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I was riding past the BCGB trailhead around xmas and some guy was letting his dog take a HUGE shit while he chatted with his girlfriend. Then he started to just walk away to go start his hike. Lots of people around. I screamed "HEY, your dog just took a huge shit." Everyone turned around. He said "yeah, I am gonna get that on the way out" (even though he would be walking right past the garbage cans. So I said "it might be cooler if you do that NOW." Grudgingly he turned around, cleaned it up and threw it out. Probably ruined his whole hike. It was worth it.

I was out there this morning inspecting trails and clearing downed trees. Trails are still muddy with numerous large puddles still present. Will need probably 2 more days for most trails.

Just so you know that you sharing your story influenced me to go and get my Calcium CT Scan (where I scored a perfect 0!). I've had borderline high blood pressure along with a history of family conditions. So it was very much a relief when I got the results back. Thanks for the push... -CJB

https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ6ysIpgwUZ/?igshid=402yw7xipe1b They had a warm shower at our house on their way from Miami to Uruguay. Check them out.

I think that you'll find that almost every mountain biker is fine with trail runners. We pretty much view everyone through the same lens with the following factors impacting our opinion: Does that trail user respect the trail? Don't modify it to suit your sport or skill level Help maintain it (join workdays, support the builders, etc.) Don't litter and clean up after yourself (trail markings, etc) Does that trail user respect the other people on the trail? Don't play music on both earbuds where you can't hear someone behind you Don't pass people dangerously Does that trail user respect the land owner? Don't do anything to jeopardize the relationship between the trail user community and the land owner. I think that pretty much sums it up. I'd love it if a big group of trail runners came out to a workday (when those happen again) and contributed to maintaining trails. You see it on occasion and it's greatly appreciated!

All these years later, and I still have no idea why they go through the trouble of bagging the poop just to leave it somewhere along the trail.

I occasionally consider asking hikers with poop bags if I can have it (mainly to get their reaction) not sure what happens next though. 😁 I am really glad when seeing someone carrying one though.

If you're lucky, sometimes the soft cushioning inside is still warm.

Got a early ride in at flat Rock, chilly 27F° but was good with shorts, thermal and a hoodie. Sent from my moto g(7) supra using Tapatalk

On my pre-dawn rides that can get down into the 20's and 30's on Barton Creek, I'll wear neoprene toe covers, and slip a chemical hand warmer pack in between the toe cover and the outside of my shoes on top over the toes, works great to keep them warm, and you don't get the discomfort of having a warmer inside the shoe.

Based on how in bed the city is with developers, be careful of what you wish for. The minute the ban is lifted it will be subdivided and plowed. You'll go from complaining about birds to complain about suburban homes or office buildings. The probability that Forest Ridge ever becomes a bike trail is nil at this point in my mind. Developers are a bigger challenge than birds to me because once you plow, its gone for good.

First cardo doc visit last Friday. Appt for echo and stress test next month.

Today is the 7th anniversary of surviving my heart attack. This is obviously a big day for me. I got lucky and was able to walk away with 5 stents. A bypass is obviously a LOT worse. If you are ignoring any symptoms, don't. If you are living a less then healthy lifestyle, get regular checkups, it can literally save your life. If you are living an active, healthy lifestyle, good for you! I was already an active cyclists and gym rat. The doc that saved me in the ER says that probably allowed me to survive it. I wasn't getting regular checkups prior to the event, but I am now. You should add a heart attack to your reverse bucket list, the one with things you NEVER want to do. Thanks for listening, I'm sure no one cares about my problems, but please do what you can to not end up like I did.

Or tie it to a tree. But it occurs to me that they want to look like they're doing the right thing--and they certainly don't want to be caught doing the wrong thing. They pull the bag out and take it with them. If no one sees their dog doing their businesses, they just leave it as it falls. And if someone sees it, they go through the motions of bagging. But they can't be arsed to tote it back with them to the garbage, so they just throw it down when they're alone again. Anyway, that's the only thing that makes sense to me.

The ones with fresh poop in them can be used as hand warmers. When I had dogs that I used to be able to take on-leash to trails, that was a benefit of packing it out.

I find these conveniently left all over the trail as well, but I never bother to pick up a pair. people must get cold feet easily because I find them out there year-round.

Many Austin parks have plastic foot covers that can be used inside shoes (over socks). They are in green dispensers at the trailhead 😉

Interesting. I have had no issues with these https://www.amazon.com/GIYO-Overshoes，S-XL-Neoprene-Waterproof-WinterProof/dp/B082HXGRX8/ref=sr_1_4?crid=7WXQIHV9Z97W&dchild=1&keywords=neoprene+mountain+bike+shoe+covers&qid=1610456434&sprefix=neoprene+mount%2Caps%2C200&sr=8-4

someday I plan to run for city council and work to get forest ridge opened up. The city at one point mandated that forest ridge be opened up to recreation and the employees in charge stonewalled until there was a new mayor and new city council. "deep state" as it were. The people in charge are birdwatchers and highly favor the interest of birdwatchers.

Did you have to get your primary doctor to refer you or do you just set it up? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Please use pms. The vast majority of that is private property and/or unauthorized. And you can't ride far without crossing multiple property lines so no one person or entity has any real say. Treat it like you want it to be there in a year or 5 and maybe it will be.

Monday: Rode over to the Millwood Library on Amherst to pick up some books curbside, mostly via Northern Walnut Creek path. Sad snowmen here and there are mostly what's left of The Blizzard of 2021, although there was still some slush on one of the bridges west of Metric.

I have never had a single issue with a trail runner.

Can you pinpoint where this un-rideable trail is? I've been riding the Bull Creek greenbelt and surrounding trails since 1992 and would love to see some new-to-me trail!

Regarding Bull Creek Greenbelt, its good to ride, but not alot of people do. i think because its not that interesting, unless you link it up to surrounding trails. I've been avoiding it personally during the pandemic, because of foot traffic. https://www.trailforks.com/region/bull-creek-greenbelt/ No bikes in Balcones Preserve. (although for the first time i saw two people biking there this weekend on gravel rigs) No bikes at Riverplace, its hiking only at mt lakeway, i ride the north side and the southside.

Actually we (at least me) like trail runners, you guys are never annoying, I think we are all probably cut from the same cloth. The ones on the trails that annoy us are the ones who cut down the technical challenges and try to make things easier. Valburn stuff is called "---- trail" in our world. I've met --- a few times, he's really chill. He's a trail runner, not a biker but he is cool with bikes being on his property. Whenever we ride there, we always give runners the right of way because, um, it's their world and we're just visitors. It is a connection to some other trails in the area, not a primary destination in most cases. Forest Ridge - don't go there. We've been banned from there due to the warblers. Apparently a bike rolling by startles their delicate sensitivity. But the other large habitat, near Ft. Hood, seems do do fine with artillery practice. Must be the particular sound of our tire vs. explosions.... River Place is a private trail and they specifically say no bikes. If you own the property you get to make the rules. Based on the "steps" system that they have in place, I'd never want to ride a bike there. All of the trails at Lakeway are well understood by the community. Parking at Canyonlands allows you to do both Mt. Lakeway and the Hamilton Greenbelt so for those of us that like the longer day of riding, it's a better option. Some other reasons are there that I won't get into on a public site.

It is getting really stinky now. 😟

I LOVE hiking at Bull Creek. I've tried to ride it a few times and ended up just carrying my bike through a lot of it. there's just no flow there that I could find. I enjoy a challenging trail, but Bull Creek is generally not rideable. I don't know about trails at Valburn but it's likely a grey area trail that no one talks about for good reason. you should probably leave it out of the discussion if that is the case. Forest Ridge is a sore topic for mountain bikers. that was a popular spot before I arrived in Austin and access was taken away. you probably don't want to poke that bear. I'd like to go hike River Place some time but it's pretty clear that bikes are not allowed. can't comment on Mt. Lakeway as I have only been there once. I started at the trailhead on Trophy and I think I rode the main trails will all the switchbacks up to the top, down the backside, then road the wide trail back around.

Yes a course and a limited number of permits during nesting season. No dogs allowed either.

Think it is open to hikers outside warbler nesting season. Closed to everyone March 1 - July 31. There might be a course/test you can take to gain access during the closed season- can’t remember the details though.

something doesn’t smell right

there are a lot of good reasons why a recreational e-mtb is useful and fun. I will keep reminding people, though, that the general embracement of putting a motor on everything is leading toward this: I stand by this assessment. for everyone who is able, HTFU and pedal a bike with the legs God gave ya.