Ribbon Riders GO PINK! 2013

The Orlando Chrome Divas attended the Ribbon Riders GO PINK! 2013 event today.  This event is in its 5th year and raises money for breast cancer patients in Central Florida.

 

 

The Ribbon Riders promote breast cancer awareness and provide assistance to women and men in Central Florida who are fighting the disease.

Apopka Music and Bike Fest

Today the Divas attended the 2013 Apopka Music and Bike Fest and also participated in the 4th Annual Sun and Fun Poker Run.

 

It's the day before Easter and Activities Director Teresa does love a good theme.

 

Bunny ears for all (except Bunny?)

 

Lunch along the way on the poker run.

There was rock 'n' roll

And shopping

And lots of smiles

And this year we all made it home dry! (Remember last year?)

Strawberry Festival in Plant City

It was cold.  And it was windy.

But for these brave Divas...

it was so worth it!!

 

After moving our meetup time up an hour later in hopes of warmer weather, we headed out to Plant City, Florida for food and fun at the Florida Strawberry Festival. 

 

We took the nice, curvy backroads there. When we arrived we found our VIP parking that had been reserved just for us.

 

Mascot Sassy and Flat Stanley rode out with us.

 

First stop:  Gate 9 to meet up with Divas Joni and Victoria and Divo Mark. We couldn't wait to finally taste Joni's and Mark's family's famous funnel cake!
 

Sassy was excited too!
 

 Oh boy, was it ever amazing!  Good thing they only do this once a year.
 

Big smiles and a little warmer after our hot mochas and funnel cake.  

 

More festival food!

 

 And, of course, there's nothing like just-picked, ripe strawberries. 

It was a yum kind of day!

First Ride of 2013!

Happy New Year all!  Today the Divas went on their first ride of the year.  It was a beautiful day and ride up to Astor, Florida where we lunched and laughed at the Blackwater Inn.



Morning Meetup

 

Sassy, the Orlando Chrome Divas mascot, is happy to hitch a ride.

 

Pit Stop

 

Lunch at the Blackwater Inn

Our beautiful view at lunch

Playtime at the Blackwater Inn



These boots were made for riding!





And we're looking forward to another great year of riding. 

See ya out there!

Christmas Lights in Lake County Ride

Today we rode west and enjoyed an early dinner at Hurricane Dockside Grill in Tavares and then Teresa led us on an incredible scenic ride to see the holiday lights in Mount Dora, Eustis and Tavares in Lake County.

 

Dinner overlooking the water at Hurricane Dockside Grill

Reindeer Diva

Look who we found at Hurricane Dockside Grill!

The Orlando Chrome Divas with Mr. and Mrs. Claus



Melanie, the Wallhooky Champ

 

"Cindy's here!!"

Ride to Stumpknockers

What's a stumpknocker? 

 

All of us who rode the 200-mile ride today now know.  And what a ride it was!  There were lots of curves, some tight twists and turns (Yes, in Florida!), beautiful tree-canopied streets and plenty of head-turning scenery along the way as we headed to Stumpknockers on the Square for lunch in Historic Downtown Inverness.  Except for a hiccup or two along the way when first Penny had to pull over early in the ride due to a flat rear tire and then Wendy's bike broke down after lunch, it was a perfect day of riding.

The Orlando Chrome Divas at meetup in Winter Garden

Uh-oh.  Penny's bike has a flat in Ferndale.

 

Pulling over to safety. 

 

Waiting for the tow truck.

 

Poor baby!

 

Jean looks happy to be heading back out.

Continuing on with the ride.
 How fortunate that there was a bicycle race going on and that we had police security at the intersection where we were stopped!

Photo op after a fantastic ride and our bellies full of incredible seafood at Stumpknockers on the Square.  Be sure to try the catfish if you go!

 

 

  And for those of you who couldn't join us and are still curious, here is Stumpknockers' definition:

 

The Stumpknocker is a fish that has long been a part of Southern fishing lore. You’ll find these small bream-like fish hugging the submerged cypress stumps where they live and feed – thus giving them the name Stumpknockers. Stumpknockers are found in large numbers along the scenic Withlacoochee and other Florida rivers.  Stumpknockers Restaurants is like its namesake – small and tucked away, but well worth the trouble to find.

Donating for Dollars

The Orlando Chrome Divas had a yard sale today in Leesburg from items donated by Divas and friends to raise money for our group.  By the end of the afternoon we netted a total of $260, made another charity organization very happy by donating all the items we didn't sell and rewarded ourselves with good, cheap food at the Leesburg Chili Cook-Off.


Divas Keri, Joni, Victoria Teresa, Wendy and Esther
making it happen.  Nice job ladies!

Look at all the stuff!