I had the day to myself, so I headed out about noon to do some riding. I headed East first, toward Point Blank on US 190. The run back West on 190 to FM 946. I like to run Felix Currie over to Wilderness Rd., which then comes out on Hwy 156. When I first started running this road, it was pretty nasty and I didn't usually run am 1200 GS through there, just the KLR 650 and later the KTM 530 EXC. It was mainly an access road for deer leases. In recent years, I think the deer leases have been broken up and sold off in smaller lots and now there are homes being built out in the area. So now they county has been grading the road, laying down gravel in places, and generally improving the road. That said, it still has a few challenging spots, especially when it has been dry a long time and the dirt sections are nice and powdery from trucks grinding up the dirt. There is also a good bit of deep sand in some places. In one corner, I thought for sure I was gonna eat it, but somehow I managed to stay on the gas and upright. It would probably have been easier if I were running either a TKC 80 or Shink 805 rear instead of the TKC 70. There were also some long straighter sections with deep sand, but going straight usually isn't a problem.
Just South of where Wilderness Rd., drops out onto Hwy 156, I picked up Snow Hill Rd., and headed back toward 946, then ran back up Harrell Rd., to Hwy 156 again. These roads have a lot of loose gravel on the Northeast ends, like ball bearings. The Southwest ends of both roads have a lot of loose sand. Both are fun.
I ran down FM 224 along the West side of Lake Livingston to Coldspring for a break, then looped around FM 945 to Evergreen. Then I rain back NW through the SHNF on FR 202, 207, 245, and back South on 206. 206 is fun with lots of curves. It runs back to 200 and then I cut over to FM 1375 and ran into New Waverly. I cruised on across the North end of Lake Conroe and the temp briefly dipped down to 97 as I crossed the water, but then went right back up to 99.5, where it stayed for most of the day. I cut through the SHNF on Stubblefield Rd., FR 215, and County Line Rd. over to FM 1791. Somewhere in there I had a good sized pig come shooting out of the woods, crossing in front of my and then vanishing into the underbrush. They are usually in packs, so I got on the brakes just in case more were coming out. I never did see any others though. I made a run down to Montgomery for another rest stop, then headed out to Yankee's via back roads around Anderson. Some kind of sports car club was at Yankee's having lunch. This Vette was the only non BMW in the group. They were all young guys, the oldest looking like he might have been in his early 30s. The guy driving this Vette looked like his was in his early 20s! I snapped a shot of it because my daughter Rachel seems to have a thing for Vettes and she loves this color.
I didn't get his name, but I did talk with this guy after he pulled into the lot. He used to own a Honda dealership for years. This is one of many he still has. He restored this one himself.
After a nice lemonade at Yankee's, I headed toward Bedias on more backroads. I stopped for gas and more fluids at the Smiley's in Bedias. It is nice. They keep the place real cold. They have tables inside and there are AC vents right above them! They also have a grill, but I haven't yet had occasion to try their food. We have a Smiley's near my home that has a grill as well, and they make pretty good burgers.
The start of CR 146 just SE of Bedias. I run this to Hopewell Road and eventually come back out on FM 1696.
HOT!! DUSTY!! SANDY!! FUN!!
I did finally break down and wash the bike this evening after getting home. Of course, then I had to take it out for a spin to dry it off