Tour de Gap cyclists aimed to beat the clock, beat the heat
BUFFALO GAP - In a bike race, the quicker you get done, the better you place.
But even if you're not racing - say, enjoying a ride with a buddy or your child - it still paid to get done quickly Saturday.
You beat the heat.
About 250 bicycle riders took part in the 39th annual Tour de Gap, covering distances ranging from 11 miles to 100K (62 miles). Riders rolled from the Old Settlers Reunion Grounds starting at 7:30 a.m., when the temperature was only in the low 80s.
The temperature rose as did a southerly breeze as the morning progressed.
It just seemed cooler around Kimberly Atkins. She wore a blue cycling jersey imprinted "Alaska," recently purchased during an almost month-long driving trek to the 49th state, and then a cruise there. The trip included stops at several national parks along the way.
She's from San Angelo, though originally from Abilene, and was joined by her husband of four years, Alan. They pedaled the 50K (31 miles) course.
They were joined in the 50K ride by Bo Green, the 80-year-old Abilenian who recently rode 80 miles for Meals on Wheels. He was easy to find - he was wearing a bright green jersey.
Another rider sported a Seattle Seahawks cycling jersey. The high temperature in Seattle was to be 74 degrees Saturday.
But those days are long gone for Scott Goodenough, who originally is from Oregon but has been a civilian worker for 22 years at Dyess Air Force Base.
Like everyone else, he braced for another high of 100 degrees here Saturday.
Start/finish announcer Jim MacDonald of Biketown issued safety tips to riders. One was to be careful after clipping shoes to pedals, so no one would fall. As did a certain president recently, he added.
"Boooooo!" a cyclist toward the back hollered. He must have taken part in the Tour de Trump, which actually was a bike event in the late 1980s with hopes of making American cycling great again. It was to rival the Tour de France.
Ready for the 11-mile ride were dad Gene Pilgrim and his 5-year-old son, Colt. They rode last year, and it took awhile as Colt - remember, he was 4 then - had a single-gear bike. He had a better bike this year.
"50K or 11-miles?" dad asked Colt before the ride began.
Colt didn't fall for a change of plans.
They were joined by dad's pal of 40 years, Dustin Divinia.
If cycling with the morning breeze was everyone's favorite moment, a close second was smooth pavement on FM 613 south of here.
The comment was made that give Abilene another 150 years, and city streets will be as smooth.
For now, a bike ride in town would be the Tour de Bump.
Saturday's ride again benefited Big Brothers Big Sisters.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Tour de Gap cyclists aimed to beat the clock, beat the heat
