rural routes near Fort Worth?
12-18-14, 07:38 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
rural routes near Fort Worth?
Hi all,
My wife and I will be spending a few days next week staying in southwest Fort Worth, and it looks like we'll have one day to ride where the weather will be decent. We know about the Trinity River trails, but are there any scenic rural routes you would recommend? We're willing to drive to the start of a ride, but ideally not more than an hour.
Many thanks!
My wife and I will be spending a few days next week staying in southwest Fort Worth, and it looks like we'll have one day to ride where the weather will be decent. We know about the Trinity River trails, but are there any scenic rural routes you would recommend? We're willing to drive to the start of a ride, but ideally not more than an hour.
Many thanks!
12-18-14, 08:54 PM
#2
Senior Member
Check the websites Dallas Off Road Bicycle Association and Fort Worth Mountain Bikers' Association | Because the Trail Won't Build Itself! for trail information. Also there might be some events going on. Check Texbiker.net.
12-18-14, 09:23 PM
#3
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We did this route not too long ago and it was enjoyable. You kind of get a little of everything on this one. Riding around Lake Benbrook, up through a very scenic, wooded park trail, on a nice street with bike lanes up onto the Trinity Trails.
We started at 30 and Beach Street, but you could park at Lake Benbrook and go backwards.
We started at 30 and Beach Street, but you could park at Lake Benbrook and go backwards.
12-18-14, 09:37 PM
#4
You gonna eat that?
You could ride around Lake Benbrook. Or you could ride the route of the Cowtown Classic, starting from North Crowley High School and going south. Cue sheets can be found here.
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12-19-14, 08:41 AM
#5
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I second Doohickie's suggestion. The Cowtown Classic routes are pretty nice. The roads a fairly quiet and there are cue sheets for a variety of distances.
12-19-14, 10:34 AM
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The little paved country road of Parker, Hood, Somervell and Johnson Counties are an undiscovered gem of cycletouring. How long of a route are you interested in?
12-19-14, 11:48 AM
#7
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Thread Starter
Thanks for the replies. Little paved roads are just what I was looking for -- anything in the 30 - 50 mile range would be great.
12-20-14, 10:53 PM
#8
Uber Goober
Start at the Palo Pinto courthouse, go a little bit west to FM 4 and head south however far you care to go. About 3 miles south you go down a long hill, be prepared to ride back up it! (That's "Cherry Pie Hill" to cyclists.)
You might check with the Fort Worth Bicycle Association for routes.
You might check with the Fort Worth Bicycle Association for routes.
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12-21-14, 01:36 PM
#9
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"Southwest Fort Worth" is a pretty big area. If you are on the Benbrook side, the Lake Benbrook park roads (bring $1) can provide 17 out-back miles plus another 18 going farther south to McDaniel and Kelly Road u-turning at FM1187. Some of our bike club fast guys continue on south to Godley. I used to ride FM1187 between SH377 and Crowley as part of a circumnavigation around Lake Benbrook for a 37-mile route, but since it was chip-sealed a few years back the FM1187 shoulder is too rough for my tastes.
If you are on the east side of Lake Benbrook, the Crowley Cowtown routes are enjoyable and the streets still have the painted arrows for the 25/45/62 routes. Be aware there are few convenience stores. The FWBA Rusty Chain Gang retirees group rides out there with some variations on the routes for shorter distances.
I also like starting from L.Benbrook then riding out through neighborhood streets to RM2871 to Aledo Road, then the IH820 access road. Cross over the interstate onto Alemeda, west on IH30 access, then Chapel Creek and first left to get onto Old Weatherford road out to Farmer Road and back. 35 miles. Construction on RM2871 is a little dicey so we generally stay on the neighborhood streets where we can.
If interested, I can post links to routes.
Enjoy your visit.
If you are on the east side of Lake Benbrook, the Crowley Cowtown routes are enjoyable and the streets still have the painted arrows for the 25/45/62 routes. Be aware there are few convenience stores. The FWBA Rusty Chain Gang retirees group rides out there with some variations on the routes for shorter distances.
I also like starting from L.Benbrook then riding out through neighborhood streets to RM2871 to Aledo Road, then the IH820 access road. Cross over the interstate onto Alemeda, west on IH30 access, then Chapel Creek and first left to get onto Old Weatherford road out to Farmer Road and back. 35 miles. Construction on RM2871 is a little dicey so we generally stay on the neighborhood streets where we can.
If interested, I can post links to routes.
Enjoy your visit.
