Bike Rides for December 2014

This is the schedule for the December Bike Rides. 

  The tentative schedule for the rest of the year follows the December listing.  Only the destination and the restaurant for lunch are given for the remainder of the year.  I have one date listed as to be scheduled with a canceled ride from earlier in the winter. 

I'll provide details on rides as each month comes up and may shuffle the schedule slightly depending on which rides are canceled.

Thanks,

Tom Butler
Louise Butler
Lot 44

Bike Rides for December 2014

When:  December 2, 2014, Tuesday, 9:00 am

Where:  The Old Hidalgo Pump House

Description:  The Old Hidalgo Pump House pumped water from the Rio Grande to the irrigation system in the early days of agriculture in the Rio Grande Valley. Originally run by steam powered pumps, it was later converted to diesel pumps.  Much of the old equipment remains and we will take a short tour the facility.  The ride is along the Border Wall for a short distance, past the retention ponds, along the canal system and through the town of Hidalgo. There is an admission charge or $3 per person. The ride will be about 3 miles on paved and gravel trails and city streets in Hidalgo. There is a short climb to the top of the levee at the Pump House. Lunch will be at Republic of the Rio Grande in McAllen. Bring water, sunscreen, insect repellant, bicycle helmet, binoculars and/or camera as you desire.

 

When:  December 9, 2014, Tuesday 9:00 a.m.

Where:  South Padre Island

Description:  South Padre Island and Isla Blanca Park are featured on this ride.  The ride is on level, paved city streets.  We ride about 12 miles from the Convention Center to the southern tip of SPI in Isla Blanca County Park and return.  On the return we will stop for lunch at Blackbeards Restaurant, bring a bicycle lock to secure your bicycle during lunch.  There are no admission charges on this ride.  Bring water, sunscreen, insect repellant, bicycle helmet, binoculars and/or camera as you desire.

 

When:  December 16, 2014, Tuesday, 9:00 a.m.

Where:  Bentsen State Park & World Birding Center

Description:  Bentsen State Park near Mission has water features, scrub forest and grasslands.  The Hawk Tower is handicap accessible and gives us a nice overview of the area near the Rio Grande and Mexico.   There are bird feeders with blinds for observers which make bird watching extraordinary.  We will ride about 8 miles on level paved park roads with a short walk to the Hawk Tower.  There is a $5 per person entrance fee for those who do not have a Texas State Park Pass.  We will eat lunch at BJ’s Brewhaus near the McAllen Convention Center.  Bring water, sunscreen, insect repellant, bicycle helmet, binoculars and/or camera as you desire. 

 

When:  December 23, 2014, Tuesday, 9:00 a.m.

Where:  La Lomita Mission and Anzulduas Park and Dam

Description:  These two locations combine to make an interesting ride right along the Rio Grande River.  La Lomita Mission is one of the missions begun by the Oblate Brothers.  The original chapel has been restored recently.  Anzulduas Park is a Hidalgo County Park adjacent to the Anzulduas Dam.  We will also see the floodway which directs floodwater from the dam to Laguna Madre on the coast.  We will ride about 5 miles on a little used public road and park roads.  There is one hill as we leave Anzulduas Park and we will also climb the levee going to and from La Lomita Mission.  There are no admission charges on this ride.  We will eat lunch at Danny’s Mexican Restaurant in Mission following the ride.  Bring water, sunscreen, insect repellant, bicycle helmet, binoculars and/or camera as you desire.

 

When:  December 30, 2014, Tuesday, 9:00 a.m.

Where:  Sandpipers to Edinburg and return to Sandpipers

Description:  Happy New Year – Join us for the first annual Sandpipers Tour de Donut.  Decorate your bicycle or wear a costume.  This will be a zany ride around the city of Edinburg in search of donuts.  Be ready to show us where you find the best donuts in Edinburg!  We will ride from Sandpipers into Edinburg.  Once there, we will ride the bicycle lanes where possible and will be on city streets at other times.  We should return to Sandpipers by 1:00 p.m.  Don’t eat breakfast before this ride.  There will not be a lunch stop scheduled for this ride.  Bring money for donuts!  Also, bring water, sunscreen, insect repellant, bicycle helmet, binoculars and/or camera as you desire.

 

Coming up: 

 

January 6, 2015 – Mission Bike Trail/McAlister’s Deli

January 13, 2015 – Port Isabel/Dirty Al’s Seafood

January 20, 2015 – Bicentennial Boulevard Bike Trail/Johnny Carino’s

January 27, 2015 – Delta Lake/Boot Company Restaurant

February 3, 2015 – Estero Llano Grande State Park/Fat Daddy’s

February 10, 2015 – Hidalgo Pump House/ BJ’s Brewhaus

February 17, 2015 – McAllen Bike Trail/Gatti’s Pizza

February 24, 2015 – Bentsen State Park/Republic of the Rio Grande

March 3, 2015 – Open – Will use to reschedule a canceled ride.

March 10, 2015 – Edinburg Wetlands WBC/Willie B’s

March 17, 2015 – La Lomita & Anzulduas/Danny’s

March 24, 2015 – Mission Bike Trail/ McAlisters Deli

March 31, 2015 – Laguna Atascosa/Bag Lunch

April 7, 2015 – South Padre Island/Dirty Al’s

April 14, 2015 – Resaca de la Palma State Park/ ?? Harlingen

End of Spring Season for Bike Rides, Sandpipers Resort