|
|
Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | My ninety-seven year old Father-in-law is now home and setup for Hospice. Since Thursday I have been in Alexandria, Virginia a few miles from the Pentagon, helping my wife, kids and the rest of the family cope with the facts and emotions of the week.
The weather has been cold and raining but the sun will come out Monday and I will be back in the Alamo City. One of the hard things for me is that my Vision is back in San Antonio, Texas and I really could use a good long ride to clear my head.
Man these states are close together! It is hard for a South Texas boy to understand that in this area you can cross two state lines and not even need to fill up with gas. When I cross state lines in Texas I have to fill up once and if I go to El Paso it is a minimum of twice!
Today things settled down a bit and I took a drive to Annapolis, Maryland to Chesapeake Cycles. I needed a Victory fix.
It is a really nice place packed with lots for sale in a small but workable showroom. The friendly staff greeted me right after I walked in the door and let me have some time to walk around to try and take this place in.
They stock Polaris ATV's, Victory and Aprilia motorcycles plus Vespa and Piaggio Scooters. Every nook and cranny is stuffed with parts and accessories for the brands they carry. I was directed to the shirt area and picked out two, one from the bargain rack (%50 off) and one off of the shelf.
While shirt shopping, I could not help but to hear another customer and his wife negotiating a deal on a black Cross Country. I saw that they had a list on the counter of what 2010 Victory's they expected to get in and when, for how much and what color they would be. Some of the bikes on the 2010 list already had names next to them. They also had a price list of the other Victory's they have in the showroom.
On the cold, wet and nasty day is was nice to be offered a hot spiced apple cider and small ginger muffins (that kind of stuff you rarely see in Texas). They also had coffee, doughnuts and other pastries.
There was a mesh jacket that I have looked at online on the rack there. I put it on and it fit great but like most off of the shelf gear is it a little long in the arms. I loved the fit so I bought it.
A staff member, that owns a Vision, sold me the gear and thanked me by name for coming in as I was leaving. Nice touch on his part…..now I wish I could remember his name.
Chesapeake Cycles
2037 Industrial Drive Annapolis MD 21401
Phone: (410) 266-0015 Fax: (410) 266-5299
(2869350_large.jpg)
(2869350_back_large.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
 2869350_large.jpg (22KB - 1 downloads)
2869350_back_large.jpg (23KB - 1 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Visionary
Posts: 2027
Brighton, TN | Cool! Keep the head clear and go for a demo ride. That works for me, even when I drive my Vision into the dealer. I take the other models out for a little one on one time. |
|
| |
|
Tourer
Posts: 432
Gettysburg, 2008 Tour Premium | It has been pretty nasty here. I work near Annapolis, in Gambrills, but live in PA. I havn't been to Chesapeake Cycles but have been meaning to check them out. Take care and my best to your family.
Walt |
|
| |
|
Fountain Inn, SC United States | RT - Chesapeake Cycles are well regarded. I visit them whenever I am in that area. They are regular sponsors for different rides and events. It's no surprise you were treated well and I'm glad you found a item you liked. Hope your father-in-law is comfortable.
Too bad you didn't take a drive up to Boston, it's only 4 states away, like going from Dallas to Odessa.  |
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 273
| through tough times with my wife since May, my sincerest best wishes for your wife, you, and her family. Hospice is a great organization.
Now back to the original post about the jacket and the dealership...there are a lot of dealers with the service you just witnessed, who are customer and not $$$ focused.
Every once in awhile, I ride up to a Moto Guzzi dealer southwest of Chicago who has wine and cheese day every Sunday, and it's a great time to sit around with fellow riders of many brands talking about bikes.
Lots of dealers in the midwest have the cider and cookie thing going too.
Texas may be big, but I'll take Hoosier hospitality any day of the week.
Enjoy the jacket. |
|
| |
|
Iron Butt
Posts: 803
Perry Hall, MD | Best wishes for the family Paul.
When I was ready to pull the trigger I visited a dealer right up the road from my Baltimore office and knew within a couple of minutes that we wouldn't be doing business. A call to Mike at Chesapeake had me going a few extra miles to see him. Although I had already had a test ride he suggested taking another (his favorite part of the job he said). Long story short he introduced me to another Vision owner who was in for a visit, talked to me like I was a friend just in for a visit, worked up several offers, but never pushed. Unfortunately, I was trying to hook up with an 08 and he couldn't get one at the time. I ended up being quite happily satisfied by Hernley's in PA , but truly felt like Chesapeake was a place I would have been very pleased to have dealt with.
|
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 137
Houston, Texas | RT
You're going to like that jacket....I bought one earlier this summer and its perfect for riding in the Texas heat.....its actually cooler than just the 'fishing shirt' I normally wear and you get protection to boot.
Best wishes to your family.
|
|
| |
|
Cruiser
Posts: 249
Montreal, QC Canada | Hi Paul, Our thoughts are with you and your family. I wish we could hook up for a ride to help you clear your head.
|
|
| |