February 27, 2010

Although nine of us gathered as usual beside The Whistle Stop on Plant City this morning, only one of us, yours truly, arrived on a motorcycle.  The others chose the cager option in deference to the impending rain storm.  Shortly after 8:00 a.m., we walked over to our usual breakfast stop at Snellgrove's Restaurant, only to find that some usurpers had confiscated our usual Saturday morning table.  Not wanting to break up the group, we left Snellgrove's and headed over to The Brickhouse.  Breakfast was good.  Conversation was better.  Coffee was on the low side of mediocre and the "smoked sausage" turned out to be kielbasa, but the rest was pretty good.

After breakfast, we adjourned to the quiet of the parking lot to discuss the upcoming ride schedule and other chapter business.  It was decided that we would financially support the East Hillboro Law Enforcement Appreciation banquet.  Ride leadership for the next three weeks was also discussed as I will be absent on other business.  Thanks to Bill, Eddie and Boyd for volunteering to take turns leading during my absence.

The group broke up after the meeting with everyone taking advantage to the rain to attend to other projects.

Gunny

Northeast Polk - February 20, 2010

Nine Blue Knights and friends gathered for breakfast in Plant City, FL on the warmest day in a long time.

Although we had discussed trying someplace different for breakfast, the convenience of Snellgroves won out once again.

Bob K. and Robert check out Eddie's new Voyager.

As many of the group were either under the weather or had more pressing business elsewhere, there were only four motorcycles who set out together after breakfast. The plan was to explored some of the better roads in northeast Polk County. The map below shows an overview of our route. Click on the map for full details.

The most apparent feature of today's ride was an up close view of the flooding of much of the low-laying areas in the county caused by the heavy rains we have experienced this month. The ground in is area is fully saturated. I believe that it is the most standing water I have seen since I moved here in 1998.

After traveling 100 miles exploring these often neglected gems, we stopped for lunch at Country Angels Restaurant at 122 N Commonwealth Ave. in Polk City. In spite of appearances in the picture below, the place is always busy. The position of the motorcycles indicates how we had to squeeze them in when first we arrived.


After lunch, we headed to Fun Bike Center so Eddie could look for a backrest for the Voyager and J.T. could price a trailer hitch for his Gold Wing. Both left disappointed.

Leaving this stop, the group broke up with everyone heading for home after and enjoyable day of riding.

"Ride with Pride"
Gunny

February 13, 2010 - Eustis

Saturday morning dawned cold and overcast but the weatherman promised that is would soon clear and warm up. With that forecast, seven riders met in Plant City for breakfast at Snellgroves. After the now ritual session of food, fun and conversation, Eddie, J.T., Lloyd and I prepared for the day's ride while Bill, Boyd, and Bob K. headed off for other activities.

The plan called for a ride north to the Ocala National Forest and so the four bikes turned in that direction. The route took us to Green Pond Road which normally means a quick run across one of the area's truly crooked roads. Unfortunately, the quick turned to cautious as this week's rains had left the roadway wet and, in a few places, partially covered with water. The recent patches on the road's surface were also deteriorating, leaving a lot of loose gravel on the road surface.

The group stopped at the one-lane bridge to get a couple pictures of Eddie's new 2010 Voyager.

And the swollen creek passing under the bridge.

A victim of the cold, wet weather?

As the promised temperature increase had not yet arrived, I also took the opportunity to add a pair of glove liners under my winter gloves. A very welcome improvement.

Completing the ride across Green Pond Road, we headed for CR-561, CR-565B and 565A. By the time we reached the area SR-50 and CR-565A, we were in need of a warm room, hot coffee and a restroom. A Burger King solved all three needs.

As we sat enjoying the hot coffee, Eddie asked if it would be possible to stop by Champions Powersports so he could check on a Hi-Viz jacket like the ones J.T. and I were wearing. So, leaving the Burger King, we altered course and headed for Eustis and Champions.

As we walked through the showroom at Champions, two used Gold Wings caught my eye. One was a 2007 burnt orange model with 38,000 plus miles, some nice extras, and a $16,000 price tag. The other was a cherry looking yellow 2001 with, get this, 198,000 miles on the odometer. That makes my 2006 with 61,000 miles seem almost new. Oh, by the way, Eddie decided against a new jacket.

As we were behind schedule leaving Champions, we decided to forgo the trip to the Ocala National Forsest and turned back towards home, intending to stop for lunch along the way. Boyd and I had previously seen a little restaurant on CR-448 west of Lake Jem and the group, decided to give it a try.

Mary's Kountry Kitchen is not much on size or decor, but the food is excellent, plentiful and reasonable. In the ultimate testimonial, Eddie vowed that we would be back.


Leaving the restaurant we found that the weather had finally warmed to the mid-50's leaving us a much more pleasant ride home.

Today's ride covered 164 miles, getting us home about 2:30 p.m. Click here to see the exact route.

See you next time.

Gunny