Friday 02/21/20 Ride

Fellow Riders,

• In our continuing struggle to make peace with Mother Nature on Friday's, it looks like we may have another weather challenge day this Friday.  The forecasters are predicting a chance of black ice on Friday after some potential snow on Thursday.  I think I'll plan on going to Dimas Brothers in Seneca.  If the roads are okay, we'll take a route on sunny roads and leave the Key Mart parking area at 10:30 am.  If the roads are risky, I think we can just meet at Dimas Brothers at 11:30 am.  Look for an email Friday morning at 8:00 am to let you know what the plan is.  Hopefully, we'll get at least a short ride in and I'll see you at the Key Mart parking area, or at Dimas Brothers.   Steve

Dimas Brothers Café

• Update - It looks like main roads will be in good shape for a not so long ride to Dimas Brothers in Seneca.  If you agree, we'll leave the Key Mart parking area at 10:30 am.   Steve

• The very sunny skies made the ride to Dimas Brothers Cafe comfortable.  The temperature was approaching 40 degrees as we left the Key Mart parking area.  Joining me for a cool ride were Neil, Steve G., Denny, Terry, and Kevin.  Ed showed up at the restaurant soon after we arrived.  The roads were in good shape, but you could see evidence on Hwy's 11 and 59, that they could have been slippery before sunrise.  We were seated at a couple of tables pushed together after convincing the server that six  sitting at a round table might be a little cramped.  They serve breakfast all day and that is what most people ordered.  The food is quite good and so was the service.  This place is quite popular and people were actually waiting to be seated by the time we left.  After finishing our meals, a couple of riders headed off to do some errands, and the others followed more for another hour of riding.  Although cool, it was a bright sunny day, making it another great day to be on two wheels.   Steve

The forecast had made me think this is how the ride would be.

Friday 02/14/20 Ride

Fellow Riders,

• This coming Friday looks to be much sunnier and warmer than last weeks' ride.  I think I'll head to the Waterfall Grille at Cateechee in Georgia.  If that works for you, we'll plan on leaving the Key Mart parking area at 10:30 am.  Hope to see you there.   Steve

Waterfall Grille

• This was a kind of day we've been waiting for.  The air was a little cool, but it was dry and the constant sunshine made it a very pleasurable ride.  There were seven riders today including me.  Joining me were Len, Dan, Ray, Neil, Terry, and Steve G.  It was a nice ride through Anderson county as we made our way into Georgia after passing the Hartwell Dam.  The waters were not that muddy near the dam compared to what we passed near Clemson.  Thanks to the call ahead by Paulette, the table was set up for us.  Our drink orders were taken fairly quickly, but it required a prompt from Len to let our server know we were ready to order.  It took a while to get our food due to a couple other larger tables, but overall it was good, except for some negative comments about the bacon and serving size.  After we finished, our route home took us through Hartwell and ultimately, to I85.  This gave us a chance to wind out the engines.  Overall, it was another great day on two wheels.   Steve

Friday 02/07/20 Ride

Fellow Riders,

• Assuming we're not washed away in floods on Thursday, Friday looks like it will be dry.  Cool, but dry.  I plan on going to the Barnwood Grill in Anderson.  I've not been here before, but Professor Trip Advisor has some good reviews. If this sounds interesting to you, we'll plan on leaving the Key Mart parking area at 10:30 am.  Steve

      Barnwood Grill - Trip Advisor

• Well this turned out to be an interesting day. Dan sent me an email saying he and Sue checked this venue out in the past, noting it is small.  I knew of an overflow area called the "Coop," but assumed it would be too cool on this brisk and windy day. (Bill confirmed it would be like sitting in a parking lot!) I was also concerned the significant amount of rain and subsequent flooding on Thursday may have impaired our ride, so I grabbed my coffee and took the "cage" on a pre-ride to make sure we did not have a problem.  It was okay.  I also had to consider Dan's advice about the size of the venue, but did not expect more than a couple other riders. We definitely had more than they could handle at Barnwood, so I followed the planned route to Anderson, but went to the Pompous Pig instead.  This turned out to be a good choice and they were certainly not crowded.   


• In addition to all this craziness, it turned out to be the last day OG Bob would be riding with us as a resident of Keowee Key. It was not a great weather day, but it was great to have OG Bob with us for this special ride.  Turns out he got home from the ride and Habitat for Humanity was called to come and retrieve the beastly Yamaha, ending a 20 plus year relationship with the bike.  It's said his kids would be glad to hear the news.  Following are some photos to remember OG Bob from the rides.  Hopefully, he'll accept Terry's offer to ride one of his bikes on a future Friday ride.  Steve

You probably think these
are not all for OG Bob..       

OG Bob - unusual to see
him on clean, sporty bikes..

Only OG Bob's electric winter gear comes with an extension cord

  

Friday 01/31/20 Ride

Fellow Riders,

• Friday doesn't look like a great day to ride, but I thought I'd try to get a lunch ride in before the rain arrives.  I plan on going to Joe's New York Pizza at Patrick Square in Clemson.  We'll plan to leave the Key Mart parking area at 10:30 am.   If the weather forecast gets worse, I'll send an email out Thursday night.   Steve

Joe's NY Pizza

• Update - Cancel Lunch and Have Breakfast - Well the forecast did get worse, so we'll go with Garys' plan and meet at Sisters at 9 am.  I'll let them know we're coming.  Guessing around 10 to 12.   Steve
• Note - Because I inadvertently left Gary off  the initial Wednesday email, he generously took the initiative to ensure there was a plan for Friday, thinking I either wasn't back from Mexico, or just forgot.  Thanks Gary!!

• It was definitely a good choice to cancel the Friday ride.  The weather continued to deteriorate and actually snowed by the time we were leaving, resulting in schools being closed in the area.  We did not have as many turn out as I expected, but it was still a good time with good friends and good food.  Hopefully, these nasty weather Fridays will become very nice weather Fridays.   Steve

Not exactly a "nor'easter," but can wreak havoc in the mountains.

Friday 01/24/20 Ride

Fellow Riders,

• It looks like Steve took the Sunshine down to Mexico with him, and left us with a cold rainy day this Friday.  Nice weather for ducks, but not so good for riding.  As such, I think it best to just do our standard Plan B, and meet at Sisters for breakfast at 9:00 am.  If this sounds good to you, let me know so I can give Sisters a count.   Gary

• Note to Gary - Read your email about the Friday ride.  I didn't mean to take all of the sun with me.  Sisters will be glad to see you.   Thanks,    Steve

Just a warm, sunny walk along the Pacific Ocean.  Ahhh!!