One of the greatest joys on two wheels is hitting a new stretch of highway with vistas and terrains that are unique to a region. Exploring new towns and meeting new people are added pleasures. TJ and I spent five days in and around Austin, Texas. We flew there to catch some blues as this town is billed as the “Live Music Capital of the World”. Honestly, we heard a great blues band in the historic town of Gruene, but the blues we heard in Austin were just okay.

We did happen upon a great three-piece band with a dynamite guitarist who did a lot of Hendrix and Clapton…Sonny Wolf Band. We liked them so much we sought them out on three different nights. So, what was to be five nights of blues turned into three days of great rock and three days of great rides! We ended up turning in our rental car and rented a bike at Cowboy H-D in Austin. With friends Yolanda and Paul offering a personal tour of the “Hill Country” of Texas, the riding was on. Another old friend of TJ’s, Pete, happened to be in Texas so he rode up to join in on the fun.

It was COLD, but we were warned and brought our leathers just in case. I am sure it would be much prettier in the spring when things are green and the Bluebonnets are in bloom, but just the hills and old towns were almost sensory overload even if it was a bit wintry. We explored San Antonio, checked out the Alamo, had coffee at Luckenbach, made it to The Oasis in Austin twice. The first trip the fog was so thick you couldn’t see the lake and hills at all. The food was so good we decided to go back on a crystal-clear day, and we were so glad we did as the view was amazing!

There are two big bike rallies in Texas. The Lone Star Rally in Galveston the first weekend of November and the ROT (Republic of Texas) Rally in June. I have been to the Galveston Rally twice and it is a blast! I haven’t been to the ROT Rally but will be trying to fit it in to our 2021 schedule as there is so much more to see in that area of Texas and the riding is just awesome.

By a stranger a beer, kiss your girlfriend and don’t forget your sunscreen!