Tsunami Cycles: Tune Up Your Bike at This Friendly Local Shop

Austin residents certainly love their bicycles, and local cyclists insist that Tsunami Cycles is one of the best shops in the city to keep those bikes in working order. Whether you’re in the market for a new bicycle or you need to pick up some parts for your current one, this well-stocked shop is the place to go.

The store itself is located conveniently on Austin’s South Congress Avenue, and it stocks a large selection of new and used bicycles and a full-service repair shop to meet any area cyclist's needs. Tsunami Cycles offers tune-ups, brake and gear adjustments, and complete building services on new bikes, and they’ll even pack your bike up and ship it anywhere in the country for just a bit more. Throw in a staff of friendly, knowledgeable employees who are anything but intimidating, and it’s easy to see why this shop is a staple of Austin's cycling scene.

Tsunami Cycles is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends. The shop is closed on Tuesdays.

Tsunami Cycles
2114 1/2 S Congress Avenue
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 448-9725
www.tsunamicycles.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tsunami-cycles-austin-2

Happy Labor Day!

We hope everyone has a happy and safe Labor Day!

Tacodeli: Take a Taste of Some of Austin’s Favorite Tacos

Tacodeli’s owner, Roberto Espinosa, wanted to create a restaurant inspired by the food he missed from his hometown of Mexico City, and he trained for years in kitchens throughout the Yucatan to make him qualified to do so. The result is a small chain of restaurants throughout Austin, each of which is dedicated to using local ingredients and making each menu item entirely from scratch every day.

At Tacodeli, the menu comprises a very impressive variety of beef, chicken, pork, and vegetarian tacos with fresh sauces and garnishes, as well as salads, sides and starters that are equally authentic and delicious. If your taco craving starts as soon as you wake up, Tacodeli also offers breakfast tacos from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on weekdays and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.

Tacodeli's Spyglass location is bright and colorful, with a covered outdoor patio that makes the perfect spot for a relaxing lunch.

Tacodeli
1500B Spyglass Drive
Austin, TX 78746
(512) 732-0303
www.tacodeli.com
www.yelp.com/biz/tacodeli-austin-3

How to Upcycle Common Household Items

You may recycle your paper and plastic, but when it comes to all of that junk that piles up in your closets, most people are at a loss. If you want to reuse those perfectly good items that you simply don’t have use for anymore, these tips can help.

  1. Picture frames. Instead of letting that slightly broken picture frame go to waste, get a bit creative about how to use it. Place a piece of colorful paper inside and lay the frame on its back to use as an eclectic, decorative jewelry tray or as a place to set candles.
  2. Colander. That beat up old colander may still have a bit more life in it. Place the bottom inside of a small bucket and fill the colander with ice at your next party. The water will run into the bucket as the ice melts so your guests won’t have to fish for ice.
  3. Old newspaper. Line drawers or shelves with old newspaper using wallpaper paste and craft sealant for an authentically vintage look.

New Uses for Old Things [Country Living]
25 New Ways to Use Your Old Stuff [HGTV]
50 All-Time Favorite New Uses for Old Things [Real Simple]

Yappy Hour!

Health Box: Home to a Healthy Dessert With a Silly Name

Health Box is known for something called “fruit poop,” the cafe's signature, unique frozen treat that looks like ice cream, but is made entirely from fruit and other good-for-you ingredients. The dessert is dairy-free, so it's safe for vegans.

At this food truck, you first choose the fruits that you want included in the frozen treat itself, from white grapes to bananas to a few types of berries. Next you choose the toppings, which include coconut flakes, granola, or more diced fruits. The whole thing is served in a small bowl and eaten with a spoon, and the menu changes daily to keep things fresh. Interestingly enough, the Health Box shop even features a small gym area outside where visitors can work out while waiting for their frozen treats. If that doesn’t make for a guilt-free dessert, then we don’t know what does!

Health Box is open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays and Mondays.

Health Box
608 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 954-1054
www.healthboxrestaurant.com
www.yelp.com/biz/health-box-austin

Luke’s Inside Out: Dine Al Fresco at This Upscale Food Truck

In a city well-known for food trucks, Luke’s Inside Out stands out in the crowd. The small, green truck is permanently located next to Gibson Bar, a hip craft beer bar with a young, eclectic crowd.

Luke’s Inside Out serves gourmet, French-inspired sandwiches with truly decadent toppings, including a brisket banh mi, eight-ounce sirloin burger, and Szechuan fried chicken. Luke’s also features a menu of shareables that will hold you over until your sandwich is served. Though these shared plates include your usual salads and fries, the appetizer menu also features fish fingers with sesame slaw, a cheese plate with fresh herbs, and many daily specials.

On Sundays, Luke’s offers an all-you-can-eat brunch for $12 from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. If you’ve never tasted the tater tot casserole or Szechuan chicken and waffles with brie, the Sunday brunch is not to be missed.

Luke’s Inside Out
1109 S. Lamar Boulevard
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 589-8883
www.lukesinsideout.com
www.yelp.com/biz/lukes-inside-out-austin

Road Warriors: Three Websites for Motorcycling Enthusiasts

Motorcycling is a fast-paced, exciting hobby for men and women from all walks of life, whether you’re a weekend warrior or a diehard biker. If you’re an adrenaline junkie who just can’t get enough motorcycle talk, these awesome websites will provide hours of entertainment.

Cycle World
Cycle World is one of the most popular motorcycle magazines in print, and it’s now available online from the comfort of your own home or work computer. The site features all of the buyer’s guides that you love in the print version, as well as unbelievable video footage, blogs written by industry experts, and high-quality images of the most recent gear and bikes on the market today.

Motorcycle USA
This all-encompassing website covers all areas of motorcycle riding and racing, from street bikes to dirt bikes and everything in between. It offers motorcycle reviews from a number of top brands, touring news, buyer’s guides and dealer locators for bike owners and those who are in the market, and Motorcycle USA even offers long-form articles written by like-minded riders with a love for motorcycles.

Motorcyclist Online
Motorcyclist Online is the website version of the popular magazine, and it offers fun extras in addition to the printed content. The Road Tests section offers in-depth reviews of first rides, comparisons, and more long-term motorcycle reviews, and the buyer’s guides can help you choose the perfect bike afterward.

Career Fair

Barton Springs Pool: Cool Off in South Austin

Barton Springs Pool is the crown jewel of Zilker Park. It glitters within the park’s 358 acres, and comprises three acres of spring-fed water that averages 68 degrees year-round. That means it’s a haven for swimmers and sunbathers, especially in the hot months, when the cool water offers a fun break from the summer sizzle. It’s a great spot to spend an afternoon swathed in sunscreen with a towel or blanket laid out on the wide expanse of grass that surrounds the pool, soaking up the sun or in hanging out the shade. Expect a diverse crowd of people on summer weekends. Admission is a bargain at $3 for adults, $1 for children and seniors. Parking is $5 per car on weekends, free during the week.

Barton Springs Pool
2201 Barton Springs Road
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 476-9044
http://www.yelp.com/biz/barton-springs-pool-austin

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