AntonioGG

+1 on the trying.

I'd like to see head shapes and sizes for those posting reviews.

 I hate my Bell MIPS.  I wear a 7 7/8 hat (if I wore hats).  It doesn't fit my head shape very well, I guess it's kind of oval, but I imagine I'd look like Bull Shannon from Night Court if I shaved my head.  It's also on the limit to maybe too-tight when wearing a beanie.  I have to wear a beanie all the time to block the sun (I hate sunscreen on my head and I don't like leopard sunburn spots in my scalp).

I loved my old Specialized S-works.  I want to get whatever equivalent they have now.  Why mess with what works?

1 hour ago, AustinBike said:

"unique designs to minimize maintenance" - as long as you have their special tools.

I'm not saying that this design is worthy of the end-all-designs internal transmission bike design, but how often do you have to adjust the transmission in your car?  The end-goal in my view is to not have to  adjust or maintain anything at all except to change the oil every 6k miles or whatever.  There are already successful internal transmission hubs out there.  AFAIK they are generally liked by those using them in commuter bikes.  

It's like the argument for buying a car b/c parts are cheap, easy to find, and everyone carries the parts.  There's a reason for that!

$60-90 chains every 1k-2k miles (maybe 3k on a road bike if you're willing to shorten the life of your chainrings.) $70-400 cassettes depending on which ones you run every 3k-4k miles.  $50-120 chainrings every maybe 3k miles or so?

41 minutes ago, mack_turtle said:

 

that's the new breed of mountain bikers- not because they are bad people, but because they are young, just like all of us were at one time. with that comes loud shitty music, flat-billed hats, cans of Redbull spilling out of dually trucks, enduro bro brapping culture that we see today in some places. I predict that most of them will chill out shortly and then they'll be the ones complaining about the e-bikes whippersnappers behind them and whatever cultural milieu it represents. it's a cycle. 

 

Fixed it. 🙂

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.

3 hours ago, Seths Pool said:

digging is my secondary form of exercise. 

 

its basically an outside, free, dirty-ass version of crossfit!

That's what I tell people.  Digging in central Texas is tough!  

You need to advertise it as such, and maybe charge an outrageous amount for the privilege of moving rocks, cutting logs, and digging.

Aquariums are so practical.  Who knew they had so many uses?

https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/08/29/body-found-in-fish-tank-in-missing-mans-san-francisco-home/

Tom, got any update for us?

Lots of road riding and gravel riding as well as trainer time.  The worst part is going to be upper body and core.  I have noticed that the more I ride Brushy, the stronger I get in the upper body and core.  Doing less Brushy due to rain means I feel it when I go back to riding off-road.  

Cody interested in a Computrainer?  🙂

Bike wrenching is my zen/me time. 

I just remembered about this resource:  https://gravelmap.com/#@30.317600495288698,-97.76872918475993,10,roadmap

Sadly it looks like everything is about as far from Austin as that Lockhart ride, with nothing closer for those in NW Austin.

Fixed it.  They just recently changed all the privacy settings in Strava.

Are there any in-town or around town routes you guys want to share?  

https://www.strava.com/activities/1859231450

That first one is pretty much like an electric Vespa!

Tom, See what BSS tells you.  I think they have 2 tune-ups in the first year free when you buy a bike from them.  I'd imagine fixing a creak is included.See what BSS tell you first.

What area of Austin do you live in?

51 minutes ago, Teamsloan said:

This is what graphic designers do for fun... Kerning Game

Thanks for the time suck!  Got a 95/100.  Pretty fun. 🙂

Must have gotten more rain Wednesday afternoon/night.

Stay off the low side of the berms at peddlers, shouldn't be a problem with so much traction you'll have plenty of speed.   Other than that, everything was perfect.

1 minute ago, Barry said:

On the way over to the OB ride we went through WC. The start trail was a mess and we didn't even try .6. We took pavement over to Log and rode Inner Log. It was 98% dry and 2% standing puddles. So I don't know. 

That start trail looked messy but it was firm.  That's one of the spots that I suspect may have a bunch of stone under it, or very firm ground.  There were puddles, but no mud if that makes sense.

I rode it on Wednesday right after the very light rain.  point-6 was the only section that was iffy.  I say iffy because the worst parts were the previously formed ruts. Other than that, there was plenty of firm/dry to tacky ground without going outside the trail.  Those ruts had been perfect to try to flatten out Tuesday night, but were too soft to flatten out by Wednesday at noon.  I went in because I saw two guys come out with clean tires, and I asked them how the trail was.  The worst mud was on the paved path!  By the time I was finishing, the sun was coming out, and it was drying fast.  Some sections in the log loops were damp, but not soft.  It's pretty weird.  Not sure if there's just rock under there.  it was slick but nothing sticking to tires, and no ruts forming.  I don't know if any more rain fell on Wednesday night or this morning.

Biking on Mars then, or Risa.  🙂

Nothing says you have to view the avatar and the low res graphics today.  You can watch Netflix or buy location videos.

This is just one example:  http://cyclingvideosonline.com

What would be the purpose of doing VR MTB trails if you can't move the bike around--which is the big differentiator as compared to road cycling?  Short of a full hydraulic setup in which you can move the bike, I don't see the point.  What am I missing?  (disclosure:  have never tried VR stuff)

Albert, I have a coolshirt from back in my racing days.  Those things were almost a must while racing inside a car in the Texas heat.  Cockpit temps >125°F are the norm.  With no power steering, the effort in the car is pretty demanding (or so I used to think).  Flicking on the switch while waiting for the race start was awesome.  You're instantly cooled to a comfortable temperature.  So I figured, I can get some use out of my coolsuit, wear it while I'm on my trainer.  HA!!  The amount of heat and sweat you produce when doing a HIT workout for 1 hour is pretty intense.  Anywhere airflow is blocked, you'll be sweating heavily.  I can't imagine wearing goggles.

I hate the trainer.  I ride in temps to 100°F and below freezing.  I ride in the rain.  I pretty much just use it as a last resort or if thunderstorms or high wind are forecasted, but it is extremely effective in getting you in shape quickly.  Follow one of Trainerroad's 6 week programs and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Pedicab training!  (The handling is going to suck)

@crazyt http://bikecalculator.com