Mike's Bike Blog

On Saturday I was scheduled for a 1 1/2 hour easy spin so what better way to accomplish this then with 2 junior cyclists. Jack, Ethan and myself with our bikes loaded on the bike rack made our way over to Brushy Creek Park and caught the ACA Family ride. The route was 5.5 miles on the new hike/bike path from the Brushy Creek Park to the YMCA. There were quite a few riders joining us, about 14 riders in all. The boys had a good time they did comment on how slow we went, especially up the hills.

Sunday I opted out of the Southwest Cycle Sport group ride because on Thursday I somehow pinched a nerve or something in my back and breathing heavy was a little problematic. Since the route scheduled was hills I didn't think the sharp pain when I started to breath heavy would be wise. Instead I put together a route down Parmer up to Andice. Instead of just going straight down Parmer I mapped a route that would take me on 2 different offshoots that I hadn't cycled down.

The first deviation was turning right on County Road 258. This road will take you down to Camp Tejas and across a little creek. CR 258 is 2.7 miles long and fairly secluded passing through pastures on both sides. CR 258 comes out on 3405. A left turn will take you back to Parmer, but I opted to go right towards Georgetown. I stayed on 3405 for the next 4 miles. As I was about to turn left onto Ridgewood Road my front tire went flat. I pulled over and placed my bike under a big tree to get out of the sun. As I got the wheel off the bike my leg was getting bitten by baby fire ants!. They were all over my left leg. I had to find another spot to change the flat. Ridgewood connects Andice Road (2338). I then headed down 2338 back towards Parmer. I headed south on Parmer, but only for .2 miles and then took an immediate right on CR 246.

CR 246 is another detour to Andice that I have never had a chance to ride on before. It's another off the beaten path road that runs parallel  to 2338. It intersects 2338 when it turns back on itself. I rode into Andice to the general store. When I pulled into the parking lot there were a couple bikes there and a couple taking a break as well. They had purchased a gallon of water and offered me to top off my bottles. Don and Janet backed up the claim on the sign outside of the general store that they had if not the World's Best Hamburger one of the better ones. I might have to make a burger run sometime to see how that claim holds up. After a short break I showed off into the wind.

On the way back I went on CR 254 and then onto CR 255 and CR 269 back to Parmer. I had one more deviation on Parmer instore. I like to turn right on CR 258. This little diversion adds an extra 4 1/2 miles. I typically will see deer on this section of the route especially down by the creek. This twist is good when the wind is blowing on Parmer as the tree coverage does give a little relief. The only down side is the road past the creek is not the best, it's a bit bumpy.

In the end I ended up with 67 miles. For the most part my back wasn't an issue, I did have a few short pains here and there (mainly when standing or looking over my left shoulder), but nothing too bad. It's definitely on the mend.