Hill country ride- redux

[Rocketman]

We had a lot of members bow out from the hill country ride.  Some had family conflicts, some had health issues, and then the rain kicked in and a number of others declined as well.
With all of that in mind, is there any interest in having another ride-in in the spring?  My concept would be to do effectively the same thing as last weekend, but with less water falling from the sky.  We're too far into the fall season to schedule another before winter, but we could easily set one up for March or April.  Who would be interested in doing so?
Obviously people can't commit until a weekend is chosen, but just asking conceptually who is interested.

Mark

[Tx Bohemian]

Sounds good to me.

However, can it ever be "too close to winter" here in Texas?
Especially in the southern part?

Usually what we call "Winter" is called "good riding weather" to our buddies up north.

But the last couple of years we did have a "Winter" to where it got down to freezing (and even a bit below) for a few weeks!! (I don't see how those up north can stand it for months...)
Usually at Xmas celebrations if we're not in a short sleeve shirt we need a light jacket.

[RainMaker]

That would work for me.  I should be back up to normal riding capabilities by then.

[5_19]

That would work for me.  I should be back up to normal riding capabilities by then.

Mark that brings up another point. You and I might be close in T-shirt size. Since you didn't go, did get a T-shirt and I did go but didn't get a T-shirt. Just saying I could use another T-shirt!! 

[Houdini]

I'm in

[RainMaker]

That would work for me.  I should be back up to normal riding capabilities by then.

Mark that brings up another point. You and I might be close in T-shirt size. Since you didn't go, did get a T-shirt and I did go but didn't get a T-shirt. Just saying I could use another T-shirt!!  

You can still buy one at the F6 Rider store.  They have ones with extra long sleeves for 5' 19" guys.

I bought 3 to make sure we hit the numbers.  But that doesn't mean you can have one of mine  

[Red Diamond]

Is it still chilly in Hill Country in March/April? The closer you can get to warm the better, at least for an older gen who can't take a lot of cold.

[michaelyoung254]

Vita and I would be in on that. Especially if the weekend could be either March 11 - 13, or March 18 - 20. That would be during Spring Break which would be perfect.


Mike

[Hollyday]

Instead of the hill country.. how about a river road run!   DDT got us wanting to do Big Bend LOL.

[brew1brew]

Instead of the hill country.. how about a river road run!   DDT got us wanting to do Big Bend LOL.

I would be down for that, as long as I'm not traveling for work.

[Rocketman]

Instead of the hill country.. how about a river road run!   DDT got us wanting to do Big Bend LOL.

I have been reluctant to do Big Bend, since a lot of folks are already pushing their schedules to get to the hill country.  Getting to Big Bend even from Houston is 800-some miles.  That's a somewhere between a long day and two days, depending on your riding style.  To make two days out and two days back worthwhile, I would want to stay three or four days.  That turns the trip into a week, plus or minus a bit.
I can't take off a week in the spring, as I'll be on realtime space station operations at that point, but I'm willing to listen to the group.  Who is interested in a Big Bend trip, and who would not be able to take that much time away?  I'll start a poll in a separate thread, so don't respond here.  Perhaps we'll end up with two trips planned.  That being said, we've already had our official hill country ride last weekend, so maybe Big Bend is the right answer.
These are all options, and I just want to hear what the group would prefer.

Mark

[MR BURNOUT]

I think the more group ride's the better and everyone go on the one's they can. Big bend sounds good.

[Gitter]

Im in for a spring hill country ride.

[RainMaker]

No reason not to have both trips.  Some of the folks have more time and would go to Big Bend.  Others, the closer ride.  Some would do both.  Not everyone has a job they have to report to daily - some are retired, some can set their own schedules, etc.  So if 5 people ride to Big Bend, that really doesn't change a Spring ride to the Hill country.

Let's pick a weekend and an area that has a drought condition so at least it's a public service when the rain of the century occurs.

RM

[michaelyoung254]

Instead of the hill country.. how about a river road run!   DDT got us wanting to do Big Bend LOL.

I have been reluctant to do Big Bend, since a lot of folks are already pushing their schedules to get to the hill country.  Getting to Big Bend even from Houston is 800-some miles.  That's a somewhere between a long day and two days, depending on your riding style.  To make two days out and two days back worthwhile, I would want to stay three or four days.  That turns the trip into a week, plus or minus a bit.
I can't take off a week in the spring, as I'll be on realtime space station operations at that point, but I'm willing to listen to the group.  Who is interested in a Big Bend trip, and who would not be able to take that much time away?  I'll start a poll in a separate thread, so don't respond here.  Perhaps we'll end up with two trips planned.  That being said, we've already had our official hill country ride last weekend, so maybe Big Bend is the right answer.
These are all options, and I just want to hear what the group would prefer.

Mark

WAY too far for just a weekend! As Mark said, in order to make that worthwhile, it would be an entire week. As a teacher, if it were during Spring Break, we would come if Vita could get off of work for that week. Otherwise, we would have to pass.


Mike

[Red Diamond]

I've done Big Bend from Beaumont, about 650 miles. Mark, 800 miles from Houston would put you in New Mexico. Rode the River Road three times, just looking for an excuse to do it again.

[Rocketman]

I've done Big Bend from Beaumont, about 650 miles. Mark, 800 miles from Houston would put you in New Mexico. Rode the River Road three times, just looking for an excuse to do it again.

You're right.  It's ~8 hrs, ~600 miles.  That's what I get for typing during a meeting.
However, my point remains.  Houston is closer than Dallas, and sometimes we have folks from Texarkana.  It can be a long run for folks.

Mark

[planecrazygal]

We've done Hill Country in April before and it was really nice.  Slight chill early in the day, but by 11 or so it was just perfect!  That was a very memorable trip that included some spectacular riding with Laser Pat and Texas Deb!

[Firefighter]

I went and rode the Hill Country Monday this week, didn't care to ride in the rain, just got home today Thursday, 43 degrees when I left this morning. I would like to go in the spring, I was told a lot of bikers in March and April. Three beautiful days this week!

[Firefighter]

I would like to ride to Big Bend, 570 miles for me. I tried riding 75 mph to Kerville and got 25 mpg, slowed down to 63 mph, (3000 rpm) and got 35 mpg. So Big Bend might be a two day ride or a long 10 hour day. Not the cost of gas but the availability. Would have to plan it out.

[hvacjack]

I would be interested in spring hill country ride.

[SideCar]

Eli, I think Mark likes Dallas so much that he was using the Dallas mileage.  As much as I would like to get back down to the river road and see the Marfa lights again, I'm probably closer to being able to get away for a weekend to the Hill Country.

Agree with the other comments. Make a plan for the Hill Country and those who can go farther, plan for Big Bend on a different date and give folks some options. Heck Daniel M is likely to meet you in Big Bend just for dinner and ride back.