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tshelfer
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- Joined
- Sep 4, 2009
- Messages
- 13,532
- Reaction score
- 2,935
- Location
- Centennial, CO
- First Name
- Tim
- Last Name
- Shelfer
Hi, folks. I just got back from a 3-day ride that took me to Natchez and back, via lots of US, state, and a few county highways. There are lots of ways to get from here to Mississippi and back with minimal time spent on the interstate super-slabs.
This happens to be my first trip using my Vista cruise control, a Christmas present from my wife. It took a little getting used to, but it was a lifesaver. I’m nursing a rotator cuff problem in my right shoulder and the Vista was the difference between annoying pain and excruciating pain. The Vista, my Dan Vesel seat rest, and my Airhawk seat pad are the trifecta of touring comfort on a no-frills bike like the VStrom.
Day 1 (Wed)
I left Wednesday morning (5/4/16) at about 7:45, riding in cool temps. I wore a fleece under my riding jacket for the first 200 miles or so. I headed south on 287 to clear the DFW area. As I drew near Palestine, evidence of last week’s flooding was everywhere.
Getting out of north Texas, the roads mostly looked like this:
In Palestine, I picked up US 84 and followed it all the way to the suburbs of Natchez. It is mostly two-lane, nicely treed, and not heavily trafficked.
I crossed lots of bayous.
My destination for the night was Natchez MS, a ride of about 420 miles by the roads I took. Once I was checked into my motel, I went out to explore the Misissippi river front.
I got there around sunset, so was able to capture a couple of nice pix.
The Natchez bridge is a beautiful structure. At 8/10ths of mile from end to end, it takes a while to cross.
It’s even more beautiful at night.
I'm afraid these two night pictures just aren't up to par; my hand isn't as steady as it once was. I should have gotten the tripod out of my pannier, but was too lazy or tired to walk the hundred yards to where the bike was parked.
Day 2 (Thu)
In the morning, I headed back toward Texas, but not by any conventional route. Once back across the river, I headed south for about 50 miles on LA 15. On the west side of the road were crops growing in the delta land.
On the east side were levees and sloughs.
This little road had some surprisingly delightful twisties in parts. Clearly too twisty for some bubba who had happened along recently.
And, though not Texas quality or quantity, there were wildflowers.
And needless to say, lots of kudzu.
I followed LA 1 northwest to Alexandria.
On one detour, I crossed this bayou.
There were thousands upon thousands of birds swarming and diving. Hunting bugs, no doubt. They had yellow markings on their wings. I have no idea what they were.
I continued running northwest, hopping on & off LA 1 as I went.
There’s one thing that all Louisiana non-interstate roads seem to have in common. Apparently, when President Reagan abolished the national 55 mph speed limit back in 1986, Thibodaux and Boudreau never got the memo. With rare exceptions, all speed signs looked like this.
Running west on LA 28, I went through Leesville, home of Fort Polk. Or as my generation of Army grunts called it, “Little Vietnam.” Then after a jog northwest, I picked up LA 6, and crossed back into Texas over the Toledo Bend Reservoir. Even after a short trip, this is always a welcome sight.
That is one big, beautiful lake, and those are some long bridges over it.
Partly in Louisiana, partly in Texas, about an hour of today’s run was along the historic El Camino Real, also called the San Antonio Road. Dating back to around 1690, the road was walked and ridden by Spanish explorers, treasure hunters, and later on settlers on their way to becoming Texians, and even a few heroes of the Alamo.
I followed TX 21 all the way in to Nacogdoches. By the way, I heartily recommend this stretch of road for its beauty, curvaceous riding, and historic interest. The run was just over 300 miles, but took a little over 6 hours. I was in no hurry, stopped frequently, and often poked along under the speed limit.
I spent the night in the best Motel 6 I’ve ever seen. Holiday Inn quality, but for only $45 for the night.
Day 3 (Fri)
After a really good night’s sleep, I left for home at 7:45, riding in temps of low 60s. Once out of Nacogdoches “traffic” (ha, they call this traffic?), I rode a pleasant assortment of tree-lined, two-lane boulevards, working gradually northwest.
Eventually the trees gave way to the more open north Texas meadowlands, and the two-lane eventually became US 175 and a fast-moving four-lane, finally merging into the mosh pit known as I-20 through Dallas. One gas stop, and I was home in 201 miles and 3 ½ hours riding.
Total distance ridden: 965 miles.
Total interstate ridden: 46 miles.
Deer dodged: 1 whitetail, but not particularly close.
Dogs dodged: 1 yellow lab who ran across in front of me, panicked, and ran right back. Thankfully, I was ready for him.
Ducks dodged: 1 mother and 5 ducklings, who suddenly reversed course mid-lane. I carved a very narrow path between Mom & the kids.
Average gas mileage: 52.8 mpg.
High/low gas mileage: 56.5 mpg / 49.0 mpg
Good to be home. And I discovered a lot of two-lane blacktop roads that absolutely need to be ridden again. Hmm…
This happens to be my first trip using my Vista cruise control, a Christmas present from my wife. It took a little getting used to, but it was a lifesaver. I’m nursing a rotator cuff problem in my right shoulder and the Vista was the difference between annoying pain and excruciating pain. The Vista, my Dan Vesel seat rest, and my Airhawk seat pad are the trifecta of touring comfort on a no-frills bike like the VStrom.
Day 1 (Wed)
I left Wednesday morning (5/4/16) at about 7:45, riding in cool temps. I wore a fleece under my riding jacket for the first 200 miles or so. I headed south on 287 to clear the DFW area. As I drew near Palestine, evidence of last week’s flooding was everywhere.
Getting out of north Texas, the roads mostly looked like this:
In Palestine, I picked up US 84 and followed it all the way to the suburbs of Natchez. It is mostly two-lane, nicely treed, and not heavily trafficked.
I crossed lots of bayous.
My destination for the night was Natchez MS, a ride of about 420 miles by the roads I took. Once I was checked into my motel, I went out to explore the Misissippi river front.
I got there around sunset, so was able to capture a couple of nice pix.
The Natchez bridge is a beautiful structure. At 8/10ths of mile from end to end, it takes a while to cross.
It’s even more beautiful at night.
I'm afraid these two night pictures just aren't up to par; my hand isn't as steady as it once was. I should have gotten the tripod out of my pannier, but was too lazy or tired to walk the hundred yards to where the bike was parked.
Day 2 (Thu)
In the morning, I headed back toward Texas, but not by any conventional route. Once back across the river, I headed south for about 50 miles on LA 15. On the west side of the road were crops growing in the delta land.
On the east side were levees and sloughs.
This little road had some surprisingly delightful twisties in parts. Clearly too twisty for some bubba who had happened along recently.
And, though not Texas quality or quantity, there were wildflowers.
And needless to say, lots of kudzu.
I followed LA 1 northwest to Alexandria.
On one detour, I crossed this bayou.
There were thousands upon thousands of birds swarming and diving. Hunting bugs, no doubt. They had yellow markings on their wings. I have no idea what they were.
I continued running northwest, hopping on & off LA 1 as I went.
There’s one thing that all Louisiana non-interstate roads seem to have in common. Apparently, when President Reagan abolished the national 55 mph speed limit back in 1986, Thibodaux and Boudreau never got the memo. With rare exceptions, all speed signs looked like this.
Running west on LA 28, I went through Leesville, home of Fort Polk. Or as my generation of Army grunts called it, “Little Vietnam.” Then after a jog northwest, I picked up LA 6, and crossed back into Texas over the Toledo Bend Reservoir. Even after a short trip, this is always a welcome sight.
That is one big, beautiful lake, and those are some long bridges over it.
Partly in Louisiana, partly in Texas, about an hour of today’s run was along the historic El Camino Real, also called the San Antonio Road. Dating back to around 1690, the road was walked and ridden by Spanish explorers, treasure hunters, and later on settlers on their way to becoming Texians, and even a few heroes of the Alamo.
I followed TX 21 all the way in to Nacogdoches. By the way, I heartily recommend this stretch of road for its beauty, curvaceous riding, and historic interest. The run was just over 300 miles, but took a little over 6 hours. I was in no hurry, stopped frequently, and often poked along under the speed limit.
I spent the night in the best Motel 6 I’ve ever seen. Holiday Inn quality, but for only $45 for the night.
Day 3 (Fri)
After a really good night’s sleep, I left for home at 7:45, riding in temps of low 60s. Once out of Nacogdoches “traffic” (ha, they call this traffic?), I rode a pleasant assortment of tree-lined, two-lane boulevards, working gradually northwest.
Eventually the trees gave way to the more open north Texas meadowlands, and the two-lane eventually became US 175 and a fast-moving four-lane, finally merging into the mosh pit known as I-20 through Dallas. One gas stop, and I was home in 201 miles and 3 ½ hours riding.
Total distance ridden: 965 miles.
Total interstate ridden: 46 miles.
Deer dodged: 1 whitetail, but not particularly close.
Dogs dodged: 1 yellow lab who ran across in front of me, panicked, and ran right back. Thankfully, I was ready for him.
Ducks dodged: 1 mother and 5 ducklings, who suddenly reversed course mid-lane. I carved a very narrow path between Mom & the kids.
Average gas mileage: 52.8 mpg.
High/low gas mileage: 56.5 mpg / 49.0 mpg
Good to be home. And I discovered a lot of two-lane blacktop roads that absolutely need to be ridden again. Hmm…
