Let's see, battery heated socks-check, hooded sweat-shirt- check, hand warmers- check, Vodka and water mix- check. Fourteen of us headed for Celebration and our brisk ride. Pat and Darlene would meet up with us for lunch (after they hit a few stores in Celebration).
It took us a couple of minutes longer to "stage" ourselves before hitting the "trail." Rose and Ray once again with us, we were still chatting about getting the PTBs all together as the "SnowBird" season commences. (It was more like... do we really want to do this?) Off we went! No turning back now.
Heading into the wind at a blistering 8.4 mph the wind chill factor dropped to roughly 32.879' f. (Steve, no need to confirm my figures with your Scientific Calculator.) It seemed like our first stop at Celebration Hospital came up quicker than usual. (I think Pete was excited about having Ray back so he didn't have to concern himself with finding our way out of the back streets of Celebration!) Leaving the hospital Jim mentioned to Judy (in jest) they were serving hot cocoa and cookies. Judy thought she missed out on the treat. (Its not nice to play jokes on people when someone has the "power of the pen" to put them in their place!)
Off we went. We peddled back to the open part of our ride and into the wind. Now we can feel the cold "licking" at our faces only to be sprayed by a series of lawn sprinklers along the sidewalk. The cold was beginning to lace its tentacles into all the tiny openings of our clothes.
Our second stop was in the sun and the only "whiner" was Jim mumbling something about his nose and frostbite! Judy told Jim the tip of his nose was white! He didn't seem at all concerned but when we saddled up to move out we could see Jim looking into the little bicycle mirror on Pete's bike to check his nose!
Sandy's husband Bill took a tumble at a sharp corner as we left the wooden pathway. Fortunately he was fine and his bike ended up with a couple of new adjustments he had to make. (We'll hope and pray that there are no more "spills!")
We pass by more beautiful homes and you can feel the pace pick up. Lunch was beckoning. (It's more likely that our leaders got a whiff of the food cooking!)
A change of venue was on order. Our outside lunch at the Town Tavern didn't have its usual luster in 40' temperatures so we traveled on.... to the next building, the Market Square Restaurant! Our normal ten mile ride turned out to be just over nine miles... or so. It appeared there were more than a few riders deliberating just how many tenths or so that we actually rode. Where is Steve when you need him?
Gee, what was up with Jim, he kept looking at those little mirrors!
The food was great and so were the portions... and everyone got to warm up!
Our story continues... our fun loving riders got together for this year's "1st Pit Stop" at Pat and Dave's abode. It was fun watching all of them riding in on their bikes with boxes of spirits and food bungee corded to their backs! Naw, that didn't happen... it was even colder today than our bike ride yesterday!
Our group gathered under one roof to share the afternoon with outstanding food, conversation and friendship.
Remember the "good ole days" when you went to a teen party/dance? Remember how the boys ended up on one side of the dance floor....
...and (with one exception) all the girls on the other side! Well, it wasn't that bad but close enough to notice!
Our group is a great mix of personalities, backgrounds and experiences. Together we enjoy a unique bond that makes our "winters in the south" that much more enjoyable.
All too soon, one by one, they made their way toward their homes away from home looking forward to many more "Pit Stops" and bike rides!
Next week its back to Fort Wilderness... Reuben, Reuben, Reuben!
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