Hill Country Ride IV - 2001
This was the first time I participated in a group rally other than a poker run so it was all new to me. I had met a few of the attendees so not everyone was a stranger and everyone welcomed me. I left from the office onThursday about 10 am while most of the others left very early in the morning so I ended up riding down by myself. That was fine with me as I was able to take my time, stop when I wanted and enjoy the ride. I remember I brought a grapefruit and some cheese with me and I stopped in the city park in Goldwaithe for lunch.
Being what I thought was a macho guy (ha) I left early on Friday morning with the "spirited" group. I learned very quickly what was meant by 'dragging a peg' as that seemed to be the objective on every curve. I brought up the rear so I could lag back a shade if I decided I could not handle the curve at the same speed as the pack, which was usually about 25 mph or better above the posted. Somewhere on FM 335 I hit something as I came around a curve and it made a hell of a clatter. Tricky Dick was behind me and saw where it landed so we got out and found it in the bushes by the side of the road. A huge steel bolt. Bike was ok so we continued on our way. May have been the first road trash I hit but it certainly wasn't the last. Coming up TX 16 on our way back to Fredericksburg the pack was moving at a brisk 90+ when a cop passed us going the other direction. I think he just figured anyone crazy enough to go that fast on 16 wasn't worth turning around for.
The next day started out the same. I had a bad feeling about things and so did Bear. At Blanco we separated from the pack and rode at a much more leisurely pace. About 15 miles later we came around a curve to find everyone parked on the side of the road. One member of the pack had not made it around the curve and was in the ditch. He and the bike were unscathed and as soon as he got his seat cleaned off everyone was back on the road. Bear and I finally made it to Llano and Cooper's Bar B Que. I was kinda getting homesick so I decided to call the weekend quits and I headed home from Llano after lunch. Cranked open the throttle and made the 280 miles in four hours flat and that included two gas stops.
Great weekend. Made me want to go back for more. Which I did. Unfortunately, I can't find any of the pics I took on this trip (which weren't many as we were always traveling too fast). But the routes I remember and they are posted below.
Ride Routes
Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
Ride Pics
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