Beignets - Basin - Beers - Boogie

Friday, April 5th

DAY 2

Breaux Bridge - Henderson - Catahoula - lake fausee point

The routes are 100% paved roads. However, you can ride the tops of the levee if you want some gravel/lime stone riding in your day.

Main Route: 40mile /64 km

Long Route: 66 miles /106 km

SHORTEST ROUTE (W/ SWAMP TOUR): 22 miles /36 km

Shuttle services: Between hotels, Poche’s RV and St. Bernard School. SHUTTLE SCHEDULE HERE. There are no luggage trucks today since we will be returning to St. Bernard School in Breaux Bridge.

RIDE OVERVIEW:

Today you will be spending your time in America’s largest wetland on your bike and by boat (McGee’s Swamp Tours and Adventures). Lots of small narrow roads with varying traffic will bring you to the edge of the Atchafalaya River. If the mighty Mississippi River was allowed to meander then you would be sitting on the banks of the largest river in North America (2nd longest). If you want to do some gravel riding, you can jump atop the levees for outstanding views. We will be riding along the levees on the Atchafalaya Basin today. Some facts:

It is larger than the Florida Everglades

• It’s five times more productive than any other river basin in North America

• About 65 species of reptiles and amphibians inhabit the Basin

• Over 250 known species of birds fly in the Basin

• Other species of animals found in the area include black bear, nutria, fox, muskrat, beaver, otter and raccoon

• The Basin is home to the largest nesting concentration of bald eagles in the south central United States

• There are more than 100 different species of fish and aquatic life in the Basin

• The Basin has an estimated average annual commercial harvest of nearly 22 million pounds of crawfish

• The Basin contains the largest contiguous bottomland hardwood forest in North America and is the largest overflow alluvial hardwood swamp in the United States

Long Route: Continues South from Catahoula (Red’s Levee Bar) to Lake Fausse Point State Park

Swamp Tours

8:00a - 3:00p: Swamp Tour in Henderson BY McGee's Swamp Tours & Adventures. LIVE MUSIC by hunter courville 10:30 - 1:30

Park your bike and give your legs a break! Hop on the boat.

LUNCH

There will be a few options for lunch and snacks along the ride.

• McGee’s Swamp Tours and Adventures (ZB$) LIVE MUSIC from Hunter Courville

• Food Trucks at McGee’s - Cafe 20.3 on the bayou (ZB$) and …

• Red’s Levee Bar in Catahoula (ZB$) (Opening at 9a for us) with LIVE MUSIC from Forest Huval (11a-2p) -ON THE MENU - TBD

• Pat’s Fisherman’s Wharf in Henderson

Rest Stops (SAG stations):

• 8:30a - 2:30p McGee’s Swamp Tours and Adventures (All routes)

• 9a - 2p Red’s Levee Bar (All routes)

• 10a - 1p Lake Fausse Point State Park (Long route)

FRIDAY DESTINATION: RETURNING TO Breaux Bridge, LA

2:00p: Shuttles start running between St. Bernard School, Lafayette hotels, Poche’s RV, and Microtel Inn.

2 - 10p Cycle Zydeco Bar is open at St. Bernard School.

6 - 9p Live music @ St Bernard School Curly Taylor

11:00p: Shuttle service ends for the day. Consider LYFT or UBER for late night service.

PART TIME PARTIER / Weekend Warrior Check-In

3:00p - 7:30p check-in for weekend riders at St. Bernard School in Breaux Bridge. You can drop off your bike at St. Bernard School & Check-in, then drive and park your car at your Lafayette hotel and catch our shuttle back to downtown Breaux Bridge. For route options, lodging, and parking info, please see the FAQ page "What is Weekend Warrior?”

Dinner (Breaux Bridge):

• Tante Marie Restaurant-Cafe-Bar (ZB$)

• Cafe Sydnie Mae’s (ZB$)

• Buck & Johnny’s (ZB$)

• Moo Cow Moo (ZB$)

• Chez Jacqueline (ZB$)