Pedal Power: Where to Ride Bicycles in Tyler, TX

Tyler / Antony Boshier

If you want to know more about cycling in Tyler, there’s no one better to ask than a guy named Tyler – Tyler Simpson, to be specific. 

His store, Simpson’s Fitness & Adventure Sports, has been in business since 1980. And he’s been biking for seven decades. Now in his mid-70s and still riding strong, Simpson says cycling in Tyler has never been better. “It’s just amazing what’s being done,” Simpson says. 

Simpson lauds the area’s trail system and infrastructure and notes that Tyler is at the epicenter of major regional developments. 

Courtesy of Ride Tyler

“Put a pin in Tyler and go 400 miles in any direction and you’ll see there’s a lot going on,” he says. “A tremendous amount of money is being put into off-road trails.” 

It’s a win-win for locals and visitors. If you live in Tyler, there’s excellent biking all around. And the city is both a destination for serious cyclists and a great place to ride if you’re just looking to relax on a trip. 

“Tyler is easy to get to from anywhere in the state and neighboring states,” says Cindy Smoak, executive director of SPORTyler, the sports tourism arm of the Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce. “We have several bike shops in the area and the city, along with Tyler State Park and the University of Texas at Tyler trails, featuring more than 60 miles of trails for walking, running and biking. They’re safe and good for all ages.” 

Nathan Lambrecht

Take to the Trails in Tyler

Neal Anthony and his wife, Jess, are so enthusiastic about cycling that they opened Ride Tyler a couple of years ago. From historic downtown brick streets to rolling mountain bike trails and even newer neighborhoods with paved sidewalks and designated bike lanes, there’s terrain for every type of cyclist, Anthony says. 

Anthony is also a board member for Rose City Cycling, Tyler’s very active biking club. “It’s a great place to connect, find community and enjoy bicycling together,” he says. 

The club helps the city maintain trails and also puts on events. Two major events it hosts are the Beauty and the Beast Bicycle Tour and Race in October, now in its 36th year, and Rose City XC TMBRA race at Lindsey Park in September. 

Another must-ride is Faulkner Park, which has a mountain bike loop that extends for over 5 miles and is considered an easy route. “There’s been a lot of work to make these trails more fun, like a roller coaster with jumps,” Simpson says. 

And while the city and state were involved, much of it was from the private sector and individuals who wanted better trails and volunteered their time and resources to get projects started, he says. 

For those who prefer their biking on the casual side, Anthony’s shop offers guided tours. If you like to explore on your own, his favorite urban trails include Rose Rudman Trail and Legacy Trail, which he says offer great riding for people of all abilities and ages. 

Nathan Lambrecht

A Cycling Surge 

In Tyler, you’re never too young to cycle. Noble E. Young Park, for example, was recently renovated and includes a bike park for kids. The region’s relatively mild weather is another draw. 

“You can bike almost year-round, with the exception of a few icy weeks in January and February, and hot and humid weeks in August,” Anthony says. “March really kicks off our riding season.” 

While Anthony’s store services all types of bikes, his passion is electric, as in e-bikes. 

“Cycling is something that Jess and I enjoy as a couple, but also as an entire family. That’s one of the reasons we love e-bikes, too, because they’re the ‘great equalizer’ for all ages and abilities,” he says. 

For Simpson, mountain bikes have been his bread and butter. During an economic downturn in East Texas in 1986, Simpson’s struggling business needed a boost. He got word that mountain biking was “becoming a big deal” and he’s never looked back. 

Now, looking ahead, Smoak sees a bright future for cycling in Tyler. 

“I think cycling will only continue to grow,” she says. “The city is committed to providing more trails, and cyclists are looking for more opportunities to ride.”