Texas&#039; hardest

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SupaSlow

· #3 · Aug 19, 2004

Being originally from South Texas I have ridden in the RGV, which there is not much, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston. I have never ridden in North Texas but I have heard that there are some great trails out there including Tyler State Park. Now living in West Texas I can tell you that I believe that we have some of the toughest trails in the whole state. Our terrain is rough and tough with baby heads all along the trails. You have sand, cactus of all varieties and no tree cover. Elevation here in El Paso is about 4500' but when you climb some of those mountains you are at about 5500' or more in other places. There is a jeep road called C road which climbs for about 2 miles that is very steep and takes you to the top of the mountain which is very tough. Many people climb this thing just for training and I'm talking about climbing it more than once. It takes about 25-35 minutes to climb and you are down in about 7 minutes. Then we have the state park which is about 22 miles long and it is a technical ride with lots of climbing and awesome downhills. This is a must do if you are ever in the area. Trail wise we may not have that much but the little we have is a lot of fun and you can make a long ride of it or make it a short ride.

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watmatt

· #4 · Aug 25, 2004

In the Austin Area...

hands down it would go to City Park. Aka Emma Long Motorcycle Park. It's only 6.3 miles long but it is chocked full of loose 18 to 36 in ledges, baby heads, technical climbs and stair step decents. This trail is a different ride every single time. A section you make 5 times in a row will suddenly throw you for an endo.

It kicks my ass every time. I love and always come back for more.

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Ride4Beer

· #5 · Aug 26, 2004

Any talk of tough in the North End of the State has got to include Cleburne State Park. That place is insane. Rolling hills, baby heads, jumps, ledges, technical trail features. Its got it all. The spillway climb is not for the faint of heart. It will destroy you. After that, I would say Dino Valley State Park or The Devils Backbone at Bar H Ranch. The backbone has 3000 feet of elevation change in four miles.

That's pretty darn tough.

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two_chaintugs

· #6 · Aug 28, 2004

City Park gets another vote

many a bike part is broken there... make sure you can get out of your clipless pedal in a hurry or a body part might also break

Hill Country SNA in Bandera is pretty tough, too

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Aenimopiate

· #7 · Sep 2, 2004

Hardest area in Tejas is a tie, in my opinion. The winners are: Guadalupe Mountains State park, and Big Bend National Park. Bring mucho water when you go, though.

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tiger roach

· #8 · Sep 28, 2004

Aenimopiate said:
Hardest area in Tejas is a tie, in my opinion. The winners are: Guadalupe Mountains State park, and Big Bend National Park. Bring mucho water when you go, though.

Aenimopiate, what trails in Big Bend and Guadalupe are open to bikes? I have done tons of hiking in both, but just recently got into cycling. TIA

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Aenimopiate

· #9 · Sep 29, 2004

The beauty of both of those parks is that you can blaze your own trails. Unless there's a sign stating otherwise, you can ride where you please; just stay mindful of the ones who live there, ie the local flora and fauna

if you go there and find an outrageous trail, or a new way to travel, come back on here and let us know

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tiger roach

· #10 · Sep 29, 2004

Aenimopiate said:
...if you go there and find an outrageous trail, or a new way to travel, come back on here and let us know

You got a deal! Now where did I leave that bottle of SPF 500 sunscreen...

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Scary Mc

· #11 · Oct 1, 2004 (Edited)

Aenimopiate said:
The beauty of both of those parks is that you can blaze your own trails. Unless there's a sign stating otherwise, you can ride where you please; just stay mindful of the ones who live there, ie the local flora and fauna if you go there and find an outrageous trail, or a new way to travel, come back on here and let us know

I really hope your kidding about 'riding where you please' in those parks. Riding there is only allowed on the established roads.

I vote City Park (Emma Long and HCSNA as the hardest.

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tiger roach

· #12 · Oct 1, 2004

Scary Mc said:
I really hope your kidding about 'riding where you please' in those parks. Riding there is only allowed on the established roads.

This is true it would seem - according to my (admittedly a few years old) copy of Hiker's Guide to trails of Big Bend National Park, "Motorized vehicles and bicycles are permitted on designated roads only."

For my part, I need to get better on moderate trails before frying my brains in the desert anyway.

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luv2hmr

· #13 · Oct 16, 2004

Ride4Beer said:
Any talk of tough in the North End of the State has got to include Cleburne State Park. That place is insane. Rolling hills, baby heads, jumps, ledges, technical trail features. Its got it all. The spillway climb is not for the faint of heart. It will destroy you. After that, I would say Dino Valley State Park or The Devils Backbone at Bar H Ranch. The backbone has 3000 feet of elevation change in four miles. That's pretty darn tough.

I 2nd this...............

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NYKRINDFW

· #14 · Nov 11, 2004

1) Devil's Backbone, Bar H. Miles of climbing through 6-inch deep gravel switch backs.
Masochism at it's finest.

2) Outer loop, Cleburne. Hard core. 6 miles of exposed rocks to hammer you and your bike. Thanks for coming, have a nice day.

3) Possum Kingdom. I don't think there's a flat portion to this trail Nothing but climbs and descents around a 400 ft hill. And just as soon as you think you have the hang of it PK will throw you a rock ledge, rock garden, or some other sort of free fall drop of that will make you change your undies.

Oh, btw, watch out for the rattlesnakes and mountain lions.

NY

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wermfud

· #15 · Dec 1, 2004

No one said Cameron Park? Am I that weak? Moving to Dallas soon, can't wait to hit Cleburn, Bar H and Dino Valley for the first time.

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NYKRINDFW

· #16 · Dec 1, 2004

wermfud

Make sure you check out DORBA.org

NY

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Ride4Beer

· #17 · Dec 1, 2004

wermfud said:
No one said Cameron Park? Am I that weak? Moving to Dallas soon, can't wait to hit Cleburn, Bar H and Dino Valley for the first time.

Cameron is my favorite place to ride North of Austin. Its just totally different from Cleburne. The climbs at Cameron are much more brutal on the lungs and the black diamond stuff is fantastic, but the damage potential at CLE with the flying rocks is enormous.

Hit me up when you check out those new trails. I can be found on DORBA and BikeMojo forums under the same user name.

Ron

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The Trail Nazi

· #18 · Dec 27, 2004

fun to ride HELL to race = Cameron Park Waco Texas

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Richard85

· #19 · Dec 28, 2004

DH/freeride trails in texas?

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Ride4Beer

· #20 · Dec 28, 2004

Richard85 said:
DH/freeride trails in texas?

Flat Rock Ranch in Comfort has a downhill course that holds the "state championship" in the spring during the TMBRA Race weekend.

The only true, legal, large freeride park that is published is in El Paso. There is a small assortment of stunts at a place called Z-Boaz in Fort Worth. Its very small though, so you may not want to travel too far to get to it. Lots of folks have their own personal places that they play that you just have to find out about.

Hope that helps.

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