Gary N. Posted February 10, 2011 Share #1 Posted February 10, 2011 Yesterday, was a beautiful sunny day here in central Florida. We were going to head out on the bike and explore some of the areas we haven't been to yet but some of the other folks in the park invited us to join them for a ride. Great idea, I thought, it's always nice to ride with someone who may know of some good riding in the local area. So we head out at about 12:15, stop to top up the gas tank and off we go. Sixteen miles up the road I see everyone (four other bikes with five people) slowing and turning into a bar. Maybe a great place to eat, I think. Nope, $1 drafts. OK, go with the flow, I'll have a diet coke. Half an hour later we're ready to roll again. Nice ride, seeing some different country and starting to enjoy the trip. Now what? Another thirty miles and now we're pulling into another bar. We don't want to be rude and I'm getting hungry so in we go. Again $1 drafts and just awful deep fried bar food. But it's a nice sunny day and we're sitting on a patio overlooking a nice river. An hour later off we go again. Four lanes, heavy traffic with lots of strip malls etc. After thirty miles of this we turn off the four lane on to a nice country road and start heading toward the gulf. We stop again but this time it's a nice beach area. The beer drinkers run into the restroom for a quick pit stop and ten minutes later away we go. Back into the traffic for about ten miles or so then a main two lane road but at least it's out in the country. Another thirty miles and you guessed it, another bar. By this time it's getting to be about 5:00, dark in a little over an hour and I've had enough bars. I gave everyone a honk and a wave and off I went. Hope they didn't think I was rude but if they did, too bad. I went back to the space shuttle, put my feet up and enjoyed a nice cold beer out on the patio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted February 10, 2011 Share #2 Posted February 10, 2011 Gary, I've been on one ride like that. No more. I like to ride long rides. A cool one is nice at the end of the day but those bar hopping rides isn't for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Capt-D Posted February 10, 2011 Share #3 Posted February 10, 2011 know exactly how you feel, I HAD a few riding buddies like that, I can sit at home and drink beer, rather be on the road!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yammer Dan Posted February 10, 2011 Share #4 Posted February 10, 2011 I probally wouldn't have lasted that long. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ediddy Posted February 10, 2011 Share #5 Posted February 10, 2011 You'll probably see one of them on the tv or read about them in the newspaper some day. It happens with all bikers but I find there is a certain make of bike rider that does this more than others. I stay away from them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave77459 Posted February 10, 2011 Share #6 Posted February 10, 2011 Maybe next time you can invite them to ride with YOU. Lead and show them what you like. Could be some of them are just followers, and would rather ride than drink, but it's all they know. There could be a diamond in that rough. My $0.02. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary N. Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share #7 Posted February 10, 2011 Maybe next time you can invite them to ride with YOU. Lead and show them what you like. Could be some of them are just followers, and would rather ride than drink, but it's all they know. There could be a diamond in that rough. My $0.02. Dave I like the way you think Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marcarl Posted February 10, 2011 Share #8 Posted February 10, 2011 Yep I agree with Dave,,, it actually works. Good for you for not 'joining in'. If you have principles you need to stick to them, or they ain't principles anymore. Enjoy the sunshine and warmth you two, see you soon. Carl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick Haywood Posted February 10, 2011 Share #9 Posted February 10, 2011 That is the reason I stopped riding with the abate members. I still belong but don't do thier poker runs or rides anymore. I love a beer or 9 but not when I am on the bike. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mraf Posted February 10, 2011 Share #10 Posted February 10, 2011 Have the same type of bikers here. Their idea of a bike ride is bar,bar,bar. Not for me. I bought this sputnik to ride not weave till I fall down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gunkylump Posted February 10, 2011 Share #11 Posted February 10, 2011 Yesterday was a sunny day here back home as well Gary, and beautiful IF you enjoy a high of -12.....last night with the wind chill about -28...or so. I don't ride with boozers....any vehicle that requires the use of ten fingers and ten toes to operate, kind of dictates full capacity gray matter involvement as well.....so.....it's my choice, and I'd rather ride sober. I too enjoy Dave's suggestion, perhaps there were some followers...who just needed a leader as great as you are. I've always thoroughly enjoyed riding with you and Mary....keep it up! gunk:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaptainJoe Posted February 10, 2011 Share #12 Posted February 10, 2011 I'll drink a cold one with a meal but limit myself to one... I noticed a great many people that attended Quakerstate MD at freebirds did the same. There is nothing wrong with that. I've always had a motto though... You can only do ONE THING extreemely well at a time. If I'm gonna ride I ride... Operate a chainsaw... etc... you get my point... Quite frankly call me selfish or what you will, but I am not gonna hang around a bunch of bike riding drinkers and take on the possibility of having explain an accident to his loved ones that include the words "we left the bar... Nuff said... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunter 1500 Posted February 10, 2011 Share #13 Posted February 10, 2011 When I first started riding in 75 my buddy said never ride and drink and I always followed his advice and I wont even ride with people that drink and ride other than a beer or two with lunch. I would have gone my seperate way after the second stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iowawegian Posted February 10, 2011 Share #14 Posted February 10, 2011 Been there, once, done that. Never again. Summers are to short here to begin with. The hubby and I aren't going to waste precious riding days, by stopping every 10 min at a bar. Don't get me wrong, when we're done for the day after being out in the warm weather, nothing tastes better than an ice cold brewsky, but I love riding to much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvrT Posted February 10, 2011 Share #15 Posted February 10, 2011 Beer just makes me tired and I know I can't drive while I'm asleep! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Swifty Posted February 10, 2011 Share #16 Posted February 10, 2011 Hope they didn't think I was rude but if they did, too bad. We shouldn't think it is rude if anyone leaves the group ride. I do it often....and everyone knows I'm the least rude around here. Any reason could come up for leaving a group ride, and without CB radios there could be no opportunity to tell anyone. Ride on...with a honk and a wave is perfectly OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SC89Venture Posted February 10, 2011 Share #17 Posted February 10, 2011 For me it would be stopping for coffee!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E-Fishin-C Posted February 10, 2011 Share #18 Posted February 10, 2011 I know I like to drink beer But that's ridiculous, Maybe their butts can't last 30 miles or More:think: It really doesnt matter who takes the lead of this group, These are The Bar Hoppers:doh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woody Posted February 10, 2011 Share #19 Posted February 10, 2011 I have seen some ice their beer down in the saddle bag; don't have to go to the bar that way. I tend to point my headlight in the opposite direction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carbon_One Posted February 10, 2011 Share #20 Posted February 10, 2011 I would have gone my seperate way after the second stop. Me too. Gary at least you know now not to accecpt any more of their ride offers. Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Swifty Posted February 11, 2011 Share #21 Posted February 11, 2011 I know I like to drink beer I have seen some ice their beer down in the saddle bag; don't have to go to the bar that way. hmmmmmmmmmm, I wonder who on earth Woody could be talking about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin-vic-b.c. Posted February 11, 2011 Share #22 Posted February 11, 2011 Beer just makes me tired and I know I can't drive while I'm asleep! :sign yeah that::sign yeah that: not to mention... around here if you blow over.05 on a roadside test you get a suspention and your ride is impounded for the same time as the suspention. yup and you pay the towing and storeage fees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rod Posted February 11, 2011 Share #23 Posted February 11, 2011 Heck Gary just tell them you want to ride not hang out in bars and do your thing; they can do thier thing no problem. Have fun Rod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary N. Posted February 11, 2011 Author Share #24 Posted February 11, 2011 (edited) Funny thing about it is there wasn't one bar hopper in the bunch. 3 HDs, 1 GW and 1 RSV. All touring machines and built to ride long distances. I don't mind stopping every hour or so on a group ride for a pit stop or a DQ. When I'm riding alone I can go tank to tank but usually stop every couple of hours or so with my co-pilot aboard. Anyway, we won't get a chance to ride with this group again. We're moving out tomorrow. The weather man says the jet stream is heading north so I think it might be safe to start heading west. Edited February 11, 2011 by Gary N. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bongobobny Posted February 11, 2011 Share #25 Posted February 11, 2011 Well, you just answered my question, what kind and make of bikes,,, I agree totally Gary, if you have a touring bike then, by golly, TOUR on them!! I can see stopping say every 1 1/2 hr or so for potty and refreshment breaks but bar hopping is NOT my idea of fun either!! Gonna drink? Stay home!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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