The Rides

All EHCT routes start from Schreiner University in Kerrville. Several distance options are offered each day (each day's rides are on a different set of colored sheets), and there should be something for everyone. There are no mass starts so team up with your riding buddies and ride at your own pace.

The Texas Hill Country occupies the eastern half of the Edwards Plateau. The countryside is characterized by hilly, arid terrain populated by cedar, mesquite, and live oak trees. A number of rivers and creeks have sliced the Plateau as they flow generally southeasterly down to the Gulf of Mexico. Roads along the river valleys tend to be flat with gentle slopes; roads that cross the valleys and ridges often entail short, steep climbs. These routes also include the best vistas!

Originally populated by a number of Native American groups, most of this part of Texas was first settled by Europeans in the 1840 - 1870 period. Throughout the Hill Country, riders will enjoy the diverse history of the area, a blend of Hispanic and Central European cultures (primarily German, Czech and Polish).

Friday offers route distances of 21, 39, 56, and 65 miles and all are “classic” hill country routes, leaving from Schreiner University in Kerrville.  The longer routes go out Hwy 16 over the famed Eagles Nest climb to Medina.  Leaving Medina, the routes head over Bandera Pass to Camp Verde, then on to Center Point.  The 55 mile route heads back to Kerrville on the River Road while the 65 goes over StoneLeigh and then finishes with Tower Hill before a nice descent back to the College.  The long routes will be supported by rest stops approximately 15 miles apart.  The 21 mile route will have one water stop at approximately 15 miles. 

On Saturday there are several route choices of 35, 50, 61, 79, or 102 miles.  We leave Schreiner University in Kerrville following Town Creek then out McCullough Ranch Road / Zenner Ahrens.  After a break at mile 14, the short route follows White Oak Road, then returns to Kerrville on Harper Rd.  The 50 mile route does a loop north towards Fredericksburg before returning to the College on Zenner Ahrens and Town Creek.  The longer routes continue towards Fredericksburg but turn east just south of town for a refreshing rest stop on the Pedernales.  The 60 mile route returns on Center Point Road and Tower Hill.  The 80 Mile continues east to Old Number 9 road passing the famous Bat Cave and returning via Comfort and Tower Hill.  The 100 mile continues east to Luckenbach, Sisterdale and Waring, before returning via Comfort and Tower Hill.  Again, the rest stops are spaced approximately 15 miles apart and some will be spaced approximately 20 miles apart on the longer routes.

Sunday is the day for winding down.  There are two routes of approximately 20 and 30 miles.  The short route is an out and back along the River Road on the Guadalupe River.  The 30 mile route has significantly more hills, going out over Tower Hill, then Stoneleigh before returning on along the Guadalupe River on River Road.  There will be one rest stop on Sunday's routes.