Uncle's Ride the Rio

Adventures in the Big Bend

02/25/08

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February 19 - 22, 2009

Terlingua, TX

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 best 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.

Uncle's Ride the Rio Non-Event:  Uncle is pleased to sponsor this "non-event" event and invites all motorcyclists to join him the last weekend in February for a long weekend of motorcycling adventure.  Ride, trailer, or otherwise get you and your bike out to Big Bend on or around Thursday, Feb 19th.  Spend Friday and Saturday exploring the Big Bend.  Head home on Sunday.

Is this the same Ride the Rio event that's been put on for the past 12 years or so?  Yes and no.  The gentleman who has been the primary organizer of the Ride the Rio event since it was started a dozen or more years ago decided to move on to other things.  Uncle thought the Ride the Rio was too much fun to let die so he stepped up to continue the tradition, with a few changes - namely making it a non-event event and to encourage increased participation by dual sport/adventure riders.

What is a "non-event" event?  It means this ride isn't like other organized rides & rallies.  No sign up.  No registration fee.  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.  Ride when you want, where you want, in the middle of winter and in the middle of nowhere.  Team up and head out on an adventure.  Got a few extra days off?  Then come on out early.  Or stay a few days late.  Uncle will be around and he's a friendly guy.  He can recommend roads to ride, or ride with you, or drink a beer with you, or even toss a few horseshoes with you in the evening (especially if you are buying the beer).

Rider Meeting:  Riders are invited to converge each morning at 9 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. 

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 says stop by his place 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.  Uncle suggests the new El Dorado hotel in Terlingua as the "Uncle approved" hotel of choice. It is a nice place to stay and is centrally located.  The last time Uncle checked single rooms were $79 per night and doubles were $89 per night.  Their phone number is 432-371-2111.  Tell 'em Uncle sent you.

Uncle's has some camping at his place and overflow around the corner at Gareth Park.

There are camp sites at the Study Butte Motor Lodge where you could pitch a tent for a few dollars. 

Dirt or Street?  Is this a dual sport event or a street bike event?  Yes!  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. 

Uncle's got a nice DR350 dual sport bike and will probably be leading a dual sport ride off into the Big Bend boonies, so if you've always wanted to go play in the dirt at Big Bend this is a wonderful opportunity. 

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.  Besides, we are probably going to need a designated driver or two each evening.

Who's In Charge Here?  No one.  You are.  This is a non-event.  No one is in charge and there isn't anyone to complain to if things aren't organized the way you would like them to be.  Tell someone where you are riding to, though, so if you don't come back in the evening someone can alert the authorities to go looking for you.

Will it be Fun?  Yes!  No question about it!  We are going to have so much fun, everything else may pale in comparison.  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.  In any case, if you miss it, you only have yourself to blame.

T-shirts?  Maybe.  We will let you know.

Can we ride in Mexico?  Not only yes, but we think you should seriously consider it.  Actually, 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 a passport or any paperwork to visit it either; just cross the border and head south, you can't miss it.  For you dual sport riders, I've heard there is some good off-road riding in the desert outside Ojinaga.  Somebody needs to go explore that area and get back to us with a good ride report.

Big Bend Pictures:

Uncle at the entrance to Big Bend National Park

Old Maverick Road, Big Bend National Park

The Marfa Courthouse

Pinto Canyon Road - hard to see but there is a rider in this picture

Presidio, TX - established in 1683

Working the curves on the road to McDonald Observatory

Lajitas, Texas and the Rio Grande

Miss the Ride the Rio Non-Event and you won't have anything to smile about

This site was last updated 02/25/08