Of Gremlins, Gravel Monsters, and Great BBQ!

Hi…My Name Is “K” and I have a BBQ problem! As most of you know our trips have a culinary destination, which wouldn’t be so bad if I didn’t have a navigator who is co-dependent and a conspirator in planning. So we usually end up "stuffed to the gills" trying to mount up to head home.

We’ve wanted to go to Lockhart for awhile but you know how it is…it’s one of those “I’ll get there sooner or later" destinations in your backyard. It’s kind of like the New Yorker that has never bothered to see the Statue of Liberty. So we were watching a late night Travel Channel show about BBQ and low and behold they featured Lockhart. “That’s it we’re going!”

Now that name may not mean much to the average person reading this blog but to Texans, Lockhart is the BBQ Capital of Texas by a 2003 resolution of the Texas Legislature.

There are 4 main BBQ places in town and we want to eventually sample each one.

Kreuz Barbeque Founded circa 1900(pronounced Crites, long i)

Blacks Barbeque Blacksbbq.com Founded 1932
Chisholm Trail Barbeque Founded 1978
Smittys Market Founded (unknown, probably the newest)

This is a basically simple trip…Oh wait a minute…this is supposed to be a simple trip. However, the simple things end up a little more complicated or hazardous than we’d like. Not to worry, nothing major happened, just a couple of OOOPS moments. You know, Gremlins the malevolent creatures that tortured WWII aircrews. They hide your gear, make things difficult, get you lost, make your bike breakdown, etc… We had our run in on this trip.

It’s my own fault “S” bought a Ride Bell to ward off these endearing creatures, but I’m so anal I couldn’t find the right spot to strap it on the bike. To break it down, the trip went something like this…

I made a u-turn and put my foot down on loose gravel and slipped but thankfully didn’t tip "S" or the bike over.

On the way home, “S” Lost one of her gloves so we had to backtrack and find it in a construction zone.

At one point, I felt “S” jerk and the bike shook, so I slowed and yelled back what happened. I received a sheepish “nothing” reply so off we went. I later found out “S” learned that even one inch of open visor can let rocks in. Apparently, a pebble pinged off of my helmet into her visor and homed in on her nose like a cruise missile. The sheepish reply was because her eyes were still watering.

Later we stopped for water and a map check. I went in to buy more water and an ice cream sandwich. I looked out of the store window just in time to see “S”, water bottle in hand tipped up into her face shield. Water gushed out of the bottom of her helmet as she involuntarily coughed! It’s one of those moments you wished for a video camera.

I walked out and sat down next to her opening our Ice Cream sandwich, calmly looked at her and stated something along the lines of “Tried to drink with your helmet on Huh?” She turned beet red “You saw that?” Yep! Classic!

All's Well That Ends Well!!!

We chose Black’s as our first choice as it is supposedly the oldest BBQ restaurant continuously operated by the same family since 1932. However, Kreuz’s restaurant has been in operation since 1900 but not by the same family. And so the BBQ Wars have raged on since at least 1932.

A word to the wise, don’t ask for BBQ Sauce at Kreuz’s…Black’s has it but they don’t like the idea that they had to start offering it…LOL

Black's was great! I had Pork Loin and Turkey; “S” had Brisket and Sausage. The brisket was melt in your mouth tender, and the Pork Loin and Turkey was moist. Now the Sausage was in a league of its own. Often Sausage is so finely ground that it gets a texture kind of like spam. However, Black’s does it right! There are chunks of meat in the casing and the spices were perfectly balanced. Yes, we shared! One down, three to go!

Oh and one other thing! Even Jackalopes can't resist good Texas BBQ!

Lesson’s Learned:

1.) Eat at least a small Breakfast. (We wanted to save room for BBQ.)

2.) 183 South and the County Roads surrounding it are flat and not pretty.

3.) Watch where you put your feet down after a U-Turn Gravel is slick as ice.

4.) Keep your visor closed on rural roads.

5.) Gremlins know if you’ve been given a Ride Bell and haven’t put it on. (See Ride Bell Explanation)

6.) Most importantly, don’t try to drink out of a water bottle with your helmet on. !8-D

Larsenosters Where Are You?

We Miss You Guys!!!

Sometimes You Get Left to Your Own Devices

While “S” was in Anaheim I decided to strike out on my own. The start to this trip actually began on the weekend of the ROT Rally. Early on Saturday morning, before we went out to the Rally, we hopped on the bike to go eat breakfast at Las Manitas on Congress in downtown Austin. If you’ve never had breakfast there I highly recommend it.

Las Manitas

211 Congress Ave

Austin, TX 78701

(512) 472-9357

On the way I ran into a guy that was working on his BMW touring bike. I offered to help him out if he needed it and we struck up a conversation. He mentioned that he rode with a group of guys every Saturday and told me they link up at the corner of 360 and Bee Caves Road every weekend at 6:00 am to go riding. At “S’s” urging I got up early on Saturday (5:00 am) and headed out attempting to find the Hill Country group.

The cruiser purred underneath me while I cruised up and down Loop 360 at dawn. Repeatedly!

I never found the group.

Oh well, beautiful day on my own isn’t such a bad thing either! o, off I went. I headed back toward Pflugerville and ended up on a county road east of town.

I cruised along the lazy curves of the road lost in my own thoughts as I passed rows of corn and other crops. Only the Cows thought I was interesting enough to glance at me as I passed through the country side. I left them to their hay munching them my exhaust burbling the sweet song of the V-Twin engine.

I angled around a bend and came across a wooden church, gleaming brilliant white in the morning sun, its pointed steeple clawed at the morning sky. I pulled over, because I’m a sucker for historic markers, and grabbed my camera out of the tail bag.

All original! They don't make them like this anymore. In my mind I can picture the local town carpenter and people spending hours on this church. All of the decorative details and fine finish work is readily apparent in these photos. Check out the beautiful wooden pews. Chris and Kurt would love this place.

Of course no old church would be complete without beautiful stained glass windows. The morning sun shines directly through the glass casting a warm glow over every varnished surface. It gives you the feeling of warmth and beauty that beckons parishioners to go inside.

To bad the door was locked.

Behind the church is the original cemetery. You hardly see a church with its own Cemetery any more.

I also stopped to snap a few photos at the town community center. Rural areas are so neat. I noticed a lot of beer and soda cans out back so it's still in operation!

Another clue that they still use the Community Center is the energy conserving fluorescents. (Click on the photo to enlarge then look at the porch light ;-D)

ME!

Why We Ride...

"K" came across this article and thought it came close to explaining why millions (including us) enjoy riding.
"Why We Ride..."

Here's another interesting article, I came across today!
"Naked Motorcycle Riding is Legal in Sweden..."

I Feel the Need for Speed…

What can you do when you find yourself bike-less in beautiful San Diego over the 4th of July weekend? You can rent GoCars! Yes, I said GoCars not Go-Karts, which is something totally different.

We were heading west on Hawthorne street towards Harbor Drive on a quick drive down Sunset Cliffs in Ocean Beach when I spied little yellow cars lined up outside a rental agency. Mini New York City cabs, if you will. The tiny three wheeled contraptions were sitting under a sign that exclaimed “GoCar GPS-Guided Tours ® The Original Storytelling Car!” Never one to turn down something as simultaneously geeky and awesome as this, I convinced “S” we had to do it! Three days later and an interesting ride on the public bus and a walk through downtown San Diego; we were standing at the counter waiting on our first GoCar experience.

After some quibbling between the counter guy and his helper, a sort of Mutt and Jeff pairing if I ever saw one, we hopped in GoCar #8. It had handlebars like a motorcycle, automatic transmission, and was powered by a 50cc scooter tail section. Left lever rear brake, right lever front brake, twist throttle and go…Not a problem!

We cranked it up and all 50cc’s of ground pounding terror roared to life! I grabbed a fist full of throttle and the tail end kicked up as the automatic transmission engaged and off we went. Right out of the parking lot onto Kettner, another right on to Hawthorne toward Harbor Drive. We screamed west towards the harbor with the throttle pinned, inches off of the ground! (Now mind you the roads are rough and GoCar has no suspension to speak of, so it made crossing the train tracks a bit of a visceral experience!)
We started laughing the minute we left the rental agency and we were in tears by the time we passed the first block. I swerved left crossing two lanes of traffic to make the upcoming left, as instructed by GoCar’s onboard talking GPS tour guide, “S” shouted over the roar of the motor, “Slow down, you’re going too fast!” I looked down at the speedometer, then over at “S” and exclaimed “We’re only going 30. It won’t go any faster!” At that statement we both roared with laughter as we idled at the light. When you’re cruising about 6 inches off the ground, the little car seems deceptively quick, that combined with the direct link rear steering makes the car handle like it is on rails.

Everywhere we went pedestrians and people in cars were breaking their necks to see the little yellow car. As we scooted down the streets we were greeted with waves, thumbs up, and smiles. You would think that people behind us would get irate because we were only doing thirty in what was clearly a moving tourist attraction, but we were met with nothing but awe and exclamation as they passed us. (Not the case in the SUV that “S” borrowed from her friend.)

As we cruised along GoCar "Lady" explained historical points of interest interspersed with some obvious paid advertisements. Like the local Hooters, at which point GoCar, in her pleasant female voice, said…”I have a Hooter too!” “S” and I looked at each other…"Did GoCar just say what I thought it said?” Then she stated “It’s my horn button on the left handle bar!” (Insert appropriate lame joke rim shot here) Bad jokes aside, the tour was good and we had a blast.

After touring most of downtown we headed north up 5th Avenue and made a stop at a place called Extraordinary Desserts. This place is a sweet-o-phile’s heaven. I couldn’t focus; there were too many choices. “S” and I split a Lemon Crème Brule that was fan-fricken-tastic!

Sugared-up we got back on the road and did a quick tour of Balboa Park. We approached the fountain in the main section of the park and I had to do the roundabout several times. The people on the San Diego Trolley tour could hear our laughter as we passed them. They waved to us each time we made a rotation.

We blasted out of the park and headed back towards downtown passing several bars and restaurants in the University Heights/Hillcrest district. GoCar, who is apparently well-versed in the alternative lifestyles of University Heights/Hilcrest, pointed out several alternative bars in the area including The Flame. According to GoCar this bar is “the oldest alternative bar that caters to San Diego’s vibrant lesbian community!” I’m not sure, but I think GoCar touched “S” in a hand on the knee sort of way! (LOL)

We wheeled GoCar back towards downtown but since we had about 20 minutes left on our two hour rental we passed the agency and turned right on Harbor Drive instead of left. “S” knew where to find a couple of roundabouts which we circumnavigated a couple of times.

“S” even made a video clip. If you listen you can hear her laughing above the din of the motor.

We never figured out why there was an "Ejection Seat". I'd pressed it, if I didn't think we would of have gotten stranded.

So if you find the opportunity to ride a GoCar we highly recommend it! You might even find one in Austin one day. Wouldn't that help to keep Austin weird?!

“The mayor has more important things to worry about than a bunch of nude people at a biker rally...”

...was the quote from the Austin Mayor’s office regarding reports of lewd and lascivious behavior at the Republic of Texas Motorcycle Rally, (R.O.T.). Someone delivered a large number of pictures showing nude bikers, mobile stripper poles (with strippers), “Did I mention there were mobile strippers?” “K”. All the while, local law enforcement patrolled the area.
Want to see the whole story go to- http://www.kvue.com/video/index.html?nvid=258007

Yes, there were freewheeling breasts, yes there was lots of motorized “hot dogging”(mechanical and biological), and indeed there was some alcohol consumed at the (R.O.T). “Oh yeah, did I mention the mobile strippers?” “K”.

It was our first R.O.T.! Bikes galore! Tattoos aplenty! We joined “S’s” sister and boyfriend to take part in this gathering of motorcycle enthusiast. We drank beer, wandered around the exhibits, bought a back roads map of central Texas, listened to local bands, and all the while soaking up the intense biker atmosphere. Check out the official photos of the rally at http://www.rotrally.com/Pages/Public/Media.asp

We wandered over to the “Wall of Death” show. A large tin can of a building where motocross bikes sped up the walls, centrifugal force keeping them and riders glued to the wooden slatted walls. The audience, peering down into the pit, was asked to hold a dollar bill between their fingers. Then a guy on a go-kart raced around the pit walls gaining height with each revolution to pluck the dollars from our fingers. It’s a living.

As the sun set, we joined the carousing and cavorting crowd as they moved towards the main stage to see the Charlie Daniels Band. They were great! His voice is still sharp and crisp. We danced and sang right along.

“K” insisted on having meat on a bone, (aka turkey leg) while “S” enjoyed another version of something on a stick, a corndog!

“S” knew it was time to go when the parade of half naked men and women motorcyclist varoomed down the center of the Expo Center and she looked over at “K” and he had Mardi Gras beads hanging from his baseball cap.

“Pole strippers? Yes, there were nude 60-year old pole strippers with hanging boobs and sagging asses! Enjoy, “K” “S”.

After all was said and done, the dust and the smoke cleared, the rowdy bikers returned to being your dentists, accountants, and lawyers. While some of us remain just two geeks on a bike.

P.S. Did I mention that there were mobile strippers and not all were 60+. I think we’re getting an RV spot next year. “K”

Side note:
We have a very animated mayor in Austin, check out other stories related to Mayor Wynn. We love him! Who else would call the last round of trivia at Mother Egan’s Irish Pub on Tuesday nights!
http://www.kvue.com/news/top/stories/030508kvueMayorWynn-cb.2618c644.html

Fully Dressed!

Equipment Modifications complete:

So after much grief for spending hours upon hours searching the Internet for the best quality at the best price from “S” I finally settled on saddlebags. I purchased the Ameritex Futura bags from JC Whitney (photo from JCWhitney website). They are synthetic which is good for clean up and won’t rot like leather. I purchased the XX size so they are fairly large. Although the XXX bags have a cell phone pocket on each side, I thought they might hit the exhaust on the right side of the bike, which in itself is another issue. The XX are wide and deep enough to hold plenty of stuff to keep us going on a pretty decent trip.

They are detachable and have three quick release buckles for each side allowing for easy removal while traveling. Next on the list were Saddle bag supports to keep them from rubbing the rear swing arm and tire. It also gives you a place to tie the bags off so they don’t flap around in the wind.

Other modifications included passenger peg extensions and floorboards. The C50 passenger pegs are up high and "S's" legs were folded back at an awkward, uncomfortable angle. This cuts off blood flow to her lower legs and causes cramping on longer rides. It also causes the tailbone to support most of the passenger’s weight which fatigues the back. The extensions lower the passenger’s feet by about 3 inches and moves them forward about 2 inches. The floorboards will give her more room to move her feet around in different positions helping to eliminate the onset of cramps and fatigue. Which translates to less stops along the way.

“S” was on a solo adventure to Anaheim, CA when I installed these items so I hope the extensions and the backrest make her more comfortable. I’m really excited to have her test them out on our next ride. She’ll have to give her report after we get back from vacation.

Where I purchased the parts

Ameritex Futura Saddlebags – JC Whitney
Saddlebag Supports – JC Whitney
Floorboards (note the floorboards are actually for a 1981 Honda - Gold Wing) – JC Whitney $64.99
Peg Extensions – Waynesville Cycle
Backrest – Cruiserbackrest.com
Sissybar Bag (this was a great deal) – Wal-Mart $35.00.

A note about these stores: I’m always leery of sending money to online stores and I suggest that if you are going to make a purchase do some research on many of the online motorcycle forums. Caveat Emptor!

That said, I can’t say enough about JC Whitney, Cruiser Backrest, and Waynesville Cycle. All three of these vendors were quick to ship and I had parts in hand within 3 days of ordering.

Installation wasn’t too bad, everything lined up fairly well. I also took this opportunity to adjust the rear suspension. I noticed on our last 2-up ride that the rear end kind of wallowed around turns and just felt mushy in general. I purchased a 63mm suspension wrench. I had to remove the side panel from beneath the seat then both seats. That was not a problem because I had to remove the pillion in order to install the saddlebag mounting system anyway. Then I had to remove the batter box. I didn’t disconnect it I just removed the screws and pulled the box up high enough to clear the shock wrench. The factory ships the bike with the rear shock at mid- position #4 and I moved it up two notches to six. That should give us plenty of spring pre-load to carry the two of us plus luggage.

I can’t wait for the next trip! Which there is still debate over. We don't know if we should go on our hunt for BBQ or search for ghosts.