A Palm Tree Bikers Party and Ride!

It's time for our "Palm Tree Bikers" Christmas Party!
And, it really is all about the food!

However, Barb takes food presentation to another level.

 

We gathered for the annual "Palm Tree Bikers" Christmas Party at Dave & Pats. Just over twenty of our members were on hand to enjoy a comfortably cloudy afternoon for some great conversation and good food.

Everyone found their "spot" and settled in for the afternoon.

 We played "catch up" with stories from the summer season and how everyone is doing now that the "Snowbird" season is well underway.

Oops, forgot to take a photo of the rest of the group out in the screen room! (I was too busy making the rounds at the food table!)

 

 Some people just can't resist a "Polaroid Moment!"

And as usual, at exactly 4:59:30 the group began to stir and stand to close the curtain on this year's annual Christmas Party.

 

Given all the yummy food, we can all be happy to rid ourselves of the guilt with a bike ride the very next day!

 

 The PTBs "circled the wagons" at the Winter Garden Pavilion (read, restrooms) to establish our riding and lunch plans.

 John and Duane were eager to hit the trail.

 Joanie took center stage to establish where the group wishes to dine for lunch.

Just about everyone wanted to try out the newly opened food court the "Local Market" next to the City Hall in the center of Winter Garden. Just several "die-hards" considered returning to the Winter Garden Pizza Company but the group won out and the few "deserters" joined with the rest of the group.

 

No groups this trip! It's everyperson for themselves!

After some small talk and, with little fan fair we headed for the trail.

At our routine pit stop we couldn't help but notice some new "art work" adorning the rotary at the pit stop.

 Some of us who haven't been biking regularly stopped for that "second breath."

You may recall our eagle sighting last year. Well, it appears that the eagles are still hanging around. The Large tree we photographed them in last year now sports a grand eagles nest. Some of our riders were quick to find and observe these beautiful birds perched on the nearby water tower. On our trip outbound we caught sight of this eagle.

 

Then, on the inbound ride we found both eagles perched together on the water tower.

It's always a special treat to observe the local wildlife here in Florida.

John checks out his GPS. Actually, It's a small TV. John likes to keep up with the "Soaps!"

A few riders decided to solve a few of the pressing worldly issues like; whether to make reservations at the Food Court or not!

 

Five miles out we reach our destination on the West Orange Trail.



You'd think we'd stop where there's a view or wildlife to observe. Well, not exactly.

We stop where there's a restroom and some chairs!

Our two Recumbent bicyclists. (Def. Re-come-bent; to lie down or ride a recliner!)
Left to right, Roger and Joepy.

Ahhh, just another happy rider, Jim, relaxing in the afternoon sun.

Rental bikes tuned up and ready for riders.

Joepy's tattered flying Mickey "tell-tale" has seen the wrath of the elements!

Below left, Roger and Joepy on the right prepare for the "speed run" back to the parking lot.


 

 

At last, the real reason we ride! To dine!

 

 

Our group found two unattended large tables and made the best of lunch.

 

The "Local Food Court" offers a variety of sandwiches, pizza, hotdogs, as well as a micro-brewery.

Below, Pete is sampling the dark brew.

 

 

And so ends another Monday on the trail. But here's another look back.....

 

 

Don't we look so young?

 

Judy's plant! You'll have to ask her. 

 

Come on "Palm Tree Bikers," we're almost at the restaurant!

 

A Ride to the Trail's End!

Our usual Monday bike ride started out damp and cloudy. Heading out from Lake Magic, the 23 riders set their hopes that the gloomy, dampness would leave us for a dryer and enjoyable ride through the "loopes." As luck would have it, a brisque wind greeted us at Fort Wilderness and helped "blow" out the dampness leaving us with a welcome cool beginning of our ride.

 

We gathered at the parking lot and began to organize ourselves to taking care of any "pit stops" and greetings to newly returned fellow riders. We welcomed Kathy and Duaine back to our group. They look great and were eager to get back into the "Snowbird" routine.

 Some getting to know who's who was in order.

 Hmmm, let's see, where did I leave my bike?

As usual we first establish our riding groups.

 

First, the "Easy Riders." They quietly gathered near Judy and waited patiently for the Fast Group to round up. (Note: we now call the Fast Group the (not so PC) "Mainiacs!"

 

Our leader, Pete the "compass" of our group, boldly and proudly headed his bike toward the trail and one by one we followed.

 

He started out crossing the street and onto the curving sidewalk to bring us by the Fort Wilderness Bus terminal.

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, here's one for the "Palm Tree Biker" record books!!

 

Caught BIG TIME!

 

 

Pete, lead us directly into the dead end at the horse stables! His moment of shock is caught on camera.



 

It would be a great deal funnier if those of us following him caught his faux pax. You see, like Lemmings, we dutifully followed Pete... one by one to be "fence locked" into as embarrising momment as the "Easy Riders" gleefully voiced their comments as they peddled by. 

Humbly, one by one we turned our bikes around and regrouped.

 It goes without saying that the loops were dutifully decked out in Christmas decorations.

Blow-up decorations were the order of the season.

 

Our "pit stop" at the Wilderness Lodge at Christmas time is a must to check out the beautiful Christmas Tree.



We had time to take in the decorations.

 

 The weather cooperated and we made on time for our reservation at the "Trail's End."

Lunch time is a perfect time to enjoy a meal at the "Trail's End," we were basically the only group of people there.

 

 

We all managed to sit as a group. 

 

The "Trail's End" lunch menu selection is not extensive but the offerings were all good proportions and very tasty.

 

Everyone made it back to their cars with ease and had a terrific bike ride logging just over 10 miles.

On the way out, I took this photo of just one campers decorated site. We noticed dozens more loaded to the hilt just like this one!

 

Thought you might like a "peddle" through "memory lane".......

That was fun! We'll have to do it again next time!