The Texas Adventure  Co.

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01/09/10

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February 25 - 28, 2010

Terlingua, TX

Registration is now open - download the registration form here

Big Bend is full of fantastic motorcycling adventures.  From one of the best twisty paved roads in Texas (Hwy 170 from Terlingua, TX to Presidio, TX) to the most scenic dual sport road in Texas (Pinto Canyon Road), Big Bend is a motorcycling paradise.  It doesn't matter whether you ride a street-only motorcycle, an adventure touring bike, or a true "street legal dirt bike" there are a wealth of riding opportunities for all motorcyclists in the Big Bend area.

Around the Bend:  All motorcyclists are invited to join me the last weekend in February for a long weekend of motorcycling riding and adventure.  Ride, trailer, or otherwise get you and your bike out to Big Bend on or around Thursday, Feb 25th.  Spend Friday and Saturday exploring the Big Bend.  Head home on Sunday.  If your schedule permits, feel free to show up early or stay late.

What kind of event is this?  It's a casual event.  No pre-determined course for everyone to ride.  No banquets.  No set schedule to follow.  Just show up, ride, and have a great time.  Whether you attend by yourself or bring your friends, there will be others to ride with.  Grab some buddies and ride when you want and where you want.  Have an adventure.  Got a few extra days off?  Then come on out early.  Or stay a few days late. 

Rider Meeting:  Riders are invited to converge each morning at 8 a.m. at Kathy's Kosmic Kowgirl Kafe to meet up, find someone to ride with, and/or select the day's route.  Come early if you want breakfast or to enjoy Kathy's campfire (highly recommended).

Evenings:  Each evening at 6 p.m. there will be an informal rider gathering on the front porch of the Starlight Theater / Terlingua Trading Company to drink a few beers, grab a meal, and share the adventures of the day.

Hanging Out at Uncle's Place:  Uncle's got a nice place in Terlingua.  Please feel free to stop by and say hello.   The grid coordinates to Uncle's place are 29°18'49.32"N  103°36'33.39"W.

Sleeping:  Need a place to sleep? Grab a room at one of the local motels; there are several to choose from.  I suggest the El Dorado hotel in Terlingua as "hotel central".  It is a nice place to stay and is centrally located.  The last time I checked single rooms were $79 per night and doubles were $89 per night.  Their phone number is 432-371-2111. 

Want to camp?  Free camping is available at Gareth Park (across the street from the El Dorado Hotel).  The land is private property but the owner allows us to use the land during this event.  It's just raw land, so no hook-ups or anything like that.   It does have an outhouse, though.  In the past, most campers end up at Gareth Park, which can be good and bad (good = lots of folks to hang out & visit with;  bad = might be a little too close to snoring campers;  the good probably outweighs the bad).  There are also several pay camp sites where you can pitch a tent for a few dollars.  See the Big Bend ride guide for a list of all the motels & camping places.

Dirt or Street?  Is this a dual sport event or a street bike event?  Yes!  It is both.  Both dual sport and street-only riders attend Around the Bend.  It doesn't matter what you ride, there will be places to ride and people to ride with, so come on out.  You won't regret it. 

There are some awesome paved roads in the Big Bend area that really shouldn't be missed, especially if you are a Texas motorcyclist. 

Lots of dual sport riders show up to ride the Big Bend boonies, so if you've always wanted to go play in the dirt at Big Bend this is a wonderful opportunity to do so. 

What if you don't have a motorcycle?  That's okay, come on out anyway.  There is lots of cool stuff to do in Big Bend in the middle of the winter and the weather is nice.  Go do your own thing during the day and hang out with us in the evening.

Will it be Fun?  Absolutely!  No question about it!  Unless you don't like riding, then you won't have any fun.  If you haven't ridden in Big Bend before you simply don't know what you are missing.  If you have, then you already know how much fun it is. 

T-shirts?  Yes, we have t-shirts and they look good.  Order one with your registration because only a very few extras will be available for purchase during the event.  If you wait till the event, the odds are that you probably won't get one.

Can we ride in Mexico?  Absolutely.  There is a really awesome canyon (Peguis Canyon) about 25 miles south of Ojinaga, Mexico that is well worth a visit.  You don't need to do any paperwork to visit it either; just cross the border and head south, you can't miss it.  Bring your passport or passcard though, because you will need it to get back into the United States. 

For the dual sport riders, the map shows some good off-road riding in the desert outside Ojinaga.  My intent is to go explore some of it this time around and I'm hoping a few dual sport riders will join me.  Again, bring your passport or passcard.

Registration is now open - download the registration form here

Big Bend Pictures:

Old Maverick Road, Big Bend National Park

The Marfa Courthouse

Presidio, TX - established in 1683

Working the curves on the road to McDonald Observatory

Lajitas, Texas and the Rio Grande

Miss the Around the Bend Non-Event and you won't have anything to smile about