Barry

I was there. It was as wet as I've ever seen it. But it was open, crowded, not bad, and totally worth it. If I can't think of anywhere else to go tomorrow, I'll go back tomorrow.

throet is correct that RPR is usually closed on Monday, so you'll need to check. But Flat Rock will be open and likely quite dry. I'm not as confident about Pedernales.

RPR didn't get much if any rain last night, and the trails would have been open if it had. RPR will be fine this morning. You'll barely get a dirt on your bike. Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

I have found the ability of trails at be ridden soon after rain to be trail system to system and not really region to region. We had one place in central NY which was every bit as hydrophobic as RPR. You could ride during the rain and not damage the trail. But 30 minutes away everything was soft and easily damaged--you had to wait days. Sort of the dame story with Walnut and RPR. The interesting thing about RPR, it ain't just the gneiss rock which is ridable when wet, but the surrounding singletrack as well. It is just really well draining soil in the immediate vicinity.

The wife and I were doing some fat bike urban Saturday morning and went by Walnut. The place is a huge mess. And unfortunately we saw tire tracks leading into singletrack, so we are likely to have ruts in places when the trail becomes ridable again. The wide gravel path down to the creek looked great so we dropped down to see the creek. But even that path started getting messy at the end. I'm not sure where all the foot traffic was going too/from, but pretty much every hiker had very muddy shoes and dogs.

A little last minute route guidance here... Both times that I've found where The Organizer did the 2018 route, he took the lower option to the dam, instead of the road. The below image was from his May 10 ride named, "2018 Dragonslayer Route." So I assume this is the official route.

I'd say let's go for it unless we wake up to rain. And if we only get one loop before the rain, hell, at least we rode a loop.

Not looking great! But we have a decent chance of getting one lap in prior to the rain.

So far so good. I really, really enjoy their functionality and adjust-ability. But I'm constantly afraid I'm going to kill 'em on a rock. Sure, lifetime replacement and all. But how does that help me when I'm 1 day into a 4 day road trip. Or 35 miles out on a 70 mile ride? Reckon I'll have to do some creative use of zip ties in that situation.

I've really been looking forward to this ride (slightly crack'd frame be damned), so I sure hope the rain holds off. The wife and are are looking to do a chill morning loop tomorrow.

The photo is a dam at Racoon Mountain in Chattanooga. The trail goes around the lake, and the only way through the spillway was to go up on the dam wall. It is a pretty spectacular little section of trail, and took hundreds of hours to position the rocks, as I understand it.

Yeah, I get this ain't what you mean, but I actually think riding along the dam rocks would be fun. It has been done in other locations, Chattanooga's Raccoon Mountain, for example: I'm also a fan of the damn rocks, btw.

In both cases the cyclist on display is in a poor position to attack the immediate upcoming terrain.

I like beer okay. I like whiskey A LOT. But I would love to find a good substitute for the BBSP Festival.

This is also my strategy from a caloric standpoint.

I didn't even get a chance to try to ride those trees. 😡😡😡

I have a 26" Mavic DeMax wheelset. 20mm front, bolt on rear that goes where the quick release would. They're in fine shape as I recall. The rims are stout and wide. You are welcome to them for the price of picking them up. Or you can give me a $20 bill if that makes you happy.

I'd probably do better if I did. I just go with a large carborrific meal about 1-3 hours ahead. Then 1 gel an hour and 3 to 4 scoops or Perpetuem about every 3 hours.

"Need" and bicycles rarely go together for me. "What's fun?" is pretty much my only concern. I find dropper posts fun, even at WC. Regarding the second part regarding other trails...I couldn't agree more.

Damn sorry I can't make this. Being a heathen, Sunday mornings typically work for me. But work is getting in the way of many things just now. I'll keep watching this space for more opportunities to help out.

No, I got ya. My reply was just a wink.

Don't pay attention to noobs. Fuck those guys.

Doing it in 9 hours helps. But really, I find long rides is the best way to train for long rides. Although I've never felt like I was "training." I'm just riding my bicycle. For nutrition during a big ride I stick to Hammer products and electrolyte pills. I have a Hammer gel every hour, and 3 or 4 scoops of Perpetuem every 3 hours.