A Ride to the Power Plant Texas Grill...Life is Full of Surprises

Have you ever been somewhere that completely surprised you?  Last Saturday I experienced just that. While riding with a few members of the Gruene HOG Chapter I not only discovered a great route from New Braunfels to Seguin but a nice place to eat as well. The beautiful fall day with clear skies and temperatures in the upper 70’s made the entire experience all the more memorable.

The Power Plant Texas Grill

Although the ride was short by most standards (42 miles one-way), it was just plain fun.  We rode through some nice farm/ranch land on roads with minor elevation changes and a few sweeping curves.  The air was crisp and fresh…maybe too fresh in a few spots (did I mention we rode past some livestock).  It was one of those rides where you could let the worries of the world slip away, where you could clear your mind and just be at one with the universe.  It was peaceful and very therapeutic.

We arrived at the Seguin VFW Post after a short hour’s ride.  We dropped off several donations to support a local police officer who had been injured during a traffic stop and then made our way to the Power Plant Texas Grill.  I was impressed as soon as we pulled into the parking lot.  What a picturesque setting!

The Power Plant Texas Grill sits on the Guadalupe River and is rich in history.  The building started its life in the late 1890’s as a gristmill and in 1907 was sold to the City of Seguin as a hydroelectric generation facility. Over the years the building saw numerous upgrades and continued to provide electricity to the citizens of Seguin until the mid-90s.  The facility sat idle for many years before being renovated and opening as the Power Plant Texas Grill in May of this year. Walking inside the building reveals an open bay with two seating levels. An old generator and an antique electrical panel add to the ambiance and provide historical perspective.  There’s also a covered seating area and bar outside that overlooks the river and the Saffold Dam.
 
Our party was quickly greeted and seated.  The waitress was friendly and attentive and made quick work of getting our drinks and taking our food orders.  The menu isn’t extensive but does have a nice variety.  I ordered a pulled-pork sandwich and fries.  We didn’t wait long for our food and everyone seemed pleased with their choices.  My pulled-pork sandwich and fries were excellent.  I’d definitely recommend the Power Plant Texas Grill.

I wish everyday could be like last Saturday…beautiful weather, nice company, a sweet ride, and a good meal in a scenic location.  It doesn’t get much better than that.  Sometimes the simple things in life offer the most joy.  Days like last Saturday are really what living free, riding hard, and being happy are all about.  :-)

A Great Route from New Braunfels to Segin

View from the Power Plant

The Generator and Electric Panel add to the Atmosphere

Saddlesore 2000 Ride Report: The Long Ride Home – Kentucky to Texas (1086 miles)

The alarm on my phone went off at 4:45 a.m. EDT Sunday morning.  I didn’t want to get up but I could hear the clock in my head ticking away.  I needed to get moving and back on the bike…I had a lot of miles to cover in order to complete my ride within the allotted time. My dad knocked on the door to ensure I was awake; he was my back-up plan just in case the phone alarm wasn’t able to wake me.  I told him I was up and slowly rolled out of bed.  Tick-tock, tick-tock.  By 5:15, I was showered and dressed.

I felt good but my backside and the bottoms of my feet were slightly tender. I knew it was going to be a long ride home.  I drank a big glass of orange juice before heading to the garage to re-pack the bike.  It was chilly outside.  Dad said it was 54 degrees. I knew I needed to start the trip with my heated jacket liner. I didn’t want to repeat yesterday’s mistake.    I gave the bike a quick once over, put on my gear, and gave my dad a hug goodbye.  I was glad I had the opportunity to see him, even if it was for such a short period of time.  My dad opened the garage door and at 5:45, I rolled out of the driveway.

Shortly after sunrise in Kentucky

I made a quick stop for gas at the Five Star station by the Interstate.  I got my gas, completed my log entry, and got back on the bike.  It was an excellent time to be on the road. The Interstate was almost empty except for the occasional big rig.  I rolled back on the throttle, mindful not to out run my headlight…I didn’t want an unforeseen animal encounter to ruin my day.   Within minutes, the sky began to lighten as the sun made its way above the horizon.  I could feel my spirits lifting with the dawn of a new day.  The 118 miles between Louisville and Franklin passed quickly.  I enjoyed the ride while soaking in the scenery and chasing the shadows. I thought to myself, “Life is good.”

I pulled into the Pilot station in Franklin at 6:42 CDT just under two hours from when I started my journey home.  I was making good time but started thinking about the number of miles I had left to go.  It was overwhelming. I went inside to pick-up my gas receipt and noticed some pre-made breakfast sandwiches. I grabbed one and stepped to the counter.  I paid for my bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich, got my gas receipt and hustled out the door.  As I woofed down my food and a bottle of Gatorade, I told myself to focus only on the next stop and not the entire trip.  I don’t know if was the food or the positive self-talk, but I felt better and got on the bike with a renewed sense of energy.

Farming is big business in Tennessee

Sunday was turning out to be a great day to travel.  I made my way down I-65 through Nashville and picked-up I-40 without hitting any traffic.  I kept my mind occupied on the stretch between Nashville and Jackson by jamming to the “Taylor Swift” and “ZZ Top” channels on Pandora.  I was thankful for the great cell reception because it might have gotten ugly had I been left alone in silence with only my thoughts.  Bluetooth headsets rule!  As I made my way off the Interstate and to the Love’s station in Jackson, I realized my backside was getting very tender.  I was happy to get off the bike for a few minutes.  I thought about the movie “Groundhog Day’’ with Bill Murray as I gassed-up, completed my log, ate some jerky, and got back on the bike.  The routine was getting old.

I snapped a few photos as I crossed the Mississippi River into Arkansas and prepared myself for another round of road construction slowdowns.  I was pleasantly surprised.  With fewer cars and trucks on the road, traffic didn’t slow to a crawl as it did the day before.  I made good time to the MAPCO in Wheatly beating my 12:04 planned arrival time by almost 20 minutes.  I decided to give my butt a break and make an extended stop.  After going through my normal fuel ritual, I went inside for a repeat of yesterday’s lunch…two chicken strips, two biscuits, and a bottle of Gatorade.  Lunch was good and I enjoyed the air conditioning.  I was glad to have the opportunity to shed my heated liner and sit in a position that didn’t make my backside feel like it was on fire.  Sadly my leisurely lunch was cut short by that damn clock inside my head…tick-tock, tick-tock.  Next stop Prescott, Arkansas.

Over the Mississippi River into Arkansas

The ride to Prescott was enjoyable with blue skies and warm (almost hot) temperatures.  The only downside was I couldn’t find a seating position that would stay comfortable.  I felt like I was squirming all the time…and there’s not much real estate on a Sportster to squirm.  At one point I discovered I could put my feet on the passenger pegs and achieve a whole new riding position.  I’m sure as I passed through Little Rock several drivers thought I was crazy, “Hey, look at that guy, he must think his Harley is a sport bike.” I didn’t care what people thought, it felt good.  I enjoyed being able to lift slightly off the seat and let the air cool my burning nether region.

When I arrived at the Paramount Travel Center in Prescott at 2:37 I couldn’t wait to get off the bike.  I’d ridden 602 miles in 9 hours and 53 minutes and I was feeling it.  I let myself think for a moment about the 484 miles I had left to cover and I felt defeated.  I was ahead of my ride plan by about 26 minutes so I decided to take another extended break.  I grabbed a bottle of Gatorade from the cooler and went inside.  They had an Arby’s so I got a Beef-n-Cheddar and sat down.  I tried not to rush but that clock inside my head kept pushing me.  I told myself only two more stops before I reached home and then I’d be done…and it was only 148 miles to Sulphur Springs.   As soon as I sat on the bike my backside started burning again but with a renewed outlook I fired-up my trusty steed and pointed her west.

Arkansas Road Construction

The ride along I-30 in Arkansas is pretty scenic when you’re not hassled by road construction.  There are a nice variety of trees lining the highway with a couple of bridges and water crossings.  I tried to get comfortable and soak it all in.  For as much discomfort as I was in, I still felt an overwhelming connection with all that was around me.  It was a good day to ride.  I crossed the Texas State line at approximately 3:40 and felt like I was almost home.  There’s something mentally refreshing about knowing you won’t be riding across more state lines before completing your ride.  The 75 mph speed limit just east of Texarkana was a welcomed sight. I rolled back on the throttle and pushed towards Sulphur Springs.

 It was 5:04 when I got to the Pilot station.   I dismounted slowly as any movement in the saddle had become very uncomfortable.  I followed my routine – gas, log, and hydrate then took an extra minute or two to stretch my legs and back.  I plugged my headset into the power on my bike so it wouldn’t run out of juice and made my way back to the Interstate.  Daylight was burning and I had one more stop before my final push home. 

The leg between Sulphur Springs and Waco was the longest leg of the trip at 171 miles.  I tried not to think of the total distance to Waco but rather the landmarks in between…Greenville, Lake Ray Hubbard, and Dallas.  The thought of completing the challenge with the 48 hours motivated me despite the burning sensation I felt in my backside.  I adjusted my riding position frequently and performed the stretches fellow moto-blogger Tina Walker had recommended every few miles just as I had throughout the trip.  I was surprised at how the traffic picked-up as I got closer to Lake Ray Hubbard and then got even heavier in Dallas.  I didn’t experience any slowdowns but the number of cars and trucks on the road at 6:30 p.m. on a Sunday was a little unnerving.

Somewhere between Waxahachie and Waco

Luckily traffic thinned-out south of Dallas and I could relax a little.  I never gave too much thought about the lack of civilization between Waxahachie and Waco…there’s just not much there to see.  Fortunately as the sun got lower in the sky the shadows came out to play.  Anything to take my mind of the continual discomfort I felt in the parts of my anatomy that never see the sun.  I took several photos of the Shadow Rider and thought it might be cool to put together a collection of photographs revolving around riding and shadows.  The mind works in mysterious ways after being on a bike for over 14 hours and 851 miles.

The timestamp on my Valero Corner Store fuel receipt read 8:00 p.m.  I had made it to Waco and hour and nine minutes ahead of my ride plan.  I was excited.  I could officially end my Saddlesore 2000 ride in Waco because I had already crossed the 2000 mile point.  I’d ridden 2008 miles in approximately 43 hours.  I decided to wait and end my ride at home as planned.  I knew barring any unforeseen circumstances I could complete the entire 2172 miles within the required 48 hours…I only had 164 miles to go.

   

Shadow Rider as sun sets in Texas

The sun dipped below the horizon as I rode out of Waco and the sky was completely black by the time I made it to Temple.  Strangely I was nervous about riding the rest of the way in the dark.  I think the mental and physical fatigue from riding so hard over the past two days had caught-up to me.  I watched the sides of the road closely for any movement.  I didn’t want to be surprised by a deer or other animal darting across the road.  As I neared Georgetown, traffic started to pick-up and I was actually happy to see other vehicles on the road.  I decided there was a modicum of safety riding in the midst of the swarm.  I could at least use their headlights to “see” farther down the road and for a reason I can’t explain felt less threatened by a potential animal encounter.

I must I lead a pretty sheltered life because the traffic through Austin seemed heavy for a Sunday night at 9:45 p.m.  I’d normally be getting ready for bed, so I wondered what all these people were out and about doing.  I ticked-off the miles after Austin getting more excited the closer I got to home. Buda, San Marcos, New Braunfels…I was almost finished. My bubble burst when I came to three full lanes of stopped traffic less than 5 miles from my exit.  Apparently TexDoT in their infinite wisdom had shut down several lanes for construction.  I struggled to keep from dropping the bike in the stop and go traffic for almost a mile.  I was physically exhausted.  I didn’t know how I would finish the ride if I stayed on the Interstate.  I watched for an opening and made my way to the shoulder and then through some roughage to the access road.

Traffic on the access road moved smoothly and it didn’t take long to make it to the EZ-Mart for my ending gas receipt.  I gingerly got back on the bike and rode the last few miles home.  When I reached my subdivision, I called my wife to open our garage door.  I pulled into the garage and turned off the bike.  It was 11:03 p.m. and my Saddlesore 2000 was complete…2072 miles in 46 hours and 13 minutes.

PROLOGUE

This ride gave me a new found respect for riders who do multiple1000 mile days.  I don’t know if I had another 1000 mile day in me.  My backside was tender for a couple of days after the ride but I felt good about my accomplishment.  I love my Sportster but may have to re-think its suitability for longer Iron Butt rides. I have no doubt that I could easily tour on it as long as I kept the mileage down to under 500 miles a day.

 

What’s next, I’m not sure.  I do know I enjoy Iron Butt rides and will do more. Hey, when’s summer solstice and the longest day of the year?  Now that could be an interesting Iron Butt ride…do 1000 miles before it gets dark.  Hmmnn, something to think about.

St Judes Chlidrens Hospital in Memphis

No this isn't one of the Great Pyramids...this is in Memphis

It's a Great Day to Ride!

On Bike Selfie

I look like hell - 2008 miles in 43 hours

SaddleSore 2000 Ride Report: The First 24 Hours - Texas to Kentucky (1086 miles)

I was anxious as I checked the bike over one last time before donning my chaps, jacket, reflective vest, helmet, and gloves.  The time for planning and preparing was over.  It was time to ride and ride hard.  I kissed my wife, told her I’d be careful then eased back on the throttle, and pulled out of the garage to clear skies and bright stars.  At 12:50 a.m., my 2000-mile 48-hour Iron Butt adventure was officially underway.

Sunrise in Sulphur Springs, Texas

I stopped at a station about 3 miles from home to top off my tank and get a time/date stamped business receipt to document my start, then made my way to the Interstate.  Unlike most of the day, I-35 was almost empty.  It was as if I had the entire Interstate to myself. I enjoyed the quiet solitude and cool fresh air.  As I neared Austin, traffic began to pick-up and I was surprised at how many cars were on the road at 1:40 in the morning.  I was on high alert for drunk drivers as I made my way through downtown Austin.  My mom always said, “nothing good ever happens after midnight” so I imagined there were a few cars being driven by folks that may have partied a little too hard.  I kept my distance just in case.

Traffic thinned out after passing through Georgetown and I was once again alone.  There’s something peaceful yet slightly unsettling about riding the freeway at night.  I enjoyed the stillness, but was on edge thinking about animals lurking just outside the reach of my high beams.  I was torn between taking advantage of the open road and making the best time possible and riding more conservatively.  My fear of an undesired animal encounter won out and I kept my speed down accordingly. 

Somewhere between Austin and Temple, I realized I was getting cold.  Prolonged exposure to the cool air was having a chilling effect and was beginning to make me uncomfortable.  I kicked myself for not wearing an additional layer but was thankful I had packed my heated jacket liner.  I wouldn’t be cold for long.  I pulled into the Smart Stop in Waco at 3:37 a.m., right on schedule.  I got gas, completed my log entry, and put my heated liner on under my leather jacket.  I was back on the road in less than 15 minutes.

My heated liner kept me toasty warm as I made my way through Dallas and beyond.  I felt good.  As the sky began to lighten, I was overcome by a sense of reverence.  I thanked God for the opportunity to experience the ride and for the promise of a new day.  No matter how dark the night, we can always take comfort in knowing the sun will rise to light our way.  Within minutes of my 6:26 a.m. fuel stop in Sulphur Springs the sun fully broke the horizon…it was glorious.  With a renewed spirit, I twisted the throttle hard for my final push out of Texas.

The sign at the Arkansas state line was a welcome sight.  There’s something mentally refreshing about
entering a new state. You feel closer to your destination and it gives you a boost of energy.  Unfortunately, my exuberance didn’t last long.  Shortly after stopping in Prescott for gas, the state rolled out the real “Welcome to Arkansas” sign--road construction ahead.  Mile-after-mile of one-lane only, time-killing construction.   I thought I was in purgatory as I crept along in a line of traffic moving 55-60 miles per hour.  I was on the clock and needed to average at least 63 mph to complete the ride on time. After what seemed like an eternity, the road opened up and I pressed hard to get through Little Rock and on to Wheatley as quickly as possible.

Arkansas Road Construction

I pulled into the MAPCO in Wheatly at 11:20 a.m., 35 minutes ahead of my planned arrival time.  I was pleased with my time but starting to feel the effects of the last 650 miles.  The backsides of my legs where they contact the saddle were starting to get a little tender. It was time to take a break.  I gassed-up, completed my log, pulled a Gatorade out of the cooler in my large Viking Bag, and went inside for something to eat.  They had a nice variety of everything, as long as it was chicken.  I ordered two chicken strips and two biscuits.  I must have been hungry because I thought they were the best chicken strips I ever tasted.  After an extended 45+ minute break, I felt rejuvenated.  I geared-up and pressed toward my next stop, Jackson Tennessee.

Sadly, Arkansas wasn’t finished with me.  Shortly after leaving Wheatley, the entire eastbound side of I-40 was shut down with one lane of traffic being diverted to the westbound side.  For almost two miles, traffic inched along before folks fully made the transition and began moving at 50-55 miles per hour.  The construction zone ended about 15 miles east of Memphis.  I twisted the throttle to make-up some time.  I was going 70-75 when I hit a poorly filled pothole and my cell phone popped out of its RAM mount on my left handlebar.  I watched in terror as it fell behind me.

My first thought was “my phone is gone and I need to keep going”, but my second thought was “what if I find it and it still works”.  Being the eternal optimist, I pulled over as quickly as I could and began my walk of shame.  I had no idea exactly where it fell off and wasn’t sure that it might not have been run over by an 18-wheeler.  I kept walking.  After what seemed like a quarter mile, I was ready to give up but at that moment saw it lying screen down on the shoulder. I picked it up. The screen was shattered and its body was mangled.  I had little hope that it would still work but gently pressed the home button.  To my amazement, the screen lit up and everything appeared to work.  Hallelujah!  I made my way back to the bike, put the phone back in the RAM mount, double checked to see if it was secure, and merged back onto the Interstate.

Finally, I'm leaving Arkansas!

The Mississippi River and Memphis were a welcomed sight.  Arkansas hadn’t been very nice to me and I was happy to see it in my rear view mirror.  Traffic in Memphis was light and I quickly made my way through the city.  I was a little distraught when I heard a woman’s voice in my helmet say, “low battery, goodbye”. With my nether regions becoming more tender with each passing hour, I couldn’t imagine five more hours on the road without some form of entertainment to distract me. Not to mention what my wife would start to think when her calls went to voicemail.  Although I didn’t want to lose any saddle time, I decided I’d look for a micro-USB/USB cable in Jackson so I could run power to my Bluetooth headset.

After about an hour and a half of silence, which really wasn’t bad, I lucked upon a Wal-Mart just off the Interstate in Jackson.  Getting in and out of the parking lot took forever but I found what I needed and reestablished my communications and entertainment capability.  I rode another five miles up the Interstate to my designated fuel stop and filled-up. Even after searching for my phone and my Wal-Mart detour, I was about 5 minutes ahead of my plan.  I was thankful I had been able to run 70-75 miles an hour for most of the trip. Barring any additional delays, I calculated I’d get to my dad’s by nightfall.

Although there was some road construction and moderate traffic, my ride from Jackson through Nashville was uneventful.  I was able to maintain a good speed and the weather was perfect.  As I rode through Nashville, I remembered at one time there was an Oscar Mayer plant just off I-65.  I watched for it but never saw it.  I guess it has long since closed but thinking about it put a smile on my face as I sang the Oscar Mayer Bologna song from my childhood.  I’m glad I have a full-face helmet, otherwise people would’ve thought I was crazy.

Shadow Rider

I crossed the Kentucky state line at approximately 5:35 p.m. with a renewed sense of energy.  It felt good knowing that I only had a couple of hours left on the bike.  It had become almost impossible to find a comfortable spot to sit in the saddle or place my feet on the pegs.  I was happy to take a short fuel break in Franklin.  I stretched and ate a little jerky after filling my tank.  After drinking a quick bottle of Gatorade, I mounted the bike and rode knowing my next stop would be it for the night.

Making my way up I-65 I couldn’t help but be impressed by the green pastures and smell of fresh air. 
Kentucky is a scenic place and the ride to Louisville was proving to be quite enjoyable.  As the sun moved lower on the horizon, it was peaceful watching the landscape change colors and the shadows come out to play.  I snapped several photos of the shadow rider riding next to me.  Shortly after crossing into the Eastern Time zone, I called my dad to discuss dinner plans.  He told me dinner was waiting for me.  I pulled into my dad’s driveway just as the last bit of daylight was consumed by darkness. I pulled into the garage and slowly got off the bike.  It had been a long day.  I covered 1086 miles 18 hours and 55 minutes. In just about 9 hours I’d be doing it all over again.  It was time to eat and go to bed...

It fell off the bike at 70 mph and still works!

Riding with the shadows in Kentucky

Who is this guy and why is he following me?

Changing landscape as sun goes down

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Rider Resources
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Coming Soon…Saddlesore 2000 Ride Report: The Long Ride Home – Kentucky to Texas (1086 miles).

Explore Texas - A Ride to the Hamilton Pool Preserve

One of the greatest things about riding a motorcycle is the opportunity to explore the world in a way that puts you in the middle of your surroundings.  Sure, you can reach a destination by car and then explore, but it just isn’t the same.  When you ride, more than half the fun is getting there.  My recent ride to the Hamilton Pool Preserve in Dripping Springs, Texas is a perfect example.

Hamilton Pool Preserve, Dripping Springs, TX

The morning was cool and the air crisp as I left my house to meet several other members of the Gruene Harley Owners Group Chapter at Gruene Harley-Davidson.  The weather forecast called for highs in the mid-70’s but temperatures were still in the mid-50’s at meet-up time.  I wore my leather chaps and jacket to keep warm.  I was comfortable and the short ride to the dealership was refreshing.  I could feel the stress of the week leave my body as I glided over the familiar stretch of road between my house and the dealership. I pulled into the parking lot just as the Road Captain started his safety briefing.

You could feel the excitement in the air as we lined-up and prepared to leave.  Everyone was ready to ride.  Our eighteen-bike/two-trike ensemble cautiously made its way into the traffic flow and settled into a nice staggered formation for the hour and fifteen minute ride to Dripping Springs.  Riding in a large group is special.  It fosters camaraderie and connectedness…and it's fun watching the reaction of both cagers and pedestrians as you ride by. You can see the sense of wonder, awe, and even envy on their faces.  Without a doubt, group riding can be fun, but I digress.

The Waterfall at Hamilton Pool

After turning north on Purgatory Road off FM 306, traffic was almost non-existent. I took several deep breaths to take in the fresh Hill Country air. It was turning out to be a beautiful day.  The two-lane road meandered past several ranches before terminating at the Devil’s Backbone (RR 32).  We headed east for a couple of miles and then made our way north on RR 12.  As we made our way to the terminus of RR 12 at RR 3238, I felt as though we had been transported back in time.  I could easily imagine the landscape that lay before us looked much the same as it did when the first Travis County settlers saw it in the early 1840s…rough and rugged, yet peaceful and full of promise. In that moment, I felt like a pioneer.

Five miles after turning northwest on RR 3238 we found the entrance to the Hamilton Pool Preserve.  I’m
not sure who was more surprised, the Park Ranger trying to get all of us into the small parking area; the group when we realized there was a $10 per vehicle entry fee; or me when I realized I had no cash and they didn’t take credit cards.  Fortunately, a friend spotted me the $10 and all was right with the universe again (thank you, Walter).   Once we were off the bikes we walked down the quarter-mile trail to the “pool”.   As we descended into the box canyon, I was impressed with the natural beauty of the area and then I saw it…the Hamilton Pool.

The whole scene was spectacular and so unexpected.  In front of me was a large pool of emerald green water fed by a 50-foot waterfall.  It was something you’d expect to see in Hawaii not Central Texas. We ventured into the collapsed cave behind the pool taking our time to soak in this natural wonder.  It was amazing.  As we hiked out of the canyon, I couldn’t help but think the experience was possible because I enjoyed exploring Texas on my motorcycle.  

I'm already looking forward to the next adventure.  Until then...Live Free. Ride Hard. Be Happy.

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Learn more about the Hamilton Pool Preserve
Learn more about Gruene Harley-Davidson
Check out the Gruene HOG Chapter Facebook Page

When Harley and Javelina Collide

Ever wondered what you would do if confronted with a collision you couldn’t avoid?  I experienced this situation last Saturday at 2:30 in the afternoon approximately 3 miles east of Leakey, Texas on FM 337.  It was the biggest “Oh, Shit” moment I’ve had on my bike and I hope I never experience anything like it again.  The next time, I might not be so lucky.  Here’s what happened…

The Ride

On Friday afternoon, I rode to Garner State Park with four members of the Gruene HOG Chapter.  We were meeting several other members in the Park for the second annual men’s fellowship camp out and ride.  The Park is a great jumping off point to some of the best riding in the Texas Hill Country and on Saturday we’d be riding the best of the best, the world famous Twisted Sisters.  After an evening of sitting around a roaring campfire, roasting hot dogs, drinking adult beverages, and telling tall tales we turned in for the night. 

When the sun came up Saturday morning, the sky was clear and the air cool and crisp.  You could tell it was going to be a great day to ride.  By 7:30, everyone was awake.  Our host whipped-up a batch of scrambled eggs and venison sausage as we warmed tortillas over the fire.  We made breakfast tacos and discussed our ride plan for the day.  The plan was deliberately loose…we wanted to ride all three Sisters, eat at the Bent Rim Grill in Leakey, and get in as much riding as possible before the sun went down. We agreed on being flexible and focusing on riding and having fun.  It was a good plan.   By 10:30, we were ready to roll.

Riding the Twisted Sisters

Our group of ten bikes left the Park and headed North on U.S. Hwy 83.  We made a quick stop for gas in Leakey and picked-up the first Sister (FM336) just north of town.  She started throwing changes in elevation and twists at us immediately.  We varied from riding in staggered formation to single file and back as the road dictated.  The views were amazing when you could look, but most of the time was spent focusing on the road and the bike in front of you.  No one wanted to be surprised by a fallen rock in the road or loose gravel found on the outside edge of the curves.   We rode this Sister hard, covering her 26-mile length in about 35 minutes.

 

Heading West on TX-41, we laid on the throttle making a beeline to the second Sister (FM335).    When we first arrived, she seemed tame. But in the blink of an eye, she became a tiger, taking us on a seemingly never-ending undulating roller coaster of a ride.  She worked us hard for 29 miles, teasing us with beautiful panoramic vistas and then throwing us curve after deadly curve. It was awesome.  After 45 minutes of riding quite possibly the wildest of the three Sisters, we intersected TX-55 and made our way to Camp Wood where we picked-up our final Sister (FM337).

Turning east on FM337 we were excited to see what the last Sister had to offer.  She gave us exactly what we needed…a break.  We enjoyed the scenery as we pushed through several long straight stretches and sweeping curves with an occasional tight twisty thrown in to keep us on our toes.  The 20-miles back to Leakey went quickly.  Tired and hungry, we pulled into the Bent Rim Grill just after 1:00.  It was a welcome sight after having spent the last 2 ½ hours in the saddle on some of the most technically challenging roads Texas has to offer.  The food was good and the views from the Bent Rim’s patio were spectacular. Rested and ready to complete the last 37 miles of our final Sister we left the Bent Rim and made a quick pit stop to gas up.  We were back on the road by 2:20.

The Collision

It was an absolutely fantastic day, the sky was blue and the sun was shining bright.  We fell into a nicely spaced staggered formation and settled in for a great ride as we began our ascent out of Leakey.  My mind was clear and I was just enjoying the ride when I saw the rider in front of me pointing to the far side of the road.  In a split-second, I saw the beady-eyed bastard starting to make his way into my lane.  My first thought was, “Damn, I can’t hit that pig!”  I tried to adjust my speed, thinking I could avoid him.  Then the little shit changed direction and burst into a full-fledged sprint across the road.  Unsure of where he was going, I couldn’t swerve.  I hit the brakes hard while trying to keep the bike pointed straight ahead.  In another spit-second I thought, “Shit I’m going to hit it!”  I braced for the impact and then BAM!  In the blink of an eye the little monster made contact, hitting me on the left side just behind my front tire.   I immediately felt a burning pain in my left foot and ankle but maintained control of the bike.   I made my way to the shoulder and shut down the bike.

Beady-Eyed Javelina

The burning sensation in my foot and ankle was intense.  I wasn’t sure I could put any weight on it so I sat there trying to make sense of what had just happened.  I was still a little shell-shocked when the riders behind me ask me if I was okay.  They had immediately pulled over in front of and behind me.  They helped me off the bike and supported me as I put weight on my left foot.  I didn’t think anything was broken and with a little help took a few steps.  I knew I’d be okay and took a few more steps on my own.  It still hurt but the burning sensation had subsided and I could walk.  I said, “I’ve got to get a picture of that” and then limped over to the pig lying in the road and snapped a picture.  Looking back that must have seemed strange.

We checked the bike for damage and it looked okay.  The shifter and foot peg had been bent slightly out of place but we thought the bike would be okay.  Everyone got back on their bikes and I pulled back onto the road.  Within a second, I knew something was wrong.  The bike wouldn’t go into second gear.  I pulled over and the rest of the group pulled in around me.  Several folks looked at the bike and tried to manually work the shifter.  We made a few adjustments without opening the case up but nothing worked.  We decided it wasn’t something that couldn’t be fixed on the side of the road.  I rode the bike back into Leakey in first gear but not before stopping and taking another picture of the pig that tried to take me out.  Back in Leakey, I parked the bike at a gas station and then hopped on the back of another rider’s bike.  Yes, I rode bitch to complete the ride (despite the friendly ribbing about having a new cuddle-buddy).  When we got back to camp, we hooked-up a trailer and went to retrieve my bike. 

Later that evening as I iced my ankle, I reflected on the day’s events.  All-in-all, it had been a great day.  I had the opportunity to ride some of the best roads around with an outstanding group of men from the Gruene HOG Chapter.  I felt grateful for their friendship…they were there for me when I needed it and never asked for anything in return.  I also felt grateful to be alive.  I recognized that If I‘d hit the pig head-on; things could have turned out very differently.   When Harley and javelina collide bad things can happen.  I know was lucky, but most of all, I was blessed.

Epilogue

I may not have bought the farm (Thank God), but I guess I did buy the pig.  The damage to my bike was $967.97. Here’s the breakdown:

Replace Front brake Disc

Replace Front Brake Bolt

Replace Left front Fork Kit

Replace Fork Oil

Replace Left Outer Front Suspension Fork Tube

Replace Left Reflector

Replace Clutch Cover Gasket

Replace Cover Gasket

Replace Engine Cover Gasket

Replace Shift lever Shaft

And best of all

Remove Pig Blood From Motorcycle

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Safety Links

http://www.bikesafer.com/animals.html

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/streetsurvival/preventing_fatal_deer_accidents/

http://www.motorcycleassistant.com/motorcycles-and-animals.html

Self Promotion Is Good, Right?

Over Veteran's Day weekend I rode to Lost Maples State Natural Area with the Gruene Harley Owners Group Chapter and had a great time. This week I had the opportunity to share the experience of that ride as a guest blogger on motorcyclehouse.com.

In an attempt at shameless self-promotion here's a link to that guest post. Hope you enjoy it!

Changing Seasons...A Ride to Lost Maples State Natural Area

Changing of the Seasons at Lost Maples SNA