Friday 08/20/21 Breakfast Ride

 Fellow Riders,

• Due to some afternoon plans, I thought I would head to Mayberry's in Seneca for some breakfast.  We'll head out for a ride afterwards and be home before noon.  If this sounds good to you, we'll plan on leaving the Tate Realty Office parking lot at 8:30 am.  Hope to see you there.    Steve

• We had one of the larger groups we've had in quite awhile, a full dozen, today for the breakfast ride. Joining me on this pretty good day for a ride were Dan, Len, Charlie A., Ben, Terry, Neil, Pat, trikers Bill G. and Geno, and 4-wheelers Sammy (sadly, the Can-Am wouldn't start today), and emeritus-rider Ed.  The trip into town was not bad, but we hit our first road construction stop on Keowee School Road.  Mayberry's has a lot of seating available and there was no problem getting a seat for everyone.  Sammy had taken the Hwy 130 route (with no construction delays) and was already having breakfast outside when we arrived.  After the leisurely breakfast, Sammy and Ed each headed off for other errands and the rest of us made our way to Walhalla for a ride  up the mountain.  Bill and Pat peeled off in Walhalla to avoid the curves and the now smaller group trekked on up Hwy 28.  After we crossed over to Hwy 107 via Village Creek Road, we got behind a very slow truck that wouldn't move over.  Eventually, almost in to Cashiers, it did turn off.  As we contiued east on Hwy 64 we started seeing signs for traffic delays, and they weren't kidding.  We had about a 10 minute stop at one point before continuing on.  The ride was great, but the slowdowns meant I was unable to meet my noon estimate to be home.  Oh well, overall, it was still another great day on two wheels.   Steve

Friday 08/13/21 Breakfast Ride

 Fellow Riders,

• I plan to head back to the Village Inn in Pickens for breakfast this Friday.  The weather looks like it may cooperate long enough for us to make a run up to Rosman and return home before the heat and humidity fire up the afternoon storm machine.  If this sounds good to you, we'll plan on leaving the Tate Realty Office parking lot at 8:30 am.  Hope to see you there.    Steve   

• I was expecting a good turn out for today's ride and we did have seven riders.  Joining me for the ride were Len, Dan, Neil, Bill G., Pat, and first time rider Ben (welcome Ben!).  We took a fairly direct ride to the Village Inn and had no problem finding a table for our group. We got menus and gave our drink orders in right away.  Our server got our drinks and took our orders right away.  It was a little slower getting our food than our last visit, but it was still not too bad.  Bill and Pat rode home after breakfast and the rest of us took the route on the map above.  It was a good ride, but Hwy 276 is definitely in need of a repaving.  A lot of the pavement had chunks missing, which made it a little more precarious in the curves.  This route did get us a lot of curves and made for a fun ride.  There were some dark clouds when we got on Hwy 64, but we had no rain.  Overall, it was another great day on two wheels.   Steve

Friday 08/06/21 Breakfast Ride

Fellow Riders,

• This coming Friday seems like a good day to take a ride to Clayton, GA, for some breakfast at the Clayton Cafe.  It squeaks in just at the one-hour limit to get to breakfast and sets us up for a fun ride home on Warwoman.  If you're up for the ride, we'll leave the Tate Realty Office parking lot at 8:30 am.  Hope to see you there.  Steve 

• It did turn out to be a fine day for a ride.  It's nice when you don't have to worry about rain popping up and changing your route.  Joining me today were Len, Dan, Rob, Terry, Charley A., David A., Bob D., and a rare visit from Lesley, up from Hilton Head.  The ride northwest to Clayton was very pleasant and the cooler temps felt great.  Parking can be an issue in downtown Clayton, and today was no exception.  Some parked in front of the Cafe, and some of us went to a nearby parking lot.  Thanks to a call ahead by Paulette, they had a place set up for us.  The back room we usually get was already taken, so we were squeezed in around a table at the front of the dining area.  Our server had a good sense of humor, and got our drinks and orders in good time.  For a large group it can take a little while to get everything prepared, but today they did a good job.  After the tasty breakfast, we headed for Warwoman and the fun ride home.  Bob D., peeled off to try some gravel and dirt roads on his bike, and Terry headed straight back to tend to some errands.  The rest of us enjoyed the ride down the mountain.  Overall, it was another great day on two wheels.   Steve 

Friday 07/30/21 Breakfast Ride

 Fellow Riders,

• We're definitely in a heat wave, so going to breakfast at the Village Inn in Pickens seems like a cool way to start the day.  After breakfast, we can head for some cooler mountain temps and still get home before the roads start to melt.  If this sounds good to you, we'll leave the Tate Realty Office parking lot at 8:30 am.  Hope to see you there.   Steve

• Ten riders, including me, came out for a short ride to breakfast in Pickens.  Joining me were Len, Dan and Atlanta Steve (welcome Steve), Rob, Gary, Rich, Terry, Ray, and first time rider Sam (welcome Sam).  Since last week we encountered several North Carolina road projects, I guess we couldn't be surprised that this week it was mowing day on Hwy 183, thanks to the Pickens County maintenance guys.  Nevertheless, we made it to our destination with a few grass clippings in some of the seats.  We were able to walk right in to the Pickens Inn and get one of the few tables already set up for 10 people.  It seems most of the riders had not been here and we were all impressed with the quick service and the very reasonable prices. I had the "2 2 2," which was perfect - two eggs, two strips of bacon, and to decent sized pancakes.  After a leisurely breakfast, I checked the radar.  There was still a menacing green blob north of us, so I took an alternate route that kept us south of Hwy 11 and dry.  It was an early return home, but another great day on two wheels.   Steve

Friday 07/23/21 Breakfast Ride

 Fellow Riders,

• This Friday looks like a good day for a ride to breakfast in Cashiers, NC.  I thought I would ride to Zookeepers Bistro and take a scenic route back home.  We'll plan on leaving the Tate Realty Office parking lot at 8:30 am.  Hope to see you there.    Steve 

• We had a decent day to head out, but rain was starting to be a potential problem. Those joining me included Len, Dan, David D., Gary, Sammy and Geno.  We ran into some road repaving on Hwy 107, and gave me a chance to check my phone.  Paulette had called and found out they could not accomodate our group.  The road crew let us pass and I knew we needed a different destination.  David D. mentioned Randevu and I was thinking the same thing.  We pulled into Randeve and noticed there was a lot of available parking.  David D. walked up to the door to check it out and learned it has a new owner and they don't serve breakfast.  After a brief discussion, Dan suggested the Panthertown Cafe that was a little further east on Hwy 64.  So off we went, only to run into another highway project.  We arrived and they had exactly 8 seats for us on the porch and we grabbed them.  It was a good breakfast as usual.  When we finished, it was nearly 11 am, so we drove on to Rosman and headed down the mountain on Hwy 178.  Gary asked, quite sarcastically, it I coule try to find some more highway construction.  I was able to avoid any more stops.   The skies looked a little ominous, but we made it home with dry motorcycles.  Overall, it was still another great day on two wheels.   Steve

Friday 07/16/21 Breakfast Ride

 Fellow Riders,

• I'm not able to lead a ride this week, but the weather looks okay, so far, and Gary has an idea for breakfast.  If you're up for a ride, meet at the Tate Realty Office parking lot for an 8:30 am departure and Gary will lead the group to the Bistro at Kewoee Key for some breakfast.  If you live in Keowee Key, you can head directly to the Bistro if you prefer.  There is a 4% charge for non-residents using a credit card and cash may not be an option.  This would only add $ .50 - $ .75, depending on what you order.  You can decide on a route and a leader for the after-breakfast ride.  I hope everyone wanting to ride is able to make it.  Steve

• Only Gary and Terry made it out for the breakfast at the Bistro.  As it turned out, that was the last Friday they served breakfast due to an overall lack of customers and the ongoing staff shortages.  Great idea for breakfast, but it will be a while before we take another shot at it.   Steve

Friday 07/09/21 Breakfast Ride

 Fellow Riders,

• It looks like the impact of Elsa will have passed by Friday morning, so I thought I would ride to Panthertown Cafe in Toxaway for some breakfast.  If that works for you, we'll plan on leaving the Tate Realty Office parking lot at 8:30 am.  Hope to see you there.   Steve

• The ride to Panthertown Cafe was nice and they had plenty of seating available.  They pushed a couple of tables together for the six of us.  The breakfast was good and the service was, too.  We got our food fairly quickly for a larger group.  The weather was deteriorating by the time we finished, so the prudent thing to do was ride the shortest route home.  I had wanted to head up Hwy 281 to Hwy 107 for a nice mountain ride. It turned out to be a good decision to go straight home as the rains did come soon after we all arrived at our destinations.   Steve

Friday 07/02/21 Breakfast Ride

Fellow Riders,

•  I'm not able to lead a ride this week, but for those wanting to get out this Friday, I suggest meeting at the Tate Realty Office parkig lot for an 8:30 am departure.  Pick a leader and a destination and have a great ride.   Steve

Who said they're leading??

Friday 06/25/21 Breakfast Ride

 Fellow Riders,

•  I'm not able to lead a ride this week, but for those wanting to get out this Friday, I suggest meeting at the Tate Realty Office parkig lot for an 8:30 am departure.  Pick a leader and a destination and have a great ride.   Steve

Whoever is leading this f#$%king ride better hurry up and get here!!

Friday 06/18/21 Breakfast Ride

 Fellow Riders,

•  I'm not going to be able to lead a ride for the next four weeks, but I'll send out the notice weekly.  With the temperatures getting back into the nineties, breakfast rides make the most sense.  If you want to ride, meet in the Tate Realty Office parking lot and plan on an 8:30 am departure.  Hopefully, someone comes with a plan.  If someone would like to lead the next few weeks, let me know and I can get you the email list.   Steve

Ok, so who's leading this gang??

Friday 06/11/21 Breakfast Ride

 Fellow Riders,

• The forecast for Friday has improved all week, which makes me very suspicious, but it still looks like a good day for a ride.  I thought I would head to Panthertown Cafe in Toxaway, NC, for breakfast.  After breakfast, we can head upt the mountain and come back down through Cashiers.  If that sounds like a good ride to you, we'll leave the Tate Realty Office parking lot at 8:30 am.  Hope to see you there.    Steve

• It turned out to be an okay ride for me, Neil, and David A., but we had to take a quick route home when the rain decided to head south sooner than expected.  This was the first time at Panthertown Cafe, previously it was the Grill @ the Barn.  The food and service were good and we enjoyed breakfast.  We did stay dry on the way home. Overall, it was still a great day on two wheels.   Steve

Friday 06/04/21 Breakfast Ride

 Fellow Riders,

• Back by popular demand, we'll have a breakfast ride this week.  I thought I would head over to SunnySide Cafe at Patrick Square in Clemson.  If you're ready for a breakfast ride, we'll leave the Tate Realty Office parking lot at 8:30 am.  We'll then head out for a ride after breakfast.  Hope to see you there.    Steve

Friday 05/28/21 Lunch Ride

 Fellow Riders,

• It looks like we're going to get a break from the heat on Friday, so I thought I would ride to the Cupboard Cafe in Dillard, GA, for lunch.  If you're up for the ride, plan on leaving the Tate Realty Office parking lot at 10 am.  Hope to see you there.   Steve

• Update 5/28 - The rain forecast for the mountains is getting more "iffy," so I've decided to head to Travelers Rest for lunch at Upcountry Provisions.  We'll still leave the Tate Realty parking lot at 10 am.    Steve

• We had a good turn out with a total of 8 riders.  Joining me were Dan, David A., Rob, Bill G., Pat, Steve G., and Bob B.  Bob and Pat took a shortcut and had a large table for us.  Upcountry has quite a menu and can be a strain on the neck when trying to read the chalk board high on the wall.  The food is good and I got a special loaf of trail mix bread to take home.  We had a nice ride back and the weather was fine.  It was another great day on two wheels.   Steve

Friday 05/21/21 Lunch Ride

Fellow Riders,

• This Friday is looking pretty good for a ride, so I'm planning to go to Mean Mr. Mustard in Hendersonville, NC, for some lunch.  If a ride into North Carolina sounds good to you, we'll plan on leaving the Tate Realty Office parking lot at 10 am.  Hope to see you there.   Steve

• It was a nice ride into North Carolina today.  Joining me were Dan, David D., Charley A., Rob, Terry, and Steve Du.  It was a decent day so we were able to sit on the porch to enjoy our lunch.  It was a first time visit for a few of the riders and everyone seemed to enjoy the meal.  They warned us ahead of time that they were short staffed, but the servers and staff did a good job getting us our food and drinks.  For the ride home, we had a great route going past Dupont State Recreational Forest and then a ride down the very curvy Hwy 276.  Overall, it was another great day on two wheels.   Steve

Friday 05/14/21 Lunch Ride

 Fellow Riders,

• I'll be out of town this Friday and won't be able to lead a ride.  Hopefully, everyone has gas in their tank and will be able to meet at Tate Realty Office parking lot for a 10 am ride.  You'll need to pick a leader and destination.  It looks like it will be dry, but quite a few degrees below what it should be this time of year.  I'll see everyone next week, provided I can find enough gas to make it back home.    Steve

Okay, but it's not my turn to lead!!

Friday 05/07/21 Lunch Ride

 Fellow Riders,

• Friday looks a little cooler than it has been, but it also looks like it will be dry.  I plan to head to Clayton, GA, and go to Rumor Hazit for some lunch.  We should arrive there around 11:30 am.  If this sounds like a good ride for you, we'll leave the Tate Realty Office parking lot at 10 am.  Hope to see you there.    Steve

• We did make it to Rumor Hazit, but thanks to David D., I learned they don't open until noon.  Apparently, new owners have taken over, but they could not delete the old website.  I revised the route so we arrived just as they opened.  Overall, it was another great day on two wheels.    Steve

Friday 01/22/21 Ride

 Fellow Riders,

• Hi guys,  with Steve off this week, I will be happy to lead us around the area (staying out of mountains). Anyone interested in a couple hour ride with one pit stop along the way is welcome to join. We will leave the usual spot at 10:00 AM. Hope to see you then. Ride On  - Gary

Friday 01/15/21 Ride

Fellow Riders,

• Friday finally looks like dry day for a ride.  Unfortunately, I'm not able to lead a ride this week.  I suggest those wanting to ride meet in the Tate Realty parking lot and select a leader and a route for a 10 am departure. 

• Also, I want to pass along this note from Ed regarding some heated gloves, very appropriate for rides in January:

"I have battery operated heated gloves, they work great and I am willing to discuss selling them - They need a battery for each glove - each of the batteries cost $25.00 each."  Contact Ed at edwland@yahoo.com if you are interested. 

 

Friday Ride 01/08/21

Fellow Riders,

•  Mother Nature has decided we won't be able to ride this Friday.  It's shaping up to be a wintry day (or early spring day for former Michiganders) and not a day we want to be riding on two wheels.  Maybe the third Friday of the new year will be more suitable.  Hope to see you next week.    Steve

Nope!!