While it's on my mind...

I'm sitting in my Sport, Religion, & Society class watching Friday Night Lights (one of my top 10 favorite movies) so naturally I'm reminiscing about my high school football days. I loved every minute of it even though I never got to play much. I was too weak to play on the line and too slow to play any skill position; all in all, I just didn't have the right skills to play football. Looking back on it, I really wish I had been a bigger part of the team. I would have worked harder to make myself the best I could be and compete at that level.

I may have missed that opportunity with football, but I'm not going to with cycling. Over the last few months I've really grown to love cycling, and I feel that it's something I'm good at. It's a tough sport both mentally and physically. Because of this, I really want to join the UT cycling team next fall after I get back from Texas 4000.

Anyway, I digress...

Last Saturday, I rode my first century ride! For those unfamiliar with the terminology, a century is 100 miles (makes sense now, right?). We split it up into two parts: our official team team ride up 360 and over to East Austin, then a second ride for the seven of us who wanted to covering the Mansfield Dam loop. Our first ride was going great - we had an awesome rhythm and pace going - until my tire blew. Again. A broken piece of glass bottle completely slashed the side of my new Gator Skin back tire. Jordan and I wrapped a dollar around the new tube and I continued along my way. We thought it would last since the gash was along the side, but about four miles from campus it blew again. At least it was in a convenient location; we were right next to a Short Stop. My tire was done for, so while Fitch and Tim went back to get a car to bring my bike and me back, the rest of us enjoyed cheeseburgers and corny dogs (I only had a cheeseburger; I am a purist - I will ONLY eat corny dogs at Fletcher's at the State Fair). I went home and booked it over to Ozone Bike Shop to get a new tire (sorry J&A - time constraints won out over loyalty) and when they brought out my old one, the dollar that was in it had been blasted into four pieces. Never one to renig on a debt, I taped it up and gave it back to Jordan.

After shelling out another $50, I met back up with Jack, Brett, Rosie, Basia, Trang, and Porter who were waiting for me back at CPE and we headed out. To give some perspective, the Dam loop goes all the way out to Lake Travis - usually a 45 minute to an hour car ride. I don't have a whole lot to say about the 100 miles other than that it was one of the most enjoyable Saturdays I've had in a long time. The route was beautiful, the weather was great, and everyone in our group was awesome. Everyone had a really good time. If I could spend every Saturday like that, I would.

...Actually we might start spending every Saturday like that. We're starting a "Century Club" that will lead an extra ride after the team ride Saturday mornings so we hit 100 miles. Barring any immediate school work commitments, I plan on participating as often as possible, espeically since after Saturday rides I usually waste the rest of the day anyway. Might as well spend it on a bike, right?

Century Club will have to wait til next week though because after the ride this Saturday a group of us is going out to Lake Travis. CAN'T. WAIT.

"Ralph Lauren Purple Label; ain't I fresh as I can be?

Made it through my situation; ain't I blessed as I can be?

Ain't I laughin' at these haters tryin' to take a shot at me?

They don't know which way to go; I'll make it easy - follow me."

T.I. - Ain't I?