This post was written by Angela Turse, Guest Blogger. Learn more about Angela via her Instagram account “Explore a New Day.“
Did you know that there is a bike path or trail in most cities you may visit? After feasting on crawfish and having a good time with the local Cajun French, it was time for a bike ride. While visiting and staying at Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville, Louisiana I fell into a bike trail. I say fell, because this trail was not listed on other workout apps. I was super excited to find the Tammany Trace Bike Trail!
This article will provide the location of the trail, access points, scenery, what to expect on the trail, a suggestion on what type of bike to use, and safety tips. Here We Go!
Location
The Tammany Trace Bike Trail runs parallel to Highways 36, 59, and 190 in Southern Louisiana. Basically, from Covington to Mandeville, respectively running east, south, then east. The trail begins or ends (depending on where you are) at CRD baseball field in Covington, Louisiana (area code 70433). Tammany Trail starts or ends, again depending on your location, near a Tractor Supply store on Route 190W in Slidell, Louisiana (area code 70460).
Access Points
There are many access points; however, at a glance, it may seem there are only a few.
*My tip: put Tammany Trace Bike Trail into Google Maps as “Tammany Trace Bike Trail” and use the satellite view to see all access points. There are many hop-on-points throughout this 31 miles of asphalt/concrete trail. Yes, 31 miles!
Access points include; Monroe St and Gibson St in Covington. River Road, Fontainebleau State Park, and Lemieux Blvd in Mandeville. Also, Hasney Road and Thompson Road in Slidell, Louisiana. There are many more!
Scenery
I began at the Fontainebleau State Park access point. The trail is considered part of the Atchafalaya Basin or Atchafalaya Swamp. The trail is a wooded area. There are access points to Lake Ponchartrain (the lake which connects to New Orleans). One access point to the lake is on Jackson Avenue in Mandeville. This road will take you to the harbor. This is a safe extension off the trail, as long as you are aware, for bikers.
The trail takes you through dense woods, homes of all kinds, outdoor theaters, cemeteries, churches, children’s museums, ice cream shops, salons, breweries, and more. The Old Rail Brewing Company is also along this trail. We had the pleasure of visiting the brewery after our bike ride. WOW! They have yummy brews. If you are adventurous, you are going to love this trail!
What to Expect on the Trail
- ☑️Serious bikers. Of course, there are serious bikers on this trail. Don’t let them intimidate you
- ☑️Bridges. There are slight bumps to get on different surfaces. This is nothing your road bike or thin tires can’t handle.
- ☑️Dividers. Always be aware!
- ☑️Walkers and Runners. When you are biking, it is proper to keep a distance (safety first) from other walkers, runners, and bikers. If you’re going to pass, it’s proper to project your voice loud enough for the person to hear you and say “on your left “
- ☑️Horses. Yes, there are many parts of the trail that are friendly to horseback riding
What Kind of Bike Should I Use?
Day 1: I was skeptical, so I rode an all-trail bike. I felt more secure on a bigger tire compared to thin tires. Plus, it had rained the night prior and roads were slick. I regretted my decision on the way back. There was a group of road bike warriors coming at me, zooming along like nothing. However, my purpose was to get a good workout, not speed or distance. Riding a mountain bike is heavier and a good workout.
Day 2: I was more confident after using the trail for some time the day before. I chose my road bike and was able to cover more distance and was zooming along with those other “serious“ bikers.
Safety
This trail is safe in terms of traffic. There are no motor vehicles allowed on the trail. Although, I did see a police car patrolling which was comforting. I took to the trail around 7:30 am on both days and felt safe. Remember to always wear a helmet. Always be aware. If you notice bright colors painted on the trail it may be because there is a bump or break in the road there.
Have fun and Happy Biking!
About the Author
Angela is a full-time counselor, owner of a Neurofeedback Center, and president of a nonprofit organization, Arianna‘s CDH Foundation (a 501 C3.) She is also a blogger for Ultimate Abbey, a website where women can seek free advice. Requests for advice can be sent to advice@ultimatebbey.com, Angela is also part of a community of RV families. She documents her RV experiences on YouTube under the name “Explore A New Day.”
References
Atchafalaya National Heritage Area: Atchafalaya Basin
Louisianatravel.com: Fontainebleau State Park
Resources
United States Department of Transportation: Learn to Bike Safely