Quatro de Julio

The 4th of July is a celebration of freedom. The independence of a nation, the freedom of free will, and the liberty to ride any road we damn well please. We spent this national holiday by mounting four German made motorcycles and exploring a part of north Texas that our forefathers and so many thereafter fought for and died to protect. All together we were on four BMW GS’s, an R1150GSA, two R1200GS’, and an F800GS. It was a rather unique experience riding with three other bikes of such similar capabilities. While our riding skills ranged, the bikes themselves were fully capable of handling any of the roads we would ride. There was no need to slow down after a stretch of twisties and wait for anyone to catch up because they were dragging floorboards trying to keep up. That, in combination with the roads and the scenery made for a great day of riding in celebration of our nations birth.

The riders were Rego, on the 1150, Gary on the F800, and Doug on his 1200, forming a set along with mine. We headed out a little after 0730 from McKinney. It was a little later than we usually ride on hot humid days in Texas, but early enough to beat most of the heat. The first stop was in Whitewright, a small settlement to the north and east of Dallas. A couple of miles north of Whitewright hwy 697 twists and turns its way into your mind, making you forget you are still in Texas. The closest comparison I can make to this Fannin County road, is Stove Prairie Road just north of Masonville Colorado. To enhance our riding experience, Doug mounted his video camera and filmed Gary and I riding. The suspension on my R1200GS is much more adept at handling a road like this than my F650 was capable of in conjunction with my riding skills. I took full advantage of it and road what I felt was a relatively quick pace. It was fantastic, I have never ridden on a track, but it has to be something similar to this – sans the scenery. The bends in the road just kept piling up as it meandered its way from Whitwright to Sherman. It was so much fun, we turned around and rode it again – a twofer on the 4th. At some point I hope Doug will either post the video here, or put a link on Smugbug or Youtube. (will keep you updated…)

Rego and Doug arriving for the ride

Doug and his R1200GS

Rego decides to ride bitch...

After riding 697

After a quick breakfast in Whitewright, we decided to head to the Texas, Oklahoma boarder. There is an old bridge that crosses the Red River in an area called Carpenters Bluff. The bridge was originally built in 1910 as a railroad crossing, and eventually became a single lane traffic bridge some time in the 60’s. I don’t know if it is the influence of the Red River that winds its way west to east forming the state line, but once you get into the Red River Valley, the roads seem to start following suit. We had a great ride to the bridge. We stopped on the Texas side of the bridge and lingered under the big trees that lined the river for a while. Then we were back on the road again and road 120 all the way back to 75. Our intent was to just take 75 back to McKinney, however when we pulled off the highway in Anna, we decided to continue west for a while along 455 until we got to Celina to have some lunch. There is a little country restaurant in Celina called Lucy’s. I have eaten there several times either after a morning dove hunt, or while riding 455. The last two times I tried cure my hunger at this cool little café, it has been closed. I guess the economy had taken its toll in the small towns of America as much as anywhere else. After a few more failed attempts at finding a small town eatery, we ended up at the La Hacienda Ranch in Frisco for some really good Mexican food.

Breakfast in Whitewright

biker gang?

After lunch we all parted ways, each to enjoy his own sense of freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of twisting roads that intertwine, connect, and encompass the land that some 233 years ago, a small group of men decided was their own.