Description for Thumper
Thumper trails are located in North Austin and are closely monitored by the homeowners association that surrounds the trials. The trails are open to the public but their status seems to be in constant flux, it is recommended that you respect the area, park in legal parking spots, and keep noise to a minimum. The trails themselves are fantastic, they are currently the newest trails in Austin and are quite challenging. If the trail status changes, please respect landowner rights and all posted signs.
Directions to Thumper Trailhead
From 360 take Spice Wood Springs to Yaupon drive
Comments/Reviews for Thumper
1. posted from iPhone
by Todd, Tuesday, November 23, 2010 7:12 AM
| Overall Review: | 4 of 5 |
| Technical Difficulty: | 0 of 5 |
| Aerobic Difficulty: | 0 of 5 |
Thumper is a difficult trail, but not for reasons you would expect. Where Emma Long (City Park) benefits from a big-travel long wheel-base all-mountain rig, thumper rewards best the pure XC climber with a steep steer-tube.
The trail is tight, twisty, laden with switchbacks and is almost never flat, existing on the steep bluffs of a small canyon. Rumor is that it derives it's name from what it does to a riders heartrate-you are nearly constantly at threshold due to the steep climbs.
Best ridden on cool days, as though there is almost 100% shade, very little wind gets in the canyon and makes things stuffy.
-desert nomad
2. Fitness
by rugger, Friday, December 03, 2010 10:26 AM
| Overall Review: | 4 of 5 |
| Technical Difficulty: | 4 of 5 |
| Aerobic Difficulty: | 5 of 5 |
This place is a roller coaster of moderately technical goods. Lots of tight twisties, including some ridiculous off camber switches with high penatly for failure.
It's technical nature is in it switchbacks and climbing more than rock garden, ledges, etc. The tech switchbacks are primarily located early in the trail, but there are a few interspersed.
Be ready to climb out of the saddle to make it up some of the short by steep descents. Great anaerobic workout.
The trail is not marked, but if you can find the trail head and stay to left at each interection you should be good. Generally, you need to get more info from locals in the know to find this trail head.
Respect the neighborhood and all other trail users as this is an HOA property that has generously allowed the public to access their trail.
3. Not great, but no horrible
by Konarider, Saturday, May 07, 2011 3:18 PM
| Overall Review: | 3 of 5 |
| Technical Difficulty: | 4 of 5 |
| Aerobic Difficulty: | 3 of 5 |
I hit this trail this morning expecting a better trail and experience. I was very disappointed. The trail has great potential, but it is built poorly (may be built primarily for hiking and bikers started riding it). The trail has many, many crazy, tight swithcbacks that include a combination of rock gardens, tree roots, fallen branches or trees, and lots of leaves. Tack on climbing or descenting, the majority of the switchbacks are nearly impossible to clear. The trail is tight singletrack (which is nice), but it is sloped and off-camber in many places so the front tire often slides off the trail. The loose baby head rocks make the short, steep climbs very hard and many times requires walking mainly due to people locking up their brakes to maintain control on the downhill sections. To top it all off, the trail is very hard to follow though they have some signage.
I am an above average rider and walked probably a quarter of the trail. It is impossible to get into a groove on this ride. This is not a roller coaster of a ride - roller coasters don't start and stop during the ride - it is more like a 3.8 cyclocross course.
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