I Want To Ride My Bicycle.

Chisholm Trail Parkway Ride

Mr K and I found ourselves with the opportunity for a unique cycling experience on the second Saturday in May.  The North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) was opening a brand new stretch of roadway over in Fort Worth called the Chisholm Trail Parkway and they had a half marathon and a bike rally on the highway the day before it opened.  This roadway was of special interest to us as Mr K had been working on a big project during this construction project.  I wasn't so interested in running 13.1 miles in the same direction on a highway, but riding my bike on a new road was just too intriguing to pass up!

Waiting to get up on that brand new highway for a ride!

The ride did not start until 10:00, which was nice when we set our alarm clocks - but things were getting pretty warm before we ever got started.  I knew that it was windy, but I didn't quite process just how windy it was or that the wind was coming from the south...and this ride headed directly south until the turn-around point at the halfway mark.  These things became abundantly clear as we began the ride, not to mention that the course went at a slight uphill all the way out.  I pedaled, struggled, and cussed through the first 22.5 miles.  I often had my bike in the easiest gear when I wasn't riding up a hill - the winds were that tough blowing at over 20 mph sustained.  There were shorter distances available and I thought about bailing on the 48 miles each time a turn-around point went by. I could see the riders on the other side flying by with huge smiles, so I knew that the payoff would be good if I could just endure the challenge.  This might have been one of the toughest rides I have ever done, no other way about it. Mr K was kind enough to wait for me at the mile 17ish rest stop.  He told me to tuck in behind him and he would pull me.  I don't have much experience with pulling or drafting, but I could tell a big difference in those last 5-6 miles before the turn-around.  It was still tough, but just a slight break from that wind was a huge help.  I checked my watch at the rest stop - it had taken me 2 hours and 4 minutes to ride approximately 22.5 miles - an average of just under 11 mph.  I was very interested to see what the return trip would be like.

I'm thankful to this guy for the boost in the windy miles

I swear that the heavens opened up and angels started singing when we started our return trip!  I had hidden my watch on the way out because I knew that seeing the speed would be mentally defeating. With the tail wind and the slight downhill, I had miles well over 25 mph and according to my watch a top speed of 37 mph.  I felt like I was getting a good opportunity to see what Johann (the new bike) was capable of - best ride ever!  I was so glad that I made it all the way to the end so that I could enjoy all of the fun on the way back.  We both finished with huge smiles on our faces!  The return trip took 57 minutes for an average of 23.6 mph.  Nature, y'all - pretty powerful stuff!  After the ride we ran into Debby and Stude and had a great time hanging out in a shady grove of trees.  It really is a shame that this was a one time event because it made for a fun day (minus the wind) and a great surface for riding.  

Mad skills - made it over a mile to the car without dropping a single cookie.

Burleson Honey Tour

On the fourth Saturday in May, Erin and Mama C and I headed out the Burleson for the Burleson Honey Tour.  We had all heard great things about this rally and were looking forward to it.  Erin and I would be riding the 65 mile route and Mama would be taking on the 47 mile challenge.  Once again, we ran into Debby and Stude when we arrived; however, they were already relaxing at the finish line when we finished.  

Johann and I are ready to hit the road! (Photo: Mama C)

Erin and I were having a terrific day, enjoying the limited amount of chip seal roads and the abundant shade along the route and the limited amount of traffic.  There were some rollers, but nothing too challenging as far as hills go either.  It was humid, but not nearly as hot as it is going to get and we even got some cloud cover in the later miles.  All in all, it was everything we had heard from our friends who had done this rally in previous years.  Erin and I were pushing each other and we had a really great pace going.  Just after mile 50 we heard a terrible crashing sound in front of us and as I looked up I saw what I thought was someone jumping out of the bed of a small truck.  It only took me an instant to realize that it was a cyclist and the truck had hit him from behind.  Erin was dialing 911 as we slowed our bikes and I could see that the driver of the truck had slammed on his breaks and rushed out to help the cyclist.  I waited in the back while Erin talked to 911 and got all the details that she could from the rider.  Once an ambulance arrived, we took a deep breath and set out to finish the last 15 miles.  We were all rattled and everyone was extra cautious in those last miles - making sure to call out "car back" and to really watch the intersections.  Erin and I both decided that we would skip by the last rest stop and just get the last miles finished.  

Traditional Selfie with Erin and Mama C (Photo: Mama C)

We were so happy to see our friends at the end and spent some time retelling our story to them.  It was certainly my most scary moment on the bike and a great reminder to all of us to be super aware of our surroundings.  I have no idea what happened to the cyclist, other than he was talking and seemed coherent after the crash.  I also wonder what happened to the driver of the truck as he appeared to be quite rattled and in a state of shock.  None of this changes my opinion of the Honey Tour and I will certainly put it on my list for next year.  Accidents happen and life can be so random sometimes - cyclists be aware of the cars and cars please be aware of the cyclists.

Next up - one of my favorite weekends of the year - Tulsa Tough! Back to back rides in the hills and crit races at night. Bring on the good times!