CBaron

Here's my setup when I was originally building it out (2 yrs ago). Without my bike inside, it can be converted to a double bed setup and/or a desk/table for doing work or cooking when outside conditions are not optimal. I've used this with my son(s) for anything from riding/camping in Palo Duro to hanging out with @Pimpjuice at a national car show in Ft Worth (all us parked in RV area). The best thing about it is that its so efficient and cheap. In our Palo Duro trip, all of the overnight campsites work booked up. So we just parked near the bathrooms (in the day camping area) and inconspicuously slept there for the night (with the blinds up). The only real limitations to it are when it gets warm (summertime) and then the when nature calls in the middle of the night (but I have a basic solution for that too).

Here is a better photo of my setup. I've essentially got a single bed in the back of my truck (along with room for my bike). I can stealth camp this setup most anywhere urban or rural.

Thats a very nice bike and a good price. Except for the dorky bar ends.... -CJB

A few more

Spent 2 weeks traveling through CO and UT riding my bike and staying in my truck. Most of the trip is captured on my Strava, but figured I'd drop some highlight photos here to contribute to this awesome thread....

Little Sugar is a big solid ride (especially if your starting from town). I have a link above to the standard full loop. But below is a link to a more abbreviated loop we did a year ago. https://www.strava.com/activities/5425485652 Later, CJB

@WLemke Your day 2 itinerary is a MONSTER. And this is coming from someone who like to go long. I don't really wanna take the effort to post up all the links here, but if you send me a text I'll fwd my Strava over to you from my time(s) riding these trails. I'd guess you'd have a 7-8 hr ride if you where pedaling with intent. I've gone there by myself and done rides just like you are desiring. I can fwd you my strava links to them so you can get an idea of possibilities. Errrr.....here is a the forum page link to my 1st trip to Bentonville (2017). Much has been added since then and I've been back no less than 7x's since then. You might like my B40 day there (I rode over 7hrs on B40 alone). Well, since those posts can be found above, I went ahead and located my Little Sugar ride from a while back also. On this ride I was pretty fit coming off of 2.5 weeks in CO. Although I did stop a good bit to smell the roses, I did have 4h 40m of pedaling time. https://www.strava.com/activities/4187038708 And this is what our normal Day 1 chill, fun, exploratory ride usually looks like. https://www.strava.com/activities/5409551988 You can still text me if you want more info from me. Cheers, CJB 512-694-1319

Sounds good. I'll sent you a text message. -CJB

I'm needing to swap out bars on my son's old MTB. I'm looking for a short(sub 60mm) stem for 31.8mm bars. Anybody have something they could unload? Thanks CJB

You know you can easily do Lake Atalanta/Rail Yard and Mt Kessler all in the same day? This is how it was recommended to me my first trip up to NWA. https://www.strava.com/activities/1207861306 All of these are worthwhile additions to the main staples we typically ride. However, I usually try to ride Kessler in the AM on my way back home (since its so far South) There's a newish little section of trail between Slaighter Pen and B40 called Mad Hatter. Its a super fun steeper section of trail with some fun features. https://www.strava.com/activities/6927906592

I think I'm planning to make it -CJB

I love that you keep us updated with this. This sounds like such a quality bit of legislation for us as outdoor enthusiasts and cyclists. Is there anything we can do to help this along? Thanks CJB

I'm late to this thread...where are you? -CJB

Funny you say that, because I mention to my wife I think I have 'lizard blood'. Many times during the cooler weather months, once the sun comes out and shines on our trampoline, my wife will find me out on the trampoline literally sunning myself. It just makes me happy. I truly abhor the cold weather months when I have to roll out from the (warm) house into the cold temps wearing not much more than spandex & arm warmers.

What are the chances that those expert bike mechanics at that pawn shop did NOT crack the top tube with the bike stand clamp?? -CJB

I've pretty much been one of those guys. Born and raised here in TX and I quite like the heat. To be fair once the thermometer gets above 96-97* it becomes less bearable. But, I was dropped off yesterday after work at Suburban Ninja (at 4:15pm) and rode 3.5hrs of trail and street all way back to my house near WC. Not once did I think to myself if was overly hot or I should not have been doing it. In fact, I only had 3 water bottles with me. Admittedly I was a little under-watered by the end and wish I had consumed one more during my ride. But I'm all-good today. Later, CJB

Now you are correct in your assessment of STA. I did leave my Ripmo test ride thinking..."Sure is fun to bomb down God's, and even climb back up. But I'd HATE to have to pedal this thing 10 miles home on the road {or ride the EB on it]". Modern STA is a problem for me in that I pedal to the trail a good bit. Back when I was custom making my own frames, I'd spec a 72* STA in my personal bikes (with no setback). I considered seat post setback a sign of incorrect dimensions. -CJB

Possibly. Part of my non-cycling life is carved out buying, selling and (basic) restoration of classic cars with my son and his best friend. My oldest has paid his own way through college so far by doing this. Cheers, CJB

I find this an intriguing statement. My personal proclivities for a MTB are slightly different than most people, but I do share that appreciation for a reactive bike. However, I test rode an Ibis Ripmo 2 yrs ago and was very surprised at how well it performed. On paper, and from other peoples comments, I'd like to spend a weekend on the OIZ TR. Later, CJB

Man, I'd love to own this. I've got a work bench left over from the HH bike shop with a stainless steel top. I've been planning to bolt a vice onto. I've got a very decent sized basic vice for that purpose, this one just looks like a solid old beast. I'm not exactly sure what i have to offer for trade. I need to go dig around my garage stuff. I might have some road wheels, I do have an old beater fork, maybe some carbon seat posts, Magura disc brakes (that need a bleed)... nothing terribly exciting Just thinking out loud. -CJB

Thanks for the info. I was contemplating buying a shirt, but I already have 2 with a white background and a small blue question mark box in the center. I don't need another one. Thanks CJB

PM sent

"Back in the day" we would all ride through the TOL and then ride 'parade-style' down congress and then it would turn into a quasi-critical mass ride as everyone splintered off around downtown. I believe 2006 was last year for the big congress parade style and it was so massive that it got larger than the logistics could handle. Then in 2007 (tandem photo), we were only allowed to ride through the TOL and no congress avenue (although a group still cruised down there albeit bandit-style). My family road all along the town lake HAB trail back to our car parked at Austin High. I don't think anything goes on now (bike related). Later, CJB

I found my tandem+trail-a-bike+trailer photo. I dug it up from our Xmas photo box. Circa 2007. I believe this was one of the last times we were all aloud to ride out bikes through the trail of lights.

Me either. It also helps with it being lower cost in summer-time (lower season). Looking fwd to seeing it all on Strava -CJB