Tour de Gruene Bicycle Classic

Today I did the Tour de Gruene, starting in Gruene Tx. My day started at 6 AM when Mike picked me up for the ride down to Gruene. It took about 50 minutes to get there. The temperature at start time was a little under 60 degrees. I had worn my red coat but decided to leave it behind in the vehicle. I was also wearing my cycling shorts that extend below the knees.

We headed out at about 8 and rode along the Guadalupe River. It was beautiful, the sun was just coming up giving the sky a rosy color. Thorough the trees we could see fog banks and they caught the color of the rising sun. When we would get close to the river the water was a pretty light green. I wish I could have taken a picture or two but we were moving too fast.

Finally after riding for an hour we arrived in Sattler, where we got some food and took care of other needs, and hit the road again.

From here the road went uphill, with several climbs before we reached the face of Canyon Dam. This marked the furthest extent of the ride, and from here we headed back.

For the most part the road was down hill and we were able to really fly. By this time sun had risen higher and we could enjoy the beautiful canyon. Unfortunately, the traffic was heavier also. There was one period when I was following a pickup truck that could not get around the bicycle riders. A little later I rode beside a motorcycle who was waiting to pass some cyclists. I thought about trying to talk put his bike was noisy and he had on a helmet that would have been difficult to talk through.

Toward the end there were two significant climbs. The first was coming up from the canyon about five miles from the end of the route. The second was at the end itself. The last 100 yards of the ride was a real struggle for me, going from the river up to the Gruene Dance hall. This year I was ready for the climb, and I had the bike in a low gear before we started up the hill. It was hard but I made it. Last year it caught me by surprise. I had been going down the hill in high and was not able to get the bike into low. I made it but I was really worried. I was not sure I could get unclipped and catch myself before I coasted back into the river - not to mention into the riders that were following me.

After changing out of our bicycle clothes and inspecting the bikes at the Old Bike Show we headed into New Braunfels to for some catfish and shrimp.

Thus ended a perfect day of biking.

Here is the motionbased view of the ride. Also check it out using Google earth.