riding from austin to hutto tx

[Brusheda]

I am considering attending a Triple Crown dog trainer's school in hutto texas. I would like to visit it before making a final decison. Considering the price of car rentals and that it is only 30 miles to from the airport I thought of bringing my bike or renting one and riding there. I thought I could get some input from the area. Is it feasible to get from the airport in austin to hutto on bike without too much trouble?

[Platy]

I haven't ridden exactly from the airport to Hutto but I have some partial information that takes you from the airport to the east side of Pflugerville. Maybe someone else can suggest the best way to complete a route to Hutto.

Be aware that there is new highway construction for the Texas 130 tollway east of Pflugerville that doesn't show up on all maps. Texas 130 has cut off lots of old bike routes in that area. The route below crosses 130 at Pfluger Lane, or at least it did when I rode it last in December.

Assuming you bring your own bike and reassemble it at the airport.

Catch the *northbound* Capital Metro bus #350 on the second level in front of Bergstrom airport. Load the bike onto the rack on the front of the bus. Buy a $1 one-day pass when you board. Ride about an hour and unload when you get to the North Lamar Transit Center. Transfer to the *northbound* 1M bus. Get off at Howard Lane and Metric Blvd (ask driver for nearest stop).

Metric Blvd north of Howard Lane changes its name to Thermal. Here's a cue sheet that takes you through Pflugerville.

Go north on Thermal to Wells Branch Pkwy
0.62 Go right on Wells Branch Pkwy to I-35
0.58 Cross I-35, continue on Wells Branch to FM 1825
0.22 Go left on FM 1825 to Y intersection
0.60 Veer right, continue on FM 1825 to Heatherwilde Blvd
1.41 Continue on FM 1825 to N Railroad Ave
1.28 Go left on N Railroad to Applewood Dr
0.45 Go right on Applewood to Rocky Creek Dr
0.22 Go left on Rocky Creek to Split Oak Trl
0.20 Go right on Split Oak Trl to FM 685
0.34 Go left on FM 685 to Pfluger Ln
0.76 Go right on Pfluger Ln to Weiss Ln

You are now at Pfluger Ln & Weiss Ln. I haven't personally ridden from there to Hutto.

This is based on an Austin to Taylor route I posted here:

Link (http://bikeculture.austinyellowbike.org/index.php/Intercity_Routes)

Study the Capital Metro timetables carefully before you depart:

http://www.capmetro.org/index.asp

[mcjabos]

the airport is south of town--hutto is NE--i'm getting a texas gazetter to plan a hill country tour, and have a brother in austin -- i'll see what i can find out. when are you leaving?

taking a bike on a plane, however, is about $75 each way (unless it's an international flight)

[Platy]

taking a bike on a plane, however, is about $75 each way
True, renting a car will probably be cheaper and easier than any bike alternative. Getting around on a bike contributes to the adventure of travel, though.

[Brusheda]

I would like to visit this summer, whenever I can find an affordable plane ticket. Due to the cost of taking a bike on a plane and the possibility of it being lost, I thought maybe I could rent a bike when I got there.

[Platy]

Try Bicycle Sport Shop, Jack and Adam's, or University Cyclery.

If you're determined to do it on the cheap, you might try to get in touch with the Yellow Bike Project and see if they can arrange to have a ride-away bike for you in exchange for a donation. If the idea catches the interest of whoever you talk to, it just might work out, who knows.

I guess to go back to your original question of if it's feasible to get from the airport in austin to hutto on bike without too much trouble. The answer is that it's possible for a determined person with detailed local knowledge, but it's not at all easy.

[Platy]

Okay, here's a plan that will probably work. The idea is that on your way from the airport you pick up a rental bike.

On arrival at Bergstrom Airport, go to the lower level and catch the Capital Metro #100 bus (Airport Flyer). Get off at Dean Keeton St (formerly 26th) & Speedway, which is on the University of Texas campus. Walk about 7 blocks to Waterloo Cycles at 2815 Fruth. Pick up a pre-arranged rental and ride to 29th & Guadalupe, where you can get on the northbound Cap Metro 1M bus. Use the bike rack on the front of the bus. Get off the 1M at Howard Ln & Metric.

From there you can bike to the Triple Crown Academy either through Pflugerville as I mentioned in an earlier post, or maybe through Round Rock. The link I gave earlier for the Austin to Taylor route also has another route from Austin to Georgetown through Round Rock which might be useful in parts.

Good luck, Brusheda! Post again when your plans firm up and I'm sure we can figure a rideable route for you.

[z_hammer]

I have ridden all of the route from 290 to Triple Crown, granted not all at once. Some of my typical routes take me on the back roads in that area. I will take a look and see about getting from the airport to 290. I will drop you a PM once I have some ideas.