November Special Travels, Ride Reports & Pictures [Archive]

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weisan

11-13-2005, 10:23 PM

There are many places in Texas that I have always wanted to visit but not able to either because I just don't have the time or family commitments had taken priority over them. Two weeks ago, my wife and three kids left to visit our folks back in Singapore. And I thought, "Hey! Here my chance!" :p This is a special season of my life and I have since seized the opportunity to visit two different places in the past two weekends. Just want to share with my pals here the bike reports and some of the pictures taken along the way.
=============================
November, 5-6 Davis Mountains/Fort Davis
=============================
This is my second time out in this area. Fort Davis is about eight hours drive from Austin. Last year September I brought the whole family down here and did an organized ride called Fort Davis Cyclefest. I took the same route I did the last time which is known locally as the "Scenic Loop" that stretches for 75 miles. The jaw-dropping panoramic views of the mountains, the gigantic boulders that get tossed around everywhere, the clean crisp air and the cool temperature running in mid 60s, everything is perfect for riding. On the first 20 miles, I was hit with 15-20mph wind. That slowed me down quite a bit, but I am not in the hurry to go anywhere, so I just soft-pedal, enjoy the views, and completely lost in time. I would stop wherever and whenever I want to take pictures, or take a short break. No pressure to go fast or to go slow, no paceline to worry about, no time limit�I packed everything I need because they are no rest stops available along the way. In the end, I rode for seven hours before I got back to the Davis Mtn State Park where I took a shower and stayed for the night. On Sunday the next day, I attended worship service with a small local church in the morning before I headed out and rode again for about two hours taking a different route but the same beautiful scenery towards the town of Alpine which is 24 miles away from Fort Davis. I did not make it all the way there, but turned around at the one-hour mark because I knew I had to leave town before 3pm in order to get back to Austin well before midnight. God had blessed me with a perfect weekend. This trip reminded me of the reason why I started riding a bike in the place....and that is to be close to my surroundings and enjoy the great outdoors. Let's look at some pictures...
http://alicehui.com/Ft_davis/ft_davis1.jpg
The road coming down from the McDonald Observatory, it's 2~3 miles downhill all the way...yippeee! Get to practice my descending skill using counter-steering.
http://alicehui.com/Ft_davis/mini-100_3830.jpg
You can see the telescope up in Mount Locke at a distant...the McDonald Observatory (http://www.as.utexas.edu/mcdonald/mcdonald.html)
http://alicehui.com/Ft_davis/mini-100_3816.jpg
I want you to see what I see....
http://alicehui.com/Ft_davis/mini-100_3815.jpg

weisan

11-13-2005, 10:24 PM

http://alicehui.com/Ft_davis/mini-100_3817.jpg
Long stretch of open roads with very little traffic...the road surface is kinda rough...chip-sealed.http://alicehui.com/Ft_davis/mini-100_3844.jpg
http://alicehui.com/Ft_davis/mini-100_3865.jpg
http://alicehui.com/Ft_davis/mini-100_3858.jpg
Big boulders sprinkled everywhere...http://alicehui.com/Ft_davis/mini-100_3875.jpg

Serpico

11-13-2005, 10:25 PM

great pics :beer:

weisan

11-13-2005, 10:25 PM

http://alicehui.com/Ft_davis/mini-100_3821.jpg
I even get to hit the trails on Sunday morning and did some hiking around the Davis Mountains State Park.
http://alicehui.com/Ft_davis/mini-100_3852.jpg
http://alicehui.com/Ft_davis/mini-100_3849.jpg
On the way to Alpine, I finally found the shot with a bicyle-related subject. A spoked wheel on the right used as a decor on a ranch gate.
http://alicehui.com/Ft_davis/mini-100_3841.jpg
End of Ft. Davis Ride Report.

weisan

11-13-2005, 10:31 PM

Now, let me turned your attention to what I did this past Saturday.
===============================
November, 12 Lost Maples National State Park
===============================
I spent another wonderful day out in the Texas Hill Country. Lost Maples National State Park (http://wildtexas.com/parks/lmsna.php) is about three hours drive from Austin. It drizzled early part of the morning when I reached there so I changed the plan slightly and did about three hours of hiking before going out to ride around 1 pm. The temperature stays around 68~75 degrees F throughout the day. The fall foliage had drawn a big crowd to the state park, many had come to catch the maple changes color in November.
http://alicehui.com/Lost_Maples/mini-100_3887.JPG
On the way to Lost Maples National State Park, passed through some steep hills, which I get to experience later at the beginning of the ride. The climbing is considered hard because it runs for about 1.5~2 miles long stretch of road. It just keep going up and up, like it never ends. : ) But once I reached the top, I am rewarded with breathtaking views of the hill country vistas, and of course, the thrill of descending down the other side of the hill at high speed. http://alicehui.com/Lost_Maples/mini-100_4015.JPG
This was taken during the ride. Cool weather, beautiful scenery, open roads, low traffic...what more can I ask?!
http://alicehui.com/Lost_Maples/mini-100_3937.JPG
In the State Park, it involves quite a bit of climbing during the hike. There's one stretch of the steep section that runs for 1.5 mile. I am surprised to see a lot of older folks and families bringing their little ones some as young as probably 4 or 5 years old walking alongside the parents and tackling the longer and more challenging trails. But they seem to do okay...the trick is to do a lot of rest stops.
http://alicehui.com/Lost_Maples/mini-100_3960.JPG

http://alicehui.com/Lost_Maples/mini-100_3921.jpg
Bigtooth maple leaves everywhere, on the ground, floating on the waters...

Cadence230

11-13-2005, 10:34 PM

That, my friend, is a truly beautiful place. You think you get to see it all but that area does not get much exposure. I was in that area in 93' and it is truly unique. Cheers.

weisan

11-13-2005, 10:34 PM

http://alicehui.com/Lost_Maples/mini-100_3938.JPG

http://alicehui.com/Lost_Maples/mini-100_4028.JPG
During the ride, there are a couple of river crossings through Sabinal River. Many have pretty sights but are too dangerous to stop and take pictures without the shoulder. This is one of the rare ones that provide enough room for me to stop, dismount from the bike and walk back to capture some shots. http://alicehui.com/Lost_Maples/mini-100_3991.JPG
Inside the park....another nice view.
http://alicehui.com/Lost_Maples/mini-100_4008.JPG
Another river crossing...

weisan

11-13-2005, 10:36 PM

dirtdigger88

11-14-2005, 06:58 AM

awsome- thanks

Jason

Don

11-14-2005, 07:19 AM

Fantastic pictures! Much appreciated.

MartyE

11-14-2005, 11:33 AM

Weisan,

You ever get out to the big bend area?
Haven't been yet, I'm wondering if there are
cycling friendly roads?
I also like the northeasten part of the state,
lots of rolling hills and pine forest.
it never ceases to amaze me the diverse scenery
we have here in Texas.

thanks for posting the pics.

Marty

Tailwinds

11-14-2005, 11:49 AM

AWESOME pics, weisan -- thanks for sharing! Glad you got to enjoy yourself out there in my home state.

sc53

11-14-2005, 01:18 PM

Weisan, do you use a pro quality camera or is it just the natural beauty of the Texas countryside that makes thoses photos so spectacular? I'm unfamiliar with the geography of Texas except for a couple of major cities (Houston and Dallas and one side trip to El Paso) so let me ask: did you travel north, south, east or west of Austin to get to these places? Are both considered in the "Texas hill country?" Enjoy your fall weekends, they've been lovely here in the Washington DC area as well. I just didn't take a camera along the last several weekends, next time I will.

Bill Bove

11-14-2005, 01:42 PM

I spent some time at Kelly AFB and Ft. Sam Houston a long time ago, I don't think you ever fall out of love with Texas.

Spinner

11-14-2005, 02:21 PM

weisan,

thanks for sharing your hill country adventures. what a treat to ride in that setting.

weisan

11-14-2005, 02:23 PM

Serpico-pal, Cadence-pal, dirt-pal, Don-pal, Tailwinds-pal, Spinner-pal....many thanks! I am glad you get to see what I see...wish y'all were there with me.

Marty-Pal - yes I have been out in the BigBend area before, but that was almost eight years ago, no riding just camping out with a couple of college friends. I corresponded with a park ranger who worked out there and she gave me some really good tips on where to ride in BigBend. I will PM you with the details if you are interested. As to northeasten part of the state, that would be my NEXT STOP!!! :D

sc53-pal, I am embarrassed to say this. I used a very basic "point and shoot" digital camera made by Kodak with 2.1 MP. I bought it used on Ebay for $40. It's really basic by today's standards...to the point that it doesn't really have a zoom function, or any of the bells and whistles that most mid-to-high end cameras have these days. So, it begs the question: how did the pictures turn out the way they did? I will share with you what I know.
First of all, I like strong colors and I have always liked the way Kodak interprets color in the real world. They tend to be more on the vibrant and saturated side of the spectrum. So, that ensures that color are well represented in the final result. Secondly, pick up a good introductory photography book in the store and learn some basics about interpreting light and what makes up good composition. Those I picked up back in high school when I was passionately involved in landscape photography. Develop a "good eye" through practice. And last, probably the most important of all three, able to visualize what the final result might look like. I will tell you honestly, very few, if none, of these pictures turned out exactly the way they did. I have used a digital imaging software called photoshop to make some minor adjustments on the brightness and contrast to achieve the final effects that I want. I guess one could call that out as "cheating or fudging"...I like to think of it more as "moving it closer to reality". :D
No amount of technology can achieve what the human eye see. As a summary, here are the mental steps that occurred in my head: I spotted a picture opportunity...I visualize how I want the end result to be...I understand the limitations of my equipment and the constraints of the surroundings...instead of going after perfection, I compose a shot that gives me the maximum room for adjustments later, I hit the shutter. And when I get home, I try to bring together the mental picture i have in my head and the picture that came out of the camera, and....that's the final result that you see. ;)

Bill-pal, you are absolutely right. I've been here for 10 years but I still felt like I have only scratched the surface. Texas truly is a great state. :cool:

MartyE

11-14-2005, 02:56 PM

weisan

11-14-2005, 03:02 PM

did you travel north, south, east or west of Austin to get to these places? Are both considered in the "Texas hill country?"

Sorry I forgot to respond to this from sc53-pal earlier. I highlighted the two places I have visited on the Texas map.
http://alicehui.com/Lost_Maples/texas_map.gif

Lost Maples State Park is 3 miles from Venderpool, which is in the Texas hill country area. Ft. Davis is not. Check this out: http://www.hill-country-visitor.com/

weisan

11-14-2005, 03:23 PM

Weisan-pal,

Once you finish the northeastern corner (and get your climbing legs
ready) the south eastern portion of the state is also very nice.
The ride I want to do is in Lousiana, the Natchez Trace. The area
is gorgeous and I hear the road is very bike friendly.

Details on BigBend would be great.

marty

Marty-pal, I think my climbing legs are ready, that's what I'm using...the leftover fitness from riding all summer to visit these places. I am using this guide book called "Best Bike Rides in Texas (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0762701668/ref=sib_rdr_dp/103-6580604-5527061?%5Fencoding=UTF8&no=283155&me=ATVPDKIKX0DER&st=books)" to identify places I want to go. BigBend is one of the areas they have included in that book. I will PM you the details from park ranger.

93legendti

11-15-2005, 09:02 AM

No trip is complete without a sunset shot...http://alicehui.com/Lost_Maples/mini-100_4035.JPG
I left the area around 6:30 pm, passing through the town of Medina which is 20 miles from Lost Maples. Along the way, there are more of those steep mountain passes and very pretty scenery. I have to come back again with the family, this really is a very beautiful part of the state!

End of Lost Maples Ride Report.

Wow, are you lucky! What amazing scenery and photgraphy! The shots with the trees remind me of Elliot Porter's work--one of my favorite photographers. He is one of the few photgraphers using color film I really like.

MRB

11-15-2005, 09:20 AM

weisan,

Thanks for sharing the awesome photos. Is that the area they call the Hill Country of Texas??

- M

Fixed

11-15-2005, 09:57 AM

[QUOTE=sc53]Weisan, do you use a pro quality camera or is it just the natural beauty of the Texas countryside that makes thoses photos so spectacular? QUOTE]
bro our weisan has help from a higer power he is truly blessed i.m.h.o. cheers

Dekonick

11-15-2005, 10:13 AM

Fantastic photo's! Thanks - I can almost feel the pavement...

Tailwinds

11-15-2005, 11:10 AM

MartyE

11-15-2005, 12:45 PM

Do I sense a TX forum gathering in the future? :cool:

works for me, but can we wait til we get some
proper riding weather ?

marty

RABikes2

11-16-2005, 01:51 AM

Thanks so much for sharing the photos of your weekend Weisan-pal. :) I enjoyed seeing some of the beautiful Texas countryside through you. ;)

Hope you've heard from the family and all is well with them.
RA

weisan

11-24-2005, 04:39 PM

With the wife and kids out of the country, I thought I would break tradition and do something different for Thanksgiving this year. Of course, that also mean I started making up excuses at least a month ago to half-a-dozen very very kind people who just didn't want me to be lonely and had invited me to join their families for the thanksgiving feast. I'm an idiot! Yes, I know. So, what did I do today on Thanksgiving? hee...hee..yep...I went out and rode the bike for 5+ hours. :banana:

It was the "perfect ride." Temperature stayed around 68-75 degree...I modified slightly a local favorite 50-mile route called the "Dam Loop" and throw in the extra 30+ miles plus a couple of hard hill climbs. It's called the dam loop because it passes by Mansfield Dam along the way. There were very few cars on the road...bcos' unlike me, normal people are doing what they are supposed to be doing, staying at home spending time with their loved ones and visiting with relatives gathering together for the reunion.

It's funny, I must have ridden this route a million times but never did I have a chance to stop and take pictures...but here they are.
http://alicehui.com/DamLoop/9.jpg

http://alicehui.com/DamLoop/11.jpg

http://alicehui.com/DamLoop/4.jpg

http://alicehui.com/DamLoop/2.jpg

weisan

11-24-2005, 04:45 PM

http://alicehui.com/DamLoop/7.jpg
Lake Travis.

http://alicehui.com/DamLoop/10.jpg

http://alicehui.com/DamLoop/1.jpg

http://alicehui.com/DamLoop/3.jpg

I give thanks to God for this beautiful day. Friday and Saturday are forecasted with thunderstorm and rain. I felt like I have practically stolen a day off the calendar. :D

I pray that every one of my pals here are enjoying their company with the family during this precious time of the year.

weisan

Cadence230

11-25-2005, 05:32 PM

Far out. You go you! The area looks like somewhere not in this country. ''Texas. It's a whole other country.''

ada@prorider.or

11-25-2005, 05:59 PM

i am convinced i will bring my bike

here 20 cm snow 800 km traffic jam
chaos all over!!

weisan

11-25-2005, 06:29 PM

Cadence-pal, you are right. "Tejas" is indeed unique and we really love it here. Didn't you used to live in the lone star state?

ADA-pal, relaxed! There is hope...here:
http://www.alexisparkinn.com/photogallery/SMALL%20Paraplane%20overhead!%20%207-03.jpg

http://www.activeflightsystems.com/assets/images/paraplane.jpg

ADA-pal, if you ever get a chance to visit Austin, please don't hesitate to give me a call, I will bring you around. And that goes the same to all my pals here. :cool:

ada@prorider.or

11-25-2005, 07:42 PM

ADA-pal, if you ever get a chance to visit Austin, please don't hesitate to give me a call, I will bring you around. And that goes the same to all my pals here. :cool:[/QUOTE]

well will be close by but no time i guess

weisan

11-25-2005, 08:48 PM

well will be close by but no time i guess
where by, may I ask? you ever thought of doing some kind of research with the University of Texas @ Austin?

Cadence230

11-26-2005, 09:08 PM

Weisan guy. No I never lived in Texas but I took a course with the National Outdoor Leadership School that took in western Texas and the Rio Grande. I recall driving through the Ft. Davis area and being floored by the unique beauty of the place. It's a BIG area out there. mike

ada@prorider.or

11-26-2005, 11:31 PM

where by, may I ask? you ever thought of doing some kind of research with the University of Texas @ Austin?

well i will be in nevada utah california new mexico arizona washington

busy busy busy :bike: