January 26, 2013 - Anna Maria Island

A cool, clear central Florida Saturday morning found five friends meeting in Plant City.  After the usual breakfast banter, four of us (Eddie, Marlena, Boyd and I) headed for our bikes while Carl went about other duties.

The destination for our ride was the Sandbar Restaurant on the north end of Anna Maria Island.  It was there that Eddie proposed to his bride, Marlena, so many years ago on this very date.  The route took us mostly down backroads to Bradenton, then across the causeway to Anna Maria Island and on to the Sandbar Restaurant.

The day had warmed dramatically by the time we arrived in the parking lot and we gladly shed the extra layers of clothing.

Entering the restaurant, we selected outside seating on the patio ail a great view of the expansive white sand beach and the Gulf of Mexico.

The guests of honor, Eddie and Marlena

After a wonderful grouper lunch, we headed back to the mainland.  Progress was somewhat delayed by a sailboat whose mast required raising of the drawbridge.

Once back in Bradenton, Eddie and Marlena broke off to go shopping while Boyd and I made our way back to Lakeland.  We had one more stop before calling it a day - the Pig Fest at Tiger Town.

We finally made it home around 5:00 pm, full, tired and very satisfied with another Central Florida day on two-wheels.  It was a great 180 mile adventure.  See you next time.

Glenn "Gunny" Monroe

November 17, 2012 - Around Central Florida

There were five of us for breakfast in Plant City, FL this morning.  After eggs and excellent conversation, we headed for the parking lot and the beginning of the day's ride.  The McDaniel brothers were able to make breakfast, but not the ride, so with Eddie on his GW trike, Boyd on his Concours 14, and I on my Burgman, we set out for our usual destination - nowhere in particular.

Our route took us on an 185 mile tour of central Florida with visits to Dade City, St. Joe, Trilby and Lacoochee.  After doubling back towards Lakeland on Green Pond Road, we dropped off Eddie so he could make it back to Plant City in time to visit the annual Pig Fest.  Meanwhile, Boyd and I headed to Polk City for lunch at the Compass Rose Restaurant at the Fantasy of Flight.

After lunch, we headed for the the ridge area for visits to Old Lake Alfred Rd., across Lake Lowery Rd. and back, then back to Cass Rd. and Gapway before turning for home.

Although the weatherman promised morning rain, the clouds soon gave way to sunshine, providing beautiful riding weather.  Come join us next Saturday for our next tour somewhere in central Florida.  Until then, Ride with Pride.

Glenn "Gunny" Monroe

October 15, 2012 - Three State Tour

The group left Beckley, WV yesterday heading south to some prime riding territory.  The first leg of the ride took them through scenic Virginia.

They eventually made it to Tennessee to grab a ride on The Snake (US421).  Of course they made the obligatory stop at the The US 421 Country Store in Shady Valley, TN, which sits about half-way between South Lake Holston and Mountain City, TN.  It is a great ride in either direction.

The day concluded with a ride to Pineola, NC where they took up lodging for the next three nights in the new cabins at the Pineola Inn.

Gunny

October 14, 2012 - New River Gorge

The boys left Elkins, WV this morning, heading southeast to the New River Gorge Bridge outside of Fayetteville, WV.

Looks like Eddie found a couple of ladies to help hime recover from the rigors of the road.

Afterwards, they road one really crooked road down to the bottom of the gorge, then moved on to Beckley, WV for the night.

It was about 150 miles as the crow flies, but then, who rides as the crow flies?

October 14, 2012 - Fall Color Tour

Unfortunately, I was unable to attend due to other appointments.  However, Bill, Boyd, Eddie, Paul, Danny and who knows who else left Friday morning on their annual Appalachian motorcycle color tour.

It started with a short ride to Sanford, FL where their motorcycles were crated for a ride north on the auto train.

It was then time to settle in for the ride north.

Paul, Danny and Boyd enjoy the wine and cheese.

Saturday was spent riding to their overnight stop in Elkins, WV.  And, today they are ready to roll out early.

Elkins, WV

Good luck and safe riding.

Glenn "Gunny" Monroe

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