Trick It Up

Trick It Up

Historic Farmersville, Texas

October 24, 2020

Parking lot quickly filled up, so we knew there would be a good crowd.

Registration was well organized; no long lines developed. 

Front of line up. Stretched for over a block.

It was a little chilly, so Christine had multiple layers (as did I). Brrr. And we do this for fun and health.

Chilly weather did not deter this cutie from lining up. I asked his Dad if he were going to do the "20."  He said maybe 20 feet. But give him a few years, and I bet we see him way up front.

And fast forward to the 1st rest stop. Once again, between the bunched up crowd and rough roads, I chose not to try to take any pictures until absolutely safe. Besides, my fingers were numb from the cold.

As rough as it was, it was still smoother than some of our roads in Tom Green County. These tiny round pebbles are the best kind. 

Occasionally, I would pull off to the side to take a picture. Safer that way, but Christine would give me no slack and make me pedal really hard to catch back up to her.

Hills were long but not steep so a good workout without the fear of cramps.

And some good downhills.

Solid patriotic farmers/ranchers in the area.

This area of Texas is the black earth prairie lands. Fairly flat and moist.

Not sure what I was aiming for but left it in as a mystery picture.

In their wisdom the road folks seal-coated the last few miles of our route two days earlier, but at least the rocks are the smallest and roundest of the types available. As long as we stayed in the tire track we were OK.

Coming up to the finish and we were on an old original brick road.

Finish line. Now the sun comes out, and we really appreciated it.

Trick? No.  

Also appreciated was the lunch treat at the finish.

Menu was varied, but we chose the barbeque sandwich, chips. and 

good beverages. I chose the St. Arnold's Root Beer and Christine chose the St. Arnold's Octoberfest beer.

The Trick It Up ride encouraged bikers to dress up their bikes and themselves. I saw the skeletal bikers several times on the road and you could spot them from afar.

They graciously granted me permission to take their picture close up. They clearly were having fun.

And notwithstanding my grumbles and self pity, Christine and I enjoyed the ride also. All made possible by the ride organizers, sponsors, and great volunteers. Thanks for the ride despite what the country is going through at this time. Thanks for your courage.

 

Missions Tour de Goliad

Mission Tour de Goliad

October 17, 2020

Goliad, Texas

Parking and line up was at the Courthouse Square.

    A good number of riders turned out for this event.

It was a little chilly and had sprinkled most of the night. 

Christine was dressed warmly so she too was ready to go.

Now the first photo of the 1st rest stop begs a little explanation. First, it was a mass start and the crowd did not thin our for a long distance. And I do not take pictures if there is a possible danger to me or someone else. Second, face it; the roads were so rough that I couldn't take a hand off the handle bar even if I were in the clear. Missed a lot of good shots of climbs.

Finally, we were stretched out enough for me to ride with one arm.

Luna Llena (Full Moon)  I assumed that this is a hunting ranch. 

Mostly the rollers were long rather than short and steep.

Rest stop #2. Met up with Christine here. Somehow she missed a turn and had to cut back across a lane to get back on course. Even so, she beat me to the stop.

By Faith Ranch. Some similar ranches are a part of a Christian outreach mission. 

This area of Texas is the Coastal Plains, after all.

Rest Stop #3. Weesatche, TX

Across from the rest stop were some old structures of western yesteryears. Far right was said to be an old saloon that was in business until the 1970's.

Back to pedaling. 

Not far down the road was Saint Andrew's Lutheran Church. Founded in 1891 in Weesatche, Texas.

Occasionally we would see evidence of the previous night's showers.

Rider in front and I played trade places. I would pass him on inclines, he would pass me on declines. Then a big group of strong riders passed us going 20-22 mph. I rose to the challenge and told the other rider, "Let's go draft off of them." He declined. It was such a large group that I just sat at the back and would pedal, coast, pedal, and coast.

Then I got distracted by Rest Stop #4. Never, never pass up a porta-potty. 

Besides, Christine and I were to meet up at this stop and she was somewhere behind me. Wish I had gotten the name of the volunteer group as the little girls were very helpful to all of the riders who stopped. They acted as if they were really having fun. Thanks for your enthusiasm.

Christine met me at the stop and then we rode together--for a while.

Christine was getting tired and hurting so she started creeping ahead of me.

Later she said she just wanted to get the ride over with so started going faster.

The blur in the distance was the last time I saw Christine until the finish line.

I wish I had gotten a better picture of the hay rolls. They were painted in colorful stripes like the old Smarties candy rolls.

Finish line was at a small park. Organizers had ham and cheese sandwiches, chips, and drinks for the riders.

Not sure if the smile is for the ride to be over or satisfaction with the after ride snacks. Either way, if Mommy is happy, everyone is happy,

Volunteers at the finish line having their well deserved picnic.

Heading back to the car, we had another view of the Courthouse.

Wish all our buildings had the personality of the old Courthouses rather than plain ole brick and mortar.

As we like to do, we drove around to get a feel of the town. St. Stephen's Episcopal Church. It had a historical plaque, but we didn't get out to read it.\

Tree was too old and pretty to cut down, so go around. 

We also like old houses with lots of personality.

So ends another bike tour in an interesting place. For info on the missions and monuments around Goliad (site of the Goliad Massacre), see our write up of last year's Goliad tour. Interesting place. 

We really appreciate the organizers, sponsors, and great volunteers who made the ride possible. It is nice to be able to participate in "normal" activities once again. Thanks for hanging in there and going ahead with the ride. Thanks and thanks!