Panhandle Old Guys

[ineptizoid]

Originally Posted by James Adams

Thanks, Tony, it's quite amazing. When are you coming back?

Prolly not going back until my bro-in-law gets stationed up there, and he'll be at Eglin for 3 more yrs. CO Sprgs. is at the #1 spot on his dream sheet, and I hope he gets it.

Originally Posted by HTSRocker

Plenty of riding, for old guys, yeah plenty

time for a beer

Words of wisdom, right there. That was indeed a Classic Scaaaaaauuuuught post if I've ever seen one. And I can see them, so they can see me.

[Vico1]

Originally Posted by James Adams

Click on the panorama for the epic-sized version]

Great stuff out there.

Enjoyed riding with you. Keep in touch and send a few ROCK pics...

Be safe as always

[James Adams]

Foiled by snow!

[Vico1]

See ya just dont get pics (views) like that in Flatistan....

So whats this snow thing! Been so long since I ve seen any!

[ineptizoid]

Originally Posted by James Adams

Foiled by snow!

Wow that's just incredible. I've been a flatlander my whole life and can't imagine scenery like that in my backyard...yer makin us jealous, but that's OK--keep postin pics mang!

[ElusivePedro]

Originally Posted by pberguy

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...56&postcount=1

The video pretty well summarizes my attitude towards riding 'til I drop.

Your ”panhandle old guys” forum areas seems to be the right place to ask my questions.

I’m a long time rider (both dirt & street). I have been in an ECEA enduro club for 29 years

I will be coming to Florida in late June 2012. On my way to visiting family in Bradenton, I want to take a look around the panhandle area, with a view to maybe relocating. The riding opportunities may be pretty good in the panhandle Apalachicola neighborhood…correct?...comments?

On a return drive from Bradenton last spring, I got lost and ended up wandering in northern Florida long enough to think “Wow! This is just like the pine barrens of New Jersey (where I have been riding for decades)…so I would like to explore the area over a few days in June…the question is where exactly?.

My initial impression is that the east side of Apalachicola N.F. might be a good place to relocate. Small towns next to the forest could provide easy on-road ride into the forest without trailering. And with Tallahassee not too far I could probably find competent doctors and hospitals (I have a seizure disorder and a pacemaker, my wife is recovering from cancer). Is this anywhere near true? Or are there better regions that you could recommend?

Is Apalachicola N.F. actually friendly to off road riders? My good old pine barrens are being strangled by unelected “environmental” bureaucrats that think preventing a salamander from getting a headache is more important than dirt bike access. Are some N.F. areas better than others? What are the best access points to those areas?

As a total know-nothing about the panhandle area, I would appreciate any local insight into better areas, towns, that would combine a decent place to live with easy access to good areas to ride.

Pburguy - I saw this the day you posted it up and was hoping some old guys would chime in and give you the 411. Hell that was a few days ago. But with the way things shuffle around in this joint, you never know what's liable to happen.

I am not too much of an effussive talker - or typer for that matter but I can tell you this. I spent about 3 years in purgatory. I.E. - south Jersey. (Stratford, Bordentown, and Mt. Laural) I was working for Lockheed Martin at the "Ship in the cornfield" - if you know what I am referring to. And yes - the topography and climate is not too dissimilar.

I have roots here and have always returned due to no state tax, no car inspections, no other sort of big brother mandates that so many other states get away with. I LOVE the panhandle. Some hate it. It is NOT the culture capital of the universe -- and I like it that way. I find "the culture" somewhat endearing. My Latino ex-wife, on the other hand, thought this place SUCKED. And I can understand why. Hell when I got here in 1967 I thought that it sucked too (coming originally from RI).

The cool thing about NW FL is that is isn't run over yet. Things are still cheap. Regulators haven't taken over (yet). Most of the yankee snow bird retiree flock gravitate down to places south of the big bend area so that they feel more comfortable with similar demographics and accents. My Dad still "paaaauks his kaaauhs in the garaaauge ;-) (Both my folks were born and raised in RI. - So that whole thing I can get up with.)

Disclaimer - I was born south of the Mason Dixon line!!!

I dunno mang - but to me, this place is great. I have been here on and off since I was about 6yo. It grew on me.

It might you too.

Just thought I'd throw a bone. If you have left, not to return agin, I'll understand. I apologize for your well written inquirey getting left in the dust... Feel free to PM me and I'll shoot you my number and will be more than happy to give you any answers that I can.

[freebornman]

HUH?

Originally Posted by ElusivePedro

Pburguy - I saw this the day you posted it up and was hoping some old guys would chime in and give you the 411. Hell that was a few days ago. But with the way things shuffle around in this joint, you never know what's liable to happen.

I am not too much of an effussive talker - or typer for that matter but I can tell you this. I spent about 3 years in purgatory. I.E. - south Jersey. (Stratford, Bordentown, and Mt. Laural) I was working for Lockheed Martin at the "Ship in the cornfield" - if you know what I am referring to. And yes - the topography and climate is not too dissimilar.

I have roots here and have always returned due to no state tax, no car inspections, no other sort of big brother mandates that so many other states get away with. I LOVE the panhandle. Some hate it. It is NOT the culture capital of the universe -- and I like it that way. I find "the culture" somewhat endearing. My Latino ex-wife, on the other hand, thought this place SUCKED. And I can understand why. Hell when I got here in 1967 I thought that it sucked too (coming originally from RI).

The cool thing about NW FL is that is isn't run over yet. Things are still cheap. Regulators haven't taken over (yet). Most of the yankee snow bird retiree flock gravitate down to places south of the big bend area so that they feel more comfortable with similar demographics and accents. My Dad still "paaaauks his kaaauhs in the garaaauge ;-) (Both my folks were born and raised in RI. - So that whole thing I can get up with.)

Disclaimer - I was born south of the Mason Dixon line!!!

I dunno mang - but to me, this place is great. I have been here on and off since I was about 6yo. It grew on me.

It might you too.

Just thought I'd throw a bone. If you have left, not to return agin, I'll understand. I apologize for your well written inquirey getting left in the dust... Feel free to PM me and I'll shoot you my number and will be more than happy to give you any answers that I can.

[Mugwest]

Originally Posted by freebornman

HUH?

If i recall right, brother George spent some time up north too. All the stories run together, but they're all superb. << That's a sigline you FF's are welcome to And it's Truth

Petey, welcome back hombre. I'm with you on the grief cycle. BTDT

New Guy, come on down. Inept did the ADV post math the other day and the Panhandle is one of the most active Regionals in all ADV. From such humble beginnings

You can ride in any profile you wish down here. Come explore and sound off

[Jack Daniel]

Is this chit cut and paste

or do y'all axually have time to type all that chit?

[Mugwest]

Originally Posted by Jack Daniel

Is this chit cut and paste

or do y'all axually have time to type all that chit?

It's local context, Alan. But the part about comforting the FF whose mother died a couple weeks ago is not cut'n'paste whatsoever. That part is pure care for a Friend.

[ElusivePedro]

Originally Posted by freebornman

HUH?

G - wtf man? The dude took the time to write out what he was curious about and not a one of us bothered to acknowledge him. --> so there, that's the reason for the "HUH?"

Mug - thanks man - we are all getting on now, the biggest deal lately is my Dad's broken ankle rx'd from completeing his MSF riders course. Poor old guy. I cannot believe how pissed off he's been due to the fact that he hasn't been able to fly or drive (right rudder/gas pedal). Shit like that takes a loooooong time to heal on an 81yo guy.

[ineptizoid]

Originally Posted by ElusivePedro

G - wtf man? The dude took the time to write out what he was curious about and not a one of us bothered to acknowledge him. --> so there, that's the reason for the "HUH?"

Pete, the new guy did get a couple responses, not from us local P-cola guys maybe, but responses nonetheless...

Originally Posted by Chicken Helmet

I think that puts you in a good position to go riding. You have Osceola N.F East of there and with a permit you have Eglin AFB West of you so there is some variety. Not to mention areas in Alabama and Georgia also.

Originally Posted by HTSRocker

Two Hospitals east of the National Forrest and there may be one in St. Joe.

There was a hospital in St. Joe back in 71 it may still be there. My experience there was after riding bare footed , compressing the front shocks,dragging my foot over some total friction attention oyster shells and a fall in the bright white sand, breaking fourteen bones in my foot and tearing my second toe on my right foot (the lazy toe) all but off. I did go to the closest hospital. it was memorial day weekend and the Doctor was drunk.

The Doctor suggested that I allow him to remove the toe, that it would never be any good again anyway. Fuck it. it was my second toe on my right foot and I requested that He sew it back on until I could get back to Tallahassee. He did sew the useless toe back on and who knows it may not be any good but it is the right color.

what is this thread about again?

Plenty of riding, for old gys, yeah plenty

time for a beer

I saw pberguy's post and didn't comment on it because of lack of knowledge about the specific area he was asking about:

Originally Posted by pberguy

The riding opportunities may be pretty good in the panhandle Apalachicola neighborhood…correct?...comments?

...........

My initial impression is that the east side of Apalachicola N.F. might be a good place to relocate. Small towns next to the forest could provide easy on-road ride into the forest without trailering. And with Tallahassee not too far I could probably find competent doctors and hospitals (I have a seizure disorder and a pacemaker, my wife is recovering from cancer). Is this anywhere near true? Or are there better regions that you could recommend?

...........

Is Apalachicola N.F. actually friendly to off road riders?

And I suspect the other local POGs did the same. Most, but certainly not all, of the guys active on the POG thread live in the western panhandle area, and the east side of ANF is a purt dern long way away from us. The thought occurred to me to suggest pberguy repost his question in the Tallahassee Area Riders thread, where it would no doubt get more play, but then I forgot, because old age and senility are creeping up on me. (Hey, this is the Panhandle Old Guys forum after all)

But hey, he did get a couple valid responses at least.

[ElusivePedro]

Oh well. My bad. I guess it just didn't seem like much. Thought there would be some local yokels that would be able to provide some better insight than I - and you're right... the area in question is a bit east of us.

[ElusivePedro]

After fruitlessly trying to contact a couple of old guys, I will, must, and should, do an MUI. Watch out Snapper -- HERE we GO!!!

[Buzztail]

Originally Posted by Buzztail

It's a great spot! Some of the other guys actually ride bikes out there