Cross Practice in north San Antonio?

[Dave K]

A few of us in Solar Eclipse want to start getting a little weekday (Thursdays?) CX practice somewhere, but since it gets dark so early now lighting will be required.

MacAllister Park is good venue but it's dark, so I was wondering if anybody wanting to get in on this also has access to lights and/or a generator? You know those ones that connect to a stand for night time construction, but doesn't need to be the big ones. I've got one light and might be willing to purchase more. Or, maybe we could rent and split the cost? There's an equipment rental right down the street on the way from my house to Mac Park.

Or, if you know of another venue like a church parking lot or something that's lit and also has a little off-road terrain, especially if a short, steep little hill we can use.

Then there's barriers. We can borrow or build those, but if someone has some that'd be great.

[George]

Hey Mr. Z, can you bring a brisket? :p

I've got a generator (two actually) that are available. They are loud, 6 & 8kw construction type generators, but it sounds like noise isn't an issue here.

The 8kw has it's own dolly but is a bit bulky while the 6kw is on it's own tray. Both really need to be transported in the back of a pick-up truck. If you have someone that will be responsible for transporting them, you can use them to your heart's content for however long. I only use the 8kw twice a year. Maybe. It was purchased to provide power for our MS150 team tent and will be on loan the weekend of this year's event to Team Rackspace. Otherwise, it's available whenever. The 6kw was purchased last year in Iowa when the onboard generator of our Class C RV died on the first day of RAGBRAI. It hasn't been used since.

As for lights, I'm afraid I don't have any of the type you are talking about. I did see some really cool ones that would be IDEAL for what you want to do, but they are crazy expensive (http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=200027324&R=200027324).

The consumer ones (like at Home Depot) on 5' poles won't provide enough light, I don't think.

Otherwise, rental light towers would be the way to go. But I bet those are pretty pricey too.

[Rob]

Tower lights frequently come on their own generator which usually has plenty of power to spare for additional lights.

[George]

Yep, those totally rock, but cost more to rent and need to be towed by a trailer hitch.

I did see some used ones on ebay for $3k though!

[davps]

Then there's barriers. We can borrow or build those, but if someone has some that'd be great.
I just happen to have two Wurstcross barriers that followed me home from RHR this weekend. How is the light situation?

I am very interested in getting something going.

[Dave K]

No lights yet. I'll make some calls to see what I can turn up. Y'all do the same please.

Anyone want to scout out a good location within Mac be my guest. A mix of terrain and pavement would be nice.

[davps]

Anyone want to scout out a good location within Mac be my guest. A mix of terrain and pavement would be nice.
I usually ride there every weekend. I'll take the cross bike this weekend and check her out.

We won't need lights for another month or so.

[Dave K]

Park area around Trinity Univ is another possibility.

Lets try to make this happen sometime during daylight hours. Most my weekends are booked or at least this one is. Interested in any weekday cross practice?

[davps]

Park area around Trinity Univ is another possibility.

Lets try to make this happen sometime during daylight hours. Most my weekends are booked or at least this one is. Interested in any weekday cross practice?

I agree, week nights is the best time to do this.

[Dave K]

So, how about Wednesdays @ 6? Or I could do it even earlier most likely.

[davps]

A few of us in Solar Eclipse want to start getting a little weekday (Thursdays?)
I like the Thursday idea better. My daughter has dance on Wednesdays, so I watch the oldest son. He could ride with us, but he would try jumping the barriers before long and make me look bad.:)

[Dave K]

OK, so Thursday. You've got the "game ball" so you're calling the shots here. How early can you be there?

[davps]

OK, so Thursday. You've got the "game ball" so you're calling the shots here. How early can you be there?
I am flexible and can share the ball.

Let's start next Thursday at 6. When the time changes we can bump it up to 5. Two places I thought about at Mac were around the soccer and baseball fields up on the hill, by the wood bridge. Or across the road from the upper soccer fields there is the long cul-de-sac that is usually closed. There are some trails, pavement, etc. we could use, and along the road there are some steep hills good for running up. I will be riding around there early Sat AM and will scope it out. About how long do we want a lap? I am new to the CX thing, so feel free to teach me.

Trinity will work as well, but not very familiar with the area. I work by the airport/blossom.

[Dave K]

Doesn't have to be any regulation length. Something that takes 2 or 3 minutes at least per lap would be nice, but the route can vary on different laps even, it just doesn't matter to me. This is for practice and fun.

Trinity U / Laurie Auditorium is only about 5 minutes or so from the airport straight south on 37 to Hildebrand and turn right and its right there next to the old Alamo Stadium. We can try that one on alternating nights for variety. It's got some cool features and nice terrain.

This sounds good. I'll start getting the word out.

[joetoeclips]

The tennis courts here in NB have lights you can pay for with quarters after dark - I wonder if any of the public tennis courts in SA have that and would give you some good lighting when the short evenings are upon us?

[Raoul Duke]

I finally purchased a 'cross frame, so I can start participating in these discussion.:)

Dave K--one place you might want to consider is the Olmos Basin sports fields. I believe you can rent a field for a nominal fee and have it lighted. I drove by there the other night about 9:00 and some guys were having soccer practice under the lights. There are no hills on the course, but the lighting is awesome.

[davps]

I finally purchased a 'cross frame, so I can start participating in these discussion.:)

What did you get? Built yet? You could always bring a MTB. I've been riding a cross bike for years, but never got into actually racing cross.:confused:

Dave, you can pick the location for Thurs. I went to mac this morning, and thought of a few possibilities, but any open areas are too near soccer and baseball fields, which I imagine are going to be full of cars. I came up with a small loop that would have the barriers by the baseball fields in the center of the park, but it was only around .6 miles. Would keep us away from cars though. Problem I was coming up with at mac is how much trail is too much?

I am open with anywhere. You have the experience, so tell me where, and I will be there.

[Raoul Duke]

What did you get? Built yet? You could always bring a MTB.

It's an Empella, not yet built. That will take a little while, so I might have to come out with my 28# full suspension bike. See you all out there.

[Dave K]

So let's meet at 3rd pavilion, standard place where MTB'ers always meet and then you can show me where you're talking about. I'll be riding there and have my mbl phone 210-sevn too for fiv oh one ate. Call me if you're there and can't find me by 6pm.

[Dave K]

davps had a nice route picked out that we trimmed down to a 3:15 loop that includes singletrack with a runup, 2 log hops with optional dismounts, a small ledge drop, some straight asphalt to fly on and ends with smooth dirt with some nice corners for high speed handling practice and a wide open area to set up the 2 barriers combined with the cable fence for the 3rd barrier, spaced 13ft apart per regulations it felt pretty darn good. Not exactly a TX Cup race worthy course, but plenty good for practice.

I got in a bunch of practice on the barriers and had some good fun out there. Y'all should join us next time. It's right next to the softball fields if you follow that road that goes right just prior to the 3rd pavilion (if you came from Jones Maltsberger) where that cinder block bathroom is, it's way down at the end where the cable fence ends the road.

I'll check to see if maybe next time we can try a different venue. But, this one works well for me.

[davps]

It was a good ride last night Dave. Good variation to practice the skills, and great opportunity to have a good zone 4 & 5 HR workout.

Mac is a great location for me, and provided easy load/unload for the barriers.

Lets do it again next week.

[davps]

Unless anyone says otherwise, I plan on being at Mac tomorrow (Thursday 10/12) at 6:00 PM, or a little before. Dave, I will park at the same place to put up the barriers, and we can meet there. For anyone else wanting to come out, got to Pavillion 3, and at the three way stop, turn and go down to the baseball fields.

See you out there. Come one, come all, bring the mtb if you don't have a cross bike.

[Dave K]

It's misting right now. I'll try to check the trail status for mud at lunch since I gotta go by the Brook Hollow library anyway.

Could still do barrier practice regardless I suppose.

[Dave K]

It's muddy in the shaded areas, but will be dry enough in the open. But, I just had something come up at work and can't get away. Sorry.

[davps]

No biggie. My plans have all been re-arranged also. I am going to head out now to try to get some form of ride, and I'm off from there. Maybe next week.

[Jaime]

Okay, next week I will start doing this with you guys as well. Rob Kane has a nice little loop around the trinity park that we ride on our cross bikes. It's got everything you'd want in a short cross course, but I'm not sure how well lit it is.

In Dallas, we would find where the softball fields winter leagues play and use their lights for free.

[davps]

I am out this week. Too much T-ball, and packing for the 24hr. Next week may be full too. Dave, Jaime, you are both more than welcome to borrow the barriers. Or we will just meet up again in a few.

Jaime, I am open for anywhere. Barriers are quick to setup, take down.

[Toobin' Tobin]

Okay, next week I will start doing this with you guys as well. Rob Kane has a nice little loop around the trinity park that we ride on our cross bikes. It's got everything you'd want in a short cross course, but I'm not sure how well lit it is.

Hi-Me,

Lemme know if ya'll do this. I would really like to ride this week. One doing this could catch up with the Thursday Bikeworld ride at some point later on in the evening.

[Dave K]

I am out this week. ... Next week may be full too. Dave, Jaime, you are both more than welcome to borrow the barriers. ...

Dave if you don't mind I'd like to meet with you at your convenience to borrow the barriers. I will assume all responsibility and can get them back to Tobin/Camino Real CC when done. Maybe during the day, even today, if you work near airport since I work nearby? call me please on mbl: sevn too for fiv oh one ate

Thanks.

[Dave K]

There is now a practice course setup at Grace Point Church (http://www.gracepoint.org) (same place we had the Thursday Summer Crit) and GPC and Chad Christian will have it open for usage starting 5:30pm on Thursdays starting this Thursday. I think it's lit and he says they have have a runup, a long stretch through a field and some pavement, but no barriers yet. He says it needs to be ridden in, which means it's probably kinda rough so be warned. But, this is a way to hook up with other CX riders and get some good practice in.

That place isn't terribly convenient to me, but if it works for you guys I can go out there and bring the barriers and join up with these other riders and we can have some fun. Should be convenient to Tobin at least. What d'yall think?

Another option would be to keep looking for other places such as Walker Ranch Park (http://www.sanaturalareas.org/) (12603 West Ave. at Coker Loop near Nakoma) or Trinity U (thanks Kane).

[davps]

Another option would be to keep looking for other places such as Walker Ranch Park (http://www.sanaturalareas.org/) (12603 West Ave. at Coker Loop near Nakoma) or Trinity U (thanks Kane).

What about doing the Kane loop Jaime is talking about? I am sure there would be a place to put up the barriers. Closer to you and I than Gracepoint. I will go wherever, but have a better chance to make it if it is close.

Dave, pick up the barriers tomorrow, and I can get them back from you the next time we meet up.

[Toobin' Tobin]

I'm up for both/either.

Grace Point and you could finish up @ 6:30-ish and drive down for the BW ride on Broadway @ 7:30.

[George]

Or Trinity, and have the BW ride come to you. ;)

[stackout]

Austin on Tuesdays, Houston on Wednesdays, and SA on Thursdays? TX is getting a pretty serious 'cross scene rolling.

When are y'all coming up for the CBO Dirt Derby? 'cross A/B is not until 8 - plenty of time to drive up from SA.

[Toobin' Tobin]

Ready for tonight.... Huebner, correct?

[Dave K]

Ready for tonight.... Huebner, correct?

Yes. Grace Point Church, open at 5:30pm, ride till dark. I've got the barriers and it shouldn't be muddy.

[davps]

This still on? Gracepoint have enough light? Anyone going?

[George]

...open at 5:30pm, ride till dark.

Now with the time change, that gives you what, 30 minutes maybe?

[davps]

Thursday night cross practice anyone?

[Raoul Duke]

Are you guys still having the weekly cross practice? If so, when and where? I finished building up the cross bike and am ready for some practice.

[Dave K]

When's good for you? This weekend sometime? I bet I/we can think of something in your area. All that land around Garner and Oakwell library or maybe down near the Salado Creek towards Eisenhower Rd or maybe MacArthur Park? I haven't been in there since I was a kid I used to play in there all the time near where my dad worked on Wagon Wheel.

I wouldn't mind doing some cross practice somewhere down there, then going for a ride out east or south.

I've got the barriers for now or if DavPS picks them up. Just give me a holler or email with ideas.

[Raoul Duke]

Sorry I missed your reply, Dave K. I went out of town all last week.

Anyhow, I found an excellent 'cross practice venue. It is Northridge Park, located on Chevy Chase just North of Eisenhauer Road. It's not too big, but big enough to make about a 1-2 minute lap if you're creative. It has natural barriers in the form of mesquite tree trunks that have grown horizontally on the ground. It has some sand from an old swingset. Best of all, it's pretty well lighted at night.

I know the 'cross season is winding down, but it would be fun to have some 'cross practice sessions here.

Anyone doing States at Zilker park this weekend?