East Texas Biker

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 (no it was 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 :)

Sunday Morning .. 'nuff said

Headed home Sun Morning. Lord had my back

Awesome Gift(s) from Boomer

Stinky Pete's II

VIP parking at Boomers

Party is warming up

First Stop. Actually, 100 bikes in that pic

Safety Brief

One of my Great friends.. Michael Hansen !

Bike Night Parking ... took the pic when most had left

LRRP 2025 : let the planning begin!

Man, I almost had Lucy mentally 'in' to chase this Award this year. We did Ft Smith AR (7-3) a few weeks ago. Then I had OK coming up, that would have been #2 for her, but LA only had a few options left and ... she chose to sit tight. We're doing Regionals in AR later this month, and ... she's taking it slow being back on the bike, pain free. Almost got her there!

Well, as I've posted elsewhere here, got all if it done for the year on my end and submitted paperwork for the Grand Slam tab and it's approved and awaiting shipment. Up until this weekend I'd never seen anyone else (though there must be dozens?), with a Grand Slam tab in person .. he also had two. I've seen several posted out there (Cout, etc.) that have been awarded in diff' regions, but ... never seen them on a vest. When #3 comes in later this month, I'll be wearing that sucker proudly. That shit takes some planning and putting in a few miles; worth it all.

Well now ..... 2025. My first thought process is how to get Lucy in on the fun. She's agreed to do a Tri State option. I'm hoping to get her to also do Inner State .. we shall see. So Tri State. LA has a State Meeting usually mid January. If the weather cooperates and I doubt it will... could knock that out early and get her motivated out the gate. Did that one a couple of years ago. Weather on the way there rocked... on the way back, froze our assess off. Second LA event is their Polar Bear Plunge. I've missed the last two and FEB 25 is on my list. AR will be an easy one with so many options throughout the year. Still, sooner the better. I'd like to get them plus an OK trip in. For some reason OK always seems to be the tough one for me.... maybe it'll go smooth next year. Really want to accomplish two of these before Nationals in June for personal reasons. It's doable! Either way, trick is to get the first one early simply to motivate mama. TRISTATE!

For Inner State, it's easily doable. Well, at least in Texas. I mean .. I could head to El Paso for a meeting and .. done. Hell, one simply has to go to three meetings at other chapters, 3 times, 250 miles away. That's a 500 mile roundtrip, 1500+ total miles. That's like what .. 90% of the Chapters for me? Done, that's it! I used to think in Sanctioned event miles, thinking long distance, less trips. More daunting from a planning perspective. But, three meetings as a minimum; who couldn't/shouldn't do that? Hell, an entire Chapter could do those runs in and out on a Saturday... now THAT would be an accomplishment! But yeah ... that shit ain't going to happen .. LMAO. Either way, I'll personally have that in the books by June (I f'n better have!) ... hopefully ... Lucy will join me?

Nationals for Finish the Mission; no brainer. Head out of here to my MS home for a quick rest stop (550 miles away), then throw a leg back over the bike and head to Athens Georgia for another 500 miles. Done. One could probably take a multi hour nap and stop for a nice meal and have plenty of time? Now, I'll never do it that way for various reasons (cut it close, induced 'food coma', lack of sleep). We've got 24 hrs. for that 1000 miles .. I like to do it and get it over with! On the way back, Goose and Sassy Pants are planning on hitting TN for the Dragon and other area rides. NOW, we are talking. I've got my return scheme in the works!

Already got two other rides blocked off and in the calendar that would qualify, but doing them for the sake of good times and Brotherhood. Out in AZ, 32-4 does an annual ride in Tombstone. I've heard nothing but good and it's on my calendar for '25. Come August, it's Sturgis' 85th Rally, and CVMA has a sanctioned meet/greet mid week. That's on my calendar as well!

So, here we are four months left in the year with lots of riding to go ...and ... in true dumbass fashion, I've almost planned out 2025 completely. Just need to get mama on board to get some miles under her butt!

Kicker is .. that was the planning part. Throw in Regionals... State ... few awesome Sanctioned events .. some MS events... it never ends! Did I mention FL? I've been trying to fit that in the schedule, unsuccessfully so far. I can't get enough... I've got the disease .. I'm sik' .. in a good way :) WTF, gives me lots of FOD to blog about next year ....