The Enduring legacy of the Lowcountry Coffee-revving motorcycle enthusiasts
by Joan Perry | Contributing Writer
Last weekend, I wandered into Grounded Coffee Lounge on Savannah Highway on my two feet as usual, but everyone else rolled in on two or three wheels.
The parking lot was filled with colorful motorcycles, and the cozy coffee shop scene was buzzing with friendly handshakes, caffeine-infused conversation and appeared to have been taken over by a group of good friends in motorcycle wear. What began 24 years ago as a casual gathering of riders with a shared love for the open road has evolved into a tradition that transcends mere coffee meet-ups.
For over two decades, John Edgar has been coordinating the Coffee Cruisers — South Carolina group. Along with his wife Jennifer Holland, they lay out a schedule six months in advance, rotating coffee shops from West Ashley to Mt. Pleasant, Summerville to Moncks Corner. They pre-visit locations confirming parking space and ensuring the bikes will be protected. They touch base with shop owners to prepare them for the friendly invasion.
Rides are scheduled for 9 a.m. every Saturday morning in a rolling rotation of locations. Communication is shared through an active Coffee Cruisers – South Carolina Facebook group with 277 members. There are no dues, and participation is completely optional with the sole purpose of camaraderie and the shared common interest – bikes. Most weeks have between 15-28 attending.
The group started with all Harleys, but now includes dirt and street bikes, two and three wheelers of all kinds. Regardless of the make or model of the motorcycle, riders find a common ground in their shared passions – motorcycles, coffee and fellowship.
Satellite friendships formed naturally, and on nice days, smaller groups might continue on rides to destinations or lunch. Most participants are men, women are welcome and couples are regular members. Doug and Becky Haight rode in from Nexton in Summerville and soon developed a friendship with another couple living in the same neighborhood. All professions appeared to be represented, including “Jeep” a well known West Ashley musician.
John Edgar is a 6-foot-4, retired military gentleman with a twenty year career as a submariner and caffeine related patches covering his jacket. The group was started in 2001 by Dave Runey AKA “Yeti” who soon turned the reins over to John when he moved away. John has rarely missed a Saturday through the years, often riding to the designated location through Lowcountry rain and storm.
John may be the thread holding the group together, but Jennifer serves as the heart and welcome wagon, offering hugs and checking for updates on members’ family news and health concerns. She keeps up with participants experiencing hard times – and has been known to collect donations, send flowers after a loss of a member, write Christmas cards and regularly updates social media with event photos.
The Surgeon General of the United States recently brought national attention to the increasing problem of social disconnection and isolation, and has asked us all to consider ways to build more connected lives and a more connected society. He didn’t specifically mention a twenty-four year old group of motorcycle coffee enthusiasts but it seems to me they found their own solution.
Stay healthy my friends and wave at me as I wander. Send ideas for future column stories to Westashleywanderer@gmail.com..
