June Bug

Brushy Creek Regional Trail Phase V (virtual) Ribbon Cutting I was ready for this video to be over about halfway through and *somebody* does not hit her note at the end, but whatevs. Apparently, it adds on a mile near Round Rock.

Another spot that's a chronic issue is the north end of the Southern Walnut Creek Multi-use Path where Daffan Lane Ts into Decker Lane (1377), and the path continues on the other side of Decker Lane. Decker Lane sounds innocuous, but it's a four-lane highway, and traffic from the south comes over a hill at 60-70 mph -- so your basic death trap for cyclists and pedestrians trying to cross. A crossing light has been promised at some point, but I haven't been on the multi-use path since March. Any updates on that?

Well yes, but it's sad when others are just not as pumped up as they should be.

Definitely copperhead.

Mr. JB was out on a r**die ride this morning with a riding buddy and had a serious mechanical (derailleur fell off) so I got a rescue call to pick him up on Howard Ln. From N. Lamar, I went over Yaeger for a block, crossed I 35 and headed east on Tech Ridge, which turns into Harris Ridge Blvd at Parmer, continued on and turned right on E. Howard Ln. They were almost all the way to 130 on Howard Lane. The point being that crossing I 35 and onto Tech Ridge, there is sidewalk (which is wide enough for at least one bike) and/or bike lanes all the way to and along Howard Ln. There was one spot where I think the sidewalk along Harris Ridge Blvd was only on the east side of the street. Also, Harris Branch Parkway crosses Howard and I'm thinking that a big loop could be done from the end of the Southern WC Path, over on Harris Branch Parkway, and then back on Howard. The downside is that this is in no way scenic and it is not shady, but if you want to get in some miles, the infrastructure, for the most part is there. Parts of the sidewalk along Howard Ln. are not being mowed, but there is a bike lane. Also, surprisingly little traffic.

A relative in the extended family with a very mild case of the 'Rona lost his sense of smell completely for about 36 hours. My only experience with deer flies was Palo Duro Canyon, in late spring. We had applied DEET liberally, including spraying our clothes and they were biting us on the bum through our shorts as we were riding.

Nice ride from Braker/Parkfield down Shoal Creek this morning to the main library to drop off some books that were checked out at the end of Feb; before the libraries closed. One is Wayfinding: The Science and Mystery of how Humans Navigate the World. Noteworthy: the use of GPS to navigate allows the part of the brain activated in wayfinding and navigation to atrophy. Anyway, recommended read. For any City of Austin library users, one can put a book on hold and pick it up curbside at some locations. Also hit up Trader Joe's, which is about a block away from the downtown library, so weight of cargo increased slightly on the return trip. The sun stayed behind a nice cloud bank to the east until almost the end of the ride. Got home about 11 am and had a nice collapse.

Thread for ride reports and this and that on urban/commuting/path rides. I've been getting out early some mornings, combining a ride with an errand, using some different routes than usual, usually from 15 to 20 miles. Nice way to start the day.

More visitors = more revenue and they like that a lot. Let them know at the entrance station how much you enjoy the trails and the new trail in particular.

Not exactly a freeze warning, but you want to get our your wool socks and mittens. There's a cooling trend in the 10-day forecast! I'm looking at you -- Tuesday, 7/21 -- with a high of 92!

Some of those cooler states don't want us. New Mexico state parks are currently closed to out-of-state visitors.

Been doing morning urban rides, from Braker down south to Shoal Creek via Domain and the Pickle. Try to leave the house by 7 am and roll back home at 10 or 10:30. Ice cold Topo Chico has worked in the past for mid-ride urban reviving. I think the mineral content may be a factor in helping rehydration. Mexican coke (real sugar! caffeine!) from HEB also works to revive in desperate times. If the HEB you are in has a little in-store cafe, a kind person might give you a cup with ice for your Coke. SKRATCH mix is my energy drink of choice these days. Not sugary and is easy on the stomach. Very scary scenario, cxagent. Glad an RN angel stopped to help you out! Also, y'all: The heat index is the actual temp your body is dealing with.

The odd little thunderstorm passed by early this morning, Monday, July 6th. Maybe a quarter inch of rain or less.

Oh, cxagent. Just wait. Many surprises lie in store! However, true that being active staves off many negative aspects of aging.

Lake Georgetown/Goodwater Trail?

I hope no volcanoes get any ideas. This time of year I bookmark InciWeb to check out forest fires and the NOAA's National Hurricane Center page to keep track of hurricanes. Numerous fires just north and east of Phoenix in the Gila Mtns are incinerating southern AZ. The Kaibab Plateau (north of the Grand Canyon) is getting hit hard by the Magnum Fire: 71,450 acres, only 63% contained. I visited my stepdaughter when she was in grad school in Lubbock. Very quick learning curve to park the rental car so the driver's side door was downwind.

Darn murder hornets. Did about 20 urban miles yesterday and it was OK, except half of it was straight into a brisk headwind that turned into a nice little push on the way home. Lungs seem OK, but def some vague, weird sinus-y stuff. The wind stirring stuff up is not helping.

Older teens, 20 and 30 somethings, the demographic most likely to be asymptomatic spreaders, are prone to congregating like puffins during nesting season. If parks and public spaces are left open, you'll end up with a mob scene everywhere. There's no perfect option, but buttoning everything up tight seems like the least bad option. Also, if anybody cares, face shields offer a lot of protection. Some Experts Say Face Shields Better Than Masks for Coronavirus Protection

Gack. 80 degrees at 7 am.

Tuesday, June 23rd: Heavy rain this morning, maybe 1.5 inches. I'll try to take a walk in the next few days to check conditions. However, lots of rain chances in this week's forecast.

I thought this city was built on rock n' roll.

Saturday, May 20, 2020: Thunderstorm passed through early this morning at the WC. Maybe a quarter inch. Not done yet.

Where does nadge fit in with gnar or is gnar so 2015?

Checking the Claim: Fiber Fix is 100 times stronger than duct tape Article from the Smithsonian mag with a little background. Not a fact check or Myth Buster's article, but interesting.

I don't even want to imagine how this plays out on a telemedicine appt.