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