Saturday was a great day for riding. Sunny, temps in the low 80's, I believe. Even a slight tail wind on Bolivar Peninsula!

Sunday. On Sunday we paid the bill for the great weather on Saturday. We all knew some rain was coming. I don't think we were expecting it to blow as hard as it did, but we started to get hints as we rode along. Break Point 4, closer to the North end of the course, radioed in to report all of the port-a-cans had blown over. Thankfully, they were unused at that point.

I was on Skyline Drive, next to the Texas City dike, and just past Break Point 1 when it hit. As I rode along the road next to the bay, I could see the clouds ahead. I was thinking I would have to stop and put my rain gear on in a few miles, when I noticed two other motorcycles just ahead who were already gearing up. I went ahead and stopped and started putting on my own rain gear as well. A good thing I did, as those clouds were moving fast. I was just finished getting my Frogg Toggs on when the wind arrived. I can't figure out how to hot link a video, so here is a link to a video of the clouds rolling in. Near the end of the video you can see the corner of a gazebo we would shortly use to 'hunker down'. Clouds coming in

Another video shot from the gazebo at the height of the fun. Wind and Rain

A quick shot of the 10 or 15 riders sheltering with us. New Friends

Listening to the radio, we stayed informed on what was happening. At Rest Stop 1, about a mile South of us, volunteers and riders all stuffed themselves into the back of a supply truck to ride it out. About a half mile ahead of me, 3 SAG vans had stopped and each had about 12 riders each inside. Alas their bikes had to sit outside. Elsewhere, people were sheltering inside convenience stores, supermarkets, etc.

Most riders were moved from the course to an American Legion hall in San Leon until they could be taken to the finish. At one point there were 120 riders there. If you are ever in San Leon, stop by the American Legion hall at Avenue I and 14th street. Have a beer and tell them Thank You.

Eventually SAG vans came by, and picked up some of our riders. One driver left his personal stash of snacks with the rest of us. After a while it was down to two motorcycles and two riders. They were waiting on her mother to come get them. The SAG who donated the snacks also gave one of the riders a mylar blanket. That made a big difference.



These things are small, light, and will really make a difference in a situation like this. If the weather for your ride has even a small chance of rain and cold, take one of these along. The BAtB organizers did a great job of getting folks sheltered and off the course, but it still took time. At the least, you will stay relatively warm while you wait. At the most, it could save you from hypothermia.

This photo also shows the 'wall' we used for shelter. With winds at 50mph, the rain was horizontal. If not for that wall, the gazebo would not have offered any shelter at all.

Eventually, everyone was taken off the course and delivered to the finish line. As with most weather fronts, once the front passed through, the weather behind it started getting better, although the sun itself did not come back out until mid afternoon.

I hope everyone here made it home safely, and we can all do it again next year. Well, except for the rain part.