Bikeweek 2012 3/9/12 to 3/18/12

http://www.officialbikeweek.com/

Time to gear up!!

ii will be there, Probally just friday in Jacksonville, then sat and sun this year tho.

If you go take the time to go hwy 98, It was great riding, beautiful country, sweet roads. I'm going that way this year, I'm thinking of an extra day or two to stop and see all I had to zoom by doing my mad man run

Been both ways many times. Not much to see between here adn there that I havent already seen.

Just plotted our route. Trying to stay off Interstates as much as possible this time. Headed out Tuesday thru Perry to Gainesville - about 370 miles and stopping for the night....then on Wed on into the Volusia County Fairgrounds swap meet. That day is the sidecar show. Then later probably over to Cabbage Patch and maybe Pub 44 and then up to Daytona Beach Shores. 3 nights and then heading back on Saturday. return trip is completely up in the air right now. Should get back home sometime Sunday. Looking like awesome weather the entire time.

made it to Gainesville, FL so far. I had a real nice route picked out to spend less time on the interstate. There I was expecting Debi to navigate. She had the GPS and the route sheet. So here I am at about mile marker 199 in Tallahassee...she wakes up and yells at me that we missed our exit.....by about 50 miles!!!!

So we went on to Exit 225 and got off on 19 and went on down south. As they say...the best laid plans and all!!

Great weather so far!

Glad it's good weather for You two. Ride safe, Enjoy!

Sounds awesome Jim! Hope you and Debi have a blast!!

Ditto on the weather and have a great time on your trip.

We came in on Wed. and went right to the Volusia county fairgrounds swap meet...it was trike/sidecar day so we got in free and entered the show. We did not expect to win anything and we were right! Then we hit the Cabbage Patch. They seemed to be booming. caught a bit of the cole slaw wrestling. Then back to the hotel. Thurs we did Beach street...that was a bit depressing as most of the side of the street opposite River front park is condemned to be torn down and most of that side had no vendors....used to always be full of vendors. Had a small mechanical issue on Wed. evening...stopped for gas and went to start up and nothing....no sound or anything....checked a bunch of stuff once I stopped cussing and all....seems my starter was loose as I could move it in my hand.....after wiggling it, it started back up....found a little shop called Quick Draw just off Beach street....guy came out with a big ratchet with long extension and exact size allen attachment and tightened the starter screws...then all was fine....he would not even take any money for that. After beach street we went to the daytona swap meet off Tomoka farms rd....much better swap meet...they had sidecar day then so got in free again. Then did the speedway. They have some pretty cool stuff there. Friday was Ormond Beach area with Destination Daytona...that place is just overwhelming......I could have bought custom wheels starting at $2800.....or had a turbo system installed with the Thundermax for a mere $6500.....I had a couple beers instead and called it a day.....then did the Iron Horse area...samo...samo there. Last stop was Main street...still the same old zoo it has always been...was glad to get through that. Headed home tomorrow...stopping at flea markets along the way. Should get home Sunday sometime.

Jim

Glad to hear that the issue you had turned out to be minor. Sounds like a congested, chaotic place for sure. Kinda hard to see it all, I'd imagine.

Left Daytona this morning. Today/Tonight is usually the biggest party night of the event. We rode over to Waldo, Fl and spent a couple of hours in the flea market. Then road over to Chiefland, FL....another flea market....then road on down to Perry, FL. Nice roads. Sure beats the interstate. Staying overnight ....got here just in time for the "managers special".....2 1/2 hours of free booze and munchies!

Headed out for home tomorrow morning...about 275 miles or so to go.

We survived Daytona Bike Week 2012. Got home about 3pm. Stayed off the interstate all the way back...much better. That 20 in FL was a great road as was all the rest. A bit slower going but much nicer than barreling down the interstate. After we got unpacked.....road over to Big Daddy's for a couple brews and some dinner. Got home...exhausted! Daytona Bike Week used to always be the official kick off of the riding season........let 2012 begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

;-)

Jim