HAMS 08

This weekend saw the birth of HAMS! What is HAMS you ask?? Heart of America Maxi Scooter Meet Up




People from all over the WORLD showed up! Here is a copy and paste of my ride report from the club forum.

HAMS Report

Ride up for the SLSC

Someone was smiling on us. Rain removed from the forecast and it was a marvelous morning to ride! We meet and rolled out to Francis Howell to pick up Charlie. Thanks to Shelia for coming out and providing breakfast!! After a brief riders meeting conducted by Pete, Kevin, Charlie and myself we were ready to roll!

We split off into two groups with me leading Group A and Pete sweeping. Group B was lead by Kevin and Charlie was sweeping. 94 to the Crossroads is some sweet riding. This weekend we saw a lot of gravel in some places not normally found and turtles, yes turtles! If I saw one, I saw 30!

After a brief stop at the Cross Roads we headed back out to 94. Now this is the part of the road I was excited about. The ride from the Cross Road to Fulton is some of the finest riding in the state and I was very excited to share it with the group since I constantly talk about my much loved SR –O. When we stopped in Fulton I was quite please that the group liked O (this means I get to drag them out there with me more!)

From Fulton it was a short skip over to Columbia. We pulled up at Days Inn and met up with Steve from Jeff City and Dennis from Kansas City. I gave JC a call and found the KC group was at lunch. So we headed over to Chevys for lunch. Now anyone that knows Kevin knows he is the picture of perfect health and umm how do I say this… put together quite well. So imagine our surpise when his lunch came out! HUGS Kevin for taking our ribbing!!

After lunch we rolled back to the Days Inn and meet up with the rest of the folks. WOW! Thanks to all that came out. We had people from several clubs:

St. Louis Scooter Club
Columbia Scooter Club
KC Maxi Riders
Mad Totos
Between TWO Rivers Scooter Club (Iowa)
Burgman USA Independent Riders (Randy was from Arkansas!)
Boondock Scooter Club
30 Day Scooter Gang
Knights of St. Louis
Wan from Total Ruckus via Korea

There was even a lady from Columbia that googled scooters in Columbia and found our Meet Up! She came out and picked our brains about the differing scooters. Seems Misty has her sold on a Ruckus! WTG, Misty!

Saturday Ride

After we meet and mingled we assembled for a ride out to the Grand Oak Tree and Devil’s Ice Box. Many many thanks to Craig from the Columbia Scooter Club for leading and Jason and Bob from the Mad Totos for running traffic interference. Much appreciated guys!

Ready to Roll!



At the Grand Oak Tree I believe the count to circle the tree hand to hand was 10 people! After the Grand Oak we headed over to the Devil’s Ice Box. Some brave souls headed back in the heat and humidity to take a peek! On the ride back we started to hit some sprinkles which turn into a deluge by the time we were back.

Upon returning A call to Matty re the BBQ. We decided switch gears on the BBQ. We BBQ’d at the Days Inn (shout out to Days Inn for accommodating us)

BBQ and Hanging Out

Matt, THANKS so much for you and your club’s hospitality! The Columbia Scooter club rocks!

We hung out in the parking lot ate drank and all we were all merry!






Pete, Carolyn, Sandy, Scot and I ended out night at the pool. The 6’10” Scoman entertain the kids! Was so cool to watch, Pete and I were cracking up!

Night Ride

There was a jackassery Columbia night ride, Ed will have to report on that, I had way to many beers to be on a scooter! I heard they had lots of fun, sorry I missed it!

Sunday Breakfast and Rocheport Ride

After a well deserved night’s rest, we got up and those remaining headed into downtown to eat at Ernie’s. Then we took at ride out to Rocheport via Hwy J. We have all decided to call J, the Roller Coaster! Damn I have always loved this road and Sunday was no exception!


From Rocheport we said our good byes to our new friends.

Thanks to All!!

Thanks so much to those that came out. On behalf of the SLSC we thank you and hope you had as good a time as we did!


My personal thanks to the SLSC members that helped to make this a great event! The input and help from all the members that made this event go off without a hitch!

Here are a few moew couple of 100 pictures if you are inclined :)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/stlscooterclub/sets/72157605377855828/


Video of the ride down!



Video of the Meet Up!

Why I own 3 Corazzo jackets and will always buy from them...

Last fall I had an accident and was wearing a 5.0 Corazzo jacket. The jacket took the brunt of the hit on my left arm but I had some damage from the liner burning into my skin.

Corazzo reads a forum I post at and was concerned about the burning of my skin. They asked if they could have the jacket back and they would replace it with a new one. I was hesitant as this was a special color that at the time they had only made as a prototype and had given to Moto Italia. They replaced the jacket with the same color and I gave them back the jacket I had the accident with.

Today I get this from Corazzo... this is why I will own more Corazzo items in the future.

From: corazzo chad
To: Maggie302
Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 12:19 pm
Subject: Re: your black and pink 5.0 Quote message
Call Me!!!!!

chad@corazzo.net
503.236.xxxx

Just so you know

because of the your jacket and your crash we were able to find an internal lining for the jackets that is more heat resistant so the melting doesn't happen like it did to you

chad

The week that was...

I finally caught up on our videos form Alto Pass and Louisville!

Louisville Slugger Trip

After we left the group Sunday evening, Pete and I made our way to Evansville. The roads over were nice roads, mileage was only 107 but we hit a lot of little towns, made the trip very interesting. The winds were harsh but manageable.

I was surprised how big Evansville is. However they really need Steve Patterson, Urban Planner. The streets are poorly marked! Did I get us lost? Of course not I do not get lost! But we did make some interesting turns!

Up bright and early Monday and we fueled up the bikes and ourselves and headed down the road to Louisville.


We hit a rest stop about ½ ways and I decided to break out the new yellow Frog Toggs jacket just to deflect the wind a bit... As I am zipping up this way to big for me jacket, I hear, that is not very sexy looking... LOL Thanks, Pete! PS: the yellow Frog Toggs will find a new home ASAP!

Ok here is the TIP OF THE DAY! DO NOT place anything small on the Burgman dash that you don’t wish to fall under the steering casing. Sigh, my iPod and glasses slipped under. So here we are pulling off the steering cover to retrieve. Even in my pissed off state I didn’t pop any clips! I am sure the that isn’t sexy looking comment made me do such a moronic thing! *sigh*

We got to Louisville with no more drama or comment! Very nice town from what I saw. The area where the Louisville Slugger Museum is, reminds me of Washington Ave. Lots of great old buildings being redone into great shops and restaurants. Don’t ask me why the red penguins are on the building, I have no idea but they were cool looking.


The Museum was lots of fun! The tour was great; we saw how they make bats for the MLB players. They passed around lots of bats to see, I refused to touch any Yankee bat. *puke* If you are in Louisville, I would recommend the tour, it’s very interesting.

After the tour, Pete and I took turns in the baseball cages. The 50mph cages... Pete bats left handed and was a .500 hitter. I bat right handed and was a .250 hitter. Must be my golf swing, LOL! I can’t even imagine hitting a ball thrown 90mph!

The parking folks put us in a special spot. One of these things is not like the other, can you spot it?

After some Derby lunch, we headed home via I-64. Was basically uneventful, a couple of rainy spots but not bad at all. One stretch I was ready to pull over... I felt like I was ready to doze off. We have named Monster Java Mean Bean as the official drink of the SLSC! Yum they it is good and wow woke me up! Wind held off until we got to Mt Vernon, not bad but noticeable for sure!

We seem to have a knack for finding cats, here is a cute 3 legged cat!



I still prefer country road riding to the super slab, but I-64 got us from point A to point B with no issues for either Max or Bella.

Just a great trip and with my favorite riding partner, just doesn’t get any better. Next for us is an Iron Butt ride *smile*

Alto Pass, Illinois

What a great ride!!

I think our new ride saying in St. Louis is, if it ain't raining it's windy!

I am so sick of this weather, Auntie Em! Other than some wind the day was perfect.

Pete lead us over to meet Jim in Columbia, after picking Jim up we headed down the Bluff Road where the winds were not bad at all. Once in Mayestown we headed up to Rte 3 then south. Our first stop was Chester, put lots of miles under us and was time to stop.

After some refueling of our cells we were back on the bikes south towards Murphysboro.

Did anyone see the mailbox on Rte 3 south of Chester that had the pulley system to the house? Pete saw it.. I missed it. He said it was an entire 75-100 foot walk from the house to the mailbox. Perhaps the people are disabled or very lazy either way it was ingenious!

We were all looking forward to the BEST BBQ restaurant in the State of Illinois.

Here is what we found!



I thought Ed was going to get off the bike and beat me up! LOL! I said, umm there is Dairy Queen right over there.. LOL, I wish I had a picture of his face.. well that was a no go so...

I told the group to hang tight and I made two right turns and found us Tippy's! Wasn't bad, home style cooking. The rolls were sweet! As was the breaded okra and the cucumbers and onions I had! The highlight of Tippy's was Sandy walking into the rest room while occupied by Ed2. LOL her beloved Uncle says to her, no one is in there go ahead, LOL!!

Once out in the parking lot we said our good byes to Jim, he had a long way back to Litchfield! Was great to see you again, Jim! We are all looking forward to that Ramsey Lake tour very soon!

Ed2 headed over to Carbondale to see his son who just graduated!

The rest of the pack headed down Rte 127 south to Alto Pass after consuming a bottle of wine each on the terrace we were ready to camp out.. ok we really didn't drink a bottle each *sigh* made the story sound better We hung out on the open air terrace and watched the wind blow across the vineyards.



Rte 127 south of Murphysboro is very very nice. For years I have wanted to go to Little Grand Canyon Park as well as the Pomona Natural Bridge. Both of these are off 127. I am looking forward to a ride back down to this area.

After a bit of relaxing we set off back north on 127 to meet Ed2 After filling up, Pete and I said our good byes to every one and watched the gang head back to St. Louis.

Was an OUTSTANDING day!! As always was full of great fun and MUCH laughter!

Good Day Sunshine

What an absolutely perfect day for a ride. Finally I think we have turned the corner on the cool weather... well it sounds nice when I type it but St. Louis is St. Louis and it could be snowing this week!

Meeting at the Diamonds to go West

Meramec River

I rode Flutter today.. first long ride on her since I got the big bike. I love how she rides the twisties.. obviously not the huge power of the 650 but nonetheless I loved the ride today!

Flutter

Swim At Your Own Risk
Photo Courtesy of Scot


Turtles Sunbathing on the Meramec
Photo Courtesy of Pete

You like me, you really like me...

Rick at Keep the Rubber Side Down has kindly presented Scooter Therapy with a blog of excellence award. Thanks Rick!!

In the spirit of passing it on.. Scooter Therapy is recognizing LadyRidesAlot and Glider Rider for the award!

A Milestone - 10,000 miles

There is no love

like

your first love

Flutter flipped 10,000 miles this morning. Of all the great places she and I have been, ironically she flipped to 10,000 @ 141 & Manchester.

I have no doubt I am biased but Flutter is the coolest damn scooter ever built. I will never forget buying her. Mike at ETS said let me show you this Kymco Bet Win 250cc in the back. I remember thinking, what the hell kind of name is that? The minute I saw her it was love at first sight. Within 3 minutes I handed him a check.

As I rode into work after she passed 10,000, I reflected on how much this scooter has changed my life. I have been places I would have never gone. I have seen things I would have never seen without her. I have cultivated what I hope will be life long friendships that I otherwise would not have.

Even with the new 650 in the garage, I still have this deep affection for my first. I could go on to own the much coveted DN-01 or the MyRoad 700i but there will never be the same love like my first love.

Like I always tell Pete and Ed… it’s the red scooter!

Flutter at the Butterfly House

Southern Ride on a Beautiful Day

We meet up at our usual starting off point for southern rides, Meramec Bottom and Hwy 21 under the bridge.

Maggie and Steve
Photo courtesy of Scot

A pleasant surprise at the meet up was EdP. Ed dropped by to meet up and see us off! From there Pete lead, Sandy, Steve, Scot and myself down to meet Jerry and his son Chris. I love Heintz Road, thanks for taking us on that one, Pete!

After picking up Jerry and Chris, I lead us down 61 to the scenic overlook then we went on to gas up. After we gassed up we headed over to Route O to Hwy 32 to Route C. When we left the gas station I had explained that I would be opening up the 650 but I would not make a turn without the full group. Pete, Chris and I really tore up Route 0 pretty well. BTW, Chris was on a crotch rocket.. nice looking bike!

Bikes at the scenic overlook
Photo courtesy of Scot

When we got to Route C, Chris came in behind me.. man we were really riding it hard.. in the straight aways I know he wanted to pass me up but I would come out of a curve hit the power button and he stood no chance :) Chris and I stopped at the intersection of C and D to wait for the group.. no one was coming about 2 minutes pass and I said geez were we doing that fast.. I heard my phone ringing in my well, it was Sandy.. I missed her call. Tried to call her back when Scot was pulling up... Umm my heart sank a bit cause I knew someone was in trouble.

Was Pete, his belt totally shredded! Mind you a new belt that was just installed last month. I hauled ass 7 miles back and got off the bike and called Bobby. Bobby talked to Pete and said he would come down and get the bike. The rest of the group headed over to lunch, there was no need for them staying even though they all said they would.

Scot's wicked looking Sports City at CB Joes
Photo courtesy of Scot

Now if you have to break down somewhere, Pete picked the sweetest spot possible! To kill time we walked to a creek then followed it back in. Both leaving with scratches from raspberry bush thorns... umm and some ticks! Eeeewww !!

Bobby got down really quick and brought Max back to St. Louis. Can't begin to thank Bobby enough for coming down, no one asked him he just said I will be down as soon as possible. 80 miles out and on a Sunday. I wish you all could have a friend and mechanic like Bobby. He is flipping awesome!

Max in good hands!

I liked one thing Bobby said, as Pete was talking about going 90mph and then his bike started dropping, Bobby looks at him and says.. you know when I was riding across O and C he said he said to himself. Jesus these fuckers know where and how to ride! LOL cracked me up!

Pete and I rode two up back. Ed's dream!! For some reason was he always thought Pete and I riding two up would be cool. Well Ed was right it was actually cool... not something I would do every day but it worked! Pete did so great! Obvious benefit to riding two up was holding on to Pete but I found looking around and taking pictures fun!



So an eventful Sunday but was very nice under the circumstances! Pete and I would have never found this great creek to walk otherwise.

It's Monday and NO RAIN!!

No Climbing - Bella in Klondike Park

It's Monday and no rain??? So a ride was in order. I had no idea really where I was going so I just rode. After I started, I decided to ride out to Jon's Kymco dealership in Marthasville.

Was a day of stopping and taking pictures. There was even an unexpected stop.

Wild Horse Creek

I headed out to Wild Horse Creek, I really opened the 650 up on all the twisties. Head over to the Devil's road as Kevin likes to call Ossenfort. I was clipping along pretty well when I look and see a St. Louis County policeman running radar!

He motions me over, I pull into the drive he was in. He asked me to remove my helmet and turn off the bike. He says to me, do you know how fast you were going? I said honestly no but I am sure it was fast. He said does this have a speedometer? I said uhh yeah it does. He said you were doing 62 in a 25.. I said wow really? He asked me again if it had a speedometer. Now mind you I have always been good at talking my way out of tickets but this time I knew I was screwed so I didn't even begin to talk my way out of this one. He said you have a license and insurance? I said yeah, got it out. Then he said you been on this road before, I said yeah 1,000's of times I live out this way. Then he looks at me and says I have no idea why but I am not going to write you a ticket. ( I thought to myself I have no idea why you are not either) He says to me Ms. Madonia ride through here again like that it will be a different story. I said thanks sir, I appreciate it. I took a picture of a horse in a field across the street got my helmet on and left.

Ok onward up rest of Ossenfort to Hwy T to Labadie. I stopped for lunch at my all time favorite Monday place for my all time favorite lunch.

Hwy 47 Bridge in Washington

Farmland in Marthasville

After lunch I rode into Washington then hit Hwy 47 to Marthasville. I found Jon's shop on Hwy 47 in Marthasville and stopped in for a visit. Super nice guy with a very nice shop. He even has helmets :) I resisted the urge and didn't buy this very nice HJC helmet. We will have to plan a ride out for you all to see his place. Jon does all the shop work and sales. He sold an Agility and a Grand Vista this past week!!

Missouri Wild Thistle

Afterwards, I headed back in Hwy 47. I decided to go down and see the Daniel Boone Memorial off of Hwy 47. Glad I did a very nice spot!

Daniel Boone Monument

Back on Hwy 47 o Hwy 94. Went into Augusta for a quick look see down by the river. After I was back on Hwy 94 I decided to stop at Klondike Park. I have rode by this park 100's times and always wanted to stop. I am so glad I did, this place rocks!

I hiked up the hill to a scenic overlook, very very nice. Even saw a wild goat up there, I guess it was wild but he did have a tag on his ear. He was friendly. Afterwards road over to the lake. Appears this was some sort of quarry? Super nice place and will be a place I return to again soon!

Quarry Lake at Klondike Park

Goat at Klondike Park

Afterwards Hwy 94 to Hwy 40 to home. 99.2 miles logged. Fantastic day.

Spring is here!

Scoots in Herman @ Stone Hill Winery

Great weekend to get in some riding. Both days saw us heading out west to the hills and twisties. Saturday was a St. Louis Scooter Club ride out to Morrison and back. Sunday, Pete and I were going to head up north to Hardin but at the last minute we change the route and went out west to Cuba. Sunday we saw lots of bikers out enjoying the GREAT weather.

Max' Sexy Pose

Hwy 8 through Mark Twain National Forest

Roadside Park Mark Twain National Forest

Taum Sauk

Started out a tad chilly but the ride down to Arcadia Valley and Taum Sauk ended up being perfect! Lots of blue skies and sun! Days like these sure make it hard to go back to work!

Scenic Vista in the Arcadia Valley

Look Out Tower @ Taum Sauk

Ste. Gen - Illinois Ride

Bella made her name change from Burgman to Skywave! She already feels faster :) A ride was in order. Pete and I headed down to Ste. Gen then took the ferry over the Mississippi to Illinois. Great day for a ride. Was in the high 40's but never had that chilly feel! I think spring is near!!

Skywave 650

I am the Highway

Sunset Ride

Yes, 70 degrees on Wednesday was all we needed for the perfect SLSC Wednesday night ride!

West bound on the Eads Bridge tailing Ed and Pete

Power Plant Ride

Nice enough to ride out to Labadie for lunch. If you have never been to 3 Brothers, go! The Rustic Potato soup rocks! Pete and I found a surprise rider along the way!

A Difference a Day Makes

Sunday it was beautiful, went for a group ride with the St. Louis Scooter Club. Monday the skies opened up and dumped a few inches of snow on us!

Bella and Max

Bella's Snow Day