Adventure Cycling Ragin Cajun Oct 7-14, 2017

Ragin Cajun Bike Tour

OCT 7-14, 2017

Peter and I loaded our new comfort bikes on our truck and drove to Albany, NY to board the Amtrak line to Chicago.  Amtrak was supposedly bike friendly and had easy storage for bikes, but in Albany we were told it had to be boxed.  This meant taking the pedals off and turning the steering wheel to fit in a box.   We left our truck in the parking garage.

The Amtrak Lake Route was extremely comfortable with lounge, sleeper and toilet amenities.  We could get car service or go to the dining room.  There was a car with vista dome windows for relaxing or drinks.

Upon arrival in Chicago we had a 10 hour layover.  We kept our bikes and bags in a secure lock room and explored Museums, The waterfront and a fine eatery.   We returned to board our Orleans Express around 7 pm and again would highly recommend this mode of travel.

We left our bikes in the train station and taxied to a hotel where we were able to explore New Orleans for a few days before our tour began.  New Orleans is a fascinating place!  We  went to brunch at Brennan’s, visited a butterfly museum, went on a Steamboat Ride down the Mississippi and ate great Cajun food.

We had arranged to have another tour group biker pick us up in his truck at the train station and we proceeded to our meeting place three hours away.

 

 

Day 1

Breaux Bridge, 0 miles. Meet your touring companions at Bayou Wilderness Campground for introductions, orientation, and our first overnight. We’ll enjoy a hearty dinner and conduct chased our inaugural map meeting. While you’re getting to know your fellow participants, our on-tour mechanic will make sure your bicycle is ready for the Acadian roads. Then it’s time to crawl into the tent and get some shut-eye to dream of the cypress swamps and lazy bayous in your future.

Day 2

Breaux Bridge to Butte La Rose, 38 or 53 miles. Today we’ll pedal into rural suburbs and then past fields of sugarcane and rice before entering the town of St. Martinville. The third-oldest town in Louisiana, St. Martinville contains many marvelous examples of southern architecture, such as the historic St. Martin de Tours Catholic Church and La Manson Duchamp on Main Street. Departing St. Martinville, we’ll ride through increasingly rural country until gaining the levee road on the west edge of the Atchafalaya Basin. The campground in Butte Larose lies along the levee, offering a peaceful place to pitch a tent.

Day 3

Butte La Rose to Breaux Bridge, 33 miles. Departing Frenchman’s Wilderness, we’ll make our way up the levee road past McGee’s Landing, then we’ll pedal to Lake Martin for a relaxing tour on the swamp where we’ll search for alligators, rare birds, and flowers. After the fascinating sightseeing, it’s back to pedaling as we make our way to camp at Pioneer Acadian Village RV Park & Campground.

Day 4

Breaux Bridge to Carencro, 29 miles. After breakfast, we’ll depart Pioneer Campground and pedal through historic Breaux Bridge where you can visit Café Des Amis, home of the world famous Zydeco Breakfast. Next, we’ll visit Cypress Island Preserve, the largest preserve in Louisiana. From there, we'll make our way toward Lafayette to visit the Jean Lafitte Museum and the Vermilionville Acadian Cultural Center. After a day filled with the nature and culture of the area, we will spend a peaceful night at Bayou Wilderness RV Park.

Day 5

Carencro to Chicot State Park, 44 or 63 miles. A ride up the scenic North Wilderness Trail Road that runs along the east side of the Fuselier will start the tour’s longest riding day. The route continues up the Bayou Teche, through the town of Arnaudville and to the bayou’s origin in Port Barre. At Port Barre, the Teche draws water from Bayou Courtableau, then flows southward to meet the Lower Atchafalaya River at Berwick. During the time of the Acadian migration to what was then known as the Attakapas region, in the mid to late 1700s, boating on the Teche was the primary means of transportation. From Port Barre, we’ll follow the Bayou Courtableau northwest and then ride along the southern edge of the Thistlethwaite State Wildlife Management Area before entering the town of Washington. Today we’ll also reach the highest elevation on our route — a jaw-dropping 81 feet above sea level! After a long day of pedaling, we will relax along the lake at Chicot State Park.

Day 6

Chicot State Park to Eunice, 41 miles. We’ll begin the day with a visit to the Louisiana Arboretum, then continue on the peaceful roads of Chicot State Park as we make our way to Ville LaPlatte. Later, we’ll pedal through Mamou, located in the heart of Louisiana's Cajun country and the self-proclaimed “Cajun Music Capital of the World.” Arguably, the most famous bar in all of Louisiana is Fred’s Lounge in Mamou, where KVPI radio out of Ville Platte has been broadcasting its Saturday morning live Cajun music show for more than 50 years. Arriving at Lakeview RV Park, you can pitch your tent, enjoy the lake, and tap your feet to live music in the barn.

Day 7

Eunice to Breaux Bridge, 47 or 63 miles. We’ll pedal through heavily wooded lowlands and across the Bayou Mallet today before winding through Acadian farmland eastward to Grand Coteau. You’ll cross the bayous Plaquemine, Wicoff, and Bourbeux, before following the Bayou Fuselier. We’ll get back just in time for the famous, three-day Festivals Acadiens et Créoles in Lafayette, where you can continue this amazingly fun, cultural experience. True, the tour may be over — but son of a gun, we had big fun on the bayou!