TAF

Realized I hadn’t given an update in a while. Been in Salida the last couple of weeks, some lovely rides up on the Crest. Put on a big Indian food cookout at Absolute Bikes this evening - nice to run into Hill Abell! We just booked a rental in Colorado Springs for next week - doing our damndest to stay away from the furnace ….

What about ol George Dawkins? He rides a power-assisted Specialized several days a week, and he’ll tell you he probably wouldn’t be out there if it wasn’t for the pedal assist.

We have a friend in Houston - in fact, we helped sponsor his daughter on the annual Austin to Alaska UT ride - who is Swiss, and did his mandatory national service in the 1970s as a part of the two-wheeled division ... whatever it is called. He recently found one of those Swiss Army singlespeeds in great shape, and brought it over to the US. Here's a recent pic.

Meanwhile ... 50 or so degrees cooler, in a land far away ...

Doing something similar, but in a different direction. Currently in Angel Fire for a few days, then Ouray/Telluride, and eventually Salida. Taking advantage of many of the XC trails and downhill parks along the way. Hopefully no bears!

Just finished 'shredding' some downhill runs there myself!

Angel Fire?

Speaking of air fryers -- I'll be up there with him for some of that time 🙂

That age old question rears its head once again ... "is Walnut dry?"

It was probably really humid in the green belt, even if you didn't think so. I have been limiting my riding to places like Suburban Ninja and Brushy, and hillsides along the 360 and 620 corridors - a little bit of a breeze and some elevation really seem to make a difference. Still try and hit SATN once a week, too.

A Cold War Porter! Isn't that like ... having a chunk of the Berlin Wall?

Yup, bitters and brown ales are meant to be kept in the pantry. not in the fridge - that's where my grandpa kept his. Remember, it's not nearly as warm in the UK as it is here.

Chilled glasses are heresy from the shitty yeller beer industry. If it needs a chilled glass, it‘s not coming out of the tap at the right temp.

Yup. that was likely us. Were you on the singlespeed?

I haven't been in years, but didn't we all just park back then and walk/ride through it? I guess now it's a drive-thru thing or something. I remember chugging a couple of Lone Stars and running the Trail of Lights 5K in the early aughts - is that still a thing?

Yeah, he indicated to me that if he felt a bike was dirty, it would automatically get washed and the owner charged something like $15. Just wondering if he is backing off on this a little. My bikes are damn clean anyway, because they are kept in my home office - better than any Teams backdrop!

Have you had to pay to have your bike(s) washed yet? When I first stopped by, James mentioned that working on clean bikes was a thing with them (fair enough), but I'm assuming that the two of mine he's already worked on passed the cleanliness test, since I wasn't charged for a wash.

You are fortunate down in the Southlands to have probably not dealt with those who manage the Balcones Canyonland Conservation Plan. A proliferation of eBikes in some of the areas they covet might be just the excuse they are looking for - to put up a nice black fence.

I used to work for Watershed Protection, about 20 years ago - probably most of my co-workers have retired by now.

Is this an issue with physically crossing the creek, or an issue with finding available space on each side in order to cross? Just curious.

Brave feller, leaving it overnight.

I'll give em a solid thumbs up. James took care of my bent derailleur situation on opening day for a cheap $25. The website needs tweaking, but he recommends everyone use the built-in appointment scheduler - you won't be charged the indicated $150 for two hours if the repair doesn't warrant that. Nicely remodeled interior, plus a beer fridge. If you drive in off SCB you can park behind the shop without having to venture onto Burnet Rd.

I have a Burley trailer modified for 29er which the wife drove over - most is salvageable. Perhaps the parts would work.

I'm a little confused about how much they charge, but I will stop by and ask them. I see $100 per hour on the website -- and am hoping that is not a minimum, since they're no longer driving to my house. In other words, if it takes 30 mins to adjust my rear der, will it be $50? When attempting to schedule, the only option appears to be "2 hours @ $150", whatever that means, although it appears to include "Bike washed. Wheels trued. Shifting precise. Braking dialed. All other issues addressed." I always drop off a clean bike, so I certainly don't need to pay for that! In any case, I'll drop by and ask em before scheduling anything.