LBJ Grasslands near Decatur

[jbh]

Ok, don't get too excited about this post, its not that great but I enjoyed it today. It was only my second extended ride on dirt/gravel roads. I was much more relaxed this time, I learned you just got to let the bike move around underneath you and not fight it. You are just along for the ride, the bike will do the driving.

The LBJ grasslands is a recreational area for horseback riding, camping, fishing ect. No trail riding for motorized vehicles though. The roads are gravel than any car could go on but I wanted more experience on the loose stuff.

The V-strom seems to to pretty well in this environment (I do not have much comparison). It is a little heavy as it is hard to turn around when you try to back the bike up while sitting on it in gravel.

I know the crew in Junction is having much more fun and I plan to make that ride next year. I just don't have enough time right now to make a weekend ride, or even an all day ride like the pie run today.

It was a sucessfull day as the rubber stayed down, no real pucker moments (few small ones).

Here is a pic by one of the camp areas where people trailer their horses to ride on the horse trails.
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n253/cldm375/Ride1.jpg

Here is a road I looked hard to find (one that actually had grass between the tire marks) It is rougher than it looks and was a little harder to drive on
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n253/cldm375/Ride2.jpg

Here is a vantage point that is up high, that is the road in the prior picture
http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n253/cldm375/Ride3.jpg

Overall probably about 50 miles of dirt/gravel roads today.

[TexasShadow]

Very nice!!!

Next time you want to do that and want company, pm me. I'd like to go. If you don't mind another Wee-strom in your presence :)

[DFW_Warrior]

Great pics, and it looked like one heck of a nice day for a ride!

So does anyone know this, do the Grasslands still have a rifle range? I knew they did a loooonnnnnggg time ago, but I have heard mixed reports if it's still open.

[TexasShadow]

So does anyone know this, do the Grasslands still have a rifle range? I knew they did a loooonnnnnggg time ago, but I have heard mixed reports if it's still open.That was probably when the buffalo still roamed there :trust:

[zombierider]

No rifle range, no target shooting of any kind anymore. The only thing you can use is black powder, shot gun, or bow.
I like to fish in the grasslands. Those roads are pretty rough congrats on the little adventure.

[TexasShadow]

shot gun, or bow.I can take the 20 gauge and the 50-lb-pull Bear bow.
I'll share.

[jbh]

I saw numerouse signes about no rifles. Like zombierider said you can hunt with blackpowder, shot gun, or bow. I went there with my brother and law about 10 years ago around bow season for dear and it was solid trucks everywhere. I assume thats why they do not allow rifles, way too much liability.

What makes me upset is they consider the soil unstable there and will not allow off road vehicles of any kind to ride out their (ATV's and dirtbikes, ect). As an ATV owner that does not make me too happy. They do allow horses out there. I guess they dont think they hurt the fragile environment. But when I see the horse trails they look a lot worse than the trails at Rocky Ridge or Muenster where they allow off road vehicles. I do realize that horses and off road vehicles do not mix. I was coming out of a lake parking lot and turned out and there were 3 horses. The lady on the horse was having a hard time because it was spooked by the Strom. I stopped and killed the engine until they got farther away. She was almost bucked off. I will take multiple horsepower from gasoline anyday versus a single horsepower (I had a bad experience as a kid on a horse).

TS - we need to get a light offroad ride out there one day, you know all the stroms and the klrs, ect. I am sure the klr's will smoke us until we hit the pavement and leave them in the dust, so to speak.

[jbh]

I can take the 20 gauge and the 50-lb-pull Bear bow.
I'll share.

Cool, I have both of those items as well and a few more to add to it.

[TexasShadow]

TS - we need to get a light offroad ride out there one day, you know all the stroms and the klrs, ect. I am sure the klr's will smoke us until we hit the pavement and leave them in the dust, so to speak. heheh. Judging from watching Rich hop over curbs and do wheelies, I wouldn't be too sure about the latter.

Yeah, it does sound like a fun time. I'm game.
Wait, don't shoot me.........