BIKE: Re: Route Advice

[Bob Farr]

Right in my neighborhood (sort'a)

Not sure where that address is, but since you say you're going to a meeting, my
guess is you're headed to the Seton Hospital complex at the corner of 1826 and
290. In any regard, that bit of 1826 from Slaughter to 290 is quite short -- 
about a mile -- as well as very busy and has a couple of sizable hills. You
certainly don't want to ride on 290 in the vicinity of 1826, even if someone
like me does it.

That said, you've chosen the best way/only way to get there on a bike. Be
warned,  many seasoned riders have sworn to never again ride 1826, and riding on
Slaughter is just as spooky as 1826 for my money.

Slaughter has a 50 MPH speed limit with double lanes, standard Austin narrow
lanes, curbs right up to the edge of the lane, lots of visual clutter, trees and
visual distractions for drivers, and if you ask me SLAUGHTER ought to be 35 MPH
or slower. At least 1826 has a ditch you can dive into if someone tries to take
you out.

It's darned unplesant when traffic is heavy, but it's possible to ride it and
live to tell about it.  On Saturday, you needn't worry about the weekday late
afternoon traffic when a few thousand workers and schoolkids are driving about.
At least Slaughter is mostly flat. You'll probably see some bike riders plying
Slaughter on Saturday on their way to and from the Veloway.

1826 south of Slaughter has much less traffic because much of that traffic has
roots on Slaughter. I'm still crazy enough to ride 1826 down to the Salt Lick or
towards Driftwood for pleasure although I haven't done so for about a year.

Robert Farr
Austin, TX
bobfarr
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lauren Strickler" <lauren>
To: <forum>
Sent: Wednesday, January 14, 2004 10:59 AM
Subject: BIKE: Route Advice


> Hi,
> I'm looking for some route advice as I try and figure out my way to a meeting
this Saturday.  I have to go to 7900 FM 1826 (looks like it's at 1826 and 290 in
southwest Austin).  The Austin bicycle map doesn't quite reach this far, but
from what I can tell, it looks like if I got south to Slaughter (I'm coming from
downtown), I could take Slaughter west to 1826 and then go north.  Does anyone
know this area at all, and whether this seems like a bikeable route, or if there
is a better route?  Also, if you know if this is hilly or not that would be
useful as well (I will probably be pressed for time, so if this is hilly, may
take a better (i.e. lighter) bike than my standard commuter clunker).  Any
advice/feedback would be appreciated, thanks.
>
> Lauren Strickler
> 512-567-9171
> lauren
>
>
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