Hey all. Just wanted to boast about what a fun time I just had, riding
with the Texas boys in Austin this weekend. Me and my buddy Julian -
also from Santa Barbara - were in the area on business, and arranged a
ride with Eric Lancaster. We got more than we ever could have hoped
for.
On Saturday, I met Eric for an urban ride. We started at the South side
of Lake Austin, where we met up with two other Erics, Walt, Nate on
Coker, and a brave out-of-towner on his 2nd or 3rd uni lesson ever. We
made our way through various parks, streets, and bridges in the boiling
weather, stopping for rocks, stairs, concrete skinnies, logs, picnic
tables, and many other toys along our path. Everyone busted some really
great moves. By nightfall, only Nate, Eric and I remained - we found
ourselves in the middle of a gay pride parade on 6th St, the most
happening street downtown. We managed to reach our destination with
only a dozen blocks of honks, calls, and waves.
On sunday, Eric took Julian and I to a trail called City Park, in the
Hill Country , where we met up with Steve, Scott Wallis, Jerry, and the
infamous Drew (aka "Kanga-Drew" for his kangaroo-like forward hops).
Oh, can't forget Drew's dog, too. We started the 6 miler in 92 degree
weather. Much of it was rocky uphill, so we were forced to prove our
uphill rolling and hopping skills - and sometimes lack thereof 🙂
Seriously, I was really impressed with how well each rider attacked
these steep rockbeds. Now if it wasn't for Eric, who hid 2 coolers of
drinks and snacks for us at the end of the third mile, I might not be
here telling the story today. We were literally ready to pass out from
the heat, when he unveiled those coolers, exposing about 40 bottles of
water and gatorade, oranges, bananas, PBnJ, oreos, fig nuttens, and
more. The sight would have brought tears to my eyes if I only had any
water left in me. The seven of us sucked those bottles dry in a matter
of minutes, and as we gained energy, bonded over stories about the
burning effect of dehydration on urination, as well as the one about
Steve's titanium hip. After seeing how well he rides on it, I'm
thinking I want one too! The second half of the ride dealt us a little
more downhill, and we got loose enough that you could see us getting
better in spite of fatigue. Finally the ride was over - boy were we
tired.
Then Drew and Steve got the great idea of driving up to Bridge Point,
where we'd ride down a super steep, rocky incline pressed right up next
to a sheer vertical cliff - well over 100 ft at the peak. We were just
crazy enough to accept the invitation, and we finished off with a few
priceless drops off some 3-3.5 ft jagged rock faces. I'm sure Eric or
Jerry will post those photos and video. Meanwhile, here's a teaser
below of Steve (photo by Jerry).
So, thanks to all the fantastic Texas unicyclists who came out with us,
with a special thanks to Eric who saved us from sure dehydration, put a
roof over our heads and a bed under our sore, sore butts.
-Eyal
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eyal - Unicycologist
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