I took off from the Cleburne High School at 7:30 this morning, along with 2,500 or so other riders, and did the Goatneck Bike Ride. This route is just under 70 miles of almost all rolling hills. Since I’m faster than most downhill and slower than most uphill, I never try to ride with anyone else on this ride. I just ride my own pace, passing a lot of bikes on the downhills and getting passed by a lot of bikes on the uphills.

The roads were in fairly good shape this year, except for a stretch of brand new boulder seal at mile 39. Traffic control is always good for this ride. The only problem I always have on these hills is getting slower riders out of the way on the downhills so I can pass. Everyone thinks to move right if they’re climbing slow, but they’ll spread all over the road on the downhills, never checking behind them for anyone trying to pass.

I rode fairly well (for me) today, finishing the ride at 11:34 am. I climbed both County Line Hill and Goatneck Hill in my middle chain ring, and never had to use my granny gear at all. Some years, I don’t manage that on this route. I made one 5 minute stop at mile 47, and ended up with a 17.4 mph on the bike average, which is good for me on a ride with all these hills.

Goatneck 70 mile route.