They say a picture's worth a thousand words ...
President Reagan
President Bush
President Obama
'Nuff said.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Monday, May 25, 2009
Memorial Day 2009
It ain't just a day to go for a motorcycle ride ...
It ain't just a day at the beach ...
It ain't just the 'start' of summer ...
It ain't just a day for grillin' and chillin' ...
And it certainly ain't just a day for massive car sales, furniture sales or any of that other bullshit ...
... It's a day to remember those that have died to allow us to do those things.
God bless all those that have died for our freedom and our way of life. You are not forgotten.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Daytona International Speedway Under Water
Well it's finally stopped raining for a bit in our neck of the woods - (this morning -- Sunday, May 24) the sun actually came out a little bit). We've never see this much rain, even during hurricanes. And we've never seen it so persistent for so long - monday through Saturday (May 18 0 May 23, 2009).
We're actually in Ormond by the Sea and have had upwards of 24 inches - that's two feet! - of rain over the past five days. And the forecast doesn't look good for the coming week. The bikes have stayed in the garage for way tooooooo loooooooooong! But it's not been a drizzly kinda rain - it's comin' in squalls which drop buckets and buckets.
They say pictures are worth a thousand words, and many folks are familiar with Daytona Interantional Speedway, so here's some pictures from a reader that'll let you know what kinda rain we're talkin' about on the east coast of North Florida:
We're actually in Ormond by the Sea and have had upwards of 24 inches - that's two feet! - of rain over the past five days. And the forecast doesn't look good for the coming week. The bikes have stayed in the garage for way tooooooo loooooooooong! But it's not been a drizzly kinda rain - it's comin' in squalls which drop buckets and buckets.
They say pictures are worth a thousand words, and many folks are familiar with Daytona Interantional Speedway, so here's some pictures from a reader that'll let you know what kinda rain we're talkin' about on the east coast of North Florida:
Turn four tunnel and entrance to the infield.
Comin' up outta the Turn four tunnel into the infield.
The back stretch totally underwater. That's sayin' something since it also has some banking to it and is not flat.Friday, May 22, 2009
Soldier Thanks a Dixie Biker Advertiser - Timbuktu
My name is Mike Kraft and I am a soldier in the North Dakota Army National Guard. There are 12 of us that arrived in Florida and are attending a Six week training course at Camp Blanding in preparation for my second deployment into Hell (Afghanistan).\
The reason I email you is this. If it is possible to print in one of you next months issues this real life story of the Timbuktu. If you would print it, please do not print it for me but for Steve, for his employees and for some of the best bunch of people I have ever met!
First I want to say your Dixie Biker magazine is a real Kick-Ass Magazine I enjoyed reading it from cover to cover twice. It got me pumped up to ride. In North Dakota, riding in April isn't possible due to the that there is still snow on the ground.
Anyway here is my story.
On the 19th of April we flew into Jacksonville. I rented a mini van and we took U.S. Hwy 301 through Starke to get to Camp Blanding. As we entered the North end of Starke I see the TIMBUKTU Lounge and package off to the right side of the road. Well, we settled ourselfs in at Camp and I say to Darrin (my battle buddy) lets get the hell out of here and find us a cold long neck. I knew right where to go!
Darrin and I arrive at the TIMBUKTU, we belly up to the bar. I am taking in the atmosphere while enjoying a cold brew. The Juke box is playing ( I'll never smoke weed with Willie again). The regulars are shottin the shit with one another, Randi is working the bar and making us feel right at home. Now I am thinking and saying to myself, BRO, I love this bar!
After enjoying the friendly atmosphere for a couple of hours Darrin and I head out for the night. As we are driving back to camp, Darrin and I are talking how we just found our place to hang out for the next Six weeks.
As the weeks have ridden by, Darren and I established our selfs as regulars. The Beers are already on the bar as we walk thru the door. By now we know all the bar ladies by name. Brandi, Randi, Sandy, Linda and Constance or CC. Let me tell you Monk, you will not find a more friendlier, kinder set of bar ladies that what work at the TIMBUKTU. They are Awesome.
Also, by now we have made some good friend with most of the regulars at the TIMBUKTU. Joel and TJ, who kick our asses in pool most of the time. Dave, whom has become my Brother and who passed on the torch for me to carry for all Veterans who gave some and for those that gave all! I will ride to Light the way Bro!
Now there is Steve. Steve is the owner of the TIMBUKTU. It was a Tuesday night and the cold long necks were going down good. I meet Steve for the first time. We talk as th why I am here. I find out that Steve is a Veteran as well. I begin to tell Steve what a awesome place he has and how I enjoy the friendly folks who make us feel right at home.
Later that same night Darren and I are shooting a game of pool and Linda comes over to us and says, Steve needs your help, Steve dumped his bike on his way home. Shit! Lets go I said. Darren and I left the pool game as is, dropped our pool sticks and blazed out of there in a hurry. We pull off Hwy 301 on to a sandy gravel road. The road is very soft and shitty. We finally get to Steve and all was good. Steve is not hurt and the 09 Electra Glide is not damaged. We help stand up the bike and Steve says, Boys, the drinks are on me tonight.
Back at the TIIMBUKTU, the pool table is just as we left it. As we resume our pool game I hear everyone talking about another bike crash that Jerry was involved in. This crash sounded real bad. Jerry was ran into by another bike.. Anyway it did not sound good.
Now the TIMBUKTU is gearing up for the 4th annual Biker Fest on the 5th and 6th of June. The band stage needs to be built and Jerry was the man building it.. Now the pressure is on for Steve to have the band stage built on time. So I said to my self, self lets give the TIMBUKTU a helping hand.
Two days go by and I talk to Steve at the TIMBUKTU and we make arrangements to help where we can to help build the band stage.
On Sunday afternoon we arrive at the TIMBUKTU. Steve is working the bar because Randi was sick and Linda had broken her wrist the night before, but have no fear, Constance or CC was on her way in to safe Steve. As I walk in I say to Steve put us to work! Steve says Jerry is right there. Jerry is at the bar, looking like shit. All banged up, face scraped and his arm is in a cast and Joel is beside him. So after a couple of cold brews we start. Jerry is barking what to do to Joel, Darren and me. Lumber is getting put down, the air nailer is going to town, only stopping to reload and by the end of the evening, with the sun going down, the band stage was built!
Monk, I can not begin to tell you how proud I am to call the TIMBUKTU "MY BAR".
Steve and his crew and to all those that stop in are just the best Damn bunch of people I have ever met You will not find another place that cares not only for one another but also for the customers that ride through like the folks at the TIMBUKTU lounge and Package. Just walk in have yourself a cold long neck and you will see for yourself what I am speaking of.
Darren and I will be returning to N.D. on the 29th of May to prepare for our deployment. We have made some damn great friends @ the TIMBUKTU and I will miss not only the Bike Fest, but also I will miss the damn great friends that I have made. I will always be at the TIMBUKTU in heart, but more importantly, I know that the torch I carry will light the way for all fellow biker's and Veterans to see or at least stop in at the TIMBUKTU. Ride safe Monk and ride on. Sincerely Mike.
The Timbuktu Lounge is on Hwy 301 just north of Starke across the street from the Branford County Fairgrounds. The Starke Bike Fest is June 4 - 5, 2009.
The reason I email you is this. If it is possible to print in one of you next months issues this real life story of the Timbuktu. If you would print it, please do not print it for me but for Steve, for his employees and for some of the best bunch of people I have ever met!
First I want to say your Dixie Biker magazine is a real Kick-Ass Magazine I enjoyed reading it from cover to cover twice. It got me pumped up to ride. In North Dakota, riding in April isn't possible due to the that there is still snow on the ground.
Anyway here is my story.
On the 19th of April we flew into Jacksonville. I rented a mini van and we took U.S. Hwy 301 through Starke to get to Camp Blanding. As we entered the North end of Starke I see the TIMBUKTU Lounge and package off to the right side of the road. Well, we settled ourselfs in at Camp and I say to Darrin (my battle buddy) lets get the hell out of here and find us a cold long neck. I knew right where to go!
Darrin and I arrive at the TIMBUKTU, we belly up to the bar. I am taking in the atmosphere while enjoying a cold brew. The Juke box is playing ( I'll never smoke weed with Willie again). The regulars are shottin the shit with one another, Randi is working the bar and making us feel right at home. Now I am thinking and saying to myself, BRO, I love this bar!
After enjoying the friendly atmosphere for a couple of hours Darrin and I head out for the night. As we are driving back to camp, Darrin and I are talking how we just found our place to hang out for the next Six weeks.
As the weeks have ridden by, Darren and I established our selfs as regulars. The Beers are already on the bar as we walk thru the door. By now we know all the bar ladies by name. Brandi, Randi, Sandy, Linda and Constance or CC. Let me tell you Monk, you will not find a more friendlier, kinder set of bar ladies that what work at the TIMBUKTU. They are Awesome.
Also, by now we have made some good friend with most of the regulars at the TIMBUKTU. Joel and TJ, who kick our asses in pool most of the time. Dave, whom has become my Brother and who passed on the torch for me to carry for all Veterans who gave some and for those that gave all! I will ride to Light the way Bro!
Now there is Steve. Steve is the owner of the TIMBUKTU. It was a Tuesday night and the cold long necks were going down good. I meet Steve for the first time. We talk as th why I am here. I find out that Steve is a Veteran as well. I begin to tell Steve what a awesome place he has and how I enjoy the friendly folks who make us feel right at home.
Later that same night Darren and I are shooting a game of pool and Linda comes over to us and says, Steve needs your help, Steve dumped his bike on his way home. Shit! Lets go I said. Darren and I left the pool game as is, dropped our pool sticks and blazed out of there in a hurry. We pull off Hwy 301 on to a sandy gravel road. The road is very soft and shitty. We finally get to Steve and all was good. Steve is not hurt and the 09 Electra Glide is not damaged. We help stand up the bike and Steve says, Boys, the drinks are on me tonight.
Back at the TIIMBUKTU, the pool table is just as we left it. As we resume our pool game I hear everyone talking about another bike crash that Jerry was involved in. This crash sounded real bad. Jerry was ran into by another bike.. Anyway it did not sound good.
Now the TIMBUKTU is gearing up for the 4th annual Biker Fest on the 5th and 6th of June. The band stage needs to be built and Jerry was the man building it.. Now the pressure is on for Steve to have the band stage built on time. So I said to my self, self lets give the TIMBUKTU a helping hand.
Two days go by and I talk to Steve at the TIMBUKTU and we make arrangements to help where we can to help build the band stage.
On Sunday afternoon we arrive at the TIMBUKTU. Steve is working the bar because Randi was sick and Linda had broken her wrist the night before, but have no fear, Constance or CC was on her way in to safe Steve. As I walk in I say to Steve put us to work! Steve says Jerry is right there. Jerry is at the bar, looking like shit. All banged up, face scraped and his arm is in a cast and Joel is beside him. So after a couple of cold brews we start. Jerry is barking what to do to Joel, Darren and me. Lumber is getting put down, the air nailer is going to town, only stopping to reload and by the end of the evening, with the sun going down, the band stage was built!
Monk, I can not begin to tell you how proud I am to call the TIMBUKTU "MY BAR".
Steve and his crew and to all those that stop in are just the best Damn bunch of people I have ever met You will not find another place that cares not only for one another but also for the customers that ride through like the folks at the TIMBUKTU lounge and Package. Just walk in have yourself a cold long neck and you will see for yourself what I am speaking of.
Darren and I will be returning to N.D. on the 29th of May to prepare for our deployment. We have made some damn great friends @ the TIMBUKTU and I will miss not only the Bike Fest, but also I will miss the damn great friends that I have made. I will always be at the TIMBUKTU in heart, but more importantly, I know that the torch I carry will light the way for all fellow biker's and Veterans to see or at least stop in at the TIMBUKTU. Ride safe Monk and ride on. Sincerely Mike.
The Timbuktu Lounge is on Hwy 301 just north of Starke across the street from the Branford County Fairgrounds. The Starke Bike Fest is June 4 - 5, 2009.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
Memorial Day Thoughts on Bike Runs
Got this in as a request to post to our Calendar of Events ( http://www.dixiebiker.com/Events01.html):
Please post this ride on Dixie Biker.com I have attached a flyer for your information. Feel free to join us and distribute.
All Welcome-Benefit ride for Northeast Hospice:
Monday May 25th "Memorial Day"
Register at 09:00 AM on the 25th at xxxxxxx Center Street, Fernandina Beach.
$25.00 Dontation to Hospice. Kickstands up at 10:00 AM.
Ride to xxxxxxxx on Main Street Via Heckshire Drive and New Berlin Road.
Raffles.
Questions contact Tom @xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
***************** Our Rresponse *******************
Sorry. We won't post it.
Hospice is an extremely worthy cause, and we support those rides throughout the year. But unfourtunately and as highlighted in your posting request, the run is scheduled for Memorial Day.
That is a day to remember those that have died securing our freedom and way of life. We only post events or runs that support Memorial Day ceremonies or benefits that support Veterans on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. We won't be a part of attempts at commercializing these days, or hijacking the true meaning of the days.
Hope you understand. And if you don't, we don't give a shit.
Freedom isn't free.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Why I Carry a Gun
One day my ol' grandpa said to me, "Son, there comes a time in every man's life when he stops bustin' knuckles and starts bustin' caps and usually it's when he becomes too old to take an ass whoopin' ...
I don't carry a gun to kill people.I carry a gun to keep from being killed.
I don't carry a gun to scare people.I carry a gun because sometimes this world can be a scary place.
I don't carry a gun because I'm paranoid. I carry a gun because there are real threats in the world.
I don't carry a gun because I'm evil. I carry a gun because I have lived long enough to see the evil in the world.
I don't carry a gun because I hate the government. I carry a gun because I understand the limitations of government.
I don't carry a gun because I'm angry. I carry a gun so that I don't have to spend the rest of my life hating myself for failing to be prepared.
I don't carry a gun because I want to shoot someone. I carry a gun because I want to die at a ripe old age in my bed and not on a sidewalk somewhere tomorrow afternoon.
I don't carry a gun because I'm a cowboy. I carry a gun because when I die and go to heaven, I want to be a cowboy.
I don't carry a gun to make me feel like a man. I carry a gun because men know how to take care of themselves and the ones they love.
I don't carry a gun because I feel inadequate. I carry a gun because unarmed and facing three armed thugs, I am inadequate.
I don't carry a gun because I love it. I carry a gun because I love life and the people who make it meaningful to me.
Police Protection is an oxymoron. Free citizens must protect themselves. Police do not protect you from crime, they usually just investigate the crime after it happens and then call someone in to clean up the mess.
Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'."
Author Unknown (but obviously brilliant)
I don't carry a gun to kill people.I carry a gun to keep from being killed.
I don't carry a gun to scare people.I carry a gun because sometimes this world can be a scary place.
I don't carry a gun because I'm paranoid. I carry a gun because there are real threats in the world.
I don't carry a gun because I'm evil. I carry a gun because I have lived long enough to see the evil in the world.
I don't carry a gun because I hate the government. I carry a gun because I understand the limitations of government.
I don't carry a gun because I'm angry. I carry a gun so that I don't have to spend the rest of my life hating myself for failing to be prepared.
I don't carry a gun because I want to shoot someone. I carry a gun because I want to die at a ripe old age in my bed and not on a sidewalk somewhere tomorrow afternoon.
I don't carry a gun because I'm a cowboy. I carry a gun because when I die and go to heaven, I want to be a cowboy.
I don't carry a gun to make me feel like a man. I carry a gun because men know how to take care of themselves and the ones they love.
I don't carry a gun because I feel inadequate. I carry a gun because unarmed and facing three armed thugs, I am inadequate.
I don't carry a gun because I love it. I carry a gun because I love life and the people who make it meaningful to me.
Police Protection is an oxymoron. Free citizens must protect themselves. Police do not protect you from crime, they usually just investigate the crime after it happens and then call someone in to clean up the mess.
Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'."
Author Unknown (but obviously brilliant)
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Leesburg Bike Fest 2
This year Boots and I decided to do things a little differently then in the past. We wanted to enjoy the Leesburg Bike Fest as a 'vacation' instead of 'work.' Since our line of work is a biker magazine, we hadda figure out just how to do that, but still be able to report to y'all, cover the event, and get lotsa pictures.
... while Doug and I got to do stupid, silly middle-age boy stuff that we're always doin' in 'Dixie' ...
... on Doug's extremely dangerous, ass haulin' mini bike. Speakin' of 'Dixie' stuff, y'all know what famous last words are in Dixie?
For the past couple of years, we've set up at Gator Harley-Davidson. They're great folks, gave us a great place to hook up and meet lotsa readers, and extended an invitation to set up there again this year, too. But we respectfully declined. Not cuz we don't enjoy their hospitality, nor because we don't enjoy meetin' lots of y'all, but we wanted to try a different approach. Here's our RV last year (2008) ...
Definitely a prime piece of real estate and a great place to be, but constantly hectic and we spent fourteen or sixteen hours a day shakin' hands, shootin' the shit with y'all and never really got a chance to get out and see Bike Fest. Well, we did manage to get out (5 or 6 photo esays are here, Leesburg 2008, if you're interested) ...
But we got lotsa e-mails after the event with folks complainin' they hung around waitin' for us to get back or wonderin' where we were or whatever ... We don't like to give the wrong impression, so this year we 'hid' out at our friend's house. Thanx Doug & Patti - your hospitality was great, but your friendship is even better! Love you guys. So we set up the DBPB (Dixie Biker Party Bus) a couple of miles from downtown and had the perfect location as our Headquarters for the rally ...
Man, oh man ... it don' git no mo' better 'an this, y'all.
Boots and our son Phillip took the bus over on Wednesday, April 22 while I was stuck in the office workin' on the May issue of Dixie Biker Illustrated. It was gonna be a challenge to get that finished up and to the printer first thing Monday morning, so I was poundin' on the keyboard. What a relief it was not havin' to worry about gittin' the bus and the bikes to Leesburg this year. Thanx Phil!!
Boots and our son Phillip took the bus over on Wednesday, April 22 while I was stuck in the office workin' on the May issue of Dixie Biker Illustrated. It was gonna be a challenge to get that finished up and to the printer first thing Monday morning, so I was poundin' on the keyboard. What a relief it was not havin' to worry about gittin' the bus and the bikes to Leesburg this year. Thanx Phil!!
Boots and I rode the Dixie Glide over on Thursday, April 23, around lunchtime, and got to Leesburg after a leisurely hour and a half ride down 44 & 44A. We had our Kick Off Party set up by our Lake County moto-journalist, Hark, that evening startin' at six o'clock, but were nice and relaxed for that. Boots even had time to get a little hair work done [the way we do it in Dixie] by Patti (who happens to be an awesome beauty consultant, hair dresser, etc., at BLOW Hair Design in Mount Dora) ...
... while Doug and I got to do stupid, silly middle-age boy stuff that we're always doin' in 'Dixie' ...... on Doug's extremely dangerous, ass haulin' mini bike. Speakin' of 'Dixie' stuff, y'all know what famous last words are in Dixie?"Hey, y'all ... watch this shit!"
The girls did their thing, but I know they were probably talkin' shit about "BOYS" the whole time mumblin' under their breath some shit like... "Someone's gonna git killed or seriously injured." or "At least they haven't got too much alcohol in their system yet..." or "They ain't ever gonna grow up, are they?!" or "Well, ya gotta figure that this weekend we're gonna hafta make at least one special trip!"
... dropped in and talked some smack. I think he said something like, "Hey, go get me a beer!" and got some smart ass response back like, "Right. That's only gonna happen in your fantasies. You got two legs and two hands -- got git yer own damn beer ...
... and, bring us one back, too while you're at it!"
The girls did their thing, but I know they were probably talkin' shit about "BOYS" the whole time mumblin' under their breath some shit like... "Someone's gonna git killed or seriously injured." or "At least they haven't got too much alcohol in their system yet..." or "They ain't ever gonna grow up, are they?!" or "Well, ya gotta figure that this weekend we're gonna hafta make at least one special trip!""Yeah, either to the hospital or to the jail. So, ya wanna bet on which one it's gonna be?"
But they just kinda kept ignorin' us so Doug finally rode up ...
But they just kinda kept ignorin' us so Doug finally rode up ...
... dropped in and talked some smack. I think he said something like, "Hey, go get me a beer!" and got some smart ass response back like, "Right. That's only gonna happen in your fantasies. You got two legs and two hands -- got git yer own damn beer ...... and, bring us one back, too while you're at it!"Man, what a great way to spend a gorgeous Spring afternoon in Lake County. Really, really good and we weren't even out 'partyin'!. Just hangin' with good folks makin' good memories.
We hung out a couple of hours but then hadda ride off to Sports Time Bar and Grill for our Rally Kick Off Party. We haven't had a DBI event in Lake County for a while and Hark thought this would be a great time to have one. He was right, as usual. We wondered what kinda turnout we'd get since it was just us advertisin' and promotin' it and it was happenin' on a Thursday night. Even though we've never had a party where at least several hundred of y'all have shown up, we always worry if folks will show up for our events. All the worryin' was about nuthin' cuz there were a boat load of folks at Sports Time when we arrived, and y'all kept comin' an' goin' all night. Holy moly, what a party ...
But that's gonna hafta wait til the next blog.
Friday, May 01, 2009
Leesburg Bike Fest 1
I'm still sortin' through about a thousand pictures, but figured I'd get somthing posted as soon as possible up here.
The 2009 Leesburg Bike Fest started for us on Thursday, April 23, when we did a little ol' kick-off party at the Sportstime Bar & Grill in Tavares - or Astatula - on Hwy 561. We haven't had a Dixie Biker Party in Lake County since we had a goin' away party for Makr & Kandi at this same location a couple of years ago. Back then it was known as Dizzy's Lounge. Well, at the end of this night, we were all dizzy cuz fifteen hundred or more of y'all came out to 'git in da mood' for this year's Rally.
We were very lucky to have two hot, local Lake County ladies as our cover models for the April & May issues of Dixie Biker Illustrated (and our Guide to the Leesburg Rally). And they both made it out to our kick off party. On the left is Cheezstyx with Boots, and on the right is Misti T with Monk. They can make even a fat old biker look good, doncha think?
On Friday morning my road bro Doug (and Cheezstyx's husband) and
The 2009 Leesburg Bike Fest started for us on Thursday, April 23, when we did a little ol' kick-off party at the Sportstime Bar & Grill in Tavares - or Astatula - on Hwy 561. We haven't had a Dixie Biker Party in Lake County since we had a goin' away party for Makr & Kandi at this same location a couple of years ago. Back then it was known as Dizzy's Lounge. Well, at the end of this night, we were all dizzy cuz fifteen hundred or more of y'all came out to 'git in da mood' for this year's Rally.
We were very lucky to have two hot, local Lake County ladies as our cover models for the April & May issues of Dixie Biker Illustrated (and our Guide to the Leesburg Rally). And they both made it out to our kick off party. On the left is Cheezstyx with Boots, and on the right is Misti T with Monk. They can make even a fat old biker look good, doncha think?
On Friday morning my road bro Doug (and Cheezstyx's husband) and
I hit the road for downtown. We wanted to get there before the throngs showed up ...
And, if you're a local and know the 'back' roads, you ain't gotta fight the traffic on Hwy 441. We parked our bus (Thanx for the hospitality!! Y'all're awesome.) at Doug and Cheezstyx's house and Doug knows the back roads, that's for sure. This shot below is only a mile from downtown on Friday morning around 9:45. Yes, we had 'Chamber of Commerce' weather all weekend ....
We enjoyed the Funky Blues Messiah band and then hauled ass outta downtown around noon or so. It was gittin' packed up with a hundred thousand bikers and it was time to git. We rode Lake County by-ways in the afternoon after goin' back to the house to pick up the wives, and Friday night headed back downtown.
And, if you're a local and know the 'back' roads, you ain't gotta fight the traffic on Hwy 441. We parked our bus (Thanx for the hospitality!! Y'all're awesome.) at Doug and Cheezstyx's house and Doug knows the back roads, that's for sure. This shot below is only a mile from downtown on Friday morning around 9:45. Yes, we had 'Chamber of Commerce' weather all weekend ....
We enjoyed the Funky Blues Messiah band and then hauled ass outta downtown around noon or so. It was gittin' packed up with a hundred thousand bikers and it was time to git. We rode Lake County by-ways in the afternoon after goin' back to the house to pick up the wives, and Friday night headed back downtown. It was an absolute madhouse, what with the Miss Bike Fest contest goin' on at 9 o'clock, but, once again, not to worry -- Doug and Cheezstyx's friends Dude and Amy (below, on right) own a business in the middle of downtown and hooked us up with some reserved parking, some adult beverages, some good ol' southern hospitality, and we ended up just hangin' out there most of the night. Yeah, we ventured to the Bud stage a block away and then wandered down vendor row to the Gator Harley Main Stage, but it was a zoo -- 'bout 17 million people, expensive drinks, and Boots' leg was botherin' her, so we just headed back to Dude's shop and hung out.
Cheezstyx even took a little time to goof off on Dude's mullet smellin', alcohol fueled, bar stool racer. Nah, we didn't take it downtown -- we'd consumed way too many ABs (adult beverages) and we woulda killled somebody - either the driver or a drunk pedistrian.
Seems none of the ladies wanted to get dressed. They walked thru the crowds down to our stage -- a pontoon boat (yeah, we're just good ol' southern folks that do shit different -- and we don't give a shit how you do it up north or out west) -- kinda topless. It was a bear to get a shirt on 'em to conduct the contest. But we finally got it goin' ...
... and even gave the girls time to lobby the judges - our wonderful audience ...
We had winners in two classes - stock and modified (We like to keep it fair for everyone) - and they each won over a hundred bucks, cash, plus bar tabs.
Then it was back to the bus to chill a bit before the Saturday night activities. Hmmm ...
Cheezstyx even took a little time to goof off on Dude's mullet smellin', alcohol fueled, bar stool racer. Nah, we didn't take it downtown -- we'd consumed way too many ABs (adult beverages) and we woulda killled somebody - either the driver or a drunk pedistrian.The next day we just kinda chilledo out til around 12 o'clock. I went downtown early in the morning, checked out the Rat's Hole Show, the Xtreme Stunt riders, the Ride Like A Pro Demo and wandered around. It's started gittin' jammmed up around 11 so I wandered back to the Dixie Glide and rode back to Doug's to pick up Boots. We hadda head to The Hideaway on Little Lake Harris to MC their Wet T contest and Tattoo contest. And that is always a fun time.
Holy moly, was that place jammed packed! But Dan and Dave, the owners, had it all under control, even providin' tractor wagon rides from the over flow parking lot up the road. The stuff was supposed to start at 3, but at 2 o'clock, folks were already reserving their spots for the festivities ....
Holy moly, was that place jammed packed! But Dan and Dave, the owners, had it all under control, even providin' tractor wagon rides from the over flow parking lot up the road. The stuff was supposed to start at 3, but at 2 o'clock, folks were already reserving their spots for the festivities ....
It was definitely sittin' room only! Holy cow. And then we had another Dixie Biker first:
It's the first time I've ever had to ask the ladies, politely, of course, to "Wouldja'll please, pretty please, put on the t-shirts we gave you so we can do the contest?!"
It's the first time I've ever had to ask the ladies, politely, of course, to "Wouldja'll please, pretty please, put on the t-shirts we gave you so we can do the contest?!"
Seems none of the ladies wanted to get dressed. They walked thru the crowds down to our stage -- a pontoon boat (yeah, we're just good ol' southern folks that do shit different -- and we don't give a shit how you do it up north or out west) -- kinda topless. It was a bear to get a shirt on 'em to conduct the contest. But we finally got it goin' ...
... and even gave the girls time to lobby the judges - our wonderful audience ...
We had winners in two classes - stock and modified (We like to keep it fair for everyone) - and they each won over a hundred bucks, cash, plus bar tabs.Following the wet t contest we had a ladie's tattoo contest and Doctor Kelly G - yeah, she's a doctor of psychology - won that one.
Then it was back to the bus to chill a bit before the Saturday night activities. Hmmm ...those probably would bore you because we ended up just hangin' out at Doug and Cheezstyx's place til around 7 o'clock and then ridin' back home. Made a stop at Trader Jack's Roadside for something wet and some great fish and chips, and got back to Ormond Beach around 11 pm - probably before all teh folks in downtown Leesburg were even done with the "headliner" concert.
I ended up workin' all day Sunday to get the May issue of the magazine finished up for the printer, so didn't make any of the Leesburg festivities that day. It's kinda the slowdown day, anhow.
I ended up workin' all day Sunday to get the May issue of the magazine finished up for the printer, so didn't make any of the Leesburg festivities that day. It's kinda the slowdown day, anhow.
We had a good time - the best in a long while. I think it was because we weren't contantly "working" and event for a change. We got to hang out, enjoy ourselves and just do what we wanted to do with out worryin' coninually about whether folks were havin' a good time, if we were "on-time" and on schedule.
We'll definitely be back in 2010. And we'll get more posted as I sort through pictures, etc.
We'll definitely be back in 2010. And we'll get more posted as I sort through pictures, etc.
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