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They've finished the overpass in Bella Vista now, so getting into Bentonville is much easier (the 1-2 PITA lights in BV have a ton less traffic now).  Much nicer if you're staying in BV and want to run into Bentonville.

The tunnel under is somewhat back up and running.  They're still working on it so if workers are present they'll probably chase you off, but on the weekend it's easy to ride over to SP using the path.

Yeah, got out there to ride it recently and did pretty much everything as a sort of going away ride assuming I can't make the race.  Back area after Omar's was getting pretty overgrown (Jeep road especially, Coyote Run, etc) so will take a good bit to get it race ready.   Definitely sad to see all of what I considered the good stuff going away, but things change.  

Bit rainy this week but trails are in great shape.  It rained a bunch Monday night and I was surprised that the trails were already dry by afternoon minus some slick rocks.  

Staying at the Blowing Springs campground as usual - bit crowded but nice for trail access and cell signal is very good, especially with a booster (required since I'm working from camper and will be here 3 weeks).   The only bummer is that the intersection near the interstate is under construction, and it's pretty sketchy riding to the slaughter pen area or into town.

What's his price range on it?  I'm selling an SS soon probably, but not really an urban bike (carbon stumpjumper SS).  Doubt it's what he's looking for but wanted to mention it.

On 1/19/2021 at 12:40 PM, loop_out said:

For me, the difference between 3.0 and 2.5 does not feel like much.  I went from 3.0 DHF/DHR on a hard tail to 2.5 Assegais on a full suspension.  If anything, the 2.5 Assegais feel slower to me on the really smooth stuff.  Obviously, there are other factors at play like the wheelset, the suspension, etc., but for me, running tires that wide was just another factor influencing speed, and not an overwhelming one like I thought it could be.    

Yeah, Assegais can double as boat anchors.  They are so, so grippy though.

30 minutes ago, AntonioGG said:

If BSS Research goes away, then I essentially will have no LBS.  Buck's Bikes, Music City Cycles, Hammerhead, and Nelo's are dead.   I will not drive up to Parmer location for a quick trip.  If I do I may as well hit Peddlers since they have been so influential in trail/feature building.  I used to do a group ride out of AJ's years ago.  Are they still around?

I already didn't like the limited selection of non-Bontrager/non-Specialized stuff.

For those that have been to Trek stores, do they carry Maxxis/Continental or other tire brands?

AJ's closed their Parmer location earlier this year.  I'm not sure about the GT one.

Edit: looks like they are in liberty hill now

Gone, won't let me edit post for whatever reason.

2 hours ago, skinned elbows said:

I just bought a cheap $20 handlebar mount 800 lumens off Amazon seems a little spotty shining in backbyard but we'll see how it performs on trail ... probably combo it with a cheap headlight I have

Sent from my SM-A115AZ using Tapatalk
 

Fair warning - always keep an eye on them when they're charging.  I've seen lots of stories about cheap lights and the batteries catching on fire when charging, usually in regards to the cheap stuff you get from china on ebay.

On 10/13/2020 at 9:19 PM, Big_papa_nuts said:

There was a Cedar Park City council member that made the news by saying something about how bikes don't deserve to be on the roads. Can't find it currently, but if I could I'd vote that prick out. I will also say the Mel Kirkland came by the shop after it happened to apologize on the council's behalf, so he seems cool.

I remember that dude.  He also had some other crazy statements unrelated to bikes.  Tim Kelly was his name, I think.

It's beautiful right now, high of 71!  We're thinking of extending our stay another week past the 9th.  

So far my favorite ride has been Hobbs State Conservation Area - Wolf Den and Karst Loop - very pretty trail!  

Just an FYI - right now the Razorback Greenway is closed just south of Blowing Springs RV Park (right past the new north location of Phat Tire Bike Shop) due to highway work and you either have to drive around or do the fairly unsafe ride on the highway or a 3ish mile reroute on a 2 lane road w/ no shoulder (but not much traffic)   A factor if you're staying in Bella Vista or camping at Blowing Springs and want to ride to Slaughter Pen.

On 9/20/2020 at 4:59 PM, AntonioGG said:

Dangit!  My turn again.  My first encounter with a motor vehicle.  I got right-hooked.  I'm not going to lay blame or take blame or turn this into that type of discussion, but I'm a firm believer in my ability to put myself in a situation were I have escape options, and I didn't this time.  I'm lucky to have gotten off with a bone chip on my shoulder, 3 stitches on my finger and some road rash.  I got completely checked out and I'm up and about doing easy chores after watching the TdF final stage.  My bike is another story.  2019 Roubaix with a cracked fork, cracked seat stay, probably some other damage in addition to its road rash.  My helmet saved my life.  EMT said it would have been a different call otherwise.

Ouch!  Glad you escaped relatively unscathed! Heal fast!  

Obviously a scam listing, but the text was great.

https://austin.craigslist.org/bik/d/austin-santa-2019-cruz-hightower-carbon/7200309852.html

(pic is clearly a carbon hightower w/ a chain on it)

29er Tubeless Santa Cruz
It is an indestructible, steel frame, mean machine.
Upgraded to Shimano hydraulic disc brakes, and added dropper post recently.
It is silent, no chain, no lube,no grease,no issue.
Me AtText now ::
Belt is more reliable than a chain and lasts a lot longer.
The cleaning process is just to use a water hose and aim.

I honestly just walk that feature these days.  I've been OTB on it too due to badly placed rocks.   It should be easy, but it seems like it changes every time and I'm not risking injury on it.

They are great wheels - have heard nothing but good reviews.   I've been thinking of picking up a set for my Cutthroat soon.

Local company, great folks - the owner used to work at BSS and is a super nice guy.

7 minutes ago, Big_papa_nuts said:

The problem being that bike shop employees, who have no special training or equipment, now have to deal with five hundred percent more customers. I worry for all the shop workers who will catch this thing because people are bored.

Not sure about other shops but BSS has been pretty stringent on their precautions.   If you're bringing your bike in for service, you put it on a rack next to a tent, walk away, and they wipe it down and take it in.  You either wait in your car for online orders or pay at the entrance to the shop if you're picking a bike up.   No one actually goes in the store (at least at Research location)

Yeah, I've definitely seen more bikes on the road of the cruiser/hybrid variety in the past few weeks.  Have also had to inform several parents that kids are required to have helmets on - I generally mind my own business but I make an exception for kids without helmets - it can cause life-changing damage and they don't know any better, so it's up to the parents to take responsibility.

I've also been taking my bikes in for needed service I've been putting off to make sure to throw business their way.

On 3/30/2020 at 11:12 AM, AustinBike said:

ATTENTION!!!! The Pickle is open! I repeat, the Pickle is open!

Went for a ride up Shoal Creek today, shot over Gnarnia and was just going to roll around and see what was happening. The Pickle gates were wide open. I could get from my house up to the Domain easily with no issue whatsoever. Of course, the Domain was all shut down, but I digress. I have a nice 20 mile lap that goes through that area up to the NWCT and back. Now I know I can continue up Shoal Creek and not have to use the secret cut-through to the Mopac frontage.

Literally, this is the highlight of my week. This and finding out what a shrub rake is. Clearly it is going to be a long 30 days...

Rode that way yesterday and Pickle back gate was fenced off.  Looks like it be hit or miss depending on the day (Wednesday @ 2PM).

3 hours ago, Chief said:

Attempted to ride my gravel bike on the hike and bike at Brushy yesterday, OMFG!!!! Every heel peddling, helmet less, I haven't been out of the house in 10 years m'fer was out on the trail. I mean packs of people everywhere. The YMCA parking lot was full to capacity. I had to turn my gravel ride into a road ride and I'm thinking that might be what I do from now on. So many people on the trail that the road was a safer option! Once again INSANITY!

I've been riding more of the lesser used gravel/trails in the area.  Only did a brief stint on brushy last week to connect to something else.  I can PM you the route I did if you want.

1 minute ago, mack_turtle said:

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/196234/covid19-imperial-researchers-model-likely-impact/

the implications are shocking.

"do nothing, don't overreact, this thing will burn itself out" will result in about 2-4 million of American deaths from the virus. we'll far exceed our resources to deal with it quickly.

mitigation - closing some things and "social distancing" could easily result in up to 2 millions American deaths.

suppression- sucky closing of everything, the economy takes a big dump, lots of people have horrible side effects. but the death count is down to a few thousand and tapers off after three weeks.

a vaccine is more than a year and a half away. dig in.

Yeah, I was trying to argue that point on Facebook this morning.  Based on Italy's data, this is the best path to avoid many, many deaths.  But 'I'm an RN and think this is overblown!' is apparently better than hard numbers and data science studies.

Trail runners are fine with me.   Same as others - only time it annoys me is when I have to yell at the top of my lungs to let them know I'm behind them due to earbuds.   

Co Bend fills up pretty often.  I've been a few times where I've seen the park closed due to capacity sign.  Same with Pedernales - we were there a week or two and they were turning people away as we were leaving.

Yeah, last time I went out there in the summer they were pretty overgrown.  Probably not as bad in the winter, though.  I usually ride it on my cross bike when I'm up there.  Nice little section of trails to add in to a bigger road/gravel/singletrack ride.

To be honest, it annoys me more that one land owner (who doesn't own the land the trail is on) gets to dictate trail closures than all the people who use the public land.  There was zero reason to close that trail beyond 'Hey, I can see the rabble from my house! Begone!' unless I'm missing something.  The trail isn't even used that much.  They knew they bought against parkland, and should be expecting it to be used, not be their own private back yard.