East Texas Biker

Riders-Share Motorcycle Rental

Headed to Hawaii in 2025 with some friends, so got to checking and found a place to rent bikes. I read up on one company a few years ago, and started looking for it (Twisted Road), but stumbled across what looks to be a much better site. Did some searching and thinking "damned.. great prices and lots of options!" So I do what I always do and research it. Looks to be legit, so ... I'm in! Create a Profile, update all my pertinent info for renting and start the process.

When the smoke clears I've 'rented' an '18 CVO Road Glide. Clean, low miles and after selecting Insurance, etc. ... about $350 for 48 hours. A LOT less than I thought it'd be. For what I'm wanting to do, looks like a great deal. Look around for our friends and come across two trikes, similar cost, same owner. Damned. This will truly simplify things. We can pick them both up at the same place. No brainer I'm thinking! Interestingly this guy with the account has TEN diff' HDs listed, all newer nice shape. I'm thinking he's got a helluva business going there, writing off his toys. Hell, I even messaged him asking if they were his personal bikes or a business renting them. Led me to believe they were mostly his. Huh... maybe I'm missing a business opportunity here in Tejas?

Thyago

Dec 14, 2024 @ 7:35 pm

Yes, indeed, I understand where you're coming from and I'm happy to help clarify things. The bikes listed on the platform are a mix of my personal bikes and additional ones that I've added specifically for rental purposes. I've been riding for quite some time myself and I've always had a passion for various models, hence the diversified portfolio. My Ride Share activities are more of a side project compared to my main occupation. However, rest assured that I take it very seriously.

As for the reviews, I appreciate that you've noticed. We haven’t had a million rentals yet, but the ones we’ve had liked us a lot and that's why we only have a few. Also, it's natural that not everyone leaves a review after their rental experience, but I can assure you that all our bikes are well-maintained and ready to offer you a great ride.

The FLTRX and Tri Glide are both excellent choices. I'm confident that you and your buddy will have a fantastic time riding these bikes.

Well, I get my bike locked down, paid for , and pass the info to my friends. Now, the fun begins. First part is weird because they had trouble creating their profile on Riders-Share. It's not 100% obvious the first time and I got my butt kicked. Well, after a crazy amount of time and with my help having to use my own phone, we've got it setup. Last night they attempted to lock it down and then ... the fun begins. Ride-Share won't authorize the credit card, so they are considering the PayPal option. However, the guy renting them is giving his own PayPal address saying they are having issues and don't worry. Well now, EVERY FLAG is going off. We chat back and forth and I tell him I'll look into tomorrow (i.e.. today). Well, my reservation is now CANX by Ride-Share. I'm guessing he initiated it. So, I go to look at it all and his listing for the '18 CVO is gone. ALL the bikes he listed are gone. Check my CC and Ride-Share has been refunded by $350.00 so no problem there (though I'll keep my eyes open). Supposedly this guy had been on Ride-Share for over five years. Supposedly had 10 bikes. But, only five reviews. Huh.

Well, now I'm in full blown investigative mode as I type this. In fact, I'm going to pause and check on his phone number and email address. Hell not sure his profile is still active.

Profile on Riders-Share: GONE Was under "THYAGO"

Phone number he's texting me from: Out of SC with an 803 area code. 803.368.3634

PayPal he's using ties back to Frank Lem*****. Search of that name shows a lot in TX but not SC

Gmail he's using: ffaban***@gmail.com

The part that bugs me is ... his profile showed active for many years. Showed rentals that went back a few years, but only a handful. That's the only I thing that made me question if it was legit. After I post this I'll reach out to that site with more questions...

When I was getting texts from him last night, again .. my flags were going on. The English was pretty good, but not the way most of us 'talk?'

Cell Texts:

Thyago: Hi William, You are renting my HARLEY-DAVIDSON ROAD GLIDE CVO in April. Please confirm if this is the best way to reach you.

Me: Shot him a screen shot from my friends convo' with him

Thyago: Yes, Definitely. I am unable to take your buddy's booking on riders-share.com

Me: Weird .. why not?

Thyago: Not weird. It is due to an ongoing issue that I am currently facing. The site seems to have some technical difficulties in releasing payments from previous rentals. Emphasizing that my previous rental experiences have garnered excellent reviews, which is a testament to my credibility as a responsible renter

Me: I'll chat with my friends tomorrow . My charge went clean via Ride Share yesterday. They're concerned as you can imagine.

Thyago: Yes, I can understand your friends’ concerns. But please reassure them there’s absolutely no need to worry. To further alleviate their concerns, could you let them know that the tri glide is directly from me? Moreover, I’ll be personally delivering it to them as they request for delivery.

Was going to research more to day .. but then ... reservation was canx.

Looking at the texts my friend had ... now REEKS of BS which is why I left some of their info there. Wanted the payment via FRIENDs and FAMILY. No refunds when you do that. I'm feeling back I brought them into this but mine went smooth and appeared legit. I believe they are good to go now as well not sending it to the 'correct' email

Lesson Learned here? Not sure there is one, except do NOT send funds outside the system. Rings true with Airbnb's as well. Spoke to the site and they are supposed to be crediting me someway, somehow. The guys account was hacked and the account suspended I'm told. We just happened to stumble into the mix.

On a positive note .... no money lost, but wasted hours over the previous 24 hrs. with this scammer

"ARE YOU SAFE?!?!" Life360 App

I've touched on this subject before but never expounded on it. I've got a Samsung, wife has an iPhone. Point being, iPhones have a simple process to track each other if they choose to participate. Samsung's, not so much. But an App that installs on either is available; Life360. This allows users of both brands to cross communicate shared location. (ie Iphone <> Iphone, Samsung <> Samsung and/or Iphone <>Samsung)

Here's the example of why I'm promoting this..... and I'll go from there. I'm referencing the motorcycle world, but it applies to everyone's 'world.'

Group of folks that ride together often, are out on a ride. After the Ride, someone will usually say " Ride Safe ... let us know you got home okay ..." Then a large percentage of the time, they forget. Does the National Guard get called out? No. Does the rest of the group call their phone at 0200 hrs. asking if they got home? No. A week later if they haven't been heard from them, is a missing person report initiated? No. But, had they used LIFE360, within a few seconds if someone cares and checks their App, they know the answer.

Second Example. Via Social Media or News outlet, one sees a "Biker went down" in an area near where we all ride. Few inevitably put a post on Social Media about it with " CHECK IN please!" . There could be a hundred members seeing that post and something like 5 or 10 will comment 'safe', 'okay' .. whatever. But, Ninety percent ... no answer. Once again, does anyone check on the remaining group? No. So, what was the point of the question? If someone WAS involved, 99% sure once they are identified, the news will travel fast .. eventually. However, a quick look at LIFE360 would tell you if one of the members was at that location. Takes a few seconds.

Here's a more frequent one, that happened to one of my folks just this past weekend. Several folks riding to an event with a stop along the way. But, one of our guys missed the meet point with the others. Had they had LIFE360 running, the folks traveling could have seen the other was running late. Could maybe have waited. Then, in this particular situation, that person running late couldn't locate the others. BUT, had they had LIFE360, they could have seen where the final destination was fifteen minutes later and caught up with the group. Instead, they were in the dark. Mission Failure.

Now, a few naysayers chime in about security, but let me try and clarify something first. PRIVACY. Folks don't want the world knowing where they are 24/7. This app leverages Location Services on the one's phone. This can be turned off at the phone and/or app level. Me personally, I normally turn it on at the app level when I'm Riding on my Bike. If I'm on a cruise ship in the Caribbean, not sure I see the value... but .. have left it on before. Point being, one can decide when they want their locations advertised to others in the group. The info is NOT public, but contained in specified 'circles'. Now ... more specific info about this particular app.

It uses what it calls 'circle of friends' One could have 1, 3, .. hell ...dozens of circles. For discussion sake, I have two. My riding group and Family. They are 100% separate. Location Services can be on or off, for each, separately. Me personally, I leave my family circle on 100% of the time for obvious reasons. They all do as well. My Riding Group Circle, if I think about it and not on 2 wheels, I sometimes turn it off. About 25% of the others seem to as well. But, if they don't turn it on when riding, sort of defeats the whole purpose?

I've had this on my phone for over a year now. I use it almost daily. I've been able to find my spouses phone when they misplaced it (okay.. she found mine). I've been able to verify others are enroute to a meetup vs. bug them with "have you left yet??". And, most importantly, when I've heard "Rider Down", a quick check and know.... those in my 'circle' are safe and not at the site in question.

https://www.life360.com/

Chapter Life Member

Earlier this year I was down at a 23-3 meeting, and heard someone mention something about "Chapter Life Member." Thought I'd heard wrong so asked about it. Sure enough, they have that in place. I'd never heard of it. Turns out at least 3 chapters in Texas have this initiative. Looking into it deeper, realized it needed a By Law Change (BLCP) to create it. Along the way, Boomer saw a comment of mine and gave me his perspective on it (he's a great mentor BTW). So, I'm game on....

Been in the Combat Vets' for almost seven years now, and never been a fan of BLCPs. Seems like they are always over menial issues, typos, wording changes, whatever. Now, I find myself in the fray figuring out the system. Pretty straight forward, so I ask our CEB internally for opinions and perspectives. Everyone seems okay with it, zero against it. So, I start the long odorous task. Actually, wasn't that big of a deal, just seemed to drag on and on. Come September, the chapter unanimously voted it in and ... finally .. few days ago, we get the NBOD blessing. Our updated Chapter ByLaws are official and posted.

So, this morning I brought up my PayPal account, shot the funds over to our treasurer and now Lucy and I are the first Lifetime Chapter Members of 23-11. What's changed? Well.. nothing. But, it reiterates our commitment towards the CVMA and more specifically, our Chapter.

Good Days Ahead!

CVMA® on the High Seas!

Wrote about this from a 'civilian' perspective earlier today >> High Seas Rally 2024

Few years ago I remember seeing that the High Seas Rally folks invited the CVMA® and even offered up rooms for our National, Regional and State folks. I'm sure they weren't high end state rooms but got them on the cruise.. don't know about drink packages, etc, .... but how awesome is that? Well, dozens of CVMA® folks rolled in that year... and last year .. and ... hell I don't know, but a shit load this year!

Interestingly, we were easily the biggest 'official' group. I saw a few Legion riders... a few various MC folks ... don't recall any VFW riders. Again, CVMA® was all over the ship ... Still, 100 out of 1500 isn't 'huge' but ... was cool to see folks every day, on and off the ship. The majority of folks were just Bike Riders looking to hang out with fellow Bikers and have a great time. As they advertise, it's basically a "Rally" out at sea. The Pool Parties with great Live Bands, and lots of various activates (ex Belly Flop Contest, Male topless contest, Beard Contests) were a hit. Throw in around a dozen custom bikes parked around the ship in lobbies and bars, unlimited alcohol (assuming you got the drink package), the stage was set for a memorable time.

On the 31st, we had a CVMA® meet and greet. I'd already met up with some other Texas and LA folks that I didn't realize were on the ship (ie 8UP and Ollie), but our National Chaplain (Preacherman) and his better half, VA State Rep (LowSide) ran the show and knocked it out. Hell, they even pulled out the 'swiper' for folks that wanted to run their cards (was NOT sanctioned... lol) Most were donning their Cuts during that meet and greet as well as on the Patriotic theme night and ... sometimes. .... just because. Me, I was in soft colors most of the time. Best part about this cruise was pretty much .. zero dress code.

Well, the tickets went on sale for 2025 yesterday and they are selling fast. Inside rooms are taken for now (they may get another block assigned), but balcony rooms (my fav) and suites (okay ... what I did) are still available.

Next year, I'm flying into Tampa a day early and may stay an extra day to enjoy the downtown area and not feel rushed. Spend all that money, you might as well milk it for all it's worth??

Note: I said it in my last post. This isn't a Vaca / Cruise for the cheap and/or frugal. The cost is 2x what you'd normally pay. BUT, there are numerous Bike giveaways, thousands of dollars raised for charities (ex Wounded Warriors) ... and LOTS of entertainment. This isn't your 'normal' cruise!

Now ... you know what to do. See you there!

Texas State Meeting 2024

Hard to believe ..... wasn't 100% thought through .. but .. I've never missed one. Hell, I'd have to go back and look but may have never missed a Regional (V) either. Sometimes I'm in the right place, right time. But this one, I'd been planning well .. since 2023 as I am the 2025 today! We never get 100% turnout ... hell, I'm not sure we've ever had our Chapter show with 50% though it's been close a few times. When you get to the National level, it's really hard to get folks to show up sometimes due to the distance. Back in 2022 we had a great showing (Kentucky). There was well over a dozen of us total, in at least 4 groups. I'm hoping 2025 Nationals is a good showing... so far, so good getting folks motivated. All in all, nothing like getting folks together and forging friendships, Brotherhood, and Sisterhood. Every year you see many of the same folks and they are strengthened. Every year, we add to our cadre of relationships.

Well, as we came up on State, it was obvious we had two main groups with a few stragglers. Thursdays main group rolled down '19 towards Round Rock as did Friday's group. Kept you mainly on 2 lanes and off I35 and all the crazy traffic. This years location would be the Kalahari Resort down in Round Rock. They had a convention center, plenty of parking and rooms and it'd prove to be a success. Seemed a notch pricey for a few but if you were a family man, you just scored since this is a great place for just that. For the majority of us, lots of bar, restaurants and pools.

I'd originally planned to go down Thursday but Lucy had decided to ride down with me and for some reason was fighting me on the 'extra' day so I changed my reservations to Friday. Once less day of drinking and eating like a King; maybe she was looking out for me ... LOL. Well, Friday we roll into KIMs of Lone Oak, meet up with our group and we're rolling. Dutch (our CRC) led us off headed South taking the route I'd recommended. Goldyloxx is near the rear in her Sling and BigT is following up with his Jeep Gladiator. We've got quite the mix. The entire trip minus maybe a five mile stretch rocked. No major construction, traffic or issues. One of the highlights was when we were stopped in Buffalo we were approached by a lady that worked at their newspaper whom began asking questions. When the smoke cleared she had our picture, Dutch's contact info, and we'd find ourselves in the Paper a few days ago. Well, maybe two stops along the way and we're rolling in about 5 1/2 hours, less than 300 miles later. We're here.

Finally get checked in. We'd worked our way up to the Kennedy's room for a few glasses of wine waiting for our room to be ready and we're soon in our Suite. Nice rooms overall, and we're soon unpacked and headed downstairs. Few more drinks then find the Steak House on site. Great Service , lil pricey, my food was awesome.... the others.... .. not so much. Oh well, mine rocked! Afterwards, we'll find some of our other Chapter Members ... find the Piano bar, Lobby bar and... and.... you get the picture. Hey, we're at State!

Saturday up early and headed down for the State Pic. Majority of folks make it into the overall pic and our chapter pic. Not sure what the total count was... we had folks from AR and LA attending and I assume OK. But, hell of a showing overall. By 0900 we're rallied into one room and the fun begins. Nothing like the Pledge of Allegiance with 500 Patriots to start the morning! Dudeman is soon running the show and everything flows smoothly. Earlier this year, Ocho stepped in as SSAA and he'll be elected to the position over Herc. Both great guys and no doubt a close vote; was hard for me to hit the selection on that keyboard since both are great guys and deserving. By noon or so, we're out the door and looking for grub and drinks. Got time to chat with my AR buds (Anita!) ... one of my mentors (Boomer!) and some great folks from LA. I'm the worlds' worst on names but so many folks from around Texas as well. Well, eventually, many of us when find the Adult pool over at the water park area dubbed the Grotto. Gotta tell you, what a blast. They have a poolside bar and they pour them Strong! By number 2, I've hit the wall and in the groove. I swear 1/2 our group was pretty fired up .. what the hell did they put in them drinks? Eventually, make it back to the room, clean up, find some food ....... then ..somewhat early night. Gotta Ride!

Sunday folks are rolling back in smaller groups. BigT wants to take Interstate so I allowed myself to get talked into it, 1/2 dozen of us roll out. Lucy jumps in his cage and we roll for 150 miles to Italy, then break off of Hwy 34. I've got Lucy back on my bike, weather is perfect and 90 minutes later ..... home!

State 2025 .. on the calendar. Now .. just need to the specifics to lock it all down!

Lining up for the State Pic

Herding the cats Sat Morning

Rolling South

Warming up

Dutch living the dream

Pool was BIG.. .. one lil corner of the Grotto

Post Meeting Sat morning

Our Friday Pack

Riding #2 in our pack

Friday Riding South

Friday riding South

Who Knows :)

Found the Piano Bar

Friday Night Antics

Checking in to our room ...

Prayers after the Pledge

Moving Slow Sat Morning

Most of 23-11 that attended

Sunday Morning headed home

Friday Route ... Country Roads

DRP 50k

Didn't realize I had that many. I track every CVMA related ride, but .... guess I lost track of the total itself (story in itself I discuss elsewhere in this blog). Was thinking 40k, but ... then on the Chapter tracker was over 50k. I realize now where I wasn't counting on my personal spreadsheet so ... all good.

Getting the 40/45/50 sewn on this week and pick up later today. I was almost embarrassed sewing on the initial 2500 badge. I mean .. 2500? I've rode hundreds of thousands over the last 40 years.... but, these were CVMA specific. And, they add up over time. Hell, every year, Nationals add about 2500 miles itself. Then throw in Regionals and State ... another thousand or so. Still, finally feels like I've made some progress. Guessing while chasing the LRPP tabs next year, that alone will add upwards of ....10k?

We shall see!

Picked up and ready to .... RIDE !

Alamo Rumble!

Back around April of this year I was in the Hill Country and attended 23-3's Monthly Meeting. Great time as always, and ended up riding with Cutter, back for drinks and dinner in Kerrville. I don't remember whom told me, but one of the Chapter members mentioned "The Alamo Rumble" that is the annual premier event they put on. I was intrigued, locked it away in the memory banks and moved on. Well, along the way it popped up on Social Media, I clicked 'maybe' going and.. pressed on. Well, Last week, my birthday was a few days before and we'd talked about various trips, concerts ... you name it ... but ... never committed. I noticed I had two doc appointments and a dentist appt ( sucks getting old!), and realized I wasn't going anywhere... oh well.

Well, somewhere along the way last week Boomer asked me if I was coming down. If so, he extended me an invite afterwards to his and YaYa's home with some other folks rolling in....now it's really got my attention. We were out at the 'Rail and I ran it by Lucy and asked if she'd like to go down with me ... 300 + miles each way on the back. Long story short, she gave me a kitchen pass so I moved around appointments and ... Friday morning I was rolling south! Nice leisurely 350 mile ride on 2 lane roads. I had a 1500 hrs check in, in La Vernia, and Bike Night kicked off at 1700 hrs... plenty of time. Uneventful but beautiful ride in the Texas Countryside and I'm rolling up to the Best Western. Zero LEO's until I get within 20 miles of La Vernia. Now I've got 3, every few miles! I tend to roll 10+ over the limit, but timing is everything and I was out of the throttle every time I saw one. Pull up to the Best Western walk up hot and sweaty and finally checking in. But... they don't have my reservation. He asks my name a second time and same answer. I pull out my phone, open the app and show him the reservation confirmation. Still no room. "Are you sure it's here?" he asks and I double check . Yep... then.. noticed the dates. How the fuk' I screwed that one up .. who knows. He found me a room, same price, cancel the wrong one, and .. all good. Whew.. that could have gone sideways? Clean up, reach out to my buddy Michael Hansen whom lives in San Marcos and ... we're meeting up at Bike Night!

Rolled out around 1700 hrs and Puddin' and his lady are behind me a ways. When we are close up finally, we meet up at an intersection, I let him take the lead since I'm a newbie and we're soon downtown at the meetup point. Meet some new folks (names escape me of course), but see Lefty. Boomer is soon in the house and he introduces me to Cowboy. Herc' is in the house. Lots of intro's and as usual I'm braindead 10 seconds later, but usually remember faces. Michael is finally there and we're catching up. We've known each other for 25 years and within seconds we're back in or groove. Few hours go by and starving we sneak over next door to the Purple Pig. They are actually closed but have some ribs still left so we are are in! TRULY ... fall off the bone good. Most likely their leftovers but.. rocked! Then .. pulling the plug. Twenty mile ride back to the hotel and calling it a night (okay ... if you don't count Whataburger next door!).

VFW for the Event

Don't need to be up early .... but .. I am. Shitty breakfast downstairs (it really was!), but protein and caffeine in me and I'm ready. Head out a notch early to the VFW for the day's event and roll into quite a few folks already there. Register for $20, Swipe for 'credit', and off to shake hands and kiss gir.... I mean .. babies. Crap .. no babies.. and well ... okay.. I was talking shit about the girls. Right now I'm wishing Lucy was here. But ... drag the feet and around 1000 hrs we are lining up. I counted about 125 bikes/trikes and we are rolling. It'll be a notch under 70 miles but felt closer to 100. Awesome route that I didn't know existed and traffic wasn't too bad for a Labor Day weekend.. After 1300 we'll roll back in after a successful (no accidents/breakdowns) ride and feels good to be in the VFW's A/C. Chapter 23-3 really knocked this one out. A purchased Lunch Ticket gets you two big chicken quesadillas and a drink which was plenty for me. They are calling out numbers for various prizes, people are having a great time ... and ... somewhere in the mix I snuck out the back door (sssshhh). I'm pretty beat and I've got an invite to Boomers at 1830 hrs. Few hours in the covers and I'm a new man, and off to Boomers.

Turns out to be like a 7 mi ride which is perfect. Half a dozen folks beat me here, but I'm now in Stinky Pete's II (Boomers personal man cave/bar) which is everything I'd hoped it'd be. Not only does it rock, but I'm really digging the layout and taking notes. This is 'exactly' what I've been hoping to do next year so ... .I'm taking notes! Bar is open and Boomer is offering anything one wants that is on the shelf. I'm holding back and go for a more basic mixed option to ensure I'm good on two wheels headed home. Next time.. I might take him up on the offer! Few hours in Stinky Petes' with his family and friends, few hours poolside visiting with other CVMA folks ...and ... sadly time to pull the plug. I'm wishing I'd had until midnight there .. easily .. but ... I know my limits and I've got a ride to do the following day. Lots of hugs with Boomer and YaYa and a few others... back to the barracks.

Woke up way too early ... 0500 hrs... but .. enough sleep to function so by 0600 I'm rolling as the sun is trying to rise; Beautiful Sight! Soon I'm on the 130 Tollway with a 85 mph limit and might be doing a notch more. By the time I drop on I-35 finally find traffic and reminded of one of the beni's of traveling alone. I'm zipping through 3-4 lanes of traffic effortlessly leaving it all in the rear view mirror. Still, I'm missing the 2 lanes so when I jump off in Italy for fuel.... make the decision to grab Hwy 34 the rest of the way for a calming finale'.

Home, Lucy is waiting for me on the front porch. As always, she grabs me something cold to drink and I'm now decompressing. Relaxing. F'n Tired I suddenly realize. Was it worth it? Is that a trick question? Scheming already for 2025! Just need the date :)