Current Weather Report:
Local Motel a Number of Riders Frequent:
Select Inn -
<Map>
Interstate 27 and Hwy 86
Tulia, Texas
Phone: 806-995-3248
Lasso Motel
125 S. 87th Ave.
Tulia, Texas
Phone: 806-995-3007
Liberty Suites
912 N. Hwy 87
Tulia, Texas
Phone: 806-995-4300
Above, there are links to other motels in Tulia but, I recommend the Select Inn! Also, in their parking lot is a Grandy's
restaurant, convenience store, and gas station.
Directions to Riding Area:
Up to a point, the driving directions will be very different depending on whether you are coming out of
Houston, Austin, Dallas, etc. (Duh!) Basically, the central starting point for all of us will be Abilene.
Exactly how you get that far, I will leave up to you. But, the fastest way is probably by Interstate...
From Houston - Take I-45 North to Dallas. In Dallas, take I-20 West toward Abilene. See
"All" below...
From Austin - Take I-35 North toward Dallas/Ft. Worth. Take the I-35W split toward Ft.
Worth. In Ft. Worth, take I-20 West toward Abilene. See "All" below...
From Dallas - Take I-20 West toward Abilene. See "All" below...
All - Here is a (map) that shows the detailed driving directions from Abilene to the Select Inn in Tulia. As indicated,
from Abilene, you are still headed West on I-20. About 35 miles beyond Abilene, take exit 238A. This will be
US-84, headed WNW, toward Lubbock. From Lubbock, take I-27 North until you reach exit 74 outside of Tulia. Turn
left, on TX-86, cross over the freeway, and you will see the Grandy's/Select Inn parking lot. For all the other
motels, exit I-27 and turn right on TX-86 into the town of Tulia.
Riding Area - The riding area is known as
Lake Mackenzie (Mackenzie Reservoir). From Tulia,
take TX-86 East toward Silverton. About 30 miles outside Tulia, you will reach the intersection
of TX-86 and 207. Turn left, onto 207, and proceed North. About now, you will be wondering where in the totally
flat, desolate, farmland we are going to have a trials competition. About 10 to 15 miles after you have turned on 207,
you will start dropping down into Tule Canyon. Shortly thereafter, you will find the entrance to Lake Mackenzie on
your left. Once you turn into the park, from 207, proceed to your left and across the dam. Beyond the dam, you
will come to a split in the road. The park sign in area is easily seen, once you reach this point.
What to Expect:
Some of the roads are crushed rock and some are dirt which get slippery when wet. The roads are narrow so, turning
around with a trailer
typically requires that you find one of the picnic areas with a loop at the end. In 1999, the park folks
prepared a large parking area for us. Some parked here and others went on to setup at one of the many covered picnic
areas close by. There are public restrooms and showers located, near the entrance of the park, about a mile or so from
the riding area. The loop was very scenic with a lot of rocky terrain and elevation changes. This is an absolutely beautiful and challenging
area to ride. Well worth the drive.
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