TAF

20 minutes ago, AustinBike said:

Doc said biking was ok, but my real concern is a camping/hiking trip that I have planned for next week.

I more-or-less did that a couple years ago, while (duh) leaf blowing barefoot. I taped my little toe to the next toe over, and stuck my foot in a mild bath of disinfectant daily for a few days. All worked out well.

6 hours ago, The Tip said:

But ARR is pushing to develop Area 51 into a destination. Tons of potential there due to the elevation changes.

Off topic, I suppose, but I do wish ARR would work more to be visible on social media. They did so much, back in the day, and now they have nary as much as a decent website. I only know they still exist because of Cullen's posts, and that's because I'm friends with him on FB. Kinda sad.

I rode the paved trail from the Y to Govalle park for the first time in a while, and was pleasantly surprised to see a number of trailheads leading off the concrete path, and several mountain bikers popping in and out of em. In fact, a fellow on a full squish came of ‘Area 51’ before you cross the 183 overpass.

Is this a new destination trail?

I think it's these people: https://www.laketravistrails.org/projects

On 3/11/2023 at 12:00 PM, AustinBike said:

My current theory is get home from CA and start with the Vassago:

• Cut down the current Pike to 120MM from 140mm, cut the steerer tube
• Gravel tires
• Move the batwing bars and grips from the urban bike

Next step:

• Try out the rigid fork that I already have
• Update the drive train to an 11-T 42T cassette and new derailleur
• Play with multiple front rings 32T through 42T

Final step:

• Maybe get a carbon fork
• Maybe just go get a gravel fork

 

You get what you pay for, and if you build a bike out of third-hand parts it'll likely be a third rate bike. I built a Why Cycles Ti gravel bike with Lauf fork from the frame up - and while expensive, it fits me perfectly and should last the rest of my life. Choices ....

4 hours ago, mack_turtle said:

I was wondering why you were so concerned about theft. are you taking the bike to a theft-prone place? Are you going to leave it outside every night with a shoestring for a lock? common sense measures like using a good lock when you need it, and keeping the bike indoors and out of sight should keep any bike as safe as is practical. anyone who is really determined to steal a bike will find a way, but they're far more likely to go after the easiest target, even if it's a crappy bike.

When I travel to Colorado, I lock the bike to the 1Up using 1Up locks for peace of mind while driving and for pee stops. Any other stop and I bring out the Vulcan case-hardened security chain which requires power tools to cut. I stay in Best Westerns with indoor doors, and the bike goes in with me. Never had an issue, touch wood.

On 2/22/2023 at 10:16 PM, Chongo Loco said:

Damn. 85 bucks to run at the nut! But hey they say the parking fees are covered. 🙄

Should have left all the downed trees down.

19 minutes ago, mtb_jeremy said:

Does anyone know any information on the status of the "bike playground" planned for Beverly Sheffield Park?  This has funding (2018 bond) and the final plan was adopted in Spring 2022.  I realize city government is about as slow as it gets for getting something done.  Should I forget about this and check back in 5 years from now?

As far as I know, a 'youth bike playground' is in the works -- I wouldn't expect much.

2 hours ago, ATXZJ said:

currently obsessed with all things Sleaford

 

New album coming soon!

1 hour ago, Barry said:

You're a real out-of-towner like me now. BTW, after having you feed me for 2 years running, @Jessica had to take up your slack on FRR Opening Day 100K with some amazing meatball sliders! 

Glad I set the trend!

7 hours ago, Barry said:

Yeah, R&I is dead. It's just not worth the drive for me. From Tulsa. 

I flew in from Colorado for it. Did a barely-daylight SS lap and headed off to El Mercado for drinks n eats.

2 hours ago, bestbike85 said:

man do they smell bad after a ride. 

Ha! Are you sure it's the pads?

I have a small stockpile of 1Up parts - figure I might be able to build someone a frankenrack one day. You’re welcome to add your parts to the collection.

There is a link to a newsletter - with a map on p18.

22 hours ago, AntonioGG said:

Does anyone know anything about this project?  Trees have had tags on them for a few months and finally I’ve seen the Asplundh trucks in the area.  I’ve been hoping they build at least a nice dirt shoulder in this road…or at the very least passing lanes.  This is on the Travis County maintained portion.

Wasn't there talk of some sort of trail up the side of that road?

6 hours ago, AustinBike said:

My feeling is that there are bonewipes in both the mountain bike and e-bike world.

You've been using 'bonewipe' for 3+ years now. Maybe time for a new pejorative?

https://austinmountainbiking.com/index.php?/search/&q=bonewipe&quick=1&type=forums_topic

2 hours ago, Ridenfool said:

As for inconsiderate trail users, I've had that problem with riders that pass, and then I pass when they stop, then they are coming up to pass again, and this has been going on since well before e-bikes were around. ha ha

My most recent non-ebike experience of this was at the last Rocky Hill event - some youngish feller riding for Cycle Progression, I think, who kept stopping in the middle of the trail to wait for his much slower girlfriend, and eventually shot past me into a tree gate with no callout, causing me to crash into said tree. I cussed him out loudly and then never saw him again.

eBikes are all over the place up in Salida - I think they are pretty much universally accepted at this point. It's either older riders, or younger couples where I suspect one party is a solid rider, the other needs the power assist to keep up. Interestingly, eBikes are only allowed on about half the trails - including the Crest - and this is well signposted. However, I see them everywhere, and as the battery / motor units become smaller and lighter, you often have to look pretty hard to determine if there's power assist or not. They don't really bother me, except when they come flying up behind me asking to pass, stop a quarter mile ahead, and then the whole process repeats - a lack of knowledge of trail etiquette which wouldn't matter much if they were on a regular bike, but which the power assist exacerbates.

2 hours ago, June Bug said:

No idea how this little sign ended up about five miles from the trailhead at Boggy Draw Trail System in SW Colorado, but there it was.

Likely BLM land.

I've got cold beer and hot dogs left over from the EB - anyone likely to be at R&I this week?

On 10/12/2022 at 10:07 AM, Taco Man said:

Thanks for food and beer

I had a miserable ride - I think I was probably sick with something - but your description of repeatedly getting lost was hilarious! When Steinerranchians hit Walnut ….

Brett Jones is KOM. Doubt he is on here, but I am happy to shoot him a message.

I plan to attend this week - got leftover food from Rocky Hill, and will load up the Shit Beer cooler.

On 10/5/2022 at 9:03 AM, ATXZJ said:

I recently saw a late-ish model carbon tallboy, with the fork on backwards at telluride bike park.

Terrifying 

Rushes into bike room to check fork (on carbon Tallboy which was at Telluride bike park)

7 minutes ago, AntonioGG said:

Yeah I loved it!  I declined 2 meeting invitations for this afternoon (even though I have this time blocked out) so I could make it today.  I’ll try to be as ruthless about declining meetings for this time at possible.  I do have to admit it’s easier accepting those meetings when it’s 100F+.

It was pretty bearable - I spent quite a bit of the summer in the mountains, and have generally only ridden in the morning since I got back, so I was somewhat of a wuss. Glad I took gears!