Hill country tips?

[zaphod]

I’m planning a few days riding down in hill country starting this weekend? I plan to camp at Kerrville and Colorado Bend State Park (near Bend). I bought a Lone Star Loops hill country backroads map and hope to see as much as I can squeeze into 3-4 days of riding. How are the deer this time of year? This will be my first trip to the area, any tips?

[McRuss]

Take 16 south out of Kerrville, then when you git out a bit, start taking off on whatever road looks inviting....you cannot miss, so many good roads to the south west of Kerrville. Dont miss the Lone Star MC Museum just south of Lost Maples park and be sure to ride the three sisters.

As for deer, they are omnipresent! Especially so at dusk and dawn.

[SilverBuffalo]

1. I'd hook up with some of the local boys for a meal, a cup of coffee or a ride (good people).
2. I'd make damn sure I was back in camp before dark. (lotsa deer)
3. The roads? It's all good, some of my favorites, west out of Kerville,
I think its 1340 through Hunt alongside the Guadalupe river from there,make it a loop,
the three/three roads if my memory serves me right it's 335, 336 and 337.
4. On your way there or home cruise through Stephenville for some barbque at the Hard eight.

[cfell]

Yup.. Russ gave you good data.. the TX M/C Museum is well worth the visit. You can get some chow there, too.

Check out Bandera... Cowboy Capital of the World...

[Dick]

I’m planning a few days riding down in hill country starting this weekend? I plan to camp at Kerrville and Colorado Bend State Park (near Bend). I bought a Lone Star Loops hill country backroads map and hope to see as much as I can squeeze into 3-4 days of riding. How are the deer this time of year? This will be my first trip to the area, any tips?


Wanna nice leetle day ride outta Kerrville? Take 783 north up to 290; do a leetle right/left jog on 290 to continue on 783 up to Doss. At Doss, take a right, after the Post Office, on 648. This will take you to the T at 87. On your left corner is The Hilltop Cafe, owned by one of the Asleep at the Wheel band members. After lunch, go south (right) on 87 about 10 miles into Fredericksburg and turn left onto Main street (which is 87 and 290 overlayed) and several blocks south, on your left, is the Admiral Nimitz Naval Museum - some great items in there if you like naval and war history. After that, back out on 290 east (you leave 87 here, as it goes off south at the museum corner) and out of F'burg about 6 miles or so, take a right onto 1376 and after about another 6 miles, drop in on Luckenbach for a rest stop and quick tour of Willie's, Waylon's and Jerry Jeff's ole digs. Snacks and refreshments available in the General Store. After Luckenbach, go back out on 1376, turn right and down thru Sisterdale. There is a winery in Sisterdale if you're into tasting and purchasing. After that, continue south on 1376 down to Boerne where 1376 T's at 87; turn right to pick up IH-10 West back to Kerrville, or left if you wanna go thru Boerne (87 is Boerne's main street). Great dining at the Cypress Grille on Main, or the Limestone Grill just off Main at the Plaza. You can go across the river bridge and take a right at the first light over the hill - that'll put you on Bandera Road and you can pick up IH-10 west there for the run back to Kerrville. As has been mentioned, deer are everywhere, butt 'mostly' in the early mornings and late evenings. Stay alert. If you run on IH-10 at all, you'll see the blottos/smearage that occurs overnight - every night.

Glad you picked up the Lone Star Loops book. See as much as you can, butt leave a leetle to come back for!! Have a breat trip Malcolm.

[gulfxray]

All good tips... the 33xs are fantastic! I don 't know that you could ever ride them to much - if the sign says 15mph curve, then it means 15mph!

1340 is great too - I forgot that one Hans, thanks for reminding me...

Like McRuss said, you are't going to go wrong -- don't worry, you won't see it all and you will want to go back. I do every chance I get!

Check the dates for the M/C mueseum - I have missed it twice since it is only open certain days (weekends?).

If you are there over the weekend you might be able to hook 'em with some of those Hill Country guys for breakfast - there are a couple good spots in Blanco.

When in doubt, check with Dick - he is my Official Hill Country travel agent! He knows every road, restaurant, etc. in the central & western part of the state I think!

[bob_menton]

...Check out Bandera... Cowboy Capital of the World...

Yes, Channing, check it out - Bandera, the town that, by its inaction, recognized that I am NOT "Cowboy Bob". :rotf:

- Bob

[Texas42]

When you're out and about on 1340(I think, but someone here will correct me if I'm wrong) look for the Stonehenge replica, and some other large yard art. You will have a great time,

[bhoch]

yup All good tips. If your looking for a lettle break while riding out in that area.. there is a place called Lost Maples State park. Nice walking paths, with some streams to cross, etc... A good break if your riding a lot and need to unbend the knees for a bit.

Some of the views are really quite beautiful, so make sure your paying attention as it can get ugly on the 3 sisters (335, 336, 337). Sport bikers may come along over 100MPH on some of the straight aways.. Man, I wish I could be out there with ya. I like riding out in that area of TX.

[Lonewuff]

You are getting the best advice on roads to take and things to see and do, but one thing I would mention, is if you don't have a lot of riding time under your belt and you haven't ridden twisties in the hills, be VERY carefull on roads like 16 South of Kerrville. Lots of roads that say 15mph curve and you get into them and realize they are banked and sharp inclines, so be prepared to give her some gas or you will drift right into the on coming lane. Do not miss the 3 Twisted Sisters what ever you do (335, 336, & 337) but watch out for the cattle crossings on 336. They can be pretty ruff. Wish I could ride lead for you...for my own selfish reasons of course. :rotf:

[zaphod]

Thanks to all for the advice. If anyone would like to meet for a meal, just name the place and time. I figure I’ll be in Kerrville Sunday and Monday, and heading to Meridian State Park for Tuesday night. I spent all last night studding the maps and plotting routes on the GPS. The 335, 336, 337 loop and M/C Museum on the agenda. I saw “Texas Stonehenge” on the map, what’s it about? Been to the original several times. The map shows 335 crossing a streams several times. Does it go over or through it? I’ve read about the dangers of fording streams down there.

[blouw]

Thanks to all for the advice. If anyone would like to meet for a meal, just name the place and time. I figure I’ll be in Kerrville Sunday and Monday, and heading to Meridian State Park for Tuesday night. I spent all last night studding the maps and plotting routes on the GPS. The 335, 336, 337 loop and M/C Museum on the agenda. I saw “Texas Stonehenge” on the map, what’s it about? Been to the original several times. The map shows 335 crossing a streams several times. Does it go over or through it? I’ve read about the dangers of fording streams down there.
Fording streams??? That would imply that we have had rain. No problemo right now.
Stonehenge is worth a photo stop. It's supposed to be a replica of the original on a smaller scale.

[zaphod]

Fording streams??? That would imply that we have had rain. No problemo right now.

Your lucky, a small (3 feet across) stream that I cross over on the way to a client was arount 30 yards across after the rains we got Wednesday.

[McRuss]

Thanks to all for the advice. If anyone would like to meet for a meal, just name the place and time.

Ride down to Bandera for b'fast Sunday morn at the OST (Old Spanish Trail) Restaurant, where many bikes gather on Sat/Sun mornings. Make it about 9:00 am, I'll meet you there. I probly cant ride out with you later, got lotsa honeydoos, but gotta eat! I'll bring ya another map to add to yer collection. PM me if you are interested.

[zaphod]

Ride down to Bandera for b'fast Sunday morn at the OST (Old Spanish Trail) Restaurant, where many bikes gather on Sat/Sun mornings. Make it about 9:00 am, I'll meet you there. I probly cant ride out with you later, got lotsa honeydoos, but gotta eat! I'll bring ya another map to add to yer collection. PM me if you are interested.

Sounds like a plan. I look forward to meeting you.

[DPSCOTT]

Don't forget Cooper's BBQ in LLano on 16 on the way to Kerrville. The meat is pretty good but I love the beans and blackberry cobbler.

Lost Maples Cafe in Utopia is a good place for lunch also!

Most of the water crossings are low water crossings where the road dips down for the water to cross the road, when it rains the water is in these low water passes and many times you don't see the water over the road until you are almost ready to dip down. It can be very exciting at speed if it has been raining. Some of the crossings are like a low bridge where the water usually runs just under the roadway but with some rain the water will be flowing over the roadway; these can be very slick if algae is growing on the roadway. If it's been dry for a while there is usually no problem but be careful if you see water over a large portion of the roadway.

Most of the roads are in good shape.

Be careful around Leakey, DPS officer Sanchez hates motorcycles and wants to save the world from motorcyclists.

You will have a great time!

[baurcorp]

I’m planning a few days riding down in hill country starting this weekend? I plan to camp at Kerrville and Colorado Bend State Park (near Bend). I bought a Lone Star Loops hill country backroads map and hope to see as much as I can squeeze into 3-4 days of riding. How are the deer this time of year? This will be my first trip to the area, any tips?



When the weather is cold the deer are rutting. No brains just balls. The Bucks WILL run out in front of anything, the Doe's as well. They don't make a brush guard for the LT yet. I might give it a whirl for us hill country riders. Extra lights are a plus!