East Texas Biker: 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 :)