Born To Ride #239 - April 2024

BORN TO RIDE

PO BOX 3021 Brandon, FL 33509

PUBLISHER

Ron Galletti 813-785-3895 rg@borntoride.com

CO-PUBLISHER

Deb Galletti dgalletti@borntoride.com

EDITOR

Steve Poindexter info@borntoride.com

ART DIRECTOR

Peter Soutullo art@borntoride.com

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Erick Runyon

ART DEPARTMENT

Erick Runyon , Peter Soutullo, Craig Miller art@borntoride.com

OFFICE

ADMINISTRATION

Deb Galletti DGalletti@borntoride.com

SALES & MARKETING

813-785-3895

ROAD CREW

Vick Velosity, Mark Crowder, Doug Bright, Birdman Mike,

SCENIC RIDE CONSULTANT

Steve Finzelber-Finz Finds

ON THE ROAD TEAM

John & Heather

CONTRIBUTORS

JP Brady, Neale Bayly, Susan Hurst, Spyke & Mike, Eric Albright, Paul Murray, James Gladstone, Scott Odell Indian Rider Bill.

The Phantom

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Ron & Selena Hawks, Doug Bright Daniel Gallant, 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

LEESBURG BIKEFEST WELCOMES YOU!

APRIL 26 TO APRIL 28

The roar of engines, the camaraderie of riders and the thrill of the open road will converge once again as Leesburg gears up for its highly anticipated annual event, Leesburg Bikefest. From April 26 to April 28 downtown Leesburg will transform into a vibrant hub of motorcycle enthusiasts, live music and unforgettable experiences.

Now in its 27th year, Leesburg Bikefest promises attendees an unparalleled celebration of the motorcycle lifestyle. With a dynamic lineup of entertainment, including free concerts from national headliners LOCASH, Sugar Ray and Austin Snell plus over twenty local bands, thrilling stunt shows and a diverse array of vendors offering everything from custom bikes to unique accessories, there’s something for everyone at this year’s Leesburg Bikefest.

“We are thrilled to welcome riders from near and far to experience the excitement of Leesburg Bikefest,” said Maggie Lyden, Special Events Manager for the City of Leesburg. “This event is not just about motorcycles, it’s about community, a passion for the open road and a passion for music. We can’t wait to see everyone come together and celebrate.”

Whether you’re a seasoned rider, someone who appreciates the thrill of the ride or just simply a music lover, Leesburg Bikefest offers something for all. For more information, including a schedule of events, VIP tickets or places to stay, visit LeesburgBikefest com.

ABOUT LEESBURG BIKEFEST:

Leesburg Bikefest is an annual motorcycle rally held in downtown Leesburg, Florida. Since its inception, the event has grown to become one of the premier motorcycle festivals in the Southeast, attracting thousands of riders and enthusiasts from across the country. With its unique blend of live entertainment, motorcycles showcase, and community engagement, Leesburg Bikefest offers an unforgettable experience for attendees of all ages.

Leesburg is a progressive city of more than 28,000 residents in northwest Lake County. The city government serves twice as many people with its electric, gas, water and wastewater public utilities. Leesburg is also a central hub for commerce, attracting 50,000 people to work each weekday. For more information, visit www.leesburgflorida.gov.

BORN TO RIDE OFFICE

813.785.3895

My column for April features fellow SPYC rider, Timothy C. Gressett. My last column was on the health benefits of riding, and Tim makes my point! I found Tim’s riding history fascinating and wanted to share some of the history. He is still riding at age 77 around the globe. His riding journey started in 1961 at 15 years old when he purchased a used Cushman Motor Scooter. It was a surplus WW11 Army Airborne Scooter that had D Rings attached, so it could be parachuted from an aircraft.

The Cushman ignited his passion for motorcycling, but due to age and lack of funds his first real bike would have to wait. Finally, it came at age 20, while serving in the US Navy aboard the USS Bon Homme Richard. Tim purchased a 1967 Honda 305 Super Hawk in Yokosuka, Japan. This was a REAL motorcycle, NOT a scooter!

His next bike was a 1972 Honda 500. He rode it from New York to California and back via what was left of Route 66, the Pacific Coast Highway from Los Angeles to Monterrey. He put over 30,000 miles on it and then sold it to buy a boat. After 35 years one day, while lying in a VA Hospital bed for a health issue, Tim decided life was

A Biker Helping Bikers

JAMES IRWIN

LET’S AVOID EVER HAVING TO SAY “I WISH I KNEW BACK THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW”

too short and started riding again. Since then, Tim has traveled by motorcycle from Portland to Florida through Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons, and many other exotic places. In 2016, Tim sent his 2003 Suzuki Volusia as baggage to Europe and toured major European cities in the Netherlands, Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, and Italy.

Tim’s current bike is a 2005 Yamaha Royal Star Tour Deluxe and has traveled with him from Canada to Europe in 2019 through all the Mountains including the Spanish Pyrenees, French Pyrenees, French Alps, Swiss Alps, and the Italian Alps,

Recent rides since 2019 include Rolling Thunder in Washing D.C., Sturgis Rally, Laconia rally, Daytona rally, and the entire Blue Ridge Parkway. Other adventures include Columbia coffee county and most recently Nova Scotia.

The below pictures show fellow riders reading a book Tim recently published. The book was a bucket list item for Tim. He always wanted to write a book. The book can be purchased online at Barnes and Noble and Amazon. The title is “Life Is Full of Sh!t Or Let’s Call a Turd a Turd.”

See web page www.lifeisfullofshit.com if interested.

Most of the columns I’ve written over the years have been about retirement planning. Tim has enjoyed an outstanding retirement! And all of us can with proper planning- it’s

never too late to start! After having the privilege to serve thousands of people over the year, many millionaires, I can attest to the statement that “Money won’t make you happy! But riding a motorcycle will!”

Bikers helping bikers. What a great community to be a part of. As you know, bikers are 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 going to offer bi-monthly money school webinars free to Born to Ride readers. And no these are not the typical boring classes you just can’t wait to be over or skip.

These are 20-minute sessions that will give the information you need to know and have but have probably never heard about. They are visual webinars on your computer, tablet or you can just dial in and listen from a phone.

We have watched too many people’s lives crash because they were not financially prepared. In upcoming issues, I will be sharing insight on these pages on how to never run out of financial fuel and create your own GPS for financial freedom.

Go to www.bikerhelpingbikers.com or call 833-467-2865 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 it for you.

Bikers helping bikers, that’s what it’s all about.

—James Irwin, CSA, FRCSM Certified Senior Advisor® www.bikerhelpingbikers.com

Let me introduce you to Thom Lillie of Lille Glassblowers, Inc.

A couple of years ago I was sitting on the patio reading the morning paper and I noticed an article about a glassblower who had a studio in Smyrna, Georgia. At the

time I was looking for someone or something to photograph and I thought that the art of blowing glass could be a great subject. I googled the name of the glassblowing studio, and when I contacted them to tell them what I was interested in doing I was told to come on up.

I threw a flash kit, tripod and camera bag on the back of the Road King and headed on up I-75 to see what I could come up with. When I arrived I entered a studio surrounded by work tables full of ongoing glass projects.

An award shall reflect the achievement it recognizes.

At a table in the back a tall guy wearing sunglasses and a bandanna had a big ass flaming tool in one hand and a piece of redhot glass in the other. He was in the middle of a project and couldn’t really stop to meet and greet properly, so I set about getting

some shots of him in action. While he kept working to form a glass rod into a perfectly shaped golf club, we chatted as I started taking shots of this artist at work. I could tell this was going to be simple to find wonderful photographs of this subject, but I soon

realized there was a story that went along with the pictures. My whole career I’ve met so many people with great stories when I thought I was only there for images, I should have learned to expect it by now.

As we chatted while Thom continued to work the glass, I mentioned that I rode my bike up from my loft apartment in downtown Atlanta and he said he rode, also. At first it was just something that we had in common, but over time I saw that Thom is another one of those Georgians who can come from all walks of life and just happens to ride motorcycles.

Thom’s first bike was a little red Honda 50 cc he received when he was just 7 years old. That’s another thing we had in common, my first motorized bike was the same model. He’s ridden many different bikes since that first red jewel, but now he sits atop a ’96 Yamaha Royal Star that he bought new. At the time he was thinking about purchasing a Harley-Davidson Heritage, but when he sat his 6’2” frame on the Royal Star, it just fit him perfectly. But as we know, usually one is not enough, so as of this writing Ideal Customs out of Clarksville, GA is building him a Café Racer from a Yamaha 750.

Thom is a second generation glassblower. His father, Don Lillie, began blowing glass in 1949, when he started an apprenticeship at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Afterwards Don got a job at Georgia Tech as a scientific glass blower, where he worked for 33 years. After perfecting his craft, in 1965 Don opened a small shop of his own at Six Flags Over Georgia and then one at Underground Atlanta. The first time Thom blew a piece of glass he was 8 years old and he burned his finger pretty badly, so at the time he didn’t want any part of this flaming hot business. And it didn’t help that most sons don’t want anything to do with what their fathers do for a living anyway, it’s the rebel in many of us. But as he got a little older, he saw the potential and realized he may have the talent that could help give him a vision of what he wanted to do with his own life.

So in 1981 Thom signed up for classes at the University of Minnesota to study scientific glass blowing like his father had done 32 years earlier. In 1986 he moved back to Smyrna and together with his father they opened Lillie Glassblowers, Inc. Thom feels that getting his degree in scientific glassblowing helps “you understand what is happening to your material when you’re working

“It’s not just putting glass together and getting a figure out of it, what this does is opens up the design possibilities and techniques.”

with it, it really gives a good boost to your foundation of knowledge … there’s a reason behind it. It’s not just putting glass together and getting a figure out of it, what this does is really opens up the design possibilities and techniques.”

Much of Lillie’s contract work is for corporations and special events held around Georgia throughout the year, such as Petite Le Mans and the Vintage Motorcycle Races, both held at Road Atlanta. His work also decorates the homes and offices of personalities such as Elton John, Michael Jordan, the late actor Jimmy Stewart, President Bill Clinton, Dale Earnhardt and also is on display at Charlotte’s NASCAR Museum, just to name a few.

Making the most unique piece of art possi-

ble for each project is important and is what helps carry on the excitement from day to day, from project to project. To Thom, “The satisfaction that you get afterwards becomes an addiction, so you look forward to the more challenging pieces. It’s more than just a business, I enjoy when a customer comes in and they’re ecstatic … ‘Oh my gosh, I haven’t seen anything like that before.’ You look to make the customer happy but then more important, I want to be happy with it.” He then adds, “There’s a quote that can be read when you’re coming in the building that my old man came up with about 30 years ago, ‘An award shall reflect the achievement it recognizes.’ If a guy wins the Nobel Peace Prize you don’t give him a plaque … you should give the recipient something that’s

worthy of their accomplishment.”

When comparing his work in the studio to riding a motorcycle, “The first thing that comes to mind is when I’m making something, there’s going to be something tangible at the end of the journey. In glassblowing it’s something I can see, something I can look at. And on motorcycles it’s about memories but the journey on both can be very stimulating.” He also adds, “I’ve come up with some of my most creative designs while riding a motorcycle … the problem is I’m having such a great time on my bike but then I get a certain design and I want to get back to the studio to start on that design.” That could be a tough dilemma … to ride on or create.

But Thom’s creativity isn’t limited to the

“In glassblowing it’s something I can see, and look at. On motorcycles it’s about memories but the Journey on both can be very stimulating.”

glass blowing studio. He also is pretty handy with a blow torch and a few wrenches and pliers. To me the most interesting motorcycle he has truly is a bicycle that became a motorcycle, in the true fashion of the early motorcycle pioneers who did the same thing which eventually lead to what we all ride today. Thom was surfing around eBay one day and found a thrift store type reproduction of an older model Huffy cruiser bicycle, with the original tires and turned up handlebars. He then found a 49 cc gas powered engine that he knew would fit just perfectly. With a blow torch, he has to use fire in his work it seems, he welded a bracket on the bicycle that allowed the seat to be pushed back on the bike and then he turned the handlebars down in a Café Racer style. He mounted

the 49 cc engine inside the frame, mounted the gas tank, painted it all black, moved the Huffy sticker to the tank and then with a few other modifications he had a ride that I think William Harley and Arthur Davidson would be proud of. In a single Saturday afternoon and for around $200 he had a bike that on first glance looks like it belongs in a vintage motorcycle museum.

Another one of those creative engineering twinges that Thom gets from time to time l ead to a giant sized tricycle that he painted bright red and stands almost 10’ tall and seemed to make even Thom look like a little kid out on his first ride on the street. Like most creative people, the process never stops; it just keeps refining itself and morphing into something new.

Begin each day thinking, let the adventure begin.

If you’re interested in seeing if Lillie Glassblowers can do something special for you or an organization you work with, look them up on the internet at www.lillieglass.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/

LillieGlassWork

Eric Albright

RIDE APPALACHIA

Spring has Sprung and over the Off-Season we have highlighted a lot of incredible areas to ride across our trail system and our mountains but now it is time for us to show you in person! As we get our bikes ready to make some Thunder in these Hills and Hollers our all volunteer WCMG Road Crew prepares for our upcoming schedule this year here on the Backroads of Appalachia. With over 20+ events on our schedule already and 2 Florida Spring Rallys in our side mirrors, we are ready to roll training and check our trail system before our official season begins. Although we are just public riders on public roads, us locals are here to show you what we got and from Honda to Harleys, Slingshots to Vanderhalls, all are welcome at our events even cagers as some follow us quite often! We will ride over 5 Thousand Miles in April visiting our small towns, adding points of interest to our BOA Mobile App, and bringing hope to our people from the saddle of our Iron Horses. For us it’s all about the ride and our region and giving our visitors that come to see us this season the best experience possible! This is truly a community effort as all who support us here at Backroads of Appalachia and the WCMG come together to show the world that there is simply no place like Central Appalachia or our people! From the rolling hills of Somerset, KY to the Governor’s Trails in “Almost Heaven” West Virginia, We are truly the “Last Unexplored Frontier” on the East Coast and our BOA Mobile Application is your guide to some of the most incredible places you’ll find anywhere all without the need for Cell Phone Signal. We call them “Uniquely Appalachian” with over 2600 Points of Interest all done manually by us so you can find the little General Stores, Restaurants, and Small Businesses who have been here since your grandma was a toddler! Coal may have left

us over 25 years ago taking our Industry and economy with it but what it left us is second to none and that is our roads, our culture, our music, and our history! We have mapped over 5000 Miles of Pavement and are now adding more Gravel Trails to our system which offers something for everyone regardless of your Bike Type! When we say we have the best riding in the U.S. we are here to show you and we are standing by to guide you at our events or help you plan your trip. This year we are inviting you to come see us early as we release our Annual “WCMG Road Crew Brushy Mountain Prison Break Run ‘’ on April 27th to the Public for the first time finishing our training with a great ride for all! We posted it on Rever last season and it has become quite popular and we can’t wait to go to prison and then escape it back to the Bluegrass State! Then it’s on to the “Thunder Beach” Rally in Panama City Beach Florida May 1-5th as we bring our “Backroads Old School Bike Show” Format from our events in Appalachia to the Beach with our sponsors, media partners, and supporters at the Bike Rack in PCB! The following weekend we bring it all together with our Annual Season Opener May 11th on “Rattlesnake 192” with Wildcat Harley Davidson in London, KY with all proceeds going to the DAV! Did we mention our “Coal Train 421” ride to Harlan Kentucky and the heart of Kentucky Coal Country or our newly released “Scouts Honor Trail” Ride which includes many historic Civil War sites and Lake Cumberland, KY? We do it all for charity while bringing

the small forgotten Coal Towns Across Kentucky, West Virginia, Southwest Virginia, and Northeastern Tennessee! There are many places you can choose to go and ride this year, but there is only one place like Central Appalachia. You have rode the rest now, now we invite you to come and ride the best all while helping our region prosper again. You can join us as we continue on our mission and all you have to do is come see us this year on the Backroads of Appalachia! The best riding in the U.S., A great mobile app/guide, A great local riding community you can come and ride with! Need I say more? For more information on our schedule this year download our Backroads of Appalachia Mobile Application and check the Calendar or visit our website at www. Backroadsofappalachia.org/events. You can also find all our events on cyclefish.com and through our media partners and of course on our Facebook pages.

We are ready to ride, are you?

—Jay Fryman (FryDaddy) Founder, Whitley County Motorcycle Group

Backroads of Appalachia

Journalism Team

economic development to

ARE YOU BORN TO RIDE? JOIN OUR GROUP NOW!

THE LIFE & TIMES OF MOTORCYCLES & THE PEOPLE WHO RIDE THEM

This year’s event will be on May 26 th and will start in downtown Sevierville, TN. in front of the Sevier County Courthouse. The opening ceremony will begin at 10:00 A.M. with the pledge of allegiance, followed by our National Anthem and invocation. A guest spea onument at the courthouse, followed by the playing of Taps. Kickstands will go up at 11:00 A.M. for the police escorted 65-mile ride that crosses 5 counties. The ride travels to Clinch Mountain Veteran’s Overlook in Grainger County for the closing ceremony. All along the route, local law enforcement will be out blocking key intersections to keep riders safe. At the closing ceremony, there will be more patriotic music along with closing remarks. Another wreath will be placed at the Veteran’s Memorial followed by a 21 Gun Salute and the playing of Taps. This year at the closing ceremony, weather permitting, we hope to have a helicopter fly over.

Smoky Mountain Thunder Memorial Ride has always been a FREE ride, there are no fees. There are some costs that need to be covered, which are covered by sponsorship donations and the sale of commemorative t-shirts and patches. So, the sole purpose of this event is to pay tribute to our fallen military who died while in service to our country, particularly those killed in combat.

FOR MORE INFO: CALL RON GIDDIS 865-654-1851

WWW.SMOKYMOUNTAINTHUNDER.NET

FACEBOOK: SMOKY MOUNTAIN THUNDER MEMORIAL RIDE

Motorcyclists have been visiting Warm Springs, GA for many years to enjoy the winding country roads and the quaintness of the village. During the past 20 years since Xtreme Rider first opened its doors to customers, the number of motorcyclists making the trip from all over Georgia and the southeast has grown considerably.

Starting out in a tiny 15x20 space , Xtreme Rider has grown to over 2800 sq ft thanks to a steady stream of customers looking for quality leather goods at an affordable price. A knowledgeable staff of riders help to make the shopping experience both educational and fun. If you were not smiling when you came in, you will be when you leave.

“Leather and Accessories for You and Your Bike” is more than just a slogan at Xtreme Rider. It is a fact as evidenced by the extensive selection of leather jackets, chaps, vests and boots. They also carry a full selection of helmets, head wraps, saddle bags and tour packs, not to mention the hard to find items like pin locks and helmet clips. We have one of the most comprehensive selections of biker gear in the southeast.The outdoor stage gets lots of action during the riding season with bands on many weekends. They also encourage the

use of the stage for entertainment at the end of your charity ride or the monthly cook outs and meetings for your ride group.

Keeping the customer happy is critical in their continued growth. In order to help meet their customer’s needs they have opened a consignment store for you to sell the biker gear you no longer need or that shrunk in the closet.

Xtreme Rider has been joined in Warm Springs by their own Food Truck and Beer and Wine Garden. They have become a big hit for food and cold beverages.

Music, games, contests, bike shows and a few surprises await you every April for their Anniversary Party, Memorial Day weekend, and again on Labor Day weekend. For more information go to www.xtremeriderstore.com

Xtreme Rider is open year round Fridays through Mondays 10am till 5pm.

Craven Moorehead WHAT IF?

What if you woke up one day in a very unusual world where all the surroundings, sounds, smells, visions and all things you are so very familiar with seem to have vanished? It’s not like you just went to sleep and never woke up; it’s more akin possibly to the feeling of confusion and uncertainty that one would experience after consuming some smoke, two bottles of Jack, and a 12-pack. (Not that I am promoting the use of drugs or alcohol—but it’s always worked well for me!) So now that I have established a mysterious and somewhat vague stage for you to see my play on, I will open the show with the lost but entertaining art of illusion. Magic if you will. Prevarication—smoke and mirrors or worse. This is what makes you wonder if magic is real.

When you look at the sky and you know it’s blue: you have a pretty valid, cognizant, and stable realization of your knowledge regarding your surroundings. If someone hands you a baseball and you know it’s a baseball, but the person handing it to you swears that it is a pickup truck; you know for certain the one of two possible things have happened. One: You are hallucinating (see toxicology disclaimer above) or Two: Someone is trying to blow smoke up your butt. Why you ask am I wasting both of our valuable time and sanity with my reeling diatribe about some person place or thing that I have not yet revealed to you, the dedicated reader of this column whom deserves a sane and comprehensive explanation as to what the Hell I’m talking about. That’s just how I roll bitches!

If it walks like a Duck there’s a very strong possibility that someone has handed you a Goose. It’s very rare that I receive any mail here in the trailer park. This fact due to the very careful screening of incoming transmittals by management and staff for the covert gleaning of the intended recipient’s monthly welfare or disability check. This isn’t redolent of the very obvious & careful search of letters and packages that a person would receive in a Correctional Facility; it’s just a sneaky way to see what’s up with your neighbors and occasionally profit through conversion (read: accidental loss) of that particular person’s money. Because I do not get any of that sort of benefit, I am usually not the target of the alleged ‘inspection’ that I am discussing. But once again I digress. One day when I was certain that the sky was blue and the grass was green I retrieved my mail from the

park office. Along with all those usual bills that I don’t pay there was an interesting item which I was not familiar with and had never seen the likes of in my life. Addressed to my legal name and address was a letter (well actually not a letter) informing me that I had to pay a “Fine” for running a red light. Ok I finally gave away the plot. I had gotten what is commonly called a Red Light Camera Ticket. … This as a fairly official looking document and some people may actually be persuaded to send away $158.00 to an address somewhere in the state of Ohio. Wait … I thought we were in Florida. Oh silly me, I must have been befuddled or no—I haven’t been drinking—so obviously there’s something wrong with this picture. After carefully examining the document I learned that there are a few options available to the recipient. Two of the options are just pay it although there is an option to download an affidavit from the web. This affidavit allows the lucky recipient of this scam to rat-out the person driving (your) car so that the perpetrators of this debacle can attempt to collect the money from that person instead of you. (In my case I wasn’t driving the car at the time, but I’m not into ratting folks out.) So it’s off to the Clerk of the Court to see about setting a court date. I hand the ‘ticket’ to the man behind the counter and he does the usual ‘looking up of the records’ and then informs me that there is NO traffic violation against my DL number. Ok “so what’s this thing here that I have in my hand” I had to ask. “Oh you got to call the number on the back of this ticket to set a hearing.” “What? So now it’s a ticket, but YOU can’t set a court date?” WTF?

Further examination of the document didn’t reveal a phone number, but it did have a return coupon to pay the fine if you want to call it that and in small print on the back you have the option of setting a hearing by mailing the item back to the very same address in Ohio. Does this mean that I have to go to traffic court in Ohio? Let’s hope not.

So what IS this thing that has no official title? Yes it exists because it’s a piece of paper but yet it only lives within itself according to the Courts. Additional research yielded interesting facts regarding this particular type of citation. Some of the facts are a little hard to believe since they are not in harmony with the Constitution of the United States or the state of Florida. Some jurisdictions are removing the cameras altogether while in one South Florida county a Judge has ruled the tickets unconstitutional dismissing the ‘charges’ upon their face. If a person is dumb enough to believe that there exists a positive to this sort of ‘enforcement’ (other than the fact that the privately owned companies who operate these cameras are making billions), then those people should leave the recreational intoxicants alone for a while. There is a class action suit here in Florida that will make these scam artists pay back anyone that was duped into just paying the fine but until these cameras are all dumped into the sea where they belong, rest assured that “Big Brother is Watching.” Do set a court date however: I attended Traffic Court once and the judge in that venue was not a big fan of these programs. He would reduce the fine if you want to call it that significantly for a no contest plea and the entire fiasco would be forgotten. Because there are no points issued against your license in these cases, I would suspect that the Insurance Lobby would either call for points to be issued or to have the cameras abolished. So should the city for that matter, since their take of this scam is miniscule in comparison to what the operators are making. “It is what it is” is all that comes to mind now.

So until next month, “Speed safely and smile for the camera!”

Craven

IT’S TIME TO WAKE UP

“Don’t let the American dream be just that, a dream. Make it a reality before it ends up being just a dream, permanently.”

Back again and hoping you’re all doing well. Amazing how fast time flies by.

I’ve got to say this to get it off my chest and ask this. Why are we letting the country of the United States of America turn to sh*t? More than ever, We The People” is just turning into a slogan for novelty shirts, stickers and firearms sales. We are letting the tyrants run us over with their plans to destroy this country. We have no border security, no support for our states that are being overrun by a foreign force that has ill intentions for our homeland, home security that is a joke(unless you count on how it oppresses it own civilians), food is no longer food (now produced mainly in labs and destroying our health), a health care system that is designed to shorten our lives and create a dependency on drugs, a workforce that doesn’t want to work even though jobs are available, civility towards our fellow citizens thrown out the window. The list goes on for what seems forever. There are those that rise up and stand for groups of people that can’t even identify what they are genetically but not for those that identify as Americans. They will petition and march to support legalized drug use but not for border security. They advocate heavily the use of electric vehicles over combustion vehicles in the name of saving the planet but fail to realize, or don’t want to realize, how toxic the production and mining and manufacturing of the batteries for these items is more harmful to the same planet they want to

save. They want to take away your right to protect yourself, while bussing in thousands of illegals that are wreaking havoc on our country both physically and economically. Gas prices through the roof. Auto insurance unaffordable if not unattainable. Fake news, fake leadership, fake currency and fake freedom. This list is never ending.

Some “groups” would say our country was based on being one great melting pot of all

the world has to offer. That we are the land of opportunity. We use to attract the worlds brightest and finest. Captains of industry and a majority of all that was good in the world. As this may have been at one time, we are now just turning into the world’s largest port-

john. How have we let a country that was a shining diamond turn into just a piece of cut glass. So you say, what can we do about this. I’m just one person? The solution is right in front of you. Our border situation is a great example. It’s called power in numbers. Americans need to band together and make the changes needed to put us back on track. That means getting off your asses and put things in action not just words. Here’s some ideas.

Unsecured border? Secure it Incompetent government? Replace it Failing infrastructure? Rebuild it.

Trillions of dollars going overseas? Stop sending it.

Jobs available?. Go back to work.

Stop supporting the lazy. No freeloading. Collect the debts that are owed to us by other governments that stand around leaching off your tax dollars. This just scratches the surface.

The most important thing is stand the f*ck up and be heard. Take action. Be a part of the changes needed to take back America.

Don’t let the American dream be just that, a dream. Make it a reality before it ends up being just a dream, permanently.

It’s time to wake up Be safe out there.

-Nefarious James American Patriot

We made it my BTR friends. We’ve sprung forward into April. Now all we have to do is avoid those pesky spring showers and enjoy some great riding weather traveling to and from various upcoming events.

Mike cuts me off saying, “slow down my funky colored riding chicken and stop running off at the beak as if you’re trying to cross the road like your cousin. Why don’t you tell your avid readers about our trip to Daytona first while it’s fresh in your crop.”

I cackle, “dude, I think you should tell them while the bugs are still fresh in your teeth. Besides, most of my birds’ eye view was from behind the windscreen or on the backrest.”

Mike babbles, “OK my typing pterodactyl. It all began with my choice to only travel two lane roads across the state. With that decision, you and I rode through so many weird little towns and got to see how the real southern Florida people live and talk. Riding out of Tampa Bay, we went up through Elfers. It was here we stopped for breakfast and found out iced tea is appropriate for all meals. The kids start drinking it at two and everyone here likes a little tea with their sugar. It’s referred to as the Wine of the South.

The next little town with a tongue twisting name was Thonotosassa. It was riding thru here where I showed you that an opossum is a flat animal that sleeps in the middle

SPRING HAS SPRUNG

of the road.” I squawk, “dude I remember that. There must’ve been 20 of them within 10 miles! They should’ve called the place Thonotopossum!

Then we rode thru Howie-in-the Hills. Here you stopped several times looking for Howie but the only thing to be found was a lot of dense undergrowth. That and of the 50 types of snakes and 100 types of spiders who live in Florida, 48 snakes and 95 spiders live in those hills! All I could hear over the V-twin rumble was you singing; I don’t like spiders and snakes, and that ain’t what it takes to love me, Howie, where you be?”

Mike retorts, “yes Spyke, my version of that song stuck in my head for miles. When it wasn’t, all I kept thinking about was if it grows, it’ll stick ya. If it crawls, it’ll bite ya. Then I rolled the Fat Bird 3 south and ended up in Yeehaw Junction. I pulled into the only roadside café that looked busier than flies on poop and wasn’t a Wawa.”

I screech, “I remember that place. The parking lot attendant asked us; had y’all been here onced or twiced?

Then he told you to grab a buggy and head on inside. Looking around all I saw was shopping carts so Mike plopped my feathered ass on one and in we went. It was here we were met by a hostess and she asked;jeet?

Standing there looking perplexed, a bus boy walked by and said; she be askin’ did y’all wanna eat? Trying to act like a local, Mike

grabs a menu, rolls me on the buggy to the nearest booth and he sits.”

Mike replies, “yes, we were just trying to fit in. There were some serious Yeehaws there! They only listed food on the menu for supper and dinner. What happened to lunch? Looking at the choices I pointed out that these people actually grow, like, eat, and live off of okra! Closing the menu, I read the back of it and it’s about the history of the town.

Before the turnpike came through, it was known as Jackass Junction. This was a crossroads where farmers would ride their mules to end up at the only brothel in the area. There were no traffic lights, only one stop sign, one gas station and two convenience stores/restaurants. Mike puts the menu down and a few minutes later the waitress approached us and asked; j’all P?

The bus boy cleaning the table said; did y’all go to the bathroom yet? Mike replied, “no why?” He said, y’all be fixin’ to wait in that line too and we be closin’ soon.

She just stood there, tapping her pen on a notepad like she was in a hurry and said, i’m fixin to get outta here and go feed my littlins, it’s past their supper time wacha eatin’? Let me save y’all a little time. We’s in between dinner and supper and only got two specials; catfish, the other white meat and today’s roadkill, opossum.

Mike scans the entire restaurant and notices no one’s eating. They’re all just talking like it’s a town meeting. He then puts the menu down and tells the lady he’s got to use the restroom first. She throws a hissy fit, turns around and stomps away.

Mike whispers to me, “OK little buddy now’s our chance to make like a chicken and cross the road, showing those opossums it can be done!”

With that said he plops my feathered ass behind the windscreen, gets his knees under the triple trees and the Fat Bird 3 wheels rolling down the road, Daytona bound.

— SPYKE

RONNIE and EMILY’S RONNIE and EMILY’S

CHRISTIAN MOTORCYCLISTS ASSOCIATION

“Biker down, check your people”!

These are the words we never want to hear. Once spoken, they reverberate as we think of our family and friends that ride motorcycles. Recently, I received a phone call from a friend frantically asking where I was. She said, “Where are you and are you OK?”. She had heard of a motorcycle accident near where I lived. We understand the risks of being a motorcycle rider but, no matter how long we have ridden, these risks can become a very substantial reality. That day, I answered. It was not me.

Doesn’t attending a funeral, memorial service, or celebration of life for a fellow biker truly cut to the core of our beings. There aren’t words to help take the pain away in those circumstances. Our brotherhood is tight and to lose one person is unacceptable! We know this life is fleeting. We know we have such a short time on this earth. And yet we cannot help but try and rationalize, make sense of, and logically accept in our heads when a brother or sister goes down.

Although there is a thin veil between this physical world and eternity, I know our God is faithful and that He truly loves us. When we look at our life’s start and end dates, there’s only a dash between them. It reminds me of James 4:14, “How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” For many, we will have just celebrated Easter or what I like to call Resurrection Sunday. The death and burial of Jesus for our

sins was tragic at that moment. But, the resurrection of Jesus from the dead was the greatest event in history. It is where He tasted death for all of us. He died in our place so that we can have eternal life for all who believe. We read in John 3:16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” Jesus went down that day. Only it wasn’t on a motorcycle.

That day Jesus died for our sins. With God’s mighty power, He raised Jesus from the dead. When we believe that Jesus died for our sins and confess that Jesus is our Lord deciding to live for God, we will receive eternal life.

Teach’s Takeaway,

- Losing a fellow biker is tragic and stuns the community.

- Our lives are fleeting and frail.

- Jesus died and was buried and then was raised from the dead so we may receive eternal life but it is a decision we must make.

While we go to memorial services to celebrate life, we also feel the grief of the family and friends of those who passed. In difficult times we can put our faith in Jesus who will give us eternal life. Ride on.

Fellow Soldier in Christ, Wayne (Teach) Masiker Christian Motorcyclists Association wayne.masiker@att.net

OKSANA MEET

PHOTOS BY DANIEL GALLANT

Hello, my name is Oksana, born and raised in Russia. St Petersburg Florida has been my home for the last 7 years, I’m currently a real estate agent. Riding motorcycles is my emotional and physical get away from everyday challenges.

Motorcycle: Big Dog bike (S&S 117 engine)

The engine is a S&S.

Bike rebuilt by Kenny Dukes of Hellbenders of Tampa.