Riding the Brother's Loop in the Texas Hill Country is an experience you will not forget. Unfortunately most riders pilgrimage to the area to ride the Three Twisted Sisters and never experience another incredible riding route. The Brothers Loop should also be a destination for riders.
Where is the Route
The town of Rocksprings, TX is the northern most point of the route. The corner intersects at US-377 and TX-55. I rode counter clockwise because of the direction I came in from. Taking US-377 out of Rocksprings, TX ride 3.5 miles West until you see Ranch Road 674. The turn is clearly marked with a sign so it's not hard to miss. Ride RR-674 for 56 miles to Brackettville, TX. The next leg is RR-334. Ride it for 28 miles until it ends at TX-55. Head north through Camp Wood, TX and continue on TX-55 for 48 miles until you return to Rocksprings, TX. The route is 135 miles long.
Where I Had Lunch
The restaurants in Brackettville have very odd hours. Most of the ones I looked up would open for a couple hours for lunch, close, then open for a couple hours for dinner again. I didn't want to worry about trying to arrive during their open times so I had lunch in Camp Wood, TX. There is a Smokehouse trailer that parks on TX-55 called Doc Adams. Most riders will go to the Bent Rim Grill in Leakey, TX or the BBQ place down the street. I would highly encourage you to have the Doc Adams BBQ. He is a true artisan that can tell you where he cut his mesquite, how much he uses, how long he smokes the meat, how long he marinates the meat, the smokers he's had in the past to the one he now uses, everything down to detail except the smoke recipes themselves. Most places just ask what you want from the menu, take your money, and hand back mediocre food to fill their belly. Not here, Doc Adams wants to give you an exceptional BBQ experience and has a passion for his art.
The Scenery
The scenery on the Brother's Loop is quite different from the neighboring Twisted Sisters. While there are areas that have the expected rugged rocky clefts, there are actually more open vistas to see. Looking out over long distances you will see tall hills miles away. The mesquite is plentiful and if you ride in the spring after some good rains have moved through, the roadside will be covered in beautiful native flowers. There are also areas with gigantic Texas Sage bushes which are quite incredible to see. I also came across a Border Patrol checkpoint that had been set up for the day.
The Roads
The roads are Ranch Roads. They are very narrow, more so than a typical 2 lane road. There is no shoulder in most areas, simply a drop off onto rocks, gravel, or dirt. You don't want to ride off the road, it could turn into a bad day. There is also quite a bit of loose gravel to be aware of. The river, stream, and draw crossings could have mud, dirt, and gravel if it rained enough for the water to flow over the road so plan to ride a few days after any rains have come through. There are some twisties in spots but most of the curves are longer and further in between. You are able to ride at higher speeds because of this and still enjoy the sensation of cornering. RR-674 has the most hilly roller coaster with turns on the route. The road is very narrow in most places so caution should be a priority because there simply isn't anywhere safe to go if you don't navigate a turn correctly. RR-334 is mostly a long straight road where you can set the cruise control, relax, and enjoy the views. TX-55 has a section of extremely well paved banked curves that you can really lean into at highway speed and have a lot of fun doing so.
The Wildlife
I was fortunate to experience quite a bit of the wildlife of the area. Many times I came upon wild turkey that ran off as I approached. In one instance I came around a corner to a flock of about 20 of them! I tried to stop quickly to try and get a picture but those things are fast and disappeared into the bushes. There were rabbits, lizards, ground squirrels, red headed buzzards, hawks, and deer. Those were the wildlife I saw on just this ride!
Overall Experience
My experience was very positive. I love twisty roads but I also like a variety of different road situations to ride. For me, the Brother's Loop is just as good as its neighboring Twisted Sisters in its own way. For those riders that just want to ride high speed through a lot of sharp curves one after another, it probably won't satisfy. If your a touring rider that likes to take their time, take in the road, let the experience talk to you, and take in the scenery along the way it is a spectacular ride.
Ride Map of the Brother's Loop
Below is a link to a google map that you can use from your phone. Click on the picture for the directions. It covers the route only. You will have to decide the directions you take to get there. Enjoy the ride!
Ride Strong Wrench Proud
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