Sunday, July 24, 2011

Weekend Update

As some of you enjoy the beach sand, surf and sangria, the Dough is still rolling.

Saturday-
Me, Hoodie, Frank and Stanton met at the Texaco at 12/Hamilton Pool. Windy and warm to start, but nice cloud cover for 3/5 of the ride. Like every day in a Texas Summer, it was a Rule #9 Ride (If you are out riding in bad weather, it means you are a badass.  Period)

We did the Johnson City Loop, a track that reminds you of Rule #10 ( It never gets easier, you just go faster.) Frank led us out early, pacing us on 12 to Fitzhugh. The Frankster educated us with stories about Lake Travis, and its gene pool shrink inflicted by Darwin's rules. Be careful on that water fellas.

We got a little carried away down Fitzhugh, stringing our little band out and eventually dropping Frank. Rollers were Giant's Bane, and got into the Hoodie's kitchen, leaving Stanton and I on a mission to pop. Probably burned a few too many matches, but we finished the first leg of the ride in Johnson City together. Got the txt from Charlie that he had ripped at 20 miles. So it was 3 of us from JC for the remainder.

281 sucked, as usual. Nothing like contemplating your mortality ever pedal stroke to leech the fun out of a ride. But we all got to Cypress Mill in one piece, and the good roll was back on. We took it easy on the county road, and on Hamilton Pool until the climb. After the second switchback, we all regrouped. Stanton was feeling bullish, and KILLED it for the remaining grinder of a climb to the Texaco. Me and the Ticket did some coach-imposed intervals, secretly happy that we had an excuse to not follow Stanton as he unleashed the furry.

Post-ride, the Hoodie treated to LoneStar tall boys. We headed over the Hamilton Pool for a dip (Charlie was already there). Apparently it was the most popular spot in Austin, as cars were lined up 20-deep to get in. Reluctantly, we U-turned and left Char-Frank to frolic in the Pool with hundreds of his closest friends. How was the water Charlie?

Got home and watched the TT. I had a bad feeling about Andy's chances just by the look on his face as he waited at the starting line. I have seen that look a hundred times as I have passed deer in Lakeway. Props to Cadel for hanging tough in the Mountains and absolutely DOMINATING the TT. He had as much help in the TT as he got from his team on every mountain stage.

Sunday-
Me and Z met up for a (mostly) leisurely 2 hour spin. Great to catch up with the Z again, rehabbing his knee and kids' sports have robbed bike time in 2011. Sounds like he has a phenom on his hands! Z joined me for some Lost Creek 5x3 hill repeats, which were as fun as they sound. Even with the rust, the Z is still a strong rider. And he still digs the big ring! Fun roll Z!

Y'all have a great week.

Stanton's Cousin - Glacier Ntl Park

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Bell Springs Debrief

Day 1 of Le Tour. Just another day in HCD paradise. 4 of us (me, Hoodie, Ullrich and Sean, aka the Silencer) rolled from Lola at 6:30, headed out to Fitzhugh for an 80 mile endurance ride. Ullrich, who is rockin' my Madone, forgot his bidons, so props to Hoodie for getting two extras from the team car (his house). Ullrich would need 'em, as it got toasty.

We headed 360 to SW Pkwy, everyone in spin mode. On SW Pkwy, the Hood showed his DNA, going off the front in entertaining fashion. Only problem was that he had no idea where we were turning, so I had to use some lung energy to waive him off two premature lefties.

We finally banged a left to Old Bee Cave Rd, then to Circle Drive, then Fitzhugh. Ullrich was not in top form, this being his 8th consecutive day in the saddle. Kudos on the cumulative effort Deutschlander! He hung tough around Bell Springs, which we took to 290. Hoodie jammed the pedals on the approach to 290. Hard to hold his wheel on that stretch. Slight downhill really favors the big fella. Great work Hoodie!

Brief water stop at the Valero on 290, then we hit the "Livestrong" portion of the ride.This is where the heat started ticking up.Creek Road to Gatlin Creek, etc (See Garmin files).

Worked our way around to Sawyer Ranch. Big effort to 290, where we regouped at a CVS. We had lost Ullrich on that road, so we huddled in a tiny patch of shade while waiting for the German. He arrived a few minutes later, and called it a day. 57 hard miles.

After bidding Ullrich farewell, our three man troupe of pain headed over to Trautwein, Love that road. Cranked on it to Fitzhugh., then retraced out steps to Lola. Except we finished on Barton Creek. Not a great cool down. Silencer won the effort up Barton Creek. I was just glad I got up the hill.

All-in, a really great roll. Will be even better in November.


http://connect.garmin.com/activity/96355818
http://connect.garmin.com/activity/96355874