Need info

[Beer van Huet]

Hello Florida Riders,

I am writing a story about the VRCC (worldwide) and need some info about the origin of the Florida Chapter. You know, how and why it all started, who was involved and links to pictures and clips from the past.
Just the Florida deal, I have already collected 230 pages of the VRCC.
When I am finished, it will be published online for everyone to read.
Any help is greatly appreciated
TIA

Beer van Huet
VRCC Lowlands Chapter Rep
http://www.vrcc.nl (sorry - Dutch/French only)

[DD]

Hello, 
I'll write to the guy who started the FL group and ask him to check this out. will let you know what I find out if you don't hear from him. 
Also if you ask "DDT" on the main board he knows the history, he's one of the two that got the group going. 
take care,
Debbi 

[Beer van Huet]

Thank you Debbi,

Very kind of you
I have incorporated DDT's story about the Valkyrie in my history.
It'll be great to have him say something about the VRCC.
Looking forward to your answer.

[Thunderbolt]

Also take a look at this page.  Mark was the other person of which DD speaks I think.  There are a lot of good old pictures and ride reports on the page.  You might even find some "older" pictures of us all on there.
http://www.valkyrieriders.com/mark/home.htm

[mark47]

GUILTY.  I wanted to connect with Florida Valkyrie riders and posted on the national board.  DDT responded.  We met, took a ride and the rest is history.  The history of the first few years are here: http://www.valkyrieriders.com/mark/home.htm
Pat and I would ride during the week finding places to meet and then post that we would be at a place on Saturday at x hour and things went find.  After a few regular eating places DDT came up with the idea of BBQ.  After that BBQ was the primary nutritional component.  We had 42 one Saturday and once there was me. my passenger wife and one other.  Never was there a time that no one showed up at one of my posting.  Amazing to me but rewarding to know that others wanted to gather and talk bikes and be with other riders.
Not much else to report but that I am still grieving over having to put my helmet on the shelf and I still have thoughts of buying a bike for riding bye myself since my bride can't ride any more because of back discomfort. 
If you have questions you are welcome to email or call (352-861-8788) or you can ask others.  History is always in the eye of the beholder so what I see and what others see aren't always the same.

[Beer van Huet]

Just great

Thank you very much

[John Schmidt]

Boy....do those pics take me back. Saw a pic of myself in Eustis, '05, hadn't realized it was that far back. I see Paul(Easygoer) and Dave Bastedo in a couple shots, often wondered whatever happened to them. We used to have an impromptu gathering loosely referred to as the Breakfast Club, usually met at Luigi's in B'ville. Dave and Paul often showed up. Another couple whose names I don't recall, he was a retired local LEO, sheriff's dept. I believe. Never forget Red, traded bikes about as often as weather changed so you never knew what he was going to show up on. Think he was involved in a lot of rental properties. So many regulars in the past, often wonder where they are now.

I often have been kidded about my slow riding, Jeff Parker(Flavalkrider) used to joke about "John actually got out of 3rd gear."  But I can't hold a candle to Easygoer when it comes to "easy" riding style. If he were to match DDT's mileage, Paul would have to live to be 150.  I miss the really good old days of riding in Florida. 

[DD]

thank you mark for posting. 

yes John it went back, but it's fun looking at the old pictures.  our 1st ride was March 10, 2001, Eustis at Friendly's.     of course it's gone now & happy 1/2 of me to. 

Beer I hope this helped you?  we also had VRCC Presidents, but pretty much it was everyone getting together for lunch somewhere in the state. [sometimes GA to] 
look forward to seeing your write up. 
take care, 
Debbi

[Pappy!]

Mark - Thanks for posting. Please don't be a stranger on here. We all enjoy stories of fun times.
Would be great if you got another something or other to ride and show up on. We have quite a variety of bikes showing up from time to time.







We are trying to keep up your tradition!