Ya. I know how bike friendly Austin is. That's my hometown, born and raised. Growing up, I used to ride throughout the entire city, like a giant playground. Night rides around UT were the best. I just cant believe how much its grown in the last five or so years. Its incredible how much a place can change so fast. Even since starting school, every time I visit, there's a new high rise, or giant apartment complex. Cool stuff that used to be there is no longer there. Its kind of sad really.

Today I managed to piece together a temporary long distance commuter. I found a heap of a bike tossed in the trash near my house. The bike has been sitting so long the tires had fallen off the rims. The bike is a Kent hard-tail mountain bike 6061 aluminum, wally world special. It had these funky thick aluminum rims that require extra long valve-stem tubes, and a cheapo disk brake setup. I swapped out the forks to fit a regular rim up front, and swapped in a matching rear wheel. I cleaned and greased everything, and its all ready to go. I managed to build a completely free bike. I may try to find some tubes so I can use the rims that came with it. This find really made my day. Now I have a bike suitable for hauling stuff, more than I can fit in my pack.

If I can find the time I may attempt to fabricate a rear rack. I have access to a scrap bin full of aircraft grade aluminum tubing, and alclad plate. I just need inspiration for the design of it.