I read the Tucson Weekly. I don’t know why but I do (Actually, I do know; I read it because of Gustavo Arellano’s “Ask A Mexican” column – but I don’t know why I read the rest of it). They had an interesting video about a Tucson sewing cyclist raising money for a US tour. Unfortunately, he didn’t make his funding goal but he did trigger this blog post.
Only recently have I made it out to North Central Park because it is waaaaaaaaaaaaaay too far pa’l Norte. I can honestly say that it is a great place for my rickety bike and beginner me to keep gaining strength. What, did you think I was going to use my cane forever? I only wish our streets were better equipped for bicycle enthusiasts because riding around in downtown has me updating my last will and testament – que miedo.
I’m really digging the growing cycling community in Laredo. During the planning of RioFest, I was very impressed by Bernie Chapa of Ciclo Mania and his role in adding a 10 mile bike race to the event. More recently, I have been impressed by fellow blogger, KeyRose, taking on the challenge of cleaning a trail through the Slaughter Park area for cycling. It is city property but he and his friend(s?) have started to take care of something the city is ignoring.
They have started a Facebook group called Trails Riders of Laredo, check them out.
Not only is Slaughter Park getting a biking make-over, the Pedalheads FB group is making headway at what they call the Shiloh Trail. Posted by Sonia Rios and calling it:
Great video by Danny Aguilar! Shiloh trails with the Pedalheads Laredo and Laredo Ciclo Mania.
This was an earlier video of the trails starting by the Rio Grande Plaza Hotel, along the Rio Grande riverbank, through the Las Palmas nature area and up Zacate Creek. Laredo is looking pretty cool from these views.
Photo posted on the Laredo Cycling Association's FB page
By the looks of it, Laredo citizens are creating what they want with makeshift scraps but the city is not keeping up with serving their needs and interests. Eventually, the city will catch up, I hope.
Obviously, all these groups need some muscle power and other help. If you are so inclined… contact them. I am sure they would appreciate the support in making Laredo better for cyclists – even for those like me who still have their training wheels on.
There’s a trail at Lake Casa Blanca too. Bicyclists have some variety. And now the Laredo Cycling Association is starting a high school MTB team. I think that’s awesome.
That’s great to hear! Thanks for the info.
Hello out there, I am a member of the Fainting Goat Bike Club (15 members); and we loved to ride the Shiloh trails. Thank you Bernie!
Oh wow – thanks for letting us know there is another bike club out there!
Good to know that more bicycling trails are becoming available. I began bicycling for basic transportation and exercise in 1972, when I lived in Austin (I now live in Reading, Pa.), and I still do it for exercise, although I’ve turned into more of a jogger over the last couple of years. When I lived in Laredo for a couple of years in the late ’80s, I bicycled for exercise only, and traffic could make for a nerve-shattering experience when I rode along Highway 59, out to the lake, on McPherson Road (largely undeveloped), along the I-35 access road north of Del Mar, or out Del Mar Blvd to the old sensor site. I can only imagine how harrowing the experience is now; I got a taste of it several years ago when I borrowed a bike during a visit to ride along the Bob Bullock loop, on the path that parallels the highway.
Congratulations to the bicyclists who are working to provide safe bicycling trails for Laredoans. Bicycling is a healthy and invigorating hobby to pursue, and those bicyclists are making sure the opportunities are there to make it a safe pastime.
Wow!!! Some of those bike trails look like they were established for other reasons, as in drug trafficking!
I sure wouldn’t want to ride along those brushy trails for fear of running into the wrong crowd. I’ll just stick to North Central Park, thank you.
But it sure was cool to view those trails from the safety of my own home!