It's almost here. Crazy weather down in Houston / Galveston this week due to a Tropical storm, but in a few weeks it will all be dried out and just history. Six weeks from now is the Lone Star Rally!
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| Rally Locations condensed |
I wrote that in September '19 to start the preparation for this Blog Post, then things got busy.
Hot Springs for the Gregory 500+ then back to get ready for
LSR. We prepped the bikes early, loaded them in a trailer and headed down a week early to enjoy some time at the beach first. My sis n' law was flying in for some sister time with Lucy, so we had a few days of good times. Then, mama dropped me off at the airport and I headed to
Vegas for 4 days of business with customers and peers. Then, left a day early to get back to the rally and the folks rolling in. It was time for
LSR to kick off!
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| Farley's and mine (Sugar B) loaded up |
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| Donnie pulling his baby around after unloading |
When I'd left it was warm and dry but upon return a cold front was coming in and the rain was beginning and the temps were dropping. Obviously not a good forecast, but it was only for a 24 hour period. Then it was just a matter of time for the water to evaporate off the roads and the temps to slowly get back up. I slept like shit that Wednesday night and would have to get through it Thursday but friends had rolled in the night before and more coming in this day. Thursday was here, the first day of the rally. We were using neighbor's driveways for trucks and trailers and it was time to unload! There was about 6 inches or more on my frontal road and we'd be driving through that for a day or two as it dissipated. Soon, I've got my trailer unloaded and positioned over at Gingers. Donnie has his
unloaded; he's borrowed Pam's Truck and Trailer (RIP Longrider). Few hours later Rodney and
Charlotte are riding in from South Louisiana (180 mi run) and would be telling stories of the wind and the cold temps. This evening, Franky is rolling in late from Greenville, one of my CVMA brothers and new IIRA member. As afternoon approaches we decide to bundle up and head over to the seawall to get this Rally started. Murmurs of "UBER" are heard because of the temps but that is quickly squashed, leather on , and we're rolling! Donnie finds the vendor he needs for his LED lights, I get a chance to sit on the new Indian Challenger, get a free beard trim, some beers from gals selling them shivering (they are normally barely clad in clothing), however the suns out, vendors are late putting up tents, attendance is down, we're grabbing shirts, patches, buttons ....... LSR 19 is upon us ... damned it! I didn't bring a leather jacket this trip and regretting it, but able to stay warm. But, no gloves! There must have been a dozen different leather vendors; found some deer skin gloves that go up the arm about 8 inches.... done! Eventually, back to the house via a quick 15 minute ride down the seawall and we're warming up. We've got a house full of IIRA and it's time to get some grub on, tell some war stories and wait for Franky to pull in. It'd be after 10pm, and I'm thinking he'd be freezing his ass off. But, he's dressed for the part and with heated grips and a seat, topped off with a full face helmet, he was rolling at 83mph the entire way and arrives with a smile. We've got the whole crew at the house!
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| "Parking Garage" |
Friday .. what a day .. what a day! Temps are slowly climbing back to 60, and we're headed westerly off the island over towards Freeport. We're meeting up with Alan/Bonnie along the way, and Michael and 3 others are joining us at the KSU point. Soon, we've got a dozen bikes rolling down the road. After paying the toll as we exit the island, nothing but sunshine and 2 lanes with a nice ocean / beach view. Last year we found a great spot and we're headed back;
Dorado's Dive Bar. Just far enough that most bikers don't know about it. When we roll up, only 3 locals are in there; score! Soon we've got a butt load of tables pushed together, the beers are flowing the seafood is ordered up!
On the way back as we did last year, 1/2 way there we pull off at the
Blue Water Bar n Grill. Huge place,
great view, out in the middle of nowhere! Not as warm as I normally like (70s/80s) but nothing a sweat shirt didn't fix. Then, back to the home to check on the dog, and headed back to the Strand for some chaos. We head on down 1/2 into the mix, find a
couple of openings and we're soon wiggling a 1/2 dozen Indians into too small of an area, but pulled it off. Now the fun part.. elbow to elbow, but damned I love it. Walked up here, over there, vendor here, beer vendor there. Eventually we all made it to the
roof top bar at the Tremont House. When we rolled in, it was almost empty. By the time we left getting packed. Timing is everything! But now what to do ... dinner time is quickly approaching and this whole area is packed so we opted for
Watermans Restaurant closer to home on the bayside. It'd turn about to be busy with locals, but were were the majority of bikers in there. Good news is as the night got colder we were just a few miles from home. Perfecto'
One more day of riding to go; Saturday is here! Donnie is a madman cranking out Bloody Marys as
folks are still pouring out of the bedrooms. Coffee is flowing. Sun is up and the back deck feels like 75 + degrees as the sun is up and baking us. Today we've opted to head East via the Ferry to Bolivar Peninsula. The ferry ride always goes over well; dolphins, time to BS, enjoy the sunshine. On the way out, no line to speak of and we
are quickly on the water and headed over. Once there, we headed to Steve's Landing, a new favorite of mine. When we pull up 12 miles later, there is NO customer vehicles in the parking lot. We'll have the place to ourselves for the majority of the morning. Score! Everyone's food was over the
top. Service was over the top. Weather has finally warmed up and folks are stripping off layers. But, we know there is a line for the ferry (seen it the other direction) so we're now prepping for the return. A quick run to
The Big Store, we're loaded with beer, sparkling concoctions, water, you name it. We're off and find some good news. The line to the ferry is 1/2 what is was, which equated to a two beer wait. Not bad! Once back on the boat,
we've now got refreshments; only way to travel! Off the boat, we are headed back to the Strand. Today is more chaotic that the day before so it's game on. Bikes Parked, we're headed deep into the mix. Our destination today is
Hearsays! Place was packed but the manager found us a great spot near the front with minimal wait. Soon the drinks were flowing and snacks were ordered. Damned I love this place! It's become Lucy's favorite and now becoming one of mine. From there, we slowly work our way back eventually back out to the house. It's 2000 hrs and gotta admit, I'm dragging ass. Well, right up until Rozzie talked us into playing music. Then the wrestling match for whose band we'd listen to . Then the perfect storm occurred when Rodney asked me if I could play YouTube music. Duh. Soon, we had it blaring and he and Charlotte jumped up and began dancing. Then Leanne and I. Then Jim and Rozzie. This was a first and what a blast. I don't know what time we pulled the plug but it was the icing on the cake. Perfect night
Sundays always suck sort of. Folks gotta roll out. Donnie and Jill get the bike in the trailer and off.
I'm trailering Jim's so he and Rozzie jump in their truck and out. Soon Rodney and Charlotte are leather up and headed out for a nice 180 jaunt home. Franky is off to see his family then home. And as always, Leanne and I hang out another day. We normally head down to the Rally for one last calm day, but instead opt to hand out on the back deck and enjoy and sunny 75 degree day on the Island sipping on the some cold ones.
Next year, we change it up a notch. Few folks from MN are rolling in. I'm guessing we'll have some repeats. I see a full house in our future for LSR 2020
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unloaded; he's borrowed Pam's Truck and Trailer (RIP Longrider). Few hours later Rodney and 
Charlotte are riding in from South Louisiana (180 mi run) and would be telling stories of the wind and the cold temps. This evening, Franky is rolling in late from Greenville, one of my CVMA brothers and new IIRA member. As afternoon approaches we decide to bundle up and head over to the seawall to get this Rally started. Murmurs of "UBER" are heard because of the temps but that is quickly squashed, leather on , and we're rolling! Donnie finds the vendor he needs for his LED lights, I get a chance to sit on the new Indian Challenger, get a free beard trim, some beers from gals selling them shivering (they are normally barely clad in clothing), however the suns out, vendors are late putting up tents, attendance is down, we're grabbing shirts, patches, buttons ....... LSR 19 is upon us ... damned it! I didn't bring a leather jacket this trip and regretting it, but able to stay warm. But, no gloves! There must have been a dozen different leather vendors; found some deer skin gloves that go up the arm about 8 inches.... done! Eventually, back to the house via a quick 15 minute ride down the seawall and we're warming up. We've got a house full of IIRA and it's time to get some grub on, tell some war stories and wait for Franky to pull in. It'd be after 10pm, and I'm thinking he'd be freezing his ass off. But, he's dressed for the part and with heated grips and a seat, topped off with a full face helmet, he was rolling at 83mph the entire way and arrives with a smile. We've got the whole crew at the house!
Friday .. what a day .. what a day! Temps are slowly climbing back to 60, and we're headed westerly off the island over towards Freeport. We're meeting up with Alan/Bonnie along the way, and Michael and 3 others are joining us at the KSU point. Soon, we've got a dozen bikes rolling down the road. After paying the toll as we exit the island, nothing but sunshine and 2 lanes with a nice ocean / beach view. Last year we found a great spot and we're headed back; Dorado's Dive Bar. Just far enough that most bikers don't know about it. When we roll up, only 3 locals are in there; score! Soon we've got a butt load of tables pushed together, the beers are flowing the seafood is ordered up!
great view, out in the middle of nowhere! Not as warm as I normally like (70s/80s) but nothing a sweat shirt didn't fix. Then, back to the home to check on the dog, and headed back to the Strand for some chaos. We head on down 1/2 into the mix, find a 
couple of openings and we're soon wiggling a 1/2 dozen Indians into too small of an area, but pulled it off. Now the fun part.. elbow to elbow, but damned I love it. Walked up here, over there, vendor here, beer vendor there. Eventually we all made it to the roof top bar at the Tremont House. When we rolled in, it was almost empty. By the time we left getting packed. Timing is everything! But now what to do ... dinner time is quickly approaching and this whole area is packed so we opted for Watermans Restaurant closer to home on the bayside. It'd turn about to be busy with locals, but were were the majority of bikers in there. Good news is as the night got colder we were just a few miles from home. Perfecto' 
folks are still pouring out of the bedrooms. Coffee is flowing. Sun is up and the back deck feels like 75 + degrees as the sun is up and baking us. Today we've opted to head East via the Ferry to Bolivar Peninsula. The ferry ride always goes over well; dolphins, time to BS, enjoy the sunshine. On the way out, no line to speak of and we 
we've now got refreshments; only way to travel! Off the boat, we are headed back to the Strand. Today is more chaotic that the day before so it's game on. Bikes Parked, we're headed deep into the mix. Our destination today is Hearsays! Place was packed but the manager found us a great spot near the front with minimal wait. Soon the drinks were flowing and snacks were ordered. Damned I love this place! It's become Lucy's favorite and now becoming one of mine. From there, we slowly work our way back eventually back out to the house. It's 2000 hrs and gotta admit, I'm dragging ass. Well, right up until Rozzie talked us into playing music. Then the wrestling match for whose band we'd listen to . Then the perfect storm occurred when Rodney asked me if I could play YouTube music. Duh. Soon, we had it blaring and he and Charlotte jumped up and began dancing. Then Leanne and I. Then Jim and Rozzie. This was a first and what a blast. I don't know what time we pulled the plug but it was the icing on the cake. Perfect night
I'm trailering Jim's so he and Rozzie jump in their truck and out. Soon Rodney and Charlotte are leather up and headed out for a nice 180 jaunt home. Franky is off to see his family then home. And as always, Leanne and I hang out another day. We normally head down to the Rally for one last calm day, but instead opt to hand out on the back deck and enjoy and sunny 75 degree day on the Island sipping on the some cold ones.
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