Texas Bike Tours
promote cycling by offering custom tours
See into Austin and Ride Countryside
These New Zealand guests were stopping in Austin for only two days on their way to Chicago. They asked to see what is important in Austin and ride a little in the countryside. They requested a picnic basket culinary experience during the tour but the CED recommended food truck stops to really immerse in the full Austin experience.
The cycling and culinary experience created brought into their line of vision that which makes Austin unique – openness and acceptance without judgment. Incorporated into this sight line was “a little in the countryside” where they would be surprised to still be in the city. The following is the concept we created with and for them.
First a custom-fit on bikes hired for the experience. Then cycling in a quiet neighborhood with opportunities to see and climb on a project dedicated to street art and to hear about and experience a dirt bike park. Then moving past public art, ride over the Colorado River and cycle beside the river on the hike and bike trail to Zilker Park with Barton Springs pool.
By traveling west just another block or two, we could have climbs to conquer as the hill country begins here. Instead we…travel E on city streets or on the hike and bike trail, to the SoCo entertainment and shopping district stopping for look-see and a break.
We move further south to explore this district or head N to cross the Colorado again to travel along the trail to the Rainey Street District. Literally completely different from SoCo except they are both highly entertaining. Your pathfinder will continually fill you in on the history and local lore of each district.
After Rainey, “Dirty 6th” is just a few blocks away. We could take a peak down that street and then cycle East on 4th Street to the part of the city that is currently undergoing the greatest change, East Austin. Traveling through the streets, you will see old and new Austin including visual arts, cultural areas, and remnants of the past.
Moving to the edge of the city, we access a trail specifically built for bikes and pedestrians. We ride through fields, quiet woods, over streams and make our way north for a higher view of the city. Swooping down to travel south, we enter a country road to see an urban farm with a good story and if we want to ride a half-mile further, we can visit the site of Austin cycling races.
Traveling west, we access the Colorado River to wade at Secret Beach, explore the wildlife sanctuary and venture through the south shore to access the boardwalk for a memorable view of the city over the water. From there we cross the Lady Bird Lake to explore a little of downtown and then end where we began.
There will be many opportunities to pop off the route for a bite to eat, drink and rest. To get the full Austin experience, we will stop at food trucks along the way.
Overview of Austin for the Moore Family
The mom let us know that her family had never been to Austin before and wanted to feel the vibe of the city. The dad has an offer to transfer to central Texas from Northern Illinois. This trip is to decide whether to move to Austin. Their 11-year old will be a decision-maker as well and on the cycling tour; therefore, her parents wish to have fun stops for her as well as eat healthy at a food truck.
As we cycled together, they experienced the edge of the hill country and the flatness of the blackland prairie as Austin sits between these two regions of Texas. The route also brought into their line of vision that which makes Austin special – openness and acceptance without judgment.
We rode through quiet neighborhoods, looked at and climbed on street art, rode in a dirt bike park, crossed the river and ventured into Zilker Park. Good healthy food was had along the way. A climb up Doug Salm Hill and exploration in South Austin again showed the city to be open, adventurous and embracing of all people. The family enjoyed art created by people as well as art created by nature. Our final stop was a photographic session with the gleaming skyline of Austin alongside the beauty of water and trees.
Evening and Hill Country Cycling
The guest requested an evening ride to enjoy the city as it’s appearance changes in light that moves from golden to blue and then to the black of night followed by a day of hill country climbing.
We began the evening ride shortly before sunset when the rays of the sun are soft. The evening blue hour is late dusk when the residual, indirect sunlight has a blue hue. Cycling east and then west, we followed the reflective light on the city and entered a park to feel the country within the city. As we departed the park, we felt as if we were slipping through the dark to return to where we began. A three hour ride.
The following day’s cycling experience was completely different. A little over 60 miles with an elevation of 3,596 ft with an average speed of 12.8 mph with a max speed of 38.7. A fun time of 6.5 hours. Big smiles on both the guest’s and guide’s faces when they rolled in to the shop.
Immersion into the local life in Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg is a romantic city and the perfect place to celebrate a 7th wedding anniversary. This active couple loves adventure, fun and wine. The husband is especially interested in herbs and culinary aspect of good living.
Casually cycle with TXBT crew and feel the soul of Fredericksburg. Travel through a town where fields are a common sight, historic homes on quiet streets abound, history and local lore can be heard…others may see the Hoffman Haus, you will know the Basse Haus. The experience was customized with a focus on food by visiting a local herbalist, gardner and product maker and being open to adventure as it came during the experience. A local invited us to explore her large property in town with several historic structures. We toured houses not usually open to the public. A 7th anniversary gift to be entranced and informed by two well-known Fredericksburg locals. Do you know the purpose of these steps built into this 1800s wall?
Funky, Eclectic, Unique Cycling & Culinary Experience
You and your guests cycle through the downtown area traveling east to the section of Austin that is the current creative trending area with ethnic neighborhoods, sophisticated & local shops, wide range of eating establishments and growth, growth, growth. Your TXBT pathfinder will tell you about the past, present & future of Austin as you travel through the different parts of the city.
Visit a food truck in East Austin focusing on Mexican cuisine. Cross The Colorado River to the south side to experience South Austin and can view the most recent unique public art there. Your pathfinder can tell you all about it along with the history of South Congress district. In the South, you find donuts Austin-style. Hope you are hungry again…this is an experience.
Next you cycle to the park area to arrive at the best people-friendly food park in Austin…parked there is the home of a special dish created in Austin. Then we travel slowly and happily back to the bike shop traveling on the hike and bike trail, across a unique bridge and back into the central city.
360° View of Austin +
The route brings into our line of vision that which makes Austin special – openness and acceptance without judgment.
A brief look at downtown Austin and adjacent districts and neighborhoods in the west, north, east and south. This includes many Austin landmarks, entertainment districts, natural and man-made sites as well as The University of Texas. As you cycle, you experience the edge of the hill country and the flatness of the blackland prairie as Austin sits between these two regions of Texas. The sites are varied-historical and new, creative and unique, man-made entertainment and nature-created zen. We ride through a quiet neighborhood with opportunities to see and climb on a project dedicated to street art, to hear about and perhaps experience a dirt bike park, move past public art, ride over the Colorado River and cycle beside the river on the hike and bike trail to Zilker Park with Barton Springs pool. We may visit entertainment districts such as SoCo, Rainey Street, “Dirty 6th” and perhaps stopping for a break at Jo’s Coffee Shop, home of the well-known “I love you so much” mural.
Then we will move deeper into the South Austin area to delve further into the rich history and how it differs from North Austin. Old plantation lands have evolved into unique and unusual shops & places to eat. Peacocks roam free. There are historic/modern/eclectic homes. A view of the capitol as envisioned by an 1800’s entrepreneur. A Franciscan monastery also known as Castle Bouldin. Oh and there is the Herb Bar. Enough! So much to see.
For your culinary experience, we could stop at The Picnic – exceptional food truck park. In South Austin, we could partake of Amy’s Ice Cream or eat a piece of Home Slice pizza, try the newest Torchy’s Tacos location or…… there are many other choices such as taking time in the Rainey Street district to sample the food there north of the Colorado, aka Lady Bird Lake or known by us locals as Town Lake.
How much we see and ride is driven by the pace chosen by our guests.
“Great way to explore Austin!”
We moved to Austin only a few months ago but never really had the chance to truly discover Austin. Being Dutch we love to ride bikes and figured it would be great to have a guide who could help us explore the city. Jacob was our guide and he did a great job! We loved biking through the city and felt completely safe at all times. Riding a bike is something we do every day in the Netherlands, so we felt comfortable biking while wearing flip-flops – I guess that was a first for Texas Bike Tours! We had a fantastic day and definitely recommend booking a tour, not only for visitors but also if you just moved to Austin. There is so much more to see when you’re riding a bike! Let them help you explore this amazing city!
Overview of Austin for Adults with Children
Designed for the enjoyment of a family, this is a brief look at downtown Austin, adjacent districts and neighborhoods. As you cycle, you experience the edge of the hill country, the flatness of the blackland prairie and that which makes Austin special – openness and acceptance without judgment.
Along the way, you see and climb on street art, experience a dirt bike park, move past public art, ride over the Colorado River and cycle beside the river on the hike and bike trail to parks, quiet eclectic neighborhoods, see leucistic white peacocks and climb a circular path up a hill. Visits to family-friendly retail shops as well as stops at food trucks add more to your experience of what is Austin.
While in South Austin, we could tour Casa Neverlandia, an artist’s concept of a chalet with fire poles, if the artist is available. The Neverlandia Tour cost is $10 a person.
Best Bike Tour in Austin!
My friend and I came to Austin for ACL and decided to book a tour on our last day in town. We came across Texas Bike Tours…and good thing, because it was the best part of our trip! We took the South Austin tour that explored the SoCo district and we loved it! We had a great tour guide who knew his information and Deaton was a sweetheart. She had water bottles with lemon (my favorite) ready for us and after the ride (in 98 degree weather, ugh!) had frozen washcloths with rosemary on hand. This was by far the best tour I have taken in any city and would highly recommend it…Thank you Texas Bike Tours for making our last day in Austin amazing!
Exploring South Central Austin
This is an eclectic, neighborhood, circular ride to explore the history and development of Austin just south of the Colorado River and to enjoy the unusual, quirky shops; eating establishments (not all of them are restaurants) and heritage homes there. With four or more guests, we will tour Casa Neverlandia, an artist’s concept of a chalet with fire poles, or possibly an original Dawson home from the late 1800s. Beginning with a ride over the Colorado on the Pfluger Bridge, you will come to understand how south Austin developed differently from North Austin. The flow of the river, the flow of people to the area along with the changes in the economy of Austin brings us to where we are today. Travel through natural beauty and man-made wonder to experience South Austin.
“Group tour was fantastic and local”
I contacted Deaton and she replied immediately even though I contacted her only a week in advance . A group of 14 Cal fans were all going to Austin for the UT game. We wanted to see Austin like a local but also spend time outdoors. This tour was well thought out for our large group. Deaton took all the personal details ahead of time. When we met at the bike shop the bikes were ready with names assigned and helmets waiting. At the end of our 3 hour tour she had cool wet cloths waiting to refresh us. Jacob was a fun guide even when we quizzed him. Saw the capitol, the Campus, Bevo and some food trucks. Check out the website for photos of our gang. Thanks Deaton and Jacob great job.
Highlight of our weekend in Austin!
Our bike tour was the best ever! My daughter and I traveled to Austin for the weekend for her business. We had several hours that I knew she would be free, so I found Texas Bike Tours online.
From the first contact with Deaton, I knew it would be great, because Deaton was so kind to me in her emails. She went above and beyond to make it an absolutely amazing experience for our first visit to Austin. By the time we arrived, I felt like she was my new friend. Jacob was our guide, and he was the best. He was funny and knew so much about the city. He took us to places/sights that we would have missed on our own. I would recommend Texas Bike Tours for everyone when you visit this city. I can’t say enough good things about Deaton and Jacob……wonderful people whom I will not forget!