Until recently, I never really understood addiction. I fancy myself as a disciplined man. I’m willing to endure a little inconvenience for the greater good. But recently, I spent 3 days at MD Anderson with my beloved cousin, who suffers from Melanoma. It’s gotten systemic and she now knows this is what will kill her. It’s now only a matter of when, and how much does she have to suffer between now and then.
At one point, she was suffering immeasurably from pain related to her treatment. This was real pain. The kind that causes you to moan from deep within your belly. I stood there terrified like a helpless idiot, holding her hand trying to console her. After what seemed like an eternity, they brought her some Fentanyl. I watched them insert the needle into the I/V line, and push the drug deliberately. It was miraculous. In 30 seconds, she went from excruciating pain to complete relief.
That night, I got it. It’s not about discipline at all. It’s about relief, and whatever it takes to get it. I can’t say that I support drug addiction, but …. I get it.
On a much lesser note, I suppose I have my own addictions. My crutch is somewhat mundane, comparatively speaking. The drug I seek is different, but the effect is the same, I figure. I’m insatiably hooked on riding motorcycles to out of the way places. I like camping from the motorcycle in pleasant weather. I like fresh air and seeing the world from inside the helmet visor. I want it raw – with a few plans and expectations as possible.
This is my fix. Last week, I took a hit, and it was fantastic. I hope you enjoy the pics.
Day 1: Lafayette, Louisiana to Zavalla, Texas, approximately 300 miles.
The weather forecast for the entire region this week was stupendous. That gave us options. I texted the local gang, but everyone except Mike P declined. Mike is always down for a camping moto trip, so that much was a given. We talked on the phone a few minutes and realized that we haven’t run East Texas in a while. Two nights out there should do the trick quite nicely. And so, it began.
I packed my horse in the morning.
Mike was a bit slower getting ready in the morning, so we got off to a mid-morning start. But soon enough, we are on the back roads enjoying the wind.
It’s mid-day Tuesday. Everyone is at work, stamping out their widgets or what not. Mike and I have the roads all to ourselves.
I wiggle and waggle toward central Louisiana and we find ourselves in Forest Hill about lunch time. There is this little trailer I know of where you can get lunch. The cook speaks NO English, but if you point to the menu, she will get the tacos right every time.
$8.00, including the drink. Delicious.
After lunch, I run through the Kistachie National Forest heading toward the LA/TX border.
We ran around the south end of the massive Toledo Bend Reservoir.
Man, this is nice!
Of course, no Pants ride report would be complete without the obligatory mid-afternoon treat!
Now in Texas, we run up and down the Sabine National Forest, enjoying the fresh scent of the piney woods.
We grabbed some supplies in San Augustine, and then crossed the Sam Rayburn Reservoir.
Mike just bought the Africa Twin, and he likes it a lot.
We pulled into Boykin Springs Recreational Area about 5:00 pm. We’ve camped here a few times before. The sites are spacious, with all of the essentials such as water, picnic table, fire ring, and a BBQ grill. There is no electricity, but for a couple o nights, we can charge the phone on the motorcycle. The bathhouse is clean with hot water. For $5.00 a night (yeah – you read that right - $5.00 per night per site), it’s a pretty sweet deal.
There is NO ONE in the campground this evening, so we picked out a nice site, set up camp, and settling in for happy hour!
Firewood was a bit scarce, but we did find a small dead oak tree in the campground to burn. The bikes will happily tote the load.
There’s a little creek right next to our campsite with just enough water running through it for a little relaxation.
At the grocery in San Augustine, Mike found some nice pork tenderloin medallions wrapped in bacon.
It doesn’t much to make a fine campsite meal.
After dinner, I put on some XM Radio Beatles Channel, poured myself some shampoo, and sat down to enjoy the Burning Running Man fire!
Today was simply wonderful. The breeze running through my jacket was comfortable. We ran mostly familiar roads, but they are good riding.
And good riding is a good thing.
Day 2: Zig Zag Here and There, approximately 325 miles.
The temperature last night was nice. Just cool enough to get into the sleeping bag. I slept pretty good. After coffee and some quiet time, we made breakfast. Mike’s wife Pam makes a delicious blueberry jam. I found a jar of “Pam’s Jam” from 2021 in the back of my pantry. It pairs well with a 200 mg Celebrex - LOL
Mike likes his new Africa Twin, and I must say, the red/white/blue paint scheme is fabulous. Right out of the campground, we switched bikes for a run so I could try out the AT. I must say, this bike impressed me very much – it was not at all what I was expecting. The 19” front wheel was not onerous in the curves, and the 1200 cc Twin has plenty of torque. The suspension is wonderful (as expected), the transmission silky smooth, and the brakes very responsive. I can feel the 100 pound difference in weight (compared to the FJR), and the riding position is best described as “lazy-boy” upright.
Not now, but when it’s time to give up the FJR and sport touring, the Africa Twin is certainly something to consider.
At Sam Rayburn, we switched bikes again and off we go.
I’ve ridden this area several times before. The roads are in terrific shape and the speed limits are generous. Some of the 3 and 4-digit state roads are curvy and very nice to ride.
It’s a nice day for a ride.
Everything is so green and lush here at this time.
There are wildflowers of many shades and colors along the roadsides, and I enjoyed riding among them.
Occasionally, we run through a small town or village and see some sign of civilization. But as soon as we are outside of those areas, it seems like we have the entire road to ourselves.
We stopped in Garrison, TX for lunch at this hole in the wall café. For $10.00, I had a good burger and side salad, no pictures unfortunately.
Then it was back into the countryside to enjoy the day!
I zig zagged in and our of the Sabine National Forest, ending up at Joquin, Tx for a fuel and treats!!
After ice cream, we ran generally south and east back toward the big Reservoir.
This guy is a die-hard fisherman. The wind is really bad on the lake today. But I get it – a bad day fishing is WAY better than a good day at work!
We make a quick stop at the grocery in Zavalla, and then bee-line it back to the campground for an early happy hour (or 3 as the case was)
Tonight’s meal will be even more simple than last night.
A bag of salad and a package of chicken tenders. What could be easier than that?
We decided to drink our carbs tonight.
A terrific spring day.
Day 3: More forest wandering, a friend meeting, and then home. Approximately 450 miles.
It was a bit warmer last night – over night low was about 61. I slept on top of the bag, but slept pretty good, none the less.
We packed up our camp and took our time with coffee and breakfast like the 2 old farts that we are. In my retirement, I’m learning to slow it down and enjoy the “now” a lot more.
Last night, we communicated with our friend Randy, who lives in northwestern Louisiana. This morning, he will ride toward us more or less, and we will meet for lunch.
It’s gonna be another wonderful day!
These pink wildflowers were magnificent.
It’s Thursday. They are all at their jobs doing whatever they do. Mike and I have the roads all to ourselves.
Well, not exactly. On Hwy 138, heading into Center, TX, I pulled up behind a late model white Rousch Mustang running about 10 under the speed limit. As I got close, he revv’d up his motor and dumped the clutch to spin out his horribly inadequate rear tires. I was inevitably blown away by his unrestricted exhaust, but a little unsure about his intentions as he then resumed to 10 under. After a couple more iterations of this nonsense, I found a window of open road, downshifted twice, and started to pass him. As I got aside the mustang, once again, he stomps the throttle, but his rear tires are having none of it. I easily passed him, and as I merged to the right, I glanced my mirror to see something quite impressive. Not willing to concede his “loss”, the mustang lost all control and started fishtailing violently. At one point, he was clearly in the ditch (all 4 wheels) and to this day, I’m not sure how he saved it back onto the road. Mike watched the whole show from behind and very rightfully decided to just stay behind the mustang. In the town of Center, we went one way, and thankfully, the mustang went another.
Mike and I got to Randy on time and had lunch in Milam, Tx, near the Louisiana border. My intention was to start heading home after lunch, but Mike wanted to show Randy some of the stuff in East Texas we had been riding. So I switched gears, and back into the woods we go!
A couple hours later, I got us back to the same store as yesterday, with the same results.
After ice cream, we crossed the border, and after a short stint south, Randy broke off to go back home. It was nice to see our friend.
Mike and I continued south on Hwy 191 (runs parallel to Toledo Bend).
I ran some roads through the Kistachie National Forest that we don’t normally do on day trips. It was nice to ride those roads for a change.
Now it’s getting close to 4:30 pm, and we are still almost 100 miles from home. So I decided to cut some of it off using Interstate 49.
This should save us a little time (Bad Pants)
Mike and I got home about 6 pm, safe and sound. Today’s ride was about 450 miles, a bit more than I planned for, but most excellent for sure.
All told, it was about 1,100 miles over the 3 days. At one point today, Mike said this was a perfect trip to “get a Fix” ride. I thought that was quite fitting.
Stay thirsty, my friends……
