Monday at Sage Florida

Monday I set out from Inglis for St. Petersburg. Nothing worth seeing really. Mental survival on the straightest roads in the world was all that was called for. I was apalled though that for what seemed 50 miles on US19 southwards into St. Petersburg it was just shopping malls. I am talking consumerism on a scale that almost qualifies as immorality! I suppose for shopping fanatics they'd call it immortality.

I managed to memorise the directions to the large Sage offices in a very lovely setting and was warmly greeted by Elizabeth Taylor. It's true! Here's her picture! Valerie came right down and brought Chris Shibel and Mary soon afterwards. Chris took the photo. They were delighted with the concept and the charity and promised to follow the blogs. I received some ABRA (HR software) stickers and Mary promised me some Peachtree stickers too. Everyone in Sage is busy preparing for the HUGE Insights event in DC in 2 weeks. I'll see you there guys!

I was telling the Sage staff about "Wild" Bill and his comment about tyres. I left the building and saw white fabric showing through my tyre! I stopped at a Comfort Inn and the lad let me use the pooter to locate a Yamaha dealer about a mile away on Gandy Blvd. Barney's fixed me up with a new tyre (180/55/ZR17 at my request to compare turning speeds) and a new sprocket and chain. They gave me the best prices (thank goodness!) and excellent advice. I put their stickers on my bike! It was worrying because I had not seen a Yamaha dealer en route for 3000 miles and here when I needed it most they were .8 of a mile away!

They finished after normal 6pm closing so I chose to skip the incoming storm and just stay at that Comfort Inn! Whilst at the dealers I met a father with 3 sons all of whom rode bikes. The little fellows were all eager-eyed and happy. They were learning on dirt which was very wise of their father who seemed very careful with his boys but enthusiastic too. I was so relieved to sort that rear tyre I took a photo of the new aluminium sprocket and rear tyre. Sad I know...Now USA, how do you pronounce titanium and magnesium? Right, so everyone practice now...aluminIUM. Well done! See you can do it!