Massacre ends....



Rob Buvinghausen's ride. Rob owns Jackwagon Powder Coating in Hondo, Texas. That's powder coating folks. Check out his badass work out at www.jackwagoncoating.com

DATELINE GRAY COMPOUND, HONDO, TEXAS --- We have returned to the compound after four days of vending at the St. Valentine's Day Massacre in Hondo, Texas - hosted by Alamo City Gypsy Motorcycle Club and held at the Medina County Fairgrounds, just a few clicks from where we currently live. There are a few takeaways to share:

1. As a former crime reporter of more than 15 years who penned pieces on motorcycle clubs in Southern California, it was a heckuva lesson in how brothers roll in Texas. This state is Bandido territory through and through, which, if my research is accurate, means certain folks wearing "patches" or "colors" from other state groups must have an "OK" or some recognized, legitimate relationship with the Bandidos for things to be cool. So wandering the thoroughfare at this rally were guys who are full-blown Bandidos, or those in clubs sporting patches that have the acronym SYLB, Support Your Local Bandidos, or others with patches that state AMA, American Motorcycle Association, also recognized as "friendlies." Being part of a confederation of clubs also appears to be acceptable. Every customer we served, regardless of affiliation, was friendly and patient. All riders at some point need tires and oil and service - hopefully not the recovery trailer too often.

2. Just as it is in Colorado and Wyoming, wait a few minutes in Texas and the weather can change dramatically. Predicted sunny and 70 degrees for this year's Valentine's Massacre in Hondo, Texas was instead rainy, cold, foggy and just plain blah all day Saturday, the main day of the three-day event. That said, we changed a couple tires, serviced several other bikes, sold a few T-shirts and handed out a LOT OF quotes on our new bad-ass black shiny business cards.

3. Saw a couple vendors we met last season - Larry the pinstriper and our leather pal Earl from Ignacio, Colorado. Had the pleasure of meeting a nice local couple whose main business is running safaris in Africa; another gal who does amazing bike painting (full-time job is as a San Antonio city firefighter); Rob the powder coating genius; a former heavy load, over-size trucker chick who creates art pieces from railroad and ranching leftovers; and, so thanfulfully, Bill and Deb Gray were there to keep us upright and sorta sane.

4.   The dogs worked the thoroughfare well. We had excellent brisket tacos, shrimp po boys and gyros. The Christians kept us in hot coffee and others made meat and veggie soup. One couple brought us homemade gumbo.

Stay posted....more of Texas on the way....
Hol, Ding, Thumper, Bob, Army Blue Armadillo, four pink flamingos, Bonzi the tree and the Algona fly

Billy Gray, on right, working at camp.

More great powder coating.