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- Feb 28, 2003
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- Friday
What: At one time, FM 149 was one of the best rides near Houston. It runs through parts of the Sam Houston National Forests as it winds it's way to Anderson, Texas. Recent years of logging have seen the forest thinned and the pavement distorted under the weight of the heavy vehicles. The pavement is still relatively smooth, but it undulates quite a bit which makes for a bouncy ride in places.
If you are just looking for curves, the best part only runs for about 15 miles or so between Montgomery, Tx., and Richards, Tx. There are lots of nice curves and slight elevation changes. It can be run safely at a fairly spirited pace. However, in the last few years, as its popularity has risen, there have been more accidents and general hooliganism and the local LEO's and Highway Patrol have stepped patrolling of the road. As of late Feb 2003, there are indications that most of the road is about to be repaved
There are two curves of special note on this road. As you head North out of Montgomery, you will pass a petting zoo on the right. Shortly after this, the road will climb slightly, bend into a right hander and start to drop down into a left hander. Right in the middle of the left hander, the pavement has a nice dip in it. Apparently, this dip wigs people out, they stand up their bikes and shoot off the road into the ditch. I see bikes down on this curve fairly regularly, cruisers and sportbikes alike. If you are prepared for it, there is no reason why it cannot be taken at fairly extra legal speeds :wink: It is immediately followed by another left hander of about the same speed.
The second curve is a decreasing radius left hander. About 10 miles North of Montgomery, you will pass FM 1375 on your right, then FM 149 bends to the West briefly. It then turns North again and you pass a small church on the left. Right after the church you will enter what appears to be a gentle lefthanded sweeper that can be taken at high speed. Just beyond your vision as you enter the curve, the road makes a sharper radius and tightens up. This is the other place where I have seen a lot of accidents. The run off is a wide ditch and then barbed wire fence :| Again, if you know about it, it can be taken a pretty high speed. I'd go easy the first few times until you get used to it.
Typical curve in the Sam Houston National Forest
The rest of the road is still great fun, but there aren't any more really bad curves. Although, right before you reach Richards, you will go through a fast left hander sweeper, then a right and cross a short low bridge. You will come upon a railroad crossing immediately followed by a ninety degree left turn, a short straight followed by a right hand ninety, another straight as you go through town, another right handed ninety, a short straight and then the last left handed ninety. All of those ninety degree curves often have loose gravel in them, so be warned.
Between the two right handed nineties in Richards, there are two places to stop. Thr first is a defunct gas station on the right, Richards Grocery. It has a small grill and is pretty good if you want fast cheap food. The second is actually a gas station, PT's Pit Stop. It has a picnic table out front under some large trees. It is a popular spot to stop and chat with other riders about the riding so far. They also serve food and have a grill. Watch the right handed ninety right after this stop. Heading West it is not bad, but coming back East it is a decreasing radius curve and eats bikes on a regular basis.
Once you leave the West side of Richards and head for Anderson, the road straightens out mostly and there are lots of rolling pastures. In the spring time, some of these pastures are covered with Blue Bonnets and it makes for a really nice ride. The best time for this is late March thru late April. If you want to see the Dogwood trees back between Montgomery and Richards, you need to ride in March.
Where: Get your map. Find I-45 heading North out of Houston and look for Conroe. Head West out of Conroe on Hwy 105 to Montgomery. The first main intersection has a Texaco and Diamond Shamrock and will be FM 149 and Hwy 105. Turn North (right) and you are on the start of the ride. A popular start and stop for this ride is King's Cafe.
Designation: The state road designation is FM 149. It is know locally as the Montgomery Trace. To riders in the Houston area, it is also known as the Forest Ride.
If you are just looking for curves, the best part only runs for about 15 miles or so between Montgomery, Tx., and Richards, Tx. There are lots of nice curves and slight elevation changes. It can be run safely at a fairly spirited pace. However, in the last few years, as its popularity has risen, there have been more accidents and general hooliganism and the local LEO's and Highway Patrol have stepped patrolling of the road. As of late Feb 2003, there are indications that most of the road is about to be repaved
There are two curves of special note on this road. As you head North out of Montgomery, you will pass a petting zoo on the right. Shortly after this, the road will climb slightly, bend into a right hander and start to drop down into a left hander. Right in the middle of the left hander, the pavement has a nice dip in it. Apparently, this dip wigs people out, they stand up their bikes and shoot off the road into the ditch. I see bikes down on this curve fairly regularly, cruisers and sportbikes alike. If you are prepared for it, there is no reason why it cannot be taken at fairly extra legal speeds :wink: It is immediately followed by another left hander of about the same speed.
The second curve is a decreasing radius left hander. About 10 miles North of Montgomery, you will pass FM 1375 on your right, then FM 149 bends to the West briefly. It then turns North again and you pass a small church on the left. Right after the church you will enter what appears to be a gentle lefthanded sweeper that can be taken at high speed. Just beyond your vision as you enter the curve, the road makes a sharper radius and tightens up. This is the other place where I have seen a lot of accidents. The run off is a wide ditch and then barbed wire fence :| Again, if you know about it, it can be taken a pretty high speed. I'd go easy the first few times until you get used to it.
Typical curve in the Sam Houston National Forest
The rest of the road is still great fun, but there aren't any more really bad curves. Although, right before you reach Richards, you will go through a fast left hander sweeper, then a right and cross a short low bridge. You will come upon a railroad crossing immediately followed by a ninety degree left turn, a short straight followed by a right hand ninety, another straight as you go through town, another right handed ninety, a short straight and then the last left handed ninety. All of those ninety degree curves often have loose gravel in them, so be warned.
Between the two right handed nineties in Richards, there are two places to stop. Thr first is a defunct gas station on the right, Richards Grocery. It has a small grill and is pretty good if you want fast cheap food. The second is actually a gas station, PT's Pit Stop. It has a picnic table out front under some large trees. It is a popular spot to stop and chat with other riders about the riding so far. They also serve food and have a grill. Watch the right handed ninety right after this stop. Heading West it is not bad, but coming back East it is a decreasing radius curve and eats bikes on a regular basis.
Once you leave the West side of Richards and head for Anderson, the road straightens out mostly and there are lots of rolling pastures. In the spring time, some of these pastures are covered with Blue Bonnets and it makes for a really nice ride. The best time for this is late March thru late April. If you want to see the Dogwood trees back between Montgomery and Richards, you need to ride in March.
Where: Get your map. Find I-45 heading North out of Houston and look for Conroe. Head West out of Conroe on Hwy 105 to Montgomery. The first main intersection has a Texaco and Diamond Shamrock and will be FM 149 and Hwy 105. Turn North (right) and you are on the start of the ride. A popular start and stop for this ride is King's Cafe.
Designation: The state road designation is FM 149. It is know locally as the Montgomery Trace. To riders in the Houston area, it is also known as the Forest Ride.