mtb_jeremy

Bumping this thread for some pictures I just saw of a new pumptrack going in at McAllister Park in San Antonio. Completion is supposed to be in March 2025. It is actually intended for skateboards, but the skate pumptrack at Mueller is doable on a 26" bike. This one looks more open than that. There already is a Velo Solutions pumptrack at McAllister, so soon to be even more of a destination

At this point, I figure the people on a Onewheel are the ones that truly love it. I can respect that. It is sort of like seeing people on rollerblades. There are better options for getting around, and it is not like anyone/everyone has them so they are not getting in my way. Have fun roller-dude.

This was Gordon Yang. I am not sure if anyone on this forum knew him, but I would find it hard to believe there wasn't at least one person that had at least crossed paths with him. I met him my freshman year at UT in 1996 through the cycling team. We both had Trek Y-bikes at the time, and had come from Houston. I was so lucky to have him as my room mate in the Jester dorm for sophomore and junior years. We had one of the few rooms with a private bathroom and managed to have 5 bikes stored in their at all times. So many great memories. During Summers home in Houston I introduced him to my riding group and we would do night rides into the late hours from Memorial Park to/around downtown. He competed in the Texas mountain bike series in 98 and won the state championship for sport class (B). We did lots of collegiate races together as well. I remember many rides from UT to the Greenbelt and around town in general. It is part of my nostalgia for what Austin used to be, a sleepy downtown on the weekends that was a casual ride between UT and Zilker. After college he ended up a Bicycle Sport Shop on south Lamar. He became very well known at this point and even traveled some for work and training. From there he was recruited to run the bike shop at Castle Hill Cycles. Years later, when that bike shop was closed he stayed on at Castle Hill doing work more in the facilities area. But all these years he also still did extra work at various bike shops around town. Most recently he was doing mechanic work at Cycle Progression. He picked up competitive pool and motorcycles as hobbies, opening up an ever larger social circle in town. In the hospital on Friday, so many people showed up in support and it was great to hear the stories of people's experiences with him. He had work offers for more money, but stayed loyal to Castle Hill and the family of friends there. He was not just the same great person I knew as a roommate in college, but had become the great friend to so many and helped in many ways in their lives. I hope that you had a chance to meet or know him. He will be missed.

Five Ten Sleuth DLX shoes (size 10) for free. New, never worn. Received the wrong size and they were so cheap that it wasn't worth shipping to return them.

Did you happen to get all of the Fox fork parts? I recently picked up an F100RLT, but when taking it apart I found that one stanction is worn out from a bad bushing. I am working on replacing the bushing in the lower, but I could use a new upper section if you had an extra one.

Recently built up my kid's latest bike. It was a fun one to be able to pick out "vintage" 26" bike parts from when I started biking. Goal was light weight, but also stay cheap on the build, so it is something I wouldn't be overly worried about locked up at the school bike rack. As usual, it drifted into being a bit nicer than that previous goal. Some great deals though helped, like a $20 M950 XTR front wheel. Spent a bit more building up a matching rear. The Rockshox SID was nice from a weight perspective, but disappointing on performance, so will be replaced with an old Fox F100 fork soon.

Yep, I was wrong, looks like 2001. https://www.austinchronicle.com/news/2001-04-13/flippin-the-birds/

I feel like it was around 2006. One of my fondest memories was with a Kona Demo event there in the late 90s. I had the chance to ride a Stinky Deluxe up then down the trail. At the time, 4" travel full suspension 26" bike felt like I was floating on a cloud as I dropped those ledges.

1996 BCGB on a Y-22. I had moved to Austin for school and it was my first chance to explore on my own. I remember riding Townlake trail and asking some guys where to get on the greenbelt. They pointed me to the Barton Springs entrance and I remember them saying, "good you have full suspension, because you will need it". Took me a while before I finally rode a proper full-suspension bike that would actually smooth out the trail.

I started using a CPAP about two years ago. I was snoring bad (wife let me know). It definitely helps with sleep, where I consistently get a good nights sleep all the time. I wish it meant I could get by with a hour less, but that didn't change. My dentist is pushing mouth guards to help, and I am a bit curious because it would be nicer than having the machine attached or carrying it on trips. Also would mean I could move while sleeping, as now I have to be on my back all night, or it leaks air. I am not so concerned with the medical system locking me in for profit (insurance covers it anyway). After having been through 4 deaths in my family in the last 18 months, I really value anything that is helpful for my overall health. Good rest is something the body/brain needs to repair from the day's activities. I remember even reading one article putting sleep quality as a possible factor for dementia.

This doesn't help 4fun, but I have a set of 20" rims (32 hole) with a braking surface that I no longer need and offer for free to anyone that wants them. The 32 hole spec is a little hard to find, most available options are 36 hole BMX rims. I had them built up with Chris King hubs for my kid and since he has moved to a 24" bike, so have the hubs. Still have the spokes I used for the 20" build as well.

Made a stop at the new pumptrack in Sugarland. The kid had some fun.

Does anyone know any information on the status of the "bike playground" planned for Beverly Sheffield Park? This has funding (2018 bond) and the final plan was adopted in Spring 2022. I realize city government is about as slow as it gets for getting something done. Should I forget about this and check back in 5 years from now? Separately (not central Texas), but Sugarland TX is getting a Velosolutions pumptrack at Crown Festival Park. I saw a post this week that it was in dirt form and ready to get asphalt. May be done in a month or two? (https://www.instagram.com/p/CokmVjzuUbS/) Not sure if it was mentioned previously, but for another non-central Texas option, there is a Velosolutions pumptrack in Paris TX. It is in the park that has the Eiffel tower replica. This track was used for a Redbull qualifier last year.

I add to mack_turtle's post about pump tracks for kids. My kid always has a great time at the Mueller pump track. Only problem is that it can get pretty busy, especially with the smaller kid there for the first time (crashing often). Here is a video of my kid having fun that I uploaded to the google review site: https://goo.gl/maps/ciU2JJe39bEmVYsR6 There is a new asphalt bike pumptrack in the Sonterra neighborhood in Jarrell (20 minute drive from Round Rock). I haven't had a chance to visit it yet, but plan to soon. It is located here: https://www.google.com/maps/place/30°48'34.3"N+97°36'14.5"W/@30.809527,-97.6047528,298m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x1b1e1de9641a0b5e!7e2!8m2!3d30.8095267!4d-97.604016

Still haven't heard more about this, but trail looks nice so far.

There is a new asphalt pump track going in at the Sontera neighborhood in Jarrell. Not something I would have expected, but looks pretty good. Saw a post with it in dirt form and almost ready for the asphalt surface to be added.

The track at Mueller is open now.

Saw on instagram that komtrails posted: "New project pictures at a private ranch near COTA in Austin ,They will be getting close to 12 miles of bicycle flow trail. Could possibly open up to public and be a race venue. Stay tuned." https://www.instagram.com/p/CgzpR7sOSso/

Yea, it is 15g. I have plenty of 14g. The idea for 15g came from looking at options for custom length spokes, since these are fairly short to build 24" wheels. You can more easily get any length when doing straight gauge, and since the kid weighs maybe 60 pounds, I don't really need double butted (14/15/14). Wish I had thought of this with his previous wheels, since he outgrew that bike so quickly and straight gauge spokes are cheaper anyways.

Does anyone know of a good shop that would have parts for building wheels? Specifically I am looking for 15g brass nipples. The reality is I actually just need one nipple, as I happen to have 31 that have been in my toolbox since forever. Not sure how I lost one along the way. I have a nice set of hubs that I am building for my kid's bike. Had them built for his 20" bike, now building them up for his 24" bike. I have a good source for 15g straight spokes in custom lengths, but they don't come with nipples. Buying the nipples online would just not be worth the shipping cost (for 1 or 32).

For the Little Walnut Creek Park, I saw this post on instagram: We are pleased to announce the City of Austin is hosting a pop up event alongside @camachoactivitycenter @austinridgeriders at Little Walnut Creek Park. This is a celebration of what is likely going to the very first professionally built and fully sanctioned MTB trail system/park in Austin, Tx. This is not a work day. Bring your bike or some hiking boots. We will be there on Saturday, May 21st at 11:00 a.m. Location is 51st street park entrance across from Senate Hills. https://www.instagram.com/p/CdG__O9FjQk/

The work at Milburn looks pretty good. It seems like the mainly did this one line for now. They say there are plans to come back later in the year to do more work, but it is partly dependent on the city (approval/budget and such).

It wouldn't help when carrying four people, but I wish the smaller/mid-size trucks offered the feature that will be on the 2024 Chevy Silverado, with the folding wall between the bed and back seat. This would be a great feature for the Ford Maverick or Ranger.

That is really cool to see, and a seriously big effort with all the heavy machinery and stone work. Can't wait to check out the final product.

I really thought I started out as a better biker (pictured here at 6). My kid now was riding a bike without training wheels way before 6.