A Texas style motorcycle rally
Maverick - Nov 6, 2007

The first four days of November, 2007, marked the Lone Star Rally in South Texas. The Lone Star Rally is the motorcycling world for motorcycle enthusiasts as hosted by Galveston and metro region surrounding Houston. 

 

As advertised, the Lone Star Rally had bands and entertainment everywhere within earshot of The Strand, Harborside and the Dock, the Convention Center, and Seawall Blvd.  Having said that, no the bands were not everywhere, but they were easy to find and quite good!

 

There was an abundance of activities and entertainment at the Lone Star Rally…variety too.  They included Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s NASCAR demonstration, poker runs, motorcycle enthusiast related contests, instructional seminars, motorcycle racing, and salesmen demonstrating their products. In spirited fashion, 350+ vendors invited rally goers to hear them out and try the vendor’s version of “must have” motorcycles, gear, and accessories. 

 

Notably, customized motorcycles are increasingly refined and in good taste. The staff of Cycle Matters applaud the creativity and ingenuity of the custom bike builders on display at the Lone Star Rally.

 

Ride north to Seabrook, Texas and you can visit the Johnson Space Center and learn about a Saturn Rocket used to thrust the United States space program forward in the 1960s and 1970s.  The Space Center also hosted a Hot Air Balloon festival Saturday morning.

 

On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Cycle World’s International Motorcycle Show was set up at Reliant Center in Houston. There, motorcycle enthusiasts could saturate their curiosity for the latest and greatest new model motorcycles, accessories, and gear, offered by 18+ OEMs and multiple aftermarket manufacturers. 

 

It’s all entertainment!!

 

In the final analysis, the Lone Star Rally was a pleasure to be a part of. The weather was right, the air was fresh, and events and entertainment were ample. But, what sets this Rally apart from other rallies is South Texas, its tropical climate, its maritime atmosphere, and the number and quality of dining establishments. 

 

The Lone Star Rally was fun, relaxing, educational and nurturing. Yes, I will return.

 

I would not dispute regional law enforcement spokespersons’ reports that the Lone Star Rally was a relatively calm and safe rally. 

 

However, we witnessed a serious motorcycle accident. At an intersection in Galveston, an automobile entered a motorcycle’s path of travel, from the motorcyclist’s left side, resulting in the motorcycle impacting the automobile’s right front. The helmetless motorcyclist was launched into the air, landing approximately 45 feet beyond the point of impact. The rider’s nephew was following on another motorcycle and was able to stop his motorcycle in the intersection. The rider laid face down and motionless.

 

With appropriate preparation and training, we responded to the emergency by summoning emergency response personnel, managing the scene, and supporting others involved. A firefighter (also a motorcyclist), was on the scene in 1 minute and emergency response personnel were on the scene in 3 minutes. The motorcyclist was in good hands.

 

Such an experience provides a passionate motorcyclist with enough mental anguish and stimulation for processing with friends and family for weeks and possibly months into the future. 

 

My psych was inundated with questions!  Questions like: What happened? What went wrong? Why did the automobile operator pull into his path of travel? Did the motorcycle’s systems perform properly? Did the Rally’s host city citizens realize that the addition of 300,000 plus (over 5 times greater than Galveston’s population. Source Galveston Chamber of Commerce) motorcyclists over a 4 day period would change traffic dynamics that must be accommodated?  Could it have been avoided?  Would wearing a helmet have made a difference?  Was the motorcycle rider driving too fast?  Who is the rider’s family? Who will communicate with them and support them?  Will the traumatized nephew riding with him be okay?  Can other motorcyclists, and other vehicle operators, learn anything from this accident that will prevent accidents in the future? These questions are just the beginning of the many questions that continue to surface in the minutes, hours, and days following this tragedy.

 

When motorcyclists and other vehicle operators drive onto a roadway, all of them must be mentally and physically prepared to manage the inherent risks created by the speed, power and weight of vehicles, road conditions, traffic management equipment and signage, weather conditions, daytime and night time, and more. Add to this the fact that vehicles of all sizes and capacities are, from time to time, coming and going in an infinite number of directions relative to each vehicle. Add to this the many potential distractions for vehicle operators; e.g., cell phone use, other passengers, eating while driving, and various forms of grooming that consume attention. Motorcyclists and other vehicle operators cannot deny that risks exist. All of these elements must be managed…by vehicle operators at all times.

 

Vehicle operators cannot make mistakes nor can mistakes be written off with a shoulder shrug as if to say; “oh well!” It may be too little, too late!

 

Vehicle operators must anticipate the possibilities on the roadway ahead and they must exercise caution sufficient to accommodate all risk possibilities. Only then will such tragedies involving motorcycles and other vehicles be avoided. 

 

The staff of Cycle Matters is interested in your comments about the content of this article. If you are already a member of Cycle Matters, click on “Comment” at the end of this article to add your comments. If you attended the Lone Star Rally, share your experiences and observations.

 

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