My Austin First

https://www.relive.cc/view/vKv2RnE5Xov

...But not my last.  So a couple of days ago I got a private message from Ben of City Cruisers to go riding in Austin.  It's been a few months since my last CC ride because of me moving out of the RGV (Rio Grande Valley) and the C19 virus that shut down a lot of group riding.  Originally I planned to ride with my friend John who was going to be about the same distance away but south instead of north of where I'm staying. After talking to John, it was the Austin ride that was going to happen for me. I met Ben at the hotel where he was staying, Adriana showed up a little after to give us the route for the ride, and we were off. We headed down the access road of hwy 290 then onto the SW PKWY.  We missed our turn to Barton Creek Blvd due to Ben overtaking Adriana (ride leader) as we were FLYING downhill at the time. If it's a downhill, Ben the BEAST will try to go as fast as he can.  This was a good missed turn because it allowed Ben and I to see a Porcupine about 3 feet just off the shoulder in the grass minding its own business.  We got to a cut in the road and made a turn around and a left onto Barton Creek. I thought the SW PKWY had nice scenery but Barton Creek was even nicer.  I told Ben and Adriana that if I was on this ride alone, I would have to stop every mile or two for photos. Another thing about this road was? It was full of hills and not easy climbers. My one proud moment came when Ben stopped towards the end of a climb to walk the remainder of the hill.  I stopped and caught my breath then completed that hill.  This would be my last moment of pride since the rest of the way, he and Adriana seemed to easily stay ahead of me and sometimes by a large distance. We turned onto Bee Cave Rd to get to hwy 360/Capital of Texas Hwy. That was our longest stretch of road on our way to a nice rest stop at a Whole Foods store just off the hwy.  If you're reading this and thinking, "He keeps saying hwy, are they crazy?" Well if so, that would also include many...many other cyclists that were on that same road riding in either direction. After a taco, some energy infused water and a really good pistachio cannoli, (and a potty break) we chatted briefly then hit the same road in the opposite direction. Many hills to climb and descend on the return with me playing catch up the entire way. A brief trip through the Barton Creek Greenbelt and we were on the access road of the dreaded MOPAC, then hwy 290 one way, then 290 the other way and back to our start at the hotel. 

Epic rides don't come often but this was one of them. Great company, great scenery, a cafe stop, and get this...NOT ONE ROUGH ROAD! There was a little debris here and there but smooth roads for 44 miles helps make for a really good ride.  I WILL return to Austin for another ride on this route. Thanks to Ben for the invite and Thanks to Adriana for the great route.  I'm sorry you both had to slow down for me over and over but I did have a really good time.  I'm predicting a massage in my near future.  Friends, it's already a great day.  Make the most of it, be blessed and 

RIDE ON!