Friday 12/27/13 Ride

Fellow Riders,

• Sue and I survived Christmas with the grandkids and are home to catch our breath before they descend on us again Friday afternoon.  Therefore, in order to go out and play (ride my scooter) I have to do another breakfast ride so I can be back in time.  I will have to keep it short and it will be cold again.  If you are around this Friday and want some breakfast, let’s plan to leave the Key Mart parking area about 9 AM and make our way over to the Village Baker and Café in Pendleton for some breakfast.   Dan

• It was a very cold, mid-30's, morning to head out for breakfast.  Even with the cold weather, the sun was enough to bring out six riders - Dan, Gadget, Dave, me, Ed, and Bob.  We made our way through Central and then the rolling countryside on our way to Pendleton.  Dan kept to the low speed roads so the windchill was tolerable.  The Village Baker once again was a great choice for breakfast.  Our server is one we've had before and she did a great job getting us our coffee pretty quick.  The choices were mainly the skillet and an order of French Toast.  The ride back took us along Lake Hartwell as we took Shiloh Road to our gas stop at Ingles.  It was another great day on two wheels.   Steve

Trip Advisor - The Village Baker Bakery and Cafe

Friday 12/20/13 Ride

Fellow Riders,

• Friday looks like it might be a good day for riding so I’m thinking of scooting on over to Lavonia, GA for some lunch at the 211 Main Street Restaurant.  We’ve tried this place before but couldn’t get in because it’s so popular, so I thought I’d try again but leave a little earlier, just 1/2 hour, to see if that would help.  If not, I’m sure there are other places in Lavonia we can try.  If you’re up for it, let’s plan to leave the Key Mart parking area about 10 AM and hope for a good ride and lunch.   Dan

211 Main Street Restaurant & Bakery

Bob's Words to live by....

• The earlier start and lots of hope proved to be the right combination for a baker's dozen to head to the Bakery.  The temperature was not too bad, although, it would have been nice for the sun to poke through the clouds a little as we made our way to Lavonia via Toccoa. Riders following Dan's lead were  Gadget, Lesley, Corey, Jim (Harley), Len, Mark, Jim (Wing), Rob, Russ, me, Kevin (the Italian bike king), and Bob.  It was another interesting ride through the countryside as we made our way into Georgia, passing a favorite, The Gumlog BBQ and Fish Lodge, along the way.  The 211 was worth another attempt.  The food and service was great.  Fortunately, Sue got us a reservation and they were ready for our large group.  Bob was most impressed with the desserts the servers brought around to the tables.  A few riders peeled off as we made our way back home through Seneca.  It was another great day on two wheels.   Steve

Bob - Before

Bob - After

Friday 12/13/13 Ride

Fellow Riders,

• Since Sue and I are headed for Atlanta this weekend, the only way I can sneak in a ride is to go to breakfast and get back early, so I thought I would ride down to Seneca and have some breakfast at Betty’s Hungry House Café.  Because I plan to go early it will be ridiculously cold, so I promise to take a fairly straight route to Betty’s and back.  Plus, I need to get home early so I won’t be missed.  If you wish to join me let’s plan to leave the Key Mart parking area about 9:00 AM this Friday.  Hope to see you then.    Dan

Stone Mountain in Background

Trip Advisor - Betty's Hungry House Cafe

• Ridiculously cold it was.  However, for die-hard bikers (or, aka RUB's), the fact that the temperature was in the 30's was no reason to not go on a ride to the home of the big biscuit.  Most were surprised to see 10 insane dedicated riders arrive at Key Mart.  Dan demonstrated that he is more than capable to lead the riders on a very direct route when that is what is needed.  Following Dan on the under 30 minute ride to Betty's were Gadget, Lesley, Len, Mark, me, Russ, Kevin (the golf course in New Hampshire has been safely put away for the winter), Bob, and Ed.  Bill was already at Betty's and greeted us with the latest U. S. Rider News.  Our server was great and I'm sure she appreciated Ed jumping up to assist her in delivering the food.  If he only recognized syrup when he sees it. Instead of heading home, I decided to follow Len and we rode another hour through some of Oconee's best non-mountain roads.  As Dan said, we are all hoping for 70 degrees next Friday.  It was another great day on two wheels.  Steve

Friday 12/6/13 Ride

Fellow Riders,

• Friday’s weather forecast is calling for a 60% chance of rain so I am not planning a ride at this time.  If you still wish to ride you should meet at the Key Mart parking area about 10:30 AM and pick a destination and ride leader at that time.  I hope it doesn’t really rain.  Ride safe.   Dan

• Turns out there were four hardy souls that took advantage of the lack of rain and endured the wet roads, venturing to an old favorite in Pendleton - The Village Bakery.  Given that my bike has not been properly cleaned for several weeks, I should have made the trip with Dan, Leslie, Rob, and Bob.  Of course, for Bob, he considered the ride just another bike wash.   Steve

Bob's Favorite Bike Wash......