Jarrett2

I'm interested in making this ride soon. What sort of tires do you recommend?

I was hoping to do it on my touring road bike that has 28's on it with some tread. Will that work?

camjr

I've been to the state park many times, but have never done the trailway. I'll make an effort to ride it this spring. I'll do it on a Fuji Absolute hybrid with 700x32c tires which should be just about right.

TXCiclista

Can I “necro” this thread and ask if it’s appropriate for a “pure” road bike (Fuji Roubaix) with 25’s? Thinking about trying it out, but if it’s still crushed gravel, i’m More inclined to take a pass until I get around to a different bike or a spare tire set

Dogma XC Stan

Is their a fee to ride this trail?
I thought I seen a fee box at the Weatherford end.

Thanks,
Stan

StephenH

Woo. Old thread. Sorry about the photos being gone, but that's Photobucket.
Sure, you could ride it on 25's, not the ideal thing, but I'm sure it's been done. It's not like you're going to bog down anywhere.
I'm pretty sure there is a fee- it's just the park entrance fee, I think- call and ask if it's critical.


There's a Caprock Canyons rail trail out between South Plains and Estelline, and I'm planning to do it in late April.

tcs

It's been years and things change. That said, both times I rode it, only the part from South Plains to Quitaque could have been described as maintained - the rest was overgrown. You could bushwhack your way through, but you had to stop every now and then and pull weeds out of the rear derailleur/cassette. Even in maintained places there were stretches where the area on either side of the railway had been mown - and the clippings/chaff ejected onto the trail surface! Texas Parks&Wildlife seemed to be operating this wild space as a tribulus terrestris sanctuary. If I were to ride it again I'd seriously consider mounting Tannus Razor Blades. I'm not kidding.

Hopefully conditions have improved.

Oh, but if you're not stopping every 0.79 miles to patch multiple punctures, from South Plains to Quitaque is hands down one of the most memorable, most scenic and most unique rides in the state. It will be beautiful in late April.

Jarrett2

I rode it last weekend or two back maybe. I only did a few miles of it due to time. I have Clement USH 35's that's about as small as I'd want to go on that trail. It's mostly fine, but every now and then there will be a deep spot. I would not personally take my road bike with 28's on there.

There is a fee, but I'm not sure what it is. I assume it was covered when I paid at the state park for access there.

If you do go out there, make sure to ride up the steep switchbacked hill into the state park and check it out. Some nice paved rides in there. I got this pic there recently.

italcyclist

I've ridden the crushed limestone (I believe it's crushed limestone) on the Trinity Trail bike path in Fort Worth. It is easy, and one should not be apprehensive about riding the Rails - to - Trails Lake Mineral Wells State Trailway. Falling off your bike onto a paved surface is very painful.
I have a question. Has anyone ridden their bicycle from Fort Worth to Mineral Wells? During this upcoming fall season I am planning on riding from Fort Worth to Mineral Wells. I hear there is a small town near Mineral Wells the is named Cool, Texas. Sounds like a good place to be during the scorching Texas summers (lol).
What is the best route, or is there a good route to take that avoids the bad drivers?
Thank you