Forestburg - It's A Wrap
by Deb Franklin
Sag Wagon News
FORESTBURG, TX-
The bustle of activity in the parking lot at Ronny Crownover took
place an hour earlier than normal as riders anxiously awaited the much
anticipated Forestburg ride. As the sun found its way through a fog
that had settled on the small towns stretched between Sanger and
Forestburg, headlights from a caravan of CCC vehicles barreled
down Highway 455. Once we arrived, riders set up camp at the
local Methodist church as water bottles and snack packs were
loaded in Alex’s sag wagon.
Making a church parking lot the start of the ride proved to be a good
omen. Perhaps with His interest in cycling peaked by this year’s Tour
de France in progress, the good Lord seemed to be smiling down
on the CCC riders. Not only was the weather cool by Texas in July
standards, but three groups of riders made it through the day
with no flats….in fact, no mechanical mishaps of any kind.
(Yes, Tim Miller was in attendance).
Riders didn’t get many breaks as winding country roads took them
from one hill to the next through small towns where the number of
cemeteries seemed to outnumber the living. A flock of larger-than-life
buzzards just off the road served as another ominous sign, yet
the groups persevered
Thirteen miles into the ride, twenty-three riders were faced with a
challenge to either turn left to take the 45-mile ride or go north to take
on 72 miles of pavement. The C group led by Lance took the shorter
route while the others were determined to ride the distance.
Attempting
to find a short cut into
off the map’s route and straight into the Wal-Mart parking lot. Quickly
back on track, the A boys reached the 32 mile rest stop at Lake Amon
G Carter with a blistering 21MPH average. Not to be outdone, the
B group rolled in shortly thereafter.
The landscape turned a bit more challenging in the next leg, but the
CCC riders climbed like angels to the next stop. Next to the local
church car wash, the most exciting thing to hit Alvord that day was
the whoops and hollers heard by the B group as they spotted the sag
wagon at the second and final stop before the return to Forestburg.
After successfully completing their 72-mile trek, the A group riders
began filing into the church parking lot. Apparently feeling spiritually
moved by the day’s experience, some riders “baptized” themselves
using the water faucet on the side of the church. After changing shoes
and clothes, riders made the short walk down to enjoy a hamburger
or barbeque at “Big Mama’s”. Opened just six weeks, Big Mama
and Mr. Big Mama dished out some delicious piles of meat served
with
various side dishes and down-home
Just as some concerns were raised about the whereabouts of the B group,
they victoriously rolled into the parking lot and joined the others.
From there, riders from the groups swapped stories to conclude a
perfect day of riding.
"The Yellow Train descends a hill leaving Forestburg."
"Thrasher and Jessica power the B group down the road."
"The A group roars around the bend towards Alvord."
