WatersPark

Today is the last day to comment on the ATX walk/bike/roll 2023 plan...

https://www.austintexas.gov/ATXWBR-GetInvolved

We might have gone but it conflicted with our Balcones Park cleanup /it's my park day event on our end of the NWCT!

Attention Walnut Creek Greenbelt riders. please keep an eye out for this elderly man.  He may have been spotted off Park Bend. Please contact APD if you see him.

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/apd-missing-man-with-cognitive-illness-last-seen-in-northwest-austin/

Here's a brochure from an early envisioning of the trail from the 1990s when I worked for the city.

https://milwoodna.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/WC_GreenwayBrochure.pdf

We did about 12 Miles (Monks crossing to 1.5 mi past the tunnel and back)) on July 16 on our way to Colorado.  104 degrees at 5 pm.  Nary a human to be seen.  Still fun, but I'm looking forward to going again with more moderate temps. 

A note on the tunnel- guano powder is pretty deep in the middle section, be prepared!

One of my daughter's friends had his vehicles stolen from the hotel parking lot last week.  The Bronco has been spotted in Utah, the F350 in Missouri.  I realize it's a long shot, but here are the details.  He is offering a $3k reward.  He put a lot of work into these trucks.

There were several.  I left the ones at the side of the trail.  I'm sure they picked them up on their way back.  

It is shameful that folks can't pack their s#!te out!  Spent a couple hours cleaning trash between mopac and Balcones today.  I was planning to clear snow downed junipers off the creek side trail in Balcones and ended up with 2 trash bags full. Got the trees cleared too.

I found a bike taillight at the creek crossing that leads to the waters park dam sound 1030 am today.  I suspect a crash may have occurred. Let me know if you are missing yours. 

Speaking of sanitizing, someone put some dirt to ramp down across Walnut creek on the single track that runs from the NCWT just east of mopac to the next NCWT bridge (#3).  Couple of days later we encountered some electric -uniwheel riders on that trail. Coincidence? I guess we have that to look forward to. Probably can't get those things wet. I did trim some face slappers on that trail a few weeks ago.  Maybe made it too inviting. 

Sold!

8 hours ago, TheX said:

Changed my MTB life. Still clipless on the gavel bike. 

 

I know, I know...Some people are amazing with clipless on the trails, and that's awesome. *For me* it's flats and my five tens.

I ride flats on my SS.  I like a the additional control with the cages and straps on my road/gravel bike and on MTB rides.  I have the cage only type on my old specialized (converted to 1x7 beer runner bike/trail work transport).  I realize it is unconventional (now) but it works for me.

Crashing sucks especially as I get older. I'm 54, been riding on and off road since I was 5 ish. I Crashed 2x on one ride in Colorado last month after almost 8 years of no crashes other than scrubbing trees. Got a little too amped after a climb and was probably descending too fast. Front wheel washed out in loose rock.  Cussed, straightened my bars and rode on. Exact same thing happened 2 min. later. Fortunately no broken bones, been riding paved trails until things dry out here in TX, then will get back on the trails. Most embarrassing thing is my worst crash prior was due to being unable to get unclipped when I was trying spds.  I went back to the old cage and straps, I leave them a bit loose so I can bail. Oh yeah, maybe time to get some knee and elbow pads. 

Not sure there is any advice in there, other than to regroup, take it slow for a while and enjoy the ride whatever speed it may be. Hope you get back to where you feel good about riding!

Price drop $100 obo.

Some is posting a 58 cm Cannondale Synapse on nextdoor (Milwood) for $500. If you are interested lmk and I can send the seller a message

24" Specialized Hotrock $125 OBO - North Austin

7 speed Shimano grip shift, front suspension (RST Capra C7), Deore V-brakes.  11" from center of BB to top of seat tube.  Bought used about 10 years ago.  I believe it is a 2007 model, possibly a girl's model, previous owner had painted it black.  It hasn't seen many hours since we got it. Good condition, has some dings, but shifts and brakes well.   Our daughter quickly outgrew it so it has been garaged in Htown near Cypress Creek with the grandparents for when our nephew visited.  He has now outgrown it.

Many thanks to the trail builders! We had a great father's day ride two of us hit the blue trail and the new flow trail.  Good fun!

(Thanks also for the directions to the new trail)

Huge cleanup of the homeless camp west of Mopac along the NCWT yesterday.  I talked to one of the workers who said the were hired by the property owner.  I imagine he was cited by the city.  Incredible what all they had down there.  Propane tanks, car ramps, oil change pans.  

I hear you.  Afternoon in the summer it usually is pretty empty and the people on foot seem to stay off the more bikey trails.  I figure anyone that hikes up power line is new to the park (or enjoys frustrating lovers of flow). I had just rolled the drop off Tar Branch last weekend to find 4 hikers in the middle of the next turn heading towards the drop.  Fortunately, I slowed in time, I imagine they turned around when they got to the drop.

Wish I never unloaded my old bmx bike. Panda pro am. Red line 1 piece cranks because I kept stripping out alloys. Fun times. My bianchi boss sort of gives me some of that feeling. 3 piece cranks are better now, but now I keep breaking chains.

1 hour ago, jcarneytx said:

Whitestone in can new? I've never seen their beer in retail. And the ONE time I went to go visit the brewery, it was their "closed" day...

Yep, got it Last week at the Specs at Arbor Walk (N Mopac). They also had the Konverter Kolsch. Plus a crew sanitizing the fridge area.  Although these brews were not in the fridge (on the end cap). Cheers!

These local IPAs are a nice post wheelie practice refreshment.  I hadn't seen these in the store before, nice to see Whitestone out there.  Of course Real ale has been awesome for years.

Someone found this during this morning's park cleanup. Let me know if it is yours and I'll get it back to you.

Balcones Park to mopac is covered. If we get done in the park we will try to get to hit the mopac stretch, but I'm not optimistic.  That area needs it's own it's my park day.  There is probably a ton of trash, some from people throwing their crap from mopac and the rest from nearby "camping grounds".