TAF

1 minute ago, Barry said:

Nov 3 works for me. 

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!

8 hours ago, crazyt said:

Is ARR helping out? Are you representing ARR?

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 …

54 minutes ago, CBaron said:

Yep, this is what I was thinking too.  It wouldn't be the end of the world for everyone to have to be "self supported" for the ride.  

-CBJ

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.

On ‎10‎/‎4‎/‎2018 at 12:07 PM, Albert said:

According to the Enchilada Buffet website, the rain dates are October 27th and November 3rd.  If it makes it out to November 3rd, I'd be able to ride.  🙂 

 ..Al

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

22 hours ago, AntonioGG said:

That looks interesting.  It seems to end at Onion Creek, and there's another path that starts across the creek and ends farther south.  Strava Heat Map shows people cross under 71 and go to the north side of 71 and onto Bastrop Hwy.  Then the traffic thins out.

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.

3 hours ago, mack_turtle said:

has anyone ridden the bike path that goes out past the airport along 71? it goes pretty far from the city and ends up at Southeast Metro Park, from what I can see on the map. the bike path is not marked or labeled on the map at all, but you can see it clearly on the satellite picture. I am all for riding pavement for the sake of exploring and I always find ways to include dirt in those routes.

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.

6 minutes ago, jcarneytx said:

before cold front arrives.  

You jest?

1 minute ago, The Tip said:

I say it all the time, housing projects, either homes or apartments, like to brag about their amenities. On their marketing material "Hike and Bike Trails" is almost always listed right after "Swimming Pool." They spend lots of money to have these amenities built. I'm sure part of that money goes towards liability insurance. If she's good with it I wouldn't worry at all.

See if she'll allow an entrance to be opened up through the fence to Williamson Creek Greenbelt. Then you will really have it made! Tell her that will give the apartment complex (a much coveted) direct access to the 80 miles of the SATN. Pretty cool.

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

7 minutes ago, Ridenfool said:

If no money changes hands, nor any other consideration of value is taken as payment for the work that you do, then, you would be a volunteer on a project approved by the owner's representative.

Like mack_turtle says, any risk/responsibility would be on the shoulders of those managing the property.

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

2 minutes ago, knifezilla said:

I have done this ride 5 times and am usually in the top 10 or 20, but don't have or want GPS.  Are we gonna have a problem this year?

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

1 minute ago, Albert said:

LOL

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.

17 minutes ago, cxagent said:

I agree with you the "enduro" motorcycles can cause a lot of damage ...

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

21 hours ago, Motopail said:

Nope....   CP was built by the Capital Cats....  so they could ride in the wet conditions...  on dirt bikes....not trials bikes as you stated.

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.

27 minutes ago, Bartman said:

That reminds me of something an iron man triathlete  friend told me about their banquets..everyone is single because they’re too busy training all of the time to be in a relationship..

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

12 hours ago, Ridenfool said:

+1

The park in town has some challenges (Palmer?) and the State Park next to NORAD has some fun stuff too. Many more trails up in the mountains, but might be best with a shuttle.

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)

Just now, Albert said:

That is a damn good idea.  I know someone who moved recently from Austin to Colorado Springs.  Never been there, though, so don't know how good the mountain biking scene is. 

 ..Al

It's excellent.

I'm fortunate enough to be able to keep a bike in Colorado Springs. If I leave on the first DIA flight Friday morning, and take a late afternoon flight back on Monday (usually using miles), I get four awesome high altitude rides in. Don't get rid of your old bikes - make friends in Colorado!

My understanding of CP is that the trails were originally built for the much lighter trials bikes, and mostly to access the (now) forbidden trails in the central area. A few years ago, the last motorcycle park in Travis County closed, so those guys headed for CP with their much larger, much heavier motos. Those bikes almost immediately caused the existing damage to the trails - broken chunks of rock, massive divots, etc. It no longer drains like it used to. But, as others have pointed out, it's "their" trail system.

That's a nice looking cake - where do I get one?