Hamilton Pool Road is really a nice ride but who knew? After riding by Zebras just outside of Houston it should have been passé to see Buffalo outside of Dripping Springs. But a flash of bison! through a crack in the hill country brush made us scoot back for a sanity check. This pasture is well-protected from prying eyes so you have to get lucky. Magnifique.
The Salt Lick is a slice of BBQ paradiso in Hays County near Driftwood, Texas.
For over 40 years the owners have been perfecting the art of open pit and the art of business. It’s family-owned and vertically integrated—they make almost everything they sell including the wine. They even own the ATM machine (it’s a cash-only establishment). Our favorite time to ride-in is around opening (11:00am) on Saturdays but any time any day is just fine. Salt Lick has a special brand of friendliness as unique as their brisket and it’s uniform across the entire staff. Their friendliness gave birth to a tradition of meet & eat that spans all age groups. Young and old just feel great about being there. Most eat outdoors regardless of temperature and Salt Lick somehow makes it seem not so hot. Bring your own or walk over to Salt Lick Cellars—you’ll find estate wine and buckets of Shiner beer.
Houston is the ‘divine centre’ for art. It’s been raining here every day for the past month so our riding strategy has shifted to evenings around dusk after the rush hour. The rain lets-up, the sky clears temporarily, and it’s a great time for urban riding & shooting. You can’t go far in this town without seeing large-scale art displays. “Tolerance” is at the corner of Studemont and Allen Parkway. The multilingual figures sit in a serene setting where a crosswalk over Buffalo Bayou provides a vantage point for viewing fiery sunsets reflecting off the Houston skyline. The whole area is an example of how great urban design creates mojo by virtue of being there. You’ll see quiet fluid movements of hiking, biking, roller blading, and gawking. It has its own rhythm. It’s perfect.
Steel Wheels 