Big Bend or Bust

Cycledude

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what all do you where to keep warm on those long cold rides? my chin always gets cold when I commute when its below 25F
i recommend getting yourself a Balaclava, it’s amazing what a difference they can make on a cold ride and you don’t have to buy an expensive one the cheap ones work very well, all kinds of places sell them including Blain’s Farm and Fleet
 

gmtech

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quad cities
good old farm and fleet! I worked there for 3 years after high school busting tires!
hopefully I can make it till next winter without one!
 

Madhatter

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the cold in central Texas is normally not much of an issue . say a 35 degree day I would have on my Aerostich jacket with some thin thermal layers underneath , motopants with jeans on leather boots winter riding gloves. that's about it , good for a couple hours before the fingers locked up .... the new Tenere has heated grips, didn't kn ow what I was missing . and of course the cold is only here for a couple of days . Wednesday morning it was 27 , the afternoon was 60 , today ,Saturday it will be 70 something and Sunday the forecast is 80... layers is always going on and coming off ..... it is the heat that gets us most of the year here.
 

Bigbore4

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@eemsreno You sir are a cannibal! Well Done!

I am a pussy. We are leaving for Texas April 1 for Moto GP. We are taking the toy hauler with 4 bikes in the back. Last 2 years we have exited Minnesota in a blizzard. I aint riding in that for no one! After GP we are doing a week in Hill COuntry. Then sending the wimmins home in the extra vehicle (we have 6 people going down) and the dudes are heading down to big bend.

All but me will be on street bikes. River road too much for them? Likely not on your radar but any thoughts on a big 5er toyhauler campsites? We are set up to dry camp, so any and all suggestions welcome.
 

eemsreno

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@Bigbore4
The river road is a BIG NO for a street bike .
If you want a campsite in B.B. get there early, at least when I was there they fill up early.
Chisos Basin is the most desirable camping area. It has the only restaurant in the park. [I think]
There is a Hot Springs but I rode down there one evening and it looked like a good place to get mugged after dark. I would only go there mid day if there are lots of other people around.
 

Bigbore4

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@Bigbore4
The river road is a BIG NO for a street bike .
If you want a campsite in B.B. get there early, at least when I was there they fill up early.
Chisos Basin is the most desirable camping area. It has the only restaurant in the park. [I think]
There is a Hot Springs but I rode down there one evening and it looked like a good place to get mugged after dark. I would only go there mid day if there are lots of other people around.
Thanks!
 

fredz43

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If you are on street bikes, route 170 west from the Big Bend area at Study Butte is also known as the River Road and follows the Rio Grande for about 50 miles west to Presidio. This is a beautiful paved road with entertaining curves, some elevation and great scenery. I have stayed at Lajitas several times and ridden route 170 to Presidio in the morning and then had an excellent Mexican breakfast in Presidio. A great way to start a fun day of riding that area.
 

2talltoo

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If you are on street bikes, route 170 west from the Big Bend area at Study Butte is also known as the River Road and follows the Rio Grande for about 50 miles west to Presidio. This is a beautiful paved road with entertaining curves, some elevation and great scenery. I have stayed at Lajitas several times and ridden route 170 to Presidio in the morning and then had an excellent Mexican breakfast in Presidio. A great way to start a fun day of riding that area.[/QUOTE

Thanks, I'm going to be in Kerrville and Big Bend 3/31-4/7. Will do the Presidio run for breakfast one day for sure.
 

cyclemike4

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That looks like a great trip even in the cold! Great pictures. hope i can make it out there to look around sometime.
 

holligl

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Next time you make it to AZ in the winter, you need to let me know where you are so I can try to catch up with you. Rode Mt Lemmon a year ago. There is a control road up the north side that opens after March 15th (I guess you might have gone around the gate.) Planning to ride it and 191 before heading back this spring. Lots of great riding here.

Great report, as always!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
 

Sierra1

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We will be in Kerrville / Medina the 6th and 7th.
If you're taking I-35 south, and you have time, stop by and I'll buy lunch. I'm only 20 minutes west on US-67 from I-35. Which, if you use the suggested Google route to Kerrville, is the recommended path.
 
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eemsreno

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Next time you make it to AZ in the winter, you need to let me know where you are so I can try to catch up with you. Rode Mt Lemmon a year ago. There is a control road up the north side that opens after March 15th (I guess you might have gone around the gate.) Planning to ride it and 191 before heading back this spring. Lots of great riding here.

Great report, as always!

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
I seen that road but it was closed.
I wanted to look you up out there but I just ride around and never get anything accomplished.
 

holligl

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I seen that road but it was closed.
I wanted to look you up out there but I just ride around and never get anything accomplished.
You are having fun, living life to the fullest. Some of us just feel privileged to ride with you on occasion. I'll try to check in with you when we come back through in May.

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Madhatter

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buda texas
so cool to reread this ,especially as a pre pandemic ride report . who new while you're out and about how the world would change in so short amount of time . so in rereading this I have a couple of thoughts . eems do a tutorial on free camping , how to find them (sites) and what to look for . safety concerns etc. and any other ideas on the subject you might have .
 

eemsreno

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I use this before I go.

As I have stated many times that I am against having a navigation GPS on a bike, I don't see how you can call it an Adventure if there is no possibility of getting lost and always having to know exactly where you're at.
I do have a Garmin 64 that I can pre program in the free camp site locations so if it's getting late and haven't found a place yet ,I can look on it and find a free spot.
I don't always have it with me and have actually only tried using it a couple times but when traveling it can be handy.

My wife thinks that I just throw safety to the wind. That might be somewhat true, I would say just camping anywhere in the Yukon, and Alaska wild could be throwing safety to the wind somewhat.


Usually you just run into very nice people out there that are willing to share their dinner with you. That is one of the fun things about traveling is all the people you meet.
 
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