Friday 19 October 2012

Biker get away to the sun?

Now is the time of year that most bikers in the northern hemisphere don’t like. The warm days of summer have passed, the grey and rain of autumn have made their unwelcome appearance. Getting out on our motorcycles just isn’t as much fun as it was in the summer. As a biker living in London, England, as yet another riding season draws to a close, it’s all pretty depressing to me.

There is only one thing for it – head south to the sun. For most people in Europe, you have to go a pretty long way south before the temperatures begin to climb, but in the US, that isn’t the case if you live in the more southerly states.

Take Texas for example. Motorcycle rallies are over for most of us, but not so in Galveston, Texas. The ‘Lone Star Rally’ runs from 1st until 4th November this year. Located on the Gulf of Mexico near Houston, Galveston is on the same latitude as... the Sahara Desert. The average daily high for Galveston on 1st November is 75F / 24C with the record high being 82F / 28C, and thats plenty warm enough for most of us.

Photo courtesy of Galveston.com

Claimed by the organisers to be the largest four-day rally in North America, this year’s event features concerts, a custom bike show, hundreds of vendors and even an appearance from Charlie Hunnam who plays ‘Jax’ in the TV series ‘Sons of Anarchy’.

Not able to attend this November, I am determined to go to the rally one year.

Here is the “official teaser video” from the rally organisers website....



If you do manage a autumn get away to the sun somewhere, have fun and post something about it!

22 comments:

Canajun said...

One of these years.....

mq01 said...

i agree, ive been really wanting to get to this rally soon!

Gary France said...

Canajun - That would be a long ride from Ottawa, but boy, it would be fun.

Gary France said...

mq01 - I have been tempted for a few years now to fly to somewhere like Vegas, and ride to the Lone Star Rally in Galveston from there.

Trobairitz said...

That is a little too far south when living in Oregon too.
What would it be like to have warm riding weather all year? Me thinks they suffer with too high of temperatures in the summer though.

I'll stick with Oregon's liquid sunshine and dream of sunny days. Did I mention it was raining here today.

SonjaM said...

24C, imagine these temps this time of the year. Our temps are barely creeping beyond 10C, and somebody mentioned the inevitable rain that comes with the season.

On the bright side, in autumn the roads are less crowded with recreational riders and drivers, and sometimes I have the roads all to myself.

Gary France said...

Trobairitz - Thats the point. Live in the northern parts and enjoy great summers, but head south when the weather turns. Texas during the heat of the summer would be a tad hot I suspect.

Gary France said...

Sonja – I can imagine 24C now. Wouldn’t it be great! Its grey, drizzle, horrible weather in London today. Quiet roads or not, I want to feel the sun on my back.

Oz said...

Come on down to Texas and the rally. You will love it.

Unknown said...

Gary:

I just can't imagine living somewhere where it is warm all year around but I suppose that you could always go on vacation somewhere with snow, once in a while. Sort of reverse of what most of us do.

You would be able to ride all year around. I am not so sure about flying and renting a bike. It wouldn't be the same as your own.

On your tour of the USA you were on your own bike. I can't imagine it would have given you the same satisfaction on a rental

bob
Riding the Wet Coast
My Flickr // My YouTube

ronandrosi.blogspot.com said...

We can't stand 6 months (or more) of dreary weather any more, so we leave our WA state home for Florida around Oct 1. It isn't that far to Texas, but there are things like Biketoberfest in Daytona that are a lot closer and every bit as big I think. They also claim the rally in Daytona is as big as Sturgis. :)

Rex J. Covington said...

Yep, pretty much riding all year long here in Houston, Texas. Gary, when you do come for a visit, let me know. The Lone Star Rally is lots of fun. Plus it would be great to meet you.

Rex

Gary France said...

Thomas – One day, I will. For sure.

Bob – “Reverse of what most of us do” reminded me of a place where people from Dubai go to experience cold weather. We built a ski slope in the middle of hot, dry and arid Dubai a few years ago. Type “ski dubai” in Google Images and you will see what I mean. If you will excuse the pun, it is very cool.

You are of course right about how I would have felt doing the USA ride on a rental. It just wouldn’t have been the same. However, for a short trip like going to the Lone Star Rally, I don’t have a problem with renting.

Rosemary – I have heard a name for people like you. Is it correct to call you a “snowbird”, in other words, who spend the summer in northern homes and winters in a southern state? Biketoberfest is another rally I’d like to see. Oh no! You have just given me an idea – go to Biketoberfest, then ride from there to Texas for the Lone Star rally. How cool would that be.... off to check distances now.....

Rex – You will be the first person I will contact when making my plans!

iansolley said...

OK Gary next year - i will do both with you - Octoberfest and then onto Galveston - I do like my late October sunshine!

Radar said...

Gary, while the Lone Star Rally is timed right, the one to go to in Texas is the Republic of Texas (ROT) Rally which is usually held at the end of May. MUCH better riding and even larger crowd.

Gary France said...

Ian – Like you I am thinking about my 2013 rides and this sounds like a definite maybe!

Radar – I haven’t heard of the ROT Rally before, so thanks for the info. So many places to ride.... so little time.....

Roger said...

Autumn..thatis like 6 months away!...Oh I love living down under..

Gary France said...

Roger - I had to laugh. A good friend of mine wrote a post about it snowing at his house this morning and you are looking forward to 6 months of riding.

Jack Riepe said...

Dear Gary:

In the past three years, east coast (USA) winters were so mild that it was fully possible to ride through January and some of February. Mild meaning temperatures in the 40s (F) or high 30s (F). This is a delight for those of us who wear full ballistic gear, and find July hell on earth. Of course, Texas is as hot as hell 11 months out of the year.

There is a major hurricane tearing up my driveway now, however.

Fondest regards,
Jack/reep
Twisted Roads

Gary France said...

Jack – I don’t mind riding in the cold so much. It is the bleak, grey clouds that dispense their rain with monotonous regularity that I find so depressing. I hope you and your driveway survive the storm.

Webster World said...

Gaoveston is a beautiful town.Old town. Then come January it can get chilly.

Max Piedra said...

That seems to be quite a big motorcycle rally, and I think the organizers were right in claiming this is the biggest rally of its kind in North America. I bet many bikers and Harley fanatics found the event to be enjoyable. After all, aside from being a biker, being with other people who have the same passion as you can make the experience even better. Hope you get to participate next time! =)