Dirtrideroader
06-15-2004, 04:23 PM
This last weekend, my oldest daughter and I set out on the inaugural voyage of the new Aerostitch Roadcrafter, in the kids size. This was the last hurdle we had to clear to be allowed out on the open road by the Powers that be in our house hold. The first was a back rest, which was a good investment.
After swim team practice Friday morning we both suited up in our personal saunas. While doing this in the cool envirions of the house, Mother Nature decided to turn up the humidity just a tad with a rehumidification rain. You know, just enough to make the roads a mess and to add to the steam. Not enough to cool things down. It was a good thing we had the bike on the back porch, at least it could start out clean and dry.
Ready to Roll (http://mrr1150gs.smugmug.com/photos/5228039-M.jpg)
After waiting for the rain to stop, and giving up, we decide to test the water shedding ability of the new suit. We head out into the rain.
Our planned destination is Spicewood Texas. On the shore of Lake Travis. Why start out small. Our planned route was to follow the MS150 route until at least LaGrange. Plans like rules are made to be broken.
We started heading west north west on FM 359. The storm clouds are starting to build out to the west. Things are looking really black. Ok, maybe this wasn't a good idea. In Pattison, we make our first weather related route change. With the really dark clouds to the north of us, we decide to head in a more westerly route on 1458. I know there is a road that will take me right into Sealy. Crossing 36 and heading to Cat Springs. We missed that road somewhere. We followed 1458 all the way to I-10 and US 90. It was a pretty good road, would have been lots better with less rain and mud on the road.
We take US 90 into Sealy. We wind our way through the neighborhoods west of 36 find our way to FM 1094. We take a left heading toward Cat Springs. We haven't been riding that long, but I don't want to ride that far before taking a break. I don't want to numb Christin's bottom or her mind before we stop. I asked her in New Ulm if she wanted to stop or keep going, she wasn't ready to stop.
While in New Ulm, I pointed out the house where my Great Grandparents lived back in the 60's. I thought how trains that came through in the middle of the night would nearly rattle you out of your bed. Also that there was only one heater in the house, in the kitchen. How we would get up early in the morning and all gather around the heater to warm up and smell breakfast cooking. Of course, a heater did not sound that enticing at the moment.
After our brief sight seeing diversion, we left town headed toward Frelsburg on FM 109. A couple of miles out of town, I tried to point out that my Great Aunt lived down a road named Bennett drive to the right. When we stopped at the 4-way stop in downtown Frelsburg, Christin asked what I was pointing at back there. Obviously some kind of communication gear would be nice for riding two up. While sitting there, I pointed out Heinson's General Store. Told her that the first pair of cowboy boots I remember getting were bought there. Only after my Mom found me jumping off of the loading dock with them on.
We continured straight, the road changed to FM 1291. If you have ever been on this road, you will understand why it induced fear in me as a child. Lots of 30 mph curves. Carsick city for a kid in the back seat.
Great road for cycling also. Better one direction than the other. Depending on whether you like to climb or descend hills. There is a nice one in Lone Oak.
We decided to stop in Fayetteville for lunch, little stretching and bathroom break. All much needed. Some more than others.
Here are a couple of pictures of us and the bike on the square. One was taken by a couple out for a cruise on their Harley Road King. They were very interested in our suits. Especially with all the rain that day.
Posing in Fayetteville (http://mrr1150gs.smugmug.com/photos/5228037-L.jpg)
Fayetteville, with a little help from a couple on a Harley (http://mrr1150gs.smugmug.com/photos/5228036-L.jpg)
After a great lunch at Orsak's Cafe, where at least one of us drank way too much iced tea, we suited up and headed out of town. We finally joined the MS150 route to LaGrange, on FM 159.
Where FM 159 joins FM 237, after a left we took an immediate right onto FM 2981. This corner is where the final rest stop of the MS150's Saturday ride lives. The area looks so much different without a couple of thousand hurting riders dreading getting back on their bikes for the final 12 miles. Christin didn't even recognize it.
We stayed on this road until we got to FM 2145. Being slightly confused, my normal state of mind, we took a right. Thinking we were on the route the MS150 takes on Sunday morning. We soon took a left on a road I believed to be FM 153, but alas, after we took it to the dead end, it was time to admit I was, not lost, just not where I thought I was. By the time we backtracked to FM 2145 then onto US 77, I decided it was time to make up last time. Instead of following the more interesting route, we hopped on US 71 in La Grange. Heading north to Austin. While not a freeway, it was just about as boring. We reached the edge of Austin just in time to sit in lots of traffic. We arrived in Spicewood and proceeded down to the Dock for an afternoon of swimming, watergun fights, high speed PWC rides and some really great burgers. Not to mention the miscellaneous adult beverages, enjoyed by the pseudo adults.
The next morning, we had to take at least one picture to prove we made it to the lake. We took two and lost one...
Me standing by the ever present Banana Bike, with a glimpse of the lake in the back ground.
Spicewood, on the shore of Lake Travis (http://mrr1150gs.smugmug.com/photos/5228038-L.jpg)
This picture was taken at the bottom of our friends property. The blacktop trail down to the lake is so steep, I had trouble driving a pickup up it one time. The tires kept spinning. It was exciting riding the bike up there together.
We headed down 71 to the Southwest Parkway. This road can be a real hoot, when the traffic is light and no LEO's are present. Seems to rarely happen anymore. But, Saturday morning it was just us and the cyclist.
We made it to La Grange pretty quickly. We stopped at Weikels Bakery just off of 71 for breakfast. The kolaches were great. We stayed on 71 until we got to the Business 71 exit. I wanted to make time, but refused to take I-10. We stopped at the old oak tree where FM 109 used to hit US 71. I could be wrong, but I think this is what is known as the Hanging Tree. Here is a picture of a totally disinterested passenger.
Old Oak near Columbus (http://mrr1150gs.smugmug.com/photos/5228035-M.jpg)
We turned off of Business 71 behind a BMW R1150RT or RS. We followed them until Frelsburg. I pulled over to the right side of the road in the shade to check on my passenger. For some reason her helmet kept hitting me in the back. While we discussed the fact that falling asleep on the back of the bike would not be a good idea, the other couple pulled out of town. As much as I would have liked to follow them onto the smaller roads, we took a right on FM 109.
We rode through New Ulm to Industry. In Industry we turned right on FM 159 and headed toward Bellville. In Bellville, I decided my passenger needed some refreshments to wake her up. so we stopped at DQ for some Chicken Strips and a large chocolate malt.
There were a couple of rider in there already, but we didn't speak to them. Another rider was leaving as we were, but once again, I didn't live up to Scott's example talk to him. We walked over under the shade tree to don our silly suits and head home. Here is a picture of an old beverage bottling facility that was across the street.
DP Bottling (http://mrr1150gs.smugmug.com/photos/5228045-L.jpg)
We left there, rode home FM 153 to FM 359 and on home.
It was a great first ride. At least from my perspective. There are others with differing opinions and stories of numb body parts...
After swim team practice Friday morning we both suited up in our personal saunas. While doing this in the cool envirions of the house, Mother Nature decided to turn up the humidity just a tad with a rehumidification rain. You know, just enough to make the roads a mess and to add to the steam. Not enough to cool things down. It was a good thing we had the bike on the back porch, at least it could start out clean and dry.
Ready to Roll (http://mrr1150gs.smugmug.com/photos/5228039-M.jpg)
After waiting for the rain to stop, and giving up, we decide to test the water shedding ability of the new suit. We head out into the rain.
Our planned destination is Spicewood Texas. On the shore of Lake Travis. Why start out small. Our planned route was to follow the MS150 route until at least LaGrange. Plans like rules are made to be broken.
We started heading west north west on FM 359. The storm clouds are starting to build out to the west. Things are looking really black. Ok, maybe this wasn't a good idea. In Pattison, we make our first weather related route change. With the really dark clouds to the north of us, we decide to head in a more westerly route on 1458. I know there is a road that will take me right into Sealy. Crossing 36 and heading to Cat Springs. We missed that road somewhere. We followed 1458 all the way to I-10 and US 90. It was a pretty good road, would have been lots better with less rain and mud on the road.
We take US 90 into Sealy. We wind our way through the neighborhoods west of 36 find our way to FM 1094. We take a left heading toward Cat Springs. We haven't been riding that long, but I don't want to ride that far before taking a break. I don't want to numb Christin's bottom or her mind before we stop. I asked her in New Ulm if she wanted to stop or keep going, she wasn't ready to stop.
While in New Ulm, I pointed out the house where my Great Grandparents lived back in the 60's. I thought how trains that came through in the middle of the night would nearly rattle you out of your bed. Also that there was only one heater in the house, in the kitchen. How we would get up early in the morning and all gather around the heater to warm up and smell breakfast cooking. Of course, a heater did not sound that enticing at the moment.
After our brief sight seeing diversion, we left town headed toward Frelsburg on FM 109. A couple of miles out of town, I tried to point out that my Great Aunt lived down a road named Bennett drive to the right. When we stopped at the 4-way stop in downtown Frelsburg, Christin asked what I was pointing at back there. Obviously some kind of communication gear would be nice for riding two up. While sitting there, I pointed out Heinson's General Store. Told her that the first pair of cowboy boots I remember getting were bought there. Only after my Mom found me jumping off of the loading dock with them on.
We continured straight, the road changed to FM 1291. If you have ever been on this road, you will understand why it induced fear in me as a child. Lots of 30 mph curves. Carsick city for a kid in the back seat.
Great road for cycling also. Better one direction than the other. Depending on whether you like to climb or descend hills. There is a nice one in Lone Oak.
We decided to stop in Fayetteville for lunch, little stretching and bathroom break. All much needed. Some more than others.
Here are a couple of pictures of us and the bike on the square. One was taken by a couple out for a cruise on their Harley Road King. They were very interested in our suits. Especially with all the rain that day.
Posing in Fayetteville (http://mrr1150gs.smugmug.com/photos/5228037-L.jpg)
Fayetteville, with a little help from a couple on a Harley (http://mrr1150gs.smugmug.com/photos/5228036-L.jpg)
After a great lunch at Orsak's Cafe, where at least one of us drank way too much iced tea, we suited up and headed out of town. We finally joined the MS150 route to LaGrange, on FM 159.
Where FM 159 joins FM 237, after a left we took an immediate right onto FM 2981. This corner is where the final rest stop of the MS150's Saturday ride lives. The area looks so much different without a couple of thousand hurting riders dreading getting back on their bikes for the final 12 miles. Christin didn't even recognize it.
We stayed on this road until we got to FM 2145. Being slightly confused, my normal state of mind, we took a right. Thinking we were on the route the MS150 takes on Sunday morning. We soon took a left on a road I believed to be FM 153, but alas, after we took it to the dead end, it was time to admit I was, not lost, just not where I thought I was. By the time we backtracked to FM 2145 then onto US 77, I decided it was time to make up last time. Instead of following the more interesting route, we hopped on US 71 in La Grange. Heading north to Austin. While not a freeway, it was just about as boring. We reached the edge of Austin just in time to sit in lots of traffic. We arrived in Spicewood and proceeded down to the Dock for an afternoon of swimming, watergun fights, high speed PWC rides and some really great burgers. Not to mention the miscellaneous adult beverages, enjoyed by the pseudo adults.
The next morning, we had to take at least one picture to prove we made it to the lake. We took two and lost one...
Me standing by the ever present Banana Bike, with a glimpse of the lake in the back ground.
Spicewood, on the shore of Lake Travis (http://mrr1150gs.smugmug.com/photos/5228038-L.jpg)
This picture was taken at the bottom of our friends property. The blacktop trail down to the lake is so steep, I had trouble driving a pickup up it one time. The tires kept spinning. It was exciting riding the bike up there together.
We headed down 71 to the Southwest Parkway. This road can be a real hoot, when the traffic is light and no LEO's are present. Seems to rarely happen anymore. But, Saturday morning it was just us and the cyclist.
We made it to La Grange pretty quickly. We stopped at Weikels Bakery just off of 71 for breakfast. The kolaches were great. We stayed on 71 until we got to the Business 71 exit. I wanted to make time, but refused to take I-10. We stopped at the old oak tree where FM 109 used to hit US 71. I could be wrong, but I think this is what is known as the Hanging Tree. Here is a picture of a totally disinterested passenger.
Old Oak near Columbus (http://mrr1150gs.smugmug.com/photos/5228035-M.jpg)
We turned off of Business 71 behind a BMW R1150RT or RS. We followed them until Frelsburg. I pulled over to the right side of the road in the shade to check on my passenger. For some reason her helmet kept hitting me in the back. While we discussed the fact that falling asleep on the back of the bike would not be a good idea, the other couple pulled out of town. As much as I would have liked to follow them onto the smaller roads, we took a right on FM 109.
We rode through New Ulm to Industry. In Industry we turned right on FM 159 and headed toward Bellville. In Bellville, I decided my passenger needed some refreshments to wake her up. so we stopped at DQ for some Chicken Strips and a large chocolate malt.
There were a couple of rider in there already, but we didn't speak to them. Another rider was leaving as we were, but once again, I didn't live up to Scott's example talk to him. We walked over under the shade tree to don our silly suits and head home. Here is a picture of an old beverage bottling facility that was across the street.
DP Bottling (http://mrr1150gs.smugmug.com/photos/5228045-L.jpg)
We left there, rode home FM 153 to FM 359 and on home.
It was a great first ride. At least from my perspective. There are others with differing opinions and stories of numb body parts...