September 29, 2012 - A Long Ride Turns Short

Today was set to be a long ride to Dunnellon, but plans change.  Most of our usual riders could not find time to ride today and Boyd had to had to cut his ride short for business reasons.  So, after breakfast with Carl and Kent, Boyd and I set out on a ride designed to get his to his office at 11:00 a.m.

Our route took us south to Agricola Mine Road where Boyd posted for a picture in his new riding jacket.

Green Hornet?  Green Monster?  Fenway?  Kermit?

Leaving Agricola Mine Road, we looped through Ft. Meade to Lake Hendry Road, over to Homeland and back to Agricola Mine Road.  After a pass on Agricola in the opposite direction, we headed to the S.P.C.A. where I dropped Boyd off with two minutes to spare.  Leaving Boyd, I headed for home.
I managed to put 103 miles on the Burgman before lunch.

Next week, we may try the ride to Dunnellon again.  Maybe not.  Gotta stay flexible.

Glenn "Gunny" Monroe

September 22, 2012 - SPCA Lakeland

Five motorcycling friends (Bill, Eddie, Robert, Carl and I) .met for breakfast in Plant City, FL this morning.  Missing from the group was our good friend, Boyd, who was otherwise occupied with duties at the S.P.C.A. Lakeland. You see, Boyd is the Director of Veterinary Medicine there and today was the Grand Opening of the new addition to the S.P.C.A.'s veterinary clinic.

After breakfast was over, we drove over to the new facility in south Lakeland to join Boyd in the celebration.

Giant inflatable flea greets visitors.

Impressive new reception area.  Scissors to be seen later.

Close up view of the animal tiles seen above.

Dr. Boyd Harrell greets the group for a private tour.

It takes up to four people to handle incoming calls.

High tech medical inventory control system.

Gift package with one of Boyd's books prominently placed.

The ribbon is cut by Boyd and Warren Cox.

On the way home, we made a quick stop at Fun Bike Center where we looked at a used Triumph Rocket III.  No, I did not buy it, but it sure was impressive.  Take a look at this video.

Next week we will be back on the bikes.  Come and join us if you are in the Plant City area.  Until then,

RIDE WITH PRIDE
Glenn "Gunny" Monroe

September 15, 2012 - Lake Lowery

It has been nearly a month since my last post, but my Burgman is fully restored and on the road again.  It has only been back to the shop twice since then - once to reattach the parking brake and once to reattach the the add-on power outlet on the dash.

There were only four of us who met for breakfast in Plant City this morning: Boyd, Robert, Kent and I.  After the usual breakfast of eggs, bacon and conversation, Kent and Robert left the group to follow other activities for the day.  Meanwhile, Boyd and I checked the weather which promised thunderstorms to arrive around 1:00 p.m.  With that in mind, we planned a ride that would have us back at home by noon.

The route took us northeast out of Plant City to Rockridge / Greenpond Road.  We made a stop at the creek just west of Poyner Oaks.

Boyd surveys the high water.

Central Florida has experienced record summer rains this year and the creek shows the effects.  It was swollen to a size we had never seen before.

Back on the bikes, we headed over to the Polk City Truck Stop (Love's) for a much needed comfort break (breakfast coffee, flowing water - you get the idea).

From Love's we headed for the orange groves via Lake Mattie, Cass and Old Lake Alfred Roads.  Leaving the orange groves, we headed east on Old Polk City Road to the ridge area.  From there, we turned west on Lake Lowery for a ride through cattle country and more orange groves.

Turning back towards Lakeland and home, we picked up Cass Rd., Old Polk City Rd., and Tom Costine Rd.  Nearing noon, I dropped Boyd off on Duff Rd. while I continued on to Sky Powersports for them to correct the power outlet problem.

I put 120 miles on the newly reconstituted Burgman today and it was great to be back on the road again.  Thanks for the company, Boyd.  By the way, as I sit here writing this blog on Sunday morning, I have to report that the promised rains never arrived.  Oh well, I trust that we were meant to be off the roads for some greater reason.

Until next time,

RIDE WITH PRIDE

Glenn "Gunny" Monroe