The Ninth Annual Pedal Power Wildflower Ride, benefiting the Hill Country Children’s Advocacy Center (HCCAC), is scheduled on Saturday, April 5 at 9am at LBJ State Park near Stonewall, Texas. Cyclists of all ages are invited to ride the prettiest routes in the Texas Hill Country. Ride options include 12-, 23-, 36- and 62-mile routes. The Pedal Power Wildflower Ride is designated as a BP MS 150 recommended ride.
Join us for the 18th annual Jalapeño Hundred Bicycle Ride and for the first time, Running Event. The Jalapeño Hundred has been a fun ride benefiting Harlingen Youth Athletics, Harlingen Boys & Girls Club and other select not for profit organizations. The 2008 event is expected to be hotter than ever with the inclusion of a run on Sunday with cash prize opportunities. While the Saturday ride is strictly for fun, you are invited to test your endurance against our South Texas winds. Also, fun family activities are being planned, inlcuding a trolley tour of Harlingen, so bring the whole famility.
Saturday, February 16
Oil Mill Pavilion
906 Fair Park Blvd.
6:30 a.m. – Registration & Packet Pickup (ride)
7:30 a.m. – 100 mile and 62.5 mile
7:45 a.m. – 50 mile, 25 mile and 12 mile
11:00 a.m. – Post ride celebration
4:30 p.m. – Course Closes
Ride, 5k Run or 10K Run Early registration – $25 (Postmarked by 1/18/2008)
Registration after 01/18/2008 – $30
The weather in Houston was warm as the weatherman predicted. With mostly cloudy skies I was able to log 68 miles with a few rain sprinkles. Wind was a problem today pointing out how much fitness I have lost over the last couple of months.
Riding my mountain bike on bike trails and a few windtrainer sessions do not maintain fitness like riding on the road.
Road construction in my area makes riding a challenge at times.
I am starting to look at the ride calendar for this year and make some early plans on which ones to ride. One in particular is the Jalapen 100 in Harlingen February 17th. It has been several years since I have ridden this one but I look forward to a warm ride in the Valley.
With the weekend miles I am at 86 for the year. This is well on the way to eclipsing the 97 for January 2007.
My goal this January is to ride 200 miles, unlike the 97 miles in 2007. New Year’s Day is a promising start with 17 miles. Wednesday and Thursday were too cold (and dark) for this Texas rider to brave the outdoors. Even though I grew up in Ohio my ability to tolerate cold has long since left this body.
Windtrainer to the rescue. 46 minutes and 47 minutes, Wednesday and Thursday respectively, produced some sweat. With boredom being the main enemy, my Creative Zen Vision M MP3 player came to the rescue. Thank goodness for video downloads. The windtrainer almost met an untimely end when the rear wheel clamp handle broke off. Saris Cycle had the part so we are back in business.
Now if I can figure out why my Shimano rear rim keeps causing the tube to puncture. I suspect the rim strip is not protecting the tube from the sharp edges of the spoke holes. Flats from riding a windtrainer are not what I expect.
Saturday and Sunday promise temperatures in the low 70’s so I plan on hitting the road for some serious mileage.
I will post again with some thoughts after those rides.