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I'd made some riding buds here in Texas, an was invited to go on a multi-day ride, from Azle, Texas, to Rogers, Arkansas. The date was set in stone, as was the location. The plan was to camp in a campground, and we'd be heading out after most of the riders, 10 in all, got off work on a Thursday, leaving at 6:00 PM on the dot, and riding 390-some miles to a campground right on Beaver Lake.
The only fly on the cake was the weather. Intermittent rain was expected. I had a sleeping bag and plenty of suitable clothing, having sailed and rode a bike for many years, and we planned to eat in local cafes. I bought a two-man tent, and was ready to go. There was a truck also going to take bulky items, and the same truck was to be our chase truck, so I didn't have to tie everything onto the bike.
On the ride meeting, the Ride Captain stressed a stick-together etiquette, mind the guy behind you and make sure he stays there. We started out. My Yamaha V-Star 1300 was the only non-Harley in the group, and we made rapid time, until it started to rain, and rain it did, lightning too, but in the distance. The ride etiquette was already falling apart as groups formed. After a gas stop, I found myself separated, no one in sight, so I stopped. In my rearview, I could see the elevated highway I had just come under. I went back and parked near the onramp, hoping some of our guys were still behind me. Sure enough, a string of bikes came up the road and got onto the highway. I rejoined the line and off we went.
Things began to change after it got dark. The group was stopping for gas every hour, and I noted I was only taking on 1.5 or 2 gallons per stop, so I skipped the next fill up. We took off, and just over an hour later, I began to expect a fuel stop, but none was happening. We were in a section of unlit highway that ran for miles with no sign of civilization. My fuel warning light came on. I began to flash the headlight high/low beam, which is the signal that I have some kind of problem, but no one paid any attention to. So much for ride etiquette and watching out for your fellow rider. An exit appeared, with an open gas station. I began to furiously flash my high/low beams, to no avail. We went around a bend, and all I could see for miles down the highway was dark countryside. I do not want to run out of gas out here. An exit appeared, and I took it, jumped back on the highway and went back to the gas station, a huge station with at least twenty pumps. I filled up, and got back on the road. I ran as fast as I dared, trying to catch the group, to no avail. Thirty miles later, the highway exited the range of hills and civilization appeared. I was wet from the waist down, and even though it was warm, my speed made it cold. A big motel appeared, and I wondered, should I? I did not relish the thought of trying to put up a tent I'd never used in the rain and dark. I swung into the parking lot and got a room. It was 4:AM when my head hit the pillow.
I slept some, and when I looked at my watch it was 5:30AM. I tried to go back to sleep, but it wasn't happening, and I was up getting ready at 7:30. My phone was only charged to about 30%, and when I entered the campground address, it showed a convoluted route for 40 miles, and it was still coming down steadily.
I had a wild idea and called the one guy I knew, the one who'd invited me on this ride. I gave him the address of the motel and asked him to come get me. "Get one of the chase trucks so you won't get totally soaked," I said. He agreed, and 90 minutes later he rolled into the parking lot.
I had pushed my bike under the main entrance portico, out of the rain, and wiped the seat and handle bars, and when the truck showed up, I was ready to roll. It took another two hours of twists and turns to reach the campground. My phone charge had lasted for thirty minutes.
The next two days were one bum-out hassle after another, mostly for getting separated from my group of riders. I will have to admit that this was partly my own fault; I had never used my phone to navigate while riding before. I had always just followed the group, but this group was far and away the most difficult bunch of riders to keep up with that I'd ever ridden with. They rode very fast, and would not slow down. I'm comfortable at 75 MPH, if conditions allow it, but these guys were routinely topping out at 95 to a 100 MPH, easy to do out in the country, where most of our riding was taking place. Plus, there were thousands of riders because of the event, and one guy on a Harley looks pretty much like any guy on a Harley.
I had brought my phone charger, but the electrical outlets in the campground were problematic, at best. Plus, I have difficulty in seeing a phone screen outdoors, and I didn't have a phone mount or a way to hear the turn-by-turn directions. One day, we set off for a destination. The campground was full of twists and turns on the narrow roads, and after I made one wrong turn, that was it. I spent the rest of the day trying to catch up with them as they went from one fun activity to the next one. I finally decided to just head back to camp so I could get there before dark.
On the go-home day, we rode miles and miles out of our way because the de facto leader wanted to ride a certain road. Said road was no worse and no better than any other road we had ridden on, but one thing worked out well. I was going along and the bike started to shimmy and shake, weaving back and forth. I pulled over, and my rear tire was flat. Before we'd left the campground, I had spoken with the guy I knew the best, and told him I was going to stick to him like glue. He said he'd slow down some for me. Now I wondered. Will he notice I'm not there? He sure did, for within two minutes I saw his headlights coming back toward me on the highway shoulder. He looked over the tire as I pushed the bike forward, and found the hole. He got on his phone and called the chase truck, which had stopped when he got the massage. They came back, and had that leak plugged in nothing flat with tools and parts they had stopped at a Wal-Mart to buy.
Things were going well and I was feeling good, until, at a gas stop, later in the day, some of the guys decided to hit the nearby Indian casino. A guy I didn't know rode up to me, said "Follow me." And took off. I knew then I'd been handed off. This guy was one of the most extreme speedsters in the group. Him, and two other guys, got way ahead of me riding at a pace I could not match, and now it was dark. I never saw them again. My phone was dead, and I had no idea where I was. I stopped at a big gas station/minimart, and asked directions to Texas.
"You're in Texas," the clerk said. "Where you trying to go?" "The city of Azle," I said. She'd never heard of it, but she got a map, found Azle, and showed it to me. A lot of highway, a long way away, in the dark. I was thinking of getting a motel room, waiting for morning, but there were no motels around here. I finally asked her for a piece of paper and a marker, and I jotted down directions in great big letters that I could see and taped it to the inside of my windshield. I made it home at 3:30 AM.
LOL, sounds like they wanted to shake you, because you were riding a Japanese bike. (Some HD riders are imbeciles.)
You were on a V-Star 1300? 75mph is about what they're good for. Above that, and they "run outta breath." Get "twitchy" too.
If you want to go fast, for long distances, then you gotta choose the right tool for the job. A "cruiser" ain't it. Rolling 90-100mph for hours on end, means you're going to need sport-tourer. That means Hayabusa or ZX-14R or BMW. Any of these are only "lumbering along" at 100mph. LOTS more throttle available. (These bikes are not even breathing hard to maintain 100mph.)
When it comes to tires, you might investigate the "dark side." (Or, going "double dark...")
I'm fine with the Yami, and I ain't going dark. One thing I missed in the write up, there were two Indians in the group. Didn't have much interaction with them.
First, know your riding partners before committing to a long trip, at least some of them. Be prepared to form your own little group and agree to stick together. Our rule is no one gets left behind-always keep an eye on your people. Next-wireless phone charger mount. Works great for both keeping the phone charged and allowing you to use it for navigation. I've found that plugging the phone in doesn't work well-a cord doesn't tolerate the vibrations of a bike well, I only get a few days from one. And even a hint of moisture will keep it from charging. It also doesn't hurt to have a couple spare charged batteries you can use to charge your phone from. My phone wouldn't charge on the wireless mount when it got over about 105. Solar load plus ambient overheated the phone. You can get the charger mounts on Amazon. I also carry an atlas, I find it far handier for "getting the big picture" than a little phone screen. And finally, pick up a cheap tire plugging kit and compressor-the Slime ones at WM are fine. I rewired mine for an SAE connector so I can plug it into my battery tender plug. I'd recommend a few short/overnight trips with some actual friends you can trust to sort things out (camping equipment wise) and get some experience. I've done several near-cross country rides solo. I won't say there haven't been some issues, but none insurmountable. One other hint-look up Rok Straps, great way to secure a waterproof duffle bag to the bike.
I'd be pissed at the group you were riding with. As I say, in our groups no one gets left behind in the event of a problem or breakdown. We've managed to do a lot to get a bike back on the road over the years. Sorry you had such a bad experience.
I can relate a bit about trying to identify your group on a ride. Was out to Sturgis this summer. One black Street Glide looks just like the other 1000 black Street Glides you saw that day, especially in the mirror. Our group had a bit of a mix-a couple Harleys, a VTX1800, 2 Victories and my BLW GTL. But we were a minority, I'd say a minimum of 95% were Harleys, mostly Road Glides/Street Glides/Limiteds. A lot of the time with our group, I'd try to ride last-the GTLs headlights are pretty distinct and easy for the ride leader to recognize.
Last edited by Toyman at Jewel Lake; 10-11-2023 at 06:23 PM..
I'm fine with the Yami, and I ain't going dark. One thing I missed in the write up, there were two Indians in the group. Didn't have much interaction with them.
I do believe the correct term is "Native Americans". I was told they don't like to be called "Indians"!
Consider them busted, ya Crazy Turk! BTW, I'm looking to install a phone holder on the Yami so I can listen to turn by turn directions via an earbud and not have to look at a map for navigation. Any thoughts? Another BTW, getting to know one of the guys rides the Indian, oh, excuse me, the Native American, in the posted photo. He wants the hot tub we have and never use. This guy uses them a lot, and wears them out. He already has the pad and the electrics in place, and he'll come get it. Sweet! I'm just going to give it to him to get it out of here. He came to look at it and I didn't even get it uncovered before he said he'll take it by looking at the outer surface of it. It looks new.
BTW, I'm looking to install a phone holder on the Yami so I can listen to turn by turn directions via an earbud and not have to look at a map for navigation. Any thoughts?
I don't really use such a setup but are you looking for advice on the holder or the earbud?
Wish you asked me that before you moved. I have bunch of different types of such holders I got over the years, mainly to use with action cams but years ago I got a RAM X-Grip holder/mount which by design, can handle just about any smartphone. You just have to pick the one with the suitable mount. This is the one I got but shop around (CL, eBay, etc.) to nail one much cheaper.
Earbud wise, I don't use one but since you will be connecting to your phone, provided the phone has Bluetooth capability, all you really need is any earbud/earphone with BT functionality so you can pair the two. I have a wireless/BT earphone that I never really used (could have given that for sure!).
Quote:
Another BTW, getting to know one of the guys rides the Indian, oh, excuse me, the Native American, in the posted photo. He wants the hot tub we have and never use. This guy uses them a lot, and wears them out. He already has the pad and the electrics in place, and he'll come get it. Sweet! I'm just going to give it to him to get it out of here. He came to look at it and I didn't even get it uncovered before he said he'll take it by looking at the outer surface of it. It looks new.
That Hot Tub also has the Time Machine functionality?
Man, I was hoping to relax in it when I come to visit you! Oh well!
I didn't wanna create an echo but I agree with Toyman 100%! You have to know and fully trust at least 1-2 of the people in a small group of 4-5.
I have had my share of large group rides (not a fan for various reasons) but small or large, any group I have ridden with adhered to one simple rule; if changing direction, at that very intersection, pull over to the side of the road and wait for all riders who had fallen behind.
That way, no one gets lost and everyone has a chance to catch up without worrying over anything.
I'd also keep the contact info of at least a few people in the group. From experience, I find groups of no more than 5 riders to be ideal.
I am OK as a lone wolf but if it is a group ride, 2-3 total riders, the best, imho!
Last edited by TurcoLoco; 10-19-2023 at 08:45 PM..
I don't really use such a setup but are you looking for advice on the holder or the earbud?
Wish you asked me that before you moved. I have bunch of different types of such holders I got over the years, mainly to use with action cams but years ago I got a RAM X-Grip holder/mount which by design, can handle just about any smartphone. You just have to pick the one with the suitable mount. This is the one I got but shop around (CL, eBay, etc.) to nail one much cheaper.
Earbud wise, I don't use one but since you will be connecting to your phone, provided the phone has Bluetooth capability, all you really need is any earbud/earphone with BT functionality so you can pair the two. I have a wireless/BT earphone that I never really used (could have given that for sure!).
That Hot Tub also has the Time Machine functionality?
Man, I was hoping to relax in it when I come to visit you! Oh well!
I didn't wanna create an echo but I agree with Toyman 100%! You have to know and fully trust at least 1-2 of the people in a small group of 4-5.
I have had my share of large group rides (not a fan for various reasons) but small or large, any group I have ridden with adhered to one simple rule; if changing direction, at that very intersection, pull over to the side of the road and wait for all riders who had fallen behind.
That way, no one gets lost and everyone has a chance to catch up without worrying over anything.
I'd also keep the contact info of at least a few people in the group. From experience, I find groups of no more than 5 riders to be ideal.
I am OK as a lone wolf but if it is a group ride, 2-3 total riders, the best, imho!
Well, the guy I'm giving it to said wife and I we could come over and take a soak in it, so maybe when you get here, we can make that happen!
My phone nav plan is evolving as we speak. I like three to five is the ideal group size. Cagers tend to give a wider margin to a group. We had ten on that ride. The guy who invited me along sent me several texts apologizing for how it went, and wants to make it up to me. We'll see how that goes, but I don't want to depend on anyone for navigation. But, you know, that which doesn't kill you...
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