Keowee Key Friday Motorcycle Group: April 2016

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Fellow Riders,

This Friday’s forecast is calling for a great day for a ride so I thought I would ride on up to the Highlands Smokehouse in Highlands, NC. Those that went seemed to be OK with that place the last time we were there. If you would like to join me, let’s plan to leave the Key Mart parking area about 10:30 AM Friday morning. Hope to see you then. Dan

It was an absolutely great day for a ride into the mountains. This was the first trip planned for the higher elevations since last fall. As nice as it was, only six riders were at Key Mart. Those joining Dan included Gadget, Jim H. (welcome back from spending the winter in southern California), Steve G., me, and Len. Len agreed to be the sweep since neither Orange Gloves Bob, nor Ed were there to take their usual spot bringing up the rear. We were all set for BBQ, but Dan informed us the place was no longer in business. I guess our group, along with a few hundred others, did not eat there enough. Instead, he said we would head to the Sports Page Sandwich Shoppe. Turns out Jim was there earlier in the week. Dan had a great route that took the Clayton/Dillard shortcut I'm sure most people take when going to Highlands - not. It made for a great ride through the mountains with lots of curves and switchbacks. Who needs Tail of the Dragon when you've got these roads so close. The summer crowds have not yet started flocking to Highlands, so parking and getting a table were no problem. The sandwiches were great, especially their Gyro. It is a friendly crew that works there, and a couple of them seemed to be practicing for career change to stand-up comedy. My recommendation, don't quit the day job. The ride back was through Cashiers on Hwy 64, always a great road. It was truly a great day on two wheels. Steve

Fellow Riders,

Friday’s forecast is questionable but I’m not planning to ride anyway. Those who still want to ride should meet at the Key Mart parking area and select a destination and ride leader at that time. Ride safe. Dan

Fellow Riders,

I’m planning another attempt to ride on over to BJ’s Restaurant in Toccoa, GA for some lunch this Friday, leaving the Key Mart parking area about 10:30 AM. I realize this note is a little early but I will be off golfing most of this week, but back in time to ride on Friday. I have to be home fairly early Friday afternoon for my brother’s return from Florida to Michigan, thus the ride to Toccoa. Trying to jam a lot into this short retirement period keeps me busy. Hope you can join me. Dan

Ten riders got together at Key Mart for the ride today. It was a great spring day, not too cool, and just the right amount of sun. The riders that came for the ride, included fearless leader Dan, Lesley, Len, David D., Steve G., Russ, me, Ed, Bob B., and Bob OG. Kevin stopped by, in his Ford F-100 project, to bid farewell as he is heading back north to New Hampshire. The F-100 looked great (click here to see some photos), but does need more body work. He's done an electric bike and now a truck restoration. Maybe he'll do an electric truck next. The emblems for the wheel caps that Gadget worked on looked great. Good luck to Kevin for another great golf season up north. As the ride began, Dan covered most of the roads surrounding Salem that we possibly could. It takes a real veteran biker to turn a 45 minute drive into a 2 hour ride. We arrived at BJ's, and of course, Sue's call ahead worked and they had a table for ten ready. They did admit they put us in the back room to avoid scaring the other customers. This is something many of us suspected, but it was the first time we were actually told the reason for the back room. The service was good and only the Reubens for Bob OG and Russ took a little longer to arrive. The return trip was a straight ride back on Hwy 123. It was another great day on two wheels. Steve

Bob OG sent me this photo of he and Marie returning from a grocery run to Ingles.

Fellow Riders,

Friday’s weather prediction is calling for dry but somewhat cool, OK to ride but staying south of the mountains. I’m planning to make my way over to Toccoa, GA for some lunch at BJ’s Restaurant. If you would like to join me for a little ride in the country and some food let’s plan to leave the Key Mart parking area about 10:30 AM. Hope to see you there. Dan

It's great to have a flexible leader. Kevin is nearing the end of his wintering in the south, and it's getting time to open his golf course again. Due to an appointment in Greenville, he requested that Dan go east instead of west. Dan called the audible to make sure Kevin got another good ride before heading north. Along with Dan and Kevin, the balance of the eight riders included Lesley, Len, Rob, me, Denny, and Bob. Going east meant a trip to Williams Hardware Cafe, one our favorites in Travelers Rest. Dan took some familiar roads as well as some that had us scratching our heads trying to figure our where we were. Sue did her usual great job calling ahead so that we had a table waiting for us when we arrived. The sisters that own and run Cafe are always friendly and quick with the menus. A few of us tried the chili special and were not disappointed. After lunch, Kevin headed toward Greenville and for the rest of us, the ride home was a short one and only slightly warmer than the morning ride to the restaurant. We had quickly gotten used to the much warmer days we've had over the past few weeks. At least we don't have to worry at all about snow like Dan's brother in Michigan was experiencing while we enjoyed another great day on two wheels in the Upstate of South Carolina. Steve