Been glued to Zwift or riding the same old familiar routes? A change in scenery can be a good motivator or kick-start some ride consistency.
Looking For Some Different Roads?
Violet Crown hosts an annual Winter Tour that is 13 straight days of riding. Traditionally it's held during the holiday season, with different routes each day. This year, it was DIY rather than groups rolling from the shop of course. But the routes are good ones, and are likely either ones you've not tried or perhaps routes you haven't done in some time. And most are considered "classic" Austin rides.
Violet Crown was kind enough to pass along their GPX files and graphics so that we can list them all for you here in an easy to find spot. Pick a route or two and give them a go. Or do them all and complete your own Winter Tour. And, if you're looking for a club and want to learn more about Violet Crown, Austin's oldest and largest cycling club, find them right here!
Bitting School Road
An oldie but a goodie, this takes on some of the roads that comprised the much loved Ronde von Manor road race from the early to mid 2000s.
Cedar Park
The perfect ride for when the wind is out of the north, a relative rarity most of the time here in Austin.
Doyle-Overton
There was a time when a short stretch of this ride featured gravel, but you'll find it fully paved these days.
Buda
However you say it, a ride down to Buda and back is a classic out-and-back. The best part is the the ride home is a net elevation loss.
Jake's Hill
The name says it all. It's Jake's Hill.
Old Kimbro
One of the things that makes heading northeast so nice if the relatively quiet roads. Use your imagination and you can picture what much of the area around Austin looked like when VC got it's start.
Goforth Road
This classic southwest route features parts of the defunct Wurst Ride. The short rollers will keep you working.
Satterwhite
Depending on when and where you turn and the direction you roll this route, you might think you're on the Goforth loop. Southeast of town tends to be popular as most of the time it means a tailwind back to downtown.
Brushy Creek
Take off on your gravel bike and hit the trails at Brushy Creek as an add on if you're looking for more miles and more smiles.
Niederwald
Nearly an out back, but with enough turns to keep things interesting. Wave to the old Tuesday Nighter course as you roll by.
Creedmoor
A perineal loop for riders of all stripes. For many of us we got our first long rides in completing this ride, then explored out further and further towards Lockhart and beyond.
Rice's Crossing
Somewhere out this way is the tree from the movie "What's Eating Gilbert Grape." Or so the legend goes.
Lime Creek
Everything is fine until you hit the climb. Well, some think of it as three climbs, others as one long one with two cruel steps. Either way, it's a doozy. Shift down.