The Palm Tree Bikers Laugh in the Face of Rain!

Ha, a little rain cannot deter our stout group of riders... but, a lot of rain can!

You can also bet that the rain didn't dampen our lunch! Just to show you how serious we are about our bike rides, er, lunch, we had seventeen sign up for our ride to Celebration and twenty-four showed up for lunch. Our (normally) sedate group were in turmoil as to the choice of eatery we would descend upon. So, after one hour of deliberations, Googling, and some GPS searching we made "The Villagio Grill & Pizza" at Cagen Crossings our dining destination. (Plus, it's only 1.375 miles from Lake Magic!)

As The Palm Tree Bikers have grown, so too has the need to make reservations when we head out en mass to our "end-of-trail" eating establishments. Off we went. We were ready to proudly boast to the small and reserved restaurant that we're The Palm Tree Bikers and we're proud of it! (Even though our well seasoned riders didn't want any part of riding in the rain.)

Little did we know a group of Red Hat Ladies from Polo Park had already "set up camp" at the restaurant! Have no fear, we knew that they were no match for our "pumped-up" group. We out "talked" them and had a great time as well!

NEWS FLASH... My "spies" just provided me with a couple of real "nuggets of news!"
The restaurant may be the beginning of a new career for Ray! Donning his napkin on his sleeve, Ray makes an outstanding waiter. Serving pepper and polite conversation, Ray carried on like he had done this before. We look forward to having Ray "serve" us at our other venues! In addition to Ray's stunning performance, we find out that Pete's "spandex" undergarment matched the colorful napkins of the restaurant!We'd like to thank Ray for an excellent "floor show" and Pete for a rather uniquely different kind of  "show"! (When you see Peter be sure to have him give you a "show and tell!")

Toward the end of our lunch, our conversation turns to the reality of the time of year and that many of our riders will be packing their bikes onto their campers to head home. Our melancholy can be seen in our faces as we realize that our rides will soon be relegated to our memories. What memories they are. The great laughs we've come to enjoy. How our unique personalities melt into one fun-sharing time each week. And, yes, so many great lunches that top-off each ride. But most of all, our special, one-of-a-kind "group" friendship.

Some of us staying longer will keep up the spririt of our group and continue our weekly ride as long as we can. But, no matter what, we'll all be riding vicariously together as one "long, thin, blue line."

Our Blog doesn't have to end with the season. We have our PTB email list and I'd like to offer to all our riders the following suggestion; feel free to send me your adventures, special times, and "news worthy" notes over the summer. (Just remember, that I tend to embelish "edit" what I hear!)
We can put them together and keep our Blog going every couple or three weeks or so... in the song of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, "...happy trails to you, until we meet again."

Fort Wilderness, and another Rueben!

First off, Daniel Dye the owner of the web site floridabackyardsnakes.com confirmed that the snake in our previous post IS a Florida Cottonmouth, it IS venomous and "not a snake to be messed with!"

Now doesn't that just make you all warm and fuzzy? Can you believe another winter season is coming to an end?

Our ride takes us to Fort Wilderness. This time the Security Guard at the "Fort" was somewhat overwhelmed with our caravan into the campground. Let's suffice it to say that our lunch reservation was for thirty! Now that's a long "thin blue line."

The only thing that caught my attention as we headed out was that we typically start out at the check-in building to take care of business before we head out. While I was making reservations for thirty at The Wave, the group took off!

No problem! My new "sneakers" (that's what Ray calls bicycle tires) gave me the "boost" I needed to catch up. Besides, if I didn't I could have had them all standing outside the entrance to the Wave without reservations!!

Another thing, we all forgot what it was like riding with a group that large. Due to some walkway construction, we rode along the main street to get to the loops. That just made for a "testy" ride as the buses dodged many of us until we hit the Loops.

At one point we had to "pow-wow." After playing "catch the tail" (you know how dogs try to catch their tails) at each loop, we figured it's best for us to split up. After all, the "speedsters" felt the need for speed and the rest of us were getting tired of trying to find out which turn the group made, we made plans to meet on the beach to take the boat over to the Contemporary.

Feeling my oats (and doing nothing but standing for all of my shifts at ESPN) I thought it might be good to "stretch" the muscles and head out with the "speedsters."

We made a bee-line for the Wilderness Lodge...

Someone asked if he could take the photo so I can get into the picture. Between taking a couple of hits of oxygen and trying to catch my breath, I thanked him and leaned on my cane and "click!"

We all made it in time for our noon reservation. Some even had enough time to do some shopping upstairs.

I hear some of our members had the pleasure of riding over on the boat piloted by "Daryl." I believe he was the "other brother Daryl" from Bob Newharts TV show. "Daryl" was Mr. Personality (with tongue in cheek). And wouldn't you know it... just who do you think piloted us back to the campground?

We had an impressive group at The Wave...

Lunch was excellent and as you might guess we were the loudest, funniest and most pampered group by The Wave's staff.

The boat ride back was much more somber with "Daryl" at the helm!

I'm a believer!

Just thought I'd pass this along to all of you who so enjoy the warmth of central Florida in the winter.... and so do the Florida Snakes! While here in Florida I've become interested in knowing what types of critters we need to pay attention too. I'm not really fond of snakes but I am interested in learning about them because Florida does have a number of venomous snakes. As you know I like to carry my camera with me most of the time. Last year I drove into Lake Magic Resort late at night after work and there was a snake on the street and I didn't have my camera. Well, I didn't have it with me tonight but you can bet I beat a path to the house grabbed the camera, hopped on the bike and make it back before any one drove over him or he made it to the grass. (Oh, and I did shut the garage door!) Here are a couple of pictures of a fine specimen who happened to be taking his time crossing Citrus Parkway in the evening just as I was returning home from the Clubhouse at Lake Magic Resort...

This fellow was in no hurry to go anywhere. I think he was enjoying the warmth of the pavement; which is what I've been told is what snakes like to do down here as the evenings cool.

I believe he is a Florida Cottonmouth, and yes venomous! You can check out the many species of snakes in FL at this great web site: http://www.floridabackyardsnakes.com/

I will be following this post up with an email to the web site above to verify if I have correctly identified this snake.

This fellow is nearly three feet long and (as you can see) very muscular. His body appeared to be about three inches in diameter.

As you might expect, this guy caused quite a stir among the neighbors when they saw me photographing him. There was one neighbor working his garden when I told him about this guy making his way toward his yard.

I rousted Brian, the HOA V.P. out to see this guy and see if he knew what it was. After checking this guy out, Brian (with the help of a long handle spade) literally shoveled him across the street, through the parking lot of the pool/clubhouse parking lot and then into the woods.

I've gotta tell ya, getting to witness (first hand) a snake of this nature has made me "a believer!"

Never leave your doors (especially garage doors) open, stay out of the grass at night, and walk the center of the street once the weather gets hot and inviting for snakes to warm up... so to speak!

This guy even looks nasty!

Where is the time going?

This post is a little late because "the hurrier I go, the behinder I get!" The days are flying by. Our PTB members  are all "a buzz" about the "end of March!" Yikes, they're talking about heading north, as in going home! At least we've got a few more bike rides, lunches and "Off-Trail Socials" to go. So, I might as well write up our last ride, the West-Orange trail.

But first, Pat and I visited with our Winnebago friends at the Central Florida W.I.T Rally. We didn't get to see everyone of our friends but we did get to lunch with Ed and Sandy. It just so happened that Sandy entered the Quilt contest and came in first place with her Calendar Quilt.

Each strip is a month and each month is represented by the special event of the month.

We also learned that Sandy (a different Sandy) won the top honor with a baby quilt (sorry no photo).

We only stayed a brief time and headed back... work ya know!

But then came Monday, and another bike ride!

The "gang" headed out with great gusto!

Our first stop went well.

Our tail-enders, Joan and Judy questioned the validity of the two "new" tail enders... Buzz and Walt. I guess they "vaunt to be alone!"

It was a stand-off. Joan won! Walt (with his ahem, classic "retro" bike) gave in and road ahead.

On we went to the Killarney Station, five miles ahead and the turn-around point for our ride.

During our break, Jack snuck a ride on Joepy's (pronounced U P) "arm chair special."

I heard a bit of grumbling when Jack had to return the bike to Joepy! While all this was going on we found out that our normally eager riders took advantage of the stop-over...

Buzz looks wide awake, but don't let that fool you!

So, we headed back for lunch and had lots of laughs. Leaving the quaint town of Winter Garden we noticed one critter high on the town water tower.

This superb Osprey was a marvel to observe. From there we headed back to our homes away from home.

The highlight of the week was a birthday party where we all got to eat some elegant cake.....

and more cake!

To top it of, a few of us got to enjoy it together!

 

So what's the big deal about having another birthday... and signing up for Medicare!

Another thing happened this week that only takes place when the moon is at perigee (closest to Earth in it's orbit). The "Supemoon" was spectacular and short lived. Everyone was willing to be sacrificial lambs for the mosquitoes and made way for any vantage point they could to see this rare event.

The moon appears largest when it is photographed near the horizon with objects in the foreground. Even though the pictures don't do the view justice, you can easily note the smaller size of the moon once it rose above the trees. Maybe we can hope to see this once again.... in another twenty or so years!

The "PEDALphiles"

Before you over-react to this weeks blog title, read it slowly! You'll notice the spelling and you'll see the word "pedal" as in bicycle pedal. I'll keep the person's name who thought up this "play on words" secret and suffice it to say that, he's typically our leader, he sometimes loses his bearings and his initials are, P.E.T.E.

Last week our group headed to Fort Wilderness and (sigh) The Wave! Man, I hate it when work interferes with great lunches! My "spies" tell me the ride went well and  there was a point where they got split up by a bus. The story goes they were trying to get ahead of the group by hitching up to the bus. Oh well, that sounds like as good an excuse as any for having to take a break!

This weeks ride was somewhat more boisterous than normal (the title should have been your first clue). I guess thirty-plus riders can cause quite a stir on the trail. This week the Palm Tree Bikers headed for Celebration. En mass, the caravan of bicycle laden trucks/vehicles made for a mini "Cannon Ball Run" as they made their way to the sleepy community of Celebration. I think they had their special parking spots picked out in their heads because it was "all vehicles for themselves" along Rt. 192. Some headed out on the 429 toll road. Money is no object as long as you beat the rest of the group to the destination... right Ray!

The long line of bikers headed for their first stop, the Celebration Health Center. (I keep trying to catch a glimpse of any rider trying to take in some oxygen when we stop here!)

(Click on the picture to enlarge it. Do you notice anything?)

Our cold but lively group was very eager to get underway and warm up in the brisk morning temps. Ole "Red-Eye" Larry, (you'll have to ask Larry about this moniker) believes it's all of the "snowbirds" parent's kids that are wishing this cool air on us!

On we went!

To give you an idea of just how impressive our group is when we hit the trail, this'll give you a hint....

At the far end of the white fence you can barely make out our "tail-enders!"

However, I just had to take a photo of those who really NEED to get into the picture!

...and of course, here are our "tail-enders!

At our second stop I thought it would be nice to take another "group" photo. Little did I realize I had to walk across the four-lane roadway, step into the "pucker-brush" fend off the snakes, alligators, etc. just to take one picture!

Just behind the group is where we ride through the dense woods on a "wooden" trail. On a warm sunny day we are lucky enough to get to see some of the Florida wildlife. Not today! Our group was so long we had people along the trail stopping to let our large entourage pass.

Once out of the woods, we pass by some pretty elegant homes. We did notice this "handsome" critter just waiting for a "photo op!"

Don't fret, this Pygmy rattle snake (common down here) is (I can't imagine why anyone would want it as) a lawn ornament! Yep, you wouldn't believe anyone would adorn their property with such a frightening "statue."

Surely, a Florida Pygmy rattle snake in striking pose could give someone a heart attack!

Oh well, I suppose that's one way to keep the in-laws away!

Near the end of our eleven mile ride we travel along several ponds. Here we stopped long enough to allow everyone to "catch-up." I think it was more to let us smell the grills of the restaurants we were headed to!

We split up into two groups. One group to the Market Street Cafe and the other to the Town Tavern.

After some great conversation (I promised Bobbie I wouldn't say anything about her story. You'll just have to ask her!) and solving the world's problems we bid each other farewell.

On our way to the vehicles this scene caught our attention...

This lady got to "touch" the tail of this 'gator! Then, she thought it would be "cool" to bring her child down for a "meet and greet!"

Don't be surprised if you see her on the evening news; "Tourist loses hand trying to feed her child to an alligator!" (Disclaimer; just joking!)