Austin Cycling Resources
Austin is not exactly an international mountain biking destination. HOWEVER, there is a cycling scene, including mountain biking (though no mountains technically).Some transplants are surprised to learn this. Below photo is of the only lift-assisted bike park in Texas (and the only lift statewide), Spider Mountain. See below for more resources to get you out and about on your bike in our fair city.
Road
Cycling in Austin -- I don't have a ton of recommendations anymore. Car traffic is increasingly worse in the Austin area. The safest bet is to find roads with restricted traffic or dedicated bike paths. There are also opportunities for fun hosted rides.
Downtown Austin has dedicated bike paths which are great for urban commuting. However, I am generally riding for fitness/workouts so due to the foot traffic, frequent stops for car traffic, general urban busyness, I don't consider those as great for getting a workout in.
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Our favorite ride is Park Road 1C in Bastrop, with little traffic. It is great for hill training and peaceful nested among windy pine trees.
MTB
Mountain Biking in Austin has its own personal character. Lots of rocks, not a ton of elevation. I have noticed a gap where solid intermediate riding exists. It's kind of either beginner or advanced. As an intermediate rider this can be a bit frustrating. However I will list out everything I can think of below as I maintain this blog.
Community
Facebook groups to check out if you are new to the area or new to cycling in Austin. I won't post them all because groups come and go frequently, but these have been around a while with a fair amount of activity.
This page is for all central Texas mountain bike trail systems and their riders and supporters to have a single place to go to when looking for info on how a particular system is after a rain event. Please use this page to post conditions or ask questions about your favorite riding place!
Discussions local group of people who like to ride around the ATX area and have fun doing it. Links to rides, photos of community members and discussions of local issues related to mountain biking.
Texas Enduro, buy, sell & trade:
This page was created for people wanting to sell, buy or trade anything related to mountain biking, specifically Enduro.
Trails
Brushy Creek Regional Trails:
Description:
From beginner to advanced, Brushy offers a variety of trails for various skill levels. This is one of my destinations living in north central Austin. The trails are maintained by local mountain bike enthusiasts.
Trails At Brushy:
1/4 Notch - Techy, intermediate trail. Not a ton of elevation but good practice getting over rocks with your bike. Only a few miles long (5-ish).
Peddler's Pass - super green starter trail
Double Down - advanced cross country with sharp switchbacks
Rim Trail - advanced cross country with a cool chute down
Picnic - flowy green with a couple of blue features
Snail - Climb trail with some gravity features
Suburban Ninja - green commuter type mountain bike trail that leads to Brushy. Start at Red Horn Coffee parking lot and add some miles to your Brushy experience. Lots of development here and a paved trail means it undergoes changes.
Notable mentions: Mulligan, which I usually skip, but appeals to some.
Walnut Creek
This is an urban metropolitan park that has miles of trail. They can be a bit confusing, so check out Trailforks to get your bearings. The local mtb group works on trails here regularly so we can all enjoy them. Be ready for lots of hikers and off leash dogs.
Pace Bend
Lakeway
Spider Mountain
Maxwell Trails
Emma Long
Emma Long Metropolitan Park’s Motocross Trail, located off of Oak Shores Drive, Austin, Texas 78730, is a unique and very popular 7.56‐mile single‐track loop for motorcycles (dirt bikes) and mountain bikes. The City of Austin through the Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) received a grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to renovate, repair and rehabilitate the motocross trail. It is gnarly for mountain bikes. Be prepared to hike a bike some, unless you are a cross country god. MTB Project