Born To Ride Motorcycle Magazine Florida #163 - December 2017

Contents

December Issue 163

Ad Index

Features Wreaths Across America 9 Krista Grotte-Nation’s Fire 17 Triumph Street Triple R 31 The Redneck Rumble 38 Wayne Rainey-Anatomy of a Legend 46

Columns

31

Woman’s World-Myra McElhaney Craven Moorehead Spyke & Mike Christian Motorcycle Association

15 69 63 70

Departments Page 3 Girl 3 Ride Safe, Ride Smart 7 Everywhere Eddy-Is Everywhere 43 BTR Events Update 66 Born To Ride Kids 70

Reports

56

Salty Shamrock-Thursday Night 26 Movie Review-The Mini Skirt Mob 58 Craig Can Fix It 64

On The Cover

Wreaths Across America December 16, 2017 www.wreathsacrossamerica.org

Start Born To Ride TV and Magazine in your city! Call 888-795-5779 The information contained herein is provided by Born To Ride Magazine or by its advertisers. BTR makes every effort to present accurate and reliable information in the issue. Born To Ride Magazine does not endorse, approve, or certify such information, nor does it guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy, timeliness or correct sequencing of such information throughout this magazine. Use of such information is voluntary on your part, and reliance on it should only be undertaken after your independent review. Reference herein to any specific manufacturer, company, commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, or otherwise does not constitute or imply endorsement of or recommendation of said by Born To Ride Magazine.” “Born To Ride Magazine (including its employees, contributors and agents) assumes no responsibility for consequences that may result from the use of the information herein, including the use of the information obtained at www.borntoride.com and it’s linked sites, or in any respect for the content of such information, including (but not limited to) errors or omissions, the accuracy or reasonableness of factual or scientific assumptions, studies or conclusions, ownership of copyright or other intellectual property rights, and the violation of property, privacy, or personal rights of others. BTR Magazine is not responsible for damages of any kind arising out of use, reference to, or reliance on such information. No guarantees or warranties, including (but not limited to) any express or implied warranties are made by BTR Magazine with respect to such information contained throughout the site.” No part may be copied without written permission of the publisher, Born To Ride, Inc. P.O. Box 3021, Brandon, FL 33509. 888-795-5779, Fax 813-689-2996. ­­

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AAA 6 Affordable Motorsports 44 Al Estes Bail Bonds 56 Allstate - Jeff Ard 62 Attorney Fran Haasch IFC, 5, 7, BC BTR Advertise 58 BTR Beer Club 56 BTR Cigar Club 24 BTR Facebook 59 BTR Lifestyle 24 BTR Patch 24, 54 BTR Radio 42 BTR Subscribe 5 BTR TV-This TV Tampa Bay 65 BTR TV-Great 38 66 BTR TV-ABC 20 71 BTR VIP Text 5 BTR Youtube 62 CJ Seats 58 Charlottes Webb 61 Copperhead Lodge 60 Cycle-Rama 50 Dania Vintage Show 42 Florida Sheriff’s Youth Ranch 57 Fun Bike Center 32 Gibtown Bike Fest 53 H-D Crystal 72 H-D Florida 19 H-D Lakeland 8 H-D Barracuda 37 H-D Black Widow 36 H-D Manatee 23 H-D Rossiters 23 H-D War Horse IBC Heat Up 25 Leasure Automotive 65 Love Jugs 45 Media Design Shop 51, 52 Peggy’s Corral 14 Old Town Bike Night 28 Rivers Edge Bar & Grill 44 Saddle Creek 12 Salty Shamrock 27 Screwie Louie’s-Scooter Haven 29 Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q 40 Suncoast Brotherhood Toy Run 30 Tampa Triumph 35 The Ride Factory 42 Thunder By The Bay 48 Trikes By Design 42 Tropic Trailer 61 Visit Sarasota 48 Vietnam Vets Toy Run 4 Wings-n-Weenies 59 Whiskey River 50 Wreaths Across America 11

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MAXIMUM OR EMERGENCY BRAKING

Stopping your motorcycle in the shortest possible distance is another valuable skill that street riders need. When an obstacle appears in front of you and swerving is not an option because there are no escape routes available (a piece of furniture falls off of the truck in front of you), then stopping becomes your only option to avoid a collision.

The term “maximum braking” is used when both brakes are applied as firmly as possible without locking up either wheel, typically in an emergency situation. To achieve maximum braking, simultaneously squeeze the front brake and clutch levers, and press the rear brake pedal with firm pressure. Apply the brakes smoothly—avoid “grabbing” or “stabbing” the brakes, as the harsh application is more likely to cause a skid or other upset to the chassis. During maximum braking, keep the motorcycle in as straight a line as possible to reduce lean angle and the likelihood of the wheels losing traction. Remember, if either wheel is skidding, maximum braking power is not being applied to the road surface.

Keep your body centered over the motorcycle and look well ahead, not down.

Maximum braking, like swerving, is a critical skill that should be practiced. It is wise to occasionally go to a clear (not wet or oily), safe area and practice maximum braking maneuvers to accustom yourself to how much braking force can be applied before your wheels begin to skid. This is especially the case if you have recently purchased a new or different motorcycle and need to discover its unique braking characteristics.

For more info, go to www.msf-usa.org

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Sat Dec. 16th, 2017, Wreaths Across America Saddle Creek Corporation Lakeland, ride leaves 8:00am

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Remember the fallen, honor those who serve, teach our children the cost of freedom

Women’s World Make It a Great Ride!

When June Cline was about ten years old her mama’s brother, ‘Uncle James’ picked her up, sat her on back of his bike and said, “Hold on!” Off they went! June was terrified, excited and hooked. She loved it!

Unfortunately, at the end of that short ride, June’s mama was furious. “If I ever catch you on the back of a motorcycle again I’ll beat you half to death,” her mama admonished. “You can die on those things!”

As a teen, June’s first boyfriend William had a bike. (A secret from Mama!) June would slip off, saying she was going to a girlfriend’s house. She’d hop on the back of William’s bike and they’d go all around town.

Once she almost got caught when they pulled up to a traffic light only to see Mama’s car in the next lane. She hid her face, William turned at the light and they escaped the

wrath of Mama.

After high school June was busy with college, marriage, moving around the country and building a career, but she never forgot the thrill and vowed that someday she’d own and ride a Harley.

When she was 53 she had an interesting opportunity. She and a friend were driving across the county. The friend was on the phone then turned to June saying, “So do you want a Harley or not?”

The friend’s daughter-in-law was having to sell her practically new Harley-Davidson 883 Custom Deluxe Sportster. June bought it sight unseen and had it delivered to her home. Then she signed up for classes to learn to ride.

It was more of a challenge than she anticipated. Her motorcycle class named her

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‘most likely NOT to succeed.’ Every time she went out her bike would just fall over at every stop light and intersection. The name “Unsinkable Molly Brown” came to mind as she wouldn’t let dropping it stop her. Wanting a more upbeat name she christened her, “Good Golly Ms. Molly.” Three instructors later, June finally learned to keep Ms. Molly balanced and they’ve now ridden over 45,000 miles.

June has even incorporated riding into her day job. A humorist and Certified Speaking Professional (CSP™) entertaining audiences across the country, June shares personal stories she calls ‘IMOs.’ Idiot Moments.

Those embarrassing everyday incidents that happen when you least expect it. Based on her research of humor and a ‘Humor Style Assessment’ she created, she teaches BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 15

companies that there is a return on investment of laughing out loud.

Now June is known as the Southern, Sassy and Savvy Harley-Riding Humorist! Many of her funniest and most requested IMO’s come from learning to ride and from her adventures on Good Golly Ms. Molly.

From corporate audiences to comedy clubs she knows how to rev up an audience and have them howling with laughter!

‘Make It a Great Ride’ is the one-woman show June performs on stage at convention centers across the US and Canada, and in renowned comedy clubs like Rick’s House of Comedy in Phoenix, AZ and The Punchline in Atlanta, GA. Motorcycle groups have become one of her favorite audiences. June appeared at the Steel Horse Sisterhood’s Women’s Motorcycle Summits in both Ouray, CO and Pigeon Forge, TN. She’s entertained the North Georgia Mountain Riders and various H.O.G. Chapters.

When she’s not making people laugh out loud or riding Good Golly Ms. Molly on the beautiful twisty back roads of North Georgia, June is home in Kennesaw, Georgia with her “mens” as she calls them. With the light-of-her-life, Jerry Cline, and their rescued crazed Shih Tzu, the Lucky Man they make life a great ride!

You can learn more about June at www.JuneCline. com. You can also follow her on Facebook, Twitter and connect with her on LinkedIn. Myra McElhaney

Tell us about this movie? It doesn’t seem to be just a biker movie?

Nation’s Fire is an Action/Drama that is very, very different than the stereotypical biker movie. Biker movies are most notably celebrated or de-celebrated as exploitation films, and this is where Nation’s Fire is different. We have the action, drama, deaths, killings, drugs, and good vs evil; however, there are many elements in this movie that give it a beating heart. We all can relate to the struggles the characters face in this movie; whether you’re a diehard biker or have no clue what a “cc” is, you will relate.

The beating heart in Nation’s Fire is family, loss, strength, redemption, manly underground situations all while secretly celebrating a woman’s true place in the biker community and every other community for that matter ... as I state in the movie, “Our men know we are ride or die chicks.”

Nation’s differs from typical exploitation films and societal stereotypes in that we, as biker women, we aren’t victims, we have a voice,

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we use it, we love to celebrate our womanly curves AND we ride. We handle our jobs, kids, and family business. We treat others with respect, loyalty, charity, and kindness, but you don’t EVER want to cross us.

This movie is not only an adventure, it is heart and soul, as do many characters. So, to answer your question, no this is not your typical biker movie.

As Gloria Nation, you explode on screen as a true action superstar. How did you get inspired to take on this role?

Wait, you didn’t know I was a freakin’ Action Superstar? Well, now you know my brother!

Haha. In all seriousness, the action is where I excel; it’s what I have always enjoyed and it’s where I’m comfortable. Plus, I’m nuts so it’s a great release for me! I love doing my own stunts! I love the choreography of fighting. I like to throw my kicks … right and left hooks so fast you hear my fist in the wind. I love it. In movies I have done over the past 17 years, I have often been typecast for “blonde chick” or rainy tank top roles,

which is fine, and many I didn’t take, but I have always had a whole lot more to offer than that. The look I have is the complete opposite of my capabilities and it’s actually kind of fun and funny now that I think about it. I kind of play with people’s emotions with the look almost all people categorize me under and with whom and what I really am.

So all of the aforementioned has inspired me to take on this role, and as a producer, I have the choice as to what I really want to take on vs. what I am only “limited to” take on. Today I make my own offers, I don’t wait for offers.

How was it working with a Hollywood legend like Bruce Dern?

As an actress who has worked so hard for so many years and dealt with so much traumatizing bull while not giving up in this what can be a very ruthless industry, I must say, it was pretty amazing working with Bruce Dern. This guy is one of two villain actors to kill John Wayne in a movie, he’s a classic. Not to mention, he has had two

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Oscar nominations for “Coming Home” and “Nebraska” and has worked with the greats such as Jack Nicholson, Peter Fonda, Alfred Hitchcock, Quentin Tarantino (one of my favs), Billy Bob Thornton, Kirk Douglas and Roger Corman to name a few. It was fascinating to sit in the makeup room and talk to him, he’s been doing this for almost 60 years. I gained strength from his wisdom, his experience and approach on how he makes his roles his own. I enjoyed hearing about the legendary greats he has worked with and inspired; he took me back in my imagination long before my time; to me, moments like that with people are priceless.

Was having the biker community a part of this movie special to you, why?

The biker community always has and always will have a special place in my heart. There is a lot of backstory behind why, and maybe one day I will elaborate on that with you. The bottom line is, I love the people of the biking community. I’m not close with my blood family, and that’s fine. I’ve been on my own since 14, became a mother at 16. I lived pretty rough and literally slept on bus stop BTR 20 | BORNTORIDE.COM

benches before being put in a girl’s home— this is a great script in itself. There wasn’t too much family support there and that’s ok, they were trying to make it too, I suppose.

With fellow bikers, I have just always had a safe feeling of home and acceptance.

Looking back, I know now that God, life, and fate put me with the biker community for a reason. I believe that because seven years ago I got sober, and the irony is, it was due to a couple of 1%ers who told me I was better than the way I was treating myself. They refused to let me take myself down. After many talks with appointed babysitters who made sure I didn’t get into any more trouble, I finally listened and put in the work to get sober. Because someone actually cared enough for me to fight ME for the sake of me, I am living the life of my dreams today.

I am forever grateful.

Not only am I grateful, I love what we stand for. As a proud member of The Suncoast Brotherhood, the community and bike groups do so much for those kids who were once like me. We do things for families who struggled like mine … without judging, and

without looking for anything in return. The bond within the community is special, the family unit. The fact that we all can just be ourselves, barefoot and crazy, and not be judged is special. Just like this movie, amidst the drama and perceived chaos, there is heart, family, and strength.

Working with Born To Ride you have met many bikers, but you have been a part of BTR for many years now and Ron Galletti is so excited to be a part of this project.

How has that worked out?

Yes, I have been working with Born To Ride nearly 10 years now. I have seen the dedication, the hard work, and the drive put forth by Ron, Debbie, and the Born To Ride family. Having Ronnie as the creative producer for Nation’s Fire was a no-brainer. We had been throwing around the idea of a biker movie for years and when Writer/Director Thomas J. Churchill came down for the BTR 20th anniversary to promote a movie we did called “Check Point,” which is now available on Netflix, the concept of Nation’s Fire was born. Ron has been instrumental in making this movie larger than life. He is a creative

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powerhouse: from brilliant ideas on scenes, details on characters, on set photography, marketing strategies, business meetings, and priceless behind the scenes interviews with Bruce Dern, Chuck Liddel, Paul Sloan, Kristen Renton, and many more of the cast.

He has provided so many valuable artists, musicians, meetings, product placement, motorcycles, and crew members. He has put together trailers, hours of notes, direction on our post-production, and shot and directed riding footage. The list goes on and on. I am so thankful to Ron for all that he’s done to make Nation’s Fire a reality. I thank Producer Andy Lalino too for his work on Nation’s Fire.

Ron, Thom, and I had a plan from that day over a year ago, and here we are with a 2018 release, an amazing cast and one heck of a movie in the can!

You are executive producer and the main actor in this movie. How does that all work? What does that all mean? Plus, you are CEO at your real job, tell us about what you do on that job too?

Well, acting is just in my blood, it’s what I do and have done since the days of childhood

remaking “Annie” in my bedroom with my Aunt’s video camera. Executive producer is a whole new animal. With a movie, there are so many moving parts, hundreds of people you are hiring and feeding every day on set. There are SAG union rules that must be abided by or your facing heavy fines, there is the payroll company, the different departments, and all the employees working for you within those departments. There is lots of money to be accurately spent and accounted for. As executive producer, perspective differs substantially from that as a role of actor. The goal of executive producer is to be certain to get a return on the investment. When we are talking about something as subjective as art—that can be a very scary thing. Thankfully, we have an Oscar-winning producer on board with great experience in distribution. As an actress, my goal is to live as Gloria Nation and deliver the most important performance of my life because that will have a direct impact on the executive producer’s success. No pressure there! I did not tell any cast on set that I was an executive producer, and that changes

things for talent when they feel more under a microscope. I did not want anyone to act differently around me in any way and it worked out well.

I want to thank my husband Robert Ori and Jerry Roberts for their roles as executive producers, not only are they executives, but Bob brought his mother down from the Midwest for our final day of the shoot. She began cutting the onions and peppers at 4 a.m. Bob and Jerry jumped in the kitchen on the day of Unity Run at Scooter Haven to help Screwie Louie and his team cook for 300 plus people. This just goes to show you the sense of family we had on set; it was a pretty miraculous day. A very special thank you to Screwie Louie’s Scooter Haven!

As far as my company, I am chief executive and founder of TeKnocentric a movie production, aviation software, and gaming company. Because we develop custom software for airports, we decided to continue that along with movie production, hence Nation’s Fire, in addition to gaming (online lifestyle game and casino slots). So, it is where the arts and sciences procreate. I

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have always felt that software development is also an art. You create, beginning with an idea and a sketch, much like a movie concept. You then pitch your idea to users, potential investors or clients, elaborate and/or eliminate elements in the software (or story), determine benefit vs risk, and then begin production and go live with test launch or post-production in movie terms.

So all that we do at TeKnocentric goes hand in hand technically. You can find out more on my website teknocentric.com kristagrotte.com & plan-tech.com So you aren’t just another pretty blonde in the movies; you have major brains and true leadership qualities. What can you say to people out there who think they can’t reach their goals or potential dreams? Where is the movie now?

Where and when can we see it?

What I will say to someone who feels they cannot reach their goals is yes, you are right. If you THINK you can’t reach your goals, then you never will. What we think about, we bring about. Change your thinking, change your perspective and start to understand that the true key to success is motivation and gratitude. Start being thankful for the small step you took toward reaching your dream today. Once you are truly grateful for that step, you will subconsciously be inclined to put more emphasis on the next step. Before you know it more steps will come, and they will get bigger with each thank you that you say. You will hit obstacles, that is life, keep going. Before you know it, you will be making giant leaps until you land your dream. It’s really pretty amazing how once we fight through the negative voices in our minds that we are conditioned to believe, how truly simple life really is. The only threatening obstacle we have is ourselves.

Positive or negative: every single thing you focus on grows.

Nation’s Fire is currently in post-production with a 2018 release. The trailer will be available December and on Born To Ride TV! Last words?

Love you all and thank you, thank you, thank you for your support!

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Have Fun with your friends at The Salty Shamrock, the Food & Service is Exceptional!

Triumph Street Triple R The Beauty is a Beast

If bikes were blades, Triumph’s Street Triple would be a scalpel. Small, precise, razor sharp and super quick at carving up curvy roads. Triumph defined and developed the “street fighter” category 20 years ago, with the introduction of the vaunted Speed Triple 1050. With its stripped-down, no fairings, bug-eyed headlights, upright riding position, and under seat exhaust canisters, the bike was a runaway hit for Triumph, filling the gap between the Bonneville line and their sport/sport touring models. When Triumph introduced the smaller Street Triple 675 in 2007, the little brother instantly rivaled the Speed in popularity and sales.

The Street’s DNA is derived from the widely acclaimed Daytona 675 Supersport race bike, that has won numerous American, British, and World GP races since its debut in 2006.

Through several model morphs over the

decade (low-slung exhaust, oval-shaped headlights, suspension revisions, etc.), in early 2017 Triumph announced a serious bump in displacement for the Street, from 675cc to 765cc. The Street continues to fly off showrooms across America, and indeed, across the globe. The Hinckley, England brain trust is clearly on to something with this bike, and they know it. Named among Cycle World’s “10 Best Bikes For 2017,” the Street Triple quite simply is the “Swiss Army knife” of modern motorcycles: the do-everything, every day, motorcycle for commuting and canyon-carving.

I had the pleasure of sampling a Street Triple R for a few days in October.

The Street Triple might be the smallest displacement instrument in the Triumph toolbox, but it’s one of their most hightech. The model manifests in three distinct

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iterations- the standard Street Triple S, the up-spec Street Triple R, and the charttopping Street Triple RS. With each model, the tech, tuning, suspension, brakes and ride modes become more advanced. The R that I tested had Showa front forks and Ohlins rear suspension, Brembo brakes, switchable ABS and traction control, as well as three ride modes- Rain, Road, and Sport. There are even settings in the digital display for customizing one’s own setup, called Rider mode. Did I also mention a quickshifter? All of which comes stock on the R, by the way.

That TFT display is very easy to view and navigate, by simply toggling through screens via buttons and switches on the handlebars. The technology, yet ease of use, reminded me of the display on the Motus. I liked it, very much.

After picking up the STR, I launched out BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 31

“Gear ratios tighten up, throttle response is much more aggressive, the Triple feels like it’s taunting you, daring you to open it up” for Madison, Georgia, to meet my father for a day of riding. At 78 years old, Pop moves a little slower on two legs, but on two wheels, he can still ride with the best of them. The route from my house to his and mom’s winds down through the rolling hills and pastures of Georgia’s lake and dairy country, some of the most beautiful riding in the southeast. Taking the time to get familiarized with the Street while en route, I found the riding position very comfortable.

I’m 5’8”, about 155 lbs. wet weight, and felt the rider triangle suited me well. Slightly leaning forward, but not sportbike-like, with my feet fairly below me, not rear set as on many “race-replicas” I’ve ridden. The older I get, the more I appreciate that. Being a new bike, I tried to keep my shifting between 4-5000rpm, following the breakin guidelines. The 6-speed gearbox is

butter smooth and effortless in shifting, and clutch pull can be two-fingered. I tested the Brembos and ABS a couple of times with hard stops and found braking to be spoton. Strong, precise stopping power, with no detectable “grip/release” of the ABS, and no loss of rear wheel grip.

After meeting Pop in historic downtown Madison, and after a few minutes of his slack-jawed admiration of the little Triumph, we cracked the highways and byways of north-central Georgia. My favorite ride mode was “Road,” with power spread nicely across each gear, yet enough grunt to get frisky with. Pop found us some fun, curvy county roads, and I took the pleasure of diving deep into some cornering with the Street. This bike excels at dicing through corners and curves. As light and nimble as a bicycle, the Street almost throws itself into

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and out of corners, it’s so flickable.

The displacement jump is very noticeable to me, having ridden the previous generation 675cc before; 90 more cc over the original Street translates to 116 ponies to the pavement and about 56 ft-lbs of torque.

While cruising about 75 mph on some longer stretches through rolling pasturelands, I noted the Street R hummed along at approx.

5500 rpm; it seemed to enjoy the ride as much as the rider. It’s a high-revving engine, and the more roll-on exerted, the more the hungry Triple screams in delight.

And then, there’s Sport mode.

On the way home from the day of riding with Pop, on a long, vacant stretch north of Madison, I switched into Sport, to sample the differences. I must say, the beauty becomes a beast! Gear ratios tighten up, throttle response is much more aggressive, BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 33

and the Triple feels like it’s taunting you, daring you to open it up. I did and found myself running XXX almost immediately, rocketing up and down the hills and leaning deep through corners of the wide-open Georgia countryside. (Disclaimer: I don’t regularly ride like this, nor do I endorse it.) Sport mode completely changes the character of the Street Triple. Driving hard through each gear, the Street in Sport mode begs to wheelie in each. Having ridden several track days over the years, I can confidently declare that I would LOVE a day at Road Atlanta on this bike.

Sunday saw rain showers, but as the storms moved out, I took off on the Street BTR 34 | BORNTORIDE.COM

to try the Rain mode. Again, entirely different character traits surface. The ABS and traction control smooth and meter out braking and handling, throttle response is more measured, and overall, the “beast” mellows dramatically. This mode breeds considerable confidence in wet conditions.

After four days with the Street Triple, I came away very impressed. Honestly, I’m a bit of a traditionalist when it comes to Triumph. I absolutely love the Bonneville line, every new model in it. I’ve always felt the Speed and Street Triples were too refined and precision tuned for my tastes.

Yet after spending several days with a brand-new Street, I’ve changed my mind.

Bonnevilles are still my favs, but the Street won me over. It is a fantastic motorcycle, worthy of the accolades and awards it has been winning across the moto-journalism world. Triumph has “hit a grand slam” with the Street Triple, and I predict bikes will continue to fly off showroom floors. If you can test ride one, jump on it. You’ll be impressed, as I was. Truimph BRITISH ICONS. GLOBAL LEGENDS. Check out the Street Triple models, as well as the complete Triumph lineup, at Fun Bike Center or Tampa Triumph, and tell them Rob from Born To Ride magazine sent you.

Rob Brooks

Get your Triumph at Tampa Triumph or Fun Bike Center in Lakeland ask for BTR Discount

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If you have an interesting story, product, destination ride location or event let us know. 888-795-5779

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The debate often arises in motorsports over the definition of a legend, and what constitutes legendary status. Is it the number of wins across a career? National and/or world championships?

Is it philanthropic work, contributions to the sport and industry?

Overcoming tragedy or adversity? Perhaps it’s personal honor, integrity, influence? By any definition–Wayne Rainey is a legend.

In the span of a decade, Rainey amassed a resume of wins and titles that would cement his status as an icon of motorcycle road racing. He won the AMA National Championship in 1983 and 1987 and claimed the coveted Daytona 200 title in ‘87 as well. Rainey moved onto the world stage, capturing the renowned Suzuka 8 hours endurance race with teammate Kevin Magee in 1988. Rainey then dominated the GP World Championship for three years, sweeping the 500cc premier class from 1990-92.

A career-ending and life-altering injury changed everything in 1993, resulting in permanent paralysis from the chest down.

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But Wayne Rainey didn’t stay down.

He reinvented himself for the rest of his journey, managing AMA and GP teams, participating in SuperKart racing, and ultimately birthing the dream that would become MotoAmerica.

I had the opportunity to sit down with Wayne for a few minutes, at the final round of the 2017 MotoAmerica season at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama. What ensued became a candid, insightful conversation, revealing something of the heart and soul of the man.

RB- At what age were you first introduced to motorcycles? How did you ever catch the riding/racing bug?

WR- My father got into soapbox derby, go-cart racing, and then motorcycles. He had a 90cc Yamaha in the mid-60s and was a tinkerer as well as a rider. I was about six years old when I first started riding, on a little Honda Cub. The

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Cub was kind of tall for a six-year-old, so my dad put a seat right where the fuel tank meets that under the bone. Handlebars above me, seat hitting my back, and I was sitting down in it! First time I ever rode it, we were in the garage, and he said, “Keep your foot on the shifter, give it a little gas, and let off the shifter.” I wheelied that thing right into his cabinets! Needless to say, I was a little intimidated, running out of the garage crying!

I came back though.

RB- Indeed you did. When did you first start competing?

WR- I started racing at the age of nine. In Southern California, we had 10 different race tracks and could race seven days a week. A definite hotbed of dirt track racing. We lived 10 miles from Ascot Park, and my dad built bikes to race the Ascot Half-Mile. I’d go with

him every Friday night as a young lad and learned all the riders by name, their numbers, everything about them. I ate, slept, and drank the racing. When I was old enough, I finally got to go do it myself.

RB- You really cut your teeth on the flat track.

WR- Yeah, I didn’t do my first road race until 1980, when I was 20 years old. Never even been on a track before then.

RB- What attracted you to road racing?

WR- I was dirt tracking and Kawasaki wanted to sell KX250 engines to dirt trackers. They had approached Eddie Lawson, asking “Who do you see that we could develop that motor with?” Eddie recommended me, so they reached out to me “We got this engine, we’d like to build a short track chassis out of it.

Will you run it? We’ll buy your tires, pay your gas. ...” and I quickly said, “You got a deal!”

So we went out and had some success with it, and they soon asked, “Have you ever considered road racing?” I had not, never really been interested in it aside from reading about it in the magazines, so they sent me to the Keith Code’s California Superbike School.

I went through the training, progressed pretty quick, and they asked if I wanted to try a race.

So I tried it. I ended up winning 15 of my 16 races! They later contacted me again, saying, “There’s an AMA National race in Loudon, New Hampshire. If you can be there in three days, we’ll have a bike waiting for you.” I was going to race in my first pro 250 novice class. A buddy and I drove cross-country to the race, still with my dirt track leathers and gear. It rained during the race, and I had never ridden the bike, never ridden on this track, never ridden in the rain, and we won the race by 20 seconds! Next day, Kawasaki showed up at the race track with a contract to race Superbikes for them the next two years.

RB- There’s been a lot made of your rivalry with Kevin Schwantz. How did that develop?

Did something happen, or was it just two fierce competitors battling it out across the years for dominance?

WR- Yeah, by that time I guess I was kind of an established guy. Schwantz came along, with a lot of natural talent, and I saw he was going to do whatever it took to beat me. He really raised my game, because I didn’t want him to beat me. We raced each other really hard, much harder than the other guys. I guess we didn’t like each other because we didn’t like how we were treating each other on the track! We were both determined to beat the other. I like to think I got the best of Kevin every single year, but the rivalry certainly made us both better.

RB- You ran for Kenny Robert’s teams a number of years, right?

WR- I ran for him ‘88-93, for six years. We had known each other, and I had started hanging out with him a bit, so he put a team together for me to race in Europe. I ran 250cc bikes my first year with him. Really didn’t think I was ready for it, but we did it, and I got to see the future. Kenny and I really clicked. A lot of my teammates came and went, but there’s no doubt the friendship, the relationship we had was special.

RB- 1984 was a tough year though.

WR- Oh, yeah, I hated it that year, thought Kenny was a prick! We had to push-start the

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bikes, and often by the time we got started, I was like 20 seconds behind the pace car! So not only was I having to catch and pass the pace car, they usually had no idea some weenie was behind them!

And I’d have to listen to him as I was push-starting the bike, yelling, “Push harder, you $!&?-head!” But he pushed me, for sure. Made me a better racer.

RB- It’s uncomfortable for me to bring up, but I watched footage of your fateful crash at Misano in ‘94. A major life change, in every way.

WR- Yes it was.

RB- How did you personally work through that, overcome it, and reinvent yourself?

WR- (pauses to reflect) That was 24 years ago, September 5. So it’s not really that long ago, and yet 24 years is a long time. I’d probably now do a few things differently, but here was this 33-year-old man, world champion, did everything on my own, then suddenly, I needed help going up a step, or grabbing a cup, or anything. The way you do everyday functions, how you get in and out of the car, or the bathroom and shower, the bed, everything changes. The first thing you see in the morning is that wheelchair, and the last thing you see at night is that wheelchair. So it’s become my legs… It was a very tough time.

It took a few years, a lot of mistakes, some deep pockets of grief, but you know, I have a strong faith in the Lord, and that pulled me through, that’s what worked for me.

RB- To me, what you’ve endured, where you are now, only adds to your mission.

WR- Every day we wake up, we have no idea what it holds, where it will take us. Nicky Hayden is a perfect example of that. I just try to live every day to the fullest.

RB- How was the dream for MotoAmerica born?

WR- My partners, Richard Varner and Terry Kargas, were building a motorcycle and through a mutual friend, asked if I would come help.

I was pretty far away from the sport then, but that relationship started me back in the industry, calling my old contacts about parts. This bike had the look of a 1980s road race bike, but in actuality, it was a 2010 Yamaha R1. Back in the sport, I was getting a lot of questions “What’s going on with American road racing?” I still had a relationship with Dorna (the international sanctioning body), so I started thinking, “There’s not many Americans; maybe I should start a young rider series.” Joe Campbell from Laguna Seca asked me, “Why don’t you just fix the AMA racing?” We worked a new deal with DMG, so that’s basically how it all started. It took time to evolve, and it was never something I thought we could achieve, but I figured, unless you go allin and try, you’ll never know. I had the right partners, for sure. Chuck Aksland from my Gran Prix days came onboard, joining Terry and Richard with me, and all these pieces came together at the right time.

So now we are trying to make a go at it, revive American road racing.

RB- Here at the end of your third season, how would you rate the progress?

WR- You know, from where we started, late in 2015, I think our skeptics are now fans! And some of the manufacturers, who thought we’d be gone after three races, see we are still here after three years.

We began with live-streaming on Fans Choice, and now we have live TV with BeIn Sports. We have a good schedule, and we have solid teams. … We think we’re pretty stable now, and with the jump to a full Superbike class in 2018, we’re going to now sell it to the fans.

RB- What do you see as the future of road racing in America?

WR- I hear racers say, “Oh, we’ll never get back to the level of the Europeans. They’re doing everything we did except they are starting at a younger age. They have more racers, better tracks, etc.” I say, give up that attitude! I tell you what, I’ve said, “Unless you believe you can go over and beat those guys, they’re going to wax you, because you’re going to their house.” We’re Americans. There’s a culture here they will never have. As Americans, we automatically think we need to be better. We’ll soon see the rider who believes in himself, has the natural speed, and the desire to go race in MotoGP, which means racing in Europe, at the highest level. We are trying to make MotoAmerica a competitive championship where, when a racer is ready to make that step, they’ll only have to learn the tracks and the bikes. They’ve already done the racing here.

RB- I’m excited about the future of American road racing, glad you are at the helm of it. I’m not just a writer, I’m a fan.

WR- Well, we appreciate you coming out and supporting us. I hope every time you can come out, you see something new, something exciting.

American Road Racing is back. Check out MotoAmerica on the web, social media, and on BeIn Sports.

Rob Brooks

“It’s a Great Honor to have the Legendary Wayne Rainey in the pages of Born To Ride.” Ron Galletti

BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 49

WILLIE NELSON READS BORN TO RIDE

This month Born To Ride reviews the Mini-Skirt Mob, another in a series of horrible old biker films for your entertainment. In some cases “the older the more horrible” comes to mind when dealing with these movies. This one was produced in 1968, and rates right (down) there with the best of the worst!

The plot bears more than a few similarities to Satan’s Sadists (which I have previously reviewed for BTR). In this case, it’s Shayne, the psychotic female leader of The “Mini Skirts” played by Diane McBain and her hair-do, stalking the innocent young couple along with her ‘gang’ members. It seems that “Jeff” the man she’s after used to be “her guy,” but he got wise, dumped his rodeo/biker buddies and married some hot brunette girl from the local bank. This in my opinion was a weird mix. The connection involving ‘biker’ girls and rodeo guys never seemed to materialize. It looked more like a ‘hippie’ flick than a poorly made biker film. Anyway, here’s my best shot at BTR 58 | BORNTORIDE.COM

explaining the plot. … Just as Jeff, was preparing apply the pork to his new bride “Connie” all his old pals and the “Mini-Skirts” arrive at his camper trailer to party.

This of course leads to a major fistfight, where Jeff and his new bride suffer the worst of the melee. Later Shayne the maniacal jilted blonde (and her hair-do) convinces the other ne’er-do-wells to hang around with her, and continue to torture Jeff and Connie. As they chase them up a mountain road Jeff swerves and runs “LG” off the road crashing his motorcycle into a deep chasm. They return to find him dead, and decide to leave, but some boy scouts see all the action. The cops come later, and haul LG off. (You don’t see too much of the cops in this one oddly. ...) Later on, the gang finds Jeff and Connie camped out, and a couple of the guys rough Connie up while Jeff is out walking around. More psycho-babble from Shayne leads the gang to keep the couple trapped in the trailer with a rifle. That only works for a while, as Jeff tries to rig something up with the propane bottle, and the stove in the camper. As usual in these films one of the members turns on the other.

In this case it’s Shayne’s sister, who wants to release Jeff and his bride and return to town. She knocks one of the rodeo rednecks out, and hatches a plan with Jeff and Connie. As she dons Connie’s clothes, the couple escapes while she fires at the gang from inside the trailer. The gang retaliates with Molotov cocktails, leading to one of the ubiquitous gags where a stunt man wears a fire suit and runs around the desert while flaming away. Anyhow, I’m not sure where the beer (or the empty bottles) originally came from, but the blast from the exploding propane kills Shayne’s sister. In the end two of the gang chase Jeff and Connie through the desert, and Shayne’s motorcycle slips on the edge of a ravine and crashes down several hundred feet. Shayne is holding on to the edge for dear life and begs Connie to save her. Connie grasps Shayne’s hand but well you know … she kinda lets go as Jeff approaches, and the couple watches as Shayne tumbles to her death.

As typical in these old reels, most of the actors were totally unconvincing. I found myself thinking- these aren’t real bikers or rodeo dudes! These are simply bourgeois B-movie Hollywood types earning a living at ruining their future careers. I think that during most of the viewings however. Biker exploitation? No. Waste of good Mylar? Probably. You watch it and decide for yourself.

I can only recommend this piece if you have a burning desire to see hot Sixties chicks in mini-skirts, go-go boots and huge hair. I did like the old Honda and Triumph motorcycles, and of course since there was Budweiser, (still not sure where it came from) it got one star. It runs 82 minutes, is available on DVD from MGM’s ‘Midnight Movies’ series, and I can only (in my right mind) give it 2 stars because there was a glaring lack of nudity. (The second star appears because I LOVE cat-fights!) So grab a Bud and some popcorn, and we’ll see ya next month!

The Phantom Movie Review

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Spyke & Mike HO HO HO!

Ho Ho Ho here we go, my BTR friends.

It’s time to enjoy the holiday season with the ones you love and fight the crowds for everything you can’t afford. If you’re like Mike and me living through all that commotion, there will be good and bad times.

Let’s hope the latter doesn’t ruin the first.

Just do like we do and remember that there are people worse off than yourself and your still around to talk about it, just hopefully not to a judge or government official. The past twelve months won’t go down in history as one of our better years, but at least we’re still kickin’ it!

Mike blurts out, “Yeah Spyke, and speaking of kickin’ things around I’ve come up with some Christmas carols for the psychiatrically challenged.” I cackle, did you sit in a room full of mirrors with a bottle of Jack and just stare and write about yourself all day?

He says sheepishly, “Well, I wasn’t in there all day, but these are what I came up with: PARANOIA- Santa Claus is coming to get me.

DEMENTIA- I think I’ll be home for Christmas.

PASSIVE/AGGRESSIVE- Silent night. Holy NARCISSISTIC- Hark the Herald Angels sing about me.

SCHIZOPHRENIA- Do you hear what I hear?

MULTIPLE PERSONALITY- We three kings are disoriented.

BORDERLINE PERSONALITY- thoughts of roasting in an open fire.

DEPRESSION- Silent sadness, Holy misery. All is calm, all is pretty lonely.

MANIA- Deck the Halls and walls and house and lawn and street and office and town and cars and spare no expense.

PERSONALITY DISORDER- You better watch out, I’m gonna cry, I’m gonna pout, then MAYBE I’ll tell you why.

OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER- Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock. Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock. Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock. Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Rock.”

I squawk, well Mike, did all the mirrors tell you that or just one? Oh, forget it. I won’t have enough room here to tell my fans about the Christmas parodies I wrote. Since losing our original scoot in April, I’ve ridden with a lot of friends. Those adventures have started special bonds. Now that the giving/ sharing season is here, quite a few of them want to create next year’s Christmas cards with me. Then there’s you, BTR’s agenda, and my own downtime that I must appease.

So, I wrote this jingle to the tune of ‘I’ll be home for Christmas’.

I’ll be cloned for Christmas, There’ll be four of me.

One to work, one to ride, One to sleep, one for biker families.

Christmas Eve, I’m certain, I won’t be all alone.

I’ll be home for Christmas, Or I’ll send my feathered clone!

Now don’t get me wrong, I like riding on the new Fat Bird 2, but it’s been hard, much different, and has inspired my next jingle.

Read along to the tune of another parody, ‘All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth.’

All I want for Christmas is my bird bike

done.

My bird bike done.

See me on the Fat Bird 2.

Gee if I could only have my bird bike done.

Then I could have a merry Christmas.

It seems so long since I could say, “I enjoyed riding on the Fat Bird today.”

Gosh oh gee, how happy I’d be, If I could only ride on my scoot with glee.

All I want for Christmas is my bird bike done.

My bird bike done.

See me on the Fat Bird 2.

Gee, if I could only have my bird bike done.

Then I could have a Merry Christmas!

Mike babbles, “I hear ya Spyke. I’m just as anxious as you on its completion. Sure it’s tough having to use your talons more than ever but it beats staying home, looking in a mirror, and saying, I’m a pretty bird.

In my downtime, I came across a story from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game.

They say that both male and female reindeer grow antlers in the summer each year. The male reindeer drop their antlers usually around November to mid-December. The female reindeer retain theirs until after they give birth in the spring.

Therefore, according to every historical rendition depicting Santa’s reindeer, all of them from Rudolph to Blitzen, had to be a girl.

Well, that leads me to believe one thing: Only women, while pregnant, would be able to drag a fat man in a red velvet suit all around the world in one night and not get lost!”

I roll my eyes and screech, Mike your several nuts more than a fruitcake and not the brightest bulb on the tree! Pull the scoot out of the garage, fire it up, and get your mask on. I need to take my talons off this keyboard and dig them into your t-shirt. We’ve got a toy run to do. Please get my wings in the wind, your knees in the breeze, and the Fat Bird 2’s wheels rolling down the road, your chimney is clogged!

SPYKE

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Fuel Tank Rusty? Craig Can Fix It!

If there are any common issues faced when restoring old motorcycles, dirty carbs and rusty tanks would have to rank near the top.

I’ve tinkered a bit over the years in old bike renewal, and have encountered both with regularity. Carbs are fairly simple, but tanks are a bit more difficult, at least to me. I’ve used a variety of over-the-counter kits and local radiator shops, so when I came across Craig Skiver’s ad in our magazine, I thought I’d give him a shot.

I recently acquired a 1986 Yamaha Radian 600, which sat in the back of a machine shop for probably a decade. The tires were dry-rotted, the carbs were indeed clogged and filthy, and the tank was nearly the worst case I’d encountered, with rust and corrosion literally coating the interior. The “Before” photos can’t capture the extent. I reached out to Craig, and shipped him my tank.

He emailed me when it arrived at his shop, and promised he’d have it completed within three days. The clock started ticking. …

Sure enough, on the third business day, Craig called to inform me the tank was on BTR 64 | BORNTORIDE.COM

wait and see.’ I’m happy with the way it turned out, and I think you will be as well.”

Two days later, the tank was on my front porch. I opened the box, examined the inner tank, and was astounded at the handiwork. The inside looked like new. The “After” photos don’t fully capture the fine job. Craig completely removed any trace of rust and corrosion, and whatever pitting or scarring was left had been fully sealed by his exclusive epoxy tank liner process. I sent some photos to my father, an old retired airline mechanic, who declared, “that looks like a similar grade liner we would use to reseal aircraft tanks with.

That’ll never leak again.”

Craig was right- “Any tank, any condition,” a three-day turnaround, and satisfaction guaranteed.

I, for one, am quite impressed and satisfied, and I wholeheartedly endorse Craig’s craft.

Contact Craig Skiver for your tank resealing needs, and the guy is a fantastic custom bike painter, as well.

Tell them Rob from Born To Ride Sent You.

the way back to me, completed. He commented, “That tank was pretty bad, for sure!

I even had several customers tell me ‘the owner of that just needs to buy another tank!’ To which I replied, ‘I’ll fix this, you

I save vintage tanks that leak, rusty tanks that nobody would ever think of using again. I turn them around quickly within three days. Many of the leading motorcycle dealers use me on a regular basis, when you’re tired of cleaning carburetors call Craig.

100% Guaranteed • CraigPaintsBikes.com • 813-407-2226

www.B Events Saturday, December 2 Gibsonton, FL Rivers Edge Bar & Grill Lighted Boat Parade. 813-6719196 Homosassa, FL Crystal H-D Winter Fest Pet Adoption 11am - 4pm crystalHarley.com New Port Richey, FL Santa Pictures 11am-3pm New Port Richey H-D. Enjoy holiday music, Christmas sweets and hot cocoa. 727-8424547 Ocala, FL Marion Motor Fest 11am4pm War Horse H-D. Food, drinks, raffles, door prizes, trophies and more. warHorseHarley.com Port Charlotte, FL Bert’s Black Widow H-D Harley Hearts Toy Run. 941-883-8000 St. Pete, FL Bert’s Barracuda H-D Harley Hearts Toy Run.727-5279672 Tampa, FL Cigar Heritage Festival Kickoff Party 3pm Davidoff Lounge. yborCityCigarFestival.com Venice, FL Motorcycle Swap Meet and Toy drop off 12pm6pm.941-800-4268 Sunday, December 3 Ocala, FL HOG Chapter Annual Toy Run 9am-4pm War Horse H-D. This year’s theme is “Find Santa.” Donations of $5 and a new unwrapped toy are all that a biker needs to participate in the ride and the fun. warHorseHarley.com Tampa, FL Cigar Heritage Festival 11am-5pm Centennial Park Ybor City. Hand-rolled premium cigars, beer & wine truck, cigar rolling demonstrations, gourmet food truck, live music and more. yborCityCigarFestival.com Tampa, FL Cookson Hills Toy Run all day at Veteran’s Memorial Park.

Let the magic of the true “spirit” of Christmas surround you and your 66 | BORNTORIDE.COM BTR 76

There Thereare aresome somegreat greatevents eventscoming comingup, up,sosoget getout outthere thereand andmeet meetup upwith withold oldfriends! friends!

BornToRide.com/events s, Rides & Destinations family’s Christmas Season by attending this “one of a kind” special event. Touch a Soul, Make a Difference and Pay It Forward. 813-643-5758 Monday, December 4 Tampa, FL (12/4-12/11) High Seas Rally Cruise Port of Tampa. “The Rally That’s Almost Too Much Fun.” highSeasRally. com Thursday, December 7 Hollywood, FL (12/7-12/10) 19th Annual Bikers Bash Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. The Fort Lauderdale H-D Bikers Bash benefiting kids of the Boys and Girls Clubs is a weekend-long party. bikersBash. com Saturday, December 9 Brandon, FL Santa Pictures 11am-3pm Brandon H-D. Enjoy holiday music, Christmas sweets and hot cocoa. 813-740-9898 Cape Coral, FL Adopt-a-Family 11am Jaycee Park. Police escort ride, party, and more. 239-3397294 Gibsonton, FL US Military Vets M/C Tampa Chapter Annual Party 1pm-4pm Riverview Moose Lodge 2158. Great music and Karaoke. Food provided for a $10 cover charge and drinks available for purchase.

Port Charlotte, FL (12/9-12/10) Pet Photos with Santa Bert’s Black Widow H-D. 941-8838000 St. Pete, FL (12/912/10) Bert’s Barracuda H-D 1-Year Anniversary Weekend.727-527-9672 Sunday, December 10 Cape Coral, FL City of Cape Coral Parks and Recreation Department Bike Night 5pm10pm. Live bands, great food, & fun! cCBikeNight.com

Kissimmee, FL Toy Bike Run at Old Town. Police escorted ride, donate a new unwrapped toy.

407-396-4888

Annual Toy Run 10am Citrus Center (Bealls parking lot).

Benefiting Citrus County Foster Parents Association. crystalHarley. com

Palmetto, FL Peggy’s Corral Christmas Bash 12pm. Come out Lakeland, FL Wreaths for Beanie Guy “Vic Lima” Roast. Across America 6am 941-729-5442 Saddle Creek Corporation.

Ride to Florida National St. Petersburg, FL Vietnam Cemetery to place a wreath.

Vets/Legacy Vets MC Toy Run wreathsAcrossAmericaBushnell.

9am Derby Lane Dog Track. com Ride ends at American Legion Post 138. Cost $15 rider, $20 Ocala, FL HOG Chapter Ride couple, a new unwrapped gift to Crystal River Toy Run & will be appreciated. 813-285Christmas Party 9am-4pm War 8895 Horse H-D. Thursday, December 14 warHorseHarley.com Kissimmee, FL Old Town Bike Night 5pm-11pm (every Thu).

Panama City Beach, FL Santa Live music, and more.

Pictures 11am-3pm Panama City 407-396-4888 Beach H-D. Enjoy holiday music, Christmas sweets and hot cocoa.

Lakeland, FL Lakeland H-D 850-334-0055 Ladies Night. 863-802-1971 Port Charlotte, FL Christmas Port Charlotte, FL Ladies Night Vacation with Santa Bert’s Black Out Bert’s Black Widow H-D. Widow H-D. 941-883-8000 941-883-8000 St. Pete, FL Photos with Santa St. Pete, FL Ladies Night Out Bert’s Barracuda H-D. 727-527Bert’s Barracuda H-D. 727-527- 9672 9672 Sarasota, FL Christmas Party Friday, December 15 Open House 9am-4pm Rossiter’s St. Pete, FL Christmas Drive-in H-D. Live music (Andy Pursell Movie Night Bert’s Barracuda Band), Full bar, free food, H-D. 727-527-9672 discounts on licensed products, free gift wrapping. 941-951-6103 Saturday, December 16 Bradenton, FL Christmas Tallahassee, FL Santa Pictures Party Open House 9am - 4pm 11am-3pm Tallahassee H-D. Enjoy Manatee River H-D. Live music holiday music, Christmas sweets (Ellie Lee Band), Full bar, free and hot cocoa. 850-205-4294 food, discounts on licensed products, free gift wrapping.

Tampa, FL Santa Pictures 11am941-745-2429 3pm Tampa H-D. Enjoy holiday music, Christmas sweets and hot Brooksville, FL Wreaths cocoa.

Across America 8am Walmart Distribution Center.

Sunday, December 17 Ride to Florida National Clearwater, FL Suncoast Cemetery to place a wreath.

Brotherhood 37th Annual Toy Run wreathsAcrossAmericaBushnell. 9am K-Mart parking lot. Join our com parade along Main Street through Downtown Dunedin to celebrate Inverness, FL Crystal H-D

To Send submitinand yourview events even to more info@BornToRide.com, events visit BornToRide.com help us helpEvents you.

our gift giving. 727-439-1722 Homosassa, FL Crystal H-D Pictures with Santa 11am-4pm crystalHarley.com Ocala, FL War Horse H-D Furrever Friends Pet Day 11am-4pm. warHorseHarley.com St. Pete, FL Men’s Night Out Bert’s Barracuda H-D. 727-5279672 Thursday, December 21 Lakeland, FL Lakeland H-D Men’s Night. 863-802-1971 Port Charlotte, FL Men’s Night Out Bert’s Black Widow H-D. 941-883-8000 St. Pete, FL Men’s Night Out Bert’s Barracuda H-D. 727-5279672 Saturday, December 23 Ocala, FL War Horse H-D HOG Chapter Christmas Light Ride 6pm. WarHorseHarley.com Monday, December 25 Merry Christmas Thursday, December 28 Apollo Beach, FL Salty Shamrock Bike Night (last Thu) 6pm10pm. Live music, food specials, vendors, bike show & more. 813938-5282 Sunday, December 31 Gibsonton, FL Rivers Edge Bar & Grill New Year’s Eve Party. 813671-9196 Palmetto, FL Peggy’s Corral New Year’s Eve (Day & Night) Party 12pm-12am. Vendors, bikes, babes, food, drinks and more.

941-729-5442 Monday, January 1, 2018 Happy New Year Gibsonton, FL Rivers Edge Bar & Grill New Year’s Day Party. 813671-9196 BORNTORIDE.COM || BTR BTR 67 77 BORNTORIDE.COM

Christmas Craven Moorehead andMerry other great things or malls which have more traffic than a hurricane evacuation.

Yeah, your wallet is dreading it also, but it must be done.

There’s no way out of it. They used to say that “death and taxes are the only things you can’t avoid,” but someone forgot to add last minute Christmas shopping to that short list of unavoidable unpleasant events. Again, don’t try to tell me that you got it all done online! You’re human – we all have the same traits embedded in our souls and spirits. You forgot something. …

And so begins another holiday season. It all starts around Thanksgiving and continues through New Year’s Day. As it progresses, things get more and more expensive. Not an issue to us that have limited or no money to blow on things just for the glory of doing it. It’s really all good though because no matter what you have or don’t have, at least we are all still here to enjoy the celebrations. Life is a beautiful thing and we should find ways to fully enjoy it. Here’s an example: Find the goodness in the fact that you survived Thanksgiving and didn’t end up with serious injuries from the family throw-down that according to statistics inevitably happens in a reported 60% of homes that host a large meal on this particular day. In the days following, revel in the fact that you survived Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. You may be still standing but your wallet is taking a severe beating. Although it can’t cry out in pain, it is suffering in one way or the other. …

Ding-ding-ding. … Round Two! Let’s get ready to rumble!

What’s that sound? Yeah, It’s Santa revving up his sleigh and we all know what that means! In the midst of hanging up lights, putting up a tree, and waiting for the delivery truck to bring the stuff you ordered, you have a little time to think.

“Did I remember to get a gift for Uncle Bob, Cousin Joe, or a whole host of other people that you couldn’t think of while banging away at the computer or your smartphone or whatever means it is that you use to avoid the trauma of person to place shopping?” I can answer that for you! Yeah, you forgot stuff and are now dreading the trip to the shopping centers

I remember a few years back I wrote about my fateful trip to one of those shopping mega-centers for this very magazine. I was simply going to plagiarize my own work and copy it into this story to save having to produce new content.

I didn’t do that, but the thought was in my mind ever since my computer had issues. Yeah, I still use an old-fashioned computer with a real keyboard and such and sometimes the antique technology lets us down in our most desperate hour. A short synopsis of that story involves using your motorcycle to navigate around the inevitable traffic jams and if you are only getting small items, it’s a perfect idea. The bike is probably not recommended for the purchase of that 55-inch Plasma TV that you wanted for yourself, so reserve that item for the afterChristmas sales drive and bring a 4-wheeled vehicle. If you want to read all my old stories about life in the trailer parks, Christmas and other holidays, you can always see the back issues at borntoride.com Just around the corner - a NEW YEAR! So, if we can all survive that Christmas money vacuum and more family get-togethers then we have another great holiday to look forward to. This my dedicated readers would be new years. I have little advice other than ‘stay in the house to celebrate if you are planning to consume alcohol’ even though the gala and fireworks displays are hard to resist. Wait a minute. … When did we start with the fireworks on New Year’s Eve anyway? I thought that stuff was for the fourth of July. I’ve NEVER been wrong before however. Okay, I probably have but that’s not the issue. A new year always brings new hope, possibilities and maybe even a fantastic future. I hope that all of you enjoyed the holidays and let’s keep the rubber side down.

Until next month, ‘speed safely’!

Let us know what you think of Craven Moorehead, info@borntoride.com

CRAVEN

BORNTORIDE.COM | BTR 69

Christian Motorcyclists Association be able to reach the work. While it may give you a feeling of accomplishment to be able to do some of the work, it sometimes gets frustrating and difficult; hard to get the job done.

Sometimes life can throw hard situations at you, and the solution seems difficult at best. It may be that you disagree with a friend or fellow rider, especially when planning a route. You know that old saying, “Everybody has an opinion!” The difficult part is that there are many ways to get somewhere, and the “right” way may be one of several good ways, but it is hard to agree! Perhaps you are having frustrations on the job, financial, or relationship issues, all of which are aggravating and hard.

The Bible asks us, in Genesis 18:14, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” We may get discouraged, and even wonder if there is a good solution to the difficulties you come across in life. God already knows the plans He has for you, and He already knows the best solution to that which troubles you.

I have found that the real difficulty is that while God already knows the way out of the hard times you may be facing, too often, we forget to listen. We get so busy telling others about our challenges that we forget to be still and hear God’s voice. See, Jesus faced every challenge and emotion that you or I will ever face, and He had victory over them all! When you call on Him for hope and help and listen carefully, He will have a word of encouragement for you because nothing is too hard for the Lord!

In The Wind, Denny Dingler Check out BornToRide.com for more articles from Christian Motorcyclists Association

God Already Knows the Way Anyone who has tried to work on their own bike has likely had a real learning experience. In theory, it should be possible to order the right part and slip it or bolt it into place. Unfortunately, appearances are deceiving, what should be easy so often is not.

Perhaps you bought some cool sounding slip-ons, only to find out that there is a lot more effort required than loosening a few bolts. Often there are clamps to be dealt with, low clearance for hands and wrenches, and occasional scraped knuckles!

Perhaps you got a modulating or LED headlight and found out how much wiring is hidden behind the headlight, and how difficult it can be to get the mess tucked into the headlight cover. I went to install a light bar underneath the tour pack, along with some LED brake-turn signals and had to install a load equalizer to keep the electrics safe. Sounds easy right? It had to be connected under the seat in the battery compartment that barely has enough room for the battery itself!

Even putting on factory stock parts can be hard, it is sometimes difficult to get the holes lined up and the threading started, and sometimes you have to get into an awkward position in order to BTR 70 | BORNTORIDE.COM