BMW Owners Club or riding group in Central Florida?

[vectorprime27]

I've asked this question before, but not gotten any real response. After attending the Rally and seeing a number of the clubs from around the U.S., I couldn't help but wonder why Central Florida doesn't have a club. Seems there are active clubs in Jacksonville and Pinellas County, but I can't find anything about the Central Florida (Orlando area). I was told the BMW of Daytona and BMW of Orlando had something going, but no one at either dealership knows anything about it. Personally, I think they are missing a great opportunity here. If Central Florida doesn't have an active club, perhaps those of you in the area might be interested in helping get something started? If so (or if I'm just really uninformed and there is something here) post up and let's see what happens. Jacksonville is a bit of a ride to make a club event for me :deal

[vectorprime27]

Wow. I guess I was wrong....apparently no one else in central Florida rides BMW's....at least....no one that is on the Forum. Damn. I so didn't want to move. :bolt

[Rpbump]

There is a group called The Sun Beemers over by Tampa. They will have a rally this fall in the Venice, FL area.
Ride Safe :usa :usa

[JETHRIDGE]

Go to the home page, chartered clubs. You will find BMW Riding Group Of Orlando and all the rest of the BMW clubs in Florida
Jack Ethridge
Orlando

[JETHRIDGE]

Go to the home page, chartered clubs. You will find BMW Riding Group Of Orlando and all the rest of the BMW clubs in Florida
Jack Ethridge
Ocala

[BernieEcht]

The dealer in Orlando had some one that was leading some rides, but I think they got a little out of hand. I think they discontinued tit because of liability. Too many accidents or incidents I heard.
We at the Jax club (BMW-NEF) have lots of members from all over the SE, ride up and check us out.
The next meeting is this coming Sunday, at the Fleet Landing on the west side.
Breakfast served at 8:30, meeting starts at 9 AM.
If you need directions or a GPS coordinates, send me a PM or post it here.
Or check or website: http://www.bmwnef.org/
Another group to check out is BMWSportTouring.com, they have regional meetings/lunches or tech days from time to time.

[vectorprime27]

Go to the home page, chartered clubs. You will find BMW Riding Group Of Orlando and all the rest of the BMW clubs in Florida
Jack Ethridge
Ocala

Checked them all out...at least, the ones that said Orlando or Central Florida. Most haven't been updated in years. I tried to email several, but got no responses. Me thinks the data in the Chartered Clubs section is just a bit too old. I'll most likely be at the rally in Sarasota and will continue to seek other riders here in Orlando. I'll also try to join the BMW-NEF group and the Sun Beemers at least once. Just a long (and very early) ride to make an 8:30 breakfast that is ~200 miles away! Thanks for the info guys.

[Bobmws]

We had a club based in Orlando for 6-7 years, the Beeline Beemers. Used to have a rally the beginning of April, April Fools Rally. The club just died out of lack of interest around '96 or '97.

[RSssssss]

I live in the area and went on one of the rides a couple of years ago. It was fun, I met a few folks. There was one incident where an older guy with a borrowed bike dumped in in a curve. I think he was either new to riding or a re-entry rider without a lot of experience. My wife is a nurse so we stayed with him until we could convince him to get checked out at the local hospital (Lake County). There were a lot of riders on the ride that day. I think many of the folks that didn't have a lot of experience were mixed in with people who did (and wanted to go fast). So the less experienced folks should have been placed in a seperate group. Or the more experienced people should have slowed it down (it was a group ride). I've never felt comfortable in a large group ride situation where I don't know all the riders and their riding styles. I do like the comradrie of a good group but this day it was a very large group.
I would still be interested in getting together with some of the folks in the area. We could also do some tech sessions, or just plan to meet for meals etc.

[TomBarnhart]

Get in touch with the Space Coast group. They usually have 2 rides a month. Usually a good group of guys that ride conservatively. They also team up with another Long Distance Riders group for several lunch rides a year.

[parkec]

Hi,

I might be moving back to Orlando and my research came up withn not much.

I live south of TampaBay...so I am a Sumbeemer, but was so Impressed with Jax BMWNEF after their Winter Rally I also joined them. so flip a coin:drink

The beemers have a lakeland ride coming up in a couple months come join us.

http://www.floridasunbeemers.com/Home.html

http://www.bmwnef.org/

[RNowell]

Also check out Eurotrash Riders.com

[vectorprime27]

It would actually be great to generate enough interest to get a club going in Central Florida, but from what I gather that might not be possible. I'm very impressed with the Jax. club. Most members at the National Rally 3 years running, with 91 making the trip this time. Just a bit of a distance for us to participate fully.

I've sent an email over the the Space Coast group and will likely join them and well as the Sunbeemers and the Jax group for a ride or two before settling on one. Then again, maybe we'll just hang with em' all :).

Can't get too much riding....can you?

[aerialfilm1]

Can't get too much riding....can you?

In this heat? Got enough in the last two days to keep me til we're back in the 80's.

[Mossy_Crk]

Vector, I knew the BMWNEF in JAX when I lived in SAV. Great folks for sure! If I may off some unsolicited advice: Don't think of trying to start a club as that can be daunting. Simply drop a note in the local papers or on Craig's List (even meetup.com) and start by finding some local folks to ride with. Maybe you all can make a group (even two is a group) ride up to meet the nearest Chartered Clubs. Don't let names and designations get in the way of finding good people to ride with. Good luck and enjoy the ride.

If there's genuine lasting interest, you all will do more and more together and a solid club can form. Starting out as riders that like to hang out together and see what happens.

[vectorprime27]

That sounds like a solid plan to me :). TRYING to get a club started is probably a daunting task at best. Letting it happen as it will is the better solution. Thanks for the advice.

As for riding in the heat, as long as I am moving I'm doing just fine :).

[mikeb921]

Vector,

I'll go for a ride with you. Check your PM.

MB

[vectorprime27]

Right back at you Mike....check your PM.

[wandrr]

I tried getting involved with a FL BMW group, but did not find what I was looking for. I live in SW FL and ended up joining the Alabama beemer group, bmwmoal.org . They are a very active group that ride all the time. Every months meeting is a mini rally/campout somewhere in the AL, GA, TN, NC area. They also host the world famous Chicken rally. Two of the members, past presidents, were the rally chairs at the international rally in Johnson City.

[mikeb921]

According to eurotrashriders.com, they meet at City Diner on Livingston in downtown Orlando on Sunday morning between 8:00 and 9:00. I'm going to go check it out tomorrow and see if anyone shows up.

MB

[Metromike]

I am sure there are plenty of riders in Central Florida to make up a good club. The fine folks in Jacksonville do a great job. It will take local riders with leadership initiative to get the ball rolling. I participate in 4 to 6 rally's each year and if you look around you will meet a number of Central Floridians. Count me in if you get something going!:thumb

[vectorprime27]

According to eurotrashriders.com, they meet at City Diner on Livingston in downtown Orlando on Sunday morning between 8:00 and 9:00. I'm going to go check it out tomorrow and see if anyone shows up.

MB

I'm wondering what you found yesterday, Mike?

For the record, my wife and I will be planning a short ride next Sunday (23rd). We are thinking about doing a counter-clockwise circuit around Lake Apopka (from the Orlando area) that will take us over some decent motorcycle roads. Given the heat and the weather, we'll probably do breakfast around 9:00, then hit the road for the 1-1/2 - 2 hour ride. Of course, our plans will depend on what Bill and Anna decide to do (the big storms our in the Atlantic now heading east). If anyone is interested in joining in, I'll email/post up a meeting place and planned route and we can go from there.

:bikes

[jdsdtourteam]

Vector,

Wife and I officially moved from PA down to the NE Orlando-area around the beginning of the year. We have done a couple of Saturday or Sunday breakfast RTE's with the Spacecoast crew. Takes us about an hour to get down to Melbourne where they meet (around 8 AM).

I usually frequent more the BMWLT web site. They have a few BMW members down here in Flatland but the SE US residents (really the local Floridians) have not done an RTE since last December.

We are often looking for someplace in FL to explore since we're relatively new the state. We are more-or-less limited to weekend rides, and morning to early afternoon rides as it gets kind of warm and stormy (lightning = bad) during the afternoons. We prefer rides that are out of the city, or don't go through the city due to too much traffic/construction. We've explored the east coast more than the west coast.

Last year, we did a 6K mile trip out west and many 1+K trips over extended weekends. This year our mileage has been hardly anything!

Jon

[TomBarnhart]

Jon Here is a good ride suggestion. Get out of Orlando southbound through Kissimmee to St. Cloud. Pick up 523 south to 441 south. This is all rural road once you get through St Cloud. When you get to the town of Okeechobee you can continue south on 441 and go around the lake either clockwise or counterclockwise. Either way, it is a good days ride. When you get back to Okeechobee there is a place at about 11pm on the lake called OkeeTante Resort. They have a good restaurant..Lightseys. Or there are a lot of other places to eat in the town. At the south end of the lake is the Clewiston Inn. A great place for lunch--an old fashioned 30s style inn.

If you really want to get a weekend ride, take 27 South at South Bay. This will connect with Krome Avenue, then on to Homestead. From there it is another 100 or so miles to Key West.

[mikeb921]

I'm wondering what you found yesterday, Mike?

I found a guy on a Harley Sportster who knew nothing of a Euro meeting place. I may be up for a ride next Sunday. I'll keep an eye on the "South".

MB

[BernieEcht]

Jon, there are plenty of good roads and small towns north of Orlando. You have the area between Deland, Howey-on-the-Hills, Ocala, Gainesville and Palatka.
Then there is the horse farm country which is nice rolling hills. Look at roads that go east -west and not north-south. There are nice little towns , like Micanopy, Williston, Citra, Mount Dora, Clermont, or Astor Park. Have you ever gone to George Town. There is a very nice and curvy road that goes from US 17 to Denver and continues to George Town, there you can go north to Welaka and then circle back around to US 17. The state of FL hands out free maps and if that does not help, send me a PM and I e-mail you some GPS files , to keep you busy for a while, or longer. Of course do not let them Northerns know. After all there are no curves in FL. :nyah

[vectorprime27]

Jon I'll post up a decent ride out of Orlando for you. As a matter of fact, it'll probably be the route we take on Sunday (weather permitting). The route I'm thinking of takes some nice two lane curvy roads from Orlando up to Plymoth, then up to Eustis, down through Howy-in-the-Hills, down to Groveland, the south of Clermont, and back up into south Ocoee (south west Orlando). If I recall, tt's about a 60 - 80 mile ride which can easily be done in 1-1/2 to 2 hours. I haven't figured out where we'll go for breakfast, but I'll post that up as well and anyone interested is certainly welcome to come join us.

:bikes

[jdsdtourteam]

Jon Here is a good ride suggestion. Get out of Orlando southbound through Kissimmee to St. Cloud. Pick up 523 south to 441 south. This is all rural road once you get through St Cloud. When you get to the town of Okeechobee you can continue south on 441 and go around the lake either clockwise or counterclockwise. Either way, it is a good days ride. When you get back to Okeechobee there is a place at about 11pm on the lake called OkeeTante Resort. They have a good restaurant..Lightseys. Or there are a lot of other places to eat in the town. At the south end of the lake is the Clewiston Inn. A great place for lunch--an old fashioned 30s style inn.

If you really want to get a weekend ride, take 27 South at South Bay. This will connect with Krome Avenue, then on to Homestead. From there it is another 100 or so miles to Key West.

Hi Tom,

PERFECT! Thanks for this route idea! Sounds like a fine trip.

We've taken 520 south to 192 and then 441 (at Holopaw) and down a few miles to some camp place that has Ecotours. (Nice riding - felt like being out in Nebraska...) We had a RTE for breakfast there. But have not ventured further south. I want to check out the Okeechobee Lake area. (Saw it mentioned in a Weather Channel storm story - I think - about when a hurricane came through 100+ years ago???)

And thanks for the restaurant tips. - PERFECT 2!

Yikes! It's been 26 years since I've been to Key West. Wife never has. We want to take a few days and ride down there (and stop in the Everglades NP. We were thinking fall/winter time frame???

Jon

:bikes 2!

[jdsdtourteam]

Jon, there are plenty of good roads and small towns north of Orlando. You have the area between Deland, Howey-on-the-Hills, Ocala, Gainesville and Palatka.
Then there is the horse farm country which is nice rolling hills. Look at roads that go east -west and not north-south. There are nice little towns , like Micanopy, Williston, Citra, Mount Dora, Clermont, or Astor Park. Have you ever gone to George Town. There is a very nice and curvy road that goes from US 17 to Denver and continues to George Town, there you can go north to Welaka and then circle back around to US 17. The state of FL hands out free maps and if that does not help, send me a PM and I e-mail you some GPS files , to keep you busy for a while, or longer. Of course do not let them Northerns know. After all there are no curves in FL. :nyah

Bernie,

Susan and I rode up through Ocala NF at the end of Bike Week. We took I-4 north to 44, then 42, and up along 19. Lot's of bikes all over. I really liked it through the forest. We had stopped for lunch in Palatka (busy town - least on the weekend!)
Then we came down 17.

I would like to go up there some more. Looked like a fishing capital (of sorts) along 17!


We have not yet been to George Town area. Wife LOVES the Gulf side so a visit should is on the lists to do (or is it the Honey-Do list?).

Thanks for the post!! :clap

(Have a zumo 550 - hint hint)

Jon

[jdsdtourteam]

Jon I'll post up a decent ride out of Orlando for you. As a matter of fact, it'll probably be the route we take on Sunday (weather permitting). The route I'm thinking of takes some nice two lane curvy roads from Orlando up to Plymoth, then up to Eustis, down through Howy-in-the-Hills, down to Groveland, the south of Clermont, and back up into south Ocoee (south west Orlando). If I recall, tt's about a 60 - 80 mile ride which can easily be done in 1-1/2 to 2 hours. I haven't figured out where we'll go for breakfast, but I'll post that up as well and anyone interested is certainly welcome to come join us.

:bikes

We are interested in coming along! After this week, I REALLY need a ride. :banghead

We are over in Oviedo. So we would skip breakfast to ride over to meet and be ready to eat somewhere!

Jon

[vectorprime27]

Okay, assuming Mother Nature cooperates and we have a decent chance of getting a ride in before the rain hits on Sunday, here is our gameplan for anyone interested in joining us:

We'll meet up at the Deny's in Ocoee (west of Orlando on Hwy. 50). The address is:

Denys
11261 W Colonial Dr.
Ocoee FL 34761
United States
(407) 877-8105

This will be our starting spot, and should be easy to get to for everyone. We'll be there for breakfast at 8:00am, with the goal of hitting the road around 8:45 - 9:00 or so.

From Deny's, we'll take a ride north through old Ocoee, along a nice curvy road that winds along the east side of Lake Apopka up to Plymouth. From there we'll hit 441 for a short stint up to 448 and C-48 west. We'll meander up to south Eustis and pick up Hwy. 19 heading south, through Howey in the Hills with a short sidetrip on 455 and 561. We'll hop on Hwy 27 to get back to 19 and then down to Groveland. We'll then take 50 east to 565a, then south around Clermont (Pine Island Road and Hammock Road) around Lake Susan, and back over to Hwy. 27 again. South on Hwy. 27 for a short ride, then east on Hartwood Marsh through Stoney Brook West and ending at a decent place for lunch and a cold drink at the Winter Garden Village (Chili's, KFC, Starbucks, Longhorn Steak, Panera, and Cracker Barrel just to name a few restaurants that are available there). I've attached a Garmin GPS exchange file for those with Mapsource or a Garmin GPS. According to the software, the total distance for the ride is 87.4 miles (most of which will be 2 lane), which I think we can do comfortably in about 2-1/2 - 3 hours or so. It's a bit longer that I orginally planned for, but what the heck...if you're out, enjoy the ride! We can easily shorten it if that is what everyone perfers.

Cheryl and I ride a 2000 BMW K1200LT, champagne in color. It'll probably be right out front of the Deny's. I hope some of you have the time to join us. I'll post up here on Saturday afternoon / evening if the weather looks ugly.

Let's go for a ride!

:bikes

[RSssssss]

If you don't mind I'll hook up with you guys too. I'm just South of Ocoee and do lots of riding around here and Lake County. My wife rides too, and may want to come. I'll be on a white r1100rs and she rides a black 650 vstar.
Larry

[jdsdtourteam]

Vector,

We plan on coming along too! Wife and I will be on an Ocean Blue 05 LT.

Thanks for the Garmin exchange file and thanks for putting together the ride and inviting us along!

Jon

[vectorprime27]

Great. Looking forward to meeting you guys & gals. My wife will be very interested to talk to another woman rider, as she's almost ready to climb off the back of my bike and start rideing her own. I haven't been over at that Deny's in quite some time, so I hope it's still kicking! If not, I know there is a Perkins about a block east on 50. I'll check the weather and make a final decision Saturday early evening.

BTW, my name is Richard, and my wife is Cheryl.

:groovy

[BernieEcht]

Great, looks like you guys got something going.
Hope everyone as a fun and safe ride.
I will be going up to Roebling Rd with some locals, to check on Nate Kern at a track day in progress. After that will take the long slow winding way home.
Have a great weekend.:clap

[RSssssss]

Great. Looking forward to meeting you guys & gals. My wife will be very interested to talk to another woman rider, as she's almost ready to climb off the back of my bike and start rideing her own. I haven't been over at that Deny's in quite some time, so I hope it's still kicking! If not, I know there is a Perkins about a block east on 50. I'll check the weather and make a final decision Saturday early evening.

BTW, my name is Richard, and my wife is Cheryl.

:groovy
She has been riding her own since 02 or so. She doesn't ride a lot but does ok. Yes I believe the Dennys is still there. See you at 8:00.
Larry

[mikeb921]

I'll be at Denny's around 8:00.

MB

[vectorprime27]

Well, if we get a day like today it should be a nice ride....a bit warm, but still nice. We'll be at Deny's at 8:00 tomorrow....looking forward to meeting you folks!

;)

[mikeb921]

It was great to meet everyone. Sorry I had to cut out early. Let's do it again soon. I'll make the cappuccinos.

MB

[JETHRIDGE]

Yes you have asked the question and I responded with GO TO THE HOME PAGE and look on the left side. Click on charted clubes. You will find one in Orlando and several other places.

Jack Ethridge
Ocala Fl
352 266-1203
JETHRIDGE4@COX.NET

[RSssssss]

Good to meet all you guys and girls. Julie and I both had a fun time on the ride. I'll be scouting out another ride for the middle of next month. Probably do a West Lake County tour and some of the area around Dade City. Hopefully it will be cooling off a little by then.
Larry

[vectorprime27]

Likewise, it was great to meet and ride with you fine folks. Cheryl and I really enjoyed having a group of like minded people to ride with. We'll certainly have to do that again....I think you get to do the route next time Larry.

Many thanks to Mike, Larry, Julie, Jon, and Susan.....and I hope Julie gets to ride her own bike next time! Till then, ride safe!

:dance

[jdsdtourteam]

"... turn left on JY Parkway.... then right on 50..."

Did that and we made it back just fine! The landmarks that Cheryl gave Susan were helpful. The GPS finally died in the way home. :cry Wondering what to do with it.

Susan and I wish to thank you folks for such a nice Sunday ride! We really enjoyed ourselves. We had not seen that part of the area and it was excellent!

And the talk (and drink - Poweraid) afterwards was just and enjoyable.:drink

Hopefully the ladies are feeling better after they were dragged around the countryside. I'm guessing Julie will be on her scoot next time????

We'll be waiting Larry...

Jon

[RSssssss]

Good news. I got Julies' bike running. The pilot jets were plugged. I had to pull them and soak in some carb cleaner overnight. Gas doesn't last as long as it used to. I guess the alcohol content isn't helping anything.
Larry

[Bobmws]

Good news. I got Julies' bike running. The pilot jets were plugged. I had to pull them and soak in some carb cleaner overnight. Gas doesn't last as long as it used to. I guess the alcohol content isn't helping anything.
Larry
Congrats. If she doesn't ride the bike often, add a little bit of Stabil or Seafoam to the tank to avoid the problem in the future.

[vectorprime27]

Good news. I got Julies' bike running. The pilot jets were plugged. I had to pull them and soak in some carb cleaner overnight. Gas doesn't last as long as it used to. I guess the alcohol content isn't helping anything.
Larry

I imagine she's happy about that! :dance I'd much rather be holding the grips than the driver anytime I'm on a bike! Cheryl and I just finalized plans to head up to Heber Springs to ride with our friends from Memphis the last week of Sept. we just need to find time for her to take the class now! Post up when you are ready to ride again, Larry. I think we decided the next trip would be a route you pick. We are certainly looking forward to it!

[FSwish]

I live in the Orlando area and looking to join some weekend rides

[vectorprime27]

Hey Fred...welcome aboard. We just completed a 1,200 mile (plus) ride around Florida with some friends from Memphis. If we can get the weather to warm up just a bit more, we'll be out on the road again for a day ride. This coming weekend is out because of prior commitments, but perhaps next (27th or 28th). What part of Central Florida do you reside in?

[FSwish]

Those dates look promising weather permitting. Gotha, FL ....which is between Windermere and Ocoee...