Vt Bike Night, Tuesdays at Donny's Pizza

[markbvt]

I hate to restart the location discussion, but since it appears that staying at Donny's won't really be feasible, I'll second the Chicken Charlie's suggestion. It's got an ideal parking lot right on the Williston Road main drag (great visibility and sufficient space), and there are a number of food options right there.

All of the other location suggestions strike me as less ideal because they're more out of the way, have less parking, and don't have as many options for food.

--mark

[kbroderick]

I hate to restart the location discussion, but since it appears that staying at Donny's won't really be feasible, I'll second the Chicken Charlie's suggestion. It's got an ideal parking lot right on the Williston Road main drag (great visibility and sufficient space), and there are a number of food options right there.

All of the other location suggestions strike me as less ideal because they're more out of the way, have less parking, and don't have as many options for food.

--mark

I think the point was already raised earlier in the thread that hanging out at a particular establishment would mean committing to buying from that establishment (it's piss-poor manners to bring food from the neighboring place into another restaurant).

[catamount]

I don't think Chicken Charlies has as many spots as people are remembering. Also keep in mind that 6-9 are prime dinner hours for these establishments. Are they really going to want 90% of their spots consumed by non-patrons?

I count 10 spaces on the street side. Assume 1/2 of those are taken by paying non-bikers? I don't think it's ideal.

williston road, south burlington, vt - Google Maps

[Doc]

Ummm...I don't remember seeing either of you last week...and I'm still waiting for that COFFEE...

BTW, last week was really hot and there was no bottled water...can you mention to Demetrious?

I am gonna start calling you princess!

The soda machine has water of course...

But then it would not be "bottled"

[Doc]

I hate to restart the location discussion, but since it appears that staying at Donny's won't really be feasible, I'll second the Chicken Charlie's suggestion. It's got an ideal parking lot right on the Williston Road main drag (great visibility and sufficient space), and there are a number of food options right there.

All of the other location suggestions strike me as less ideal because they're more out of the way, have less parking, and don't have as many options for food.

--mark

I agree.

I think the point was already raised earlier in the thread that hanging out at a particular establishment would mean committing to buying from that establishment (it's piss-poor manners to bring food from the neighboring place into another restaurant).

I agree, don't eat food from a different establishment in the joint your sitting. Not cool.

There are 3 picnic tables on the side of the building that you can eat anything at.

I don't think Chicken Charlies has as many spots as people are remembering. Also keep in mind that 6-9 are prime dinner hours for these establishments. Are they really going to want 90% of their spots consumed by non-patrons?

I count 10 spaces on the street side. Assume 1/2 of those are taken by paying non-bikers? I don't think it's ideal.

williston road, south burlington, vt - Google Maps

GREAT MAP!! (Although I think the pic is a little old, there is more pavement out back if I remember right)

In speaking with the owner of Chicken Charlies and Leonardo's I was assured that there would be PLENTY of parking on a tuesday night. Leo's is take out and CC's has a minimal dinner crowd. As you can see all those spots out front would be PERFECT! Plus there is parking on the side and/or in the Starbucks/ Moe's lot.

All the other shops close around 6pm so that opens their parking as well.

There is even parking out back if it comes to that.

[Vix]

I think when we do our ride past the potential spots it will reveal very little parking at Chicken Charlies. Ever since Moe's went in next door the parking has been difficult in that whole area, even at "off peak" times. (I have been keeping an eye on it as I travel Williston Road and go through that lot every time I go to Starbucks.) Plus leaving from behind Moe's to get to the street light gets old fast.

I did discuss some logistics with NY Pizza Oven in Essex and there could be some nice arrangements for us if that's the spot we're interested in. I can provide details later if there is interest in that location.

Doc, can't call me anything if you're not there.

[MotoFreak]

hehehe, Princess
The water at Donny's is very good, and only gave me the squirts for a week after, then I got used to it...

Hope that waiver gets through...CC's is sounding pretty good...we'll see what people think about it after the ride tonight

[tsanterre]

I'll be bringing another guest (or 2) tonight...so everybody play nice! ha-ha

Me and my cuz went down to NH yesterday to pick up his 06 1000rr. He and his g/f should be @ Donny's tonight.

They actually both used to work at NY Pizza Oven in Essex, so maybe they'll have some input.

[Doc]

From: Penny Manning Winooski Office Manager
07/15/2008 11:29 AM
Toemetrios (Donny's)
Subject: Event Application "Bike Night"

Demetrios,

I was informed by the admin office this morning you are requesting a waiver for your Bike Night event until it receives approval from Council. The Council meets this Monday, July 23, 2008 at 6:00 pm in regards to this request, please plan on attending.

Unfortunately, we can not grant the waiver.

The parking garage can be used as alternative means of parking.

Please feel free to contact our office.

Thanks Penny

Penny Manning
Office Manager
City of Winooski



*** Response From Demetrious ***

Penny,
Thank you for the note and status. I will follow your instructions...

We have been holding this event for nearly 4 months every Tuesday with a lot of positive feedback and no issues.
I will to attend the Board Meeting on Monday Night and answer any concerns for the board.

I was hoping for a waiver to hold it for one more day, tonight, but that is not an option with the city.

I did pray for rain for tonight so the bikers will not show up but that want happen....The Greek Gods also do not plan to cooperate with rain.

Thus I will proceed with the Bike Night and instruct the Bikers to legally park until we get a decision from the Board.
I am including a picture of what Bike Night looks like as a reference.


Demetrios Michaelides
Donny's

**************************************

No parking on the sidewalks tonight. I will go down with my truck after work and try to snag a spot (Black Xterra with 116 on the back) First motorcyclist there will swap with me and then I will go home and get my bike.

Demetrios said he will do this as well so we MIGHT have 3 spots to park in.

Quick chat and then off scouting the area. I'll lead and we will go Interstate to Williston Road, Hit the CC's area, Al's, Marco's, VT Soup, Ground Round... out to Essex and Hit NY Pizza. Then back to Donny's

Spread the word about our path. PM me for my cell. Semper Gumbi!

[Doc]

On another note...

Remember the MOTO GP party THIS SUNDAY at Nectars!

Also

We will have a Dyno party Aug 23rd! $25 Dyno runs! Barbecue and general hanging out! Details to come!

[SilverGhost]

On another note...

Remember the MOTO GP party THIS SUNDAY at Nectars!

Also

We will have a Dyno party Aug 23rd! $25 Dyno runs! Barbecue and general hanging out! Details to come!

Where is the Dyno run going to be held, and are they doing full prints with torque??

As far as parking can the use cones with grade stakes and orange tape to block off a section?

[Doc]

Where is the Dyno run going to be held, and are they doing full prints with torque???

Dyno will most likely be at Quintin Brothers. Details to come but I believe it will be with torque yes.

As far as parking can the use cones with grade stakes and orange tape to block off a section?

Nope, can't rope anything off until we get approval.

[tsanterre]

Still planning on leaving to scout out the area around 7pm?

I probably won't be there until around then, but would like to go...so let me know!

[Doc]

Yep. Around 7pm

[MotoFreak]

First, the date is not set for the Dyno Day...so quit jumpin the gun Doc...August 23rd will not work for Quitin Brothers, who will be hosting us. Also, price depends on how many bikes we get on the Dyno...Ill post it up hopefully later this week.

[SilverGhost]

First, the date is not set for the Dyno Day...so quit jumpin the gun Doc...August 23rd will not work for Quitin Brothers, who will be hosting us. Also, price depends on how many bikes we get on the Dyno...Ill post it up hopefully later this week.

Have they found anyone to do mapping yet?

[MotoFreak]

Custom Mapping?
IDK...Pete and Brady are still learning about what the Dyno can do when it comes to tuning. By next year he said they will be full up on anything you want done, FI or Carbs...which is sweet!
We will be have Torque/HP and Fuel/Air for the Dyno Day...probly looking closer to $40 per bike, which is still a hell of a deal.

[Doc]

Have they found anyone to do mapping yet?

Not yet.

I can look into getting RJ's or Robb's Dyno if we need it. (RJ's did my Duc and Rob is always at the track.)

Might be a lil work though.

[Doc]

Custom Mapping?
IDK...Pete and Brady are still learning about what the Dyno can do when it comes to tuning. By next year he said they will be full up on anything you want done, FI or Carbs...which is sweet!
We will be have Torque/HP and Fuel/Air for the Dyno Day...probly looking closer to $40 per bike, which is still a hell of a deal.

Huh... I was told $75 for 3 runs... I wonder why the price hike?

[SilverGhost]

I might even hook up my hydrogen generator to the bike to see what id get for that price!!

[MotoFreak]

Huh... I was told $75 for 3 runs... I wonder why the price hike?

If you go in solo(on your own) for a run its $75 with out fuel/air and $90 with fuel/air...for the Dyno Day its going to be around $40 for three runs...no price hike, read the words...

[Doc]

If you go in solo(on your own) for a run its $75 with out fuel/air and $90 with fuel/air...for the Dyno Day its going to be around $40 for three runs...no price hike, read the words...

SWEET! Way to go Big willie!!

[Doc]

7/15 Bike Night report.

Ok for those of you who were not there (or were there and didn't get the memo)

We had bike night at Donny's. We took over ALL the spots (except the handicap one) and had about 6 bikes per spot jammed in there. All was well but I think everyone could tell something was different.

I tried to inform those I could as to what was going on. I stressed to everyone the need to sign up on this forum for more information about the future of the bike night... and I hope others passed the word as well.

If you know someone who is not on this forum please have them sign up or at a minimum keep them up to date. I will be getting an email sign up list going again soon.

Back to the evenings goings on...
Promptly at 7pm I made an announcement and we went for a ride to the alternate spots. Most people went

First I want to say that there was ALOT of great input and I really felt the "family" coming together. Although it sucks that we need to move the night I think everyone agrees that it is in the nights best interest.

I have to also say sorry about my bike troubles (dead battery) That pissed me off like you wouldn't believe... but I digress

So we went to...

#1 Chicken Charlies/ Leonardo's/ Moe's/ Starbucks
Pros from the group: Good food selection, free soda, special motorcyclist menu items at reduced price, good visiblity for posing, plenty of space (3 picnic tables and open are area in Chicken Charlies
Cons from the group: Parking may be an issue, getting in and out

#2 Al's French fry's
Pros: Creemees!!
Cons: Smelly, bad food, Poor parking, No visiblity

#3 Marcos
Pros: Good parking, good visiblity
Cons: Small eatery with limited menu

#4 Manhatten Pizza, Essex (correct me if I am wrong with the name)
Pros: Plenty of parking
Cons: No visibility, small restaurant

#5 New York Pizza
Pro: Plenty of parking, owners willing to give 10% discount on food and put tables outside
Cons: It seemed we were not wanted by the supermarket , Less visiblity, small restaurant.

We discussed MANY other spots and came down to a top 2

Chicken Charlies was the hands down favorite with a runner up going to Manhatten Pizza.

Next week Bike night will be at Chicken Charlies for a trial run. Same time 6-9. We will see how it goes and decide if we are going to try out another establishment.

As for Donny's. Bill and I will go before the select board and plead our case. what we are thinking is trying to have a "Go back to our roots" night and have bike night a Donny's once a month or every other month to show our support for where it all started.

That is all for now. Look for the New "VT BIKE NIGHT" thread coming soon.

[kbroderick]

Well, I had a good time. It was interesting to ride with a group that big from spot to spot (that's a first for me), and I'm glad I made it up. Hopefully next time I'll be able to get there a little sooner if I'm not fighting a cotter pin so I can adjust the chain immediately beforehand.

The ride up did get a little interesting in the work zone on 89--they had northbound traffic using the breakdown lane from French Hill almost to exit 12. I don't know what rumble strip would be like to ride over at 55 MPH, but I really didn't feel like finding out tonight, so I just treated it like a three-foot-wide lane.

I did grab a couple of snapshots outside of Manhattan Pizza:





I also saw at least three cruisers on the way home on Rt 7, one without markings that was operating w/flashing lights and passing traffic (I didn't even notice him catch up to me until I saw the flashing lights and got out of the way), and two that had markings and were operating normally (each of which followed me for five plus miles, sigh).

Anyhow, it's time for me to get some sleep...but it was good to meet up with folks and I look forward to getting out again soon.

[Vix]

Fun ride with everyone, looking forward to finding better space that fits us all.

Several people asked me about where the photos and videos are for bike nights. I have added the links (hopefully successfully) in my signature line. I don't have anything up from last night yet but will get to it when I can.

Also, for anyone interested in the gel seat article (written specifically for Suzuki SV's but the gel can be purchased in various sizes for just about any bike) please send me a private message - I will let you know when the article is done. The gel seat is AWESOME - has totally changed my riding comfort to include even my legs and lower back! Used to be after an hour or so I'd be stiff from my back down to my legs. Now I can keep going until my wrists hurt too much, LOL. That will have to be the next project I guess.