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Hell awaits....

Not too long ago. Hoping we have more fun in 21. ✌️.

Like @mack_turtle said,they're useful for a few feet but after that they're only used for showing off--or for fun, both of which are acceptable. But as a skill for quick drop-offs they are essential to technical trail riding because you don't always have time for a bunny hop or a pedal assist wheelie. Sometimes the drop-off is bigger than you think and you only have a moment for a quick manual. It is an essential tool for not breaking my "never go OTBs" rule.

Should we change over this group to a dirt roadie thread? Asking since I can't ride right now has nothing to do with the above comments. Jkjk i totally have gotten out of the desire to grind EVERY trail. When you go to parks across country or trail systems like they have in B ville it really makes you loose interest in the constant grind for minor pay offs. Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

OneUp also has a stem with a preload so you don't have to tap the steerer. Pretty slick. https://www.oneupcomponents.com/products/edc-stem

With each of these bottles half gone and thoroughly enjoyed, I thought it best to seek out another for my collection before running the well dry. I did my research and had 9 bourbons on my list before heading to Total Wine. Remarkably, I worked my way down to the final bottle on my list before getting a hit. Can't say that I'm disappointed at all, but a little bit bummed that my research is yielding such a low batting average on availability.

The live bandit. We've had infected family members and a death. I am selfish and want to still be riding in 2025.

Thought it would be cool for folks to post up on 1) Austin area trails they've yet to ride, and 2) willingness to lead a small group interested in exploring some of the trails you know well. I'll start by listing the nearby trails I have not ridden but would like to ride with somebody who knows their way around them. 1. Dana Peak 2. Cameron Park 3. Madrone 4. Flat Rock Ranch (not exactly nearby but still possible as an all-day trip)

I had a one wheel for a few months. Very fun just not as fun as the ole two wheel machine by any accord . I also couldn't see myself using it as often as needed to make the price tag worth it. It was alot fun running down to the liquor store on it though doing 15 mph [emoji2957] Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

Will be watching this post. The folks at AB World Headquarters are all over me about not getting new trails on the site. As soon as it is safer to be out and around I need to get back on that horse. Have a short list under consideration.

I've always used compressed air with great results. There's definitely a little technique involved but once you get that cushion of air going into the grip, it simply glides right off the bar (or back on). I'm an ESI guy and go through about 1.5 pair per year. Run the hand-me-downs on my kids bikes too after the tattered edges have been cut off. Later, CJB

Cameron Park has long been one of my favorite TX trails. Total blast, but a bit of navigation required (good maps and signage - you just need to figure your way around all the trails). Think Walnut Creek but with 10x the elevation. I was running about 120 ft/mile for a while last time I was there. Dana Peak is also well worth it. I went for the first time a few weeks ago. Don't miss the stuff in the middle and they are building some new stuff on the far East end by Stillhouse Park (I may park over there next time). These 2 make a good overnighter. In November I rode Cameron one day stayed in Waco and then hit Dana Peak on the way home. Flat Rock is also awesome and also combines well with Kerrville Schreiner Park. I also did this as an overnighter in November. Kerrville Park is super fun (I think) and expanding, the last couple times I have been (only about once a year) there was some new trail. You can also add in a nice scenic pathway along the Guadalupe River for several miles. For this trip I rode Kerrville, stayed there and then rode Comfort the next day. I would have reversed that but it was super windy the first day and you are much more in the open at Flat Rock.

Yes Sir it is. He is expanding it as well. Also if you go down the main trail FROM Katy,, go left through the old cattle gate, you will run into the other new stuff at the end. Ive found it runs much faster and nicer that direction , seems alot less uphill that way

Suburban ninja

Nice! where is this?

Staying on the local tip. We made some killer porkchops and broke out a bottle of this rum barrel aged dark cider we'd been holding on to for a year. Pretty tasty combo. Also, anyone try this temp? I'm a sucker for a good tempranillo and this barrel aged one was surprisingly good.

Pull off a sub one hour lap of City Park and get back to us! Then we shall show you Thumper.

Found this to be interesting IMG_0159.mov

I grew up riding in the Huntsville and Houston area, and had never ridden outside of that area, aside from a trip to Palo Duro Canyon. When I graduated college I took a couple of weeks and drove through CO, UT and AZ, riding Salida, Moab, Flagstaff, etc... when I got back, I literally parked my bike and didn't ride it again until I moved to AZ a year later; perspective is everything. When my wife wanted to move back to Texas to start our family, I said okay, but it has to be west of I35... Even here, my riding slowed again, and any riding I do here is just maintenance for trips to the real trails.

I didn't notice the Pinthouse until I looked at Google maps. That place is doing well, it doesn't surprise me. It makes sense Meanwhile is from out of town, starting off with a top of the line facility like that. I am getting around a fair amount now but am very conscious of covid. They had some of the best protocols I have seen. No indoor seating, can order from an outside window, glass partitions, a foot operated hand sanitizer by the inside bar, foot opener for restroom door, plenty of distanced outside seating, 100% mask compliance from what I saw, and a new one, a giant coaster of sorts on each outside table that indicated if it had been sanitized. When you sat at a table you flipped it over so it could be cleaned after you left. Another extra step I saw was at Humble Pint Brewing in Leander (also nice with good pizza, but with fairly limited outdoor seating) was that they would put saran wrap over the credit card machine each time so you wouldn't have to actually touch it. I think some places are really making it about as safe as possible although we are creating a ton of extra waste in the process.

That’s a great idea. I’m assuming you’re using a rubber tipped air chuck like this? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

A hot lap at WC is pretty doable, but you really have to ring or yell around corners--or even slow down on the really blind sections. Of course going on off hours os helpful.

I love ESI's, but I've been using a set of Red Monkey Klampz for a while now and have been pretty happy with them. The feel of silicone with the ease (and weight) of a lock-on. Also, they are probably the girth of an ESI extra chunky with the cush of a racers edge. I kind of like it, but that combination could be a turn off to some looking for the extra cushion. https://www.redmonkeysports.com/collections/klampz-lock-ons

I'm working on finding a date for some guys to get up to Lake Georgetown - possibly even this weekend if things dry out enough. Will keep you posted! Also, just give me a couple of days notice on Madrone and I'll be down for a weekend ride there.

I get around, so it's hard to find a reasonable trail system within 2.5 hours that I haven't done. Hell, I did more than 520 miles in 11 visits to Flat Rock this year! The short list includes Hill Top trails in F'burg, Cat Mtn, and Seguin Park. Locally I haven't been to McKinney Falls. I'm eyeing riding it from the door with ChamoisHagar at some point. Surely there's other systems I'm forgetting or are wholly unaware of.

Haven't ridden Dana or cameron and would like to check it out. Ridden comfort once, 4 years ago. Like to revisit Familiar with madrone and would be up for a group ride. *Georgetown loop and thumper are on my todo

A sub hour lap at WC is probably more dangerous than a sub hour lap at CP because WC is two way and full of hikers and loose dogs.

WT Kentucky Spirit is generally very good. And that's to be expected considering that it's effectively a single barrel version of WT101. But for about the same money, I always reach for Rare Breed instead.

How is it your mistake? I wouldn't hesitate to return them. Amazon is so full of crap these days. This year when I was online Christmas shopping I avoided Amazon so purchases wouldn't show up on our shared account. I ventured out into the wide world of random e-commerce websites, and was surprised to discover that pretty much everybody has fast shipping now, and the price is often significantly less than Amazon.

Granite has a similar system that does not involve steerer tube tapping.

I 2nd the one up EDC tool/air pump that Schoolie mentioned. It's awesome. I have 2 bikes, each have ability for 2 water bottles. Each bike has a EDC pump bottle cage mount that makes it easy to switch the tool b/t bikes. One bike has a frame bag similar to this https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WE5GQ7K/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_KW95Fb72097DH With a tube, levers, tire patch, duct tape, zip tie etc. And the other bike has a tube/levers held in place with granite strap. One recent purchase was a quad lock phone mount for bike handlebars. It has been great so far and securely holds my phone - keeping my pockets empty

I think any skill that a rider wants to learn is important. It at a minimum boosts confidence, and thats just as critical as anything when it comes to MTB. Timid riding will get you just as hurt as being reckless. IMHO, any time you can push your neuroplasticity it staves off some of the pitfalls of getting older. My wife's mom died from dementia at 72 so she really looks at MTB, and learning new skills a whole different way than I did. Also funny how things stick with you. I hadn't ridden a skateboard in over two decades and within a half hour was able to ollie and do tricks I learned 30 years ago. My ankles also made it known I was no longer a youngster the next day 🤣

If I don't have it by now, then I either learned it and lost it, forgot it, or never had it in the first place. Of anything I wished I still had was my wheelie ability, sure loved doing those on both moto and bicycle....oh well

Rode Gandalf yesterday for the first time plus the new trail. What a blast! I’ll have to say, SN may be my favorite trail in this area.

My wife and I both have one of these. https://www.amazon.com/Multiple-Charger-Desktop-Charging-Station/dp/B075V1HYFS/

This is the one I use. It has two USB ports for charging and holds enough juice for multiple recharges. It's water and dust proof, comes with a micro USB cable and another you can specify for either iPhone or Android. I've been using it for the past two years and it's been flawless.

Another tip for setting up your trail tools. Before finalizing what you carry I recommend doing some basic maintenance like changing a tube/ valve stem, adjusting shifters etc. using ONLY your trail tools. This will help identify holes in what you are carrying.

Yep, purchased separately. Not cheap, but it was worth it to me. Forgot to mention that the pump head unscrews to become a co2 adapter in case you need one 👍 The pump comes with a nice mount that attaches under your water bottle cage. I 3D printed a second one for my other bike, now all I have to do is swap the pump from one bike to the other and I'm all set.

This thread reminds me that it's time again to empty out my fanny pack (yes I said it) and sort through all the mess. It's always amazing the amount of shit I gather over the year. Hell, last year when I did this, I found that somehow I grew another multi tool and new life form had been established from a half eaten bags of Jelly beans.

My goals are fluid.

Yep, all of this proves my point. Difficulty is what you make it. If you want more challenges start doing things differently.