Recent Rides

I have had these in the hopper for a few weeks.  We will see how post number one goes and add more in coming days.  Have some nice TT bikes and interesting repairs to post.  Thanks for checking us out.

Record Equiped BMC Astana bike made it ways to the Big D via B-H

B.W. let us put together this hot Prince.  Full Record..shown here with the 404 clinchers.

A coupe of rare birds in Texas.  Here are 2 Rivendell Atlantis Bikes.  Thanks to Grant for all the sound advise on the build kits.

Camp Day 5 - Not for the meek

Initially planned as 100 miles, then 75 miles, then we started with a plan to decide at the 20 mile point whether to do 50 or 75 miles. Ended up doing 25 miles for multiple reasons. Read on...

Cold and rainy so only the usual suspects showed - Bentley, Cat, Jim, the Turk. Wes, Catie, Nathan, and Brent were expected, but DNS. So, Bentley only had to ride 1 mile to take the camp honors from Wes.





Unbeknownst to Wes (fortunately for Bentley) a beautiful woman saw us and congratulated us on our bravery in the weather conditions. We invited her to ride along and she offered to follow us in her car. Those of you who know Wes know he likes beautiful women so you can imagine when he finds out about this he is gonna be bummed!!!!!





Rolling out Stone Oak Parkway towards 281 the group seemed under control. Bentley maybe struggling a little, but wasn't really raining at the time.





The view thru Jim's glasses showed about how things were looking in the first few miles around 10 am.





When the rain started, Jim checked his computer and turns out the Temperature was 36 degrees!!!!! (Lower right hand corner on the upper computer...)





And the wind was howling out of the north. Hmm, 36 degrees, stiff north wind, rain, riding along at around 12mph. Recipe for disaster?





Bentley punctured and Jim helped change the flat. For some reason Jim's hands were never warm after this?





Back at the shop after 2 hours and 25 miles of riding, no one could feel their hands or feet. Cat and Bentley really seemed to enjoy this.







Bentley cheered up when presented with this years Training Camp Champion booty. The Bicycle-Heaven "Hammer" and a gift certificate for Trilogy Pizza!!






Last year's January training camp, Wes fell to Bentley this year. Who will take camp honors next year? Only time will tell.






Great week for all because of all. Great rides, great fellowship, more riders than last year.


We logged 25.5 hours, riding 400 miles. Totaled 20,000 feet of climbing and rides averaged from 12.3 mph (today in the freezing rain) to 17.7 mph (day 3, with the largest group out east where the terrain is a bit flatter.)


An interesting part of the day was talking with Cat's boyfriend Marc, in Belgium, after the ride. We told him that we were enjoying a "nice Belgian spring day." Turns out the weather in Belgium is about 20 degrees warmer than here right now!!


We saw city, suburbs, ranches and farms. We saw buzzards, cardinals, and a variety of animals. The groups ranged from 4-12 and we had a total of 25 different people show up for rides. Matt upped his yearly ride total to 200 miles, by riding 185 this week. The 2 peoples who coulda/shoulda been here but weren't were Sager and Browntoeni. Jim and Cat rode for the first time together on tandem. We had podiatrists, physical therapists, college students from Minnesota, doctors, nurses, medical device reps, accountants, top fuel drag racers/mechanics, professional triathletes, sound technicians and bike shop owners in the mix at various times during the week. The comraderie was absolutely off the chain.


Thanx to Matt for getting Doug off for a couple of the rides (and doing a couple of the rides hisself.) Thanx to Cat for joining us and letting us show off our roads. She is impressed by us Texan cyclists riding together as a group, and stopping to help each other for flats or other mechanicals. Thanx to the Father for taking us out east day 3.


Right now our friends from Team Solar Eclipse are out in Ft. Davis for a few days of their cycling camp. We miss them and wish them well.


The Turk still blames Sager for the cold and foul weather. We are suspicious of a certain Ultracycling athlete from Sweden, currently living in Washington state, adding a bit to the hex, perhaps.


Thanx for reading. We'll do it again next January either 2nd or 3rd week. Hope to see you out there.


Your Team at Bicycle-Heaven. The place to be.

Camp Day 4

Penultimate day.  91 miles.  17.5 mph, 5000 feet of climbing w/ no sustained climbs.  40 degrees.  Tired soldiers.  Out to Boerne, up to Welfare, cross 473 to Kendalia, down Edge Falls.

Good sized group again.  Jim/Cat on Tandem.  Brent, Wes, RP, Foxy and David.  Bentley not in photo - first to arrive at shop, last to be ready.

Ever happy John Bentley, our man-in-black.

Jim and Cat were a bit of a blur on the tandem today.

Wes was grumpy for the first 4 hours.  Then the talk turned to musical instruments which hit a note w/ him.

Signature view of the ride - Edge Falls.  Jason had joined us from Boerne for the middle of the ride.

Since Cat is Swedish and grew up in Belgium we had dinner at La Frite Belgium Bistro.  Why the Turk is in the men's room we don't know.

Great appetizers - pom frites, foie gras, mussels and gnocchi.

Of course dinner tonight couldn't top that served at the Hamlins last night.

Very cold day.  Cat was sore from her wounds but didn't complain.  We had a good group again and again w/ a few new faces.  Uphill head wind for first part, home w/ a tailwind rejuvenated the groups spirit.

If Bentley hadn't shown we're pretty sure Wes would have bailed at Boerne.  The rider/s who ride the most during the week (so far Bentley tied w/ Wes) always get some special prize at the last day.  Last year it was special thick ziplock baggies.  Wonder what wonderful treat is awaits this year.

Somewhat less talk to day on the ride.  RP tried to bail before the ride by texting that it was too cold, but he showed up when he found out that not showing up was not an option.  Nice to have a couple other new face on the ride - Brent Wells from Boerne and David Potter from Spring Branch.  Jason from Boerne met up 1/4 out and left us after Edge Falls.

Everyone was cold, but, pretty much dressed appropriately.  Jim and Cat took to their first ride on the tandem together pretty well.  Foxy rode strong, then bonked 2 hours after we got back - it's a long day when you live on the other side of Medina Lake.  Wes was very grumpy for the first 4 hours, then only mean for the last 1 1/2.  Bentley as usual was sprinting up all the hills, telling us how tired he was and smiling the whole way.

Great job guys and gals.  See you tomorrow (today?) for the finale.

Camp Day 3

After 9 flats on Tuesday, a tire delivery was in order for Wednesday.

This seemed to make Kim happy.  Or maybe it was the flatter ride without rain in front of her?

Today we met at the Kane's Crib and rolled out thru downtown San Antonio, south thru the Missions and Mission bike trail.  Rob seems pleased to show off his favorite roads.

Since Cat is only here temporarily we stopped by the Alamo for a photo shoot.

The Missions bike trail meanders along the San Antonio River.  Overcast and cold today....

A little south side "graffiti" on an underpass.

Never saw the Geico Gekko car before.  

Stopped at Brietzke's station.  For water, Gatorade and Coke.  And Barbecue, french fries and pecan pie.

No one was exactly sure why this Schaeffer beer was sealed in red Saran Wrap.  We're open to suggestions.

Only 3 flats today.  Bentley picked up a huge screw/nail.  Absolutely no air leaked out until we pulled out the 1 1/2 inch booby trap.

Bentley found a new way to prop up his bike for the flat on a fence.  We'll have to use this in the future.

Cat took a little spill 100 meters from the end of the ride.  Stopped by the ER for some professional gluing by Jim on the ride home.

100 miles, 1/2 climbing, 17.5 mph average speed, 54 degrees.

Fantastic day today.  Props to Rob for putting together an epiclet ride "out east."  Today we had 12 riders - Chad, Lutz, Rob, Matt, Kim, Catie, Jim, Terri, Geff, Bentley, Wes and of course Cat.

We rolled thru downtown San Antonio south thru the Missions and missions trail along the San Antonio River.  South into the flat ranch land.  We didn't have 9 flats today (only 3.)  We did get chased/barked/intimidated by at least 400 dogs forever.

We rolled across the famous "Ghostly Gravity Hill" you might want to read about it.

Lots of twisty, turny roads which was supposed to come out to 100 miles and Rob hit it spot on.

The group split up for the last 10 miles after Bentley's flat so John, Jim and Cat were treated to Kane's wheel at 28mph to finish the ride.

The bad fortune of the day was Cat hitting the tarmac in the last turn of the day onto Rob's street, hitting her face and hip, and straining her thumb.  Her promise to not kiss anyone but her boyfriend Marc was broken when she kissed the pavement.

Alls well that ends well.  Cat not too badly injured and she will be riding with Jim on the tandem tomorrow so she'll get some recovery time on the back.

No rain tomorrow, but highs of 45???  Thanx Sager for sending the "foul" weather.

Thanx for reading.

Camp Day 2

Day 2 - 6 hours, 100 miles, 1 mile climbing, 17 mph, 9 flats.  45 degrees, drizzling, 10 riders, goats.  Did I mention 9 flats?

The Turk seems happy that she is staying behind. Kim seems less happy she is riding.

Staging - 10 riders.  Cat, Doug, Wes, Kim, Jim, Catie, Aaron, Brian, Bently (Nathan hiding in shop til last possible moment)

2nd flat.  20 miles and 1.5 hours into the ride.  Gonna be a long day.  Kim seems to have the boys getting her flat fixed.  Did I mention 9 flats on the day?

Cat and Catie picking out Cabron for dinner?

Either a mean trick or some "kid" has been sticking his head thru the fence too often.  Whichever it is, you earn PVC pipe duct taped to your ears.

Highest point of the ride!!  Crabapple Road towards Blanco.  Kim, Catie and Nathan about to crest.

Matt attending to some need of Kim's after the ride.  (Actually I think he just dragged a trashcan over in case she ralphed.  And this is before her dog, Capo, pooped on the carpet - he may not graduate from Dog training school Wednesday nite...)

Even superhero's get a little tired after a tough ride.  Wes looking a little pekid post ride.

Everybody looks a little happier after pizza and watching Cat's 2005 RAAM video.  Doug looks really happy (or maybe Jim does?)

Waking up at 5 am hearing a pretty good downpour on a 45 degree day was a bit concerning.

By the time we got rolling a little after 10 the rain had stopped, and we were fortunately only challenged by the aftermath of the storm - lots of glass stirred up leading to 9 flats for 10 riders.  Wet, slippery, dirty roads.  

We headed north from B-H towards Kendalia.  3 flats before Kendalia (mile 30) which was concerning for a long cold day in the saddle.  Riding north of Kendalia on Crabapple Road towards Blanco then back south Trainer Wuest and east to 281 on Little Blanco is some of the most beautiful roads and scenery around here, w/ virtually no traffic to boot.

We were cold and bonking at the Shell Station on 281/306 where we made our only "scheduled" stop at mile 70 (we'd blown off the first scheduled stop in Kendalia because we were going so slowly and it was so cold that no one was really drinking anyways.)  After lots of Nutter Butter and some Turkey Sandwiches we regenerated, while watching Wes change his flat.  Heading back down Rebecca Creek we were really cold till we hit some small rollers then all seemed well.  Then Jim flatted just before the descent into Rebecca Creek (who knew that Tubeless tires could flat?  Aren't they flat proof?)

Rebecca Creek is a signature 6 mile tiered climb which gets shorter every time we ride it.  Back into the traffic (after riding about 4 hours w/ virtually no traffic) on Upper Smithson Valley since the High School was letting out.

Back in Stone Oak, Kim had her 3rd flat of the day 2 miles from B-H.  Jim gave her his wheel which was not well received because of his 21 tooth easiest gear.  Jim did enjoy Kim's 27 for the last roller into the shop.

We recovered with Guero's Tacos.  Then an hour later ate Trilogy Pizza while watching Cat's remarkable 2005 RAAM video, really extraordinary near tear jerker.

Ken brought Capo to the shop who proceeded to poop on the carpet (one last hurrah before tomorrow night's graduation ceremony from obedience school?)

Great group.  Really glad the Bike World guys Aaron and Brian joined us, it was a day much better with more riders.  Nathan rode like a trooper, pleasing Catie for sure.  Kim said she didn't ride well, but was one of the few not dropped on the fast ride down Upper Smithson?  Bentley probably had the ride of the day.   Wes was the gentleman of the ride as always.  Doug and Jim laughed and enjoyed the whole day.  Cat loved our cherished roads.  

Come on our tomorrow - leaving at 10 from Kane's in Alamo Heights at 10am.  Flat ride out east and looks like good weather!!

Thanx for reading.

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.

Let the Camp Begin

Check out the rides:

Monday:

B-H-Bump-Gate-Boerne-B-H

Tuesday:

B-H -> Blanco -> Becky

Wednesday:

TBD

Thursday:

B-H-Boerne-Welfare-473-Edge Falls

Friday:

B-H-311-Sattler-1863

Training Camp is close

Monday the week starts.  5 days.  500 miles.  Easy base training.

Monday we ride to Bandera and then north to Centerpoint and Comfort.  We can meet for dinner - prolly Mexican at Cielito Linda - after the ride.

Tuesday we ride up north to Blanco and back.  Cat Berge will show her Race Across America video at 7pm in the shop.  Then we'll have some pizza and do a little Q&A on ultrariding, training, nutrition.

Wednesday we meet in Alamo Heights and go out east to the flatlands.  Could be rainy and cool.

Check for daily updates and photos.   Better yet - come ride!!!

Training Camp Rides

Planning around 100 miles a day, Monday -> Friday Jan 14-18.
10am showtime, 10:15 wheels down.

Monday:
B-H -> Bandera -> Centerpoint -> Comfort -> B-H

Tuesday:
B-H -> Kendalia -> Edge Falls -> Blancoish -> Rebecca Creek
-> Spring Branch -> B-H

Wednesday:
Kane Crib -> Southeast

Thursday:
B-H -> Boerne -> Welfare/Waring -> 473 -> Kendalia
-> Edge Falls -> B-H

Friday:
B-H -> Spring Branch -> 311 -> Startzville -> Sattler -> River Road
-> Krueger Canyon -> Garden Ridge -> Evans Rd -> B-H

Come one and all.

What it was - New Year Day Ride 2008

Fantastic start to the year.  50 odd cyclists showed at Bullis County Park to begin the cycling year right.  

The day was much nicer than expected (wind a bit less stiff and temps a few degrees warmer.)  We set off together into a nice headwind at a moderate pace keeping most of the group together for 35 miles.  Once we hit the hills north of Kendalia a large group (ie the race) rolled away for 110 miles of attacking and regrouping.  A smaller group of 15 (ie those of us who had to be at work at 4pm) only went kinda hard (averaging over 18mph during the windy, hilly ride.)

The roads were great, the weather perfect and the fellowship over the top.  This is why we cycle and why we train, so we can ride fast, over long distances, together.

For more of the same come to some (or all) of the Bicycle-Heaven training camp rides Jan 14-18.  5 days of 100 miles a day over the best routes the hill country offers.