After our monthly business meeting, 7 Sandies explored 136 miles of backroads and stopped for food. The Cat Herder headed straight north towards Crestview and Baker. We made a brief stop to reattach Sam ’s sena unit to her helmet. It had leapt for freedom, but forgot it was still tethered with audio wires. MacRocket pointed out that his helmet has all of the electronics packaged inside the shell; he doesn't have to worry about such trifling incidentals. He says it plays music well, but he had never bothered to try and talk to anyone else using it. Back on the road, we meandered through the backroads past the Strawberry fields. From there, we looped back to Holt on some partially shaded and fairly fresh blacktop. I was very happy to avoid as much sunshine as I could on the canopied backroads. We saw lots of families enjoying the holiday weekend. Picnic goers, swimmers, boaters were all enjoying the shade from the trees and the cool water of the river. We rode into downtown Milton and parked all together in front of Boomerang Pizza Kitchen . We went inside and gathered around a dim table in the back. M2 Sensei and I had a brief battle over which lefty got the seat with elbow room. I didn’t try hard because that seat faces backwards… I was taught to respect my elders... …ok, it was because Michael won. Munchkin decided that he was only having dessert. Forever a thoughtful husband, he ordered a to-go dessert for Hellen (who didn’t make it out with us today). JoeJoe might have a picture of Dave eating ice cream in a strange bowl made for traveling. Feel free to ask him about the origins of said ice cream. I split off as the group headed south on 87 . My ride home was uneventful and I somehow managed to sweat out the entire glass of tea I had just enjoyed. I imagine the rest of the group's ride south was the same. I'm betting they had more cars and standstills though. I briefly considered 90, or some long way around route back towards Niceville. I ended up opting for the quickest path; traffic wasn't too bad for I-10 on the weekend before Labor Day. We missed those that couldn’t make it, but were happy to enjoy the day together.

by Greg Lynd Editors Note:  Greg met one of NW Florida's Bambi's. Many times the deer and motorbike rider suffers injury and/or death. Fortunately Greg walked away sore as hell but okay. Greg has done a terrific write-up and we are lucky to share it. Greg has some great points to say about equipment and what saved Greg's hide How many times have you heard that saying? Like me, probably enough to where you roll your eyes when you hear it. Here is my story. On a beautiful Tuesday morning, we left Good Thing Donuts to ride to Nowhere, Alabama. I was just looking to put some miles on the bike before its upcoming service appointment, and to enjoy Fall coming to Florida. Fifty-some miles later, that all changed. I was the trail bike of five. We were on a great back-country road called Old River Road. Just came out of some nice curves and enjoying the cool temps. All the sudden, a flash of brown crosses my vision. My brain screamed DEER, felt a shudder as it hit the fairing and windshield, and next thing I know I’m sliding along the ground on my right side. I come to rest on my back, I look to my right and the bike is in the trees. I look left, and the deer is trying to stand up and looking at me. The thought crosses my mind that I hope he doesn’t charge me, because I don’t think I can get out of the way. His front leg is broken, he falls and doesn’t move anymore. I call everyone on Mesh to let them know I hit a deer, but by this time they are out of range. I lay on my back and starting at my toes try to see if I feel any pain. I get all the way to my head and neck and don’t feel any problems. So, I get up and go check on the deer and start taking pictures. About that time, riders were showing up to see what happened to me. I still have my helmet on walking along taking pictures. Music is still playing on the speakers, and the bike is standing in the trees almost like it is still moving along the road. About this time, I noticed my modular had flipped open but stayed on my head, so I take it off and check it out. Not a scratch but has some deer hair lodged in the chin bar. So now I start trying to recreate what happened after someone mentions it looks like the bike flipped. My mind has gone over this a hundred times in the last few days. As near as I can remember the deer comes from my left side and I think was trying to jump the bike. He hits and rolls over the windshield and since he came from the left, I am knocked off the right side of the bike. As the deer is rolling over the bike, he must have hit my knee, because I have pain on the knee cap, left side of the knee, and left side of the thigh. As I am sliding along the ground on my right side, I think to myself that I’m glad I have my jeans on that have hip and knee armor. (Funny what you think about in an accident). I also have a jacket on that has shoulder and elbow armor. More on this later…. I slide about ten meters.  The bike is another ten meters on my right, the deer is about five meters on my left. As near as I can tell, as soon as the deer hit me and I fell off, all this sliding was in the dirt on the side of the road. There is a huge divot in the dirt where it appears the bike dug in and flipped. I didn’t think at first the the bike flipped, but when I opened the top case everything was upside down. I thank God that the deer knocked me off the bike before it flipped, or my injuries would be much worse. My injuries:  I have a scraped knuckle, a scratch on my right arm, my left knee hurts, the top of my right foot hurts, and my right shoulder and shoulder blade hurt. But NOTHING is broken. I started wearing motorcycle-specific jeans about two years ago after seeing how little protection you get from regular jeans. This particular pair is rated AA and has level one ghost armor in the knees and hips. My jacket also has ghost armor in the shoulders and elbows. And I had a modular helmet, full fingered gloves and boots on. I walked away from this with no serious injury and a couple scratches. I am incredibly blessed and lucky! My wife wanted me to go to the ER to get checked out. I grudgingly went, but I’m glad I did. They took some X-rays and determined that I was okay. I’m glad I didn’t have to take a helicopter ride to the hospital! Bottom line, I am glad I had all my gear on. Without it, this would be an entirely different story!  Also, I was riding with a great group of friends who also happen to be very good riders. Luckily, we spent the morning in the shade on a back country road instead of waiting on Life Flight. Everyone had water, and the locals were incredibly friendly. One rider left to get his trailer, we took the bike to Pensacola and had Bar-B-Q for lunch instead of sausage in Alabama. I still see a flash of Brown crossing my vision when I lay down at night. My mind goes over this time and again. What would I do different?  That’s hard to say.  I had no time to react, I was watching for animals while we were riding (I had already noticed some dogs). The deer came out of nowhere. I will definitely be more vigilant next time I’m on a bike, whenever that will be. I thank the Lord above that my injuries were not as serious as they could have been. Greg Lynd

Well now, let me tell you a tale that would make even the most seasoned rider tip their hat in admiration. Tim W , led on a 200-mile journey on Friday, only to follow it up with a 300-mile adventure on Saturday. The Sandies then saddled up for a 125-mile ride  today, with six of their finest, including the Mileage King himself, JoeJoe . Now, JoeJoe,  bless his heart, clocked in a staggering 700 miles this weekend. That’s the kind of mileage that legends are made of. Not far behind was Bobby B , who racked up a respectable 500 miles. Kasey K joined the fray today, and thanks to Bobby, we discovered a newly paved road that added a dash of excitement to the ride. Lunch was at Basil And Baxter’s try the Hangover Bowel or The GOAT. Today’s weather with its lower humidity, provided the perfect backdrop for these escapades. Speaking of Tim’s Rides, they are of the finest kind. Tim has a knack for finding the newest, smoothest roads, making every ride a delightful adventure. So, if you ever get the chance, don’t miss out on Tim’s Rides. They’re sure to leave you with a smile on your face and a story to tell. A tip of the hat to JoeJoe for capturing those moments in pictures.

< Back Lee Wilbur 1945 - 2020 Lee joined the Sandies as a new Rider. Lee had been wanting to ride for a long time Lee finally took The Rider Course and bought her Honda. Lee found The Sandies through customers at Publix. Lee loved the monthly Skills class never missed a one. Lee was always a positive and became a very much improved Rider. Lee had to give up Riding due to health issues. Lee stayed an active Sandie. Lee logged 7,033 miles as a Sandie and will forever be remembers by all of those fortunate enough to ride with her. Previous Next

< About Chief Cat Herder Road Captain Goldwing / Can-Am bio road.captain@sanddollarmc.com ​ < Previous Next >

< About Sir Robert President Harley Road Glide Robert Woods has been riding since the mid 1970's. He currently rides a 1996 Harley. Robert’s favorite bike is a Road Glide and would someday like to ride a CBR 1000 sport bike. Robert’s father was one of the founders of the Sand Dollar MC and Robert originally joined for that reason. Today he remains a member partly in honor of his father. Robert enjoys the camaraderie and various backgrounds of the members as well as the diversity of bikes. Robert feels the monthly skills are necessary for everyone riding to learn their bike and it’s dynamics both on and off the highway. It’s a great way to push and expand your limits in a safe, controlled environment. Robert is an avid rider and participates in many rides both long and short. An area he would like to explore on his bike is around Sturgis but not necessarily during the rally. Robert feels the Sandies are going in a good direction and are one of the most versatile motorcycle clubs in regards to safety and wide variety of bikes, with no stereotyping. One thing Robert feels strongly about is creating something the Sandies could leave as a legacy to younger clubs and keep it going forward. We have had very good success raising money for our charity (Elder Services) and seem to be the club that people look up to as we are very community oriented. “The Sand Dollars have a bright future.” president@sanddollarmc.com ​ < Previous Next >