Hill Country Ride for AIDS

First of all, THANK YOU to everyone who donated so that I could ride! I had a great time, but more importantly, many people in the Austin area will get the help they need because of your generous donations!

I had originally planned to ride 100 miles with Shayla and Carol, but Shayla got injured and was unable to ride, so it was just Carol and I, it would be her first 100 mile ride ever-exciting! I knew we would have fun and have an awesome day, after seeing all the pit stop themes, decorated SAG vehicles, costumed riders and encouraging signs on the 70 mile route with Shayla last year. But I also knew we'd have to limit our time at pit stops since Shayla and I took over 7 hours to ride 70 miles last year and there was an official cutoff time at 4:00.

Carol and I decided to start a little earlier than the official start, so we got out to Reunion Ranch early. I got some granola for breakfast, said hi to ride director David Smith, and we got our official wristbands from Robert (Carol's husband- it pays to have volunteer connections). We took off a little after 7:00 and rode toward Andice. We knew the Andice pit stop wouldn't be open yet since we started a little early, but as we rode by Carol said "look what we're missing!" Wonder Woman and Bat Girl were setting up a table for food!

Image by Leisa Meeting Productions

We rode along enjoying the morning, but I noticed the tall grass was really bending and blowing in the wind, the wind usually picks up throughout the day, so I knew it might get really windy later! Carol and I had both forgotten to look at the forecast and just figured we'd deal with whatever came our way. After about 10 miles it was windy enough that we rode single file since we couldn't really talk anyway and we couldn't hear cars coming up behind us. We rode through the 2 mile "Ride of Silence" and thought of all the people we know who have lost loved ones to AIDS.

Carol and I with the Texas Rollergirls

I had kind of hoped that since we had started early the super fast riders wouldn't pass us until after the Bertram pit stop, but about mile 17 a couple riders passed, then just a mile or so before the pit stop I heard "ring ring ring!!" I forgot that Roger has that bell on his bike! Ron, Roger & Del rode by and said hi, we pulled into the Texas Rollergirls pit stop with them. I'm not sure I ever specifically told Carol this (and I probably should have) but I planned to limit the time at each pit stop to 10 minutes or less so we would finish before 4:00. I knew it would be a challenge since I would have to get water and anything else I needed plus thank and chat with the volunteers and other riders, take pictures, send texts to Shayla and Jeff and maybe even update facebook. Even with a restroom stop, taking pictures with the Rollergirls and talking with "Ronger" and Del, I don't think we were at the Bertram pit more than 10 minutes.

Spinnaker with the Rollergirl cutouts

We rode toward Burnet, at this point there were more hills and more wind, but also more riders and tons of beautiful wildflowers (lots of Indian blanket and yellow daisies), and encouraging signs along the way (the fun encouraging signs are one of the best parts of the HCRA!). I wish I had stopped to take pictures of flowers and signs. But I told Jeff "if I stopped to take pictures of everything I wanted along bike routes, I'd never finish a ride!" We rode into Burnet and along a quiet residential street we saw 3 chickens, Carol slowed down and they decided to run and sort of fly across the street right in front of her! The Burnet pit theme was "The Essence of Fluorescence". I'm pretty sure we were there more than my planned 10 minutes mostly because I leaned my bike against a sign post and it blew over, so I had to repack my bento box and check my derailleur before leaving.

The Essence of Fluorescence in Burnet

On the next section we got some tailwind, which felt awesome! We decided to pass by the lunch pit since it was only 10:30 and we'd pass it again after the century loop. As we rode by the Mardi Gras people in the street they seemed really sad that we weren't stopping, so I told them "we'll be back in a couple hours" they said "we'll be here! have a great ride!" All of the HCRA volunteers are super supportive and awesome! The route was pretty much the same as last year, so I had ridden all of it except for the 30 mile loop added on for the century ride. A couple miles past the lunch pit we turned onto the century loop and I was in new territory. The first few miles were tailwind and smooth road- Nice!

one of the many SAG trucks we saw during the ride

Then we turned onto a chip sealed road that was an absolute wind tunnel! We got a head/cross wind, I think the cross gusts were the worst, I felt like I was leaning into the gusts at a 45 degree angle just to stay in control! I'm sure it was only a few miles, but this road felt like forever! By the time I got to the Tattoo pit stop at mile 60, I was out of Infinit (I had more powder, but had to mix it) and ready for a break! I paid attention this time, I pulled in at 12:03, Carol was a few minutes behind me. I mixed Infinit and let a volunteer apply my peace tattoo.

my peace tattoo from the century pit stop

I didn't realize it at the time, but temporary tattoos are a badge of honor at the HCRA meaning that you did the Century Ride, since they are only offered at the century pit stop. (I found this out back at the ranch when Mike said hi to me and "I see you rode the Century today" I said, "how did you know? do I look that bad?" and he said "no! you got a tattoo! Only Century riders get tattoos..."). Carol got a tattoo and then introduced me to a couple of her former Texas Iron teammates who I had been playing tag with on that windy road. By the time I got back on my bike, it was 12:25, I had spent 22 minutes at that pit stop- oops!

SAG motorcycle Fairy seen at the century pit, his wings even flapped as he flew down the road on his motorcycle!

 Because of the way the route was laid out, I knew we'd get headwind and crosswind all the way back to the lunch pit stop. We rode with Trish and Rhonda (Carol's TxFe friends). This was pretty tough too, with some pretty significant hills and lots of rough cattleguards, and of course that wind! But it was quiet and beautiful too. I was SO happy to finally get back to the lunch Mardi Gras pit stop at mile 76! The 30 mile Century loop was tough! Carol and I ate a little food and chatted with the volunteers, then filled bottles and reapplied sunscreen. I didn't time this stop, but I bet it was 20-30 minutes. The next few miles felt great! We were back on the road I knew, we had some tailwind and as Carol said "I can handle 24 miles, that's just really not all that far".

Mardi Gras pit stop crew and a cowboy who was "not a cowboy, I'm a Village Person"

Eating in the shade with Carol and showing off my peace tattoo

At mile 87, I pulled off at the Mohomet pit stop to wait for Carol, and take a picture. We were getting close to 3:00 so I didn't want to stop for long. Carol got there, we got a picture and then she disappeared! I thought she had left already, but then I saw her bike leaned up against a building, so I hung out and talked with some of the SAG crew. She came back and told me I had missed out! They served her gatorade in a champagne glass and little cucumber tea sandwiches! aww man!!! As we got ready to leave, a SAG volunteer stopped us and said "we're getting close on time, we may need to SAG you in" Carol said she was NOT getting in a SAG vehicle and I told the volunteer, "this is her very first century ride, please let us just go" but she had to get the ok from the head of SAG, so we waited, it felt like forever (it was probably only about a minute) when the head of SAG finally came over I said "we have 13 miles to go and 1 hour, we can do that!" and she said "yeah you're fine, these guys are good to go, it's the people BEHIND them we need to start SAGing in. You girls look great, keep it up! oh and there's one more pit stop- the POPSICLE stop! You HAVE to get a popsicle!" I never turn down popsicles!

Mickey SAG crew, I told them oh you look like Mickey from sorcerer's apprentice, they said "we don't look like Mickey we ARE Mickey Mouse!"

Carol and I at mile 87!

 We took off and again I got ahead of Carol, I didn't realize it at the time, but I was feeling extra peppy (I need to figure out why and try to replicate it!) and I assume Carol was starting to get tired (who wouldn't be on a super windy century ride!), which is probably why I kept getting ahead of her without realizing it the last 30-40 miles. I got to the Popsicle stop run by the guys from the Dragon's Lair Comic Book store, I got a coconut popsicle and thanked the guys for staying out there a little longer (they had planned to close that stop at 3, and it was probably 3:15 or so by then). They said "no one expected the wind to be so brutal today" They were really nice and even posed for a picture. They also told me their customers had donated over $2400 to the ride- very cool! After Carol finished her popsicle we took off for the last 9 miles of the ride.

Guys from the Dragon's Lair Comic Book store with POPSICLES!

We hit some headwind again and I knew we wouldn't finish before 4:00. I was planning to wait and cross 183 with Carol, but police were there and they had traffic stopped for me, so I rode through the intersection then slowed down to let Carol catch up. But a SAG car came by and said "you have 7 miles to go and about 15 minutes to do it" For whatever reason that made me decide that I HAD to finish as close to 4:00 as humanly possible. I treated that last 7 miles like a time trial. It felt like I was on Pre-Race (an awesome First Endurance supplement that should only be used with extreme caution!) and the only thing that mattered was finishing as close to 4:00 as possible! All of the SAG vehicles started to pass me, driving in for the SAG parade, I couldn't believe how many there were, over 30 for sure and all decorated!

this was the Lifeguard SAG crew

Most people in the SAG cars cheered me on as they drove by. One guy leaned out his window gave me huge thumbs up and yelled "YEAH!!!" I passed 7 or 8 riders in the last few miles and as I was getting close to Reunion Ranch I tried to read a sign at the side of the road, it said "One more HILL" oh yeah, I remembered that last hill from last year! I rode into Reunion Ranch and toward the finish, I was shocked at how many people were still crowded around the finish and cheering! I stopped and got a big hug and a medal from ride director David Smith! Someone put a cold towel on my neck and I told her I loved her. Then David said "wait, did you ride the Century?" "yeah" "Wow! you are way too chipper to have just ridden 100 miles!" He was right! I don't know why, but I felt great, not tired at all, I even had trouble sleeping that night. It was 4:08 when I finished.

Carol and I at the FINISH!

I'll let Carol tell her own story of finishing her first Century ride, but I will say that it was a very, very tough day for a long ride, even Del, Ron & Roger all said it was really hard and WINDY. I am amazed at Carol's determination to finish no matter what! I am so happy that I could be part of her first Century ride! Congratulations Carol!!

Del post ride showing off his century tattoo

I stayed for dinner and the closing ceremonies and found out the total raised this year was over $585,000!!! AWESOME!!! Again, THANK YOU to everyone who helped contribute to that!

Easter Hill Country Tour

The Easter Hill Country Tour is 3 days of riding over Easter weekend in Kerrville. It's also a ride I thought I'd never do, after hearing Del talk about the super steep long hills and descents. After the RAAM ride Ingrid asked if I was coming to EHCT, hmmm, I'll consider it. I had decided I wasn't going, but then with all the electrical issues at our house I wasn't excited about being at home, especially since Jeff had to work most of the weekend. After a little encouragement from Jeff, Ingrid, and Amy, I decided I'd go, I had to work on Friday so I missed day 1 of riding, but I got to Kerrville at 7:00 and met everyone at Grape Juice for dinner- Yum!!

I was staying at a house with 10 other people, the only people I knew were Ingrid and Amy. Luckily everyone was really fun and really nice. I ended up rooming with Kelly who is in Texas Iron. We all went to bed early on Friday to get up early Saturday and ride, but Kelly and I talked and laughed until I was sure Mark and Caroline in the room next door would come tell us to be quiet!

Ingrid, Amy, Kelly, & Keith planned to ride 100 miles, I planned on 80 and Anjy, Simon, Guy, Diane, Mark & Caroline planned to ride 33. This meant I'd be riding alone, but I knew that before I decided to go. I hoped I might run into Betsy & Amy out on the course and maybe see Del & "Ronger" for a little while. Those of us riding longer got up early and got over to the University early so I could register and we could get an early start. We got going, but only a mile or 2 into the ride Kelly got a flat! She & Keith had it changed in less than 5 minutes, but while we were waiting Betsy & David came riding by and stopped to say hi. Then as we were getting ready to start again, a group was riding towards us, it was our 33 milers! They thought it was hilarious that we had gotten up so early to get a head start and by mile 2 they had caught us anyway! Guy & Caroline were trash talking like crazy and everyone was talking & laughing and having a great time! I had scoped out the course on map my ride and knew there was a big hill coming at mile 7, I turned the corner and saw it and immediately thought "there's no way I can make it up that!!" but I kept pedaling..and pedaling...and pedaling and eventually realized there was a pretty good chance I'd make it all the way! I was breathing so loud I could barely hear anything else when someone behind me said "hi Heather!", I don't think I even looked, but then Wilmer was right beside me! "Hey Heather, how's it going? How have you been?...." I think I got out "Hey... Wilmer!" but that was about it and then he was gone! Still good to see him even if I couldn't talk to him. And I made it up the big hill!

At mile 14 we rolled into rest stop 1, we waited for everyone to catch up, I saw Shellie from Houston and Del & "Ronger". I feel like we hung out there forever! Kelly ended up getting another flat and decided to call it a day. Ingrid and I finally took off on what we thought was the 100/80 mile route, I didn't see a green arrow (the 80 mile color) but I saw red so I assumed we were good. We saw a couple of our group doing 30 miles and started to wonder if we made a wrong turn out of the rest stop. Finally Ingrid talked with a couple and they said they were definitely on the 33/51 mile route. So we decided to turn around and go back to the aid station and get on our route. We saw some of our group doing the 33 mile on our way back. We went about 7 miles out of the way and made the proper turn at aid station 1 this time! I was a little annoyed that we'd made the wrong turn just because I really didn't want to ride more than 80 miles, but I knew I could take the 60 mile route (now 67 for me) or SAG in if I got too tired. I was still having so much FUN! Ingrid would sprint up ahead, then turn around and ride with me for awhile or she'd get ahead of me on an uphill and I'd race to catch her on a flat, we had a great time talking and looking at the beautiful Kerrville scenery! We got to rest stop 2 at the Guadalupe River at mile 39 (for us).

At that point Ingrid said she was going to race ahead and see if she could catch Amy on the 100 mile route, but she might wait for me at hwy #9. As much as I loved riding with Ingrid, I was a little happy because I had been riding faster than I normally would on such a hilly route and I was afraid my legs would get too tired later. We took off and Ingrid left me in the dust. I came to the turn off for the 80 mile route and decided to go ahead and take it. It was so quiet and beautiful out there! Almost no cars at all, just a few other cyclists. I really should have stopped to take more pictures!

I got to hwy 87 and turned, then I saw red tape on the ground but no green so I kept going. I thought maybe I missed a turn, but I saw riders in front of me, and lots of riders behind me, so I knew I was right. But as I rode I looked at my cue sheet and realized I was only supposed to be on 87 for .2 miles, I had already gone more than 1/2 a mile! So I stopped and looked around, some of the people behind me were turning around, so I went back and made the turn. This detour was totally worth it because I saw the biggest most beautiful field of bluebonnets ever! I didn't stop & get a picture (I should have).

I didn't stop for a pic while riding but Amy & I did stop on the way to Lukenbach on Sunday

The next road was narrow, winding, and really pretty, with nice views, loose livestock (and cattleguards) and lots of hills! It felt like a lot of uphill and the wind was starting to pick up some. My legs were getting more tired on every uphill, but I was still really enjoying the ride! I got to hwy #9 and no Ingrid- thank goodness she didn't wait! By the time I made the wrong turn and everything she would have been waiting forever! I got to the next rest stop and was really ready for a break! I talked with the volunteers and they told me about the Bat Tunnel Park (again I should have stopped for a photo op!) Trey from Houston saw me and came over to talk, he had seen Ingrid and said she was on the 80 mile route not the 100 so I should go catch her! Yeah right!! Hwy #9 was also really pretty! It was a little more downhill but there was a little headwind and still some uphills, I was feeling every uphill at this point and not sure I wanted to do the last 20 miles of steep hills back to Kerrville! I decided I'd ride to Comfort and see how I felt. A few miles before Comfort the road turned to awful horrible chip seal and that's when I decided that I was going to SAG in. I probably could have done the last 20 miles but I think I would have been pretty miserable before it was over. I rode into Comfort, stopped at the little grocery store and called the SAG # and figured if they couldn't get me I'd call Mark & Caroline (they were worried about me riding alone and had insisted that I take their # and call if I needed anything- super nice of them!!). The SAG van was there in 10 minutes. They took my bike and got me a cold Coke (talk about a good end to a ride! comfy seat, A/C, and a cold Coke!) then another rider rode up to ask directions, I was about to give him my map when he said "you know...that air conditioned van looks pretty good!" He got in and we rode back to town. The route back was really pretty with a view of the river for a lot of it, but there were also some seriously steep looking hills! I was happy with my decision to SAG in and I had really enjoyed my ride! 68 hilly, beautiful, fun miles!

We got back to the university and I texted Ingrid, she said she was at the mile 73 rest stop, so I figured she should be finished in about 30 minutes. I put my stuff away and hung out to wait for her. After more than 30 minutes I texted and called, I was getting worried. I was about to go drive the course backwards looking for her when she called and said "I'm just now in Comfort" Somehow Trey had been mistaken, Ingrid did do the 100 mile route and she was still 20+ miles from the finish. So I went back to the house and cleaned up and heard about everyone's rides. The 33 milers had a good but challenging ride. Amy and Keith ended up taking some wrong turns too and ended up with 70 miles instead of 100. Amy was disappointed she didn't get to ride through Lukenbach, but otherwise everyone had a good day of riding (except poor Kelly with too many flats). While we were hanging out Simon said I looked familiar, we figured out that when Jeff & I lived in Houston, he was our mailman and he remembered me!! That was our "Small World" moment of the weekend! Ingrid finally made it back and had ridden 115 miles (with the wrong turns and turn arounds)- Wow!!

Anjy & I with the mom & baby giraffe at the YO Resort

Mark & Caroline were leaving that night and Kelly had already left, but the rest of us went to the dinner at the YO Resort. Fionna and Hans from Houston sat with us and we had so much fun!! I'm pretty sure we were "those people" you know- the ones laughing way too loud and acting crazy! We had a Chicken Dance contest with another table, and I laughed until I cried! They did door prizes and a few of us won. I won some chain lube and water bottle, Guy acted sad that he hadn't won, so I threw him my bottle.

And then I laughed til I cried again! We ended up staying up late laughing and talking at the house (even Ingrid was up past 11:00!!) So the Sunday morning plan was to sleep in and ride whenever we got up.

Ingrid took off riding a little earlier on Sunday while the rest of us decided to be lazy and start later. We were all going to ride the 20 mile route and take it easy (except Ingrid of course). The 20 mile route was part of the Kerrville Tri course so I had ridden it before and I knew it wasn't too hilly, even so, I couldn't talk Guy into riding again, he was just too worn out. The rest of us rode together and talked and laughed and had a great time! Keith and I sang "Lukenbach Texas" loud & proud (in our horrible singing voices) as we rode up 173. I'm sure Amy, Anjy & Simon were behind us laughing like crazy! About 7 miles in, we saw Ingrid riding toward us! She turned around and joined us. Before the ride I think Anjy had said "it's only 20 miles so we won't stop at the rest stop" haha! We were there taking pictures of the river and each other for at least 20 minutes!

Yeah, we took A LOT of pictures! These are just a few of the best ones! We saw Del & "Ronger" but missed Betsy, David, Amy & Matt (apparently if we had taken a few more pictures they would have passed us). We rode back together talking about how much fun the weekend had been and how we were all coming back next year! We stopped off at the state park to look at the river and then rode back to the university.
Ingrid, Guy and I went back to the state park for a swim, well, Guy hung out while Ingrid and I swam. The water was great, a little cold getting in but then really comfortable! We swam about 30 minutes and as we were getting out Del & "Ronger" showed up to have lunch at the park. We said goodbye to them and went back to pack up at the house. Everyone except Ingrid stopped off at Lukenbach to have a beer and lunch before going home.

 This is the most fun weekend I've had in a long time and I think the rides are probably on my top 5 all-time favorite rides. I can't believe just last year I said I'd never do this ride and now I already can't wait for next year!

My coldest bike ride ever!

Last weekend was really cold in Austin! It even snowed on Sunday! Shayla and I needed to get in a bike ride on Saturday and she needed to be finished fairly early, which meant starting early too. Forecast for 8:00am on Saturday? 31 degrees with a 25 degree windchill! BRRR! plus 15 mph North wind-even more BRRR! On Wednesday I got an email from Shayla "I wonder if we could find someone who would be willing to come out to Parmer to pick us up at one end and drop us off at the other end so we could ride with tailwind for the whole distance!?!? No, really, I'm being serious. :)" I laughed and assumed she was joking, I know she said she was serious, but she followed it with a smiley face. But next thing I knew we had Katherine and Nydia volunteering to be our SAG support! And on Friday Jenny decided she wanted in on the craziness.

Finally ready to ride, notice Jenny's ski helmet!
We met at Waterloo Icehouse, piled bikes, jackets, blankets, hot chocolate, etc into Jenny's SAG truck and headed to Andice. Shayla, Jenny and I spent about 15 minutes piling on layer after layer. I started to wonder if this was just stupid, a couple weeks ago we rode in 40 degrees and I was completely miserable (but Shayla pointed out it was MUCH worse riding into the headwind and really not so bad with the tailwind- true I conceded)! But seriously, I get cold when it's 65 degrees out, what was I thinking???

But I had on a ton of clothes! Plus I put my Mad Alchemy warming embrocation on my legs, my legs burned all afternoon, but it was worth it. We took off and I was immediately cold, oh no! But after just a couple miles I started to feel comfortable. I wondered if I might have actually over dressed! Is that even possible when it's below freezing?!?! Turns out I was almost perfectly dressed, on long downhills I got a little cold and on long uphills I got too warm, on the flats I felt good...except my feet. I wore thick wool socks, bike shoes, neoprene toe covers, and full neoprene booties, I don't think there's anything else I could have put on my feet (except maybe the warming embrocation), so I guess in a 25 degree windchill I just can't keep my feet warm. We rode 22 miles with the awesome tailwind and stopped at the designated gas station on Parmer, but we didn't see our SAG truck! Oh NO!

Waiting on our SAG crew
Katherine and Nydia had missed a turn, luckily we found a nice sunny spot shielded from the wind to wait. We all agreed Shayla was a genius for coming up with the plan and not making us ride into that freezing cold headwind! The SAG crew was there in just a couple minutes and got us loaded up fast, and we headed back toward Andice, got out and rode 20 miles back to Waterloo Icehouse. Katherine and Nydia stopped in lots of spots to cheer for us- pretty cool to have a cheering section on a training ride! A total of 42 miles in a 25 degree windchill!

Turns out even though it was 25 degrees, I had an awesome ride! All tailwind on Parmer is an amazing thing! Plus having friends to ride with and a cheering section/SAG wagon really helps too! Thanks to Jenny for riding with me and providing a SAG truck, Katherine and Nydia for being SAG crew, and an extra big thanks to Shayla for planning and getting me out there. I would NEVER have considered riding outside on a day like that if you hadn't made such a genius plan!