About a month ago I got a call from Brian Johnson at TJ’s Cycles in Austin, wanting to sponsor a dual sport ride.  After some discussion we decided that Saturday, Nov 8th would be the day.

Tom, Brian, and the Team at TJ’s did a great job this morning – they really rolled out the red carpet for us by opening the store an hour early, having a couple of vendors set up in front of the store, and providing breakfast for all.  Thank you very much from all of us!!!

TJ’s new store.  If you haven’t been there yet, it’s worth the trip.

Breakfast was set up and ready to go at 8am.

The store is full of motorcycles!  If you like dirt bikes, they’ve got one for you.

300cc 2 Stroke Goodness

Here’s that street legal 500 EXC you’ve been wanting.  Black Friday is coming soon…  Just sayin’….

Wow, look at that!  Vinny’s schedule kept him from riding with us today but he was able to ride this beauty over to the store to say hello.

About 40 riders showed up to ride – a very big turnout – and the weather was nearly perfect.  After a short riders meeting we broke up into small groups and headed west for some BBQ at Cooper’s in Llano.

The ride to Llano was all pavement but included some of the twistiest roads between here and there.  After a spirited ride on Lime Creek Road, we enjoyed 1431 and Cow Creek Road.  If you haven’t ridden it lately, Cow Creek is still great fun but it is all paved now – the county finally got around to paving the northern section.

We stretched our legs during a short break in Burnet  (it’s pronounced Burnet, Durnit.  Learn it.)

After lunch we rode some of the fun dirt roads south of Llano, including Click Road.  Sandy Creek was completely dry, so no water photos.  I did grab a few shots during our breaks though.

I was stunned when I saw this bumper sticker.  Luckily, it soon passed  🙂

Anthony traded in his old KLR for an 800GS.  What a great looking motorcycle.

Rick M giving us the “Rick M Seal of Approval”.

This is Danny and it was his first dual sport ride.  He recently retired from professional motorcycle racing, bought a 800GS, and is ready for the next chapter in his motorcycling life.  Welcome to the Asylum Danny.

All in all, it was a fine riding day – good friends, good weather, and fun riding.