The Lake Erie Loop

[GIJoeBob]

We need something like this in Texas.

http://www.lakeerieloop.com/

The race is a 650 mile loop around Lake Erie and is a fund raiser for pediatric burn victims.

The kicker is that bikes are limited to 225cc and lower if you want to compete in the race-

There will be two distinct groups involved in this event;
under 225cc
bikes that will be competing for cash prizes and
unlimited size bikes riding
along for fun. For the smaller bikes, this will be an all
out endurance run to
see who can complete the trip in the shortest amount of
time.
The bikes will be divided into four classes;
=Unlimited 50's - if it started life as a 50cc it's
eligible and vintage bikes
up to 110cc.
=125's - up to 125cc and vintage bikes up to 160cc.
=200's - up to 200cc, any Cushman style scooter with a
stock based motor (no
Cushman hybrids) and vintage bikes up to 225cc.
=Tourist class - any size, any bike. There will be no
authorized competition
in this class, it's a fun run only.
*** Vintage bikes will be bikes 30 years old and older,
or "like" models.

[GIJoeBob]

Here is a short movie of the race I think from last year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bM5RLp9W_Y4&feature=PlayList&p=A5FCFB09C5851BD2&index=0&playnext=1

[bmcdonau]

I agree 100 percent. We could do something in the hill country starting just northwest of Austin and make a big loop or somehthing in the big thicket country of east Texas.

[gixxerjasen]

Just read about this in the moto mag that came in the other day and I was thinking about how we could do something like this in Texas. I was initially thinking Dal-Hou-SA-DAL loop, but others could be interesting too.

[Texason]

Just read about this in the moto mag that came in the other day and I was thinking about how we could do something like this in Texas. I was initially thinking Dal-Hou-SA-DAL loop, but others could be interesting too.

But without the stunning lake views?

How about just along the coast?

[landman650r]

I would do that on a scooter....a ct70 would kick *** doing that!

[GIJoeBob]

But without the stunning lake views?

How about just along the coast?

Being in East Texas I immediately thought of a route around Lake Sam Rayburn or Toledo Bend.

[bmcdonau]

Being in East Texas I immediately thought of a route around Lake Sam Rayburn or Toledo Bend.

I doubt that would be long enough. I'd think we'd want to do 300-400 miles at least.

[GIJoeBob]

I doubt that would be long enough. I'd think we'd want to do 300-400 miles at least.

Sam Rayburn has 750 miles of shoreline and I know the road won't follow the shoreline exactly but I would guess it would be at least 500 miles. Am I way off here?

[gixxerjasen]

But without the stunning lake views?

How about just along the coast?I thought about this more last night. It doesn't necessarily have to be a lake run, just a teeny tiny bike run. :lol2: Half of the hassle with these kinds of things is getting to and from the start/finish location. So, to get people involved and interested...at least the first year, it could go something like this.

Three start/finish/checkpoint locations. One at each corner of the triangle. Have folks working these locations and riders can just go to the closest location and everybody starts at the same time following the same route, checking in at each location. Just an idea, but lake routes would be nice too.

[SL350]

I would love something like this but not the triangle (Dallas, Houston, and SA or Austin). Didn't the Lake Erie run require it be a vintage bike? Maybe it is a different run but I remember reading about an annual ride with a bunch of Honda 305s.

Racing is not important to me and I bet a lot of other small bike guys would feel the same. I think it might need to include 250cc class bikes to pick up the new XT225s and Rebels/Nighthawks.

[GIJoeBob]

I would love something like this but not the triangle (Dallas, Houston, and SA or Austin). Didn't the Lake Erie run require it be a vintage bike? Maybe it is a different run but I remember reading about an annual ride with a bunch of Honda 305s.

Racing is not important to me and I bet a lot of other small bike guys would feel the same. I think it might need to include 250cc class bikes to pick up the new XT225s and Rebels/Nighthawks.

For the Lake Erie event you have to have a small bike to participate in the "race" but larger bikes can go on the course as well just for grins and support.

The film really explains it all very well.

[gixxerjasen]

The article I read is in the latest Motorcyclist magazine.

[SRADkneedragger]

There are a couple of these things around the country. It would be really cool to have one here, but remember
"Promoting a a Race on a Public Road in Texas is a Crime" a Felony I think?
Although a timed trial for the closest to actual speed limits would be legal. And a prize for the biggest loser(farthest from correct time,read fastest) would be legal I think!
Marie
HeavyBusRacing.com

[GIJoeBob]

There are a couple of these things around the country. It would be really cool to have one here, but remember
"Promoting a a Race on a Public Road in Texas is a Crime" a Felony I think?
Although a timed trial for the closest to actual speed limits would be legal. And a prize for the biggest loser(farthest from correct time,read fastest) would be legal I think!
Marie
HeavyBusRacing.com

What a buzzkill.

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/TN/htm/TN.545.htm

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 641, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.


Sec. 545.420. RACING ON HIGHWAY. (a) A person may not participate in any manner in:

(1) a race;

(2) a vehicle speed competition or contest;

(3) a drag race or acceleration contest;

(4) a test of physical endurance of the operator of a vehicle; or

(5) in connection with a drag race, an exhibition of vehicle speed or acceleration or to make a vehicle speed record.

(b) In this section:

(1) "Drag race" means the operation of:

(A) two or more vehicles from a point side by side at accelerating speeds in a competitive attempt to outdistance each other; or

(B) one or more vehicles over a common selected course, from the same place to the same place, for the purpose of comparing the relative speeds or power of acceleration of the vehicle or vehicles in a specified distance or time.

(2) "Race" means the use of one or more vehicles in an attempt to:

(A) outgain or outdistance another vehicle or prevent another vehicle from passing;

(B) arrive at a given destination ahead of another vehicle or vehicles; or

(C) test the physical stamina or endurance of an operator over a long-distance driving route.

(c) [Blank]

(d) Except as provided by Subsections (e)-(h), an offense under Subsection (a) is a Class B misdemeanor.

(e) An offense under Subsection (a) is a Class A misdemeanor if it is shown on the trial of the offense that:

(1) the person has previously been convicted one time of an offense under that subsection; or

(2) the person, at the time of the offense:

(A) was operating the vehicle while intoxicated, as defined by Section 49.01, Penal Code; or

(B) was in possession of an open container, as defined by Section 49.031, Penal Code.

(f) An offense under Subsection (a) is a state jail felony if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the person has previously been convicted two times of an offense under that subsection.

(g) An offense under Subsection (a) is a felony of the third degree if it is shown on the trial of the offense that as a result of the offense, an individual suffered bodily injury.

(h) An offense under Subsection (a) is a felony of the second degree if it is shown on the trial of the offense that as a result of the offense, an individual suffered serious bodily injury or death.

[gixxerjasen]

Um, it's not a race, it's a rally!

[SRADkneedragger]

I know that back in the day SRAD and his buddies used to do Road Rallies. A test driver would go out and drive the course at the speed limit, stopping at each stop sign and each check in for the prescribed time. Thia would give you the "perfect" travel time for driving the course by the speed limit abeying all laws in doing so. The Winner was the team who got the closest to that actual time. But there was always a "Biggest Loser" award for the person who missed the target time the most:trust:. And strangely enough I guess the "Loser" trophy was always bigger than the winner trophy:sun:
any ideas?
Marie
HeavyBusRacing.com

[bmcdonau]

Sam Rayburn has 750 miles of shoreline and I know the road won't follow the shoreline exactly but I would guess it would be at least 500 miles. Am I way off here?

I could be sront, but I don't think it'd even be close to 750 miles, probably less than 150.

[bmcdonau]

I think you need a hook to get more people interested. Ride around a lake, through the hill country, across the desert, something. The ride should also be a challenge. A 200 cc machine can do 70 mph pretty easily, but riding it for 5-6 hours makes it a challenge.

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q320/bmcdonau/lakelivingston.jpg

This route is about 100 miles. You'll have to stay on farm to market and county roads.

[GIJoeBob]

I could be sront, but I don't think it'd even be close to 750 miles, probably less than 150.

I was just going by what they had here-

http://www.powellpark.com/

"Big Sam" has more fishable water than most anglers could cover in a lifetime. Dotting the 750 miles of shoreline are thousands of willow trees and buckbush, plus 10,000 acres of aquatic vegetation, including hydrilla and coontail.

[bmcdonau]

Some ideas.

I think you want to bring everyone together for the start/finish. Starting in three places makes it difficult to estabish any comradarie or purpose.

Have a dinner of some sort the evening of the finish.

Have someone with a trailer follow the slowest bikes to bring home any nonfinishers.

A place with a campground would also be nice.

Somewhere in a central location would be good so more people could attend without having to ride across the state.

Spring or fall with cooler weather would be good too.

[GIJoeBob]

I think you need a hook to get more people interested. Ride around a lake, through the hill country, across the desert, something. The ride should also be a challenge. A 200 cc machine can do 70 mph pretty easily, but riding it for 5-6 hours makes it a challenge.

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q320/bmcdonau/lakelivingston.jpg

This route is about 100 miles. You'll have to stay on farm to market and county roads.

Here is a similar route around Sam Rayburn-

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a291/GIJoeBob/rayburn.jpg

I could not find a way to limit the route to FM and CR though. Where is that option?

[GIJoeBob]

Some ideas.

I think you want to bring everyone together for the start/finish. Starting in three places makes it difficult to estabish any comradarie or purpose.

Have a dinner of some sort the evening of the finish.

Have someone with a trailer follow the slowest bikes to bring home any nonfinishers.

A place with a campground would also be nice.

Somewhere in a central location would be good so more people could attend without having to ride across the state.

Spring or fall with cooler weather would be good too.

I like all of your ideas.

[SL350]

Problem with the Hill Country is the hills. The Erie website has an under 100cc class and I have a ct90, hills would be difficult especially in traffic.

How about an up and down the beach for the first 100 miles? 15 mph speed limit, that is a 7 hour drive. The National Seashore is pretty isolated, has great fishing opportunities and is cheap camping. Then maybe ride up the coast on old 35? Is Jack listening?


The Erie guys are true racers. Winning times for 650 miles are about 18 hours. Few small bikes have 18 hour seats.

If we can keep it to 300 or less, that is pretty good for a first one. It can grow if enough are interested in longer range.

Can you do Lufkin to Nac on a 100cc? That is a raceway.

This sounds like a great event but it leaves me wondering if we shouldn't be doing some of these on small bikes more often. The Lake Livingston could be a good +1 run if we do a longer ride.

[Andrew T]

How bout a "Highland Lakes Loop"? Travis, Inks, LBJ, and Buchanan? Lots of twisties, and by counting lakes, one could have a 200-400 mile loop. Or "From the coast to the hills - and back"? Freeport/Freer/Kerrville/Shiner/Freeport, with start and finish at any point (Shiner would be sweet, and is relatively central to TX's population) with relatively minor adjustments would make the full 600 miles, or 660, or whatever the Erie Loop is presumed to be. Plus one could drop off TX-35 at Pt Lavaca or so and head back to Shiner if the full loop were too daunting. That would be 250-300 miles.

[SL350]

You guys will scare me off if we tool on the expressway or cross one of the big cities. Not much fun watching your mirrors all the time.

[bmcdonau]

You guys will scare me off if we tool on the expressway or cross one of the big cities. Not much fun watching you mirrors all the time.

Ii agree with you. The route will have to be farm roads and county highways. My SL100 could do 60 mph all day long when I was 14, but I don't think it'll do that pulling the 2009 version of me.

[bmcdonau]

How bout a "Highland Lakes Loop"? Travis, Inks, LBJ, and Buchanan? Lots of twisties, and by counting lakes, one could have a 200-400 mile loop. Or "From the coast to the hills - and back"? Freeport/Freer/Kerrville/Shiner/Freeport, with start and finish at any point (Shiner would be sweet, and is relatively central to TX's population) with relatively minor adjustments would make the full 600 miles, or 660, or whatever the Erie Loop is presumed to be. Plus one could drop off TX-35 at Pt Lavaca or so and head back to Shiner if the full loop were too daunting. That would be 250-300 miles.

If we keep it east of IH35 we can have hills without it being hilly.

How does 200 miles sound to everyone?

My 100 cc bike is not running at the moment so I'd be happy to work as organizer at the inagural event. How does spring sound? March or April?

[gixxerjasen]

I wouldn't be able to ride, but I'd like to help out with something like this. Heck, if I can get a trailer, I can be the "crash truck"....erm...the "HopeTheyDon'tNeedMe Truck." :mrgreen:

[SRADkneedragger]

A good idea might be to keep it central to all of Texas so the center would be oh uhhm BRADY! The heart of Texas. Now realistically find out where the bulk of interested riders are and try to pick an area closer to the highest concentration of those interested.
We do the SportBike Rally in Iraan Texas every year and have been talking a few years about doing an open Road Race on the streets of the city park on SMALL bikes but the location makes things difficult. You have to realize that while we have about 800 or 1000 Bike ride to Iraan for the Rally no one is going to ride a <200cc bike on the highway a bunch of miles to race it so most would have to be near or truck their mini in.
Marie
HeavyBusRacing.com

[GIJoeBob]

Looks like I am going to have to tune up my 175. :rider:

[Andrew T]

I ride a KLR 650, but lucky me, my girlfriend has not one but two TW200s...and more than likely, MBS (Multiple Bike Syndrome) will kick in long before then! Maybe we can do speedlimit rally open to any bike, WITHOUT the "most wrong" trophy...and first-to-finish in little bikes. Something like 7-8 hours for a 320-350 miler would probably go over pretty well.

[Texason]

How bout a "Highland Lakes Loop"? Travis, Inks, LBJ, and Buchanan? Lots of twisties, and by counting lakes, one could have a 200-400 mile loop. Or "From the coast to the hills - and back"? Freeport/Freer/Kerrville/Shiner/Freeport, with start and finish at any point (Shiner would be sweet, and is relatively central to TX's population) with relatively minor adjustments would make the full 600 miles, or 660, or whatever the Erie Loop is presumed to be. Plus one could drop off TX-35 at Pt Lavaca or so and head back to Shiner if the full loop were too daunting. That would be 250-300 miles.

I like the "Highland Lakes Loop" idea a lot! I'll have to map that and see how long it would take. I rode around just Lake Travis once on my old bike and and that seemed to take the better part of a day.

I didn't realize it was a race type thing. I thought it might just make a fun group ride type thing.

[SL350]

The lake Erie loop does not exclude big bikes, just does not have them in the race. Most probably don't have small bikes but they have other events. There is not much in Texas right now for small bikes and even scooters.

For me, where it is has less to do with it than where is a good small bike course where a 100cc won't have to go over 50 mph for any real distance.

[DaveC]

What a buzzkill.

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/TN/htm/TN.545.htm

I see your buzz kill and raise you a open road race with DPS support! (http://www.bborr.com/):rider::clap::trust:

[DaveC]

How about North, South, East and Central (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=san+marcos,tx&daddr=bastrop,+tx+to:crockett,+tx+to:san+augustine ,+tx+to:timpson,+tx+to:palestine,+tx+to:corsicana, tx+to:meridian,tx+to:hamilton,+tx+to:blanco,+tx+to :san+marcos,tx&geocode=&hl=en&mra=ls&sll=31.788886,-94.21875&sspn=1.834886,4.938354&ie=UTF8&ll=31.194008,-96.207275&spn=3.692789,9.876709&t=p&z=7):rider:

[SRADkneedragger]

I see your buzz kill and raise you a open road race with DPS support! (http://www.bborr.com/):rider::clap::trust:
NO BIKES!
Yeppers allready tried they won't even discuss it!
I had heard that one bike ran it at some point but last y;ear SRAD tried to talk to them the said
"NO!"

Marie
HeavyBusRacing.com

[SRADkneedragger]

Besides,,, who's ""Racing" we're just riding!
Marie
HeavyBusRacing.com

[rickmillertx]

I think you need a hook to get more people interested. Ride around a lake, through the hill country, across the desert, something. The ride should also be a challenge. A 200 cc machine can do 70 mph pretty easily, but riding it for 5-6 hours makes it a challenge.



I got it. Ride from Dallas to Perryton and back. Call "To Hades
and Back!" Anyone that could ride a small bike on that mind numbing trip deserves at least a psych evaluation. :lol2:

[GIJoeBob]

Besides,,, who's ""Racing" we're just riding!
Marie
HeavyBusRacing.com

I'm just riding with my buds. He'll be hard pressed to tell us we are racing when we are going 50 mph. :lol2:

[SL350]

FYI - not all 200cc bikes can do 70 all day.

[GIJoeBob]

FYI - not all 200cc bikes can do 70 all day.

My 175 could do 70 - if I pushed it out of a plane.

[SL350]

I am pretty sure I could get 70 out of one of my 1980 Twinstars. I would have to do something to help it breathe. But it would take all the fun out of the ride for me. I think I can cruise on it at 55 mph for a long time.

My CT90 can do 50 with my weight and I don't mind riding it for hours WOT. I think everyone who owns an old Honda 50, 65, 90, 100 single winds them up. The third world milk crate actually bends a little and gives great back support which is perfect for long rides. I have an XL250 (XR250?) over sized tank for it but I doubt any ride would be without gas stations every hour. The XL tank gives my CT90 about a 500 mile range.

[GIJoeBob]

I am pretty sure I could get 70 out of one of my 1980 Twinstars. I would have to do something to help it breathe. But it would take all the fun out of the ride for me. I think I can cruise on it at 55 mph for a long time.

My CT90 can do 50 with my weight and I don't mind riding it for hours WOT. I think everyone who owns an old Honda 50, 65, 90, 100 single winds them up. The third world milk crate actually bends a little and gives great back support which is perfect for long rides. I have an XL250 (XR250?) over sized tank for it but I doubt any ride would be without gas stations every hour. The XL tank gives my CT90 about a 500 mile range.

I'd like to set a CT and set it up the same way, perhaps with one of those 150cc drop in replacement engines.

[bmcdonau]

Guys, we have to keep this realistic. The idea is to get together and celebrate small bikes and build some comradarie. Is it going to be just for TWT or are we going to open it to all comers?

If we're opening it up for everyone, then we need to consider the following.

We dón't want it to be an endurance test. You have to keep the ride doable for anything form 50-200 ccs. You can have hills, but it can't be a hilly route. Maybe even divide it up into 100cc and below and 101-200ccs.

You have to stay off the four lanes and even faster two lanes like state highways.

You need a staging area with campground and restaurants near by.

We need sponsors.

We need liability insurance to cover the organizers.

We need advertising.

there's a lot more to it than drawing a route on the map.

[SL350]

I don't know, I think a group ride to start is the best way to start a small bike rally. If we find a good ride, then more will come. At that point we can do insurance, advertising and all that. Lots of big rides started off as a weekend outing for a couple of friends.

[rickmillertx]

I don't know, I think a group ride to start is the best way to start a small bike rally. If we find a good ride, then more will come. At that point we can do insurance, advertising and all that. Lots of big rides started off as a weekend outing for a couple of friends.

+1

[SL350]

Thinking about this ride I took a cm200t on US80 today and visited Forney. At 55 mph I was very uncomfortable with wind, other traffic and the light weight. It was survivable and the bike was OK with it. But it would not have been fun for any length. 50 mph was a whole different world and quite enjoyable.

I will investigate a small shield and see if that helps.

This bike is at the LARGE CC end of the scale for the Lake Erie loop. Don't know how they do it.

[GIJoeBob]

Thinking about this ride I took a cm200t on US80 today and visited Forney. At 55 mph I was very uncomfortable with wind, other traffic and the light weight. It was survivable and the bike was OK with it. But it would not have been fun for any length. 50 mph was a whole different world and quite enjoyable.

I will investigate a small shield and see if that helps.

This bike is at the LARGE CC end of the scale for the Lake Erie loop. Don't know how they do it.

They probably cruise around 40 to 45 I bet. It just takes longer. :rider:

[SL350]

Hope you guys are still serious about this. I am getting a couple of bikes ready for a good ride next year.

I just put a set of tapered steering bearings in my ct90. After that, I fixed wiring issues at the tail light. It probably could use a carb but I would ride it 200 or more miles as is.

My CM200T project progresses. My first valve adjustment seems to be effective and I expect my 70 mpg to increase a little. This bike probably needs a crankshaft oil seal to be mechanically sound. Problem with it is finding a luggage rack or fitting panniers. Gabe offered custom welding and that might be the best route. Ever notice how hard it is to get accessories like racks for vintage bikes?

[GIJoeBob]

Hope you guys are still serious about this. I am getting a couple of bikes ready for a good ride next year.

I just put a set of tapered steering bearings in my ct90. After that, I fixed wiring issues at the tail light. It probably could use a carb but I would ride it 200 or more miles as is.

My CM200T project progresses. My first valve adjustment seems to be effective and I expect my 70 mpg to increase a little. This bike probably needs a crankshaft oil seal to be mechanically sound. Problem with it is finding a luggage rack or fitting panniers. Gabe offered custom welding and that might be the best route. Ever notice how hard it is to get accessories like racks for vintage bikes?

I'm hopeful!

[achesley]

Around Toledo Bend would be another one to consider. Even cutting it short by using the Pendleton bridge. I would favor Marie's suggestion on the timing of the event to keep the speed right. But then you always have the ones in like a SLOW race at a meet that don't get the word and think it's a drag race. 8^).

[SL350]

West Texas, Big Bend area is another choice for the same reason many go fast out there - little traffic. On a small bike you tend to watch the mirrors more than the road.

How much traffic is there around Toledo Bend on a weekend?

[TwoLane]

Didn't know of the Lake Erie run? May have to go up there for it....and also watch for any developing run in Big Tex.:rider:

[SL350]

Here is a similar route around Sam Rayburn-

http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a291/GIJoeBob/rayburn.jpg

I could not find a way to limit the route to FM and CR though. Where is that option?

Can this one be re-routed to stay off 59 from Nac to Lufkin?

[GIJoeBob]

Can this one be re-routed to stay off 59 from Nac to Lufkin?

I would assume so. That was just a quick and dirty to get a rough idea.