Couple of thoughts while riding!

[woodsguy]

How nice it was to be able to ride and actually enjoy the weather again. The late evening ride was perfect. Funny how an after work ride can turn so sweet! Decided to check some backroads out around the upper end of Lake Livingston. Had a very enjoyable ride home.

The other thought for y'all who explore the backroads, ever seen a promising road and take off down it, and as you go it gets a little "rougher" surroundings and as you get deeper in the woods you start hearing banjo's, lol! That happened tonight, being by myself I decided to turn around and high tail it out! lol

Go out and enjoy these mornings and evenings while we can, it's awesome bike riding!!!!

Pops

[BexarWolf]

I took a leisurely ride around Williamson County early Wednesday morning. I had to stop at the tax office to change the tags on the bike and when I was done..........off I went. I just pointed the bike and went. County roads, farm to market roads.....anything to stay off the highways.

I ended up in Leander on some FM road I'd never been on before. Saw a dead fox in the road and a rafter of wild turkeys (Googled it. That's what a group of turkeys is called) contemplating crossing the road. You don't see those things on the city streets of Austin very often.

On the back roads, the smells are what I enjoy the most. Even the nasty smells (pig farms, cow barns, dead skunks) are all a reminder that, in a car, you don't get to smell these things. I've read it on someone's signature a long time ago:

"Only a biker understands why a dog hangs it's head out the car window"

As for the "less than desirable" areas........nothing like topping a hill while going past a trailer park and expecting to see Billy Bob standing in the middle of the road wearing overalls with no shirt, holding a shotgun, saying "you got purty lips, boy".

[Rsquared]

Sure is nice not to have to get up at the crack of dawn to beat the heat!

[Irishcoffee]

Originally Posted by woodsguy

How nice it was to be able to ride and actually enjoy the weather again. The late evening ride was perfect. Funny how an after work ride can turn so sweet! Decided to check some backroads out around the upper end of Lake Livingston. Had a very enjoyable ride home.

The other thought for y'all who explore the backroads, ever seen a promising road and take off down it, and as you go it gets a little "rougher" surroundings and as you get deeper in the woods you start hearing banjo's, lol! That happened tonight, being by myself I decided to turn around and high tail it out! lol

Go out and enjoy these mornings and evenings while we can, it's awesome bike riding!!!!

Pops

Been battling some health stuff for a few months so I have been riding alone a lot so as to not slow others down. Have gotten very deep in some LA woods a couple times, not really lost, I just didn't know where I was. Came up on an old farm with a bunch of pigs running around and after a few moments some creepy thoughts came bubbling up. Still don't know where I was and have been riding the area over 30 years, took me over an hour to find some trail I remembered. Thought I was the only one to hear the banjo's. Timely post Pops.

[KenH]

I've ended up some places that were quite uncomfortable, but never really felt threatened by locals. I can see where someone with less experience with such folks might be concerned. To backcountry folks you are a curiousity. As long as you haven't been riding like an idiot, stop, take your helmet off, ask for directions. If you or others have been riding like an idiot, you're screwed.

[Irishcoffee]

Originally Posted by KenH

I've ended up some places that were quite uncomfortable, but never really felt threatened by locals. I can see where someone with less experience with such folks might be concerned. To backcountry folks you are a curiousity. As long as you haven't been riding like an idiot, stop, take your helmet off, ask for directions. If you or others have been riding like an idiot, you're screwed.

Not enough coffee? Too much coffee? Never did I imply that I felt threatened nor do I ever ride like an idiot. And I am more than sure Woodsguy does not either. Just obversations of the mental kind.

[Bear on a bicycle]

Agreed!! Love riding in this weather.... now if I only had a bike...

[woodsguy]

Originally Posted by KenH

I've ended up some places that were quite uncomfortable, but never really felt threatened by locals. I can see where someone with less experience with such folks might be concerned. To backcountry folks you are a curiousity. As long as you haven't been riding like an idiot, stop, take your helmet off, ask for directions. If you or others have been riding like an idiot, you're screwed.

I sure wasn't doing anything "stupid" nor really felt threatened! But being alone and being the "outsider" I felt best to leave them alone in the domain. I was really being funny more than anything. But it was an uneasy feeling! lol

[KenH]

Gee willakers, folks, didn't mean to imply anyone needed a glass bellybutton to see out. I grew up in the boonies and see lots of riders totally unaware of how their choices affect the rest of us in a negative way, that's all.

Good thing about riding alone is you don't usually have to catch ire for what another rider has done. I've caught heck from locals or LEOs for what other riders have done in the Hill Country and BBNP in Texas, LBL in Kentucky, Ozark Mountains in Arkansas, TAT in Colorado, 826 in Fort Worth, and somewhere in New Mexico when riding during group rides, and a couple times I wasn't even part of the event, just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I stopped doing big group events for that reason, to the point I make sure no big group ride is going on near an area when I plan a solo ride there. There are a few people with whom I will ride in a small group, though. They are truly blessings.

There is a certain etiquette in the back country most folks don't know. It's pretty much a matter of treating the locals with a bit of thoughtfull deference.

First off, don't scare the critters. Backcountry folks love their critters. Especially the young ones. Little critters can hurt themselves if paniced. If critters are near the road, back off on the noise, especially sudden noises like hitting the ground after a jump, hitting a big bump or hole, or wringing the throttle. If you come up on horseback riders coming towards you, stop, shut the bike down, and let them ride past. Once they are 50 yards or so behind you, restart and ride away as quietly as possible. If you come up behind people on horseback, back it down and follow at a safe distance, about 50 yards. If your bike is quiet you may need to move up until they hear you. Once the riders see you, wait for the riders to turn their horses so they can see you coming so the horses won't be spooked by your sudden appearance. Usually if you wait a few seconds the people on horseback will gladly wave you by. If not, move waaaaay over and pass at a speed barely faster than they are going. Keep the engine making a steady sound. Don't shift or blip the throttle as you go by--just keep it even.

Second, avoid making dust. Be aware which way the dust you make is blowing, and when you pass a car or building that is going to get dusted, slow down enough you don't make much dust. Bubba gets upset when people dust his freshly washed bubbamobile.

Third, when passing, do it one bike at a time when safe and legal. Park in the rearview mirror and give bubba a bit of time to notice you. Sometimes you have to toot the horn. Just a tiny toot. Country folk generally live in quiet environments and are easily startled. Avoid wringing the throttle on a noisy bike next to the driver's window. Wave and show as many fingers as motorcycles behind you so Bubba knows what to expect. If 5 or more, show five fingers.

Fourth, do not roost Bubba.

Fifth, leave the gate as you found it. Very important.

Sixth, if you see a cut fence, tree down across a fence, farm critter in the road, or something else of concern, stop at the next house and share the concern. Backcountry folks look out one for the other, and they will pass the word along.

Finally, never blow past a stopped local. At least slow down and ask if all is well.

I think if all DS and ADV riders did these things we would not lose access to so many choice roads.

[Rman of 237]

Originally Posted by KenH

If you come up behind people on horseback, back it down and follow at a safe distance, about 50 yards. If your bike is quiet you may need to move up until they hear you. Once the riders see you, wait for the riders to turn their horses so they can see you coming so the horses won't be spooked by your sudden appearance. Usually if you wait a few seconds the people on horseback will gladly wave you by. If not, move waaaaay over and pass at a speed barely faster than they are going. Keep the engine making a steady sound. Don't shift or blip the throttle as you go by--just keep it even.



Fifth, leave the gate as you found it. Very important.

Good info on dealing with horses, a couple years ago Meriden and I ran up on a trail ride over near McDade, horses hate bikes even with the engines off, they're spooked just by the sight of them! We met the trail boss 1st and he seemed concerned that they were inconveniencing us, we were like "No, not even"!



He said there was about 100 horses so we backtracked to a gate and parked 'em. The trailriders were so appreciative that they even offered us !







That was cool, we made friends that day!

And to quote Ken again, do not EVER leave a gate open, EVER!!!!! As a land owner that issue hits the nail squarely on the head, LEAVE IT EXACTLY AS YOU FOUND IT!!!!!!

[Irishcoffee]

Originally Posted by Rman of 237

Good info on dealing with horses, a couple years ago Meriden and I ran up on a trail ride over near McDade, horses hate bikes even with the engines off, they're spooked just by the sight of them! We met the trail boss 1st and he seemed concerned that they were inconveniencing us, we were like "No, not even"!



He said there was about 100 horses so we backtracked to a gate and parked 'em. The trailriders were so appreciative that they even offered us !







That was cool, we made friends that day!

And to quote Ken again, do not EVER leave a gate open, EVER!!!!! As a land owner that issue hits the nail squarely on the head, LEAVE IT EXACTLY AS YOU FOUND IT!!!!!!

Most important thing is to remove your helmet! Horses have no fear of the bikes ridden in normal fashion. The garb we wear makes us an alien creature that causes the problem. Just kill the bike and remove your helmet immediately, everything will be fine. Learned this a long, long time ago. Try it.

[Irishcoffee]

Originally Posted by KenH

Gee willakers, folks, didn't mean to imply anyone needed a glass bellybutton to see out. I grew up in the boonies and see lots of riders totally unaware of how their choices affect the rest of us in a negative way, that's all.

Good thing about riding alone is you don't usually have to catch ire for what another rider has done. I've caught heck from locals or LEOs for what other riders have done in the Hill Country and BBNP in Texas, LBL in Kentucky, Ozark Mountains in Arkansas, TAT in Colorado, 826 in Fort Worth, and somewhere in New Mexico when riding during group rides, and a couple times I wasn't even part of the event, just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I stopped doing big group events for that reason, to the point I make sure no big group ride is going on near an area when I plan a solo ride there. There are a few people with whom I will ride in a small group, though. They are truly blessings.

There is a certain etiquette in the back country most folks don't know. It's pretty much a matter of treating the locals with a bit of thoughtfull deference.

First off, don't scare the critters. Backcountry folks love their critters. Especially the young ones. Little critters can hurt themselves if paniced. If critters are near the road, back off on the noise, especially sudden noises like hitting the ground after a jump, hitting a big bump or hole, or wringing the throttle. If you come up on horseback riders coming towards you, stop, shut the bike down, and let them ride past. Once they are 50 yards or so behind you, restart and ride away as quietly as possible. If you come up behind people on horseback, back it down and follow at a safe distance, about 50 yards. If your bike is quiet you may need to move up until they hear you. Once the riders see you, wait for the riders to turn their horses so they can see you coming so the horses won't be spooked by your sudden appearance. Usually if you wait a few seconds the people on horseback will gladly wave you by. If not, move waaaaay over and pass at a speed barely faster than they are going. Keep the engine making a steady sound. Don't shift or blip the throttle as you go by--just keep it even.

Second, avoid making dust. Be aware which way the dust you make is blowing, and when you pass a car or building that is going to get dusted, slow down enough you don't make much dust. Bubba gets upset when people dust his freshly washed bubbamobile.

Third, when passing, do it one bike at a time when safe and legal. Park in the rearview mirror and give bubba a bit of time to notice you. Sometimes you have to toot the horn. Just a tiny toot. Country folk generally live in quiet environments and are easily startled. Avoid wringing the throttle on a noisy bike next to the driver's window. Wave and show as many fingers as motorcycles behind you so Bubba knows what to expect. If 5 or more, show five fingers.

Fourth, do not roost Bubba.

Fifth, leave the gate as you found it. Very important.

Sixth, if you see a cut fence, tree down across a fence, farm critter in the road, or something else of concern, stop at the next house and share the concern. Backcountry folks look out one for the other, and they will pass the word along.

Finally, never blow past a stopped local. At least slow down and ask if all is well.

I think if all DS and ADV riders did these things we would not lose access to so many choice roads.

What is interesting is what you saw in the OP or any other that prompted the "lecture". I may agree totally with what you bring to the table, just not in this thread. OK, I'm done.

[Rman of 237]

Originally Posted by Irishcoffee

Most important thing is to remove your helmet! Horses have no fear of the bikes ridden in normal fashion. The garb we wear makes us an alien creature that causes the problem. Just kill the bike and remove your helmet immediately, everything will be fine. Learned this a long, long time ago. Try it.

Yes, horses are smart enough to see helmets as different, in most cases cattle are too stupid to recognize the difference. Funny, the deer on my place aren't scared of bikes until you get off of them, once they see you detached from it they freak out and run away.! I know a guy who's dog will bark at me like crazy with my helmet on but take it off she's my best friend, put it back on and she hates me again.

[KenH]

I never thought of the helmet thing. I'll remember that.

Irishcoffee, won't hurt my feelings a bit if you put me on ignore.

[woodsguy]

Originally Posted by KenH

I never thought of the helmet thing. I'll remember that.

Irishcoffee, won't hurt my feelings a bit if you put me on ignore.

Not wanting to put anybody on the "ignore" list! But Irish is right, this has gotten way over blown! Nothing happened, no gates, no confrontation, no dust, nothing! I purely was stating that I had gone a pretty good ways down a deadend road and some folks were looking pretty iffy! Being by myself I just turned around and went about my business. BTW, I live in the country and when a strange car comes down my road I notice. Heck even my dogs know which cars belong and who doesn't! How I don't know, lol. I understand the locals wondering about me! Cheers guys, lets ride not argue about nothing.

[Rman of 237]

Oh for God's sakes, if you folks are so shallow that you have to put people on an 'ignore' list ......?..... Put me on it!!!

[woodsguy]

Originally Posted by Rman of 237

Oh for God's sakes, if you folks are so shallow that you have to put people on an 'ignore' list ......?..... Put me on it!!!

Talking about shallow this whole thread is dumb, wish I hadn't started it BUT neither I nor Irish said anything about putting anyone on an ignore list. KenH simply told Irish to put him on it! Gosh I'm through with this one!

[tony_dt]

No worries, I for one enjoyed reading the original thread and hearing of others experiences. Keep em coming. Sometimes, things in text are interpreted different ways to different folks. I can say though I have been places that I have been spooked, bad parts of cities and banjo territories It is all a part of the adventure, but best not push our luck too far.

[KenH]

Originally Posted by tony_dt

No worries, I for one enjoyed reading the original thread and hearing of others experiences. Keep em coming. Sometimes, things in text are interpreted different ways to different folks. I can say though I have been places that I have been spooked, bad parts of cities and banjo territories It is all a part of the adventure, but best not push our luck too far.

True. I once made a wrong turn into a really bad neighborhood. My son was riding pillion. One way in, one way out. Couldn't find the way out so after a couple or three laps with the natives beginning to chase with weapons in their hands we jumped the railroad tracks (on a dressed-for-touring SOHC CB750 ) to get out to a highway. Seemed safer than asking for directions.