It starts at 8 am Saturday, the adventure that is. It begins at GTD and goes to “Infinity and Beyond”. Actually going to try, again, to have lunch at The Wheelhouse Restaurant in Opp AL. It has a reputation for being a great meat and two restaurant. So pack the pith helmet and its off once again to see whats over the Horizon.  Here is a great review of the place. https://www.wheelhouseopp.com/menu#LunchMenu https://www.al.com/life/2021/09/the-restaurant-thats-making-this-alabama-town-a-dining-destination.html

It looks like The Road Gods have other ideas on a Sandie Adventure today. We will cancel The Ride and differ to next Saturday as makeup for today. Stay safe and oh yea Dry

It's looking like later Sunday morning will be a mite wet. So in the interests of keeping The Sandie Fun meter running we will have a Breakfast Ride. It starts early (7 am GTD) this should get us back home before rain .

No one wants to make big changes to their ride, protective gear or travel equipment before going on a trip. Murphy's Law will remind you that ever little change absolutely can come back to bite you when you least expect it. So when a Sandie makes a motorcycle change, what better way to test everything out than a short weekend trip? We are blessed to have many great attractions within a day's ride. When you are looking at short overnight trips, the riding world really opens up to those in NWFL. George, Sam, and JoeJoe took Bobby B, Mark S, and Lorna to their first ever trip to Barber’s Vintage Museum. We met up at Good Things Donuts. It was strange seeing the weekday morning crowd, but nice to see customers steadily coming and going. Lorna was coming back from a Dr’s visit and wasn't quite ready to ride. So Mark being the nice guy took her up in a convertible. While I was happy to be on the bike, there were definitely moments when I would have liked to have a drink and snacks while cruising. It especially would have been awesome to put the top up and crank the AC while sitting in traffic… We caught some lucky breaks through most towns on the way up. We skirted through the back ways and bypassed most congestion. We had a good lunch at a new restaurant that claimed to have the best fry. I didn't get anything fried, but those that did confirmed their dishes were pretty good. We lingered a little long through some of those towns and ended up reaching Birmingham just as the afternoon traffic started to peek. Fortunately there were little places for a Sandie to get lost, and we all made it to the hotel. After a quick bite to eat, we hung out at the hotel to catch up with each other and swap tall tales. The next morning we started out with a fantastic breakfast, then made our way over to the museum. As soon as I turned off the bike I could hear the familiar “varoom” sound of bikes on the track. Today was apparently a track day. So after paying the entrance fee, we headed over the bridges to watch some people practicing laps. We listened to the engines and smelled the exhaust for a bit, then headed inside to look at the largest collection of motorcycles and memorabilia I've ever seen. There was so much to look at, my brain couldn't process all that I was seeing. The staff was telling us that what is on display is only a portion of the collection. Apparently there are well over 2,000 bikes in the collection. It was darn right overwhelming to try and look at it all. Next we headed out and took a ride down AL-25, one of the coveted motorcycle super roads. There was only one tight switchback, the rest of the ride was a leisurely stroll through the mountainside forest. It was beautiful country, and I was thankful to be able to enjoy it. We saw quite a few other motorcycles mixed in with local traffic. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits and gave friendly waves. We took 31 south for the return trip. Passing through central Alabama on a Sunday morning is kind of peaceful. It helped that the skies were clear and temps were in the low 70s. We stopped by the Confederate Memorial State Park. After stretching our legs and marveling at the struggles of those before us, we continued south. We stopped for lunch at “It Don't Matter” family restaurant in Highland Home. By the time we came out, temperatures had starting to hit the low 80’s, and home felt close. We all made it back safely before time for dinner (well 2nd dinner for JoeJoe).

Meeting at GTD 10 am to spend two days at the Mecca for all things Motorcycle, Barbers Museum. Home Sunday, staying at the double tree Perimeter Park Birmingham .

Had a great meeting, we now have a complete Board, first time in four years or since the Pandemic. First the introduction, this member has a been a long time member, has volunteered always, shows up and rides regularly. Furthermore he can walk across your swimming pool without getting his little piggies wet. Can feed the multitudes with just a stalk of Broccoli and some asparagus. Not popular in that dept. but he can . Finally without further ado Welcome our New Secretary of The Sandies , Bobby Bennett . He joins Prez Robert Woods, Vice-Prez Sam Engler, now just Treasurer Edna O’Keefe, Chief Cat Herder George or Chief Diddly Squat. A special thank you to Edna for doing yeoman’s duty holding down two Board positions for all those years. All of us wish to Thank all the members for their approval and faith, Thank You. Now the story of  Sandie Gator,  7 of us decided to enjoy the beauty of this fantastic Spring day. Also to try and hold in our brain what a pretty riding day it was ,  to save in August.   It was great to have Steven G  riding with us once more. Alas its only temporary as Steven leaves again in May  but it’s a treasure to have him back. We went 135 miles today, Bigfoots has a super buffet just far away enough to make the ride fun. JoeJoe did an excellent job at Sheepdog,  as always. JoeJoe, you and the other Sandie Sheepdogs are a very special group always have my gratitude . Today Munchkin had a brilliant idea, “Let’s go to Bigfoots for lunch”, simply a grand idea. Not that it was a fluke, I mean Munchkin always has ideas some that are well unusual, some I don’t know how he stays out of jail. At Bigfoots they have this woodcarver that does simply incredible work. He has mystical creatures,  grotesques and just very whimsical stuff. My absolute favorite was a bear surfing. I would have bought but it weighed over 75 pounds and it was big . I spotted Sandie Gator about then and I knew I had to have him. I mean a Gator with a motorcycle helmet too big for him. If that don’t scream “The Sandie Way” I don’t know what would.  Sandie G had a price on him, Sam went to work, haggling is her third favorite sport. The two of them went back and forth sometimes a couple of bucks apart but still angling for The Deal. Finally a price both could live with and Sandie Gator rode home on Sam’s Spyder. It was a great day, enjoyed having Steven back, if only for awhile .  Welcome Bobby to the Play that Never Ends, The Sandie Board. Next week our jaunt to Barbers, leave Friday home Sunday.  Check out the Newsletter pick something and join us, won’t you ?

You have heard the phrase “The Sandie Way”. Where did it come from and what does this have to with Sausages and Corn ? Well pay close attention and I will explain.  Many years ago there was a comic Western singing group, The Riders in the Sky. They were a western style cowboy music group and whenever they came to a teachable moment in a song they would stop a say “It’s the Cowboy Way “.  Many years ago we went to a poker run and decided to run it backwards, yes Jeffie we did things like that. Well someone asked why in the dickens, people used to talk like that also, did we do it ? Someone replied why that’s the “Sandie Way”. The phrase has been used to describe any number of  many strange things we do. Make long u-turns, get lost and still arrive at our destination. Go to strange places , like the time we tried to get a tour of the world’s largest Prophylactic factory.  True story the gate guards failed to see the humor. The time we were escorted out of town by the local constabulary. Flashing lights, blocked intersections all the way through town, again true. So over the years there have been many “The Sandie Way “. Well on our 247 miles of Sausages this came up a couple of times. 9  Sandies ate sausages, visited a Ghost town, picked Strawberries, well maybe not picked,  we had shortcake anyway. It started at 8 am in the morning, a rather chilly morning, by the way.  Since it was chilly that’s all the reason needed to stock the belly with doughnuts, huh Mark S, Sandy S and Bobby B ?  After the sugar rush was on 8 Sandie Rides headed north. I had asked Burnt Corn or the Conecuh Sausages Store during the doughnut debacle ? No answer, then Sandy remarks, Conecuh, so it’s more food first ? We arrive in Greenville, AL home to Conecuh Sausages. The company has built a big company store, full of you guessed, it all kinds of Conecuh Sausages. People with sunburns, from Spring break on our coast, buying pounds of Sausage to take home. There was any numbers of those Tom Thumb style hot dog roller cookers. Filled with all the catalog of Sausages Conecuh makes, some I had no idea they made. You went up and got a bun, picked out your sausage  or in JoeJoe’s case a couple or three. Took it over to a huge condiment selection and went nuts building a Chili Sauerkraut Relish mustard sausage. Now getting to this point was again The Sandie Way. I somehow came in through the industrial part of town noticed the old factory store was padlocked, now what ? Went half a block and I could hear an angelic choir singing, The New Store was before us. Saved by Divine intervention, again.  Oh the store has all kinds of Conecuh Sausages Merch, almost as much a Harley Davidson store, not quite, but close. On to Burnt Corn, will tell the tale of Burnt Corn and Sandies a bit later. Well Sandy says it’s just over there and I say it’s a bit longer . Sandy disagrees, I say nay nay its further. Well 18 miles later we pull into the parking by the old General Store. I point out the corner to the north and tell Sandy that’s the short cut, but our route was “The Sandie Way”. We head for Baker and Brooks Farms, why ? cause its strawberry pick’n time of course. Not that we were going to pick strawberries, oh heck no. BUT we were there to throw ourselves on the homemade shortcake. Now Lorna S gave a bit of thought to pick’n strawberries  Mark S quickly talked Lorna out of it.  Bobby B said you would have to weigh him before and after to figure out how much he picked. The shortcake is fantastic and they don’t scrimp on the strawberries either . I would be remiss not to thank Tommy N for doing a terrific job as Sheepdog. Tommy as Sheepdog makes my job a lot more fun, thanks Tommy

Leaving GTD 8 am Saturday, heading to the Conecuh Sausage Store , then on to Burnt Corn or vice versa. The Burnt Corn is an Annual Pilgrimage of sorts, it reminds us of what we are and where we have come from. It’s going to be a bit of a long day 250 plus so plan accordingly, more details soon https://conecuhsausage.com/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burnt_Corn,_Alabama

Spring is here, cool but beautiful, join us for Chili Dogs, Milkshakes and for Bobby Bennett Train Depots. Leave at 9 am GTD https://www.dairyqueen.com/en-us/locations/al/andalusia/220-e-three-notch/11110/

NOTE: This has ride moved to Sunday March 24, 2024. See the Event Calendar. The title will explain it's self in due time. Leaving GTD headed for Opp AL and points North. Leaving 9 am , heading into the hinterlands of Alabama. Destination : Wheelhouse Restaurant, good menu, looks interesting. Hope to see ya at GTD. Get it Wheelhouse, Wheeley, I still got it. https://www.wheelhouseopp.com/

Well you missed a most memorable Ride it was. Weather was beautiful, a bit coolish at first. It warmed right up as we rode though. Did 128 miles of nice scenic roads .Munchkin joined us at 10 but his clock said 9 am. Yes like the swallows returning Capistrano, Munchkin forgot the time change ( sigh). Now the great news, Jim and Annie rode with us , the whole ride. We haven’t seen  Jim and Annie on the road in months. Jim had to have some serious surgery, Jim's Doctor said to ride the Harley it would be good for Jim. I whole heartily concur it can only be good therapy. The roads we took were outstanding. Tim W discovered some of these and shared, thanks Tim. For those of you  that have been living under a rock, Tim knows roads, a lot of paved beauties, Tim usually has a ride on Thursday if you are interested. Speaking of welcome back, said with some trepidation of course. Frank’s back just as if Frank never left, well he did come up missing . Seriously missed Frank it is never quite right without Frank.  I also want to thank JoeJoe for the superb job at Sheepdog. We are so privileged have to folks like Tommy, Sandy and JoeJoe that are competent Sheepdogs .a good sheepdog can make a Ride for me a joy or a pain in the neck. Mark S was on the Spyder today, recuperating from his Vacation. Well vacation  means different things to folks. Mark and Lorna spent time hiking through snow, it looked like deep snow to boot. Mark said they let the folks with snowshoes cut a trail for them. This is Marks version of a vacation ? You want to see great videos of riding ? Check out Tony’s G’s excellent Video’s . For the paid members check out our Members only Facebook page, Tony posts there.  Working on getting those great video’s on our Website.  Also working on putting them on the Sandie Public  Facebook page, they would reach a large audience.  We have over 800 likes and over 600 have signed up on that page. Just had some riders from Poland, like the page. Now what can I say about Bobby B ? Well according to his Parole Councilor quite a lot apparently. Only kidding folks, Bobby is as innocent as a fox caught on a henhouse. Okay, Okay enough of that Bobby is a nice guy and I have been told by senior management too knock it off. When it comes to being a great Sandie Bobby fills all the box’s, proud to ride with him . Okay now will you untie me from this chair? Folks it’s been a great ride, the food at Boomerang Pizza along with the service was outstanding. Another Great Sandie Road adventure is over, can’t wait for the next time . The outstanding Photos were courtesy of JoeJoe and Bobby B

After our March meeting, the Sandies went out and found 140 miles of fantastic roads and awesome food, while enjoying great weather. What’s not to like? Really!?! It was a spectacular day. Our humble club enjoys many great rides, you’ve heard it ad infinitum. Today was one of the great ones. Tim W took the lead. Tim knows roads, even better, he knows how to find out of the way food spots. Who would have thought that someplace called Bigfoot Campground would hold such a great buffet? Well Sandy S knew, but we are pretty certain she found out while searching for a certain mythical creature. Munchkin didn’t care who found it. He just wanted people to pick a seat so he could sit down and eat. Speaking of chasing dreams, mine was crushed. I had always wanted to see Pink Floyd live, the 70’s the experience was said to be almost mystical. Well the most well-known tribute band, Brit Floyd is playing at the Pensacola Saenger Theatre on April 23rd. I mentioned how fortunate I was to snag some great tickets to Tommy N. Tommy then casually informs me he saw Pink Floyd back to back one weekend, with the original band members - to include David Gilmore. Then to deal a crushing blow, Tommy tells me he took a train to the concerts! Tommy said it so casually, so nonchalantly, like it was no big deal, rubbing salt in the proverbial wound. The band no longer tours and some of the members have passed; to take a train (one of my top hobbies) to see them live twice, was absolutely devastating. I will recover from the blow, but this shows why we have “The Burt Rule”. You don’t want to be rocking on the porch at the old biker home, mention “I wish I had…”, only to have some guy named Burt say “been there and got the t-shirt”. You never know when the last opportunity will come. The Sandies have gone hundreds miles out of the way on a road adventure just because someone called “The Burt Rule”. Today would have lifted my spirits - it was that good. Check out our Facebook page for Tony G’s excellent videos. Not to be outdone, Tim's are on point too. JoeJoe snapped some pretty darn good pictures throughout the whole day. We are very fortunate that we have JoeJoe, Tony, Sandy, Bobby and Tim to record our adventures.

The weather is supposed to be great for riding Sunday. So lets go for a ride, going to ride and enjoy the day. Cause it will get no fun soon enough 9 am GTD. Look forward to it

Lunch Today Bigfoot Campground and Eatery, actually in Berrydale, Florida. about 65 miles one way . A Sir Timothy White Production https://www.yelp.com/biz/bigfoot-crossing-campground-jay

Sandies have a reputation for Riding, for Riding a lot. Well today proved that beyond a doubt, Sandy S and Sir Tim W both at the end of today had done 700 miles and slept in the home bed. Translation for you math stumped, 350 miles a day or for the really challenged an overnight to Atlanta and back.  That friends is a weekend Ride and both did it via Spyder, for Food. So there are quite a few pretty cool things with those two Sandies. All I can say is SA LUTE !!!! Now the other riders today weren’t exactly slouches in the riding department today. 225 miles to eat, 13 Sandies rode to eat some real and I mean real country cooking. Sir Tim discovered this place and brother it was good downhome country cooking.  To include some very good fried chicken, ham oh and let’s not forget Peach cobbler. Sandies will ride for food, look at the 700 miles Sandy and Tim did this weekend, it was all over food, makes sense, to me anyway. Now on the other hand, yes Sandies will ride to the ends of this earth for food. But, you know we have some that are to be watched and watched closely, Bobby B comes to mind. All I can say is ask Sandy S what Bobby did to Sandy, unspeakable. Well I’ll leave it the less said the better.  We were milling around outside the eatery, look inside and JoeJoe is heading for the table with a pile of Fried Chicken, already. You know you have getting firsts but really, JoeJoe?  Oh and there was a limited amount of Fried Chicken, the first two at the serving table got two heaping plates. I being polite let others go first including Tommy N. Who by the way got off a plane and headed to Enterprise AL, now that’s being a Sandie or a Foodie, wait, that’s the same. Sam was second and saved me a piece of Chicken, mmm good. Being together and best friends for 44 years is good. I had the ham also excellent but the chicken….. I have to commend Munchkin today, Munch waited at the corner, Sam sailed by failing to see Munch. Folks, if you get separated don’t haul butt to catch up. The Rule we ride by, if you get to a corner and the rider behind you is not in sight, wait until such time as they catch up and acknowledge they see you, then you haul butt. Munch also waited at the corner, when Sandy had a Kerfuffle, Munch waited until he got the all clear and then headed back to the Group. That fellow Sandies is how it’s supposed to be done, thank you Munchkin. Joe and Melanie W were on their beautiful Red Spyder. That is a gorgeous good looking color. Sides Joe and especially Melanie are a pleasure to share a Ride with, sorry Joe. Speaking of things, Dennis O or who to me will forever be Chief. His retired rank was Chief and Dennis just seems like a Chief so it will be. Oh Chief was Munchkins boss at one time in the Air Force, damn small world folks.  Now knowing the Munchkin like I do, Chief earned the rank I assure you. It was a fabulous day of great roads, thank you Tim, good friends and good Food. “It don’t suck being a Sandie” Sensei

Sir Tim is leading the Merry Group of Escapees from Reality . Enterprise AL is the hoped for target and Reds Country café is lunch. Sir Tim says 130 up, more direct back. https://www.facebook.com/redscountrykitchen/ See some pictures from last weeks Adventure thanks JoeJoe

Weather is looking the best it has in weeks. So gather em up at GTD at 9 am and we are riding. Where right now its up in the air. Sir Tim W has shown us a bunch of new places to ride. So we do need a place you folks would like to have lunch. I have a few in mind, no matter, lets enjoy the day, see ya there.

A merry band of eight Sandies on an assortment of bikes rode through Crestview, Milligan, and Florala for lunch. Local residents are left questioning their eyesight, and wondering if the circus was in town. There were three (Honda) Goldwings, a pair of Can-Ams, a BMW, a Harley-Davidson, and a Victory. All eight pilots were bundled in an assortment of textiles, leather, and gasp electrically heated layers of gear. We started the ride with temperatures in the upper 30’s, and because it’s Florida the humidity was still around 50%. George and Sam led the group. They made sure we stayed on the move so we didn’t have much time to think about the frigid temperatures, our bladders, or just how long it had been since breakfast. Tony G was filming the shenanigans of the group, and telling tales of the recently retired. JoeJoe took up residence in the middle of the pack to get still photos of the group. JoeJoe awards bonus points to himself for the most awkward photos he can publish. Mark S was out with us. He was sharing stories of his recent travels and showing off his battery heated gear. “Sacrificing” the convenience and portability, Greg L and Tommy N showed the rest of us how to travel in the cold. Full on heated gear with multi-zone adjustments. Tommy reminded us that it’s always 74 degrees, even at 60 mph under his jacket. After circling Lake Jackson, we stopped for lunch at The Depot in Florala, AL. We had a great meal and super service. Mostly we were happy to be warm, but that doesn’t take away from the great job the staff did at handling us right at opening time. Kudos to the team there, everyone we saw was professional and courteous. If you are ever out that way, I highly encourage you to stop by and give them a try. With full bellies, we headed back to our homes. To change things up a bit we cut back towards Mossy Head instead of Laurel Hill. After leaning into a few curves and feeling the day starting to gather some warmth, we parted ways along the way. It was a good time with friends, and it was great to be out on the bike in February.

The Club is planning a trip to the Mecca of Motorcycling,  Barbers Museum . If you ride you owe to your self to travel about 4.5 hours up the highway  to THE worlds largest motorcycle collection.. This collection is housed at one of the worlds most beautiful race tracks. We are leaving the morning of the 12th of April, home by supper Sunday.  Its two nights and  three days of just pure motorcycling . I have reservations at the Double Tree hotel, Perimeter Park, Birmingham. This is not an inexpensive hotel but there are many in that area.  Reservations for accommodations are up to you. I’m just setting up the trip.  Note, if we get 10 or more folks to go we can have a docent led tour of the Museum. This is a fabulous experience, we did it once, incredible. We will go by car if we have to it is that cool  an Adventure. If you’re going let me know. More details as they become available. https://www.barbermuseum.org/ https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/bhmprdt-doubletree-birmingham-perimeter-park/

The resturant will be closed unfortunatly but we will find something . Important think is we will finally be on the Road.

Well today was a  wash out, hopefully Saturday will be better to ride.  Stay tuned for details.

Again, it looks  like Sunday is going to be a water experience . Just keep an eye on the weather, it’s not looking great.  But next Saturday we have a great ride planned, weather permitting.  There is a super restaurant mentioned as one of Alabama’s best “Meat and Threes” in the state. Yea ,Yea I remember last years “Pirate’s Cove” experience. Hey it was a Sandie Adventure with all the requisite Sandie Adventure box’s checked. Well Saturday I think I can say it shouldn’t happen again, I think. You can say it’s always going to be   a different kinda Adventure. Keep an eye on the weather tomorrow, at this point it’s  looking like a sleep in kinda Sunday.

Well we have the Business Meeting 9 am Golden Corral. Need to figure out some rides for the months ahead.

January 28, 2024 George clearly took a page from Tim W’s playbook. He led six Sandies on a 125 mile loop through Crestview, Milligan, Florala, Laurel Hill, and back to Crestview for lunch. We headed north meandering through the backroads to check out some fresh pavement. We were fortunate to experience some of the best motorcycling Florida has to offer. Sam kept a watchful eye on us the whole time from the side view mirrors of her Spyder. Tony G kept that white wing of his on rails the whole time. He didn't sweat a second as we rolled along some of the sketchier sections or debris littered curves. The roads were winding along riverbeds and occasionally intersecting. We crossed an old wooden slat bridge and just kept crunching the miles. There were tree canopies collapsing down on us to hide the next bend in the road. They would then opening back up to open vistas across pastures and ranch land. All and all it was a great day out on the road - and in January! There were many jokes and good natured ribbing along the way. I don't think I saw Joe W stop smiling at all, but I prefer to think it was the beautiful weather or backroad curves. JoeJoe ran super six to keep us all together. When we stopped to check out a few food places, his long legs would move him along at near breakneck speed as he’d try the door to see if someone forgot an open sign. Eventually we found Helen Back in Crestview open. All of us ended up with enough food (each) to feed two people. In the case of George and Sam, they had enough nachos to feed all of us! The ride back home was bittersweet. I had a great time and look forward to the next.