Noob Terlingua, TX rides?

edsel · 11-23-2012, 10:40 AM

I have a KTM 950 Supermoto and my wife rides a BMW G650GS. Neither of us have much dirt riding experience and I was wondering if anyone out there could point us to any "beginner" rides in the Terlingua area. Thanks

scarysharkface · 11-24-2012, 10:49 AM

FM170 between Lajitas and Presidio. Great road.

Cannonshot · 11-24-2012, 11:28 AM

A bunch of Big Bend area rides. GPS link available in the thread.

Coastalcop · 11-24-2012, 11:58 AM

Get a Big Bend map, has lots of dirt trails in the park, Steer clear of Black Gap road, my info is a couple years old but it was 18 inches of pea gravel when I was there and had a stair step at the Gap to give you shudders, it may have changed but it wasnt novice country then, Old maverick road is a nice clear dirt road that is a joy to break you in for big bend easy riding and lots of fun (info two months old)

You can ride PARTS of the Terlingua ranch roads, but most are classified as private property and owners only.

Im planning on going next week on my Super T before winter really sets in,

Lots of inmates around here ride the area. the General store is neat, save some time to have a beer on the porch and chat with the locals, and the Starlight Theather has great grub and varied entertainment

Warning though , you will get hooked, thankfully land is super cheap if you feel like you need a few acres on the ranch for access to over 1200 miles of privated unpaved road and splendid views!

scarysharkface · 11-24-2012, 01:41 PM

I must be drunk or blind, or drunk. I saw "supermoto" pavement stuck in my head. In my experience, Old Maverick Road is an excellent piece of starter gravel and connects to both some lovely scenery and the fun to ride Ross Maxwell scenic drive. The short bit of gravel leading to the Hot Springs isn't much but the hot springs are. The River Road, from the East, is fun and easy for several miles and you can simply turn around when you start thinking it's a bit more rugged than you'd like. The roads all change as they get graded every so often, and the rangers will be able to tell you whether they've been washed out or not.

There's plenty of good gravel in the park, but it's good to not ride alone on a big bike because get-offs do happen..

Cannonshot's documentation of the area is very good, and the park maps are excellent as well.

Have fun!

John

exoff-roadgoat · 11-25-2012, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarysharkface

FM170 between Lajitas and Presidio. Great road.

If you can only ride one road this is the one..

.. East to west early in the day or west to east late.

jimbowie · 11-25-2012, 08:32 PM

I am a little confused. I thought FM170 was a paved road. Is it not?

Cannonshot · 11-25-2012, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbowie

I am a little confused. I thought FM170 was a paved road. Is it not?

Indeed it is.

mbabc · 11-26-2012, 12:40 PM

Man...I need to get back there. FM-170 in the canyon. Place puts a hook in you.

Great advise from CS and SSF.

scarysharkface · 11-26-2012, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbabc

Man...I need to get back there. FM-170 in the canyon. Place puts a hook in you.

Great advise from CS and SSF.

That is a beautiful photograph. Damn.

john

mbabc · 11-26-2012, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarysharkface

That is a beautiful photograph. Damn.

john

Golly, thanks John. High praise from the master photographer!

Coastalcop · 11-29-2012, 06:39 PM

Ok just got back from a 1400 mile two day trip to Big Bend/ Terlingua (ride report on Monday probably)

I didnt take the heavier off road stuff (skid plate didnt make it to me before I left), but old Maverick is fine, and i was advised that all the dirt road are OK right now if you go slow (Black Gap being the exception)

170 (River Road) is ok but a couple of the low water areas have a little sediment on the road, nothing to worry about though) and TX DOT is in the process of replacing guardrails and have traffic down to one lane in some areas, just follow the flagman signs and dont be suprised if only one in three actually has people working at it.

67 from Presidio to Marfa is fine. The town square in Marfa is great as always, grab something from the "Food Shark" truck,neat folks

The McDonald Observatory will bring out the supermoto in you for sure(of course so will river road)

118 from Alpine to Study Butte is clear and fun as always.

Did not see the Marfa lights this time, but dont recommend it unless you can follow a cager back to your sleeping area (due to the wildlife crossing the road)

Temps are still good in the region and while I recommend layering it is still FAR more comfortable than August.

Anyway, enjoy, its great country

privateer · 12-02-2012, 07:32 AM

Also make sure you stop in at the La Kiva in town.

BMW Kurt · 12-02-2012, 07:35 AM

Big Bend!!!

11-23-2012, 10:40 AM	#1
edsel ^OP OOF! Joined: Jul 2008 Location: Cheyenne, WY Oddometer: 6	Noob Terlingua, TX rides? I have a KTM 950 Supermoto and my wife rides a BMW G650GS. Neither of us have much dirt riding experience and I was wondering if anyone out there could point us to any "beginner" rides in the Terlingua area. Thanks

11-24-2012, 10:49 AM	#2
scarysharkface 40-128 Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Lakland Oddometer: 12,355	FM170 between Lajitas and Presidio. Great road. __________________ The road to Hell is paved... Save $5 on a Smugmug subscription when you use my coupon: yBr7OofIPuOP6 KLR takes a circular route to Big Bend '13 http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=887449

11-24-2012, 11:28 AM	#3
Cannonshot Having a Nice Time Joined: Jul 2005 Location: SE Wisconsin Oddometer: 14,304	A bunch of Big Bend area rides. GPS link available in the thread. __________________ Cannonshot.net

11-24-2012, 11:58 AM	#4
Coastalcop Adventurer Joined: Jul 2006 Oddometer: 48	Get a Big Bend map, has lots of dirt trails in the park, Steer clear of Black Gap road, my info is a couple years old but it was 18 inches of pea gravel when I was there and had a stair step at the Gap to give you shudders, it may have changed but it wasnt novice country then, Old maverick road is a nice clear dirt road that is a joy to break you in for big bend easy riding and lots of fun (info two months old) You can ride PARTS of the Terlingua ranch roads, but most are classified as private property and owners only. Im planning on going next week on my Super T before winter really sets in, Lots of inmates around here ride the area. the General store is neat, save some time to have a beer on the porch and chat with the locals, and the Starlight Theather has great grub and varied entertainment Warning though , you will get hooked, thankfully land is super cheap if you feel like you need a few acres on the ranch for access to over 1200 miles of privated unpaved road and splendid views! __________________ The "Copper-Lite Crew", cause some cops are older than Dinosaur Sht (look up coprolite if you dont get it) Never confuse getting lucky with good tactics.... unless you are at the bar Coastalcop screwed with this post 11-24-2012 at 12:03 PM*

11-24-2012, 01:41 PM	#5
scarysharkface 40-128 Joined: Nov 2005 Location: Lakland Oddometer: 12,355	I must be drunk or blind, or drunk. I saw "supermoto" pavement stuck in my head. In my experience, Old Maverick Road is an excellent piece of starter gravel and connects to both some lovely scenery and the fun to ride Ross Maxwell scenic drive. The short bit of gravel leading to the Hot Springs isn't much but the hot springs are. The River Road, from the East, is fun and easy for several miles and you can simply turn around when you start thinking it's a bit more rugged than you'd like. The roads all change as they get graded every so often, and the rangers will be able to tell you whether they've been washed out or not. There's plenty of good gravel in the park, but it's good to not ride alone on a big bike because get-offs do happen.. Cannonshot's documentation of the area is very good, and the park maps are excellent as well. Have fun! John __________________ The road to Hell is paved... Save $5 on a Smugmug subscription when you use my coupon: yBr7OofIPuOP6 KLR takes a circular route to Big Bend '13 http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=887449

11-25-2012, 08:32 PM	#7
jimbowie Adventurer Joined: Dec 2010 Location: Texas prairie. Oddometer: 96	I am a little confused. I thought FM170 was a paved road. Is it not? __________________ 2012 Triumph Tiger Exp 1975 Yamaha XS650 Just remember, a government big enough to give you all you want is big enough to take away all you have. Davy Crockett

11-26-2012, 12:40 PM	#9
mbabc Curmudgeon trainee Joined: May 2007 Location: Louisville, KY Oddometer: 1,273	Man...I need to get back there. FM-170 in the canyon. Place puts a hook in you. Great advise from CS and SSF. __________________ Mark B. "I have never seen a Kentuckian without a gun and a pack of cards and a bottle of whiskey." - Gen. Andrew Jackson '08 WR250R - '12 Super Tenere Little Blue goes looking for Orange

11-29-2012, 06:39 PM	#12
Coastalcop Adventurer Joined: Jul 2006 Oddometer: 48	Ok just got back from a 1400 mile two day trip to Big Bend/ Terlingua (ride report on Monday probably) I didnt take the heavier off road stuff (skid plate didnt make it to me before I left), but old Maverick is fine, and i was advised that all the dirt road are OK right now if you go slow (Black Gap being the exception) 170 (River Road) is ok but a couple of the low water areas have a little sediment on the road, nothing to worry about though) and TX DOT is in the process of replacing guardrails and have traffic down to one lane in some areas, just follow the flagman signs and dont be suprised if only one in three actually has people working at it. 67 from Presidio to Marfa is fine. The town square in Marfa is great as always, grab something from the "Food Shark" truck,neat folks The McDonald Observatory will bring out the supermoto in you for sure(of course so will river road) 118 from Alpine to Study Butte is clear and fun as always. Did not see the Marfa lights this time, but dont recommend it unless you can follow a cager back to your sleeping area (due to the wildlife crossing the road) Temps are still good in the region and while I recommend layering it is still FAR more comfortable than August. Anyway, enjoy, its great country __________________ The "Copper-Lite Crew", cause some cops are older than Dinosaur Sh*t (look up coprolite if you dont get it) Never confuse getting lucky with good tactics.... unless you are at the bar

12-02-2012, 07:32 AM	#13
privateer Adventurer Joined: Jun 2006 Location: Pa. Oddometer: 44	Also make sure you stop in at the La Kiva in town.

12-02-2012, 07:35 AM	#14
BMW Kurt Exorbitant Tax Payer Joined: Jul 2006 Location: People's Republic of the United States of America Oddometer: 7,427	Big Bend!!! __________________ "We blew it." -- Wyatt in Easy Rider My Riding Blog My Travel Blog Kurt Nugent Photography My Adventure Page

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