Leaderboard

So we did it. We watched countless RV videos over the last 5 years and @Barry found the perfect Toy Hauler. This past weekend was the inaugural trip to Blowing Springs AK. I am not sure which was more enchanting, sleeping next to a babbling creek or riding to the trailhead from the RV. I'm super interested in finding other RV sites that are biking distance to trail heads. I am currently researching a Muse OK, Hot Springs AK trip. Anyone willing to share their fav RV Biking combos?

Dunno what you're talking about, it was bone dry at the ranch. (Actually, mostly was ok but for low hanging cloud. 90% of mess I picked up was from low down and near parking field. No pb&j that I saw. Still, probably not good for a crowd. Still, going with the flow here and based on hydromet and noaa rain totals it was tossup between trying RHR & Pace Bend; ended up going RHR since that'd leave me possibly better set for return to N-Austin trail for R&I should that come together (which clearly, not, at this point). Wasn't raining, didn't look like it had just done so either, but certainly morning dew or ambient moisture was a thing as the top surface of the grass and shrubs in the open a bit moist. Under cover, nada, just not as much cover there as one would like? Today, just some mist hanging in the air ... just ... hanging ... so glad I had my big shields in front of my eyes. In motion kept clear enough for fair vision and good protection. Not much wheel kick at all honestly, just ending coming down back into the field. {shrug} Didn't get as much miles as i'd have liked, and honestly I had in mind to ping-pong some of the trail to add but with the hanging mist I just wasn't into it. What-evs, tomorrow comes with fresh options. I would have loved to play on the built features but as I was riding magically through a cloud, solo, chose not to. The added whoop-dips before & after Wall are a great addition. I think it's great the place is back "on" and getting some love, I hope that it continues to do so. SOO, many memories tied up with RHR brought back today. 6 hour events, 24 hour events with chunky peanut butter jamming everyone up, or the drunks shouting "do a trick" at the top of the hill before the reg building, bunny hopping my first rattlesnake - much to the consternation of those following me, Torture Test. You get it, or you don't, i'm not going maudlin here. Ended the ride with a classic cool beverage to recharge a bit, then worked my way back to town and found a post ride snack at an old standby that i'm happy is still standing and jeepers but have we missed that brisket! The Mrs is working up recipes to try, now that we have a smoker, but we haven't gotten "there" yet. Trip Total: 3 rides, 49 miles, 5190 ft up. (and dang-nab it I SHOULD have backtracked some trail just to hit that number) Hopefully Wed will be better for trail time.

State parks that have trail systems are great. There are several that we have stayed in. So are Army Corp places. Ya know, like Dana Peak. 😁 Maverick RV in Lajitas is a good place. Feb 22-26 would be a great time to go. We enjoyed camping at Blowing Springs. It was cool watching other bikers ride by right behind our site. Congratulations on the new RV. No more having your tent blown away!

NOVEMBER 19, 2022 Pivot Cycles Demo Day at Spider Mountain: https://www.pivotcycles.com/en/event/spider-mountain-mtb-demo/

Whoa, Turkey Mountain got a face lift!!!! Bales connects to Turkey Mountain now, for the most fun IMBA Spec single track. OG trails are still there if you crave the beat down. They are so much fun! Come and LMK if you need a guide. These are likely to be my new Walnut Creek.

Eminent Cycles had a demo tent at Spider last Saturday. I'm not usually one to demo bikes, but I had never ridden a high-pivot bike before so I handed over my ID and credit card and - 30 minutes later - off I went. I took the Haste (170/160mm) for 3 runs down the hill and while it was a nice bike, it certainly didn't make me want to "upgrade" from my Ripmo AF. I'm sure you could chalk some of it up to familiarity, but I just think my current rig felt better in that environment. I'm sure Spider isn't necessarily the best place to experience all the benefits of the high pivot, so maybe I'd feel differently if I was able to ride it somewhere else. I also thought the spec on the bike was pretty unimpressive for a $7000 bike.

A few old goats brewery in Roanoke is CRUSHING it with their bottle aged beers. This one's a total standout. Almost as good as the cheap as dirt Canadian beers I got spoiled on over the summer 😁