Topic: Advice on sights and roads for NE, KS, OK, TX Trip

[westondc]

Myself and fellow SOHC4 member "Deceptibong" are planning a trip at the end of May. I have 9 days of vacation to use and we're planning on riding from Lincoln Nebraska to the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin Texas. I would like to steer clear of the interstate as much as possible. scenic roads are a must and some interesting stops along the way would be nice. we're planning on doing some camping and fishing so i need to locate some good state parks, fishing areas and rest stops. any advice on roads, sights, and parks in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas would be appreciated! Oh and if anyone wants to meetup with us on the way for a beer or to talk bikes let me know.

[hiwayman_750]

westondc,

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=100468595351988172205.000485ce9d8ae5f1f4fc0&ll=37.709899,-96.734619&spn=3.050386,7.042236&t=h&z=7

Here is a map through Kansas. Its the most direct route without using interstate or 4-lane. Some of the roads are straight and flat, some are hilly with nice twisties. Not sure what your schedule will be, but we have the Cassoday Bike Run on the first Sunday of the month, and this route will take you through there. I tried to find a few lakes in the area, and most of this route follows the Flint Hills, which is a very scenic area.

Let me know when you are planning to come through, I might be able to meet up somewhere along the line.

Thanks,
Dave

[Stev-o]

Westondc,

I highly recomend the Highland Lakes area of Texas, it is just northwest on Austin [I live there]. It is the Colorado River that has been dammed, creating several nice lakes amoung the beautiful Hill Country, great for camping, swimming & fishing! It eventually winds through Downtown Austin so following it down from N. Texas may be a great route [and better than I-35 from Dallas].
Here is one suggested route:

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=100468595351988172205.000485ce9d8ae5f1f4fc0&ll=37.709899,-96.734619&spn=3.050386,7.042236&t=h&z=

Here is a guide with all parks within 200 miles of Austin:

http://www.wildtexas.com/parks/results.php?nearby_cities=Austin

I will be happy to help you guys out in any way and can show you around 6th St - that's where the Live Music action is in Downtown Austin! [I work very close]
Here's a list of 50 bars to get you sarted! [most have live music EVERY night]:


http://events.austin360.com/search?srss=50&st=venue&swhat=&swhen=&swhere=&venue_type=1&srad=5

Let me know when you're coming!

-Steve

[westondc]

Thanks for the map and info Dave, looks like we'll be taking that route either on the way down or on our way back. i really want to checkout the Kansas motorcycle museum and the British motorcycle museum in Marquette. Have you been to these places? Any idea what Old U.S. 81 (runs parallel to Hwy 81/I-135) is like? how about old U.S. 40 near I-70? might take those roads on the opposite part of the trip in order to check out the museums. they are a bit off course from the route that you made, so i figured we'd take two different ways through Kansas just to change it up a see more of the state. wish we could be in the area for the Cassoday Bike Run, that would be awesome but i think we'll be back home the day before. I'll be sure to let you know when we're going to be in your neck of the woods (or wheat fields   ) so we can meet up.

Steve you lucky duck, I'm sure its great living in Austin and working near all the fun and live music. i was planning on moving there a few years ago but things didn't really fall into place for that. I've made it down for SXSW two different times and it was a blast! Austins a great city and that's why were heading back. so we're planning on pulling into Austin Saturday evening May 29th, that's if we log some serious riding in two days. We leave Friday morning on the 28th. we plan to stick around for a few days, ride around town and hit the bars and skate parks. we might stay at a cheap motel the first night in Austin but is there a camping area near town for the other nights we stay? is the balcones canyonlands national wildlife refuge a nice place to ride throught? oh, do you know the name of that famous taco hut thats on south Lamar i believe? they have great food and i saw some good bands play there. i love that place! can't wait to hop off the bike on 6th street and have myself a Zeigenbock! i know its not the best beer but its kind of a tradition when i arrive in Austin. I've been there by car, plane and soon by motorcycle. i'll be sure to message you before we leave for the trip and see what your up to. thanks Steve and keep Austin weird!

-Wes

[Stev-o]

Yes, living in Austin is great, I love it. Since you've been here a few times, you know what it's like.
That is Memorial weekend when you are planning on comin', it will be happening, a lot of "tourists" will be here, especially at Lake Travis where I live. You may have a difficult time getting a cheap motel near Downtown, but I'll help if you'd like.

McKinney Falls is the closest park that offers camping, haven't been there, but it would work for you:
http://www.wildtexas.com/parks/mckinney.php

Staying out by Lake Travis would be much better, but farther from Downtown and the action. Pace Bend Park will be hopping that Holiday weekend:
http://austin.citysearch.com/profile/10199984/spicewood_tx/pace_bend_park.html

The area around Balcones Cayonlands National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to ride! It is in the middle of the Texas Hill Country so the roads are great - especially Ranch Rd 1431. I live very close to this area and can show you a floating bar we can go to! [no joke!]
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl

Lastly, not sure which taco joint you're asking about? Could it be Maria's Tacos on S.Lamar? [They have music]. Or the Taco Shack on N. Lamar?

I'll be around that weekend and most likely on the lake on my boat, 'cuz it will be hot!

Let me know how else I can help.

-Steve

[westondc]

Hey Steve, your right i forgot it will be a holiday weekend. i bet alot will be happening downtown hu? oh and you where also right about that taco place, it must be Maria's Tacos. i looked it up on google and the pictures looked like the place i was thinking of. i remember walking there from 6th and Congress after having a few beers in the hot sun. man that seemed like a long walk...

[hiwayman_750]

westondc,

     US-81 is a nice road, kinda straight and boring, but its in good shape. A one problem I can see is 81 is four lane from Nebraska to just north of Salina. It may not be a problem, just wanted to let you know.
     As far as Old 40 Hwy, I have traveled that several times to Western Kansas. I like it better than I-70, no traffic, but it takes me to the same place. There are a few questionable stretches, but totaly ridable.
     
    The motorcycle museum in Marquette is a MUST SEE ! Its pretty strong on the racing stuff, but the Stan Engdahl, the original curator of the museum raced bikes back in the day. unfortunatley, He passed away a few years back. He was a true wealth of knowledge, and a super nice guy
     Not being pushy, but there is no fee to get in. They do have a donation jar as you come in, so feel free to contribute what you feel its worth. Trust me, its worth it.

     Oh yeah, I have a good friend by the name of Todd Otto in Lincoln. He owns a body and performance shop called Otto Body on 56th st. He built a prototype 2010 TransAm out of a Camaro.

     Anyhow, I digress.

Let me know when you guys head out, I'll try to meet up somewhere. Cant guarantee it, cause sometimes life gets in the way, ya know ? Let me know if you need anything else. I work for KDOT and travel the entire state so I have a fairly solid knowledge of the roads and routes in Kansas.


Thanks,
Dave



     

[Stev-o]

Hey Wes - this 'bock's for you!

[westondc]

Hey Wes - this 'bock's for you!

  thats awesome! i need to get me a pint glass like that, and a case of ziegenbock to go with it! might be interesting trying get that back to nebraska on a luggage rack.

[westondc]

Hey Steve, what to you think about this route from OK city to Austin? for some reason i cant get your google map to come up. how is US-281 for crusin?

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Oklahoma+City,+OK&daddr=33.573438,-98.459473+to:US-281+S+to:austin,+tx&geocode=FSgxHQIddAQw-imB0vh-VIqthzGdOk_RdBKiMw%3B%3BFa589gEdzI8n-g%3BFRHXzQEdK48s-ikvA8ygmbVEhjF61WnUS0abXQ&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=1&sz=8&via=1,2&sll=33.045508,-97.130127&sspn=3.259787,4.927368&ie=UTF8&ll=32.967195,-97.566833&spn=0.81573,1.231842&z=10

[Stev-o]

Hey Wes,

I think that looks like a good, fairly direct route, I know you will want to get Downtown for that Ziegenbock!
Don't think I've been on 281 in N. Texas, but it's a good road in Central TX.
You won't be on the great roads in the Hill Country west of Austin, but maybe you can go that way on your way out?
Once you hit Austin, 183 is a freeway.
Bet you guys are excited!

[faux fiddy]

If you stick to going west of Oklahoma City you will see a lot less traffic. I-35 is plain boring and unless you are pressed for time and headed somewhere along it not much reason to be on it. Northern OK  there is great salt plains north of Enid, and 100 miles towards the southwest of Oklahoma City is Wichita Wildlife refuge, which is mountains and back country camping, near the town of Lawton.

http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/oklahoma/wichitamountains/

Further west is Quartz Mountain which is similar hilly country.

If you head south from there, either through or around Wichita Falls, TX there are some good roads with hills and curves. Possum Kingdom Reservoir is really nice, cliffs overlook the lake, south of Graham TX.

I did a drive from Kerrville to Graham  exclusively on Texas Hiway 16, and compared to going through Dallas it was most enjoyable, with very few cars and associated asshat drivers. DFW is a cluster  of cars 24-7 that gets compounded at rush hour, and the alternatives to the interstates are hard to find or just as crowded.  Lots of looking at a bumper if you go anywhere near DFW.


Look for Hiway 16 that goes srtaight north out of Kerrville, TX. Smooth paved road, not many chuckholes or patches and very little traffic.  The only concern is keeping your tank full of gas, as there are longer stretches without service stations.

[westondc]

poor boi, thanks for the advice and locations. i'm going to try to add the Wichita Wildlife refuge to our list of stops. sounds like a nice place. might camp there on the second night of the trip instead of Lake Arrowhead near Wichita Falls. i was thinking of taking HWY 281 straight from Wichita Falls to Austin but maybe i'll add a a detour through HWY 16 to Possum Kingdom Lake. Good point on the gas station situation. i'm planning on bringing a few small gas cans for each bike.

[westondc]

Hey Wes - this 'bock's for you!

I'm getting THIRSTY!

I was hoping to catch a taping of Austin City Limits but i guess you cant buy tickets to the shows. they do a free drawing for people who sign up for it. the problem is: you wont know which show and the show date until you've already won. oh well, I'm sure there will be some great bands to checkout at the bars on 6th street while I'm enjoying a ziegenbock

[Stev-o]

Don't worry, there will be plenty of music to hear while you're here in Austin.

[westondc]

Don't worry, there will be plenty of music to hear while you're here in Austin.

actually i was doing some searching and i found that the band "Plants and Animals" are playing at Emo's on June 1st. I'll be going to that show. the're a cool post-classic rock band from Montreal.

a friend of mine said that i need to checkout a place called Ginny's Little Longhorn on the Sunday that were in Austin. Apparently its called Chicken Sh*t day and they bring in a live chicken and there's #'s on each table and if he sh*ts on your table you win the pot!  

[Stev-o]

Don't worry, there will be plenty of music to hear while you're here in Austin.

a friend of mine said that i need to checkout a place called Ginny's Little Longhorn on the Sunday that were in Austin. Apparently its called Chicken Sh*t day and they bring in a live chicken and there's #'s on each table and if he sh*ts on your table you win the pot!  

It's Chicken Sh1t Bingo on Sunday nights! I haven't been there but it's one of those events that is sure to "Keep Austin Weird"!

http://www.yelp.com/biz/ginnys-little-longhorn-saloon-austin

[westondc]

well im just trying out my phone and its ability to allow me to post to the forum. In a bit of a worry at the moment, somehow my drive chain came loose and broke some teeth om my rear sproket. To make matters worse my travel buddies bike is dead with an electrical issue. We are 6 days from our trip departure! Will we get the parts and fix the bikes in time?!

[Stev-o]

And the adventure begins!

Good luck and keep us posted, would like to hook up with you guys in/near Austin if possible.

-Steve

[westondc]

Yo Steve, yeah im planning on getting ahold if you and hanging out when we get to austin. Im guessing we will be rolling into tx next sunday and staying until wednesday the 3rd i think. I just ordered new sprockets and a chain which should be here the day before the trip. We need to locate the electrical problem on deceptibogs cb750 too before we can leave. I'll be sure to keep updated with our progress

[westondc]

well, Eric's bike is running after a quick electrical fix and my sprockets and chain have arrived thanks to Z1 Enterprises. the CB500 repair day is Friday and Saturday morning is the start of the trip (fingers still crossed). here are the tentative dates and locations of our ride to Austin:

Saturday 5/29 7am: leave Lincoln NE for Marquette KS
Saturday 5/29 11am: visit KS motorcycle museum, Marquette KS
Saturday 5/29 1pm: leave Marquette KS for Wichita KS
Saturday 5/29 3pm: visit Wichita KS
Saturday 5/29 5pm: leave Wichita KS for OK City
Saturday 5/29 8pm: arrive in OK City
Sunday 5/30 8am: leave OK City for Wichita Falls TX
Sunday 5/30 11am: arrive Wichita Falls TX
Sunday 5/30 noon: leave Wichita Falls TX for Austin TX
Sunday 5/30 7pm : arrive Austin TX

plans are postponed for a few days

[faux fiddy]

If you get blown over by Tulsa the practice endurance  races start up  at Hallet  in about  8 hours.  Saturday is more various events and Sunday is the sprints. My horoscope says I will be at Hallet  on Sunday with a FullSail in my hand...


http://www.cmraracing.com/schedule.html
***************************************

If you go past OKC another few (18) miles there is camping at lake Thunderbird, Norman, and you can gawk at some tornado damage- Little River  Marina was crunched up into a ball, 270 boats tossed around and there is some more south of the lake that was damaged. Camping is  back open there in most places.

Norman has live music 364 days a year at the Deli on Campus Corner, lots of good local talent and traveling acts, and it's the Univertsiy town. Might be better than OKC for things to do, not sure what's going on in the city of hand.

Either OKC or Norman has several  Henry Hudson's b&g's  scattered around- $1 swill draws from 4-7 and 10-12 Midnight. Bill's in Norman is the same company , same deal, same menu, and sometimes longer happy hours or even happy week sometimes when school is out.


http://thedeli.us/blog/?p=265
http://www.myspace.com/thedelinorman



Library Bar on Boyd street in Norman has the micros for $2 a pint from 4-6.

******************************************************

Here's  another  place  to check out, a bit off the beaten path but you can find it on a map- downtowards Lawton.It's a place!

http://www.meersstore.com/

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/354686/world_famous_meers_burger_of_oklahoma.html

It's  Near the wildlife refuge and is a good lunchstop, non-vegetarian. We made it a part of every trip back from rock climbing in the Wichitas.  I guess they have a brewhouse there now. If you  order a steak dinner they bring a slab out and let you mark it with a knife how thick you want it.


If you have a mechanical  catastrophy before lat saturday I might be able to get you into a shop, so good thing if you can PM with a cel phone.

Buenos~ Huertes

[faux fiddy]

Here's more Metro entertainment stuff..

http://blog.wimgo.com/2010/05/24/memorial-weekend-activities-in-oklahoma-city/

Summerjam sounds kind of Hip-Hop'ish

REO playing at River Wind Casino (we call it 'Neverwin'). Not much of a fan of them..

Collective Soul east of OKC a short zip..Prolly another one I wouldn't put on the pay-to-see list.

***********

Paseo Arts Festival is a good one, live music , etc, in a small Art District east of Western St. and between 23rd and 36th in OKC, and ALL  FREE.

"

Also, the festival will feature more than 40 musical artists performing on two stages. The goal is to bring musical diversity to the Paseo, said Ed Baldwin, South Stage chairman.


On the South Stage, guitarist Greg Ginn of seminal punk band Black Flag will be making his first appearance at the festival Sunday with his instrumental group the Texas Corrugators.

Read more: http://newsok.com/article/3464227#ixzz0pCm6USFK
"   Hmmmmm...! (?)


>>>>>>

The University in Norman has good Art and Natural History (Dinosaur) Museums.

The museum’s showpieces include the renowned Weitzenhoffer Collection, which is the largest gift of French Impressionist art ever given to an American public university and features paintings by such artists as Van Gogh, Monet, Degas, Renoir and others. The museum also has extensive holdings of 20th-century American painting and sculpture, traditional and contemporary Native American art, art of the Southwest, ceramics, photography, contemporary art, Asian art, and graphics from the sixteenth century to the present. In addition to showcasing the permanent collection, the museum hosts special exhibitions throughout the year exploring the art of various periods and cultures. 

And if you are into Guitars, I've been meaning to get up to see this new thing. I guess it's a permanent installation but I'm not sure.

http://www.nationalcowboymuseum.org/info/MediaRelease.aspx?ID=263.



Maybe save  some roadside attractions for the way back through.

[westondc]

poor boi thanks for the info, I'll be looking into it as soon as i can figure out what to due to get my bike back on the road.

had to replace the chain and sprockets the other day. did a 400 mile shakedown run. ran great! the PO had the wrong sprockets on "34 tooth on the rear" and it runs like a totally different bike. when i got back home and prepared for the Austin trip i noticed that i had a big bald spot on the rear tire. look closely and the rear rim was bent. don't really know what to do at this point. i don't want to put a new tire on a bent rim. I'm thinking about switching a rear rim and tire from my CB750 but I'm not sure if it will fit. just bought a nice used CB500 rim and tire off eBay but i don't know when it will arrive. otherwise, if the CB750 rim doesn't fit on the CB500 i will start getting the 76 CB750 ready to take on a trip this week but probably not all the way to Austin. I'm pretty bumbed-out at the moment but it least I'm stuck at home with my bike and not 800 miles from here....

[Stev-o]

Sorry to hear this, but don't worry, Austin will be here for you when you can make it.