Texas Bike Tours

promote cycling by offering custom tours

Gravel Ride in TX Hill Country

Castell in Llano County is located on the Edwards Plateau as a part of the Texas Hill Country. The Colorado and Llano Rivers flow over and through limestone. The Llano Uplift combined with erosional Paleozoic strata form prominent hills. Enchanted Rock is a part of the scenery as gravel roads meander through these sparsely populated old ranch lands. Jenna & Nick asked for 50 miles of gravel riding in the quiet countryside on flat to rolling roads that allowed them to enjoy nature with moments of adventure and impressive vistas. The TXBT culinary experience director prepared a picnic meal to enjoy at the end of the ride. Fun, fun for all.  A gravel ride in the Lockhart area can be found at this link. 

Gravel, Donuts, BBQ & Beer

Frank requested a guided gravel & road ride for him and his wife with culinary stops and a beer at the end. We also found out they like BBQ and donuts as well as beer with a preference for less-traveled roads. As they are strong riders, they also requested 50 miles.

After a custom-fit at a local bike shop, the TXBT culinary experience director delivered handmade donuts, banana nut bread with a picnic set-up. We then took off to start the ride in the little town of Lockhart. With frequent connections with SAG for a break of good food and relaxation, the ride rolled through bucolic countryside where we were alone with cows, birds, prairie dogs, buzzards, song birds and peace prevailed. Maybe one pick-up truck each hour. Casual & carefree.

We ended the ride at a well-known BBQ spot in Lockhart with cold beer and reminisced about the day. Then, back to Austin with forever memories of a gravel day.

Family Reunion Cycling Adventure

The family wanted to enjoy each others’ company as they became reacquainted by cycling together around Austin. As we know, the family that dines together, stays together. So a culinary experience at the end of the ride was requested.

We began with a custom bike-fit for guests with rented bikes. Then departed Hyde Park to reach the Walnut Creek Hike & Bike trail. Cycling through quiet neighborhoods to reach the prairie side of our city.

Off the streets and onto the Walnut Creek Hike & Bike Trail, we traveled on a rural ride via concrete paths through the flatland prairie on the east side of Austin. This trail runs through neighborhoods, followed by riding through “meadows” and then into the southern part of east Austin to Govalle Park. Meandering through east Austin neighborhoods, we saw where the creatives work and play. Riding past murals, art galleries, urban farms, traditional Mexican homes and businesses, historic buildings, and construction…this is a part of Austin that is evolving right before our eyes as Clarksville and South Austin have in years past.

Crossing the Colorado, we reached the Butler Hike & Bike trail on the south side of Lady Bird Lake. This trail turns into the recently built Boardwalk. A beautiful view of the city while traveling on an artistic boardwalk with art celebrating Austin music embedded in the rails.

As the sun began to set, the guides lead the family to a historic park in the center of the city. There the TXBT personal chef awaited to serve a light early evening menu. The family toasted the good life and being together.

 

Texas Hill Country Ride

A custom 57-mile route to include the Willow City Loop. In creating the route, we took into consideration the group’s level of cycling experience, comfort with climbing hills and the desired duration of the ride. A local pathfinder aka guide rides with the group and SAG support is available. The two more casual cyclists were picked up at mid-point and driven back to the start with their bikes.  The experienced pathfinder provides historical information, is prepared to change the route enroute if need be and is a good photographer. An interesting, charming, competent guide.

Roll Then Stroll

Guests requested nature in abundance for this experience and, as it was their 3rd tour with us, we wanted to give them a unique experience. We decided to think outside the cycling box, looking at an off-road experience that would be more relaxing than mountain biking.

Countryside Ride

A countryside cycle through small towns and rural areas outside of Austin. Austin sits between the regions of the blackland prairie and the hill country and the countryside is very beautiful with rolling hills and flat lands beside creeks. We transport bikes and meet guests at a location outside of Austin and then provide a pathfinder, SAG support and supplies for a route that could either be a circular route back to the start or a unidirectional route to end with a late lunch and exploration of the local area while we valet vehicles to the end destination. Experience the peace of Texas’ country life.

32 Miles of Scenery to Comfort, TX

Diane & Chuck’s dream tour was a leisurely ride through the hill country on low traffic roads.

We arranged two carbon bike rentals from Jack and Adams in Fredericksburg. We met there at 10 AM, and departed on quiet city streets avoiding busy highways to reach scenic ranch roads. Goat farms, dairy farms, alpacas, donkeys, old log cabins, and small hills and meadows adorned the countryside as we followed the Pedernales River. Our roller coaster descent into Comfort culminated in a sublime view that suspended time.

We enjoyed Comfort with lunch at High Street Café and hitched a ride back to Fredericksburg in our SAG wagon.

 

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 6^th” is just a few blocks away. We could take a peak down that street and then cycle East on 4^th 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.

Off-Road Touring on a Mountain Bike

A cycling experience for those who want to be surrounded by nature, quiet and beauty with no vehicles riding beside you. We will rent mountain bikes for you and deliver your bikes to the entrance of the trail where the TXBT pathfinder waits to lead you on a off-road experience through the park. The route on the trails are selected based on comfort & experience of the group. If the weather is hot, a quick dip in a cool pond could be available to enhance the experience.

At the end of the ride, TXBT transports you to a culinary experience at a private residence overlooking the Colorado River. There you will enjoy a gourmet feast designed around your preferences and may share the adventure again through conversation.

This tour is designed for riders who are curious about mountain biking and those who are very experienced and wish to share that experience with others not so experienced.

A Bespoke Bike Tour

We were going to be in the Austin area on a recent Texas trip and I contacted Texas Bike Tours about arranging a day of biking for two. Deaton was prompt and thorough in her response. I let her know what we had in mind and she responded immediately with a few suggestions and thoughtful questions about our wishes. Given the high temperatures that area of Texas was experiencing, just a couple of days before our tour, I asked her if it would be possible to move our meeting time to one hour earlier. This last minute curve-ball didn’t phase her a bit and presto, our desire was cheerfully met. She suggested a wonderful spot in Dripping Springs for our breakfast and as we were finishing, she and our bike guide Will appeared right on time. In no time at all we were pedaling through the Texas Hill Country on wonderful winding roads past ranches and olive groves. It was truly a special day and the best part of our trip. We finished with a late lunch in Wimberley at another place she suggested and had one of the best meals of our trip. Seeing this beautiful part of the Lone Star State was wonderful and Texas Bike Tours is the operator of choice.

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