I am not really a biker gal....but I did go to Galveston Texas this weekend to check out the Lone Star Rally.
I stuck out for sure! and so did the Big Honda Ruckus bike. It's not a Harley...and I didn't have any leather. However I had a great time and everyone was so polite. Must have been that Astros win making everyone quite happy!
SO MANY BIKES!!!!
Ferry ride from Crystal Beach/Bolivar to Galveston.
The Strand
The Strand
I don't think they have any officially set up demos. At least nothing like what Americade offers. Americade looks really nice and well organized.
Lone Star Rally is pretty dirty south and now I am ready for Sturgis! Kidding!!!
Post pics next June of your ride! Good thinking to booking a room WAY ahead.
What I really liked about Lone Star is that anyone could ride, and it was open to the public. I am not sure if that is how most of these rallies go. This was my 1st one.
The bike I was happiest to see was a Norton! right next to it was an old Moto Guzzi. I wish I had gotten a pic!
What kind of Harley do you have?
All the nice hotels were already gone. The CY there has a 4 night min and charging exorbitant prices, hence booked a motel.
All the rallies are usually open to public as long as you pay a daily admission fee which for americade is 20 per day.
Sturgis has long been on my list but given the distance from CT it might be a while before I get there, but its on my list though.
I have a harley street 750 , a gift from the lovely Mrs. this May.
A motel is better than a tent.
Lone Star has no fee, unless you want to go to the "official bar" and take part in a few VIP events, but you can walk The Strand with an open (no glass) container. And all the shops were selling booze so no need for a bar.
I can't even image riding to Sturgis. I can't imagine riding from Lafayette to Galveston, at least not on the Ruckus! LOL We keep it in Galveston. The 750 looks nice! (had to look it up). Totally made for the city. Do you ride it work? That is a great gift! Well you might just have to get a trailer and haul it up to Sturgis one day.
Sunday when we left we passed a ton of people that I called the "smart ones" that put their bikes on trailers.
I ride it to work when the weather is nice which in new england is very unpredictable. I am done till atleast May as the cold has already started , will get to work on the backrest for the Mrs now as she got too tired after our last ride together.
By the time I get to sturgis I would hopefully have upgraded to something bigger as this one is not suited for touring.
250 miles on the ruckus would be an adventure glad that you guys did not try it.
Many people actually ship their bikes to Sturgis and then back after the rally , would try that rather than riding / driving.
The americade fee is only for demo rides and to see the concerts and stuff. Harley has their tent outside so you dont have to pay for the demo ride.
Hey seatexan!
Great post love the black and white photo and the one on the ferry, they really seem to capture the event.
Hope you had a great time...looking forward to hearing if there were demos!
Best,
Whitney
Thank you!
No demos for us to ride sadly. Anything bigger than this Honda scooter and I can't hang! LOL
That is the coolest, nerdiest scooter I've ever seen, seatexan! I love it! Did you have a blast? There's something fun about being surrounded by all of those bikes (though I'm not a Harley person... too loud!) I like Moto Guzzi's too! (At least I did 10+ years ago, lol.) I actually love Italian bikes, in particular, Ducati's and Aprilia's! They're everywhere in Italy, lots of eye candy for motorcycle happiests! I had a Moped when I lived on Okinawa, many, many years ago. In 2004, against all odds (and I mean it!) I ended up the proud owner of a - Honda Rebel! I think it was the 250. It was so fun and easy to ride. Then I graduated to a Suzuki SV650. I had the naked version, electric blue. It was so, so pretty and fit me perfectly. Even though it was a sport bike, I didn't have to pronate to ride it, but could actually ride upright comfortably.
These kind of events can be a stack of fun! Is this something that you guy do somewhat regularly? Really, that Ruckus is cool!!
I really did have a wonderful time. Ducati's are pretty sweet, and FAST. I don't know anything about Aprilia. I will need to look that up. I am more of a nerdy scooter type, ride up right. Even the Rukus is a bit heavy for me. They don't make this big one anymore. 2006 I think. My mom had a little red ruckus but sold it to my cousin.
I had a good friend that owned a rebel. They are fun bikes. That is really cool you had one.
razorbackfan and mightythor This was my first bike show to go to. The only time we ride is in Galveston, where we keep the Ruckus. Lafayette is no place to ride. Mainly bc other cars are not on the look out for bikes.
After this one, we might consider more shows if there is something close by.
seatexan I didn't know you all rode a motorcycle. I guess when we get together, most of our conversations involve travel, but not travel on a motorcycle. It sounds like you all had a great time and will include more rallies in your travel plans. Glad all those "bikers" were polite.
Almost totally off the subject, but I heard this on the radio recently and thought it was funny.
"If a tricycle is called a TRIKE,
And a bicycle is called a BIKE,
Why isn't a motorcycle called a MIKE?"
LOL. It should be! ;D
seatexan Have you ever done bikes blues & barbeque in northwest Arkansas? I know it has gotten pretty big.
No, but I did look it up. It's not that far really. Have you been?
These events are pretty amazing. Me and my buddy have been going upto Lake george , NY for the americade rally for the past 3 years.
We always used to drive up there and do the demo rides. Now that I have my own Harley we are planning to ride there next year. Booked the hotel and everything , so excited just thinking about that.
BTW did they have any demo rides??