Bike Creek Road in Dripping Springs for a rolling, beginner-friendly ride

The cattle along Creek Road stopped to check us out as we pedaled past on Sunday. Pam LeBlanc photo

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It turned to spring a few days ago and my bike was clambering to get out of the shed, so my husband and I loaded our wheels into the truck and pointed toward Creek Road in Dripping Springs.

If you’re looking to spend an hour or two on a classic Hill Country route without much traffic and plenty of goats, sheep, cattle and llamas to make things interesting, consider riding this scenic out-and-back route. The terrain rolls and flows past barns and kitschy wedding venues, and you’ll see plenty of ranchers out managing their stock or driving tractors.

Park at Roger Hanks Park, 195 Roger Hanks Parkway in Dripping Springs. If you pedal all the way to Creek Road’s dead end at Texas 165 south of Henly, then turn around and ride back, you’ll log 17 miles. The road snakes alongside gorgeous Onion Creek, and the main route not-too-hilly, beginner-friendly terrain.

If you want to add some hills and another creek crossing (take it slow, moss grows on the road and I’ve taken a digger here) to make a nice loop, hop on County Road 195 and head toward Mt. Gainor Road.

(Pro tip: I once stayed a night at the charming Mt. Gainor Inn, an old German farmhouse-turned-bed-and-breakfast at 2390 Prochnow Road, and rode 45 miles to Johnson City and back the next morning. For more information go to mtgainorinn.com.)

Texas flag flying along Creek Road in Dripping Springs on Sunday. Chris LeBlanc photo

Sunday’s ride reminded me that I haven’t spent enough time on my bike this winter. That’s about to change, because the next few months are the best time of the year to ride in Central Texas.

Coming soon? My annual ride on the Willow City Loop near Fredericksburg.