Armadillo Hill
Country Classic
May 7, 2005
This ride was well organized. This years ride offered distances
from 6.5 miles to 125 miles. The "Dillo Door" was at the 29.5 mile
Rest stop 5 and needed to be passed by 10:30 am to ride the 78, 105, and 125
mile options. The registration was run smoothly by a highly focused team of
volunteers.
The ride was supposed to start at 8:00 am, but the initial ceremonies delayed
the start until 8:10 am. About 500 to 800 riders participated. The day was
generally overcast with a steady wind of about 15 to 20 mph. The course was well
marked and was on generally good low traveled roads. Sag wagons constantly
patrolled the entire course. The terrain contained rolling hills and according
to my altimeter, I climbed about 2300 feet on the 62 mile course.
While I only stopped at a couple of the rest stops, those that I did stop at
were well stocked with water, gator aid, cookies, bananas, and oranges. There
were never any long lines to the facilities. I reached the Dillo Door at 10:20,
but the course had already been closed. While I had already planned this year
only to ride the 62, I hope if I plan to ride the 78 next year, they choose not
to close it early. The finish line party was well done. There was plenty
spaghetti from Fazoli's and soda, as well as a couple of live bands which
performed while we ate. All in all, the Austin Cycling Association put on a
first class event. I plan to return again next year.
Awesome ride! The ride had options from an easy family route to a
chainbreaking 125 mile option. The ride features lots of rollers for a great workout. Automobile traffic in the area was minimal. The ride
staff were cheery and efficient, and the area locals were friendly. I was especially impressed by the level of support at the stops. I've never,
in seventeen years of riding in Texas, seen mechanical support and sag
wagon help like this ride has. Great job ACA! I'll be back next year.
No reviews is
2004
May 2003
The ride was well organized in general. Rest stops were well
stocked and offered a lot of choices - Clif bars, cookies, fruit, water,
Gatorade, etc. The bathroom lines were not too bad, either. My friends and I
rode the 50 mile route and are only complaint is that, by the end, we felt as
though we were the only people on the road. No SAG vans, no motorcycles, nothing
to let us know that we were or were not the only ones out there in the middle of
nowhere. The sponsors, ACA, need to realize that not all of the riders average
20 mph. Slowpokes like us (12-15 mph) need to feel included as well. Oh yeah,
one more thing...the ride was sponsored by Quiznos yet there was no food at the
end of the ride. We were told that they had "too many problems" with
the subs last year so they were not offering them this year. Huh? Find a new
sponsor, folks! That said, we'll be doing it again.
First the negatives. I agree - if Quiznos is the sponsor, I
expect sandwiches! Or coupons, or something. Very poor after ride lack of
activities. And it's at a school -please let us use the showers!! They
advertised XXL shirts but didn't have any. Positive - The ride itself was
great. We enjoyed the day and the scenery, including seeing a just born calf.
The roads are decent, rest stops were pretty good. Good SAG presence. We'll
probably go back.
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