Middle Texas Meandering

[KsTeveM]

Yup, glad he is doing ok. Surgery tomorrow on the wrist but he's been back at work this week. Insurance tried to give him $13,900 for the bike, he declined and told them to try again. I'm trying to influence his next purchase to lean to the dark/dirt side. If I were a Triumph man with money in my pocket....probably snag a Steve McQueen edition scrambler!!

 

[Jarrett]

That sucker puts off some heat around those pipes.

If he wants Triumph in the dirt, Tiger 900 Rally Pro is the way.

 

[KsTeveM]

That sucker puts off some heat around those pipes.

If he wants Triumph in the dirt, Tiger 900 Rally Pro is the way.

Several of us have wondered how bad that heat is....I think I read the new ones had some improvements? It is more me wanting him in the dirt for selfish reasons.....thought the Scrambler might still have enough roots to his Thruxton to entice him. Historically he has hung out with Norton/Triumph people dragging pegs. I think the Tiger 900 would scare him, the shear size of it, little bit vertically challenged and I think he probably worries about pulling the rabbit out of the hat following me in the dirt. Got to go with what you are comfortable with.....I just want someone to ride with me on my jaunts....through stuff that is uncomfortable at times

 

[Jarrett]

I just want someone to ride with me on my jaunts....through stuff that is uncomfortable at times

I'm not scared of a little dirt... just saying.

 

[KsTeveM]

 

[KsTeveM]

I got out there and slapped down a couple hundred miles. Chilly morning but man what a beautiful day!

Got me feeling grateful about things. My life, my loved ones, my loved bikes!

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone here that has contributed to my riding experience. Most probably don’t even know it.

And thanks to the moderators, best I can tell they do a good job and have been doing it a long time, without much pay off involved. People like me are the ROI of their time. My life has been enhanced cause of this forum.

Maybe at times, it might be best to do a little less typing and more riding!

And stop to give thanks to who deserves it.

And most of all, get off your axx and ride!!

 

[SpiritAtBay]

Hear Hear for all the above sentiments!


“Less typing, more riding.”

Think I’ll add that to my sig line

 

[KsTeveM]

Maybe I should clarify….ride report typing is good!!

 

[KsTeveM]

Got out and about Saturday to do some more Middle Texas Meandering. Small break in the weather proved to be a good ride. Fall colors doing a decent job.

This pic looks like I was going to go on a swamp boat ride.

This pic looks like I was going to go on a sail boat ride.

Saw a big motorcade coming slowly. I pulled over, was thinking funeral procession, with a lot of motorcycles leading the way. Made me sad for a minute. Took my helmet off and was paying my respects. Ended up just being a big cruiser bike convoy with police escort. Not sure what that was about, but it didn't hurt me to take a break and I was glad there wasn't a big black station wagon.

Moving a little further into the hill country, enjoying taking my time and looking around.

I stopped here for a break/snack. Beautiful colors, really peaceful. Wish this was my back yard.

Looks like a picture you would see in a calendar.

Pushed a little further into the hill country. Blue skies were holding out and the temps were just about perfect.

This seems like an aggressive entrance. Rumor is the dude had someone measure the Alamo and built this to scale. Wonder what his house looks like? It would be awesome if you pulled down in his place and he lived in a trailer.

Kind of a scraggly tree, but I thought it was pretty and couldn't help letting it pose next to the SE.

Well that's about it, small ride. It came to be cause I needed to pick up my Uncle's Tacoma. He got a new to him Tundra and didn't like the dealer taking advantage of him on the trade. So he let me take advantage of him. I have several teenage drivers so I am not going to let a decent Tacoma slip away if I can help it. I have 3 Tacomas now and this wasn't the best timing for me, seems crazy, but I knew I would regret letting this one slip away. I also borrowed his motorcycle rack and snagged this CRF150F on the way home. Again, not the best timing for me but we have had a need for another trail bike for the teenagers and this seemed like a smart dumb purchase. Meandering, and spending, done.....for now.

 

[ConejoDon]

Gonna miss that truck...

 

[KsTeveM]

Well, after the mayonnaise mayhem……

I was in need of going walk about. With the miracle whip hopefully taken care of, what now? More like where now? I originally thought I might sneak in a big week long ride this week out west. But between the cold temps and family gatherings, I needed to back off the scale of my stupidity. I thought maybe just get out for a couple days on the Super Enduro and make sure the recent repair and mods were reliable.

Decided to blast out a couple hundred miles today meandering in the hill country.

Normal stuff one would do, just tried to stitch it together a little different to bring me some newness.

And threw in this stretch I had not seen. Camera does no justice to these “mountains”.

Little chilly when I left the house, and then dang it, mucho gorgeous afternoon.

Surprised I didn’t run into any other adventure brothers or sisters out and about.

Took a decent break here along the river…..

Then some Texas Pride came shining through.

Played on some decent roads with the afterburners fully lit. The bike was feeling solid!!

Finally had to just leave it in 5th. If you are in 6th in the dirt, it turns into break neck speeds, literally. Me no want to kiss a deer or cow, and they were out begging for smooches. I’m decent at reading them, but stuff happens. And slowing down/stopping is not this bike’s strong suite. Suppressed the beast a bit.

Few more clicks and set her down for the night in Ingram for some Uncle love. Got 225 miles in today, bike is feeling good. Planning on a big mile day tomorrow. Catch you on the flip side.

 

[Jeff S]

Well, after the mayonnaise mayhem……

Wait.... what?

 

[kickstand~prophet]

Wait.... what?

What no mustard?

 

[KsTeveM]

Wait.... what?

That’s what the forums call it on these LC8 motors when oil gets into coolant system. Water pump seal is the culprit…..at least that is what one hopes for in this situation. I won’t know for sure till I flush the radiator again, after this good long ride.

 

[KsTeveM]

What no mustard?

Mustard came later. My Uncle let me make a sandwich before I left his house this morning. And not just with any mustard, Grey Poupun. And he insisted I sprinkle some black pepper and 3 drops of Tabasco on the roast beef. Pardon me…..it wasn’t too shabby trail side.

 

[KsTeveM]

I stalled out for a bit this morning to let the cold temps warm up into the 40s. Then set out grinin to follow the sun.

It was still cold but a super clear and bright morning. About an hour later I was on FM336.

Today’s plan was pounding out a lot of pavement, I had Bracketville in my sights. But I did stitch in some good dirt, always a goody.

It’s hard to beat this blue sky and cliffs for prettyness…..

And then the Hill Country spring fed water features step in…..

A couple bump gates and a little fm road later, and I was on FM335.

Skipped in and out of Rocksprings and on down the road on FM674 and found a lunch spot on a power line sneaker trail. Private quiet place to take a break.

Decent shot of the West Prong Nueces river valley.

Rolled into Bracketville. Oh and by the way, don’t speed on the Rocksprings to Bracketville road…..DPS was everywhere. Luckily I overheard Rockspringians complaining in town about it.

In town I was on the hunt for something interesting like an old building. Instead I got this, daddy like!!

And…..back to it. Punched out some miles north towards the Montell area and more Nueces country. I like this spot, it’s like an old friend, have some cool memories from these parts.

Time to FM337 my self east towards Leakey.

And more FM337 to further one’s self further east towards Tarpley.

Last shot of the day on the Sabinal. I’m at my sister and bnl house tonight. It was a good day in the saddle, 300 plus miles and I’m not feeling sore. Tomorrow should be another couple hundred miles, hoping to see something new. Nighty night!!

 

[LlanoRiverMan]

My trip to Oregon got cancelled. Now I'm feeling gipped in so many ways. One way is I could have accompanied you on this part of this run.

Some killer pics and view, thanks for sharing (rubbing it in)!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[KsTeveM]

My trip to Oregon got cancelled. Now I'm feeling gipped in so many ways. One way is I could have accompanied you on this part of this run.

Some killer pics and view, thanks for sharing (rubbing it in)!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dang it dude, I rode right by your place on Monday!! Guess we’ll have to get dirty together another time. Maybe I should have said gritty?

 

[LlanoRiverMan]

Looks like you probably hit parts of my aforementioned 'Brackettville Dirt Run'. Will email you my plan and gpx to look at. Would like to give it a try in the coming weeks.

 

[KsTeveM]

I got moving at a decent time this morning. Helped the temps were a little better as this front dies down. Heading out of the Tarpley area/my digs for the night. Come on sun, you can do it!

Got on some dirt pretty quickly, helped me going slower with the earlier start and temps. I just had to try to stay dry.

I like this spot below. Looking one direction, saying goodbye hill country.

Looking the other direction saying hello south Texas.

Popped out around Dhanis. Checked out this old church from the 1850s. I hate that it’s falling apart. Needs some love.

I started feeling patriotic around Yancey somewhere on some more dirt.

And I’ll let you in on a little secret. I really like these old gas station/general stores with that 50s look. I daydream about having a chapter of my life that allows me to bring one back to life. And maybe sell moto stuff, or weld something for a passer by. Or sell BBQ when I feel Iike it or till I run out. Or just sit on the porch and grin at people that look nice, and frown at people that look, not nice.

I just popped out in Devine. Was hoping for some breakfast tacos somewhere. Took a road called zig zag, and it plopped me out at a good Mexican food place. So I was able to update this thread with the morning’s happenings. I just had three glasses of tea. Getting back on the bike…..but there will be some more pics coming soon

 

[KsTeveM]

And 10 minutes later, pee stop.

While it certainly isn’t the hill country, it was nice for new scenery and the oaks are bigger in these parts. Dirt roads I stitched together weren’t too shabby neither.

It was more than 10 minutes later, but this was another tea removal stop.

More oaks and dirt…..

Skirted through Pleasanton and sniffed out more dirt here and there. Was worried some of it might not cut through.

And let’s just say I’ve been spending some time at the below location and that the miracle is not whipped.

 

[LlanoRiverMan]

Oh no. More milk?

 

[SilverBullet]

Oh no. More milk?

How does that bike make condensed milk from mayonaisse? KTM engineering is genius. LOL

Hoping you get that squared away and permanently Steve. The SE is a cool platform.

 

[KsTeveM]

Oh no. More milk?

 

[KsTeveM]

How does that bike make condensed milk from mayonaisse? KTM engineering is genius. LOL

Hoping you get that squared away and permanently Steve. The SE is a cool platform.

I’ll get it fixed one way or the other. My old Africa Twin will probably still be running when people live on mars. But I wasn’t over the moon for it like I am this bike.