Flat Rock Ranch

Spencer Ingram
Jul 21, 2017 · 3 min read

Beating the Texas heat means getting on the trails early.

I rolled out of bed at 4:00am to make the two hour drive from central Austin to Flat Rock Ranch in Comfort Texas. Sitting on 1,300 acres, Flat Rock is a private ranch with 28 miles of single track dedicated to mountain biking.

I ran the XTC on 27.5+ tires with 30/18 SS. As a 155 lb rider, I can easily drop to 15 psi in these mid-fats. With the bigger air volume, I find the performance to be very sensitive to small changes in pressure. When riding a trail for the first time, I typically start with a higher psi and then adjust to meet the demands of the trail.

Trails are divided into lower and upper loops with the latter rated as more challenging. I rode two laps of the upper and a partial ride on the lower as I was running short on time.

Flat Rock Ranch is typical Texas hill country riding with fist-sized rocks and jack-hammering cheese grater sections. While I would not describe these trails as flowy, they are well maintained and present fun climbs and chunky sections to test your technical chops.

What I love about these trails is how they are cut into the hillside for long ribbon climbs with continuous views of the hill country.

Download a trail map here and check out the listing on MTB Project.

Stopping atop a switchback with view of the hill country. You can see the loose and chunky limestone that litters much of these trails. While these mid-fat 27.5s make this rock rubble a less jarring ride, Giant’s stock wheel-set is a bit heavy and the hubs have poor engagement. When I want faster, lighter wheels, I simply swamp in my 29s.

As a working ranch, you are likely to come across (as I did) Angora goats and Black Angus cattle. Didn’t get any photos myself, but you can see the goats in this rider’s YouTube video.

The camping area I will be taking advantage of when the weather cools down in October. Just remember, the Ranch closes for hunting season (typically November and December).

vancilando

We are two 30-somethings writing about building and traveling in our adventure van.

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Spencer Ingram

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I help people win at work.

vancilando

We are two 30-somethings writing about building and traveling in our adventure van.

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