Written by: Greg Mathes ( Club Coordinator )
Photography by: Carlos Guerrero (Club Photographer)

Members,

Here is the ride report from Jeff regarding the Coast to Coast Ride a couple
weeks ago.

Greg Mathes
Club Coordinator
Gold Coast Honda Rider’s Club

If Steve McQueen would comment on Satuday’s ride it would be “I think the
Coast 2 Coast Ride is the best thing that has ever happened to motorcycling.
The participants were taken on a visual ride in what I believe is finally
the definitive motorcycle ride in Florida. To me it is an unforgettable
ride, and I was very happy to be a part of it in some small way.”

Surprise. Steve McQueen was not there!!!! But 200 plus other riders were
there, including six from the Rick Case group. I am certain that all will
subscribe to the McQueen quote.

This was the third such ride in the last three years and it comemmorated a
similar ride by “Cruising Al’s” parents ridden exactly 24 years ago.

If you travel from Tampa to Daytona on I-4 you could do it in about 130 very
boring miles with a turn or two included. This ride took 204.0 miles. The
difference was 135 right and left turns, the longest stretch without a turn
was about 3 miles. Other than the first 100 yards on US301 and the last
mile near Sunrise Park in Daytona this ride was on almost forgotten but very
picturesque and surprisingly hilly side roads, routs, trails and byways. I
recall one road was named “Road Less Travelled”. This trip required a good
navigator.

We were given 2 pages of instructions. The instructions had the odometer
readings in tenth of a mile. At the start we set the odometer to 0 and all
was well until about 30 miles out when we missed a turn and of course that
required constant subtraction from the figure on the instruction sheet, or,
following someone who you thought knew were they were going - Duh. The GPS
could only confirm where you are. There was no way in the world to plan
this route and program it in on a GPS.

The weather forcast came true. Clear, dry and light wind all the way. Most
participants arrived the night before. There was a get togather of a sort at
the “Wing House” next to the Red Roof, the designated host motel across from
the Florida Fairground on US301. The Wing House is an imitation Hooters
with an extra heavy dose of grease and (motor?) oil on the wings and the
greasiest curly fries east Coocomonga California. Inside it was loud - How
loud was it? The waitress hands you a megaphone to place your order and a
pair of ear plugs (no charge). I had to shout my order four times. That
was the low point of the trip. But, not being a food critic, I paid the
bill and swore a few swear words.

Following the ride, there was a reception and award ceremony at the Bill
France Daytona 500 Experience. Awards were given for the oldest rider (79,
02 Goldwing), youngest - 18, (99 Kawa something or other), oldest bike -
(1942 BSA Military) farthest away - (New Brunswick Canada) and many other
fun categories.

All in all, this was a great trip in good company. The ride raised over
$5,000 for a good cause (Hodgkins Lymphoma and Lukemia). We saw and met
some riders from previous years.

It was the first trip after I installed my Autocom Intercom. Works great.
It was a great way to communicate with my bride and the day ended without a
sore throat from shouting over the ear plugs and road noise. If you ride
with a passenger - get an intercom!!! Next step is to integrate my two way
radio and my Ipod.

All S. Florida riders chose to stay in Daytona for the night and return on
Sunday. We, your humble rider and passenger, was only about 50 miles away
from my own bed, so, we braved the darkness and made it home by 10 p.m.

And that is the story of the Third Annual Coast 2 Coast. Try to do it next
year - mark Saturday October 11, 2008 in your Calendar.

Jeffrey