Five Bikes in the 50’s….

I had been somewhat anxiously watching the weather forecast for Saturday, December 2, due to Chapter U’s planned afternoon ride to visit Gonzalez, Texas for their Christmas market and candlelight historic home tour.  My anxiety was due to the expected cold front coming in to Texas, dramatically lowering our expected daytime temperatures 20+ degrees!  Now Brad and I have always chosen to not ride below 50 degrees and then only if the sun was going to warm up and increase the temperature into the 60’s.  It seemed like the cold was going to keep the temperature in the 50’s, so Brad and I went and bought some additional clothing in preparation for the Gonzalez ride.

Much to our delight, 4 other bikes (and 7 other people) braved the cold and we headed off to Cibolo for yummy barbecue at Harmon’s, a well-kept secret that travels mouth-to-mouth (literally sometimes I think!).  Thanks to Diane Goree for helping me find my gold hoop earring that came off with my helmet…I now have joined most co-riders in giving up earrings when I wear a helmet!  I was happy to find out that I had prepared better than some of my fellow co-riders had for their first “cold weather” ride but still felt another layer (or leather chaps) would have kept me a bit toastier.  It is always great to swap notes with fellow co-riders on what to wear and where to buy it!  Martha Gover won the competition for the co-rider with the most layers!

After a great early lunch, we headed south to Gonzalez via scenic ranch roads with little traffic.  This ride is what Brad and I think Chapter U is all about:  easy, safe, riding with friends on scenic routes that are not well-traveled so we aren’t pushed by hurried drivers.  We waved hello to the world’s largest pecan in Seguin and pushed on to Gonzalez where we stopped for much- welcomed hot chocolate and more socializing before Dave Weaver and Dale and Diane Goree headed back to San Antonio.  Thanks to Dave, Dale and Diane for joining us for a good part of the day!  The last 3 bikes pushed on to downtown Gonzalez and parked in time to follow Santa Claus to the Christmas market. 

At first we thought the market wasn’t very large but somehow we managed to check names of our Christmas lists…and buy a few goodies for ourselves.  Purchases included great salsa (recommended by Olin Gover!), an “antique” doorstop, and several jewelry purchases which the co-riders will be sporting but then wrapping some for gifts!  Brad’s camera battery was dying so some of the pictures were too blurred to share…Connie Jordan you are off the hook as one of those pictures was of you sporting that really cute raccoon hat with the eyes and tail!  I think Brad was the only holdout on finding a purchase because Kenny Jordan found a special treasure too. 

Gathering up our purchases, we loaded the Wings and winged our way over to the two historic homes with free admission:  the Old Gonzalez College that was converted into a residence in 1892, and the F.M. Fly House built in 1914 that has been converted into an antique store.  Both were decorated for Christmas but everything in the Fly House was also for sale so of course more names were crossed off shopping lists! 

We headed back to San Antonio on a more direct route arriving back into the meeting point around about 5:15 and before dark!  Though it was a bit chilly at times when the wind picked up, overall my planned layers worked well.  I had a wonderful time and felt like I had experienced a special offering of the Season with Chapter U.  We have more special holiday rides planned so I hope you can find the chance to join us!