Ridenfool

Post up! I'll be glad to join y'all. That might keep me from working on trail for a change. 😉

There is a double-top-secret optional left if an arrow is followed on Black Trac. It will get 0.2 mile more from the loop. This will eventually be added permanently after a little rework is completed, and it was part of the total distance being quoted at that time. Easy to miss. It could also be that you missed some other section of new trail. I can't recall if we had rerouted Karaway to include the new trail behind the Freeride 512 area at that time, or, if it was necessary to take the trail formerly known as "Other Way" instead, and ride across the road by the gate that offers access to FR 512 member's playground. (now it is just Karaway for the full length, and Other Way was absorbed into it) Also, GPS vs. Wheel measurement can often come up short for GPS on any given lap. Usually only a few tenths of a mile difference between Wheel and GPS after ten or so miles are covered. Possibly, in another week or two, we'll be up to just shy of a 13 mile loop, as several ongoing projects will get finishing touches and be made available to riders.

The landowner helped today shredding some trails across open space to knit together trail sections. Another addition to Karaway and several stretches on Litterbox were recipients of his efforts. Still have some dirt work and brush clearing to finish up Litterbox. Finishing this will also include a new entry to Black Trac. I'll keep y'all posted! The section added on Karaway may add nearly another half mile. When using the MTB Project Phone App be sure to update the "Texas" area in order to see the latest changes submitted to the RHR trails. Ran into a rider today using the app, but hadn't updated the cached map data, so was working off of an old map stored on his phone.

We had a wonderful day at RHR today. Brian Nash brought out a toy to play with. This thing eats Yaupon like magic and we transformed a new 0.5 0.25 (correction) mile section from dense growth to groomed trail in about 5 hours. Incredible. He had so much fun he plans to bring it back for some future work. We can't wait. Rocky Hill Ranch loop now stands at 11 miles, measured from the showers out and back. I've made some significant progress on Litterbox and should bring it into the fold in the next week or two with any luck. Another 1.25 miles of single track expected.

In the Fort Davis area is the McIvor Ranch offering a vacation guest house. Their website says folks staying there can hike and bike on the ranch. Riding is likely the ranch roads, and it should be a unique place to sample parts of the Davis Mountains many never see. http://www.mcivor-ranch.com/index.html I have no experience with their Guest House specifically, but have been on several ranches in that area back in the late 80s when I lived and worked at the Observatory. We had a volunteer fire department and participated in fighting grass fires all over out there. I'd highly recommend taking the opportunity to ride around just for the views, if given the chance. Also, poking around on Google Maps I found the Davis Mountain Preserve map shows biking is allowed on trails there. Here's their main site link for more info. Access is limited to "Event Days" and here a link to this year's dates. I need to get out there and check this place out. The check-in check-out facility is named the McIvor Conservation Center, so this Nature Conservancy land was likely part of their ranch.

Well, we got all enthusiastic and such today and went ahead and cut the new section into the loop. It will carry the Karaway name for the full length, and, there is more yet to be added to it. Possibly as much as another mile of trail. At this point Karaway will bend sharply to the right just before the road crossing, cutting back to what was "Other Way" and from there will pick up some new trail in the field, rejoining the trail formerly known as Other Way up to the gate and road crossing near Freeride 512. Karaway will now continue across that road and into more beautiful, organically grown trail that eventually ties back into the legacy Karaway section after road crossing. I think that Karaway is now the longest section of trail. Enjoy! BTW, it is Hero Dirt out there right now. Go get some before it loses the moisture. P.S. removed the old maps from the Check-In building and put this in several obvious places on walls, clipboard, payment box, etc.

Litterbox will be between Y-Knot and Black Trac, going through the wasteland to the East of the fence-line double track that riders currently use to go from one to another. It will follow the tree line around almost to where Lemonade starts. (mostly done) Then, weave around a few scattered trees and into a wooded area that was left in the middle of that bulldozed field. After that, it will be anchored to a few more lone trees as it makes it way over to the entrance to Black Trac. The focus for this trail is to utilize many of the pushed up clumps of litter left behind by the Cats 🐈 (Caterpillar 🚜dozers) so as to make an interesting romp from the carnage they left behind after taking out a couple of old trail sections. I'm hoping to get back on Litterbox next week and maybe finish up in a few weeks. It is a creative process requiring trial and error and quite a bit of work with the McLeod. It is almost halfway done, I think. As for the maps, I guess I'll have to stick my nose in the registration building and remove them. The old maps are useless now. That, and print up a notice about MTB Project, what's going on at the ranch, etc. to staple up in there. Thanks for the head's up. That must be confusing for the day riders.

Yeah, the Hills have been asking for a new map, and you nailed it about why I've just been updating MTBProject for now. I have suggested they put a sign about the map can be found on MTB Project in the sign-in, or mention it on their website. Once Litterbox is done and a few more signs are installed I'll make a new map for them to print up. When finished, Litterbox could get the full loop close to 12 miles. Thanks for the feedback on the new signs. It is good to know they are helpful.

On Monday, Paul completed 4 bridges on the Karaway extension. Kudos for the massive effort! This section will go live this weekend and open the 10.5 mile loop to visitors.

Opened another 0.2 mi. section of organic, fresh-picked trail late yesterday. For RHR regulars, this new section is found as you approach Water 1 on the way out. After the second road crossing going up on singletrack, what was a short straight section now traipses about in the woods on both sides of that old trail before delivering riders to Water 1. It utilizes all but about ten feet of the old trail as well. Jimmy said that I really did a "McGyver" on it to get this result. This is the second expansion of Hard Boil. Signs coming soon. Paul is already choosing spots to put berms on it. Next on the agenda is bringing online the 1.5 mi. Karaway extension with a lot of corridor and tread work done in freezing weather last weekend by Tejas Trails volunteers. Paul started on the bridges yesterday and those should be completed soon. This trail could go live by next weekend.

Glad you enjoyed the trails, Albert! We got a ride in yesterday with a special guest, Jimmy, a long time supporter of Rocky Hill Ranch and rep for Sun&Ski Sports who met up with us to donate trail tools for volunteers to use for construction and maintenance. We took him on all the newly cleared sections for the full 10.5 mile tour and the conditions were great out there, though getting a little dusty. Here's the bountiful boon we received represented in a glamour shot taken at The Wall feature where there are Sun&Ski banners proudly displayed. 2 Bow Rakes, 2 McLeods, 2 Shovels, 2 Fiskers Loppers and a 40V Ryobi Chainsaw. Yay! Paul and I got to thinking that we should create a name for this "organization" of trail volunteers. so that places like Sun&Ski have a reference for the donation. Over a few beers and tacos that afternoon, and after much deliberation, we may have found a winner... Deranged Imagineers of Righteous Trail Now y'all have the D.I.R.T. on this shiny new volunteer group hereby established in Bastrop County. We'll continue to strive toward meeting the expectations that such an auspicious moniker portends.

Rode a lap including two new sections not yet opened, and, an optional section on Black Trac that will become part of the loop soon. Total, from and to the Pavilion where the showers are, with all this the loop will be 10.5 miles. It will likely be a few weeks before these are all ready for prime time, and I'll keep y'all posted, as well as update MTBProject as the new stuff becomes available. The goal is to have at least 13 miles ready before a Fall marathon event.

There are some arrows up from several races, but the ribbons are all down. Generally, the arrows make good guidelines. If you find yourself needing a reference, use MTBProject and follow the "Rocky Hill Ranch Loop" (a recommended route in MTBProject). The new sections still need some work before they are open for riders. Several bridges need to be built. You should have plenty to enjoy. I'll be out there tomorrow as well, doing some mapping and noting section mileages, so a slow plod about the place. I'll be on a white Specialized Levo with a green full face helmet. Say hi if you spot me out there.

Here's a huge thank you to Tejas Trails, a running group who have been volunteering at Rocky Hill. These people are incredible. On Friday we cut nearly a mile of Yaupon into trail corridor. In freezing temperatures. These guys and gals are epic. There is one couple who came all the way from Sonora, several others from Houston and Austin and one local member from about half a mile away. They are back today for more. It will be only a little warmer, with a good chance of light rain. They have more folks coming on Sunday. I'm having to get very creative coming up with more work for them to do and am happily overwhelmed with doing anything I can to make good use of the help they offer. It is like herding a plague of locusts the way they move through thick brush. ha ha Literally weeks of work for a solo builder. I really want to share a ton of gratitude for their good work. I'm completely knackered from yesterday, and their enthusiasm has lit a fire under my butt and I'll be back out there flagging more trail for them to cut while I have them on site. Thank you to Chris and PJ of Tejas Trails for organizing these work days and for sharing your members. We could not have made such significant progress without you.

The TMBRA season opener had wonderful conditions today. Started a little cold, but was perfect the rest of the day. The course was a little dusty, but it seemed like everyone enjoyed themselves. Many commented how the new trails have made the current 8 miles more of a workout than they had expected. John, Maureen, and Tony, it was nice to see you. Folks with a day off Monday keep RHR in mind. High of 82 and 0.01 in. of rain in the forecast. No cold weather excuses tomorrow. 😁

That will also function as a handy low limb indicator. When an offending limb gets caught in the lashed package stored in the pack it is time to assemble it and do a little trimming. 🚴‍♂️🤣 (really need that flipping bike emoji from BikeMojo to better illustrate this concept)

I've gone through ten or more 4Ah battery charges on it by now and have not experienced this symptom. Ryobi has likely engineered around it. As for voltage, I've stuck with the 18V Ryobi tools mostly because I already have several of their larger capacity batteries and just buy new tools without battery and charger when adding to the collection. Rather than having another charger and more batteries then I'll use. Clearly the 40V will have advantages, particularly for anyone just beginning to accumulate matching tools. Once you get to fifteen or twenty different tools sharing the same battery it can influence the decision to delay adding 40V tools. For me anyway. FWIW, I have been immensely impressed with how long the larger 18V batteries will last when weed trimming, sawing, drilling, routing, etc. By the time I've gone through one of the large 18V batteries on the pole saw while clearing new trail the chain needs sharpening, oil tank needs a second refill, and my meat-sack battery is about empty too. 😁

The grey part on the pole in the photo is the nut to connect the halves. The extension would be installed there as well. So, if you break it down to the component parts it would be between three and four feet long I'd guess.

Also, Strava users can get the Rocky Hill Roundup GPX route HERE

The trails have been routed to make for a continuous loop. As more are built, they will add to that loop. The only choice would be to add one mile by taking "Other Way" instead of Karaway, then pick Karaway back up off of Freeride Rd. This week Other Way will be blocked by a ribbon for the race, but if interested, just go under it. Personally, I'd just stay on Karaway and avoid riding a section of road. Folks riding during the week should listen/watch for gravel trucks at the 2 main road crossings, one on Karaway, and another where Karaway leads into Lemonade (sign across the road). On MTBProject, find the "Rocky Hill Ranch Loop" to use as a guide. It is listed as a Recommended Route. If you have the Texas area maps downloaded to the phone app you may need to update Texas Area to see the latest RHR trails. There are still intersections with the service roads and this app makes it easy to stay on the loop until we get some better signs up to lead riders around the place. Currently, the race route is marked with arrows and would be a good way to get a loop in. Then, just do it again till you have enough. 😁 Have fun Albert!

I've recently purchased a Ryobi pole saw. Basically, an 18 volt cordless chainsaw on a pole that has been a significant time-saver at Rocky Hill Ranch of late. It cuts up to 8" limbs with ease, reaches high up to get those that droop down, and can also be turned on its side to more easily reach and clear Yaupon and other small brush at ground level while keeping the chain out of the dirt. The battery lasts surprising long and a spare is easily carried in a hydration pack. Frankly, once I've used a battery I am about done for the day anyway if I'm also lopping and raking on a new trail. There is an included extension pole that can go in the middle for more reach, but I have yet to use it.

You find you are sore and tired more often than not and have come to accept this as a normal state of being You've lost weight, muscle tone has improved, and you've pulled the belt in several notches You dream about trail design in your sleep, and most of your waking thoughts are spent contemplating which of those dreams to act upon next The trail tool collection expands, and you ponder upon how many of your Ryobi tools can be used for trail work (pole saw, reciprocating saw, chainsaw, hedge trimmer, weed eater, leaf blower, screw gun, mower,...) You have a separate trail-work-only hydration pack (with a charged Ryobi battery tucked inside) You have accepted as norminal that you are spending an order of magnitude more hours building trail than you are riding them When you do ride, you hang a Fiskers 15" Power Gear Lopper on the pack's waist belt and stop often to trim offending flora The biggest decision to be dealt with on most days is over whether to work on new trail or maintain existing trail So-called "responsibilities" routinely take a back seat to the trail-related pursuits Is there a twelve step program I should be looking into about this? 🤷‍♂️

A lot has been done in preparation for the upcoming TMBRA race. Quite a bit of trimming here and there (never ending), a few new berms have sprouted, Paul added one new bridge on Y-Knot and has done repairs to several other wood features on Black Trac. The feedback from pre-riders has been gracious on trail quality and appreciative of our efforts. Additionally, I've cut a quarter mile on the new Litterbox trail as a first pass. About three quarters of a mile to go, then another pass to get it tuned up for riders. I put wheels on what has been done so far and I think it will be a lot of fun when completed. Maybe a month or two out on this project if nothing else takes me off of it. Once the race is past we are expecting a crew of volunteers from a running club that hosts events at RHR. I'm looking forward to working with them again as they have done some fantastic work out here.

It was a good couple of laps this afternoon. Saw quite a few folks out today, so I'm not the only one thinking RHR is perfect at 54 degrees F. As expected, Y-Knot's latest trail section was a little soupy in spots after the recent precip. A little history: When Y-Knot was originally built over a decade ago I had routed the trail through these trouble spots before knowing they were, well, trouble spots. After the rains came I had to abandon this area and re-create about half of the trail elsewhere to avoid it. Now, we have no alternative but to run a section through here (to accommodate building Lemonade) and will need to find some way to make it work. There are several ways to approach it, and all are labor-intensive. Fortunately, there is a gravel base layer under these spots that results in them being more wet than they are muddy, and it usually drys in a few days. Riding on it in this state doesn't seem to be causing lasting damage, it is just slinging dirty water on riders for a few days after a rain. I think we all know trails like this. Folks from wetter climates would probably just call it good trail and ride. If it gets bad due to extended rain, Y-Knot can be closed to dry out using an easy bypass already available. Resolving this issue likely won't make it onto the short list of things to do for a while, though Paul was putting small trenches in today to help it drain in key spots. All my work on the new section that begins Corkscrew payed off with a really nice connector that I rode for the first time today. We have received unsolicited positive feedback from several folks on it as well. Further down Corkscrew, the second of the climbing turns still needs more dirt moved. That will be a priority for me to get this done before race day to provide better flow. (probably start on that tomorrow) The third climbing turn was significantly improved with the Berm Meister's tender ministrations last week. By bringing the berm in tighter it now allows riders to carry more speed into the climb. It is still a grunt. (there will also be a longer, alternate route to bypass this turn, and is already in the works)

Expanded the bench cut on the new section of Corkscrew yesterday and had a couple of riders come through, offering praise and thanks. Their tires had a little clay, Sunday should be just about perfect for a ride. Also cleaned up an extension on Black Trac that will be made a permanent addition to the loop. Until after the race, just look for the raked area on the left before the big climb out of Black Trac. This is a fun section. Finally, got MTBProject cleaned up and showing the new loop so folks can more easily find their way around. Still waiting to hear back from Trail Forks after notifying them. It will be 54 degrees this afternoon, which is about the perfect temperature for riding for me. Come get some!