October 29, 2011 - San Antonio

I usually start this blog with something like "It was a beautiful morning..."  Today, that just wasn't so.  In fact, I drove out to Ace's place to pick up my bike with high hopes that the rain would clear by the time I got there.  As I stood outside the bike barn gazing at the cloud filled, rainy skies, Ace exited his house, got into his SUV and headed for the street.  I decided he was probably right, so I got back into my car and followed him into Plant City to meet the group for breakfast.

Arriving next to the Whistle Stop, I was surprised to see Robert's Harley, then Preacher showed up on his Wing!  Some guys just gotta ride.  Usually, I am one of them but had chickened out today.

As we stood talking and waiting for stragglers, the smell of baking bread was wafting out of the Whistle Stop's open kitchen door.  As we were commenting on the great aroma, Jerry came out of that door to join us.  We tried to convince him to bring out a fresh loaf and a tub of butter.  Alas, none was yet ready.  So off to Snellgrove's we went - Ace, Preacher, Big Ed, Jerry, Robert, Jade and I.

After breakfast, Jerry went back to baking his bread.  Ace & Big Ed went shopping.  I was about to leave when Preacher promised that the weather was improving and convinced me to ride also.  So, off to Dover we went to retrieve my Burgman.

Shortly after we started the ride, Preacher's prediction came true.  The rain stopped, resulting in some great riding conditions.  The route took us up to San Antonio for a stop at the San Ann Market.

Click on the map for details.

From there, we rode Jessamine, Bayhead, Bellamy Brothers, Pasco and St. Joe.

We stopped at Smitty's Smokehouse & Grill in Dade City for lunch.  The food is excellent and well priced.

Leaving Smitty's, Preacher and I headed for my house to replace a headlight bulb on Preacher's Wing while Robert and Jade headed back to Plant City.

All-in-all, it turned out to be a great day to Ride with Pride.  See you next time.

Gunny.

October 21, 2011 - Montverde

It was a brisk Saturday morning when we gathered for breakfast in Plant City, FL.  We were happy that Eddie, Marlena and Robert could join us for morning food and conversa-tion, even if they were unable to ride today.

The skies were clear but the temperature was still cool as Ace, Preacher, Mr. Sarcasm and I left Plant city en route to Montverde, FL on the east coast of Lake Apopka.  

Now that the Burgman has completed the break-in period, I was, for the first time, able to push it hard through the power band.  It made for a much improved ride - quick and responsive - as we covered some of our fa-vorite roads.

Somewhere along the line, Ace left us and headed off on his own to take care of other business.

Leaving Montverde, we turned south and headed for lunch at the Minneola Inn.  The food there is always excellent, including the homemade fries.  If we were smart, however, we would have started with one their homemade deserts since we were all to full to try them after lunch.

The route home took us south on CR-561 to SR-33.  From there, we headed for the barn by each person's best route.  It was another great day on the Florida by-ways.

October 1, 2011

With half of our every week riders on their annual northern tour, participation at breakfast was slim this morning.  Only J.T., Robert and I were there, however, we had 100% participation in the morning ride, at least until Robert received a call from a neighbor telling him that his dog had gotten out.  Oh well, J.T. and I had a nice ride around eastern Polk County and I only lost J.T. once.  It was my fault.  I had not charged the battery on my GPS and it died shortly after we left Plant City.  As a result, the turn onto a hidden rural byway snuck up on me - I made the turn, but J.T. did not.  Luckily, we found each other again.  Anyway, we had a good ride and I completed the break-in on the new machine.  It will be interesting to see how it performs when the RPM limitations are removed.

As to those on the northern tour, this week found them riding the White Mountain area in New Hampshire, then west across Vermont where they put their bikes on the ferry across southern Lake Champlain to Ticonderoga, New York.  Saturday, they arrived in Niagara Falls, NY and spent the night on the American side.  Sunday, they will be moving to a hotel on the Canadian side overlooking the falls.  Sounds like a good time, although I see that it is cold up there and there may be a few days of rainy weather ahead.  Good luck, guys.

Gunny

Breaking It In - September 3, 2011

After a five month hiatus, I AM BACK!

Bill, Boyd, Eddie, Robert, Bob K. and I gathered for breakfast in Plant City, FL this morning.  After the usual eggs smothered in sarcasm, we adjourned to the parking lot for the day's ride.  Unfortunately, Robert was call off to work, leaving five riders to head towards the Dade City/San Antonio area.

Everyone was on the customary bikes, but I was out to break-in my brand new wheels.

It is a white 2011 Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive that had 0.0 miles on it when I picked it up on Wednesday.  Okay, it's a scooter, but it's a super-scooter.  It lacks the low end torque of my my Gold Wing but provides a surprisingly quick, nimble and comfortable ride.  The break-in guidelines suggest the the revs not exceed 4,000 rpm for the first 600 miles.  I found that that limited me to only modest acceleration, but still allowed me to travel at near 70 mph in sixth gear.

Anyway, the five of us traveled to Dade City via some of my favorite twisties, including Swindell, Hancock, Sherrouse, and Old Dade City.  Somewhere near Zephyrhills, Eddie turned for home.  After a fuel and rest stop at US-98 and Clinton, Bill and Bob K. also headed for home while Boyd and I continued on to ride Jessamine, Bayhead, Hayman and Trilby.  We then turned for home as both Boyd and I wanted to be back by noon.

All-in-all, it was a great day back on 2-wheels.  I now have just over 200 miles on the Burgman and a much better feel for the machine, although I'm still not accustomed to not gripping a tank with my knees.  So far, the Burgman has averaged 43.4 mpg, which isn't too bad for break-in mileage.

See you next week,
Gunny

February 26, 2011 - Anna Maria Island

Today was another beautiful day in paradise as nine friends met in Plant City for the day's ride.  After breakfast, J.T., Eddie, Kyle, Bob K., Scott & I headed southwest, intending to visit Anna Maria Island.  Bill, Mercy & Bobby were unable to join us for the ride.

The route led us to Lithia, Balm, and Wimauma before reaching our comfort stop on 64 east of Bradenton.  It was here that Kyle decided to head for home.  The rest continued east on 64 through Bradenton towards Anna Maria Island.  The traffic in Bradenton was extremely heavy until we got past the Farmer's Market with it multiple closed side streets.  Thereafter, traffic improved greatly.

Arriving on Anna Maria Island, we made our way down to Coquina Beach on the southern tip of the island.

A stroll on the beach

Drawbridge between Anna Maria & Longboat Key

Inlet to the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway

Leaving the beach, we backtracked to the Beach House Restaurant in Bradenton Beach.

The reataurant sits right on the beach with magnificent views of the3 beach and Gulf of Mexico.

We sat inside and left the open air dining for the snowbirds.

 After a great lunch we snapped a few beach pictures before once again hitting the road.

Deciding not to continue on to Longboat Key, we retraced our route home, having traveled 195 miles through great views, great roads and glorious Florida weather. Come join us for our next adventure.

Ride with Pride
Glenn "Gunny" Monroe

February 19, 2011 - Weeki Wachee Gardens

Six friends and fellow motorcycle enthusiast met for breakfast in Plant City this morning on what may have been the most beautiful day of the year.

Shortly after our repast of good food and dubious stories was completed, five of us left for our planned ride with Robert heading off to work. We turned our bikes north, heading towards Zephyrhills.

 Upon reaching Crystal Springs Rd. and Chauncey, Boyd left the group to join Miss Vicki for other duties. The remaining four bikes headed for our first stop of the day at the San Ann Market in San Antonio.

The market had made quite a transformation since our last visit.  Much of the space had been transformed into booths and a bar.  They seem to be transforming into more of a restaurant than a market.

Having refreshed, we headed for our next stop taking advantage of some of the more interesting roads in the area - Pasco, Ehren Cutoff & Aripeka.

The next stop was the Aripeka Road bridge over Hammock Creek in, where else, Aripeka, FL.  Views from the bridge offer a glimpse of life in coastal Florida.

Oops!  How did this get in there?

A School of Needlefish Gathered at the Bridge

Out next stop was just a few miles down the road in Weeki Wachee Gardens.  Sitting on the bank of the Weeki Wachee River is Upper Deck Restaurant where we stopped for lunch.

After a nice lunch, we turned back towards home - the long way, of course.  We covered some very nice roards on the way home, including Powell, Culbreath, Hayman and Jesamine.  What was, for me at least, the most exciting part of the ride home occurred as I rounded the last curve on and saw this:

a Bobcat crossing the road crossing the road at a dead run five feet in front of me.  Believe me, I busied myself grabbing brakes and seat cushion, narrowly avoiding this beautiful creature.

All in all, it was 150 miles of great roads, good friends and absolutely beautiful weather.  Come join us, soon.

Glenn "Gunny" Monroe

RIDE WITH PRIDE

January 15, 2011 - Zolfo Springs

It was another beautiful central Florida morning as seven friends met in Plant City for breakfast at Snellgroves.  As we entered the restaurant, Dana already had the table set for us and coffee poured, portending a good day ahead.  The food, excellent though it may be, is merely the backdrop for the dueling verbal scalpels of these seven practitioners.

About 9:00 a.m., with everyone full and no one having suffered  any serious cuts, the group broke up.  Bill, Boyd, Robert and Kent all left for other duties while Eddie, J.T. mounted up and I headed south with no specific destination in mind.

We eventually made our way down to Myakka City for a comfort stop and a quick check of the map.  We then turned southeast towards Arcadia then north towards Zolfo Springs, with a detour down Sweetwater Road.

Arriving in Zolfo Springs shortly after noon, we decided to stop at the Pioneer Restaurant for lunch.

This unimposing eatery is popular with locals and is always busy.  All three of us chose the friend chicken - an excellent choice.

Our bodies refueled, we prepared fore the return ride.

The return trip was enjoyable and uneventful.  After a fuel stop in Mulberry, we all headed home via separate routes.

We travelled about 185 miles under beautiful, clear skies.  Another great day on central Florida highways.

Ride with Pride

Glenn "Gunny" Monroe

January 8, 2011 - The Long Way to Webster

It was great to have the gang back together again after the holiday absences. Nine gathered in the parking lot next to The Whistle Stop, including Kyle who eschewed breakfast as he was then on duty.  We were, however, joined at breakfast by Eddie's wife and Boyd, who has recently found his Saturdays too encumbered with dancing to ride.

After breakfast, Bill, Eddie, J.T., Kent, Robert and I set out for this day's ride.  Boyd tagged along until the nearest point to his home where he left to join Miss Vicki.

The ride took us on a tortured route across some of my favorite roads and a few new ones with the intent to arrive in Webster around noon.

Our first stop (not counting the gas stop at mile #2) was at the one-lane bridge on Rockridge Rd. (the road becomes Green Pond 100 feet east of the bridge).  There we found a idle drag-line crane, apparently preparing to widen and/or replace the bridge.

Is that Robert behind those bars?

Kent playing with his Android X.

Resuming our ride, we headed for CR-561, where, at Laws Rd., J.T. left our company to join his other riding group.

After about 3 hours and 113 miles, four of us arrived in Webster for lunch at Hayseed's Cafe.  Bill would join us later as he had stopped in Center Hill for some photographs of the town sliding into hard times.

After a good lunch, Kent and Robert decided to head for home via the quickest route while Eddie, Bill and I opted to put a few more miles on the bikes before heading home.  After wandering through Lacoochie, Trilby and San Antonio, we also headed for home.

I had a great time with great friends and put about 178 new miles in the Wing today. Remember, "Not all who wander are lost."

Ride with Pride

Gunny

January 2, 2011

Today's scheduled ride fell apart due to a little rain so I rode by myself for a few hours. We will try the same ride next Saturday.

Gunny

Gulfport - December 4, 2010

The temperature was in the high 30's when eight friends gathered for breakfast this Saturday morning.  However, after the eggs were eaten and the coffee consumed, there were only three who decided to brave the ride on motorcycles.  So it was that J.T., Boyd and I headed south under beautiful blue and cloudless skies.

Although the morning had a cold start, by the time we reached the South Prong of the Alifia River at Jameson Road, we started to shed layers.  From there, the route took us southwest past Balm, Wimauma, the Little Manatee River State Park, Sundance and across to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

We made a stop at the south rest area to check out the views.

Crossing the bridge, we stopped at the north rest area.

It was then on to O'Maddy's Bar and Grill in Gulfport for lunch.  The food here is aways excellent here and the staff is very friendly and accommodating.

Boyd enjoyed a chili cheeseburger.

J.T. had one of their specialty hamburgers.

I had their renowned RBK sandwich.

After lunch, we headed across St. Petersburg to Barney's to window shop for motorcycles and gear.  From there, we picked up I-275, crossed the Howard Franklin Bridge, picked up I-4 and headed for home.

All-in-all, it was a very pleasant 150 mile ride.  See you next time.

RIDE WITH PRIDE

"Gunny" Monroe

November 20, 2010 - San Antonio

It was another glorious Saturday morning in central Florida as eight good friends met for breakfast in Plant City.  The skies were somewhat overcast and the temperature was cool but promised to warm quickly. Leaving Snellgrove's Restaurant, three of the group left for other duties while, Bill, Boyd, J.T., Bob K. and I prepared for the day's ride.

The morning ride took us to San Antonio via Dover and Zephyrhills.  We made a comfort stop at the San Ann Market where we enjoyed a beverage and conversation on the patio.  This is always an enjoyable stop because of the atmosphere and the very friendly people.  From there, we headed off to explore the many hills and curves that the area offers, including Jessamine Rd., Clay Hill, Powell, Hayman, Bayhead, Bellamy Brothers and Old Pasco. Lunch time found us back in San Antonio for a stop at Pancho's Villa Mexican Restaurant.

Green Burrito

Bill heads for the door while Boyd finishes his lunch.

After lunch we headed back to the road.  Boyd's Concours14 had just completed it's break-in and it was time to stretch it's legs.  Soon after we left the restaurant, Bill turned his bike towards home while the remaining four continued the ride. The afternoon route took us back north to Trilby, then back to Dade City, where Bob broke away from the group.  As we approached Zephyhills, J.T. also headed for home.  That left just Boyd and I to complete the ride.

We headed towards the north Lakeland area to run Old Dade City Rd., Sherrouse and Lakeland Acres.  From there, we made our way over to Green Pond Rd. then explored the curves through the orange groves east of Polk City.

It was a great 236 mile ride.  You should have been there!

Gunny

November 13, 2010 - Lake Minneola

It was a cool morning as seven friends gathered for breakfast in Plant City, Florida.  The last to arrive was our friend, Boyd, on his new 2011 Concours 14.  I think he planned it that way to draw the biggest crowd of gawkers.

After breakfast, Bill, Boyd, Robert, Bob K. and I left for the day's ride. Sadly, Lloyd couldn't ride due to family commitments and J.T. decided he'd rather ride rather join his Faith Rider group.

Today's route

took us first to the Florida Fun Bike Center in Lakeland so Boyd could retrieve his Guardian Bell from to VMax.  While we were there, Bill talked Dave, the Fun Bike Manager, into allowing us the use of their conference room to show us all his latest DVD creation, The Last Ride of VMax.  The video depicted Boyd's last ride on his VMax before he traded it for the Concours14.  It was a great piece of work and I join all the other viewers in saying that Bill could have a very nice future should he decide to take Navigator Studios commercial.  Great job, Bill.

Leaving Fun Bike, Robert decided to call it a day while the rest headed north, mostly, to get to Rockridge and Green Pond Road. We made a brief stop at the bridge near Green Pond and Poyner Oaks, one of our favorite stops.

Leaving Green Pond Rd. behind, we next headed for Lake Erie Rd.  This morning, we decided to explore Bay Lake Loop which starts at the end of Lake Erie Rd. and loops bake to Bay Lake Rd. (CR-565).  It was an interesting piece of roadway through a vignette of old Florida. Arriving at the intersection of Bay Lake Loop and CR-565, I was tempted to take a right on the blacktop but I thought that it world soon turn to dirt. A later check of Google Maps showed that I was right.  The blacktop continues only as far as the Van Fleet Trail (1/4 mile) where it becomes a sand logging trail.

Our journey continued to Sloan's Ridge Rd. then over to Montverde via back roads.  From there, we worked our way back to Lake Minneola for lunch at the Tiki Bar Grill.

The place was unusually busy and we had to wait awhile to get a table (turns out there was a festival in town). The $1.00 drafts and excellent burgers were enjoyed by all.

I said, enjoyed, Bill!

Boyd

Bob K.

After lunch, we took and indirect route home via CR-561and back across Green Pond Rd. - two of our favorite pieces of roadway in central Florida.

We covered about 175 miles today under sunny skies with temperatures topping out near 80 degrees. We arrived back home around 3:30 p.m. happy and thankful for another great ride.  See you next time.

Gunny