Help me plan a trip in June to Texas

[atypical1]

OK, so I am going to head out to the STN national meet in early June this year. On my way back home I was planning on going through southern Texas (along the border). My only experience with Texas so far has been on the major freeways cutting through the state and Fort Worth when I travel there on business.

My goal this trip is to get a feel for "Americana" and small town Texas in particular. I want to avoid the superslab at all cost. That being said I was also hoping to catch some great roads while I am there. Will this route help me accomplish my goal? Any "must see" roads on this route?

[Fred]

Unless you just gotta go that far south, I'd recommend cutting across to Kerrville, then take 16 south to Medina and pick up the "three sisters" 335, 336, and 337 then angle over through Big Bend and ride FM 170 along the border...

There are a lotta great roads in the Hill Country, so you'll get some first class recommendations.

[cruisin]

ditto on hitting the hill country.  Like Fred pointed out, unless you just "have" to go that far south, cutting west on 29 from Georgetown to Burnet will get you close enough to Marble Falls to justify a little jaunt south to get pie at the Bluebonnet cafe.  From there you could either go back north and take 29 on into Llano then pick up 16 south to Medina and the three sisters or you could go on south to 71 and back up near Llano and pick up 16 south.  Might also be worth the ride farther south to Big Bend and check out the Marfa lights phenomenon one evening while in the area.

[rocketbunny]

Agree with those above.

I might suggest skipping US285 south of I10. Instead, take 118 from I10 to Alpine and pick up 90 there. You won't regret it.

Unless you just have to go that far south, take FM674 (from Bracketville) into the Hill Country and enjoy some of the best riding (sadly) that Texas has to offer.

This will get you through plenty of small town Texas without gratuitous boredom.

[atypical1]

Thanks a million everyone! I am working on my route as I type this. I appreciate the recommendations.

james

[Bandera]

My goal this trip is to get a feel for "Americana" and small town Texas in particular. [

 I strongly suggest doing the Big Bend Nat'l Park loop from Alpine through BBNP and up to Marathon to pick up Hwy 90. If you want a feel for how West Texas's economy has up and blown away stay in Sanderson, a once thriving railroad town East of Marathon. The "Outback Oasis Motel" is a properly cultural experience, unless you mind the Live local Herpetology exhibits in the office.

Don't miss the overlook of the Pecos river just east of Langtry, hell don't miss Langtry, the ghost of Judge Roy Bean abides.

Stay away from the border towns and head North to Vanderpool/Leakey at Uvalde. Agree w/ R-Bunny and others, to miss the Hill Country is to miss an essential Republic riding experience.

In early June it will be Flippin'/Flyin'/Flapiin'/F-ckin'/HOT. Be prepared.

Eat BBQ, drink Shiner and lot's of water at day's end.
Do Not ask for Perrier.


Regards,

-Bandera

[atypical1]

 I strongly suggest doing the Big Bend Nat'l Park loop from Alpine through BBNP and up to Marathon to pick up Hwy 90. If you want a feel for how West Texas's economy has up and blown away stay in Sanderson, a once thriving railroad town East of Marathon.

Don't miss the overlook of the Pecos river just east of Langtry, hell don't miss Langtry.

Stay away from the border towns and head North to Vanderpool/Leakey at Uvalde. Agree w/ R-Bunny and others, to miss the Hill Country is to miss an essential Republic riding experience.

In early June it will be Flippin'/Flyin'/Flapiin'/F-ckin'/HOT. Be prepared.

Eat BBQ, drink Shiner and lot's of water at day's end.


Regards,

-Bandera

More great recommendations. This is getting tougher to plan!

Thanks for the hydration tip. I am really used to the heat since I live in SoCal. We ride out to the desert a lot so it won't be a total shock to me but it is good to have a reminder!

james

[Nodaclu]

I appreciate all this info as well. I will likely be taking a similar trip in the May/June time frame. I'm scoping out Marble Falls, Fredericksburg, and San Antonio as future places to live. My job comes with me, so I just have to decide on the whole town/small city/big city thing.

I've only been through Texas once (1992) but it was a memorable one. I really want to get a feel for Texas in general, and see if it's a good fit.

I'm coming in from Vegas, so I'm definitely used to fu*kin' hot!  

[Orson]

go deep...

the roads in Mexico are better than you'd expect.

Monterrey - Chihuahua - Hermosillo - San Diego

 

[bluedogok]

More great recommendations. This is getting tougher to plan!

Thanks for the hydration tip. I am really used to the heat since I live in SoCal. We ride out to the desert a lot so it won't be a total shock to me but it is good to have a reminder!

james

The difference is that in this part of the state we have 40-60% humidity to go along with the 100+ temps, much different than the closer to desert like West Texas heat. I will go through a few refills on a large Camelbak on those type of days, but really the summer is my winter and I just don't ride as much. Last year was a very mild summer though, here in Austin I think we had one day over 100, the previous three years we had a bunch of them. It can be anywhere from the low 90's to 100+ that time of year but is generally worse around the beginning of July.

[atypical1]

go deep...

the roads in Mexico are better than you'd expect.

Monterrey - Chihuahua - Hermosillo - San Diego

 

Thought about that but I don't have time. I have spent time in Baja so am familiar with the roads. But, I need more time man!  

[Orson]

I'm just wonderin' if them lil' moons on the map are where you actually plan to stop.

If so, that might be one long-assed day in the saddle   mebbe 800 miles?

if'n it were me, I'd ferget about heading to Harlingen and all that traffic.

cut southwest from Corpus to Hebronville via Alice. There's a neat church in Hebronville, but not much else.

better yet is the advice to go thru the hill country to Big Bend. There's not much in south Texas other than nice beaches. Evidence of that is the hurricane that hit the coast just south of Kingsville about 10 years ago. The total amount of damage came to $1.98.  

[atypical1]

The moons actually don't mean too much on the map. I am not exactly sure how many miles I can get in a day on those roads. MS Streets and Trips plots out the stops and I need to update the parameters I use.

Looks like the coast is out and I will turn my attention to hill country instead!

james

[FJRmgm]

I wouldn't do the loop south of Laredo and back to Corpus - all the roads on the coastal plain on both sides of Corpus (south side is long, flat, windy and straight with not much scenery) will be flat and straight.

Plus, there is no reason to go to Harlingen unless you are an illegal immigrant.  Its an Ugly border town.

That entire area of South Texas is very boring compared to the hill country anywhere on either side of San Antonio.

I'd turn left (north) at Laredo and go up to Beeville to Goliad, which is the site of a bigger battle with more casualties than the Alamo - it will be a better ride in rolling farm/ranch country.

[Orson]

The moons actually don't mean too much on the map. I am not exactly sure how many miles I can get in a day on those roads. MS Streets and Trips plots out the stops and I need to update the parameters I use.

Looks like the coast is out and I will turn my attention to hill country instead!

james

In that case, from the northern-most moon near Franklin, Tx., head over to Round Rock. From Round Rock hook up with the road that goes west along the north shore of Lake Travis. FM 1422 I think it is. A real twist-fest, for a few miles, you might think yer back in California   That'll get you to Marble Falls and the aforementioned Bluebonnet Cafe.

From there head south on 16 to the three sisters, like cruisin suggested  

[rocketbunny]

In that case, from the northern-most moon near Franklin, Tx., head over to Round Rock. From Round Rock hook up with the road that goes west along the north shore of Lake Travis. FM 1422 1431 I think it is.

[atypical1]

Excellent suggestions. It has taken me a bit of time to create the route as I have no idea of my Texas geography. But it is coming along slowly but surely. I really appreciate the help.

james

[Motophoria]

Do not miss the River Road (170) from Presidio to Lajitas and Big Bend National Park.  Then I'd avoid the border altogether and head over to the Hill Country and Leakey for 335, 336 and 337.  Maybe up toward Austin and East to Lockhart for BBQ...then on east from there...Pick up some back issues of Ride Texas Magazine...they'll have the 10 best listed in one of em...(Roads, Food, Places to stay, Bike shops, etc...)  Have fun and watch out for deer and exotic animals (kangaroos and such...I'm not kidding...) crossing the road...