TAF

On 5/9/2022 at 9:45 PM, AntonioGG said:

Anyone watch Endeavour?  It's the origin-story of Inspector Morse, set in the late 60's.  In one episode, the older detective offers Endeavour a beer, pulls out a couple of bottles from the fridge and the young Endeavour takes a drink, looks at it, and says "but it's a bitter?!" (paraphrasing).  I thought that was a cool bit in a cool show.

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.

5 hours ago, Cafeend said:

Hey were you in the group at the end  of Katy ln riding around the cul de sac?

I went by all yallz in the AM. 

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

1 minute ago, CBaron said:

 

 

I found my tandem+trail-a-bike+trailer photo.  I dug it up from our Xmas photo box.  Circa 2007.  I believe this was one of the last times we were all aloud to ride out bikes through the trail of lights.

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?

6 hours ago, AustinBike said:

Both bikes were clean when I picked them up, I did not "pay" to have them cleaned. I hosed both down well before I went in so they were not dirty in my mind, but I have a different vision of a dirty bike than most I assume.

The prices were fair, so if they are cleaning it in addition, that was a bonus.

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.

2 hours ago, The Tip said:

"They" are not going to suddenly shut down every trail to mountain biking because of ebikes being "caught" on a trail somewhere.

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.

5 minutes ago, Mattlikesbikes said:

This is a city requirement of no adverse impact on private property in the flood plain issue. We have a design and a selection of locations, it's just a watershed issue now. We are working on mitigation options, but there are not many as the floodplain is so low right there.

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

10 hours ago, Mattlikesbikes said:

The trail will currently end at the Walnut Bluffs Trailhead, as we cannot find a way across the creek from there.

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.

33 minutes ago, AustinBike said:

they have the bike now, will report back.

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.

The main creek crossing at Walnut was so slick a few months back, that my bike vanished from under me so quickly I was left suspended in mid-air, still pedaling away, like in the cartoons! A solid landing, but thankfully nothing serious.

They are basically open Sunday afternoon and Monday evening, and yes, you need to check the FB page to be sure. Someone does have to drive in to open the gate - no one lives on the property. I honestly don't think they'd lock the gates if a car with a bike rack was still sitting in the parking area. There used to be a fun TMBRA marathon event out there - I remain hopeful that someday someone will pick it back up.

I'd also highly recommend a visit to the Chinati Foundation just outside Marfa. It's more than just artwork -- the place was formerly Fort Russell, an air force training ground in one or both wars, and I believe a POW camp. Many of the original buildings remain, in particular the old prisoner mess, which still has artwork on the walls from WWII! Very cool if you are into military history. Follow up your visit with agave margs at the Sentinel in town.

The Chinati Foundation – A contemporary art museum based upon the ideas of its founder, Donald Judd.

Looks like there are a couple other trails also.

I have stayed out at Fort Davis a couple of times. It's great scenery, but most of what you see (applies to FWT in general) is fenced-off private land. There is an old CCC trail which heads uphill out of the Fort Davis campground / state park and up to a cool overlook. We actually rode it, but it's a hiking trail ... maybe 2-3 miles in total.

As for Marfa / Alpine, I understand there is a trail which runs alongside the rail line and connects the two towns, but we're talking huge freight trains - don't know how much fun it would be.

I'd get down to Terlingua where you can access the State Park and the National Park -- endless hiking in those two areas. Be prepared -- it's pretty remote!

On 3/9/2022 at 1:09 PM, AntonioGG said:

I provided feedback to them on how to improve the process--or rather--to define a process for this specific type of issue and to train the customer support people on this.

Ha ha! How did that go down?

4 hours ago, AustinBike said:

Patiently waiting for them to open. I have a pair of wheels that I need James to rebuild. Close enough that they could become my go-to shop. We are definitely spoiled in Austin with the number of good shops that we have. Friends in other cities generally talk about the *one* good shop in their town and how hard it is to get things done.

I spoke to James the other day - they are waiting for their Final Inspection from the City. He's optimistic about the timeline (soon), those of us who are jaded and old will be less likely to expect it to be this week or next.

Only just saw this, for some reason - I was the sweep. Great to see Mr and Mrs June Bug (who gave me much needed water), plus cold brews from Ridenfools cool van after. Good times!

6 hours ago, throet said:

I sure miss those ride days you used to host out there. The route at the time was only around 7 or 8 miles, but it was some of the sweetest single track around. Two or three laps followed by cold beer and some eats always made it worth the trip! 

Well, if they ever got some real land managers in there (seems unlikely), and Team Toilet Paper were made to build their own downhill lines, instead of using the XC uphills - those glory days could perhaps be repeated!

53 minutes ago, June Bug said:

You may be familiar with Flat Creek Crossing Ranch by Pedernales Falls as just a riding venue

A mostly closed riding venue.

5 hours ago, June Bug said:

I was going to suggest Austin Bolt Company on Rutland Dr., which has been bought by ServPro. 

RIP

Here's a Yelp review from April 2021: Austin Bolt used to be a "go-to" place if you needed a handful of fasteners. Now (post-Covid), they have bailed on their previous "customer-first" business model and only do wholesale accounts. Will-call and walk-up business is gone for retail customers. FastServ charges $20 shipping for web orders. Sayonara....

 

 

 

 

Austin Bolt was awesome - sad to hear that they have gone down the shitter.

Yet again - same weekend as Castell Grind.