Despite a dismal forcast of 60% rain, a good crowd turned up for Road Captain Trainee Bob Kauffman's second test!  Beth & Tim Snyder; Don & Gwen; Mark and Dee; Phoenix transplant Mike; Matt; Charlie Nolan; and Head Road Captain Mike Rieker set out under clear skies!  Bob took the Gandy Bridge, Bayshore Blvd route through Tampa.  The route continued through Tampa via Channelside and Adamo Drive.  When the entourage approached Orient Road on the east side of Tampa it started to rain.  At this point, Charlie Nolan bailed out......when I say bailed....it was like Sheila's Standard Poodle Kiki being the guest of honor at a Michael Vick dog fight!  I looked in my rear view mirror and Charlie was gone!  So we were under a rain cloud for about a mile and by the time we reached a comfort stop we were all dry!  We rode the eastern Hillsborough country roads through strawberry fields, orange groves and phosphate mines.  The group encountered another rain cloud near Parrish.  The rain felt great and by the time we reached Bradenton we were dry again!  It was blue skies when we reached Mar Vista Restaurant.  The food was great and the company was exceptional!

Editor's note:  Thanks to Mark Deferio and Mike Rieker for assisting me on this ride!  Special thanks to Charlie Nolan for attending....you are the bomb!