The 2014 Annual Sandpipers Tour de Donut was a success! Three riders made the trip into Edinburg for an exploration of donut shops. Jim, Wendy and Tom departed the Sandpipers gate shortly after 9:00 am. The temperatures were cool but perfect for bicycle riding. We stopped on Business 281 in North Edinburg at a bakery and discovered a nice shop just south of the High School. Further to the south we stopped at the Echo Hotel for breakfast. Then we rode Trenton to the Wal-Mart on McColl before returning to Sugar Road. After a short stop at a liquor store (it was New Year’s Eve eve after all), we rode Seminary Road back to the park. Shortly after our return, it began to rain. For us the ride was entirely on dry roads. If you didn’t join us this year, put this annual event on your calendar for next year, the last Tuesday in December.
Now, here is the bike ride schedule for January and February 2015. All bike rides depart the Sandpipers gate at 9:00 a.m. Cancellation policy for bike rides: If no one shows up to meet the leaders at the gate the ride is canceled. If you are willing to ride, we will ride.
January 6, 2015 – Mission Bike Trail. This is a dedicated bicycle and walking trail. It is paved though rough in a few spots on our ride last spring. The trailhead has undergone significant development and I’m hoping that the trail will show the same improvement. The trail has several hills, not steep but not flat either. We will ride through the native thorn scrub and cactus and along an irrigation canal. The ride length can vary depending on weather. The short version is about 5 miles out and back on the same trail. The long version is about 4 miles longer. That extension is virtually flat. After the ride we will load our bikes and travel to McAlister’s Deli in McAllen for lunch.
January 13, 2015 – Port Isabel. We will depart the gate at the regular 9:00 a.m. departure time. There will be a short rest stop at the Texas Visitors Center at US 83 and US 77 in Harlingen. We’ll arrive in Port Isabel about 10:30 a.m. for those who wish to travel independently and meet us at the parking lot just east of the lighthouse. From there we will ride through some of the neighborhoods in Port Isabel. We get some nice looks at the Laguna Madre and the homes along that coast. We’ll ride over a unique side-swing draw bridge and see the shrimp fleet in dock from a distance. Following the ride we’ll load our bicycles and drive a short distance to Dirty Al’s Seafood for lunch.
January 20, 2015 – Bicentennial Boulevard Bike Trail. This is a dedicated bicycle and walking trail that parallels Bicentennial Boulevard. It is under development to the north of Nolana and we may explore some of that area. To the south the trail crosses Bicentennial several times. There are lights at the crossings. The trail is flat and is paved along its entire route. We will park at the IMAS, International Museum of Art and Science, and ride as much of the trail as the weather and time permit. This ride could be 6 to 8 miles long if weather permits. If the ride is shorter and the group wishes, we can visit the IMAS (Admission is $5 for seniors) before loading bicycles and driving to the Corner Bakery Café for lunch.
January 27, 2015 – Delta Lake. This is a Hidalgo County Park located to the north and east of Sandpipers. Admission to the park is $2.00 per vehicle. We will ride several circuits through the park on paved park roads on the levee and through the park. This is a short ride with the only hills being short climbs onto and off of the levee. Following the ride we will load the bicycles and drive into Raymondville for lunch at the Boot Company Restaurant.
February 3, 2015 – Estero Llano Grande State Park. Estero Llano Grande State Park is a World Birding Center site. This is a ride through the state park on park trails. With the exception of the levees this is a level ride on well-maintained gravel trails. Estero is a wildlife rich park with many water birds and if warm, butterflies also. We will ride through an abandoned RV park which has been annexed by the park and is being returned to the wild. The park is the closest to Sandpipers which has alligators. We’ll park our bikes and walk to the alligator pond to see if any are active and visible the day of the ride. Admission to the park is $5.00 per person but several of us usually have a Texas State Park Pass so we can usually get at least one person per couple in with the pass. Following the ride, we will load our bikes and drive to Fat Daddy’s Barbeque for lunch. For those interested in a trip to Progresso, Mexico, Estero Llano Grande State Park is just a few miles from the parking lot for the bridge.
February 10, 2015 – Hidalgo Pump House. The grounds of the Hidalgo Pump House are another World Birding Center site. We will ride a trail that takes us up to the Rio Grande River and along a holding lake for water being sent north in the irrigation system. The ride is on a mix of pavement and gravel. We will ascend the levee. Once on the levee, the ride is level. The total distance of the ride is less than four miles. Following the ride we will load the bicycles and drive to BJ’s Brewhaus in McAllen for lunch. Admission to the museum is $2 per person.
February 17, 2015 – McAllen Bike Trail. The McAllen Bike Trail is a paved level bicycle and walking trail that parallels 2nd Street, Col Rowe Boulevard. We will ride 8 to 10 miles on the trail and through neighborhoods in North McAllen. The trail is generally well landscaped with features of the irrigation system evident along the way. It crosses a number of side streets, most have lights and crosswalk signals. We can vary the length of the ride depending on the weather. We will stop at Gatti’s Pizza Buffet on the ride. Bring a bicycle lock for the lunch stop. The Butlers will be out of town on this date and a substitute leader is needed for this ride. Volunteers should contact Tom and Louise Butler, Lot 44.
February 24, 2015 – Bentsen State Park. Bentsen State Park is a World Birding Center site. We ride about 8 miles on the level paved trail through the park making several stops at bird feeders. A short walk takes us to the Hawk Tower which provides an excellent view of the surrounding territory. If we are lucky, this time of year we may see a few hawks. Following the ride we will load the bicycles and drive to the Republic of the Rio Grande for lunch.
