Another gorgeous day in central Florida started with breakfast for 10 at Snellgroves. It should have been 11, but Barry had an unfortunate encounter with a broken bag of cement on the highway yesterday. His motorcycle is a little scratched up, but otherwise okay. Unfortunately, Barry suffered some minor injuries to his hand/wrist which prevented him for riding today.
Since today's original destination, the Ozello Trail, was intended to introduce Barry to that great piece of Florida highway, we decided to save it for another day when he could join us. Instead, we turned north east, heading for the Tiki Bar at the Lake Minneola Inn. But, as every biker knows, the destination is only an excuse to seek out some good roads. With that in mind, we headed out for one of my favorite rides via Old Dade City Road, Lakeland Acres, Sherrouse, Rockridge, and Green Pond.
Upon reaching SR-33 and Lake Erie Rd., Bill decided to stop at the old fire tower for a look-see. Fortunately for the rest of us it was condemned, closed, ready to be torn down and carted away. Were it not, I am sure that Bill would have tried to coax us to climb the stupid thing. Anyway, it I'm sorry to see it go because it served as a landmark for Lake Erie Rd.
Leaving the fire tower, we headed across Lake Erie on the way to Sloan's Ridge for a few more rural twisties before heading for a quick down 561 to a short stop on Sugarloaf Mountain. From there, we headed back to 455 and Montverde. After passing through the grounds of the picturesque Montverde Academy, we headed towards Minneola and the Tiki Bar.
Chances are that if you have never been to the Lake Minneola Inn or been given very good directions, you are not going to find this little gem hidden away on the east shore of the lake. Even if you passed by the Inn itself, you would not see the separate Tiki Bar which is screened from the road by huge, old live oak trees. Be not discouraged, however. It is worth the effort to locate.
The Tike Bar has indoor seating at the open wall bar and outdoor tables on what used to be the water's edge. I say "used to be" because the water level in the lake is quite low right now, leaving the Inn's docks high and dry. But, the water view was still pleasant and we chose the outdoor seating.
While we were there, we were treated to a couple of interesting sights. First, a boater trying to reach the restaurant ran his craft aground in the shallow water. We, of course, considered going to his aid, but that would have involved wet feet and trousers so he was on his own. The second. and far more interesting sight, was the arrival overhead of two seaplanes. We watched as one-by-one, they circled to land on the lake in front of us. They then taxied up to the shore then rolled up onto the beach. Pretty cool.
After a great lunch washed down with $1.oo drafts, we returned to the bikes to continued the day's journey. Following the lake shore over to 561, we turned south towards SR-33. From there, we returned for Green Pond Road for a spirited run through it's many curves. As it was by then mid-afternoon, we turned out bikes towards home and the end of another great day of riding.
Click here for a selection of photos from this ride.
Click here for the complete route.
Also, be sure to check out "The Navigator's Rides" and "A Knight's Travels" from the links on the right side of this page.
See you next week for another adventure.
Ride with Pride!
Gunny
Since today's original destination, the Ozello Trail, was intended to introduce Barry to that great piece of Florida highway, we decided to save it for another day when he could join us. Instead, we turned north east, heading for the Tiki Bar at the Lake Minneola Inn. But, as every biker knows, the destination is only an excuse to seek out some good roads. With that in mind, we headed out for one of my favorite rides via Old Dade City Road, Lakeland Acres, Sherrouse, Rockridge, and Green Pond.
Upon reaching SR-33 and Lake Erie Rd., Bill decided to stop at the old fire tower for a look-see. Fortunately for the rest of us it was condemned, closed, ready to be torn down and carted away. Were it not, I am sure that Bill would have tried to coax us to climb the stupid thing. Anyway, it I'm sorry to see it go because it served as a landmark for Lake Erie Rd.
Leaving the fire tower, we headed across Lake Erie on the way to Sloan's Ridge for a few more rural twisties before heading for a quick down 561 to a short stop on Sugarloaf Mountain. From there, we headed back to 455 and Montverde. After passing through the grounds of the picturesque Montverde Academy, we headed towards Minneola and the Tiki Bar.
Chances are that if you have never been to the Lake Minneola Inn or been given very good directions, you are not going to find this little gem hidden away on the east shore of the lake. Even if you passed by the Inn itself, you would not see the separate Tiki Bar which is screened from the road by huge, old live oak trees. Be not discouraged, however. It is worth the effort to locate.
The Tike Bar has indoor seating at the open wall bar and outdoor tables on what used to be the water's edge. I say "used to be" because the water level in the lake is quite low right now, leaving the Inn's docks high and dry. But, the water view was still pleasant and we chose the outdoor seating.
While we were there, we were treated to a couple of interesting sights. First, a boater trying to reach the restaurant ran his craft aground in the shallow water. We, of course, considered going to his aid, but that would have involved wet feet and trousers so he was on his own. The second. and far more interesting sight, was the arrival overhead of two seaplanes. We watched as one-by-one, they circled to land on the lake in front of us. They then taxied up to the shore then rolled up onto the beach. Pretty cool.
After a great lunch washed down with $1.oo drafts, we returned to the bikes to continued the day's journey. Following the lake shore over to 561, we turned south towards SR-33. From there, we returned for Green Pond Road for a spirited run through it's many curves. As it was by then mid-afternoon, we turned out bikes towards home and the end of another great day of riding.
Click here for a selection of photos from this ride.
Click here for the complete route.
Also, be sure to check out "The Navigator's Rides" and "A Knight's Travels" from the links on the right side of this page.
See you next week for another adventure.
Ride with Pride!
Gunny
2 comments:
Another great ride. Thanks Gunny! The burgers at the Tiki Bar are outstanding and who can beat $1 draft beer!!! All the curvy bits were excellent, too.
-- Ace
A second to another great ride! As always great ride and I love the ability to see now three different scribbling takes on rides
Thanks again
Preacher <><
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