[Chadleys1]

I started my 5 day adventure on a Wednesday in the Texas Hillcountry, near what used to be Lake Travis. I say "used to be" in reference to our current record breaking drought. Sonora Texas would be my destination.
The new 2014 Valkyrie had only about 600 miles on it when leaving.
I didn't buy the saddlebags with the Honda bonus money, so I just strapped everything to the grab bars on the passenger seat. That worked out OK, but I plan to alter this set up for the future. I never had to re-adjust or tighten straps at least.
This is my campsite as I woke up in Sonora TX Thursday morning.

 

[Chadleys1]

I took a pic on the side of the road, feeling a little bit giddy, and very pleased with the new bike. ...looking pretty crazy here haha

 

[Chadleys1]

Sonora Texas had the coolest caverns to explore I'd ever seen. I'd say the caverns were as interesting as Carlsbad, but smaller and right in your face, instead of being wide open. The tour guide was as cute and nice as she could be. Here are some Sonora Caverns photos.

 

[Chadleys1]

I had met up with 2 good friends from Austin, and 4 buddies from New Mexico and Colorado in Sonora. The New Mexico guys we had met a few years back at the Sipapu BMW Motorcycle Rally. They have been coming down to Austin for the Moto GP and our Harvest Classic Rally in Luckenbach since. Between the 7 of us camped in Sonora, we had a really varied and interesting mix of bikes. The New Mexico guys shamed us with their cooking skills at the campgrounds. My two Austin friends and myself had eaten in Sonora at an excellent Tex Mex restaurant, I believe it was called Mama Chole's. They treated us very well, and we ate there again on the way out of Sonora. Here are Sonora camp photos

 

[Chadleys1]

 

[Chadleys1]

 

[Chadleys1]

Thursday after touring the caverns and eating lunch, we headed towards the Texas Hillcountry. The rest of the group was going on early to the Harvest Classic Rally in Luckenbach TX, to help with the set up and an extra night's camping. http://www.harvestclassic.org/
I split off from the group after a while and pointed the F6C towards Leakey Texas, home of the famous "3 Sisters" motorcycle roads, 335 336 & 337.
One of our old friends, Butch, runs a camp there in Leakey on the Frio River called Camp Liveoak, where I had planned to meet up with my brother and another old friend, after doing some scenic riding on the twisty "Sisters."
http://campliveoak.com/


I couldn't be more happy with the big F6C. I am in love with the power delivery, and the character of the engine. It is as tame and mannerly as you could ever want it to be if that is what you want, but ****, when you twist the throttle, the rush of power is flat out intoxicating... I really love the bike and was having a great time breaking it in. At this point I had not even run it at wide open throttle or much above 4000 rpms. I should also note how fun it was seeing people's reactions to me on the new Honda. They are used to seeing me on old beemers or a Harley or Buell, and this thing really had them confused... so fun.
Here are pics of the Leakey TX campsite and riding.

 

[Chadleys1]

Handling on the twisty rollercoaster roads around Leakey far surpassed what I expected. Getting to know the new machine was just super fun out here.

 

[Chadleys1]

I took a dip in the Frio River, surrounded by centuries old bald cypress trees... a really beautiful camp, here at LiveOak.

 

[Chadleys1]

More campfire and snoring... then headed to the big Harvest Classic for Friday and Saturday... Rode home Sunday tired and happy. I made a new best friend in the Goldwing Valkyrie, hope to keep her for many years. After the first ride, the changes I'd like to make in the future are pretty simple and predictable. Maybe I'll upgrade the seat, maybe not. A rack or saddlebags would help. I would have liked to have a little windscreen too. That will all be easy, and will come in due time. Thanks for reading this and looking at my pics... Mainly I posted this because I thought it would spark others to post, and I am interested to see what everyone else is doing with their new Valkyries.
I'll leave this post with a few pics from Harvest Classic Luckenbach.
Good riding to you all.
-Chadley

 

[Chadleys1]

Check out these two must see Harvest Classic Videos.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CftCxOW4L1Q


http://vimeo.com/104068490

 

[Jean-mi]

Shadleys1 thank you, it's very nice to share with us this great adventure. Beautiful photos!
Good road all

 

[Xyzzy]

Awesome pictures and write-up!

(Although there is a bear or something in 2 of those photos!)

 

[Chadleys1]

Thanks guys !
good one, Xyzzy haha.