All up to date 2021 Texas bicycle rides in one location

“Willkommen, Y’all”

Founded in 1846 by German immigrants who bought millions of gorgeous, rolling acres sight unseen, Fredericksburg, Texas has blossomed into a cultural destination best known for wine, art, shopping, and German cuisine. It maintains a definite quaintness with less than 12,000 residents but offers up an extraordinary spread of restaurants, galleries, spas, shops, wineries, and museums with a distinctly German flavor. Nestled deep in the heart of Texas’s Hill Country, this hamlet just might be a perfect home base for your next cycling adventure—with over 300 bed-and-breakfasts and plenty to do, you’ll definitely want to stay the weekend!

Options for extracurricular activities abound, especially this time of year. Fredericksburg’s German heritage is on full display in winter with an ice skating rink and artisan market. Year-round attractions are also plentiful and run the gamut from outdoorsy (bird and butterfly watching, golfing, hiking and camping in nearby state parks), to indulgent (carriage rides, spa experiences, excellent wining and dining), to educational (museums, unique architecture, German culture). And time it right in the spring, and you’ll be rewarded with spectacular Texas wildflowers.

This part of the Lone Star State is dotted with award-winning wineries—a great opportunity to sample a variety of local vintages, particularly for a little relaxation after the holidays. Three venues located right in town are Grape Creek Vineyards on Main, Fredericksburg Winery, and Pontotoc Vineyard Weingarten, but you’ll find a multitude of others in the surrounding hills.

Any type of sustenance you’re craving can be found in an assortment of local eateries; for example, the Auslander Restaurant and Biergarten offers authentic German fare and a large array of Texas beers, while the Farm Haus Bistro at the Fredericksburg Herb Farm serves up a fresh, seasonal menu in their gorgeous gardens or inside the beautiful dining rooms. And if you’re craving barbecue, this proud Texas burg has five options, including Hoegemeyer’s BBQ Barn and Cranky Frank’s.

Other unique opportunities include volksmarching, an organized, noncompetitive walk through town and countryside, a tradition that originated in Germany. Fredericksburg hosts a local walking club that has three established routes in town. You’ll also find a replica of an original nineteenth-century German church that stood here, the Vereins Kirche. But before you explore by foot, here are some of our cycling favorite local two-wheeled adventures.

Five Fredericksburg Faves

1. Espresso is a 24-mile lollipop that includes the popular Old Mason Road as a long stretch of the out-and-back. This ride climbs 1,100 feet overall, but the grades are mild and the Promised Land Loop at the midpoint offers a fun, twisty intermission. Keep in mind that there are no refueling options outside of Fredericksburg on this course.

2. Bike Camp is a local favorite and the perfect training ride: it has an ideal profile for intervals, clear meet-up points for group rides, and an exhilarating climb to the finish. It extends the Espresso route and tacks on some challenging terrain, including Mt. Crabapple at the 25-mile mark. This loop offers some spectacular scenery, rewarding you generously after the gypsum mine and Mt. Crabapple climbs and highlighted by gorgeous views of the Pedernales River Valley. This ride also has no refueling options outside of Fredericksburg, so come prepared.

3. The 55-mile Willow City Loop makes a strong case for the perfect Hill Country ride, a hilly circuit that offers a stunning array of wildflowers, limestone formations, creeks, and vistas. In mid- to late Spring the Texas bluebonnets and Indian paintbrushes will be out, and fuschia and yellow cactus bloom if you time it right. The loop takes you up five notable climbs, including the Willow City Ledge, a quad-busting incline that hits aggressively at first, then allows a reprieve before taking a few more punches as you approach Willow City. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot some wildlife from the route: tortoise, turkey, and fox are common, along with numerous cattle herds. On the outskirts of Willow City, be on the lookout for a unique fence line displaying some special Texas charm. This quaint town (population: 75) is home to “Harry’s on the Loop,” a favorite stop for post-ride barbecue. Take heed: during wildflower season this route is popular with motorists who are often pulled over, making for some treacherous passes on the shoulder-less road.

4. Another big outing is Fredericksburg-Kerrville-Fredericksburg, a 73-mile loop from Fredericksburg to the big city of Kerrville that includes some remote scenery, lovely county roads, and the infamous Guadernales Ledge. You’ll appreciate little cycling traffic early in the ride as you head southwest on small county routes toward the first climb—a moderate, enjoyable challenge on Zenner-Ahrens Road. Be sure to remain alert as you enjoy the steep descent, as it ends abruptly at a highly-trafficked T-intersection in Kerrville. The riding in town is a mellow and pleasant traverse along Town Creek and through a few lovely neighborhoods—a remarkably pleasant urban riding experience. The Tower Peak climb gets you back into the groove before you cross under I-10 and mentally prepare for the ten-mile HC incline up Guadernales Ledge. The welcome descent into the Pedernales River Basin leads you back toward Fredericksburg.

5. One of the longest routes in the area is the FGB 103, which starts in Fredericksburg and winds 103 miles through the Hill Country, dipping into four towns along the loop: Luckenbach, Sistervale, Waring, and Comfort. The other communities present minimal refueling options, but Comfort offers plentiful resources before a long home stretch just shy of 27 miles. You’ll pass by the Old Tunnel Bat Cave around mile 39 (show up at dusk to watch their dramatic emergence) and encounter five high-profile climbs, including the brutal Guadernales Ledge at mile 72.5.

For more information about the Fredericksburg area, visit their Visitor Information Center website or call the Visitor Center at (888) 997-3600 or (830) 997-6523.

We would like to credit Gregory Kagay for the amazingly detailed ride descriptions, turn-by-turn directions, and parking information that each of the ride titles links to.

Enroll in our Ugly Christmas Sweater Giveaway here!!

Patricia McNeal’s arrival to Texas wasn’t smooth. She got lost in a “forest,” caught cold in the rain, and was left behind by a group meant to greet her. But little did she know, her luck was about to change.

Part 2 of 2 of a Wheelbrothers photo journal feature.

In Part 1, we met Patricia McNeal, the 57-year-old stroke survivor who had pedaled from Panama City, FL to San Antonio, TX with little more than faith and the friends she met along the way.

Patricia had not had the luxury of participating in group bike rides in her hometown of Panama City, FL. And after a separate mishap in another town, she was nervous about the group ride scheduled for her in San Antonio. However, the 14-mile ride with Black Girls Do Bike, San Antonio was one of her happiest days on the road to date. Patricia beamed as she recounted riding with each of its members, and especially with the little girl who stole Patricia’s heart and innocently asked if Patricia would make it to California the next day (from San Antonio). Patricia passionately wishes she could get bikes for every child she’s met on her journey.

As mentioned in Part 1, and as Patricia’s story gained attention, we as the North Texas cycling community realized that Patricia’s resources were less-than-desirable for a cross-country journey. In Fort Worth, Dieter Scholtyssek of Wheelbrothers had been inspired by cycling’s amazing Kathryn Bertine to help Patricia, and began to share his thoughts with me. I, in turn, put out the call and heard from Sheryl at Iron Riders Dallas, Garrick at Dallas Off Road Bike Association, Bicycles Inc., and Coz and Larry at Team Tornado Alley. Together these groups collected winter gear, wool socks, leg and arm warmers, t-shirts, bike snacks, and more to send to Patricia—From D/FW with Love!

Meanwhile in San Antonio, the amazing women of Black Girls Do Bike, San Antonio began to ask questions and create a plan to put Patricia back on the road in far better condition than when they received her. She needed winter gear, better navigation tools, better fuel on the bike, a tune-up, and an actual plan to make the rest of her trip go smoothly. The gracious and amazing Karen, Tina and Monica provided food and housing, took Patricia shopping, introduced her to the map app “Lane Spotter,” and carefully and painstakingly plotted her route from San Antonio to California in 20-40 mile increments, so that Patricia can strategize the day based on weather and health and housing options available to her. Additionally, Howard at Action Bikes in Universal City, performed the much-needed tune-up on Patricia’s bike free of charge.

Almost serendipitously, the rains settled in to San Antonio this week, simultaneous with a little cold Patricia’s been fighting. It was as if nature (and all of the rest of us) were asking her to rest and wait for the next sunny day to continue this trek to the west. She has obliged.

My Monday off from Bicycles, Inc. synced up perfectly to deliver the D/FW winter gear gifts straight to Patricia’s host home door. I had the luxury of visiting Karen’s home, chatting with Patricia on a rest day, watch her open her gifts and then share a meal together as new cycling extended family.

In our conversations, I shared with Patricia that, in many ways, making it to San Antonio was already a giant WIN in my book. She could make any number of intelligent decisions  about her journey from this point forward and be celebrated for the attention she’s brought to stroke awareness, for bringing people together from all walks of life and introducing them to our beloved sport, for exuding sheer will and thick skin in adverse conditions (including seemingly endless Texas Hill Country), and for her passion and resilience for continuing on.

Patricia McNeal, aka Grandma Lola, has made it half way across the country, and Black Girls Do Bike and Action Bikes of San Antonio have drastically changed the outlook for the second half of her trip for the better. Would you like to be a part of the story? Can you help, too? Do you live along or near I-90 from San Antonio west?

Then contact Patricia on her Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/heelzonwheelz/

Or send direct donations to Patricia McNeal, PO Box 1733, Lynn Haven, FL, 32444.

Photos used with permission from Patricia McNeal’s FB page.

Lisa Tilley is a contributing writer for WheelBrothers, is a member of Fort Worth based MBBC, and is in sales at Bicycles Inc.

A Florida grandmother pedals west to Cali with little more than faith and the friends she meets along the way

Part 1 of 2 of a Wheelbrothers photo journal feature…stay tuned!

Meet Patricia McNeal.

Her mother, father, and sister each died of a stroke. But she is a stroke survivor.

While there are not many black men and women riding in her hometown of Panama City, FL, she is riding about 50 miles a day for errands, exercise and recreation.

The longest distance this 57-year-old, mother-of-three has pedaled in one trip is 101 miles, but when she finishes her goal, she will have completed over 2,200 miles from Panama City to Burbank, California.

Patricia McNeal, also known as “Lola” or “Grandma Lola,” left Panama City, FL at the end of September. With only a backpack and a cell phone, her Trek Emonda, the support of her husband and a social media invitation for donations, she has now pedaled her way to San Antonio, TX. The local newspaper, The News Herald, featured Patricia as she set out on her journey.

From the News Herald:

McNeal said she doesn’t “think” she can accomplish her goal, she “knows” she can do it, and so does her husband, Tommie McNeal.

“I’m quite sure she can make it,” he said. “I’m excited she’s attempting it. She had a stroke about five years ago, and she wanted to prove to people regardless of your physical situation, you can overcome your disabilities.”

In fact, it was Tommie McNeal who got his wife into cycling. He’s been cycling since the 1980s.

http://www.newsherald.com/news/20180918/stroke-survivor-to-bike-across-country

Initially, Patricia used Siri for directions for her long journey across country, but after a mishap or two, she has chosen more reliable mapping options. Additionally, Patricia carries with her only what can fit in a backpack. Her nutrition is peanut butter and raw foods. She does not have a SAG vehicle. She does not yet have gear for inclement weather. She admits that she is just learning.

As usual, there are doubters—many well-meaning, and some very vocal. What is Patricia’s response? “This is my adventure and I am loving it.”  This is consistently her attitude and response on the road. Patricia provides public posts on her Facebook page that are real and endearing. There is laughter and tears. She also makes up songs as she goes and shares them on Facebook live videos. There was one about the hills in Texas being the same in every town, “Heyyy, Hooo, Heyyy, Hooo” and then also, “Don’t you wish your Grandma could ride a bicycle like me? Don’t cha?” On her hardest days, she thinks of her mother, father and sister. She thinks of the devastation in her home state. She knows she must pedal on.

And, in chatting with her, she sincerely has no idea how many lives she is affecting, but when you read and watch Patricia’s posts on her Facebook page and see the interactions with countless people whose hearts are touched simply by meeting her, you know they are in the midst of someone special.

Patricia has met some of her biggest challenges in Texas. This is where WE come in, Texas cyclists! She’s endured Texas hills and drought-ending rain. She needs gear in the form of a rain jacket, padded pants, a portable phone charger, and winter gloves. Let’s show her some good old-fashioned Texas Love!

Can you help with a roof for the night, equipment along the way or just interested in riding next to her?

Then contact her on her Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/heelzonwheelz/

Or send direct donations to Patricia McNeal, PO Box 1733, Lynn Haven, FL, 32444.

Photos by Patricia McNeal.

Lisa Tilley is a contributing writer for WheelBrothers, is a member of Fort Worth based MBBC, and is in sales at Bicycles Inc.