Tour of Some Florida Turist Destinations

PolygonFla · 03-10-2007, 09:36 PM

I went for a nice long ride today. I had intended to ride to the Croom lake recreation area, http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide...om_bicycle.htm But I got a late start. Since I went to the ZZTop concert last night and couldnâ€™t drag my sorry self out of bed before 1:00 PM.

Anyway I headed north from St. Pete enjoying my china bike and some twisty back roads. Now that she is broken in and weâ€™ve gotten used to each other I am confident taking her any distance. The bike just purrs along at 60 mph all day and I can push her over 65 when I need to.

I was about half way to my destination when I decided to stop and fill the fuel tank a second time and clean the bugs off the face shield. That was when I decided to change plans because I would have been getting home later than planned and my but was getting a little sore and I didnâ€™t feel any need to push it.

So I altered course and headed back south again but this time I took a more westerly route. I stopped in Tarpon Springs for a late lunch of Greek food. That area is under construction so I went off road for a while to avoid traffic. I was concerned about riding in sugar sand with my super motto style tires, but as long as I keep everything light and smooth she just floated along fine. After merging back in with the traffic I really appreciated the maneuverability in the crowded sponge docks area and being able to park free when the cars where circling looking for a lot with an empty space that they could rent for $5.

After lunch I rode around the bayou then headed over to sunset beach and then a quick tour of Howard Park, http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/06_Howard.htm then it was off to the monkey farm, oops I mean Primate rescue center. http://www.suncoastprimates.org/

I stopped by a friendâ€™s house to offer to let him take the bike for a spin around the block but he declined. He had a Honda CBR many years ago but he hasnâ€™t ridden in at least 15 years. I suspect that he turned down my offer either because he didnâ€™t want to stir the juices and end up wanting a bike of his own or perhaps his wife doesnâ€™t want him riding a bike. Either way I can respect his decision.

From there it was a leisurely ride home.

There where so many bikes out, I felt like royalty waving every few seconds and I NEED A BIGGER FUEL TANK!

I stopped every 60 miles and put $2.00 in the tank. That would top it off, since I am getting 70mpg right now and I would buy about 0.8 gallons. If I push it to 70 or 75 miles before filling up I end up having to flip on the reserve. I donâ€™t like doing that because one day I may forget to return the valve to run. So I have almost exactly 1 usable gallon in my tank.:(

I think I am going to try and fit a Yamaha 4 gallon tank to the bike from a YZ465. We will see if I can make it fit.

Look foreword to some interesting pictures coming from me soon.

ambassador · 03-10-2007, 10:19 PM

That sounds awsome brother and today was the perfect day to do it, 80 somthing and sunny all day, I've never seen so many trucks with boat trailers down the street at the boat ramp ever, everyone was out today, sorry guys up north... Wondering, does Croom have trails for motorcycles or just mountain bikes and horses?? If so, I gotta take a ride up there someday, Bradenton is not that far from you, just over the Skyway... We should go riding sometime, I wear a grey and black Joe Rocket mesh armor jacket and a black and silver motocross helmet w/ goggles, since our bikes are both black, that would make me the silver Power Ranger, if there was ever one and I promise not to call you Santa...J/K.. Seriously, let us know about that tank conversion...Supposed to be a beautiful week....

PolygonFla · 03-10-2007, 11:47 PM

Hey ambassador,

I was planning on PMing you soon about going on a ride. Yes Croom has dirtbike and ATV trails. you have to buy an annual pass that is renewed each June but they prorate the remaining part of the year. I hear it can get very crowded on nice weekends and that on some days the ATV guys don't always want to share the trails. Then on other days, every one gets along and has fun. So I wanted to check it out for myself.

Supposed to be one of the top 10 coolest places in North America

mdsuave13 · 03-10-2007, 11:59 PM

i heard that chuck norris's bedroom is one of the top 10 coolest places in north america HAHA

PolygonFla · 03-11-2007, 12:32 AM

http://www.fl-dof.com/forest_recreation/fees.html

http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide...room_motor.htm

I should have included these links too. The first one is fees and the second is a diagram of the motorcycle area.

And, Hey I didn't designate it as a cool area, but I could try e-mailing Chuck for his opinion. :wink:

03-10-2007, 09:36 PM	#1
PolygonFla Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Florida USA Posts: 196	Tour of Some Florida Turist Destinations I went for a nice long ride today. I had intended to ride to the Croom lake recreation area, http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide...om_bicycle.htm But I got a late start. Since I went to the ZZTop concert last night and couldnâ€™t drag my sorry self out of bed before 1:00 PM. Anyway I headed north from St. Pete enjoying my china bike and some twisty back roads. Now that she is broken in and weâ€™ve gotten used to each other I am confident taking her any distance. The bike just purrs along at 60 mph all day and I can push her over 65 when I need to. I was about half way to my destination when I decided to stop and fill the fuel tank a second time and clean the bugs off the face shield. That was when I decided to change plans because I would have been getting home later than planned and my but was getting a little sore and I didnâ€™t feel any need to push it. So I altered course and headed back south again but this time I took a more westerly route. I stopped in Tarpon Springs for a late lunch of Greek food. That area is under construction so I went off road for a while to avoid traffic. I was concerned about riding in sugar sand with my super motto style tires, but as long as I keep everything light and smooth she just floated along fine. After merging back in with the traffic I really appreciated the maneuverability in the crowded sponge docks area and being able to park free when the cars where circling looking for a lot with an empty space that they could rent for $5. After lunch I rode around the bayou then headed over to sunset beach and then a quick tour of Howard Park, http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/06_Howard.htm then it was off to the monkey farm, oops I mean Primate rescue center. http://www.suncoastprimates.org/ I stopped by a friendâ€™s house to offer to let him take the bike for a spin around the block but he declined. He had a Honda CBR many years ago but he hasnâ€™t ridden in at least 15 years. I suspect that he turned down my offer either because he didnâ€™t want to stir the juices and end up wanting a bike of his own or perhaps his wife doesnâ€™t want him riding a bike. Either way I can respect his decision. From there it was a leisurely ride home. There where so many bikes out, I felt like royalty waving every few seconds and I NEED A BIGGER FUEL TANK! I stopped every 60 miles and put $2.00 in the tank. That would top it off, since I am getting 70mpg right now and I would buy about 0.8 gallons. If I push it to 70 or 75 miles before filling up I end up having to flip on the reserve. I donâ€™t like doing that because one day I may forget to return the valve to run. So I have almost exactly 1 usable gallon in my tank.:( I think I am going to try and fit a Yamaha 4 gallon tank to the bike from a YZ465. We will see if I can make it fit. Look foreword to some interesting pictures coming from me soon.
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03-10-2007, 10:19 PM	#2
ambassador Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Bradenton, Florida Posts: 1,200	That sounds awsome brother and today was the perfect day to do it, 80 somthing and sunny all day, I've never seen so many trucks with boat trailers down the street at the boat ramp ever, everyone was out today, sorry guys up north... Wondering, does Croom have trails for motorcycles or just mountain bikes and horses?? If so, I gotta take a ride up there someday, Bradenton is not that far from you, just over the Skyway... We should go riding sometime, I wear a grey and black Joe Rocket mesh armor jacket and a black and silver motocross helmet w/ goggles, since our bikes are both black, that would make me the silver Power Ranger, if there was ever one and I promise not to call you Santa...J/K.. Seriously, let us know about that tank conversion...Supposed to be a beautiful week.... __________________ 06 Lifan 200 GY-5
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03-10-2007, 11:59 PM	#4
mdsuave13 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: ellicott city, Maryland Posts: 857	i heard that chuck norris's bedroom is one of the top 10 coolest places in north america HAHA __________________ My name is Justin, my friends call me Stix. 2008 Kawasaki KLR650 Candy Lime Green ______________________________ I am the official China bike registration Guru For the State of Maryland..... HA.
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03-10-2007, 11:47 PM	#3
PolygonFla Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Florida USA Posts: 196	Hey ambassador, I was planning on PMing you soon about going on a ride. Yes Croom has dirtbike and ATV trails. you have to buy an annual pass that is renewed each June but they prorate the remaining part of the year. I hear it can get very crowded on nice weekends and that on some days the ATV guys don't always want to share the trails. Then on other days, every one gets along and has fun. So I wanted to check it out for myself. Supposed to be one of the top 10 coolest places in North America
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03-11-2007, 12:32 AM	#5
PolygonFla Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Florida USA Posts: 196	http://www.fl-dof.com/forest_recreation/fees.html http://www.dep.state.fl.us/gwt/guide...room_motor.htm I should have included these links too. The first one is fees and the second is a diagram of the motorcycle area. And, Hey I didn't designate it as a cool area, but I could try e-mailing Chuck for his opinion. :wink:
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