TAF

We'll have to keep our eye on the ball, that's for sure -- make sure there's no "last minute" additions and deletions which have considerable impact.

There's something every weekend, these days.

Do you sense that the new leadership is taking a more 'open-minded' approach?

That's a relief, I can tell you.

The trails are still soaked, EBers, and more rain is in the forecast. We'll make a determination mid-week, next week. If we push to a rain date, it will be to November 3, due to the availability of resources. If it's still too wet by then, we'll have to cancel, but will do our best to re-stage the event sometime in the new year, on a non-race weekend. So stay tuned!

It sounds like he is representing Austin-area mountain bikers, as we all should be. I'm not sure what voice you think ARR can provide, that we cannot provide ourselves.

Some potentially dangerous language: "Redefined public access may be proposed for hiking, hiking with dogs on leash, running, and mountain biking as provided for in the COA BCP Trail Master Plan" Also, under 3.1.4: "Existing approved trails (*see maps in Tier III plans for locations) exhibiting significant erosion must be closed or renovated and restored to habitat. All non-approved trails are subject to closure and restoration." Need to go find these Tier III plans …

You may well get your wish. We can leave the grill in the truck - first person back, get grillin!

There's a new route after Thumper which gets you on to the Walnut Creek concrete path. After turning onto Duval Rd, you want to get onto the sidewalk on the left after crossing Amherst Dr, so in the direction of oncoming traffic. You'll immediately see a section of doubletrack to the left which goes down to the Balcones District Park Trail on Walnut Creek itself. Just follow it along, it'll become a nice new concrete path, and eventually it tees into the Mopac frontage road. Turn left, and you'll follow the concrete path down under Mopac, and on to Walnut. Hopefully the asshole from the power company who parked his huge truck ON the path won't be there that day.

Two rain dates are indeed on the calendar - the disadvantage of using rain dates is that much of the logistical support can be lost - trail angels are no longer available, the team who helps at Walnut has conflicts, etc etc. It can become a challenge to even get a basic water drop set up.

Rego is live: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/eb-2018-tickets-50575279021

I've always found it intriguing that the bike racks in the close-up parking lot are usually fairly full. I'll have to check out the heatmaps also.

How do we access it from the Austin end?

Most of my riding has been in Colorado this summer, not Texas, so with all the rain I've basically done little training. I also don't care whether I finish or not, so I have that going for me. I'm going to take off packless, and ride until I feel like I've stopped having fun. Hopefully I'll at least make it up Yaupon, then it's decision time. For the first time, I'm not taking anyone with me, so I'm hoping to be quite a bit faster than in previous years.

You jest?

Throw in free access to a water spigot, and the trails will be quite popular, right off the bat!

Assuming, of course, that the complex does actually own the open land.

Not unless someone complains about passing you three times in City Park, and that sort of thing.

Just when you thought Thumper couldn't possibly get any worse … a gatekeeper at the culvert crossing! How awesome would this be.

Anyone have contact details? I'd love to station her halfway through Thumper.

Oh, boy - now we've upset the enduro guys again :-) !

I'm always happy to stand corrected - especially by those fortunate enough to have been around in the day - but I do maintain that the larger motorcycles do cause damage out there. I was out there one Thanksgiving day a few years ago - not something I'd recommend, btw - and it was busy with motos. One guy in particular had a massive 650cc motocross bike. The rider wasn't that skilled, so we kept passing one another. Unlike the lighter motos of yore, he would just ram it into the ledges to climb them. Rock was flying everywhere, and the divots when he cornered were 12 inches deep or more. It's really never been the same since, especially after rain.

That's probably very true! Those guys n gals train like crazy.

My four days usually include: Red Rock Canyon > Fossil Brewing Gold Camp Rd > Buckhorn > Capn Jacks > Bristol Brewing Falcon Trail (Air Force Academy) Oil Well Flats (Canon City)

It's excellent.