| Author | Message | ||
     Duckbuell |
April 13th 2007 the Buell enthusiasts known as the HellBuellies left Austin, TX for “The Big Bender” a four day, 1200 mile blast through the Davis Mountains, Big Bend and Seminole Canyon.  Our group’s bikes were as varied as their rider’s personalities and included 3 XB12X Ulysses, XB9 Lightning, 2 XB12Rs, S3, S2 and a BMW 1150GS. We had 3 couples on bikes and 5 solo riders. We even had the benefit of a truck to haul a spare bike, cooler and firewood. Our two main HellBuellies even designed awesome t-shirts that we could be proud of! For me trip planning started many weeks in advance, and resulted in a custom built Rick Mayer touring saddle, Ventura Luggage System, gigantic tank bag, and compact camping gear from REI. My only mistake, was underestimating the cold weather and wind that we would be riding in. My lesson learned is pack less food and take all your cold weather gear! - no matter what a weather forcast says. Texas weather changes suddenly.  Friday morning we met 40 minutes out of Austin, near Marble Falls, intent on avoiding Interstate 10 as we headed west. We encountered a bit of rain, but by lunch we were toasty and dry. Our lunch stop was the first time we all got a chance to chat - and savor the excitement of an adventure unfolding.  Oh...yea! Fun will be had!  One of the core Hellbullies! A true sage. "Don't wheelie in front of me, I may not follow. Don't wheelie behind me, I may not lead.. Wheelie beside me and be my friend." --Albert Camusbuelly  "Some people will tell you that slow is good, and it may be, on some days...but I'm here to tell you that fast is better. I've always believed this, in spite of the trouble it's caused me. Being shot out of a cannon will always be better than being squeezed out of a tube. That is why God made fast motorcycles, Bubba..." --HellBuelly Hunter T Good and Happy! Thats how we like our couples - Their BMW GS was quite the steed!  After lunch we set off for Fort Davis and the Indian Lodge. We got beat-up by strong winds on interstate 10, but thankfully for only about 40 minutes. The pictures say it all!    The Buell Brotherhood and Sisterhood - what a cool gang!    The star-gazers! They took a night ride to the observatory to view the stars!  Great accomodations at the Indian Lodge  My Main Man! One of the founding HellBuellies!   Saturday Morning view from the lodge  Loading up for the ride to Big Bend Park  We did the 70 mile loop around the observatory   Ah! The trusty S2  From Presidio along the Rio Grande to Big Bend   Not To Be Missed - Presidio to Big Bend along the Rio Grande, a roller-coaster of a ride!  Curves = Smiles for Miles!      This bike totaly rocked! 90 mph sweepers - two up with luggage - no problem!  Hey the trooper only wanted to check out the bikes - honest! No one was ticketed!  This is what all the motorcycling is really about! Friendship and Fun! The camping at Big Bend was great! Wonderful weather and soft ground!  Ah... my first touring bike mascot -- he will be on many trips! A $3.00 toy never brough so much joy!  S.M.O.R.E - elite marshmellow roasting squad.  Our sage at work: "As a card carrying HellBuelly, I'd rather have a free bottle in front of me than a prefrontal lobotomy." --Tom "Thunderbolt" Waits    I can't believe we are reading the instructions!  Sunday we arrived at Seminole Canyon State Park - windy as heck - but a great time was had.    We headed home after Seminole and took this awsome road: I 90 to Comstock, 163 to Juno, to 189, to 277 stoping in Sonora for lunch - then home to Austin.  The End!  | ||
| Bartimus |
Nice pics, and a good story! Looks like everyone had a great time. Thank you for sharing!!! | ||
| Blake |
It's depressing to have missed such a great trip. Thanks for sharing some of it with the rest of us! Really great stuff, as usual.  |
