MS 150 Houston to Austin 2010 the Journey Starts

Usually when I have completed the MS 150 I have had the luxury of staying in a ranch close to La Grange the location used for the overnight stop. With such accommodation you get basic amenities such as hot and cold running water, fluffy pillows, and an environment relatively safe from third party intrusion.

For same insane reason which now escapes me Paddy and I decided that we would renege on the ranch and join the majority of the 'die hards' in a large communal tent.
We talked the whole thing up with views of fellowship and brotherhood and beer, after a while the notion became quite appealing.

On the Friday before the ride we helped load up the van that would be used to move 'The campers' gear. Not having slept under canvas since I was 11 years old I was surprised at the quantity and variety of appointments people brought for a single overnight stay.

One couple brought a bag that was so big that it could feasibly contain all of the contents of a small bedroom. Half jokingly I commented on this. The response which I recieved, I took to be delivered in the same tongue in cheek way as it confirmed that what I was suggesting was in fact true.

On Saturday morning I was up at 3am which I pointed out was closer to evening time, than morning!!!!! However being as resourceful as ever I soon found a 'pick me up'

WE started at about 7 with wet weather and a strong tail wind. Our team soon got into stride with a pace line that saw few rivals and gobbled up the miles. Without stopping we had soon arrived at Bellville for lunch having completed 50 miles. I struggled to keep up at times and when I got detached from the group, I had to work even harder to get back.

That Christmas cake and all those other bad things tasted great when I ate them but the added poundage was really taking its toll.

After lunch I became conscious that this two day event was only the start of something much bigger with 'The Natchez Trace' to follow immediately afterwards.
I allowed myself to be shelled from the group and was joined by Paddy and Taylor, we found our own pace which enabled us to enjoy the surroundings and not have to concentrate on half an inch of rubber.

We arrived at our refuge camp early in the afternoon and were each allocated a cot to sleep on. That's about 150 people in one tent.

Cosy

I managed to find one next to an exit and chuckled to myself as I observed the 'Big bag couple' unpack a blow up king size mattress, sheets, four pillows and a duvet.

Apart from the apparent loss of hot and cold running water, and fluffy pillows I was ever so perturbed about some unwanted guests. The floor of the tent appeared to be covered in spiders.

I don't like spiders and only wearing a pair of flip flops increased my anxiety. It was difficult to tell if it was a blade of grass of a 'legged' creature that tickled my toes.

With spiders on my mind I went to bed about 8pm knowing that we would be rising at 5am.

As I dozed off I dreamt of spiders crawling all over me and woke up in a start thankful it was just a dream only to see TWO spiders seemingly having a chat on my forearm.
My sleep was broken from then on as was my sense of humour as a storm broke outside.

My cot soon became an island surrounded by a shallow puddle of water.

Call me a wimp-camping out is not for me.

Sunday we set off at 7am and I was pleased to leave spider camp.

I found the ride to Austin tough going against a moderate headwind but we had a good group and got in just after lunch.

It was not my best MS 150, but like all of the five I have completed -it was memorable.

Natchez tomorrow..........bring it on.

MS 150 Houston to Austin and the rest

Well I finally arrived in the USA for my big ride. The last few weeks have been frantic, hence the lack of blogging, but now the fun bit starts. Cycling and regular blogging (Daily when I get onto the Natchez trace with lots of Photos)
I have not got in as many training miles in as I wanted and am much heavier than I wanted and My left shoulder is F***ed and and ............I can come up with infinite excuses but really I am thankful to just be here.
About three hours into my flight whilst over the chilly North Atlantic, a burning smell was detected in the cabin of the plane I was sitting on. We were assured not to worry.
Ok, unless I am mistaken that is exactly something to worry about. I certainly did not see a reassuring BBQ being assembled for our culinary convenience. Besides it was not that sort of smell . it was one you would normally associate with some faulty electrical device.
The captain decided to turn off the in flight entertainment system. I was midway through watching 'The Incredibles' at the time and longed for some magical superhuman powers to ensure our safe arrival.
I contemplated how long it would take for the plane to fall out of the sky and how chilly the water might be.
With our music and films turned off the smell also departed and I stopped praying for forgiveness for previously stealing one of my brothers cycling jerseys.
Paddy met me at Houston and took me to his new house. The next morning my cure for jet lag was a 43 mile ride. It was great to only have a single layer of clothing covering my body.


Tomorrow morning at 5 am me and my fellow Mules will be joining the BHP Billiton Team for the Houston to Austin MS 150. Then when we finish that it is on to Natchez to start the Natchez Trace from Natchez to Nashville. Covering close to 700 miles in a week
Its all go now !!!!!!!!!!

Yellow is the colour

This week the weather has changed. Gone are the northerly winds, now replaced by winds from the south bringing much milder weather. Although they have brought rain, they have also brought the sort of temperatures that have enabled me to give my legs an airing.

When the rain has stayed off, I have even been tempted remove my bright yellow fluorescent coat. But that would currently spoil natures symmetry.

The roads are now lined with rows of daffodils, nodding away behind the safety of roadside kerbs, like crowds of spectators egging me on towards the finish line.

There has also been a noticeable increase in cycle traffic. Roadies are now out there in abundance showing off this seasons Lycra shirts, and increasing the felling of fellowship.

Whether they are commuting, training or just wanting to fill their lungs with something different from recycled air. I embrace their company.
The racing season has also got underway, along with the indoor world cycling championship.

I am following developments with interest especially the expectations of the new teams from Radioshack with the great man himself, and The British based Team Sky with Bradley Wiggins. One of my other favorites Mark Cavendish (also sporting yellow) has had some early season teething problems, not with his bike, but his actual teeth!!!

However I am pleased to report that he has just captured his first win of the year after sprinting to victory in stage two of the Tour of Catalunya from Salt to Banyoles.

It will be interesting to see who wears the real yellow at the business end of the season.
For me I have 22 days left till I start my big ride, from Houston to Austin and then from Natchez to Nashville. My bag has appeared in my spare room and I have started packing.

I have also started to get some new tunes on my I Pod. Until I started visiting Texas regularly Country Music was alien to me, but now I am a big fan. I am really looking forward to spending a night in Nashville after we finish our ride and having a country music overload.

One of my favorite country bands at the moment is Lady Antebellum

One song I will have to have comes from an entirely different genre.

Being a very poor singer, I have always been attracted to the more simple of songs when i sung to my children. I use the term singing very loosely, but as a father you have to try, anything to send them off to sleep.

Even now my girls remember and say 'Dad' can you remember singing 'colours' to us.

Seeing the daffodils this week brought it all back to me.

So you want to be a Mule ?

Sometimes in life good things emerge from those that are perceived to be bad, where clouds reveal a true silver lining and the mythical Phoenix really does rise from the flames.

Way back in April of this year I came over to Texas to ride with my twin brother Paddy in the Houston to Austin MS150 charity cycle ride.

For the first time in the events 25 year history the first day was cancelled due to severe weather conditions.

Despite the tornado risk, flooding, and indiscriminate lightening strikes we decided to complete the first day regardless. Not wishing to have our official team associated with such reckless behaviour we abandoned our issued cycling jerseys and rode 'freelance' as renegade riders.

When I say 'we' there were in fact a total of four of us.

A Yorkshire man (Me), a Yorkshire/Texan (Paddy) and two Texans Dave Hill and Kenny Rhame.

If any outsider was searching for the sort of belligerent behaviour that would accompany such an attitude, they would need to look no further than Yorkshire or Texas, as belligerence is what we are weened on.

For those who may be interested the actual events of that day are featured in a previous blog (Renegade Riders).

During the course of that day the birth of 'The Mules' was devised.

As we were riding we all expressed our love of cycling and of raising awareness in respect of charitable causes.

We also loved the concept of cycling in unity and the togetherness that comes in being part of a team.

On that day we were all virtual strangers, but our collective views had brought us together.

We talked about the fact that teams were formed by big companies to support events like the MS150 and other one off events, only to be abandoned until the following year.

Surely charitable needs last everyday of every Year.

So we decided to create our own team.

The discussion was lively especially as we were dodging storms and lightening strikes at the same time.

Paddy suggested that we name it after my blog and we all agreed because of its universal appeal.

Ambitiously we perceived that people from all over the world not aligned to any team or riding club could attend charity rides and meet up with other riders in our unique club.

The concept never really evolved at the pace that we wanted it too, but it is still alive and 'pedaling' and growing steadily each day.

We have a website which is developing thanks to Kenny and we now have our own merchandise. (Non Profit Making).

Our first batch of Cycling Jerseys have been made and have sold out approx $85 each depending upon the numbers ordered.

Further batches will be ordered when there is enough demand to satisfy the minimum run requirement.

So how do you become a Mule ?

If you regularly ride a bicycle and complete one or more charity ride per year you can become a Mule.

How do you apply ?

Send us details of your name, where you are from and a short resumes of your cycling events, bike and a preferred Mule/Donkey picture if you have one.

You will then feature in our stable.

How do you get a Jersey ?

Once you are a member and are committed to purchase a jersey let us know and your name will be added to a list. Once the minimum order requirement is met, new Jerseys can be ordered.
Once the jerseys have been purchased, badges can be sown onto the depicting the countries and areas, that rides have been undertaken

Badges are not compulsory

How will the website be developed ?

A forum and features page will be set up once the numbers have grown.

members will be encouraged to share their ride experiences.

Contacts

Any further questions or applications should be made through the link 'Are you a Mule' on the website. This page is currently being developed so if the link is not working properly initial contact can be made through my blog right here

Hotter than Hell
Today we had a rest day from training after completing 145 miles in the previous three days. Being dedicated to the cause though we decided to keep our sustenance cycling related as you can see below.

The long range weather forecast for the weekend looks interesting.
Rather than being the Hotter than Hell it maybe that those flames mights be dampened by a cool snap making it more like 'Ice cold in Alex'. I have even left my arm warmers at home.
I was really pleased to observe this week that bob one of my followers was my first American to donate online to the charity I am raising money for on this particular ride. Thank you Bob !!
Please don't be shy, the Justgiving link takes American dollars too and credit card payments.

Miles mean smiles

Smiles are good for you!!!!!!!!!!

It seems a long time ago since those short winter 'training days' of multiple layers and frosted fingers. Where snow lay as thick across the land as the fat did around my girth.When my weekly Target was achieving 50 miles without the desire for an oxygen tent.

When shadows were long, and even the simplest inclines seemed longer still.

When gravity helped me to zoom down hills like a rolling barrel, but hurriedly pulled me back when I attempted to go up the other side.

When I entered the gruelling 102 miles sportive 'The Cheshire Cat' in March and nearly gave up cycling for good. Oh such was the agony, and tears from constant climbing at double figure gradients

When my number 8612 on the Houston to Austin MS150 ride reflected my waist line in millimeters!!!!!!!!! When other riders sought me as a wind break as they hopped from one paceline to another, and farmers mistook me for a stray longhorn.
When I stood at the end of Photo shoots praying that the camera might miss me out or at least the lumpy parts of me.
It seems a long time ago since me and my kitchen made up and became friends.

Where it stopped stocking naughty food to tempt me or leave traps in the middle of the night.

I can now visit this room day and night without fear of ambush.

Where previously I might slip up only to dislodge some peanuts or chocolate biscuits off shelves and into my unsuspecting mouth.

Those days are gone and new days have arrived.

Miles have brought smiles in abundance.

50 miles per week became 75, 100, 150 and now I do 200 miles + a week and I get high on the endorphins that they now give me.

On my recent Flat out in the Fens sportive I was proud to pull a paceline for the first time.

By that I don't mean just for a few minutes of heavy perspiration and blowing out of my arse. (After all I had done that dozens of times)

I mean pulling for hours at a time, for miles and miles that were recorded, registered in my heart and in my legs.

I have completed 3,724 miles this year with 151,607 feet of climbing and burned 219,468 calories. I have lost 28 lbs with still more to come off.

My biggest event of the Year 'The Hotter than Hell' (100miles) only 7 weeks away I am no longer intimidated by such distances.

I look forward to it as a new challenge even if that means 100 f heat to throw into the mix.

Bring it on I say.

For me Miles really do mean smiles.

Smiles at the ability to wear clothes that look as if they were sold in a shop rather than a product from a marquee retailers.

Smiles at seeing my car gather dust and unused petrol remain in the garage forecourt.

Smiles at encouraging others to ride too and sharing the same enthusiasm that I have

Smiles at being able to see the world at a slower pace and being able to record it all by my blog site

To pinch a phrase from my favoritve cycle blog 'Change your life, ride a Bike!!!!!'

Rather than see it all as the end of a journey I see it as the start of a new one.

This week my virtual ride reaches Lexington (officially Lexington-Fayette Urban County) is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 67th largest in the United States. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region. Lexington ranks 10th among US cities in college education rate, with 39.5% of residents having at least a Bachelor's Degree. It is home to the headquarters of Lexmark International, the Kentucky Horse Park, Keeneland race course, Red Mile race course, Transylvania University, and the University of Kentucky.

It is also where two well know actors hail from: George Clooney or George 'Swoony' as many women see him. I am a great admirer of his work both in front and behind the Camera. Then to balance things out there is also Ashley Judd who has occasionally entered my virtual world too, but not riding a bike.

Lightening the load for new Horizons

In the early days of exploration, ships left the shores of Albion to find riches across new horizons and to further explore lands and continents previously discovered.

It must have been really frightening for them.

With only charts, limited navigational tools and a bible to help guide them, they never really new exactly where they were going.

No illuminated neon road signs or hazard markers, just the stars, the sun and the moon.
At that time everybody believed that the world was flat.

It was well recognised that if you travelled a bit too far you would just fall of the edge, like an errant chip falling from your plate.

To make matters worse sailors came home with exaggerated stories of sea monsters, sirens and wild storms.

Sea travel in those days was about as precarious as you could get.

Even worse than popping over to Mexico, without a face mask.

Each day ships would sail into uncharted territories and the crew would see for themselves, huge whales and giant turtles - Scary Stuff.

Some ships sank in storms or the crew perished through disease or starvation, others just just never returned.

Despite this they were never deterred continuously slipping their moorings and sailing towards forever changing horizons.
Out of the journeys came experience and knowledge, as well as a few novel ideas.

For instance In order to go to the West Indies they devised a great idea.
Basically head south till the butter on board melted, then turn (right ) due west and the Caribean Islands were straight a head of you.

Pretty Smart stuff.
You can just imagine how your satellite navigational system in the car might be adapted.

To the voice of Clint Eastwood.
'O Ah-ah, I know what you're thinking, punk. You're thinking, "Has the butter melted yet, or is it still hard?" And to tell you the truth, I've forgotten myself in all this excitement. But being this is a butter melting detector - the most powerful navigational system in the world, you've got to ask yourself a question: "Do I feel lucky?" Well, do ya, punk?!

Right now, I feel a bit like one of those salty sea dogs.

I want to move forwards, but seem to have lost a bit of direction.

The Euphoria of riding nearly 500 miles in three weeks in Texas has sunk.

Drowned in new found complacency.

I came home full of vim and vigour, yet I have only cycled 25 miles since I got back.

I know I always promised myself a bit of a break, but this feels more like a sabatical.

I feel like 'The Ancient Mariner'.

Stuck in the doldrums with the weight of further expectations around my shoulders.

'Day after day, day after day,

We stuck, nor breath nor motion;
As idle as a painted ship upon a painted ocean'

Although I have not entered any cycle events in May, in June I have two killer rides.

'Flat out in the Fens', followed a week later by the 'White Rose Challenge'.

For both these rides and the following 'Hotter than Hell' in August, I will need to be much fitter and much lighter. They are all tough rides over 100 miles each with demanding cut off times before your swallowed up by the SAG Van.

This means a number of things:

Like swapping over my six packs.

Getting back on my bike
And I will also need some goals to fuel my motivation.
So here goes, today I decided to set them out. To slip my own moorings and set a course for new horizons.

Distance

1. I have cycled 1,873 miles so far this year.

It is 4,772 miles from Beverley to Houston.

Before I go back to Texas in August I want to complete the remaining 2899 miles.

To help me with this I have put a funky Widget on my blog to record my Mileage from today with 2899 miles the target.

Weight
2. I need to loose at least 40lbs.

I have started a proper diet for the first time in my life

Again I have put a Widget at the bottom of my blog page to record my progress.

A lot of people make excuses about why or how they have put on weight.

I am no different, but I am honest about it.

My problem has never been that I eat bad food, its just that I am a big pig.

I just like eating, and the delicious process of tasting nice food.

Throughout my life, I have always controlled my weight by exercise.

In fact I have often specifically exercised, so I could eat more.

On Sunday mornings I usually cycle an extra ten miles so that I can have more roast potatoes with my lunch, believe me its well worth it.

The more I exercise I do, the more I eat.

This strange approach has served me well for years.

However recently It seems to have been affected by bouts of Amnesia.

Well for about five years.

The maths now, does not quite add up

You see when I have not been able to exercise, I am meant to cut down my food intake.

Well, what can I say.... I forgot.

My love handles have turned into saddlebags

So drastic times have called for drastic measures.

I need to get rid of all the weight I put on during those sedentary periods before I can go back to my old regime.

I have named my diet the swamp diet.

It is broken down into three parts.

Part One - Detox - It is a mixture of starvation for two days and drinking things that has the same consistency, smell and colour of water you would normally find in a bayou

Part Two - Stomach shrinkage - Further swap water, and diet shakes, with proper, healthy food phased in.

Part Three - Continuous Healthy food with portions the size you would get on an aeroplane.

Right now I feel a bit like Oliver Twist and wish to ask myself for some more.

However looking over the swamp diet menu, there is only one thing available.

Yes, you've guessed it

More swamp water.

I guess its better than weevil infested biscuits that the sailors had to eat.

'Its not about the bike, or is it?'

When Lance Armstrong brought out his book 'Its not about the bike' .

I was totally sold on the message.

I often used the phrase when people blamed their bikes for poor performance or bad attitude.

Each time they winged on about their bikes or various parts of them, I was often rude and quite dismissive.

I would just say 'Its not about the bike'.

Now I find myself eating some of those words.

Furthrer more I wish to humbly apologise to all those I may have offended in the past.

Sometimes it is about 'the bike' !!!!!!

For Lance the application of his message was quite unique and personal and should be taken in that context.

It was about his personal bravery in fighting and beating cancer and was enough to inspire anybody. For Lance it did not stop there. He marched right back into the arena and embraced probably the most physically demanding sport in the world - and won.

Not once, but continuously for seven years despite the envy and hostility of the 'Garlic munchers'. It was a truly amazing achievement of defiance and dogged determination.

Through 'The Alps' and 'Pyrenees', passing miles of dazzling sunflower fields and onto the Arc de Triomphe to sip the champagne of victory.

I have always found it ironic that it was the french that gave the USA the Statue of Liberty , a symbol of Liberty and freedom. Yet it was the 'froggies', through L'Equipe ,that gave Lance no Freedom or Liberty, but they certainly took a few (Liberties that is).

In the title of his book Lance seemingly dismisses his 'mule' that took him so many miles, through the endurance of so much pain which accompanies such an event.

In reality he was just highlighting the more significant components of road racing - from the carriage (his bike), to the engine and the transmission (his engine and mindset)

Let Lance Explain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNJTDt9d6Kk

Now although I knew what it was all about, I do feel a bit of compassion for Lances bike?

I bet it was upset.
If I had written a book with such a title 'Scott' would have sulked forever and would never take me up any hills ever again.

I also think that the message does not always apply.

Maybe Lance should have shown some respect for his Mule

His bike was one part, of a dominating duo.

Tested in wind tunnels, every aspect of it was designed for both lightness and Aero dynamic qualities.

Built for speed rather than comfort it had the linear qualities of a stealth fighter with similar pace.

The net result was something as light as a honey coated waffle, and just as sweet.

In the arena of professional road racing the difference between each bikes performance is minimal, you could swap all the bikes around with the riders and it would have very little effect on the result. But races are won and lost by seconds and the attention to detail is as important psychologically as it is practically.

Now with my bike its very different.

My Aluminium Scott s40 Speedster 2007.
It is wind tested in Britain's Northerly Gales. with its triple set, it is designed to get tubby men up big hills, as well as down the other side.

It is built for comfort rather than speed and has the linear qualities of a heavily laden beer truck.

It moves just as slowly up hill and as quickly down hill as if the hand brake were disengaged.

The net result is something as heavy as a large tub of Ben and Jerries, which we all know that once consumed, its not entirely good for you.

In the arena of amateur cycling the difference between each bikes performance is massive, you could swap all the bikes around and you would be surprised to see some 'donut eaters' well up the rankings.

In the amateur world Lance 'It is often about the bike' !!!!!!!!!!

When I was cycling in Texas I only used cool Lance type bikes.

My lowest average was 19 mph, with it being 20+ mph at times.

This was with my heart rate at an acceptable level.

On Scott my average usually only peaks at about 17 mph, when I spend half my ride in the red zone.

Now Lance might say that I should increase my power/weight ratio by loosing some lard.

He would agree that it would definitely make me go faster.

I would totally agree too.

So I have set myself a new challenge starting with a weigh in on Monday.

By the time I take part in my next major charity ride.

'Hotter than Hell' Texas in August

I want to be 40lbs lighter.

Having sampled the joy of heading a pace line I want more of it.

Once I had tasted the Champagne of the Champs Elysees,

Spring water now tastes a bit bland.

So now my head is full of new bikes, and dreams of wearing my own yellow jersey
With an empty wallet and biting recession, I am not quite ready to sell my soul to the devil.

There must be a way.

I could contact my benevolent brother Paddy and volunteer to ride as his full time domestique in the greatest traditions of team racing.

He would surely not have me riding a shoeless mule.

What a great idea

Paddy The Scott CR 1 Team would be just the ticket.

Cheers Bros

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huEnJUzq8EU

MS 150 Houston to Austin - Part 2 'The Main Event'

After showing our belligerence as the 'Renegade riders' on Saturday a degree of decorum was now required for Sundays main event. Our rider numbers were revealed and carefully attached to bikes, helmets and onto the rear of our fancy team jerseys. Grooming rituals took place where razors headed north to greet stubble chins, an unusual diversion from the more customary lower limbs.
As we gathered together with our BHP Billiton team mates in La Grange there was one visual difference between us and them.
It had nothing to do with tired eyes or sun burnt necks, but we each wore a black 'Pirates of the Caribbean' wristbands to signify our brotherhood.
It was out of mutual respect for each other from escaping the jaws of the 'Prairie beast' on the previous day.
Poor Dave, despite his courageous act of gallantry, he didn't even have any scars to illustrate his heroic actions. Unsurprisingly these were getting more and more exaggerated at each rendition. We even thought of carving some claws marks into his seat to provide actual evidence as to the size of the creature.

With the sun shinning in a cloudless sky it was a beautiful scene as 13,000+ riders gathered by the Courthouse in central La Grange. A whole array of different brightly coloured shirts greeted the morning, and there was a warm energy that radiated from all the participants. It was quite awe inspiring.
The American National anthem was played just prior to the start with complete silence honoured. It was something I both respected and warmed to.
When I say I respected it, I don't mean that glibly. I listened to the words and related to them. They felt right, and they were especially poignant just prior to this event.
Although I am proud to be British I think our own national anthem is irrelevant to me personally. Its all about our sovereign and not about 'The people'.
Am I sounding like a socialist?

Shortly after the start the route splits and provides two courses before converging again at the lunch time stop of Bastrop. The easiest and fastest route was along the shoulder of Texas 71, a four-lane divided highway. The other was simply called 'The Challenge' route, a series of rode less-traveled, farm-to-market roads that wound through two state parks of Beuscher and Bastrop. On my two previous MS 150 rides I had elected to take the easier route.
You see I never really liked the word 'Challenge' unless its placed in context.
To me challenge is a bit too ambiguous, it comes in the same category as other words like 'Nearly' or 'Not far'. Its all about perspective.
At the end of March I took part in a Cycling Sportive called the 'Cheshire Cat'.
It was 102 miles and described as 'challenging'.
Although I did manage to complete it in a fairly respectable time, I nearly cried on some of the mountains (that were described as hills). I found it a massive challenge and so did Scott (my bike) We didn't speak to each other for at least a week afterwards.

Anyway continuing our more rebellious theme we opted for the 'Challenge Route'.
Dave and Kelly (Who joined us on day two) had previously completed the route and therefore knew the terrain. I just followed them with a degree of scepticism.
I never really quite worked out which aspect was the official 'challenge'.
For Houstonians I expect the numerous steep climbs and rapid descents were very challenging after flat riding.
For me there were two.

The main one was avoiding novice climbers who suddenly ran out of gears or puff and stopped or fell over abruptly in front of me.
Very inconsiderate of them!!!!!
But equally as demanding were the technical challenges, which worked my mind far more than my body.
Constant visual readjustment was needed when moving from bright sunlight to heavily shadowed woodland. With my aging eyes it was like being temporarily blinded. I hope I didn't bump into people during those darkened moments. I now have visions of me causing my own trail of destruction whilst riding under natures canopy, through the shadowed twilight.
The forest trails also varied in their surface, some parts were dry, others damp or even contained puddles. Some parts were clear others were strewn with pine needles, bumps and pot holes.
I loved it, both the technical aspects of the challenge and its beauty.
With it came the sound of a bagpiper playing. His music reverberating through the woods reminded me of home.
We stopped at one of the drink stations which was contained within a clearing surrounded by tall pine trees.There was music playing, people dancing and singing.
It was more reminiscent of a sixties rock concert than a charity cycle event.

The previous days dampness seemed another season away as the sun now burned at my skin. Feeling slightly dehydrated I drank and drank at every opportunity. I also tried some pickle juice, apparently its good for cramp. Whether it prevented me from cramping or not I will never know, but it was disgusting.

After some lunch at Bastrop we set off for the final leg to Austin.

Out of the shelter of the Park we were struck by 20 mph + headwinds, but nevertheless we soon got a good pace line going. At one time I looked around and we were pulling about 100 bikes - It felt really great.

It did not matter that nobody else wanted to take a turn at the front with the wind conditions I didn't blame them.

Just as we had got a really good rhythm going Dave had a puncture so we all stopped.

Sensing our hospitable nature we were joined by a BP rider who requested our assistance with her own puncture.

Kenny and Dave were alarmingly quick off the mark to assist although her particular puncture seemed far more serious and seemed to take on a life of its own.

It took two inner tubes, three CO2 canisters and much cursing to solve.

Whilst all this was going on I soaked up the sun and took some photographs of riders as they filed past.

I even managed to get a snap of a real cowgirl who had ridden up to see what all the commotion was about.

I offered her my bike in exchange for her horse but I don't think she understood my accent or my unique English humour.

She smiled sweetly and gently pressed the heels of her ostrich boots into the sides of her white stallion before riding off through the long swaying grass. With her right hand she skillfully held her double reins and in her left she lightly secured her cowboy hat. All that was missing was some 'voice over' firmly stating that this was 'Marlborough Country'

For a minute I thought my dehydration had got the better of me and that it was all an elaborate mirage.
As we approached the outskirts of Austin the road became familiar as did the long undulating terrain into the city.

The finish was incredible and something you would only expect to see in something like the Tour de France. The streets were cordoned off with supporters four or five deep outlining the streets. People were so generous reaching out to touch your hand and shouting out with all the support they could muster for every single rider. I struggled to hold back my tears of pure joy.

And suddenly it all made sense.

Links to Media Articles:

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/media/pwd_br_p4505_0043p.pdf

http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2009/04/20/conroe_courier/news/ms1500420.txt

http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/local/thousansds_cycle_in_ms_150_bike_tour

Although this ride has now finished, this is just one story on 'The travels with my Mule'

There are many more to come.

One of the things us renegades talked about was to try and set up our own charity cycling team called 'Travels with my mule'.

We had some great ideas for shirt design.

Any feedback or ideas would be welcome.