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General Category >> Ride Reports >> Visiting in Florida
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Message started by FlyingLaZBoy on Jan 14^th, 2014, 7:58am

Title: Visiting in Florida
Post by FlyingLaZBoy on Jan 14^th, 2014, 7:58am

I was in Tampa last week for a conference, and had the opportunity to stay through the weekend... Got the chance to visit ex-Texan Kent and Judy Polk for a bit one night -- Kent and I went out for Thai food, then he showed me what he's working on in his garage, creating his "Railgun" seats... some VERY nice work! I was even able to sit on his customized really-laid-back-with-hamster-bars racing machine -- although you don't really "sit" on it, you actually kind of slide into it [smiley=bath.gif]. We had a really nice visit -- thanks, Kent and Judy!

Then Saturday, I drove down to Nokomis around 4, to stay with John and Jacquie Schlitter, planning to do a 75-100 mile ride on Sunday, since my flight wasn't until 6pm -- I hadn't met Jac before. J&J were on a 200K, but some of the others were having some problems along the way, so it took about 3 hours longer than it normally would have, and they weren't getting home until about 7:30pm... Their 15-yr-old daughter Lexi was at home, so John told me to arrive with Wendy's chicken nuggets and fries, and she would gladly let me in -- so I did! J&J showed up about an hour later. It was Jacquie's birthday on Sunday, so I took the opportunity to purchase flowers and a bottle of wine as a thank you gift -- and we went ahead and drank the wine, talking into the evening...

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1777.jpg (http://s977.photobucket.com/user/pbrown8js/media/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1777.jpg.html)

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1778.jpg (http://s977.photobucket.com/user/pbrown8js/media/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1778.jpg.html)

Sunday morning, the Birthday ride morphed into an exploration of some new trails about 30 miles south of Nokomis -- we went to the shop, fitted me onto an aluminum-frame MetaBike, and I took it out for some testing while John worked on setting up a Screamer tandem for him and their 8-yr-old. The Meta was a new experience for me, being a pretty short wheelbase hiracer - even shorter than a typical Corsa/CA2 - plus, it had trigger shifters and hamster bars... although I could reach the ground very easily, due to the frame design. I rode about 6-8 miles while the other store stuff was happening, getting used to it -- the heelstrike caught me a couple times in turns, but I saved it -- and I was definitely more wobbly than normal, but the seat position was nice, and I decided that it would work for the day. The shop is a nice place, right on the main drag, and close to a trail path. They've mostly got high end bikes on the floor, and trikes as well, with a few starter models. Lexi had a pink/green RANS Rifle, and Jac had her carbon M5 mid(?)racer, and a couple other riders joined us as well -- this, plus getting everything into the van, took a while...

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1786.jpg (http://s977.photobucket.com/user/pbrown8js/media/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1786.jpg.html)

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1780.jpg (http://s977.photobucket.com/user/pbrown8js/media/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1780.jpg.html)

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1781.jpg (http://s977.photobucket.com/user/pbrown8js/media/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1781.jpg.html)

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1779.jpg (http://s977.photobucket.com/user/pbrown8js/media/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1779.jpg.html)

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1785.jpg (http://s977.photobucket.com/user/pbrown8js/media/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1785.jpg.html)

We got everything loaded, and drove south, figuring out where the trails were, and spent another 15 minutes driving around trying to find a good place to unload -- but by this time, it was after 10:30, so definitely a late start to things. We found a promising trail area, put everybody together, and rode out.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1789.jpg (http://s977.photobucket.com/user/pbrown8js/media/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1789.jpg.html)

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1791.jpg (http://s977.photobucket.com/user/pbrown8js/media/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1791.jpg.html)

We were riding casually for about a mile, then pacing at 20-22 for a while, with occasional sprinting fun -- the Meta felt like it had somewhat better aerodynamics than the Xstream, simply due to the foot/pedal position being higher, and this was a light bike, about 20-22 pounds, but I was definitely somewhat wobbly when applying power -- and the trail turned out to be only 8-9 miles long. There were various other riders out, since it was a nice day - but no other 'bents or "fast" riders.

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1801.jpg (http://s977.photobucket.com/user/pbrown8js/media/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1801.jpg.html)

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1807.jpg (http://s977.photobucket.com/user/pbrown8js/media/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1807.jpg.html)

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1816.jpg (http://s977.photobucket.com/user/pbrown8js/media/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1816.jpg.html)

So we waited for John on the tandem, then turned around and went back -- I rode with Lexi a bit, then sprinted ahead solo, playing with the bike a bit -- then Jacquie came up, and I sprinted with her for a bit (and was able to stay with her, but we only did a couple miles)... and that M5 of hers is a NICE machine... I enjoyed the MetaBike, and it was nice being able to spend some time on it (although I definitely prefer twist shifters!) -- and the "hamster" steering undoubtedly contributed to the "twitchy" feel of it, not being used to that. But, it'll get up and go -- power response was excellent. I heard/felt the carbon fibre seat "popping" occasionally when I really pushed it... just from a bit of flex.

Lexi at age 15 is definitely no slouch, and can cruise at 20mph on the Rifle... and Jacquie is, well, Jacquie... [smiley=tekst-toppie.gif] and at one point, John was doing 25-26 on the Screamer, with the 8-yr-old just putting her feet up ;D

John had announced that he was hungry, so we all stopped for lunch at a restaurant near the starting point (which included three pitchers of beer)... so, Birthday Ride and Birthday Lunch!

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1817.jpg (http://s977.photobucket.com/user/pbrown8js/media/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1817.jpg.html)

http://i977.photobucket.com/albums/ae256/pbrown8js/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1818.jpg (http://s977.photobucket.com/user/pbrown8js/media/VITE_VisitJan14/108_1818.jpg.html)

After that, it was already about 1:30, so we decided that was all for riding, since I wanted to shower before heading to the airport at 3pm... SO, the anticipated 75+ miles turned into only ~20 instead -- but it was a FUN 20...

We got back to the house with time to shower, and I proffered my thanks to J&J -- and made it to Tampa airport without rushing. All in all, a very nice visit and ride... I hope to do it again in the summer!

Title: Re: Visiting in Florida
Post by Phantom Rider on Jan 14^th, 2014, 8:54am

Sounds like a good time, I was really interested in the Meta but couldn't fine one to ride. Now I own the rifle so no more new bikes in the near future for me.

Title: Re: Visiting in Florida
Post by goatstick on Jan 14^th, 2014, 4:38pm

Was fun visiting with you. Glad you had good riding weather on Sunday with J&J. It's been a little spotty lately even here.

I've been trying to get some of my old riding buddies from s.a. over here to see what the local flatland riding is like but no takers so far. Of you Far-North guys, I think Greg visited a while back but no time for riding either. If any of ever decide to repeat the Tx-Fl ride and back that Katy and I did in 2008, you certainly would have a place to stay here!