Houston? How's the riding?
01-22-21, 08:05 AM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Houston? How's the riding?
I am an engineer and I have a feeling that I'm going to end up in the big city of Houston sometime in the next several years. It doesn't seem too too bad for living besides the heat, and I actually do pretty well in warm weather. I also know a bunch of people there, though none of them ride. Maybe that should tell me something...
The question for bikeforums is, how is the riding in Houston? I ride a lot of gravel right now because there's a ton of great gravel routes nearby, but I enjoy mountain biking and road biking too.
The question for bikeforums is, how is the riding in Houston? I ride a lot of gravel right now because there's a ton of great gravel routes nearby, but I enjoy mountain biking and road biking too.
Last edited by Phatman; 01-22-21 at 09:24 AM.
01-22-21, 08:25 AM
#2
Galveston County Texas
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Year round riding. Summers Hot, I ride at night w lights.
Winters good miles average temp 65*F
Got as much a 15,923 miles my best year
I live in-between Houston and Galveston.
Winters good miles average temp 65*F
Got as much a 15,923 miles my best year
I live in-between Houston and Galveston.
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Fred "The Real Fred"
Fred "The Real Fred"
Last edited by 10 Wheels; 01-22-21 at 08:29 AM.
01-22-21, 09:18 AM
#4
Junior Member
Not much mountain biking in the area, but lots of road biking. They have a pretty large club scene and several races throughout the year. The only trail I know of there is Double Lake. I raced there once. Not much elevation gain/loss but nice and tight and twisty. I don't know about gravel, but I do know there are lots of dirt roads in Texas so I'm sure Houston would have some too. It is pretty wet there, though, so I don't know how passable they would be year round. Good luck to you.
01-22-21, 09:28 AM
#5
Sr Member on Sr bikes
I’ve only been to the Houston area once (in early 2019) for four days. Two of the days were down on Galveston Island. I didn’t get the opportunity to ride while I was there, but I did go for a few runs. Strava elevation profiles of those runs in Houston (and Galveston) are flat as a pancake. I.e. less than 10 ft elevation gain in a six mile run. So...I don’t think you’ll be riding many hills around there.
Dan
Dan
01-22-21, 10:15 AM
#7
Senior Member
Nice to hear you are considering a move to the Houston area. There is much road bike activity in the area. Many rides are to the west and northwest. I live here because it gets hot and I enjoy biking in the heat. I grew up where it gets cold and don't relish that. As I write this it's 62 degrees and 99% humidity, probably Zwifting today.
As one poster said Houston is flat, 85 ft of elevation gain from Galveston to Houston.
Gravel does exist. To the north is Sam Houston National Forest with many fire roads made of gravel. Double Lake at Coldspring is a MTB favorite. Huntsville State Park is a site of MTB races. If you want a heavier dose of MTB Spider Mountain near Austin has some hills.
Visit my website in my signature for Texas Bicycling News, Events, Experiences.
As one poster said Houston is flat, 85 ft of elevation gain from Galveston to Houston.
Gravel does exist. To the north is Sam Houston National Forest with many fire roads made of gravel. Double Lake at Coldspring is a MTB favorite. Huntsville State Park is a site of MTB races. If you want a heavier dose of MTB Spider Mountain near Austin has some hills.
Visit my website in my signature for Texas Bicycling News, Events, Experiences.
01-22-21, 11:04 AM
#8
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For off-road see ghorba.
Elevation in the Houston area is measured in inches (+/-) from Hurricane Harvey maximum level.
I was a commuter and am still a utility rider. Commuting is very viable if you pick a good location.
I don't find summer heat bad for riding as long as I stay hydrated and moving. Running in the daytime in summer is brutal.
Today is a very light mist and about 64F. I rode my commuter which has fenders.
Elevation in the Houston area is measured in inches (+/-) from Hurricane Harvey maximum level.
I was a commuter and am still a utility rider. Commuting is very viable if you pick a good location.
I don't find summer heat bad for riding as long as I stay hydrated and moving. Running in the daytime in summer is brutal.
Today is a very light mist and about 64F. I rode my commuter which has fenders.
01-22-21, 11:49 AM
#10
Senior Member
01-22-21, 12:58 PM
#11
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No, it's the "feels like" temperature. 62 degrees or more plus 99% humidity close to the Gulf of Mexico feels like 266 degrees Fahrenheit.
01-22-21, 02:37 PM
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Nice to hear you are considering a move to the Houston area. There is much road bike activity in the area. Many rides are to the west and northwest. I live here because it gets hot and I enjoy biking in the heat. I grew up where it gets cold and don't relish that. As I write this it's 62 degrees and 99% humidity, probably Zwifting today.
As one poster said Houston is flat, 85 ft of elevation gain from Galveston to Houston.
Gravel does exist. To the north is Sam Houston National Forest with many fire roads made of gravel. Double Lake at Coldspring is a MTB favorite. Huntsville State Park is a site of MTB races. If you want a heavier dose of MTB Spider Mountain near Austin has some hills.
Visit my website in my signature for Texas Bicycling News, Events, Experiences.
As one poster said Houston is flat, 85 ft of elevation gain from Galveston to Houston.
Gravel does exist. To the north is Sam Houston National Forest with many fire roads made of gravel. Double Lake at Coldspring is a MTB favorite. Huntsville State Park is a site of MTB races. If you want a heavier dose of MTB Spider Mountain near Austin has some hills.
Visit my website in my signature for Texas Bicycling News, Events, Experiences.
How hard is it to get out of town? Should I plan on living on the outskirts if I want to ride from the house?
01-22-21, 02:43 PM
#13
Senior Member
Shreveport is about 5 hours north on US59.
Many people live on the west to northwest side of Houston where roads are easily accessed. I live on the northeast side and ride from my house.
Many people live on the west to northwest side of Houston where roads are easily accessed. I live on the northeast side and ride from my house.
01-23-21, 03:21 PM
#14
señor miembro
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Sweltering.
