What a great trail to bike! We parked at TC Jester Park on a Saturday morning, rode toward downtown, and then joined up with some of the other trails (Heights and Buffalo Bayou that runs between Allen Parkway and Memorial). Overall, we did 26 miles. Of all the trails we have explored in Houston, this is probably my favorite as it is a nice and wide with lots to see. It does cross a couple streets, but just stop and press the cross button and look out for cars. If you leave from the TC Jester Park the path has a few cracks but then joins up with a nice wide main path. Whenever you approach an overpass and have two choices - to go up or down - just stay low and you’ll stay along the bayou. If you go up, most likely you’ll end up at street level. This strategy worked 99% of the time for us ... although once we came to a dead-end. The trail also has plenty of signs directing you to the right paths as it splits off in a few places. We did get a little lost in the Heights area, so be sure to look at a map before you go. Next time, we will leave from TC Jester and go in the opposite direction so we can explore that. There are lots of other cyclists, runners, walkers, families, and even fishermen on this trail. Just make sure you go to the left when you pass and call out “on your left” or ring your bell. Even with all the others, it didn’t seem overly crowded. However if you like to avoid people, Sunday mornings would likely be even less.

This trail has been extended past my neighborhood, so I can ride all the way to downtown Houston, about 15 miles. It also goes further West up the bayou banks and the concrete stops before a flood control district detention lake system. That does not have to stop you if you have the right bike and the experience is worth it. I ride this trail regularly and have done for the last three years and have a piece of advice. Pay attention, I was robbed at gunpoint once, and they got me under a road bridge with limited sight lines. The thieves were caught immediately and I got my belongings back, but I was lucky. Ride solo at your own risk.