TAF

5 hours ago, quixoft said:

I found it annoying they turned the fountains off. It's pretty simple: if you're scared to contract the disease, don't drink out of public water fountains. If you're not worried about it, you can still get some water.

I also find it beyond annoying that they removed the shower/faucet at Walnut. Why, is beyond me, except that I'm pretty sure that wee shite of a PARD director finds actual park users to be damned annoying and creators of actual work for PARD staff.

The Crest does not open until July this year, but well worth the ride. Another good ride is Cottonwood Gulch. Absolute will shuttle you to both trailheads.

12 hours ago, throet said:

Can you remind us what time folks generally convene for the R&I? Any groups that go out late - like 6:30? 

Well, it's not terribly organized, but you might find someone heading out that late if you've posted up here ... which you have!

Everyone take it easy. We've all been off the bike for a while, and the current conditions of combined high humidity and high temps are something we need to ease into. No shame in dusting off your hydration packs, and ... no one follow Barry. See y'all at the Nut tomorrow.

1 minute ago, AntonioGG said:

Did this ride yesterday:  https://www.strava.com/activities/5464478824

Started before 8am.  Humidity was terrible and my pace is not fast enough to make this ride easier (it's confusing, but I think perceived hardness of this trail goes down as pace goes up because you "float" over more of the chunk than not).

I used my Osprey pack and honestly it doesn't bother me and I was glad to have 3L with me.  I was completely soaked everywhere anyway.  I had a 25oz bottle with concentrated Infinit (enough for 4 hours) and pure water in the Osprey.  We reloaded with 5 miles to go out of safety, but could have probably gone the whole ride with what we had left.

I'll have to get faster before I attempt another lap at LGT before the temps get cooler so I can finish by ~10am.

I think if I was riding LGT in this heat, I'd take a 3L pack too.

27 minutes ago, hurronnicane said:

In the continuing quest to hydrate during the oppressive Texas heat I tried my old school Jandd double water bottle pack today. This was state of the art for longer rides before hydration packs.   It allowed me to carry two bottles of ice water in the pack and one on the frame.  When I got to my trail network I left it at a central hub and just swapped out new ones as I ran out.  Probably poured 30% or 40% over my head.  I’m loving riding without the camelback when it is so damned hot.  

My current solution, which I'm rather pleased with. This is the Aeroe rear rack, developed for bikepacking by some Kiwis, and which works well on full squish bikes with a dropper. I've been carrying two extra bottles on it, but I don't think it will be an issue to carry four - maybe freeze two of em beforehand.

37 minutes ago, Hugh said:

I've got a buddy who spends his summers in Salida. Pretty awesome little town. Great mtbing and rafting or kayaking.

I typically spend my summers in Salida! This one‘s been a little different, but I hope to head up there soon.

5 minutes ago, Morealice said:

I’m ultimately hoping to find something somewhere that looks like a plain jane single story house from the road but has a National Forest view from the deck out back, and I’ll be patient and deliberate about it. Getting that raise is going to be necessary first, however. Divorce be expensive. Roughly 1,825 days. ⏰ 

Pretty sure somewhere along the entire Continental Divide, you will find that property. I don't think Texans have filled up Wyoming and Montana yet.

Well, it's not exactly blocking it, but you have to duck very low to get under it.

There is a sizeable downed tree blocking the trail right below the Red Horn terrace - dunno if anyone takes on trail work in SJ (AJ Camp?), but I've got a chain saw if help is needed.

6 hours ago, Morealice said:

Nice! Where do you own land?

Salida, CO - but definitely missed the window to build, have to wait for material and labor costs to drop down.

Nice bike - what are you asking?

59 minutes ago, Morealice said:

Rode yesterday and further solidified my plan to move to ANY mountains in 5 years. This morning it’s 74 with 90% humidity. Lol. Contemplating not riding at all this summer. For me, it just zaps the fun right out of it. 

edit: eh, I’m sure I’ll still ride and just incessantly bitch about it

I'm with you - both with the shitty riding conditions, and the mountains. Thankfully I already own a slice of land in the mountains -- it's just too expensive to build right now!

9 hours ago, TheX said:

Holy shit.

Route distance per day    222.7 mi

Edit: The more I read about what he's doing the more impressive it is. Amazing stuff. You have to be a true badass to do what he's doing.

I'm not sure where those per day numbers come from - no one rides that far in a day. Hoss had a strong first day - 111 miles to Whitefish. Looks like a group of em made it that far.

Our very own Hoss started out at noon today, heading southbound from Emporia, MT to Antelope Wells, NM.

You can follow him on Trackleaders here: Hoss_Kleinschmidt - Tour Divide 2021 individual history by trackleaders.com

Blog posts when he gets the opportunity: HossBoss | Team IPA Racing

Enjoy following along, folks!

22 hours ago, Barry said:

This is where Walnut shines. No matter how hot it gets, I'm comfortable there. It's almost entirely shaded and doesn't need any power moves to further tax the heart rate in the heat. It makes it really great for early hot season acclimatization. 

Super easy bailout options, too, if one does overheat or just decide it's time for a beer.

10 hours ago, TheX said:

I thought about that. I like having my truck, and my bikes. I don't mind a drive as long as there are place I'd like to see on the way.

I have a truck up in Salida. Fly into Gunnison and a shortish drive to the west. Sounds like fun!

I'll go as far as to say they would need to be bilingual.

Andy Coulbeck completes ‘Everesting’ attempt on Big View Drive - Entertainment - Austin 360 - Austin, TX

I believe there have been several successful everests in Austin.

5 minutes ago, CBaron said:

Anyone have their take on what would be a good hill for it?  I'd say Big View (or maybe low water up to Stiener climb?)

Ladera Norte? Or Yaupon and finish with a lap of Thumper?

4 minutes ago, Barry said:

No big deal, just do the Tour das Hügel 2.6× in a day. 

I'm figuring you have probably accidentally Everested?

Curious if anyone on here has 'everested'. Just read about a fellow who rode the Leadville course eight times in eight weeks - not a true Everest, but it piqued my curiosity.

"Everesting is the ultimate test of your climbing ability. It is a challenge that requires the rider to climb 8,848m (29,029 ft) in one ride, on a single hill."

Well, I'm just going to say this. but if it were me dropping my fork off for service at Cycleast (their mechanic used to work at Cycle Progression), I would ask for credentials regarding their ability to service Fox forks, as well as the shop's policy on work which the buyer considers is unsatisfactory. To be fair, I ask this pretty anyplace which works on suspension, but most of the time they are out of state.

5 hours ago, WLemke said:

I can confirm that cycle progression has the ability to do a full service on Fox suspension. Typically takes them 48-72 hours to turn it around. 

And I can confirm that in the past, this shop has botched at least two of these full services - I know, because one of them became mine and I had to replace the uppers or the lowers, I forget which. I believe that mechanic has moved on, but I think it's worth issuing a cautionary note. I know the turnaround is tempting, compared to a lengthy delay with Fox or Push Industries, but at least check what their policy is, in the event that you are unhappy with the work.