09-28-2023, 05:42 AM
I started riding in 1969, took the 80's and 90's off when the kids arrived, but after they were grown I got back into it. I've had a few bikes, I'm on my 14th now, and thought I was pretty well schooled up. Then, I recently went on a multi-day group ride with my latest machine, a 2009 Yamaha V-Star 1300. We were headed for the Bikes, Blues, and BBQ rally in Rogers, AR, from our place in Azle, Texas. Riding with a group of ten bikes, two trucks, and a chase truck. I was the only non-Harley in the group. I don't like to ride at night, especially in the rain, especially going fast, 90+ in the relativity dry periods. Once we got there, it rained off and on, and we rode hither and yon, thru some really beautiful country, route 12 in AR. I was always tail-end Charlie and even then had a few Oh, sh!t moments when another rider cut me off. Two of the guys collided head-on in a parking lot and totaled one of the bikes when the goose-neck bent and broke, but, that which doesn't kill you.... Not sure if I'll ever ride with those guys again.