Barry

For 23 years I only rode. I lifted a bit in high school, but not at all since. 

So I found out pretty early in Austin that I can do whatever at my company and keep getting great reviews. So I can take an hour and a half or more for lunch with no consequences... because subject matter expert yada yada with a limited scope. In Austin I lived right by work, so during this time, I went home and did whatever. But in Tulsa, work is 25 minutes from home. So I mostly used that time long-sitting at restaurants or freakin' napping. In August it occurred to that I could better utilize this time. 

So yeah, I joined a gym near work and go about 3-4 times a week. I power through 3setof10 on about 9-12 machines. No machine more than 3 minutes. And I'm done up in 30ish minutes. Quick shower and out in about 40 minutes total. 

I'm riding WAY less. But I'm having absolutely no problem maintaining my weight now.

This seems like an abusive relationship at this point.

My wife called my Binary Maniak "vaporware" when I put a deposit on it 8 months before it shipped. But I'm riding the hell out of that bike now! 

This joke seems to be the culmination of all that was Mojo. This aquarium joke is all that's left. 

Bikes & Big Ideas with David Golay at: 

https://blisterreview.com/podcasts

Lots of great time killing content, largely about cutting edge bike tech. He's an ME and has a deep understanding of components. AND David was a Central NY riding buddy mine from 15 years ago. So for me, it's just like hanging with him on the way to the ride. 

And because of the riding and types of bikes you enjoy, I'll give a special recommendation for this podcast to @ATXZJ. 

48 minutes ago, WhoAmI said:

Also, in my Texas opinion, this event should take place in August b/c you're "dragon slaying," and dragons generally (not all) are fire breathing.  lmoa  Plus, fall weather typically is wetter, and I really don't like riding wet trails regardless of rock content.

Ha... this is the logic that has the nonsense DFW event, "Judgment Day" happening in August. 

But yeah, the weather has been hit and miss for the event for sure.  

On 12/10/2023 at 11:00 AM, WhoAmI said:

How many laps did you ride?

I really thought I would come down for this (and EB), but I'm trying to find new ways to push my miles and my efforts. 

But interesting post...and you've been putting some good longer efforts together over the past year or so. Are you considering giving DS a go next year?  

On 10/18/2023 at 8:01 AM, mack_turtle said:

the group of people who ride EB and the people who ride SATN Social is most likely a Venn diagram with very little overlap.

I don't disagree. Although had I still lived in town I would had been disappointed. Me, and like 1 or 2 other people. 

On 10/11/2023 at 7:05 AM, throet said:

Any locals heading up to Bentonville for Outer Bike this year?

Indeed. We've had our Blowing Springs camp site reserved since April.

Get one with the flamethrower attachment. 

23 hours ago, The Tip said:

When did Mother Nature get so darn sensitive anyway? I still haven't found a really compelling reason why they are so bad. Even the individual National Parks themselves cannot agree on a policy.

That's correct,  there is no consistent policy. 

Cairns certainly have a scenario where they can be helpful, like on trails systems without many signs. SATN is a great example where those visual makers are helpful. 

Another good use of Cairns is were the absolute Cairn cities would (or do they still? ) pop up when the BC Greenbelt creek was dry. Dozens of stacks artfully places 6+ feet and taller. And like sandcastles, the water removes them eventually. 

But stacking rocks that'll just stay like that for no purpose? It's like, if you're going to graffiti, make something beautiful out of something grotesque (like on many SATN structures and overpasses, instead of just shitty tagging). So I lean to the "leave no trace" side here when it comes to nonsensical reorganization of roks. Not today, hippy!

15 hours ago, The Tip said:

At the top of Cairn Me Up at Glorieta, NM

Dude that's a fun as hell trail. And it would take me ALL DAY to kick down all those cairns. 

12 hours ago, TAF said:

It's a fuck sight harder if you live in Colorado.

Especially if you want to ride the GB or SATN!

I normally politely shrug at pleading for more lift service parks...

But hot damn a lift from the southern peak of Franklin MTS would offer about 2.5-3K' of elevation loss and put trails on otherwise empty terrain.

Based on what I can find, this rumor started on Reddit about 20 days ago. And it's a deleted post based on "good authority." And so far as I can tell, GG has made no statements on the matter, neither on their website, their social medial, nor a press release that can be found in a Google News search. The reddit thread has a bit of speculation about the company starting to produce their Rev'd frames for other manufactures, but will close their GG line.

But GG remains entirely silent on the issue so far as I can tell. Also, their phone number still works, but "all representatives are busy."   

6 hours ago, ATXZJ said:

Sure, my abilities to ride tech improved a ton in Austin but I was behind the curve when it came to high speed flow, berms and jumping.

Absolutely. "Tech" means something different these days. It's doesn't mean the ground covered with rocks and roots, with tricky lines to negotiate. Now it means having the speed and ability to hit the upcoming 8 foot long tabletop, after just nailing the 7 foot long tabletop behind you. And yes, ATX folks (who didn't grow up steeped in BMX) are likely behind the flow-curve from areas with a lot of newer trails. 

19 minutes ago, Chongo Loco said:

absolutely can’t stand the trend towards 3’ wide machine built trails.

Fun fact... when the trails at...

19 minutes ago, Chongo Loco said:

Racoon Mtn in Chattanooga

...were first built, they were basically 3' wide machine built trails. No, not as bad as some, but next time check out how massive some of the bench cuts and trail corridors are. 

Although even at the time I thought the trails were a good example of such work. And then over the years the corridors grown back in, and then like magic, we have singletrack. 

I'm pretty okay with professional machine built trails these days. You can't have that much fun at Turkey Mountain and be mad about it.

12 hours ago, AustinBike said:

There is an extra 1000 feet, not 100. I did not do a good job of locating the trail I was looking for. In retrospect I was on it, so I may go back.

Did Winsor over to Dale Ball. Took Juan across.

LOL. While that might not be my life's most consequential type-o, it was certainly significant. It was an order of magnitude type-o!

So yes, if I had just climbed the 2500 feet to get to the shuttle drop-off from town, would it be worth it to climb the extra 1000 feet? Or is it more like the punishing south-side Dale Ball trails?

51 minutes ago, Ridenfool said:

For extreme suffering, after most of the downhill is behind you, take La Piedra trail to connect into the Dale Ball trail system.

That's how I did it! 

https://strava.app.link/naQNaQDsxCb

On 8/22/2023 at 4:46 PM, AustinBike said:

Shuttled up to 10,000 feet, then rode my 36T hardtail up to the highest point at 11,000 feet. The down was way more fun.

 

 

I climbed to the shuttle drop-off and decided not to go the extra 100 feet to the top. Did I miss out?

On 8/19/2023 at 5:29 PM, Ridenfool said:

Get started early and it can be fun weaving through the pines. Start late at your own peril.

I'll never understand this approach. Give me 105 degrees and 35% RH any time over 80 degrees and 85% RH (so basically every afternoon/evening). Especially when shady pines are involved. This weather pattern repeats pretty much every day in central Texas. 

On 8/18/2023 at 12:01 PM, Ridenfool said:

As an FYI, the Park PS-1 is bargain priced on Amazon right now at $12.

 

Here's how it is described:

• A must-have tool for any rider or mechanic who services hydraulic brakes
• A dummy disc rotor on a handle, with a tapered edge to safely and easily drive apart and reset hydraulic disc brake pads
• Strong stainless steel construction with a long, vinyl-dipped handle for leverage and comfort
• Can also be used as a temporary stand-in for the rotor when testing or servicing the hydraulic system, negating the need to repeatedly remove and install the wheel

Mine will be here Sunday 😁

I just use a large metal Park tire tool for pushing pistons. Works great. Wait, this thing is $12 and will look spectacular on my slatwall in the garage? I might use it one every few years? Added to cart. 

That one's been a long time coming. And there's no mistaking that down-tube for anything other than an ebike--not a very stealthy example. Still looks a far sight better than the Intense. 

In the event that money and weight doesn't matter none too much, I've long been fascinated with the concept of the Black Box. Back before I committed to the toy hauler, I always thought a Sprinter camper van with a Black Box would be the way to go--it seems like a totally secure and safe option. But it's $4K, and you might struggle to get a couple of modern mountain bike in it, but I'm not certain.

https://www.letsgoaero.com/products/blackbox-slideout-cargo-carrier

This blog goes into detail on the box, showing how to turn the handlebars to mount modern MTBs. 

https://www.letsgoaero.com/blogs/stories-tips-guides/how-to-transport-29in-mountain-bikes-in-the-blackbox-cargo-bicycle-carrier

Did you tap your foot? I mean I have no idea what else to try. 

Back when I lived in NY and got into snow/fat biking, I figured this was a good way to protect the bikes from road salt. It might have been this exact one...and it didn't work at all for me. It added obvious drag to a V8 Grand Cherokee, and no amount to cinching up the ties, kept the thing tight. It was a mess. I abandoned it after 2 attempts and just kept bikes in the SUV if there was road salt about.