The weather man forecast sun, partly cloudy skies and low 80’s. When I looked out the window of the hotel before we left for the LBJ 100 start at the LB Johnson National Park the clouds covered the sunrise. Walking out to the Jeep the fog and mist covered the windows. Driving to the park the fog collected on the windows. The fog looked like it might leave as we turned into the park but within a few minutes the fog overpowered the sun. Once we entered the park the long line of cars winding their way to the airstrip parking area meant the 9:00 AM starting time probably would be missed. As we parked a long way from the start line and got the bike out of the Jeep the chill of the fog and clouds made their presence felt.

I made a different choice about my attire for the ride on a wild hunch: a long sleeve cotton bike shirt with my Texbiker.net short sleeve jersey over top. Thinking the temperature would start cool but warm up to the low 80’s I did not bring leg warmers. The temperature on the Jeep’s thermometer showed 53 just before unloading the bike. I thought the ride would be chilling especially with no windbreaker and leg warmers but it did not feel that cold as I rode. The sun did not appear until I finished the ride shortly after 2:00 and the light breeze during the ride did not feel so cold. I doubt the temperature got above 70 degrees during the ride.

The picture gallery shows the starting area on the airstrip as we moved to the start line.

According to the LBJ 100 website about 1,400 bikers took to the start line. The start was slow because of a cattle guard in front of the LBJ Texas White House. A small piece of plywood covered the center of the cattle guard and bikers attempted to walk over the guard but the narrow space restricted the bikers. Once we passed that point the ride speed picked up. Moving along the route the bikers spread out some.

I planned on riding the 62 mile route and many other bikers stayed on the route too. I skipped the first two rest stops because of the crowds, not stopping until Willow City. The folks at the Willow City rest stop were so friendly and helpful. The restrooms were in an old school house dating from 1905.

On Ranch Road 1323 (see the video) a Porsche car club drove the opposite direction looking at the flowers. I guess there were 30 to 40 cars with a stray BMW every once in a while. A bunch of motorcycles also moved along the road as well. Everyone headed to Willow City. The road got a little crowded for about 2 miles or so.

My next rest stop was at the 40.3 mile point. Again the Bluebonnet wildflowers covered the field at the stop. The people were very friendly. I asked the lady handing out Pickle Juice drink where they got all the pickles, She laughed and said they had their ways. After leaving this rest stop the routed turned south for a while with some more rolling hills and plenty of wildflowers. The wildflowers should be even more abundant in about two weeks. As I moved along Ranch Road 2721 I looked ahead at a large hill looming in the distance and dreaded climbing that one but just at the base of the climb the route turned to the left onto Ranch Road 1623. Thank goodness. I did realize it but the finish was not too far away.

Because of the large crowd I phone my wife to meet me at the LBJ State Park Visitor Center on Ranch Road 1 instead of biking back to the start line. As it turned out we ended up driving back to the start line thinking we would take the ranch tour. The tour though was on bikes so we decided not to do that since my wife does not bike. Lucy Baines Johnson led the tour from a electric cart with the bikers.

Overall I liked the organization of the LBJ. Nolan Kuehn, the ride chairman, did a great job organizing. (Disclosure: I received a complimentary ride entry.) The Friday packet pickup in Fredericksburg was handy and easy to get to at the Hill Country Bicycle Works on E. Main. The only thing I would suggest to improve is the start. The different ride mileage groups should start with intervals between them. This spreads the bikers out which would help with the cattle guard crossing. Other rides I attend do this with a group of Ride Marshals. The SAG vehicles moved around the route I traveled on but I did not see that many people needing assistance. This could be a result of the cool weather. I am glad the start time was 9:00 AM but because of the large turnout I did not roll out until 9:13. In the video you can hear part of Lucy Baines’ send off words for the bikers. The LBJ 100 contributes a significant amount to the park projects.

Some ride statistics:

• 15.0 mph average speed (considering the hills this surprised me)
• 32.9 max speed (going down the hills)
• 72.2 RPM average cadence (pedaling slowly up the hills)
• 4:05:17 riding time (only 2 rest stops)
• 61.7 miles

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