2008 Region 2 Meet - Alpine, TX - 4/11 - 4/13

[Kwixtar]

The DFW local BMW club toured Big Bend area last fall and here are some pics if interested.

http://bmwdfw.org/bigbend/index2.html

[soonerstan56]

Rabidsnipe,we made reservations at the Motel 6 at exit #282 in Abilene today. I don't know anything about the area or if it is a good motel.
The rate was $36.99 + tax, was cheap enough for us for a one night flop and they said they'd leave the light on for us.
As we get closer to time we can get together on riding down together.
I have Thursday off but the other two riders may have to work 1/2 a day also. They can probably adjust their work schedules so we can time our departure.

Soonerstan  

[Larrypv]

and do we need passports to get into Texas?

Apparently not....

if you enter through the southern part of the state.

[Rabidsnipe]

Stan,
I got my room reserved at the same Motel 6 (check-in April 10, check-out April 11).  My dad will probably be making his reservation tonight.  Give a shout the closer the date gets and we'll put our minds together to generate the best possible route between here and Abilene    

[Rob_S]

Looks like I'll be making the trip.  I'll be camping in Alpine with the usual crew.

rob

[FJRmgm]

just made the reservations at the Alpine Inn - see you there.

[Rabidsnipe]

16 confirmed so far with my dad and his gf!!! Woh hoo!!!!  That's almost double last year!!!

[Kwixtar]

Big Bend area is a busy place in the spring. See this site:
http://www.bogriffinrides.com/html/bmwbigbend.htm

[Rocket_Cowboy]

Big Bend area is a busy place in the spring. See this site:
http://www.bogriffinrides.com/html/bmwbigbend.htm

Yup, Bo is leading our local group out to Big Bend that first weekend in March. The BMWST guys are heading out the second weekend in March. Then this group is heading out the second weekend in April. I've never been to Big Bend before, but by the time June will have rolled around, I'll be able to say I've been there almost a half dozen times. and I'm ok with that.

[Kwixtar]

By the way I noticed that The Triumph truck will be back at Eurosport April 18, 19 and 20.
I want to ride the RocketIII.
A pic from 2006:  http://valentine.phanfare.com/album/39762/194210

[bikerider]

Looks like the anti fun squad will be out in force during our visit:

http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25416

[tjbrandt50]

I moved my reservation up to a Thursday arrival.  I had planned on doing both this and the COG trip in March, but somebody got such a good room rate for us (better than COG!!!  ) that I think this will be a good way for me to go.  Pro'ly still head out to Hill Country-Lost Maples camping end of March for COG event that weekend.

Think there will be two or three other Houston area riders heading out with me Thurday AM, dark-thirty.  Current plan is to come home Sunday.  If you get there Thursday and are looking for dinner company, look for a guy in a dirty (unless it rains) red riding suit on a dark blue Concours.  Don't worry, it's just the riding suit that doesn't get washed.

Is it April yet??

[rocketbunny]

Ok. It's about time to start talking routes for Saturday.

A couple of options here.

Davis Mountains + River Road - 320 miles - Davis Mountains loop to Presidio for lunch, to 170 along the Rio Grande. Return to Alpine via 118.

Or

Big Bend Park Tour - 311 miles - 118 to Big Bend Park, stops at Santa Elena Canyon, Main Visitor's Center, and Rio Grande Village (3 out and back rides, optional)

More ideas?

[bikerider]

I vote for option 1.

[Kwixtar]

I also vote for #1, I haven't been to LaJitas before. 320 miles, some windey roads, plenty of sightseeing stops, and lots-0-bears out, that should take us the better part of the day.

[Kwixtar]

I am coming down on Thurday, camping at Marathon or Stillwell's ranch thursday nite, depending what time I arrive. I hate to set up camp at night. Breakfast will be at Heath Canyon Friday Am, lunch at Chisos Basin, and see ya'll for dinner in Alpine.

[rocketbunny]

I updated the list in the first post. I have breakfast on Saturday listed as 7:45. Do we want to set a time for ride start in case some don't want to make it to breakfast? I really want to make sure that those who want to ride with a group don't get left out.

Be sure to note the times of events like Saturday dinner. I know that some people forgot to bring the info with them to CSTN last year and missed out.

For my personal ride, I'm leaning toward Option 1. But not everyone will necessarily ride together, and some people may want to actually enter the park.

[Rabidsnipe]

Another vote for option #1.

I'll be arriving (along with some other Okies) mid day Friday.  Maybe get a chance to go check out these Davis Mountains!

[Kwixtar]

For those that prefer option 1, it is a good choice because you will see a lot of the Rio Grande River, LaJitas, Terlingua, and Study Butte. If you want to take a 50 mile detour from Study Butte and go into the park to the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive you will get closer to Casa Grande Peak (7325ft) for some good pictures.

[lobo10s]

Our group is headed to Alpine: See all of the details here: http://motoadrenaline.blogspot.com

Our group from North Texas is heading that way. So far we have as confirmed for the trip: Jerry, Vern & Shelly, Rob, Jackie and Bo. The jury is still out on the following; Dave & Traci, Pete, Herman and Paul.

We have decided to camp during our trip to Alpine. We will be staying at the Lost Alaskan RV Park. It is just down the road from the meet hotel. Vern, Shelly and myself will be loading up the bikes on the trailer and heading down that direction on the evening of April 9th. We will probably stay in Abilene that evening. The next day April 10th we will hit the road and travel the remaining 320 miles to Alpine. Rob has said he will probably meet us in Abilene that evening as he has the entire day off and we can't leave until after work. This means we will not get to Abilene until after dark. The rest of the gang will be riding up to Alpine on Thursday. By the time they get there, we hope to have the tent set up with the BBQ grill fired up and the margarita machine working overtime.

On Friday we will get up have breakfast and do the Big bend loop. This will be a 300+ mile day and should be a wonderful ride. I am hoping someone in our group has the route on GPS file already. If not I will make one up in a week or so. The loop should be something like the route below.

The next day (Saturday) I think we will do the Fort Davis loop and check out the observatory. This will be a short 140 mile day. This allows for people to relax on Saturday before the long ride home on Sunday. The route will look something like this.

Sunday morning we will get up pretty early and pack up camp and head back to Big D... Ugh! This should be a great trip. I have never been in that part of Texas and I am really looking forward to the weekend.