2013 Gulf Coast Ride

[JeffH]

2013 Gulf Coast Ride


Dates: Friday March 1st to Sunday March 10th, 2013

Meet: Friday March 1st in Tallahassee, FL (as always, trailer parking is available at Don’s)

Ride: Depart Tallahassee @ 10:00 AM on Saturday March 2nd

General Route: Along the Gulf Coast from Apalachicola FL to Galveston TX

Destination: Galveston, TX (two nights likely Tues night 3/5 and Wed night 3/6)

Likely Stops (tbd): Pensacola, New Orleans, maybe Venice, New Iberia, Galveston, Lafayette, Slidell. Want to hug the Gulf Coast as much as practical out to Galveston TX, then ride the Mississippi River road south of Baton Rouge and maybe check out how Tabasco is made. Probably should include dinner at Prejean’s in Lafayette too!

Just some easy Riding and Eating with a few interesting or scenic or historic stops along the way .

So, join us for the entire ride or join us just for a couple days. March 1-10 is before the madhouse Spring Break begins. By early March southern Louisiana can start getting nice, warm and green.

Post here or PM me if you are interested.

Jeff

[foreda]

Venice

If you are planning to go to Venice, you will just have to turn around and come back the way you came. One road in, one road out! Ya'll pick me up in Crowley or I can meet ya'll in Kaplan if you want to go the scenic route.

[JeffH]

NOo Feb Key West ride for 2013

Ya'll pick me up in Crowley or I can meet ya'll in Kaplan if you want to go the scenic route.

That would be Great!
We are working on the trip details.

EarlG is going and Don plus Brent will likely join us Fri-Sat-Sun both weekends. Others still planning their time off. It is likely that Saturday Mar 2 we will ride due south from Tallahassee and pickup the Gulf Coast along US98 / US319 then ride west into Pensacola. 288 miles Sunday Mar 3 take the Dauphin Island Ferry across Mobile Bay then poke along US90 into New Orleans. 215 miles Entire Gulf Coast Ride -Tallahassee-Galveston-Tallahassee is approx 2,000 miles

Since we have gone to Key West over five years in a row we wanted to take a different XS Group ride this year. So, No 2013 Key West ride

Last time I rode from Corpus Christi east along the Gulf I met up with Brent Fri night in Lafayette and dinner at Prejean's. Brent rode in from Atlanta and met Don & I. That worked out great with a Saturday afternoon ride down the Mississippi River Road with tour of Antebellum Mansion.

I'm planning to take LA82 thru Grand Chenier and Cameron. That is a great ride! That may be Mon the 4th. May even do it on the return say Thurs 7th or Fri the 8th

Hope you can join us! Your input and local knowledge would make the ride more fun -plus- we are always on the hunt for some good eats.....

Jeff

[JeffH]

Revised 2013 Gulf Coast Ride Start Date

Gotta CHANGE the Gulf Coast Ride Dates sorry! Hope this is not a problem. I have already contacted those that expressed interest in the ride. They are all ok with moving the ride start date forward by a couple weeks into mid-February.


New Dates are: meet in Tallahassee Friday February 15th and ride till Sunday February 24th


Same agenda as originally posted, just an earlier start date. Start in Tallahassee Florida Saturday AM February 16th and ride the Gulf Coast over to Galveston Texas. Want to get in as much Cajun and Bayou as we can. Will get to do that twice as we head west through Louisiana then as we return east through Louisiana. About 1,000 miles each way. Join us for the entire ride or ride along for whatever portion of the journey you like. For some variety, this year instead of riding to Key West we are going to do some sightseeing along the Gulf Coast. Hope you can join us!! Post if you are interested!! If needed, secure Vehicle - Trailer Parking is available at Don's just north of Tallahassee on US27.

Jeff

[JeffH]

Countdown: 88 Days

Here is a brief update on our 2013 Gulf Coast Ride. Friday Feb 15th to Sunday Feb 24th

1st Draft Itinerary is posted below. Plenty of opportunities to join the group for a night or a couple days of riding!

Plan to see some wildlife on Avery Island

Check out an Antebellum Mansion along the Mississippi River

Have one of many Cajun dinners (this one in Lafayette)


Fri Feb 15th: Overnight in Tallahassee
(trailer parking at Don’s if needed)

Sat Feb 16th: Depart Tallahassee and head south to Sopchoppy then ride along the Gulf of Mexico westbound. Lunch at St. George Island. Overnight at Fort Walton Beach.
~ 230 miles

(central time zone: Sunrise ~ 6:30AM Sunset ~ 6PM) Days are planned to limit any riding after dark.

Sun Feb 17th: Depart Fort Walton Beach along Gulf Coast. Take Dauphin Island Ferry across Mobile Bay. Hit the slots in Biloxi then overnight in Slidell.
~230 miles

Mon Feb 18th: Depart Slidell, spend $3 bucks to ride over world’s longest over water bridge, check out the cafe' au lait and beignets at Café du Monde, Bourbon St as group decides. Likely overnight in New Iberia.
~200 miles

Tues Feb 19th: Depart New Iberia, maybe have Tabasco stop at Avery Island, Ride LA82 along Gulf. Take ferry from Port Bolivar into Galveston. Overnight in Galveston.
~250 miles

Wed Feb 20th: Explore Galveston or just hangout

Thu Feb 21st: Depart Galveston and ride eastbound as group decides either back along coast or inland. Likely overnight in Lafayette with dinner at Prejean’s
~250 miles

Friday Feb 22nd: Depart Lafayette and check out Bayou and take River Road along the Mississippi River. Stop at Antebellum Mansion if group is interested. Chance to do what we missed going westbound. (could overnight in Venice at the mouth of the Mississippi if group is interested)
~150 to 200 miles

Saturday Feb 23rd: tbd (overnight likely between Slidell and Mobile)

Sunday Feb 24th: return to Tallahassee or ride home
~250 miles on I-10

So, that's the update.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Jeff

[BA80]

I would LOVE to do that ride Jeff but 2 weeks off work is a little outside my realm of reality at this time.

Goin' on my bucket list though.

[MaximPhil]

I would LOVE to do that ride Jeff but 2 weeks off work is a little outside my realm of reality at this time.

Goin' on my bucket list though.

Hi Jeff,
Like Greg I would love to join in this ride but also can not.
Phil

[Brent]

part of the tour??

I would LOVE to do that ride Jeff but 2 weeks off work is a little outside my realm of reality at this time.

Goin' on my bucket list though.

Hi Greg, and others with limited time for touring,,,
Go on just part of this tour; beginning, middle, end, or combinition.
This bunch has been pretty reliable about meeting each morning starting place and time. Makes it easy to meet up & ride with them for a day or two. Some have even met them for just dinner. I have met and ridden with them on two consecutive weekends. Skipped the TX part, but made AL, MS, then LA. Food, backroads, mansion, River road, been there done that, but it was SO good...I am going to try & make it again..At least Parts of it.

[JeffH]

Time to Book the Rooms!!

Here is the Motel lineup for the Gulf Coast: Florida Pan Handle - Alabama - Mississippi - Louisiana - Texas ride Feb 15-24.

Criteria used: #1- not a known flea bag joint #2- can easily CANCEL your Reservation up to 1 day before the stay #3- even with 'snowbird' pricing, rooms at somewhat reasonable cost #4- Bike security #5- restaurant proximity

If you are interested in ANY or ALL of the nights I'd highly recommend making your reservation NOW. Can cancel later if needed. Feb 'is' in snowbird season so rooms book quick and prices go up.


Friday February 15th Microtel $55 ($46 if you book now)
3216 North Monroe Tallahassee Florida ( just north of I-10 on US27 )
Phone 850.562.8611 www.microtelinn.com

Saturday February 16th Super 8 $50+ tax
333 Miracle Strip Pkwy Fort Walton Beach Florida
Ph: 850.243.1928 or 800.454.3213 www.super8.com

Sunday February 17th Quality Inn & Suites AAA rate $72 + tax
8400 I-10 Service Road New Orleans I-10 exit 242 @ Crowder Blvd
Phone: 504.302.7300 www.qualityinn.com
• Don’t worry: No valet parking here, No parking garage here – but we can safely park in front of room

Monday February 18th Days Inn & Suites $80 + tax
611 Queen Drive jct. US90 & LA14 New Iberia, Louisiana
Ph: 337.560.9500 www.daysinn.com

Tuesday February 19th Gaido’s Seaside Inn Downstairs Room = $59 and Upstairs (w/ view) = $69
3828 Seawall Blvd, Galveston Texas
Phone: 409.762.9625 http://www.gaidosseaside.com/
Food: will probably walk over to Casey's for dinner

Wednesday February 20th (SAME place as Tuesday night)
Gaido’s Seaside Inn Downstairs Room = $59 and Upstairs (w/view) = $69
3828 Seawall Blvd, Galveston Texas
Phone: 409.762.9625 http://www.gaidosseaside.com/
Food: may walk over to Gaido's for lunch if McD's doesn't float u'r boat

Thursday February 21st LaQuinta $49+ tax
2100 Northeast Evangeline Thruway Lafayette, Louisiana
1-337-233-5610 www.lq.com

Friday February 22nd Super 8 $76 + tax
2010 Old Spanish Trail Slidell, Louisiana
Phone: 985.641.4147 www.super8.com
Dinner maybe at: www.southsidecafe.net

Saturday February 23rd
Still working on this one. Maybe Biloxi, Mississippi but high rise Casino’s not good for bikes. Will post this night after some research on Motels and Buffets. May just go to another less glamorous town further east and get a $$ value room + dinner. btdt

So far it looks like 6 or 7 are taking the entire ride and others will be joining along the way as their schedule allows. Join us if you can!!

Jeff

[earl G]

booked all hotels. took the upstairs at gaido's seaside inn, see the sunrise over the gulf.

thanks jeff for putting this together.

about two months to go.

[JeffH]

FLA-AL-MS-LA-TX Gulf ride

Here is the motel for the last night of the Gulf Coast ride (Feb23). All the other motels for Feb15 to Feb22 were already posted.

This place is south of I-10 exit 35 on the east side of Mobile Bay on AL42 / US98. Has some walking distance restaurant options down the street. Sunday ride for those heading back to Don's in Tallahassee is 250 miles. Back to Atlanta is 350 miles.

Saturday February 23rd Microtel $76
29050 US Highway 98
Daphne, AL 36526 US
Phone: 251-621-7807 www.microtelinn.com

Hopefully some Louisiana & Mississippi & Alabama Weekend Warriors can join us for Fri Feb 22nd in Slidell and/or Sat Feb 23 in Daphne. *Remember, all these motels were chosen so you can cancel with 24 hour notice in case you Book Now , but change plans and need to Cancel later . If you have your winter bike projects finished and feel like riding in this "Rolling Rally" please join us!

Jeff

[JeffH]

5 Week Ride Countdown

Just a reminder about the upcoming Feb 15-24 Ride opportunity along the FLA Panhandle -Alabama - Mississippi- Louisiana- Texas Gulf Coast over to Galveston. About 5 weeks left till the Pack & Trailer crowd heads out for Tallahassee. Hope your bikes are ready. Mines not just yet. I will depart (hopefully Brent & Stewart too) Atlanta on Friday AM Feb 15th about 08:30 from I-85 exit 96 Pleasantdale Rd QuickTrip then south of Atlanta ride back roads down to Zebulon and Leary to Tallahassee.

If you can't make the whole trip then join us for a couple days or over one of the weekends. Friday Feb 15-Tallahassee, Saturday Feb 16-Fort Walton Beach or Friday Feb 22-Slidell Louisiana, Saturday Feb 23-Daphne, AL

We will be checking PM's along the way so PM EarlG or myself if you plan to join us for a night or two - or better yet, meet us along the way and ride along as much as your schedule permits.

Jeff

[BA80]

Ahhhhh......just put a tighten the chicken wire and make sure the cargo nets are hooked down good.

You'll be good to go Jeff.

Galveston is a 12 hour ride for me I might be able to squeeze out a long weekend if y'all are going to hit there on a saturday or sunday.

[JeffH]

tighten the chicken wire and make sure the cargo nets are hooked down good.

My "Rain Gauge" hard bags can sure fill up with water quickly. I have the lids from the PO but am trying to source rubber seals. Not sure what PO did to screw up bags and fairing so much. I got the new steering bearings & ACCT installed so I hope to make the 1st attempt on installing the Pacifico fairing next week. If all else fails by Feb15, I'll ride one of my spares. (since I'm not in the Mojave Desert its kind of dumb to be riding around carrying 2-3 gallons of water sloshing around in each of the side bags)

Jeff

[ELDR]

Motels all booked, snow cleaned out of the trailer, will change oil on bike and SUV and then ready to go. Planning to leave Canada on Feb 10, spend a few days in Florida before the 15th. Looking foreward to a good time.

Ted and Heather