Contents
FEBRUARY ISSUE 213
FEATURES
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Gibtown Bikefest 24th Annual Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival Interview with Lucy Nicandri Choppertown Live Sarasota Great American Motorcycle Show Atlanta A Biker Artist & Potter-David Meaders Born To Ride YouTube Channel
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COLUMNS
Nefarious James Craven Moorehead Spyke & Mike Christian Motorcycle Association
DEPARTMENTS
Contents Page Letter From The Editor Dave Nichols Movie Review - Choppertown the Sinners
REPORTS
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Ride Safe Ride Smart LawFran Letterfly Coming To Choppertown Fidelis Automotive Paquette’s Historical Farmall Museum
ON THE COVER
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24th Annual Thunder By The Bay Music & Motorcycle Festival to Benefit Suncoast Charities for Children Februrary 18, 19, 20, 2022 - Sarasota Fairgrounds thunderbythebay.org
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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.
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
FRAN HAASCH LAW GROUP www.LawFran.com 866 LAW Fran BORN TO RIDE OFFICE
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HEARTS & FLOWERS HOWDY BROTHERS AND SISTERS! Shine up your scooter, it’s that time of year again. I’m talkin’ about the 15th annual Mardi Party out at Charlotte’s Web Pub in Wauchula, Florida. It’s comin’ off like a prom dress on February 13, 14, and 15. Three incredible days of biker tomfoolery, sponsored by 866LawFran with live music from Tommy Roxx the Born to Ride Ride in Bike show and tasty cajun food and BBQ. This is a genuine true biker destination and Born To Ride will be there takin’ photos of you and your bike for a future issue of the magazine and taping all the excitement for our Born To Ride TV show. Come on out for a killer time, pre-Superbowl on Saturday. Our big news for February is the rowdy return of Thunder by the Bay this February 18, 19, and 20 at the Sarasota Fairgrounds. Gate admission is just five bucks on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with ten dollars for Saturday only and kids under 12 are free! Come on out for the return of Born To Ride’s Choppertown Live ride-in chopper show. You’ll see the coolest old school choppers that the south has to offer. Check out our interview with organizer Lucy Nicandry in this issue and learn about her amazing charity “ Suncoast Charities for Children” and why it is so important to support it to help the Children. Check out our mind-numbing feature article on Gibtown Bikefest, it took place last month out at the International Independent Showmen’s Association in Gibsonton, Florida. It’s been called “Florida’s most entertaining Bike Week” and for good reason. Known for its nonstop kickass bands, a high-flyin’ daredevil show, great food and drink, and vendors galore, this three-day fandango is biker heaven on earth. Fans of Born To Ride will already know about our big hit with Choppertown Live and the Great American Motorcycle Show January in Atlanta, Georgia. Witness the wonder and the glory of this goosebumpproducin’ event in this issue. Born To Rides 2nd monthly publication is the Southeast edition supporting Georgia,
Alabama, Tennessee, North and South Carolina. You can grab a paper edition in those states or click all over the online version. But wait, there’s more! Join us for coverage of Paquette’s Historical Farmall Museum, Tractor Show and Truck Show. This is a must-see event and a true jam out in lovely Leesburg, Florida. Eric Albright will fill us in on a true biker legend in the form of a man who is an artist, a potter, a philosopher, and lifelong rider, David Meaders who resides in the beautiful mountains of Georgia. If that’s not enough, you’ll get a movie review by Phantom of Choppertown’s The Sinners DVD, get both barrels from Nefarious James, a few laughs from Spyke & Mike, and a few two-wheeled thoughts from Letterfly. All this and more is just a pager turn away. Speaking of, you know, in a world of runaway inflation and overzealous consumerism, Born To Ride is still a FREE magazine. Yep, the one you are holding in your hands. You’ll notice it strives to be a quality publication with editorial content created to keep you in touch with the biker lifestyle you love. Motorcycles dealers, please support our efforts. Having Born To Ride in your dealership, shop, or biker-friendly establishment will send the right message to your customers, draw more traffic, and helps create more business for us all. Get your business in Born To Ride. Let us give you the value you deserve. It will also show all the bikers out there that you support this magazine and appreciate their business. Thank you. Lastly, don’t forget to join our Facebook family every Tuesday night at 7pm for Born To Ride LIVE on Facebook and stop on by Boss Hogg Radio on FB every Thursday night at 7pm for good biker talk, special guests, and a kick-back good time. For right now, just turn the page and let Born To Ride roll you away… — Dave Nichols editor@borntoride.com
THE BASIC LEFT-TURN
Approaching a busy four-way intersection there are a lot of elements to monitor: cross traffic may or may not stop for the light; pedestrians could step out at any time; an oncoming car waiting to turn left could fail to detect your presence and turn left in front of you. Sure enough, just as you approach the intersection, the car in the opposing left-turn lane swings into your path. You brake hard and swerve at the last second, barely avoiding a broadside collision. Strategy: Without a doubt, this scenario is a frequent hazard for motorcyclists riding in urban areas. A common type of motorcycle crash (for sober riders) occurs during daylight hours, at low speeds (around 30 mph), when an oncoming vehicle turns left into your path. Again, when approaching an intersection with a vehicle waiting in the left-turn lane, your best bet is to assume the worst: that a car will pull out in front of you. Reduce your speed as you approach the intersection, either downshifting or lightly applying the front brake. Adjust your position in the lane to be seen better. Slowing will increase your safety cushion: slowing just 10 mph reduces your stopping distance significantly, and covering your brake greatly reduces reaction time. After you’ve slowed, continue to visually monitor the car in case it moves and forces you to change position or stop quickly. For more information go to www.msf-usa.org
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THUNDER BY THE BAY 2022 It’s that time of year again for you to plan on attending the 24th Annual Thunder By The Bay Music and Motorcycle Festival! This event will be held in beautiful Sarasota, Florida! I had the opportunity to speak to Lucy Nicandri, Executive Director of Suncoast Charities for Children. We spent quite a bit of time talking about all the great activities taking place during this 3-day Festival, commencing Friday, February 18. There is, however, an event that is taking place on Thursday, February 10 that you might want to consider attending – Thunder By The Bay “Rocks the Runway.” This “high energy” fashion show will take place at the Sarasota Yacht Club from 6:00-9:00 pm featuring fashions from Rossiter’s HarleyDavidson and Darci . Tickets are $125 and include a full open bar and hors d’oeuvres stations. The charity will be raffling off two $500 shopping sprees and a Thunder By The Bay Festival VIP Weekend Experience Basket at the event. Also, new this year at the Festival is “Thunder Alley.” Lucy explains, “This year all pedestrians, not riding in on motorcycles, will be entering through Robarts Arena toward the Festival grounds. In this building custom vehicles, motorcycles, and high-performance boats will be on display. It will also feature Sarasota’s own custom bike builder Kory Souza of Kory Souza Originals.” The “Born To Be Wild” Festival Kickoff Party will be at the Sarasota Fairgrounds outside under the VIP Tent. This is always a popular event to attend on the first official day of the Festival. Tickets are $100 and include food, open bar, a silent auction, 50/50, and much more! You can order your tickets today by going to: ThunderByTheBay.org. There are a limited number of tickets available, so get yours today! Gate fees to get into the Festival are $5 on Friday and Sunday and $10 on Saturday. Each day there will be continuous live music, over 80 vendors, a food court, and the ever-popular Born To Ride BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 17
Choppertown displaying some of the most unique and tricked-out choppers in the area. Bands, bands, and more bands! You certainly won’t be disappointed by the amount of pure talent gracing the main stage at the Sarasota Fairgrounds! Lucy shared with me, “Friday at 6:00 pm, Scarlet Drive kicks off the event with some great country music. Then at 8:00pm, you’ll be dazzled by ‘Dairy of an Ozzman’ an Ozzy Osbourne tribute band. Saturday afternoon at 1:30 pm The Verge takes the stage, Tobacco Road Band starts at 3:30, Slippery When Wet – a Bon Jovi Tribute band rocks out at 6:00, then at 8:00, FireHouse brings down the stage with hits such as ‘Love of a Lifetime,’ ‘When I look into your Eyes.’ and ‘Don’t Treat Me Bad.’ Sunday at 1:00 pm, ‘Free Fallin,’ a Tom Petty Tribute band rocks out, then ending the Festival is crowd favorite, Bobby Friss.” Every year, Lucy works on making positive changes for all their events. “We are always thinking about creating new events and how we can make changes to existing events to keep them fresh. This also allows us to bring in new sponsors and donors, that will ultimately benefit our charity. TBTB will always be focused on motorcycles. On the music side, we are promoting “Where Rock Meets Country. I am also proud to say that our headline act, FireHouse, currently has 16 gold and platinum records worldwide.” Years of working with her many contacts in the music industry have enabled Lucy to get top-name bands for everyone to enjoy! Sunday, February 20, is the colossal “United We Ride-America Strong” motorcycle charity ride. This ride pays tribute to our great country, First Responders, Veterans, and Active-Duty Military. “When the Riders register for the ride Sunday morning at Rossiter’s, one of the many charities we support (The Haven), will have breakfast for everyone. The Haven has a culinary program, where students with special needs, learn all aspects of food preparation. They will also be cheering the riders when they leave Rossiter’s at 11:45 am. We are hoping everyone will decorate their bikes with American flags!” There’s still more to enjoy! On Saturday, February 19, there is the motorcycle stereo “Sound Off Competition.” This competition is from Noon- 4:00 pm. Some absolutely incredible motorcycle stereo systems vie for the coveted first place award! If you’d like to walk away with some cash on Sunday, the 17-class bike show has over $5,000 in cash prizes. This is a crowd-favorite! Last words, Lucy? “I want to mention that over the 23 years of Thunder By The Bay, we’ve raised $2.1 million for the charity. Last year, we allocated over $150,000 to 6 local non-profit agencies that provide programs and services to over 8,000 children, teens, and adults annually. I would like to remind readers that Thunder By The Bay is a fundraiser for charity. As we all know, prices on just about everything have increased and labor is scarce, so our nominal gate fees help offset those expenses. We work very hard in providing an affordable, enjoyable, and memorable Festival for everyone.” Thank you, Lucy, for speaking with me today! All of us at Born To Ride Magazine look forward to this event and all that is going on! - Susan Hurst
WHAT: WHEN: WHERE: WHY: WEB:
THUNDER BY THE BAY FEBRUARY 18-20 SARASOTA FAIRGROUNDS, 300 RINGLING BLVD. FUNDRAISER FOR SUNCOAST CHARITIES FOR CHILDREN THUNDERBYTHEBAY.ORG
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Letterfly and Choppertown
Now that Candyse and Letterfly are home at ArtPark for the winter months, many thoughts, ideas and plans for the future are occurring. We are making plans to resume our seven-month tour of providing old-school pinstriping at Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealerships nationwide in 2022, starting with the guests who attend Thunder by the Bay in Sarasota with special emphasis on making Choppertown a memorable feature of that event, and later at Space Coast Harley-Davidson in Palm Bay, Florida during Daytona Bike Week. As we sit around the campfire in the backyard and recall the many fond interactions enjoyed with old friends, exchanges with new acquaintances and the many artwork transactions that took place across the country while living the dream, a new thought occurs that may be of interest to you. As you are well-aware: traveling across this land, creating artwork and making people happy clearly qualifies as a labor of love. After reviewing the variety of questions fielded this season past, many of which are specific about
our lives together on tour, I have been inspired to write an instructional booklet about our living, loving, and working together on the road. Hit the road and thrive will be about the lessons learned during fifty-years of combining travel with creativity and adventure. Perhaps the most beneficial aspect of the book will be the description of the special connection that takes place when we let go of the daily distractions and keep our focus on the mystery of what is in front of us. Although I will be sharing experiences of being a traveling pinstriper, I intend to make the information contained in my book relevant to those of you attracted to the idea of combining your livelihood with the adventure of hitting the road. I already know that many of you enjoy regular road trips as a diversion in your lives.You value the wind in your face, the exhilaration of adventure and a oneness that is both spiritual in nature, a form of therapy and has become an important part of your lives. But what I seek to share is the something special
Let Letterfly create amazing art for your home or business.t Call 813-505-5539
that Candyse and I have found since we turned our backs on everything familiar and enjoy our seven-month vacation. We have found a rare connection with our surroundings, the moment we are in and each other due to being completely immersed in the adventure, mystery, and lure of the unknown. Since the book is still in the embryonic stages and I credit you, our friends, customers, and allies with the inspiration to create such a work, I plan to expand on what is occurring to me by inviting you to participate as I write the content of this book. As I write each chapter, I shall post my progress in my “Tales of a Traveling Airbrush” newsletter. I invite you to give me your impression of each snippet, ask questions and encourage me to reveal specific concepts and items that perhaps haven’t occurred to me. That way when the book is done, it promises to be the best that it can be. If you like this addition to the newsletter and want to be involved, please let me know. Simply stop by our booth at Choppertown and ask to be included on our email mailing list. We would love to see and hear from you. As you are aware, I savor the moments when I am in your proximity pulling beautiful lines on bikes, blending colors that become pictorial images, and crafting the letters that convey the message you want to get across to the world. In a way this book will be carrying your purpose into the world; to make this a better place for everybody. And by collecting all the thoughts that exist about the lure of the highway, we can make a handbook that will inform, entertain and inspire others to find what we have found; our way to not only succeed but thrive on the highway. —Dave “Letterfly” Knoderer BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 23
In case you haven’t seen the memo, ‘lifted trucks are the new black’. Long gone are the days that pick ups were only thought to be driven by farm hands, cowboys and construction workers. Lifted Trucks are as mainstream and American as ‘baseball, hotdogs, apple pie and chevrolet’ and we know just the man to help you get that ‘oh so perfect’ ride height for your cargo crawler. Meet Jeremy Breher of Fidelis Automotive. Jeremy Breher has the confidence and the skill set to get things done quickly, effectively and correctly when it comes to not only lifting trucks, but with almost all things automotive. This is a mindset he brought with him after he served from 2007 to 2011 w the U.S. Marine Corps. After serving his tour of duty in Afghanistan, he came to a crossroads in life - Should he stay in the Marine Corps, or as another option, go back to school, get his degree and reenlist as an officer? He came to the conclusion that he could accomplish more for himself, and his country, by going back to school. Being the go getter that Jeremy is, while attending school in 2012, he started Fidelity Automotive Services of Tampa. Through 2015 Jeremy ’burned the candle at both ends’ by attending school and running a business. His business became so successful that he decided to not reenlist and pursue a full time career in the automotive industry. In 2017, Jeremy started Fidelis Automotive in the heart of Brandon, Florida and he hasn’t looked back.
In the time span between 2017 and 2021 Jeremy and his capable crew at Fidelis Automotive have garnered quite a reputation for getting things done, quickly and correctly. They are able to tackle just about any issue from wheels to wiring on any make and model of vehicle, foriegn and domestic.
In the last couple years though, Fidelis Automotive has become the ‘go to place’ to get that pick up truck lifted to just about any height, in any manner that suits your particular taste. His specialized team has been in the ‘lifting’ game for many years. They are known to be the best in the business, and though it’s not about ‘speed’, they can typically get the job done in half the time of their competitors. Just as he once was as a Marine, Jeremy takes pride in himself, his team, his business and has the confidence in getting the mission done correctly for his client and customers.
VETERAN OWNED , TRUSTED QUALITY SERVICE FOR ALL YOUR CAR AND TRUCK NEEDS.
FIDELIS AUTOMOTIVE 3146 E. SR 60 Valrico FL 33594 | 813-730-3473
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Georgia’s Biggest Indoor Motorcycle Show
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THERE’S BIG DOIN’S COMIN’ TO LEESBURG, FLORIDA THIS FEBRUARY 17TH THROUGH THE 19TH. We are talkin’ three killer days of motorized madness, great food and drink, live music, and a whole lot more. You see, the fine folks at Paquette’s Historical Farmall are putting on their 15th Annual Tractor Show. It’s all about the love and dedication of International Harvesters and all makes and models of tractors are welcome. But that’s just the beginning of this three-day festival of fun! This year marks the 9th Annual Vintage Truck Club of America Show featuring three days of amazing antique and custom trucks. Vintage cars and antique car clubs are welcome too! You’ll discover vendors galore and big display areas for anything with a motor and wheels. Bring mamma from the kitchen, grab the anklebiters, and come on out for three days of Florida fun. Event organizer Dawn Dion tells us, “Paquette’s Historical Farmall Tractor Museum is looking forward to a great 15th Annual show. With everything from wagon rides, tons of antique tractors, vintage truck exhibits, a wide variety of vendors, to an amazing lineup of entertainment, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.” Plus, for the first time ever, Paquette’s will be throwing down a Live Auction. That’s right, Raybon Ventures is a full-service auction company with over 20 years of experience, and they are comin’ out to show us all how exciting a live auction can be. Thrill to an exciting live auction right on-site, kicking off on Saturday the 19th at 10am sharp. If you’re in the mood to get your toes to tappin, and who ain’t, then you’ll find this three-day fandango filled with killer live music. It kickstarts on Friday night with The Florida Flatliners from 6 to 8pm and a tasty BBQ dinner for just $17! You can actually dance to the tunes and eat ribs at the same time! “We are looking forward to another great year of Tractors, Trucks and Fun along with an amazing lineup of live musical entertainment including The Florida Flatlanders Bluegrass Band on Friday night. Saturday features Braxton Bennett, an amazingly talented artist who is a mixture of Country and Rock ‘n’ Roll, along with John Johnson who brings a great mix of Traditional and Outlaw Country with a splash of Southern & Classic Rock. And of course, our amazing Headliner is THE BOBBY FRISS BAND. Bobby Friss is fabulous entertainment, a guaranteed crowd pleaser and we are very excited to have him out for our show. This will be a guaranteed good time for all ages.” All this plus the live auction, vendors, exhibitors, and camping is available onsite. Visit the Show Barn and check out a world of antique memorabilia. Check out Stew’s Stuff for souvenirs, toys, and collectibles. It’s all happenin’ this February 17th through the 19th, with gates open from 8am to 5pm and a $20 admission. Discounts available for our Military and Vets. I guarantee that you will actually say, “I have never seen this many cool tractors and trucks for 20 bucks!” Join us at 615 S. Whitney Road, in Leesburg. For more information, contact Dawn Dion at 352-728-3588 or visit www.stewsihstuff.com And when you’re out there dancin’ to the kickass live music and throwin’ your spent ribs into the happy throng of tractor and truck aficionados, you tell ‘em that Born to Ride sent ya! - Dave Nichols
He’s a Biker, an Artist, a Potter and He May Be a Philosopher, Too
One of the best parts of my work for the last 30 years has been the people I have met and worked with. I have shot interviews with world leaders as well as icons of the music, film and sports industries. For the most part, these shoots are fun and every once and a while they’re exciting. But many times it’s the person I don’t know beforehand that will leave the biggest impression on me. Meeting fellow biker, David Meaders is one of those times. Now to hear David speak about himself, he’s just a “rednecked hillbilly” who would just like to “live up to his reputation as the second laziest man in this part of the country.” But he is also one of the last of his kind, especially here in Georgia. His family has been making pottery since his great-granddaddy built their first fire kiln in 1892. I visited with David on a warm north Georgia afternoon and the first thing I see is four horses, I mean four dogs challenging Stuart and me as we rode up the gravel driveway to his home and potting studio. Nestled in a little wooded cove with a pasture across the drive, David lives and works on his grandmother’s old homestead with four British mastiffs—and recently he had a temporary addition to his family with five little pups. There are old pottery jugs sitting on top of the fence posts that surround his home. His Harley-Davidson Wide Glide sits outside his studio door, while Leroy, Sabra, Brutus
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and Number Five warn us to wait until David says it’s alright to come inside the fence. He comes out of his studio with a grin on his face and a hand in the air to greet us. The first time David remembers getting on a motorbike he was nine years old, “First time I got skint was about 1960, I believe about everybody’s been skint by a mini-bike, most dangerous machine ever made, most fun I ever had.” Since then he’s ridden everything from Bultacco to Norton to Triumph to Harley. His ride now is a ’02 Harley-Davidson Wide Glide with a dropped down front end and several other modifications, which basically make it a “hot rod.” He used to take it to the drag strip and consistently ran around 13.10 seconds in the quarter mile, which is somewhere around 107 mph. David’s wife of 32 years, Anita, passed away in July of 2002. “Hospice came in to be with his father two days after Nita’s passing” and 31 days later he passed away as well. David never had time to grieve the loss of his wife because he had to take care of his father. “I didn’t realize how tired I was physically, mentally, and emotionally until after that was all over with.” Shortly afterwards he bought the Wide Glide and without it “I probably wouldn’t be sitting here talking to you today.” Riding that Harley “gets me out of my head, totally and completely.”
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Sometimes David will throw a leg over his bike late at night or early in the morning and ride his favorite road, the Richard B. Russell Parkway. “My favorite time to go up there is when the moon is full and there’s no clouds. Nobody around you, there’s no traffic. See you can run 20 mile an hour if you want to or you can run 50 mile an hour.” To David life is precious but simple, “Life to me is making a little pottery, riding that Harley and chasing those fair haired petite women.” David is the nephew of Lanier Meaders, who is probably the most famous folk potter in the US. The Meaders family history of potting began in 1892 when David’s great grandfather John Milton Meaders and his sons built their first log shop and fire kiln in White County, Georgia. As early as the 1830s, as many as 70 potters were operating within a four mile radius of Mossy Creek in White County. Storage jars for food, pitchers, bowls and cups as well churns were all coming out of this small north Georgia region. John Milton hired some of these local potters and in turn they taught his sons how to pot. It wasn’t considered a folk art then, these were necessities of life. In 1967 the Smithsonian Institute came to White County to shoot a documentary on the old way of making pottery and (David’s GF) was going to be one of the subjects, but he became ill and his uncle Lanier stepped in to do the job. One of the most well known styles of folk pottery is the face jug, and David is keeping the art form alive, but he likes to call his jugs “Goober Heads.” The face jug evolved over the years into also being called the ugly jug. It is said that some people would store their alcohol in them and wanted to be sure to keep the children away. So by the 1920s they were making them even uglier to maybe frighten the children or at the very least be able to warn them off. David says, “There has been a Meaders continuously, from the day they started (in 1892) until today making pottery.” And he is still doing it the old way. He gets his own clay from Georgia creek sides, makes his own glaze, mixes and hand turns the clay and fires it in his old brick kiln. Many people have asked him if there’s any difference in how he and his grandfather potted, and “I say yeah, I got a chainsaw and electric lights.” For me the only bad part about my afternoon with David is when I have to wrap up what I’m doing, strap everything back on my Road King and say goodbye. But I always want to ask for one parting thought, one life philosophy you might say. With David it came easy, “Get up every morning and see what happens, I mean that’s it. What can you do about it? I have no control over nothing, the only thing I have any control over is my attitude. You leave me alone and I’ll leave you alone. Don’t kick your dog, don’t hit women, and sure don’t hit kids.” Eric Albright For more Info on David Meaders and his Artwork, www.folkpottery.com
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BIKER MOVIE REVIEW one of the things that has been exorcised out of the motorcycle market and media is the hospitality of the working grunge machinist. Your local bike shop used to be a place where you could stop by on your way home from work with a 12 pack and share a beer with they guys who kept your life rollin’. You could sit in the petroleum thick air and BS about women and cars and women and fishin’ and huntin’ and cars and bikes and women and guns and. … The bike shop was a sanctuary. Filmmakers Zack Coffman and Scott Di Lalla are good friends who love bikes and are insiders in the culture of motorcycle brotherhood in southern California. Over beers they decided the off-the-rack, buy-in mentality of the Sunday rider was eclipsing the truth and the authentic relationships of those who ride were being lost by distraction. There was a time when the denim jacket was enough to keep the wind at bay, or your work overalls would get you to the club with your good clothes under; but after a while the black leather jacket and vest became a badge of the masses. Conformity confounded the community and riding was reduced to a few highly organized bike nights through the week and a Sunday putt for some noble cause. ‘Nothing wrong with noble causes but noble causes comes in a variety of faces and need— meaning different things to different social circles. Sometimes the noble cause is helping a friend get his bike back on the road. When the film was being figured out by Di Lalla and Coffman they fell into the perfect scene. They knew a guy who was a friend of a guy who was about to launch a build out of an Evo motor on a bobber frame using the support of junk yards and the collection of odd materials accumulated over the years by the Sinners. This guy
One World Studios, Filmmakers Zack Coffman and Scott Di Lalla are becoming iconic. They’re just a couple of regular guys who love bikes and like to tell stories as they occur. While there are planned events in their work nothing is scripted, and often stuff does not go off a planned. The films are pure and rough—lacking anything that might make them seem contrived or counterfeit. This not to say the films are without sentimentality. There are some extreme moments in these works and there is the expression of deep respect and love between friends forged in brotherhood. To experience the beauty of craft, the support of community, and the celebration of life these guys will carry you kindly to the place where the truth about us dwells. Following are three reviews of documentaries from One World Studios. KC O’Dunn aka Chaplin Plato, Choppertown, The Sinners, a motorcycle fabrication documentary film by Zack Coffman & Scott Di Lalla Over the last 20 or so years, since Harley got Malcolm Forbes and Mickey Rourke to be the centerpieces of their We-Ain’t-aWorkin’-Man’s-Motorcycle-Anymore, shift of market consciousness,
Filmmakers Zack Coffman and Scott Di Lalla are good friends who love bikes and are insiders in the culture of motorcycle brotherhood in southern CA.
is a Sinner. The Sinners are what the riding life was and is still, but conformists would be very uncomfortable among them. The Sinners are the ultra network of brothers who span hundreds of miles of California and support each other with everything a person might need; even haircuts. One of those rare republican societies where there is complete support of one another and the hierarchy is loosely defined but staunchly protected ... a sanctuary. This is the sweet spot where Coffman and Di Lalla chronicle the love, the society, and the brotherhood. The meaningful details of wrenching and welding and dancing and singing and bar fighting and playing hard driving and soulful music. This is a very good documentary and in fact has become the cornerstone of One World Studios. It was the European debut of this film that was the purpose of One World Tour Europe. The guys documented an amazing journey to the Old-World to show the film and to meet Europe’s underground rouges of custom bikes and cars. www.choppertown.net The Phantom
Do you have a favorite Biker Movie we don’t have? Let us know: info@borntoride.com
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A LAND OF SHEEP Well, here we go with another month. I for one like to keep myself in the know, but unfortunately, I can get more accurate news watching the SYFY Channel. Pretty darn unfortunate, if you ask me. But as usual, it’s a sign of the times. I think back to the way it was, not to date myself, the 1970s and 80s. Different times and different outlooks by everybody. Hard to tell how far back in history you have to go to see how divided our great country has become. We’re living in a time of mass misinformation, and what appears to be personal entitlement. It would make my grandparents turn over in their graves. Unbelievable how sad that is to say.
Between misinformation on our news, to erratic weather, empty shelves in our stores, it’s definitely a tough nut to figure out. Restricted travel, higher minimum wage with higher prices at the pumps and at the grocery stores to boot. Could have seen that one coming. Everything is relative, people.
The people actually think that by giving somebody who flips burgers $15-$17 an hour, they weren’t going to raise the prices of everything else. After all, if you make more money, they could take out more taxes. If gas prices go up, again they tax you for more money. The price of everything goes up and the first thing they wanna do is blame the truckers on the road. Well, figure that out, if you’re charging twice the price for diesel fuel, things are going to go up in transportation costs. Look, I’m not here to point fingers as to the reasons why all this is happening. That’s for everyone else to figure out on their own. I just know I don’t see any reasoning behind it other than somebody’s getting paid. Like they say, if you want to find the source, follow the money. I don’t understand the
reasoning behind telling farmers not to grow food on their land, and if they decide to go against that federal directive, they are then fined. Imagine the idiocy of punishing somebody for growing food when there are people starving in our country. Along with that, transportation manufacturing drops to a crawl because we have allowed ourselves to be outsourced so much to where they have their hand around our throats.
“MANY BIKERS WEAR THE AMERICAN FLAG TO SYMBOLIZE THEIR BELIEF IN THIS COUNTRY. DON’T YOU THINK IT’S TIME TO PROTECT IT NOW? I CERTAINLY DO!” I remember back in the day when you could buy a motorcycle in parts, a basket case,f or a couple hundred dollars and a new bike for $3,500 to $4,000. I never thought I would see the day where a new motorcycle could cost $30,000-$60,000. Unbelievable. It makes it more difficult with the prices the way they are to allow anyone, let alone motorcyclists, to travel and see this great country of ours.
The number of people who think they are entitled to all the free crap they can get their hands on, has caused quite an issue. Don’t fool yourself if you think there are no jobs available. What’s unavailable are people who are willing to work. They’ve been trained so well to be given a free hand out instead of working, that they now take that as being commonplace and the norm. I’m not telling anybody who has their eyes open anything they can’t see for
themselves. But how is this going to all turn around? I recently read a disturbing study that said the United States, under the definition of democracy, no longer qualifies as being called a democracy. How ironic is that? The home of democracy no longer qualifies to be called such. Another sad fact to point out is where a lot of the opinions come from that try to guide us in a certain direction. Why in the world would I allow a Hollywood actor or some sports figure or some talk show host or some musician to be considered an authority on who I should vote for or how I should see my country. I remember fondly when the symbol of this great country what the bald eagle. Strong, majestic, and a symbol of strength. Just wondering how much longer it’s going to take until our National symbol is a sheep; an animal that follows mindlessly.
Hopefully, it’s not too late for “we the people” to get us back on course. It would be ignorant to think that we can turn everything around after all of the extreme changes that have been put upon us. But we have to try. For if we don’t, everything that our veterans and military service people have done to keep Americans free… will all be for nothing. Imagine that. Remember when we used to stand up for what was right, not for what put money in our pockets and suppressed a great nation and its people for personal gain? I know this is some heavy Sh*t to hear, but more people need to say it and then act on it.
Many bikers wear the American flag to symbolize their belief in this country. Don’t you think it’s time to protect it now? I certainly do. Until next time, ride safe and enjoy your life while you can. You only get one time around. — Nefarious James American Biker
Tell Jim what you’re thinking, what do you want to say to him? editor@borntoride.com
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Craven Moorehead
Angels are Real, Happy New Year I had a yard sale this weekend. I put signs out on the main drag and the other streets to direct people in. Just before it got totally dark, I jumped into the old Dodge pickup to go retrieve the signs. I was at my 3rd stop (on RT 60 & Jerry Smith) when the truck ran out of gas. I’m standing in the turn lane realizing that I would have to walk back to the shop to get an empty gas can, and then walk back to the corner of Turkey Creek and 60 to get some fuel and then walk back to the truck. By this time it was dark. I swear to you, I could not believe what happens next. This isn’t Winslow Arizona – but a girl in a Ford Expedition rolls down her window at the stop sign and asks me “what’s wrong.” “I’m outta gas” I replied. So she says “Come on, I will give you a ride.” “Lemme see if I have my gas can.” After a short search, I realized that the can was not in my truck. Knowing that I had run out of luck, I just walked to the passenger side of this really nice truck and got in. Oh my God in heaven, I looked at her and she was absolutely beautiful!! Long blonde hair, perfectly dressed, hot body, and to top it all off she was within my wheel-house of maturity. I am really surprised that a woman of this stature and elegance would even stop and look at an old ‘scooter-trash’ looking dude like me much less actually wait around and piss people off at a busy intersection while I took the time to look for my gas can. But she did, and evidently she is very brave. After a short introduction and some small talk she asked me which gas station I wanted to go to – the RaceTrac or the Sunoco. So naturally I said, “RaceTrac.” She told me that after she picked up her friend on the other end of the road she would give me a ride back to the disabled hillbilly truck. She went out of her way to drop me off at the gas station, and I reminded her that she was truly an ‘Angel’ for giving me a ride. When I went inside the store, I searched for a gas can. Yeah, there was only one left. $12.99 plus tax which equals almost all I made in the last two days of the yard sale. But I was on a mission to get the truck back, knowing that the battery would be dead soon because I had left the parking lights on. Anyhow, when I get to the counter a girl that I’ve seen in my frequent visits to the store (which is also very cute and extremely nice) is wondering why I am buying a gas can. I asked “Do y’all rent these?” to which she replied – “No, they aren’t for rent.” But she would go check her car to see if she had one that I could borrow. This was yet another effort by someone to help me with a problem, with no expectation of recompense. She BTR 50 | BORNTORIDE.COM
returned and apologized, which was not necessary and I paid for the can and headed to the gas pumps after telling her the story of the beautiful angel that had given me a ride. “I saw her drop you off and I thought maybe she was your girlfriend or wife.” “I wish” is all I could say, and we both laughed. I get a few dollars worth of gas and started hoofing it back down 60 toward the truck. A fellow in a pickup truck stops and says “Man, I heard the story about you running out of gas, and I actually saw that hot girl that dropped you off, so if you want me to, I will drive you back to your truck – just in case she doesn’t come back to get you.” I accepted the ride and the man even offered to hang for a minute just to make sure that I could get it started. I thanked him profusely and told him that I was very appreciative. We conversed about the ‘paying it forward’ thing just like the beautiful girl that brought me there did, and of course, I also told him that he was also an angel unaware. I poured the gas in the tank leaving just a little to dump into the carburetor for good measure. After grinding the battery to the point of death, she finally fired up and as usual the old worn out hillbilly Dodge didn’t let me down. It’s been a very long road with me and that truck. I picked up my signs and went home. This isn’t a fabrication or fantasy by any stretch of the imagination. This is a TRUE story that you should ALL take heed to. I don’t care if you believe in God or whatever deity it is that you worship. It’s none of my business. I can tell you this; there are good angels walking this earth, paying it forward every day that they live and breathe. Personally, I try to help people whenever I can, and I am not prophesizing or preaching here so don’t get the wrong idea. But do yourself one favor – help people if you can. Your reward may not come immediately, so have faith and push on. In the end, it doesn’t really matter, but you only take with you what you have put in. Here’s the kicker. That beautiful woman did come back to look for me, she slowed down, got into the turn lane and after seeing me pouring gas into the tank she just blew the horn and drove away. It is what it is, but I believe that you should take every opportunity that presents itself to you. Perhaps I should have been more patient and had a little more faith in humanity, but alas I did not. Sometimes it is hard to make the right decision based upon faith alone, but I did accomplish the mission and made it back home intact. My agent called to get me booked for some gigs coming up in the near future. I told her this story. She may not be impressed, but she questioned me about why I didn’t get this girl’s phone number. I should have. I learn something every day and my faith in people has been restored to a great extent. Angels are everywhere regardless of your religion. … Everything happens for a reason I suppose. But if anyone knows who this beautiful angel is, then let her know that she has a fan that would love to repay her in so many ways. Later that evening. … The woman somehow tracked me down. I was in my shop, working on an old computer when I saw a truck pull in. It was her! I went over to the window and she, in a sweet as sugar voice asked me if I would mind checking on what the strange ticking sound in the motor was. I of course obliged and after she opened the hood, I began examining the motor. The truck was so tall that I had to sort of get up on the front tire and lean under the hood. I had only been under there for about 20 seconds when something moving behind me startled me and I glanced over to see her standing behind me. All of a sudden, she began pulling on my leg, just like I’m pulling yours! CRAVEN
R.I.P. Craven Moorehead, Your Words Will Live On Forever
JOHN & HEATHER WEDDING SWEETNESS
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR MARRIAGE!
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GEARIN’ UP FOR A GREASY GOOD TIME
Oh my God! The year 2022 is turning into a crap show. Not because Mike isn’t maintaining his resolutions, but now we’re getting milk from plants. They’re trying to do away with my second-best farm animal friend, the cow. I have a real beef with a company out of Israel called Remilk that makes animal-free dairy proteins out of precise fermentation. It’s udderly ridiculous and sounds like the start of a good wine to me. But what do I know, I’m just a bird who opens beers, then eats beef, bread, french fries, pork chops and chicken wings. I’m not particular, I just like to eat. Man, I don’t want to move on to a flexitarian lifestyle. I like my meat, cheese, milk and ice cream just the way mother nature intended them to be made. Straight out of the cow and straight out of Compton. Mike raised me in the ‘back on the farm’ days and I plan on staying in the ‘back on the farm’ days. First they started with the meatless Whopper at Burger King. Now they’re going to make chickenless fried Chicken? How can that be? The Colonel must be rolling over in his grave because of fowl play. There’s no substitute for my favorite barnyard animal or feathered cousin. If you’re going to KFC, then you should be looking for real chicken to eat, not an imitation of me that pulls apart like a piece of rubber and has an aftertaste of nothing. If tofu is your go-to, then you shouldn’t step foot in a Popeye’s or Burger King. Go back to Whole Foods or Earth Fare and exchange recipes with the rest of your gaggle of veggie-loving contemptuous libtards. Mike cuts me off saying, “Woah now, Chicken Little with a big voice. Who pulled on your
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tail feathers today and made you such a comedi-hen? You need to build up your hen-durance with thicker chicken skin. Spyke, you don’t have to worry, I’ll feed you what mom fed me and what grandma fed her. Even though I won’t be eating like a king and everything in sight, I’m not going to turn you into a garden gobbler.” I cackle, “Dude, that’s great but you’re scaring me. I just looked in your refrigerator and you’ve got a quart of Harmless Harvest organic dairy-free coconut yogurt alternative, some Trader Joe’s dairy-free cheese alternative and Morning Star vegan breakfast sausages. What gives?”
Mike babbles, “Okay, okay, Spyke, you got me. I did buy a few things vegan but it’s to help with my diet, not to my total dietary intake. Don’t worry, I won’t change your eating lifestyle, I’m just adjusting mine. I may have failed on a few of my New Year’s promises already but I’m holding on to my caloric intake resolution. Remember when we went to Gibtown a few weeks ago? We both had the awesome, grease-dripping cheeseburger and fries that are well-known there. Every time we go to Quaker Steak & Lube for bike night, I get
both of us chicken wings to eat and you get to stand on my bud. Coming up next month we will be at Thunder by the Bay down in Sarasota. All your friends and I will be sharing with you massive amounts of carnie junk food until your crop is full and bulging in the VIP area.” I crow, “Man, I can’t wait until then. And you’re right, it’s VIP for me - Very Important Parrot area! That’s the beginning of a squawkin’ good time. We always see a lot of our southern friends and get to make thousands of awesome memories.” Mike breaks in, “It’s going to be a whole lot of partying going on within three days. There are various tribute bands playing: Tom Petty, Bon Jovi, Ozzy Osborne, and Chicago. Headliner for Saturday night will be the real band FireHouse! Inside Robarts arena Choppertown Live will be in full swing with custom motorcycles, vehicles and a 17 class bike show. Just outside, for you smokers and loud music enthusiasts, there’ll be a burnout contest and a motorcycle stereo sound off contest. Over 100 vendors will have all the good stuff for sale including for you Spyke, rows and rows of carnie food.” I cackle, “Mmmmm carnie food. I’m going to be a carni-vore all weekend. No vegan, man-made, imitation food coming from those vendors. Just some good ol’ high calorie, high cholesterol, high carbohydrate, high saturated fat, and overly sugary goodness going on. None of which is in your diet plan, Mike.” He bellows, “Thanks for making my salivary glands kick in, Spyke. Now you’ve got me craving some good tasting bad stuff and making my belly feel two bites short of a whole Whopper. Let’s make like a bread truck and haul buns out of here. We need to get your wings in the wind, my knees in the breeze, and the Fat Bird 3 wheels rolling down the road in search of the next chicken wing joint.” — 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 One of the great benefits of riding with friends is the fact that when you ride in a group there is a lot of support. That help, from one’s brother or sister, is available in the event of something going wrong along the way. It is also a blessing that the help provided isn’t based on owing a favor, or paying for the help received! The help is simply based on there being a need present and an opportunity to help fulfill that need. I’ll never forget a situation one of riders found herself in, and the wonderful help she received. The group was coming home from a rather long ride and one rider needed to stop, she was flat worn out. To make matters worse, It was after dark and the group was about 80 miles from home. The group pulled into a fast food burger joint and began making calls to see how the worn out rider could be helped. After several calls a brother with a utility trailer available was located. The only problem was that the trailer was 40 miles from where the group was located. The trailer was hitched up and on the road in short order, but it took about an hour to get to the group. Upon arrival it was noted that all of the riders from the group had stayed with
the rider and her bike. Very quickly several of the brothers set about tying the bike down to the trailer, and everyone mounted up for the final 80 miles to get home. The bike was off loaded from the trailer, and everyone rejoiced that there were no further challenges. After all shared handshakes and hugs, they headed home to call it a day. The point is this; the initial anxiety caused when the rider realized that she could not complete the ride was overcome by her knowledge of how close everyone was. She knew that the leaders of the group would find a solution. She also knew that the other riders cared for her and that they would take care of her. This was evident in that the bikers waited with the worn out rider, they stayed by her side! That kind of compassion and concern goes a long way to give confidence in the bikers being there for her. In 1 Peter 5:7, the Bible says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.” The fact is that Jesus loves you and me. He is incredibly interested in and cares for us, and what is going on in our lives. He listens, and He calls our voice when we reach out to Him. He doesn’t want us to be anxious for anything; rather, He wants us to be happy and secure. He is only a prayer away! Like the riders in the above story, Jesus not only has to answer to all of our challenges, He is the answer. You can trust Him! In the Wind, Denny Dingler
Check out BornToRide.com for more articles from Christian Motorcyclists Association
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