AntonioGG

The limited release for soft shell bags means I won't be flying my bike with Delta. Alaska is a bit more generous in that regard.

I have a battery powered e2go trimmer I could bring. Not gonna make it to hiking today. Wish I had a battery hedge trimmer. Yeah that dying ragweed really encroached.

Rode the first loop yesterday. It's super overgrown. I trimmed a lot back by hand (mostly the ones that obscured or caused you to duck before tricky sections) but with no gloves it was tough. I'm thinking of going for a run later today with pruners in hand.

Made me go search for Curtis Youngblood videos. That dude can fly.

Those are not beginner-friendly blades for sure!

That's awesome! I also started indoor bouldering at Austin Rock Gym. It's actually helping me with my wrist pain which is surprising and welcome. I've had thoughts of re-starting TKD at some point too.

After I posted above, I remembered another example about how getting used to doing things by light at night is so much different. Any of you that have done sports like softball, if you never played at night, and you are decent at catching balls during the day...the first time (or few times) you play/practice at night, it's pretty shocking how different it is to get a feel for where the ball actually is.

A friend and I were wondering which songs... He thought New Kid in Town, I thought Victim of Love. Maybe both? Any?

The machine work, such a beauty!

The ay-ups are only 700 each lumens and they're fine. I even run them at reduced intensity in easy trails. A lot of it is getting used to riding at night. As far as which light to use where, the key is to use a more diffused/broad beam on the handlebars, more of a spot light on the helmet.

I shudder to think what you do to check for hemorrhoids.

That made me sad! I'll try to make the next one and you and I can bring up the rear. I'll probably ride Thumper before then to get that first-ride-in-a-long-time extra 30 minutes out of the way. Did anyone stay for burgers/drinks at BB Rovers after? I miss all that.

Pain is so close to pleasure --John Deacon, Freddy Mercury

DD has extended (at least for Texas) climbs, some techy and then there are the obstacles, step ups, step downs. Some pretty big. It's still fun if you have to push your bike up some of these or walk down some of these. I usually session several of these obstacles every time I go. DD also has more tree shade than 1/4 notch.

I haven't done Thumper since the end of March. I pretty much stay away from it in the summer.

I was mainly asking for new people. I'm not sure I can make it this time around. I know what you mean about the exponential reduction. I think the first time I rode it was with you at night (I was nuts!), I bailed, rode the 2nd half backwards and I spent way too long in there in the dark alone. The next time I rode the whole thing, I think it took me something like 2 hours (for a 5 mile trail). The time after that, 1:45, then 1:30. Ride Thumper 2-3x per week and not only will you learn it and get faster in it, you'll get in shape fast! I think that first section with the off-camber turns and sometimes-slick rock are tougher than City Park.

no-drop?

Sounds like my Edge520+. I really hate how many buttons I have to press compared to my old Edge500.

To me, larger bars means large corrections become small corrections. Your arms travel longer for a smaller movement of the wheel. Still, it is different for sure.

Good thing you didn't go on a Sunday. We did that in August (probably still a lot of people on their summer holiday) and it was a zoo. I couldn't believe they don't shut traffic down on that street.

+1 here. For me as a jump n00b, gaps (even tiny ones) are what's intimidating. If I have a flat table to to land on that's what keeps it beginner for me. In fact, my first time having pump track actually click for me was at The Lumberyard in Portland. It's all wood, and I didn't clear any jumps (landed on the table) but made it without having to pedal which was so addictive.

Got measurements from all 3 of my "road" bikes. I'm a little shocked at how different they are. I know these measurements are better for comparing setup on the same bike, and not really good for comparing between bikes, mostly b/c of the different saddles on the 3 bikes. Saddle height from BB center to its middle, all within 6mm (Roubaix and OCR1 on 172.5mm cranks, the gravel grinder on 175mm cranks). Surprisingly the GG is the tallest. I need to re-do my hip and knee angle measurements but I think my OCR1 is a bit lower b/c my wife test rode it. Saddle setback 27mm for the OCR1, 39mm for the GG and 51mm for the Roubaix. Saddle tip to hoods, 546mm OCR1, 632mm (!!!) GG, 589 Roubaix Saddle to bar drop, 34.8mm OCR1, 48mm GG, -1mm Roubaix (1mm higher than saddle). This is why, though I'm also more stretched on the Roubaix than the Giant horizontally, it's higher so it doesn't feel that uncomfortable on my lower back. Seems to me it's evidence of how alternative setups could work differently as far as comfort, but it would be interesting to quantify at putting power down and aero differences. With the new Whisky No.7 bars, I cut that saddle tip to hoods by 20mm, but I think I'll still throw a 70-75mm stem in there, maybe one with more angle to bring things up. The Salsa Woodchipper bars are advertised as having 56mm reach (they don't specify how it's measured). I measured 95mm center to center once I removed them and took the tape off. Compare to the Specialized bars on the Roubaix and the Whisky No.7 are both advertised as 70mm and they both measure 70mm center to center.

Why do you have to go and call him that?! (j/k) I do have a suggestion, I've been in a group, over my head, and let people know that I wanted to just ride on my own, but I wasn't allowed to...I mean, the group slowed down but I don't like doing that at all. I prefer to ride on my own if I can't keep up. Corollary to that, if you do want to drop off or peel off early to go home, let people know.

double post

I had serious thoughts of making a mace from old chainrings. Even took down the MIG from storage.