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The 2011 Bikers Rule 4 School run is
officially over. The Dogs went in two groups, Otter and I met up at Theo's on
Friday. Headed out towards Tyler after lunch. Plan was to meet up with Trip on
the road. Originally Bill Ward was going with us, but "Bad Back" had
to cancel his trip. We scooted out of Dallas ahead of the traffic, but not the
heat. Met up with Trip somewhere near Terrell. The ride was uneventful, even if
warm.
Checked into the La Quinta Inn in Terrell. I know you'll be surprised, because I
always thought La Quinta meant "Next to Denny's", but it was a Kettle
Restaurant. Never saw anyone actually inside eating the whole trip. After a
refreshing dip in the pool, we took off for dinner at a Chinese place Dawn had
spotted. Otter led us to the one up the road from there that was out of
business. I managed to lead us to the backside of the chosen destination, but in
a parking lot 4 foot higher. We parked anyway and climbed down to eat. Figured
we'd find a way back up after the meal. Food was good, company was great.
I had noticed that Trip's brake light was out, so after dinner he said he'd look
for the Harley shop to fix it. I suggested we just go buy the bulb at the local
auto supply and fix it before we got back on the road. Dawn and I took off,
leaving Otter and Trip to wait in the abandoned parking lot. What should have
been a short trip turned into miles...the next place that was open was a WalMart
about 6 times around the loop in Tyler. They didn't have one, only amber. Went
across the street to the Walgreen's...only amber again. Decided to try the
Brookshires. If they didn't have it we were buying amber. Got a two-pack (not
the rapper) for less than a buck.
Back at the parking lot, Otter and I aimed our headlights on Trip's bike so he
could change the bulb. Now he's qualified to be a Harley mechanic...
Dawn and I opted not to join them at the pool again when they went down to smoke
cigars.
Next morning the second crew of dogs joined us. Thanks to Highway (with Taterbug),
Patch-Ho, Twiggs, Babyface (and his dad Dennis who has raised 3 Marines) and
Backfire. I was told I had the loudest metric bike in the club. Sorry CharlieB.
Maybe we should ride side by side so they can get a true comparison. Headed to a
gas station to fill up. 3 dogs decided to cross the street and fill up there. We
waited on them.
We rolled into the parking lot gathering spot for the ride and promptly found
the Bravo Co. dogs. Minus Gunny, who was busy running the show. BA was working
taking pretty pictures. Some of them might include the dogs. But he wasn't
riding because the cameras needed AC.
We were riding Drag, trying to keep the herd together. Hadn't gotten 1/4 mile
before the first trikes broke down in the middle of the road. Somehow, one of
them survived and for several miles it was dragging itself along about 2 miles
behind the rest of the ride. Okay, it may be a slight exaggeration, but it was a
long gap that kept getting filled with cars. She finally pulled off and we raced
to catch up with everyone else.
Did I mention it was getting warmish?
Started seeing bikes drop out, due to heat or lack of fuel capacity we may never
know...
At the halfway point, there were two gas stations doing a booming business. The
cool water was refreshing. Trip decided to head home from the halfway point.
Didn't want another two hours of slow roasting (did I mention it was warmish?)
before the ride home. Otter went to get gas before we left. We got the late
arrivals (guess they were at the fuel station) to go around us so we could take
up our assigned position. We saw more bikes pull out at nearly every gas stop
along the way. Guess the heat was making the gas evaporate.
Somewhere along the way, the rest of the riders disappeared. We were still
following a group being led by a radio station van but only a couple of big
trucks were in front of them. We lost the police escort that was supposed to be
stopping traffic for us but managed to stay together. We were close to the home
stretch and Otter led us into a gas station. See last sentence above. I actually
filled up, though I still had 1/2 tank. Mine must not leak.
Rode into town and found the Shrine facility where the end spot was located. Got
a couple of hot dogs and a bottle of water. When I say the hot dogs weren't
warmer than the air, that's not a bad thing. Strolled down the hill to find the
Blue Bell Ice Cream truck. Twiggs was trying to buy his way inside. Hung around
for a while and decided it wasn't getting any cooler and the hotel did have a
pool.
Twiggs, Otter, Dawn and I lounged in the pool area until it was time for dinner.
The Jalapeno Tree was good, the service was slow. Headed out to BA's for the
"Rock n Roll Swimmin' Hole" extravaganza. I managed to take the wrong
road once and miss the turn once. Though it wasn't labeled 147. Twiggs led us
in, and right by the turn we needed. Found his GPS program directed him back the
way we came and down a road that said No Outlet. Arrived at BA's warm and weary.
Did I mention it was warmish?
BA got his founding member pin from Otter. Met Bravo's FNG - Ed Starling. Hung
out by the pool, saw BA's mancave with his musical menagerie and the computer
setup where he does his picture adjustments. Over 650 pics from the days events.
Around 2300 we headed back to town. Otter needed gas...took a back road BA had
sort of described, but it was an interesting ride off the highway.
Sunday morning we left at 0730 for the run home. Otter led us to the Dairy
Palace in Podunk, Tx. Food quality was good, except I can't recommend the
biscuits. Twiggs took off early looking for a new CD for the ride home. We
caught up with him 25 miles down the road, where Otter stopped for gas. I still
had 1/2 tank, but filled up anyway so he wouldn't feel lonesome. I think his
scoot wants to be a Harley.
Otter split off at Hwy 80 in Terrell headed home. Twiggs split off at Hwy 360
headed home.
Dawn and I pulled into the drive before it got too warmish.
Semper Fi brothers.
If I left anyone off the distribution list, please forward...and let me know so
I can add them in the future.
Doug
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