Dixie Biker Illustrated at Leesburg Bike Fest 2002

Words by Monk, Hark, Weebeasty and Inkslinger. Photos by Monk unless otherwise noted.

Leesburg Bike Fest 2002

The Leesburg Bike Fest, in it's sixth year, once again started the Spring Rally Season for Dixie Biker Illustrated. We love kickin' off summer ridin' at this event. Why? Simple really: so many of y'all attend and stop by and give us the ol' DBI Hello; the end of April normally has excellent weather; unlike Daytona Beach, the merchants and City welcome us to downtown and, for the most part, don't try to rip us off (two bucks for sixteen ounce drafts. Ya can't beat that, y'all); plus the law enforcement personnel do an excellent job juggling public safety and allowing us to exercise a little freedom to do what we do. And, best of all, it's always been a good time. This year was no exception.

The weekend got off to a poundin' start Friday night with Canadian rocker Pat Savage pumpin' out his great blend of rockin' Biker Blues to several thousand from the Gator Harley-Davidson Main Stage. The Miss Leesburg Bike Fest Contest followed the Pat Savage Band. I didn't get any pictures - me 'n Boots were too busy visitin' and bullshittin' with y'all! That's another reason we like this event: gettin'

Willie - owner of Tropical Tattoo in Ormond Beach, and Jimmy cruisin' down Main Street on Saturday afternoon.

Leesburg Bike Fest 2002

to meet so many of our readers. Shoot - $2 Bud and Bud Lite - that makes it easy to keep people hangin' out an' shootin' the breeze.

On Saturday, thousands and thousands rolled through Leesburg. We had our DBI tent set up by 8:30 am and the bikes thundered in before the official 10 am start of activities. Holy mackerel, did they roll in. Didn't stop all day, that's for sure. There was some cool stuff happenin' all day, too: the amazin' bikes at the Rat's Hole Show; Trial Rider Adam Holbrook doin' some amazin' things on a motorcycle; free Bike Games staged by Lake County

The downtown streets are Bikes Only.

HOG; and the Molly Hatchet concert that night. A thunderstorm blew through around 7pm to cool things off. It certainly didn't dampen anyone's spirits. Leesburg just kept on rockin'.

Sunday was more of the same - good times with great weather. Shoot, y'all know what we did cuz y'all were there doin' it too. All I know is we can't wait til next year.

The Pat Savage Band

Hark's Article

Our local moto-journalist writes about the event in his home County.

Joe Shipes. Photo by Hark

As a member of Lake County HOG, I have had the opportunity to see the Leesburg Bikefest grow beyond what I think anyone could have ever anticipated. In the beginning, only a few thousand bikes showed up but this event has grown to Florida's 3rd largest turnout for bikers. This year nearly 60,000 bikers turned out.

The event was started by the Leesburg Downtown Partnership and the man with the plan is, and was, Joe Shipes, a family name that has deep roots in Lake County. The Shipes' family has always cared for the community they live in. This year my hat or do-rag goes off to Joe for the excellent job he's done putting together an event that is now known nationally.

Above - Pia, Leon and friends say "Hello."

Right - Woody and Sparky. I bet they wanted to say "Hello" but they'd probably get in trouble or something.

Weebeasty's Article

Our Jacksonville moto-journalist rides down Saturday and has a blast.

April 27th was a beautiful day in Jacksonville. Perfect for the trip to the Leesburg Bike Fest. I met up with Lewis, J.W. (formerly known as "I got one in my garage") Don and Larry for breakfast. After proper harassment of the wait staff, we headed south on SR 13 toward Palatka. We stopped at a local watering hole, quenched our thirst and took off towards Eustis through the Ocala National Forest. If you've never traveled through the Forest on Highway 19, you owe it to yourself to take the ride. Just don't do it at night. The critters come out and some are bigger then most bikes.

After we arrived in Eustis, we gassed up and took a short ride to Sugar Loaf Mountain. Don and JW had never seen this scenic part of Florida and

they couldn't believe there was a mountain - alright, a hill - where you could actually get above it all and see for miles in Central Florida. Then it was up 441 into Leesburg. This was my first trip to the Bike Fest and lemme say: "I loved it from the first sight!"

Downtown Leesburg was totally occupied by scooters. There was no problem with parking and most of it was free (the city doesn't ever charge for the parkin' though a couple of local residences offered "secured bike parkin' for $5 or $2. Monk). I can't recall if I even saw a cop the whole time I was downtown. The merchants were friendly, the prices were fair, the beer was cold and very reasonably priced.

Trials Rider Adam Holbrook put on a helluva show both days. He can do amazin' things with that lil ol' bike with no air in the tires.

The Rat's Hole Bike show was great and the babes? Well, what can I say? You get a bunch of bikers together and the ladies come out in droves. Plus it was very warm so skimpy outfits were the order of the day. Yee Haw! Ain't it great to live in Florida?

The bike games were great though the rain shower made them a little damp, but it also created an impromptu wet t-shirt exhibit. Of course, Monk and Boots were working way too hard, but hey, that's just them. Always wantin' to make it great for our readers and other bikers.

Unfortunately, I was unable to stay overnight and I had to head back to J'ville. But next year I'm planning on staying the whole three days. The Leesburg Bike Festival and the Eustis Bike Festival kick ass. You posers can keep Daytona. I don't like the hassles. Lemme get out with the ones that ride anytime.

Above - A babe with reptiles in the Rat's Hole Show. Photo by Weebeasty. He said, "Monk, this bike, with Pam astride, appealed to my Jimmy Buffet side."

Left - Flyin' our National Colors was de riguer this fine day.

Below - A fine Knucklehead in the Rat's Hole Show. Sixty years old and still lookin' fine.

Below - As most of y'all know, I'm a sucker for Sportsters and Panheads. Shit, Sportsters're in my blood. I ride Boot's 98 1200 Custom now; the second bike I ever owned was a '71 XLCH plus I feel it's the best bike Harley makes since they stopped buildin' the FXR This is entry in the Rat's Hole Show is one of the first ever built. I didn't get the particulars, but it's gotta be a 57 or 58.

Below - They just kept comin' in all weekend. This was early Sunday mornin' - around 10:30 and it's already jammed up. Photo by Hark.

Inkslinger's Article

A Freelancer writes about his trip down to Leesburg. This is his first, and hopefully not his last, article for Dixie Biker Illustrated.

Friday night we loaded up in preparation for our first experience at Leesburg. Heading out without a real clear game plan can sometimes be a pain in the ass. Luckily, except for the lost hotel reservation and trying to find a place

Gettin' ready for the bike games on Saturday. Photo by Hark.

to stay, this wasn't one of those times. I reiterate - this, was our first Leesburg and I, being the somewhat cynical veteran of 15 or so Daytona's, didn't get to see everything there was to see at Leesburg. I figured it would be just another grab for the money anyhow. Boy, was I wrong, and Boy, will I make up for it next year. And I can't wait!

Saturday broke bright and clear in Middleburg as we put the wheels in motion.

Rolling down Hwy 301 is always a peaceful ride for me, even with the threat of Waldo Willy and the Starke Silver Bullet. Rolling on through Citra and into Ocala we began to see groups of 2-wheelers running the highways, stopped at some of the roadside stands and in restaurant parking lots. By 2:00 pm ,rolling into the outskirts of Leesburg and judging by the lines at some of the better-known eateries (ya know: Burger King, McDonald's), it became apparent that we needed to stop and eat before we got into the middle of the festivities.

Back on the road, we headed down to where we were supposed to have reservations. Can't find it, NO vacancies, but we know this little out of the way place down the road that may still have some rooms. Rode on down there and boy, let me tell you, the toothless hag with

Above - Shirley tosses beabbags while Bruce drives. Below - Rebecca goes for the balls while Scott drives.

Sally Syphilis eyes lit up when we pulled in.

Now, as to the desk clerk, if you saw Creepshow, remember the part Steven King played? "Meteorite Shit?" Yup, that was this place. OK, so back up the road we go After several attempts, we found a room real close to the action. And get this - the price WAS NOT inflated because of bikers. Actually, at all the places we stopped, the rooms (or lack of) were going for their standard rate. This was the first sign that Leesburg, and the people there, didn't mind us bikers taking over their town for the weekend. One of the other things

we had both noticed as we cruised down Main St. - it actually was closed to cars, even had signs at each end tellin' everyone that it was Bikes Only.

Got checked in, went and hung out at the pool for a bit, got changed and rode back into town to see what the Leesburg Bike Fest was all about. Did Main Street again, still no cars, (Daytona take a hint here). Listened to Kathy Jo for a bit, still sounds funny to hear a chick belt out a guy tune, but let me say one thing for her, she can tear up Joplin! Walked around, checking out the vendors, food, beer, merchandise etc. Still no price gouging (Hint to Daytona [and Myrtle Beach. See next month's article. Monk]), well except for the Tirefly's.

I know for a fact that you can buy them at a local discount store for 1/3 what they were down there. No, I don't have any on the NightTrain, just saw them. The mainstream restaurants we stopped at only had one menu pricing, unlike a #3 or #4 menu at the wing place. No where did I see a $5.50 Bud, even my fresh squeezed lemonade was .50 cheaper than at the Fair. Oops! Karla just reminded me about the comment I made about the pressed cardboard leather jackets for "Under $50" - but that's more a case of ya get what ya pay for.

Missed the Tattoo Contest. My fault - forgot it was going on. Sat in the square and watched people, cuz it's so much fun. Stopped by the Dixie Biker Illustrated tent but there wasn't anyone there. (we were out partyin' with y'all!) Then came Molly Hatchet. What can ya say about them that hasn't already been said? The dedications to their mothers, Vietnam Vets, and the military in general warmed this old vet's heart. Course they wouldn't be Molly Hatchet without being late to take the stage. I know, it rained right at 8:50 and that's what held 'em up. They were waiting for the weather. Actually, for this adventure, I'll buy it. Molly Hatchet rules the Southern Rock world. "Dreams" "Heart of the USA," "Whiskey Man," "Flirtin'..."

Went back to our most casual hotel room and chilled out a bit after listening to MH. Got up the next morning, went back into town to check out the breakfast scene, do a little more shopping, and get a few more pics. (more one the pics shortly).

You know I've often thought with the number of women/lady scooter pilots there should be a little more of a niche for them. I found that this weekend too, or rather Karla did, but I'm not sure if naming 'em here constitutes free advertising for them. I know that this paper exists solely through advertising dollars. (I wish you woulda named 'em. Sure, advertisin' pays the bills, but we exist solely for the bikers. If it's about bikers, we want it. I think that Inkslinger is talkin' about The Chrome Rose and Biker Girl Hardware. Monk.) One interesting thing we heard several times that weekend while putting around: "There's that couple again" so for whatever reason we stuck in a couple people's mind.

Now the reference to lovebugs. What the hell ever possessed those agri-guys at UF? We make a bug, that under perfect lab conditions, controlled temps, humidity, enough grub for days will definitely, positively eat mosquitoes. Then we get permission form the State of Florida to turn 'em loose and see how they work in the wild. Oooooops, all they do is

Above - Jackie tosses it while Steve drives. Below - Nice miss - SPLASH.

have sex, fly around backwards for a week, and get all over everything rollin' down the road. This year they were out earlier and, more importantly, they have undergone some nuclear mutation. Them suckers are huge, I mean B-52 size, you see 'em down the road a half a mile before you get to 'em, and you still can't duck 'em. Boy, talk about a mess when we got home.

OK, it's three days before the deadline Monk gave me to get this in, just got my pics back, found out there was an obvious problem with the camera. I have very few pics to submit with this article. Was hoping to have a few pics about each thing I talked about. So you'll have to use your imagination on a couple things.

On the ride down signs we saw some pretty interestin' signs, such as "Barbara's - New things Used - Cheap." Call me a

Above - Will, owner of Will's Honkytonks in Daytona and Sarasota, and Brneda and Bob of Ormond Beach stopped by the Dixie Biker Illustrated tent to say "Hey" on Saturday.

dumbass Southern boy, but why should I pay someone to use my new stuff, when I can do it for free. Then there was the Hay-Straw- Shavings - Exotic Dancers." OK, I know that one was two different signs but when you come south around that curve on 301, you see the two, one over the top of the other. (That be at Body Shots, y'all.) I did a digital picture of "Fresh Ocean Shrimp" and from the looks of this place, the ocean receded a very long time ago.

The final ramblings of a very old school scooter tramp. Drag me

kicking and screaming all the way to Daytona yearly for my annual shot of misery, or have a monthly Leesburg Bikefest. Tough choice? Nah, it ain't. Don't change a thing, Leesburg. Hear what I'm saying, y'all?

I'll beat y'all there.

Dixie Biker Illustrated

handled the Bike Games

on Sunday and Boots (left) handled the MCing duties for us.

Right - Hark organized and ran the games for DBI. Here he takes a break to drive while Push goes for the weenie. This was the winnin' bite on Sunday. She took almost all of it. Lucky man, Hark.

Below left - Buzzard and Mouse.

Below right - Ira and Sherry.

Right - Marcus was one of the last bikes to leave town on Sunday evening. It sure is funny seein' him without Ape Hangers on his bike. Too many tickets from Florida's finest from an absolutely asinine law, I reckon.

close eye on all the competition. On Sunday Dixie Biker took over the bike games and had around 17 contestants. By the way, downtown Main Street Leesburg was just as packed on Sunday as it was on Saturday.

Once again, there were no problems during the event. For this, everyone here at Dixie Biker Illustrated salute all you bikers that came over to Lake County for the weekend. And again, a special thanks goes out to Joe Shipes, the Downtown Partnership and the City of Leesburg.

(Daytona Beach should come over and take a cue from y'all, Joe. Biker friendly, no ripoffs, just people havin' a good time at a great location. Thanks for a great event and good time. Monk)

This year's weather was great and, eespite the heat, bikers rolled in faster than ever before. By 10:00 am Saturday morning the only place you could park your bike was in a large grass parking lot on South Main Street. And by 1:00 pm that lot was nearly filled to capacity.

There were over 60 vendors; there was a great turn out for the Rat's Hole Bike Show; and the Bike Games on Saturday, put on by Lake County HOG, drew thirty-six contestants. The HOG Chapter had their hands full keeping a