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On 12/30/2019 at 3:24 PM, mack_turtle said:

I wish I had done this a long time ago. I just contacted them to get some of these maps. We went on a ride yesterday and relied on some Ride with GPS routes and Google maps. as it turns out, many of the roads you see on Google Maps are in fact private roads, but not marked as such. We took 114 south from Llano and ended up looping back to Hwy 16 so we could get back before sundown. we only hit a few miles of actual dirt and the slog back to the car sucked. I'll have to find some better routes for next time.

I also zoomed in on the satelite picture for several roads I know I rode during HHH, and it appears that a lot of those roads are paved now.

Yeah, you have to be careful to really study when you're planning routes and use street view when possible.  There's quite a few times I've had to change routes because of that issue - looks like a county road on the map but has a big gate when viewed via street view.  Sucks, too, because sometimes it's really the only good way through without going many miles around or getting on unsafe roads.

59 minutes ago, TheX said:

I looked at the Wahoo bike, and at $3,500 it just didn't make sense. I have my Kona gravel bike setup on the Wahoo Kickr and the Kickr Climb. That was $1,700 without the bike. I use it at least 5 days a week. Since my wife is going through her heart/other issues it's the only riding I do most days.

Yeah, fairly similar on the price being worth it.  If we lived up north, where you're pretty much on a trainer 4 months out of the year, I'd probably consider it.  Down here, where I can ride my bike outside 90% of the time (more really, but I'm being lazy this year and not riding outside under 40 degrees), I don't think it's worth it.

Anyone think the north side will be dry this weekend?  Camping there and trying to decide whether to just take the road bike or take a MTB too and hope.

I've found the Avery Ranch Urgent Care over next  to Deception to be good and reasonably priced.   I've been there more than I'd necessarily like!

13 hours ago, AntonioGG said:

For those of you Zwifting, do you have a dedicated tablet, computer, or do you use your phone?  Do you have a monitor you can broadcast from your phone (e.g. airplay)?  For trainerroad I use my laptop sometimes but other times the phone seems so much easier.  It seems like I could use a monitor I can just broadcast to from my phone for something like Zwift.

I use the AppleTV app usually, sometimes laptop with HDMI to TV.

On 1/20/2020 at 2:45 PM, Brd said:

Hey,

 

Is the epo still available?

Yep!

7 hours ago, AntonioGG said:

Interesting.  They didn't go for the expensive stuff, probably figuring they could unload these easier?

Saw the list and wondered that too.  I figure it's cause there's a ton more of those types of bikes out and easier to sell something for 500-800 without people asking questions. 

Along I-10 there are a few good places.   

-Flat Rock Ranch in Comfort is a fun ride.  A good bit of climbing with some tech mixed in if you do both loops.

- Big Bend Ranch SP - I'd say if you start at the parking next to the visitor center, go do the Dome Loop + Fresno Divide trail - it's about 22 miles.  Very remote with no cell coverage, so make sure you pack extra of what you think you'll need (also recommend a light jacket in the pack - weather changes fast sometimes)

El Paso has Franklin Mountains State Park - also a fun ride.  Quite a bit of climbing if you do the loop, though.

1 hour ago, The Tip said:

Hey that's my bike!

Why are you selling such a beautiful and fun bike? (if I may ask)

Too many bikes!  I've got a SS and a Ripmo and I find myself riding the SS on tamer trails and Ripmo on trails that really need the squish, so it's kind of in the middle.  If I had to limit myself to one bike, I'd keep the Giant and get rid of the others.

Carbon frame, carbon wheels, Fox parts.  Excellent suspension and fairly slack - enough travel for most trails in the area but doesn't drag when you're riding to trails or walnut.  $3200 starting, probably would go lower, but wanted to price it a bit higher than what I'd take for all the CL people who send ridiculous lowball offers.

Details/pics at the CL post:

https://austin.craigslist.org/bik/d/austin-giant-trance-advanced-29-pro-1/7046353385.html

Thanks guys!

1 hour ago, Browndog said:

 

 

I can’t find the place I stayed a couple of years ago but any place close to downtown or Crystal Bridges will have access to trails with no driving.

I turn 40 in May also. I think I’m just going to stop counting birthdays.


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Good plan!  I already feel like i'm falling apart some days at 39!

Planning a trip up to Bentonville for my 40th bday coming up in May, and wanted to see if anyone had recommendations on AirBnBs they've used before.  There seem to be a ton up there, so hoping to narrow it down a bit.

I got them with my Ripmo.  Looked at the weight and was pretty iffy.   That was 2-3 months ago and I planned on swapping them out after a ride or two.  I'm still riding them, because while they are slow, the grip is awesome. 

 I will say they are *not* great if you ride to trails.  I can definitely feel the drag on the road when I'm riding to Deception.   Not something I'd run if I was riding 5+ miles to trails each way - I'd probably sacrifice the grip for something better rolling.

Edit: looked up the 29er weights.  

Minion:

Assegai:

So not much different really, though I can't remember if I have EXO+ or not on the bike right now.

Yeah, all my other lights have had separate battery packs, so wasn't used to this feature.  

1 hour ago, RedRider3141 said:

Amazon is having a decent sale on the NR Lumina 1100 Boost. I have the 950 version myself and like it alot. On dawn/dusk rides it's my only light, on full night rides its my secondary (helmet light). 

 

https://www.amazon.com/NiteRider-Lumina-Boost-Headlight-Black/dp/B071LRBF78/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=B071LRBF78&qid=1576080562&s=sporting-goods&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&sr=1-1

Picked this up a week or two ago.  Works well!  I've only used it on the road bike so far, but seems very bright.

Note:  When you get it, it won't power on.  You have to hold the button down for 7 seconds to clear the factory lock before the light will work.

Doh, same weekend as the RHR race. 😞

54 minutes ago, csmceuen said:

My newest bike came with Assegais front and rear. I thought I would hate them for the rolling resistance and weight, but man I love this tire. I did not think I would find a tire I like more than a minion, but this is a solid competitor at this point. I certainly would not want it for anything remotely flat, but techy climbing and steep descents are amazing on it. 

Yeah, riding to trails on those is definitely a drag (pun intended).  Anything technical or loose is awesome though.

My Ripmo came with Maxxis Assegai 2.5 WTs on it.   I know they're heavy as hell and slow rolling, and I keep meaning to swap them out, but the grip is absolutely amazing, so I keep putting it off.  At this point, I'll probably just wait until they wear out before I go back to something like a Minion F / Rekon R, though I may stick with an Assegai F.

Ardents are one tire I never liked.  Maybe they've improved it over the years (I think they've went to Ardent Race and trail, with the race being like the older tires) - they hooked up great on loose stuff until all of the sudden they didn't.  There was like no transition/recovery from being upright to being on the ground.

Edit: For XC, I usually go with Ikons.  May try a different front tire this year with a little more grip since I seem to be getting more cautious in my cornering on XC tires.

23 hours ago, bestbike85 said:

It is a bit disappointing to see them throw in a number of people after the even had filled up and closed, while the waitlist hasn’t budged. 

Based on some of the names I see, I think those are event volunteers who got free registration.

Think Muleshoe will be good tomorrow?  It generally drains pretty well, but not sure with the dreary conditions we've had today.

6 hours ago, circuitbreaker said:

i would assume you need a long bed to use the insta-gater?

Probably not, would just need to angle the bike a bit.  I have a short bed 2500, which I think is a ft longer than a 150.

I use one of these if transporting one bike.  Picked up it used on ebay. - https://www.thule.com/en-us/us/bike-rack/truck-bed-bike-racks/thule-insta-gater-_-18344

That lets me keep both wheels on and is super simple to take out if I need to.   I throw a moving blanket over the tailgate if I have to have multiple bikes in.   I'd probably just get a hitch rack, but I use a trailer often and I don't want to have to swap out the rack every time.

Pretty sure no one on here would be doing that.

Oh yea, I've ridden there before.  There were a few trails at the time.  Unfortunately can't make the meeting tonight. 😞