Pedernales Falls

Borders and I were both non-motivated to do much of anything, while at the same time wishing we could do anything! So we drive out to Pedernales Falls SP, one of my all-time fave spots in the LStar state to hang out and watch some liquid nature refold itself into a pleasant swimming hole a few miles downstream. Drove on to the overlook and parked, and then against a wicked bit of southeast wind set off toward Highway 290, some 11 miles distant and over a swarmy succession of 8 to 10% stingers overlaid with dryland cedar and scrub oaks. Borders turns back a tad early leaving me to fend off the leather-clad motorists who are way lost and the ugly gusts on the last hill to 290. Turning around I made half the time and we were happy as two paddlers on a downstream shindig. Truly - these days a chicken leg is a rare dish!

Marie Antoinette

Feeling crosswise with the tequila Borders and I set out from the cabin about 9 miles down the road from Wimberley and headed north to Dripping Springs. Lovely descent through the hill country across a low water bridge or two and then banged up to Driftwood and then Dripping Springs. Stopped at the cemetery and contemplated the benefits of loops versus out-and-backs. The 14 miles to Wimberley was against a stiff headwind and very hilly with lots of long bits in the 6-8% range. Stopped in Wimberley for water and ice cream! The return via 3237 should have been nice with an excllent 15% climb just outside of town - but then some fluent assholes displayed that friendly Tejas spirit and its all we can do to fend off big truck traffic - yee haw! Lucky for us we can cool off in a swank Hill Country pool drinking cervazas fria and lolligaggin with my way cool niece in the shade of cedars and tall grass - Marie Marie Antoinette!

Helotes Ride Report #1

Di Anna and I drove from the hotel in San Antonio to Helotes and parked across the road from Floores Country Store. Unpacked the bikes and headed over to Scenic Loop Rd. The ride was great - we had some low water corssings that were a bit high, and plenty of the short hilly stuff in the 8-12% - Di Anna was hungover and turned around into a stiff breeze at the Scenic Loop Cafe. I continued on looking for the airport, and then found myslef in Boerne (there's a fantastic dance hall here) and turned around at I-10. Took the Babcock-Cielo Vista Loop and encountered more incredible hills - just lots of stingers with occasional 15% grades. After the ride we went Floores Country Store and had a burger and a beer!

Ride Report

Nice group to Sturgis via Silver Ridge: Mike, John, Matt, Mike M., Tanner, Di Anna, Joel, Paul, Mary and Kristin. John returns early via 12. Matt, Tanner and Mike M. stronger into Maben ahead of me and Mike. Joel, Di Anna, et al. return via Self Creek-182. Mike and I join up in Maben with others, then faster to Pheba via Hatcher Rd. Stronger riding return 389. Tanner takes sprint ahead of Matt.

Six Gap 2006

Rainy in Georgia. Zurich did well. Neals Gap longer than expected, but had beautiful twisty bits toward the end. Borders exceeds own expectations. Fifty miles plenty long enough for all the poor weather.

Di Anna's Birthday Metric

Sunday Refuge Metric. Mike, Di Anna, Chris (visiting from NC) and Racer Ron. Being DI Anna's birthday we headed to the Noxubee Wildlife Refuge. Ron was amped up, and the pace a bit higher than she liked and we waited up a little before she said go on, and then we were compato at the Visitor's Center, which was closed. We noodled on, while Ron, needing water, searched for oases. Farther up the ride and Mike and Chris turn back to get Ron. Di Anna and I headed on, and she wished me well as I joined the group, returned from the refreshment, to Bevill Hill. Ron and Chris made a good bit of work on the hill, with Ron topping first. I caught up on the backside and we ambled into Betheden. I was more recovered on the return and rolled across the backside of Bevill with more energy, and then let the racers fly past on the downhill section. Mike held up, and then I followed on as he caught Chris, and then a mile later, Ron. After stopping at the rest rooms for water (there is a well valve outside; though I was the only one to immediately notice), Mike motioned us on that we might catch up to Di Anna - but we didn't realize that she had turend back far earlier than we knew, and the catch wuld not happen. A bit of a sideways wind returning Oktok, and then Ron sprinted to the corner nearing town, but his wheel fell in with a gully, and there being only one way to go, he smartly, and quite deftly rolled down the embankment, and up the other side - unscathed! Mike remarked that he was the only one to sprint and yet still didn't win. Nu Grape soda on return, and Di Anna rolls by the shop later and has one too - Happy Birthday!

Witch Dance Metric Century

This is a classic out-and-back metric on the Natchez Trace. The ride starts at Ballard Creek, a historic area and picnic area about five miles South of Mathiston. This is a good staging area for a group ride as well because there's plenty of parking, though there's limited shade. From Ballard Creek ride North, pass Pigeon Roost, and then over highway 82 and northward along a flattish section of the Trace that turns a little more hilly after topping out at about 10 miles (this point is called Eight Mile Hill in some of the routes).

Along the way, you'll pass Line Creek, from there it's a few miles before you reach County Line No. 2, a convenience store in Mantee right off the Highway 46 exit. Then continue on to Old Trace. After Old Trace it's a 10 mile stretch to Bynum Mounds, an ancient memorial and burial site for the Chickasaw Indians. From here you could turn around for a perfect metric, but Witch Dance is only a mile down the road and has lots of shade, rest rooms, and a great story.