Had a little Texas driveabout last week, pretty cool.

Me

[West Texas Chuck]

"Solo Mas Fina"

[West Texas Chuck]

That's my story and I'm sticking to it. No female that needs to warm-up/cool-off/eat/pee/whatever, just a man and his truck. And his mountain bike, and his binoculars and cameras and, oh yeah BEER.

Figured I'd hit 287N and drive until I hit the turn for Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Truck ran 9.4 mpg on this leg. - Rode my mountain bike on the trails in the park, at least until the park rode me. Hit a little drop that was a foot and a half more than I thought and had the weirdest crash. Went over backwards and rolled. From a near over-the-bars situation. Only thing I can figure is I was so far out over the back wheel with my big old fat butt that when it came down and the front fork rebounded I was in a damn wheelie and lost it. Got up, dusted off, not hurt. Jump on and try to ride ... back wheel is bent and rubbing inside the left chainstay. Fack, limp up the road to camp and load up and head into Amarillo, destination Hill's Sport Shop for repairs. Repaired, I pay the nice man and head back to camp. That was too easy.

Load up and head to Quitaque, little spot called Caprock Canyons State Park. Truck got 10.2 mpg on this leg. - Sky sucks, cloudy and drab, but caught a nice sunset over the lake by total assident.
Rode the trailway and it was uphill into about a 40-mph-er from Monk's Crossing to South Plains. Took about 3.5 hours, coming back was an hour and a half, the real reason people ride that trail, but was dark when I got back to camp. Lost my brand new Fenix flashlight that night.

Drove down to San Angelo State Park. Truck got 10.455 mpg on this leg. - Rode SASP like I owned the place (NOT) and only got lost twice. I always get lost down there, it is awesome trails but only recently have they properly mapped the joint. Had my ride, drank a few Stones, hit the sack.

Drove to X-Bar Ranch next, Eldorado TX. Truck ran an astounding 11.1 mpg on this leg !!! - Did the 2013 Star Party and the sky was as glorious as I have ever seen, just stunning. Problem was I was just about brain-dead at this point and so tired I think I crashed a little before midnight. Shot some star trails, ate (finally) and just tried to enjoy.

Seven Days, Six Nights, I'm about 30 years too old and 30 lbs. too heavy for this. Once, a week of sleeping in the truck was lightweight, but this trip was work. I'm just glad the weather did not punish me and I got some purty skies to enjoy a couple of nights.

-- PS - Apparently that crash at PDCSP had a little bit more serious effect than I first thought:

Guess I'll be needing a new mountain bike, that is a snapped seatstay right there Clark.

Goodbye old friend, we been at it since 2001, and you got me home when I didn't even know I was screwed. Mucho Garcias. Everybody knows "aluminum is temporary, Glory is Forever"

[DManA]

I know every trail in the lone star state / ‘cause I ride the range in a ford v8 / Yippie-yi-yo-ki-yay

[Army Air Corps]

I have hiked around Caprock Canyons State Park many, many times.

[Jane Long]

Looks like you had Happy Texan Trails, amigo! Nice sunset pic.

[yetidog]

Very familiar with your journey and locales. Please keep in the furure this information from the general public as I don’t want anyone else around here.

[West Texas Chuck]

Rascal. How did you know?

[DManA]

Well, I’m an old cow hand.

[Errant]

There are custom bike shops that can weld that alloy frame right as rain for ya... You might have to ship the frame to them if there are none in your area.

[gettinolder]

Thanks for sharing. Back-roads trips are the greatest!

[FlyingEagle]

Congrats on the road trip!!

[Thorliveshere]

Are there parts of Texas that has a lot of trees and lakes. I like trees and lakes, that’s why I like Minnesota, but...I’m getting pretty close to jumping to new climes...

[thestob]

just in case anyone else is headed that way...

the best place to ride at Caprock Canyons is the old ranch road that runs along the backside boundary of the park...it’s on the map, so much fun...

Givens Spicer & Lowry “jogging” trail is a great mountain bike ride in Palo Duro, not single track or anything for sure ...but, lots of fun and great scenery

really like the hike down from the visitor center to the amphitheater at Palo Duro Canyon too...I think its called the Triassic Trail ..great views along the canyon wall

[Thorliveshere]

Okay, checking it out on google maps. Wow, some beautiful country. I could adapt.Don’t if the wife could. She hates big bugs, and dangerous bugs... dang....we’ll see what happens. :)

[okie01]

Wow, some beautiful country. I could adapt.Don’t if the wife could. She hates big bugs, and dangerous bugs... dang....we’ll see what happens. :)

For your wife's benefit, be advised that most all the outdoors in West Texas will either bite you, sting you or stick you.

[Thorliveshere]

Fortunately, I was looking on the east side....but I’m sure there are crawlies there she wouldn’t care much for either.