About a month ago I spent the day riding my motorcycle.. Now, dear reader, you might not find this odd if you know me – as I go for rides on a semi-regular basis (At least when it’s not pouring).
The thing that was interesting about this particular day – well, you’ll find out later.
It started out as usual, heading out on 360, continuing onto 2244 (Bee Cave Road, as some call it).. This terminates into Hwy 71 which takes you to Llano, if you go far enough.
I had done that ride before. Once you pass US-281, Hwy 71 becomes really beautiful.. Hills, cliffs off in the distance, and all.. A very nice ride.
Although I did end up in Llano, it never happened like I thought it would.
Off of Hwy 71, there is a fairly well-used but not too well known road, called Hamilton Pool road.. Once past Hamilton Pool (which it actually goes to), it becomes yet-another-nondescript-farm-to-market road. Oh, but it is a great FM road. Curvy, a few hills, no traffic other than other motorcyclists.. It’s awesome.
The other end of FM-962 ends into US-281, a few miles south of Hwy 71 -and about 20 miles south of Marble Falls, home to the delicious Bluebonnet Cafe.
Originally, I was going to take US-281 back to 71, and then take 71 out to Llano (I have done this before) – however, I saw a sign that said “Johnson City 12 miles”, and at that point there was no question where to go.
I took US-281 to Johnson City, and then followed US-290 out to Fredericksburg. What a beautiful day for a ride.. Just enough sun, not too warm, and a gentle 70+ mph breeze… (Oh, wait… that’s the wind from… oh, nevermind.)
Once in Fredericksburg, I fueled up, had a drink, and then decided I’d see if I could get home by 7pm. I knew I could do it, if I turned around and went home the way I came, but I figured we’ll try some other way. I know it’s about an hour back from Llano, that means I have… oh, crap.. better get going.
The drive on Highway 16 between Fredericksburg and Llano is gorgeous.. almost more so than the drive on 71 from Llano. Long, sweeping curves, just the right amount of hills… Trees everywhere… Just awesome.
I ended up spending a grand total of 2 minutes within the Llano city limits – Just long enough to find the 71 turnoff from 16. And then headed home, riding fast.
It was on this stretch that it finally occurred to me.. I was “in the zone” – man is one with machine.. We were cutting smoothly through the air like a sharp knife… Or a paper airplane.. Everything flowed nicely, a single roar of man and machine flying low through the countryside.
And it was good.
Most of the ride home was uneventful.. I did end up being about 30 minutes later than I thought… But I still beat the sun. It was interesting, racing the shadows cast by the setting sun.. Man, machine and nature, in one combined game of hide-and-seek.