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Occasionally, the stars align, your luck is great and you wind up with a great ride.  Once again the most popular riding club in South Florida came up with a dandy ride for Saturday, October the 3rd.  See photos on our Meet Up site under 360 Bikers.

Under a 40% chance of rain threat we started our journey at the Gun Club Cafe.  It’s a great breakfast joint in West Palm Beach.  It’s cozy, the food is great and there’s plenty of parking.  We headed North on Beeline highway (710) from Haverhill Rd.  It was pretty much a straight shot to (70) in Okeechobee from Beeline Hwy.  We met the rest of our crew at the Racetrac gas station here.  About 14 riders joined here to make a large crew of about 28.  Our route followed 70 North to 98 North.  From there it was about an hour to Sebring and SR 27.  Just a few miles North on 27 took us to downtown Sebring, FL. 

I have been to many bikefests in FL but had never even heard of the Heartland ride unitl now.  The fest was much more than I imagined.  There was food, fun and deals to be had for all.  One of the highlights of the day for me was the Central Florida Drill Team.  Most drill teams I have seen, have made use of the compact Harley Electra Glides, which make all the maneuvering considerably easier.  However, at least 2 of the Central Florida riders sported the Flagship of tourers, the Goldwing.  It was especially impressive as the Goldwings did everything the Glides did and just as smooth.  We picked up a pair of MP3 equipped sun glasses for my better half for a great price and the obligatory event patch and pins.  The whole fest had a strong resemblance to Leesburg, in scope and content.  Although Leesburg is better known.

The ride back was just a pleasurable as the ride to the fest and followed the same route.  Normally not a 360 staple but it was great all the same.  We have some great ride leaders and organziers.  We also have plenty of safety conscious and experienced members, mixed in with some newer riders.  The blend is smooth and effortless and it shows when we ride. 

 That our beautiful state is hot is understatement, but at 55 mph plus, little traffic, no stop and go, underneath the blue skies and an Eagle flying overhead, I couldn’t think of a better way for 28 brothers and sisters to spend a Saturday.  

Once again a great ride, after all, that’s what 360Bikers are known for.  Until next time, RIDE SAFE!

GR

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Welcome once again faithful readers to another installment of the 360 Bikers Blog.  The 360 Bikers are the most popular Motorcycle riding club in South Florida and the ride today was a prime reason for our popularity.

The ride to Dune Dog began at 10:00am at the Starbucks in front of the Wellington Mall.  About 33 riders showed up to take the ride.  Ice coffee was the way to go as the sunny South Florida weather was already well under way.  After some picture taking and lots of greetings we got down to our rider meeting.  I believe every make and model was represented from 250cc Rebels to 6 cylinder Hondas.

The first group was lead by our fearless leader Lee and tailed by Nick.  I lead the second group tailed by our resident expert Hawk.  Our route for the day took us through Wellington heading West.  Whenever we ride as a group we turn heads but when you ride 25-30 bikes strong, that’s a parade.  We cruised through Wellington into Royal Palm and took a slight detour for some quick maintenance on a members motorcycle.  The groups flip flopped the lead and tail gunners with Lee joining the group I was leading and Hawk leading the second group with Nick Tail Gunning.  The switch was flawless and we barely skipped a beat.

Our group maintained a leisurely pace along Crestwood on to Royal Palm Beach Boulevard.   We headed North to Orange, West to Coconut, North to Northlake and East to Bee Line Highway.  I wrote this all in one sentence because essentially we did not stop at any of these locations.  We barely hesitated, catching each light or arriving just as the light was beginning to change.  This makes for a great flow when riding in a group.  Our ride North West on Beeline was the quickest part of our trip as the speed limit reaches 60 mph on stretches of Beeline.  Traffic was light and the traffic lights were accommodating.

We headed North East on Pratt Whitney adn then East on Indiantown Road.  This stretch took us back into town and what I thought would be the most congested part of our trip.  Boy was I surprised.  Our good luck with smooth traffic and accommodating lights continued all the way East on Indiantown Road.  If any of you have ever traveled on Indiantown Road you know it is the most congested road in Jupiter.  There are shops, stores, dealers, shopping malls and restaurants every 10 feet.  None of those affected our ride this day.  We made record time all the way to Federal Hwy or Dixie Hwy, depending on what town your in.  At this point we finally stopped for more than 1 minute (just barely) at a traffic light.  There was more than one rider getting up off of their seat to stretch.

We headed North for about 3 blocks to Dune Dog on the East side of the road.  The parking lot had plenty of room and we were soon parked across the parking lot.  We posed for a few shots here and headed inside.  About 15 minutes after we pulled in the second group pulled into the parking lot and we were once again one big happy group.  We found some more great friends and 360 Bikers to hang with inside Dune Dogs.  Mark, Yarka, Maverick and Dale, long time 360 bikers, met us for lunch and the ride home.

Lunch consisted of Leroy Brown’s Junkyard Dog, (it was great) and Baby Back Ribs, w/hot wings, coleslaw and fries for the missus.  Lunch was ordered and served in good time considering every seat in the house seemed to be taken.  The pricing was reasonable and the service was friendly.  We posed for some more shots after lunch and headed out.

We headed North once again to find Ocean avenue and immediately were stuck waiting on a raised bridge.  After a few minutes and some more pictures we started again.  We continued South to Indiantown, East to Ocean and then headed South along the beach.  Back on to US 1 for a few miles then East to Ocean once again.  We achieved a good flow along the Ocean with some great views.  We headed West along Blue Heron Blvd and were separated by a traffic light at Australian.  As my group, slowed to wait for those at the light we lost touch with the front group.  We continued South on Australian enjoying the weather and the ride.  At 45th street, Hawk rode to the front and suggested we go West on 45th and we soon caught the first group and passed them as they had stopped to wait for us.

We continued West on 45th, losing our second gunner, Nick, here.  Love the bike Nick (Yamaha Raider).  We headed South on Haverhill Road to Roebuck for our connection to Jog Road.  We headed South on Jog Road. As we headed South on Jog Road, members began to peel off.  We actually, left the group here,  and headed East on SR 80.  It was another great 360 plan and another great 360 ride.  Until next time, Ride Safe!!!

GR

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Welcome faithful readers, to another edition of 360 Bikers Blog.  The latest blog from the most popular Motorcycle Club in South Florida.   The members of  360 Bikers are some of the finest people you will ever meet.  Check out our website and follow our visionary leader as he leads a great group in supporting a great cause.

Today I would like to share a helpful tip I picked up in Daytona, during Bike Week 2009.  I was actually watching the Harley Davidson drill team go  through their paces at the Harley Davidson dealership on Beach Street.  If you have never seen a drill team go to work it is something to see.  Have you ever seen the fully dressed touring motorcycles in parades?  They accelerate and do figure eights all within inches of each other.  Chances are those motorcyclists were part of a drill team.  The motorcycle units on Police forces have to go through similar training to hone their skills.

My wife, Brandy and I watched the entire show. The entire time the drill team was riding in circles and figure eights, the leader was talking about what they were doing on his headset microphone.  At the end of the ride.  The leader stopped and invited us all a little closer.  As we got closer he got off his 2006 Ultra Glide and proceeded to lower it , as gently as possible, over on to it’s side!!!!  As the Harley laid on it’s engine guard, I could only think of the veins popping out of my brother’s neck if he saw his 2003 Ultra laying on it’s side!!!  The leader walked over to the crowd and asked us, “how many guys will it take to get this bike upright?’  The general consensus was a minimum of 2, there were calls for 3, if the second was your 98 lb wife.  The leader said, “what would you say if I told you an 11 year old girl picked this bike up all by herself?”

About this time I am looking for the angle.  My thought was, he doesn’t expect us to believe him so where’s he going with this?  Outside of a short, retired, former Olympic women’s weight lifter coming out of a dressing room and lifting this bike, I can’t see it happening. 

The leader’s name is Don.  Don says, “Have you ever laid your bike down or had a buddy lay his bike down?  I’m going to show you how an 11 year old girl picked up this bike and how you can too. I will need a volunteer.”  Being the nice guy that I am, I put my hand in the small of Brandy’s back and shoved her into the middle of the circle.  She was less then pleased.  Eventually though, she relented to being a volunteer. Don began with a few questions for Brandy and then went into the steps she would use to lift the bike. 

“First thing you must do is make sure you are not hurt or your passenger is not hurt.  The bike can be repaired.  The second thing you must do is make sure the bike is off, power, ignition switch.  Next you make sure the bike is in gear, so it does not roll away as  you are trying to lift it.  Extend the kick stand, depending on which way your bike is laying.  Do a little stretching to prepare yourself.  Put the small of your back into the front seat and plant your feet about six inches apart in front of you. Use your left or right hand (depending on which way your bike is laying) to grasp the handlebar, under handed.  Use the other hand to find a something to hold onto, normally a passenger grab rail.  Choose something that won’t brake or bend.  You will be using your legs, the strongest muscles on your body.  Slowly shuffle your feet backward using the muscles in your legs to push the bike upright.  The shuffle motion is like doing Michael Jackson’s moonwalk.”

I am fairly pessimistic, so I’m thinking my 5′ 2″ inch wife will not be able to lift this bike alone.  Boy, was I wrong.  Brandy lifted the bike ont he first try, all on her own.  After her, an even smaller young lady lifted the bike.  Then an older lady lifted the bike.  Of course, I wouldn’t embarrass myself (and as far as I saw, neither were any of the other men) by trying myself.  What if I couldn’t do it!?!?!? 

This was an amazing display and a great tip.  Don told the story of one of his female students who wouldn’t go out for a ride unless her boyfriend rode along.  She said she was scared she wouldn’t be able to handle the bike if it fell over or something.  After being taught how to pick the bike up properly, she turned to her boyfriend and said. “I guess, I don’t need you anymore.”

Finally, this really does work.  If you’re ever out with the 360 Bikers, ask Brandy about it.  She offered to demonstrate but I won’t allow her to lay my bike on it’s side.  Next time we’re out at Fisherman’s village though Hawk, you have nothing to worry about.  Until next time, Ride Safe!!!

GR

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Well here we are 2 weeks since the start and end of Bike Week 09 and I already miss it.  I’m actually late with this, as we got back home on the last day of Bike Week.  Some of us had to get back to the job we last saw 9 days ago.

What can I tell you about Bike Week?  If you haven’t been you need to go and if you have been, then you already know.  Bike Week has something for everyone.  Old bikers and new bikers, you are guaranteed to find something that fits you.  It really is like your local bike night, times 100,000. The amount of bikers and bikes is really overwhelming and I never get tired of seeing it.  You will definitely see your model and make, in many different styles and colors here and steal ideas to make your ride fit you and your personality.  I can always find something to add to the bike. Which is just as it should be.  If you go to a venue like this, you should expect to find the best possible prices.  If you search around long enough you will find a great deal at bike week. 

It may have been just me, but I thought I noticed a few less of everything this year at Bike Week.  A few less bikers and a few less vendors.  This shouldn’t come as any big surprise, given the economy.  I’m sure the final numbers on attendance will show a difference.  I did see an interesting report on Destination Daytona while I was there.  The evening local news reported they were selling 45 Harleys a day through bike week.  I was surprised but if you did the math, 45 X 9 days is 405 bikes  for the week.  If you have several hundred thousand extra people in town to ride motorcycles I don’t think it’s out of the question.  So good for them and great for bikers everywhere. 

There were some great shows at bike week as well.  If you’re inclined, you can pay to watch the AMA races at the track.  There were a number of custom bike shows.  Endless bikini, T Shirt and shorts, shows. We missed the Cole Slaw wrestling but we did catch the Monster Energy “Dome of Death”.  They weren’t to be confused with the “Wall of Death” at the Iron Horse.  These kids were free and much more dangerous.  We missed “Little Kiss”, midgets who dress up, make up and all, like the original Kiss and have concerts, but we did see the house band on Main Street,  rock some of Ozzy’s “Crazy Train”.  I heard ”Little Kiss” sounds just like the original. We miss the Brawl in the Cage at Destination Daytona but we did see some Evangelists crusaders versus Strip Club Choppers.  This was interesting for several reasons.  The crusaders were pretty much protesting everybody and everything.  The guy hanging out at the Strip Club Choppers tent, looked amazingly like “Kid Rock” just taller.  The crusaders had a guy with a bullhorn, one guy with a pole that had signs listing those being denounced, and 2 security guys standing behind him.  Kid Rock was drinking beer after beer and blaring death rock at the crusaders.  I thought Kid Rock and Strip Club Choppers got a raw deal because about 1/2 a block away, there were 2 beautiful young ladies having a “bikini bike shine”!?!?!? They definitely deserved some protesting.

We saw the shows.  We bought some shirts. We took some photos. We acquired some ideas and new parts for the bikes.  The real essence of Bike Week though, is the riding.  I saw many country ride tours and saw some obvious tourists/vacation motorcycle groups along the roads.  I know they had a great time.  We are lucky enough to stay about 58 miles west of Daytona when we arrive for our vacation.  I say lucky because by now we know every different way to get back and forth into town.  Here are a couple of country roads you must find and ride, while at bike week (CR309, CR308, CR308B, US17).  I call CR308B, the “little dragon”, those of you who have visited Tennessee and US129, you know what I am referring too.  I often wonder how the locals feel about their backroads? I mean, I travel here at least once or twice a year just to ride.  I wonder if I would be more apathetic if I lived here year round? Every morning and every night we had a great ride.  After 9 days and about 2,000 miles it was hard going home.  

Finally, I did catch up with Mike & Debbie and Mikey from the 360 Bikers, so we did officially call this a 360 run.  As the most Popular M/C riding group in South Florida, we had a responsibility to show up at Bike Week.  Of course I will continue to provide myself as a guide whenever anyone want to find some country roads during bike week.  I’m so selfless, it’s the least I can do.  Until next time, Ride Safe!!!

GR

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Welcome to another after ride Blog, from the most Popular Motorcycle Club in South Florida. This was a quick lunch ride but it epitomizes the creed of club. We have rides and events for any and all bikers, no matter what you ride or how many CC’s you have. On today’s ride we had a mix of models ranging from 250cc to 1900cc. Everyone had a great time.

Our ride started at 10:15am this morning. The riders gathered at the Shell gas station on 441 & Boynton Beach Blvd. This location has plenty of room to host a meetup 5 times our group size and gas/coffee to boot. Our leader Connie, proceeded with the pre ride meeting and we were off. Connie leading and Richard being the Tail Gunner on his Triumph for the ride. Unfortunately, I was not able to ride and was driving behind the Tail Gunner in my car.

The group rode South on 441, in the beautiful 70 degree weather, toward Boca Raton. Traffic was light and we made an Eastbound turn on to Clintmoore Road. As we traveled Eastbound toward Military Trail, Clintmoore adds a few curves to make the ride interesting. We head Southbound again on Military Trail passing under Glades Road to reach Palmetto Park Road.

On Palmetto Park Road we head Eastbound again towards the ocean. We reach Ocean blvd with a nice flow and no traffic issues. The area we pass through is usually crowded and heavy with traffic but it was nice and clear today.

We head Northbound on Ocean Blvd toward Linton Blvd. The Ocean view is beautiful and A1A is made for Motorcycle riding.

We turn Westbound on Linton Blvd. as we near our destination. The group was like a well oiled machine and there are no lags or spaces in the Staggered formation all ride long.

We arrive at Duffys right on time and are quickly shown to our seats. The waitresses took orders for drinks and quickly followed with food orders. Refills and requests were taken care of expeditiously and there was plenty of time for conversation.  The Wings are great and the price is moderate.  Everyone loved their meals.

After a great lunch it was time for us to ride once again. The group headed Westbound on Linton Blvd. to Jog Road. Northbound on Jog to Atlantic Blvd. Westbound on Atlantic Blvd to 441. Northbound on 441 back to our original starting point.  Riders peeled off as we traveled Northbound and headed for home.

Finally, great weather, great people, motorcycles and a great idea (360’s), equals one more great 360 Bikers event. Until next time, Ride Safe!!

GR

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After some refueling, (gas, Ice cream, yoo-hoo) we’re almost home and it’s about 4:40 pm or thereabouts. We leave about 3 riders short, as some of our crew split off here. There are plenty left for the relatively short jaunt home.

We continue east working our way toward SR 80. We have a couple more riders split off just outside Belle Glade. Though this area is relatively wide open we actually ran into some road construction to slow us down. It may be just me but they don’t spend nearly enough money in Clewiston and Belle Glade on roads. This particular road has been under construction for awhile now. We keep up a pretty good pace through here just like most of the day.

We have passed through this section before on our way to SR 80 on other 360 runs but I still can’t tell you the name. It bypasses, what goes for downtown Belle Glade. If the whole idea is to avoid traffic lights then it works out great. The weather is great, not warm and not cold. We run into a slight delay approaching SR 80. Sherrif in the middle of the road, lights on and cars pulled over to side. Must have been some kind of dispute or repair, because we barely got held up in time to light a cigarette.  I have a feeling it was the “Horde” of bikers that got that ball rolling because 2 seconds later everyone was gone.

There were some dark clouds threatening but nothing developed over us, there is some thing to be said for timing (luck). As we got closer to Wellington, traffic visibly increased and we started to wave our compadres off. We lost the majority before SR 7. The Wellington group are a bunch of good guys. Plus, quite a few of those guys ride STAR’s, so they get extra credit. We wave to our fearless leader and leave the group to continue on SR 80. There are just 2 of us and a lone biker who happened to join the group in traffic. I lose the last of our compadres about SR 80 and the turnpike and the lone biker a short while later.

Finally riding alone after 10 hours, is kind of strange and almost lonely. I had gotten so use to checking for Hawk and Terri in my rear view or watching Mark, Trudy and Maverick in front of me, that riding alone was almost wrong. I always get the same feeling at the end of a ride, as my fellow riders are peeling off. I actually want to stop and talk to each one and tell them what a great time I had and how cool it was to ride in the group with them. Sometimes, there is not even time to wave to each individual fellow 360er. Our group, of course, has the Post Ride comments on the web and I hope I have expressed my appreiciation and gratitude for my compadres there. Finally, no rain, great weather, slow riding, fast riding, curves, pot holes, alligators, toll roads, fuel island jams, good food and great people equals another great 360 ride. Ride Safe!

GR

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Well, the lure of free coffee didn’t get anywhere there between 7:00 and 7:30, but by 8:00 everyone but the breakfast group with Ian had arrived.  When all was said and done, we had 19 bikes in front of my house as everyone commented on how great my neighbors are. Children were walking by and looking at all the motorcycles parked on the street.

About 8:25 Ian’s group pulled in and we did our discussion of riding rules.  I do have to note that I can’t stress enough the importance of quickly passing back signals and executing lane changes from the back to the front.  Keeping the group tight became evident as more important as the day wore on, too.

Today’s ride was the 2nd Annual SoFla 360.  This year our route was 330 miles and went through Palm Beach, Broward, Dade, Collier, Lee and Hendry Counties.  We passed along or through five national and state parks including Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, The Collier-Seminole State Park, Picayune Strand State Forest and Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest.  We ended with 21 motorcycles and 27 people on the ride.

There was a little fog, but our late start actually helped the ride in safety as the fog began to lift more and more as we rode south.  We stopped at Starbucks in Hillsborough to pick up another rider.  From there, we rode a few miles to the Sawgrass Expressway.  My most significant challenge came when I suddenly realized the exit for I595 West didn’t exist and we had to take I-75 North.  It was last ditch to make the exit ramp and I felt badly about not having the right information.  Strike one against Google Maps.

Once on the I-75 we rode to US27 which led us down to Krome Ave.  The ride was relatively peaceful except for a major piece of debri in the road as we off-ramped from I-75 to US27.  There was so little time to react to it that was I put my foot out to point to it for other riders I actually kicked it.  Fortunately, I was not moving fast and it didn’t knock me off the bike.  It seemed to be a pull-cart with a piece of luggage.  That was a dangerous moment.

At the corner of Krome and US41 we stopped at the gas station where almost 100 other bikes had met.  A couple groups were almost ready to leave as we gave our smaller bikes time to refuel for the ride across the state.  You’ll read about that in part 2.

LK

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