So today I got together with a local riding group here in New Braunfels for the first time and rode from Gruene to Sattler along River Road. Not my first time on this route but Probably my fastest ride on this route. This was a really good group of people with two newbies being me and Derek. But? My ride was a bit more than just River Road. I started from my house about 7 miles away and rode to the start then rode home after taking a little longer route. But? Back to the group ride.
I don't think the temp broke 70 during the ride so to say it was nice is not even close to just how nice it was. First, you gotta know River Road. Mostly shaded with very light traffic and mostly along the river. I'm guessing that's how it got its name. After some miles you'll begin to see high stone walls in the distance and eventually much closer to the road. Typically the river is flowing gently and you'll see people riding tubes, fly fishing and even sitting in lawn chairs in the shallow places in the water during the warmer months. But during the chilly time of year, the in water activities dissappear except a few fishermen and the camp grounds along the river are also less crowded. This also means a lot less traffic. Riding the light hills on the route are forgiving but the road isn't. There's no shoulder or bike lane but local car drivers know cyclist will more than likely be there with no place to let them by so patience is needed. I got dropped almost immediately then caught up to one rider and stayed with him until the Sattler gas station turn around. With the north wind we were into the wind on the way out and a nice tailwind on the return. Every cyclist knows one thing. What you struggle with on the way out will more than likely be pleasure on the return, and what feels good on the way out you'll probably have a hard time with on the return. Basically if you climb it one way, you'll be on the decent on the other way and...I think you get it. This goes the same with the wind. Leaving out of Gruene there's a really quick descent followed by climbing, then another descent to the river. Returning? You'll have to climb out of River Road and the main climb up into Gruene. Save your legs for that one. Once we were all back at the parking lot in Gruene, it was pack it up and see ya next time. I rode there so I still had some riding to do. Derek also rode in from his hotel so we rode out together until we were headed in two different directions. My ride there and back took me across the Faust St Bridge. I took the time to stop there on the way back for a few photos then on through downtown and Landa Park. At that point I should have just taken the quick way home but decided to stretch it out a bit longer and ended with 50 miles. My neighborhood allows me to ride comfortably around a block or two for this reason... had I gone straight home at that point I would have had 49.7 miles. Passing my house and around the block allowed me to get it to an even 50. For whatever the reason I finished today with more soreness than I've had in a long time. I've done a century in the flat lands of the Rio Grande Valley and I've done longer than 50 mile rides since riding up here in the hills. Possibly keeping a faster pace through River Road than I usually keep, not fueling the body prior to the ride or a combination of the two. In any case my legs were feeling it after today's ride. But? It was worth it. Meeting new riders and heading out in a group is always fun. The only thing that can come of this is me becoming a stronger and a bit faster rider. I told the group at the start, I'll try and keep up. One of the guys looked at my bike and said you'll do fine. Don't be deceived. A fancy bike and cool clothes doesn't always equal speed. I really like my bike and I ride with aerobars. The aerobars really are comfortable once a rider is used to them and in position on the bars does make a speed difference just not enough for me to keep up today. Add that my usual riding style includes photo stop after stop and looking for scenery as I go. River Road is all scenery and today was one of those beautiful days but I pushed through places where I normally would stop for a photo ot three. Once back at my house and showered, I used my foam roller to self massage the muscle soreness away. I wanted to just rest but family duties were on call for the rest of day. I'll be fine as this is a good soreness. I hope you Thanksgiving day vacationing riders got a chance to get out and put some make room for turkey miles on. For me it's already a great day. Be blessed and RIDE ON!
I don't think the temp broke 70 during the ride so to say it was nice is not even close to just how nice it was. First, you gotta know River Road. Mostly shaded with very light traffic and mostly along the river. I'm guessing that's how it got its name. After some miles you'll begin to see high stone walls in the distance and eventually much closer to the road. Typically the river is flowing gently and you'll see people riding tubes, fly fishing and even sitting in lawn chairs in the shallow places in the water during the warmer months. But during the chilly time of year, the in water activities dissappear except a few fishermen and the camp grounds along the river are also less crowded. This also means a lot less traffic. Riding the light hills on the route are forgiving but the road isn't. There's no shoulder or bike lane but local car drivers know cyclist will more than likely be there with no place to let them by so patience is needed. I got dropped almost immediately then caught up to one rider and stayed with him until the Sattler gas station turn around. With the north wind we were into the wind on the way out and a nice tailwind on the return. Every cyclist knows one thing. What you struggle with on the way out will more than likely be pleasure on the return, and what feels good on the way out you'll probably have a hard time with on the return. Basically if you climb it one way, you'll be on the decent on the other way and...I think you get it. This goes the same with the wind. Leaving out of Gruene there's a really quick descent followed by climbing, then another descent to the river. Returning? You'll have to climb out of River Road and the main climb up into Gruene. Save your legs for that one. Once we were all back at the parking lot in Gruene, it was pack it up and see ya next time. I rode there so I still had some riding to do. Derek also rode in from his hotel so we rode out together until we were headed in two different directions. My ride there and back took me across the Faust St Bridge. I took the time to stop there on the way back for a few photos then on through downtown and Landa Park. At that point I should have just taken the quick way home but decided to stretch it out a bit longer and ended with 50 miles. My neighborhood allows me to ride comfortably around a block or two for this reason... had I gone straight home at that point I would have had 49.7 miles. Passing my house and around the block allowed me to get it to an even 50. For whatever the reason I finished today with more soreness than I've had in a long time. I've done a century in the flat lands of the Rio Grande Valley and I've done longer than 50 mile rides since riding up here in the hills. Possibly keeping a faster pace through River Road than I usually keep, not fueling the body prior to the ride or a combination of the two. In any case my legs were feeling it after today's ride. But? It was worth it. Meeting new riders and heading out in a group is always fun. The only thing that can come of this is me becoming a stronger and a bit faster rider. I told the group at the start, I'll try and keep up. One of the guys looked at my bike and said you'll do fine. Don't be deceived. A fancy bike and cool clothes doesn't always equal speed. I really like my bike and I ride with aerobars. The aerobars really are comfortable once a rider is used to them and in position on the bars does make a speed difference just not enough for me to keep up today. Add that my usual riding style includes photo stop after stop and looking for scenery as I go. River Road is all scenery and today was one of those beautiful days but I pushed through places where I normally would stop for a photo ot three. Once back at my house and showered, I used my foam roller to self massage the muscle soreness away. I wanted to just rest but family duties were on call for the rest of day. I'll be fine as this is a good soreness. I hope you Thanksgiving day vacationing riders got a chance to get out and put some make room for turkey miles on. For me it's already a great day. Be blessed and RIDE ON!
First river crossing
