Stumbled Upon Some Interesting History...Rev William Stevenson !

Over the years, I often "take the untraveled route" when riding a official Rando Route or just riding around somewhere. From being shot at with a shotgun climbing up Honey Springs Road, an irate homeowner throwing trash cans at me on Kelly Lane (off Gopher Canyon,SD), being ask to leave a Denny's near Palm Desert (putting on muscle rub late at night) or the dark-early wild hog stampede off Road 1701 in Texas... I find some good trails and interesting things along the way. Such was the case with this ride.

I was riding around way up in the Northeast corner of Texas, not far from Oklahoma and a few miles from Arkansas. I first noticed a memorial to the Confederacy in the Clarksville town square. A tall statue with several plaques denoting the importance of Clarksville as a transportation hub during the Civil War.

 Along the main and back roads in this area, there are numerous signs indicating locations of once private cemeteries. Most of these are far from the main road on narrow gravel roads... often time through ranchers fields. Many times I'll venture and check them out. They usually are well maintained and some have flowers growing.

Also I've noticed many "Historical Marker - 1 Mile Ahead". I always stop at these to pick up a little history of the area and try to take a picture (if I have the camera -Canon PowerShot A1100IS- probably 15 years in service) OR my little GoPro Sessions camera mounted). Historical churches, buildings, old bridges and even cemeteries. Much later I came across the plaque: "Reverend William Stevenson".

Is this Bills ( Dr. Bill, Rando Bill, NCCC Bill, Thailand Bill) great-great grandfather? Must be.. It all fits together... first to preach in Texas! Bills family is from Arkansas too. I'll let you figure it all out, but from here it sure looks like Bills family has some real historical history background.

I managed a few pictures for posterity purposes and riding home I thought "what a great day this was"!

- randorides

4th Of July In Detroit

Welcome to Detroit

Time to mount up the flag and do a little holiday riding. For many years now, I'll grab a flag from the road-trash cache and strap it behind the seat. To enhance the spirit a patriotic colored jersey does the trick. Several RUSA jerseys work well as does the TX state jersey. 

Been warm around here of late, so I left well before 0400. Close-in fireworks late last night so I didn't sleep much anyway. For some reason, today's start temp was in the low 60F and scheduled to top off in the hi 80's. Added a singlet and arm covers for this trip. Route was the updated "Graceland To Detroit". Traffic was nil as I "motored" along, listening to the birds. Mockingbirds make the most noise and often time they will follow along utilizing their full song list. An occasional noise from the trees makes me think "another wild hog encounter"?

New Detroit Mural

 Detroit was completely quiet. Sunrise was yet to arrive as I noticed a new mural on one of the old brick buildings off the main street. Photo-op. Also took a few shots of the "Welcome To Detroit" sign next to the little park. Flags lined the street.

On the return back to "Graceland", I checked out the Clarksville Donut Shop. Yep, it's open today. I grabbed a smallish donut and rolled over to the town square. (They should take a hint from Peterson's Donut in Escondido, CA... where for a buck you get a real meal size donut). The town square was laced in flags.. enhancing the Independence Day spirit. Took a few photos, looked around and enjoyed the quiet morning. As I was leaving, a lady drove by and wanted to take my picture. As Sam always said: "Never miss a photo-op". Rolled out of Clarksville into a stiff headwind all the way to Avery. 

Clarksville Town Square

 Not much going on in Avery town on this 4th of July. A few flags lined the street by city hall. Neighbors were working on tractors and guy across the road is working in his car shop. Looks like I'm bound for yard duty today. Neighbor down the way is having a big 4th BBQ tonight. 

happy 4th of July

- randorides

Informational Route Video

Double Dynaplug For The Pathfinder Pro

Double plug in Pathfinder Pro 650b x 47mm

I was riding an overpass in New Boston the other day and heard this "hiss" and felt liquid on the back
of my calf. Took me about 2 seconds to figure out what that was. A great day so far, weather was good, winds were at my back and this Rando ride was going well. 

I rolled downhill and walked into the Brookshire's Store parking lot... by the gas pumps way out front near the air station. Nice little tree nearby with a super loud Mocking Bird telling me to get with the tune. No traffic, no people around here this early. Pulled the water bottles and flipped the bike over to a 3-point stance...2-brifters and the seat. 

 Seat tube was coated with sealant as were the seat bag and my leg. Slick 3/4" , just off the center of the tire. Pulled the Lezyne Pump off the seat-tube and pumped up the rear tire some. She was blowing like Moby Dick! Time for the Dynaplug. One plug and the Orange Sealant might do it? Aired it up and did the spin thing. Not bad. Loaded things on and said "adios" to the Mockingbird, which had never stopped cranking out the songs. Next stop was Walmart. 

Dynaplug kit I carry in bag

Put in some more air at Walmart and headed my way southward to catch the Northeast Texas Trail by
the New Boston Depot. Did another pump job at the gas station along Hwy. 82 and continued westward toward Avery. Hit a bump and another "hiss" ensued. Pulled over in a grass driveway and repeated the previous plug sequence. This time it was rock solid. A little air and I soon finished up the route. 

Lesson learned:
- Carry 2oz of sealant in bag.
- Order some more Dyna-plugs
- Pull tire...check see plugs and boot tire if necessary.
- Order spare Specialized Pathfinder Pro 650b x 47mm tire. Plugged tire had only 3K kilometers usage and I liked the handling, usage and looks.

- - - - - - - - - - -
Followup:

Specialized SAWTOOTH 650b x 1.75

Pathfinder Pro tires (650b x 47mm) are hard to find... "out of stock" is a common theme. Could be a high demand tire or perhaps the "Pandemic Shortage" is in effect? One online supplier refunded my money and said "new inventory software error". These retail for $50 per!.
I ordered Specialized Sawtooth 650b x 1.75 instead. Very similar tread pattern and great reviews. Cost is $33 each. Done deal. Received tires promptly and will review later on.

- randorides

Great Cycling Weather: Record Snow & Freezing Temps!

Backyard: NETT is just behind those trees.

Yes, another month of super cycling weather.. NOT!

Mid February and an "historic" snowstorm passed thru. Of course it was followed by clear weather and
near ZERO temps for several days. I only managed a few local rides on the Scott hard-tail MTB. Even the Northeast Texas Trail was a mud-hole... underlying puddles beneath the snow. The whole weather "event" lasted over a week. 

Riding has been way down all year ... so far. Cool and rainy weather in January, followed by a night or two of light snow was just a precursor to February weather. We ended up with about 8" of snow by February 18th and then the super freezing temps hit. Wind chill was well below O. How many layers is that?

The local road crews lack snowplows, so road graders were used. The downside to the use of graders was the center lane/shoulder reflective markers were trashed to the road edge. Not to be deterred, my first ride out was soon shortened by a tire cut (caused by a splintered reflective marker). Good thing for tubeless tires and Orange Endurance Sealant. Made it home is good-order.

March and April ahead are projected to be rainy, as usual.

 - randorides

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