Well...it's was 15-degrees cooler riding to work this morning--in the very low 70's versus the mid 80's.  Yeah, I see it's still in the tripple digits in central Texas....sorry.  Maybe that might encourage a visit to Florida for the 'rest' of the rally season?

Anyway, the coolness reminds me that in a few months, we'll be getting emails with our spots...then New Year's madness...and while we wait, there are some rallies nearby to consider (for those ROT addicts in 'Lower Alabama'). 

First (and furthest), there's the Key West Bike Week and Poker Run Sept 15 - 18.  It can be hot, but the scenery on the run is second to none.

Next, there's the Thunder Beach Fall Rally in Panama City Sept 28 to Oct 2.  It's cooler, yet still warm enough for bikinis in the pools of the hotels.

Two weeks after that, there's BikeToberfest in Daytona Beach, Oct 12 to 17.  It's definitely cooler, but still Daytona.

The next weekend, there's the Florida H.O.G. Rally in Destin Oct 19 - 23.  Don't have a Harley since I upgraded to a Triumph Rocket, so we're heading off to the rally of another sort,

"Fantasy Fest" in Key West from Oct 22nd to the 30th.  They turn the main street (Duval Street) into a 'parade route'...on steroids!  They even block off the route for bikes to park, and you can expect body-painted models to stop for pics. 

Then, it will be "Thanksgiving" since Bob will be sending out the 2012 spots (or about to), and then we have Thanksgiving Day (and football!!).

Speaking of Football, since the NFL was considering pushing the Superbowl back to the 12th of Feb, the Daytona 500 NASCAR folks moved that race back to the 26th (which is also a 3-day weekend).  Since it takes two weeks to reconfigure the track for the AMA races, that pushed the Daytona Bike Week 2012 back to March 9 - 18.  THAT means it will (hopefully) be warmer and it will be coincident with the first week of Spring Break...should make for an 'interesting' week in Daytona.

 

So...hope some of this cooler weather moves over towards central Texas....and if you're headed this way, give a shout.

 

Rocket

Sorry Rocket, can't afford to make it out to Fla this year but I'll be thinking of you  (well, probably not) during the Lone Star rally in Galveston during the first week in November!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just talked to Junior, they are going to Thunder Rally at the Expo Center (same place as ROT) on Labor Day weekend.  I will probley just go in for the day to check it out and visit with them.

Any one else going???

I would like to go but my work schedule won't allow it along with the remainder of my vacation time is spent in october

Thunder Rally was OK. Went in on Thursday after work.  Not a lot to say about attendence. But then again neither was ROT in it's early years. Got to meet mayanqueen, she is VERY cool, looks good in red and did great on the stage. Ran into a few old freinds from other Rally's and we finaly had the time to exchange phone numbers and visit. We couldnt get the parade route going. After riding on the fender of a bike 2 laps I gave up, the doc fixed my hip the next day. We made our own parade route around the #1 RV lot Saturday night. The stripper poles were a hit. Wind blew in like crazy on Sunday and I lost my EZ Up over my pool, apparently only one case of beer and melted ice in an ice chest isnt enough to hold it down. Neighbors helped me get my awning rolled up on the RV. Paco LOVED it and he met a dog that didnt know he was a dog either but we decided to go home on Sunday. So did a lot of others due to the wind. Was great seeing Jr, Mike and Gerri and many others. I think we will all go back next year!!! Note to self "dont lean on the wall of a realy big pool while your in it, it will calapse and ya have to have a realy big biker to push it back up so it will stop pooring out water all over the place, lol.

hehehehe

Deb, I didn't think you'd be big enough to collapse a pool wall.  But thanks for the warning ... I now know that if I lean on one it will cause a tsunami!

 

We are making plans for Lone Star in November --- anyone plan to go?

It wasnt my pool, it was one of those realy blue big ones like the bus people across from me at ROT have.  Ya can lean on it with your back.  The problem starts when ya turn around to look at a hot weight lifter walk by and lean on it with your arms hanging over the side.

Cant make Lone Star.

Any one that lives close to or in the surrounding area of Austin knows that we have had some bad fires.  Bastrop lost a lot of homes, FEMA and the Red Cross have come in to help.  Insurance companys are so over loaded with claims it will take some time for them to sort it out.  

Just saw on TV that San Marcos Toyota is puting on a bennifit for them including a bike ride.  October 1, not sure what time but it is supose to be on their websight.  Any show of support would be great.  The holidays are comming up aswell, I'm sure they will still need help then to. 

My Daughters, inlaws house was saved because they had raked up all the pine leaves in their yard a week before.  The fire stoped where the pine leaves stoped.  The inside of their house is stained black with smoke and smells like crap.  They still cant live in it.  Her sister and brother inlaw lost theirs.  They have 2 very small children and are staying with friends. 

Wehave good friends in Bastrop that lost their home.  The fire started about a block from their house.  They had five minutes ... grabbed the cat hopped in the RV and got out of town.  Lost the house, the Jeep, truck, Harley ... everything.  I don't know anyone who doesn't know someone that was affected.  The cabins we stay at in Bastrop, all five are all gone too.  Its incredibly sad.  Our local Harley dealer did a drive to help the fire victims and delivered a bunch of stuff to Bastrop a couple of weeks ago.    

 

Prayers for all that are affected.  Its heartbreaking. 

which weekend is Lone star??? we going to Iola, texas for my brother-in-laws wedding. Spirit, it would be nice to see Tim and yourself again, though as well as any other members from here

Lone Star is Nov 3-7 (think those are the dates - its Thur - Sun) in Galveston.  We just found out the house we planned to rent isn't going to be available.  Arghhh!  Glad I hadn't cancelled the hotel reservations yet.  We were looking forward to being in a house with a locking garage though.

i still don't think that we are going to make it this year especially since her brother getting married on the 5th up in Iola, Texas

Iola's a bit of a drive, don't think you're going to be doing both on the same day.

spirit, you know where Iola is???  not too many people have ever heard of it much less know where it is.... ya ever rode  up to Carlos Texas( south of iola and closer to Bryan) there is a a motorcycle bar/hamburger joint located there????

We will be at BAR in April for sure. They have always treated us great, had awesome bike games and bike show and know how to throw a great party.

Went to BAR for the first time last year.... If there is any way possible I will never miss another. They have got to be the best rally hosts I've met. The rally was great, concerts good and games were very enjoyable. With all that was going on not only did they get around to our camp to make sure all was going well but the fond farewell as we left put a "special" touch to it all. WAY TO GO! If anyone hasn't been, I strongly recommend it. If ya do drop by and have a drink with me while ya there.

 

It is called Yankees Tavern .

Start the Spring Rally Season at Blowout's Biker bash ... Blowout travels around Texas emceeing many Rallies  and now has decided to put his own on St Patricks day Weekend at galveston County Fair Grounds .... Hope to see you there !!!

www.blowoutsbikerbash.com

 Blowout is absolutely one of the best. I can only imagine his own rally now.

 ONLY 104 days to BAR!!!! Let's get ready to P A R T Y!

 

BAR is too close to ROT for us to attend, two rallies that require long distance traveling that close make it almost impossible for us.  We are going to Blowout's rally.  I'm sure Blowout will do a great job ... he and Barbara are good people.  The fact its only 45 minutes from home makes is really convenient too!

BAR is an awesome rally,been there the last 3 years and its a smaller one but a lot of fun and crazy stuff, plus you can bring any toys you want! Dont get me wrong,i love ROT and have already renewed my RV space but all these changes are driving me nuts,at BAR everything goes and you can just relaxe,party and be yourself

I am hoping we can go to both BAR and Blowout's Bash.  All depends on work schedules and life stuff.  But, if not this year, for sure next year!  Is anyone going to Ball to the Wall run in Bandera on 21st?

So who else is going to make the BAR rally as a "warm up" rally before ROT?

We want to go to both bar rallys but bc I am now unemployed we may have to get a day pass and go on sat night in aprail it depends on finaces and life come aprail butt we will try

we intended to go to the bar but now i have to go to Detroit for a friends wedding............we will be at lone star again in Galveston in november ..........what else is out there that is good between now and then?