Mountain top view at Jones Valley
There are places, times of the year, events, activities, family, friends, and a limitless array of life influences that can put a smile on your face. When all of those converge at a point in time a person knows that all is well with the world for the moment regardless of what else may happen. Continue reading
(click the thumbnails for a larger image)
There they are, finally. At 8:22 there were only three of us present and ready to go. I made my usual early appearance and was able to take my time getting ready. What to wear? Temps are going to vary but right now I’m cold. Yes, John, I know that I will warm up as I ride but right now I’m cold. Light, sleeveless windbreaker … no, go with the full windbreaker. I can always take it off. Continue reading
We were about 40+ miles into the ride, and around 14 miles past the site of the Great Cherokee Burger Raid of Oct 29 when it happened. It was a gorgeous day with not even a whisper of a hint of condensed water vapor in the sky. “Severe clear” is sometimes the term used by the aviation weather folks in casual dialogue with pilots who ask the dumb question. Continue reading
I think that I’ve now had enough pain which, according to some is necessary in order to write a funny book.1 The plan was hatched months ago when ace cycling-buddy and former high school classmate Don Bynum started laying out routes for a Century Ride.2 I didn’t pay much attention to the notion at first. I should have.
(Update: Enjoy Don Bynum’s photo-rich account of this epic ride. Have added some photos from Don’s blog.) Continue reading
Image via Wikipedia
I’m talking about both vocationally and recreationally. Or regarding your family, your god, your friends or in relationship to any other phase of your life. Why do you do, what you do? Have you ever really thought about it or are you on auto-pilot-robot mode? Continue reading
Image via Wikipedia
I wrote about one of these previously and when doing a long of long-distance motorcycle touring, had given the idea of a personal emergency device some real thought. The long-distance (relatively speaking) cycling has brought that back to mind. Continue reading
Sometimes we just get lucky and have time for a cycling adventure on a crisp pre-fall morning. 60 degrees at the start and 77 degrees three hours later — it doesn’t get better!
There are so many good routes to take in Burnet and Llano counties that it is sometimes hard to decide. My time limit of three hours and John Chalmers (we being a couple of the HillyBikers) suggestion of the “Oatmeal Loop” fostered a quick launch that direction. Heck, it’s not the destination or even the route, it’s the ride that matters. Continue reading
I stepped outside at 6am and it was a mere 60 degrees! Wow, fall may be on the way. Big plans had been made for a cycling adventure with Don Bynum, Richard Golladay, Mike Clark and anyone else who might show up. First stop: take on fuel at Atwoods Cafe. Whole grain pancakes with sugar-free syrup and two strips of turkey bacon. Oh, and the usual dose of BS with my coffee, but I digress.
The route was RR2147 East to Burnet CR404 and the “back way” toward Spicewood, then CR408 crossing TX71, then Fall Creek Rd around to TX71 again, couple of miles on TX71 to the Paleface Ranch Rd (f/k/a Haynie Flat Rd), winding up at Opie’s BBQ in Spicewood. Lunch, then CR404 returning to the starting point. Continue reading
This trip, June 27, 2011 was recorded via Trip Journal, a nifty multi-media, GPS-recorded, annotating application on my DROID X smartphone. Be sure to click the button to view full screen. Continue reading
Whether you call these the dog days of summer, the hot days, awful hot days … or whatever …. A nice cycling trip through the Texas Hill Country makes everything be just alright! You just have to start early and try to escape the main heat.
I am fortunate to have a number of good cycling companions in the area. I had the same good fortune with motorcycling, but there is something about sweating together that creates an extra-special bond. And so it was that John Chalmers and I set out today to do a little sweating together. We cranked at 7:42am and it was already 88 degrees! Continue reading
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