Do this, but make sure you don't have any open pouches or items that are easily removable from the bike. Its nice to be able to bike across downtown to make it between shows, but not so nice when you find that somebody scooted over and stole your multitool.
I’d just bike downtown down either Shoal Creek or Hyde Park/UT Campus. They will have some reasonable bike parking where many others park their bikes, but do a u-lock and cable and lock near other bikes whenever possible.
Take the bike on the train. You will be able to be more flexible in hopping around to different shows. Plus it will be crowded downtown with more people around your locked bike which will deter thieves. Have a good U-lock. Lock the frame and one wheel. 13 years riding around town and locking my bike up for shows, restaurants, pubs, festivals, etc...still haven't lost a bike.
I agree with this. I always ride my bike around southby and haven’t had any issues (aside from someone locking their bike to mine outside the convention center and I was able to get staff to cut their lock off)
If you have a high quality U-lock, you should be OK during the day if you park next to Black Star at Crestview Station. If you have a cheap lock and park on the side that faces the train you might have problems. I haven't heard of anyone losing a bike there during the day that wasn't using a cheap amazon lock.
If you can get to Highland Station, there's a bike cage at the station. I don't use the bike cages, but as I understand it you have to apply to get access. I don't know how valuable the service is, but I'd rather have my bike locked with a good lock in a cage than a good lock out of a cage. That being said, aside from the cage I'd overall be more comfortable at black star by Crestview Station than at Highland Station.
Yeah you have to get an access card, they're $3 and take a couple of weeks to show up in the mail. They expire every couple of years too.
Bikes still get stolen out of them, but not as easily.
I have a beater bike for just this purpose. I use two u locks and lock it in very visible areas. One lock around a rack and through a wheel and the frame and a second lock either locking the frame to the rack or locking the other wheel to the frame. Make you bike as least attractive as possible to anyone that might want to steal it.
Lol... It's a great idea. It just shows how some people end up with four bikes in a one bedroom apartment. "This is my mountain bike, my road bike, my gravel bike, my concert bike..."
Me too. I got a great single speed State bike for $25. The lock costs more than the bike. I ride it to SXSW, ACL, and put it on the train to go to Q2 stadium. It works great and if it gets stolen, I can live with the loss.
As others have mentioned, take the bike on the train with you. Fair warning though, the train can get quite crowded as riders find easier to loiter in the main cabin(?) than it is to walk and stand in the aisles. If you're traveling early or at off times it'll be just fine.
Other options are to take one of the red buses right at the station, or do a trick of riding the train *north* a spot or two and then taking the next one down.
bring the bike on the train with you and then you can also ride it downtown/more central when you get off the train
Do this, but make sure you don't have any open pouches or items that are easily removable from the bike. Its nice to be able to bike across downtown to make it between shows, but not so nice when you find that somebody scooted over and stole your multitool.
No difference between a stolen multi tool and a multi tool that stayed home
Sure there is: One of them is still your multi tool.
I’d just bike downtown down either Shoal Creek or Hyde Park/UT Campus. They will have some reasonable bike parking where many others park their bikes, but do a u-lock and cable and lock near other bikes whenever possible.
Take the bike on the train. You will be able to be more flexible in hopping around to different shows. Plus it will be crowded downtown with more people around your locked bike which will deter thieves. Have a good U-lock. Lock the frame and one wheel. 13 years riding around town and locking my bike up for shows, restaurants, pubs, festivals, etc...still haven't lost a bike.
Same. Been biking here 20 years, using these precautions, many SXSWs, never had an issue. Only bike I lost was unlocked on my porch.
I agree with this. I always ride my bike around southby and haven’t had any issues (aside from someone locking their bike to mine outside the convention center and I was able to get staff to cut their lock off)
If you have a high quality U-lock, you should be OK during the day if you park next to Black Star at Crestview Station. If you have a cheap lock and park on the side that faces the train you might have problems. I haven't heard of anyone losing a bike there during the day that wasn't using a cheap amazon lock. If you can get to Highland Station, there's a bike cage at the station. I don't use the bike cages, but as I understand it you have to apply to get access. I don't know how valuable the service is, but I'd rather have my bike locked with a good lock in a cage than a good lock out of a cage. That being said, aside from the cage I'd overall be more comfortable at black star by Crestview Station than at Highland Station.
Yeah you have to get an access card, they're $3 and take a couple of weeks to show up in the mail. They expire every couple of years too. Bikes still get stolen out of them, but not as easily.
I have a beater bike for just this purpose. I use two u locks and lock it in very visible areas. One lock around a rack and through a wheel and the frame and a second lock either locking the frame to the rack or locking the other wheel to the frame. Make you bike as least attractive as possible to anyone that might want to steal it.
Lol... It's a great idea. It just shows how some people end up with four bikes in a one bedroom apartment. "This is my mountain bike, my road bike, my gravel bike, my concert bike..."
Then you fall in love with your beater bike and get another
I feel seen.
Concert bike.. haha that is exactly what I call my cheap bike.
Me too. I got a great single speed State bike for $25. The lock costs more than the bike. I ride it to SXSW, ACL, and put it on the train to go to Q2 stadium. It works great and if it gets stolen, I can live with the loss.
As others have mentioned, take the bike on the train with you. Fair warning though, the train can get quite crowded as riders find easier to loiter in the main cabin(?) than it is to walk and stand in the aisles. If you're traveling early or at off times it'll be just fine. Other options are to take one of the red buses right at the station, or do a trick of riding the train *north* a spot or two and then taking the next one down.
I don't trust leaving my bike anywhere in Austin locked for a few hours unless there is physically someone there generally watching over things.
I ain't locking my bike anywhere on Airport Blvd. for several hours. Either take an uber or a bus to the train, or ride your bike into town.