- Joined
- Mar 6, 2004
- Messages
- 13,316
- Reaction score
- 132
- Location
- Plantersville
- First Name
- Rebecca
- Last Name
- Reed
It started off as an early morning with a little fog/smog as I headed down I10 toward the meet-up point.
It quickly cleared up as we headed out from the JIB in Brookshire at 8 ~ish.
We had decided on two groups, the fast and the 'not so fast'. Stuart "Thermalser" was gracious enough to lead the second group, and kept a nice, easy pace.
Shortly into the ride, we came upon one of the 'fast' riders on the side of the road doing something to his tire/axle/chain. I have no idea who it was or what was wrong with the bike, but the guys had it back on the road before too long.
Once in Fayetteville, we dismounted and headed inside for brunch.
The first group had clearly been there for a while already, as some of them were halfway through their meals when we sat down. (Apparently I didn't take any pictures inside Orsak's, but I'm sure someone else must have)
Back out on the road, Stuart, Patricia, Moe, Weaver, and myself decided to meander around a bit before heading for home. Heading through a sweeping left-hander, I suddenly found myself looking at the edge of the road and started drifting toward it. Luckily, I was able to pull my eyes back up and toward the road ahead, and narrowly avoided running off the road. I took a deep breath and just as I was patting myself on the back for getting through it cleanly, my rear view mirror presented the sight of Weaver taking almost the same line I had through the turn... except that he didn't keep it on the road. He ran off the pavement and stood it up on the grass, and was able to keep it up and ride it back onto the pavement. Nice save!
A short while later, the last two bikes disappeared off the radar. Patricia's speedo cable had fallen off (?) but the bike was still rideable. Once we got moving again, all three bikes disappeared behind me. Apparently Weaver's bike didn't want to start back up after shutting down during Patricia's mechanical failure. He waited a few minutes and eventually got it started again, so we were once again heading East.
When we stopped for a break in Chappel Hill, we found the first group again! They can't get rid of us! MWAAAHAHAHA!
My riding companions pretended they weren't sweaty, gross, and smelly and got together for a quick pic...
L to R: Weaver, BlackWidow, Thermalser, Faylaricia
We all agreed it was getting late for a "short ride", and we'd all slab it back on 290 to our separate exits. Once Stuart left, we were faced with a bit of a snafu... Weaver's bike wouldn't start again! The previous remedy of waiting and trying again didn't work this time, so the first choice was a push start.
Even got some funny video of it!
Still not wanting to vroom vroom, the TL had to be taken apart to expose the battery for a jump start. Umm... except one of the screws was an ill-fitting replacement and didn't want to come loose without possibly cracking the fairing tab.
Frustrated and about to give up, Weaver decided to hit the starter button just for kicks. We have liftoff! Now just DON'T STOP on the way home!
Other than some ROT Rally traffic and typical 290 construction, it was smooth sailing all the way back.
Despite a few mechanical mishaps and the close calls, it was a great day out on the roads. It was hot, but the true heat of the Houston summer has still yet to rear it's ugly head. I had a great time meeting folks and having fun out there!
It quickly cleared up as we headed out from the JIB in Brookshire at 8 ~ish.
We had decided on two groups, the fast and the 'not so fast'. Stuart "Thermalser" was gracious enough to lead the second group, and kept a nice, easy pace.
Shortly into the ride, we came upon one of the 'fast' riders on the side of the road doing something to his tire/axle/chain. I have no idea who it was or what was wrong with the bike, but the guys had it back on the road before too long.
Once in Fayetteville, we dismounted and headed inside for brunch.
The first group had clearly been there for a while already, as some of them were halfway through their meals when we sat down. (Apparently I didn't take any pictures inside Orsak's, but I'm sure someone else must have)
Back out on the road, Stuart, Patricia, Moe, Weaver, and myself decided to meander around a bit before heading for home. Heading through a sweeping left-hander, I suddenly found myself looking at the edge of the road and started drifting toward it. Luckily, I was able to pull my eyes back up and toward the road ahead, and narrowly avoided running off the road. I took a deep breath and just as I was patting myself on the back for getting through it cleanly, my rear view mirror presented the sight of Weaver taking almost the same line I had through the turn... except that he didn't keep it on the road. He ran off the pavement and stood it up on the grass, and was able to keep it up and ride it back onto the pavement. Nice save!
A short while later, the last two bikes disappeared off the radar. Patricia's speedo cable had fallen off (?) but the bike was still rideable. Once we got moving again, all three bikes disappeared behind me. Apparently Weaver's bike didn't want to start back up after shutting down during Patricia's mechanical failure. He waited a few minutes and eventually got it started again, so we were once again heading East.
When we stopped for a break in Chappel Hill, we found the first group again! They can't get rid of us! MWAAAHAHAHA!
My riding companions pretended they weren't sweaty, gross, and smelly and got together for a quick pic...
L to R: Weaver, BlackWidow, Thermalser, Faylaricia
We all agreed it was getting late for a "short ride", and we'd all slab it back on 290 to our separate exits. Once Stuart left, we were faced with a bit of a snafu... Weaver's bike wouldn't start again! The previous remedy of waiting and trying again didn't work this time, so the first choice was a push start.
Even got some funny video of it!
Still not wanting to vroom vroom, the TL had to be taken apart to expose the battery for a jump start. Umm... except one of the screws was an ill-fitting replacement and didn't want to come loose without possibly cracking the fairing tab.
Frustrated and about to give up, Weaver decided to hit the starter button just for kicks. We have liftoff! Now just DON'T STOP on the way home!
Other than some ROT Rally traffic and typical 290 construction, it was smooth sailing all the way back.
Despite a few mechanical mishaps and the close calls, it was a great day out on the roads. It was hot, but the true heat of the Houston summer has still yet to rear it's ugly head. I had a great time meeting folks and having fun out there!