Oct 28th - 30th Texas Hill Country Rally (MSTA)

Getting closer.

 

I wonder if the hotel has porn flix and those beds that vibrate when ya put in a quarter for the harleydoods.

 

I am looking forward to throwing my bags on the VFR and heading South. I have a all day to meander down and I really need this ride. I might just keep going!

 

Hmmm, I wonder if it would be ok to come out and say HI! Sunday morning?? I live in San Antonio so its a hour from my world. I used to ride out their every two months or so at one time, its a great place to ride. I would love to meet some folks who don't have large chips on their shoulders.

 

I am always glad to meet other sport touring riders (with out the chip).

 

Figures, I have to work that weekend.

Have been up there a few times to ride the Three Sisters, just be CAREFUL if you have never been before. There are lots of VERY tight corners and on a nice weekend vehicle traffic of all sorts ( motorcycles, trikes, sports cars, trucks, ect. ) WILL come into your lane. You also will get stuck behind vehicles going very slow doing the sight seeing thing. I'm no speed racer, so when I say slow I mean s l o w, so use caution if you decide to pass. You will actually see road signs stating how many motorcycle deaths have occurred there.

Other than the above though, it's the second best set of riding roads ( read: FUNEST, not condition of road ) I've ever been on behind Tail Of The Dragon and Cherohala Skyway.

If you ever get a chance to ride the Three Sisters during the weekday instead of the weekend there is way less traffic. Enjoy the ride and be sure to post pics !

 

In a recent article in the NY Times, Donald Trump was quoted as a 12year old as wanting to ride The Lennon Sisters while watching the Laurence Welk show.

 

Who didn't want t do that!!

I think Laurence Welk was the original reality TV show. My grandparents used to watch it. I thought it was lame but my grandparents knew the life story of everyone on the show. I thought that maybe they were family friends or something.

 

You may want to plan to come out on Friday or Saturday evening instead of Sunday. Sunday morning about 98% of us will be packing up and heading back home. There are a few that will stay for a little riding before heading out but not many. Hope to see you down there!

 

It's getting closer. I got my saddle bags out of the closet and found out that the cat has been hiding back there and sleeping on them. They were covered and I mean covered with cat hair. I gotta go places more often or kick the cat out of the closet. I am surprised that he didn't barf on them. He seems to like to do that on the bed.

After meetings tomorrow I will be worthless work wise.

 

Jim this is just funny and almost made me spit up my coffee because we have cats too ... LOL!!

Hey, did you ever get on that email distribution list of other members who will be riding down from the DFW area? There is a group leaving tomorrow and one leaving Friday. If you're interested in riding down with them, let me know!

I can't wait to get down there either!!

 

Just changed the brake fluid / clutch fluid and put on the comfortable seat for some two up riding with the wife. We are both very excited and needing to get away for some relaxing times in the hill country. Counting down now...

 

New front PR4, new rear PR3 (cheaper than PR4) changed oil, new water pump and of course new coolant. Putting the fairing on I punched out a well nut so today I am on the hunt for one of those. I am already packed!
See y'all on Friday.

 

If this is the one?

I will bring it with me in case you cant find one.

 

I got a box of em at the Kawasaki/Yamaha dealer in Sherman. I'm good.

 

Good to go, see you tomorrow

 

Pics from the sisters

 

Back safe, was very nice to meet you Big Jim we had a BLAST. Here is a little ride report from some one who went to their first MSTA event.

Now I know the Houston area members have a Yahoo place that they added me to in order to include me on local rides in my area. As soon as one of the MSTA people asked me where your from they are quick to point out the "Person in your area that is the one to see". A quick hand shake and letting them know where your from will quickly get you "connected" with local Sport Touring riders in your area. Bunch of guys right around me as a matter of fact!

Looks like out of 93 people who attended NO ONE went down or wrecked. I know this because we had a large banquet Saturday night a "ride report" was part of the announcements. There was one "performance award" given by a local Constable to one of the riders but that was it. There were people there from all over the country and plenty of couples. Very family friendly atmosphere with the meal starting out with a prayer.

My wife and I found the whole experience refreshing to ride with people over 50 at what ever pace you are comfortable with with no pressure either way. The organized atmosphere was key to connecting Sport touring riders with each other and just letting the riding happen. They encourage safe riding as evidenced by a presentation given by the Texas State Troopers complete with videos and Question and answer periods during the riders meeting that took place prior to the Saturday rides. Routes and maps were offered but not required, ride alone if you want, where you want.

The Banquet had BBQ Ribs, chicken, with all of the sides including three different deserts were offered in a very nice semi formal setting. The YO Ranch Resort knows how to do BBQ for sure. At the White table cloth banquet there were gifts given like prizes that were called out by your wrist band number, (lots of gifts). Many many sponsors contributed to and attended the banquet, which was nice to see some of the new stuff coming out. There was a Bar, live music, pool, etc...If you could not have a good time there then you are dead!

Anyways, I had a blast and rode a little over 300miles a day on sunny twisty roads with a bunch of very nice people and would encourage anyone who thinks that this sounds like a good time to attend any of their MSTA events. I know I am looking forward to the next one.

 

I guess I had a little different experience. I rode down and I got to what seemed like a confused, registration table to get a bag of marketing flyers, some candy (that was much appreciated) and the t-shirt I ordered. There was very little in the way of explanation or welcome and no name tag. I never did find out what the name tag deal was all about. Some people had them and others didn't. After registration I ran to make the "safety meeting" where I was treated to a talk that could have been given by my mom. Riding is a dangerous business. I get that. After the meeting everyone just left. I met and talked to some riders in the parking lot but I have never needed a club to do that. It’s not that I didn’t try. I put my hand out, introduced myself. On Friday night I butted in on three guys at dinner so I wouldn’t have to eat alone. It turns out they were from Houston and not a part of the MSTA group.

I did the breakfast thing, talked to a few riders and got the impression the everyone knew everyone else but I got no offers of "hey, do you want to ride with us?" so I didn't and rode out by myself. In all fairness I did use one of the printed itinerary maps. The ride itself was great. The weather was perfect. It was hot in the sun and cool in the wind. The leaves had not turned colors because they never do in Texas but the feel of fall was in the air and fallen leaves were blowing around.

I rode down to Leaky and since I had checked out already, decided to head back. I got to within 100 miles of home before I called it quits for the night. I did the last 100 miles this morning. Total trip was 740 miles according to my notoriously inaccurate Honda odometer. I don't know what I was expecting. I was expecting to find a few people to ride with. I didn't and that is probably my fault. I wonder if it was easier for riders who brought their significant others? In the end it was a good excuse to hit the road and I am glad I did.

My most exciting event happened when I almost hit a deer. I could have been a statistic from the "safety meeting." I was on 39 west of Hunt headed back to Ingram and Kerrville. The speed limits are all over 70mph and I was doing every bit of that. Off to my right a doe materialized out of the grass and sprang across the road in front of me. I did everything wrong. I froze on the bars, I didn’t reach for the brake and I got target fixation. I remember being focused on her hind quarters and actually aiming for her back side. I had no idea what was going through my mind. I narrowly missed her and I could have tweaked her tail I was so inclined. This proves you can still ride like crap and have a happy ending.

 

Maybe next time the Harley bad boys will show up and have a shoot out. "We don need no steenkin nametags."