Thunder Beach Panama City, FL

[PCBeachBum]

Thunder Beach Weekend has started with hundreds of bikers here already and more arriving early. Many ride into town, while other's trailer their bikes in.

Coming out of a store Sunday I did see a Spyder, Mine! Also had a few riders around it and said they have seen the ads and are impressed with the design. :2thumbs:

I answered many questions and the first always seems to be what's the top end? I told them around here about 50 mph, depending on what the posted speed limit is. Any faster and you'll find yourself getting a ticket. I told them from what I've read it's somewhere around 130 mph. :dontknow:

The second question was why did I buy a 3 wheeler and limping the way I do, I told them holding up a two wheeler is to painful for me and until they came out with the Spyder, I was sitting on the sidelines for 32 years. With the conversion kits for the HD and Honda's way out of my price range, plus the cost of the bike to convert. This all in one Spyder fits my budget just right, cutting that cost in half.:thumbup:

I sure do hope more Spyder Ryders are coming this spring, I could be answering more questions than ryding.:yikes:.

 

[scdtrd]

Yes, I can attest to this. I am going myself. Wife and I already have condo and place ready. leaving Wed after work, coming back Sunday. Gonna trailer mine, as the weather looks a tad..... uncertain. I like to ride.. just not on wet roads in the rain. I do not have a spyder anymore, but have seen several this weekend. Wife and I got back last night from Panama City. Lotta hogs.... Lotta hogs... anyway... off to work to pay for some of this crap.

 

[irish2themax]

I went with my Military Vets MC to a Bikers Against Child Abuse event last Saturday. Had at least 10 "senior" Harley owners come and talk to me about my Spyder. All in the same boat...getting older and "weaker". Might be several more Spyder Ryders in the area soon. :2thumbs:

 

[SpyderWolf]

I have had quite a few senior Harley riders asking me questions about the Spyder as well. I wonder how long it would take me to get to Panama City? It might be a fun adventure if I could possibly work it out.

 

[PCBeachBum]

Yes, I can attest to this. I am going myself. Wife and I already have condo and place ready. leaving Wed after work, coming back Sunday. Gonna trailer mine, as the weather looks a tad..... uncertain. I like to ride.. just not on wet roads in the rain. I do not have a spyder anymore, but have seen several this weekend. Wife and I got back last night from Panama City. Lotta hogs.... Lotta hogs... anyway... off to work to pay for some of this crap.

Watching the 10 pm weather, they keep changing the forecast to cover there :cus: But having a condo here, I'm sure you know how the weather can be. They predict rain and thunderstorms and get it over across the bridge.

When it's hot and humid, I want to get rained on but never do, unless I go shopping at Walmart. I go in the store seeing blue skies and come out to a pouring rain and can't see my truck or Spyder and it's parked next to the handicap spots.

I got soaked coming back from Pier Park about month ago and going by Edgewater and the roads were dry. I often wonder if I just attract that one cloud with all the water in it.:roflblack:

 

[dave01]

I often wonder if I just attract that one cloud with all the water in it.:roflblack:

I have thought the same thing. My Spyder is a rain magnet here in Clearwater

 

[PCBeachBum]

I went with my Military Vets MC to a Bikers Against Child Abuse event last Saturday. Had at least 10 "senior" Harley owners come and talk to me about my Spyder. All in the same boat...getting older and "weaker". Might be several more Spyder Ryders in the area soon. :2thumbs:

I'm still getting questions and know I'll get a lot more wherever I go. I don't mind as I have a lot of free time and if I didn't, I'd stay home and get the job jar out that is over flowing with things I have to do but, just can't find the time.:yikes:

Hmmm! I had plenty of time before, when I couldn't be out on the boat and now with the Spyder. I have another way to escape that nasty job jar. I always come back and say:hun: I'll do it tomorrow, Yea Right!:roflblack:

 

[PCBeachBum]

I have had quite a few senior Harley riders asking me questions about the Spyder as well. I wonder how long it would take me to get to Panama City? It might be a fun adventure if I could possibly work it out.

Wolf, I don't know how far you are from the dreeded Rt 95 but in Jacksonville you'd want to pickup RT10 W. Rt10 is a nice ride and one time coming back from Tallahassee, I hit 105 mph in my Grand Am GT1. Passing this Malibu, Mark just saw a blurr and looking over at my speed, he said you really do want to go to jail.:yikes:

If you took RT10 you'd want to get off at my least favorite road Rt 231 and head south. I hate that road with a passion, you finally get up to 65 to 70 mph and than you come to a town and the limits drop 10 mph until your doing 35 mph and leaving the town it starts to go up at 10 mph intervals until again your doing 65 to 70 mph only to do the samething town after town. While going through these towns, the cops are waiting for someone to be going more than 35 mph.

From Jacksonville to 231, Tami has done in 4 hours. Her family lives in Brunswick, GA about 6 hours from here. Finally at the end of 231, you'll see signs that say Beaches and take a right on Rt 15/98. This will take you over the bay bridge and to the beach. Getting in the left lane, you would want to take a left on to Thomas Dr. and that will take you down to the curve and along the beach with the high rise condo's on the left, along the beach.

If you do decide to come let me know in a PM and I'll give you my number and can set you up. :thumbup:

 

[PCBeachBum]

I have thought the same thing. My Spyder is a rain magnet here in Clearwater

I don't mind it, if I'm sweating bullets at a stoplight with the heat from the Spyder, road and sun and if there is one tiny cloud. I know! I'm going to get dumped on as soon as I hit the start button, unless I'm home. It always happens when I'm miles from home and never, if I'm just leaving to go out for a ryde.

 

[SpyderWolf]

Looks to be about an 8 hour ryde for me to get there. I am going to have to sit this one out, as my better half says we have some work to get done this weekend. It is harder to keep the job jar on the shelf at times when you are married. :yikes:

 

[PCBeachBum]

Looks to be about an 8 hour ryde for me to get there. I am going to have to sit this one out, as my better half says we have some work to get done this weekend. It is harder to keep the job jar on the shelf at times when you are married. :yikes:

Well at least you'll have next weekend to look forward to at the Myrtle Beach Bike Rally. Maybe you can make it to the Thunder Beach Weekend in the fall.

Mon. and Tues. it was very windy during the day and as usual with the sand blowing across the road, it was like being sandblasted. Best time to ride whether it's windy or hot during the day, is at night when the wind dies down and it cools off after the sun goes down.

Wed. Was a really nice day with the temps in the low 70s and light wind. Many more riders were arriving from all over, either riding their bikes or towing them.

Had a big fire at The Treasure Ship Restaurant on Thomas Dr. It was a landmark for a longtime here and traffic was backed up and detoured. I was behind a few riders, who now didn't know which way to go and were supposed to meet up with some friends at Ms. Newbies. They waved me up next to them and asked if I knew where it was from here? I told them to follow me and I'll take you right to Newbies. I had to go by it to get home and when we were sitting at the light, I pointed the place out and was invited to join them for a beer.

I told them, I gave up drinking years ago but, could go for an O'Doul's and ryding into the parking lot I got the usual stares and many knew me as a local.

Parking their friends came over and one said ohh that's one of those Can Am's I've seen on tv. Where'd you find him and the people I guided to Newbies said, if it wasn't for him we wouldn't be here now and exchanged greetings. They asked if I lived around here and told them, I live a few miles east of here.

The place was jammed as usual at these events and other's. The place is a gold mine. The questions about the Spyder were plentiful amongst older and younger riders. I did see another one like mine but, the owner must have been inside. Venders were everywhere set up in tents around the edge of the parking lot with hundreds of bikes in the middle, with more coming in. I also saw Sponsors Trucks parked in Club La Vela's parking lot on Tues..

Before leaving, my new friends asked if I knew where the Watercrest Condo was. They wanted to go rest up and go out later after coming down from Kentucky. I told them I could take them there and you might see a lot of me since my riding buddy lives there. Getting out wasn't easy with many more questions being asked about the Spyder. So now I'm going to have to plan on taking extra time for questions.

Getting to the condo, I dropped off my new friends at the front doors and security guard came out. She knew me and said Sam just got back from playing golf and asked if I had seen you today. He went up about 15 minutes ago. I told her, he's either asleep, in the hot tub or both and you better check to make sure he hasn't drowned yet. I told her he's way older than he looks. She says, he issss? :roflblack: I told my friends, that I'll see you later. They thanked me again and said they would be keeping an eye out for me.:thumbup:

I took a ryde and went out to eat at Capt. Jack's filling up on crablegs. All you can eat for $9.99. Everytime my plate was empty Ashley, Tami's daughter filled it again til I told her no more, I'll get that belly back again. I asked her for the bill and she said you know your money's no good in here with Stephanie on and I left the usual $50 buck tip, since she cracks the crablegs and pulls the meat out and if I left anything less, I wouldn't get that sweet smile from her and hear about it later.:yikes:

Yep it's going to be a fun weekend, unlike the last one when my DPS failed. Wish you could be here but, perhaps in the fall. That will give you more time to make plans. :thumbup:

 

[SpyderWolf]

Great story, and it sounds like a really good time as well. I will start looking into the one this fall. Do you know the dates for it yet? That will be a big help in my planning efforts.

Keep on having fun with all of your new friends, and ryde safe. :thumbup:

 

[PCBeachBum]

Great story, and it sounds like a really good time as well. I will start looking into the one this fall. Do you know the dates for it yet? That will be a big help in my planning efforts.

Keep on having fun with all of your new friends, and ryde safe. :thumbup:

I'll check with Tami and see if they have the dates for the Fall Thunder Beach at work. I'm sure they do and I heard they moved it from Sept. to Oct. or was it the other way. :dontknow:

I'll make sure and let you know.:thumbup:

Most times I don't know what's going on here. They have classic car, Hot Rod shows here to and I never know until I'm passing it and have to turn around and go back for a look.

 

[SpyderWolf]

I'll check with Tami and see if they have the dates for the Fall Thunder Beach at work. I'm sure they do and I heard they moved it from Sept. to Oct. or was it the other way. :dontknow:

I'll make sure and let you know.:thumbup:

Most times I don't know what's going on here. They have classic car, Hot Rod shows here to and I never know until I'm passing it and have to turn around and go back for a look.

I already have my reservations made for Biketoberfest in Daytona from October 14-17. I hope it doesn't conflict with that or the possibility of Lamont's BBQ. So many events, so little time.

I have done the same thing several time with the car shows. It has always been in a different town so far, and I see it off to the side of the road and turn around to go back. Funny thing is, so far they have all waved me into a parking spot when I got there and then started asking questions once I got off the Spyder.

 

[FANG]

Glad to see the dates for Fall rally have moved to Oct. this means no conflict with Spyders in the Smokies as that has traditionally been late Sep.

Will make plans for our group from the Pensacola Area to be over there also.

Look forward to meeting all of you.

 

[PCBeachBum]

I already have my reservations made for Biketoberfest in Daytona from October 14-17. I hope it doesn't conflict with that or the possibility of Lamont's BBQ. So many events, so little time.

I have done the same thing several time with the car shows. It has always been in a different town so far, and I see it off to the side of the road and turn around to go back. Funny thing is, so far they have all waved me into a parking spot when I got there and then started asking questions once I got off the Spyder.

I haven't been able to corral Tami yet. She taking advantage of Thunder Beach at work and after. Sleeps all day than gets ready for work and calls me, to run her errands.

Newbies closes at 4 am for a few hours and re-opens around 6 am. Many stay in the parking lot, so they won't lose there parking spot and many more are staying in the high rise condo behind Newbies on the beach.

Talking to two guys Thurs. they said, why stay anywhere else but, next to the best and biggest party spot on the beach.

Both were riding Harley's and I warned them about how the salt air here effects chrome. They asked plenty of questions about the Spyder and both thought it was an awesome looking machine and could be in there future one day. One made a comment about the rear tire and said, his car has the same size tires on it.

I too got waved into car a show and the last one was a classic Mustang and Corvette show at the old Rt 98 entrance of the Super Walmart parking lot. Two guys moved a couple of cones and as soon as I hit the kill switch, the questions started. I took off the left side panel, since I was getting a lot of questions about the engine and many took a look inside, being careful since it was hot.

 

[PCBeachBum]

Glad to see the dates for Fall rally have moved to Oct. this means no conflict with Spyders in the Smokies as that has traditionally been late Sep.

Will make plans for our group from the Pensacola Area to be over there also.

Look forward to meeting all of you.

Same here!

Do you know the exact dates? I heard it was the first week of Oct. but not sure. Many made the comment last year because of it being in Sept. they would head home and than go to Daytona and wished the dates were closer together, so they could leave here and go there, without heading home for a week first.

Friday was a no ryde day for me. although it didn't stop the thousands here from ryding. I got up looked out the door and found black clouds and although the night before on the news, they said the rain wouldn't be here til around 4 pm, I knew better.

I checked the doppler weather on the computer and than thought I would flip a coin. "Heads" I take my chances and use the Spyder and "Tails" I take the truck. I flipped the coin up in the air and let it hit the floor, "Heads"! Looking out the door again, I thought 2 out of 3. I flip it again, "Heads"! I look out the door again and think okay 3 out of 5. Checking the coin, to make sure it's got tails on it cause, I do have a double headed joke coin around here, that I got from Mark's daughter. I flip again and it rolls under the desk and get the flashlight, cause I don't want to cheat and it's "Tails". I flip again and it's "Tails" again and now I look outside again and flip and it's "Tails". Well looks like I'm taking the truck.

I just got out the front door and it started raining and thought, if I didn't take the time to flip the coin more than once, I'd be drenched now miles from home.

If it started out sunny, I would Shirley be drenched but Friday it wasn't one tiny cloud that always seems to follow me, that has all the water in it.

It didn't rain much and said we only got .05" of rain but, if I had been on the Spyder the thunderstorms that just missed us wouldn't have.

I had to go to Capt. Jack's to get some money from Tami to pay a bill for her and they were busy and because of the rain Newbies wasn't as crowded outside and many that were there, were inside.

 

[PCBeachBum]

Sat morning Sam came over around 11 am with his two sons and after he ran some errands, he didn't get back til after 4 pm.

We went to look for a sticky seat for Sam's chopper to put on his fender for a passanger and our first stop was Club La Vela. The place was mobbed and I had my camera to take some pictures of some of the beautiful choppers and Harleys but, with so many ryders around the bikes, I could only get head shots.

I had to park over in the trike area by many of the venders. We couldn't find a seat for his fender and decided to leave because his youngest son was tired and wanted to go back to his dads condo.

Walking back towards my Spyder, Dylan noticed another Spyder next to mine. He's going on 12 and wants a Spyder. He wants his dad to buy one since both his sons loved riding on the back of mine.

Heading back to Sam's condo to drop off his son Ryan, who was tired after a long day, we decided to go out later tonight and hit Pier Park. They are raffeling off one Chopper from Black Jack's Choppers on Thomas Dr in PCB and 3 Harleys.

Tami gave me money to buy 4 tickets on one of those Harley's and I'll kick in another $50.00 to give her 14 chances to win. It's the least I can do, since she has taken care of me manytimes, when I busted my leg and had to be taken to the Hospital a few times and basically put up with some crap from me in the past, not knowing what ptsd is.:yikes:

Back at the condo many staying there were heading home. It was another very windy day and Sunday looks good for the last official day.

I'll try harder to get some pictures tonight and give another report later of our experience at Pier Park. Hopefully it will be better than La Vela's was this afternoon and I can get more than the backs of heads of other ryders.

 

[PCBeachBum]

I already have my reservations made for Biketoberfest in Daytona from October 14-17. I hope it doesn't conflict with that or the possibility of Lamont's BBQ. So many events, so little time.

I have done the same thing several time with the car shows. It has always been in a different town so far, and I see it off to the side of the road and turn around to go back. Funny thing is, so far they have all waved me into a parking spot when I got there and then started asking questions once I got off the Spyder.

I have the dates for the fall Rally Sept 30th to Oct 3rd. Tami looked it up on the computer typing in Panama City Fall Thunder Beach 2010, on google.

I hope this doesn't hamper your other activities and Lamont's BBQ.:thumbup:

 

[SpyderWolf]

Best of luck trying to get your pictures. Hopefully your generosity will pay off some too, and Tami may just win one of the Harleys. :thumbup:

You didn't happen to find out who the other Spyder owner was did you?

Keep having a good time, and ryde safe with all those others around.