NE TX Training Routes - San Augustine?
 

Mods - If necessary, relocate. It just looks like this would be the best place for this question.

I'm in (flat) southwest Louisiana, and am looking for someplace to get some climbing in. San Augustine looks like the most likely area within a reasonable distance (it's 104 miles each way). I've created a tentative route here. I'm open to going longer, and to alternate areas.

Any problems on this route, such as closed roads? Places that are friendly/hostile to someone parking for a few hours? Recommended restaurants?

Thanks!

seems reasonable... use google streetview to check the shoulders of the hwy's... you might also use google maps "terrain" view to scout, looks like there might be some decent hills in the LA side near Alexandria / Natchitoches

There's an annual stage race (Racing Rapides) in the Alexandria area, and the RR portion is ~85 miles with ~3900 feet of climbing. It's on Strava. I'll probably do it later this year. The route I made up isn't on Strava (yet!), though there are a couple of short segments nearby. There's some likely looking terrain straight east from San Augustine in LA, but no road stuff on any of the websites I've tried.

Update - I did the ride yesterday. It's not too bad - the road is in good shape; there are stores at about the 20 mile and 45 mile points. About half of TX 87 has just been repaved with tar and river pebbles; they haven't even painted the lines yet. Most of the ride has no shoulder...but has a 70 mph speed limit. Local drivers gave me at least enough room, though.

Rapides is pretty flat. What's your drive time to Arkansas? Great climbing there...

227 miles to Texarkana, so figure at least 250. Natchez is about 170. I've heard that Chappell Hill (Houston area?) is pretty good, but it's hard to imagine Houston with hills.

Chappell Hill is further inland, about 100 miles or so from HOU inland you start to get regular prairie rollers. Lots of places in East Tx are closer to you.

Creakyknees - Thanks. Suggestions? Looks like the hills start around Jasper and go north.

Rollers aren't really climbing per se. Good anaerobic intervals but not ideal for other training strategies.

Ex - Understood. On the route I did, my coach suggested that the ~1.2 mile climb at ~mile 36 would be good for hill repeats.

Another possibility. And another one. And yet another.

Those are on the outside edge of what I'd consider driving - ~150 miles each way. I really need to search closer to home, but few people in LA use Strava.