Austin is a bike friendly city, to be sure. As far as mountain biking goes, most of the riding is done on private ranches, metro, county and state parks. One of the more popular mountain biking spots, Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park is within Austin city limits. The trails have been adopted by the Austin Ridge Riders bicycle club and even though the park sees heavy use by bikers, runners and dog walkers, the trails are well marked and maintained. Trails wind throughout the park’s 293 acres, they range from easy double and singletrack to a few challenging rocky/rooty sections and water crossings. Not too tough when it’s dry, but much more difficult when the trails are wet.
Of course, Walnut Creek runs through the park
When the water level is low, as it has been after the hottest summer on record and severe drought, you can ride your bike on the creek bottom rock. Be careful though because the moss that grows in the creek is very slippery.
Most of the trails are pretty easy but some of them are pretty twisty and there can be tree branches close to the trail and overhead.
Walnut Creek is a good place for beginners to intermediate riders. It would be a good place to take somebody who is just starting out as an off road cyclist; there is a sense of being out in the woods without getting in over your head.
There are a few sections that would be more of a challenge to better riders, this would be especially true if the rocks and tree roots are wet.
As I mentioned, this is a popular outdoor area, there are plenty of bike riders, runners, hikers and dogs running around so you have to keep an eye out and be considerate of other trail users.
The early 2012 weather here in Central Texas continues to be very nice, so tomorrow we are headed back to Reveille Peak Ranch for more riding adventures.