Twisted Sisters question

[Rocketman]

I hadnt' been on the sisters in quite a while until I took them as a target of opportunity and drove through there in the car with the kids.  While the biggest thing I noticed was my tendency to try to twist the steering wheel to give it more gas, I noticed some weirdness on 335.  I don't know where on 335 it was, but there was a downward dip that bottomed out into what might have been a low water crossing.  They had come through and repaved it.  However, instead of a smooth slope, they put in concrete slabs that turned it into an angular change of slope.  There were two or three of them.  It was jarring in the car, and I can't imagine hitting it unaware on a motorcycle.
Does anyone who frequents the area (fstop, I'm looking at you!) know where this is, and have any further comment?

Mark

[f-Stop]

Hey Mark!

I don't exactly know where those weird spots are, but I did ride up 335 from Barksdale a couple of years ago.  They (the county?) were working on the road at the time.  The road's condition was so bad in parts that I turned around before hitting 41.

The scenery along 335 was still as beautiful as ever...


On that same trip, 337 was closed between Vanderpool and Leakey.  Apparently a bridge was out.  I did ride up and back 336 out of Leakey plus 337 between Leakey and Camp Wood.

Overall, the Twisted Sisters' roads -- at least the parts ridden -- were in really sad shape.  Hairpin turn surfaces were either raw tar or loose gravel.  Rough, inconsistent surfaces and huge potholes abound everywhere else!  

Last summer I didn't bother taking the bikes.  I haven't decided about this year.  I hope to take a one day recon mission beforehand to help make that decision.

Toy hauler with no toys inside at the Garvin Store...

[DIGGER]

I hadnt' been on the sisters in quite a while until I took them as a target of opportunity and drove through there in the car with the kids.  While the biggest thing I noticed was my tendency to try to twist the steering wheel to give it more gas, I noticed some weirdness on 335.  I don't know where on 335 it was, but there was a downward dip that bottomed out into what might have been a low water crossing.  They had come through and repaved it.  However, instead of a smooth slope, they put in concrete slabs that turned it into an angular change of slope.  There were two or three of them.  It was jarring in the car, and I can't imagine hitting it unaware on a motorcycle.
Does anyone who frequents the area (fstop, I'm looking at you!) know where this is, and have any further comment?

Mark

That was probly the low water frossing I reported on last summer.   It was under construction and going speed limit I hit it and my Valkyrie bottomed out so hard my handlebars turned down.    Harley with me and behind me said he nearly lost control.

[Rocketman]

Ugh, that's no good.
We might have a group going in April.  I'll have to consult with the guys about whether it's a good idea or not.

[DIGGER]

That was the only draw back.   The twisted sisters are still a fun place to ride

[rancher]

I think I can provide some additional input on Twisted Sister Ranch Road 335 bump (really two dips) issue.  The crossing (and both dips) are located approx 15 miles from either the HWY 41 north end or from the HWY 55 (Barksdale) south side.  The dips in this crossing in question can surprise you at even moderate speeds.

The dip hazard issue resulted when a TXDOT contractor did a major road repair to a major drainage crossing known as Ruth Draw due to repeated. extensive flooding in prior years.  When they replaced the old pipe culvert with a concrete box drain they also put in (according to a TXDOT engineering design) the concrete road section (pavement doesn't hold up well to repeated flooding) that resulted in two distinct angular changes (dips) that are indeed a hazard to any vehicle, especially motorcycles and low profile sports cars.  (I can hear the trailers that drag going thru this area as well as some low profile sports cars that bottom out.)

As I live (since 2008) right off of Ranch Road 335 about a quarter mile just south of this crossing.  My gate entrance is on the west side of RR 335 about a mile north of the second Nueces River crossing.  I am well aware of the issues with this crossing as I own the property on both sdie of the highway on this crossing and travel both the north an south ends of this road several time a week.  Also, I am a 1997 original Valkyrie owner since Nov 96 and ride my bike on this and surrounding roads all the time.  The roads here are in reasonable shape as they resurface every couple of years.  Yes, there are some potholes near the outer edges mainly due to rain draining along the roads from the steep hills.  Also, there are some surface issues mainly due all the sharp twists and turns these roads take.  These road have little weekday traffic but on weekend the motorcycles and car clubs hit these road hard and fast.  Deer and pigs are, in my opinion, the biggest hazard.

Back to the crossing.......I have had numerous conversations with TXDOT regarding the way they did the crossing repairs.  They know they have an issue and plan to return later this year to correct the issue.  The original contractor is currently doing another road repair further north on 335 and I expect them to be brought back to correct the crossing dip issue in a couple of months.  Meanwhile I'll try to get TXDOT to put up some bump hazard signs on the crossing.   They also need to put a flood guage up as well.......

If you are ever riding thru the Twisted Sister Hill Country area give me a shout.  I'm retired and usually at my ranch looking for people to ride with.......Ever have a bike issue while riding in the area I might be able to provide assistance......Just remember cell service reception especially in these hills is poor....

Bob aka rancher

[DIGGER]

I think I can provide some additional input on Twisted Sister Ranch Road 335 bump (really two dips) issue.  The crossing (and both dips) are located approx 15 miles from either the HWY 41 north end or from the HWY 55 (Barksdale) south side.  The dips in this crossing in question can surprise you at even moderate speeds.

The dip hazard issue resulted when a TXDOT contractor did a major road repair to a major drainage crossing known as Ruth Draw due to repeated. extensive flooding in prior years.  When they replaced the old pipe culvert with a concrete box drain they also put in (according to a TXDOT engineering design) the concrete road section (pavement doesn't hold up well to repeated flooding) that resulted in two distinct angular changes (dips) that are indeed a hazard to any vehicle, especially motorcycles and low profile sports cars.  (I can hear the trailers that drag going thru this area as well as some low profile sports cars that bottom out.)

As I live (since 2008) right off of Ranch Road 335 about a quarter mile just south of this crossing.  My gate entrance is on the west side of RR 335 about a mile north of the second Nueces River crossing.  I am well aware of the issues with this crossing as I own the property on both sdie of the highway on this crossing and travel both the north an south ends of this road several time a week.  Also, I am a 1997 original Valkyrie owner since Nov 96 and ride my bike on this and surrounding roads all the time.  The roads here are in reasonable shape as they resurface every couple of years.  Yes, there are some potholes near the outer edges mainly due to rain draining along the roads from the steep hills.  Also, there are some surface issues mainly due all the sharp twists and turns these roads take.  These road have little weekday traffic but on weekend the motorcycles and car clubs hit these road hard and fast.  Deer and pigs are, in my opinion, the biggest hazard.

Back to the crossing.......I have had numerous conversations with TXDOT regarding the way they did the crossing repairs.  They know they have an issue and plan to return later this year to correct the issue.  The original contractor is currently doing another road repair further north on 335 and I expect them to be brought back to correct the crossing dip issue in a couple of months.  Meanwhile I'll try to get TXDOT to put up some bump hazard signs on the crossing.   They also need to put a flood guage up as well.......

If you are ever riding thru the Twisted Sister Hill Country area give me a shout.  I'm retired and usually at my ranch looking for people to ride with.......Ever have a bike issue while riding in the area I might be able to provide assistance......Just remember cell service reception especially in these hills is poor....

Bob aka rancher

Great info Bob....and a really great offer to help if needed.  Thanks for the offer.

[rancher]

FYI UPDATE........After a call today with my local TXDOT regarding the Ranch Road 335 dip hazard discussed above, TXDOT put up well marked 'Rough Road' signs to alert drivers to slow down for the hazard.   They also indicated that repairs to correct the problem are forthcoming.......just not sure how soon.   I have to give local TXDOT credit in that it took them about four hours to get the hazard signs up.... 

[f-Stop]

 Thanks for the update!

 

[Rocketman]

Yes, definitely thanks for the update.  A buddy is headed there in April and he asked me where those bumps were and I couldn't tell him.  Now I can, and can give more details.