Would you ride from Austin to San Antonio?

BM · Post by BM » Wed Jun 11, 2008 5:20 pm

Hi, I'm new here and like to lurk about, but I have been thinking about this question for quite some time, and I know there are some others from my area so I thought I'd ask...

I commute fairly frequently between San Antonio and Austin. I ride my Buddy 125 around San Antonio - ride it about 40 miles a day, to be precise, when I'm in SA. But I've always wished I could ride it up to Austin. So here are my questions:

-Would you do it?

-If so, what roads would you take?

madtolive · Post by **madtolive** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 5:29 pm

r0sa does, i believe, and alix made the ride when she was here. i'm not sure which route she took but it wouldn't be hard to find out. you could also do some googling and find a cyclist's route that will take you along roads with less high speed traffic. i haven't done the ride myself, but i'd like to. sounds like fun.

BadBrains · Post by **BadBrains** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:28 pm

I like your moxie! I'm riding up to Temple, TX this Sunday(about the same distance from Austin as Austin is from San Antonio) and I'm not sure if it would be safer to take frontage roads along I-35 or back roads through small towns. Here's the rub:

Frontage roads have to be less than highway speed, so they usually hover around 50mph, but you're slowed down by various intersections. Back roads have less traffic and are a bit more scenic, but between small towns you can expect speeds to reach 70mph on two lane roads. So would you rather deal with highway exiting/entering traffic and lots of stop lights, or the uncertainty that comes with gravel-laden (possibly) back roads?

I think I would take my chances with back roads this first time around as there is a lot of construction on I-35 lately and you might be forced to merge onto the highway. You can always take it slow on the back roads and pull over should the occasional car want to pass you. Plus, you'll see parts of Central Texas you've never seen before. It's like you'll be fleshing out your mental GPS.

Damn, that's my lengthiest post yet.

Alix B · Post by **Alix B** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:28 pm

Hey, I took 2 different ways to San Ant.
The first was from Austin, via backroads towards Canyon Lake and then down South. I hit that freeway (280??) for about 9 miles. No biggie.

On the way back, I rode the frontage road, all the way. Boring, but easy.

The first route is scenic and takes you past a Bonsai Garden, stop to visit it!

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 7:59 pm

BadBrains wrote:I like your moxie! I'm riding up to Temple, TX this Sunday(about the same distance from Austin as Austin is from San Antonio) and I'm not sure if it would be safer to take frontage roads along I-35 or back roads through small towns. Here's the rub:

Frontage roads have to be less than highway speed, so they usually hover around 50mph, but you're slowed down by various intersections. Back roads have less traffic and are a bit more scenic, but between small towns you can expect speeds to reach 70mph on two lane roads. So would you rather deal with highway exiting/entering traffic and lots of stop lights, or the uncertainty that comes with gravel-laden (possibly) back roads?

I think I would take my chances with back roads this first time around as there is a lot of construction on I-35 lately and you might be forced to merge onto the highway. You can always take it slow on the back roads and pull over should the occasional car want to pass you. Plus, you'll see parts of Central Texas you've never seen before. It's like you'll be fleshing out your mental GPS.

Damn, that's my lengthiest post yet.

Back roads! Frontage roads may not go all the way through, You may find yourself hopping on and off I35 all the way down.

I once accidentally drove from Austin to San Antonio via Shiner. Got lost coming back from a brewery pilgrimage. Ahhh, college!

BM · Post by BM » Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:32 pm

Great advice! Now all it'll take will be convincing the hubby that it's ok...maybe I should print out this discussion!

ryder1 · Post by **ryder1** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 10:27 pm

Try mapquest.com and on the right side "Routing Options" "x" out Toll Roads and choose Shortest Time.

Is 280 & 291 a road you can travel the Buddy on?

http://www.mapquest.com/maps/San+Antoni ... :f:EN:m:/e

Mapquest may not plan the exact route you need, but you can maybe figure out from there what streets to take or avoid.

goofy_foot · Post by **goofy_foot** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 1:42 am

Take the long way around: go through Fredricksburg and stay at a bed and breakfast. Be sure you stop at the Rather Sweet Bakery and Cafe' too. Now THAT'S a nice trip.

r0sa · Post by **r0sa** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:07 pm

hey BM! welcome to the forums.
i've driven my buddy from san antonio to austin a couple of times, one time i took I 35, it was late, barely any cars and ive taken 281, it leads u through small towns and lots of scenery, not many cars, speed limit i believe was around 60mph.

which part of SA are you from? we could be scooter buddies

charltons · Post by **charltons** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:26 pm

okay, stupid question time- what is a frontage road? I'd like to know if I decide to leave Jax on my scoot.

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:29 pm

charltons wrote:okay, stupid question time- what is a frontage road? I'd like to know if I decide to leave Jax on my scoot.

The road that runs alongside and feeds onto/off of a freeway.

BM · Post by BM » Fri Jun 13, 2008 3:16 pm

Okay, I think I'm gonna do it! Unless my OH decides he wants to come to Austin next week; then I suppose I'll have to drive. I'm thinking 281, then 290. The curves and visibility on 290 intimidate me a little...but I guess it should be okay. I haven't figured out any better way yet. My friend's neighbor has bicycled up so she was supposed to tell me what route he took in case I want to go that way but I'm still waiting...

I asked my OH if I could ride my scooter up and he said, "Well, I can't stop you, can I?" so I guess that's that! Ha. You can look for my cream colored buddy next week!

ryder1 · Post by **ryder1** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 3:38 pm

Have some check points to call on your cellphone your OH or whoever.

Then if you don't meet your destination within a specified time give or take 30-45mn, the other person has some knowledge of your whereabouts for safety sake especially if riding alone.

polianarchy · Post by **polianarchy** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:33 pm

ericalm wrote:
charltons wrote:okay, stupid question time- what is a frontage road? I'd like to know if I decide to leave Jax on my scoot.
The road that runs alongside and feeds onto/off of a freeway.

O, you mean the FEEDER*?!

*Texas humor!

charltons · Post by **charltons** » Sat Jun 14, 2008 11:19 am

ericalm wrote:
charltons wrote:okay, stupid question time- what is a frontage road? I'd like to know if I decide to leave Jax on my scoot.
The road that runs alongside and feeds onto/off of a freeway.

Thanks. I've heard them called service roads as well. Gotcha.