May 30, 2009

Breakfast this morning was at Snellgroves. Originally, there were only three of us, but others began trickling in one-by-one. The last to arrive was Kyle. Being the youngest of our group, the waitress took special notice and presented him with a special meal, a Mickey Mouse pancake.

Afterwards, it was off to Eddie's house for bike maintenance in preparation for next week's trip. Boyd has decided to ride his Gold Wing to Sylva, NC and back, but wants his VMax in the mountains, so he loaded his VMax into Eddie's trailer for transport. Eddie and Robert will also be trailering their bikes to Sylva later in the week.

Eddie and Bill prepared a good pepper and sausage lunch which was served in Eddies newly renovated lanai. This air conditioned dream is a great improvement. In addition to the dining area, it includes comfortable seating and a state-of-the-art television. Good job, Eddie.

Bill, Boyd, Lloyd & I will be leaving Monday morning on our respective motorcycles. Robert & Eddie will follow on Thursday with the trailer. Should be a great trip. I will try to keep up with the blog as we go, when internet access is available.

Make sure to checkout this week's photos.

Gunny

May 23, 2009

We were happy to have Kent Andrel and Bill's wife, Mercy, join us for our Saturday breakfast this week. After breakfast, Eddie headed south for a short fishing trip while Kent & Bill decided to take advantage of the respite from the rain to get some yard work done. Bobby was still on call for work, so it was Boyd, Lloyd and I that headed out for a ride.

With an eye to the weather which would surely bring rain sooner or later, we decided to keep the ride local so we set off on a circuitous route through Hillsborough and Polk counties.

Breakfast held off the hunger pains so we decided to skip lunch and ride while the weather held. Our final stop was at Lloyd's for a liquid libation. As we left that location, I could hear thunder beginning to roll in the eastern skies. That convinced me that we had ridden enough for that day so Boyd and I headed for home. The rains started in earnest about 30 minutes after I got home. Timing is everything.

Sorry for the lack of pictures this week. I forgot to pack my camera.

Gunny

May 16, 2009 - Sunshine Skyway & Taste of Boston

I tried something different today. Instead of embedding photos in the blog, I have posted them to a web album. Click here to see the photos.


It was a beautiful central Florida morning as we gathered at the Whistle Stop in Plant City. After a group breakfast, the riders mounted up and headed the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (see the route at the link above). Of course we took the back way through Lithia, Balm, Wimauma, and Parrish.

We soon arrived at the bridge and stopped at the south rest area for a break, a bottle of water, and a view of Tampa Bay. I was happy to see that the heavy rains of the past few days had brought the water back enough to completely cover the flats. After taking a few pictures, we re-mounted and headed north across the mouth of Tampa Bay on the Sunshine Skyway. J.T. was able to get a few good pictures as we crossed.

Arriving at the north end of the bridge, we decided to check out the parasurfers. This time, we rode the sand down to where the surfers were gathered. That allowed us to get some very nice photos.

The next leg of today's trip took us to Barney's motorcycle shop in St. Petersburg. It is always fun to look around their large selection of vehicles and accessories. Besides, I needed a new kickstand support since mine broke in the sand at the last stop. It didn't dump the bike, but I did not want to chance it again. Barney's had a new VMax on the sales floor and Boyd, who had ridden his Wing today, tried to get the salesman to say something foolish about the VMax, but the guy was pretty good and didn't provide Mr. Sarcasm with any ammunition. Check out the photo of the Blue Knights themed Goldwing on the link above. It belongs to a FL XVII member who was also visiting Barney's today.

The next portion of the trip took us across the Gandy Bridge to the Tampa peninsula then over to Ballast Point Park where we stopped for lunch at the Taste of Boston. For those who have not been there, the park is a nice, quiet and shady spot with a good fishing pier and really nice views of downtown Tampa across the Hillsborough Bay.

After lunch and a walk on the pier, we headed towards home via Bayshore Blvd. where we got some good views of the bay, some impressive real estate and a bikini or two. Traffic was very heavy around the Forum and around the grand opening of the new IKEA store at Adamo and 22nd. Thankfully, we all had liquid cooled engines and survived all the long stops. Forced by traffic and the Hillsborough Sheriff's deputies to forgo turning onto 22nd, we detoured to another entrance to I-4 where we could finally pick up enough speed to shut down the radiator fans.

Arriving back in Plant City, we stopped for desert at Parksdale's (alas, it is too late in the season for strawberry shortcake).

It was a great 130 mile ride. Come and join us next Saturday.

Ride with Pride

Gunny

May 9, 2009

Yielding to a request for a change of pace, we eschewed our usual breakfast eatery and headed for The Brickyard today.

We had no sooner been seated when Boyd rose to make a presentation. For the uninformed, a friendly competition for photographic supremacy has developed over the past few years between Ace (Bill) and Mr. Sarcasm (Boyd). Today, Boyd formally presented Bill with a specially designed T-shirt and cap designating Bill as the #1 Official Photographer for Navigator Image Productions.


Bill was highly pleased with the presentation.

And, in a manner consistent with being Bill, he acknowledged the gift by calling the entire restaurant to attend his acceptance of the title.

It was all very entertaining. I would, however, caution Ace to remember Boyd's well earned nickname when wearing his laurels.

After breakfast, Boyd, J.T., Debbie and I headed out for our ride. We started in a generally southwest direction which soon found us crossing the South Prong of the Alafia River (that's the creek that passes under Jameson Rd.). As we passed, I saw a wood stork out of the corner of my eye and we stopped for some photos.

There turned out to be a whole flock of them.

What was also apparent was the extremely low water level. The river here was just a series of shallow pools.

J.T. & Debbie waited patiently while photos were taken.


From there, we headed towards Agricola Mine Road.

As the morning progressed it became readily apparent that:
1) the day was going to be very hot;
2) the lovebugs were back in full force;
3) road kill was plentiful; and
4) the buzzards were enjoying the bounty.

Our windshields and fairings were soon a mass of lovebug remains and we had to slow repeatedly to avoid the flocks of buzzards consuming the road kill. Coming around a curve on Agricola Mine Road, a particularly large flock of buzzards rose from their meal directly into the path of my motorcycle. There was insufficient time for me to do anything but duck behing the windshield before I hit one in the center of the fairing. After stopping, I found buzzard feathers lodged in the center air intake, but, luckily, no damage to the bike. Boyd, being Boyd, made some remark about being glad he was riding behind the "cow catcher".

Continuing our ride, we headed over to Homeland, Lake Hendry, and Lake Buffum. Picking up N. Scenic Highway, we headed south to Avon Park where we stopped for lunch at the Wild Turkey Tavern.

After lunch, we headed towards Lakeland for a quick stop at Fun Bike Center before heading for home and a thorough bike wash.

Gunny

April 25, 2009 - Leesburg

Another glorious day in paradise started with a group breakfast at Snellgroves in Plant City. Afterward, Boyd, Bob & I headed to Leesburg via some of our favorite roads, including Green Pond Road and CR-561.

Our first stop was at Champions Honda where they were celebrating the Bike Fest with a great sale, pizza and a couple of stunt riders. The main reason for our stop, however, was for Boyd to have a new rear tire mounted on his V-Max (yes, already).

Before I continue with my story I have a small quiz. You can identify the object pictured below?

No, it is not a bird's nest. Give up? Remember that Boyd was there to get a new tire and he chose not to leave any good rubber on the old tire, so....

He smoked the tire. Check out the video below.

What was left on the pavement after the tire blew was a pile of burned rubber.

What was left wrapped around the V-Max's rear axle and inside the differential was the tire wire shown in the first photograph.

While Boyd and I waited for the tire change, Bob headed downtown to the Bike Fest.

With the new tire mounted, Boyd and I headed to the Lakeridge Winery to check out their Jazz Festival. We had hardly gotten off the bikes when we heard a familiar voice. It turned out to be Lloyd who had brough Julie and her parents to enjoy the music, sunshine, wine and beer.

Jule & her mother.

After visiting for a while and enjoying the scenery (we developed a new appreciation for green Chiffon), Boyd & I headed home. Another great ride, great day and great memories.

Ride with Pride.

Gunny

April 18 - Drills

Today was something a little different. We met as usual for breakfast then adjourned to the Plant City PD practice pad.

As we gathered for some parking lot drills, Tommy Traffic brought out a new piece of test equipment.

It turned out to be a Buell Ulysses Police Motorcycle.

Powered by a 1203cc V-Twin, this special duty cycle is designed to travel a variety of surfaces from highway to dirt roads. Interestingly, the Ulysses carries its fuel inside the frame rather than in a traditional gas tank. That allows the cycle a lower center of gravity. The high ground clearance supposedly allows the Ulysses to go where a Road King dare not tread.

We eventually moved on to the pad, replacing the usual traffic cones with tennis ball halves to protect our more delicate street bikes from the indignities of contact with the unforgiving traffic cones.

After a couple of hours of much needed practice, we headed to Lakeland for a very enjoyable lunch at Mojo’s. The food was excellent, the prices fair and the service was unique.

Next Saturday we will be heading to Leesburg.

April 4, 2009 - Ozello Trail

What a beautiful day for a ride! The temperature was about 60 degrees when seven of us met for breakfast in Plant City this morning and climbed steadily all day, reaching a sunny 88 degrees this afternoon. It just doesn't get much better than that.

Leaving those with other things to do in Plant City, Eddie Richter, Boyd Harrell and I headed north en route to the Ozello Trail and Peck's Old Port Cove. By the time we reached San Antonio, our tires were warmed enough to take on Jessamine Road which is always a fun ride. We then rode on to Spring Lake, then Brooksville. Traveling north out of Brooksville on Citrus Way, Eddie fired up his CB and began talking about someplace on our route that he had always wanted to investigate. As he was not exactly sure where it was, I had him take the lead. After much searching, he pulled off the highway somewhere just north of Stage Coach Trail. The street sign said Lone Ct. and Lecanto Hwy., but the closest I could see to Lone Ct. was a cow path.

They could not have meant this trail. It is listed as Trail 22 on the map.Anyway, Eddie told us there were caves down this forest trail and he set off to find them.

After a long walk in the woods, we found the first cave and Eddie immediately headed down into it.

Boyd and I quickly followed him down into the cave where we examined some modern day cave art.Now, the cave did continue underground for some ways, but the passages seemed a little restricted for men of stature such as ourselves, so we exited the way we came to explore from above. In Many places, the caves have collapsed leaving them exposed to the sky.You know Boyd. He can never be satisfied with a normal picture. Here he is videoing the photographer.Making our way back to the trail head we located our waiting steeds and prepared to complete the trip to Ozello.The rest of the trip to Peck's via the Ozello Trail was fairly uneventful. The Trail was as beautiful and challenging as ever. Lunch at Peck's was the usual excellent fare. Then came the ride out. One of the best things about going to Peck's is that you get to ride the Ozello Trail in both directions.

We took the opportunity on the way home to have a little more fun on Hayman, Bayhead and Bellamy Brothers Roads.

We eventually had to call the day to a close, but not without a stop to see Eddie's new Boat. I hope this thing brings Eddie and I a lot of future fun.See you all soon,

Gunny
Ride with Pride
Not All Who Wander are Lost

March 28 - Montverde, Winter Garden & Lake Minneola

Six of us met for breakfast this morning with the intent of riding to Ozello. After the morning fog was cleared by food and coffee, lots of coffee, only two of us were able to saddle up for today's ride. Bill was still feeling the effects of the creeping crud he had been fighting all week. Eddie had to head home to prepare for his 1st grade class reunion. Robert was called in to work. And Greg Horn, well I forget what he had to do but I am sure it was something important.

Anyway, Lloyd and I decided to save Ozello until more people could make the trip, so we turned northeast and headed toward Montverde. As you can see from the map below, I believe that the best route between any two points is a curvy road. Today, those curvy roads included Swindell, Rockridge, Green Pond, CR-455 & CR-561.

After arriving in Montverde, we decided to head over to to Performance Honda in Winter Garden so Lloyd could look for a new helmet. The last time I was there, the back third of the store was filled with accessories. Now, their accessories are limited to what can be mounted on the walls. All floor space is now dedicated to the display of new motorcycles.

Performance Honda did not have the helmet that Lloyd wanted, so we headed next door to Champions Yamaha. (Yes, its the same company that owns Champions Honda in Leesburg,) Lloyd was able to find a helmet he liked and came away with a new white HJC Sy-Max II. All the way home, I got the oddest feeling that I was seeing myself in my rear view mirror - same bike, same color, same helmet style and color - weird.

Anyway, buying stuff made us hungry so we headed over to Lake Minneola where Lloyd introduced me to the Tiki Hut at the Lake Minneola Inn. It is tucked away on the east shore of Lake Minneola and sits right on the water, or would if the water levels weren't so low (it is point D on the map above). Believe me, you won't find this place by accident but the food was excellent as was the atmosphere and view. It is definitely someplace we will visit again.

Sand Sailors

Our waitress.

Lloyd waiting for lunch to arrive.

After lunch we headed home across 561 and a second trip across Green Pond Road. Another great day on the road.

"Not all who wander are lost."

Gunny

February 21 - Tampa Bay

Today's great ride took us around Tampa Bay. Bill was busy with his camera, so I'll just refer you to his blog, The Navigator's Rides, for a complete run down on today's activities. The map below depicts our route.


Not all who wander are lost.
Gunny

February 14 - Moss Bluff and the Dam Diner

What a great day for a ride.  The day started with the unexpected arrival of Boyd in his new knee-dragging attire.  This good looking, high tech suit is complete with hard external knee pads to he can lay the V-Max over like a true racer.  The knee pads have not been scuffed yet, but the foot pegs do show evidence pavement contact.  I think he's the only rider in the group that could get that bike leaning over so far.

After breakfast at Snellgrives, six bikes and seven riders headed north towards the Ocala National Forest via Kathleen, Rockridge, Green Pond and CR-561.  The map below shows our route for the day.  (Remember - you can enlarge any image by clicking on it.)

Here we are at a comfort stop at CR-561 and US-27.  

J.T. and Debbie sharing a laugh.

Bill, Boyd and Robert swapping tales.

After the comfort stop, Bill, Eddie and Robert headed back to Plant City so Bill could retreive his ST from the repair shop.  Meanwhile, Boyd, J.T., Debbie and I continued north on CR-561 towards Leesburg where we stopped at Champions Honda so Boyd could pick up some goodies for the V-Max.  

Leaving Leesburg we made our way north to Forest Road (182nd Ave. Rd.) which carried us along the western edge of the Ocala National Forest to Moss Bluff on SR-464C.  Crossing the Ocklawaha River, we arrived at the Dam Diner.

Although this small eatery is stuck in a fairly remote location, it is a very busy place with a devoted clientele.  The food is excellent and plentiful and breakfast is served all day.

The Diner gets its name from the nearby dam and lock across the Ocklawaha River.  The lock can bee seen on the right.  The spillway is seen on the left.

A collection of carved wooden elephants stands guard near the dam.

After lunch, we worked our way over to US-301 for the trip home.  It was a great day for a ride with good friends, good weather and good roads.  Be sure to join us for future rides.

Gunny