Modern Vespa

Day One

The day started out at 3 am, way to early. Cup of coffee, little last minute packing, and off to the airport for a 5:45 am flight. Takes some real friends to pick you up at the time of day. Thanks Richard.
Arrived in New Orleans at 9:15 am central time. After getting my bag, another friend was waiting to pick me up and drive me 50 miles north. Thanks Gilbert.

And there she was, pretty as ever and just waiting for me. (Not what you think.) Talked to two more really nice people, Noral and Janine. By this time it was only 11 am. Spent a little time transferring some of my gear to the new scoot - GPS ram mount, and a lot of stuff into the pet carrier.

[topic66373]

On the way up north to pick up the scooter we had driven though some rain. I was afraid I might be making my first ride on this scooter in the rain. It did start to sprinkle just before the causeway, so I stopped to bundle all my gear for the ride in the rain. But before I got the rain suit out it started to clear up. So I took a chance and rode without my rain gear. Proved to be the right decision, as all I encountered was very light sprinkles, not enough to get wet, only enough to spot the wind screen.

Dam, that causeway is a long way across. It was 68 miles back to the guest house I was staying in for the night, a good 40 miles from where I had stopped to bundle up my gear, and my butt wasn't soar. And that was with the rain cover on, so no air circulation. Look forward to see how good this seat is (gel and memory foam).

Would you believe the minute I walked in to the guest house it started to rain. Is my angel looking for me or what. Of course my gear was still strapped to the scoot, so it and me got wet to some degree
.
By 3:30 pm the rain had stopped, so I headed of to "Juan's Flying Burrito" for dinner. Good Mexican food, I had been there during the "Big Easy Rally" last March
.
Got to get some rest now, been a long day any its not even over. Maybe a little nap - we'll see.

So not only did you EAT at the Nawlins re-run, but you STAYED at the brothel house, too? How cool is that! Oh Jack, I am so happy for you! Can't wait to see her in person!

Day Two

Got up at 6 am this morning. Whats that make, 10 hours sleep?

After the morning shave and shower ritual it was time to look for some coffee and food. I guess I'm a bit repetitive as I headed off for Surrey's down the street.
Did I tell you it was lightly raining this morning, and the forecast is for rain the for the rest of the week.  Yuk

Turns out Surrey's doesn't open til 8 am. Must be late risers around here. Since it was only 7:15 or so, I came back to Mojo's Coffee joint across the street from St Vincent's. Good coffee and a not so good breakfast roll.

Time to get all my gear ready for the ride home. Installed the Motorsports electric knee pad for my GPS. Why do they make the horn cast clearance so tight with the handle bar covers? Not sure if I broke one of the locating tabs, or someone else did that before me. Got everything else in the small bag, except the jacket of course. Folded up the 24" duffel, put the jacket in a kitchen garbage bag, and got it all strapped down. Next stop is the New Orleans Vespa shop for an oil change and general look over.

NEW RULE FOR JACK and anyone else as dumb as me. CHECK THE KILL SWITCH - EVEN IF IT LOOKS ALRIGHT. You guessed it, spent 10 minutes trying to start the scooter before I turned the kill switch off the on. Dumb.

I'm writing this from the Vespa shop, be on the road soon - in rain gear - a first for my scooter riding days (two years).

some pictures ---

Congratulations on the new scooter and a wonderful adventure to kick off the ownership! Will/Did you make it home today?

Thanks for the sharing the ride! Love the photos!

Day two - pm

Got an oil change and general look over at Transportation Revelation (the Vespa dealer). Done at 11:30 and it's raining pretty good out side. This is the first time I've had to put on a full rain suit. And off we go.

Since it's raining I figure I might as well ride the freeway until things start to clear up a bit weather-wise. The rain was not to stop all day - 'cept for and occasional mile or two now and then. It got so heavy at times people were pulling off the side of the road. A lot of the time the best traffic could do was 30 to 40 mph. I could do all right with a seeing eye dog (a car with bright tail lights). At times even that didn't work - I had to pull off to the side of the road and wait a bit (maybe 5 minutes), before I picked a new dog.

Finally got off the freeway at Gulfport, MS planning on calling it quits, but as I headed towards the ocean the rain eased up quite a bit. So on to US 90 and on to Mobile. Slow going but dryer.

I finally stopped for gas just outside of Gulfport. I think this seat is going to work out good - 93 miles without a butt break. My butt was wet and that didn't help matters. My feet squeaked form the wet - no rain boots.

22 miles before Mobile I got back on the freeway, by this time the rain was quite light. Got to go thru the I-10 Mobile tunnel. By this time I had decided to shot for Pensacola, FL.

RULE NUMBER 2 - KNOW WHICH BARS ARE THE FUEL LEVEL AND READ OFTEN. Buy the time I realized the fuel light was on (bad design - my eyes are to far back, so light appears very dim), the fuel bars showed one bar. It was another nerve racking 5 miles to the next exit. It took slightly over 2 gallons to the pump kick off. First tank full I got 61.4 mpg - second tank was 53.4 mpg. That first tank was during the heavy rain - the second was high speed freeway (like 80 indicated).

The scooter really didn't like the heavy rain and really high winds, at times the best I could do was 55 indicated - water on roads and high wind. In fact if I cranked on to much throttle the engine would slow down - I thought you couldn't do that with fuel injection.

Got to the Day's Inn downtown Pensacola about 5:30 pm. Six hours and 212 miles. I am proud of myself today - that was some tough driving.

No more pictures - imagine a white out, that's what most of the day was.

ScooterGirlinAL it's almost 800 miles from New Orleans to West Palm Beach Florida. More than I can do in one day.

Got one more today 8)

LOL...I used to live in Parkland, FL, south of Boca. I somehow didn't compute the distance you would have to make in one day. You made great progress in the weather you rode in throughout the day.

I am enjoying your ride report. Safe travels!

Good luck with your ride.... I hope the weather will give you a break.

wish I could of held the rain a bit for ya tho. I had to drop my girl off a the airport the day after and her flight was delayed an hour. Glad to see you made it through that! Must have been a tough ride. Hope to see ya again!

I got these to pictures before the battery said enough.

any news? How was riding day 2? Hope all is well.
Gilbert

Day 3

Well I did label this thread as an "Adventure" didn't I?

Today was the day for things to go wrong. But we'll get to that shortly.
The day start at about 6:45 am, late by my norm. After getting washed and dressed it was off to breakfast at the Seville Diner down the street. I had a meatloaf dinner here last night, breakfast this morning. Did I tell you I'm somewhat repetitive, I ate here during the Emerald Coast Rally last year.

Finally got on the road about 8 am. It had been misting when I went to breakfast, but now just gray. Put my rain suit on to be safe. It got hot pretty quick with the slow speeds along US 90 going out of town. The 84 degree temperature didn't help. By the time I got to Milton, the suit top had to come off. Proved to be a reasonably decision, as I only encountered a very small shower along the way.

When I got to De Funiak Springs it was time to stop at the Tax Collectors office and get the scooter registered and titled in my name. I had planned this in advance as the tax rate in Walton County is only 6 ½ percent compared to the 7 ½ percent in Palm Beach County. It all went exceptionally well. Spent some time chatting with the young gale behind the counter (wish I could remember names better - always one of my biggest problems). There was maybe one other customer in the office the entire time I was there. Got new plates ($52) at her advice, as temporary plates are good for 3 months and not renewable. Had to stop at Walmart to get an adjustable wrench in order to get the lock nuts off. I had the screwdriver, but no way of holding the nut. One more forgotten idem.

Headed out of town with Florida plates on my scoot. Guess it's mine now. The ride along US 90 varies from 4 lane divided to some 2 lane sections. But almost no traffic. Sky's where starting to lighten up, looking better all the time.

When I got to Chipley it was time for a brake. Looked around the downtown for a cafe that I might get a coffee. Came across the Train station first, with a farmers market of sorts at the loading docks. Stopped an bought a pint of blueberries. Forget the coffee, I need a soda and found one at a gas station.
Took a lot of photos in this town. They got a N and S Railroad Ave on each side of the railroad and shops on both sides. Almost like having the railroad run right down the middle of Main St. Got out of Chipley about 1:30 I think.

In Marianne I stopped at a convenience store for a bottle of water. On the way thru town my "adventure" began. Tail end of the scoot started to feel strange, I had a flat rear tire. Stopped at the Firestone shop right across the street, but they no longer do tire plugs. He suggested a garage back down the highway about a mile. So slow ride I did back to Stoney's Service. Stoney is a very nice older man. He plugged the hole in the tire on his hands and knees. Filed the tire air, and waited about 25 minutes to be sure it held air. With the tire patched I drove out onto the road to discover something seriously wrong with the tire. The cord had separated (I think that's what it's called - a bulge in the tire). Now I'm in serious trouble. Time to call AA for a tow to Florida Motorsports (Vespa dealer) in Tallahassee. But being like 4:30 pm eastern time there was no way I was going to make it before they closed. What to do. Did I tell you I'm one of these people that folds up over this stuff. Time to make a call to someone who is fast becoming my most admired person. I called Richard and explained my situation. He took the ball from here on, called Motorsports to find out they did not have a tire. He called some other places and found a tire he had delivered a few hours later. Then he got me a motel room, and arranged to have Dave from Motorsports pick me up at the motel tomorrow morning. He was doing all this as AA was towing me to Tallahassee, wound up giving the driver the location as we drove. He was really a nice guy too, long story.

So here I sit in a motel room wait for the story to continue. What great friends can do sometimes is amazing. I think I owe Richard big time, he got my nerves from jumping to calm in no time. I'd still be trying to pull this one together if it wasn't for him.

Here are a bunch of pictures for the day - see you tomorrow

Day 3 continued

Here I sit.

Sorry to read you had a challenging day. Way to hang in there and good on Richard and Florida Motorsports for taking care of you!

Rest well tonight and enjoy your adventure!

Day 4 Back on the road

Didn't get on the road until almost 1 pm.

Half the morning was spent waiting to get picked up and trailer-ed to Florida Motorsports. They don't open til 10 am like most cycle shops. Dave called me a little before 10 am to tell me that the shop was running shorthanded today and his boss Kent would be picking me up sometime before 11 am.

When we got to the shop, I meet Dave and we chatted for a while before I went inside to wait. One of the things I'm a little concerned about and talk to Dave about was the sticking throttle. It doesn't bother me at all as I'm use to my motorcycle days when that's the way I would set the throttle up. You can relax your grip that way, but you also have to feel comfortable returning the throttle to slow down. My concern is that the drag on the throttle is caused by cable friction and the cable will eventually break. He said it might be caused by the bar bell weight being to tight. He tried to loosen it but stopped when it looked like he was going to strip the phillips. Have have it checked out if I make it home alright.

Dave didn't get finished until almost 1 pm.
I got to say it was really nice of Kent and Dave to go out of there way to take care of my tire so I could get back on the road. Thanks guys.
By the way, for you ladies, they have two PINK LX150's on the floor of their place. Go get.

When I told Kent that I was going to go up to Thomasville, GA when they got done, Kent turned me on to a really nice back road with miles hills and curves and tree tunneled. Thanks Kent that was one spectacular road, all 23 miles. And I can ad Georgia to my list of visited states.

Thomasville has lots of beautiful old buildings, lots of brick ones, lots of old wood style. All are large. I snapped a few pictures - don't do the city justice. Found an old perfectly keep car too - know what brand? There is a clue in one of the pictures.

I took US 19 south down to US 90 and headed east. Just not many cars on these roads. Monticello, Fl had a neat church and courthouse, I got pictures of both. Not much else to say about US 90 to Lake City were I'm holed up tonight. The scoot appears to be running beautifully, maybe better than me. I'm tired tonight, to much sitting around today.

By the way, my diet is going well. Wait a minute I'm not on a diet, just seems that way. No breakfast today, and I haven't been eating lunches on this trip, thy make me sleepy. Not a good combo for scooting.

Got into Lake City about 6:30 today, got a cheap room, and dinner at Applebees. Only 140 miles today - might get home for 4th yet - suppose to be in my own bed tonight. Oh well.

Here's pictures --

More day 4 pictures

Glad to see the scoot is taken care of and you are back on the road. Looks like you had a very nice ride today; the photos are wonderful!

Day 5 - The home run

Started the day in Lake City at the Driftwood Motel, very nice small motel and only $41 for the night.

Got up about 6 am, had breakfast at the Waffle House - pecan waffle one of my favorites. Got packed up and on the road by 8 am. It was almost cold (by south Floridian standers), 72 degrees. Felt good, although I have to say that up to this point, with the rain and cloudy sky's it has not been hot.

I decided to take FL 100 all the way to US 1. It was a good choice, good road, good scenery, and very little traffic. Scoot was really puffing today. My first goal was Bruce Rossmeyers Harley Davidson complex in Ormond Beach on US 1, 120 miles. When I got there I decided not to go inside, as the only way I could would be to carry my bag with me. Didn't seem safe to leave it on the scoot, and it is heavier then I care to carry. There will be another time. That's quite a huge place, the dealership itself and many, many shops around it. Almost a city unto itself.

At this point it looked like I had a good shot of making it home today - roughly 200 miles to go. My main concern was fatigue and butt. This seat is doing a good job, as I often go 70 to 80 miles between breaks - something I could never do before. Of course I suppose the bag acting as a kind of backrest probably helps.

After Rossmeyers I headed down US 1 to Cocoa Beach where I switched over to A1A. Here's a link to my route http://tinyurl.com/3ybx2gr , notice the route down the middle island, before getting over to A1A. It's only 35MPH in places, but the view and lack of traffic make it worthwhile. An interesting fact about taking A1A is the lack of traffic lights and traffic. The speed limits are mostly 45 mph and some long straches of 55 mph - it is quicker than US 1, and a lot more scenic.

The scooter has been running good almost the entire trip, I swear by the Seafoam additive. A little of it after that day in Alex's bath, an it was smooth going again.

Noral and Jenine you might want to stop reading here.

Other than the tire hassle, the only other bad results of this trip is that I may have done in the leather on this great seat. My guess is that the monsoon I went through Wednesday forced water up under the cool ass cover. I never took the cover off to look. It was Dave at the Tallahasee Vespa shop that noticed it, and at that point it was soaked along with my sheepskin on top of it. As its drying it appears to be spotting.

Only a few pictures today as I was rushing to get home - 318miles (my best) and 9 hours.

Hope you enjoyed my ride almost as much as I did.

Jack (new aviator coming soon)

Thanks ScooterGirlinAL for your kind words. Yesterday was really great weather - half clouds half clear blue sky's. Last half of today got hot again.
Jack

Here are the routes I took.

Days 1-2-3
http://tinyurl.com/3xtttao
note: I was towed between points D and E
469 - 66 = 403 miles

Day 4
http://tinyurl.com/2vkkhcm
139 miles


Day 5
http://tinyurl.com/3ybx2gr
318 miles

860 miles total + 66 towed

my dad had an old bullet nose studebaker when I was growing up. I called it the airplane car, cuz it looked like it had a propeller on the front. I loved that car.

Happy you had a safe trip. Sorry about the leather seat. I wish I would have applied a good coat of Tanners Leather oil that we use for saddles. it is a good oil to restore and waterproof. Enjoy your new scoot. Noral and Jenine.

Great trip, tank's for sharing.

I can attest to Kent & Dave at Florida Motorsports; that's where I bought my GTS in November of 2007. I was very happy w/ them and have recommended their shop many times.

Very glad it all turned out well, and that you had a great time!

What hwy was Stoney's on??? I think we stopped there on way to Keys!

Stoney's is just a small no name ex-gas station on Hwy 90 in Marianne, FL.

Jack

No thats too funny!!! It is the same Gas station Susan and I had to pull over at cuz there was a HUGE storm about to hit! I remember riding down hwy 90 thru a looooong corridor of pine trees then up a slight hill with a curve and there Stoney's was. I knew it looked familiar haha.... Crap I thought I had a photo of it too Oh well

That is amazing. Here's google map picture http://tinyurl.com/2ezjuqs .
Read Susan and your wedding ride writeup - enjoyed much-ly. Must have been my comment in your story that lead you to Stoney's.

Had about 3600 miles at that point - little over 9000 today.

Best, Jack

ps, few interesting facts.
May previous Vespa was just like Susan's General.
Our group " http://www.pbscooterclub.com " was at Ceder Key about a month before you two.
The Jupiter Lighthouse is maybe 3 blocks from where I live.
I almost decided to try and ride with you two, from here, for part of the day - something got in the way.

Those interested might like to read about my ride back to New Orleans (and return) for AmeriVespa. A few friends have asked.

http://navigatorjack.blogspot.com/

20,000 miles on Sunshine since I picked her up in N.O. last June.

Best, Jack

nice photos thanks for sharing cheers!