Start the race from the Luling Watermelon Thump Pavilion with challenging but reasonable 12 mile route. We send you right down our “Main Street”, past two of the top 50 best BBQ joints in Texas according to Texas Monthly, past some of our unique local stores, the Watermelon shop, Brushy Creek Outdoors, Blake’s Café, Luling Icehouse Pottery, then out to the county where you can enjoy some hills and some flats, sure to please every level rider. On your ride, you’ll notice awesome scenery and the “World’s Largest Watermelon”. Since you’ll be in the Watermelon Capitol of Texas that really shouldn’t surprise you! Helmets are mandatory.
RUN:
You’ll end your bike ride back at the Thump Pavilion, and you’ll begin your 3.2 mile run. This run parallels the railroad tracks that run thru town and are rumored to have helped give our town its name. Word around town from the old timers is that our City was named after a Chinese railroad worker; another possibility is that it was the maiden name of a railroad builder’s wife. Whatever the case, railroads are a part of our local culture, and while you’re huffin, puffin and self-loathin, odds are you’ll have a chance to race an ‘iron horse’ on the way down Hwy. 90 to the beautiful San Marcos River.
PADDLE:
You’ll finish the run down at the San Marcos River and begin the 6 mile paddle. The first couple strokes are going to hurt and you’ll feel awfully weak after mostly using your leg muscles in the last two portions of the race. We’re ok with that, Luling was once known as the “Toughest Town in Texas”, that aint an easy reputation to hold in the Lone Star State, and if you want to hang with us, you gotta earn the right. This portion of the race takes place on a six mile stretch of the San Marcos River which has been designated as the Texas Park and Wildlife’s first inland paddling trail. The first three miles is a fast, narrow course with numerous sweepers and obstacles with the final three miles relatively benign due to backwater from the Zedler Dam. Personal flotation devices (PFDs) are required.
You’ll finish down at Zedler Mill where the Beer, BBQ, Watermelon and music are waiting for you. All your friends not cool or brave enough to compete can join you and your family members down at Zedler Mill where we’ll all celebrate how awesome you are for finishing.
Now hustle up!
