*blend

This weekend was the 1st Shining Star Motorcycle Rally in Fort Stockton. Named after a Texas YES! designation the city received, the rally hoped to raise money for various community groups. The group that organized the rally wanted to incorporate the honor of being a Shining Star city into the theme of the rally. The Hardworking Rural Community Award Program annually spotlights Texas communities for economic prosperity and innovation, with the highest award being the Shining Star. Last year, Fort Stockton was singled out as the first recipient of the Trailblazer Hall of Fame Award for scoring at the top for the past three years.

Being the first year, attendance was a little low, and some more vendors would have been great. But they more than made up for it by having my favorite band in the whole world headline the event: the Thumpin’ Puppies. They played all Friday night, and closed out the event on Saturday night.

Here are a few photos from the concert, ride, and rally. Click on thumbnails to view larger photos.
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scrc 1st ride 2006-10-21 gallery at picasa

Official, but currently incomplete, website for the chapter: sc.westxdesign.com

Pics from the 8th Annual Roadrunner Rally in Fort Stockton, August 19, 2006

Heading out on the Poker Run Saturday morning. We got an early start (7:30 am) and were able to enjoy the best (coolest) part of the day. We had a meeting at 1, so we instead of running the full trip we went to Alpine, over to Fort Davis, then back again. The weather was perfect, and the scenery was at it’s best.

Beautiful riding roads of West Texas. THIS is why these roads are rated the best to ride in Texas! This picture was taken on highway 67 on the way back from Alpine. See those great mountains, the clarity of the day…I really wanted to get more pictures on this ride, especially coming into Fort Davis from Alpine. The conditions were perfect to show off just how great this area is for riding, but like I said earlier, appointments to keep and all, so no stopping for me to take pics.

There was a good sized crowd Saturday afternoon. Lots of great bikes and friendly folks. This pictures doesn’t show half of the bikes that were there, but you get a good idea of the variety of models and people that attended. No one felt out of place.

“First Impressions” The first custom-built bike from West Texas Custom Cycles. I’ve been meaning to get pics of this bike over at the shop for a month now, but this one really does it justice. That’s Michael, one of the bike’s builders.

After the Poker Run, we kept running into people we knew. And because I got sidetracked talking and having a good time, “someone” got my camera and somehow I ended up in this picture. Sorry.

Even rain can’t spoil the fun. It poured for about 30 minutes, and then backed off to a sprinkle, and people started venturing back out from under the dryness of the pavilion. Funny thing is, some of these folks will ride in the rain, but lord forbid if the rain just falls on the bike. A few of them rushed to get their bikes under cover when the rain started.

By the time it was over, the park looked like it had a creek running through it. Some of the bikes had to be moved with a whole lot of help since they were sinking (and even falling over). Luckily we parked on higher ground.

Another highlight was watching the new assistant superintendent of the school district belt out “Feel like Makin’ Love” on stage on Friday night and getting to card all the people trying to buy beer at the drink stand. I could have done without the near-naked middle aged hootchies but I guess it just wouldn’t be a bike rally without them.
It was a heck of a weekend, and I think everyone had a wonderful time. GOOD JOB to everyone involved in planning this event, and one last thing: The proceeds go to the Dollars for Scholars fund, which gives scholarships to local kids (and adults) to get their degrees. Great rally for a great cause. I look forward to next year.

Yesterday I learned a valuable lesson. Do NOT carry your current-favorite book in the saddlebags of your bike. Luckily, I learned this with my personal paperback copy of Terry Pratchett’s Soul Music instead of a library book. Another thing I got lucky with was leaving my iPod on my desk along with the digital camera. Both were supposed to go with me, and I forgot them.

Let’s begin with a little history: I’ve never considered myself a “biker”. I’m a librarian who happens to ride a bike when it’s not too hot, or too cold, or too windy, or…well, you get the picture. I love to ride, and will go out on my bike any chance I get, but still I never felt part of the “biker” group. Mostly because I do the speed limit and place a whole lot of restrictions on the required weather conditions. “Bikers” do not do this. And only one person has EVER called me a “biker babe”. His name is Guitar Slim and he did it from the stage at the courthouse square. It’s a very long explanation.

Anyway… a few friends occassionally get together for day-rides through our beautiful west Texas world. Marathon, Alpine, Fort Davis, Marfa…this weekend we decided to go to the Big Bend. Living so close, I have never had a chance to go down, and was really looking forward to it. It was a little overcast, but only a 30% chance of rain in the evening, so off we went.

The ride was well worth it. Big Bend is georgeous. We rode around in the park for quite a while then decided to head into the basin to the Lodge for some lunch. The road in got a bit hairy but I enjoyed it, and the landscape was breathtaking. After an over-priced burger and rotten tea, we geared up to head out, and that’s when the fun started. A huge clap of thunder set the clouds off and before we could get out of the basin, we were being pelted with hail and icy rain. It was coming down in sheets so we pulled off the road and the four of us huddled under a skimpy tree trying to get out of the worst of the hail. I was both happy and disappointed at having left the camera at home. Talk about a Kodak moment.

When it let up some, we slowly made our way out of the mountains, then did our very best to stay ahead of the storm as we headed for Alpine. We only managed to stay dry for about 45 minutes before we got caught up in it again. Doing 35 miles an hour and wiping my glasses every 2 seconds, we made it to the immigration checkpoint, thankful for some cover. Of course, it quit raining just a few miles before, but we took the opportunity to change into long sleeves, pull out the gloves, and don bandanas as face masks to block the sting of the rain a little. After a nice hot coffee in Alpine, we headed home. Getting rained on again.

Soaking wet, tired from driving so long, with numb fingetips, I pulled into my driveway, shut down my bike and grinned. THAT was fun! It really was. I loved it. I now feel I can call myself a “biker” without shame. So I have changed the tag line of my blog. I have more skill as a rider than I previous thought, and I have more confidence now as a result. I learned a lot of other things, as well:

• Never leave home on a motorcycle without a change of clothes
• Never take a book along “just in case”
• Never buy cheap leather. No matter how much money you save, it’s NOT worth it when that stuff gets wet and starts wearing more like a suit of armor than clothing.
• Invest in rain gear.

And most importantly, never miss an opportunity to spend time with your friends doing what you love.