Saturday, February 1, 2014

Almost Key West

This weekend is the annual Cabin Fever event at Scooterville in Minneapolis.  Tradition has it that we gather as usual at Diamond's for coffee early and then head downtown to be tempted by a warm showroom full of new and colorful scooters.

It felt mild this morning at 5:30 when I climbed in the car to head up to Minneapolis.  The thermometer in the car said +2 and I just knew it was going to be a good day.  Our new car (the one with the heated seats) has satellite radio and during what's left of the Sirius free promotion, I listened to the Jimmy Buffet Channel all the way to the city.  I'm not in actuality much of a Land Shark but hey, a guy can dream.....and I did get to feel quite warm, what with the lyrics of "Let's Get Drunk and ......".  I even started imagining that the piles of snow everywhere might just be sand.  So yes, the miles went by quickly and with a smile, parts of me at least very toasty.

I stopped for gas and for the first time in a few weeks, the car got washed though too much of the 6" of new snow we plowed through Thursday in the driveway on the way home was still stuck in the grill.  I guess "Touchless" wasn't meant to handle packed in grill snow.  I went out to once again in what has of late seemed like a daily ritual, open up the driveway right after we got home that evening and laughed about the dragging tracks the car had left on the entire 1000' of our private road.  At least I had been able to park the car where I wanted it.....out of the way and in front of the garage.

Enough about snow.....back to Key West and other warm subjects. This is what the parking lot at Scooterville looked like when we got there.



But first, it was 7AM coffee Diamond's and turnout was good.  As Mike said, there were even some new lies today, I'd guess probably due to it being a new month.  Of course Paul rode, it is February after all.



Early turnout was light at Scooterville when they opened but it did get better as the morning went on.  My car thermometer at that time was reading a very balmy +18, affirmation of my ensemble today, my trusty Scooterville T-shirt.



This lovely Italian woman was sort of there.....we're always glad that she is.


and naturally Flo was there; she shows up most everywhere there are 2 wheels it seems.


There were Stella's, both 2 stroke and 4, Buddy's, People's, Downtown's....there were a bunch of these and others.



Don't tell anyone but this used 200i Like really caught my eye.....I did NOT bring it home however.  Three years ago, a Hyosung GT250R did follow me home from this event.



The Vespa's were lined up along the front window.


Just as I was walking out, Dick showed up.  Rick, Tim and Kraig not long before had arrived together; these guys all members of a Twin Cities scooter group that I've ridden with.  Rick was the former owner of my black Morphous.....he's now got another scooter for sale, an Italian one but I'm so far saying "no".

Bright and shiny things everywhere.....Mike was there as well.


14 comments:

  1. Key West, eh? Last time I'd been there it kinda looked different ;-)
    Nice shop. Have you been tempted to bring something home?

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  2. Love it...but then I've always been attracted to shiny things.

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    1. Karen, I am too and definitely felt it today. That red Kymco and price kept me circling.....then the circles got larger and I was able to walk away.

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  3. I was tempted today....can't help myself sometimes but common sense prevailed. I had offers of trucks and/or trailers to assist me with the necessary hauling though appreciated, I declined.

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  4. Yes, it must be getting on towards Spring...

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    Replies
    1. It is, outside and in. New bright life and awakenings just around the corner.

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  5. Scooters galore! I miss my scoot now and when I say that my hub just groans. Maybe someday another scoot will settle into the moto lair. You showed strong will power.

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    1. Dar, in our rural location smallish scooters aren't all that practical though I did a lot and had great fun with my Buddy 125. Both of my 250's are scooters by some definitions though something more traditionally scooterish would (should) feel very at home in the garage. Yesterday had me thinking.......

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  6. It looks like a great day out. Good music, scooter, friends.....

    And aren't heated seats the best? Our Subaru has them. Sure makes me have to pee faster on a road trip though. TMI, I know.

    Jimmy Buffet would be good traveling music. I've only even been to two concerts and both were Jimmy in Portland. My brother wanted to go but didn't want to drive so he bought us tickets. Great concert - too many people.

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  7. I've never been able to enjoy the warm seats before; they are a treat for the first 50 miles of our commute and I'm very much looking forward to not using them :)
    I was never one of the Parrot Heads or whatever they call themselves but yesterday's music was fun and timed perfectly, making for a very nice Saturday morning.

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  8. Winter can have a way of over staying its' welcome for northern bikers, but I like the idea of the Cabin Fever event. Sounds like a lot of fun and a nice look ahead to nicer riding weather.

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    1. Boy Howdy! The company, the machines and the sunshine made Saturday feel much warmer than it was.....about all we can ask for around Feb. 1 in the Northland.

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  9. Coop:

    I wouldn't mind heated seats on my bike. It's psychological, if it's warm down there, then it'll be warm up there

    bob
    Riding the Wet Coast

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    1. I don't seem to be riding in enough cold weather these days for a warmed seat to help me 'down there'. In the car with the additional coverage of my back's support, it's feeling pretty darned good. I should have upgraded sooner.

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