DRP Fiasco ?

 I've written about the DRP and LRRP programs before with my opinions.  I personally think both are good programs overall and provide an incentive for many to put some miles on their bikes?  The LRRP's Tri-State part has pushed me outside my comfort zone to get to out of state events more than ever.  The Inner State option of it has pushed me to visit other Texas chapters when I might not have.  The Finish the Mission pushes us to challenge ourselves and maybe .. to attend a National event when one might not?  But the DRP program ....

DRP is an interesting one. My take on it is it pushes members of a chapter to ride more together, put some miles on,  'in a pack.'.   Problem becomes on how you count these miles .. IMHO.  By the book, you put together a group ride of 2+ (more the better!), don that back patch, put some miles on and get some time in with your Brothers and Sisters.  That to me is the value/benefit of the patch and the 'mileages' it represents. However, I can't help but think ..actually 'know' .. it's being abused.  And this is just what I'm aware of.   What I mean by this is ....   what I believe it's meant to be  ... is a tool of sort to push folks to do some serious group riding.  I've found it to be a nice incentive to get 2-6 folks together during the week .. as a minimum ...and put some miles on the bikes that might not have happened otherwise.  But, if I decide to head out to grab a taco down the road, and all I have to do is announce it on Social Media or another format 60 minutes prior ... and no one rides with me to or from ... why the f' would I get credit for that 10 or 30 miles?  How the hell does that promote the DRP program?    To me it allows some to game the system; simple as that.  I'm not the only one with this opinion ... I know of several others with the same opinion.  But hey ....   the guilty announce their gaming openly to all .. so when they 'earn' their mileage ...  they are the ones looking a notch .. foolish?

Just me... thinking out loud.  It's 0349 hrs on a Saturday morning as I type this.  I'd rather be in bed snoring .. but here I sit...   solving the problems of the world.  Okay ...  whining about BS.  There... at least I feel better :)

Tanglewood

Knocked out a ride on Tuesday ... which set the stage for Thursday/yesterday.  We wanted more!  Weather was looking even better!  So, put the ride on Group.io and we got five of us on it.  

Chief and I rolled over to the QT in Greenville, topping off tanks and meeting up with Dutch.  Then, up 69 over to 902 and into Howe, Tx meeting up with Rocky and Pullout.  We've got two Road captains in the mix, but they retain me out in the front since I put together the ride.   So, after some BSing and catching up, we're rolling out on 902 westwardly until we hit Preston Road and roll North up through Pottsboro to our lunch destination at Tanglewood Resort.  I haven't been here in about a decade, but hasn't changed much except for that fact they are redoing the pool area outside of the restaurant.  In fact wondering why I haven't been back for a weekend with Lucy; maybe rent a boat, etc.  Hmmm.... now there's a thought for another trip?  Anyways, we skip the adult beverages and grab some grub which turns out to be GOOD!  Burgers, Club Sandwiches and Fish n' Chips are the choices and no complaints by any.  Our waitress was a sweetheart which makes it all ... excellent.  But...   the sun and road awaits us so we're off to head out.  Dutch has spotted an American Legion a few miles away so we head further north to the waters edge of Texoma to find it hidden away in a cove.  Score!   Get the bikes parked by the flags, few pics and upstairs to enjoy the view.  One tidbit I have to admit.  Set that phone / camera up on Dutch's Tripod and attempted to sprint back to my back farthest away to make it into the pic; lets just say ... I might have pulled something .. couch!  lol

American Legion , Pottsboro TX

This place is huge and would be an awesome spot for a future Chapter meeting, ride destination or Friday night honky tonking. I'm a fan from the get go.  The outside balcony is large and has an awesome view.  There's a VFW in this area as well, but we chose not to head over but .... onward with our ride.  Rocky pics up the check (Thank you!) and we're rolling back the way we came, but quickly divert east towards Hwy 75. When we reach that point. Rocky and Pullout roll South, both having other priorities they must attend to and we roll North over the border to Oklahoma, quickly diverting east on Hwy 91 to work our way back into Texas on 2 lanes.  Working our way to Bonham, quick pit stop and now the Chief is in the lead taking a path skirting the Bonham State Park which gives us some twisties to break things up .. then ...  as we enter Greenville, I grab the lead and we do one last stop; American Legion part 2!  Now, it's time for some cold ones with the riding pretty much behind us.  All have less than 20 to go ...   Couple down the hatch .. and ... few minutes later... Home Sweet Home.  Started off around 59 degrees, ended at 79 degrees without a cloud in the Sky ...   Perfect Ride day for 23-11~

Headed to QT

Meetup in Howe TX

Arrived at Tanglewood Resort

GRUB!

Whoooops!

Lake out that window

American Legion , Greenville Texas

Final Stop

Texas Border on the final leg

Tuesday Ride for ..... Ribeye Sandwiches!

 Yesterday Rocky reached out to me .. "Tuesday Ride?" ... quick weather check and I'm thinking .. Hell yeah!  We establish a time window...  mentioned it to Chief.. posted it on Group.IO ... mentioned it later to Dutch during a conversation .. and we're up to 4 bikes...  good enough for me!

Fuel Meetup

At 1000hrs myself, Rocky and the Chief connect up near my place and we're headed to Lone Oak to meetup with Dutch.  Top off the tanks, do a lil' BSing and we pick out  a lunch spot.  Then, it's two lane heaven into Sulphur Springs where we pull up into the square at 1100hrs as the doors are opening for lunch spots.  We pick the Corner Grub House which has outside seating and grab a nice spot in the sunlight.  The service rocks and she's recommending the Ribeye Sandwich so the 3 of us eating (Dutch make the mistake of slamming a big ass burrito for breakfast) are all in for it.  As it turns out, one of THE BEST I've ever had.  Perfect size, juicy melt in your mouth goodness.  Washed it down with iced teas for an over the top lunch.  I WILL be back for seconds. Well, time to close out the check and ....  a couple picked it up for us and left us with the good news.  This never fails to rock me to the core when this happens with a "thank you for your service" . No .. thank you ... whomever  you all were.  Means a lot to us!  So, pack it up , take a few pics in the square and we off to do some more miles. 

We head out on Hwy 11 through Commerce, Wolf City, Leonard then Rocky splits off headed home.  As we get closer to Greenville, make the decision to hit the VFW for a couple of cold ones to finish off the day's ride.  Pulling up, this place is packed!  Half a dozen ladies apparently meet here every Tuesday and with it being Fat Tuesday can't help but think others dropped in to celebrate.  Gives us about an hour to catch up (in between ol' Ms Melody getting her drinks dropping in our our conversations .. lol).  Then finally, push off and head back home.  Chief and I are already planning Thursday's ride; probably head towards Oklahoma this time.  Thursday's weather looks even better ........

Fueling up Pre Ride

The Square

The Square

VFW