Interview with Cartographer Nathan Taylor

May 19, 2016

Interview with a cartographer

I recently sat down with Adventure Cycling Cartographer Nathan Taylor to chat with him about the project that has been occupying his time for the past year, the development of Adventure Cycling’s exciting new Texas Hill Country Loop.

Describe the route in just a few sentences. What can cyclists expect overall?

The Texas Hill Country Bicycle Loop is a 310-mile loop beginning and ending in downtown Austin, with a 71 mile cutoff route from Fredericksburg that allows the distance to be reduced by nearly a third. A shorter offshoot loop was also mapped to bring cyclists to the famous outlaw country town of Luckenbach. Expect miles and miles of country roads rolling across oak forested hills or winding along riverways encased by limestone cliffs. Weather is generally dry and mild, though expect some wind to kick up in the higher elevations near Fredericksburg, especially during shoulder seasons. Also, while the “wet season” should be a relative term for Texas, flooding does occur in many locations along the route in May and June.

Why did Adventure Cycling choose to create this route now?

Variations of the route have long been popular as ACA guided tours. It was only a matter of time, it seems, until the route was officially mapped and added to the Adventure Cycling Route Network.

What State or National Parks are on the route?

The route passes near or through several parks including Lyndon B. Johnson Ranch & National Historic Park, McKinney Falls State Park, Pedernales Falls State Park, Blanco State Park, Enchanted Rocks State Natural Area, Inks Lake State Park, and skirts the northern and eastern edge of Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge.

What kind of bike setup should a rider use?

Standard touring setup should be fine. The route is entirely paved and services are well spaced even in the more rural areas in the western part of the loop.

How big are the climbs? Do riders need to train?

The terrain would be characterized as hilly, as the region is named the “Hill Country.” The western half of the main loop has the most amount of elevation change, and the rollers there will likely induce fatigue in an already tired pair of legs. There are, however, no steep mountain passes to be crossed along the entire route.

What might be the top attraction of this route?

The Hill Country’s unique attributes, both geographic and cultural, make it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Texas for both state residents and non-residents. Adventure Cycling’s Hill Country Loop takes in a terrific sampling of these visitor hotspots.

What is the best way to access the route from out of state?

Simply fly into Austin International Airport. The route passes by just yards away from the tarmac.

What is the best time of year to ride the TX Hill Country Bicycle Route?

April for lower temps and blooming flowers, including the famous Texas bluebonnets, and also because most rain falls in May in this part of Texas. But really, an advantage of mapping this route is that it can be ridden any time of year.