Inner Loop Southwest, and other sins

 Saturday morning's outing proves that the good people who placed these B Cycle stations, never gave any thought to crazy people trying to bike from one to another in some crazy game.  But this is my biking area, so I figured it was high time to knock it out, even though my biking buddy stood me up, again!   This time it was lame excuse like being on call, and getting assigned four jobs Saturday Morning.   Several times in the past two months, he has thrown me over because his wife wanted to go somewhere, and once he cancelled on me so he could go see his Mommy!   Talk about misplaced priorities!   Not sure this Bromance is gonna make it!

Anyways, I often ride down Keegans and Brays Bayou Trails.   I have actually gone as far as MacGregor Park (and took a bus back!), so this is my territory.    I started at the Meyerland Jewish Community Center Station, parked my car in the neighborhood, and grabbed a bike.    The Bayou bridges at Chimney Rock and South Rice are almost completed.   Workers are now playing with temporary water pipes and have been spraying grass seed on the banks of the bayou.

Before you get to S. Braeswood and Linkmeadow B Cycle station, be sure to stop at 3 Brothers Bakery.  I am certain there is a city ordinance that all bikes must stop for hammentaschen!   At Linkmeadow, I managed to grab an E Bike, which made my left knee very happy.   I consulted a map and headed almost straight to NRG park.   I went through the parking lot to the north of the stadium, to get to the station on Fannin.   Stop in the park and enjoy the rodeo-themed sculptures. I guess this is what they bought with the profits from all-things-deep-fried!.

Texas Medical Center is bigger than anything I ever imagined, and this little trip made it bigger.   I rode through UT student housing, saw an olympic sized pool in use, and watched people play cricket in a paved parking lot!   They had to dodge streetlights as part of the game.

I thought I would take a shortcut through the VA hospital grounds.  Note to self, not all gates are open on Saturday morning!  

I was dictating notes on my iPhone, at the TMC Innovation station on Holcombe, when a young couple stopped at the station to check-in, check-out, wax-on, wax-off just like all of us are doing.  Not sure if it was the dictation, or the image of me on a bicycle, but one of them asked me if I was "the guy that blogs!"   Wow, I have been validated.   Someone really is reading this stuff!

A further note on this station.   The upcoming Park-to-Port ride will probably offer this parking lot as an option, it IS the closest lot to the starting point of the ride, but while it was handy, and easy to get into, when all of us tried to leave the parking lot at once, I spent 30 minutes in line.   I'm going to park by the Zoo.

It was decision time - do I stay South of the bayou, finish my stations, or do I head across Hermann Park for several more hours?   I headed home, which was good, because this smooth ride was about to be interrupted.

The station at Bertner and Braeswood is BEHIND the building, and you drive under the building to get there!  Sneaky

I took my E bike to Smith Lands and pushed it into the slot.   The station grabbed the bike, but would not admit it had said bike.   Since it has not recognized the incoming bike, it would not let me have another bike, and the clock was ticking on my E Bike rental.   I called Daisy, but apparently she was trying to help 20 other riders, so I pulled out my Metro bus card and climbed on Metro Rail, heading home.   Soon, however, Daisy at the Service Desk, got my message and reset my account, so I grabbed a bike at TMC transit station and finished my trip.  I have said this before, the technology may not be perfect, but the B Cycle staff are!  

At one station, I met a mother with a three year old, both on the B Cycle.   Seems she had a URider child seat that quickly attaches to the seat tube and then rests on the main down frame.   the kid has a seat, a front handle, and basically rides between Mom's knees.   I did find it on Amazon.   I saw how she had it mounted, and believe a bungee cord would help stabilize the front of the frame.   Mom told me she had just returned from the grocery store!

This is Cocoa and me.   I decided if I get to name a bike, I will name it for her.

I have lots more to say, but I need to go to the store.   Next posts will cover Sunday and Mondy, October 16 and 17.

  

A Sunday game of Tidy Up

 After Church, Sunday, I decided to tidy up my checklist and pick up some orphan BCycle Stations.  You know, the ones that are quite a distance from the other stations.

I started down in Third Ward, around MLK and Griggs.  Caught three stations within a few blocks of each other.   The local Houston Public Library Branch has three large bird sculptures.   Closer inspection reveals that many of the feathers are book titles that have something to do with "birds" from Chicken Little to Six Days of the Condor.    Colorful.  

Someone pointed out a pit bull in a Spark Park.   I guess because I was sitting in front of the school, I must work there.  (It was Sunday) I informed an HISD officer, and offered the dog some water.   I think the gate shut behind him, but I was not going to let him out, even though he looked rather peaceful.

There are four bike stations at Lake Houston, so for the first time, I went to Deussen Park, as well as Eisenhower Park.  They are pretty much next to each other, unless you are on a bike or in a car, in which case that crow don't fly right!   Deussen Park is quite spread out and offers many picnic pavilions and playgrounds, as well as boat launching facilities.   I tried to join a couple of parties, claiming to be cousin Steve from San Angelo, but maybe it was my lack of a red T-shirt, but they we were not buying it.    The pavilions are spaced out so you don't feel crowded.   Looks like a great place for birthday parties and reunions.

Eisenhower Park, from what I could see, was two trailheads and a parking lot.    The trails looked a little too "mountain bikey" for this old man, and the sign said the trail was 3 1/2 miles long   Pass.

So now, I'm East of Beltway 8, East, so where should I go next?  Yep, almost to Beltway 8 West, off of I-10.    I'm pretty sure the local association or developer paid for these stations, they just seem to belong in the neighborhoods.    Good Luck finding Memorial City Club station,  but it is between the Mall and Bunker Hill.   The station  is within 20 feet of several visitor parking spaces, so there is hope.   The security lady watched me, but left me alone.

Get out your GPS, because I am going to tell you unless you know where Pearl City Center is, you will never get there.   Hint, it is just East of Fuddruckers, which may not help as that hamburger place is also well hidden.   But I can see where BCycle can really add to the experience at these little enclaves  of more-money-that-I-have.    What is needed now is a station at the mall to give these bikers a destination!  And if that is my picture, I need to smile more!

Monday was not a BCycle day for me.  My siblings are coming in from Austin and I will guide a tour from MacGregor Park, to the ship channel, west through Greater East End and then South to Universtiy of Texas.    I want them to think I know what I'm doing, so I rode about 18 miles and scouted a viewing area of the port (saw three big ships!) as well as places to eat.    As long as I was out there, I hit a few stations.   

If you haven't ridden Brays Bayou Greenways Trail (I just call it Brays) here is a tip.   Great parking at MacGregor Park but you need to enter from Calhoun.  Hint, the bridge is not yet open to traffic.   This is your standard Houston Parks Board trail, eight foot wide concrete trail with markers here and there.   Just past the golf course is a side trail that  will take you to Magnolia Transit Center, either to get credit for a BCycle, or to catch Metro Rail home.   Your choice.    Mason Park has a BCycle station way out there, you can easily take it to the Brays trailhead.  Take a minute to admire the hike and bike bridges.   If you cross Brays Bayou on Navigation, there is a track/trail that can take you to a nice viewing point for the Port of Houston.  Ignore the trash, this is, after all, Houston.

Speaking of trash, for next year's treasure hunt on wheels, I am recommending we all take a little time to police up some of this trash, especially the stuff in and around the bike stations.   I saw several parked bikes with baskets full of trash.   Maybe we could earn a "Good Samaritan" badge if we fill a couple of grocery bags and dispose of them properly.

I ate lunch off of Canal, at a Salvadoran place   First time eating Salvadoran food.   Basically similar to Mexican with several differences,  The tortillas were 1/4 inch thick, the beans were pureed and more seasoned, and the Pollo Guisada  was made with different spices.   I believe this is authentic, I was the only Anglo in the place.   

A hidden gem is the Harrisburg Rails to Bike Trail.   You get away from traffic, except there are cross streets every 500 feet, and that traffic don't stop.   Remember to look left and right so you don't become a hood ornament!

A piece of the track of the former railroad.

There are several pockets of very cute little homes in this area, but the neighborhood needs help.

I turned South on Cullen.   Protected bike route, complete with the "Armadillos"   I saw one that had been knocked loose from the street, and I wanted to take it home, but it just would not fit in my backpack!....University of Houston was very daunting.   I knew I was the outsider, and I tried real hard to avoid thousands of students moving between classes.   I also avoided the little robots that I think are delivering food!    It was fun when two robots met each other, one seemed to lose it's mind!  I hit a few stations, and returned to my car.

Brays Bayou Trail is pretty much MY trail.   It is a two mile ride from home to the Keegans Bayou Trailhead, then four miles to Brays @ South Gessner.   From my house, all the way to MacGregor Park, is 20 miles.   Been there, Done that, rode public transportation home.   From MacGregor to the port is about 6 miles or so.    The city and Houston Parks Board are busy extending Brays West.    By this time next year, if we all say our prayers, and mind our Mothers, you will be able to bike and hike from the Houston Ship Channel, all the way to Arch Bishop Fiorenza Park (he passed away last month) and a few miles beyond!   I am so excited, I check on construction every month.   There are a few ribbons of concrete west of Dairy Ashford!   This will be a long trail, separate from roads, and with many underpasses to avoid cars at the intersections.

As Dale and Roy sang: Happy Trails to you, until we meet again!

Restrooms Along Brays Bayou Trail

For those of us who have been saying that we won’t live long enough to see the Brays Bayou Greenways Trail completed, let’s get our affairs in order, because the contractor is about to break ground!   Survey stakes marking the center of the pathway are going in now.  Brays Trail will be extended West from Braeburn Glen Park to Arthur Storey Park (west of Beltway 8) and then will continue West through Alief all the way to Eldridge Parkway.   The trail already meanders through ArchBishop Fiorenza Park and continues across Hwy 6 to the headwaters of Brays (not to be confused with the headwaters of the Nile, but that is another story!).   

One of the agencies that operate the trail got ahead of itself..   There has been, for several years now, a sign on Brays Trail, at South Gessner, pointing to Arthur Storey Park.    OK, so sign painting is a little less intensive than bull dozing and pouring concrete.    Along that line, let me offer a tour of restrooms to be found along the trail, including that part that has yet to be constructed.

I am a 69 year old, fat diabetic on a bicycle.   I make it a point to know where the closest restroom is, at all times.

Following the bayou almost to the ship channel, Mason Park offers restrooms in the community center.   The park itself is a very nice place to play and relax with friends and family.   Several miles upstream is MacGregor Park.   It also has a community center, but I have never found it open.   There are clean porta-potties in the parking lot.   There is also a B-Cycle station there.

Hermann Park has a number of restrooms, but the one closest to the Brays Trail is on Almeda on the East edge of the park.    Cross the Bill Coats bridge, take the Columbia Tap trail South to Dixie.   A very pleasant detour.

I have not found another public restroom for some distance, but many of us believe there is a city ordinance requiring all cyclists to stop at 3 Brothers Bakery, 3036 South Braeswood and buy a Hamantaschen, a delicious cookie shaped like a three-cornered hat.Everything else is good, but very filling!   Once you buy a cookie, you can use the restroom without guilt!

West of 610 Loop, construction is wrapping up on the South Rice and Chimney Rock bridges.  I estimate that the trail will be whole again this Spring.

Stein Family Park is a hidden gem, across the bayou next to United African Seventh Day Adventist Church on Brays Bayou Drive.   Clean restroom, about 20 parking spaces.   

Braeburn Glen Park, at the current Western end of Brays Bayou Trail. I think there are restrooms by the tennis courts

Now, assuming you are adventuresque, or don’t mind driving, Arthur Storey Park is one of the more used parks in Southwest Houston, located just South of the Home Depot, on Beltway 8.   Restroom is at the entrance to the park.

All the way West, and a wonderful gem of a park, is ArchBishop Fiorenza Park.   I am talking about the one West of Eldridge Parkway.  Restroom.   Extensive system of trails, in and outside the park.   There is a short stretch of trail on either side of the bayou, just Northeast of the park.   

I don't claim these are the only restrooms along the trail, but, aside from the bakery, all are open to the public. With the exception of Mason Park, I have used all these restrooms.

Archbishop Fiorenza Park

Main area with parking lot

 It was a beautiful, overcast and cool morning, so I headed Northwest from my house, not that easy when you are avoiding main roads.   I did a lot of right-left-right, etc turns from neighborhood to neighborhood and only spent two blocks on Synott (my wife pronounces it snot, go figure) before turning into Archbishop Joseph A. Fiorenza Park, located on West Park, between Hwy 6 and Eldridge Parkway.  This is one of many nice parks in Alief.

One of my e-maps shows the Southern trails to be future, but all trails exist and are asphalt and fairly smooth.    There are two man-made hills here, my 7 speed Schwinn and I avoided them, but I guess you can get a workout if you want one.    There are also exercise stations along the trail, Dan was doing well just to pedal!   Maybe next time!

Archbishop Fiorenza Park is part of Brays Bayou.  It and several other parks West of Beltway 8 have been built to give Brays Bayou a place to rest during flood events so that my friends down stream don't get flooded so often.   Brays Bayou crosses under Hwy 6 and flows into the lake that the park was built around.   A trail branches off from the park, goes under the highway and follows Brays Bayou West for some distances.   I will take this trail some other time.

At a scenic spot on the back end of the park, I found this swinging bench.   I tried to get a selfie, but I guess I am too old for selfies!   It's rather comfy!

The parking lot, playground, and clean restroom are on Westpark Dr, just West of Eldridge Parkway.   This might be a good place to park and ride, if you want to continue on to McClendon Park and even farther.   Bring your own water.   Both water stations I saw were out-of-service.

This might be a good time to discuss who runs this park.   Harris County Precint 3  is responsible for parks all over West Harris County.  Because of gerrymandering, Precint 3 is also responsible for Brays Bayou Greenway Trail from Gessner to the railroad tracks west of Stella Link    Other agencies who also control parts of these trails include Precinct  1, which has a small sliver just west of Gessner, and a good bit of trail east of the railroad tracks. The City of Houston (Keegans Bayou) and probably other groups I have not seen.

Steve Radack, commissioner of Precinct 3, has more constituents (population) than the governors of about 10 states.   He has almost total control of the budget for roads, bridges and parks in our precinct.   See www.pct3.com     An interesting fact is that our state constitution established that each county (I have visited all 254) is governed by 4 county commissioners and a county judge, regardless of size or population.   Loving County has about 100 residents, Harris County about 4.7 million!  Go figure.

   Commissioner Steve Radack has been in office for three decades.    His name is on park signs and county structures all over West Harris County.   At www.pct3.com, I found parks, dog parks, trails, community centers and two senior centers.   All carry his name.  An older park, just across the street from "Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza Park" is "Bishop Joseph Fiorenza Park", and the sign was cast of concrete,   I guess, long before Steve Radack was elected, because his name is not there!The park page on the pct3 site shows this as phase I with the bigger park as phase II.  A sign that I wonder about are the numerous signs that warn of alligators!   Maybe why they say no swimming.

Two other places, that Dan thinks SHOULD have Mr. Radack's name on it, are the signs at the toll booths announcing a toll of $1.75, and in front of the empty Astrodome, but now I'm just bellyaching!   Mr. Radack was responsible for a world class soap box derby track, and a permanent home for Houston Area Live Steamers (HALS.org)  in Zube Park.  Mr. Radack is not running again, so I wish him well.

My ride in the park was very nice.   The  trail is patched asphalt and is not near as wide as the more heavily traveled main trail along Braeswood from Gessner to Mason Park, but was scenic and restful.   Next time, I think I will drive there and bike farther west along a part of Brays I have never seen. 

Riding East from MacGregor Park

 My friend Don and I drove over to MacGregor Park, off of MLK Blvd and just South of University of Houston.  We took the bikes down from the car and headed East.    Note to everyone:  MacGregor Park offers parking right by the trail.  Also available are restrooms (presently clean porta-potties), water, and A B-Cycle station, so if you want to rent a bike, you certainly can.   This portion of Brays Bayou Greenway Trail is fairly new; Google maps still show bare earth in many places.   I wanted to see this first hand as the trail dips down under the Metro line and does a cloverleaf up and over the bayou to a beautiful entrance to University of Houston.   By the way, right by the corner of UH is the fifth air pump/bike maintenance post that I have seen on Brays Trail.    Air the tires before you go much farther.  This is a great idea, and I imagine this is part of our tax dollars at work, but it, and the occasional water stations, sure make for a nicer ride.

We were curious, as several of my online maps, and the city's trail map, show several points on the trail, that go under road bridges, to be closed for construction.   The suggested detour is over 3 miles long and takes one along Hwy 90a (Wayside) North of Gus Wortham Golf Course before you get a chance to get back to the trail.   Now, I am a law abiding citizen (mostly) and I have been known to do what I am told, but as a Texan, if you don't want me to drive down a perfectly good road, you better dump a load of dirt in my way or dig a big hole, or both, or I am going right around all those "road closed" barriers, which I did.    

The first signs, around Telephone Road were bypassed, with no adverse affects.   There was no construction (on the way back I could see piles of dirt, etc on top of the bridge, so.....) and we sailed right along.    This part of the bayou looks rather natural, not a lot of concrete embankments and a serious effort is being made to grow native grasses.

The second set of barriers was a different story.   The Lawndale bridge over the bayou has been torn down and construction really is ongoing.   Did that stop us?   Nope.   We took a short detour left, then crossed Lawndale, intending to follow it West and around the golf course, but we spotted a family going around the construction on the other side of the street, so we bumped over a little dirt and followed them back to the pathway.   Not crowded (many people minded the signs, I guess)  and we rode on to Mason Park.   There are two bridges that will take you to the South side of the bayou and to Mason Park.   This is an old city park (est 1929) and actually has something that resembles terrain!  One of the bridges has a dedicated bike lane, the other is an architecturally interesting foot bridge.   We biked to what is truly the end of the trail..    A railroad trestle stands in the way, but work is being done to rebuild the railroad and extend the trail several hundred feet to a final section of the trail that is pretty much not accessible at this time.

So, with just a little caution, you really can ride from Braeburn Glen Park off of Gessner (parking) all the way to Mason Park    One more piece of the trail, and we really will be able to ride all the way to Buffalo Bayou!    And, I read that work should start this year (sure it will) on the Brays trail Northwest of Bissonnet, on to Arthur Storey Park, and maybe, on to Hwy 6 (several parks along the way already).

This is a well maintained trail, a little bit of ups and downs (as a 67 year old fat boy, I need to learn how to effectively use these gears!) and the scenery is quite nice.    I am pretty sure the bayou at this point is either brackish, or its salt water, as this ditch empties into the ship channel in about a mile, which would put this at sea level.     I saw one spot marked as a place to launch a canoe.   

Here, in the midst of a great urban area, and close to the super-busy ship channel, you can still see nature.   Wildlife

and not so wildlife.

Along Brays Bayou

I made a major goal Tuesday.    From my house in Alief  (Southwest Houstonm, outside the Beltway) , along Keegans and Brays Bayous, to MacGregor Park just South of University of Houston is 20 miles.    292 pounds of 67 year old couch potato made it!  MacGregor Park is one of the few spots along Brays Bayou with parking for those who DON'T live just a few blocks from one of these bayou greenways trails.   You can bike through the park, play in a pickup game of roundball, or bike on through the park and on farther down stream on the bayou.

Just a small mention of the Covid-19 mask.    My wife ordered me a set that are specifically for athletic endeavors.   Replaceable charcoal filters.   I can actually breathe while wearing one.   We won't mention that my wife recently found a review of said mask that said they are pretty much useless, because the inlet ports that give me enough air also move unfiltered air in AND out.   As Scarlett said, "I'll worry about that tomorrow, at Tara.   After all....."    

Between Texas 288 and MacGregor Park is a little bit of construction (eventually all bridges across the bayou will be rebuilt for flood control/survival), and a whole lot of very stately homes from many years back.   I smell old money.   The Brays Trail runs along both sides of the bayou.  On the South bank of the bayou, almost to MacGregor Park, is a high-quality exercise pavilion with bike racks, water, and a number of exercise stations.   Technically, it's closed because of the Pandemic, but.....   There are two foot bridges for bikes, so you can go down one side and come back on the other.  The Westernmost bridge is part of Colombia Tap Trail.   There is construction here right now.     I ignored the detour; probably shouldn't have.

Columbia Tap Trail just South of Brays Bayou Trail.    If you head South, across 288, and turn right, you can take a quiet city street to Parks and Recreation @ Brays Bayou.

There is a new H-E-B at the corner of Brays and 288.  At the corner by New Hope Baptist Church (historical marker) is a stop for Bus 4 that can take you to the TMC transit center and all the way the other end of Alief.   $1.25 

There are two Metro stops close to MacGregor.   I wanted to bike to the one adjacent to UH, but the trail does a cloverleaf down and up (which is cool) and my legs rebelled against even that slight incline by this stage of my journey, so I boarded at MLK @ Old Spanish Trail.   Went two stops, by the stadium and rode a block to my bus stop at Scott and Alabama, where, by the way, someone has placed something called "Rookies Cookies!"   I managed to avoid it - this time, but I see a side trip in my future!   Makes sense doesn't it?   End a 20 mile ride with ice cream and cookies!   Ask me why I can't lose weight!

Not sure how much farther we can go at the present time.   Website maps show Brays Greenway Trail is closed at Hwy 90a and the detour is not something I am interested in.   The problem with world class bike trails  -  it can be a mess building them., and the mess is there for some time.   I am considering driving to MacGregor and doing a fairly short exploration of the bayou from there.

 

A little farther on Brays Bayou Greenway Trail

I headed out Friday morning.   I would have gotten out earlier, but the dogs demanded a walk before they would let me get on the bike.   Weather Wife predicted rain by 1:00.    Had to turn around after a block because my Covid mask was still in the house.  I stopped a lot to take pictures for the previous post, and that added to my time.    And then the headwind.   Now, the guys with 5% body fat, on the fancy bikes, don't seem bothered by wind; me, I was bothered, but I kept going.

The portion of Brays Bayou Trail between Gessner and Buffalo Speedway is very pleasant.   The bikers, runners and walkers come in all shapes and sizes, and are a very diverse group.   Some are in a hurry, many are out enjoying the view.     Everyone is nice and there are many places to rest.

I have counted 3 of these maintenance stations, so far.    Bicycle tools on cables, and a sturdy air pump.   This is just downright friendly of Harris County, or whoever put them there!





After Buffalo Speedway, the grass turns into concrete and the trail moves into the concrete canyon that is Brays Bayou in the Medical Center.   I saw no more families, and traffic thinned out, which is good because the trail is a little narrow, and just a bit closer to the down-embankment than I like.

 Then, we're opposite Hermann Park, and the trial sweeps left and right, and up and down.   Note - if you want to cross the Bill Coats Bridge, and it is beautiful, as is the other side, better take the higher trail as you go under Cambridge, as that is about your only chance.   There is a lower trail at water level, as you go under Texas 288; I was glad I passed on it, as I could see the water had taken over at one point.

Just past 288 is a new H-E-B.   I may stop there sometime.    The next landmark was what I had been looking for - Columbia Tap Trail crosses the bayou here.   If you turn North, this new trail will take you all the way to BBVA Stadium in EaDo.   This is a Rails-To-Trail.   It's an abandoned rail line and goes right through TSU and the 3rd Ward.   I must try it some day - after I finish Brays!



I stopped here and parked my bike at the corner by New Hope Baptist Church.   Bus Line 4 stops here and will take me back through the medical center and all the way back to Alief, all for $1.25! 

My next goal is MacGregor Park, where Brays Bayou crosses MLK and the Metro Rail.   This may take a while.  I feel like I've made progress.   In early May, I rode 2 miles.   Friday, July 27, I rode 18 (at least) miles)

Your Homework assignment for next time - Why is it Brays Bayou, but Braeswood? 

Keegans Bayou Trail

Keegans Bayou Trail is my gateway to Brays Bayou Greenway Trail.  The current trailhead is at Kirkwood and Keegans Bayou, just North of West Bellfort.   The City's master plan for bikeways will extend this trail West to Synott.     Doing so will bring the trail through my neighborhood, but the $64 question is WHEN?   The current trail, according to Houston Parks and Recreation, is 4.04 miles from Kirkwood to Gessner, where it joins Brays.

Trailhead, Kirkwood, just north of West Bellfort.

If you enter Keegans from Brays Trail, you will go under Gessner and seamlessly start on your 4 mile journey West.   I have read that Keegans is an extension of Brays; it's really supposed to be a branch.   To continue on Brays Trail, take the upper trail and cross the bridge at Gessner, then turn left onto the North bank of Brays.   Don't get excited when you see the sign pointing towards Arthur Storey Park, the sign guy got his work done a little faster than the trail builder.   The trail ends abouit 2000 feet from Gessner, at Braeburn Glen Park.    Bus 65 crosses the trail here at Bissonnet.   More about trails and busses another time.   My point is that eventually (I'm 67 yrs old, don't have much more time) Brays Bayou Greenway Trail could follow the bayou all the way across Alief.   There are several parks built around detention ponds, including Arthur Storey Park, but right now, as they say in New England, "Ya cahnt get there from heah!"  Hopefully they will all become part of the master plan.

The vast majority of Keegans Trail is an eight foot wide ribbon of concrete.   Nice.   But the city must have run short of funds at some point, as there is a segment just east of Wilcrest that is crushed granite.   Still nice, but a little prone to ruts.   On the other hand (where I have 5 fingers) this little stretch is quite scenic, isn't it?   There are turtles and all manner of cranes, heron, etc.   Just try to look past all the trash in the bayou, and the bags someone left along the trail.   We Houstonians are a trashy lot.

The part that goes under Southwest Freeway is a little disconcerting:  it's a small homeless colony, but they have never bothered me, nor I them.  Just know you may see legs sticking out of a tent up under the roadway.   Also, this part of the bayou could really use a work day or two.

I read some past complaints about this trail; but I think the city has fixed it up pretty nice.   There can be a little mud on the trail after it rains, but keep in mind the primary purpose of this property is flood control.    The city has been fairly regular this summer about mowing.   If you want quiet, and not well traveled, you are home.   There is not much access to the trail from neighborhoods between Braeswood and Wilcrest, so most traffic will be those who are going more than 4 miles.  

There are four rest areas on the 4 mile long Keegans Trail.   Very quiet and restful.

About a mile into the trail from Gessner, is Riceville Cemetery.  When I first came across it several years ago, the trail was new and there was no fence arounc the cemetery.   There is a nice one today, and the gate across the way is locked.  This and Riceville Mt Olive Baptist Church seem to be about all that is left of Riceville.   This African American community, founded by Leonard Rice in the 1850s was annexed to Houston in the late 1960s.   As late as 1982, there were no city services, no public water or sewers.   There were about 300 residents.   -  Handbook of Texas

  My aunt and uncle lived less than a mile from here, and I never knew it existed.    The foot bridge moves the trail from one side of the bayou to the other.   There is also a minor trail to the South that ends in a neighborhood.

By the way, if you go all the way to Kirkwood, you might want to check out the El Rancho Grocery.  It's what we got when Randall's closed.   They have an extensive collection of prepared Mexican dishes.  In the same center is Boba.   They open at 11:00 and offer a real good Mango Smoothie with popping bobas.   Don't ask, my granddaughter told me what to order.

Brays Bayou Trail for the Beginner

Brays Bayou Bike trail has become part of my life goals.    I started riding just a few months ago when my bathroom scale reached 300 pounds and my doctor complained (always something!) about my blood pressure.    So, I dusted off the $200 7 speed Schwin, aired it up, and headed to the beginning of the Keegans Trail.   That was two miles, one way.   Over the next few weeks, I went a little farther each time, until it was time to push on to Gessner where Keegans Trail joins Brays Bayou trail.   At this point, my goal became going as far down Brays as I could, and then I stumble over to the nearest bus stop where I ride Bus 68 West towards home. 

My first major goal was the Medical Center transit center.  I worked towards this goal since early May, but last week I had a great ride and blew right past it, finally stopping at Almeda, and got onto Bus 4, which took me deep into Alief where I live.    If you have ever wondered whatever happened to AJ Foyt, he drives an articulated omni bus on line 4!

So, my next goal is MacArthur Park, just Southeast of University of Houston.   I'm still researching the best bus route home, but sometimes I turn around in Meyerland and ride on back home.  I did that today, and the map says I accomplished 18 miles!   Compare that to my May 5 entry that says I rode 2 miles!

On the Brays Trail, I see all manner of walker and cyclist.   I see teams in matching T's, families with strollers and even a trailer behind Daddy's bike.   The most intimidating is not the ripped guy with spandex and the graphite bike who blows past me on rocket assist, but rather the little 5 year old on the 16 inch bike, who Daddy reports can ride 10 miles!    Way too much energy!

Dan