Hey austin tri-folks… i just moved to austin (my answer to the answer to the question: what is the best tri-city in the U.S.). I live near So. Congress 5 blocks south of riverside. Where should I go for masters swimming? I am a 60-65min IM swimmer, so not great, but looking to be challenged. Also, is there a regular triathlete session at Barton Springs? Thanks!
If you could also recommend some group rides to check out (again, I’m not great but looking to be challenged) that’d be cool, too.
Contact David Sing. He’s a great guy, a fantastic triathlete, and he has a swim program at St. Ed’s that might be exactly what you need. The folks at either Austin Tricyclist or the other new tri/bike shop that opened nearby (I can’t remember the name) can put you in touch.
David Sing’s contact info -
http://www.austinaquatics.org/contact.htm
I think they may be full up on membership - there is a masters group at the town lake ymca -
http://www.southtexasmastersswimming.com/southTx/clubs/ybat.html
and yes - Austin is the best tri town in the land
Group rides - sat and sunday mornings (8:30) meeting at Austin Tri Cyclist and sunday at Jack and Adams - Tuesday nighter at Knockles Crossing for a roadie type of “training race”
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Hi,
Welcome the “Center of the Triathlon Universe”! There’s Master’s Programs at the Town Lake Y in the evening and the morning. I believe if you’re not a member it’s still pretty reasonable. Also Austin Cycling Associaton: www.austincycling.org has weekend rides every weekend and good source for riding. Austin Tricyclist down on Barton Springs Rd has a weekly ride at 0830 with one ride doing a 30 mile loop and the 2nd doing a 50 mile loop. Go to www.austintricyclist.com for more info. Austin Tricylist is Don and Missy Ruthven’s shop which was the target of some Ad Hominem attacks recently on ST. No worries. Also Jack and Adam’s which is also has rides on Tuesday morning and Saturdays and Sundays I believe.
There’s a lot of stuff going on. Also Austin Triathletes which is at www.austintriathletes.org is a local club that I believe is doing a monthly mock race down at the venerable Barton Spgs at the end of every month!
Once again, welcome to Austin “Center of the Triathlon Universe”! If you need any other feedback, suggestions or whatever feel free to PM me!
Living in Austin and Loving it,
Robert
I think the UT masters swim program is supposed to be pretty good. can’t vouche personally as I just swim at barton springs when I feel like it.
also check out jack and adams as well as austin tri cyclist.
-Geezo
I believe none of this about Austin being the Center of the Triathlon Universe. I’ll go so far as to bet that the six of you who do tri’s in the greater Austin area are conspiring to raise the profile of the town. I’d be interested to see a group picture of all y’all to see what we’re dealing with here.
That’s certainly happening here in Clermont Florida. It’s really just KJGrog swimming with the gators in Lake Minneola by his lonesome. But he’s making so much noise that you would think IT is the center of the Triathlon Universe…
I propose a showdown to settle this once and for all. KJGrog against the whole city of Austin. Sort of like a real-life Bruce Lee movie…
Does this include Jamie Cleveland and James Bonney? If so…I would have trouble carrying Jamie’s jockstrap…and well Bonney…I would be too busy picking my jaw up off the floor if I ever was close enough to him…
Bottom Feeder…thanks for the vote of confidence but if you would of been there last night to see the Canadian 2008 Bejing Hopefuls blister me off the bike by 45 seconds on a 1.5 mile run…you might think other wise…
Welcome to the hood!!
The masters group at UT (Longhorn Aquatics Masters) is the best in town IMHO. Morning, Lunch, and evening workout options at two pools (UT Swim Center, Circle-C pool in southwest Austin). Excellent coaches and lots of fast swimmers to challenge you. Austin Aquatics no longer has a program as St. Edwards cut their pool time.
Since you are more than likely in Travis Heights (as am I) definitely check out Stacy Pool (800 E. Live Oak). It’s open year round, free, and always has three lap swimming lanes setup.
Others are bang on with the group ride info.
As for Austin being the center of the triathlon universe, just wait until July/August/September when it is 105 outside, I would take somewhere cooler any day. It is pretty damn good this time of year though.
yeah - austin has no more than six triathletes: Jamie Cleveland, Andrea Fisher, James Bonney, Desiree Ficker, Sabine Bildstein, Patrick Evoe, Stephan Schwartz, some guy named Todd Gerlach, Brandon Marsh, austinite in hiding Mark Van A, a tri club with, what is is now 300? 500?, umm, 3 high bikes shops (2 tri specific) within the same square mile (one of these could take care of any other city) ahhhhhh… yyyyyeeahhhhh… not much triathlon going on here…
It is brutal in late summer - but surprising decent in the early am, no problems for me
Oh and I’ve been to Clermont several times and there is no music and no reasonable punk band would EVER play there
So will you register for the Great Floridian if we get a punk band to play at the pre-race party talent show? I am gonna hold you to it…
Mark Marshall Jr (obviously the son of Mark Sr. of South Lake Bikes) has a very good band…we can arrange something I am sure…
Tell you what - you get any of these and I will: Circle Jerks, Black Flag (with original members - this happened about 2 years ago), X, FUGAZI (not punk, but the GREATEST band EVER), ummm… Mission of Burma is touring/recording again (more post-punk), … the list is endless…
and I have done the GFT - 3 times: '96, 97, 98 - fun race, good times.
No master’s program at St Ed’s anymore. 
Check out TexasIron.net. Jamie & Andrea do a stroke clinic/master’s program starting every 8 weeks. Wed night and Sun morn.
thanks for all the info guys!
hmmm, so is austin a good tri town? well this morning i leave my house, run 15mins aong a river trail and through a park and suddenly i see THIS!!!
(except that there were only about 5 people swimming laps). clear fresh water and a nice 65degrees. I still have a stupid grin on my face!
That would be my favorite place to swim, Barton Springs Pool. 1/8 of a mile each length and “open water.” One of the things I miss the most. But now I have the umm…Hudson River. When you overlook the bodies and polution it realy is not that bad.
F$$$ this place. I’m movin’. 
Hey, Bottom,
Be careful, the doubters become the most zealous converts. Though Austin is “The Center of the Triathlon Universe”, it can be a tough town to make it in otherwise. IMHOP (I’ve been here 20 years besides a 6 month stint in Nashville, TN which has a good scene–not the “The Center of the Triathlon Universe”) most folks come here for quality of life. If you’re looking for cheap housing, decent low skill jobs, and eager employers looking to hire you, you best move on to Dallas, Houston, or San Antone cuz none of that’s happening here.
However, if you manage to find a way to get here and make it, you’ll love it b/c Austin is “The Center of the Triathlon Universe.” Sure it’s hot in the summer, but I’d take the heat over cold any time, any time, any time, any time.
Come on down and visit! Just don’t come during SXSW! BTW America’s Triathlon is coming up Memorial Day. I’m sure other’s can vouch for it as I’ve never done it.
Hey, I’m in no hurry b/c I’m already in Austin “The Center of the Triathlon Universe”!
Best,
Robert
I won’t believe it until you post a few pics of the single tri ladies of Austin… No, make that A LOT. Pleeeeease!!!
You know me. I was just yanking y’all’s chains for grins. Would love to visit. What’s SXSW?
What’s SXSW?
South by Southwest music/film/multimedia/web conference/festival/invasion. You either love it or you hate it (depending on how much you mind your local pub being invaded).
Austin definitely wins the spirit award. I love living in this town, and I tell my friends that, but what’s weird is that I hear everyone telling that to their friends.
"clear fresh water and a nice 65degrees. I still have a stupid grin on my face! "
Wait until you see the women sunbathing topless on the South side of the pool! I love this place!
Best,
Robert
Be careful guys. You’re turning me into a slobbering Austin slut.