Well folks, I know I have said this over and over to the gang…”You’ve got to do Spindletop – the support is first class – you won’t find any better – not even on the ConocoPhillips training series!”…well, I meant it. This year’s 8th annual Spindletop Spin in Beaumont was no exception. Last year was cool, dry and fast! I think the pictures are out there if you want to take a peek. This year, a few more people joined in – Ray had a pretty big group and Diane, Greg, Kip and Michelle came out this year. Me, Kip and Michelle did the Century and everyone else did a shorter route (probably because they were sane and we were not). The start this year was much like last year; there was an even larger group and the organizers had everything ready to go and we rolled on time. The big difference this year is that it was going to be HOT, HUMID…and as an added bonus windy! The first leg of the route went pretty fast – the century riders left early and had a motorcycle pacing the group – just like last year – although this year, the pace was around 22-23mph instead of 26-27 like last year.
All things considered, it was still moving along nicely after folks settled in and got a steady pace. It was a bit ominous having the tail wind – you know – feels good, but you know you are going to pay for it later – and boy oh boy did we! The first rest stop always sets the tone for this ride – IMO; each of the rest stops have a theme and the first one is always quite elaborate (I think Ray has some good pics he might share). The theme this year was Rome – complete with a chariot and soldiers and women clad in ancient roman garb.
I didn’t try any of the “nectar of the gods” but I am sure it was delicious and seeing as it appeared to be ice-cream based, it wouldn’t be right to eat it without Cheesy being there anyway.
The first 50 miles was pretty fast – I think we were in the 20mph average range or close up to the halfway mark. But the last 50 miles, I was in tow behind my “mule” (this is a term of endearment and revered by the riders); Kip was absolutely the strength of our line on this day! Heat and humidity was taking its toll and we saw tons of people dropping to SAG (considered very seriously by myself for the very first time!). Despite the heat (did I mention it got hot?), we go to enjoy some of the beautiful countryside outside of Beaumont on this route. It was nice to see South Texas green again – the droughts had really taken a toll the last couple of years, but it was nice to see things coming back again. The most scenic part of the ride is in the first half of the ride.
The toughest part this year, was the two south bound legs into the head wind – it was supposed to be around 10-13mph…UH…BS! Thanks to a couple of squall lines that passed (we got some mist but the shorter routes got rain), the winds had to be in the 15-20mph range – it was grueling – especially the last bridge coming back into the city – after 90+ miles in the heat ( did I mention it was HOT and HUMID?), that bridge was tough to crest! The stretches on 105 were nice…well, they were nice insofar as the roads were chip and seal, but the shoulders were smooth as a baby’s…well, they were smooth – except for the scatter asphalt chips – but it was smooth sailing; the problem is that it was smooth sailing like…on a seasoned black iron skillet that was on high heat!
There was no shade to speak of on the southward stretch of 105, so you were getting a sun tan…this is a bad picture because of the shadow, but if you zoom way in, you can see that the temp in the lower left bottom says 104.9F -yep…the turtle was saw on 105 that was smashed was cooked and ready to eat cher! The max temp for the ride was 107F and the average was 94F.
In order to truly appreciate the Spindletop Spin, you simply have to come and experience it; we just can’t recommend it enough – I challenge you to find something bad to say about it – there just isn’t anything. When you train with ConocoPhillips, and even more so when you ride with them on the MS150, perhaps your expectations get set high; the Spindletop Spin meets these expectations hands down; I hope that I can help promote this event to the CoP and Phillips 66 teams to participate in – I think Steve would approve! Rider safety has to be the most important facet of an organized ride – this includes not only fundamental SAG and rest stops – but more importantly volunteers and law enforcement who are paying attention (want to see my photos of LEOs playing with their phone while cyclists cross an intersection on the BPMS15?) – this ride exemplifies what how the model is supposed to work – not just here and there, but for 100 mile route – you can’t find that everywhere – you just can’t (I dare ya – show me one!). For two year’s running, and not just because we were in the last dozen of riders to come in, we had LEO on motorcycles covering us for the last eight miles or so – THAT says quite a bit, don’t you think?
http://youtu.be/fOGgyrCVlf0
Footnote: When you ride in extreme conditions like this, it is imperative that you hydrate days before the ride – hydrating the day of the ride and during the ride is a recipe for an IV and the ER. I started hydrating Thursday and kept it up through the ride, but I think what really got me “right” was the yelling I heard while getting my gear together around 6:30AM – GEEEEAUUUUX TIIIIGERRRRS!…and lo and behold…looky what I saw behind me!
I hope that I’ve convinced you to at least give the Spindletop Spin a try, but if I didn’t – for God’s sake keep on pedalin’!
2013 Spindletop Spin - Beaumont, TX
