Weekly Moderate Intermediate-Level Ride -- Pace Bend Park (16 miles)

This is a repeat of last week's ride, since I was sick. I'll post up a new trail for next week.

NOTE: I've been informed that, after a few weeks of leading these rides, I'm apparently not riding very "slow" anymore, so I changed the pace description to "moderate". I'm still not a racer, but we're definitely not making as many stops as we were when this ride series began.

About my riding style

I am a technical rider with advanced skill, but I am not a racer by any means. My goal is to clean everything, not necessarily to finish quickly. I like to stop and session the more difficult obstacles, and I may need a breather after the climbs. Thus, if you're trying to get the best time on Strava, you might find it annoying to ride with me (but you're welcome to come out and ride at your own pace.) I have trouble getting motivated to ride on my own (running two businesses will do that to you), so posting these weekly rides is a way of forcing myself to ride at least once a week. It's also an opportunity to ride some of the trails that I don't normally get a chance to ride. The pace of these rides may increase as the weeks progress.

About the trail

Pace Bend Park is one of the newest and best trail systems in the state. It literally has something for everyone. Flowy dirt track? Check. Ledges? Check. Rock gardens? Check. Wood features? Check. The main loop is definitely a step up from Reimers Ranch or Walnut Creek in terms of technical skill. You'll find obstacles that are more reminiscent of the Barton Creek Greenbelt, but Pace Bend has much better flow than any of the above. Intermediate-to-advanced skill is required to clean the whole trail, but the climbs and obstacles are nicely spaced out over the 8-mile loop, so it doesn't feel like a constant onslaught.

This will be a good ride for experienced riders who, like me, are looking to improve their stamina. The first lap will be no-drop (within reason.)

Cancellation

The ride will be cancelled if:

• There are less than 2 people signed up within 48 hours of the ride

• It has rained heavily within 72 hours of the ride

• Rain is likely on the day of the ride (I will make the call the night before)

• The forecasted high for the day of the ride is less than 40 degrees

Otherwise, we ride.

Gear:

• Mountain bike in good working order

• Helmet required

• CamelBak or other hydration backpack. 3-liter carrying capacity recommended unless you're in really good shape

• Gloves

• Spare inner tube & tire pump if you aren't riding tubeless

• Inflater and CO2 cartridges if you're riding tubeless

Meet at 12:45 in the parking lot. Wheels down at 1:00. Text me if you'll be late.

Directions:

Highway 71 west from Bee Cave, right on F. M. 2322 (Pace Bend Road.) Pay your entry fee at the park kiosk, then take an immediate right on Grisham Trail and follow it around until you see the trailhead parking lot on the left. GPS coords: 30.4581188, -98.0134401 (https://www.google.com/maps/place/30%C2%B027%2729.2%22N+98%C2%B000%2748.4%22W/@30.4581188,-98.0134401,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0).