The Zen Trailers Daytona Journal

The Zen Trailers Daytona Journal

Journal Entry: Report 7 - And Then There Were Four
March 10, 2001

As Bike Week winds down, two of our Zens -- namely Cowboy Bob and Dan The Man -- left this morning for the long trip home.

The rest of us went for a ride to Daytona to check out the action on the main drag. Sporty acquired a pair of chaps, so now she won't have to borrow Mumbles' chaps. Bugsy and Mumbles did a bit of shopping on their own. I am restraining myself till tomorrow, Sunday, as I have a long shopping/wish list assembled for when we go to the Speedway for the Daytona 200 race.

One notable item is heated grips for the Harley (www.hotgrips.com) since I am spoiled from riding the Bimmer with heat to the hands. The installation instructions look simple and I'll keep all advised as to the progress of the install in the next month or so. Also, GIVI (www.giviusa.com) has a custom rack kit for the new BMW and since I am a GIVI user, the new rack is coming home!

We later found ourselves at the Harley Owners Group hospitality room eating nachos and drinking lemonade, before then going to the Rat's Hole bike show. Since most riders in Daytona own $30,000 USD custom bikes, seeing $50,000 bikes is no big deal. There are some awesome choppers out here, a lot of Boss Hoss V8 engine bikes, and, obviously, Harleys.

Then came the dreaded ride back to Orlando, to load the bikes onto the trailers for the 2100km drive home. As I type this report, I can almost hear the sound of the hot metal on my bike crackling as it cools down for the last time in Florida; that is, until March 1, 2002, which is the kickoff day for Bike Week 2002! We are all planning to be here again. The total mileage of safe riding that I accumulated during Bike Week is 2073km.

As I reflect on the past eight days, and reminisce about the memories of Bike Week 2001, I find it hard to let go of this lifestyle; of hanging with good friends, riding every day, meeting new people, and just plain having fun! Maybe this is what being a "Zen" rider is all about, and it's too bad that all the other members couldn't be down here with us.

Tomorrow, Sunday, it will be a drive, not a ride, that will get us to Daytona. We will be stationed in the infield, so that should allow for some great photo opportunities of some Canadian riders (Jorden Szoke, Duhamel, Picotte).

Then, the drive home, so this will be the last posting from Florida.

BT

· · · · ·

Cowboy Bob and Dan The Man roll out.

As Bike Week winds down, two of our Zens -- namely Cowboy Bob and Dan The Man -- left this morning for the long trip home. The rest of us went for a ride to Daytona to check out the action on the main drag. Sporty acquired a pair of chaps, so now she won't have to borrow Mumbles' chaps. Bugsy and Mumbles did a bit of shopping on their own. I am restraining myself till tomorrow, Sunday, as I have a long shopping/wish list assembled for when we go to the Speedway for the Daytona 200 race. One notable item is heated grips for the Harley (www.hotgrips.com) since I am spoiled from riding the Bimmer with heat to the hands. The installation instructions look simple and I'll keep all advised as to the progress of the install in the next month or so. Also, GIVI (www.giviusa.com) has a custom rack kit for the new BMW and since I am a GIVI user, the new rack is coming home! We later found ourselves at the Harley Owners Group hospitality room eating nachos and drinking lemonade, before then going to the Rat's Hole bike show. Since most riders in Daytona own $30,000 USD custom bikes, seeing $50,000 bikes is no big deal. There are some awesome choppers out here, a lot of Boss Hoss V8 engine bikes, and, obviously, Harleys. Then came the dreaded ride back to Orlando, to load the bikes onto the trailers for the 2100km drive home. As I type this report, I can almost hear the sound of the hot metal on my bike crackling as it cools down for the last time in Florida; that is, until March 1, 2002, which is the kickoff day for Bike Week 2002! We are all planning to be here again. The total mileage of safe riding that I accumulated during Bike Week is 2073km. As I reflect on the past eight days, and reminisce about the memories of Bike Week 2001, I find it hard to let go of this lifestyle; of hanging with good friends, riding every day, meeting new people, and just plain having fun! Maybe this is what being a "Zen" rider is all about, and it's too bad that all the other members couldn't be down here with us. Tomorrow, Sunday, it will be a drive, not a ride, that will get us to Daytona. We will be stationed in the infield, so that should allow for some great photo opportunities of some Canadian riders (Jorden Szoke, Duhamel, Picotte). Then, the drive home, so this will be the last posting from Florida. BT · · · · ·

	Cowboy Bob and Dan The Man roll out.