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Mellow Classic - Race Day
So here goes…
Pix 1 & 2
Race Day was pretty darn cool. The Start was moved from the original location due to mud! I still dig the American and LiveStrong flags waving and the Gary Fisher banner made it another picture moment for me. The podium included the Texas Flag so that had to get captured as well.
Shots 3-8
I was being allocated to Station E as a race course marshal. Essentially my role was to take care of safety and call the leaders out as they passed. I had no idea where Station E was located nor did I ask, as I had coffee and breakfast taco’s on my mind after being briefed at 7:20am. Was I pleasantly surprised when I was dropped at Station E. On the ride over, the ‘mule’ driver drove right by Lance’s ranch home aka Rancho Juan Pelota. Trek trailer, some folks chillin, and so forth. When I got to the drop, I was damn near in Lance’s backyard. So each picture reflects the view from Station E in each direction…
Shots 9-13
After I was relieved, I made my way back up to the Start area just to catch a shot of the riders before being sent out to make their runs. I then made the general pass through the vendor area and once again tried to catch the scene plus the gorgeous backdrop of TX Hill Country. Shot 13 is the Finish which is hard to make out from the side angle I elected to shoot.
Shots 14-17
This is where my day got most interesting. I walked the Start area seeking a cleaver spot to catch the Pro/Cat 1 0-99 class begin their race. I ended up settling on a spot that offered a ‘rock’ to sit on, as I had 25 minutes to kill. Picture 14 is the hole shot winner, next frame captures Lance (4th cyclist) but running 5th out of the hole. Now what? I’m asking myself; that could be a bad picture I want something else to show the world I was at a cool event. At this point I’m thinking down over the hill dude, they’ll be looping around in 2-3 minutes… Frame 16 capatures a couple early front runners and frame 17 offers a not so great photo of Lance in action.
By this point in time I’m thinking I won’t get this opportunity too many times in life; I better position myself for the best and nearest spot to catch a solid picture of Lance riding in his inaugural mountain bike racing event. BOOM, go to Station E. I had learned from working the Cat 2 gig earlier that it would be at least 10 minutes before they would be at Station E. Bingo!
The Shot
Lance giving it hell!
Needless to say, I was poised for another cool shot on lap 2 but Lance never made it back around again, as he had a flat and retired from the event…
Frames 19-21
I had a suspicion Lance would make an appearance at awards time. Trying to figure if/when and so forth I over heard Ted from Mellow Johnny’s telling law enforcement the skinny on Lance and family coming down to hang at the podium. I made my way to the left side of the podium and waited. Within minutes the whole Armstrong Clan came rolling in on the previously mention ‘mule’. Lance hinted to an ongoing Mellow Classic, maybe a Spring/Fall annual thing. He also thanked many of the folk I had met and worked with on Pre Ride and Race Day. He also explained the flat tire…
Photo 22
Remember me stating I had eaten breakfast tacos and had coffee earlier. I also purchased a cool lid while waiting for my cup of Juan Pelota Café to brew up. I expected Lance to quickly be escorted back to the mule and jet. Nope, he was signing autographs but making his way to the mule in a smooth manner. At this point in time, I’m watching folks flip out trying to get close to Lance but I did have my own interest in an autograph. Bam! Mellow Johnny’s Classic lid I was wearing… popped into my head. I’m running out of time, the law is getting stingy; Lance and Clan looking to bolt. But I was very fortunate as he signed the bill of my cap.
To Lance it was merely another item being presented. To me it was my special lid, originally purchased because I knew only 48 hats like this were in existence. And I’m kinda like that; you know when you can get your hands on something unique and special, you gotta pull the trigger. I feel the same way about good people and good times! Cherish’em.
j a c k
PS, here’s how I knew only 47 caps were available-
@MellowClassic Almost forgot, if you're coming out Sunday get your hands on one of these [yfrog photo reference removed] 48 made & 47 left as JP found the stash
Lake Travis seems a long, long way away from a cold, wet afternoon in England...
@katmandelstein nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon would love to see some pics of Lake Travis. Took this one in August...
I took this picture from the terrace of the Oasis at Lake Travis during a glorious sunny day in August. Austin was in the middle of it's longest drought for 30 years, you can see how low the lake has gotten round the shoreline.
I think this was the exact point that Catherine and I made up our minds that we really want to move to Austin...
Mellow Classic - Rancho Juan Pelota | Pre Ride
Unfortunately, damp and chilly was theme of the day.
I met some very nice folk in the volunteer circle and Mellow Johnny’s staff on hand. Good people!
If I had a clue on the heavy hitter riders floating around, I would have gone out of my way for an intro or two. I did rap with Jeff at the Trek/Gary Fisher demo booth. He clued me in on what I’d be looking at $$$ wise IF I ever jump into off road cycling space. It’s tempting…
By 3pm many of the race participants had made laps on the course. The highlight of my day at the Mellow Classic was seeing a fair amount of younger kids decked in race gear (including lid) and a saddle under their rear. There is no denying the positive influence Lance, Mellow Johnny’s and the greater Austin cycling community are having on children. Love it!
Tomorrow is race day. I’ll be filling a course marshal role which places me somewhere on the race course equipped with a two way radio to communicate designated ‘post’ happenings.
Rancho Juan Pelota offers stunning views of TX Hill Country.
j a c k
Going East
I'm about to go check this out with Lauren. Hope it's fun.
After that, it's more work...
"Mister Tramps"
Something called "Mister Tramps" has popped up near my work. This immediately peaked my interest. Who is Mr. Tramp and what could go on inside this "European Sports Pub & Cafe" located strangely close to a Super Target and Asian shopping center? I had to investigate. Over a month of not-so-vigorous planning, I decided I would force my co-workers to come with me for a happy hour at Mister Tramps. Strength in numbers. Strength in numbers.
So, last Wednesday, it happened. We went to Mister Tramps. There were a lot of beers on tap and good company. We'll be back.
Overall, Mister Tramps is less trampy than you'd think. I'm still a little uneasy about the name.
Gourdough's Is Making Me Feel Quite Gordo
After reading many happy reviews on Yelp, and driving past the Airstream Trailer with super cute retro graphics after close, Lil Phan and I checked out Gourdough's on South Lamar this afternoon.
It was a foggy and generally icky day until Miss Shortcake arrived at my table. Wow. Warm just-fried almost funnel cake-like smell, rapidly melting cream cheese icing and fresh sliced strawberries--it was hard taking these pictures. Sensory overload. I should have stopped at half a donut. Miss Shortcake was so delicious, I had 7/8ths and wanted to explode.
Lil Phan had the Sara's Joy and I ordered the Heavenly Hash to go for Chris. Both enjoyed their gooey chocolate deliciousness.
For more pics of Lil Phan stuffing herself full of donuts check my flickr.
Yum. Yes, $3.95 per donut is a little pricey. BUT, you're getting much more than just a donut. It's more like $3.95 for an entire dessert. Or for me, $3.95 for Sunday brunch. Sounds like a steal.
I still have donut frosting all over my jeans. These markings are a status symbol...maybe I won't wash them.
P.S. They open at 10 am on weekends.
Austin, Day 1
Just got back from a work trip to Austin and Dallas, Texas. I gotta admit, Texas is much better than I expected, but also less than I expected in certain aspects.
I landed in Austin on Tuesday evening and was picked up by Peter in his relatively new, white Honda Accord. We were both hungry so we decided to immediately grab some Tex-Mex food at Guero's. This place, as well as South Congress, really got me into the local scene of good food, good looking people, and cheap eats, and all with this cool, low-key vibe. I had Queso for the first time, but this was no ordinary Queso. This Queso had chorizo and green onions in it. Amazingly good with the tortillas and freshly made chips. My dinner consisted of chicken and steak tacos. Both were tasty, but I got sort of full from the Queso.
Another really cool thing on South Congress was the "Trailer Eateries". This is a little trailer park, but the trailers were actually walk up restaurant-trailers with such places as Hey Cupcake! and The Mighty Cone! (yes, both places have exclamation points in their names). We didn't stop here as most of them looked closed for the evening. Our night, however, did not end at Guero's.. I got a quick tour of all the greatness known simply as 6th Street. Say "6th Street" anywhere in Texas, and probably anywhere west of the Mississippi, and people immediately know what you're talking about. The blocks on and around 6th contain something like 250 bars and music venues.. Wild! 6th (East of Congress, that is) has many of the bars, while the Red River District has some of the most well known music venues. I think this East 6th area is often referred to as "Dirty 6th". As you head West on 6th and cross Congress, 6th becomes a little more foo-foo. A little nicer bars, furniture stores, and a crazy Whole Foods supermarket. I say "super" because that thing took up a whole downtown city block! I was told this is the corporate headquarters as well, so it makes sense.
We ended the night at this amazingly cool bar called Lustre Pearl. Oh. My. God. This place was frickin cool. Wish I had the chance to see it on a weekend night. This was Tuesday. It still had a really cool vibe... Chill. Cheap drinks. Fun people. Ping Pong. Hoola Hoops. This place was a converted home that must have been built in the late 1800's or early 1900's. It had that old home charm, but was a bar with full indoor and outdoor areas to hang out. Really cool. Really hot. The neighborhood, though, is weird. House across the street is boarded up. A couple houses down is a beautiful example of the original architecture. Then empty lots with overgrown weeds, grass, dirt, and some abandoned vehicles. In San Francisco, realtors might call this an "up and coming neighborhood".. (sarcasm).. And then... Lustre's sister location, more upscale bar- Clive Bar. We just went to see it because it opened a couple months ago, but wow! I am impressed! Clean. Streamlined. Comfortable. Warm. This is a place, along with Lustre, I would definitely take people visiting, or looking for something different. Similar formula as Lustre with Indoor and Outdoor areas, built from a converted, old house, but you can feel the dial move from casual to "pop your collar". It's interesting because Clive doesn't feel pretentious or overdone, but you can feel the simple opulence around you. From the white, leather bar stools to the clever Patron tequila bottle chandeliers, Clive does a great job making you feel special being there. I just hope the neighborhood finds its identity. Seems like its at a crossroads of high rise condos, old school beautiful homes, run down lots, boarded up homes, and these two bars. I guess we'll see in the near future since I plan on making a visit to Austin at least once per year.
Banh Mi Pick Me Up
The banh mi chay (vegetarian banh mi sandwich) from Tam Deli always cheers me up during bad work days/weeks. The 10B gets all my coworkers excited. Yes, we actually refer to that sandwich as the 10B and no one really knows what's in it.
Tam Deli really needs a website so we can make carryout orders from work. Otherwise it's 10Bs for all. I'll see if I can make a proposition...
Read yummy reviews on Yelp.
P.S. DO NOT go on a Tuesday. You will find infinite sadness.
Burger House
Sunday morning we met Will and Nicole at Burger House so Chris and Will could watch the Cowboys. I'm pretty sure Nicole and I came solely for the fries. Burger House's fries are that good. The secret is in the seasoned salt. You can even buy it and take it home with you. So good.
I had the fries and grilled cheese. Everyone else had burgers. They recently added Boca burgers to the menu. Hooray! That's what I'm getting next time.
Will brought us discounted candy corn and blood orange flavored dots. I thought they tasted better than normal dots. I don't even think dots look like dots.
We took some time to admire Will's overalls before leaving. Aren't they incredible? He found them on a business trip to Kansas. To my knowledge, said business trip was not a quest to find overalls.
Check them out on Tuesday nights when burgers are buy one, get one free. Look around for the gingerbread Christmas themed salt shaker. More Burger House pictures on my flickr.
