2025 Planning 11th Memorial Trip to Central Texas (in memory of my wife)

[WisconsinDavid]

This will be 11th time 3 buddies and I are out on the road over the day my wife left this life (June 12). This year we are aiming for Central Texas' hill country. We will be out for 10-12 days, riding from here in WI. If anyone has some good rides in that area of Texas to recommend, please chime in. My folks' lived near Lake LBJ there, so I'm familiar with some of the area over to Fredricksburg and New Braunsfels. 10" of snow here yesterday, but dreaming of spring and summer. Thanks.

Dave


* Thanks @Jesster72 for the post about Maine... got me thinking of our 2025 journey.

 

[Jesster72]

We haven't ridden in Texas (yet), but depending on your route to get there, try to get through NW and West Arkansas on your way there. Really nice riding there.

At least you have snow for Christmas, all we have here is cold and grey, with the Spyder parked under cover and on tender.

I hope your trip is epic and safe, and you continue your tribute to your wife's memory.

 

[Dusterdude]

If I may interject, my wife died on January 11 of this year. After she died, I took her insurance money and bought my Spyder. She was a huge Elvis fan, and I never took her to Graceland; so, in September, my brother and I took her ashes to New Orleans, then Graceland. I left some of her ashes there; now she's with Elvis. I hope this post isn't inappropriate. Thanks for reading

 

[Bfromla]

Also with visiting Hickory Hollow around Houston 22oz country fried steak
(The Rancher- see the menu board).
Maybe you know the country song: Lukenbach in & around the hill country as well as Stone hinge II. & the 3sisters. Good ryding, but caution, there's some low spots subject to flash foods depending on the season & conditions. Enjoy (there is a YouTube of DDD visiting Hickory Hollow - sorry, I'm having issues finding)

- - - -

 

[racoon]

I like chicken fried steak, but that thing is way too big for me!

 

[Bfromla]

I like chicken fried steak, but that thing is way too big for me!

Ha, just "Everything is bigger in TX"
Like anything else: Pace yourself, there is no rush if out enjoying, there are other sizes. That just a famous one & under $20. I believe you will find it quite manageable once started. Enjoy

 

[WisconsinDavid]

If I may interject, my wife died on January 11 of this year. After she died, I took her insurance money and bought my Spyder. She was a huge Elvis fan, and I never took her to Graceland; so, in September, my brother and I took her ashes to New Orleans, then Graceland. I left some of her ashes there; now she's with Elvis. I hope this post isn't inappropriate. Thanks for reading

Awesome way to remember her. And the wind helps us heal after sadness and find our way again.

 

[Dusterdude]

Thanks David, yes it does.

 

[old Timer]

The Texas Hill Country, you will love it, My Grandparents built a place there 102 years ago, 1 mile west of Hunt, Tex on the south fork of the Guadalupe River (just west of Kerrville), still in the family. Spent every summer of my life until out of collage. Look for the 3 Sisters.

 

[Arion]

Where to begin? First, our winter home is in the town of Schertz between San Antonio and New Braunfels to the northeast. We've spent a good bit of time riding in the Hill Country and believe it's hard to go wrong no matter where you might go. Many of the towns in the Hill Country owe their existence to German settlers in the 1800s and much of the German cultural heritage remains. That's a good thing by the way - food, beer, wines come to mind.

Any of the following towns are worth visiting. Fredericksburg has tons of German history including unique "Sunday Houses," great restaurants and shops, and is home to The Museum of the War in The Pacific (which is both huge and spectacular). To the west Bandera is billed as the cowboy capital of Texas and also offers friendly hospitality as does Boerne (pronounced Burn-ee). Then there's Comfort (a small antique and local history center), and the tiny hamlet of Luckenbach with its bar and general store made famous by Willie Nelson. To the east of Fredericksburg on U.S. 281 is Johnson City which includes an excellent vintage motorcycle museum and is near the famous (at least to Texans) LBJ ranch and one-time "Texas White House." Farther north on U.S. 281 is the town of Burnet (pronounced burn-it) which is home to the Highland Lakes Air Museum, and the Hill Country Motorheads Vintage Motorcycle Museum, both of which are worth visiting.

As far as riding goes, almost all of the Hill Country roads are enjoyable; however, the big draw is what's known as The Twisted Sisters on Texas highways 335, 336, and 337. Here's how it's described on the "Ride Texas" website: "This 100-mile loop is, without a doubt, among the best, most challenging motorcycle roads in the state. The route follows canyons and climbs jagged, steep hills; the roads offer many tight, twisty curves with shear drop offs alongside and not much in the way of guardrails. In one 15-mile section, there are approximately 65 curves!"

I hope this might help planning your trip, if it's too much information I apologize. I don't seem to be able to write short responses!

 

[BCNewell]

I will share several rides in the CenTex area I have enjoyed because of the winding roads and/or scenery. First, if you decide to hit Burnet (based on info in post #10 above), be sure to ride Park Road 4 between Texas 29 and US-281. And keep your eyes peeled on the East side of the road for a glimpse of the Falkenstein Castle on a hill in the distance.

Also have a couple other routes I found nearer to Austin: 1) Marshall Ford / Volente / Cedar Park area - Bullick Hollow Rd to Farm Road 2769 to Lime Creek Rd to Anderson Mills Rd; 2) Briarcliff / The Hills / Lakeway area - Bee Creek Road to Highlands Blvd to Lakeway Blvd to Ranch Road 620.

Agree that the Museum of the Pacific in Fredericksburg is well worth the visit. And if you like classic cars, might check out Street Dreams just SW of town off Texas 16.

 

[Pooch]

Butler Maps offers a really good map of all the paved motorcycle roads in the Texas hill country. These maps are heavy duty and don't tear up while trying to handle them.
Get one and if your time permits take any of the little side roads the map shows.
The main travel roads are fun, including the Three Sisters, but the little side roads are interesting also. Since I live here, the main roads are only the way to get to the side roads which we enjoy a lot.
April can be pretty wet sometimes and the low water crossings might have too swift/deep of current to safely cross on the side roads. The main roads typically don't have any questionable low water crossings, although there are some that I can think of.. but the road crews do a good job of putting out precautions before you get to the problem.
Enjoy your trip and wishes for safe travel!
p.s.... LOTS of deer here so be very alert.

 

[pauly1]

Look up the YO Ranch (south of Fredericksburg, NW of Kerrville). Any of the roads that follow the forks of the Guadeloupe River. The wild flower bloom will likely be over by then, but if it is a later spring for us, and the area has had rain to alleviate some of the current drought, consider the Willow City Loop. Run from Willow City, north, coming out on TX-16. From there, Enchanted Rock State Park is within 10 miles.

As someone else mentioned, coming down through NW Arkansas has some great riding. We've done AR7 from Harrisonville to Arkadelphia. From there, a short distance on I-30 to Hope, AR. There is a road, the number I can't remember, that runs from Hope to Shreveport, LA, then US-79 to get into the Central Texas area.

You'll need to do some research to avoid the I-35 corridor congestion from Georgetown to San Antonio. Perhaps TX-29 to Burnet. RR1431 used to be a nice travel between Cedar Park and Leander, although the last 20 years of building has probably ruined that charm. The Californication of the area around Fredericksburg has led to a "winery on every corner" build out. But if you're into wines, then maybe that has something to offer.

And be prepared for heat. Depending on where in TX, humidity could be an issue, too. Average daytime highs are likely in the mid-90's, with night time lows in the low- to mid-70's. The high country should be a bit less.

 

[WisconsinDavid]

Where to begin? First, our winter home is in the town of Schertz between San Antonio and New Braunfels to the northeast. We've spent a good bit of time riding in the Hill Country and believe it's hard to go wrong no matter where you might go. Many of the towns in the Hill Country owe their existence to German settlers in the 1800s and much of the German cultural heritage remains. That's a good thing by the way - food, beer, wines come to mind.

Any of the following towns are worth visiting. Fredericksburg has tons of German history including unique "Sunday Houses," great restaurants and shops, and is home to The Museum of the War in The Pacific (which is both huge and spectacular). To the west Bandera is billed as the cowboy capital of Texas and also offers friendly hospitality as does Boerne (pronounced Burn-ee). Then there's Comfort (a small antique and local history center), and the tiny hamlet of Luckenbach with its bar and general store made famous by Willie Nelson. To the east of Fredericksburg on U.S. 281 is Johnson City which includes an excellent vintage motorcycle museum and is near the famous (at least to Texans) LBJ ranch and one-time "Texas White House." Farther north on U.S. 281 is the town of Burnet (pronounced burn-it) which is home to the Highland Lakes Air Museum, and the Hill Country Motorheads Vintage Motorcycle Museum, both of which are worth visiting.

As far as riding goes, almost all of the Hill Country roads are enjoyable; however, the big draw is what's known as The Twisted Sisters on Texas highways 335, 336, and 337. Here's how it's described on the "Ride Texas" website: "This 100-mile loop is, without a doubt, among the best, most challenging motorcycle roads in the state. The route follows canyons and climbs jagged, steep hills; the roads offer many tight, twisty curves with shear drop offs alongside and not much in the way of guardrails. In one 15-mile section, there are approximately 65 curves!"

I hope this might help planning your trip, if it's too much information I apologize. I don't seem to be able to write short responses!

Thanks for the info... that's helpful as we plan our trip south in June. My folks used to go to church in Fredricksburg... they lived near Kingsland/Marble Falls in retirement. I have to get back to Cooper's in Llano ... as that is my last name and "Cowboy" open pit bbq is great there and bikes on weekends. I'll copy this to my buddies for our planning meeting Thanks again!!!!

 

[WisconsinDavid]

Thanks everyone... will be good to be back in the TX hill country. Thanks for all the planning info for our group.

 

[WisconsinDavid]

I will share several rides in the CenTex area I have enjoyed because of the winding roads and/or scenery. First, if you decide to hit Burnet (based on info in post #10 above), be sure to ride Park Road 4 between Texas 29 and US-281. And keep your eyes peeled on the East side of the road for a glimpse of the Falkenstein Castle on a hill in the distance.

Also have a couple other routes I found nearer to Austin: 1) Marshall Ford / Volente / Cedar Park area - Bullick Hollow Rd to Farm Road 2769 to Lime Creek Rd to Anderson Mills Rd; 2) Briarcliff / The Hills / Lakeway area - Bee Creek Road to Highlands Blvd to Lakeway Blvd to Ranch Road 620.

Agree that the Museum of the Pacific in Fredericksburg is well worth the visit. And if you like classic cars, might check out Street Dreams just SW of town off Texas 16.

My father stood on the castle floor high up in the air when it was being built. I remember visiting Longhorn Cavern near there. And someone else mentioned Enchanted Rock... have been there and the trail up. Will have great memories riding in that area ... my dad passed in July. My parents lived at that time in Sunrise Beach Village, on Lake LBJ... a short drive from Kingsland.