Blue Knights International®

Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club, Inc.

Florida Chapter XVII

Tampa, Florida

Sunday, February 24th - Linger Lodge, Bradenton, FL

Mark and Laura L. met us at our house, so we could ride to the meeting spot together.  We were amazed to see the large number of bikes already there.  Everyone was so happy to see Mark and Laura and welcomed them with open arms.  Due to Mark’s busy off-duty schedule, they hadn’t had the opportunity to attend a ride in quite some time.

 Paula was so kind to help me count the heads (for my article).  It was almost comical!  We would get the total number of those on the outside of Burger King, then some would go back inside, while others would come out a different door.  Watching all of this activity, I came to a conclusion, that no-one in this group stands still for very long.  They move, they mingle, they duck down to put something in the bike bags, they pop back up as people are talking to them!  After laughing so hard, Paula and I finally came to the conclusion that they were 19 on the ride (we think!). 

Gary had the map routed out on the GPS, so he led the ride, while Don took up the rear.  As we were lining up and getting into position, we looked over to see Cory trying to get on his bike.  Don mentioned on the radio that Cory needed someone to lift him up, so that he could get up on the bike.  Jimmy S asked if anyone had a step-ladder, or a pogo stick, so that he could launch up onto the seat!  Cory finally got on the bike, and Don pointed out to me that Cory was on his tippy-toes to hold the bike up at a standstill.  (We love our Cory!)

Gary had mapped out all back roads, 301, 39, etc.  Gary was gracious enough to plan stops into his ride, which is so important to some.  As the bikes would stop, some would run to get water, others would run to release water, some would stretch their legs, others would stretch their lungs.  At one stop, Gary looked with raised eyebrows, wondering where everyone had gone.  As it turns out, there was only working toilet (co-ed), so we lined up to wait.  This stop, the K-Store in Waumama, was really a high-class establishment, compared to other places we saw along the way.  Jimmy S described it as the “Rodeo Drive” of Waumama.

At our 2^nd stop, Roland and Patti split off, as Patti had a 3 PM commitment!  The guys told Roland in the future, to leave Patti home, so he could stay and ride with us!  (They were kidding, Patti).  J  We enjoy Roland’s company as he tends to add so much excitement to a normal ride (flying cement bags that hit him in the nose, stuff like that). 

As we got further south, it appears that our fearless leader and President and Safety Conscious Instructor, Gary, had some u-turns planned into the route.  The further south we went, the more u-turns we seemed to make.  Don thought it so cute, the way that Gary snuck those in there.  The Blue Knights get motor-training, whether they ask for it, or not.  Gary is always encouraging the members to get additional training (“You never get enough training”, Gary will say) and when he realizes they are not seeking training, Gary brings the training to them!  After many u-turns, I noticed that the members were really getting better at it, and seemed more comfortable with them!  (Slick, Gary!) 

After numerous u-turns and finally, asking a bicycle rider along the side of the road how to get to Linger Lodge, we arrived at the Restaurant.  They were waiting for us, and we were relieved about that.  We had told them somewhere between 12 and 12:30, but instead, we arrived close to 1:00 due to all of the u-turn training we squeezed in.  (I will say, it was difficult to find the restaurant.  It was very much off the beaten path and with the same road name, going two (2) different directions, it only added to the confusion).  Another odd point was that the name, Linger Lodge, did not come up on anyone’s GPS.  Maybe they didn’t pay their yellow-pages bill!

The lodge was very interesting inside, to say the least.  There were stuffed everything hanging on the walls and ceilings!  There was a sign hanging inside and each word was made from stuffed snakes!  There was one of the largest bee-hives I have ever seen, hanging from the ceiling!  There were stuffed fish and deer and many animal skulls lined up in a row!  There were even stuffed squirrels playing different sports!  One was golfing, while another was playing baseball and our most favorite, the stuffed squirrel playing basketball!  These stuffed items were a great conversation piece and we were sorry our photographer, Joe E was not present, as these stuffed pieces made some great photo opportunities!

Gary J was particularly sad that Joe E was not present.  Gary, who was always served last at restaurants, if even at all, passed his bad luck on to Joe E, who now notoriously gets served last, even when he orders first!  With Joe not being present, the served last thing was shifted right back Gary’s way!  His order was taken first, but lo & behold, he was served just as we were finishing our meals!  Laura noticed it right away, that Gary had not been served, and commented that she remembered that, so long ago riding with us, how Gary never got his food! 

We had a great meal and I was relieved no-one ordered the weird items listed:  Alligator, Alligator gumbo, Alligator bites.  Don did order the normal gumbo – still looking for that taste of New Orleans/Mississippi which he experienced last fall at the SRC in New Orleans. 

The food was great, the price was right, the service was great and all in all, we had a super day shared with hungry friends!  We all hit 75 north and headed home.

Until we eat again,

Karen Lumpkin

Ride Reporter

Saturday, February 23, 2008- Ten Chapter XVII members braved the potential rain and attended the 2^nd Annual Fallen Hero’s Memorial Ride in Sarasota. Seven of us met at 7:00 AM at the Raceway gas station in Riverview. Uncle Al was waiting for us at the Cracker Barrel and heard me call him over the CB as we were reaching the Cracker Barrel exit. Without having to stop, Uncle Al fell right into formation as the tail-gunner, on I-75 south at Exit 220. When we arrived at the staging area (Sprint office complex), just off Beneva Road, in Sarasota; we were joined by 400 motorcycle riders from various law enforcement agencies and law enforcement motorcycle clubs from around the State.

 After registering and having coffee and (off-course) donuts, the ride began. Lead by a local TV station’s boom camera truck, America’s Most Wanted Host John Walsh and approximately 30 uniformed motor officers that included our very own Blue Knight Honor Guard of Rick Rutel and Steve Kane; we proceeded on a 50 mile ride through the beautiful roads of  Sarasota County. Every intersection was blocked to allow us to comfortably view the breathtaking estates and horse farms. A Sarasota County Sheriff’s helicopter escorted us from the air. It was a beautiful ride. Mother Nature provides us with beautiful weather while keeping the rain to the north.

 After the ride there was a BBQ lunch and as a privilege of being Blue Knights, we were in the front of the line for the ride and luckily for the lunch as well. After lunch Steve McDermott, Uncle Al, AJ Suarez and I decided to forgo the presentations ceremony and head home. Our hope was to miss the heavy rain coming in from off the gulf. The ride up I-75 was uneventful until Uncle Al called over the CB that his engine was sputtering and he was pulling off the road. Fortunately, Uncle Al’s problem was temporary and he was able to drive through the heavy rain in Pinellas and make it home.

Steve and I hit the rain near on Hwy 301 in Riverview. Luckily we were close to home and didn’t get to wet. I’m sure AJ caught the rain on I-75 near Gibsonton.

 All in all is was a wonderful experience joining Blue Knight chapters XVIII and XVI, to remember the 16 Florida Law Enforcement officers killed in the Line of Duty in 2007. I am very happy to have attended this event and hope that more Chapter XVII members join us again next year. I would like to say a special “Thank You” to Rick Robbins who had to leave his house at 5:45 AM, to ride down to Riverview and meet us. DD.

This page was last updated on Tuesday February 26, 2008