Hitting the Trail

Mountain Bike Hot Spots in Our Area

by Bonny Osterhage

One of the best things about living in South Texas is that the weather is almost always conducive to outdoor sports. Avid mountain bikers know that there is another benefit: the many picturesque and physically challenging bike trails wending throughout many of our parks and recreational facilities. There is something for everyone, from the novice to the cycle enthusiast, so grab your bike and hit the trails.

McAllister Park
For those unaccustomed to the sport of mountain biking (or "off-road" biking), McAllister Park is a great place to learn the ropes. "This is the place to come to learn about your bike and the way it handles," says Jason Schwab, sales manager at Ride Away Bicycles in the Huebner Oaks Shopping Center. An experienced on and off-road biker, Schwab is familiar with many of the South Texas trails, and he recommends McAllister Park for its smooth, single tracks. "You won't get beat up here," he laughs.

O.P. Schnabel Park
Once you get your wheels underneath you (so to speak) you might want to branch out to O.P. Schnabel Park, located near Bandera Road. This park offers rockier and more technical trails for the advanced rider, and Schwab calls it "one of the best places to ride in the inner city."

"You can ride from UTSA all the way to the park and beyond, all off-road," says Jason Schwab.

Government State Park
Government State Park, located outside 1604, features many climbing trails for the experienced rider, but the novice should stick to the lower Joe Johnston Trail for a smoother ride.

Tapitio Springs Gold Resort
Make a day of it and head out IH-10 to Boerne to the Tapitio Springs Gold Resort. Here the advanced rider will find plenty of challenges. "There is lots of manipulation of the bike through the rocky terrain," explains Schwab. "There are also a lot of switchbacks."

Flat Rock Ranch
Finally, for the ultimate mountain biking experience, Schwab recommends traveling even farther out IH-10 to Comfort to Flat Rock Ranch. "This is an awesome place," he exclaims. With 30 miles of trails, this picturesque area is ideal for bikers of all skill levels, and Schwab warns that it is easy to become addicted.

"Once a beginner comes here, he will want to keep coming back," he cautions. An added incentive for beginners is the "pay dirt" program, where bikers can log points for helping to maintain the trails. Points can be accumulated for free admission to the area. With showers, water for refueling and even a campground, Flat Rock Ranch easily accommodates visitors who want to stay the night or make a weekend out of their mountain biking experience.