Tejas Hill Country???

1393 Views 32 Replies 18 Participants Last post by Daytomann, Mar 24, 2004

Daytomann

Discussion Starter · Dec 30, 2003 (Edited)

A group of us from Okla. City and Tulsa were planning a trip to Arizona to ride Devil's HWY and the surrounding area..problem is we planned it too early in the year (end of March) so its probably going to be too cold so we are going to reschedule for April or May.

BUT Austin's not too far and the weather should be pretty nice in March.
I've found 150,32,437,cypress creek rd, 16, 337,335,336 on my maps program...It looks VERY good.

#1 Does anyone have any video or pics of the roads down there?

Since some of us have already cleared time off, I'm thinking we MIGHT come down there at the end of March. Nothing solid yet but its a possibility.

#2 If we do, would anyone be willing to show us around or meet up and highlight a map for us and give us some pointers?

1 - 20 of 33 Posts

azoomm

· #2 · Dec 30, 2003

You will probably not have a difficult time finding someone to ride with at that time... end of March should be alright riding weather ~ 'winter' is end of January and February here. Though, Mother Nature is as fickle here as anywhere else...

It seems lately people are lurking more than posting :shrug

The Analog Kid

· #3 · Dec 30, 2003

Daytomann said:
A group of us from Okla. City and Tulsa were planning a trip to Arizona to ride Devil's HWY and the surrounding area..problem is we planned it too early in the year (end of March) so its probably going to be too cold so we are going to reschedule for April or May.

BUT Austin's not too far and the weather should be pretty nice in March.
I've found 150,32,437,cypress creek rd, 16, 377,335,336 on my maps program...It looks VERY good.

377 or 337? 337 Rocks! I have ridden all those roads listed but no pics on hand.

SAT HAWK

· #4 · Dec 30, 2003

Read this:
http://www.cycleforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=67002

They have the right roads highlighted.

If you are expecting Arkansas quality roads, then you will be dissatisfied. These are Texas roads, decent, but not as clean, tidy, wide and painted like Ark. 337 between Vanderpool and Leakey is the best of the best. 55 has some great high speed sweepers that are just awesome. 335 & 336 are great as well. 336 is claimed to be the "best" road in Texas, but it is currently undergoing a facelift, with some stretches dirt and gravel. I would imagine it will be done by March <?>

As for video, you might want to search this forum of the

TSBA San Antonio Chapter

Daytomann

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 30, 2003 (Edited)

SAT HAWK said:
If you are expecting Arkansas quality roads, then you will be dissatisfied. These are Texas roads, decent, but not as clean, tidy, wide and painted like Ark.

We ride NW Arkansas as often as possible..great roads.. like you stated...they're clean, wide, well paved and very little traffic and twisties for days. We're just looking to broaden our horizons and see some new scenery.

When you say we would be dissatisfied...Are you reffering to the quality of the roads and surfaces or the amount of twisties?

Hows the traffic and police presence? Will we be able to stretch our legs or would we have to tone it down?

Daytomann

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 30, 2003 (Edited)

That CF link helps alot. I'll check the other for video when I get home to my cable modem

bdmpastx

· #7 · Dec 30, 2003

Here is a video of FM337 that I took last March... http://users2.ev1.net/~roy324/Brian/Firstpass337.WMV

Tourmeister

· #8 · Dec 30, 2003

Howdy,

I don't know if you can reschedule, but March can still have some nasty cold weather. Of course, this weekend it looks to be in the low seventies and rain free in the Hill Country :clap I'm gone! So anyway, April is really better. That is when all the Blue Bonnets are blooming in full force as well as many other wildflowers. Yeah I know, you're not coming to see pretty flowers, but it's all part of the experience.

Regarding the quality of the roads, there are two separate issues: pavement quality and fun factor. In general, the pavement quality leaves a little to be desired. It consists mostly of large gravel embedded in an oil base. You will get good traction but it will eat your tires. If you are not used to the feel it generates on the front end, it makes it hard to guage your traction. Also, as someone mentioned, many of the low water crossings are getting bridges installed and there is some construction. However, unless it is actually raining, it should not be a problem.

Now for the fun factor. The best roads are FM's 470, 337, 336, and 335. The best Hwys are 16, 55, and 39. There are other good roads, but those are the ones most people hit. Many of them run through open range areas. Take this serious. Coming over a hill on full boil and seeing ten or fifteen BIG cattle standing in the road is not fun!! Cowpies are slick as snot if fresh, avoid them!! Also, watch for the cattle guards in the corners. They seem to always be right at the apex where you want to be at full lean. If wet, they are very slick! If you are out on a weekend, then expect more traffic and more LEO. People die out here on a regular basis from motorcycle accidents. The locals are bad about straddling the double yellows and being in your lane when they come around corners.

FM's 335, 336, and 337 are the roads for the tight twisties. FM 335 is like a roller coaster when you do the North half. Watch for rocks in the roads. They fall from the cliffs along the road. There are quite a few decreasing radius corners, off camber corners, blind corners, etc... Also, if you leave the road, there will seldom be any kind of run off other than a rock face, lots of rocks in a field, or a drop off. If you see a 10mph sign, believe it! Sliding on that rough pavement won't be fun either as it will eat right through gear. You can have a blast out here, just remember that you will be FAR from emergency help if something does happen.

Here are a few links with videos:
For FM 335: http://www.twtex.com/viewtopic.php?t=547
For FM 336: http://www.twtex.com/viewtopic.php?t=548
For FM 337: http://www.twtex.com/viewtopic.php?t=538

There are some others in there. Look for posts authored by Buck000.

Kerrville makes a good place to base out of if you are going to be riding for several days. There are lots of hotels and you are right on the edge of the good riding. There are also cabins near Vanderpool that are nice: Foxfire Cabins. I think you can find them doing a search. They have two room cabins cheap, also they have a huge farmhouse that can sleep 16 people pretty cheap. I have stayed there and it is nice. Just North of the cabins on FM 187 is the Lonestar Motorcycle Museum. It's worth a stop. They also have a dyno if you want to do some dyno runs for fun!

On FM 470 in the teeny tiny town of Tarpley, you need to stop at Mac & Ernies Eatery. It is a little yellow shack in the parking lot of the local general store. It looks like a dive, but the food is to die for! People come from all over the state and even from out of state to eat there. You won't be dissapointed. They have a website and it will show up if you search google. They are only open Friday evenings, Saturday and Sunday. Also, Wednesday for lunch only.

Another good place to eat is in Medina at the Love Creek Orchards Cedar Mill & Cafe on Hwy 16 at FM 337. If you like Apple pie, struddle, anything... this is the place. They also have decent food. They close early though, 3:00pm!!

There are some fun roads West and South of the DFW metromess as well. If you are riding down, you might hit some of them to stay off the slabs. FM 4 down just West of Mineral Wells, then Hwy 16 all the way to Kerrville. Any of the FM's that are South of Stephenville are fun. They consist of really fast sweepers, nothing real tight. Stop in Llano at Hwy 29 & 16 for BBQ at Coopers Old Time BBQ.

Well, that is all I can think of off the top of my head for now. If I recall anything else I'll post up here. Have fun!

Adios,

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Daytomann

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 30, 2003

Thanks for that great info Tourmeister! Some of its a little scary:eek :laughing :laughing

Thanks ALOt for the heads up and clarification of the road conditions...If we come down there to ride the unknown (to us) roads of the Hill Country our pace would not be wicked up, we're all pretty level headed. Some of us tend to Hammer it in Ark. Thats just cuase the roads are familiar to us and the vast majority of roads are in pristine condition.

We are kicking it around in our local OKC and Tulsa forums.

Oh, and I finally got that video downloaded here at work...Looks GREAT!

Anymore info, pics or vids would be appreciated..

Rocket Widget

· #10 · Dec 30, 2003

335/337 Rocks!!! I rode down it earlier this year... I dont really have any good pics because most of the time its a 2 lane road with a rock wall on one side and a cliff on the other. (Plus it was raining when i went so neither of us wanted to pull out our cameras.) Im with Tourmeister on that Kerville makes a great base camp. Its almost a real city!!! It has a Wal-mart... so its getting there :laughing (though i didnt see a Dary-Queen.... the Texas state stop sign)

I wish i could remember where this series of 2 5 or 10mph switchbacks are though. They were downhill... and you could see both of them but they didnt look so tough... it was right around all those little rivers you go over :confused if it wouldnt have been raining we would have probably taken those WAY too fast and gotten into serious troube there :shake.

ninja_steve

· #11 · Dec 31, 2003

10mph signs are full of crap :redflip i know most of the major roads i ride are do-able at 10-25mph faster than the posted suggestions. 337 is a blast...whenever i get another sunday off i might throw on my leathers and head out there and run it back and forth.

Speed_Addiction

· #12 · Dec 31, 2003

If you do go on 337 be sure and stop in for a Coke and BBQ sandwich at the Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop. Bob and Robyn are great people and they both ride. Opening that place was a lifelong dream for those two so stop by and give them some business.

Speed_Addiction

· #13 · Dec 31, 2003

Tool this pic on HWY 16 (I think), it is between Bandera and Kerrville. Has some great 1st gear switchbacks on it.

Speed_Addiction

· #14 · Dec 31, 2003

Here is another pic of the same road.

Rocket Widget

· #15 · Dec 31, 2003

Speed_Addiction said:
If you do go on 337 be sure and stop in for a Coke and BBQ sandwich at the Frio Canyon Motorcycle Stop. Bob and Robyn are great people and they both ride. Opening that place was a lifelong dream for those two so stop by and give them some business.

+1 I stopped there... good people. Good place to stop and rest.

Daytomann

Discussion Starter · #16 · Dec 31, 2003

Thanks guys, it looks like we are going to make the trip on March 25th-28th.

Not sure where we are going to stay yet. But we still have a little time to plan.

Keep em coming.

ninja_steve

· #17 · Dec 31, 2003

yeah i second that about the frio canyon stop

bung

· #18 · Dec 31, 2003

Speed_Addiction said:
Tool this pic on HWY 16 (I think), it is between Bandera and Kerrville. Has some great 1st gear switchbacks on it.

I rode that stretch in October. It was my first time on that road and it was raining. Needless to say, the pucker factor was quite high. :eek

21 natas

· #19 · Jan 1, 2004

yeah, 16 and 337 are fun but I do see alot of people go down on 337 if they haven't ridden it before and try to keep up with the people who have. Just goes to show that you should ride at your own pace.

wonderdawg

· #20 · Jan 1, 2004

As someone who has ridden this road many times(337), and especially as one who has led numerous rides on this road, it better become an obligation not to lead the ride in a manner in which someone crashes.

As much as I would like to never go on a ride in which someone wrecks, I now have to assume a certain amount of responsibility that in a leadership role, I better have a sense of the skills of the people I am leading.

Reyndogg, Sat Kat, Bass Reflex, Showdawg and others can attest that as much as motorcycling should be fun as an individual activity, there is (or should be) an inate desire to share the joy of completing a safe ride outing with all those participating.

1 - 20 of 33 Posts

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