Christmas Sock Ride 2024! ( formerly Tour de SWCT)

Celebrate the Christmas/holiday joy on a bicycle ride by wearing the loudest and most colorful sox in your closet!
Ride length is either 20 or 26 miles on Austin's Southern Walnut Creek Trail, your choice. This is a social ride and not a race. Ride at your own speed.
Post ride, we'll find a local coffee shop to warm up in.

Wheels down at 9 AM.
Start date and time is subject to change, depending on the weather forecast.

Meet in the parking lot of Govalle Park.

Note: The Apple Maps app fails at navigating to Govalle Park. Enter "5200 Bolm Road" instead of "Govalle Park."

Google Maps is accurate.

There have been sporadic car break-ins in the Govalle parking lot. Please don’t leave valuables in your vehicle.

This is a ride-your-own-speed ride (roughly 11 to 14 mph average) on The Southern Walnut Creek Trail from the trailhead at Govalle Park to the Abrupt End and return. We try to ride in social groups based on our capabilities.
The trail is paved for the entire distance, with a very interesting 1/2 mile hill on the outbound. We'll regroup at the top of the hill on the outbound.

There’s two distance options. It’s your choice.

1. 20 mile route: 10 miles out to the former Abrupt End at Lindell Lane, and return.
2. 27 mile route: about 13.5 miles to Manor and return.

The trail extension to Manor is completed. It adds about 6 more miles overall. We have the option of turning around at the Former Abrupt End for about 20 miles, or continuing to Manor for 26 miles or so, round trip.

The trail is two-way and narrows down in spots, with a couple of blind corners. We share the trail with walkers, runners, people pushing baby carriages, dog walkers, other bicyclists, deer, (and rarely, feral pigs.) Squirrels, too. Single-file riding and moderate speed on the corners is strongly recommended!

There are two significant road intersections that require caution to cross. Both have push button-operated stoplights.

Govalle Park is at 5200 Bolm Road. A map of Govalle Park's location is at

http://austinparks.org/parks/govalle-park/

Riders must wear a helmet.
There are portapotties next to the Govalle Park parking lot. There are good restrooms at the tennis courts at the top of the hill, just off the trail by 1/3 mile.

• What to bring:

helmet, water/sports drink, tools to fix a flat, spare inner tube, (optional) snack or change for coffee.