The Tip

Video is too long. Didn't watch to the end. What happens?

Yup. It sucks not being able to read a text, or a ride app, without them. They fit in the same little bag with my phone.

Yes, my current goal is to never set a goal again.

Tube, four allen wrenches, multi tool, three CO2s (two 16s, one 25) with dispenser, and tire levers, are all in a water bottle in the frame rack. I put hook holes in the bottle so a small bungee keeps it secure in the rack at all times. Weighs 27 ounces total. Hydration pack has a folding saw, a couple of energy bars, a preloaded bacon plug tool (in an easy to get to strap compartment) a small towel (to clean reading glasses and for first aid), a couple of bandages, and a small roll of trail flagging tape (to mark hazards). I altered an under saddle bag to clip to my hydration pack's shoulder strap. It's just big enough to carry my phone in. Much more accessible to take pictures and answer (if I want to. Don't call me when I'm on a ride!) than when it was in my hydration pack.

Celis Brewery, Austin’s first brewery in nearly a century, brewed their first batch of beer on March 19, 1992 and became the fastest-growing microbrewery in the U.S. by 1995. The brewpub scene erupted in Austin with HB 1425 passing in September 1993. This allowed bars and restaurants to brew/sell beer on site. Billy Forrester, instrumental in the passing of the law, opened Texas’ first brewpub, Waterloo Brewing, in December of 1993. Soon after, you could also visit The Bitter End Bistro and Brewery, along with Copper Tank Brewing Co, which both won an array of medals at the Great American Beer Festival. In addition, Lovejoys Tap Room and Brewery joined the brewpub scene, becoming a long lasting local favorite, only closing it’s doors because of the rising rent at its Sixth Street location. Live Oak Brewing Company opened in 1997 by two homebrewers and continues to be a staple in the Austin beer scene. Each played an integral part in what we come to love about the Austin beer scene…..trailblazing!

The wife just got back. She cleared three things on Rudolph

I forgot to post from my Monday afternoon ride. 2 pm, Rudolph had four things across the trail. First one was near Davis entrance. A log perfectly perpendicular to the trail. There was also more elephant activity in the same elephant activity area. A big tree pulled down to block the trail. A tree bigger and taller than something a normal person could pull down by themselves. Very strange. Bambi was clear at 5 pm

I believe all of what he said. The fact that he said, "We had no supply issues all year," was huge. And yes, the number of businesses the pandemic has helped is small. But there certainly are some that are reaping huge benefits.

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Any firewood left? If so, which streets? We had a friend on Pinehurst who's house was demolished. We've gone to see it. Seems like all those lots are cleaned up.

Just saw a Strava ride that at about noon on Bambi there were rocks pulled out of the berm and put in the middle of the trail. But the rider put the rocks back in the berm. That's why I didn't notice it. I'm going to be extremely pissed if that berm gets fucked up

Ditto. Rudolph good at noon, Bambi good at 1:30

Went up Rudolph at 4. Clear. I went down Bambi at 5:15. There was a guy walking (30ish years old, red mustache) down Bambi. "Maybe this is the guy?!" So my sleuthing instinct forced me to finish Bambi (all clear) then turn back up Rudolph to see if there had been any blockages. None. Then I went back down Bambi hoping that I would see some super recent vandalism so that I could pin it on the guy I had seen. Alas, nothing.

It was interesting to me when I saw it. What other companies are making a move INTO brick and mortar? So now Trek has to work to become experts on all things NOT bicycle too? Corporate Trek meeting room, "Which one of you guys knows anything about power gel shots?" But, congratulations Hill.

Tin Can Alley. That's what the trail builder wanted to call it. I believe a random guy rode it very soon after it opened and misheard the name and created the wrong "soup" named segment. "Hide" that soup segment on your Strava.

Mack Turtle, that's not where promisland is talking about. He's talking about Williamson Creek between Brodie and Brush Country. The new windy section, Tin Can Alley on Strava, was a great addition. Have you seen the other new trail on the north bank that starts right at Mopac? That too is a great addition. All that new trail makes doing a no repeating loop possible. I was impressed that somebody, ANYBODY, was doing something between Mopac and Brush Country. The first thing I noticed was the repaired/improved section that is underneath Mopac on the south bank. That short drop was very scary, especially when you can't see it well because of coming in from the sun with sunglasses on, but now it can be rolled. Still with care though! Agreed, mixed feelings on the other work. There are also short sections of new trail on the north bank. I didn't see the need for that. I don't like spider web systems. But some of that is challenging. Maybe it will substitute for your rocky challenges that have been smoothed out. Not sure how I feel about that being done either. I am always pleased to see trail maintenance being done. Reaffirms my faith in humanity!

Rode Rudolph and Bambi at 8:15 this morning. All good, no activity. Rode Bambi again at noon. Two small branches placed over the trail. Then three more things on Bambi's Tail (?) the new exit trail. Not dangerous things, not big, but definitely placed. Like just to send a message perhaps.

I agree. Once a trail is in existence there is no reason to discuss if it's "OK" to ride or not. If it's parkland, and it doesn't say "no bikes," or actually any other land that is not posted, then there is no reason to discuss legalities. It doesn't help anything. Discussion will only draw attention and perhaps then it becomes an issue. I was at a Violet Crown Trail neighborhood input meeting a few years back. The homeowners along Yellow Rose Trail, the street that backs up to Williamson Creek between Brush Country and Mopac, were all up in arms fighting the idea of having the VCT run along the creek. One of the city parks managers showed some anger when she admonished the home owners for being dumb. "That is city park land! If a citizen wanted to hike or bike through there right now (no trail was there) they could! It's a park!" I loved that.

When I first saw that cave I was confused. Most caves have coverings. But there was no signs of it being an official project. Nice that we have input from that community. And yes, observations have indicted that the person is active in the mornings.

Thursday 12/10 I found a small tree across the southern end of Rudolph. Both Bambi and Rudolph were still clear at 5:15 I also put a sign on a tree on northern Rudolph asking "Why are you doing this?" The rain has probably messed that up now.

I won't join any club that wants me as a member! 😄 So I joined, but I can't figure out how to post an update. I wanted to say that I put a sign up close to the Davis end on Rudolph asking the vandal why they are doing this. I left a pencil stuck in the cardboard so they could respond. It's probably unreadable now with the rain we just received.

edited

Are they letting you take the wood, or maybe even encouraging it?

I thought it would be helpful if everyone would post a report as to condition and time for every ride on either trail. That way we could pinpoint the time they do their nefarious business. But I don't think we have the numbers for enough coverage just on this board.