For serious and fun minded motorcycle riders in the Greater Texoma area and beyond.

Departure

Five bikes with 8 riders and passengers left Sherman, Texas on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 headed for the Hills; Danny & Melba on their GL1800, Wiley & Debra on their Ultra Classic, Ken & Willie on their GL1800, Ron on his GL1800 and Mike on his ST1100.

Departure was from the Murray Gas stop/Wal Mart at the intersection of highways 75 and 82 in Sherman. We followed 82 out to Gainesville where we stopped for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel just off I 35.

After a great Cracker Barrel breakfast, we followed I35 south for a short distance where we exited on California Street/ Highway 51 heading southwest to Weatherford, where we turned onto I20 West all the way to Highway 16. We stayed on Highway 16 all the way to Cooper's BBQ in Llano, Texas. Needless to say, we all enjoyed a great meal at Cooper's. Bloated, we continued south on 16 through Fredericksburg, Kerrville and on to Bandera and the Flying A Ranch.

Our Stay at the Flying A Ranch (Bandera, Texas)

The Flying A Ranch is the best place this rider has ever stayed at in the Hill Country! We highly recommend it for anyone wanting to ride the great twisty roads of the Texas Hill Country. It is difficult to impossible to get reservations during hunting season and on weekends, but is well worth the effort if you can get in. Because we left on Wednesday, we had no problem and were the only people at the Ranch for two days. Because it was booked up for the weekend, our plans were to return to Fredericksburg for the last night. Total trip to Bandera and the Flying A Ranch was 394 miles from the intersection of Highways 75 and 82 in Sherman.

The Lodge and one Unit Pair - Viewed from Back		Relaxing on the Lodge Porch after a day of riding
Look back up toward the Lodge from the Fire Pit		View from Lodge - Deer Feeding Time
A View of the Pond ( an impoundment on the San Julian Creek )
Deer Feeding Time - accross the (San Julian) Pond - a closer look.
Looking toward Pond from Cabin Unit 3		"Hummingbird Moth" working flowers
Down by the pond behind the Lodge		Danny catches a big one.
Looking out from the Lodge		Inside the Lodge

Breakfasts were included in the accommodations at the Flying A Ranch and they were delicious - with plenty of food for everyone. Eggs, bacon, cinnamon buns, rolls, sausage and even pancakes. No one went away hungry!

Second Day (Click HERE for Map)

On Thursday we rode the twisties. A short diversion run in the morning for scouting purposes was followed by a day of great twisting roads with perfect weather. From Bandera we followed 470 west to 187 where we took the short jog south to Utopia. We learned there at a gas stop that one could purchase a piece of the Hill Country - 100 acres to be exact - for the low sum of $1.6 million. We were a little short on cash that day, so we all decided to turn down such a good offer.

From Utopia we took 1050 west to 83 and into Leakey. We also learned that the locals pronounce it Lake-y - like in 'Lake Texoma' - not 'Leakey' as in a dripping faucet.

From Leakey we took Texas Ranch Road 337 west to Camp Wood, then followed 55 south to 334 where we turned west and headed to Bracketville. We noticed a change of terrain on that leg of the ride - leaving the typical 'Hill Country' type scenery and getting into the 'West Texas' type of geology for a short time.

From Bracketville we headed north on 674 to regain the Hill Country terrain once again - jogged over on 337 to Rock Springs and followed 377 north to 41 where we headed back east for short distance to Texas Ranch Road 335 - 'The Roller coaster'. We followed 335 south back into Camp Wood where we doubled back on RR 337 back into Leakey for a view coming from the other side. Heading north we picked up 39 and followed that until it merged into 27 outside of Kerrville. That is a very scenic drive as if follows the Guadalupe River into town.

You can probably guess by now, that once into Kerrville we made another food stop. This was planned by Ron as he highly recommended Mamacita's Mexican Restaurant there - that just happened to be on 27 as we rolled in. And since Ron was batting 1000 on the Flying A Ranch recommendation, we all decided to continue following his advice. The meal was delicious and we highly recommend Mamacita's if you're looking to good Mexican Cuisine in Kerrville.

We then doubled back to Wal Mart to replace a head light in Ron's Gl1800 - where Danny showed us how to save about $75 to $100 by buying the bulb at Wal Mart - and - true to Danny's technical expertises with Gold Wings (and other) show how to reach up under the fairing from behind the forks and replace the bulb. This save the one-hour labor charge.

From there, we followed 27 back to 16 and headed south to Bandera. We took another route that saved some time by taking the 'truck' bypass on highway 173 south to Bandera. This not only saved some time, but turned out to be a great ride also.

Then we all gathered around in the giant lodge at the Flying A Ranch, visited, watched TV, and tried to locate a tire for Mike's ST1100 - which was showing some chord by this time. The efforts to find a tire and a place that would put it on were extensive to say the least.

Third Day

The next morning we divided into two groups - the 'Tour Group' and the 'Tire Group'. The 'Tire Group' was Mike as he headed out to where he thought a new tire awaited. The rest went on a tour of the nearly 9000 acre Flying A Ranch wildlife preserve. Our tour guide Trey, was great and showed us all sorts of domestic and exotic game running around on the preserve.

We also topped a high hill in the middle of it called "Charlie's Hideaway" were the took in the views. The tour worked out really well for us as it had rained the night before and was still drizzling that morning. So we spent our time in the dry confines of the Suburban tour vehicle and enjoyed the scenery from 4 wheels instead of two.

We returned to the lodge just after noon to check out and head back north. Mike returned and had found no 'luck' (or what luck he found as all 'bad') in finding a tire.

At this point, the only trouble was not locating a tire. Wiley had developed CB and other electrical problems due to the rain and Ken had developed a transmission problem - where the bike could not always 'find' first gear. Some start ups form a dead stop had to be done in 4th gear. We still do not know the outcome of the GL1800 transmission shifting problem, but it appears to be something inside the transmission at this time.

We packed up and headed back north to Fredericksburg where we had reservations for the last night. Ron and Danny and Mile headed off toward Austin - or Georgetown - to get a tire - while the rest of the group shopped and ate at the German Restaurant. While enjoying the outdoor dining and great German food, we looked up through the trees toward the west to notice a very darkening sky.

Wiley and Ken beat it back to the hotel where they pulled their bikes under the awning while the 'Girls' took a taxi back. (We had one more rider than we had bikes at that time and would have required a return shuttle trip. As it turned out, it was a very good decision as a large branch was blown out of a tree in the area where we would have been making the second return trip.

We had rain and hail - but not too bad. The 'Tire Group' was weathering the bad stuff out east - but waited out the heaviest part of the frontal storms and made it back to the hotel safely - albeit a bit wet by that time. The good news, MIke has two brand new tires on his ST1100! Thanks to Ron 'explaining' things to the dealer.

What an adventure it was that night! There were storms and tornadoes in the area, but we all got through ok.

Return Home (Click HERE for Hico to Weatherford Detail Map)

The next morning we left in overcast conditions with the temperature hovering around the 48 degree mark. Cool to say the least! That coupled with very strong gusts made the trip back north something less that pleasant - but one of those things we all come to know and live with when we go biking. Especially to the Hill Country in the springtime!

We followed 16 north to Llano, where we gassed up and headed east on 29 to 281. This was all part of the plan to stop at 'The Coffee Cup' in Hico for lunch. It worked. The lunch was great and everyone burped. We gassed up and continued north.

We found a fairly good route to avoid going all the way to Stephenville. Rather than taking 281 and looping back west to Stephenville, we went a few blocks east in Hico where we picked up Highway 220 north. We then merged into Highway 67 to Glen Rose and then took Highway 144 north to Grandbury. In Grandbury we headed east on 377 for a short time and then picked up Highway 167 north to Weatherford and then picked up the traditional Highway 51 toward Gainesville.

Danny and Ron wanted to look at some machinery in Ft. Worth, so they headed in that direction instead of going north. Mike had also 'peeled' off toward Ft. Worth earlier toward his home.

Since 51 headed right by the square in Decatur - and since 'Sweetie Pie's Ribeyes' is right on the square, Wiley & Debra and Ken & Willie decided to try them out. Supposedly owned by the same folks that have 'Babes' we thought it worth the investigation. The meal was very good - and is similar - but the exactly the same as - Babe's. Given a choice with all things equal, we would probably opt for Babes. But it was a good meal and was a good 'warm up'. But it wasn't Babes'.

From there we continued on 51 northeast to Gainesville then took 82 home. Ken & Willie arrived around 7:20 in Luella and Wiley & Debra arrived in Denison about the same time.

Summary

All in all it was a great trip with great twisty roads, excellent weather until the return trip home - and great people and great eating!

The flowers were pretty - not as showy in the Hill Country as some past years. We saw a lot more than the normal amount of Bluebonnets and Indian Paint Brush blanketing Highway 16 - and others - on the way down.

Weather was perfect - except for the last day returning home. But at least that was dry!

Total miles traveled: 1174 Miles - Moving Average: 53.3 MPH

The Flying A Ranch was outstanding and we all highly recommend it if you can get a reservation. Weekdays and non-hunting season are the best bet. See www.flyingaranch.net for details and more information.