Waves to Wine Ride 2012

I have only ever been to San Fransisco once and in that short period of time acquired some sympathy for that old crooner Tony Bennett. Seemingly he had  left one of his major organs there.

Although my visit was brief, it was long enough to develop an overwhelming desire to return. 

Not many people know that when Tony Bennett first sang "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" the song was actually the B side to "Once Upon A Time."

In California San Francisco may also be on the B side to Los Angeles but just like the song we all know which one is more popular.

Situated at the end of its very own peninsula the city is bordered by The mighty Pacific Ocean to the west and San Francisco Bay to the east. Inland the mainland soon elevates creating a natural amphitheatre overlooking the great metropolis  which can be viewed in its entirety.

 

 

 Through my life I have visited America many times and have zig zaged across its vast continent. New York Washington, Chicago, Los Angeles,  Seattle, Miami, Houston, Nashville, New Orleans, Denver and many places in between. I have  tried to assimilate the 'American Way' and understand how this 'young' country has evolved.

San Francisco seems oddly out of kilter - as if it does its own thing. It also seems oddly European.

If the inhabitants all spoke French and donned a few berets you could almost imagine you were on the French Riviera, only the wine is cheaper and tastier.

As I started writing this blogpost I wanted to establish what other free thinkers thought.
Unsurprisingly I am not alone.

 One day if I go to heaven…I’ll look around and say “It ain’t bad, but it ain’t San Francisco”. (Herb Caen)

You know what it is? (It) is a golden handcuff with the key thrown away. (John Steinbeck)
San Franciscans are very proud of their city, and they should be. It’s the most beautiful place in the world. (Robert Redford)
Of all cities in the United States I have seen, San Francisco is the most beautiful. (Nikita Kruschev)
I prefer a wet San Francisco to a dry Manhattan. (Larry Geraldi)
I never dreamed I’d like any city as well as London. San Francisco is exciting, moody, exhilarating. I even love the muted fogs. (Julie Christie)
In all my travels I have never seen the hospitality of San Francisco equalled anywhere in the world. (Conrad Hilton)
 It is a good thing the early settlers landed on the East Coast; if they’d landed in San Francisco first, the rest of the country would still be uninhabited. (Herbert Mye)
 What fetched me instantly (and thousands of other newcomers with me) was the subtle but unmistakable sense of escape from the United States. (H.L. Mencken)
Every man should be allowed to love two cities, his own and San Francisco. (Gene Fowler)

 God took the beauty of the Bay of Naples, the Valley of the Nile, the Swiss Alps, the Hudson River Valley, rolled them into one and made San Francisco Bay. (Fiorello La Guardia)

San Francisco is poetry. Even the hills rhyme. (Pat Montandon)
I love this city. If I am elected, I’ll move the White House to San Francisco. Everybody’s so friendly. (Robert Kennedy)
I like the fog that creeps over the whole city every night about five, and the warm protective feeling it gives…and lights of San Francisco at night, the fog horn, the bay at dusk and the little flower stands where spring flowers appear before anywhere else in the country…But, most of all, I like the view of the ocean from the Cliff House. (Irene Dunne)

If somebody was to ask me 'What would be your dream cycle trip?'
My answer would go like this:-
'Id start in San Fransisco about 7am on a Saturday morning whilst its still relatively quiet.

I'd cycle through part of the city ................

Then along San Francisco bay towards and over the Golden Gate Bridge.

Id have a break and sample some wine before exploring the wine region more fully the following day'

Well the MS Society obviously read my mind and have a two day event 22/23rd September 2012 called 'Waves to Wine' which starts in San Francisco and finishes in the Sonoma wine region.

It takes two days and is about 150+ miles.

After discovering this gem I had little choice but to call my benevolent twin brother and share my dream.
Within hours of talking to him he had entered our Anglo/American Mule Team. So far we have 5 Mules a number we will look to multiply over the coming months.

Having already completed the MS 150 Houston to Austin 5 times I know that the quality that goes into the organisation and support will be be second to none.

This support was evident as soon as we had registered in the shape of Liz Bernstein who works for the MS Society.

Its not easy trying to logistically advise a global gathering of cyclists but she does a remarkable job.

She also has Anglo/American links.

After being brought up in Southern California Liz actually went to University in the same county that I live in -which is in my beloved Yorkshire, England. It also contains some of the Anglo Mule favorite riding territory.

Whilst at university Liz started running (Big Hills in Bradford) and in 2002 did a marathon in Hawaii where she raised $3,000 for AIDS.
Sadly in 2006 her sister was diagnosed with MS and Liz wanted to raise money and awareness. Within 3-4 months she had gathered a team of 17 friends and moved from running to cycling entering the Waves to Wine ride and raising  $10,000.
The following year she had gathered 65 people in her team and  raised $65,000.
This is a great ride and a great cause.
If your thinking about entering she is ready at hand to advise.
Mules Mission

In life there are three sorts of people - Those who do, those who watch, and those who are unable to do either.

Modern society has tended to make people selfish, where we are pushed into a mindset to 'look out for yourself'. Problems that affect us all are often discarded as 'Not my problem'. We are encouraged to be 'watchers'. I thank god everyday that I am healthy and try to see the world through rose coloured glasses even though they may mist up from time to time. When I gave up Rugby at the age of 40 I needed a new pastime and cycling became my inspiration. Cycling provided me with the floral glasses, to see the beauty of the world. It allowed me to get off the highway and hear myself think. It introduced me to like minded people where I redeveloped the art of conversation and debate. It provided me with a viable alternative form of transport. I became a 'doer'. Through hours in the saddle reflection becomes easy, as does the realisation of privilege. Not the privilege association with a position in life, but privilege that I am fit and well.

When I helped set up the Mules 'Travels with my Mule Cycling Team' we decided that we wanted to harness our cycling into fundraising, by taking part in sponsored charity rides. There are thousands of worthy charities who are all desperate for support, so the question always comes up - who do you support? I used to beat myself up over this one. Sadly we all know somebody who has been affected by some illness or social misfortune. Its a tough question and I think the answer is that it does not matter. To help any other person is good.

Another question people ask me is why do you support charities in the USA? My answer is the same - to help any person is good. If there is a breakthrough in medical research in Timbuktu I am sure they would share it with the rest of the world - It should not and does not matter who finds cures for any illness.

IF YOU WANT TO SUPPORT MS BY SPONSORING ME THERE IS A DIRECT LINK ON THE SIDE BAR

ALTERNATIVELY COME RIDE MY DREAM - WAVES TO WINE 2012

Hotter than Hell Preperations - All Good Mules deserve a nice home

Today was my last day in the saddle to acclimatise to the Heat and Humidity of a Texas Summer. I went with my twin brother Paddy 'Le Patron' and acted as his Domestique , setting the pace and sheltering him from strong and windy conditions around the vicinity of Zube Park.
Riding 'shotgun' for Paddy is a role that I have grown accustomed to over the years, so much so that now Paddy quite unashamedly calls me his 'Super Domestique'

For those of you who are familiar with the term you will know that there is a hierarchy among domestiques; the more accomplished, often called lieutenants or super-domestiques, are called upon during critical times.

The lieutenant(s) stays with the leader as long as possible during demanding periods providing him all the support he can muster.

Obvious examples from the recent 2010 Tour de France were Alexander Vinokourov (Astana) riding in support of Alberto Contador, Chris Horner (Radio Shack) riding for Lance Armstroing and the mighty 'Spartacus' Fabian Cancellara (Team Saxo bank) riding hard for Andy Shlek

Paddy commented that it was a good training ride all be it from the relative comfort of his 'wheel sucking' armchair. For me it was an altogether more gruelling experience but pleasant none the less.

We completed 45 miles which also took us past our cousins (see above) who received their customary salute. The ride personally took me over 4500 miles for the year almost a mile to the day as at this time last year.During last years Hotter than Hell ride we noticed a fancy double decker team bus from some local club (The name escapes me) and Paddy our patron commented that one day we will have our own.

Today we collected our own 'Team Trailer' I grant you that we cant sit on the top of it and drink fancy cocktails but its a start and a fantastic asset. It even has the names of our current 'active' members on the side
Well done Paddy !!!!!!!!

'Travels with my Mule' is a small cycling team but we aspire to great things.

Our ultimate aim is to form a vibrant social cycling team to collectively take part in international charity cycling events. To accept any rider of any ability who wants to take part in events and feel part of a team. We have a core of riders in USA mainly Texas and the UK but some of our members come from all over the world.

We have our own website http://www.travelswithmymule.com/ which provides more information about our team. We also have a number of member blogsites.

If your riding in the Hotter than Hell don't be shy please shout out 'Go Mules' and you will get a big thumbs up, alternatively come and meet us afterwards. We have some wrist bands and if the team have not been too greedy we may also let you try out some tasty MuleBars our 'MuleFuel' courtesy of MuleBar

http://www.mulebar.com/

Either way have a great Ride.

Who know next year we may have a bus too !!!!!!

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.

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.

End of Term Report

Having completed my last sportive of the year two weeks ago I find myself in a reflective mood.
So reflective that my bike has become curious by its lack of activity and is staring to believe that it might be time for a grease up,blanket and into the shed for winter........Surely Not ????????
I remember when I was at boarding school that the first two weeks of my Summer holidays were idyllic and care free.
After those initial two weeks I knew that there would be the immanent arrival of my annual school report in the post.
If the report was good, the rest of my holidays were good.
If it were bad they were not.
My school report would be the barometer for my Summer vacation.
Now I am older there are no School reports, however through my reflections I have decided to provide myself with one nevertheless to ensure that my adult education process is still developing.
We are never too old to learn or change.

Philips Annual Report
Maths.
Philip has used his Garmin effectively to record all of his mileage, however this can only be used accurately when it is switched on and off at the appropriate times.
He may like to believe he cycled at 75 miles per hour but that was the Garmin recording the car speed.
English.
Philip has used his blog to catalogue his experiences and illustrate his understanding of various issues with cycling. However I believe there should be more emphasis on various related topics rather than him. His grammar and punctuation appear to depend on wine consumption, alcohol should not be consumed during these periods.
He has now developed a new blog writing blog called The Lost Muse to assist with his writing. He is now serialising a book that he wrote called The Last Siren, I have read it and its a great bodice ripping Yarn.
French
Despite the great french traditions of Cycling Philip has struggled to embrace either the language or culture, his only contribution being bad words and the heavy consumption of Garlic
Art
Philips riding style has become far more fluid, and at times he could be mistaken for a proper cyclist, there is still a long way to go in this area. He still uses his bigger gears too much and must learn to pedal faster.
He has recorded a number of interesting and artistic pictures which have been admired on his blog........well done.
Geography
Philip has travelled far and wide on his bicycle and experienced new regions and cultures and terrains. This process can on assist in his development.
Drama
He has excelled in this area so much so that it is now difficult to distinguish between himself and the many cycling characters he tries to portray. I particularly like his recent depiction of Lance Armstrong 'Bonking', he seemed to capture the full essence of pain and those tears were so lifelike.
Diet
If Philip wants to move from being and average competent cyclist to compete in the veterans next year he will have to loose 30 lbs. He can be as fit as he likes but it wont matter.
Carrying the equivalent of a sack of potatoes on your back when cycling will always slow you down.
Aptitude
Philip has a great attitude to training , he has certainly put in the miles this year.
Although his ability is increasing so is his perceived ability which always appears to be slightly greater he should endeavour to recognise this. His stamina and enthusiasm are never in question. To progress he needs to train more effectively mixing up his routines and working on his core strength and speed. He needs to get out of his comfort zone and set himself much greater challenges.

After stamping my feet for ten minutes and weeping I realised that on the whole my report was true and if I wanted to move forward I would have to change.
The first question was did I want to? There was nothing wrong with what I had been doing.
That question did not really need asking.
Although I have not been on my bike this week (And may not for a while still)

I have gone to the Gym.
I have been spinning, running, rowing and been doing selected weights.
I have also decided that I have to be strict about what I eat.
I also need to set myself goals that are slightly out of my reach.
In that way that the change in style, speed, diet etc will HAVE TO become a requirement rather than a desire, or a wish.
With that in mind I have decided that my first goal next year will be to complete The Cheshire Cat (102 Miles) without getting off my bike at Mow Cop or any of the other F***ing killer ascents.
I also want to do other similar arduous sportives.
I want to do a 24 hr challenge, to see how many miles I can do in 24 Hours
Finally I want to do one super challenging event with The Mules
What really caught my imagination was The Triple By Pass in the Colorado Rockies.
It looks and incredible ride with 3,500 people on 10th July 2010.
I know that to complete the 120 miles, I would have to be really, really fit and light.

Its a great dream who knows the registration is not till January.
Anyway Mules and other prospective Mules Check out the Video below it might capture your imagination.

The Hotter N Hell Part 1

At 0705 hrs a cannon fired across Scott Street, Witchita Falls to set the mules off on their very first organised centurion ride. 'The 2009 Hotter than Hell'

From 0600 hrs we had queued up with 14,000 other cyclists in what must be the biggest century ride in America, if not globally.
Prior to the start we were treated to Olympic gymnast Carly Patterson singing the American national anthem and a flyover from Sheppard Air Force Base with their T38 Trainer jets.


At the start the temperature was a very pleasant 64 f .

The locals and more seasoned Hotter tan hell competitors described this as being cool.

I thought the whole thing was 'cool' but that had nothing to do with the temperature.

I thought that the temperature was perfect.

I can just imagine waiting with my bike in England at six o'clock in the morning.

At the very least I would have required a mug of steaming coffee, coat, woolly hat and ear muffs even if it was the middle of the summer.

We set off in 'the scorchers' category about one block from the start line or about 2,000 people back.

The 'scorcher' status apparently meant that we expected to maintain an average of between 18 and 20 mph.

The first few miles were very tricky with thousands of riders jostling for positions and trying to find their own rhythm.

Despite that, the Mules soon established got going with a high tempo and developed an early pace line.

We scorched up the outside of the pack at about 25 mph.

With our distinctive blue and red shirts and tight disciplined formation we looked great and soon had a stream of riders hitching a lift onto our ever increasing 'mule train'.

(L to R - Kenny, Simon, Paddy and Me)

As the sun came up the temperature rose into the high 80's f warming our limbs and casting a stream of symmetric shadows onto the road, illustrating the precision our riding.

It was like the scene from a western, alongside the 'mule train' there was the good, the bad, and the dammed right ugly.

The good was exemplified my the camaraderie, support and warmth of other riders who we encountered.

The bad was the lack of consideration by a few riders. If it was not for the individual skills and dexterity of a large number of riders there would have been literally hundreds of accidents and casualties. I personally lost count of the near misses I witnessed where riders completed daft manoeuvres putting everyone around them at risk. On two occasions I had to break so hard that my rear wheel locked up. It was only through good fortune that I did not join the 'honorable Road Rash Society'

The Ugly was the the sight of other cyclist in pain or cut and battered by the side of the road

(L to R - Sean, Kenny, Dave)

(L to R - Sean, Kenny, Dave)

(Christian)

After 60 miles we were averaging 21.5 mph and looking to set a great time, however Paddy was starting to suffer. He was still suffering the after affects of a crash two weeks previously where ha had broken a couple of ribs he was in a lot of pain.

We started to stop at all of the rest stops to give him a break and to show our unity.

It was great to see the abundance of local volunteers handing out drink, food and wet towels with a smile and supporting encouragement.

The last forty miles were completed at an easier pace and we all crossed the line together at an average speed of 19.6 mph
The finishing line was punctuated by a strategically placed fire hose that cooled us down, I needed no invitation to joint the wet cycle kit contest.

The Mules did good !!!!! Well done guys.

The rest of the day and evening were highlighted with serious hydration treatment and actively publicising the virtues of the Mules. This will be covered in Hotter Than Hell part 2 tomorrow.

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.

The Texas Cycling Experience - Travels with my Mule in Texas

As I start thinking about going home this Sunday I have been reflecting on my cycling experiences in Texas

Living in Beverley, (East Yorkshire,England) I have always felt spoilt about my cycling opportunities with so much contrasting variety in both the terrain and the natural beauty of the countryside. If you go East you have fast flat riding on the coastal Holderness plain which borders the North Sea. To the South you have the impressive Humber bridge with the Lincolnshire wolds beyond. To the west you have the East Yorkshire Wolds and the Vale of York . Finally to the North you have the Howardian Hills and North Yorkshire Moors, where the monster hills prey on tubby cyclists. Whatever route you choose you are in open countryside within five minutes.

Coming to Texas I have had to adjust considerably. To go anywhere you first had to encounter the vehicular gauntlet that is called '1960'. I am sure all major urban areas have their own equivalent, but to me this highway is particularly terrifying, even to drive on. To venture out on anything that contained less than two axles, and four wheels would be be like turning up at a slimming club with a family sized tub of Kentucky fried chicken.
The thought of having to drive somewhere - and then to cycle seemed to defeat the whole liberating experience. My own car is rarely used with an annual mileage of about 2,000 miles a year, about a quarter of the distance I cycle.

In Texas, like a lot of the big American cities the roads are cluttered with 'Drive ins'.

This viral epidemic which had previously only affected cinemas and fast food outlets, has been virulent, spreading to Banks, Chemists, Post offices, Dry cleaners, and supermarkets.

Seemingly there is very little you cant do from the drivers seat of an automobile.
This is such a great shame because once you get past your '1960' s of this world. Cycling is a great an healthy alternative, with huge enviromental positives. In Texas there are in fact some great places to cycle, most of which have been put in place by local government.
Memorial Park,Terry Hersey Park, Cullen Park, Beaver creek and Bush Park to name a few.

The fascillities are first class.

There was also an added attraction - It may just be at one time the Great man Lance Armstrong could have ridden the same tracks.

Even if you do have to venture out onto the main roads and highways most of them have a hard shoulder as wide as some of our own motorways back in England. Places are accessible by bike !!!!!!

Once I allowed myself to relax, I felt far less intimidated by traffic than I ever do in my own country.

In England cars like to engage with you.

You know get 'close up and personal'.

Stroking your leg with a wing mirror would not seem out of place at all.

I realise that this sort of intamacy is usually monogomous and reserved for a human relationship, but cars are sleezebags.

They dont mind you embracing other items such as kerbs and hedgerows and are all too willing to encourage you.

If you dont take care they will have you kissing a lampost without a second thought.

And they say that English people are not warm hearted!!!!!

The many cyclists I met on my trips in Texas we ALL incredibly warm and friendly and there was none of the bike snobbery that I have sometimes witness in England.

At one time or another we were all bought our first bike.

The very first time we revolved those pedals 'unaided' we became cyclists.

Although we may have embraced different disciplines, intensity, frequency and type of use, we are all still just cyclists.

The moment we forget that we risk losing the thrill and freedom it can bring in differing degrees - to anybody.

One winter morning I was once passed by a pace line from one of our local cycling clubs. Being a bit larger than I am now, but still in Lycra, I received some looks that suggested I was not worthy to be out on a road bike.This was accompanied by some sniggering as they snaked passed.

Ten minutes later I overtook half of them climbing 'The Devils Chimney'.

A beast of a hill that climbs 800 ft in a mile, which just happens to be my favorite local climb. Scott has even warmed to it too.

As the uniformed skeletons ascended the steepest part of the gradient they rocked from side to side, out of their razor edged saddles. I sat back in mine setting a steady rhythm and admired the wold top view. Taking a drink from my water bottle, I remarked with a very anxious voice that my drink had contained too much brandy.

When I got to the top the others were waiting. As I cycled passed them I smiled saying 'Not bad for a fat lad eh?'

Texas I loved cycling here !!!!!!!