GFisher

When critters outnumber people on a ride you know it is a good day. 🐿️🐆🦎

2 hours ago, TheX said:

I found a rare type on austinbike, on that page. First one I've seen.

 

Directions: Take I-35 north and get of on I-14 headed west.

I see what you did there!

Thanks guys.

John - I always check your site first, great resource! I did notice the map link is broken. I like to bring a paper map also if I can, not really finding any good maps. The one from trailforks is probably the best one  I am finding. https://www.trailforks.com/region/dana-peak-park/?activitytype=1&z=13.0&lat=31.03698&lon=-97.57283

Anyone quite familiar with these trails? Trying to do some recon, it looks like is/was a COEngineers park but is/did transition to the City of Harker Heights. My main concern is I keep seeing reference to it being closed from Oct-Feb, but maybe that doesn't affect trail access? Can try to call tomorrow but figured someone might know the latest ins and outs, and might have some good tips (parking, route, etc.).

I saw a cute little skunk at Flat Rock Ranch last Friday. It was in the middle of the day, which I though was odd. I wanted to get a closer look and maybe a photo but the tail was sky high - butt pointed right at me as it walked away so I wised up and moved along. Quick search:

Skunks might come out during the day if there is a food source available at a particular time, if they have been frightened out of their daytime sleeping spot, or if there is high competition in the area at night from other nocturnal animals. Baby skunks are also commonly seen outside during the day.

I got a happy ending one time after a massage that I wasn't expecting.

3 minutes ago, ATXZJ said:

Wife decided she wanted to step her game, and do two fast laps of slaughter creek today. Great day to ride!

 

 

 

A little post-ride tailgating 😎

Funny. I had Torchy's out of the back my near identical Tacoma post ride today! But with a Real Ale Squirt Gun to wash it down.

1 minute ago, throet said:

Indeed. Our favorite seafood dive. Not a special. Been eating them there for years. 

It is a great seafood dive! I guess I never look past the raw oysters and crawfish etoufee long enough to see anything else. Need to broaden my horizons!

4 minutes ago, throet said:

Post-ride refreshments. Draft Shiner Bock in a frosted mug for washing down some oysters ranchero. 

Pacific Star? Haven't been there in a while. Is that dish a special? Don't remember that.

3 hours ago, CBaron said:

If Greg passes, I'd love to be next inline.  I've got 3 bikes with 115 spacing.
-CJB

Thanks @LG_SC5010! I did get one for now but could use another as well. I will reply to your pm.

33 minutes ago, CBaron said:

 But I love to find me some older 'only driven by a grandma on the weekends' cars to buy.  Those are always the best kind....preferably something old and classic.

Back in the late 80's there was an old lady driving around Oak Hill in a super sweet original owner white '66 or '67 GTO, The lady was constantly hounded about selling it but she assured you her kids had already spoken for it. It was just like you would dream of, seat moved all the way forward, grey hair, putting along under the speed limit. 

Somewhere in west Texas last month I was on a 2 lane state highway. For a stretch, the wind conditions combined with 18 wheelers and I passing each other at 75mph-ish within a few feet of each other was causing my hood to move/shake very noticeably as we passed. I thought it was going to pop open. I pulled over and checked it and it was fine, but it was very unnerving and I would pull partly onto the shoulder when I passed another one. I would not want to have been at the limit during that stretch with those sudden forces.

31 minutes ago, bestbike85 said:

From someone who flipped a truck towing a trailer that was almost at the max towing capacity, be careful. 

IMO it is not about what your vehicle can tow going 40mph on a nice sunshine day out to pedernales. It is about what your vehicle can handle when you have a blowout, or you catch a 50mph crosswind crossing NW Texas, or you’re coming down a 10% grade for 6 miles and you’re burning up your brakes even though you’re hitting 4K rpms in 4th gear. 

I’ve been handling long haul trucks my whole life and had my CDL for 8 years (I’m only 32).

When shit hits the fan in a passenger vehicle with something hanging off the back that you kind of shouldn’t be pulling, it’s a different ball game. 

May 25, 2017. My little wiener dog and I walked away without a scratch after kicking out the windshield.

I feel even more strongly about my response I was already typing after reading yours.

I think it's not so much about can my vehicle make it down the highway pulling this trailer under idea conditions versus, I am going down Monarch Pass in a cross wind when an 18 wheeler coming the other direction suddenly creates another strong wind force as I am coming into a curve perhaps even a little too hot? Are the tires, frame, suspension, brakes, etc. more than strong enough to overcome adverse conditions? If I have to make an evasive maneuver, am I already at the limit? I looked long and hard at trailers over the last few months and know what different ones weigh and what a Tacoma supposedly can tow and on recent road trips I have noticed some people pulling way over the rated capacity. Kind of like Chinese carbon bars, they probably won't fold while on town lake, but give them to Seth and you are likely to see failure.

20 minutes ago, throet said:

 Took a couple of first timers out for a lap around the lake yesterday....

Are you guys still friends? 😛

36 minutes ago, AntonioGG said:

Perfect day! 

New sled? What is it? Looks sweet!

With COVID and the urge to avoid stores, I didn't even think to look locally. Good old BSS had them in stock at both of the stores near me. Bought it online and curbsided it today. It was about a dollar cheaper all said and done too. I would have made one but at the moment I have more money than time (knock on wood) and the Kuat ones are pretty nice.

40 minutes ago, AntonioGG said:

One of the things I do when riding road is to ride in the gutters when the rest of it is rough.  For me it's like practicing skinnies (no, I never pretend I'm on stage 21 of the TdF riding the Champs Elysees on the gutter to avoid the rough paveé) but I also get to get used to handling around mailboxes and the curb.  It's amazing how close I come to hitting my pedals on the curb.  If I'm ever close enough to strike while the pedal is at the bottom, I know to tilt the bike to compensate.  I've grazed the pedals 2-3 times ever.

Did someone say Beauford Drive?

No more rock strikes!

21 hours ago, CBaron said:

When?  

-CJB

Probably 2nd-ish week of Oct, depends on work and weather factors. Busy AF at work but on the other hand have to burn PTO. Stressful #firstworldproblems

Nice setup Cody. Solo travel is so simple. And good idea on the mounts, I made some old 9qr ones back in the day for pennies and they worked great.