[seamus]

I got the chance to get out in Texas and explore some roads in the Killeen/Austin area. I used MotorcycleRoads.US - Your One-stop Resource for Great Motorcycle Roads in the US to do some research last night to try and find some twisties in this barren flatland. [edit: I typed that link in as the www address and it changed. I'm not that much of a geek.]

I left here with the intent to ride Cow Creek Road (vicinity Lago Vista) and Lime Creek Road (from Cedar Park to Volente) then have lunch at the Lone Star Cafe in Volente.

Well, motorcycleroads.us lists Cow Creek Road as twisty and quotes North American Sportbike Road Registry as "a great road if you like a challenge". I entered Cow Creek Road from the north off of FM1174 and almost immediately turned around. If you describe a challenge as a poorly maintained secondary road, generously covered in gravel, with low water crossings, and possible loose livestock (I had to stop for 5 minutes in a staredown contest with 3 long horn cattle), then this is the road for you. I wouldn't go anywhere near this road with anything less than a dual sport bike. At random intervals, and usually around blind turns, there are about 15 cattle guards on this road.

At the end of CCR, I hit FM1431. This wasn't listed anywhere I saw and I was just using it to connect to Lime Creek Road. This road turned out to be awesome. Major elevation changes and long sweeping curves. Only two drawbacks:
1. This is a 2 lane road for a bit and the pickups towing boats don't take to well to the elevation changes. Fortunately, the drivers were very understanding and would straddle the white line to let me pass.
2. Tar snakes are everywhere. There wasn't a single 1/4 mile that wasn't covered in them. Not too much of a problem if the road is dry like today, but I would feel alot less comfortable if it were damp or wet. [edit: just looked up some more info on the net and apparently FM1431 is about 25 miles of what I experienced. I must have hit it about mid point.]

After riding FM1431 north for about 15 miles, I hit Lime Creek Road. This road starts out fairly tame (riding N to S). About 2 miles in, this road rivals the Alps in terms of ascending and descending turns, 180 degree switchbacks, and massive decreasing radius turns. There are a few turns where the first half is descending and the second half is ascending. These are preceeded with a 20mph speed limit sign. The speed limit through most of this road is 40mph so some of the turns don't have much warning about how aggressive you'll have to be. Most turns do, so it's not too much to worry about. The road is smooth, well paved, and not too heavily travelled. Drawbacks:
1. Passed at least 15 people riding bicycles.
2. That's all. If I can, I'm going back again tomorrow.
Once you reach Volente, there is a water park and a beach. I was told that the Lone Star Cafe (which supposedly has a lot of history) was there, but I couldn't find it and the employee at the waterpark that I talked to said something about something, but I had a hard time understanding what she was saying. I turned around after drinking some water and headed back to Killeen.

Overall, I spent about 4 hours riding (FM1431 has plenty of gas stops available) and I think TX just redeemed itself.

[Scout]

Good ride report. Like to see some of us here are getting out and riding. Now post some pics on your next one...

[Pete]

Originally Posted by seamus

Lime Creek Road

I've never ridden it, but one warning I constantly see about it is gravel...so be careful.

Glad you had such fun. I'm thinking about a Kerrville weekend ride later this year, when the temps aren't so scorching.

[seamus]

Originally Posted by Pete

I've never ridden it, but one warning I constantly see about it is gravel...so be careful.

Glad you had such fun. I'm thinking about a Kerrville weekend ride later this year, when the temps aren't so scorching.

There were a couple of spots, but they were few and far between. The ones I saw were on the center of my lane on the hard right handers. It was almost predictable. Back on it hard yesterday and it was the same (gravel-wise) but there was a bit more traffic.

I didn't think about it until I was mapping out the road on Google maps but all the switchbacks are right hand turns when heading South and vice versa.

I'm going to look up Kerrville now

[Pete]

The roads are FM 335, 336, and 337. You can find out more about it at Two Wheeled Texans in the routes forum, along with other Hill Country riding.

[BDA116]

I messed with Texas.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by BDA116

I messed with Texas.

[seamus]

Originally Posted by Pete

The roads are FM 335, 336, and 337. You can find out more about it at Two Wheeled Texans in the routes forum, along with other Hill Country riding.

Thanks for the roads and the link.

I had to sign up to be able to view those threads but I figure if anyone road trips through KY while I'm there, they'll have someone to look for if they need help.

[luvtolean]

I don't know if you know about it, but it's about 45 minutes from Austin to Llano, TX, home of the best barbeque, and certainly rivaling the best food, I ever had.

There are several places there, but Cooper's is the shiz.

[seamus]

Originally Posted by luvtolean

I don't know if you know about it, but about 45 minutes from Austin is Llano, TX, home of the best barbeque, and certainly rivaling the best food, I ever had.

There are several places there, but Cooper's is the shiz.

You've got to put a warning or something before posting stuff like that. I'm still trying to lose the last 5lbs.

Some of the locals here mentioned Cooper's and Louie Mueller's in Taylor, TX. Llano may be a bit far to travel for me but Taylor's right in the ballpark of a good ride for lunch. If I can get a full day off work, I'll make the trip to Cooper's too and put up a the ride and eat reports.

[edit: Just did the mapquest routing and it seems they're almost the same distance/time from here. Damn. I'm gonna get all fat again.]

[luvtolean]

Heh, you don't go there to lose weight, but it's damn fine eating.