Riding in the country

[BeeLady]

Just finished a nice 15-mile ride in the country. Some hills, some head wind and ultimately some tail wind. Love riding out here although there are special considerations.

The first being getting past the painted, 100-year-old church I normally attend on Sunday mornings. If I was seen riding past my neighbors who attend would just not understand -- these country German Lutherans are church goers! But the morning was cool (70 degrees) and the possibility of riding with the temperature under 90 for the whole ride was irresistable.

Made it past church, then onto the highway -- beautiful shoulder for a long nice down hill (mostly) for about four miles. One nice thing about riding in the country in Texas is waving at vehicles and neighbors is only a Finger Wave, three fingers if you're real friendly, and you don't take your hand off your steering wheen or handle bars, as the case may be.

Turn and heading east and into the wind. First big hill -- huff puff. Scare the Brahma herd that grazes this corner. The calves were along the fence and instead of the mamas running off like they usually do they all ran to the fence to protect their calves. A stirred up bunch of brahma mamas -- not something I like to see.

Make it up the big hill looking for my first rest stop of the morning and there's the Brahma young bull herd. Don't want to get them stirred up so I go down this nice big hill and then huff and puff (eeek - my HR is only 4 beats under my max - slow my cadence some and take it easier) to the top of the next hill for my break.

My knee started giving me some problems on one of the hills so I really concentrated on doing the "mud scraping" technique at the bottom of each stroke - made a HUGE difference.

Don't have a bicycle pump with me (left two frame pumps at the house but dont have adapters for either!!!! ) but know that the houses I pass every few miles will each have a compressor that they'll let me use. One thing you can count on in ranching and farming country, a compressor and a pick-up truck. Fortunately though another flat-free ride.

Passed a few more cow herds, but no loose bulls on the road like last week. Saw some folks out shutting their gate to leave for church but they went the opposite way to the highway. Saw no other cars once I turned off the highway.

Got to take a nice sharp turn at the bottom of a hill on a banked road - very fun!

Lotsa coyote calling cards -- how do they manage to leave their sign EXACTLY in the middle of the road?

Many more hills, long uphill but low grade then the turn home. Always gravel on the road and a cattle guard getting in and out of my place - keeps me alert.

Rides like this make cycling perfect! What a way to learn to cycle!

[Toni]

That sounds like it is very close to a perfect ride!!!

I live in Houston, and besides riding the Brayes Bayou, there are no real long rides in the city.

I envy you!! Enjoy!!!!!

[Tri Girl]

Sounds like it was a great ride, Lauren. Lots to look at, plenty to keep you working hard, and great weather in which to do it all. You may not have been at church, but you sure were enjoying God's glorious creation. Glad you had such a fun time this morning!!!

[margo49]

A perfect day!
May you remember it always.

[eclectic]

Great writeup - very descriptive - it was like I was there with you

- your setting sounds a lot like around here - except we have Angus not Brahma (but a mean mama is a mean mama)

I've taken the long empty county hwys for granted - I guess everyone isn't as lucky as we are.

[mimitabby]

fun ride. My opinion about going to church is that God is everywhere.
You can pray anywhere and i am far more inspired to do that out of doors than inside a church.

[DDH]

Beelady, I live in TX in what use to be the country but is quickly turning into city. The city is encroching quickly and eating us country folks up.
I still have lots of area I can ride in though just have to pass some major roads to get to them, but it is great. Out here have to watch out for the dogs though.
Your ride sounds like a perfect ride. Here's hoping you have many, many more.