key west 2012

[earl G]

big thanks to the new guy. going to be another great ride.

[earl G]

amish buffet is out, maybe next year.

Fort Myers is in.

walk down the street to Mississippi Matt's BBQ or O'Sullivans Irish Tavern.

Saturday AM could take quick ride out to Sanibel Island or Ft Myers beach before heading north.

[madmax-im]

Yeah, that's me... decided to 'break cover' as maximphil indicated. Thanks! Would be great if you could take the K-W ride but we will post some pics along the way.

Wish I could join in...but this event happens right in the middle of the school year and I doubt I'd ever have the time to get away. Good news is that I have 8 weeks of summer vacation!

[Cobia]

SW Hotel

Hey Jeff,
You may want to ask Lon Ross, aka - XS1100_OEM4ME about this area. He's from Ft Myers.
Having lived in the Sarasota area I can tell you that it's probably not very cycle friendly and definitely very expensive.
In my estimation, the Ft Myers area has a lot more to offer as a destination, such as more interesting eateries and attractions like the Edison Mansion/Museum. Ft myers was his second/winter home, quite interesting.
Hotels are more reasonable as well.
JMTCW.....
Phil and I will probably blast back to home base after your stop in FL City.

[JeffH]

Fri Feb3 Hotel Planning

Quick Hotel Update:

We are working on plans for Friday February 3rd. Starting off Feb3 in Florida City, with couple hours ride to Seafood Festival in Everglades City (with stop at the alligator pit for some entertainment and break). After lunch and Cuban Coffee stop in Everglades City we plan to head to Sarasota which is about 3 1/2 + hours ride. (* or North Ft Myers see option below)

Since we get into Sarasota around dark it might be better to stay at AmericInn at I-75 exit 210 / Fruitville Rd. AmericInn is only 4 miles to Yoder's or Troyers Amish Buffet but motel costs $104 +tax. Cheaper $70 motels are on US41 south of the airport but the Friday night traffic getting there could be nasty. From the Sarasota US41 motels it is 7 miles on US41/US301 in traffic to Troyers on Bahia Vista St for dinner. AmericInn more expensive but much less traffic hassle with easy drive to Amish restaurants.

However, Friday night in FLA peak season - in best areas - is extremely expensive. If we skip Sarasota and the Amish Buffet we could maybe stay at North Fort Myers EconoLodge or Days Inn on US41 for about $50 bucks. Then walk down the street to Mississippi Matt's BBQ or O'Sullivans Irish Tavern. That saves 70 miles ride at dusk to Sarasota. If we took this option then on Saturday AM could take quick ride out to Sanibel Island or Ft Myers beach before heading north.

Any suggestions or preferences from the K-W Riders group?? Maybe some SW FLA XSives can join us Friday night !

[JeffH]

finally broke cover

Hey... is this the same Jeff who we rode with at the XSive riders rally? He is a great rider on that Triumph too... Welcome Jeff...

Yeah, that's me... decided to 'break cover' as maximphil indicated. Thanks! Would be great if you could take the K-W ride but we will post some pics along the way.

[madmax-im]

Yeah Jeff breaks cover Welcome to the forum. Wish I could join in this fun ride.
Phil

+1 there Phil...

[madmax-im]

Hey... is this the same Jeff who we rode with at the XSive riders rally? He is a great rider on that Triumph too... Welcome Jeff...

[MaximPhil]

Thanks TC for admitting Jeff H to the XS owners association.
He is not qualified as VP since he does not own an XS/XJ. But he has ridden one and I believe he wants one. (I even caught him looking at mine the other day).

He is jetmech Marty's cousin and comes highly recommended as a good rider, traveling companion and generally nice guy...(especially by Russ with his head on straight.)

Indeed a fine addition to XS11. Jeff rescued me when i broke my ribs and gave Addie a home for last winter. Having delivered Addie to Buffalo he certainly has ridden an XS1100.
Phil

[Brent]

Cousin Jeff

Thanks TC for admitting Jeff H to the XS owners association.
He is not qualified as VP since he does not own an XS/XJ. But he has ridden one and I believe he wants one. (I even caught him looking at mine the other day).

He is jetmech Marty's cousin and comes highly recommended as a good rider, traveling companion and generally nice guy...(especially by Russ with his head on straight.)

As I wrote "Earl knows the way and Jeff is good with his GPS phone, etc.." I see this trip is shaping up to be another good one. The road, A1A north & south of Flagler beach is Great; National wildlife refuge, right along the beach...Dunes, sea oats,,., That may be about as far south as I go this year, but a feel sure the ride will be well done.

[MaximPhil]

Yeah

Yeah Jeff breaks cover Welcome to the forum. Wish I could join in this fun ride.
Phil

[JeffH]

Key West Trip - Motel Recap

*** Key West 2012 Trip Status Update ***

Hope you can join us for some or all of the XS11 2012 Key West Ride this year. Complexity is we are not yet sure who is planning to join the ride, but so far it looks like 3 bikes 2-up and maybe 5 solo for the entire trip –plus- some from S FLA will join us for the south FLA portion of the ride. IF you are trailering down from the Northlands, trailer parking available at Don’s in Tallahassee (off I-10) and at motel in Kingsland GA (I-95). So you can ‘plan’, here is a brief summary of what has been assembled so far. This year we are planning a more relaxed ride with time to see a few sights, have a couple picnics, socialize along the way, arrive motel in time to enjoy the water before sunset and of course talk about the mighty XS11. You if think you can join us then don’t wait till its too late. Make your Room Reservations asap since Jan-Feb is peak season in Florida (rooms I block guaranteed will be HELD only till mid-Jan so call to get your room setup) at these locations:

Friday Night January 27
Days Inn $45 advance purchase online or $58 refundable
Kingsland GA
I-95 exit 3 just north of FLA state line
1353 Highway 40 East, Kingsland, GA, US, 31548

https://www.daysinn.com

Direct phone is: 912-729-7666
Most of ride group will assemble here Fri night (or meet up with us Sat AM in Jacksonville Beach)

Saturday Night January 28
Topaz Inn $65+tax Double or King
Flagler Beach FL
Mom & Pop across A1A from Beach
1224 South Oceanside Blvd Flagler Beach FL

http://www.topazflaglerbeachfl.com/

Call motel at: 1.800.555.4735 to make your reservation (mention XS11 Group)
4 Doubles and 3 Kings listed under XS11 Group / Jeff Hallberg
You can Cancel up to January 25th if you need to cancel

Sunday Night January 29
Monterey Inn and Marina $71 + tax (king room is $87)
Stuart FL
300 SW Monterey Road • Stuart, FL 34994
Office: (772) 283-3500

http://www.montereyinnandmarina.com/

4 Doubles and 3 Kings listed under XS11 Group (mention XS11 Group)
Can cancel up to January 15th if you need to cancel
They have BBQ Grill by the Marina we can use if we want to burn some burgers + for dinner!

Monday Night January 30
Boatel Houseboats
Key Largo FL
U.S. 1 to mile marker 103.5 next to Hideout Restaurant and http://www.thefloatinginn.com/

http://keylargohouseboat.com

*** Don’t Call KeyLargoHouseboats since I have already Booked 3 Houseboats. 2 Small and 1 jumbo. Our two small boats are already claimed so we can hold up to 6 people in the big boat. If you don’t like this and want to make your own reservation the Floating Inn is only about 25 ft away from the houseboats.

Tuesday Night January 31 and Wednesday Night Feb 1
Spanish Gardens $109 +tax
Key West FL
1325 Simonton Street, Key West, FL 33040
(305) 294-1051 / Toll Free: 1-888-898-1051
http://spanishgardensmotel.com
4 Doubles and 3 Kings listed under XS11 Motorcycle Group (mention XS11 Motorcycle group)
Can cancel up to January 25th if you need to cancel

Thursday Night February 2
Travelodge $89 +tax
Florida City FL
300 SW Monterey Road • Stuart, FL 34994
* stayed here last year and was good + Thurs PM can go to Everglades Park from here out to Flamingo if you want
Phone 1 (800) 758 0618

http://www.tlflcity.com/#axzz1h6gLyI8I

http://www.travelodge.com/hotels/florida/florida-city/travelodge-florida-city-homestead-everglades/hotel-overview?brand_code=TL&hotel_id=08844

Friday Feb 3
We plan to stop for Lunch at Seafood Festival at Everglades City. After lunch we plan ride northwest up to Sarasota for dinner at the Amish All You Can Eat Buffet! No specific plans yet for Friday Night Motel but looking for a decent $75 buck type place close to the Amish Buffet.

Hope this summary helps! Just trying to avoid the "oh, I wish I had known sooner" problem. If you have Questions / Comments / Want more Info, you can leave me an e-message or email me (Jeff) direct at: xs11ride@laser134.com

[earl G]

e mail from jeff

Earl,

I have been looking for Motel Options for Sunday night January 29. Somewhere in the Fort Pierce to Stuart area seems to make a good target.

Stuart area for Sunday night would give us time to have a nice ride / explore day on Sunday starting around Ormond or Daytona. Hopefully 'Redshirt' can lead the Sunday Ride for us and with the 'local knowledge' plan some interesting stops and lunch stop or picnic place as we go down A1A or US1 past Canaveral and out to Cocoa Beach toward Ft Pierce. Stuart will also be a great launching point for ride on Monday AM over to Pahokee then down US27 so we can get checked-in at the Boatel houseboats by 3pm so group has time use to paddle boats or enjoy the water for awhile before it gets dark.

Two options: #1 stay in a chain place like Days Inn on US1 in Fort Pierce for about $65 bucks. -or- Spend a bit more money and Stay in Stuart. The Monterey Inn & Marina on the St Lucie River / Inter-Coastal Waterway is $100 bucks double and $109 for King. Maybe with 5-6 rooms we might be able to get a bit lower price. http://www.montereyinnandmarina.com/...togallery.html (722.283.3500) if you want to check them out. fyi - the A1A Beach area is mainly Hyatt-Hilton-Marriott expensive resorts. If anybody has any other ideas / suggestions we can check them out too.

Price is not that all that critical for those of us that are splitting the cost of a room. However for others (like the 2up's), $100 vs $60 is the bucks that could a room plus cover dinner and some gas. Sunset at the motel / marina on the ICW in Stuart would be nice as long as that doesn't start making the trip too expensive. Thoughts from the group?? I'm ok either way. I group wants will call Monterey Inn & Marina to see if we can shave $5 - $10 bucks off the rate - but it is high season or call others if there are any suggestions. Just need some guidance on this one!


Trip start date is coming up fast. Jeff H

[MaximPhil]

I am envious already and you guys have not even left yet
Roll on the lottery win
Phil

[ELDR]

I didn't see Jeff's email post until after I reserved at the Floating Inn, The Boatel was fully booked, likely by Jeff. So we reserved at the Floating Inn. I can cancel my reservation if one of the small boats is available.

Ted and Heather