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It's definitely excellent tech training around here... story: The most tech I was exposed to growing up in east TX was tree roots and trials-ish riding in town (using stairs, retaining walls, benches, etc)... in fact, BMX street riding probably helped me more than anything. Later, Moving from there to AZ was a whole new world, tech-wise (okay, from any perspective, really). There was a trail on South Mountain called Holbert that was regarded locally as the ultimate tech descent, and I tried it once on my '96 Giant hardtail with a "long-travel" 3" fork... It was a slow moving, dismount-and-dabbing trials-style experiment more than anything, and I didn't return. I took a few guys from Mojo to ride SoMo back in '16, and I thought, "hey, I should take them down Holbert, that would be entertaining..." Taking a group through there with all the hikers that day was not ideal, but I did discover that, 16 years later, I might actually be able to not only conquer Holbert, but with some momentum and flow, even... I returned to SoMo later that year with @Ganderson; Greg killed his foot on one of our runs down National and took the next day off, so he offered to shuttle me on a trail of my choice, which was a no-brainer; Holbert. I was on the longest, lowest, slackest FS bike I've ever owned, which I actually expected to make the big boulders and and tight switchbacks more difficult, but instead, it was one of my best rides ever! It was even a busy Sunday with hikers, but they were all cool, and the comments and looks on their faces were priceless... That was one of the most fun rides I've ever had, and I owe it to my time on the techy Austin trails. The first 2 minutes are a nice flowy warm up, then things start getting steep and super chunky... some of the comments are captioned:

I’m starting to feel the same way. I alternate Deception and SN days to save my body some. I’m moving to the mountains somewhere in 5.5 years and I can’t wait to have long climbs and smoother overall tread (at least what I’ve ridden in CO and NM). We’re all getting older. It’s harder on our bodies and the risk becomes not worth it. I mean I used to look forward to hitting certain features and barreling down them. Now....ehhhhh. I skip stuff and walk stuff and I’m fine with it. These Centex trails will beat a person down over time. It’s been 20 years for me now and I’m pretty much over it... but for a few more years it’s what I got. I still think Deception has value in handling and pure challenge factor, but those 30+ mile SN days where I avoid Deception are much kinder on the body, but more boring (to me). Overall, I’m glad to have all these options really. I think that’s the overarching thing for me.

Very Dry. Crowds? What crowds? We ran into more than usual but nothing bad at all. Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

RPR was tasty today

This last of the 4-pack with way too many Papalote tacos after 70 miles of gravel.

Yeah I don’t have experience riding all over the place but I HAVE to believe if you can ride the shit around Austin from a technical standpoint you can probably ride stuff anywhere. Just my guess. To me, THAT is the perceived value.

This is where a balaclava or gaither over your nose and mouth really pays off. For me the dryness is the main issue but the cold is also a problem. The balaclava retains some moisture and warmth which you breathe back in. I actually have exercised induced asthma for either very cold and dry or very hot and dry weather. I have a rescue inhaler I would use pre-ride in the past, but since I've used a nose/mouth covering I haven' t needed it.

Fuck the racist.

First time seeing this one from Karbach. Belgian Golden Ale with some floral notes.

Cleaned the face slappers off Gnargasm only... mushy in low shady areas still. Sunny areas were fine.. the guys I saw riding had reflectors so yea Can't speak to the rest of the area but assuming it mush Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

I remember a group of us Austin riders laughing out loud once on a ride in Big Bend Ranch State Park during the Desert Fest. Someone from Houston was whining, "The trails are so ROCKY here." 😄

That's what I was used to when I got here. I still haven't learned how to do this stuff right.

Look for a couple of the faster CAT 1 guys + that one up and coming kid (EW) to make a run at sub 2 hours soon.

The sound of that can hitting his face, was the sweet sound of justice.

This has inspired the most amazing string of memes.

rode some roads and paths around southwest Austin this morning. bright sun and wind should dry stuff up pretty fast. the chilly breeze was pretty rough on my lungs though, so I kept the pace rather slow. It is possible that some trails down here will be dry sometime tomorrow if this keeps up.

I still SMH at this video 🙂

Give me a time estimate of when you will be burning circles in my front yard again and I'll be ready with refreshments Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

Im in North Texas now, but from what I’ve seen posted by AJ and others conditions are still very muddy.

That guy was definitely on the receiving end of the "red tag special". One of the best for sure

That was funny. Here's another good one.

My rule is that I have to ride at least as long as the drive is in one direction. I'm happier if I ride as long as the total drive time. That's easy with RPR. It gets tougher with FRR, but I usually get it done. It really helps to not have a lot of other responsibilities.

I think to get down to the really fast lap times at LGT you have to be on the gas everywhere. But IMHO the places where you can make up the most time, are the places you're normalyl the slowest (for any significant periods of time). Since LGT is 2/3rd chunk, then I think these areas are the key to going deeper into the 2hr numbers. This would also match well with Barry's strengths, bike choice and riding style. Anecdotally, I feel its the same reason that SS'rs have had some of the faster times out there....they have to carry speed (through the chunk). And if you want to break it down further then I think the South Side of the lake has the biggest chunk and room for time savings. Almost anyone can go fast on the flats, but miles and miles of cheesgrater will separate everyone. +1 though for the wind comment above. If one was going for a PR or KOM, then it would HAVE to be scheduled around the wind. Later, CJB

Some other goof-ball did 6 a while back.... -CJB

New Years Day for me started with some Yerba Mate...and then some ginger Kombucha this afternoon.

It was bottle kill day on New Year's Eve with @Jessica! NYE was the day to clear out the cabinet a bit. Every bottle here had 2 to 3 drinks left. So we started at 10am and took it slow.

As seen in Eufala, OK last week. Is it weird that I want one of these. Porthole window and all!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk