Wheels Down: Mountain Biking in Austin, Texas

Austin, Texas, is always at the top of the list when it comes to the coolest cities in America. It's got the food, it's got the live music, it's got the horribly hot summers. But what about the mountain biking?
Eric Scott, No Front Brakes: / @nofrontbrakes
Eric Burns: brushycreekbutt...
Special Thanks To:
Mellow Johnny's
Black's BBQ
Reveille Peak Ranch
Host & Co-Producer: Brian Kennedy
Camera, Editor & Co-Producer: Alex Witkowicz
Post Sound: Grant Johnson
Graphics: David Blinn

[@nofrontbrakes]

Thanks for including me! It was really fun and thank you for helping to grow the sport here! I'm biased, but we have some hidden gems!

[@brianelander5905]

Mad kudos to you! +1 sub!

[@mattc4735]

+1 sub from me too!

[@keepingitrealpc6133]

Big fan brother!!! I'm at Brushy Creek often...would love to ride with you!

[@IslandBikeLife]

Inspiring man, keep ripping!

[@andresm5211]

What’s the name of the second trail on the video??

[@SethsBikeHacks]

Mountain biking needs more of this show!

[@th_js]

I agree.

[@bkxc]

Many apologies to the Erics, as we got their last names mixed up and weren’t able to fix it in time! Thanks guys for making this episode come to life.

[@absolutemtb6696]

BKXC try franklin barbecue brisket it’s the meat heaven

[@marcmaza2821]

BKXC I wanna be interview by you!! Could talk about mountain biking all day!! From the San Francisco Bay Area! Also hearing impaired!! Would show this one awesome crazy spot I go to!!!

[@jellevanlierop7401]

You better make this a netflix series

[@The_Sampler]

Man SO MUCH hard work went into this.... and it shows!! Great stuff Brian, and cheers to many, many more of these! The only question is.... where next? :P

[@IvanLopez-te8tf]

The Singletrack Sampler the question is: when will you visit us here in Austin? We need some of the Sampler as well

[@whatahday1145]

Right! Awesome video. You guys both have great content.

[@simplysawyer7877]

The Singletrack Sampler why haven’t you come to oak mountain in AL

[@thegriff9425]

Good job. Nice and a little different. Now all you need to do is learn how to jump and you’ll have it all 🤣!

[@keepingitrealpc6133]

Big fan brother! Come to Austin...I would love to ride with you or capture some video of you riding!

[@MumonkanVII]

im 58 seconds in and i gotta say this is one of your best videos ever, the editing and third person shots really add something that i didnt know was missing. its like im watching the travel channel, make every video like this!

[@AirGuitar]

totally agreed!

[@Nicholas-qd4lw]

Not every video...

[@MCKrebsi]

Definitely true. Just thought the same thing

[@jaketheairsofter8268]

My exact words

[@tn8584]

Plus 1 on that

[@huntstyle]

I really hope the Travel Channel puts you on!

[@Guineson]

🤣 I was thinking the same thing.

[@keithbell8960]

Agreed best ever yet. Could be a travel channel episode

[@huntstyle]

@@keithbell8960 to my knowledge, this is in fact a pilot that he's submitting!

[@Planetone.]

Wow I ain't the only one that was thinking the same thing, it did look like travel channel material. Brian I think your on to something here🤞🤔👍

[@k.a.w1774]

The Travel Channel needs this. A taste of the local trails and trail side eateries

[@BCpov]

OMG, I've got the meat sweats just watching that. Next stop, Austin!

[@TrailFeatures]

Oh sure, NOW Austin is cool. 😉

[@larlevmtb5269]

Man, I can take you to some places that will leave you in a coma. Blacks is great. My local favorite is Brotherton's black iron in Pflugerville. Seriously great food

[@keepingitrealpc6133]

Come on home! Get a group ride together...I'm in!!!

[@planesandbikes7353]

Your recent Bryce canyon video was breathtaking dude!

[@limestone_cowboy]

BCpov can you be here Feb 23rd?

[@ShortTermObsessions]

This format is exactly what mtb videos need. Awesome job I'm sure it was a ton of work.

[@BrianVaughn]

Really nice, high production video. I can see you using this as a self promotion video for going to different cities to get them to finance a video for their city.

[@ardarazi8472]

the musics is great

[@jacobsanchez6924]

Brian Kennedy: No Reservations

[@inMotionOutdoors]

haha almost looks like it could be that!

[@Dryb1as]

I just think the same. 😉

[@defloco2000]

breaking the monotony! this is awesomely refreshing. 👌

[@heylookataco]

Absolutely LOVE this format!! You balance the production without losing your voice and personality. It feels very natural to watch, and I love how you included an insight to both trails and the people who ride them. Honestly, tourism boards of cities that want to promote mountain biking should give you a call. More like this please!!!

[@ShutUpandRideMTB]

If you're not subscribed to No Front Brakes, you should.

[@wesleymohawk]

Mountain Bike Advice this is great advice. There are lots of great videos on his channel. Even I got to b in one of his!!!

[@CaliradoKid]

I can't believe it's been a year since you posted this. Hopefully one day we can get more. I really think this is an excellent way to reach the mainstream audience about how GREAT mountain biking is. Bringing people together and creating economies around the area of a trail system.

[@cruesavage5456]

Feel like I watched a travel show on pbs, amazing what you can do with a camera and editing!

[@EricBurns1970]

Brian, thanks for making me (Deception) a part of this. Really cool to be a part of a big format change for your channel and to finally meet you. Eric Scott's story is such an inspiration. It's amazing that he rides and he's progressed SO much since the first time he came out to Deception to ride with us. The production and the stories are AWESOME!

[@snellct]

Eric Burns thanks to you, BCB, and everyone involved for building and maintaining Deception and that entire trail system! Love taking the punishment Double Down delivers!!!

[@mtbsavant5414]

I can totally see you selling this concept to Netflix. Being dead serious.

[@JordanByron]

MTB Savant no kidding. Anyone have a Netflix contact? Their gonna wanna see this.

[@dankraft]

At this point it's been talked to death, but just wanted to add that this format is fantastic. This has better production value and editing than some of the food/travel shows on television. Excellent job. I'm sure it was an insane amount of work but I really hope we see more like this.

[@darylj2617]

Agreed!

[@OutdoorGold]

I had watched this before, honestly this is probably the one best videos (maybe the best lol) on your channel! The camera crew did a great job and the editing was solid. I greatly enjoyed this video for what it was knowing the challenges of replicating this top end production!

[@jeskeland]

A minute and a half in and I’m blown away this is fantastic

[@FreerideQuebec]

Slowly digging Eric's channel , that guy is such an inspiration !

[@sydandmacky]

Super cool format! loved the 3rd person shots! And Eric's new prosthetic is super impressive. So cool to see bike tech and adaptive tech coming together!

[@GT-yh1zl]

That bike shop looked like a DOPE bike shop

[@Nico2970]

you are evil!

[@GabeSchultz1]

This format is completely different than what anyone else is doing - interviews, food tasting, trail shots - fabulous job!

[@ericjenkins2737]

I'm not a rider but I've been running all the trails in and around Deception for the past 6 years. I try to do my part by bringing a group of about a dozen volunteers once a year and we do a deep clean of everything we can. We usually split up and have a group hit Rim Job and another hit Picnic. When we are all done we meet at Mulligan and clean it as well. Luckily, Deception proper stays pretty clean. This past year we lugged out about 25 bags of trash. I organize this myself as part of my company's annual Volunteer Week.

[@EricBurns1970]

Mike and I (the co-founders and OG builders of Deception) actually met while on a Cub Scout trash pick up along Brushy Creek in the Winter of 2012...and March 2012 we started building Deception. I wonder wear you are finding 25 bags of trash...definitely not on the single track - no way, maybe down at the BCRT, but the single track is never trashy, besides a few broken reflectors, a handful of broken items (Crank Bros egg beaters, LOL), occasional bottle, but the MTB community does a good job policing the trails.

[@ericjenkins2737]

@@EricBurns1970 The worst year was about 5 years ago. I'm the one who lugged out several tires, a recliner, decomposed tent and what looked like the rotted remnants from someone who had camped there along the east edge of Mulligan. This year also had the creek flood so there was TONS of debris along Picnic when the water receded. The entrance to Rim Job usually has a good bit of junk because people camp there. I'm in Colorado now and have migrated my volunteer trash pickup here along the trails next to my house...near the rad and well known Captain Jacks trail in the Springs.

[@flarearrow9808]

Love this new docu-series you're trying out. Because you visit, see, eat at so many places, it makes a great travel guide

[@bakerdj80]

Love the new cinematic look. Some opinions... -more time on bike. 70% Bike 30% visit cool shops and restaurants -have the camera dude use a gimbal too -slower B Roll -keep interviewing people -doesn’t always have to be like this, but we like it.

[@Reeves2010P]

Think it’d be cool for him to have a schedule where he shows this style once a week, in his garage once a week, live feed so many times a month, tech talk so many times a month, throw back day, international/us travel with the older style of shooting one day a week... something like that. Like Peter McKinnon!

[@257fatman]

Dude. Please. More. This is one of the coolest things I've seen on KZbin. The journalistic aspect of digging deeper into where you ride and the people that you ride with is incredible and unique. I would pay to see more of this 100%!

[@MTBGarage]

This came out amazing, great location and Eric's story was a perfect start to the series! Love it!

[@ads0608]

Love the documentary style of the video! It’s nice to see you promoting not just the riding but also the food and local businesses, talking with the trail builders, really different but not just another riding video that so many channels do! Brilliant work you should do a video like this about every place you visit as your introduction to the area then get on to the normal riding videos!

[@lonestarmtb6799]

There are SEVERAL other private parks to ride in the Texas hill country. Flat Rock Ranch in Comfort, Flat Creek Crossing Ranch in Johnson City, Bandera Bike Park in Bandera is up and coming with some big features and plans for a Texas version of Whistlers A-Line in the near future. Texas' first lift access bike park, Spider Mountain, should be opening soon as well. There are so many great things happing in the Texas MTB scene right now.

[@tuffmajor5654]

Lone Star MTB from what I hear spider mountain opened either this past weekend or the weekend before, I was out at reveille 3 weeks back when they were having an enduro race at spider mountain as like a special pre opening thing

[@lonestarmtb6799]

@@tuffmajor5654 Unfortunately not yet. They were scheduled to open in December and then were rescheduled again for January. Its current opening date is TBD according to their website. I participated in the enduro race there in Sept. and I can't wait to ride it again. To my knowledge, that's the only time the public has been allowed to ride there, aside from dig days.

[@noahg.6149]

Also, just south of the hill country, in San Antonio, you can mountain bike for days and still not do everything... McAllister Park, OP Schnabel Park, Goverment Canyon State Park, Leon Creek and Salado Creek, just to name a few spots.

[@thomasthrower2669]

Well said! Just wish it would stop raining here. I've never seen anything like this in the 40 years I've been in Texas. At least the water tables will be high for the inevitable summer drought!

[@nicoperp7575]

Excellent new format, very interesting to see a bit around the places you go!

[@TheMediocreMountainBiker]

Loving the Travel Channel / Food Network Channel vibe.

[@thegracefulfail6579]

Just want to say thank you, Been watching your videos the past few weeks and went ahead and bought myself a hardtail. been needing something extra in my life to fill that gap, something to which i can turn to when i want pure relaxation. ive been out a few times now and in love and can see myself making it into a life time hobby. thank you for the motivation, and keep up with the great content

[@bkxc]

Love hearing that!!

[@hus4berg]

Top quality video, great characters and stories! Congradulations Brian, you've outdone yourself!

[@EricF1984]

Brian, love this new format. I can see how much production you put in, to make it happen. It isn't the same game as strapping on a camera and rolling down the trail. This takes like 10x the effort and I can appreciate what you did with this one. I hope it can become a sustainable new thing for you do once in a while.

[@Tyl3rKrupa]

Brian, Its been a long time since I've commented but damn dude. Always love watching your stuff but this is a whole new level over anything I've seen. So stoked!

[@tonyhruzek4250]

Fantastic video! I have lived in the Austin area for 18 years and I am very impressed with the way you portrayed the city and the biking community. Great Job!!!

[@Gotdurt]

It was cool to meet you down here, you'll have to come back when Spider Mountain opens...

[@TheMBunk]

Next level quality! Usually, I am fast forwarding through the “blah blah blah” to get to the riding but you told a great story before the riding footage that kept me riveted.

[@steve_exclamationpoint]

Wow. Production value is hot!

[@bobmeyer5468]

Brian great video, It's like watching a movie. Great quality.At 70 years of age Living now in North Carolina I'm probably One of your oldest viewers. I am formally from Marin County Where mountain biking started And where I started in 1986. I'm currently in a wheelchair, But Working my way out of This chair So I can Enjoy riding a mountain bike again, Preferably a specialized levo E-Bike. Keep up the good work I love your videos.

[@adlar2005]

Please continue on with Alex Witkowicz! This is great stuff!

[@streddaz]

Like the new format. I think interviewing the people behind the trails or the locals showing their home turf is great, really shows their passion

[@endurofordaboys1768]

also i found the interview with nofrontbrakes extremely interesting as i have the same brake setup. Super awesome

[@drumminham]

This dude kicks ass. Doesn't let any set back keep him from riding. Much respect!!

[@tababy2137]

I'm diggin' the new format. That was awesome!

[@andrewnorris5415]

Cool inspiration. To see guys like Eric making it happen despite his obstacles and getting out there. Thanks, Brian!

[@CooperSellers]

Shout out to the local homies! Nice work!

[@oliviermaes4837]

One of the best videos about mountain biking I've ever seen! Really love this new format, keep up the good work

[@CobraKyle]

This is so good Brian! I'm excited to see Austin get this attention cause it honestly deserves it. I love riding there. Jaws is also one of my favorite lines to ride. Hopefully you can make it back and explore some more, like the vegan food truck Arlos. One of my favorite spots to eat in Austin. Look forward to seeing more episodes like this!

[@Geeezass]

This is really production, this content can easily be a micro series for tv. Keep doing this as an alternate content for riding the best trails of the world. Getting to know and actually know new people and places is what keep us glued to the pedals.

[@kdub6911]

Besides Revile Peak Ranch, Dana Peak Park is my favorite place to ride in Texas.

[@TheSalPic]

I can’t believe how good this is. More of this forever.

[@osirus272]

THIS is the next level of your channel! DAMN good stuff! Keep it up man... this is great stuff! Travel, Ride & what else that area has to offer.

[@grantd.335]

So awesome to see big mountain bike personalities visiting the riding in Central Texas, great exposure for us!

[@zer0bytes2000]

Wow! Great video, I really did think I was watching BKXC on a tv show. Production on this a step up!

[@MakadooMTN]

Revellie Peak is one of my favorite trails in Texas! Amazing cross country and enduro! They also have a jump line that’s fun and has been revamped

[@VanCan]

This is gold! The people that disliked this are monsters.

[@pkundrat]

I didnt, but i could understand why - most of Brians videos are authentic - this one looks/sounds like a commercial. Very attractive and informative, but still a commercial.

[@jay6six6]

I like this new feature format for videos! A nice breather from riding videos without sacrificing great MTB content

[@TrailFeatures]

Only just dented how much there is in Austin. It seriously is one of the best MTB destinations people haven't heard of. 😎

[@MTBGarage]

All we've heard is it's "weird" there ;)

[@TrailFeatures]

@@MTBGarage it is, but in a good way. 🙃

[@CowneloAlvaroid]

@@TrailFeatures I've lived in Austin my whole life and I gotta say it's overrated....people shouldn't visit here trails are overrun, too hot, expensive rent now, bad traffic& we couldn't even drink our entire city water for a while this past year lmao #keepaustinAustin #keepaustinweird

[@nofrontbrakes]

Agreed!

[@MTBGarage]

@@TrailFeatures It's actually really cool that private owners open up their ranches for stuff like this, and allow cool features to be made, locally we're under such scrutiny for insurance reasons on public land we can't have cool features and "dangerous" tech.

[@duh7048]

History,food & adventure will never go outa style! Gr8 show & change of pace!

[@misterclear9692]

Definitely upped the production value on this one! LOL! Looking good!

[@beastman101]

Dude, love this format and the change of offering! Really well filmed, acted, spoken, ridden!! Looking forward to more of these!

[@jameswilliams728]

Love the format and the editing. My only criticism is you ate in Austin, but you never rode in Austin. To me what makes Austin trails unique are the miles of trails, of all skill levels, located in the city itself. Are they world class trails, no, but they are close-by and I can ride to the trail head in 5 minutes and get in 20 miles of fun, rocky trails, without having to get in my car.

[@matthewallen769]

He did a couple of videos recently on those trails.

[@jameswilliams728]

@@matthewallen769 Yep., and those would have been perfect for this video about mountain biking IN Austin.

[@Bizanks]

Awesome format of the vid! One of the things I've always appreciated in your content is the exploration of the local culture and food.

[@gucass]

I feel like Brian, mountain bikes, and the food channel all just got mashed into one video.....

[@sptimmy43]

Dude! Awesome production on this video! You have really been stepping it up! Nice work!

[@kobortamas7163]

Loved it so much :)

[@chuckc.5724]

This video is hands down my favorite! A little urban riding while setting up the next ride, a visit to Mellow Johnny's, and some really cool new angles while riding. And then the guests! Some great people to know!

[@barefootmtb1338]

Yes Austin is nice on the outside. lived there for a few years, there is a dark and dangerous side too. certain places you don't go and never leave your bike unlocked or outside unattended.

[@RicQuintanilla]

No joke! Hell, 15 mins after pulling up to my hotel in RoundRock a couple guys tried to steal my buddies and mine bikes off a hitch rack while we where checking in! And it wasn't even the lower eastside.

[@Gotdurt]

Like any city.

[@noisiboi7308]

The production value of this video is 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@MTBScotland]

BKXC goes to Austin only when trail features has left ha ha ha

[@TrailFeatures]

I have noticed an odd correlation with the influx of Austin's popularity with my departure. 🤔

[@maz_mtb3266]

This is probably my favorite video of yours. The production, style of shooting...was all top level! Hope to see a full series of these!!

[@maxpower19711]

Do they sell steroids at that bike shop?

[@JuanAlvarez-kn5ix]

Yes, yes they do!

[@wills1110]

In the coffee

[@Rod.Machado]

I found the comment... atlast hahahaha

[@limestone_cowboy]

You nailed it. Steroids are what make you TdF fast.

[@beastfromtheeast9318]

Not steroids but EPO

[@jeremytarathompson2760]

Love this video format! So cool to get a sense for the city and hear interviews from people who live there and have invested in the MTBing there. 🤘🏼

[@brandonabbott7574]

By far the best video yet! Show quality

[@knordberg]

Cool to see new places and trails. Each place seems to have it's own flavor of how they like to build.

[@shmerickl2249]

Gordoughs is amazing! Also, this new style of video is amazing!! I couldn’t stop watching

[@ericbrandmeyer1227]

Really enjoyed the back story on Eric Scott and his set up for riding with his prosthetic arm. The trading glove story is awesome!!!

[@mtbgo7860]

Massive production value! Watched it three times. Your video tells a great story with wonderful background information about Austin and its citizens. Your best by far.

[@MSNYdude]

Liked this new approach a lot! Definitely more please

[@6ncc]

Brian, this is the kind of progression that I have been wondering about for yours and the other Mtn bike YT’s. You beat them to the punch. This will catch fire with communities who are savvy enough to jump on board and have you come be an ambassador for them.

[@wedgett1]

More of this style please Brian! Probably one of the best MTB videos I've seen on KZbin. Well done legend!

[@svantesvedin1299]

I really like this format. Useful info both for locals and travelers.

[@evilrslade]

This is pro-level TV production. Brilliantly done!

[@BockaufBiken]

Wow, that's impressive! This prothesis is just awesome and a reminder you can do everything if you want to.

[@brinkmeyer420]

This may be my favorite bkxc video. Love the way it was produced. I feel like I just watched something on PBS. Love it.

[@craigelliott12]

Brian... hands down , one of your greatest videos .... Yes its a MTB channel , but there is so much more to riding than just the ride . Every ride has a back story , and your letting us in on that story. You have a open no bullshit way with people , no time for snowflakes !!!! Thanks Man !!!!!!

[@Gazelle507]

Yes, this new format of video is so good! Stick with it for showcasing travel destinations for us

[@craiglamble2610]

Fantastic format. LOVE the approach to telling the story. Keep more of these coming!

[@JWC723]

I like how the Trail builders were mentioned. I'd love to see a shout out to them on every video. They are the unsung hero's of MTBing!

[@Meech_CV]

Top Notch video! I hope you can keep this series going. I like the mixture of trail riding and hanging out with the residents to give you a feel for the area and what you'll see outside of just the trail systems.

[@Wilderness_Recon]

Absolutely loving this new format!!

[@elklino]

I liked the change. MTB is more than just riding, is about the places we go and the people we meet. Food and beer is a big part of it! Great video Brian, keep them coming.

[@chrisfyb]

Holy frickin’ production value!! This was like a tv show!! So good!

[@herkusr01]

This feels like I’m watching a TV show! Production quality is amazing

[@bladesageproductions326]

I love the new episode format! Well done and very impressed with the production value. The 3rd person shots at location really added a new layer to your videos! Well done!

[@TRACKMTB]

Great format Brian! Very logical progression in your channel. Looking forward to see more!

[@slebla240]

So awesome that you came to Austin to hit some of my local trails. Deception and Reveille are two of the best! But what's better than Austin trails?... Austin's bike community!