The Tip

I rode past it yesterday. There is no way that it will open today. But they are making progress. You could definitely ride over it now if there weren't any workers around.

I sent the following email to KVUE a few days ago. I have not heard back. I'm posting it here as an example and encouraging y'all to send a similar email to news outlets. If they receive several emails about the "problem" then perhaps they will realize it really is one. What else do you have to do anyway? And it's better than shaking your fist at the sky in frustration about these things! I could have mentioned dogs on leash but forgot about that one. Your call. I am an avid mountain biker that uses the single track trail that is abundant in Austin. There has been much discussion among our community about how trail usage has greatly increased lately with home bound folks getting outdoors. Both obviously new bikers and lots of hikers and hikers with families. A story to educate the multitudes of new trail users as to proper trail use would be very helpful in insuring safety for everyone. Some of the problems we are seeing: -Not wearing helmets! Just crazy. But worse are the parents not wearing helmets sending a terrible message to their children riding with them. Worse even yet is some kids (under 17) we have seen violating city law by not wearing helmets at all. -Use of head phones that isolated the hiker or biker from their surroundings. Use pass through sound or just one ear phone so you can safely hear oncoming riders or riders behind you trying to pass. "excuse me...Excuse Me...EXCUSE MEEEE!!" -Don't stop in the middle of the trail to use your phone. Blind corners make this practice particularly dangerous. We mountain bikers, that mostly built them, love sharing these great trails with other groups. But some simple practices will make it safe for everyone. It would be a good visual story too. Taped on a beautiful trail somewhere with active bikers and hikers walking by.

...at least that's the rumor I'm attempting to start here. If the rumor becomes pervasive enough perhaps these idiots will think twice before riding trail with both ears stuffed with sound. I was thinking about this as I was riding the, twisty-turny-lots of blind corner, 45 stuff today. On blind corners I go "ding ding" to hopefully alert oncoming riders. I thought it would be just my luck to run into some doofus that couldn't hear me. Just a thought. I did have to navigate lots of people on the trail today. They all heard me thankfully.

Sure, that's a way to do it and it sounds good. But just try it once: Fish. Smoke. Perfect.

I tell everyone that will listen that salmon is the best thing you can smoke. Not only is it wonderful tasting but it's hard to screw up too. It's also the only thing I smoke that has nothing on it. Just doesn't need anything but the smoke. I'm with you about maybe over using the smoker these days. If the Covid doesn't get me, the cancer from all the smoked meat will. Small price to pay though!

You and millions of others. I saw that the car repair places have been open. But now nobody's car is breaking because they haven't even tried to start it. So the car repair places are laying off people. And the gas isn't getting sold. I read they've run out of storage for oil. Oil not getting sold is not good for Texas. But on the bright side the insurance companies are giving rebates back on car policies because their claims have dropped like 90% or something like that.

If you want to be amused, look at the radar from the last few hours. A huge line of thunderstorms aiming at south Austin, but like a 10 commandments miracle, parting as it goes on either side of us. We got very little rain. The trails were okay yesterday. With the wind and sun forecast for today we should be near perfect quickly. The Valero Loop and anything south of LaCrosse should be "legal" too. I saw rangers on Beckett at the Entrance to Dick Nichols, so it looks like they are making an effort to enforce this park ban. That means the Veloway stuff and Circle C won't be the best idea perhaps.

That is not ALWAYS the case:

Please no! "No" that is if it's about which way to park your car there or which pocket your handkerchief hangs from...or anything related to that. I still can't get the "a large amount of pink silly putty bouncing uglies " imagery out of my head! 😄

Well, if we spread that rumor, and it becomes known as a thing...no more silk worms anywhere! Edited to say: Wait. Just had a thought. That would mean even MORE numskulls out blocking the trails. Never mind.

Do you think it's okay to use our new found coronavirus mask making skills to wear them as an anti-GNAT defense? The swarms have been most annoying!

Did it look like this?

You are the oddball. Ah say, Ah say, ain't you American boy?!

Or, like Tree Magnet is saying, discuss about ad infinitum. What else is there to do? Let the games begin! 😄 I'll eat any kind of pizza because I'm not that much of a snob about it. But I PREFER deep dish. I like something to chew on. Pizza flavored doughy goodness.

We got an email from the State Parks. They are extending our annual pass two months. So that's good I guess.

Intriguing photo indeed! Why was this never posted in the bike photo thread? It's a winner! lol

The key to this, that I haven't seen addressed in any video, is having the proper length elastic device. Hair ties did not work for me. When I looped them around my ear and pulled the mask on the hair ties popped off my ears. They were too small. But I found some big rubber bands that work great. Before you start to make your mask, you must size your elastic device. Drape one around your ear and pull it to the edge of your mouth. If that is comfortable you have found the proper length. My initial fold of my bandana is into thirds. This makes it big enough to adequately cover my nose and mouth. Then divide the long strip into thirds again with the rubber bands. Tuck one side into the other. Nine layers of cotton protection. Easy peasy.

Yes, no kidding. But anything helps. Mayor Adler is now encouraging everyone to now wear a "face covering." That is probably better terminology to convey the thought that if you don't have a "real" mask make one out of a bandana or vacuum bag.

No, keep ranting. If enough people are adamant about being smart than possibly everyone will act smarter. There is a county in California that just enacted a mandatory wear a mask when you are out law. Enforceable by police. It's a start. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-04-04/riverside-county-orders-all-residents-to-cover-their-faces-in-public

That's disheartening. I thought the lines and busy stores were diminishing. When I went to HEB a couple of days ago it was all semi normal.

I go to the bank to get a loan because I have to pay the utility bill or my power will be cut. I am not going to hold the cash obtained from that loan in reserve. I need cash now. I, as a businessman, am hoping and planning that future sales will allow me to repay that loan.