Final Training Ride: Pedal Power Wildflower Ride
By April on Apr 12 Filed In Activities, Austin, Texas, Sweet Bikes 7 Comments
if you know me then you know that I’m not an early morning person, so training season is pretty hard on me no matter how early I go to bed the night before. I was able to get up when my alarm went off at 6:30AM Saturday morning because my body and mind were in mutual agreement that if they could just get going this time, I wouldn’t be asking much more of them after next weekend. Todd came by the house to pick me up and we were off to Johnson City, home of LBJ State Park and the Pedal Power Wildflower Ride.
We did this ride a couple of years ago and we went away wondering why they had the nerve to put the words, “wildflower ride” in the title when there was not 1 flower on the whole ride. This year was thankfully, VERY different. Remember the scene in the Wizard of Oz when Dorothy walks into the field of poppies? It was sort of like that, but more vibrant than even Technicolor could have made possible. Breathtaking.
We started the ride late (that’s just how we roll) and finally caught up to our buddy Allison at the first rest stop, about 13 miles or so in on our 62 mile journey. I love the Pedal Power rest stops because they are the only rides I’ve been on that have smoked sausage wraps, cheese slices and crackers. Sure, they have plenty of horrible, chemical-laden cookies and such too, but can you really beat a slice of cheddar cheese, a sausage wrap and a couple of orange slices while riding 60+ miles? In the immortal words of LL Cool J, “hmm, I don’t think so.”
Allison and her friend. (L-R)
As the road kept winding around and around, the views became even more spectacular. I have these moments sometimes where I see something so beautiful and awe-inspiring that I stare at it a little longer, to insure that the “picture” will forever be ingrained in my memory. I have this theory that we have flashes that go through our brains when we die, and what I saw Saturday will be one of those flashes. I have cried on bike rides before, but usually it’s because of how heinous the ride was, but this time, there were almost tears from being so overwhelmed by the beauty that exists in nature, if we just take a moment (or 60 or so miles) to sit back and really enjoy it. As we rode down this one massive hill at about 43 mph, I couldn’t help but stare at the massive hills and the cliffs in the background. It never once occurred to me that if you go that far down into a valley, that you will eventually have to go back up. Ugh. We started climbing back up and out of the valley, but due to the amount of cars and motorcycles (all checking out the flowers) I had a hard time getting back on my bike, so I pushed it uphill..and up, and up some more, while taking the time out to check out how the view was changing. Someone drove past me and mentioned how awesome it must be to be on a bike in such a beautiful area. I agreed and then stopped to look at the view and to marvel at how high up I was. From this vantage point I could see just how far down we had been. DANG! I hopped back on my bike only to realize that I was still no where near the top. A person at the rest stop right before this area warned us that it was a long, long hill and that it was more than a mile long. I’m willing to bet it was close to 3 miles up. Geez, it was hard to walk up, so you can imagine how difficult it must have been to ride up it. Todd-I salute you my brother in all things saddle!!
Me climbing one of many hills.
Todd B. and Me. (L-R)
Todd and I finally crossed the finish line around 4PM. It was a long and somewhat painful ride, but I’m glad that we did it, if only for the incredible view. I am ready for the MS 150 and hope that the rest of Tea’m Sweet Leaf Tea is ready too! Want to donate to our Tea’m? There’s still time!
Tea’m Sweet Leaf Tea Rides Again!
By April on Jan 21 Filed In Activities, Austin, Texas 1 Comment
It’s that time of year again.
What time of year is THAT you ask? MS 150 time!! We have a tea’m of over 50 that will be riding in the name of CRUSHING multiple sclerosis. We have created a group on Facebook where folks like YOU can go and cheer us on! We’ll need all the love and $ we can get, as our team goal this year is $20,000!!
With the help from Austin Cycle Camp, we had our first training ride last weekend but TX weather got us again and rained it out. Todd and I headed out to ride Saturday once it cleared up and did a nice and easy-paced 21 miles. Sunday we had 4 folks from our team head south and ride about 23 miles. It was awesome but it’s only going to get better and more fun when we ride out with our big group!
Todd, Brian and Cinda resting in Buda before heading back to ATX.
Stay tuned as we’ll be posting all kinds of fun stuff related to Tea’m Sweet Leaf Tea over the next couple of months. For now, it’s time to hop back in the saddle, cus 180 miles on a bike don’t happen by itself. (I sure wish it did!!)
Have a fun training route you’d like to share for Austin or Houston? We’d love to hear about it!!
Can’t turn off Gossip!
By Alexandra on Dec 29 Filed In ACL, Celebrities, Live Music, Los Angeles, SXSW Add a Comment
Gossip is Good
Have you heard about Gossip? This band is better than the rumors.
I first heard this Oregon-based group on Sirius radio and immediately downloaded several of their songs from iTunes. They have an awesome dance/ rock sound that blends Blondie, Janis Joplin and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and makes every day better. My favorite song right now is ‘Heavy Cross;’ perfect for singing, running, dancing, you name it. For a great play list, look for them on Pandora.
Looking forward to more Gossip in 2010… and possibly an American tour?
Looking forward to 2010
By Alexandra on Dec 28 Filed In Activities, Vacation Add a Comment
What have you been up to this year? Really think about it. What have you been doing?
If working is the first thing that comes to mind, you’re not alone. Work consumes most of our lives. But is that all you’ve been up to?
As 2009 comes to a close and you reflect on what went right and wrong, think hard about what you did for yourself this year. Did you make a new friend? Did you learn to cook? Have you run further than you ever thought you could? Overcome a fear? Take dance lessons? Did you volunteer in your community? If nothing comes to mind, you have some work to do in the New Year.
As life zooms past, we often forget to take time out to look at the big picture. We move way too fast. It’s important we do what we can to balance and simplify our lives and make sure we have something in our life we’re working on besides our career. Start now and commit to making 2010 different and more abou YOU. Make sure the next time someone asks you what you’ve been up to you have something you’re very proud of to share.
This week in Houston: Via Colori
By Alexandra on Nov 18 Filed In Events, Sweet Consumers Add a Comment
The Sweet Leaf Tea square in 2008
This weekend the streets of downtown Houston will be transformed from asphalt to art as over 200 artists participate in Via Colori. This is a FREE street painting festival at Sam Houston Park and on the surrounding streets, Allen Parkway and Bagby. There will be two stages with live music, local food vendors and plenty of Sweet Leaf Tea. You won’t want to miss the Wild Moccasins and Buxton both performing on the Bud Light Stage Sunday.
Be sure to stop by the Sweet Leaf sampling booth and say hi. Let us know you read this blog and you’ll receive a special treat.
This artistic event supports a worthy organization for deaf children, The Center for Hearing and Speech (CHS).
November 21 & 22, 2009
Sat. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. & Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
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