bluebonnet express

[marni]

had a very nice ride with my favorite SAG guy today to raise money for the Waller ISD and the local United Way. The weather was in the low 80's but there was high cloud cover and fairly high humidity. About half way through the ride we passed through a cold front and the temp dropped about 5 degrees in about 50 feet.

The terrain was gently rolling with several sections of rollers, open plains, lots of cattle grazing and farm fields. Fortunately the cloud cover kept the winds in the 10-15 mph range.

SAG guy doesn't have much chance to ride so we did a short friendly route of 35 miles. Took out time looking for wildflowers, saw quite a few evening primrose and goat week, also saw some spider lilly and the first of the bluebonnets along with a tiny bit of indian paintbrush and mexican blankets.

The worst part of the ride was the start. We always leave an extra half hour for hanging around once we get there to accommodate crowds and traffic. We were there in plenty of time and ready to go for the 8:00 roll out. Unfortunately, they expected 1500 and 1700 sign up and were still signing people up in droves when the start time rolled around. Not only that but the line of cars trying to get into the parking lot stretched back for more than 2 miles. Rather than let out those of us who were there and ready to go, they held the ride for nearly an hour and then had so many people starting out that they had to break them down into clots of about 200 so as not to overwhelm the local streets.

We didn't even get out of the parking lot until 9:15 and we were about in the middle of the pack. That was really irritating and I fail to see the sense in making 1500 people who got up early, got there and ready to roll in good time wait an hour while a bunch of latecomers park, unload and get ready to ride. To me it would have made sense to start the groups out at 8:00 and then let people go when they were ready and as they were ready after 8:30 or so. It's not like it was a race, just a simple supported road ride with various distances.

Never mind, other than the start, the ride was good, I got to ride with my guy and we did 32 miles in 2 hours which for him is very respectable speed, and for me a comfortable leg stretching ride.

[sundial]

Marni, glad you were able to ride even though the organization of the event was questionable. Were there ambulances offering their service to the cyclists and if so, perhaps the event had to wait for them to arrive? Maybe you can post pics of the bluebonnets, indian paintbrushes and mexican blankets sometime? There's nothing like cycling with wildflowers dotting the landscape.

[marni]

a few shots of wildflowers not necessarily from this ride but from the same area last spring and summer.

[marni]

more wildflowers including a shot of one of my favorite roads Bois d'Arc which around here is pronounced "boy ark". Bless the texas accdent.

[lawnchick22]

Love the bluebonnets in Tx...my sister lived in Round Rock (near Austin) back when my boys were toddlers...got the traditional pics of the oldest sitting amongst the blue flowers...priceless...