Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Geezer Cruises Manasota Key

After yesterday's total of sixteen miles around the side-streets practicing stopping/starting/turns Paul said he was willing to take'r out for a longer and busier route for some more mileage.  While the bike club took off from the Island Sun Inn at 9:00 to ride 50 miles to Siesta Key Beach, a few were wanting to do a shorter ride.  We met up with John/Fran and Linda for a 10:00 start. John led us on a ride to Englewood Beach, going along Manasota Key.  John/Fran have just started to ride as a tandem team too.  So they were on Blue Belle (their newly aquired Burley Duet) and she was introduced to Geezer Cruiser.  What a fun time it was. It was a 33 mile ride.  We were getting the hang of it on our push-off starts, getting the feel of just how high the right pedal should be for the best start. Paul found out the bike takes a bit longer to stop, and he couldn't stop it soon enough and did touch the back of Blue Belle one time when John/Fran stopped in front of us.  But nobody went over, so it was a good save. Before returning along the Key, Paul and I suggested eating across the street from Englewood Beach at the Lock n Key Restaurant.  They have a great lunch menu and we all enjoyed the food. Linda was on her single (Specialized Roubaix). This was only her second day in Florida.  She is riding strong and it was great to have her along on our 'tandem newbies' ride. 
God is Good, and thanks be to our Guardian Angels for watching over us.
Manasota key at Englewood Beach. Paul and Sara
John and Fran taking Blue Belle out for a spin

Linda S., John and Paul

The Red Tide (a fish fungus) is very smelly too.  No wonder my eyes have been tearing and I cough when riding along some of the beaches where the Red Tide has hit.

Linda riding 'sweep' today, bringing up the rear.  I captured this while on the tandem, pointing my camera over my shoulder

This very good restaurant is across the street from Englewood Beach on Manasota Key. The "Lock n Key"  We took our lunch break here.

A mail box of a 'boca grande' (means big mouth) fish.  Linda inspects it up close.


Lots of people sunbathing at Manasota Beach today. Bright beautiful skies!


Friday, January 25, 2013

The First Tandem Ride on Geezer Cruiser

So here we are, camped out at the Island Sun Inn, with friends of the Stark County Bike Club.  The Geezer Cruiser is patiently waiting outside in the veranda area, outside our door.  Just waiting until my Captain, Paul, feels brave enough to take it out for some trial rides.  He says the shoulder/arm is still too sore to try it. Others have been inquiring of Paul when (we) will take the tandem out for the rides.  He (jokes) that it was "Just brought down here for show."  I will patiently wait!  I know someday we will have a great time tooling around on Geezer Cruiser! Shoulder surgery takes time to heal. . .
NEWS FLASH!  UPDATES!!
Geezer was out for a cruise around the neighborhood this afternoon.  After Paul, Steve, and I did some casual riding around Venice and after some lunch back at the room, Paul said he would like to take the tandem out by himself and see how it handles. Yippie!  Here's the first photos of the maiden launch of GEEZER CRUISER:
There he goes!  Paul leaves to circle around the side streets. 

He managed a right-hand turn and is looking good.

Hey there my Captain!  You are lookn' good. You need a Stoker now.

This is it! I snapped this photo of our shadow. Oh was this FUN!

After the ride - Look at our smiles. 

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Myakka State Park

Myakka State Park.  A 36 mile ride through the park.  Snack break was at the general store at Myakka City. On the return we stopped at the concession stand in the park and then a short walk to the Canopy Walk that rises some 84' above ground.
First in line below is a LINK to click for a video of us leaving on the ride this morning.
VIDEO: Starting a bike ride from Myakka State Park

Here are some photos from today

The line-up at the General Store half-way point

Steve and his brother, Paul

This place is known for its "Bad to the bone" fried chicken. But it isn't the food cyclists need during a long and hot ride. This General Store out in the country is our favorite break stop on the Myakka ride route.

Paul (on left) and Rich Aieling, with Bob Forney taking some refreshments at the General Store stopping point.

I sure do like my coffee first thing in the morning!

Ed Shenck and Peg Stoner riding on a tandem today.

Just one of the several aligators seen along the river as we rode through Myakka State Park.



A short jaunt into the woods brings us to the high canopy walk.

Steve Schroedl









A long clim up to the top, where we can overlook and see the area for several miles.
Sara, Paul, Steve




Is a hot ride in Florida complete without ice cream?

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Out For A Ride Feeling Fine


Yesterday afternoon I stopped in at the local bike shop, Real Bikes, and found a replacement helmet. I donned my brand-spankn' new helmet, pumped the tires, and I was ready to roll today. I was feeling fine and looked forward to getting back to riding.  I figured resting a couple of days after my tumble that resulted in a concussion, was good, but I was anxious to get back on my bicycle.
Paul took today off to rest his shoulder, so Ed Grace and I took a shorter route and cut off about 20 miles of the official scheduled ride and ended up with 36 for the day. I felt fine, but I must say I was really watching those road cracks with an eagle eye the whole time. Did a lot of stopping, snapping photos of horticulture down here. Things are blooming all over the place. I don't know the names of the native plants.  Ed and I stopped in a little business section of Englewood to take a break and have some soup/coffee/sandwich. I've passed the "Mango Bistro" many times down here and have never had a chance to stop and eat. But today was the day to enjoy this unique and very delicious cafe.  Tonight: Left Coast Seafood Restaurant. Monday is all you can eat shrimp. We have the bikes loaded into the van ready to take off in the morning to drive over to Myakka State Park, 20 minutes from the motel. Beautiful place to visit and ride. I am blessed and so thankful I could get back on the bike again.
No idea when we will take our tandem out. Paul just doesn't feel that his arm is pain-free yet. He wants to wait just a while longer before taking Geezer Cruiser for the maiden ride. I am patiently waiting!

A group of tandem riders ready to start the ride

Riders gather out front of the Island Sun Inn waiting for the 9:00 AM start of this morning's ride.

Ed Grace - Taking a little rest along the route.

Sharks teeth are imbedded into the concrete sidewalk at a beach house area along Manasota Key.
Manasota beach is reknown for it's abundance of shark's teeth. Many people come every day and comb the beach for these. 

A zillion sharks teeth in the sidewalk.  Amazing.  All from the gulf beaches in this locale. My Trek Madone takes a little rest. . .






 
Ed joined me for eats at the Mango Bistro.  Excellent portabella sandwich.




Monday, January 21, 2013

Resting My Head While Being SAG wagon

The Florida liquid sunshine came down hard for about an hour this morning.  There were ten of us who headed north to Sarasota (19 miles) and by 8:45 it had stopped raining. It continued to rain in Venice, according to the riders who stayed and waited until nearly noon before they could get out on their bikes. On Longboat Key we parked at the Mote Aquarium parking lot and all except I got on their bikes and headed up Longboat Key and over to Anamaria Island.  I took a short jaunt through some stores in St Armand's, the fancy upscale shopping district, and had fun 'window shopping'.  I was still resting my head from the concusion that I got from the fall yesterday.  I did make it to a bike shop and got a replacement helmet.  I timed it just right and arrived at the Sand Bar Restaurant on the beach on Anamaria Island to join them for lunch.  Good fun, and plenty of sunshine all day.  I look forward to getting back on my bike for tomorrow's 57 mile ride. 
Here are a few photos from today:
Brother - in- law  Steve enjoying fun in the sun Florida 2013


Brothers: Paul and Steve

At the marina.  Looks like the boats were floating in the air during transport.

Team: John and Fran

Longboat Key from the Mote Aquarium: John S, Elaine, Paul, Steve, Gary W, Bob F, Rich A, John S, Fran.


Paul and Steve

Steve and his Blacken Grouper Sandwich at the Sand Bar Restaurant Anamaria Island, FL

Coconut Shrimp Salad.  Yummy