Key West Winter Ride Feb 2014

[trbig]

Guys, I'd sure like to make this at some point, but I'm going to be on a cruise at that time, so I'll be a bit further south than what you hit.

This ride is still on my bucket list. I've been to Key West quite a few times, but have always wanted to ride down there. May just have to take a few days at some point and do it. A little over 1500 miles from here, so easily do-able in 2 days each way. Especially if you hit that turnpike south out of Orlando. I've made 100 mph averages on that thing from Floriday City to Orlando, even counting in the stops for the toll booths. I had a rental one year that topped out at 128, and I was getting left behind and passed by some. Not the most scenic route, but you can get where you need to go.

[jetmechmarty]

Tod,

The Key West ride is a day to day adventure. Key West is just one stop along the way. Once you and your bike are in the Sunshine State, there is no hurry.

[trbig]

ALWAYS in a hurry when in Floriday if heading to Key West. After I get there is when I'm not in a hurry any more. lol. Scuba diving or snorkelling during the day, Mallory square at sunset, Duval street people watching in the evenings (Where the freaks come out.. lol) with an adult beverage or three... I can get on some serious "Island time" while down there and never leave the states.

[JeffH]

Adventure Ride

Tod,

The Key West ride is a day to day adventure. Once you and your bike are in the Sunshine State, there is no hurry.

Marty hit it spot-on!! We all congregate at Kingsland GA Feb 7th and begin a brisk putt-putt ride southward along the ocean
stopping for scenery and good eats while trying to avoid the densely populated places. Observing Alligators and Iguana in their
natural habitat has become a key part of the adventure + as stopping at as many cafecito kiosks as we can find along the way.
We've now added Manatee stops too. It takes four days to get from GA-FL line to Key West. A perfect trip for a Special since we stop
so much there is no need to plan fuel only pit-stops for the Specials.
btw: there still is time to book motels so come join us Feb7th or any combination of days that works for you.

Jeff

Good example of what happens when we are not Heads Up paying attention
Quite a sight ........... 'dinner is served'

[JeffH]

Three Weeks until Florida Ride starts Feb7th

Are you getting a bit irritable?
Is looking at your bike just sitting there making you crazy?
Been too long since your last good ride?
Cold of winter making you nuts?

These are all signs you should try and join us Feb 7th for the Florida Ride!

If you are turning into an Angry Ape then its time to make some reservations.


If you can't Ride-In on your bike and need to Trailer-In then PARKING is available at Don's in Tallahassee
or at Day's Inn in Kingsland Georgia.

Jeff

[ELDR]

Two weeks and a day until on the Bike, one week less a day until we head South
Ted and Heather

[JeffH]

Update

There is still 1 room available for Sun night. Book now if interested because I need to cancel unclaimed rooms by Fri Jan 31
Sunday Night February 9
Monterey Inn and Marina $79 + tax (king room is $89)
Stuart FL
300 SW Monterey Road • Stuart, FL 34994
Office: (772) 283-3500
http://www.montereyinnandmarina.com/
held under XS11 or hall/xs11

There is still 1 room available for Tues night. Book now if interested because I need to cancel unclaimed rooms by Fri Jan 31
Tuesday Night February 11
Looe Key Reef Resort http://www.diveflakeys.com/resort.html
Office Hours are 8AM to 6PM EST. Phone # is: 1.877.816.3483
27340 Overseas Highway
Ramrod Key, FL 33042

-or if you prefer CAMPING @ www.leoscampground.com/wp
Key West, FL
Phone 305.296.5260

I'm getting ready to ride south on Feb 7th with Brent. In the process of changing the oil-filter and replacing tire-tube. That will hopefully get me 2,000 miles for this ride.

1) PM me if you want me to email you the GPS routes / motels / key stops.

2) Atlanta meet point will likely be in Snellville or Covington on I20. More on that later.

3) Hope some of the FLA XSives will be able to join us for dinner or lunch-ride as we work our way south to Key West. Saturday JAX to Daytona, Sunday Daytona to Titusville to Stuart, Monday Stuart to FLA City. On the return we will be in Fort Myers and then Sarasota. PM if you care to meet us.

Time to go twist some wrenches and wrestle with the tire & rim locks so I'm ready to ride.

Jeff

[JeffH]

Show Time

Making progress this afternoon!!

XS11E: Oil & filter is done, no leaks. Got the new rear tire & brake pads on. Ground & Pos & Batt connections cleaned too.
Just need to check Mid & FD fluid levels in the AM. I think it is almost ready to ride to Kingsland GA.

Weather is looking reasonable so far and it was sunny - 68 here this afternoon. Nice working on the bike laying in the sunshine.
Just hope weather holds up ok for the 350 mile ride down to the sunshine in Florida.

FYI: I cancelled the unclaimed motel rooms last night. Likely you can still snag a room if you want to join us and call by Mon or Tue.
That's about it. Will be heading to the meet point in Florida on Friday AM.

Let the FUN begin.

Jeff

[Cobia]

Roll Call?

Hi Jeff,

So do we have a roll call as to who's all coming along with us? It'd be fun to know.

You can count on three of us from FL, Phil, Jonathan, and me.

I'll be changing my oil/filter and MD/FD oil before the ride as well.

[JeffH]

Hi Jeff,

So do we have a Roll Call as to who's all coming along with us? It'd be fun to know.

You can count on three of us from FL, Phil, Jonathan, and me.

Echo - Echo - Echo ! Hello... Hello... Hello... out there, anybody want to ride, ride, ride??
For starters, actually don't exactly know. We are an elusive group sometimes.

It seems the unusually nasty weather in the hinterlands may have broken the spirit of some prospective riders.
I thought some of the HSLD (high speed - long distance) XSives may have seen a ride window but I guess not.
Ted & Heather are already on their way down from Canada. Brent will ride a couple days then have to head back home Sunday night.
Don from Tallahassee and then me. Plus y'all, that's the for sure list.

There are some that really wanted to participate but cannot because of work and kids and other stuff. Hope others can join and
I will be checking PM's along the way. If weather is good maybe a day rider will join us.

Jeff

[Cobia]

Hey,
Worry not, we're all in, let's ride down to the Conch Republic and have some fun. We're good 'til thursday.

[MaximPhil]

Hi Jeff,
I would love to be able to make this ride again. just not going to happen this year. Ride safe and have a good time.
post lots of pictures for those of us stuck in the snow.
Maxim Phil

[ELDR]

We left Ottawa, Monday evening, looks like it paid off, now in Salma NC, and we missed all the snow. Its a bit foggy. We will be in Kingsland this afternoon.

Ted and Heather

[ELDR]

Arrived Kingsland, light rain and 74F, sure beats -15F
Ted

[MaximPhil]

Hi Ted
Well done. You certainly did dodge a big one up here. We got about a foot of snow to day here in Mississauga. Ottawa is probably getting a big dump to night. Enjoy the sunshine and warm.
Phil