Sunday, May 27, 2018

Susan Peak

Rocking Chair Ranch 
Susan Peak Road
San Angelo, Texas
May 26, 2018 
 Martha, Jeffri, Stephen, Mel, Rick, Dorothy, and Mark line up for hill training (mostly rollers) on Susan peak.
 Route starts out on a long false flat until Rocking Chair Ranch. 
  
 After Rocking Chair, ride gets a little more interesting. 
 
 Then we get to "The Hill". 
 The hill is the toughest climb of the ride. What doesn't show is the sudden 14% grade incline until it levels at 11% near the top. 
 Mel, just past the steep incline. 
 Martha now has it made.
 Back side is not as steep nor long, but a good joy ride down. 
 
 
 Before the end of the road, there are two good long climbs which are fun on the return trip. 
 Gate marking the end of the ride.  
 Return trip. 
 
 
 

  Of course the sign is just for vehicles. 
 Coming up on the reverse side of The Hill.
 And down the hill. 
 Road starts to level out somewhat as we approach Rocking Chair again. 
 Coming up on Lipan Creek. Generally a lot of turtles are sunning, but I missed the shot. 
 The field looked pretty with all the white "flowers" there. But unfortunately they are prickly poppies, good only to stick you.
"Mexican Hat" cone flower.  
 

 
 What?? A new way to cool your heels?

 Tyler, this is one remedy for foot hot spots during a ride. 
Eventually, Jeffri put her shoes on to finish out the ride back to the cars.

Saturday, May 5, 2018

Door Key Road


 
Door Key Road
San Angelo, Texas
May 5, 2018
Ready to ride on a nice crisp (by West Texas standards) morning are: Carlos, Ron, Rick (hidden), Brian, and David.
 And we can't forget Jeffri.
 Door Key Road is an out for 14+ miles and back. 
 Of the reasons we like Door Key Road is the light traffic.
 
 
 Other reasons for liking Door Key are the constant rollers but none over 6% grade, and relatively good (by San Angelo standards) road surfaces.  
 
One of the designing features of the ride are the long inclines, and  
 corresponding long declines. 
 Jeffri and I had been just taking our time and near the turn around the others patiently waited 
 Under one of the few shades of the ride. 
 Homeward bound.   
 Remember the long declines? The reverse course--they become long inclines.
 
 Brian and I are saving our legs for tomorrows' time trial. We "let" the others wear out their legs. 
 Although sometimes it is hard for Brian to resist powering up hills. 
 What a little rain will do for our edge-of-the-desert landscape.
Everyone needs to get on his bike and spread his wings like an eagle--oops--we are in West Texas, so it is like a buzzard.