I finally got to ride with a group,…woohoo!!! :):):)
Joined Asphalt & Iron on their ride through the Ocoee National Forest.
Wow they are huge with more than 6K members. We met up at Wawa. Apparently that’s a favorite group meetup point. Rough guess, close to 200 bikes were there. I was like, what did I get myself into?!
As small groups took off, I realized it’s just a popular starting spot for bike groups. When we left we had a group of 14 bikes, probably around 20 people. They are quite an adept bunch. Very smooth, predictable, and respectful.
It was a sweet ride, the air smelled fresh and there was so much incredible scenery. The sky was crystal blue with lots of Herons and Egrets flying by. We had to stop at one point to allow a couple of them to walk across the road. We rode by a LOT of ponds and lakes
After 70 or so miles we stopped at Black Bear Pub for lunch. I’m usually the guy in the corner check work emails and surfing Facebook. I was doing that until I was hit with INTERVENTION!!!
A few of the women on the ride scolded me for behaving like an outcast – they weren’t having it.
I was under duress so I started to talk. Not always a good thing if you know me. I guess that whole intervention thing works. I need to learn more about this strange phenomenon “socializing”.
We head out again. Along some of the stretches a few of us have a bit of calculated fun accelerating along some long stretches. On one stretch the couple ahead of me take off and a bandana nearly hit me, I came so close to catching it!
Later I found out it was a 20 year old bandanna that has a lot of memories attached to it. The group didn’t stop to get it. The whole thing reminded me of a viral video…
https://www.msn.com/en-ie/news/video/man-pranks-wife-while-driving-in-their-car/vi-AAz13lW
We ended up at Shovelhead Lounge where an amazing group Rollin’ Heavy played through midnight. Two guitarists, one bassist, a drummer, and a lead singer. I’ve got to tell you, they absolutely nailed it! It would have been a successful bootleg recording!
(Not my image)
All along the ride at all the stops I had my usual Pepsi or Coke. Hypoglycemia sucks. I don’t respond well to alcohol, unless it is (up to) one beer after a good meal, and ONLY if I’m not riding
The music was sooo good it reminded me of a Monsters Of Rock that I went to in Nürenberg in the early 80’s.
It started getting late so I head out. When I got home I posted the group’s expected “Got home safe” post on their Facebook page. I passed out and woke up Sunday afternoon
I checked my trip odometer and saw I had 205 miles for the day. Not too shabby!
I’m looking forward to doing this again!
Overlander at large 