It’s that time again… training season!

For the sixth year in a row, I’m kicking off bike training season with the goal of riding in a Bike MS event to raise funds for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. For my first three years, I rode the BP MS150 from Houston to Austin since it’s so close to home. My next two years were the Escape to the Lake in western Pennsylvania and then the Pedal to the Point in northern Ohio. I really enjoyed the smaller size of these last two rides, so this year I’m doing a smaller ride in Texas called Ride the Rim out in Canyon, TX on June 22nd – 23rd. I’ve chosen this ride because it goes around the Palo Duro Canyon, the second largest canyon in the US, which I’ve always wanted to visit. This year’s ride is a bit different because the mileage is less. The first day is 100 miles and the second day is 25 miles with a bus ride into the Palo Duro Canyon State Park in the middle. Typically the second day of a Bike MS ride is anywhere from 50 – 80 miles and definitely does not include a bus ride! Because we have to drive far to get to the Palo Duro Canyon, we may just do some hiking or mountain biking on Sunday.

That’s a long paragraph to say that I officially kicked off training season this past Saturday by riding a charity ride with my husband called the Tour De Vineyard at the Vineyard at Florence. After riding 43.5 miles, we had lunch at the Vineyard and bought a ticket to the Texas Wine Festival so that we could taste many delicious wines.

On Sunday, I ran the Austin 10/20, a 10 mile running race near my house that had 20 live bands along the course. Despite not being able to complete my training plan, I am happy with my race performance.

My training updates this year will have more photos than previous years because I now have a GoPro Hero 3 camera that can be easily mounted to my bike handlebars.

DCIM100GOPRO

The ride started on a temperate morning with thin clouds high in the sky.

My husband was riding a slightly shorter route, but we started out together.

My husband was riding a slightly shorter route, but we started out together.

 

After I took a wrong turn (along with about half of the other riders) I caught back up with my husband and surprised him.

After I took a wrong turn (along with about half of the other riders) I caught back up with my husband and surprised him.

Off and on the sun came out during the ride.

Off and on the sun came out during the ride.

Yes, Texas is big sky country...

Yes, Texas is big sky country…

 

The little town of Florence.

The little town of Florence.

Unfortunately, the handlebar mount broke half way through the ride... so I could just hold the camera and take a picture.

Unfortunately, the handlebar mount broke half way through the ride… so I could just hold the camera and take a picture.

Don't worry, it was perfectly safe.

Don’t worry, it was perfectly safe.

Elk

Do you see those animals among the trees? They’re elk!

And turkeys!

And turkeys!

Finally towards the end of the ride we got to see some bluebonnets.

Finally towards the end of the ride we got to see some bluebonnets along the side of the road.

DCIM100GOPRO

DCIM100GOPRO

And some pink winecups

Shortly thereafter, we were back at the winery!

Shortly thereafter, we were back at the winery!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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5 thoughts on “It’s that time again… training season!

  1. Pingback: Bike training update – Red Poppy Ride | Laura Makes
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  4. Pingback: Bike MS training update: Self-inflicted drama | Laura Makes
  5. Pingback: Bike MS Training, March 22 – 23: Rosedale ride | Laura Makes

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