Texas Ladies Ride Report

[Squeaky]

As I geared up and packed my bags, Jamey got to work checking over the bike. The tire pressure was so low it wasn't registering on the gauge and I was half a quart of oil down. http://www.twtex.com/forums/images/smilies/doh.gif He even topped off my tank and filled a spare gas can and stowed it in my pannier in case we'd need it.

http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427975458_Scmn6-M.jpg

I met Lilia (StarSapphire) and Mollie (BMWBabe) at West Oaks Mall and we sauntered up to Starbucks together, miraculously only hitting one red light along the way.

Star
http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427975629_r2LyG-M.jpg

Mollie says hi
http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427975785_wFB6i-M.jpg

We met Michelle, Justine, and Miranda there and chatted while sipping our sweet caffeine, then geared up to head north. The bikes were as diverse as the ladies themselves.
http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/428001913_2i2LC-M.jpg

We were already running behind schedule, so I opted to cut out a portion of the route that doubled back on itself and instead we high-tailed it for Navasota while getting a few good "warm up" roads underneath us.

Miranda (NavaJib)
http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427975964_2sKwe-M.jpg

Justine (Falkryte)
http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427976131_nxbXM-M.jpg

After picking up Deb (Snoopster), Jennifer (NinjaPrincess), Cici (ctoons) and Ana (Anaconda) we turned onto 3090 towards Carlos.

http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427976998_RDFMR-M.jpg

Justine wanted to stop and take a pic with a historical marker along the way.
http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427976398_HKEMs-M.jpg

The bike parked itself on auto pilot
http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427976582_u7WzN-M.jpg

http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427976721_PXYNR-M.jpg

Once in Madisonville, the local traffic impeded our progress as our bellies rumbled. Arriving at the Lakeside Restaurant, we made our way to the table where the Dallas and Austin gals had been waiting on us.

http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427977198_65j74-M.jpg

We did a few rounds of "My name, my riding experience, and what I do for a living" to get to know each other a little better.

http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427977378_ZqMLW-M.jpg

A few ordered off the menu while the rest made a mad dash for the lunch buffet
http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427977742_2HQNb-M.jpg

Justine's migraine was getting worse, so she and Miranda called for a ride back home while we sat around (for a good long while) talking, laughing, and sharing before steeping out into the sun for a group picture.

http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427977928_eAuDe-M.jpg

To make Papa Chuck proud, I went around and tried to get photos of everyone with their steed.

Janet and her FJR - always smiling!
http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427978152_6M9uA-M.jpg

Miranda (Navajib) and her WR - it might look like a small bike, but she makes that baby sing
http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427978404_VQ72C-M.jpg

Susan (Tortuga) and her Piaggio MP3 - from from Chuck but still in good hands
http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427978577_jT7Aw-M.jpg

Claire (Bobcat) all the way from Austin - gettin' dirty this side of the 'Sota
http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427978808_TymKr-M.jpg

Mollie (BMWBabe) - Shiny pony tails firmly affixed to her helmet just for the occasion
http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427978922_vDQ99-M.jpg

Lilia (StarSapphire) - having fun, are we?
http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427979049_wRFxZ-M.jpg

Ana (Anaconda) - Jazz Hands!
http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427979139_3xexT-M.jpg

Jennifer (NinjaPrincess) - Show us your "sexy" pose!
http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427975030_JWoWN-M.jpg

Ok...

Michelle shows us her sexy pose!
http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427975169_wj3vJ-M.jpg

Bye Janet! It was great seeing you again!
http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/427975275_gMX3X-M.jpg

Those that continued the route refueled and headed east, but with the late hour I started adapting on-the-fly and cutting off sections of twisty bits. I took the group down a poorly paved road (it was paved though) and turned onto an FM that eventually wound its way to a PAVEMENT ENDS sign. Ok, so I didn't get through the day without a U-turn. but to my credit, I didn't make the street bikes folow me down the dirt path either! http://www.twtex.com/forums/images/smilies/lol2.gif

We split off in Trinity, then split again in Huntsville (after the loooooongest fuel stop I've ever experienced) and once more near Tomball. Once solo, I aimed for the Tollway and was home by 7:30. Cold, sore, and tired - but I'd do it all again in a heartbeat for the companionship alone. http://www.twtex.com/forums/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif

[KCDakar]

Can I cry and be happy too?:confused2:

I am soo sorry I missed this. You all looked like you had a great time!

Thank you for sharing the ride with us.:thumbup:

I will see if I can get down that way after I figure out how I am going to pay to get my bike fixed...

I need a Ride Fix.:mgbanghead:

[Unforgiven]

Looks like a fun time was had by all! Thanks for sharing the ride with us! Makes me miss my bike even more.

[Luna Tique]

:yahoo: Sounds like a great day.
Thanks for taking us along
How many (s)miles did you total for the day?

[ridingAK]

That looks so fun! It makes me really happy to see women getting together to ride like that. It sends such a great message that what we do isn't just for the guys.

[Squeaky]

Oh, and Bobcat can confirm - I was pimping TWF.com! Be on the lookout for more Texas ladies registering. :thumbup:

[ridingAK]

Great! :thumbsup:

[KansasKawboy]

Great RR, I was following on the SPOT site while it was snowing. :mgbanghead:

On the plus side I was working on the prep work I needed to do for my next year motorcycle exploring. :riding:

[Luna Tique]

Oh, and Bobcat can confirm - I was pimping TWF.com! Be on the lookout for more Texas ladies registering. :thumbup:

Sounds good :thumbsup:

I was working on the prep work I needed to do for my next year motorcycle exploring. :riding:-

Is this still a Secret Mission kk? :D: or are you ready to enlighten us.

[Squeaky]

Hey Bobcat - you going to share your pics too? :rules:

[bobcat]

Hey Bobcat - you going to share your pics too? :rules:

Eeep, yep, will get to that soon.

[Lady of the NightHawk]

Sure looked like a great ride. I already miss being able to ride. I hate the cold and ice.

[indianscout]

Sure looked like a great ride. I already miss being able to ride. I hate the cold and ice.


I agree 100% on the report and not being able to ride. :thumbup: Thanks for the ride fix.....I needed it! :mghissyfit:





.

[bobcat]

Since Dakar was unable to ride down, I rode solo to Madisonville. Almost stayed in bed, but glad I didn't.

Sunday morning, 8 a.m, 45 degrees:
http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427708734_6WDRN-M.jpg

Somewhere between Elgin and Lexington:
http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427708783_fjDjZ-M.jpg

http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427708803_XGGFX-M.jpg

http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427708834_n2ut6-M.jpg

Snow's BBQ in Lexington, apparently it's pretty good. Only open on Saturdays:
http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427708848_yqNmg-M.jpg

Bustling downtown Lexington:
http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427708867_gvuDv-M.jpg

Somewhere between Lexington and Caldwell:
http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427708885_Pdbc6-M.jpg

http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427708918_8BRfg-M.jpg

http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427708936_7RMsc-M.jpg

http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427708952_rt4tK-M.jpg

Gas stop in Caldwell, my Gerbing's liner makes the trip possible. I LOVE my Gerbing!
http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427708961_8ePsN-M.jpg

It was a little breezy:
http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427708976_rmSKC-M.jpg

I was running a little early, so I took a backroads detour in search of dirt. These horses were interested in the Wee:
http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427708984_EqEaL-M.jpg

There's some dirt roads northeast of College Station that cross the Navasota River, so that's where I headed:
http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427708998_FCogQ-M.jpg

I thought of Squeaky as I crossed a wooden bridge, she just loves these bridges with no guardrails :lol: :
http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709014_ujxw6-M.jpg

The Navasota Swamp, errrr, River:
http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709031_xShAV-M.jpg

http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709042_7YvSu-M.jpg

http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709054_gcvap-M.jpg

http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709067_CnAww-M.jpg

http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709104_vyeyN-M.jpg

The Dallas - Fort Worth twosome arrived at the restaurant around 11, I got there at 11:40, and the Houston gang showed up around 12:30. Let's eat! :wootrock::

The Houston gang:

http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709117_n6t6K-M.jpg

http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709126_VBoJU-M.jpg

http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709140_e3oTf-M.jpg

The food choices on the buffet made for a strange combo, but I was hungry and didn't really mind:
http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709156_iuBkD-M.jpg

The Dallas - Fort Worth posse:
http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709175_JFszr-M.jpg

Squeaky and me:
http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709187_nZ5Gq-M.jpg

http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709199_MMS4M-M.jpg

http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709249_aH6Lf-M.jpg

On the way home, I found some more dirt roads near the Navasota River, a little further upstream than earlier in the day. This bridge was about 30 feet above the water. :eek: Like Squeaky, I have a fear of heights also, but forcing myself to do things like this helps me overcome it though.

http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709282_fBJiV-M.jpg

Constantly thinking of photo opps for all of you here, I originally stopped in the middle of the bridge thinking "this'll make a good pic"... :LT: As I started to put the sidestand down, I realized that I was really on tiptoes trying to touch the boards to the left and right of the higher portion that the bike was centered over. I had visions of a 0 mph tipover, with me and the bike going off the side... In a moment of rare good judgment, I turned the bike back on and continued across to where it was safer to get off the bike. :lol:
http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709302_8MPyr-M.jpg

Guardrails? We don't need no stinkin guardrails!
http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709318_kfTHi-M.jpg

I've only been in Texas for 5 years, so seeing pumpjacks is still a novelty to me:
http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709338_yuK7q-M.jpg

The Alcoa lignite mine operations near Elgin are expanding in size, causing some detours and closures of the county roads:
http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709366_dancU-M.jpg

:lol:
http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709386_KSL3L-M.jpg

Got home at 5:30, Lucy was not impressed at having to spend the day alone:
http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709399_thv4p-M.jpg

She forgave me though:
http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709425_iBr7W-M.jpg


296 miles for the day. Thanks for organizing this Squeaky, it was fun, looking forward to the next one! :yahoo:

[Squeaky]

Thanks for organizing this Squeaky, it was fun, looking forward to the next one! :yahoo:

Snoopster reminded me of a place she and I scouted over on the west side of town. I didn't use it this time because I wanted more DFW riders to join us, but if we post more frequent rides I'm sure we can rotate around a bit. :riding:

Oh, and I guess its kinda a good thing nobody stayed in my guest room - I dumped a large bucket of water down the bathtub in the guest bathroom and it took FOREVER to go down the drain! Time to snake that thing before I get a guest that doesn't want to stand in a foot of water... :rofl:

[Luna Tique]

I enjoyed all your pictures.

http://bobcat.smugmug.com/photos/427709386_KSL3L-M.jpg
:rofl:This one cause outright laughter :rofl:


I haven't been to Texas since the mid 70's I totally forgot about seeing a pumper out in a field here and there :lol:

Looks like quite the group. a wonderful day good weather good friends and good food safe trip Sounds like a :perfect10: for the day to me :thumbup:

PS:Your dog is adorable

[ridingAK]

Looks like you had a beautiful day for a ride. Thank you for the report and the pics. It makes me want at least one more sunny non-icy day here before winter sets in for real.

[KCDakar]

Now I am going to go crawl off and cry that I missed this.
I have not had the heart to fix my bike yet. I need to find someone that can do the shimming right this time. Well that is if it still has good gears left.:gaah:

Oh that and money...:shrug:

[bobcat]

Thanks for the nice comments, we are certainly fortunate here to be able to ride almost all year long.


PS:Your dog is adorable

You can believe that she knows it too. :lol: