16 Mar Hooky Ride
Pictures by Gary Skorman & Sal& Phylis Pesta
The Monday hookey ride was wonderful. We had five motorcycles and seven participants. Sal & Phyllis Pesta, Luis & Ida Flores, Archie Haley, Bob Fairey, and Gary Skorman (Ride Captain & writer of this article). I had originally planned to ride to Lockhart for lunch and then on to the Central Auto Museum in Rosanky. However when Skip & I pre-rode the route we found out that the museum is only open Friday-Sunday. With that in mind I met the group at YOSA and we prepared for our adventure. We had our group meeting. After some discussions of options it was decided that we would go to the Chisholm Trail BBQ Restaurant in Lockhart for lunch and then head to Bastrop and ride through Bastrop State Park. Just as we were saddling up to leave, Sal & Phyllis arrived. I filled then in on the plan.
I asked Sal to act as my drag. I sounded like a good idea to me as Sal has been a ride captain for a while now. However, this being my first time as ride captain I quickly noticed that Sal and I were not communicating. After pulling over at the Valero Station in Marion, the reason was obvious. I my haste to use Sal as drag, I just forget to check to see if he had a CB. Making an executive decision, I asked Archie to switch places with Sal. So for the remainder of the ride, I had a drag that I could communicate with. It made the trip infinitely easier.
I lead the group down Route 20, which, as I found in the pre-ride, was a little bumpy. As soon as we left Guadalupe County that problem corrected itself. We arrived in Lockhart, in-tacked and hungry. After a delicious lunch and some socializing, we continued on to Bastrop. The weather, which started out very chilly had become perfect. By the time we reached the park rangers office it was time to remove layers of clothing. We rode park road 1A, & 1C. The roads had lots of twistys, and hills. The speed limit was 30 MPH and we maintained 25-30 most of the way. A comment was made later that we could have maintained 30 MPH throughout, but I wanted everyone to relax and enjoy the scenery. All of us were surprised at just how big the park is. It is a destination that Skip & I will use again on a Saturday ride so more people can enjoy the beauty of Bastrop State Park.
Our final stop...you guessed it, was Dairy Queen in San Marcos. We had our treats, said our goodbyes, and headed our separate ways. While riding home I reviewed the day. I was pleased with the destinations, the weather, the fUn and the proficiency of the riders and co-riders. Archie did an admiral job as drag. And as for my first go at being a ride captain, I think I did okay, but I guess that's for someone else to say (even though I already said it).
Gary Skorman
Chapter U Ride Coordinator
© Copyright 2009 Chapter U, Texas District, Gold Wing Road Riders Association, Inc.