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Maleficent
05-01-2008, 08:58 PM
Went on my very first group ride today. Taking much advice from Unforgiven I was very selective on my companions and chose three other riders I work with and know their riding history. Two cruisers and two sportbikes.

We rode from Jacksonville down to St. Augustine, our nation's oldest city and my favorite lunch destination. We followed A1A, crossed the intracoastal bridge in Vilano. I've always wanted to snap a picture but there's nowhere to safely stop and take a pic. Here's one I found via google.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh247/Maleficent_02/Posts/VilanoBridge.jpg

The weather was just like in the pic and saw several sailboats, sea doos, etc. when I took some quick glances.

A1A follows this bridge, continues down through the heart of St. Augustine, then crosses back over the intracoastal at Matanzas Bay. The crossing is via the Bridge of Lions. It is under serious reconstruction so the google pic is way better than how it looks now.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh247/Maleficent_02/Posts/BridgeofLions.jpg

Here's a pic of the Lions at the entrance on either side. These along with the towers are being preserved and position on the new bridge. BTW, the old one was built in 1927 and just about crumbled to pieces before they started the 'rehabilitation'.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh247/Maleficent_02/Posts/LiononBridge.jpg

The Lions are carved in marble. The bridge was up and we had to wait around 10 minutes for all the sailboats to cross under. So another first, put the kickstand down while sitting in the road. :lol:

We continued down A1A past the famous lighthouse

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh247/Maleficent_02/Posts/Lighthouse.jpg

And then past the famous Alligator Farm, home of Maximos

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh247/Maleficent_02/Posts/maximo.jpg

Our lunch destination was the famous 'Oasis'. Air conditioned on the lower floor and open air on the top. This is a view from our table.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh247/Maleficent_02/Picture001-1.jpg


Here's 'the bikes'

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh247/Maleficent_02/Picture003.jpg

My friend Terri has the Fat Boy on the front row left, my other friend Naomi has the yellow Katana and my other friend Shell has the red honda next. My ZZR is behind the Fat Boy. When we left a nice Harley Dude took our pic.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh247/Maleficent_02/Picture006.jpg

And then we took the long way home, of course!!:riding:
ridingAK
05-01-2008, 09:07 PM
That looks great. It's cool that you have women to ride with like that. Very fun!
Lucky_Devil
05-01-2008, 09:25 PM
The weather looks awesome!

Glad your first group ride experience was a good one :riding: :riding: :riding: :riding:

Looks like you chose your companions wisely :thumbup:


I'm not sure what your opinions of group rides was before this experience, but has your opinion changed at all?
Maleficent
05-01-2008, 09:42 PM
The weather looks awesome!

Glad your first group ride experience was a good one :riding: :riding: :riding: :riding:

Looks like you chose your companions wisely :thumbup:


I'm not sure what your opinions of group rides was before this experience, but has your opinion changed at all?

I've lurked on several sportbike boards and the local board here has at least one group ride crash story a month. So, my opinion is the same, ride with those you know and have some sense. These gals were great, had experience, and our lead rider must have read the group ride etiquette book.

Unforgiven and I are riding with another couple this weekend that have experience and we think are safe. Hope things work out.

I think riding style compatability is also important. For example, one of the fun things about a sportbike is the acceleration. I'm not talking about tearing out so fast you lose traction, but that spunky take off that's so fun. The cruisers I rode with were just that, cruisers, which meant that was my style for the day, no spunky take offs. No problem, they just put me in the middle so I'd behave myself. :devilsmile:

I also think those police escorted rides, although they sound fun, are probably not. Odds are that half the people or more, just plain don't know how to ride, not that I'm an expert, just 'Darwin's Laws'.

My favorite riding companion is and will always be Unforgiven. :): He has a vested interest in keeping me safe.
Unforgiven
05-01-2008, 09:45 PM
Yeah. Try as I might, I couldn't worm my way into the first annual http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/NorthAmerica/images/LargeBeaverPhoto.jpg Run.
hijinxxx
05-01-2008, 10:05 PM
sweet ..but i count 4 cruisers and 3 sport bikes

:howdy:
sweptwingnut
05-02-2008, 12:24 AM
NICE! It is good to see the girls getting out for a ride and that everyone is acceptable of various bikes. You picked wisely!
MtnRider
05-02-2008, 01:04 AM
Good for you, looks like fun. Great pictures too!!!:riding:
Luna Tique
05-02-2008, 06:36 AM
I am glad you had a wonderful day for a nice ride with your friends. and a big thanks for including pictures .



My favorite riding companion is and will always be Unforgiven. :): He has a vested interest in keeping me safe.

JT is my only riding companion for the same reasons ...I have a trust issues with other riders :D:
letsxplor
05-02-2008, 07:40 AM
Looks like a great ride, and a great day. I used to visit my sister in Jacksonville and we'd go down to St. Augustine for the day - that's one of my favorite towns. Thanks for sharing, and for the pics!
Bonnie Abbzug
05-02-2008, 09:52 PM
Nice report! It looks warm and inviting!
KCDakar
05-05-2008, 09:07 PM
Very nice! :thumbup:
I miss your part of the country!