digaz

This area is extremely amazing for bike riders! Wow. I'm wondering if there are road bike meet ups or groups in this area? I would like to make some new friends and perhaps go riding together and learn new things from people in this area.

I've seen a lot of riders in Cinco Ranch Blvd, and Fry Rd at around 4am almost daily. Seems like a great time to bike since there's no traffic at all. Actually come to think of it, I see bikers of all kinds, from mountain bikes, cruisers, fixies and road bikes in this area frequently. I've never seen so many cyclists in one area before living around Houston!

I wish there would be a proposal for a dedicated bike lane in Katy, Fulshear area since there are a ton of riders out here.

the sci guy 

I'd love to try the roads out that way, but I need explicit directions on which roads to go on, where to turn, how to get there and where to park. I've only been here for a year and I've never been out that way so just naming off a few road names and FM#s isn't usually helpful (which is what most people I ask do ).

texbiker

Look at the Houston Cycling Club on Meetup.com. Another place is the Sun & Ski store in Katy Mills Mall, a number of people ride from there. Try tweeting @331miles on Twitter. He rides out there.
Several organized rides take place in that area. Check the event calendar at Texbiker.net.

68venable

That really is an awesome area.

George

You can pretty much ride anywhere you want out here, with no problems. If I do have any problems at all, it will be from a out of town person, that just moved here. They learn after they have been here in short order, that this is a cycling community. Have fun and I'll see you out there.

txags92

The best way to learn an area like that is to go out and ride group rides that take place out there. You will learn routes, places to avoid, places to stop, etc. I know Bike Barn and Sun and Ski have group rides out there and I am sure there are others. You can also do charity rides in the area like the Ride for a Just Cause going out of Simonton this weekend.

Here is a good route to get you started since you asked:

Take I-10 West to FM 359. Take 359 south to the town of Fulshear. Go straight through the stop light at FM 1093 and the very first left after the light is the Metro Park and Ride lot. Park there. For the ride, when you leave the parking lot, turn right on FM 1093, and then turn right at the light to continue east on FM 1093. At the first light you reach, turn right onto Bois D' Arc. Follow Bois D' Arc south several miles and eventually the road will cross a creek and turn 90 degrees to the left. At that point the road becomes Winner-Foster. Follow Winner Foster for several miles until you reach FM 359. Turn right on FM 359. Proceed on FM359 until you reach the light at the intersection of FM 723. You can go across the street and stop at the Shell station, where they have a small covered area with a couple of benches and a bike rack if you want. That leg I just described is about 10 miles. From that intersection, go south on FM 723 to the first available right turn, which is Beadle Ln. Turn right and follow Beadle until it dead ends into Stratman Road. Turn right on Stratman and follow it back north until it dead ends into Winner Foster. Turn left on Winner Foster and retrace your steps back to Bois D' Arc and up to FM 359. Turn left onto FM 359 and go back into Fulshear. That is about a 20 mile loop total. The gas station on the corner of FM 359 and 1093 has several benches out front and almost always has a half dozen or more (sometimes many more) cyclists out front on weekend mornings. If you want more mileage, turn right on FM 359 and head north. Turn left on Hunt Road, Follow Hunt Road west past the 4-way intersection at Pool Hill Road and the next left you can take will be Hunt Lane. Turn left on Hunt Lane and follow it south until you come to an intersection. Turn right and follow Vernon Frost road to the south and west until you reach FM 1489. Turn left on FM 1489 and go south until you reach FM 1093 at Simonton. Turn left on FM 1093 and head back east until you reach the park and ride lot on the right just before you reach FM 359 in Fulshear. Those two loops together are about a 35 mile route, mostly quiet country roads, or busier roads with fairly wide shoulders.

You can add mileage to that route by taking Jordan Road/Woods Road up to Katy and back, taking FM 1489 south to Orchard and back, or by taking FM 1093 west from Simonton to Wallis. You can also ride this route from Katy by parking at Katy High School and riding west on Hwy 90, south on Woods Road and south on FM 359 to get to Fulshear. Note that Jordan Road is the name down near Fulshear, but it is called Woods Road up near Katy. Same road, two names.

digaz

Thanks for the help everyone. I will check it out. But unfortunately the weather is getting too cold for me to ride. Riding in 7C is not my idea of fun.

I would like to start off with maybe a 10-15 mile route. Maybe around the Cinco Ranch/Fry area and then slowly work my way up.

Would be cool to have a meetup at like the Shell on Cinco Ranch Blvd and Spring Green Blvd@Falcon Landing Blvd. Perhaps spread the riders around a bit.

txags92

If you are looking for a shorter route from that area, the route used by the NW Cycling Club's Labor Day DAM ride this year would be a good start. They started at La Centerra shopping center on Cinco Ranch Blvd at 99. Follow Cinco Ranch Blvd west to Spring Green, turn left and go south to Fry, turn right and take Fry west to where it dead ends into Cross Creek Bend Ln and turn left. Turn left on Cross Creek Ranch and right on FM 1093 to Fulshear. The full trip to Fulshear and back from La Centerra would be about 20 miles, but you could turn around at any point and go back for a shorter route.

And welcome to the beauty of winter riding in Houston. It may be cold and raw for a few days, but in another 2-3 days it will be sunny and 65.

68venable

Yes. This is the best time to ride. This weekend's forecast looks not so great though.

txags92

Yeah, I was hoping the rain would hold off until later in the day on Saturday, but it looks like it is probably going to be an all day chance. I just got a bring new jacket via Amazon last night...not sure if I should go out anyway and try it out or not.

digaz

txags that sounds like a great route for me to start off on. Thanks for the help.

Wow, it's down to 5C now outside.

Do you guys know of any reputable bike shops near the Cinco Ranch/Katy/Fulshear area?

68venable

I was hoping to bang out 60 miles in Sugarland on Sunday but now it looks like 37degrees and raining. Oh well. I can always sleep in.

68venable

There's a Bike Barn out there somewhere and Sun n Ski at Katy Mills Mall.

txags92

There is a Bike Barn on Mason at Kingsland that I have always had good experiences with. I will be going out there in the next week (perhaps as early as this weekend) to place an order for a new Trek Emonda. I have been in the Sun and Ski plenty of times to buy miscellaneous stuff, but haven't ever had them do any work on my bike.

George

That's the bike barn I usually go to as well. A bunch of pretty nice guys.

George

You may want to talk to Eddie, he's been their for a long time and knows quit a bit about bikes. He just showed me the Emonda and I would like to buy it as well, but I can't swing it this year. I just bought my Roubaix two years ago. I want to wait for the new one next year. I'm thinking the SL 6.

txags92

I have spoken with both Eddie and Sean out there. I test rode an Emonda SL8 they had in 58 and loved it, but really need a 56. I will be buying the SL6. Or more specifically an SL frame with the Ultegra build. I am just waiting for a check to hit my bank account and then I will be heading out there to place the order.

digaz

I wish there was a dedicated bike lane in this area, would be great. Downtown is in the process of getting one and that's great news. Houston is behind in many ways compared to other cities but it's good to see that they're making an effort. Now if they can expand that out to other areas, especially in the Katy, Cinco Ranch, Fulshear area where there are many riders.

George

Was that the black one with dura ace components. That sure is a sweet bike.

txags92

Yep, that is the one. The only difference between it and the SL6 is the jump from Ultegra to Dura Ace, but Trek wants $1400 more for the SL8 than the SL6. Not sure why that is, when the two groups are only a $400 difference on the project one website. I could probably buy the whole Dura Ace group for close to $1400, so I am not sure why going from Ultegra to Dura Ace on the Emonda is a $1400 difference to Trek. The frame, wheels, etc. are all the same on both bikes. Kinda weird actually...

George

I think I would go for the 6 for the difference in money and put the difference in some nice wheels. I would buy the wheels from the uk though.
You could buy my Roubaix and save a lot of money. Lol
I really wouldn't sell it. I like it to much.
Anyhow good luck and I really think you'll like it.

txags92

That is actually what I am planning...to get the SL6 and upgrade the wheels. I rode a Roubaix and a Tarmac (among about 6 others) and like the Emonda's ride better. Just the right combination of responsive and smooth for me.

68venable

I wish I lived out there just due to the cycling friendly atmosphere. Then a quick connect to George Bush and Terry Hershey Park. I think I'd ride everyday.

digaz

Yup, this area is outstanding for cyclists of all kinds. They need a good bike shop in the Cinco Rance, Fulshear area though. I wouldn't mind seeing one or more of those new buildings in the many vacant plazas turning into one.

txags92

There is a bike shop that will be opening soon in Fulshear. Can't remember the name or exactly when, but I had a friend who knows the owners mention it a while back.