We spent Saturday in Luckenbach, Texas touring by bike in the Ring of Fire ride put on by Red Licorice Events. We logged 65 miles total, Neal rode 42 and I settled for 23. My intent was to ride 26 but I got a little confused going out of the gate (we were running late so I didn't start with the group). My mistake was the first turn out of the start instead of turning left to ride the little ring (13 miles), I turned right. This meant I was on the big ring (42 miles). The 10.5 miles I peddled on the big ring were the most difficult I have ever ridden. Here's what goes through ones mind when they are unfamiliar roads in the Texas Hill Country with temperatures rising to 100 degrees.
I am going to sell this bike.
Why am I out here again?
I could run faster than I going right now.
Am I going to right way? Where is everyone?
The first aid station was at mile 10.5. This is where I realized my mistake and there was NO WAY IN H*** that I was riding 31.5 more miles. Luckily another rider realized the big ring was out of her league and she had already called a ride back to the little ring. She looked at my face and kindly asked if I wanted to ride (in a car) back to the little ring. I wanted to kiss her! The little ring was much more my speed, dare I say, enjoyable! I will keep my bike, but we are now frienemies.
Post race beer and enjoying the local entertainment. The quality of the photos is not stellar, I dropped my camera in the dirt which caused lens errors, dang it. So all the photos are from Neal's blackberry camera.
We made some new friends and might have finally found a club to join. When we lived in D.C. and were members of D.C. Tri, we were training, racing or volunteering at a race almost every weekend. Since moving to Austin, let just say notsomuch.
It was a great way to spend the day! Totally worth getting up at 5:30am on a weekend.
