Gruene Hall and New Braunfels were welcome distractions on an enjoyable 45-mile ride today, a very special training ride (see photo) as I took Pauline out in public for the first time…well at least the team jersey for Pauline’s Last Hurrah! It was a feel-good situation for me, and helped with another MPH on my average speed as my chest swelled with pride!
We headed out from Comal Elementary School, and wound our way through some pretty scenery. We bumped and bounced along Highway 3009, a particularly challenging routing from the point of view of both the hills and constant jarring. But it was all worth the trip as we rounded the corner to be greeted by a smooth-as-silk (relatively speaking) Highway 1863. Wow, what a pleasant experience.
We headed out from Comal Elementary School, and wound our way through some pretty scenery. We bumped and bounced along Highway 3009, a particularly challenging routing from the point of view of both the hills and constant jarring. But it was all worth the trip as we rounded the corner to be greeted by a smooth-as-silk (relatively speaking) Highway 1863. Wow, what a pleasant experience.
One frustration today was that for probably 10 miles or so I had difficulty with my clip-less pedals. I couldn't "clip in." I stopped to clean out my shoes and the pedals. Carl poured water on my shoes to washout road debris, it worked for a mile or some, but was not a permanent fix. Not sure what the problem is. I'm assuming some adjustment will be needed. I'll visit my buddies at the Bicycle Shack in Boerne.
The crew, largely Valero riders, was lead by the always caring and nurturing of newbie riders (including your author) Carl Crawford. Alas, he took more than one for the group as he repaired 3 of his own flats. But believe there was some agenda behind his tire problems! We later found out that beer begins to flow at noon at Gruene Hall, so we assume he looked for sharp objects just to slow us all and so make it there for drinking time… But his attempt was foiled, we hit Gruene Hall at 11:15 a.m., still a very dry drinking establishment. :-) Next time, Carl.
Our route took us along Gruene Road, passing the Rockin’ “R” tubing area, crossing the Guadalupe River and up the shortest but very steep hill into Gruene. I had to walk. I hit the hill with some momentum but it wasn’t enough, my forward motion was stopped within 20 or 30 feet. It was difficult to get a good running start at the hill given the tubing tourists and vehicular traffic.
We headed out of Gruene (sober), out on Common Street. Headed back to New Braunfels, passing Schlitterbahn water park to the screams of fun-lovers and the over-the-top music blasting across the area. We continued out of town on Spurs Road. Turning south on the IH-35 Frontage Road and back on Farm 482 and the Start/Finish Line at the school in Comal.
This was my longest ride yet. I’m anxious to break through the 50-mile barrier, and hope to do this next weekend. Thanks Carl for a well-supported, enjoyable ride with an equally fun-loving group of riders.
ITEM: my friend and neighbor Monika believed an earlier blog entry in which I talked about being overjoyed at having to use the bathroom was, she believed, a story of me taking care of business while still on my bike! Absolutely not! My point, my fine friend, was that finally I was consuming sufficient quantities of fluid to have to use the bathroom AT OUR NEXT STOP! :-)
C ya on the road! Tony
The crew, largely Valero riders, was lead by the always caring and nurturing of newbie riders (including your author) Carl Crawford. Alas, he took more than one for the group as he repaired 3 of his own flats. But believe there was some agenda behind his tire problems! We later found out that beer begins to flow at noon at Gruene Hall, so we assume he looked for sharp objects just to slow us all and so make it there for drinking time… But his attempt was foiled, we hit Gruene Hall at 11:15 a.m., still a very dry drinking establishment. :-) Next time, Carl.
Our route took us along Gruene Road, passing the Rockin’ “R” tubing area, crossing the Guadalupe River and up the shortest but very steep hill into Gruene. I had to walk. I hit the hill with some momentum but it wasn’t enough, my forward motion was stopped within 20 or 30 feet. It was difficult to get a good running start at the hill given the tubing tourists and vehicular traffic.
We headed out of Gruene (sober), out on Common Street. Headed back to New Braunfels, passing Schlitterbahn water park to the screams of fun-lovers and the over-the-top music blasting across the area. We continued out of town on Spurs Road. Turning south on the IH-35 Frontage Road and back on Farm 482 and the Start/Finish Line at the school in Comal.
This was my longest ride yet. I’m anxious to break through the 50-mile barrier, and hope to do this next weekend. Thanks Carl for a well-supported, enjoyable ride with an equally fun-loving group of riders.
ITEM: my friend and neighbor Monika believed an earlier blog entry in which I talked about being overjoyed at having to use the bathroom was, she believed, a story of me taking care of business while still on my bike! Absolutely not! My point, my fine friend, was that finally I was consuming sufficient quantities of fluid to have to use the bathroom AT OUR NEXT STOP! :-)
C ya on the road! Tony
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