Topic: Team Southwest - OK, TX, NM - Riders check in here

[the architect]

No offense intended, but you are asking 10+ Houston riders to make hundreds of extra miles just to participate in a relay ride that is intended to go across the country and across Texas, essentially turning the Texas leg into a "meet in Austin, ride the Hill country and go home" meet-up (not really a relay ride, IMHO). Austin is 150 miles from Houston, potentially adding 2-1/2 hours to the overall schedule, if we really needed to be careful about time. There could be possibly 20 or more Houston riders (not all on SOHC/4's, but hey, not everbody's perfect  ) that would be less interested in a mere "meet-up-in-Austin to ride" scenario. And there's even a vintage & custom motorcycle shop (Ace Motorworks) interested, willing and happy to throw a reception for the group upon arrival. 

Whatever direction this ship goes, I've already got my t-shirt, and I'm all in.  But the planning, accounting for all particicpants and projected riding hours could benefit from some tightening up. At the end of the day, tell me what the actual route will be, and I'll figure out where I can join and when I'll have to split - seems like that would be the best policy for all interested, as the route goes coast to coast and back again.

Cheers, mates -- can't wait to finally get to meet some of you in person! 

Just an observation.  Allowing 1/2 day to go 90 miles might be a bit generous (OK border to DFW), as does burning another 1/2 day to go approximately 100 miles (Big Spring/Lubbock to NM border).  If both of those got pushed into adjacent days, Texas would gain another full day.

The first half of the day to get to DFW is allotted to get from OKC to the border, also the riders from DFW to the border for the hand-off will have a 180 mile round trip.

The second half of the day from Big Spring/Lubbock to the NM border is allotted to get to Las Cruces, NM.

[Really?]

I think the leg should also include Houston.  BUT, is there a path we can take over the top of Houston to bypass the nutjobs in cages that should not even have a license to drive?  Something over the top like The Woodlands to Katy or something like that?

I still remember in about 1988, I was going to Galveston about 4 or 5 in the morning, I was the only one on that part of the highway, I was in the fast lane doing about 80, and a car came up behind me, must have been doing 140 or something like that, came up on my backside for me to move over.  The azz just couldn't go around me.

I had recently moved to Texas and talked two honey's (lmao, I had a GOOD BUZZ) at about midnight to go to Galveston with me.  My drunk azz was smooove! 

I think I read 1/2 day to DFW and two days to Austin?  Two days to Austin can easily include Houston.

[Anti-Johnny]

Would shaving off some of the time spent around Austin save any worthy amount of time?

I am just thinking that Texas is bigger than most countries and if we only have 3-4 days to get across it, then the 7 hours a day riding should be moving at a steady clip. (Not saying take the highways)


Its hard to cover this much distance in a reliable car. I cant speak for the reliability of anyone else's bike(or butt), but I think after meeting in Austin it would make the most sense to get as far west as possible while taking scenic backroads. Organizing a hill country ride would be fun but this is a relay, we need to keep in mind there is a long line of people that are taking off work/school after this leg.

[scottly]

I think I read 1/2 day to DFW and two days to Austin?  Two days to Austin can easily include Houston.

1 day from Oklahoma City,OK to DFW, 1 day from DFW to Austin, 2 days from Austin to Lubbock/Big Spring, 1 day from there to Las Cruces,NM.

To go to Houston first adds hundreds of miles for the riders from DFW.

[Really?]

2 days seems excessive from Austin to Lubbock.  Prolly need to split that up  a bit for DFW to Austin to include Houston.

[scottly]

2 days seems excessive from Austin to Lubbock.  Prolly need to split that up  a bit for DFW to Austin to include Houston.

If there is any time to spare, we need to add it to the Lubbock-Las Cruces leg; it looks like well over 300 miles in one day, and ONLY ONE RIDER so far has committed to it: JCarthel.

[the architect]

I think I read 1/2 day to DFW and two days to Austin?  Two days to Austin can easily include Houston.

1 day from Oklahoma City,OK to DFW, 1 day from DFW to Austin, 2 days from Austin to Lubbock/Big Spring, 1 day from there to Las Cruces,NM.

To go to Houston first adds hundreds of miles for the riders from DFW.

To bypass Houston and go straight to Austin adds hundreds of miles to anyone from Houston (currently around a dozen riders) that wants to join. Like I suggested, riders can decide for themselves where to pick up and drop off. We have already opted to possibly push the route as far north as Lubbock to include a single rider - something we are all happy to do, I might add. So completely dismissing a bunch of riders from Houston and a potentially fun Hoedown at a working moto shop seems questionable.

But I know we have a finite amount of time, and we can't please all the people. And those of us that are committed will be along, regardles 

[madmtnmotors]

I had a feeling the route through Texas would be a challenge, if only for the sheer size of the potential ground to cover. Stay with it guys, you've definitely got a formidable task on your hands. We're all pulling for ya!

[Stev-o]

I read on another thread that "IT" is currently spending a week in Virginia.
Isn't VA about about 1/12th the size of TX?

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Yeah, and how many mountain ranges that snow and rain this time of the year (or when Godzilla comes through) Texas do you have?! Come on guys, this is BS. Please consider the WHOLE picture here. We can not add dates to the calendar at this point. We have 1 Virginia guy to do the handoff maybe 2. Same for our KY crew to meet up with them. NOBODY in West Virginia! Look what these guys are willing to do to make this entire Rally successful. Those guys have to bridge 3 states. Where were you when the initial planning started? I fully understand that everyone wants to participate and that has always been the intent. The western US is wide open terrain for the most part which is much more condusive to riding than the highly populated areas back east with all the twisty mountainous roads they must cross.

How far are you Houston guys willing to ride to meet up with Godzilla? Let me see how we can make this work without adding days which we do not have. I just Goggle mapped Houston to Austin. 161 miles. Let me give you my example. I'm riding from Colorado Springs to the handoff in Utah. 450+ miles then back. I'm taking the Interstate out for time sake in 1.5 days and the scenic route back in 2 days. Then I'll ride from Colorado Springs to Topeka, KS and back which is more than that. The Utah leg was initially a necessity as there were no other riders. Greg aka Ofreen will be riding by himself from Idaho to Reno then across all of Nevada by himself to meet us before he heads home. All this on a 130,000 mile bike. Looks like I'll be doing close to 2,000 miles for 2 reasons. I like to ride and Godzilla needs transportation.

Let's find a way to make this work but you guys all have to be prepared to ride without adding days which we do not have.

[madmtnmotors]

I read on another thread that "IT" is currently spending a week in Virginia.
Isn't VA about about 1/12th the size of TX?

Check this post:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=81260.msg971048#msg971048

Godzilla is currently snowed in at Charlottesville, Virginia. Can't imagine the higher altitudes in WV are much better...

[scottly]

We have already opted to possibly push the route as far north as Lubbock to include a single rider - something we are all happy to do, I might add.

Just to set the record straight, Lubbock and jcarthel were in the relay from the very beginning: the route was pushed south to include Austin.

[Really?]

I wanna say I am not trying to cause a ruckus.  I wasn't in it from the beginning either.  I am adding input to try and make it a bit smoother and hopefully safer in the time span that we have.

[Stev-o]

I wanna say I am not trying to cause a ruckus.  I wasn't in it from the beginning either.  I am adding input to try and make it a bit smoother and hopefully safer in the time span that we have.

+1.

Plus, we should learn from this for next year. Don't go so far north in March for chance of snow, and give TX at least 8 days.

Is the snow going to cause a delay?

Edit: probably not, they have 7 days to go 280 miles!?!

[CBGhia]

OK,  Check out this idear.  
We from DFW get "It" on the 19th,  on the morning of the 20th,  we meet up in south DFW (Greenjeans, thats a hike for you I know) we head south along back roads to Bryan.  

Houston guys,  can you meet us there?  That way we can include you by meeting half way and everybody is happy.

We roll out EARLY on the 21st  meet up in Austin at lunch.  Head through the hill country, camp.

"It" moves on to Lubbock or Big Spring from there on the 22nd (could be in Big Spring by lunch) and if jcarthel could meet there, then head west toward LC on the 23rd.  

Thoughts?

new map:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=200743221569585602370.0004988c233ca0790ae60&ll=33.174342,-101.953125&spn=7.353632,9.876709&t=h&z=7&iwloc=suck

*edited to add and correct dates.

[CBGhia]

Oh and Dallas folks,  Don't worry about starting in Cleburne.  We can start anywhere, we just have to get down to Hillsboro.  Maybe we could meet in South Arlington over by 360 or whatever.

[Stev-o]

OK,  Check out this idear.  
We from DFW get "It" on the 19th,  on the morning of the 20th,  we meet up in south DFW (Greenjeans, thats a hike for you I know) we head south along back roads to Bryan.  

Houston guys,  can you meet us there?  That way we can include you by meeting half way and everybody is happy.

We roll out EARLY on the 24th  meet up in Austin at lunch.  Head through the hill country, camp.

Do you mean the 21st? If yes, that would give us a day and a half in the Hill Country. "IT" needs to be in Justins hands by the morning of the 23rd.

PS. FM 696 between Bryan & Austin is a great road (through Lexington).

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

I like that compromise. That's what this should be all about. That and meeting your other members while enjoying these bikes. Can you guys make that work with the time you have?

I do feel that you Texas guys should get more time next year. At least 2 or 3 days more. Especially now that so many guys have stepped up to the plate late. But we have to get you guys involved much earlier. This is good practice to get it right in 2012.

[scottly]

Godzilla needs to be in Duncan, AZ around noon, 4-24 for the hand-off to team CA. How he gets there is up to you guys. Justin has already stated he is willing to go to Big Spring. Thanks to all of you for helping to make this happen! Next year will be much better!

[scottly]

YES, BIG SPRING, ETC IS POSSIBLE. COULD A NM RIDER HELP ME OUT AND MEET ME AT SAY CLOVIS, NM SO I DON'T HAVE TO RIDE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF MILES ALONE?  I DO WISH SOME GUYS COULD MEET ME AT LUBBOCK AND RIDE FOR A BIT.  PART OF THE REASON I WANT TO DO THE RELAY IS TO FINALLY RIDE ALONG WITH ANOTHER SOHC CAM MACHINE AND DIEHARD GEARHEAD!  IN MY AREA, I KNOW OF NO OTHER SOHC RIDERS SO I ALWAYS RIDE ALONE; THE LONE RANGER.   WHAT CAN YOU GUYS DO IN THE REST OF TEXAS AND NM TO HELP ME OUT, COMPANY, FELLOW RIDERS WOULD MAKE THIS RELAY SOMETHING I COULD REMEMBER FOR A LIFETIME!  I AM A TRUCK DRIVER AND GONE A LOT, SO ANY OF YOU CAN CALL ME WITH YOUR THOUGHTS.  JUSTIN CARTHEL 620-952-0034  I AM COMMITTED TO THE RELAY BECAUSE I DECIDE WHEN I DRIVE MY TRUCK AND WHEN I STAY AT HOME!   INPUT NEEDED FROM THE REST OF YOU TEXAS GUYS AND NM GUYS!              JUSTIN CARTHEL, LUBBOCK, TX

[motocyconomad]

I'll meet DFW crew in Byran or any spot north I still dont know how far west I'll go before it cuts into work. Godzilla doesn't need to sleep we could have night riders that could keep it moving and get it around everywhere it wants to go. I really would like to ride some of that NM section but I need to look at my time/money.

[dmill78]

hey, i know i'm really late getting into this, but i would like to see if i can participate. i live in beaumont tx, about 80 miles east of houston...

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

hey, i know i'm really late getting into this, but i would like to see if i can participate. i live in beaumont tx, about 80 miles east of houston...

DMill,

You are rider #255 and have been added to the rider list. Work with the guys and see how you can fit in. Enjoy yourself. It'll be there soon.  You'll be working with Scottly as your Regional Coordinator.

Jerry Griffin
Rally Coordinator

[Really?]

Hah, if your not riding a SOHC, your not on the list.  I see Heffay on the list, innersting.

[scottly]

Welcome dmill!!