It Is Bike Season, Y'all!

Every year as the calendar turns to spring I find myself turning to my bike for some extended time in the saddle.  Back in late February, I spent a weekend in the Hill Country with Tri-Now Endurance at a cycle/run camp.  I was so happy to get back in the saddle earlier than I have in the past and I learned a lot of things about cycling from Coach Frank.  You might recall, I rode my first century ride early last May - the infamous Shiner GASP (Great Austin to Shiner Pedal).  I was not planning on attempting a century that early in the season, but things were going well so I gave it a shot.  I ended up having such a great day that I signed up for it again this year. 

My bike buddy, Fi

Naturally, life gets in the way and I was not back in the saddle again until mid-April when it was time for the Lancaster Country Ride.  This was my first 100K last year and it has become one of my favorite spring rides.  The route takes us down the Texas Bluebonnet Trail during prime Bluebonnet viewing season. This year was no exception and I enjoyed the day with newbie cyclist Cat M. despite the wind that gave us fits blowing at 23 mph hour for the entire ride.  I don't think that the route ever allowed us much tailwind as there was either a headwind or a crosswind for most of the route.  I found out just how scary a strong crosswind can be while riding downhill.  We had a great time and I was very pleased to get so much time in the saddle.

Scenes from Lancaster

The next weekend took me out to Aledo for the 70 mile Ride for Heroes.  Many of my buddies had done this ride in the past and it provided both the high mileage and challenging hills that we needed to prepare for Shiner GASP.  I met up with Drum, Cat M, and Fi and we enjoyed a beautiful Saturday with lots of sunshine and less wind than Lancaster provided.  The hills were quite challenging and I was ready to be off my bike by the time we hit the 70 mile marker.  Aledo puts on a nice ride with well-manned aide stations every 10 miles and hamburgers at the finish line. There are some sweeping views too - a reward for climbing those hills!

Pre Ride with Fi, Cat M, and Drum (Photo: Drum)

For some time now, Mr K has been suggesting that I consider a new bike.  I always turned him down, saying that I needed to spend more time "working on the motor" and, quite simply, I was so happy with my beloved Breeze.  Sometime in the later miles of the Aledo ride, I started to reconsider his offer and I was ready to talk about bikes by the time that I got home.  I spent the weekend gathering opinions of my cyclist friends and reading reviews online.  I found a bike on Craigslist that both fit my size and was highly recommended so by Tuesday night,  Johann was in my living room.  He is a sleek Cannondale Supersix and it was love at first ride.  Loading him into the car I realized how heavy sweet Breeze is - and wow, is that bike responsive.  Wondering how I came about the name Johann?  It comes from Johann Pachelbel...you might have heard of him...he wrote a little Canon in D.  Get it?

Meet Johann

I have spent some time getting acquainted with the new bike and we are ready to head out for Shiner GASP this weekend.  I am looking forward to spending another day in the Texas sunshine as Fi and I pedal our way towards that little brewery in Shiner.