The adventure started Saturday AM as our team met at 6:45 at Tully Stadium in Houston. We picked this location to start because we were gluttons for punishment and wanted to ride the extra miles instead of leaving from Katy like most of the 13,000 riders. Things started well despite the tough wind working against us for a good portion of the ride. There were break points every 10-15 miles where you could refill your water and get a snack. Half way through we stopped in Bastrop and had a lunch. At that time we decided to break up into smaller teams as different riders wanted to go at different paces to finish the 102 mile day.
Troy (our PR guru) and I sped through the second portion and met our two volunteers in La Grange and waited for the other riders. Next came in Dr. McIntire (Austin MD), her husband Jim, Christian (Main street office manager’s husband), and Joseph (Sugar Land technician.) But John (my technician’s husband) was nowhere to be found. We waited in La Grange for a couple hours then started searching the medical tents and officials. When we finally found him we learned that he had an asthma attack and ended up at the hospital getting fluid and breathing treatments. An experience I am sure he won’t forget!
After we were all together again we headed to Giddings where we stayed the night and ate dinner at Camp Tejas. My sister and her husband run the camp, so we enjoyed and appreciated their hospitality, soft beds, and warm showers.
The next morning we headed out at 6 to get back to La Grange again for day 2 of the ride. To John’s credit, he was equipped with his inhaler and ready to ride! Once again we broke up into groups of varying speeds. I joined Troy again as we were intent on breaking land speed records on our bikes. Lisa and her husband formed the second group which was followed by Christian and Joseph. In the rear was John going his own pace to avoid any further ER trips.
The day was beautiful and we had an uneventful ride….. save one mishap. Troy and I were drafting other riders and going around 20-25 mph when it happened. Troy’s front tire hit my back tire and I heard a loud crash. I looked back and Troy had crashed with resulting road rash (abrasions) all along the left side of his body. A medic assisted cleaning off his wounds and putting on some bandages. Then, like the warrior that he is, he climbed back on his bike and we finished the race. In fact, we all finished alive.
I want to thank the great volunteers who helped us along the way and fed us and hydrated us at the tent after. We had a great time and perhaps will try again next year if everyone dares….
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