Need an Easter break from the city? Pump up your tires, oil your bike chain, and join hundreds of bicycle riders for the 2016 Easter Hill Country Tour on Friday through Sunday in Kerrville and Fredericksburg. This three-day bike ride, sponsored by the Fort Worth Bicycling Association, offers panoramic views of bluebonnets and other spectacular wildflowers; cedar, mesquite, and live oak trees; and endless green pastures of farm land.
Suitable for novice and experienced riders, the Tour features rolling hills, short yet challenging climbs, and flat roads that take cyclists down quiet country roads and across river valleys—all at their own pace and on safe roads.
Friday’s ride begins at Fredericksburg High School. On Saturday and Sunday, riders will roll out of Schreiner University in Kerrville.
Photo: Cathy Chapaty
The Tour offers a variety of distances. There are several route options—ranging from 35 miles to almost 80 miles—available for each day. If you’re looking for a challenge, the Day 1 66-mile route climbs more than 3,000 feet in elevation. If that challenge isn’t enough, Day 2’s long route offers 79 miles of hills with intimidating names as the Eagle’s Nest, Condor’s Nest, and Sparrow’s Nest—climbing an elevation of 3,200 feet. But don’t let the hill scare you off. With the rise in elevation comes great vistas and beauty, and the ride is casual enough to allow for time to stop and take pictures.
On Friday and Saturday, riders can also expect rest stops—with water, snacks, and porta-potties—about every 10 to 15 miles.
After each day’s tour, riders can stretch their heavy legs with a stroll around town. Fortunately, Fredericksburg and Kerrville offer many fine restaurants, gorgeous natural attractions, and fun entertainment options. So get out of the city and onto some scenic country roads this weekend. The beauty of the Hill Country awaits.
For more information about the 2016 Easter Hill Country Tour, visit them online.
Happy riding!
