Rick & Lori: June 2017

May 14, 2017

It was just Rick and me on this trip. We did a couple of fairly long rides on Friday and Saturday and did some shopping and visiting. We, of course, ate at Mad Jack's and The Western.

Thursday night at The Western

This is what we saw in our subdivision on the way back from town on Thursday night--at least 18 male elk, in velvet, hanging out in a meadow near the pond...unbelievable!

Most of the elk. They stood and watched us for a while.

Friday lunch at Mad Jack's after our MTB ride.

The aspens have leaves.

Another lazy cat picture

Long Saturday MTB ride on Rio Penasco Road, Russian Canyon Road, and Benson Ridge

Bluff Springs on Rio Penasco Road

End of Rio Penasco Road and about to climb back up to Russia Canyon Road via Cox Canyon Hwy

Very nice day to ride

My irises were just about to bloom when we left. The blooms will be gone when we make it back in June.

April 23, 2017

Not many pictures this trip. We left on Thursday, and JD and Jill joined us on Friday. We did a couple of fairly long, nontechnical MTB rides training for the DK100.

Thursday night at The Western

Selfie sporting the new Peloton Road Rider jerseys

JD & Jill joined us for a MTB ride on Pumphouse Ridge Trail (aka Eight Mile Road) on Saturday, but we didn't get any pics. We followed with Mad Jack's BBQ and shopping.

Castell Grind: March 31-April 2, 2017

Friday afternoon at Wildseed Farms

Afternoon refreshments

Luckenbach

More local refreshments at Luckenbach

Really nice afternoon!

Race day at Castell

Lined up for the 100K race

Finished!

Final numbers: 62.8 miles, 4:48, 1518' climbing

March 19, 2017

Saint Patrick's Day at The Western

Interesting photo

Wild mustangs on our Friday ride on the elk trail

Gorgeous, warm March day on one of our favorite trails

Baird Canyon area

Another nice ride on Saturday on Pumphouse Ridge road

Perfect way to end a ride--Mad Jack's

Perfection!

Daffodils blooming as we headed back home

We finally got to ride mountain bikes at Big Bend this year. Last year's trip was cancelled as we were headed out of town due to the death of Rick's father. We left on Thursday morning and arrived by early afternoon. Only 5 people went this year: Rick, Vince, Mike, Derek, and me. Rick and I camped in his work van which was really nice. I had reserved the final two campsites in the campground, so Vince was in our campsite in a tent, and Derek and Mike were in the other campsite. The weather was good, and we all got to do a lot of riding and had a great time.

Rick, Vince, and Mike on a Thursday afternoon spin on the gravel bikes near Boquillas Canyon

A little Thursday afternoon road spin on the gravel bike

Top of a long climb on River Road during Friday's ride

Cross roads--we opted to just stay on the River Road. Black Gap road is the most rugged road in the park.

River Road on Friday

Halfway point on River Road. We rode on the River Road East. The River Road West continues on into Castelon.

Friday on the River Road

Vince on the River Road near Mariscal mine

Abandoned Mariscal silver mine

Beautiful view of the desert and the Sierra del Madres

River Road East

The tunnel on the road back to Rio Grande Village

Final numbers for Friday's MTB ride on River Road--perfect training for the Dirty Kanza

Road to Panther Junction near Rio Grande Village

Rick at the top of a good climb on the River Road during Friday's ride

Remnants of the Mariscal silver mine

Vince on River Road on Friday

River Road on Friday

Sierra del Carmens

Sunset from the Lodge restaurant at the Basin on Friday night

View from the restaurant in the Basin

Saturday morning started out rainy and cold. Vince had never been to Big Bend, so we made a quick trip to Terlingua for some shopping and sightseeing. It was clear and warm by the time we made it back to camp to ride. We headed out for a fairly long ride on Old Ore Road. This is Ernst Tinaja.