FM 337, TX

[buck000]

What: One of the "Holy Trinity" of the Hill Country moto-roads, this wondrous route was ranked the #1 Texas road for 2003 by readers of Ride Texas (http://www.ridetexas.com) magazine.

Starting on its eastern side, just a long chaw's spit north of Medina (off of highway 16), 337 goes through a pretty valley, then begins to wind its way up and over a series of ridges or hills. It literally carves through some hilltops at some points.

From Medina, the next town of any name that you encounter is Vanderpool, on FM 187. Go north a bit, and you have not only Lost Maples State Natural Area (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/lostmap/lostmap.htm), but also a little jewel of a moto-spot (just south of Lost Maples) called the Lone Star Motorcycle Museum (http://www.lonestarmotorcyclemuseum.com/), which is owned by one of the nicest couples you'll ever meet, and has an incredible collection of old restored Brit-bikes, as well as a few other odd bikes.

In Vanderpool, at the intersection of 187 and 337, there's a place that appears to be a little gas station, if you need topping off, but it's not! Go south 7 miles or so to Utopia to top off. Continuing westward, you encounter a wonderful series of twisties and you climb up, then descend from the hills once again. This takes you into Leakey (pronounced "Lake-ey"), where you can get something to eat, hit a grocery store, or visit the Frio Canyon Motorcycle Shop, before you continue on. If I recall correctly, there's a nice little spot on 337 just east of Leakey where folks like to splash around in the Frio river.

Roll the vid, Bubba:
Windows Media Player 9 (http://www.bitsof.info/us/tx/337VanLeaHi.wmv) (software (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/9series/player.aspx))
QuickTime 6.3 (http://bitsof.info/us/tx/337VanLeaMed.mov) (QT software (http://www.apple.com/quicktime/products/qt/))


http://bitsof.info/us/tx/337VanLea.jpg

The final, western "third" of 337 takes you from Leakey to Camp Wood. It starts with quite a fun climb up into the hills again. When I went, earlier in '03, there was a lot of chip seal down on the twistiest parts :shock: . It should be all paved by now, which should make for fantastic riding. The remainder of 337 is a nice little roller-coaster ride before it empties out into Camp Wood, where you can take 55 north to either some sweet sweepers on the way to Rocksprings or to another of the Holy Trinity, FM 335.

Where: See above for details, but it's in the heart of Hill Country, between Medina and Camp Wood.

Designation: Farm-to-Market (FM) or maybe Ranch Road (RR) 337

Additional details from grandpaul here (http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9719).
:mrgreen:

[Tourmeister]

:tab You are doing a great job here! I really appreciate the effort!!

[Hagrid]

Paul,
This taping your doing is just too cool!! I watched Park rd 4 the other day and felt like I was on my Bandit.

Think of the possibilities here. Who needs Dave Despain? Some group rides with narration and the addition of shots from a rearward facing camera would make this site an internet award winner.

A couple inservice pieces by peaple who know how to adjust their own valves or perform other maintainance would be the bomb!!!

[buck000]

Thanks, Scott and Hagrid, and I like the ideas you mentioned... :)

[Tourmeister]

Howdy,

:tab I just watched this video again. I must say you are very smooth and hold a nice line throughout the corners without bobbling and weaving all over the place. Sure there are people that can do it faster, big deal! You are doing it safer and more in control.

:bigokay:

[buck000]

Thanks, Scott, that's the nicest moto-thing anyone's ever said to me.. sniff...sniff

At this stage in my riding career, combined with my strong desire to get back home each day unscathed in either body or moto or insurance or license points, I tend to enjoy just riding The Pace, working on my technique, and maybe actually even sneaking a glance at the scenery ;).

I am noticing my average pace, er, quickening, though, so I constantly have to tell myself to focus, relax, ease up a bit...

[AggieVFR]

I am noticing my average pace, er, quickening, though, so I constantly have to tell myself to focus, relax, ease up a bit...

I've found that my newly installed Vista Cruise helps maintain sane speeds a little better than I do. The bike is so smooth it's really hard not to go faster than the law allows... :wink:

[buck000]

Added QuickTime version of the video, see first post.

[buck000]

I was cruising the Ride Texas (http://www.ridetexas.com) website, and found a message where someone did an onboard video of the middle third of 337 at a slightly less sedate pace than I did. ;)

http://users2.ev1.net/~roy324/Brian/Firstpass337.wmv
http://users2.ev1.net/~roy324/Brian/Secondpass337.wmv
http://users2.ev1.net/~roy324/Brian/Thirdpass337.wmv

[Tourmeister]

Those were done by one of our members here. Brian rides a GSXR750 I believe. Lives somewhere around N. Houston.

[buck000]

Well, this is humbling:

"Chasing Hans (http://www.tsba.org/angelo/video/chasinghanzhi.wmv)"

Would this be right at the TWT Butt Burner pace, Scott? ;)

[Tourmeister]

Paul,

:tab You will NEVER see me ride like that on those roads! The guy shooting the video looked like he was riding on the ragged edge, leaving absolutely no room for mistake or the unexpected surprise. That video is a perfect example of why I have reached the point where riding on the 33X's on weekends doesn't really appeal to me anymore. I'm sure those guys felt they were in total control and being perfectly safe... yeah right! :roll:

:tab You would do well to NOT hold yourself up to these guys for comparison. That kind of riding belongs on the track. They were hugging the line in every curve rather than late apexing. One bubba in a truck drifting over the line would have ruined their day. The next time you run out to Campwood on 337, look for all the paint marks on the road that look like an accident scene. In Oct 2002, a guy was hit head on because a truck drifted over and he was too close to the line to avoid it. He's dead. :-|

:tab Going fast is not the goal. Going smooth and controlled is!

Adios,

[VFRinAustin]

:eek:

Just a little fast for my taste. I do like that road a lot, but they were 45-65 thru turns I wont do 35 on.


But you got to love the German heavy metal musical accompaniment. :twisted:

[Docspeed]

I wonder if they have ever been down. It really slows you down when you have felt the solid earth against your breaking body. Speeds like that just aren't worth it on the road. That's what track days are for, to get that need for speed out in a SAFER environment.

[bdmpastx]

The 3 passes were videos I took on my Gixxer 1000. And Scott got that partially right, I am in Houston but Shout Houston. I think my ability to stay in my lane was excercised a better than the last video posted by a fellow TSBA member from San Angelo. I was pretty scared watching it. He even crosses over the stripe. While it is true I ride a bit of a fast pace, I ride within my limits. And to answer the question about being down, I have been down 3 times. Once at 70mph...and the others were at 90mph or greater...now true, only one was on the street and it was a bonehead move while learning to ride. The other 2 were on the track in races so I guess they don't count.

[Docspeed]

My comments were related to the Chasing Hanz video. I used to ride agressively on the road, but the second broken collar bone was my wake up call to keep it on the track. There are no ditches right off the edge of the track, no oncoming traffic, you've seen the road(track) within the last few minutes, there are nice people watching the road(track) for you, and the ambulance wait is not as long. :chug:

[buck000]

Scott,

I need to emphasize that I was just joshing you a tad. I have to admit to being impressed at someone's ability to get through a stretch like that at high speed, but for myself, it'd just be suicide.

I agree with the other sentiment concerning taking it to the track.

[Tourmeister]

I need to emphasize that I was just joshing you a tad.

Don't worry, that was understood ;-)

Adios,

[bdmpastx]

Ok no harm done...

[follow me]

Yes this is a beautiful road at any pace. Let off the throttle and look around when you have a chance.
Watch out for the gravel that ends up on the road from the carved cliffs, usually right around those 10MPH hairpins. Since it's been a wet year and now the sun's out the erosion is worse. I was talking to one guy about it and he blames it on H.D. ground pounders shaking the rocks loose!

[gotdurt]

:rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl

[atxvfr]

The links to the 3 passes don't exist anymore. Does anyone have them or know where I can find them?

[Adrian247]

I have been down on 337 before. It was painful. I didn't even know what happened, until a buddy who was following told me my rear wheel went over a golfball sized rock. I was looking through the turn, and the next thing you know - lowside. Would have been alright if it weren't for that sudden stop at the guardrail... :shock:

337 is a great road, though. Not too far from the cider mill country store, so you can get a great burger and apple ice cream!

[Bob22b]

I rode this my first time last night. Seemed great, would like to try it during the daylight!

[Adrian247]

I haven't ridden 337 at night. That would be interesting!

[buck000]

Does anyone have an update on whether resurfacing is complete on 337?

[whoa]

I can tell ya tomorrow. Actually, somebody here posted they were down there last weekend.

Will tell you this, next time I see a "Loose Gravel" sign, I'm dang sure taking it seriously. I was thinking shoulder, but there was a nice even spread of gravel piles. :eek2:

[BigRoach]

Will tell you this, next time I see a "Loose Gravel" sign, I'm dang sure taking it seriously. I was thinking shoulder, but there was a nice even spread of gravel piles. :eek2:
True Dat!!
My dad went down this winter on one of those gravely corners.
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a300/Broach1/Bikes/gravel.jpg

[Dolph]

The links to the 3 passes don't exist anymore. Does anyone have them or know where I can find them?

I couldn't find them either.
I have ridden FM 337 several times, gravel,cagers over the center line and unexpected deer at mid day made all of the rides interesting. Most of the turns have very limited sight distance and not planning on seein an elephant around the next blind corner could be serious. i have ridden the "Dragon" in the Carolinas too and the amount of plastic left from the wrecks is truly astounding. Somewhere testosterone and common sense have to find a middle ground.
Remember what is said, "there are old riders and bold riders but there ain't no old bold riders"! :giveup:

[Velocipede]

Does anyone have an update on whether resurfacing is complete on 337?

337 is being resurfaced for ~5 miles between Leaky and Camp Wood. All work is on the flat side closer to Camp Wood. Other than a couple bridge-to-gravel transitions, it's packed down tight. The rest of 337 was in excellent shape two weekends ago.

[Aileron]

Here's a trip map I made for when Ajax, Big Brother, and I all rode this route out and back from Austin in May - That was a fantastic ride. If the weather cooperates tomorow (7/2/06) we're going to try it again, slightly modified by hanging a left at Medina and heading North to Kerrvile on 16. We didn't stop at the museum last time, but plan on making it a destination on this trip.

[RTL]

I broke my right big toe on this road between Leakey and Vanderpool back in 1986. I was riding my 750 Interceptor through a medium speed right hand turn with the sun in my eyes and didn't see a football size rock in the road that caught me right on the tip of my boot. OUCH!!! Since I never saw the rock I though someone had shot me. I stopped at the first wide spot in the road and removed my boot to examine my bloody big toe. When the pain subsided enough to ride I went back and discovered the rock in the middle of the east bound lane. I had ridden that road many times but the lesson I learned that day was to take the first pass easy to scout the road conditions.

[rocketbunny]

Any update on the pavement? Is that section near Camp Wood all finished and paved?

[bluedogok]

On our December trip out there I don't remember any of the road construction going on, it looked like there was still some work on the right-of-way being done but it seemed like the new paving was in.

[Rob_S]

I was there just after Christmas and the section before Camp Wood was finished. There wasn't any construction that I could see.

Rob

[BMWbabe]

Awesome video...this is what I was looking for! Go YOU!!

[whoa]

I broke my right big toe on this road between Leakey and Vanderpool back in 1986.

Good reminder to keep the balls of the feet on deck (not that you weren't). One of the best pieces of advice I received from someone on this board was to watch for large rocks in your path deep in a curve. Without that sage word, I'd have really been in trouble.

On our last trip, we never saw the same curve twice so never had an opportunity to learn where rock/sand/gravel lay in wait. Its a fantastic ride out there, but in my book isn't an 80% set of roads. I know it is for some, but its not near that for me.

Can't wait to get back out.

[mjacks]

Any one familiar with the current condition of 337 (and the rest of the roads around there) with all the rain as of late? Are certian sections of road typically under water for some time after big storms? I am a hill country virgin and will more than likely be going that way in the near future and wanted a heads up from you veterans. :thumb:

[RTL]

Mike,

The smart thing to do as I related in my original post is to make the first pass easy enough to check out road conditions. In the Texas Hill Country many locations are succeptable to flash flooding due to the rocky hilly terrain. But it drains off as quickly as it began running. Just be patient and I don't recommend trying to ford water rapidly running across the road. Another thing to beware of when in the Hill Country are low water crossings that are under slow moving shallow water. They are usually made of concrete that has become home for the slickest algae you've ever encountered. Cross this stuff very slowly feet down. I don't remember any low water crossings like this on 337 but you will encounter them on some other roads in the area. These are great roads just not without hazards.
Happy riding!:-P

[Red Brown]

Any one familiar with the current condition of 337 (and the rest of the roads around there) with all the rain as of late? Are certian sections of road typically under water for some time after big storms? I am a hill country virgin and will more than likely be going that way in the near future and wanted a heads up from you veterans. :thumb:

I did around 400 miles on my bike this Sunday in that area. All of the roads were in great condition. The terrain was extremely lush and I expect when Blue-Bonnets reach full bloom in the next two weeks, it should be a site to behold.

However, the only low-water crossing that I could not proceed across was the return portion of Fitzhugh Road (great little road) that is located next to 290 coming back from Johnson City on Google Maps.

Enjoy...

Red

[mjacks]

I did around 400 miles on my bike this Sunday in that area. All of the roads were in great condition. The terrain was extremely lush and I expect when Blue-Bonnets reach full bloom in the next two weeks, it should be a site to behold.

However, the only low-water crossing that I could not proceed across was the return portion of Fitzhugh Road (great little road) that is located next to 290 coming back from Johnson City on Google Maps.

Enjoy...

Red

Thanks. Just what I was looking for. Hopefully the weather doesn't turn south in the next few days.

[m8rt]

Going west on 337 from Vanderpool yesterday, there's a portable lighted road sign that says, "Pavement ends in 11 miles".
I was surprised that project is not finished yet but I kept going anyway.
Well, the pavement DOES end in 11 miles, but it's just for about 2 miles of smooth hardpacked dirt and then the pavement resumes.
This is new pavement, no centerstrip.
No reason to avoid 337, at least while I was there, no crew in sight.
These condidtions will change from day to day I know, it would have been less enjoyable with a road crew laying down fresh tar or whatever.

[GNNY8698]

What about 335 and 336 I was looking at my map source and finding more routes to take in the western hill country and saw those two which are north of vanderpool headed twards 41 are these roads any good, it's been about 9 years since i have been out that direction.

[TwoLane]

I plan to get into that area as soon (not fast) as I can. Y'all watch out for them deer-bobs this time of year!

[Gilk51]

What about 335 and 336

335 is excellent - a roller-coaster with lots of elevation changes. Also, there is an exotic animal sanctuary a few miles north of Barksdale - good for a photo stop.

Also 55 runs mostly the same direction as 335 and is good as well.

I haven't done 336 but most folks make a loop out of 337, 335, 41, and 336.

Have fun - that's a great area.

[daddyhog]

I am one lucky man, last year I made 5 trips to the hill country. The worst road in the Texas hill country is simply great. Do yourself a favor and make it during the week when the worker bees are doing whatever they do.

[rhrose]

Buckoo - the vid was great - really appreciate your posting it. more - more - more.