Texas Hill Country Fall Ride

Thought I'd post some pics of my most recent ride through the Texas Hill Country. Started out on a very cool foggy morning, Saturday, Nov 14, 09, and had to stop a couple miles after starting to put on my cold weather gloves. Damp and cool made for a question as to whether it would be a good day for a ride. But, the weather report said it was supposed to clear up and be a clear day. Taking I-10 to Loop 1604 to SH-16 I made the highway cruise to Bandera, TX, where I enjoyed a cup of coffee and a slice of apple pie at the Ole Spanish Trail cafe. Met a couple of riders and we discussed the usual biker stuff, roads, sights, weather, near misses, you know the usual stuff. I stayed long enough for the fog to start to clear off and warm up a bit, then saddled up and continued up 16 towards Medina.

Some beautiful fall color as noted here with a shot of the scoot.
A little further up the road, I came across this shot. The picture does not do the scene justice (a wide angle lens would've helped). Anyway, had to take a shot.
Although this was my usual weekend ride, I actually had a goal, the Lonestar Motorcycle Museum in Vanderpool, TX. A favorite of motorcycle and car enthusiasts, this little museum out in the middle of Southwest TX has an excellent collection of privately owned motorcycles dating back generations.

I obviousle drifted towards the classic Triumphs, but there were Ariels, Matchless', Nortons, Hondas, Harleys, Indians, Vincents, and a few whose names I can not remember. All in beautiful condition. Obviously, I rcommend a stop if you're in the area.

They also serve some fine road cuisine. Famous for their burgers and fries, I instead had to try out the Chicken Curry Meat Pies. Deliscious.

After a casual meal and a thorough going over of the bikes, I headed back to the road and winding my way home.

Back through some beautiful winding roads, up and down hills, and crossing small streams here and there (really special after the year and a half drought) along the way.

Making it back to Bandera, I refueled and returned at a fairly good clip the way I came. Bandera is famous for rodeos, and trail rides. Here a couple of cowpokes entertain some tourists with rope tricks and a how-to on dutch oven cooking. All in all, about a 230 mile rounder and was well worth the sore butt I came home with. I was greeted at home with the Cowboys getting soundly whomped. Bummer dude. But I did get a good nap in.