Riding in far southeast Texas

[goldfinch]

I am a winter Texan. I spend winters down in the valley, near Mission, Texas. I will be down there in a few days and stay until mid-April

I am fairly new to riding, only starting in this past spring. So, this will be my first year of riding in Texas other than short rides on my old comfort bike. I have both a road bike and a hybrid that has been gussied up with aggressive tires I use for trails. My riding has been mostly in Minnesota and the UP of Michigan.

Any tips, issues, etc about riding in Texas? Are those terrible thorns I hear about from the western US that flatten tires common in this area? I have to confess, in the 1500 miles I put on my bikes this summer I've not yet had a flat. However, I do know how to change a tire and have done so. I know I am going to have to explore to find good and relatively safe roads for riding. I like to do at least one ride a week of 30 to 40 miles and sometimes longer. One of my worries is that I spend winters alone and I don't have a rescue source if something goes wrong beyond putting a phone number for a taxi service in my phone.

[StephenH]

I can't say about that specific area, but the thorn problem you mention is not an issue in north Texas, and I'm not aware of any such issues in far south Texas.

There's a book "Best Bike Rides- Texas" by Andy White that includes a couple of routes in that area. Check at the local libraries down there.

One of the ladies I ride with on occasion was down there earlier in the year, and seems like her complaint was the heat, but that shouldn't be an issue at the moment.

A couple of years ago, I did a ride in south Texas (Duval County) around New Year's Day. The day I rode, it was around 80 degrees, and I wore shorts, tee-shirt, and went through about two gallons of liquid. The next day, I got up, and temperature was in the 40's with a hard wind blowing. So I guess the moral is, watch the weather. I also noticed in Kingsville, that when it was in the upper 50's, all the locals had their heavy coats on.

[10 Wheels]

Get a compass...haha Mission Tx is in South Texas.

Get ready for The Wind........have fun.

Come to The Galvestion Area....You can ride with us. We ride 6 days a week.







http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...League-City-TX

[goldfinch]

Texas is so huge that Galveston is a zillion miles from Mission. Otherwise, I'd love riding with you folks. Unless you zip along at 20mph. I know from spending prior winters there that it can be windy. Stephen, thanks for the tip on the book. I'll see if I can track it down.

[10 Wheels]

We ride slow......Help each other with flats.
Why are you attracted to The Mission area?

http://s256.photobucket.com/albums/h...view=slideshow

http://s256.photobucket.com/albums/h...view=slideshow

http://s256.photobucket.com/albums/h...view=slideshow

http://s256.photobucket.com/albums/h...view=slideshow

[goldfinch]

I go to Mission for the World Birding Center and Bentsen State Park. My number one passion is birding. More even than cycling. I volunteer at the park.

[10 Wheels]

Good hobby..

[goldfinch]

We ride slow......Help each other with flats.
Why are you attracted to The Mission area?

http://s256.photobucket.com/albums/h...view=slideshow

http://s256.photobucket.com/albums/h...view=slideshow

http://s256.photobucket.com/albums/h...view=slideshow

http://s256.photobucket.com/albums/h...view=slideshow

Nice pictures! Especially the portapotties.

[tcs]

Yeah, "far southeast Texas" would be Beaumont. You're in the Valley.

I was there for a week and a half in early September (continuing with the birding theme, before any snow birds arrived) and saw quite a number of riders, including a couple guys using the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park as a turn-around on that morning's ride. Ask locally when you get there - it shouldn't take long to hook up with some rides/riders.

[Creakyknees]

If you're staying at the park, those roads look pretty rural / quiet in the area. Consider heading West toward Las Palomas WMA using Old Military Rd, then turning North if you want to add miles. If you head East, looks like you get into built-up areas pretty quickly.

Also, try searching for routes on mapmyride.com and ridewithgps.com

[goldfinch]

Yeah, "far southeast Texas" would be Beaumont. You're in the Valley.

I was there for a week and a half in early September (continuing with the birding theme, before any snow birds arrived) and saw quite a number of riders, including a couple guys using the Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park as a turn-around on that morning's ride. Ask locally when you get there - it shouldn't take long to hook up with some rides/riders.

Yeah, in "the valley." I am staying just outside Bentsen-Rio Grande State Park and I volunteer at the park. I'l ask around about rides.

[goldfinch]

If you're staying at the park, those roads look pretty rural / quiet in the area. Consider heading West toward Las Palomas WMA using Old Military Rd, then turning North if you want to add miles. If you head East, looks like you get into built-up areas pretty quickly.

Also, try searching for routes on mapmyride.com and ridewithgps.com

Thanks. Old Military Road is kind of rough after a bit but driving around here today after arriving I think that I am not going to have trouble finding places to put on the miles.

[Mason Red]

I'm in the Beaumont area and last year had a regular group of Goldfinches. Haven't seen them this year, but have a cardinal population. I'm not an avid bird watcher but its a great way to spend a few relaxing moments. Hope the finches get back. Have a good Christmas.