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News Rides Spokane Scoot Recap
| Spokane Scoot Recap |
| Saturday, 29 July 2006 | |
 Longhorns over Spokaloo Look for Coppertone to headline next year’s sponsor list. Unless, of course, it rains. Everyone seemed to have a great time. We met a number of new Vespa enthusiasts from right here in Spokane, welcomed eight or so good friends from Coeur d’Alene’s 2% Club , and had four visitors arrive from Richland - two from the Bombastic S.C ., and two from the Guerilla S.C. In all, 37 people signed in, and since we know of three or four shy folks that didn’t, we’ll call it an even 40 for the weekend. Meet & Greet - Friday’s night’s meet & greet at Northern Lights Brewery started activities off well. Around 18 folks showed up for happy-hour priced beer and pub-grub, including great beer-battered fish and chips. At least two in the group were there just to chat, with weekend work schedules keeping them away from the rest of the rally. Then there was Doug, who arrived in fine form on one of his recently resurrected P200 bikes, but became the first casualty when his bike wouldn’t start at the beginning of that evening’s impromptu moonlight ride along Cliff Drive. No P200, no Doug; no Doug, no Laura. Bummer.  Stylin' 2% clubbies The ride itself went off flawlessly, and seemed just as popular as last year. Two riders on smaller bikes struggled to keep up, but eventually found their way to the mid-ride stopover (Spangle’s Harvester Restaurant) with the aid of ride maps – and just perhaps - the scent of Bloody Marys served up at the cafe. Of course, the scenery along the route was amazing, offering miles of rolling wheatfields, creek crossings, hillside switchbacks, untouched wetlands, and forested zones from start to finish. In short, seventy-plus miles, no breakdowns, and lots of smiles. Saturday Bar-B-Que - First off, a big thanks to Travis and Kayla at Camp Motorsports for acting as the major sponsor for Saturday’s lunch, a feast of chicken and beef, plus tasty sides catered by Longhorn BBQ . For the veggie/vegan crowd, Charlotte brought a popular cous-cous/bean/tomato creation, served atop pita bread. New faces were there to greet us, too, including pink-Stella Kim and Paul and Marla Oleniacz. If there were any disappointments, they seemed confined to the fact that Spokane’s Parks Department promised trouble if we served beer – so despite the heat, it was (at least officially, eh Bryce?) a “dry” affair. A big thanks to Charlotte, Laura and Alicia for getting to Manito Park early and setting up at one of the few, best shady spots!  Gas gets Paul pissed Ninety minutes later, the ET still wouldn’t start, and Paul was ready to push his bike into the Manito duck pond. Rob and Randy’s mechanical skills foiled, the group gave up on the official tour in favor of a quick trip to Barrister Winery , while Rob and Tammy graciously retrieved their trailer to shuttle Paul’s ET off to Camp. Happily, there was time enough for the entire group to reconnect at Caterina Winery before the evening’s next event. The Shop/Music & Movie - What to say about The Shop ? Run by some great, local, scooter-friendly guys, the place has established itself as a social centerpiece for Spokane’s growing, increasingly cool South Perry neighborhood. One reason for the Shop’s popularity is the fact that it supports local music and touring musicians in a big way, providing recording studio services as well as hosting weekly outdoor concerts. Another reason is that all summer long, the place offers free movie nights, often following band performances. About a dozen folks opted for this stop on the Spokane Scoot agenda, and had a great time listening to a solo artist play as the sun faded and the day’s heat started to melt away. Most skipped the movie in favor of other things, however; the 2% group moved off for a mini bar-hop and party at a local member’s house, and the rest took in an acoustic band playing back at Caterina.  Nanci's TV smile Arbor Crest Loop - Like last year, the ride to Arbor Crest was great fun, taking the group past the Gonzaga University campus to Upriver Drive, which follows the path of the Spokane River upstream to the Arbor Crest winery turnoff. The road to Arbor Crest is a steep climb up one of the hills overlooking the river and valley, and includes two tight switchbacks that make the ride seem like something made just for scooters, even something one might encounter along a European coastline. At the top, the winery grounds provide welcome in the form of manicured gardens, tall shade trees, an historic mansion and covered porticos, many with spectacular views to the City, and of course to the river, hundreds of feet below. Most had loaded up with wine-compatible goodies at Huckleberry’s Market before the ride, and quickly began emptying bottles of chilled Arbor Crest Sauvignon Blanc wine under the area’s largest, shadiest gazebo. Pictures of the stop at Arbor Crest show a mostly subdued crowd, one that had spent a long weekend together, shared rides totaling more than 200 miles, good food, good wine, and despite the heat, good times. Newcomers were welcomed, friendships were tended, thank-yous and goodbyes were extended to all. Tommy from the 2% club had some tougher goodbyes to deal with, given his plans to move to Portland soon. The Coeur d’Alene group headed east, the Spokane group west, and the second annual Spokane Scoot was for the most part, complete.  Rob glides home  Event Photos (Flash®) The Minions wish to thank everyone in attendance at this year’s Spokane Scoot, and especially our sponsors including Camp Motorsports, Caterina Winery and Red Bull. Several folks chipped in more than their fair share in time and money to help make the event a success, including Alicia and Nanci Seyhanli, Brian Johnson, Collin Blodgett, Doug & Laura Dobbins, Morty Shecter, Mark Selzer, and of course, Rick and Charlotte Hastings. Thanks again to the 2% Scooter Club, who’ve supported our event since the beginning, and to the Bombastic Scooter Club, who first proposed that Spokane riders host an annual scooter rally. -ed |
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