Don't be mad.
This was originally billed as a simple ride, not a rally. I had no idea it would become so awesome. I even made tee shirts!
Gary (DrBlackbird) originally wanted to show me a riding spot in Arkansas, but weather didn't permit, so we changed to Big Bend, Texas (the only place in the nation not hit by the polar express). I could not have been happier; I love the desert.
As fitting an inaugural event, attendance was small:
left to right:
Ray (CrazyRay) 690 Enduro R
Me, Rusty (RustyShovel) 690 Enduro R
Dane (Dane1960) 690 Enduro R
Gary (DrBlackbird) 690 Enduro R
Pat (TenFootGlass) 530EXC
Alex (??) KLR (not in picture)
Steve (??) KLR (not in picture)
Most of us trailered from Houston. Gary has a deluxe trailer!
We stayed in super-deluxe accommodations!
Notice Gary's fire pit. A great place to relax and tell lies at the end of the day. Gary also introduced what will become a 690 Rally tradition, nightly fire-cooked sausage and mustard.
We rode hard both days:
The EXC needed a bit of trail attention and Steve's KLR was DOA on day 2.
We climbed mountains. Here I am at 4326 feet. The 690 is a mighty climber! **Looking at maps of the area, it doesn't seem that my GPS could possibly have been correct about the altitude.
None of us were sure where we were at this point. I were not technically lost, since we still had water, fuel, and daylight. We found our way eventually.
At the end of the day, we'd head to the Terlinqua Ghost Town for food.
The Starlight Theatre/Restaurant had sweet steaks and cool live music.
I didn't want it to end. I can't wait for next year's rally.
BTW, I'm still waiting for tons of pics from the other riders; I'll update as the pictures become available.