We left Ocala for Deland at 8:45 with the sun dead in my eyes. It was one of those riding times when you can only see about half the time and and the only reason you can see the other half is because you are holding your hand out towards the horizon to block the sun. Once we and the sun got out vecors synchronized it was a nice ride. The temperature was fine and the humidity was in the reasonable range. We traveled Route 42 with it curves and hill and beautiful rural scenery of farm houses, horse farms, pastures and woodlands.

We stopped by Brians Bar-B-Q around 10 AM, just to make sure it hadn't burned down or something worse, and we headed to "Smooth's place in DeLand. After an brief meet and greet we checked out Smooths ride.With his mechanic experience and love of bikes he has turned his Valkyrie (#56 sold in the USA) into a true customized machine. More about that later.

Connielee and Lee

Debbie and Fred said they would be at Brian's at 11:30 so we headed to the pig part parking lot. We were a bit behind time so several riders and bikes had already arrived. Gary and Diane, Marsha, had ridden down from Jacksonville together. Vince and Fran, Mike and Ron were pulled up undr a shade tree having a good time. Jack, Linda and Harvey, Lee (a.k.a. smooth) and Connie Lee rolled in after we arrived.