Deception is a 100% rider designed and built trail. The trail is in the process of becoming an official trail of the Williamson County Parks and Rec and is an Austin Ridge Rider supported trail. The designers and builders will continue to be the primary trail stewards and are official volunteers for Wilco and Trail Stewards for ARR.
Deception is NOT Walnut Creek and it's not meant to be EASY - do not modify the trail, elevate YOUR skills.
Got out there early rode to tools. Minus the new pre plunge Strava had it at 4.5. I blocked and concealed the old route I think fairly well. Took McLeod to tool stash as well.
Preplunge was awesome. It was great to ride something about which I had no idea what would be next. Coming back out from working the new part (and yes, this is an excuse - I was tired as balls), I got caught by that double stepup in the preplunge. It was a good bonk. Anyways, the whole thing is a really good addition to the trail. And Josh, I'd say you did a more than adequate job covering existing trail. Looks like it was never there pretty much. Just a great piece.
I was out cutting and treading new today with Marty. Marty got some good progress with the loppers, so I suspect the next person will need to be ready to saw some stuff. This part is exquisite. Yeah, exquisite. I added a couple of cribs today and the line that Eric flagged previously came to life. It's an awesome segment that is going to lead to a really swoopy ravine run. Just tasty stuff.
One thing I noticed today while I was cutting this ridgeline. And I don't mean this to sound bitchy (because I'm guilty), really just factual. If we're cutting limbs along a nice steep drop off, then let's put the trimmings on the UPHILL side of the trail. This way we won't have trimmings blocking the "view" of the dropoff penalty on the other side. It's tempting to throw the trimmings downhill since that is the easiest, but I think esthetics will be preserved more highly if we go uphill with branches.
Anyways, awesome progress.
LAST THING (and this IS bitching): To anyone that rides the trail that MIGHT be reading this, DO NOT change the rock features on the trail. If you cannot ride them, get off your bike and walk them. Otherwise, learn to ride them (best option) or just ride the hike-n-bike. Seriously, don't pussy out the trail.
Well, it's just an ongoing thing. People are removing rocks from certain features. Eric and I spent a fair amount of time making birdstone permanent after it was repeatedly altered to make it easier. Someone is going to have to REALLY want to change that for it to happen. A feature I put in just before Big Dipper was eventually removed altogether, and it was not because the feature failed; it was just removed. There seems to be repeated, purposeful crossing over of the trail boundaries. Someone put a "jump" (loose pile of rocks) just before little dipper and after the thing has fallen apart, I'm assuming whoever did it just isn't cleaning it up. In the Trap, there were a couple of instances where I removed rocks that were placed to smooth out techy features.
I'm glad that, overall, our features include rocks that cannot be easily moved, if at all. Again, just bitching and realizing it will probably always happen.
I went out on Sunday for the first time in a long while. I got on a new section and was trying to figure out if I jumped the track somehow. You guys rerouted some trail :). That drop is sick. I rode to the tools and it was a blast. My favorite section by far is the back to back hills. Looked like a dragon back.
I saw about 5 other folks on the trail that were on their first or second run. This thing is getting popular.
Hey Josh, George, I met you the other day. I been walking the trail and clearing rocks ever time I go out. I saw 3 teens on BMXs leaving the trail this weekend.
Much appreciated. Met you when we were in that section near the Satellite where you brought the sealant for the oak cut. Hope all is well, and thanks again for clearing rocks off the tread.
I never considered those dirt jumping bastards. Mike those are most likely the shit heads moving shit or building "jumps" I know probably not all though. Oh well nothing we can do .
And the boundary crossing thing is never gonna go away. Some people will always take the easy way out when they are tired and it is easy. I say we block the main 2 to make it harder to pass. Or set up traps!
Man...tonight was one of the best Deception rides I've had so far. I decided to try to stay "light on the bike" over the trail, and it was just a flat out fun ride. I got worked by the PrePlunge on a dumb spot (not challenging just plain bonked it) and cleared that damn double stepup coming back out. That's an awesome feature. I also REALLY like the first rock hit of the preplunge when you're on your way in toward the tool stash. Quality stuff. Next time I'm out (hopefully Thurs) I'm going to stack some rocks by that one hairpin turn in the PrePlunge just because the two lines are literally a foot apart or so.
Went up to YMCA and did a couple loops up top and refilled water. I have to say, that one little climb just past 183A to the left is a punchy little number after riding our trail. If it's a foreshadowing of what the climbs could be like on the other side of the double track, we are in for some pure pain. It's gonna get real physical in that realm.
I finally found a reliable line for one of the hits that's been in my head hard lately causing me to spin out on it every single time I hit it.
Whoever did some work out there at the very end today (or maybe Marty did that after I left yesterday, but either way) did a great job treading and cutting. We got some seriously visually interesting and fun lines coming up involving this ravine we're currently working....and then I think there is a BITCH climb coming up as well with a nice stinger rock hit at the top...man I love those. This one will be Eric's fault, though....just like the preplunge on the way out double hit ("Buck Rogers").
I built a WALL out of trimmings between rainy day/snaggle rock and the preexisting Jagger's trail. It'll be interesting to see if someone goes through the trouble of moving that stuff. I intertwined it and put a LOT of it there, so it'll be a bitch to move. It's about 3.5-4 feet high and expands the width of the opening and locks into the adjacent trees. Oh well, we'll see.
Moved the rocks before little dipper and made a little half-ass sculpture out of it, replaced a rock feature near Big Dipper that I really liked...sentimental, but a value add when climbing out.
Eric - someone finally put a knee into that sculpture on "The Shelf" between Dub Step and Moose Knizz. The one you just made is still standing, however.
I'll be out there today 2pm-ish to 4:30/4:45pm. Probably just going to ride the hike n bike out and walk into the woods, depending on the time I get out from work. Gonna cut like a madman.
I will be out there as well. Mike and I are gonna be wolverines in the woods. I may or may not ride in. Depends on how the lungs feel. I am on the tail end of a nasty chest congestion.
I will be out there as well. Mike and I are gonna be wolverines in the woods. I may or may not ride in. Depends on how the lungs feel. I am on the tail end of a nasty chest congestion.
Cool, we should be able to knock out quite a bit today then. I might actually be out there earlier than 2, looking at my schedule. Hoping so, as I would like to ride the whole trail in.
Josh and I got some great work done today. It wasn't much distance, but it's 100% complete. I was fortunate enough to get to build a wrist-crushing berm on a very tight turn (Thanks Eric for that flag job - jk, it rides awesome). Josh did some grown man wood cutting and wrestling and lots of cutting.
This newest piece (I say this every time it seems) is so choice I might have gotten a little moist (under my eyelids)....It flows and swoops so well I think my wheels resonate similarly to a finger around a crystal wineglass lip.
We made it just to where the "mini vortex" begins, so I can't wait to get back out and cut that part. Then, we will cut a climb I'm going to tenatively call "Damn You"...simply because I envision saying it outloud (directed at Eric) as I'm climbing it and/or having to negotiate the rock at the top, and don't be mistaken, going the other way, climbing up "Mini Vortex" and the steep parts right after it is going to suck, too.
Had a tight little crash on the left hand turn before Lloyd Bridges heading out. Too little tire pressure and loose dirt = express trip to the ground. I almost lost it on the right hander into "The Knee" and I felt the tire fold some. Should have just corrected it, but I was due a crash anyways....so hopefully that one will suffice for a while. It was soft, no cacti or rocks. I'll take that any day.
Hoping to get back out MAYBE Sunday. But I will be nightriding Saturday night (90% sure). Cheers.
Ha! I concur. Mike that was a very pretty fall though I must say. This next section is gonna be clutch. A real DO WORK section but with a lot of payoff. I am glad I decided to ride in instead of taking the cattle road in , my back and lungs are feeling it for sure but well worth it. Not sure if I can make it out this.weekend but I will be working on that nightride option.
Preplunge was awesome. It was great to ride something about which I had no idea what would be next. Coming back out from working the new part (and yes, this is an excuse - I was tired as balls), I got caught by that double stepup in the preplunge. It was a good bonk. Anyways, the whole thing is a really good addition to the trail. And Josh, I'd say you did a more than adequate job covering existing trail. Looks like it was never there pretty much. Just a great piece.
ReplyDeleteI was out cutting and treading new today with Marty. Marty got some good progress with the loppers, so I suspect the next person will need to be ready to saw some stuff. This part is exquisite. Yeah, exquisite. I added a couple of cribs today and the line that Eric flagged previously came to life. It's an awesome segment that is going to lead to a really swoopy ravine run. Just tasty stuff.
One thing I noticed today while I was cutting this ridgeline. And I don't mean this to sound bitchy (because I'm guilty), really just factual. If we're cutting limbs along a nice steep drop off, then let's put the trimmings on the UPHILL side of the trail. This way we won't have trimmings blocking the "view" of the dropoff penalty on the other side. It's tempting to throw the trimmings downhill since that is the easiest, but I think esthetics will be preserved more highly if we go uphill with branches.
Anyways, awesome progress.
LAST THING (and this IS bitching): To anyone that rides the trail that MIGHT be reading this, DO NOT change the rock features on the trail. If you cannot ride them, get off your bike and walk them. Otherwise, learn to ride them (best option) or just ride the hike-n-bike. Seriously, don't pussy out the trail.
What got changed I didn't notice anything on my ride this am
ReplyDeleteNice job on the pre plunge, Josh,
DeleteWell, it's just an ongoing thing. People are removing rocks from certain features. Eric and I spent a fair amount of time making birdstone permanent after it was repeatedly altered to make it easier. Someone is going to have to REALLY want to change that for it to happen. A feature I put in just before Big Dipper was eventually removed altogether, and it was not because the feature failed; it was just removed. There seems to be repeated, purposeful crossing over of the trail boundaries. Someone put a "jump" (loose pile of rocks) just before little dipper and after the thing has fallen apart, I'm assuming whoever did it just isn't cleaning it up. In the Trap, there were a couple of instances where I removed rocks that were placed to smooth out techy features.
DeleteI'm glad that, overall, our features include rocks that cannot be easily moved, if at all. Again, just bitching and realizing it will probably always happen.
Not sure when I'll be able to get out again.
I went out on Sunday for the first time in a long while. I got on a new section and was trying to figure out if I jumped the track somehow. You guys rerouted some trail :). That drop is sick. I rode to the tools and it was a blast. My favorite section by far is the back to back hills. Looked like a dragon back.
DeleteI saw about 5 other folks on the trail that were on their first or second run. This thing is getting popular.
Hey Josh, George, I met you the other day. I been walking the trail and clearing rocks ever time I go out. I saw 3 teens on BMXs leaving the trail this weekend.
ReplyDeleteMuch appreciated. Met you when we were in that section near the Satellite where you brought the sealant for the oak cut. Hope all is well, and thanks again for clearing rocks off the tread.
DeleteI never considered those dirt jumping bastards. Mike those are most likely the shit heads moving shit or building "jumps" I know probably not all though. Oh well nothing we can do .
ReplyDeleteAnd the boundary crossing thing is never gonna go away. Some people will always take the easy way out when they are tired and it is easy. I say we block the main 2 to make it harder to pass. Or set up traps!
DeleteGonna try to nightride Sat night if anyone wants to go with.
ReplyDeleteI'll probably leave around 8:30 from the house so I'll be at the trailhead at 9pm or so.
Also, gonna try to get out to work trail Thurs 2:30-4 or so.
Man...tonight was one of the best Deception rides I've had so far. I decided to try to stay "light on the bike" over the trail, and it was just a flat out fun ride. I got worked by the PrePlunge on a dumb spot (not challenging just plain bonked it) and cleared that damn double stepup coming back out. That's an awesome feature. I also REALLY like the first rock hit of the preplunge when you're on your way in toward the tool stash. Quality stuff. Next time I'm out (hopefully Thurs) I'm going to stack some rocks by that one hairpin turn in the PrePlunge just because the two lines are literally a foot apart or so.
ReplyDeleteWent up to YMCA and did a couple loops up top and refilled water. I have to say, that one little climb just past 183A to the left is a punchy little number after riding our trail. If it's a foreshadowing of what the climbs could be like on the other side of the double track, we are in for some pure pain. It's gonna get real physical in that realm.
I finally found a reliable line for one of the hits that's been in my head hard lately causing me to spin out on it every single time I hit it.
Whoever did some work out there at the very end today (or maybe Marty did that after I left yesterday, but either way) did a great job treading and cutting. We got some seriously visually interesting and fun lines coming up involving this ravine we're currently working....and then I think there is a BITCH climb coming up as well with a nice stinger rock hit at the top...man I love those. This one will be Eric's fault, though....just like the preplunge on the way out double hit ("Buck Rogers").
I built a WALL out of trimmings between rainy day/snaggle rock and the preexisting Jagger's trail. It'll be interesting to see if someone goes through the trouble of moving that stuff. I intertwined it and put a LOT of it there, so it'll be a bitch to move. It's about 3.5-4 feet high and expands the width of the opening and locks into the adjacent trees. Oh well, we'll see.
Moved the rocks before little dipper and made a little half-ass sculpture out of it, replaced a rock feature near Big Dipper that I really liked...sentimental, but a value add when climbing out.
Eric - someone finally put a knee into that sculpture on "The Shelf" between Dub Step and Moose Knizz. The one you just made is still standing, however.
Ok, the end.
I'll be out there today 2pm-ish to 4:30/4:45pm. Probably just going to ride the hike n bike out and walk into the woods, depending on the time I get out from work. Gonna cut like a madman.
ReplyDeleteI will be out there as well. Mike and I are gonna be wolverines in the woods. I may or may not ride in. Depends on how the lungs feel. I am on the tail end of a nasty chest congestion.
ReplyDeleteI will be out there as well. Mike and I are gonna be wolverines in the woods. I may or may not ride in. Depends on how the lungs feel. I am on the tail end of a nasty chest congestion.
ReplyDeleteCool, we should be able to knock out quite a bit today then. I might actually be out there earlier than 2, looking at my schedule. Hoping so, as I would like to ride the whole trail in.
DeleteJosh and I got some great work done today. It wasn't much distance, but it's 100% complete. I was fortunate enough to get to build a wrist-crushing berm on a very tight turn (Thanks Eric for that flag job - jk, it rides awesome). Josh did some grown man wood cutting and wrestling and lots of cutting.
ReplyDeleteThis newest piece (I say this every time it seems) is so choice I might have gotten a little moist (under my eyelids)....It flows and swoops so well I think my wheels resonate similarly to a finger around a crystal wineglass lip.
We made it just to where the "mini vortex" begins, so I can't wait to get back out and cut that part. Then, we will cut a climb I'm going to tenatively call "Damn You"...simply because I envision saying it outloud (directed at Eric) as I'm climbing it and/or having to negotiate the rock at the top, and don't be mistaken, going the other way, climbing up "Mini Vortex" and the steep parts right after it is going to suck, too.
Had a tight little crash on the left hand turn before Lloyd Bridges heading out. Too little tire pressure and loose dirt = express trip to the ground. I almost lost it on the right hander into "The Knee" and I felt the tire fold some. Should have just corrected it, but I was due a crash anyways....so hopefully that one will suffice for a while. It was soft, no cacti or rocks. I'll take that any day.
Hoping to get back out MAYBE Sunday. But I will be nightriding Saturday night (90% sure). Cheers.
Ha! I concur. Mike that was a very pretty fall though I must say. This next section is gonna be clutch. A real DO WORK section but with a lot of payoff. I am glad I decided to ride in instead of taking the cattle road in , my back and lungs are feeling it for sure but well worth it. Not sure if I can make it out this.weekend but I will be working on that nightride option.
ReplyDeleteSounds good.
Delete