Florida's NEW Meet and Greet Section.

[Cpope]

TKS BK for taking the time to line up our own Florida Thread.

OK Guys now we can post all our Florida Trips in here.

Maybe some MOD can move all our old Meet and Greet threads and Florida Riders into this area. Thanks again Brenden.

CPope did the Oct ride
DL.65L did the Nov ride
Dec was skipped
Victrom did the Jan ride

Feb ride? Step up to the plate

March will be held by Lou Whitney (motoxusa) on the 25 of March,

[motoxusa]

I have already laid-out the route for the March 25th Meet & Greet.

We will meet at Kazbor's Sports Grill, 1640 East Highway 50 in Clermont (28 32.848N 81 43.531W) at 11am. We can spend some time socializing, and those wishing to eat may do so. We'll target 12:30 to get on the road. The first half will be around several of the beautiful Clermont area lakes, with many winding roads and elevations included. At the mid-point we'll stop at the infamous Yalaha Bakery for coffee and pastries, or just a rest. We can also top off our gas tanks just down the road from the bakery. The second half will be north, west, and south of the Clermont area. The ride will end up at Chucktaw Willy's BBQ in Groveland. The entire route is 105 miles. Click on this link to download the GPX waypoints file for the ride. http://www.prosportsusa.com/V-StromMeet5b.gpx

Send me an e-mail at lou@prosportsusa.com or post a reply on this forum if you plan to attend.

The following people plan to attend:

Charlie P.
Lou
Brian
David
Becky
Lew
Greg
Charlie E. + Guest
Jet Jaguar
Marco & Wife
Stephen
John S.
Jim
Victor
Sandshark
Dick
Hal
Mike
Mark

PS - I rode the route today and have decided to eliminate the dirt roads....way too sandy.

[JetJaguar]

I'll probably (90% certain) be able to make the March ride.

[Chastrom]

Count me in for the March ride.

Can non-Vstromers attend?

Charlie E.

[motoxusa]

Yes, non V-Stromer's are welcome, We usually have a couple on our rides.

[Mael-Strom]

Me too, me too, with wiffy.

Ciao
Marco

[motoxusa]

Marco....It will be good to see you and your wife again. I know you'll enjoy the ride. We need to have a Meet & Greet in your area soon. Maybe you could lay one out for us. We'll talk about it when we see you.

[Trooper246]

If I can switch shifts I will be there also. As of right now I am on duty the 25th. :cry:

[JRShaw]

I'm going to see if I can get free for the 25th ride. I'll be solo as my wife does not like riding on the V-Strom. She much prefers the 'other' bike for riding two up. Sounds like a fun trip. Hope to see all again.

[Victrom]

Hi Lou,

Glad to see that our forum has grown. Charlie, looks like your wish of seeing 15 Vstroms together might happen sooner than you thought! Looking foward to meeting & greeting all on the 25th.


VICTROM

[motoxusa]

Victor.....Glad you're going to make it on the 25th.

[Cpope]

Lou, I think Dick will ride over with me and maybe 1 other, but Dick for sure. Can't wait. This time we need to set up a time during the ride to take individual pictures of riders on their Stroms so we can get a good list going with riders and bikes. Maybe during one of the stops early in the ride.

[pinkman]

I'm planning on either being there or being square.

[subagon]

Plan to attend unless work goes into criss mode :roll:

Mike
Tampa, FL
DL650K5

[motoxusa]

Pinkman wrote....I'm planning on either being there or being square.

We still need to get together and ride one of these days, but weekends seems to be the worst for me, and you work during the week.

[JRShaw]

Just got my parole for the day so I will be at the ride/meet/eat on the 25th. Most likely will be there before 11:00 to get ready for all of the lie swapping. Did I say that ? I meant the socializing and true tales. See all then. Maybe I'll have my new rear rack that I was able to aquire from (T-T) Eric during Bikeweek. I'm really looking forward to the electrified tank bag from SW-Moto. should be out around July from what I learned talking to the mfg'r. Cya soon.

[Trooper246]

Jim,

I also ordered the rear rack while at Bike week. Eric also sold me on that kick-a$$ Stebel air horn. I should get my rack this week but I have to add a connector for the Givi top box lights.

[JRShaw]

Stephen;
Are you going to make the ride on the 25th? If so we can compare 'farkles'. Cya in Clermont.

Jim :D

[Cpope]

LOu, I don't work all this week, hollar at me. C

[Trooper246]

Stephen;
Are you going to make the ride on the 25th? If so we can compare 'farkles'. Cya in Clermont.

Jim :D

Jim,

I am trying. As of right now I don't have anyone to work for me on Saturday. I'll know more when I get to the station this week.

Steve :cry:

[Mael-Strom]

Buongiorno y'all !

Anyone getting on location the Friday night ? I will and maybe we could have a pre-M&G.
I'm also looking for a nice clean and economical hotel for the night.
Please advise.
Look forwad to this weekend!

Ciao

Marco

P.S. farklewise, I just installed the Rox risers, the trip will be the chance to test the new riding position and finetune it.

[JRShaw]

Was really hoping to have the racks mounted this weekend, but alack and alas both racks are the wrong ones. They will be going back. Too bad, I was really looking forward to trying them out on a longer ride. See all Saturday in Clermont.

Marco, PM me here and/or read my PM to you on the other site.

Jim

[Cpope]

Lou Whitney and I went for a short jaunt today, Lou left Clermont around 9am and picked me up at 10, we headed up the back roads to Micanopy for lunch. We rode around Lake Rousseau, stopped at Rainbow Springs, thru the Horse farms of Ocala enroute to Micanopy. Sorry no pictures but fighting the rain and 30 mph wind and higher gust we just were lucky to stay on the road. A few times I though we were going to be blowned away. Had a nice lunch and headed home thru some great sweepers and twisties. The wind and rain kept us under the speed limit as did the cop that wanted to follow Lou for a while. Nice horse farms and very little traffic. The only bad thing was the wind and rain. Great ride. Thanks Lou. Maybe next time you will leave the wind and rain at Clermont. See ya Saturday.

Charlie

[Chastrom]

Lou

Can you find us some off road, even if it is very light? I was looking forward to that part of the ride since quiet frankly I need a lot of practice in the off stuff and wanted to learn from the more experienced riders.

Got the smoke screen, engine guard and crash bars but they won't get here in time for ride. I think.

It will be quite a sight to see so many Stromers together. Missed most of you guys in Bike Week as I was only able to attend one day.

Charlie E.

[motoxusa]

Charlie E....

The off-road portions that I had orignally selected were among the easiest that I could find, but without any rain for the past three weeks, they have become very sandy. We will have at least one riding two up, and a couple more that will not ride off-road. The V-Strom does well on hard-packed roads, but is very twichy in sand....take my word for it.

I will make up some maps with instruction for those of you that want to take on the challenge, but I would advise against it if you haven't had much experience running in sand with a V-Strom. The front end loves to dive into the sand, especially when you're going slow. The roads in question would require at least 45 miles an hour to keep you on top of the loose sand, and even then the front end wanders.

Here's what happens to big bikes in deep sand.

http://ebardp48.smugmug.com/photos/59555646-M.jpg

I would be more than happy to lay out an adventure ride in the future, that would incorporate a lot of off-road, but we'll need some rain first. Let me know how many would be interested in this type of ride?

[Chastrom]

Lou

Point more than well taken.

Thank you. See you Saturday.

If in the future you do put together an off road trip, perhaps a little camping or fishing, count me in.

[JetJaguar]

I'd be interested in a dual sport ride. The number of bikes would be much smaller, but I don't think there's anything necessarily wrong with that. Another possibility would be to work in an optional off-road branch in a ride. That way the riders who don't want to do it can take the road around and meet up again on the other side.

These V-Strom meets are real informal affairs, anyone who wanted to step up and organize a DS ride can do so. I'd do it myself if I were a better off-road rider. I don't think I have enough dirt experience to lead a group right now. Besides, I don't really know any good place to go. The only decent place I've been is the Bull Creek wildlife management area, off 192 about halfway between St. Cloud and Melbourne, but there isn't much in the area. At least there's a sign at the entrance that reads "off-road vehicles recommended beyond this point" that would be a good group photo spot.

Last time I was there was last summer, a buddy of mine on his BMW 1150GS and I rode there after we had gotten a ton of rain in the days before. The conditions were good, not much sand, but the swamps were high and there were a few footpeg-deep streams cutting the trail that we crossed. Eventually we reached a point where it was completely flooded out for at least a couple of hundred yards. We waded out and the water was knee-deep, and it was hard to tell where the road went exactly. We could hear someone in a Jeep or something trying to come towards us from the other side and it sounded like he was struggling. If we were in the middle of Kazakhstan being followed by a documentary crew and on bikes paid for by the BBC, we would have gone for it, but we turned back. (Sorry about the poor quality of the pics, I took them with my cell phone and the lens was extremely dirty.)

http://forum.motorcycle-usa.com/attach.aspx/6049/end_of_road.jpg

http://forum.motorcycle-usa.com/attach.aspx/6050/wading.jpg

[jeanmarcfla]

I just met the forum, riding my new DL1000K5 in Miami. I hope to be part of the next "meet and greet" and meet you all!!

[SUV_Strom]

Hi Lou,

Pencil me in. I was looking for some place to ride this weekend.

Greg

(hmmm, thought I joined this group a year ago but I couldn't find me. Sux getting old. :cry: )

[Cpope]

Welcome you new riders, hope to meet you all tomorrow.

[pinkman]

Thanks for the nice ride guys!

[SUV_Strom]

I'll second that. Also, nice meeting everybody.

Greg

[subagon]

Great ride :D

If web space is needed for the pictures taken of each rider, let me know. I have a server on the web and can create a subdomain off of my domain.

Mike
Tampa, FL
DL650K5

[Cpope]

Great ride Lou, very nice roads. Thanks for putting this one together.
Somebody step to the plate for April or May.

Thanks everybody, great ride.

Who ever has thoughts of putting one together,
Email me for some time frames to go with the ride.
cpope3@tampabay.rr.com

Anybody have any pictures they want posted send them to me.

[JRShaw]

Made it back home with no issues. Good ride guys, had a good time. April is going to be iffy for me as I know we have family coming down for an extended time period. Grandsons win every time over anything else, sorry. We are looking at the get together in May up at the IronHorse (Deals Gap) 05.18.03 to 05.21.06. I tthink Marco and Isa are also planning on attending. Anybody else? Most likely will trailer up. Might have space on trailer for one more bike. Thanks again for the ride and fellowship, great putting faces with the names.
If you are in my area, jrshaw950@earthlink.net or 386-478-3049 cell.

[foneguy_dd]

Crapski...........Looks like I missed out on another great ride! Hey Lou, did you get some new body parts or is Charlies pic just not showing the damage?? C-ya guys next time. Doug

[Cpope]

Missed you also Doug, I didn't have anybody to call Jim, ha-ha See ya next time.

[motoxusa]

I hope everyone had a good time. I know I did. Even though I've travel the route many times, I always enjoy it, and I hope everyone else did as well. I really enjoyed the chats we had in the morning, and those at the Yalaha Bakery. Sorry about the enexpected closing of Choctaw Willy's, but those that rode up to Sonny's BBQ had a great meal, and we did some serious bonding.

We still need a volunteer for next months ride. If anyone out there is willing, contact Charlie Pope at cpope3@tampabay.rr.com . Charlie, I'll volunteer to be sweeper next time.

[Trooper246]

And so I missed another great ride! :x

Who was that I saw heading northbound on the turnpike in Palm Beach around 0630 yesterday? I was heading southbound.

Steve

[Cpope]

Steve, check out the pics, see if you recognize anyone.

[FRANK]

THANKS TO ALL FOR MAKING ME FEEL LIKE PART OF THE V-STROM GANG.
I I KNOW....I KNOW.... GOT TO LOOK FOR A V-STROM RIGHT?
HOPE TO RIDE WITH YOU GUYS AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.

FRANK

[Cpope]

:lol: :lol:
welcome Frank

[motoxusa]

Greg sent me a great panorama picture of us at the Yalaha Bakery. He also created a Quicktime Movie of the same picture that you can pan with your mouse. It's at http://www.bizwebsusa.com/vstrom/photos.htm

[Trooper246]

Steve, check out the pics, see if you recognize anyone.

Charlie,
It must not have been one of the group. This was a silver DL with Jesse like panniers. The guy saw me going south and did a long double-take and waved. I believe he had a yellow helmet on.

Steve

[RodK]

Thanks guys. I had a great time. Wonderful route. If anyone wants to do Pasco-Hernando-Citrus, I know the roads up there pretty well.

Rod
Red 650
Riverview, FL

[JetJaguar]

Sorry I missed the ride, something came up at the last minute. I'll be sure to catch the next one.

[Victrom]

Lou,

Thanx for such a great ride. The day, the roads, the stops....everything was great!! looking fwd to the next M&G.

[Victrom]

Thanks guys. I had a great time. Wonderful route. If anyone wants to do Pasco-Hernando-Citrus, I know the roads up there pretty well.

Rod
Red 650
Riverview, FL

That is great! organize the next one or the one after. The month of April and all the rest of the months are open. Remember all you need is a well mapped route, (we can help with that) a Meet and Greet spot and a place to end the ride. The ride should be approx. 100 mi +- with a mid stopping point with space for photo opps. Email Charlie for time frame and post it! A good Strommer is always looking for a good excuse to ride. Or any excuse for that matter. :lol:

Whoever has thoughts of putting one together,
Email Charlie for some time frames to go with the ride.
cpope3@tampabay.rr.com

[subagon]

If anyone wants to do Pasco-Hernando-Citrus, I know the roads up there pretty well.L

Rod,

Want to get together and hammer out a route?

[RodK]

If anyone wants to do Pasco-Hernando-Citrus, I know the roads up there pretty well.L

Rod,

Want to get together and hammer out a route? That's a deal Mike. Is April 15 OK with everyone?

Rod

[motoxusa]

April 15 or 22 is ok for me. Looking forward to seeing everyone again. :lol:

[Cpope]

April 15th is great, all other weekends are full up with softball tournaments. Email me for some time frames. Go to it guys.
I also live in Citrus so I can help if needed.

[Chastrom]

Thanks for the super great ride guys, it was really something!

Never knew Florida had such beautilful scenery around there.

Can't wait for the next one. Yes, yes, I know, I'll stick to the rear next time! Just give me a map and directions to where you are waiting (I hope)

[Mael-Strom]

This is a copy-and-paste from the RapidForum.

Finally a moment of peace to post on the forum.
YEAH BABY ! ! !
By the time I got home I was frozen solid, Isa was cussing me in spanish at rapid fire for crossing from the Turnpike to I95, but we liked it a lot !
At the end of the day my GPS logged a total of 646 miles, averaging 63MpH.
We had a little accident with the camera, the disk got somehow damaged and we lost a few pictures, but most of them were saved and I'll send them to good ol' Charlie to be posted. Many of them were taked DURING the ride, so we see a nice double line of Stroms, the lake running by us and so on and so forth.
Very kind of Jim to host us for the night, we enjoyed his company and Mary Ann's as well. I hope I didn't scare him off with my sense of humor

We have to do it again !

I got an e-mail today from another owner in the Miami-Dade County, trying to put together a sub-group of south floridians, let's see how it goes.
I keep thinking where can I take you guys for a ride down here, but I can't find any decent amount of curves in one spot ( well, yeah: the beach, but I wasn't talking about THEM curves!), or nice places close enough to make them POI in one ride.
There's a particular area in Miami, the A1A in Ft. Lauderdale all the way to Boca, or how about a tipical So.Fla. landscape and we cross the Alligator Alley ? Kinda dull, I think.
How about Alligator Alley to I27 and North to Lake Ockeechobee?
Or maybe the other way around, and end the trip on A1A?
Another alternative could be heading futher South, all the way to Islamorada? Lunch at Alabama Jack, conch fritter central?
So many choices, so little time !
See you all soon.

[JRShaw]

How ' bout for the next ride we start a new thread to distinguish from existing rides. I could make a ride on the 15th, but not the 22nd. Cya!!!!

You are very welcome Marco and Isa, anytime mi casa es su casa. Still working on the May trip to NC. Trailer is coming along nicely.

Later in the spring or early summer, I'll try to put together something over here in the Daytona/NSB area. Anybody in the area want to help?

Jim

[Victrom]

Hi guys!!

Glad to see that ideas and suggestions for the next M&G are been posted. Personaly the 15th is best for me. Remember we have the Leesburg bike Fest going on the 28th to the 30th. I try not to take 2 weekends for myself in a row. It's in my best interest to keep everyone in the family happy :wink:

[Chastrom]

Jim

How about the Deland Corridor? and th eloop combined into one.

I know they are not as curvy as perhaps the group would like, but they make for great rides.

Charlie E.

[Chastrom]

Trying to work on schedule, but looks iffy that I may make the April ride.

[JRShaw]

Let's talk about that idea. I'll send ou a PM.

[Chastrom]

I see no new posts. Have we moved? How was the April ride?

[Cpope]

April ride was really great, only 8 bikes but a speedy ride that left 1 dumb a$$ rider off the road, but super ride never the less. Next one should be aroun mid June. Somebody step up.