Southwest Texas?

[r1150rider]

I might be ridin' down to the Corpus Christi area from Long Beach, CA in the next couple of weeks. It's about 1500 miles, and I'm thinkin' about doing a "BunBurner Gold", which is 1500 miles within 24 hours.

So, I'm wondering if y'all would recommend just continuing on I-10 to San Antonio, and take 37 on down to the coast? Is there a good time of day to ride through SA to avoid traffic? Or, would there be a better route?

On the way back, I'm thinkin' it might be fun to work my way over to Eagle Pass and then up 277 and 90, picking up the 10 at Van Horn. I'll only have about 4 days for this trip, and part of that will be to inspect and sea trial a boat that I might buy for the business.

Any advice would be appreciated, especially regarding "speed traps" which I've heard Texas is famous for...

[GypsyRR]

I'm making you a map, Ed. You don't want to go through San Antonio or Austin. You need to travel at least 40 miles outside of the cities or the traffic will really get to you. Both cities have grown so fast that the major routes through them are constantly jammed. It's easy to skirt them. Hang on and I'll send you a map that will skirt SA and Austin and will let you ride the TX Hill Country as well - not adding any significant time to your trip..... except that you will want to do it again and again and again. Map coming soon.

[r1150rider]

Mucho Thanks, Gypsy... I was hoping you'd see my post, no doubt there are others here who will have good info as well, but I had a hunch you'd be able to steer me right! And, uh, left...

[GypsyRR]

Ed:

I'm having trouble with one of my map programs and photo programs and gmail, but maybe when you try the map link, it will decide to work. The first link is an interactive map you can check out with options on routes around San Antonio to CC.

Hill Country to Corpus
http://www.communitywalk.com/corpus_chr ... map/119995

AND another Hill Country map:
http://www.communitywalk.com/texas_hill ... /map/83569

And here is an easy download of routes you MUST ride while passing through the Texas Hill Country. The Twisted Sisters are nice roads. Most people choose them and forget that 55 is a nice clean well laid out road with sweepers. And my favorite road is a little known road outside of Comfort, TX called Old San Antonia Rd (or Old #9, or Old Fred - many roads and highways in Texas have at least 3 names so that we can confuse folks who are not from here). Take Old San Antone road to Grapetown Rd and go East on it into Luckenbach, Tx. I gave you plenty of options to choose and none of these will delay you much because you can pretty well go as fast as the road will let you. The speed traps are on the highways. I rarely see police on these motorcycle roads. However, if it is a weekend they will probably be cruising 337 around Leakey (be sure you don't pronounce it the way it is spelled or they will put you in jail. Pronounce it "Lake-ee") I'm going to be out there June 1-3, so I'll check the roads to see if any construction might be going on which would delay you.
http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p319 ... good20.jpg

And if the interactive map did not work for you, here are some photos of my last ride through the hill country, but it was during a flood so 2 of the 3 sisters were closed because of high water. A report in the Great Rides section about it (My Ride Through Hell)

http://s131.photobucket.com/albums/p319 ... 20Country/

[RBrider]

You ought to talk to SOCALROB too. He's done the ironbutt from LA to Alpine Texas . He might have some good tips. Including getting out of triple digit speeding tickets in Texas.

RB

[r1150rider]

DANG, Gypsy!! Thank you so much!! I had originally thought about doing the ride down there all in one day, but then I realized that would be turning something I love (ridin') into a task. And seeing your maps has just confirmed that I need to extend my trip by at least a day, that would allow me to spend a day (in each direction) "playin' pacman" with the routes you laid out on the maps.

At this point, I'm waiting for more images of the boat to be sent so that I can decide if it's worth the trip, should have those by Tuesday. The bike is all prepped (and I'm sure ready!) and if I do this trip I might very well be in the area when you are. At the very least, I owe ya lunch or dinner...

And even if it turns out that I don't go, I know I'll be riding there sometime in the future, I've heard a lot about the hill country and for some reason did not connect in my pea-brain that it was so close to where I'd be going. I've ridden most of the western states, and was planning to get up into Washington and Canada this fall, but if I don't get down to TX now I may just head that way after Labor Day. Generally speaking, how's the weather in September?

Again, thank you so much...

[GypsyRR]

. Generally speaking, how's the weather in September?
.

Generally speaking.............. it is still hot. high 80's and 90's. But the humidity is not as bad in the hill country. Kind of dry actually, compared to where I live.

Here is the web address to see the map photo I tried to link to earlier and a copy of it below. Maybe one of them will be big enough to see the road numbers and the names of towns.
http://picasaweb.google.com/gypsyrr/Maps

Maybe the photo below will be large enough for you to see the towns/road names.

Caveat: I've not ridden the roads I mapped south of Devine, Tx, so you may want to choose a different route, but looking on the map they look good. You won't find many speed traps on these back roads and not much traffic.

On 336 in the Hill country - it is open range so watch for cattle guards and horses or cattle in the middle of the road. It is, however, my favorite of the twisted sisters. 335 and 336 are less ridden than 337. And if you had a GS, or you were ChiTown, you would never leave the area. The dirt roads out there are eternal. In the area of Leakey - you will also find about 5 different spring fed cold clear rivers running - with probably a lot of people swimming in them and partying on them as they float in inner tubes down the rivers - usually south of Leakey into Garner State Park (a Texas Legend). It can get really crazy in Leakey in the summer.




I have to tell you this story. The people in the hill country are so friendly. I rented a cabin a couple of times there in the past 2 years and the lady I rented from knew I rode a motorcycle. So last weekend I got a message on my phone from her. I barely know her. She said she had heard that a woman riding a motorcycle on FM 337 was killed that week and so she was calling to make sure it wasn't me because she was concerned for me. How kind is that? (Texas kind!). I hope you experience the same type of treatment from the folks around there.

[NoRRmad]

(Taking notes.)

[GypsyRR]

Ed - (and anyone else thinking of coming to the TX Hill Country)

Since you've added a day or two, then do more than just FM 335, 336 and 337. And if you decide to make it a longer trip at a later date, I thought these extra (and maybe redundant) notes might help.

June-August are almost unbearable for riding all day, but I've done it many times. The lightest gear you have is what you will want. And if you have some kind of cooling vest, that will help. Much hydration is a necessity. MUCH hydration. Seriously. I used a camelbak last summer.

Late Sept - December are very nice for riding in Texas. And March - May are pretty nice too. You can do it in the summer, but just be prepared for heat.

Tar Snakes on these roads are frequent and in the heat of the day they are very slick.

Near Kerrville:
39 and 1340 are nice roads. Shaded, narrow, dips, rolling - but watch for pedestrians walking to the river front. 1340 will afford some nice views and crossings of the Guadalupe River (and swimmers).
Sliding on the Ingram Dam which is between Hunt and Kerrville is a lot of fun (not on your bike though). Stop and get a snack at the Dam Store and watch the dam sliders.

Camp Wood - I can't say enough about the sweet people in this town. It is not as 'touristy' as Leakey, so it just seems a bit friendlier. I'll buy some land on the Nueces River there one day. Mystery surrounds one of the prominent locals there, but I must not speak of it. However, one of the locals I met there in March has been married 21 times. Seriously. I met his 21st wife (she is his 21st and 22nd actually), and the preacher who married them was standing nearby at the river where I was chatting with them, and he confirmed the story as true. But more mysteries than that abound in Camp Wood.

Leakey(remember to pronounce it correctly) - Leakey is the motorcycle mecca of Texas at the moment. The Rio Frio runs through here and Garner State Park is just south of Leakey. It is a virtual party on the river almost every day in the summer - but more so on the weekends. All sorts of beverages from mild to not mild and all sorts of other mind altering objects are passed freely even among strangers on this river as they float down it in inner tubes. It has sort of lost that "family" appeal over the past five years or so. But if you are not looking for family appeal, then the Frio River is the place to be on the weekend. Garner State Park is more family friendly. It's a Texas tradition to grow up going there in the summer and attending the nightly outdoor dances. Better know how to two-step though. There are so many transplants in Texas now though, so many of them do not realize this rite of passage for every young Texan.

Get the onion rings at the Eagles Nest on 83 south of Leakey before FM1050.

Vanderpool - On 187 north of FM 337 is a motorcycle museum.

Utopia - the name says it all. I love this little town and the Lost Maples Cafe is always good. Even though they open early in the a.m. for breakfast, the OPEN sign is not turned over until the Justice of the Peace saunters in there in his cowboy boots and white hat and turns the CLOSED sign to OPEN himself when he is ready for breakfast. If you don't pass through there at a meal time, then at least stop for pie.

Bracketville - south of Camp Wood is where they filmed The Alamo with John Wayne. FM 674 and FM 334 are nice roads. Look at the pics on my interactive map on those roads.

Medina - 16 from Bandera (Cowboy Capital of the Word, well probably just Texas) to Medina is a pretty ride with big shady Oaks.

2828 off of 16 to 173 and then up to 480 to Comfort is a nice ride along a ridge with big sweepers and large ranches and nice homes. An easy but enjoyable ride.

Old San Antonio Road (Old #9, Old Tunnel, Old Fred)
I've heard of many people losing bikes in the turns on this road and many more who 'almost lost it'. Be careful. The road has a lot of dips and quick sharp turns and blind areas. AND if it is a weekend you may find bicyclist who seem to have gotten the attitude that they own the road lately. Hmmmm

I've not ridden, nor traveled extensively west of Brackettville or Camp Wood, so someone else will have to help you with roads out that way. I do plan to take a trip to Big Bend soon however. Maybe this fall.

I guess it is obvious I have Texas in my blood. I'll need a transfusion if I ever leave.

[taosports]

I think GypsyRR needs to host the next Bash

Are the pigs flying in your neck of the woods Gypsy?

[MIXR]

I see a new career - Tour guide manager specialising in motorcycle trips. That's an amazing write-up Gypsy. We could use someone like you in our Ulysses Branch. Our guys can rarely get lunch sorted out, let-alone the route to get there!

[GypsyRR]

I think GypsyRR needs to host the next Bash

Are the pigs flying in your neck of the woods Gypsy?

Not yet, Michael. And I still haven't received my private invitation to a small select gathering of sophisticated and genteel BMW riders either. In fact, I'm still searching for that intangible group.

And this is not a good sign either.
"When pigs fly and armadillos can cross the road without being hit"




MIXR:
I think you're on to something - I could guide on rivers and roads!
Gypsy's River & Road Trips. Ride in the cooler hours of the day, and then be in the rivers fishing in the heat of the day!

But, I've done the tour guide thing briefly when I was younger, and it didin't go so well. I lost a senile old woman in Rome and then had a crazy man try to swim out to sea to rescue people from a burning ship in the Aegean Sea. I wasn't a real guide though and I was only 20, so it's no wonder I had those problems. It's probably best if I keep my regular job for now.

[r1150rider]

Hokey Smokes, Gypsy! One might get the impression that you're somewhat fond of riding in the hill country! Thank you for all the info, I'm still waiting for the images of the boat and even with the heat/humidity factor I'm hopin' to head that way this week. And if not, well, September is my favorite time to ride and it sounds like the weather is less intense then as well.

The lightest gear I have is a fully-perf'd Vanson, and I have a Camelback that is truly a wonderful thing on a hot day. I appreciate the heads up on the tar snakes, I hate those things but they're everywhere, it seems. I gotta tell ya, I love the story about the lady who had rented you the cabin calling to check on your well-being... amazing, and wonderful!

Not yet, Michael. And I still haven't received my private invitation to a small select gathering of sophisticated and genteel BMW riders either. In fact, I'm still searching for that intangible group.

Well, I don't know about "sophisticated and genteel", but the members of this forum strike me as gentlemen (and ladies) and I think I speak for all of them when I say this forum is enriched by your presence...

[wncbmw]

Armadillos - possums with armour! Doesn't look like it does them any good!

[GypsyRR]

Or he's just "playin' possum". Stupid armadillo!

[Boxer]

The Little Armored One

*Armadillos (mainly Dayspus) make common roadkill due to their habit of jumping to about fender height when startled (such as by an oncoming car). Wikipedia



*Four young are born in a den or chamber at the end of the burrow. The young are always of the same sex and are identical quadruplets.Answers.com

[r1150rider]

Okay, it's official... I'm not headed for Texas anytime soon. But I sure appreciate the advice and maps, and I'm thinkin' it would make a better destination in the fall than Canada. Still want to get up into Washington and Canada, but it would prob'ly be better to do that ride in the summer...

Gypsy, I hope you're havin' a good weekend ridin' around the Hill Country, I expect to be down that way in September (armed with your maps!)