It was the weekend of September 13, beginning with the dawn of Friday morning, and little did I realize it was Friday the 13th—a date synonymous with superstition and adventure. What started as a simple journey to attend a good friend’s promotion ceremony to Chief Warrant Officer III in the Texas Army National Guard on Saturday afternoon quickly evolved into a saga of epic proportions.
On my Steel Horse, 2012 Triumph Rocket III Roadster, determined to make the most of my journey, I embarked on the Easy Rider Long Distance ride, setting my sights on logging 20 foreign-named cities or towns in Texas. By the end of this leg, I had triumphantly ticked off 5 out of the 20 in a single ride. The sense of accomplishment was exhilarating, yet the adventure was far from over.
Sunday arrived, and with it, the promise of another thrilling ride. My second cousin and I set out to conquer the legendary “Three Twisted Sisters” in Texas Hill Country. The twists and turns of the road were no match for our determination and skill, and we rode with the ferocity and camaraderie that defines true Road Warriors.
Tales of the Road Warrior: The Castle Rock Chronicles
When my family and I resided in the rugged terrain of Castle Rock, Colorado, my duty as a Soldier at the Joint Forces Headquarters in Camp Mabry, Austin, Texas, called me south once a month. Little did I know the power that the road held over me until I embarked on this relentless odyssey, covering the vast expanse from Castle Rock to Austin in a span of 21 grueling hours across three epic quests.
Riding my 2001 Suzuki Intruder 800, a beast with the heart of a warrior yet limited to 100 miles before hitting reserve, I was ever prepared, carrying extra fuel like a true road soldier. Despite my preparation, the road tested my resolve, running me dry once and threatening a second time. This had never happened to me before, but these quests were unlike any other.
On one such quest, exhaustion gripped me so tightly that I found myself driving with eyes closed for fleeting, dangerous moments. Recognizing the peril, I pulled over at a truck stop, seeking refuge behind a dumpster. With my head and back resting on my pack, boots propped on my bars, and blade in hand, I claimed a few precious moments of sleep in the cold embrace of the night.
These journeys forged me into a true odyssey, a rider of the roads with tales etched in the annals of adventure. As a retired Chief Warrant Officer III from the Texas Army National Guard, my passion for riding has only grown stronger. With more time to pursue these epic quests, you’ll be hearing more from me—sharing the triumphs, trials, and tales of a life lived on the edge.
Among my conquests is the legendary SaddleSore 1000, a feat shadowed by the demands of deployment and the hustle of civilian life, preventing me from submitting my proof of triumph. Yet, my thirst for challenges remains unquenched. My passions lie in motorcycle adventures, graphic design, football, and collecting relics of my journeys.
My future quests are set on legendary paths: conquering the mythical “Tail of the Dragon,” and joining iconic rallies such as the Lone Star Rally, The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, and Bikes Blues and BBQ in the year of my Lord 2025.
With every ride, I aim to create and immortalize the tales of my epic journeys, forging a legacy that resonates with the spirit of the riders. Ride on, brave souls, for the road beckons and our stories are far from over, for our adventures have only just begun.
Texas Coyote
Douglas Letz (retired)
2012 Triumph Rocket III Roadster
2001 Suzuki Intruder 800 (retired)
