Modern Vespa

Nor did I rent a 50cc like they were advertising just off the cruise ship in Ketchikan, AK. I seriously considered it, but didn't pull the trigger. The fact I was in flip-flops and shorts and didn't have time to get back on the boat, change, get back off, ride, and get back on AGAIN was really what decided it...

Someday I'll get back there...

Mark

I tried booking the hotel last week and was given a rate or $179.

The front desk guy said his boss had to approve the $96. rate and would call me back later that day.

They never called and I forgot about it until this morning.

So I tried again and got a very nice front desk worker. She first quoted the higher rate that I was resigned to take, but I told her about the blocked in rooms for Wisconscoot and she booked me at the lower rate.

Much appreciated, even if we aren't coming to save money.

It is always better to get a good deal.

Looking forward to the time together.

Bill

Have fun with the variety of rides Dave. Maybe next year I'll join you once the health is better. I still remember you talking about the concept a few years ago. I do miss the red machine. Anyway, enjoying the Burgman 650 a whole different ride. Be sure to post those photo's during and after the event.

Rob

Hey, Rob,

Good to hear from you. Yep....we'll have photos!

All right...next year then...in the mean time, keep getting better.

I've tweaked routes for the last time, I swear.

The routes are on the website, Ridewithgps.com.

Hoping these links work.

Friday: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30762393

Saturday: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30763614

Both days roughly 130 miles. Guess we'll have more time to rest than usual on Saturday!

No word from a few of you (scroll up to a prior post).

The event I was going to break off for on Saturday has been called off so I'll be able to ride all the way. Looking forward to Wisconscoot!

Well, cripes, I was just looking at a likely peel-off spot for you.

Okay, well, I guess we get to keep you. Sounded like a plan otherwise....

I tried to trace on to a paper map your tour links but could not always find your route I.D. hwy #s, etc. The route sounds very RURAL (good!) and we will all rely on our masterful leader to get us to lunch, etc with little or no problems (smile). After all, what could be difficult with following the alphabet?

Yes...cowpie-dodging is part of the gymkhana portion.

Well, fingers crossed that it all comes off seamlessly... but perhaps you know better by now.

Just in case you're looking for an extra diversion, there's also a Rendezvous scheduled for the same weekend, just down the road.

http://www.reedsburg.org/events/details/heritage-day-rendezvous-10961

There may be some 19th century wood-fired scooters on show there.

Now, Sam has found a pickup truck in Jacksonville that he wants me to secure and bring it to him on my trip up.

That puts me bringing a scooter in the bed of the truck.

Ride Wisconscoot, then riding 1200 miles home.

I think Rocket can do that, so it may be the scooter of choice, but not sure yet.

Also no certainty that the truck will work out.

Nothing is ever as simple as it should be.

Life is like that.

Bill

List as of today:

JKJ-FZ6
gitder
Madison Sully
Bill Leuthold
Sam Leuthold
Joe Metzger
Russ Bees
CubsKing
Bob Copeland
Werner
wmak
dbeth

Bob Wilbrandt
Roger H
Mike

I've got a way to contact all of you, so we're good to go on that end.

Bill, seems like you're keeping things, er, interesting. Expecting Sam got a good truck.

I am going to try to get over for both of the days, looks like some great routes through many roads of my childhood!

I see Saturday's route includes the free ferry at the Wisconsin River (no bridge across on hwy 113! Great choice, and great ice cream on the south side.

The routes are some gorgeous country and I look forward to meeting you all. What time do you plan to roll out in the mornings since I won't be staying at the hotel?

Friday's ride starts after lunch (1:00), so you should be good there. We'ii leave from the hotel.

Saturday hasn't formally been set, but let's plan on 9:00 unless there's too much chomping at the bit.....

Look forward to meeting you!

There is a guy, Ken, on Battle Scooters who bought a new Vespa GTS 300 HPE.

He lives in Wisconsin and heard about Wisconscoot from me.

He booked rooms for both nights, so he is committed.

Bill

Good to know...thanks Bill.

I am still in and can be reached at tcdolan@hotmail.com. Unfortunately, my daughter scheduled my granddaughter's first birthday party in Chicago on Saturday so I will only be able to ride on Friday.

Hey ya'll,

I am new here, just registered today, about a month after buying used GTS300, and bumped into this event.

I live in Madison and am thinking about making it to WisconScoot. Never been before, but rode with Scoot Jockeys in Milwaukee back in the day on Fly50 and Stella.

I wouldn't stay in Reedsburg, either ride there from Madison for start of one of the rides (depends on wife's schedule, one of us gotta watch our toddler daughter) or meet you somewhere along the ride.

Besides lunch on Saturday, do you guys pullover anywhere?

I would love to meet some Madison scooter/Vespa folks.

Cheers!

Madison's a rough crowd, but I think we can find someone to introduce you to.

A lot of the group are from further away though.

Im a bit frazzled from traveling, but home tomorrow, and will give a possible meeting point some thought. There is a locator app that might be useful so you could figure out where the heck we are. I'll have to give you the secredt password too...

Looking forward to meeting you.

Guessing this is pretty much the final roster:

JKJ-FZ6
gitder
Madison Sully
Bill Leuthold
Sam Leuthold
Joe Metzger
Russ Bees
CubsKing
wmak
dbeth
Ken Sutton
Tom Dolan (Friday)
ismatts (Saturday)
Mr and Mrs Luckyscroller?

Bob Wilbrandt
Roger H
Mike

Looks like Werner is having shoulder surgery and he and Copeland are out. So we're at around 16 at the moment.

Hello,
I came across this thread from another forum. I will also be taking a day trip up to Reedsburg to ride with you guys. I am coming from Madison area as well.

See ya Saturday on my Xmax

Hey, looky here what I found!

This could be either good or bad news for all of you.

https://gravelmap.com/browse/wisconsin

Trying to double check the Saturday route....road of concern isn't listed, checking with Richland County Highway Dept..if nothing noted, we're on with the original route.

Bring it!

This could either be a curse or a godsend.

Here's the Friday route for those who are itching to know...

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30762393

And Saturday....though still open for tweaking.....

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30763614

I am in Lafayette, IN this morning.

Meeting Sam at his office in Lisle, then we are riding into Wisconsin where we will find a hotel for the night.

See you guys for lunch tomorrow.

Bill

What IS the plan for meeting up for lunch tomorrow?

I'm planning on being over at the hotel around 12:30 tomorrow, pending I can actually get my XMax in for it's first service this afternoon. It was supposed to get done last week, but they didn't have the oil filter in, and it's supposed to come in today. I'm already over the initial 600 mile check by about 150 miles now, and don't really want to push it too much farther. I wanted to have this done with easily enough time to get ready for Wisconscoot...and now it's really pushing it....grrrrr

(I'm not very mechanically-inclined and feel better about letting someone more capable take care of this first service for me.)

A dealer by my house has a filter in stock (Rock River Powersports). I ordered mine online. Amazon, here in 2 days.

If you need, I can pick it up and bring it with me Saturday. It is also pretty easy to change the oil I could bring the tools.... Just would need a funnel and something to catch the oil.

LMK.

EDIT: The part is in and I'm good to go on my service this afternoon!

I'll see you all tomorrow!

"Official" lunch is at Cancun Bay, 1232 E Main St- just into town a bit from the hotel. As they don't take reservations it's a more casual lunch...and if anyone doesn't like Mexican there are other options in the area. If anyone's running late, stop by anyway, just be sure to be back for the 1:00 departure.

Metzler maybe?

Sam and I are in Madison tonight. Good beer town. See all at lunch tomorrow.
Bill

Welcome to Wisconsin, where most are good beer towns

Because I managed to mess up my video from Friday (anyone want to see miles and miles of pavement directly in front of my scoot?), Warren was kind enough to let me grab some images from video that he shot.

Here are images from day 2.

Another fine Wisconscoot.

Sam and I had a great time as usual.

I made it to Paducah, Kentucky today while riding home.

After another Mexican dinner, I had time to go through my photos.

Here are my best shots from both days.

Bill

Wisconsin. It's the cows...

Great pictures! Not sure if I have anything better to add.

You guys sure got to see a lot of my back.

I think Ken's in....if he survived my abandoning him at the hotel with good humor, he's a keeper. *

Been said already, but I can't imagine a better bunch of folks to ride with. Fun, disciplined, and no complaining. I was just thinking some time back feeling a bit envious when reading about fun rides in other places. I don't think I'm missing anything but a change of scenery.....

*Before anyone else tells the story.... ready to start the first day's ride, running a bit late already, Ken shows up and checking into his room. I greet him and tell him not to worry....we won't leave without him. Then I turn around, walk out the door and pretty much start the ride....without him.

Plenty to think about in the meantime, but at our main stop an hour or more into the ride, someone says, "Hey, what happened to Ken?" Suddenly I remembered.

Guessing I will never live that down.

I had already forgotten what happened with Ken. Thanks for refreshing my memory.