Wednesday North Central ROMEO Lunch Ride for 6-13-12

[Richard]

Guys - I don't know how we can have a better time than we did last week but we'll try so here goes.
One thing about this place that now stands out is the condition of the road. It's NEW! And, It's the reason I'm going back.
Frankly, this little town has suffered greatly at the hands of a full term of their county commisioners. Seems that 4 out of 7 were farmers and they didn't allow a dime to be spent on roads.....for years. They've voted down any attempt to upgrade roads in the county, but I'll bet that they have continued to run their big farm implements up and down them 'till the edges break loose. It's been nearly 7 or 8 years since I've been over this way because of this situation. Suffice it to say, they practically killed this little town and others along side it.
Roads over from Roxbury deteriorated from bad pavement to no pavement at all and the only way you could get to this place without hitting gravel/chat was the long way around to the South and up. Not many folks knew about that direction anyway. I just happened to fumble upon it a few years ago.
No traffic equals no tax revenue. A lose, lose situation. Clearly their county commisioners aren't deep thinkers!
Thankfully, a new batch of folks are in charge in this county now so I hope things will be better from now on!
Let's all try and make it out next Wednesday because this place needs our help to get 'em off on the right track!



Here's the Place............................The Tampa Cafe
301 Main
Tampa, Kansas 67483
785-965-2002
Amber Peterson, Owner

Tampa, Kansas
Founded: 1887
Population: 113
Elevation: 1424 feet
Latitude: 38° 32' 50" N
Longitude: 97° 9' 10" W
School District: USD 397
ZIP code: 67483 - Area Code: 785


As always...........ride careful, ride safe and I'll see you in Tampa.

After lunch, I'll be heading West out of Tampa back to Roxbury and then South on the little twisty backroad to Canton for 'Ice Cream'. Should anyone like to tag along, I would certainly enjoy the company. Richard

http://tinyurl.com/Romeo-Rides-This-Week
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Guys - Wouldn't 'ya just know it! Just as soon as I post how the road is open and paved from Hwy 15 over to Tampa, they go and close it again for further maintenance. Of what kind? It seemed perfect just two days ago when I rode across it!
Oh well, we lived through it and went around by way of the Lincolnville Road and got by just fine. The road from Roxbury to 15 though was great just as I found it before so I wasn't haleucinating.
I seem to look forward to these Wednesdays more than any other day of the week beside Sunday. Just as Sunday is good for my Soul, Wednesday is good for my Spirit! I just feel good on a ROMEO Lunch ride. I enjoy the comeraderie with you guys and the friendly banter that always makes the time spent lighthearted. I've learned about significant mechanical things just listening to the table chatter and I enjoy seeing who shows up for the day and how far they have come. I enjoy seeing who rode in on what and even how they got here.
Gordon, I know never touches pavement until he arrives. Others have their little idiosyncracies as well. When someone doesn't come, I miss 'em. Louie wasn't here today nor was Leonard. Where was Harold and the Flynns? Where's 'Big' Jim and Marty?
And....where was Evan?
We're not just a bunch of guys riding motorcycles having lunch.....we're more than that.....much, much more!
OK, someone may ask just how many showed up today....tell 'em 34. We had only 32 bikes though. Jim Davidson from Cuba won the high mileage award of the day with 139 miles. Hey....there's a little irony here isn't there. Cuba to Tampa.....get it?One other thing odd about today was that there were 3 Can-Am Spyders on Main along with as many regular (?) trikes. How cool was that! Momma's taking notice!
OK, here's some shots of the day......

[lsauzek]

Maybe that county isn,t broke like so many in the state. Hope the newbes don't break it.