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