Tour Update
Newsletter
February 1, 2022
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Andy Wins Chopper
Article provided by Andrew Cole
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The 2021 Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas (MCGTTX) was my first officially completed rally. Well not really a rally I guess, as they call it a tour. Regardless, I loved it. The timing couldn’t have been better, as I had already planned to take a motorcycle riding vacation in Texas.
I planned to collect more stops than I did. But, I had some issues with my chain. Since I had enough stops to qualify as a finisher, I decided to head home.
I found the MCGTTX on Facebook, through one of the long distance riding groups I follow. Fascinated with the miles these people put down in a day, I’ve read every book published about rally riding and the Iron Butt Rally. I know I will never be that caliber of rider. Being an "at your own pace" type of rally (which to me is better as it gives me more time to enjoy the scenery), the MCGTTX is perfect.
It was also on one of these Facebook groups where I found and started following Paul Pelland, aka Long Haul Paul as he’s known in the long distance riding crowd. Paul has multiple sclerosis and is attempting to ride a million miles to raise money for his charity. To date he is just over 440,000 miles. He’s done this on multiple bikes. In the spring of 2021, with some help from friends & sponsors, he planned to ride a custom 2020 Yamaha Bolt chopper coast to coast in 50 hours. He planned to sell raffle tickets along the way for the bike, with the drawing to be held in November. You can read about Paul at this link https://www.longhaulpaul.com/ and about the chopper at this link https://www.longhaulpaul.com/nutonabolt/.
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I have a sister-in-law with MS, so it felt like it was a cause I should donate to. I didn’t care about winning the chopper, I just like to donate when I can to worthy causes. This one hit really close to home.
Life was a bit hectic in 2021 for me, I had the MCGTTX in early April, a ride to Mt. Rushmore planned in July, we were buying a house, I had a ride planned for the Blue Ridge Parkway and I had to demo old flooring, clean, paint & lay flooring in the new house. When the tickets arrived, I didn’t think much of it, stuck them on the side of the refrigerator and promptly forgot about them for months.
Fast forward to November 21st. My wife and I had just gotten home from attending my niece’s wedding in Dodge City, KS. I was standing in the kitchen looking at Facebook on my phone and my wife was unpacking in our bedroom when I came across the video of the drawing for the choppers.
Apparently, I made quite a commotion when I heard Paul read the ticket with my name on it. My wife came out to see what all the fuss was about. I watched that video 3 more times, just to make sure I was hearing it correctly. He emailed me his phone number. When I called, he congratulated me and we set-up delivery plans. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to be here when it was delivered. It was right before Thanksgiving and he needed a break. MS is very taxing on the body. With the miles he puts down in a year, I don’t know how he does it.
I’ve only ridden the chopper around the block twice. As soon as I got it, I knew what I was going to do with it. Bright and early on January 1, 2022, I registered to be a part of MCGTTX 2022 and I will be riding the chopper! There are a few upgrades happening (namely that abysmal seat & the burn your leg exhaust), so it won’t be exactly how Paul rode. But, it will still be the same bike and will still be wearing most of the stickers (I took the sponsor names off).
I hope to see y'all out collecting points this year. Don’t hesitate to say hello if you see me.
Good Luck to everyone in the 2022 Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas.
Andy
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Please do not reply to this newsletter email. Instead, use the " Contact Tour Director" button, if you have a question. Thank you. |
I'm working on a phone application that tour riders can use while on the road. It will not have all of the information that the full website has. However, it will allow riders to quickly access the Picture Submission Portal (PSP), the 2022 Tour Stop Descriptions, find Lodging Sponsors, find Lone Star Rider, and contact the Tour Director. Look for more details in the next issue of this newsletter. |
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Tour Registration Closes
on February 28, 2022
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The tour rules are pretty straightforward and simple. There are a few rule changes for the 2022 tour. One major change involves what to do if you lose your tour flag.
Thank you to the 99.99% of 2021 tour riders who abided by the rules and communicated with me in a friendly and cordial manner.
Let's have a fun and safe 2022 tour.
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The Motorcycle Grand Tour of Texas tour is chartered by the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA). The AMA's mission is to promote the motorcycle lifestyle and protect the future of motorcycling.
Riders on the tour do not have to be members of the AMA. However, there are benefits to membership. They are highlighted at the bottom of this newsletter.
If you registered prior to January 18th, please click the button below to complete the AMA waiver for the tour.
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The pdf document on the tour stops page is not meant to replace the information on that page. Be sure to click the tour stop names on the tour stops page to go to links that will help you find the locations of the stops. You can use the pdf document to check that the picture on the pdf reflects where you are at when you make a tour stop. You can print it out and make notes on it. You may want to keep it in your saddlebag.
NOTE: Latest version updated on Jan 21, 2022.
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Be sure to save the following dates on your calendar for these events.
February 28 - Last Day to Register
March - Tour flags to be mailed to registered riders during the moth of March.
March 26 - Texas Sidecar Company will hold their annual Open House from 10 am to 2 pm in Donie, TX. Owner Kent Silk held an outstanding open house last year. It was great to see so many tour riders attend. Come on out and see his shop and meet fellow tour riders.
April 9 - Lone Star Rider fund raising event for the American Diabetes Association at the Hill Country Motorheads Motorcycle Museum in Burnet, TX.
October 1 - Run with the Big Dogs fund raising event for Veterans Assistance Dogs of Texas in Kerrville, TX.
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We have some great tour sponsors in the lodging business. Click the button below to check their rates and availability.
While not a sponsor, the YO Ranch Hotel will be the host hotel for our event in October.
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Have a question about the tour? Be sure to check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) web page with the button below. If not answered there, you can also contact me at the Contact Tour Director button. |
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Small businesses (like our sponsors) employ Texans. If you can, buy from a Texas based small business and help keep fellow Texans employed in these challenging times. On-line ordering for merchandise, gift cards, future lodging, etc. is often an option. |
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BENEFITS OF JOINING THE AMERICAN MOTORCYCLIST ASSOCIATION INCLUDE:
• 12 issues of American Motorcyclist Magazine
• The AMA Extra E-Mail Newsletter
• Access to the AMA website's Member-Only Content/Classifieds
• More than 1,200 local clubs and thousands of events
• Optional Roadside Assistance program
• Exciting Tour Rider packages from around the world
• AMA Sports and AMA Pro Racing sanctioned programs for all ages and skill levels–from beginner to professional
• Discount admission to the Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum And More!
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