Sunday, February 20, 2011

Horse County Loop


I'm calling this new route the Horse Country Loop, and I'm pleased that I had enough time on Saturday to get out and explore it. Because, with a little advance planning, a new route means new gravel.



I left early and headed southeast to Aubrey, Texas. The forecast called for a stiff wind from the southeast, and I wanted to stretch the mileage a bit. Since winter has eroded my fitness significantly, I knew I'd need a little help on the return.



The first refreshment stop was at the FM 428 Greenbelt Trail access. I parked ol' Homer by a picnic table and unpacked the goodies.



But the wind had picked up considerably, so I found a spot to enjoy my coffee in peace. As I sat there, I pondered how I preferred 5% climbs with a tailwind over descents with a headwind, and I pondered the crazy whitecaps I saw on stock ponds. Unfortunately it wasn't time to turn around just yet. I had more wind to face.



There were a few more new gravel roads to explore.



After a cloudy, grey start, the sun finally appeared, and it was tailwind time!



Since I was enjoying the tailwind and scenery so much, I didn't stop often for horse farm photos, but I will testify that there has been some serious money spent on the horse business in the vicinity of Aubrey, Texas.



I began to lose my energy as I returned to more familiar roads. When I came over a ridge, and finally had Sanger in sight, I spotted a pleasant little hillside for rest stop number two. How pleasant it is to sit back and enjoy warm 75 degree sunshine, refuel, and refresh.

I had just enough in me to finish the route and add the Horse Country Loop to my quiver of excellent north Texas country routes.

7 comments:

  1. In all these pictures - not a single horse! You tease!

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  2. New gravel. It's a blissful thing, isn't it? Glad you got out

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  3. Ah yes. I miss those quite back country roads enjoyed in peace whilst wearing shorts.

    Today, I went for a walk, in -20 (C) with windchill of -38(C).

    I look forward to what you're enjoying right now. Keep enjoying it!

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  4. Looks like a beautiful route, and it's always great to discover new roads. IT seems like your riding into the headwind paid off.

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  5. I'll bet those horse fences literally cost a fortune. The horse business is like no other.

    We are like raw meat in the early-season head winds.

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  6. Lately, I also have come to the conclusion that tailwind climbs are much better than headwind descents. Great photos. I didn't miss the horses.

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