Kickapoo Creek Revisited

Route does a loop and crosses Kickapoo Creek twice~!

I've ridden this route many times, since it was the first 100km Rando Route I made when I got to Texas. Made a few changes to the original route, but nothing too drastic. About time I did an informational video

Same start place in Avery, TX and several other of my routes. Either you start at the 7-11 (NO, not the 7-Eleven you're used to seeing everywhere) or the local Dollar Store (which opens at 8:00 AM). It's the 7-11 this time. Rolled over for a late morning start.

Big sign at Phillips Hardwood outside DeKalb, TX

 Grabbed a bar and headed eastward on Hwy. 82 to lite traffic and a headwind. Managed to catch a
little of the NETT (North East Texas Trail) before DeKalb. Nice riding on trail leaves between rows of trees before exiting by the Phillip's Hardwood mill. They have a nice sign there about trees.

Short stop for receipt at the Donut Shop. Lady working today from Cambodia. She kept asking "How are you?" I gave various answers, multiple times before it came to me... she was asking "How old are you?" "Not 80 yet", was my answer. The conversation deteriorated from there as I headed for the door.

Kickapoo Creek south near Boxelder, TX

New route adjustment goes south on Runnels St./FM992. No bike lane and no traffic to speak of. The turn west made for easy riding, as the tailwind pushed me into a false notion that I was fast! Stopped for a dead hog photo.. near the same place as months ago I did have a near-run in with a group of wild boars that nearly took me out on an dark early ride. No traffic along these roads as I turned at the Lydia junction on Road 44 toward Boxelder town.

Met a way-out runner, running in the traffic lanes before Boxelder. Left turn on Rd. 412 in Boxelder. Chev PU was parked in the middle of the road. Driver was out chatting with rancher and another friend. We all waved as I sped by toward the Kickapoo Creek Bridge. Short stop at the Bridge. Water was low and it was quiet. After a few pictures I was off into side winds northward toward Clarksville.

Attack dogs? NO! I put away my Mace bomb!

Big ranches & cotton fields s along FM412 as the sun was out and temps were nearing 70. Good riding weather for December in Texas.

Several miles on dirt road  4115. It was all dried out and fast. Toward the end, I noticed several dogs on the road ahead.. OH, oh. Got out my police certified Mace, shook it up good and got ready. These dogs were friendly and didn't even bark!

Northward to Clarksville on new, rough Co. Rd. 910. Missed several turns in Clarksville, but can't get lost there. Made my usual stop at McDonald's and got the normal poor service. After a hot-fudge sundae topped with GU Gel... bottle refill, I was off thru town and into more headwind riding back to Avery.

Kickapoo Creek north near Annona, TX

Wide bike lane and a bit more traffic as I plowed eastward, hoping the roadside trees would ease the headwind. One picture of note was a photo stop at Kickapoo Creek. Yes, the Creek starts way up north of Annona and goes south by Boxelder before joining Cuthand Creek and then the Sulphur River further south.


Kickapoo Creek Video

- randorides