I took Sunday off to spend time with my wife who is recovering from her recent cancer treatment. With no Giro d’Italia today (it is a rest day) I was able to start a little earlier than usual turning the pedals at 11:43. I headed north to ride the “Splendora – Valley Ranch – Oakhurst” for 42.46 miles. The weather was almost perfect with a mostly cloudy sky, upper 80’s temperature but the wind was not as friendly. When I got home I checked the airport weather and the wind was from the ESE at 15 mph with 23 mph gusts. I didn’t think it was that strong but maybe riding perpendicular to it was the difference. I made good time to Splendora where I turned back to the south. Today the ride back south was not into the wind so much and I was able to bike almost at the same pace as going north. The route I took was what I planned so no changes today.
Making a quick stop at the Stripes station on FM1314 to refill my water bottle with ice and water and I was back on the road to be in front of the school traffic at Briar Tree. I took a break at the Oakhurst Community Center. In the past I usually was the only person there but today there 4 youth playing basketball and two mothers with there 1 or 2 year old girls on the slides and swings. It was 33.97 miles into the ride at that point. Before eating a snack I took this weather screen shot.
The wind is less than what the airport was showing. As I was sitting on the bench I was glad I picked up a few paper towels at the Stripes station to wipe up the sweat on my arms. After a bout 20 minutes I was back on the bike. By the time I got to Kings Manor the elementary school was backed up with traffic but I wove my through it. From there it was about 4 miles to home and I got there at 3:05. I beat the Bear Branch elementary dismissal though a few parents were starting to line the curbs waiting for their children.
I am up to 640 miles for May, well past my 540 mile goal. Tomorrow’s weather forecast looks favorable to ride. Maybe I get another 40+ mile ride in.
My Cat2 40-49 mountain bike race video from the 2016 Prayer Mountain Pedal held at Big Cedar Wilderness Area in Dallas, Texas.
Coming off of a win at Pace Bend, I again had high hopes of a strong finish at Big Cedar. If I could somehow pull off another win, it would keep me in the running for the state championship.
Heavy rains leading up to race day forced the organizers to shorten and change up the …
A couple of buddies and I did a short, two-day, 145 mile tour this weekend. We did 95-100 miles the first day over mud, gravel and chipseal, then a slow scenic 45 mile loop the next day. It was a blast. Here are some of pics:
We rode from my house 7 miles to the next little town for breakfast and then headed out from there: …
“We are moving our bike ride back to the shop! Every Saturday morning meet up at the store at 9 AM to get ready to leave on our weekly group ride. Please bring a helmet, water and a positive attitude and be ready to have fun! We will leave from the store parking lot and go through the neighborhoods behind the shop away from the busy traffic of 1960…
You’re invited to join our Saturday morning, beginners group ride starting from and ending at our W. Houston, Performance Bicycle store. The ride is for beginners and those getting back on the saddle. The average pace will be between 10 and 14 miles per hour and the ride will last approximately one hour. We’ll explore some of the local bike paths a…
Dick Nichols District Park 8011 Beckett Rd, Austin, TX 78749 Austin, TX
12 Austin Cyclists Went
We will meet before 10:00, wheels down 10:00 at Dick Nichols Park for about two hours of casual rambling around SW Austin. Gary knows the area like the back of his hand.
Dick Nichols District Park 8011 Beckett Rd, Austin, TX 78749 Austin, TX
17 Austin Cyclists Went
We will meet before 10:00, wheels down 10:00 at Dick Nichols Park for about two hours of casual rambling around SW Austin. Gary knows the area like the back of his hand.
Dick Nichols District Park 8011 Beckett Rd, Austin, TX 78749 Austin, TX
10 Austin Cyclists Went
We will meet before 9:30, wheels down 9:30 at Dick Nichols Park for about two hours of casual rambling around SW Austin. Gary knows the area like the back of his hand.
Monday and Wednesday evening warm-up ride, Irving Bible Church, 6:30 pm starting May 23rd
About 10 miles at a warm up pace in Irving
An unofficial, leaderless ride of 10 miles or less, at a warm-up pace prior to the 6:30 pm summer rides. There will usually be several small, informal groups riding at 14-20 mph. Some riders like to start at a slow pace while others start fast. Contact Steve Goff:
Monday and Wednesday evening “C-Group†ride, Irving Bible Church, 6:30 pm starting May 23rd
About 23 miles at a No-Drop pace in Irving
This is a CCC supported ride with a ride leader, sweeper and double pace line designed for new riders or recovery riders who just want an easier pace. The slowest rider will set the pace, however, please be considerate of the other riders and be able to maintain a 13 mph average pace, including some hills. No one will be left behind. Contact Don Blackard:
Monday and Wednesday evening “A&B-Group†ride, Irving Bible Church, 6:30 pm starting May 23rd
About 27 miles at a Challenging pace in Irving
This is a CCC supported ride with a ride leader, sweeper and double pace line. The usual pace is 16+ mph, which includes some challenging Las Colinas hills. Riders may be dropped if they cannot maintain the group’s pace, so you may need to learn the course in order to be able to return to IBC without the group. Attendance for this ride is about 20 riders. Contact Rocky Bailey …
You must be a member to ride any Brevet
5/28/2016 Italy ACP brevet 400 547 Vickie Tyer
5/28/2016 Italy ACP brevet 600 575 Vickie Tyer
5/28/2016 Italy RUSA brevet 211 515 Vickie Tyer
5/28/2016 Italy RUSA brevet 308 514 Vickie Tyer
6/11/2016 West RUSA brevet 255 130 Stephen Hazelton
6/11/2016 West RUSA populaire 150 121 Stephen Hazelton
6/18/2016 Willow Park ACP brevet 400 140 Gary Gottlieb …
https://youtu.be/1dNjnFZzDgQ
Decided to film last Tuesday’s social ride. It was lots of fun with lots of cool people. Here are the least shaky 4-5 minutes I could find of all the footage I got (what happens when you make your own bike clamp).
It’s a ride on a trail through a natural preserve that dates back 15,000 years. The trail has six switchbacks to navigate cyclists and runners over terrain that runs along the Medina River.
This is one of San Antonio’s premiere bike/hike trails–the Mission Reach. This ride originated from the historic San Francisco de la Espada mission and ended at the Blue Star Arts Complex, located in the German heritage King William District near downtown San Antonio. The wide path is an excellent place for cyclists, runners, and those who walk their dogs and cats.
A change of plans bike ride today. Originally I planned on riding the “Stroker Road – Huffman” route but changed from that to “Atascocita South – Walden – Huffman”. Earlier this morning the sun broke through the clouds and it looked promising but by the time I left on the ride at 12:01 the sky was overcast and looked threatening to the south. I was afraid I might get caught in rain if I took the Stroker Road route because there are long stretches of road with no place to hide from rain. The route I rode was about 7 miles shorter but I was usually near places I could get out of the rain if needed. I did get a few small raindrops riding through Walden but after that only the high humidity (71%) got me sweating wet. The humidity made it feel a cooler than the 77 to 81 degrees while I was on the bike. I ended up biking 34.77 miles.
All of the pools opened today for the first time and there were plenty of swim meets. Tents and shade covers packed the grass and any other area surrounding the pools holding parents and kids waiting to get wet. In my opinion it was a little cooler than I prefer. Cars were parked on all of the streets near the pools making riding a little treacherous weaving through the traffic. Theswim meet at the last pool I passed in Kings River was over and the traffic was trying to get away. I thought I was going to have a long wait to turn from a side street onto the Kings River Drive but a kind pickup truck honked their horn to let me out.
No pools or swim meets east of Lake Houston so the traffic was better. I stopped at the Huffman Chevron as usual arriving at 1:44 after riding 22.4 miles. In a matter of seconds I was dripping moisture as I stood to take a picture of the Edge 520. I got some paper towels and dried off some before getting a Greensheet newspaper to sit on while I took a break. The 520 screen and weather while I was there.
Now that I wasn’t moving the 76 degrees felt a little cool and when I went inside the store to use the restroom it was very cold. They had the A/C low and the moisture on me plus moving air sent chill bumps on my exposed skin. It was warmer in the restroom and I moved quickly through the store to get back outside as quickly as possible. After eating and drinking most of my water I braved the cold and went back inside to refill my water bottle before heading off.
Riding on FM1960 to the weat was easier than getting to Huffman and I slowly improved my average speed until I came to Kingwood Drive. This is where the riding slows down due to stops and traffic. The closer I got to home I noticed the overcast sky changing from a medium gray to a light gray. Now I knew I would have not got wet if I had stuck to my original route.
Sunday’s forecast shows a 50% chance of rain until late in the day. I may not get to ride.
