Jessica

I'm 5'4" with a 29 inch inseam. 

I ride a medium Santa Cruz HighTower with a 29er setup and a 54cm Specialized Sequoia.    

Some bike shops wouldn't size me on these sized bikes, but it I feel cramped in smaller bikes.  My previous bikes were smaller and hurt my posture on longer rides.  Barry does spec all my parts and did put really short stems on both bikes, but I find the handling of shorter stems preferable on squirly and DH shit. 

Arm length- reach and inseam make a big difference on some bikes.  I literally can't stand over a Gorilla Gravity medium frame with the tires inflated.  

Always demo a bike on a reasonable ride. 

So we finally did it and it was everything that  I hoped that it would be.   So few things in life as this way. 

Remember that song "Time in a Bottle" by Jim Croce?  The dreamlike afternoon of being in the middle of nowhere Texas with @Barry felt like time saved in a bottle.   First of many trips to come. 

We were able to bring all the things we needed to stay in hotels without bringing too much to carry.  Doing hotel laundry is a must.    

When we got to Killeen, Barry's shifter cable for the CH broke and he had to single speed the route to the hotel and the entire ride home. 

I did my two longest rides back to back without considering the  uncomfortable 2/3 of the second day.  Luckily Barry's single speed was enough of a bunny for me to chase without getting too exhausted to be frustrated  

We could have called this the taco-coffee tour.  We stopped on average every two hours for either tacos or coffee. 

Total mileage 147 miles with 5400 feet of elevation in 31 hours.  

I use my smart phone(Pixel 3XL) on a quad lock for zwift, my phone isn't compatible with my monitor.   I really dig Zwift and the fitness gains are serious.  I get more in a 50 min zwift training plan workout then I do a WC loop for sure.  I sure was late to the zwift party but I'm all in.  

I dig hear training, so this is an addition to trail riding when I recover and can ride outside again, I had one glorious ride until my cardio proved stronger them my handling- Zwift related from a previous injury.  

Found a photo of our tent.   We run an extension cord/power strip from the Jeep to fill the tall Q air mattress and charge phones.  Propane burners  from Hannah Mart is easier than a grill imho.  

Since you want a hard tail, a steel Chumba may be the right bike for you.   They go for about 1500 new and it's a really great bike for this area, local too.  

We started doing stealth car camping in NY.  We would go to Ellicottville NY, ride the trails- park in an abandoned parking lot half a mile from the brewery  for post ride dinner -back to the car to sleep on an air mattress in the back of our Jeep with the bikes locked to the rack.  The second day of our trips, we would hit up Jakes Rocks Pa.  

In Texas we started doing a little car camping in the interior of BBRSP.  I do a bit of solo car camping- Barry really was hung up on running water for a while.  

This winter we upgraded to a tent and queen sized air mattress from the full size that we were limited to in the Jeep.  Most camp sites have showers so this is a pretty good plan until we upgrade to a 5th wheel.  

So are we going to organize any group rides?  The trails east of the hill can be a little confusing.    

Parmer and MoPac HEB had  a 60 person line that took about 30 mins.

Had enough food to make the trip worth it.  No water.  Limited bread and dairy.  

Got a bunch of trash.  Most of the poop bags were by the creek crossing.  

The thing I wasn't prepared for was the amount of dog poop trail side not in bags.   Super gross, I suppose I couldn't see it while I was going fast.  

There are limits to my altruism.  

On 1/21/2021 at 7:27 PM, June Bug said:

So here's the deal. This is such a common issue that there's a Buddhist parable about it from thousands (!) of years ago.  As I relate this,  I'll add in words parenthetically to make it relevant to the topic at hand. 

A monk (mountain biker) is  irritated by the presence of a bucket of dirty water (poop bags) and a mop (trash) by the door to the meditation hall (trail).  Day after day, going in to meditate, he'd be so annoyed and think, "Why doesn't somebody empty this bucket (pick up poop bags) and put the mop (trash) away? It's ruining my meditation."  Of course, he has a MAJOR epiphany and realizes that if he's annoyed by it, he can address the issue by  emptying the bucket and putting away the mop, which he does, and thereby becomes a much, much happier monk (mountain biker). 

We can all clutch pearls, whinge and carry on, endlessly fret about all the awful people who are harsh-ing our mellow, but if you don't take action by cleaning it up yourself, it will still be there bothering you. 

In case you are still wondering, this will not change, ever.  That's just how it is, unless you live in the city-state of Singapore, which has insanely draconian laws against littering, spitting, selling gum and other innocuous activities.  10 Weird Laws in Singapore 

I am so guilty of this, lol.   (pearl clutching) 

I'm also off the bike for a little bit due to a dance central injury.  It is a long story and not that interesting.  

I suppose I could bring a flask and a bag and invest in my future happiness while recovering. 

On 1/4/2021 at 6:02 AM, Leafkiller said:

Cameron Park is fifteen minutes away from where I live. It does have an extensive network of trails. I recommend a good map like trailforks to get around. Trails range from green to double black. It's all up and down, barely any level. It mostly feels up. I rode yesterday for 2.9 miles and had 358 feet elevation. Good trails, I highly recommend them.

Can confirm Cameron Park place feels like you are always climbing- I do like the Bamboo forest part.   I like Dana Peak- there are tons of solid g outs and the swimming after is pretty cool.  Flat Rock may be my favorite place to ride in the two hour drive distance from Austin.    Madrone is hard.....

I've ran into more than one human on the trailside taking a piss.  I've only ran into one dude completely naked on a side trail heading to Bittern Hollow.  He seemed pretty sheepish and got dressed fast.  Seems funny/embarrassing to see someone undignified- not threatening.  

So we are dipping our toes into the vagabond cycling scene and are starting with an overnight to Fredericksburg.  Any advice on what to bring other than dinner/breakfast clothes and some collapsible flasks?    

Saturday 21 November at 8AM CST at Russell Park at San Gabriel.  

Self supported lap(s).  Drop ride pace of 4 hours  per 30 mile lap(s). 

On 7/8/2019 at 1:56 PM, Barry said:

I'll drink beer. I enjoy stouts or brown ale and I really like barrel aged stouts. I also enjoy a Mexican yellow beer when it is quite hot--my garage refrigerator is currently stocked with Corona. And I enjoy red wine as well. But my real love is whisk(e)y. I have around 30 open bottles and 20 or so not-yet-opened bottles at any given time. This is representative of my "opens" cabinet, but this photo is a few months old, so it isn't exactly right. 

 

 

This is a photo of my current "not-yet-opened" cabinet. 

 

Phew, glad I don't have to take this photo. 

And Hartman Rocks was something else entirely.  Worth the drive and a regular stop every 18 months or so  

Had a great time CJB.  That was quite the experience.  

8 hours ago, CBaron said:

In Durango check out CT to Dry Fork to Hoffeins loop (I do it clockwise).  Its usually the first ride we do when we arrive.  Its a nice little loop that always impresses the first-timers....but honestly, its simply 'an appetizer' to the main course found around DGO area. 

Then on the other side of the spectrum, Kennebec Pass is a nice epic for that area.  We usually do it around from the Junction Creek Rd side.  Its much simpler, bit easier and little shorter from this side.  Under 'normal' circumstances this is a 5.5hr+ ride for us from the Junction Creek campgrounds.  Now we've also done it 'the big way' from town and out HWY160 to west, then up to Mayday and actually over the actual (Kennebec Pass).  Thats a big-boy ride and both times Ive done it we've had poor weather conditions and its been 8.5+ hrs.

Historically, one of my favorite rides in DGO area has been  Jones Creek-Pinkerton-Dutch Creek- out Hermosa.  This is not an advertised ride, but rather a locals-favorite that the shop guys turned us on to after we had said we've ridden most trails int he area.  I like it because it has a bit of everything....nice ribboning singletrack climb up through the Aspens, followed by steep ridge climb with some hike-a-bike with nice vistas (looking down on Animas Valley), followed by saweeeet descending singletrack down to Hermosa Creek trail (which you then follow out back to the trail end).  Problem here is that this trail route is smack dab in the middle of the last major fire area from 2-3 yrs ago.  I'm certain its been decimated by the fire and so I can't really speak for its current beauty or state of trail system.  Likewise, this same goes for the entire Hermosa Creek trail.  But either way, if your there, you might as well sample it anyways??

Lastly, another one of our absolute favorites is the ride over Blackhawk Pass.  This is a true back country EPIC.  We usually camp multiple days in the area halfway near Bolam Pass and do various rides in the back country area.  From there we ride the jeep road up to Bolam and pick up the CO Trail and head South back towards DGO.  You follow the CT around Hermosa Peak and then up to Blackhawk at 12k'.  Then descend the back of Blackhawk with options to go back via Hotel Draw...or go along further and head down Coral Draw.  If you choose Coral, it adds some distance and drops you onto Hermosa which you will have to ride back 'up' to the Hermsoa Trailhead (no real big deal).   ....or if you really want a BIG ride, you could then commit to Hermosa and ride it all the way out to trails ends.  Not for faint of heart (I've never done it all in a day).  *Another Big Boi Option* is to go over Blackhawk and continue on the CT (past Hotel, past Coral) and take it all the way to Kennebec.  You go along the high country crossing Indian Ridge and the drop down to Kennebec (at 10.2k').  This is an absolute monster ride.  I've had friends who did it going up to CT via Hotel Draw and then along the CT into DGO via Kennebec and they had 8+ hr ride with much of it above 9k crossing 12k+ over and over.  Much exposure above treeline for lots of this ride.

These are just a few nuggets from my 12x's to the DGO area.  Ya'll are good enough to take these tidbits and put together the details as you see fit from the trail apps and info from locals.  But if you want more detail or more options then just reach out to me.  Barry's got my digits.

Later,
CJB

Thanks so much Cody!!!!  There are so many trails out there, it's awesome to have someone that can share their experience in detail.  Man, I love a new trail experience.  

I was in Telluride in 01 and was blown away by the landscape.  I can't wait to see this side and the lushness that Texas doesn't have. 

Barry and I will be celebrating our 11th wedding anniversary and I can't imagine a better trip to celebrate our cycling growth over the time.  

Thanks for the info.  Super excited to see all the sees on my bike. I'll be posting photos on the 'gram and book.  Hartman rocks looks like a blast.  Can't wait to see Durango.  During the rainy 18 season I spent many days dreaming about the Colorado trails on project mtb.  

Thanks Cody for the great idea- that bikes website is an awesome reference.  

Hey y'all. 

Barry and I are planning our first summer trip and we are looking for recommendations from someone who is familiar with the area.  

We want to ride high country trails for days, but have a few questions.  

Is early July too soon to expect the higher trails to be open and clear of snow?

Thinking of Salida in town trails, Monarch Crest and then swinging over to Phil's world in Cortez.  

Any insight or really great trail systems are appreciated.

We are aware of the altitude issue and are training in the heat to prep ourselves.  

Thanks!

1 hour ago, Bamwa said:

The dog thing is only a problem to strava racers. Normal people don't mind slowing down, or even saying hi, or "go ahead, hikers have the right of way" I have had zero incidents here in over a decade. We are all out here to enjoy the natures, brah.

As a Strava racer, I think that your rational ignores the instance of cyclists being bit by off leash dogs.  I personally know two cyclists bit.  I've also seen two dogs off leash fight and the @knifezila separated the dogs while the owners were at a loss.  

Decided to get membership.  Can confirm that I am paying Strava to tell me how much I suck.  It's super low key tho.  After a 3.5 hours trail ride that I was dead after, Strava was like, good job managing your efforts.   Today Strava recommended that I ride more than 13 hours this week.   

@Barry and I got visitors passes for this weekend and I am pretty excited.  Been training for the past few weeks and can't wait to spend time that is not artic.  

Oh @Barry there was that pizza place.  That place was so nice and so chilly in January.

I imagine on a sunny day Gooseberry Mesa gets really hot with all of that Mesa thermal mass. 

Barry can prolly elaborate more, the drive through AZ was transcendent.