What can we say about the weather this past weekend - Hot! Hot! Hot!  Over the weekend, Valero had three great rides and spent plenty of time out in the heat.  We have a number of events planned this weekend to help you continue your training program for the Hotter N Hell and Ride to the River rides.  We also have a Cruiser Bike ride planned to help you enjoy the great city of San Antonio at night from the seat of yo' bike!  And, oh yeah, the Tour de France starts this weekend...

 David reports on the Oklahoma City - Tour de Cure. They came from all directions - at least from all directions in San Antonio, these intrepid travelling Velo Valerians, to drive up US-281 and IH-35 to join fellow Velo Valero teammates from Ardmore Refinery, Bob Finley, Captain, and Scott Moeller.  Our first stop was the same as last year - Risiky's Steak House on Exchange Avenue in the Stockyards Historic Area of Ft. Worth.  The plan was for everyone to meet for lunch at the traditional spot, and we still have not figured out how Tammy and David G. ended up going through Glenrose, and then Stephenville on their way to Ft. Worth, but at least they made it to the ride start on Saturday morning.  With Tammy and David on the road, the rest of us had a nice, relaxed lunch, and we got the traditional photo of Chuck with our server, although maybe it was a new tradition after all.

Saturday morning dawned intensely clear and warming fast, with the prevailing South wind building.  From the start, there is a very nice slightly down hill and downwind run that tends to put you in a good mood for a good ride.  Bob rode with David G, Tammy and I for about a mile before he realized that the fast group was quickly moving into the distance so he took off to catch them.   I was able to stick with Tammy and David until we got to the into-the-wind rollers, but pretty soon picked up a tow from some friendly Oklahoma Bicycle Club riders.  Unfortunately, they stopped at the first rest stop, so I pushed on alone for the next couple of miles before temporarily trading the head wind for a cross wind.

The left turn onto Hwy. 4 puts you back into the wind, and I was hoping for some nice downhill before the climb up to the next rest stop.  In this wind, there was no coasting, just pedaling, so I decided to experiment with getting down into the "drops" since I don't have aerobars.  My aerodynamics were so much better that I actually picked up about 2 mph, but I still need more practice in that position since I am not that comfortable there.  I was back on the "hoods" when another rider passed me and I was letting him go until I saw Tammy and David in the distance ahead.  I got back into the drops and went after him, and was just getting on his wheel when we caught up to Tammy and David.  This rider, with no "on your left" to David, crossed over into the fast traffic lane and I don't know how the pickup truck missed him because I was still on my side of the white line and felt the wind of the pickup's mirrors as he went by! 

I was feeling pretty good at this point, so pulled ahead to give the duo behind me a little respite, but as soon as we started up the hill toward the rest stop, they passed me and then I found out that Brian was also back there when he also passed me on the hill.  I followed them into the 17 mile rest stop, which was also my turnaround point for the 30 mile ride.  Tammy, David, and Brian soon headed out on the 48 mile route and I now had my downwind and downhill run back North on Hwy. 4!

I had a pretty uneventful ride back in, finishing the 30 miles with a 15.2 mph average which is pretty good for me given the relatively light training schedule I have managed this year due to family obligations.  When I finished, I found Debbie cheering me on across the finish line, along with Heidi and the kids.  That felt really fine, let me tell you!

I picked up my camera and some water and joined the other Valero folks at the finish line to cheer our remaining riders across the finish.  Next to come in was Scott from Ardmore who was maybe the first to finish the 48 mile route, and about 5 minutes later, Bob crossed the finish, definitely the first of the 100K group to finish. 

Somehow, I missed Chuck's finish - the sun's glare was vicious and I had a hard time seeing the camera's screen.  Sorry, Chuck.  At one point, we had a virtual Valero parade crossing the finish line with Tammy, Brian, David, and Mark in close succession.

It always amazes me how Tammy rides so effortlessly.... Breezing across the finish like she had only been around the block and not 48 grueling miles in the heat and wind!  The next to finish was Andrea from her 100K.  A little while later, we learned that PJ had sagged in, probably as a result of unforeseen complications related to the heat, wind, and it being her first long ride after newly prescribed non-performance enhancing medications. 

After partaking of some food and air conditioning, we all headed back to our respective accommodations for some rest before re-assembling at Jazzmo's Bourbon Street Café in Bricktown for dinner and libations.  After dinner, we celebrated Heidi's birthday with cake and singing.

The trip home, at least for Chuck, Debbie and I was uneventful, but I am pretty sure that this weekend, a good time was had by all.

The group from San Antonio, except Bryan, Bob, and Scott are MIA.  Click here to see all the OKC pictures.

Next year I plan on getting Heidi a few more drinks in her. Maybe I can get her to dance on the bar with me at Coyote Ugly's for at least one song. Or get a ride on one of the Harley Hogs at the motorcycle ralley in OKC next time around. After all I'm not called "Wild Thing" for nothin. :)

 Carl Reports on his Saturday and Sunday Training Rides in San Antonio

Saturday's ride started in Helotes next to Roger Soler's and the historic John T. Floores Country Store.  There was a decent showing at the ride that included some of the usual Saturday riders like John Tenison, Allen Green, Dave Shore and Stella and Luis Rocha.  Also riding with us were Mr. Klesse, Candus Percy, Alice and several team members from team SEB including their team captain Steve.  If you have not heard team SEB before, they were the highest per capita fundraising team for last year's Valero Bike to the Beach ride.  John, Allen and a handful of other riders did the 56 mile route out to Castroville and back, Steve and his team SEB members along with a couple of other riders did the 23 mile out-and-back route.  I did the 40 mile route with Mr. Klesse, Candus and Alice.  We had a great ride through the mostly flat roads southwest of Helotes.  There were a few loose dogs on the route that included one black lab that chased me at close to 20 miles per hour and decided not to chase the other riders in my group.  One example of taking one for the team.  After the ride, several of the riders joined in a celebration lunch and a welcome cool down at Floores Country Store.

Sunday's ride was a casual 25 mile ride from Freetail Brewery off of Loop 1604 and NW Military HW.  The ride included Richard Nagao,  Derrick and Teresa Triche(she did 36 miles - way to go!!!).  The route took us up the hills on Babcock Rd to Scenic loop and then into Helotes for a much welcome rest stop at the Starbucks, my second of the morning, on the corner of Bandera and Hausmann Rd.  We finished the ride just before 10AM.

This weekend, we will be offering three training opportunities so plan on joining us for at least one of the following rides so let's get the party started.

 On Friday - John will lead the ride form Bulverde Community Center wheels down at 7:30am Bulverde - Spring Branch - Kendalia Ride: We ride from Bulverde Community Center on Amman Rd. at Bulverde Rd. The physical address is 1747 E Ammann Rd., Bulverde, Texas 78163. Route choices are 51 miles via Kendalia, or 32 miles via Spring Branch, Rt. 311 and Smithson Valley Rd.

 On Saturday - Carl will lead the ride from Freetail Brewery wheels down at 7:30am. Options for this ride are from 25 to 55 miles.  All routes will go out the same way up Babcock Road and the shorter route will take Scenic Loop to Helotes and back to Loop 1604 via Hausmann.  The longer routes will go down Scenic Loop to Boerne Stage to the Valero Station at Boerne Stage and I-10.  From there the medium distance route will start heading back down Old Fredericksburg and the longer route will continue heading north to Boerne before heading back. Maps will be provided at the ride start.

 On Sunday - Carl will lead the ride from Judson High School wheels down at 7:30am.  The ride will include a stop in New Berlin for tacos.  From this location, riders will have the option of riding the shorter 38 mile route or the longer 51 mile route. Maps will be provided at the ride start.

WOW! The Teddy Bear is going to be putting in some major miles during the holiday weekend.  There's a rumor he's even planning on doing the Cruiser Bike ride...

First Friday Cruiser Bike Ride!

On Friday, July 3d, we are planning yet another installment of our First Friday downtown Cruiser Bike rides!   We'll begin at the highway underpass near Sam's Burger joint at around 08:00 pm, hit our usual haunts (Alibi's, Bluestar Brewing Company, etc.) and then end up at the VFW on the fabulous new Museum Reach of the San Antonio Riverwalk.    See downtown San Antonio the way it was meant to be seen - at night, from the seat of your bike, with your cycling buds at your side!

For more details, click here.  Send an e-mail to peter.ray@valero.com if you plan on joining.

Group shot of some of the Cruiser Bikers last Christmas at Beethoven Hall

 From David Sloan: For all of you that love road trips, I have created a Velo Valero team for the Ft. Worth Tour de Cure that is scheduled for September 12, and starts and ends at Texas Motor Speedway on the Northwest side of Ft. Worth. 

The ride is on a Saturday, so that leaves Saturday night for having a good time in Ft. Worth.  The pirate themed rest stop last year was so much fun that I almost got left behind by the rest of our group!!    

Click Here to register for the Fort Worth Tour De Cure ride.

David, Lucho, and Glennis waiting for the Fort Worth Tour de Cure ride to start.

See you on the road!

- Andrea, aka Wild Thing