September 12, 2015 was the fifth National Rally Day – and I did a loop up to the north to pick up a few points. My Rally number is getting a little ragged – but it still works – and I had my rally sheet and clipboard ready.
Of course, I made a little run on the highway – and my pencil disappeared. But – I found a pen in the trunk – so all was good.
Here’s the route. Several really nice little roads. Cow Creek road from 1431 to Oatmeal was great – and I decided at the last minute to take County Road 435 south from RM501 to Llano – and it was the best road of the day. The whole route was 383 KM – a nice day’s ride.
Along Cow Creek Road
Cow Creek Road runs from FM1431 to FM1174 near Oatmeal. It’s a 1-1/2 lane paved road which follows along Cow Creek. Nice roller coaster, winding, no traffic.
Cow Creek
Thanks to the recent rain, Cow creek even had water.
Cow Creek Crossing
This is one of the hundred-and-eight-seven (ok – maybe more like 8) creek crossings along Cow Creek road – it weaves back and forth across the creek in this narrow valley. Great way to start the ride.
You have to stop in Oatmeal for a picture – there is actually no oatmeal at the Oatmeal festival. From Oatmeal I took CR 243 up through Bertram and on up to Briggs, then followed CR 223 along the Lampassas River into Lampassas.
Big Dang Flathead
Where they have a big dang flathead catfish in Campbell Park. This was worth a couple of points.
From Lampassas, I headed west on RR501/RR508 – the country starts to feel much more like the western Hill Country out here.
CR 435
After passing through Bend – which takes longer to type than it does to pass through, I stopped to take a look at the map. I was planning to ride RR508 do TX16, and take that south into Llano. But, I wondered if there might be something smaller that cut off RR508 – and here was San Saba CR 435. This was a good gravel road – not too much washboard – enough loose gravel to slide around a little.
CR435
And it had rained the day before – so there were some sections where there was a couple of inches of slick clay mud on the road – this was even more fun!
Burger Bar
When I got to Llano, I almost turned around to run that road again – but holy moley – I was hungry – so I hit the Burger Bar.
And they fixed me up with a burger and tots. Great burger – fresh ground beef – hand formed patty – great veggies – and the tots (most magical of fried potato products) were fried crunchy like I like them. With a giant cup of tea it hit the spot.
Leaving Llano, I took 29 down past Buchanan Dam, and then cut south on Park Road 4. This is a nice twisty/roller coaster of a road with great views of the lake and the valley of the Colorado. My only knock on this road is it’s too popular – so I passed a dozen cars in about 15 miles – which is more than I passed the rest of the day put together.
The valley of the Colorado
The weather was prefect – a cold front had rolled through and dried out the air – blue skies – high was maybe 85F. Great day to ride.
Peanut Butter Pie
Of course, one reason to ride Park Road 4 was to get to Marble Falls and the Bluebonnet Cafe. I was a little early for Pie Happy Hour – but – they set me up with a slice of Peanut Butter pie anyway. Good and good for you.
Great day – great ride.
Kevo