Cycling in Austin TX
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Cycling in Austin TX
I'm going to be in Austin TX from Tuesday through Friday on a business trip. I'm bringing my bike so that I'll have something to do in the evenings. I've heard that Austin has a pretty good cycling scene, and that some or other famous cyclist is from there, but his name escapes me as I write this.
Anyway, are there any places I could meet on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night to hook up with a noob friendly group? Please be specific, with addresses if possible, as I've never been in the city. I usually go between 18-30 miles at between 15-18mph pace.
Anyway, are there any places I could meet on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday night to hook up with a noob friendly group? Please be specific, with addresses if possible, as I've never been in the city. I usually go between 18-30 miles at between 15-18mph pace.
#2
ride lots be safe
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Where are you staying? I assume you'll have a car too?
- Mellow Johnny's is worth a visit.
- Austin Cycling Association has lots of rides, google for their site / rides
- Mellow Johnny's is worth a visit.
- Austin Cycling Association has lots of rides, google for their site / rides
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If you are north there is a tuesday nighter that is some good fun..contact Chuck at Bucks Bikes Austin for details. South there is also a Tues nighter...Thursday is the Driveway Crit series if that interests you at all. Probably the best weekly racing in the country (this is not an exaggeration). Go here and post a question, you'll get some good responses.
TXBRA.org go to the forums and post in the General section.
TXBRA.org go to the forums and post in the General section.
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^ if you are thinking about the same North Tuesday nighter as I am, that's not exactly a newb-friendly ride.
The Dirt Derby has begun. I'll be out there tomorrow night racing the B race on my MTB. You can watch me and others wreck in the mud and generally get schooled.
The Dirt Derby has begun. I'll be out there tomorrow night racing the B race on my MTB. You can watch me and others wreck in the mud and generally get schooled.
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Have fun riding in Austin! I did it July 4th weekend, lots of fun... many many hills (inclines are steep). The people that live there make it look so so easy! Capitol of Texas Highway was nice!!! Good Luck!
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#8
Don't really have a bike.
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capitol of texas is definitely a good ride. You could also ride out to the west side of austin and there is great scenery out there as well. I don't know of any group rides but seems like you have plenty of suggestions already. Hope you like our city
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Anyone else?
Edit: I found the link on the ACA page. Helpful, thanks.
Last edited by helmut; 09-14-09 at 09:17 AM.
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Can't help with the group rides, but I'd recommend heading out west of town for nice hills and views.
Go to mapmyride and look for "dam loop". There are a lot of variations on this ride, but all are very nice and most sections have nice wide shoulders/bike lanes. I live out west of town right in the middle of the loop, so all my rides involve some part of the Dam Loop.
My favorite Saturday version of the Dam Loop is Hwy 620 to Anderson Mill, cut through the neighborhoods to Jollyville, down to 360 (cap of TX HWY), up to Bee Caves, back up to 620. It's around 45 miles and 3k+ of climbing per my Garmin, but nothing steep, just rolling hills.
If you want to keep the ride closer to 30 miles, just cut down 2222 from 620 to 360 rather than anderson/jollyville. 2222 has a section I don't really like in traffic, so I try to avoid it except early AM. You can easily hit close to 50mph on that short downhill section, which is fun with no traffic, but there is no shoulder and 4 lanes of traffic, so be carefull if you choose to go that route. All the other roads have nice wide shoulders, even though the speed limit is 65 in a lot of places.
Go to mapmyride and look for "dam loop". There are a lot of variations on this ride, but all are very nice and most sections have nice wide shoulders/bike lanes. I live out west of town right in the middle of the loop, so all my rides involve some part of the Dam Loop.
My favorite Saturday version of the Dam Loop is Hwy 620 to Anderson Mill, cut through the neighborhoods to Jollyville, down to 360 (cap of TX HWY), up to Bee Caves, back up to 620. It's around 45 miles and 3k+ of climbing per my Garmin, but nothing steep, just rolling hills.
If you want to keep the ride closer to 30 miles, just cut down 2222 from 620 to 360 rather than anderson/jollyville. 2222 has a section I don't really like in traffic, so I try to avoid it except early AM. You can easily hit close to 50mph on that short downhill section, which is fun with no traffic, but there is no shoulder and 4 lanes of traffic, so be carefull if you choose to go that route. All the other roads have nice wide shoulders, even though the speed limit is 65 in a lot of places.