Ride to Tallahassee

[crow]

ABATE of Florida Inc.'s freedom ride is this weekend.Fri, Sat, Sun, ride to the Capitol Monday.  We pretty much have the whole KOA to ourselves.  See our website for more details.  If you are tired of people hurting  us  with poor driving habits and getting off with a small fine, you need to show up.  Thank you,    crow

[Pappy!]

Am going part way at least!!
Will be towing an antique boat though and turning off at Old Town and heading down to Suwanee and the Yellow Jacket Campground for an event there.
let us know how it goes will you??

[crow]

Will do,   we usually have 300+ show, which percentage wise of the registered motorcycles in FL is pretty poor.  I have heard tales of 8 or 10 k  show up to Wisc ABATE run to Madison.  But we have been very very sucessful, with our lobbyist and membership getting some bills passed, even with our small numbers.   Be safe, crow

[crow]

With out a doubt, the best weather of ALL the Freedom Rides.  Did 600 miles over the weekend the phat girl did beautifully.  Here's a stat, fully loaded, pulling a camper, doing 80mph most of the way there, I got less than 24 mpg!    Our Bill, HB 1159 is still in Transportation Committee.  I Knew my Senator (Dean) would not be there, actually since he has been in office he has Never been there.  I would meet with Rep Smith's staff.   (I have met With Rep Smith in the past)   When we arrived at the Capitol we found out that the Lesislature had given themselves, as well as staff, the ENTIRE WEEK OFF!!!    The Florida Constitution says that the Legislature must be in session for 60 consecutive days.   So far nothing in the press about this vacation,  and I have let them know. (Citrus Co Chronicle).  As I was standing at Rep Smith's door, I called and left a message reminding staff that i had an appointment and was wondering where they were.

[Pappy!]

A buddy of mine ran my old Gen3 Magna up there. He too said the weather was magnificent and he and his g'friend had a great ride and time.

[FloridaValkRyder]

Crow, I respect and appreciate very much what you do to support the ABATE cause. It's people like you that make a difference in our motorcycle laws and the education that this group supports. I wish I had the time, or would make the time, to get involved with such a great group of men and women. Many folks I know aren't really up on the things that ABATE does for all of us who ride. Here is the ABATE Florida web site, it makes for some good reading. Thanks again.  http://www.abateflorida.com/

[crow]

Thank you for the kind words.  I have been a Member of ABATE if Florida Inc., and the AMA, for over twenty years.  With only 6000 members we are actually a powerhouse of freedom fighters.  I received the Presidents award in 1997 for my work getting the helmet law ammended July 1st 2000. We, however, are not just the "helmet law guys'  Through our lobbiest and our efforts we have received many hundreds of thousands of Dollars from the State of Florida to promote motorcycle safety.  Billboards,  PSA's, Gazillions of bumper stickers, and also small trinkets like wristbands key chains kickstand pads, that we hand out to highschoolers, when our instructors present our copyrighted Motorcycle Safety and Awareness Program (MSAP). we have crammed courtrooms with leather clad people sitting on the prosecuters side, of cases where motorcyclists have been killed.  Trust me it makes a difference.  I gave up five vacation days last year going to court and seeing a man get four life sentences for Driving drunk, on a suspended liscence, speeding, passing on a doubble yellow line, and crashing into two motorcycles killing four.  

I dont care if you NEVER go to an ABATE meeting, but if you care about your rights and motorcycle friendly laws, please join  anyway. You don't have to join any particular chapter, you can join as a member "at large".   When I or any of our members speeks to the press, or communtiy leaders, legislators ect.,  it  impresses them when you say that you represent 2,3,4,or five hunderd registered voters from your County,( which translates  into 4 times that amount when you include spouses and friends and family, and they KNOW that))

[Chaosandconfusion]

Anybody that get's up at 5 A.M. to post good information has my respect.