27 October Ride to Smithville, Chapter W Rally

Thanks Tom Byrd for the pictures and Charlie Brown for the write-up.

The weather was clear, and brisk, a refreshing 47 degrees Saturday morning when we met for an exhilarating ride to Smithville’s picturesque River Bend Park for a gathering of Wings from across the state.  Chapter W out of Katy Texas was holding a rally and we were on own way to meet, greet and eat.  Eight member from Chapter U left with a chill in the air at 8:00 AM this morning for a slow easy ride into the piney woods and a favorite rally.  With everyone bundled up we left our usual meeting place at 3009 and I-35 after a quick briefing and explanation of the route we would follow. 

Lots of FUN at the pickup point!

We found roads less traveled which meant the traffic was non existent and the air crisp.  Brad Severe led and Tom and Nancy Byrd on their beautiful, bright Yellow Byrd followed and kept us all in line.  Mike Edmonds and Cindy Hicks, Mike and Eiko Mills and I fell in between.  We welcomed Cindy who is a Road Captain with Fellowship Riders and rides her own VTX. She was riding as Co-Rider with Mike Edmonds today.  The country roads and small towns are more motorcycle friendly than the usual hustle and bustle of the interstate so Brad plotted a course that wound through the lush piney woods countryside along those narrow two lane byways that had us all enjoying the view while keeping a sharp eye out for Bambi’s brothers and sisters that might wander out and interrupt our fun.  After a break in Lockhart we were off to find more scenic back roads and unspoiled vistas along our route  to Smithville.  It is possible to get to Riverbend Park without visiting Smithville however you miss the friendly atmosphere of a small Texas town and Brad found a way to take us right through downtown Smithville to expose us to friendly folk and manicured quiet county communities that you miss in the big city.  We found River Bend Park along the banks of the Colorado River and Highway 71 with the help of well placed signs showing the way.  Arriving shortly before us Chapter members J. D. and Millie Kvapil from Pleasanton and Billie and Jane Johnson from Floresville, were already there to welcome us. 

        Just arrived at the rally.                                        Don't ya just love the smiles!!!

       Part of the Chapter U bunch.                                      Mike Edmonds and Cindy Hicks.

Nancy Byrd and Brad Severe trying their luck with darts!!

Bernard Schmitz Chapter Director of Chapter W opened the rally with the promise of free gas for all that attended.  He welcomed us with almost coffee and introduced us to some fun games and silent auction that had some real bargains.  We spent the time throwing darts, bouncing balls, passing footballs, knocking over milk bottles and of course checking out all of the bikes to try and find a piece of bling that we just had to add to ours.  Shortly it was announced that lunch was served and we discovered that the promised free gas was not for the motorcycle.  We ate our fill of tasty red beans and rice and continued to make new friends, renew acquaintances and visit with chapter members.  Soon they closed the silent auction and the rally coordinator started announcing the winners and drawing for the many prizes.  Chapter U members continued the tradition by taking home a large portion of the prizes awarded.  J. D. and Millie and Bill and Jane won enough bike cleaner to keep all of the chapter bikes clean for a long, long time.  Now we need to figure out a way to get them to clean all of our bikes.  Almost everyone won a prize or got a real bargain in the silent auction and for the third rally in a row A Chapter U member walked off with the grand prize in that Mike and Eiko Mills won a set of tires including installation from the Katy Honda Dealer. As the rally came to a close it was announced that Chapter U with 12 members attending had the largest group registered to attend the rally.  It was a fun rally and plans are to attend next year as the date was announced for October 11, 2008.

Chowing down on the rice, beans and sausage!!!                         Silent auction!                               

Mike Mills won the grand Prize!                                     Most everyone won prizes too!                

DQ stop was a must on the way back!               What a great day!!

The fun was not over however as we all headed home seven bikes and 12 members enjoyed each others company down a scenic TX 95 to US 90 where we said good bye to J. D., Millie, Bill and Jane on their way south.  The rest of us headed West for Luling.  Bypassing our usual stop at the Luling City Market for BBQ we found our mandatory Ice Cream break at the Dairy Queen, it was very conveniently located just off US 90 in Luling.  Refreshed we continued along US 90 and reluctantly said our good byes each other as each chapter member departed the formation for home. 

Charlie Brown