May 20, 2010 - Eustis, FL

The morning was warm and clear as nine riders met for breakfast in Plant City.  About 9:00 a.m., breakfast completed and goodbyes said to those remaining behind, six bikers saddled up for the day's adventure.

Today's goal was to ride to Champions Powersports for their advertised Gold Wing sale.  With that in mind, we headed to Eustis (click here for the route).  As we headed north, so did the temperature.  By the time we reached our mid-course stop in Minneola, the temperature was nearing 90 degrees and rain clouds were beginning to gather.

Boyd's and his Max

Leaving the rest stop, we again headed north on CR-561.  It began to rain lightly as we passed Sugarloaf Mountain, but it soon passed and we remained dry the rest of the way to Champions.

As we entered the parking lot, we noticed a lack of other visitors.  Surely, others should be here for this great sale - I mean 20% off all accessories ought to bring in a big crowd.  Walking into the showroom, we found the answer.  Did you know that there is another Champions Powersports?  Me, either.  Turns out the sale was the Champions in Coral, Fl.  No matter, they agreed to honor the sale price for us.  Maybe it was because we were the only ones there.

Who can identify this scooter rider?

It was lunchtime when we left Champions.  A quick discussion decided us against heading farther north to the Dam Diner because of pending rain storms.  Instead we turned back to Tavares for a stop at Billy's Cafe (1601 S. Duncan Dr. [SR-19]).  This small family restaurant has a full menu but specializes in pancakes and waffles.  Most of us enjoyed the daily special chicken salad sandwich.  Boyd was the only one smart enough to order pancakes.  Banana they were and had all of us regretting our sandwich option.  I won't make that mistake next time.

We backtracked our route to get home, intending to stop at Sugarloaf Mountain and maybe the Lakeridge Winery.  By the time we arrived at Sugarloaf we could see that we would soon be in the gathering rain.  We forgot about going to the Winery and those of us who thought to bring them donned our rain jackets for the next leg of the journey.  And the rains began before we were off the mountain.  By the time we reached Lake Minneola, the rain was coming down pretty hard and the roads were beginning to flood.  Coming in to Clermont, we ran through a puddle several inches deep covering the entire roadway.  That is when I discovered that waterproof boots cannot keep you feet dry if you splash water up your pant leg and down into the top of you boot.

By the time we reached SR-50, the thunder, lightening, cold temperatures and heavy rain convinced us it was time for a break.  We pulled under the drive through portico of a bank where we put on the remainder of our rain gear (yeah, I know, you don't need to say it) and waited for the storm to abate.

As summer storms normally do in this area, it soon let up enough to continue our trip home.  By the time we reached Polk County, the skies were clear and the streets were dry.  By the time we reached Polk City, it was again hot enough to make the rain gear uncomfortable.

All-in-all, it was a good 180 mile ride.  Boyd, Lloyd and I got to test out our rain gear before next month's trip and I found out that it was time to replace mine.  Come join us next week for another dose of friendship and highway.

Glenn "Gunny" Monroe

GULFPORT, FL - MAY 22, 2010

The day started out as usual with ten Blue Knights and associates meeting over breakfast at Snellgroves Restaurant in downtown Plant City.  About and hour later, full from good food and good conversation, six of the group prepared for the day's ride.

The day was already warming as we turned our motorcycles south, intending to turn the 48 mile drive to Gulfport into a 78 mile motorcycle adventure.  Click here for the entire route.

All too soon, we arrived at out first stop, the Sunshine Skyway's south rest area.  From here you are afforded an excellent view of Tampa Bay at it's mouth.

And of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge itself.

As these pictures indicate, the weather was absolutely perfect - blue skies and calm winds.  And, for Floridians, the temperature was not too bad at only 90 degrees.

While enjoying the view, we were joined by a somewhat confused Brown Pelican.

The bird may have been ill or just confused by fence and some warning tape that prevented him from flying to the water.  Fortunately, he soon decided to walk around those obstacles and found his way out.

We were soon on our way again for the six mile ride across the bridge.  Now, I have been across this bridge many times and it is always a great view of both Tampa Bay to the east and the Gulf of Mexico to the west.  Today, however, was probably the most spectacular view yet.  The clear blue water, cloudless blue sky and the white wakes of boats and ships out enjoying the day made for a very impressive sight.  My only regret was that I failed to have my camera out to document the view.

We next stopped at the bridge's north rest area which looks west towards Mullet Key (Ft. DeSoto) and the Gulf.  Again the view was spectacular with fishermen wading the flats and more on kayaks, as well as pleasure craft passing back and forth.  Just as importantly, this rest area is much more shaded.

If you look closely at the right side of the frame above you can just make out the disturbance in the water as a mullet is about to jump.  We were amazed to watch the ongoing display as a school of mullet and an occasional snook jumped from the water.

We were next off to Gulfport, a small picturesque community tucked in between St. Petersburg and Boca Ciega Bay.  We opted for lunch at one of our favorite eateries, O'Maddy's Bar & Grill.

After lunch, Eddie and Bob K. decided to head home while the remaining four riders headed over to Barnie's of St. Petersburg to drool over the latest offerings of motorcycles and gear.  We left with several additions to our wish lists, but no purchases.

The final leg of the day's journey began with Lloyd & J.T. looking for the fastest route home while Boyd and I continued across the Gandy Bridge to Tampa.  After a trip along Bayshore Boulevard, we turned towards home.

My route today was 144 miles of excellent roads, spectacular views, good food and great friends.  That is the reason we ride.  Come and join us for our next motorcycling adventure.

Glenn "Gunny" Monroe

Bayport - May 15, 2010

Boyd, Lloyd and I spent Friday night camping in Edward Medard Park in preparation for our 3 week motorcycle/camping trip later this summer.  However, that is a story for another place and time.  I mention it only by way of explaining why we were a few minutes late to the usual pre-ride breakfast at Snellgroves.  Upon arrival, we found Bill, J.T., Kent, Eddie, Robert and Bob K. already ensconced at our usual table.  We quickly joined in on the food ans conversation.

After breakfast was over, Boyd, Lloyd, J.T. and I headed headed out for the day's ride while the others went about other mundane pursuits.  The first order of the ride was to head over to Boyd's house so he could change motorcycles (he is trying to save the rubber on the V-Strom for the trip.)  We then turned towards Dade City to begin the remainder of today's route. 

After a quick comfort and gas stop at CR-52 and US-98, we headed to St. Leo and San Antonio where we picked up Pasco Road, then across 52 to Ehren Cutoff, which brought us into Land O' Lakes.  Our next leg took us into Hudson, primarily via US-41 and CR-52.  We made another quick stop at Action Honda on US-19 before heading for the salt water marshes and small towns like Lake Baywood, Aripeka, Hernando Beach and Weeki Wachee Gardens.  Lloyd left the group at Action Honda to return home to greet visitors at his home in Plant City.

The remaining three made it to the Bayport Inn just about noon.  Boyd and I enjoyed the excellent fish basket while J.T. opted for a cheeseburger.  I can't speak for the cheeseburger, but the fish was excellent.

After lunch, we turned back towards Plant City, traveling two great roads, Bayhead Road and Lake Iola Road, in the process.  I arrived home about 2:30 p.m., having put another 200 miles on the Wing that day.

See you next week for another motorcycling adventure.

"Gunny" Monroe

Gander Mountain - May 9, 2010

I'm back!  I missed a week on the road while in Michigan visiting family.  I love Michigan this time of year.

This week, freshly back from Michigan, I met seven other members of our group in downtown Plant City for breakfast and a ride.  The morning weather was clear, dry and promised to be very warm, very soon.  The destination for the ride was Gander Mountain to scout for camping equipment for our upcoming motorcycle tour.The purpose of the ride, as always, was the ride itself.

When finished with breakfast, Bill, Lloyd, Eddie and I turned our motorcycles towards Lake Mary while Robert, Scott and Bob K. headed off to do something more mundane.  Today's route took us across many familiar and favorite roads until we reached Astatula where we turned east to approach Lake Mary from far less busy and more interesting roads.  Along the way, we ran across J.T. and Debbie with another group of cyclists heading to Daytona Beach.

We arrived at the Gander Mountain sometime after noon.  By then the temperature had reached 88 degrees (that would be 31+ to you, Brian).

 

Bill, Eddie & Lloyd head for the entrance (pay no attention to the UFO approaching from the upper left)

Gander Mountain is a great store for all you outdoor types and we spent over an hour inside looking at all the neat gadgets they had to offer.

 

Leaving the store, Bill decided he needed to head home as expeditiously as possible so he left the group to return on I-4. Meanwhile, Eddie, Lloyd and I backtracked our outbound route with a short detour to Mary's Kountry Kitchen near Lake Jem for lunch.  One more stop was made on the way home at the Lakeland Fun Bike Center and, as is more and more often the case, found nothing we needed to buy.

I made it home about 4:30 p.m. having covered 219 miles under warm Florida skies.  Join us next week for another adventure.

Gunny