Texas Hill Country - short and sweet!

[paul]

We made it back, Sunday right at seven pm. Left Friday, seven am and took our time getting there. Went through Blanco, stopped at Liz's. Then wandered around till we landed in Luchembach. Wound up in Fredericksburg to have lunch and meet up with the Mother in law and her enterage. Shopped a little, then headed out for Kerville where we checked into the YO Ranch. Then wandered around there for a while before getting a great nights sleep.

We spent Saturday with the Mom and helped her celebrate, but Sunday was ours. First thing, the weather was Perfect. Seventy three degrees in the am and not even warming up until after one o'clock. Low humidity, as well. We rode 16 to 337 on into Leakey. Stopped at the Hog pen for early lunch. Rode out to Garner, then just messed around the area for awhile before heading back east on 39. Took back roads all the way back to Magnolia. We did hit a little rain. Stopped under a self serve car wash with a couple of other bikers for about 15 minutes, the headed out again for home. Friday and Sunday both were great day to ride and we took full advantage of them.

David, and David....wish ya'll coulda been there. No traffic, several bikes, but not as many as I expected. Weather and road conditions spot on. Only one minor almost happened. We topped a hill coming out of a little sweeper, doing around 65 and just about 50 feet smack in the middle of our lane was a vulture sitting on a fairly fresh deer carcas. Well, I swerved and missed the deer, but the damn bird decided to fly out in the same direction of my route. I could only think of Bill and his experience with the Egret, and how this might be payback for laughing. Turns out we missed but I can still feel the brush of wings on my head. Kelli damn near crushed my spine, she was holding on so tight. Them things are pretty big up close!

[davidhollinger]

Man, I remember riding thru there.. .leaving pasadena and headed up your way until the traffic was almost nothing. I used to ride with just a bandana and sunglasses...no helmet. There is some great country out there once you leave the 5 million cagers behind in Houston/Harris county . We are planning a trip back home this fall.. Gonna be staying in Conroe. No bike though.
Glad you missed the CONDOR! LOL!

[BudMan]

I wish this David was there.

[Framer]

I wish I would have been there too. The first time I road there Paul was our leader (I'm not sure that was his choice) but he did a great job. I hope I can get back but that 9.5 hour ride makes my butt hurt just thinking about it. Sounds like you and Kelli had fun except for the bird LOL. Thank for all you input about the fairing. It's hard to believe so many people have so many different opinion on that subject. The lady that emailed me today from reckless said she thought it ship last Friday. I don't know about that its only been 3weeks and they're painting it to match.
I hope to see you in antlers.

[paul]

Well, Budman, come on down. We'll make ya'll feel welcome here in Texas. I don't remember you saying, so this may be a dumb question, but have you guys ridden the Hill Country before? It's not beautiful in the same way as some areas of AK. but it's got its own grandeur.

Dave, love to have you back anytime you can. Of course, we may have to make it a 3-4 day gig to make it worth your while. When you get that fairing and Phats installed you might find your time in the saddle a little more bearable. This trip we just took was my first real "time in the saddle" since I got all the little tweeks and adjustments done between the fairing, risers, and saddle. I have to say that for me the position is finally PERFECT! It makes the ride much better and adds greatly to the time you can spend on the bike in comfort. My back finally did get tired and my but a little sore, but this was on Sunday, and only after we had already been on the bike for 7 hours. Well, I got a home cooked meal waiting for me in the other room. You guys are on your own now. See everyone in Antlers.

[waterman]

Has been a bucket list item for some time.

[paul]

You know, Joel, I don't know if Trip is still going to be putting together any Hill Country rides but I'll bet there's enough interest out there that we could get one together maybe next year in the early spring or whenever it works for the others.

[BudMan]

Originally Posted by paul

Well, Budman, come on down. We'll make ya'll feel welcome here in Texas. I don't remember you saying, so this may be a dumb question, but have you guys ridden the Hill Country before? It's not beautiful in the same way as some areas of AK. but it's got its own grandeur.

I hope I'll feel welcome. I'm a native Texan.
I driven all over Texas. But never rode the bike in the Hill Country.
Well get down there before too long.

[waterman]

Originally Posted by paul

You know, Joel, I don't know if Trip is still going to be putting together any Hill Country rides but I'll bet there's enough interest out there that we could get one together maybe next year in the early spring or whenever it works for the others.

Probably would have to be a trailer trip. Your early spring is still late winter for us at times. By the time we get nice you are starting to get hot. I've done late September trips but twice I have been caught in very cold weather coming home. Once it was raining but it was darn close to snow.

I thought about Antlers last year but I was glad I stayed home. It would have been one cold ride home. We will have to see how the next spring shapes up but we might give it a try.