Rebellan Goes for a Ride in the Big State of Texas

• Place: Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail - Austin, TX
• Trailhead: Barton Springs Pool at Zilker Park
• Riders: OMMB
• Miles: 13
• Weather: Overcast, mist, then rain 
• Temp: 70
• Trail Conditions: flat, occasional loose rock, boulders 
• Technical Level: recreational, beginner to intermediate
• Wildlife: a lizard and something that looked like a cross between a squirrel and a groundhog (it dove down a hole so I'll assume it was a gopher of sort)
• Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: One whoops, see notes...
• GPS Track:

Notes: We've been trying to hit this trail for several years, but on this trip, the "we" was me.  Great MTB rentals can be found at Bicycle Sport Shop just off Barton Springs Rd. They'll give you a map and directions to the trailhead which is a short ride away.  So the trail... the trail is a good long recreational ride ...IF done right.  If you don't stay on the main trail, it gets ugly.  Of course Rebellan (Rebello no Magellan), found his way off the main trail more than once, requiring some significant Hike-a-Bike to recover. So take a CLOSE look at the map, especially where the trail crosses the riverbed. The main trail is very easy to ride, as far as MTB trails go, but is not clearly marked in all places.  If you find yourself unable to ride with only one hand on the bars, or have to get off the bike to get over obstacles, you've lost the trail. Turn around and find your way back to the main route! On one of these sidetracks, I slipped on some rocks and didn't unclip in time, sending my face into the local vegetation. Luckily not a cactus but something with long skinny knife like stems...got a good taste of the knife edge across my mouth.  Only dismount required is a portion where the trail hugs the side of a ledge...you need to carry your bike in one hand while clinging to a chain railing attached to the cliff in the other.  Oh wait, there is another dismount, there's a stream crossing that is pretty deep.  It looked as if there may be a way around it upstream, but staying on the main trail means wading thigh high with bike over head (and this after a very dry spell).  The trail along the cliff was slippery to even walk due to the mist, so another rider "guided" me to another route...which caused another sidetrack requiring a ride-able river crossing.  Due to the many delays getting off trail, I was unable to get to the end of the out-and-back loop (8 mile one way).  I reached Twin Falls when dark ominous clouds arrived.  I beat feet back with full intent to stay ON the main trail.  And I STILL got side tracked by one of the many dry riverbed crossings.  Once through those, the trail is fast and fun, even during a downpour (yes, I'm the only one who would go to Texas during a major drought, and get rained on).  All in all a good experience. 

Tidbits: Nice scenery along the ride. Dry river bed and cliffs.  I think it would be even more scenic if the streams and rivers were full. When open, you can go for a cool down swim in Barton Springs (natural) Pool.

Happy Trails,
OMMB