Steve, Peggy, Nelson, and I rolled out of the Lynn Creek Marina parking lot at 6:30 am this morning to ride the Magical Mystery Tour 200k permanent. Mark M had planned on joining us, but developed a serious cough (a common occurrence after an ultra race as tough as the one he just finished), and didn't ride.
 
The wind was already blowing early, and after a few miles of riding mostly west, we were facing a big headwind as we turned south for Alvarado. The second control at mile 16 has become an information control since the store closed down, but they were rebuilding it as we stopped there this morning, even paving the parking lot, so it may be a full fledged control again soon.
 
We made an unscheduled stop at a store in Alvardo, then rode on south. We turned east onto FM 916 a couple of miles east of Grandview, and headed for the next control in Maypearl. This is a smooth and low traffic stretch of road, a great place to ride. Steve took off ahead of the group, and I took off behind him, but soon realized that his pace was going to be much too much for me, so I eased off a bit. Peggy came flying by me, then Nelson did the same thing. We pretty much time trialed it all the way to Maypearl. The whole way, I was thinking, "I'm going to be paying for this later."
 
After the Maypearl control at mile 54, the route heads south to Italy. It's a tough stretch that's mostly against the wind, with some tough little hills, wooden bridges, and open stretches where the wind really blows.
 
After the Italy control at mile 71, the route goes several miles northeast on Hwy 34, then turns north and goes to Waxahachie for the next control at mile 99. By the time we reached this control, the heat was brutal, 100 degrees with high humidity and a heat index near 110. We took a longer cool-off break at the Waxahachie control, then rode on toward Cedar Hill and the Lakeridge Parkway descent that ends the ride.
 
As we topped a hill at mile 108, Mark and Linda M were waiting with an iced down pump sprayer, and misted us with cold water. It was very refreshing in the serious heat of the day. Thanks, Mark and Linda!
 
I ended up with 127.1 miles, and finished the ride in 10:08. Mark and Linda joined us for dinner at Chili's afterward. Thanks, y'all, it was a great ride, and we survived the heat! This should do a good job of putting us all in the mood for next week's scheduled night brevet.

Bud, nice write up report. Its always fun to ride with this group. After a few weeks off the bike (post 1,000k & pre RAW) ,I was feeling pretty good. Bud was right behind me on the sprints, as was Peggy & Nelson.
 
I had forgotten how much I enjoy this route. A lot of good roads, & with a favorable southwest tailwind (like yesterdays) ,this is an enjoyable route. I worry about Peggy in the heat. She did OK, but needed some time in Waxachchie to cool off. I love the heat, despise the cold. This is my time of year.  
 
And for the record, Mark & Linda were unsolicited support yesterday. The cold water spray (from a bug sprayer) is what the crew used to keep Mark cool during the desert crossing on RAW. So Mark & Linda were just returning the favor. And everyone of us appreciated the cold water spray.  
 
For some reason, I thought that was Mark L. honking at us in Italy. Glad to hear you had a good ride. I can only imagine some of the thoughts that the finished cyclists had as they saw 4 recumbent riders riding the same roads they had hours earlier.  
 
Peggy & I are looking forward to next weekend's night brevet.