Austin TX for MotoGP in April

[Meriden]

Thanks. Can't say that I ever had an Austin Zip Code, but I've been in and out of there for the past four decades and still like the town as much as any in Texas. In the 70s we used to drive in for dates on Friday nights and then hit lake Travis or Hamilton Pool the next day. Just an old hipneck I guess.

Most of my family and friends are Longhorns mourning Darrel Royal. The wife chose UT over the other prominent school because the kids that went to UT didn't come home to small town Texas on the weekends. That says alot about the culture in those days. In fairness Austin still tops the live music scene.

I'll drop you a PM so if you're ever headed that way we can get some riding in. I'm a little closer to Austin than the Bayou, but you have to pass my house to get there.

m

[exoff-roadgoat]

I've been riding down to San Antonio from Michigan on my Pacific Coast in April for the last few years. Once you get to Missouri it becomes a fun trip. I go through NW Ark to the Talimena Parkway to Fort Worth and then get the heck away from I-35. Its just too crazy to ride the interstate any further. I go west of FW and take 281 the rest of the way south. Most of the back roads in Texas are posted at 70mph and that keeps the riding interesting. The Hill Country is a great place to explore in the spring. So much to see and do. I've only been to downtown Austin one time. If you can handle crowds and traffic its a fun place. If I go down on the bike this year the moto race is a must do.

[FotoTEX]

As far as the Slat Lick, I have been eating there a long time and still think it has great BBQ. Yea, it has alot of Tourist's as it also has alot of Californians/ escapees in there brand new Cowboy Boots but I still like it. Have not tried Opies but will give it a try. I just really like the burnt ends of Brisket at Salt Lick.

[Silver]

What about riding? Would be rad to come down a bit early and get in some riding Say Wed/Thur before the races. Would need to be dirt bike only type trails, not dual sport or street bike. Have a buddy that recommends hidden falls, but looked at the site and they only run from Thur-Sun?

Ideas?

[c-zulu]

Originally Posted by exoff-roadgoat

I've been riding down to San Antonio from Michigan on my Pacific Coast in April for the last few years. Once you get to Missouri it becomes a fun trip. I go through NW Ark to the Talimena Parkway to Fort Worth and then get the heck away from I-35. Its just too crazy to ride the interstate any further. I go west of FW and take 281 the rest of the way south. Most of the back roads in Texas are posted at 70mph and that keeps the riding interesting. The Hill Country is a great place to explore in the spring. So much to see and do. I've only been to downtown Austin one time. If you can handle crowds and traffic its a fun place. If I go down on the bike this year the moto race is a must do.

Interesting...I'll have to look at that route .

[GSAragazzi]

Originally Posted by c-zulu

Interesting...I'll have to look at that route .

Same here, i live in DFW and cant stand 35.

Its boring, full of semi and these day traffic is just horrible.

[Meriden]

Originally Posted by Silver

What about riding? Would be rad to come down a bit early and get in some riding Say Wed/Thur before the races. Would need to be dirt bike only type trails, not dual sport or street bike. Have a buddy that recommends hidden falls, but looked at the site and they only run from Thur-Sun?

Ideas?

Most of the riding around here is either street or high speed gravel. There are a couple of tracks and ranches like Hidden Falls, but that's about it. You might try Emma Long CIty park in Austin, Perfect Dirt in Bastrop or Sam Houston National Forest. You'll need to check availablility and may need an OHV sticker.

[Kerfuffle]

Is the tamale hut still there? Out by old Mueller airport. Used to be great for breakfast tacos.

As for going to MotoGP, think twice about giving COTA your money - they have recently canceled a bunch of track days and declined to rent the track to grass-roots motorsport groups.

[Meriden]

A couple of updates on the COTA track day debacle.

http://circuitoftheamericas.com/media-center

Pretty much says the same thing word for word.
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20121222/F1/121229952

I chatted with a couple of folks from the Austin Bimmer club during the F1 race who had looked into the track day prices. They were quoted $150K for a club weekend. I'm not sure that COTA will ever be the playground that some other tracks are.

[exoff-roadgoat]

Originally Posted by c-zulu

Interesting...I'll have to look at that route .

West on 20 to Weatherford to Granbury to Glen Rose for BBQ and then to Hico for pie might be even a better route.

[Schickmeister]

Take it from a homegrown Jersey Boy...I'd move to Austin tomorrow if I had a job there.

You're gonna love it.

[10/10ths]

...Hico.....Pie.......mmmmmm.

Also, Bluebonnet Cafe in Marble Falls for pie.

[ColoradoBigfoot]

Wow! That's going to be one long ride. Drove car down for the F1 race. Austin is my HT and have made a few trips by car since moving to CO and always think it should be an easy drive but man, sure kicks your ass. If time is not a factor I say go through NM over to Lubbock then approach Austin from the west (Leakey, Camp Wood, Bandera, etc.). Cannot imagine how boring it would be on a bike riding from Raton to Amarillo...unless your going 90+mph
Don't even try to bring dirt bike, especially if you're used to our Colorado "freedom".... very few public riding areas in Texas.

Food?......Migas!!!! El Mercado, South First St.
Good Times?.....Continental Club, South Congress Av. or my favorite, The Texas Chilli Parlor, 15th and Lavaca downtown.

The COTA is very spectator friendly. Grandstand seat also gives access to all general admission areas around the track. I'm going to MotoGP as well...but by plane

[ColoradoBigfoot]

Originally Posted by Meriden

A couple of updates on the COTA track day debacle.

http://circuitoftheamericas.com/media-center

Pretty much says the same thing word for word.
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20121222/F1/121229952

I chatted with a couple of folks from the Austin Bimmer club during the F1 race who had looked into the track day prices. They were quoted $150K for a club weekend. I'm not sure that COTA will ever be the playground that some other tracks are.

Track rental is $50k for 24hrs (up to 24 people). This includes track support (EMS?) and access to paddock.

[ColoradoBigfoot]

Ooops! Your not from Colorado...I'm such a dumb ass
Been doing stupid things like this all year........last night at dog training class the instructor was talking about dogs w/ bandana's and how they need to have space because of behavioral problems. Guess I was not paying attention there as well because I raised my hand and said "just because a dog wears a bandana it has problems?" She said "yes" and I replied that I though a dog with a bandana was more of a hippy-dog than a killing machine. It was then that she informed me that the training facility puts the bandana on the dogs in class that have issues.

I need to ride more

Sorry.