New Braunfels, TX Outdoor Activities

Gotta Ride Bikes expresses its passion for cycling through a glittering arsenal of gear and bikes, and a knowledgeable staff well-tuned to the finer points of their beloved sport and pastime. Expert bike mechanics keep two-wheeled transports in smooth-running shape, nutrition and training experts fashion personalized body-boosting routines, and shoe fitters fix common problems such as using ill-matched footwear and biking with stiletto heels. Throughout the well-stocked store, rows and racks of bicycles from brands such as Scott, Felt, and Look rear up their mechanical haunches, ready to take to the asphalt with aerodynamic speed and lightweight agility. Frame racks, pumps, helmets, and replacement parts keep cyclists of all stripes pedaling safely and efficiently, and jerseys, supplements, and training gear help professional wheel riders shave seconds from race times.

At Splash Rentals, outdoor explorers rent boats, jet skis, and kayaks that facilitate the exploration of the Highland Lakes. Patrons can choose from more than 20 watercraft, and can pick up their rentals at the Kingsland storefront or request delivery by an industrious giant tortoise to Buchanan, Inks, LBJ, or Marble Falls Lakes. Splash also rents out sporty water toys such as wakeboards, tubes, and skis to ensure that adventurers get the most out of their time on the lake.

Action Angler & Outdoor Center, a stream-side fly-fishing shop, offers access to a unique segment of the Guadalupe River, replete with trout, bass, and panfish, and reserved exclusively for fly-fishing. The shop's owner and TXPW-licensed lead guide, Chris Jackson, draws on his 30 years of fly-fishing experience, which began at age 12, when he caught his first trout on the fly in the Rio Grande's headwaters. Patrons can buy or rent equipment ranging from kayaks by makers such as Outcast and Diablo to rods, reels, and wading boots, ideal for jogging into the depths during races with your reflection. Once outfitted, visitors can strike out independently, or opt for guided floats and fly-fishing lessons on the Guadalupe. Guides can also chaperone full-day floats on the San Marcos River, Colorado River, and Lady Bird Lake.

Floats last between one and four hours each, and the short, one-hour route can be repeated. Gather a team of water-drawn hooligans for a relaxing journey that takes you around the famous Horseshoe Loop. The river is flush with Momma Nature's finest currents and rushing at its highest level in three years, so there's no better time to propel yourself and your professional water Marco Polo team down a living waterslide. Choose the route that will satisfy your inner sundial and outer sunsoaker.

Texas Sphere Ride brandishes a novel thrill with its massive inflatable spheres that send adrenaline junkies tumbling along a fenced-in track. The hollow, cushioned plastic balls safely cradle strapped-in pairs as they gather speed, rolling and bouncing along a dirt path. For added excitement, Texas Sphere Ride’s partnership with Helicopter Tours of Texas augments spherical jaunts with a short ride in a chopper for a more heart-pounding adventure than a hostage negotiation in a cardiologist’s office.