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On Saturday, well Saturday was a great way to end
the trip. We started the day with overcast skies but no rain. Mike and I signed up for the Cycle World Rolling Concours.
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| Prize table for the Cycle World Rolling Concours |
The Cycle World Rolling Concours is a bit different
than most other vintage motorcycle shows. Here, you have to actually ride the bikes! Many people restore their bikes to be
“trailer queens” but we all know that motorcycles were built to ride, not just admire statically. We were privileged
to be among over 30 absolutely marvelous pieces of machinery. Here are just a few examples of the bikes that came out for
this event.
Charlie
Keller brought boxes of donuts and jugs of coffee and of course, was active as ever showing everyone many of his famous HRCA
bandana moves.
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| Nobody can figure out where Charlie Keller gets his energy! |
Jon
Seidel from American Honda’s Press department was on hand to help out as well.
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| Jon Seidel caught running away from the camera |
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| JOn talking to a couple about one of his favorite bikes, an S90 |
We met up with one of our most faithful followers
on our website, Lee Davis, MMI HonTech Orlando Chief Instructor Ross Davis’ wife. Lee has been following our ride from
the start and we were very glad to meet Lee and also say “Hi” to Ross and their beautiful CB750K0 Honda. We also
got ride with them for a ways after lunch.
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| Ross Davis and his wife Lee |
Prior to the ride, David Edwards, Cycle World Editor
in Chief did some interviewing with Speed Channel and then did a riders briefing.
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| CW Bossman David Edwards setting up for an interview |
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| "Go that way and turn left" |
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| Everyone paying close attention to the ride rules |
The ride itself took us 40 miles on back roads to
a wonderful ranch location where a great lunch was served. We followed some locals and of course got lost for the 1st
time during our entire trip. All the bikes except for one made the first half of the trip, which says alot for these
bikes!
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| Cycle World and the HRCA picked a beautiful setting for the ride |
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| The only casualty for the 1st half of the ride, a very old Indian. |
It was still a great ride and while at the ranch,
Mike and I were interviewed by Scott Lootens from the Speed Channel.
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| Ed in front of the Speed Channel cameras |
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| Mike being interviewed by Speed as well |
After the ride, the winners were announced and Mike
and I were handed a special award for traveling over 4,000 miles to enter the competition!
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| We found our own way back to the finish line thank you very much. |
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| A large crowd came by to look the bikes over after the ride |
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| Ed and Mike posing with their trophies |
We took our bikes to Mountain Adventures after the
ride and left them off in the capable hands of Service Manager Greg Scott and his crew. The bikes will be shipped back to
their respective homes and get a well-deserved rest.
We returned to the coliseum for the closing ceremonies
and were called up to chat with Charlie Keller in front of the crowd. When asked, “What was the best part of the trip”,
I responded, “The people”. That was the best part of this trip, meeting all of the great people that just are
like us. Lovers of motorcycles. Jackie Taylor from Federal Allied, the company that ships motorcycles, came up and Mike drew
a name for the winner of a one-way ticket to anywhere in the US to have a bike shipped. Just like Mike did to start our trip!
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| Charlie Keller talking to Ed, Mike and Jackie Taylor from Federal Allied |
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| A few thousand Hoot attendees made it for the prize givaways |
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| Picking one of the great prizes for the crowd |
After the closing ceremonies, both of our families
went down to the street party and settled in with an estimated 30,000+ people. The city closes down a large portion of one
of the main streets. Two great bands, one on each end of the street played for the crowd.
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| Three of the prettiest ladies at the Honda Hoot Street Party, Amber, Brenda and Carin |
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| Over 30,000 people filled the streets! |
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| Uncle Mike carries Nick up high to see what was going on |
We saw a couple of Mike associates, Chuck Kelley
and Art Disarno and got a shot of them having some fun. Missing in the photo is One-Way Paul!
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| Where in the world is Paul?? |
Well, This just about concludes the trip.. We will be writing up an Epilog in a week or so
to review what great things we got to see, people we got to meet and memories that we will never forget. Many people are asking
what we will do to top this ride and to be honest we do not know if we can. Mike and I will talk it over and see if we can
come up with something! Check on back to the home page to see when we finalize the trip.
Thanks for looking!
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