This ride starts in Helotes, goes out to Medina Lake, then returns to Helotes. Traffic on Park Road 37 and FM 1283 can be heavy during the summer months. This is a good ride when the lake traffic is low.
VERY Hilly
There is parking on the side of the road across from Floore's Country Store and the Helotes Bicycle Shop on Old Bandera Road.
48.5 miles
There are convenience stores at the corner of Park Road 37 and FM 1283.
There is the Hilltop Cafe at the top of the big hill on FM 1283.
There is an Exxon station on Ranch 471 after you pass Texas 211.
| Road | Description | Distance | Comments | Lanes | Shoulder | Traffic |
| Old Bandera Road | Parking lot to Texas 16 | 0.3 miles | Head up the hill to Texas 16. Turn left onto Texas 16. | 2 | NO | Light |
| Texas 16 | Helotes to Park Road 37 | 9.25 miles | Although the traffic is heavy on this road, the shoulders are good and the safety margin is high. Turn left onto Park Road 37. | 4 Divided | YES | Moderate |
| Park Road 37 | Texas 16 to FM 1283 | 8.9 miles | This is a rolling, winding road with short lines of sight. Traffic can sneak-up on you here, so ride single-file and be very alert. Go left at the intersection of FM 1283. Your first store is at the intersection, and another one is on your right just after you turn onto FM 1283. | 2 | NO | Moderate |
| FM 1283 | Park Road 37 to Hilltop | 5 miles | At the top of the last hill, there is a store/cafe where you can stop for water. Go right here. There are several major hills in this section, so be prepared to climb. | 2 | YES | Moderate |
| County Road 271 | Hilltop to County Road 2615 | 3.5 miles | This road takes you past the Medina dam, down to the Medina River, then climbs out of the river bed. After climbing out of the river, County Road 2615 will be the first paved road on your left. Go left here. There might not be a sign at this turn, so be alert. There are some very steep climbs here, especially coming off the Medina River. | 2 | NO | Very light |
| County Road 2615 | County Road 271 to County Road 371 | 5 miles | There is a fun descent right after the turn, but be careful of the narrow bridge near the bottom of the descent. Go left at the Y where County Road 371 splits off. This is a very bumpy road. | 1 | NO | Light to none |
| County Road 371 | County Road 2615 to FM 1283 | 3.7 miles | This road dead-ends into FM 1283. Turn right onto FM 1283. This is a very bumpy road. | 1 | NO | Light to none |
| FM 1283 | County Road 371 to Ranch 471 | 1 mile | When this road merges with Ranch 471, bear left. | 2 | YES | Moderate |
| Ranch 471 | FM 1283 to Galm Road | 3.8 miles | Galm Road is a smaller road that dead-ends into Ranch 471 on the left. Turn left onto Galm Road. The Exxon station just past Texas 211 is your last stop before Helotes. | 2 | YES | Moderate |
| Galm Road | Ranch 471 to FM 1560 | 3.5 miles | About halfway down Galm Road it makes a 90 degree bend to the right. Follow the road until it runs into FM 1560. Turn left onto FM 1560. The entrance to Government Canyon is on the outside of the 90 degree bend. | 2 | YES | Light |
| FM 1560 | Galm Road to Riggs Road | 3.3 miles | Riggs Road takes you back into Helotes. Turn left on Riggs Road. If you stay on FM 1560 past Riggs Road, there is a store on your left at the intersection of Texas 16, about 0.1 miles. | 2 | YES | Moderate |
| Riggs Road | FM 1560 to Old Bandera Road | 0.75 miles | Riggs Road dead-ends into Old Bandera Road. Turn left on Old Bandera Road. | 2 | NO | Light |
| Old Bandera Road | Riggs Road to the Parking Lot | 0.15 miles | You're done! | 2 | YES | Light |
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last updated September 5, 2005