And that’s just what happened this month when both of the monthly lunch rides fell during the coldest weather we’ve seen in these parts in over six years. The “warm-up” ride was the “south” lunch ride to Frostproof, FL. Funny coincidence that town name was our destination on a very nearly freezing day. Yet, in spite of the chilly start, 14 riders and 1 passenger showed up for a hearty lunch. Scott Wingerter made the 135 mile trip from Inglis, and you can be sure it was a lot colder there than our southerly destination!

Frostproof Lunch Ride
Not listed in order- Russ Sage, Frank Brown, Alex Nelson, Scott Wingerter, Larry Fitch, Henry Custer, Terry Brown, Tom Blake, Danny Batchelder, Lynn Yawn, Randall Geiger, Jim Nunnallee

When I showed up at the Sun City meeting point at 7:30 Am, I wasn’t surprised that the only other rider to show was Gerry Stellwagon, and the only reason I wasn’t surprised at that is he emailed me with his intent to go (in case I was planning to cancel—fat chance!) Then one more rider, a non HSTA member, Jim Weagley, showed on his ‘03 Gold Wing.

It was interesting to note the varied methods of dealing with the cold weather. Gerry, on his HD, had the high-tech modern convenience set-up with electric socks, pants, jacket and gloves! Jim had the snowmobile suit approach, along with the excellent weather protection the Gold Wing affords anyhow, and I, running on my wattage challenged ‘91 ST went with the multiple layered approach. All three of us were so cocooned in clothes that it was difficult to communicate, so without much pleasantries, we were off in 36 degree temps at 7:30 AM sharp.

I tried some different routes on this trip and discovered one really great MC road - S. Binion Rd, part of CR437 running North-South between Ocoee-Apopka Rd and US441 in Plymouth (take Boy Scout Blvd south of 441 in Plymouth to get to Binion). Freshly paved, nice snaking turns and a view of Lake Apopka and others to boot. Guaranteed to put a smile on your face!

The rest of the trip there was fine, save the one obligatory missed turn that resulted in an alternate route that took us down about 3 miles of dirt road to get back on track :-) We still made it to the airport right on schedule though. As for the temps, though it was still a very coolish 45 degrees or so, I noted that some of my clothing layers were damp from perspiration—a sure sign that I was dressed warmly enough.

For the return ride home, I had planned retracing our route for the upper half, but taking a different lower half just because. We managed to avoid the dirt road detour we’d experienced on the trip up, but some of us still managed a slight dirt excursion later this day. Read on.

The upper half of the return route was uneventful. We did stop earlier than planned, partly for gas and partly to remove or open up clothing as it was now getting into the low 60’s. I had planned on taking us down CR561 from Clermont, a little more twisty than the alternative SR33, but when we got to the turn, there was a sign stating 561 was closed 1/2 mile south and a detour was in effect. Bummer. From the looks of the trailer park right there where the trailers all looked like they were each on an island, I am sure the problem was road flooding due to all the rain we had in December.

Oh well, SR 33 it would be to get us to another favorite, though somewhat challenging, road. Greenpond Rd - which runs SW from SR33 in Eva, FL to Rockridge, FL - both “towns” indicated on the map, but to drive through them there is no sign of anything even resembling a town. And then at Rockridge, the road name changes to Rockridge Rd., which continues SW until it emerges onto US98 about 8 miles north of Lakeland. Now, these roads were dirt not too many years ago. They travel through what is known as the Green Swamp. Now paved, they are a thin two lanes (at one point crossing over a one lane wooden bridge!) of very rough pavement that twists and turns nicely. Once onto Greenpond, there is a short stretch of settlement where we carefully went through, finally passing the church which was apparently having some sort of goings on as they were directing traffic into their parking lot. We passed on that ;-) Shortly after, as I took the first turn I felt like my rear tire was running low on air. That was really loose gravel that so resembled the surface of the road I couldn’t see it! Well, good enough, it put me into extra cautious mode. As we traveled further along there were several more turns, most of which were in better shape than the first, but still quite rough pavement. Then a nice “S” which, labeled at 25 MPH, I took at 30 successfully, though I thought Hmmm glad I wasn’t going too much faster there. A short stretch of straight and then another right hander and as I exited that, I looked for my entourage in my rear-views.. One second, two, then three and still no one. Uh-Oh I’m thinking… I quickly turn around and get back to the “S” to see a rider standing in the swale with his bike laying down. I was relieved to see the rider standing, though concerned that an incident had occurred at all. This was the very first time I’ve had any incident other than a parking lot drop happen on a ride I led. The rider was Gerry Stellwagon on his Harley Davidson Road King. He appeared to be all right. His right thumb was jammed up pretty good though. We got his bike righted and it was amazing that there appeared to be little, if any, damage to it. Took a few minutes for fuel to re-fill the carbs before it would start. But it finally did and ran fine. Gerry said he thought he may have started the turn too early and ended up making it into a decreasing radius. What ever the cause, he found himself scraping the Harley’s left foot board heavily and running out of road to make the turn. Thanks to his recent track training, he felt sure of what was happening and didn’t panic and he gently low-sided off the road. Fortunately there were no trees, and mostly just soft grass, hay and sand to accept his landing. He had no discernable marks on the helmet, though his riding gear showed signs of contact on the left hind quarter and his left elbow had a small tear in the jacket. His left glove also looked to have scraped pretty good, probably with the pavement from the looks of it. After minutes of assessment and checking out him and the bike we decided he was well enough to continue the ride home.

We did stop once out on US98 to get some ice to treat his now ballooning right thumb. We even ended up makeshift splinting it with duct tape. We also decided to take the most direct route home as we’d had enough adventure for one day. So, off we were for US 301 and then I-75 for the cruise home.

When I got in, I had 377 miles on the clock, run in 7:23 moving time (10 1/2 hrs. elapsed time) with an average speed of 51 MPH. A nice day’s ride. I later checked with Gerry and he was doing fine, contemplating whether or not to ride his VFR on Sunday! He had gone over the Harley and reported that there were only a couple of minor scratches on his mirror housing which he thought would buff out. And, he will have some “badges of honor” on his riding gear but it is still serviceable.

As for the incident, I can’t help thinking about possible causes… It was late in the day, about 4:30 PM so the lighting was beginning to get gray especially since we were in the forest. Too, we had been riding a long day at that point some 300 miles, and Gerry’s particular case more like 360 miles. Add to that Gerry was riding his Harley on a road probably better suited for his VFR. And, the road surface left a lot to be desired. I don’t know that we could or should have done anything differently but I do know this - We all need to keep in mind that stuff can and does happen. Think about it (don’t get complacent or cocky), plan for it (wear the right gear), and ride well within your limits at all times. I am glad that due to the first two points, I think Gerry’s incident was just that, an incident and nothing worse. For that I am grateful.

Ride Safe!

For Sale

1996 BMW R1100RT - BMW's top boxer touring bike, complete with factory bags, ABS, electric Parabellum windshield and a new BMW comfort seat. Just broken in at 38k miles. Beautiful dark blue. Priced well below market at $7250. Call Bill at 904-730-9719, warrior@aol.com

1989 Honda GB500 Incredible original collector bike with only 2400 miles! Purchased from Honda corporate employee. Multiple award winner, including best street stock in Riding Into History Concours. Runs and handles beautifully. New Avon tires, color matched cafe fairing. May be the best looking bike Honda ever made. $4750. Contact Bill at 904-730-9719, warrior@aol.com

HSTA Members Save on Riding Into History

The 4th Annual Riding Into History Concours d' Elegance for motorcycles has been scheduled for May 3rd, 2003. The event will once again be held at the beautiful World Golf Village, just north of St. Augustine on I-95, exit 95A.

There will be 100 or more antique, vintage and custom bikes on display, as well as dealers, vendors, clubs, food and exhibitions. HSTA members can receive a voucher that will save them $10, so that two people can attend for the price of one. Just e-mail Bill Robinson at RIH2003@aol.com and request a voucher. He'll mail you one - just be sure to include your return snail mail address. Make your plans now. it's a great destination.

For more information you can also go to www.RidingIntoHistory.com.

The Daytona Dinner is scheduled for Saturday 5:30pm, March 8th 2003. We will have a speaker this year. Mr. Jon Seidel from American Honda has agreed to speak to us about Honda and the good things they do for all of us. The Dinner will be at the same location as last year, Indigo Lakes Golf Club, 312 Indigo Drive, Daytona Beach, FL. The Manager is Marc Lillis. Great Location, 5 minutes from the Daytona Speedway and 5 minutes from the Daytona Memorial Stadium (dirt track). Indigo Drive is the first intersection East of I 95 on International Speedway Drive (US 92 ), turn left on Indigo Drive, pass in front of the Holiday Inn, continue on Indigo Drive through a residential area until you come to the Indigo Lakes Golf Club (approx 1 mile) If your coming from the Speedway, it’s the last traffic light before I 95, turn right on to Indigo drive.

We will have a private Banquet Room and will have a buffet dinner, menu as follows; Same as last year only better, as promised by the manager of Indigo Lakes Golf Club. Tossed Garden Salad with dressing, Pasta Salad, Fruit Salad, Cranberry gelatin Salad, Chicken Marsala, Broiled Fish du jour (grouper) Roast Beef Sliced, Savory Rice, Mixed Vegetable Medley, Fresh Baked Rolls & Butter, Hot bread pudding with Brandy hard Sauce & a Choice of Beverage, Coffee, Tea, & Ice Tea. There will be an Open Cash Bar in the Banquet Room. Price, Meal $ 18.95 per person, with tax & service charge total will be $23.70 per person.

Dinner will be by Prepaid Reservation. All cheques made out to the Indigo Lakes Golf Club, Mail Cheques to Phillip Ridgdill, 720 Opossum Lane, Switzerland FL 32259, last day to receive reservation will be Feb 26 2003, all checks will be deposited with the golf club. The Golf Club Staff will have the Reservation List at the Banquet Room.

Coordinator – Phil Ridgdill, (904 287 9654) e-mail rfoxrdr@earthlink.net

Motorcycling Tips
Submitted By: Phil Ridgdill

How many of you carry an air Pressure Gauge/Tire Gauge on your BIKE?

You want mileage out of your tires? Check the pressure often. Its amazing how much the pressure can change, especially during cold weather. Keep one on your Bike at all times—and USE it! It might save your butt one day.

Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride and plan on keeping 'Pogo' as my primary ride, (Although, I have no plans for long distance touring with it.)