Ride Report – Ride for Heroes 2014

Have you read one of our Ride Reports? Wheel Brother Ride Reports are first hand reports from recently past races, to give you the scoop on exactly what it is like to ride it! This week, we have a Ride Report from Eric Haugland. He scoped out Ride of Heroes, and was kind enough to share his experience with all of us. Give it a read, and find out more about this sweet ride.

Went and made the drive out to Aledo on Easter weekend to do the Ride For Heroes.  First time for this ride so I did a bit of homework to see what it was all about.  Web site says its a rambling ride through Parker Co and has plenty of hills.  No problem, I’m ok with that so we went ( my oldest son and I).

 Drive was easy, directions to the Aledo HS easy as well.  We drove down from the speedway area and were there in 40 minutes.  The start/finish is in the high school parking lot, so there is plenty of parking.  Equally easy was the sign in.  Plenty of volunteers, so we were in and out in five minutes.

Got lined up in the HS driveway behind a local fire truck that would lead us out.  This ride benefits the local FD, so there was plenty of support from them directing traffic and providing EMT types along the route.

As we left the school grounds, we made our way through some road construction which was bothersome, but will no doubt be completed by next year.  As stated, the route has hills….some steep and some rollers….and you hit those fairly quickly.  Pace yourself, you will deal with them all day.  The web site also mentioned that Parker Co is the heart of the Barnett Shale play, so the roads can be rough due to oilfield operations.  This is an understatement.  While the quiet roads and hills were fun to ride, the roads were rough all day with very little relief.  Do not skimp on gloves or bar wrap!  Chip seal and oilfield truck damage have taken their toll, so be warned and be heads up.  My hands were a bit numb for a couple hours after the ride.

The finish is by the football stadium.  Part of the deal is that you get fed afterward!  The fire department grills burgers by the stadium, and everyone sits around comparing notes!  (Caution: school property….no adult beverages…just sayin)

Overall, nice 70 mile ride, just a bit rough.  Well run, friendly folks, nice area.  I’ll do it again next year.

Eric Haugland