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The Toy Movers

We are Bob and Nannette Vasold, a.k.a. Toy Movers, and we live in Olga. Bob has ridden bikes since the age of 14 when he bought his first Honda 50. Being a farm boy he was told to stay on the farm but the roads were too intriguing. He and his younger brother were always being brought home by the constable when caught on the road. He would have to leave the bike to have it ridden home later by his dad and usually a whipping followed. With life on the farm Bob grew up driving everything including big trucks. His first farm license was at age 15. He has always hauled friend’s bikes to whatever event they were going to. Bob has been hauling bikes from Michigan to Sturgis and Daytona since the mid 80s and has seen lots of changes in both rallies.

 

On the way home from one Sturgis Bike Week rally I mentioned to Bob that people would pay for this service. We were hauling friend’s bikes anyway so we knew this was a needed service in our Southwest Florida area. We thought it would really help some bikers that want to attend the rallies but don’t have the time necessary and/or the desire to ride or trailer their bikes to get to an event and home again. If we could take their bikes for them, make it as easy as possible, and ride ourselves while there, what more could we ask for.  It seemed like a win-win situation.

 

Bob’s necessary job takes him to Naples and Marco almost every day and Nannette’s required job keeps her home chained to the computer. The job they love takes them to some of the bike rallies below. 

 

Daytona Spring and Fall Bike Weeks in Daytona: Most of our customers for the Daytona Bike Weeks want to have their vehicle along for comfort and in case of bad weather. Of course the ladies like to have it for any shopping while there.

 

Laconia, New Hampshire: Laconia is the oldest bike week of them all. This is a beautiful area with lots of two-lane roads with rolling hills, small towns with friendly people, covered bridges, and beautiful waterfalls. You can climb Mt. Washington on your bike which is an exciting ride, especially for us flatlanders. You can go to the coast of Maine and have lobster for lunch. You can go to Vermont for a beautiful ride on Route 100 and have Ben and Jerry’s ice cream at their factory store.  While here we stay near Manchester where the nearest airport is, and it is only about an hour to Laconia.  

 

Sturgis, South Dakota: This is the grandaddy of them all. No matter which direction you go in you see something entirely different. All the towns are getting into the bike week business and each is unique. Keystone has the old town look with the train you can ride to Hill City and back. Crazy Horse Mountain is near and should not be missed. Mt. Rushmore is impressive and is lit up at night during bike week. Spearfish Canyon is a ride you’ll want to include. There are waterfalls and some of the streams have fish you can see swimming in the water. You’ll want to see Custer State Park with all the animals and take Iron Mountain Road with its switchbacks and loopty-loops. Be sure to go on Needles Highway and on to the town of Custer. Go to Deadwood and to a little gambling. The bar is still there where Wild Bill Hickock was shot, The Old No. 10 Saloon. Don’t neglect the Badlands as there is lots of history there too. There is nowhere you could go and have so many completely different things to do and see every day. We stay in Rapid City about five miles from the airport. There are shuttles at the airport you jump on and they bring you right to us at the KOA Campground.

Myrtle Beach is iffy now until we see what the city of Myrtle Beach is going to do about Myrtle Beach Bike Week. Starting 2010 we hope to be replacing Myrtle Beach with the Great Smokey Mountain Bike Week in Sevierville/Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. We know bikers will be welcome there because they advertise, “Myrtle Beach may not want you but the mountains do.”

Beginning in 2010 we plan to be taking bikes to the Great Smokey Mountains to ride the wonderful Blue Ridge Parkway and also the Tail of the Dragon. We are excited about that and know it is going to be a favorite for people, after all the Great Smokey Mountains is America’s most visited national park.

During the rally weeks you can come and go any time during the time we are there. Your bike stays locked up in the trailer until you arrive and after you leave. Your bike will be out and ready to ride when you get there. We’ll have your itinerary and be expecting you.

Whether you go with us or not try out some of these rallies. They are really fun and we always have a good time. Pick one and start planning a trip now. If you don’t make plans to go you probably won’t go. Call us…. Toy Movers at 239.694.2570. We transport to these events: Daytona Spring and Fall, Myrtle Beach/Great Smokey Mountains, Laconia, and Sturgis.