East Texas adventure

[lonestarmedic]

Took off for Houston on Friday. Spent a wonderful time on I-10 waiting for a semi to clear a bridge. Seems he was a bit too wide for the rails!! They had to jack the load up over the rails. Got to town and had a visit with TxVenture (Don H.) Went to Gunboats and had home-cooked beans and cornbread. Dang was that 17 bean good! Left the next morning for Rusk to meet with Masterguns and Mavrik. Beautiful ride up, started at 69 degrees and went to about 80 by noon. From Rusk the 4 of us took off for Lake O' the Pines. Great ride up. Did have a bit of fun with the dreaded death wobble!!I was in the lead and went around a semi at slightly (Ahem- about 110mph) above posted speeds. As I cut back in ol' Mocha proceeded to tank slap. Bars moving about 6-8 inches and the whole bike dancing like a drunken hip-hopper. Gunboat said he just backed off and started flashing his brakes to give me room if I went down. What a buddy! I got her back straight and we went on. At the next stop sign I pulled the entire seat cover out of my cheeks and put it back on. I then worked the bike through a couple more runs and speed changes at the same gears and speeds. No problems. Guess I will check the front end again. Gunboat can tell you about the bird's-eye view. We got to L.O.P. and loved the area. Hated the accomodations. Sparse and no places to eat. Actually checked in the had supper and cancelled the rooms. Did have a good catfish dinner in a 10 seat cafe. Left for Athens to arrive about 9pm. Masterguns cut off at I-20 and headed for home. We had a good sleep and checked the area. Mavrik served as our tour guide. Perfect place for the Stampede. Even a Yamaha dealer in town. (Go get-em Mavrik). Headed for Houston at noon on Sunday. Lost the R.H. saddle bag lid on the bottom of town. Found it battle scarred in the center median (thanks Don). I split at I-45 and SR 79. Got home at 6pm last night.

 

Miles - Me 1200 total

Gunboat and I on Sat. - 500

 

A special thanks to my riding buddies. Don C. (Gunboat), Herb (Masterguns), and Mike (Mavrik). It was a pleasure to have ya'll on board. I couldn't have done it without you.

 

The bark of 2 sets of Bub's and the hum of 2 1st Gens. can't be beat. By the way Herb, beautiful maroon 1st Gen. And, I do have a spare lid in the garage. So, bike back to original by 7pm. on Sunday.

 

JB

[Mavrick]

What a great ride we had on Saturday. Thanks to JB, Herb, and Don for the company. We kept those 1st Gens in front most of the day so Don and I did not run off and leave them. JB provided the entertainment with that Death Wobble. I have been to a lot of rodeos and have not seen many bull rides that were that good.

 

I think everyone will enjoy Athens. There are tons of great roads to ride and plenty of entertainment. I will be putting together several routes and making copies to distribute. I am even working on getting us a Key to the City.....LOL.

 

If anyone has any questions or I can assist you in anyway please let me know.

 

Mavrick

 

[GigaWhiskey]

Glad you made it upright there JB. Been there, almost done that. Well, I did not stay upright when that happened to me on a 72 Kawasaki 750 H2 I had bought 20 minutes earlier as a teen. Bent the bars back and rode her the next morning.

 

Glad this thing is back on track, not that it wasn't. This should be a great time!

[MasterGuns]

I was glad both be Bubs were in the rear (sometimes anyway)...couldn't hear Huey. And you're on!

 

MasterGuns

 

What a great ride we had on Saturday. Thanks to JB, Herb, and Don for the company. We kept those 1st Gens in front most of the day so Don and I did not run off and leave them. JB provided the entertainment with that Death Wobble. I have been to a lot of rodeos and have not seen many bull rides that were that good.

 

I think everyone will enjoy Athens. There are tons of great roads to ride and plenty of entertainment. I will be putting together several routes and making copies to distribute. I am even working on getting us a Key to the City.....LOL.

 

If anyone has any questions or I can assist you in anyway please let me know.

 

Mavrick

 

[MasterGuns]

For those that up to this point are just considering participating in this upcoming Texas Stampede, and if you've never riden the back roads of E. Texas, there is reallly some incrediable scenery out that way. You have just got to come. We four had a really good time, saw some neat backwoods type stuff and ate some delicious cat fish. Tried to spark some interest in the ole 1st Ed/2d Ed thing but had no takers.

 

Thanks JB for a good planning trip and allowing me to come along. Sorry to hear bout your saddlebag lid. Glad you had a backup.

 

Hope to see everyone next month...GWATCDR!

 

MasterGuns

[gunboat]

i think the pig slaping show was pettery good but i don't wish that on anyone. been there done that. i don't scare easy but that pig slaping is at the top of the list. the ride on the steam engine of the texas state railroad will be great adventure if you never had the chance to be around or ride any steam engines. it won't be like rideing the rails upin the rockies but puttery good for east texas. i put almost 800 miles on the beast by the time i got back home. oh jb the 15 bean soup was better after it had aged. there is just something about the roar of 2 second gen's with burbs on them. mike (mavrick) it was good to ride round with you & herb (master guns). sarah my youngest say's she going to come along. see ya soon.

best reguards

don c.

[Kregerdoodle]

JB, sorry I missed seeing you while you were in town, and even more sorry that I couldn`t make the trip with ya`ll, sounds like ya`ll had a great time and gathered some great info. Is there a camp ground around Athins or near the Motel ??? Sorry if that info was posted eles where, If so I missed it, any way, I am thinking there may be a few folks that want to camp, so was just checking. So glad that your stunt riding turned out for the best... have you retreived all of your seat cover yet??? man I know that will tighten ya up real good...

 

well take care, and look forward to seein ya`ll...

 

 

Kreg

[lonestarmedic]

Kbay - try this post.

 

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?p=249212#post249212

 

I listed the local Lake Athens Marina and campground.

 

JB