Amerivespa 2011: New Orleans

ScootsMcGillicuddy · Post by **ScootsMcGillicuddy** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 10:47 am

The other half, Perkussion, and I will be there as vendors! We'll be trailering in the Genuines and hoping to get a few rides in too! We booked at the Hilton.
We are very excited!

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 3:32 am

BuddyRaton wrote:
BootScootin'FireFighter wrote:Seriously though, I'm thinking of going non-interstate highways along the Appalachians straight to Pensacola, then hugging the Gulf Coast to NO. Anyone considering riding along, let me know. I'm looking to arrive at least that Tuesday or Wednesday.
Check with Krusty. I'm sure there will be some of the Emerald coast crew making the ride from P'cola

Yeah, cmac & I rode our scoots to New Orleans for Big Easy Weekender last year and may do it again for AV. I'm going to try to trailer if I can, just to save time and butt fatigue. Riding through Gulfport is nice though, especially during the day.

Hey Raton, what camp site are you gonna stay at? Bayou Signette?

Post by **ericalm** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 5:33 am

Booking my room tomorrow.

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 8:13 am

Why does it cost me $50 more to fly from LA to New Orleans in June than it cost me to fly from LA to Toronto at Xmas. Something is not right.

chloefpuff · Post by **chloefpuff** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 2:01 am

OMIGOSH!!!!!

I just read this! NOLA is my favorite place in the whole world, I WANNA GO!!!!

Hubby and I went in December for our 25th anniversary. I kept dreaming about what a great place to scoot it must be (French Quarter and Marigny).

It's a mighty long way from Michigan but I WANNA GO

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 3:31 am

Actually, it is quite a nice place to scoot except for all the crappy pothole-ridden streets. They have been really working on repaving a lot of the bad ones though, so I imagine it's much better now. I can't imagine that many scooters cruising around the quarter though!

blackjackgirl · Post by **blackjackgirl** » Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:40 pm

We will be going, riding from Orlando to NO on a couple of budddy's and a vino. We can't wait!! We will be leaving Tuesday of that week if anyone wants to join us.

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 5:56 am

My chance to finally meet the famous Krustyburger and I cannot make it (unless I get a great new job and some immediate vacation)!

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:10 pm

Um, FAMOUS? I think you may be confusing me with someone else...

If you do go to amerivespa, I'll be the one sitting in the corner by myself
having a rootbeer and looking over all the pictures I took that day.

Post by **ericalm** » Mon Feb 14, 2011 11:45 pm

Booked my room! w00t.

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 1:01 am

KRUSTYburger wrote:Um, FAMOUS? I think you may be confusing me with someone else...

If you do go to amerivespa, I'll be the one sitting in the corner by myself
having a rootbeer and looking over all the pictures I took that day.

I'm trying to figure it out but it doesn't look good....

EDIT: Ok, if I can find a roommate, I'll go. Anyone know of someone in need of a roomy? No smoking a must; no snoring a hope but not a deal-breaker.

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 1:37 am

pugbuddy wrote:
KRUSTYburger wrote:Um, FAMOUS? I think you may be confusing me with someone else...

If you do go to amerivespa, I'll be the one sitting in the corner by myself
having a rootbeer and looking over all the pictures I took that day.
I'm trying to figure it out but it doesn't look good....

EDIT: Ok, if I can find a roommate, I'll go. Anyone know of someone in need of a roomy? No smoking a must; no snoring a hope but not a deal-breaker.

SkootzKabootz was thinking about it and a roomie would help.

Also, check on the ModernVespa thread. Many more from there going!
If you get desperate, let me know.

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 1:47 am

Consider me desperate! The sooner I can plan for it, the better! I will PM SkootzKabootz and check on his plans. Thanks!

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 1:59 am

pugbuddy wrote:Consider me desperate! The sooner I can plan for it, the better! I will PM SkootzKabootz and check on his plans. Thanks!

I could post it to Twitter & FB if you like…

BootScootin'FireFighter · Wed Feb 16, 2011 2:14 am

wow, it's going to be an awesome time. The more the merrier, It'll be awesome to put real names and faces to all these avatars!

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:01 am

BootScootin'FireFighter wrote:wow, it's going to be an awesome time. The more the merrier, It'll be awesome to put real names and faces to all these avatars!

I've met you and you don't look like your avatar. Your hair's shorter.

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Wed Feb 16, 2011 3:04 am

ericalm wrote:
pugbuddy wrote:Consider me desperate! The sooner I can plan for it, the better! I will PM SkootzKabootz and check on his plans. Thanks!
I could post it to Twitter & FB if you like…

I'll cover FB. I don't have a Twitter account. I appreciate it!

polianarchy · Post by **polianarchy** » Thu Feb 17, 2011 3:30 pm

I CAN GO! I CAN GO! I LOVE MY BOSS! OMG Y'ALL!!!

lmyers · Post by **lmyers** » Thu Feb 17, 2011 3:52 pm

polianarchy wrote:I CAN GO! I CAN GO! I LOVE MY BOSS! OMG Y'ALL!!!

YAY! We have the room from Wednesday to Sunday (I think). And I'm bringing both Stellas. And maybe the death trap (P200).

polianarchy · Post by **polianarchy** » Thu Feb 17, 2011 4:06 pm

lmyers wrote:YAY! We have the room from Wednesday to Sunday (I think). And I'm bringing both Stellas. And maybe the death trap (P200).

You know I got you covered for one of the Stellas (the one that doesn't hate me)! OMG THIS IS GONNA BE EVEN FUNNER THAN LAST YEARRR Dang I'd better start saving $$$ & preparing my liver now.

I'll let you know (privately LOL! I'm sure ModBud doesn't care) when I arrange my travel, but Wednesday through Sunday sounds perfect. HOORAY!

Now to concentrate on getting a roomie for pugbuddy.

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Feb 17, 2011 6:11 pm

polianarchy wrote:I CAN GO! I CAN GO! I LOVE MY BOSS! OMG Y'ALL!!!

Yay! So excited that you'll be there!

polianarchy · Post by **polianarchy** » Thu Feb 17, 2011 9:24 pm

ericalm wrote:
polianarchy wrote:I CAN GO! I CAN GO! I LOVE MY BOSS! OMG Y'ALL!!!
Yay! So excited that you'll be there!

Me too! I had SO MUCH FUN last year. And I can't wait to meet Brill!

BootScootin'FireFighter · Fri Feb 18, 2011 2:40 am

polianarchy wrote:I CAN GO! I CAN GO! I LOVE MY BOSS! OMG Y'ALL!!!

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 4:24 am

Now to concentrate on getting a roomie for pugbuddy.

Thanks Poli!

gearhead · Post by **gearhead** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 8:19 am

time to purchase those early bird tickets @ $60!

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 6:22 pm

ericalm wrote:
BootScootin'FireFighter wrote:wow, it's going to be an awesome time. The more the merrier, It'll be awesome to put real names and faces to all these avatars!
I've met you and you don't look like your avatar. Your hair's shorter.

And I'm a little less green......

Post by **ericalm** » Fri Feb 18, 2011 7:16 pm

gearhead wrote:time to purchase those early bird tickets @ $60!

Got mine! I'd gotten the hotel but neglected to register.

Now I'm looking at flights and trying to decide if I want to stay Sunday night.

Tam Tam · Post by **Tam Tam** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 5:45 am

booked my room at the hilton a while back, and registered today, to make it official. The 21 Club patches are still in the works, as sometimes I have too many irons in the fire....one of them being to build some kind of voodoo altar on the front rack of my blackjack....

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 7:26 am

Amerivespa....it's about the scooters, man

riiiight

Post by **ericalm** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 7:58 am

JHScoot wrote:Amerivespa....it's about the scooters, man

We have scooters in CA; we don't need to go to Louisiana to see scooters or ride. It's mostly about the scooterists and the location. It's a little bit about the scooters. Last year was probably the largest gathering of MB members to date… until this year maybe.

Sure, there's drinking and cavorting as well for those who wish to partake. It was relatively low key in San Antonio last year, partially because it was so damn hot during the day that we were all worn out at night. I got to meet and hang out with some very hospitable locals who showed us the best late night taco truck in town among other things we'd have missed on our own.

Here's hoping in 2012 AV will be coming back West. That'll be announced at the end of this year's. I'm still hoping for Vancouver (or even Seattle) because that would be an amazing ride, well worth the time it would take. Of course, I wouldn't complain about anywhere in CA. I dunno, maybe they'll pick an East Coast location after TX and LA…

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 8:29 am

scooters in California, you say? well then I say we organize an Ameribuddy thing right here in Los Angeles and leave N.O. to high water and Brad and Angelina

hey, maybe they will show up!

here they are in Vietnam doing the "when in Rome thing" while hunting for orphans

oh, and i'd love to go to NO to cavort with fellow scooter 'peeps and get smashed...but i'm afraid it's not in the cards for me....this year

Post by **ericalm** » Sun Feb 20, 2011 6:08 pm

JHScoot wrote:scooters in California, you say? well then I say we organize an Ameribuddy thing right here in Los Angeles and leave N.O. to high water and Brad and Angelina

hey, maybe they will show up!

A giant Buddy gathering was discussed in past years. There were a lot of issues hindering this. A big one was that the Buddys were still very new and appealed mostly to new riders. At the time, we had very low Buddy rider participation in local rides and rallies. Over the past 2 years, it's been growing.

Still, it's difficult to put on a national event in LA, largely due to cost of lodging. It might be interesting to try to do some Buddy/Genuine-only festivals. But if part of the point is to spread the Buddy love, wouldn't we want to invite everyone? Hmmm…

Brad and Angie won't come. Doubt we cold even get Hanks, who rides a Buddy much of the time now!

Post by **ericalm** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 6:19 am

Two great links coming to us via polianarchy!

Help with rooms for those looking for a roommate:
http://scootneworleans.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=50

AV2011 Text Message sign up:
http://scootneworleans.com/amerivespa/a ... _text.html
There were some last minute scheduling and other changes last year that meant some people missed out on some rides. This will help keep track of last minute info!

And as I've said before, anyone thinking of going should be tracking the AV thread on ModernVespa.com:
http://modernvespa.com/forum/topic74896

polianarchy · Post by **polianarchy** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 7:54 am

ericalm wrote:Two great links coming to us via polianarchy!

Help with rooms for those looking for a roommate:
http://scootneworleans.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=50

AV2011 Text Message sign up:
http://scootneworleans.com/amerivespa/a ... _text.html
There were some last minute scheduling and other changes last year that meant some people missed out on some rides. This will help keep track of last minute info!

And as I've said before, anyone thinking of going should be tracking the AV thread on ModernVespa.com:
http://modernvespa.com/forum/topic74896

lmyers gets the credit for the text message link! And I wouldn't have seen the scootneworleans forum without her sharing that link, either.

SHARING IS CARING.

r0sa · Post by **r0sa** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 4:50 pm

Guys!
I know I've been MIA ever since AV San Antonio, but I'm so stoked about this years AV. NOLA here I come!!!

pugbuddy wrote: $140 a night is too much to pay (with an additional $20 per night for parking).

Didn't the hotel last year in San Antonio waive the parking fee per night because it was too absurd or people were complaining about it?

Post by **ericalm** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 8:07 pm

r0sa wrote:Guys!
I know I've been MIA ever since AV San Antonio, but I'm so stoked about this years AV. NOLA here I come!!!

w00t! Glad you'll be there again!

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Mon Feb 21, 2011 9:53 pm

eric i like what you said about Amerivespa not being about scooters, but the scooterists, and all the camaraderie and the riding there. it puts a nice perspective on things. i think it's the "Vespa" part that threw me, as some Vespa owners seem a bit taken with their scoots

and yeah, a Buddy / Genuine convention would welcome scooters and Scooterisits of all kinds. i find Buddy people to be a friendly, open lot of riders. why, it's built right into the name! lodging expensive in Los Angeles? well, it could be, i suppose? depending where you stay and where the main gathering would take place. but we are a big, wide open city. rates can vary

heck, i would offer my sofa and floor to some. if they don't mind a sofa and floor. younger people i think are more open to that sort of stuff. its sorta "roughing it"and i am afraid i am not very exciting in my middle age. but if all that is needed is a place to sleep and eat, i figure many of us are welcoming and have digs big enough to accommodate.

hell, my closet could be cleared out for smaller folks

just a far off plan, perhaps....but you never know! Genuine and Buddy have been around awhile now, and NoHo seems to be able to put on a pretty good BBQ these days

BootScootin'FireFighter · Mon Feb 21, 2011 11:31 pm

JHScoot wrote:I think it's the "Vespa" part that threw me, as some Vespa owners seem a bit taken with their scoots

Vespa still is and for the forseeable future will be the majority and common folk name to classify scooters together... (ex: hey, did you ride your VESPA in to work today?) Same as everyone dubs loud pipe motorcycles as Harleys by default, and that brand accounts for the majority of bikes and apparel. I'm all for a Buddy or Genuine get-together, but like would like to welcome everyone. I don't think about the name AmeriVespa and feel awkward to hang with vintage riders or "Vespas". Around my co-workers, I dubbed it "Sturgis for Scooters", and of course, that generates some laughs.

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 12:01 am

I will probably be taking my Vespa... but maybe the Buddy too if I'm not bringing anyone else's bike. Gotta have the ol' Bud for the gymkhana!

BuddyRaton · Post by **BuddyRaton** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 12:50 am

KRUSTYburger wrote:I will probably be taking my Vespa... but maybe the Buddy too if I'm not bringing anyone else's bike. Gotta have the ol' Bud for the gymkhana!

Your my kinda girl Krusty! I haven't picked what to take yet. I know the Buddy is going but then it's the rat or the SS180. I may have to mod the trailer!

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 1:30 am

BootScootin'FireFighter wrote:
JHScoot wrote:I think it's the "Vespa" part that threw me, as some Vespa owners seem a bit taken with their scoots
Vespa still is and for the forseeable future will be the majority and common folk name to classify scooters together... (ex: hey, did you ride your VESPA in to work today?) Same as everyone dubs loud pipe motorcycles as Harleys by default, and that brand accounts for the majority of bikes and apparel. I'm all for a Buddy or Genuine get-together, but like would like to welcome everyone. I don't think about the name AmeriVespa and feel awkward to hang with vintage riders or "Vespas". Around my co-workers, I dubbed it "Sturgis for Scooters", and of course, that generates some laughs.

Amerivespa is hosted by the Vespa Club of America, which is part of the Vespa World Club and is in some way sanctioned by Piaggio Group (which owns Vespa). From what I understand, there are a handful of "official" local Vespa clubs in the US such as Vespa Club Los Gatos, which are affiliated with North American Federation of Vespa Clubs and the Federation of International Vespa Clubs (FIV). Groups need to meet certain criteria (have an official charter, etc.) to be a part of these august institutions. Historically, from what I understand, these relationships have been complex and a source of the kind of scooter world drama we're best off not discussing here and now 'cause I don't really know the scoop.

Like most scooter events, Amerivespa has changed as modern (auto) scooters have grown in popularity and there's been a rise in the availability and popularity of good non-Piaggio scooters. As far as I know, it's the largest scooter event in N. America. The event is open to all types of riders and scoots. I wouldn't show up on a Roketa (if I could find a running one, ha!), but the two years I've attended, everyone was very open minded and seemed to be into all kinds of cool 2-wheelers, regardless of make. (Much like most of us!)

Solely by my observations, AV 2009 in Los Gatos was probably about 15%-20% vintage scoots. The Buddy was the most popular non-Piaggio scoot there. There were more shifters and vintage scoots in San Antonio in 2010, but the percentage was still probably around 25%-30%. Genuines (Buddys and Stellas combined) were probably the most common non-Piaggios. I would guess that much of the difference iin the two ralliess due to both more people riding to Los Gatos than Texas as well as a few very well-organized and established vintage clubs in TX that attended. Any vintage snobbery was pretty much in jest. A lot of the vintage guys were very impressed by the BlackJack I was riding in San Antonio.

Genuine attended AV in '09 and '10 as a vendor. They even provided a support truck and some good company for our ride from LA to Los Gatos in '09. Kymco has also been an AV sponsor.

I wrote a wrap-up of AV2010 for Vespa Lexington's blog:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/82788703@N ... 249621196/

This may or may not have run in the Vespa Club of America magazine, American Scooterist. I never got mine!

Stormswift · Post by **Stormswift** » Tue Feb 22, 2011 4:20 am

JHScoot wrote:scooters in California, you say? well then I say we organize an Ameribuddy thing right here in Los Angeles and leave N.O. to high water and Brad and Angelina

hey, maybe they will show up!

here they are in Vietnam doing the "when in Rome thing" while hunting for orphans

oh, and i'd love to go to NO to cavort with fellow scooter 'peeps and get smashed...but i'm afraid it's not in the cards for me....this year

Love those DOT flipflops

gearhead · Post by **gearhead** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 12:48 am

I'm excited for this years rally.... Let's get a roll call going to see who's all gonna be there!

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 1:02 am

We'll need to figure out how to spot each other. I look mostly like I did last year. That wasn't the plan, but oh well.

gearhead · Post by **gearhead** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 2:47 am

Lol I'll have all the scars from last years rally

polianarchy · Post by **polianarchy** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 3:19 am

I will have two or three more tattoos, but yeah I'm the same fat, short, and loud woman I always am. I'm hoping to be better at shifting by then, though.

gearhead · Post by **gearhead** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 3:42 am

Looking forward to kick it with the MB crew once again

lmyers · Post by **lmyers** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 4:44 am

polianarchy wrote:I will have two or three more tattoos, but yeah I'm the same fat, short, and loud woman I always am. I'm hoping to be better at shifting by then, though.

Ditto will thank you for showing the love.

BootScootin'FireFighter · Wed Feb 23, 2011 12:57 pm

gearhead wrote:Looking forward to kick it with the MB crew once again

we'll have to have a Modern Buddy pool party @ the Hilton! As we get closer to June, I'll review this thread and start PMing everyone with my contact info. I'm hoping to arrive by Wednesday and staying until Monday (or later if Jules can get more time off work).

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Feb 23, 2011 5:02 pm

I'll start a MB roll call/check-in/meetup thread as AV gets closer.

Amerivespa 2011: New Orleans

amerivespa

getting closer