TX: Austin - Brushy Creek

 The forecast wasn't looking too good, showers were expected most of the day while in Austin. I had reached out to my buddy, Derek, who used to live in the Phoenix area, but had been relocated to Austion five years ago due to work. He was free for a ride, but it was looking more like an urban paved route would be on tap.

However, the entire day driving towards Austin, there was no foul weather in sight. We opted to meet up north of town at the Brushy Creek Regional Park. Derek did note that it had rained the other day, but he thought the trails would be ok to ride.

We met early, just after daybreak, as I only had a couple hours to ride before getting back on the road. The first trail we came to was roped off, but Derek noted it was the one trail that was often closed when rain came through. We continued along the paved path for a while, then hopped on some singletrack. Almost immediately, I smacked my head on a low crossing branch!! Whoa. It was a bit of a stunner, since I didn't see it coming, but it got me to really pay attention to the surroundings the rest of the ride.

Cruising along a paved section of our route.

Hero dirt!! The trails were either packed fast dirt through the trees or...

...rubbly crushed limestone. Both were fun, but the rocks added a good challenge.

Taking a short break under a freeway construction project.

We rode to the opposite end of the park, then on our way back we mostly took singletrack trails. While the park was long, it wasn't very wide and the trail routing looked like a bowl of spaghetti. I love when trails are routed to maximize the terrain given. These trails were a load of fun, yet demanded attention. Soft dirt, slick roots, rocks, short drops, low branches and a few water crossings.

Using the paved path as a connector and a focus reset.

There could be trails on both sides of this photo, but you wouldn't know it.

As we made our way back to the parking lot, there was a running race going on. We never saw anyone out on the singletrack, only the multi-use path which was nice. It was a great introduction to the Austin ride scene and my first ever ride in Texas!! Thanks for the fantastic tour, Derek.

So cool to ride with a friend on new terrain.

It sounds like the Austin area has a bunch a great places to ride, maybe someday I'll be back to sample some more.

Route:

NM: Roswell Bikeway

 We rolled into Roswell, New Mexico well after sunset and missed seeing the iconic welcome sign. Our road trip plans weren't to leave each town super early, so I had some time the next morning to shake out the legs and ride back to the sign. As luck would have it, Roswell has a multi-use path through town and our hotel was practically on the path.

I got up a little early with the plan to be back by 8am so we could eat some breakfast before getting back on the road.

Thought these signs were cool.

There was a little bit of navigation involved, but easy enough to figure out getting through town.

There was a work crew out fixing a section of the trail, so I had to come up with a short go-around.

It was a nice pathway across town, passing by parks and drainage culverts.

Lots of big trees which was really nice.

We passed by this place the previous evening, so many billboards!! This one was funny.

Photo from the previous evening, but the place was closed.

It ended up being a bit farther than I thought, but I made it!! Gotta speed things up on the return.

Passed by the local field office on the way back.

There were a few sections the trail crew would need to work on, this was one. The entire trail had fallen away...

Huge collapse, now filled with water. Watch out!!

Here, the path was crumbled, but provided a fun technical obstacle.

I made it back a little after 8a, we ate and got on the road in short order. On our way out of town, we spotted the welcome sign on the opposite side of town.

No alien or UFO sightings on this trip.

Roswell seems like a cool little town, good for some exploring if passing though. On to our next stop and another ride: Austin, TX.

Route: