GRiSO Goes To Ybor

Don Abbondio Posts : 116 Join date : 2016-12-20

Ybor City is an old historic part of Tampa that gave the city the nickname Cigar City, and was known from 1885 thru the 1950's as the cigar capital of the world. This area had dozens of huge red brick multi-story cigar factories employing a couple of thousand Cubans who hand rolled cigars in mass production. The industry died in the 1950's to modernization, but many of the huge red brick factory buildings remain. They were abandoned from the 1950's thru the 1970's. They sat abandoned until developers started purchasing the properties, tearing down these old buildings for other development projects. The city put a stop to it by passing ordinances and declaring them historic buildings. Over time They were eventually purchased again by developers and restored, and the Cuban Architecture of the area preserved. Since the 1980's, the building have been used for local bars, clubs, restaurants, shops, condo's, a huge theatre and has become known as a party district. When the businesses came back, the area experienced a new revitalization. This is where the Famous Gasparilla pirate invasion festival is held every year along with other festivals. I rode the Guzzi over there Saturday and explored a little.

Had lunch at the historic Columbia Restaurant.
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Paintings and tile artwork adorn some of the old buildings.
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One of the preserved 100 year old red brick cigar factories.
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GRiSO baking in the Florida sun, patiently waiting for my return.
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Don Abbondio Posts : 6086 Join date : 2014-03-13 Age : 70

Looks nice.Obviously, it's byowb (bring your own wood block) for your stand?

GRiSO Capo Posts : 1329 Join date : 2015-08-09 Age : 60

and thats why I like the US side stand on my Sport!!
-wonders why the US GRiSO didn't get the same treatment from Mandello....

Don Abbondio Posts : 116 Join date : 2016-12-20

Oz1200Guzzi wrote:: Looks nice.Obviously, it's byowb (bring your own wood block) for your stand?

Yes, always byowb. The asphalt here gets hot and soft, so I've been carrying one and using it for years, its habit now.

Don Abbondio Posts : 6086 Join date : 2014-03-13 Age : 70

We had some new asphalt laid here. Tony says to himself "Himself, here be a grand spot to park your beloved Black Betty".

Awesome.

Come back 7 hours later, sun has passed the zenith, well and truly. Said asphalt has cooled down. And....

Flaming thing is embedded in bitumen and the shit has set again. Fuck he says. Took two hefty types to extract it (well him who is hefty and me not so). Never parked there again. Now carry an aluminium square for just that purpose. Works on muddy ground too!

GRiSO Capo Posts : 1657 Join date : 2014-09-22

Nice pictures, thanks for sharing them

L'Innominato Posts : 3429 Join date : 2013-05-29 Age : 65

GRiSO looks beautiful posing in front of such an ornate backdrop, nice job.

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“Danger + Survival = Fun.” - Neil Peart

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GRiSO Capo Posts : 1785 Join date : 2015-02-02 Age : 63

Very Pretty place ZR, where does one carry said piece of wood ?

Don Abbondio Posts : 116 Join date : 2016-12-20

waterbottle wrote:: Very Pretty place ZR, where does one carry said piece of wood ?

In my leather tool bags mounted and converted as compact saddlebags. There's one on each side of the bike.

GRiSO Capo Posts : 904 Join date : 2015-05-16 Age : 72

G'day ZR
Thanks for posting, nice pics
Enjoyed

Grignapoco Posts : 137 Join date : 2014-11-04

zebraranger wrote:: In my leather tool bags mounted and converted as compact saddlebags. There's one on each side of the bike.

Bags look good...nicely done.

Carlotto Posts : 33 Join date : 2016-05-03

Love the saddlebag/toolkit setup. Might "borrow" the idea to use on my C-Bows when the Krausers are not mounted.
Thumbs Up

Biondino Posts : 272 Join date : 2015-10-19 Age : 52

Great shots! Lovely clean bike. Doesn't look like its seen many wet roads!

Don Abbondio Posts : 116 Join date : 2016-12-20

rudolf35 wrote:: Love the saddlebag/toolkit setup. Might "borrow" the idea to use on my C-Bows when the Krausers are not mounted.

Got them at Cycle Gear $20.00 a piece. Available in two sizes, small and large, these are the large ones.

Quote :: Great shots! Lovely clean bike. Doesn't look like its seen many wet roads!

Just purchased the bike in December, we're still in our dry season here in Florida.

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