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Veloway
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
9 reviews for Veloway
So, what - the rollerblading craze is over, is that what I'm getting? Well, good. F those guys. Seriously. Way too many wheels for a single person. I mean, I know they're small and all, but what are there like eight on each skate now?
Before this afternoon I hadn't been out to the Veloway in probably 10 years, since before I moved to out Phoenix even, and those guys, those way too many wheel guys, they were why I'd never gone back - used to be like thirty of 'em to every cycle, I swear to God. Half of em didn't even know what they were doing. Tripping over themselves. Veering this way and that. Was like navigating the falcon through that asteroid field, I'm telling you, those guys. But now that I'm back home where I belong - and living south west - well, this place is just around the corner and I was out riding so I figured I'd give it another chance. And this time, only two of those rollerbladers were out there. Nice. I don't remember all those houses though - were they there before? A little distracting, actually, at least the first time around. But 2 or 3 laps in, when you're really groovin', I don't know, they just fade away, and it's like you're just out in the woods somewhere, I don't know. A paved road through the woods. Quite relaxing, actually. Without all those damn rollerbladers, anyway. F those guys.
People thought this was:
- Useful (11)
- Funny (12)
- Cool (13)
The Veloway is one of the best reasons to live in Austin. This 3 mile bicycling and skating loop (no walking, jogging, motorized vehicles or pets) is nicely paved and wide, with a white line painted down the middle so that slower users can stay right, and faster users can pass. The loop winds through some really beautiful countryside - after you pass by a few backyards, you really feel like you are out of the city. The route is especially lovely in the spring months when the wildflowers are in bloom. With the exception of one steep short rise, the loop is relatively flat.
We take the family to the Veloway a few weekend days a month. When the kids were still very small, we'd tow a trailer, but now that the kids are a little bit older, we all ride.
The Veloway is used by all kinds of people - so don't be intimidated by the many lean, stringy, spandex-cycling-outfit clad people unloading their expensive racing bikes off their Yakima racks in the parking lot. Even the most serious-looking cyclists frequently smile and yell things like - "Way to go!" and "You're doing great!" when they see my three-year old son furiously pumping his little legs as he propels his tiny pink bike (still with training wheels) along the route. Just keep your flock to the right of the white line, and all will be well.
Recently I've been going to the Veloway for some exercise before work, and being there early on practically deserted weekday mornings is especially pleasant - there is a lot of shade and you get to see bunnies and deer along the route.
On nice weekend days, the parking lot fills up quickly, but don't despair -- just park on the street and ride to the entrance. Even on very busy days the Veloway itself never feels crowded. The only thing to watch out for is special events at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center across the street - on those days, parking is pretty difficult.
If you've never been to the Veloway, you really should go. It's one of the loveliest ways to do something outdoors in Austin.
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Cool (3)
I was pretty grateful this place existed when I started training. I was too scared, initially, to get out on the road with real cars that could eat me for dinner. I didn't want to be reduced to a white bike chained to a lamp post.
It is great for getting to know your bike and working up to your distance goal. It is quiet and has wildlife to make you forget Circle C and Bowie High School are all around you.
After a while, though, you need to graduate to real hills to progress. Luckily, you can head back out to the light at Mopac and turn left to enter the Autobahn. It is an 8-mile loop in a bike lane on Mopac, after Mopac stops being a freeway, for big girls and boys. It's no 360, but those people are crazy.
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Cool (2)
I pulled out the sneaker quad skates from the back of my closet to go skating here once, which ended up being about a 3 star experience. But I've given the Veloway a solid 4 stars because I can imagine how it'd be a lot better speedskating with Rollerblades.
The Veloway is a wide, smoothly paved loop for bicyclists and rollerskaters. Some of those hills can be a little tricky (uphill or downhill), but thankfully there are rails just when you need it. Be sure to don protective pads if it's been a while!
Also, it's South Austin, so there's not as much shade. In the summer, it gets really hot really fast. The bicyclists and bladers looked at me like I was crazy for quad skating in 93 degree heat. So if you're crazy like we were and go in the heat of summer, don't forget the sunblock, a sweat towel, a hat, and a container to hold enough water for the entire 3.1 mile loop.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
Feeling saucy? Then pack up the bicycle and global warm your ass down to the Veloway for a grand ol' cyclin' time. Take Mopac south and turn left on La Crosse (the light after Slaughter), then turn left into the gravel parking patch of your wildest dreams.
While biking on the Veloway, one can't help but feel like the star of a car commercial -- only instead of pimping out the latest Mazda, you're pimping out your hybrid bike that all the "real cyclists" like to ridicule. Two lanes of fury alternate between fairly straight shots and bodacious curves, with one short but steep incline tossed in for good measure.
The ONLY negative aspect of the Veloway (other than the distance from my house) is the terrifyingly ominous "SNAKE CROSSING" sign located near the beginning of the track. Can't they just let a snake sighting be an adrenaline rush for the unlucky few who have to witness them, rather than putting the fear of God into all who enter?
People thought this was:
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
The Veloway is unquestionably the best place in the city to get your bike riding skills back up to snuff. It's a smooth, paved loop through the woods near Circle C and right across the street from the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. The loop is roughly 5K (just over 3 miles) and is open to cyclists and inline skaters ONLY. No cars to avoid and no joggers/walkers to dodge.
Although it's a short route, the terrain is varied enough that you can get a good workout. There is one very noticeable hill that will have you shifting to the easier gears, but it is a very short climb. I find myself working harder on the gradual, sloping hills that you don't notice so much. A lot of people do multiple loops and then extend their ride by doing a loop on the shoulders of Mopac and 45. Traffic is lighter down here than downtown, but if you're not comfortable with cars whizzing by at high speeds, then I'd suggest you just stay on the Veloway.
You'll see all kinds of people and bikes out here--everything from roadies with matching spandex outfits and $8000 bicycles to entire families on a mishmash of hybrid, comfort, and Dora the Explorer bikes.
To get there, take Mopac south past Slaughter and take your next left on LaCrosse Avenue. Be careful--it's a left turn light with traffic behind you coming up at 65 - 70mph.
People thought this was:
- Useful (3)
- Funny (2)
- Cool (2)
Have your Rollerblades been sitting in the back of your closet since the early 90s? Can't ditch the nostalgia of wrist guards or the dream of becoming the next Texas Rollergirl?
Then, lace (or snap) up those blades, and hit the Veloway's 3.1-mile, paved loop! The Veloway's smooth and relatively flat surface is perfect for speedskaters and born-again bladers alike.
Water fountains are located at the Veloway's starting point, but take my advice and wear a hydration pack.
After a morning of blading, head across the street to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center to view the wildflower and native plant gardens and hike the trails.
People thought this was:
- Cool (1)
This place is so beautiful! Wildflowers and green trees and a smooth trail for anything with wheels. I went yesterday with my cousin to rollerblade. As soon as i got the hang of it (it has been about 5 years...) i had a permanent smile on my face. Definitely worked up a sweat in the heat but there are nice trees for shade and there was a nice breeze to cool me down. I will be going back there a few times a week!!
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (2)
It's a drizzly Sunday afternoon and you have been sitting inside watching netflix movies and drinking tea and eating cake.You are starting to get that lethargic feeling. The solution, head on down to the Veloway. It's a little tricky to get into but beautiful when you do. Their are 2 entrances , one on Slaughter & Mopac and the other behind Bowie high school where you go behind the mobile classrooms & slip through a hole in fence. This is a nice paved 3.1 mile road where only bikes & roller blades are allowed. The path is surrounded by wildflowers as it is adjacent to LBJ wildflower center. You are surrounded by nature and there is no need for watching out for big old cars. So ride fast, ride slow, but I highly recommend this Veloway for a stress free bike ride any day of the week.
People thought this was:
- Useful (4)
- Cool (5)
