After a trip to sunny St. Lucia, then the harsh reality of a houseful of burst pipes, and at least one weird email threat, Ryan has updated the Cold Weather Challenge page. Minnesotans hold the top four spaces, the contest ends on February 28, 2007. 2strokebuzz, and our new secret (for now) site, will also be kicking in a few prizes.
Category: Rallies and Rides
Chicago International Motorcycle Show 2007
You’ll hopefully forgive 2strokebuzz if coverage of the 2007 Cycle World International Motorcycle show is a little scaled back this year. The truth is, very little has changed from year to year. Each year there are fewer surprises, less swag, and fewer perks (the bus service to the CTA parking lot was cancelled this year, brrr.), while parking, concessions, and admission (at least seem to) get more expensive. Probably that’s why Triumph didn’t appear for the second year in a row, and why Kymco, CMSI, and Genuine rarely bother with these shows.
On top of that, we had a head start on new 2007 models, thanks to the Milan EIMCA show, and next weekend I’m attending the Indianapolis Dealer Expo (my first trip), which promises to be a bit more exciting. But out of a sense of duty, and because Ryan was driving, I decided to once again trek through the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, IL, to see what there was to see. Which wasn’t much, really.
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“A Date with the Undead”
Zombies and gin don’t mix. I should have known this, but I learned it the hard way on my first date with a hot and moody scooter rider…
This dating horror story from Time Out Chicago has got to be about someone we know. I’d bet on Chad, but no one would ever describe him as “hot.”
20,000 miles @ 50cc
Another great link from Crystal Waters’ Girlbike: “In 2003, Rupert Wilson-Young rode from Alaska to Ushuaia in South America — that’s over 20,000 miles — on his 50cc Yamaha Vino.”
Speaking of Crystal, it looks like Vespaquest and Vespaway are — thankfully — back online.
2strokeBzzzzzzz
It occurred to us today that this is Chicago summer cicada invasion year. Kathy pointed out this useful fact:
If a cicada lands on you, it is only because it finds you to be a convenient place to land — unless you happen to be using a lawnmower or weed-whacker, in which case it might be attracted by the sound!”
Great, I’m really looking forward to a whole month of 2″ long crunchy insects trying to mate with my scooter.
Lake Erie Loop IV
POC Phil: “Like it or not…we’re turning the Lake Erie Loop into a rally. The campsite is too good for it to be anything but a rally. Run what you brung and be ready for a 680 mile ride-out.”
Thailand by scooter
A Belfast Telegraph writer tours Thailand by scooter, and a Telegraph intern horks the title of Peter Moore’s book.
CDOT contacts Chicago scooterists
This week, I was approached by a Chicago Department of Transportation consultant looking for input for a report about scootering in Chicago. If you’re interested in participating, and you’re a scooterist and a Chicagoan, please contact me at illnoise(at)2strokebuzz(dot)com and I’ll email you the relevant information. This is a fantastic opportunity to have our voices heard, so please drop me a line.
Tuk Talk in London
Jo and Ants of Tuk to the Road fame will appear Tuesday (December 12, 2006) at the Royal Geographical Society in London at 7:30pm to talk about their travels and show a short film. The pair traveled 12, 500 miles across Asia and Europe this summer, raising nearly £33,000 to date for Mind, and are currently working on a book.
Mankato, represent!
Peter Lundgren and Reggie Williams of Mankato, MN have their eye on the Cold Weather Challenge title this year. Will CWC glory return to its creator’s home state? Follow the action at 360.yahoo.com/coldweatherchallenge.
Sunday: Chicagoland Toys for Tots
Don’t forget this Sunday, December 3th [sic] is the Chicagoland Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade. The parade starts in Dan Ryan Woods, but despite the best intentions of the organizers, it’s entirely impossible to cope with the freezing mess of twenty thousand or more Harley riders at the starting point, so local scooterists have decided to meet at the cozy Water Hole Lounge at 1400 S. Western Ave, and join the ride around 9:30am. Bring a new, boxed toy (no stuffed animals). The weather doesn’t look too promising, but it’s not a long ride… especially since we’re blowing off about half the distance and the cold wait in the park.
Cold Weather Challenge 2007
Ryetronic’s Cold Weather Challenge is back! The full rules are here, but to summarize, it’s a contest for scooters (no motorcycles, sidecars, or three-wheelers) to determine who can ride 10 miles or more (distance is used only as a tiebreaker) in the coldest weather before February 28, 2007. Last years’ winner was Kent Messer of Ithaca, NY, who rode in -6.5° on December 14 2005. If you live in a sunnier climate, fear not, runners-up are grouped by state. The Cold Weather Challenge is sponsored by Crafty Planet, who reminds you to knit responsibly this holiday season.
Burgdog
Reader Bill Meek responded to our “Burgmania spreads” story:
It’s great that a 2-stroke site has information and links about the Suzuki Burgman. Here’s an interesting newspaper article about a Burgman rider (me) and his unusual passenger that I thought you might find amusing.
We certainly did. Bill and his dog Sandy have covered over 10,000 miles in the last year. Sandy even has her own website with photos, press appearances, and videos.
Pssst! Secret Sales
We’re not sure why both the Phils (McCaleb of Scooterworks USA, and Waters of Pride of Cleveland Scooters), would both choose to include the word “Secret” in sales that they seem to be promoting pretty vigorously, but both promise the best deals of the year (in-store only), and both insist you “bring a truck.” POC’s “Super Secret Sale” is this Friday (11am-7pm) and Saturday (10am-6pm) at 2078 W. 25th St., Cleveland, OH, and Scooterworks’s “Super Secret Santa Saturday” is December 9, starting at 11am, at 5410 N. Damen Ave., Chicago. As Phil (the POC one) says, “Santa can’t be trusted – shop for yourself.” (The full text of POC’s email is posted as a comment, below).
Vegas Rally hotel discount ends soon
A reminder: Monday, November 20, 2006 is the deadline to book a discounted room at the Gold Coast Casino for the 2007 Las Vegas High Rollers Scooter Rally. (more info)