Robert from Texas was all decked out in his rain gear - - hope you can make out what he says about riding in the rain.
Words to describe today: Wet. Grey. Soup. Cold.
It is hard to describe what it is like putting on rain gear at dawn, packing your bike in the rain, holding the safety briefing in the rain, then riding out of Oklahoma City in the Wet, Grey, Soupy, Cold, Rain.
I think I can speak for all the riders that today bonded us even more with dealing with this weather. The rain held with us through Amarillo, Tx. It was spooky when towering wind generators appeared out of the mist in Western Oklahoma - - they looked like some science fiction creature chopping fog for sport! I wish I had a helmet cam so I could have taken a picture.
The Clinton, OK Post had coffee and doughnuts for us at our first gas stop. What a relief to get out of the rain and drink something hot. I realized I didn't have enough layers on - most people started adding jackets under rain gear and tried not to leave too many puddles at the Post!
Lunch was at Shamrock Tx Post #68. More Bar-B-Q Texas style! At no cost to the Riders. Also, this wonderful Post hosted us at the Valero gas station for free gas for all bikes. Now, folks, there are about 160 bikes at this point and we all took on about 2.5 gallons - - that's a lot of gas and a great donation from this Post for this event. YOU GET A RIDERS RIGHT HAND SALUTE!
Even though it was still raining the food and gas really made us all feel great so we bundled up and rode out of Shamrock heading for our last gas stop in Vega, TX. We were SO happy when we left Amarillo and the rain finally came to an end. The plains of Texas gave way to the dessert of New Mexico and we rode in sunshine for the first time since Tulsa, OK.
The ride from Vega into Tucumcari was so enjoyable because for the first time today we could all relax, enjoy the scenery, and ride like the wind.
Tucumcari ALR Chapter #9 and the Elks Lodge hosted a Mexican dinner that was to die for! Thanks to all the volunteers who cooked and served.
Commander Conatser took donations and as of this evening, donations are at $208,466.00. That includes the $29,713.00 collected this evening alone!
We head to Gallup, NM tomorrow. Kick Stands Up at 7:30 am. The rain tuckered me out!
Signing off: Flamingo Tina, Tucumcari, NM
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