Great Places to Ride Your Bike in Louisiana
Bike riding in Louisiana is a challenge - there's a wide variety of terrain from hills to mangrove forests and swamps. Plus, there's also the climate; while nobody can exactly forget that Louisiana gets hot and sticky and humid, there are people who underprepare. Just remember to fill your canteen before you start, and refresh the sunscreen and insect repellent regularly. Don't forget to keep an eye out for local wildlife, though most prepared trails won't have much to speak of.
If you like a river-view, check out the Stoner Trail in the Shreveport area. It's got several different rides to choose from, and all are color coded for difficulty and well maintained. The 8 miles of track give something suitable for all but the most extreme levels of skills. There's even a local bike shop in the area, that hosts events.
Another Shreveport challenge is the Eddy D Jones Park, sometimes called the Monkey Trail. It's a 10 mile loop with increasing difficulty as you go along - the first 7.5 miles are mild, rolling hills and rather pleasant to ride on. The last 2.5 miles are a bear and a technical challenge. The route is well maintained, and there are park rangers who cover it daily to make sure that people don't get into trouble.
Lincoln Parrish Park near Ruston is one of Louisiana's best kept secrets. Surrounded by woods, this 10-mile loop features jumps, drops, climbs, descents, and lots of fast riding. There is something for everyone here, from beginners to experienced bikers. However, a lot of it is technical, so unless you're prepared to work on your skills, don't expect a leisurely ride here! There are a number of events held here throughout the year, so the track is always well-maintained.
Another go-to destination for biking in Louisiana is the Lake Claiborne State Park. This hilly park has a lot of steep climbing, and as every mountain biker knows, where there's a steep climb, there's also a hair raising descent. This area is near Homer, Louisiana, and it's quite a workout. Because of local terrain and soil types, you may want to give this one a pass after a hard rain, since it's not that far removed from swampland. As an added perk, if you want to make an overnight trip of it, there are some cabins here to rent.
In the southern half of the state, there's not as much biking terrain, largely because there aren't a wide variety of hills. One of the minor exceptions is near Baton Rouge, with Hooper Park Trails. This setup has eight miles of well maintained trails with interlocking loops covering a pleasant variety of terrain. Most of the trails are well maintained by the local mountain biking club, and they're mostly color coded for difficulty.
Another hidden gem is Bodcau near Bossier City. This destination for biking has 10 miles in several loops, with fast descents and long climbs. Don't do this one if you're faint of heart, because it's got hard climbs and fast downhills. On the other hand, if you're looking for thrills on a bike, there's nothing else like it in the state.
Most of Louisiana's hilly terrain is on the northern half of the state; this means most of the areas where you'd be heading are going to be away from the Big Easy. Southern areas are a bit more swampy, and are somewhat less challenging rides in terms of elevation, but make up for it in mud and mosquitoes. All the trails here are good places to start exploring Louisiana from the saddle of your mountain bike.
