WAR XXIII - Top Gun

So, I was drinking beer with a few WAR Veterans, thinking about how great it is outside right now.  Not hot, not cold, just perfect.  So, planning the WAR ride (which is, by the way, redundant), I'm thinking outdoor locations.

Then, for some strange reason, it hits me.  We need to pay tribute to a great childhood memory and military recruiting agent, Top Gun.  This is movie gold, Pre-Scientology Tom Cruise, and Kenny Loggins at his best.

What?  You say what it is the relevance?  Well, let's see......  first, Top Gun was released May 13, 1986, making this the 23th Anniversary.  Second, Kelly McGillis, who is quite possibility responsible for my first boner just came out as a lesbian.....just my luck.  Seriously - check it out - http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20275794,00.html

Finally - Kenny Loggins and homoerotic scenes with 'seaman' playing volleyball...how better to welcome in summer.

So......unless 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin", meet at Uncle Billy's BBQ on Barton Springs Road at 6pm for dinner.  Ride starts at 7pm.  Next we will visit Aussie's, for some mandatory beach volleyball.  You don't have to take your shirt off, but you do have to give a five both high and low like the Iceman.  Singing 'Playin With the Boys' is optional as well.

Next, it's time to buzz a tower - we'll hit the Tinest Bar in Texas.  Yee Haw...Jester's Dead.

Finally, we will finish at BS Saloon, where we will  sing 'Great Balls of Fire' to mourn anyone we might lose in a flat spin.

Oh - for this ride only - you can't go by your own name - pick a call sign.  Be creative - Maverick, Goose, Iceman, Jester, Wolfman, Hollywood, Slider and Charlie are not allowed.

Bring light, lock and cash.  And, NEVER EVER leave your wingman.

THE MAP

WAR XXII - Cinco de Mayo

Ok, so technically, it is Seis de Mayo, but close enough, right?  

Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico's unlikely defeat of the French in 1862.  I think the Mexicans are onto something here....If we make every defeat of the French a holiday, we'll never work again!

So, it is time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo WAR style.  Put on your sombrero, shove a lime in your beer and hop on your bike, because we are goin' East Side, esse.

We will meet for dinner at El Chile - 1809 Manor - at 6:15pm.  El Chile has, in my opinion (which is always right), some of the best mexican food in town.  They also have great Micheladas.  Ride starts promptly at 7pm.  We will visit Rio Grande downtown, take a tour of the East Side, visit Fiesta Gardens, thumb our noses at the French Legation Museum and have a cold one at the Long Branch Saloon.  We will end up next door to where we started on the porch of the Red House.

Bring lights, a helmet, a lock and some friends.  See you there.

THE MAP

Real Ale Ride - May 30th

I love bikes and I love beer.  If my wife is reading this, I love her too.  

What I love most of all is bikes and beer together (hence the WAR).  What I love more than most of all is good beer and bikes together.  So, a number of us WAR verterans are going out to ride the Real Ale Ride in Blanco, TX on 5/30.

The Real Ale Brewery is making some of the best beer in the country right now in my opinion.  You should listen to my opinion, because I'm always right.  However, the little brewery down the road is more than just great beer; they are very supportative of cycling and also adhere firmly to green standards.  So let's support these fine folks and also suck down a few of their fine beverages.  

The ride is totally supported, you can pick lengths of 15-80 miles and afterwards - the three "B's" - Beer, BBQ and Brewery Tours!

Register at http://www.realaleride.com/ 

Post a comment below if you plan on heading out and we'll be on the lookout for you.  

WAR XXI - Happy 21st Bithday!

Well, mathematically, it was bound to happen.  The Wednesday urban Assault Ride is officially old enough to drink.  I don't know if you remember your 21st Birthday, but I do remember a portion of mine.

Let's see, being 21, of course we went to 6th street and visited a bunch of bars which don't exist anymore.  If you remember The Black Cat, Joe's Generic Bar, Steamboat, Tropical Isle or the Daiquiri Factory you might have been there.  You know, all of those bars are gone now.  In fact, hell, I think all of the bars on 6th have changed.  I don't even know where the kids puke anymore.  Anyway, my night culminated by being thrown out of one of those fine establishments when a friend of mine attempted to head butt a towel dispenser.  (He lost and has still has the scar to prove it.)

So, this week, let's attempt to recreate our 21st birthdays.  I mean, really how long has it been since you tasted the sweet sweet nectar that is a Flaming Dr. Pepper?  This re-creation is like visiting the Gettysburg battlegrounds - you know SOMETHING happened there, but all the evidence is long gone.

Well, let's give it a shot.  Meet for a nice college meal at Plucker's - 22nd and Rio Grande at 6:15.  Ride will depart at 7:00pm.  Then we will visit the last remaining 'legacy' bar on 6th Street - Shakespeare’s.  From there we'll visit the 'north legacy' - Nasty's.  Finally, we will hang out with the frat boys at Cain & Ables.

 

See you there.  Party on, Wayne.

THE MAP

WAR XX - Spring has Sprung

Last WAR, we had a few brave souls brave the rain and hail to make it out and grab a beer.  Well, at least we got soaked on the inside as well.

The trees are blooming, the grass is green, and the kids are back from break...it must be spring.  The weather is predicted to be perfect, so lets have a ride through a few Austin Parks and grab a beer at some establishments with outdoor seating.

Meet at Trudys (Texas Star - 409 W 30th)  at 6:15pm for dinner.  Ride will start promptly at 7:15.  We will visit Shoal Creek Saloon and Cuatros, ending up at the Spider House, next door to our starting location.

Wear a helmet, bring a spare tube, a bike lock, lights and a friend.

THE MAP

WAR - XIX - Exodus of the Hipster

I hope everyone got out to enjoy the great weather and catch a few SXSW shows this weekend.  A lot of us discovered new and interesting places to drink free beer all weekend.  I think I injured my liver.

The Hipsters were out in full force last week, and nearly took over the town.  Fortunately, I heard a truck load of PBR bound for Austin overturned in Waco and left many without their 'ironic substanance'.  They were left to depart for higher grounds....mainly Williamsburg, I think.

So, put away your trucker's hat and throwback sunglasses until next year and let's celebrate a few spots than weren't SXSW venues, but make Austin the place that us locals enjoy year round.

Pretty unique to Austin - let's meet up for dinner and a beer at a cool patio location...of a grocery store.  Meet at Central Market (38th and Lamar) at 6:30 - 3/25.  You can grab some delicious food and a cold one.  We willl depart at 7pm.

We'll check out the Crown, pay Mr. Potatohead a visit and finish up and a bar that strives to be a parking lot - the Draught House.

Bring your helmet, lock and friends.  Hipsters forbidden!

THE MAP

WAR XVIII - Put a little Irish in ya'

WAR XVIII is scheduled for MONDAY, 3/16.  So, we are close enough to St. Patrick's Day to officially saulte the Irish.

Although St. Paddy's Day is a great holiday, it's kinda weird when you think about it.  It is the only holiday I can think of that celebrates by sterotype.  We celebrate Irish heritage by wearing green and getting loaded.  Weirder still - the Irish embrace it.

Hey, if they don't mind, neither do I.  Let's honor the Lepurchans with an Irish Pub Crawl.  We'll hit Austin's finer 'really , it's NOT Bennigan's' style pubs.  Expect to visit BD Reileys, Bull McCabes, Fado and Mother Egans.

If you want some Irish eats before the ride, meet at Fado (214 W. 4th) at 6:15p.  Ride starts promptly at 7:00p.  Wear green.  Ladies, feel free to show your shamrocks and kiss me - I'm Irish.

I'll buy a beer for the first person to down an Irish Car Bomb.