Texas - Fort Worth = Coolness

Ok, my wife and I spent a few days in Fort Worth and we were amazed by the Trinity Trail. We started near Benbrook and road into downtown. What an easy and beautiful ride. Next time I plan to take a nice camera. Funny how dallas is still bickering over what to do along the Trinity river yet Fort Worth marches on and has over 40 miles of trails so far.

Riding in downtown Fort Worth was a hoot too and we also rode through the Botanical Gardens and I was shocked to see so few people on bikes there. What an amazing park and it's basically all free and the two parts that are not free are amazingly cheap to do, like $1 for the Rain Forest exhibit and $3 for the Japanese Garden. That's cheaper than a Coke and bag of Chips.

You guys in Fort Worth have a sweet set up!

Chris

You're correct. About half my daily commute is on the Trinity Trail between Benbrook and downtown.

I hope you didn't miss our awesome museums right next to the Botanical Gardens.

Did you happen to notice how much more considerate drivers are over here? It's great.

Mark me officially jealous.

We've been wanting to go over there and tool around on the Townies for some time.

When you come, note that you can also get to the Fort Worth Cats stadium via the TT as well. Great field and a cheap, fun way to spend an evening.

We ran out of time so we missed the arts district and museums. And I did not note how the drivers treated us since we virtually never road on any roads. I would imagine we broke some law as we rode on the sidewalks of downtown. My wife does not do roads and I don't argue with her, at least not on that topic.

Looks like the Botanical Gardens hosts some sort of summer concert series which would be well worth cycling to.

Chris

Next time I plan to take a nice camera.

Check out my two blogs (linked in my sig file) as well as Rat Trap Press (http://rattrappress.blogspot.com/) for some decent pics of Fort Worth rides.

Totally agree!! Ft. Worth is awesome... last weekend took the TRE from Dallas and then road down to Benbrook and back and then started up another trail.... so many trails!! I was way impressed. Dallas is so far behind, it is pretty sad... I just wish the TRE ran on Sunday's.

Mr Chris: the Concerts in the Garden are excellent and end in a fireworks show that rivals a medium-sized city. Definitely worth a look.

Everyone should feel free to contact the TRE and let them know that you'd ride it if it ran on Sunday.

Are there any good maps of the trails?

Mutt

why, yes.

Yes there are:

http://www.trinityrivervision.org/images/TrinityTrailsmap-7.jpg

Yes indeed, Ft Worth does have it going on! We're planning to ride tomorrow AM from out home in central Arlington ( the heart of the '013' ) to the Hurst/Bell TRE station, take the train to downtown, explore the South Side/Hospital historic district, and ride the train back to Hurst and then on home.

My favorite section of the trail is from Gateway Park to downtown, then further west towards Lake Worth.

Yes, if the TRE ran on Sunday it would make the perfect Sunday ride into downtown for a cuppa coffee.

We'll be back for one of the garden shows. And doohickie I'd already been reading both of those blogs, the pictures are really nice.

A while back, I asked the city and they sent me a paper copy of the trail map- handier than trying to print it off. I assume you can pick it up there somewhere, too.

I think many of the LBS will have hardcopy maps of the Trinity Trails.

http://www.trinityrivervision.org/images/TrinityTrailsmap-7.jpg

Back in the springtime SWMBO and I took our folding bikes and rode DART and the TRE to Ft. Worth for the weekend. A good time was had by all.

We were mometarily flumoxed by the lack of a bike rack at the bike-boom era Kimble (thank you, Louis Kahn!). We eventually locked the bikes to the trees outside the lobby windows (opposite side of the building from the entrance), figuring no one would care if our bikes were stolen but secruity would be all over anyone sawing on one of their crepe myrtles.


I just wish the TRE ran on Sunday's.

For weekend trips, Amtrak runs from Ft. Worth back to Dallas on Sunday afternoons.

BTW, we had zero-zip-nada problems riding the streets of Ft. Worth's cute, quiet little downtown.

Best,
tcs

Mrs. M and I were considering coming to FtWorth on Saturday for a day or riding/culture/zoo whatever.

Would the tandem be out of place or cumbersom on the Trinity Trails?

Or would we be better on single bikes (comfort bike for her, mtb or touring bike for me)?

Advise appreciated.

I think many of the LBS will have hardcopy maps of the Trinity Trails.

Yeah, the bike shops all have the maps.


Mrs. M and I were considering coming to FtWorth on Saturday for a day or riding/culture/zoo whatever.

Would the tandem be out of place or cumbersom on the Trinity Trails?

Or would we be better on single bikes (comfort bike for her, mtb or touring bike for me)?

Advise appreciated.

The only dicey spot would be the low water crossings which have some sharp turns (http://maps.google.com/maps?q=fort+worth&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&split=0&gl=us&ei=wnYwSoPwH5WvtgeojKy5Bg&ll=32.697362,-97.421646&spn=0.001982,0.003412&t=h&z=18). I've seen tandems (including one pulling a trail-a-bike!) negotiate them without too much trouble.

We ride our tandem on the trails all the time. A few of those sharp turns on the crossings we get off and turn the bike whichever way we need.

I ride our tandem with the kiddo often. One cool old couple has a recumbent tandem.