May 12, 2012 - Floral City

It was another great day in central Florida, albeit lovebug season.  Bill, Boyd, Eddie, J.T. and I met for breakfast at Snellgroves before starting today's journey.  All five started the ride knowing that Bill, Eddie and J.T. would only ride until noon.  With that in mind, we headed for our first destination - the San Ann Market in San Antonio, FL.

Click here for the full route.

San Ann Patio

After a pleasant break and conversation of their patio, we headed north to pickup Jesamine Road for the first twisties of the day.  We all made it through safely, but one was reminded that brakes and road paint can make for a squirrely ride.  Reaching the end of Jesamine Rd., Bill, Eddie and J.T. decided that they would turn around and head back to Plant City.

Meanwhile, Boyd and I continued on with the ride across Bayhead, Hayman, Wellesley and Istachatta Roads.

Boyd's new green monster

Arriving in Floral City, we stopped at the Shamrock Inn for an enjoyable lunch.  While there, I witnessed a classic example of role reversal as three bikers, two men and a woman, entered the restaurant and took seats at a table near us.  One man announced that he going to wash his hands.  The second man responded, "Me, too."  The woman, however, merely raised her hand to her face, sniffed the fingers, shrugged and remained seated.  Classic.  Luckily, I was able to restrain my laughter until we were outside.

Leaving Floral City, we decided to take the long way back to Lakeland.  We headed south and east across the back roads to Webster, then over to Center Hill, where we turned south to pick up Sloan's Ridge, South Bay Lake and Lake Erie.  From there we headed south to Green Pond, then on home.

Photo borrowed from Boyd.  Hope you don't mind.

It was a great ride, but, as I mentioned in the beginning, it is lovebug season in central Florida as you can see by Boyd's helmet.  Boyd and I covered about 181 miles on this ride.  It took another hour after getting home to debug the helmet and motorcycle.

Ride safely, and as always, Ride with Pride.

Glenn "Gunny" Monroe