OK Since our first lunch of 2017 was such a resounding success a the forecast for next week looks really good, I set us up for a ride to Hesston for Tuesday. The weather is supposed to be in the high 60s under partly cloudy skies. Much better than our last visit there when I was the winner of the coveted Washer/Drier combo. As I recall it was a blistery cold and damp day. Colder than the proverbial witches, errr.. broomstick, yeah that's it. Anyway it looks to be a good day and we haven't been there for a year. I just hope that I can coax the old blue goose to life for the trip.
TIME....................1:00
Here it is.............. Panda's Kitchen
709 E Lincoln Blvd
Hesston, Kansas
(620) 327-4029
Facebook page........https://www.facebook.com/Panda-Kitchen- ... 5/?fref=ts
Web Page.............
Map site.............http://bit.ly/1uLkbOc
This trip to Panda's Kitchen was a much more pleasant ride than last year. Last year old man winter hit us with a hard left hook that just about knocked me out. It started out with a reasonable ride down to Hesston with Randy Clark. But by the time we got to Kip Road and K4 common sense and wisdom overtook Randy and he turned back. Fat dumb and happy I pressed on. I actually found my way there unassisted which only served to bolster my misplaced confidence. Upon arrival at Panda's Kitchen I was further encouraged by the turnout. After I got inside any thoughts of ominous weather quickly gave way to boring my way through an excellent buffet. I usually plan an outing like this to feed me for the day. The first trip to the buffet is lunch and the second is dinner. While I was blissfully enjoying my meal, old man winter was winding up to deck me on the trip home. After I settled up and got out to the bike I found the temperature plummeted and the humidity skyrocketed. I joined up with Richard and we took the freeway back. As anyone who rides with me will tell you, I usually toss caution to the wind and forgo my helmet, saving for cold weather to avoid hypothermia. I had the skid lid that day and on the freeway I even found it necessary to put the face shield down. That never happens. In trail with Richard he motioned for me to follow him to his place. But I knew that if I stopped before I got home I'd likely not get back on the bike before spring, so I waved goodbye and screwed it on to get home ASAP.
Fast forward to today. Forecasts for the 50s and sunshine as far as the eye can see. The bike gassed up and a few bucks in my wallet, it's off to the Sleep Inn. John Crandell was already there when I puled in and I was soon followed by Bud on his new shiny white CanAm. We discussed the route, and possibly taking the freeway. Bud opted for the freeway while John and I took the back roads through Gypsm to Hesston. Evidently We left a little early as when we arrived Big Jim was already there and informed us that he found himself alone at the Sleep Inn. OOPS! After doing the photog thing outside I went in to send the sign in book around and snap a few more pics. I was happy to see that we were joined by a few of our friends from the south side. Also our elder statesman Gibbo joined us. After thoroughly enjoying several trips to the buffet Denny Sexton and I were the only ones left. We went to the register to settle up and were informed that although there were only two of us there were three unpaid tickets. Apparently some one forgot to pay their check. Sometimes things like that happen. We need to watch that. Several of the gang made the usual trip to Dan's to check out the new 17 models, but I was pretty well spent so I mounted up and decided to enjoy the ride and backtrack our route down. Good weather, good food good friends, and a good ride. It doesn't get any better.
We had riders from Salina, Hutchenson, Hesston, McPherson, Wellington, Burden, Dalton, Oxford, Wichita, and Canton. Jim from Burden was our high miler at 105 miles.
We were riding Honda, Harley, Suzuki, BMW, Kawasaki, CanAm, And Moto Guzzi.
North Central Kansas Weekly Ride 1/10/17
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North Central Kansas Weekly Ride 1/10/17
Last edited by Roadpounder on Wed Jun 28, 2017 11:50 am, edited 2 times in total.
Re: North Central Kansas Weekly Ride 1/10/17
Some of us from South Central may have to ride up to join you. We always enjoy the Panda Kitchen; we were last there back in October.
Roger Smith
'05 Honda ST1300
'20 Triumph Speed Twin
'12 Harley XR1200X
'09 Kawasaki KLR650
'73 Honda CL350
'05 Honda ST1300
'20 Triumph Speed Twin
'12 Harley XR1200X
'09 Kawasaki KLR650
'73 Honda CL350