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Scoot Around Texas

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Texasrider58 said:
What is the tent ? Where did you purchase ?
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That's a Mountain Laurel Designs Trailstar in silnylon. They're available from MLD directly but I bought that one from their garage sale on FB about 15 years ago. It's actually one of their prototype/testing tents from when they were being designed. I can fit my "backpacking" cot under it and still have room for my chair and table on the other side. Unlike many silnylon shelters it's easy to retention it during the night by simply reaching over and extending the center pole a little bit more.

It's an excellent shelter but the learning curve with it is a bit steep compared to traditional tents found at REI and other such places. It can be pitched higher to allow plenty of airflow like I had it on this trip or pinned down to the ground for severe weather. In true four season conditions it can be taken a step further and one of the panels folded in to make it into a pyramid that sheds snow better than the primary pitch. I normally pitch it at least 4 or 5 inches off the ground because I'm usually using a cot with it and tend to use a breathable bivy to block wind and boost the temp rating of my insulation layers that little bit more. This means I'm not worried about stopping all the wind because of the height of my cot and the bivy. It just takes some practice.

At Caprock the winds picked up coming down that canyon at night and I ended up having to get up and pin the side facing into the wind down close to the ground. I'd guess we had gusts of 30-40 mph at times. It was some of the worst winds I've ever camped in and the Trailstar handled it well but I also use MSR Groundhog stakes at all 5 corners. I fear the typical shepherd hood stakes a lot of backpackers use would have pulled out or bent.

I also have a Bear Paw Designs inner tent that I use when I want bug netting and a bathtub floor. I almost never bother with this fwiw.

I recently started pairing it with the trekking poles seen in that picture from Caprock. They're from Amazon and have tentatively replaced my old Black Diamond poles at this point. I've got 15 or so miles on them and they seem to be holding up well for their intended use but the best part is they pack down REALLY short and easily fit in motorcycle luggage. They're also cheap compared to other options. The straps aren't as good as the BD poles but they're good enough so far and I don't trust the flick lock hardware on these compared to BD but so far so good (I worry the hardware is made from brittle pot metal). MLD, Amazon, and other companies sell dedicated poles for setting up tents like these that aren't trekking poles but I've never felt the need to buy any when I already use trekking poles for hiking in some areas.

There are other companies selling what appears to be the same poles but I had terrible luck when it came to them actually shipping them.

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Has anyone ridden any part(s) of this yet? I'm flirting with the idea of riding the first few sections from Dennison to perhaps Corpus Christi next week. If I do, I'll be unpacking the camping gear and going the cheap route. Atlanta and Livingstone state parks look good. I don't love everything about camping but the sleeping cot sure does help. I'd be riding the Xmax.
 
I plan on riding it. I couldn't next week. The wife has an appointment the 8th to get her license renewal done. What mapping software do most use. I have been using gpx viewer. Maybe could do the following week.
 
MacDaddy said:
Has anyone ridden any part(s) of this yet? I'm flirting with the idea of riding the first few sections from Dennison to perhaps Corpus Christi next week. If I do, I'll be unpacking the camping gear and going the cheap route. Atlanta and Livingstone state parks look good. I don't love everything about camping but the sleeping cot sure does help. I'd be riding the Xmax.
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You got an Xmax? Very cool.

It’s getting a bit warm for camping in Texas imo but a cot and a fan does help.
 
veriest1 said:
You got an Xmax? Very cool.

It’s getting a bit warm for camping in Texas imo but a cot and a fan does help.
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I thought you knew I had the Xmax. (Or Vespa killer as my Xmaxian's like to say) :giveup: It's a 2018 with 36,000 miles on it now.

You're right, it is getting warmer for camping and I may have waited nearly to long. This cooler weather has given me hope though. It's been a busy spring this year. I rode in Mexico for 2.5 weeks, 5 days with the girlfriend in Big Bend and another 5 days later in Florida. The latter two were in a car however. I'm trying to take advantage of retired life.
 
Texasrider58 said:
I plan on riding it. I couldn't next week. The wife has an appointment the 8th to get her license renewal done. What mapping software do most use. I have been using gpx viewer. Maybe could do the following week.
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Check you PM's.
 
OK. Talked with Steve this morning. So, I got the wife in at Graham for Tuesday morning for her DL renewal. The scooter is still in the shop. So, I will need to take the Rally for this trip. I will be open from this coming Wednesday the 3rd till Thursday the the 11th.
 
Texasrider58 said:
OK. Talked with Steve this morning. So, I got the wife in at Graham for Tuesday morning for her DL renewal. The scooter is still in the shop. So, I will need to take the Rally for this trip. I will be open from this coming Wednesday the 3rd till Thursday the the 11th.
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So I talked with Liteitup. Let's do this! Meeting up in Dennison next Wednesday morning. (more details later) Any word on Iddave?
 
MacDaddy said:
I thought you knew I had the Xmax. (Or Vespa killer as my Xmaxian's like to say) :giveup: It's a 2018 with 36,000 miles on it now.
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Very cool!

To be fair, anything kills the Vespa. Especially pot holes. The Vespa's computer is always saying I've had multiple "near misses" after almost every ride. I can only think of one in particular though. :rofl:
 
I am planning on riding around Texas this fall . Are you all riding a portion of it or the complete route ?
 
lddave said:
I am planning on riding around Texas this fall . Are you all riding a portion of it or the complete route ?
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We are riding sections 1 - 3, Dennison to Corpus Christi and then working our way back north / home.
 
Having done many LD rides on big bikes and scooters AND having done the IBA RAT ride, I will say, of all the many Iron Butt rides (not counting rallies), the Ride Around Texas was far and away my favorite.

The changes in topography across this state are so varied. While I don’t currently have a running scooter (GTS broken down after long ride), this trip will be awesome for all who go on it.

The Port Bolivar ferry and surrounding ride were some of my favorite sections of the entire ride… also, Big Bend… and the small section of Route 66 in Shamrock… oh, but don’t forget the best breakfast tacos I’ve ever had down in South Padre… dang, I love this ride.
 
Liteitup, Texasrider58 and myself are going to check out sections 1 - 3 (Dennison to Corpus Christi) beginning Wednesday morning. Liteitup and I will be on Xmax 300's and due to a minor issue with his ADV160, Texasrider58 will be on his CRF300 Rally.
 
Sounds like a fun time!

I wish I could make it out on this initial scouting expedition. I'm down in Lufkin enjoying the humidity for the week.
 
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