Day 118

This is kinda the way I felt at times finding the bike course in Austin. Driving, too. This is one city that is exploding with new-comers. I was told that 157 people PER DAY are moving to the Texas capitol. I must have been passed by most of them as I carefully navigated my way from Motel to course and back. They all seemed to be in a hurry.

That is no slam. Everyone I spoke with nodded in sad agreement when I touched this nerve. There must be a reason.

There is.

I am off for St. George. See ya'll tomorrow in Utah (where I know my way around!)

Day 117

Mission accomplished. Wasn't easy, mistakes were made and a nasty virus took over. I will relay details when I have more strength.

Day 116, Go

Dateline, April 27, Austin, TX. 0930 CDT

I have showered, shaved, walked across the street to McD's for a coffee, packed and glanced at the itinerary again. This one is going to take some hustle and precision.

Because I am cheap. Because there is no budget for this trip other than the standard, 'do it as inexpensively as possibly' tactic I have all but perfected. So I make things difficult because hard is free and easy costs.

Today then, I will provide a rolling commentary a I utilize all the major modes of transportation on my journey home. Why not?

Additionally, I will attempt to capture my changing demeanor and attitude as the day unfolds, a schedule with dangerously little margin for error.

Between Austin, TX and Bainbridge Island, WA lies the potential for world class adventure.

Or disaster.

The mission is to get to spin class in the morning at 0530 PDT.

(Gun sounds)

Day 115

Under gray, cloudy, lightly drizzling skies, we shot over 100 miles today. The first 50 at the annual Red Poppy charity ride in Georgetown and anther run at the Austin 70.3 course. Despite the battleship gray overhead, the video captures some of the local flavor, lavender-laced corn fields, fat, happy cows and country roads winding peacefully through prairie and pasture. Today I managed, on my third round trip, to capture the 56 mile course in one take, with no wrong turns. Should go for an entertaining and educational RCV of high intel value.

And THAT was the mission.

Tomorrow is one more interview before the journey home.

Rental car,
Walk,
Bus,
Cab,
Boeing 737,
Light rail,
Walk,
Ferry,
Truck.

Bed.

I need everything but a notary.

Day 114

I take back half of what I said yesterday. Maybe even two-thirds.

This morning we pulled off the very rare feat of capturing all 56 miles of the Austin 70.3 bike course on one take. Consider what that involves:

No wrong turns,
No bugs in the lens,
No traffic jams,
No extended stops at traffic lights,
Good light,
Good capture of GPS,
No mechanical problems,
No trains,
No rains,
No cops,
No data drops and no video loss.

With the expected exception of f.m. 969 it was free of vehicular traffic, dead skunks and anything resembling obstruction.

The video I reviewed actually looked smooth.

WAY TO GO AUSTIN!!!

Afterwards the interviews with Brandon and Amy, and the Ruthvens at Austin Tri-Cyclist also went off without a hitch.

It was a good day.

Amazing what a little perseverance will do to pick ya up some!

After it again tomorrow and then the trip to San Anton, and out.

All a warm up for St. George next week.

Happy Trails.

Day 113, Austin

As they say, you only get one chance at a first impression. My virgin tour of Austin, TX and its ballyhooed 70.3, "scenic one-loop 56 mile ride passing through rolling Texas farmlands, complete with expansive ranches, cedar-covered vistas, sunflower fields and prickly pear cacti," left plenty to be desired.

Like a signature climb, a challenging hill or a white knuckle descent. The roads, a combination of just about every surface known to public works, and completely bereft of anything remotely resembling smooth, also features an embarrassing lack of shoulders. Frustratingly, the longest section also shares with traffic limited to a mere 60 mph. I saw one person out riding today as I did recon on the course. ONE.

Tomorrow is supposed to be the sunniest day over the weekend, so I plan on shooting base footage starting at 0900 from T1, Decker Lake. The plan is to capture, in one take, the entire 56 mi. one loop course, and then add footage from Saturday's shoot for cutaways. There is no way we will be able to shoot the Route 969 section and stay under the radar. It would create a unique opportunity for a savvy headline writer to pun me being strung-up for impeding local traffic shooting triathletes riding at 1/3 the posted speed. These guys in their big red trucks drive like pissed-off steers.

But I am willing to give it another try tomorrow. Maybe now that I know where the hidden turns are and some of the landmarks, I will get another crack at a first impression.

Day 112

Touched down in Austin, TX a few hours ago. Usual mine field thru logistics getting here. TSA confiscated my toothpaste in Seattle, had 30 minutes to get to off-site rent-a-car to save $200 in airport fees and taxes. Bumper to bumper on Rt 1 and 183, motel lost my reservation. But dinner was good in a sports bar next to motel. Caesar salad, spinach with garlic and flat bread cheese and tomato, all chased by a couple modelos. Some reading and early lights out.

Tomorrow the fun begins.

Still thinking about this morning. We went hard. It was fun. I am starting to feel stronger. At last.

I wonder if ever I will ride another 112, today's numerology metaphor. And then follow with a marathon.

For that is the goal.This morning after class the scale shouted 168, lowest since this "phase' began 15 months ago.

Note to self: Do not lose sight of that goal when on the road this year.