City Escape: Dallas/Fort Worth
This is an entertaining and varied loop located due west of the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area. Dotted with interesting towns and land features, it also offers a sampling of several different road types from straights to sweeping curves and even a few hairpins. The ride can be enjoyed year-round, but the dog days of mid-summer can be sweltering.
Length
Approximately 180 miles
Meet-up Spot
West Side Cafe, 7950 Camp Bowie W Blvd, Fort Worth, TX
Lunch Stop
Mary’s Cafe, 119 Grant Ave, Strawn, TX. Mary’s serves good Texas comfort food in generous portions.
Scenery
Open views, grasslands, lakes, and rock formations make this a ride with ample visual appeal.
Traffic
In close proximity to Dallas/Fort Worth, the traffic is heavy. However, the farther west one travels on this loop, the lighter the traffic.
Difficulty
This is not a technically difficult ride. But as everywhere else in the Texas countryside, stay alert for livestock, deer, and even armadillos.
Road Conditions
There’s a wide variety of tarmac types on this route, and most roads are very well maintained.
Points of Interest
Clark Gardens Botanical Park
Clark Gardens is a 50-acre oasis that transforms with the seasons. It is a carefully maintained panoply of flora mixed with interesting water features. It even boasts seasonal G-scale trains.
Lake Mineral Wells State Park
This state park is a great place for stretching the legs and taking a brief hike if so inclined. The lake is clean and the views are great.
Possum Kingdom Lake State Park
An impressive lake with more than 300 miles of shoreline, Possum Kingdom Lake, a reservoir on the Brazos River, is not consistently visible from the roadway—so, a side trip to the state park or other vantage point is necessary.
Historic Granbury Town Square
This faithfully restored and beautifully maintained historic town square is a great place to shop, eat, and step back in time. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Motorsport Ranch
This “country club for motoring enthusiasts” is a must-stop for gear heads. And if you’re lucky, you’ll see race cars, or better yet, motorcycles navigating one of the ranch’s three courses.