LIKE A HE’S
Armando Edmiston Seeking Justice for All
“The public in general just doesn’t like motorcycle or bicycle riders.They try to blame them if they can, there’s a bias.”
So, sometimes after an accident on your bike, you get a ride in the ambulance and don’t get a thorough investigation into the circumstance surrounding what happened. You may feel helpless even though you know you’re not at fault, but Armando said that sometimes the police put you at fault “for whatever reason.” On top of that, he said that a lot of times what he’s found out is that they never even got the statement of the motorcyclist, “which was crazy to us.”
Insert Armando Personal Injury Law. With 25 percent (and counting) of its clientele as bikers, they take the cases nobody else wants. It’s how Armando was raised and it’s how he practices law. As the son of a Mexican mother and an American father, Armando graduated from Plant City High School, joined the Marine Corps and then furthered his education at the University of South Florida and Nova Southeastern University. In college, you could find him cruising on his black Yamaha around the USF area and on Gandy Boulevard.
He knows that car and truck drivers are not as aware of bikers as they should be, and he wants to make them aware – even if it means a lawsuit. But first, he recommends doing the basics before you even get on your bike: safety checks, tire changes and these days, mounting a camera so you have valuable evidence that doesn’t rely on eyewitnesses.
“People don’t see you, so you need to slow down, change lanes and expect to be cut off.”
On the day Metallica roared into Tampa like a lion for the first time in 15 years, Armando Edmiston was sitting in his Ybor City law office talking about how helping his personal injury clients gives him Fuel like Nothing Else Matters because he truly is seeking … Justice for All. Tired of seeing so many injustices for people, he wanted to approach the law with fierceness, aggressiveness and toughness – that’s why the huge painting of a lion hangs in his office and that’s why the king of the jungle is part of his corporate logo.
Have you ever had this thought while riding your motorcycle and experiencing anything from road rage to a citation or worse yet, an accident?
“They’re blaming me for something I didn’t do!”
While motorcycle safety is paramount for Armando Personal Injury Law, many of his bigger law firm competitors shy away from cases involving bikers for many reasons that just don’t sit well with this former rider who was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area.
But even if you do all the preventative safety things and you drive defensively, accidents still happen. Armando wants to fight for you in that case.
“Ultimately, a jury is going to decide the truth,” he said. “I want to cut that out.”
He has obtained six-figure and seven-figure settlements for cases that include trucks, MOTORCYCLES, Uber cases, bikes, pedestrians and nursing home abuse. It’s because, like a lion, he’s a fearless Tampa personal injury lawyer. That said, he approaches each case like it’s going to end up going to trial. He personally does the intake for each situation and collects the evidence. His investigator is a motorcycle rider, formerly a deputy at a local Sheriff’s office. And their collective voices bellow as they represent the people of the Tampa Bay area.
The size of the competition doesn’t scare him or his staff of five at 2002 E 5th Ave Unit 103, Tampa, FL 33605. If he could let a lion cub roam around his office that’s full of windows and glass for all to see, he might, because it would be very Ybor.
But instead, you can expect to see a dog or two roaming around to help him take bites out of the law firms you might see on TV or billboards. And here’s a perfect example of his attack plan: Armando is currently working on a motorcycle accident case that was passed over by at least two other local law HUGE law firms for reasons bordering on minutiae. One of the first things he did, was go out and visit the scene personally to fully understand the circumstances behind the accident. He quickly realized he was dealing with a hazardous intersection that he called a “zone of danger.” The rider had to pull up 8-10 feet past the stop sign, just to see oncoming traffic. Why? Because the owner of the property to the left put a black tarp on a fence that obscured traffic, and the owner of the property on the right had a large concrete sign blocking the sightlines. Now, Armando said he is going after the land owners to challenge these unsafe structures which increased the bikers “Zone of Danger.”
Clients have called Armando “attentive, compassionate, dedicated, thorough” and “worthy of your trust.” If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident and want to hear more, contact him –
including if you Habla Espanol, because he does to. Visit Armando Personal Injury Law at www.armandoinjurylaw.com and ask for a free consultation to decide for yourself. A second location in St. Petersburg, where Armando lives is also available. He wants to fight for not only your medical bills, but also your property. He knows you were born to ride and he wants to get you back on yours, with a tax-free check so you won’t owe anybody anything if you’re not at fault when all is said and done.
ARMANDO GOT HIS START “BEHIND TWO BARS”
It’s a joke that many people don’t get at first, but to hear Armando tell it – with his impressively coifed mane staring back at you – is something he takes pride in. Before graduating from USF in 2002 with a degree in biology, Armando took up bartending to “fight his way through life.” Along the way, he met a lawyer at Blue Martini and decided to read the Constitution.
“I just tried to read it and it realized it’s English but I don’t understand what it says,” he said.
From there, he went to law school and eventually passed the Bar. Get it?
He started building his name in the community, never giving up on his dream of becoming the Mufasa of injury law in Tampa Bay. But he knew he was still playing the role of Simba when he started working for the public defender’s office. While he was gaining the respect of judges, prosecutors and clients, he still bartended on the weekends.
“I did that for a few years and left and then I opened up my own law firm,” he said, starting on MLK before then moving to an office in Hyde Park before ultimately landing in Ybor.
He recalls it taking six months to mature enough legally to generate enough business to pay his bills, and thanks business partner Dan Kaufman of Ft. Lauderdale for helping him launch his mighty proud career. Gone are the days of paying his sole assistant with the cash tips he made while mixing cocktails. Here to stay are the connections he made shaking hands and handing out business cards. He was hungry … for business. And now he’s investing in the community, by buying into the Copper Shaker bar in Ybor and giving back to the community in unique ways.
THE PIANO OUTSIDE THE OFFICE
While we can’t confirm that anyone has ever chosen a stormy Tampa afternoon to tickle the ivories to the tune of Ride the Lightning, the Memories Remain for Armando and his staff regarding the not so randomly placed piano on their office doorstep. Featuring the same fierce and vibrant colors that bring the lion alive hanging inside his office and within his soul, “Lionel” the piano was brought to life by artist Courtney Oley and it represents many things for Armando. He consistently talks about the fire that burns inside him that provides motivation to tilt the scales of justice in his clients’ favor, but it resides on his section of the Ybor sidewalk as a result of his annual 501 (c) (3) sponsorships. In conjunction with an annual holiday party at Copper Shaker every December, he wants to give back to charities such as toy drives and Tampa Tunes, an organization that literally places painted pianos in public places to help bring the community closer.
“I think it’s important,” Armando said. “People stop by, jump on and play. Trained musicians have to try it and we get a free concert.”
(search Tampa Tunes on Instagram to see more)
A QUICK GUIDE TO HIRING A LION OF A LAWYER
Armando is quick to talk about all the differences he offers his clients, and it stems from personal and professional experiences. His given first name is John, like his grandfather – who started a general surgery practice in Plant City circa the 1950s, and his father, also a doctor.
“I realized the practice of medicine was changing into managed care and my father would spend all morning seeing patients and all afternoon arguing with Business men who are not doctors,” he said. “They were devaluing my father’s services and the patient care. His father hated arguing with insurance companies because they always wanted to do what was the cheapest not the best for the client.”
Professionally, he didn’t always agree with some of the lawyers that he used to work for because he found himself questioning whether the decisions they made, at times, were not in the best interest of the clients.
“It really bothered me,” he said. He talks of valuable lessons learned about what truly is his North Star, his brand, his culture … the lion inside. Yes, his goal is to get the maximum recovery
for his clients, but not at the expense of losing the case for them.
“I think that’s where a lot of people fall short,” he said, pointing out that he won’t be pushed into making bad decisions.
To that end, Armando suggests asking your lawyer what the process looks like going into a case, and also what an acceptable settlement would be.
Communication is key – even if it’s in the form of a loud call from a wildcat or a C major on a piano.
He learned a lot from his time spent in criminal law, working primarily on DUI cases before the days of ride sharing. Like a big cat on the hunt, he waited, took his time and grew his practice. He realized then that he didn’t understand all the intricacies of law as a solo practitioner, which is why he’s happy to break an “unwritten rule” where many lawyers don’t go out of their way to help other lawyers: think veteran quarterback worried about the up-and-coming top draft pick.
“I will always help others, he said. I don’t care who calls me, I will take their call. I will provide them anything they ask for because I was in their shoes.”
It’s Sad But True that accidents can happen Wherever you May Roam. So, when you need a personal injury lawyer, Armando wants you to know that he can be the One.
— Eric Vician
You should be especially aware at intersections, where other vehicles can cross your path of travel. There are many things to scan for, including traffic devices, road surfaces, and the traffic and pedestrians around you.
In a slow, tight turn, such as turning around in a parking lot, it helps to counterweight by leaning in the opposite direction of the motorcycle and direction of the turn. Put pressure on the outside footrest.
Info: www.msf-usa.org
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Ron’s project 2001 Dyna Super Glide needed performance Pipes and there was only 1 choice.
“I put them on my 2023 Road Glide and they were exactly what I needed. Price point performance and the sound is bad ass to the bone”
The Stealth Exhaust Collection offers one of the most impactful upgrades for your motorcycle, designed to significantly enhance both power and performance. Handcrafted in the United States from premium 304 stainless steel, each exhaust is custombuilt to order, ensuring a perfect fit and superior durability. With a 90-day warranty from the date of purchase, Stealth Exhaust guarantees quality when installed properly by a certified HarleyDavidson mechanic. Upgrade your ride with Stealth Exhaust and experience power, sound, and performance like never before.
Smoky Mountain Thunder Memorial Ride 2025
The final trip for Smoky Mountain Thunder Memorial Ride XXV took place May 25, 2025 with 3827 motorcycles making the 65 mile Police escorted ride across 5 counties to the top of Clinch Mountain Veterans overlook for the closing ceremony.
From the very beginning, the purpose of this weekend has always been to remember our fallen military, particularly those, and we’ve said this so many times, killed in combat.
A soldier only dies, really dies, when we forget to say their name. Thank you to everyone who came to pay
tribute to our fallen military and first responders who are our front line defense with the military in our great country. Thank you to all the sponsors and volunteers over 25 years who made this event possible and successful.
Going forward, an Afghanistan Veteran will begin a new era with a new name to pay tribute to our fallen military. You can find them on their Facebook page, SMMR.
Thank you for everyone’s support throughout the years.
— Ron Giddis
I hope everyone out there is enjoying this spectacular riding weather. What great mental therapy it is! For me I’d rather ride and think about business than sit in a conference room and think about riding. Having served over 12,000 clients in 13 states in the past 20 years I’ve finally realized what can help my clients most. Sure, I can make them millionaires but so what! What really matters I’ve come to realize is helping them design an estate plan with a will and living trust the easiest most cost-effective way. It’s a bucket list thing everyone puts off but will gain a benefit from. So, I say, “Do something today that your future self will thank you for.” I have compiled some real stories on why you should take action and get yourself set up correctly using motorcycle situations. I hope you enjoy them on these few pages.
A Biker Helping Bikers
LET’S AVOID EVER HAVING TO SAY “I WISH I KNEW BACK THEN WHAT I KNOW NOW”
Our system is not in place …
The Inherited Iron that almost went to the wrong person.
When Raven Holloway’s father died, she didn’t expect to inherit much more than a pile of dusty old books and maybe a few rusty tools. Her father, Vincent, was known around town as the local mechanic with a dark, brooding presence—always dressed in black leather, always working on some project bike in his cluttered garage. What she didn’t expect was the legal nightmare that followed his passing. A week after the funeral, Raven was called to the lawyer’s once, where she learned that her father’s prized possession—his custom-built, jet-black Harley-Davidson—wasn’t as straightforward as she thought. Though Vincent had told her stories of how he built it from the ground up, no will was ever filed. Instead, the bike became entangled in probate, with other distant relatives suddenly laying claim to it.
One of them was her cousin, Derek—slick, greedy, and never close to her father. He claimed that he had “helped build the bike” and therefore deserved a share of its value. Another was Uncle Martin, Vincent’s estranged brother, who argued that as the oldest living relative, he should inherit everything. The lawyer, Mr. Harlow, laid out the situation. Without a clear will or proof of
ownership, the motorcycle would be evaluated as part of the estate and sold to cover debts—unless someone could prove rightful ownership. Frustrated, Raven went back to the garage, searching for anything that might help.
That’s when she found it—a small, locked toolbox with the initials V.H. engraved on top. Inside were faded receipts, including one from twenty years ago: Custom Frame - Purchased by Vincent Holloway. Another receipt showed Engine Parts - Ordered by V. Holloway. At the bottom of the box was an old photograph of her as a little girl, sitting on the Harley’s unfinished frame, her father grinning beside her.
On the back, written in his scruffy handwriting, was:
“Built for my girl—Raven’s Ride.”
Armed with the evidence, Raven returned to the lawyer. The receipts and photo, combined with testimonies from Vincent’s longtime friends, were enough to prove that the bike was always intended to be hers. Derek and Uncle Martin fought it but eventually, the probate judge ruled in her favor.
When the decision came down, Raven rode her father’s Harley through town, the wind whipping through her black hair, leather jacket tight around her shoulders. The bike wasn’t just an inheritance—it was a legacy, a reminder of the bond they shared, and a testament to the miles Vincent had traveled just to leave her something worth fighting for.
Our system is not in place …
The Harley in Probate
When old Tom Callahan passed away, his beloved 1972 Harley-Davidson sat untouched
in the garage, its chrome dull and its engine silent. His daughter, Emily, couldn’t bear to look at it—knowing it was the last piece of him left. A week after the funeral, a letter arrived from the lawyer: “No will found. All assets, including the motorcycle, must go through probate.” Emily’s heart sank. Without a will, Tom’s estranged brother, Gary, stepped in—claiming the Harley should be sold to cover debts. Desperate, Emily searched through her dad’s cluttered workbench, hoping to find something that proved it was meant for her. Finally, tucked inside an old leather saddlebag, she found a crumpled, grease-stained note:
“For Em—your ride when I’m gone. Love, Dad.”
In court, Emily showed the note—barely legible but undeniably his handwriting. With tears in her eyes, she spoke about their Sunday rides and how her dad always said the bike would be hers. The judge, moved by her words and the note, ruled in her favor. That evening, Emily took the Harley out, the engine roaring to life. As the wind whipped through her hair, she felt her dad’s presence—riding with her one last time.
How our system passed along a Harley probate free …
The Last Ride
Ben Carter never thought his father would leave him anything—let alone a motorcycle. Growing up, his dad was always on the road, chasing the horizon on his beloved 1969 Harley-Davidson, while Ben and his mom struggled to make ends meet back home. When the old man finally passed, Ben wasn’t sure how to feel—until the lawyer handed him a faded envelope with his name on it. Inside was a single key and a handwritten note:
”Son, I know
I wasn’t around much, but this bike was my freedom—my escape. It’s yours now. Take one last ride for me. There’s something I
left for you out at Blackwood Point. You’ll know where to look.”
Confused and a little angry, Ben drove out to his dad’s old cabin. There it was—rusty but beautiful, just like he remembered. After some tinkering, the Harley roared to life, its engine vibrating through his bones like a heartbeat. Riding through the open road, memories started to blur with the wind—the good ones, few and far between, but strong enough to remind him that his dad wasn’t just a wanderer—he was searching for something. When Ben reached Blackwood Point, he saw a small metal box buried under a pile of stones. Inside was a leatherbound journal filled with his dad’s thoughts, regrets, and dreams—things he never shared with anyone. Tucked in the back was an old photograph of them at a fair, with the words scribbled on the back:
”I never stopped loving you. I just didn’t know how
to stay.”
Ben sat on the edge of the cliff, the motorcycle cooling beside him, and realized that sometimes, forgiveness is found on the open road—where the past follows but doesn’t have to catch up.
Our system is not in place …
TOD created a costly legal headache
Jake Peterson was a motorcycle enthusiast with a collection of vintage bikes that he cherished more than anything. As he grew older, he wanted to make sure his prized possessions would go directly to his son, Lucas, without any hassle. To avoid probate, Jake added a Transfer on Death (TOD) designation to each motorcycle title, naming Lucas as the beneficiary. Unfortunately,
when Jake passed away unexpectedly, Lucas assumed the motorcycles would smoothly transfer to him. However, when he went to the DMV to change the titles, he discovered a problem. The clerk explained that the TOD designation was incomplete— Jake had never properly signed or filed the paperwork for two of his most valuable bikes.
To make matters worse, another complication arose. One of Jake’s ex-wives, Sarah, claimed that Jake had verbally promised her one of the motorcycles during their divorce settlement. Although it wasn’t written in the divorce decree, Sarah argued that the bike rightfully belonged to her. Now, Lucas found himself in probate court, battling not only to claim the motorcycles that didn’t have valid TOD designations but also to defend his right to the bike his father supposedly promised to Sarah. The judge had to sort through the conflicting claims and incomplete paperwork before deciding who would inherit the motorcycles. In the end, the judge ruled that the motorcycles without proper TOD paperwork had to go through probate, and Sarah’s claim was dismissed due to lack of evidence. Lucas finally gained ownership of his father’s collection, but not without months of legal headaches and unexpected fees.
It’s never too late to start planning for retirement. Time goes bye fast! There is not a one size fits all paint by the numbers solution. All of our situations are unique. You don’t need more money you just need a better plan. After having the privilege to serve tens of thousands of people over the years I can attest to the statement “That money won’t make you happy! But riding a motorcycle will! “
My passion is to help bikers in life changing ways. Hence the reason I created www.BikerHelpingbikers.com
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PHOTOS BY ERICK RUNYON
people building and riding their motorcycles” - Mike & Grant , Owners
RIDE APPALACHIA
BRINGING JULY IN WITH A BOOM ON THE BACKROADS OF APPALACHIA!
It’s Summer here in the Appalachian Mountains and things are heating up here in more ways than just the temperature! If you read our article last month then you already know it is our Peak Riding Season here on the Backroads of Appalachia and this is when we bring on some of our best events and rides of the year! If you follow us on social media then you also know that we are all about celebrating our Nation’s Freedom here and Honoring those who gave it to us and that is exactly why we start off our JULY schedule every year with an annual event designed to do just that! We are talking about an event/ride specifically designed to celebrate the 4th of July Weekend with a BANG while also paying tribute to our Nation’s Heroes and our Appalachian Heroes all at the same time!
Let’s Make Some Thunder and Let FreedomRing - July 4th
Ever want to ride in a parade? Well here is your chance to ride with us in the City of Williamsburg KY 4th OF JULY Celebration Parade on July 4th at 2:00PM! All are invited to join us as we ride down mainstreet in the hometown of the Appalachian Motorcycle Group as the AMG and BOA make some Thunder motorsports style on small town mainstreet Appalachia again this year! Williamsburg is also the Hometown of Medal of Honor Winner Joe C Paul and the start of many of our great trail routes in our BOA Mobile Application such as Copperhead Trail KY, Revenue Runner HWY
92, and Joe C Paul MOH Trail! Want to make it a full weekend you will never forget? Keep Reading!
Celebrating our Military and Appalachian Heroes - July 5th
First we have our Upcoming 3rd Annual LCpl Joe C Paul Heroes, Miners, and Shiners Ride and this “Uniquely Appalachian” event takes you on a journey through History as we Ride East on Revenue Runner Hwy 92 by the winding Cumberland River and then on to Joe C Paul MOH Trail and the place where Joe grew up in the little mountain community of Nevisdale KY. After that we continue to ride East visiting local veterans memorials, old coal camps, and one photo opportunity after another along the way including a GIANT ROOSTER! All proceeds from this ride go to the LCpl Joe C Paul Childhood Home Memorial Marker Fund to raise money for a memorial for Joe in the community he was born and raised in! The ride starts in Williamsburg KY at the LCpl Joe C Paul Medal of Honor Historical Marker in front of the Old Whitley County Courthouse which houses his Memorial Honor Wall which includes his uniform and his medals. It does not get more patriotic than this event and if you’re in Williamsburg KY on the 4th you are welcome to join us as we ride in the City of Williamsburg KY 4th of July Celebration Parade the day before! This is all in just our first weekend in July!
Taking on The DragonSlayer HWY 160 for Autism ResearchJuly 12
Coming up the Weekend after our 4th of July Festivities is one of our favorite Rides each Season and for good reason. This is our annual “Slay the Dragon Ride” and this is the Dragonslayer HWY 160 over KY’s Highest Mountain! Located the historic town of Lynch KY and once the biggest coal camp in the world, this is also
the route and town where Backroads of Appalachia started! That is two founding hometown events in one month! It is also home to the Portal 31 Coal Mine Tour and our newly completed BOA WELCOME CENTER where this annual event starts! After stopping at the top of KY’s Highest Mountain to enjoy the view and riding the Dragonslayer it’s time for Lunch at Black Bear BBQ in Appalachia VA(One of the AMG’s favorite places to eat). Then it’s on to “The KNOB” and the High Knob Observation Tower in Jefferson National Forest. Located in Norton VA this Overlook offers one of the most incredible 360 degree views anywhere in our mountains and is breathtaking to say the least. That’s 2 of our favorite overlooks already in one ride and all proceeds go to Autism Research to to help children with Autism!
A New Place Ride in July
With so many great events in July you really cannot go wrong regardless of which one you decide to attend and they are always for a good cause! Want to go it alone or maybe with your own group? Well it’s all sitting right here waiting for you with 54+ GPS enabled Routes which cover over 5000 Miles of the absolute best riding KY, WV, Northeast TN, and Southwest Virginia has to offer and it just keeps growing! From our “Uniquely Appalachian” Points of Interest you will not find on any other Map to our entire region of riders standing by to help you plan your trip, Now you know what makes it THE BEST RIDING IN THE U.S.! PERIOD! Find all our unforgettable Trail Routes and our Events now by downloading our Free BOA Mobile App and looking in the Calendar or by joining our new communities on REVER! You can also find them by visiting us on Facebook or by visiting our website at www. backroadsofappalchia.org/events. You can also find them all on Cyclefish.com!
Stay tuned next month as we bring you our full schedule of events coming up in August including the 85th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally and our Inaugural Ride on our newest trail route, THE ROOSTER’S SPUR KY!
ONLY IN APPALACHIA!
Let’s Ride Appalachia!
— Jay Fryman (Frydaddy) Founder, Appalachian Motorcycle Group Backroads of Appalachia Board of Director
s
THROTTLE OPEN, HEARTS CLOSED: WHY RIDERS —AND THE WORLD—STILL
Out on the road, wind in your face, throttle wide open—you’d think that kind of freedom would come with peace. Nothing but the roar of your bike and the hum of asphalt beneath you. That’s the feeling we all chase. But even in the brotherhood of the motorcycle world, peace can be hard to find.
Club vs. club. Patch vs. patch. City vs. country Harley Rider vs. SportBike Rider and person vs. person. And when you zoom out to the big picture—the nation, the world? It’s all division and tension, like a powder keg with a lit fuse.
In 2025, with all our technology, instant communication, and access to global information, we should be more connected than ever. So why are we still so damn angry? Why can’t we ride—hell, live—in peace?
Let’s twist the throttle and ride into the heart of it.
1. HATE ISN’T BORN, IT’S BRED
Nobody’s born with hate in their heart. That stuff is taught. Passed down like old patches or bad blood between clubs and groups. Most of the time, you don’t even know where the hate started—you just know it’s there. Somebody told you not to like them. Somebody told them not to trust you.
In today’s world, social media is the new street corner. Except it’s a digital barfight— people throwing words like fists just to get attention. The hate gets louder, faster, and more addictive. And the truth? It’s lost in the noise.
2. POWER RUNS ON DIVISION LIKE A HARLEY ON GAS
Let’s call it like it is: hate keeps people in power. Politicians, CEOs, media empires— they thrive when we’re fighting each other. Peace doesn’t keep them paid. Unity doesn’t get clicks. Fear, anger, division? That’s fuel. Same in some corners of biker life. There are leaders who hold on to old beefs just to keep the younger guys in line and themselves in charge. Because peace means giving up control. And when power is the goal, peace is the enemy.
3. PEACE TAKES BALLS
Anybody can throw a punch. Anybody can
STRUGGLE WITH PEACE
pull a trigger. Anybody can rage online. But peace? That takes guts.
It means admitting pain. It means dropping ego. It means showing up without the armor and saying, “Let’s fix this.” That’s not weakness. That’s strength. And in this life— whether you ride solo or roll with a crew— that kind of strength is rare.
4. THE WORLD’S BLEEDING OUT
From the streets of Chicago to the ruins of Gaza, people are hurting. Poverty, addiction, violence, trauma—pain is everywhere. And when people are hurting, they lash out. That pain has to go somewhere, and too often it gets aimed at the wrong target.
Real peace? It ain’t just a treaty or a truce. It’s healing. It’s addressing the wounds instead of pretending they don’t exist.
SO WHY CAN’T WE HAVE PEACE?
Because peace is more than silence. It’s respect. It’s truth. It’s justice. It’s standing side by side with people who don’t think like you, vote like you, look like you.
We know how to build peace. Hell, we have the tools. The question is—do we have the heart?
WHY ARE WE A NATION DIVIDED?
America today feels like a cracked stretch of blacktop—rough, dangerous, and getting worse with every mile. You feel it in the bar, the gas station, the job site. You see it in politics, in protests, in the news feeds.
SO WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED?
1. NOBODY’S LISTENING
We’ve stopped talking. Really talking. It’s all shouting now—through pipes, over speakers, in comments and headlines. In the biker world, when you stop listening, bad blood builds fast. Respect disappears. And so do solutions.
2. THE DIVIDE IS DESIGNED
Don’t be fooled: the people in charge want us mad at each other. Left vs. right. City vs. rural. Black vs. white. It’s all by design. A divided nation is easy to control. While we argue, they get rich. While we fight each other, they sell the country out from under us.
3. OLD SCARS, NEW BLOOD
This country’s never dealt with its demons. From slavery to past conflict’s, from corporate greed to broken promises—we just slap a flag over it and keep driving. But the past always finds its way back. And now it’s leaking into every headline, every protest, every street fight.
4. TRUTH IS OPTIONAL
NOW
We used to believe what we saw with our own eyes. That’s now become difficult to believe with technologies like Artificial Intelligence. Where they can manufacture what you see as well. Now we believe whatever gets the most likes. Algorithms decide what’s true. And when everyone has their own “facts,” trust dies. No trust, no peace.
5.
WE FORGOT THE BROTHERHOOD
In the biker world, brotherhood use to mean you ride for each other. Loyalty. Honor. It was a genuine thing. Not so much anymore. The word Brother held a lot of weight when said. It was a title given to those we trusted and had earned our respect. A ride or die. It was a collective. It used to be like that for America, too. But somewhere along the way, we traded “we” for “me.” Now compassion looks like or is taken as weakness, and community feels like a threat.
But we know better. We know the road’s safer and stronger when you ride together.
SO WHAT NOW?
Division is easy. Unity is hard. But we’ve faced hard roads before. And bikers—we know the value of pulling together. Of looking out for one another. Of standing shoulder to shoulder, even when the world tries to tear us apart. We still have the engine. Still have the power.
We just need to steer this country—and ourselves—back toward the truth, the road, and each other. Put aside the hate and differences of the past and move forward. If you forget that,look at your older bikes. They all went forward not backward. Do the same. Ride hard. Ride united.
— Nefarious James American Patriot
Photos by Scott Odell and The Chief
Craven Moorehead
Another Hot Summer and a Few Good Reasons to Celebrate
It’s another sweltering summer and as I have written before, it appears that there is no end in sight. But if you just wait for a little while, the weather will change whether you like it or not. Usually there is no pleasure in the asphalt melting heat but at least we don’t have to deal with riding in the snow. I often wonder how our brothers and sisters up north deal with that experience, and I can only recall doing it once or twice in my entire career on a motorcycle. And the ice ain’t nice either. But it is what it is and we should all be happy that we live in paradise (Florida) and I would rather go three rounds with rain and two rounds with sugar-sand than sing that old song “Slip Sliding Away”. … Are my articles starting to sound redundant? Perhaps it’s because I have so little to write about and too much time to think about it! I remember that last year, I did remind everyone about the 4th of July holiday, but it seems that I should reiterate that the celebration of our independence from tyranny is something more than just burgers and hot dogs on the grill. Now, I have been accused of being old but I can assure you that I wasn’t around when this particular document was signed. I also admit that I have fired up the grill and cooked burgers, dogs and sometimes steaks while swilling my share of cold beers. That’s what everyone does on this
particular holiday and I hope you are able to read this by the 4th. I never know, but I usually deliver this thing (BTR magazine) by that day so and sometimes I never know whether I am going to be working when a holiday falls around the first of the month. I like my job and I suppose I’m not really qualified to do much of anything else so there’s no complaint here. Besides, y’all aren’t interested in hearing my bitching anyhow. So this month, I will have to re-schedule my routes so that I can be back at the radio station to do the Born To Ride Radio Show at 8:00 PM on - guess what day?? Tuesday July the 4th. Funny how all this happens but I am not in control of chronological events, such as the ones that have something to do with creating calendars, schedules and other things that require specific timing. I’m more of the free-spirit kinda guy who tries to be on time, remember events and actually show up (late or not) and do whatever task it is that I am supposed to do. I think that I am conscientious enough to get it all done - and believe me I try, but it’s all in a blur of activity in my life and sometimes things get shuffled around somewhat. One thing that doesn’t get shuffled around is my birthday. It’s right in the middle of July and I usually celebrate it about the same way that I do the 4th. Not that my life is mundane it’s just routine. Seriously - I don’t mind getting older - especially when I consider the alternative. I don’t expect any celebration or gifts and such because every day that I wake up above ground is a celebration in itself. Besides, age is just a number and I still feel like I’m 30 or so. I try not to worry too much. I think that has kept me feeling fairly young.
Enough about me, what are you people up to? I like to hear from our listeners on the radio show and value your input regardless of the content. Ok - well sometimes we like to not go too far over the edge with controversial topics - but it is pretty much open to anything as long it is not too far out there and too far off base. I also want to take a minute to thank Everywhere Eddie and Lynne for becoming an invaluable part of the show. Their participation and input have made it a very entertaining and informational program that is unique in many ways. Do yourself a favor and call in on Tuesday evenings from 8 to 11 PM and join in on the fun. The studio line is 813-756-6444 and we would really love to hear from YOU!
History Is Flexible
As a child in a small Ohio town, I thought I had it made. Life was filled with insects to collect, tree forts to build, and bicycles to decorate with paint and pinstripes. Creative adventures came naturally, and even an annual backyard circus became the stage for my early passion as a showman.
But when my family uprooted to suburban Chicago during my teenage years, everything fell apart. The momentum of childhood joy crashed into the chaos of unfamiliar surroundings, a disorienting school system, and a fractured family dynamic. I began to see my environment as the problem and retreated inward, convinced I had been unjustly cast out of paradise.
My salvation came in the form of a magazine. Amusement Business listed every circus in America, and I wrote to all of them, offering myself as a drummer. That decision led to a life on the road—first as a performer, then as a painter and storyteller. The circus gave me a place to belong and a new perspective on how people, flawed as they are, can create beauty together.
But for decades, I still told the same story: that my life was derailed by a forced move. It wasn’t until a spiritual awakening in recovery that I saw how my perception had been shaped by ego and resentment.. When I finally let go of being “right” about my past, I saw something different—every step had prepared me for what came next.
I now believe there was nothing random about the course of my life. From the sleepy town to the circus lot, from pain to purpose, it all followed a perfect sequence. My journey wasn’t a fall from grace—it was a launchpad to becoming the man I was meant to be.
What if your greatest disruption is actually your greatest preparation? History, it turns out, is flexible.
Be Good, Be Well, and Ride Safe —Dave “Letterfly” Knoderer
ALIZE MEET
PHOTOS
BY
DANIEL GALLANT
Hi there! I’m originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but I’m soaking up the sun these days in Tampa, Florida. I’m all about dancing, hitting festivals, beach days, and living life like it’s one big adventure. I’ve got big dreams and a wild heart, always chasing what sets my soul on fire. Motorcycles will always have a special place in my heart!
I used to ride with my grandfather all the time growing up, going to events and meets. So now every time I hop on one, it feels like home.
Bike: 2023 Harley Road Glide
Bike Owner: JBA Custom Cycles
Model: Alize Vaughn
This month’s movie is CC & Company starring Joe Namath and Ann Margret. Namath Plays C.C. Ryder, a former motorcycle mechanic who is a member of the “Heads” Motorcycle Club. Margret plays Ann, a fashion journalist. The flick opens with CC in a grocery store, as he cruises the aisles and makes a sandwich by removing this and that from shelves to assemble the sandwich on the child seating portion of the shopping cart. OOOH NOOO! This may be the most dangerous part of the film! Can you imagine what sort of bacteria may exist on that little plastic seat? No telling what sort of soggy diaper may have been there just minutes before! Anyway, CC eats the sandwich, drinks a carton of milk, and throws away the evidence, before heading to checkout with a package of candy. Outside he dons his “colors” and rides off on a fairly cool looking shovel head chopper.
As usual in these “B or less” films, he meets up with his fellow gang members in the desert. As I said last month “It’s always in the desert.” As they cruise down a desert highway, they encounter a broken-down limo containing Ann. While CC looks over the engine compartment, a couple of his cohorts try to molest Ann in the back of the
Limo. CC rescues her by roughing up the guys, and begins a romantic connection with Ann, which is cut short by the arrival of a tow truck. Down the road a piece we meet up with Moon, who is the leader of the gang. He sits in a fancy chair, which the club mamas call the throne. Moon isn’t too happy with the mamas, and sends them out on a mission to get him more money. Moon’s whole gig seems to revolve around money, and the girls go out hitchhiking to collect some from whatever citizen or ‘Square’ they can find. Later in the evening they all reconvene at their campsite in the desert. Moon’s mama seems to have a thing for CC, but he pretty much has his sights set on Ann, and refuses her advances.
The next day, the Heads are cruising down the road when they come across a sign for a Moto-X race. The heads blow the gate and disrupt the motor-cross by riding their choppers around the track. Of course Ann is there with her photographer and some models, who are on the scene with a Kawasaki factory race team. As the shoot continues Ann and CC again have a conversation, and he plots a scheme to win her heart. The next morning he dupes a local dealer into selling him a Kawasaki
dirt bike. He hands the dealer an envelope with a five-dollar bill and an I.O.U. while he “test rides” the bike. Thirty seconds later he leaves the rear of the shop with the dirt bike tied to his sissy bar. The next Sunday, he enters the motor cross and on the last lap, he crashes out while running third. CC picks up the bike and carries it across the finish line to the delight of his fellow gang members and the crowd. Moon at this point says he’s disgusted with all the racing crap and some of the members leave with him. The Kawasaki factory rep is impressed with CC’s riding skills, and loans him a bike for the next race. At the end of the day he wins $600.00 and returns to the Head’s camp. CC gives money hungry Moon $500.00 and says he’s keeping a hundred for himself. As usual, a fight ensues and Moon takes the money from CC while he is recovering. Moon gives the money to his girl, and later that night she once again tries to get with CC. While he is kissing her, he takes all the money out of her pocket and he leaves the next day to find Ann.
Ann puts CC up in her mansion, and the typical romance carries on for a few days. That is until Moon and the Heads kidnap her. Moon demands $2,000.00 for her freedom, but CC challenges him to a flat-track race on their choppers. CC bargains for a loan on the phone, and promises the money will be paid back the same night. Later that evening the Heads break into a high school, and use the school’s track for the race. After a few minutes of some fairly good stunt riding, the scene shows Moon crashing through a fence and into a parked car which explodes in a fiery mess.
As the rest of the group runs to Moon, CC and Ann leave on his chopper. The song CC Ryder plays as they ride down the road. This film was made in 1970, runs 94 minutes and is currently available on DVD under the “Cheezy Flicks” Label. I must agree that it was one of the most cheesy biker exploitation pieces that I have ever seen. Poor lighting, dialogue, and flaky acting add to the mess. One thing that really turned me off was Namath’s constant referral to his chopper as a Honda. With no visible redeeming qualities, I could only give this one 2 stars, and that based on one or two fairly nice ‘period’ choppers.
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IT’S HOTTER THAN THE DEVIL’S ARMPIT
Hey there my BTR friends. It’s the dead of summer and warm outside to say the least. Mikes’ old neighbor back in West By-God Virginia, Duke Hatfield, used to have a saying about July: it’s hotter than the devil’s armpit and if you don’t stay hydrated, it would make you madder than a deaf person trying to play bingo, score bingo and holler out bingo!
Mike cuts me off replying, “You’re lucky we’re not still living next-door to the Hatfields. He never really liked you perching on his fence and cackling at him in your Looney Tunes ways.
His wife, Darla, was not a fan of you either. Especially when you would turn around and poop down their side of the fence. On several occasions I heard Duke tell you: if you weren’t Mikes’ kin pet, I would’ve snatched you up, plucked you naked, coated you with barbecue sauce and cooked you like chicken over an open flame while Darla would’ve made a down pillow out of your feathered ass!”
I squawk, “Dude! That did scare me but those two would become so dog-gone funny after sitting on the porch for a while, chugging moonshine and letting their West Virginian attitudes flow freely.They always
gave me great writing material for my typing talons, just like you do now. Thanks for carrying on in our neighbors’ footsteps. It was so nice of you taking me to visit Dukes’ grave in Bushnell for Father’s Day.”
Mike replies, “He was a Vietnam vet and this year marked the 10 year anniversary of his passing. In their elder years, I looked at Duke and Darla as if they were the aunt and uncle I never had and you’re right, those two would crack us up!
I used to remember him screaming about his wife Darla, yelling things like: it takes a whole lot of liquor to like ‘er and puttin’ her brain in a matchbox would be like a BB rollin’ around in a boxcar. My favorite was: her teeth were like stars, they would come out at night! Darla would get so mad and mean to him about his mouth that he told me: she was mean as an alligator when the pond went dry and madder than a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs. I would picture that scene in my mind and laugh profusely!”
I chirped, “Do you remember her sister Ethel who would stay with them occasionally? Boy, she was a piece of work. One of his popular things to say about her was: I’d rather slide down a mountain of razor blades and jump into a pool of rubbing alcohol than sit beside her at church. I can remember Ethel replying every time: I’d rather wear a pair of pork chop panties and run through a lions den than be alone in a room with him.
Duke would always come back with some very descriptive lines about her like: you must’ve fallen from the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down and you look like your face caught fire then somebody put it out with an ice pick.
But I think my favorite one was when Duke
would tell Ethel: God ruined a perfectly good asshole when he put teeth in your mouth. She would come back by chasing him around and telling him: when I catch you, i’m gonna put a knot in your head so big the Boy Scouts can’t get it out and You’ve got the furniture disease; your chest done fell into your drawers! Then as she was leaving, he would scream at her: don’t let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya!
You know Mike, I think that whole family was the basis of the Beverly Hillbillies, Andy Griffith, The Moonshiners and Duck Dynasty, except for the money trail.”
Mike exclaims, “Well somewhere out there in West Virginia a village is missing their idiots. But redneck heaven with its banjo music, pick-up trucks, stills and honky-tonks serving Velveeta Fudge during the annual Miss Swine Festival is alive and well!”
I squawk loudly, “In honor of our late great neighbors we should take a ride out to the country. Yeehaw Junction would be a good start. Then we can head down to Arcadia and visit the Redneck Yacht Club on the Redneck Riviera.
You need to get my wings in the wind, your knees in the breeze and the Fat Bird 3 wheels rolling down the road.”
CHRISTIAN MOTORCYCLISTS ASSOCIATION
We are entering the rainy season again. Here in Florida during the summer we experience rain quite often. Some weeks it may rain every day at some point . The rain may be part of a large system that covers half of the state. Other times we get what I call a pop up. One minute the weather map shows clear skies and an hour later we have a cloud and it is raining under it. These are normally afternoon rains. The pop up could be as isolated as just across the street. Then occasionally I can be riding under a clear sky and it will start raining with no clouds at all. I call that “sky sweat” and I just have to chuckle. I was going to arrive dry but the sky sweat is thinking otherwise.
One day my son and I were riding on the interstate to go north and we saw the rain ahead of us. It was a wall of rain just waiting for us to enter. We quickly pulled over to put on rain gear. We were moving fast as we watched the rain drops begin hitting the ground just 15 feet in front of us. We finished putting on our helmets and the rain was upon us. Laughing, we started the engines and continued in the downpour. I am certain that we all have stories of rain in our motorcycle journeys. Sometimes we are prepared for it and at other times we are taken by surprise.
Have you ever felt like the rain just came to punish you? We think, what did I do wrong to deserve this rain? When I left, I was supposed to get to my destination dry. Now here I am all wet. One of the verses in the Bible that speaks to me and my thoughts comes from Matthew 5:45B “For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike”. I believe that the Lord is not out to see if He can catch me in the rain. When it does rain we believe for the Lord to bring us safely through the rain.
Teach’s Takeaway,
- The Lord brings rain on all of His creation.
- God is always with us even on our rainy days.
- Pray to the Lord to help you and keep you safe even in the rain.
We all face a rainy day. Whether on a bike or in our lives, trouble comes. On the bike, rain gear may be the answer. In all of life’s troubles, Jesus is the answer. Pray in the rain. Ride together, ride safe and ride on.
— Fellow Soldier in Christ, Wayne (Teach) Masiker Christian Motorcyclists Association wayne.masiker@att.net
