New Mac

After my MacBook Pro crashed on me last semester I finally got a new MacBook today. I will be up half the night installing all my software and setting it up how I need it, glad o be back in business!!! 

Canoeing and Geocaching

   Go to take my wife out canoeing for her first time.
I had planned on placing a Geocache out on Langley Island for a while but noticed someone beat me to it. So We went searching for it.
  We started at Hill Creek Boat Ramp and went to the north end of the island and around to the South East part where the Cache was located, took me a few minutes to find it. I almost missed it due to what it was under.
Turned out to be a dried out turtle shell covering it up.

 I found my First Geocache Trackable " Geocache Number 20 ". 

 Geocaching with my wife.

 My First Trackable. ( Cant wait to find it a new home to be found )

Jean relaxing while rowing the canoe.

She did really good till we got to the South East end of the Island , we got hit by strong winds and I had to get out and Wade us around a few yards to go back north with the winds.

1.98 miles

Tuesday 6:00pm Night No Drop Group Ride

Went on my 3rd group ride, My 2nd one with Elite Bicycles " NO DROP TUES NIGHTS..
When I got there it was a go, I unloaded and Meet Jared Daley, also his first time with a group and road bike..
He let me borrow his helmet cam, it was new so was trying to figure it out pretty quick..
We took off from Elite around mile 1 one of the other No Drop riders gave up on a small hill, "Must have been her first time to ever ride"?
Got about 2 miles out and REALLY STRONG winds picked up , and clouds took over, so Kristin Blaise our safety rider for the non drop group decided it was better to turn back to the shop and call it a day, I checked on the helmet cam and wasnt recording, so I tried again, "Think I got it recording this time".
Half way back to the shop the wind was kicking our ass, and the cam started to bounce around on my helmet, " worried it would fall off"..
Got lucky it didnt come down,
We made it back , talked a little in the parking lot while Blaise rode back home, on my way back home it started to drizzle some and I saw Laurie Simpson trying to beat the rain back to her shop.

Vigilance Ride 213 Deep

Vigilance Ride

Recently in my area, two cyclists have been struck by motorists. Visiting the pine forests of east Texas all the way from California, Mark Cathey had an unfortunate encounter with a pick up’s mirror. The impact would break several of Mr. Cathey’s ribs and collapse one of his lungs. Several weeks later a local cyclist, Janice Terry-Phillips was struck while out on a ride with a friend. This time more than just the mirror made impact. She would suffer a broken back and be placed in ICU. I am happy to report both riders are expected to make full recoveries! Distracted driving is suspected of playing a role in both incidences.
Prompted by these recent events, the Tyler Bicycle Club spearheaded by Cori Moore, decided to do something. What was something? Protest motorists? That would be silly. We are motorists too. I personally own several vehicles in various stages of working order. No use protesting ourselves. Not only are we also motorists, we are doctors, hunters, mechanics, bakers, and… well, human.

We are human
Personally, I am a Photographer / Student / Husband / Father. I think many times those who don’t ride a bike see us as just cyclists. We our, as I just mentioned much more than that. We are your co-workers, your neighbors, your family. Chances are you know and love a cyclist. You may not be aware that they ride but, you know them. Cori and the club decided to stage a ride that showed our more human side. An eight mile out and back at parade pace. Escorted by Tyler police, we would ride in honor of our fellow injured cyclists and to garner public attention to please pay attention when you drive. Now that was something. Something good.
The idea was to meet up at Elite Bicycles. From there we would ride to East Texas Medical Center and back to Elite. Over 100 people had committed to riding this event on FaceBook.  I pulled up and found a place to park, I showed up just in time to get unloaded and on the road when we took off at 3:oopm.

The crowd grew. (Over 200 showed up and rode)
News cameras were set in place as riders mingled and made signs. “Student”, “Mom”, “Mail Carrier”, were a few examples of the tags people pinned on their backs.

Dad of 3
Bikes and people began packing the streets as the police escorts got in place. Several riders donning FRESH by Brookshires/Chicken Express kits patrolled the waiting riders. If you needed assistance, these were your go to guys and gals. By now there were well over 100 riders. As the first police cruiser headed out, a long wide serpent of aluminum, steel, carbon fiber, and flesh followed.

The velosnake
As one police car would control one intersection, another would get ahead to the next. As we approached, the officers would hold traffic as our bike only parade made it’s way through. Sticking to the designated bike route, we kept clear of major roads, thus the officers didn’t have to hold up long lines of traffic.

Just a few of the Humans…

People stepped out of their houses and businesses to watch the spectacle that was rolling by. Camera phones were on display as they recorded us pedaling down their neighborhoods.



Through sheer grit and a soft nudge on the shoulder here and there we made it back to Elite. The parking lot was electric with riders discussing the event, past rides, and rides yet to come.

Many different bikes. I like it!

Police escort

One of several tandems

Hitchbikes. Great way to take kids along

A friendly wave for the camera



The final stretch



“note : I borrowed this blog from some where else, i dont have full credit for it, I did do slight mods to it from my point of view.. “