Just a Nice Sunday Ride to The Airport Diner

On Sunday, I rode to the Airport Diner in Fredericksburg, Texas with a few Gruene HOG chapter members. We didn’t start out thinking we’d be going to the Diner but it’s where we ended up. Our original destination was the Alamo Springs Café for what is claimed to be one of the best burgers in Texas.  I say claimed because when we got there it was closed.  Apparently, the owners were leaving for vacation on Monday and had been trying to conserve meat…they ran out on Saturday.  This was my second foiled attempt to try their burgers.  On my first visit, they were closed because of a blown transformer and no electricity.

Spotwalla Tracking Map

The great thing about riding is many times the destination is secondary to the ride itself.  It took about an hour and a half to ride the 70 miles from Gruene Harley-Davidson to the Alamo Springs Café.  Clear skies and cooler temperatures (mid-80s) made for a great Fall ride in the Texas Hill Country.  FM473 and Old #9 Highway Road were particularly fun with some nice curves and beautiful views. 

There were a lot of motorcyclists out taking advantage of the weather.  I saw an equal number of sport bikes and cruisers sharing the road.  Some shared better than others.  Sadly, stereotypes were likely reinforced based on our encounter with a couple riding sport bikes.  While cruising along on Old #9 Highway at or slightly above the posted speed limit, two sport bikes blew past our Sweep and cut into our formation right behind our Lead, then laid back on the throttle and blew past him on a tight curve. 

Not more than three minutes later we pulled into the parking lot at the Alamo Café.  Guess  who was there? The sport bike riders that had just past us.  Our Sweep wasted no time telling them what he thought about their riding and called them a few choice names.  I’m sure they walked away thinking Harley riders are assholes…while several in our group walked away thinking sport bike riders are reckless speed freaks.  Talk about awkward.

After everyone regained their composure, we decided to try the Airport Diner and off we rode.  Old #9 Highway was closed a mile or so north of the Alamo Café but the detour was clearly marked so we had no

The Airport Diner...Friendly Staff, Great Food

trouble making our way to US 290 and into Fredericksburg.  We cut across Friendship Lane to SH16 and rode southwest for a half-mile before turning towards the Gillespie County Airport.   As we pulled into the parking lot, I was impressed.  On the right was the Hanger Hotel and on the left another hanger that housed the Conference Center and Diner.  It was like walking back in time.  The Hanger Hotel resembled an old World War II hanger complete with large billboard graced by pretty pin-up girl worthy of being nose art on any WWII bomber.  The inside of the Diner was just as period authentic as the hotel with airplane art adorning the walls and models of WWII fighter aircraft hanging from the ceiling.

We sat down and were quickly waited on.  The menu was chock full of items with names like Bomber Burger, P-40 Warhawk,  Officer’s Club, and Flying Tiger.  I ordered the Officer’s  Club and boy was it tasty.  Everyone in our group was happy with their food, except one…and he ordered the Huevos Rancheros.  It doesn’t get much better than a great ride followed by great food.  I’ll definitely go back again.

Just Outside the Hanger Hotel

After a leisurely lunch punctuated by great food and service, I split from the group to head home by the most expeditious route available.  I picked-up US 87 and made a beeline for the super slab.  It’s amazing how fast you can get somewhere when you’re going 80 miles an hour.  I made it home in just over an hour and a half and that included a gas stop and a stop at Wal-Mart to pick-up some medicine for my granddaughter.  I may be strange, but I enjoy riding the Interstate almost as much as I like riding the back roads.  What a great day!

Where did you ride last weekend?  Wherever it was I hope you remembered to:  Live Free. Ride Hard. Be Happy.

Riding River Road...Life Lessons

Have you ever noticed that sometimes things become so familiar that you fail to appreciate them?  It occurred to me on Sunday while riding River Road in New Braunfels, Texas that maybe I had begun to take this stretch of asphalt for granted.

River Road starts about a mile from the Gruene Harley-Davidson dealership off State Loop 337 and winds its way along the Guadalupe River, crossing it four times before reaching FM 2673 in Sattler. With tree-lined banks of cypress, maple, sycamore, and sumac, it’s one of the most scenic routes in the area.  Depending on the time of the year, you can ride in almost complete solitude or be stuck in traffic as tubers and tourists flood the area.

I remember how I felt the first time I made the 12.9 mile journey.  I was excited and nervous at the same time.  It was quite the experience slowly making my way around the many twists and turns as part of a Gruene Chapter HOG ride.  The views of the river and the bluffs overlooking it were absolutely spectacular…that is, when I actually felt comfortable enough to take my eyes off the road and the rider in front of me. The way the air smelled and the light danced through the trees was almost magical. It was an adventure, maybe not a grand-adventure, but an adventure still.

I’ve ridden River Road many times since then. On Sunday, I realized that sometime between then and now the road felt different…it’s magic and allure had faded with familiarity.  I no longer anticipated its curves or river crossings; I knew where they were and what to expect. The sense of surprise and wonder of that first ride were gone. I felt a sense of sadness at this revelation and wondered what had changed.  Was it the road or was it me?

After a little reflection, I knew the road hadn't changed but that my outlook and attitude had. Since that first ride I had stopped looking for the extraordinary along the route. The road was just as exciting as it ever was, I had just stopped seeing it. In a way, River Road is a metaphor for life. No matter how many curves our lives throw us and how exciting things are we have a tendency to want more...so much so that we become blind to what is right under our noses.

On the way home, I decided to resist letting things become too familiar. I decided to look for the extraordinary in all things...and to stop every now and then to appreciate what I have and what I have done. River Road helped me to better understand what it means to Live Free and Ride Hard.

To view my River Road route click on the Where Did He Go? link.

Secrets of the Sisters…One Twisted Ride Report

Like sirens, the Three Sisters nestled in the Texas Hill Country hypnotically beckon riders from across the Nation to bask in their beauty and partake of their generous curves. But riders beware…these Sisters are Twisted.

 Known as Ranch-to-Market Roads (RM) 335, 336, and 337, the “Sisters” have been around for over 65 years. Born in 1945 as part of the post-war road expansion effort to aid Texas’ agricultural interests, the Sisters have aged well. So, what’s their allure? Why does MotorcycleRoads.com rank the Twisted Sisters as the #1 motorcycle route in the U.S.? I believe it’s because they offer a great technical riding challenge with some of the most spectacular scenery you’ll see anywhere…and together that’s one dangerous combination. I had the opportunity to experience the Sisters for the second time over the long Fourth of July weekend and I can say with a huge grin on my face, “They were better the second time around!”

 I left San Antonio at 6:30 in the morning on the 4th of July to cool temperatures and clear skies. The roads were surprisingly empty so I knew it was going to be a great day to ride. As I turned north onto State Highway 16, the Texas Hill Country began to unfold in front of me. The rolling hills and gently sweeping curves of SH 16 were fun and provided a nice warm-up for the two Sisters I planned to ride on my way to San Angelo. I stopped for gas in Bandera and then quickly made my way to Medina to pick-up the first Sister.

RM 337 starts in Medina and runs approximately 56 miles west to Camp Wood. She’s an easy ride at first with gentle curves and steady elevation gains through Vanderpool, but then she starts to get wild. Changes in elevation occur more frequently and the curves come one right after the other. The views are fantastic but you can’t look at them for fear of losing control and plunging to certain death. You can ride her hard and miss the beauty that surrounds you or slow down and really enjoy it. I chose to slow down. That’s one of the Sisters’ secrets, you can fly and die or you can ease back on the throttle and make a great ride last longer. As I approached Leakey, she began to act more like a lady almost sensing that our time together was over and that I was moving on. I turned north on US Hwy 83 and waved good-bye thinking I’d ride her remaining 20 miles another day.

I found the second Sister waiting just ½ mile north. As I made the left turn onto RM 336 I knew the next 26 miles were going to be fun. Unlike her sibling, she didn't waste any time getting twisty. Quickly gaining elevation as I snaked my way upward, I found myself riding along the top of a ridge line with spectacular views from either side. This Sister seemed a bit more forgiving than the first, almost as if she wanted me to go faster and then quickly slow down as I approached her next curve. Why someone would build such a technically challenging road with so much to look at escapes me but I‘m glad they did. I pulled over to take it all in. I took a deep breath and thought, “This is what freedom smells like.” I felt alive and in that moment I happened upon another of the Sisters’ secrets, you can ride through with wild abandon or you can dismount and savor the experience. I spent about an hour on this Sister experiencing all she had to offer. When I turned east onto State Highway 41 I felt satisfied knowing I had just ridden two of the best roads in Texas.


With two Sisters behind me, I turned my attention to eating-up the miles and making my way to San Angelo. From SH 41, I rode north on US Hwy 83 through Junction, Menard, and Eden. I always chuckle when riding through Eden because many Texans believe this is where it all began…and they have the garden to prove it. I decided to make a quick stop and check it out for myself. After a short stroll through the Garden of Eden, I’m a little skeptical of its origin as there were lots of flowers but not one apple tree. Go figure. I mounted the bike and headed west on US Hwy 87. The 40 miles between Eden and San Angelo went quickly and I pulled into my daughter’s driveway at 12:17 p.m. ready for more 4th of July fun.

I woke-up on the 7th of July thinking about the ride back to San Antonio. I decided to vary my route home and pick-up the last Sister as well as finish off the 20 or so miles I missed on RM 337. I was on the bike at 10:37 a.m. ready for a hot but fun day of riding. After gassing up at a Stripes station about six miles from my daughter’s house, I was on my way to rendezvous with the last of the three Sisters. Heading south on US Hwy 277, I twisted the throttle hard to make good time. The road seemed built for motorcycle travel with slight changes in elevation and a few gentle curves to make it interesting. I turned southeast onto State Highway 55 about 30 miles south of Sonora. The landscape made me appreciate the vastness of the state and the individuals who make a living from the land. It is beautiful but rugged country. I stopped in Rocksprings for gas before turning north on US Hwy 377 and then making my way east on SH 41. I was so close; I could hear the last Sister calling my name.

Four miles east of the US Hwy 377 and SH 41 intersection, there she was…RM 335. I turned south to meet her and almost immediately, the roller-coaster ride began. Up, down, curve after curve, the ride was amazing and the views of the Nueces River were spectacular. I stopped several times over the course of her 29 miles to gather my wits and admire the scenery. This Sister knows how to tease and please. Of the three, this Sister is the most fun…just when you think you’ve ridden her into submission, she throws you a curve…or drops a rock in the middle of your path. She keeps you on your toes and wanting more. I was sad when I saw the SH 55 sign because my time with her was almost over. As I merged onto SH 55 in Barksdale, I waved her good-bye and whispered, “One day, I’ll be back.”

3 miles south of Barksdale in Camp Wood I ran into RM 337 again. As I turned east, she greeted me like an old friend. She had some new twists and turns to show me along on the 20 mile stretch to Leakey and then surprised me with a new look at what should have been familiar curves on the ride to Medina. How different she looked and felt riding in the opposite direction. And then another of the Sisters’ secrets was revealed, you can ride the Sisters from the North, South, East, or West and until the cows come home but every time will be different and just as pleasurable as the first.

I pulled into my garage at 5:40 p.m. after riding some 7 hours and 300+ miles. I was hot and tired but happy and content. I had just spent a wonderful weekend with my family and ridden my Harley on some of the best roads in Texas…I was thankful to live in America, and grateful for the secrets the Sisters had shared.

Views From The Saddle

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Check out my route maps for the 4th and 7th of July in Where Did he Go?

Ride Report...Back In Time

(Continued from Twisted Sisters or Curvy Cousins…)

After having a wonderful Father’s Day meal at the Bonsai Japanese Restaurant in San Angelo and helping my three-year-old granddaughter learn how to use cheater chopsticks, I packed up the bike and helped my wife pack her car. With temps in the mid-to-upper 90’s I knew it would be a warm ride so I used a little secret I learned during my Iron Butt ride in May. I soaked the top half of my shirt in cold water and opened all the vents on my textile jacket to generate some nice evaporative cooling. We pulled out of my daughter’s driveway at 3:15 pm.

We made a quick gas stop about 20 minutes out at Alsup’s on US HWY 87. The sun was shining and the sky was dotted with clouds. It was an absolutely beautiful day to be riding a motorcycle. I didn’t waste much time before pulling the camera out of my jacket to take some photographs…views from the saddle if you will. I have to snap quite a few photos to ensure I get something usable because it’s difficult to frame a photograph while riding at 70 mph and holding a camera upside-down in your left hand (especially when you’re right-handed). I’m sure it looks crazy, but that’s what I have to do to capture the moment.

Riding through this part of Texas is like being in a time machine. In the late 1700’s and early 1800’s before the establishment of cities like San Angelo, Eden, Menard, and Mason, this area was well within the southeastern boundary of Comancheria…home of the Comanche Indians. The Comanche’s were known for their superior horsemanship skills and fierce warrior spirit. Given the landscape and the area’s history, you could almost feel their presence. If you looked really hard, you could see them sitting silently on their horses waiting to attack from the top of one of the many bluffs found throughout the area.

As we turned south on US HWY 83 in Eden, TX I thought to myself, “Damn this is fun!” You just don’t feel the same connection to your surroundings when you’re in a cage. I enjoyed cutting through the air on my “iron” horse and feeling that same sense of freedom that the Comanche warriors must have felt when they first rode into the area on horseback. This is what motorcycling and the open road are all about. But wait, the Comanche Indians never experienced traffic jams.

The speed limit on most of US HWY 83 is 70 mph so you can make your way from point A to point B much faster than riding a spirited Comanche pony. Unless of course you are stuck behind your great-grandfather out for a Sunday drive doing 48 mph. It’s frustrating being stuck in a traffic line on a hilly two-lane road in the middle of literally nowhere. I don’t know how long I waited before I could safely pass, but it seemed like an eternity. As I blew past gramps doing 90 mph, I gave him the international salute of friendship. Okay, I didn’t really give gramps the finger (I’m not that kind of biker) but I might have shot his tire if I’d had a bow and arrow J. I waited another million years for my wife to safely pass before resuming the speed limit. Cruising at 70+ mph is nice.

I waved bye to my wife as I made my way onto TX HWY 29 just south of Menard, TX. She stayed on US HWY 83 making a beeline for Interstate 10 and a “faster” route home. I guess she doesn’t appreciate small towns, history, or back roads as much as I do  J.

Alone and unafraid (well maybe a little afraid) I continued my adventure down TX HWY 29 expecting to see a band of Comanche warriors around every turn. I felt a little safer as I neared Fort Mason in Mason, TX. Established in the mid-1800s as a Calvary outpost on the edge of the frontier, Fort Mason helped protect area settlers from the Indians. It served its purpose well and the area flourished as settlers begin to feel comfortable moving farther and farther from the post. My ride from Menard to Mason went quickly with lots of scenery and nice smooth blacktop.

As I turned onto US HWY 87 in Mason, I saw it…Dairy Queen. I could hear it calling my name. I stopped and ordered a Heath Blizzard (my second favorite DQ treat). They say small towns are generally more laid back than their big city counterparts are. That’s definitely true at the Mason DQ. Based on my wait time, I

figure they had to milk a cow and make the ice cream from scratch. I will say though, the Blizzard was fantastic. Before getting back in the saddle for the next leg of the trip I re-soaked my shirt. I knew in the hot dry Texas air it wouldn’t stay wet long but it would sure make part of the ride a lot cooler…and it did.

US HWY 87 between Mason and Fredericksburg, TX is a nice stretch of road with a few gentle curves and some rolling hills. I made good time and was in Fredericksburg before I knew it. They must roll-up the sidewalks early on Sunday because the normally bustling main street was a ghost town at 6:30 pm. I stopped for gas just south of town on US HWY 290 before making my turn onto Ranch Road 1376 for the short ride to Luckenbach, TX. I was planning to stop in for a cold libation and take a few photographs but I suppose fate had something else in mind. It turns out Shooter Jennings was performing a concert and the place was packed. The road into Luckenbach was blocked and the gentleman watching the entrance told me there would be a $20 cover to enter. Since I didn’t intend to stay for the entire show and I didn’t want to be riding around after dark with hundreds of intoxicated country fans on the deer infested back roads of Texas…I decided to turn around and head for home.


Although I was disappointed, I made the best of it. Farm-to-Market 1888 and 1623 were outstanding roads. I was very impressed with the short stretch of FM 1623 as it followed the winding Blanco River into Blanco, TX. Absolutely beautiful. Once in Blanco, I headed south on US HWY 281 with the intention of heading straight home. Again, fate had other plans. Somewhere along the way, I decided to stop at the Shade Tree Saloon for something to eat. It wasn’t exactly crowded but I waited forever for a burger…guess they had to slaughter the cow. The only consolation was the burger was delicious and I watched part of the Spurs game on TV. After filling my belly, I was back on the bike and ready to get home as it was quickly getting dark.

I don’t mind riding at night but my route would take me through an area known for its abundant deer population. Fortunately, I didn’t see many deer and the ones I did see weren’t too close to the road. I pulled into my driveway at 8:50 pm just as the last bit of light evaporated into the night. It had been a great ride.

Till next time…Live Free and Ride Hard!

More Views From The Saddle...To San Antonio

You can check-out my route as well as see the photos I captured with BubblerGPS Pro by clicking here.

Twisted Sisters or Curvy Cousins…They’re Both Fun To Ride

I rode 450 miles this past weekend across the Texas Hill Country and into the Panhandle Plains.  I was traveling from San Antonio to San Angelo to spend Father’s Day weekend with my wife, daughter, and two grand-daughters.  My main goal was to make the trip as quickly as possible while soaking up the sights, sounds, and smells along the way.  A secondary goal was to test the photo function in BubblerGPS Pro. I’m happy to report I met both goals and had a wonderful Father’s Day in the process.

I left work a little early on Friday to try and beat some of the traffic out of San Antonio.  I got home, checked the weather forecast, loaded the bike, and checked the forecast again.  It had looked like rain all day and the weather radar showed what seemed to be a large front with rain moving slowly to the northwest.  I was a little concerned about running into a downpour but decided to make a run for it…I packed my rain gear just in case.

The skies started to spit rain just before I made it to Llano. I stopped for gas and wondered if I should put my rain gear on but decided against it.  It was “raining” enough to get my bike dirty but not enough for me to feel wet…moving through the warm Texas air at 70+ mph kept me dry.  I was enjoying the ride, just listening to tunes

and eating-up the miles.  Ranch Road 962 and State HWY 71 proved to be great motorcycle roads. Granted, they’re not the Twisted Sisters but they have some elevation changes and sweeping curves and you can definitely roll back on the throttle.  They were fun. I guess most roads in the Hill Country are related to the Sisters—curvy cousins maybe.

The one drawback to riding the back roads of Texas or maybe any back road is…bugs.  I don’t know how folks ride without a full-face helmet or at least a full-face shield.  Who knows how many bugs I would've eaten if not for my helmet? Just before I reached Texas Highway 87 I felt and heard a large “POP” on the right side of my head.  I thought to myself, “that didn't sound good” and at that exact moment I noticed the most terrible stench I think I’ve ever smelled.  I know why they call them “stink” bugs.  That awful smell (imagine 100 rotting corpses) lingered for several miles until it started to sprinkle again.  I’m not sure I know of a time I was more thankful for a little rain.

Having successfully ridden through the stink, I decided to reward myself with a stop at Dairy Queen in Brady, Texas.  I ordered and quickly ate a large ice cream cone.  DQ soft serve is one of my favorites and on a warm day it’s hard to beat. I rarely say “no” to a DQ cone…just ask my wife.   After finishing my ice cream and ensuring there were no lingering parts of “stinky” on my helmet, I mounted-up and made my final push for San Angelo. 

The last 80 or so miles were uneventful…just nice riding.  US HWY 87 from Brady to San Angelo is relatively flat and straight.  Lots of farm and ranch land.  I looked to the heavens as I rode and was impressed by the way the late afternoon sun was dancing through the clouds.  It was overcast and a bit gloomy but I could see bright rays of light shining through to the ground.  It was almost as if God were saying “you’re almost there…I’ll show you the way”.  It was peaceful.  As I turned off HWY 87 onto Loop 306 I stopped to capture a photo knowing full well it would never do justice to the splendor before me. I arrived at my daughter’s house just a little before 8:00 p.m. knowing I was truly a blessed man.

More to come on my return ride...

Views From The Saddle...Going To San Angelo, TX

You can check-out my route as well as see the photos I captured with BubblerGPS Pro by clicking here.