As I geared up and packed my bags, Jamey got to work checking over the bike. The tire pressure was so low it wasn't registering on the gauge and I was half a quart of oil down.
He even topped off my tank and filled a spare gas can and stowed it in my pannier in case we'd need it.
I met Lilia (StarSapphire) and Mollie (BMWBabe) at West Oaks Mall and we sauntered up to Starbucks together, miraculously only hitting one red light along the way.
Star
Mollie says hi
We met Michelle, Justine, and Miranda there and chatted while sipping our sweet caffeine, then geared up to head north. The bikes were as diverse as the ladies themselves.
We were already running behind schedule, so I opted to cut out a portion of the route that doubled back on itself and instead we high-tailed it for Navasota while getting a few good "warm up" roads underneath us.
Miranda (NavaJib)
Justine (Falkryte)
After picking up Deb (Snoopster), Jennifer (NinjaPrincess), Cici (ctoons) and Ana (Anaconda) we turned onto 3090 towards Carlos.
Justine wanted to stop and take a pic with a historical marker along the way.
The bike parked itself on auto pilot
Once in Madisonville, the local traffic impeded our progress as our bellies rumbled. Arriving at the Lakeside Restaurant, we made our way to the table where the Dallas and Austin gals had been waiting on us.
We did a few rounds of "My name, my riding experience, and what I do for a living" to get to know each other a little better.
A few ordered off the menu while the rest made a mad dash for the lunch buffet
Justine's migraine was getting worse, so she and Miranda called for a ride back home while we sat around (for a good long while) talking, laughing, and sharing before steeping out into the sun for a group picture.
To make Papa Chuck proud, I went around and tried to get photos of everyone with their steed.
Janet and her FJR - always smiling!
Miranda (Navajib) and her WR - it might look like a small bike, but she makes that baby sing
Susan (Tortuga) and her Piaggio MP3 - from from Chuck but still in good hands
Claire (Bobcat) all the way from Austin - gettin' dirty this side of the 'Sota
Mollie (BMWBabe) - Shiny pony tails firmly affixed to her helmet just for the occasion
Lilia (StarSapphire) - having fun, are we?
Ana (Anaconda) - Jazz Hands!
Jennifer (NinjaPrincess) - Show us your "sexy" pose!
Ok...
Michelle shows us
her sexy pose!
Bye Janet! It was great seeing you again!
Those that continued the route refueled and headed east, but with the late hour I started adapting on-the-fly and cutting off sections of twisty bits. I took the group down a poorly paved road (it
was paved though) and turned onto an FM that eventually wound its way to a PAVEMENT ENDS sign. Ok, so I didn't get through the day without a U-turn. but to my credit, I didn't make the street bikes folow me down the dirt path either!
We split off in Trinity, then split again in Huntsville (after the loooooongest fuel stop I've ever experienced) and once more near Tomball. Once solo, I aimed for the Tollway and was home by 7:30. Cold, sore, and tired - but I'd do it all again in a heartbeat for the companionship alone.