Ride to Winter Garden

Brrrrrr!! 

We had planned to ride to San Antonio, Florida today, but when the temperatures dipped down into the 30s this morning we decided on a much shorter ride for later in the afternoon once the sun started to warm things up a bit.  We agreed to meet up at Broadway Pizza at noon, and although the temperatures were still only in the high 40s, fourteen of us, including five new Divas, showed up dressed in warm gear to RIDE. 

Chris was apparently really cold!  (Or really warm)

Victoria led us through some nice backroads to Winter Garden where we stopped in at the Sweet Traditions Bakery & Cafe for a delicious lunch.

The temperature warmed up to a balmy 58 degrees by the time we finished lunch.  Here we are looking not quite so bundled up at the fountain in downtown Winter Garden.

And then we geared up again to continue on with the ride.

Funny, the last time we did this ride we had to start early and leave early because it was so hot! 

It turned out to be an absolutely fabulous day of riding, though.  What started out as a bummer ended up being a blessing because we had so many brand new Divas that actually appreciated the shorter ride since it was the first group ride for some of them. 

Now they're ready for the ride to San Antonio next weekend!

(Fingers are crossed for good weather.)

Bike Run For The Coalition For The Homeless Of Central Florida

On Sunday, January 9, 2011 the Chrome Divas, along with many other bikers in the Central Florida community, loaded up their saddle bags with requested food donations and joined in on the ride to benefit the Coalition For The Homeless Of Central Florida.  The ride began at Porkie's Original BBQ in Apopka, where breakfast was served for all who participated. 

After breakfast and the riders' meeting, everyone rode to the Coalition in downtown Orlando.  The residents of the shelter were waiting outside with "Welcome" and "Thank You" banners.  The children could hardly contain themselves as they watched over a hundred bikes roaring into the parking lot.  Some of them were brave enough to ask to sit on the bikes and the Divas obliged.  The ear-to-ear smiles and joy on these children's faces really touched our hearts.  It was a very rewarding day for many in the biker community. 

Well, for most of us it was...

Cindy calling a friend to come tow Carlos, Akili's bike of 15 years.
It's back to the mechanic he goes.
We're hoping for a speedy recovery!