Tired of seeing the same three or four routes almost every time you climb on your road bike for a charity ride or other organized bike rally in the Houston area? Does your bicycle know the route home from Fulshear, Pattison or Hockley even if you're asleep; like a cowboy's loyal steed? Is there a parking spot at Zube Park or Katy High School with your name inscribed on it? Well, cheer up, bucko: you can combine a century (with real hills) with a relaxing stay in a favorite Texas Hill Country location by registering for the 4th Annual LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour on March 26, 2011.
If 62 miles (a metric century) is a little much for you this early in the season, you can always register for a 10-, 30-, or 42-miler, all starting from the historic LBJ Ranch. The staggered start (beginning at 9:00 AM) and finish are located on the grounds of the ranch outside of Stonewall, between Johnson City and Fredericksburg sixty-five miles from Austin or eighty from San Antonio. Your non-cycling plus-one can join the fun, too, on a post-race tour of the Johnson ranch led by Luci Baines Johnson.
Houston-based riders can find lodging in Fredericksburg (236 miles via I-10, TX 71, and US 290); a few motel rooms are available in Johnson City (207 miles from Houston). With a 9:00 AM start, riders may have some luck with lodgings in Austin or San Antonio, though you'll miss out on the Hill Country's "German Jewel"; Fredericksburg.
Registration fees are $35 until February 28, $40 afterwards for adults; $20 and $25 for youths. Family registration (three or more) is $90 and $95 and tandem registration is $60 and $70. Packet pickup is available in Austin, Fredericksburg, or San Antonio or at the site on race day.
The ride is sponsored by the Friends of the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, the Hill Country Bicycle Touring Club, and San Antonio's Cool Cats Cycling Club. Race organizers will provide full SAG support, rest stops, maps, a ride T-shirt (with pre-registration), and post-ride festivities including a large food tent. Helmets are required.
For complete information including packet pickup locations and downloadable registration forms, maps, and cue sheets (PDF format); and GPS coordinates; visit the official tour website. Parts of all routes are covered in Andy White's The Best Bike Rides in Texas, in the chapter called "LBJ Country Cruise." Routes are all on paved roads, consisting of farm-to-market highways and county roads. Houston-area riders training for the BP MS 150 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 Houston parking garages.
Comments
Hi Rex,
Great article. Enjoyed reading it. But are you suggesting there's a century ride at the LBJ? The longest is a metric century.
Btw, may we mention your article on the tour's website and add a link? We'd appreciate if you'd let us do that.
Best regards, and safe bicycling,
Pit Vins
LBJ 100 webmaster
(webmaster@lbj100bicycletour.org)
Thanks for the correction: I'll make the change immediately.
Sure, feel free to mention it - the more the merrier!
Rex
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