Monday, January 29, 2018

Mt. Nebo


Mt. Nebo
San Angelo, Texas
January 27, 2018
Second highest elevation in Tom Green County.
Starting temperatures in the 50's with a wind out of the north did not deter Ben, Dorothy, Tyler, David, Dan or LeAnn. Rick would join later.
The Mt. Nebo rides starts with a long stretch of flat land.
Dan and LeAnn trying out their new recumbent tandem. 
Dorothy moving up to take the lead.
Dorothy still in the lead but the "pack" moving up on her.
Not sure why I was way back, must have been taking pictures.
Terrain is not all flat. There are plenty of rollers on the ride to keep one interested.
Being a social ride, there were frequent stops to regroup the riders. David still at the ready.
Ben took advantage of the stop for a small snack.
Dorothy in good spirits.
Never know what you will see on a ride. The llamas were also curious of us. 
Downside of a roller. Most of the inclines and declines are such as above; long but not steep--except for one.
Another regroup stop before we start the hilly part of the ride.
Christine was looking at one of our rides the other day and asked why didn't I take more side shots rather than pictures of the road. 
How many pictures of dormant mesquite trees can one stand?
Rick joined us after our first loop. He had already put in about as many miles as we had so we were even.
The temperature wasn't as bad as the forecast, so we decided to do the short loop around Mt. Nebo.
Not as many hills but still a nice ride.
Besides the dormant mesquites, we have quite a few scrub cedars in this area.
I thought this tree had character.
When we start the last leg we have about a three mile slight decline that helps make the Mt. Nebo a fun ride and keeps us coming back to the area.

Sunday, January 21, 2018

Door Key Road

 Door Key Road
San Angelo, Texas 
January 20, 2018
Lined up ready for the ride are Martha, Mel, Christine, Tyler, Adam, Ann, Jeffri, and Dorothy. Through a mix up, David, Rick, and Brian were already down the road.
 As with most of our rides, we try to start on a relatively flat road leading to rollers. Door Key is perfect for that. 
 It was a beautiful day with the temperature a little over 70 and just a 16 mph SSW wind. 
 Door Key is a good prep for the different tours. The long rollers range from 3-6%...
 
 and always look flat even though they aren't.
 
 
 
 Oh great. Another one of our roads fell victim to the recent freeze.
  I asked a friend who has several large 18 wheelers if he ever sank in a road. Yes. When it rains and the moisture gets under the pavement, then a freeze; the ice pushes the pavement up. When it starts to thaw and a large truck travels on the road, the truck tires just sink into the ground. 
 
 Thankfully, not many miles of the road had damage.
Ever wonder why we get so excited when we visit other places that have trees over 10 feet tall?
 
 Tyler zipping along in the lead. Upcoming hill was a long incline topping at 6%. Normally no big deal except 6% with a 16 mph wind in your face makes it seem twice as long.  
 And the skies are not cloudy all day. 
 E
 Nearing the end of the first leg. 
 The gate marks the boundary line of a ranch thus making a good turn around point at a about 14.36 miles from the cars. 
 Tyler and Adam take the lead for the sweet, "downhill," wind to the back return.

A post script that Christine wants to add for any new riders: don't apply the disc brakes while making a U Turn. She doesn't want me to tell the rest of the story.  : )