Texas canyons in march 6-9

[Creekside]

http://texasadventure.net/events/around-the-bend

Big Bend Texas, March 6-9 just before alot of spring breaks here. Anyone been there for this "Uncle is around the bend"? Interest?

[phil denk]

Bob Morgan and I went a couple of years ago...we had a blast ! I highly recommend it...

https://picasaweb.google.com/phildenk/B ... directlink

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... TVpOr_1t1c

[Creekside]

Nice! I would like to go but not so sure about Feb-March-early April with work. Its up in the air for me but figured someone here might consider it so was throwing it out there. Mid April heck yes.

Seeing you guys change that tire on the side of the road in those pics...I did the swap the front with the K60 Scout last week but I had to take the back to the shop after I pinched the 2d tube I gave up, 2 days, screw it. Those tires are so freaking stiff. I read about people driving them flat and can believe it. If I was really worried about flats those are not the tires, it would be TKC80s and just buy more back tires. Even with those 2ft irons with screw driver heads those tires suck bigtime. With a K60 on some cold day with a flat back tire - start walking or hope fix-a-flat works or go into "hulk" mode or something.

If I do go I would trailer and ride there and then drive straight back.

[Andy]

I don't actually live in KC anymore, but I do live in Sweetwater TX, which happens to be between KC and big bend, so if anybody is making that trip and is looking for a couch or tools or something, I may be able to help.

[kendall_smith]

I don't actually live in KC anymore either and I'm currently living about 20 miles from Big Bend National Park in Lajitas, TX. We're planning on being here until sometime in mid-March, so if anyone makes the trek down be sure to look us up.

[Creekside]

Thanks alot guys. I am hoping to get down there then (4 days + 2+ driving). Depends on wife's job and kid's college test days & tours. If not, well then I can hit some of these tarkc / arkansas events later or use that gas money as entry fee for ajayhawker's dakar rally rerun.

Kendall, is there a camping area down there worth staying at (popup)? I figure I will be hitting you up for the best 990 dirt roads anyways (just don't get me killed ). I just want to ride somewhere else than KS and MO day trips pretty damn bad.

How's Mexico? Worth the day trip to some place (canyons or something 80 miles south?)? Or better to just hit trails and fire roads in different areas...well I will pm you later as the day gets closer and if I can go.

Andy - have to see, maybe, thanks. Rather leave wed night for some OK hotel/campground, and then straight down. But I also might be working nights then too and there is no way I can drive the whole thing

[kendall_smith]

Kendall, is there a camping area down there worth staying at (popup)? I figure I will be hitting you up for the best 990 dirt roads anyways (just don't get me killed ). I just want to ride somewhere else than KS and MO day trips pretty damn bad.

There are several camping places down here, but you might have to do some searching to find one with availability since there is an event going on that weekend. It's been fairly un-busy since we got here, but we've been warned that it will get a lot busier in the next few weeks with the mountain bike festival coming to the area as well as spring break/family vacations starting up. We're at the RV park that is attached to Lajitas Resort and the price was reasonable since we are doing the monthly rate. It may not be quite as good of a deal for just an extended weekend.

As for the 990 roads, I'm sad to say I haven't ridden any of them yet. I got down here last Sunday only to realize that my battery was toast from sitting since October. I ordered a new one immediately and got it yesterday (mail is slow since we are in the middle of nowhere!) and today's weather is crappy, so hopefully I will get out and do some riding in the next day or two. From what I can tell from driving the truck and hiking/ mountain biking, there should be some awesome motorcycle riding down here! Even the paved roads are nice and scenic.

How's Mexico? Worth the day trip to some place (canyons or something 80 miles south?)? Or better to just hit trails and fire roads in different areas...well I will pm you later as the day gets closer and if I can.

We ran out of time before we left to get passports, so we haven't, nor will we be able to go into Mexico. We've been told by some friends in the campground that doing touristy stuff in the border town is basically just one big ripoff- a whole bunch of people with their hands out wanting big tips for doing nothing or very little! Blame it on the tourists that have more money than brains ruining it for the rest of us! I'm sure there is some good riding down there, but we won't find out until the next time we are down this way. I would imagine that there is plenty of riding on the US side to keep you busy, especially for a few days.

Hopefully you make it down. It is an awesome area and we love it so far! I'll keep an eye on the forum and we'll do some riding if you make it down.

[ajayhawkfan]

I have ridden my 1200ADV all over BB on the back roads. If you don't mind sand you can get most anywhere on a big bike.



Here are some links to additional pictures from the area:

https://picasaweb.google.com/ajayhawkfa ... isArea2209

https://picasaweb.google.com/ajayhawkfa ... tOfBigBend

https://picasaweb.google.com/ajayhawkfan/2409BigBend

[ajayhawkfan]

....... entry fee for ajayhawker's dakar rally rerun.
.........

I'm not sure what you are referring to the off road class it is well worth the money. It will teach you how to handle that big bike in all sorts of terrain.

[kendall_smith]

https://picasaweb.google.com/ajayhawkfa ... tOfBigBend

The last picture in that link was actually taken where we are staying right now! That's the fountain outside the restaurant at the Lajitas resort.

[ajayhawkfan]

https://picasaweb.google.com/ajayhawkfa ... tOfBigBend

The last picture in that link was actually taken where we are staying right now! That's the fountain outside the restaurant at the Lajitas resort.

That is where I stayed when I was there.

[Creekside]

I know that class is worth the money, just not sure I have enough for that and traveling. Either way I get what I want.

[kendall_smith]

After your latest blast of winter, I expect a record Midwesterner turnout at the ride down here in Texas! Hopefully the weather is a little better for the rally than it is today- it's 48 with a wicked wind out of the north, which seems less than pleasant until I look at the current conditions in KC!

It was awesome riding a few days ago when it was sunny and 80 degrees. I even recognized some of the scenery from Eddy's photos. I cruised by this rusted out truck on Pinto Canyon Road and had to turn around to get a photo since I remembered it from his collection.

[ajayhawkfan]

That is a great road!

[kendall_smith]

That is a great road!

Yeah, it was pretty cool! We kind of lucked into it. We were on a mostly paved ride when a guy on a 990 rode up to us in Marfa. He insisted we ride the road on our way back to Lajitas and we're glad we did.

Here's a few more pics from Pinto Canyon:

[gagnaou]

Looks like a fund place to ride

[Creekside]

It does. Too bad I can't go now. Pressing family stuff unfortunately. Next year I hope. Not a happy camper here.