I found a new crop of murals – and met some cool cyclists – on this city tour

I’m a lover, not a fighter, so this mural on the side of Print Press spoke to me. Pam LeBlanc photo

I’ve ridden my bike all over this city, and every time I put wheels to the pavement, I discover new street art.

That’s part of why I like to travel by bike – I see the little changes, the stuff you miss if you’re whizzing past in a vehicle. Biking lets me slow down the pace, drink in the air and stretch my legs.

Ani Colt and Preston Tyree ride their bikes almost everywhere from their home in the Mueller development. Pam LeBlanc photo

I met this man out taking his family for a ride to the Bob Bullock Museum. Pam LeBlanc photo

Sunday, I took an 18-mile jaunt from my home in the Allandale neighborhood through the Mueller development, where I bumped into cycling advocate Preston Tyree, out for a ride with Ani Colt, then down Berkman on some amazing cycling lanes to East Austin, where I met a guy on a giant trike taking his family for a ride. (That’s the other amazing thing about biking – you meet all kinds of interesting people.)

This serpent adorns the side of the Native Bar & Kitchen. Pam LeBlanc photo

I zoomed around East Cesar Chavez and surrounding streets, where new murals seem to pop up everyday, then headed back home through the University of Texas campus, where I paused to say hi to the “Hi How Are You” mural by Daniel Johnston that kind of started it all.

Musician Daniel Johnston painted this famous Austin mural on The Drag. Pam LeBlanc photo

My favorite discovery? The Lover/Fighter mural on the side of Print Press at 1209 East Cesar Chavez.

Another hotbed of murals adorns the outside of Native Bar & Kitchen at 807 East Fourth (don’t forget to take a look at the west side of the building, along the access road to Interstate 35.

This cool cat wears the best pink undies, don’t you think?

And please, don’t miss the kitty in pink underpants on the side of the East Side Pies on Airport Boulevard. He’s one cool cat.

I don’t drink coffee, but this woman on the side of the building that will become The Otto on East Cesar Chavez makes me want a cup, stat. Pam LeBlanc photo