Cycling

Cycling in parks and wildlife refuges and other off-road areas.

West Lake Trail at Cayo Atascoso

Three benefits of off-road cycling

Leave a Comment / Birds, Blog, Cycling, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Wildlife /

The benefits of off-road cycling are great, especially in wildlife refuges, state parks, or other natural settings. Simply to be away from traffic, electronics and propaganda frees us to experience life out of doors. The benefits of off-road cycling are physical, emotional, and spiritual. On a bicycle, one covers more ground than walking, which allows for added opportunities to notice what we often do not see. I am not a birder, per se, but I always carry binoculars and a camera on my rides. I take my bike out as often as possible.

Three benefits of off-road cycling Read More »

Sandhill Cranes on Steve Thompson Wildlife Drive

One Tranquil Bike Ride on Wildlife Drive at Laguna Atascosa

4 Comments / Blog, Cycling, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge /

I took a tranquil bike ride on Steve Thompson Wildlife Drive at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. The Refuge spreads across more than 110,000 acres in Cameron County, Deep South Texas. It borders the Laguna Madre. Yesterday, January 18, 2024, most of the Refuge was closed to all but licensed hunters. Wildlife Drive is always open.

One Tranquil Bike Ride on Wildlife Drive at Laguna Atascosa Read More »

Reddish Egret

Finding a New Route for Bike the Bahia

Leave a Comment / Blog, Cycling, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge, Wildlife /

Friends of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge sponsor bicycle tours (Bike the Bahia) of the Bahia Grande Unit of the Refuge each month. They begin at an entrance on State Highway 48 near Port Isabel, Texas, and run northward on a caliche road to State Highway 100 near Laguna Vista, about 15 miles round-trip.

Bahia Grande is the largest wetlands restoration project in Texas. Construction of the Brownsville Ship Channel cut off tidal flow to the area a century ago. Over the past two decades, flow has been restored allowing the estuary to thrive. The Bahia Grande Unit encompasses about 25,000 acres. The Unit is generally closed to the public.

At State Highway 100, the group of cyclists stops briefly and then rides back southward to the starting point at State Highway 48. There are no facilities along the way. Near the turn-around point is the South Texas Ecotourism Center (STEC), which would be a better turn-around point as it offers a shaded area and restrooms.

Finding a New Route for Bike the Bahia Read More »

The Beautiful Ride to North Point at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge

5 Comments / Blog, Cycling, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge /

The beautiful ride to North Point at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge follows good caliche road for the first seven miles. The last three and a half miles become somewhat challenging. On December 29, 2023, in the early afternoon, I pedaled from the Visitor’s Center toward North Point.

The Beautiful Ride to North Point at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge Read More »

Roseate Spoonbills at Laguna Atascosa NWR

A Short Ride at Laguna Atascosa National wildlife Refuge

13 Comments / Birds, Blog, Cycling, Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge /

I am riding my Surly bicycle counterclockwise on Steve Thompson Wildlife Drive, a 14.5-mile loop, a mostly paved road open to foot and bicycle traffic at Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge (LANWR), which covers an area of more than 110,000 acres in Cameron County, Texas.

A Short Ride at Laguna Atascosa National wildlife Refuge Read More »

White-tailed Hawk

A Cycling Excursion at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge

Leave a Comment / Birds, Blog, Cycling, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, Wildlife /

On this chilly, overcast morning with little wind, I rode out of the Santa Ana NWR parking lot and pedaled south over the levee and into the heart of the refuge. At about a half mile an observation tower rises above the canopy of trees. Beside it is suspended a rope suspension foot bridge between two towers accessible by spiral staircases.

A Cycling Excursion at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge Read More »

Northern Cardinal

Great Cycling and Wildlife Viewing at Bentsen State Park, Mission

1 Comment / Birds, Blog, Cycling, Wildlife /

Bentsen State Park, part of the World Birding Center, spreads over almost 800 acres in Mission, Texas. About seven miles of trails wind through the park, three and a half of which are paved. One trail leads to a Hawk Observation Tower. The paved area is open for cycling. A tram runs along the paved road every hour during the day, November through April.

Great Cycling and Wildlife Viewing at Bentsen State Park, Mission Read More »

error: Content is protected !!