CBaron

2 minutes ago, JRIDER said:

Where are we starting from?

Location: Lake Georgetown Trail (LGT)
Time: Monday, 8am meet, 8:15 rollout. 
Place: Russel Park parking lot, Georgetown 
Pace: Steady tempo for 2 clockwise laps Realistically it looks more like 1 lap

More details are listed in the first post at the top of the page.  We will be leaving from Russell Park.  If you've never been there, then the 
trail head" is over around to the right before you get to the guard shack.  It sorta like a little cut de sac parking off to the right.  It should not be too hard to find.

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At this moment in time, I'm saying this thing is on.  But I want everyone to know that this place is 15-18 miles of FULL ROCKS and will be very (additionally) challenging if we get caught in the rain mid-lap.  Please plan accordingly.

I've got a feed for a weather station that is located about 1 mile for the lake.  If its legitimately raining in the morning, then I will make call here (and on Mojo) in the morning by 7am.

Thanks -CJB

You guys are awfully quiet out there!?!

At this moment, I'm thinking optimistically.  This means a 30% chance of rain, also means 70% chance of NO RAIN!  

I've been watching the weather forecast and honestly, the scattered nature of the precipitation forecast makes it a very difficult thing to call.  It would be better if the skies open up and dump rain.  I myself tend towards being on the "lets go" side of the ride-call forecasts.  But when I'm making the call, and feel a sense of responsibility for others, I'm a bit more conservative!  LGT is not a trail to be messed with in many ways.

That being said, we could reschedule this (2 lap) ride for next Sunday?

I'm just wanting to gather input and scheme some options.  My goal is to help as many of you who desire to get 2 laps under your belt to do so.  If at all possible, I'd like to have a decision made before we all go to bed tonight.

POST UP!

Thanks -CJB

6 minutes ago, Albert said:

That may be true, before getting this bike a few years ago, I hadn't ridden drop bars since I was probably a teenager.  I'd be a bit happier with it if I had brake levers I could use when my hands are on the flat part of the bar.  Or I could stick a straight handlebar on it.  😄 

 ..Al

Ok, I'll play....

In case any of you skinny wheeled punks are out there hiding in the wings, I'm contemplating showing up to the weekly Saturday AM "Bagel Ride".  I can't recall the EXACT details from memory, but they roll out from Parmer & Tech Ridge around 7:30am.  Its a pretty big group sometimes between 30-50 riders.  At the 'midway' convenience store refuel, the group splits off into a long and short group.  Long usually goes 70-80; short 50-60 miles.  I'm thinking about doing short.

So if you can handle the mileage, HOLD A PACELINE, and enjoy the melodic hum of 50 pairs of tires singing along the central Texas tarmac, feel free to join in.

Later -CJB

It seems to me that the momentum has swung over to this forum, so I wanted to bring this ride call over to here also.

I've been holding out until I could get a better window into the potential weather for Monday. There's both good and bad. The good, is that it looks like the temps will be easing off. This is very VERY good. The bad news is that there's a 60% chance of rain at 7am Monday morning. Therefore, we'll just have to keep waiting and seeing.

Thanks
CJB

I made this ride call last year back when this Dragon Slayer thing was a little-known curiosity of an event. Both this pre-ride and then actual event went so well that I figured I'd make an (unofficial) pre-ride call again. Last year we had 12 people show up, however this time, I'm suspecting the turnout may be much bigger. I'm planning to keep most everything the same from last year except the starting location (since the DS start location was change...I too will change this to be the same as DS)


Location: Lake Georgetown Trail (LGT)
Time: Monday, 8am meet, 8:15 rollout. 
Place: Russel Park parking lot, Georgetown 
Pace: Steady tempo for 2 clockwise laps

Last year, I (many of us?) were uncertain about lap times and pacing. I think most of us have that figured out a bit by now. But if you don't, then this could be a good chance for you to work on it. As for myself, I plan to do a steady tempo for the 1st lap, then possibly pick it up a notch (or 2) for the second lap. This is pretty much how it went for the 4 of us in my 'group' last year. That being said, everyone is free to ride this ride how you choose. Below is a cut-n-paste from my 'ride guidance' from last year.
 

 

 Originally Posted by CBaron 

**PLEASE NOTE**

I tried to elude to this in my OP ride call, but I want to restate it again for everyone's benefit. I don't consider this a "group ride" in the traditional sense of the word. I don't plan (for anyone) to wait on people, or hurdle up for a mechanical or group-change flat tires and such. The best way to think of this is as a solo ride, where you'll be leaving with probably 10 other riders. If we happen to set a similar pace then great. If not, no big deal. The comfort and camaraderie here is in partaking in the similar endeavors on Monday, not so much in riding hand-n-hand as a big group. My experience in open ride calls is that we will get a variety of skill levels, a variety of agendas and all sprinkled in with some random mechanicals. Therefore, I just want everyone to be on the same page when we start.

All that being said, if you're interested in (pre) riding the trail on Monday, please come out! Forecast is showing great weather (71* @ 8am) and the chance of rain is fairly low. I'd bet that the trail should be in good shape by that time. And then the most important factor is that its 5 weeks out from the Dragonslayer ride. This makes it a critical window for building fitness in time for that event (which is the main reason I'm going to be out there). Additionally, its always good to get more trail data and bike setup info while out there (the 2nd reason I'll be there). If you have any questions or comments, please post up.

Later,
CJB

Here is a link to the Mojo thread from last year's ride call: Monday Sept 4th: LGT (unofficial) Dragonslayer pre-ride call


Once again, if you have any questions or comments, please post them up. I'm also attaching my Strava file from last year's ride in case anyone is interested.

Strava File from last year:
https://www.strava.com/activities/1168514299

Thanks
CJB

notyal- you are 100% correct about asking for advice.  I NEVER ask for advice, because you will always get it.  Instead, my method is to seek out council from just a few respected sources.  I've designed about 3-4 different jerseys for cycling teams/clubs that I've been a part of.  My #1 requirement for me taking on this task has been that nobody gets to see the design until I'm finished (because EVERYONE wants to be a critic).  Sorry Al....

But now that we are here, I think notyal's choice above is s-t-r-o-n-g!  It could easily contain all the elements needed for Albert's logo: a mountain, a bike wheel or chainring, the site's name, possible a defining feature of Austin (Capital, 360 bridge, Bat, etc..) [but once again less is more]

Cheers -CJB

I sit next to 2 designers at my work.  We discuss these things quite often as we've (semi) recently gone through this exercise for the project that I've been working on here at my job.  

Modern design "trends" have evolved to be much more clean and simple.  An elegance that is accomplished with less.  It could be somewhat thought of as the "Apple way" of design.  There is no doubt that they have popularized it (and I happened to have worked there for 6 years and it gets ingrained in part of the corp culture too).  Therefore, I keep coming back to the options and offered here as a bit kitchy and dated.  I LOVE ME SOME TEXAS!  But its really been over-used in standard basic ways.  Same with chinrings and MTB silhouettes.  Maybe it really doesn't matter for a new startup forum logo, but IMHO these kinds of things do matter when it begins to represent a brand, image or tribe.  Al I say challenge your designer to stretch himself; do something that is UNIQUE....DIFFERENT.  How would Apple design a MTB community logo?  (and still be gritty and earthy?)  Maybe something with a vintage nod to it:  

Clean and simple logo desgins https://99designs.com/blog/creative-inspiration/simple-logo-design/

Maybe something with a vintage nod to it:  https://99designs.com/launch/logo-design/89ec0e85ae5e1235/visualbrief/designs  (these are not all vintage but you can gather a variety of inspiration from many of these examples)

This guy Aaron Draplin is a legend in the realm of retro and simple: https://goo.gl/images/MiiuUy   Outdoorsy and earthy examples of his: https://goo.gl/images/JpJyRY  I bet something like that could be done with a simple MTB'er logo, a simple thick-lined mountain, and RWB TX colors giving a nod to the state.

Just ideas....

-CJB

If I have to make a choice then I say #2 for sure.  What point is it to have the state on there.....but then have half of it cut-off?  Especially the part that makes Texas so identifiable?  

But to give some additional feedback, if this is Austin Mountainbiking, then is Texas even needed?  Just something to think about.  Additionally, I can't say that I dig the MTB rider silhouette all that much either.  Seems a bit outa the 90's.

And because any strong criticism should come with something constructive: Here is a link to the 175 yr commemorative Austin logo that was designed back in 2014.  I have a suspicion that this may be able to be used open-source, but I get I'd check on that for sure.  If nothing else it could be used as inspiration for something clean, current, Austin & Texas. (maybe substitute MTB where the 175 is on the banner).  http://austin.culturemap.com/news/home-design/12-23-14-austin-texas-175th-anniversary-gsdm-logo-t-shirt/#slide=0     https://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/new_logo_for_city_of_austins_175th_anniversary_by_gsdm.php  https://goo.gl/images/UGZn1e

I use my Timex Wristwatch set to a 50 min repeating countdown.  I skip the 1st time if goes off and then begin consumption at the 2nd alarm.  1hr 20m is a good place for me to begin.  I found that with 40-45 min it was too quick and I had to FORCE the food down.  But with an hour, it was too long and depending on my efforts/pacing, I could begin to feel the hunger.  YMMV

-CJB

Albert- I'm not that great with park names and entrance locations, however, if I'm not mistaken, most of the downed trees began at Crockett Gardens and continued (clockwise) along the trail for probably 1 mile or so?  The reason I say this is that when making my clockwise lap out there on Saturday, I first ran across that NASTY group of large tree-fall at Crockett Gardens.  Then after that, I'd run into a downed tree about every 50-100yds repeated for 3-5 times.  

Just wanting to give you guys feedback from my dazed & confused state out there this weekend.

Thanks a bunch for putting in this work.  Its much appreciated.

-CJB

He needs to locate an XL size bike.

I'd take this all day over that 26" wheeled hardtail Cannondale. https://austin.craigslist.org/bik/d/specialized-comp-rock-hopper/6677749607.html

Hmmmmm....

Once again, just my own personal opinion, but that is a $500 bike max.  The simple fact that its just a hardtail drops the value considerably.  Yes, for that period in time it was a quality level C-Dale.  But dang, I bet that bike is 15-18 yrs old.  The best part about this bike is that the front fork has been gone through by Mendon Cyclesmith.  That guy is a wiz with Leftys and HeadShox.  Have you considered trying to locate something around here and shipping it to him?  I wonder if a better solution could be had that way?

But here's another philosophical point I like to tell "new riders":  By being the family-neighborhood-friend's "bike guy" people always ask me what I think about the price of this bike or that bike.  Of course, I'll give them feedback and my opinion, however, I also tell them another way to think about it.  Example: if your bro talks this C-Dale guy down to $400, buys it and then it sits in your bro's garage un-ridden for a year....then he paid WAY TOO much for that bike.  But if he went over there and paid $750 for that bike ($50 over asking price), and he spent the next year or so riding the wheels off of it.  Then he got a GREAT deal on the bike!  

Matt, I know you understand these things, so this isn't really directed towards you.  But I do think about it when I end up giving people my opinions of bike values.  Especially those people who are sorta getting started in the 'good bike' realm.

Cheers  -CJB

My thoughts are that Bicycle Blue Book is a joke.  I consider it nearly completely irrelevant.  I've bought and sold many (used) bikes and they never follow (up or down) the bike blue book formula.  ESPECIALLY, here in Austin where there is a much healthier bicycle market and things tend to go for higher priced.  

I have no idea the bike market in Ohio.  But selling anything is not unlike going fishing.  What kind of bait are you fishing with, what size fish do you want to catch, and how long do you want to wait?  Obviously, your not the kind of fish they are hoping to catch.

If you want my less philosophical thoughts on these adds...beside the fact that they are the antiquated 26" wheeled steeds, they both seem like pretty nice bikes.  The C-Dale has some fancy parts on it, but then you have to buy into all their singular C-Dale standards.  The Specy looks newer and less used.  I think thats the one that is a better deal. I'd pay $6-750 for it.

Later  -CJB 

From what I've heard this (or something like it) is not a new occurrence.  I believe I heard about it well over a year ago.

-CJB

If we are throwing out suggestions than I say we head to Bentonville!  Shorter drive, plenty of resources, great variety of riding.  The only thing that it really falls short on is being "remote".

-CJB

Lots of good info in this thread.  I've got so much to say that I don't even know where to begin.

I will say this...if you are not acutely working towards becoming fat-adapted via a Ketogenic way of eating, then you should primarily be focused on eating/consuming/fueling yourself the traditional way via glucose/carbs/sugars.  Its simply how its done: your body needs it, requires it and wants to burn it.  Figuring out the exact combo for yourself can take time but the basic formulas can be followed and tweaked with good results.  I liked to go on super long rides and listen to my body's needs.  I found that after consuming gels & gu bloks for a long portion of the ride, I liked to actually have something solid.  It could be a PB&H(honey), or ideally a 7-11 personal size pecan pie.  Love those things!  Hydration-wise, I would run 1 bottle of water, and 1 bottle of overly saturated self-mixed gatoraid powder that I'd keep adding water to through the ride.  If I was going deep into pain cave then at some point I'd top the gatoraid off with mtn dew.  During races, I set my watch to do a 50 min countdown timer.  I then skip the 1st alarm (at 50 min) and beginning with the 2nd alarm, I use it as a reminder to eat a gel about every 50 min.  It took a good bit of experimentation to end up at this number.  Don't let yourself get to "feeling hungry".  If you end up there, you just went too long!

The information below is from the point of view of someone who has actively and aggressively been working towards being a fat-adapted athlete:

All that being said, I've been eating a Ketogenic style ever since January (with a  2 week break in July).  On a daily basis, I regularly consume about only 25-35 net carbs a day (of which about 12-15 grams of those are sugars).  On days before a big(ger) event, I do eat a small sweet potato the night before as a low-glycemic carb-up.  This was my method for these 2 laps out at LGT and I did a door-to-door time of 6hr flat. https://www.strava.com/activities/1449950329  All of this ride was done consuming no more than 400 calories, of which only 150 of them came from the Stinger Waffle.  The other 250 calories came from MCT oil.  Likewise, I used this same methodology 2 weeks later at the Ouachita Challenge with good results. https://www.strava.com/activities/1471935804  At the OC I only consumed about 600 calories total, but 3/4 of them came from Hammergel.  I've been doing this the first 1/2 of this year as a physiological experiment of sorts.  Just to see how it all works.  I REALLY like the day to day result of eating like this.

Now on to the downsides:

During my time as a Keto athlete (cyclist), I find that I regularly have a 'dead legs' sensation.  My legs feel a little bit flat.  But I can perform and get results even with this sensation.  I find myself having PB/PRs and occasional KOM's.  But I regularly don't feel fresh.  So the most recent time of my Keto experiment has been trying to add in some targeted carbs just prior to my rides to see if this could help.  Yes, yes it does.  I've found that 1 Hammergel about 30-45 min prior to a ride can pretty much completely remove by dead-leg syndrome.  Last week I did what amounted to a 2.4 mile 6 lap circuit race with a bunch of roadies. https://www.strava.com/activities/1788820876  I'm still experimenting with how to best harness this in combination with my endurance riding and events.  But as the experiment goes forward, I'm still trying to find out what can work best for me.  In closing, I will say that its not all be great either.  This weekend I attempted a to ride my concept of an EB LGT-Parmer-Deception Prologue and crashed & burned badly.  It was possibly one of the single worst days I've ever had on a bike.  https://www.strava.com/activities/1797161605  I'm still trying to analyze what happened.  But I can't deny that nutrition could have played a part in it of some sorts.  And the heat...and my fitness...and my pride...

In summary, I think you have to find what works best for you.  And in order to do that you have to put in the time (on the bike) to have successes and failures.  Most of my pre-Keto methodology had been pretty finely honed through much training/practice/racing.  And to be honest, I'm not sold-out to Keto.  I'm very willing to go back to that way of eating.  I somewhat foresee a possible combo where I race on a glucose source and then live day-to-day on a low-carb lifestyle.  But if I end up there, in retrospect it could have taken nearly a year to figure that out.

Later  -CJB

Your old man moaning at the end is golden stuff.  I don't mean that in an inflammatory way ether.  You get right back up on the horse!  But you can tell you took a hit.  I've always wanted to see the full speed version of this video.  Of course the slow has cool effect, but I think more could be learned in regular speed.

Later  -CJB

When I got my Stache it came with a factory dropper post.  I used it 4x's in a month of regular riding.  I just simply didn't *need* it.  In fact, it sorta messed up the way I like to ride techy stuff.  But I'm (nearly a lone) wierdo like that.  Dropper is for sale now.

-CJB

Thanks a bunch to you all Albert!  I'd like to buy beers for that crew.  You all deserve it, that had to be some serious work.

If everything get taken care of between Cedar Breaks and Sawyer, then it would get everything.  The rest of the trail sections seemed fine to me.

-CJB

Wow Al!  Good on you guys for tackling that!  I was just commenting in the DS event thread about this.  It was (is) some of the worst tree-fall I'd ever seen in Austin.  I'd even considered canceling the (unofficial) DS pre-ride next Monday because of it.  I rode LGT (and more) yesterday and that area was a HUGE PIA to get through.

Thanks!  -CJB

Desert Nomad-

Have you heard about the massive tree-fall near Crockett Gardens (and further up in direction of Sawyer)?  Its some of the worst tree-fall I've seen in ATX.  Looks like a down draft came through and knocked over some HUGE trees.  Additionally, there may be 4-5(?) more trees that have fallen over as you head towards Sawyer.  Each fallen area is separated by about 100 yds.  Some are notable, some are just annoying.

Thanks -CJB

Oh and to add a comment about your question regarding the best way to train for long distance.  I know this is a 4 letter word around here...but riding the road bike can be a G-R-E-A-T way to build depth into your fitness.  If I do any structured training, then its almost always done on a road bike.  Additionally, getting out in a group of 30-40 riders who are on the gas, and you don't really know your way back (or have enough pride to not want to get dropped), then you'll dig amazingly deep into the pain-bank during those times.  Much MUCH harder than I'd ever go on a MTB, and that does wonders for your overall level of fitness.

-Cody "I like all bikes" Baron

IMHO one of the things you have to have really dialed in for the DS are your "touch points".  You need to have the correct saddle, clothing, gloves (multiple pairs?), shoes, grips, etc.. 

-CJB