The Tip

Facebook event page:

https://www.facebook.com/events/323834089619972/?ref=newsfeed

MTBATX website's SATN SOCIAL page that has all three routes:

Everything You Wanted to Know about Hex but were Afraid to Ask: directed by Woody Allen Wrench

I use to carry a multi tool. But there were parts of it that I would never use. Now I just carry the three Allen wrenches that I would actually use out on the trail. Lighter, smaller space, and better tools when being used. I also carry a small pocket knife in with them

Sounds like you went down fast. Who knew that gravity was so strong?

Once I slid out and went down on some leaves so fast that it felt like rubber bands had pulled me down.

IT'S BAAAAAACK! Mark your calendars.

An exclusive first announcement to this forum; Saturday June 4th. Rain date June 11th

68 miles this year. Or, 109 K. So it's actually The SATN SOCIAL CENTURY

92% sweet SATN dirt. More details to follow

And speaking of China and "canceling" a country like the world is doing to Russia...what do you think the world will do when China invades Taiwan? Stop buying things from them? Bwa ha ha ha ha ah!

yeah, right.

China wants the war to go so they can absorb the business from all the things that Russia sells to the world.

But now that you are talking beer cans.....wellll, them thar be fightin' words!

B

Big Bend Ranch State Park

I'm all in!

How long are the poles when broken down? As in, how easy is it to transport (and conceal!)?

By the way, I've started using a Fiskar sliding saw that they sent as a replacement. It has a thicker gauge blade than the one they sent me before. So it has lasted a long time, both blade and handle. As mentioned above the handles would always break on the folding saws.

7 hours ago, Charlie193 said:

The  only irritation so far is that I’m using my hitch rack while I decide how to get all the bikes in the truck, and it triggers a warning alarm every time I reverse. I feel like someone else here had that issue, possibly @AustinBike? Anyway, hopefully I can disable that somehow.

 

That IS annoying. I had that problem on my 2012 Ford Flex. But my new F 150 allows you to turn that feature off and on. I bet yours does too.

18 hours ago, Charlie193 said:

My F150 search at the weekend was a failure though, so I might be back to considering both again.

Are you looking for new? If so, order one. That's what I did. Turned out being cheaper (but not cheap! 😁) than the one on the lot that I considered for a minute. They say it takes four months to take delivery after ordering but it only took mine two months. Got it just the way I wanted it too.

I thought of something yesterday. Why can't I put a big pool noodle on the bikes for padding instead of padding the tailgate? I experimented and it seemed to work and was easy to do. Has anyone ever seen that done?

I've done ten wheels with Stan's and never have had any problems. When I put it on I am stretching it as hard as I can pull. I can't even imagine any sealant getting under it

This was posted on the F 150 Facebook page. Are they making fun of us? 😄

Such a timely post as I just got a new 5 1/2 bed truck. I've never had a pick up before. 

The tailgate pads look so simple. But why do they have to be tied down? Don't the bikes hold the pad in place? I want the pad method to be easy. Having to strap it down, to me, seems like an extra step that doesn't need to be done.

ALL the sites are good! Well maybe that's a stretch. Maybe better to say that all the sites are adequate! 

There's lots of room on the RV sites for tent campers. Just say something here, like Taco Junkie did, if you need a place for a tent. Tents won't be any problem. And remember, there are sites reserved for those that still need an RV spot.

All the RV and improved tent sites are now reserved on the website. There have been a few reserved as backups. So if you decide to come and need a site say something and we'll hook you up. At least for now.

13 hours ago, Barry said:

It looks like the VCT will be pretty destructive when it plows through, likely overtaking Chip Chop and Terminus. Luckily someone has made sure we already have a dozen redundant routes through there!

But yeah, as an example of what's going on with East Austin, take a look at the heatmaps for San Antonio's Leon Creek Greenbelt. Everywhere paved paths go, singletrack branches. 

Chip Chop and Terminus WILL be turned into 8' wide gravel VCT. Terminus was actually flagged by the VCT people (built by a volunteer) so it is set in stone. The Chip Chop routing is not so defined yet but it will take most of it for sure. But like I said, and you point out about Leon Creek, it's a good thing because it will open up more opportunities.

No trails there. Big fences. No plans for trails because the fence hasn't been opened yet to start the trail to Buda. The VCT is suppose to / eventual  go through Water Quality Protection Land from the Veloway (Purple Tiara trail) to the 45/Mopac parking lot. That hasn't even happened yet. So the further south, to Buda, trails are even further off.

This is why I tell folks not to be too upset when the building of the Violet Crown Trail absorbs some of our sweet single track. When it gets south it is going to open up all sorts of potential for more single track. I mean...shhhh.

It's a thang!

2 hours ago, JRIDER said:

What weekend are u guys planning to go out there?

What works? Last weekend in April? Friday 29th-May 1st?

My wife and I are staying in the national park Feb 7-12. I'd gladly go over to BBSP for a ride one day.

1 hour ago, Barry said:

If you're trying to drum up interest...you probably have a bigger audience every Tuesday at 6 than you do on this forum. 

I'm into it, though. 

Yes, but only if I remember to mention it, like I didn't last time when I decided to mention it!

But if you're in, or JRider, or Taco Junkie, or anyone else on this thread, say they're in, then I will say that this small group is going for sure. Then I can say, "this is happening, come on."

On 1/4/2022 at 10:31 AM, Barry said:

Keeping it within 1-2 hours, other potential locations include Flat Rock Ranch and Reveille Peak Ranch (would probably have to do 1 day at RPR and 1 day at Spider though). Although I'm not sure either has the camping capacity that Dana Peak has. 

 

While Madrone, Pace Bend, Muleshoe, RHR and Bluff Creek all have camping, and most have showers, they're are all too short to make for 2 days of riding IMO. Goodwater has plenty of riding and camping, but you're either doing a loop or an out-and back, so not a lot of fun variation. 

Yes, all those limitations everywhere, except at Dana Peak. I looked at all those places too. I just checked camping availability at Pedernales Falls State Park as well. But the weekends are all booked up. AND the state parks have that ridiculous "no viewable alcohol" rule too. TOTALLY unacceptable! Go Army!

Dana Peak has enough spots left to make it doable for some weekends in April or early May. I get the move the event around idea. But since there really isn't a place to try we could just embrace upholding the "tradition" of this event.

I'm not trying to sell this. But if a few commit let's do it.