The Tip

😁, but I'm disappointed in your porn searching abilities:

You have to be a good internet sleuth to find out on a city site where it says, "hiking only." And the signage at all the trail heads say nothing about "no bikes." But this definitely is still the policy as it was the topic of a discussion I had with a park police person at a meeting a couple of months ago. Hopefully that policy will change in the future, but I doubt it. This is one motive behind the SATN Social, to make it enough of a thing that the city will want to get behind it. But I doubt it. You know, the city being the city and all. It would be nice though. It's almost as big as Walnut Creek and has a lot of elevation change. It would be nice to start over with the trail construction because it is very haphazard and poorly constructed for sustainability. But an interesting and fun system as it is anyway. The chances of getting a ticket or anything there are very low. I was in there once and came across two policemen that were looking for a homeless guy that had been breaking into houses. When I saw them I thought, "oh shit" but they were not concerned with me at all. It was funny too because after our chat they asked, "can you tell us where we are and how do we get out of here?" I have rarely seen a hiker there. The ones I have seen are usually with an off leash dog. But as mentioned, and not just in Stephenson, when encountering a walker be pleasant. I don't know why this is such a difficult thing for our mountain biking community to learn.

One of my many mottos developed over a lifetime of experiences, both personal and in business, is "Strive for perfection." You're never going to get there, but you should try to get close. As you say, group rides are generally great fun. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't strive to perfect them. I'll say it again, this is definitely a first world problem. Maybe not even a problem. Just an exercise in trying to make things just a teeny weeny bit better. But I like the last thing I posted because ALL the groups have that person that is in the wrong group. It might be a situation of trying to educate "that guy" as previously discussed. But at least the guidelines are an attempt to enlighten "that gal." (changed to adhere to inclusive standards!) And yes, the solution is smaller groups. And the solution to having smaller groups is to have good citizens step up to volunteer to lead. And those volunteering take a minute before the ride to understand the route. THAT is a simple solution.

On my morning ride today I thought of a more friendly, team oriented way, of addressing the passing issue. How's this sound: "Don't be possessive of your place in line. If there is a constant gap in front of you, and there has been a rider constantly on your back tire, let them pass. This prevents the chain from breaking." Because really, just because you can pass someone, if there is no place in front of them, there isn't any point in doing so.

Two things in your post. The first being that 20 folks in the fast group is too many of course. We've tried to do two separate but equal groups of 10ish before. But it's difficult to determine which fast leader should go off first. But again, ride leadership is a different issue. Lots of people want to try the fast group. All the more reason to attempt to have that chain ride more smoothly by following some simple guidelines. Second, your post did not come off as complaining. It is very logical. There is a minor issue, that if addressed and solved, would make the rides slightly more enjoyable. That's all we are trying to do here. Something like this?: "A common etiquette is to allow a rider to pass you if they have been on your wheel pressing you. The behind rider says, "passing" and you should let them pass. Also common is when continuing from a rest stop to resume the same order that the group stopped in. " I don't think this is much of an issue except in the first group though. Would this be adding more points than is required on the general guidelines? Since this is a more group specific issue would it be better just to be talked about by that ride leader a few times to instill that etiquette as the norm?

Ha! I get that. I ride solo a lot too. But to me the minor problems in group rides are more than offset by the rewards.

LOL, I'm suppose to know what kind of bike the guy behind me is riding? I think this problem would be solved by addressing the issue that CBaron brought up. How to politely say, 'get the f--- out of my way slow poke."

I have been shown that Strava has a new feature that shows your moving position on the global heat map. I'm guessing you would be able to use it in conjunction with an overlaid route. I think it will work better than Trailforks.

Ha! That's an excellent question. That is NEVER a problem for me (😁) so I wouldn't think to address it. A simple, "passing" said out loud? Suggestions? As a ride leader I frequently give the option for anyone to get ahead of me if the pace is too slow for them. But that would be in a list of suggestions for ride leaders.

But has history not taught us that "that guy" doesn't KNOW he's that guy? And there's probably not a cure for that guy anyway? That guy will read this list and think, "I'm glad they are trying to educate that guy." So perhaps these suggestions are to educate only those that can be educated. Crazyt, suggest some that don't need to be said. And thanks, this is the input I'm looking for.

Barry's ride was a good one indeed. I love those "do it all" ride attempts. There was repeating of trail but it definitely reaffirms my believe that there is easily over 90 miles of single track in the SATN now. Now we just need to figure out how to easily educate the newbies to it. Maybe we could have some event to do that...

Good question. Like I said, the way I would do it is to pull up a ride on my computer (on a phone is very difficult) and follow along visualizing the ride. Someone last night said it works better to use the satellite image to identify where turns are. "Oh, next to the carwash." etc.

I address Mack Turtle's concerns in the SATN thread. Looking for input on the group ride guidelines here.

Mack Turtle responded with some questions about Crank and Drank rides in the "Group Ride" advice thread. I will answer his questions here as they are SATN specific and I don't want that thread about generic group rides to get off topic. He wrote, "Easier said than done, I know! how do you create these routes, by the way? do you just ride them and then share the map, or can you create them in Strava using an online tool?" I try to ride them first then post my Strava rides. I hope that people will zoom into the map and try to visualize each turn. Yes, I know most folks are not as into it as I am, but a fella can hope, right? These latest C&D rides are designed to educate about routes for the upcoming SATN Social. Last night's routing was a blend of the "difficult' start of the south route, together with the also convoluted end of the north route. If we can get several people educated to these routes it should go well the day of the event. The SATN Social routes were designed to maximize mileage on non-gray areas of the network. A side benefit to that routing is that it is educating folks to some lesser traveled trails. Using those trails enable some more creative routes when people are riding on their own. For example Koopa Trooper. Several people have mentioned, "I didn't even know this was here." Using that route, together with Drip Drop, makes a very nice loop from Dick Nichols. The Latta Out and Back Loop, a 2.5 mile ride from The Log to Log. Another consideration for the routing was to avoid head on confrontations during the event. This "one way" routing has been accomplished. So the routes for The Social are not so logical for a one rider ride. But there is a method to the madness. Yes, I know everyone could have come up with "better" routing. But hopefully folks can strive to learn these. Other, non-practice for the Social Crank and Drank routes, are designed to be not confusing, and simple to lead, but still interesting for everyone. Showing new stuff is high priority. Showing a trail that someone has done some maintenance on is also taken into consideration. Having the right mileage. 12-15 miles, with a logical add on option for 5 more for the fast group to do is another factor. Having a shake out portion so that people can find their appropriate group is yet another consideration. Another one is using the herd to run through a trail that needs to be beaten back. Easier than weedeating! Also taking requests from people to see specific trails or areas. So there is a lot involved in the planning. And speaking of The Social routes. I ran into a couple of guys in the ATX Bikes' parking lot Saturday that had just finished riding the north route. I saw later on their Strava that they had ridden it perfectly. They did it all from using the posted GPX routing. I thought that was great.

Crank and Drank has gotten to be a pretty well attended ride each week. It's hard to educate everyone on things that will make the ride go better. I came up with the following list. I am presenting it here to get feedback to anything I missed. Also anything that needs not be said. I think the optimum number in a group is 10. We don't always get enough ride leader volunteers (that will be another thread!) so sometimes we have up to 20 in a group. That is all the more reason to educate folks to things that will make the group ride better. Group Ride Guidelines Things you can do to make group rides more enjoyable for everyone Repeat call outs for turns (left, right). Listen to make sure the person behind you is calling them out too. Don’t lose the person behind you. It is helpful for the sweep to shout out “clear” when they get past the turn to alert the leader to the relative positions of the group. Repeat warning shouts coming from the riders in front of you. “Head!” or “Challenge coming” or “Walkers/Riders up” are things that the entire group need to know. Again, it’s good for the leader to hear the sweep say, “cleared’ when they finally get past the “Challenge” that might have stopped some of the group. The leader will have slowed the pace waiting for that. Repeat the ride leader’s educational shouts too. “This trail’s name is…” If you can’t see the person in front of you, yell out “which way?!” to alert them that the chain has broken. The person in front of you that hears this can then shout out to the leader, “We’ve lost some” so the leader will slow down to allow a catch up. If you don’t clear a feature or hill, get yourself and your bike off the trail so people behind you won’t have to stop. Reenter the chain as soon as possible. Have your bike mechanically ready before the ride. Both so you can start on time, and so it won’t have a preventable problem on the ride. For example, have enough sealant in to stop a puncture. Bring lights if the ride might continue past sundown. Bring enough water so the group doesn’t have to worry about you passing out. If you do have to stop for a mechanical problem, send everyone that is not helping you on their way. “I’m good. I have what I need. Go on.” But, of course, be sure you have all that you need before doing so. When you are the sweep listen for the leader asking, “are we good to go?” so you can respond, “Ride on” or, “good to go.” If you have to stop for anything, shout out, “stopping!” before you do so. Don’t get rear ended. Acknowledge other trail users with “thank you” or ‘how’s it going?” or “pretty dog” etc as you pass them. Present mountain bikers as a good community. This is not the time for ear buds. Be social! Also, you need to be able to hear what the group is doing. Be aware of all your bodily functions and know there is someone right on your rear wheel! -FOR RIDES THAT HAVE MULTIPLE GROUPS: Try to use a ride app on your solo rides before the group ride so you know what your general speed is out ON THE TRAILS. This helps you know what group you should be in. When on a multi-group ride, if you are holding up a faster group, drop back to the next fastest group. Don’t be too much of a drag for any group.

All the more reason to not have the back up light sitting unused in the backpack.

Absolute truth. Also wanted to comment that I think that any backup lights would be better served on your handlebar rather than in your pack. ALL your lights will not fail at the same time. Why not use that "backup?"

I had a funny thought. A bike shop could have a rack of these and sell them for $40 because the sign would say, "Only 80 grams!"

True dat! And speaking of Home Depot, I feel like a genius wearing my $3.50/pair gloves ($9.88 per 3 pack):

On the first helmet that I did this on (now cracked and retired) I put the lights too far forward. So they did indeed block some peripheral vision. On this current helmet I set them further back and it's not a problem. I thought maybe the light would be a distraction, but it's far enough back that I don't see the light on the side of my eye either. And the straps are attached in such a way that the lights still swivel for adjusting the aim. The only downside is I look like an alien or at least someone that battles aliens. But I am definitely a function over form kind of guy. As demonstrated by the florescent tee shirts I wear. lol

I use four Niterider lights. Two on my handlebars, two on my helmet. I initially rigged one light's handlebar strap to the side of my helmet with some zip ties. I did this because I hit the top of my helmet all the time on rides. I didn't want a light on top catching and ripping my head backwards. But the weight on one side made my helmet slide to one side. "If I can only come up with some counter weight..." Duh, it finally dawned on my dumbass...another light! So here's my rig. With my four lights blazing I joke that I could film a movie! I use to think that people that rode at night were crazy. But when I finally did it I felt the same way I did after I finally got lasik surgery; why did I wait so friggin long?

Not only are we going to have hero dirt because of the rain, but we are going to have another good citizen sponsoring post ride dining for Tuesday's Crank and Drank. Our fellow riders Curtis Storm and Janie Glos have convinced their company, Commerce Bank, to sponsor a PIZZA PARTY for us after tomorrow's ride. Commerce National Bank is a Texas Community Bank that has had a presence in Austin for the past 20 years, providing commercial and consumer loans, along with deposit services. They were recently acquired by Amarillo National Bank which is a 127-year-old family-owned Bank and huge supporter of the of the communities in which they operate. Sponsoring this ride is one way they are giving back to this community and saying “thank you.” A rider of our trails needs to give back to the community. There are several ways to do this. Trail maintenance is a big one. Being a ride leader or sweep is an easy one. But if you, or your company, gives us free stuff, that's a GREAT one! So thanks Curtis. Bring a chair, bring a beverage, and bring an appetite. 6 pm behind ATX Bikes. About 15 miles this week. Combination of SATN Social's south beginning and north's ending.

Ohhhh! So the GOOD and COOL riders wear earbuds. Especially in the city streets. Gotta get me some I guess. Seriously though, I am amazed at what equipment can withstand. I saw one video where afterwards they listed the amount of rims and stuff that they trashed during the shoot, but still, like a 40 foot drop onto flat concrete, and not totally taco-ing a rim? Amazing.

No. Like Mack Turtle said, the harder one is going south out of Slaughter Creek. I do get a sense of accomplishment doing it. My problem is that I'm usually pretty tired by the time I tackle it. And speaking of Crank and Drank (what?! we weren't?) this week's is going to be another special one. Not only will be "practicing" the SATN Social's north route (18 miles), but we've been promised post ride chicken and sausage jambalaya to go along with our dranking, courtesy of a good member of our community. Put next week on your calendar too. We've been promised a pizza party by yet another good member of the community.

Who says there are no climbs in the SATN?!