Monday, August 23, 2010

Goathead Gotchas or Puncturevine Blues


If I go back to my botany this plant is properly named Tribulus terrestris. And every summer into fall I call it the flat season and remind myself to take that bottle of weed killer however illegal it is and kill the patch before it infests my favorite ride. But with the cool time in the early summer I got lulled into complacency and didn't look until it was too late. And the heat has brought my nemesis into fruition with great vigor. And yes, there is a organic way to control this. The USDA has imported a weevil and judging by the amount of control works really well.
This weed is deemed noxious by Colorado law and is supposed to be controlled by the authorities. We can get back at it by using it as an infusion in a tea as Wiki says it is purported to be a natural testosterone enhancer. Ask Floyd.
So what is a rider to do. Try the flat proof tires? High tech liners made out of unobtanium and impossible to install? The green snot hasn't worked for me and have you ever tried getting it in? Thornproof tubes work for a while but eventually give up. As a commuter in the past I had some wire scrubbers that just floated above the tire and would pull out the goathead before it was pushed into the tire fully. Or learn to recognise the plant and avoid it.
Any time the farmers or oil field guys are in and out of the fields watch out. Stay away from the Highline canal as Denver water drives the trucks and have infested the whole path. When a pu truck sounds like it has studded tires after driving thru the dirt beware.
So goodluck and let me know if you have any great suggestions.
Brent