The Lone Star Rally came at a very beautiful time this year. My wife and I had a sitter for the kids, we were both scheduled off from our jobs, and the weather called for three days of clear skies and beautiful weather. With our hotel reservations set, we departed from beautiful humble, Texas about mid-morning on Friday, November 3. My wife was riding her sleek little 883 custom while I was aboard my trusty Springer. We were joined on the trip by my partner-in-crime, Mike, and his lovely wife, Tonia.
We expected the rally attendance to be down again this year due to the fact the rally was held on opening weekend for deer season. I am not to sure about the rest of the country, but most men in southeast Texas, watch the calendar and count the weeks to opening weekend of hunting season. What made this year even more unique was, we had a cold front late Thursday evening that put the temperatures in the high 40’s, low 50’s. We only have a week of winter in my neck of the woods, and to have a cold front move in the day before deer season are nearly as remote as finding a true running Panhead with matching numbers for under 5 grand. Well, we were wrong in assuming the numbers. I guess all the Harley riding hunters figured they still have two months to hunt, but this is the last damn rally of the year, might as well enjoy the party.
We had an uneventful ride into Galveston, just smooth sailing. We arrived in Galveston and headed to our hotel room, The Best Western, on the Seawall. Now if you have never stayed in Galveston, it is a pretty straightforward set-up, street-wise. The turn-off from the highway takes you to a road that runs parallel to the coast; the Seawall. You can go for miles to the right or to the left, either way; it’s just beaches, hotels, restaurants, and fishing piers. Our hotel was on the seawall, which gave us quick access to the beach, food, bikes, and a view to die for.
After a quick meal at one of our famous Mexican food restaurants, we were ready to hit the Strand. This year, its fifth year , the Lone Star Rally not only ran from 21st street to 25th street on the Strand, but also had a section of vendors on the Seawall. This was an unprecedented event, considering the Seawall had never been closed for an event before. We decided to bypass the Seawall vendors and go straight to the Strand. We were not disappointed.
The Strand was once the upper-class shopping district in Galveston in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. A series of fires, hurricanes, and exiled heavyweight champion started the eventual slide away from Galveston.
We like to look for these signs as we travel. They seem to give us a sense of perspective and make us appreciate today. Look for them if you ever travel through Texas.
Today, The Strand is nothing more than a quaint little shopping district geared towards tourists looking for a taste of the old times. From a small old-time soda shop and candy store, to the brick roads with tram tracks running through it; The Strand is a piece of history placed into this century.
It didn’t take very long at all for the streets to get overwhelmed with activity.
Now I have read plenty of articles lately with the author complaining about yuppies, newbies, old-school, new-school, bobber, chopper, not a real biker, blah, blah, blah. I will not do that here. For the most part, the rally is filled by a bunch of people who all have one basic love, motorcycles. Everyone seemed to be having a great time and I do not recall seeing anyone getting too out of control. While the cops were on hand to apprehend if anyone acted completely out of line, I did not see anything out of the ordinary. From the time I arrived on the strand Friday night, to the time I left Sunday evening, the place was packed from front to back with bikes, beer, and people. It was a blast!
Bikes like this were commonplace. The only difference seemed to be the paintjobs. They are impressive, but seem to be “blending in” which is sort of anti-chop.
Another carbon-copy style chopper with an upgrade in graphics.
This green monster caught my eye and definitely displayed some intricate details. I was starting to get a little “crowded” at this point, so my options of taking pictures gets limited sometimes to partial, detailed, close-ups of parts of the bikes.
Friday night was filled with us traveling up and down the streets looking at bikes, drinking beer, and generally just having fun. I met quite a few people on Friday who were regular stiffs just like me who just happened to ride a Harley. It was kind of nice visiting somewhere that everyone didn’t associate themselves as a master builder just because they turn wrenches.
The Strand stayed busy throughout, and it was a constant parade ground for everyone to show off their bikes. While it is not Sturgis, it is definitely the closest thing to it in these parts.
The girl on the left is my wife, Salena. After buying her an 883 Custom in March, she has been slowly riding more and more. I am very proud to say she made it through the rally and all it’s “brewhaha” without a single scratch on her bike. She has become my favorite riding partner on the road as well as life. The girl on the right is her best friend Tonia. She is a rider herself, but after having a near-fatal, bike cartwheeling, whipping-through-the-air after hitting a car at 120 mph on a GSXR last year, she was a passenger this year. We all thank the Big Man upstairs for allowing her to be with us again this year.
this was a cool little chop that caught my eye.
The night life is approaching.
I was glad it didn’t rain. When it rains, the bricks and railcar paths get slick. I was nervous enough for my wife without the thought of her slipping down and getting hurt due to unusual conditions.
It was not uncommon to see the older crowd cruising along on their pensions.
Friday was pretty much a great, Sturgis-like, night until I realized I lost my Panoptx glasses. I was pissed all the way back to the hotel room when my wife realized she had lost her cell phone. I just got back on my bike, rode back to the Strand, and looked for her phone for another two hours. Talk about a buzz kill.
This was The Strand later after I went back. Pictures do not do it justice as you have to envision the sound of rev-limiters, popping engines, and an all-night party atmosphere. Believe me when I say the freaks come out at night. I laughed my ass off.
I went back to the room to find my wife and my best friend in bed together. Nah, just kidding. I was just giving ya a check to make sure you were actually reading this. Actually, they were all fast asleep and I came back to a very noisy (snoring) room. I only slept a few hours before I woke up and rode back to the party grounds to see if maybe the glasses or phone had been kicked to the side during the night. I was surprised to find the streets had already been cleaned and all the trash cans were emptied. It was only 4 in the morning! I decided to ride Galveston for a while and just relax.
Saturday Morning, November 4th
I took these sunrise shots from our balcony on Saturday morning. I am still learning about these digital cameras, but I think these shots look pretty great!
There is something special about certain rides. Each one has it’s own characteristics that makes it special to each individual, but every one reminds us about how special it is to ride. There’s all the riding at Sturgis, night riding on an empty freeway, riding through twisties, and then there’s coastal riding. There is nothing like riding along the coast on your Genuine H-D experiencing the exhilarating explosion of sensory overload. It’s times like that where I realize why people would move to the West coast and need to ride the PCH. It must be incredible.
The parking lot of the IHOP was as busy as any bike show I have ever attended. It was awesome!
This guy pulls up on this chopper like he had been riding it for thirty years. I tried to get a shot of him but he was obviously in a hurry because he just ran into the restaurant covering his face.
Although Saturday really melted over from Friday for me, I was pumped to get the day started. Upon my wife waking up and checking her jacket for God-only-knows-what, she found her phone tucked safely in the breast pocket. At least we were now only out 200 bucks for my glasses and not 450 for the glasses AND the phone.
My buddy Mike sitting on my bike at the parking lot. He rides a Geezer Glide, so I guess he wanted a chance to look cool. He failed.
Once everyone from my camp had woken and taken their showers, we ate breakfast at the local IHOP before heading over to The Convention Center for The Texas National Bike Show. While waiting outside IHOP for a table, I took several great shots of bikes zooming along with the ocean and sun creating only black silhouettes of cool.
Coastal riding, In the Wind, cruising, and whatever else caption you think fits.
Looks like a postcard or something, doesn’t it?
Heading over to the Convention Center.
The Texas National Bike Show
We entered the bike show and were amazed that the price was only ten dollars to get in. Besides having events scheduled for the better part of two days, Holly, the show’s promoter, had lined the hall with some of the sharpest bikes I have ever seen. Besides the bikes, there was beer, food, magazines, vendors, and last but not least, Darryl Briggs was doing actual photo shoots in the corner of the show. It was awesome watching a world-class photographer do his thing with the lovely ladies. I spoke with him and we will be putting together several more Girls of Bikernet features for the loyal readers of Bikernet very, very soon.
This bike was getting wheeled in while the model got ready to drape herself on it. Darryl Briggs was getting ready for the photo shoot, so out of professional courtesy, I contained my desire to also shoot pictures. Trust me; you will be seeing some of those shots very soon.
My personal pick or the show. Then again, I liked them all.
Kent Weeks, The Devil, was slithering around the center whispering sweet nothings laced with evil to a few of the models. I tried to keep my head down and shelter my wonderful wife as much as possible. While I did see some beautiful bikes, my friends wanted to get moving. I told Kent and Holly bye as I planned to be back later in the evening. Unfortunately, I never made it back.
The parade continues. Hey, I think that’s my uncle?
Picture of yours truly on The Strand. Notice what shirt I am wearing? Hmm…maybe a kickback for advertising.
Chicks on choppers…..nice.
An original chopper. Notice the old-Le pera seat? Too cool.
Discovery’s Biker Build Off
Chica’s build-off bike. He would later win.
There is so much going on during the weekend, it’s really hard to stay in one place. We ended up going to Willie g’s Icehouse and heading to the Harbor for some seafood. Mike and Tonia wanted to do a little shopping, so Salena and I just walked the line watching bikes and meeting people. On the way to Joe’s Crab Shack, we noticed Chica was standing by a beautiful new bike I hadn’t seen yet. We would soon find out it was an actual competition between Chica and Evil spirit Choppers for an upcoming episode of Discovery’s Biker build Off series. I met both builders and they both said they looked forward to seeing their mugs on Bikernet. I think they were pulling my leg.
Johnny and Chica!
Evil Spirit Choppers Build Off Bike.
I met Jay, a friend of Bandit’s, who had built a bike featured right here on Bikernet. He was very friendly and seemed as happy to meet me as I was him. We were told to be back at the main stage at 5 pm for the big winner announcement, which would later be Chica.
The Chopper King Hugh King. I think he was about to shoot me the finger.
I also met Hugh King and was surprised to find he isn’t near as kooky in person as what he seemed on TV.
Everywhere bikes could be parked was utilized during the weekend.
We ate dinner and decided to once again walked the Strand. That was the common theme of the weekend. Eat, drink, and walk the Strand. While there is some nice riding in Galveston, you feel compelled to stay close to the action because you never know what will happen.
Chica with his trophy
Saturday night!!! Party, Parade, and Pass Out!
The night time is when the freaks come out. You will see every type of bike and biker that is known to mankind. There are lots of women of all shapes, ages, and size walking around in some of the wackiest outfits you will ever see. I saw plenty of painted on outfits while we were partying this weekend.
She’s not wearing a bikini.
By far the cooling damn helmet I saw all weekend!
This was cool. The guy had a Paul Cox seat to go along with this Larry styled chop.
This is how the world began to appear to me. I am not sure if it was the deafening noise, the smell of rubber, the liquor, or if I was just drunk with joy, but it was time to call it a night. We left The Strand by Midnight, and were sleeping before 12:20. By the time I woke up on Sunday morning, we had one hour to check out!
Saturday eventually became a blur and the next thing I can recall is waking up in the hotel on Sunday morning. While I did stay in Galveston most of the day, my mind was too fogged to be of any use to anyone especially in the art of recollection. My wife and I rode home Sunday evening without incident (Yeah Salena!) and we went to bed exhausted from a wild weekend of drinking, riding, and partying. I do not know what rallies were like in the seventies, but my experience of them in the 2000’s is ok with me. I think I will definitely make this a yearly event.
Sunday morning on The Strand.
Hey, I’m trying to be like Bandit and gather my harum.
