Last week we spent some relaxing time at Amelia Island - what fun! One of the highlights for us was taking a Segway tour through Ft. George Island State Park. We had never ridden Segways and found them to be even more fun than we had imagined. Our hosts were Marin & Greg who operate the business called EcoMotion Tours - what a great couple who truly enjoy their business. They gave us a wonderful introduction to riding the Segway and made certain we were all in good shape for heading out on the rustic trails of Ft George Island. We rode for about an hour into depths of the island to the National Park’s waterfront Kingsley Plantation- the best example of an 1800’s sea island cotton plantation in Florida.
After a walking tour of the plantation we returned to the Segways for some more fun - this time Greg had decided we were all proficient enough at riding to raise our max speed to the medium setting (9 mph) for even more fun. Riding on flat ground is one thing - bu
t it really gets exciting when you start going up & down hills.
Greg and Marin have a great office - they just pull in with the Range Rover and the trailer and open the door. How neat that they had tucked a bottle of cold water and a bag of pretzels into the carry-pack of each Segway.
After the introduction to riding Greg assisted each of us onto the Segway for the first time. I think we had an exceptional group - not a one of us fell off!!! Nancy wasn't impressed with the whole helmet thing - well, the safety was OK but the prospect of hemet hair wasn't to have been on the agenda. We were all amazed at how sensitive the Segway is to respond - even moving your head would cause some movement. It's basic though - lean forward (or bob your head) to go forward and lean back to get it in reverse. Steering is with the grip on the left hand. Let me assure you that these do not steer or handle like a Harley despite my trying to encourage it to do so. Now, getting off the darn thing is another story - don't hesitate at all just step off backwards - quickly - otherwise that little dude becomes a bucking bronco and you will be greatly relieved that no-one had a video cam operating (trust me - that's a fact).
Out on the trail Greg (in the lead) and Marin (as caboose to keep us all rounded up) gave us a great commentary on the wildlife and habitat we were cruising through. Regularly we'd pass large gopher tortoises on the side of the trail or hanging out at the entrance of their burrows. The trail winds through an old golf course that the Park Service is allowing to return to nature. All 9 of us in the group appreciated that Greg was at the lead taking the hit from the massive spider webs that would cross the trail. Occasionally we'd have to all stop while he would clear the web from the trail.
As I mentioned, riding on flat was simple but taking hills was a great adventure. We had several spots where there would be a small series of hills to navigate. Greg would warn us through the radio headsets we were all wearing and we'd each take a turn at the hills so no-one was rushed. Remember the leaning to make it go - yep, you have to lean forward going downhill to make that little bugger move. I'm still wondering if Greg had let us use the ultra-experienced level of speed if I could have jumped some of those little hills. My trail bike days really aren't as far behind me as some might think.
Did I mention spiders? Greg really enjoyed talking about all the spiders. Janell, who truly can't stand spiders wasn't too impressed by all the conversation. Try to create a mental picture of Janell sneaking (yea, on the Segway) by a huge spider whose web had just been moved. In this pic Greg is moving a web so we can all pass. He kept telling us that we had not seen any of the really big ones and that these were all non-poisonous varieties - not much comfort for those arachnophobics in the bunch.
One of the neat things about these Segways if that they are the XT versions with the large, soft tires that are perfect for trail riding. Though one in our group did contemplate climbing a tree with hers she decided against it and returned to the trail (or at least that's a good way to tell that story).
Late in the trip we stopped in a wonderful clearing and Greg made pictures of us. I thought for a moment that I might not get my camera back from him - funny how you always wonder when you hand that Nikon over to someone else.
No, he did a great job and we are delighted with this "family portrait" One family didn't have a camera with them and I made their picture and sent it to them. By that time I was pretty good at balancing and staying still on the Segway to be able to shoot without having to dismount. Once we got back to the parkinglot Nancy wanted to take the camera to make my picture. She tried the shooting from the Segway move and move would be the operative word......staying still isn't always easy.....I had to keep rotating as Nancy circled around me taking the picture. I'm thinking that the Harley shirt may not have been the most appropriate choice for that morning -
but then again, maybe it does give a bit of a knarley look.
If you are ever in the Amelia Island or Jacksonville area you really do need to take this tour. Just call our new friends Maren and Greg Arnett at EcoMotion Tours. See them at www.ecomotionsours.com
Live To Ride - Ride To Live!
aothers Motorcyle Trip to Canada. These fun little buggers have a 3 cylinder 1 liter engine and are a blast to drive! You order them online and wait - currently about 15 months is the projection.
en the front and the curb so that the rear end of the little pup shows at the end of the space and she desn't get smushed.
