Finally - It's road racing time!

Wish we could say Spring is finally here, but the road racing season is here for sure! A few of these early races will feature epic conditions, so don't forget your cold weather gear as you just never know what the weather in Iowa's is going to be.

April's key races:

5 Altoona road race Iowa Cup Series
6 Big Creek road Race Iowa Cup Series

April 10: Thursday Evenings:
Elkhart Time Trial Series

13 Finchford Roubaix road race

26 Iowa City Road Race - Iowa Cup Series
27 Old Capitol Criterium - Iowa Cup Series

Good Luck!

LIFE’S JUST A RIDE

What is a bicycle?

It’s a bucketa’ bolts, spokes, and steel,
And two rubber tires fulla’ air
But do you remember how it felt
When you got yur first one?
Oh, I do.
I saw it today in the eyes of my kid
‘Cuz his got big, just like I’m sure mine did.
Sometimes ya gotta git off an’ push
If that hill’s too steep,
Or take a different direction
If the bridge is out and the water’s deep.
And you can even pedal too far from home,
But home’s where the heart is,
And if it feels good,

Pedal on.

Danny Terry
Luckenback, Texas, USA

Danny Terry, Live from Luckenback playing for NISPIN

Words and image used by permission of author.

The Best Day Yet!

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Originally uploaded by NorthIowaSPIN

Day 4: Crap Apple - Gypsum Mine Loop plus
Luckenbach - Bat Cave Loop
High 80 degrees and Clear Blue Skies!
Wind - 10 mph
Miles - 75




Just a PERFECT Day from start to finish.

What's the fuss, its just a rock.

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Originally uploaded by NorthIowaSPIN

Day Three: Enchanted Rock and looking for Harry Loop
High 92 degrees and Clear Skies
Wind - 17-20 mph
Miles - 85

The memo in the morning read "Recovery Ride" and just about everyone got the message. Friday was a tough day in the saddle. We wanted to go north and check out the enchanted rock make a loop back to see if Harry was any where to be found.

We made it to Enchanted Rock just fine and have added Texas Park Rangers to our list of people who do not care much for Lycra clad cyclist. Let's just say the heat must have gotten to them. The rock was neat but it was just a rock (Guess I'm still holding a grudge from that 'B' I received in geology).

We had the entire group out on this ride and we were bound to keep it together to the finish. By time we made it to the Willow Loop half the group wanted to take the direct route back and the rest took another stab at climbing the wall and to see if Harry made it back from vacation. Luck for group two Harry was back he was in a pretty good mood!

The ride back to F-burg proved to be a challenge for everyone and there would be no Luckenbach ride today.

Kerrville Century

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Originally uploaded by NorthIowaSPIN

Day Two: Kerrville Loop
High 79 degrees
Wind < calm Miles = 100

The day started with a bit of fog coming off of the swim pool, a bit of mist in the air and a cool 52 degrees. But by noon it was sunny, calm and warming up nicely. We all decide to get our long day in as Fridays weather forecast is calling for record highs of 90+.

The Kerrville loop has a bit of everything.: Hills of all shapes and sizes, long gradual descents and a town with population of over 10.

Was a great day of riding and of course we rode to Luckenbach to cap off our second day of great riding and great weather!

Where's Harrys?

Harrys 1
Originally uploaded by NorthIowaSPIN

We all arrived by plane, train, and automobile in Fredricksburg within an hour of each other around 11:00 pm on Tuesday night. We could hardly wait for the next dy to arrive to hit the road!

Day 1: Willow City Loop
High 73 degrees
Wind < 10mph
Miles = 80

PERFECT - 71 degree, clear skies and light wind! This is one of the most beautiful routes in the area. Everyone was pretty excited to get going and everyone was looking forward to eating at "Harry's on the Loop" but when we arrived Harry was nowhere to be found. Lucky for us the county office/post office/gas station/mini mart /garbage/drop off was open and we could refuel.

So, what's the best way to end the day in Hill Country you ask? Take a ride to Luckenbach, listen to some music and drink a Shiner!