FLORIDA 2016 February RALLY

[ESJr1642]

Missed Again...

Every year I tell myself I am going on this ride, yet here I am missing another one...next year for sure.

[JeffH]

Every year I tell myself I am going on this ride, yet here I am missing another one...next year for sure.

If you can, meet us Sunday at Race Trac in Groveland about 10:45.
We will make that our first pit stop.
Maybe even ride with us down Hwy 33 for a bit. Would be great to see you again.

Jeff

[thumperjsa]

Great to see Brent riding an XS. Always see him on the fire engine red bike.

Phil and I met this afternoon to do some final stuff on my XS like check fluid levels in the drive, air pressure in the tires and some grinding on the brake pads because you could hear my bike coming from a half mile away from the pad squealing. So got fresh oil in the engine, topped off fluids including gas today and ready to head up tomorrow.

Usually we meet everyone down in Florida City but looking forward this year to some extra ride time. We shold be heading out about noon tomorrow and arriving at Punta Gorda around 5 PM depending on the scenery along the way.

-Jonathan

[JeffH]

A few Rally Pics from today.
Really nice very warm day with blue skies.

Rode a Missing Man formation in honor of those that wanted to be here but couldn't



Jerry chillin after lunch at Backwoods Smokehouse



Rode Florida's Black Bear Scenic Highway


As planned rode through portions of Ocala National Forest



Ted & Heather lead todays ride. Group even took glass bottom boat tour of the lakes and Artesian aquifer springs. well most, i took a nap.

Tomorrow 09:45 we head south to Punta Gorda. Got some nice back roads picked out so hope we have a good ride. Jerry & Carl heading to St Pete, but we will meet up with Phil & Jonathan at motel. Steve rejoining the group for the Key West portion.

Jeff

[Brent]

Ride.

Nice to see Brent's smiling face
Phil

Thanks Phil,


Belive it or not, That is the face of a man who woke to subfreezing temps and a flat tire on the XS11. Still troubled by unresolved Notice of noncompliance from County Police Code Enforcement, Mourning the passing of an Austin Healey Sprite project, I am leaving the FL ride (start XS11, ride North), returning home to care for my sickly wife, and get myself a root canal proceedure done.
But I got to ride on at least part of the Key West ride !
Life is Good and getting better. Happy Motoring,

[ESJr1642]

Wish I Could

Got to get packed up and ready to head back out for work.......

[DeanR]

Brent, good to see you were able to do a bit of this ride, and on the Special! Would love to get down there for it someday.
Best of luck with your other issues.

[JeffH]

Group arrived safely in Punta Gorda. But we almost ran the XS11E, HD Ultra & Wing out of gas. .4 .5 and .1 gal from disaster. too many neat back roads to ride.

Fun ride today through Spanish moss covered canopies then across miles of orange groves.
Sunset walk around harbor in Punta Gorda. Will try and post some pics in AM.

BikerPhil and Jonathan met up with us as planned so tomorrow we ride to Everglade City for lunch and alligator wrestling class. Steve back with us too on his FJR.

Jeff

[JeffH]

Group is still motoring south. Arrived in Florida City just after 5pm. Beautiful day and almost hot out. Bikes still running. I've ridden over 1,100 miles so far since leaving Atlanta. 11E still running fine. The others too.

Its always a great ride across the Everglades. So many birds and alligators plus unique vegetation. Truly a great bike ride.

Tomorrow we plan breakfast at the Hideout next to Boatel floating hotel on Key Largo. Haven't been there in a few years so that will be fun. Our group has some history and stories from that place on the water at the end of Transylvania Ave.

Will arrive Key West tomorrow early afternoon. .

Jeff & the XSives

[JeffH]

Pix

We found a couple more XSives who wanted to tag along with us


Jonathan & Biker Phil at lunch stop in Everglades City


Zig-Zag back roads through the Orange Groves


Having a BLAST. A fun ride again this year.

Jeff

[JeffH]

greetings from Key West Florida

WISH YOU WERE HERE

End of the line Cuba 90 miles ahead


Having a great time. We made it

Jeff

[MPittma100]

Gators

greetings from Key West Florida

WISH YOU WERE HERE

End of the line Cuba 90 miles ahead


Having a great time. We made it

Jeff

Glad you guys made it and are having a good time.

We wish we were there too

[JeffH]

More Adventure

Weather has been just fantastic. All the big storms north (MS, AL, FL, GA), and we were in sunshine.


XS11's at the Hideout on Key Largo (breakfast stop) - it has been a few years since we stopped here
Hideout cranks out a real good breakfast (and all you can eat Friday night fish dinner)




Boatel & Floating Inn we stayed a few years back, they are now listing & sinking. A value at $75 a night



Driving on wider 'new US1' 7 Mile Bridge looking over at old very narrow old US1 called 6.9 Mile Bridge
Just can't imagine a hurricane evacuation on that old dangerous US1 highway





Bad place to drive off the road on US1 in the Keys Splash!! But scenery is absolutely STUNNING




Phil & Jonathan checking-in at Looe Key Dive Shop & Motel


More later! gotta RIDE

Jeff

[earl G]

I know you are having a great ride. missed again.
boatel nice place to visit, does need upgrade.
Hideout on Key Largo great stop yes all the fish you can eat and beer.

so get a coffee at the Cuban café for me.

missed this year but not next.

ride on my friends ride on


earl g

[Brent]

happy for y'all

I know you are having a great ride. missed again.
boatel nice place to visit, does need upgrade.
Hideout on Key Largo great stop yes all the fish you can eat and beer.

so get a coffee at the Cuban café for me.

missed this year but not next.

ride on my friends ride on


earl g

Thought of you Earl when I heard group in Key West was getting sub sandwiches to go and heading for picnic area at end of 7 mile bridge. I see a cold front has reached the keys, lowering temps at meast 10 degrees...highs in the 70's rather than 84. Thanks too for reminder of the Cuban coffee. I believe I can smell it and almost taste it from 900 miles away at my house here in GA. I too am still enjoying the memory of your birthday dinner at A&B Lobster house.

Thanks for all pics posted...Much fun to follow and remember. Glad to hear of such a good trip.
Happy Motoring,