South Austin Trail Network - E-Spank [Reverse] - Trail Tour

E-Spank is possibly my favorite trail in South Austin Trail Network. Look at it. It’s stunning. Sure, I picked the morning light to make this montage look extra juicy, but there is no denying that there is a lot of beauty along this stretch of Slaughter Creek, which happened to be full when I shot this footage.

E-Spank is simply a funny way of saying “east bank” as in the east bank of Slaughter Creek. In the spring and fall you can find wildflowers growing along the trail, and the rocky escarpment is covered with cactus and yucca, and oak trees with roots clinging tightly to the rock, as if to keep it from rolling out in front of you; and I appreciate that. Usually trees just spend their time jumping out in front of me when I am trying to ride my bike.

This trail is technically difficult in both directions. Traveling southbound, starting at the intersection with Bunny Gravel, you have a one third mile mostly flat cross-country blast before a short punchy climb followed by a long, mostly downhill, off camber and rocky riot where you are quickly punished for putting a wheel wrong. The ride ends at Bowie Sidewalk, where you can connect with Bowie Gnar, or cross the creek and link up with Love Roller Coaster or Rattlesnake. There is even the Veloway nearby should you desire some smooth asphalt miles.

E-Spank is .6 miles long and takes the average rider six and a half minutes to complete per Trailforks, but the quickest rider can clean this segment in just over two and a half minutes based on Strava data.

This trail is home to a shark fin berm, and a well-known drop into slaughter creek that finishes up with a step up into a berm into a step down. Let’s take a run down E-Spank following Andre, and get a feel for why this trail should be regularly included in your south Austin rides.

E-Spank on TrailForks: https://www.trailforks.com/trails/e-s...

https://www.andrebikeshop.com/

Bike: 2019 YT Jeffsy AL Base 29
Cameras: GoPro Hero 8 Black, Hero 10 Black