ATX

I've been doing a lot of riding since I got to Austin (aka ATX). The first few weeks here was mostly social riding and drinking. That was fun, and I met a lot of people. But to be honest, I got partied out pretty quick. I went on three Thursday Night Social Rides (TNSR), a Full-Moon Ride, two or three Wednesday Nooner rides, and two or three Skellies Rides. I've settled on just going on the Skellies Ride. It's an alternative to the huge, weekly TNSR. It's much more tame (i.e. less drinking/more riding), and it's small enough that it's possible to learn everyone's names.
Strangely though, I've met a few people who, just last week, started a new ride. Right now, it happens on the same day as significant mountain stage days on the Tour de France (I really hope we continue it after the Tour is over), and we ride out to the west side of town and hit some of the major hills. The first week it was on my birthday, which was a great way to start my new year. I took my rear rack off my touring bike, ditched my messenger bag, stuffed my u-lock into the back of my cut-offs and climbed some of the most fun hills I've climbed since I was in Santa Cruz.
Oh - did I mention the ride meets at 6:30am? I'm getting 25 miles of riding and the most intense climbing I've gotten in over a year done before I usually wake-up! Unbelievably, I find myself to be more awake and energized than if I slept for two extra hours and didn't burn all those calories.
We went again this past Saturday. This time I left my u-lock at home and dug out my bike shorts and jersey. I noticed a pretty significant difference with just the wardrobe change. We also added an additional climb - much harder than the others. Supposedly, it's a 24% grade at one point!

At the top of Ladera Norte this past Saturday.

The guy organizing the ride has hosted breakfast after both rides, and he puts the Tour on his big screen while we eat and drink mimosas.

It's gotten me pretty excited about riding again. I mean, I always love riding bicycles, but tearing around town on my track bike and long-distance bike touring... well, I guess I've just gotten used to them. I'm not going to stop doing either; they just aren't getting me ecstatic anymore. This new ride has got me pumped. I'm even thinking about a new bike...