Texas - san Antonio/lackland area

I'm at lackland for a few months. I did some driving around and it seems like all the roads right in the area are bad for riding since the base is surrounded by freeways. Does anyone know somewhere here or within a short drive that is good for riding? Even if its a long drive I will make due but no way will I be able to go 3 months without some riding.

Hey! You're in my old stomping grounds! I grew up right down way there at Five Palms and Timberrock! Man, I had a good childhood living in that area.

I'm sorry I can't help you though. It's been well over 20 years! I used to work at the old Levi Strauss on old HWY 90 and ride my bike to and from work though. But I bet it's a lot more busy now.
Good memories though. I recall one time that I was out visiting my sister in a neighborhood farther south (Indian Creek I think) and I had ridden my bike there and on while on the way back three guys tried to catch me running so they could steal my bike. That was the first time I've ever felt like I was really stomping on those pedals! Unfortunately, I think the neighborhoods farther south have gone downhill.

Another good memory was when I rode my bike from my sister's apartment (same sister) up by the San Antonio airport all the way back home. Took me about 3-4 hours I recall.

Anyway, thanks for the memory lane. I hope someone finds a nice ride out in the area for you.

Go up north toward Blanco and hit the hills up in there.
Alternatively, you could give a call to Joe at Joe's Pro Bicycles. He's got a lot of riders in the area and can prolly hook you up.

I just got back from SA and rode starting from Helotes up to Fredericksburg and back - 115 miles of serious hills. I can get you some routes if you like.

I just got back from SA and rode starting from Helotes up to Fredericksburg and back - 115 miles of serious hills. I can get you some routes if you like.

That would be great. Ill take any info you got. Even just naming a few decent roads would help.

Take 1604 to Blanco. Park in one of the centers there, then ride Blanco up to Specht, turn right on Specht, Left on Bulverde Lane, Left on Bulverde Road. Take Bulverde Road up to Hwy 46, turn left on 46, turn left on FM3351 (Ralph Fair), turn left on Ammann, turn right on Blanco, and head back down Blanco to your car. Should be 30-35 miles or thereabouts (can't map it out on mapmyride here at work or I would).

Or, turn right on 46 for 1.5 miles, turn right on Old Boerne Road, follow thru the stop sign to Starbucks. Then go back the way txags92 says.

Great route, part of my regular one.

Hi 92, I thought it was you. (-;

As soon as I saw you replied to this, I didn't even have to read it to figure out it was you.

As for rides closer to the lackland area, you might check into routes out around Helotes. I know there are some good ones out there, but I have never ridden out that way.

I parked in Bulverde and took farm road whatever East towards New Braunfels. It is nice terrain but damn was it windy. Is it always just crazy windy around here?

Not really...usually this time of year the wind dies down more. Spring is usually windy, late summer is usually dead calm. Next time, try riding west down Bulverde Road and out and back down Ammann Road. Alot fewer cars that direction and some crazy steep but relatively short hills.

late summer is usually dead calm.

Not sure I agree with you on this. As long as the days are sunny and hot the wind will usually pick up as the sun rises. I have plenty of experience training in late summer for the MS150 (October) and have not experienced "dead calm" as the norm. Maybe you mean the late summer that begins in October. :)

Usually on weekend rides I try to get out as soon as there is enough light. But for weekday rides that I get in after work I have a tough slog into the wind and then get to turn around and enjoy a speedy return.

I didn't see anyone mention this but the Mission Trail offers some good riding for around 20 miles with a mix of roads and asphalt trails. You can start at Mission Concepcion and get all the way down to Mission Espada and return. Lots of good history, scenery, and it is pretty safe these days.

Check out the park map on the NPS site. http://www.nps.gov/PWR/customcf/apps/maps/showmap.cfm?alphacode=saan&parkname=San%20Antonio%20Missions%20National%20Historical%20Park

get this:

http://thefacts.com/store/roadsforweb.jpg

study it.

All I know is that my FIL near Bergheim gets his water from a windmill and late summer the last 3-4 years, he has had a tough time for weeks at a time getting enough water and has had to run a hose down to his tank from another well with an electric pump. I also know that along the coast from Corpus to Houston, the flattest seas and lowest winds (outside of when hurricanes are around) are in august and early september. I suspect that the winds are different up on the escarpment and plateau versus down on the south and east sides of SA due to the elevation changes and vegetation types. SA may get more wind than the plateau does just due to downslope winds. Of course late september and into october is a totally different story...we start to get fronts moving in and those will definitely jack up the winds. I have ridden 4 Bike to the Beach MS150s as well, and only one of them had winds less than 15 mph.