[Aggie97]

So I've had my bike about 8 months now and I do love it, but I'd be lying if I said I've never gotten frustrated about feeling like I'm not doing the type of riding that I bought this for. I live south of Houston (Pearland) and besides old country roads (mostly paved), I haven't ridden much outside of my suburban home area.

I've been trying to coordinate both have some free time, and the Sam Houston National Forest OHV trails actually being open, with no such luck. This past Saturday was no different, but I had a back-up plan. I found some really cool, unpaved country roads that run through the Sam Houston National Forest, and rode those for about 3 hours. It was a blast. It reignited my whole reason for buying this bike.

I started at a trail head for the Lone Star Hiking trail near Evergreen, TX, off of John Warren Road.

Any other Houston area riders out there? We should share ride location options and experiences.

 

[Aggie97]

Apparently I could use advice on rotating pics also.

 

[TW-Brian]

Looks like some nice smooth riding for the TW!

 

[Aggie97]

Looks like some nice smooth riding for the TW!

Most of it was pretty smooth, but a good mix of terrain, sand, rocks, dirt, mud. I would get going pretty good and have to slam on the brakes due to the road being tore up or huge pot holes that stretched across whole road.

 

[ejfranz]

Looks like some interesting terrain.
Check out TrailRun (Greg) he is in the Houston area.
With my old phone I would need to view the pictures in Preview (Mac) and then save them and orientation would stick.

 

[Ken]

I go out to the Sam Houston National Forest on a regular basis. I would be interested in joining you sometime. PM me for contact info. Right now I am waiting for my wheel bearings to show up to slap my bike back together. Did you ride or trailer your Tdub? I have rode the ohv trails a little, I am not really familiar with them. The ohv trails were a pain. I describe it as tree dodging. The different terrain, sand, dirt, rocks/ pebbles was fun but I like to meander and ride not LOOK OUT FOR THAT TREE. I don't currently have the ohv sticker. I know where the ranger station is to get them.

 

[Aggie97]

I go out to the Sam Houston National Forest on a regular basis. I would be interested in joining you sometime. PM me for contact info. Right now I am waiting for my wheel bearings to show up to slap my bike back together. Did you ride or trailer your Tdub? I have rode the ohv trails a little, I am not really familiar with them. The ohv trails were a pain. I describe it as tree dodging. The different terrain, sand, dirt, rocks/ pebbles was fun but I like to meander and ride not LOOK OUT FOR THAT TREE. I don't currently have the ohv sticker. I know where the ranger station is to get them.

Hey Ken,

I'll PM you with my cell. I bought the OHV sticker at the Yamaha dealer in Webster. I hauled the TW up there in my truck bed. Way too far to ride it. Would take me forever. I will give the trails a try at some point but I enjoyed the dirt road riding just as much (I think).

Do you ride the service roads more on the east or west side of 45?

 

[Ken]

i believe it was on the west side of 45. I'll have to see about getting my ohv tag.

 

[Aggie97]

My ride described above was on the east side, near or in town of Evergreen, and rode all the way up to Point Blank.

 

[Aggie97]

Update:

Took the TW back to the Sam Houston National Forest this past Saturday. It's been the first time the OHV riding trails have been open that also coincided with an opening in my calendar.

I'm not going to lie, I was a little intimidated as I pulled into the trail-head parking as everyone there was sporting pretty serious dirtbikes or four-wheelers. I could see everyone checking out what I was bringing in my truck bed as I drove slowly by. Noticed a lot of big smiles and laughs. I wasn't sure if they were good or bad laughs. But as I got out, immediately I had guys approaching me and striking up conversation about the TW. Mostly complimentary and stating the tires should do well as a lot of the trails were very sandy. Everyone was really cool and nice out there.

I realized I need an off road helmet when riding when it's that hot. My helmet does not get enough ventilation at slower speeds with shield down, and with it up, gets too dusty at times. I also could use some better riding gear overall (armor, boots, etc.).

It was a blast and a workout. Lots of sand, lots of whoops. Lots of standing-up riding. I'm feeling the soreness big-time.

I was surprised I did not see any other dual sports out there. Saw a couple dirtbikes with lights but not true street-legal dual sports. Kind of surprised me since you would be so limited to just the trails. Lots of cool looking service roads and fire roads to explore too out there.

 

[johnensd]

I moved to Houston (Woodlands) a few months ago. Just got the TW out a couple weeks ago. Rode the trails in Sam Houston starting at Kelly's Pond Campground. It was a fun ride, but a little more technical than I was looking for. Plus it started raining halfway through and I was sliding all over the place. I think next time I will look for the dirt roads. If you're looking for someone to ride with some time, let me know.