Florida trip with son continues

As mentioned in an earlier post day one of the trip was great.  Days 2 and 3 were both overcast with just a few sprinkles.  The temperatures stayed under 86 for all but the last half of the 3rd day.  It was on the third day that we learned an important lesson.

Day 2 started off rainy as we were packing up and eating breakfast.  By the time we were ready to load the bikes the rain had stopped, but it was very cloudy.

Rainy morning - day 2

All went great as we rode through Mississippi and into Alabama.  We were traveling on US 84 a.k.a. El Camino Corridor.  Most of the highway is divided 4 lane although there were stretches on 2 lane.  Louisiana and Alabama had the least amount of 4 lane.


I was wanting to stop at state lines and get photos, but there were not any big signs or good photo locations, so we just kept riding.  We were trying to make it to Valdosta, Georgia before stopping for the evening.

Taking a break in Repton, Alabama

After stopping in Enterprise, Alabama for a very late lunch we made it through Dothan, AL making great time.  We gassed up near Gordon, AL and that is when I noticed the chain on the Ninja was really loose and needed to be tightened.

I will readily admit that I am pretty ignorant concerning chain driven motorcycles.  I have never owned one and we were trying to make sure it was lubed well during the trip.  With the help from the service station mechanic we adjusted the chain and decided to stop earlier in Bainbridge, GA.  (I did not think of getting a photo of our roadside adjustment, but it would not have been a very exciting photo.)  I was concerned and wanted to have someone check the chain the next day.  We decided we would turn south the next day and ride to Tallahassee, FL and let a bike shop check our work.  405 miles for day 2 - not bad.

We rolled into Red Hills Powersports in Tallahassee and service manager Charlie Blount inspected the chain and all was good.  He told us to check it often and keep it lubricated.  Leaving Tallahassee we rode down US 19 to Chiefland, FL and then east on US 27 to Ocala, FL to meet up with father-in-law Larry who would lead us on some back roads to Altamonte Springs.

He led us on some nice roads through the Ocala National Forest to Alexander Springs, a natural spring that is a favorite for snorkelers and families looking to abate the summer heat.

Larry and Richard (on left) looking at Alexander Springs

Alexander Springs remains near 72 degrees year round

I had been checking the chain regularly during the day so I checked it again.  It was loose, but did not seem too loose (I have some things to learn about chains).  We were about 50 miles from home so I figured we could get home and then adjust the chain.

Experience is a great teacher, but the tuition can surprise you at times. About 20 miles down the road as we turned left and began to speed up the chain broke.  Appears I should have tightened the chain.  The short version - we got the bike home and then to Seminole Powersports the next day.  My wife brought the sprockets from home on her flight to Orlando.  I had to purchase the chain, but the bike is now fixed and we have learned about chains.

Now we are enjoying our time in Florida and will be much more diligent with the chain on our way home.

I hate wet feet when riding

This is my second post concerning riding boots (first post).  I have found that if my toes are cold or my feet are uncomfortable riding becomes less enjoyable so quality footwear is important for comfort as well as safety/protection.

A few months ago I acquired a pair of Icon Accelerant Waterproof boots from Riders Discount.

Great soles on the Accelerant Waterproof boots

The boots are made with an anti-slip rubber compound soles that grip very well in all weather conditions.  Leather and nylon uppers give the boot a nice look, a sturdy feel, and great durability.  There is a "shin deflection strap" that makes the boots fit snug and keeps the laces from flapping around.  The shin deflection strap has an aluminum lock buckle that works smoothly.

The boots fit snug.  If you wear a size 9 and are use to them being a little loose you will not find that the case with these boots.  If you were wanting to be able to wear some thick socks during the cold weather you may need to purchase one size bigger than usual.  The boots felt great as soon as I put them on.  I did not need any "break-in" time. They are very light when compared to other boots.  Icon claims they are the lightest boots Icon makes.  I believe them.

Photo from the Icon Riders Discount

I wore the boots in the snow during one of the rare occasions it snows here in North Texas.  My feet never got wet.  When riding in the rain the feet stayed dry.  The boots have lived up to their claim of being waterproof.

What stands out the most to me is the comfort.  I have worn the boots for over 12 hours a day during my trip to and from Orlando.  At the end of the day I wasn't just rushing to take the boots off.  The boots support the feet and ankles very well.  The cushion is not enough to play 3 hours of basketball, but it is enough for a day of riding and site seeing.  These boots are as good for riding as they are for walking.

If you are needing a good waterproof boot checkout the Icon Accelerant Waterproof boot.  I think you will find them a great buy.

Downtown Valdasta, Georgia - Old time diner

My recent trip to Orlando and back has given me several items to post about.  This post is about Kings Grill in Valdosta, Georgia.

On Tuesday March 16, around 11:00 a.m., Jeff & I came to the I75 & US 84 intersection on the west side of Valdosta, Georgia.  After filling up we decided to venture downtown and try to find a "local" place to eat lunch.  We did not see much and so we rode around the downtown area.  Jeff saw Kings Grill and so we parked and walked up the block and back to see if there was anything else.  A couple of other places did not seem like a good choice for leather clad bikers.

Downtown Valdosta

We decided to take a chance on Kings Grill.  As we were approaching Kings Grill a truck pulled up and one customer entered before we got there.  We were the 2nd & 3rd customers for lunch.  As we visited and ordered others began to come in.

Kings Grill on the NW corner of Patterson and Central

Our waitress was a friendly Southern lady with a beautiful accent and a great personality.  Come to find out she was the daughter of the owner.  Her mother had owned the store for MANY years and makes all the desserts.  The cook had been working for her mom since the early 80's and after eating lunch we understood why she has been the cook for all that time.  (The building was built in 1976)

Old fashion diner counter

It was a cool day and we were in the mood for something warm.  On tap was homemade vegetable beef soup with cornbread.  Both Jeff and I ordered a bowl (we were leaving room for dessert).  The large bowl arrived hot and with a appetizing aroma.  The soup included beans, corn, onions, tomatoes, other veggies, and lean ground beef.

I enjoy a good bowl of soup and order soup frequently.  This bowl was awesome!  The flavors blended together for a great flavor.  There was plenty of spice, but not so much to overpower the natural flavors of the individual ingredients.  The freshly baked cornbread complimented the soup.  It would have been very easy to order a second bowl, but I wanted dessert.  (I forgot to get a picture of the soup, but it looked great!)

Apple pie with or without ice cream, Sour Cream Pound Cake with fresh strawberries, Strawberry Pie, and something else I can't remember where the desserts offered to us.  Jeff choose the Strawberry Pie and I selected the Pound Cake with strawberries.

The Strawberry pie had a homemade crust with a cream cheese based filling with fresh sliced strawberries mixed in and topped with strawberries and whipped cream.  Jeff let me have a bite and it was great!   The filling was so smooth and flavorful.  I had never had or seen a pie like that.

Strawberry Pie

The Sour Cream Pound Cake was topped with fresh sliced strawberries and whipped cream.  The cake was very good, better than just plain pound cake.  The strawberries and whipped cream complimented the cake and make for a very good dessert; however, the Strawberry pie was the best and is what I will order the next time I eat there.

Sour Cream Pound Cake with fresh strawberries

If you are in Valdosta, Georgia around lunch time stop by Kings Grill and enjoy some great southern cooking.

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