Butcher's Block in Monroe a Favorite for Cyclists

Dave Walker of Grayson and a friend, also named Dave, began a weekly ride a few years ago and the group has now grown to a group of about 12. The ride, too, has grown and now stretches from Grayson through Monroe, Madison, Social Circle, Jersey and back. Walker said the ride is about 40 to 60 miles and the group usually stop off for lunch, often at Butcher's Block on Broad Street in Monroe.

"None of us are anything but social riders. We are only competitive in our minds. Our rides are scheduled around a good restaurant stop in the middle of the ride," Walker said, adding that Butcher's Block is one of their favorites. We love their chili Dogs. Also, Buckeyes in Social Circle has the worlds best melt in your mouth toasted chicken salad sandwich. There is also a Buckeyes in Jersey."

Walker said, "All in all, the exercise is good, the conversation and camaraderie is great and ride views are refreshing. Anyone is welcome to join us. We are very accommodating and enjoy a large group."

Walker said he initially started riding about five years ago with his neighbor, the other Dave.

"We've been riding together for five or six years at 100 miles a week. We have been recruiting new riders for the past two or three years of our same caliber," Walker said. "We are all in our mid-50s and there are now around a dozen of us. My neighbor's name is Dave and so is mine, so our group is appropriately named Too Old Daves" The "too" can be used in conversation to mean that we are"too" old for this, or simply that there are two guys named Dave as originators of the group."

Walker said if anyone else is interested in joining their group can contact him at aputer@bellsouth.net or 404-663-4433.

"Some of us also run together, swim together and participate in triathlons together, all for fun," Walker said.