High Island to Sabine Pass Beach Ride, Tues 3/13

[SilverBullet]

All this rain got you down? Most park trails are still either closed or the mudholes are now swimming pools. So decided the best option is to break away and ride the beach tomorrow.

For those unfamilar this is a 25-30 mile off road ride along the beach coastline to Sabine Pass. Then turn around and ride the same route back to High Island. No special requirements except bike must be street legal and plated, appropriate dual sport tires (50/50 minimum with proper psi) and rider should be familar/comfortable riding in the sand.

Where: High Island, TX
beach entrance corner of Hwy 124 and 87

When: 3/13, 11:00am

Or if you're coming from the north we can meet 10:00am at the Texaco/Jack in the Box, I-10 and FM563 and ride the backroads to High Island together.

Farther north? I'll be leaving Humble at 8:45am.

So far it is myself and Alex4218 riding.

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[Meriden]

Be careful and have a good time. Remember the beach can hide a wash out or two.

[SilverBullet]

Originally Posted by Meriden

Be careful and have a good time. Remember the beach can hide a wash out or two.

What's a wash out? Oh you mean our jumps. haha

Expecting the beach to be extra fun tomorrow due to all the rain we've got recently.

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[Desert Skies]

I tried this ride once on Spring Break. Beach was chewed up pretty good and the spring breakers on the beach didn't appreciate on bit the speed it took to keep the bike afloat on the loose sand.

Once you get away from the crowd, it could be fun.

[TwoSmokeDS]

Looking forward to ride report.

[Meriden]

Originally Posted by SilverBullet

What's a wash out? Oh you mean our jumps. haha

Expecting the beach to be extra fun tomorrow due to all the rain we've got recently.

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I just remember one of Smeghead's buddies getting busted up on GoPro. I"m guessing the guy is alright. Maybe one of the BOTIs may know.

[SilverBullet]

Originally Posted by texasnh

Looking forward to ride report.

Sorry to dissappoint but even if I carry along a camera I usually don't stop to take photos. Never have, probably never will. Something about it just kills part of the ride enjoyment for me. But I do use a tank bag now so who knows there might be some hope for a couple photos but a ride report is a longshot.

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[SilverBullet]

Originally Posted by Meriden

I just remember one of Smeghead's buddies getting busted up on GoPro. I"m guessing the guy is alright. Maybe one of the BOTIs may know.

Yep he is alright and back riding again. Below link was the thread you're remembering I bet. This was on the easier Bolivar side of the beach before you get to High Island. Probably just wasn't looking far enough ahead to see the wash and/or too much speed. Accidents suck but they do happen. Accept that or you shouldn't be riding and don't ride at any speed you're not willing to crash at.
http://www.twtex.com/forums/showthre...ah+high+island

Originally Posted by Desert Skies

I tried this ride once on Spring Break. Beach was chewed up pretty good and the spring breakers on the beach didn't appreciate on bit the speed it took to keep the bike afloat on the loose sand.

Once you get away from the crowd, it could be fun.

Probably also on the smoother Bolivar side. I have never seen HI to Sabine Pass crowded, just a few scattered fisherman usually. The rocks, difficult vehicle access and less than desirable sand usually keep the party crowds away.

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[TwoSmokeDS]

I'm planning to head down there myself this weekend. I'd like to know the situation, like problem with access and debris hazard and local landowners. I think I saw some report of locals not like public using the beach and intimidating people with threatening signs.

[SilverBullet]

Originally Posted by texasnh

I'm planning to head down there myself this weekend. I'd like to know the situation, like problem with access and debris hazard and local landowners. I think I saw some report of locals not like public using the beach and intimidating people with threatening signs.

That's a given, I always post up anything pertinent or informative. In fact make sure you read my post link below, still applicable info for your ride this weekend whether or not I find any out in force tomorrow or not.
http://www.twtex.com/forums/showpost...9&postcount=17


It's just when somebody says Ride Report I equate that with those long detailed entertainment stories with dozens of photos spread out over the course of the ride. That I would have to be paid to do, and still not enjoy it.

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[Alex4218]

It seems you can't ride from High Island to Sabine Pass too fast. The debris on the beach prevents riding too fast. In addition, the beach is constantly changing and at some points it is very narrow to ride the beach from the water. Riding this roue two years ago I felt was the best the route looked. Before Hurricane Alex landed in 2010. (no pun intended. )

[TwoSmokeDS]

Texas Law: The public... shall have the free and unrestricted right of ingress and egress to and from the state-owned beaches bordering on the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico

Does that mean it's okay to ride thru a condo owner's yard to get to the beach?

[Meriden]

Originally Posted by texasnh

Does that mean it's okay to ride thru a condo owner's yard to get to the beach?

No. Property to the vegitation line can be private. The beach itself is public.

[Rsquared]

I rode through there a few years ago and there was alot of folks on the beach. Alot of them weren't too happy to see us. I realize it's perfectly legal and y'all have every right to be there. Just be prepared.

Also, there's the section where the folks are nude sun-bathing. Y'all may want to pick up a pair of these for that section of the beach, because most of those folks had no buisness with their cloth's off...

[Prothos]

sounds like a blast, would love to take the ktm down and try it out. to bad im in the middle of remoddling the thes kids bathroom. spent the day today tearing it a part. to bad its not scheduled for thursday or friday

[jmn]

Originally Posted by texasnh

I'm planning to head down there myself this weekend. I'd like to know the situation, like problem with access and debris hazard and local landowners. I think I saw some report of locals not like public using the beach and intimidating people with threatening signs.

We (Rydah, Jfink, myself) had a good ride there about a month ago. No problem with public access, it's treated as a public road. If you drive the hwy through High Island, when you get to the beach turn left and park to unload. From that point east you will not encounter any landowners or signs. It is all ranchland and Natl wildlife refuge land, if you stay between the fenceline and the water and there will be no problems. There are no homes or condo's until after you get off the beach onto the paved hwy that takes you into Sabine Pass. There is alot of trash, old fence wire, driftwood and scattered broken up roadbed that cannot be avoided on a normal or high tide. Its a lot easier ride on a very low tide but it's always fun Have fun!!

[SilverBullet]

Quote:
Texas Law: The public... shall have the free and unrestricted right of ingress and egress to and from the state-owned beaches bordering on the seaward shore of the Gulf of Mexico

Originally Posted by texasnh

Does that mean it's okay to ride thru a condo owner's yard to get to the beach?

Where did you find that quote? It is almost exactly opposite of what we where informed a couple months ago. State Park officer said we could not enter or exit the Sea Rim Park from the beach. They have fences up also but almost always are in some sort of disrepair so you can get around them. Sea Rim Park also has a $3 per day fee to enter so how is that free and unrestricted access? Officer advised us that the beach is open to public on both sides of park but we couldn'tt pass through the private land on both sides of Sea Rim to get to it either. So no access through the park and no access through private land. Double whammy.

I guess the question is the beach in a State owned park considered different. I could see them claiming it is part of the park so technically doesn't fall under the rules of a state owned beach.

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[jmn]

Originally Posted by Meriden

I just remember one of Smeghead's buddies getting busted up on GoPro. I"m guessing the guy is alright. Maybe one of the BOTIs may know.

That would be Rydah (Rob) he's all healed and doing fine. I'm fairly certain he's even be better than before I do know he hasn't slowed down any.

[TwoSmokeDS]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texas_Open_Beaches_Act

[Rustee Shackleford]

David, I'll meet ya'll at the Jack in the Box at I-10 and 563 at 1000. I'll bring my camera this time and we can stop and take pics every couple of miles See ya in the morning Paul