NATIONALS 2022 : Finish the Mission/Iron Butt

Well, it's all planned out.  Last two years I pussed out of a FINISH THE MISSION to Nationals for various reasons.  This year.. God Willing...  Knoxville KY here I come!  I had planned to do the Tail of the Dragon on the way there, but apparently there is construction and... a few were questioning the sanity of doing it in the middle of an Iron Butt.  So, we'll do it on the way back and take our time.. but...   still got to get to Nationals .. sooo..  per my posts on Groups.IO ...  old and new stuff below

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Lil' too early for all this planning ... but...  hey .. maybe I had a glass of scotch tonight and I'm bored...

Earlier I said 1200 miles... but ...   it's a lil less than 1100 from GVL .. so .. lets call it .. 1100.

If we leave at 0300 from the QT in GVL as our kickstands up, it'll flow .. trust me.   Every 100-125 miles we'll stop, fuel up, grab a receipt, take a pic of the receipt and your mileage, store the proof, empty the bladder, and as soon as possible....  do it all over again.  Once the sun is up and shining... no big deal.  It's the first few hours that suck because most likely we'll have slept like shit the night before. But caffeine solves everything.  By the time we head south towards Deals Gap ( Tail of the Dragon), it'll still be early.  When we get to the bottom, we'll take our first and only 'real' break of the day.  Then, we turn around and head north towards our destination.

For those that have never slayed the Dragon...  .. it's awesome.. but.. nothing to be worried about.  Ride your own speed, don't get cocky when you roll past the photographers in an attempt to look cool ... and .. all good.  What is the Dragon?  it's about 11 miles of over 300 twisties with NO driveways.  Just two lanes .... just don't' forget some moron coming the other direction might cross the center lane.  They used to allow big rigs with long trailers... no more.   A positive note is we'll be there during the week, not the weekend when the crazies come out.  We'll arrive in Knoxville before we run out of steam .. but.. we'll sleep like fat babies that night .. trust me.

I've done 3 of these to date (1000mi within 24 hr Iron Butt)  ...    my lessons learned?  Stay hydrated (I sip as I go so as not to need to hit the pisser at every stop) ...   do NOT stop for meals ...   nibble on snacks like beef jerky, etc.  ..  and we'll probably run 5-9 mph over the posted speed limit, but not hauling ass and getting a ticket....   doesn't benefit us meeting the time schedule.  I like to think in 100 mile  increments... counting down as I go; seems simpler mentally overall for me.   I personally believe we'll accomplish this in around 17-18 hours ..  .. not as bad as it sounds. What matters most ... IMHO .. we hit our destination before it gets too late.  We'll finish up around 2000-2100 hrs.  Less BSing we do, the quicker we get this all behind us and all it's bragging rights?

UPDATE

Well, things change.  Looks like the backside of the dragon has construction which screws up the original route .......sooooooooooo....   to push this to over 1,000 miles, considering this route. Overall it'll be easier since it's pure Interstate.  Pullout mentioned a route something along this .... works for me.  So, as we get closer ( 1ust a lil over a month out!), will fine tune the specifics.  Me personally, I'm still planning on the similar depart time, etc.  One thing I hadn't considered on the previous post/messages, if you fill up with gas near your home as you leave, keep that receipt and log your odometer miles..... that can be your start point (I'm thinking about IBA record, not just LRRP). So, maybe our GVL QT depart can be closer to 0400.   Unrelated, on the RETURN leg, Rocky and I are talking about meandering down towards the Tail of the Dragon to do that one and some of the area, and take our time on the way back.  So, all is not lost here....

UPDATED Route

Sep '14 .. ... holy crap .. it's been that long!?!?

ROUTE HOME:  This is my lil scratchpad/notepad for public viewing.....     3 or 4 day ride home?  Haven't thought through the exact stops each day

Return Day 1

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Knoxville,+KY/Tail+of+the+Dragon,+17555+Tapoco+Rd,+Robbinsville,+NC+28771/@36.9474658,-85.5086892,8z/data=!4m16!4m15!1m5!1m1!1s0x884191e6121a0595:0x5c61985c9ea6338c!2m2!1d-84.5057733!2d38.7011797!1m5!1m1!1s0x885ebe306b5d3e5d:0xef30959d45b92ec2!2m2!1d-83.9202618!2d35.4666995!2m1!1b1!3e0

Day2

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Tail+of+the+Dragon,+17555+Tapoco+Rd,+Robbinsville,+NC+28771/Gatlinburg,+TN/Maggie+Valley,+NC/Waynesville,+NC/Dillsboro,+NC/Almond,+NC/Topton,+NC/Murphy,+NC/Ocoee,+TN/Chattanooga,+TN/@33.4794703,-90.7020414,6.96z/data=!4m64!4m63!1m5!1m1!1s0x885ebe306b5d3e5d:0xef30959d45b92ec2!2m2!1d-83.9202618!2d35.4666995!1m5!1m1!1s0x885953eacb08a589:0x4ab1d7ae7eb779a8!2m2!1d-83.5101638!2d35.714259!1m5!1m1!1s0x8859743fb2acd19b:0xfc9516f5192e34e8!2m2!1d-83.0976419!2d35.5181575!1m5!1m1!1s0x88597110e8f7808d:0x93fa2173ebffebea!2m2!1d-82.9887477!2d35.4887145!1m5!1m1!1s0x88593ffc91620839:0xcb3c67c532afb4ea!2m2!1d-83.2525416!2d35.3693482!1m5!1m1!1s0x8859351383a23667:0xfd3891affec3f63b!2m2!1d-83.565164!2d35.3698153!1m5!1m1!1s0x885ece407dc4aad3:0xcb5a0e2479a23ee8!2m2!1d-83.7032269!2d35.2470348!1m5!1m1!1s0x885ee1feb10a4a35:0xff4ae61dee69ce2b!2m2!1d-84.0346315!2d35.0875836!1m5!1m1!1s0x885e3317d69fbf1d:0x67d3d00cd078da3a!2m2!1d-84.7188272!2d35.1222972!1m5!1m1!1s0x886060408a83e785:0x2471261f898728aa!2m2!1d-85.3093995!2d35.0457984!2m1!1b1!3e0

Day3

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Chattanooga,+Tennessee/Indianola,+MS/@33.5696711,-90.1895731,6.96z/data=!4m16!4m15!1m5!1m1!1s0x886060408a83e785:0x2471261f898728aa!2m2!1d-85.3093995!2d35.0457984!1m5!1m1!1s0x862bb5847da9c9cd:0x684546b8bcbe3dfc!2m2!1d-90.6550917!2d33.4509513!2m1!1b1!3e0

Day4

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Indianola,+MS/Greenville,+TX/@32.7792296,-94.4776803,8.46z/data=!4m16!4m15!1m5!1m1!1s0x862bb5847da9c9cd:0x684546b8bcbe3dfc!2m2!1d-90.6550917!2d33.4509513!1m5!1m1!1s0x864be2da94992cc9:0xb00562f5bc7677aa!2m2!1d-96.1108066!2d33.1384488!2m1!1b1!3e0

May Chapter Mtg : Well, that didn't work out as expected

 Well, not the blog post I'd started on Sunday morning.... but hey, I finished it?

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Part A

I've got a pet peeve, as do some of my close buddies.  We don't ride enough; simple as that.  Rocky has brought up a great point, similar to what I've heard others say in the past.  "Why don't we ride somewhere as a chapter, and have the meeting at the destination?"  Makes perfect sense to me, but ... never happens.  Excuses / roadblocks always come up in the explanations.  Well, today is our meeting at Tin Cup Tavern, so I took it upon myself to create a short ride prior to get some time on two wheels as a group. Guessing we'll be lucky to have ten bikes participate, assuming we get 1/2 that.  It's always par for the course.  Just a fact.  Now, my idea of a 'ride' isn't find a meet point and head 20 minutes down 4 lanes or Interstate and arrive.  No, my idea is off the beaten path, take the longer way if possible, and lets go have some fun.  So, last week I put this out.

"Sunday Funday Ride to the Chapter Meeting at Tin Cup Tavern.  

Few of us are going to do a two laner the 'long way' this coming weekend if you'd like to join in.  Weather is forecasted to be .. P E R F E C T .   It'd be nice to ride in as a larger group.  Looks like the American Legion in Tawakoni opens up at 1100 hrs, so that's the 'meet time'.  KSU is at 1130hrs.  Approximately 45 miles/ 55 minutes to the Tin Cup via Point/  Lone Oak / Miller Grove route.  Lots of nice sweeping turns ......"

Yesterday, updated with 

"Tomorrow .. we ride.     To get to the start point few of us are leaving Cash area at 1015 hrs headed to Lone Oak to top off fuel.  We'll leave Valero in Lone Oak at 1045 to head to American Legion in Tawakoni.   Then, as stated earlier, the actual ride begins at 1130 hrs to the chapter meeting."

I'm typing this as of 0500hrs on Sunday morning, up way too early.  Chief, Rocky, Snoopy, Dutch, Lucy and myself are forecasted to be riding.  Hopefully Shooter joins in.  Maybe we'll get a few surprises meet us with as well; one can hope.  For now, off to sip some more java and in 4 or 5 hours, we'll be start prepping the bike for the ride.   Always a good day on two wheels ....

Advertised Route

PART B

Well, here we are .. it's Tuesday morning as I pick up on what I should have finished and published Sunday evening.  ..

Closing the garage.. time to ride!

Felt a lil off, not enough sleep .. but I'd thrown a leg over the bike with a few minutes to spare and as I'm headed down the driveway, Chief and Dutch are headed my way. I'd expected to meet the Chief 1/2 mile further out at the intersection, but didn't expect Dutch.  He was doing errands and dropped by the Chief's and they rode out early.  After BSing in the roundabout, we head to the Valero to top off in Lone Oak.  Rocky and Snoopy were moving slow they bailed on the ride and are meeting us at the meeting.  Hell, I had the same thought but my dumb ass set this ride up and I have to see it through; pussing out after setting it all up is not an option!  I've had a few cups of Java, pounded two Gatorades and have a water on my bike for the ride; all should be good.  Well, we roll out and head to Lone Oak.  After topping off, parking the bikes I head in for another Gatorade zero.  It's gong to be a warm one and I'm trying to get the body hydrated for a long day in the sun. Weirdly, I still don't feel 100%.  It's not a hangover...... but ... some crap I've been dealing with for two years now.  Anyways, we roll out to Tawakoni for the final meetup point.  As we roll into the American Legion and park them, our FNG rolls in (Jason) whom I haven't met before.  He's on a '20 Indian Chieftain so I'm smiling but initially don't realize he's with us; he hasn't patched in yet.  We all work our way indoors and this place is packed by 1100 hrs; wtf?!?   Turns out they are having a pool tournament.  So, we grab some refreshments head to the back room and relax to kill time for the next thirty minutes. I just learned Swamprat is going to make it, so I've got a smile on my face.  That'll put us up to five bikes, so it finally feels like an actual 'ride' will go down. What I didn't expect is after Swamprat rolls in, so does Hollywood... and Goose & Sassy Pants .. and Rouge & Top Shelf ... what the hell?  I had no idea .. now I'm smiling.  And the icing on the cake, Shooter rolls in.  NOW, this is going to a nice Ride! We've got a full house!

Quickly it's 1130 so we're off. Once we get everyone off the gravel and onto 276, we're moving along at the speed limit.  Keep it in check (within 5 over) enjoying 2 Mile Bridge road with minimal traffic and we're headed towards an area I've never ridden, well sort of.  I'm working us towards Point via 2 lanes so we stay off of 69 as much as possible.  We soon grab 2737 towards Lone Oak which  I knew was a nice road but ... but.... this is where I fucked up.  This is why you should try to pre ride routes if possible.  I'd seen on the map that 1525 cut over to a perfect cross point to jump on 514 which begins the fun part of the ride, so took it but then quickly realize I made a mistake.  The next couple of miles I'm just glad we didn't hit dirt or gravel, but it wasn't much better.  Nothing but repaired pot holes and pot holes that needed to be repaired again.  Arrrgggh.  I know I've got pretty much everyone behind me either laughing or pissed ... but.. what are you going to do at this point?  Well, we survive it and pop out where I expected, and now .. we are on roads that I've ridden often.  And, I think this is when my problem began.  Maybe I got a lil stressed on that last stretch over worrying about it all?  Wasn't a big deal but by the time we get to 514 I just don't feel right and I'm trying to shake it off, taking deep breaths .. trying to get my head right.  I'm rolling at the speed limit or a notch higher, enjoying the upcoming corners, feet on the highway pegs.  Then 275 headed north, and ..... my head ain't clearing. It's getting 'lighter' .  Then headed west out of Miller Grove on 1567 and I'm looking at my GPS trying to calculate distances and wonder how much longer I can maintain this ride.  As we get closer to Lone Oak I'm actually starting to worry for the first time. I'm not right and I shouldn't be on this bike but there are no shoulders and I can't find a place to get these bikes over as a group without creating a cluster fuck. Now, the alternate is true also .. If I don't pull this off I'm going to create a bigger cluster fuck .. but .. I can see Lone Oak on my GPS and it's just around the corner so I'm scheming to pull off at the gas station prior to our turn onto 513.  We we pull up to the light at 69 I wait for Chief whom is riding #2 behind me.  I tell him I'm going to pull in to the gas station real quick and follow me.  He's having trouble hearing me, but knows somethings up.  Minute later we pull in and I'm in a full panic about right now trying to keep the bike up and not make a scene.  I tell him to please take the group up 513 the rest of the way and I'll be right behind them... I've go something I have to take care of.  Later he'll bust my balls because he's thinking I've got to do a #2 there and scrambling!  Luckily everyone moves on as I wave them forward and now .. it's time to get my shit together.  Historically, it takes a water and 5-15 minutes sitting down to get my head on and for the 'feeling of fainting' to go away.  As luck would have it, as Dutch was riding away he kept looking back and knew something wasn't right.  As a retired Fireman/Paramedic, his reflexes kicked in.  As I type this, I'm thanking the man upstairs he did.  I'm obstinate about this crap; actually find it all embarrassing because I don't know what the hell has been causing all this the last two years.   Well, after way too long sitting on the bench and thinking it's going to pass .. but getting worse ... Dutch checks my pulse and immediately figures out we've got a serious problem.  He tells me I've got an irregular beat  .. missing beats .. and convinces me to okay him calling 911, which is a first.   I'm sure he'd done it anyways but ...  he was holding my hand the entire time, calming me down ....getting me to lay down.  Then things get a lil crazy and it all blends together.   While he was calling 911, I found my phone and called Lucy whom is only ten minutes away.  At the same time a local volunteer Lone Oak fireman shows up on the scene and provides Dutch backup.  Then I feel Lucy's hand and Dutch is able to now focus on the whole situation filling in the Paramedics who show up next.  Then the Ambulance is there.  In the middle of this a sweet lady who's car is blocked in by all this asks if she can pray for me  .. I'm like "YES!" ...   and my emotions have taken over and ...  I'm realizing ... this sucks.  I'm soon in the ambulance, Lucy is following ... Dutch is figuring out how to get my bike back to the house (Thank You!) ... and the fun begins.  Now I'm fully hooked up to all the wires and machines and realizing shit has gotten serious and Dutch was my Angel.  I'm hearing "PVC" over and over.. apparently I'm skipping beats... 3 .. then 4.. this apparently is what's causing my light headed-ness..  They have me hooked up for fluids to get me hydrated... and by the time we get to the hospital pulling up ... I have a doozey moment where I almost lose consciousness and I hear them say "damned... that was 9" ... I guess 9 PVCs in a row ... which apparently ain't good.  But, I never was out.  Never flat lined or any BS or whatever happens or could happen.  My ICD (pacemaker) never zapped my ass like it did several weeks ago.  But I've been laying down now for thirty minutes total and going over things in my mind ... everything.. .as I always do.   How the hell did this all happen??   What did I do to cause all this??   Well .. I have an idea(s).

Lucy and I spend a lot of time in the pool,  always have, always will.   We are also beach people as many know.  One of the reasons I love Texas is the climate; temps and heat (crazy huh?).   And in that mix is adult beverages .. sometimes often.  Well, the problem is .... if you're sipping adult beverages and no other fluids something has to give.  Now, I probably shouldn't even say this because some are thinking the worst.  But the base problem is ...I rarely drink just water.  I've had Rocky bust my balls for years over this actually borderline forcing me to drink my water.  Lucy drinks 4x more than I do of it at night.  If I tried that, I'd spend 1/2 the night to and from the bathroom.  Well, Saturday we'd spent the entire day before in the backyard, grilling, swimming.. and ... no water intake.   I woke up feeling off .. not hungover... just off.  I knew I was dehydrated and I was trying to get ahead of it all ..... sadly I put myself in this predicament; once again.

Well back to the story.  I'm soon in the Emergency Room # 17 (heard them say it on the radio ...  at least they prearranged that) and they've got me hooked up and the excitement for all is watching all those PVCs continue to pop up.  It's a busy day and they have patients on beds in the hallway. I'm guessing my heart issue earned me a room with the equipment.  Lucy finally makes it in to be with me.  Rocky and Snoopy leave the meeting to see me.  Dutch makes it over after figuring out how to get my bike back to the house.  I'm wanting to go home and they are laughing at me as if I'm kidding. I told Lucy to go check on  Peanut and she's headed back afterwards to check on me in for the night.  By 1800 hrs they have  a room upstairs for me; at one point they said I might be stuck in 17 all night. I'd already decided I was going to put my shirt on and walk out of there if that happened.  Good news is, we never found out if I was dumbass enough to try.  By 1830 I'm in a nice private room, hooked backed up, finally get the boots and jeans off .. and in the for the night.  They lock the hospital down for security reasons (I never found out why) .. so ...  Lucy had to turn around and head home.  

For the next 22 hours, it's blood tests, IVs, crappy TV and hospital food. My heart doc will make it in by 1000hrs and I'm feeling great.  He's frustrated with me (Hydration!!!) but on a positive note, all the nurses were great. At 1030 hours I'm scheduled for one last test and I can leave.  Yeah .. sure... .. at 1600 they FINALLY show up but apparently I'm lucky.  Everyone that got in before me, was scheduled the day PRIOR.. so .. I STFU and got through it all.  After she leaves, pop up out of the bed, I've got all my paperwork in hand..   got my jeans and boots on .. but now waiting for my nurse to 'wheel me out' . I'm soon walking the corridors asking nurses to take the IV out of my arm so I can leave.   Lets just say, they were scratching their heads seeing me for the first time wondering what's up with this guy trying to bail.   Finally Jessica (my go to nurse) shows up and we get it out of my arm... .... I'm shaking hands and giving out hugs and thanks to all at the nurses desk putting up with my BS ... and finally that elevator door opens up.  They are rid of my ass .. and ... I'm acting like all is good.  When the doors close I'm friggn' light headed, leaning against the elevator walls to stay upright and soon trying to find Lucy out front so we can get the hell out of their and back home. Next few hours I feel like I've been beat up and wondering how the hell this is all going to play out... I'm exhausted.

Well, up at 0600 .... cup of java.. front porch and I'm smiling; Life is Good.  Stupid amount of water in me all night.  Great nights sleep.   That reminds me of the other part of my conclusion.   There is a trifecta I've discovered with all this mess.   Ninety five percent of the time shit happens with me lately (light headed, heart racing)  .. as in the last two years..  Some form of alcohol involved the day before.  Second piece is a crappy nights sleep .. you know... 4 or 5 hours total ...if I'm lucky   ... and the finale is lack of water over the previous 24 hours.  Now, you'd assume that by now I'd be smart enough to eliminate one of these contributors to fix the problem.  Yeah  .. me too.   So for now, instead of trying to find the right mix ...to make things work out... I'm going to simply eliminate one of the contributors.   Lets just say ... Sunday scared the shit out of me ...  or... put another way ...the Tequila out of me.

More to follow..................

Muenster Lunch: Zwei Bahnen mit fantastischem Wetter

I'm out doing errands yesterday, and still have chores to do at home, when my cell phone lights up ....

Chief : "We need a lunch ride to Burkburnett, tx. Be a great day trip"

Rocky : "Agree "

Rickkkcir: "Tomorrow?"

Chief : "You serious?"

Rocky : "I can do it. "

RickkciR" "Sure"

Well....  not quite... I still have to ask mama; she does have a say in all this.   But in the meantime I type up the below before I head out to fix a few things in the yard. This is what I'm going to post on Groups.io . The Chief is scheming here; he's found a joint north of Wichita Falls he wants to check out!  Can you blame him?

So ....... it's game on!  Who else is in!?!?  Looks like an 0800hr KSU from Cash area (also known as CR3519/FM1564 intersection), roll up past the QT in GVL (stop if anyone is joining us there), up 69 to Sherman and cross over on 82 towards Wichita Falls.  Looks like another gorgeous Sunny Day in Texas, meant to be Ridden!  >> ROUTE <<

Well, after all my chores, we jump in the pool while there is still sun on the water.  After an hour, I ask the question .. and ... get the thumbs up. But with my delay in responding, they assume I'm struggling with all the time required to do the ride (we're talking 400+ miles) and change it up to Muenster which is 1/2 the distance.  I've passed through this town dozens of times, but never eaten at here with his German heritage everywhere. Score!   We change up the KSU time to 0900 from Cash , change up the destination and we're a go!  Time to post on Groups.io.  As usual, not a single taker.  Dutch wanted to, but had an appointment that interfered.  

This morning, head down the driveway, connect up with Chief and we roll out to top off the tanks. Nobody else has chimed in so with Chief as Road Captain and leading, we quickly shoot up to Sherman to grab Rocky then off to Muenster. Pretty normal ride on 69 and 82.  On the way back Chief is like.. "want to take the scenic route?" Oh .. hell yes!  So, we take 2 laners all the way home staying off the main throughways. By the time we get home, we're like "that rocked!"  Next time, we're taking that scenic route BOTH directions!

Actual Ride (241 miles total)  Return : 373>922>121>160>78 etc.

Found Rocky  ...

Arrived Muenster

German Restaurant

YUM!!!

APR 2022 Ride with Red River Chapter : coming up in Sep

This date was just brought up for our Poker Run ride a few days ago .... but...  just became aware of this one.  This is a true conflict in my opinion and we should slide our date.  The following week is Regionals in OK, so ..... not sure which direction to slide it.  Chapter 23-28 is out of Sherman and one of our newest in the state, an off shoot from 23-1 in Denton.  Kudos' for them getting this put together already.

Rocky lives near the starting point so this is kind of a no-brainer for a few of us to attend?  Hopefully we can get the majority of 23-11 to support this since it's pretty much .. in our neck of the woods!

The Map Route

Steel Horse Rally 2022

 Just wrote about this here on my personal blog >> SHR '22   This my CVMA 'version' of it.

My third time here, second time for the CVMA.  Ft Smith has a local Chapter (7-3) that I've run into a few times.  Last year I saw they were having a dinner Downton that Thursday night so headed over there. While there, pretty much the majority of 7-3 was there, also a lot of folks in from Mississippi (44-2) and a quite a few from Texas (23-11 and 23-11A).  To my surprise, due to all the folks rolling in, they made it a sanctioned event ... score!  Well, due to this I pushed to 23-11 to try and get a lot of folks to roll in this year.  As it'd turn out, less than a dozen of us would make it there.  I don't know if it not being sanctioned had anything to do with that, but for those of us that did ride up there together from 23-11, it was a blast.

I wanted to ride the area on the day the Rally started so myself, Chief, Rocky and Boudreaux mounted up and rode that Thursday.  Chief's wife Kathy would ride up on his trike, while Snoopy, Lucy and Nance' would cage it up together.  We got lucky and stayed dry pretty much the entire ride, with crazy weather threatening all who rode to the Rally.  MS 44-2 would roll in with a contingent and as luck would have it, we were all at the same hotel; Wyndham.  Oklahoma was having their State Meeting in OK City that Saturday so a few of us had discussed heading up there, but we'll be there for Regionals in the fall (Norman) so most of us decided not to head that way. As it turns out, 44-2 was going to head to Little Rock for 7-5's Sanctioned Poker Run, so we opted in for an early Saturday morning ride.  Come 0630 we jump on the bikes to feel up with gas and we've got nine bikes rolling west on I-40 at a high rate of speed to make up some time.   Moving along at 88mph avg speed, we are soon south of Little Rock and swiping in, and dropping funds for their event.  Under normal circumstances, we'd have spent the whole day there with the two chapters (two diff' events in the area) but we've got hotel rooms and spouses back in Ft Smith, so after a few beers we do quick turn n burn, back west.  Few hours later, we've got the bikes parked at the hotel, me personally I'm shedding my leather and jeans for shorts and a Skully tee,  and crossing the street in search of our ladies pounding cold ones on a balcony over looking main street.  The Steel Horse Rally is only a 2 dayer, so we're headed back on Sunday, about 240 miles to our starting point. 

The weather was a lil ugly on Thursday, but this weekend was beautiful.  The ride home, 70s and 80s, and hitting low 90s when we get into Texas without a single cloud in the sky. Next year, Steel Horse is on my calendar, but I think I'll lock in for the 3rd annual APR ride with 7-1. And if 7-5 is doing another Poker Run that weekend, maybe both?

Breakfast Ride

Few weeks ago, Mario reached out an asked me if I wanted to join him and Dutch for breakfast on 2 May.  He had a VA appointment out our way. Quick look at my schedule; looks good.  Then late last week I reached out with a “did we have a breakfast coming up?”  Duh …   he confirms and I ask “mind if Rocky and / or Chief show up?”   Of course not ... but … I’m scheming a lil.  Always looking for an excuse to ride?   Chief is in as was Rocky, but turns out Rocky has a conflicting doc’ appointment so he bails a few days out.  Then the storms rolled in Sunday night so I’m thinking I’ll be caging.  Chief is thinking the same thing.  Earlier in the week I’d sort of forgot about the whole thing to be honest. Exactly a week prior, I was dealing with a medical issue of mine when I got zapped with my ICD (wrote about it here in JOLTED). So, I’m thinking the fact that I’m even going to breakfast is a positive. I skipped an event on Saturday because I’m all focused about getting 100% for the upcoming weekend. Hell, wasn’t even sure I was REALLY going to ride on this day until I threw my leg over the bike.

It's Monday morning and I’ve been up for a while (like … 0300 up for a while).  Storms have been active, no TV Signal (DISH) and I’m just getting through the morning watching some NEWSMAX recorded episodes. Out internet has been and still is down for a few days due to a bad DSL Modem/Gateway.  Anyways…   not my normal kind of morning… but I see the guys at 1000 hrs for breakfast!  Well, around 0700 the storm breaks and I get outside on the porch to fetch my Internet updates so to speak. Out in the country my cell barely works here with crappy reception, but out at my gate… perfect. On the front or back porch … 'one bar' in and out.  I do a weather check and ….   damned…   looks like the rain is moving away, and the day looks ‘dry’; cloudy and warm.  So, I reach out to the Chief.  He just washed his Bike and Trike and has zero desire to get them dirty again for a breakfast ride just twelve miles down the road.  I tell him I understand, but my bike is dirty (as always) and ... I’m riding.  Then I add that I might take the ‘long way home.’   Now, I’ve got his attention!  I say the same thing to Dutch and he was planning on caging due to the weather as well ... but ... I’ve got his attention as well!  Come 0900 hrs the sun is actually out; the roads are quickly drying up so …   motorcycles it is!  Just prior to that I tried to put it out on Groups.io for DRP purposes but I’ve barely got a signal and that app/site is touchy on internet connectivity.  Finally give up and say F’it and put it out on FB Messenger to the chapter.  I’m 99% sure nobody else will take me up on it... buy hey ... would be kind of’ cool if a few others jumped into the fray?  Par for the course, not to happen. Out to the building, load up with just a tee shirt under the vest on this beautiful Spring Day and down at the end of my road the Chief is waiting for me…. fifteen minutes later we’re pulling up at Glenda’s Café in Greenville.

Glenda's Cafe

This place is awesome small town, old school.  This morning Swamprat, Dutch and a buddy of Swamprat’ s (Matt) is seated waiting for us.  At the table next to them is Friendlee, a Greenville Staple!  He’s in his 70’s, has his own radio show/channel, and is looking great and smiling as we walk in.  After a few minutes of BSing, I’m seated and hanging with the rest of the boys.  I’m doing some KETO bs, so I grab the ‘Biker breakfast’ but skip all the crazy good carbs (pancakes and hashbrowns).  God, I love those… but …  well... enough of that.  After about two hours of BSing it’s time to go, but our check on the table is missing.  Dutch thought I’d paid. I thought the Chief had. Turns out a folks at the table next to us, a nice elderly couple took care of it. At some point he or an accomplice had snagged our check, literally off the table. The gent waved at me when he was leaving telling us “Thank you for your Service” but I hadn’t connected the dots as I waved back.  Always puts a smile on my face when we are surrounded by fellow Patriots, paying it forward.  Just wish I could have thanked him along with a handshake for breakfast……

After ten minutes or so of wondering where we were going to ride to and whom was going to lead it, I reminded Dutch of an awesome route he’d taken the chapter on about two years prior.  He refreshed his memory of the route thanks to an old post on FB from back then, and we’re off.  Over the next few hours, we’ll roll over a hundred miles through NE Texas on nothing but two lanes.  PERFECT!  It’s just the three of us so we’re scooting through small towns, some that I’ve never been through before.  We pop out on Hwy 34 only to grab an adjoining Farm Road.  Then Hwy 11, but quickly off to another Farm Road.  Hwy 24, same.  I’m digging this.  I’ve got my GPS/Nav screen up and I see the maze of roads all around us and Dutch navigates through it all mostly by memory having been raised in this area and living here most of his life.  As we roll through towns Chief keeps lagging back, while we take off.  Multiple times we slow to a crawl and the Chief catches back up then … off again! At a gas stop, Chief is busting Dutch’s balls for hauling ass through the towns at a high rate, but Dutch is sticking to his guns and never waivers from his story of “I’m doing the speed limit”.  Both look at me for validation as to whom is correct, but my story is “I’m here for the fun!  I’m just following Dutch”.  Well, I didn’t think we really going ‘too fast’ but … Chief had a point.  Still, I’m of the mindset I follow the leader of the pack short of shooting off a cliff.  If they want to do 100 on a 55mph country road, I’m in.  Want to bust through a town with a 45mph at 60 or 65… I’m your man.  Helps that I haven’t had a speeding ticket on a motorcycle since 1986, so I guess I feel ‘immune’ at some point. Like I said, Chief was probably correct but I don’t like being the ‘anchor’ that puts a gap in there, especially if there are bikes behind me (which wasn’t the case of yesterday ... he was simply trying to insert common sense).  We had none of it …… LOL. Towards the end, we’re headed to 513 for some final twisties when Dutch smiles at a stop and asks if we want to pull off at his place down the road for a few cold ones.  Twist my arm!  Five minutes later we’re parked with his dogs everywhere (he’s got a LOT of them!) and we’re sipping some Ultra’s pool side on a mid 80s sunny day.  Living the Dream!   After a single one for each of us, back on the bikes and headed to Lone Oak.  I’m in the lead now in my backyard leaning into the curves and smiling.  Too soon, I’m turning off onto my final road and they head to the Chiefs.  Turns out they’ll stop there for another cold one or two, then Dutch peels off back to Campbell.   Damned I love days like this….   Makes me feel like I’m retired.  They both are .... I’m sort of ‘semi-retired’ …. close enough for government work? 

As I type this on this Tuesday morning at 0300, it’s raining again though not quite as bad as 24 hrs. previously.  I’d normally be scheming for another ride today but … gotz work and personal shit that has to be done.  And, need to get the bike prepped for a CVMA weekend coming up.  I’ve got some miles to put on KRUSH …… Now just need my Internet connectivity so I can upload this

 

Cold ones at Dutch's

 

The RIDE - 130.5 mi