In March, I'll be riding from Dallas to Lake Ray Roberts State Park for a weekend camp-out. I've heard great things about the Greenbelt Trail that runs between Lake Ray Roberts and Lake Lewisville.
I'll be on my loaded Fuji Touring. So, my questions are about the trail surface.
Is it gravel, hardpack or paved?
Is it smooth enough for fat road tires or would it be a miserable ride without an MTB setup?
Just wanting to plan a proper route.
I've ridden part of it, but it's been a while. As best I remember, it is the same type of packed fine gravel as used on some of the Trinity Trails and on the Lake Mineral Wells Trailway. I was on my Worksman cruiser with fat tires, which worked fine, and I think fat road tires would work okay. Figure a couple of mph or more slower than the open road. The roads would likely be a quicker route when it was all said and done.
"be careful this rando stuff is addictive and dan's the 'pusher'."
Was planning on heading up there for a test of my Schwinn Crosscut as soon as I get it reassembled (which should be late next week or so depending on when I get the new cables & casings ordered). I'll try to take some photos and get a report back when I do. But from what I recall (6 years ago or so), StephenH is pretty much on the money.
if the trail is wet, then it's a whole different ballgame...
Check status before you go - they are doing repairs and sections are closed.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/f...fee_rrid.phtml
I've pedaled it on skinny road tires. The southern section is smooth but the northern section is limestone gravel (big chunks) so there's a pinch-flat risk. If you're careful and avoid the sharp stones you should be fine with regular tires but for loaded touring I'd go with fatter, maybe 32's if you can fit them.
It's a nice ride though. Getting to the southern trailhead requires some ugly miles on US380, high traffic, nasty shoulders. At the north end, avoid the last few miles of trail into the park itself from below the dam - the trail surface is loose soft sand with horseprints... no fun to ride. Instead take the paved road up the hill to hwy 455 then to the park entrance.
Best campsite, if you can get it, is the Hawthorn site 29.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publicat...p4503_137n.pdf
"If there is one thing I know about bike racing, it's that people on bike forums would have done it better."
- an internet post
Thanks, everyone for the info!
I'll check the status before I head out, but I'm hoping to take the corridor if it's open.
And for any other geocaching geeks, I'm riding up for the 10th annual Texas Challenge, (a state-wide goecaching competition).
http://www.geocaching.com/seek/cache...4-3bbb0a6a035f
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