Tim Vipond

6011 Amelia Terrace Court

Sugar Land, TX 77479

Honda Sport Touring Association

November 2006 Texas Newsletter

www.txhsta.com

SOUTH TEXAS DIRECTOR DIALOGUE – Tim Vipond

Lots of stuff happened this month. Texas Hill Country event, Cycle World’s International Motorcycle Show in Houston and Dallas, and more. Read all about it in this month’s newsletter!

The Texas Hill Country Ride, November 3 – 5, 2006

By M. Patrick Coleman

Where else in the U.S. but Texas could you receive the following warning at the local gas station? “You headed up RR335? Well, watch out for kangaroos. A biker ran into one a few months back and some are supposedly still on the loose.” Ah yes, exotic animals. Just one more ‘service’ the Texas Hill Country offers.

Text Box: I did not come across the kangaroos (thankfully) but I did see eland, kudu, gemsbok, along with the standard cows and deer one might expect just about anywhere in the U.S. I also came across a lot of beautiful country, fantastic roads, and interesting sights. Who knew there was a half-size Stonehenge set up in Texas, along with some statues from Easter Island? If you’ve not attended the Texas Hill Country Ride (HCR), you need to! Otherwise, you’re missing out on something special.

The 3^rdthrough the 5^th of November found me and 134 of my closest HSTA member friends in Kerrville, TX ready to ride and eat our way through one more event before winter closed her icy fist around the riding season. But Houston, we may have a problem…the weather. Forecast was 30% chance of showers on Friday and a 40% chance on Saturday. Hmmm, wet isn’t usually much fun on two wheels. But as the time to ride drew closer, the forecast got more optimistic and worries of a rain-out faded. Ah yes, great southern Texas weather would prevail. And it did…for Friday (as long as temps in the upper 60s are warm enough for you.)

Friday saw people start cruising into Kerrville and Tim Vipond, with the help of new member Gordon McDonell, starting registering folks shortly after 3pm. Some of the first to register were Robert Easterling, Jim Poulos, and Bob Jameson. Many others followed and that evening Mr. V held a brief riders meeting to inform folks new to the region on local riding conditions. Afterward, there was partaking of snacks and beer. Life is good J.

Text Box: Saturday dawned gray and menacing. Surely it would burn off. It absolutely was not likely to be a problem. All the weather people said things would be swell until evening time. Liars! En route to the fine breakfast provided by Bob Kee of Destination Cycle, the ominous looking sky became a real drizzle, which drifted into a very light rain. Doh! No good. “Rain, rain, go away, come back again some other day.” If only improved weather was a simple chant away.

While I’m talking about stuffing my face at Destination Cycles, did you realize they rented motorcycles? Seriously, if you want to “do” the HCR but live far away, get on a plane and come out! Destination Cycles has a variety of bikes to rent along with gear to wear. Check out their website: (www.destinationcycle.com) See? No excuse not to come “play” in the Hill Country next year.

Following the intake of food and coffee with the requisite tire kicking, leg pulling, and generally getting to know new people and reconnect with old friends, it was time to ‘hit’ the Texas Hill Country. Sadly, due to the freaky weather, that’s exactly what three folks did. If you take roads that have seen no moisture for many weeks, toss in just enough drizzle and rain to make those same roads wet, then you end up with some very slippery conditions. And despite everyone taking a rather cautious riding approach, three people got bit by the tarmac terror. A V-Strom front tire slid on some tar strips (on SR16), a BMW attempted to become an aquatic tri-sport cycle (on SR39), and an FJR attempted to move a guard rail using the top of the gas tank (on RR337). Scary stuff, but to the best of my knowledge, no one was seriously hurt. Everyone lived to ride another day. That’s a blessing.

Text Box:

So what was it like if you were able to successfully navigate the wet roads, fog, and see outside your clouded face shield? It was great, lol! Walt Kocal (TX-HSTA) and I, after talking to Tony Crowell (LA-HSTA) decided to modify the official route somewhat. Per Tony, there is a “Stonehenge” setup not far out of Kerrville, TX. (Yeah, we needed a LA guy to tell us what cool things there are to see in TX.) Okay, let’s go see it! Sure enough, if you head west on SR39 to Hunt, TX, you can then head north on FM1340 and there, just a few miles down the road, is a half-size Stonehenge along with two statue replicas from Easter Island. Excellent!

On our way to mini-hedge, a sheriff’s car appeared in my mirrors with the bubblegum machine going full disco. Oh no! I pull over and he shoots by. Whew. I escape paying an unexpected road tax once again. Turns out, the sheriff was going to the scene of the aquatic Beemer accident. We had no idea about that at the time.

Text Box: Continuing the ride at a cautious pace, we caught SR41 and head west toward RR336. RR336 is one of my favorite roads. It is twisty, hilly, and has beautiful scenery…or so I’ve been told by those that actually look at something other than the road while riding it. But RR336 is not a good road for new riders. It is cattle guard (CG) central. I don’t know how many there are (a lot!) but you have to watch for the signs, get the bike straightened out, and cross the CGs as perpendicular as possible. This requirement increased 10 fold due to the wet conditions. Heading south on RR336 we first came across cows meandering aimlessly (I don’t think cows have mission statements and appointments to attend). CGs = loose cows…makes sense. We photo the bovines and continue. Then the bambi’s appear. Deer seem less aimless but a lot more jittery. They zigged and zagged, but thankfully stayed away from becoming an FJR farkle. Then the fog came. Then the gravel and clay washing across the road. It is treacherous out today!

But I had a great time, though I didn’t realize that until after we were safely parked in Leakey, TX. I mean, conditions were so bad at times, I was actually doing the speed limit! (I jest, I jest…sort of.) What to do now? If you’re in Leakey, you must stop at the Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop, run by Bob and Robin Albright. It’s like a big red barn but with a place to park your bike, get something to drink and snack on, along with free supplies for cleaning your face shield (cotton cloths and soapy spray). If you need a T-shirt, flat repair kit, gloves, earplugs, or whatever, they probably have it. Robin was running the show today and she is always out talking to people about the riding conditions. People had a lot to say today, lol!

There was fog on RR337. There was fog on RR335. The roads were wet everywhere. Some places were getting light rain, others just heavy drizzle or the misty fog that makes it impossible to see out of one’s visor. But despite it all, people were smiling. They were riding and surviving and having fun doing it. Conditions may not have been great -- the roads were slippery and the scenery wasn’t very visible -- but like true motorcyclists everywhere, HSTA members were out on their bikes, having fun in spite of (because of!?) the conditions. This is just one more reason I love being an HSTA member – true riders that appreciate the challenging days as well as the good ones. It was nice to meet other members and to share the stories of near misses and plans for later.

After Walt and I spoke to three local R6 riders (with Walt convincing at least one of them that leather gloves, rather than bare hands, would be a great idea) and had some coffee, we decided to have some lunch and see if more time would allow the weather to clear. We headed just around the corner, on US83, to Vinny’s Italian Restaurant (others were seen heading to Mama Chole’s for Mexican). We filled up on great food and re-emerged to ride and conquer. Sadly, the weather had not improved and there was a steady drizzle still falling; it was time to head back. No need risking bike and limb just to rack up a few more miles.

Rather than head east on RR337, which reports said was fogged in and quite slippery, we headed south to Rio Frio, then east on FM1050. This avoided the ascent and descent required to traverse RR337. The ascent and descent, along with the twists and turns, are what makes RR337 such an awesome motorcycle road. But not today. Those same traits made it a ‘bad’ motorcycle road due to the conditions. FM1050 on the other hand was relatively level with more mild curves making it just perfect for the conditions. By the time we got to Utopia, TX and the intersection of FM187 the weather was better. The rain/drizzle was gone. The road had some dry patches. Hmmm…what to do now?

Walt headed back to Helotes, TX which was probably wise and prudent. He lives in the hill country. He can ride it anytime. No need to push it on a bad day when it would be clear and safer to ride in a day or two. But I no longer live in this area. I had moved to Colorado in June and probably wouldn’t be back for another year. I took a chance. I wanted to keep riding if it was safe to do so. I headed north on FM187, through Vanderpool and the weather was still good with the roads partly wet, partly dry. Just past Vanderpool to the north is the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum (http://lonestarmotorcyclemuseum.com/). If you like bikes (and I know you do!) stop in during the next HCR.

I did not stop in though. I kept going, up past Lost Maples State Park (very pretty!) to SR39. This was my decision point. If weather and roads were deteriorating, I’d head east back to Kerrville (SR39 is a great road going into Kerrville!). If the conditions were okay, I’d head west on SR39 to US83, then north to SR41, then west again until I reached RR335. Conditions were good, so I headed toward RR335.

What do you do when the roads are straight and boring? Yeah, me too (wink, wink.) So that’s what I did until I got to RR335 (finally!) And sure as Texas is big, by the time I got to 335, it was foggy and drizzling again. <SIGH> Well, I’d come this far and I wasn’t going to bail now. I headed south on RR335. I love this road. It is like RR336 but without the cattle guards (CGs). It is twisty and hilly and has a great view of the Nueces River. It is tight and technical in places, gently twisty in others, and still has some open spaces to stretch the throttle cables, as well. It’s like a well balanced meal – it’s good for you! And best of all was that as I got further south, the weather cleared and I had a great time enjoying a wonderful road all to myself. Well, except for the deer. Damn deer. I know they are cute and all, but I just keep thinking about Lawrence Grodsky (God rest his soul). I often worry that one day I will meet a tragic fate and a deer will be the reason.

That didn’t happen on this day. Instead I rode my own ride and loved being out on the bike on a twisty road, soaking in the sights and smells you seem to only experience on two wheels. Life is good. Riding is good. The HSTA is good. Upon reaching Camp Wood, I headed west on RR337. (Most riders tend to stop in Camp Wood and get fuel at the Diamond Shamrock station and food at BJs Café and Sweet Shop…you’ve probably heard it referred to as “that pink place” because of how it’s painted.)

RR337 goes back through Leakey then over the mountains into Vanderpool then over another mountain and into Medina. At this point, it’s simple enough to get on SR16 back into Kerrville. And what a ride it is! Nice flowing curves tighten up as you head into the ‘eagles nest’ at the top and then they start opening up again as you descend the other side. This is motorcycling bliss on a good day and was still a lot of fun, even on this day.

And in Kerrville is where I parked the now filthy motored steed. The Y.O. Ranch Resort Hotel and Conference Center (www.yoresort.com/) was the host location for the HCR and this is where the dinner banquet would take place. It is a nice place -- very Texan which is to say, fancy but not in that snobbish way. Everyone is welcome at the Y.O., even a dirty, tired, smiling motorcyclist. I wasn’t rooming here as Señor Kocal was letting me reside at Casa de Sadie, so I had no place to put my gear. No matter. I took into the bar w/me, set it on the floor next to a chair by the TV and ordered a Shiner 97, which turned out to be a very nice dark beer. Ah, this is heaven, no?

Shortly I was joined by the LA-HSTA contingent and we watched LSU beat Tennessee in a nail biter game. They were happy so now we had more pleased HCR attendees. The banquet kicked off at 7pm and the food was excellent. Beef stroganoff and chicken parmesan were the main food items. Rice, potatoes, zucchini, salad, rolls, and peach cobbler were also to be found. Probably some more stuff I missed. It was a good spread.

At this time, it was announced that there were 34 new HSTA members signed up at this event, with 27 of ‘em coming from Texas. Wow! Is that a record? I don’t know. Dan Thomas and Lon Riggs from Port Angeles, WA were recognized as being the long distant riders to the event having traveled over 2,500 miles! There were many attendees from other states, which is saying something because to get to the Hill Country from anywhere other than inside Texas itself, you will be ride for at least a day just to cross Texas!

Next up, Bob Chappuis (LA HSTA Director) spoke about the upcoming Cajun Christmas event taking place on the 1^st and 2^nd of December in Chatham, LA. The website to learn more is: www.barrowcreek.com/hsta/CajChris/CajunChristmas.htm. On a side note, Bob also won the “50/50” raffle which was no chump change ($640 total, meaning Bob’s take was $320…party at Bob’s state in December!)

Mr. Tim Vipond proceeded to thank Mr. Preston Juvenal for rounding up items to be given away and then thanked all the sponsors that contributed to make the HSTA banquet a success. Sponsors were: AMSOIL (www.lubedealer.com/timvipond), Destination Cycle Sports (www.destinationcycle.com), Honda Polaris of North Texas (www.hpnt.net), Lone Star Track Days (www.lstd.com), Roadcrafter (www.aerostich.com), Mario Caruso (www.arkansasrider.com) and others. I actually won a book (“Colorado Riders Guide”.) I haven’t won anything since a raffle in the sixth grade! Maybe it’s time to go buy a lottery ticket?

And so the night and the event ended, with a room full of like-minded people, eating, drinking and talking away, happy to have once again journeyed to the Texas Hill Country for a chance to ride with old friends, meet new friends, and enjoy the camaraderie that makes the HSTA such a unique organization. Oh yeah, no one hit a kangaroo either. Success!

A Member’s Letter to the Membership

From Ken Daigrepont

Please post this email on the HSTA website as I would like to thank everyone that witnessed the aftermath of my mishap or assisted me last Saturday near Hunt, Tx during the Texas Hill Country ride. As you know, I broke two fingers on my right hand, scraped my left shin and am “real sore” all over and consider myself extremely fortunate to be sitting at my desk and typing this email (somewhat slowly, however). I’m scheduled for surgery this Thursday to have a pin installed inside the bone of my little finger.

Let my describe what happened as I hope this may be helpful to someone else: There were three us riding near Hunt around 8:30 AM following breakfast at the motorcycle dealership in Kerrville. Jim Barnes (GL 100) was in the lead, I was in the middle (BMW R1150 RS) and Dave Long (ST 1100) brought up the rear. We were NOT speeding, but it has started to drizzle about fifteen-minutes earlier and I was overly tense as a result. I misjudged a steep curve, froze-up and went straight off the road into an area with rocks and boulders. It was that simple! I don’t recall even applying the brakes. I apparently hit a boulder, went over the handle bars and landed flat on my back in a creek with about 12-inches of water and maybe six-inches of mud on the bottom.

The initial impact knocked the breath out of me and I struggled to breathe as I sat in the water, but was fully aware of my surroundings during this ordeal. I made it to the bank on my own as I was afraid of passing out. The bottom right-hand side of my helmet had impacted a boulder and there were slivers of the rock jammed into the crevices in my helmet….damn!

Why would a little rain make me so nervous? I knew that my tires were in good shape, but was planning to replace them within the next 500 miles even though they were probably good for a lot more. I’m very good about the maintenance on my bike and had even stopped at the local BMW dealer in anticipation of this trip. The service manager said the tires looked fine.

I would like to thank everyone for their assistance with a special thanks going to Dave Long and Mimi Huss. Mimi is a registered nurse and it was very comforting to have her there. She obviously knows her stuff and she had done all she could by the time the ambulance arrived. I luv ya Mimi!

Bottom line…..if you’re nervous or tense or just don’t feel right…..it’s ok to stop. Please be careful out there.

Ken Daigrepont

p.s.

Progressive Insurance was excellent to deal with. I picked up the more-than-fair settlement check today (Tuesday).

Y’All Come Back…Y’Hear…

HSTA Texas Hill Country Rally, November 3 – 5, 2006

By Robert A. “Dog” Maddocks

THE SITUATION… Like many other Texas motorcycling enthusiasts, Mary Jane and I enjoyed our first formal introduction to the Honda Sport Touring Association at the Texas Hill Country Ride many years ago. And this year’s 2006 event - capably planned and sponsored by Tim and Teresa Vipond the weekend of November 3 – 5, 2006 - reinforced all the good reasons for joining the HSTA. Beyond the facts that the HSTA welcomes all-brands; focuses on professional sport touring; and brings together like-minded enthusiasts with a friendly passion for our sport, an event like the Texas Hill Country Ride is JUST GREAT FUN!

PREPARATIONS… In what has become an annual ritual of aberrant behavior prior to the Texas Hill Country Ride, I began making lists, checking gear, performing maintenance and generally putz-ing around the garage about three months in advance. As an engineer and former military aviator, I view preparing a motorcycle for a reasonably long, two-up ride to be more science than art. Not only do I make a precise inventory of preventive maintenance things “to do,” I spend countless hours screwing around with packing lists and deciding how to efficiently configure our 2002 R1150RT to best distribute tools, flat kits, clothing, dirty skivvies, Granny’s hair dryer, etc. To me, this is the really fun part of the trip. I know. It’s freakin’ nuts.

Mary Jane, however, follows an “intuitive,” more feminine method of preparing for a long motorcycle trip. Her packing list is in her head, perfectly organized and never incomplete. She has come to the realization that Her Highness’ Personal Valet (i.e. “Dog”) will handle the mundane tasks of methodically preparing the motorcycle, Scotch-Guarding the Aerostench suits, polishing helmet visors, and mink-oiling her boots and gloves. Thus, she may eschew these routine, masculine chores and concentrate more fully on ‘What-Women-Do- Best,’ also known as “What to wear…” Unfortunately for me (and my highly scientific method of planning and organizing), Mary Jane has NEVER, EVER over-packed for a long duration motorcycle event. Conversely, I’m the one who always ends up with two or three extra t-shirts, mismatched socks, redundant tooth paste tubes, and/or four 12-mm box wrenches in my dop kit. How do they do it, men?

BACK TO THE RIDE… About September, we started getting serious. Three of our regular riding partners, Dan Barineau (FJR 1300), Dave and Tonie Gorham (K1200GT), had contrived questionable excuses for not making this year’s 2006 event. Dan claimed that he actually had to dedicate some time to his wife and kids after spending half of October on the road, including a ~2000-mile weekend jaunt to Birmingham to see AHRMA vintage racing at Barbers’. The Gorhams had bought a new home and were still hanging Dave’s autographed pictures of himself and trying to re-stack the garage with his various crashed and inoperative motorcycles. Several other Houstonians, including Dave and Linda Beverly (GL1800 and ST1300) and Doctor Mike Gilliland (Dave Gorham’s personal OB-GYN and smooth-but-lunatic-fast RC51 driver), were leaving earlier in the week. We hooked up with old friends but new members Doug and BB Harris (R1150RT) and veterans Bill Creighton (CBR 954) and Mike Johnston (’90 CBR 1000F), solid riding companions all.

GETTING THERE… We left Clear Lake (south of Houston) Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. with the Harrises to rendezvous with Bill and Mike in Sugarland . At that point, our only training objective for the first day was to try and stay off the I-10 slab as much as possible and make it to the Grist Mill restaurant in Gruene, Texas for lunch by 12:00 noon. We blasted over to Gonsalez, Texas via Hwy 90 Alt, and then jumped on FM 466 for some minor but spirited corner-carving that took us into Seguin and on to New Braunfels. The Grist Mill is a great place to throw down some outstanding Texas BBQ, but I was closely supervised in my choice of entrees by The 110-Pound Cholesterol Nazi. I did manage, however, to whammo a few onion rings when she wasn’t watching. At this point in the trek, our party discovered that Bill Creighton is capable of consuming a table’s full of food without gaining an ounce of weight, including a large dessert of Blue Bell ice cream.

ARRIVAL… Continuing on Friday afternoon, we pressed through Boerne to Hwy 16 on an unusually crowded Hwy 46, then west to Bandera, Medina and north to Kerrville via the Alpine-like switchbacks on Hwy 16, arriving in K-Ville by mid-afternoon. The 2006 Texas Hill Country Ride headquarters location was the venerable Y.O. Ranch Hotel and Resort, 2033 Sidney Baker Road, on Hwy 16 near I-10. See http://www.yoresort.com.

The crowd was building, but fortunately Brad and Cinda Mobley and a capable group of HSTA volunteers were efficiently handling registration and t-shirt sales. Already eating bar snacks, swilling sodas and adult malt beverages were some of our favorite HSTA reprobates, including George Gaenslen, Trey Hall, Max Hendrix, Preston Juvenal, Tosh Konya, David Moss, Donald “Moose” Parish, Jim Poulos, Steve Rosenblatt, and a score of others. Over the weekend, we also spotted many old friends, including Jim and Carol Buckerfield, Denise Dickenson, Michelle Achorn and Joe Paolilli, and Tom and Dottie Powers.

Friday evening, Tim Vipond chaired a short riders’ meeting (only “short” riders were in attendance?) to review the Saturday ride plan and potential road hazards. The Texas Hill Country combines highly technical roads, varying topography, seasonal weather conditions, roaming wildlife and remote locations to challenge just about any rider, so this was a worthwhile pre-ride review. After the road and safety discussion, everyone pretty much split to grab some evening chow. Since I had already exceeded my Weight Watchers “flex points” at the Grist Mill for the entire weekend, Granny allowed me a small piece of fish, some collards and a lightly-seasoned zoysia grass salad at Luby’s. Doug Harris had his usual super-sized chicken-fired-chicken with extra cream gravy, mashed potatoes and peach cobbler, which explains why he never asks to borrow my racing leathers anymore.

SATURDAY… After an uneventful night’s rest punctuated only by the sound of Bill Creighton in the parking lot busily re-washing his pristine CBR 954 with Y.O. Ranch Hotel towels for the second or third time (a big “no, no”), we got started relatively early on Saturday morning. Weather was slightly moist but workable.

As usual, the very hospitable folks down at Destination Cycle Sports put on another outstanding breakfast feast consisting of various Texas-sized breakfast burritos, doughnuts, juice and coffee. Bob Kee has put together a true full-service facility over 11,200 square feet in size, offering sales, service, parts and accessories. If you’re in Kerrville, stop in to see him and his staff. Fortunately, we didn’t observe Max Hendrix stuffing the pockets of his Aerostitch with glazed bear claws and chocolate doughnuts, as he’s been known to do at past Hill Country events.

For Saturday’s ride, our original intention was to head west on FM 39 to Ingram and Hunt, pick up FM 187 south to Vanderpool, then hit all three of the “Twisted Sisters,” FM 337, 335, and 336. Here’s part of what the HSTA website says about FM 337, and it’s all true -

“FM 337 is unquestionably among the most spectacular roads in the area. Massive wooded steeps enfolding tiny, secluded valleys. Elevations range from 1,500 to 2,400 feet with deep dramatic canyons cut by the Frio and Nueces Rivers. A roller coaster ride that rips up and over huge limestone karsts with numerous places to pull off, and enjoy the spectacular scenery. Take your camera! At the time of first Spanish explorers, the area was inhabited by Comanche, Apache and Lipan-Apache Indians. Constantly bringing to mind John Wayne movies, the area is truly desolate, no signs of civilization for miles. You will want to visit Lost Maples State Natural Area in Vanderpool. Especially in November when foliage is in full color. “

As expected, traveling through this Hill Country wonderland was a treat, even with the light rain and less-than-optimum riding conditions. Due to the increasing precip, however, the conditions were starting to get a bit dicey for anything aggressive. We came upon one motorcycle mishap in which an HSTA member had crashed an Oilhead GS into a creek near Hunt, but fortunately there were no major injuries. The misty-moisty morning was beginning to change to moderately heavy rain by the time we got to Leakey (pronounced “Lay Key”) for a well-deserved coffee break at the Frio Canyon Motorcycle Shop. Leaving Bill and Mike to explore Camp Wood and Hwy 55 (the World’s Only Lawful Highway Racetrack), we joined the Harrises and headed south through Rio Frio to pick up an easterly route (FM 1050 and 470) to Bandera for a BBQ lunch.

Although we had already seen a lot of critters enroute, we encountered our first large potential road kills on FM 1050 when a group of exotic Axis deer decided to run in tandem with our two RT’s. This part of the Hill Country has many large ranches that specialize in raising exotic game animals, so it’s not unusual to see Axis, Addax, Blackbuck, Buffalo, Fallow Deer, Mouflon Rams, Red Stag, Scimitar Horned Oryx, Tahr, Nilgai, Wildebeest, Elk Bull, Black Hawaiian, Corsican Rams, Red Sheep, 4-Horned Sheep and Texas Dall Rams. (Impressive, eh? Don’t ask me what these animals are… Do your own Google search.)

After lunch, we zipped over to the Bradshaw’s beautiful ranch house in Boerne for the real culinary treat of the weekend, an ice cream social with Blue Bell and homemade cookies.

Glenn has the original Hill Country “Garage Majal,” stuffed with motorcycles, equipment, bike parts, trick race bikes, old Hondas and other cool stuff.

It’s, like, Motorcycle Disneyworld for adults. We spent some time chatting with Michelle Achorn and Joe Paolilli before continuing back to Kerrville via some back route Farm & Markets. FYI, Joe had the misfortune of hitting a porcupine recently, but is now thankfully on the mend.

THE BANQUET… In the HSTA, we “Ride to Eat…Eat to Ride.” As expected, the Y.O. Ranch Hotel and Resort put on an exceptional buffet dinner. By this point in our weekend, my Weight Watcher points had been expended through approximately February of 2008, however, I lit the burners and nosed in to the food trough shoulder-to-shoulder with Creighton and Johnston, who were already snagging peach cobbler before even finding seats.

Of note, Tim, Preston and other rally organizers and crew had secured some noteworthy door prizes from AMSOIL, Destination Cycle Sports, Honda Polaris of North Texas, Lone Star Track Days, Roadcrafter and others. The “50-50” raffle total was $640, half of which was auspiciously won by the Louisiana HSTA contingent that is getting ready for Cajun Christmas December 1 – 3, 2006. See the following URL’s for more information from these folks:

AMSOIL - http://www.lubedealer.com/timvipond

Destination Cycle Sports - http://www.destinationcycle.com/

Honda Polaris of North Texas - http://www.hpnt.net/

LSTD - http://www.lstd.com/

Roadcrafter - http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/index.html

Cajun Christmas - http://www.barrowcreek.com/hsta/CajChris/CajunChristmas.htm

My only disappointment this year was not winning a fresh can of “Anti Monkey Butt Powder” at the banquet. Oh well…

GEE WHIZ STUFF… According to Tim and Teresa’s count, this year’s Texas Hill Country Ride brought together 135 motorcyclists, including 34 new HSTA members and renewals. Of the total, 27 were from Texas. The Incredibles, Dan Thomas and Lon Riggs from Port Angeles, Washington rode the farthest to the event, a staggering distance of over 2500 miles. Other long distance attendees included Tom and Barbra Murphy from Hauppage, Long Island, New York on their blue GL1800 with personal license plate number “HSTA.” Tim also reported several attendees from California (including the esteemed Don Clark), Louisiana, Missouri, South Carolina, Oregon, Arizona and New York state, among others.

SUMMARY… The Texas Hill Country Ride epitomizes everything that’s great about the HSTA – exceptional roads, outstanding scenery, good food, and, most of all, great people who share a passion for the sport of riding motorcycles well. Tentatively mark your calendar for next year’s event the first or second weekend of November 2007. Keep an eye on the HSTA website for more details. Rally fees are generally $30.00 for members, $25.00 for member of household (includes banquet dinner) and $20.00 for extra banquet tickets. And best of all, rally fees, and dinner for joining new members are FREE!

See -

http://www.ridehsta.com/events.htm

http://www.geocities.com/jfpoulos/THC2006.html

Newsletter Help Send us sumpin’…..and for those that already have, THANKS

Taken any neat trips lately? Planning any neat trips? Buy a new bike? Got a new goody we should know about? Got a funny photo? Have a good tip? Want to buy or sell something? Heck, we’ll even promote your business if it’s MC related in some way. Please email either tvipond@houston.rr.com or pjuvenal@comcast.net with any information you would like to have put in this newsletter.

Upcoming HSTA Rallies

Denise Dickenson does such

a nice job, why reinvent the wheel, here’s the list…

http://members.cox.net/okhsta/2006_tentative_hsta_national_eve.htm

Want to go for a ride in the Houston area?

Please note, the rules have

changed…… http://www.txhsta.com/Rules.html

Crab Cake Thursday

(CCT) "Just For Fun" motorcycle event in Houston...

We have a group of about 15+ HSTA sports/sports-touring motorcycle enthusiasts (Dan Barineau, Dave and Linda Beverly, Dan Duncavage, Mike Gilliland, Dave and Tonie Gorham, Tim and Julie Haas, Doug and B.B. Harris, Bob Lacy, Linz Leard, Dave Melendez, Herb Miner, Grant Threat, Mary Jane and I) that have been gathering on the third Thursday of every month for seafood and cold beverages at Portside Pub (formerly Wrecker's, then Panga's) at 1817 "K" Street in San Leon, Texas starting around 6:00p.m. Take FM 517 east (towards the water) from Hwy 146 south of Kemah. We generally sit outside right next to the motorcycles and enjoy the seascape, tech talk and standard HSTA b.s.'ing. See the map below.

Please feel free to pass the word to your fellow enthusiasts. Owning or riding a motorcycle to this event is obviously not required. Thanks,

Robert A. "Dog" Maddocks HSTA (832) 330-7337 robert.a.maddocks@nasa.gov

Every Saturday and Sunday morning

meet with the East Fort Bend Riders Club at the Taco Cabana located 5850 State Highway6 in Missouri City, at 8:00on every Saturday and Sunday. This is a

S-L-O-W cruiser ride for a few hours for lunch someplace different each time.

Every Sunday morning meet with the Texas Sport Bike Association at the Jack in the Box on FM359 in Brookshire

just south of I-10. We depart at 8 a.m.. This is a fast pace ride not recommended for slow pokes or beginners. Helmet, jacket, gloves and boots required. You can learn more about TSBA at www.tsba.org.

The remnants of "Bob's Breakfast Club" still meet fairly regularly at Starbucks, Louetta Rd.@ Kuykendahl in far NW Houston on Sunday mornings between 8am & 9am, weather permitting, and meeting a little earlier now that the weather is heating up. A typical ride takes us on mostly back roads North to Montgomery, along SH149 thru the Sam Houston National Forest to Richards, possibly thru Anderson on to Carlos via FM3090 (famous in these parts) and lunch at either the Yankee Tavern in Carlos or a lunch/brunch back in Montgomery at King's Cafe after riding back thru Anderson and Richards. We ride at a moderately brisk rate and always have full protective gear.

The last Wednesday of the month the HSTA travels to Angleton for Hamburger Wednesday at the Icehouse Bar & Grill, 2016 N. Velasco St

Angleton, TX 77515 (979) 849-0084. Bikes start showing up after work and stay well after dark. Kudos to Lynn Sherrill (South Texas email coordinator) for keeping all there informed. South Texas members who have not received email or snail mail from him, please contact him at marcelle100@kingwoodcable.net with their email address.

Want to go for a ride in the North Texas area?

Please note, the rules have changed…… http://www.txhsta.com/Rules.html

Sunday Rides- Charlie Wood and Wilbert Simpson lead a typically brisk paced 300 mile day through some of the more scenic and rural areas of north central Texas. Every 2nd and 4th Sunday we meet in Arlington for breakfast, then head out for points south and beyond. We have numerous routes that we ride, but are known to explore new roads. We always find a good place to eat. Best way to know when and where: get on Charlie’s email list charlie-wood@sbcglobal.net or call him (817) 467-6042. A reminder is sent out about mid-week along with a planned route of the ride. We welcome all who want to ride, members and nonmembers, invite a friend.

Saturday Rides – Jim Poulos, Jamo1935@aol.com coordinates Saturday Rides from the DFW Metroplex area. Watch your email for notification…..

Classifieds and Local Member Opportunities

We’ve sold all kinds of MC stuff for HSTA members all over the US, send us your ad!

For Sale: I disassembled a 1997 ST1100, red, and used it in an experimental bike. I some all of the plastic and some sub assemblies for sale. Donald Conley, Amarillo,

Texas 806 376 5853, 622 2311. email at djconley@arn.net

Double your OEM oil change mileage interval with AMSOIL 100% synthetic motorcycle oil! 10W40 #MCF-QT is $8.95 a quart. 20W50 #MCV-QT is $9.25 a quart. 75W90 synthetic gear lube for shaft drives #SVG-QT is $11.20 a quart. Or with $10 membership get 20-30% off these and all other AMSOIL items. Buy by the case and save even more. Plus tax and shipping. To order, visit my website at www.lubedealer.com/TimVipond or call me at 281-565-0580. Your bike should run cooler, get better gas mileage, shift better and last longer!

2005 DUCATI ST4S RED (Is there really any other color for an Italian motorcycle?) with Silver frame and wheels. ORIGINAL OWNER: I purchased the bike new in 2005.
~19,000 mi. (I’m still riding her occasionally)

UNLIMITED MILEAGE FACTORY WARRANTY continues until end of May 2007.

Includes all the standard ST4s unobtanium bits:

* Awesome 996 SuperBike L Twin motor cranks out 121 HP claimed by Ducati
* Titanium nitride coated Showa forks adjustable for preload, compression and

rebound.

* Marchesini lightweight cast aluminum wheels

* Ohlins 2-way adjustable rear shock (compression and rebound) with remote preload

Adjuster
*Adjustable handle bars, up and down

* Redesigned seat, better than aftermarket. I initially bought a Sargent, but sold it and

went back to the stocker as it is far more comfortable on long rides.
* Lightweight aluminum swingarm
* Twin exhaust silencers can be raised with hard bags removed for a sportier attitude

* Brembo Gold-line front and rear brakes Steel braided brake and clutch lines.

* Factory installed power socket on left side of bike for heated clothing

* Color-matched, locking hard luggage, with the mounting brackets installed

* Two black ignition keys and one red programming key with owner’s manual and info.

* Tool kit and Ducati Kryptonite (new style) U Lock

AFTERMARKET ITEMS INCLUDE:

Grip heater Kimpex elements installed under SuperBike grips with hi/low switch.

New Continental Road Attack Sport Touring Tires (<1,000 miles put on them)

New Carbone Lorraine SBK front brake pads for better stopping power/feel over stock.

Clear vinyl removable (non-adhesive) tank protectors were installed when the bike was new to prevent any wear from knees on the tank.

Clear lens rear turn signals to match stock front signals.

This ST4s has been maintained by the award-winning ADVANCED MOTORSPORTS DUCATI (AMS).

Maintenance records are included with the motorcycle.

Valves adjusted and belts replaced by AMS at 13,500 miles.

She runs like a Superbike should and that 4 valve 996 motor is the sweetest.

This motorcycle looks like new. She has always been garaged and never dropped or down.

Other than a are a few rock chips under the bottom of chin spoiler, which is unavoidable, there was a minor scuff on the right saddlebag where I paddled the bike into a bollard at a gas station, doh! but it has been rubbed out and it’s not really noticeable unless pointed out

REASON I’M SELLING: I’ve got too many bikes and not enough time to ride them

all. I know I will miss this Duc as she gets lots of looks everywhere we go and sounds

like nothing else on the road.

PRICE: $10,950 which is below average retail in both NADA and Kelly Blue Book

LOCATION/TITLE The bike is located in Helotes, TX the gateway to the Texas Hill Country.

Clear title in hand.

DELIVERY POSSIBLE: Bike may be able to be delivered (trailered) for the cost of fuel to points along the interstate between San Antonio and St. Louis as I am traveling there on September 28 - Oct 1.

FLY N RIDE If you wish to fly into San Antonio, I’ll meet you at the airport with the bike on my trailer. Just put your spare t-shirts in the saddlebags and head out on your dream ride through the Texas Hill Country to your own ultimate two-wheeled estination!

More pictures available upon request.

Contact me directly at wkocal@satx.rr.com

Thanks for looking!

Walt

AMA, HSTA (Honda Sport Touring Association)

The Dan Clark Safety

Program

Want to upgrade your helmet? Time for some better riding gear?Taking a M.S.F. or State approved rider education course? The “Dan Clark Safety Fund” may be able to off set some of the cost of these safety items.

The Dan Clark Safety Program

Will reimburse 20 members 50% of the cost of safety equipment and training, up to $100 each item, this year. All you need to do to be eligible for the drawing is send a dated copy of your receipts to:

HSTA V.P.

731 Holbrook Ave.

Lebanon, Ohio 45036-1647

Drawing will be held on January 15, 2007

The 20 winners will be announced at STAR~07

You don’t need to be present to win.