So there we were, sitting on the side of Hwy 377...
Joe on his DRZ400
It is a pretty long haul, 40 something miles, down Hwy 377 and 41 before we reach the start of Hackberry Road. We wait at the intersection for everyone to regroup before we head out. Bruce leads on the big KTM. I opt for bringing up the rear. There is a grey overcast and it has been misting slightly. It is fairly windy as well. This all makes for a nice ride as the dust is not bad at all, even in the back!
It is not long at all before we come to the first water crossing at the Nueces River. I watch a few others go across and scan for the algae. I take what looks like clean tracks from trucks crossing, pop in first gear and go across at a steady pace. I never feel so much as a wiggle and soon join everyone else on the far side.
We mingle with another group for a bit before taking off ahead of them
Again, we go only a short distance to another crossing. This one has poles on each side of the "road" to show where you should drive to get across. It reminds me of the tall poles on the sides of the mountain roads in Colorado to show the snow plows where to go so they don't go over the edge... Bruce takes an alternative route over what looks like dry rock bed to the left of the route. Most everyone else takes the water. Bruce made it look easy, something he will do all weekend, so I decide to try his route.
Keith watches as Joe makes his way across
Then it is Keith's turn
Everyone across except for me
I turn left and head down stream on the rock. There are a few small ledges that are no big deal. However, there are many of those "potholes" where the water swirls have created deep divots in the rock face. Some are pretty large and have to be dodged. Then there is a thin area about the width of a sidewalk leading to the far bank where there is a small climb out up onto the rocks near the road. Piece of cake and dry the whole way.
The route I took is to the right of this image. The pool in the foreground is where all the water goes before disappearing underground to emerge somewhere far downstream. I never do find where it comes back out.
This is looking downstream, from about midway across. The sidewalk area is off the right side.
While walking around out on the rocks, I spot a cool looking oak trek clinging to the bank for dear life. I love stuff like this so I had to get a few shots.
Soon the other group catches up to us. They see me standing out on the rocks and I try to wave them over to take the dry route. The first few head right into the water. Some of the latter ones come on around the way I direct them and they make it across with no problems. We take off again to stay ahead of them.
Yes... a short while later we come to yet another water crossing! This time though I see Bruce's KTM laying on its side and he is just getting up. Looks like the algae got him! He's quick though!! Before I can get out the camera, he already has the bike upright without any help. I can see water dripping out of his helmet. He must have really received a good dunking!!
He seems none the worse for the wear and the side guards on the bike have done their job well.
Here Bruce delicately tries to get the bike turned the right way so he can motor on out to the other side
Desmo pausing just to take in the beauty of the area
The rest of us make it across without incident. Before long we reach the end of Hackberry Road and drop out onto FM 335. We head South and look for the start of FM 2361. This is a great stretch of pavement that winds its way back into the hills following Bullhead Creek.
Joe chugging on down the road
Eventually the road turns to gravel and we cross the creek
What is hard to see here is a nice rope hanging off that cliff face on the left for slinging out into the swimming hole made by this dam.
Not much of a water crossing... more of a puddle doding
After crossing the creek, the road starts to climb up out of the creek valley. It gets much more narrow and wanders like a drunken snake among the short oak trees. It does not appear that this section of road gets much traffic on a regular basis. Works for me
All to soon we reach the start of pavement again and pick up the start of FM 3325. This is up on a higher plateau and is not as twisty as 2361. It is big fast sweepers... at least for those of us that can run over 65 mph, hehe. This would not include Joe on his DRZ 400. Not sure what is up with his DRZ but it does not want to run any faster and is sucking on the gas. Keith's DRZ 400 is fine as is Chucks Yammie 450. We stop at FM 336 to check our gas situation and decide our next course of action.
Here Joe is scavenging gas from the KTM tender vehicle. I provide the siphon hose, but the rule is, if you need gas you suck!
Chuck is convinced he can make it to Leakey. He is packing a few small gallon sized tanks in his side bags and is not worried. So we decide to head down the road and look for Kent Creek Road, billed as the "Toughest DS road in Texas!" Can't pass that up now can we!?
A few miles South we find the entrance to Kent Creek Road. Everything seems decent enough at the start
Looking down the hill the direction we are heading
Looking back up the way we just came
The road winds down pretty steeply into a narrow valley. At the bottom there is a small farm house and barn. We cut along what looks like a driveway but is actually still the road. Before I even realize what is happening, I find myself on the back of Joe and Desmo crunching our way through some heavy river gravel and bouncing off some big rocks. I really need to be carrying more speed to make this comfortable but I am right on the back of Joe and Desmo. I decide to stop and let them get ahead, a risky proposition because the bike immediately wants to plow in and tip over in the loose rocks. I manage to stop and sit for a moment just to soak up the moment.
Looking back upstream
The road that lies ahead
The dry rock bed gives way to a wet and slimy wet creek bed...
I bounce and splash my way through to find Mark, Todd, Fred and Bill hanging out taking a break. Bill and Todd just pounded their way through here on their BMW R1150GS's!! I pity da foos! They made it, but they had that really whooped look on their faces
I shouldn't laugh, but I've been there and done that, and it is WORK!! The KLR is much easier in stuff like this. We pull forward of their group a bit and take a break. I had not noticed it being all that hot thus far, but suddenly I am feeling the heat. I must have really been working the bike back there
There are some cliffs nearby so I decide to do a little exploring while we rest.
Beyond that gate lies the "Toughest DS road in Texas!"
Bruce trudging up the road towards the gate after visiting with the other group back by the water
The cliff and creek
The water is crystal clear and looks very inviting...
These huge ferns cling to the washed out lower face of the cliff and drip water and a pretty good pace. I guess it is flowing down out of the rocks in the cliff.
Looking downstream, the cliff overhanging the water
Bruce soaking up the serenity of the scene
Rested and refreshed, we get back on the bikes and keep heading South. Not far down the road Bruce pulls over at what looks like a rest stop. There are stairs at the edge of the cleared area that lead down the bank to a wide river bed of rock with high cliffs on the other side. Down stream a ways in a large ledge drop. There must be some kind of dam below that because the water looks fairly deep beyond the ledge. There also appears to be a step ladder mounted in the rock face of the ledge for climbing down into the water below. Not really wanting to get soaked feet this early into the ride, I forgo walking downstream in the ankle deep water for a closer look and head back up the stairs to the bikes.
Bruce's KTM, Desmo's XR650R and my KLR
Meanwhile Todd and company catch up and pass us by
Dayglo Bill
I think this is Fred (Ausfletch)
I missed a shot of Mark, he was going to fast!
As the other guys are coming back up the steps, I decide to take lead and make the run back out to FM 336. However, just down the road, I find the other group pulled over. It seems Chuck has decided it is time for his WR to get some gas so he can make it to Leakey. They seem to have the situation in hand so I cruise on by them and continue on my way. In a few miles we pass through what looks like some kind of summer camp with cabins, playground, swimming hole, etc,... I slow down as we pass through, cross the creek and then make the last bit of the run back to FM 336 to wait for everyone else.
Joe at the exit of Kent Creek Road on FM 336
Looking South down FM336 towards Leakey
Toughest DS road in Texas? I don't know... It is all subjective of course. On the KLR I did not find it all that hard. Just stand up and stay on the gas with a loose grip on the bars. I don't know that I would want to do it for mile after mile, like I had done in places in Arizona with a guide that will remain unnamed (GOTDURT), but for a few hundred yards it was not bad. I still would not have wanted to be on an R1150GS
Some of the riding inside Big Bend National Park was tougher I think, at least on Black Gap Road. Then there are the miles and miles of deep loose sand in East Texas... That stuff will wear you down! Nonetheless, I'd do it again
Once back on pavement, I decide it is time for a little fun. Most of the guys are running a pretty sedate pace to conserve gas. Being on a tanker that is not a problem for me. I make a few passes and then set out to enjoy myself. No point in being out here on such a great road and not making the most of it!
Before long I am rolling into the North side of Leakey and as I slow to merge onto Hwy US 83, Bill comes rolling up behind me. It would seem he had the same thoughts I did!
We roll on into town and pull over in front of that fancy lodge/restaurant place on the corner of 83 and 337. Everyone else soon joins us. There are already quite a few other riders here.
Now that is a sheepskin seat cover!
Another nice KTM (of which there were many!)
Some of Austin's finest... hooligans!
While I am walking around checking out bikes, Darren walks... or slightly limps... up to me, "Want to see something?" Uh oh... I should probably grab my camera but in a fit of pity forget to take any pics
Darren has his right forearm wrapped in an ace bandage down near the elbow. His right hip is bulging noticeably. It seems he has an icepack on his hip. I follow as he hobbles over to his new KTM... dreading what I will see
It is not as bad as I thought it might be. It seems he lowsided on a concrete river crossing on Hwy 377 just South of Junction at the very beginning of the ride
The side of his new extra large gas tanks is rashed up pretty good, as is the exhaust and a few other bits. However, he and the bike seem good to go. After all, he kept riding and came down Kent Creek Road as well! His group starts to head out and I begin wandering back in the direction of food only to meet up with Klaus, whom I have not seen since July of 05 when he and his wife Diane had to bail from a tour to Colorado I was running because of damage to their K1200LT from road debris
No, he's not DS'ing the LT. He has a KLR and he's having a blast! So after a quick chat to catch up, once again I head for food.
Good food, fast and cheap!
I am starving and when the food comes out I totally forget to get the obligatory food shot
By the time I remember, it is gone! Mama Chole makes good soft tacos!
For all the nature lovers out there
[and it is now time for me to take a break... I'll try to get in some more tomorrow].