Charlie Gandy, a retired community designer and state representative, is charting a 1,500-mile trail called the Cross Texas Trail (XTX), stretching from the bayous to El Paso.
Partnering with Bike Texas, he's planning a route that crosses parks, follows rural roads, and offers a variety of Texas terrains.
Gandy's goal is to create a trail as iconic as the Appalachian or Pacific Crest Trails, making it accessible to both hikers and cyclists.
The route will include historical towns and be passable on horseback, with a target completion date of spring 2025.
Enthusiastic Texans are already suggesting route ideas, often wanting the trail to pass through their land.
Gandy, inspired by famous long-distance trails, aims to turn this vision into a reality and leave a lasting legacy.
Robin Stallings, Bike Texas's executive director, emphasizes the trail's accessibility to urban areas like Houston, San Antonio, and Austin.
Sponsors are needed to support the trail's launch, including setting up water stations in desert areas.
Despite the excitement, Gandy admits that mapping the trail is still a work in progress. He hopes to gather support and ensure the trail benefits future generations of adventurers.
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