Moving from Upstate NY to Austin Texas

[kahnma]

Hello all,

I just wanted to introduce myself to the Texas board. I am from Albany NY and planning to move to Austin in the coming months.

How is the riding in Austin? I would imagine since its hill country it would be pretty nice. Is there much of a motorcycle community there? Can you ride year round? I also do a lot of dual sport rides and would like to hear about that community if anyone is involved?

I will be bringing my Valkyrie and KTM 500EXC to Austin with me.

Any info is greatly appreciated and I hope to join in on some rides once I get settled in Austin!

Matt

[Pete]

Just to get you started --- late spring til early fall  --- heat you may not like. Little to NO snow ever.

It is also dry so you have lots of dry days to ride if you do not like rain.

Good luck and have fun.

[RainMaker]

There is an active CenTex group that goes on rides, plus we have active groups in the Houston and DFW area.  Austin is a city that is our touch of California liberalism in an otherwise conservative state.  It does have the best topography of the large cities.  You are not too far from the hill country and only 3 hours from the Gulf Coast. 

Most folks wear burnt orange in Austin due to Texas University (t.u. for short) being situated there. 

If you get here by April, you can catch probably the last Gathering of the Fools at Hotglue and Flamingo Babe's estate.  It's the 2nd largest gathering of Valks in the nation after Inzane.  Great food, good fellowship, fantastic people.  The other yearly thing is the Texas Hill Country Ride which takes place in October.  Keep an eye out for that.  In your new area, Texas Deb and F-Stop are close by and can fill you in on the Austin things to do.

Welcome to the Republic of Texas.

RainMaker

[Disco]

Welcome to Texas, Matt!     HayHauler and I rode through Albany last summer after InZane on our way back from Maine.  Pretty country up there.

Although Austin is trying VERY hard to lose its unique charm and become just another big city, it has not yet succeeded.  Lots of fun things to do in and around there.  The people-watching near campus and south of the river can be lots of fun.  Lots of great riding around there, too.  You'll have plenty of opportunities for both bikes.

And pie - don't forget the pie.  1431 to Marble Falls and the Bluebonnet Cafe is a fun ride.

Hope you like BBQ!

Hope you like tacos!

You really do need to get here in time for GOTF on Saturday 1 April.   

[Rocketman]

The riding west of Austin is great.  Anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours from downtown is the riding that riders across the state go to for their weekend getaways.  1431 if you're wanting a real close spot, and the sisters/Leakey/etc. if you're up for a few hours.  I've been trying to convince NASA to move operations out there permanently, but we only go out there in emergencies.  I'll have to keep riding in from the Houston area.

Mark

[SideCar]

Matt, welcome in advance. You'll love our riding season, all 12 months of it, but the summers can get a little on the warm side. As has been said, you're right in the heart of some great riding, particularly around the lakes and to the west of Austin. (WARNING: Large (plentiful) deer and wildlife population so be particularly careful early morning, evenings and nights.)

[f-Stop]

Howdy Matt and welcome to the Austin area!  I think you'll like it here in Central Texas.  First...yes, the Hill Country is a great place to ride.  I feel lucky to live here and never tire of the open roads, interesting destinations and beautiful scenery that's in abundance.  Our little CenTex VRCC group occasionally gets together for impromptu Hill Country rides that  will undoubtably include food. 

And speaking of food...Austin is a foodie town...from our trendy Barbecue to our mainstay Tex-Mex, you'll find a myriad of culinary fare as you acclimate to the area.  (Just in case you're not aware, breakfast tacos are a standard staple around here.)

Back to two wheels...you're moving to a scooter town.  With the University of Texas and the State Capital dominating central and downtown Austin, you'll find scooters of all kinds zipping around all over the place.  Street parking is free for motorcycles, too!

The weather here allows for year round riding.  Storing your bike for winter is a foreign concept, but the summers are hot...real hot!  You'll get used to it though, and morning or evening rides for the nine months of summer are great.  (Always bring water with you..staying hydrated is key!)

For your adventurous spirit there are some local adventure riding groups and plenty of great back roads to get your adventure rides in.  My business partner rides KTM's and is good friends with TJ from TJ Cycles, our local KTM dealer.

I look forward to meeting and riding with you soon!  (Sending you a message through this site with my contact info.)

Ride safe!

 

[kahnma]

Thanks everyone for all of the info, it all sounds right up my alley. I really like the heat so 100 degree days will not bug me. Great food, warm weather, and nice scenery is a nice change up pace that I look forward to embracing!

Cant wait for the first Valk meetup, ill be sure to attend. I also have a friend moving down with a new Indian Scout and a Beta dual sport so we will definitely be in contact with everyone.

The better half is about done securing a job in Austin so she is planning to move down in March. I am still figuring out details but if anyone knows of a Financial Analyst position in Austin I would definitely be interested! I am also considering sales. As of now I have 4 years as an Analyst at SUNY (largest university system in the country) and looking to move that experience over to Austin.

[john]

                                                   Great food, warm weather, and nice scenery ..
                                             it's all here wait'in on ya ..
                                                                                a fine group of people too !