Bicycle Austin forum

brinks618

Member

Registered: 2008-06-19

Posts: 2

Need Help with Route: 620/2222 to Oltorf/Montopolis

Hello, I am new to biking and would like to try to commute to work.  I realize it is 20 miles one way, but would like to try anyway.  Can anyone give any advice on how to get there?  The link below shows where I'm trying to get from and to.  Thanks so much in advance!

-Eric

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&g … 01501&z=11

tomwald

Moderator

From: 78722

Registered: 2008-05-27

Posts: 290

Re: Need Help with Route: 620/2222 to Oltorf/Montopolis

Bicycling to work alone may work for you, but if you'd like, you could try a bus-bike combination.

Here is one suggestion from Google Maps, using the transit option:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&g … 11&start=0
http://tinyurl.com/4y6abc
First, you would ride your bike to a bus stop.  Then you would take the #424, which apparently turns into the #984, and arrive in downtown.  From there you could take another bus or bike the rest of the way.  Mellow Johnny's may even offer a locker to store your bike so that you don't have to ship it on the bus.

There may be another bus-bike combination that is more efficient or appropriate for your situation.

rmonsees

Member

Registered: 2008-05-27

Posts: 39

Re: Need Help with Route: 620/2222 to Oltorf/Montopolis

The route you've posted is not a good one to try, I wouldn't recommend it.  The stretch on 2222 is especially horrible with high traffic during rush hour, parts with little or no shoulder, and there's and exceptionally difficult hill to climb as well.  It will add mileage, but I would head the other way on 620, go down Anderson Mill, then use residential streets to make your way to Jollyville.  Head down Jollyville to the Arboretum, then you'll have to go through the Arboretum, and get across 360 to the other side of Jollyville.  Then you can take Mesa to Steck to Shoal Creek.  Shoal Creek will take you quite a ways south, down to about 38th street.  From there I'm not sure the best way to get to 290 & Montopolis.

   Whatever route you try, I'd drive it during rush hour first to check it out.  If you're new to biking, the distance and route you would have to do for this commute are difficult.  I'm fairly experienced, and it would be somewhat difficult for me.  With the streets you've have to take, it will probably be about 25 miles one-way.  That's 50 miles a day, no easy task.  The bike-bus combination suggested by Tom is probably better.

Rod

m1ek

Member

Registered: 2008-06-02

Posts: 153

Re: Need Help with Route: 620/2222 to Oltorf/Montopolis

Biking to the park-and-rides for the 98x series express buses would seem to me to be the best option - requiring the route to Jollyville and then hopping the 982 or 983 at the Pavillion Park&Ride; which then takes you all the way down to Riverside. Still an incredibly long commute no matter how you slice it.

brinks618

Member

Registered: 2008-06-19

Posts: 2

Re: Need Help with Route: 620/2222 to Oltorf/Montopolis

I have a trek hybrid.  Are there any decent light trails out there that would get me there?  Town Lake dumps me out pretty close to work if I could somehow get to it...Thanks!

Adriel

Member

Registered: 2008-05-27

Posts: 91

Re: Need Help with Route: 620/2222 to Oltorf/Montopolis

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&g … 26264&z=15

if you want to ride the whole way I would go that route, or hop on the trail at zilker.  I have ridden all of those roads, except for the ones east of 35. and the only thing I can say is it is a hell of a climb getting back up the 2222 hill even using the alternate route.

50 miles a day would have you in hella shape though.  be sure to budget an extra hour for flats, exhaustion, etc.

Last edited by Adriel (2008-06-20 17:09:00)

chuckthomas

Member

From: North Austin (Rundberg)

Registered: 2008-05-27

Posts: 80

Re: Need Help with Route: 620/2222 to Oltorf/Montopolis

I would suggest taking Anderson Mill then backroads to Jollyville.  Then the Pavillion Park & Ride just south of Oak Knoll on Jollyville.  Take the express bus downtown.  You can load your bike in the belly.  Complete your ride from downtown.