The Cheese Weasels Do Big Bend, Texas

[Stichill]

How far between gas stops?

They Harleys could go at least 200 miles on a tank of premium. We got gas in Marathon, and there was also gas in the park at Panther Junction.

Once we got inside the park, made our way to the trailhead for Lost Mine Trail. One of our guys really wanted to hike the 2 miles up to the peak, so we all decided to go. I didn't bring hiking boots so I made the trek in my riding boots. Actually they weren't so bad as the ankle support was excellent. I just looked like a dork in shorts and riding boots.









It took us about 1-1/2 hours to ascend, 1/2 hour at the top, and about an hour back down.
We parked at the trailhead of Lost Mine Trail, which was very busy in the morning (before the heat rose as noon approached). Two of us parked at the far end on a fairly sloping grade, which felt hairy while backing that behemoth Harley. One guy parked in a large-ish space between two cars parallel parked, and one parked snugged next to an official park vehicle.

I've tried to put these trails pics more or less in order of ascent, peak, and descent. The peak is the panorama and the one right before it.


























Here is the second of two times I nearly dropped the bike. The angle we're parked at doesn't look too bad in this pic, but trust me the lot sloped to the right and toward the rear of the bike. It was tough for me to get my right foot down with my short legs. As I mentioned before, the bike would only start in Neutral, so I lifted the bike off the stand, stowed it, put the transmission in Neutral, and started the bike. OK, ready to ride. I picked up my left foot and put in on the floorboard, prior to pulling in the clutch and slipping it into First. Well, my heel caught the heel shifter and popped the bike into Second, causing it to lurch forward. Miraculously - again - I somehow pulled in the clutch and halted forward progress. But, before I could get a hand on the brake, the bike slid backward due to the slope of the lot. Bam! I grabbed the brake before it hit the curb with the rear tire. Whew! Harleys are too dramatic for this guy!