ONTO NORTH TEXAS BIKERS III 7-16-09

WELL, IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN WHEN I HAVE EXCEEDED MY PHOTO UPLOAD LIMIT HERE ON NORTH TEXAS BIKERS II. I HAVE CREATED NORTH TEXAS BIKERS III AND THE NEW LINK IS: http://www.jjskewlstuff3.blogspot.com/. I WISH TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND INPUT THAT MADE NORTH TEXAS BIKERS II THE SUCCESS THAT IT WAS. I ASK FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR NORTH TEXAS BIKERS III.

FOR ALL THE LOCAL RIDERS HERE, I APOLOGIZE FOR NOT HAVING A NEW LARGE GROUP PICTURE FOR THE III SITE. HOWEVER, WHEN WE HAVE A LARGE RUN AGAIN, A PHOTO WILL BE TAKEN AND THE HEADER CHANGED UP. I AM IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING A NEW HEADER MADE UNTIL THE BIGGER GROUP PICTURE CAN BE TAKEN.

FOR ALL THE VIEWERS THAT I HAVE LINKS TO: BIKER BLOGS, MILITARY BLOGS & BIKER SITES, I ASK FOR YOUR PATIENCE BECAUSE THERE ARE A MULTITUDE OF YOU AND IT WILL TAKE ME A WHILE TO GET YOU ALL ADDED ONTO THE NORTH TEXAS BIKERS III SITE, BUT I ASSURE YOU, YOU WILL BE RE-ADDED.

AGAIN, THANKS FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND NOW: ONTO NORTH TEXAS BIKERS III AT: http://www.jjskewlstuff3.blogspot.com/

YA'LL RIDE SAFE............................JOHN

Solo Around Lake Arrowhead 7-12-09

Ya know, I like to ride with my friends, I like to ride with my club, I like the fun runs and riding with everybody. But every now & then I like to go out and do the solo thing. Today, Sunday, 7-12-09 was one of those days. For starters, we slept in and missed church and it was starting to get hot out. Janice is hard to get on the bike anyway, but when it's hot, forget it. So, at about 11:30 a.m., I headed out to Lake Arrowhead. It was already 94 degrees heading for a high of 108 or there abouts. And unlike Arizona where it is a dry heat, it is a miserable wet heat here with the humidity. Come along on this warm ride and REMEMBER: IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE PICTURE BIGGER, JUST CLICK ON THE PICTURE.











Before heading out, I got a bottle of frozen water out of the freezer in the garage. I keep several of these on hand for hot days like today.. They melt completely in about 35 minutes and stay cool another 15 or 20 and then they are useless, unless you like to drink warm or hot water..

Heading down one of the country roads en route to Lake Arrowhead..

There wasn't very much traffic out and I had the curves to myself

I come up to my turn. I didn't actually go to the State Park, only passed by it. I didn't have any money on me to pay the entrance fee.

As I got on FM 2606 and onto the spillway, I stopped and got a couple pictures.

This is looking back from the East side of the Lake Arrowhead Spillway

Ms. Clone sits on the South side of the spillway in the sun.

I got to the Lake Arrowhead Dam and got the oil derricks in the lake & Ms. Clone.

This is either a crane or an egret..Which every it was, it was cooling off in the water

The lake is down about 7' or so looking at the rings around that structure

Crossing the Lake Arrowhead Dam

This stretch of FM 2606 has been adopted by M.A.C (Motorcycle Awareness C.O.R.P.S). I have been out with them before picking up the trash. M.A.C. was founded by our friends Jeff Rumminger & Phil Golden. For more on M.A.C. visit their site at: http://www.seemymoto.com/main/

This is the East side of Lake Arrowhead, taken from the bridge looking East

From the bridge looking West. Right after I took this pic, that kid on the inner tube was flung off and landed hard and bounced a couple times. but he looked like he was having a good time. One thing was sure, he was a lot cooler than I was.

I left the Lake and headed home. Coming back from the East side of the lake, takes you thru Henrietta Texas where Four Stars Motorcycle Ranch is at. It is closed on Sunday and here is the business. For more info see this link & click on Motorcycles: http://www.fourstarsautoranch.com/

Getting ready to get on the on ramp to US 287 Northbound

Crossing into Wichita County Texas

The Welcome to Wichita Falls Texas sign

Starting up our version of a mix master

Going up & over and will come down on US 82 West bound

The Wichita Falls Texas downtown area

Coming down onto US 82 (Kell Freeway) Westbound

Five miles or so later, I enter the construction zone nearing Barnett Rd. I was warned by the local police the other day about speeding thru this area on the bike. I wasn't paying attention to my speed and I was going over the limit. Good thing there were no workers there at the time or I would of got a very expensive ticket.

One of the new city water towers on the South side of the construction zone

After about an 1 1/2 hrs later from the start of the ride & a little over 76 miles (the total length of the ride) I turned onto my street and looked at my house. (at the end with the white garage door). I am anticipating the air conditioner because it is now HOT with the temperature showing 104 degrees. It was showing 94 when I left. I got in the house, woofed down a Subway sandwich, started guzzling ice water and promptly started throwing up...A great way to end a great ride...(grin) But like they say with planes: any landing you can walk away from is a good landing. With motorcycle, any ride you get home safe from, is a good ride. It was hot but I enjoyed the time on the bike.

I am also adding another name at the end of this blog for ya'll to add to your prayers. It is my good friend, Manuel. He just got activated a few months ago and is now starting his tour in Afghanistan. Pattie, the other person, is currently starting her tour in S. Korea. She is know to most of you viewers as Pattie with the new red Harley Ultra Classic.

Scroll down for more rides, events & posts and don't forget to click on the "older posts" link at the bottom of EACH page for more rides and posts. Check out North Texas Bikers (1) at http://www.jjskewlstuff.blogspot.com/ for rides, events & posts from January 08-November 08. Until next post, ya'll be careful out there, ride safe, keep the rubber on the road & pray for our Troops & Pattie & Manuel................JOHN

Another One of Our Own Goes Down 7-9-09

Yesterday, 7-8-09 I received the below e-mail from Sissy pertaining to yet another one of our own being involved in a serious m/c accident. Please, pray for Gloria and her recovery. The email tells what happened:



A 16 yr old pulled out of Elliott St onto Kemp into Gloria's path this evening. Gloria's pelvis is broken on both sides and they could not do anything for her here. She didn't have any serious injuries any other place. She had just started a new job at Champion's Clinic and was on her way home on her bike. I just left the hospital where she was care flighted to Parkland. Mike and Amanda are on their way to Parkland now to be with her. Please keep them all in your prayers and pray that Gloria makes a speedy recovery.
Sissy





This is a picture of Gloria and Big Mike, her husband. Parkland Hospital is located in Dallas Texas, and is the same hospital they took JFK to when he was assassinated in 1963. It is about 135 miles from here in Wichita Falls Texas



I sincerely hope that this rash of m/c accidents here in North Texas ends soon. We have been lucky in the sense that all have recovered and I pray that Gloria is up and around pretty soon. Pray for Mike and the rest of the family as well for the 16 yr old. That is an awful thing to have on his/her conscience when just starting his/her driving career.



Your prayers and support are appreciated by Gloria & Mike and from the riding community here in North Texas & Southern Oklahoma.................JOHN

Update on Sissy & the Bike Shops 7-8-09

Today, Wednesday, 7-8-09, was time for me to get out & about and go check on Sissy and visit my favorite bike shops here in the Wichita Falls, Texas area. By the time I ate lunch with Janice and then headed out, it was 102 degrees. When I got home a few hours later, my digital readout in the backyard said it was 105 in the shade. I was a believer because it was HOT out. Scroll down and check out the ride today and REMEMBER: IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE PICTURE BIGGER, JUST CLICK ON THE PICTURE...




I met Janice downtown at the Pump Jack Restaurant for lunch before heading South to Henrietta Texas to see Sissy. This is Jimmie Sue our waitress and Janice Sue, my wife. Jimmie is from the Montgomery Alabama area and Janice's dad is from Talledega Alabama.. Janice has more of an Alabama drawl than Texas accent so, here are the two 'Bama girls..

I left Wichita Falls for the 23 mile ride down to Four Stars Motorcycle Ranch, which is part of the Four Stars Auto Ranch at TX 148/US 287 in Henrietta Texas. That is also where Sissy works. Here is Sissy showing off the road rash on both arms that she received when she was in an accident on one of the Oklahoma City service roads during the National H.O.G. Rally there, a week and a half ago. She says her ribs still hurt (she has 6 broken ribs) and she still hasn't been back on a bike yet. But she says she will be riding again real soon. And aside from the scraped
arms, ribs and a swollen right knee, she says she is doing good. The accident happened Saturday, she went to the hospital Sunday when they got back to Texas and was at work Monday morning. That is true dedication and proves that she is tough as nails.

Here are some of the used bikes at Four Stars Motorcycle Ranch. For more on Four Stars Motorcycle Ranch, go to this link & click on motorcycles. http://www.fourstarsautoranch.com/

Note the stick shift on the left side of this bike..

Here is an Ultra Classic that I thought had been traded in by Phil, a member of the Blue Knights TX XX and our Web Master. When I was on vacation, he was involved in an accident and Lance, who most of you regular viewers are familiar with, also was involved in an accident. Both were banged & skinned up and their Harley's damaged, but thank goodness they are still with us.

Here is Sissy sitting on one of Lance's Harley's that he traded in on an Ultra Classic. I couldn't believe that he traded this bike in because I know it was one of his favorite toys. But he does love his new Screamin Eagle Ultra Classic.

Some of the bikes for sale at Four Stars. This is an 08 Harley Rocker, I think that's what Sissy said.

And I think she said this was an 07

More of the bikes for sale

I had to let Sissy get back to work and here she is in her office. She wanted me to thank all you folks for the emails, well wishes and support you've given her during this time of recovery. I might add that if you are in the Henrietta Texas area, stop in and see Robert, Charlie, Sissy and all the other good folks & look over the bikes and biker merchandise they carry there at Four Stars Motorcycle Ranch. And if you're car hunting, go across the street to the Auto Ranch and check out the many makes & models they have there. I am sure they have a bike, car or truck to fit your needs.

Some of the helmet selection they have there

They carry all kinds of accessories & apparel

Some of the leathers

After leaving Henrietta Texas, I rode back here to Wichita Falls and stopped at Eddie Hills Fun Cycles to check out the new Kawasaki Voyager.

Before getting pics of the Voyager, I went straight to the back of the showroom and drank a BUNCH of cold water. Then I took a couple pics of the new 09 1700cc Vulcan's they had parked there.

The other 09 Vulcan 1700 cc parked in the showroom

I walked over to check the leathers and got a picture of Trey, the GM, hard at work..

This is the new 09 Kawasaki 1700 cc Vulcan Voyager. This bike is a dark blue/black and is beautiful. That $16,000 price tag is well worth it.

The Voyager

This is Mark one of the hard working salesmen at Eddie Hill's Fun Cycle. He & Trey got me on Ms. Clone. I now have put 29,427 miles on Ms. Clone since Jan. 08.

Ms. Clone on the sidewalk in front of Eddie Hills, awaiting me for the ride down to Red River Harley Davidson. For more on Eddie Hill's Fun Cycles, check this link. They also have 4 wheelers, dirt bikes and other cruisers. They even had a Harley inside for sale..
http://www.eddiehillsfuncycles.com/

I left Eddie Hill's and got back up on the freeway and a few short minutes later I pulled off at City View Dr/US 287, and arrived at Red River Harley Davidson.

Some of the many used Harley's for sale.

I walk inside and see my favorite Harley salesgirl, Wendi, hard at work

I then walk straight back the Rider's Edge office and see Greg (beard) talking to a customer. He waves me to the refrigerator and I go get an ice cold Pepsi.

I then walked around, enjoying the air conditioning and took pics of the new Harley's on the showroom floor

My choice of bikes is now down to this Heritage Classic and a Road King, (not on the showroom floor)

Just as soon as Janice tells me to get my bike, then I will go see Choyce. Choyce, pictured above, is to be my salesman. A great guy and extremely knowledgable about the Harley's.

Here are the hard working girls at Red River Harley Davidson: Amber, Ginger & Wendi. There are more, but I always nab these three for pictures..

Amber gets a pic of me & Greg. Greg and I worked together for 28 years and now he has this great job at Harley running the Riders Edge Program.

These four make up part of the great Harley team at Red River Harley Davidson. Amber, Greg, Wendi & Ginger. Oh yeah, Greg is 6'8"

Some more of the bikes for sale out front. I love this blue & gray color scheme on this Ultra

This one ain't too bad either.

More bikes around the side for sale.

Looking down towards the Service area. Those bikes parked there are mostly employee personal bikes.. For more on Red River Harley Davidson, see this link: http://redriverharley-davidson.com/Default.asp

When I got to Red River Harley Davidson, these folks were in the process of leaving. They had gotten directions to the City Cafe in Iowa Park, to eat. Since the City Cafe is where a bunch of us old retired farts go for breakfast every Thursday and since it was about 12 miles down the road and I knew a quicker way to get there, I volunteered to take them there. They followed and pictured out front of the city cafe in Iowa Park Texas are, from left to right: Frank, Monica, Robert, Kathy & Bobby. They are from Queens, New York and are on a road trip out to Las Vegas, Nevada. Ride safe you guys and have a great time in Vegas. And just for your info, when I got home 30 minutes later, it showed to be 105 degrees in the shade.

Last photo taken today are of: Frank & Monica's Harley, Robert & Kathy's Harley and Bobby's Harley at the City Cafe in Iowa Park Texas.

It was good to see Sissy again and to see she is doing ok. It was great seeing all the folks at Four Stars Motorcycle Ranch, Eddie Hill's Fun Cycles and Red River Harley Davidson. I enjoyed meeting Robert, Kathy, Frank, Monica & Bobby and hope they have a safe road trip. Now we know someone in New York City that we can get in touch with when Janice & I ride up to see The Big Apple.

Scroll down for more rides, events & posts and don't forget to click on the "older posts" link at the bottom of EACH page for more rides and posts. Check out North Texas Bikers (1) at http://www.jjskewlstuff.blogspot.com/ for rides, events & posts from January 08-November 08. Until next post, ya'll be careful out there, ride safe, keep the rubber on the road & pray for our Troops & Pattie................JOHN

The Ride To "Dream Machines of Texas" 7-2-09

Yesterday, 6-1-09, I got an e-mail from Steve asking me if I would ride down to Dallas with him so he could trade in his Honda Valkyrie for a Yamaha Venture. He was working mids and wanted to leave when he got off at around 7:30 a.m. and if I went with him, I could help keep him alert.. So today, Thursday, 6-2-09 I met Steve at the Shell station at US 287/Windthorst Rd at 8:00 a.m. and we set out for Dream Machines of Texas in Farmers Branch Tx. Our route down was US 287 to US 380. East on 380 to I-35E (SB) to Exit 441 at Valley View Lane. We'd make a u-turn under the Interstate and go back North on the service road to Dream Machines of Texas. Scroll down and join us and REMEMBER: IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE PICTURES BIGGER, JUST CLICK ON THE PICTURES.






David was supposed to have gone with us but something came up and he couldn't make it. Here's David with his new fender ornament.. David said it is not a donkey....

Here is Steve and his Valkyrie just before we went left for his final ride on it..

Another of Steve & the Valkyrie at the Shell station at US 287/Windthorst in Wichita Falls Texas. The temperature at this point was upper 70's. There was a light breeze and not a cloud to be seen anywhere.

I had to gas up Ms. Clone for the ride down to Farmers Branch. Farmers Branch is a suburb of Dallas.

Steve on his final ride on his Valkyrie as we head South on US 287

Steve in front as we head South on US 287. See, not a cloud..

As we go through Henrietta Texas, I took this pic of the Four Stars Motorcycle Ranch at US287/TX 148. http://www.fourstarsautoranch.com/

Texas Highway Patrol (DPS) was out and busy today on US 287

We stop in Decatur Texas and Steve puts gas in the Valkyrie for the last time

We go East on US 380 and DPS was busy there too. US 380 between Decatur Texas & Denton Texas is noted for danger because of the rock haulers. DPS has one nabbed here, I assume, for speeding or for rocks and crap coming out of the trailer. I've almost been run over by them and have been pelted by the rocks, is the reason for my assumption.

We get on I-35E and as we go thru Corinth Texas, we pass the American Eagle Harley Davidson Dealership.. http://www.americaneaglehd.com/

Ya just gotta love the almost lunch hour traffic on I-35 as you get close to Dallas...Here we approach our exit, where we loop back under I-35 and go North on the service road.

On the Northbound service road, Steve approaches Dream Machines of Texas..

Before Steve does his paperwork, we walk around the showroom. They had ALL kinds of bikes and because of the volume of sales they do, the bikes were priced right. The salesman said they sell 120 bikes a month

Some of the custom bikes

Here is a Victory.

We went out to the service department where they were servicing Steve's Venture. Here is Steve's new bike

The Dream Machines of Texas business sign

And the Dream Machines of Texas building

They wheel Steve's bike out to the parking lot while he is inside doing the paperwork

Ms. Clone and Steve's Venture

Jason, Steve's salesman, shows Steve some of the goodies on the bike and how to operate them. That Venture is loaded!!

As we get ready to go, Jason takes the Valkyrie to the Service area. The female in the bay area is Brandy, who took care of the paperwork for Steve.

Steve and his Venture as we get ready to head back to Wichita Falls. Oh, did I mention that it was a little over 100 degrees at this point? It was 103 by the time we got home.. For more info on Dream Machines of Texas, check this link: http://www.dreammachinesoftexas.com/. While there, I got to lookin at the bikes and talking to Kerry, one of the salesmen there. They had an 09 Harley Heritage Softail Classic there and I thought they were joking with the price they were asking for it, it was so low. He said they weren't and I am now interested in that bike. Kerry also is with the DALLAS CHOP SHOP and they service V-twins. For more info, see this link: http://www.dallaschopshop.com/

We leave the Dream Machines of Texas and start back North on I-35E. Here is Steve enjoying his bike

Steve on the Venture as we continue North up I-35E. Steve is extremely happy with this bike and couldn't say enough good things about it, especially the power (100 hp) and the smoothness of the ride

Steve as we go North on US 287. This will conclude this post. If you are looking for a bike and are down around the Dallas area, I highly recommend you swing by Dream Machines of Texas, there in Farmers Branch and check out their inventory. Also, stop and talk to Jason, Kerry & Brandy. If you're in the area and need your V-twin serviced, stop by the Dallas Chop Shop there in Carrollton and talk to Kerry about your needs.

I enjoyed today's ride and meeting Jason, Kerry & Brandy and looking at all the sharp machines at Dream Machines. I look forward to my next trip down there.

Scroll down for more rides, events & posts and don't forget to click on the "older posts" link at the bottom of EACH page for more rides and posts. Check out North Texas Bikers (1) at http://www.jjskewlstuff.blogspot.com/ for rides, events & posts from January 08-November 08. Until next post, ya'll be careful out there, ride safe, keep the rubber on the road & pray for our Troops & Pattie................JOHN

The OKC Incident 6-29-09

This past weekend, 6-26-09/6-28-09, was the National H.O.G. Rally in Oklahoma City. Almost all the folks here with Harley's, with very few exceptions, went up there for the weekend to mingle, party and do what mass groups of Harley folks do when they gather. Unfortunately, all was not fun & games for some of our folks as they were involved in an accident on one of the service roads there. There were scraps, bruises possibly a cracked rib and damaged bikes, but thank God everyone involved survived and made it home. Scroll down for this brief post and REMEMBER: IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE PICTURE BIGGER, JUST CLICK ON THE PICTURE





Most of the regular viewers know some of the involved folks. Sissy is one of the movers & shakers when it comes to biker functions here in the North Texas area. She owns & rides her own Harley and works at Four Stars Motorcycle Ranch in Henrietta Texas. Apparently, what happened was several of the folks were on one of the service roads in Oklahoma City heading to one of the H.O.G. events. Now, if you have ever been on one of OKC's service roads, you know how screwed up they can be with traffic going both directions, vehicle exiting of the highway cutting across both lanes of traffic, stop signs in the middle of nowhere and vision obstructions with trees & signs. As they came around a curve, trees blocked their view of the highway exit ramp & stop sign ahead. Russ, who was lead bike, couldn't stop and frantically signalled to riders behind him. As he slowed down, Sissy hit her brakes and her front wheel locked up in the gravel and the bike went down, throwing Sissy off. Her bike then bounced back up, after hitting on the crash bars and continued forward and hit Russ's bike. Miraculously, he remained upright and he and Linda were okay but his bike was damaged. He saw Sissy sliding across the service road, off her bike. She went all the way across the service road and has major road rash on both arms, bruises, and possibly a cracked rib or two. Steve, her husband, was behind her and witnessed the accident. Needless to say, her Harley was damaged. Above is a pic taken earlier this year of Sissy at the Compassion Run here in Wichita Falls.

Here is a pic of Russ & Linda and his bike taken on a run earlier this year. Although his bike was damaged, he & Linda were not injured. But Russ is blaming himself for the accident. Ya know, sometimes things happen that are non-preventable and not our fault and from what I heard, this was one of those times.

What I would like for all of you to do if pray for Sissy's recovery, that there are no serious problems internally and for Russ. As we all know, he may not have any physical injuries but the blame game can cause some major problems down the road with him if not put in check really quick...But God has answered your prayers before and I am sure he will again now.

Also, pray for Steve. I am sure that image of Sissy going down and tumbling across the road in front of him will be replayed in his mind for a long time. Also, thank God there was no oncoming traffic......

I was supposed to go to Sissy & Steve's and Russ's today to check in with them and get some photo's of the bikes but it's been raining all day and since all I have is the bike, I'm stuck inside until it quits. But I will keep ya'll updated. If you would like, leave Sissy & Russ your comments and I will have them check the site and read them. Thanks...

Scroll down for more rides, events & posts and don't forget to click on the "older posts" link at the bottom of EACH page for more rides and posts. Check out North Texas Bikers (1) at http://www.jjskewlstuff.blogspot.com/ for rides, events & posts from January 08-November 08. Until next post, ya'll be careful out there, ride safe, keep the rubber on the road & pray for our Troops & Pattie................JOHN

UPDATE: 6-29-09 3:00 p.m. ..Just talked to Sissy and she went to the hospital yesterday when they got in from OKC. She has anywhere from 2-5 broken ribs. Sissy had a BAD motorcycle accident in 2007 and broke a lot of ribs then. They (the docs) are not sure which are new broken ribs and which are the previously broken ones. Either way, she says she is doing okay and plans to go back to work at Four Stars Motorcycle Ranch tomorrow. Steve stayed home today to be with her. I told you she was dedicated!!! I also talked to Russ and he said he is doing ok and he appreciates your prayers for all concerned, as do all of us, their friends.........JOHN

The HOT Saturday Ride to Throckmorton Texas 6-27-09

Today, Saturday, 6-27-09, we were supposed to have a quick ride down to Windthorst Texas for breakfast at Granny K's Restaurant and then be back home before it got hot. Apparently, we got our wires crossed and ended up quite a bit farther South than Windthorst. Windthorst is 24.88 miles from here and about a 27 minute ride. We ended up,instead, in Throckmorton Texas, at the Cow Country Cafe, which is 82.89 miles and 1 hr 30 minutes from here. Scroll down and check the ride out and REMEMBER: IF YOU WANT TO SEE THE PICTURES BIGGER, JUST CLICK ON THE PICTURES.











We met at the Wal-Mart on SW PKWY here in Wichita Falls at 8:15 a.m. and went KSU at 8:45 a.m. after making sure no one else was going to show up. Those on this quickly put together ride were: Ken, Bud, Steve & me (John). Here is Ken as we headed down TX 79, which should of been our first clue that we were on the wrong road for Windthorst. I just figured we were going via a different route..

Here is Bud on his VTX

Here is Ken on his new Gold Wing

Here is Steve on his Valkyrie. He is fixin to possibly trade it in on an 06 Yamaha Venture.

Here is Steve as we come upon Archer City. Our second clue should of been when we went straight thru the intersection, where, if going to Windthorst, we should've turned left.

It was well on the other side of Archer City that it dawned on me that when we were discussing where to ride to, that when it was mentioned that we were going to the Country Cafe in Windthorst, that the Cafe's name was right but we had the wrong city. Instead of Granny K's in Windthorst, we were heading to Throckmorton and there was no way we were gonna get back before being fried alive.. Here are Bud & Ken bringing up the rear..

Here is Steve as we reach the outskirts of Throckmorton..

Bud & Ken are still with us..

We arrive at the Cow Country Cafe in Throckmorton. Left to right: Steve, Bud & Ken

We get a customer to take this pic of the four of us: Steve, me, Bud & Ken

Steve inside the Country Cafe

Bud inside the Country Cafe

Ken inside the Country Cafe

We finish eating, gas up and then went over by this HUGE Steer sculpture on the corner

Here is Ken in front of the Steer. As I got to looking, the thought hit me.....

The sculpture's artist certainly payed attention to detail, leaving nothing to the imagination..(Click on the pic to see what I mean)

Bud, Steve & Ken in front of the anatomically correct sculpture..

We left Wichita Falls with the temp in the low 80's. Two and a half hours later, we leave Throckmorton for Wichita Falls and the temp is 100 and climbing. Here are Steve leading followed by Bud & Ken with me at the back

We head North towards Seymour Texas and start a 15 mile stretch of road construction with loose gravel everywhere..

We get a variety of scenery going this route. The mesquite trees are alive & well here in Texas

It is really hot riding over that asphalt

We do get to ride thru some dips & curves on our way North

I was burning up and had the guys stop at the DQ in Holliday Texas for a drink break. Here we park the bikes and head inside for about a 30-45 minute cool down and re hydration break

One of the 10 zillion DQ's in Texas. Naturally, the only city in the entire state of Texas without a DQ, is our fabulous city of Wichita Falls.

Last shot of the ride is of Bud as we ride East on US 82 towards home. I got home maybe 10 minutes later and it was 104 degrees. I went to the store with Janice a short time after that and the car was saying it was 107 out.. But, we still had a good time and it really feels good to be in the wind again. I look forward to our next ride.

Scroll down for more rides, events & posts and don't forget to click on the "older posts" link at the bottom of EACH page for more rides and posts. Check out North Texas Bikers (1) at http://www.jjskewlstuff.blogspot.com/ for rides, events & posts from January 08-November 08. Until next post, ya'll be careful out there, ride safe, keep the rubber on the road & pray for our Troops & Pattie................JOHN