Hesston, KS 4-22-09

The folks at Taco Bueno probably wish the ROMEOs would come inside and spend a little money instead of hanging around in their parking lot and then taking off of parts unknown.  That's what about a dozen Salina Rs did this morning before riding to Hesston for lunch.  It was hard to get this bunch on the road they were so busy socializing and working on each others rides.  At least Jim was running around with a screw driver and a yard stick trying his best to find parts for his Bergman.  Neil's 198? naked Voyager was a big hit and the story behind his free acquisition is story worth hearing.

The ride to Hesston was very pleasant and uneventful save for Louie's efforts to put distance between his Harley and the scooters that had him surrounded.  Some of us got a little thrill when, like sheep, we followed Jim up the Interstate on-ramp all the while knowing it was the wrong way to go.  Jim quickly realized his mistake and did a U-turn to get off the ramp the wrong way.  Thankfully there were no law enforcement types around to see us playing follow the leader.

Aggie's wasn't completely overwhelmed with the deluge of ROMEOs (around 60) but we slowed them down a little.  They had a big menu, the food was good but I think this was the first place I've been to that had one of those Please Wait to be Seated signs at the entrance.  Not what the ROMEMs are used to seeing.  My pulled pork sandwich was tasty but the cole slaw what came with it wasn't up to snuff.

Pat, Randy and I bypassed Skoops for DQ in McPherson but stopped at Rickner's Cycle first to have a look around.  Larry Rickner himself came outside to greet us as we were taking off our gear.  He has really got the place stocked up with high quality parts, accessories and clothing.  Also has several nice used bikes and new scooters.  Nice folks, one of the mechanics came out to visit as we were gearing up to leave.

Nice day, it was starting to get a little warm under the black jacket by the time I got home.  Turned on the AC for the first time this year.

Photos:  http://wil6831.multiply.com/photos/album/108/Hesston_KS_4-22-09

Hesston, KS 4-22-09

Lunch at Aggie's

Longford, KS 4-15-09

4th annual Spring lunch at the Coachlight cafe.

Longford, KS 4-15-09

 

When the wind blows out of the east it means that rain is coming.  We missed the rain today but it wasn't the weather that we've come to expect on our annual Longford lunch ride.  The last two years it was nice to sit around the gazebo shoot the breeze after lunch.  Today no one lingered too long because of the clouds and strong wind.

 

 

Twelve of us met at the Green Lantern in Salina for the short ride to Longford.  We got a little spread out and it was a little more enjoyable than having cars back up behind us due to all being together.  Interestingly enough a slow moving truck near our destination caused everyone to group back up and ride into town at the same time.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                    

 I stepped off the REB just in time to see Emery's immaculate red Vespa scooter go down with a crash.  He had pulled it up on the center stand only to have a piece of asphalt break away under one side on the stand and dump the scoot over on it's right side just as he was walking away.  Needles to say Emery was bummed out as he picked up his baby to find a more stable parking place.

 

 

                                                                                                                                 

 

Lunch at the Coachlight was excellent as usual, 37 of us crammed into the back room and you could barely hear the person next to you as the level of visiting was off the scale.  After lunch and outside Richard led the ROMEOs is a rousing chorous of Happy Birthday.  I think it was for Dale, I couldn't hear because of the wind.

 

  A good chunk of us rode over to Russell Stover's in Abliene for cheap candy and ice cream before heading back to Salina.  As we neared Soloman I saw Richard and several bikes following him taking a dirt road into town.  Randy, Pat and I stayed with the pavement and we never saw them again.  I guess Richard was taking the long way home as he always hates for a ride to end. 

  Well all rides come to an end, at least this one ended going with the wind.

 

 

Ellsworth, KS 04/08/2009

My first ROMEO ride in quite some time..........more later, longest ride in 8 months wore me out.   4-14-09:  Guess I blew this lunch report.  Longford is tomorrow, I'll try to do better.

Ellsworth, KS 4-8-2009

Lunch at Peyton's Place

Snow

The 10" snow fall we got on the 27/28th of march was unusual but not unheard of and it melted off in a couple of days.  No big deal and we need the moisture.  Now this morning when I awoke to snow furiously coming down you could call it out of the ordinary.  We seldom get snow in April and towns a little north of us reported 8".  It will all melt off tomorrow though as the highs will be in the 60's.  Must be that global warming thing.