Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/751464
29 www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS nDecember 2016n long lines of traffi c up US-1 or upon entering the parking lot at the com- plex. The lot by the dealership and the entertainment venue was full of vendors selling everything to make your bike faster, louder or shinier. The strip of small stores across from the dealership was offering different purchases—ways to make you look or feel better—possibly a new tattoo or a new shirt or boots. I took a seat at Saints & Sinners and kicked back for a bit to listen to the band. Saturday morning, I was up early and ready to hit the road for the last full day of the rally. While having my coffee I caught the weather forecast and it was again a promise of a beauti- ful day with just some spotty showers. I decided to take a back road instead of I-4 and I had only gone a few miles on SR-415 when I hit about fi ve miles of torrential rain. There are only a few big trees along that road to take shelter and they were already taken by other riders so I just took a big deep breath and rode on. Once in the Daytona area, I wanted to take a few side streets and check out any damage from the hurricane since I'd only seen a few bushes and trash along the roads. I grew up in central Florida so I know the area well and I decided to ride into some of the neighborhoods and take a closer look. I was upset by what I witnessed. Many streets were blocked off completely with huge piles of trash and tree cuttings along the side of the road. In several areas power lines were hanging from the poles and there were other signs of streets that had fl ooded up into yards. There's a road called The Loop that winds through Tomoka State Park and offers a beautiful meandering path through a canopy of old oaks and cypress trees. Following one side of a fork in the road leads down to US-40 in Ormond Beach and the other one leads out onto A1A and along the coast. Unfortunately, it wasn't a very refreshing ride this time. There were numerous trees down and some of the areas along the road where you can stop to rest or take pictures were just large standing pools of water. Several of the trees that provide such a shady canopy were broken and split by the mighty power from the heavens above. Out on A1A heading north to Flagler Beach the road was completely blocked at one point since part of it was missing and there was a steep drop-off where it had once been. I took a quick detour along Beach Street just to check things out. The east side of the street along the Intracoastal was lined with vendors as usual but the area behind the Indian dealership was rather sparse. However, that seemed to have worked out well as it opened up more room for the popu- lar Rat's Hole Bike Show. This dis- play of colorful machines is different from Willie's where there are more old-school bikes and those that love them. At the Rat's Hole, you're apt to see the extremes in design—the V-8 trikes and the custom baggers with rear fenders that drop to an inch off the ground. All are beautiful to me in their own way, like a pas- ture of beautiful horses. Curiosity appeased and a bit sad from what I'd seen on The Loop, I needed some fun so I headed south back to Main Street to catch one of the bands I wanted to see—the Bearded Brothers at the Main Street Station. I'd seen them the fi rst at a bike build-off event in Clearwater and enjoyed them very much. Since that time, they've shown up at more events and been very well received. Four talented young guys, all with beards (of course) and barefoot! One young man plays a fi ddle very well and I have fond memories as a child when my father played one as well. I parked at one of the church lots and headed for the street with my fi rst stop at Froggy's, another favorite for most of us on our Main Street crawl. There was no band playing at that time but the gals were on the stands danc- ing and enticing the guys to spend their money, whether it was putting it in a bra or another more personal area. I checked my watch and had just enough time to dodge the people on my way to Main Street Station and I arrived in time as the Bearded Brothers were taking the stage. Unfortunately, See "Biketoberfest," page 38, column1 Daytona Tie, one of Biketoberfest's most well-known beer tub girls, here at Main Street Station Light attendance at the Iron Horse gave those present a front-row seat ke Show. This dis- machines is different ere there are more and those that Rat's Hole, the extremes 8 trikes and rs with rear to an inch off re beautiful to way, like a pas- horses. eased and a I'd seen on d some fu fun n so ck to Mai a n e of the bands the Bearded ain Street hem the fi fi rst f event in in njoyed them that time, at more very well ented with beards See "Biketoberfest," page 38, column1 Hoppy to please, this gal's smile was as big as her… uhhh… ears Three amigos celebrate the fall riding season with three different cervezas