Good crowd...around 1200 riders. This is just one of the parking lots.
Although small, another good crowd was the San Angelo riders: Brian
Christine, and me behind the camera.
The 61 milers were to leave at 7:30, so Brian and I lined up with them. Christine chose the 39 miles, and they were to leave at 7:45.
National anthem was played before the start. Notice two things? Most of the helmets were removed and NO ONE was kneeling.
As it was a mass start, it took some maneuvering to take a shot and remain somewhat safe. I am finally in a picture, see my shadow?
The ride starts off in a deceiving manner as it was down, down, down.
Eventually we got to some of the ups.
Most of the uphills were long stretches.
Rest stop 1. Since this was our first long ride of the year, Brian and I had a "plan."
We were going to average 15 mph and stop at each rest stop. But I didn't find Brian at this stop and I had a 17 average. Plan was just partially working.
One person told me after the ride that he was told that the ride wasn't very scenic. After riding along cotton fields, mesquite and cedar trees, this was beautiful.
This guy was moving right along. Not the treadmill bike but a shushing type of propulsion. Good idea as some of the roads were a little rough. His bottom had to feel better than ours.
Flat stretch and shade. Good combination.
Rest stop 2. I found Brian and Christine at this stop. Both had skipped the first stop.
Note to organizers. Rest Stop 1 is on a downhill with a slight curve and sort of hidden off the road. I noticed it as I saw some bicycles on the side of the road. It was either a wreck or rest stop.
Brian and I continued on our ride and reaffirmed our plan. We wanted a steady pace and just get some miles under our belt. Christine continued on her shorter but just as hilly route. But, as her shoulder was hurting--the reason she chose the shorter route--her plan was to get the 39 miles over with as soon as possible and came up with an 18 mph average.
Another long incline.
It was not a working pumpjack but the owner was probably telling us something.
My Garmin Training Center read out indicated five 10% grades and a jillion lesser grades averaging out about 5%. The one ahead may have been one of our 10% grades.
If it goes up; it comes down, so we had a lot of good downhills.
Shade was appreciated as it kept getting hotter and hotter.
Always time to stop and smell the flowers.
And transverse false flats.
Rest stop 3. Thank you volunteers. Couldn't do without you.
Really appreciate the caution the big truck ahead demonstrated to avoid the riders.
Things are fine as long as you do not look too far in the distance.
Pasture looked odd with the multitude of huge fence posts. Most have been a cow feed lot at one time.
One lone rider topping the incline.
Break in our routine.
The train stopped us just before rest stop 4. Still sticking to our plan.
Peach Pedal. So what was at each rest stop? Sliced cool peaches. Very good.
Sign may be hard to read, but we were at Mayberry. Old stomping ground of Andy Griffith and Aunt Bee?
One of my accidental pictures, but it shows we were keeping pretty near out plan at mile 40. I had dropped to a 14.8 average. Still feeling OK but hot.
Thank you, young cheering squad. Appreciate your encouragement.
Shade. Slow down and enjoy.
Well marked route. Green was the 61 mile ride.
Smooth road. Who cares if it was going up?
Rest Stop 5.
Rest stop had sun screen for riders and I took advantage of that. My legs were developing heat rashes and my arms were well done. Memo to self for HHH. Carry sun screen.
I'm finished whining and will not even mention the upcoming hills.
At about this time some riders started pushing their bikes up the inclines.
The seemingly never ending inclines wear one down.
Nice fat cows. Good amount of rain this year made much green grass.
Another guy pushing his bike. The incline may not look like much but it went on and on.
Just to be fair. Sometimes we would go down.
Rest stop 6. Last chance for fill up and peaches.
Had to show more inclines.
Cows were smart. Resting under the shade of the tree while we were out in the road pedaling bikes.
Nice house and circle driveway. To the left looks like an orchard, but really I never saw any peach trees.
Another smooth road so again, who cares if it goes up.
The end is in sight.
And at the flags was the finish line.
Patiently waiting for us and reading a book on Kindle was Christine. She had finished hours ago.
We cleaned up, ate chicken that was provided after the ride, and had--of course--peach ice cream. By this time each of the parking lots looked like this. Probably only 75-100 were still out on the course. The lesser mile route riders were in and gone. We were in no hurry to leave and continued to savor the ride. Brian and I completed our plan and came in with a 14.4 average. Next time we will probably pick up the pace--and get in before it gets Hotter'n Hell.
