Blog

Back on the Saddle: Follow-up

Photography

Last Saturday, our son, Fred and I rode the Emmitt Smith Gran Fondo bike race and rally. Over 1600 cyclist test their endurance in some challenging area roads across Lavon Lake.

Fred signed up for the 22 mile Ride 22 and I did the 41 mile Picollo Fondo. At one point I almost called it in and was looking for a sag wagon. For those of you that do not follow cycling, a sag wagon is a vehicle that will carry the riders and bikes back to the staging area in the event you can’t finish the ride for various reasons.

I stopped with 6 miles left to go. Juanita, my wife, was at the finish line and I text her saying, “I’m done”. Fortunately for me, another couple stopped in the same place as well. You may think 6 miles? But the we had already ridden 33 miles in some 5 and 6% grade hills and it was getting hot. At 11:15 am, the humidity was nuts!

After we talked, rested and waited, we never saw a sag vehicle and finally decided to persevere. I stopped a few more times on the way in but I finished!!

Afterwards we found the couple. They finished the ride too and the gentleman said he went straight to First Aid because he got chills. The temperature was in the mid 90’s and humidity was high as well.

Overall it was fun and I’ll do this ride again, but I will also prepare myself better next time.

Oh, I didn’t get my picture with Emmitt either.

Photographed by Fred: Parker, Texas 2019.09.14

Back on the Saddle

Photography

Our son, Fred, started bicycle riding for charity events somewhere around 2001 or 2002 which prompted me to do the same.

This ride was my first ride in 2004, the Recycle Rally in McKinney, Texas. It was drizzling rain and pretty cold the whole day. I was not even close to cycling shape, as you can see by the grimace on my face, but I finished 21 miles on a HEAVY bike. This is the finish line. There is a creek bottom to the left of the picture that drops about 50 feet down and back up.

Photographed by Fred: McKinney, Texas 2004.11.21

Now, several years later, I have a really lightweight carbon fiber road bike. My wife an I ride a tandem every so often. One of my brother-in-laws also rides now and then as well. Many times we make it a Family event when we can.

This year Fred and I are riding in Plano/Lucas. The event is the Emmitt Smith Grand Fondo befitting the Emmitt and Pat smith charities. There will be several local Celebrities riding as well.

I chose to do the 41 mile while he is riding 22 miles.

Doing these rides has taken us to several places in Texas we wouldn’t have gone otherwise. Juanita had camera duties this time. The picture below is taken in Corpus Christi, Texas for the inaugural Conquer the Coast ride in 2005.

Maybe I can get a picture with Emmitt!

Photographed: Corpus Christi, Texas 2005.10.01

Forgotten Photo, Almost

Photography

While browsing through the thousands of photographs on my computer, I came across this (and several more) I almost forgot about.

Most every year, when I was growing up, our family vacations ended up here. The Texas Cowboy Reunion in Stamford, Texas. My dad loved his horses and rodeo.

My Mothers family lived 10 miles to the north in Haskell, Texas and many of my Fathers relatives lived in Stamford. We always had a good time with family and friends.

Several years ago while visiting my Dad, we stopped by. The main gate was locked but a gate in the back was open.

This place was a lot bigger when I was a kid!

Photographed: Texas Cowboy Reunion Stamford, Texas 2007.08.25

Daily Walk

Photography

Most days at lunch, I take a walk around the neighborhood. Partially for exercise and partially for photos. Sometimes I find a photo here and there that I have not seen before, even though my path is generally the same.

The sun was hitting this prickly pear just right to make in look intimidating. I remember as a kid getting stuck with these things. Not fun!

Photographed: Plano, Texas 2018.01.22

City Sky

Photography

Living in the city has it’s advantages, except for traffic, and skylines among a few other things.

I have to be selective when I take pictures of a nice sunrise or sunset to avoid all the other stuff around. It takes about an hour to drive somewhere else to see the horizon.

But sometimes…

Photographed: Plano, Texas 2018.10.22