3rd Annual Florida Get Together (FGT) Winter 2012

[v65infla]

A little early, just getting it on the calendar.  

Feb. 16th - Feb. 19th. 2012

Come ride "The Curve".

[niteman]

Early is good. Gives plenty of time for planning ahead lol. I'll put it on the calendar.

[v65infla]

Be glad to have you and that pretty new bike!!  The first year there were 3 and last year 9 showed.  By my math it would be great to have 27 this year.     Then we could truly have the sight seeing group, the medium paced and a spirited group.  I am thinking we should do Avon Park one more year and then maybe move it up to the Ocala area after that.  I know the better riding is towards Ocala but I like the central location of AP for every one to get too.  This get together is more about just getting together and giving the guys up north a chance to get out of the snow then it is dicing up roads. 

Come ride the curve!

[v65infla]

Come ride the curve!! 

[niteman]

Sounds good. Never been to that area, even when going to the other coast to visit family. I'm up for something new. You're right though, there are some really good roads (by FL standards) up around Ocala and the forest area.

I gotta ask...what's the thing with "the curve"?

[v65infla]

Sounds good. Never been to that area, even when going to the other coast to visit family. I'm up for something new. You're right though, there are some really good roads (by FL standards) up around Ocala and the forest area.

I gotta ask...what's the thing with "the curve"?

That is a running joke because when our V4 group meets once a year in NC in May it is all about riding the curves.  As you know we don't have a lot of those here in Florida.  At last years FGT, Friday morning it was the first real curve we found that was actually fun to fly through.  The Dragon at Deals Gap is 318 curves in 11 miles.  Here it is more like 11 curves in 318 miles.   

Dan showed me a great little road up there as well; "Sweetwater Road" or at least great by Florida standards.   

This particular meet up is much more about getting together with friends and having a good time than it is about the great riding.  It was originally intended to not only get the boys of Florida together but to also give the guy's up north a chance for a winter escape.  Ron from the V4 board is an original attendee along with myself from 2010 and he is from MI.  Michael also from the V4 board and I believe he has joined here as well comes from Maine and promised he isn't working to be at this one coming up as well.  I believe they were our only out of stater's.

We don't set any thing in advance.  Just come out ride during the day, drink some beer and tell lies at night.   

[v65infla]

The major event's on the V4 Honda board are wrapping up and the only other major event coming up here is Windy Acres in October so its time to start planning FGT 2012 for real.  I have already posted the dates above. FEB 16TH - 19TH 2012 in Avon Park, Fl.  At this event we will have a real discussion and give strong consideration to moving it farther north to the Ocala area for 2013. 

I will check with Reed's Motel again and see if they are still in business or have enough rooms and I am also going to check back with the Brentwood Motel on the north side of town.  I think they are a bit less expensive and it would be quieter but the drawback is they don't have everything within in walking distance so I am inclined to stay at Reed's and I think that was the general consensus last year as well. 

I will not be collecting money or taking deposits this year.  Wherever we decide to stay I will see how many rooms I can block off for a reasonable time period and it will be up to you to call and get your own reservations, set up your roommate if you wish and you guy's work out the financial end of it on your own.  However, if there is one person coming that wants to share a room and doesn't have anyone, I will be happy to pair you up if I can.  It may or may not be someone from here as the V4 Honda board is invited as well as the ST board. 

If you want a shirt this year it will be $20 and you can start ordering those whenever you want.  There will only be one choice of color so don't wait for that.  All I need is size and quantity and the $20 each.  Pre order only, there will not be any extra's this year to buy after.  If you want to wait on the design you will have to wait until I actually design it.     I can tell you there is a good chance they will be white again because they are cheaper, easier to work with and I already have closet full of black t-shirts.     

[dt]

Yeah, the traffic noise was pretty bad at the Bates Motel, but on the upside there seemed to be several good walking distance places to eat.

[v65infla]

Gary and I stopped by the Brentwood on the way out last year and it is on a little lake and way quieter but the down stroke is we will have to ride everywhere.  Not that is a bad thing but being able to walk to dinner was nice.  Dan also told me about a Mexican place within walking distance of Bates, errr, I mean Reeds that is supposed to be great.     Hopefully Dan has no excuses this year.   

[danh600]

Happened to ride by Reeds today on the way home. There is a "for sale" sign out front. Couldn't tell if it was still in operation.

[dt]

Article in TBO from June. Says Reeds is closed and for sale in the last paragraph. Maybe it'll be sold and reopened before FGT.

http://www2.highlandstoday.com/content/2011/jun/26/LCNEWSO1-summer-vacation/news-newbusiness/

[v65infla]

Article in TBO from June. Says Reeds is closed and for sale in the last paragraph. Maybe it'll be sold and reopened before FGT.

http://www2.highlandstoday.com/content/2011/jun/26/LCNEWSO1-summer-vacation/news-newbusiness/

That is too bad.  John had told me last year he wasn't sure if they could hang on or not.  Gary and I are going to get up there and stay at the Brentwood for a weekend to check it out pretty soon. 

[v65infla]

Just trying to get an idea.  How many attending would be interested in camping vs. staying in a hotel??  (Trying to figure out if chasing down a camp site would be worth the effort)

[danh600]

I am fine with either.

[dt]

I'm getting some camping gear for the everglades and I'll have one full night of camping experience by the time february rolls around, so I'm good if everyone wants to camp.

[Zarticus]

Either way's good for me!!

[niteman]

Either way is good for me as well. Hotel is of course more comfortable, but it's always hard to beat a campfire.

[v65infla]

I'm getting some camping gear for the everglades and I'll have one full night of camping experience by the time february rolls around, so I'm good if everyone wants to camp.

You could have 3 more nights next weekend.     If you need I'll even bring my 2 man tent that I used last year and loan it to you??

[dt]

omg I'd never last three nights. I'm rethinking one. 

[v65infla]

omg I'd never last three nights. I'm rethinking one.  

Come on man, take your skirt off and lets go.  

[dt]

Come on man, take your skirt off and lets go.  

I'm not taking my shirt off...

...unless the prize for number 32 on the hooter computer is worth it. 

[dongalb]

...unless the prize for number 32 on the hooter computer is worth it. 

The prize is for us.  We get to take pics!    or maybe even forget to raise the camera! 

So probably not the prize to cost you your shirt.

[dt]

When are we going to get the green light to start booking?

[v65infla]

When are we going to get the green light to start booking?

Sorry buddy, been caught up in life.  I have one more question I need to ask them.  I'll get this done tomorrow.

[dt]

Sorry, no rush. Life comes first.