Born To Ride #226 - March, 2023

BORN TO RIDE

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

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

888-795-5779

HOWDY BROTHERS AND SISTERS!

Letter from the Editor DAVE NICHOLS

FROM THE HELM

RUN TO THE SUN!

It’s March, and that can only mean it’s time for that annual Run to the Sun known as Daytona Bike Week! This March 3rd to the 12th, Daytona Beach, Florida will become biker heaven on earth for a solid week of two-wheeled party action! Don’t forget to ride out to the New Smyrna Beach Speedway for the one-and-only Sons of Speed Vintages Races on March 4th. Meet Billy Lane and the crew and feel the thunder of these awesome antique racers. There’s lots to experience during Bike Week. Catch Willie’s Tropical Tattoo Ride-in Old School Chopper Show on March 9th.

Our cover this month gives the nod to our friends at Gator Harley-Davidson for their kickass Bike Rally on April 27th through the 30th as part of Leesburg Bikefest. Check out all the new 2023 Harley models and get four days of killer live music as well as over 60 vivacious vendors and three biker bars to wet yer whistle. You’ll find Gator’s on Highway 441 in Leesburg!

Summer is coming, are you ready to ride? Born To Ride sponsor attorney Fran Haasch is on hand in this issue to tell you all about various types of motorcycle insurance coverage that is available. Are you covered properly? See her two-page insurance primer in this issue. Also, if you have insurance, we need you to help fight for your freedoms! Insurance companies are trying to pass bills so they don’t have to pay out when you need them most. See the flyer in this issue. Bert’s H-D is sponsoring a ride to Tallahassee soon. Stay tuned.

We have to tell ya, Choppertown Live at Thunder by the Bay in Gibtown was a blast and a half! Check out complete coverage in Easyriders magazine and special thanks to our southeast editor Ron Galletti for sharing this kickass event with the world. We also want to thank Mid-USA for the sweet springer front

end that was awarded to our People’s Choice winner of the ride-in bike show and special kudos to Letterfly for creating the badass bowling pin trophies for our winners. Read up on what this stellar airbrush artist is up to in this issue.

Also in this amazing March issue of Born To Ride, our own friend to bikers, James Irwin takes us on a two-wheeled adventure to the Florida Keys, ride with us to the Back of the Dragon, a once in a lifetime ride in Tazewell County Virginia. Plus, get a few chuckles from Spyke & Mike as they enjoy life’s Super Buffet, and Nefarious James reminds us to be AmeriCANS!

All this and more is just a page turn away in the maddening March issue of Born To Ride. Remember to join our Facebook group to keep in touch with the lifestyle you love and listen in to Boss Hogg Radio every Thursday for our Born To Ride shenanigans where biker legends stop by and Mama Dukes is tending bar. If you have a biker friendly business, join the Born To Ride family and support the motorcycle culture.

We end this month’s Editor’s column on a sad note as we report the passing of the great Roger Rigau. He was a prominent attorney and rider, a family man and a friend to all who knew him. He teamed up with Born To Ride back in 1995 to help us create the Born To Ride Saloon on Nebraska Avenue in Tampa, Florida. Roger’s smile, his love and laughter will be truly missed.God bless his family. Roger will forever be in our hearts.

Roger Rigau

1947 – 2023

Rest in Peace

What do you say we throw a leg over the scooter and ride for Roger today? Life’s too short. Let’s ride!

— Dave Nichols editor@borntoride.com

RON GALLETTI SAYS DECIDE BEFORE YOU RIDE

Ride Safe Ride Smart scan everything to stay alive on the mean streets when riding your motorcycle or driving your car. You should be especially aware at intersections because there are many things to scan constantly to make it to your destination. Warning signs like cross traffic, traffic lights, merging traffic, surface hazards, directional signs, oncoming traffic, your rear-view mirror, or even people in crosswalks. We all have choices to make on the mean streets and in life. We need a plan of action.

Just last month I knew someone who lost their life in a motorcycle accident at no fault of their own. Someone pulled out in front of him. A terrible time for family friends and all who knew him. He was a part of our motorcycle community. When I talked to his family, I asked did they call Attorney Fran Haasch to help them with this tragic accident. His older brother told me “no we googled a personal injury attorney and called 800 Joe Attorney who was a random type of Attorney”. I told him I’m so sorry for your loss, but I said to myself, wow, again someone’s family member didn’t know to

call Attorney Fran Haasch - the attorney who has over 20 year’s experience with motorcycle accidents; is an advocate for helping bikers navigate the law, healthcare issues, insurance claims and the repair or replacement of a motorcycle. Fran cares and fights for bikers’ rights every day and also supports the biker community by giving back to charity and community events all

I created the concept, Decide Before You Ride. I would like to launch this promotion because Attorney Fran Haasch isn’t just my Attorney, she is your Attorney too. Stop by any LawFran booth/tent set up at most biker events and ask for 5 business cards. Give these cards to your loved ones and explain why they should call Fran if you were ever put in a situation where you couldn’t call yourself.

year long. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard this. I’ve heard this same comment before when a family or friend didn’t know that their loved one would want them to call Fran. Attorney Fran Haasch cares about all of us. She makes sure we publish Ride Safe Ride Smart from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation every month here in Born to Ride Magazine. She wants us to be Safe and Smart and stay alive.

I am doing this on my own because I care about our riding community and all my friends like you reading this who Ride and drive. You can even stop by Frans office in Palm Harbor to pick up a few business cards. Help me help our biker community Decide Before You Ride and ask for 5. Get 5 Fran Haasch business cards and give them to your loved ones who will know to make the call for you if anything happens. Let them know before you go. Get your 5 today. Call : 866-LAW-FRAN or call me 813-661-9402 if you would like to help me. Thank you very much

– Ron Galletti rg@borntoride.com

You are riding along in the left lane of a one-way street, with a car ahead of you on your right. As the two of you enter an intersection, the car swerves left across your path to make a turn.

Strategy: Because traffic was light, the driver may have forgotten that he was traveling on a one-way street and never looked in his blind spot for you. Since there was no traffic in the oncoming lane, he felt free to make a normal left turn (without signaling), inadvertently trapping you in his path. There was no way, short of watching for the non-existent signal, to predict that this driver was going to turn left. But remembering that intersections are always situations of increased risk, you might have prepared for this by taking actions to separate yourself from the other vehicle. By riding so close (and inside the driver’s blind spot) you effectively hid yourself from the driver’s vision and greatly increased your exposure to danger.

“ We all have choices to make on the mean streets of life. We need a plan of action. We need to Get 5 and Decide Before You Ride! ”

FIGHT BACK JOIN US IN TALLAHASSEE!!

HB 837

WEDNESDAY MARCH 8TH 2023

Our rights are under attack! HB 837, orchestrated by the multi-billiondollar insurance industry and corporate elites would strip away the rights of Floridians ... taking away our constitutional right to hold others accountable and responsible when they harm you, your family, or your business.

If the multi-billion dollar insurance industry were to put together a wish list of ways in which they would harm policy holders, while at the same time attacking our access to courts, it would read exactly like HB 837. This bill seeks to take away our rights by reducing insurance company accountability to Insureds and claimants, expand insurance company profits, take away our rights to go to the doctors we choose and ultimately increase costs that will fall back on workers, taxpayers, and healthcare providers. All this, while trying to claim that the bill “may indirectly lower the cost of insurance.” How many of you have ever seen your auto, motorcycle, home, health, or life insurance rates ever go down? Please join me in Tallahassee as we RIDE FOR OUR RIGHTS. We will have 48 hours or less of notice regarding the next hearing in Tallahassee and our office will notify you the moment that details on the date and time become available. I will be there, along with countless others, making sure that the voices of actual bikers and Floridians are heard. We can’t allow the globalist insurance companies to tread on Florida!

Francoise M. Haasch, Esquire The Fran Haasch Law Group P.O. Box 614 Palm Harbor, FL 34682 Phone: 727-784-8191

www.LawFran.com

A BORN TO RIDE PRESENTATION A BORN TO RIDE PRESENTATION

We all look forward to our Florida winter months for a number of reasons, mostly because we get a break from the oppressive heat and humidity that we endure throughout the rest of the year. In February, when the rest of the country is dealing with sub-freezing weather and snow storms, our riding weather couldn’t be more perfect. And that, my friends, provides us with the perfect setting for Thunder by the Bay and Choppertown ‘Live’ in Sarasota, Florida.

Choppertown ‘Live’ by Born to Ride Motorcycle Media once again invaded Thunder by the Bay 2023 with a 70’s style and swagger that would have made everyone from Arlen Ness to the Bee Gee’s proud. There was everything from world class show stopping builds to at home DIY projects, and everything in between. Of the notable standout chopper builds in attendance, the amazing Indian Larry Build from our friend Tony Agusto. was a hit among builders and patrons alike as it was the easy winner of the People’s Choice Award, a Springer front end, generously provided by MidUSA Parts. Among other notable standouts, there was Richard Ruck from It’llRide Choppers with his latest build, an eye popping machine put together with extra parts he had laying around the shop. Our friend Frank Girod was there with his beautiful pearlescent Triumph Chopper and Georgia’s own Jeff Hartley was there with his infamous Honda CB750 Build that starts with a magnetic ‘hotel key’ style card, Last but not least we had newcomer Mike Merkt there with his head turning Lilac colored ‘78 Shovelhead that had everyone talking. Along with those psychedelic choppers, we also had the crew from Orlando Street Vans roll in with over a half dozen colorful custom vans from the 60’s thru the 80’s setting the stage for one of the coolest, most complete Choppertown ‘Live’ events ever. Congratulations go out to all those who took home cash and prizes such as the remarkable hand painted bowling pins painted by artist ‘Letterfly’.

To top this all off, we had a 12 Class Ride-In Bike Show sponsored by James Irwin, a biker helping bikers of healthinsurance65.com. The rideIn show was a hit featuring everything from an old Denvers Chopper’s Chopper from the 70’s to a unique Russian built Ural with a sidecar proving that Choppertown ‘Live’ isn’t just about choppers, but about everything we love on two wheels .If you missed this years Choppertown ‘Live’ there’s always next year, and we can’t wait. They just keep getting better and better.

Creativity Evolution

outside the box. The emerging gearhead defiant, not satisfied with anything contemporary, quickly adopted their innovative designs as a visual mantra to identify their motoring tribe.

artist is an author who sends out a bimonthly e-newsletter called Tales of a Traveling Airbrush to his followers. Sign up to get his newsletter on Letterfly.com or LetterflyPinstriping.com

Long before developing his pinstriping hand, a teenage Letterfly found expression as a show drummer playing in a circus band. He accented the efforts of the performers in the show with spontaneous creativity on his Gretsch and Zildjian drum kit. But the echoes of those drum licks quickly faded away and he began to crave a creative medium with lasting power.

He discovered painting colorful designs on the circus fleet satisfied that longing. Plus, his expressions influenced the viewer long after his participation was over. This triumph cemented his calling as an entertainer with a paint brush. Custom artwork has always been a big part of the motorcycle experience, exploding after World War II when innovators with paint began to think

During the building boom of fancy brick and mortar motorcycle facilities in the nineties, Letterfly was commissioned to paint murals, signs, and sensational artwork inside and out. While painting unique retail environments to help dealers establish the Harley-Davidson brand all across the country, he could not avoid the requests to look at someone’s bike out to the parking lot. The curious admirers wanted him to dream up something unique for them. And, as they say, the rest is history. Talk about living the dream! During the summer months, Letterfly enjoys a route of Harley-Davidson stores from here to Philadelphia, Chicago, Galveston and back. Perhaps the most amazing feature of this artist is his uncanny ability to visualize, develop and create images that have never been done before, along with the wide variety of styles of pinline designs, his oneness with eagles, wolves, horses, feathers, flames and countless other icons that make up the mainstay of his work.

Since Letterfly is at a different motorcycle dealership every week, he is only a road trip away for many Born To Ride readers. See the blog page Travelog.Letterfly.com to find out more.

His background in the entertainment business also makes Letterfly a natural candidate as a stand-up speaker to enhance Harley-Davidson Garage Night, H.O.G. chapter meetings, special podcast interviews and the Born To Ride show on Boss Hogg Radio. Plus, the traveling

His first book Speedy hurled through havoc started as a way to honor his dad who had a Harley during World War II and went on to imprint his son on the importance of living an interesting life and is available on Amazon. The next book planned to launch this spring is called Hit the Road and Thrive and is a guidebook for readers in search of adventure, fulfillment, and living the life of your dreams. Letterfly enjoys making the lives of his biker customers richer by creating beautiful old school artwork, providing encouragement to those in search of adventure and by being an expert at living an interesting life. Why does he do it? In a nutshell: “I love creating beautiful artwork, living the dream and making people happy.”

To schedule custom pinstripe artwork of your own or to rendezvous with the artist while he is at his home in Florida for the winter, call 813-752-8063 or email Letterflyartiste@aol.com. The finishing touch of hand painted custom paint will personalize your scoot, make “looking good” a reality and traveling down the road more fun.

For more information visit:

LetterflyPinstriping.com

Letterfly.com Travelog.Letterfly.com

Call or write 813-505-5539

Letterfly@aol.com

And see Letterfly Pinstriping on Facebook

—Dave “Letterfly” Knoderer

Bikers

FREEDOM RIDE TO THE CONCH REPUBLIC

What a great ride to Key West! As usual the names were changed to protect the innocent just like that TV show Dragnet did in the 60”s. It started early Friday morning when the 8 of us pulled out of St Petersburg to begin our Journey. We trailered our bike to a hotel in Florida City to stay the night before riding the Keys Saturday morning.That night we went to Alabama Jacks, The Fish House (Guy Fiery loved), and Caribbean Club (where Humphrey Bogart film was made) All in Key Largo. Lucky for us! one rider a retired Tampa Fireman Lets just call him “Firewater” was there and remained sober to drive us to the last classy spot, The Last Chance Saloon. I was excited to visit Key West to visit Ernest Hemingways Museum. If you ever make to Northern Michigan you can take Hemingways Michigan Ride. My wife and I did that back in 2013. We used to spend our summers with our kids in Horton Bay Michigan where Hemingway spent many summers.

Hemingways favorite saying was “There is no friend as loyal as a book” Many of us say “There is no friend as loyal as Born To Ride Magazine. One of the riders and let’s just call her “Spread Sheets” had sent all of us a spread sheet of potential stops to visit on the way from Florida to Key West. We stopped at them all.Starting with Alfredo’s (Key Largo) for breakfast where you can order Red Wine for breakfast. Then we rode to Rain Barrel Village (Islamorada) and had a picture with Betsy the lobster and then on to Robbies. (Islamorada) Where we all signed a dollar posted it on the bar ceiling. We participated in feeding the Tarpons where you can literally put your hand in their mouth and get attacked by Pelicans doing so. Then we rode to Lunch at Key Fisheries (Marathon) the home of worldfamous lobster Rueben sandwich and conch fritter and then another stop to Boondocks (Ram Rod Key) Then rode to Kiki’s Sand Bar and Grille had some outstanding Ahi Tuna nachos and then to Key West. On the way to Key West Lets call him “ DataStorm’ and his lovely wife “ Saint Sara “ noticed there fuel

gauge dipping into the empty zone. Suddenly the mood of the trip changed.

“DataStorm” started driving slower to save fuel, which intensified the heat adding stress to the ride. The scenery no longer mattered. All of us became mentally fixated on the fuel gauge. We were all terrified they were gonna run out of gas. This story is a great

metaphor for how some people live through retirement.They spend all their quality time worrying how to make their money last. They know it’s just a matter of time that taxes and inflation will eat up their savings.So the end result is live like hermits trapped in their home getting old. Fellow bikers I’m here to tell you it doesn’t need to be that way. There are simple painless solutions. Ever use a GPS to get to a destination you want to get too? They are wonderful to use and takes away the stress of having to think about where you

need to turn etc. We have the technology now to create a custom retirement/wealth FINANCIAL GPS for you to answer the four toughest financial questions.

1.) Do you know what rate of return you need to earn for you to live like you live today adjusted for inflation and have your money last till life expectancy?

2.) Do you know how much you need to save each year to have enough?

JAMES IRWIN

3.) Do you know how long you will have to work before you can stop and have your money last till life expectancy?

4.) Do how much you will need to reduce your future lifestyle to keep from running out of money?

In a 15 minute phone call to 833-467-2865 I can answer those questions for you and you will be able to determine if what I do can be of help to you.

And now the rest of the story..from behind I noticed “Saint Sara“ beating on “DataStorm’s” back pointing to a fuel stop. Yeah I thought but the pumps were off. My wife Jamie wanted to stop though a see the baby chicks that were everywhere. I said don’t worry there will be more they are all over Key West running around. So on down the road we went keeping our fingers crossed. Then at last a station appeared and we all re fueled.

We finally arrived nine hours later! Nine hours to go around 100 miles. The day was definitely all about the journey not the destination. It was an Epic adventure of majestic scenery with great friends enjoying the biker lifestyle.

When were arrived on Duval street I felt like we were in a parade. Everybody was waving and cheering us on. I got a little excited and revved by bike and set of some car alarms. We checked into a outstanding condominium property called the Galleon next to A and B lobster house. We were right on the water with a wonderful Marina view. I think we saw Hulk Hogan’s boat there. Like the Little Feat - Dixie chicken song lyric “ We made all the hot spots. My money flowed like wine.” Hadn’t thought about that song in years but there were Roosters and Chickens everywhere.

The Old Man and the Sea. A definite must read. His conflict in the book is between the desire of getting big fishes and the weakness of giving up. And while challenges and setbacks can strip us all of outward success, our spirit can remain undefeated.At this point it time for a commercial break the story will continue next month. Many of you may be young and all I can say is The only person that can take care of your older self is your younger self. START PLANNING FOR FINANCIAL SECURITY.

See the photo arrow of lets call her “Great Smile“ has a concerned look on her face. After hours of intense partying lets call him “Dry Humor” was the only one who could consistently throw a coin in the fish’s mouth at Capt.Tony’s Saloon. How this is possible after all his libations is nothing short of a science miracle. Hemingway had another saying that came to mind. He said “I drink to make other people interesting” “And always do sober what you said you’d do drunk that will teach you to keep your mouth shut” The next day we decided to add some more excitement we decided to take an excursion and feed the shark among other things.This trip was called extreme excursions and I definitely recommend it. Seeing the sharks reminded me about one of my favorite Hemingway books

Many of you are approaching retirement and all I can say is the five years prior to retirement and the five years after retirement is the more critical time to get everything right.

THIS IS THE 4TH QUARTER OF YOUR LIFE. YOU CAN WIN THE GAME! Many of you are on Medicare and Social Security or have OLDER PARENTS on Medicare and Social Security. ITS NOT TOO LATE TO RESCUE YOURSELF IF YOU ARE NOT WHERE YOU WANT TO BE.

A 15 minute phone with me is all it takes to create a strategy for you to take a FINANCIAL VICTORY LAP CALL ME 833-467-2865

WATCH YOUR EMAIL through the generously of the publisher of Born to Ride many of you may receive an invitation to the money school webinars absolutely free. As you know bikers a very charitable people giving back to the community in many meaningful ways. I’m of course a fellow biker as well And that is why with the help of many generous people we offering The Mission ONE Million book absolutely free to Born to Ride readers. Myself and other financial experts have watched too many peoples lives crashed because they were not financially prepared. Go to my website now www. healthinsurance65.com or call 833-4672865 and get your mission one million book now.

The book is for anyone wanting to get out of debt, build wealth, and create financial independence. The book retails for $24.95 but I bought your copy for you. That’s right, the book is FREE to Born to Ride readers. A Biker helping bikers that’s what it’s all about!

-James Irwin

ARCADIA WELCOMES BIKERS

WELCOME! The City of Arcadia is the county seat for DeSoto County. It is centrally located between Orlando, Ft. Meyers, Sarasota and Lake Okeechobee at the crossroads of US 17 and State Route 70. Acadia is famous throughout Florida for its historic downtown antique district. Additionally, on the fourth Saturday of each month, vendors from surrounding locations take over the streets with even more wares and precious finds. Tucked between the many antique shops, you’ll have the chance to enjoy cafes, home cooking, a tea room, and a smoothie shop. The Arcadia All-Florida Championship Rodeo is held in March, the Annual Watermelon Festival is in May at the height of the harvesting season, and car shows, parades, and

special events take place throughout the year.

COME AND JOIN THE FUN at the Annual Bert’s Arcadia Bike Fest on Saturday, April 1st & November 4th from 10am to 5pm in the Historic Dwontown Arcadia. Expect to see Motorcycles, Vendors, Live Music, Food Trucks, Local Restaurants and more!

Our co-hosts, Bert’s Black Widow Harley-Davidson and Attorney Fran Haasch are looking forward to another AWESOME event.

VENDOR APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN, PLEASE EMAIL US AT EVENTSARCADIAMAINSTREET@GMAIL.COM

A Guide to Tallahassee’s Top Motorcycle & Music Festival

Tallahassee’s annual motorcycle and music festival, Tallahassee Bike Fest, is gearing up for its another year and has recently begun announcing musicians and events! Set to take place on April 14 through April 16, 2023 at Apalachee Regional Park, the rally will host mapped and guided motorcycle rides, workshops, bike shows, audio competitions, musical performances, biker church, a kid’s corner, and more. Anyone can attend and find an activity to enjoy. VIP passes are also available!

Highlighting the capital city’s stunning nature and scenery was a priority for Tallahassee Bike Fest’s CEO and Tallahassee local, Giavona (G) Williams. Riders of all types of bikes are encouraged to join mapped rides on some of Tallahassee’s best roads for riding, featuring rolling hills, canopy roads, and breathtaking views. With nearby beaches less than an hour away, you can truly experience all the best parts of North Florida during your visit! “We don’t care if you ride three-wheels or two wheels, sport, metric, or baggers,” says Tallahassee Bike Fest’s CEO & Founder, Giavona (G) Williams. “We just want every rider and non-rider alike to come and enjoy what our great city has to offer. There is A LOT to explore to keep your schedule full!”

Porsche Taylor, Founder of Black Girls Ride will conduct a classroom style rider workshop on Saturday at Red Hills, and then lead a ride immediately following the workshop.

Whether you love rock, country, or blues, Tallahassee Bike Fest has incredible performances scheduled throughout the weekend that everyone will enjoy. Among the musical talent

is Jasmine Cain, an award-winning, female rock artist with a powerful voice and compelling song lyrics. Blackbird Anthem, an award-winning, veteran band, will also be returning. Blackbird Anthem creates a sound reminiscent of the age of vinyl where rock, country, and blues merge. Wicked Serenity, their first year at Bike Fest, is a Florida based premier Godsmack Tribute Band!

The kid’s corner will be back this year for future riders with STACYC’s grass track, face painting, temporary tattoos, and more on Saturday and Sunday only.

G has always had a passion for giving back, especially when it comes to helping veterans. As a veteran herself, supporting the veteran community is a cause near and dear to her heart. As a result, G is donating a portion of the rally’s proceeds to Team Guardian, a local veteran nonprofit dedicated to providing dignified transport for fallen veterans and first responders.

G is thrilled that the rally has generated a lot of excitement, especially amongst last year’s attendees! She can’t wait to host an even larger turnout and create a fun and memorable experience for her beloved motorcycle community.

Did we also mention that it’s free to attend? Plan to stop by anytime between April 14 through April 16.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND A MORE COMPREHENSIVE SCHEDULE OF THE EVENTS HAPPENING AT TALLAHASSEE BIKE FEST 2023, PLEASE VISIT THEIR WEBSITE: TALLYBIKEFEST.COM.

April 14-16

Tallahassee, FL

VENDORS | MAPPED RIDES | ENTERTAINMENT BIKE SHOWS | POKER RUNS | AND MORE!

BACK OF THE DRAGON IS A MUST FOR YOUR BUCKET LIST!

If its true that mountains draw you in, then pack your bags for a long stay in Tazewell County ! The adventure capital of the Appalachians , Tazewell County is home of the ATV trails , motorcycle routs ,hiking ,biking and other adventures in the mid-Atlantic region. Aside from adventure tourism , the scenic vistas in this county are matched by none. Home of the famed Back of the Dragon , Tazewell County is home of the best motorcycle riding in the Appalachians. The Litz Mansion is a beautiful historic mansion constructed in 1859.The home is situated on a 3.16 acre lot

and its conveniently located within walking distance of Tazewell County Main Street area. The nights we stayed and spent at the Litz mansion were just amazing and once you meet the legend of Back of the Dragon, Mr. Larry Davidson you will understand why this is such a powerful place to put on your bucket list . Meeting Larry and having lunch with him at the world famous Back of the Dragon welcome center was even more amazing then the mansion. Spending the day with Larry and learning the history of Back of the Dragon from him was such a unforgettable day. The most spectacular

part of our day was when he said let me show you the best road in America and let me show you the future vision we have for our little town. That my friends is a day we will never forget as you can see in these wonderful photos. The Back of the Dragon Welcome Center has everything you need to know and learn about the town of Tazewell Virginia and the most amazing road in America. For more information go to: www.backofthedragon.com or Call : 276 979 4288 tell them Born to Ride sent you.

- Ron Galletti

BE AN AMERI CAN

First off, I would like to start off this month with congratulations to all for a very successful Thunder by the Bay held in Sarasota. As always, there was a great turn out along with some beautiful machines on display. A special thanks to all those that put their machines on display for others to drool over. A beautiful showing if I may say so.

TV. I have no use for it. If I wanted to pay someone to lie to me, I’d be married.

Too many people are missing this thing that’s being attempted to be pushed through. First, we have the government devaluing our currency by printing funds with no hard backing, now they want to control it through electronic means. Think about it. No more swap meets, cash vendors, garage sales or little Tommy’s lemonade stand. Every transaction would be electronic, monitored and taxed at the will of others. God forbid you piss them off. They’d also have the ability to lock you out of your own earnings. Simple meaning is, you would have no control over how you save, spend, or access “your” money. I’m against it.

confronted by the people. In the possible future, just remember you were warned about this while you’re riding your electric motorcycle to an event. Don’t forget your government currency card or you won’t be able to buy that beer and corndog.

It’s awesome we still have the freedom to do those events and have gatherings to meet old friends and new ones as well. With that said, I’d like to touch on another topic circulating around about the future of our American dollar. Most bikers I know are cash customers and prefer the old-time method of cash in hand. I prefer it myself. There is much talk about converting all transactions to digital currency. I for one do not support this at all. Anyone that owns a computer, or a cell phone knows that nothing is ever really secure and things get lost all the time. This method would also require everyone is somehow connected to the “web” in order to monitor these funds. Some people, believe it or not, don’t use the Internet. I for one don’t even watch

There are also some people out there who don’t realize that the Federal Reserve, the entity that helps control funds, value of our currency and interest levels, isn’t even part of our government. The Federal Reserve Banks are not a part of the federal government, but they exist because of an act of Congress. Their purpose is to serve the public.

The Federal Reserve System is considered to be an independent central bank. It is so, however, only in the sense that its decisions do not have to be ratified by the President or anyone else in the executive branch of the government.

Well, enough about that. Hopefully it gave you something to think about. Those mattresses stuffed with your life savings may be a thing of the past if it’s not

Time is running out. Once you lose parts of your freedom, you’ll never get it back.

Be safe and possibly we will cross paths somewhere. I’ll be the one on the loud as f**k gas-powered motorcycle with a smile on my face and possibly one finger in the air. (Not sure which one yet). Remember your an AmeriCAN. Not an AmeriCANT.

— Nefarious James Patriot &Freedom Fighter For the American Way

”Anyone that owns a computer, or a cell phone knows that nothing is ever really secure and things get lost all the time. This method would also require everyone is somehow connected to the “web” in order to monitor these funds.”

It’s March and we’re coming into our Spring season of riding. With new front rubber and the screw behind the handlebars tightened with the help of Eight Ball Tires, the Fat Bird 3 rides like a dream and is ready to cut through the water that Spring showers bring.

Last month Mike and I made the trek to Sarasota and Thunder by the Bay to party with friends, young and old. The Suncoast Charities held my VIP seat in place with their banner and I had a blast being part of a million selfies taken by the crowd. Besides hanging out and watching the awesome music, we enjoyed shopping with our vendor friends, Choppertown Live, and my newest pastime, kid surfing. This happens when one youngster comes up to me and wants a picture. Then, three more see what’s going on and want to join in. Mike then lines them up and they get to pet me. Then I go from one shoulder or arm to the next so every parent and Mike can get a few memorable Kodak moments of their kid with me. Those are the polaroid poses that you can’t duplicate and glad you were there

LIFE AT THE SUPER BUFFET

when it happened. Mike and I always have a blast at this event, and it goes by way too fast!

Daytona and other major shenanigans are upcoming so, be sure to check the tread on your scoot before heading out and taking on your own personal wind therapy session. Mike and I have lost a few good brothers and sisters in the past from tire neglect so, don’t be the next rubber dummy.

Mike babbles, “Spyke, are you calling me a dummy? I believe there’s power and intrigue in looking like a dummy, and not caring that you do. But when it comes to critical mass like tires, fluids, and protection, I am just the opposite. I only have one chance at this awesome thing called life but if I do it right, once is all I need. I’ve learned that taking crazy things seriously is a total waste of time. I have figured out that most of my shadows in life have been caused by me standing in front of my own sunshine.”

I cackle, “Dude, your shadows are created because you’re overweight and vertically challenged. I caught you the other day laying on the couch for hours eating cookie dough and car wax. All you could say is that you’re just trying to rise and shine. You are like a cucumber, always in a pickle. It makes me believe you’re living a pickle’s life; one continuous dill moment after another. I know you were just lying there thinking about a solution for your own obesity, but you gotta quit telling me it’s going to happen after lunch.”

Mike replies, “Well, I’m not a skinny spring chicken like you. I’ve got a lot on my plate. My life is like a box of chocolates around fat people, it won’t last long. That’s why I’ve been a member of Planet Fitness for the last three years, I just don’t seem to be making any progress. So, tomorrow I’m gonna go down there in person and find out what’s going on!”

I cackle, “Mike, you keep trying so many different ways to lose weight, but it keeps finding you. If you walk in there now, the

trainers are gonna think you’re a human medicine ball or a very fat Eric Cartman from South Park. Either way, they’re going to roll you into a corner and prop you up for everyone to see what happens when someone makes the Super Buffet their ‘go to’ restaurant. You should dust off that ten speed in the garage, quit using it as a drying rack for laundry and get some pedal power going.”

Mike babbles, “I don’t know if I can do that, we are both too tired. Besides, wouldn’t it look funny for a plus sized man to be riding a skinny little bike? It’s my whole basis for having a Harley Fat Boy disguised as a Fat Bird!”

I put one wing over my head and squabble, “Dude, stop using my ride as your excuse to be bigger than life. You are giving me fatphobia and it’s driving me crazy. It’s time to get off the couch, make like your new tire and hit the road. You’re in dire need of some two-wheeled therapy. You must get my wings in the wind, your knees in the breeze and the Fat Birds’ wheels rolling down the road heading over to check out the nearest weight loss camp.”

Ray V. Gordon is The Owner & Founder of Leather Lid Inserts, an established Leather Saddlebag Accessory business based in southwest Florida. They’ve coined the phrase “We take the sag out of the bag” because that is exactly what they do. Ray has been riding motorcycles since he was 14 yrs old and has watched the motorcycle industry grow and is glad to be a part of what it is today. After 35 years of owning and operating a successful aluminum company in Ft. Myers FL, Ray sold the business so he could retire (he thought) and bought himself a new Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail Classic. Just like everyone else with leather saddlebags, his also started to sag and cave in. He saw a need to fix this

problem. Ray says, starting this new business was something he just fell into by fixing his own saddlebags and then behold, friends of friends and others witnessed what Ray did and wanted him to fix their saddlebags too. As an inventor and entrepreneur, Ray took his creative background and put his skills to work by experimenting with several different types of materials to finally come up with a patented ABS lid and bag reinforcement kit that would be designed to help keep the original shape of any leather saddlebag made on the market. So, if you’re tired of looking at your caved in leather saddlebags and/or if they are starting to lose their shape and their parts, or if you have brand new bags and you want to prevent them from ever caving in, please keep Leather Lid Inserts in mind. For all your leather saddlebag accessory needs as a do-it-yourselfer or if you want them to install, visit www.LeatherLidInsert.com and order your DIY Kit or Find an area Dealer Installer.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BECOME A DEALER INSTALLER CONTACT RAY AT 239-339-7294 OR RAY@LEATHERLIDINSERTS.COM RIDE SAFE!

Leather Lid Inserts

18160 Old Bayshore Road N. Fort Myers, FL 33917

EVERYTHURSDAY NIGHT BIKE NIGHT!