Friday 8/28/15 Ride

Fellow Riders,

• Temperatures are predicted to be more tolerable this Friday so I thought I would do a lunch ride up to the Purple Onion in Saluda, NC.  If you are around and would like to join me, let’s plan to leave the Key Mart parking area about 10:30 AM this Friday.  Hope you can make it.   Dan 

Purple Onion - Saluda

• Here is the feedback I received about this excursion:
• "We found a place in Saluda where Bob could get his fix."  Dan

Words are unnecessary.  We'll keep Marie in our thoughts and prayers.

Friday 8/21/15 Ride

Fellow Riders,

• Some of our regular riders took off on a most enviable ride to the north country, leaving the rest of us to fend for ourselves.  It is starting to cool off enough for a lunch ride but the afternoon weather is still very unstable so I think we should stick to the breakfast format for at least another Friday.  I’m planning to scoot on up to Joe’s Café which is just north of Clayton, GA for some breakfast, then, of course, we can ride back on War Woman Rd.  If you would like to join me let’s plan to leave the Key Mart parking area about 8:30 AM this Friday, weather permitting.   Dan

Jose's Clayton - Facebook

Friday 8/14/15 Ride

Fellow Riders,

• Dan's still out of town, and I will be out of town the next couple weeks, so, I'd like to take another breakfast ride this Friday.  I was thinking about the Cupboard Cafe in Dillard.  We'll leave from the Key Mart parking lot at 8:30 am.  Hope to see you there.      Steve

Cupboard Cafe - Dillard, GA

• There were six other riders that came along for a ride this Friday morning to Dillard. Joining me for the ride were Len, Lesley, Bill, David D., Russ, and Bob.  There was a brief discussion about some "weather" that looked ominous near Clarkesville, but since I had not bothered to check the weather before heading out, I said "no problem," certain we could avoid it.  Fortunately, it never materialized.  The Cupboard Cafe serves breakfast all day, so I knew we didn't have to rush to get there.  After a little over an hour, we arrived and were seated at a table for seven.  Coffee was ordered right away, and then food orders were taken.  It really looked like a group of southern natives based on the biscuits and gravy, grits, and cheese covered omelets that were ordered.  The food arrived in a reasonable amount of time, and tasted great.  I think our server had to run to the bank to get change for everyone.  It took nearly 15 minutes to return with change for five people, but it did come with an apology when it arrived.  We then made our way to Hwy 106 and headed for Highlands.  This is a fun road with lots of curves and some scenic views.  I learned from Len that I could have taken a shortcut to get to Hwy 28, but it was too late, and we did encounter a bit of traffic on Main Street before turning onto our route home.  It was a nice ride down the mountain as we made our way back through Walhalla.  The slight overcast skies kept the heat down and it was another great day on two wheels.    Steve

You can see how excited Dan is to get back and lead the group on some really interesting rides....

Friday 8/7/15 Ride

Fellow Riders,

• With Dan back in Michigan, I still want to ride on Friday.  It looks like the rains will be gone, so an 8:30 am departure will be a cool way to start the day.  I'll see you in the Key Mart parking lot if you want to ride.  I'm thinking of Mike's on Main in Hendersonville, but open to suggestions.    Steve

Mike's on Main

• Ten riders, including me, were at Key Mart to take a ride up to Hendersonville for breakfast.  The riders that came along with me included Lesley, Len, David D., Bill, Pat, Rob, Russ, Ed, and Bob.  Assuming everyone was getting hungry like I was, I took a fairly direct, somewhat boring, route to  Mike's.  The only deviation was to take River Falls to Devils Fork, and connect with Gap Creek.  As we were getting close to Devils Fork, the ominous large orange signs said the road was closed ahead.  I was hoping we could get to Devils Fork before the closure, and fortunately, we did.  Then, it was back to the more boring route 25/225 to get to Hendersonville.  With a large number of bikes, I opted for the parking lot and had to feed three parking meters for the ten bikes.  Mike's had plenty of room for us.  I thought about calling Sue to have her call ahead, but decided we would take our chances, and it worked out.  We were served our drinks and gave our food orders. One side of the table was served fairly quickly, while it took the other side a little longer.  Len offered to lead the ride back and make a stop at Symmes Chapel, part of the YMCA camp in Pretty Place, SC.  The view is quite spectacular, even on a cloudy day.  We could see rain in the distance and were glad we missed it.  All in all, it was another great day on two wheels.

Trip Advisor - Mike's on Main

Symmes Chapel - Pretty Place, SC