Biking in San Antonio means peaceful greenways, rocky singletrack, and ranch country.
Though it might not have a stellar rep as a cycling mecca, the Alamo City is making major strides. Some 80-plus miles of developed trails — from the Howard Peak Greenway Trails System (50 major trailheads and Creekside open space) to the iconic San Antonio Missions Trail — weave through bustling neighborhoods, and there are more than 60 BCycle bike share stations around town. Some sections, like Salado Creek and Leon Creek, are great for a mellow MTB session, too.
For more challenge, head north: 976-acre McAllister Park is home to a pump track, skills course, and close to 100 beginner and intermediate trails. And vast and rocky Government Canyon gets more technical (and bone-rattling) the farther you venture out from the front-country area.
If gravel is your sweet spot, you can either ride the Greenways (Salado or Leon) or forge a route on rural roads outside the city limits, with beautiful valleys and beautiful ranches around Pipe Creek. Farther afield, the teeny town of Castell hosts the Castell Grind every year, with 60 miles of gravel, minimal traffic, a few sand traps, and more cattle guards than you can count.
Race — or just ride — a course designed by Tour de France experts in the L’Etape San Antonio, or check out the Hill Country MTB Challenge, the largest MTB race in the San Antonio area (bonus: it’s race #5 of the Trek Texas presents the TMBRA XC MTB State Championship Series).