What a year! The time has passed by so quickly!
Turning over a new leaf for 2025. Hopefully more great riding for 2025. Look forward to good health and no accidents in the coming year.
So, let’s reflect a little on 2024. A good year in riding and no breaks on the body this past year. That’s a great thing for me. Haven’t had a very good track record in the past.
Let’s review some of the rides in 2024.
The first long ride was Daytona Bike Week in early March.
“Jetson” from Denver rode down to make the trip as well as “Speechless” from Medina.
We departed the second week of March. We traveled I-10 through Louisiana , Mississippi, and Alabama. At Pensacola we headed down to follow the coastline. Mexico Beach, Panama City and the like. In Perry, we turn to Mayo. Make our stop at the Mayo Cafe, great southern cooking! Southern yams, fried chicken, lima beans, and corn bread. Don’t get any better than this!
We had planned on stopping to see my old friend from Colorado, “Leadville Larry” In Gainesville.
Doctor’s orders, we were unable to see him. Medical issues with the lungs! Might bring him a virus!
“Leadville Larry” and I go way back to 1990. We both had accidents in Sturgis on the 50th anniversary of the rally. We met in the Rapid City Hospital. Shared a hospital room. He had a broken leg I had broken collar bone and leg. We were both involved in bike wrecks.
Anyway, long story short, been friends ever since. Stayed in contact all these years. Sometimes good things come out of bad situations. Such is the case.
We forge ahead to Daytona, connecting with our old friends from South Carolina. Jimmy and Bruce.
We also connect with Bret and Jeff, Captain Gary Starr’s two sons. It’s always a reunion of friends in Daytona. Also our friend Salvador. He lives all year round in Port Orange, just south of Daytona Beach. He and Jimmy were in college together.
“Jetson” had reserved a condo on the beach. Great view of the ocean. They failed to tell us that it was under construction. A jack hammer was right above our head every morning, starting about 8 am. Wow, didn’t bother us too much we usually left pretty early.
We got to visit the giant Harley and bike venue just north of Ormond Beach. Plenty of activities here. Great bands, bike shows, and plenty of accessories for motorcycles.
We also attended the bike swap meet just out of town. “Speechless” had a field day here! Almost needed a U-Haul to bring his purchases back to Texas.
It was a great time of fellowship with people we have known for many years. We always meet new people, we have the common goal of traveling the country and riding motorcycles. It’s a great bond!
We had originally planned on Key West. “Speechless” had issues back in Texas and had to leave early. So Key West was cancelled. Plan B, we go to Melbourne to visit a cousin, and on to Cape Coral to see Captain Gary Starr and Janis. Me and Captain go way back to 1988. Met and partied at the marina for many years after 1988. Nice to have friends for so many years!
We reflected on all the good times we have had in the past. Listened to Captain play the guitar and sing for hours.
We hit the road and returned back to Texas safely.
Ready for the new adventure.
The Fandango arrives in April, It’s held at the fairgrounds in Fredericksburg. The venue consists of motorcycle races, including chopper races, mini bike races, dirt track races, and a large swap meet.
Some of the locals get involved, Eli from the Bad Attitude Cycles in Fredericksburg is a contender.
Randy from Bastrop is in the dirt track race. I call him CannonBall, He has been active in the antique motorcycle race across America for several years, The CannonBall Run. Hence the name.
He is always easy to spot. He wears a engineers cap. pink that is!
It’s a 3 day event with camping available in the parking area. A good time is had by all.
We move on to the last week of April. The annual Run For Wheels. Which is held in Lake Somerville.
This run was first held in 1988, The late “Yankee Mike”, started the charity run to raise money for bicycles and wheel chairs for the needy.
It’s a gathering of old friends. The group that host’s the run is called the “Lake Loons”.
The name was birthed back in Daytona. Named after one of the episodes of the Andy Griffith Show. Barney and Gomer sight a Red Crested Laken Loon on the lake! So the name was picked up from this show.
Mowing along we are into July, prep time for the Sturgis Rally in South Dakota. The 84th annual arrives. I make it to Colorado before the rally to see friends and fish a bit.
Connect with Bryan in Colorado City. We depart and take the scenic route up through Wyoming and Nebraska. A lot of wide open spaces and grass land.
We stay at the Buffalo Chip with Jim and Ray. Great venue with entertainment nightly.
We check out Deadwood and Hill City. A great scenic ride. The Nemo ride is exceptional. We meet up with “speechless” and “Motormouth” at a gas stop by accident. It’s a small world.
My bike the “Whiskey A Go Go” broke down 20 miles out of Rapid City. I guess after 123 thousand miles. Good thing got it rebuilt in 2 days! Pretty impressive!
I am ready for another 100 thousand miles!
We depart Sturgis, check out the Devils Tower on the way to Wyoming. Bryan and myself part ways in Buffalo. The rain was relentless, Bryan headed south and I continued north to Cody and Beartooth Pass.
Meet up with Brian from Montana in Red Lodge. Renew old friendships and reflect on old times.
Part ways, I head to Green River, Wyoming. Service bike at Green River Harley. Flaming Gorge is up next. Awesome traveling, Grand Junction comes into view. Delores River just south of Grand Junction. This road is impressive, one of my favorites!
Some issues with my front tire, almost flat down by Telluride. Crazy, aired up tire, it is still up! hard to figure!
Made it back home safe and sound!
As the year rolls along we are into September.
The Bikes, Blues, and BBQ event comes into focus. The middle of September in Rogers, Arkansas.
The players on this trip are “Easy G “, “Roadrunner”, “Happy Hour”, “Rainmaker” and myself.
We make it to Hot Springs the first night. Spend of time at the Ohio Club down town. Stay at hotel right around the corner.
Stop off at Magazine Mountain on the way to hwy. 7. No bad roads in this area of Arkansas.
Make our way up Hwy 7 to Jasper. This is where “Rainmaker’s” name is reenforced. Clear skies, thunder! It can’t be! The bottom falls out for about 10 minutes. Get soaked! thanks “Rainmaker”.
A great stop in Harrison, within striking distance of Eureka Springs and Rogers.
A small set back with “Happy Hours” flat tire. It’s all part of the adventure. Sometimes you just can’t rush the trip. Got to let it all play out.
The music venue was excellent in Rogers. Bob Seger tribute band was spot on!
The old mill at War Eagle was a great find. Nice winding road off the beaten path.
This was a pretty short trip, less than 2 thousand miles round trip. 5 days on the road, a lot of beautiful roads in a short period.
2nd week of October it’s Pig Roast time in Johnson City. The annual charity event for the Cherokee Children’s Home. Always a good event to see old friends that I have met throughout the 50 years of riding.
The music and the biker games always good. The pulled pork dinner was as usual, great!
As we roll into 2025, We hope for another great riding season. I logged 30 thousand miles this past year. The most that I have done in the last 50 years. Getting better with age I guess! Hope to increase this in 2025!
We lost a great friend this year from a bike accident in Daytona Beach Florida. Lisa, aka Spike.
We met in 1988 in Daytona, She was quite the trooper. Rode several times with us to Texas and back to Florida. Just to ride with her friends. She will be greatly missed! But a lot of fond memories! RIP Spike!
2025 will be my 50 years plus one!
Like I always say, live life to the hilt, you never know when it’s your last trip!
RIDE FREE AND RIDE OFTEN!
DAD
