Cycle Connections

   Daniel and I decided to get out of town, last minute and head for the Ozarks in Arkansas without any planning.

Recently, our friend, Vicky Vail and friends, struck out on the road headed west for the 82nd Motor Maid Convention in South Dakota, we asked her to share that adventure with us as we think its fascinating that these ladies are such motorcycle enthusiasts and aren't afraid to hit the road no matter how far it takes them. They are a pretty good size group that stretch across the country and have been riding for many years.

Our group, The North & Central Alabama Riding Group, met on Hwy 278 about 9:00 a.m. at the Chevron off of I-65. I counted 9 bikes and 2 trikes this time. We had a pretty good turn out. Mike and Tina Brown, John Eubanks, Jeff Cozzi, Daniel Gillis, Howard Buck, Jimmy Barnes, Debi Combs, Randy McClure, Bobbie Eldridge, John Kelly, Crystal Hastings and yours truly, CindyLou were all in. Tim Graveman couldn’t ride with us, but he didn’t want to miss out on some biker fellowship, so he met us at the service station to see us off. After fueling…

  After what seemed like months of planning, discussing routes and getting our bikes ready, the day finally arrived! It was our first vacation together as a group, doing what we all absolutely love to do, riding and enjoying some “biker fellowship”.

                Did you know that there are 800 keys that make up the Florida Keys? Some of them are accessible by driving, but most are only accessible by boat. I learned this recently while researching ideas for things to see and do for our long overdue trip to Key West. The word “key” comes from the Spanish word “cayo” which translates to “small island”.

  Well this year they at least were able to have fans back out to watch the Indy racing action, and people were able to get closer to the drivers and the action.

  Spring is in full swing and the bikers are rolling in to Panama City Beach Florida in anticipation of the Thunder Beach Rally...Bikes, Beach, Beer, Babes, what's not to like!

The ride started at Pensacola HD, Ist stop was at Gulf Coast Brewery in Pensacola. They have ping pong tables and cornhole set up for the customers all the time. 2nd stop Eagles Talon in Pensacola They have more patches to sew on your vest or jacket than I ever seen in one place. They sew anything you want on your leathers, denims, etc. They also sell all kinds of biker attire. 3rd stop Foley Pub in Pace Just a small roadside bar with picnic tables under the trees outside and real good food from a food truck out front…

  Daytona Bike Week brought in a record number of bikers to celebrate getting out and riding, enjoying the sunshine, mixed in with a couple of raindrops; not enough to dampen anyone's spirits though. 

    St. Patrick's Day is always a call for celebration and good food at the Veterans Brotherhood, so why not combine it with a Chow Call.

Also, Zoo Run Safari for Children's: September the 17th @ The Barber Motorsports Park Help escort kids with cancer to the Zoo-Ride the world famous track, lunch included. Zoo Run Safri for Children's Raffle/Booze Raffle: @The Veterans Brotherhood

  It's February, which can only mean, it's time to get events kicked off around here. And what better way to get started than a chance to get your shinny hot rides out and show off your hard work. The 51st Annual World of Wheels show in Birmingham is the perfect place to showcase your rides and for a weekend of fun for a family outing.

The O'Reilly World of Wheels Custom Auto show is an event that folks in Tennessee and Alabama have looked forward to for many years, it kicks off the year for most. The people of Tennessee have welcomed this event for 54 years now, and during that long run, there have been many beautiful rides to see and many characters from around the south to meet, but one that comes to mind first that has been a permanent fixture of the show, according to organizer, Sonny McLean:

                     Photo’s & Article By: Christin Elders 18YRS COUNTING AND GROWING!!! Another beautiful year with some beautiful people... The precious Children, amazing bikers, beautiful car show, and so much more. Let's not forgot the wonderful food they serve each year; the Gintown Lowlife Society Family 11th year. And it only gets bigger and bigger. Such a heartwarming feeling. Not just the first time we go but every time. This is what we do and are about! Period.

  The Stars were shinning bright here in Alabama the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the Zoo Run Safari for Children's Stars that is, prompting Santa (Stephen Whitley) to make a special early appearance just to have breakfast with them. He brought the "Magic Man", Larry Moore with him to entertain the kids and make balloon creations for them.

  Once again due to Covid, the rally was on then off then back on again. But in the end the powers that be in Panama City Beach, Florida decided to go ahead with the Fall Rally much to the excitement of the rally goers who’ve been waiting to get out and ride and get back to some kind of normalcy.

  On Saturday, October the 16th, the Veterans Brotherhood was once again, the host of the Zoo Run Raffle/Booze Raffle benefiting Children's of Alabama, it was also the birthday of Brotherhood member, Ross Jones, who's girlfriend, Nikki cooked Chili to feed everyone. Alabama was plying on the big screen, which meant that the house was a buzz with excitement and activities.

                         Photos By: Christina “Shooter" Edwards This past Labor Day weekend, I was invited by my sister, Andrea “ Squeaky” Forte to ride in the 9 th annual Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association’s Fallen Brothers Ride. This was my first ride and not having participated before I had nothing to compare it to but now I know there’s nothing to compare it to. Throughout the year she and I had discussed all the pre-event planning. The planning can easily take 6 months or more for a gathering of this nature. There are a lot of nuts and bolts to put together…

  Last year, there was no Vintage Festival due to Covid, this year the Festival is on and in the days leading up to it, wouldn't you know, it's raining up a storm around here, so it would be just a little damp around the edges as people came in to set up in the Swap Meet area. But by Friday, the sun was shinning bright in the sky sending down a rainbow as if to put its stamp of approval on the weekend.