Peach Pedal

 Peach Pedal

Weatherford, Texas

July 9, 2011

 Weatherford was holding its annual peach festival on Saturday so we drove downtown before everything was closed off.

 This peaceful scene would change within 24 hours. Last year some 35,000 people packed into this area to enjoy the activities.

 And speaking of packed. See the car lights off to the left. They were waiting to turn into the Weatherford High School parking lot, while we were backed up to turn left to the lot. It turned out that some 1,800 riders showed up, and it seemed like one rider to a vehicle.

 Luckily we found a parking spot without too much trouble. Just as I wondered how we would ever find Brian Backlund, also from San Angelo, up he rode. He had arrived much earlier and found a place on the other side of the school.

 Christine and Brian filling the void left by the 100K racers. It was a 15 minute staggered start behind Chad Freeze from San Angelo and the other racers. I never heard a count, but the racers took about 10 minutes for all of them to start. We started with the laid back crowd.

 We, however, were not short-changed on our start ceremonies. The Sons of the Confederacy member on the horse gave the command for the riflemen to fire into the air.

 And off we went.

 I had the camera all ready to take shots of the peach orchards. In the past, we had traveled only through Weatherford on I-20 and have never seen orchards in the area. We didn't this day either. This pecan grove is the only "orchard" I saw on the route. Christine was assured by a local that peach orchards are all over the county. 

 The short story of the ride is 40 miles of 3-6% grade rollers with two 8% hills. The racers had 62 miles of rollers. But we will continue with the ride narrative anyway.

 One hill

 after another hill. Brian prepares for this hill with a slug of power juice.

 First rest stop did not attract a lot of riders as it was only about 6 miles out. But we were on the ride for peaches and cookies so--so what if it were only 6 miles. If anyone has the time to enlage the picture, look at the helmet of the fourth rider from the left. He is a typical "Mad Duck" rider out of Grapevine, TX. They will attend several organized rides, but one can see them in full force at the Hotter'n Hell Hundred in August.

 And more hills.

 Every once in a while we would hit a flat area with some good shade trees.

 The kit of the ride award. A definite

must-enlarge photo.

 It said WHAT?

And the neat farm of the day award.  

 If one looks hard enough, one can see we were approaching a drop off. I rarely take pictures while going downhill as the stability is not the greatest.

 We were gliding downhill to reach the river bed. The Brazos does not look too healthy at this spot, but there are some obvious water spots somewhere as we saw a lot of BIG catfish heads on fences.

 This shot is deceiving in that we were coming up from the river bottom and it continued up as we rounded the curve. Eventually, this turned out to be our 8% hill.

So the event directors took pity upon us and put a rest stop at the top of the hill. This rest stop was well attended.  

"Hill-what hill?" Show-out Christine patiently waited for me at each rest stop. If it weren't for rest stops, I wouldn't see Chris from the start line to the finish.  

 And just to prove the point, Christine is putting distance between us. Give her a downhill and wave good-bye.

 This road had a great surface. Surprizing since it parrelled I-20 and TXDOT generally puts chunky chip seal on isolated frontage roads. But the whole ride was on excellent surfaces. OK, maybe there were some stretches of road like we have around San Angelo, but overall, very smooth roads.  

 The frontage road had its share of rollers, but it kept your mind off the fact that the sun was beginning to beat down on us.

Yes, this was another rest stop with outstanding fresh peaches, cookies, and other-stuff, but what was making Brian smile so much? What can't be easily seen is that this tent had a series of water hoses that provided a fine, cooling mist. Now for another peach.

 After the short parallel of I-20, we went back on country roads--with shade trees.

 Another good thing about laid back rides. If you see a good shady spot. Stop.

 The apparent bunching up of riders at this point is that others discovered some shade trees and decided to stop. It is a tour. If someone beats you to the finish line--so what?

 But speaking of finish lines, Christine spots the High School which signifies the finish line.

 Christine surges ahead (because Brian came back to check on me). The goal is in sight.

And the flag marked the finish line and the end of the ride. Thanks Weatherford, it was one PEACH of a ride.

Door Key Road

 Saturday, July 2, 2011. Temperature under 100, wind under 20 mph, time for a ride. Computer seems to be back to working after losing all my documents and pictures. All I can say is I am glad I have a commercial back up system. Last weekend a group of us rode a route called the Seven Sisters. However, with a broken machine, the ride wasn't posted. Maybe during a winter lull I can post. But on to the current ride.  

 Being a three day week end, a lot of people were out of town, but Velma Ogan, Christine Jones, Cindy Simmons, Mark Seals, and Rick Ogan were at the 8 a.m. start.

 Beginning of the ride looked like this. A slight decline before the road takes us up close to a 1,000 feet in elevation over the next 14 miles.

 Six pedal strokes into the ride--first problem. Cindy's brake was dragging. As always, Rick was ready to jump in and help.

 Problem solver--Rick Ogan.

 Velma and Cindy rolling out.

Christine warming up.  

 Mark was still all smiles as he didn't know yet that his derailer was going to malfunction the whole first part of the ride.

 I was lucky enough to get most everyone's picture before we started spreading out.

 Ranchers all along the road were participating in brush control. Later, rows and rows of scrub cedar, mesquite, and other moisture-sapping vegetation were aligned ready to be burned if we ever have enough rain to ease the burn ban.

 Road looks as if it goes forever.

 There are 12 of these "humps" in the 14 miles of road before it dead ends at a ranch. Most rises range from 3-5% grade. Good practice for some of the upcoming rides.

 For every up, there is a down. Although we are still gaining in elevation, the road looks deceiving as it seems to be a series of rollers.

 The windmill is as lonely as it looks. Very few windmills are in the area.

 I got all excited when I saw this large bird in the tree. I told Mark it was an eagle. Later one of the three on the far right flew off--buzzards.

 Right around the corner to the left is the dead end gate. Cindy and Rick had already been there. Christine is on her way.

 Christine, Mark, and I make the turn around and head for the

 rest stop. There are three shade trees on the route. This is the largest one close to the dead end. Christine and I dropped off the cooler with iced water before the ride. Although the temperature was still below 100, the cold water hit the spot.

 I had mentioned Mark's derailer acting up. At the stop, he, Rick, and with the help of Velma, fixed the problem. One the way back, Mark was able to fly.

 Cindy and Velma taking advantage of the shade.

 These trees could provide little shade. It looks like a fall picture, but it is just a dry season picture. San Angelo has had 2.68 inches of rain this YEAR. 

 Christine enjoying the respite.

 Time to head back the way we came. The dip is deceiving. Most of us were able to hit over 30 mph without trying.

 Every once in a while, the terrain would level out and allow one to rest.

 Dan and LeAnn were running late but joined us as we were returning. They had ridden from their house and had put on more miles than we had at this point.

 If the conversation is good, one does not realize that it is up hill.

 Road flattens back out. Christine out front but will soon be reeled in.

 Not sure if I counted these humps as part of the twelve.

 I am sure this one was counted.

 Back to level road and conversation.

 Christine (on right) was reeled in and joined the group.

 Group completing a long slight incline.

 Nearing the end. All downhill from here.

 I would like to say this rancher was flying the flag in honor of the 4th of July. However, he is patriotic the year round and flies the flags daily.

 Rick and Velma after the ride. If anyone missed comments on Velma during the return trip, it was because she flew back. Waited on us so long she got worried and came in her truck after us. Thanks, but we were on a social ride.

Cindy Simmons. Happiness is successfully completing her longest ride of this year--28.8 miles. Good going Cindy.