Jarrett2

Howdy all. I'm planning my first self-supported tour coming up in a month.

I've got the bike, got the bags, got the legs, got a ride buddy, but looking for route suggestions.

I'm wondering if anyone has ridden from the Dallas area down to the Austin/San Marcos/Gruene area before?

I'm actually starting about 40 miles south of Dallas, so the total trip seems to be between 185-215 miles depending on stopping point. This will be a one way trip as I have a ride back.

If so, I'd love to hear any tips that you learned on your trip. What roads to take, what roads to stay off of? Good places to stay?

It looks like I might have to get on a service road for I35 for 30 miles or so according to RideWithGPS.

I'm likely going to do the motel/hotel route for my first one just to make things easier.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

mev

I've done variations on this ride a few times:
- Last April; cycled from Austin to DFW with stops in Lampasas and Glen Rose
- 2008 cycled from Brownsville to DFW, stayed east of Austin via Taylor and Temple
- 2007 cycled from DFW to Fredericksburg to DFW with Texas Hell Week in between and as a warmup for another ride: Amsterdam to Vladivostok » Texas

I've found US 281 to be reasonable route as far as combinations of shoulders and traffic goes. I-35 service roads are ok, but not my choice for most pleasant cycling. I've also done Austin to San Antonio multiple times and if you do end up going through Austin then following this route: https://bicycleaustin.info/getaround/...anantonio.html is a good choice (though the Post Road crossing of the Blanco river was still shut down when I tried a few weeks after the flood - if still closed pretty easy to backtrack and cross on I-35 service road bridge).

Jarrett2

Thanks Mev! Good stuff.

Jarrett2

Post Rd looks like a great way to get into San Marcos, but Google Maps won't let me route there. I assume it is still closed due to this.