Road route around Austin, Texas

mustgettaller
mustgettaller Posts: 120
edited April 2013 in Road general
I'm going to Austin for a conference, and have hired a road bike from a downtown shop for Saturday (13th April).

Anyone got any good routes around Austin to recommend? I'm happy/keen to get 30-50 miles in if possible - depending on heat and jet lag!

Thanks,

James

Comments

  • VTech
    VTech Posts: 4,736
    The ride up through Waco is great, if you wanted history how about a drive too Dallas and then through the west end grassy knoll area ?

    Ive not been to Austin but work colleagues have and they described it as VAST but that summs up texas as a whole.
    Im not sure you will have many problems finding a route in this part of the world.
    Make sure you take some pics or get a gopro to video some footage for a keepsake.
    Living MY dream.
  • mustgettaller
    mustgettaller Posts: 120
    VTech wrote:
    The ride up through Waco is great, if you wanted history how about a drive too Dallas and then through the west end grassy knoll area ?

    Ive not been to Austin but work colleagues have and they described it as VAST but that summs up texas as a whole.
    Im not sure you will have many problems finding a route in this part of the world.
    Make sure you take some pics or get a gopro to video some footage for a keepsake.
    Yes, it's pretty steeped in history...! Had forgotten about Waco.

    I've contacted the LBS from whom I'm hiring the bike - I'm sure they'll have some suggestions. Also looking on the local cycling club/association websites (occurred to me after posting here).
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    Just have a look at Strava and pick up some popular rides, like this:

    http://app.strava.com/segments/1273175
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • duckson
    duckson Posts: 961
    Kristian House on Strava rides around/near Austin, check out his rides maybe?
    Cheers, Stu
  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    More Strava segments but you could pick out a decent route
    http://app.strava.com/segments/explore# ... pe/terrain
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • Gazspurs
    Gazspurs Posts: 122
    Slightly off cycling topic but still 2 wheels, if your still there next weekend get yourself along to Round 2 of MotoGP!

    Valentino is back & you can give Cal a cheer!
  • southdownswolf
    southdownswolf Posts: 1,525
    Lance Armstrong has a place in Austin. Send him a tweet, he might know a few good rides.
    http://www.stuartmole.co.uk/
  • mustgettaller
    mustgettaller Posts: 120
    southdownswolf wrote:
    Lance Armstrong has a place in Austin. Send him a tweet, he might know a few good rides.

    I had thought of that. But then again, maybe not. :D
  • goonz
    goonz Posts: 3,106
    Pop into his store at least? Mellow Johnnys?
    Scott Speedster S20 Roadie for Speed
    Specialized Hardrock MTB for Lumps
    Specialized Langster SS for Ease
    Cinelli Mash Bolt Fixed for Pain
    n+1 is well and truly on track
    Strava http://app.strava.com/athletes/1608875
  • dabber
    dabber Posts: 1,982
    southdownswolf wrote:
    Lance Armstrong has a place in Austin. Send him a tweet, he might know a few good rides.
    But not for long

    Austin is great... used to go there for work regularly (but before I was into cycling)... you're in Texas Hill Country so there should be lots of great riding.
    “You may think that; I couldn’t possibly comment!”

    Wilier Cento Uno SR/Wilier Mortirolo/Specialized Roubaix Comp/Kona Hei Hei/Calibre Bossnut
  • Fursty Ferret
    Fursty Ferret Posts: 189
    Gazspurs wrote:
    Slightly off cycling topic but still 2 wheels, if your still there next weekend get yourself along to Round 2 of MotoGP!

    Valentino is back & you can give Cal a cheer!

    Thread hijack

    Bloody hell, Rossi was phenomenal last week.

    End of hijack.
  • mustgettaller
    mustgettaller Posts: 120
    If anyone's interested, I got out to Austin having booked a Trek Madone 4.6 from Mellow Johnny's (yes, Lance's shop) - only a 3 blocks from the hotel. The general rental instructions had stuff about locks. When I pointed out that they hadn't given me a lock, the lovely Olive said "You don't let this bike out of your sight - so you don't nee a lock." Apparently Austin's the bike theft capital of the USA! Especially sexy carbon road bikes.

    I took some people's advice and found a good 50 mile dam route on MapMyRide, plugged it into the Garmin 800 and set off. Happened to meet up with a local endurance rider, and 6 hours later had done a great 115 miles instead - uploaded here http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/192665450 on MapMyRide if anyone's interested. Fairly flat, and the nice thing is that on Palmers Road (the out-and-back part on the MapMyRide track), the locals leave water out in butts to re-fill. Pretty essential in the 23-30 degrees, I went through 4.5 bottles. A great experience and nice to get out of the city and see the surroundings - I recommend it to anyone visiting.

    James
  • VTech
    VTech Posts: 4,736
    Well done. Did you manage to get any pics at all ?
    Living MY dream.
  • mustgettaller
    mustgettaller Posts: 120
    VTech wrote:
    Well done. Did you manage to get any pics at all ?
    Sorry - been working and, well, cycling (70 miles today).

    I've uploaded some pictures here http://imgur.com/a/0avLk
  • VTech
    VTech Posts: 4,736
    Fantastic.
    The bats pic is amazing.
    Living MY dream.

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