cxagent

Today on the BCGB - It is a hog nose snake. He flattened his head and tried to look venomous at first. When I insisted he get off the trail his head shrunk as he was leaving. That is when I got the camera out.

Thanks everybody. I knew this community would come thru.

Thanks a lot. I was trying to forget I ever heard/saw that.

I had a question about RPR I could not answer so I'm asking for your help. I have not been to RPR since the bulldozer carnage. The question is from a lady who does not mtb much - "what are the best intermediate trails at Reveille? Are they well marked? I don’t want to walk if I can help it?" Can anybody answer this question for her?

Different people like different trails. Ride the parts you like and let others ride the parts they like.

I just saw this post and downloaded the PDF. I have not read it yet. Here is a document I have been using. Ross Martin was a local MTB rider until he earned his Phd and accepted a professorship at Jacksonville State University (I had to google to find him - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ross_Martin7). His dissertation can be found at https://digital.library.txstate.edu/bitstream/handle/10877/8154/MARTIN-DISSERTATION-2017.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y Ross did some great research and reporting in scientifically credible papers. His dissertation is extremely helpful to me in defending MTB trails.

That looks like the same kind of flood debris we see everywhere. Don't I remember that there is a bypass around Ever Wet? If this is the old Ever Wet we should leave this and clear the new route. If this is the new route - then maybe we need a 'newer route' because this will happen again. during the next heavy rain.

email trailcoordinator@austinridgeriders.com There is a problem with trail work on the BCGB. At one time ARR had an agreement (authorization) with the City of Austin to maintain the trail along the creek (the only official trails in BCGB). When there was a problem, ARR took care of it quickly since the authorization was already in place. The City quit renewing that annual agreement about 6 years ago. So now we have to get a project by project agreement (authorization) with the City. Recent experience is that it takes some where between one month and 3 months to get that authorization. So if we start working on it now, we might have it approved by the end of warbler nesting season on 8/31/2019. (Notice how I had to specify the year???)

I have heard that the most common snake bite is when someone tried to move a snake with a 3 foot stick. That would be a snake that could strike 3' 1".

e-mtb bikes are showing up everywhere. I don't think they are the biggest sellers, the commuter bikes are. But e-bikes of all sorts are showing up on various trails.

Without rehashing everything that has been said recently - my fading memory says this sign was discussed publicly long before it was made or posted. Just like any other volunteer effort, some people liked it, some people hated it but most thought any such sign was a step in the right direction. Just like there will never be complete agreement on trails, trail features, trail difficulty, A thru Z lines, rideable / too wet, etc. there will never be complete agreement on what should be on a sign. A lot of people have put a *LOT* of personal time, energy and money into making some great trails. It amazes me how other people complain about a few peoples' efforts. Some people think that if someone does not contribute to the effort, they don't get a say. My personal opinion is all inputs are welcome. Some will turn into truly great improvements I may not have seen. But most outside suggestions will get filed with all of the other outside suggestions/complaints. So don't expect every suggestion/complaint to be treated as gospel.

Ridenfool has been to MANY work days in the past. Now days I think he does most of his trail work close to his current home.

Please don't ride against traffic. Following the rules is how we keep the land owner happy. Or at least happier. If I remember correctly, it has been 9 or 10 years since it was reversed. Lots of "other things" had priority. Like keeping the land owner happy.

This event is TONIGHT!

Just for reference - I saw the original post and asked the poster to edit to remove the parts that might cause trouble. He did. And I thanked him. (I assume it is a guy.) Now others have added back the part that is likely to cause trouble. And they should know better. I have to admit defeat. I give up. Since everybody wants to publicly brag about their rides on trails that may cause trouble - go ahead. I will quit asking anybody to keep trails quiet. Brag away. I suggest you go ride and post a last ride or two on Slinky. It has already been publicly announced it will be gone soon. Just think - you could have a KOM that will stand forever.

I blame Strava. The worst enemy of the central Texas mountain biker. (said with the serious look of a news reporter citing 'un-named sources' also known as no sources)

Well done my friend.

Here is a link to the problem with riding wet trails. Yes I know that people who visit this board already know this. But you can refer other less knowledgeable people to this link. https://ntxtrails.com/why-cant-i-ride-wet-trails/?fbclid=IwAR25cCCVIyOx4p9IC8F-Pwo5nwJSwnlT7CyAH0IYKOYFmbck9Ox6BWgDWzc

I think AustinBike nailed it. The is a "community plan". Also known as a compromise. Nobody gets everything but most people get something. Keep in mind that these compromises are a lot like some of the "discussions" on this board. Some people have all the answers and everyone must be beaten into relenting to their opinion. In my humble opinion the potential for killer MTB trails was HUGE. But there were too many competing interests so compromises had to be made. Getting it recognized that MTB was appropriate and allowed on what were termed "nature trails" was a major win. Without that one I would consider that area to be a total loss for MTB'rs. As it is, there is potential near and long term. ETA - We can all thank Derrick (sp?) for staying on top of this when others had to move on to more pressing issues. What was that saying? "It takes a village!"

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I don't have time to list all of the different snakes or locations. I can cover it with - I don't think there is a single trail where I have never seen a snake. They are everywhere. All the time. Just because you don't see them does not mean they are not there. There was a rattlesnake at Steiner Ranch right next to the trail. At least 5 people had ridden within 12 inches of it before someone missed on the climb and everybody stopped. I almost stepped on it when I went to put a foot down. Did I mention they are EVERYWHERE? Most of them are harmless and even helpful. Please leave them alone. Some of them are venomous. If they are leaving me alone I leave them alone. I will try to drive them away from the trail if they will leave. Only if they are aggressive do I kill them. I understand if a venomous snake is in your yard you will kill it. But most of our rider are in their home/yard.

Pro Trail Building tip - Make the muddiest, worst draining place on the trail right at the entrance. If that place cakes their tires so they have to push - they don't go very far. I would love to say I "invented" this. The truth is I learned it trying to ride Rocky Hill Ranch. All the red clay at the beginning caked up tires so we had trouble getting to the parts that drained well and were probably rideable. This was a 'going away ride' for an Army soldier who was moving out of state - it could not be postponed.

That looks a LOT like the picture you posted 12 hours earlier. Oh wait - that bird moved between when the two pictures were taken. Or did it?

Unless they can self balance. Or have a battery. Or have an odd number of wheels. Now don't start that sh*t over here too. 😉 Oh wait - I think I just did. 😞