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Mission Trail - Road

Sculptures of hay and steel near Mission San Juan.
Other Photos:
2009-06-19 Mission Trail

The Mission Trail runs along beside the San Antonio River on the south side of San Antonio, passing the Missions. It has a paved trail you can ride on, or you can follow along beside the trail on roads. This version of the ride shows the road option.

The nice thing about the Mission Trail is that, whether you ride on the road or on the trail, car traffic and angry drivers are not something you have to worry about. This makes for a nice, low stress place to ride, whether you're a dedicated cyclist or just a family on a weekend outing.

One thing of interest on this ride, other than the Missions, is the 'Ghost Tracks'. This is a railroad track crossing at the southern-most point in the ride. Supposedly there was a tragedy here in the past involving a school bus full of children that stalled and got hit by a passing train. The story goes that if you pull your car onto the tracks and cover the back of the car in talcum powder or dirt, the children will push the car off the tracks and their little handprints will be visible in the dust on the back of the car. I've tried it on the bicycle, but I've never felt any little hands pushing me. Occasionally when I ride past I'll see someone in a car testing this story out.

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The shorter option goes out and back next to the river but doesn't spend as much time on the trail.


(Download PDF)
The longer option spends more time on the trail and goes by Stinson Field.

Park in the Blue Star parking lot. I always park in the back, by the river. Be sure to check out all the studios and the restaurant when you're done riding. They have some really cool stuff here! Park in the Blue Star parking lot. I always park in the back, by the river. Be sure to check out all the studios and the restaurant when you're done riding. They have some really cool stuff here!

Ride Dist. Type Description
9.1 conv. store There is a convience store at the corner of Southton and Loop 410. (0.7 miles off route)
Ride Dist. Type Description
9.9 conv. store There is a convience store at the corner of Southton and Loop 410. (0.7 miles off route)
Ride Dist. Description
2.2 Mission Concepcion
5.2 Mission San Jose (0.4 miles off route)
7.9 Mission San Juan (0.2 miles off route)
8.9 Mission Espada (0.4 miles off route)
9.1 Ghost Tracks
10.4 Mission San Juan (0.2 miles off route)
13.3 Mission San Jose (0.3 miles off route)
15.9 Mission Concepcion
Ride Dist. Description
2.2 Mission Concepcion
5.2 Mission San Jose (0.4 miles off route)
7.6 Espada Aqueduct (0.2 miles off route)
9.0 Mission Espada
9.1 Gate closed to car traffic after 5:00 pm (go around it)
9.6 Gate closed to car traffic after 5:00 pm (go around it)
9.8 Ghost Tracks
11.1 Mission San Juan (0.1 miles off route)
14.4 Mission San Jose (0.3 miles off route)
16.9 Mission Concepcion
Help!
Total Miles Instructions For Miles
0.00 NORTH through parking 0.07
0.07 RIGHT onto S. Alamo 0.08
0.15 RIGHT onto E. Guenther 0.47
0.62 LEFT onto Eagleland 0.24
0.87 RIGHT onto S. St. Marys 0.36
1.22 RIGHT onto Mission Rd. 1.32
2.54 VEER LEFT onto trail at Hansford 0.50
3.04 LEFT onto Mission Pkwy. 1.00
4.04 LEFT onto Mission Trail (unmarked) 1.20
5.24 LEFT onto Padre Dr. 0.32
5.56 LEFT onto Mission Pkwy. 2.15
7.71 LEFT onto Villamain 1.43
9.14 TURN AROUND at the ghost tracks 1.44
10.58 RIGHT onto Mission Pkwy. 2.15
12.74 RIGHT onto Padre Dr. 1.04
13.77 RIGHT onto VFW Boulevard 0.14
13.91 LEFT onto Mission Pkwy. 1.15
15.05 RIGHT onto Mission Rd. 1.81
16.87 LEFT onto S. St. Marys 0.37
17.24 LEFT onto Eagleland 0.25
17.48 RIGHT onto E. Guenther 0.47
17.95 LEFT onto S. Alamo 0.08
18.03 LEFT into the Blue Star parking lot 0.07
18.10 Arrive at finish  
Total Miles Instructions For Miles
0.00 NORTH through parking
Head North in the parking lot towards S. Alamo.
Blue Star parking lot
lanes: 1
shoulder: 0
traffic: None
speed: 5
0.07
0.07 RIGHT onto S. Alamo
The parking lot dumps out onto S. Alamo.
S. Alamo
You will cross the bridge over the San Antonio River, then pass the building with the mural on the wall.
lanes: 4
shoulder: 0
traffic: Moderate
speed: 30
0.08
0.15 RIGHT onto E. Guenther
E. Guenther
This street goes through the edge of the King William area.
lanes: 1
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
0.47
0.62 LEFT onto Eagleland
E. Guenther dead-ends into Eagleland.
Eagleland
Brackenridge High School is on your right.
lanes: 4
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
0.24
0.87 RIGHT onto S. St. Marys
Go right at the light.
S. St. Marys
Pass by Brackenridge High School, then under the railroad tracks.
lanes: 4
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
0.36
1.22 RIGHT onto Mission Rd.
Mission Rd.
You'll pass by the exit from the flood-control tunnel, then an old power plant that's now used for training, under the freeway, past the juvenile detention center, and past Mission Concepcion.
lanes: 2
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
1.32
2.54 VEER LEFT onto trail at Hansford
Mission Trail
The Mission Trail starts here. It parallels Mission Rd. and the Riverside Golf Course, and crosses over the river on its own bridge.
lanes: 1
shoulder: 0
traffic: None
speed: 10
0.50
3.04 LEFT onto Mission Pkwy.
The trail dead-ends into Mission Pkwy.
Mission Pkwy.
Ride along next to the river, passing under several bridges.
lanes: 2
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
1.00
4.04 LEFT onto Mission Trail (unmarked)
The trail goes off to the left just before you get to VFW Boulevard.
Mission Trail
Ride next to the river on your left and parks on your right.
lanes: 1
shoulder: 0
traffic: None
speed: 10
1.20
5.24 LEFT onto Padre Dr.
Get on Padre Dr. where the trail crosses Pyron.
Padre Dr.
The trail is on your left.
lanes: 2
shoulder: 1
traffic: Light
speed: 30
0.32
5.56 LEFT onto Mission Pkwy.
Mission Pkwy. T's in on the left.
Mission Pkwy.
This road takes you back down to the river and on into Espada Park.
lanes: 3
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
2.15
7.71 LEFT onto Villamain
Mission San Juan is straight ahead at the corner.
Villamain
Villamain runs along next to the train tracks and crosses them at the ghost tracks.
lanes: 2
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
1.43
9.14 TURN AROUND at the ghost tracks
You will turn left and cross the railroad tracks. These are the infamous 'Ghost Tracks'. Turn around and go back the way you came once you have crossed the tracks.
Villamain
The railroad tracks are on your right.
lanes: 2
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
1.44
10.58 RIGHT onto Mission Pkwy.
Mission San Juan will be on your left. If it has been raining, you may need to go straight, cross the bridge, then go right onto the trail since there may be water over the river crossing at Espada Dam.
Mission Pkwy.
Go along beside the river, cross the river below Espada Dam, then head out of Espada Park. There are picnic grounds all along this road.
lanes: 2
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
2.15
12.74 RIGHT onto Padre Dr.
Mission Pkwy. dead-ends into Padre Dr.
Padre Dr.
Pass by picnic grounds, parks and ball fields.
lanes: 2
shoulder: 1
traffic: Light
speed: 30
1.04
13.77 RIGHT onto VFW Boulevard
VFW Boulevard
Short connector segment.
lanes: 2
shoulder: 1
traffic: Moderate
speed: 40
0.14
13.91 LEFT onto Mission Pkwy.
Mission Pkwy. T's in on the left.
Mission Pkwy.
Ride along with the river on your right and the trail on your left.
lanes: 2
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
1.15
15.05 RIGHT onto Mission Rd.
Mission Pkwy. dead-ends into Mission Rd.
Mission Rd.
This road takes you past Mission Concepcion.
lanes: 2
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
1.81
16.87 LEFT onto S. St. Marys
It's S. St. Marys to the left and Roosevel to the right.
S. St. Marys
Go under the railroad bridges then past Brackenridge High School on your left.
lanes: 4
shoulder: 0
traffic: Moderate
speed: 30
0.37
17.24 LEFT onto Eagleland
Go left at the light.
Eagleland
Brackenridge High School is on your left.
lanes: 4
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
0.25
17.48 RIGHT onto E. Guenther
E. Guenther T's in on the right.
E. Guenther
Head into the King Williams area.
lanes: 1
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
0.47
17.95 LEFT onto S. Alamo
S. Alamo
This is a short hop over the river back to Blue Star.
lanes: 4
shoulder: 0
traffic: Moderate
speed: 30
0.08
18.03 LEFT into the Blue Star parking lot
This is immediately after the bridge.
Blue Star parking lot
You parked somewhere in here.
lanes: 1
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 5
0.07
18.10 Arrive at finish  
Total Miles Instructions For Miles
0.00 NORTH through parking 0.07
0.07 RIGHT onto S. Alamo 0.08
0.15 RIGHT onto E. Guenther 0.47
0.62 LEFT onto Eagleland 0.24
0.87 RIGHT onto S. St. Marys 0.36
1.22 RIGHT onto Mission Rd. 1.32
2.54 VEER LEFT onto trail at Hansford 0.50
3.04 LEFT onto Mission Pkwy. 1.00
4.04 LEFT onto Mission Trail (unmarked) 1.20
5.24 LEFT onto Padre Dr. 0.32
5.56 LEFT onto Mission Pkwy. 0.95
6.51 RIGHT onto Mission Trail 0.91
7.42 STRAIGHT on Mission Trail 1.48
8.90 STRAIGHT onto Camino Coahuilteca (no sign) 0.69
9.58 RIGHT onto Villamain 0.28
9.87 TURN AROUND at the ghost tracks 3.22
13.08 RIGHT into the Mission Park parking lot 0.13
13.22 RIGHT onto SE Military 0.09
13.30 RIGHT then LEFT onto Mission Pkwy. 0.52
13.83 RIGHT onto Padre Dr. 1.04
14.86 RIGHT onto VFW Boulevard 0.14
15.00 LEFT onto Mission Pkwy. 1.15
16.15 RIGHT onto Mission Rd. 1.81
17.96 LEFT onto S. St. Marys 0.37
18.33 LEFT onto Eagleland 0.25
18.57 RIGHT onto E. Guenther 0.47
19.04 LEFT onto S. Alamo 0.08
19.12 LEFT into the Blue Star parking lot 0.07
19.20 Arrive at finish  
Total Miles Instructions For Miles
0.00 NORTH through parking
Head North in the parking lot towards S. Alamo.
Blue Star parking lot
lanes: 1
shoulder: 0
traffic: None
speed: 5
0.07
0.07 RIGHT onto S. Alamo
The parking lot dumps out onto S. Alamo.
S. Alamo
You will cross the bridge over the San Antonio River, then pass the building with the mural on the wall.
lanes: 4
shoulder: 0
traffic: Moderate
speed: 30
0.08
0.15 RIGHT onto E. Guenther
E. Guenther
This street goes through the edge of the King William area.
lanes: 1
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
0.47
0.62 LEFT onto Eagleland
E. Guenther dead-ends into Eagleland.
Eagleland
Brackenridge High School is on your right.
lanes: 4
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
0.24
0.87 RIGHT onto S. St. Marys
Go right at the light.
S. St. Marys
Pass by Brackenridge High School, then under the railroad tracks.
lanes: 4
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
0.36
1.22 RIGHT onto Mission Rd.
Mission Rd.
You'll pass by the exit from the flood-control tunnel, then an old power plant that's now used for training, under the freeway, past the juvenile detention center, and past Mission Concepcion.
lanes: 2
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
1.32
2.54 VEER LEFT onto trail at Hansford
Mission Trail
The Mission Trail starts here. It parallels Mission Rd. and the Riverside Golf Course, and crosses over the river on its own bridge.
lanes: 1
shoulder: 0
traffic: None
speed: 10
0.50
3.04 LEFT onto Mission Pkwy.
The trail dead-ends into Mission Pkwy.
Mission Pkwy.
Ride along next to the river, passing under several bridges.
lanes: 2
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
1.00
4.04 LEFT onto Mission Trail (unmarked)
The trail goes off to the left just before you get to VFW Boulevard.
Mission Trail
Ride next to the river on your left and parks on your right.
lanes: 1
shoulder: 0
traffic: None
speed: 10
1.20
5.24 LEFT onto Padre Dr.
Get on Padre Dr. where the trail crosses Pyron.
Padre Dr.
The trail is on your left.
lanes: 2
shoulder: 1
traffic: Light
speed: 30
0.32
5.56 LEFT onto Mission Pkwy.
Mission Pkwy. T's in on the left.
Mission Pkwy.
Return to the river and enter Espada Park.
lanes: 2
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
0.95
6.51 RIGHT onto Mission Trail
Go right onto the trail next to Espada Dam. The trail veers off right over a bridge just before the road descends below Espada Dam.
Mission Trail
Ride along beside the river.
lanes: 1
shoulder: 0
traffic: None
speed: 10
0.91
7.42 STRAIGHT on Mission Trail
The trail crosses Mission Rd. here. Stay on the trail.
Mission Trail
Stay beside the river.
lanes: 1
shoulder: 0
traffic: None
speed: 10
1.48
8.90 STRAIGHT onto Camino Coahuilteca (no sign)
The trail dead-ends into the road at Mission Espada. Veer slightly right, then left, to get onto Camino Coahuilteca going in the same direction you were going.
Camino Coahuilteca
Wind around beside Mission Espada, then descend and cross the river at a low bridge.
lanes: 2
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
0.69
9.58 RIGHT onto Villamain
Camino Coahuilteca dead-ends into Villamain.
Villamain
Take a short hop to the ghost tracks.
lanes: 2
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
0.28
9.87 TURN AROUND at the ghost tracks
Turn around and return the way you came.
Villamain/Mission Rd.
Villamain becomes Mission Rd. when you cross the bridge just past Mission San Juan.
lanes: 2
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
3.22
13.08 RIGHT into the Mission Park parking lot
This is just before you come to SE Military.
Mission Park parking lot
Mission Park is a burial chapel and cemetary. This is a short hop to keep you off of SE Military for as long as you can.
lanes: 1
shoulder: 0
traffic: None
speed: 10
0.13
13.22 RIGHT onto SE Military
SE Military
Go a short way to Mission Pkwy. You can ride on the dirt trail next to the road if the traffic is too heavy.
lanes: 6
shoulder: 0
traffic: Moderate
speed: 45
0.09
13.30 RIGHT then LEFT onto Mission Pkwy.
Veer right just before the bridge over the river. This is a short connector that dumps you onto Mission Pkwy. Go immediately left under the bridge on Mission Pkwy.
Mission Pkwy.
This road takes you away from the river.
lanes: 2
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
0.52
13.83 RIGHT onto Padre Dr.
Mission Pkwy. dead-ends into Padre Dr.
Padre Dr.
Pass by picnic grounds, parks and ball fields.
lanes: 2
shoulder: 1
traffic: Light
speed: 30
1.04
14.86 RIGHT onto VFW Boulevard
VFW Boulevard
Short connector segment.
lanes: 2
shoulder: 1
traffic: Moderate
speed: 40
0.14
15.00 LEFT onto Mission Pkwy.
Mission Pkwy. T's in on the left.
Mission Pkwy.
Ride along with the river on your right and the trail on your left.
lanes: 2
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
1.15
16.15 RIGHT onto Mission Rd.
Mission Pkwy. dead-ends into Mission Rd.
Mission Rd.
This road takes you past Mission Concepcion.
lanes: 2
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
1.81
17.96 LEFT onto S. St. Marys
It's S. St. Marys to the left and Roosevel to the right.
S. St. Marys
Go under the railroad bridges then past Brackenridge High School on your left.
lanes: 4
shoulder: 0
traffic: Moderate
speed: 30
0.37
18.33 LEFT onto Eagleland
Go left at the light.
Eagleland
Brackenridge High School is on your left.
lanes: 4
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
0.25
18.57 RIGHT onto E. Guenther
E. Guenther T's in on the right.
E. Guenther
Head into the King Williams area.
lanes: 1
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 30
0.47
19.04 LEFT onto S. Alamo
S. Alamo
This is a short hop over the river back to Blue Star.
lanes: 4
shoulder: 0
traffic: Moderate
speed: 30
0.08
19.12 LEFT into the Blue Star parking lot
This is immediately after the bridge.
Blue Star parking lot
You parked somewhere in here.
lanes: 1
shoulder: 0
traffic: Light
speed: 5
0.07
19.20 Arrive at finish  
Ride Elevation Analysis
small ride profile
Ride Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 683.23 7.43 1.7
Descending -637.96 10.68 -1.1
Overall 1321.19 18.10  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 1.1 0.42
2 1.0 0.31
3 0.9 0.29
4 0.7 0.31
5 0.6 0.49
6 0.6 0.30
7 0.5 0.66
8 0.5 0.46
9 0.4 0.49
10 0.3 0.39
Segment Elevation Analyses
Blue Star parking lot from car to S. Alamo
Starting at 0.00 miles for 0.07 miles
segment 0 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 4.70 0.02 4.3
Descending -6.23 0.05 -2.4
Overall 10.93 0.07  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 0.6 0.04
S. Alamo from parking to E. Guenther
Starting at 0.07 miles for 0.08 miles
segment 1 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 5.90 0.05 2.2
Descending 0.00 0.03 0.0
Overall 5.90 0.08  
E. Guenther from S. Alamo to Eagleland
Starting at 0.15 miles for 0.47 miles
segment 2 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 4.92 0.11 0.9
Descending -11.92 0.36 -0.6
Overall 16.84 0.47  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 0.4 0.07
Eagleland from E. Guenther to S. St. Marys
Starting at 0.62 miles for 0.24 miles
segment 3 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 11.20 0.16 1.3
Descending -1.31 0.08 -0.3
Overall 12.51 0.24  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 0.8 0.22
S. St. Marys from Eagleland to Mission Rd.
Starting at 0.87 miles for 0.36 miles
segment 4 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 17.06 0.13 2.4
Descending -31.50 0.22 -2.7
Overall 48.56 0.36  
Mission Rd. from S. St. Marys to Mission Trail
Starting at 1.22 miles for 1.32 miles
segment 5 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 51.18 0.31 3.1
Descending -70.98 1.01 -1.3
Overall 122.16 1.32  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 18.4 0.00
2 2.8 0.03
3 1.0 0.06
4 0.8 0.15
5 0.6 0.11
6 0.6 0.06
7 0.5 0.05
8 0.4 0.08
9 0.4 0.08
Mission Trail from Mission Rd. to Mission Pkwy.
Starting at 2.54 miles for 0.50 miles
segment 6 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 12.14 0.15 1.5
Descending -14.18 0.35 -0.8
Overall 26.32 0.50  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 1.5 0.08
2 0.6 0.04
Mission Pkwy. from Mission Rd. to Mission Trail
Starting at 3.04 miles for 1.00 miles
segment 7 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 39.35 0.29 2.6
Descending -54.46 0.71 -1.5
Overall 93.82 1.00  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 0.7 0.05
2 0.5 0.07
Mission Trail from Mission Pkwy. to Padre Dr.
Starting at 4.04 miles for 1.20 miles
segment 8 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 40.93 0.38 2.0
Descending -48.88 0.82 -1.1
Overall 89.81 1.20  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 1.2 0.25
2 1.2 0.05
3 0.9 0.07
4 0.7 0.04
5 0.6 0.10
Padre Dr. from Pyron to Mission Pkwy.
Starting at 5.24 miles for 0.32 miles
segment 9 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 19.03 0.15 2.3
Descending -19.64 0.17 -2.2
Overall 38.67 0.32  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 1.9 0.13
2 0.9 0.03
3 0.6 0.05
Mission Pkwy. from Padre Dr. to Mission Trail
Starting at 5.56 miles for 2.15 miles
segment 10 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 90.55 0.77 2.2
Descending -116.37 1.38 -1.6
Overall 206.92 2.15  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 3.9 0.06
2 0.5 0.66
3 0.4 0.21
4 0.3 0.23
Villamain from Mission Pkwy. to ghost tracks
Starting at 7.71 miles for 1.43 miles
segment 11 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 28.40 0.44 1.2
Descending -41.01 0.99 -0.8
Overall 69.42 1.43  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 2.1 0.08
2 0.4 0.08
3 0.3 0.10
Villamain from ghost tracks to Mission Pkwy.
Starting at 9.14 miles for 1.44 miles
segment 12 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 39.04 0.80 0.9
Descending -30.08 0.64 -0.9
Overall 69.12 1.44  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 0.6 0.49
2 0.6 0.30
3 0.3 0.39
Mission Pkwy. from Villamain to Padre Dr.
Starting at 10.58 miles for 2.15 miles
segment 13 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 90.09 1.04 1.6
Descending -59.71 1.11 -1.0
Overall 149.80 2.15  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 1.1 0.05
2 1.0 0.31
3 0.5 0.06
4 0.4 0.08
5 0.4 0.49
6 0.3 0.22
7 0.2 0.23
Padre Dr. from Mission Pkwy. to VFW Boulevard
Starting at 12.74 miles for 1.04 miles
segment 14 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 29.59 0.54 1.0
Descending -20.01 0.50 -0.8
Overall 49.60 1.04  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 1.3 0.04
2 0.9 0.13
3 0.7 0.31
4 0.6 0.05
5 0.3 0.09
6 0.2 0.15
VFW Boulevard from Padre Dr. to Mission Pkwy.
Starting at 13.77 miles for 0.14 miles
segment 15 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 1.64 0.03 1.1
Descending -7.36 0.11 -1.3
Overall 9.00 0.14  
Mission Pkwy. from VFW Boulevard to Mission Rd.
Starting at 13.91 miles for 1.15 miles
segment 16 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 44.34 0.60 1.4
Descending -20.34 0.55 -0.7
Overall 64.68 1.15  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 1.1 0.03
2 1.1 0.42
3 0.6 0.06
4 0.4 0.20
Mission Rd. from Mission Pkwy. to S. St. Marys
Starting at 15.05 miles for 1.81 miles
segment 17 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 76.46 0.81 1.8
Descending -43.31 1.00 -0.8
Overall 119.77 1.81  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 1.5 0.02
2 1.3 0.14
3 1.0 0.03
4 0.9 0.29
5 0.9 0.13
6 0.5 0.12
7 0.4 0.27
8 0.4 0.06
9 0.4 0.06
10 0.4 0.22
S. St. Marys from Mission Rd. to Eagleland
Starting at 16.87 miles for 0.37 miles
segment 18 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 26.57 0.26 1.9
Descending -7.55 0.10 -1.4
Overall 34.12 0.37  
Eagleland from S. St. Marys to E. Guenther
Starting at 17.24 miles for 0.25 miles
segment 19 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 2.95 0.01 4.4
Descending -12.58 0.23 -1.0
Overall 15.54 0.25  
E. Guenther from Eagleland to S. Alamo
Starting at 17.48 miles for 0.47 miles
segment 20 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 21.98 0.30 1.4
Descending -9.70 0.17 -1.1
Overall 31.68 0.47  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 0.5 0.46
S. Alamo from E. Guenther to parking
Starting at 17.95 miles for 0.08 miles
segment 21 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 23.55 0.05 8.7
Descending -4.59 0.03 -2.8
Overall 28.15 0.08  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 2.7 0.01
Blue Star parking lot from S. Alamo to finish
Starting at 18.03 miles for 0.07 miles
segment 22 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 1.64 0.01 4.5
Descending -6.23 0.07 -1.8
Overall 7.87 0.07  
Ride Elevation Analysis
small ride profile
Ride Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 691.86 7.22 1.8
Descending -692.78 11.98 -1.1
Overall 1384.64 19.20  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 1.2 0.25
2 1.1 0.25
3 1.1 0.42
4 0.9 0.29
5 0.7 0.29
6 0.7 0.31
7 0.5 0.46
8 0.4 0.27
9 0.4 0.22
10 0.2 0.33
Segment Elevation Analyses
Blue Star parking lot from car to S. Alamo
Starting at 0.00 miles for 0.07 miles
segment 0 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 4.70 0.02 4.3
Descending -6.23 0.05 -2.4
Overall 10.93 0.07  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 0.6 0.04
S. Alamo from parking to E. Guenther
Starting at 0.07 miles for 0.08 miles
segment 1 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 5.90 0.05 2.2
Descending 0.00 0.03 0.0
Overall 5.90 0.08  
E. Guenther from S. Alamo to Eagleland
Starting at 0.15 miles for 0.47 miles
segment 2 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 4.92 0.11 0.9
Descending -11.92 0.36 -0.6
Overall 16.84 0.47  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 0.4 0.07
Eagleland from E. Guenther to S. St. Marys
Starting at 0.62 miles for 0.24 miles
segment 3 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 11.20 0.16 1.3
Descending -1.31 0.08 -0.3
Overall 12.51 0.24  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 0.8 0.22
S. St. Marys from Eagleland to Mission Rd.
Starting at 0.87 miles for 0.36 miles
segment 4 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 17.06 0.13 2.4
Descending -31.50 0.22 -2.7
Overall 48.56 0.36  
Mission Rd. from S. St. Marys to Mission Trail
Starting at 1.22 miles for 1.32 miles
segment 5 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 51.18 0.31 3.1
Descending -70.98 1.01 -1.3
Overall 122.16 1.32  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 18.4 0.00
2 2.8 0.03
3 1.0 0.06
4 0.8 0.15
5 0.6 0.11
6 0.6 0.06
7 0.5 0.05
8 0.4 0.08
9 0.4 0.08
Mission Trail from Mission Rd. to Mission Pkwy.
Starting at 2.54 miles for 0.50 miles
segment 6 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 12.14 0.15 1.5
Descending -14.18 0.35 -0.8
Overall 26.32 0.50  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 1.5 0.08
2 0.6 0.04
Mission Pkwy. from Mission Rd. to Mission Trail
Starting at 3.04 miles for 1.00 miles
segment 7 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 39.35 0.29 2.6
Descending -54.46 0.71 -1.5
Overall 93.82 1.00  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 0.7 0.05
2 0.5 0.07
Mission Trail from Mission Pkwy. to Padre Dr.
Starting at 4.04 miles for 1.20 miles
segment 8 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 40.93 0.38 2.0
Descending -48.88 0.82 -1.1
Overall 89.81 1.20  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 1.2 0.25
2 1.2 0.05
3 0.9 0.07
4 0.7 0.04
5 0.6 0.10
Padre Dr. from Pyron to Mission Pkwy.
Starting at 5.24 miles for 0.32 miles
segment 9 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 19.03 0.15 2.3
Descending -17.05 0.16 -2.0
Overall 36.08 0.32  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 1.9 0.13
2 0.9 0.03
3 0.6 0.05
Mission Pkwy. from Padre Dr. to Mission Trail
Starting at 5.56 miles for 0.95 miles
segment 10 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 21.98 0.19 2.2
Descending -57.14 0.76 -1.4
Overall 79.12 0.95  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 1.8 0.07
2 1.7 0.05
3 1.1 0.11
4 0.4 0.08
Mission Trail from Mission Pkwy. to Mission Rd.
Starting at 6.51 miles for 0.91 miles
segment 11 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 29.86 0.37 1.5
Descending -37.54 0.54 -1.3
Overall 67.40 0.91  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 1.7 0.15
2 0.9 0.07
3 0.4 0.15
4 0.3 0.20
Mission Trail from Mission Rd. to Camino Caohuilteca
Starting at 7.42 miles for 1.48 miles
segment 12 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 50.91 0.53 1.8
Descending -62.01 0.95 -1.2
Overall 112.92 1.48  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 2.2 0.21
2 1.5 0.08
3 0.8 0.08
4 0.2 0.15
5 0.0 0.13
Camino Coahuilteca from Mission Trail to Villamain
Starting at 8.90 miles for 0.69 miles
segment 13 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 24.70 0.16 2.9
Descending -43.31 0.53 -1.6
Overall 68.01 0.69  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 2.7 0.14
Villamain from Camino Coahuilteca to ghost tracks
Starting at 9.58 miles for 0.28 miles
segment 14 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 1.64 0.01 2.3
Descending -3.66 0.27 -0.3
Overall 5.30 0.28  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 1.6 0.02
Villamain/Mission Rd. from ghost tracks to Mission Park parking lot
Starting at 9.87 miles for 3.22 miles
segment 15 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 88.58 1.32 1.3
Descending -42.82 1.90 -0.4
Overall 131.41 3.22  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 1.1 0.25
2 1.1 0.16
3 0.9 0.20
4 0.7 0.16
5 0.7 0.12
6 0.7 0.29
7 0.7 0.13
8 0.3 0.08
9 0.3 0.09
10 0.2 0.33
Mission Park parking lot from Mission Rd. to SE Military
Starting at 13.08 miles for 0.13 miles
segment 16 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 1.64 0.01 5.9
Descending -24.36 0.13 -3.6
Overall 26.00 0.13  
SE Military from Mission Park parking lot to Mission Pkwy.
Starting at 13.22 miles for 0.09 miles
segment 17 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 0.00 0.00 0.0
Descending -3.79 0.09 -0.8
Overall 3.79 0.09  
Mission Pkwy. from SE Military to Padre Dr.
Starting at 13.30 miles for 0.52 miles
segment 18 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 37.40 0.26 2.7
Descending -29.96 0.26 -2.2
Overall 67.36 0.52  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 1.7 0.09
2 1.5 0.12
Padre Dr. from Mission Pkwy. to VFW Boulevard
Starting at 13.83 miles for 1.04 miles
segment 19 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 29.59 0.54 1.0
Descending -20.01 0.50 -0.8
Overall 49.60 1.04  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 1.3 0.04
2 0.9 0.13
3 0.7 0.31
4 0.6 0.05
5 0.3 0.09
6 0.2 0.15
VFW Boulevard from Padre Dr. to Mission Pkwy.
Starting at 14.86 miles for 0.14 miles
segment 20 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 1.64 0.03 1.1
Descending -7.36 0.11 -1.3
Overall 9.00 0.14  
Mission Pkwy. from VFW Boulevard to Mission Rd.
Starting at 15.00 miles for 1.15 miles
segment 21 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 44.34 0.60 1.4
Descending -20.34 0.55 -0.7
Overall 64.68 1.15  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 1.1 0.03
2 1.1 0.42
3 0.6 0.06
4 0.4 0.20
Mission Rd. from Mission Pkwy. to S. St. Marys
Starting at 16.15 miles for 1.81 miles
segment 22 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 76.46 0.81 1.8
Descending -43.31 1.00 -0.8
Overall 119.77 1.81  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 1.5 0.02
2 1.3 0.14
3 1.0 0.03
4 0.9 0.29
5 0.9 0.13
6 0.5 0.12
7 0.4 0.27
8 0.4 0.06
9 0.4 0.06
10 0.4 0.22
S. St. Marys from Mission Rd. to Eagleland
Starting at 17.96 miles for 0.37 miles
segment 23 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 26.57 0.26 1.9
Descending -7.55 0.10 -1.4
Overall 34.12 0.37  
Eagleland from S. St. Marys to E. Guenther
Starting at 18.33 miles for 0.25 miles
segment 24 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 2.95 0.01 4.4
Descending -12.58 0.23 -1.0
Overall 15.54 0.25  
E. Guenther from Eagleland to S. Alamo
Starting at 18.57 miles for 0.47 miles
segment 25 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 21.98 0.30 1.4
Descending -9.70 0.17 -1.1
Overall 31.68 0.47  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 0.5 0.46
S. Alamo from E. Guenther to parking
Starting at 19.04 miles for 0.08 miles
segment 26 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 23.55 0.05 8.7
Descending -4.59 0.03 -2.8
Overall 28.15 0.08  
Top 10 Climbs:
Rank Gradient (%) Distance (miles)
1 2.7 0.01
Blue Star parking lot from S. Alamo to finish
Starting at 19.12 miles for 0.07 miles
segment 27 small profile
Segment Analysis
  elevation change (feet) distance (miles) avg. grade (%)
Climbing 1.64 0.01 4.5
Descending -6.23 0.07 -1.8
Overall 7.87 0.07  
large ride profile
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large ride profile
segment 0 large profile
segment 1 large profile
segment 2 large profile
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segment 27 large profile

The first thing you have to do for any of these rides is get to the starting place. This tab gives you everything you need to get there.

Up top is a description of the starting place. Below that is a box to enter the address of where you're coming from so you can get directions. When you've entered the address, press the 'Get directions to parking' button and it'll tell you how to get there. You'll get the usual Google Maps turn-by-turn instructions below the address box, and you'll get a corresponding line drawn on the map. Follow these directions, and you'll get to the ride.

Once you've digested the directions you will probably get tired of having the map cluttered up by them. Just hit the 'Clear parking directions from map' button and they will go away.

If you'd like to print out the driving directions, the "Get printable parking directions" button will bring up a Google Maps page with the parking directions in them that you can manipulate and print out.

Here's all the information you need to know about stops on the ride. Mostly this is where to get water and food and how far away it is. I generally prefer to list convenience stores and things like that because they're geared to deal with travelers on the go. I don't include all the restaurants and hotels and everything else, since those things aren't really necessary to help you get through the ride and there are far better resources on the web for finding those sorts of things. If there's a restaurant I particularly like eating at after a ride, I'll mention it in the overview.

You can click on any stop in the list and it'll show its info window on the map. This helpful if you're not sure where on the map a stop is.

Ride Dist.: Distance to the stop from the start of the ride. This is in miles. Sometimes I include stops that aren't actually on the route but are close to it. For those, I'll show how far off the route the stop is. These are as-the-crow-flies distances based on the point in the ride you would turn off to get to the stop, so the street distance is probably a little further to get to the stop.

Type: What type of place you're stopping at. It's mostly convenience stores, but I do add other types of places when they are very convenient or are the only things available.

Description: Anything you need to know about this stop.

Occasionally there are interesting things to check out along the ride. Here I tell you all about them.

You can click on any POI in the list and it'll show its info window on the map. This is helpful if you're not sure where on the map a POI is.

Ride Dist.: Distance to the POI from the start of the ride. This is in miles. Sometimes I include POIs that aren't actually on the route but are close to it. For those, I'll show how far off the route the POI is. These are as-the-crow-flies distances based on the point in the ride you would turn off to get to the POI, so the street distance is probably a little further to get to the it.

Description: Anything you need to know about this POI.

What does all this stuff mean? These are all the instructions necessary to complete this ride. This includes the turns and intersections of interest and which way to go when you reach them.

There are short and long instructions. You see the long instructions when you check the "Show road descriptions in list?" box. The long instructions include information about the street and any comments for the turns.

You can click on any instruction in the list and it'll show its turn info window in the map. If you click on the road information in the long instructions it'll show you its road info window in the map. This helpful if you're not sure where on the map a stop or road is.

When there's a road that the road conditions change on, such as speed, shoulder or lanes, I put the worst of the conditions down. This means narrowest shoulder, fastest speed, and most lanes of traffic. This way you can only be pleasently surprised.

Short Instructions

Total Miles: Distance to the turn from start of ride.

Instructions: What to do at the turn. Usually it'll be RIGHT or LEFT, and occasionally STRAIGHT. The first instruction of the ride is the direction to head away from parking.

For Miles: Length of the road you turn onto.

Long Instructions

The long instructions include all information from the short instructions plus the following:

Turn Comments: These show-up right below the turn instruction and tell you any additional information that is helpful to make the turn. I'll point out when the current road dead-ends into the next one, or when the next road T's into the current one. A 'T' intersection is when the new road dead-ends into the one you're currently on.

Road Name: Name of the road you are turning onto. When a road changes names while you're going down it, I'll put the name as "first name/second name". Also, there are lots of ways to designate country roads. Sometimes they're called "Farm Road", sometimes "Ranch Road", and sometimes just "FM" (for Farm to Market). In fact, you might see all three designations used on the same road in different places. I've just settled on calling them all "FM" since it's easier to type. Therefore, when I call something "FM", you should keep your eyes open for any of the three designations.

Road Description: Description of the road and any relevant facts about it.

Lanes: How many lanes this road has. This includes both directions, but doesn't include center turning lanes when they exist. The difference between a 1 and a 2 is sometimes a close call. I generally say there is one lane if there's no center stripe. This means that many streets that I rate as a 1 can fit two cars but aren't striped.

Shoulder: How wide the shoulder is. This is a subjective measurement that tells you how many bikes you can comfortably fit next to eachother. 1/4 means that it's just enough shoulder to tease you but isn't very helpful. 1/2 means the shoulder is wide enough for a cyclist, but that cars still need to scoot over to give you room. 1 means that a cyclist can comfortably fit in the shoulder with enough room for cars to pass without moving over. Numbers go up to 2+ for super-wide shoulders.

Traffic: How heavy the traffic is on this road. Right now this is a TOTALLY subjective measurement based on how I feel about the roads after having ridden them. In the near future I hope to switch to real traffic counts or something else that is more objective and, frankly, more useful.

Speed: Speed limit on this road. I make note of the speed limit signs and go with the fastest limit. It's not unusual for a road to change speed limits as you go down it so I choose the fastest in order to not under-estimate what the traffic is doing on the road. Some roads don't have posted speed limits, so I go with reasonable estimates. I usually guess 30 mph for residential and 40 mph for rural roads.

This is an analysis of the elevation data for the ride and for each of the segments of the ride.

The graphs show the elevation profiles. They are shaded underneath to show how steep each part of the ride is, lighter for less steep all the way to black for very steep. I normalize the height so you see elevations from 0 to the tallest point on the ride. I don't put the true elevation above sea level because, for the San Antonio area, elevation above sea level isn't very interesting since we're never high enough to make a difference. Also, you can click on a graph to see a larger version of it. The larger graph will pop up in a separate window.

The ride and segment analyses show how much climbing and descending you'll do in the ride or segment and what the average grade is for each. The climb list tells you how steep and how long the worst climbs in the ride or segment are, and is ranked by steepness.