Lake Pontchartrain Levee Bicycle Ride: 5-11-02
Saturday we pedaled miles of scenic bike path that follows the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain to the west, parts of the trail are on the lakes hurricane protection levee. We started near the New Orleans Municipal Yacht harbor and boat launch at the breakwater point, and rode west to near the Treasure Chest Casino riverboat in Kenner, La. We timed the return trip so we would be back near the foot of the 24 mile long Causeway bridges that cross the lake at the south shore just after dark! We were able to watch the thousands of Purple Martin birds return to their nesting colony that they have taken as their own under the south end of the Causeway bridges for years now.
Rest area on the bike / hiking path on the lakeshore.
This is where the bike path goes out underneath the causeway bridges so that you can continue along the trail without crossing / dodging all the cars exiting the bridge.
This is the exact spot under the bridges where you can see the Purple Martins just after dark, more night images below.
Here, we are riding out from under the bridges to continue to the levee and the bike path ahead on the right.
Some ducks and a Great Blue Heron.
The bike path is actually on the other side of the fence above, there is some construction going on in a few places.
Many shell beaches are west of the Causeway bridges, nice for doing the souvenir 'Sanibel Stoop".
My all aluminum ride above: 28" wheels, and 24 speeds with front suspension and a suspension seatpost. Gear bag has tools, spare tubes, CO2 cartridges and an inflator. **** Note the water visibility!! ****
BB2's aluminum and chrome moly ride (24" and 21 speeds) with front and rear suspension. He has a spare tube and the coiled cable on board that goes with the Kryptonite lock on the steering head on my bike. That rear shock mount looks like a perimeter framed Mongoose "R1" to me! He is always looking to jump stuff.
Crab traps.
Above and below are two baby Nutrias of a family of 4 "playing on the sea shore" that we followed and watched closely, they didn't seem to mind.
Not sure what type of bird this is.
OK, the sun is going down on the Treasure Chest Casino riverboat at the horizon line, and it's time to start riding back toward the Causeway to see the birds return for the night just after dark.
Sign says: "The largest roosting colony of Purple Martins".
These images are at night, all the black clusters (center left) are birds coming in.
These images are through the fence at the U turn on the bike trail, the birds fly right at us and turn to go up under the bridge.
Incoming birds above: (see below)
They go up under the protected bridges to roost. You should hear all these birds!!
Above and below are parts of the return ride after dark.
Jaegers seafood and beer garden is one of many nice restaurants located over the water at west end park.
XS650 Cycle Links, Images & Info: Click Here!
Return To:
