2009 Texas Adventure Ride Report - Part Uno
Ok folks I'm going to try posting my snaps from Smugmug for those that can't view the Facebook gallery. I wasn't brave enough to lug my DSLR around, so they are all just snapshots. I'll keep it to 20 or so at a time
Again, a big thanks to Richard and Connie for setting it up, Rusty and Scott, and all the other generous TWTers for help with routing, my flat tire, and everything else.
The Before Picture. Clean bike and clean gear. Owned the bike for 1.5 weeks and not sure if it's ever been off the pavement.
Meeting at the 'Bana on 1431 and 183 for the ride to Junction. Tommi (Swedish sp?
) on the F800GS, Rusty on the Transalp, and Gareth on the VStrom. It was one of the windiest rides I've ever done.
Where the heck are we now?
Trying to regain our strength in Marble Falls. It was a struggle to stay on the road. On the way into Marble Falls one of those blue recycling bins was dancing around in a yard by the side of the road. It was blowing HARD.
The flags and the haze tell the tale. I'm thinking 35 - 40 sustained with gusts well over that.
Meeting Richard's group in Johnson City. Those guys were fast
You can see Tom in there with his hand on his XR. A huge thanks to Richard (far left) for making all of this possible!
The gang at the meetup.
Dairy Queen in Kerrville with bikes outside.
Biker Gang in Kerville.
Near Hunt, TX. A very scenic ride by the river.
Finally DIRT! Ah shucks... just the parking lot. But I did a few laps just the same.
Stonehenge! Land of the Little People! In this case, big people (Tom) and little Stonehenge, outside Hunt. Who knew Stonehenge was actually in Texas?
Rusty in his hunters orange, to make sure the Celts don't mistake him for the enemy.
Tommi and Gareth at the rally point for Richard's group, but I think they were way ahead of us... Very ancy for dirt by now, the wind was kicking my butt. My new DS helmet did not perform well with the face shield on in the wind.
DR is still clean but eyeing the degrading road surface hungrily.
The county was nice enough to put up a big berm to use as a bathroom for us. This is a shot from behind the berm. Yes I was done doing my business.
Finally we meet dirt! Tommi trying to intimidate a cattleguard with his F800GS. I think this was Bullhead Road, but I could be very wrong. I can check GPS tracks for the ride in and confirm, but my GPS promptly quit working the next day. GRRRRR.
Gareth breaking in the BattleStrom followed by Tom on his XR. I kept hoping for somebody to catch a little air off of this cattleguard for me, but no luck
The Strom takes a dirt nap! Our first casualty. Braking on gravel can be interesting. Gareth went by me fully locked up (wow that got my attention) and got 'er "stopped" about an inch behind the F800GS.
Hmm, maybe we should quit BS'ing and pick 'er up?
No damage to the Strom, its armor does the trick.