FM 969 btwn Bastrop and Austin

[macktruckturner]

My Dad showed me this road several years ago on one of my first four wheel excursions - tagging it as a road he used to hit on his GS450 decades ago. It became my default route into Austin. There are some pretty straight flat parts, but for the most part it is pretty curvy, and a lot of fun to ride. There are some surface irregularities here and there (mostly to the outside of the lanes) but nothing that hinders the ride for me.

Anyway, my last ride before R&R was over was to Austin and back (from Houston) - and FM 969 was the fun bit.

[whoa]

It's a great road until you near Austin. And thats only because of poor driving habits, and impairment of local drivers. Be careful as you near town.

[macktruckturner]

agreed, the portion near 183 is pretty boring anyway, but I usually ride it at night and see no traffic.

[kurt]

Once you are west of 973 the party is over anyway. Road construction and uninspired road planning leave you with plenty reason to pay very close attention to your surroundings. As previously mentioned, the incidence of impairment and uninsured motorists is high in this area.

[mhutch]

So what the heck are they building just east of Austin on that road? I rode through there a couple of weeks ago and was amazed at the size of the construction project.

[kurt]

Increased road capacity and utility upgrades for the new Tollroad and anticipated population increases in the area.

[macktruckturner]

Austin can't touch Houston's road construction, though really nowhere in Texas can. Build a bigger road, and we'll build a bigger traffic jam. txmedics points are all valid though - and he's local to the area so he probably has a better handle on it than I do. I do enjoy the chunk of 969 from 973 to just before it ends at 71 though.