Amerivespa 2007
I pretty much spent the weekend on Günter.
In spite of the name, it isn't a Vespa-only rally. I've created a new photo album on nil8r.net where you can re-live these and other amazing moments:
Mel's new scooter jacket
Views of Seattle and beyond
Scooter lineup
A lone Vino 125 in a sea of Vespas
Hello Kitty scooter and sidecar
Bikes on Boats
My longest ride to-date was Friday with about 40+ other scooters.
Route Highlights
South Lake Union
Waterfront/piers
Alki Beach
West Seattle
Burien
Normandy Park
SeaTac
Des Moines
Columbia City
Seward Park
Montlake
Eastlake
Back to S. Lake Union
(~50 miles RT)
Saturday, I went on Los Gatos Gordos Scooter Club's Dead Ride. Basically, places were Seattle's famous/infamous were found dead or buried.
Route Highlights
South Lake Union
Seattle Center
Waterfront/piers
SoDo/Industrial District
Airport Way
SR 900
Greenwood Memorial Park/Jimi Hendrix Grave
S. Lake Washington loop
Seward Park
Kurt Cobain's house
Montlake
Lakeview Cemetary
Eastlake
Back to S. Lake Union
(~35 miles RT)
Sunday, rode to Vashon Island with 350+ other bikes. We took over a ferry much to the chagrin of waiting motorists. Rode the island loop, with a break for Rally/BBQ event at the Eagles Club site.
Purchases
New armoured bomber jacket (Loosely reminiscent of what Cayce from Pattern Recognition wore. No, not an actual Buzz Rickman flight jacket)
New Crumpler Messenger Bag (blue-striped)
Scooter poster for my office
The event is over, and I'm a little sore from all of the riding. I can't believe I put 200 miles on the scoot in one week. That's double the amount I put on all winter. It also means, I'm getting more comfortable riding in "non-perfect" conditions... like rain, corkscrew/windy roads, potholes in the road, low bridges, hills... typical Seattle conditions. A far cry from the scared-out-of-my-mind feeling of driving it off the lot last year.