Route Summary
Whether you are coming from Burnet or Killeen, this 50-mile ride passes through numerous small towns. From sharp turns to open sweepers, this route has a variety of corner types for riders to enjoy. There are also several bridges to stop at to take in the view.
This route had fatal and incapacitating crashes between 2010 – 2023. In Texas, drivers are not assigned “at fault” in a crash, but law enforcement can assign ‘factors or conditions’ that contributed or may have contributed to a crash. Multiple ‘crash factors and conditions’ can be assigned to one, some, or all vehicles involved in a crash.
The following tables represent data extracted from the Texas Department of Transportation’s Crash Records Information System (TxDOT’s CRIS).
| Safety (2010-2023) | |
|---|---|
| Crashes | |
| Fatalities | |
| Serious Injuries | |
| Top Weather Crash Condition | |
| Top Lighting Crash Condition | |
| Top Road Crash Condition | |
Crash Narrative Summary
The following list is a summary of the crash events and conditions that have been described by officers investigating crashes along this route. The investigating officer provides his/her opinion of how the crash happened and will emphasize or explain, as necessary, any pertinent facts that are not fully explained elsewhere on the crash report. This section is meant to supplement the above data tables by providing further insight and “clues” into what factors and conditions contributed or may have contributed to crashes along this route.
- Crashes along this route involved motorcyclists traveling at an unsafe speed or speeding over the limit in a curve. Riders lost control and left the roadway, entering bar ditches and striking fences. In some crashes, there was evidence of, or riders advised they had applied their brakes abruptly to regain control. Don’t forget that your bike’s front brake can supply as much as 70% of or more of your stopping power. One of the most important skills a rider needs to develop is always using the front brake for slowing down (MSF).
- 89% of crashes on this route were single vehicle crashes. Contrary to popular belief, most severe motorcycle crashes do not occur in a collision with another vehicle at an intersection. A rider is more likely to be involved in a single motorcycle road-way departure crash than in an intersection related crash.
- Several riders advised they were traveling 10 – 15 MPH above the posted speed limit and failed to heed warning signs. Excessive speed can lead to worse injuries in the event of a crash.
- 78% of crashes occurred along a curve. Learning exactly how to engage in the brakes on your motorcycle is an important skill. A rider needs to be able to apply the brakes hard in a panic stop, but not so hard that it locks up the wheels.
- Riders who were killed along this route had a BAC of 0.136. If you want to have a drink with your fellow riders after your ride, make sure to plan ahead and have a sober ride home.
- Never pass a slower vehicle in a no passing zone. You never know what vehicle is approaching from the oncoming lane. It's a no passing zone for a reason.