Eight Sandies braved a 43 ˚F morning to enjoy one of the best riding days of the year. Oh and we rode 126 miles to get food.
When the Cat Herder asked if I had any ideas for the Tom Turkey ride, I had no idea what was in store. I thought, sure, I’ve been wanting to checkout The Hideout. I rode past after Thunder Beach and they were packed with bikes. It looked like a new Outpost. I also thought about how I’ve been enjoying a few roads out that way lately, so why not. I put together a route. I mapped and exported it nine different ways, only to find out that none of them would actually load on a device. There were two problem areas that mapping software just didn’t like. I put it together as best as I could, then explained the rest to the Cat Herder via text and email. We forwarded it to JoeJoe who immediately ran into trouble uploading the Navi on his H-D CVO Limited. He eventually got something uploaded, but can’t view or delete it… In other words, everything is starting out just like one would expect.
We all met up at Good Things Donuts. I just had to get a small coffee and one donut because that place lives up to its name. There was a line for the restroom when it was time to head outside. I was last in line, so by the time I’d made it out most already had their gear on. Flustered, I rushed to put all my stuff on and get ready. No one likes being left behind, and the Sandies have a habit of departing a few minutes early. I hurried out and put on my helmet, gloves, headset, music , and then the mesh comms. Ok, I’m ready just in time for the Cat Herder to motion for me to pay attention. He then says I should go ahead and lead the way since I have all of the turns programmed into my barely functioning Garmin… So I’m no longer in danger of leaving myself behind. That’s great news! Before I could bask in the newfound enjoyment of not being left, I realized what this meant. I’d be the one responsible to get fellow club members to lunch. I was between Sandies and food!
There was only about 70 miles planned before lunch. We left at 8:58 (after all of that - we were still early) and had to go slow to take our time getting there. Being early would mean that we had to sit around and wait while thinking about the food we couldn't have. That’s the last thing I wanted to be responsible for. Fortune shined upon us though. The temperature started climbing quickly, the sun was shining, the pavement was dry, and we had a very scenic stroll through the countryside planned. Going slow on some of those curvy roads was tough. It has its perks too. We saw three fawns playing and two decided to run across in front of me as we got closer. About 15 families had dogs run along the fence line to welcome our presence near their homes. The roads didn’t disappoint, and everyone was smiling when we got to The Hideout.
One of the owners met us in the parking lot and redirected the three wheelers to the rear of the parking area. I later found out that they get a lot of trikes, Can-Ams, and other three wheeled vehicles there; they have their own designated area. Another treat, one of the staff met us as we got off of our bikes with a kettle of apple cider. They told us it was there to help warm up anyone that may have been frozen from the ride.
Inside, we were able to enjoy some very good sandwiches and burgers. Mark S commented that the Turkey was smoked really well.
Munchkin make a joke about how it’s difficult to keep it lit
but not too many people heard it. Sandy S had a pretzel so large she couldn’t finish it all. Sam E didn’t finish her burger either, and was kind enough to share some of her onion rings. Ace had been fairly quiet all morning but was getting a few light hearted jabs in as some of us recounted the worst of our most recent trip. Ace went the week prior, and apparently did not have the unfortunate weather we encountered. Also, Ace did not share any onion rings (he might of offered, but I wasn't given him the opportunity to withdraw the offer as soon as I accepted).
After we ate, I went outside to check out the grounds. There were people doing sound checks or just jamming on the stage. Munchkin and I talked to one of the regulars who rode a Victory Vision. Naturally I wanted to ask about the bike I just wasn’t ready to own until it was too late. Not too long after we went outside JoeJoe took off like he was late for work. That was weird because JoeJoe has been retired from work for a few months now. Shortly thereafter, I got the look from the Cat Herder that says hey it’s time to go. The place was starting to get busier, so we said our farewells and loaded up.
We headed back a slightly different route but almost just as scenic. My Garmin threw a fit a few times, and I ended up missing the one road that I wanted to show everyone. Those of us on mesh all agreed that it was easy enough to turn around and Sandy S was that only one that couldn’t speak up. So I made the Sand Dollar Motorcycle Club Signature Turnaround™. Then we all see Munchkin in the back and remember he’s not on mesh also. He probably thought we were silly to go back for a road that took us to the same place we were already heading. Once back on the correct road (CR280B) we ended up at the 331-intersection traffic light across from Coy Burgess Loop Rd.
We weaved our way back to Bob Sikes Rd and stopped at the gas station just in case Munchkin needed fuel. We wait… and we wait… no Munchkin to be seen. Mark S says he waited at the corner of Chesser Rd, but he never came. After a brief discussion about how Munchkin typically peels off towards Navarre at the end of our rides. It’s strange though, because he also usually waves goodbye as he does a fly-by. The Cat Herder putting back on his Chief Cat Herding Hat, doubled back to make sure Munchkin isn’t lost, stranded, or worse. He makes to it all the way back to 331, and nada. He goes up 331 to the end of Bob Sikes, and comes back that way. The only thing we can figure Is that he went north on 331 and either too I-10 or 90 to 87 before heading south to home. Wherever you are Munchkin, I hope you are safe, warm, and with Helen.
The rest of us load up and head back to our homes. It was 76 ˚F inside the fairing of my bike by the time I made it home. It was a beautiful day for a ride. The food was good, and we got to hear the story of 2-Tom and how the Tom Turkey ride came to be.
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