A
Girl and her Scoot
Day 2 - HCR VI
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April 4, 2003 - Of course, I was up early - still running on adrenaline. Everyone gathered at the Fredericksburg Lodge to go on group rides. The faster groups headed out first.
Groups were formed according to speed:
Stately = < 70
Brisk = 70 - 80
Spirited = 75 - 85
Bracing = 80 - 90
Dark Side = WFO (Wide ** Open)
This year a new group formed, called "Smell the Flowers". They planned slow turns and stops for pictures. This was supposed to be the slow group. Not!!!! I absolutely love the biker's definition of slow. Yee Haw - always flying down the road!!!!
Some of the morning gathering:
So, like I said, I was up early, full of excitement. I started my bike and then some leather-clad, biker-dude started talking to me. I forgot what I was doing and let the clutch out when it was not in neutral. Aaaaah! Lurched forward then to the left. Ended up on my back in the parking lot! Dropped it right there in front of everyone. Some guys rushed over and picked up the bike. No harm was done except the tip end of the clutch lever broke off. Oh, and of course, I was red-faced. No worries, though. Everyone here was cool, no heckles for me. Finally, I pulled around and to get in line behind the Smell the Flowers group. Bear had volunteered to lead and he informed us of the ride rules.
This is Bear:
Day 1 Route - "Let's do the 3's"
- 16S Medina
- 337W Leakey (stop for fuel, gossip, etc.)
- 336N
- 41W (boring, but only way to....)
- 335S Camp Wood (Lunch at cafe)
- 337E (more fuel, etc)
- 83N
- 39E Kerrville (pretty ride along river)
- 16N Fredericksburg (fuel - on to Luckenbach)
Riding the 3's was amazing. Lot's of fun turns, beautiful overlooks, and the ride back along the river was gorgeous. I can't wait to return and do this ride again someday. It was a long, fun ride. Bear would stop every once in a while and let the pack catch up. We'd take pictures, and when it was time to head out again, Bear would start up his bike. Let's just say, no one could miss that sound!
Bear's bike, with honey and little paw prints:
Pictures at our stops along the way, "doing the 3's":
Group riding was an exciting experience. For the uniformed, here are some details: The leader is on the left side of the lane, while the second person follows behind and to the right. Then everyone else follows staggered, behind, left and right, left and right. It's an impressive site to see and we had about 25 bikes on this ride. Sometimes I looked ahead and saw the line spread out for about a half-mile up the road. Other notes on group riding: The lead may see a hazard and inform the group to get in a single-file line by holding up the index finger. The riders fall-in behind the leader and hold up a finger for the next rider to see. Another more common practice is for a rider to indicate hazards by pointing with the leg or arm. When riding in big groups, it is difficult to see road kill and other stuff so the person riding in front gives a warning. It's really quite amusing to see everyone sticking out legs, pointing at stuff with feet, but it really works. Another important part of group riding is the person at the end of the group. This person has to be experienced and patient and will stay behind to help out slow riders or anyone with problems.
It was a long day. I was sore in the arms and shoulders from the ride, but still had a major grin on my face. We got back to the hotel, showered and went to the Sunday House for our VROC dinner. Good food and fun door prizes were enjoyed by all! Just wish I had a picture of Norm in the sarong. Afterwards, it was back to the hotel where everyone congregated in the parking lot by the bikes or on the pool patio. Pretty tame crowd, I thought, for bikers! No police this year.
At the VROC dinner, The Sunday House:
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