Texas Hill Country Riding

[George Swain]

Greetings,

I’ll be in Austin for a conference in late September and have heard many great things about Texas Hill Country over the years. Thinking of heading down a day early with my bike to ride a 100 or 200K permanent route in the hills. 

Anyone have any local knowledge? Tips? Should I ride right from Austin? Rent a car and head to Dripping Springs? Fredericksburg? 

Hoping to find some glorious low traffic roads while checking another box off my American Explorer list. Finally, any specific perm routes you’d recommend?

Many thanks,

George Swain

RUSA 4232

[Peter Nagel]

George,

It depends a little bit on where you will be staying.  Assuming

that you are in the downtown area, there are several options:

2 routes that start a couple of miles east of downtown

#3492 Austin - Elgin Ranch Roamer

#3444 Volente

1 route that starts on the northern edge of the UT campus a

couple of miles north of downtown
#2358 Meander to Leander

The first one is as flat as they come in this area.  It has a long

section of shared use trail that leads out of town and very rural 

sections on the other end.

The other two give you a taste of the Hill Country "climbing".

I designed the third route years back for former local RBA,

Jeff Newberry.

Let me know if you need more information.

Peter Nagel

RUSA 5221