I will be riding in Texas soon - need advices

[hizzo3]

Try and stay off the interstates. (Blue and red shield). They are designed to be long relatively straight and boring. What you want to find are state highways and farm roads for the best twisties.

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[slowoldguy]

Enjoy your trip. If you decide to ride Texas or Arkansas pm me for some routes . I've ridden North Georgia and the Southern Appalachians a few times, too but I'm not as "good" over there as a local would be. Have fun!

[Viethorse]

Looks like I gotta give up the option riding from Houston, just fly to ATL for convenience.
My ATL friends also told me that there are so many roads around Smoky (beside Deals Gap) are very interesting to ride.
A friend says we may rent a room at the middle of the area, set up as our "base" there, and ride out for each day. That may good for 2-3 nights.
As said, the reason I like to ride on Dragon once because of it has been very well known, any bikers (especially outside of US) are all wanted to ride there, just like many other tourists.
I may spent only one day or less for the Dragon.

Originally Posted by Tourmeister

I totally agree with that! Every time I go to North Carolina, I usually have six days to ride while I am there and I still have trouble narrowing down which of the seemingly endless supply of great roads to ride!! I could easily spend tow or three weeks of riding every single day.

A word on route length. When you are in the NC area, or the Smoky Mountains in general, a 250 mile day is a good solid day of riding, especially if you are not used to riding such twisty roads for hours and hours. It will wear you down more than you think. I have led quite a few group rides in that area and usually by the end of a 250-275 mile day I start seeing people get sloppy and begin making little mistakes. The level of concentration needed for that kind of riding is pretty intense and most folks are not used to doing it for such a long sustained period. Also, figure that you will average about 30-35mph for total time (including your stops). So a 300 mile day would take you about 8-9 hours, longer if you make lots of stops.

Also, don't forget, Deal's Gap really isn't the best road out there. Check the ride report I linked you to earlier. Even read the days where we rode the smaller dirt oriented bikes because we also did some great paved riding on those days as well. Heck, we even left out a bunch of my other favorite roads because we just didn't have time to hit them all

If you have some time, there is a motorcycle museum in Maggie Valley on Hwy 19 called Wheels Through Time.

http://wheelsthroughtime.com/

Originally Posted by hizzo3

Try and stay off the interstates. (Blue and red shield). They are designed to be long relatively straight and boring. What you want to find are state highways and farm roads for the best twisties.

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[slowoldguy]

Not trying to change your plan as it sounds like you have lots of other good reasons to head east to Atlanta but

I may spent only one day or less for the Dragon.

You know "The Dragon" is only 11 miles long, right?




http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

I suggest hitting it early on a weekday. When ya do, it's a fun section.

[Viethorse]

Originally Posted by slowoldguy

Not trying to change your plan as it sounds like you have lots of other good reasons to head east to Atlanta but
You know "The Dragon" is only 11 miles long, right?
http://www.tailofthedragon.com/

I suggest hitting it early on a weekday. When ya do, it's a fun section.

Hey, thank for reminder. I know that. I just don't know exactly how much time out of riding which I spend for taking photos, seeing and explore things which I only see on internet. So I just put "one day or less"

My ride around Smoky Mountain should be fine with your suggestion and escort of some of my Atlanta buddies.

Now my concern is some days riding within Texas. Looking for some more update from Tourmeister and others.

[Tourmeister]

Yeah, just make Deal's Gap part of a route, not the whole day's destination. Or, maybe make it the end of a route and spend the night there.

Fun roads nearby include the Cherohala Skyway (NC 143 and TN 165) between Robbinsville, NC., and Tellico Plains, TN. It makes a great out and back run, being about 55 miles each way.

Hwy 28 from Deal's Gap South all the way to SC 107 in South Carolina is a superb ride, especially the section between Hwy 19 and Franklin! Hwy 107 is great all the way back into into NC (stays 107 after crossing state lines) up to Sylva at US 23.

Speaking of Franklin, it is a good place to stay to make loops in different directions each day. I've stayed there several times for an entire week of riding.

Hwy 209 from Waynesville at I-40 up to Hot Springs at US 25 is great. It is one I try to do every time I get out there. Then run East on US 25 to NC 208, cut up to where it hits NC 212 and go right on Guntertown Rd., just before you cross the creek to get to the stop sign. That becomes Big Laurel Rd, which runs all the way over to I-26. I am not even going to try to describe this route because you just have to ride it to see for yourself.

Some of the rest of the really good riding is a little further East, closer to Asheville and NE of Asheville. Hwy 80 and 226 come to mind.


Dang! This is making me want to go back NOW!

[Viethorse]

Haha... looks like u have lots of good memories about Smoky. I will copy your post above and send to my friends in Atl to see if they could use for reference.

Originally Posted by Tourmeister

Dang! This is making me want to go back NOW!

Pesonnally I think it 's great to go back there as all the leaves are about to change color. Hehe. I can have one more ride buddy. Hahaha....

[Texas T]

Originally Posted by Viethorse

A friend says we may rent a room at the middle of the area, set up as our "base" there, and ride out for each day. That may good for 2-3 nights.

Excellent plan.

Originally Posted by Viethorse

I just don't know exactly how much time out of riding which I spend for taking photos

Look for Killboy taking photos and make sure he gets photos of you riding the Dragon. Stop by the side of the road and introduce yourself. He'll probably make specific comments about you on his website if he knows you came all the way from Vietnam to ride the Dragon. He can also let you know how intense the police coverage is that day.

http://www.killboy.com/

[Viethorse]

Originally Posted by Texas T

Excellent plan.

Yeah. I also feel very comfortable with that as we can leave all of our stuff at the hotel and do not need to bring with us along all the twisties

Originally Posted by Texas T

Look for Killboy taking photos and make sure he gets photos of you riding the Dragon. Stop by the side of the road and introduce yourself. He'll probably make specific comments about you on his website if he knows you came all the way from Vietnam to ride the Dragon. He can also let you know how intense the police coverage is that day.
http://www.killboy.com/

Hahah... I quite familiar with Killboy photos and videos. As said, Dragon seemed to be promoted very well especially by Killboy.
To be specially captured by Killboy, I may prepare to do something different, like this:




or even this:

[Tourmeister]

Originally Posted by Viethorse

Now my concern is some days riding within Texas. Looking for some more update from Tourmeister and others.

I am not sure if there are any places in the Houston area to rent bikes, other than maybe some Harley cruisers. So the BIG issue is whether we can find a bike for you to borrow and your ability to prove insurance coverage if the loaner of the bike wants to see it. I no longer have a second bike suitable for road riding.

[Tourmeister]

Let's see if this turns up a bike...

http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77106

[Viethorse]

Hey, thank you, Tourmeister for your effort to arrange this for me.
Hopefully things would be settled and we could enjoy riding together.
I am really excited... Just counting everyday...

[Tourmeister]

Check this out:

http://www.twtex.com/forums/showpost...55&postcount=5

He lives about an hour West of me (which is opposite the direction I would be taking you for a ride).

Exactly which days would you be riding here in Texas. Also, are you wanting to start the day in Houston and also end the day in Houston, or are you up for spending the night somewhere if you will be riding for more than just one day?

[Viethorse]

Originally Posted by Tourmeister

Check this out:

http://www.twtex.com/forums/showpost...55&postcount=5

He lives about an hour West of me (which is opposite the direction I would be taking you for a ride).

Exactly which days would you be riding here in Texas. Also, are you wanting to start the day in Houston and also end the day in Houston, or are you up for spending the night somewhere if you will be riding for more than just one day?

Yes, I have contacted him after seeing his post. Hopefully we can work it out.

For the ride out that weekend, I would be very flexible. Whatever more convenience for you and that give us more good roads and views...
During that time, I will still have my hotel room in Houston and also a rental car with me. And I am there alone. I can live in a motel or a tent while ride out without any issue.
Just let me leave my hotel after Friday 7AM and come back hotel before Sunday 4PM then I would be fine, ready for the Monday work.
Or even we can try Ozark then back within 3 days.

[Tourmeister]

Originally Posted by Viethorse

Yes, I have contacted him after seeing his post. Hopefully we can work it out.

For the ride out that weekend, I would be very flexible. Whatever more convenience for you and that give us more good roads and views...
During that time, I will still have my hotel room in Houston and also a rental car with me. And I am there alone. I can live in a motel or a tent while ride out without any issue.
Just let me leave my hotel after Friday 7AM and come back hotel before Sunday 4PM then I would be fine, ready for the Monday work.
Or even we can try Ozark then back within 3 days.

Well, the back by 4pm on Sunday might be an issue if you tried to go up into Arkansas as the ride back from NW Arkansas is usually around 11-12 hours just to get to Huntsville, then you have the time to get from Huntsville back to Houston. However, that would be plenty of time to do a good trip out into the Texas Hill Country. Also, I suspect we might be able to find some folks that would be willing to lend a spare bed/couch for a night or two. Picking up the bike in College Station would be right on the way for a trip that direction. You could just drive your rental car up there, leave it at the house, then pick it up when you get back.

I don't know that I'd be able to ride with you all three days though. I'll check to see if I can get that weekend free (including all day Friday).

[Viethorse]

Thank you. So we just make Sat and Sun for riding for your convenience.
I am very flexible there. Route and destination is up to your recommendation.
However, I am excited to know more detail about the plan, appreciate if you have a route map.

[Tourmeister]

I can get Friday off from work. That way we can meet in College Station in the morning, head over toward Austin and points beyond that same day. Maybe we can find someone in the Kerrville area that can put us up Friday night. We could do the rest of the Hill Country on Saturday, returning to Austin Saturday evening. Get up Sunday and leave Austin for College Station (about two hours or so). I might be able to find us a place to stay in Austin.

Friday is my birthday, so my wife and kids might want to do something. I'll see if I can't persuade them to do something Thursday evening instead

[Viethorse]

Originally Posted by Tourmeister

I can get Friday off from work. That way we can meet in College Station in the morning, head over toward Austin and points beyond that same day. Maybe we can find someone in the Kerrville area that can put us up Friday night. We could do the rest of the Hill Country on Saturday, returning to Austin Saturday evening. Get up Sunday and leave Austin for College Station (about two hours or so). I might be able to find us a place to stay in Austin.

Friday is my birthday, so my wife and kids might want to do something. I'll see if I can't persuade them to do something Thursday evening instead

Looks like we may need some candles to blow for the first night of the ride then! I like party

Per your suggestion, I just tried to put it up on Googlemap. This link:

So we just have around 550miles for 03days ?? Is that too short?

[Texas T]

Originally Posted by Viethorse

So we just have around 550miles for 03days ?? Is that too short? [/color]

Not for the roads you'll be riding.

[slowoldguy]

So we just have around 550miles for 03days ?? Is that too short?

Scott will have to answer but

Originally Posted by tourmeister

We could do the rest of the Hill Country on Saturday, returning to Austin Saturday evening.

I think you are gonna have a few miles in the bolded portion that are un-accounted for in your google map if I'm guessing right. lol They'll be the ones you'll most likely remember, too.

Search for 16 south of Kerrville, then head west on 337 to 335, 336. The Sisters. Enjoy.