Ride to Drifters in Richards Texas

The day started out great! I went to bed very late and woke up about 5 a.m. I didn't have to be out the door of my house until 7:40 a.m. but I was just so excited about having 41 bikes show up! That was my last count before I went to bed. Though when my alarm sounded for my wife and I to get up I went ahead and hit the snooze, old habits... We finally roll out of bed and get ready. Our friend Shirley was coming to meet us at our house and we were going to roll to our start point at American V-Twin Bikes (AVT) from spring.

Shirley got here in time and we headed out to have breakfast with a few of our friends before we got to AVT. While turning through an underpass that fortunately very few people use, UN-fortunately the few people that use it is for trash dumping. During this turn I dug into this 90 degree turn as I usually do at about 20 mph, I know my bike very well, I still haven't gotten to know my primary mounted license plate holder which in turn I became very intimate, very quickly with pavement, gravel and some trash. If I could have I'd've picked my bike up a la HULK and tossed it a few hundred yards. I don't work much about my paint job because someday it will be redone. I was more upset at not knowing the limits of my license mount, which was now dangling by the wire that lights up the LEDs. I cut it off and packed it into my fork bag while my wife was checking on my safety, God Bless her.

After many assurances that I'm fine and that the shock and/or my anger did not in fact prevent me from feeling my injuries we drove on. After some sort of delay with the prep we had breakfast at Taco Cabana by AVT with Glenn "von Dutch something or other" and Bobby who I finally remembered his name. Some how tardy serving of our food became the theme of the day. After some catching up over what's been going on in our lives over the past month, I coordinate these rides on the 4th weekend of the month, and tossing ideas about May's ride we mosey our way over to AVT.

We realized we needed to top off before we got there because it would be too hectic to try and get 40 plus riders into an 8-pump gas station. Plus it was in my notes for everyone to be topped off bellies and tanks before they got to AVT. Finally we make it to AVT 4 minutes late from the appointed meet time. Now AVT is moving locations, a few hundred yards actually but it's on the other side of the freeway, so they were up to their collective necks in things to do. So I had to get behind a computer there and print out the sign in sheet, pass out maps, have everyone sign, meet, go over hand signals, greet, change the first leg of the route due to construction in the Galleria area, find out that a local chapter of female riders that were going to meet up with us cancel, a friend who was going to ride had a family emergency. So I went and did things I took for granted that they guys at the shop usually do for me. WHEW we're down to 18 bikes 3 of 'em were 2-up; we got our ducks in a row and got ready to head out. I really wanted to break up this large group into two more manageable groups but only my wife and I knew the route, and she's not ready to lead a group just yet. I tapped my buddy Lonnie to be tail-gunner, actually he offered since he saw that I was running around with my head cut off.

From AVT we took 59 north toward downtown kept everyone in line at about 60 mph. Some traffic but it was sparse enough that we could keep our group together until the 610 loop where we had a few bikes try to take. Lonnie steered them back in line but by then the front half of the group were far enough ahead, the group I had with me took 45 North from 59 near downtown, Lonnie took the other half up to I-10 back over to 45 N. We were still separated all the way from there to 610, which we took to 290. It wasn't until we exited Jones Road that they caught sight of us. --Lonnie leads rides out of Gene's Powersports, he know the route beforehand where were stopping for gas, as did everyone because I provided them with maps. So I knew even though I didn't see them that they would make the destination-- We took command of Jones Rd, we were courteous enough to stop at red lights, but once they were green we road guarded to get everyone through to FM 249. Going through a change of commercial to residential, very nice homes I might add, and back to some commercial buildings.

We went under 249 turned left and took a right on Huffsmith Kohrville Rd. about 4 miles up once it becomes FM 2978 and you start to get the more trees per square foot than building, and you feel that breath of fresh air like walking into a meat locker from a sticky sauna. Your whole body just says "AHHHHhhhh" we stayed at a steady pace right around 50 mph not too many cages in front or behind us, or any crazies trying to butt in our group. We made it to our Gas stop, a Kroger's on FM 1488 and FM 2978, stretched our legs took some pics and met up with a rider who always seems to meet at our appointed meet spot disappear and make it to our next stop, through no fault of my or his own, it just somehow works that way but at least it makes for a good anecdote when we get to our watering hole.

Now if you haven't take Honea-Egypt, which is what 2978 become north of 1488 and ends at 2854, you need to stop reading this, go to mapquest/maps.yahoo/maps.google find this road and RIDE it! It's seven miles of scenery, twistys and fun. This road is just a little over half of the reason we were heading to Richards, TX. The remainder of the reason is to get to Drifter's which I'm sure that in no time will out rank Yankee Tavern in Ride TEXAS magazine... so where was I? Oh yeah, So we piddle our way through these turns a good 30 in under 7 miles of road, tap into FM 2854 which another little treat, an open sweeping curve of about 8 miles that we opened up the throttle on til we got to 105.

In a little over a mile we got to FM 149 which I you should do yourself the favor a take this little trip into the Sam Houston National Forest. Once you get into the Forest then you can feel our soul say "Mmmmm" beautiful pine trees lining out the curves and hills, some nice little ranches and country houses to see and just take in all at around 45 mph. Now just before you get to Richards, you run into Drifter's Icehouse. Now when you get there tell 'em AC sent you. You'll appreciate the Bikes ONLY parking, yes! The only way to park in a certain section is if you have a bike. It's a pathway a little bit wider than a sidewalk that leads to a pad for you sled. The Icehouse itself is clean bright and they serve beer by the bottle and by the bucket. They have very CLEAN restrooms and not just because they're new, but because Denize will not have it any other way. Tom will only have this place open on Fridays, Weekends and holidays. This "is a biker's stop not a honky tonk" you can ride your cage in. It's very Harley oriented, but not so much so that a Vic rider feels out of place they also have a Grill which everything is made from scratch, It may take a while for you to get your burger, but when you sink your teeth in it'll be worth it.

This ride is in my opinion one of the better ones I've pulled off, even though I had a hitch in the morning on the way. Better at home than on the ride. If you want a route map or the address don't be shy. Shoot me a message. There'll be a live band and a giveaway on May 19th, so if you can make it, let me know I might drink a cold one with ya.