I’m still sorta exploring different routes for cycling in Austin like Parmer and out east routes and was wondering if there are certain areas/roads that should be avoided at certain times during the day. I’m assuming areas like 360 should be avoided during rush hour. Does anyone know of any good routes to take and around what time of the day would be best for riding in terms of traffic? Thanks for the help!
give the folks at austin tri-cyclist a call or other bike shops in the area (jack and adams, bicycle sport shop). they might even have rides posted to their respective webpages.
I’ve only lived in Austin for a few months, but I would say to try avoiding 360 during rush hour. I frequently drive 360 between 290 and Bee Caves and there are always lots of cars, not always driving in their lanes, on both north/south sides. 360 is nice on weekend mornings though, good, short, hilly ride. If you’re looking to ride after work, Mopac/45 isn’t bad. If you go south on Mopac, take a left on LaCrosse and park by the Veloway. Then head back towards Mopac and then go south on it. It turns into 45, but just continue on it until it ends and make a turnaround and head back to the start for a total loop of 8 miles. It’s not too traffic heavy even during rush hour.
I used to commute on 360 before my company moved to Southwest Pkwy. The shoulders on it are pretty big and good for riding. I have to caution that over the years some people have been struck by cars and died. The last one I believe was two years ago. The areas around 2244 and 2222 are where the danger usually lies. But just being smart and defensive you should be ok. Other than that I think Austin is getting pretty sparse on safe cycling areas. You can try the Dam Loop thats usually not too bad. The city is growing like crazy my suggestion sadly is use your trainer except on the weekends. I can hook you up with a cyclist who is always searching for routes if you want just PM me.
Although I do not reside in Austin, I have attended several road races and often thought that places like Pace Bend State park (very low traffic on weekdays and early weekend mornings), Hwy 620 or circuit Lakeway of 620 or Hwy 1431 out to Lago Vista - rural and very hilly and all located on or near Lake Travis seem like good places to ride. Of course although these areas would make for some good training rides, I imagine the commute on the afternoon/evening of a workday would probably limit training time for most.
Well it’s not great, but it’s close to the city.
I used to ride loops like crazy on great northern and shoal creek, the loop is a little over 2 miles, I think, but was great for high intensity riding.
Other than that, I wouldn’t ride out much during the week (lots of trainer rides because of lack of riding sometimes), I hear the city has gotten a lot worse since I have left (only 8 months ago).
Weekend riding is a lot nicer, I love riding to San Marcos, that was an easy 60-70 country miles, with light traffic. J & A have a ride for this, may have changed since.
OMG! DO NOT RIDE ON 1431! You will most certainly die.
Ok, that might be an overstatement, FM1431 is not safe for cyclists. It’s a spectacular road but cars drive in excess of 70 mph and the turns and hills would make motorist blind to cyclists. There are no shoulders. I live in Lago Vista and drive this road every day. I have even spoken with TXDOT about adding a shoulder to make it safe for bikers, but I was told that would not happen. In Lago, we do have a small loop (about 6-8 mi) to ride, but it’s not worth coming out there just to ride it.
There is a ton of great riding out in Burnet, Marble Falls, Liberty Hill, and Bertram - if you want to venture that far. Check out mapmyride.com and search in these areas.
Here’s one to get you started:
http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/tx/burnet/685309191
I ride the entirety of 360 several times a week as it is very close to my house and don’t find it dangerous at all IF you pay attention at each and every interchange exit. As stated above the 2222 and 2244 areas have been particularly dangerous in the past and still are, but if you slow and/or stop and be very cautious about traffic here you can reduce the danger to nil. I actually can’t think of anywhere in Austin you could ride as far with the least amount of interruptions unless you are on 620 or 2244. I think the best thing 360 has going for it is that it is heavily traveled by bicyclists and thus in general the traffic population is more aware of us then normal. Be aware and ride safe.
OMG! DO NOT RIDE ON 1431! You will most certainly die
Well I did mention I was not a resident - was in your neighborhood a few weeks back for the races on Saturday and Sunday and when we drove in both mornings, traffic on 1431 was nearly non-existent so obviously not indicative of normal traffic volumes for weekday afternoon riding. As for that 6-7 mile loop, I found climbing the stair step as you head East on Boggy Ford road to be a tad challenging when in a group riding 26-28 mph uphill!
I was there for the race too (spectating, volunteering). You should try the loop in the other direction; that’s a real bitch. That’s my normal ‘I just need to get in a ride’ route. Tough!
1431 is not usually very heavy on traffic volume. there’s just no shoulder and no visibility around turns and hills. riding anywhere to the north and west is great though.