Dateline: Austin, TX
Peaceful sleep in parking lot. Wasn’t a police station across the block.
Up @ 7 AM & out looking for a gravel parking lot to fix bfast. Just a few blocks further down road. Towns that spring up alongside a major road are usually not very deep and have low traffic dead end side streets.
Drove into Austin to REI. Waited in parking lot until opened. Getting warm but no humidity. REI no tires or shorts to spend sale & dividend on. Drove to big bike shop for tire. Bought for $59 an Maxxis ignitor.
Drove N to georgetown ride. Austin population per sign is 6xx,xxx and suburbs sprawl. Bit of traffic for Sunday.
Parked @ TH. Trail travels along shore of man made lake but almost never in sight of it. Limestone rock. Part to Jim Hogg was not as technical as part to Russel park. 16.42 miles, 1210 vert as out & back. Better at riding rocks. Limestone is soft and tires smear well and when it moves it moves w/ dampening.
Struck up conversation w/ gate keeper couple @ Jim Hogg XG on my ride. Their XG had showers for $3.00 or campsite w/ shower for $18. But primitive xg was $12. Primitive plus shower = 15, save $3. I drove to xg w/ shower & continued convesation w/ same couple. I negotiated a free shower for the husband to tour my van. Score. Gracie says, ” The answer is ‘No’ unless you ask.” Then it was $12 for primitive. Nice sites but all the parking is on the road shoulder & you carry your stuff in. Only camper in XG. Beautiful night: low 60s, gentle breeze, clear sky, no humidity.
Worked on bike, greased pedals & bike bushings after ride in rain. Put on new tire.
Called Gracie. She placed 3rd in her race today. She was pumped & thrilled w/ her place. 2nd place took her down almost @ finish. Told her she needs some motocross skills to block and protect.
I rode from Overlook park to Russel Park. The ride map shows Russel park as the turn around for an out & back from the other side. I might ride here again tomorrow on technical ST.
Most of trail was under juniper & several scrub oak trees. Trail where it was on rocks in shade was hard to follow. Challenging ride. Pasted 2 guys on full suspension wearing shin guards. The 3rd rider was in toe traps, wearing an ipod but wearing no helmet, just a ball cap. Duh.
People w/ Sportsmobile Betty & Les emailed me info about Sportsmobile: small company & Paul, whom I have been in contact is the big squeeze.