Friday 11/01/13 Ride

Fellow Riders,

• Friday’s weather forecast calls for rain, mostly overnight, diminishing throughout the day, therefore I am not planning a ride at this time.  Those still wishing to ride should meet at the Key Mart parking area about 10:30 am and select a destination and ride leader at that time.  Ride safe and stay dry if you can.   Dan

• Well, the forecast held, and it is way too soggy to head out on the road on two wheels.  There is always hope for next week.  Not another great day on two wheels.   Steve

Friday 10/25/13 Ride

Fellow Riders,

• Friday’s forecast calls for sunny but COLD!  I haven’t quite gotten used to that yet so I’m thinking I might just ride down to Anderson, SC and have some lunch at McGee’s Irish Pub.  If you would like to join me let’s plan to leave the Key Mart parking area about 10:30 AM.  Hope to see you then.   Dan

McGees Irish Pub

• Cold weather definitely arrived in SC today.  The skies were clear and blue, but the air was very cool, especially when you add a 50 mph wind chill.  Dan led a group of seven out of the Key Mart parking area as we headed west for a trip southeast to Anderson.  Along with Dan, the group included Jim (Wing), me, Rob, Mark, Bob, and Lesley.  The Oconee County roads took us through the rolling farmland as we made our way into Anderson County.  In Fairplay, it seemed fair to make a brief stop to try and shake off some of the cold.  The electric gloves I was wearing quickly became my best friends as we made this chilly ride.  McGees looked like they had not yet opened, but Dan checked it out and in we went.  The restaurant had no problem seating us since we made up 7 of the 9 customers.  Thanks to B.O.B. (Bank of Bob), I was able to eat and pay for my lunch while my wallet rested in warm comfort at home.  The temps did rise while we had lunch and the ride home was more comfortable in the shining sun.  It was another great day on two wheels.    Steve

Two classics, the Irish scarecrow and the Celtic Cross
Trip Advisor - McGees Irish Pub

Friday 10/18/13 Ride

Fellow Riders,

• Sorry for the early notice since I will be out of town this coming week and this is the only computer which contains the group email addresses.  Those wishing to ride should plan to meet and leave from the Key Mart parking area about 10:30 AM, at which time you may chose a destination and ride leader.  I hope the weather is good for you and ride safe.   Dan

Steve says he can lead the group to, wherever!!

• It was a six-pack that pulled out of the Key Mart parking lot this morning under overcast skies.  Jacket liners were welcome on the ride as the sun refused to shine very much.  Leslie suggested a ride up to the Landrum/Tryon/Saluda corridor, and since she was going to lead, Mark, me, Russ, Bob, and Ed all agreed.  We decided to head for a restaurant no one could remember the name of, and knew we were there when we arrived at Southside Smokehouse Grille.  We sauntered in and were seated in the nearly vacant restaurant.  This caused a little concern, but when asked if we "scared away people," she said it was still early.  More folks did come in and we waited for what seemed a little too long to get our food.  The wait was worth it and there were no complaints about the food.  Ed and Bob took the express route back and Leslie led the rest of us back via the Greenville Watershed.  It was a very nice ride and another great day on two wheels.    Steve

Trip Advisor - Southside Smokehouse Grille Landrum

Friday 10/11/13 Ride

Fellow Riders,

• Friday weather should be fine so I’m planning to head up to Kostas Family Restaurant in Dillsboro, NC.  If that sounds OK with you, let’s plan to leave the Key Mart parking area about 10:30 AM Friday morning.  Hope you can make it.   Dan

Kostas Family Restaurant - Dillsboro, NC

Trip Advisor - Kostas Family Restaurant

• Once again the weather was fabulous as nine bikes left the Key Mart parking area for a ride north.  The riders following Dan's lead were Leslie, me, Jim (Goldwing), Dave (BMW), Bill, Russ, Ed, and Len.  Fortunately, I had a liner in my trunk because we ventured up to the Blue Ridge Parkway for a spectacular ride.  Making our way to the Highway 215 entrance, we headed west and made a stop at the highest point on the Parkway for the awesome view.  The fall colors were just starting to show and will probably be more prevalent in another week or two.  It was definitely a lot cooler than when we left Key Mart.  We made our way down from this point to Kostas and enjoyed lunch on the porch.  The gyro's and soup were very popular and the service and food were good as usual, including having our drinks delivered by the father of the owner.  The ride back took us along the Tuckasegee River where the trout fishermen were out in force.  It was another great day on two wheels.    Steve

Photo by Russ

Photo by Russ

Friday 10/4/13 Ride

Fellow Riders,

• Friday’s weather looks like it is still going to be very mild in the mountains, so I’m planning to ride on up to Franklin, NC and have some lunch at a place called Stamey’s Café.  If you would like to join me, let’s plan to leave the Key Mart parking area about 10:30 AM.  Dan

Trip Advisor - Stamey's Cafe

• It was a gang of four today that departed Key Mart for Franklin, NC.  The riders were Dan, Denny, me, and Bob.  With another nearly perfect weather day, there were surprisingly few riders.  We made our way through Walhalla and ultimately to 76 to get into Georgia.  In Clayton we turned on to Bob's favorite highway 441 for the trek on up to Franklin.  Stameys Cafe, a former gas station, was fairly well disguised and we made a u-turn to get back to the restaurant.  It was actually good we had only a few riders - there was not a lot of seating.  The service was very friendly and they serve breakfast all day so that's what we went for.  This was truly a local flavor little restaurant.  The ride back from Franklin followed highway 64 - one of the most scenic sections of highway in the region - to Cashiers. It was another great day on two wheels.  Steve 

Note the lack of signage, and the restrooms were outside.
 Recall it used to be a gas station.

Remember, "What happens in Franklin, stays in Franklin."