This graffiti wall faces the restaurant that one of the bicycle social groups meets at on Saturday. Now, the wall is torn down and just a pile of rocks and debris. My city likes to do that. They like to tear things down and build condos over it. That is why my friend jokes that the city bird is the crane.

About the social bicycling group for Saturdays-  (for whoever likes to know all the details (family mostly)):::
A group of people, none that I am too familiar with, meet each Saturday at a restaurant of their choice for breakfast, drink mimosas, and then go on a 10-20 mile bike ride while hyped up on caffeine (optional). This ride is always posted on Facebook, (which is one reason why I can’t seem to get rid of my Facebook account, all the rides are organized there with invites, etc)

Secret Beach break

The Saturday ride is probably my favorite ride, because I get to spend my entire morning and afternoon cycling. I ride from my apartment to the starting point, which adds about 20 miles total to the ride after it is all said and done. 

swimming hole break

It always ends up being such a good day, because it includes swimming and exploring, and not having to be anywhere at a certain time.  

There are struggles, which include trying to drink a bottle of water every hour, reapplying sunscreen as often as possible (sounds easy but it's not and if you screw up you can be a zombie and/or extremely dehydrated and grumpy). Chugging Redbull is a certainty.

 At the end of the day I am usually pretty tired and/or tipsy (I like grabbing beers on the way here and there) and ready to jump in my pool at home.

 A couple of times, I have been exhausted until the following Wednesday. Now that fall is starting,  I am just now to the point where my Saturday all-day rides do not take the life out of me (riding at night time after work Mon-Fri is nothing like riding during the daytime, especially in 100+ degree weather!!). Next summer I'll be prepared. And smarter, etc. This is my first year of doing stuff like this...learning curve.

Totally worth it!!!