Experienced Canadian cyclists asked for an interesting up to 50-mile gravel bike ride. Time constraint – one free afternoon in a conference week. Business associates. First time to cycle together.
Wild Boar family. Roadrunners, ranch cattle, horses, spring flowers, flowing creeks.
Flowers GravelRanch Cattle to water
These good people love outdoor activities, are fun conversationalists, and enjoyed our Texas countryside roads.
Excellent time for TXBT and our guests. Hope they return for more.
Alice is an inspiring cyclist in her 70s with the goal of a bike ride in each of the 50 states in America. She communicated well what she needed to accomplish this goal and so, TXBT could be a good partner with her actualizing her vision of success. Randy is a golfer rather than a cyclist and wanted to come along for the ride. Therefore, TXBT selected an e-bike for him to ride alongside with Alice for whom we selected a bike customized to her preferences.
Alice wanted to experience the Texas Hill Country without super steep hill climbs. The perfect area is the edge of the hill country west of Austin. A route was created for 40+ miles cycling through small towns on private ranch roads and country neighborhoods, some mileage on country roads with traffic and finally cycling alongside a river. A real taste of Texas landscapes with small town charm.
The TXBT SAG wagon provided custom nutrition and hydration supplies as well as transportation for Randy. As a result, TXBT was ready when he wanted to arrive early at the lunch sport. TXBT did check-ins with Alice as she cycled. Therefore, we ensured she had a safe ride, feeling good and happy about achieving this goal.
Road Cycling Texas Hill Country
The lunch was a celebratory moment with Texas being the 11th of the 50 states. Only 39 more to go! I know she will accomplish the full goal of 50 states. She is courageous, tenacious and healthy.
Russell, an experienced cyclist from Australia, contacted TXBT to assist in the creation and execution of a ten-day solo bike touring experience in the Texas Hill Country.
TXBT combined the preferences, needs and skill levels of Russell with the knowledge of the local areas to create a ten-day schedule of travels from town to town with information in each town about locals, bike shops, accommodations, camping sites and sources for nutrition and meals. As Russell is experienced in creating his cycling routes, TXBT provided information on the different types of routes we have created for guests over the years as well as on-line sources we use in the creation of routes. It was a fun, interesting, creative process and a detailed agenda was finalized.
During the experience, TXBT provided a bike equipped for touring, helmet, lights, basic repair supplies and tools, transportation from Austin to ride start and from ride end to Austin. Emergency SAG as needed.
Before leaving the area on Russell’s first day, we caught him on video cycling his first Texas Hill Country mile. Russell on Creek Rd
TXBT and Russell stayed in contact throughout the days. He rode well, enjoyed the local town folk, built good memories and in that process, TXBT’s knowledge of creating this type of experience for future guests was enhanced. Russell shared this photo as an example of roads on his route.
Now living in different areas of the U.S., these cyclists have been friends since elementary school. They challenged one another to finish a century gravel ride as motivation to improve their cycling. This was a first century for two of the friends and a first gravel century for the third.
Texas Bike Tours’ guide is experienced with gravel and has a personality blending well with the guests. Custom route created, SAG wagon outfitted including nutrition and beverages they preferred, and transport provided to the start in a small town outside of Austin.
The ride began.
Gravel rides include different types of roads to connect one gravel road to another.
Gravel rides give cyclists bucolic views with almost no traffic.
SAG wagon always close by and there when needed.
These friends cycled fast and caused a mini stampede of calves and their mother cows.
Century Gravel Ride finished! Read more here about our gravel rides.
This solo cycling experience began with a short email asking for SAG support on a one-day Austin to Houston bike ride.
From this beginning to the successful ride to Houston: together we created a plan, Joey the cyclist trained for the long ride, TXBT organized and prepared, and then the day came.
We met at 3 a.m. to begin the ride which meant hours of night cycling for Joey at the beginning.
And finally – more traffic on highways and city streets. No time for photography. We were both focused on cycling into and through Houston safely.
The happiest moment was seeing Joey cycling onto the driveway of his parent’s home where his family cheered him as he rolled in successfully achieving his goal.
It was a precious moment after a full 16+hour day. I savored the looks of joy on the faces of everyone rather than capturing the moment on film. Joey did the work. He was strong, smart and tenacious on the ride. Joey earned his victory and our forever-respect. An impressive guest.