We had a great ride today.  Eight members on seven bikes, including our newest member Les, met at our meeting point.  I consider that a great turn-out and I hope it’s the start of a trend.  I think we would’ve had a few more if this weren’t a drill weekend for McEntire (sorry you missed it Guy and Jeanine). 

 We set off a few minutes after 10:30 and headed west on 378 to 601 and went south.  Next was Hwy 267 which I was supposed to follow to 199, but for those of you that know me that would be too easy.  We wound up in some little fishing community which actually wasn’t that far from where we were supposed to be if it weren’t for Lake Marion and the lack of a bridge to get us across this inlet to State Park Rd.   So we practiced our turn around and regrouped, after which I recovered and got us to the restaurant where we met the Low Country Chapter at Lone Star BBQ.

 Besides our main purpose which was to pick up the Polar Bear Patches, at Lone Star we were able to apprehend our state SCRC mascot – Chopper the Ape. 

 Chopper will be in our care until another chapter apprehends him.  The ROE (Rules Of Engagement) are there must be at least one officer and four members for Chopper to be transferred.  Chopper will be riding with me until such time.

 Anyway, after some good food and some good company the nine of us (eight members and chopper) headed on our way towards Florence - up 301 to 52 and to Mac’s house (Pee Dee 1^st Officer).  The purpose here was to pick up the SCRC mileage patches which we did.  Afterward` visiting with Mac and Denise for a while we headed back to Sumter down Hwy 76.  I was in my driveway by 4:20 p.m. and we did about 173 miles total.  You can see an overview map on the “Where we’ve been” portion of our web page. 

 The Polar Bear Patches are promised to those that rode on January 1^st with us.  They are $3.60 + $1.50 for the year rocker.  I’ll be toting them with me until I see those of you that are due them.

 There will be more to come on the mileage patches.  Basically, a voluntary program…I track the mileage you earn riding with the chapter and if you want you can purchase the patch from me to display how many miles you’ve traveled.  There’s a basic patch and accompanying mileage rockers.  I’m going to designate that the basic patch indicates at least 500 miles (you can buy the patch alone after 500 miles).  The rockers are labeled “1000”, “2500”, and “5000”.  I purchased the initial order of 15 with 10 of the “1000”, three of the “2500”, and two “5000”.

 If anyone one has any specific questions about the mileage program let me know. 

 Thanks to Ron, Allan, JD, Marty, Bruce, Carol, Les, for coming out today.