Last night, I joined the Thursday Night Road Ride organized by local road racer Daniel Sato which is now in its tenth weekly incarnation. He started the ride as a way to get in some sociable miles during the week after a similar ride died out over the winter. I’ve been wanting to do this ride for a while, but since I work downtown and live south, they’ve been a little out of my way. I had a meeting earlier in the area yesterday evening so I thought I’d finally make the ride.

All I can say it is a whole lot of fun. Riding in a pack in the dark made me feel like a kid, that is until my legs started screaming. The ride is billed as a 20-25 mile ride that is welcome to all, however most of the group were hard cord roadie in full kit ready to hammer it. (I’m just glad I rode my cyclocross bike with road slicks and not my Xtracycle or Marcus’ Azor Secret Service.)

This made the ride both challenging and fun. It was hard in that I pretty much got dropped on all the hills including Mount Bonnell and spent a majority of the ride dangling off the back of the pack, but riding fast in the night air was a blast. Not only was it cool, but the darkness really heightened all my other senses. Best of all, there was a cold beer waiting for me at Drungo’s at the end.

Daniel did do a good job as rover going back to shepharding the slower riders back, and there were a few stopping points where we waited for everyone to group. Having said that, this is not a casual social ride. If you want join the Thursday Night Road Ride, be prepared to ride fast and hard. Your legs will hate you the next day, but your face will be smiling.

Thursday Night Road Ride
Every Thursday, 7 PM, 20-30 miles depending on route
Locations vary but there is always food and beer involved in the start location
Check our events calendar page midweek for location or our Thursday morning Austin Bike Culture Events Calendar round up each week. There is also a Facebook group for the ride under the name Thursday Night Road Ride.

 

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