TX Motorcycle Roads

seamus · 12-14-2006, 07:03 PM

I got the chance to get out in Texas this past summer and explore some roads in the Killeen/Austin area. I used Motorcycle Roads in the US to do some research to try and find some twisties in this barren flatland that the Pete calls home.

I left here with the intent to ride Cow Creek Road (vicinity Lago Vista) and Lime Creek Road (from Cedar Park to Volente) then have lunch at the Lone Star Cafe in Volente.

Well, motorcycleroads.us lists Cow Creek Road as twisty and quotes North American Sportbike Road Registry as "a great road if you like a challenge". I entered Cow Creek Road from the north off of FM1174 and almost immediately turned around. If you describe a challenge as a poorly maintained secondary road, generously covered in gravel, with low water crossings, and possible loose livestock (I had to stop for 5 minutes in a staredown contest with 3 long horn cattle), then this is the road for you. I wouldn't go anywhere near this road with anything less than a dual sport bike and a cattle prod. At random intervals, and usually around blind turns, there are about 15 cattle guards on this road.

At the end of CCR, I hit FM1431. This wasn't listed anywhere I saw and I was just using it to connect to Lime Creek Road. This road turned out to be awesome. Major elevation changes and long sweeping curves. Only two drawbacks:
1. This is a 2 lane road for a bit and the pickups towing boats don't take to well to the elevation changes. Fortunately, the drivers were very understanding and would straddle the white line to let me pass.
2. Tar snakes are everywhere. There wasn't a single 1/4 mile that wasn't covered in them. Not too much of a problem if the road is dry like today, but I would feel alot less comfortable if it were damp or wet. [edit: just looked up some more info on the net and apparently FM1431 is about 25 miles of what I experienced. I must have hit it about mid point.]

After riding FM1431 north for about 15 miles, I hit Lime Creek Road. This road starts out fairly tame (riding N to S). About 2 miles in, this road rivals the Alps in terms of ascending and descending turns, 180 degree switchbacks, and massive decreasing radius turns. There are a few turns where the first half is descending and the second half is ascending. These are preceeded with a 20mph speed limit sign. The speed limit through most of this road is 40mph so some of the turns don't have much warning about how aggressive you'll have to be. Most turns do, so it's not too much to worry about. The road is smooth, well paved, and not too heavily travelled. Drawbacks:
1. Passed at least 15 people riding bicycles.
2. That's all.

Once you reach Volente, there is a water park and a beach. I was told that the Lone Star Cafe (which supposedly has a lot of history) was there, but I couldn't find it and the employee at the waterpark that I talked to said something about something, but I had a hard time understanding what she was saying (yummy

). I turned around after staring for a bit while sipping on some water and headed back to Killeen.

Overall, I spent about 4 hours riding (FM1431 has plenty of gas stops available) and I think TX just redeemed itself.

12-14-2006, 07:03 PM	#1
seamus is feelin alright Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Rocket City Age: 34 Bike(s): 1KRR; VFR; FMX650 Posts: 5,451	TX Motorcycle Roads I got the chance to get out in Texas this past summer and explore some roads in the Killeen/Austin area. I used Motorcycle Roads in the US to do some research to try and find some twisties in this barren flatland that the Pete calls home. I left here with the intent to ride Cow Creek Road (vicinity Lago Vista) and Lime Creek Road (from Cedar Park to Volente) then have lunch at the Lone Star Cafe in Volente. Well, motorcycleroads.us lists Cow Creek Road as twisty and quotes North American Sportbike Road Registry as "a great road if you like a challenge". I entered Cow Creek Road from the north off of FM1174 and almost immediately turned around. If you describe a challenge as a poorly maintained secondary road, generously covered in gravel, with low water crossings, and possible loose livestock (I had to stop for 5 minutes in a staredown contest with 3 long horn cattle), then this is the road for you. I wouldn't go anywhere near this road with anything less than a dual sport bike and a cattle prod. At random intervals, and usually around blind turns, there are about 15 cattle guards on this road. At the end of CCR, I hit FM1431. This wasn't listed anywhere I saw and I was just using it to connect to Lime Creek Road. This road turned out to be awesome. Major elevation changes and long sweeping curves. Only two drawbacks: 1. This is a 2 lane road for a bit and the pickups towing boats don't take to well to the elevation changes. Fortunately, the drivers were very understanding and would straddle the white line to let me pass. 2. Tar snakes are everywhere. There wasn't a single 1/4 mile that wasn't covered in them. Not too much of a problem if the road is dry like today, but I would feel alot less comfortable if it were damp or wet. [edit: just looked up some more info on the net and apparently FM1431 is about 25 miles of what I experienced. I must have hit it about mid point.] After riding FM1431 north for about 15 miles, I hit Lime Creek Road. This road starts out fairly tame (riding N to S). About 2 miles in, this road rivals the Alps in terms of ascending and descending turns, 180 degree switchbacks, and massive decreasing radius turns. There are a few turns where the first half is descending and the second half is ascending. These are preceeded with a 20mph speed limit sign. The speed limit through most of this road is 40mph so some of the turns don't have much warning about how aggressive you'll have to be. Most turns do, so it's not too much to worry about. The road is smooth, well paved, and not too heavily travelled. Drawbacks: 1. Passed at least 15 people riding bicycles. 2. That's all. Once you reach Volente, there is a water park and a beach. I was told that the Lone Star Cafe (which supposedly has a lot of history) was there, but I couldn't find it and the employee at the waterpark that I talked to said something about something, but I had a hard time understanding what she was saying (yummy ). I turned around after staring for a bit while sipping on some water and headed back to Killeen. Overall, I spent about 4 hours riding (FM1431 has plenty of gas stops available) and I think TX just redeemed itself.