Unusual Saturday Group Ride

The Saturday, August 13 ride started out usual enough. The ride was called for 6:30 a.m., riding the Burma Loop--about 38 miles, and the temperature was to be a mild 87 degrees with a 40% chance of rain at noon. No problem. Early start, early finish. Oh yes, part of the line up included from left, Brenda, Chad, Rick, Mark, Velma, Bill, Liz, and Christine.

 The blessedly overcast day masked our usual start off light.

 Visibility had improved by the time we arrived at the first re-group point about 10 miles out. The overcast conditions, however, really hampered my getting clear pictures throughout the morning. Probably had something to do with shutter speed, but I am a point and shoot person, so one will have to use his imagination on some of the shots.

 Some of the fires earlier this year swept through this area. Charred pastures are still quite evident.

 The fires, however, did not melt any of our hills so they are still intact.

 A faster group left about the same time we did. This is Christy Nesbitt returning for the turn around point of their ride. We were going in a loop rather than an out and back.

 Off to the right was still charred pastured, while the area ahead seemed to escape the fires. Just a few miles ahead was the site of one of the biggest wild fires.

 Just like a roller coaster ride, the hills start out with small rollers to get you adjusted.

 Soon the roller coaster ride picks up speed and grade. (Jerry, I will let you know a little later how much of a grade).

 OK, so it doesn't look like much, but the upcoming hill hits 11% grade. The  specks at the crest of the road were part of our group waiting for us.

 Christine, Mark, Liz, Brenda, and Rick at the "windmill hill".

 The Encino ranch (windmill hill) was hit pretty hard by the fires.

 

 This is the stretch of the route that makes it all worthwhile. We get to go downhill for about three miles. The momentum usually carries you almost all the way up the rise.

 Brenda and Christine still rolling down the slopes. Approaching on the left side of the road was Gene Potter and his ride partner.

 Next we met Mike Nesbitt (Christy's husband) on his return trip. She is a fast racer, but not miles and miles ahead of Mike.

 Not far behind were Bret and Tamra Roberts (2nd, 3rd riders). I did not recognize the lead rider.

 As mentioned, the day was overcast. Now the sky was getting darker and I kept trying to catch a photo of some of the lightning. It was faster than I.

 About this time, it started sprinkling on us. When you are twenty miles into a forty mile ride, it doesn't do you any good to turn around and try to avoid rain. We are so desperate for rain; let it come!!

 The re-group point at the Highway 87 intersection. The glisten on Liz's arm is not perspiration. The sprinkle continued.

 As we were about to shove off, we looked down the road. A wall of rain was ahead. What do you do? Shove off.

 We were in a light rain at this point. We could still see what was ahead of us.

 And then it started pouring. Only about 15 more miles to go.

 The convenience store ahead was our official rest stop. We were in an outstanding downpour. Our land is so parched that our reservoir at the State Park has made national news. O.C. Fisher is the reservoir with the cracked ground and the water that turned red. So Christine did not mind being caught in our desperately needed and best rain of the year.

 Walking into the store soaking wet with the air conditioner on really was a shock. As Velma later said, "I am chilled to the bones." So after buying our treat of chocolate milk, we stood outside just out of the rain.

 I tried to capture the downpour but raindrops don't pose well.

 Do we attempt to wait it out or dive back in? All but

 ONE

decided to go on.

Liz called for a ride back to the staging area where her car was. After we took off, I wondered where Mark was and later found out he called his son to pick them up. Sloshing around in soaked bicycle shoes is a little unsettling.

 The REST of us took off to finish the last 10 miles.

"It was a cold and dark rainy night..." at midmorning.

 Right about this point the wind picked up and the rain would sting our faces. So what. Let it rain!

 Shivering, we made it back to the staging area.

And then it really started raining.

By the time this was written, we had received two inches of rain which almost doubled our annual rain fall to date (3.4" as of yesterday). And, it is still sprinkling outside! Praise the Lord!

 We have done hot, hotter, and ouch. We have done hills and valleys, and occasionally flat stretches. And we just did a (dry) water crossing ride last weekend, not to mention a snow cone ride. What we really needed then was practice riding in the rain--and we got it!! 



Snow Cone Social Ride

 Great timing. The temperature was 104 degrees, so a snow cone sounded good. Not to mention a fine social ride.

 Randy's Bike and Run Shop, the ride sponsor, was the staging point. Mark Seals and David Durbin in forefront. Rick in lime green jersey in background.

Devin Gustafson, our host and ride leader is on the far left. Christine on the right. 

 I never counted, but I heard one person say there were about 20-30 of us participating in the ride.

 Start begins from Randy's. Devin leads out.

 A couple of blocks down the road (at the first shade), we made our first stop to let others who were caught by traffic or a red light catch up.

 Riders on whom we were waiting had to stop again for a stop sign.

 Then off we go again and past our old Sante Fe Railroad depot.

 Another shady spot downtown for the group to catch up again. OK, we were on the wrong side of the street, but there was not shade on the other side, besides, San Angelo's 20 minute rush hour was over. Liz Rappe in the center and Christine to her left.

 A little local history. The two buildings are now Miss Hattie's Restaurant. Miss Hattie's was an infamous bordello located close to Fort Concho. The building to the right at that time was a bank. Legend has it that there was a tunnel from the bank over to Miss Hattie's. Banking customers could go back and forth incognito.

 And past our municipal building. Randy and daughter bring up the rear.

 About this point in the ride, I turn my handlebar to get closer to the edge of the road. The handlebar turned but the wheel continued straight. I made a plaintive cry of "Rick!!!" He heard me a half block away. I told him I had my tools with me but what do I tighten to make the wheel turn  the direction that I turn the handlebar? He patiently talked me through tightening two places on the stem, and I merrily took off again. (Don't ask for technical details, two thingies that you can tighten on the stem)

 Riding along the Concho River. This is the area which also has the Christmas lights we wrote about last December.

 And then a boo boo. I understand there was an attempt to hand off a water bottle and Sarah went too far to the right. Bloody knee and bruised ego.

 But that didn't stop Sarah and we rejoined the other riders.

 Next we went through a quiet residential area.

 Re-group time again. The parking lot is part of Angelo State University.

 One of the university buildings.

 Through residential areas again. Christine to the left, Liz riding far right.

 I think we were going to turn right.

 One of the signs of Dr. Allen, our pets' vet, and the Dr. Allen who plays the saxophone in our yard during our annual Sierra Lights block party each December. (Some may recall Mr. and Mrs. Santa at the block party).

 Destination. Snow cone hut on College Hills.

 Each of us placed an order. Velma is at the order window.

 Snow cones are being prepared. Robin Lomax and Christine patiently wait.

 The picture includes Liz Rangel, standing on the left, Randy Rangel, our host, and his daughter.

 Rick far left, sorry, I didn't meet the gentleman in the baseball cap, Jeff McBride, John, and Lenny.

 Randy visiting with riders. Wish I had panned to the right to see what Velma and Christine are looking at.

 Snow cones and brain freeze about over, and it is socializing time.

The ride was officially over. Slowly, riders mounted and went their ways: some back to Randy's for their vehicles, some off to their houses--which is what Christine and I did. Although we left the car at Randy's, it was just 2-3 miles to our house, so we rode there, picked up the truck, and went to get the car.

Thanks Randy for the ride and snow cones.

Thanks Devin for leading us on the ride.

From all reports, everyone enjoyed the snow cone social ride.

Beginners Page # 15, Cleaning Your Shorts

 Boure shorts. No, we haven't gone commercial. It is just that I have been having trouble with my shorts fading and wearing out rapidly. And the rest of the story made me feel like a beginner again. Everything I thought I knew might have been wrong.

Within a year, my (and Christine's) shorts would fade at the seams, crotch, and Christine's last pair faded all through the back side. I have been searching for shorts that I didn't have to replace at least every year.

So, I bought a pair of Boure shorts as they have a good reputation. Within three months, my seams and around the crotch began to fade.

Boure has a great, no hassle, no time limit return policy. They state if you are ever dissatisfied, just return the product. So I did. 

Shortly, I received an email from Wade Moore of Boure Bicycling Clothing nicely asking what in the heck am I doing to my shorts?

" Are you using some sort of chamois cream or lubricant that contains petroleum product(s)?

           Did you use something like a leather treatment on your saddle?
          Has bleach been used on these shorts in the wash (perhaps in the detergent)?

        The beige part of the pad has become almost white, indicating some sort of bleaching action, which will prematurely age (harden) the elastomer in the fabric (seems to be happening)."

No, no bleach. Only Arm & Hammer Detergent with Oxi-Clean. (Wade later informed me Oxi-Clean has a bleach whitener and brightener--duh). OK. I said I would switch to dish detergent as it does not have whitener. No, don't use dish detergent, either. 

 No, no leather treatment for my saddle (stopped using my Brooks about two years ago). I didn't get a rebuttal from my using water and a rag to clean my saddle, so I guess I am doing SOMETHING right.

Of course I use Chamois Butt'r and sometimes dznuts. Doesn't everyone? That was one thing I learned early on in my riding--use a lubricant to reduce chafing.

Well, Wade had this to say about my using chamois lubricant, " I'm not sure why you are using any sort of lubricant, do you have an injury? We really don't recommend lubricants as they soak into the chamois pad and reduce it's efficiency in removing sweat while also making you hotter and wetter. Then you get softened skin, so while it masks any real issues, it increases your likelihood of having future issues."

Man, I am set back to my beginner days when I had everything to learn. Now, I have more to learn.

Wade's recommendations for taking care of shorts include:

• Switch to a clean rinsing detergent. Wash shorts after rides using products such as Sport Wash or Planet detergent, both of which are available at the grocery store most of the time, and "Both are super clean rinsing detergents to help you get the sweat out of the chamois and let it breath." .
• Try to wean yourself from chamois lubes of any kind except when you are injured.

While not a guarntee, Wade thinks if I make the changes in the way I clean my shorts, they should last about five years.

With my past problems of replacing shorts every year, the five year statement is quite a challenge. What I have decided to do is to follow the instructions carefully, and then run a follow up story next year to report the first year results.

 Start of the experiment. Boure sent me a new pair of shorts. Bright, even coloring, no defects. I am eager to see how they look next year.

With my shorts exchange, Wade sent me some samples of Sport-Wash to use in my cycling clothes laundry. Thank you. That was thoughtful.

A clarification: Wade responded to my request for the shorts return, answered my requests for information, and gave me suggestions as a routine customer. It was after the information and shorts exchange that I asked him if I could use his information in a blog. He agreed. I wish there were space to publish the entire exchange of correspondence, but hopefully the helpful tone came through. 

Even with Boure's liberal, no hassle exchange policy, I don't think they would look kindly to my sending back the shorts in five years proclaiming--"I did everything you suggested and my shorts still faded!!"