I don't know about you, but it seems that almost every organized ride I see in the Houston area winds up following one of about three or four routes. Sometimes I think my bike could find its way home from the finish line without me, like Lassie trotting home to tell Timmy's dad that he's stuck in the well. If you're tired of seeing the same billboards and barns every weekend, though, there is an alternative: the 5th Annual LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour, out yonder in the Texas Hill Country.
This year's LBJ classic will fall on Sunday, March 24th, starting at the 36th President's family ranch near the little town of Stonewall, between Johnson City and Fredericksburg. That location's about 65 miles west of Austin or 80 miles north and west of San Antonio (you do the math for your favorite route from Houston, though I'd probably follow TX 71 and US 290). The staggered start begins at 9:00 AM, which gives you extra time to make it to the site from Austin or SA; though there is some lodging in Fredericksburg and a few rooms are available in Johnson City.
This year the Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club, ride organizers, have added a fifth route to the 10-, 20-, 42-, and 62-mile routes followed in previous years: if you're up for it, check out the 82-mile route. As always, there'll be a post-ride lunch, a food tent and vendors at the finish, plus staffed rest stops and SAG support. Riders and their family members are invited to join Presidential daughter Luci Baines Johnson on a tour of the family ranch (included in the registration fee).
Registration costs for adults are $40 until February 29, then $45 until March 23, with walkup registration for $50. Youth registration (12 and younger) is $20 until February 29, then it rises to $25 (including walkup). Family registration (three or more) for the same time periods is $90 and $100, $110 walk-up; and tandem registration is $70, $80, and $90 for walkup. Packet pickup is available in Austin, Fredericksburg, or San Antonio or at the site on race day. All proceeds benefit the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park.
Riders registered by February 29th are assured a ride T-shirt; all others take their chances. An approved helmet is required. The ride is sponsored by the Friends of the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, the Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club, the National Park Service and the Western National Parks Association.
For complete information including packet pickup locations and downloadable registration forms visit the official tour website. While there you can also find a link to on-line registration forms, as well as download route maps (PDF format), cue sheets, and GPS coordinates.
Some of the LBJ routes are covered in Andy White's The Best Bike Rides in Texas, in a chapter titled "LBJ Country Cruise." Routes are all on paved roads, consisting of farm-to-market highways and county roads. Though it's not a BP MS150 recommended ride, Houston-area riders training for the MS 150 four weeks later will find some much-needed hill work: I've ridden White's route, and there are several short climbs and a few steep spots you can only find in parking garages in Houston, where Heaven help you if you forget where you are and stand up!.
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