attaboy

At the direction of Gov. Greg Abbott, Texas State Parks will be closed to the public effective at the close of business Tuesday, April 7

Same exact thing happened to me on inner log loop during a night ride.  However, I don't think that he was using my light to find a meal.  I think that he was using my presence and motion to scare something up.  I'm quite confident an owl can see well enough at night to catch whatever moves.  The problem is getting it to move!

You see cattle egret following around grazing cattle or tractors plowing/moving for the same reason.  Birds might have small brains but they're pretty damn smart.

Had this happen on GB multiple times on predawn rides. Wondered if it was a hunting tactic. Once, I was near a tree and turned my head as I was riding by (with lamp on helmet) and was face-to- face with a screech owl.

By far the strangest things have been: the head and neck (decapitated) of a young deer right on the trail —predawn on GB;

A young topless woman hiking with with her young son; a bobcat nonchalantly walking across the trail about 15 feet in front of me.

I’m suspect anyone actually rides there. Wonder how long multiple trees have been across the trail; Have been the times I’ve hiked . . errr, ridden there (with the exception of just before EB when some awesome people clear them).

In the "this is why we can't have nice things" category
From my NextDoor neighborhood listserve: City of Austin Closes Barking Springs on April 3: 

“The Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is closing the spillway below Barton Springs Pool, Barking Springs, effective immediately. Visitors will no longer be able to use this area for recreating, swimming, or as an off-leash area for dogs. 
Park visitor use at the spillway did not comply with the Stay Home-Work Safe Order, which requires physical distancing and prohibits group gatherings of any size to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The top priority of the City of Austin and PARD is the safety of the community and park visitors. The Department installed fencing at access points and regular patrols will be conducted to ensure the community does not continue to use the area.”

Pickle gates closed yesterday afternoon.

Did my “exercise” today. SWCT bypass is a mess. Ended up riding through the east side and through the Hops and Grain lot. I miss fresh local beer after a ride. The wine my wife coaxed me into after my ride just doesn’t cut it. 

Thanks for checking in. Most trail runners are great, as others have said. They seem aware and know how to negotiate passing. Most don’t blast earbuds to oblivion. Most run solo or 2. When there is a group, they run single file like we ride. All good.

It’s the earbud issue and/or walkers “hikers” who can seem completely surprised and disoriented by bikers and often walk side by side 3-4 wide at times. You can tell when there is an experienced hiker group because they stay single file and call out for bikers and allow easy passing.

https://www.lavelocita.cc/guides-page/facing-bike-frames-why-its-important-and-why-almost-nobody-does-it
After a year on my current frame, I stripped it down to ream and face the headtube and face the BB shell. It was not easy to find shops that will do this because the tools are so expensive.

Note to self:  When taking jumps, make sure rear tire hits first. Seems to be a recurring theme here, right?
These videos make me very nervous. You just know there are videos out there that show some really bad stuff happening to people. 

We rode Cal 56, but we were following a local who was set on torturing us.

Ok, so one bonus for the 1Up in your opinion is that the arms lock into place with a ratchet mechanism. [emoji3581]
Regarding the tray orientation relative to the other trays, the Raxter advertises (WITH ZERO MARKETING BUDGET) that you can slide bikes fore and aft on the tray to make bikes nest better. You didn't find this to be true? That is one PITA with the Thule but I can usually slide trays around to get things to fit if I'm loading four bikes for a multi-day trip. Definitely not fun if I just want to load them for a quick trip across town.

I’m a former Raxter owner. Used it for 5 years. I agree with much of what RF has to say; however mine did have some shortcomings. The velcro straps did degrade and have to be replaced. Also, those nylon arms didn’t hold up to off-road use. I take some 4wd rodes at times and on rough sections when there is side to side rocking motion, the bikes would push the arms open. I’d have to stop while on the trail and push them back as they are held in place with friction at the pivot points. Trays are parallel and this sometimes made fitting bikes on difficult. Also, mine did fold up and so I couldn’t keep on the truck for garage parking.

Purchased 1Up double heavy duty a few years ago and couldn’t be happier. Those problems were solved as well as having improved departure angle given the stacked height of the rearmost 1Up tray.

remembered how to post vids. first one was from GB. came around the corner and these two were wrapped around each other and had their heads about 2-3 feet in the air. after a bit they noticed us and slithered away

Rode Emma last eve. Wet in many areas, water running through parts, a few mud bogs, several sizeable puddles. Gouged and rutted as it has been in recent years. This place used to dry first. I heard Walnut was good yesterday. Things change.

Wow, just when I thought projective assessment was a thing of the past. You people may be single-handedly bringing it back to relevance.

Seen Coral snakes multiple times on BCGB 3-4. Copper head on Thumper just to add insult. Western Diamond back on RPR (video) and two engaged in fight or mating not sure which on BCGB (second Vid). That was rather spectacular as they were wrapped around each other with their heads in the air about 4ft high, right in the middle of the trail. Video was after they finally noticed us and were leaving.

How do you post vids?

I guess it could be worse. Just saw this.

Houston area rain ride - Are you tough enough?

https://r.tapatalk.com/shareLink?share_fid=23347&share_tid=1102144&url=https%3A%2F%2Fforums%2Emtbr%2Ecom%2Fshowthread%2Ephp%3Ft%3D1102144&share_type=t

I used the bucket

I have no idea who did that or when.
We (ARR) has not been allowed to do trail work there for over 5 years. I am STILL trying to get the agreement signed.

I’ve been on Nox rims i29 width for 5 years now.

I have loved these rims. I noticed the improvement first ride coming from my flow front and newer (then) flow ex rear. They stay true and hold tension as if new. They handle strikes better than al and the higher tension from offset is nice.

I have to admit the flows have improved dramatically since my last set, with exception of the flow version of MK3 from what I’ve heard.

Honestly I think well designed and manufactured carbon rims don’t save weight so much, but are stiffer (positives and negatives to this) but will stay truer, and hold tension and last longer than al. Early Al 29er rims were too flexy imho. In addition to design improvement in 29 al rims, boost probably made as big of a difference. I’m on my first set of boost (Nox again) rims and they are definitely stiffer but wheel builder took that into account and used smaller gauge spokes.

Also, re earlier posts about tire pressure- a 2.6 at same pressure you run 2.3 or 2.4 will feel like a rock. Not only do you need less pressure but the higher the volume, the more sensitive to 1-2 lb difference the tire will be.

3 hours ago, Barry said:

The statement was "lift/shuttle." Spider Mtn is lift. Bandera is shuttle. 

Ah, okay! Didn't catch that, or see it on their website. Curious how the shuttle works/is done. Anyone tried it yet? 

Right, the Other one is???

Had 2005 4Runner since then. Approaching 200K miles. It’s no dog cuz V8. Best auto I’ve ever owned. Still love the thing, but it’s getting old.

I musta missed something. What’s the other lift assisted bike park?