2010
Year 4
Posted Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Riding Schedule
Dear Son Chasers and Guests:
It’s time to get together and ride again! We have had some breaks in the weather
and I’ve seen a lot of folks out riding already. Let’s give it a go this
Saturday, March 20, 2010. Dave Kyle and I scouted out a new ride back in
November that I think you will like. It is a short ride; only about 55 miles
round trip to the Barnstormer’s Grill near Williamson, Georgia. It is a
great place for anyone interested in vintage aircraft and aviation in the
Atlanta area. They have a replica of the old Candler Field hanger and some
vintage aircraft. Best of all there is a great little restaurant that serves
some mouth watering burgers and onion rings. The general routing in attached.
We’ll gather at 10:30 am for the safety meeting (mandatory for first
time riders with the Son Chasers), devotional and prayer in front of the
church. We’ll pull away at 11:00. See you on Saturday.
I propose the following dates for the 2010 Ride Schedule:
April 17 High Falls/
Buchners Restaurant
May 8 South Fulton Loop/ Partners
Pizza in Tyrone
June 19 Juliette, Ga./
Whistle Stop Café
July 17 Concorde Loop/
Redneck Gourmet
August 21 Roosevelt State Park/
Calloway Country Store
Sept 25 Lewis Farm/
Franklin, Ga.
Oct 20-22 or
27-29 Blue Ridge Parkway Ride
Give me your feedback on these dates and routes by March 31. I’ll make any
adjustments per the majority’s suggestions and then publish our ‘official’ 2010
schedule.
Ride safely and follow the Son.
Alan
Posted Saturday, March 20, 2010
Barnstormer's Grill - Williamson, GA
Dear Son Chasers:
Today was the perfect day to start our 2010 riding season. We had great weather,
terrific food and sights at the Barnstormer’s Grill and four new members!!!
Welcome Barbara and Tom Jenkins, J T Beckham and Jack Bayer. It was a good turn
out (15) so there was plenty of conversation and making new friends around the
chow table at Barnstormers. We’ll definitely keep this ride route in reserve for
the future. I received feedback from a few on the projected ride schedule, so if
you would like to see any changes, let me know in the next few days. I will
finalize it by the end of March and post it on the website. We’re working on
some Ride to Church days, so that we can let others see our Bikes and hopefully
decide to join in…More on that later. Ride safely and
Follow the Son.
Alan
Posted Friday, April 9, 2010
Ride Your Bike To Church Day
Dear Son Chasers and Guests:
Just a reminder, this Sunday, April 11, we’ll have our first official “Ride Your
Bike to Church Day”. We’ll have a designated parking area reserved up front near
the church sign and flagpole. It looks like the weather should be good so join
us at FBC. See you at church.
Alan
Posted
Friday, April 30, 2010
Dear Son Chasers and Guests:
Remember this Sunday, May 2, is “Ride Your Bike
to Church Day” at First Baptist Church, Peachtree City. There will be
designated parking so we can park together. I just took a look at the weather
forecast and it looks like we may get a break in the rain. It now looks like it
will rain on Saturday and Monday but, hopefully, not Sunday.
So I’ll look for you on Sunday and remember we will do the South Fulton Loop
ride on Saturday the 8th.
Remember to Ride Safely and Follow the Son.
Alan
Posted
Sunday, May 20, 2010
Whistle Stop Cafe
Dear Son Chasers:
You sure looked good in your new Son Chaser shirts…..even if they were a little
spotted with sweat, uh, excuse me, perspiration. (Sorry, ladies) Yeah, it was a
bit warm yesterday, but the “fashionable dozen” had a good ride and a good time
of fellowship. Dave Kyle has about a dozen pics that he’ll post on our website,
so check it out. We had one new member, Dave Rossiter, a 42 year riding veteran.
Plus, we had a new visitor, Maria Hopkins, a guest of Mark Weiss. Welcome Dave
and Maria!
Maria actually has roots in Juliette so we had our own historian to help fill in
the blanks of our Juliette/Whistle Stop Café history trivia discussions. The
rain held off until we all returned home but this is one time when a light
shower would have been a relief in the 92-94 heat on our return leg. We’re
thankful for another safe, fun filled ride and look forward to next month (17th)
when we travel the “Concord Loop” and fellowship at the Redneck Gourmet. Invite
a friend. Until then, ride safely and follow the Son. AlanPosted Wednesday, October 14,
2009
Posted Sunday, July 18, 2010
Concord Loop Ride
Dear Son Chasers and Guests:
It was another warm but fun day to be out for a ride in the country and a
friendly meal at the Redneck Gourmet in Senoia, Georgia. By the way do you know
for whom Senoia was named? I’ll give you the answer at our next ride.
We had three new members, Ralph Trapaga from PTC and Cheryl and Paul Silfee from
Winston, Georgia (that’s just a few miles north of Fairplay in case you were
wondering). We also had some out of state guests, Jeff and Carol from Van Wert
(I think), Ohio.
While they could not make the ride, Ronna Kyle and Sarah and Lori Strandburg
joined us for lunch at the Redneck. Welcome all; you helped make our fellowship
that much more enjoyable.
The afternoon showers just missed us (our helmets got rained on or in, in
some cases, while we were in the restaurant) unless they caught Dave and Jeff or
Jack Bayer on their return trips home.
So it was another very enjoyable ride. BTW Jack, if past experience is any
indication, I should recover from the chili, slaw dog by tomorrow afternoon. Our
next ride takes us south again to Roosevelt and Sprewell Bluff State Parks with
lunch at the Calloway Country Store. Until then, ride safely and follow the
Son.
Alan
Posted
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Callaway Country Store Ride
Dear Son Chasers and Guests:
What a great turnout….and a brilliant day to ride!!! We had four new members:
Rhoda and Sam Greene, Hiram Hayes and David Gilvin. Plus, we had a quest, Sylvia
Kennedy, who came with Dave Rossiter. Welcome ladies and guys. You joined right
in and made the fellowship so much the richer. We had six couples today which if
not our high may have tied for our high couple count. That’s with regulars Ronna
Kyle and Jackie Wassom unable to ride today. Hope you ladies can join us next
month for the Lewis Farm ride near Franklin, Ga. Even if you cannot ride on a
motorcycle, I know some ladies want to go in a car because the Lewis Farm
experience is so much fun. As we get closer to the September date (21st)
we’ll put out a call for those that may want to follow in a “cage”.
Jack Bayer was planning on coming today but a thunderstorm was raging when he
needed to leave from Duluth. He emailed me later and asked if we got wet. Well,
not from rain, but I can’t say our shirts were dry when we finally stopped for
lunch. Let’s just say that the air conditioning at the Country Store really felt
good! We had some interesting trivia conversation at lunch. Senoia (Seh-noy, if
you’re a local) was named after Chief William McIntosh’s Creek Indian mother
according to the most accepted source. The Harley’s out numbered the other
makes. That may be a Son Chaser first. We had two bonafide scooters in the pack
today and they kept pace once I realized I should give Sam room enough to air it
out on the downhill slopes! This was another Son Chaser first. What a great
email handle for a guy that rides a beauty of a Harley Fatboy: “HIRAMHOG”.
You’ve got to love it.
Well, thanks folks for riding with us today and thank you God for giving us this
fun time together. Until next time,
Ride Safely and Follow the Son.
Alan
Posted
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Pleasant Grove Chapel On Lewis Farm
- Franklin, GA
Dear All:
Praise God for the weather and protection today for such a great ride! And a
special thanks to Robin and Reed for hosting us and preparing the delicious
lunch complete with homemade banana pudding. Plus, thanks to all of you who came
out. You made it a really great time of fun and fellowship. We had 20
participants today with two new members: Jerry Burkhard and Gerry Landrum.
Welcome guys. You picked a special ride to join us on. Look for the pictures on
the website in the next few days. Dave does a super job posting them for all to
see.
Look over the Blue Ridge Parkway ride information and if you can breakaway to
join us please do. This is the ride of the year; year in and year out. Hopefully
this year we’ll have some vibrant foliage to view as we ride. Let me know if you
need more information or if you did not get the email. (I‘ll be sending one
directly to you Jerry since you were not on the list when I first sent it.) The
motels are holding the rooms without any money down but if they start filling up
(it will be the peak time for viewing the leaves) they’ll call and press for
release because the rate we have is far below what a walk-in will pay. Ride
safely and Follow the Son.
Alan
Posted
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Blue Ridge Parkway Info
Dear Son Chasers and Guests:
Our annual Blue Ridge Parkway Ride is scheduled for October 27-29.
We should be there at the height of the leaf viewing season this year. We’re
going mid-week to try and avoid the crowds of cages that will be out doing the
same thing. For those that have not been with us before the route includes, in
the following order: the Cherohala Skyway, Deals Gap (the famous “Tail of the
Dragon”),The Foothills Parkway, Us 441 through the Great Smokey Mountains Park,
The Blue Ridge Parkway to Mount Mitchell ( highest US point east of the
Mississippi River). We’ll stay in Townsend, Tn. on the night of the 27th
and in Ashville, N.C. on the night of the 28th, returning home on the
29th. Motel information is listed below. I have managed to get some
seriously discounted rates for this year. However, I have not stayed at these
hotels so all I have to go on is the Motel sales hype and a few recent user
rating. I detected no red flags so I’ve given them my credit card info. and
promised a Son Chaser sighting in late October. These rates are based on us
securing 10 rooms or more with reasonable cancellation policies (any advanced
notice, even same day, for Family Inns in Townsend and a minimum of 24 hour
advanced notice for Days Inn in Asheville). In order to get the best rate in
Townsend it’s important that we book early (no penalty with liberal cancellation
policy) and, hopefully, secure 10 or more rooms.
Contact the motel and tell them that you’re with the Son Chasers to get the
discounted rate. The Family Inn will also ask for a pin number to verify that
you’re with our group.
October 27: Family Inn of Townsend, Tennessee 37882
7239 East Lamar Alexander Parkway
865-448-9100 (Manager Tony Brown)
Rate is $49 if ten or more; otherwise $59
plus taxes. Reported to have been
remodeled inside within the last year.
(Does not include breakfast)
PIN 0033
October 28: Days Inn of Asheville Mall
201 Tunnel Road
828-252-4000
Manager Michael McDaniel
Rate is $56 plus taxes, includes “best
Breakfast in Asheville”
Also please drop me an email.
AlanH@SonChasers.org to let me know if you’re going as well. Ride
safely and Follow the Son.
Alan
Posted Thursday, November 4,
2010
Blue Ridge Parkway Ride
Dear Son Chasers:
Well, the 2010 Blue Ridge Parkway Ride is complete and it was just what the
doctor ordered…..well, almost. The weather forecasters warned us that the rain
was on the way on Wednesday when we hit the road and they were right. But the
brave souls that pulled away Wednesday morning were prepared with the proper
gear and soldiered on with a prayer for safety and a grateful heart that we
could ride anyway. All was wet but well until we were about 15 miles out of
Tellico Plains, Tn., when Jack Bayer discovered a fuel leak due to a broken
injector O-ring. This is no road side repair opportunity, especially with the
rain picking up intensity just as we stopped to check things out. What are we to
do? We do what any creative survivalist would do. We ride on to Tellico Plains
and have a nice hot lunch and a little fellowship with Jack before placing a
call to Jack’s wife for a tow.
Jack insisted that we go on and bid us farewell. We really hated to leave as all
but yours truly were just beginning to know Jack and appreciate his good nature,
even in this downer of a situation, and his can do spirit. I, having known and
worked with Jack for years, have seen that can do spirit “git ‘er done” time
after time always with a friendly smile and a kind word for those he meets along
the way. Jack and Jeanne made it home Wednesday night (or was it early Thursday
morning?) and the rest of us pressed on with the Cherohala Skyway next on the
itinerary. Any motorcyclist that has ridden the Cherohala looks forward to this
exquisite ride with beautiful scenic vistas around almost every turn on the 40
mile trek. Well, this day after the first 3 miles we were in fog the rest of the
skyway, so the curves were still exciting but the scenic views will have to be
experienced the next time we take on this gem.
The rain stopped and the fog lifted so the traffic was as light as I have ever
experienced on The Tail of the Dragon (Deals Gap), thus, the pleasure meter
began to “peg”out! I know you know what I mean. That was followed by a leisurely
ride up the Foothills Parkway to Townsend. A warm bath, a hot meal, a confirming
call to hear that Jack and Jeanne were trucking toward home and it was off to a
good night’s rest. The next morning greeted us with crisp air and clearing skies
and the kind of beautiful ride that keeps you coming back for more. The traffic
was a non-issue, probably because it was mid-week, had been raining the day
before and during a time of depressed economic pressures. All day we were awed
by the beauty of God’s creation as we viewed the colors of the fall foliage.
This year the foliage was as varied as I have ever seen. We went through areas
of post peak color, some so much so that there was almost no leaves left on the
limbs at all, to generous pockets of peak color to occasional pockets of green
leaves, all the while moving through air that was crisp and clear. Ronna took a
gazillion pictures so check them out in a couple of days when Dave posts them on
the website.
The ride from Townsend to the Sugarland Visitor Center was absolutely stunning!
It is one of my personal favorites anyway but this day it was very special. The
ride on through the Smokies and then the Blue Ridge to Mount Mitchell offered
more of the same with the views from Mount Mitchell being as clear as I have
ever experienced. The ride home on Friday morning started with a crisp, 41
degrees but gradually warmed as the day progressed.
Overall, we were indeed blessed with safe travel and some fun and fellowship as
we told countless stories and solved many of the nation’s political issues
without a single lawsuit or disorderly conduct citation. Those that could not
make it missed Ronna’s stone wall vault. Even though she did get some assist
from a couple of Son Chasers and ad Amish gentleman from Ohio, I believe all
observers were awed nonetheless. We missed Steve and Patty Thaxton due to a last
minute change of plans. We sure could have used Steve’s demonstration of glove
dewatering techniques on Wednesday. Oh well, while it was great it could always
be better if you could all make it. Maybe you can join us next year as this is
the last official ride of the 2010 Son Chaser season. If you have a favorite
ride that you would like to add to our roster, send me an email description and
I’ll check it out. I plan to add two new rides next season. So Ride Safely and
Follow the Son.
Alan