the east coast circuit and ended up winning the number one plate for the top east coast rider in her class. Next, she talked Del into buying a motorhome and she started racing the National circuit, traveling all over the country. She wound up being the number four plate holder in the nation in her class. Again, this was all against the male racers, there were no female classes back then. The motorcycle industry has changed a lot during the last ten years, with small mom and pop Harley dealerships closing their doors while monster dealerships thrive. Many independent shops like Tampa V Twin ended up closing. In my opinion this isn’t better, but just the way it is. Jan was a woman who helped change people’s view on women riders. Those that knew her, loved and respected her. The next time your wife or daughter decides they want their own motorcycle, remember that it was women like Jan that made it acceptable for them to do that. God Speed, Jan. You will be missed.
— Tim Johnson
“Jan and Del met in 1970 and married within weeks of meeting. Jan quickly developed Del’s love for motorcycles but early on decided she wanted to ride her own bike and not just be on back of Del’s bike.” BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 37
GET YOUR MOTOR RUNNIN’! IIt is unbelievable how fast this year is going by. But man, there’s some cool stuff on the way down the pipe. We are getting closer and closer to July 24. What’s going on July 24 you may ask? Well, it’s going to be the Great American Motofest in Plant City. This event has been groomed to be one hell of a premiere event that you are not gonna wanna miss.
adult only event, this is a “bring the whole family” event. I guess you could say it’s almost like going to a carnival but you get to be the main attraction.
This is one of those motorcycle events that doesn’t come around often. There’s a little bit of everything for everybody. But I think the thing that’s going to be the most unique about it is Motorfest will be bringing back the motorcycle rodeo. That’s right, people doing rodeo events on two wheels. The best part about this entire deal is that anyone can participate. This isn’t like one of those “pro” events where you go in and just watch. At Motofest, you get to actually get on your sled and ride in the biker rodeo games.
“THIS ISN’T AN ADULT
If you know one of those guys or gals that sit around and say how great they can ride and how they can out-ride anybody that they know, this is the time to put it all on the table. Tell them to put their money where their mouth is. And if the excuse is, “I can’t go because I have nobody to watch the kids.” Well, surprise. There’s going to be things for the kids to do as well as couples’ events. This isn’t an
There’s gonna be barrel racing, sled pulls, slow races and way more on the list. Every brand, make and model of motorcycle is encouraged to participate
FAMILY EVENT, THIS IS BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY EVENT. I GUESS YOU CAN SAY IT’S ALMOST LIKE GOING TO A CARNIVAL BUT YOU GET TO BE THE MAIN ATTRACTION “. This is not a single manufacturer event. How cool is that? I’m sure everybody who has ridden for a long time is familiar with the old magazine rodeos from the past. Well, some of those events are going to be at The Great American Motofest as well. Not only do you get to participate, but who knows, being a part of Motofest might even make your famous. It’s my understanding that Born To Ride will be
doing live videotaping as well as various news agency coverage during this event. I’m really hoping that there’s going to be a good attendance at this event because they don’t come around very often and it would be nice to do this annually. And as we know, the only way things become an annual thing is my having people showing up and showing that they want these type of events around. This is a great time to socialize as well as stylize. If you want to be seen, this is the place to do it. So for those who haven’t realized the obvious, ladies, there will be plenty of men there. And gentlemen, there will be plenty of ladies there. That’s not to mention all of the motorcycles, rat rods, vans and elive ntertainment that’s going to be wrapped up in one place all at once. I know that usually my articles are a little more edgy, but I’m really excited about this event and I think you should be as well. I’m hoping to see a lot of you out there and hope to see a lot of you participate in these games of skill. So with that being said, y’all be safe, get those bikes ready, charge those camera phones and get ready to wear some of the rubber off of those tires. This thing’s going to be a friggin’ blast. Start practicing and Let the Games Begin!! Until we see each other again,
Tell Jim what you’re thinking, what do you want to say to him? editor@borntoride.com
— Nefarious James BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 39
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the Devil to have eternal life. His soul is assumed to be part of the deal, as there is a tot in a basket screaming as Mum signs the deal. All this weirdness is further accelerated by a frog. I dunno? It’s just strange. We’ll get to the Frog—plus stones thing later. On one particular day, Tom and his gang decide to ride through town and wreak havoc on the locals. They ride through a mall square like setting, tipping over shopping carts, baby carriages, and other things until the Bobbies arrive. A chase ensues and most of the members escape the long arm of the law. Tom hell-bent on killing himself rides his motorcycle through a guardrail and into the river. In a strange ritual, Tom is buried sitting upright on his motorcycle near the stones. His gang makes wreaths of flowers and other artifacts, which are buried with him as a guy plays the guitar and sings. Mum’s weird butler buries a frog necklace with him and all the other stuff. Later, a motorist breaks down near the stones, and has the horror of seeing Tom ride his motorcycle out of the grave. He of course is struck by the speeding Triumph and assumed dead. Tom then proceeds to call home from a local public house, and speaks to the butler and his Mum. Later he kills several people from the pub, and escapes into the night. The next day he arrives at the stones where the gang is trying to figure out who stole Tom’s body, and motorcycle. Thinking Tom is the thief, the gang begins questioning him and one of the members sneaks up to stab him in the back. This is where they realize that Tom had really come back from the dead. Seeing how cool it is to be immortal, the rest of the gang sets out to be just like Tom and each one kills him or herself in increasingly more bizarre ways. All succeed but Tom’s girlfriend, who after a failed attempt, really wants to live a normal life. In the end Tom gives her the ultimatum to join him in the ‘living dead.’ While she is deciding what to do with the gun he has handed her, his lovely Mum performs a ritual which turns her into a frog, and the rest of the ‘dead gang’ into stones while she shoots Tom. Sound confusing? Yeah, it does to me too! I guess the moral of the story is: Don’t feel too froggy, cause you might get stoned.
This month Born To Ride reviews the 1971 film “Psychomania.” If you like old British horror films, then this one’s for you. Maybe I should have said horrible old British films. Either way, Psychomania has a lot to like or dislike, depending on your level of intoxication. The film centers around the life of “Tom” who is the leader of a ‘motorcycle gang’ called the Living Dead. Tom and his ‘gang’ ride authentic period Triumph motorcycles,
and meet in a field with several large vertical stones which somewhat resemble Stonehenge. When they gather there, they often discuss what they will do in the particular day, but there is always talk of committing suicide, so they can live forever. Where could they get such an unsavory idea? From Tom’s occultist Mum of course! In a dream like sequence, Tom has the pleasure of seeing his lovely Mum sign a deal with
BTR 52 | BORNTORIDE.COM
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The Phantom Movie Review
misfits mini bike racing, my crazy biker games and the infamous Roscoe’s outhouse drag racing,” Mike proclaims. “That’s right, they’re going to be pulling Port-o-johns with a rider sitting inside, strapped behind two wheels, haulin’ ass side by side down a drag strip. It’s the most hilarious time that can happen with an outhouse without poop!” Mike keeps babbling, “There’s going to be lots of vendors, food and drink. To top it off, kick-ass southern style rock ‘n’ roll will be provided by the Tommy Roxx band and you’ll get to do your Freebird impersonation at the end of the show.” Mike chuckles. “Ron made us Grand Marshals for the event on Saturday, July 24th in Plant City. It’s going to be one hell of a good time so you don’t want to miss this one. If this isn’t enough to get the blood pumping through your veins, then you’re not alive!”
The heat is on, my Born To Ride friends. Last month we kicked the season in gear and now we’re winding up for the dog days of summer. Why do they call them dog days anyways? Why not bird bath days? Canines are like me and don’t want to be out in the hot sun unless it’s in the water or under some shade. Mike breaks in, “I get it, you gain total relief from the heat during your daily shower that usually occurs naturally in the middle of summer. In your case, it’s when the waterfall comes to life at the sanctuary. But let me tell you why they call them dog days, my coonhound attractor. It all has to do with the time of year and the dog star rising and falling in conjunction with the sun and nothing to do with dogs being hot.” Speaking of being hot, Ron and the BTR crew have put together the summer’s hottest event: the Great American Motofest. It’s going to be everything that the gas-guzzling gearhead needs to fuel his or her fire. “Motofest will include the Great American chopper show, the spectacular Thunderstruck rod and truck show, plus an old school motorcycle rodeo with sled pulls, BTR 54 | BORNTORIDE.COM
I cackle, “Dude! That’s a whole lot of fun happening in one day. Your head might pop off from all the adrenaline that will be rushing through your body! You haven’t been on the microphone in a while so how are you getting your voice ready for the event? Screaming obscenities towards me? Scareoke at the local pub? 1-800-sexchat?”
Mike cuts me off saying, “Stop giving away all my secrets you big mouth bird. For someone that can’t speak in public, that beak of yours sure can type up a whole lot of cockamamie cackling. If you keep it up I’m going to bring tears to your eyes by yanking the Internet from your laptop. Then all those dear duck letters you’ve been pecking away at will go nowhere. Say goodbye to Facebook and it will be the end of your fowl porn sites. Instantly, all those roosters you’ve been contacting on barnyarddates.com are going to think you’re catfishing them.” I turn from the keyboard and squawk back at Mike, “The only thing that brings tears to my eyes is onions.”
He runs inside and comes back out with a wooden spoon saying, “All right you pecking
peacock, I learned this the hard way from Grandma back in the day. Tell me I can’t make you cry as I tap on your typing talons.”
I squabble back, “You better quit while you’re ahead. I’ve got friends in low places. I’ll call on my favorite ’80s band, a flock of seagulls to come over here and keep repeating their number one hit song ‘I ran’ poolside. They have trained birds to be groupies and will fly over your truck, pooping during every chorus, turning that cage from a beautiful bronze to an ugly green and white four-wheeled toilet!”
“MOTOFEST WILL INCLUDE THE GREAT AMERICAN CHOPPER SHOW, THE SPECTACULAR THUNDERSTRUCK ROD AND TRUCK SHOW, PLUS AN OLD SCHOOL MOTORCYCLE RODEO WITH SLED PULLS, MISFITS MINI BIKE RACING, MY CRAZY BIKER GAMES AND THE INFAMOUS ROSCOE’S OUTHOUSE DRAG RACING,” Mike turns red in the face and says, “Hey buzzard breath, let’s stop pissin’ in each other’s rainbow, make like geese and get the flock out of here. Finish pecking away at your story so I can get my knees under the keys and your feathers out the front window. We both need a change in attitude by getting some air through my hair and some wind under your wings.””
— SPYKE
Do you have a riding pet story? Let us know, Spyke wants to feature them! editor@borntoride.com
RONNIE and EMILY’S
CHRISTIAN MOTORCYCLISTS ASSOCIATION There is nothing quite like getting in the saddle and taking the time to get some wind therapy. People ask me how I can stand being on a hot motorcycle in the summer, while wearing a leather vest with my jeans and boots. When it is cool out I am questioned about tolerating the chilly air that flows through my helmet and stiffens my cold hands. Frankly, the discomforts are simply not significant! I can’t be as crazy as they think because, many times when I am riding, I am a part of a group. Going to the next ice cream shop, yes, even in the winter, is more about the fellowship and camaraderie. Shoot, you can always chase the ice cream down with a steamy cup of hot chocolate; it will make your toes tingle! I love riding solo. It is just a time to reflect and become one with the bike and the road. As much joy as it is to get alone, there is a peace that comes from being a part of a group. First off, when you are in a group, you and your fellow riders are much more noticeable to the cagers, keeping you safer during the ride. Secondly, there is that aforementioned fellowship which is priceless. That fellowship has been limited in these last months, due to the virus. You may not realize how much the
camaraderie means to you until you are unable to be with those important to you. Finally, organized rides have a Road Captain, an experienced rider who knows the back roads, the ice cream shops, and most importantly, the rules of the road for safe riding. When a group has a good ride leader they are confident that they will enjoy a better and safer ride. That leader, if they are a good one, will have studied the maps, made a cheat sheet of turns (including U Turns), and if possible, will go out and run the ride in advance. I once planned a ride by studying the maps, but was not able to run the trip before the actual event. I took a last look at the route, but this time using the satellite view. Surprise, one of the roads was several miles of lime rock. I made some changes and got rid of that potential problem. That’s how the leader can take care of and prevent dangerous or frustrating challenges. As there are leaders that can watch over a group, and keep those on motorcycles safe, there is a leader that watches over our entire lives, and is always there. The Bible says, in Joshua 1:15, “Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Isn’t that a cool promise, that He is always there, everywhere we go? He is our provider and protector; there is no need to worry because He has our backs! In the Wind, Denny Dingler
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