Bill Hall's Valentine's Weekend Ride (who says you can't love your Connie?)
© 1999 Bill Hall
I woke up Saturday morning to windy, gray skies, with promises of better weather later in the day. Since my wife and sister in law, (a CPA and a tax attorney), were planning on doing our taxes, I thought it best to leave for a few days even if it was Valentine's weekend.
I shot off a few e-mails to other COGgers around the state whose areas I might be riding near and I took off from the Palm Beach area heading NW through the center of the state (Florida), not really sure where I would be going for the next two days.
I stuck mostly to two laners, refused to get on an interstate, and headed out to Lake Okeechobee and hugged the lake roads then headed up 98 to Sebring where I took a few side roads I thought might be interesting, but since I don't know the area well, never found anything too great. At Sebring, there was a line in the sky where the weather changed from totally overcast to totally cloudless. I continued up through Lake Wales and into Bartow and while at a light, heard my phone ring. I pulled over and returned the call from the caller ID and found it was fellow COGger Dave Armstrong from Zephyrhills. He was ready to ride and I was about an hour away from him, so I zipped across 60, then headed north on 39 through Plant City and on into Zephyrhills where I met Dave and his lady friend, (and often riding partner), Annie for lunch.
At about 3:00PM, Dave and I headed off on a route he's considering for a group ride next Christmas going up and around the Withlacoochee State Forest and back on some great roads. It was a great ride that just might become a COG ride next winter. Count me in Dave. I'd love to do it again.
We got back to Dave's at about seven, and by the time we got there, the temperature had fallen from the low to mid sixties, down into the forties. Dave generously shared some Crown Royal and offered me a place to sleep for the night. Both were accepted graciously! After going out to eat, another Crown, and a few calls to set up tomorrow's ride, it was time to sleep. I had logged about 400 miles of some beautiful and scenic Central, and West Central Florida roads. OK, I admit it....I'm not, and never will be an Ironbutt.
Part two:
Saturday morning seemed to come early, but with the prospect of a good day's ride ahead, it was much easier to get up. Even easier still after coffee and a trip outside to have a smoke, where the temperature was hovering around the forty degree mark.
The night before, at about 10:00PM, I had called Neil Reed, ( who was Valentine's type riding impaired, so couldn't go with us), and Stan Robinson, our Florida AAD. Stan suggested a meet in Mount Dora, which was between us, and where the "Run for the Sun" ride was supposed to be before the weather canceled it.
After seeing, or feeling, the temperature, Annie backed out of being a passenger for the day, so at about 7:45am, Dave Armstrong and I headed toward Mount Dora to meet up with Stan. After filling up with gas, we traded mounts and took off. Dave has GenMar risers and peg lowerers on his bike while I don't. I sure do like the seating position better but am not sure if it's the risers or the lowerers I like better. I guess I'll just have to get both!! One thing for sure though....my feet were colder with the Genmars because they're down and out in the wind more. A plus for most of the year here in Florida. His '95 also seemed a little quicker than my '98, and his front brake was far less mushy than mine.
After moving back behind my taller screen with my wrist support, radar detector, music and warmer feet, we were off, arriving at the Shoney's in Mount Dora at about 9:45. Stan pulled in a few minutes later, and after a smoke, and a discussion about having breakfast, we decided to skip breakfast and go riding!!!
Part 3...."The Mini Run for the Sun" ride:
The 'run for the sun' was to have a morning and an afternoon run. We started on the northern route winding through many beautiful roads with scenic views over valleys and lakes. I know what some of you are thinking...scenic? valleys? in Florida? Even I was amazed at the beauty of the terrain. Lots and lots of hills and twisties and more twisties. We even passed a Connie going the other way in a set of twisties, riding two up. Anyone on the list? We passed lots of sportbikes and even a group of Wingers. Unfortunately, we got stuck behind a motorhome on a really good set of turns.
After about two hours, we stopped for fuel, coffee, doughnuts, and to shed a layer of clothes and talk about the morning's ride. We were all smiling.
After that brief break, we took off again to hit the southern roads in Lake County. Every bit as fun and beautiful as the morning run, but unfortunately shorter. Dan needed to head back to Zephyrhills, and I needed to head for home. It was Valentine's Day after all. We split up in Clairmont with Dan heading west on 50 and Stan and I heading east. At the turnpike I broke off to the south and Stan headed home. At that point, I broke my promise to myself for the weekend. I jumped on the slab. I had to do it. I stayed out playing later than I was planning to and needed to get home for a bowling tournament with my wife, Debi. I smiled all the way home!
Upon arriving home at 5:00pm on this Valentine's Day, a day and a half and 800 miles or so later, I found my wife still talking to me, although that changed after the way I bowled that night! I would have still been smiling if my back wasn't hurting so damn much. Anyone have some Gen Mars for sale? Bars and Pegs?
Observations on this trip: if the sign for the curve says "25MPH", it means 40+; if it says "30MPH", it means 50+; but if it says "15MPH", IT MEANS 15MPH!!! as Stan and I found out in a right-hander. Fortunately, there was no traffic coming the other way.
If we get some people that want to ride these great roads, which are about an hour or less from Daytona, I believe Stan Robinson is thinking about taking a group from there in a few weeks (Bike Week). I highly recommend it. Much more fun than walking Main Street, although there are more G-strings on Main Street if the weather is warm! I know I'll do it again.
The fun I had this weekend wouldn't have happened without COG and the great people I've met. What a group of people!