tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57414393454116943002024-03-06T02:24:35.442-05:00Rocket and MeBill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.comBlogger463125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-73169877708917109122020-01-29T17:18:00.003-05:002020-01-29T17:18:53.706-05:00Back for a Visit. NC and WisconscootIt has been a while since I moved this blog to ADV Rider's Battle Scooters forum.<br />
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You can find it here:<br />
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<a href="https://advrider.com/f/threads/rocket-me.1374350/">https://advrider.com/f/threads/rocket-me.1374350/</a><br />
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I have enjoyed seeing it grow there with dozens of readers who often play along.<br />
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But I have been asked to get back on here by a few of you and will check in often, now that I have found that I still have access after several password changes and finding I have two Google accounts.<br />
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The Russians remain the biggest viewers here, and I remain certain that they are up to no good.<br />
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I have continued to have fun on the scooters.<br />
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After the May ride that I last posted, I have been on many Oyster and Courthouse Tours with Ken. Also, I went to Wisconsin and rode around with Sam for a few days and Sarah and I joined Ken, Walt and the rest of the VCdM group for a tour of Portugal in September.<br />
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Ken and I visited all of the Florida Panhandle Courthouses in December and I have had other rides as well.<br />
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I will start with Wisconscoot 2019.<br />
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Sam had me check out a 2003 Nissan Frontier pickup truck that he ended up purchasing. My next responsibility was to get it to him in Chicago.<br />
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I loaded up Max, my 2018 Yamaha XMAX, into the bed of the truck and headed to North Carolina to meet a group of Battle Scooter members for a few days of mountain riding.<br />
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It was a new group for me, but I got along with all of them, even though our political views were at opposite ends of the spectrum. All nice guys who rode well and proved to be nice friends.<br />
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<i>Part of the Battle Scooter group in North Carolina</i></div>
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From there I drove to Lisle, Illinois to meet Sam at his office, where we unloaded Max and headed north to Wisconsin.<br />
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There, we met up with Dave's Wisconscoot group, a fine bunch of guys who Sam and I have ridden with two times before. They were easy going and fun to be with again.<br />
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<i>Dave wearing a Rocket & Me shirt I gave him a few years ago.</i></div>
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After three nights in the Dairy State, it was time for me to return home.<br />
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Sam rode with me to Rock Island, Illinois, where we had lunch and went out separate ways.<br />
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From there I headed south for an interstate highway run back to Florida.<br />
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Riding into Paducah, Kentucky, dark clouds were forming so I got off of the highway and checked into a hotel where I stayed dry and rode to a Mexican restaurant for dinner.<br />
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The next day looked rainy again, but I was determined to ride home.<br />
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It drizzled for the first 300 miles with some heavier rain in the mountains near Chattanooga. This was the most dangerous riding I have tried in a while, as the rain and mist from trucks made it almost impossible to see at times. But I made it through and out of the rain. I stopped north of Atlanta where it looked clear for the last 400 miles, but I did find a heavy storm entering Florida, that I luckily skirted and made it home safely. Wisconscoot to Jacksonville was 1260 miles, covered in two days. Not bad for a 300cc scooter.<br />
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<i>Riding in Wisconsin</i></div>
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<i>Through the woods in Wisconsin. </i></div>
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<i>A shaded, wooded, curvy road in Wisconsin.</i></div>
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<i>The real reason I go is to spend time with Sam.</i></div>
<br />Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-13614623677559687002019-05-28T16:44:00.002-04:002019-05-31T13:02:08.249-04:00Big Spring Ride: Part Eleven: Upstate NYToday, Ken and I rode to Ithaca from Troy.<br />
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We caught a five minute parade in Cooperstown, then made our way into Ithaca.<br />
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It is a beautiful area that reminded me so much of the Wisconscoot rides in southwest Wisconsin.<br />
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Waiting to go get a steak dinner at Texas Roadhouse in a few minutes.<br />
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Bill<br />
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Memorial Day Parade in Cooperstown.<br />
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<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Passing one of the parade firetrucks heading to Ithaca.</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
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Beautiful countryside around the area.</div>
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Taughannock State Park.</div>
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Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-26986859849721135162019-05-28T16:41:00.003-04:002019-05-31T13:31:05.051-04:00Big Spring Ride: Part Ten: New FriendsWe went looking for a place to eat last night.<br />
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Our first stop was a wine shop where a nice couple was finishing their wine.<br />
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We didn't stay there but headed to the local Oyster House, where the couple arrived just after us.<br />
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We talked a lot with them and found out that they were from Miami, but had bought an old estate in Albany.<br />
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I told them we would like to drive by and they invited us for a tour.<br />
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We rode by today and they were so kind to show us the house and continue the nice discussions we had at the restaurant.<br />
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It is a spectacular piece of architecture. Very nice couple too.<br />
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Traveling is always made more fun when you can meet new friends.<br />
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Bill<br />
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Elaine and Mike in front of their fine old house.</div>
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Of course, we had to have a shot with a scooter.</div>
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At the front door.</div>
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Beautiful woodwork inside.</div>
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Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-16978127745821834112019-05-28T16:33:00.003-04:002019-05-31T13:31:47.475-04:00Big Spring Ride: Part Nine: LostboaterWith Kylie off to New York and Paris, I needed a pick-me-up.<br />
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So I met up with Ken in Troy, NY, where we walked thirty miles ( felt like it but was only one and a half miles) to the local oyster bar.<br />
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Had a fine dinner and conversation with an interesting couple from Miami who are restoring an old estate in Albany.<br />
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Great oysters too.<br />
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My kind of evening.<br />
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Bill<br />
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Dining on Oysters, of course, in Troy, NY.</div>
Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-34971422348244350392019-05-28T16:31:00.003-04:002019-05-31T13:33:12.494-04:00Big Spring Ride: Part Eight: DepartingSad day for me.<br />
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Five wonderful days riding with Kylie.<br />
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Probably the most time I have ever spent with just her.<br />
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I loved every minute.<br />
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Dropped her off at the Portland Airport this morning.<br />
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So sad.<br />
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Bill<br />
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Off she goes to Paris.</div>
Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-38245644843586495822019-05-28T16:29:00.000-04:002019-05-31T13:39:47.915-04:00Big Spring Ride: Part Seven: PortlandToday, Friday, Kylie and I rode from Thornton, NH, in the middle of the White Mountains, to Portland, ME.<br />
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The best part of the ride was on the Kancamagus Highway, 35 miles through the White Mountain National Forest. <br />
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It was a great road, but today it was cold and windy. 49 degrees at the pass, 22 mph winds with big gusts. It could have been more comfortable.<br />
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The remainder of the ride was uneventful, other than the wind, but we made it to the hotel in Portland at 1:00.<br />
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We heeded wbdvt's advice and had lunch at Eventide Oysters. <br />
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The server got us two each of six different oysters. They all were perfect.<br />
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Then I had the Lobster Stew. It was even better. What a fine restaurant.<br />
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We then walked around the old port area and had beer at Gritty's followed by a lobster dinner at Portland Lobster Company.<br />
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A very good day.<br />
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I am going to be very sad to drop off Kylie at the airport tomorrow.<br />
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But meeting up with Ken will help.<br />
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Bill<br />
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Cold along the way<br />
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Kylie at a stop.<br />
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Eventide Oyster House</div>
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Not a good photo in general, but a good one of Kylie.<br />
She liked the oysters too.</div>
Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-76339370613736688292019-05-28T16:25:00.002-04:002019-05-31T13:55:16.328-04:00Big Spring Ride: Part Six: VermontToday, Thursday, wbdvt (Barry) came to visit and ride with Kylie and me for a part of our trip to Thornton, NH.<br />
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He came bearing gifts, that Kylie and I are enjoying as we sit in the little cabin motel room while it drizzles outside.<br />
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We got an early dinner and am enjoying some quiet time.<br />
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We had a good ride today with a late breakfast in a little diner in Woodstock, VT, a town I would come back to visit anytime.<br />
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After that, the New Hampshire roads were all rough with very low speed limits, so it drew out the 120 mile ride.<br />
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After checking into the little motel, Kylie and I headed for a mountain road and found a good one.<br />
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Tivoli Road was freshly paved, no guardrails, signs or electric power lines. Just a smooth road through the forest.<br />
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We got to the top and returned back down. Nothing but beautiful.<br />
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We had dinner at the Covered Bridge Restaurant down the road, then headed back in the drizzle.<br />
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Another fine day.<br />
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Me and Kylie leaving Hunter, NY<br />
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Kylie and Barry<br />
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Following Barry on 11</div>
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Selfie of Kylie with no chins this time.<br />
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Vermont's finest, a gift from Barry. Thank you!</div>
Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-70687817166476896632019-05-28T16:18:00.000-04:002019-05-31T13:57:22.222-04:00Big Spring Ride: Part Five: Windiest Day EverEveryone had a very windy day on day 7 of the 2014 Cannonball in Eastern Colorado and Western Kansas heading into Ulysses, Kansas, but not as gusty as today. We got pushed around a lot. Not a great first day of riding for Kylie, but she did great. No complaints from her.<br />
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I had been concerned about packing ever since I was preparing for the trip.<br />
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But this morning, I shifted items, putting the good stuff in my big bag and placing it is the protected area under the seat.<br />
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I took my clothes and put most of them in my back pack and secured it in the space in front of the seat,<br />
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Kylie had all of her stuff in a back pack that she wore while riding.<br />
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We didn't look like the Beverly Hillbillies at all.<br />
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It took an hour to ride the 10 miles to get out of New York City, then headed north on the west bank of the Hudson River.<br />
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On the Manhattan Bridge we felt the heavy wind, a steady 25+ mph with significant gusts.<br />
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This wind followed us all day. It was quite cold too.<br />
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But we had fun on our 4+ hour ride to Hunter, NY in the Catskill Mountains.<br />
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I had detours on the route, the best one into Piermont where we had lunch at a little cafe/deli/grocery store.<br />
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Once in the Catskills, we looked for a place for dinner but almost nothing was open.<br />
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We settled on a beer at Ronni MacGregors Pub, then were told that a nice restaurant would be open five miles down the road so we headed there only to find out that they were closed for the week.<br />
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We ended up eating at a diner in Windham that served enormous portions. We each ate less than half of our decent dinner and were unexpectedly served cake as a dessert. Not bad.<br />
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Nothing else to do so we came back to the empty small hotel so I could post these notes.<br />
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I am so lucky that Kylie wanted to do this ride with me. It is simply wonderful.<br />
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Bill<br />
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Kylie at the start of the day. I was relieved that everything we brought could be carried on Max.</div>
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A brief stop on the New Jersey side of the Hudson River to take in the skyline.</div>
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A quick stop to check out a waterfall as we approached the hotel in Hunter, NY.</div>
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Kylie and the waterfall.</div>
Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-53819595189423962902019-05-28T16:13:00.003-04:002019-05-31T13:59:11.568-04:00Big Spring Ride: Part Four: Scooter in the Big CityMonday found me riding from Hagerstown, MD to Brooklyn on a path that took me through the Holland Tunnel, across Lower Manhattan, then the Manhattan Bridge to Kylie's apartment in Crown Heights.<br />
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Needless to say, traffic was heavy, at times standing still through several light changes, but I made it easily.<br />
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We took off to find a suitable garage for Max for the night, then rode the subway to have lunch outdoors. It was quite warm but we were in the shade.<br />
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Both worn out, we returned to her place and took a quick nap.<br />
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After that we took another subway to the Brooklyn waterfront to a couple of parks with views of the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge, then a beer and later dinner.<br />
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It was great to be able to spend time with my wonderful daughter before the adventure begins.<br />
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Bill<br />
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Inside the Holland Tunnel</div>
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Walking around Brooklyn after dropping off Max.<br />
I couldn't help but notice this Venetian Palace behind Kylie.</div>
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The Brooklyn Bridge with Manhattan beyond.</div>
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A framed view of the Manhattan Bridge.</div>
Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-70999461702791941872019-05-28T16:09:00.001-04:002019-05-31T14:01:06.908-04:00Big Spring Ride: Part Three: Hot SpringsThe Saturday ride was to Hot Springs, NC for lunch.<br />
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Fuzzy took us through many fun roads heading up.<br />
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Then we came back down the famous 209.<br />
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The day closed out by having almost everyone dine at Guayabitos, where a few had the largest margaritas I have ever seen.<br />
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As usual, it was a fun weekend of great rides with some very fine folks.<br />
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I highly recommend joining one if any of you ever gets a chance.<br />
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Bill<br />
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Part of the morning ride. Curves and mountains.</div>
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Following Will on his Indian through the woods.</div>
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One of the cool turns on the morning part of the ride.</div>
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After our ride, I took a solo ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I caught these Harley riders just before heading back to the hotel.</div>
Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-12420804135560784032019-05-28T16:06:00.000-04:002019-05-31T14:06:22.735-04:00Big Spring Ride: Part Two: BRPWithout Old As Dirt attending, leading the routes was left for Fuzzy on his Kawasaki Versus 300. It was somewhat of a test for him as he is going to Alaska on it in two weeks.<br />
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He chose the Blue Ridge Parkway with the access nearby.<br />
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These shots are from the morning ride where we encountered fog and a lttle rain later in the day.<br />
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7 hours and over 200 miles of beautiful riding.<br />
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Max says it is getting 95 mpg on these rides. I will be able to verify on the next fill up. The fueling today had 70 miles of highway, but still got over 80 mpg.<br />
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Bill<br />
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Early morning it was wet from the even earlier morning rains.</div>
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Still a mist in the air.</div>
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We would round a bend and find thick fog.</div>
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Getting dryer as we approached lunchtime. More later.</div>
Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-67509357752843663232019-05-28T16:01:00.000-04:002019-05-31T14:11:29.147-04:00Big Spring Ride: Part One: The ride to NCI left as the sun was coming up this morning.<br />
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For some reason, I had never felt comfortable with the preparations but it all finally came together.<br />
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Part of the discomfort is that there will be five days riding two up with bags for two. One of my bags was sitting where Kylie will be sitting soon, so it still has to get worked out.<br />
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I have two sets of ROC straps, so we can come up with something.<br />
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Within the first three miles I was confronted with a slow moving train blocking my route, so I turned around, filled the tank and took the highway around to US1.<br />
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Then my left elbow started hurting a little, then my neck, then I had to stop to pee a few times.<br />
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Nothing was as easy as normal.<br />
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Then my neck got sore, then sort of sore all over, but I made the 450 miles in 9 hours. It felt good to unload the bike and lay down.<br />
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The smaller than usual crowd then assembled to reacquaint each to the others. It is a nice bunch.<br />
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I am looking forward to dinner and a couple of beers.<br />
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Bill<br />
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A rare selfie taken somewhere in Georgia. I thought I would show off my chins.</div>
Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-32562539571840185132019-05-28T11:19:00.001-04:002019-05-31T14:15:30.444-04:00KylieMy talented daughter Kylie is going on a ride with me in a little more than a week.<br />
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She happily agreed to ride with me from her home in Brooklyn to the mountains of New England, finishing in Portland, ME.<br />
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She is a graphic designer in the city, but she is leaving her current job just before I pick her up, looking for something interesting do when she returns from the ride, followed with trip of ten days in Paris with her mother.<br />
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I was talking about her to a friend today and looked at her Instagram page, where I found some of her artwork.<br />
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She has massive talent and should easily find something she enjoys.<br />
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In the meantime, I can't wait to spend some time with her.<br />
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Bill<br />
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She designed the Cannonball graphics for 2016 and 2018 along with Rocket & Me.</div>
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Kylie was drawing a chair a day for 100 days. This day she drew my favorite chair, Vanessa.</div>
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Her company sent her to San Francisco for four months last year. Of course, when there, photos of the Golden Gate Bridge are required.</div>
Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-31802364194345757932019-05-28T10:52:00.001-04:002019-05-28T10:57:25.203-04:00I Changed My MindI didn't sell Razzo.<br />
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I had seller's remorse before the buyer came to pick up Razzo.<br />
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I sent him a message asking if it would be OK if we didn't go ahead with the sale and I keep the beautiful machine.<br />
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The thing that prompted the change of heart was that I rode it around the neighborhood today and wondered why I would sell such a perfect machine.<br />
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I know that it is much better for me than a Super Cub or a Spade.<br />
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When I got back his answer it almost made me cry.<br />
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Bill<br />
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P.S. I posted about this on Modern Vespa. My food friend 😉 BD found offense with me backing out of the sale and let me have it. Totally understandable knowing our sour relationship. Two more joined in showing their disapproval. I get it, but it was a different type of sale agreement and I still offered it to Kevin if he really wanted it. He was fine with the change of heart.</div>
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Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-65406366256795322322019-05-28T10:48:00.000-04:002019-05-28T10:48:03.272-04:00Cub Style MotorcycleI have a history with the Cub style bike.<br /><br />Twenty nine years ago I moved to Bermuda, where I worked for three years.<br /><br />The first week there I bought a Suzuki FB100, Suzuki's version of the Cub.<br /><br />At 100 cc, it was the maximum engine displacement allowed on the Island.<br /><br />The purchase price was $800. I sold it three years later for $450, so it was a great value.<br /><br />I rode it to work every day, only a mile each way.<br /><br />Golf clubs were carried on it on the weekends (golf has given way to scooting on weekends these days)<br /><br />This shot is my wife's 88 year old grandmother riding with me during a visit in 1992.<br /><br />I think I would really like to have a Super Cub.<br /><br />Bill<div>
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Me and Freda on my Suzuki FB100</div>
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Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-62127989886568436302019-05-28T10:44:00.002-04:002019-05-28T10:44:59.461-04:00Selling RazzoBack to scooting: I have been thinking that I might have more scooters than I really need, not that need has much to do with owning these things.<br /><br />The only GT that has any value to anyone except me is Razzo, the perfect 2005 model.<br /><br />The paint and details all look new, even at 14 years old and 28,500 miles.<br /><br />It has a windshield, top case and the controversial floor mat.<br /><br />I fixed the wobble recently by installing a new front tire so it is truly a good one.<br /><br />A good friend (and client) asked to borrow it yesterday to ride around the neighborhood to see the houses on the annual Home Tour.<br /><br />I offered it to him casually a few weeks ago and since riding, I think he likes it.<br /><br />I would feel much better about selling if Vanessa was working or the Zuma licensed, but even without these I will still have two that run great.<br /><br />And with the proceeds after selling Razzo and the Lambretta, I could buy something new, leaning towards a Honda Super Cub or Kymco Spade.<br /><br />Bill<div>
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Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-53798996239189214512019-05-28T10:40:00.008-04:002019-05-28T10:40:59.573-04:00My Other Job<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Besides riding scooters whenever I can, I am still working as an architect in Jacksonville.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />I design houses.<br /><br />This month, for the first time in my 45 years of doing this, I had one of my projects published in Southern Living Magazine. Eight pages.<br /><br />The interior designer and I called it the River House in posting on Facebook while it was under construction, but it is the home of Michael Pajcic, his wife Katy DeBriere and their young daughter Ruth Ann.<br /><br />It is the fifth big project for the Pajcic family, the first of these began when Michael was around five years old.<br /><br />They give me great properties to build on. I am forever thankful that they continue to trust me to provide design services for their projects.<br /><br />The project was among my all time favorites with great owners, the best interior designer I know, my favorite contractor and a fresh approach by the landscape designer.<br /><br />To see it published is quite fun for me.<br /><br />Bill</span><div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />The front door and a shot on the porch. There is water on three sides of the house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />The front of the house and the kitchen. This is the first photograph I have seen anyone else take of the front. All of the rest of them are of the back of the house, facing the river.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />Two interior shots, the dining area and sitting room. Both looking over the St. Johns River.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />The cover of the May 2019 issue of Southern Living. I am a little disappointed that we didn't make the cover.</span></div>
Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-11466856045771146212019-05-28T10:32:00.001-04:002019-05-28T10:32:22.794-04:00April Oyster Tour<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lostboater planned another oyster tour for a couple of weekends ago. <br /><br />We liked the Ed Ball Wakulla Springs Lodge so much that we thought we would try it again. This time would be for canoeing.L<br /><br />I determined that I would leave home on Sunday afternoon to meet up with Ken, Dave and Larry at the Lodge. I had hoped to go racing in the morning, then leave in the afternoon, but a huge storm was approaching from the west. The Weather Channel had it arriving at Wakulla in the early afternoon, so I skipped the Autocross and headed west at 9:30.<br /><br />To beat the storm, I took the fastest possible route, that being I-10 the 135 miles to just east of Tallahassee. <br /><br />Rocket was the chosen steed and it maintained sufficient speed to stay clear of traffic along the way, averaging over 70 mph on that stretch.<br /><br />I arrived an hour before the rain, so I could have taken my favorite route, but chickened out. I hate riding in the rain.<br /><br />At dinner it was decided that, after the front came in, the temperatures were to be too low for comfortable canoeing, so we decided to ride to St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge instead. The lighthouse there is cool and the ride to it through the estuaries of the Gulf of Mexico outstanding. Well worth the trip.<br /><br />That was followed by the worst oysters ever at a terrible restaurant is the tiny town of St. Marks.<br /><br />Ken and I rode to Cedar Key hoping to keep the oysters down and succeeded. We had a nice ride with timely stops and settled into a hotel on Dock Street.<br /><br />We had drinks nearby and a light dinner at Tony's before calling it a night early.<br /><br />In the morning we wanted to have breakfast at our favorite place, The Daily Grind, but had seen the night before that the owners were on vacation.<br /><br />So we went to Annie's instead. Neither of us knew where it was so we were riding down D Street. I looked at a restaurant to the right then straight ahead to find Ken almost stopped 20 feet in front of me beginning to turn into Annie's. I slammed on the brakes and just missed him. We were lucky.<br /><br />Breakfast was good and we headed home.<br /><br />Always fun riding with Lostboater.<br /><br />Bill</span><br />
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Ken riding towards St. Marks Lighthouse</div>
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Sunset in Cedar Key</div>
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Common Grounds closed. Disappointment.</div>
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But Annie's was just fine.</div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-44497151931131785002019-05-28T10:04:00.000-04:002019-05-28T10:04:02.705-04:00Million Dollar Scooter<span style="font-family: inherit;">My friend Ken, Lostboater to most of you, bought his first scooter many years ago.<br /><br />It is a red Vespa 150LX.<br /><br />He has ridden it across the country and on many shorter rides. He loves it.<br /><br />A few years ago a group of young riders rode Vespa 150s across the country. They were coming from Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks Vespa in particular.<br /><br />The group included a few famous young men, the most famous of them was Armie Hammer, star of the big screen in numerous films.<br /><br />Also in the group was an artist named Tyler Ramsey.<br /><br />One rule they had was that they couldn't stay in hotels, only camping or at homes when invited.<br /><br />Ken invited them to stay at his house in St. Petersburg. I invited them to stay with me in Jacksonville, but it wasn't on their way to Key West.<br /><br />While there, Ken admired a Vespa that Tyler had painted and Tyler offered to paint Ken's scooter.<br /><br />Tyler's painting technique is that he throws paint onto the surfaces. These can be canvas, scooters or even a Ferrari (see attached)<br /><br />If Tyler ever reaches the level of "Darling of the critics", Ken's scooter could easily fetch over one million dollars.<br /><br />He doesn't care. He still rides it whenever he feels like it, even on a 500 mile ride recently to Wakulla Springs and Cedar Key with me.<br /><br />I would have been upset if Tyler had painted one of mine, but I am not nearly as smart or adventurous as Ken.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.ramseyart.com/">https://www.ramseyart.com/</a></span><div>
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Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-51171024900543441492019-05-28T09:56:00.000-04:002019-05-28T09:58:18.747-04:0090,000 miles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">After another Oyster Tour with Lostboater this weekend, Rocket rolled home with 89,960 miles.<br /><br />Then I had to ride around town for work, leaving it at 89,980<br /><br />It tempted me too much, so I left work early, rode ten miles out I-10, then returned to my office where it rolled over.<br /><br />My review of owning a scooter 13+ years and 90,000 miles.<br /><br />Piaggio makes a very good scooter.<br /><br />Bill<br /><br />PS. It is on engine number two, so it isn't exactly fair. The first engine ran great to 40,000 miles, then had issues until I replaced it at 76,000 miles. I still have it and could repair it if I chose, but the new engine is sweet.</span>Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-86164914343573768562019-04-05T08:49:00.001-04:002019-04-05T08:49:48.662-04:00Rocket & Me Has MovedAfter five years I have decided to move Rocket & Me to a place where it might get more readers and interaction with other scooter enthusiasts.<br />
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That place is the Battle Scooters forum on ADVRider. <br />
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It can be found here:<br />
<a href="https://advrider.com/f/threads/rocket-me.1374350/">https://advrider.com/f/threads/rocket-me.1374350/</a><br />
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The main reason is that it is not read enough to warrant posting more, or maybe because I don't post more, it is not read.<br />
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The biggest readers appear to be Russian bots too, and they are probably up to no good.<br />
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I hope everyone who looked here will check out the new site and feel free to interact.<br />
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BillBill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-14413047759372388362019-03-29T08:33:00.000-04:002019-03-29T08:33:28.061-04:00Bridges Ride 2019Last weekend was the annual Bridges Ride for the Seven Bridges Scooter Club<br />
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We had the largest turnout ever, with as many as sixty five participants over the two days.<br />
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Saturday had two groups on large rides to two different destinations.<br />
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I took twenty riders through some of the better North Florida roads to Folkston, Georgia, where we dined on a tasty buffet.<br />
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The ride home was one of my favorites, A1A through Amelia Island, the Talbot Islands and Fort George Island.<br />
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<i>Along 121, one of my favorite area roads.</i></div>
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<i>Tasty buffet at the Okeefenokee Restaurant in Folkston.</i></div>
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<i>On A1A on Big Talbot Island</i></div>
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<i>The Marshes of A1A between Big and Little Talbot Islands</i></div>
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Sunday we had over fifty riders beginning at the crack of dawn at Hardees on Mayport Road.<br />
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We crossed the St. Johns River on the Ferry, then the seven big bridges to lunch at the Seven Bridges Restaurant.<br />
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It all went well, perfect weather and a nice group of riders.<br />
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<i>On the Mathews Bridge before sunrise heading to Mayport.</i></div>
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<i>Mayport Road in the early morning sunshine</i></div>
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<i>Loading lots of scooters onto the Mayport Ferry</i></div>
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<i>The ride across the river on the ferry</i></div>
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<i>Dames Point Bridge</i></div>
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<i>Most of the riders at the Veterans Memorial Wall</i></div>
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<i>Heading up the Hart Bridge at the Stadium</i></div>
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<i>On the Hart Bridge</i></div>
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<i>Treaty Oak Park was one stop</i></div>
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<i>Main Street Bridge</i></div>
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<i>Waiting at a light at Bay Street</i></div>
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<i>The Shops of Avondale</i></div>
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<i>At the Grand Avenue draw bridge.</i></div>
<br />Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-18042360176252690862019-03-17T10:15:00.000-04:002019-03-17T10:32:52.340-04:00ConchscooterMy friend Michael Beattie, aka Conchscooter on his blog and postings in Battle Scooters on ADV Riders, was in a terrible accident six and a half months ago.<br />
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He was on his scooter riding in Cudjoe Key, less than a mile from his house, when an inattentive driver crossed his path.<br />
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It caused great damage to his legs and pelvis among other things. He easily could have died.<br />
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Michael was in intensive care inside a hospital in Miami for over a week. Then several more weeks there until they moved him to a rehab hospital.<br />
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He returned to Key West where his fellow workers in the Key West Police Department found a handicapped accessible residence.<br />
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Work followed and he, his wife Layne and their beloved dog Rusty moved back home to Cudjoe Key a couple of months ago.<br />
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My new friend Gregg mentioned to me at an impromptu meeting at 3 Bananas in Crescent City that he would like to ride to the Keys to see Michael. That was a couple of months ago but we finally did it this past weekend.<br />
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I got up early Friday morning, mounted Max, my new Yamaha Xmax and headed south on I-95. I met up with Gregg in Osteen where we embarked on our long ride down the middle of the state to the Keys.<br />
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It was an uneventful, but long ride. We encountered some rain as we ran along the east side of Lake Okeechobee and found traffic and slow going in Homestead and the upper Keys. But after 500 miles of riding, we arrived to find Michael and Layne waiting for us with big beers and tasty snacks. Also many smiles and friendships were both started and renewed.<br />
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The highlight was that Michael had not been on a scooter since the accident. He suggested we dine at the Square Grouper Restaurant, very close to his house and across the street from the scene of the accident. He had spoken with Layne about riding and she reluctantly agreed to let him ride her Vespa.<br />
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At first it wouldn't start. RATS! we thought and were about to give in when he kept trying and it started. Big smiles. He got on and headed out. Gregg and I followed and I got some great photos of the happy man.<br />
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<i>Michael heading out on that first ride since the accident.</i></div>
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Dinner was great. Michael was on the night shift at work and had to leave after dinner. Gregg and I checked into our hotel, the Sugarloaf Lodge, a classic Mid Century Modern Motel, very original with the same furniture that was installed 50 years ago.<br />
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Gregg and I got up early, leaving the hotel at 6:45 to meet a car sleeping Michael in the parking lot of the police station. We then got coffee and a breakfast sandwich in town. The coffee was the best ever.<br />
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That was followed by a riding tour of the hot spots in town, mile marker 0 and the buoy marking the southernmost point in the US (not counting Hawaii).<br />
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A stop at the beach was followed by us parting and Gregg and me riding home.<br />
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Almost 1100 miles in two days for me. Almost as many for Gregg.<br />
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Max proved to be a most capable scooter.<br />
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It was so nice for me to see Michael again, meet Layne and Rusty, and develop a fine friendship with Gregg, a cool fellow who happens to be a terrific rider.<br />
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I am looking forward to seeing everyone again as soon as possible.<br />
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It was dark on I-95 as I headed south.</div>
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<i>Gregg following through the middle of the state.</i></div>
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<i>Gregg in Yeehaw Junction</i></div>
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<i>Michael in the driveway of his house on Cudjoe Key.</i></div>
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<i>Finally riding again.</i></div>
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<i>Pointing out and describing the scene of the accident.</i></div>
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<i>Turning around. The car hit him on US1 in this view.</i></div>
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<i>Apparently, Square grouper is slang for bales of marijuana.</i></div>
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<i>The early riding tour of Key West.</i></div>
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<i>Gregg carrying the best coffee we have ever drank. </i></div>
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<i>Cafe Con Leche from this litle walk up cafe.</i></div>
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<i>Michael's favorite bench at the marina.</i></div>
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<i>Our view from that bench.</i></div>
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<i>Michael and Gregg. </i></div>
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<i>Michael is now walking very well for a man with so many injuries. </i></div>
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<i>I am so pleased that he is finally getting back to normal.</i></div>
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<i>Mile Marker Zero.</i></div>
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Max at the Southernmost point.</div>
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<i>And the three nerds.</i></div>
<br />Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-66751861120307300322019-03-04T16:45:00.001-05:002019-03-04T16:45:23.171-05:00Rainy Days Oyster TourThis past weekend had me joining Ken in Newberry Thursday night to begin the years first Oyster Tour.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvq22sSSUyBa8IYVVh7eSEdmckbujd-a4m-tzrng1RBwPE_nsJl9FG-otAkY_RL3067kDNIFc_Az-xFHf2cZNAogSF7b0wjPRv_dJleKdeuhZbdaqUnbO4Qb9M7WfgEjvMp5lXaLhqLA/s1600/DSCF3391+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyvq22sSSUyBa8IYVVh7eSEdmckbujd-a4m-tzrng1RBwPE_nsJl9FG-otAkY_RL3067kDNIFc_Az-xFHf2cZNAogSF7b0wjPRv_dJleKdeuhZbdaqUnbO4Qb9M7WfgEjvMp5lXaLhqLA/s640/DSCF3391+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Going on at the same time, my friend Michael in the Florida Keys had been in a terrible accident six months ago. His friend Eric had found a Burgman 200 in Houston, had Michael buy it, then volunteered to ride it from Houston to Michael's house in Cudjoe Key. He was passing nearby that night so Ken and I put him up for the night and treated him to Newberry's best Mexican food.<br />
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The next morning we saw Eric off and we headed to High Springs to meet up with Jim at Alice's Restaurant, where we saw two police officers dining next to us. Ken likes to meet and talk to everyone he finds interesting, so he struck up a conversation with them. <br />
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Our next destination was to Greenville, Florida to see the birthplace of Ray Charles, but mother nature interrupted that and we high tailed it to our hotel in Wakulla Springs, skipping Ray, or at least putting him off until we pass that way again.<br />
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We were rewarded with a big storm, forcing us off the road for a brief time, then we arrived at the Ed Ball Lodge soaking wet.<br />
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Wakulla Spring is the beginning of the Wakulla river. It pops out from the ground in a forest and flows to the Gulf of Mexico. It used to be crystal clear but is now a bit cloudy due in part to the massive growth of the state. The park still has glass bottom boats. The area was used in the filming of the Creature from the Black Lagoon.<br />
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Saturday had us riding the short distance from Wakulla to Carrabelle to check into the Moorings. There was rain on the way there too, but Rocky's was almost perfectly placed to let us sit out the worst of it.<br />
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After checking in, we had snacks and headed to Eastpoint for oysters, then Apalachicola for ice cream. The town is recovering but some businesses are still closed, more than four months after Hurricane Michael destroyed much of the area.<br />
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Dinner at the Fisherman's Wife in Carrabelle, in for the night, up and we all headed home at 8:30 on Sunday.<br />
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Abut half the 250 mile ride was in a misty rain, then it cleared for me to find my way back to Jacksonville.<br />
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<i>Eric, the generous scooter delivery guy.</i></div>
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<i>Old barn in a field in Newberry</i></div>
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<i>Ken racing along in Newberry.</i></div>
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<i>The boys with one of the police officers in Alice's Restaurant</i></div>
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<i>Jim on the road</i></div>
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<i>Crossing the Suwannee River</i></div>
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<i>Rainstorm</i></div>
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<i>Off the road through the thickest of the rain.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigloWKa_GvFKE6ILTPpOtSmCoeAsoF5Sd7nHNz1lh0UkQkgamKVc3ah4eBLu0s-QiDTDjoAxuSUE-KkQ42qUi7ACxK0Rt9XCESHaZOvD1vbm0r4wfFCJIT8QH8f_MoWyf-izaYJusJlkI/s1600/DSCF3291+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigloWKa_GvFKE6ILTPpOtSmCoeAsoF5Sd7nHNz1lh0UkQkgamKVc3ah4eBLu0s-QiDTDjoAxuSUE-KkQ42qUi7ACxK0Rt9XCESHaZOvD1vbm0r4wfFCJIT8QH8f_MoWyf-izaYJusJlkI/s640/DSCF3291+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Ken getting wet</i></div>
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<i>A blur called Jim.</i></div>
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<i>Oysters at the Lodge in Wakulla.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPnhCqmLSU6ynyHkyj60zWtTrRlfbpy1iTC49aG7ts3I21wbgmGPx90UWwiM0CLPbb3MC6k9Bwn0qXbVBZKNOJRorcTjnKlYF_2qUapgb_dNUd25Xb14hy5N9ycUIVwj_SmejcjVxmBY/s1600/DSCF3305+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPnhCqmLSU6ynyHkyj60zWtTrRlfbpy1iTC49aG7ts3I21wbgmGPx90UWwiM0CLPbb3MC6k9Bwn0qXbVBZKNOJRorcTjnKlYF_2qUapgb_dNUd25Xb14hy5N9ycUIVwj_SmejcjVxmBY/s640/DSCF3305+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>The lodge from the spring</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGScG70MC3qnkuf5YvqE8WKnfJZbKuPNz9e87eVBIKCaNvxFz46ywJy-d0-N1GUwJkhQp9e2dHrcBM7wv-OmNg3lNAGatym3y_KOmnFxI3G_QdheCESsCwXX0By604_E2neB7NCDCb6bo/s1600/DSCF3310+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGScG70MC3qnkuf5YvqE8WKnfJZbKuPNz9e87eVBIKCaNvxFz46ywJy-d0-N1GUwJkhQp9e2dHrcBM7wv-OmNg3lNAGatym3y_KOmnFxI3G_QdheCESsCwXX0By604_E2neB7NCDCb6bo/s640/DSCF3310+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Glass bottom boats.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQ9egV0nK8_P1r6fDNkC9fEORxOhmUOFFGvvy5RztgThKVMTONdb8CxfHkKUBZistD7O40OfykaeZ4fftaern5wZ4VXSEUJds1igfVppFbQX60xi2cU4x1NwLZC-UPuxI5d-oKT9EV-0/s1600/DSCF3322+%2528768x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTQ9egV0nK8_P1r6fDNkC9fEORxOhmUOFFGvvy5RztgThKVMTONdb8CxfHkKUBZistD7O40OfykaeZ4fftaern5wZ4VXSEUJds1igfVppFbQX60xi2cU4x1NwLZC-UPuxI5d-oKT9EV-0/s640/DSCF3322+%2528768x1024%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>Movie poster</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQp9LIzEUoh8RLLUJuI7bdI9w3PM6ddtXJ7XnOz6eB5ekpwRy1oNkXzQpi1v9ibxO-Fj7NblWQSeTQRiIzbnJvSOCqzMB5VCY4vzSiEaL5XeFVJ5WoDannJShCSKZGBQpKjQ84HVmAw5o/s1600/DSCF3332+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQp9LIzEUoh8RLLUJuI7bdI9w3PM6ddtXJ7XnOz6eB5ekpwRy1oNkXzQpi1v9ibxO-Fj7NblWQSeTQRiIzbnJvSOCqzMB5VCY4vzSiEaL5XeFVJ5WoDannJShCSKZGBQpKjQ84HVmAw5o/s640/DSCF3332+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Waiting out the rain at Rocky's on Saturday.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYexkpGS7szuQYTXsQ5TTz4b16prh5egQczJEe3jK2_tJgoCGqqQ-NFzITuymA03H4quLlcFeMuo1ZUrFGgpRjqrjy0EzM6ZJ6ilKtFtr4GpQGH8UNFEvT1rCFflGw7kpD7ypQ-R4hcKs/s1600/DSCF3380+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYexkpGS7szuQYTXsQ5TTz4b16prh5egQczJEe3jK2_tJgoCGqqQ-NFzITuymA03H4quLlcFeMuo1ZUrFGgpRjqrjy0EzM6ZJ6ilKtFtr4GpQGH8UNFEvT1rCFflGw7kpD7ypQ-R4hcKs/s640/DSCF3380+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Finally, Lynn's.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4StUqIFuM45j2FDv2bEGQFO1PJJDzQ3Fb4q88TTfyyr_3PM2bck_YDcG8C_q5vEirqz4cx-2YnrN797iKc_5-eDirDfIjWFFEC9VYMbUoD8QFM5YjfATBoOJ6LAN91I6MTwlvGloBBMI/s1600/DSCF3385+%2528768x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4StUqIFuM45j2FDv2bEGQFO1PJJDzQ3Fb4q88TTfyyr_3PM2bck_YDcG8C_q5vEirqz4cx-2YnrN797iKc_5-eDirDfIjWFFEC9VYMbUoD8QFM5YjfATBoOJ6LAN91I6MTwlvGloBBMI/s640/DSCF3385+%2528768x1024%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>Ken and his oysters.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirI7IdaXM9RQA_L4dAV4r4Ml4-rg0YP9v95e0RAdU1tSDX9647bBxMHKenSHEsZ4nRvbxvWO2eAZPKcd0I_IElKyH65fLRNwfH1a0Swf5WvtBCUqNL71qgIGpbBE_mD6rn5zksrb4O6AE/s1600/DSCF3388+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirI7IdaXM9RQA_L4dAV4r4Ml4-rg0YP9v95e0RAdU1tSDX9647bBxMHKenSHEsZ4nRvbxvWO2eAZPKcd0I_IElKyH65fLRNwfH1a0Swf5WvtBCUqNL71qgIGpbBE_mD6rn5zksrb4O6AE/s640/DSCF3388+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Lynn, Dale and Ken</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aPaOqLV0CVoG86r4-0H0tvjyt6JxBTpWpTYc_LCTNTROFmyfNg7z6GpJEGwFZ3AEt-6_E74rFBJ7Ksyh2uVt7GyDS74_OlJKx3pHFNH177sHenaSYZtVbOrrGyND-3DeT7G341NLUlw/s1600/DSCF3391+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aPaOqLV0CVoG86r4-0H0tvjyt6JxBTpWpTYc_LCTNTROFmyfNg7z6GpJEGwFZ3AEt-6_E74rFBJ7Ksyh2uVt7GyDS74_OlJKx3pHFNH177sHenaSYZtVbOrrGyND-3DeT7G341NLUlw/s640/DSCF3391+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Scooters at Lynn's</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOrgoYFdpmM-WBpdU2kTkufzwzDm6ajliQMBRcLZ-tszyB76JUJL7qT-kgKPrEblwgiDbsAjZXBg88lGUo1Uba53MCLAUhBlvcNmOxDQkGM2pyiYTRNcB6Wv7KmcZw1lq94rjkFKpVhE/s1600/DSCF3394+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOrgoYFdpmM-WBpdU2kTkufzwzDm6ajliQMBRcLZ-tszyB76JUJL7qT-kgKPrEblwgiDbsAjZXBg88lGUo1Uba53MCLAUhBlvcNmOxDQkGM2pyiYTRNcB6Wv7KmcZw1lq94rjkFKpVhE/s640/DSCF3394+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Where we used to eat oysters at Lynn's</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgXGjr2EQ7WAVSdH-kDKOLpmTcnNEwd1tUC2xGF_VSdv8DkOK4cbtl8v6OxvsI_tm0invK43jpOlyQE4Ms58ZyRfUFCGSsgWhmRZIeENB_pR3j5aq-BQ0DP8NhQbB5k_A9oPY3jZ5Z1A/s1600/DSCF3397+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbgXGjr2EQ7WAVSdH-kDKOLpmTcnNEwd1tUC2xGF_VSdv8DkOK4cbtl8v6OxvsI_tm0invK43jpOlyQE4Ms58ZyRfUFCGSsgWhmRZIeENB_pR3j5aq-BQ0DP8NhQbB5k_A9oPY3jZ5Z1A/s640/DSCF3397+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>At the back of Lynn's</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqunrSS6qF5rwNUwOOpUVWmPpS_Ju4_aNYg5mlKgTYNQK7Xvcm5JbhyfrIhjPONnNF_uje_SMbiSMUtCElFCB4CrfcZYdcWqNsxbp_YfAdY4SuOeI0Vrs7D4tu7cV7qA41Az3SDW2clQ/s1600/DSCF3432+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFqunrSS6qF5rwNUwOOpUVWmPpS_Ju4_aNYg5mlKgTYNQK7Xvcm5JbhyfrIhjPONnNF_uje_SMbiSMUtCElFCB4CrfcZYdcWqNsxbp_YfAdY4SuOeI0Vrs7D4tu7cV7qA41Az3SDW2clQ/s640/DSCF3432+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Jim being photographed...</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8D4VqF1hFUaImT5dWIv1AHpCOJ1azm_gMGzpbRjb-Y9EjimuPJSYLXaLFdrpiCp112YMfmcS8zMcemJmCkMblfYeAXPJg48K82jeI6qcGNt34F9XQFPYunnCwtBWUgGJH2n45xpMsBo/s1600/DSCF3433+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8D4VqF1hFUaImT5dWIv1AHpCOJ1azm_gMGzpbRjb-Y9EjimuPJSYLXaLFdrpiCp112YMfmcS8zMcemJmCkMblfYeAXPJg48K82jeI6qcGNt34F9XQFPYunnCwtBWUgGJH2n45xpMsBo/s640/DSCF3433+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>And the fish shoes.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYLO1WOr6k52kwLvAnidmA_ZS9UFid7PH7V4dqRH_Nb3etKJ-gZSpP4CKWyLnPwRJxRHFcslgC2MlIrRL2ShT5LMmTI3A9V8WdIvwDbLdQKjpwH86tin6mg3Q_CrviYFRTX7pHnI0iV4/s1600/DSCF3451+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvYLO1WOr6k52kwLvAnidmA_ZS9UFid7PH7V4dqRH_Nb3etKJ-gZSpP4CKWyLnPwRJxRHFcslgC2MlIrRL2ShT5LMmTI3A9V8WdIvwDbLdQKjpwH86tin6mg3Q_CrviYFRTX7pHnI0iV4/s640/DSCF3451+%25281024x768%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>Rocket was perfect on this ride. Crossed 89,000 miles on the return.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vVq7SL5IBoMO27ZdFockk9SHE3Ko8krCtrxHFsoPwLdc_IbiBGatJc5J_3oQq0t2i6R_cw5cMPWE4TM2csOELSMNPgdx4vc2xgoVVmYpXVa471rHa0ZDT7Ox7g30LtaH3RO1Rjn6CJI/s1600/DSCF3452+%2528768x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5vVq7SL5IBoMO27ZdFockk9SHE3Ko8krCtrxHFsoPwLdc_IbiBGatJc5J_3oQq0t2i6R_cw5cMPWE4TM2csOELSMNPgdx4vc2xgoVVmYpXVa471rHa0ZDT7Ox7g30LtaH3RO1Rjn6CJI/s640/DSCF3452+%2528768x1024%2529.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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<i>The old scooter is still quite speedy. </i></div>
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<i>The total distance was more like 550 miles but this non waterproof GPS</i></div>
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<i>was turned off for much of the trip.</i></div>
<i><br /></i>
<br />Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5741439345411694300.post-47779295152128140342019-02-25T15:39:00.003-05:002019-02-25T15:39:46.179-05:00February AutocrossWith Kylie coming home to visit this weekend, I had decided to skip this month's SCCA autocross at the Fernandina Beach Airport. <br />
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But Sarah and Kylie decided to make Saturday morning a shopping trip to the Town Center that opened up an opportunity for me to race.<br />
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I got up early, collected the Miata from the office garage and headed north.<br />
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It was foggy with a mist in the air the entire way there but I rode with the top down. The car is perfect that way.<br />
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Upon arrival, I found that there were 64 cars entered, about ten more than last month. Several of the regulars had missed the last event and were there this time.<br />
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I ran in the first of two heats. It was raining a light mist on the first run. I had to drive with the windshield wipers on so I could see.<br />
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I was amazed by the grip from the Bridgestone RE71 tires in the rain.<br />
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After two runs I checked the results and found that I was second fastest of the 30+ drivers when the handicap for car performance was used.<br />
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After five runs I had dropped to fifth, but was still very pleased with being so high.<br />
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The last run was the fastest of my six, taking almost a full second off the fastest to that time, and I moved up to third.<br />
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The second run group had novices, but also the Pro class, filled with several of the fastest drivers in the field.<br />
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After their runs I found myself in tenth place out of the 64 and first in my class of three.<br />
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Fast Phil beat me by over half a second. He is a good friend and healthy competitor. I always enjoy comparing my times with his. He almost always wins. <br />
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So, I went from not competing to having one of my best results ever. It turned out to be a great way to spend the day.<br />
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Thank you, Brandon Kilgour, for the photos.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZwdR7wDjVOBPnc3L8dsB27mNkrp8Ku9VO47mkKmwvoMd3cPQ4JUCAPs5UE1070LBtFCBMUcGyuApS5cuKvZoIOhtaMzFrG8slUGcSDsxt46VYais35LA_Co-oiIwrfijniID6XmzSxM/s1600/52571310_10216420718083436_1837058689043791872_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggZwdR7wDjVOBPnc3L8dsB27mNkrp8Ku9VO47mkKmwvoMd3cPQ4JUCAPs5UE1070LBtFCBMUcGyuApS5cuKvZoIOhtaMzFrG8slUGcSDsxt46VYais35LA_Co-oiIwrfijniID6XmzSxM/s640/52571310_10216420718083436_1837058689043791872_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>The first run in the wet conditions.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LstbjnYfueNWygohRfmfS8NSkD_M6eRmGyT13aKFkv24w7WAJvgqsDVexdlf9W6fkVreCtP6QgD9RrwKwvBZJwbh0DZ2S_XUBXFsgHtUN7paHvYpqij7yg6S1T234-YaiuaFD6jGy1s/s1600/53003726_10216420730603749_7602512848916316160_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2LstbjnYfueNWygohRfmfS8NSkD_M6eRmGyT13aKFkv24w7WAJvgqsDVexdlf9W6fkVreCtP6QgD9RrwKwvBZJwbh0DZ2S_XUBXFsgHtUN7paHvYpqij7yg6S1T234-YaiuaFD6jGy1s/s640/53003726_10216420730603749_7602512848916316160_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>At the start of run two. Starter still had his umbrella out.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRiG8TNJro1P2DR09OHexc6Q0j67jJO3rlTOxJoiBWlDQb0FdIMQM5gAcohqI7l0nM_eDjwEDLUyqTCQiOsNdN2eVMODgeZtpPCXhh6GoKZc_r6CByvqNMViA8NXL2F5nLV53QQzEGi4/s1600/52582579_10216420719443470_4244780878024146944_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRiG8TNJro1P2DR09OHexc6Q0j67jJO3rlTOxJoiBWlDQb0FdIMQM5gAcohqI7l0nM_eDjwEDLUyqTCQiOsNdN2eVMODgeZtpPCXhh6GoKZc_r6CByvqNMViA8NXL2F5nLV53QQzEGi4/s640/52582579_10216420719443470_4244780878024146944_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<i>At speed in my little Miata.</i></div>
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<br />Bill Leutholdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05344154257118432221noreply@blogger.com0