Willow City Loop

 Willow City Loop

Saturday May 21, 2016

Day Trip, Just Outside of Fredericksburg, Tx.  

Rick, Christine, and Brian.

 The bike bar in "downtown" Willow City. They were kind enough to let us park in their back area.

 The Willow City ride is part of the now defunct Pedal Power Wildflower Ride.

 We had planned to ride back in April, but the weekend we had free was rainy.

 Even though it was past the bluebonnet prime time we were determined to make the ride anyway.

 Leaving Willow City is fairly flat heading toward Highway 16.

 As the ride is scenic, most of the ride does not require comment or explanation.

 

Just before the great downhill on Highway 16, Brian and Rick (below) held up waiting for Christine and me to catch up.

And then we started the decent.

One of those great rides. After a good decline--

--We would start on another.

This went on for 2-3 miles.

Just before the turnoff to Willow City we regrouped again.

Willow City Loop Road

Yes, there were frequent stops just to take in the scenery.

And more stops. This ride was not about speed.

Hence the cattle guard as shown above.

Even dead trees were pretty.

The approach to the dreaded hill.

I do not know if the hill has a printable name, but it is a tough one.

I think I recall seeing 14% at one point.

Christine and I were so slow, Rick came back to see if we were all right.

This is a shot back down from where Rick met us.

After the big climb, it levels off for a short time and then hits you with another up.

Luckily, more scenery allowed us to rest with dignity.

Getting close to "civilization".

Out skirts of Willow City. Population 75.

Just beyond this point is the bike bar and our cars. Ride time short. Lapse time long. Fun time immeasurable.

Pedal Through The Pines

March 12, 2016
Bastrop Texas

Beautiful day--rain had stopped--and the volunteers added to the excitement of the upcoming ride. 

  

 Good turnout for the event. Christine was not with me on this ride. She had gone to Ohio for a family gathering. She will be "first in line" next year.

Once again the two State Parks were by-passed. They still haven't recovered from the past fires.  

Spring time on the road is always a treat. 

Not many bluebonnets this year but sprinkled in with the other flowers. 

 This rest stop is worth the trip. Sausage with buns and other treats.

This is to remind me that Pedal thru the Pines does indeed have some flat places. 

 Upcoming in the distance is what I most remember about the ride.

 Lots of 3-10% grades.

And then some good scenery while resting up for the next batch of hills.  

More rain seemed to be moving in. 

 Another great rest stop at Serbin.

Clouds were moving off. We were never rained on. 

At first I wondered why I took this shot. Oh yeah, the orange flowers caught my attention as I was riding past.  

This is what most of the ride looks like.  

 One hill after the other.

Unexpected rest stop. 

Expected rest stop.  

 I know. If you have ever seen any of the other Bastrop rides, you will have seen the same church. But I think it is so cute--if that is a way to describe a church.

The clouds were strategically placed to keep one pedaling as fast as one can.  

The following shots are just places I thought were pretty. 

 My 1st place house...but I wasn't fast enough to get a good shot.

Ditto. You will have to take my word for it. 

 On top ready to drop. On a good decline, unless you stop, you have one chance to point and shoot. Then hang on to the handlebars.

 There were just scattered clusters of bluebonnets. 

On the home stretch heading back to the start line. 

Staging area. 

Finish line is in the park after going under the overpass. And the end of another great Pedal thru the Pines ride.