2020 - Year End Wrap-Up

NETT Trail by Avery, Tx

This last year was way off cycling-kilter. With the RUSA Permanent Program shut down (lack of acceptable insurance coverage) for most of the year, numerous projects eating away the time and then the Covid pandemic thing, it was a real flip-flop. I was riding several times a week, mostly shorter routes and also doing a lot of "recon" rides to locate new routes.
 

Even as funding (grants) were secured here in Avery and other towns along NETT (North East Texas Trail), little was being constructed or graded. Avery, Tx area NETT was the usual mess for weeks after a rain... several miles of mud holes on the way eastward. ATV traffic was tearing it up and leaving deep tread grooves for the water to puddle.
Throw in a farm tractor and a few 4x4's to conclude the rut-O-rama trail.

NETT - Detroit, Tx - Dec., 2020

NETT - Detroit, Tx - Feb., 2020

Not the case westward over by Detroit. Later in the year, contractors managed to lay down miles of road base as NETT passed thru Detroit town. It's my understanding that contractors first put in signage/fences by road crossings... then upgrade bridges.. followed by sectional Trail grading and road base... and finally someday they will lay down hard surface and upgrade Trail amenities. Hopefully, I'll see that before my bikes are all rusted out and tires flat!

RAT-1000 route across Texas

Also of interest was my "recon" of the RAT-1000 route across Texas. This is a lo-key "event" starting in Texarkana, Arkansas and following mostly gravel roads zig-zagging across northern Texas to the finish in Tucumcari, NM. I've done the leg work on the first few hundred miles of RAT, but the roads westward are a long way off. Part of RAT passes thru Avery. Unfortunately, it's early on and wouldn't offer a timely rest-stop here. It's a bike-packing event and riders use SPOT Trackers. You can ride anytime of the year, either direction, but the main start is in Texarkana every October. The RAT-1000 web site offers little help or information. One day I did manage to run into a RAT rider over by New Boston on his way west. Nice guy on a Salsa Cutthroat carbon bike-packing rig. He had to bail after 200 mi. due to achilles tendon pain.

 I always wanted to do some bike-packing stuff, but the lightweight equipment doesn't come cheap (esp. if you're just trying it out for a ride or two). Plus, my bikes aren't really very ideal for that type of riding and carrying equipment. Like in San Diego with the Stagecoach 400 event (which I never officially rode, but did ride the route several times), these events lead up to the big one... the annual Tour Divide ( Canada to Mexico - bike-packing). Bruce Phillips from O'side and Mikki Suva from Revolution Bike and a few others had stories about their exploits riding the Stagecoach 400 Event. 

Bill checking out Avery State Bank

Tying in with the RAT-1000 stuff, my buddy from San Marcos, Bill Stevenson, stopped by Avery in October for a few days on his way back to the West Coast. He was interested in the RAT and hit a few of the campgrounds along the RAT route on his way home. Had some nice pics and insight on car-camping along the route. Very interesting if we could get a bunch of riders together for a week or two of riding the RAT-1000.

Riding weather around Avery, Tx was OK during the Spring thru early Fall. Then the cool weather and rain moved in to finish off the year with crap riding weather. Seems the winds always blow around NE Texas... with very few days of great no-wind riding. Esp. when it's 35F in the morning and expected to reach 55 in the afternoon.. but the 15mph wind drops it all down and makes for a long day in the saddle.

A real mechanical tire gauge

I'm mainly using the Specialized Diverge gravel bike with the 650b/47mm tire wheelset. That seems to work well on the rougher chip-seal and some gravel riding. Just adjust the tire pressure as needed. Over the years I've went through several digital gauges of various makes and they will always plug up, either from chips of the rubber seal or from tire sealant. Yes, I take them apart and clean em up, but they all finally bite-the-bullet. Since I've opted for a regular mechanical gauge -Accu-Gage. Brass from 0-60psi. Basic, simple and works well. A little bulky to carry in the seat bag, however. 

 

- randorides

Revisit Tire Failure Again...Specialized To The Rescue?

Specialized Pathfinder Pros...650x47

After a thousand miles on the 650b with a set of Panaracers 1.90 on, the rear developed a small glass cut and thus a similar "bump". I was riding away from home when the rear tire suddenly started to rub the chain-stay. Upon further investigation, it was small piece of glass that had entered the outer casing in the center tread. Same-oh stuff.

I limped home and put on the 700cc wheelset with the old stock Specialized Trigger Pros 38mm on. Those suckers wear like steel...in fact, I could see some cord showing on the rear! Hey, maybe Specialized is making a 650b version of those tires? After some online research, they do have a similar tread pattern in their Pathfinder Pro 47. 

I searched around and finally ordered a set of those Specialized Pathfinder Pro 47 for the 650 wheels.At the same time I found some 47mm for my 700c wheelset: Specialized Sawtooth 47! Ordered those too. Also ordered some Orange rim tape, it was cheap and stuck better than the Stans I had tried before ( Gorilla tape sticks super... but is thick and if you ever take off the tire, it will pull loose on the edges and requires lots of time to totally remove the "glue" left on the rim.)

Pathfinders installed on Diverge gravel bike

 650b - I took off all the old tape from the front wheel, cleaned alcohol and installed the 25mm wide Orange Rim Tape. At the same time, I replaced the stem with the nice Versa Valve stem. These were recommended by my buddy, John in Carlsbad, CA. These stems sealed much better do to the various grommets that come with each set to fit various rim cross-sections. The rear rim tape was good so I left all as was. Put in 4oz of Orange Endurance Sealant per. (I write the date/amount on each tire with white permanent ink.)

Pathfinder Pros 47went on nicely and inflation was efficient with the Booster. I'll ride them a while over various road/trail conditions and report back. Using 35/40psi for road work...30/35 for trails.

 

Old stock TriggerPro 38s

700c - Keeping with the tough stock Specialized tire mantra, I did install the new Sawtooth 42 on the stock Diverge rims. No problem with the stock tape or the older stems. (I'll replace them both next time around (for sure, stems with the nice fitting and solid Orange Seal Versa Valve Stem set (come in various colors for the show-time crew). Install was a breeze. 

After some online research on pricing and delivery, I did order all items mentioned above from Competitive Cyclists. I had ordered items in the past and their prices were in line with Amazon competitors. ( I am lacking, so far, any Texas connections for bikes or components and
still relying on past sources.

New Sawtooth 700x42

 

 

more lateron...
randorides

Panaracer 650b Install

Several months back, the rear WTB Byway 650b tire developed a "bump, bump..bump" while riding. Upon examination, it seemed the tire carcass was breaking down and slowly leaking air thru the tread? Time to put on the Panaracers 1.90 I've had for a while as a back-up set.

650b Conversion With WTB Byway 47mm Tires Video

I cut off the rear tire and saved the Gorilla Tape seal job. The front tire was sealed real good and took 30 minutes to carefully remove while saving the tape work for the new tire. I wiped down the rims with a damp cloth and slicked up things.

Panaracers 650b x 1.90 tires, Orange Sealant, air Booster

Time to put on the new Panaracers. From my experience, getting the tubeless tires to seal can  
really easy... OR a hellva chore. I waxed up the tire bead well with a old candle. This would allow the bead to slide outward on the tape and enhance the sealing to the rim. I tried the hand pump to no avail on either wheel. No amount of squeezing would help.

I had chucked my old 2-liter cola bottle inflater from the last install. I sort of worked, but I always wondered when the sides would blow, even with the excess of duct tape wrapped around & around. I could make one out of PVC pipe or finally buy something safe. Didn't have any 3" OR 4" pipe lying around so checked the internet for inflater reviews. Didn't need a pump with it, so there were several that seemed to work well via reviews. I ordered out a Schwalbe Tire Booster which had the best price with free shipping. Came in 2-days without Amazon Prime from Planet Bike. Reading the enclosed info... same China company that makes AIRSHOT!

Panaracers on Diverge after test ride.

I pumped up the Booster to 120psi (goes to 160psi) and let 'er rip. Pop, POP and sealed right up. Same with the other wheel. I pulled the Booster and pumped up by hand next. No problem. Orange Endurance Sealant was next... 4oz per wheel. Cleaned up the inner valve stem and put in the clean valve. Aired them up to 60psi and sloshed the sealant around. ( Always write the date and amount of sealant added on the sidewall of each tire with permanent marker.)

Since this is a different complete wheelset from the 700 wheels, the front brake rotor aligned perfectly. The rear needed a reset to spin freely. After cleaning up the bike (esp. the brake rotors and pads with brake cleaner), it was time for a road test after dropping the tire pressure down to 40psi. Weather was crappy, with high easterly winds, 50 degrees and rain spitting as I headed out and around town. All was well. I'll check the tire pressure in the morning to confirm the super seal. Also next long ride to adjust the tire pressure for these slightly wider 1.90 tires.

-randorides 

Graceland To Detroit: Sunny Day

Quick route follows Hwy. 82 to Detroit

Nice sunny Sunday... lo-traffic day... time to ride west. Initially, this rando route started at the local Avery 7-11/Shamrock Station and followed Hwy. 82 over to Detroit. Only one place in Detroit open most of the day and that was the Git-N-Go store/station. The mileage was a little short of the required 62.1 miles for RUSA certification. The Ms. suggested starting at the Family Dollar store in Avery instead. Good enough to surpass the 100km spec. The store opens up at 0800 daily, so OK in the shorter winter days.

Another later start, but the weather was warm and minimal clothing necessary. Gal at the Dollar Store looked around for something healthy for proof of start... mini Milky Way pieces for $1. good to go. Hah, hah! Rode westward on Hwy. 82 to the next door dog barking and getting excited as usual.

Brisk headwind and lo-traffic as expected all the way to Clarksville, where the route loops around the town before straightening out to a more NW direction. Just after passing the Bagwell turn, the bike lane nearly disappears for two miles, replaced by an additional vehicle lane. Fortunately, traffic swings wide seeing my rear Cygolite SuperPro blinkie... but the rumble strip dominates what little bike lane there is left. The lane suddenly widens and becomes smooth again on a short gradual downhill before Detroit.

Daytime visible Hotshot light works well

North East Texas Trail comes down from Bagwell and passes thru Detroit town. I detoured a bit and rode the Trail into town to the big "Welcome To Detroit" sign at the park. Next stop was the only place open today: Git-N-Go store/station. Friendly lady behind the counter asked about where I was riding, etc. Several customers pumping gas and buying take out pizza. Got my choc sandwich and rode over to the next door construction site for a break. Large commercial building for some business. Only construction around here. Tried to entice several small dogs to partake in my sandwich, but they wouldn't have any of it!

Before leaving town, took a photo tour of the local shops and school. Riding back east was a whole lot easier with the increasing tailwind. I was flying along now on the flats and the short hills were no match either. Made a longish photo stop at the two Roadside Memorials for William Becknell, "Founder Of The Santa Fe Trail". Interesting history of his family home here and cemetery. Made an additional stop at a isolated horse corral. Horse was a little spooky and didn't offer any photo ops! On eastward.

Decided to check out Clarksville town in lieu of doing the loop around town again. Quiet on a Sunday afternoon. Stopped at a burned out old mansion along Main St. where several kids were playing around.

Not a good idea to follow road into the smoke~!

Zip right along thru Annona, where I noticed lots of white smoke off to the south. Pulled into Liquor Store lot to check it out. Mmmm, looks interesting, I'll need to take a closer look. Rode over to the next road and turned toward the smoky fire. Grass/hay bale fire was evident as I proceeded down the smoky road. Crap, this stuff was getting real heavy, so I made a hasty retreat back to Hwy. 82. Not a good idea!

With the tailwind pushing me along, made the short trip back to Avery in short order. Chatted with the Family Dollar gal, now leaving work at 3:00 PM. Picked up 2 fruit bars (TIP: always get something for the Ms after a ride) and rode home. Nice day in the saddle with a few new sights recorded.


Graceland To Detroit Video



- randorides

Kickapoo Creek Revisited

Route does a loop and crosses Kickapoo Creek twice~!

I've ridden this route many times, since it was the first 100km Rando Route I made when I got to Texas. Made a few changes to the original route, but nothing too drastic. About time I did an informational video

Same start place in Avery, TX and several other of my routes. Either you start at the 7-11 (NO, not the 7-Eleven you're used to seeing everywhere) or the local Dollar Store (which opens at 8:00 AM). It's the 7-11 this time. Rolled over for a late morning start.

Big sign at Phillips Hardwood outside DeKalb, TX

 Grabbed a bar and headed eastward on Hwy. 82 to lite traffic and a headwind. Managed to catch a
little of the NETT (North East Texas Trail) before DeKalb. Nice riding on trail leaves between rows of trees before exiting by the Phillip's Hardwood mill. They have a nice sign there about trees.

Short stop for receipt at the Donut Shop. Lady working today from Cambodia. She kept asking "How are you?" I gave various answers, multiple times before it came to me... she was asking "How old are you?" "Not 80 yet", was my answer. The conversation deteriorated from there as I headed for the door.

Kickapoo Creek south near Boxelder, TX

New route adjustment goes south on Runnels St./FM992. No bike lane and no traffic to speak of. The turn west made for easy riding, as the tailwind pushed me into a false notion that I was fast! Stopped for a dead hog photo.. near the same place as months ago I did have a near-run in with a group of wild boars that nearly took me out on an dark early ride. No traffic along these roads as I turned at the Lydia junction on Road 44 toward Boxelder town.

Met a way-out runner, running in the traffic lanes before Boxelder. Left turn on Rd. 412 in Boxelder. Chev PU was parked in the middle of the road. Driver was out chatting with rancher and another friend. We all waved as I sped by toward the Kickapoo Creek Bridge. Short stop at the Bridge. Water was low and it was quiet. After a few pictures I was off into side winds northward toward Clarksville.

Attack dogs? NO! I put away my Mace bomb!

Big ranches & cotton fields s along FM412 as the sun was out and temps were nearing 70. Good riding weather for December in Texas.

Several miles on dirt road  4115. It was all dried out and fast. Toward the end, I noticed several dogs on the road ahead.. OH, oh. Got out my police certified Mace, shook it up good and got ready. These dogs were friendly and didn't even bark!

Northward to Clarksville on new, rough Co. Rd. 910. Missed several turns in Clarksville, but can't get lost there. Made my usual stop at McDonald's and got the normal poor service. After a hot-fudge sundae topped with GU Gel... bottle refill, I was off thru town and into more headwind riding back to Avery.

Kickapoo Creek north near Annona, TX

Wide bike lane and a bit more traffic as I plowed eastward, hoping the roadside trees would ease the headwind. One picture of note was a photo stop at Kickapoo Creek. Yes, the Creek starts way up north of Annona and goes south by Boxelder before joining Cuthand Creek and then the Sulphur River further south.


Kickapoo Creek Video

- randorides

Choctaw Travel Ride

Choctaw Travel route goes to Oklahoma

73 degrees today~! Time to hit the road. Brief Texas winter warm spell means more comfy riding time. Wanted to get started real early for a short rando route ride, but never got things sorted out till around 11 am. By then it was already "hot", so just a long sleeve Arctic Guard base layer under my black/white Colorado jersey.

Slight headwind as I peddled along on Hwy. 82 westward past Graceland and roadside cut trees. They are someday widening Hwy. 82 from Clarksville to DeKalb. Bike lane was wide, smooth enough and protected most of the way by cut-in rumble strips. Several sections of road repair had been done and some equipment was roadside by bridge upgrades. 

The turn northward on Hwy. 37 @ Clarksville brought tailwinds and smoother riding. Also wide bike lanes here skirted on the left by more rumble strips. More trees and water along the road as I made my way northward easily at 18-20mph with the 38T chain-ring spinning the small cog (10T) on the rear. Several rollers before a cute named town of "Dimple". It was mostly a few homes and a long ago closed store/gas station. Someone had nice multi-level birdhouses out front for sale, which offered a quick photo-op.

As I was crossing the Red River, noticed a group of people on their knees facing east. Huh? Had to stop and check it out. Praying? After further study, looks like they were collecting acorns under this huge tree. After crossing the bridge, a colorful "Oklahoma" sign greeted travelers and then the Choctaw Travel Center.

Ladies poise at Choctaw Travel

Choctaw has only a trailer and food truck active, as they are rebuilding the main building. Had a nice chat with one on the ladies working inside and managed to convince her to poise with her friend for a photo. Left a rando card, filled my bottle at the sink, bought a Milky Way Bar ($1.29) and soon turned southward into a predictable headwind.

Now slogging along much slower than the other way, I did pass a guy on a cruiser bike, riding beside his walking friend on the other side of the road. He seemed little amazed at seeing anyone out here riding. The headwind offered me a chance for more roadside video/photos. I turned around for a nice shot of horses at a pristine stock pond. About that time, someone on a ATV with dogs chasing passed by the field on the other side of the pond. Horses were a little spooked and there went my super video scene. Also stopped at the Hwy. 82 jct., to capture some video of the holiday decorated wagon at the BBQ stand.

2-level outhouse...we know who's on the bottom!

Eastward on Hwy. 82 was busier with pre-Christmas traffic. Wide bike lanes made it tolerable. I stopped at Annona to check out some decked out Jeeps for sale. I thought they were a little overpriced @ $10,900. Nearing Avery, did a turn around and took a shot of this tall outhouse. It had two doors: one on top labeled "Politicians" and the one under it labelled "Voters". I take it shit falls down and ...well, you know the rest. Further down the road was a unique metal work of the Loch Ness Monster "Nessy" buried part way in the ground. Looked real enough for a digital shot.

Still nice and warm as I rolled into the Avery 7-11. Picked up 2 slices of pizza to take home for the Ms. Overall good day for a rando ride.

Choctaw Travel Video

- randorides

Holiday Spirit: Spoke Lights For The Windmill

December weather around here has been up and down. Days of 30 degree mornings followed by paltry highs of only 48F~! Then the next week some rain, clearing skies and temps going up to hi 60's. Sure unlike San Diego weather for riding... cool mornings(jackets) followed by quick warm-ups and arm-warmer riding all day. I finding out the winds here are generally from the SE or SW and kicks your butt if you venture out into open pastureland. Not to be dismayed, I am starting to dial it in for the shorter rando type rides. Not much daylight for the longer stuff.

Old windmill near North East Texas Trail

Holiday season is upon us and I thought I would light up the old windmill for all to see. It's an old 8' tall specimen that the previous home owner left with the house. All white, with some bent legs, etc. I managed to take the head off, open it up, clean and grease up the bushings. Spins real easy now. Also painted the blades with the patriotic red, white and blue. This took hours to finish.. Cleaning, prepping and masking off. Hopefully it will hold up to the weather.

The tower was easy enough to put lights on. I ordered some of those multi-colored string lights with the remote controller. It's a 110v to DC system with an inline controller box. Putting the string lights on the tower took several tries... at first I followed the diagonal braces with the lights, but later found out it didn't show well at night. I changed that over to following the legs and horizontal braces. Shows much better now. Also how to attach the string lights to the tower? Of course, zip ties? I kept re-routing the lights, so opted for some tough Duck Tape..white of course. Small strips. Should last for a month.

Next up was the tail-fin. Couldn't use the 110V string lights, since the tail would be rotating every time the wind changes. Opted for a AA-battery pak string lights.. like we used to use on the bike frames. Bolted the pak onto the fin and used little clips to hold the string lights on the fin outline. The batteries seem to last about 4 nights. You can change the pattern with a remote. White lights.

Paint and lights for nighttime cheers!

Now for the spinning blades. That was the easiest one. Bolted on two opposing spoke lights. These had to be waterproof and sturdy. For sure. The only work when your wheel is moving and it's dark out. Perfect. Each had only one AAA battery. I opted for the Energizer Li batteries vs the cheaper ones. These lights show different colors and patterns, depending on the blade speed. No wind = no light! Saving batteries. Quite a show when the wind blows hard. These lights shut off with a button on the side.

We turn the lights on in the evening when the sun sets... and off just after sunrise.
I ended up making a short video of this project:

Windmill Lights Video

- randorides