Scooter Club Patches

I finally found a resource for scooter club patches. They are smaller quantity and price because they actually are printed, not embroidered. The minimum quantities I've found for embroidery has been 30 and the total cost has been always more than my humble budget. These guys will print any quantity (even just one) for a good price. I'm sending graphic samples to the other forefathers tonight so we can vote on them!
Kelly via BBerry

Tuesday Meeting

We had a good meeting for a Tuesday night, when it is cold, raining, and gets dark before 630.  Everyone showed up on 4 wheels and we had no ride.  Still it was cool because it got to be after seven and only one person said "Is it time to go yet?"  but that was the guy who showed up hungry.  Highlands Coffee is no place to pick up a substantial meal.

 

We talked about membership, upcoming rallys, routing ideas for this colder weather.  My only problem is that are so many new and interesting places to see, not all of them within 15 to 20 miles of Louisville.  When it's a larger group, then the more people you please, the more restricted the ride is.  You get "I don't like to ride more than an hour." or "I have to be back by noon." or "Its too cold."   I'm pretty close to the opposite.  I won't start out if it's below say 30 degrees, or if it's already raining (spring, summer, fall) or might rain (winter).  I also don't prefer to start out a ride in the dark, but coming back is ok.

 

It's been cold and wet all week.  I'm just grumpy I guess.

Patches

I found a couple companies to do our Louisville Scooter Group patches.  Here in a couple weeks I hope to have some samples to show everyone at the Tuesday meeting.  I'll post them here, too.

Sunday - Good Roads

Typical backroads of Kentucky have scenery like this. I hate that its only the first of November and it's 40 degrees and many trees have lost their leaves. We had a very short fall this year.

Sunday - Downtown Bloomfield

This was such a cool little town. I stopped at the one gas station I found which was right in the middle of the little downtown with these cool old buildings. I got a cup of coffee and sat down and joined a dad and his three sons who were taking a break from hunting deer. There were some after-church people coming in for gasoline, everyone was friendly. It just gives you a real good feel to be in a little town like this.

Sunday - God's Land

I stopped at "Pleasant Hill Christian Church" which was just off the road. The people who attend here could honestly boast the claim their church lies in a beautiful piece of God's land. The scenery around was breathtaking.

Sunday - God's Land

I stopped at "Pleasant Hill Christian Church" which was just off the road.

Sunday - See Beautiful Rock City

At the beginning of my ride on Sunday, I stopped to get a shot of this barn. This type of advertisement was very common. Rock City and Mail Pouch Tobacco were the most common.

Scooting Saturday - Big Industrial Building

This big industrial building is in Speed, Indiana. Looks like it could have been a movie set.

Scooting Saturday - Old Filling Station

Near Hayden Indiana, I saw this old filling station. I don't know if it still runs, it was closed.

Scooting Saturday - The Covered Bridge

I found this cool covered bridge in Scipio, Indiana

Scooting Saturday

Among all the little towns I visited collecting town signs, I saw some really cool stuff.What are you supposed to do when the road is washed out? Luckily I had Eliza to tell me where to go (as usual).


In Butlerville, Indiana, I saw this motorcycle graveyard. I'm sure many would say my Chinese scooter looks at home.

Seat & temperature

For the record, the ATV seat cushion I got last month at Wal-mart works perfect for me! No more bum-fatigue! Also, I think I will have to draw my line at 50 degrees for "all-day pleasure cruises"!

Brewific Nostalgia

I could see Pabst Blue Ribbon, Old Milwaukee (shown) or something like Falls City beer being served with pride in many of the places I rode through this weekend. To commemorate the trip, I am finishing it off with a cold OMW. Not usually my "drink of choice", but oh well... Even though it seemed as cold or colder outside than the brew, it was still a very good weekend. Highlights were things like a flock of wild turkeys, beautifully colored trees among rolling hills, crops being harvested, covered bridges over running streams, little near-forgotten towns where they treat you nice, even if you're a stranger, ancient gray wood barns, and all the other things God has to offer you in Kentuckiana. The only negatives were the temperature, and nobody to share it with. Still, it was a VERY good weekend.

My New Vest

I didn't get the 500 miles in like I had hoped this weekend. I did get about 250 Saturday. I rode up to just North of North Vernon Indiana. The whole reason was to get a snapshot of Queensland, Indiana. It is not quite like my Holy Grain...that would be Xenia, Ohio. I did about 10 of those miles ON GRAVEL ROADS. For some reason over in Indiana, they have 90% of the white roads unpaved! In Kentucky, those roads are traditionally only 1.25 or 1.5 car widths but STILL PAVED! For the first 5, I did about 15mph. Then I started thinking that it would REALLY suck to be STILL on those roads after dark; so I brought my speed up to 20, then 25, and finally 30mph. At that point I vowed to get my arse back onto "solid" road and stay there. At one point I was on gravel, and Eliza (the tomtom) told me to turn onto DIRT!!! I had to go another TWO MILES to get back onto pavement! Anyway, I made it into North Vernon. I was shivering from the cold, and could find no Wal-mart, Target, or anything similar. What I did find was a Goodwill Store. I found there a 2XL sweater and this (pictured) 4XL fleece vest! I threw them on over my shirt, zipped up my tech jacket, and rode off a little warmer, although feeling a little "Maggied" (reference to Maggie Simpson when she is placed into her star-shaped snow suit that immobilizes her).

Scootin today

It is pretty cold. This did not keep me from exploring Indiana. I have been thru places such as Cementville, Sellersburg, Charlestown, Otisco, Marysville, Lexington, Kent, Lancaster, San Jacinto, Rush Branch, Butlerville, Nebraska, Grammer, Scipio, Queensville, and now i'm having a cup of coffee at the McDonalds in North Vernon.

Scootin' to the Polls

I wanted to have a t-shirt or sticker today that says "I Scoot AND I Vote!" but could not find one.  If I had thought about it before like 11pm last night I could have manufactured one...

 

Too tired at that point, however, I DID scoot to the poll and cast my vote.

Anchorage, Alaska

Ok, just kidding...it's Anchorage Kentucky!!!  I'm not going THAT far (well, not in two days).

Sunday...coming home thru Pewee Valley, KY

On the way home, I snapped a couple pictures.  Here's Pewee Valley...funny name.

Ken's ride

Here's a picture of Ken's sweet Vespa!  He says he would love to retire back in the hills behind his scoot.

Old Bridge

Here is the old steel and wooden plank bridge that was replace by the concrete one.

Replacement Bridge

There was this old bridge that had washed out or gotten dilapidated and this one was built to take it's place.

Farm House with Cool Silo

I thought this big old mansiony farm house was really cool.  Plus the stone looking silo was really neat.

Out of Road

After the train bridge we ran into gravel, so turned around.  Here's a side shot of the bridge.

Cool Old Train Bridge

This old train bridge was close to Sulphur.  The road was marked "No Outlet" but Ken's roadmap, the internet, and my TomTom said it went thru.

Sulphur, KY

Ken calls Sulphur the town that time forgot.  It really looks it!

Wilder's Corner

Both our scoots at Wilder's Corner.

Sunday October 26th Multi-County ride with Ken

On Sunday I went riding with my good friend Ken.  He has this sweet little Vespa 150.  He will probably pass me on mileage by the end of the year.  He lives out away from Louisville and commutes in daily.  My commute is *sigh* only about 12 miles.  We rode around and he showed me a lot of cool places.  I even got a couple locations for the Alphabet game.  He'd took me by this little market store before.  I think it's closed, but the building is really cool looking.  This is Black Betty at Wilder's Corner.

Cropper, KY

I took this picture mainly not because of the Alphabet game, but because the signs posted next to the entrance.  One says "No Tobacco in Classrooms" and the other say "No Alcohol on Premises".  You gotta wonder about chaw on the playground, and why they actually had to post these signs in what appears to be a grade school (but is probably an all-grade school).

Gratz, Kentucky

I actually got a picture of the Gratz Baptist church on the way up, but you can barely read the sign.  It looks like a tombstone.  This marker was the first one I caught for Gratz on the way back.  It was placed right beside a drive way.  I didn't notice until later but the name Gratz did not have the standard road-sign font.  A little further up the road, I saw another "more official looking" sign for Gratz.  I guess somebody decided to unofficially increase the town to include their home...

Pleasant Home, Kentucky

Sort of like Sweet Home, Alabama I guess....

 

Finally...up to Owenton

It was getting late...sun was going down quick (that's why the flash...).  I did not look around Owenton.  I just got the picture and headed back.  I didn't want to be too long on unfamiliar roads.  There were some deer about...

The Bethlehem Post Office

Mail your Christmas cards from here!

Bethlehem (Kentucky)

A good friend of mine, Ken, said his family used to take all their Christmas cards to the post office in Bethlehem, so they would be postmarked from there.  I might scoot up and do that this year!

Pleasureville

I don't know what exactly I was expecting when I arrived in Pleasureville.  Lots of blonds, or at least a Hooters restaurant...nope.

 

(just kidding)

Eminence, Kentucky

I led a group out to Eminence one weekend, but I did not have time to stop and get a picture.  Now I have proof.

Chestnut Grove, KY

The next little town was called Chestnut Grove.  Most of the roads I travel do not get a lot of traffic.

Todd's Point

The first sign I saw was for Todd's Point Kentucky.  You have to be really careful getting these.  Most people are ok with it, but you COULD get hit by a cager if you're not keeping a look-out! 

Lyndon Coal Co.

Here's a closer shot of the cool historic building.

Owenton ride October 25th

I dropped my bike on Saturday, so I went home after that and took a rest.  Ok, it was a nap.  Anyway I had a big long ride planned that day, and the accident knocked the wind out of those plans, but I still had this need to get out for a while and get moving, so I decided I would scratch another letter off my alphabet.

 

Alphabet?

 

Yeah, corny as it sounds I want to travel "everywhere" from A to Z.  So here's the rules in case you want to do it.

 

1. You must get official photographic proof you've been everywhere (from A to Z).

2. You can use a picture of your bike, or you and your bike placed next to one of the following:

      a. Standard green sign that states only the name of the city or town.

      b. The town's personalized "Welcome to..." sign (with or without population, founding dates, etc.)

      c. You can use a picture of your bike at the town's post office.

      d. You can use a picture of your bike at the towns school or church, but ONLY if the church or school has the name of the town in it.

3. You accumulate these pictures, with at least one for every letter of the alphabet, duplicates are optional.

 

Simple rules.  I post my pictures here when I get them, and also on google albums.  My official documentation album for this is at:

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/the1weasel/EverywhereAZ?authkey=zHEWKMiSDyk

 

Anyway, I headed out to Owenton to get my "O".  My first stop was this little shack like place that looked so cool, I had to get a picture.  It is the Avoca Station where you can apparently get firewood, sand and gravel, compliments of the Lyndon Coal Company since 1900.  It says that it is a Historic Landmark.

Down

Regarding bike accidents my friend Dale said tonight "There's only two types of people. Those who've laid their bike down, and those who're going to." As of about 9am this morning, I now belong to the other type. Both Black Betty and myself are a little worse for wear, but otherwise fine. I am not all gembled up by my accident. I was going no more than the posted speed limit, being cautious, alert, and I was geared to the teeth. No scars for me, and mostly cosmetic damage to Betty. I will end up needing new mirrors...

Louisville Scooter Group Tuesday Night Ride

We had a good showing for Jefferson Memorial Forest ride on Tuesday Night. We had one glitch...we were supposed to meet at Peppermint Lounge, but they stopped serving food, so we went to the Vietnam Kitchen next door. Ended up at this little hole-in-the-wall bar. Besides Group Forefathers (Jeremy and myself) there was (in order of appearance) Dale, Ralph, Ken, Steve & Jan, and Jonathan. Dale and Jonathan peeled off right after JMF to get gas and warm up. Brave Kudos to those who were not used to the dim lighting.

Cycle Smart

There is a new scooter dealer that just opened up in the old carpet remnant building on Preston (6628 preston I think). I need to go check it out soon.

Hoosier National Forest

We're planning a ride to Hoosier National Forest.  http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/hoosier/ for this weekend.  The weather looks like it will cooperate.  I hope we have either nobody, or like 8 scooters.

 

Note to self: leaving early...pack coffee.  Here are some pictures, compliments of google image search: http://tinyurl.com/LSG-HNF

Louisville Scooter Group Meetings and Cold Weather

As cold weather approaches, I was beginning to see less attendance at our scheduled events, but Tuesday ride was 8 scooters.  Well, 7 scooters and a motorcycle.  Well, 5 scooter, a motorcycle, and then me and Jeremy.  Still, it was a good turn out.  I don't think anybody cared for the destination much, but I never get much input.

 

Speaking of input, our m/c rider and info wiz, Steve, made some good points about meeting places and such, like meeting at a fast-food place so we can get something quick, moving the time up to 5:30 instead of 6pm so we don't end up riding much in the dark.  I did remind everyone that on November 1 we go back one hour.  We should be ok then.

 

There has been a lot of discussion on our google group about cold-weather and gear.  Check it out if you're interested in that sort of thing.

Sunday--Jefferson Memorial Forest

This Sunday ride was with Jim. He's a hellofa guy. He rides this badass red Vespa. So far, it's the only Italian scoot I've seen that I would ride. I like the MP3's but they are massive in front. Don't got much use for the Aprillias...this is just personal taste. Nothing wrong with any two-wheels that turn! Anyway, we met up at Waffle House in Jeffersonville, then coming across the bridge met the members of [name omitted] scooter club. These people used to be members of LSG, but converted. I don't know why, you have to ask them. That's ok though. Jim and I had a great time.

Saturday October 11th along the Ohio River

This was a nice weather day.  I had set up a ride going to Indiana but it ended up solo.  I put in a lot of planning for the ride and nobody showed up, so I continued on solo without the group.  Suits me fine most days.  I ride, ride, ride.  This picture was right in front of the locks section of the Ohio River.

Help Sparky, the Scooter Guru!

This is a change for you all to help Sparky, the scooter guru who's helped so many in the past with his vast technical knowledge of scooters and mechanics in general.

...Irvington, KY

We ate at the Green Valley Restaurant in Irvington, KY.   The food was AWESOME!

Custer, KY

We cut through Custer, KY on the way to Lunch in...

Vine Grove

...and Vine Grove....

Rineyville

Also Rineyville

Radcliff

Part of the route Sunday included Radcliff, KY

Sunday riding with Heather

A highschool chum, Heather, and I went riding on Sunday.  She bought a Buell motorcycle.  She keeps up great with old Black Betty!