The Cheese Weasels Do Big Bend, Texas

[Stichill_imp]

I appreciate the sentiments guys, thank you very much. Ferret, it's not a question of if, but when I get a CB1100.

[Cormanus]

Again, thanks, Stichill, for taking us along on your trip. I've enjoyed all of it, except for that near miss on the last day. I'm glad that worked out OK. I also appreciate the work you put into writing it up for us.

I was interested in your picture of the Macdonald Observatory poster as I recently saw this piece on a news site http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-03-26/ho...ld/9464026

[Stichill_imp]

You're welcome, Cormanus. You and Pterodactyl share some wonderful journeys so it's nice to be able to reciprocate!

Dark skies are a concern of mine. I worry that future generations won't be able to see the stars at all.

[Blockhead_imp]

I really enjoyed your ride report Stichill...great pictures and detail, well done!

[junipash_imp]

For the first club ride of 2018, four members of the Northern Kentucky Cheese Weasels MC bought plane tickets from Cincinnati, Ohio to Austin, Texas and reserved rental bikes through Eagle Rider. The plan was to pick up the bikes at noon on Friday and return them by noon the following Tuesday. That made for five calendar days of riding (two being half days), but only four days of rental.

Day 1 - Friday 23 March 2017 - Jumping Off

One of our number was smarter than the rest of us; he flew down Thursday night and got a hotel room for the night. We other three arose at 3:30AM US Eastern time to catch early flights on Friday. We converged on Cowboy Harley Davidson around 10:30AM US Central time and announced our readiness to ride.


That's Stichill there at the counter, the short guy in black.

Eagle Rider is a great concept; the execution however is sorely lacking. The night before the trip, I got a call from the rental counter at Cowboy informing me that the Harley Fat Boy I'd reserved was not available; would I mind a Street Glide in its place? Of course I said "Yes" but it was irksome. I'd ridden a Street Glide and they are ponderous in the parking lot...I'm also not a fan of sitting behind a giant fairing. So there was a reason I'd gone for a Fat Boy. Too, I'd paid the full rental amount up front in January and I even joined Club Eagle Rider to become a monthly subscribing member. Is it asking too much to have the bike I reserved on hand? Apparently, yes.

Upon checking in at Cowboy, the clerk was unable to process my rental in the computer, because they bike they had for me was not the bike that was on the reservation. Eagle Rider had to change something on their end, and they weren't answering her phone calls. She was unflappable, however, and had me sign a paper contract. I got the keys to my bike, as did my companions. It was a relief, as we had been alarmed to learn from the clerk that Eagle Rider had booked (15) rentals that weekend, but only provided (7) bikes to Cowboy (Eagle Rider owns the bikes; the dealer just processes the rentals and checks riders in/out). We were simply lucky that we arrived first and laid claim to (4) of the (7). I can't imagine what disappointment befell the last (8) riders who showed up and found out that they didn't have a bike to ride.


Cowboy has a nice setup around the side, with picnic tables to lay out your gear while packing. You can leave any luggage or items you don't need on the bike with them and they will keep it in locked storage.

It was overcast as we rolled out but the temperatures were pleasant and the excitement of anticipation kept our spirits undamped. Upon hitting the road, our first order of business was getting some lunch. The clerk at Cowboy recommended a lunch trailer called Valentina's Tex Mex, so off we went in search of it. We smelled the smoking meats before we saw it, and we were drawn irresistibly to the source.


Rather humble parking situation out back. Stichill in hi-viz helmet.


The presence of the crowd told us we were in for a treat. Texans take their Tex Mex and barbecue very seriously, so if they are willing to queue for lunch, it has to be pretty good eating.








I went Mex with the Pulled Pollo and a side of Mexican Rice. I cannot describe how delightfully juicy and smoky the chicken tasted along with the fresh accompaniments.

Next installment: Riding to Luckenbach and Leakey

Ah man I wish I would've remembered when y'all were coming! Valentina's is about 5 minutes from my house (I buy breakfast tacos from them about once a week)... I'm really glad y'all got to try them out! Very very good stuff!!

Really glad y'all enjoyed your ride through Texas! Fantastic pictures!!.. and happy to see y'all made it to Chintos too! : )

[Stichill_imp]

Thanks, Blockhead! Glad you enjoyed.

Too bad we were so close and missed you, junipash! Still, thanks for all your tips. We loved Texas!

[Stichill_imp]

Thanks, Stichill, for this fantastic report. I’m enjoying riding along with you and looking at the amazing vistas. I see now why redbirds has always written so enthusiastically about the Texas Hill Country. It looks amazing.

I was interested in your Eagle Rider experience. Pterodactyl and I used them when we came to the US in 2015 and found them excellent. We didn’t rent Harleys; I don’t know if that made a difference.

Epilogue. I contacted EagleRider through their website, received a case number...and never heard from them again. Later on, I had been looking at rentals in another city and I got a follow-up email asking if I was still interested in renting for that trip. I somewhat flippantly replied, asking if I was going to get a response to my prior communication regarding the Austin issues.

Turns out it was the local agent in the other city, not EagleRider corporate marketing, who had sent the most recent email. She was very apologetic about the Austin situation and pledged to assist, even though she had nothing to do with it. She cc'd EagleRider corporate. To their credit, corporate responded quickly and offered up (3) days credit in compensation for the trouble. Not too bad!

[the Ferret]

You going someplace else Hank?

[Stichill_imp]

I'm working on some ideas, ferret! I've got a total of (6) days now. (3) from my membership and (3) from the credits. I'll keep building (1) per month as time goes forward. I could put together a pretty decent ride already!

[the Ferret]

Hmmm

PCH from Morrow Bay to Oregon

Glacier Montana to Banff and Jasper Natl Parks

Deadwood South Dakota and the Badlands area

Zion, Bryce and Grand Staircase Escalante Utah

I have all kinds of ways to spend your money
Kancamagus Highway, Mt Washington Auto Road, Acadia Natl Park

Minnesota, Wisconsin and The U.P of Michigan

Down the Natchez Trace then over to New Orleans