July 26, 2009 - Ozello Trail

Nine riders met in front of the Whistle Stop in Plant City and moved to Snellgroves for breakfast. After breakfast, Robert headed home as his Harley is still in the body shop, and J.T. & Debbie decided to head to the Gulf Coast beaches instead of joining the rest of the group on the planned ride.

The remaining six riders turned their motorcycles towards Crystal River. The ride to San Antonio is fairly quiet with no really challenging roads. Once past San Ann, we picked up Jessamine Rd. and followed it up with a trip across Bayhead Rd. Once Bayhead crosses Bellamy Brothers Rd., it becomes a dirt road. While the rest of us waited at the intersection, Boyd took a short trip in the dirt on his new VStrom 1000. He claimed that he was happy with the way it handled there. We then turned north and headed to Brooksville via Bellamy Bros. (which becomes Culbreath), Emerson, Mitchell and Cortez.

After a short rest stop at Cortez & Cobb, we headed to Crystal Springs via Citrus Way. The intent was to visit Nature Coast Motorsports so Bill could look at a new VStrom 1000 for himself. I hasd looked this location up on the Internet a few days ago & called to confirm that they a the VStrom in stock. What I did not pick up on during that call was that they were no longer Nature Coast Motorsports and were no longer in Crystal Springs. Making a quick stop, I tried to locate and call Nature Coast. Unfortunately, my iPhone G was not up to the task. Fortunately, Boyd had his new iPhone 3GS with him and we found that the dealership had changed its name to Love Powersports and had moved to Homosassa. Since our planned lunch stop at Peck's Old Port Cove was on the way, we decided to put off the stop at Love's until after lunch.

Turning south on US-19, we soon arrived at the turn off for the Ozello Trail and turned west for the always fun run to Crystal Bay. For the uninitiated, this 10 mile piece of pavement is one of the best motorcycle roads in Florida.

After a great lunch, we headed back across the Ozello Trail and down to Love's. While Bill looked at the VStrom, the rest of us poured over the 2009 Victory Vision on the showroom floor. This is one weird looking motorcycle. I have to admit that, being vertically challenged, I liked the the lower seat height and swept-back handlebars. Overall, though, I think I'll stick with my GL1800.

Since it was after 2:00 p.m. by the time we left Love's, we decided to head for home via the fastest route, which from there meant US-98. Bill, Lloyd & Bob chose to leave the group at I-75, while Boyd, Eddie and I continued on 98 past Dade City where Boyd & I turned towards Lakeland & Eddie continued on to P.C.

It was another great day on the road, albeit a trifle warm.

To see our route, click here.

Be sure to check out Bill's blog, The Navigator's Rides, for more pictures and his " insightful, perceptive and accurate recitation of the facts."

Click here for info. on J.T.s ride.

RIDE WITH PRIDE

"Gunny"

July 18, 2009 - Ft. Meade, Frostproof & Avon Park

It was another good turn out for breakfast this morning, not as good as last week, but still a good crowd, including a new prospective member, D.J. Campbell. Notable absentees were J.T., who was visiting in North Carolina, and Boyd, who was flying to Tennessee to pick up a Suzuki V-Strom (what? the VMax wasn't quick enough in the corners?). Bill and Mercy were present but not in riding attire due to other pressing duties.

Leaving the parking area, we headed southeast to avoid the storms coming on shore around Bayport. We were joined by the new prospective on his sidecar equipped Harley. The first difficulty of the day came as we found Coronet to the closed at the railroad tracks. Making a u-turn, we returned to Jim Tucker and took that to Jap Tucker. All went well until we reached Cowart and found that someone had placed speed bumps every quarter mile or so. What a pain. Having negotiated all those #@%^& speed bumps, we turned south on Smith Ryals, heading for Old Hopewell. Reaching SR-60, we found that the new median blocked our way and we could no longer go straight across 60. After negotiating a short detour, we were able to return to Smith Ryals. Thankfully, that was our last unplanned detour of the day.

After covering a few more back roads and losing Robert who was not feeling up to par, we arrived at Agricola Mine Rd. We stopped there for some instruction for those unfamiliar with this piece of roadway. After all completed the run safely, we headed for gas and a quick break in Ft. Meade.

As Eddie, Barry and D.J. headed towards home, the remaining three riders continued on towards, Lake Buffum, Babson Park, Frostproof and Avon Park where it was time for lunch at the Wild Turkey Tavern.

The return trip went well until we approached Homeland on 640 where we ran into a light rain. Seeing that the heaviest rain was to our south, we chose to continue west on 640 and quickly ran out of the rain and into the warm sunshine which stayed with us the rest of the way home.

Click here for today's route.

See you next week. Ride with Pride.

Gunny

July 11, 2009 - Sunshine Skyway, O'Maddy's & Barney's of Brandon

Wow, I'm impressed. There were 17 of us at breakfast this morning. I think that was a record for a Saturday breakfast. Once we were finished with food and conversation, 12 people on 9 motorcycles headed out to enjoy this beautiful morning. Using selected back roads, we first headed for the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

The weather was clear but had warmed dramatically by the time we arrived at the Sunshine Skyway's south rest area. The water here was much higher and more clear than it has been recently. Consequently, we were treated to great views of numerous skates, trumpet fish and other marine species, as well as a large group of brown pelicans.

Crossing the bridge, we arrived at the north rest area. This is a somewhat more shaded location but it was still very warm. While there were many nice boats to see in the bay, I think the most impressive sight was the bright yellow Ferrari in the parking lot. I'm hoping someone got a photo.

Leaving the rest area, we took the 9.5 mile ride to O'Maddy's Bar and Grill in Gulfport. As Bill opined, he wasn't impressed with the neighborhood we had to ride through to get there, but was happy with the neighborhood where we arrived, especially the restaurant. Located on the corner of 54th St. S. and Shore Blvd. S., O'Maddy's outside seating area looks out on Gulfport Beach Park and across a Tampa Bay inlet towards Long Key, St. Pete Beach and Isle del Sol. Luckily, they also have inside, air conditioned seating, and that is where we chose to dine. The menu is fairly typical for a waterside grill. What is not typical is the quality. From Bill and Bob's grilled salmon salads, Eddie and Marlena's fruit filled salads, J.T. & Debbie's hamburgers, my super roast beef sandwich (the house specialty), to Boyd's key lime cheese cake, everything was fabulous. And the price was more than fair.

After lunch, and while Bill finished up his photo session of the area, others gathered on the covered seating area right on the beach with the water literally right at our feet and with a nice view across the water aa well as a good breeze on our faces.

The four Richters headed home from this point while the remaining seven bikes headed towards Brandon where Boyd had an appointment to test ride a Suzuki V-Strom 650 at Barney's.

Boyd says that he would like to do more camping again and wanted to check out a bike that would allow him to get there on the highways, but also allow him to get into some of the more remote camping areas. Bill decided to test ride the 650, too. Both felt that it was a great machine that handled really well, but they also agreed that the V-Strom 1000 would probably better suit their needs. Do I see another test ride in their futures?

While the rest of us were waiting, I tried to talk Kyle into trading his M50 for an M109 but, sadly, was unsuccessful. Although he likes the M109, he has it in his mind that he would rather have a Harley. Forgive him, he's young.

With a rain storm looming in the west, the group broke up at Barney's and everyone headed for home by separate routes. I don't know about the others, but Bill and I were not able to avoid a brief, but heavy, shower. We soon out ran it and ended up with a dry ride the rest of the way home.

Click here to view today's route.

Click here for some pictures. Also, check Bill's blog for his take on this ride.

See you next week. Ride with Pride.

Gunny

July 4, 2009 - Sloans Ridge & Back

Happy Fourth of July, everyone. We had a large crowd for breakfast this morning, including a visit from Carl Lane. Around 9:00 am, six bikes mounted up for a holiday ride. With an eye towards the weather and an early return for family activities, we headed northeast seeking twisting roads and wooded lanes. The first challenge came on Swindell with it's quick succession of 90 degree turns. Next came short, narrow, twisting Hancock Rd. which led us to Rockridge Rd. and Green Pond Rd. These narrow, twisting roads run through the woods of the Green Swamp, ending at SR-33. It was then a short run up to Lake Erie Rd., Bay Lake Rd and, finally, to Sloans Ridge Rd. This led us eventually to SR-50 west of Mascotte. After a short rest stop, the group decided to head to Sky Powersports via 561, 33 and I-4. It seems that Boyd & Bill have an itch to investgate Suzuki's new dual sport bike. Unfortunately, Sky was closed for the holiday. So, while Boyd headed home to pick up Vicky for a weekend trip, the rest of the group headed to Fun Bike Center to see what they had to offer. While the rest of us browsed, Eddie decided that a half-helmet was needed to survive the hot summer rides. He selected a great looking metallic white job that should leave him free to chew without serious incident. Afterwards, we walked over to Mojo's for a good lunch. The group bike up then and all headed home. It was a great day and great ride.

"Ride with Pride"
Gunny