Ride Report - Paris 3/29/08

[RainMaker]

The Paris ride report.

Rainmakers rainchasers: Ron, David and Mark.
The weather was overcast and cloudy for the first part.
Then roads dried up and occasionally the sun came out.
Mark planned a great route
The route between Leonard and Wolfe city match 455 curve for curve, plus  the pavement was better and the traffic was less.
Hwy. 34 going through the Caddo Grass Lands was pretty and  taking 1550  /137 into Paris made for an nice easy ride.
The food was great at Rio Verde and  then we visited the Eiffel tower.

From there to Bonham  where we toured the Sam Rayburn museum
Then on to home
The Valks hummed along, Hugged the pavement, ate the asphalt and performed flawlessly.
We have the best bike ever made!
Nice day 200 plus mile ride and we broke the Rainmaker's spell (at least for a day!)
Not a drop of rain!

Captain Speedo and Rainmaker

Thursday 4/10/08 DFW VRCC Club meeting at  Joe's Crab Shack in Grapevine (Main st and 114 - just east of the Spring Creek BBQ)
Saturday 4/12/08 Stephenville "Hard Eight Barbecue" and Dublin Dr. Pepper plant loop
More events on the calender.

[Disco]

Thanks Mark & Ron,

Yep, that was a fun one.  Lots of cool, humid air for those 6 carbs, and whatever carbon buildup wasn't blown out from Paris to Bonham was certainly blown out from Bonham to Melissa.  Almost 40mpg on the first tank.  Um, a bit less on the second...  Garage to garage: 220 miles.

Fun choosing between smooth, but damp, and dry, but rough. 
It must get really windy up there - we passed a house with almost 100 bricks on the roof! 
Not nearly as many roadkill skunks as the last two rides.  I guess with their defense mechanism, they don't have to be very smart.  I counted 2 armadillos. 
At one point on the way up, we went 15-20 minutes without seeing a car. 
Ladonia and Roxton are pretty little towns, and we passed Bug Tussle, too.  Still no sign.
Parisian Mexican food for lunch and Mark didn't order the daily special - CHICKEN FRIED STEAK!
Parked next to the sign and got my first bird bomb.  Big bird.
Took funny pictures in front of the Paris Independent School District building (PISD).
Recruited a future Valkyrie rider named Josh.
Made it 47 years without going to Bonham.  Been there 3 times this year - all on 2 wheels. 
The Sam Rayburn Museum is worth a dedicated trip.  A gem that doesn't receive enough publicity.  If you go on Saturdays, you might have the pleasure of meeting Mr. H.G. Dulaney.  Mr. Sam had an amazing career through amazing times.  Somewhat disappointed that his first speech to the House in 1913 was advocating the lowering of tariffs in favor of a graduated (read unconstitutional) income tax.  Oh well, stuff for another thread...
And, to sum it up, until I either have quiter pipes or a quieter bike, I have no problem riding in back.  Remember, I wear ear plugs myself!

See you 10 April and really looking forward to the 12th.

DFG