The moment you reach the 243 ft peak of the Harbor Bridge and begin your descend towards the shoreline you realize this isn’t just a ride–from this point on, it will forever become an annual tradition.

Conquer the Coast packs so much into one ride that no other cycling event quite compares. The ride begins at 7:30 a.m. in the heart of Corpus Christi’s burgeoning cultural district (Whataburger Field, 734 East Port Avenue, Corpus Christi, TX 78401). See one of the nations top ranked professional ballparks, an award-winning art museum and the awe-inspiring watergardens. Your trek up the Harbor Bridge gives you a bird’s eye view of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel and the nation’s 5th largest port to your left. On your right you’ll see a National Landmark, the USS LEXINGTON and the Texas State Aquariums. All with the expansive Corpus Christi Bay as the backdrop where you survey the very coast you set out to conquer.

Here, your adventure has only begun as you continue to make your way through all the picturesque towns that line the shores of Corpus Christi Bay. Portland, Aransas Pass, Ingleside and Port Aransas all offer their own unique flair to the Coastal Bend and promise spectacular views along the way. The Port Aransas Ferry connects you to Mustang & Padre Island where the true test begins. Some call it the “Toughest 18 Miles in Texas” as this stretch of Mustang Island is what it’s all about. It’s what separates the joy riders from the cyclists. A quick jump across the Intercoastal Waterway and you hit Ocean Drive. Easily one of the most scenic drives in all of Texas.