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- Joined
- Jan 1, 2005
- Messages
- 4,492
- Reaction score
- 1,291
- Location
- Buda, TX
- First Name
- Rich
- Last Name
- Gibbens
By my count 42 riders total attended the 2nd Annual Beyond EPIC Labor Day Weekend Extravaganza. Quite an increase from last year's 12 total attendees. Thanks to all the riders who came out for this year's event. I enjoy organizing these things almost as much as I like riding. A special thanks to all those who helped out as ride leaders, water crossers, and pull starters. And, finally, thanks to those who provided the cold beer on Saturday night.
I took 120 pics this weekend. I'm not going to post all of them here, so if you want to see the other ones, click here
While the name of this event is meant to be humorous, in the spirit of the name I decided to make this year's event more EPIC than normal. I planned a route that included crossing the James River, south of Mason. There is a low water crossing on the James that is wide and very treacherous due to being unbelievably slick with algae and silt. Many a rider have been tested and bested by this crossing, including me. I've crossed the river twice before, once successfully. As my buddy Anthony said while we were discussing it early in the day, "there's gonna be carnage everywhere." Ominous.
So, how did it go? Read on.
You ought not tackle something so ominous without a good breakfast. Our day started at Jim's Restaurant at the world famous "Y" in Oak Hill. About 20 riders or so showed up early for a hearty breakfast and some tire kicking prior to the official start.
Once the riders meeting was done, we broke into 5 groups and headed west on pavement in search of the days first dirt. I'm happy to report that CR 310 & CR 315 (Click Road) are still dirt roads. Good dirt roads.
Let's check and see if the riding was any good. "Hey brother, how's the riding?"
"Rich, don't think I ain't watching you." - Tricepilot
The KLRs were out in abundance this year. The KLR is quite a bike, IMHO.
Every break included plenty of bike admiration.
Rumor has it that Honda used to make an Adventure bike. I've heard it called the "Translap", but, really, it's a Transalp. You don't see too many around. There were 2 on this trip, including this hot red number. Think Honda will ever get back on the adventure bandwagon?
Libertarians are welcome on any of my riders.
There's some fun dirt riding out in the hill country.
In all the years I've been doing this, I've never seen this accessory on a bike. When asked about it, the owner replied, "You never know when you might need a machete." I have to admit, he's got a point.
Four hours of riding completed and time for lunch at Cooper's BBQ in Mason. Definitely not the large, well-oiled operation of the Cooper's in Llano, 36 riders all arriving within a 30 minute window slightly overwhelmed this Cooper's.
Though smaller than it's cousin restaurant to the east, the format here is much the same. Start by picking your meat from the pit.
No plate necessary. Some butcher paper keeps things together.
Lunch completed, it was time to tackle the James River.
more to follow...
I took 120 pics this weekend. I'm not going to post all of them here, so if you want to see the other ones, click here
While the name of this event is meant to be humorous, in the spirit of the name I decided to make this year's event more EPIC than normal. I planned a route that included crossing the James River, south of Mason. There is a low water crossing on the James that is wide and very treacherous due to being unbelievably slick with algae and silt. Many a rider have been tested and bested by this crossing, including me. I've crossed the river twice before, once successfully. As my buddy Anthony said while we were discussing it early in the day, "there's gonna be carnage everywhere." Ominous.
So, how did it go? Read on.
You ought not tackle something so ominous without a good breakfast. Our day started at Jim's Restaurant at the world famous "Y" in Oak Hill. About 20 riders or so showed up early for a hearty breakfast and some tire kicking prior to the official start.
Once the riders meeting was done, we broke into 5 groups and headed west on pavement in search of the days first dirt. I'm happy to report that CR 310 & CR 315 (Click Road) are still dirt roads. Good dirt roads.
Let's check and see if the riding was any good. "Hey brother, how's the riding?"
"Rich, don't think I ain't watching you." - Tricepilot
The KLRs were out in abundance this year. The KLR is quite a bike, IMHO.
Every break included plenty of bike admiration.
Rumor has it that Honda used to make an Adventure bike. I've heard it called the "Translap", but, really, it's a Transalp. You don't see too many around. There were 2 on this trip, including this hot red number. Think Honda will ever get back on the adventure bandwagon?
Libertarians are welcome on any of my riders.
There's some fun dirt riding out in the hill country.
In all the years I've been doing this, I've never seen this accessory on a bike. When asked about it, the owner replied, "You never know when you might need a machete." I have to admit, he's got a point.
Four hours of riding completed and time for lunch at Cooper's BBQ in Mason. Definitely not the large, well-oiled operation of the Cooper's in Llano, 36 riders all arriving within a 30 minute window slightly overwhelmed this Cooper's.
Though smaller than it's cousin restaurant to the east, the format here is much the same. Start by picking your meat from the pit.
No plate necessary. Some butcher paper keeps things together.
Lunch completed, it was time to tackle the James River.
more to follow...
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If not I can send them to you.
