With lunch out of the way, it was time to ride south on two exceptional dirt roads - White Mountain and Cedar Creek roads. For many years Cedar Creek has been my favorite dirt road in the hill country. It is a rare road with a wonderful mix of remoteness, scenery, and water crossings. However, I'm sad to report that the county has been making "improvements" and those fantastic low water crossings that Texas Adventure Riders have enjoyed, and photographed, so much over the years are now a thing of the past. The county has built up all but two of the low water crossings with "rock bridges", presumably in an effort to make Cedar Creek passable following heavy rain. The county has also widened the eastern end of Cedar Creek. I'm sure these improvements were welcomed by those who have land along Cedar Creek or White Mountain but from an adventure bike perspective they aren't improvements at all. Sigh. The scenery is still nice and it's still remote but the water crossings, which really made this road such an adventure, are no more. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. On with the report.
The first thing of note when riding south on White Mountain is the Hillbilly Hilton (that's what I call it - I'm sure the owner has a different name). It is the most elaborate deer stand I've ever seen and has become increasingly sophisticated over the past dozen years.
White Mountain road follows the highest land in the area and, thus, doesn't offer much in the way of elevation changes or dramatic scenery. But it's a really long dirt road and is always enjoyable to ride. It also has a lot of bump gates and makes a great training road for those deficient in their bump gate technique.
My group played leap-frog with this group of reprobate bikers. Does anyone know these miscreants?
This group of handsome fellows and beautiful women was the polished and urbane group I was leading.
As I mentioned, all but two of the low water crossings on Cedar Creek are now gone. But the two remaining crossings are still fun and a provide a great photographic opportunity.
He's down.
No harm, no foul. Pick her up and keep riding.
This is the second low water crossing.
After completing Cedar Creek Road, we ran a few miles of pavement south to Camp Wood for a cold drink, an ice cream, and a group discussion of what to do next.