I went for a ride today and took some pictures.

[WyattEarpMadman]

So I used to have a blog, but hosting fees and the fact that it was sort of an island unto itself within the grand universe that is the internet, meant it didn't get much traffic. And that wasn't the point, I wanted a place my friends and family could see what I was up to, since I'm not the biggest fan of social media. However, all the folks here at TWTEX are just such kindred spirits and like-minded individuals that I figure this would be as good a place as any to keep a record of what I've been up to.

Click the thumbnails for the full image.

I started off at D'Vine Home Bistro near Canyon Lake, highly recommend.


Huevos Rancheros and coffee for $15.


My noble steed Bertha, a 2018 BMW 1200 RT. Cruise Missile.


Underneath the Rebecca Creek Road bridge on the Guadalupe River






Guadalupe River again at Edge Falls Rd.




You're not going to believe this, but the Guadalupe, AGAIN, at Waring Welfare Rd.


I took a good 20 minutes to do some math and properly fold my Butler map to fit on my tank bag. I went down the rabbit hole of topographic map folding techniques, but it's great to be able to easily take it out, flip a panel, and have a handy reference.


The Waring general store. I'll let you guys figure out what town this is located in


I saw this little chunk of Skyline Drive outside of Comfort on the Butler map, and found this mansion at the very top of the hill with 360 view in every direction. It's called the Bildarth Estate and was built in 1981 by BILl and DARolyn WorTH (get it, Bil-Dar-th?).


It's 18,000 square feet so you could fit a few motorcycles in there.


Such views!

 

[ntklr650]

Beautiful ride. Thanks for sharing

 

[woodsguy]

18,000 square feet. Wow. Nice ride you have there.

 

[KrustyKustom]

Fun get away day rides are what its all about. I can feel like I took a 3 day weekend when I do a nice day ride to the countryside....

Great pics,

 

[Road Scholar]

I have heard good things about D'Vine, it's near where I live but I have not been. Comfort Pizza is good next time you are out there.
Have you considered the Grand Tour of TX? Good way to get some miles on your RT.
Also the Hill Country BMW Riders have weekly breakfasts, midweek local rides and trips to Big Bend, NM and the Ozarks.

 

[Manfred]

That general store in Waring is one of the Grand Tour sites I plan on visiting.

 

[WyattEarpMadman]

@Road Scholar (nice name btw, lol) I have not yet been to Comfort Pizza (the last two times I was in the area it was randomly closed) but High's Cafe and Store is a favorite. I picked up the RT in Sept with only 1,800 miles on it and just crossed 4,700, so I'm working on it. I met a gentleman at the Bent Rim in Leakey on a 2019 doing the Grand Tour, I think he mentioned he had done 2,700 miles over an extended WEEKEND so I know it can put down the miles.

I've been riding the Hill Country for over a decade, I think my goal this year is to hit every road on the Butler Map guide that I haven't done yet, because I've nearly done them all. Always feel a lot of gratitude for being able to ride the Hill Country year round.

 

[WyattEarpMadman]

I went for a ride last weekend and took some pictures.

I spent two nights at Inks Lake State Park, with a goal to explore the smaller ranch roads around Doss, and the loops around Lake Buchanan. I wasn't disappointed! My trusty steed Bertha the Bavarian Princess carried me safely.

2341 near Lake Buchanan.


More Lake Buchanan


I considered some downhill at Spider Mountain, but my bike wouldn't fit on the lift.


There's a story here, I just don't know what it is...


My humble abode for the next two nights.


This guy was living my dream.


The nicest people ride a Honda!


It was the golden hour so I made way towards Devil's Hole swim spot.


Had the whole thing to myself as I glimpsed it through the trees.


...well, almost all to myself. Just sharing the space with the creepies and crawlies.


We are all pretty lucky to have such amazing swimming. In February.


...and equally lucky to have such pleasant sunsets.


The moon was a sliver above the last of the sun's rays.


Plenty of stars to light the way after sunset.


I got a little creative and did some light painting with the bike. Light painting with a long exposure.




After a deep and slumbering sleep, coffee with a sunrise at the fishing dock.


Off towards Doss, stopping by Enchanted Rock.


It sure is big...


Welgehausen Road


The longhorns were checking me out...



...along with the goats.


Christ Lutheran Chruch on Cherry Spring Road


The clouds had that turbulent wavy airy thing going on, would make a good album cover.


Small creeks and rural roads.


...aaaaaaaand yet another amazing sunset.

 

[Manfred]

I went for a ride last weekend and took some pictures.

I spent two nights at Inks Lake State Park, with a goal to explore the smaller ranch roads around Doss, and the loops around Lake Buchanan. I wasn't disappointed! My trusty steed Bertha the Bavarian Princess carried me safely.

2341 near Lake Buchanan.


More Lake Buchanan


I considered some downhill at Spider Mountain, but my bike wouldn't fit on the lift.


There's a story here, I just don't know what it is...


My humble abode for the next two nights.


This guy was living my dream.


The nicest people ride a Honda!


It was the golden hour so I made way towards Devil's Hole swim spot.


Had the whole thing to myself as I glimpsed it through the trees.


...well, almost all to myself. Just sharing the space with the creepies and crawlies.


We are all pretty lucky to have such amazing swimming. In February.


...and equally lucky to have such pleasant sunsets.


The moon was a sliver above the last of the sun's rays.


Plenty of stars to light the way after sunset.


I got a little creative and did some light painting with the bike. Light painting with a long exposure.




After a deep and slumbering sleep, coffee with a sunrise at the fishing dock.


Off towards Doss, stopping by Enchanted Rock.


It sure is big...


Welgehausen Road


The longhorns were checking me out...



...along with the goats.


Christ Lutheran Chruch on Cherry Spring Road


The clouds had that turbulent wavy airy thing going on, would make a good album cover.


Small creeks and rural roads.


...aaaaaaaand yet another amazing sunset.

My wife and I really like Inks Lake State Park. Greeat pix!

 

[blupupher]

You know, at times I don't think I have been many places in Texas, but looking at your pics, I have been to most all those places, all within the last 5 years or so.
LOL

I rode by Buchanan dam on Saturday coming from Castell on my way to Marble Falls (and points beyond).

 

[mr72]

This is a lot of my favorite riding spots. If only I didn't have to work.

 

[Manfred]

This is a lot of my favorite riding spots. If only I didn't have to work.

Work? That idea has become foreign to me.

 

[mr72]

Work? That idea has become foreign to me.

Believe it or not, there are some people on this forum who are not retired!

 

[WyattEarpMadman]

I went for a ride last weekend in the Davis Mountains and took some pictures.

It was a three day trip, leaving from Austin on the RT on Thursday, spending a day riding the area Friday, and coming back Saturday. The interesting part is for the first time in my life I nailed a deer at about 40mph a half mile before Davis Mountains State Park's entrance where I was camping. Bad timing. Even worse, it somehow pushed my right rear case out of alignment so it wouldn't open, or unlock, or come off the bike at all. I thought I'd be smart by removing the hinges, but the retaining bolts on the inside spun freely, so I couldn't remove the hinges. It had my electronics, tools, clothing, and my camp stove fuel.

I would just have to make do with my swim trunks and T-shirt for the entire weekend. I picked up a toothbrush at the camp store.

Anyways, more pictures, less words.

Somewhere on the way through Llano, Mason, Menard, El Dorado, Iraan....




Texas Scratch Kitchen was an excellent pitstop.


The roads get longer, the horizons further away...


I made a pit stop in Balmorhea State Park to cool off and stretch the legs. Highly recommend.








The cargo vans had a bit more space to change into a swimsuit. I made do in the parking lot.


Entering the Davis Mountains area!


I should have paid more attention to this sign. Like 110% instead of just 100%.


Just before the park gate, as I even slowed down ('wow this would be a good place for deer' I thought), with the sun in my eyes, a deer bolted straight out from the ditch. I slammed on my front brake while swerving left and away, and slowed from ~60 to 40mph, but it all happened in a blink of an eye. My right crash bar and valve cover took the brunt of the damage and killed that deer stone dead unfortunately.




After sitting at camp for an hour with half my supplies and letting my adrenaline dump cool off, I brushed my teeth with my brand new tooth brush, took a shower, and went straight to bed.


Friday was a new day! The recently renovated Indian Lodge had a fantastic $12 breakfast buffet, hot coffee, and amazing views.




I met up with @Not Dave and we did the loop from Alpine to the observatory, and caught some wicked Mexican lunch at Poco Mexicano afterwards.




I cooled off with a cold shower and sipped some bourbon on the porch of the hotel while reading a book and meeting cool new interesting people. I got a lot of pity about the deer incident, thanks for the support strangers.


The sunsets ain't bad. You can see the observatory on the horizon in this shot from Skyline Drive in the campground.




Just look at all them curvy roads.




Rice and jerky for dinner, I packed it in my tank bag and road up Skyline Drive in flip flops. After the deer I figured I had some good karma.








The stars out there, rad.


The next morning I loaded up early, got my breakfast at the Black Bear Restaurant in the lodge, and was on my way. A lot way home!






A self portrait








I stopped by Iraan on the way back energy. Wind and oil baby.






Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

 

[cdc]

Nice pictures and short text, that’s how I like it.

 

[Tourmeister]

Nice pictures and short text, that’s how I like it.

Aw c'mon now...

Been there, did that, with my 02 1150 GS at 65 mph! It crossed in front of a rider on my left (trying to stay ahead of my dust plume), took a direct hit to the head from my left jug/crash bars, slammed into my left leg, and then bounced back across in front of the rider on my left. He did not see it at all until AFTER it hit me and came back toward him!! Fortunately, I did not go down, but there was concern that my lower left leg might have some damage. We were out in the middle of nowhere South of Camp Easy on Pumpville or Pandale road. Nothing to do but keep riding! Finished the trip and was fine after getting home, just sore.

 

[WyattEarpMadman]

@Tourmeister holy cats sounds familiar, and I have this strange sensation like I can IMAGINE it so clearly :P

You can sort of see in my valve cover images above but there is a large scratch across my valve cover. I also discovered the next day that it was slowly weeping oil (a few drops an hour), but I safely made it back home, so that needs to be looked at too. I'm pretty sure if I was not on an RT, with the stout crash bars and large cylinder in front of my right leg, that my leg would have been injured for real. It hit hard enough to bend 1" crash bars, crack a valve cover, and bend my rear pannier back an inch on it's mounting. Sad it happened but truly grateful I wasn't injured, and that the bike more or less is OK and safely took me home.

Your story is equally wild though. Glad YOU were OK, and it's a reminder to always stay on our game and focused, and that even if you play your hand the best you can, sometimes the cards make it difficult. Thanks for sharing!

 

[ntklr650]

I went for a ride last weekend in the Davis Mountains and took some pictures.

It was a three day trip, leaving from Austin on the RT on Thursday, spending a day riding the area Friday, and coming back Saturday. The interesting part is for the first time in my life I nailed a deer at about 40mph a half mile before Davis Mountains State Park's entrance where I was camping. Bad timing. Even worse, it somehow pushed my right rear case out of alignment so it wouldn't open, or unlock, or come off the bike at all. I thought I'd be smart by removing the hinges, but the retaining bolts on the inside spun freely, so I couldn't remove the hinges. It had my electronics, tools, clothing, and my camp stove fuel.

I would just have to make do with my swim trunks and T-shirt for the entire weekend. I picked up a toothbrush at the camp store.

Anyways, more pictures, less words.

Somewhere on the way through Llano, Mason, Menard, El Dorado, Iraan....




Texas Scratch Kitchen was an excellent pitstop.


The roads get longer, the horizons further away...


I made a pit stop in Balmorhea State Park to cool off and stretch the legs. Highly recommend.








The cargo vans had a bit more space to change into a swimsuit. I made do in the parking lot.


Entering the Davis Mountains area!


I should have paid more attention to this sign. Like 110% instead of just 100%.


Just before the park gate, as I even slowed down ('wow this would be a good place for deer' I thought), with the sun in my eyes, a deer bolted straight out from the ditch. I slammed on my front brake while swerving left and away, and slowed from ~60 to 40mph, but it all happened in a blink of an eye. My right crash bar and valve cover took the brunt of the damage and killed that deer stone dead unfortunately.




After sitting at camp for an hour with half my supplies and letting my adrenaline dump cool off, I brushed my teeth with my brand new tooth brush, took a shower, and went straight to bed.


Friday was a new day! The recently renovated Indian Lodge had a fantastic $12 breakfast buffet, hot coffee, and amazing views.




I met up with @Not Dave and we did the loop from Alpine to the observatory, and caught some wicked Mexican lunch at Poco Mexicano afterwards.




I cooled off with a cold shower and sipped some bourbon on the porch of the hotel while reading a book and meeting cool new interesting people. I got a lot of pity about the deer incident, thanks for the support strangers.


The sunsets ain't bad. You can see the observatory on the horizon in this shot from Skyline Drive in the campground.




Just look at all them curvy roads.




Rice and jerky for dinner, I packed it in my tank bag and road up Skyline Drive in flip flops. After the deer I figured I had some good karma.








The stars out there, rad.


The next morning I loaded up early, got my breakfast at the Black Bear Restaurant in the lodge, and was on my way. A lot way home!






A self portrait








I stopped by Iraan on the way back energy. Wind and oil baby.






Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

Man this makes me miss that area. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Tourmeister]

It is possible that the valve cover bolts may have slightly deformed. You can try just snugging them, but they have a shoulder on them inside the head that keeps the bolts from being over tightened. So that might not help. Easy thing to do is a new gasket for sure. It is also possible that there might be a crack in the cover itself that is so small you cannot see it. I had this happen on my 2017 R1200 GS Rallye during a big trip a few years ago. It was making a mess of me and the bike, but even after removing the cover and inspecting it and the gasket multiple times. It was not until we got to a friend's house in Wyoming and got the bike in his garage where we could use a VERY bright light to inspect the cover that we found a crack. It was very hard to see even when I knew where it was! I used a dremel to grind out the crack and then filled it with JB weld. That stopped the leak there, but the gasket wasn't getting enough compression and continued leaking at the bottom rear of the cover. We had to make a custom washer to go under the bolt head to get just a hair more compression on the gasket. This worked even though the bolts were bottomed out on that shoulder I mentioned. It took forever to get all that oil out of the leg of my riding pants!!

 

[cdc]

Aw c'mon now...

Been there, did that, with my 02 1150 GS at 65 mph! It crossed in front of a rider on my left (trying to stay ahead of my dust plume), took a direct hit to the head from my left jug/crash bars, slammed into my left leg, and then bounced back across in front of the rider on my left. He did not see it at all until AFTER it hit me and came back toward him!! Fortunately, I did not go down, but there was concern that my lower left leg might have some damage. We were out in the middle of nowhere South of Camp Easy on Pumpville or Pandale road. Nothing to do but keep riding! Finished the trip and was fine after getting home, just sore.

You noticed…..

 

[Yodarider]

WhattEarpMadman, most of your images have a Kodachrome 64 ish look to them. Nice!