Ride Director: Becky Hettinger
Ride Co-Director: Charlie Hettinger
Report by: Rita Zeidner
When many of us met ride leader Becky Hettinger for the first time, she was wearing an apron and coveralls. That may not be the typical kit for a ride leader. But it epitomizes the approach she and her low-key husband, Charlie, take to leading a ride. The Hettingers — who have led this trip most years since the Obama Era — couldn’t have made the trip’s 40 participants feel more welcome. And neither spared any effort to ensure we got the most out of our week.
Our group included riders of vastly varying abilities, as well as many nonriding sidekicks. (A special shout-out to the nonriders, who were exceptionally good sports for putting up with the rest of us.) But the trip offered something for everyone.
Riders could choose from 24 routes ranging in distance from 17-55 miles. Terrain was mostly gentle, although the steady wind and heat (90 degrees on several days), increased the challenge. The timing of the trip was perfect— the flowers were at (or near peak). Among the group’s favorite routes:
· Pecan Creek
· Willow City School
· The canyon portions of the Willow City Loop, where flowers abounded. Most riders experienced the canyon as an out and back beginning in Willow City. Fred wins the prize as the only rider to complete the full 56-mile circuit, although some of us, ahem, actually rode more miles attempting the route, but got lost and had to improvise.
Several riders lauded a route they constructed by combining portions of the Gypsum Mine Loop and the Little Switzerland cues.
Here’s how some trip participants said they enjoyed their time out of the saddle:
· Touring the National Museum of the Pacific War. About half the group availed themselves of the hefty discount the ride leaders arranged.
· Hiking nearby Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
· Touring the Fredericksburg Pioneer Museum
· Birding at Lady Bird Johnson Park
· Relaxing at the hotel pool
Several of the nightly social hours featured presentations on such offbeat topics as the burgeoning Texas wine industry (courtesy of Michael Cook, a viticulturist from Texas A&M University) and the colorful history of the area’s many one-room schools (presented by local historian James Lindley). Goat herders Bonnie and Dale Naumann demonstrated how they make mohair from angora goats, delighting many of us with the guest appearance of two members of their herd.
Gary Trumet, one of our hotel’s managers, gave a short concert featuring a 12-foot-long alpine horn (can you say Ricola?) and cow bells.
A word about the goodie bag our hosts presented to us at the opening cocktail party. It brimmed with stuff you might actually want to take home as souvenirs of the trip, including a set of hand-stamped leather coasters, a Texas-shaped trivet and a classy pen milled from 100-year-old salvaged cedar. Also included was a dangerously large bag of the world’s best candied pecans, locally sourced, of course. (Don’t take my word on the pecans. Order some for yourself at https://www.marksthespottx.com/).
The Hettingers outdid themselves with the closing banquet — where Becky again donned her apron and spent much of the evening helping the serving staff. The standout meal featured at least a half dozen gourmet appetizers and beef tenderloin. (This is after all, Texas.) But there was still plenty to keep us vegetarians happy and well-fed. As a closing gift, we were presented with a box of delicious handmade chocolates, again, locally sourced.
In all, a very fun trip and fun break — safely conducted — during the pandemic.
Bicycle Adventure Club
PO BOX 23998 San Diego, CA 92193
Telephone (858) 715-9510 office@bicycleadventureclub.org