Middle Texas Meandering

[LicketySplit]

I'm really digging this thread. The photos, stories and history are very cool.

It sure was a nice day for a ride.

 

[KsTeveM]

Where was I, oh yeah, broke down. I had a 100 miles left in my route and was in between Pleasanton and Floresville somewhere on this dirt road, overheating. I know what this means. And it has nothing to do with grey poupon.

The entire trip I’ve been monitoring my overflow tank, keeping an eye on the overflow hose for goop, checking my engine oil level/cleanliness and watching my temp gauge religiously. I had noticed some oil consumption but was wanting to wait till I got home to confirm my suspicion, it just got moved up in my schedule. Temp gauge is hot and I pull over and see this when I look at the overflow hose where it exits down by the skid plate.

I’m in triage mode. Need to get the mayonnaise out of the coolant system best I can and refill radiator with water and get my temps to operate lower.

You ever use your camelback to refill your radiator? Me neither…..till today.

I was worried about having enough and was thinking about water for me as well. I was heating up in the sun. It wasn’t like I was in the middle of Utah somewhere by myself, I had several options for a rescue. But I wanted to extract myself. Five or six cars had passed by, never even let off the accelerator. I was thinking sure could use a few bottles of water. About that time, an older couple that appeared to be out joy riding and drinking some cold ones, stopped and offered me a beer . I declined and said that’s super cool of you, but what I really need is a couple bottles of water. They gave me four and told me where they lived if I didn’t heal myself. Faith in humanity restored!!!! I took their pic as they drove off.

I pushed on down the road but not very far, probably 10 miles. This time I picked a better operatory with some good shade. I had what I needed but was still surprised that several cars rolled by without giving me a second thought, it was a narrower road and some dusted me pretty hard. I can’t fix them, but I can try to fix my bike enough to limp home.

I was feeling good about the amount of water in the system and got rolling towards home with one water bottle left in case I needed to do another road side session.

I made it taking the most direct route of pavement while trying to keep my rpms low.

That’s it for this round of meandering. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year y’all!!

 

[JMZ]

I was off today and could have picked you up, BUT, you would have had to listen to my music

 

[bwdmax]

That’s a great pair of machines!

 

[bwdmax]

I bet that Reindog would lap up all the mayo that KTM can whip up.

 

[KsTeveM]

I was off today and could have picked you up, BUT, you would have had to listen to my music

Ha ha. I would rather have camped out and waited for the couple with the cold beer!!

 

[KsTeveM]

That’s a great pair of machines!

That truck was so cool. Don’t see too many 67-68 3/4 ton step side long beds. I hung out for a bit checking it out, sort of hoping I would have flushed out the owner thinking I was creeping a little too hard.

 

[Baja_Bound]

Great pictures and descriptions as always! You seem to find terrific back roads. Do you try to program a route ahead of time or do you just explore a direction?

 

[KsTeveM]

Great pictures and descriptions as always! You seem to find terrific back roads. Do you try to program a route ahead of time or do you just explore a direction?

I like to have a route figured out, use GE etc. I look for county dirt roads, river/creek crossings, historical stuff. And while out riding, I make note of stuff for future rides. At this point, I’ve been on a lot of dirt roads, so I try to do things in reverse directions and/or stitch things together in new ways, throw in a few miles of new to me roads no matter their texture. Anything to trick my brain. I need to move!! But I have a few ideas for some new rides/themes. I think 2023 will be a weird riding year for me, thinking about making one thread for it all as I am going to be literally all over the map.

 

[Baja_Bound]

Anything to trick my brain. I need to move!!

I like your style.

 

[GrapeApe]

Great report! You continue to surprise. So many good things to see right here at home! Milk makes me sad. Hope you find a simple solution to fix that ol’ war horse.

 

[KsTeveM]

Figured there would be more people posting pics from this past weekend, dang the weather was just about perfect. In lieu of a bunch of ride pics coming in from the masses, I can share a few. This time of year is hard on my Mom with my Dad gone and the family always surrounds her this weekend. Rolled the little red express and my family to the Luling area to play with multiple bikes and keep her company.

I needed to do a test ride of sorts on the 950....resealed some water jackets having to do with coolant system, lowered the gearing, and a new rear shoe. The TKC80 had 1400 miles on it and was not working for me, it was like being on a flat track at this point for my riding style. Threw on the Tusk rear. Game changer.

Big difference, she was lifting tires and shredding earth. Time for some trails. I ran the 950 for a loop and it went everywhere like a champ. You know you are on a big bike, but it's like he doesn't know. So much more agile than my Africa Twin....and my grin is twice as big when riding it. What a beast!!! Have I mentioned I love this bike!!!!

I went for a little dual sport ride just to make sure I liked the gearing at higher speeds and that the rear tire was running smooth since I didn't bother to balance it. I will add that dang it was hard to mount. I may try the Motoz Tractionator next, I remember that one being easy to mount on the rear of my Africa Twin. These wider rear wheels....I worry about being in the bush somewhere and having difficulty spooning with my field spoons. I hate to carry one of my long spoons on this bike, but I may, especially if doing solo remote riding.

Road closed, bridge out. Whatever.

Then I got the 500 out and the boy and I got some good riding in. **** that bike is rock solid!!! Have I mentioned I love this bike!!! It's always like putting on your favorite pair of blue jeans.

We ran our normal trails, did some clean up here and there and then did a lot of what I call cross country, where I adlib like a billy goat traversing where there is no trail. Gave the boy some bigger log hopping 101. We had a good time both Saturday and Sunday.

I told him to video me with my phone, this was his first one, we laughed at his mad skills.

We took turns getting a pic of each other on this little jump.

That's all I got. Hope yall had as good a riding weekend as we did!! Smell ya later!!!

 

[TNC]

Steve, what specifically did you find on your milkshake problem? I looked back on this thread and may have missed it. I saw your mention of "resealed some water jackets"...head gasket?

On the Tusk DOT knobbies, this weekend I just put a pair on that XR650L I picked up in December. Yeah, it was a real wrestling match, especially with the Tubliss installation too. I normally run a Kenda Parker Desert DOT knobby on the front and a Kenda K760 Trakmaster II on the rear of my KLX300. In December I was unable to find those tires so I decided to try these Tusk tires. I've only done about 100 miles on dirt roads so far, and they were fine, but that's not a real test.

Recently I was able to find a pair of Kenda Parker Deserts, front and rear. The front Parker Desert is one of the few tires I've used that didn't tear side knobs. It'll be the first time I've tried the matching rear. Still, it will interesting to see how these relatively inexpensive Tusk knobbies do.

 

[KsTeveM]

Milkshake problem.....I pulled the right side cover, inspected things, bought another gasket, made sure to be exacting with old gasket removal, added sealant around the two water jackets on both sides of gasket, put it back together. I went for a 50 mile ride, things seem ok, drained radiator, looked clean. Rode it hard this weekend, I think it's still making milk of magnesia looking at it with radiator cap off. I need to drain system again, but I'm pretty sure it's no bueno and pretty sure I'm probably ready for assistance. Trying to decide if a buddy has time to mess with me or if I need to take it somewhere. Past friend's experiences, TJs is out. Thought about Munn's, I've heard more good than bad. Anybody recommend someone for head gasket replacement? I don't mind doing the dirty work, turning the wrenches, just need someone smarter than me for the smarts parts.

Kenda Trakmaster.....I haven't run them in recent years. I ran one of their aggressive knobs back in the day on my DR350. My buddies called me Splatmaster. We were younger as well, part of the game to roost anyone that tried to pass .

 

[KsTeveM]

Drained coolant system at radiator and water pump housing…..

Looks like shrek pee…..maybe I got this sorted out now? More testing needed

 

[KsTeveM]

I didn't know where else to put this.....but had to share!!!!

 

[LlanoRiverMan]

You didn't include the most sad and ridiculous part of the story.............

'The local “Locks Of Love” foundation is putting on a hair drive to try and create 37 Faux top-knots and or man buns for the victims. If you would like to donate your hair please contact you closest Locks of Love and they will point you in the right direction.'

I think we may need some new legislation and maybe a documentary to commemorate this tragedy.

 

[KsTeveM]

It is still hot but I decided to get out and about, been going crazy. Not sure if this is still considered middle Texas….but it is for sure more meandering. And I’ve been slapped around for adding to an old thread….so thought I should stay true to form. Loaded myself up on the Super Enduro yesterday and headed out of work a little early. Met up with Bwdmax in Wimberly. Two is better than one. Onward.

Pretty quickly did my bird bath routine. The Blanco River is looking rough, completely dry in a lot of spots.

And then there were three…..LlanoRiverMan bought a new T7 and has been wanting to get in some more dirt shenanigans. So he met us in Stonewall, sounds all manly like doesn’t it? Better than meeting in Sisterdale. We took off all tough like and went looking for….I don’t know, just looking.

Rolling north, finding some dirtiness.

Paper plates even!

And things were certainly a bit enchanting.

The ol Dewalt bag trick. Million dollars in upgrades, Dewalt bag mounted with zip ties, priceless.

Roads were a little slippitty. We rode a little cautiously.

I hadn’t been across Schneider Crossing since the new bridged was finished. And more bird bathness.

I liked it the old way. Go figure.

We crossed, and crossed again….then enjoyed and enjoyed at the watering hole. Shhh.

Time to scoot…..snuck through the Art Hedwig zone. I stopped to let the heman woman hater gang know that there use to be a post office in this area at Hedwigs Hill in 1858 and the postmaster had to worry about Indian raids. Hard to believe, we are so far removed from anything like that. I don’t know why stuff like that interests me and sticks with me. I guess it’s the little boy in me.

Rolled west, I don’t recall hitting this road before. I like it when I can sneak in something new.

Crossed the Dos….and headed for you know what.

I forgot how pretty it was in this zone.

LlanoMano split from the group to go “start a fire” at HQ. Bmullex didn’t have a choice, I needed some good fodder for the report. We stopped here to converse….about who was going to be the fodder, I mean forder.

Sometimes you’re the witness, sometimes you’re the accomplice, sometimes you get out alive….and dry.

Little bit of a slip and slide….but we survived.

Second crossing was all but dry.

I like the subsequent cool little land features to the south. Enjoyed that chunk of geology, I haven’t been through here in a few years.

Then the last bit of dirt for the day. Time to get jiggy with it.

We went a few more miles down the road and landed at our digs for the night. And headed for a swimming hole. Not too shabby for a half-day? More to come, we got some more riding to do.

 

[KsTeveM]

Got up and at um this morning.

Maybe you were wondering what was next. We headed north, sucka.

Some typical dirt of the area.

And some inevitable pavement.

We got back on some dirt, and it was getting better and better.

Rolled a bit of wheelie passing the powerful weestrom.

The road was deteriorating beautifully but I knew that probably meant we had just kissed a frog but didn’t know it yet. Sure enough. Oh well, it happens. Rolled back to some pavement and ran into town.

I was just going to buzz in/out of the next town….but something caught my eye when making the route. Hmmm, sniff sniff. I smell something that needs lookin at.

Presidio San Saba was built in 1757 by Don Diego Ortiz Parrilla…..If memory serves I think this is what Don Diego looked like:

Presidio San Saba is quite a bit older than the typical “settlement” forts I have checked out from the 1800s. But this wasn’t us, it was put here to protect Spanish interests in the region of the Southern Plains in the mid 1700s. This was the largest physically of its kind at the time in the Texas region and was manned with 300 soldiers.

This was a prison/fort subsidized by the Spanish Crown for three reasons….to protect nearby Mission Santa Cruz de San Saba (there to convert Apaches), to verify reports of sliver deposits and to protect the Spanish border from risks of Indian attacks. The mission was burned down in 1758 by a large group of 1500 “northerners” comprised of Comanche/Wichita/Kitsai/Caddo tribes….riding Spanish horses and armed with French guns. They thought the Apaches were there, which they weren’t cause they didn’t like the mission. So they just burned the place down and killed the people that were there….2 priests, 4 soldiers and two mission residents.

This was the only mission that was destroyed by Native Americans. The Comanche considered it a great victory, the Spanish not so much. In 1759 in retaliation the Spanish government authorized Don Diego to attack the Comanche, I think he put on his black suit for that. Over 600 soldiers from as far away as San Luis Potosi/Coahuila/Sierra Gorda, along with Apache allies, killed 55 warriors and took 150 prisoners. The Spanish were eventually pushed back when they attacked a heavily fortified Wichita village along the Red River. The Spanish suffered 19 dead and the troops retreated leaving two cannons in the hands of the Comanche. Eventually the Presidio was abandoned by the Viceroy of New Spain in 1772 due to the lack of silver riches. Seems locals used the rocks from the presidio for their construction in town and cowboys used the rocks to make fences along the San Saba River for Great Western Trail cattle drives a hundred years later. In 1936 the Texas Centennial Commission paid to have the fort reconstructed. The ruins you see are from that era reconstruction, built on historic footings/wall sections.

Sorry to ramble….just some cool history that went down here that I wouldn’t know anything about if it weren’t for this little rando ride today. Thought others might enjoy it. Not often I get into the 1700s with my history lessons around these parts. And another place Jim Bowie hung out.

With Indians and Spaniards on the brain doing patrols in this area once upon a time……I was patrolling new to me dirt with the Super Enduro. That always feels good. The FM road turned to dirt, little later dead end sign. I figured that was for Corollas and KLRs. Or the old bridge is out trick. Have to try right?

I poked through some barricade looking stuff and then parked the bike to walk it. It was precarious but yet inviting?

Come on boys, we got this.

Maybe? Think positive thoughts….I think floods washed out the old county road gravel. Guessed my way……

…….across to where the county road picked back up again. We made it. Happy happy!

Next piece of dirt was heading north towards Eden. We got pretty far into it and then the road started getting crappy (good) and I figured we were about to french kiss another frog.

Sure enough, frogged. We backtracked and might have scouted a work around, but we guessed at fuel range and we wouldn’t make it. We headed for a gas pump. First we had a cattle guard jump competition. The winner is based on overall sexiness. You be the judge…..but……

Thinking back, I wish we had setup a camera for Bmullex casing the wee….would have been cool! But we rolled into town and gassed up, then headed east, tried to start back south and kissed another dang frog, right on the ribbit.

Enough, just grabbed some slab. I’ve come to learn Jim Bowie was an active feller. I think I’m going to do some deeper dives on him.

Crossed back over the San Saba and back in semi-familiar territory. My Aunt grew up in Hext in the 50s and 60s farming and ranching. While the world sure has changed a lot in that span of time, Hext hasn’t much. The community was originally called Moringo when it was settled in the 1870s. When they went to establish a post office in 1895, that name was already taken so they went with one of the original settlers, Joseph Hext. The town peaked around 1914 when it had 125 residents, two general stores, a hotel, cotton gin and a Church of Christ organized in 1904. I didn’t see any hotels. We stopped at the little cafe and talked to the older lady, Pat, that runs runs the place, super nice people. We just drank some cold gatorades but the cheeseburger she made for another customer looked pretty good. Future stop will be made.

We head south and stop in London. I like this little town. About the size that agrees with me. Maybe there is some mental stimulation to be had here.

Starts off decent, London Town materialized around 1880 when a former Union officer named Len Lewis moved to the area to trade horses. Post office opened in 1892. By 1930 population was up to 360 (take that Hext!)….but dang depression knocked it back by half. Present day 180. Former Texas governor from 1941-1947 Coke Stevenson lived here as a child. I was starting to get historically warmed up. Led me down a jaguar hole, you heard me. The below jaguar was killed in London Texas in 1909. Worth the read. https://wildtexashistory.com/london-texas-jaguar-1909/

We just got some ice cream and moved on. After I drooled over the Willys truck.

Last bit of dirt….we were headed for the barn.

Next up, Yates Crossing. Yates began as a crossing for cattle herds on the Llano River. Joseph Yates applied for a post office which was granted in 1907. The ford was called the Beef Trail Crossing and was part of a feeder trail to the Western Trail used by ranchers from Bandera, Edwards, Kerr, Kimble, Medina, Real and Uvalde counties. Huge herds of cattle made the crossing from the 1860s through 1880s. The town’s anchor was a store and gas station (private property now). The population of Yates peaked with 51 residents in the 1930s. Go Hext!

LlanoMano seems pleased and reporting good things from the T7. It has my eye, I think it is a good modern platform for an adventurer looking for actual adventure. But…..what about that Super Enduro?

Bmullex seems pleased enough with the economics of the WeeStrom. But make no mistake, he is expertly collecting field data….scheming a future upgrade. Ohhh the excitement.

Time for some fellowship and cold stuff.

Yabadabbadoo

Night night!

 

[KsTeveM]

Today was about meandering home. Took normal stuff east.

We knew it was going to be a hot one, but the morning was still enjoyable.

Made a pit stop at the old mill so Garbear could eye ball it….and I could bird bath it up. That spring was still running good…..and cold!

It was getting hot, we started leaning towards knocking the ride out.

Well, that’s about that. Meandering over…..for now. The next big ride has been brewing for a while…..and the percolator is about to start bubbling. Hang on.

 

[bwdmax]

Great weekend meandering…

Steve-O in the birdbath.

One more of the old mill with the “Old Mills”.

 

[KsTeveM]

I was thinking about the ride from this past weekend. We fell a little short of the goal and didn't quite make it into Concho County due to multiple dead ends but I still enjoyed seeing some new to me backroads. I don't see many folks riding in that region. I know it is kind of in the middle of nowhere, flattish, hottish, scrubbish....but I figure there might still be some CR gems? Like the San Saba bridge "closed" adventure we had.

Anybody have meandering dirt tracks in that zone, off the beaten path jewels? When you think West Texas and desert, I know Big Bend gets our focus as it should, I just like seeing some new country/small towns off the beaten path sometimes.

 

[JustJohn]

I live in Concho County. Sorry to say, but I can't think of anything really interesting to see unless you want to check out the solar farms up around Paint Rock. Plenty of CR's to run if you enjoy farm and ranch country, not many dead ends. Maybe worth a run up by Ivie Lake, FM 2134 was covered by the lake when it was built so you can run 2134 from the North or South to the lake. Plenty of dirt roads around the lake. Also the Indian pictographs North of Paint Rock, they're on private ranch land so you probably have to call to set up a tour.

 

[KsTeveM]

Thanks for the reply! Yup the pictographs caught my attention passing through there in the past….then was sad it was on private land when I googled it….Texas life. Thanks for the lake details, I may roam around up that way at some point. I made it to Texana a few times jeeping….would like to get back up there on a bike. It is probably always wishful thinking to find more roaming adventure opportunities closer to home that scratch the itch sufficiently.

 

[KsTeveM]

Get Some!!