Is there a safe way to get from NW Austin to Bastrop via Elgin?

I've been patiently waiting for Google, Mapquest, and Yahoo to update their maps. If you venture off the beaten path out East, you risk winding up at the end of a long dead-end into SH130. A lot of the popular cycling routes for ACA and the UT cycling club have been impacted around the Manor/Pflugerville area.
Right now, some good places to cross it are:
1. Parmer Lane (underpass)
2. Nez Perce Trace off HW 973 (they've almost completed the permanent replacement which will involve using the 973 bridge. Currently this bridge has no shoulder though.
3. 290 (it ain't purty, but there is a wide shoulder that will take you across 130.

There is information about this on BicycleAustin

This is my usual route to Bastrop, but the last I looked any kind of
shoulder or second lane disappears after FM 973. All the work on TX130
may change that, but I still expect only 2 lanes well before Webberville.

As usual, if there is not enough room to safely share a lane, do not
share it, or even make it look sharable. Overtaking drivers must put
themselves somewhat over the centerline if they want to pass, and it
should be obvious to them from hundreds of feet away that this is their
only option.

Fortunately, the lanes are so narrow that it is obvious that a bike and
a car cannot share it. But if you squeeze to the right in a misguided
effort to be accommodating, you will be rewarded by being passed way too
close. I know. I have been there and vowed not to let it happen again.

Also, from experience, you should even try to guide motorcycles onto or
over the centerline, so that the next vehicle back will register your
presence (even if you are otherwise comfortable sharing the lane with
the motorcycle). Remember that the effect you have on surrounding
traffic is an important aspect of your overall visibility.

I would advise using mirrors to monitor the approach of pursuing traffic
and remote strobes to signal your awareness of them. If that still
sounds dicey, do whatever else that you can to up your visibility, even
at the cost of weight or fashionability. This here is all the road that
we get, and we need to adapt ourselves to its reality.

I prefer 969 to 71 because even though I do not get a shoulder, there
are plenty of times without traffic, whereas 71 would be nonstop noise.
And since shoulders can vanish capriciously, I would have to merge
into a busy traffic lane. I would rather be in the traffic lane to
begin with.

Here's how I did it (starting from Pfluger bike/ped bridge) ...

http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=117489

You might choose some other way to get out to SW Pkwy. I don't mind riding along the MoPac access road, as I do that occassionally with the Saturday morning ATC ride, although I'm not terribly fond of the bit where you have to actually take the shoulder of MoPac when crossing the bridge over the Barton Creek greenbelt between 360 and the SW Pkwy exit. Other options include 360 -> Bee Caves -> Barton Creek Blvd, etc.

Depending on time of day, the traffic's not to bad on Travis Cooke, Circle Dr. and Fitzhugh, but do keep an eye out for traffic coming from behind. At one point, I actually pulled over and stopped to let a large truck go by, which was perfectly fine by me. Other than that, I had no problems at all.

Also, keep in mind that you won't see any stores or places to get food or drink between the convenience store at the corner of Fitzhugh and 290 and Pedernales Falls park

» 50 miles of the steepest climbs, sharpest blind turns, and scariest descents.
» 7 Major Climbs, approximately 6000' of climbing, most grades 10% or greater.
» WARNING: failure to control your bike may result in your DEATH!
» "It's the fastest, and slowest, I've ever raced" (racer's name withheld by request)
» "The Winner of this race can claim the "Polka-Dot Jersey" bragging rights of all Texas" (leading bike official)
» "Toughest 50 miles anywhere" (retired, old, broken-down, racer)
» "This is One Bad-A__ Race!" (bike shop owner)
» Course Record -- 2 hours, 22 min, 20 sec. C.P. Thalken, 1999

I usually head west and north from that area. Take 3406 west, it becomes 175. Once you are north of 1431, there are lots of little county roads with little traffic. You can check the maps, you can go a long way while avoiding major highways. I often do a loop from there that goes through Florence, Liberty Hill, and Leander. Some of the ACA maps of the area are really good.

If you go east on 3406 from there to 1460, it will take you north into Georgetown with little traffic. There are a lot of little county roads out there as well, but some can be a bit rough.

I avoid 1431 although many people here ride it. I enjoy riding Brushy Creek Road, but I avoid that one during rush hour.

went out Hairy Man Rd to Great Oaks. Great Oaks to Avery Ranch. Avery Ranch to Parmer. Parmer to 620 and then up to Brushy Creek Rd then back to Hairy Man. With a couple of exploratory turns, I put in about 21 miles.

The queen cycling attraction in Gillespie County, The Willow City Loop never disappoints. Pretty at all times, the spectacle peaks during wildflower season in mid/late spring when it glows in a blaze of natural glory.

Its storied beauty, however, breeds popularity. During wildflower season especially, “The Loop” can be dotted with tourists in automobiles and motorcycles. Also, landowners along the route are less than thrilled that their pastureland doubles as a tourist attraction. Most do not appreciate trespassing of any kind, and they will let you know it. That said, stick to the roads, be mindful of motorists, and you should have a great visit.

There is one other small glitch to be aware of: the climb at the end of the
loop is one of the most difficult in the county. Very steep at first, it also stretches out longer than most ascents in the immediate area. Although cyclists presumably travel to the Hill Country to ride up and down hills, those with questionable climbing capabilities should bring liberal gearing.

This route traverses the ridge separating the Pedernales River valley from the Guadalupe River valley, a geographic feature know by local cyclists as the “Trans Guad-Ernales Ridge.” The “Guadernales” moniker for this route is a shortened amalgamation of that.

During spring and early summer the return trip from Comfort often benefits from a prevailing southeasterly tailwind.

The route encompasses quite a bit of climbing, including a mildly steep slope almost ten miles in length from Fredericksburg toward Comfort. Returning, one faces the challengingly steep slopes of the Bat Cave Summit.

Because of all the climbing this route also includes two fabulous descents, one on the ride down to Comfort, the other towards the end on the return route to Fredericksburg.

Comfort, with many shops and restaurants, makes for an interesting waypoint. You will have to wander off of the explicit route to explore the straightforward layout of the town.

A perfect medium-distance route for days when the wind is from the north or east, the “Fifty Miler” distinguishes itself by its avoidance of the more notable climbs in the region, despite covering, you guessed it, almost 50 miles. Despite the uphill nature of the earliest miles of this route, the grade is quite benign for this entire distance. It avoids the climb up Mt. Crabapple, taking the scenic Eckert Rd. to TX16 instead. It also flits through Willow City, but does not incorporate the ultra-scenic Willow City Loop.

In Willow City this route does, however, visit Harry’s on the Loop, a quirky beer/barbeque joint that is generally reliable, but may not always be open. From Willow City the route continues through the northeastern part of the county along typical rolling and scenic Hill Country roads, returning to Fredericksburg.

At just over 30 miles, the Gypsum Mine Loop makes for a perfect ride on a north wind day.

Though the first third of the route is marked by a substantial amount of vertical gain, the incline is somewhat steady and offers a good, long burn, as opposed to a short acute sting.

The middle third of this route features Mt. Crabbapple, the most challenging climb on the route.

After this brutal climb, take time to recover as you enjoy the scenic descent into the final winding and quaint third of the route.

End the ride by surmounting the smaller “Fredericksburg Foothills” climb, which leads back into Fredericksburg.

Best to stock up for a hilly 30+ mile ride because no commercial food and water stops are available on this route.

In summer (during Daylight Saving Time) local cyclists usually ride this route on Tuesdays at 6 o’clock PM.

Usually there is a fast “A” group as well as a slower “B” group riding the loop. The route’s 30 mile distance includes three climbs of note. Points of interest include the town of Luckenbach (bypassed on the Tuesday Night ride) and an exceptionally scenic vista to enjoy during the long descent back towards Fredericksburg. This scenic view makes the climbs immediately preceding it worthwhile.

Food and drink resources are extremely limited on this route.

A great route when time is at a premium or weather threatens, A Quick One also makes a great Friday evening warmup for those arriving from out of town facing limited daylight.

Although of a short distance and not venturing too far from town, this route includes plenty of Hill Country scenery. The 19 mile route also includes a notable section of climbing toward the end, which pays off with a spectacular view of Fredericksburg looking down on the city and down on Cross Mountain. Additionally, A Quick One allows riders to soak in some exceptional countryside without venturing too far from town.

No commercial food or drink resources are available on this route outside of Fredericksburg

• Batcave Ride
• Canyon Lake Devil's Ride
• Corpus Christi Island Breeze Ride
• Comal Elementary
• Devil's Backbone
• Devine Ride
• Eisenhower Ride
• Encino Park Ride
• Engle Road Ride
• Marion Road Ride
• Mountain Dew Rides
• New Braunfels Ride
• North by Northwest Ride
• Rebecca Creek Ride
• Selma Round Up Century
• South by Southwest
• Specht Store
• Taco Ride
• Utopia Ride
• Wildflower 100 Miler
• Woman Hollering Creek Ride