Muddy Buddy: The Best Sunday Ever

By Smashley on May 20     Filed In Activities, Austin, Texas, Events, Food & Beverage, Muddy Buddy, Sweet Bikes, Uncategorized     4 Comments

When my alarm went off at 5:45AM on Sunday morning, I wondered what in the world had possessed me to sign up for the Muddy Buddy. It was still dark outside, and let me tell you, I’m not exactly a morning person. Before I could hit the snooze button, my co-worker and “buddy” Jake called to let me know that he was on his way to pick me up. Ug- no turning back now.

An hour and two Clif bars later, we got to Pedernales Falls State Park. That’s when it dawned on us that this wasn’t going to be the “walk in the park” that we had thought. It wasn’t the lack of a costume (or muscle mass) that made us nervous, but the sheer lack of training (Jake actually confessed that he hadn’t been on a bike in 6 years!). Regardless, we donned our helmets, named the bike Bernie (graciously on loan from April), and made our way to the start, taking our place in the midst of a throng of excited, costumed teams of women. The only co-ed duo, we were clearly in the wrong starting wave, but that was fine by me.

Man, we had a blast! The biking was really, really intense. I have no shame in confessing that I had to dismount and walk Bernie the bike down a few treacherous passes. Jake wasn’t so timid, and rode over the craggy terrain with reckless abandon like a pro, passing ladies left and right.

When we got to the mudpit, it was as glorious as I had remembered, lukewarm with a consistency like lumpy brownie batter. Sounds gross, but it’s freakin’ awesome.

As we crossed the finish line, we were cheered on by Danny, who had been giving out free tea at the race all morning.

It was exhilarating! The nice folks with Columbia even took our photo on the winners’ podium. We were on top of the world (and covered with mud).

So where do you go from there? The Salt Lick.

Well, to the showers first, which are really just garden hoses, and then to nearby Driftwood, for some of the best BBQ around. Jake, a recent transplant from North Carolina, hadn’t seen the Texas hill country, and was rightfully impressed. The Salt Lick didn’t fail to disappoint either.

Bellies full and thoroughly exhausted, Bernie the bike, Jake, and I headed back to Austin. I have to say- it was one of the best Sundays ever. I wish we could do it all again.

To quote Russell (Muddy Buddy ’08, ’09)- Muddy Buddy- freakin’ awesome!

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