Bicycling in Austin

As you might expect, Lance Armstrong's home base is a great bicycling town. The scenic back roads offer gently rolling hills and tempting diversions—from tucked-away waterfalls to country antiques emporia to barbecue joints. Loop 360 provides a grueling workout, while the hike-and-bike trail around Lady Bird Lake is more leisurely. And the Lance Armstrong Bikeway, which at this writing was expected to open in spring 2008, runs east-to-west on a dedicated route through downtown. The path uses a combination of off-street concrete trails, on-street striped bike lanes, and on-street signed bike routes.

South Austin

The Veloway. This 3.1-mile paved asphalt loop winding through Slaughter Creek Metropolitan Park is reserved exclusively for bicyclists and rollerbladers. Riders always travel in a one-way clockwise direction. It's off the beaten path in far southwest Austin, not far from the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. No facilities except for a water fountain that sometimes doesn't work. 4103 Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX. 512/974-6700. www.veloway.com.

Outfitter

Bicycle Sport Shop. Bicycle Sport Shop rents bikes and helmets daily, year-round. 517 S. Lamar, Austin, TX, 78704. 512/477-3472. www.bicyclesportshop.com. 10947 Research Blvd., Northwest Austin. 512/345-7460.