Here’s the link to the TWT thread and check out the other rides that are scheduled.
http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67879

Zeke at the Texas Panhandle Memorial in Amarillo, Tx, 2011 Tour of Honor

This ride is now sanctioned by the AMA American Motorcyclist Association and the IBA Iron Butt Association.

To learn more and register, click on the image.

You can also join the BK International Facebook Group

IHOP 750 South Interstate 35, Georgetown, Tx

Time to start thinking registering for this great event. Just click on the logo to get the website. The first 500 who register get Jack.

First off I must start this report with the fact that I accidentally deleted all the photographs I took today. Note to self: Do not delete individual photos from your camera, until you upload them.

I started off the day by going to the Ride Captains Meeting at the Host Hotel at 0900 hrs. At the Meeting they stressed getting everyone on the same page regarding “Group Riding” Rules or Techniques. This way you could ride with any Blue Knight Chapter and or event and everyone would be on the same page. I will follow up later with applicable links and materials for this site.

After the Meeting, I met the rest of our Chapter included Glenn Copeland from Chapter 13 for a tweaked version of a suggested ride to Dublin Tx, the home of Dr Pepper! It was fixin to be plenty hot so I cut the ride route from the suggested 155 miles to 88 miles. This would put us back in time to get ready for the Banquet at 1800 hrs.

The ride was uneventful but very scenic as we made our way N/W from Granbury, to Lipan Tx where we stopped off to fuel up and hit CR 1189. We popped out north of Stephenville and made the last few miles to Dublin in time for lunch and beat the score of other Blue Knights, who arrived shortly after we did. The Knights quickly overwhelmed the Soda Fountain at the Dr Pepper Factory. With that, we decided to park our machines and walk to Grandma Clark’s Diner, two blocks north for our lunch.

You can’t miss this place, its smack dab in the middle of Town.

Unofficially, Dublin is Dr Pepper Texas. The only bottling plant which still uses Cane Sugar to sweetened their soda, instead of Corn Syrup.

Grandma Clark’s was a great little find and the Burgers are excellent. They also sport a Buffet but it is stocked with typical Texas Diner Grub, fried this and that.

The Burger at Grandma Clark’s. A half pound hand made patty of juicy goodness. I used 8 napkins before it disappeared. The fries are seasoned and battered for extra crispy goodness.

After lunch, we made our way back to the Dr Pepper Factory and the crowd was subsiding from the lunch rush. Everyone got some kind of treat and the French’s and GCope bought a bunch of Dr Pepper paraphernalia for family and friends. I opted for the Dr Pepper Ice Cream Float, which never disappoints.

The Soda Fountain. There is limited seating and you can get Burgers and Sandwiches too!

After our dessert trip, we made the 44 mile ride back to Granbury, just in time to beat an hour long downpour, which subsided just before the Banquet.

Our ride route, relatively free of traffic, except for the last leg home.

At 1800 hrs, we made our way to the Banquet, in our BK Uniforms, Ie: White button up shirt, vests and black pants. It was the first time I had worn BK colors and vest. After some business, that announced the International Conference would be in Eureka Springs Arkansas and the Regional Conference would be in Waco for next year, some awards were handed out. These included the Longest distance traveled to the conference, oldest attendee, youngest attendee etc.After all the business, we were told to line up for dinner.

A Fly on the Walls view of the Conference Banquet

The Bored, I mean Board of Directors

We ended up standing and waiting in the dinner line, as the caterer had forgotten the gravy. After 30 minutes of hurry up and wait, dinner was served Buffet Style. Sorry no pics. I had the Fried Chicken and most of the others had Chicken Fried Steak. There was salad, mashed taters, corn, green beans chips and of course, gravy. Dessert was provided as was water and ice tea but no coffee. I must say all of the food was good and it was one of the better banquet meals I have had, in regards to flavor.

After stuffing our faces, the real excitement began…the Raffle!

Glen French won a Tom Tom GPS unit. The rest of the Chapter was non productive in acquiring raffle goodies.

After the Raffle most headed back to the Host Hotel for free Margaritas, so the Host Chapter wouldn’t have to haul back the extra mixers. Several of the vendors were still hard at work in the parking lot, finishing modifications, pin striping and sewing on patches, while the rest mingled in the parking lot to relax and swap lies.

It was a good Conference and Granbury proved to be a good destination and location for it. I can’t wait for another opportunity to visit Granbury once again. We all made it home by lunch the next morning and are all looking forward to the 2012 International Conference in Eureka Springs. Now that’s an even better destination and the riding is on a whole nutha level.

With threats of Severe Thunderstorms threatening the Dallas Ft. Worth area, we opted to remain close to town. It was pretty muggy and we managed to avoid the only downpour which occurred in the later afternoon. Here is a photo report for the day. I will add additional photos later on the photo album page.

In the morning, Glenn Copeland and I headed to local breakfast spot, the Firehouse Cafe for our first meal of the day. They have Corned Beef Hash on the Menu.

The dining area of the Firehouse Cafe, located on Hwy 377 in Granbury.

Glenn and I enjoy an after breakfast coffee break and time to post pictures on the internet at the Coffee Grinder Coffee Shop, in the Historic Downtown District/Square.

There are a ton of shops, eateries and specialty stores in the Granbury Historic District. This is a great destination town for a weekend and you can burn up half a day in the Historic District.

Dougie dips into his wallet as Diane buys out the store of dry mixes, relishes and jams.

The Historic Square is reminiscent of downtown Georgetown Tx.

The Pearl Street Station was recommended by a local for good food and being Motorcycle friendly. Located just off the Square, as well as many other shops and eateries.

Sandwiches, BBQ and Cajun goodies. You will definitely leave this place full.

I opted for something you can’t just get anywhere. I had the Smoked Bologna Sandwich. Glenn had the Pulled Pork Sandwich. All the makings for a good nap.

After lunch we all went out separate ways. Glenn and I then visited the local Veterans Memorial Museum. The U.S. Veterans Museum is a must see for anyone, with artifacts from the War of 1812 to present. It’s free and they rely on donations to keep our History alive. Visit their website HERE

The Comfort Inn Suites, the Host Hotel for the Conference

The Largest Frying Pan in Hood Country is moved into place for the evenings inclusive meal of Fajitas.

They Frying Pan in action.

Shopping in the parking lot which was filled with Motorcycle related vendors and merchandise.

Soups on! While in line, we got word that next years Conference will be held in Eureka Springs Arkansas. Now that’s great riding country.

Beef and Chicken Fajitas, Beans, Corn and Chips.

Tomorrow morning I will attend the Ride Captains and Safety Meeting, after which we plan to do a local ride. The weather has cleared so we should be good to go.

After kicking tires in the parking lot with Chapter 13 out of Austin, we all called it an early evening and are looking forward to the last full day of the Conference and tomorrow’s Banquet and Raffle Drawings.

Downtown Granbury, Tx

I met the President of BK Chapter 30 Doug (Douggie) Waggoner & his wife Diane, V.P. Glen (Cat House) French, his wife Karol, along with Glenn Copeland of Chapter 13 in Briggs, Tx at 1000 hrs. There in Briggs is a Country Market right on Hwy 183, where one can top off with fuel, empty the bladder and grab some Road Rations.

Immediately after arriving, I realized I left my Iphone back at the Ranch. Instead of riding the 16 miles back to the ranch, I opted to go without my phone for the weekend and would try to enjoy being disconnected.

Glen (Cat House) & Karol French next to Glenn Copeland

After kicking some tires we started our ride to Granbury Texas for the Conference. Karol followed us in her SUV and acted as our support vehicle. With threats of Thunderstorms in the Fort Worth area, maybe Cat House had something there and if the heavens unleashed, he would be able to get around without getting wet.

I led the group to Oakalla where we linked up to FM 232, which is a very scenic and windy road that runs from Oakalla to Hwy 190. I think this road is one of the best kept secrets in Hill Country and I highly recommend riding this road. Just be mindful there are one or two 90 degree corners, so don’t get too lost in the ride an pay attention.

The ride was relaxing in the mid 70′s but slowly got warmer and muggier as we made our way North. We had to detour back to Hwy 183 as we neared Hamilton, Tx as the bridge on FM 932 had been washed out. We took a short break in Hamilton to recycle some Coffee, after an hour and a half on the road.

From Hamilton we rode another 20 miles to the Koffee Kup Family Restaurant in Hico for lunch. Doug and I had the hand cut Ribeye Steak, Diane and Glenn had the Chicken Fried Steak. Diane’s batter on her Chicken Fried Steak was impregnated with pickle slices which I brought to the attention of the staff, so was comped her meal.

The Koffee Kup Restaurant, home of the Two Wheeled Texans Annual Pie Run in January. If you go north on Hwy 281 which T-bones into Hico, just look to your right and you will see the Koffee Kup right across the intersection.

From the Koffee Kup we headed east and then north onto CR 220 and then onto FM 51. FM 51 is gem of a road which leads directly into Granbury, taking you by ranches and farms which line the road on both sides. This road is scenic and twisty and it was a great way to end our riding for the day. It is another must ride road for Texans and a great alternative to the busier highways.

After arriving in town around 1500 hrs, we registered at the Host Hotel (Comfort Suites) where we got our shirts, itineraries and a free roll away luggage bag. At 1700 hrs, we went to our respective Motels and got settled and ready for the Hospitality Suite for free Margaritas and Beer. The Conference owns two Margarita machines and the Knights don’t skimp on the Tequila so you need to be careful how much you consume.

From Happy Hour, we went for Seafood on the water on Lake Granbury at The Groggy Dawg. There we had a great meal, which included Fried Gator Tail, Fried and Peel N’ Eat Shrimp, Fish n Chips and other dishes associated with Gulf Style Seafood.

Dougie and Diane, our Pres and 1st Lady

Glenn Copeland of Chapter 13 waits in the parking lot of Walmart as I picked up a new camera and we got our Motel Room supplies.

Lake Granbury

Our weekend is a mystery due to threats of Thunderstorms, so we are vigilantly checking the weather. Stay tuned for more.

Our ride from Briggs to Granbury, 136 miles.

Host chapter for the Conference is Texas Chapter 21. Check out their website to learn more about the Conference.