Austin

Texas' capitol has an active mountain bicycling community who have pushed hard for bicycling trails. The City Parks and Recreation Department maintains several. Here are three:

Barton Creek Greenbelt: 7.7 miles long in the southeastern part of town; about half singletrack, with beginner and intermediate sections. One trailhead is at Barton Springs Pool where you can cool off after hot ride. (512/478-0905)

Emma Long Motorcross Park: A 4.5-mile main loop with difficult side trails; 99% singletrack, rocky and technical; northwest of Austin near Lake Austin.

Forest Ridge Nature Preserve: The most extreme riding in the area; 70% singletrack, 30% doubletrack (512/327-5437).

Angelina National Forest

1907 Atkinson Dr., Box 756, Lufkin, TX 75901; 409/639-8620

Mountain bikers are welcome on any trail except those designated for hiking in this eastern Texas forest, which surrounds the Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Note: Biking is not permitted in Upland Island and Turkey Hill Wilderness areas.

Biking season: All year. Other activities include all-terrain-vehicle riding, boating, camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, nature study, swimming, water skiing. Lodging and dining in Broaddus, Etoile, Huntington.

Cedar Hill State Park

Box 2649, Cedar Hill, TX 75106; 972/291-3900

Tight wooded singletrack, stream crossings and fast downhills can all be found at Cedar Hill. The trails are well-maintained by the Dallas Off Road Bicycling Association, which is always looking for more volunteers. Explore the trails around Lake Joe Pool or do a quick climb for some great views of the lake.

Biking season: All year.

Colorado Bend State Park

Box 118, Bend, TX 76824; 915/628-3240

Northwest of Austin on the Colorado River, approximately 10 miles above Lake Buchanan, mountain bikers will find Upper Gorman Creek Trail and River Trail. They add up to nine miles of old jeep roads that are open to hikers and all-terrain bicycles.

Biking season: All year. Other activities include bird-watching, boating, camping, fishing, hiking.

Hill Country State Natural Area

Rt. 1, Box 601, Bandera, TX 78003; 210/796-4413

Situated close to Bandera and about two hours southwest of Austin, this area offers 36 miles of multi-use trails. The area is open Thursday through Monday. Camping is available for anyone looking for a weekend mountain bike adventure, but the campground is closed on Monday. The terrain is limestone.

Biking season: All year. Camping available; call for reservations at the number above.

Huntsville State Park

Box 508, Huntsville, TX 77342-0508; 409/295-5644

Take I-45 to Exit 109 to Park Road 40. Here mountain bikers can view firsthand lush eastern Texas forest scenery on five miles of route. Contact office for current weather and restrictions. Note: Trail may be closed during wet conditions.

Biking season: All year. Other activities include bicycling, camping, canoeing, fishing, hiking, nature study, paddle-boating, picnicking. Lodging in Huntsville, New Waverly. Dining and bike shop in Huntsville.

Lake Somerville State Recreation Area

Birch Creek State Park, Route 1, Box 499, Somerville, TX 77879; 409/535-7763; www.tpwd.state.tx...rk/lakesome/lakesome.htm

Somerville Trailway, 21 miles including side trails, is open to hikers, equestrians and bikers near Yegua Creek, Flag Pond and Lake Somerville. Birch Creek State Park is at the northern side of Lake Somerville. Contact office for map.

Biking season: All year. Other activities include boating, camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, nature study, water skiing. Dining in Birch. Bike shops in College Station (Aggieland Cycling), Giddings (Bike Country).

Lake Somerville State Recreation Area

Nails Creek State Park, Route 1, Box 61C, Ledbetter, TX 78946; 409/289-2392

Nails Creek State Park is at the southern end of Lake Somerville. Contact the office for a map of the 13 miles of trail.

Biking season: All year. Other activities include boating, camping, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, water skiing.

Mineral Wells State Park

Route 4, Box 39C, Mineral Wells, TX 76067; 940/328-1171

If you picture desert wildflowers and sandy trails when you think of Texas mountain biking, you won't be disappointed with this state park. Mineral Wells also boasts many stream crossings throughout its 16 miles of trails, as well as a beautiful lake to cool you off. Camp overnight to take full advantage of everything that this park has to offer.

Biking season: All year. 100 campsites available at $8 a night

Pedernales Falls State Park

Rt. 1, Box 450, Johnson City, TX 78636; 210/868-7304

This 5,000-acre park 45 miles west of Austin has a 7.5-mile loop following the Perdenales River. You can enjoy good swimming, floating or tubing on the river.

Paloduro Canyon State Park

Rt. 2, Box 285, Canyon, TX 79015; 806/488-2227

In the Panhandle of Texas, the Paloduro Canyon drops 700 feet off from mesas down to the Prairie Dog Fork of the Red River. The canyon walls reveal layer upon layer of geologic history, with Precambrian rock at the bottom. The bike trail is four miles long, in three loops of varying difficulty. For hikers, one trail is marked, but unmarked routes reach hundreds of miles. Other activities include hiking, equestrian trail, kidsí train ride, bird-watching. Bike shop in Amarillo (Hills Sport Shop).

Razos Bend State Park

21901 FM 762, Needville, TX 77461; 409/553-5101

Forty-five minutes southwest of Houston, off I-59 south, youíll find a network of 20 miles of wide, easy hiking and biking trails built on raised, tree-shaded levees around the park's many lakes and wetlands in east Texas. Contact office for map. Note: There is a fee for use of the facility.

Biking season: All year. Other activities include bird-watching, camping (reservation), fishing, hiking, nature programs, photography, picnicking, wildlife viewing, George Observatory and Challenger Learning Center (Saturday only).

Rocky Hill Ranch

Box 655, Smithville, TX 78957; 512/237-3112

Rocky Hill is a good old-fashioned mountain bike ranch with 35 miles of well-maintained blazed trails. Be sure to head to the main office to sign a release and pay the small fee before you hit the dirt. All ability levels can enjoy this 1,200-acre area. The people are friendly, the camping is great and there are even water stations along the trail to refill your bottle.

Biking season: All year. Primitive camping available. Hot showers and drinking water. Call ahead for reservations.

Sam Houston National Forest

FM Road 1375, P.O. Drawer 1000, New Waverly, TX 77358; 409/344-6205

Mountain biking is allowed on any trail except those designated for hiking in this eastern Texas forest, north of Houston. A particularly good ride is the Double Lake Trail, which offers enough technical challenge for expert training, yet is sufficiently free of danger to allow beginners and families. Contact office for map.

Biking season: All year. Other activities include boating, camping, fishing, hiking, hunting, nature study.

Tyler State Park

789 Park Road 16, Tyler, TX 75706; 903/597-5338

Some Texas bicyclists say Tyler State Park has some of the best intermediate and advanced riding in the state. The 8.5 miles of trail cross rolling hills in a forest of hardwoods and pine. Two sanctioned races are held here each year. Other activities include camping (reservations needed on weekends), fishing, swimming, non-motorized boating.
 

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