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View Full Version : TX55 (hillcountry)

brd
05-23-2003, 10:42 AM
What?

This section of 4 lane road contains about 10 miles of very nice sweepers that curve up into the sides of a plateau.

http://www.pbase.com/image/15510836/medium.jpg

It is a very well maintained road, as it is a State Hwy. The speed limit is 55mph throughout, but there was very minimal traffic (on a Sunday morning). You can really push a good pace through this section and make it a lot of fun.

If you're down SW of Kerrville riding the usual Hillcountry roads (337, 336, 335--the Holy Triumvirate), you should take the time to make a detour down 55 to check it out. After running those tight twisties, the wide, flat curves on 55 will make you grin.

http://www.pbase.com/image/15510838/medium.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/15510837/medium.jpg

Where?

Between Barksdale and Rock Springs. In the Hillcountry 90 miles SW of Kerrville.

Take TX55 N out of Camp Wood (Just west of Leakey on FM337) through Barksdale and past the turn off for FM335. You have to go about 8 miles on flat road before the good stuff starts. Then the curvy sections go on and on for about 10 miles.

When you get up on top of the plateau and the road narrows to 2 lanes, turn back around and then pick up 335, 41, 336, or continue on to Rock Springs and check out FM674 down to Brackettville (http://twtex.com/viewtopic.php?p=1472#1472).

Designation.
Texas 55.
scratch
05-23-2003, 07:48 PM
That is a great stretch of road, but you have to wonder why TXDOT spent so much money to build a 4-lane highway that is literally out in the middle of nowhere. Political payoff to a construction contractor? Who knows; might as well enjoy it now. 8)
buck000
05-25-2003, 05:11 PM
I just got back from that area (more later), and took 335 north, then 55 SOUTH back to Barksdale.

Not being very experienced, I still tend to prefer sweepers to tight twisties. One stretch of 55 (just below the pictures, above) was wondrous: 60 mph speed limit (or maybe 55...? ), and even *I* leaned it over a bit side-to-side.

It was one of my favorite rides of the weekend. :)
brd
05-25-2003, 05:35 PM
One stretch of 55 (just below the pictures, above) were wondrous

Yeah, there were some really good sections, but I couldn't find anywhere to pull off and get (more, better) pics.
buck000
05-27-2003, 11:33 AM
Yeah, there were some really good sections, but I couldn't find anywhere to pull off and get (more, better) pics.

Hmmm, didn't mean to appear to slam you on the picture choice.

You make a very valid point; there's nowhere to really pull off, and besides, who'd wanna stop anyway...? :twisted:

Glad I had the vidcam runnin' :wink:

http://home.austin.rr.com/rhome/images/55.jpg
[edited by admin - changed img tag to url due to large image size]
[edited back to img after adjusting farging image width.... :( ]
Tourmeister
05-27-2003, 12:41 PM
:tab Cool shot with the vid, how do you have the camera mounted to the bike?
buck000
05-27-2003, 02:02 PM
:tab Cool shot with the vid, how do you have the camera mounted to the bike?

Check out the text and pics at/near the end of this thread (http://www.sport-touring.net/cgi-bin/msgboard/ikonboard.cgi?s=f958e1ecf331320aaf127d3f4194fbdc;a ct=ST;f=2;t=5820)...whoops that thread got longer, so just look at this (http://www.lockhartphillipsusa.com/pages/product-sub3.asp?id=212) for an idea of what I use (the one I ordered from them is actually a bit more articulated).
buck000
08-11-2003, 10:06 PM
Roll the vid, Bubba:
Windows Media Player 9 (http://www.bitsof.info/us/tx/SR55Hi.wmv) (software (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/9series/player.aspx))
QuickTime 6.3 (http://bitsof.info/us/tx/SR55Med.mov) (QT software (http://www.apple.com/quicktime/products/qt/))
Tourmeister
08-11-2003, 10:11 PM
Howdy,

Cool vid. I have heard that if you put a piece of scotch tape over the microphone, it will cut down on the wind buffeting noise and make it easier to hear the pipe and engine. Have never had the chance to try it out myself though. Food for thought.
buck000
08-11-2003, 10:38 PM
Wow, interesting synchronicity. While you were typing that, I was thinking, "Hmmm, how could I reduce the wind noise on my camera?" :)

Thanks for the tip.
FLUFdriver
08-12-2003, 03:39 AM
I'm actually salivating after watching the 337 & 55 vids. Pavlov would be impressed. Great work Buck.

Nice bike too. :mrgreen:
brd
08-12-2003, 10:29 AM
The vid didn't work for me under Mac OSX (and I have the latest wmv player installed). Just the sound and black screen. Any chance you can convert to mpg or quicktime?
buck000
08-12-2003, 04:35 PM
brd, I'll look into it, sorry...
buck000
08-13-2003, 01:26 PM
...ok, brd, could you check this out and see if it loads/plays OK: QT vid of SR55 (http://bitsof.info/us/tx/SR55Med.mov). I used version 6.3 of QuickTime (http://www.apple.com/quicktime/products/qt/) Pro to encode the movie...
leeroy
08-13-2003, 05:47 PM
Hey Tourmeister your ride reports are great but Buck's video ... All hail Buck, u da man
buck000
08-13-2003, 06:37 PM
Awrr, shucks, thanks... :oops:
Tourmeister
08-13-2003, 07:35 PM
Hmmm... need to incorporate vids in my reports :lol: