Key West Winter Ride Feb 2014

[JeffH]

Let's Ride

Its 2014 and time to get 'On the Road Again' for another riding season ...............
I Packed up - Left home late this afternoon. Now in Dublin. 158 miles with 50 miles getting out of Atlanta afternoon traffic follies. (my bad for running late and not being ready) Pretty nice ride though down the Newborn - Shady Dale highway, GA142 . Haven't hit reserve yet so mpg has to be reasonable. Pretty crappy sunset and arrived motel after dark. Bike ran nice though, I was worried about that after just having it apart. Not spewing any fluids yet so that is good way to start a 2,000 mile ride. Bought a couple new cheap bags to go on the back rack and on the seat. So far they seem to work ok. Those little 78' E hard bags are pretty small to carry much for a two week trip.

Brent will meet me here at noon tomorrow (Fri) then we will head SE across Georgia on some fun roads to meet up with the others tomorrow night in Kingsland.

Jeff

[MPittma100]

KEy West

Its 2014 and time to get 'On the Road Again' for another riding season ...............
I Packed up - Left home late this afternoon. Now in Dublin. 158 miles with 50 miles getting out of Atlanta afternoon traffic follies. (my bad for running late and not being ready) Pretty nice ride though down the Newborn - Shady Dale highway, GA142 . Haven't hit reserve yet so mpg has to be reasonable. Pretty crappy sunset and arrived motel after dark. Bike ran nice though, I was worried about that after just having it apart. Not spewing any fluids yet so that is good way to start a 2,000 mile ride. Bought a couple new cheap bags to go on the back rack and on the seat. So far they seem to work ok. Those little 78' E hard bags are pretty small to carry much for a two week trip.

Brent will meet me here at noon tomorrow (Fri) then we will head SE across Georgia on some fun roads to meet up with the others tomorrow night in Kingsland.

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

I have been following this ride post for quite a while. I am glad to see that the time has come to begin the adventure. Would have liked to have been able to join you guys, but could not get away - maybe next year. You guys be careful and stay safe. I'm not worried about the bikes. They have earned our trust and respect for +30 years now.

Mike

[JeffH]

Hi Jeff,

. I'm not worried about the bikes. They have earned our trust and respect for +30 years now.

Mike

Mike,

Thanks! Was hoping you might have been able to join us this year.
I'm not worried about the bike either. Its 'me' the mechanic that has me concerned.
There wasn't too many parts left over that are still laying on the garage floor.
......that, and the ten things I haven't fixed yet.

Jeff

[JeffH]

Kingsland Georgia, All Here at the meet point.

Had a good ride today across south Georgia. Sunny and 65 degrees. Bikes running fine.
Sure good to be riding..............

Brent trying out my 11E


Jeff

[BA80]

So you traded bikes?

Did Brent bring the Harley, the Buell, the 11, or something else?

[Cobia]

Looks like you guys will be in luck running behind a front that's been coming though SOFLO from the north. It should pass by here tomorrow and be gone by monday when we meet up with you.

[thumperjsa]

Yo'

Looking forward to riding with you guys. Would have been nice to ride up with Phil and Cobia and meet you guys Monday morning for breakfast and ride down from Stuart, but it look like other plans have got me staying further south until Monday.

You guys need to contact me when you are at least 30 minutes outside of the planned stop in west Broward so I know when to leave to meet up with you out by the gators.

Thanks to Phil, we have been wrenching the heck out of my XS. Everything from replacing the fork tubes, rebuild and clean front brakes (that's a whole fun story on it's own). Plus a lot of little maintenance, check fluids, new plug caps, some electrical wiring work, etc... But it should be all good to go now.

Too bad I won't get to see Brent since he isn't going to be coming this far south.

Brent, are you going as far south as Stuart then turning around?

Looking forward to riding to the Conch Republic with whomever can make it.

-Jonathan

[JeffH]

Did Brent bring the Harley, the Buell, the 11, or something else?

Story, of course: Over the years Brent says he has been buying items from the Harley Speed Shop in Daytona Beach. A Harley with 200,000+ miles mind you. Maybe by now the guy begins to wonder if Brent is talking trash with a Line- O' - Blarney as big as Bike Week or if he is a psycho with no bike. So to show good faith Brent brought his HD so the speed guy can see it tomorrow. Anyway, Brent can fill y'all in on the back story but 'brisk' pace pic taken from the HD with Brent on my 11E. (car in way; his 4th gear WOT pass on the E was impressive to watch)

Jeff

[JeffH]

You guys need to contact me when you are at least 30 minutes outside

Thanks to Phil, we have been wrenching the heck out of my XS. Everything from replacing the fork tubes, rebuild and clean front brakes (that's a whole fun story on it's own). Plus a lot of little maintenance, check fluids, new plug caps, some electrical wiring work, etc... But it should be all good to go now.

Too bad I won't get to see Brent since he isn't going to be coming this far south.

Brent, are you going as far south as Stuart then turning around?

Looking forward to riding to the Conch Republic with whomever can make it.

-Jonathan

I'll call you when we stop for gas @ Belle Glade just like last time. #2875 is what number I got.

Bike re-do: that's great. Its fun to get a few fixer-upper things out of the way which improves the SPM (Smiles per Mile).

Brent has to be home Sunday night so highly likely he will not go to Stuart. He wants to, but just can't.

República de la Concha, yes real, well kind of. Micronation marketing campaign. Keys didn't really have a Succession Act.

Jeff

[Cobia]

A little History of the Conch Republic

The Conch Republic was established by secession of the Florida Keys from the United States of America, on April 23rd, 1982 in response to a United States Border Patrol Blockade setup on highway U.S.1 at Florida City just to the north of the Florida Keys. This heinous act effectively isolated Keys Citizens from the U.S. mainland since the blockade was on our only land artery to and from the mainland. This roadblock portrayed Keys residents as non-U.S. citizens who had to prove their citizenship in order to drive onto the Florida mainland! Hardly an American thing to do!

We protested! A totally American thing to do! Key West Mayor Dennis Wardlow along with a few other 'key' Conchs, went to Federal court in Miami to seek an injunction to stop the federal blockade, but to no avail. Upon leaving the Federal Court House , on the court house steps , Mayor Wardlow announced to the world, by way of the assembled TV crews and reporters, that ; "Tomorrow at noon the Florida Keys will secede from the Union!"

At noon, on the day of secession, at Mallory Square in Key West Florida, Mayor Wardlow read the proclamation of secession and proclaimed aloud that the Conch Republic was an independent nation separate from the U.S. and then symbolically began the Conch Republic's Civil Rebellion by breaking a loaf of stale Cuban bread over the head of a man dressed in a U.S. Navy uniform. After one minute of rebellion, the now, Prime Minister Wardlow turned to the Admiral in charge of the Navy Base at Key West, and surrendered to the Union Forces, and demanded 1 Billion dollars in foreign aid and War Relief to rebuild our nation after the long Federal siege!

Thus began our Conch Republic journey which still continues today! We are both Conchs and we are Americans and we are proud to be both. By act of Congress we hold dual citizenship as Conchs and as Americans and will fight for the right to be both!

Contrary to recent reports, the name "Conch Republic" refers to "all"of the Florida Keys, or, that geographic apportionment of land that falls within the legally defined boundaries of Monroe County Florida, northward to "Skeeter's Last Chance Saloon" in Florida City , Dade County Florida, with Key West as the Nation's Capitol and all territories north of Key West being referred to as "The Northern Territories". Be it known that these boundaries were established by the U.S. Government when they set up "THE" Border Patrol blockade in front of "Skeeter's Last Chance Saloon", in April of 1982, thereby establishing a new United States border!

To enforce the validity of our secession, the Monroe County Commission, in 1994, by unanimous vote, did pass a County Resolution recognizing Mayor Wardlow's actions, on the 23rd of April in 1982, as by, of and for the people of the Florida Keys. Read the full story!

We celebrate our Independence every year with a week long celebration. Click Here for the current schedule of events.

In the quest for recognition, the Honorable Peter Anderson, Secretary General of the Conch Republic has created "Official Conch Republic Passports" . The Secretary General has extensively traveled our surrounding Caribbean Nations with nothing more than his Diplomatic Passport and has been well received by many as a Diplomat and as a Government Official of the Conch Republic and even had his passport endorsed by nearly all! Officially, our passports, Diplomats and Citizens, have been well received by 13 Caribbean Nations as well as Germany, Sweden, Havana, Mexico, France, Spain, Ireland, and Russia.

[JeffH]

Morning on the Beach

Ride update:
Brent knew of a great seafood joint (that's not a surprise) in Port Orange which is where we had a nice dinner plus 12 mile night ride. Tile Fish was fresh catch right off the boat parked by the restaurant. Very good.

Woke up to this. Walked out of the motel with a cup of coffee and on to the beach for a stroll.

Daytona Sunrise: 10 MPH? guess the "Beach Races" start some other day! Beach goers, beware .....


Heading to Titusville area for Lunch (after the Manatee viewing stop) then on towards Stuart. Should be 75+ degrees today.

Jeff

[JeffH]

Well, what to say?? Just that the Ride is going
Really a great day today. A five grinner for sure. About 70 degrees with a 12 knot tail wind all day.
Bikes running great.

Heading south on A1A



My XS11 at the Monterey Inn Marina parking lot


We are all checked in at the Monterey Inn in Stuart FL and will be heading out for some pretty good Mexican food shortly.

Jeff

[MaximPhil]

Ride update:
Brent knew of a great seafood joint (that's not a surprise) in Port Orange which is where we had a nice dinner plus 12 mile night ride. Tile Fish was fresh catch right off the boat parked by the restaurant. Very good.

Woke up to this. Walked out of the motel with a cup of coffee and on to the beach for a stroll.

Daytona Sunrise: 10 MPH? guess the "Beach Races" start some other day! Beach goers, beware .....


Heading to Titusville area for Lunch (after the Manatee viewing stop) then on towards Stuart. Should be 75+ degrees today.

Jeff

Hi Jeff,
I guess too early for the Bikini crowd
Phil

[MaximPhil]

You guys are having way too much fun
I just shoveld 1 1/2 inches of snow off the driveway so I can go to work in the morning.
Have a cerveza for me
Phil

[JeffH]

Still having FUN ........ Bikes running great.
Met up with Cobia & Bikerphil early this morning in Stuart. Rode over to Lake Okeechobee then Belle Glade down to Florida City.
Hooked up with Jonathan this afternoon. Overnight in Florida City tonight, then we are all heading down the Keys
to Key West in the morning. Hit 80 degrees today!

9:30 AM, 70 degrees - Rolling down the Martin Highway with Cobia and Bikerphil leading the group

Not a bad way to start the day, the 10th of Feb ...............

The Key West XSives