Camp Day 1

We rolled out thru Helotes. Unfortunately by the time we hit Park Road 37 towards Medina Lake the sun had gone away - probably for good for the week >-:

GG leads the bunch.  Jeff, Cat, Bently, Matt, Brent and Wes in hot pursuit.

After climbing thru Tapatio Springs we rest stopped in Boerne. Yes, that is Matt you see in the picture.

Leaving Boerne, it was cold.  Didn't seem to bother the ducks too much.

Back towards the shop across Amman.  Wes enjoying the ride, Terri and Jim on the tandem.  Matt tucked in the tandem's pocket.  Brent looking for the barn.  Bently smartly sitting in the sweet spot.

 

Guero's recovery meal after the ride.

What it was.  85 miles in 5:10 (16.5 mph pace - just right.)  4500 feet of climbing.  A bit of traffic, but alot of great roads and views.

Day 1 started the week off right.  We had 8 riders - G.G., Jeff, Wes, Brent, John Bently, Cat Berge, Matt, Terri and Jim.  We rolled out of B-H around 1020 and headed towards Helotes.  Out Bandera road to Park road 37 towards Medina (this is the time of year you can ride Park Road 37 without the Suburbans pulling boat trailers trying to get by you.)  We stopped for water at the store in Medina then headed across Bump Gate/46 w/ a bit of climbing (and scenery diversion) thru Tapatio Springs.  50mph downhill on the Tandem heading into the golf course.

The day started out cool and sunny, but by the time we got to Helotes the clouds had moved in and it stayed cold all day.  We had the obligatory several encounters with dualies educating us as to where we belong on the road, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Crossing Bump Gate we saw Addax, Elk, Mule Dear, White Tail Deer, Reindeer (JK,) dogs and Emu.  More deer near Boerne and thru Timberwood, natch.  

After Tapatio we rolled thru Boerne and back across Amman towards B-H.  The day was cold and the group was satisfied so we took the direct way back rather than the extension.  

Perfect day 1.  Just enough and nobody (+/- 1) fried.  Should be a good week.   

Tomorrow we'll encore the New Years Day ride - up to Blanco then back Rebecca Creek.   Come on out.  We'll watch Cat's 2005 RAAM video at 7pm then eat some pizza and Cat will talk and answer questions about ultracycling, training, nutrition, psychology, etc.  Hope you can make it.