A Short Day Ride
The initial route from Comanche follows the same path as the observation run, using FM-590, as designed by the T.M.R.A. rally crew in April 2014. Our escapade began at dark-thirty. In good conscience, I cannot recommend the start time for the weak of heart. There are two outstanding differences when leaving early as opposed to a normal hour. 1) It is called dark-thirty for a very good reason; it is pitch black. 2) At that time of the morning you will be running with the deer, lots of deer. If neither one of these bothers you, then I highly recommend leaving early so you can be on the bridge at daybreak.
The Regency Bridge
As the sky begins to lighten, the wind whispers it's greeting through the bridge cables accompanied by a the melodic harmony of birds chirping their dawn’s territorial cries.
The first bridge built to span the Colorado River was built in 1903. As lore has it, in 1924, a man was driving cattle across the bridge, farm to market, when it collapsed. A boy, a horse and some cattle were killed. It was rebuilt and subsequently rubbed out in a 1936 flood.
After researching the suggested routes you’d basically come away with two choices. The first time I visited the Regency Bridge I followed the lead of our ride captain on a northern approach. We made a turn south on FM-433 and took an almost 4 mile tour of a dirt road. If that’s your thing, and you’re starting from the north, then the route is doable. If you’d like to avoid the dust in your face (with less than 1 mile of dirt road), I’d suggest the FM-500 access, either from the picturesque TX-45, my preference, or from Hwy 16. Either way offers a stellar Central Texas ride.
Well buckaroos, I’ve just shared one of my favorite spots in all of Texas. If you choose to visit the bridge, I hope it brings you as much joy as it has me.
Don't forget;
ride often, ride hard and ride safe, but mostly ...
ride often, ride hard and ride safe, but mostly ...
