Success! Finally, it is over.
Thursday
I heard the early bird ride to Mt Hamilton was a success, except for 1 incident. The evening meet and greet at Agenda Lounge was chill
Friday
Friday had a lot of little rides. I ended up on the long ride to San Juan Bautista (the mission which was used in the Hitchcock's movie Vertigo). The best part was probably picking up those tasty tri tip sandwiches and enjoying them during the break. The mission itself was underwhelming. Somehow, I ended up separated from the group by myself on 101 headed home afterwards.
The party at the American Legion hall aftewards was alright - the ska band Monkey is pretty cool and quite entertaining.
Saturday
The big day. The concourse had some beautiful, some rare, and some not to pretty entries. Saratoga springs was a really nice, open venue. I loved how there was a lot of shade. The dunk tank was quite fun too. The DJ ... no comment.
I ended up leading a ride down into Cupertino/West San Jose to check out some fireworks. It was pretty fun. People seemed to enjoy it.
Sunday
No words can describe how I could only imagine an aerial view would have been of our nearly 200 scooter caravan down Hwy 9 to Santa Cruz. Remarkably, the ride went very smoothly. We followed traffic signals too! No blocking, no nothing. The gelato waiting for us at the park was lovely (Thanks Gelato Massimo).
Well, since my duties consisted mainly of being the photographer, photos can be found on my flickr site.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Amerivespa 2010
With Amerivespa 2009 winding down, VCOA announced next years location tonight. Amerivespa 2010 will be happening in ...
SAN ANTONIO, TX!
SAN ANTONIO, TX!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Extended registration for Amerivespa 2009
Registration has been extended to Fri June 26!
If you haven't, register now here. Don't miss the fun action next week.
Amerivespa 2009
July 2 - 5, 2009
Los Gatos, CA
See you there.
If you haven't, register now here. Don't miss the fun action next week.
Amerivespa 2009
July 2 - 5, 2009
Los Gatos, CA
See you there.
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Scootin' about Waikiki Beach
While I was vacationing on the Hawaiian Islands, I decided I wanted a scooter to just muck around town. When I was on Oahu, I ended up at Big Kahuna Rentals as they were nearby where I was staying. It was about $35 to rent it all day (needs to be returned by 5/5:30) and comes with lock and shell helmet. They only had the 50cc Sym D or something.
Hawaii is doesn't have a helmet law so I went about without one most of the time. It seemed like an alright idea since I wasn't going too far and the scooter was topping out at 30mph indicated. I actually packed my summer gloves with me cuz I figured if anything, I should at least save my hands (the $ maker). It was quite fun going by the beach and the coast line around Diamond Head. The one thing I didn't like was how noisy it was- had to use ear plugs. I cruised up and down Waikiki Beach area a few times, went up to Diamond Head state park to go hiking, went around town to various food places to eat, saw Punch Bowl Memorial, and a food run to Safeway. Oh yeah, there is enough space for a 6pack under the seat ;)
The furthest you can go is Hanauma Bay, but I didn't feel like it
I was also thinking of renting a scooter on Kauai. The rental place there had Genuine Big Cats. I nixed that idea because I didn't really want to ride on the side of the road instead of a lane.
Hawaii is doesn't have a helmet law so I went about without one most of the time. It seemed like an alright idea since I wasn't going too far and the scooter was topping out at 30mph indicated. I actually packed my summer gloves with me cuz I figured if anything, I should at least save my hands (the $ maker). It was quite fun going by the beach and the coast line around Diamond Head. The one thing I didn't like was how noisy it was- had to use ear plugs. I cruised up and down Waikiki Beach area a few times, went up to Diamond Head state park to go hiking, went around town to various food places to eat, saw Punch Bowl Memorial, and a food run to Safeway. Oh yeah, there is enough space for a 6pack under the seat ;)
The furthest you can go is Hanauma Bay, but I didn't feel like it
I was also thinking of renting a scooter on Kauai. The rental place there had Genuine Big Cats. I nixed that idea because I didn't really want to ride on the side of the road instead of a lane.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
*squeak squeak*
Just getting ready for Amerivespa next month ...
Finally got the 4k service last month which was few hundred miles overdue. Also had my [front] disc brake and calipers sanded. They were looking really shiny which means there was dirty stuck on it- most likely dust got grinded into it coming down the mountain on that fire road ride last June. Sanding it down brought it back to dull. Alas, the squeak was gone! Oh yeah, my exhaust was missing a screw too!
A few of us went for a ride over the weekend. Pretty quick and simple, slightly technical. One of my usual routes - Behind Stevens Creek Reservoir, up Redwood Gulch Road, up Hwy 9, across skyline, then drop down Old Page Mill Rd into Palo Alto. For the most part, it was smooth. There were a few dark patches of gravel and dirt along Redwood Gulch and a few around some hairpins on Old Page Mill. Not too many other bikes out, though we did see a group pulled over by CHPs where Hwy 9 meets Skyline.
30 days .. Oh my!
Finally got the 4k service last month which was few hundred miles overdue. Also had my [front] disc brake and calipers sanded. They were looking really shiny which means there was dirty stuck on it- most likely dust got grinded into it coming down the mountain on that fire road ride last June. Sanding it down brought it back to dull. Alas, the squeak was gone! Oh yeah, my exhaust was missing a screw too!
A few of us went for a ride over the weekend. Pretty quick and simple, slightly technical. One of my usual routes - Behind Stevens Creek Reservoir, up Redwood Gulch Road, up Hwy 9, across skyline, then drop down Old Page Mill Rd into Palo Alto. For the most part, it was smooth. There were a few dark patches of gravel and dirt along Redwood Gulch and a few around some hairpins on Old Page Mill. Not too many other bikes out, though we did see a group pulled over by CHPs where Hwy 9 meets Skyline.
30 days .. Oh my!
Saturday, March 21, 2009
out of hibernation and into spring
Spring has officially started as of yesterday.
If you haven't ridden all winter long, make sure your scoot is in working order before heading out on a ride. Battery? Ignition? Brakes? Lights? Oil? Gas? Check the Idle ? Shock/dampening setting? Screws and nuts tightened? If you timed it right, its probably a good time to get your service done now. I'm overdue for my 4K service.
Last, and definitely important- AIR!
At least for me, air is such a pain to always check since the exhaust pipe blocks the rear tire valve. *Note* leaving the glove on helps. I followed the guidelines and did under 24 psi up front (23.2 ) and 28-29 up front. Last year I put about 32 in the rear tire- BAD. It was a horrible ride. Rule of thumb: increase the psi in the rear as the total weight of passengers increase.
If you haven't ridden all winter long, make sure your scoot is in working order before heading out on a ride. Battery? Ignition? Brakes? Lights? Oil? Gas? Check the Idle ? Shock/dampening setting? Screws and nuts tightened? If you timed it right, its probably a good time to get your service done now. I'm overdue for my 4K service.
Last, and definitely important- AIR!
At least for me, air is such a pain to always check since the exhaust pipe blocks the rear tire valve. *Note* leaving the glove on helps. I followed the guidelines and did under 24 psi up front (23.2 ) and 28-29 up front. Last year I put about 32 in the rear tire- BAD. It was a horrible ride. Rule of thumb: increase the psi in the rear as the total weight of passengers increase.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
The beginning of scooter season 09?
Oh, what beautiful sunny weather it was today. It was my first time riding in 3 months, for reasons I won't discuss here.
It was sunny and bright. It was quite warm. I did local/surface streets in Mountain View and Palo Alto before hitting up Stevens Creek Canyon and Mt Eden behind the reservoir. It was actually pretty deserted for a weekend, barely any cars or motorcycles/scooters out. The scoot was running pretty fine, though she does need the 4k service AND a washing + waxing.
Does this weekend mark the real beginning of scooter season with the major winter storms behind us? High Rollers is in 2 weeks and Rides of March is in 3. I wonder how they'll be. I won't be attending this year ... As it seems so far, Amerivespa will be my one and only rally this year.
It was sunny and bright. It was quite warm. I did local/surface streets in Mountain View and Palo Alto before hitting up Stevens Creek Canyon and Mt Eden behind the reservoir. It was actually pretty deserted for a weekend, barely any cars or motorcycles/scooters out. The scoot was running pretty fine, though she does need the 4k service AND a washing + waxing.
Does this weekend mark the real beginning of scooter season with the major winter storms behind us? High Rollers is in 2 weeks and Rides of March is in 3. I wonder how they'll be. I won't be attending this year ... As it seems so far, Amerivespa will be my one and only rally this year.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Amerivespa 2009 Pre-reg open!
Pre-registration is open now for Amerivespa. Pre-registering gives you a chance to win a new GTS 300 with R Black designed paint job! Hotel deals and camping info are also posted so RSVP soon to get the best deal! As far as I know, there may or may not be other awesome goodies for those who pre-reg (like the Corazzo Messenger Bag in Chattanooga last year).
Details:
Amerivespa 2009
Los Gatos, California
July 2 - July 5
Info:
Vespa Club of Los Gatos
Vespa Club of America
Amerivespa - info & registration
Details:
Amerivespa 2009
Los Gatos, California
July 2 - July 5
Info:
Vespa Club of Los Gatos
Vespa Club of America
Amerivespa - info & registration
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