April 25, 2009 - Leesburg

Another glorious day in paradise started with a group breakfast at Snellgroves in Plant City. Afterward, Boyd, Bob & I headed to Leesburg via some of our favorite roads, including Green Pond Road and CR-561.

Our first stop was at Champions Honda where they were celebrating the Bike Fest with a great sale, pizza and a couple of stunt riders. The main reason for our stop, however, was for Boyd to have a new rear tire mounted on his V-Max (yes, already).

Before I continue with my story I have a small quiz. You can identify the object pictured below?

No, it is not a bird's nest. Give up? Remember that Boyd was there to get a new tire and he chose not to leave any good rubber on the old tire, so....

He smoked the tire. Check out the video below.

What was left on the pavement after the tire blew was a pile of burned rubber.

What was left wrapped around the V-Max's rear axle and inside the differential was the tire wire shown in the first photograph.

While Boyd and I waited for the tire change, Bob headed downtown to the Bike Fest.

With the new tire mounted, Boyd and I headed to the Lakeridge Winery to check out their Jazz Festival. We had hardly gotten off the bikes when we heard a familiar voice. It turned out to be Lloyd who had brough Julie and her parents to enjoy the music, sunshine, wine and beer.

Jule & her mother.

After visiting for a while and enjoying the scenery (we developed a new appreciation for green Chiffon), Boyd & I headed home. Another great ride, great day and great memories.

Ride with Pride.

Gunny

April 18 - Drills

Today was something a little different. We met as usual for breakfast then adjourned to the Plant City PD practice pad.

As we gathered for some parking lot drills, Tommy Traffic brought out a new piece of test equipment.

It turned out to be a Buell Ulysses Police Motorcycle.

Powered by a 1203cc V-Twin, this special duty cycle is designed to travel a variety of surfaces from highway to dirt roads. Interestingly, the Ulysses carries its fuel inside the frame rather than in a traditional gas tank. That allows the cycle a lower center of gravity. The high ground clearance supposedly allows the Ulysses to go where a Road King dare not tread.

We eventually moved on to the pad, replacing the usual traffic cones with tennis ball halves to protect our more delicate street bikes from the indignities of contact with the unforgiving traffic cones.

After a couple of hours of much needed practice, we headed to Lakeland for a very enjoyable lunch at Mojo’s. The food was excellent, the prices fair and the service was unique.

Next Saturday we will be heading to Leesburg.

April 4, 2009 - Ozello Trail

What a beautiful day for a ride! The temperature was about 60 degrees when seven of us met for breakfast in Plant City this morning and climbed steadily all day, reaching a sunny 88 degrees this afternoon. It just doesn't get much better than that.

Leaving those with other things to do in Plant City, Eddie Richter, Boyd Harrell and I headed north en route to the Ozello Trail and Peck's Old Port Cove. By the time we reached San Antonio, our tires were warmed enough to take on Jessamine Road which is always a fun ride. We then rode on to Spring Lake, then Brooksville. Traveling north out of Brooksville on Citrus Way, Eddie fired up his CB and began talking about someplace on our route that he had always wanted to investigate. As he was not exactly sure where it was, I had him take the lead. After much searching, he pulled off the highway somewhere just north of Stage Coach Trail. The street sign said Lone Ct. and Lecanto Hwy., but the closest I could see to Lone Ct. was a cow path.

They could not have meant this trail. It is listed as Trail 22 on the map.Anyway, Eddie told us there were caves down this forest trail and he set off to find them.

After a long walk in the woods, we found the first cave and Eddie immediately headed down into it.

Boyd and I quickly followed him down into the cave where we examined some modern day cave art.Now, the cave did continue underground for some ways, but the passages seemed a little restricted for men of stature such as ourselves, so we exited the way we came to explore from above. In Many places, the caves have collapsed leaving them exposed to the sky.You know Boyd. He can never be satisfied with a normal picture. Here he is videoing the photographer.Making our way back to the trail head we located our waiting steeds and prepared to complete the trip to Ozello.The rest of the trip to Peck's via the Ozello Trail was fairly uneventful. The Trail was as beautiful and challenging as ever. Lunch at Peck's was the usual excellent fare. Then came the ride out. One of the best things about going to Peck's is that you get to ride the Ozello Trail in both directions.

We took the opportunity on the way home to have a little more fun on Hayman, Bayhead and Bellamy Brothers Roads.

We eventually had to call the day to a close, but not without a stop to see Eddie's new Boat. I hope this thing brings Eddie and I a lot of future fun.See you all soon,

Gunny
Ride with Pride
Not All Who Wander are Lost