rttrcoments.htm

Hi guys,
I say:
"Apache Pass" is one of the coolest venues that I've ever played. Beautiful scenery in a remote destination, with an expertly-run concert facility, and camping, too - what more could anyone ask for? It is a world class operation, and I can’t wait to return.

Respectfully yours,
Rick Derringer

As one of the volunteers of the RTTR that had some interest in the outcome of this awesome event I take my hat off to the people that attended this event . We could not have asked for a more friendly and respectful gathering of people that enjoy riding motorcycles, as I do . I tend to not call this event a" Biker Rally " but would rather reflect on this event as 3 days of great music and meeting some great people in what will soon be one of Texas's most premier outdoor venues , This venue " Apache Pass" is truly "Gods Country'" I have taken many people on a ride to Apache Pass prior to RTTR just to show them the beauty and the effort put forth by the Worley family as well as many friends and volunteers . The " Ride to the River " was a vision that I shared with these people and it surpassed all expectations . Our small group of people started out with a few of us sitting under the 200 year old pecans trees with a dream of bringing a couple of thousand of our friends to listen to some great Classic and Southern Rock and Roll ,hang out and show off there Harley's .It happened !!!!!!!!!! But the most important thing is that if all of our friends wouldn't have showed up and enjoyed themselves there would have not been a "Ride to the River" So I guess what Im saying is Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make RTTR happen but especially Thanks to all of our friends that came out from all over to party with us , So until next year " Keep the breeze on your knees and a Smile on your Face "

Good to see you. Enjoyed the whole thing. Impressed with your son nice kid well mannered, Looks a little like your dad. Very disappointed with the reporter coverage. I was looking forward to a big layout. The judges statement was longer than the papers story. They need to get it together.

Your get together could very well grow to something huge. I brought 20 people with me thinking it was going to be a lot less than it was. I could have brought 200 and probably will next year. Every thing I have heard about it has been good, so you can expect twice as many next year. Anyway, thanks for the good time. Looking forward to next year already................Gary Stewart

To Whom It May Concern: I attended the Ride to the River rally and had a marvelous time. Without a doubt the best rally I have ever attended. Not the biggest mind you but the best. This venue has to be one of the premier in the State. On another note I was pleasantly surprised to see the owners of the event out at the front gate Sunday morning thanking the people for attending. That will be remembered. Thanks and see ya next year B. Thompson Lagrange TX.

Just wanted to drop a line to let everyone there know what a great event the
Ride to the River was. I've been a volunteer & worked both the Dawgs on
Hawgs (at least until the new owner took over) & Hawgs or Texas rallies.
Yours was on par with both! The event location is absolutely beautiful! I'll
certainly be back next year or sooner if your going to have others. I live
about 2 mi from the H.O.T. event location & Apache Pass is only 40 minutes
away; how convenient. The ride to your location from Hwy 21 west of Caldwell
to Rockdale via CR 908 could (should) be promoted as a weekend ride. It's
curvy & hilly with pretty countryside; perfect for bike riders & of course
while they're at it, come by to see your location.

R. Reeves

Bikers already looking forward to 2007 ride
Dear editor,
My husband and I, and a few friends, came down to your neck of the woods Sept. 28-30 for the Ride to the River at Apache Pass.
We had an amazing time. The event was extremely well organized, the place is beautiful and we wanted to thank the surrounding communities for having us out.
We are looking forward with great anticipation to next year.
Kathryn Anderson
Fort Worth, Texas
cathrynspaz@yahoo.com

Missouri couple adds praise for Apache Pass
Dear editor,
My wife and I attended the Apache Pass “Ride to the River” event Sept. 28-30.
I want to express our appreciation for a truly great and extremely well organized event.
The music was excellent and the venue especially beautiful and well structured, and attended by a great and very well behaved group of people.
We look forward to returning next year.
Regards,
Bruce Phillips
president,
Distribution Control Systems, Inc.
945 Hornet Drive
Hazlewood, Missouri 63042-2338

Apache Pass eyed
as ‘top-notch’ venue
Dear editor,
Just wanted to let you know that the “Ride to the River” biker event at Apache Pass Sept. 28-30 was a well organized, trouble free, and fun time.
I have been to many biker rallies and benefit runs around this great country and I can honestly say that my fellow riders and I enjoyed ourselves as much or more as any biker-type event we have been to.
The staff was friendly, courteous, and helpful. They were all passionate about the venue and its success.
The security, while very visible, let folks have a great time. I attended from Thursday afternoon through Sunday morning and did not witness or hear of any problems.
The location is great and all the folks we met in Thorndale and Rockdale were receptive.
It was obvious that the event staff is committed to establishing the venue as a top-notch, one-of-a-kind place for outdoor entertainment.
I can only hope that the community continues to support what can surely become a major event, profitable and beneficial to all involved. We look forward to returning.
Dave Holmes
Carrier Commercial Service
1130 Rutherford Lane, Suite 100
Austin, TX 78753

‘Ride’ included music, even motorcycle church
Dear editor,
I had a great time during the Ride to the River at the Apache Pass River Theatre Sept. 28-30.
Kudos to the planners for hosting such a well-organized event in a lovely setting. Enjoyed the music and the audience.
Highlights included a barbecue sandwich from the Thorndale EMS and hillside sing-alongs to “Fire on the Mountain” with the Marshall Tucker Band and “Hang on, Sloopy” with Rick Derringer, who sang the original in the 1960s.
Iapplaud your community for supporting this well-run venue and welcoming such a diverse and well-behaved group of people.
A motorcycle ministry even held Sunday services before our ride out. Looking forward to next year.
Sincerely,
Denise Worhach
Austin, TX
rkaiser@austinrr.com

Will there be a picture link available? I have some pictures that I would
love to submit. My husband and I came out Friday evening and camped out
until Sunday morning. We, and the parties we were with, had a great time!
We will be there again next year. I loved the area, the weather was
perfect, the facilities were great, and the grounds were clean. We enjoyed
the entertainment too! Everything was wonderful!!
M. Davis

What an event! My friends and I had a great time. I personally want to thank you for the hospitality. The staff and organization were excellent and the property is beautiful. You and your staff thought of everything. My buddies were really impressed with the security presence, the truck water (dust control) and that you had trash pick up at the camp sites. You though of it all. We will make sure we write something to the newspapers about what a great and safe event it was. In fact Denise is a professional writer and I may have her to it.

Kit - My wife, Rosie, and I attended the Apache Pass “Ride to the River” event this past weekend – we were the guys hanging our with Ridge with the big RV, the big smoker, and the great music blaring. I want to express our appreciation for a truly great and extremely well organized event. The music was excellent and the venue especially beautiful and well structured, and attended by a great and very well behaved group of people. We look forward to returning next year! Thank you for the opportunity to come and for a great weekend!

Just wanted to say thanks again for letting us have the booth space at the Rally. Especially - putting us right up there in the middle of it all. What a great place for a Rally too !

Anyway - just wanted to say that we really appreciate the opportunity you provided for us to spread the word about what we do.

See ya down the road ...

Mark "Mapster" Lockerman

Pres, Bikers Against Child Abuse - Lost Pines

NEWS RLEASE
Milam County Judge
October 2, 2006

Milam County has passed a new mile marker on its travels down the road of progress. Some folks might not call it progress, but I would beg to differ. This was a first for Milam County, and could be the start of an annual event that brings people and their disposable income to the county.
I am talking about the Ride to the River event that was held over the weekend at Apache Pass. The "motorcycle rally" that was met with concern by a lot of folks in the county had been in the planning stage for some time. I have to say that all the planning definitely paid off for promoter Kit Worley.
A couple of weeks before the rally there was a permit hearing where Mr. Worley had to outline all of the plans and preparations that he had made to insure a first-rate event, and prevent problems for the county. After a forty-five minute hearing the permit was issued for the event.
I personally went out Friday afternoon and evening to check things out. I must say that I was extremely impressed with the professionalism and preparation that was shown by all persons involved in the event.
I would estimate that on Friday evening there were close to two-thousand persons already on the scene. "Scene" is certainly a good description of my impression of the event as a rookie to motorcycle rallies.
I know that a lot of folks hear motorcycle and immediately the vision of Easy Rider and gangs pop into mind. I can assure you that while many of the attendees that I saw had their Harley garb on they definitely were not the "gang" type. Folks of all ages were showing up in some really nice recreational vehicles. Many towed their motorcycles to the event behind these rigs. I would bet that some of the rigs with Harleys included would have exceeded a hundred thousand dollars in cost.
The event went off without a hitch, and brought dollars to many Milam County organizations. The local area Volunteer Fire Departments worked parking and the gate and also handled concessions. Not sure exactly what they took in total, but it was definitely worth their time. Child Protective Services will also be receiving some income from the event.
I referred to progress earlier and again while some might not call it progress it definitely is something new and different for the county, and after all you have to agree that progress is new and different.
The proximity of the county to areas of large population makes it an ideal recreational county for those nearby. As the local area population continues to swell more and more folks will be looking for something to do that doesn't include hours of driving to get there.
This event might not have made a major economical impact on the county overall, but it certainly brought some "new" money to the county in the form of gas, food and lodging receipts. Future events at the pass should do the same.
If you have not had the opportunity to visit Apache Pass it is located out on Farm to Market 908 between Rockdale and Thorndale. Some of the locals will know it as the Worley Bottom.
I talked about the use of local resources last week when discussing the proposed new coal fired power plant. This is another example of the use of our local county resources to bring dollars into the county. If you have the chance drive out to Apache Pass, take a look and I am sure that you too will be impressed with one of the county's newest economic endeavors.

Judge Summers;

My name is John James. I live in Grimes County. My wife, Sally, and I were volunteers for RTTR. Mr. Worley, event director Cliff Holder, and the other sponsors I now can say are friends. For several years when visiting Cliff's place upriver from the Worley Bottom, we would tube or canoe down the San Gabriel to Apache Pass. I thought what a beautiful place. When Mr. Worley began dreaming of a river theater, Sally and I supported the idea and offered to help all we could.

For nearly a year, the "team" worked towards the RIDE TO THE RIVER. As the event approached, our excitement grew. Sally and I ride a 2003 100 Year Anniversary Edition Harley Davidson Ultra Classic. We have attend several rallies in Texas; some we enjoyed, some we didn't. What made the difference for us can be summed up in a word, "Class." As we began having meetings to get ready for RTTR, I knew we were dealing with a group of people who had class and would promote a motorcycle rally with the same high moral standards.

This past week when Mrs. Linda Worley gave us our "Event Staff" t-shirts, I couldn't have been more proud. When the first RV's started arriving early in the week, we did our best to welcome them to what we knew would be a fun-filled weekend of beautiful motorcycles, interesting crafts, good music, fine food, and a family oriented festival. One of the tasks Mr.. Worley assigned to me was that of "Military Liaison". I was so proud when the Patriot Guard Riders showed up to set up camp and display their flags representing every branch of the service. I also had been communicating with many soldiers some while they were still in Iraq who would be home (Lord willing) for the rally.

I could go on and on, but I will close with a big THANK YOU for your encouraging words about RTTR. In my county, the Renaissance Festival started years ago with just a slight impact on our area. I don't need to even guess at how many millions of (new) dollars it now bring to Grimes County. RTTR and the other future events at Apache Pass will surely do the same for Milam County.

Sincerely;

Sally and John James

Volunteer; RTTR

Military Liaison; RTTR

What a blessing it was to be there and be apart of the River Run with you and staff. Everyone that I have spoken with say they really enjoyed it and will be back next year. You can count on the Tribe of Judah MM to be back next year ready for another great rally at Apache Pass...

Thank you for hosting such a perfect rally! It was so well-thought out,
that we are still shaking our heads in amazement. You took such care, that
we were really able to lay back, relax, enjoy some great music and ride the
bikes--we are still smilin! We camped for the three nights under the most
magnificent tree and hated to leave; the setting was just beautiful with
clean grounds and many amenities. We also were impressed with the city and
friendly folks of Rockdale where we had some good Mexican food, hit the
antique shops and were thankful for the supermarket. This rally is one we
are already planning on riding to next year--wouldn't miss it! Thanks again
and thank you in advance for getting that "first year" Ride to the River
rally pin and t-shirt to me.

L. Cooper
Leander, TX

‘Helmets off’ to town for Apache Pass event
Dear editor,
What a great motorcycle event (Sept. 28-30 at Apache Pass). We had the best time ever.
The site is just beautiful, the music was great and we were treated so well, it is amazing.
It was simply the best we have ever been to. We also enjoyed the city and the friendly people of Rockdale which had all we asked for—interesting antique shops, the complete super market and a good Mexican restaurant among
others.
We are sure there is lots more we did not have time to enjoy. We will be back next year and are spreading the word, although we hate to share it.
Our helmets are off to you!
Lynn Cooper
Phillip Good
lynncooper@cox.net

I was one of the many who attended the recent Ride to the River event at the Apache Pass River Theater. Having attended many similar events in several states, I want to pass on how enjoyable this one was and am hoping that you will share these comments with your readers.

I found the event itself very family oriented, and saw that the great time many children were having was never threatened by rude or improper behavior.

I truly appreciated being able to purchase food onsite and in doing so benefit the local volunteer fire departments instead of some corporate firm from Houston.

I particularly want to commend the local community for sharing the roads and hospitality that makes this area so pleasant to visit, and in turn be benefited by the infusion of funds brought in by an event like this.

"From The Judge's Chambers"
BY: Frank Summers
Milam County Judge