An afternoon ride

Pardon my interruption of the finger-pointing. Let me offer a ride report.

Summer in Texas. Hotter than hell. I haven't been riding much, as I am
working out of town, and when I get home on weekends there are so many
things to do that gearing up for a ride in the heat usually becomes low
priority.

Saturday, I decided come hell or high water, I was on the bike. I checked
the entertainment section of the local news and noted The Greencards were
playing in Gruene Hall, in beautiful downtown Gruene, Texas, which is near
New Braunsfels.

The Greencards are a bluegrass band of some local renown. They are a
group of Brits and Aussies, hence the name Greencards. They have a CD
out, which I have purchased, but I had never seen them play. I would
remedy that.

I loaded up my tankbag with water and camera, and headed out. I left the
house and stopped for gas. Gas is still cheap in Austin, only 3.09 for
premium. I filled up my tires with air, as they were both low from
sitting for so long. (a mini-rant here: Why do air hoses not have 90
degree fittings any more? What a pain in the ass to get the hose to the
valve stem!)

Finally, I was ready to hit the highway. I headed over to Loop 1 (MoPac)
and headed south to TX45, which I took to FM1826. FM1826 was wonderful,
no traffic in front of me at all, which allowed me to run along about 75
with no problems. At the end of FM 1826, I turned south on FM150. This
is a delightfully 3D road, with ups, downs, rights, lefts, a real joy to
ride. Unless there is a Honda wagon in front of you, slamming on the
brakes at every tree.

At Hays City, I made a right on FM3237 to make towards Wimberley. This is
more good Hill Country riding, not as many curves and hills as 150, but it
does allow me to come to Ranch Road 12 south of Wimberly, so I can avoid
the c-f that town has become on weekends.

Once on 12, I head south across the Blanco River and on to Ranch Road 32,
where I head west for a bit, then turn south on Purgatory Road, which is
named for Purgatory Creek as it is a well maintained, low-traffic county
road. At the southern terminus, I turned to the west on FM306, in with
the Canyon Lake-bound traffic. In just a few miles, I turned again, onto
FM2673 toward Sattler. Once in Sattler, I turned on Sattler Road and then
onto River Road.

Like most River Roads, the Guadalupe River Road is well worth exploring on
a motorcycle. Beautiful views and lots of curves, both of the asphalt
variety and the human type, as many people enjoy spending a hot summer day
floating down the river on tubes. Beware, though, the 20 mph speed limit
is strictly enforced. In 10 miles of road, I saw 7 Comal County deputies,
several with cars pulled over.

After that refreshing interlude, I turned left onto TX46 then took the
Rock Street exit, which leads to Gruene (pronounced Green) Road, which
leads to, oddly enough, Gruene.

I was lucky to find a parking spot right by the cop directing traffic, and
walked across the street to Gruene Hall, where the Greencards were in the
middle of a smoking set, playing to a packed house of hot, appreciative
fans. This group is well worth seeing if they appear in your area. They
recently toured with Bob Dyan and Willie Nelson.

After staying for another set, the heat started getting to me so I headed
out. Some afternoon thunderclouds were building to the west, so I opted
for a more direct route home. From downtown Gruene, I went northeast on
Hunter Road to FM306, which I took northwest to Purgatory road, from
there I returned to my house by a reverse route from the outbound leg,
stopping in Hays City for gas (3.19/gal for premium) and a Hays City
Burrito (smoked brisket, pico de gallo, and cheese in a tortilla.)

The storm clouds stayed at bay for the most part, only 1 brief shower
marred the day, and rain felt cool.

The total trip was about 120 miles, and at least that many smiles.

 

: George,

: What a great ride and report. I am home bound and can not ride for at least
: another week. All I can do is look out the window at the "Mighty Valk". I
: know she misses me.

Jerry, hope you get out and about soon.

: Now that is said, remember this group is not for posting motorcycle stuff
: in. Someone may report you for doing so.

Well, I did apologize for interrupting the finger-pointing that was goin
on.

 

:>
:> The Greencards are a bluegrass band of some local renown. They are a
:> group of Brits and Aussies, hence the name Greencards. They have a CD

: Thanks for pointing that out. I would have assumed they travel in the back
: of a pickup and return to mexico before the card expires.

Don't think I've seen a Mexican bluegrass band, could sound really good.
:>
:> At Hays City, I made a right on FM3237 to make towards Wimberley. This is
:> more good Hill Country riding, not as many curves and hills as 150, but it
:> does allow me to come to Ranch Road 12 south of Wimberly, so I can avoid
:> the c-f that town has become on weekends.
:>

: Yea, I want to take that devils backbone ride, think it is near Wimberly or
: so.

:> Once on 12, I head south across the Blanco River and on to Ranch Road 32,
:> where I head west for a bit, then turn south on Purgatory Road, which is


The Devil's Backbone is part of Ranch Road 32, between RR12 south of
Wimberly and Blanco. It has been rebuilt over the years and is not as
hairy as it used to be, but there are some great views from the road, and
a pretty good little ice house, Was Riley's on the Backbone, there.


: Thanks for the trip report. I will eventually make that devils backbone ride
: one of these days.

Lots of good roads in that area, it's a good day ride rode from SA.

 

I didn't think it was possible for Aussies and Brits to get together. Maybe
all those hard feelings are fading away.

 

That's a good bang-for-your-buck situation you had there, many smiles per
mile.

Thanks for sharing, George!

 

:>
:> The total trip was about 120 miles, and at least that many smiles.

: That's a good bang-for-your-buck situation you had there, many smiles per
: mile.

I keep a face shield on my helmet to keep the bugs out of my mouth. Works
pretty good!

: Thanks for sharing, George!

I'll see you next month in California.

 

‘‘George, good for you. hard to beat a nice ride, by yourself,
stop when ya wanna, go where ya wanna, and to top it off,listening to
some good Texas Blue Grass, whatAdeal’’ BJAY

 

: ‘‘George, good for you. hard to beat a nice ride, by yourself,
: stop when ya wanna, go where ya wanna, and to top it off,listening to
: some good Texas Blue Grass, whatAdeal’’ BJAY

Thanks, BJ. It was a long overdue ride, and the band was excellent.