One of the many trails located at Ringtail Ridge.
Better Way to Stay in Shape on Horizon
By Andrew McNeill
September 20, 2007
Students around campus are turning to different types of exercise this year. One option for students is mountain biking.
In between stress-filled classes, low-paying jobs, and the San Marcos nightlife, students are staying in shape. One of the ways students are doing this is mountain biking. Specially designed bikes with tires suited to handles sticks, rocks, and dirt are the primary equipment needed. Also necessary is a sturdy helmet and some hydration. Other than that, anywhere you see undeveloped land is a possible workout.
One of the popular trails in San Marcos is Ringtail Ridge. Ringtail Ridge is located off of Ranch Road 12, behind the Dakota Ranch apartments. Ringtail Ridge is the main training ground for the mountain bike portion of Texas State's club cycling team.
On August 24th, Ringtail Ridge received the National Trails Grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife to develop the park. The grant will reimburse the San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance (SMGA) 80 percent of the $50,000 being spent on the Ringtail Ridge Trail Project.
The project will improve a number of thingson the park including two miles of trails, bike racks, trash cans, and a parking lot.
"This grand will go a long way towards making Ringtail Ridge one off the nicest parks in San Marcos," said SMGA president Todd Derkacz.
With the improvements planned for Ringtail Ridge, more students could be turning to mountain biking as a way to stay active.