Enchilada: Johnson City to Austin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although we didn’t find flowers on the Willow City Loop, there are plenty on the roadsides.  The creek below was on FM 2766 outside of Johnson City.

  Click HEREto see today’s trip. 

On the first day’s blog I speculated as to whether or not I could write a blog and at the same time lead a tour.  Well, the answer is “no”.  So if you want to see the a complete blog on The Whole Enchilada tour, see Bruce’s blog (link to the right.)  The next blog will be when we’re touring gardens in the Loire Valley of France.  This begins June 1, although we’ll be in Paris a few days earlier.

Enchilada: E-Rock or Not

Many of us planned on walking up Enchanted Rock, second largest batholith in the U.S., but rain showers discouraged most of us. Two couples rode to Luckenbach but most chilled out – or shopped.  Patrice was a shopper. In the photos below she shows tha cowboy hat she purchased at Silver Spur Ranch and the boots she purchased in Fredericksburg today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tomorrow’s scheduled ride – Who in this group pays attention to schedules? – is to LBJ state and national parks.

Enchilada: Fredericksburg and Willow City Loop

No blog Monday; riding to Kerrville Brenda and I went back to pick up the riders because of difficult weather.  This is a resilient group; very few wanted to be picked up in spite of Whimpering Hill, head wind, rain and road construction.

Tuesday, after the short 35-mile ride to Fredericksburg, we had an extremely interesting tour of Pedernales Brewery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today (Wednesday) many of us road the Willow City Loop in search of wildflowers.  We found none on the loop and only a few beside the highway.  Climbing out of the loop we did spot some “Oreo cows”.

 

Enchilada: Utopia to Kerrville

 

•   Left:  Bruce prepares to brave the elements.  The forecast was for strong winds but the weather was more threatening.  This was our longest day – 63 miles and it included the Whimpering Hill. But no one predicted 25 to 30+ mile headwind, rain, sleet, hail and construction.  Brenda and I decided we’d have to make a mad dash to Kerrville, empty the luggage from the van and rescue the riders. We were surprised that so few took up our offer for assistance.  This is a hardy and serious set of cyclists.

Enchilada: Day in Utopia

Today calls for a beautiful 53 mile route although the weather is threatening.  Brenda and I stat out around 9:15.  We get over the first climb of the day and it starts misting. I suggest we turn around. This turns out to be a good idea because the mist becomes rain.

When approaching Utopia yesterday, several of us experienced a lady in a red Cadillac SUV honking at us, and not in a friendly way. Then, in town, she accosts one of our riders telling him that we don’t belong on the road.  Obviously, she doesn’t know Texas laws.  And she is obviously oblivious to highway signs from TxDOT on FM1050.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At happy hour tonight we see again Brenda’s over-the-top happy hour. And then current Board Chair Rick Hill conducts a members meeting.

 

Enchilada: Silver Spur to Utopia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above Left: Bandera County Courthouse.  Bruce takes a photo for his blog.  See link to his blog to the right of this window.  Below Sparrow’s Nest and Buttermilk Pie.  I first ate this at Lost Maples Café 39 years ago – and again today at the same café.  Click HERE to see today’s route. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below is a picture our prosecco happy hour in the gardens of The Laurel Tree followed by a four course dinner.  The Laurel Tree is only opened for lunch and dinner on Saturdays.

  

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THIS IS A GOOD GROUP!

Enchilada: Day at Silver Spur Ranch

Today some rode bicycles and some road horses.  Below, BAC Chair of the Board tries a different kind of saddle.  And then there are two “song birds” who just talk about it.  Ever tried to get a word in sidewise with Brenda and Patrice?

 

  First Glenn sends me a picture of Patrice and Brenda (above) and then Chip sends one.

 

Evening’s entertainment is two cowboy singers:

 

Enchilada: Boerne to Silver Spur Ranch

Instead of the easy 37 mile route to the ranch, I gave the riders a much prettier 54 mile route.  The wind made it more difficult than normal.

Below: Patrice and Glenn – here they come; there they go.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s a lazy day at the ranch:

 

Brenda rode the long route and I drove the van. I rode from the ranch to Bandera and met her for lunch. Photos are on the 10 mile ride to the ranch, mostly up hill and into the wind.  Brenda is on the last climb of the day – where the large picture below was taken.

   

Click HERE for today’s route. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, John practices “When in Rome, do as the Romans and with the Romans, if possible!”. Happy hour and hay ride photos.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enchilada: In Boerne

We’re in the German town od Boerne (rhymes with “journey”) for two nights.  Today’s official ride takes us to Sisterdale and then to Popo’s restaurant before returning to Boerne.  Based on the number of “riders” who we saw taking a late breakfast, I suspect this is unofficially a rest day.  We do see a few riders taking off, including Toni Blanken in the photo.

Our Boerne headquarters is Ye Kendall Inn, originally a stage coach stop.  We’ve been staying here since our first BAC Hill Country tour in 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enchilada: Wimberley to Boerne

Today, day two, was one of the most difficult riding days. We climbed over 3,000 feet today, something we won’t have to do again the entire ride.  And we also had strong winds.  The final reward was the last 16 miles with a strong tail-wind.  When you finish the day like this, life is good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were pleased to see many flowers today, especially bluebonnets. This bodes well for the rest of the trip.  Click HERE to see today’s route.

BAC Texas Enchilada: Austin to Wimberley

 

The tour begins.  We have a decent route out of Austin and it’s 42 miles to Wimberley.  I’m driving the van; when I get to Wimberley I get on my bike and head in the direction the riders are coming.  As I meet the riders coming 2 by 2 I have a change to photograph them.  Later I discovered the controls on my fancy new camera are not set properly and I basically have no images.  Hope you enjoy the photos.  Here is today’s route:  http://ridewithgps.com/trips/2447450

We had a nice happy hour on one of the decks and then went our separate ways to dinner. During dinner a strong storm brought a lot of rain as well as wind, thunder and lightning.  But by the time we left the storm had passed.