2025 Hill Country 500 - Fall

The Hill Country 500 is a self-guided, two-day, 500 mile adventure challenge in the Texas Hill Country designed for street legal dual sport and adventure bikes. You will be challenged to complete 500 miles of mixed riding (dirt and pavement) over two days on the best roads in the Hill Country. There will be a southwestern route and a northeastern route. We will divide into small riding groups (Ideally 6 or fewer). Each individual group can decide which route to run either day.

The Tracks:

What to expect:

The course will be big bike friendly and beginner friendly. The dirt sections will be typical Hill Country dirt roads, mostly class 1 and 2 with numerous low water crossings. This is an adventure challenge endurance event so you should be comfortable riding off-pavement and ready for two long days in the saddle. We will be riding public paved and unpaved roads – there is no off-road or single-track riding. This is not a race or a timed event, but it will be fun for veteran riders and rookies alike!

Organization:

We will divide into small riding groups (Ideally 6 or fewer). Recruit some friends and create your own group, or show up at the riders meeting Thursday and we will help groups get together. You will meet people and make new friends!

Preparation:

Your bike should be in good working order and have at least a 130 mile fuel range. You should have all the necessary tools with you to repair a flat (the single most common problem during an adventure ride) or handle typical problems with your particular motorcycle. Please don't rely on others to have the tools and parts to fix your bike in the event it breaks.

Gear:

Everyone participating is operating at their own risk, and expected to wear full safety gear: Helmets, motorcycle jackets/pants, boots, gloves etc. at a minimum. Hydration packs are also encouraged.

Navigation & Communication:

GPX files will be provided. This event is a self-guided tour. You should be familiar with navigation via GPS devices/apps. If you are not, we can pair you with other riders who are. Comms units are encouraged. Most riders will use Sena or Cardo. I prefer Sena for the ease of their Open Mesh Network.

Rally Headquarters:

Lone Star Inn

1804 Sidney Baker

Kerrville, Texas 78028

830-896-8200

https://lonestarinnkerrville.com/

*** You Must CALL the hotel in order to get our special room rate of $85 plus tax (per night) for a single or a double (same price for either.) This is the same rate they gave us last year. To get the $85 rate, mention "Hill Country 500" when you call.*** I have confirmed with the hotel that they did not sustain any damage during the 4th of July storms and they are open for reservations.

Alternative options:

The Lone Star Inn is one of the most economical properties in the area. If the Lone Star Inn is booked, there are multiple other hotel options nearby. For example:

Motel 6 Kerrville is next door to the Lone Star Inn.

1810 Sidney Baker St, Kerrville, TX 78028

(830) 201-3798

Kerrville-Schreiner Park for camping, RVs, or Cabins:

2385 Bandera Highway

Kerrville, Texas 78028

(830) 257-7300

kerrpark@kerrvilletx.gov

The itinerary:

Thursday, November 6th:

• 5-7 pm, rider check-in, Lone Star Inn parking lot.

• 7 pm, riders meeting, Lone Star Inn parking lot.

• 8-9 pm, storytelling & tire kicking, Lone Star Inn parking lot.

Friday, November 7th:

• 8 am – 5 pm, ride Day 1 route, ~250 miles, mix of dirt and pavement.

• 5-9 pm, storytelling & tire kicking, Lone Star Inn parking lot.

Saturday, November 8th:

• 8 am – 5 pm, Ride Day 2 route, ~250 miles, mix of dirt and pavement.

• 6-8 pm, group fajita dinner, Acapulco Mexican Restaurant, Kerrville

• 8pm - Midnight, storytelling & tire kicking, Lone Star Inn parking lot

Sunday, November 9th: go home

Registration cost is $80.00 per attendee:

Early registration: Now through October 1st. If you register by October 1st, you will get a custom HC500 2025 T-shirt and sticker(s). Registration fees cover event attendance, GPS routes, and group fajita dinner Saturday evening (including soft drinks).

***Registration does not include hotel/lodging***

GPS: I will email the GPX files to everyone who registers. Please include your email address with your registration. If you don’t receive a confirmation email with the GPX files attached, then I did not receive your registration, you did not include an email address, or I made a mistake and failed to email the confirmation to you. In any case, if you don’t receive a confirmation email then please contact me and let me know so I can correct the situation. GPX routes are subject to be adjusted as we get nearer to the event depending on road conditions from the recent flooding. I will notify of any changes via email.

Refunds: If you register but you need to cancel, I will gladly refund 100% of your money if you cancel before October 1st. If you cancel after October 1st you will receive a partial refund because we will have already ordered shirts, stickers, and made dinner arrangements by then.

Weather Decision: In the event of impending bad weather, we will make a weather decision Tuesday November 4th and post it to this thread.

Swag:

We can't wait to see you there! This event is a fantastic long standing Texas Adventure Riders tradition and we are all thrilled that it is continuing for another year!