Cycling Routes

Ranch Road 1
Fredericksburg > Stonewall

Ranch Road 1

Fredericksburg > Stonewall

Route Summary

These modular Routes present several options for relatively easy Hill Country bicycling. We present two distinct but contiguous routes.

Ranch Road 1

Ranch Road 1 (RR1) stands out as the best flat stretch of bicycle-friendly roadway in Gillespie County. While it favors novice cyclists, experienced racers utilize it frequently to hone their time-trial form over the full 13.2 mile distance (round trip). It rolls downhill but drops only about 150 feet over 6.6 miles (one way).

Fredericksburg > Stonewall

For those wishing to bicycle from Fredericksburg to RR1 in Stonewall, we present Fredericksburg > Stonewall. This route encompasses 17.5 miles, one way.

Those riding from Fredericksburg to the park, riding RR1 (both ways), and then cycling back to Fredericksburg would enjoy about 48 miles of cycling using these routes.

Riding to RR1 from Fredericksburg presents mostly gently rolling hills along RR1631/RR2721. While this cycling artery carries a fair amount of traffic, most motorists stay on the lookout for cyclists along this stretch. Nevertheless, stay single file and ride friendly.

Route Narrative

Overview

Cyclists of all abilities enjoy Ranch Road 1. No hills to speak of, great scenery, and bountiful "extra-cyclicular" activities make this a great cycling destination. The road carries light traffic at 45 mph, making it unsuitable for small children.

Parking

Find several locations from which to "park and ride" along RR1. Two obvious locations include the centrally-located park headquarters and, separately, the park pool. Otherwise, find two rest stops with water and bathrooms available. One of these lies west of the park headquarters on RR1 itself, about 1/3 of a mile east of RR1623. The other lies east of the park headquarters, at the intersection of US290 and Lower Albert Rd.

Food and Drink

Visit Stonewall, south of RR1, for sustenance. To reach it by bicycle just ride south a few blocks on RR1623 or St. Francis St. Once there, we recommend the Weinheimer Store, near the post office. In addition to candy bars and sports drinks for cyclists, this thriving general store carries an amazing inventory of just about any hardware item a rancher might need, plus groceries, beer, wine and a fine butcher's counter.

Although you will not find fine dining in Stonewall, two café's serve mighty good hamburgers, as well as enchiladas. One of these cafes lies on the south side of US290, the other on the north side. Both share their premises with convience stores and gas stations.

Ranch Road 1

We recommend making a 13.2 mile "loop" out of RR1. Regardless of where you start, ride right or left to the end (US290), turn around, ride to the other end, and then return. The Pedernales river flows along the north side of the road for the entire distance, although it will not always be visible.

The west end of RR1 rolls through suburban Stonewall. Although we have not confirmed this tidbit, we are told that some of the old buildings functioned as offices for the Secret Service during the Johnson administration. Here you may also see the remains of structures damaged by a tornado that visited this area several years ago. West of Stonewall, a few homes and B&Bs dot the south bank of the river.

The heart of LBJ activity lies near the center of RR1, with the state park and national park flanking the river. To visit these, park at the headquarters on the south side of RR1. While riding, look for longhorns behind the high fence near the park headquarters.

Not much distinguishes the east end of RR1, the quiet end, but you will find several interesting old structures.

Those looking to see more, or simply add additional miles, might consider expanding their route:

Expanding the Route

To extend your ride we recommend making raids into the countryside on various roads intersecting RR1.

For a short extension to RR1, turn northward on State Park Rd. 49 (west of park headquarters). Follow it over the river where the road bends to the right. Then turn left on Martin Rd. This takes you a mile or two northward to a dead end. This annex adds a few nice country miles. Although this road flanks the LBJ ranch, you will not see much of the ranch on this stretch.

Those looking for yet more flat riding should seek out Lower Albert Rd., which intersects RR1 near the Trinity Lutheran Church (no road sign as of this writing). Cross US290 heading south and enjoy several very scenic and mostly flat miles. This road intersects Upper Albert Rd. Turn left here and ride ½ mile to the "town' of Albert, TX. (The bar and band may be hopping here, but otherwise find limited resources.)

Standing at the intersection of Lower Albert and Upper Albert, one has three obvious choices. First, one may return to RR1 via the mostly flat Lower Albert Rd.; this would be the most tranquil choice. Or, head westward on Upper Albert Rd. and drop back into Stonewall. While infinitely rideable, this stretch of Upper Albert Rd. features a narrow shoulder and carries fast traffic, making it less appealing than Lower Albert Rd. Rolling hills also characterize this stretch. If you choose this route, the shortest and safest way to re-integrate with RR1 involves riding straight across US290, continuing northward on the narrow lane directly across from Upper Albert Rd., which delivers you quickly to RR1.

Yet another option, separate from the Upper Albert Rd. route, adds yet more mileage and a bit of climbing. Just east of the intersection of Upper Albert Rd. and Lower Albert Rd (east of the creek) lies Schumann Rd., heading south. Do not be turned off by the dead-end sign; we believe this to be the best dead-end road for cycling in the county! The scenic hilly profile climbs a ridge looking back to the Pedernales River Valley. About three miles long, it terminates at four ranch gates delineating private roads. (Turn around here!) On your return enjoy a swift, winding, mostly-downhill run and a prevailing tailwind.

Fredericksburg > Stonewall

For cyclists choosing pedal-powered propulsion over motorized transport to Stonewall, we present the following 17.5 mile (each way) route. Begin at the Marktplatz (See Detail Map below), which offers a central meeting location, restrooms, and plenty of parking. Ride eastward on Austin St. to Elk St. Turn right and roll to US290. From here, one might simply turn left and ride US290 to Columbus St. We do not recommend that shortcut, however, because the narrow bridge puts cyclist in potentially close contact with motorists. Instead, we recommend this slightly longer scenic route: Carry on straight across US290 on Elk St. Turn left at Creek St. and then follow Creek St. as it bends rightward. Climb the short hill and turn left on Franklin St. Two blocks later turn left (careful, two-way stop) on to Columbus St. Follow Columbus St. to US290. Here, consider stopping for sustenance at the convenience store on the south side of US290, or the bike shop on the north side; you will find no other food/drink resources until you reach Stonewall.

Ride southward on Columbus St., turn right on Schubert St., and then left on RR1631. Because this road carries a substantial load of car traffic, we recommend single-file grouping, and ride friendly. As you enter the countryside you whisk by a junkyard and then climb Landfill Hill, which rises beside the town dump. After you endure those features, the scenery turns sublime. Peach orchards blanket the landscape to your right as you descend toward Palo Alto Creek. Once at the creek, the road meanders along the flats for a few miles. Then, up ahead, the Climb to Jung Ln. appears. Nothing too debilitating, but it will challenge those that attack it. Bragging rights for the day will be won or lost on this one.

At the top go straight ahead, which puts you on RR2721. This road rocks and rolls for about six miles more. After a steady descent, from which you see a sizable climb ahead, you turn right on RR1623, (avoiding that climb) and dropping you into the Pedernales River Valley.

A few downhill miles later this road crosses the Pedernales River and then immediately intersects Ranch Road 1. For those wishing to ride the complete length of RR1, we recommend a right turn (west). Ride to the end at US290, turn around, and then enjoy the full length of the road, west to east. Most of the attractions, the town of Stonewall not withstanding, lie east of RR1623. To visit Stonewall proper, ride south just a few short blocks on RR1623 or St. Francis St.

Return Trip

We offer the following recommendation for those making the return trip to Fredericksburg by bicycle. Once back to the edge of town, at the intersection of Columbus St. and US290, you have the option of riding directly into town on US290, or backtracking on the scenic route described above. Because of a much wider lane travelling this direction, we usually take the short-cut and ride back on US290, turning right on Elk St., left on Austin St., and then traversing the few short blocks back to the Marktplatz.