I did not get to ride the 2009 Baytown Family YMCA Gator Ride but I wanted to make this year’s ride. The starting location was different having moved to Lee College. Parking was better for me but some folks may have had to park further away. I was concerned about the temperature at the start but it did not seem to be as cold as the thermometer was reading: 47 degrees. The wind had not strengthened yet when the 62 mile riders left at 7:34. Other distances were going to start at 8:00 and later. My guess is that 700 riders lined up for the 62 mile route. Since the other distances had not lined up yet when I left I do not know their numbers.
Within 4 miles we were moving up the Fred Hartman Bridge over the Houston Ship Channel. This is one of the highlights of the ride. It is a challenging grade. My Garmin 305 shows a maximum grade of 16.5% but I am not sure this is accurate. A picture of the riders approaching the bridge:
Approaching the Fred Hartman Bridge from the Baytown Side
After the bridge the next highlight is the Lynchburg Ferry crossing at the Monument Inn. This is where things got real slow. For whatever reason the ferry was only boarding a small number of riders each time. It took about 45 minutes before my group got to board. Some riders did not take their turn but cut in front of those who had been waiting longer. The ferry crossing is after the route passes the San Jacinto Park and the monument. This picture shows riders approaching the monument.
Riders Approaching the San Jacinto Monument
After we passed the monument the next point of interest was the Lynchburg Ferry Crossing. We gathered in the Monument Inn parking lot as we waited our turn to board the ferry. Things got real slow here as the crew was only allowing a small number of riders onto the ferry at each trip. I waited about 45 minutes for my turn. Some riders cut the line and boarded in front those who had been waiting. Not a nice thing to do.
We have boarded the ferry
After we exited the ferry the ride was fairly normal with a southeast tailwind helping us until the 31 mile mark when we started to head back to Baytown. The route was marked with arrows but most did not specify which route we were on. But since only the 62 mile route went over the bridge and ferry I assumed the route was for us only. At one point we did come to turn that separated the 62/51mile riders from the 42 mile riders and it was clearly marked. All that was left was to battle the headwind back to the finish. I passed some riders and some passed me.
My ride statistics after the more break.
