hppants
Well-known member
My good friend MikeP and I recently spent 5 days and 4 nights motorcycle camping in the Texas Hill Country. Mike rides a 2004 ST1300 and my 2005 FJR complements him nicely. We share similar riding styles and interest, which makes for a great bike trip. All told, it was just shy of 1500 miles, with about 700 of that on the big slab, about 300 of that on relatively straight rural highways, and the rest in the twisties. We had a couple of minor bike mechanical issues, which were taken in stride and handled without injury or major inconvenience. Not surprisingly, with our varied riding conditions, my fuel mileage fluctuated quite a bit on this trip, with a low of 39 mpg to a high of over 46 mpg.
Fall weather in the South can be unpredictable, so we went prepared for just about anything. Thankfully, we were blessed with lows from around 40 to 55ish, and highs from about 65 to 80ish. Skies were cloudy in the morning, giving way to full sunshine in the afternoon, and beautiful star viewing at night. On the last evening, we got what amounted to about 15 minutes of moderate rain, and otherwise we stayed perfectly dry. Every day and night, the wind howled at gust up to at least 25 mph. But for mid-November, I’ll take it.
MikeP has a habit of saying “Not Bad” when asked his opinion. A man of high standards and relatively few words, when I first met him, I didn’t know what Mike was actually thinking. I now realize that “Not Bad” really means “Real Good”.
The Texas Hill Country is a great place to ride, but adventurers should understand a few limitations. First, the scenery and land is beautiful, but the public can only get to a very small portion of it. The vast majority of the land in Hill Country is private ranches. The few State Parks that exist are often crowded by people from Austin and San Antonio looking for a respite. The roads are well maintained, and are somewhat twisty, but if you are looking for a Dragon competitor, you’ll be disappointed. This ride is best done a little slower, so you can enjoy the scenery more. Also, getting there is a PITA – expect no less than 300 miles (and likely more) of flat boring slab – but it is worth it once you get there. Finally, there’s a 4-letter word in Hill Country… DEER - and plenty of them! I would not ride those roads at night, and we took our time each morning before venturing out.
As is usually the case, I found adventure. Hope you enjoy the pictures.
Day 1 – Thursday
Meeting time was set for 6:30 am about 15 miles from my house, so I packed the night before and leave just after first light. My big girl is ready for the task.
Right on time, we are heading West on the big concrete cruising about 75ish. The morning was uneventful, but after lunch, just before San Antonio, we turn Northwest off the slab, where we discovered this.
Mike picked up a nail in his back tire. No biggie – we coasted 200 yards to a gas station and in about 10 minutes, we had the tire plugged up. However, while airing up the tire, the valve stem broke – uh San Antonio… we have a problem. So we begged and borrowed a few tools and while Mike was taking the wheel down….
…I put the smart phone to use and found these great people about 5 miles away from us.
Who knew the FJR was a Sport Touring UTILITY Vehicle?
An hour later, with the tire patch-plugged, we are on our way again. Delayed, but not deterred, we pressed into the hill country late in the afternoon. Knowing that the forest rats will be wandering soon, we decided to just pick something up and eat it after camp is set up.
Tonight and tomorrow night, we are staying at Lost Maples State Park.
The campground is small, but well maintained and the park is beautiful.
With 500 miles on my arse and a flat tire, I put the camera up and started drinking. After 5-7 ounces of tequila, there was no pain. We hit the sack to a very windy evening.
Day 2 – Friday.
After a breakfast of bagels, canned fruit, and coffee, we decided to do some hiking.
We chose the East Loop (about 5 miles) and within minutes, the views are getting real nice.
Momma red tailed hawk has been working on this nest for quite a few years.
For central Texas, there’s plenty of color in the hill valleys.
This serene pond is protected from the fierce winds that morning.
Hang on Mike, I’m coming!!
On top of the hill, the sky is cloudy, but the view is still nice.
Mike’s signature pose…
… and mine.
Nothing like a little horse food on the trail.
I think this is “planking”? I dunno – you yunguns will have to educate me…
For some reason, on the other side of the hill, the color is not as vivid.
What do you think Mike? “Not Bad.”
On the valley, we stumble across this area where time has worn the dirt.
Neat Place
By now the real world is a million miles away. I am in my zen.
I believe this is called the Prickly Pear Cactus
Still continuing further, we walk among the tall brown grass.
This is called Monkey Rock
What a great hike.
Back at the campground, we are now getting pretty hungry. So we gear up and head to the town of
Leakey, Tx. The road to there is real nice.
Here’s what $6.00 will get you in this 1-horse town.
Then it’s back on the roller coaster for some sight seeing.
Beautiful Country
Good riding in the Camp Wood area of the Hill Country
After a nice long afternoon ride, the sun is starting to set. So we stopped at a small grocery store to pick up some much needed supplies.
Burgers on bagels cooked over the open fire. Not bad!
And of course it’s happy hour!
We enjoyed the stars and camp fire until around 10, and called it a night.
Day 3 – Saturday
Again, the wind is howling this morning, and the skies are cloudy. We checked in with the Ranger Station hoping that someone cancelled a camping reservation. With no such luck, we packed up and headed out with no particular place to go.
We stopped at this unknown creek, where the cypress trees are really colorful.
Neat place to sit down and reflect.
How about now, Mike – whatcha think? “Not Bad”.
Now we are riding the farm roads, ranch roads, and all kinds of roads – just free styling the back country.
Fall weather in the South can be unpredictable, so we went prepared for just about anything. Thankfully, we were blessed with lows from around 40 to 55ish, and highs from about 65 to 80ish. Skies were cloudy in the morning, giving way to full sunshine in the afternoon, and beautiful star viewing at night. On the last evening, we got what amounted to about 15 minutes of moderate rain, and otherwise we stayed perfectly dry. Every day and night, the wind howled at gust up to at least 25 mph. But for mid-November, I’ll take it.
MikeP has a habit of saying “Not Bad” when asked his opinion. A man of high standards and relatively few words, when I first met him, I didn’t know what Mike was actually thinking. I now realize that “Not Bad” really means “Real Good”.
The Texas Hill Country is a great place to ride, but adventurers should understand a few limitations. First, the scenery and land is beautiful, but the public can only get to a very small portion of it. The vast majority of the land in Hill Country is private ranches. The few State Parks that exist are often crowded by people from Austin and San Antonio looking for a respite. The roads are well maintained, and are somewhat twisty, but if you are looking for a Dragon competitor, you’ll be disappointed. This ride is best done a little slower, so you can enjoy the scenery more. Also, getting there is a PITA – expect no less than 300 miles (and likely more) of flat boring slab – but it is worth it once you get there. Finally, there’s a 4-letter word in Hill Country… DEER - and plenty of them! I would not ride those roads at night, and we took our time each morning before venturing out.
As is usually the case, I found adventure. Hope you enjoy the pictures.
Day 1 – Thursday
Meeting time was set for 6:30 am about 15 miles from my house, so I packed the night before and leave just after first light. My big girl is ready for the task.
Right on time, we are heading West on the big concrete cruising about 75ish. The morning was uneventful, but after lunch, just before San Antonio, we turn Northwest off the slab, where we discovered this.
Mike picked up a nail in his back tire. No biggie – we coasted 200 yards to a gas station and in about 10 minutes, we had the tire plugged up. However, while airing up the tire, the valve stem broke – uh San Antonio… we have a problem. So we begged and borrowed a few tools and while Mike was taking the wheel down….
…I put the smart phone to use and found these great people about 5 miles away from us.
Who knew the FJR was a Sport Touring UTILITY Vehicle?
An hour later, with the tire patch-plugged, we are on our way again. Delayed, but not deterred, we pressed into the hill country late in the afternoon. Knowing that the forest rats will be wandering soon, we decided to just pick something up and eat it after camp is set up.
Tonight and tomorrow night, we are staying at Lost Maples State Park.
The campground is small, but well maintained and the park is beautiful.
With 500 miles on my arse and a flat tire, I put the camera up and started drinking. After 5-7 ounces of tequila, there was no pain. We hit the sack to a very windy evening.
Day 2 – Friday.
After a breakfast of bagels, canned fruit, and coffee, we decided to do some hiking.
We chose the East Loop (about 5 miles) and within minutes, the views are getting real nice.
Momma red tailed hawk has been working on this nest for quite a few years.
For central Texas, there’s plenty of color in the hill valleys.
This serene pond is protected from the fierce winds that morning.
Hang on Mike, I’m coming!!
On top of the hill, the sky is cloudy, but the view is still nice.
Mike’s signature pose…
… and mine.
Nothing like a little horse food on the trail.
I think this is “planking”? I dunno – you yunguns will have to educate me…
For some reason, on the other side of the hill, the color is not as vivid.
What do you think Mike? “Not Bad.”
On the valley, we stumble across this area where time has worn the dirt.
Neat Place
By now the real world is a million miles away. I am in my zen.
I believe this is called the Prickly Pear Cactus
Still continuing further, we walk among the tall brown grass.
This is called Monkey Rock
What a great hike.
Back at the campground, we are now getting pretty hungry. So we gear up and head to the town of
Leakey, Tx. The road to there is real nice.
Here’s what $6.00 will get you in this 1-horse town.
Then it’s back on the roller coaster for some sight seeing.
Beautiful Country
Good riding in the Camp Wood area of the Hill Country
After a nice long afternoon ride, the sun is starting to set. So we stopped at a small grocery store to pick up some much needed supplies.
Burgers on bagels cooked over the open fire. Not bad!
And of course it’s happy hour!
We enjoyed the stars and camp fire until around 10, and called it a night.
Day 3 – Saturday
Again, the wind is howling this morning, and the skies are cloudy. We checked in with the Ranger Station hoping that someone cancelled a camping reservation. With no such luck, we packed up and headed out with no particular place to go.
We stopped at this unknown creek, where the cypress trees are really colorful.
Neat place to sit down and reflect.
How about now, Mike – whatcha think? “Not Bad”.
Now we are riding the farm roads, ranch roads, and all kinds of roads – just free styling the back country.
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Hope to get to ride Texas sometime.
