Trail Hopping in the US - San Antonio

trail hopping May 30, 2019

In the last few weeks, I had to back to back visits to the US, covering multiple cities - Orlando, Pittsburgh, Austin and San Antonio. In addition to a hectic but exciting schedule visiting customers and conducting technical work shops, I had my special companion - my folding Brompton bicycle. It allowed me to explore the cycling trails in the cities I visit.

Here is a list of the trails I covered:

San Antonio Trails

On my second visit in three weeks, I visited San Antonio for a customer workshop. I stayed back for the weekend following the workshop to explore some of the trails in San Antonio.

I had previously made friends with Mick, a senior cyclist in San Antonio who in his younger days was a competitive cyclist in his home town in Phillipines. Mick was kind enough to accompany me to two of the three trails I covered in San Antonio on the weekend.

San Antonio has an ambitious plan to circumnavigate the entire city by a series of connected trails, together referred to as the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trail System. Howard Peak was a visionary adventurer who was responsible to initiate and execute the ambitious plan.

As a councilman representing District 9 from 1993 to 1997, he partnered with Councilman Lyle Larson to purchase the land that began the Salado Creek trail system in Walker Ranch Historic Landmark Park.

As mayor from 1997 to 2001, he solidified his vision of hike-and-bike trails along Leon and Salado creeks and won public support to dedicate 1/8 of a cent of the sales tax to begin development of the trail system in partnership with the Edwards Aquifer Program. Peak's efforts and vision throughout his career are why City Council voted unanimously to name the greenway trails for him in 2012 (ref)

The following map illustrates the entire greenway system:

During this visit, I rode on three of the trails in San Antonio.

Medina River Trail

The Medina River trail is located to the south of the city, and is parallel to the Medina river. The pathway winds through the lush woodlands of the Medina River Natural Area. The short, 7 mile trail varies from easy to moderate intensity with slopes up to 8.3 percent in two locations.

Here is a video compilation of the ride:

And here is the route of the ride:

Leon Creek Trail

The Leon Creek Trail runs through western San Antonio, beginning at Loop 1604 and winds its way south. The 18 mile trail runs along the creek and is generally flat with some gentle slopes. The Earl Scott Pond near its northern end is a great place to relax and watch the variety of birds and wildlife.

Here is a video compilation of the ride:

And here is the route map of the ride:

River Walk Hike and Bike Path

The San Antonio River Walk Hike & Bike Path is the highlight of the city for both, visitors and locals. It is a place to hike, bike or just hang out. The 30-mile trail winds along both sides of the river, connecting parks, schools, workplaces, shopping, restaurants, and everything a resident or visitor needs.

I started the trail at its southern end - the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. I visited two of the missions that are located on the west coast - Mission Espada, the oldest mission in Texas dating back to 1690 and Mission San José, the largest of the missions and known as the "Queen of the Missions"

As I rode north along the river, the neatly paved trail has beautiful views of the river, and is lined with parks, athletic fields, restrooms, drinking fountains and benches. And for I was riding on a Sunday of a long weekend, I met several people, both locals from San Antonio as well as visitors

Here is a video compilation of the ride: