One does not have to ride out of state to experience breath-taking landscapes like those in the movies. Texas is filled with so many varied, vast, and beautiful places, but when motorcyclists want to escape the Metroplex, they tend to go westward.
If you are heading west, one place to stop worth considering is Fort Richardson State Park off road 61, in the panhandle plains region. While here, soak up some history and nature at the same time. Fort Richardson was built in 1867 to provide protection to farmers, ranchers, and prospectors who headed to the gold fields and stages on the Butterfield Overland Mail Route. Every now and then, they host live reenactments, barbecue cook-offs, fishing tournaments, living history presentations and motorcycle runs. Jacksboro is just outside the park gate, and City Drug, a famous pharmacy store, has one of the last few old-time soda fountains. It's less than an hour from Fort Worth. Fort Richardson State Park can be a great place to check out, even if it is just for a short stop.
Another locale that makes for a sweet ride is the Bastrop Park Road 1. It is filled with winds and snakes, through a beautiful area that blends a bit of East Texas with the famous Hill Country. The route features a forest that forms a canopy made out of old pines and oaks that makes for an interesting corridor ride. There are also camping and fishing sites, if you get the notion to stop at and relax. This non-stop-curved route has a smooth road with a few cattle guards, and in going the opposite direction gives riders a completely different type of view. It's sometimes referred to as "The Copper Head Snake Road" because of the constant winding. A great place to stop for some food is The Roadhouse, which is located at the entrance of the Bastrop State Park. The Roadhouse is one of the few best hamburger joints in Texas.
If you're interested in a more condensed, smaller route to ride, check out Mission Tejas State Park. Mission Tejas is a quiet relaxing place that is tucked deep within dense tall pines. While on this ride, a point of interest is a commemorative representation of the 1690 Mission San Francisco de los Tejas. Located 21 miles northeast of Crockett, and 12 miles west of Alto on State Highway 21, Mission Tejas carries you back through several important periods of Texas history along one of the oldest roadways in America.
Just southwest of Claude, Texas you'll find the breath-taking Paloduro Canyon Loop. This loop takes you in and out of Paloduro in the Texas panhandle, and it is great for seeing canyon formations and desert scenery. Even though the loop is mostly straight with a few sweeping turns, it does have harder twisties mixed in the canyon areas. There are no real major attractions to speak of on this route, but the view alone is worth it. A rider can just sit back, hit the accelerator, and enjoy a breath-taking sunset.
No comments:
Post a Comment