Monday, December 7, 2015

The Great Outdoors

Yesterday, the 7 Bridges Scooter Club ride was to High Springs and the Great Outdoors restaurant.  I always like this one as a destination because it allows for a pretty route both there and back.  It includes some of the best roads in the area.  High Springs is an active small town near Gainesville that is one of my favorites.

Because it has been so good lately, I chose Rocket as my ride.  On the way down, it passed 69,000 miles and ended the day right at 69,100.   It was perfect until the end of the ride when I got on I-10, got it up to 74 mph and the power dropped and temperature rose.  I got off and finished the ride on US 90, where it got back to perfect.  It appears that it is going to be fine on all roads where I stay below 70 mph.  That covers most of our group rides and can cover everything if I am careful.

Upon getting home, I have wanted to take Vanessa for a long, fast test ride since Boris replaced the leaking water pump on Saturday.  I took her all around the area, probably nearly 50 miles including I-295 for more than 15 miles.  She is not as fast as Razzo, topping at around 74 on this ride, but she did not overheat, stumble or give me any indications that she is not now capable of any ride. She now goes into the rotation for big rides.

Thanks to Russ Dixon for the photos.

At the start, Jim Skillman and me, on Rocket

Stopped at a light in Maclenny.  The first hour was cold and damp.

Turning, 8 miles north of Sanderson in the Osceola National Forest

The sun finally came out.  Feeling the warmth on my legs made me happy.

Sunny stop near Lake City

Leading the gang onto one of my favorite roads

Price Creek Road, south of Lake City.  Scenic north Florida at its best.

More on Price Creek Road

Price Creek turns into SW County Road 245 just south of 238, and reward the rider with one of the few vistas in the area.

More scenic North Florida

Parked across the street from the Great Outdoors in High Springs.  High Springs is one of the best small towns in North Florida.  It is just far enough from Gainesville to be busy, while not being a sprawling exurb.

7 comments:

  1. Bill what I nice ride. You are one lucky guy to have those opportunities.

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    1. Yes, David, I am one lucky guy. Between 7 Bridges Scooter Club, Ken Wilson, Captain Gary and Jim Mandle, plus riding solo, I have many opportunities. I understand that you may be coming this way in the winter or spring. I have scooters if you are interested in a ride. Believe it or not, all three GT's are running great now, even Vanessa. She might be my go-to scooter for a while as I test her abilities with thoughts of using her for the Cannonball.

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  2. I am renting an Indian Chief in Orlando Monday December 28th and have all day to myself. I plan to ride as much as I can and end up back in Orlando at the hotel for dinner with my wife. Have you the ability to meet for lunch somewhere that day? I get the bike at 9am and expect to leave Eaglerider around 9:30 which could put meanywhere...Let me know
    conchscooter@gmail.com

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  3. I am renting an Indian Chief in Orlando January 28th and have all day to myself. I plan to ride as much as I can and end up back in Orlando at the hotel for dinner with my wife. Have you the ability to meet for lunch somewhere that day? I get the bike at 9am and expect to leave Eaglerider around 9:30 which could put meanywhere...Let me know
    conchscooter@gmail.com

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  4. Hi Michael, I see that there are two dates given for the ride. I can do January 28, and would enjoy seeing you somewhere between Orlando and Jacksonville. I like to ride so close to Orlando works for me. But December 28 sees me with Sarah and Kylie on a holiday trip to Ashville, NC. So I can't make that date. Please let me know which is the date and, if January, I will happily meet you for lunch. Almost any other date works for me too.

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  5. I ballsed it up the first time I wrote it so it's actually December which means I am free to go where I want. Cool ( making lemonade from lemons). I'll bet High Springs is really nice even when you aren't there. Ha!

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    1. I am disappointed to have a conflict with your visit. It looks like David Masse will be down for a ride in February. I hope to be able to see you then.

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