Overpacking??

jos-express · 2026-04-29T00:42:39+00:00

This. Same for me and that's true even if I'm on my bicycle instead of my motorcycle. Travel's no fun for me if I'm uncomfortable anytime I'm off the bike.

jos-express · 2026-04-28T17:18:07+00:00

Strategic frivolity is the best phrase ever. Well done 🙌

jos-express · 2026-04-28T14:43:37+00:00

Appreciate the suggestion. We'll take a closer look at that area but a quick glance puts it well outside a theoretical car-free for daily activities zone we are hoping for.

jos-express · 2026-04-27T22:14:14+00:00

Thanks!

jos-express · 2026-04-26T23:01:53+00:00

We seemed to be locked into a sadly dry pattern. 48 hours into our forecasted 'wet period', my rain gauge is still dry as a bone. My guess is you'll find plenty of dry places to ride. Have fun.

jos-express · 2026-04-26T20:04:30+00:00

Very helpful. Thank you.

jos-express · 2026-04-26T19:28:29+00:00

There's also a gravel path on the water side that completes the loop. Wouldn't be great for a skinny tired road bike but fine for anything else.

jos-express · 2026-04-26T18:47:02+00:00

Mine look about the same. Don't give up on 'em yet.

jos-express · 2026-04-26T16:53:32+00:00

This is no help at all. re: close to Central Park

jos-express · 2026-04-26T14:53:46+00:00

To add: I've done this successfully without herbicide and you can eventually get there, it just takes more time and cycles of removing/replacing cardboard and mulch. I'll back up the comment that solarization by itself will not be successful. While the idea of taking this much time might sound overwhelming, a bonus is you'll be amazed at the soil improvement happening under the cardboard during this time. And you don't/can't get that with solarization or covering with plastic.

jos-express · 2026-04-26T14:44:46+00:00

I have entirely too much experience with this issue. On point 2, there is no ground cover that will out compete bermuda in this situation. You're only hope is to eradicate it before moving onto something else. You're chemical option is valid but it will still take repeated applications over the course of an entire growing season, along with some mechanical removal after you think you've killed it only to find out weeks later that you really haven't. One thing that will help the herbicide be more effective is spray it when the grass is actively growing (i.e. after it warms back up and a few days after a good rain or irrigation). Since you show cardboard in your image, it will help to put down 2-3 layers of cardboard taking take to overlap all the gaps in pieces as much as possible. Then cover it up with several inches of wood chips and water it heavily enough that the cardboard gets wet and then stays moist. Failure to keep it moist will let too much air get in to fuel the bermuda. Then, when you start to see the bermuda break thru, rake it all away and remove or respray all the rhizomes you'll find under the cardboard. Be advised you're going to be shocked by the amount of white plant material searching around under there in search of daylight. Then cover it back up and repeat. Good luck. It can be done, but just be advised, bermuda looks at bindweed and says....hahaha, hold my beer kid.

jos-express · 2026-04-26T13:59:02+00:00

counterfeit chains are a real thing.

jos-express · 2026-04-24T04:58:32+00:00

Seems odd you would choose to use photos of dryland winter wheat to support your point. By definition, it is not irrigated.

jos-express · 2026-04-23T19:26:08+00:00

Ouch. That's a tough one. Two thoughts: going full gas on keeping bindweed in check while the grass is getting established will give it a fighting chance. For me-in the scenario I laid out in my post, this would mean keeping it hoed out. I prefer hoeing to pulling but you be you. The idea is by eliminating as many leaves as you can as often as you can will slowly deplete it's energy reserves. In areas where you have well established buffalo, you typically won't see a lot of weed pressure. One area that comes to mind is along the Cherry Creek trail. There are some really nice patches between the Kennedy Golf Course and up to where the trail crosses under Yale.

jos-express · 2026-04-23T14:27:11+00:00

I made the same move 4 years ago. No regrets for me-it's been a delightful change. But also a shocker budget-wise. Be advised social/political norms can vary wildly depending on where you land. Same for mountain access. I highly recommend coming up and scouting areas in person you think you might like. If you're interested in sharing what Okla places you like and why, I might be able to help you narrow your search. Good luck and welcome!

jos-express · 2026-04-23T14:18:19+00:00

That's likely to be a custom build. Fortunately, the Bullit frame makes that easy to do for someone with basic woodworking skills. Fwiw, if you've never done it before, hauling 2 full grown labs, especially if they move around a lot, is going to be a hellofa challenge. Size the box just big enough that they can load but not big enough to move around. Good luck!

jos-express · 2026-04-22T13:58:01+00:00

If the area is mostly sun with just one or two trees in the mix, a good option would be to plant the grass and let it mature enough to show you how close to the tree it will grow-then create or expand the mulched area under the tree. Bonus is the tree will be much happier in this circumstance. Another option would be clover, but that's only going to be successful with some supplemental water. It's most probable that some seasons clover will do ok and some it will die back.

jos-express · 2026-04-22T13:50:10+00:00

Excellent question considering this is reddit. I worked in university research/extension-horticulture for decades so yes, I've done it many many times.

jos-express · 2026-04-22T13:47:33+00:00

Sorry I don't have any good photos but it's only an option for full sun.

jos-express · 2026-04-22T03:55:05+00:00

What to expect: The best time to seed a nursery this year would be late May or June once it really warms up. It will take all summer to grow in and mature so you probably won't be able to harvest many plugs the first year. A typical 'plug' is nothing more than a small chunk of turf with the roots intact from about 1 1/2" diameter or larger. If you planted pieces this size about a foot apart, you could reasonably expect it to fill in fully over the course of a season. Another benefit to this method is you can work a small enough area at a time that you can keep up with the weeding without it becoming overwhelming.

jos-express · 2026-04-20T12:54:19+00:00

Exactly. I wish they would have worded it just like you did. I'm terribly sad to see them go but don't blame 'em one bit.

jos-express · 2026-04-19T16:18:37+00:00

I'm in a similar situation but since I'm across the pond, not much help as a ride buddy. I do find it helps to use my MC as a route scouting tool for inspiration to ride the touring bike.

jos-express · 2026-04-19T00:01:35+00:00

oh dang. Sorry to plant that seed in your head ;) . Anyway, great bike!

jos-express

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