Things are looking up. This was our best ride of the year. First of all....we actually rode again...second...we had a decent turn out with 9 members from 111 and two guests from Braselton....third...the weather was great.

Eight bikes with eleven riders showed up in early morning cooler weather at AMW. The promise of warmer, sunny skies, a long ride, good food at Bea's and the companionship of our fellow star chapter members all worked to the good.

We headed out at nine am ready to ride. The first leg took us up GA140. This was a great ride. Beautiful spring green scenery and some rolling hills made for an enjoyable ride. Upon reaching Adairsville we stopped at QT for a break. I could tell I had not done much riding lately as my seating parts were ready for a break. We got some liquid and got ride of some too. We also picked up another member at this point bring us to nine bikes and 11 riders....a great turnout.

Before long we hit the road again. Opting to avoid the interstates and enjoy the Georgia scenery and back roads, we headed north on US41 for a little piece before taking GA136 to US 27. This lead us through some more great scenery, tempting us with Chickamauga Battlefield before arriving at Bea's.

Out timing was great. We were seated immediately at Bea's and within minutes were filling our plates with some good southern cooking served home-style.  Shortly after arriving the line started forming and soon there was a line around the outside of folks waiting to enjoy some of the same good eats we were scarfing down. It had to happen sooner or later....we filled up.

With full bellies we headed out to the bikes to plan our next course of action. By now it was plain warm outside. Jackets were stowed away and layers peeled off. After a brief conversation we decided to head up Lookout Mountain the head over to Chickamauga Battlefield.

The ride up the mountain was top notch. The roads a little twisty and the view magnificent. My only complaint was it was too short or a ride. Once at the top we did a loop around the top (not necessarily by design) and came down the same route we went up.  Once down we make a quick stop to plan the route over to the battlefield. At this point a few members needed to head on home, so with tearful goodbyes (right) we wished them well and they were on their way.

The rest of us headed on to Chickamauga. We basically retraced our route up and turned into the battlefield upon reaching it. We made a stop at the visitor center/museum and did a tour and educated ourselves a little. After everyone had absorbed what they could we got back on the bikes and rode through the park. Exiting the park we headed back home...again pretty much backtracking our ride up.

Upon reach the QT in Adairsville, we again made a stop. We got drink, talked a little and then said our goodbyes knowing that after this point riders would be splitting off towards their homes. The rest of the ride back was nice. The warmth stayed in the air and the sun shone down on us. One by one riders peeled off and before I knew it we were home.

It had been a great day. The best so far in 2010. However, this is just the beginning, we are in for some great riding an great events this year. The first really great event will be our Feed the Children truck on the 24th of this month. We need everyone to be there. Everyone has participated in raising the money for this truck and everyone needs to be there to reap the satisfaction of seeing what all those hours and dollars can do.

Shortly after that is a multi chapter picnic, then immediately after that is Andersonville/Memorial Day....and that only gets us through May.

Let's make this the best year every for 111 and our members. Make as many rides as you can. Be at the FTC Truck and Andersonville. We plan on having some fun but we need our members there for it to be fun. Hope to see you soon.

Members Attending:

Doug & Teresa Turco
Gary & Maria Kohl
Henry Williams
Jason Banister
Malon Metz
Rick Cothran
Rick Curtis