East Texas Biker: DRP

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AR State Meeting 2025

Whew .. I'm beat!

Rolled out Friday morning with Chief and Kat around 0900. We'd planned to head out earlier to beat the heat and rain .... but... weather forecast changed and so did we along with it. Lucy was supposed to roll with us but the storm from the previous days caused her RA to flare up and she pulled the plug. Long weekend for her dealing with this shit .... Well, we took the 'long way' heading up to Paris to grab 195 over to Oklahoma then 37 onto 70 for the rest of the way. Lots of beautiful 2 lane riding along the way and we took our time since check in at the hotel was 1600 hrs. Purred along at about 5 over, stopping several times to stretch the legs and stay hydrated. Temps stayed nice and the skies blue for our trip. Did have a few closer calls with upwards of a half dozen different situations with idiots in cages pulling out in front of me ... grabbed the brakes a few times, but not skidding. Hell, Chief jokingly asked me if my headlight worked! Survived it all and rolled up around 3 and got checked in early. So quick clean up, change to some fresh clothing and headed downstairs for a cold one. I walked up to the door at 1558 hrs and smiled as they opened it up for me. On my second one, I find myself getting molested from behind and turn around to find my close Friend Donnie laughing his ass of. WTF? I intentionally didn't tell him I was coming so I could surprise him Saturday morning and make some afternoon plans... but .. he's standing there smirking. He saw the bikes outside and spotted mine.... asked him how the hell he recognized it ... his reply? "The only one that wasn't clean .." Hey now! But .. it's true. I ride it .... not sit around and polish it! Hahaha.. Anyhows, we had a sip or two, he and Jill headed out for dinner and we would catch up with each other Saturday. Soon, Chief and Kat are down and Donnie and Jill offer to drop us off at the meet n' greet at the VFW... score! The VFW is hopping, bikes are rolling in and it's packed inside! The Local CVMA Chapter has a great buffett of BBQ inside, bar is pouring cold ones and ... just a great time. I run into one of our previous members (Foster) who had xfer'ed many moons ago to this chapter and catch up outside smoking stogies. After awhile, I notice the hotel van is loading up with some folks and Chief is waving me over. Screw it .. jump in and we're headed back to the Hotel for some tunes and cold ones at the bar. Ocho is in the house as well and we run into each other multiple times over this trip. They've got a really good Blues band playing so works out well. And throughout the evening lot of civilians buying our rounds ... not too shabby

Saturday morning and headed down for breakfast. The Hotel Hot Springs has buffett breakfast not too bad and we've got vendors rolling in on the 2nd floor for the meeting. By 1000hrs we're swiping in (final one needed for my Tri-State LRRP tab) and 1115 the Honor Guard is posting the colors and we're starting the meeting. Approximately 275 members in attendance, similar to last years... not too shabby. Texas rolled in with more about 15% of that with 36 members! Oklahoma was right behind us with 30 something.... Meeting was pretty short, they auctioned off a huge cart of alcohol and goodies which Skrape took home ($800?). Once we were out of there, headed upstairs to offload the cut and headed on a walk about with Chief and Kat. First Stop, Copper Penny for lunch and refreshments. Second Stop, Ohio Club. Third Stop, Rooftop bar nex door at The Waters (hope to stay here in the future). Then worked our way back and just as we walked up towards the Hotel, Donnie and Jill found me again! So, doubled back the way we came for a great dinner at The Brick House Grill. Then, back to the hotel for a evening CVMA event on the Second Floor and catching up with all. Got to chat with so many Brothers and Sisters over these last two days .... Cray-On, Skrape, Ozzie, Ollie, Ocho, Gus, Cornfed etc, etc... Have to admit..... never.. enough time. Hopefully one day in the near future, spend some of that visiting as quality time around a campfire telling war stories and truly learing more about each other. Well, on a positive note hit the hay early .. because ... Sunday .. we roll home.

We'll find ourselves on the bikes by 0730 headed west back the way we came. We're not 30 min down the road when I get a bird strike off my fairing making me duck and feathers flying everywhere (per my witnesses behind me). Then a few deer up ahead crossing in front of us, but no issues. Hell, at least no cages trying to kill me this time? It's only 250 miles each way and after another relaxing ride at five over on mostly 2 lanes, home early just a lil after noon. Soon, clouds are rolling in and one realizes we lucked out with the awesome temps/weather.

Next Year ... AR State Rally is held in Rogers/Fayetville area. Already looking forward to it!

Why Nationals?

I've been in the CVMA since early '18. Lucked out into attending my first Nationals a few months later in El Paso. Upon arrival I knew I'd found my 'people.' Felt like I was back in my military days. I have to admit it was somewhat overwhelming and I didnt grasp it all .. .but ... I made it. We rode 750 miles each way in the hot Texas heat, in one day. Rode with Dutch and Maestro and they were both wondering what they'd got themselves into (the ride). Still, when it was in the rearview mirror, I finally began to grasp what I'd just attended. Few thousand Combat Vets riding in for upwards of a week of meetings, good times and Brotherhood. Funny thing was ... this was a smaller group... due to the location and temps.

I was stoked for '19s but missed it due to a health issue. Covid would screw us on '20, and in '21 another health issue. I'd hoped to Iron Butt all of those, but .... not to be. Since then I've Iron Butted (FTM) to the rest on "Day One." Kentucky, Colorado, Minnesota and Georgia. All those trips have been memorable. All a great time. Each one I meet more folks from around the country. Every year, it feels like a Homecoming. Few folks in the mix make it to EVERY years, with a shit load of Tabs on their vest as proof. Spoke to a few this last trip that had made every single one since they'd joined ... over a dozen.

But ... why go? Hard to explain. We have Chapter events and lucky to get several dozen members in the mix. State and Regional events will get you several hundred max. But when you're in a National Meeting and all rise and say the Pledge of Allegiance and you've got literally THOUSANDS of Brothers and Sisters in the mix, it'll raise the hair on the back of your neck! Chills down your spine. Tears in your eyes. In this mix one realizes the seriousness of the Orgranization. The size and scope of it all. And in the mix are the good times found with current and new friends/family. And usually, antics around and at, the Host Hotel? Of course in the mix are an array of vendors, the National Store is setup, and folks riding in the area and finding watering holes we can all migrate to.

Me personally, it's a great excuse for a Long Ride to/from the event. Usually, we get 2-4 bikes in the mix. Can't imagine if we could get half the chapter on one of them treks both directions. Addtionally, if one participates in the LRRP program, the opportuinity for a Finish The Mission (FTM) completion is an option with an Iron Butt one direction in the mix. And, if one want's to apply for Life Membership within the Assocation, attending Nationals is one of the requirements.

Is it worth going? Hell yes. I would assume one would ride in, but even if one caged or flew in if necessary, it's worth the trip. Every year, upwards of 25% of the Assocation attends. A large percentage of that percentage, are repeats every year. Not a simple feat since there are always costs involved. Time away from our jobs if still working. But ... hell yes, it'w worth attending......

Syracuse NY is on the schedule for 2026. Where will you be?

Building Brotherhood at the Chapter Level

Chapter Get togethers. Brotherhood and Sisterhood. Time spent with our CVMA® family. So many ways to make it happen, yet... most don't?

Chapter Meetings. Usually, these are monthly and the most obvious. But as of recent I've heard a few people echoing what I used to say when I joined. Too long and Boring. Info discussed of minimal importance. Hell, I couldn't agree more. Unless we're planning something, why should a meeting ever take up a full hour? Personally since taking over as CC, we've been closer to 45 min max. I think that's too long. Hit the high points, New Business, Old business, Good of the Order, lets roll. Actually, no reason that can't be 30 min? Hell, I'm questioning why .. every month? Why not every other month? Hmmmm......

Rides. To me, this is the BEST way to spend time with folks. We ARE a motorcycle association. Yet, it's like pulling teeth to get 50% of the chapter together for a ride. It's simple to get 2-4 bikes together during the week/weekend, but .. what about the other 15-30 bikes? I don't have the answer except to keep pushing and pushing. But the point here is that is where you truly build comradarie. Isn't that why most of us joined in the first place? Hmmmmmmmmm

Bike Nights. When I first joined we had a lot of meetups at Corner Street Pub that folks called "Bike Night". An excuse to get out on a Thursday night during the summer weather and it worked great. Well, that closed down years ago and for whatever reason, we rarely do these now. I rarely see ANY bike nights in the area like their used to be. I don't push it personally for two reasons. One, I travel often and always seem to have conflicts. Secondly, not too many places in the general area lend themselves to this. Good motorcycle parking, central to most members, etc. The Ball Joint in Wills Point is probably one of the better options, but it's too far south for most in my opinion. Hmmmmmmmm

Family Night. I've heard a few complaints on this one... "when I was at my last chapter we had family nights..." Now, this is normally from folks that still have kids which is the minority of our Chapter. However, if THEY would put it together, maybe a lot of the chapter would show? Maybe something like https://shenaniganz.com in Greenville? Wouldn't be my first pick, but if I had kids and wanted to bring them and have other members hang, maybe would? Hmmmmmmmmmm

Other Chapter Events ( Sanctioned, Rides, Meetings, Etc) . This is a big one to me that I utilize often. Throw a leg over the bike and head to other Chapter's Sanctioned events inside and outside of Texas. I've met so many other folks this way and see them all over the place in OK, LA, AR, MS, throughout Texas and annually at Nationals. I own and ride a motorcycle and get to put some actual miles on it this way! But, why don't most others? Hmmmmmmm

So many options and I keep exploring all of them. We have to have our meetings but my thought is keep them short, to the point and lets enjoy our Brotherhood / Sisterhood and spend some quality time as a Chapter together. Perfect example is today we've got a meeting at the American Legion. We've got a plan to ride to Westminster following the meeting. Folks can grab lunch and drinks at the Gar Hole. Get patches sewn on at the Motorcycle Outpost. Hang out and swap stories, and kindle friendships. Here' in an about five hours we'll test that theory. How many bikes will roll? How many will say "I didn't know or I would go." or "Next time ..." .. or ... something else. Hmmmmmmmmm

First Ride of 2025

Aaaaahhhhhhhhhhh..... Snow is gone and mostly melted. Woke up to 31 deg temp this morning, sipping a hot cup of Java and thinking ... "it's a Ride Day!"

Announce it on GIO for the chapter to be aware, pull the bike out, start it up for the first time in a month (on a tender) and ... throwing codes. Have no idea what's going on but after several restarts and 10 miles, they finally clear. Only error left is one saying I've got a problem with my FOB; guessing it needs a new battery in it. Oh well. Four of us are meeting up in Lone Oak to drop off a Patch/Vest with one of our members whom ... well... had to 'repatch' in, due to missing annual dues. Great excuse to ride?

We head out on 2 laners to Longhorns' place, then find some BBQ for lunch and work our way home the long way. We decide to blow post our homes and head to SWG for a cold one. Well, for the others besides me; I'm still in "Dry January" mode but have to admit I was tempted. If I'd realized there were some Zero Alcohol Heinekens in the cooler I'd have had one or two. Oh well; water it is.

When we roll up home 140 miles later, over 4 hours has gone by. Temps are into the low 60s. Sun is out. I've got a smile on my face. It's 2025 Riding Season and I'm ready. GOD BLESS TEJAS!

Nationals 2026/2027

I'm a mess ... I know ;) Sitting here planning 2 years out and still have GA for 2025 to complete.

Iron Butt Association

Next, year, 2026 is the really interesting one. Around 1500 miles. If done in a day and a half, qualifies as a Bun Burner 1500; that's 1,500 miles in less than 36 hours. BUT, there are two other better options. So, go for the Gold, Silver if necessary, Basic 1500 if one hits a wall. That 1500 is almost a guarantee if no bike issues. Basically, knock out the 1k in 24 for the FTM, then double down for the IBA. NOW, we are talking. NOW, we've got a mission/plan!

Serious Miles!

Nationals 2027. NE is about 600 miles north of Greenville.... but, one needs 1,000. So, take the scenic route. I dig it... less Interstate! Have to admit, surprised it shows less than 16 hours!

Nebraska or Bust

Got a Plan!

2024 LONG Rides!

Sooooooooo many choices. But, need kitchen passes and ... somewhat good weather.

As I type this...

The only sanctioned event date I'm aware of in TX is 23-11 hosting SCOM (APR5/6), but surprisingly it's not on the Sanctioned calendar since the SHINDIG is Sanctioned for all that attend. I need to check on that. But, nothing else shows up. I've got place holders for TX State and Region V on my calendar.

OUT OF STATE

ALABAMA 6 JAN .. Polar Bear first ride of the year (passed up)

LOUISIANA 17 FEB .. Missed this one last year due to my suspension. It's moved down to Alexandria vs Shreveport. This is a nice ride if one stays off the interstate ( passed up .. chapter conflict)

ARIZONA 16 MAR .. Tombstone Ride . ALMOST did this one two years ago when I was in Phoenix. Sounds brutal in the heat... but... March? Doable. . (haven't discussed with anyone)

ARKANSAS 13 APR: 7-1 Patriot Ride/ Crawfish boil in Cabot. Probably get my dad down from NE Arkansas to participate in the good times. (possibility!)

MISSISSIPPI 24 APR: 44-5 Sanctioned Event

LOUISIANA 27 APR Sanctioned event 6-4 (crossing the fingers!)

MINNESOTA 27 JUN : Nationals (not on the events calendar) (done deal!)

And the list goes on .. and on ... damned.. hard to believe how much this crap fires me up

12 FEB added some ...

Sanctioned Events options?

23 MAR LA 6-3

5 APR TX SCOM/SHINDIG

13 APR AR 7-1

20 APR LA 6-6

27 APR LA 6-4

26 APR TX 23-18 (amarrillo)

11 May CO 3-8

19 May AR 7 State Rally

24 May TX 23-26

8 Jun MS 44-2

13 JUL CO 3-5

20 JUL CO 3-1

12 JUL LA 6 State Rally

3 AUG AR 7-3

24 AUG OK 7-1

14 SEP CO State Mtg

13 SEP Region 5 (little Rock)

5 OCT AR 7-4

11 OCT TX State???? (not shown yet)

19 OCT AR 7-7

26 OCT MS 44-1 (Gulfport)

TEXAS 23 RIDER PROGRAM

TEXAS 23 RIDER PROGRAM

“I’ve Been Everywhere”

PURPOSE The purpose of the Texas 23 Rider Program has been established by the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association Texas State Representative. This is a State Rep incentive program to encourage CVMA TX Members to explore the state of Texas and to create and establish “Sisters and Brothers before Others” ethos amongst all CVMA TX Chapters. The program serves to reward and recognize CVMA TX Members who actively engage, participate, and create camaraderie in Texas by visiting every chapter throughout the State of Texas.

Rock n Roll .. got a new GOAL/FOCUS for 2014! Got a few miles to put on ;) I've done about a third of it to date... time to step it up a notch

Dutch did the math for 23-11 folks .. approximation from Campbell as the starting point

23-1 The Colony 72mi
23-2 El Paso 693mi
23-3 Helotes 342mi
23-4 Houston 292mi
23-5 Killeen 213mi
23-6 Fort Worth 90mi
23-7 Austin 254mi
23-8 Corpus Christi 470mi
23-9 Bryan 224mi
23-10 Waco 154mi
23-11 Greenville
23-12 San Angelo 316mi
23-13 Beaumont 269mi
23-14 Tyler 74mi
23-15 Mission 572mi
23-16 Victoria 354mi
23-17 San Marcos 284mi
23-18 Amarillo 420mi
23-19 Buchanan Dam 266mi
23-20 Cleburne 108mi
23-21 Canyon Lake 317mi
23-22 Midland 389mi
23-23 Abilene 239mi
23-24 Marshall 114mi
23-25 LaVernia 337mi
23-26 Mt. Pleasant 61mi
23-27 Lubbock 404mi
23-28 Sherman 62mi
23-29 Tomball 261mi
23-30 Carter 124mi

Total 7,775

Round Trip 15,550 miles

Got a ways to go. As I type this (NOV 23), only have 8 of 30

1 The Colony State 9-Oct-21

2 El Paso SHINDIG 9-Apr-22

5 Killeen State 7-Oct-23

8 Corpus Christi State 1-Oct

15 Mission Pearl Harbor Ride at San Benito TX 4-Dec-21

25 La Vernia Regionals 22-Sep-23

26 Mt Pleasant ARK-LA-TEX Meet-up 23-Apr-23

28 Sherman APR Ride 8-Sep-23

LRRP 2023

Progress! Man ... got to tell you, I was bummed last week. Thought I'd completed the Inner State requirements but hit a snafu on one of the events. It was supposed to be sanctioned per their folks, but never happened. Someone on the chapter side dropped the ball I'm guessing. I counted it in the total miles but for Innerstate it MUST be a Sanctioned Event or Chapter Meeting. Grrrr... My bad

On a positive note, officially got awarded the Tri State today. Back in June completed the FTM option ... so ... hopefully, in three weeks or so, will have the Inner State completed. Then...

GRAND SLAM

UPDATE 31 OCT : Clarification on the Inner State; the non Sanctioned event counts as I'd assumed. Paperwork in!

Not everyone understands my desire for this .... for me it's simple. I joined the CVMA to ride with my Brothers and Sisters. Yes, I've evolved since then, but ... that's still at the core for me. And to be honest, with some of the health shit I've been dealing with the last 3.5 years.... I feel good about pulling this off again this year...... and plan to do a repeat next year.

16 NOV Update. Grand Slam!

member awarded the 2023 LRRP Tri-State tab, two Tri-State tabs shipped 10/27/2023

27 Oct 2023

Member awarded the 2023 LRRP FTM; two FTM tabs shipped 6/27/2023

Member awarded the 2023 LRRP GRAND SLAM, two Grand Slam tabs shipped 11/15/2023
Member awarded the 2023 LRRP Inner-State, two Inner-State Tabs shipped 11/15/2023

27 Jun 2023

Texas State Meeting 2023

Been planning this since it was initially announced ... ... hell, already looking forward to '24 in Austin and '25 in Granbury area! I'd told a few about it, but was fairly quiet overall. Chief couldn't make it due to other plans. Dutch locked in towards the end. Goose had mentioned a week or so out, and we had similar routes so we locked in together. Smitty would join us. Boudreaux was in from the get-go. Boot's was quiet about it all, but showed. So, Thursday morning at 0900 most of us met in Cash TX and rolled South. We took the 'long' way on 2 lanes and hit some construction towards Ennis that cost us a half hour...but... overall ... stayed dry, temps rocked in the low 80s, and had a great ride with zero incidents .. well, if you don't count a brutal pothole or two, and our airborne pack flying over a railroad track worthy of Dukes of Hazzard footage? All arrived in one piece. Split off to 3 different hotels and cleaned it up.

Sipped on a cold one at the hotel, then over to Jokers Bar/Grill for our meet and greet. Several miles down the road, we're rolling into an evening worthy of mention. Outside area was packed, saw a lot of familiar faces, beers were flowing, appetizers were good and .... we're decompressing and starting this weekend off right. Wine Joe has joined us coming in earlier that day. Never ceases to amaze me all the familiar faces from other chapters you see at these. Before we get lit up, we're rolling back to our respective hotels.... where...we head downstairs for some nightcaps. Our hotel (Marriott Courtyard) is having a reunion for the First Cav so we get to meet a lot of good folks and share a few stories. Few of them rode with the Vietnam Vets MC over the years and shared of few of their stories and pics. Closed down the bistro in the lobby ... and pulled the plug.

Lucy is rolling in today caging it, so our morning is calm and relaxed. Around 1145 she rolls in, unpack the Jeep, get her leathered up and we're headed out for grub. We decided an a hole in the wall called Tank's Pub a few miles down the road. Their cook never showed, but we had some cold ones, started the day off right with good stories, shared a few with the waitress (stories) .. .and .. we're off to find some real food; Tilted Kilt it is. Five of us park it (Smitty has joined us), about another various dozen CVMA members behind it.. and soon eating some great food. Waitress is a rock star, and she's a hit with our group. But, we've got bike night still so take a break at the hotel a mile away, then head out a few miles to the VFW which is .. packed! They get us parked in the mix of the party, vendors everywhere, colds ones served inside and we find the rest of 23-11 and have our own lil party in the mix. Hollywood, Mario and Wingnut are now in the mix coming in earlier that day. Music is jamming around us, Pizzas from one of the vendor trucks is truly awesome, buckets of beer that Mario provided.... what more could you ask for? Towards the end, Matt/Roadrunner is cranking tunes via his FLTR Roadglide ... and ... I'm friggin drooling. This is borderline concert shit... sounded awesome. I'm soon asking questions, figure out who did his work ( they had their SxS next to us also cranked) .. and .. I'm scheming. I really need to take my FLTRX down there and have it done right......soon. I'm starting to get a lil fired up so it's time to head back, while we still can! LOL. Fifteen minutes later, hotel, cleaned up, back to the lobby. Really liking this place.

23-11 Audie Murphy Chapter
(post mtg pic)

Well, it's day of the meeting. Moving a lil' slow, start time of 0900 so we get there with time to spare, locate everyone, Mario has the guidon and parks us up near the front, we've got plenty of space (gotta' stretch out!) and by 0900 we've got the meeting started. We've got a lot of folks here, but the extra seating makes it look ... 'underpopulated'. We normally have 400+ at these, so should be interesting to hear what the final attendance numbers are. A lot of things are going on this morning. Dutch will brief the 23-11 SCOM for next year. We get a teaser for the '24 State in Austin. CONT will be elected our new Texas SAA (we have two in TX due to our size; approximately 10% of the total CVMA!), with KELLOSO stepping down after seven nears (!) Damned that was a close election with Ocho and Cout having to do a runoff. For '25, Kerrville and Granbury were options with the Granbury chapter getting the vote. Gotta' admit, I'd hoped for Kerrville for it's awesome riding (3 sisters, etc), but Granbury should be a friggn' blast with some of what they have proposed ( Rodeo, allowed to walk the streets with open containers, etc). We patched in over a half dozen new members, folks were awarded the Texas Honor Roll patch (which is a big deal!), few were awarded the S&B Patch via Region Rep (again .. a big deal!) ... and several that earned the 23 RIDE TEXAS patch (have to visit ALL 30 chapters). Dutch asked me about that one .. and ... you know.. I may go for it. I'm already at the 25% mark.. maybe... 2024 is the year to do another 10 or 20 chapters? Damned it.. got me thinking! Outside saw Larissa ("Slurpee") from 23-15 and she and Lucy finally got to meet. She and her hubby have been all over the map and we'll probably see them at a 44-1 event towards the end of the month. After the meeting, do a group pic and our chapter decided to head back to the Tilted Kilt (most hadn't been there) and we're greeted by our fav' waitress (who'd also showed up at the VFW the night before) and there are two other huge groups of CVMA in there. Bam! There is an after party which ... I'd planned/assumed we'd hit, but the 4 of us never leave our hotel. It's a beautiful day, so we hang out around the pool, then back to the lobby / bistro, grab chinese from next door ... and as always... damned .. time to pull the plug. Tomorrow we head home.

Lucy is packed up in the Jeep around 0800 and headed out. Hollywood and Wingnut left the day before. Rest of us are mounted up and headed out by 1000 hrs. We've opted to head straight up I-35 since it's a Sunday and make some good time. I really prefer 2 laners, but this will play out nicely. In Terrel we decided to detour for a few cold ones at SWG and some grub. Turns out to be the perfect finale to a great weekend.

Barely made it through a movie last night. Didn't realize how exhausted I was. After nine hours of coma time in that bed.... here I am typing. And, planning my next ride. Can't help myself....

KRUSH Prepped and Ready to Roll

Tank's Pub

Tilted Kilt

Meet n Greet

Bike Night

Patch in Ceremony

Patching In

Pool side - Saturday Afternoon

Our Tilted Kilt Rockstar

Ladies found the ONLY guy in a Kilt

They made me a 'sammich! (inside joke)

Headed North

RVR '23

REGION 5 RALLY

Man .. been planning this one for 11 months... as soon as I caught wind of dates .. blocked the calendar. Hotel locations? Reservations made in La Vernia. Location change? New reservations in Floresville. Had put this out there on GIO eleven months ago. Crickets. Put it out there to my local guys I ride with "Senor Rebels" ... only Chief could make the ride. So, Friday morning we're headed out. Weather forecast says possible rain, but we won't feel a drop over the next few days.....

KRUSH

Two Lanes, Day One

We decide to head south on two laners to enjoy a stress free ride. I broke one of my own rules and didn't 'plan' out the route and keep it on my gas tank with roads/turns. I simply put La Vernia in the GPS and told it to avoid highways. For the next several hours we were going down roads I'd never heard of before, but I could see on the GPS screen it made sense. But... La Vernia? Yeah.. I messed that one up. They are close together, but ... when we were south of Austin it was messing with my GPS directions... To add a lil fuel to the fire.... it got HOT. Was in the upper 70s when we left, but 1/2 there was up to 99. By the time we'd roll in it had been 103/104 for over an hour. WTF? Last few stops I was pouring a water over my head for every one I chugged. But, we survived..... Checked in, showered up, cooled down ... and we're off

We headed to Bike Night which is closer to La Vernia/San Antonio at Texas Pride BBQ. This place was awesome, reminding me of Strokers with the way they integrate bike parking in the mix. Nice and cool in the shade, BBQ wasn't too bad, beers were ice cold , bartenders were cute and served them up with comments (working them tips!). Saw Skrape right off the bat, few other folks from 6-1 we keep running into, headed over to 23-25s table and picked up some challenge coins and a Region 5 etched knife ... and enjoyed the evening. But, couple hours later we snuck out and headed back (about 25 min ride). Grabbed a 12 pack on the way back to the hotel .. and .. pulled the plug.

Morning is quickly upon us and headed over the event center. You could swipe in the night before or here at the entrance. We're soon gobbling breakfast burritos, the meeting is under way at 0900, patch in ceremony for a full member and an aux. Then, 99% of the place emptied out, mounted bike and headed to a local Veterans home and Boomers for a drive by. Boomer was in an awful bike accident a few weeks back and is laid up. I don't know any details beyond the fact someone did a U turn on him in the middle of a 2 lane country road and took him out. Broken wrists, ribs .. lots of broken ribs... lacerated liver .. etc. Brutal. So, about 200(?) bikes rolled out and headed out of town. Got to admit riding through both the Veterans home and Boomers neighborhood teared me up. Boomer was able to get out in the street as we roared by him showing our love and respect. Then, we're back to Floresville. Most headed back to the Event Center; may ass was back to the hotel to get out of the heat and throw down a few cold ones. Later on that afternoon, back to the Event Center to visit with folks, won a bottle of bourbon via the raffle, didn't win the cool AR15, got some ink on my forearm... then ...back to the hotel. Grabbed the remaining twelve pack, headed down stairs and drank a few with my brothers down there.

We're determined to beat the heat so alarm set for 0500, leg over the bike at 0600 and we're rolling. Since it's a Sunday morning (less traffic) make the decision to take the fastest route. We're soon on 130 (tollway) where the speed limit is posted at 85, and we're rolling a notch under 90. Hour later, sucking gas, feeling up and ..... rolling. Temps are still in the 80s and this ain't as brutal as the trip down. We jump onto Hwy 34 at Italy and .... less traffic and BS. By the time we roll into the driveways a lil past 1130 hrs, temps are low 90s, and we put a lil over 800 miles on the last 60 hrs or so.

Next up ..... .TX State in a few weeks down in Killeen (Ft Hood)!