LBJ 100 Bicycle Tour, San Antonio, TX

March 2009

It was not the most ideal weather for riding in Johnson City this past weekend. They said the temperature at the start was in the mid 30s with wind up to 40 mph. I didn’t have a thermometer, but my teeth sure were chattering. After a short talk by Luci Baines Johnson, the ride started from the LBJ ranch airstrip. The ranch is now part of the national park service. Ms. Johnson did the shorter ride and then came back to the ranch and led a historical tour of the ranch for a large number of riders. The word was that the tour was well done and very interesting.
The 100k was very scenic, quite hilly, well supported and offered close up looks at our Texas heritage. The rest stops all had bananas, sport drinks and great peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Those sandwiches should be offered by more rides! There were ample restroom facilities at the start and at all stops. Volunteers were out in full force and the SAG folks and law enforcement were noticeably in attendance. Park service personnel also helped a great deal with the ride. With the strong winds the SAG guys did a pretty good business taking riders back to the starting area. The winds were really tiring as the day wore on.
One of the benefits of this ride is that Johnson City is within a short drive of Cooper’s BBQ in Llano. That would make a great after ride stop for refueling. Don’t eat there on Friday before the ride like I did. I felt like I was carrying 10 pounds of extra ribs up some of the hills on Saturday.
This was a great ride and I would definitely attend again.

i would like to say this was one of the best rides of the year. the route was great! the hill country was fine! the winds were awful 20-30mph with gusts up to 37mph. the sag wagons were in full force. but few of us went the distance leaving a lot of gaps and there were only a few rest stops. when we finished the finish line was coming down, there was nothing to eat or drink and the only thing left was a batch of toilets. now we passed a whole bunch of people coming in from the 40 mile ride so we weren't the stragglers. there were about half the cars there when we landed. ride organizers cannot leave before the last rider is in especially on a day like that!

April 19, 2008

The first anual LBJ 100 was held on April 19, 2008 honoring the late President at his ranch in Stonewall, Texas. There were three routes:33, 45, and 62 miles (100k) all leaving the runway strip at the "Texas Whitehouse. " These routes went through some beautiful scenic country back roads, then back to the LBJ Ranch. This first time ride attracted 430 riders that were so happy with the hosts (Luci Johnson and Park Rangers), routes, signs, rest stops, and SAG support from the Hill Country Bicycle Touring club of San Antonio, Texas, that they asked us to do it again next year. Plans are being made for March 28, 2009.