Falcon to Zapata and back

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Starr County, TX, US

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South Texas Cycling

Ride more, eat less

106 km

635 m

Rolling hills, out and back, with few services. Beautiful camping at Falcon State Park.

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# A great ride through the few hills in South Texas.

Camping at @poi[Falcon Lake State Park](1685988) is wonderful, and comes with restrooms and showers.  The road is glassy smooth with wide shoulders.  This route is best ridden in the late fall, winter, and early spring.  Summer can be extremely hot with temperatures reaching over 100F and there is usually a strong SE wind.  Several items to be warned about in South Texas: we do have scorpions, spiders, venomous snakes, and most plants have thorns.  *Be cautious and you will have a great time.*

There is one store at @point[8.3 miles](d,13343.79) and no others until you get to @point[Zapata](d,51450.03).  @slice[The first five miles](d,0,7946.58) has no shoulder but there is little traffic.  The ride is smooth, the climbs are 2-3 % grade.  Falcon Lake is on your left and can be seen at times during the ride.  When Falcon Lake is full, there will be water under the @point[Tigre Chiquita](d,20209.37) and @point[Tigre Grande](d,25564.45) bridges.

As you roll into [Zapata](http://zapatachamber.com/), you will lose the shoulder but no need to worry, there is little traffic.  @point[The bridge going into town](d,48351.98), at mile 30, was under construction when I was there last.  I will update when I get the chance.  Zapata has numerous stores, restaurants, and service areas.  My favorite restaurant is @poi[El Paraiso](1790465).

The return trip can be difficult if there is a strong SE wind.  This could be the time to look to the SW for the mountains in Mexico, Sierra Picachos.  They are usually obscurred by haze.

**Remember, the only store on the route is @point[8.3 miles](d,13343.79) from the park.**

Upon returning, you can shower, rest by the lake, watch wildlife (deer, javelin, turkey, and numerous birds), and cook supper.  OR you can drive 15 miles into @poi[Roma](1790466) for a meal at one of their restaurants.  I recommend eating at a local restaurant instead of a chain.  Also, if you have the time, Roma is loaded with history.

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Falcon to Zapata and back

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