The Chimney Rock and S Rice bridges over Brays Bayou are almost complete, but only almost Trying to ride a bike through the construction is interesting because even the trail detours have trail detours! Don't know how much longer until the barricades come down, but at Chimney Rock, I would aim for Subway. You can get a sandwich, but I had more in mind that heading South on Chimney Rock, you might go through the Subway parking lot, and if you need to cross the bridge from the West (good luck), hit the parking lot of the former HEB. As you approach Subway, you will see a nice path right next to Chimney Rock. Avoid construction equipment and take that across the bayou.
We cyclists are often asked why we ride. My favorite, tried and true answer is "I ride for my health. It's great exercise." We say that with a straight face. My favorite bit of nonsense is that we ride to decrease our carbon footprint. OK. Wait. Huh? Next you will say "totally tubular!" Come on. The real reason we ride is we are looking for something to eat, and we want the family to think we are so noble! I offer Exhibit A. 3 Brothers Bakery on S Braeswood just West of Stella Link. There is a City Ordinance that all cyclists must stop and buy at least a cookie! Stay away from the BearClaw, unless you have 3 friends you can share it with. Leftover BearClaw makes a mess in the saddle bag!
Now, for those who are nostalgic about 40-50 years ago, when Der Wienerschnitzel was in Houston - get on your bike at ArchBishop Fiorenza Park (Eldrdge Parkway by West Park Toll Road), Your family will think you are getting fit. Sure. Ride West. As you go around one of the man-made hills, you will see a parking lot. Leave the park, turn left and ride to Highway 6. Cross at the light, get your hot dogs or Polish Sandwich (my comfort food!) and you can be back in the park before your family misses you. Puff and pant to let them know how hard you are working out! For those who think I jest; from my house to Der Wienerschnitxel and back, on neighborhood streets, and the park, is 14 miles! For a Polish Sandwich. Worth every mile! By the way, get ready to scratch your head, one of the menu boards lists "VEGGIE DOGS" What is the world coming to>
At last week's meeting of Neighborhoods to Trails Southwest (NTTSW) we had a rather spirited discussion about the dangers lurking along the trail, specifically, where Keegans Trail crosses South Braeswood, and the weird way Brays Bayou Trail crosses the bayou at South Gessner. We all know the average Houstonian wants nothing more than to pain a little silhouette of your bike just under the driver's window on that F-150 (I watch too many war movies), but here is a thought. Keegans trail, at least Eastbound, has a stop sign directed at cyclists. Now it's just a thought, but why don't we bikers follow traffic laws, as well as we expect motorists? STOP. look both ways. Its not a blind intersection. Don't play Frogger, wait for the traffic to clear, pedal to the median, and watch for traffic again. I ride there about once a week. I don't think the motorist is under any obligation to stop for us. I think NTTSW is going to petition the city, county, state, the Empire, to erect something so we bikes can ride through this crossing. OK, but in the meantime? People - Houstonians think stop lights are only a suggestion. As cyclists, we need to assume they want to hit us. Don't be a target.
And finally, this is my second blog post this week. I have two more in draft form. I you enjoy them, please comment at the bottom of the post, so that I may get the idea someone reads this mush.
who would ever have a leftover BearClaw?!?
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