2017 - LACE, GRACE & GEARS

The second annual Lace, Grace & Gears Rally was held in Bandera, TX September 27 - October 1, 2017. Bandera is generally a very dry area, however the skies opened for this event. My group rode from the Dallas/Fort Worth area down to Bandera on Thursday morning. We were doused with rain off an on the entire way. To wear rain gear or not to wear rain gear that was the question at each of our stops. We made it safely and without any incident with the group of seven bikes in our group. We had Chrome Angelz from Texas, Ohio and New Jersey in our group.

Our founder/national president of the Chrome Angelz R.C. International was scheduled to speak at the event on Thursday night. The rain slowed us down a little, but we got her there in time. There was a panel of women from various walks of life sharing their personal journey of what makes riding important to them. We had the opportunity to learn more about the charity our funds were helping. The event site was so incredibly muddy, we sank in the mud as we stood listening to the speakers. The Twin Elms staff did their best to keep the mud covered with hay, the parking staff handed out wooden blocks for bike kick stands, regardless of the weather a good time was still had. After the panel of speakers Chrome Angelz own, Bubbles the Biker Comedian took the stage to give us all some laughs and tell her "true stories" of life as a lady biker.

Friday presented us with more rain, all day long. We heard stories of ladies not making the trip because it was beyond their comfort zone to make the ride. Women riders, are if nothing, supportive of each other. Ride your own ride and ride within your limits of comfort and safety. We heard of a couple of minor incidents but I don't believe I ever heard anyone was seriously hurt. The rain kept many away, but the sad truth is, the Hurricanes that recently hit our coast lines kept more away, many of the ladies lost their bikes and so much more. To you ladies, our thoughts are still with you. Friday the rains began to subside and this brought the ladies out. The event site still extremely muddy it was easier to spend the day in town and those that participated were able to work on the scavenger hunt.

Not only did the rain clear for the parade on Saturday, but it actually got a little on the warm side, yep, typical Texas weather. The record wasn't broken, but if you've never seen 732 bikes gather in one spot and ride down a main street together, it's an amazing site. Even more amazing, to see that everyone of these 732 bikes were ridden by a woman rider, this is an awe inspiring site. Please find a video and watch it.

If you have never visited the Texas Hill Country before, put it on your bucket list. From Fredericksburg to Bandera and all points around there are some amazing motorcycle roads; after all the Three Sister aka the Twisted Sisters aka Three Twisted Sisters roads are really great roads to ride. Don't forget the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum in Vanderpool, The Bent Rim Grill in Leaky for your lunch while on the Sisters. Site seeing at Enchanted Rock and Luckenback, TX. Shopping in Fredericksburg, Bandera and all the other little towns. There are many places to rent cabins that are motorcycle friendly, great little motels and of course plenty of chain hotels.

My leather half chaps may never be the same again, but the friendships built, the ladies I met and the bonds of stronger sisterhood within my group and with new ladies met will never be forgotten. The experience makes you look forward to next year, to see those ladies you only personally connect with at LGG. To be among so many that all have a single thing in common. What an amazing experience!