I'll be riding from Tucson, AZ to Ft Worth starting next Friday (the 5th).
My plan is to get to either Monahan's Sandhills State Park or Big Spring State Park on Friday night to camp. Anyone have experience with these parks? Am I likely to find a spot without reservations?
I've never been in Texas and am looking for any advice. Areas to see, areas to avoid, etc.
I'd like to get to Ft Worth by Saturday evening so I can pick up a truck there before they close at 6 (the reason for the trip). But if I find interesting things along the way it can wait until Monday morning... Just means I�ll be a little late getting into Tucson on Monday night�
Also, anyone in the Ft Worth area know of a good place to get ATV ramps? I might need 'em to get my VFR into this truck...
Been living here all my life and have never been on the route you'd probably be taking. That ought to tell you something! :p
But the real reason I'm replying is to warn you about weather up there. This time of year can be very violent; strong winds, heavy rain, hail, etc. The good news: little chance of tornadoes tho'. :goof: And if you can thread between wx systems/fronts, the wx should be very good for riding.
Also,there's Big Bend Nat'l Park. In Texas terms it's not too far away from El Paso if you're coming through that way. Some good roads there.
I drove through Texas once when I moved from Pensacola to San Diego. It was the longest 5 days of my life... that state never ends. (ok, so i exagerated a little)
On the tour from west Texas to FW, probably I-20 the whole way, just watch the weather channel pretty closely for a few days. This time of year you can get everything from wind to rain to sleet and snow. Lots of fronts coming through. We're supposed to get a band or 2 of thinderstorms here in DFW (Dallas Ft. Worth, one big town 60 miles tall by 90 miles wide).
And I would contact whoever I was getting the truck from and have them have ramps already available. Walmart, etc.
Big Bend is indeed nice, very nice. Actually, the entire state is nice, all 10 million square miles. And people still know the meaning of the word 'polite'. I like TX, and I'm not even from someplace close. But it's so friggin big. Once had to go from CC to LA. 24 hour drive. Took 14h just to cross into New Mexico. Jeez. :)
Yep the USA is pretty big, North America is big in general Canada Mexico included. I read about these big get togethers of VFR's in Europe and realize, well they really don't have to go too far! Texas is about the size of most these countries, if not bigger!
I love to tease my Texas friends, I meet an awful lot of Texans as they come to Colorado to ski and vacation a lot. I met a fella from Dallas on his Fat boy when we were in Creede, who just decided to call into work and take off on his Harley because he was feeling squeezed by life he said, " I couldn't breath, I had to get out of there" He just picked up and left! He said he has a job where you can work just about anywhere.
All I could see was a small saddle bag the clothes on his back and a leather jacket! He says Texas is nice to ride in Spring and Autumn, but then it gets really hot in summer.
I lived in Texas for 6 glorious months doing some work down there. The gulf coast is beautiful, Galveston is great. I miss it! :( The roads there were great. Texas is great to ride through. I wish I still lived and rode there. God surely did bless Texas.
The best part about driving in Texas is they don't tend to loiter in the fast lane like they do here in MN! :rant: This state is full of people sitting in the left lane for no apparent reason! :angry:
I've been here 30 years and there are tons of left lane bandits in Texas. I believe about 90% of all the vehicles here are trucks and SUV's (slow ugly vehicles)
I've been here 30 years and there are tons of left lane bandits in Texas. I believe about 90% of all the vehicles here are trucks and SUV's (slow ugly vehicles)
Since you weren't born there, do you speak with an accent? Just prepairing myself for the meet at Laguna Seca. :laugh:
I spent a summer in Texas, and it was one of the best summers of my life.
Scootr is right about the women: real pretty, and real friendly. They'll come up and ask you to dance, and give you their phone number without you asking for it. What a treat!
But in summer it's almost too hot for motorcycling. I was driving around in a convertible and had to put the top back up and the AC on ...unbelievable.
Yep the USA is pretty big, North America is big in general Canada Mexico included. �I read about these big get togethers of VFR's in Europe and realize, well they really don't have to go too far! Texas is about the size of most these countries, if not bigger!
I love to tease my Texas friends, I meet an awful lot of Texans as they come to Colorado to ski and vacation a lot. �I met a fella from Dallas on his Fat boy when we were in Creede, who just decided to call into work and take off on his Harley because he was feeling squeezed by life he said, " I couldn't breath, I had to get out of there" �He just picked up and left! He said he has a job where you can work just about anywhere.
All I could see was a small saddle bag the clothes on his back and a leather jacket! �He says Texas is nice to ride in Spring and Autumn, but then it gets really hot in summer.
Well, no need to overdo it. :) The entire EU is about the same size as the US, but the most active countries with these things happen to border each other.
I've been here 30 years and there are tons of left lane bandits in Texas. I believe about 90% of all the vehicles here are trucks and SUV's (slow ugly vehicles)
Since you weren't born there, do you speak with an accent? Just prepairing myself for the meet at Laguna Seca. �:laugh:
Check a map and look for 335,336, and 337: The holy trinity, if you will, of Texas twisties. Look west of Bandera, around Leakey (pronounced Lakey) and Southeast of Rocksprings. I'm headed out there next week for Spring Break (I'm a teacher).
Oh yes, Yeeeehaaaaaaw!
These roads will keep you busier than a one legged man in a butt-kickin' contest!
If you come through El Paso, watch your speed until at least Van Horn. The State Troopers in that area WILL bust you. The area is heavily patrolled. I would be cautious of going more than 80-85mph in the 70 zones. Even that is risking it.
Most of the good riding is South of I-20, way South. Big Bend might be a nice diversion on the way home, or perhaps Carlsbad Caverns.
Visit the Two Wheeled Texans site. http://twtex.com/ We have over 550 members all over the state. I am quite sure you can find lots of good info from them. You might even find someone willing to put you up for the night if you need a place to stay.
Careful. I hear that "he needed killin' " is a valid defense in Texas. �:p �Wait, maybe I'm messin' with Texas. �:doh:
My son that is currently in the Navy used a similar explaination when he was in 1st grade after he pounded some kid. I asked him why and he said, "he needed it". I still laugh at that one. They're so innocient when they are young. :D
We're ashamed they come or claim to come for around here :shake: It's too bad that can't sing worth a damn either.
Me...I'll take George Streight over any of them. He even lives in San Antonio, about 4 miles down the road from me ! Talk about a class act and a honest to God Texan :bow:
End of thread · 30 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 22 Apr 2005
