Historic Missions Bike Tour – 2 Mission Southern Route

Set out on a captivating journey through San Antonio’s historic missions with the "Historic Missions Bike Tour – 2 Mission Southern Route." This guided bicycle excursion promises an engaging 8-9 mile ride, immersing you in the rich history and architectural wonders of the Mission San Juan and Mission San Jose. Led by knowledgeable guides, the tour offers insights into the enduring legacy of the Spanish settlements while unveiling the natural beauty of the San Antonio River Trail. As you pedal past grand stone churches, serene courtyards, and robust granary buildings, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the missions’ resilience and uncover…

Key Points

• Guided bicycle tour of 8-9 miles exploring Mission San Juan and Mission San Jose along the San Antonio River.
• Discover the history and impact of Spanish missions with a knowledgeable guide providing insights.
• Spot native wildlife and admire public art installations along the scenic Mission Reach Trail.
• Explore the acequia irrigation systems and gain appreciation for the missions’ architectural and religious significance.
• Experience a comprehensive tour with comfortable bicycles, earpieces for clear audio, and a backpack to carry personal belongings.

Tour Details

The tour begins with an 8-9 mile (3 hour) guided bicycle ride through the historic Mission San Juan and Mission San Jose.

During this private group experience, the knowledgeable live tour guide will share insights about the founding of the Spanish settlements and the people who lived there.

Participants will explore the scenic Mission Reach Trail along the San Antonio River, admiring works of public art and learning about the acequia irrigation systems that once watered the land.

The tour includes comfortable bicycles, helmets, and earpieces to clearly hear the guide.

At 3.5 hours in duration, this is a comprehensive look at the missions and the natural beauty of the San Antonio River.

Highlights

Participants frequently learn about the founding of Spanish settlements and the people who once lived there during this tour.

They also enjoy the scenic San Antonio River and the beautiful wildlife along the Mission Reach Trail.

Plus, the tour covers the acequia irrigation systems that once watered the land, and participants can admire works of public art throughout the experience.

Some highlights include:

1. Discovering the history of the Spanish missions and their impact on the region.
2. Spotting native birds, butterflies, and other wildlife along the river.
3. Exploring the innovative acequia system that provided water to the missions.
4. Viewing murals, sculptures, and other public art installations dotting the trail.

Included

The tour includes a knowledgeable and informative guide who provides participants with earpieces to clearly hear the commentary. Comfortable bicycles and helmets are also provided, along with a backpack to carry personal belongings during the tour.

This ensures that participants can fully enjoy the experience without having to worry about the logistics. The guide’s expertise and the provided equipment allow guests to focus on exploring the scenic Mission Reach Trail, admiring the public art, and learning about the historic Spanish settlements and their irrigation systems.

With these inclusions, the tour offers a seamless and enjoyable way to discover the rich history and natural beauty of the San Antonio missions.

Not Included

While the tour includes several amenities, certain expenses aren’t covered. Gratuity for the guide, as well as any food and drinks, aren’t included in the tour price.

Plus, the tour doesn’t provide hotel pickup or drop-off services. Participants are responsible for arranging their own transportation to the meeting point at the Mission Road Mini-Storage facility.

Parking is limited at the meeting location, so guests should avoid leaving any valuables in their vehicles.

The tour doesn’t include:

1. Gratuity for the tour guide
2. Food and drinks
3. Hotel pickup and drop-off
4. Secure parking for valuables

Meeting Point and Important Information

The tour meets at the Mission Road Mini-Storage facility (3502 Mission Road), where parking is limited, so guests shouldn’t leave any valuables in their vehicles.

Riders should wear comfortable shoes, bring sunscreen, water, and sportswear for the tour.

The tour is not suitable for children under 13 or people with mobility issues. However, the tour company offers e-bikes for riders 18 and older who want an easier ride. The bikes have a weight limit of 275-300 pounds.

If guests need to reschedule, they can do so for free up to a day before the tour, but there’s a $20 fee after that.

Exploring Mission San Juan

Atop the mission’s weathered limestone walls, visitors gain a commanding view of the surrounding landscape, observing the intricate architectural details and vibrant gardens that have endured for centuries.

As the tour group explores Mission San Juan, they’ll:

• Marvel at the grand stone church, its facade adorned with ornamental carvings and statues.
• Wander through the serene courtyard, where sunlight dapples the ground and the tranquil sound of a central fountain echoes.

Discover the remnants of the original acequia irrigation system, a testament to the Spanish colonists’ agricultural ingenuity.

Admire the robust granary building, once vital for storing the mission’s bountiful harvests.

Immersed in this living museum, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for the resilience and innovation of those who called Mission San Juan home.

Exploring Mission San Jose

Continuing the tour, visitors explore the grandeur of Mission San Jose, the ‘Queen of the Missions.’ Admiring its imposing stone walls and intricate carvings, they gain insight into the architectural prowess and religious zeal that defined this 18th-century outpost. The mission’s scale and ornamentation impress, with its ornate façade adorned with statues and decorative flourishes. Stepping inside, the group marvels at the soaring vaulted ceilings and ornate altar, experiencing the worship space as it would have been centuries ago. As they traverse the compound, they uncover the daily life of the mission’s residents, from the acequias that irrigated the land to the workshops that supported the community.

Architectural Features	Religious Elements	Community Life
Imposing stone walls	Ornate altar	Acequias (irrigation)
Intricate carvings	Soaring vaulted ceilings	Workshops
Ornate façade	Statues and decorative flourishes	Daily activities
Scale and ornamentation	Worship space	Self-sustaining community

San Antonio River Trail

Leaving the grandeur of Mission San Jose behind, the tour group now explores the scenic Mission Reach Trail along the San Antonio River. This multi-use greenway offers a serene escape from the city, providing opportunities to admire the natural beauty of the area.

Along the trail, riders can:

1. Spot native wildlife, including birds, turtles, and even the occasional deer or coyote.
2. Admire striking public art installations, like the iconic Bexar County legacy bridge.
3. Enjoy the tranquility of the river, with its calming waters and lush, tree-lined banks.
4. Learn about the acequia system, a network of irrigation canals that once sustained the missions.

As the tour continues, the group immerses themselves in the rich history and natural wonders of San Antonio’s renowned River Walk.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the Minimum Age Requirement for the Tour?

The minimum age requirement for this tour is 13 years old. The tour is not suitable for children under 13 or people with mobility impairments, as it involves an 8-9 mile bicycle ride along the scenic Mission Reach Trail.

Can I Cancel or Reschedule the Tour After the 1-Day Deadline?

After the 1-day deadline, there’s a $20 fee to cancel or reschedule the tour. Customers can’t make changes for free beyond that cutoff date, so they’ll need to pay the fee if they need to alter their plans.

Are There Any Additional Fees for Electric Bike Upgrades?

There is an additional fee for upgrading to an e-bike on the tour. The e-bike upgrade is only available for participants 18 and older. The cost of the e-bike upgrade is not included in the base tour price.

Is Photography Permitted During the Tour?

Yes, photography is permitted during the tour. Guests are encouraged to capture the scenic landscapes, art installations, and historic missions along the way to document their experience. However, please be mindful of other tour participants.

Can I Bring a Backpack or Bag on the Tour?

Yes, participants can bring a backpack or bag on the tour. The tour includes a provided backpack to carry personal items, but guests may bring additional bags if needed to carry their own gear and belongings.

Recap

The Historic Missions Bike Tour – 2 Mission Southern Route offers an unforgettable cycling experience, allowing visitors to explore the rich history and stunning architecture of two iconic Spanish missions.

With a knowledgeable guide leading the way, participants can enjoy the natural beauty of the San Antonio River Trail and gain a deeper appreciation for the missions’ enduring legacy.

It’s an engaging and informative tour that shouldn’t be missed.