Generally,
food and water are available in the towns marked on the
maps. There are many churches and fire stations scattered
along most of the routes--look around, they normally have
a water faucet. (Blue buildings with a couple of big garage
door's on the front are fire stations. If you're not sure--look
inside, a big Red truck almost guarantees it is a fire
station.) These rides feature rolling terrain on lightly
traveled roads. Louisiana doesn't own a mountain, so don't
worry about any big climbs, unless you're from New Orleans;
where a change in elevation of 6 feet is considered a
climb. WARNING: Remember, measuring cycling routes is
not an exact science (at least the way I measure isn't),
the route distance are relative--in other words be flexible,
they should be accurate within a few miles. Want more
variety? Parts of any of these routes can be combined
to provide a change of pace.
|
| Norwood
Loop
70 mile route
see
a map
|
The route starts at St. Francisville, "Inn on the Lake" (located
on highway 61, 30 miles North of Baton Rouge) and loops through
Woodville (MS), Norwood, and Jackson. Stores are available
at each of these towns. Wilson is marked on the map, but I
believe the population is about six--don't count on it for
food or water.
|
| Woodville
Loop
65 mile route
see
a map
|
The
route starts at St. Francisville, "Inn on the Lake" (located
on highway 61, 30 miles North of Baton Rouge) and loops through
Woodville (MS), Norwood, and Jackson. Stores are available
at each of these towns. Wilson is marked on the map, but I
believe the population is about six--don't count on it for
food or water.
|
| The
Jackson Loop
"Bout" 70 miles
see
a map
|
The
ride starts at the museum of Jackson (Jackson is located on
highway 10, a little bit east of highway 19). Make sure you
stop in and say "hi" to Earl. Then, cycle the rolling hills
North of Jackson. Stores available at Clinton and Norwood.
|
| Ride
and Hike
Tunica Hills
see
a map
|
The
ride starts at Bains High School (3 miles North of Stl Francisville),
the alternate start is at the intersection of highway 66 and
highway 969. Allow a few hours to explore the Tunica Hills
and waterfalls (calling em' waterfalls is kind of a stretch.
It's more like creekfalls, cept after a raging spring time
rain). Bring some lunch, hiking shoes, a bike lock, and water.
CAUTION: The terrain at Tunica Hills is rugged, be careful
while hiking. Pond store is a block from the trail head.
|
| Starhill
Hill Loop
60 mile route
see
a map
|
Saturday
morning brings out many Baton Rouge area cyclists for a training
ride from the Starhill Cemetery. This ride pulls out around
7:30 a.m. The pace is moderate to fast to gut-busting fast.
In general, the speed ranges from 18-25 miles per hour intermixed
with a few attacks, surges, and hard efforts. There are a
couple of points along the way were riders normally regroup.
Distance options vary between 40 and 75 miles. The bulk of
the group usually travels 55-65 miles. This is an informal
ride and participation varies.
|
| Oakley
House Tour
25 mile route
see
a map
|
The
route starts at St. Francisville, "Inn on the Lake." An easy
25 mile loop that includes Locust Grove Cemetery and Oakley
House. Two area landmarks that are worth a stop (Yup! Actually
stop and look at something, foreign concept to some. Leave
the endorphine seeking, testosterone crazed, adrenaline freak
at home--kick back, ride easy, and enjoy the day.) Oakley
house charges a couple of bucks for admission, if you plan
to tour the house, it would be a good idea to bring some walking
shoes. Sometimes people get bent, when you try and walk through
an old plantation home in cleats, and those wooden stair cases
are really, really wicked!. |
|
|
