As far as Day 8 goes...there was some driving....and some more driving...and still more driving. That about wrap up day 8.
Day 9 begins in Jacksonville, FL which I might add is all about the Adamec family of Harley Dealerships since none of the metrics are open on Mondays. If I owned a bike shop, of any kind, and I was within 90 miles of Daytona, during bike week, I would be open for business with the volume of riders coming through...but that's just me. Maybe I'm just a little saucy because I rolled into Daytona with 47 dealer visits instead of 50 due to the metric shops being closed.
Ademec Harley-Davidson of Orange Park, FL was the first stop this morning and a nice stop it was. Buddy is the Parts Manager and I got the feeling that he wasn't happy to see some one selling something so early in the morning...NOTE: I wasn't selling I was gifting samples...that's how I like to think about it. However, Buddy was a super-nice guy after we got-to-talking. Buddy even introduced me to Rick the GM of the store. I am always impressed when I see a GM on the floor making sure things are running smoothly...not all GMs do that. The staff at the Orange Park location were as friendly as could be..they even had some H.O.G. chapter members out front getting set for the BBQ and greeting anyone entering the store...Nice Touch! Overall a great stop to start out the day. Buddy took a photo with me even though he forgot his hat, and the camera lens was fine. Thanks for being a good sport Buddy. By the way...Adamec was established in 1931..that would make them the oldest dealership that I have visited.
Big Bike Motorcycles, Jacksonville, FL...they are,"Giving the evil empire a run for their money." And I quote Mr. Tom Sloan, Parts Specialist. Tom and I had a nice conversation regarding the bikes they carry and the detailing that they don't do, Big Dog, IronHorse & Victory. Nice shop, great inventory.
Ademec Harley-Davidson of Jacksonville, FL was next in line and Bob Kretzshmar, Asst Srvc Mgr, was about as helpful as they get. Bob introduced me to the head detailer...Chaz....John...Bob called him by different names...I think it was John. John took the sample graciously and agreed to put it up against the Harley products....knowing Papa's products I like that comparison. Overall a nice dealership with staff that you can tell goes out-of-their-way for their customers.
Adamec Harley-Davidson at Regency, Jacksonville, FL was visit #47 and the last stop east-bound before I hit Daytona. Needless to say, I am already impressed with the service at the previous 2 Adamec stores, so I expect nothing less at my final stop. I am not disappointed when I meet Rick Smith, Store Manager. Rick and I talk for a while about the Adamec monopoly in the Jacksonville area. And once again it is reaffirmed that Adamec Cycle Sales, Inc. does thing properly...from the locations they run to the employees they hire. I give them two cheerful thumbs up!
Actually my last stop of the day was on Hwy 1 in Bunnell, FL at Maximum Subs. I was hungry and there was nothing for the past 20 miles, so imagine my excitement when I pass a sub shop.....Here's what goes through my mind as I make a U-turn.....random sub shop?....could be great...could be horrible....I hate the sub places that give one slice of meet...I wonder?..I'm too hungry, I'll just go in. As I walk in the door I am greeted, quite enthusiastically by Abbey...almost like she hadn't seen anyone all day, except the place was packed. To put it plainly....One of the best Philly cheese steaks, south of Philly, and just about the most friendly service anywhere. It made me feel like my Mom was preparing a meal and tasted like it too. I highly recommend Maximum subs if you are passing through. 2 tummy satisfying thumbs up! By the way they also sell Omaha Steaks. Thank you Ladies!
Well I am now in Daytona Beach and there are so many bikers that I am trying to get the lay-of-the-land and figure out where to go, and what to do tomorrow...Should be a Blast! Stay tuned as there should be an entertaining entry tomorrow with some cool photos.
Signing out....
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