DAY 5: We say good-bye to Fredericksburg and head to Kerrville, the largest town we’ll see all week. We’ll stop for a picnic lunch beside the Guadalupe River, shaded by pecan and bald cypress trees. Be sure to stroll through downtown Kerrville and check out the Hill Country Museum or the Museum of Western Art. Then enjoy a swim in the pool at our hotel tonight. 37 miles.

DAY 6: After breakfast, you’ll quickly be out of town and onto more quiet scenic roads again. Then you’ll meet “Eagle’s Nest,” the steepest climb of the week. With a 15% grade, feel free to walk it, as it’s only a third of a mile long. Be sure to stop for a slice of homemade apple pie, made from the locally grown apples in Medina.

We’ll end our day in Bandera, the “Cowboy Capital of the World.” If you arrive early, you can choose to rent an optional kayak or tube to float down the mellow Medina River. Or stop in at one of the several saloons in town to savor the wild, wild west before heading into our riverside lodging. 43 miles.

DAY 7: We’ll end our week with one last beautiful bike ride back to Boerne. After a picnic lunch, we’ll say our good-byes to the Hill Country and then shuttle to the San Antonio airport or train station, arriving by 2:00pm. 27 miles.

We ride through the Texas Hill Country on our cross-country Southern Tier tour every year. And every year, women declare that they want to come back to take the time to enjoy it properly. Blossoming bluebonnets will line your route as you bicycle through some of the most beautiful territory the Lone Star State has to offer.

DAY 1: We begin our tour at an historic hotel in downtown Boerne, TX. We’ll meet at 3:00pm for a rental bike fitting, 5:30pm for an orientation and 6:30pm for dinner. If you arrive early, stroll along Main Street to window shop or visit the Cibolo Nature Center just outside of town. If you’re a night owl, you can enjoy the live music on Saturday nights. 0 miles.

DAY 2: After breakfast, we’ll begin our quiet ride on single lane farm roads through ranchland. Watch for cattle and enjoy the serenity. After a picnic lunch, we’ll roll into Wimberley to our set of lovingly restored cottages on the edge of town. Famous for its weekly flea market, Wimberley’s main street is lined with interesting antique shops and art galleries. 33 or 56 miles.

DAY 3: We ride more quiet roads lined with fields of lavender to the quaint town of Blanco this morning. Then it’s on to Luckenbach where they say the population is 3. Be sure to stop at the Luckenbach General Store for lunch and a taste of the real Texas. We’ll continue on to our overnight in Fredericksburg where we’ll unpack our bags and stay for the next two nights. 50 or 67 miles.

DAY 4: We’ll each pack a sack lunch and then choose to either bike or take the shuttle to Enchanted Rock State Natural Area this morning. If you choose to bike, you’ll be in for a beautiful roller coaster ride through pastures and ranchland. You’ll see more cows than people or cars. If we hit the season just right, you’ll be surrounded by blossoming bluebonnets all along the way.

Once at the park, you’ll get to explore The Rock. It is a huge, pink granite exfoliation dome that rises 425’ above ground, and covers 640 acres. It is one of the largest batholiths (underground rock formation uncovered by erosion) in the United States. Hike the 4-mile Loop Trail for a close-up view and keep your eyes peeled for armadillos and white-tailed deer. If you still have the energy, you can bicycle back from the park for a well-earned dinner. 0 – 66 miles.