Daytona 1976

I was working as a pipefitter at GM in those days when a friend and co-worker asked me if I'd like to go to Bike Week in Daytona. He said that he had a place for us to stay, so I said, "Sure, why not." His name was Dale.

Several months passed, and as the date approached we started making plans. He had a bike trailer and said that he'd drive, so when the time came we loaded up my Super Glide and his 900 Kaw, the women and headed south.

Ocala was where we were headed. That's where his sister in law lived, and she was gonna put us up. He hadn't said much about her, but I thought it was nice that she'd have us.

We arrived in Ocala and headed out toward the countryside. I noticed that there were a lot of horses. Ocala in known for horse ranches. He turned into a drive that had a locked gate, and rang the buzzer. Someone answered and said he'd be down to let us in.

Soon a new El Dorado pulled up to the inside of the gate. A huge man got out of the car and came over to the driver's side of Dale's car. I thought, this was scary..fortunately, I don't succumb to fear.

The big, scary guy broke the frown on his face, smiled and said, "Welcome, you're expected..follow me," and opened the gate. He led us up a long lane through an immaculate looking horse ranch until we reached the main house...a HUGE main house.

Turns out, his sister in law lived with a guy named Dan Lassiter. Now ol' Dan had founded a little restaurant chain a few years prior called, Ponderosa Steak Houses. I didn't know that until that moment. Dale didn't brag much. At this time, Lassiter had sold Ponderosa and retired at about 30 years old, moved to Ocala and raised race horses. One of Secretariat's colts was there on the ranch.

It was a great week..fridge was loaded with steaks and beer and anything else that we wanted. Every bedroom in the house had it's own bathroom. I'd throw a dirty t-shirt in the floor in the morning, ride to Daytona, come back that evening and the shirt would be laundered, ironed and hanging in the closet. I suspect maid service, but never saw her.

Here's Dale and me on the ranch.

[Type O]

liven the life it looks like

[SafetyMan]

Great story!

Thanks.

[why_me]

Great story! Gray, you are something else. Is there anything you haven't done?

[SafetyMan]

Originally Posted by why_me

Great story! Gray, you are something else. Is there anything you haven't done?

We don't want to hear about that one time....




















.....at band camp......

Originally Posted by SafetyMan

We don't want to hear about that one time....




















.....at band camp......

I believe that would be Al's story.

[BillyB]

Great story Gray

[ms_tapestry]

Nice bedtime tale Uncle Gray. . .thank you.

[Berserker]

Tell us the truth,thats your Kaw.

[Q-Dog]

Man-oh-man....now that sounds like a good trip with great accomodations!!!

Originally Posted by Berserker

Tell us the truth,thats your Kaw.

I wish. Those 900's were bad to the bone.

[fxr4mikey]

Originally Posted by GrayRider

I wish. Those 900's were bad to the bone.

Nice story !

Thanks for sharing

and ur right on the 900's they were faster than the kz1000 that followed

Originally Posted by ms_tapestry

Nice bedtime tale Uncle Gray. . .thank you.

I ain't old enough to be your uncle!

[route66paul]

In the holler, half the people are younger than their uncles.

How long did it take for them to evict you? Dayum, I would have wanted to stay.