Fort Worth Pop-Up Ride, USA Trail Updates & Orbea Occam MTB Test | Episode 07.10.26

Welcome to Spinistry Chat! In this episode, we cover the essential details for our upcoming Sunday Pop-Up Ride out of the Fort Worth Stockyards, provide a major progress update on our transcontinental route project, and discuss how recent shifts in federal bicycle infrastructure funding might impact long-term trail projects across the country.Plus, we’re hitting the Horseshoe Trail in Grapevine to test out the Orbea Occam cross-country mountain bike as part of our ongoing full-suspension demo series and "riding every day" rebuilding phase.0:00 - Intro & Horseshoe Trail Bike Testing1:15 - Sunday Pop-Up Ride: Fort Worth Stockyards & Trinity Trails3:10 - USA Trail Update: Beta Riders & Fall Planning5:05 - Federal Bicycle Infrastructure Funding News (Impacts on NET & GART)7:45 - Riding Every Day: Orbea Occam vs. Salsa SpearfishThe Sunday Pop-Up RideStaging from the Fort Worth Stockyards Station, this self-supported, self-navigated group ride features 35-mile and 50-mile options primarily utilizing the unpaved sections of the Trinity Trails. This is a Club Spinistry members-only social ride, but single-day trial memberships are available for $25 (which can be applied to a full 12-month membership later).The USA Trail UpdateOur custom, primarily unpaved southern-tier route from Jacksonville, FL, to San Diego, CA, has been physically verified. We are currently coordinating with our first group of beta riders to tackle segments of this massive 4,126-mile transcontinental bikepacking route starting this fall.Infrastructure Funding NewsWith recent news regarding the reallocation of federal bicycle infrastructure funds, we discuss the potential indefinite delays for major planned routes like the Northeast Texas Trail (NET) and the Great American Rail-Trail (GART), highlighting the importance of viable, grassroots-established routes like the USA Trail.Bike Testing & RebuildingWe dive into the "riding every day" philosophy and how utilizing e-bikes for rehab is paving the way back to traditional mountain biking. Today’s featured bike is the Orbea Occam, marking the next step in our full-suspension technology comparison following our recent time on the Salsa Spearfish.Join Club Spinistry: www.clubspinistry.comFollow the USA Trail Project: www.theusatrail.comListen to the ShiftLess Podcast: www.shiftless.orgProviding off-road adventure cycling events since 2010. We specialize in ultra-endurance gravel grinding, long-distance bikepacking, and bringing riders together for unforgettable experiences on two wheels.Tags: #Spinistry #USATrail #GravelGrinding #Bikepacking #OrbeaOccam #SalsaSpearfish #MountainBiking #TrinityTrails #NortheastTexasTrail #BicycleInfrastructure #CyclingLife #EbikeRehab #FortWorthTexas⏱️ Chapter Timestamps🚲 Episode Highlights🔗 Links & Resources🚵‍♂️ About Spinistry