Highway 16 heads north from San Antonio to the towns of Bandera, Kerrville and points north. For a short day or overnight ride follow highway 16 north to Bandera. From Bandera you have two choices, stay in 16 all the way to Kerrville or bear off on 173. If you are not an experienced rider it is better to take 173 north to Kerrville as 16 goes over Medina Mountain and has some sharp turns. If you take 16 is it highly recommended that you strictly obey the posted safe-speed signs. Along the way the Koyote Ranch offers good food and fine rooms. A nice side trip is west on FM (Farm Road) 1050, through Tarpley, Utopia, Vanderpool and into Leakey. If you head this way be sure to gas up in Medina as it is the only fuel in the area. From Leaky you can head up 83 and east across 39 to Kerrville. When you get to Kerrville you can swing back on either 16, 173 or Interstate 10 back to Austin.
Another short day-trip or over-nighter is the 80-mile ride though the north end of the Hill Country from Austin to Fredericksburg. From Austin take Hwy 290 West. At Henley follow 165 (south) to Blanco and then onto FM 1888 west to Luckenbach. Follow FM 1376 north, back to Hwy 290 and head west to Fredericksburg. Along the way, Blanco State Park has swimming and camping, with lean-tos. Luckenbach has a beer joint, dance hall and a general store that has been open since 1849. Fredericksburg has shops, restaurants and hotels.
Called the "Hundred Mile Loop" and the "Three Sisters" Ranch Roads 335, 336 and 337, form a 95-mile circuit from Leakey over hills and through canyons. Also affectionately nicknamed the "Three Twisted Sisters" because of the winding nature of the route, with one 15-mile section holding approximately 65 curves with steep cliffs; this route is not for the novice. Take RR 336 north from Leakey. At hwy 41 turn south on RR 335 and continue until it connects with Hwy 55. At Camp Wood head east on RR 337, which was voted the best road in Texas by Ride Texas Magazine, all the way back to Leaky. For lunch there is the Bent Rim Grill in Frio Canyon. Be sure to top off your tank in Leakey.
