Austin Bike Routes

[jbweldon04]

So, I've scoured the internet a little and I've been looking for a bike route from guadalupe and Airport to the UT campus.
From what I've seen, the best route would be to take Guadalupe to 45th, then 45th to Speedway, then Speedway to UT Campus.
I am as close to a newbie commuter as you can get. How does this route sound?
Is there a site that gives better maps than the City of Austin website?

[Platy]

You mean from the Highland Mall area to UT? Your route is generally okay. Guadalupe is very fine for cycling until it merges with North Lamar. During your first ride you'll see opportunities to avoid 45th by taking side streets. Personally I prefer Duval to Speedway but the only difference is which side of campus you arrive at. Recommend you use two locks on your bike in the UT area.

[jbweldon04]

So If I get two locks, should I get two U locks? They are about forty bucks a piece at bicycle sports shop.
I definitely care a lot about the safety of the bike seeing how I'm about to shell out three hundred dollars on a bike.
B

[Oden]

I live at 51st and Lamar, and I like to take Guadaloupe to 46th, then Ave A 44th, then Ave B down to about 42nd, then cut over to speedway. It's a little more complex, but good pavement all the way (I'm on a track bike, it may be more trouble than it's worth for you), and I hate waiting for the light at 45th.

[Ironic Mullet]

Two recommendations:

1. Check out the routes/maps here (http://bicycleaustin.info/getaround/routes.html)
2. Buy a hardcopy of the city route map. It's much easier to read than the one on the web.

I took Speedway/48th-ish/Guadalupe when I was in school to the IM fields. Duval is definitely worth checking out as Platy recommended.

I would probably go with a U-lock/cable lock combo.

[Platy]

I would probably go with a U-lock/cable lock combo.
Good idea. There are bike thieves at UT who carry bike jacking tools in backpacks. They work fast and ride away. I know that from a friend of a friend etc. Using two kinds of locks means they'd have to use two kinds of tools. All you're trying to do is make your bike a little harder to steal than the bike next to it on the rack. If you can't afford another bike lock, put a combination lock through a slot in your crank or something.

I live at 51st and Lamar, and I like to take Guadaloupe to 46th, then Ave A 44th, then Ave B down to about 42nd, then cut over to speedway. It's a little more complex, but good pavement all the way (I'm on a track bike, it may be more trouble than it's worth for you), and I hate waiting for the light at 45th.
Plus you can stop at the Avenue B Grocery, which is a very cool old style neighborhood market.

[Oden]

Plus you can stop at the Avenue B Grocery, which is a very cool old style neighborhood market.

I've never been, but I live right near there. I'll go check it out. Thanks, man.