Napa Valley

by Stan Loomis on December 19, 2013
Stan in Wine Country

Stan Loomis took a trip to Napa Valley with his wife to take part in wine tastings.

Napa, California is the 100th largest city in California, first settled in the 1830s before officially becoming a city in 1872. By the dawn of the 20th century, Napa became the primary economic and business center for the Napa Valley area. Much of the banking, commercial, retail, and light industry growth took place within the city of Napa while the surrounding areas developed an interest in agriculture and wine. Today, Napa Valley is one of the world’s premier travel destinations.

The area’s breathtaking views are available year-round, with rolling hills dotting the landscape full of year-round vineyards and wineries. Napa Valley’s wineries in particular attract millions of wine aficionados each year, including Stan Loomis.

Napa Valley is one of nine San Francisco bay area counties most known for its wine industry. The area gained international respect in 1976 when Napa Valley winery Chateau Montelena won the “Judgment of Paris”, a blind taste test comparing California wines and French wines. Napa Valley is currently home to more than 400 wineries.

Stan Loomis traveled to Napa, California with his wife to enjoy wine tasting through the area’s wineries.

Of the nearly 400 wineries located within the area, 95% are family-owned and operated. The Napa Valley region is home to more world-acclaimed wineries than any other region in North America. As an avid wine taster and motorcycle rider, Stan Loomis enjoyed exploring the countryside with his wife and toured many of the region’s wineries while participating in wine tastings.

While the wineries in Napa Valley entice many a traveler, the area’s climate and natural scenery also make it an ideal getaway. Lodging options include quite bed-and-breakfasts, large hotels and resorts, and everything in between. Tourists are also able to take in many of the spas and mud baths in between wine tastings and trips to world-renowned restaurants such as the French Laundry.

 

Learn more about Stan Loomis and his travels by following him on Tumblr, or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/stanloomis

Filed Under: Travel Tagged With: , ,

Biketoberfest 2013

by Stan Loomis on December 11, 2013
Loomis bikes

Stan Loomis rode his 2010 Big Dog Wolf (right) to Biketoberfest 2013 with his wife, whose bike is seen on the left.

As the owner of a customized 2010 Big Dog Wolf, Stan Loomis enjoys traveling with his wife and their custom choppers to motorcycling events throughout Florida.

Naomi and Stan Loomis frequently attend Biketoberfest and made a trip to this year’s event in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Biketoberfest 2013 stretched over a long weekend, beginning on October 17th and running through the 20th, drawing thousands of riders for motorcycling activities and events. Attendees were able to enjoy a number of diverse activities geared specifically to bikers while taking in the area’s exceptional weather and beaches. The weekend included multiple motorcycle rallies and shows along with opportunities to complete guided scenic tours. Bikers were also able to race one another on Daytona International Speedway, or take a break from riding by listening to live music and viewing the latest and greatest models of bikes from major manufacturers on showcase.

Biketoberfest 2013, the 21st such event, combined food and fun with activities located within three parts of the city:

  • Main Street: Visitors stopped by the welcome tent to learn more about the wide variety of events being hosted during Biketoberfest. Main Street staples including Dirty Harry’s, Boot Hill Saloon, and Humphrey’s & Son all provided opportunities for bikers to sample famous dishes while listening to live music and watching bikers arrive throughout the day. Historic Pinewood Cemetery also had guided tours.
  • Beach Street / Fairview Avenue / Ballough Road: Home to many of the city’s most famous motorcycle shops, these three streets hosted multiple motorcycle exhibits. Destinations included BMW Ducati Triumph of Daytona, Harley Davidson’s Museum Store, and Carl’s Speed Shop performance shop and race museum. These streets were also home to ROAR, which featured exclusive events just for female bikers.
  • Beachside: Bikers were able to get a view of the beach while enjoying the Boardwalk Classic Bike Show, which offered trophies and cash prizes for the owners of the best looking bikes. Another popular destination, Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, offered guided tours while nearby restaurants advertised fresh caught seafood.

 

Have a question about this event? Ask Stan about the event or his motorcycling interests on his Quora.

You can also learn more about his hobbies by following him on Tumblr: http://stanloomis.tumblr.com/

Filed Under: Motorcycles Tagged With: ,

Bike Week 2013

by Stan Loomis on December 5, 2013
Stan and his Motorcycle

Stan Loomis shows off his custom chopper before departing for Bike Week 2013.

Stan Loomis enjoys riding his fully customized chopper, a 2010 Big Dog Wolf.

He and his wife regularly attend motorcycling events in and around Florida. One event they attend frequently is Bike Week 2013, which is held annually in Daytona Beach, Florida. Each year, approximately 500,000 people visit this event during one or more of the ten days it is held, ranking it alongside the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally as one of the most popular motorcycle rallies in the United States.

Bike Week 2013 took place March 8-17, 2013. This 72nd edition of the beach gathering featured a wide range of motorcycle themed events, races, and exhibits. Top manufacturers also took the opportunity to unveil some of their newest models, with Harley Davidson allowing riders to ride its new Breakout and Indian Motorcycle debuting its new Thunder Stroke 111 V-Twin. Technological advancements were also on display, most notably Darkside Scientific’s Lumilor electroluminescent paint. Attendees were also able to enter a raffle for the 2013 Official Bike Week Motorcycle, a 2012 Street Glide customized by Daytona Harley-Davidson with an estimated value of $35,000.

Stan Loomis and his wife also took part in many of the bike-themed activities around the area.

Races took place from Main Street to Daytona Speedway with concerts, parties, and street festivals stationed along the way. One of the event’s most unusual activities is its Annual Coleslaw Wrestling Competition. Twelve women competed for a $500 cash prize on a ring covered in shredded cabbage. Custom bike shows included:

  • Willie’s Tropical Tattoo Old School Chopper Show: this grassroots event features garage builders and small shops from all over the country, known for reinventing old parts instead of ordering them from catalogs.
  • Rat’s Hole Custom Bike Show: held for the 41st time, this show is one of the most prestigious competitions in the country, with custom builders competing for handmade trophies.

 

Learn more about Stan Loomis and the motorcycling events he attends by reading his bio on Bigsight, or view the images he has uploaded of his motorcycle by following his Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/stanloomis/

Filed Under: Motorcycles Tagged With: , , ,
« Previous Page