Houston Scooter Battalion

July battalion ride - Water Features!

2009-06-30T10:10:00.000-07:00

Please join us, Sunday July 5th, as we explore some interesting water features that Houston has to offer. To help cool off, bring a water pistol, and dress appropriately. Good deals for water pistols can be found at any dollar store.

Here is the map:
Water%20Feature%20Ride%20July%2009.JPG

A list of stops will be available at the start of the ride. We'll start and end at Beer Island, and there will be beer specials at the end of the ride and hamburgers for sale.

See you there!

July's Scooter Battalion ride

2009-06-23T13:10:00.000-07:00

It's going to be a hot one, so were going to do a water ride. Details to come later. Bring a water gun! And be prepared to get a little wet. ; -)

Photos from the Ray Guns and Scooter Fun Rally!

2009-06-23T13:06:00.001-07:00

Find the photos here:
http://scoot.net/gallery/2009/texaslakes/

If you have some, please post them there.

Umi's wedding this saturday!

2009-06-08T16:34:00.000-07:00

Please join us in helping our friend Umi with his wedding wish. His wedding is around the corner, and it's time to finalize plans. I believe that the simplest way to do this is to meet at the hotel.

Scooters should arrive by 10:00AM and park in the back of the Hilton Post Oak, 2001 Post Oak Blvd. The baraat party will come downstairs at 10:15 via the back door. The next half hour is getting to know the groom and groomsmen, letting them get comfortable with the scooters.

At 11:00, DJ plays some intro music as the groomsmen ride from the back of the building around the front and make a circle. (Should take about 5-7 mins) We will be there to watch the show.

Groomsmen ride around to the front and park the scooters and join my family and I and walk toward the entrance. DJ will provide music for about a 10 min walk.

Baraat/welcoming of the groom should be over by 11:30. Everyone continues to walk into the ceremony. I have spoken with Hilton and they have agreed to allow the scooters to be parked in the front of the building during the ceremony. (The valet will be there so they will be safe) After everyone has gone inside, you are free to go. You are, of course, invited to stay and watch the wedding ceremony, and have traditional Indian food after the ceremony. And you will receive $40 for your time and the use of your scooter.

Maxiscooters are OK, the groomsmen can double up.

See you there!
Charlie

Please help Terri Myers

2009-06-08T10:45:00.000-07:00

Our member and good friend Terri was in an accident, a hit and run driver. She is expecting a full recovery, but has heavy medical bills, and needs scooter parts. If have the ability, please make a contribution to her account at http://scooter-relief.org/node/49
Thanks!

Skateboard Ride #1 this Sunday

2009-06-05T12:24:00.000-07:00

Join us this Sunday for the Skateboard Ride #1. Here's the map:

Skate%20Board%20Ride%20Map.pdf

And the list of stops and points of interest:

Skate%20Board%20Ride%20Stops.pdf

Ray Guns & Scooter Fun!

2009-05-08T11:32:00.000-07:00

The next rally is just around the corner. Go here for details and to register:
www.northtexaslakesrally.com

Annual 'Ride to Work Day' is Monday, June 15

2009-04-23T14:26:00.001-07:00

On June 15, the number of motorcycles and scooters on roads and highways will more than double as many riders become two-wheeled commuters to help demonstrate that riding is an efficient, economical form of personal transportation which makes parking easier and helps traffic flow better. This year marks the 18th annual worldwide event, which involves riders of all ages occupations, and from all walks of life.

"Motorcycles and scooters consume less resources per mile than automobiles, and they take up less space in parking areas and on roads. Rider's seek employer support for this efficient form of transportation, and more government and public awareness about riding’s many benefits," states Andy Goldfine, the program organizer.

Commuting on this day shows the positive value of motorcycles and scooters for transportation. For hundreds of thousands of workers, motorcycles and scooters are an economical, efficient and socially responsible form of mobility that saves energy, helps the environment and provides a broad range of other public benefits. Motorcycling and scootering clubs around the world encourage their members to ride to work on this annual day.

According to the United States Census Bureau and the Department of Transportation, more than 80 million cars and light trucks are used for daily commuting on American roads, and about 200,000 motorcycles and scooters are a regular part of this mix. On Ride To Work Day, the practical side of riding becomes more visible as a larger number of America’s 8 million cycles are ridden to work.

More information about Ride to Work Day can be found at http://www.ridetowork.org/

Battalion MAY RIDE - Pawdrophenia II

2009-04-15T15:01:00.000-07:00

On Sunday, May 3, the Scooter Battalion ride will be dedicated to SMART pet rescue, an all-breed dog and cat rescue (smartpetz.com).
We will ride around pet friendly places in Houston, ending up at Valhalla on the Rice University campus, cheap, cheap beer in a beautiful, oak shaded setting. They will open early (at 5:00) just for us. (valhalla@rice.edu)
If your pet likes to scoot, bring 'em! If not, they can meet us at Valhalla with your other non-scooting friends. We have a TON of great raffle prizes this year and will also have a pet photo contest, so bring your furry pal's best snapshot!
Meet up at Beer Island at 2, we ride at 3....you know the drill. Lets have a blast and help out some homeless pets at the same time!
Pawdrophenia gear is available at cafepress.com/pawdrophenia

Classic Not Plastic this Sunday!

2009-04-12T06:09:00.000-07:00

Up-coming Scooter Rallies!

2009-03-24T09:44:00.000-07:00

Wow! The weather is getting warmer and Scooter Rallies are filling the calendar. I just got back from Mods vs. Rockers III rally, and Down n Dirty 2009 Ruckus Rally, both in Dallas. What a blast! Three more rallies are coming up quick, so put them on your calendar.

Mudblast Rally, April 3-5, http://www.mudblast.org/

Fistfull of Scooters, May 1-3, http://www.fistfullofscooters.com/

North Texas Lakes Rally, June 11-14, http://www.northtexaslakesrally.com/

I have no word yet on the Scoot n Tube River Rally.

As always, pre-registering gives the organizers a feel for the number of attendees, and helps them to plan better. Thanks, and I hope to see YOU for a lot of weekend fun!

-Charlie

Mudblast Scooter Rally (formerly Sandblast)

2009-03-03T11:19:00.000-08:00

OK Scooter Battalion, it is official. Thanks to Ike, there will be no Sandblast rally this year. Instead, there will be the Mudblast rally. So mark April 3-5 on your calendar, or better yet, go to the website and register! All the details can be found here:

http://www.mudblast.org/

March Fire Station Ride!

2009-02-20T09:33:00.000-08:00

The March 1st ride will be the first ever Fire Station ride. Top off your tank and join the Houston Scooter Battalion on a 22-mile round trip past 8 current and former Houston fire stations. Meet up will be at 2:00 PM at Beer Island (White Oak & Studewood in The Heights) and the ride will start at 3:00 PM. There will be a social break at the Petrol Station halfway through and we should end up back at Beer Island by 5:00-5:30 PM. See everyone on March 1st!

Ride map: HSB_Fire_Station_Ride.pdf

Scooter T-shirts

2009-02-15T14:46:00.001-08:00

My friend designed these neat-o scooter T-shirts. I just bought one and thought I would pass the link on to y'all.

http://www.redbubble.com/people/gosugimoto/t-shirts

Cheers, Emily

Feb 8 is the Mural Ride!

2009-02-06T08:33:00.001-08:00

This is the list of mural stops:

Mural%20Ride%20020809.doc

See you there and bring a camera!

Texas Motorcycle Safety Forum

2009-01-27T12:49:00.000-08:00

On Feb 12, 2009 from 10:00AM - 2:30PM, in Austin, TX, you have the opportunity to provide input to representatives of TX-DOT and Texas DPS on issues relating to motorcycle and scooter safety. Here is the flyer with all the details:

Motorcycle%20Safety%20Flyer_09.pdf

February Ride

2009-01-21T13:11:00.000-08:00

So as not to conflict with the Super Bowl, this month's ride has been rescheduled for February 8.
See you there, and let's hope for good weather!

Amerivespa 2009!

2009-01-21T12:37:00.000-08:00

Hello to all my Scooter Battalion friends, Happy New Year!

Wanted to get in touch and let ya'll know Amerivespa '09 will be in San Jose, CA this summer over the July 4th weekend. San Antonio Ne'er Do Wells (about 10), will be hauling scoots from San Antonio, and if anyone in Houston would like to send their scoot, we would be happy to haul it round trip. We are probably gonna ask $400 round trip and we have at least one trailer and truck that can handle 12 or so with 4 spaces already taken and if needed we have another rig.... We could be in touch with anyone interested and maybe ya'll could get your scoot to San Antonio and either fly from San Antonio, or drive a car possibly in a caravan.
Vespa Club of Los Gatos will be celebrating 20 years and there will rides from SJ to San Fran and Santa Cruz Boardwalk. It should be over the top. VCOA is pulling out all the stops anticipating 1200 scoots. Also, we are still planning, and 99.9% sure that Amerivespa 2010 will be in San Antonio, so, of course, I would love the majority of ya'll to go to one before coming over and participating, and even helping produce 2010. My email is sascootergirl@yahoo.com and I would love to hear from anybody interested. I am back on La Sirena and the Allywn will be ready early March cause that scoot was really damaged and we are getting that baby ready for Callie.......Ride like you mean it my scooter buddies....Until we ride again....
Miss Dawn.
VCOA Secretary

P.S. I'll let ya'll know when the web site is up.

The Las Vegas Scooter Rally is coming!

2009-01-07T18:50:00.001-08:00

March 19-23, 2009
For information and registration, go to:
http://www.highrollersweekend.com/

January Ride!

2009-01-02T14:28:00.000-08:00

We are going to have our first ride of the year and its gonna be good one! We are gonna have our POKER RUN. We are tentatively set to visit THE FLYING SAUCER, THE DRY CREEK, JR'S, RUDYARDS and ending back BEER ISLAND. This is how the POKER RUN works- you will pay $5 to participate and receive a wristband then we take off from the BEER ISLAND and head off to any off the above mentioned establishments. At each place, you will show your wrist band to the bartender at each bar . The bartender will hand you one card, after collecting a total of 4 cards from the 4 different places you will return to BEER ISLAND to get your last card. Who ever has the top hand will be the winner with prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. We did this years ago and it was a blast. As always we will meet @ BEER ISLAND @ 2 TO ROLL @ 3 this Sunday Jan 4Th. See ya there.

Stolen Scooter

2008-12-30T09:55:00.000-08:00

A good friend of ours, Eric, had his scooter stolen this weekend. If you see it, try to get a photo of who's riding it and pass it to me at charlie@scooterbattalion.com. Stay safe out there.

Houston Scooter Battalion T-Shirts are here!

2008-12-28T12:41:00.000-08:00

These shirts have printing on both front and back, and are available now at Scootersmith. All sizes are available for $20 each. Get yours for the new year!

Christmas light ride!

2008-12-16T08:52:00.000-08:00

Join us this Friday evening, Dec 19, for a special ride around the near north-west side. We'll see some hidden treasures in the form of neighborhood lighting displays. Meet at Double Dave's Pizza on Ella around 6:00, eat some fantastic pizza, and we'll depart around 7:30. Afterwards, we'll ride to the Petrol Station for refreshments. See you there, and feel free to decorate your scooter!

Lights in the Heights Parade!

2008-12-01T14:25:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again, SECOND Saturday in December, the Lights in the Heights street party and parade. Scootersmith has registered with the Woodland Heights Civic Assn to participate in the parade, however, there are space limitations and only a handful of scooters can ride in the actual parade.
So to make it fair, the first 20 scooters to sign-up at Scootersmith will be admitted. At that time, you can find out the when and where to meet. Even if you miss the sign-up, you can still go and watch the parade and join in the other festivities! A street party is a street party. Battery operated LED light strings are available at most big box stores as well as garland and any other holiday decorations you want to decorate your scooter. And don't forget to decorate yourself too! A word of experience: this is a short, very slow moving, night-time parade. 2-stroke smoke can get everyone choked up in the wrong way, and constant shifting is a pain. I will be riding my automatic because it's more pleasant. ; -)
Again, be one of the first 20 scooters to sign-up at Scootersmith. (new location @ 727 Yale)

This is a video clip of last year's ride.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YNHRwrbAcc

See you in/at the parade!

Good helmet sale!

2008-11-24T09:34:00.000-08:00

I'm sure you are aware that to participate in our monthly rides, you MUST wear a helmet. If you need one, or need a new one, there's a good sale going on here:

http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/default.aspx?SiteID=em_Nov_24_Gen_header&WT.mc_ID=35621&WT.i_e_dcsvid=1464975383

They have an extensive selection of scooter helmets and other safety gear.
Ride safe and we'll see you soon!