RnR 2017–The Rally I almost never started
9 years ago
Sunday, July 5, 2015
Saturday, November 9, 2013
WILDMAN 2013 (Fall Edition ) November 9, 2013 - Day 2
I guess I should take some pictures, but with the exception of the accident I have not even pulled my camera out. I have been to the Hill Country so many times and have pictures of just about everything there.
Today we pulled out of the motel around 8:30 am. The main group was going one way, and Jeff and I were going another. With the exception of my main riding group, I prefer to ride alone or with maybe one other person. Being in a large group with folks you have never ridden with can be a pain.
Jeff and I headed out Highway 32 from Kerrville. It didn't take long before the first deer ran in front of me. It was not a close call, but did remind us we are in deer country. The riding was great. The roads were clear, except for deer, the weather was cool and partly sunny, all in all a great day for riding.
Yesterday you saw me mention we were going to ride the Three Sisters. No reason to get upset, this isn't going to turn I to a porn blog. The Three Sisters are three road in the Texas Hill Country. They are Highways 335, 336 and 337. They are known for their curves, senic views and nice roads. If you are a motorcyclist, the. These are the three roads that you usually will ride.
Jeff and I have ridden these roads many of times so we decided to ride only two today. There is a chance of some rain this afternoon so we really don't want to take and chance and get wet. We ended up riding 337 and the. 335. They were great and only had two more deer jump out in front of me. Like the first encounter they were not close calls, but they did remind us to keep out speed down.
After riding the two sisters we headed back to Kerrvile and had lunch at one of the local restaurants. Sorry I don't remember the name, but it was pretty good.
The rest of the day was spent hanging out at the motel watching the rain come in. Tomorrow we plan to head to Fredricksberg to visit the Nimitz Museum. We then plan to have a German lunch, where afterward Jeff is headings home. I not sure what I will do the rest of the day, but I will find something. Maybe I will take a couple of pictures.
Friday, November 8, 2013
WILDMAN 2013 (Fall Edition) November 8, 2013 - Day 1
The day turned out not quite as we expected. We all met at the Whataburger in Sealy Texas at 9:00 am. I did not get a count of how many in the group, but it is at least 10. These are not my normal riding friend, and I only know a couple of they guys in the group.
The weather was perfect. It was cool and sunny, with just a little bit of wind at the start. We started on the back roads towards New Ulm and then over to Fayetteville. After passing through Fayetteville, one of the guys went down. I was a couple of hundred yards back and all I saw was the guy start to sik his brakes, the bike went down and he was rolling down the road.
I was the first one that got to him, and I was glad to see that he was conscious and speaking. He did have some apparent road rash, but from the visual inspection I could not see any obvious broken bones. While he was being attend to by a couple of others, I called 911 and got an ambulance on the way.
The ambulance arrived a few minutes later with a Texas State Trooper and some other local Law Enforcement officers. He was quickly loaded up and transported to the hospital in La Grange. No one really know a this guy, but one of the guys did know a good fried of his, so a call was made and his family was contacted.
I took a bunch of pictures, but no I won't post them on the web out of respect for him. That would be his decision if he wants any of the pictures posted. I also found out that no one planned to go to the hospital. I know his family was contacted and was encountered, but even though I did not know the guy, I felt someone should at lest go by the hospital.
Jeff and I decided we would go to the hospital. When we arrived I sort of felt foolish because I did not even know his name. I went up to the reception desk and explained the situation, and she let me back to the rider who I learned was named French. Yes, just like the country.
I spoke with him, and saw for what he went through he didn't look too bad. He was in good sports, but was upset because of the accident. He even told me he had no idea what happened. I told him that I could tell him the cause.
Here is what happened, he was about the fourth guy in the group. Our speed was the speed limit, but in this section of road it as a 70mph posted. It was a straight section of road with good visibility. There was a car in the front that was turning left. The three guys in front of him slowed down, but evidently Frencho did not notice this in time, and when he did he slammed down on his real brake. I know most of the folks that read my blog are not motorcyclist, but in short, that was a bad idea, he should have used his front brakes.
Because he locked the rear brake, he started sliding. He then at some point let up off the braked, but probably still have so e throttle on and it caused what we motorcyclist call a "high side". What that means is his tire suddenly obtained traction, which caused the basket rear to wip to the left. It is all over at this point. There is rarely an recovery after that. The bike, went down and he went off. The rest is history.
While at the hospital, French told me that he has spoken with his wife and it would be about three hours before she arrived. He told me and Jeff to go on, since there was no reason to stay just to wait on her arrival. After speaking to French, we decided to go ahead and go.
We were able to catch up with the guys in Luling at City Streets BBQ. We had a quick lunch and the headed out. We later split into two different groups, and headed to Kerrville. We arrived in Kerrville and checked I to the local Motel 6.
Dinner was left over BBQ. Tomorrow we plan to ride the roads locally known as the "Three Sisters"
The weather was perfect. It was cool and sunny, with just a little bit of wind at the start. We started on the back roads towards New Ulm and then over to Fayetteville. After passing through Fayetteville, one of the guys went down. I was a couple of hundred yards back and all I saw was the guy start to sik his brakes, the bike went down and he was rolling down the road.
I was the first one that got to him, and I was glad to see that he was conscious and speaking. He did have some apparent road rash, but from the visual inspection I could not see any obvious broken bones. While he was being attend to by a couple of others, I called 911 and got an ambulance on the way.
The ambulance arrived a few minutes later with a Texas State Trooper and some other local Law Enforcement officers. He was quickly loaded up and transported to the hospital in La Grange. No one really know a this guy, but one of the guys did know a good fried of his, so a call was made and his family was contacted.
I took a bunch of pictures, but no I won't post them on the web out of respect for him. That would be his decision if he wants any of the pictures posted. I also found out that no one planned to go to the hospital. I know his family was contacted and was encountered, but even though I did not know the guy, I felt someone should at lest go by the hospital.
Jeff and I decided we would go to the hospital. When we arrived I sort of felt foolish because I did not even know his name. I went up to the reception desk and explained the situation, and she let me back to the rider who I learned was named French. Yes, just like the country.
I spoke with him, and saw for what he went through he didn't look too bad. He was in good sports, but was upset because of the accident. He even told me he had no idea what happened. I told him that I could tell him the cause.
Here is what happened, he was about the fourth guy in the group. Our speed was the speed limit, but in this section of road it as a 70mph posted. It was a straight section of road with good visibility. There was a car in the front that was turning left. The three guys in front of him slowed down, but evidently Frencho did not notice this in time, and when he did he slammed down on his real brake. I know most of the folks that read my blog are not motorcyclist, but in short, that was a bad idea, he should have used his front brakes.
Because he locked the rear brake, he started sliding. He then at some point let up off the braked, but probably still have so e throttle on and it caused what we motorcyclist call a "high side". What that means is his tire suddenly obtained traction, which caused the basket rear to wip to the left. It is all over at this point. There is rarely an recovery after that. The bike, went down and he went off. The rest is history.
While at the hospital, French told me that he has spoken with his wife and it would be about three hours before she arrived. He told me and Jeff to go on, since there was no reason to stay just to wait on her arrival. After speaking to French, we decided to go ahead and go.
We were able to catch up with the guys in Luling at City Streets BBQ. We had a quick lunch and the headed out. We later split into two different groups, and headed to Kerrville. We arrived in Kerrville and checked I to the local Motel 6.
Dinner was left over BBQ. Tomorrow we plan to ride the roads locally known as the "Three Sisters"
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Wildman 2013 (Fall Edition)
The Wildmen ride again. Leaving Thursday 11/7/13 for a four day trip to the Texas Hill Country. They haven't been that wild in the past, lets see if there is a change this year.
Saturday, May 14, 2011
SWITCHING BLOGS
UPDATE November 7, 2013
I am back to this site. The previous blog was www.ridingwithfred.blog.com
If you would like to fill in the gaps between the new and the old, please visit that site, that is if it is up and running, which is why I decided to switch back.
Thanks
Fred
I have decided to change the location of my blog. All new blog entries will now be at ridingwithfred.blog.com
I find the other site is a bit easier to use. I am still setting things up, so it is a bit disorganized, so be patient, I'll get around to sorting it all out.
Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.
Fred
I am back to this site. The previous blog was www.ridingwithfred.blog.com
If you would like to fill in the gaps between the new and the old, please visit that site, that is if it is up and running, which is why I decided to switch back.
Thanks
Fred
I have decided to change the location of my blog. All new blog entries will now be at ridingwithfred.blog.com
I find the other site is a bit easier to use. I am still setting things up, so it is a bit disorganized, so be patient, I'll get around to sorting it all out.
Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause you.
Fred
Friday, May 13, 2011
SPRING FEVER 2011 - DAY 8 AND 9
SATURDAY - APRIL 30, 2011
The morning started with breakfast at the IHOP located across the street from the motel. I don't know if anyone was really looking forward to today's ride. The forecast is for high winds and high temperatures. I can say right now they were correct.
We headed out of town by going east on US Highway 380. Nothing really scenic, but it was at least the temperature was cool when we started. Our plan was to ride to Post, TX and then turn south on US 84 take it to I-20 and then head into Abilene. The highlight for the day would be dinner at Lytles, my favorite Steakhouse. We made pretty good time, and we stopped for a couple of breaks, but other than that we just scooted along.
We arrived in Abilene around 2:00 PM and checked into the Whitten Inn. We basically hung out until around 5, when we decided to head to the Steakhouse. Dinner was great, but what made it even better is Chuck picked up the meal, and Bill bought the drinks. Heck maybe I need to start doing this for a living.
Tomorrow plans are just to make it home.
SUNDAY - MAY 1, 2011
The final day on the road. I wish I can say it all went well, but of course I would be telling a fib.
We started loading the bikes around 6 waiting for the sun to come up. Chuck and Dick who live about 80 north of Houston was going to break away and take the Interstate home. Bill and I were just going to trug down Highway 36 to home. I guess our first mistake of the day was watching the Weather Channel. Now mind you it does not rain in Abilene, TX but a couple times of year. It just so happens that I go through Abilene a couple of times a year. Guess when it rains? Your right, the forecast was for rain, and not just a shower or two, but thunder boomers and the whole nine yards.
It looked like we would be out of it if we could be about 50 to 75 miles south of Abilene. We tried to get out of town, but only made it to the corner service station where we had to take cover. Rain, Hail, high winds, you name it, it was happening. We basically just sat it out for about 45 minutes until the worst passed, and then we headed out. Chuck and Dick did revise their route because the storms were following the Interstate they planned on taking.
We were not out of the threat of rain until we reached Gatesville. Bill had decided at this point he was not interested in breakfast, so we told us at an earlier stop he was heading home in hope of not getting wet. Chuck, Dick and myself decided to stop and get some breakfast biscuits, afterwards Chuck and Dick spit off on their on and headed home.
The rest of my day was just fighting the wind while trying to get home. The temperature increased as well as the humidity. When I pulled into my garage it was 96 degrees with 90 percent humidity. I was glad to be home.
Now for the rest of the story. If you read about my last trip, I came down with food poisoning. Well guess what, it happened again. Everything was fine until about 11:00 PM Sunday night when I suddenly became ill. It was not as bad as last time, but I sure hope this does not become a trend. The one good thing about it is at least I was home.
The morning started with breakfast at the IHOP located across the street from the motel. I don't know if anyone was really looking forward to today's ride. The forecast is for high winds and high temperatures. I can say right now they were correct.
We headed out of town by going east on US Highway 380. Nothing really scenic, but it was at least the temperature was cool when we started. Our plan was to ride to Post, TX and then turn south on US 84 take it to I-20 and then head into Abilene. The highlight for the day would be dinner at Lytles, my favorite Steakhouse. We made pretty good time, and we stopped for a couple of breaks, but other than that we just scooted along.
We arrived in Abilene around 2:00 PM and checked into the Whitten Inn. We basically hung out until around 5, when we decided to head to the Steakhouse. Dinner was great, but what made it even better is Chuck picked up the meal, and Bill bought the drinks. Heck maybe I need to start doing this for a living.
Tomorrow plans are just to make it home.
SUNDAY - MAY 1, 2011
The final day on the road. I wish I can say it all went well, but of course I would be telling a fib.
We started loading the bikes around 6 waiting for the sun to come up. Chuck and Dick who live about 80 north of Houston was going to break away and take the Interstate home. Bill and I were just going to trug down Highway 36 to home. I guess our first mistake of the day was watching the Weather Channel. Now mind you it does not rain in Abilene, TX but a couple times of year. It just so happens that I go through Abilene a couple of times a year. Guess when it rains? Your right, the forecast was for rain, and not just a shower or two, but thunder boomers and the whole nine yards.
It looked like we would be out of it if we could be about 50 to 75 miles south of Abilene. We tried to get out of town, but only made it to the corner service station where we had to take cover. Rain, Hail, high winds, you name it, it was happening. We basically just sat it out for about 45 minutes until the worst passed, and then we headed out. Chuck and Dick did revise their route because the storms were following the Interstate they planned on taking.
We were not out of the threat of rain until we reached Gatesville. Bill had decided at this point he was not interested in breakfast, so we told us at an earlier stop he was heading home in hope of not getting wet. Chuck, Dick and myself decided to stop and get some breakfast biscuits, afterwards Chuck and Dick spit off on their on and headed home.
The rest of my day was just fighting the wind while trying to get home. The temperature increased as well as the humidity. When I pulled into my garage it was 96 degrees with 90 percent humidity. I was glad to be home.
Now for the rest of the story. If you read about my last trip, I came down with food poisoning. Well guess what, it happened again. Everything was fine until about 11:00 PM Sunday night when I suddenly became ill. It was not as bad as last time, but I sure hope this does not become a trend. The one good thing about it is at least I was home.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
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