Gulf Coast R.a.t. Pack January 2009 Green Light

Gulf Coast R.A.T. Pack

Green Light Volume 2, Issue 1

January 30th, 2009

Sanibel Ride Special points of interest:  Sanibel Ride  Meetings  Future Rides  Seafood Festival

Inside this issue: Our Next Ride

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Terror.. er.. Tourists

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Since I first moved down here 14 years ago, I have worked on either Sanibel or Captiva, and have at times lived on Sanibel. So, when I brought the Pack out to the islands for a breakfast ride, I was leading them through very familiar territory.

Meetings On December 13th, we started off our meeting at Five Guys located at The Forum. Five Guys excels at their burgers and dogs. We all enjoyed lunch and the curvy ride down Treeline towards Gulf Coast Motorcycles. At the meeting, we decided to make a loop around Lake O on March

We started off from Gulf Coast Motorcycles at eight in the morning. Stopping for a quick photo op. Very early for loader that many, especially seemed to be those riding up lost. Finally, we from Naples. left Gladiolus and Taking the scenic jumped onto route, we ended McGregor Bouleup drafting behind a front-end continued on page 2 14th and have our next meeting at Bar Louie in the Gulf Coast Town Center. Speaking of Bar Louie in the Gulf Coast Town Center, our meeting there on January 9th was productive as we gained a new member (he works at Ft. Myers HD) and set up a ride to Everglades National Park on April 4th. Lynn was able to make it

down for both meetings, which I’m glad to say since she’s coming a pretty fair distance just to lunch with us.

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started down one of the curviest roads in Southvard for a heavy equipwest Florida. When the ment free spell to the curves are counted per toll booth. block instead of per mile, you expect to Being the do some only one zigzagwith a transging. Afponder, I ter passsailed ing Casa through and Ybel Reascended sort, we Parking at the Island Cow the first made a bridge so I right on Tarpon Bay could wait for the Pack Road and another right, on the first causeway isfound ourselves back on land. After regrouping, Periwinkle Way. A short we continued on across distance later, we were the causeway and onto filling up the yard in Sanibel. Making a left front of the Island Cow. on Periwinkle Way, we rode out to the well rec- Brian, the owner of the Island Cow, is a rider as ognized Sanibel Lightwell and a member of house. A quick stop for Sanibel’s “Shells Ana photo-op, and we gels.” He headed towas on hand wards breakto welcome fast. us and get us seated. The Making a left Island Cow on East Gulf has an imFront Row at Periwinkle Drive, we pressive and

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reasonably priced menu. We were well fed and well taken care of by the friendly staff. We left the comforts of the Island Cow and made our way back to Tarpon Bay Road and picked up where we left off on West Gulf Drive. Riding the back roads on Sanibel is usually the way we island workers take to get home during the crowded tourist season, but on a lazy Saturday morning, it’s quite a pleasant route. West Gulf took us to Rabbit Road, then west on Sanibel-Captiva Road. When working out at our well sites, I am often asked directions by passing motorists. One common question I’m asked is “Where is the Mucky Duck?” My answer, along with our continued on page 3

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Our Next Ride: Everglades City On February 7th, we will be meeting up at Gulf Coast Motorcycles (well most of us will meet there, some will meet up with the Pack at Highway 29 and Oilwell Road) at 9:30 am to ride out Corkscrew Road to Highway 29, south through Immokalee, then on to the Sea-

food Festival in Everglades City. Until very recently, I did not realize just how big of an event this is. It seems like they have some great entertainment lined up for the weekend. I’m glad that I decided to take a vacation day and ride to this event. I hope that most of the Pack will

show up as the extended forecast says the weather will be perfect weather and temperature for riding. Don’t be afraid to ask a friend along who rides, the more the merrier. Kick Stands Up at 10:00am, fill out your Waiver of Liability Form, and we’ll see you there. Cheers!

Well, we have the route there planned out!

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only four restaurants on up on something I saw at Sanibel and Captiva that one of the company’s ride, is along the rest of are on the Gulf of Mex- wells. Sanibel, across Blind Pass Bridge, and up Cap- ico, and one of two that are facing tiva to the first stop Fueled and west for the sign, which is Andy ready to go, optimum Rosse Lane. A left at “All in all, it was a great day we took the view of the Andy Rosse, and if you for a great ride.” more comsunset. After hit the water, you’ve mon way off taking in the gone too far. the island sites at the end of Andy down Periwinkle Way. Rosse, we rode Crossing the causeway, The Mucky back to the Hess Duck is fashStation at Tarpon we were able to clean ioned after Bay Road and San the carbon out of our enan old Eng-Cap Road. While gines once we hit dry land. All in all, it was a lish pub and the Pack gassed Parked at the Mucky Duck is one of up, I had to check great day for a great ride.

GULF COAST R.A.T. PACK 16090 South Tamiami Trail Fort Myers, FL 33908 USA E-mail: [email protected]

Editor: Eric Borgia Publisher: Taylor Musburger

www.GCRats.com

It’s Tourist Season Again! Please be extra vigilant out on the roads. The vast numbers of out of state plates are filling up the lanes, and shoulders. And don’t forget about the rental cars. Heaven help

us when we come up against the rental RV’s. Leave early to get to your destinations and expand your awareness beyond your

typical comfort zone.

Yep, they’re back!