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Bikers Roll Into Plant City, 2 By 2

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By STEVE KORNACKI, The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 7, 2007

Photo Gallery: Bikes And More

PLANT CITY - It's not quite the same as a 'bicycle built for two,' but couples are enjoying motorcycling together these days. Many of the bikers at Saturday night's Plant City Bike Fest were married.

Dorothy and Len Albrecht of Casselberry came on their black bikes with heavy chrome, and Shelly and Scott Anderson of North Tampa rode in together on the 2003 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy they purchased this summer.

The Andersons were getting leather vests stitched by John Ricciardi and shined with leather conditioner by his wife, Barbara. The Ricciardis own a Daytona Beach shop specializing in leather motorcycle clothing.

'We're new to this,' Shelly Anderson said, 'but we're having a great time with the bike. We come to Plant City a lot because it's a nice place to ride.'

About 13,000 bikes and 20,000 bikers were expected Saturday, according to Al Collinge of the Greater Plant City Chamber of Commerce. It was the fifth anniversary of the event, which is held from 5 to 9 p.m. on the first Saturday of every month.

A bike show, live music and demonstrations by the Plant City Police Department's motorcycle squadron were highlights of the event held near the Plant City Train Depot.

More than 70 vendors sold food such as fried catfish and barbecued ribs, bike-related items and services.

'This is real laid-back with some real nice people,' John Ricciardi said, while sewing 'Bad Bones' onto the back of Scott Anderson's leather vest. 'We came 11 of the last 12 months, and make more in four or five hours than I do in one day of Bike Week in Daytona.'

The Ricciardis have been stitching and repairing leather for bikers for 20 years.

'This is not your mama's home sewing machine,' Ricciardi said. 'Well, depending on what your mama's into.'

He laughed heartily before adding the skull and cross bones with a patriotic red, white and blue touch.

Shelly Anderson picked a sequined heart with the Harley logo inside it for her vest. 'It's my starter patch,' she said.

Len Albrecht's first bike was the classic 1965 Harley-Davidson Electra Glide, and he now rides a 2006 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic - the bike used by many motorcycle police officers.

'It has a 95-cubic-inch engine with a whole lot of chrome and is an obsession on two wheels,' Albrecht said. 'It keeps me out of trouble.'

His wife started riding with him in 2001 and has a 2000 Yamaha Roadster.

'It's my baby,' she said.

'Now it's a hobby for both of us,' her husband added.

They entered the bike show along with serious competitors such as Nick Grabas of Lakeland with his turbo-charged, customized Harley with three-piece wheels made in Australia, an engine put together in Indiana and a Lamborghini orange paint job. He's put $57,000 into the dream bike.

Heads turned when he pulled his thunder on two wheels into a row of show bikes.

'That's why I built this bike,' Grabas said. 'To have people stop and look at your bike - that's special.'

Reporter Steve Kornacki can be reached at (813) 731-8170 or skornacki@tampatrib.com.

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