Pedal Thru the Pines

 Bastrop, Texas

March 5, 2011

Brrrrawesome. What people will do in the name of fun. The ride was great and as expressed--awesome. The but--Texas is going through a typical spring period. Thursday we hit 90 degrees. Saturday we woke up after an early morning rain, temperature in the low 50's, and 20-25 mile an hour wind.

Pine Trees at the Bastrop State Park Entrance

 Knowing the forecast, Christine and I arrived at Bastrop early Friday afternoon to take a few pictures of the upcoming ride through the Bastrop and Buescher State Parks.

Road starts off fairly level.

 I correctly feared that I would be wearing warm gloves and I can't take pictures on the go with the thick gloves.

Stands of Loblolly Pines. Some reach the height of 98-115 feet.

 Loblolly pines run from Southeast Texas, to Florida, and up to Delaware.

 The exception is this isolated region of loblolly pines that comprise much of Bastrop and Buescher State Parks. Hence, this area is called the Lost Pines. This atypical stand of pines is believed to have been left by the last retreating Ice Age. Natural pines as seen at the entrance as well as the loblolly pines provide a very scenic bike ride.



The road begins to slope downward.




With several nice drop offs. Of course as every biker knows, for every down there will be an up.



 Evidence of the forest fire a couple of years ago.

 Photos of inclines are never dramatic.

 The road looks like a waving ribbon but some of the inclines are quite steep as will be demonstrated later.

The route will take us past the Bastrop State Park Lake. Canoe rentals are available.

 As well as fishing--Texas style.

 Unique in this area as well as the lost pines is Spanish moss.

Last of the nice warm pictures.

At line up time, it was quite chilly. Most of the conversations centered around the weather--and what am I doing here? Christine remarked that it could be worse, it could still be raining.

There was a consensus that if cyclers had any sense, they would put a motor on their bikes. Another commonality was the reduction of the mileage from the norm. Christine and I have been riding the 62 mile route, this year we agreed on the 27 mile. I forgot to mention that the 20-25 mph wind was from the north.

Attendance was down a little this year, undoubtedly because the weather forecasts tipped us off that it would not be a sunny spring day. Even so, there was a large number of riders who filled the expansive horseshoe drive in front of the Bastrop High School.

And off we go. Other shots of the route were presented earlier. This shows some of the upside of the ride. Christine walked up a couple of the tougher hills but still did quite well four months after her hip replacement. She was there for the downhills anyway. It is hard to stay with her on a decline.

Remember the remark that it could be worse, it could still be raining? At this point of the ride, it did start raining although a short rain with no lightning. You know the type--just wet enough to throw road grim on your back. 

We came upon a scenic overlook which gave us a chance to make an adjustment of Christine's saddle. Since we were taking a shorter route, there was no hurry or sense of urgency.



Rest stop #1. Well stocked with food, drink, and cold, friendly volunteers.

Christine strolling thru the pines. Others struggling thru the pines.

My Garmin showed several inclines to be 11-15 % grade. I do not recall if it was this incline, but one I was watching showed the grade at 11%, and then the road steepened. At 17%, I stopped watching the Garmin readout and concentrated on continuing to pedal. Post note: Jerry, when I downloaded the ride, the hill registered 22%.



Red bud tree. About the only indication of spring on this particular day.




Christine wanted a picture so one could see the rain drops on her sun glasses. Didn't work..





Rest stop #2. The last one before town and the finish line. These volunteers had no protection from the wind.



Highway 71 on the way back from the two State Parks was a series of rollers.

During this incline, my chain slipped while shifting gears. A SAG car was immediately there and the driver stood  between me and oncoming riders. We have a habit of riding up a hill with our heads down. Result is to run into a person stopped on the side of the road. I know, I still have some scars to prove it.

At the end of the ride, a nice lady wanted to take my picture in front of the porta potties as her friend had donated the potties and wanted a rider in the picture. So this is the way I will end another story of a great ride--and put this one in the can.