Government Canyon, Hills and Dales, and Bigz Burger Joint, 9 Jun 07

It started on Friday evening when a good friend, David Brown called Marlene to discuss a possible dinner engagement at Bigz Burger Joint the next evening. When told that we were going mountain biking in the morning he jumped at the chance to join the ride saying that Keahi and their children were out of town on vacation at the beach. So the date was set, mountain biking in the morning, Bigz in the evening.

The next morning as we were getting packed out our neighbor Debbie was outside and we mentioned where we were headed. She jumped from her plan of heading to the gym and packed her bike and off we were to Government Canyon.

Here is a map: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/park_maps/pwd_mp_p4505_165c.pdf
Upon arrival we checked in and waited for David to arrive. The phone rings, he's running late, Keahi and the children are back in town so she's coming with him. Awesome, we were glad that we were going to see them both as it had been a couple of months since our last soiree.

Once there we took off on Lytle's Loop which is in the frontcountry and pretty tame. A good ride for all five of us. Once completed Debbie had to leave but the rest of us decided to go ride some of the backcountry, off on the Joe Johnston Route. This trail is a lot more fun than Lytle's Loop with a lot more rugged areas but not too hard.

After doing a little out-and-back we got back to the cars, packed up, and headed to Hills and Dales which is a little beer joint, biker bar, icehouse. Lots of beer, some peanuts, some chips, a cigar for David and me, and lots of good conversation; we were there quite awhile. Finally, we decided we better go home and get a nap because we were meeting again at 6:30 PM at Bigz. Yes, a three hour nap. I got up on what Marlene say's was the third time that she tried to wake me. Anyway, showered and off we were to Bigz. Met David, Keahi and children, as well as another friend, Steve for a very enjoyable dinner of burgers and fries that were outstanding.

What a great day this was; mountain biking, partaking of libations, eating burgers, and talking about whatever the topic was at the moment.

O. P. Schnabel Park, 3 Jun 07

Our first ride on the new bikes. What a difference having bikes that have been fit to you makes. So much more comfortable. We got up early and Marlene was ready to head out the door even though I had a bit of a headache. Beer!

This park has some really nice trails and the fact that it is close to the house I can see that we will visit here alot. We saw a few deer, some rabbits, and a squirrel or two. There is one section that we rode that is surrounded by huge bamboo. I really enjoyed this ride, but it would have been more fun without the tuna sandwich for breakfast and the throbbing headache.

Of note, we suffered our first flat tire. Luckily it happened only a short way from the end. We were able to pump it back up and finish the ride before it went flat again. Good thing we bought spare tubes and a pump when we bought the bikes.

Can't wait until the next ride.

Mine...a 2007 Specialized Rockhopper, Hers...a 2007 Giant Rainier

So, we made the big step and we returned our borrrowed bikes and took ourselves to the local bike shop - Ride Away Bicycles at Huebner Oaks http://rideawaybicycles.com/index.cfm .

And after about 2 hours of shopping and riding different bikes, I now have a new ride...a 2007 Specialized Rockhopper with disc brakes.

And Marlene, she decided on a 2007 Giant Rainier...also with disc brakes.

We've now officially jumped feet first into our new world of mountain biking.