Today was a first of firsts. I planned to take a weekend and ride down to Houston from Dallas and today was it! I checked Blue Thunder(BT) over, prepped the gear, mounted the Garmin and gassed up.
I left Dallas around 7am-it was sunny, 34 degrees(cold wind) and as clear as could be. Of course, I started off unsure if I would REALLY be able to make the ride, but the only way to find out was to make it. As I rode southbound on 45, the weather started warming up to a nice 68. Riding on the freeway going about 70, meeting other two-wheelers on the road was a great experience. By the time I hit Houston, I was pumped and felt quite accomplished in my two-wheel journey.
I took a ride down to Galveston with my Aunt and Uncle who have been my two-wheel mentors. They rode to Galveston with my Jerry once and I always hoped to have joined them. Well, they asked if I wanted to go and I was ecstatic! They ride a 3-wheel Cheetah trike that is amazing.
Galveston was a great ride until......
I was heading west at 5pm, sun in the eyes and unknowingly, about to hit a bow-up in the road. Yup, my first lay down going about 40-45 mph. Yes, I was in full gear with a full helmet on. I was able to stand up, walk, and get on Blue Thunder for the ride back to League City. BT was tore up on the right side pretty bad, but she was rideable. I was sore but determined. My Aunt and Uncle took great care of me and my wounds and tok me and BT back to Dallas in their pickup truck.
Progressive Insurance was amazing in how they took care of BT and even gave me a check for my gear AND for the iPhone that was mounted as my GPS. BTW, the Garmin really sucked and never was able to calculate a route from Dallas to Houston, so I may retire it and use some other accessory for that Ram Mount. However, the TomTom iPhone app did a great job!
The major lesson here is...never compromise and ride without ALL the gear. It may be tempting when it's sunny, 70, and on the beach(like other harley riders were doing). I'm convinced had I compromised, the outcome would have been severely different.
BT should be ready soon and I look forward to some good miles ahead.
