purplesarah Posted May 1, 2008 Author Share Posted May 1, 2008 PS, Glad you had a safe trip. I see you discovered the cause of America's wide spread (no pun intended) obesity problem. "All you can eat" being the key phrase here. Regarding the service, contrary to American stereotypes about redneck southerners, the south is legendary for its "Southern hospitality." If you've ever heard the Jeff Foxworthy comedy bit he did before the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, you would know what I mean. We only use the "wind up" on our close friends, otherwise we're going to end up with busted knuckles or busted ribs, and we actually like diversity. The downside is the lack of cultured entertainment. Last time I checked all of the larger city's orchestras went bankrupt years ago. The museums are ok, but nothing compared to NY or Chicago. I'm surprised we have a real Monet in Gainesville's art museum. You were also fortunate to arrive during an unusually cool spring. Although its usually newsworthy, the weather has been good lately. The rule regarding tornados is simple. If they don't reach you their harmless. Tampa is another story. on an average afternoon the thunderstorms roll in daily and lightning strikes an average of 1,100 time per minute. It's the lightning capital of the world. I'm sorry you didn't find a Hops. The other places are nice too. We have an English style pub here (believe it or not, I do have English friends here) that my English friends say is almost authentic. The high ceilings are said to be the only difference. They even serve pints of Guinness and large sandwiches, I think they call them buttys? Odd name, but good. The price of living here is cheaper than most of the U.S. (except for housing prices), but the pay is also way lower than most of the U.S. There isn't a state income tax (yet) because it wouldn't leave us with anything to live on, and we still pay Federal income taxes. Our state (which is in 2nd place for worst state recession) depends on tourism. As long as we have tourists spending their money here (thanks by the way!) living wages aren't necessary to keep the economy going. I have heard that the taxes in GB are murder! Just sorry I didn't get a chance to give you an official "greetings from Florida!" Let me know if you plan on coming back. If I can't find a bike for you to ride, you can always rent a Harley. Wow, living in Tampa must be a nightmare, for insurance purposes etc!!! The guys we spoke to in Kissimee said that the wages for waitresses etc is about 3 dollars an hour!!! and that they survive on tips mostly- so that shocked me a bit, as we have a minimum wage here of the equivalent of 10.5 dollars an hour. But a lot is eaten up with bills and taxes, before food is even thought about, oh and then we have petrol prices !! People in Florida are worried about their gas prices... they are CHEAP , ours are outrageous now. The weather was coolish when we arrived, but had some lovely warm days during our second week when there was no clouds If we hadnt spent 7 days in Disney we could have baked ourselves quite happily, but spent most of the time under cover on rides etc. So PB, when you live over there, do you actually go and get all you can eat breakfasts? or are they just for tourists lol who are used to skinny British portion controls. If I ever moved over there, I WOULD BE HUGE!!! I have only been back for less than a week, and i had to make pancakes yesterday with maple syrup lol as I really missing the food already... ho god and the steaks....WOWWWWW Cheers PB ill let you know if we ever coming over again as it would be nice to be on a bike next time ( but with a helmet on perhaps, and not wearing shorts and flip flops loll Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peabody Posted May 1, 2008 Share Posted May 1, 2008 Wow, living in Tampa must be a nightmare, for insurance purposes etc!!! The guys we spoke to in Kissimee said that the wages for waitresses etc is about 3 dollars an hour!!! and that they survive on tips mostly- so that shocked me a bit, as we have a minimum wage here of the equivalent of 10.5 dollars an hour. But a lot is eaten up with bills and taxes, before food is even thought about, oh and then we have petrol prices !! People in Florida are worried about their gas prices... they are CHEAP , ours are outrageous now. The weather was coolish when we arrived, but had some lovely warm days during our second week when there was no clouds If we hadnt spent 7 days in Disney we could have baked ourselves quite happily, but spent most of the time under cover on rides etc. So PB, when you live over there, do you actually go and get all you can eat breakfasts? or are they just for tourists lol who are used to skinny British portion controls. If I ever moved over there, I WOULD BE HUGE!!! I have only been back for less than a week, and i had to make pancakes yesterday with maple syrup lol as I really missing the food already... ho god and the steaks....WOWWWWW Cheers PB ill let you know if we ever coming over again as it would be nice to be on a bike next time ( but with a helmet on perhaps, and not wearing shorts and flip flops loll Yeah, it's hard to claim that we're "smart" when so many idiots over here ride with just enough clothes on to stay out of jail. I would also strongly recommend wearing a helmet. Way too many tards in cages running us off the road. The weather is great down here, but the roads aren't much fun, unless you like straight and flat. The real riding is anywhere north of Atlanta, Georgia. I know Blackhat is flying over that way soon, lucky SOB. Regarding Tampa, cars are insulated and all buildings are built with lightning protection. The high insurance is for hurricanes. When I was in college down there I rode a bicycle. I can say with experience, lightning buzzes before the loud "crack" you usually hear. When it hits it puts off a lot of heat and it sounds like your in the middle of an artillery strike every afternoon. Never got hit, but came very close too many times to count. If you went to Disney then you've seen the closest we will ever come to a "castle" in the U.S. Fantasy inspired plastic and concrete. I've been to the parks 52 times. Last time I went was our honeymoon. Did walking back and forth for hours in line make you feel like cattle in a slaughterhouse? I'm riding to a goth club in Tampa tomorrow that looks like the inside of the haunted mansion. Well worth the trip. Even has a moat around one of the 5 bars. If your feeling really hungry and have the unfortunate experience of finding yourself in Texas, there is a steakhouse there that sells a 72 ounce steak dinner. There's also a burger place in Nebraska that offers a 6 pound hamburger. Are we a bunch of pigs or what? I don't go to the buffets very often. Most days I'm so busy I don't even have breakfast! Shoney's are fairly good too, but we can't eat out all the time. There wouldn't be enough $ left over for all my riding! It sounds like you had a lot of fun. I'm glad you had a good trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
purplesarah Posted May 3, 2008 Author Share Posted May 3, 2008 "I'm riding to a goth club in Tampa tomorrow that looks like the inside of the haunted mansion. Well worth the trip. Even has a moat around one of the 5 bars." AAARRRRGGGGGGHHHHH! If only I had known lol. I love shit like that, I would have been there in a "flash" (ignore the lame pun). Nah seriously, please take some pics, it sounds fabulous. Mind you I think Tampa was a little drive away from us, I cant remember- maybe it was Miami- I really wanted to go to both, as wanted to see the beaches. Never mind... always next time when I have saved a tonne of cash. I wouldnt fancy riding a push bike in Tampa if you can hear the lightning buzz all the time... mann i love thunder storms etc, they are beautiful, but when the excitement turns to pain Id be out of there lol. God yes the queues at Disney were mad!!! the times you have to wait are pretty scary, and yes you walk back and fro through the slaughterhouse rope fences it seems like all day!! knackering! 52 times is pretty impressive- have you got children or do you just like it there? Oh and was wondering also, if you live in Florida, do you get in free or discounted to Disney, as it was really expensive !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev Wilkins Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 Hi Purple Sarah, i have a set of Highway hawk footboards on ebay at the moment, off my XVS 1100, have a look, regards Franklyn... Hi Franklyn,I'm a new member with a "tech query". I recently bought a set of Highway Hawk rear footboards from a private dealer on Ebay.The mounts fit on the bike (XVS 1100 Dragstar) no problem,however the right hand board will not clear the heatshield on the exhaust.It's as though the mount is too low.Any ideas,have you got any pictures of the boards you had on your bike?The pipes are stock pipes as the bike had only done 250 miles when I got it.Thanks for any advice you may have.Kev. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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