November 2009 1st Issue!
Keepin the shiny side up on the Florida Panhandle
Biggest Story This Year..The Cover Says It All! Inside: Club News Hangouts Rides - Pics and Tales
Table of Contents Feature Story: New Panama City Beach Harley Davidson Tampa Harley Group’s Gary Bang announces opening of New 40,000 Store at 14700 Back Beach Road in Panama City Beach. David Woodby and Tampa Harley Group
Clubs: Thunder Angels By Debbie Cuthbert Fire and Iron Firefighter Motorcycle Club Station 36 Emerald Coast, Florida Sand Dollars REUNION TOUR 2009 By Pam Kady (PK) Day Trippin’ Photos of Biker Life From the Panhandle Hangouts: Where Else...Ms Newby’s David Woodby Media Advertising Policies and Pricing.
Aritist’s rendering of new Panama City Beach Harley Davidson to be built at 14700 Panama City Beach Parkway.
Panama City Beach Gets New Harley Dealer! DAVID WOODBY / Harley-Davidson of Panama City Beach Gary Bang is no stranger to motorcycles; he was riding a 650cc bike when he was 11, and drove an old Harley Shovelhead to school when he was 15. Gary’s dad, (also Gary Bang) has been in the motorcycle business since 1965. Gary’s son Ryan is the Parts Manager at the Brandon store. You might say it’s a family business. As Vice President of Tampa Harley Group, Gary runs 2 dealerships in Tampa, 1 in Brandon, and 1 in New Port Richey. The great news for Panama City Beach is that Gary will be opening a new store, 40,000 square feet of it. The new store will have an event pavilion and a stage. This should be a hint to everyone... this is not your ordinary motorcycle dealership. In a recent telephone interview, Gary explained that Harley-Davidson of Panama City Beach will be open 7 days a week. It will sponsor a “Bike Night” once a month, provide events for local bikers like “garage parties”, host charity and benefit rides, and every once in a while provide a bar-
becue for their customers. “We provide not only a place to buy or repair your Harley, or buy Harley accessories and clothing, but we provide a place for motorcycle lovers to hang out. Many of our customers know
New Location for Harley Davidson Panama City Beach!
us as friends because of the time they spend with us.” Gary says the store is tentatively scheduled to be open for business in the Fall of 2010 at 14700 Panama City Beach Parkway, but could be opened sooner dependent upon how the economy fares. Gary also mentioned that they are looking for a restaurant to open next door to them that would “blend well” with the likes and needs of the biker community. According to their website, the Tampa and New Port Richey dealerships have barbecue and music for their customers Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 2:00 and the Brandon store has an on-site restaurant “The BBQ Bar”. Other items showing up on their website events calendar include costume contests, drawings for a free motorcycle, charity rides, and sponsorship of local H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) Chapters. Gary said that in addition to sponsoring H.O.G., the stores help out The Defenders, L.A.M.A., and Buffalo Soldiers motorcycle organizations.
Beach will have a Rider Training Center, capable of handling 12 students per class, to teach riding and safety awareness, as well as to satisfy state legislation requiring a basic motorcycle course prior to licensing. The store will have a Service Department with a staff of 10, a Retail Department, Parts Department, a Sales Department, and an Administrative staff. Once completed, the store will provide about 30 jobs to the community. The dealership will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. The Service Department will be open 8 a.m-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For More Info Visit www.PanamaCityBeachHarley.com
In addition to sales, service, clothing, and a great place to hang out with your biker friends, Harley-Davidson of Panama City
THUNDER ANGELS by Debbie Cuthbert Hello Panhandle Bikers from the Thunder Angels. We are an all women’s motorcycle group in Panama City, Florida. Our organization is for women of all ages. We do not require that you own or even ride a motorcycle, but do share the love of the open road, biker camaraderie, and enjoy the sound of motorcycles. We support many charities, primarily Breast Cancer. Each October our membership spon-
sors “The Tickled Pink Breast Cancer Aware- site at www.thunder-angels.org for inforness Poker Run” which proceeds benefit mation on the next meeting and other local “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer”.this events. annual event raised $10,250 for Breast Cancer; We presented a check to Breast Cancer at Saturdays (Oct 17th) Walk. We led the Panhandle Bikers looks forward walkers on our motorcycles on the 5K walk to publishing all the club news, through Panama City streets. We meet on events, and photos of the Thunder Angels. the first Monday of each month continued at different locations around Panama City and Panama City Beach. Check out our web
Thunder Angels 2008 Thunder Angels’ Heidi Fowler and Partner.
Panama City’s own Thunder Angels Chapter presented a check for $10,250 at “Making Strides against Breast Cancer October 17th. submitted by Keith Owen
“NO!” says the little girl as she hurries down the street. The motorcyclist pulls up beside the little girl again and says, “Okay kid, my last offer! I’ll give you 20 bucks and a big bag of candy if you will just hop on the back of my bike and go for a ride with me.” Finally, the little girl stops and turns towards him and hollers out... “Look Dad” “You’re the one who bought the Kawasaki instead of the Harley!” “YOU RIDE IT!”
A little 10-year-old girl was walking home, alone, from school one day when a big man on a large black motorcycle pulls up beside her. After following along for a while, he turns to her and asks, “Hey there little girl, do you want to go for a ride?” “NO!” says the little girl as she keeps on walking. The motorcyclist again pulls up beside her and asks, “Hey little girl, I will give you $10 if you hop on the back.” Editors Note: At least Keith didn’ t have the guy PUSHING it!
From Pensacola to Tallahassee, the Panhandle of Florida offers magniďŹ cent rides, great scenery, friendly people, and more motorcyclists than you can believe. Panhandle Biker has been created to serve the needs of every kind of biker imagineable. We cater to the tourist biker, the resident biker, biker clubs, bike dealers, biker hangouts, do-it-yourselfers; we cover touring bikes,cruisers, cafe bikes, and even scooters...and any events or charities connected with any of the above. Tell your friends, your motorcycle parts supplier,your favorite motorcycle dealer, your salespersons, your insurance guy, your attorney , even tell your dentist that Panhandle Biker is available online as of 1 November. We actively solicit club news from any motorcycle club in the Panhandle, and encourage every motorcycle dealer to send us a column, or modiďŹ cations and tips. We want your photos, your news-
letters, and we want to make available yourschedule of events, charities and poker runs to all the Bikers in the Panhandle. We welcome all stories submitted about your favorite biker hangouts, restaurants, and bars. We even solicit stories and photos of your favorite tatto artists and parlors. We will be happy to publish your photographs of hot bikes, pets on bikes, hot chicks on bikes; ladies, you can even send in pictures of your hot guys on bikes. Panhandle Bikers is all about a love for everything on two wheels (sometimes three if you count the trikes.) If you love the feel of the wind in your face, the throaty roar of motorcycle exhaust, if you just love belonging to the extended family of people who ride, and wave at each other on the highways, Panhandle Biker is your magazine. Please send all submissions and questions to davidwoodbymedia@gmail. com. , or call us at 850-785-0868.
A few months ago, I was sitting in my office when my cell rang. It was an associate calling from out of state with a magazine publisher on the line. The publisher asked “Hey, what ever happened to last year’s (2008) Florida HB 137, you know, that Vertical Tag law?” I gave him the Cliff Notes version, and continued with my work. About two weeks ago, I was chatting with Scribe, ABATE of Florida, Inc.’s Legislative Trustee, when he told me a friend of his had just been pulled over in Naples for riding his bike that had its license plate mounted vertically. The biker had to have his bike towed and now has to appear in court. I keep hearing about people calling their friends down here in the Sunshine State asking the same questions; “Can I ride in Florida with my chopper and its vertical tag?, If I can’t then I’m not coming to Bike Week!” With all these stories in mind, lets take a few minutes and break down what the final result is from the 2008-2009 Florida Legislative Session’s HB 137. This bill was introduced by Republican Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera of Miami during last year’s FL Legislative Session. Representative Lopez-Cantera’s original bill would inflict specific penalties on motorcycle riders, specifically sport bike riders, including a third time offender of reckless driving or speeding in excess of 30 MPH above the posted speed limit, would suspended the rider’s license for TEN YEARS and require the person to FORFEIT THEIR MOTORCYCLE. In addition, this bill ONLY APPLIED TO MOTORCYCLES. I know some don’t like the way bikers look, but this would be legally endorsed discrimination! After looking deeper into the language of this bill, it included many penalties for different things, including having a tag (license plate) affixed to a motorcycle in any manner other than perfectly horizontal. ABATE of Florida Inc’s Delegation gave marching orders to its President & Lobbyist, James “Doc” Reichenbach, who proceeded to fight vigorously against this bill at the State Capitol. Many of ABATE of Florida, Inc’s almost 8,000 members notified their legislators explaining the obvious discrimination against motorcycle riders as well as the blatant potential government intrusion against individuals’ right to own a vehicle. After all was said and done, ABATE of Florida, Inc., although not happy with the bill at all, ended up getting it modified to applying only after 50 MPH over the posted speed limit is reached, no vehicle forfeiture at all, and it now applies to ALL MOTOR VEHICLES. What about the vertical/horizontal tag portion you ask. Well, we were told that it was supposed to have been taken care of. HOWEVER, in January 2009, ABATE of Florida, Inc. began hearing that local Sheriff’s Offices were going to levy a fine for a 2nd offense of the new State Statute 316.2085 (what HB 137 became) of $2,648 for not having a horizontally mounted tag! Over TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS! Not to worry. Doc Reichenbach made some phone calls and the committees that approved the bill admitted that the final language as it applies to motor vehicle tags was not what they intended. In the end, on June 19, 2009, Florida Governor Crist signed the amended bill into law, removing the “horizontal” portion. To sum this all up: YES,
YOU CAN RIDE IN FLORIDA WITH A VERTICAL TAG ONCE AGAIN!
Here’s the exact wording as it is printed in FL law: 316.2085 Section 4. Subsection (3) Riding on motorcycles or mopeds.— The license tag of a motorcycle or moped must be permanently affixed to the vehicle and may not be adjusted or capable of being flipped up. No device for or method of concealing or obscuring the legibility of the license tag of a motorcycle shall be installed or used.
Lockdown, State PR/Communications Trustee, ABATE of Florida, Inc. statepr-comm@abateflorida.com www.abateflorida.com
Ride hard, ride often, ride safe! FIRE AND IRON NOVEMBER EVENTS
When: Nov 6 – 7 2009, 9:00am, Saturday and Sunday What: All day Angel Ride Where: Fairhope, Al. Why: Check http://www.fireandiron36.com/events. htm for details as added.
Fire and Iron Firefighter’s MC is made up of Firefighter’s and other people associated with the Fire Service who love to ride and have a good time. Each member is either an Active Full-Time/Career, Paid-On-Call, or Volunteer member of the Fire Service community. In addition to Firefighter’s, we welcome Dispatcher’s, Inspector’s, and Mechanic’s, or anyone else who works in direct support of the Fire Service. Member’s of the club not only share a passion for protecting the lives of the citizens of their communities, but also for the open road. The Club takes great pride in it’s efforts to support various charitable organizations as well as other clubs and rides. Fire and Iron Firefighter’s MC is a Neutral Club, who claim no territory, and who ride in respect of all other clubs and expect the same in return. Most recently the Club celebrated it’s 10th year with a rally in Kissimmee! Fire and Iron has grown from it’s humble beginnings in Orange County, Florida with one Station (Chapter 1, the only chapter in our Nation and our Mother Chapter) to 125 Stations...and we are still growing! “Stations”, as our Chapter’s are known, are loacted throughout the United States and the Bahama’s. The Clubs membership logs 1000’s of miles each year criss-crossing the country in support of our other members and our other Stations. The panhandle Stations organize at least one sanctioned ride a month.We will support other local rides and charitable events as often as we can. If you are serious about being in the BEST DAMN FIREFIGHTER’S MOTORCYCLE CLUB in the Country, then contact your local Fire and Iron Station! Locally you have a choice of Stations to choose from. Station 36 (Emerald Coast) covers from Pensacola to the west half of Destin/ up to Defuniak, Station 55 (Panama City) covers from East Destin to Pamana City, Station 202 (Jackson County) covers from Marianna to Quincey, Station 8 covers the greater Tallahassee area. Go to www.fireandiron36.com to find your local contact on the “Nation of Stations” tab. You will also find the “Events/Weather” tab to see our calendar of events. There is also a “Gallery” tab to see pics from various rides. We welcome all types of bikes and bikers from all parts to come ride with us!
When: Sun, November 8, 9:00am – 11:30pm What: Veterans Charity Poker Run Where: Katmandu 617 Azalea St. Panama City Beach, FL. Why: Saturday the7th of November 2009 the VIETNAM VETS / LEGACY VETS MC Chapter “E” Panama City, Florida will be hosting their Annual Bay County Veterans’ Charity / Poker Run. Registration will be from 9:00am till noon at the Katmandu aka “The Buoy” located at 617 Azalea St. Panama City Beach, FL. It will end at our normal spot AMVETS Post 2298 on the corner of Hwy 22 and 98 in Callaway. This is rain or shine, cold or warm run. Proceeds will help support The Sims Veterans Home & local and area veterans’ and their families for the holiday season along with many other veteran events we support throughout the year. Ride safe and ride responsible and remember to wear Red on Friday to support the Troops! When: November 8, 9:00am – 11:30pm What: 18th Pigiman RideWhenSun Where: Target on Hwy 98 FWB (map, http://www. fireandiron36.com/events.htm) Why: Ride from FWB to the Flora-Bama Lounge in Perdido Key. Rain day is November 30th. When: Saturday, November 14, 10:00am – 5pm What: Ride for Pride, Warrior Foundation Where: FWB (map http://www.fireandiron36.com/ events.htm) continued
ABATE of Florida, Inc. 15th ANNUAL FREEDOM RIGHTS RALLY April 16 - April 19, 2010
State Meeting Sunday April 18th at 2:00 pm
State Board Meeting Sunday April 18th at Noon Monticello, Florida • American Legion Hall • 1065 S. Water St. • Monticello, FL 32344
Ride to the Capitol Monday April 19 from Monticello KOA Campground at 9:00am
ALL ARE WELCOME Free Tent Camping
RV Hookups $45.00 per night • Cabins $150 (3 night event price) KOA Campground • 346 KOA Road • Monticello, FL 32344 Located at exit 225 at I-10 in Monticello, call 850-997-3890 for directions only. 20 miles east of Tallahassee & 6 miles SW of Monticello. From I-10 at US19 proceed south 600 feet, then west on C158B for 2 miles, then north on S259 for 1/2 mile. Follow the signs. American Legion Hall Go 2 blocks west of the Opera House on US90, then turn west on Waters Street. Go 1/2 mile to Legion Hall. Reservations for RV Hookups (Pop-Up Campers, Vans and RV’s) and Cabins need to be made through the ABATE of Florida State Office. Call 386-943-9610 for reservations. RV sites and cabins are limited. Donations to ABATE of Florida, Inc. are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. ABATE of Florida, Inc. does not condone drinking and driving.
Fire and Iron Continued Why: More details coming- call Carla for info 850585-2361 When: Saturday, November 21, 11:00am What: The $1 Beach Ride, rain dateWhenSat, November 21, 11:00am – 7:30pm Where: Meet at O’Reilly’s Pub, Pensacola (Crieghton Rd.) (map, http://www.fireandiron36.com/events. htm) Why: Rain date ride. Here’s the deal. Unless your want to spend $$$ on any food or beverages (less gas of course), this ride will only cost you one dollar. That’s the toll to get on Pensacola Beach en route to Paddy O’Leary’s Pub. Meet at O’Reilly’s 2:00pm KSU 2:30pm Take Scenic Hwy to 17th Ave to Bayfront Pkwy Follow 98 through Gulf Breeze to Pensacola Beach Head to Paddy O’Leary’s (cool down) KSU riding 399 to Navarre Bch and end up at Cocodries. When: Sunday, November 22, 8:30am – 4:00pm What: Toys for Tots Run When Sun Where: Sam’s Club FWB (map, http://www.fireandiron36.com/events.htm) Why: Sponsored by Emerald Coast HOG info call 850-862-1761 When: Thursday, November 26, All day Thanksgiving Day What: More details @ http://www.fireandiron36. com/events.htm, when available When: Saturday, November 28, 10:00am What: Doc’s Southern BellesWhenSat, November 28, 10am – 5pm Where: Southern Cycle’s- Hwy 90 in Pace (map, http://www.fireandiron36.com/events.htm) Why: Call 850-994-8727 for info.
I’d like to take this opportunity to ask all Panhandle American Legion Riders Posts to send their monthly newsletters to us for publication. This magazine is Veteran Owned, Created, and Operated. I stand proudly beside my brothers in arms and will gladly assist in promoting their interests and welfare with whatever resources I may bring to bear. David E. Woodby, Owner/Editor
American Legion Post #392 Shows It’s Colors at Oktoberfest in Downtown Panama City Below
American Legion Riders Post #392 above take a break during Oktoberfest
PK (aka Punk Kid) is a member of the Sand Dollar Motorcycle Club in Ft Walton Beach. The Sand Dollars have been riding together for almost 30 years and is an AMA sanctioned club. One of the areas in the motorcycle community that the Sand Dollars take the lead on is safety. We conduct skills Sunday once a month and are very fortunate to MSF Rider Coaches among our membership. For more information about the Sand Dollars visit their home page at www.sandollarmotorcycleclub.com or find them on MySpace and Facebook. This summer they took a road trip through the Smokey Mountains and across Virginia to catch the Amtrak Autotrain to Sanford, FL.
SAND DOLLARS REUNION TOUR 2009 My first trip as a Sandie and I pick a 5 day trip with these people, what the heck was I thinkin’? Thursday: The mood around the breakfast table was rather somber; the 24 hours leading up to the trip hadn’t been so good for fellow Sandies ready to take the trip. Seems Backhoe showed his character and mettle by standing up for someone at work and the powers that be decided he needed to be available over the weekend “just in case” someone needed to speak to him. Bummer. Then the morning of the trip, JoeJoe’s bike wouldn’t start so his trip was cancelled at the last minute. ‘Nother Bummer! When early into the trip, Sam’sbike shut off, I thought for sure “that’s 3. George is turning this train around.” Fortunately, not a mechanical issue with bike and we rolled on. First reunion of this reunion trip happened in Luverne, AL where Dave and Tina joined us. There I learned that Tina has da powah. Five minutes of them arriving and she has the Mitchell on his knees. Not sure what was in that white paper bag she handed over because he was clutching it close to his chest and was he going to share with his friends? I fear that any Sandie hand that came close to inspecting said contents was going to get lopped off.
Up until we hit the concrete perdition otherwise known as the Chattanooga highway infrastructure, we rode some beautiful and fun roads. The view and the run along the road on Lookout Mountain were spectacular. Unfortunately, we did have to navigate the Chattanooga highway system and it is a good thing our stop for the night was not long after because I was mentally done. Oh, but Mr. Make My Own Turn Lane George was not done with adventures for the day. The exit ramp had only one left hand turn lane and no traffic light and George decided we were going to sit too long. So under the guise of taking us right with a uweee to go left, he leads us to the RH turn lane and like good sheople, most of us follow. But when thetraffic opens, we turn left anyway much to the consternation of the lady waiting to turn left in the legitimate lane. Thank goodness her window was rolled up because I think she may have taught me some new words. Dinner that night was at a joint called N’awlins. Except right up front we were told there were no gumbo, no ettoufette, and no oysters. Excuse me, but what was the name again? And nothing chicken was available. It took one of us longer than norm to grasp that no chicken also means no chicken strips, no chicken tenders, no chicken wings… you get the picture. But alas Tina found something to eat that wasn’t chicken although many decided the alligator tasted like chicken but was alligator priced. While they did not have anything chicken, they did have margarita pitchers with a price that tickled Moody and Michael and they partook of the pitchers. Friday starts out heading to Deal’s Gap and the Dragon after meeting up with Terry Cooper in his Miata. Seems his bike was having issues as well; those darn bike gremlins. I like Terry, according to him there is nothing mentally disturbing about a biker carrying a sippy cup, David. This was my third and fourth trip through those 11 miles in 5 weeks and I still don’t understand the allure of it. One day. Maybe. All 4 trips were uneventful, no “oh sh poop!” moments so I must be a dragon slayer, right? Yeah, right! With my driving Miss Daisy pace, I’m pretty sure I just tickled the crap outa her. I am convinced that the Dragon is actually related to one of the Oz Witches, no not Glenda, and she just is wringing her hands, thinking “c’mon my pretty, one screw up is all I need to get you.” Not this time, it’s just a road. Sad moment of the day is saying good-bye to John and Bob at this time and leaving them at Deal’s Gap resort following prerequisite pics. They were sticking around the area to enjoy the great roads around there. We’re off to other roads and adventures. Lunch was a little Italian joint attached to a gas station. I’ll be honest, it did cross my mind that this had fast food indigestion written all over it. I was wrong. The food was really good and that was probably one of the most perfectly baked strombolies I have had. George claimed his Osso Buco was to die for. We all got checked into our hotel fairly early, unloaded and then went to try to charm a snake and take a run through Shady Valley. At the end of one of those
beautiful rides on Hwy 133 was a stop at Backbone Tunnel, World’s shortest Tunnel; very cool indeed.
this trip included a stop at the Country Store and a few souvenirs of the Snake were purchased. But someone had to be a buzzkill and point out that technically we didn’t actually ride the Snake which is Hwy 421. But we did cross 421 while on 133 so Sam and I ruled it and called it good and headed back to hotel and dinner. Just finishing up dinner, Sam’s sister Linda showed up as a surprise with a surprise. An invitation for a sunset cruise around Watauga Lake on her and Michael’s boat. The next surprise for Sam was that her parents Mr. John and Miss Ruth were going to join us. This is the reunion part of the Reunion Tour. And this is where we get to play the Sandie version of how many pollo... Sandies can we get in a van. Let’s see front seat is Linda (driver), Miss Ruth; second seat is Mr. John, Tina and Dave, back seat is George, Sam, and Jerry. Folded up in the tiny little cargo area like yesterdays dirty laundry is Wanda and yours truly. Michael takes one look at the van, decides he didn’t want to get that cozy with his fellow Sandies and passes on being up somehow. Somefolded Thunder Angels inThat the Michael “Pink!” is a smart man. After we get to moving is when Wanda decides to share with everyone that she is trying really hard not to toot (pass gas for those not raised in the Kaby household). Whew, now I can blame Wanda rather than the dog since there was no dog available. Cool thing about the van ride was we actually passed a Drive-In Theatre which was still in existence and showing a movie that night. Back row at the drive-in: now THAT’s some stories for another publication. Sunset cruise was relaxing; Mike and Linda were wonderful hosts and Sam, daddy’s girl, got to spend some time with her family. That’s what it’s all about. The Mitchell wasn’t with us because he too took some time to spend with his family. Saturday included a quick stop at Bristol Motor Speedway for a banner pic moment. That was thrilling to see for this NASCAR fan; I could almost hear the excitement of the crowd and roar of the cars. Almost. One day. Then on to the super slab heading toward Virginia. We may have had to travel the Interstate system but still saw some beautiful country. Overall, I think Vir-
ginia has to be one of the most beautiful states to be seen from the roadway. A last minute addition to our trip, I think someone may have Burt ruled it, was a visit to the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA. May be one of the highlights of the trip. This memorial is beautifully done and is a wonderful and moving tribute to that day 65 years ago 6 June. The bronze and water sculptures that capture that day on the beach will absolutely take your breath away. If it does not, you weren’t breathing to begin with. While in the Bedford area, even with my limited historical knowledge of the Sandollar M/C, I think there may have been a first. Two u-turns – in the exact same place, same day. Add a few red lights that weren’t quite legally navigated and it has the Sandie Ride stamp on it. The afternoon includes a stop at Appomattox and what a treat that was. Listening to Tibbs, the Confederate Soldier talk about his battles and his side of the events, you could almost believe you were there. The only thing that would have made that complete was being able to listen to the accounts of the Union soldier but time did not allow and we were soon off again. Destination: hotel; via some crooked roads of course – one that included a marvelous old wood bridge.Now this hotel is where the stories will differ. To accurately date the hotel, imagine this: we were given room keys. Real keys, not key cards. First room (yes, first – as in more than one) Wanda and I check in to has an AC problem in that it doesn’t cool. While waiting to give it time to start percolating correctly, Wanda picks up the remote to turn on the TV, it doesn’t work. After a short time elapses we decide the AC is not going to decide to work and she picks up the phone to call front desk, no dial tone. We decide not to look behindthe bathroom shower curtain and I am quickly on the cell phone to the front desk: new room please. I will have to give them credit for expedient customer service, within 10 minutes of that phone call; we had everything moved into another room that had everything in working order. I can’t quite fathom why George is so excited about this very retro, but clean, hotel/motel; it must be an age thang. Next morning starts out early with our first real breakfast as we congregated at the Waffle House and then onto another Burt Ruled stop. Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson. This was another cool trip back in time. The multi-media interactive center is very impressive and much more time than we had could be spent in that one room alone. The trip is full of great memories but one of the priceless ones that I regretted as not being timelessly captured is the look on Sam’s face when the alarm went off when she moved away from an exhibit. Those blue eyes were as big around as our breakfast plates had been. But this trip does not include any tales of being asked to leave an exhibit. After George herded us around the parking lot, we were on the road again. Next destination: train station. At the train station we met up with Jerry. He had left us early Saturday morning to drive on to outside the
DC area to visit with an old friend whom he had served with. This friend owns sailplanes (gliders) and we all knew that Jerry was excited about seeing his friend and the planes. This is after all, the Reunion Tour. Watching the bikes being loaded was cool to watch. Those guys were pretty careful about it. Then again, wouldn’t you be if you knew that a group of bikers were watching your every move with their babies? We were probably more watchful than a momma with a newborn. Then our turn. All Aboard! The train trip was a fun trip; I had never been on a train ride and was excited about experiencing it on such a trip. The laughs and games among friends were timeless. The best part is that we did not write the Sandie version of Throw Momma from the Train. The same number of Sandies that got on, got off…the train, people, the train. This is where my part of the group ride ends. I am a worker bee slave to Corporate Hierarchy and the hierarchs called me home a day early. I was not able to enjoy Johnny and Becky’s hospitality much to my regret. So there you have it: the Sandie version of Planes, Trains, & Automobiles. Of course we had to be different and included Bikes and Boats as well. My first trip as a Sandie and I pick a 5 day trip with these people, what the heck was I thinkin’? I’m thinking that I must be one smart, or very lucky, PK.
Day Trippin’ Hopefully, this next section is going to be everyone’s favorite for a long time to come. I’m gonna call it Day Trippin’, because that’s where the pics come from. I ride around the Panhandle with my trusty Nikon clicking away, and I get pics from friends who love, as I do, the thrill and freedom of getting around on two wheels. I don’t know why it is, but when I’m on the bike, I am always wondering what’s around the next turn, the road I’ve
never been on, the small town I’ve seen on the map but never been to. I really don’t recall feeling that way behind the wheel of a car or truck since I was 16 or so. However I come by them, the pics in this section are going to show you the places, the people, the bikes, and the attitudes that I have come to love. You might get the impression, given the price of a new Harley, that there is an elite among the bikers travelling the highways...but you would be wrong. At this moment, a recent gathering of several friends come to mind; where but in the biker’s world could you find, having a single conversation a priest, a multi-millionaire, several self made businessmen, an architect, a florist, a rancher, a car salesman, a mechanic, a farm laborer, and a rental clerk? The truly amazing part of that particular group was that you could not tellby looking at them which was which...they were all standing around admiring an old panhead. They were a mixed group; men and women, black, white, red, and yellow. They were an ordinary group of bikers discussing a machine they all loved and enjoying the company of others who felt the same way. On any given day you will rub shoulders with the rider of the most ancient, battered old Honda to the rider of a $50,000 custom Chopper and you will never have a clue know which is which biker is on whic ride until you see them get on their bikes to ride away. And you still won’t know which one was the priest until you get to know him. The love of bikes transcends common social barriers such as race, income, sex, age, and profession. I really don’t know a better way to explain and express the feeling than showing you photos of the bikes, their riders, and the events and places they hang out at. So goodbye for this month, I’ve got some snappin’ to do.
Day Trippin’
Top-Cruisin with Keith Owen at Pier Park Bottom-You can always find a Brother at Newby’s!
Thunder Beach
Now, pay CLOSE attention Bill, this is important!
Photos by Bill Yohe and Friends
Ride To The Wall, Apalachicola Veterans Memorial Plaza
Visit Amanda at Wicked Willie’s in Carabelle!
Y o W a s s u p !
Hangouts If you didn’t get to Ms Newby’s at 8711 Thomas Drive when you came to Panama City Beach, then you didn’t get to the prime bikers Hangout! No matter what day it is, what event or function is taking place, there are ALWAYS bikers at Ms Newby’s. The atmospere is great, they’ve made space for tons of people, and, you will notice, there is special parking just for bikers. Good prices, good people, great bikes. What else could you ask for?
Here’s the Kicker Folks... You’ve seen a little of what we want to bring to you. We would like for you to send us digital photos for our Day Trippin’ Section. We would love for you to send tech tips that make your life a little easier. Most of all, we want to hear from your clubs. Let us tell the Panhandle what activities you are planning, what charities you are sponsoring, send us photos and reports of your events. Our website, which is located at http://www.panhandlebikers com , is being updated daily. There will soon be a blog, a chat room and a Swap Shop for parts you no longer need and are just taking up space. There are lots of motorcycle magazines, there are lots of websites, but as far as we know, there is only one that covers the Florida Panhandle specifically. We live here, we love our beaches, our bikes, and our part of Florida in particular. We think the Panhandle is special, as well as the people who live here. Please send your club information, pics, stories, stories and photos of your favorite biker Hangouts, tech tips, and club newsletters to: davidwoodbymedia@gmail.com, or call me at 850-785-0868. Thanks,