The Tip

https://www.wideopenpets.com/getting-pooped-bird-really-good-luck/ Seems it's a Russian thing.

Amazon wants to hire 100,000 more workers. They are increasing pay from $15 to $17. Good news for hospitality workers that have been furloughed.

Rather random question. Curious why are you asking? I thought this was the apocalypse and bird poop thread.

I've been in two different HEBs and we just got back from Walmart. Most of the proteins were very picked over, as well as the canned goods (both meats and vegetables), but the rest of the stock was pretty normal. Produce was normal everywhere. It was interesting at the Brodie HEB. Right inside the door they had a huge pallet of canned chili. "We're not even going to bother putting this on the shelf because we know this is what you are panic buying."

"Social Distancing" Who came up with that phrase? Isn't it interesting how quickly society latches on to a buzz word? We certainly are NOT being social with this distancing. Actually are we not trying to stay healthy? Why are we not using the old stand by phrase of "keeping a HEALTHY distance?" I thought of this on my ride this morning. So I will now be keeping a healthy distance from people. "I'm an idea guy Chuck." 😄

As of right now, the trails are in good shape. The rocks were a little slick in places, but my tires never picked up anything. Forecast has a chance of rain today. But right now is a go for it window.

Okay original poster, I'll say it because none of these other wussies will say it...STAY OFF OUR TRAILS!! I kid I kid! I agree with all the above posts. But you posting got me curious again. I had a quick discussion with a runner the other day but didn't really get the answers I wanted. The trail sanitation discussions here that mentioned that someone thought it was trail runners doing some of it made we shake my head. I didn't understand that. I thought the idea of being a trail runner WAS to find the uneven stuff. What are the motives for trail running besides communing with our wonderful nature and getting a run in? What makes a trail "good." Are there competitive trail runs? What are those courses like? Several riders here mentioned they trail run too. Chime in with your opinion. I'm "professionally" curious about this wondering if there is a way to make trails "good" for both user groups.

Trail sanitation! Grrrr! (too soon?)

Can I take that "80" back? The SATN is easily over 90 miles now. On another note, I know I'm preaching to the choir here, but I have to do a PSA. Just about every time I ride Drip Drop, or anything in the area (wink wink, new stuff) I come across someone walking their dog. I hope like hell that all riders are being as courteous as possible to these people who are no doubt homeowners and a part of the HOA that Drip Drop is on. "Hello." "Nice day isn't it?" "Pretty dog" "Thanks" (for stepping out of the way) It only takes ONE vocal resident to make a stink to get that lovely area removed from our SATN access. DON'T be the person that triggers that!

I really do love the guitar analogy. When you are playing an electric guitar you are NOT playing an acoustic guitar. No argument. But you ARE playing a type of guitar. Takes the same skills. But to play louder on the electric you just have to turn a switch, not hurt your fingers. You might have one of each like TheX does. If you can afford to have two. You use them for different things. But you enjoy them both. Do all guitar companies make both? Do they have different divisions if they do? And finally, it doesn't matter which one you are playing, you are still making music.

Exactly

The guitar analogy is a good one. I'm sure the purists were appalled when they were first introduced. "That's not REAL guitar playing. It'll never catch on."

First thing I have to say is the obligatory comment about the cringe worthy riding on the wet trails. It just makes it harder to educating folks around here. It doesn't matter if their dirt can hold up to that punishment. Ours can't. Second, if anyone thinks that ebikes are just a fad and are going away, they are delusional. There is obviously a market for people that don't give a hoot about being a purist or getting satisfaction out of a hard climb. Third, it's just fun to watch somebody having so much fun. His enthusiasm is contagious!

In regards to the SATN, and considering the land ownership that most of it is on, it's hard to argue to the "powers that be" that a deer built that wood jump. I think it sends up red flags. And Owen, welcome to the SATN. Have you joined us on a Tuesday for Crank and Drank yet?

What do you mean by "flow?" I would say that the SATN is mostly flow now. Lots of non-rocky flow. Interesting that you ask about flow right below posts about that log feature. Do you mean more features?

Just to clarify to everyone, you mean there will be no more additions to that (wonderful) little trail system (for now), not that it is shut down for use. I panicked a bit when I first read your post!

"I couldn't quit smiling." Common reaction. Everyone I've seen test ride an ebike laughs out loud. The ebike weighed 20 pounds more than her bike. 15% of her weight. If she was 20 pounds heavier would she not be able to ride at the same level at 146 on her regular bike? But for me, 20 pounds is less than 10%. Put it into perspective further. In the summer I'll carry four liters of water in my pack. That nine pounds is 5% of my weight. Does it make me ride less efficiently? Maybe a little but it's definitely worth the weight. My point is that this "weight" negativity is negligible.

What social media? It will not be ready Monday.

When Desert Sports took their ball and went home I said that it wouldn't take much of anything to continue the event in some form. A gas station down there could have said, "It's still on" and done nothing towards an event, and folks would have made the trek for it. I really can't believe that some merchant down there did not do this. You just know the area benefited from Desert Fest economically.

Do you REALLY still think of the cages as clips now? When I read the poll and they had "clips" listed it made me think that some influential publication should say, "Ok, we're going to start calling clipless pedals "clip ins" now. Kids today have never even seen an old style toe clip/cage. It's confusing and we are changing it." I don't know if this was a mistake by Pink Bike or on purpose. Of course that campaign would probably be as successful as converting the US to the metric system.

I really don't like people on mountain bikes playing music, but in bear country I think I would make an exception to that. Did anyone you see have music playing out loud?

KVUE website had a headline about "Pat Mahomoes."

This thread will be very interesting to read in five years.

It's hard NOT to find good stuff starting at ATX Bikes. There is a little more technical stuff west of Escarpment (DiscGo DiscGo and No Walk in the Park), and even more technical stuff east of Mopac (Bowie Stonewall). Not miles of it though. SATN is mostly flowy fun, with short rock gardens and features interspersed here and there. Post up here when you are thinking about riding. Lots of folks like to show the SATN off and would be happy to guide you.

If you start at the Hill of Life you will have a lot of Barton Creek Greenbelt to ride through to get to the SATN. The exit from BCGB is on 290 near Spec's. Not that there's anything wrong with that plan. But if you just want to explore the SATN there are places within the network that would be better. ATX Bikes is pretty much the center of the SATN universe now. Dick Nichols park is another good starting place. Or Circle C Metro park by the disc golf course parking lot. Or the new parking lot at the elbow of Mopac and 45. Or on LaCrosse next to the Veloway. By 7:30 traffic is starting to get bad. I would say it clears up a bit by 9:30. I'm sure others would have a more informed opinion about that.