You are riding along in the left lane of a one-way street, with a car ahead of you on your right. As the two of you enter an intersection, the car swerves left across your path to make a turn.
Strategy: Because traffic was light, the driver may have forgotten that he was traveling on a one-way street and never looked in his blind spot for you. Since there was no traffic in the oncoming lane, he felt free to make a normal left turn (without signaling), inadvertently trapping you in his path. There was no way, short of watching for the non-existent signal, to predict that this driver was going to turn left. But remembering that intersections are always situations of increased risk, you might have prepared for this by taking actions to separate yourself from the other vehicle. By riding so close (and inside the driver’s blind spot) you effectively hid yourself from the driver’s vision and greatly increased your exposure to danger.
Paul Teutul, Jr. of Paul Jr. Designs
The legend is rolling in at this year’s Thunder By The Bay Music & Motors Festival!
Paul is a TV icon, featured on Discovery Channel’s American Chopper series and the creative force behind some of the most jaw-dropping builds in motorcycle history.
PAUL WILL BE SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS AND SELLING OFFICIAL PAUL JR. DESGINS MERCHANDISE. You must have a ticket to enter the festival. thunderbythebay.org
Valentines Specials
WORLDS BEST BOSS GIVES SUPER SURPRISE WORLDS BEST BOSS GIVES SUPER SURPRISE
Hot on the heels of his success at creating oneof-a-kind custom baggers at Dirty Bird Concepts in Phoenix, Arizona, motorcycle mastermind John Shope came up with the next great idea: the Dirtytail. These Softail-based customs not only look incredible, they do the one thing that no stock Softail has ever done, namely, offer decent handling.
“These bikes are something I’m very proud of,” John says. “They are comfortable and handle really well.”
The Dirtytails can convert the entire Softail line, From Evos to M-8’s, into the motorcycle of your dreams. And they can be designed in a variety of looks, from lowriders that are a nod to the Cholo bikes seen in East L.A., to pavement pounding racers, to wide tire moto-mavericks, even to old school chop jobs with panhead covers and spoked wheels. All marry the love of Shovelhead FLH bikes that included rear shocks rather than a Softail swingarm for a low, lean look. And did we mention they ride and handle great?
With over a million Softails on the road today,
That’s when John Shope formed a plan to give his employee the world’s best Christmas Bonus. While Rob was away on vacation, John and the crew went over to Rob’s apartment and loaded up the stock Heritage right out of the parking lot. The would-be repo men took the scooter to the shop and tore it down. One look at the old Evo made John think of a name for it, “Rob’s Rusty Roach.”
The Dirty Bird team had six weeks to turn the sow’s ear into a gold purse. They even toyed with the idea of presenting Rob with a fake bill for fifteen grand as payback for all their hard work. The Softail swingarm was exchanged for a Dirtytail unit with rear shocks and air ride. The neck was cut to accept a Dirtytail 26-inch neck and raked triple trees for better handling. Meanwhile, Dirty Bird’s paint wizard, Manny, created a mindblowing candy apple red paint scheme with badass graphics for the tanks, fenders and
John Shope has the answer for turning your tired stocker into a head-turning temptress. Any Softail can become a Dirtytail.
The bike you are drooling at here was the very first Evo-powered Dirtytail that John built. But there’s more to this story. Y’see, John has an employee who has consistently gone above and beyond to help John and the company to flourish. Rob Martinez has been with John for over eight years, and chances are, if you’ve called Dirty Bird Concepts, Rob is the guy who answered the phone and got you handled. Anyway, Rob bought a 1999 Harley Heritage Softail with just 5,000 miles on the clock with the hopes of turning it into a Dirtytail someday. He even had a photo of a candy apple red paintjob that he was dreaming about.
Rob bragged that he would have the stock Softail converted into a Dirtytail in just two months. Shope said it would take at least a year. “I told him that bike would look exactly the same a year later,” John recalls. “Six months later, Rob hadn’t done shit to it and I called him on it. He said that he would have the bike finished as soon as he got back from vacation.”
Guy’s Upholstery handled the sweet solo seat and the wild wheels came from SMT including that 26-incher up front. John went for an open beltdrive and upswept dual fishtail pipes for killer old school looks and internally wired apehangers to give the Dirtytail even more attitude.
When Rob got back from his vacation, John had him come straight to the shop from the airport. The world’s best boss was standing right next to the Evo Dirtytail and the conversation went like this:
John – “That’s your bike.”
Rob – “No, it’s not.”
John – “Dude, that is your bike!”
Rob – “No, it’s not! No way!”
John – “That’s your Christmas Bonus.”
Rob – “For real?”
For real, Rob. That’s what happens when you have the world’s best boss. To see the entire video of how this Dirtytail came to be, check out youtu. be/L3jxGeBPjuA. For info on John Shope’s parts, products, swag and custom bikes, visit www. dirtybirdconcepts.com or call 623-465-5263. And watch John play the bad guy in the new biker film “Rough Boys”, coming next year.
— Dave Nichols
PHOTOS JOHN COVINGTON
PHOTOS JOHN COVINGTON | MODEL CHELSEA SKINNER
THE DIRTY TAIL & CHELSEA SKINNER
Craven Moorehead
I don’t even know why I try to go to Daytona Bike Week every year. I’ve been going there for years and years, and admit that it used to be fun. Especially when you could ride over there with just a little money in your pocket, sleep on the beach, and party with people that just came there to be part of the action. Gas was cheaper, the scene was freer, and beer was only a buck or so. There was never a lack of hot looking girls, and most of them were eager to ride and party with any nasty looking scooter tramp that could kick start a Harley. I can remember back as far as when they used to not issue tickets for the girls displaying the magical orbs on the street for all to see! Hell, the cops would even pose for pictures with the girl if she was packin’ 36 or better and not sagging. Man, those were the good ol’ days alright. … Maybe all good things come to an end, but I just can’t see why. Commercialism I suppose is ultimately to blame.
Nowadays it just seems that there are more and more expenses involved with having a good time. First of all, it’s difficult entering or leaving the area without getting some sort of traffic citation. You would think that the city and the surrounding areas would make enough money off the visiting bikers without having to give you the gift that keeps on giving. No, I’m not talking about VD here, but that in itself is another opportunity for misery, and another story altogether. But seriously, it’s a mystery to me why after paying five bucks for a beer, and a hundred bucks for a roach infested hotel room, insult has to be added to injury by the local authorities in the form of a traffic ticket. Ahhh yeah, but the good ol’ days aren’t even a foggy vision to me anymore. Someone told me that the local news had reported that the cops had issued over seven thousand traffic tickets during the 10 days of the event. I guess that’s some pretty good income for the city as the average fine on most of those tickets is in the area of one hundred fifty bucks! Crap, I couldn’t afford to be out there for more than 4 days, and after having to pay an additional fee in the form of a ticket, I have ruined my budget for the return trip for Biketoberfest.
Enough of my bitchin’ for now, I’m sure you would rather hear what happened when I returned to the trailer park. It’s always exciting here. It’s like living right in the middle of a lower middle class sit-com that you could only see on cable because of violence, nudity, and adult language. But what do you expect? No one here has a decent
job, or a pot to piss in. Really I am fortunate enough to have a pot, or actually a joint compound bucket, but everything else out here is a vivid display of a region gone to hell. Florida used to be one of those states that everyone wanted to come to for their dream vacation. Dreams lately have turned into nightmares for some of us, and I have learned lately that the situation is pretty bad all over the country. I have lived here for most of my life, so I had to learn to be creative. Some of my trade secrets have been recently revealed here in the magazine however, like last month when Spyke let everyone in on my Jacuzzi fashioned from a discarded bath tub and a fire pit. I am also credited with the invention of the original ‘beer bong’ when most of the bottles of beer exploded in the cooler, and instead of just wasting the beer, I rigged a piece of heater hose to the cooler drain, using a discarded piece of panty hose as a filter, and sat the cooler up on the back of the pickup to get elevation. I used a set of vice grip pliers to stop the flow when needed, and every drop of beer sans the broken glass and ice was joyously consumed by me and my friends. I’ve learned how to get free electric service, telephone service, and cable, and who could forget the riding lawnmower I created from an old bicycle and a reel mower.
When the economy failed, and foreclosures were abundant in the park, I was the original guy who would move dancers and strippers into the empty trailers and charge them rent! I know ya’ll saw that other dude on the news being arrested for the same thing, but he was just following my lead. Hell, I still have several happy strippers paying rent on trailers I don’t own, and since I was never destined to be famous, well - I’ll let the other guy have all the credit for that idea. Besides that I don’t particularly like jail. And on that subject, I guess it will be ok for me to reveal one of my better plans to all my dedicated readers.
A shocking revelation came to me when I was watching the TV the other day. In all of his infinite wisdom Obama forces his will on the AmeriKan public with his brand new health care bill. Yeah, I know he overstepped his boundaries by forcing us to purchase something that we can’t afford, and the face of the government has certainly changed should this be allowed to happen, but wait - there’s more! I just figured out that we don’t have to worry about it at all! It’s so simple. If you don’t buy the forced healthcare, then the government will fine you. If you couldn’t afford to buy healthcare, then you certainly couldn’t pay a fine, so then the government will have to stuff your broke ass in jail. This is where it really gets good. You see, while you’re in jail you get FREE healthcare! WOW! What a great idea. Free lodging free food, and free healthcare. Seems to be pretty easy, and just think of all the free sex. … But I wonder if the revolving door will hit us all in the butt. How long do you think you can stay in jail for such a ridiculous charge? I mean, how can they keep you for a significant period of time for not having the money to pay for a fine for not having healthcare? Probably not too long, but maybe just long enough for you to get healthy! Remember, after they let you go, you still won’t be able to find a job, or pay the fine, or buy any healthcare, so you can hang out for a while, and plan on cosmetic procedures that the government will pay for when they stick you back in the slammer. I seem to have the perfect solution for everything, right? Too sad that it’s all so true. ….
Commercialism & Healthcare...
Leather & Lace
13th ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE & BIKE RODEO
For many of you reading this article, you’re probably already making plans to attend Daytona Bike Week 2026. Well, if you would like a bit of a change in fun entertainment, why not attend two popular events that are only a beautiful 30-minute ride south of Daytona Beach?
You can start your Daytona Bike Week out on a positive note by attending a Bike Blessing and FREE Pancake Breakfast at the Leather & Lace MC Clubhouse. This will commence on Sunday, March 1. Gates open at 9:00. Pancakes will be served from 9:00-10:30am. Promptly at 11:00am, the Bike Blessing will start. This event is free and open to everyone!
Thursday, March 5, is the date for the very popular Leather & Lace MC Open House
& Bike Rodeo. This is one of the largest and most popular events during Bike Week! Gates open at noon. Witness many ‘Ol School bike rodeo games such as slow race, jousting, board run, and our most popular event, The Shovel Race. There will be food, vendors, 50/50, music, and so much more! $20/pp includes lunch.
Leather & Lace was founded for women to make a difference while doing what they love…riding motorcycles. They strongly believe that children hold the keys to the future and must carry on their heritage. Through charitable activities and community involvement, Leather & Lace MC hope to ensure the quality of life for all children. They raise money for causes that impact children and their mothers such as addiction, breast
cancer, and domestic violence. In addition, their purpose also includes advocacy and public awareness about current issues that concern motorcycle riders. Members engage in local and national efforts centered around motorcycle safety and motorcycle profiling. “Together we stand proud and strong. Together we are making a difference.”
Bike Blessing and FREE Pancake Breakfast
‘Ol School Bike Rodeo and Open House
Sunday - March 1 - Bike Blessing
Thursday - March 5 - ‘Ol School Bike
Rodeo and Open House
Leather & Lace MC Clubhouse
574 W. Ariel Road, Edgewater
www.leatherandlacemc.com/events/
COLD NIGHTS and FAIR DAYS
It’s that time again. Cold nights and fair days. Even snow in the Northern part of Florida. With the weather conditions, it can add some new challenges to our beloved motorcycle riding. Just take some of these to thought. There’s a moment every year when fair-weather riders roll their bikes into the garage, hook up the battery tender, and call it a season. For the rest of us, cold weather riding isn’t a problem to avoid—it’s a challenge to respect. Riding when the temperature drops strips motorcycling down to its essentials. Cages that can’t acclimate, drivers that don’t pay attention, a the distraction of drivers that aren’t use to the conditions.
For us riders it’s about us, the machine, and the road. Cold weather riding starts before you ever thumb the starter. If you rush it, the cold will humble you fast. Tires need time to warm up, oil thickens, and metal feels stiff. That first mile matters more than any other. Easy throttle, gentle braking, smooth inputs. You’re not out there to prove anything. You’re out there to ride smart and come home upright. Gear is everything, but it’s not about piling on layers like you’re climbing Everest. It’s about managing wind. Cold air at highway speed is a thief—it steals heat faster than you think. A proper windproof outer layer matters more than insulation. Leather still earns its reputation here, but modern textile gear with liners and sealed seams works just as well. The key is blocking airflow. If the wind can’t get in, your body can keep up. Hands are usually
the first to surrender. Cold fingers kill throttle control and brake feel, and once they’re numb, the ride goes downhill fast. Heated grips help, but they only warm your palms. Good gloves, hand guards, or even bar muffs make a bigger difference than most riders admit. Same goes for feet. Cold toes aren’t just uncomfortable—they’re distracting. If you’re thinking about your feet, you’re not thinking about traffic. Then there’s the mental game. Cold weather sharpens your focus, but it also shortens your fuse. You get tired faster.
“There’s no shame in pulling off early. The goal isn’t endurance—it’s control. Traction deserves respect in cold weather. Cold pavement offers less grip, especially early in the morning and after sunset.”
Reaction times slow when your body is fighting the cold. That means you ride shorter distances, take more breaks, and know when to call it. There’s no shame in pulling off early. The goal isn’t endurance— it’s control. Traction deserves respect in cold weather. Cold pavement offers less grip, especially early in the morning and
after sunset. Shaded corners can hide frost long after the sun hits the rest of the road. Bridges are notorious. They freeze first and stay slick longest. You learn to read the road differently—watching surface color, feeling feedback through the bars, trusting your instincts. The upside? The ride itself. Cold weather riding delivers a kind of clarity you don’t get in July. The air is dense and clean. Engines sound sharper and seem to run better. Roads are a new adventure. You notice things you usually miss—the smell of wood smoke, the way the sky looks, the quiet hum of the bike cutting through cold air. It’s not about speed or showing off. It’s about presence. There’s also a sense of earned confidence that comes from riding through the cold. Not arrogance— competence. You know your gear. You know your limits. You’ve learned patience, restraint, and respect for conditions. Those lessons carry over into every season. Cold weather riding isn’t for everyone, and it doesn’t need to be. But for those who stick with it, it becomes part of who you are as a rider. You’re not chasing perfect conditions. You’re adapting, adjusting, and riding anyway—on your terms. When the temperature drops and the roads clear out, some riders see winter. Others see opportunity. The bike doesn’t care what the calendar says. Neither should you—if you’re prepared. Always expect the unexpected and live to ride another day. Be safe out there. See you out there
— Nefarious James
“The Tank Whisperer“
STAN TOMES’ 1977 CONE SHOVEL
When we put the word out that Born To Ride was lookin’ for Reader’s Rides to showcase in the magazine, Stan Tomes, also known as Stanimal, was one of the first guys to send me an email. Stan and his bride Cookie, live in Inglis, Florida, and enjoy puttin’ year ‘round.
Stanimal was a Union Carpenter before retiring a few years ago. He has owned three different Shovelheads over the years but tells us that this 1977 Harley has gone through many different looks since he bought it from the original owner back in 1983. “It was a bone stock FXE Super Glide when I bought it,” Stanimal says. Over the years he has had the bike down to the bare frame eight times. “It was an FL style for years,” he tells us. “And a paint has been stock black, then midnight blue, then candy apple red, then all white and now this silver/blue.”
Speaking of the paint job, Stan’s good friend Darby Houser handled those chores, spraying this unique silvery blue on the scootera’s tank and fenders. Sadly, Darby was killed in a hit and run accident in June of this year but Stan tells us he would have been very proud to have the bike featured in a magazine.
The frame is powdercoated and that’s an Ultra Wide Glide front end under 14-inch apehangers that Stan found at a swapmeet. The solo seat was covered 15 years ago and still looks mighty sweet. Stanimal made the
exhaust pipes which include a four-inch baffle kit. The motor has been beefed up with Delkron cases, 80-inch flywheels, and an 88-dual plug top end with solid lifters. Stan says it is still very responsive and he rides it every week.
Over the years this proud owner has massaged, tweaked, replaced or made every single part on the Shovel. For instance, he made the rear fender out of two Heritage Softail fenders to get the look he was going for. The bike has appeared in three local shows and placed at all of them. “It’s fun when I kickstart this bike and all the young riders come around to watch,” Stanimal grins. “They’ve probably never seen that before. This thing don’t have an electric start and at 67-years-old, that’s pretty good.”
When asked his advice for new riders, Stanimal told us, “No matter what brand bike it is, find something you are comfortable on and enjoy it. Just get out there and ride.” When we called Stan for this interview he was working on his 1973 Sportster. You might just see it in these pages in the months to come.
If you have a bike you’d like to see here in Born To Ride, email several photos of you and the bike (300dpi) to rg@borntoride.com.
— Chopper Daddy Dave
MEET NATALIA
Hi, my name is Natalia. I currently live in the Saint Petersburg area. I have a BA in advertising and a MS in mental health counseling, but I currently work as an acoustical consultant for Acoustiblok. When I’m not working, my hobbies are the gym, working out, running, traveling, spending time outdoors and taking my Pomeranians and toddler to the park. I love motorcycles because of the ability to be able to ride freely in the wind with the maximum amount of oxygen absorption, I like Harleys especially, because they are safer and classier.
Motorcycle: 2014 FXSB Softail HD Breakout
Owner: Robin C. Nagele
Model: Natalia W Chudy-Coughlin
PHOTOS BY DANIEL GALLANT
BIKER Movie Review
“Look, Charlie! We’ve had enough of your kind of help! Three hundred years of your bull_*_! From now on, we take care of our own!” hisses “Knifer,” black leader of The Choppers, a “diverse” biker gang squatting in Southern California. Knifer’s fed up with being stalked by Lieutenant Harper, a slender, black-clad law officer and member of the “white establishment.”
So sets the rebellious tone of the critically mixed 1970 biker romp The Black Angels, a lesser-known but relevant slice of the vintage “Bikersploition” era. What’s surprising about the film is despite the title’s nod to “Blaxploitation,” the drama/ action primarily concerns a lily-white biker gang: the deliciously monikered Satan’s Serpents.
“Chainer” is the leader of Satan’s Serpents and deadringer for Peter Fonda. His fate is sealed when he lures Jimmy, a black rival member of The Choppers, into a perilous motorcycle jump that doesn’t end well. Chainer’s forced to confront The Choppers with Jimmy’s grim news that sets off a cleverly clandestine revenge spree.
The Black Angels become a slow-burning showdown between Satan’s Serpents and The Choppers with the coppers led by Harper (The Black Angel), monitoring every move. A mysterious stranger in a Hardee hat called Johnny Reb cycles into the Serpent’s compound: an ancient western ghost town. Reb loads the gang up with LSD and quickly earns their trust – except for one skeptic –“Frenchy,” an upwardly mobile second-in-command figure with a great set of teeth (“choppers” – get it?). Frenchy, hot-tempered and no-nonsense has a line on Reb, but is he simply a free-wheelin’ Confederate with animosity toward colored folk, or does he have a more nefarious purpose?
Amusing subplots of The Black Angels involve the aforementioned Lt. Harper and Chainer’s queer relationship with a masochistic, blonde girlfriend who berates him in order to get slapped, giggling wildly as she’s “punished.” “Do I get a spanking and go to bed with no dinner?” she nudges as she drives her high-heel into Chainer’s foot. He slaps her repeatedly, and she bites him. He calls her a “slumming nympho.” “Nympho maybe, slumming definitely! And I love every minute of it! Just tell me when! When! WHEN!!!” she pants in sizzling sexual exasperation! He then makes love to her in
a restaurant while a go-go dancer gyrates. Flashbacks pepper the story along, garnishing a backstory that explains the origins of Jimmy’s black supremacist hatred toward whitey. Another far more explicit flashback cruelly examines the assault of a young white woman who’s a self-proclaimed racist at the hands of two black men. The blonde, well-endowed Sacramentan is chained up and raped at knifepoint, while spewing racial slurs and spitting at her heartless tormentors.
As a director, Laurence Merrick displays hits of true creativity and at times innovation. The chase scenes, though overlong, are well-executed and the roar of the bikes really becomes a character in itself. He incorporates fast-motion and a dizzying multitude of camera angles as the cycles speed by, one wonders how he was able to film this in only fourteen days! The acting is above-average for a B-picture, and it’s amazing how many actors he found who could ride really nice-looking choppers. Horror fans will note co-star James Whitworth who was “Jupiter” in the late Wes Craven’s 1977 super-shocker The Hills Have Eyes. Whitworth plays Satan’s Serpent “Big Jim,” who early in the picture gets urinated on by smart-aleck Frenchy. Gritty director Laurence Merrick was an acting teacher whose student was the tragic, iconic beauty, Sharon Tate.
The Black Angels is an exploitation film with bizarre relationships to the Charles Manson “Family” cult murders. While The Black Angels was in production in August of 1969, members of “The Family” begged for leftover catered food. There was an obvious fascination, so director Merrick visited the Spahn Ranch, where The Family squatted and shoot 16mm footage of their hedonistic, drug-tinged lifestyle, including interviews. This occurred both before and after the Tate/LaBianca murders. Merrick would later utilize the footage in his 1973 Academy Award-nominated documentary Manson.
Highly recommended for vintage biker movie fans. I encourage all bikers to discover or revisit these great older cult movies. I happened upon this movie on the online subscription service Night Flight Plus. Old-timers may remember Night Flight as a hit counterculture show back in the 1980s and the early days of cable TV. Their online shelves are stocked with luscious drive-in and grindhouse favorites. The Black Angels is also available on DVD from Something Weird (Video).
TUEDAYS LIVE ON FACEBOOK 9pm-10pm and OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
The First VW
My love affair with the Volkswagen bus began on a sunny Florida afternoon, waiting in the passenger seat of a pickup truck while a friend took his dog to the vet. Earlier that year I’d hitchhiked south to chase a job with the Clyde Beatty–Cole Bros Circus, only to discover that life as the 24-hour man didn’t fully satisfy my restless creative drive.
Florida, however, worked its magic. Sunshine, palm trees, and outdoor living made everything feel possible. That’s when I saw it—a dark green VW microbus rolling into the parking lot beside me. It had jalousie windows, a bike rack on the nose, and the unmistakable look of a rig built for freedom. A flowerchild couple climbed out and wandered into a store, leaving me staring at what felt like a revelation.
In that moment I understood something important: this little vehicle wasn’t just transportation—it was housing, a studio, and a ticket to adventure. Perfect for a guy with a dog and a trade.
Three months later, my circus chapter closed and I committed to becoming a sign painter. My dog Superdog and I hitchhiked north, landing in Michigan with my friend Hayes. While I regrouped, he built decorative wood panels for me to paint images of his birds> I added lettering, even a blue ribbon marked Champion. The following spring, that bird won one for real. I took it as a sign.
When Hayes spotted a VW bus for sale along the highway, we didn’t hesitate. Suddenly I owned a 1964 pop-top camper, complete with cabinets and a bunk. I carved out space for paint, tools, and Superdog—and then did what came naturally. I lettered it.
Across the side went my moniker, Krazee Davee, sprayed boldly with an early airbrush experiment. A bright orange splat near the driver’s window read, I got it! The bus became a rolling introduction.
That microbus carried us to lakeside bars, county festivals, and small-town downtowns where merchants gathered for coffee and conversation. I’d park, paint, and soon enough someone would ask me to letter a window, a truck, or a sign.
The bus didn’t always start—but if you parked on a hill and planned ahead, life rolled on just fine. So did I.
That first VW wasn’t just my ride. It was my classroom, my calling card, and the beginning of a life of painting on the road.
Be Good, Be Well, and Ride Safe — Dave “Letterfly” Knoderer
BORN TO RIDE Magazine
Ron
813.785.3895
rg@borntoride.com
Deb
dgalletti@borntoride.com
Ron
813.785.3895
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Hi there my Born to Ride friends. It’s February and Mike will be celebrating my 33rd birthday this year on the 14th. I’m the worlds’ cutest littlest valentine pterodactyl and Mike had no thought of naming me Val, Romeo or Cupid. He had bigger plans. Back in 1993 it was never in the cards for me to become the infamous biker bird that I am today.
There was no Facebook, no TikTok and no X. The only way the world knew of me was through direct contact, Kodak moments and emails. Now look at me, I have over 40,000 followers on Facebook and at least half that many on other social media platforms. If you’re curious about more than what I do in the biker community, you can find me and my links to other sites on Facebook: Spyke Tales, Rock Tales & Cocktails. Mike cuts me off saying, “are you done bragging about yourself my little funky colored chicken? Yes, we will celebrate your birthday at one of our favorite events. The 28th annual Thunder By the Bay Music and Motors Festival held at Robarts Arena in Sarasota.
They’ll be three days of headline acts, rows of vendors, car and bike shows, a biker rodeo and a charity dice run. All proceeds benefit Suncoast Charities for Children. Special guest Paul Teutul Jr. from American Choppers will be there with some of his builds, signing autographs and posing for pictures. Check out full details at: thunderbythebay.org or see their ad in this month’s magazine.”
I squawk, “well thanks for taking my job as the feathered town crier this month. You’re really going to have a party for me with real cake
and lots of friends this year? No birdie edible cupcake? More than 3 candles? No quiet private event with my peeps at the beach? What or who has gotten into you?”
Mike babbles, “well, some of your closest and dearest human friends, including your two legged redheaded mother insisted. So we will be going all out under the big tent and on stage with the bands.”
I cackle, “oh boy! I can’t wait. It will be my first real party since I turned 30. I hope I get big bags of nuts and chew toys. I have to start practicing blowing out the candles.”
Mike replies, “and how are you going to do that? You’ve got chicken lips”
I tell him, “no I’m going to use my wings just like in years past. Since I don’t use them to fly, I’m going to have to start working out and I’m going to need your help. I know you have plenty of time on your hands because you have failed so many of your New Year’s resolutions within the first couple weeks of the year.”
Mike reacts, “I thought you were going to leave that subject alone, my articulate avian daughter.”
I squabble, “well I might be a bird brain, but my memory is sharper than my beak and nails. That’s only because you use a Dremel to file them down so I can’t hurt you or anyone.
While it’s fresh on my mind and the list is shorter, let’s go over the ones you’ve been able to keep:
1) you said; you will be more imaginative. Well, you don’t sleep till noon now ‘cause you have to figure out what it’s going to take to pay your bills and keep a job.
2) you said; I will resolve to work with neglected birds.
Now that you are awake more you have stopped neglecting me.
3) you said; you will spend less time on the Internet.
You had to because your service was cut off and now you have to get a job.
4) you said; I will balance my checkbook. Well, keeping a zero balance is very simple
when you have no income and no money to spend.
5) you said; you will remember to brush your teeth with the bristly end of the toothbrush.
Yeah, because you found a toothbrush with bristles on both ends.
6) you said; I will try to obey the speed limit signs.
That’s only because you couldn’t pay your insurance and don’t drive anymore.
7) you said; I will keep an extra safe distance when driving behind police cars.
See number 6
8) you said; I am going to work less and take life with grains of salt and sand.
So let me get this straight. Your going to be at the beach drinking margaritas until you get a job...
Well Mike, eight out of 20 isn’t bad and that’s giving those the benefit of the doubt. We’ll see what happens next month. Right now, Ron is asking for the story so I have to buckle down and get-r-dun. When I’m finished, you can take me out on the scoot and get my wings in the wind, your knees under the triple trees and the Fat Birds’ wheels rolling down the road, looking for a job.” — SPYKE
CHRISTIAN MOTORCYCLISTS ASSOCIATION
KSU is at 10:30. We better get going or we are going to be late for the large group ride. As we arrive, we see a very large number of bikers already assembled. Today we are going on a police escorted ride. This ride involves a fire truck, a Harley bike tow vehicle, a large truck and trailer, more than a dozen police cars and as many police motorcycles. To the bystander we will be a parade that will take several minutes to pass by. We get in line at the registration table to sign our waiver. Next we walk the lines admiring all the different makes and models of bikes that this type of event attracts. Soon, the coordinator makes an announcement for everyone to gather.
The lead police deputy stands up front and provides the route and then an indepth safety briefing. As we listen to the briefing, I can imagine all the things that have happened before to force people to make all these rules. Finally, before we all head to our bikes, the call goes out for the CMA Chaplain to come and pray over the ride. Praying for any size ride is very important. It is far more in depth than just “Lord please bless this ride.” May the following prayer help as each of you prepare for your next ride large or small.
Lord, we humbly come before you as we ask for your protection on this ride today. We invite the Holy Spirit on this ride. May He go before us and behind us. May our guarding angels circle about us as we ride. We pray for favor with all
other traffic on the roads. May your blessing be upon our motorcycles as they safely get us to our destination and return us home. We pray that our conduct would be pleasing unto you as we travel throughout this community. We pray that while we ride on our motorcycles we would feel your presence and hear your voice. We ask that you show us your glory today as only you can. Lord may this ride draw us ever closer to you. Now we thank you in advance for this answered prayer. We pray in the mighty name of Jesus Amen.
Teach’s Takeaway,
- Praying over your ride is a critical element of your preparation to ride.
- Acknowledge the Lord and He will guide your path.
- We never know what lies before us but the Lord does.
There is just something about knowing that the ride you are about to go on has been prayed over. Praying for God’s blessing may be the most critical part of the entire ride. Can I add just one more thing? If for some reason your ride start time is delayed, relax. The delay may have kept you from being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Don’t despise the delays. It could be the blessing that you just prayed for. Ride together, ride safe, and ride on.
— Fellow Soldier in Christ, Wayne (Teach) Masiker Christian Motorcyclists Association wayne.masiker@att.net
