This past month was the first time in my memory that the HATS held a club ride in August. After you read Susan's review of the ride in this newsletter, you'll understand why we've avoided sponsoring an August ride. Through the majic of search engines and the internet, our club has added some new members who have discoved our website and newsletter. Our newest members are Simon and Nathalie White and Colin Wooldridge and Elyssa Clark. Both teams participated in the Summer Riverhaven ride and now have stories to share about riding in the Texas Summer heat and humidity.
Hal and Lucy Moorman have invited the HATS to return to Brenham on Saturday October 30 for the Oktoberfest Ride. I will provide a keg of my Seveer Beer to enjoy after the ride...there will be more detail about the ride in next month's newletter
Stay Safe...hope to see you on the road.
The third weekend in September has been reserved for the TROLS to ride over the rolling hills of deep East Texas for the last 13 years. Usually the high temperatures and humidity have retreated from the peaks in August. The HATS have always supported this ride; we normally do not schedule a club ride in September to avoid any conflicts. There are a few places for teams still available for this year's tandem weekend. Click on the picture above to navigate to the TROLS website, complete the registration and join in the fun.
Galveston Ride and Barbecue October 9
On October 9th we will join Bujo and Jeri Waddell for a ride in Galveston. The ride will begin at the Waddell's house (7101 Youpon Dr. in Galveston) (Turn right on 61 st Street from I-45. Then right at the second light S or Stewart Road. Keep to the left at the Y and then turn right onto Yucca at the Zion Lutheran Church. Immediately left on Cedar which becomes Youpon Dr.) Bujo will mark the route out of the sub-division with arrows on the street. Folks can choose the distance they want to ride because the route is out FM 3005. It is slightly over 20 miles from the Waddell's house to the San Luis Bridge. Thus the best distances are 22 miles, 30 miles, 35 miles, and 40 miles.) Historically, the weather is generally very nice in early October with very little rain chances and the wind generally stays “light” (for Galveston). Traffic is generally light after Labor Day.
Bujo and Jeri will provide the BBQ Ribs and Brisket. Club members should plan to bring salads, veggies, or desserts. Folks may also wish to bring lawn chairs. The deck is in the shade from mid-morning to early afternoon.
Please RSVP to Bujo before October 5 so they can finalize plans for the barbecue.
The 2010 Southern Tandem Rally is in Florence, Alabama on October 15th through the 17th. There are only a few available spaces available for tandem team. Click on the photo below to navigate to the STR website to download a registration form.
Construction on our new Fredericksburg house moves forward...at the end of August the structure was "weathered-in" and the emphasis now moves to completing the interior. This photo is a reminder that the HATS needs a team to wear the Top Hat! We are planning to move in January and will no longer serve as the club's Top Hat. The club needs a replacement...we do not hold elections and the Top Hat has always been a volunteer position. The responsibilities depend on what you are willing to do and what you want to deligate. I have written the monthly newletter (with many articles contributed by the membership) and I help to plan the monthly rides, but usually one of the teams really does all of the planning for each ride. Also we want your suggestion for a venue for the Holiday Social...we have not made any reservations and time is running short. We do need a volunteer for this year's Holiday Social. Here is the appeal...can you help with the HATS leadership or can you help with the Holiday Party??? Please click on the email Hugh link to reply. I will continue to post progress photos of the house in Fredericksburg to illustrate the urgency to find new Top Hats!
by Susan Mahoney
You know how it is after an incident occurs, you look back in time and ask yourself “How did that happen?” Well in this case it all started on the Wednesday before the HATS Summer Riverhaven Ride. Jeffrey Kolb called to inform me that he and Mary Jane would not be riding that Saturday, but would be happy to arrive early and drive SAG should anyone have trouble during the ride. “No problem” I responded. “We have two new teams joining us, one with only three short rides under their belts, so I’m sure we’ll all be riding the short route.” These words would come back to haunt me come Saturday!
The HATS Summer Riverhaven Ride had been rescheduled to August 14 th after the July event was scrubbed due to West Columbia receiving 13 inches of rain that week – and resulting in 5 feet of water up the stilts under our house. Although the water had receded by week’s end, it was a muddy mess. Not that it was cool in July, but by August the rains were gone and the 100+ degree temps and 100% humidity had arrived.
Six intrepid teams assembled in the parking lot and a discussion took place regarding how far this small group would ride. Hugh Reeves announced that all had decided to take the 35 mile route (not the 22 miler I’d anticipated) and that we’d all stay together and ride a reasonable pace. So off we headed…30 minutes late and it was probably already 90+ degrees (and did I mention the humidity?).
At a comfortable 17 mph pace, we headed toward Sweeny. Teams Mahoney and Reeves shared the pacing duties with rotations by the other 4 teams. Stopping for a refueling break at the C store in Sweeny, we dripped in sweat while admiring new team Simon & Nathalie White’s Trek tandem. This was their first long ride and they seemed to be cruising with ease. It was not getting any cooler, so we traveled on. (Did I mention the high humidity?)
After riding strongly for the first half of the ride, my captain started sagging. He’d had bronchitis the previous week and still had a bad cough. “What’s wrong?” I asked, as the 5 other teams rode off ahead of us. “I’m not breathing well. This is all I can do” he replied. The group waited for us at the turn toward Brazoria and we were able to hang…for awhile. About 5 miles from Brazoria, Teams Wooldridge (Mark & Ruby and son Collin and girlfriend Elyssa) announced they were stopping and for us to ride on and that they would catch up. Unbeknownst to the rest of us, the heat was causing Elyssa stomach distress so they were taking a break. When they did not rejoin us, we doubled back while sending Teams Reeves, Currie and White on to Brazoria to wait at a C store. We advised Teams Wooldridge of a shortcut to Brazoria where they could meet back up with the group and we headed on.
We rolled through Brazoria en route to the Bucees store rendezvous point. Stopping for a long light and, immediately upon rolling on, my captain announced “I’m cramping! Get ready to get off the bike!” We were off the bike and on the side of the road while Mike grabbed his cramping calf, then hands, then jaw! After a break, it was all he could do to remount the bike and pilot us the remaining 3 blocks to Bucees. Upon arrival, it was apparent that we were 10 miles from home and had 3 teams out of commission – Team Mahoney and two Teams Wooldridge! AND, I’d left my cell phone on the kitchen counter so we couldn’t even call for help!
Team Currie to the rescue! Alan & Debbie had brought their open trailer with exactly THREE bike tights. Now, they just had to ride like demons back to their car! So Teams Reeves, Currie and White (remember – this was their first long ride!) kicked it into high gear (a really high gear considering the building heat and humidity), and time-trialed all the way back to the house. Alan Currie then returned to Brazoria complete with cold water!
But that was before the snake appeared! The story is too long to tell, but the result is worth sharing. Let’s just say that a guy in Lycra proved to be tougher than any of the hard core country guys around as he quickly picked up a snake found crawling under a car (to the horror of it’s female driver and several of the country “bubbas” in the parking lot!) Result: New respect for all Lycra-clad males!
Upon returning to Riverhaven, we found Teams Archambeault, Kolb and Stucker had arrived. And with a small group and 100 degree temps (did I mention it was REALLY humid too?), we enjoyed lunch in air-conditioned comfort! And what a treat to have Gene & Dina Stucker join us after Gene’s long fall from a high ladder early this year!
So, what should we take away from this year’s event?
You don’t have to drive to Wichita Falls to do a “Hotter ‘n Hell” ride.
Never forget your cellphone when riding.
Next time someone offers to drive SAG, say “YES!”
Top Hats and Newsletter Editor
Hugh and Becky Reeves
Membership Coordinators
Jim and Ruth Fleshman
Treasurer
Mike and Susan Mahoney
Webmaster
John Griswold
Click on the button for a 2010 Membership Application form...
